Page 74 of North Queen
Norah stepped out of her chamber and into the hall leading to the stair. She noticed the captain, Caspian, on guard with Titus, as he had been the evening before.Odd.
When they reached the judisaept, the council was waiting.
So was Alexander.
She tried to avoid him, but his gaze caught hers. She couldn’t escape. There was a desperation in the storms of his eyes. And something else. But she couldn’t think about that right now. She took her place at the head of the table, but she didn’t sit. This wouldn’t take long, and she couldn’t bear to be there any longer than she needed to.
Norah swallowed, forcing an even tone. “As you’re all aware, a new vision has come.”
The council cast approving eyes on Alexander, clearly already feeling victorious over the Shadow King. Norah didn’t. She wasn’t sure if she could get the rest of the words out. “As queen, I can’t see a clearer path than the one with Aleon. I’ve written to King Phillip, accepting his proposal of marriage, to continue the strong alliance between Mercia and Aleon.”
The councilmen grinned and clapped, nodding in agreement and triumph. All except for Alexander.
“I’ll leave in a week’s time.” She had more to add, but she couldn’t speak it through the tears that threatened. She couldn’t let them see her cry. “If you’ll excuse me, councilmen,” she said shakily. She turned and left before they could answer, stepping out into the hall and trying to catch her breath.
“Norah,” her grandmother called from behind her.
But she couldn’t face her. She couldn’t face anyone. She hurried down the pillared walk and through the great hall, with only the sound of the captain’s steps behind her. Of course he would follow.
When she reached the stairs leading up to her chamber, she paused, looking back. Catherine hadn’t come after her. She glanced at Caspian, frustrated. There would be no getting rid of him. She turned and took a separate small hall toward a side drawing room. She wanted to be alone, as alone as she could be, and perhaps no one would look for her there.
The chill of the room would have normally pushed her from staying long, but she welcomed it now. It helped her stave off the tears that threatened. She’d do whatever was needed to help her kingdom and her people, but that didn’t mean she’d resolved her emotion.
Norah stood by the window, looking out over the reach of the isle. The room had a view of the small sparring field on the west side, where she had tested swords with Alexander. Her mind moved to him. As if on cue, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see him.
His presence forced more feelings that she was trying so hard to keep back. She turned to the window again, focusing on the sparring field outside and the men practicing on it.
Alexander drew close beside her. “Norah,” he said softly. He waited until she looked at him. His face was etched in sadness, and it unleashed her own.
She closed her eyes against the overwhelming wave of emotion. Eternity spun around them in the silence.
“Norah,” he said again, and she opened her eyes to him. “That night at the tree… it was the night before your father took you. It was the last time I saw you, and it’s haunted me since. Had I known…”
He stopped himself and pushed out a long breath between his teeth.
Her eyes searched his. “What would you have done differently had you known?”
But he didn’t answer.
She nodded.Nothing. She needed to accept this was what they were. She moved to leave, but he caught her hand.
“Norah.”
His touch pulsed a warmth through her, and she stopped. Her eyes dropped to where his hand wrapped around her wrist. He loosened his hold but didn’t let her go.
They stood as if they each feared the reaction of the other.
Alexander stepped closer. His fingers relaxed around her wrist, and ever so softly he grazed her palm as he ran his hand down over hers. His caress prickled her skin as he entwined his fingers between hers.
“Did you lie to me?” she whispered.
His breath clipped.
She lifted her eyes to his. “Did you lie when you said you didn’t love me?”
His lips parted, but there were no words. She wanted to beg him to tell her he lied.
He leaned even closer as he lowered his head, with only a breath between them. If she raised her chin, their lips would meet. Her body betrayed her, rolling her upward.
