Page 128 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

Turning, I went to the side of Cormag’s pyre, looking at my husband one last time.

A soft breeze ruffled his hair, and I remembered the first time I saw him, the enigmatic bastard prince who had become my husband.

I love you.

Kiss our daughters for me.

I looked up at Mael Muire, who nodded.

In tandem, we lit Cormag’s pyre.

Turning, we then lit Brodi’s and Damhan’s fires.

Handing off the torches, we stepped back and watched as the flames took them.

Corva stood beside me, her face frozen as she watched the fire burn.

Tears slipped down Mael Muire’s cheeks as she mourned in silence.

Behind me, I felt the presence of Venu, Eddin, Aedan, Fabius, and the others, but I did not look back. I fixed my gaze on my husband as the flames slowly took him.

We stood there for the longest time when Corva swayed beside me.

I reached out for her arm, steadying her.

“Corva?” I whispered.

“The eagle has launched,” she whispered. “A thousand ships full of metal and men make way for Britannia…all with murder in their hearts.”

I turned back to the fire. The logs under what was left of Cormag shifted, sending embers into the air, as if Cormag himself had lifted from his fiery grave to better see what the priestess spoke of.

I watched as the flames spiraled into the night sky, a torrent of orange embers that burned as they danced, then burned out, becoming nothing but darkness.

That night,a feast was held in the town and in the great hall of Rigodonum to honor the dead. From the city below my fort, I heard music and laughter. It drifted upward to the fort and in through my window.

I had gone to change, my heart unable to stand the smell of smoke that clung to my gown. But afterward, I found myself reluctant to join the others below. I heard their laughter and knew they toasted my husband, remembering his quiet ways. And yet, I could not join them. I stood at the window, little Ofilla sleeping in my arms. I patted the cat gently, my mind replaying all those happy moments I had shared in that bedchamber with my husband.

I don’t want it to be over.

It can’t be over.

After a long time had passed, there was a knock on the door.

“Cartimandua?” a voice called.

Recognizing the sound of Venu’s voice, I opened the door, signaling to my guard to let him in.

When Ofilla spotted him, she hissed and jumped down, disappearing under the bed.

“Carti,” Venu said gently, giving me a soft smile. “The others are below. I hope I am not intruding, I just hated to think of you alone here.”

“I… I just cannot seem to make my feet move.”

Venu nodded. “Yes. I remember the feeling well. That’s why I came. I have some Roman wine,” he said, lifting a decanter. “I can leave it and go. Or, I can stay if you like. We don’t have to talk. I understand. I just… I didn’t want you to be alone.”

I gestured to the table on the other side of the room, where some glasses were sitting.

Venu went to the table and poured two glasses, handing one to me.

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