Page 160 of Shadow Queen
“I thought that’s what you Northmen liked, to be married off so you’re not breaking your vows, or whatever keeps you from being normal men.”
She had a playful tone, but he wasn’t in the mood for play. “I didn’t send him to the Shadowlands to be distracted by a woman,” he said angrily.
“You make it sound as if that’s a woman’s intention. You mean you didn’t send him to go distract a woman?”
He sat back in his chair and paused before nodding. “The fault’s with him, not this woman.”
“Why must there be fault at all?”
“He has his duties,” he argued.
“He still has them. Can a woman and a man not find happiness in one another and still be loyal to their duties?”
Her words caught him, and they sat quietly.
“Can I see?” she asked, holding her hand out.
He sighed, relenting, and pulled the letter back out of the drawer before handing it to her.
Her eyes widened as she read it. “Sevina Arvedi?” She chuckled. “How did he manage to winherhand?”
Alexander drew his brows together. “Adrian’s a high noble of Mercia, son of the previous lord justice, brother of the current.”
“The Arvedi family is one of the wealthiest noble families in Kharav.” She shook her head. “Status in the North wouldn’t have won him her hand, even if he’s as beautiful as you.”
He snorted.
“He must be doing well in Kharav. He’d need the lord commander’s support. This means he represents you well and brings honor to your family. You should be proud.”
Proud.He looked down at the letter. He hadn’t felt proud before, but an honorable marriage was something to be proud of, especially if it meant Adrian was proving himself and had won favor in the Shadowlands. Alexander could certainly be proud of that.
She stood to go and stepped toward the door.
“Katya,” he called, and she stopped. “Thank you.”
Chapter forty-nine
Mikaelfoldedhisletterand poured the wax before affixing his seal. He stamped it hastily, leaving only half his mark, but he didn’t care. It was still recognizable. No one else used a black seal.
Soren stepped inside. “Salar,” he greeted.
Things were normal between them now, and he was thankful for it. The nonsensical jealousy he’d felt before had passed. He knew what he had always known—Soren loved him and would give everything for him. Even himself.
“News from the Bear,” Soren said. “Gregor has met with the Raelean king.”
Mikael straightened. “Cyrus?” he said in surprise. He leaned back as he crossed his arms and brought his fist to his lips, pondering. “What business would Gregor have with Cyrus?”
“The Bear warns that Cyrus holds ill will against Kharav, for our part in supporting Serra and their slave trade.”
Mikael snorted. “I wouldn’t call giving our defeated enemies to Serra and trading provisionssupport.” He hadn’t liked Serra’s previous king, King Milar. In fact, he’d almost returned his envoy’s head when he attempted to renegotiate their contract. Salara had intervened, and he smiled slightly, remembering. But this new king Cyrus was beginning to irritate him as well.
“Let them talk, and let him come,” Mikael said, annoyed. “If he seeks to make enemies of those involved with slave trade, it’ll be a long list.” His chest rumbled as he stood. “How much of a threat could they be? Even with the forces of Serra and Rael combined, Cyrus’s army is but a mound of fleas.”
“It’s rumored that all the slaves who were freed from Serra have joined his army. If that’s true, he’ll have strength in numbers. And he has hundreds of blood sport fighters from Rael, if not thousands. No telling how many were kept in the arenas.”
Mikael leaned against his desk. “So, Gregor meets with a known usurper who holds ill will toward Kharav. You think Gregor plots against me?” He frowned. That didn’t make sense. Gregor needed all the help he could get against his brother, Phillip.
“Your marriage to the North Queen threatens him. If he took Kharav, he would take revenge on those who humiliated him. Not to mention, if he does align himself with Cyrus and the kingdoms of Serra and Rael, Kharav would be a valuable stronghold to move their armies north, closer to Aleon.”
