Page 12 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 11

C ormag returned that night covered in grime and feeling exhausted. I had Kamden draw him a bath—my husband had still not employed a man to see to him, waging a silent war with Hilda on the matter—then helped my husband into the tub, sitting on a stool behind him where I ran a warm cloth across his back.

“Only once the thatch was off did we see the damage to the supports. Had they gone another week, the whole roof may have collapsed. The poor woman was shy about asking for help at first, but she warmed to us.”

“As she should have. She will sleep comfortably tonight due to your efforts.”

“It may take years for the Brigantes to see the Votadini as allies.”

“We will win them over,” I said, noticing Cormag flinch when I ran my hand over his left shoulder. “Are you in pain?”

“Just strained.”

I set the rag aside, poured oil on my hands, and rubbed his shoulder gently. The wound from the arrow had healed, but a scar remained. “You have worked hard today for our people, my husband. I honor you for it.”

Cormag was still for a time and did not respond. After a while, he took my hand and placed a kiss thereon, then turned to me, an odd expression on his face.

“What is it?” I asked, confused.

Cormag’s brow narrowed. “Nothing,” he said, leaning in to kiss me, but I pulled back.

“Not so fast, selkie. What was that look?”

He gave me a wry smile. “It is truly nothing.”

“Cormag…”

“It is only…” he said, then sighed. “When we met at your father’s funeral, I saw the way some others looked at you—Prince Venutiux and King Eddin. I am not unaware of their affection for you. And still, you married me.”

“Do you believe we are fated to walk our paths?”

Cormag nodded.

“As do I. And never would I have thought to fall in love with a crow, but our destinies were intertwined the moment you carried me from the blackthorn thicket. I love you, Cormag.”

“If things had been different…”

“If things had been different, there is no saying what would have happened. But we are together now. Or,” I said, then grinned at him, “are you pining for some lost Votadini love? Some bewitching yellow-haired vixen, perhaps.”

Cormag laughed, then splashed water at me.

I ducked. Laughing, I moved him back in place and lifted the pitcher to wash his long, black hair. I gently poured the warm water over his head, then worked the spiced soap into his long locks, rinsing them when I was done. I rose and went to get him a cloth, but Cormag stepped from the tub and pulled me close.

“I love you, Cartimandua,” he whispered in my ear.

“I love you too,” I whispered in reply.

He kissed me, his breath and skin hot, the sweet scents of the oil and soap perfuming him. I fell into the moment, then tugged him closer, giggling lightly.

“I’m soaking wet now,” I told him.

“And I’m freezing.”

“Then best get to bed.”

“And you best get that wet dress off.”

“Big as I am? You’ll not be able to find your way around.”

Cormag laughed. “Let me worry about that.” Taking my hand, he led me to the bed and slipped under the coverlets. “It really is cold. Come here, Wife, and warm me up.”

Pulling off my gown and laughing at my huge size, I settled onto the bed beside him. “As my king commands.”

A week later, I went down to my work chamber, feeling exhausted and hungry. My ankles were swollen, and I was annoyed that Corva had not yet returned. But at the very least, I found notes from the first of the riders. News came from my chieftains, including Venu.

Venutiux reported the Carvetti were well in hand and that the winter had been quiet. He assured me he would ride to see me soon. Venu made no mention of my impending birth in his reply. Granted, his note had only been a few lines long. But still, nothing…

From the others, I had some reports of winter illnesses, low supplies, and Chieftain Maelgwyn had a tension with a neighboring Selgovae chieftain over hunting lands, but that had been peacefully resolved. Nothing yet from Ystradwel, but her lands were the furthest ride away.

From Aedan, however, came a request. With the oncoming of spring, he worried about the flatlands near the river, which had flooded many farms the year before. To that end, he asked for Cormag’s help.

“Chieftain Aedan has asked for you,” I told Cormag, who joined me later that morning. I was unsure where he had been, but he smelled of wood smoke and hay. “He seeks your advice and help building a levee.”

Cormag frowned and then looked at my swollen belly. “After.”

“Onnen has said?—”

“My apologies to the priestess, but she’s wrong. Carti, the children will come at any moment.”

“It’s only a day’s ride away. There is time.”

