“Like who?”
“Many.” Catherine would have put forward a list of names. He suspected the decision would be Lord Branton. The Mercian lord had been a field general before he lost his sword arm in the war, and he’d been a trusted voice to the late King Aamon. His opinions sometimes differed from the council, which was a good thing. He was a good man, and Alexander could respect that decision. He pulled on one boot and then the other. “And even if she has decided, she most likely wouldn’t announce it today.”
“Councilman Edward said it’s customary to name the lord justice on the day of the coronation.”
“Councilman Edward has seen exactly one coronation. That hardly represents customary.”
“Alec,” his brother pressed, “get excited! This is real. It’s going to happen. I feel it.” He looked around. “Where’s Jude?”
Alexander had sent his servant away. “I wanted to prepare alone.”
Adrian shrugged. “I’ll help you.”
Alexander couldn’t help a smile as he rose from the bed. Adrian picked up the polished breastplate from the table and lovingly gave it a wipe with his sleeve before positioning it on Alexander’s chest and buckling the straps carefully. Alexander stood as Adrian finished, watching in the cheval mirror. This had been his father’s armor. He remembered exactly how his father had looked wearing it. He looked very much like his father now.
Their eyes met in the reflection and Adrian smiled. “Father would be proud of you, Alec,” he said, seeming to read his mind. “I am.”
Alexander’s eyes welled, and Adrian hugged him. Alexander held his brother close, treasuring the moment. Then he cleared his throat as he collected himself and clapped Adrian on the shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”
Adrian handed him his sword, and Alexander buckled the belt around his waist.
“Are you ready?” his brother asked with a grin.
No, but he nodded, and they stepped out into the sunlit hallway.
They made their way through the crowded castle and toward the throne room. Well-wishers clapped him on the back as he walked through the crowd of people. The lords expected him to be named lord justice. He never considered himself an ambitious man, at least not the way most men were, but he had always hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps one day. He’d hoped it was his destiny. Of all the visions Samuel had painted of him, none showed him as the lord justice. But then, they never showed someone else either.
Alexander left Adrian in the mainway and stepped into a side hall, finding the room where Norah was privately waiting. He paused for a moment, watching her. She was beautiful, as she always was, and she took his breath, like she always did. She was dressed in white, the color of Mercia. Ornate silver trim lined her gown, which was long with delicate beading. Her hair was pinned up, with loose curls swept back in twisted braids.
“Norah,” he said softly. He should have bowed, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She turned and let out a breath. “Alexander. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a nervous wreck.”
He couldn’t help a small smile. “You needn’t be. Remember, you only say two words. And I’m pretty sure you can say anything and it won’t matter. In fact, your grandmother may speak for you.”
The corner of her mouth turned up through her pursed lips. “So I’m just to stand there and look the part?”
“Well, you do look… very much a queen.”
She glanced down at her gown. “I suppose that’s the intent.”
Time was slipping away from him. “Shortly, I’ll be calling you Queen Norah.”
“As long as it’s not Your Elegance.”
“Your Regal High,” he said, and it finally pulled a real smile from her. Gods, he loved that smile.
“It isn’t the ceremony I’m worried about,” she said. “I’m not ready.”
Neither was he. “No one ever is.”
She let out a wavering breath.
“Norah,” he said. She looked up at him. “It’s not about remembering now. Leading people takes heart, and you’ve always been the heart of this kingdom. Follow yours, and you’ll know what to do.”
She pursed her lips into a fragile smile and nodded. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now,” she whispered.
He hoped he could give her some reassurance. If she could only see what he saw in her…
Her eyes moved past him and over his shoulder. He turned to see Catherine. “Queen Regent.” He bowed. She gave him a nod, but her stern eye cued his leave. He looked back at Norah and gave her a reassuring nod. “When we speak again, you’ll be queen.” He gave her a small bow and slipped out of the room.
Norah’s eyes trailed Alexander as he left to give her some privacy with her grandmother before the ceremony.
“Look at you,” Catherine smiled, clasping her hand. “So much like your mother.”
Her mother. Evanya. Had she felt the same when she’d married Norah’s father? Had she been afraid? Unsure? Worried about disappointing everyone?
“Here,” Catherine said, pulling out a velvet box. “I have something for you. You’ll be crowned with this during the coronation, but I wanted you to see it first.”
Norah removed the top, and her breath caught. Inside sat a gold crown. Carefully, she lifted it from the box. It was heavier than it looked. She ran her fingers over the smooth base, and then up the shaped floral-like edges.
“These represent lilies,” Catherine told her, touching the top shapes of the crown. “They were your mother’s favorite flowers. Your father would have them brought from Aleon for her.” She smiled sadly. “She was taken from us before the crown was completed, but he had it finished, intending to one day give it to you. He would have loved to see this moment.”
Norah’s lip trembled. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Like its queen,” her grandmother replied, with tears in her eyes.
Norah threw her arms around her grandmother, hugging her close.
Catherine squeezed her back. “They’re with you now, child. And so am I.”
Norah took a step back and nodded, unable to speak.
Her grandmother took the crown and put it back into the box. “Now, everything’s ready. You needn’t fret about anything. And tomorrow, we’ll meet with the council and decide on your lord justice. Someone we trust implicitly.”
Her stomach twisted. There was only one person she trusted implicitly.
Catherine smiled. “For now, one thing at a time, my dear.”
But it was never one thing at a time. Norah swallowed down the lump rising in her throat. If she could just get through this ceremony…
Her heart raced. James had come earlier that morning, giving her the reassurance she had so desperately needed, guiding her toward what she already knew she needed to do. Still, it was hard, and she clenched her hands to keep them from shaking.
“Come now.” Catherine smiled. “It’s time.”
Norah peeked through the double doors to the throne room and felt faint. So many people were inside, surely over a thousand. Her corset and stiff gown did little to help her catch her breath.