Page 85 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“You should rest,” Eddin told me. “You do not need to linger, Carti. All here know you and Cormag are much grieved. No one will find fault in it.”

I turned to Cormag, who had heard Eddin’s words.

“I will stay a time, but if you wish to retire, please do not delay,” Cormag told me.

I nodded, then rose. “My friends,” I said, my knees feeling weak. “Thank you for coming to honor my daughters. Your presence is a great comfort, but I will withdraw now,” I told them, then turned and left, Corva accompanying me.

I was halfway back to the tents when I heard someone call my name.

“Cartimandua?”

I looked back to find Venu approaching.

Corva paused while I turned back to rejoin my old friend.

“Venu,” I said softly.

“I will not hold you. I know your heart is broken,” he said, searching my face. “You saved me, more than once, in the worst moments in my life. I just wanted to tell you that I am here for you if you need anything. I am at your beck and call, not just because you are queen, but as your friend, Carti. If you needanything, you may rely on me.”

“Thank you, Venutiux.”

We stood there for a long time, and then he leaned in and embraced me. “Carti,” he whispered. “I amalwayshere for you.” He held me tightly for a long moment, then let me go.

I turned and rejoined Corva, my head aching terribly. I made my way into the tent and went at once to the cot to lie down, feeling like I wanted to die.

“Do you want something stiff to drink?” Corva asked.

“No.”

“Then let me make you a draft so you can sleep unbothered for a time.”

“As much as I would love to embrace oblivion, I will not leave my husband alone in his grief.”

“Very well. I will be close by if you need me.”

“Thank you, Corva,” I said, then paused. “Corva, do not let Ystradwel leave until I’ve spoken to her.”

“Yes, my queen.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the ache behind my eyelids. My little ones were gone. The labor had gone so difficult that the midwife had warned I would never bear again. My daughters were dead, and with them, my line would end.

Everything was in ruin.

May the Cailleach be cursed.

CHAPTER 23

Cormag and I returned to Rigodonum later that day. Despite everyone telling me it was unnecessary and not the right time, I asked for the chieftains, King Eddin, and Queen Mael Muire to join us in the great hall for a feast on the following night for a meeting. But that night, when my husband and I arrived home, we slept.

Our wounds were deep, and the pain felt as though it would never stop.

Sometime in the night, I woke to hear Cormag weeping.

I pulled him close, pressing my cheek against his back, and joined him in his sorrow.

When I woke very late the following day, Cormag was gone.

I stayed in my chamber that day until it was time to dine again. The last thing I wanted to do was eat, but there were essential affairs to attend to, and I needed to speak to the chieftains.