Highland Vengeance

Chapter 29

It was several days before Sid finally arrived.

“Sorry for the delay, love. The Seelie queen had another baby, and there was much ado regarding the matter. We had to call some of the fey healers in because her delivery wasn’t going well. In the end, her little baby came forth without any problems.”

I’d taken up residence in Sid’s house in her absence. She’d found me there resting with my children. Lulach and Crearwy had taken to one another at once. It seemed that Crearwy’s sourness and apprehensions did not extend to her brother, with whom she played very happily. Having tired themselves out, the pair was sleeping in Sid’s bed.

Crearwy stirred a little at the sound of Sid’s voice but did not wake.

“She’s such a bright girl, interested in all the world. Epona spends a lot of time with her,” Sid said, bending down to kiss Crearwy. “How alike they are,” she said, looking from Lulach to Crearwy.

“Sid, what’s happening to Epona?”

“That’s a common question here, but none speak of it. All this time she has held the charm of youth. Now she begins to age. You must understand, given her true age, if she lets go completely, she will die. I believe she is letting go a little at a time.”

“Why?”

“To give Crearwy time to grow up.”

“Crearwy?”

“Crearwy is her chosen successor.”

I stared at Sid. A memory of Andraste’s prophetic words rang through my mind. I was suddenly feeling very sour with Andraste and planned on given her my most Crearwy-like glare when I saw her next. Meddlesome creature. “So she is.”

Sid sighed heavily then started pulling off her tattered and muddy clothes. I watched her as she undressed. Once more, that strange longing filled me, a sensation I didn’t know what to do with. My eyes drifted over her breasts, and my mind went back to pleasant memories.

Sid paused then looked up at me.

She smirked. “Dirty as I am, glad to know I can still put that look on your face.”

“Sid,” I chided her then looked away, my cheeks reddening.

Sid moved behind me then, pushed my hair to one side, and set some soft kisses on my neck, her hands reaching around to cup my breasts. My heart beat hard in my chest. “Raven beak,” she whispered then pulled away. Grabbing a cloak from near the door, she pulled it on then headed outside half-naked.

“Want a bath?” she asked.

I shook my head.

She slipped open her robe so I had a full view of her naked self. “You sure?”

“Sid!”

She giggled then turned and rushed off.

Shaking my head, I closed the door behind her. Was there ever anyone else in the world like my old friend?

* * *

Madelaine and I spent the next several weeks at the coven, but as Lughnassadh neared, we knew we must go. Soon, others would arrive for the festival. I could not let outsiders see Crearwy and me together. It would be dangerous if people discovered her maternity.

I spent my last day at the coven with Crearwy and Lulach. I took them for a walk to the stream. We stopped to look at every stick and leaf they found interesting. Thora dodged between them, making them both laugh—and, often, fall down. They had both just started walking. Their dawdling steps were adorable.

Afterward, I went back to Epona’s house and fed my children their lunch. They sat side by side fingering through their plates and giggling at one another.

“You’re a good mother. I feel very guilty for having taken your child. Sometimes the Goddess asks us to do things that are difficult, but I want you to know I’m sorry,” Epona told me.

“Crearwy is happy and well taken care of,” I said.

“But she is not in your care, nor with her brother, and I apologize for that.”

I was silent as I digested her words. “Thank you,” I finally said in reply. “But it’s better this way. I would not wish the court life on her.” After a few moments, I turned at looked at Epona. Her hands, which had always looked so smooth, were wrinkled and covered in spots. “You’re aging,” I said simply.

Epona nodded. “My time is coming to an end.”

“How soon?”

“I will wait until Crearwy is ready. You can measure time with that knowledge.”

“You riddle like Andraste.”

Epona laughed. “Someday you too will riddle.”

“If I live that long.”

“What a thing to say.”

She was right. What a thing to say. Why had I said that?

Outside, I heard Uald and Madelaine talking. The jingle of rigging told me that the horses had already been saddled.

“I fear it will be awhile before I can return,” I told Epona.

She nodded. “Change is in the wind. “

We sat in silence until the children finished eating. Once they were done, Epona and I washed their hands and faces. I picked up Crearwy while Epona held Lulach.

“Lulach, you must say goodbye to Crearwy. We have to leave now,” I told him. “Can you give her a kiss?” Epona brought him close, and Lulach pressed his face—more smashing than kissing—against his sister’s cheek.

Crearwy let out the softest of giggles.

“Well, that’s a first,” Epona said.

I looked at my daughter. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Be a good girl, Crearwy. Listen to Epona,” I said.

The little girl stared at me, her dark blue eyes meeting mine.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

Crearwy scowled when she saw it, her lower lip trembling. She reached out and wiped it off.

“Sweet baby,” I whispered, pressing her against me.

“Mum,” she said.

Swallowing hard, I kissed my daughter then went back outside where the others waited.

“Come to me,” Sid told Crearwy, taking her from my arms.

I leaned in and kissed Sid on the cheek. “I’ll miss you.”

“No, you’ll forget me. Like always.”

“Sid!”

She laughed. “I’ll miss you too.”

I kissed Crearwy once more then turned to go.

Druanne nodded to me, Juno smiling in farewell. Uald and Aridmis both embraced me, then Uald helped me mount then lashed Lulach securely onto the saddle and against me.

“I’ll have to find him a pony. When you come next time, we’ll teach him how to ride,” she said.

I smiled at her. Though tears threatened, I held them back.

Madelaine was already ahorse, and Thora was waiting by the exit.

“Until next time,” Epona called, lifting her hand in farewell.

I inclined my head to her then turned and looked at Crearwy once more. I waved goodbye and turned Kelpie toward the exit.

I had no words.

“Lulu!” Crearwy called.

I turned Kelpie once more so we could look back.

“Wave goodbye,” I told Lulach who waved.

Sid held Crearwy, bouncing her in her arms, but Crearwy simply stared at us.

Waving goodbye once more, I turned, and we rode away from the coven.

I’d have to go back north now, back to Macbeth, away from Crearwy and Madelaine. Epona was right. The future was coming into the present, and I would have to be ready for what would come next. Even if I wanted nothing to do with it.