Page 35 of Shadow Queen
“I just caught a blade—it’ll be fine,” he said between his teeth.
Norah followed them to the healer’s workroom.
“I said it’s fine,” the commander snapped as the healer poked at him.
Blood still poured from it. It didn’t look fine. It didn’t look fine at all. “How did this happen?” she pressed. “Who did this?”
“Your Bear,” he snarled.
No, she didn’t believe that. “Alexander did this? I don’t understand. What happened? Where is he?”
He eyed her darkly.
If Alexander had been harmed… “Where is he?” she demanded, anger swelling inside her.
“Salar has him.”
Norah’s breath caught in her throat.No. She spun for the door.
She raced through the castle, outside, and toward the courtyard. Panic filled her. There would be no wounding the commander without consequence. She stumbled but didn’t slow. When she reached the courtyard, a wave of horror washed over her. Two soldiers dragged Alexander toward one of two posts erected in the center. His hands were bound.
Mikael looked on, with a crowd growing around to see the commotion.
She raced toward him. “What’s going on?” she demanded as she reached him.
“Salara, go back inside,” Mikael told her.
She shook her head. Did he really think she would leave? “I won’t! What are you doing? Release him!”
“Bring the lord commander,” he bellowed as he waved to the second post beside the one Alexander was being tied against.
“Wait. What?” She reached out and clutched Mikael’s arm. “He’s injured! He’s with the healer!”
“It won’t keep him from punishment,” he said, his voice solemn.
Her fear grew to desperation. “What punishment? What’s going on?”
Mikael turned to another guard. “The lash,” he said in a low voice.
“No!” she cried. “No!” She ran to Alexander and struggled with the rope around his wrists.
“Norah, stop,” Alexander said. “There’s nothing you can do. Go. Please.”
“Take Salara inside,” Mikael ordered.
The guards tried to take her gently, but she twisted away from them.
“Don’t touch me!” she spat.
“Norah,” Alexander pleaded again. His voice stopped her, and her desperate eyes found his. “Go,” he said. “I don’t want you to see this.”
“Whatever this is, it’s not going to happen!” she seethed through her tears. She wouldn’t let it.
“Norah,” he said again. “Please. Go.”
The commander was brought out and bound to the post beside Alexander. The wound to his side was wrapped, but the blood had already started seeping through.
“No.” She gritted her teeth, rising up to Mikael. “They’re the heads of our armies!”
