Page 20 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 19

A long with my guard, I prepared to ride out the following day. Branagán pranced under me, excited to be on a ride once more. I patted my father’s horse, calming him, as Cormag looked up anxiously at me.

“I do not like any of this,” he said. “Promise me you will be careful. Something sits heavy in my heart, Cartimandua. Please, be cautious.”

I reached for his hand. “I will,” I said, then smiled at the bundle in his arms. He held Regan while Greer waited with Aelith. I swallowed hard, feeling a pinch in my stomach once more. I hated to leave them. But what would become of us if Rome turned its eye to the isle beyond Ocean once more? I would do anything to keep my daughters safe.

Following my gaze, Cormag lifted Regan and handed her to me.

“Be good for your father, my sweet princess,” I said, kissing her on the forehead. She studied me with her bright blue eyes, her hands and legs working excitedly. “What, want to ride with me? Well, I shall see you have a pony as soon as possible.” I kissed her once more, then carefully handed her back to Cormag.

Greer then handed me Aelith, whose blue eyes looked around at the world and were wide with fascination. “Awake, my little love?” I said, kissing her on the cheek, an effort which brought forth a smile from the baby. “Look,” I told Cormag with a laugh. “Do you like the sunlight on you, my Aelith? Do you hear the birds? The trees are trimmed all in bright green,” I said, gesturing to the early leaves on the trees nearby.

Aelith smiled at me once more.

I kissed her cheek, then handed her back to Greer.

“I will see to them, my lady. Nothing to fear,” Greer reassured me.

Regan sneezed while I was handing Aelith back, making her sister laugh.

“Is that funny, Princess Aelith?” Greer asked the smiling baby.

I chuckled lightly. “Thank you, Greer.”

Corva reined in beside me. “My queen. We are ready,” she said.

I nodded. The other priestesses had ridden off earlier that morning to see to some preparations at the sacred site. I would ride to Isurium Brigantum and remain there until they called for me.

I felt my gaze pulled upward. In an open window casement at the top of the fort, I spotted Verbia—and Fabius. Fabius waved cheerfully to me while Verbia merely watched on.

I chuckled, wondering what nonsense Fabius was up to, then grinned at Verbia. After a moment, she cracked a flicker of a smile. Shaking my head, I turned back to Cormag once more, holding his loving gaze for a moment, then turned and rode out.

With guards before us and behind us, we made our way into the city. As we neared the town proper, the people began to gather. Conall reined in on one side of me while Corva covered my left flank.

“Am I to be shielded?” I asked them.

“We still do not know who tried to kill you at Yule, my queen, unless you’ve forgotten,” Corva replied.

“This streak of silver on my cheek will not let me forget,” I said, touching my face where the scar from the fletching had left a mark.

“You are the queen of the Brigantes, the greatest, strongest, and richest tribe on this island, which also means you have the biggest target on your back,” Conall told me.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you are here to shield me,” I replied with a smirk.

“As you hope to shield us all,” Corva replied stoically.

The ride to Isurium Brigantum took the entire day, with our party arriving at the second largest of the Brigantes strongholds at night. The walled fort sat on a plain not far from the river. The ancient site, as old as Rigodonum itself, was teeming with life. From within the walls, I heard music, laughter, and people. A stone wall surrounded the fort. From the ramparts, the watchmen called, heralding our arrival.

“The queen! The queen! Open the gates for the queen!”

Our horses’ rigging jingled as we made our way to the gate.

The doors swung open a moment later to reveal a small city bathed in torchlight. We rode through the narrow streets to the chieftain’s house at the center of the village. It sat on a high mound above the rest of the buildings, with a good view of the city. A party appeared. I spotted Aedan and his young nephew, Aerin, ahead of a crowd of guards and others. When we reached them, I pulled Branagán to a stop.

“Queen Cartimandua,” Aedan called. “You are welcome in Isurium Brigantum.”

