Page 126 of Queen of the Shadow

Scáthach got directly to the point. “The goddess Béfionn is below on the dock. She awaits me, so I must be swift. My mother has asked that I become Goddess of the Dead, and I have accepted.” Beside her, Uathach gasped. A low murmur went through the gathered warriors. Tabiti was completely still, as if she’d turned to stone. Scáthach raised her hand, silencing everyone.

She turned to face her daughter. “Uathach, I would ask something of you.”

Before her daughter met her gaze, Scáthach saw her shoulders slump, her head bow, and despair flash across her beautiful face. Then Uathach wiped away the tears on her cheeks, schooled her face, and raised her head. She looked into her mother’s eyes and Scáthach read the sad resignation there—and was jolted anew as she recognized the exact expression from her last vision.

A great weight lifted from Scáthach’s chest as she finally understood the vision and knew she was doing the right thing.

“Ask me anything, Mother. I will not deny you.”

Scáthach motioned for Amage, whom she’d sent to her chambers while Tabiti assembled the warriors. Amage came to her, carrying the wooden jewelry box. Scáthach opened it and took out the crown. The jewels glistened in the sunlight and the golden lions seemed to come alive. She turned back to her daughter, who stared at her with the same wide-eyed expression with which Scáthach had so recently stared at her own mother.

“Accept the crown of Lethra.”

“I—but—you want me to be Queen of Lethra?” Her daughter stumbled over the words.

“Only if you desire it,” said Scáthach, still holding out the crown.

Uathach blinked and tears spilled down her cheeks. She nodded. “I do, Mama. I very much do!”

Scáthach smiled as she placed the crown on her daughter’s head. “Rule wisely and send your most promising Wolfskins here to be trained by Tabiti, Queen of Shadow and mistress of Dunscáith Castle.” Scáthach took the slim coronet from her head and turned to Tabiti, who was staring openmouthed at her. “But only if you accept.” She held the coronet out to her dear friend.

Tabiti’s gaze was full of wonder when it met Scáthach’s. “Is this what you truly want?”

“It is.”

Tabiti bowed her head. “Then I gladly accept.”

Scáthach placed the coronet on her head. Her gaze went to the gathered warriors, who were watching intently but silently. She smiled and nodded, and they broke into enthusiastic cheers, rushing to surround Tabiti and congratulate her.

“Mama?”

Scáthach faced her daughter.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you. I’m sorry that I don’t want to take your place here.” As she spoke, tears washed down her cheeks and she swiped at them.

“You have not disappointed me. I wish you’d told me before now.” She slid her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and together they walked to the tunnel that led down to the dock.

“I was afraid to tell you. I tried really hard to be like you—to love teaching young warriors. I just...” She shrugged.

“Little Fry, I never wanted you to be like me. I want you to beyou.That has always been enough for me.Youhave always and will always be enough.” Slowly they made their way down the stone stairs. Scáthach let her fingers trail over the symbols that decorated not just the tunnel, but had been carved into the very heart of Dunscáith. “You are what I am most proud of in this lifetime, my beloved daughter.”

Uathach hiccupped a little sob and pressed her hand to her mouth. She stopped and turned to face her mother on the stairs and cleared her throat before asking, “Even when you’re immortal?”

“Always, Little Fry. You will always be my beloved daughter.” Scáthach took her daughter into her arms and held her while she sobbed.

* * *

Béfionn stood when daughter and granddaughter walked down the dock to her. She went to her granddaughter and gently wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. “That crown looks at home on your head, Queen Uathach,” said the goddess.

“Thank you, Grandmother.” Uathach bowed. “You will visit me in Lethra?”

Béfionn cupped her cheek. “Frequently. On that you have my oath.”

Booted feet slapped against the stone stairs and Tabiti burst into the room, jogging down the dock to them.

“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” she asked Scáthach. She hastily bowed to Béfionn.

“I didn’t want to take you away from your students,” said Scáthach.