Page 118 of Boudicca

Rhan said nothing, but she, too, snuck glances at her brother until she whispered to me, “Beware and be ready.”

I nodded, and next time the warriors all laughed at a story Mailcun had told about his chief, I bumped Cadoc’s thick leg, drawing the old shield’s attention. “Adminius is pretending to be drunk.”

Cadoc narrowed his eyes, watching Adminius, before he whispered to me, “Aye, he’s up to something.”

But nothing happened. The warriors continued to tell stories. Adminius laughed with them, sloshing mead from his mug and pretending to drink.

As the night grew old, the Trinovantes warriors were slurring their words. Some were even snoring with their heads on the tables. I began to relax. They would all leave soon. It could be that Adminius was so grief-stricken that he had no stomach for drink that night and the only ruse he’d planned was to pretend otherwise so that he didn’t appear weak to his warriors.

So when Adminius stood for a second time that night, I smiled at him, expecting that he would thank me again and then call the feast to a close.

“Queen Boudicca, again I thank you for the generosity you have shown me,” said Adminius.

“Tribe Trinovantes is the Iceni’s closest ally. It has been my honor to host the funeral feast of their chief,” I said.

“In return I would gift you—gift us all—with something.”

I began to assure Adminius no gift was necessary, but he spoke over me.

“Join with me as more than allies. Marry me, Queen Boudicca, and unite Tribe Trinovantes and Tribe Iceni forever.”

Again, his words brought stunned silence to the lodge. I felt the shock in the pit of my stomach—along with anger. This was why Adminius needed to appear drunk but actually be clear minded.

I met his gaze and spoke slowly and distinctly. “Adminius, son of Addedomaros, I will never marry again.” I stood. “And now I will wish you and your good warriors a peaceful night.”

Adminius chuckled and slurred his words. “Of course! Of course! Prasutagus was quite a man—quite a chief. And you are quite a queen. Good night, all!” Adminius staggered and almost fell. Mailcun caught his arm and steadied him, leading him from my lodge. The rest of the Trinovantes warriors bowed respectfully to me as they silently departed, followed by the Dobunni and Catuvellauni.

Chapter XXXVIII

When everyone except my lead warriors and Rhan had left the lodge, Cadoc broke the silence. “That Trinovantes pup needs to be muzzled.”

Briallen’s lip lifted in disgust. “The mead. Adminius was mad with it, but ’tis no excuse for his behavior.”

“He wasn’t drunk,” I said.

“Boudicca is correct,” said Rhan.

“Aye,” agreed Cadoc. “I watched him, too. He drank almost nothing.” The shield went to where Adminius had been sitting and squatted, touching the ground beneath the table. He snorted. “This is where his drink went.” He stood and pointed to the slick surface of the table. “And here.”

“He pretended to be drunk in case Boudicca turned his proposal down,” said Maldwyn, his voice tight with anger. “Tomorrow he can say it was the drink that caused him to speak out.”

“How could he have believed that there was any chance that I would accept him?” I said.

“You were kind to him yesterday.” Rhan sounded weary. “Today you showed him compassion and respect.”

“I didn’t showhimrespect! I showed Addedomaros and Tribe Trinovantes respect!” Anger lifted my voice. “And I was kind to him because I know what it is to lose a father.”

“To a man like Adminius, everything is always about him,” said Briallen, who still sat beside Rhan. “He would believe any woman who showed him kindness also lusted for him.”

“Then he is a fool,” I said.

“Yes,” said his sister. “Which is why only one of the tribe’s lead warriors put forward his name for the torque.”

“Mailcun,” said Briallen.

Rhan raised one brow. “Yes.”

I looked at the leader of my Queen’s Guard. “Why would Mailcun want Adminius to wear the torque?”