Page 109 of Boudicca

Her eyes changed then, softening with her smile. “Good morning.”

I was already standing and stepping into one of my heavy winter underdresses when Rhan sat. The pelt slipped from her shoulders to expose the plump beauty of her breasts. I went to her then and kissed each mound, lingering when she arched to meet me. A wave of desire crested over me, heavy and alluring, and I reveled in the pleasure it promised.

“Ahem.”

Rhan startled at the sound of Phaedra behind me, but I did not release her. Instead my lips moved from her breast to her lips and I kissed her lingeringly. “Later,” I whispered as she shivered.

I dressed quickly and Phaedra hastily combed my tousled hair and braided it into a single thick plait. Then, while she helped Rhan dress, I joined my lead warriors, who were already in the middle of a lively discussion about some kind of contest.

“Contest?” I asked as I sat at my usual place across from Maldwyn. I smiled and nodded to him, finding it interesting that the night I’d spent with Rhan had not diminished the attraction I felt for him.Actually, my body was extra sensitive and it was easy to imagine his rough hands on my naked hips as he slid into me.

“Aye!” Cadoc boomed. “And it is an excellent idea, my queen.”

“Aye,” agreed Abertha and Maldwyn together, though Maldwyn’s gaze on mine sparkled with more than just amusement over a contest.

Wulffaed filled my mug with rich winter beer, which I decided was a better choice than more of her heady mulled mead. I was ravenous and spooned several fried fish and a hunk of warm bread onto the wooden plate waiting for me. Around a mouthful, I said, “What is this contest you’re discussing?”

“One between the chiefsand queen.” Cadoc waggled his bushy gray brows. “We know who will win such a contest.”

I swallowed quickly. “Me?”

“Of course you!” Briallen said as she reached for another fish.

I looked at each of my lead warriors. “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Adminius started it with his boasting,” said Wulffaed as she placed a full pitcher of beer on the table.

“Does everyone in camp know about this except me?” I asked.

“And me,” Rhan said as she sat in the space beside me, the decorative pebbles I’d braided into her hair clicking musically.

“Tribe Trinovantes has issued a challenge,” said Maldwyn. “They boast that no other chief can best Addedomaros in a contest of speed.”

“Speed? Like a horse race?” I frowned at my warriors. “The Trinovantes have the fastest horses. What makes you think I can beat him?”

Cadoc snorted a laugh. “Because young Adminius was brash enough to be baited into more than just a horse race. The challenge is now a test of battle skills as well as a footrace thatconcludeswith a horse race, and the Trinovantes’ pup has wagered one of their prime broodmares, heavy with a foal out of Addedomaros’s own stallion, as a prize.”

I sat up straighter and grinned. “I can beat all three chiefs in a footrace.”

“As well we know,” said Abertha happily.

“You will accept the challenge?” asked Briallen.

“Of course she will!” said Cadoc. “Our queen will acceptandwin.”

“I’ll accept.” That morning I felt as if I could do anything. “I want that mare and her foal.”

“Aye!” Looking like an excited boy, Maldwyn rubbed his hands together gleefully at just the thought of such spectacular horseflesh.

“What prize are we wagering?” I asked.

“Does it matter? You will not lose,” said Cadoc.

“Your faith in me is appreciated, but it does matter,” I said.

“What if you wager a length of Wulffaed’s finest cloth? She is revered in all the tribes for her dye work,” said Rhan.

My gaze went to the Mother of Twenty, who seemed to swell with pride. “Wager it, my queen, though I do not plan on losing it.”