Page 106 of Highland Queen

Chapter 31

I waited patiently for Thora at the top of the steps leading to the second floor of the unused part of the castle. She dawdled along slowly, finally reaching the top step. She was panting hard. Lighting a taper, we headed down the hall to the door that led to Crearwy’s chamber…and beyond. Today, I needed to find the beyond.

I knelt and pet Thora’s head.

“I think you know where we are going,” I told her.

She licked my hand and pawed at me.

I gazed into her brown eyes. “How little you were when I found you on that hill. No bigger than a tiny babe. But your feet were half the size of my hands. Did the fey really send you to me as the priest complained?”

Thora’s eyes sparkled, and she wagged her tail.

“Willful, magical dog. Let’s see what we can do to draw things out a bit more for you,” I said then set my hand on the latch. I closed my eyes. Gathering magic around me, I opened the door.

Waving for Thora to follow, we entered to find ourselves standing on the cauldron terrace at Ynes Verleath.

Nimue, who had been reading, looked up. Andraste’s eyes, however, were on her cauldron.

“Cerridwen,” Nimue said, standing.

“Sister, I’ve come to ask a favor.”

Nimue looked at Andraste who had not looked away from the cauldron.

“Of course,” Nimue said, frowning at Andraste’s lack of engagement. “What is it?”

“It’s Thora,” I said, motioning to my dog. “The war wearied her. I know her time is coming. She is moving so slowly. I hoped maybe…”

Nimue knelt and clapped her hands, calling Thora to her. “What do you think, Graymalkin? Will you stay with me? Very soon, your mistress will join us. Stay with Andraste and me, and it will seem as if no time has passed at all.”

Thora wagged her tail then went to Nimue.

I stared at Nimue. “What do you mean, I will join you soon enough?”

At that, Andraste finally looked up. “We will look after her. Now go. Stay no more for the sake of Aelith,” she said, eyeing my growing belly, then she waved her hand in front of her.

I pitched sideways as I suddenly found myself standing in Crearwy’s chamber once more.

“Andraste, you old crone. You didn’t even let me say goodbye,” I complained loudly to Andraste who, I knew, could still hear me.

My hands drifted to my stomach. “Aelith,” I whispered. “A lovely name, isn’t it, my rose?”

I turned to go but spotted the shade of Gillacoemgain’s sister standing by her bed.

How much she and my Crearwy looked alike. It moved my heart to no end to know, for certain, it was no mere coincidence. I was angry with Andraste for her deception, angry beyond measure. But the truth was far sweeter.

Crearwy motioned for me to come close to her. With ghostly hands, she touched the small wooden box at her bedside.

Following her gesture, I opened the box. Therein lay small trinkets, rings, and necklaces, ladies’ things.

Crearwy touched a small silver pin lying in the box. On it was the same flower that trimmed Gillacoemgain’s dagger, broach, and even his seal. She motioned for me to take it.

I picked it up and looked it over.

Crearwy moved to touch my hands, to press the item toward me, but she hesitated. Even her spirit would not touch my cursed fingers.

“I will give it to Crearwy,” I told her.

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