Page 68 of Shadow Queen
“Salar,” Soren said as he stepped forward, putting himself between them.
Mikael broke from his attack, gathering himself and pulling back his shoulders. He stepped out onto the floor and looked back at the Bear with a smile. “So, Lord Justice, stay as long as you’d like.” Then he turned toward Salara with the hunt in his veins. He clapped twice as the quartet finished their song to start a new one—the song of his choice.
Salara turned and saw him approaching, and her smile turned into a grin. She was the most beautiful woman on the earth. And she was his.
“I love this song,” she said.
“I know.” He moved behind her, slipping an arm around her waist, and bared his teeth against the smooth skin of her neck. She let her head fall back against his shoulder and closed her eyes as he led her through the dance.
Chapter twenty
Itwaslateevening,and Norah found Soren in his study, sitting at his desk and looking closely at a map as he scribbled notes to the side. He sat without his wrap, his dark hair tied back, seeming almost… normal. He was a handsome man, more so than she cared to admit. He had a strong jaw, like Mikael, and a straight and proportionate nose, like Mikael. He could be desirable, like Mikael, if he weren’t such an ass.
“Lord Commander,” she greeted him, pulling his attention. “I have a favor to ask.”
He glanced up and eyed her, annoyed. “Not to kill the Bear?”
Norah sighed. “All right, two favors,” she said irritably. “There’s a young man from Mercia, Adrian. He’s very eager to meet you.”
He took a drink from the chalice sitting to his right, and then set it down, suspicious. “Why would he be eager to meet me?”
“You would better understand the fascination with war idols,” she replied, more elbowed than she’d intended. She inhaled deeply and gathered herself. “Please, I’m very fond of him, and it would mean a great deal.”
“What’s the favor you ask? You’re salara. You don’t need my permission to present him to me.”
“No, but I want you to make it meaningful. And”—she paused—“he’s the lord justice’s brother.”
He stilled. The commander’s nostrils flared, and he sat back in his chair. “You want me to show a kindness to the brother of the Bear?”
Why did it sound so abhorrent when he said it? “Yes.”
He snorted. “Then the Bear should ask me himself.”
“Alexander will be looking to send Adrian back to Mercia at the first opportunity, preferably without seeing you.”
The corner of his lip turned upward. “Then I would love to meet him.”
“Yes, I suspected that would be the case with such context. But I’d also ask for your discretion. Alexander wouldn’t be pleased.”
The commander’s lip twitched slightly. “Then what would I get from this if not the Bear’s ire?”
“That’s why it’s called a favor,” she said sweetly.
The lord commander leaned heavily into the arm of his chair. “Is this a favor I can call upon?”
Norah sighed. Of course he would be difficult. “Fine,” she said stiffly. She was sure she’d regret it later.
He gave a small smile. “Then I suppose I can’t refuse my salara,” he said.
Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t help a small smile. “I’ll bring him to the stable tomorrow morning.”
Morning came slowly with her excitement. Norah tried to chase the small wave of guilt back. Alexander would be upset if he found out what she had planned, but this wasn’t about Alexander. Adrian was eager to see Kharav and to meet the commander. He embodied what she wanted of her kingdom and her men—genuine curiosity and appreciation for the other side. Men like Adrian could help her bring both sides together.
Norah found Adrian with several other Mercian soldiers near the barracks, already sparring. They all stopped and bowed when they saw her.
“Northmen,” she greeted them. “Adrian, is the lord justice here?”
“No, but I’ll fetch him.”
