Page 7 of Shadow Queen
“Hold your tongue!” He looked at Norah with an uneasy eye. “She doesn’t know what she says.”
He feared for his granddaughter. Norah’s pulse quickened.
“Why would you say that?” Calla persisted.
A silence fell over them.
Norah’s heart hammered against her ribs. “Because he knows who I am,” she said. She didn’t take her eyes from Hamed. “Don’t you?”
The old man shifted in his chair. “Yes, Salara,” he said finally.
She was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t call her the North Queen like so many others. Calla and Cohen gaped at her in astonishment.
“How did you know?” she asked. “Did Artem give it away?”
“You’re clearly not from Kharav. I’ve heard of the North Queen with winter hair, and”—Hamed paused—“your horse, the Wild one. I’ve seen only one other like it before, ridden by the North King.”
Norah’s heart leapt into her throat. “My father rode a horse of the Wild? You saw him?”
Hamed nodded, taking Marta’s hand. “Years ago. In battle. The day my son died”—his eyes moved to Calla and Cohen—“and their mother.”
Norah’s heart fell. Calla and Cohen’s parents had both been warriors, and both died in the war. It had claimed so much from so many on both sides. She suddenly became aware that perhaps her presence brought them pain. Her father had led forces against them in war. “You don’t have to offer the Mercian king’s daughter your hospitality,” she said softly. “I understand the pain I must cause you.”
“I offer my hospitality to my salara. You honor us, and our home.”
Norah forced a smile as her eyes brimmed with tears. How could people continue to be so kind after suffering such loss?
“So, if you’re not fleeing, what are you doing? What’s in Odepeth?” Calla asked her.
Hamed cast his granddaughter a look of disapproval, but Norah found herself appreciating the girl’s boldness.
“There’s a man there. A seer. I’m hoping he can help me.”
“You want to see the future?” Calla asked.
And the past, but Norah would keep that to herself. She only nodded.
“Going by yourself—that seems like a lot to go through just to see a vision,” Hamed said.
Itwasa lot to go through. “There are so many things that don’t make sense. I’m just trying to find answers.” She hoped that was enough of an explanation. It was all she could give. “Anyway, I just need to get there.”
“We could go with you, Cohen and I,” the girl offered. She turned to her grandfather. “We could help her.”
“Your kindness has helped me more than you can imagine,” Norah said quickly, already feeling indebted to them. “But it’s probably best if I go alone.”
“You can’t really think that,” Calla challenged. “The North Queen, traveling without protection.” The girl quieted, then shrugged apologetically. “Salara, I mean.”
Hamed nodded. “Lone travel isn’t safe for an outsider, even you, Salara. I can’t ride to see you there myself with my ailment, but you’ll find Calla savvy of the city, good with a bow, and Cohen skilled with a sword. I’ve trained them myself.”
“You’ve given enough already,” Norah said. “And I worry about attention coming to your family for your part in my transgressions.”
“You’re salara, you have no transgressions,” Hamed said, surprising her. “And to be a member of the Crest is a great honor for a soldier. It would bring great honor to our family to serve in their stead.”
This family amazed her. “How can I refuse?” she said finally.
They all let out a laugh. Even Cohen was grinning. Norah’s heart was full and grateful.
Chapter three
