Page 120 of Shadow Queen
“Lord Justice,” she warned him, “enough.”
“And who will do the deed?” he said, throwing his hands up as his eyes burned into the commander. To Soren, he said, “Ah, the Destroyer. Or better, my brother? You seem to have quite the appetite for pulling him into your vices.” He turned back to Norah in his rage. “Will you watch as they die?”
The commander stepped forward. “Caution, Bear, you speak to your queen.” His defense of her caught everyone by surprise.
But Alexander ignored him and looked at Norah. “Yes, I appreciate the reminder, for I barely recognize who’s in front of me.” He sighed, dropping his voice and taking a softer approach. “You can’t seriously be thinking of this as a solution. I told you I’d handle it.”
“I’ve been letting you handle it, and our ships are still being attacked, our trade stolen. Mercians are dying!”
Alexander’s nostrils flared, and he looked at Catherine, exasperated.
Edward shook his head in disgust. “So, is theEvanyato sail on the blood of children? Your mother would be heartbroken to see her ship leave harbor under this circumstance.”
“Then send theNorah,” she replied.
Waves crashed high on the bow of theNorahas the Mercian ship cut through the water. The worst of winter had passed, but large chunks of ice still floated atop the icy blue of the sea, thundering into the hull as she sailed. But her captain, Theander, wasn’t worried. This is what their ships were built for; they were strong with Mercian steel, able to withstand the best the sea could throw. No ship of the North had ever been sunk. But this strength came at a cost. The fleet was slow, which made them easy targets for pirate attacks.
TheNorahwas smaller and faster than the other Mercian ships, fitting of her namesake. But she still couldn’t outrun a pirate’s ketch, and Theander had the largest trade of Mercian steel this year. The queen had felt confident in fewer arms and men to make room for more trade. He felt a little less so.
On the horizon, another ship came into view. Theander looked through his scope and felt his pulse quicken.
His first mate stood beside him. “Pirates?” Austus asked.
Theander nodded.
Chapter thirty-four
Thetablewasquietas Norah and Catherine ate their breakfast in the chill of the morning. Her grandmother had hardly spoken to her since the state meeting, and Norah didn’t blame her. She knew she was disappointing them—Alexander, her grandmother, the council. But she wouldn’t have made decisions differently. Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t shake the guilt.
The doors opened, and Alexander strode in with a letter in his hand. He looked pale and uneasy.
“What is it?” she asked him.
“News,” he said, holding it for her. “From theNorah.”
News from the ship. Her stomach knotted, and she swallowed back the bile building in her throat. Her hands shook as she broke the seal and opened it. She covered her mouth with her hand.
“What is it?” Catherine asked.
“They’ve reached port,” she breathed. “They encountered a pirate ship but were left alone.”
Catherine let out a breath and leaned back against her chair.
Alexander’s eyes were cold and calm. “Congratulations on your victory.”
Norah forced herself to draw air into her lungs. Her racing heart slowed to a heavy pulse.
“But don’t mistake this for a bluff well played,” he added. “The only reason they believe the Destroyer will kill their children is because he will. And he has. Killed children, that is.”
Norah knocked on Soren’s chamber door and waited restlessly for him to answer. He opened it and, seeing her, swung the door wider, inviting her in. She held out the letter with the news of theNorahfor him, and he took it, unfolding it and reading it calmly as he stepped back into the room. He looked back up at her and gave a small nod, handing the letter back.
“Alexander called it a victory, but he didn’t mean it,” she said quietly. “And if I’m honest, it doesn’t feel like a victory.”
He shrugged. “Your trade made it to market. Your men are safe. That’s a victory.”
She nodded reluctantly as he buckled his weapons strap across his chest.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
