Page 24 of Highland Queen

Chapter 8

In the days that followed, we settled in and began our preparations for the crowning. With the place bustling with news and people—most of whom I did not know and did not trust—I was relieved when the first of two very welcomed visitors arrived.

There was a knock on the door followed by the call, “Corbie?”

A moment later, Madelaine pushed opened the door and rushed into the room, an excited smile on her face.

Outside my door, I caught sight of Killian who gave me a knowing wink then closed the door behind her.

“Lady Madelaine,” Tira said, then curtsied.

Rhona, who had been in the adjoining room, joined us. “My lady.”

“What a welcome sight you all are,” Madelaine said as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight squeeze. “Corbie! Your hair,” she said when she pulled back. She touched my short locks. “What happened?”

“For the Morrigu.”

“I won’t begrudge the dark lady her sacrifice, but now we’ll have to work some magic of our own for the coronation. Oh, my little raven. Now, where is Lulach?” Madelaine asked, looking around, a confused expression on her face.

“My lady, shall Tira and I bring you and Lady Madelaine some refreshment?” Rhona asked, motioning to Tira. Clearly, Rhona understood I needed to speak privately with Madelaine.

I nodded. “Yes. Please.”

Tira looked a bit confused, but Rhona dragged her out the door behind her.

I went to the window and looked out. The yard was busy. As much as I had hoped that the crowning would end quickly, and I could return to Cawdor—with Banquo—it was beginning to look like the politics of the country were sloshing their way toward me. I was surrounded by news and need. Every day, visitors arrived to meet with Macbeth or me. There was struggle, hunger, and strife in every corner of Scotland. Dealing with all of it was exhausting. What Duncan had been doing all these years, I had no idea. But he had not been ruling. At least, not well.

“Lulach isn’t here,” I told Madelaine.

“Where is he?”

“I sent him to Balor. Lulach and Fleance will stay amongst the druids until things are settled.”

“Hmm,” Madelaine mused.

I turned and looked at her. “Was it the wrong decision?”

She shook her head. “No. Keep him hidden. Boite disappeared for a time as a boy as well. Our mother saw to that. But Kenneth would not let Malcolm go. The men they later became is evidence of their upbringing. This is good for Lulach. Besides, you will have enough to manage without tending to Lulach and Fleance as well.”

I nodded. “Duncan’s ineptitude reveals itself each day.”

“What he learned at Malcolm’s foot and what you learned in Moray are, no doubt, very different.”

“Gillacoemgain was a good ruler, that is true, and I learned much from him. But it is you and Epona I credit,” I said with a soft smile. “I learned how to manage things from watching the two of you.”

“Corbie,” she said with a dismissive wave.

“It’s true. You must care about what happens. If you don’t—”

“You end up with Malcolm…and Duncan.”

I nodded.

“Very well. All right, my Corbie, you’ve hidden Lulach from me. I can accept your reasoning on that, but I think you’ve had my man long enough. Where have you stashed Tavis?”

A knot hardened in my stomach. “Tavis?”

Madelaine caught the confused sound in my voice. She’d been blustering about the room, fingering the dresses hanging in my wardrobe. She turned and looked at me. “Yes. Tavis.”

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