Page 112 of Boudicca

We’d walked the racecourse and then circled around to our herd. Ennis and Finley were in fine flesh. Maldwyn proclaimed them ready for the tournament. Then I’d called Tân to me. I noted that she, too, looked ready to run, which is when Maldwyn objected. It wasn’t that my mare wasn’t fit, but that stallions are larger and usually swifter than mares. The other chiefs would almost certainly be riding stallions, and Maldwyn thought I should be, too.

“I’m sure.” I caressed Tân’s flank. Her winter coat was thick and a lighter red than her sleek summer coat. She reminded me of a fox, and I laughed when she nuzzled me. “Stallionsarebigger and faster, and they need to be if they’re going to carry the weight of the other chiefs. Maldwyn, I’m tall, but I’m also lean. I weight several stones less than even Comux, who is the smallest of the three chiefs.”

Maldwyn sighed and nodded. “You do have a point. The weight of the chiefs will be an equalizer.”

“It’s about more than just weight and speed. You saw the icy patches and the roughness of the training field. Racing over that ground will be treacherous and I’ll need a horse I trust completely.” I patted Tân’s soft muzzle. “That is Tân. She’ll keep me safe and bring me across the finish line victorious.”

“I cannot argue with one who knows victory so well,” said Maldwyn.

I smiled up into his eyes and took his hand. I knew I needed to talk with him, and the sooner the better. The last thing I wanted was for jealousy to fester between us. “Maldwyn, Rhan and I have become lovers.”

He did not look away as he nodded. “Yes. I thought so. What does that mean for us?”

I answered him with the honesty he deserved. “My heart is bigenough to love the both of you, so my preference is that it change nothing between us, but that is not up to me. A queen who tries to command love is doomed to fail. It is your decision whether you continue to welcome me to your bed—and I mean me, Boudicca, and not your queen.”

Maldwyn cupped my cheek with his hand. “I could never turn from you, not the queen and not the woman. I am yours completely any way you will have me.”

I stepped into his arms and let my kiss be my reply.

***

Maldwyn remained with the herd, insisting he check and recheck the chariot and harnesses for tomorrow’s race, so I walked alone through camp back to my cave lodge.

“The goddess be with you tomorrow, Queen Boudicca!”

“Aye, we’ll be cheering you on.”

“Show those chiefs what a warrior queen can do!”

My people waved and shouted encouragement to me as I passed campfires burning brightly. I paused frequently, accepting a cup of mead at one fire, a steaming chicken thigh at another, and a hunk of roasted pork at yet another. By the time I made it to my lodge, it was dark and I was sated and warmed by the enthusiasm of the Iceni.

Rhan was seated before the central fire, working black raven feathers into an elaborate silver necklace. She looked up as I entered, and her smile lit the room.

“There you are!” said Wulffaed. “Your girls have already eaten and just took themselves and their wolves off to bed. Shall I bring you a plate of stew and bread?”

“No, I ate with the army. You may retire for the night, Wulffaed.”

The older woman bowed. Before she left the room she looked over her shoulder and grinned at me. “Teach those chiefs a thing or two tomorrow, my queen.”

“I shall.” Then I called, “Phaedra?”

Phaedra’s head popped out of the blanket that curtained her small room from the rest of the lodge. “My queen?”

“I’d like a bath.”

“Of course, my queen.” Phaedra bustled around the lodge collecting cauldrons before she called for several of Wulffaed’s daughters to help her fetch water to warm. While I waited, I sat beside Rhan, content to watch her long, slender fingers expertly wrap the raven feathers with silver.

“Are you nervous about the race tomorrow?” she asked without looking up from her work.

“No. I’m looking forward to it.”

“You’re riding Tân.” She didn’t frame it as a question, but I answered.

“Yes.” I paused and added, “How did you know?”

“It’s the right choice. You trust her. She trusts you.”

“Exactly,” I said.