North Queen (Crowns Book 1), page 14
The priest held his arms high. “We assemble in the hall of our great kings, whose wisdom we call upon, and under the eyes of our gods, whose favor we seek, to crown Mercia’s new queen.”
Norah glanced at Alexander and found him staring back at her. He didn’t move, but the air between them carried his strength to her—strength she drew in. Her eyes drifted to her grandmother, whose gaze sat firmly on Alexander. She prayed he didn’t look to see the regent’s daggered glare. But his eyes were only on her.
“You are charged with the protection of our people,” the priest said, “of our lands, of our traditions, of the values that are the very foundations of our souls.”
Her heartbeat drowned the rest of the priest’s words. She was sure he said something about the gods, probably another responsibility as queen. A prayer, maybe. She couldn’t focus.
The priest pulled her crown from the velvet box and stood before her, bringing her attention back to the ceremony. He placed it on her head. A servant held the sacred scepter, which the priest took and placed in her right hand.
“Rise,” he told her.
Norah stood, holding the scepter tightly, and looked out across her people. Her people. The priest draped a long robe over her shoulders. Had that been part of the rehearsal? She wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. She was cold, and it helped.
“Do you vow to govern the people of Mercia, to lead them, protect them, serve them, and deliver judgment and justice according to our laws and our customs?”
Her heart pulsed in her chest. Heat flushed through her. Hot. She was too hot now.
“I vow,” she managed. She’d spoken the two words Alexander had mentioned only a few moments before. Of course, he expected no more.
“And so, you are named Queen Norah Elizabeth Andell, Regal High, and may the gods guide your hand for the strength of our people.”
Regal High. A king’s title. Her eyes shot to Alexander, and he winked at her. How had he…
Cheers rang out from the crowd, and she looked across the hall. There were so many smiling faces, so many people depending on her. So much responsibility.
And she wavered.
The responsibility—she was queen now.
She was queen.
Norah wanted to sit down again, but with all eyes on her, with the sacred scepter and the coronation robe, she could only stand and do her duty.
She had a responsibility—and she’d never been more certain. There was nothing James had told her that morning that she hadn’t already known. Her eyes found the councilman in the front, not far from her grandmother. He gave a nod.
Norah raised her hand, bringing the people to silence. Her heart beat like it would break from her chest, but her voice came steady. “My first act as queen shall be to appoint my lord justice.”
She breathed deeply, refusing to look at Catherine. She already knew the icy gaze she’d find. “Alexander Rhemus, come forward.”
The priest gave a nod, extending out his hand for Alexander to approach. Alexander stepped in front of her. His eyes burned a brilliant blue.
“Kneel,” she told him, following the sequence James had walked through with her.
Alexander dropped to his knees and held his hands out, palms up. His face was calm, but there was an exaggerated rise and fall to his chest. This was his moment, the day he followed the path of his father. The emotion pulsed from him.
“Alexander Rhemus,” she said, “I appoint you lord justice of Mercia, high commander, proxy of the Queen, and protector of Mercia and her people.”
Not a word had been forgotten. Norah had said it in her mind a thousand times, and what made it flow so easily was that she believed it. There was only one right decision, and it was Alexander. She dipped her fingers into the bowl of oil held by the priest. Slowly, she drew her fingertips along his palms. “May your hands be my hands.”
She ran her thumb across his lips. “May your words be my words.”
Then she reached and scribed a line on his breastplate with her fingers, just above the winterhawk. “May your heart be my heart.”
Norah smiled down at him. “Rise, Lord Justice.”
Alexander stood with emotion thick in his eyes. Then he took his place by her side, and cheers of approval deafened the hall.
Alexander was already in the great hall by the time Norah arrived. He watched as she stepped into the celebration, and cheers erupted. Several lords and their wives stopped by to offer their well-wishes to him, and he forced himself to peel his eyes from her long enough to extend his thanks. Then he turned his attention back to her.
She was beautiful. She captured the room the way she always did, filling the air with her light. He couldn’t help but smile. He heard a faint call to his right, but it wasn’t enough to pull him away.
“Alexander,” the voice came again, more sharply now.
Catherine. Although not required now that she was no longer queen regent, he bowed his head. “You look stunning today,” he greeted her.
She stood beside him with her eyes across the hall on Norah. “Flattery won’t win my support.”
Her words surprised him. Alexander looked at her. “Do you not support me as lord justice?”
She didn’t answer, and it wounded him.
He pushed out a breath. “Did you not name me so yourself?”
“It’s not that you won’t make a fine lord justice, Alexander. The gods know you already do. But Norah wasn’t here to cloud your mind before.”
His pulse beat heavily in his ears. He looked out across the hall. “Do you question my commitment to my duty?”
Catherine put her hand on his arm, drawing him to look back at her. “Of course not. But it will only make the path harder. For both of you.”
“My place is by her side. She’s my queen.”
“But she’s not yours.”
He knew this, but her words cut him. Still, he showed nothing. He admitted nothing.
Catherine sighed, looking back out across the hall. “But regardless of my worry and my attempts to keep you from it, you were always destined for this. I wish your father were here. He’d be so very proud of you.”
