Page 66 of Shadow Queen
He nodded. “Caspian will need more men.”
“He has plenty of men. All the Crest are at his call. Hundreds.”
“Now he has thousands.” He gave her a small smile, that smile that pulled at her heart. “I’ve missed you, Norah,” he said softly. She didn’t dare to speak her own heart. His eyes moved to someone behind her, and she followed his gaze to a familiar face.
“Adrian!” She grinned as he made his way to them. “I can’t believe you’ve come!” He seemed to have grown even taller, and she stood on her toes as she pulled him into a hug.
“Yeah, well Alec’s been trying to send me back since he found out I came along.” He shot a smile back at his brother. “But he can’t keep me away forever. I wanted to see the Shadowlands, now that they’re our allies.”
“Kharav,” she corrected him gently. “It’s called Kharav here.”
His smile widened. “Kharav, then.”
“It’s a beautiful place.” And she meant it.
“Is the Destroyer here?” he asked.
Alexander frowned. “What do you care about the Destroyer?”
“What do I care about seeing the most famed man of war?” Adrian asked cheekily. “Have you seen him?”
Alexander’s eyes drew together in irritation. “He’s just a man. You’ll be sorely disappointed. And of course I’ve seen him.”
“Is he here?”
“Don’t mind the Destroyer. Your queen’s here. You forget yourself.”
Adrian grinned sheepishly and bowed his head. “Apologies, Queen Norah.”
Norah smiled with a small laugh. “It’s good to see you, Adrian.” She nodded toward the castle. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
As they left the courtyard, her eyes shifted up to the wall, where Mikael stood, watching her.
The door to the bedchamber stood slightly ajar, and Norah pushed it open curiously. She smiled. Mikael stood patiently while two tailors worked to correct the sleeve length on a jacket that looked quite uncomfortable for him. She glanced at the bed where Vitalia had laid a fresh gown for her. The joys of social gatherings. But she didn’t want to think about the evening’s activities at the moment.
“Leave us,” she called. Mikael turned in surprise.
The tailors and Vitalia bowed and saw their way out of the room, closing the door behind them.
“I thought you wanted me to wear a proper jacket this evening,” he said.
She couldn’t help but smile again. She had asked him not to come to the welcome social in his battle attire. He’d taken it upon himself to select the jacket, no doubt feeling pressured in comparison to the elegant, more conservative style of Mercia. But she had other things on her mind.
“I don’t really care about a jacket right now.” She took his hand, carefully making sure the needles on the cuff wouldn’t prick him. Then she pushed it off over his shoulders and laid it across the bench at the foot of the bed.
He stepped away from the mirror and sank into the chair by the window.
Norah sighed. She knew Alexander was on his mind. She stepped quietly over to him, climbing on top of him and straddling him in the chair. Running her fingers into his hair, she pulled his face up to look at her. “I know his return upsets you.” She brought her lips close to his. “But, Mikael, I love you. You alone.”
“Don’t say things that aren’t true.”
She frowned. It hurt her heart for him to have insecurity. “You’re my husband. I’m committed to you—you alone. I’m faithful to you. I love you.” She brushed the backs of her fingers along his jaw.
The hard lines on his face softened. He needed reassurance, and she’d wholeheartedly give it to him. She might not have loved him when she’d chosen him, but she loved him now. And she chose him now, all over again.
She brought her lips to his and kissed him deeply. And he kissed her back. His body hardened underneath her. She loved how he responded to her touch—wanting, needing—and her body answered in kind.
Norah ruffled up her skirts and reached below, loosening his breeches and freeing his flesh. He was ready, and she was too.
