Page 164 of Shadow Queen
“He asks if he might set a stronghold in Bahoul, to better surround Japheth,” she said.
“To be closer to Kharav, he means,” Soren interjected.
“He offers whatever we ask in exchange.” Norah handed the letter to Mikael to let him read it.
Soren fumed in anger. “Is he accustomed to doing as he pleases before asking?”
“Is that not what you all do?” Norah cut back. “At least Phillip has the courtesy to send a civilized letter.”
“Notwe,” Mikael said, his eyes still on the letter.
“What?” she asked.
“He doesn’t offer whateverweask. He offers whateveryouask.”
Norah pursed her lips. “You read too much into it. Plus, I can ask for the both of us.”
Mikael’s brow creased. “You aren’t seriously considering this.”
She knew he wouldn’t like it. “Of course I am. How can I not? How am I to remove him? And I can’t hold Bahoul on my own and defend Mercia. I need more men. Mercia needs more men. If Phillip will give them in exchange for a stronghold against his brother, I’ll give it to him.”
“Bahoul is mine,” Mikael snarled.
“And you left it!” she snapped. Soren’s eyes blazed with anger, but she couldn’t let him sway her. She couldn’t see another way. “Mikael,” she said, softer now. “We can ask for help for Kharav as well.”
“Are you mad?” he scoffed. “We would welcome an enemy inside our walls to move against our ally? We would allow him to divide us and take us one by one.”
“Aleon’s eyes aren’t on Kharav. And you and I both know Japheth is not an ally.” She stood firmly, her patience gone. “Those are my men in Bahoul, no matter how few. It is my kingdom that isactuallyunder attack, and Phillip’s letter is addressed tome. I will consider it.”
Finding the lord commander had been more difficult than she thought. Norah had checked the sparring fields, the stables, his study, Mikael’s study. Nothing. She bit the inside of her cheek in frustration. He had always seemed to be everywhere—perhaps that was only when he wasn’t wanted. Finally, she knocked on his chamber door. She was just about to turn away when he opened it. In seeing her, he shifted back in surprise.
“Um,” she started, wringing her hands. She’d had plenty of time to assemble her thoughts before, yet here she stood without the words. “Can I come in?” she asked.
He stepped back into the room, leaving the door ajar.
Not exactly inviting, she mused as she stepped inside.
“I know you’re angry about Bahoul, and with me,” she said. “But I don’t know what to do, about Mikael, or about Aleon and Mercia. I need your help.”
The stiffness in his shoulders eased ever so slightly. She wasn’t placating him for amends. She had never faced the challenges she did now. Mikael leaned on Soren to help him make decisions for the good of Kharav. She needed that same help.
“I can’t tell Phillip no,” she continued. “I have no way of forcing him out of Bahoul. I have to make the most of it.”
He said nothing, which was fine. Just to talk through her thoughts aloud with him was enough—he’d tell her if she was erring. This she knew for certain.
“I know Phillip’s first priority will be Japheth,” she said, “and his brother’s head. A stronghold in Bahoul puts him in position to strike. Of course he would want to be there. And I could get more men for Mercia, which I desperately need.”
Soren folded his arms. He spoke sooner than she had expected him to. “You assume Gregor intends to move against us. If he doesnothave this intention, then we would be helping to destroy our ally, against a foe who will turn on us next.”
Norah shook her head. She’d seen the look in Gregor’s eyes when she’d threatened him. She’d seen the hate that brewed inside. She’d read the words of his letter to Mikael, sickeningly complimentary in welcoming him to Japheth. Lies. Japheth was no ally.
“Who do you think is most likely to attack Kharav—Aleon or Japheth?” she asked pointedly.
Soren’s eyes held a dark intensity, and his reluctance to respond answered for him. He finally broke the lock of their gaze, turning away from her. “It would be a bold move,” he said, “to support Aleon in attacking Japheth—striking first before Gregor moves against us.”
She noticed that the conversation had shifted fromiftowhen. He believed Japheth was against them. “So, you agree?” she asked.
He looked back at her. “I don’t disagree.”
