Page 78 of War Queen
Norah stepped to the table and sat down. Soren seated himself to her right as Phillip took his chair at the opposite end.
“I am sure you’re eager to get back to Mercia,” Phillip started as the servants busied themselves filling their plates with food.
She smiled. “I’ve quite enjoyed the time here, but it’ll be good to return.”
“You’re welcome back anytime.” He turned his gaze to Soren. “As are you, Lord Commander.”
She smiled at Soren and raised a brow, and he cut her back a daggered glance.
Time passed quickly, and conversation came easier. Norah couldn’t help but notice Phillip’s gaze roll back to Soren as he talked. His smile was natural and warm, and his laugh light and infectious. And she almost thought she saw the corners of Soren’s mouth curve slightly upward once. Maybe.
Norah watched her friend with her heart full, and for his wounds of the past, she felt the beginnings of healing. For them both.
Chapter twenty
Morningcamequickly.Norahwas happy to be on her way back to Mercia but sad to be departing Aleon so soon. Dinner the evening before had set them on the course of friendship with Phillip, and leaving now seemed to cut it too short.
She had penned a letter to Mikael in the early hours, telling him of her decision to go to Aleon, of the wedding, of this new friendship, and of her safe journey home—well, by the time it reached him, she would be safely home. Soren had pressed her to write him before going to Aleon, but she knew that would have drawn Mikael in full force back to Mercia, no matter what threats lay before Kharav. She had no intention of keeping the visit from him, but she wanted to make sure she had a good-news message that wouldn’t take his attention away from Kharav and drive him to return.
Looking back, it was a risky decision, but one she was right about and glad she had made. Mikael would still be angry, of course, but he would come around to understanding, she was sure.
Soren gave Sephir a pat on the neck as Norah mounted in the courtyard of the citadel. The mare tolerated him now—she seemed to like him even. Two kind stable hands and the commander were all she permitted to touch her. Norah smiled. Soren had a way of growing on a person, even on the spirit of the Wild.
Phillip stepped forward from where he had been waiting while the company readied in the mainway. He looked up at Norah with a warm smile. “Thank you for coming, Norah. And for trusting me. I can see why you wouldn’t have, but I’m glad you did.” His eyes moved to Soren and then back to her. “Let’s not wait so long to see one another again.”
“I’m glad I came too. And I’m thankful for your friendship and hospitality. You’re welcome to visit Mercia anytime.”
“I’d like that.” He looked back to Soren, who had mounted his destrier. “Lord Commander. It was an honor to meet you, and I hope… I hope we meet again. And not on opposite sides of the battlefield.”
Soren hesitated a moment, then gave a nod of his head.
Phillip’s gaze met hers again. “Goodbye, Norah.”
“Goodbye, Phillip.” First names, because this time, they really did feel like friends.
She gave a final smile, and they urged their mounts down the mainway with the rest of their party behind them. Crowds had lined to see them off, waving them through.
“They’re happy to see us leaving,” she said to Soren in jest.
“They were happy when we came,” he said. “I think they’re just generally happy people.”
“Did he really just say that?” Calla said.
Norah laughed. “Look at you, being all positive,” she teased him.
“I didn’t say I liked it,” he cut back. When they reached the main gates, he cast a glance back at the castle.
She pulled Sephir closer, dropping her voice for more privacy. “Did you enjoy yesterday evening? Phillip seemed—”
“Stop.”
“I’m just—”
“No,” he said firmly, with his eyes forward and avoiding hers. “I want you to forget yesterday.”
Wait, what? “Soren—”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said sharply.
