Page 41 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“Nothing. Now, let’s be quick about it.”

Hilda hurried inside and then went to my wardrobe, pulling out a dark blue dress trimmed with stars and moons. She quickly helped me remove my robe and nightdress and slip into the gown.

“My queen?” Kamden called, knocking on the door. “You have a visitor. King Eddin has come.”

“Prepare rooms for him and his men and see the king to the dining hall. I will meet him shortly. See that he and his men are fed.”

“Of course, my queen.”

Hilda helped me work the gown over my belly as I ignored my increasingly achy back. She then aided me in brushing out my long locks. When we went to put slippers on my feet, however, nothing fit.

“The king consort’s boots will have to do,” Hilda said. “Don’t expect you’ll be doing any dancing anyway.”

“Certainly not,” I replied, taking Hilda’s outstretched hands as she helped me up. When she did so, she eyed me closely. “I say, those babes look lower than they did yesterday, my queen. Are you feeling all right?”

“My back is aching, my feet hurt, and I feel like these children could drop from between my legs at any moment from the pressure, but aside from that?”

“Your waters?”

“Hilda, there is no sign of an impending arrival.”

The maid frowned. “All the same, let me send for Onnen.”

“But Onnen said?—”

“We all know what Onnen said, my queen. You’ve been telling us for days on end, but I’ve been eyeing pregnant women for as long as I can remember—including whenyouwere in the womb—and I say we send for Onnen, just in case.”

“Very well.”

With that, we made our way downstairs, Hilda insisting on helping me, and Fergus bounding along as we went to the dining room. From within, I heard the sound of Eddin’s laughter, which brought a smile to my face.

The doors opened to reveal Eddin and his men sitting, Conall, and a few other household staff members.

Eddin paused when he saw me, taking in my round shape, then grinned and rose. “Cartimandua,” he said, slipping away from the table to join me.

“Eddin,” I said with a grateful smile, feeling unexpected tears welling in my eyes. By the twin goddesses, what was that? “I am so glad to see you.”

Eddin gave me a confused look, then embraced me lightly. I could feel he was careful not to put pressure on my belly. “Carti…how beautiful you look.”

“Round. You mean round.”

“I mean beautiful,” he said, then stepped back to look at me. He nodded. “Beautiful. Like Brigantia herself.”

I smiled at him, dashing the tears from my cheeks in confusion. “Are you well? Is all well? You traveled so far to?—”

“I have not seen you since you left my fort. It has been many months. And when I got your message…” He smiled softly at me. “I just wanted to see you in the flesh.”

“Well, there is a lot of that these days.”

Eddin laughed. “Come. Let’s get you off your feet.”

I joined the others then, Hilda hurriedly rushing off behind me.

The kitchen staff worked busily bringing us food while Eddin and his men joked and laughed about getting caught in the snow last night with no tent.

“I dreamed all night that moths were fluttering against my face, only to wake to find my beard covered in snow,” Eddin said, stroking his neatly trimmed red beard. “We left before dawn. Our horses were less happy than ourselves, but the promise of your hearth kept us warm.”

“Well, I am glad to have you here now,” I said, reaching for his hand and squeezing it lightly. Holding his gaze, I smiled warmly at him until that profound something within us both looked out.

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