Page 199 of Shadow Queen
“This is your council,” Edward said with wide eyes. “It’s our duty to protect the ways of Mercia.”
“The old ways are dead,” she said firmly. “I’ll bring a new Mercia—a Mercia that thrives on unity and peace and strength with Kharav. It’s what’s best for the people. That ismyduty. It’s yours. And I will find who betrayed that duty.”
And she meant every word.
Norah paced the side hall that ran the length of the west wing. She didn’t know what she would do when she found out who’d written Phillip to withdraw his forces in Kharav. What if it was more than one person? What if it came from her collective council? She didn’t want to rule Mercia with an iron hand. She didn’t want to rule by force, but she couldn’t tolerate divisive measures from her own council. She had condemned Mikael for his violence; she couldn’t do the same. Nor could she show lenience. Expulsion perhaps. Was she able to do that? She cursed herself—she didn’t even know the laws of her own kingdom. Alexander would know.
She found him in the courtyard, talking with a group of men. They wore leather armor and open-faced helms. They weren’t from Mercia.
When he saw her, he excused them and crossed the distance to meet her.
“Who are those men?” she asked.
“The council has brought in mercenaries to augment our forces,” he explained.
“Mercenaries? Without me knowing?”
“Yes, I’ve already addressed that. I wasn’t aware either.”
“They can’t do that. Send these mercenaries on their way.”
He extended a hand to calm her. “They’ve stepped beyond their bounds, certainly, but hiring mercenaries isn’t a far-fetched idea. Especially when we’ve sent so many men to Kharav, and the attacks on our villages could start again at any time.”
Anger swelled inside her. “They should have discussed it with me.”
“Yes, they should have. And with me, as lord justice. But”—he paused—“give some leniency. You are… bringing a wave of change that’s difficult for them, all of them, even Catherine. Give a little.”
Give a little. She’d already given. But maybe he was right—she was pushing the council hard. Perhaps now wasn’t the best time to bring up expulsion, but when she found out who had written Phillip, there would be consequences. Severe ones.
They turned and walked through the gardens together.
“Has it been difficult for you?” she asked softly.
He was quiet for a time, but she could see his mind churning. “Do you love the Shadow King?” he asked finally.
“Yes,” she answered. She had no hesitation, no reservation. She did love him.
“I see it in you,” he said.
Good. He should. Everyone should see it.
“His darkness,” he added.
She stopped as she drew her brows together. “What?”
“You’re not yourself, Norah. He’s changed you.”
Anger burned inside her. “Or perhaps Iammyself, I’m just not who you want me to be.”
He halted, and his face dropped in sadness. “I know you better than anyone. This isn’t you. The Shadow King, he’s made you harsh, and dark.”
“If you really believe that, then you don’t know me at all. Mikael has made me strong—stronger than I ever thought I could be, strong enough to be a queen.”
He stepped back at her words, whether surprised or upset—she didn’t care. She remembered so long ago, seeing the vision of herself on the Shadow throne. She hadn’t thought she could be that woman, that woman who sat so tall amid the darkness. Now she couldn’t imagine herself as anything else. It was where she belonged. It was who she was. And she wouldn’t let anyone tell her different, even Alexander.
“And you’ve changed too,” she said.
He quieted. He cast his eyes down and swallowed. “Yes, I suppose we both have,” he said finally as he looked back up at her.
