Page 114 of Highland Queen

“It’s a girl,” Lulach said absently, his eyes fixed on the fire.

“Lulach,” I said, touching his leg. “I love you well, my son, but you must hold your tongue when it comes to Crearwy. I have paid a heavy price to keep your sister’s identity secret. If others were to learn you had a sister—”

“But who would ever guess?” Lulach asked.

“She is named after your father’s sister. One doesn’t need the sight to make connections. Among the holy brothers, it is one thing to speak her name. But never among servants or in common spaces.”

“I told you,” Fleance chided Lulach. “How like you she is, Corbie.”

“You think so?” I asked.

Fleance smiled, and for a moment, I saw a strange wisp of a soft expression cross his face. “Yes. Though a bit more waspish.”

“She is angry,” Lulach said.

“Was she…unkind to you, Lulach?” I asked.

“No. Not to me.”

“I see,” I said, guessing that Crearwy had spoken harshly of me to her brother. “She doesn’t understand. I can’t blame her. One day, she will realize and forgive.”

“May the gods let it be so,” Lulach said, his voice resonating with a deep otherworldliness.

“Have you shown her?” Fleance asked Lulach.

Confused, I scrunched up my brow. “Shown me what?”

Lulach pushed his sleeve up to reveal a small tattoo on his wrist. Inked thereon was a dog surrounded by swirling Pictish designs.

I took his hand into mine and studied the tattoo. “It’s beautiful, but why did they give you such a mark?”

“I walked…beyond,” he said. “Angus guided me.”

I stared at my son. Before me sat the future King of Scotland. And before he had even reached full manhood, the gods had shown fit to take him to the Otherworld.

“And what did you see there?”

Lulach smiled at me. “You know I cannot say more.”

“Then know this, my son, that the Otherworld is full of those who love us, but also many who would trick and harm us.”

“Not where I went. Not who I saw,” Lulach said.

“And who did you see?”

“The one who brought me my dog. Eochaid.”

At that, I laughed out loud. “Fey things. Love them well, but always be cautious of fey things,” I said then reached out to scratch Angus’ ear. The dog tipped his head at me, giving me the impression he understood my words.

“Like these?” Lulach asked, reaching out to touch my gloved hand.

“Why are you wearing those gloves, Corbie?” Fleance asked.

“The better question is, who gave them to you?” Lulach said.

“Fey things,” I said. “You know I cannot say more.”

Lulach chuckled.

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