Page 54 of Highland Queen

Chapter 17

I woke the next morning to the feeling of someone playing with my hair. I opened my eyes to find Crearwy sitting up in bed working on a braid.

“Mother, what happened to your hair?”

“I cut it.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to honor the Morrigu before I went into battle.”

“Did you go into battle?”

“Yes.”

“And did you kill many people?”

“A fair few.”

She nodded. “And did you win?”

“Yes.”

“So, now you’re Queen of Scotland?”

“I am.”

“Does that make me a princess?”

It did if anyone knew she existed. “Yes.”

“Well, your hair is too short to braid properly.”

I chuckled. “You sound like my maids.”

“You have maids?”

“Yes, Tira and Rhona. And there is also Morag, who looks after Lulach and Lord Banquo’s son, Fleance.”

“How funny. You have women looking after you like you’re a child.”

“Well…” I began, but then I realized she was right. It was rather ridiculous.

The black puppy, roused by the sound of voices, appeared. She jumped on the bed with us.

Crearwy giggled. “Now, Beauty,” she chided the dog. “Behave.”

“Beauty? That’s what you’ve named her?”

Crearwy nodded. “She thinks she’s the one who is a princess.”

I patted Beauty on her head. “Well, Thora always did think herself important. No wonder her daughter would be the same.”

“Thora? Your dog? Sid told me this puppy was a gift from you, but I wasn’t sure if I should believe her.”

“Always believe Sid.”

Crearwy flexed her brow as she thought about my words. “Druanne looks at Sid like she’s a mad woman.”

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