Page 150 of War Queen
“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you.”
“That’s lying!” he thundered.
She wanted to yell back, but—gods damn it…Fair.
He started toward the door, but he still had the blood.
“Wait!” she called, scrambling to her feet. “I need that!”
With a final look of insult, he stepped from the chamber.
“Mikael!” she called after him.
Her eyes found Soren staring back at her, but not with the anger she expected. Disappointment. That was worse.
“Soren—”
But he turned and followed Mikael from the room.
Gods damn it all. She sank into the chair at her vanity and covered her face with her hands. She breathed. In and out.
The calm returned. She couldn’t be angry at Mikael. Of course he’d be upset. He didn’t understand. He didn’t see what she saw in Lucien. He thought she was being naive, and maybe she was before. But not now. She had to get him to understand.
Everything depended on it.
Dinner was quiet. Quieter than usual. Catherine ate in her chamber. She never left her room now.
At the end of the table in the dining hall, Mikael hardly touched his food. He was angry with her, Norah knew. As was Soren. She’d lied to him. He’d asked her what Lucien gave her, and she had only given him the necklace. Guilt ate at her, but she couldn’t make herself regret it. If she had told either of them about the vial, she would have never been able to connect with Lucien at all.
After dinner, Mikael walked her back to their chamber. He still looped her arm through his, even in his anger. Her heart beat steadier. They were okay.He was still angry, but they were okay. When they reached the chamber, he pulled her to look at him, and brushed her cheek softly.
She needed to get him to understand. “Mikael. I need you to trust me.”
He sighed. “I know. And I do.”
She smiled up at him.Finally.
“But I know your weakness for his face,” he said.
She rocked back on her heel in surprise. “I’m sorry, what?” Was he serious? “Myweakness for his face?” Her voice came stronger with her own anger now. “I know you fear he’s using my heart—”
“No,” he said heatedly, responding to her anger with his own. “I fear he holds a piece of your heart, and he’s not even the Bear.”
Norah stopped. Did he really think that? Her anger dissipated. She shook her head. “No. That’s not true.” She reached up and brought a hand to his cheek. “That’s not true. I need you to believe this if nothing else.”
His anger evaporated, and he let out a long exhale. “I believe you,” he said softly. “It was a fear in the moment, when you wanted the blood back.”
She nodded. That she could understand. “Now you know.” She leaned closer and ran her hand down to his chest, over his heart. He covered it with his own. “But I do need the blood back,” she said. “I have to talk to him.”
The muscle tightened under her hand. Heat grew across his body. “You won’t. I know you’re doing what you think is right—”
She pulled her hand away. “Itisright! If it’s a chance to prevent war, we have to try!”
“I said no.”
“You won’t tell me what I won’t do.” She was queen. And nothing would stop her from trying to keep her husband. Not even Mikael himself.
He stepped back from her. “Then you’ll do this and continue to lie to me?”
