Page 38 of Queen of the Shadow

“Not once after I had a vision of your severed head!” Uathach snapped. She drew a deep, calming breath before she finished by saying, “I would feel better if you took guards with you.”

“Tabiti, in the two months since Aife’s army ambushed us, have the sentries we stationed across our isle reported seeing her people?” Scáthach asked Tabiti, but she held her daughter’s gaze.

“No,” Tabiti said.

Scáthach nodded. Her voice was kind but firm. “Little Fry, I understand your vision was upsetting. It would have upset me, too. But I will not let unfounded fear keep me prisoner within the walls of my castle.”

“It’s not unfounded fear!” Uathach insisted stubbornly. “You died in my vision. Horribly. And now, the same morning I have the vision, you announce you’re leaving the castle on a long trek—”

“I will be back by nightfall,” Scáthach interrupted.

Uathach kept speaking as if her mother hadn’t. “Alone—”

“I said I’m taking Leannan,” Scáthach added.

Uathach frowned. “A dog is not a warrior.”

Tabiti snorted. “Thatdog is a warrior.”

“Mother, I would feel better if you would take a guard,” insisted Uathach.

“No.” Scáthach held up her hand to cut off her daughter. “I have decided.”

“Ahem.” Cuchulainn cleared his throat. The three women’s gazes snapped to him, and he held up his hands as if in surrender. “Forgive me for interrupting.”

“You aren’t interrupting,” Scáthach said. “I had just finished speaking with Uathach and Tabiti. What is it?”

“I would like to request my boon from you,” he said.

Scáthach nodded a little impatiently. She understood her daughter’s fear for her, though that made it no less annoying. “Yes, name it and if it is in my power I will grant it.”

“I would like to accompany you to the Aird of Sleat.”

Scáthach scowled. “Why?”

Cuchulainn’s brows lifted. “Must I explain my request?”

“Yes,” Scáthach said at the same moment Uathach said, “No.”

Cuchulainn unsuccessfully tried to hide his smile. “I have heard the Rubha Shlèite is near the Aird of Sleat. Is it so?”

Tabiti nodded. “Yes, the sandy beach is very near it. The road passes by it on the way to the Aird of Sleat.”

Cuchulainn shrugged. “Well, I would like to go there.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot and continued almost shyly. “I enjoy swimming.” Cuchulainn’s amber eyes shined as he grinned at Tabiti. “That’s something I didn’t realize until recently. I would like to swim there.”

“Huh,” said Tabiti, turning her gaze to Scáthach. “Rubha Shlèite is an excellent place to swim.”

“Indeed it is,” added Uathach, also turning her gaze from Cuchulainn to her mother.

Scáthach frowned. “Swimming. Are you quite surethatis the boon you wish?”

Cuchulainn met her gaze. “I am. Very sure.”

Scáthach blew out a long breath. “Your boon is granted.” She began walking briskly across the practice field toward the tunnel that led to the stables, pausing only to look over her shoulder. “Well, are you coming or not?”

“I am!” Cuchulainn jogged to her with Leannan trotting happily at his side.

From the parapet above them the bard called down to Scáthach. “Queen of Shadow! Might I please accompany—”