Page 127 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

Tugging her rope, Venutiux led Ystradwel to the gate. She pulled and yanked on the binds, but it was useless.

As she passed me, she turned and glared at me. “You think you have rooted out those who plot against you? You are wrong, Cartimandua. And I shall die happily knowing a dagger remains at your back!”

“Do not speak to her, you wretch,” Venutiux said, yanking on her ropes once more.

At that, Ystradwel merely laughed.

Dismounting, Mael Muire and Eddin joined me. We watched as Venu led Ystradwel toward the gate. As they went, the people of Rigodonum cried out.

“Whore!”

“Betrayer!”

“Murderer!”

They pelted her with rocks, rotten fruit, and dung. Ystradwel pulled back on her binding but to no avail.

I flicked my gaze briefly at Eddin. His expression was stony, but I saw a hint of something else—worry, perhaps—buried in his expression. Was he moved by Ystradwel’s words? I was a queen. There would always be a knife at my back. That could notbe helped. But more, I knew Ystradwel had wanted to shake me. She had not succeeded.

We watched as they led Ystradwel to the gate. They forced her up the steps of the rampart to the edge. There, the guards affixed her rope to a high beam, then held her steady.

Conall turned to me and nodded.

“Ystradwel, I charge you with conspiracy and rebellion, resulting in the death of King Consort Cormag. May all the gods turn their backs on you. May the Otherworld bar your entry. May you live trapped on this earthly plane forever, your bones unhallowed, a lost spirit, unloved and unremembered.” I signaled to the men.

They pushed Ystradwel from the gate. She swung for a moment, her feet twitching as she struggled. But then, the weight of her body pulled her down. With one last spasm, she struggled for breath—for life—and then was still.

The crowd cheered. Ystradwel swung, eyes open, frozen in the grimace of death above the gates of Rigodonum.

“Still, it does not feel like enough. My hands are wet with blood. Setantii lands are burning. Their leader is left for the crows, and still, it does not feel like enough,” Mael Muire said.

“She will remain trapped here in spirit, doomed for all eternity,” Eddin told her.

“And yet, it will never be enough,” Mael Muire replied.

I took Mael Muire’s hand and squeezed it. “You are right. It will never be enough.”

Keeping with Votadini traditions,a pyre was erected for Cormag not far from the gates of the city. With him, additionalpyres were readied for Damhan, Brodi, and those Votadini warriors who had fallen.

Môd and Mael Muire spoke in low tones before the rites. My heart had softened toward the priestess. She had warned me, and I had not listened. It was not Môd who was to blame for what had happened to my girls. But it hardly mattered anymore. The life that I had built was in ruin. My daughters were gone. My husband was gone. The life that I had dreamed of was gone.

I looked over my shoulder.

In the far distance, I could see Ystradwel hanging from the gate of Rigodonum. Her terrible end was a punishment for her betrayal, but also a reminder to me… Trust no one.

Mael Muire nodded to Môd, then left the priestess, rejoining me.

Môd turned her gaze to me, meeting my eye.

I gave her a small, grateful smile, which she returned in kind.

Môd stood at Cormag’s feet, two priestesses beside her, both of whom held flickering torches.

“Brigantes,” Môd called in a loud voice. “We have defeated our enemies and brought our land to peace again. This time, may the peace last. Beltane is upon us. Our world begins anew but changed. Brigantes, in the Crow Prince we found a friend and leader. Our queen found a husband and father to her children. We found a man in Cormag of the Votadini we all came to love and respect. Through bitter betrayal, he is lost to us. We mourn your passing, Cormag of the Votadini, and honor your sacrifice. Because of your efforts, the Brigantes are at peace once more. But we feel your absence. We feel the absence of our king consort, husband, son, friend, leader. We mourn you and your companions, but a life beyond this one waits for you. And one day, we will see you again. We send you now, Cormag, to the ancestors. We send you alongside Damhan of the Votadini, a friend in life and a companion in death, who died defending ourpeople. We send you alongside Brodi of the Votadini, ever your friend. Brodi, we honor your sacrifice. May your ancestors await you in the Otherworld. Go now, King Consort Cormag, to your daughters, father, and ancestors, knowing that one day, we will all be reunited again.”

Môd gestured to Mael Muire and me.

We stepped forward, taking the torches from the priestesses.

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