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Chapter5
Noah released my hand the second the queen turned around, and I took a few steps away from him in order to ensure I didn’t distress her more.
“Coraline, you’ll need to assist in rescheduling the training sessions this week. With Captain Coltrain gone, you’ll need to pass along the prince’s new schedule, which should be finalized this morning.”
She touched her fingertips to her forehead and then looked me up and down. “From now on I suggest you bring something to make notes with.”
The way she glanced down her nose at me could almost be seen as comforting. In a time of total chaos and chance, the queen still hated me through and through. And hey, at least that was something.
Maybe I should have pulled Noah closer instead of stepping away. After all, making her comfortable after everything she’d put me through shouldn’t have been a concern of mine. Then again, I didn’t need Noah hurting, or either of the two stubborn rulers to have a reason to fight when the morning was so difficult for them as it was.
She stood in the hall, looking about like she was deep in thought. “Double his feedings as well.” She pursed her lips and stared at her son. “There is no room for weakness now; you will need to be at your fullest possible strength at a moment’s notice.”
Noah bowed his head toward his mother, and for the first time ever I knew he was biting his tongue.
I braced myself for more orders, but the queen brushed past where I was standing without so much as a second glance my way.
Once she turned out of sight, Noah reached out. He cupped my face. “Everything is going to be okay.” His reassurance was sweet.
At this point I didn’t know if he was reassuring me about the king, or that I would be all right here in the palace with the queen. But it didn’t matter much. Because he was right. We’d been through quite a few tough times together already and always come out on top.
I took a deep breath. I’d spent most of the previous night comforting him, though he hadn’t asked for it. And me showing signs of discomfort and weakness wasn’t what Noah needed. It was his father who just left to the front lines after all.
“I’m just worried about you. What do you need?”
His smile was genuine and the depth of his gaze was so intense that my mouth watered. “Let me make sure my mother is all right, and I’ll meet you in your chambers. We have some time off with Aron’s departure this morning.”
I shook my head, taking his hand from my face and kissing his palm.
“Well,” he said, “we have some time off until you decide to blab the new schedule to Lieutenant Tomas, that is.” With a wink he pivoted on his booted heels and went down the same hallway the queen had disappeared down moments before.
My thoughts swirled as I made my way through the castle and back to my own room. Nicole hadn’t yet come back inside from the tree line she’d snuck off to. And so my thoughts ran rampant.
I felt sorry for the queen. If it had been Noah leaving, I would have hated it. Especially because the journey was so far away. None of the battles or the front lines were anywhere close by the castle, which was a blessing, but at the same time, if something unfortunate did occur, it would take hours or days to even know about it.
My heart broke for Nicole. She was like me, but the rough exterior was shattered in her actions today. Though no one else would have seen it, I did. And I realized that her love for Aron ran much deeper than anyone knew.
She and I were the same in so many ways. Knowing she didn’t let people in easily, and seeing how out of sorts I was from all of this just from the king leaving, I’d imagine she needed time. And when she was ready to talk, I’d ask her the same thing I’d asked Noah. What did she need.
Entering my room, I heard the little bird that came to visit me occasionally singing to me on my windowsill. I smiled, remembering the first time he’d come on my birthday. And how Noah had taken me to the town that day.
“Hello to you, my friend.” I closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh floral scent that wafted toward my room every morning. I’d kept the window open when I went down for the king’s farewell and was glad I did.
There was a warmer smell too though. Cinnamon.
I looked around and spotted a covered tray on the small table by my reading chair in the corner. A note was folded in front of it.
Frowning, I glanced toward the door. I hadn’t seen anyone in the hallway. Opening the note, I fell into the chair.
My dearest Coraline,
I apologize that our tea was cut short, but as I know you are aware, time was not on my side. In my absence, take care of Noah. He worries about his mother and me far too much.
Though I have every confidence in this battle and my role at the front lines, fate may have designed another plan for me. While I do not intend to go, if something were to happen, I want you to know that you have given me the knowledge of what raising a daughter would have been like, even if only a mere glimpse. If I were so lucky as to have had a girl, I would have wanted her to be everything that you are.
Stay strong in your beliefs, learn wherever you can, and I know your journey will continue to take you into the hearts of the Unseelie.
Take care of yourself and the prince,