“Thank you, Chieftain Aedan. It has been too long.”

“Priestess,” he added, inclining his head to Corva.

She gave him a brief nod.

I dismounted, Aedan taking my hand to steady me. “Come,” he said, “you have traveled far, and it is late.”

“Thank you,” I said, going with him while my guard saw to the horses, Corva following behind us.

“I must admit that your message alarmed me, Queen Cartimandua. It was brief and lacking in detail. That is never a good sign.”

“The priestesses have gone to the Claws of the Cailleach. I await their call to join them.”

“The Claws of the Cailleach?” Aedan asked, alarm in his voice. “What’s happening?”

Lowering my voice, I said, “Rome marches to the shores of Gaul, its eyes set on our island. Our gods are the last defense before a sleeping south.”

“Rome,” Aedan whispered, aghast. “But what… What will the priestesses do? Surely, we must rally our forces and set off an alarm across this island?”

“Who do we awaken? The warring Catuvellauni? The defeated Atrebates? The bleeding Trinovantes? Only the Cantiaci and Regnenses are making ready—and the Regnenses are baking bread and readying ale. The rest of the south is sleeping.”

“Then we must?—”

“We must wait upon the priestesses and put our faith in the gods.”

“And if they fail?” Aedan asked.

I gave him a light smile. “I promise I will not tell M?d you suggested she might fail.”

Aedan sucked in his breath through his teeth. “Please don’t,” he said with a laugh, then nodded. “We will wait upon the gods, as you said, but I know you well enough to know that you have a plan in place if— if —something goes wrong.”

“I have already written the messages—or threats, depending. Corva carries them. They will be sent off at once if need be.”

Aedan smirked. “Of course you have, Queen Cartimandua. Of course you have.”

We entered the house, Aedan leading me to his dining hall. The place was warmly lit with a fire ring and braziers, which chased away the late evening chill. Servants hurried about busily preparing the table for us.

An attractive woman with long blonde hair pulled into a braid emerged from the kitchens to greet us.

“Queen Cartimandua,” she said, curtsying.

I narrowed my gaze as I studied her and then remembered. “Lady Amma,” I said with a smile. It had been years since I had seen Aedan’s elder sister. She was born to his father and his father’s first wife. She had married very young to an elder chieftain who had died early in their marriage, leaving the retainership to the lady and young Aerin.

“It is good to see you again, Queen Cartimandua. I was afraid you would not remember me.”

“It has been some time. I was, perhaps, only nine or so when I saw you last?”

Amma nodded. “Yes. I had come to Rigodonum with my father, who wanted Bellnorix’s permission for me to wed,” she said, then turned to her son, who joined her. She set her hand on the boy’s hair, smoothing it. “It has been many years since that day.”

I smiled from her to her son. “Aerin served us very well in the war against the Parisii. You should be very proud of your son.”

“I helped too,” Aedan added.

I laughed. “Here and there.”

Aedan laughed. “If you call helping rescue your majesty from kidnappers here and there .”

I patted Aedan’s cheek. “There’s always room for improvement.”

Amma laughed. “I am glad to see you give him no space to gloat. Otherwise, Aedan will chirp endlessly.”

I chuckled.

“Come, my queen, we have mulled cider to warm you, and the meal will be set directly,” Amma said, then turned to Corva, bowing deeply. “Priestess. You are all welcome in Isurium Brigantum.”

“Thank you, Lady Amma.”

Glad of the fire's warmth and tired from the long ride, I settled into a seat close to the fire. Soon, a whirlwind began around me as the meal was set, drinks were poured, and Conall and the rest of the guard rejoined us, along with Aedan’s household.

Those in Aedan’s household kept the conversation light, speaking of planting and the early spring rains. I did my best to listen, feeling weary from the long ride, when a piece of news caught my attention.

“It was going well until King Eddin bought half of this year’s foals at the market,” Aedan’s housecarl said with a laugh.

