Page 180 of Shadow Queen
Adrian had become close friends with Cohen, she noticed. The two were inseparable, often exchanging silent words between them. Norah had worried about them both, that they might find life in Ashan difficult. But they seemed to thrive with every challenge, every trial—to relish them even. And with their resilience came the respect of the earlies and even the lord commander, although he didn’t show it.
Calla had proven herself as well. Norah loved to watch her on the sparring field. While proficient in combat, the girl was quick-witted and clever and made up in intellect for what she lacked in physical strength. And she was a master with a bow. Norah was excited to one day take her to Mercia—home to the greatest bowmen in the world—to hone her skill even more.
Finally, after almost three weeks of travel, Mercia came into view, white and radiant in the light of the sun. Its towered turrets and spires rose high against the sky, adorned with arched clerestories and elegant tracery. It really was beautiful. But seeing her kingdom brought a deep and growing angst within Norah. With the news of Japheth breaking from Kharav, everyone would be looking to see what she would do now. Her grandmother, the council, Alexander—they would be waiting, watching, judging how she would handle Japheth and Rael, if she would drive Mercia to support a king they didn’t even recognize as king. And she worried about how she would manage them, because that’s exactly what she planned to do.
Norah looked at Adrian as they drew nearer. “Are you ready?”
He smiled, but she could see his anxiousness underneath.
She shifted her gaze to Soren. “Behave yourself,” she told him. Then she eyed the dogs that trotted alongside the horses. “And don’t let them eat the cat.”
They crossed the bridge, then continued through the gates and into the courtyard of the castle. Norah saw Catherine waiting for her by the fountain, and a smile came to her lips. She had missed her grandmother. She had last parted Mercia with a rift between them, a rift she hoped had been forgiven.
Had she been forgiven?
Norah slid down from Sephir and paused just before she reached Catherine. She couldn’t read her grandmother’s expression, and angst twisted in her stomach.
But Catherine’s eyes welled, and she smiled, then she stepped forward and hugged Norah tightly. “Welcome home, child,” she said through her tears. She pulled back. “Oh, let me look at you.” Her eyes were misted in happiness, her lips pursed to hold them from trembling. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
But this wasn’t home. Still, Norah smiled as she stepped back, until another caught her eyes, and her smile fell.
Alexander. Her heart quickened in her chest. To see him again brought a heartache she’d thought long gone.
He approached with a gentle smile. “Queen Norah,” he said softly.
“Lord Justice.”
His eyes burned a brilliant blue, eyes that still held her.
“Lord Justice,” came Adrian’s voice from behind her. He grinned as he stepped forward and bowed his head.
“Brother,” Alexander said in surprise. He let out a hearty laugh as he reached out and clasped his shoulder, then pulled him into an embrace. His face filled with emotion. They were the same height, but Adrian was larger now. Alexander still held him close, his hand on the back of his head as he embraced him, like he would a small boy. Pushing Adrian back slightly to look at him, Alexander scoffed, “What are you eating? And what have you done with your hair?”
Norah shifted. The Northmen kept their hair cut short, one of the many things they did differently than those in Kharav—as Alexander would surely find out.
“I’m letting it grow,” Adrian replied with a grin.
Alexander’s brow creased. “Why?”
Adrian shrugged. “Because I like the way it looks.”
“His training is coming along well,” Norah interrupted. “I know he’s excited to tell you about it.”
“I’ve earned my sword entitlement. And a blade,” Adrian grinned, pulling the sword from his scabbard and holding it for his brother.
“It’s a high achievement,” Soren spoke out, surprising everyone around them. “One of the highest in the Kharavian army.”
Catherine gaped at the lord commander and then looked back at Alexander.
Alexander stiffened at Soren speaking for his brother, but his pride was evident, and he gave a nod to Adrian. “Well done, brother.”
Adrian let out an excited breath.
But then Alexander paused. “What’s that?” he asked, his eyes on Adrian’s forearm peeking out from under his sleeve.
Adrian glanced at Norah, and she gave a small shake of her head. But it wasn’t unnoticed. Alexander grabbed Adrian’s arm.
“Alec,” Adrian pleaded as Alexander pushed back his sleeve to reveal the patterned black ink.
