Page 116 of Shadow Queen
She wondered how he felt, finally in the kingdom he had worked so hard to invade—the kingdom he had tried so hard to destroy.
“Has the lord commander risen?” she asked.
Serene nodded. “He already left, Regal High.”
She met her maid’s eyes in the reflection. “What?”
“Early this morning. Lord Adrian went with him.”
Norah shifted uneasily. They must have gone hunting. Shehadproposed that he take Adrian hunting, but she’d thought she’d have more time to warm Alexander up to the idea.
“Is everything all right?” Serene asked.
“Um, yes, of course. Just let me know when they return.” Until then, she’d try her best to avoid Alexander.
Norah chewed her sausage slowly. It had been too big of a bite.
Her grandmother watched her between her own bites. “You’ve barely said a word all morning.”
She swallowed and wished she had more sausage. It was better than talking. “Oh, um… I’m just thinking about the upcoming state session with the council, and other things…” She let her voice trail off. She didn’t mention Soren’s threat, or her current worry of Adrian’s whereabouts, or that he was with the lord commander. She suspected Catherine would be beside herself, and Alexander would send a full army to recover him. That wasn’t the situation she cared to deal with at the moment.
“The lord justice was looking for you earlier. Did you speak to him?”
Norah quickly put a large bite of bread in her mouth and shook her head. It was shocking that he hadn’t been able to find her while she so actively avoided him.
“What will you do about the demon?” Catherine asked. “Is he to wander Mercia as he pleases, assessing our weaknesses, devising his plans?”
Norah swallowed the piece of bread she had over-chewed. “Youdoknow he’s not a demon, right?”
“Flesh and blood or no, there’s evil in him.”
Norah took a drink of her tea and tilted her head. “Yes, everyone seems to have that impression. Is it the eyes, you think?”
“The gods’ mercy.” Catherine sighed. “Norah, this is not a joke.”
“It almost is!” she said with a slight smile that garnered her grandmother’s scowl. “He’s a grudging, resentful, angry man, rather large, slightly scary-looking, who’s managed to frighten entire kingdoms.” Norah shook her head. “I think he just doesn’t like people.” Then, a little quieter, she added, “You should understand that.”
Catherine let out a breath of offense. “Are you really comparing me to the Destroyer?”
“No, of course not. I just think you’d get along. Well.” She shrugged, looking at the cat lounging on a pillowed bed against the wall. “He’s an animal lover, you know.”
Catherine’s face was dark for one so pale. She dropped her napkin on her plate and rose from the table, leaving without a word.
Norah sighed. She hadn’t meant to upset her grandmother or be disrespectful, but she was frustrated. It seemed there was no reasoning, no logic, only hate and intolerance. She knew she wasn’t dealing with it well, but she didn’t know how to, and in these moments, her emotions seemed to choose her words for her.
Alexander’s voice behind her made her cringe, but Norah turned with a forced smile.
“Queen Norah, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
“Oh. Really?”
He raised a brow, and she cursed herself quietly. Why was she so obvious?
“I don’t mean to disturb you at breakfast, but have you seen Adrian?” he asked.
“I haven’t,” she said.Not this morning.
His eyes narrowed, and her pulse quickened.
