Page 154 of War Queen
“Goodbye, Lucien.”
She opened her eyes back to the darkness of the stairwell.
Winter chilled the long main hall of the castle, but the light of the sun made it seem not so cold. Still, Norah pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. As she neared Catherine’s room, she slowed to see Soren coming from the opposite direction. What was he doing here? Only Catherine’s chamber and the music room were in the far east wing, neither of which she expected Soren to be anywhere near.
Norah eyed him suspiciously, waiting for him to explain himself. He didn’t. He simply eyed her back and said nothing as he passed. She scoffed as she looked back to Catherine’s chamber, then back to Soren, who disappeared into an adjoining hall. What was going on?
Stepping into Catherine’s chamber, she saw her grandmother propped up and sitting against the tufted headboard of her bed. A needlepoint hoop lay in her lap, although she wasn’t working on it.
“Good morning,” Norah said sweetly. “A few visitors already?”
Catherine drew in a breath and gave a proper smile. “Not particularly.”
Norah narrowed her eyes. Did she just lie? “Hmmm.” Norah sat down on the chair beside the bed. It was warm… from someone else. Recently. “Are you sure?”
“Stop beating around the bush, what are you getting at?”
“Was the lord commander sitting in this chair?”
“So what if he was?”
Norah gasped. “I knew it!”
Catherine puffed a breath. “What?”
“Are you two becoming friends?” she goaded with a mischievous smile.
Catherine’s lip twitched. “Nothing of the sort.”
Norah’s smile widened.
Catherine gave a weak harrumph. “He says you’re still trying to broker peace with this king Cyrus.”
That was probably a nicer version of what Soren had actually said. “Trying.” And had he not told her Cyrus was Lucien? Apparently not by the way she was acting. Norah wouldn’t tell her either. It would only upset her, and her health couldn’t take it.
“You can’t be afraid to fight, Norah.”
“I’m not afraid to fight, but this war will bring tragedy and suffering, to all sides, and I need to stop it before it starts.”
Catherine gave a small smile. “You’re a strong queen, Norah. I know you’ll do what you think is right and best.” Catherine paused, her eyes tearing. “And everything you’ve done has all been right and best.” She shifted slightly and winced, bringing her hand to her side.
Norah moved quickly to the bed and sat down on the edge. Catherine’s pain had been growing worse.
“I don’t have much time left,” her grandmother said. “But I wanted you to know that even when I’m gone, I’ll never be gone from you. I’ll be with you always.”
Norah nodded, her emotion keeping her from speaking.
“I have one thing left to ask of you, though.”
Norah’s heart was breaking—Catherine was preparing for her end, and Norah didn’t think she could handle it. But she nodded again.
“Send Alexander to the gods.”
Norah stilled. Then she looked down at the patterned quilt on the bed. She couldn’t have this conversation now.
“I’ve told the fiend to hound you until you do,” Catherine said. “He’s promised me.”
“So that was your conversation with Soren this morning?” Norah asked. No surprise.
