Page 59 of Highland Queen

“Andraste,” I called sharply.

The fire crackled.

“Andraste.”

The flame flickered, and a moment later, a window opened to Ynes Verleath. There, I found Nimue.

“Where is Andraste?” I asked.

“Hail Queen.”

“Nimue, where is Andraste?”

Nimue shook her head.

“She is a coward. Tell her I will have the truth from her, one way or another.”

Nimue nodded. The expression on her face suggested that she was not in disagreement with my anger.

“Nimue, do you know the truth? Do you know the answer to the question I want to ask?”

“And what is your question?”

“Is Gillacoemgain Lulach and Crearwy’s true father?”

“I only know what you know. I see only what you see, Cerridwen.”

“And what is it that you see?”

“I see what you see,” she said with a soft smile and then the vision faded.

I sat back and ruminated on her words. Did she mean that her vision was blocked the same as mine, or did she mean that she and I saw the same thing—that Andraste had lied? That Gillacoemgain was their father. Was she trying to tell me that what I was realizing was true?

“You riddle, Nimue. Shame on you,” I whispered to the flames.

A moment later, Crearwy returned. She lay the blanket on the bed.

“Daughter, please come to me,” I whispered.

I could tell from the expression on her face that she was still unsettled, but she came all the same.

I wrapped my arms around her, pressing my head against her soft belly. How sweet she was, soft and warm with skin as smooth as butter. I sighed heavily.

“What is it, Mother?”

“If I have failed you, I am sorry. I did what I thought best for you. I may have been misled.”

Crearwy patted my head. “Then don’t be misled again. I’ll go get some water now.” Pulling from my grasp, she snatched two pitchers from the table and headed out the door.

I rose slowly, feeling dizzy as I did so. I set my hand on my stomach.

“Easy,” I whispered.

“Cerridwen?” a voice called from the door.

I turned to find Flidas there.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to disturb you, but I’ve seen something that confuses me.”

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