Page 97 of Shadow Queen
“Quickly,” Naavi said as she pulled Norah through the trees. Mikael and Caspian followed, with Soren behind them, supporting Alexander.
“We’re almost to the tree line,” Naavi told them. “Hurry!”
The flight out of the Wild seemed shorter than their journey in. Norah’s mind reeled. The magic of this place confused her. They reached the edge of the trees where their horses were waiting for them. All but Sephir.
Soren pushed Alexander onto his destrier, but the justice wavered. He wouldn’t be able to stay atop a horse by himself.
“Norah,” Naavi said, pulling her to a pause. “I give you your Northman, but”—she looked at the commander and Mikael—“I can’t let the Shadowmen go knowing all they’ve seen. They can’t remember the pool, and how to find us. I have to take their memories.”
“Take them,” Mikael said, surprising Norah. “Take everything of this place.” He looked at Norah with a pain that shook her. “And you’ll be very cautious of what you tell me.”
Norah’s eyes welled.
“He must go,” Naavi said of Alexander. “I need him to leave so I can use my power.”
Norah looked to Caspian. “Take him. We’ll catch up to you.”
Caspian started to object, but Norah stopped him. “Go,” she pressed.
He reluctantly mounted behind Alexander and urged the horse into the darkness.
Naavi looked at Mikael. “Step between the trees.”
They could flee, Norah knew. The Wild woman held no power over them beyond the forest. But Mikael stepped between the trees, and Soren begrudgingly followed.
Naavi approached the commander first. “I’ll leave you with one memory—just how close your king was to his end. And if you return, there will be no mercy.” He grunted as an invisible force took hold of him. She reached up and brought her fingers to his temples, closing her eyes. His body twisted, and he let out a growl as she worked into his mind. She dug deeper, and his growl grew to a roar. Every fiber of his body strained against her, but she held him still.
“What’s happening?” Norah asked, her worry rising. “Stop! You’re hurting him!”
“It’s because he fights,” Naavi told her. “It makes it painful.”
A cry ripped from his throat as she took the last of the memories from him. Finally, his body grew limp, and his head fell forward.
Norah’s breath faltered. She knew she would have fought for her memories. This was her past as well. The commander dropped to his knees, upright, his eyes closed.
“Careful when waking him,” Naavi warned her. “There’s still a fight inside.”
Norah trembled as the Wild woman stepped in front of Mikael. She didn’t think she could watch.
But Naavi paused. “I see you, Shadow King. And you’re not what I thought you were.” She reached out and spread her hand over his bloodied shoulder from where the arrow had struck him. He winced, but then stilled. When she pulled her hand away, the hole in his flesh was fused with thin forest threads.
He looked at her in surprise as he tested his arm.
She nodded. “It will be sore for a few days. This is the only grace I give you, enemy of Aamon. You’re not to enter this forest again. And same as your Destroyer, you’ll remember the consequences.” Then she reached up and put her hands on either side of his face to take his memories.
“Please,” Norah begged. “Please don’t hurt him.”
Naavi closed her eyes, but all was quiet. Mikael made no sound.
“Is it not working?” Norah asked.
“It’s working,” Naavi said softly, her eyes still closed, “he just doesn’t resist.”
Finally, Naavi stepped back from Mikael and lowered him to his knees. “Remember,” she said, “take care in waking them.” She paused. “I’m sorry, Norah,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry for everything.”
Norah shook her head and caught her in a warm embrace. “I’m alive because of you. Thank you for keeping me safe. Thank you for saving me from the drifters. And for tonight. But most of all, thank you for bringing my father happiness again.”
Naavi hugged her tightly. “You’ll always be in my heart, and any creature of the Wild will serve you as my daughter. I love you, Norah.”
