Page 81 of Shadow Queen
Her brow dipped, and she sucked in a breath. “Really?”
Mikael nodded. “I’ll take you myself.”
“Are you mad?” Soren’s voice echoed out of Mikael’s study and into the halls, making Norah jump.
Alexander stepped closer to her.
“Calm, brother,” Mikael said.
“You want to go to the Wild?” The vein on the side of the commander’s temple pulsed.
“That’s what I said,” Mikael said coolly.
“This isn’t an enemy you can fight. And you’re needed here in Kharav.”
“I don’t plan to fight. And the Circle will manage things until I return.”
Norah had almost forgotten about his council—they could look after things for a short time.
Soren snorted in frustration. “It’s too dangerous.”
Norah glanced at Alexander, knowing all too well the dangers of the Wild, and she tried to swallow back her building worry. Ever since Mikael had agreed to go, she’d been second-guessing herself. What if they traveled all the way there and found nothing? Worse, what if she’d assumed wrong and there wasn’t a connection? What if the same thing that happened to the drifters happened to them? What if someone was hurt? What if Mikael was hurt? “Maybe the lord commander is right,” she interjected. “The Wild is a dangerous place. And I’ve already been there. If there’s something or someone there that could help me, why wouldn’t they have done so then?”
Mikael shifted his gaze to her. “Maybe because you weren’t asking them to.” He turned his head back to the commander. “We’ll go.”
Soren crossed his arms and let out a snarling sigh. “Then I’ll take her. This is a suicidal journey.”
“I’lltake her,” Alexander said, his eyes fixed on Mikael. “I can take her back to where I found her. It’s the best place to start.”
Mikael’s face darkened. “Then you’ll lead the way. But I’m going with you.”
“As am I,” Soren added, his glare at Alexander matching the daggers in his voice.
Alexander sighed. “Fine.”
“Fine,” Mikael echoed.
Soren grunted. “Fine.”
A fog of quiet rolled in.
Norah swallowed. “Well, then,” she said uneasily. “Looks like we’reallgoing.” She drew in a breath, trying to calm her nerves, then nodded slowly. “I’m sure it will be…fine. All of us. Together. Going to the Wild.”
Just fine.
Chapter twenty-three
Norahbreathedinthecold air of morning, but her excitement warmed her. Or maybe it was her fear. Fear of the Wild and—she looked at the men riding with her—fear that if tempers ran afoul, they might not even make it there.
They rode north. Their route would take them through the Canyonlands of the Uru, through more Horsemen tribes, and then northwest, to the Wild. She looked forward to seeing Tahla again. A smile came to her face as she thought of the Horseman chief’s daughter.
Despite Soren’s and Alexander’s vehement objections—the first time she’d seen them agree on anything—they journeyed without an army or even the Crest. Mikael felt they’d travel more safely without attracting attention, although Norah suspected that Soren and Mikael drew as much attention as any army. Caspian came with them, and he and Alexander rode ahead. Mikael rode beside her, and Soren followed behind.
The journey was quiet. They reached the clefts of the canyons on the second day, with everyone still alive and somewhat civil. Now if only they could repeat that for ten more days or so.
As expected, the Uru swarmed in welcome.
“Salar,” Tahla greeted Mikael as she reached them. She grinned at Norah. “Salara.” She slid off her horse.
