Page 75 of War Queen
Alone. Phillip would be alone… without his guard… with Soren… and with weapons. Which would be perfectly safe, she told herself.
“They’re going to be fine,” Norah said aloud. Yes, they’d been enemies for ten years, at war for ten years. And Phillip had given men to her father to help capture Bahoul from Kharav—the battle where Soren lost his family. But… “The war is behind us,” she said, more to herself than to Calla. “And Soren knows the importance of a relationship with Aleon now.” She bit her lip. “Surely he can put aside old animosities, now that the opportunity for peace and friendship is within our grasp.”
Calla snorted. “Because the lord commander is so good at peace and friendship.”
Norah cursed under her breath, and her stomach twisted. Calla was right. Why had she made him go? She should have known.
No. She had to think positively. Soren would be fine with Phillip. He loved hunting.
He would love…
Nine hells.He’d love to kill the king of Aleon.
She wrung her hands, her worry growing as the afternoon waned. Where were they?
Movement caught her eye, and she nearly tripped as she stumbled out to the balcony. As she squinted, she made out Soren walking toward the castle from the south. He hadn’t come through the gates and down the mainway? Why not? “Where’s Phillip?”
“Uh-oh,” Calla said. “That doesn’t seem good.”
“You’re not helping. Stay here.” She turned and walked quickly from her chamber, down the hall, and to the stairs. If anything had happened… she’d kill him herself.
She reached the entry hall, just as Soren entered.
“Where have you been?” she demanded. “Where’s Phillip? And—”
The sight of dried blood down his front stopped her in her steps.
“What have you done?” she asked breathlessly.
“He killed a charging boar that we startled while hunting,” Phillip’s voice called, and she whipped her head past Soren to see Phillip. She let out a sigh of relief.
“Were you worried, Salara?” Soren asked. His eyes smiled. He knew exactly what she’d been thinking.
She feigned a scowl. “Well, you look like you enjoyed yourself. So yes.”
Phillip chuckled as he clapped Soren on the shoulder. “I venture to say he did, as did I.”
Soren’s eyes darkened at Phillip’s touch, and Norah saw the warning. She stepped forward.
“I have to admit,” Phillip added with a grin, “if one would have told me a few months ago I’d strike up a friendship with the Destroyer, I would have called them a liar.”
Before Norah could react, Soren spun, snatching Phillip’s wrist from his shoulder and clutching him by his leathers. “Do not mistake my tolerance for friendship,” he snarled. “And touch me again only if you no longer value your life.”
Norah’s heart leapt into her throat as four door sentries pulled their swords. “Soren!” she cried. What was wrong with him? Behind her, Caspian and Titus pulled their own swords. She hadn’t even realized they’d trailed her.
She held out her hand, desperate to settle everyone. “Soren,” she said again.
Soren released his grip, and Phillip held out his own hand to stay his guards. Phillip’s face was serious now as both men faced each other, poised with fight. Norah’s heart pulsed in her ears. This would not end well. Soren had crossed the line of no return, so boldly threatening a king in his own kingdom, but she didn’t know how to bring them back to the floor of reason.
They all stood frozen in the silence.
Then Phillip straightened as he dropped his hand, and the tension settled ever so slightly. “I know it takes time to heal from the damages of war,” he said, “but I’ve been a patient man, Lord Commander, and a friend to both Mercia and the Shadowlands. You’ll find my patience waning now.”
Was Phillip giving him a warning? Was that all? She begged the gods that Soren would take it and keep his mouth shut, but she knew him better.
“I’m so sorry, Phillip,” she interjected as she cut Soren a daggered eye. “You’ve given the lord commander a great deal to reflect on. Thank you for that.”
Phillip looked to Norah. “I know you journey back to Mercia tomorrow. I invite you to dine with me this evening.” He glanced back at Soren. “Both of you, if you can find the civility within you.” Then he gave a short nod and left them in the quiet of the hall.
