Page 182 of Shadow Queen
“You should go talk to him,” she urged.
“I will.”
Norah stood to leave.
“Norah,” he said, stopping her. “I don’t ever want him to be anxious about returning home.”
“Then you should tell him that.”
Alexander found Adrian in his chamber, settling back in. His brother turned in surprise when he knocked on the doorframe.
“You didn’t bring your son?” Alexander asked.
“Sevina wants to wait until he’s a little older, and when we aren’t on the brink of war.”
Alexander could understand that, although he would’ve liked to have seen the child. It was hard to imagine Adrian, who was still so young himself, with a son. Alexander had been upset by the news of Adrian marrying a Kharavian woman, extremely upset. But not of the news of the child. Far from it, all he felt was… joy.
“How is the child?” he asked.
Adrian grinned, nodding. “He’s good. Strong. Fat.”
Alexander chuckled. Adrian had been a fat baby. “How is your wife?” Adrian’s eyes lit up at the mention of her.
“She’s well. You’d like her. She’s smart and thoughtful. She cares for me a great deal.” His grin grew wider. “She tells me not to do stupid things. Sometimes I hear you in her voice.”
“Does it keep you from doing them?”
Adrian shook his head with a smiling frown. “No.”
He laughed.
Adrian’s face grew serious. “I know you’re disappointed.”
Alexander let out a long breath. “I had thought that you would hold our customs, hold our values. I’m disappointed you marked your skin.”
Adrian nodded, his eyes falling to the floor.
“But I’m also proud,” Alexander continued.
Adrian’s head jerked up in surprise.
“You’re the son of Beurnat the Bear, and you have the respect of the Destroyer and the army of the Shadowlands. You bring our kingdoms together. I’m proud that you’re my brother.” Adrian’s lip trembled, and Alexander clasped the side of his neck affectionately. “Now get your sword. I want to see what you’ve learned.”
Adrian nodded, smiling through his tears.
Norah knocked lightly on Adrian’s chamber door. After the reunion with Alexander, she wanted to make sure he was all right.
She heard a small shuffle, but there was no reply. She knocked again.
“Not now, please,” he called.
“Adrian?” she replied. “It’s Norah.”
More shuffling came, then the latch released and the door opened slowly, revealing Adrian with a half-cut head of hair.
“Norah,” he greeted her as she gaped at him in surprise.
“What… what happened to your head?” she asked.
