Page 54 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

The sky was pale gray when I finally opened my eyes again. Cormag was pulling on his boots.

“Carti, I must go check on Shade. I fear I rode him far too hard. I must check to make sure he’s all right.”

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “We’ll be here,” I replied, then slipped back to sleep.

Later in the morning, Verbia woke and began changing the girls’ wet clothes.

“I’m told I have you to thank for interceding on my behalf,” I told her.

Verbia lifted an eyebrow but said nothing more, merely smiled.

“I would rise to give you an annoying kiss on the cheek if everything didn’t hurt.”

At that, she merely chuckled.

There was a soft knock on the door from Ystradwel’s old room, and a moment later, a girl appeared.

“Your majesty,” the girl said, curtsying deeply. She had honey-brown hair, loose strands framing her freckled face. She was, perhaps, twenty years of age. “I’m Greer, the wet nurse. Violet sent for me. I’m sorry I could not speak to your majesty when I arrived, but I have been looking after the princesses as best I can.”

Verbia gave me a knowing look, then gave the girl a brief nod and smile.

“I am very grateful to you, Greer. My poor daughters…”

“My poor queen,” the girl said kindly. “They said it was an arduous labor, and if you do not mind me noting, Your Majesty still looks white as snow. It will be tough for you to manage two children on your own and see to the Brigantes. I’ll be here as long as you need me, my queen.”

“But your family?—”

“I… My husband died fighting the Parisii, Queen Cartimandua. And my daughter is nearly weaned. She’s with my cousin in the village.”

“I am very sorry for your loss,” I said, feeling an ache in my stomach. My war with the Parisii had won us Mydils and secured the south, but we had paid the cost in blood. The proof of that sat before me now. “Your daughter, how old is she?”

“Nine months, my queen.”

I paused a moment as I considered. I was exhausted, and Greer was right. There was no way I would manage two hungry mouths and see to my tribe. But I had already taken this girl’s husband. Would I now take her from her child? “Would you and your daughter like to stay here at the fort? I can see to a chamber for you both. That way, you can attend to your child and help with my own.”

“My queen, that is too much to ask,” the girl replied, looking surprised.

“That is nothing to ask. But your family… Do you have obligations in the village? I would not upheave your life.”

“No, my queen. Only my cousin and her family are there. Heather and I have been staying with them since my husband passed. The rest of my family is in the Otherworld.”

“Heather is your daughter?”

Greer nodded.

“If you want, and only if you want it, I would be happy to have you both here. Your girl can grow with the princesses—friends from the start.”

“My queen, that is an honor far beyond my asking.”

“You are not asking. I am offering. You will help keep my children and the future queen of this tribe alive. It is the least I can do for a woman whose husband died bravely to defend the Brigantes. Your sacrifices are worth any honor.”

The girl swallowed hard. “Then, with your permission, I will send someone to fetch Heather and my things.”

“Kamden, my housecarl, will help you. I am sure he is lingering about somewhere.”

“Oh, yes. Master Kamden has been very helpful,” she said. “Then, I will find him now, if that is all right, since the princesses are asleep.”

I nodded. “Take whatever time you need.”

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