He drew in a breath as he fought back a wave of emotion. “Are you?”
Catherine squeezed his arm as tears brimmed her eyes. “Of course I am.” Then she stepped up on her toes and pulled him down, kissing him gently on his cheek. “Congratulations, my dear boy. There’s no one more worthy. I only fear for you both.” Then she squeezed his arm once again before leaving him to the celebration.
Her words hung heavy, reeling him into a mist of disquiet, that he almost didn’t notice Norah approaching.
“Congratulations, Lord Justice,” she said.
A smile crept back to his lips, and his worry was forgotten, as all worries were when she was near. “Congratulations, Queen Norah,” he said with a bow.
“Please don’t call me that,” she said in a hushed voice. “I’m barely keeping it together between yesterday and today.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Your Regal High.”
She laughed, and for that moment, he’d never been happier. He wanted to help take the burden away and make her forget—even if for only a moment—that the world hung on her shoulders.
“I feel like since the priest said it, it’s proper now,” she said.
“It is proper.”
She shook her head, amazed. “How did you even manage that?”
“With my charm,” he joked, and she laughed again.
To have her back, to have her laughing again… He hadn’t dreamed it was possible. The deep pools of her eyes drew him in and held him. She was beautiful. And she was home.
He forced himself to break away and look back out across the hall, just as a familiar face approached.
His smile faded, and his chest tightened. He knew this was something he’d have to manage eventually, but he had hoped it wouldn’t be tonight. Norah followed his gaze to the fair-haired woman. It was Ismene, the woman Catherine had been working so diligently to see him wed. He stood quietly as she approached.
As she drew close, Alexander forced a welcoming nod. “Queen Norah, may I present Ismene Dartan,” he said.
Ismene gave a polite smile and curtsied.
“Ismene,” Norah said. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Queen Norah. Welcome home, and congratulations!”
Norah’s eyes turned to Alexander, searching him for additional clues as to who this woman was.
Ismene looked at him for her introduction as well. Excitement danced across her face.
“Ismene is a friend,” he said, avoiding eye contact with her. This wouldn’t be the introduction she was hoping for.
Norah smiled at Ismene. Alexander knew her well enough to know it was forced.
“Well then,” Norah said, “we shall be friends too.”
“You’re too kind, Your Elegance.”
“Regal High,” Alexander said. He knew Ismene wouldn’t be the only one he’d correct. He only wished it didn’t have to be here, like this, tonight. Ismene was a kind soul, and she had the best of intentions.
“Of course,” Ismene said quickly, and curtsied to Norah. “Your Regal High.” Then she turned to Alexander. “And congratulations as well, Lord Justice.”
“Thank you, Ismene,” he said, trying to keep the discomfort from his voice.
There was an awkward silence, and Ismene let out a breath. “I’ll let you enjoy the evening. Congratulations again, Your Regal High,” she said, giving another curtsy. “Lord Justice,” she added.
Alexander gave a small bow as Ismene disappeared back into the crowd. He waited anxiously for Norah’s reaction.
“She seems very nice,” Norah said finally.
An easy compliment to agree with. “Yes, she is.”
“And beautiful,” she added.
Many men thought so, but Ismene’s beauty held nothing for him. He shifted and then gave a stiff nod. He didn’t want to talk about Ismene with Norah.
Norah’s lips moved, as if to say something else, when James found them. Alexander let out a silent breath of relief.
“Queen Norah,” the councilman said, taking her hand. “Congratulations. May the gods smile down on you.”
Her smile widened, bright and warm. “Thank you, James,” she said. She squeezed his hand. “I mean it. Thank you.”
James patted the top of their clasped hands. “Of course, my dear. It’s my duty and my joy.” Then he turned to Alexander and grasped his shoulder. “Your destiny, my boy. Congratulations.”
Alexander nodded as pride swelled within him. James had always believed in him, and it brought him joy that James was here to see him named lord justice. “Thank you, James.”
The councilman smiled and gave a nod and a warm cuff on his shoulder, then left them to continue on.
When they were alone again, Norah turned back to Alexander. “Are you courting? You and Ismene?”
Alexander couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him at the forwardness he knew so well. He should have known she wouldn’t let the conversation go that easily. But he had no secrets. “If your grandmother has her way.”
“She’s arranged you?” she asked, wide-eyed. “Are you to be wed?”
Another lord stepped forward with well-wishes for them both, and Alexander took the moment to collect his calm. While he’d answer anything Norah asked, it wasn’t a comfortable topic.
The visiting lord bowed and departed, and they came together again.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was rude of me, and intrusive.”
“You’re no intrusion,” he said quickly. “And”—he brought his eyes to meet hers again—“I have no intention of marrying. It doesn’t mean your grandmother won’t try.”
She gave a smile. “No, I suppose it doesn’t.”
At the mention of her grandmother, he glanced around the room and found Catherine looking back at him. He wondered how long she’d been watching, and how much she’d seen. His shoulders tightened.
Music picked up through the air. If he stayed, he’d ask her to dance. If he asked her to dance, he’d hold her hand in his, and if her skin touched his, he’d lose himself. So he couldn’t stay.
