Page 35 of Highland Queen

I nodded to them, indicating that they were free to go. They both bobbed a curtsey then departed, Madelaine following along behind them.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “Be with me, Lady,” I whispered, then went to the door.

On the other side, the men of Moray waited.

“My lady,” Killian said. They all bowed when they saw me.

“Come, lads. Let’s go and stand for Moray.”

The bells on the chapel rang as Macbeth and I progressed to Moot Hill where the Stone of Destiny awaited. For Duncan’s coronation, the ceremony had taken place within the abbey itself, and the stone had been safely tucked under his throne. Macbeth had asked for the stone to be returned to the mound near the Celtic cross where the ancient kings had received their coronation.

The people of Scone lined the streets, throwing flowers in our path as we made our way to the site. The scene was festive. Bagpipes and trumpets played, the people cheered, and a crowd of noble lords and ladies had come to watch. But I was also keenly aware of the amount of steel I saw everywhere. Not only was this a coronation, but it was a show of strength. There would be spies in the crowd, enemies watching. They would report everything that happened here back to Siward and Harthacnut. The message we were sending was clear: Scotland was strong once more.

But what they didn’t know was that the new king was anything but stable.

Just under his practiced smile, a thunderstorm was brewing inside Macbeth.

What would happen when that storm broke loose?

I glanced at Macbeth who rode beside me. He was finely bedecked, his armor glimmering in the sunlight. As he rode, he kept his gaze forward, eyes fixed on the coronation place.

He hadn’t spoken to me since dinner the evening before. No doubt, I had frustrated him by failing to play his game.

That was fine.

I had no interest in partaking in his antics. I was here for my people and for Lulach.

And for whatever life was now growing inside me.

A girl.

Another girl.

Banquo’s daughter.

If it was true, then I would need to figure out a way to hide her as I had done with Crearwy. If that was what Banquo wanted.

What would Banquo want?

Until I spoke to Epona, nothing was certain.

And Andraste was giving no hint of anything these days.

“Gruoch, Queen Gruoch,” the villagers called, waving to me.

I smiled and waved to them.

One day, my son would come to Scone. He would sit on the stone of kings and become ruler of this land. Everything I did, I did for Lulach.

I took a deep breath, smiled, and waved once more.

Macbeth and I finally arrived at the Celtic high cross.

The place had been beautifully bedecked with arches of greens trimmed with ribbons. The audience waited. Thorfinn and Injbjorg, Madelaine and Fife, and Banquo stood at the front. The other royal thanes, mormaers, and lords and ladies stood nearby.

I looked at Banquo.

He had a strained look on his face. On the surface, he looked delighted and proud. But under that, I saw the deep lines of worry. He smiled at me, inclining his head.

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