Page 45 of Shadow Queen
“Do you think it’s not? Enchantress?” He lowered his head closer to hers.
Tahla lifted her chin, bringing her lips to where they almost touched his. “Do you want to kiss me, Northman?”
“You don’t even know me. You shouldn’t let me kiss you.”
She grinned. “I know you well enough. And that doesn’t answer my question.” She put her hand on his chest. “Do you?”
Was it an invitation? He brought a hand to her cheek, threading his fingers around to the nape of her neck and pulling her closer.
Just then, an Urun warrior called to Tahla from outside, interrupting them.
She answered, then gave Caspian a mischievous smile. “You’re a dangerous one, Northman.”
But Caspian knew he was the one in danger.
She slipped away and stepped toward the door. “Will you be returning?” she asked him.
He straightened, pulling himself back together. “Yes, I’ll be returning to Kharav with a new unit from Mercia.”
“Then I’ll expect you to return through the canyons.”
With certainty.
“And you owe me a kiss,” she added.
Caspian’s pulse thrummed in his throat, and he gave a shy smile. “On my return, then.”
“Rest well, Northman,” she said.
Caspian let out a breath as he watched her go.
Chapter thirteen
TruetoCaspian’smessage,Mikael wasn’t gone long. Only a week had passed, and the horns signaled his return. When he’d left, Norah thought it would be hard to face him again, but as she stood looking out the window of the chamber they shared, the flutter in her stomach surprised her. She pushed it down quickly. This wasn’t a man she could let herself love. She’d move back into the sanctuary tonight.
Norah checked herself in the mirror and headed down to the courtyard. She walked into the square and took her place next to the lord commander.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” he said without turning his head.
She’d surprised them both, then. “I didn’t think I would either.”
The returning soldiers brought with them a new herd of horses, and Norah watched as they drove the animals toward the corrals behind the stables. These weren’t the normal working horses that she often saw around the castle and city. They were giant beasts—destriers—like Soren’s. Like Mikael’s.
Mikael rode through the gates. Her heart pulsed painfully in her chest. She shouldn’t have come, but she’d missed him. She hated herself for it.
He looked up at the castle, to her sanctuary window, expecting her to be there instead of in the courtyard. She wished she could see him underneath his helm. As if hearing her wishes and answering, he pulled it off. His gaze moved to her sanctuary window again. But she wasn’t there. Melancholy hung from his face. Her heart hurt more. His eyes moved through the crowd until he found Soren, and he gave a nod.
Then his eyes locked on her.
Norah almost smiled at him but stopped. She couldn’t let herself forget. The thought of Alexander being beaten brought back the wave of anger.
He urged his mount nearer to them, not taking his eyes from her. When he reached her, he swung his leg forward and over, and slid to the ground.
She stood, unmoving.
“Salara,” he said softly.
“Salar,” she replied. She’d never used his title, and it felt strange on her lips.