“King Eddin is trying to reseed his herds after years of Carvetti neglect. Of course he would select the best Brigantes horses,” Lady Amma said.

“Ah, yes, I am quite certain that was the reason he has visited thrice this spring,” Aedan teased his sister, who, to my surprise, blushed.

I felt something knot in my stomach but smiled all the same. “I didn’t know Eddin was in Isurium Brigantum,” I told Aedan.

Aedan nodded. “After you gave birth to our princesses, Brennan sent Eddin from Mydils to Isurium Brigantum. He was looking for ships and horses. Brennan had ships. I had horses. He has revisited us twice since. For the horses, of course,” Aedan said, giving his sister a wink.

Amma shifted in her seat, lifted her goblet, and drank, her eyes on her plate.

My chest felt tight.

“King Cuneda took whatever horses the late King Eddin owned and mingled their blood with no regard. The Dardani always took much pride in their horses. It is good that King Eddin wishes to restore the herds,” Corva added. “Aren’t the horses in Isurium Brigantum bred with Saracen stock, Chieftain?”

At that, the conversation veered away from Lady Amma and the apparent attention she had been given by Eddin to horses. I turned to my plate, my mind busy. Amma had been a very young bride. While she was older than Eddin and myself, she was only Eddin’s elder—Eddin being older than me—by four or five years. She was still of bearing age and, like her brother, quite attractive. Had Eddin liked Amma, or was Aedan merely teasing, as he was apt to do? Either way, my stomach knotted, and I began to feel…well, something I had no business feeling.

“How are the young princesses, Queen Cartimandua?” Amma asked me. “I had hoped to come with Aedan when he next went to Rigodonum to meet them.”

I cleared my throat and smiled at her. “They are well. Bright and smiling girls, both sitting up on their own now and finally letting me and their father get some sleep.”

Amma smiled gently, then looked down the table at her son, who was beaming a smile at Aedan. “I was little more than a child myself when I had Aerin. He has been the treasure of my life. When his father died…” she said, then paused. After a moment, she redirected her thoughts, stating, “I have been glad for my brother’s love and care. We both would have been lost without him. Aerin follows Aedan in all things. I am proud of them both.”

“As I am grateful to both of them for their service.”

Amma smiled. “I’m lucky to have caught you, my queen. I will return home soon. There is always work to do this time of year, as I’m sure you know well.”

“Yes.”

“Amma,” Aedan called. “We are all sated and tired. Will you not sing for the queen?”

At that, Aedan’s men cheered and called for the lady to sing.

Amma waved them away. “No, good gentlemen. I am a croaking toad compared to those who sing in the halls of Rigodonum.”

“If a frog is a lark,” one of Aedan’s men called.

Smiling, I turned to her. “Now, I must hear, if you are so obliged. If not, feel free to tell your brother no,” I said, giving Aedan a knowing look.

Amma gave me a soft smile. “Very well, my queen. But only because you asked. I most certainly will not do it for Aedan.”

At that, I laughed, and Amma rose and went to a chest in the corner. From within, she pulled out a harp and then sat at the front of the hall.

“I will sing in honor of our twin princesses, for all the world is brighter with them being in it,” she told us, giving me a warm smile, then launched into a song.

As soon as she had sung the first notes, I realized why the others begged her to sing. A sweet melody cascaded from her lips as she gently strummed her harp. She sang a song I had not heard before about two Seelie princesses, twin born, one who became the lady of spring, the other the lady of winter. Spring fell in love with the prince of autumn, and winter fell in love with the prince of summer, and together, they cared for all living things in our world. She painted such a beautiful image that I felt tears welling in my eyes.

When she was done, I noticed a few gruff warriors wiping tears from their cheeks.

We applauded her, and then Aedan called for a servant to bring her a mead.

Amma took her seat beside me once more.

