Page 121 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“The Votadini will send warriors south. An attack on Cormag is an attack on their tribe. How blind King Aengus must be not to realize.”

“He does not know the Votadini as we do,” Corva replied. “We must also send to King Eddin. We will need his assistance in the hours to come.”

“Cartimandua must make that decision,” Conall protested.

“She cannot right now. We must act in her stead. Time is of the essence.”

There was a long pause before Conall said, “Very well.” The pair then left, the door clicking closed behind them.

I closed my eyes and pulled the blankets to me, inhaling Cormag’s scent. Like my girls, his smell would fade as all trace of him disappeared from this earth in the coming days.

Weeping, I held onto the fabric and moaned.

Ystradwel, why did you do this to me?

But the answer was obvious. I hadn’t truly known the depth of what Ystradwel had suffered. She had been taken from her home and father. She had been forced to labor as my servant. And she had been raped by my cousin inside these very walls. The resentment was lodged deep in her heart. The overtures of friendship she had made to me had been lies, manipulations. All that time, she wanted to retake her throne. She’d said whatever it took to get me to trust her. Her whole life, she had been forced to wear a false face. No wonder she had deceived me so easily. I’dnevermet the real woman behind the mask.

And now… Ystradwel had taken something from me that could never be replaced.

As we had done to her.

Ystradwel had punished me for the actions of others. The moment I had taken power, I hadkilledthose who hurt her, set her free, and punished those who had led an uprising against her and her father.

Or had I?

What if old Cam had been in league with Rhys and the so-called rebels all along? What if Ystradwel had always known about the traitors because she was one of them? What if she had faked that she had been deceived by Rhys. Had I beheaded her lover? The truth was, Cam had never accepted his defeat. My father knew it. Bellnorix knew it. I was the one who had failed to see the truth.

Ystradwel had been the dagger at my back all along.

I closed my eyes, feeling my blood pounding in my head. The sides of my skull felt like they wanted to crack open. I pressed my hands against my ears.

Cormag….

Cormag… I’m sorry. I failed you. I am a failed queen. You are dead because I was blind.

I’m so, so sorry.

I was notsure how many days had passed when, late at night, I sensed someone moving in my chamber. Unable to get out of bed, I listened as Corva spoke.

“Mael Muire joined the fray, and along with her, King Eddin. They are pushing the Setantii and Northern Cornovii forces back. The Votadini… I am not sure what will be left of the Setantii when this is done.”

I said nothing.

“Cartimandua?”

I could not reply.

“Can I bring you a draft? Something to ease your mind?”

Unable to reply, I rolled over in bed.

Corva said nothing, merely rose, and left.

Whatever Ystradwel and King Aengus had hoped to achieve by killing my husband, it had not worked. They had unleashed Mael Muire’s fury, and I was glad.

I woke again sometime later, hearing unfamiliar footfalls in my chamber. Someone worked by the fire. I could hear the sounds of clicking cups and pouring liquids.

I opened my eyes a crack and was surprised to find Môd there.

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