Page 25 of War Queen
“What does that mean?”
He said nothing.
“Well?” she pressed.
“Well, we were like brothers then. I had more privilege.”
“You’re still brothers, dummy. It’s still your chamber.” She pulled the spear from his hands. “And you’re still commander.” Norah shoved the shaft of the spear against the warrior he’d been sparring with, who clasped on to it in surprise. “Take this,” she said angrily.
She grabbed Soren’s arm and pulled him toward the castle. “Come on.” This was absolutely not the way things would be now. “He’s still commander!” she shouted back to the men over her shoulder.
Norah practically dragged him into the castle and down the halls. He was a heavy beast, but her anger fueled her. Gods-damned men and their gods-damned sensitivity. And who did Soren think he was with his drivel of assumptions? He was the gods-damned lord commander of Kharav. She pulled him along as she cursed the gods for not having more curse words.
When she reached his chamber door, she swung it open. “Go on, then.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m reminding you of your place.Someonehas to. And at least compliment me on your chamber not being the complete wreck you left it.”
He snorted, then looked around. “It looks very nice,” he said finally, but too forced for her taste, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
“Good,” she snapped. “Glad you like it. Settle in.”
“You can’t just say it and have everything return to normal.”
Norah pursed her lips. “Why not? I’m salara.”
He paused, and the crease between his brow eased. “That you are,” he said softly. He drew in a breath as he looked around.
Her anger dissipated and was replaced by the happiness in just having him home again. Gods, she’d missed him. She really wanted to hug him again, but they were past all the emotional homecoming energy that had allowed her to get away with it in the throne room.
“Have you been in my chamber often?” he asked her.
Norah raised a brow. “Oh,nowit’s your chamber?”
His eyes darkened.
“Maybe.” She shifted. “Why?”
“It smells like you.”
She frowned. “You say that like it’s bad.”
“Not bad,” he said quickly. “Just… woman-y.”
Whateverthatmeant.
He sat down on the bed. There was still a sadness in him. It would pass, she told herself. They’d get past this. She took a seat beside him, and they sat in the quiet.
“Where did you go?” she asked after a time.
“The Stone Forest of Khalakhan.”
She hadn’t heard of it before. “Is it in Kharav?”
“It is.”
Norah waited, but that was all he said. She pursed her lips. “You’re as bad as Caspian in telling a story. What is Khalakhan? Why did you go there? What have you been doing? How did Adrian find you?”
