Page 68 of North Queen
Back at her chamber, Norah opened the door to see Catherine waiting for her. “Grandmother,” she said. They had spoken a little since the meeting with the council, enough to settle things between them. Mostly.
“Where were you?” Catherine asked.
“Just… out for a walk.” She expected Catherine to press her more or find something else to chastise, like seeing Norah in her outerwear, but the woman had something else on her mind. Norah noticed she held a box in her hand.
“A gift has come for you. From Phillip.”
Norah’s stomach turned sour. She was afraid to ask. “What kind of gift?”
Catherine pulled the top from the box to reveal a stunning sapphire necklace. Smaller jewels plated the sides, and there was a large stone pendant in the center. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It is,” Norah replied. It was beautiful, but she didn’t want jewelry. She wished King Phillip knew her better. Perhaps then he would have sent her a knife. She chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Catherine asked.
Norah pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Here, he sent this as well.” Her grandmother handed her a small painted portraiture of the king.
She reluctantly took it. He wasn’t much older than she was, and he had a strong, square jaw and bronzed-brown hair. His nose was straight, refined, but not feminine. His eyes were as blue as Alexander’s. Well, not quite as blue. He was very handsome, she hated to admit, although she didn’t like the mustache. “Do you think he really looks like this? Or maybe they just paint him favorably. Heisking.”
“I’ve laid eyes on him myself, as have you. He really does look this way.”
She bit the side of her cheek. “Do you think he’d shave his face if I asked him to?”
“By the gods, Norah.”
She shrugged with a frown.
“You should wear the necklace today.”
Norah shifted, drawing her brows together. “I… don’t think it will match.” She looked at the small portraiture again and put her finger over his mustache. He had kind eyes. But she wouldn’t wear his necklace.
“Norah, you haven’t even chosen a dress yet.”
“I have, in my mind. It doesn’t match.”
Catherine snapped closed the necklace box. “You are impossible sometimes.” She sighed. “Get ready. I want you to attend worship with me today at the temple. It will be good for the people to see a pious queen. And it will do you some good to get out.”
Norah felt quite the opposite, but she knew her grandmother was trying to give her something else to think about, and she smiled appreciatively as she went to decide on a dress.
Norah smiled as she and Catherine arrived at the temple and were heartily greeted by those walking in. She wasn’t particularly interested in attending, but Catherine was right—it felt good to be out.
The temple was larger than Norah had expected, and as they entered, she noticed the rows of cushions on the floor, for kneeling. Her eyes caught the priest at the front, who motioned her forward, and she made her way toward him.
“Yes, yes, all the way forward,” Catherine whispered behind her.
The priest smiled with a nod, motioning to the first row on the left, but as Norah looked around, she stopped. To her right, across the walkway, was Alexander, looking back at her. She was about to smile at him, but just as quickly, she saw Ismene, who had taken her place on the cushion beside him. Ismene gave a bow of her head, and Norah returned the nod, swallowing back her sudden swell of jealousy.
“Kneel on the cushion,” her grandmother whispered from behind.
Norah turned her attention forward and found the cushion, dropping to her knees and sitting back on her heels. Catherine lowered herself beside her with a hand from the priest.
With everyone in attendance, the priest raised his arms, beginning the prayer. Norah couldn’t rid herself of the fire building inside her. Alexander had said her grandmother committed his attendance.
She set this up.
Norah’s cheeks burned with anger: at her grandmother’s manipulation, at Ismene. She couldn’t help herself and swept her eyes to where Alexander sat. A jolt ran through her as their stares locked. She tried to pull away, having been caught, but his gaze held her. It cupped her breath in her chest and seeded warmth across her skin. Her anger dissipated.
