Page 114 of Shadow Queen
“I’ll stay,” he called after her. She paused and looked back, surprised by his compliance.
“Thank you,” she said.
Norah made her way toward the dining hall, and a wave of guilt rippled through her. Despite how she loathed him sometimes, Soren was a good commander and not a completely reprehensible man.
A servant passed her in the hall, stopping first to bow.
“Will you take something to eat to the lord commander?” she asked.
“Yes, Regal High.”
She paused and thought for a moment. “Add a plate for me as well. And tell my grandmother that I’m tired and will be taking dinner privately this evening.”
“Yes, Regal High.”
The servant hurried to the kitchen, and Norah made her way back to the commander’s chamber.
His face flashed with surprise when he opened the door and saw her.
“I thought I would join you in confinement,” she said. “At least for dinner.”
“I don’t need your pity. I’m well suited alone.” His voice was edged with annoyance.
“Well, maybe I’m not yet suited to face the continued judgments of my grandmother and my council.” Or Alexander, who was no doubt still stewing over Bahoul and her decision to bring Soren to Mercia.“So, will you bear my company?”
He relented and opened the door wider, and she stepped inside.
A servant whisked in behind her with a tray of food and set it on the table. The maid set down two goblets and a carafe of wine and gave Norah a bow before slipping out of the chamber and closing the door behind her.
Soren motioned her to the table. Norah pursed a smile and sat, and he took the chair across from her. He pulled off his wrap, and she let her eyes travel over him. She saw his face often; he didn’t cover himself inside the castle in Kharav, but somehow, he looked different here. Sharper. Unsettling.
“No blood bowl?” he asked as he looked at the food.
Norah filled her wineglass and handed him the carafe. “I thought it might be a little too much. At least in the beginning, until everyone’s acquainted with you.” She wrinkled her nose. “Because asking for blood is… weird… and creepy.”
He let out a small snort as he filled his own cup. “I wasn’t serious. I’ll manage.”
She couldn’t help a smile. He was always serious. Her curiosity couldn’t be contained. “Why do you drink it? Blood.”
“It makes me strong.”
She raised a brow. “So does food and water.”
“I like it,” he answered shortly.
Norah brought her cup to her lips to fill the tensioned silence.
Soren leaned back in his chair. “When Salar and I escaped Bahoul after the North overran us, we traveled for days. I protected him. I hunted. We ate the food raw because we couldn’t build a fire.” He picked up his chalice and took a drink. “I remember the blood on my tongue. And when I drink it now, it reminds me of who I am.”
Norah had never imagined herself feeling emotional over a story about drinking blood, but she felt that way now. Soren drank from a blood bowl because it reminded him of when he had been strong. It made him feel strong. And she could understand that.
“I’ll hunt,” he told her.
“Hunting sounds perfect. I’m sure Adrian would love to take you.”
He paused, then said, “I would like that.”
Norah took a bite of the dauo root and rice on her plate. She watched him as he made an effort of the karo fish. He grimaced, and she realized he likely had never eaten fish from the North Sea. Its taste wasn’t for everyone. She couldn’t help a smile. They sat quietly for a moment.
