Page 32 of Highland Queen

“As I feared. Tavis is like a father to me.”

“And dear to your aunt. I can only hope the gods, too, care for him.” Banquo flicked an eye behind us where my guard followed a safe distance away. “I like how dedicated your men are to your safety, but I can’t even steal a kiss with them around.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“I believe that dark-haired guard of yours is in love with you,” he said, motioning with his chin to Killian who was standing just outside my chamber door.

“Are you jealous?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

Banquo chuckled. “I won’t see you in the morning. Not until Moot Hill.”

I nodded.

“Cerridwen,” he said in a whisper. “I am so proud of you.”

I took his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”

He returned the gesture. “I will see you tomorrow, Queen Gruoch.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Sighing, I let Banquo go. Emotions washed over me—from frustration to joy to worry—but I was too tired to master any of them. More than anything else, I wanted to sleep.

Once I was in the chamber, Tira and Rhona helped me redress into my nightclothes. I was just settling in when there was a knock on the outer door.

“I’ll go see,” Rhona said.

A moment later, she returned with Madelaine.

“Rhona, Tira, will you give us a moment?” Madelaine asked.

The maids nodded then left us alone.

I moved to get up, but Madelaine motioned for me to stay in bed. “Rest. You look very weary, Gruoch.”

“That I am.”

“Gruoch, you must not let Lulach come into Macbeth’s reach again. At dinner, he said—”

“He lied. He doesn’t know where Lulach is. He will never come close to my boy again.”

“Thank the Great Mother. I saw that odd spark behind his eyes.”

“He is unwell, mad in fits and starts. He can’t be trusted.”

“Oh, my Corbie. What will you do?”

“When the coronation is done, I will return with you and Fife. I will see Crearwy and speak to Epona. Some things are not clear to me. I need her advice.”

“And then?”

“And then, I will see. I may have to join Macbeth in Glamis. I don’t know.” The truth was, if what Injibjorg said was true, then much was in upheaval.

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