“I’ll say good night, though,” he told her, “and not monopolize your time, as there are many who’d like to talk to you.” Although there was no one who could want to talk to her more than he did.
A ripple of objection flashed in her eyes, but she didn’t voice it. It was better that way. He gave a small bow. “Good evening, Regal High.”
And she smiled a smile that he’d think about the rest of the night.
Chapter seventeen
“You’re upset with me,” Norah said.
Catherine sat in the side chair, petting a gray, long-haired cat in her lap as she watched Rebecca hold up dresses against Norah for approval.
“Disappointed,” she replied. She flicked her hand, and Rebecca dropped the purple dress she was holding on to the bed and picked up a yellow one.
Norah bit the inside of her cheek. Catherine hadn’t said but a few words to her since the coronation the day before, when Norah had named Alexander as her lord justice. “I know you didn’t want me to choose him—”
“No, I didn’t,” she said sharply. “But it’s not about that, Norah. We agreed we would meet with the council and decide.”
Norah huffed a short breath, her frustration rising. “I didn’t agree. I was told. But I am the one to choose my lord justice, and I chose Alexander. He was good enough when you chose him. He’s clearly done a fine job, and he’s the only one with James’s support.”
“The selection for lord justice doesn’t require James’s support.”
“You say that now only because he didn’t agree with you about Lord Branton.”
Catherine’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t come back with another retort.
They sat in silence.
Finally, Catherine said, “I wish you would have told me that was your decision, instead of catching me by surprise.”
Norah sighed, the fire inside her snuffed with guilt. “I do too,” she admitted, her voice coming softer now. “I was just… afraid that you’d talk me out of it, and I didn’t want to be talked out of it. I’d made up my mind. I know Alexander. I trust him. James trusts him.”
“James doesn’t know the implications.”
“And what are the implications?” Norah asked, the heat returning. All this cryptic talk, she couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Oh, Norah. Are you really so naive?”
And she certainly couldn’t stand people continuing to talk to her like she was foolish. Even her grandmother. Her skin burned.
A knock on the door interrupted them, but Catherine’s eyes didn’t move from Norah. “Finish dressing. It’s time to meet the council.”
While Norah hadn’t forgotten about the state, one benefit of being overwhelmed by the world was that it desensitized her to the crushing weight of other things sometimes. But her mind turned back to the meeting with the council, and her stomach twisted. It had been delayed to move up the coronation, but she had to face it now.
Catherine lowered the cat gently to the floor and stood. Then she moved for the door but paused and eyed the dresses. “Wear the blue. I’ll see you in the judisaept.”
Norah pushed out another breath, brimming with frustration as the door closed behind Catherine. She wanted to scream. Did Catherine think she could decide everything?
Rebecca reached for the blue gown.
“No,” Norah told her. “I’ll wear the green.”
The council was already in the judisaept when Norah arrived, as were her grandmother and Alexander. She had thought her nerves had calmed as she had walked through the morning air, but the anxiousness came flooding back as soon as she saw them. The iron gaze of her grandmother didn’t help. Perhaps she should have worn the blue dress. She felt childish now, which did nothing for her confidence.
While Catherine hadn’t spoken to her much since the night before, she had worked to prepare her as much as possible for this meeting. Norah had her planned responses—her very vague and very short responses. They’d focus on the alliance with Aleon and the marriage. Norah would rather talk about anything else, but she reminded herself of the circumstances: the state of Mercia, the plight of their people, the threat of the Shadow King. She knew what she had accepted by taking the crown. It didn’t make it easier, though.
The councilmen were so deep in a heated conversation that they barely noticed her entrance.
“Councilmen,” Alexander called their attention when he saw her.
Edward turned. “Ah! Queen Norah.” He bowed. “Forgive us. We were caught up in some disappointing news. But let’s get started. I’d like to welcome you to your first state.”
“What news?” she asked.
He paused in surprise but quickly recovered. “Nothing for you to worry about. These matters are why you have a council.” His tone held an air of condescension that brought a heat to her cheeks. “Now, as Lady Catherine reminded me, you’ve not spent much time with the council, even before your… leaving. And it would be good to get reacquainted.”
A small whisper of relief filled her lungs. That was very smart and very much appreciated. She glanced at Catherine, her earlier morning frustration forgotten, and her grandmother gave her the faintest of nods. But the mention of disappointing news still needled the back of her mind.
Edward motioned to each council member around the room. “Councilman Alastair, Henricus, Elias, Charles, and of course you know James.”
Each councilman gave a respectful bow of his head as his name was said, and James smiled reassuringly. Catherine had walked through their descriptions with her before, and Norah felt solid on them now.
“We know you’re stepping into a role that can be overwhelming for any person,” Edward said. “And we’ll guide you through each challenge.”
They looked to her for a response. She had to say something, something that didn’t sound like a woman completely in over her head. She clenched her hands together as she nodded. “Thank you, Councilman Edward.” Her eyes rounded the table. She could feel her pulse in her palms. “Thanks to all of you. I only want to serve Mercia the best I can. I trust that, true to your titles, you’ll counsel me in these matters of state to do what’s right for our people.”
