Page 42 of North Queen
She shifted her focus back in front of her and paused in surprise as she saw Catherine hurrying toward her.
“Come, child,” the queen regent said as she grabbed Norah’s hand and pulled her back toward her chamber.
Confusion muddled her mind. “Are we not going to eat?”
“Later. You’re tired now.”
Except Norah wasn’t tired. She was hungry. But Catherine’s tone told her to go along, and she did. She glanced at Titus as Catherine practically dragged her along. He gave no reaction at all; he simply followed.
When they reached the chamber, Catherine closed the door behind them, leaving Titus and Aaron outside. “Get your cloak. We’re going to meet someone.”
Norah raised a brow. “Who?”
“Someone with a special gift.” Catherine pulled Norah closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You know of seers? Those who can see visions of the future? Well, there are rare people, travelers, seers with a greater power—one that allows them to journey into the minds of others.”
Norah’s heart skipped a beat. “Can someone with this power help me remember?”
“I don’t know. But if they can, wouldn’t you want them to try?”
“Of course I would.” It shouldn’t have even been a question.
Catherine grasped Norah’s hands. “It’s important no one knows of this visit, not even Alexander.”
“Why?” Norah was growing tired of secrets.
“Travelers are forbidden in Mercia. Many believe their power to go into one’s mind is the work of great evil, of dark magic.”
“Is that what Alexander thinks?”
Catherine snicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Hardly. But he wouldn’t approve of us flitting off in the night to meet an unlawful mind worker.”
It amused Norah that her grandmother would worry about what Alexander did or did not approve of.
Catherine led Norah through the bath and into the cabinet chamber. “Where’s your cloak?” she asked, but pulled it from a hanger before Norah had a chance to answer.
Norah wrapped the cloak around her, then took a second one that Catherine held out for her.
“Take this one for me,” the queen regent said.
Her brows drew together in confusion, but she didn’t have time to question her. Catherine pulled up the center rug and opened a hidden door beneath with a small staircase leading downward.
Norah’s eyes widened in surprise. “What’s that?” she gasped.
“A hidden passageway. All castles have them. It’s how you snuck around when you were younger. You always had your guard on alert.” She looked back at Norah. “And don’t think that big bald one has forgotten.”
Titus.
“Now, go to the bottom of the stairs and wait for me. I’ll meet you there.”
Catherine herded Norah down into the stairwell. Once Norah was clear of the door, her grandmother closed it again, then flopped the rug back over the top.
Norah turned back to the stairs, holding the railing carefully as she made her way down into the darkness. How strange to find herself here, but her lips curved into a smile. Catherine was showing herself to be quite the free spirit as well. Norah felt even closer to her.
She did as she was told and waited for her grandmother at the bottom of the stairs. It wasn’t long before she saw the faint light of her grandmother’s lantern approaching from a side tunnel. Once she reached Norah, she took the extra cloak and wrapped it around herself.
Without a word, Catherine led her through a series of cold, dark passageways, winding and weaving, before they finally emerged onto a cobblestone street.
“Stay close,” Catherine said. “I’ll not have you lost in the city.”
