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“Cartimandua, no one expects you to hold state meetings right now,” Corva told me with a frown as Hilda dressed me for dinner. “You should not push yourself.”

“It is necessary. Is Ystradwel still here, her and that sticky lord of hers?”

“Yes. I spoke to her privately. I sensed that she had not planned to stay, but on your order…she is here.”

“Where is Cormag?”

“With his mother, my queen. He has been with the Votadini since morning, but they were seen making their way back through Rigodonum to the fort a moment ago.”

“Done,” Hilda said, stepping back. She had fixed my hair in a long braid and then pinned it at the nape of my neck, setting my silver circlet on my head. I wore a black gown trimmed around the neckline in silver with constellations.

I rose and turned to Corva.

“They are all gathered below,” she told me.

“I shall go to the yard and meet Cormag and Mael Muire,” I said, then went downstairs. I exited the fort just as Cormag and Mael Muire rode up. I went to Cormag, holding Shade’s reins as he dismounted, then handed them to a groom.

Cormag gave me a soft smile and embraced me, kissing the side of my head.

“Do you want to go up and change? I can go with you.” I told him.

“No. It matters not. I will see them as I am,” Cormag replied.

“Cormag, if you don’t want?—”

“I am your king and your husband,” he said, leaning back to look at me. “And you are my love. I am with you now and always, my blackthorn queen.”

Mael Muire joined us. “Do not overtax yourself, Daughter,” she told me gently, touching my shoulder. “Your chieftains can see to their own grain and ships without you for a time.”

“Unfortunately, it is not grain and ships I worry about.”

Mael Muire nodded thoughtfully and then followed us inside.

We made our way to the main dining hall. I could hear the sounds of voices and laughter from inside. The guards openedthe door, allowing Cormag and me to enter, Corva and Mael Muire following behind us.

The room grew quiet when we entered.

Making our way to the front of the room, I turned and gave those gathered a soft look. “My friends, do not dampen your mirth on our account. Our daughters were ever full of smiles, and your joy and laughter remind us that life is a circle. We shall see one another again. Please, eat and enjoy.”

With that, Cormag and I sat.

“Aside from the company, there is one thing I love best about Rigodonum,” Eddin said, smiling as he lifted a round of bread. “There are no better hands than the ones in your kitchen.”

I eyed the bread he held. The dough had been worked with cheese and rosemary.

“Aye, King Eddin,” Chieftain Andoc agreed. “I tried to have my cook copy it and was left with a weedy mess.”

The others chuckled.

“I have lived with perfection so long, I didn’t know I was spoiled by it,” I said, lifting a round of bread. “It is good to appreciate what one has.”

“Indeed, my queen,” Chieftain Maelgwyn added. “Which is why I know I have the best cider in all Brigantes lands.”

That brought about some disagreement and guffawing from the others.

“Perhaps in Brigantes lands, but there is none finer on this island in Dardani lands…as Priestess Corva will agree,” Eddin said.

Corva gave Eddin a warm smile. “No doubt, the harvest was particularly sweet this year.”