Page 62 of Shadow Queen
Vitalia looked at Norah, and she nodded. The fewer people to see the commander poke at her, the better. Vitalia gave a wary glance at the commander and then slipped out of the room.
“You think you’re being watched?” he asked after her maid had left. He pulled back the drapery from the window and looked outside.
Norah pursed her lips. “I am,” she insisted.
“By a bird?”
Her cheeks grew hot. “Have you come to mock me, Lord Commander? You think I’m mad?”
He turned back to her. “No. I think your mind plays tricks on you because you’re afraid.” He stepped closer to her. “He’s made you afraid.” His voice held a scornful tone.
“Of course he’s made me afraid!” she cried as she stood abruptly from her chair, spilling her quilt to the floor. “He almost killed me! And he’s still out there. He’s watching me!” She couldn’t believe she had to defend her fear.
“But why are you afraid?” he snapped.
“Why do you care? And why are you so angry?”
“BecauseIbow to you!” he thundered. “You’ll fearno one!” Rage seeped from his skin. He stepped closer to her, his voice dropping to a growling whisper. “He watches you? Let him. Open your windows. Beg him to come. You’re salara, the Shadow Queen. You’ll kill him again. And again. And again.”
Norah swallowed and stepped back in surprise.
He reached out and gripped her arm tightly and pulled her forward. “Coward fuck doesn’t even come himself. You willnotbe afraid of him, do you understand?”
She couldn’t speak.
“Do you understand?” he snarled as he gripped her tighter.
She forced a nod.
He released her, but his eyes still blazed. “I’ll put their heads on our gates. You’ll send him a message—show him how the Shadow Queen welcomes him.”
He turned to leave, but paused, snapping at Cusco and Cavaatsa in the Shadow tongue. The dogs jumped on Norah’s bed, making themselves at home and consigning themselves to a new master.
The commander cast her another dark gaze before leaving her to her chamber.
Chapter eighteen
Wearyandspent.Themonths of constant travel had left Caspian weary and spent. He had reached Mercia with Alexander, only to assemble a fresh unit of forces and start the journey back to Kharav and Queen Norah. But when the Northern army reached the Canyonlands, surprisingly Caspian felt like he was coming home.
The sun set, dipping into the earth, and the air grew colder around him. But a warmth stirred within when he saw the figures of the watchful Uru on top of the canyons, against the brilliant sky. It had been a long journey, made even longer by his eagerness to see Tahla again. He had always told himself he’d never be distracted by a woman. Duty first. But now it seemed he was constantly distracted, and by nothing of substance. He had merely promised a kiss—a promise that Tahla likely had already forgotten about, and surely would no longer care about. Still, he couldn’t stop the pull inside him.
The Urun warriors rode down to meet them, circling around. As before, the Northern army set camp outside the sprawling village, but the Uru hosted Caspian in their company. He looked for Tahla as he entered the village and was shown accommodation, but she was nowhere in sight.
“Is Tahla here?” he asked his escort.
“She is in the hills, with the chief.”
Caspian sighed quietly, and disappointment washed over him—he’d miss seeing her. But he knew it was best. He gave a polite nod and stepped into the small stone house.
He pulled off his shirt and washed his face and hands in the basin provided, appreciating the hospitality of the Uru. Cleanliness brought comfort, and despite his disappointment, he would sleep well.
He took a small cornmeal cake from the plate of food on the table. It was different from the staples of meat and rice of Mercia, which were coincidentally common in Kharav, with the addition of potatoes. He liked the cake. It was different in a good way. Like Tahla.
“Is it to your liking, Northman?” a voice called from behind him, and he turned to see Tahla in the door. She wore a fitted dress—more of a tunic—short, above the knee. Her hair hung loose, not braided now, falling past her elbows. He hadn’t realized how long it truly was.
Caspian stared at her for a moment. She really was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. He couldn’t help his smile. “It is now.”
She smiled back.