“But, Cartimandua?—”

“Would you have my farms flooded this spring, King Consort? Aedan knows as well as I do that you have a mind for such things, or would you have the Brigantes think you are only here for your good looks and heir-making capabilities?”

Cormag frowned at me.

“If my labor pains come, I can send a fast rider to fetch you immediately. It is not a long ride. This friendship with Aedan strengthens your place here.”

Cormag sighed heavily. “Very well, though I do not like it. Let me fetch Damhan and go at once. I will leave Brodi here to wait upon you if needed.”

“Oh, he will love that.”

“You have already stolen Fergus from me. I trust you will not use your beauty and wiles to steal Brodi as well.”

“Well, if you leave him here alone too long, I cannot promise anything. Especially when I look so enticing,” I said, gesturing to my round belly.

Cormag laughed, put his hand on my belly, and kissed me. “You have never looked more enticing to me. I will make ready,” he told me then departed.

With a sigh, I continued sifting through the correspondence.

No matter how many times I shuffled the papers, I did not find what I was looking for. Finally, I rose and went to the door, where one of the boys waited outside.

“Queen Cartimandua?” he asked, rising quickly.

“Are these all the messages?” I asked.

He nodded. “Thus far.”

“And…nothing from King Eddin?”

“No, my queen.”

I frowned, tapping the parchments in my hands. “Very well. Fancy some salted pork? Maybe with some cheese and a bit of bread?” I asked the boy.

He grinned. “Always, my queen.”

“Then come,” I said, turning and whistling to Fergus. “Let us raid the kitchens together. We shall eat all the salted pork we can stand. Agreed?”

The boy laughed. “As her majesty wishes.”

Grinning, the pair of us disappeared to the kitchens, and my annoyance and worry about the lack of news from Eddin was forgotten for the moment.

Later that afternoon, Cormag prepared to ride out. Once more, his eyes went to my stomach. “I won’t be more than a few days. Promise me you will send a rider if there is any sign.”

“I promise.”

“And if you can help it, try not to go into labor, my blackthorn queen.”

I chuckled. “It’s not like holding in your breath, you know.”

“How do you know unless you try?” he replied, tweaking my chin.

I chuckled.

He kissed me once more, then mounted.

Before he departed, he gave Brodi a knowing look.

The Votadini nodded.

With a wave, Cormag’s party headed out, Scratch and Beef along with them. Beside me, Fergus whined but didn’t join the others.

“You can go too,” I told the dog, but he simply nuzzled my hand and licked me.

Brodi shook his head. “Mael Muire will not recognize you, the fierce dog she sent to guard her son,” he told Fergus, but the dog seemingly ignored him.

Brodi and I both chuckled.

I looked up at the cloudy sky. While the snow under my feet had melted to puddles and left the road into the old fort a muddy mess, I swore I could smell snow on the wind.

“I sense it too, but spring snow is usually no more than dust. It is one last yawn and stretch for the Cailleach before she slumbers,” Brodi said.

“All the same, I would not have my husband on horseback in the snow.”

Brodi laughed. “Once we went hunting in the late autumn. Cormag wanted to bring in another deer or boar to smoke before the heavy winter set in. Queen Mael Muire told him not to go, but we went all the same—only to wake the following morning and find two feet of snow outside our tent.”

“But did you get the game?”

“Two does and one boar. And it was a lean winter, so we were all glad of it.”

I smiled and watched as Cormag disappeared into the city. Over the passing months, the shape of him had become an object of pure love. While I knew him to be of great strength, intelligence, and cunning, the man who held me at night, his hands on my belly, had become a fixed part of me. I loved him dearly.

My back twinged lightly, reminding me I had no business on my feet or outside in the cool air.

Watching until Cormag passed the outer gate, I turned to Fergus. “Now, will you stay with me inside by the fire or go with Brodi for some excitement?”

“I’m going to the training yards. Coming, Fergus?”

The dog looked between us, then turned and made his way back into the fort.

“Traitor.”

“He only stays with me because I spend more time in the kitchens than in my workroom.”

“Fair enough.”

I grinned, nodded to the man, and returned inside, again nursing the twinge in my back.

It felt like it was going to be a very long day.