Page 179 of Shadow Queen
“I’m breaking,” he whispered. “And I know I have your love. I know that now. I know you choose me. But it’s not enough—I need to know you’re safe. Go to the North. Let me focus on Gregor and Cyrus. Will you do this?”
She couldn’t answer.
“Salara, please. Help me.” He cupped her face in his hands, begging. “Salara. Please.”
Norah drew in a ragged breath, and she nodded, relenting.
He pulled her close to him, then drew her face up to look at him again. His eyes glistened. “I need you,” he whispered.
The sudden need to escape their clothes overtook them. Fabric tore as Mikael shucked his newly donned tunic and breeches, and Norah clawed off her dress, but neither of them cared.
They didn’t come together in a sudden heat. It wasn’t a wanton need. It was the need of touch, of the warmth of skin against skin. Mikael carried her to the bed and lowered himself to bury his face in the corner of her neck and breathe in her being. He simply held her. Tightly. And she held him, clinging to him like life, scared she might not be able to again.
Chapter fifty-four
Calla’sfaceworeafirm frown. She wasn’t one to hide her feelings. Norah knew she wanted to come to Mercia, and so did Cohen, although he was much more discreet with his disappointment. And Norah had wanted to bring them, but they would remain at the castle with their grandparents, who had finally come, at Norah’s insistence, until threats against Kharav had passed. Norah needed them all safe.
The Crest stood in the courtyard, all of them ready and prepared to depart. Mikael would keep none of the warriors for himself or the castle, despite Norah’s insistence. And, of course, Soren would go with her, as would Adrian. Norah had wanted Adrian to stay with his son and Sevina, but Mikael was firm. He even sent the dogs.
“You send too much,” she told him as he placed a gentle kiss on her head. “You’ll at least need the commander of your armies.”
He feigned offense. “You think I don’t know how to command an army?”
But she wasn’t in the mind for jokes. Emotion overwhelmed her.
His face grew more serious when he saw it. “I need him to protect what’s most important to me,” he said.
Norah reached up and clasped the side of his face. “And who will protect what’s important to me?” she said through her tears.
He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “We’ve both seen my end, and it’s not here. You don’t need to fear for me.”
“I still do.” She stood up on her toes and kissed him. Then she climbed atop Sephir under the warm rays of the sun.
“Keep her well,” he said to Soren as the commander mounted his destrier.
Soren nodded his oath.
Norah looked back at Mikael as they rode out of the courtyard. She felt like she would fall apart in the wind, like this was the last time she would see him. What if it was the last time?
The journey to Mercia was longer than she remembered. They traveled slower with so many men. The time was agonizing.
They passed through the Uru. Norah tried to enjoy her visit with Tahla, but all she could think about was Mikael. So many times she almost turned back. It wasn’t too late, she told herself. She was so afraid—afraid she wouldn’t see him again, afraid she wouldn’t hold him again. She desperately wanted to run back to him, but she knew Soren wouldn’t let her.
She tried to focus her mind on something else.
Adrian traveled silently, which was unlike him. He had started their journey with excitement at returning home again, but as they drew nearer to Mercia, he became quieter, worried even.
“Are you all right?” she asked him one evening after they had set camp.
He gave a stiff nod. They sat under the stars, and he rubbed the marking on his forearm. “He’s going to be upset with me,” he said quietly. He was worried about Alexander’s reaction to the ink on his skin. It would be a challenging conversation, no doubt.
“Wait for the right time,” she said. “Then explain it to him, privately. You just need to help him understand.”
He nodded again, but her words obviously did little to allay his fears.
“He loves you, Adrian, and he’ll be proud of you. He just needs you to talk to him.”
Her own heart broke for him, but she knew the brothers loved each other deeply, and she was glad they would be together again. Alexander would be surprised when he saw him. Adrian didn’t look like the same man that had come to Kharav. He was even taller now, broad shouldered, and cloaked in strength. He had the hardened look of a warrior. It was easy to forget he was so young. He’d taken on the lord commander’s solemn countenance. Or perhaps it was Alexander’s, she mused.