I reached out and took her hand. “Thank you,” I told her, gently squeezing her hand. “You have the voice and skill of a bard.”

She gave me a light smile. “Thank you, my queen. My mother thought so too, but it was my father’s will to see me otherwise…bestowed,” she said, flicking her gaze to her son, giving him a soft smile.

I did not miss her meaning. The lands Amma now watched over as a retainer had once been Setantii, sitting on the border of their and our lands. Amma had been married to an older man who’d once been a Setantii chieftain. Bellnorix and Amma’s father had no doubt thought it a good idea to solidify the Brigantes’ hold on those lands through marriage. I suppressed a frown. No wonder she had been married off so young. Now her husband was dead, the land would never fall into question, no matter what games Setantii rebels wanted to play. The heir to that house was Brigantes. And while it was clear Amma loved her son, the price she had paid to ensure the lands stayed Brigantes was high.

I squeezed her hand once more. “Let the druids be jealous we Brigantes are blessed with such a skilled singer in our lands.”

“My queen.”

“If you think that was pretty, you should have heard her play with King Eddin,” Aedan’s housecarl told me. “By Brigantia, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

A knot formed in my stomach once more. “Yes, King Eddin is quite gifted in song as well.”

“He plays the lyre beautifully,” Amma said, a wistful smile on her features as she looked into her cup.

I swallowed and drank again, trying to drown the wave of jealousy rising in me.

Petty, Cartimandua. So very petty. Don’t you want Eddin to be happy? I chided myself.

“So he does,” Aedan said, giving Amma a grin. “And I suspect he’ll return with a different gift very soon . Will you agree to hear him, Amma?”

Amma’s cheeks turned red while I felt mine drain of color.

“We do not know King Eddin’s mind, Brother, and it is unseemly to presume anything,” Amma told him, her gaze flicking to her son again. She gave the boy an apologetic smile, then gave Aedan a warning glare.

Aedan merely laughed.

Feeling like someone had pulled all the muscles in my back into a taut bow, I shifted in my seat and drank once more.

Corva leaned forward. “While the food, song, and company have been very pleasing, the hour grows late, my queen,” she said. “We do not know when M?d will call for you. Perhaps, given the long ride, you should take your rest.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

Aedan rose, gesturing to one of his servants. “Taryn will see you to your room, Queen Cartimandua. Priestess Corva will be lodged beside you.”

“Shall I send my maid to attend you, Queen Cartimandua?” Amma asked, rising.

“I am well. Thank you for your care,” I said, giving her a grateful smile.

“I will send someone for you when there is word,” Aedan told me.

“Thank you,” I said, giving the others in the hall one last smile and patting young Aerin on the shoulder as I went. I then left the hall, following behind the servant. Two guards trailed Corva and me.

When we were finally away from the others, I flicked my gaze to Corva. “Thank you,” I whispered.

She nodded but said nothing more.

The servant led me to a small but well-appointed chamber where a fire had been lit, and braziers burned brightly. Sighing heavily, I sat on the bed and stared into the fire.

I told myself to think of my girls, Cormag, the priestesses, or even Rome…but my thoughts were fixed on one idea only: Aedan expected Eddin to propose to Amma.

I closed my eyes, remembering the night Eddin had confessed his love for me, promising to love no other. I didn’t want that for him. I wanted him to be happy. I loved my old friend and would never wish him a life of loneliness and longing. Amma was lovely, kind, bright, and skilled in song. She was perfect for Eddin. A match between the Dardani king and a Brigantes lady was a good thing for my people. It was a good thing for everyone involved.

But if so, why did I feel so…

I shook my head.

I will not think about it again. I will set it down. It is not my business except as a friend and ruler. I love Eddin, and if he chooses to marry Amma, I will be happy for him. This is good for the Brigantes, who are first before everything else.

My people—they are first.

I love Eddin and want him to be happy.

I want him to be happy.

I love him and want him to be happy…

I love him…