Page 52 of Queen of the Shadow

“Scáthach?”

She turned and reentered the room. Caitir gave Scáthach the mug of medicinal tea she’d poured and then pulled a chair to Cuchulainn’s bedside. “Be sure he drinks the tea.” Caitir bowed to the queen and then left them alone.

“What word did Fearghas bring?” he asked.

Scáthach gave him the mug of steaming tea and then sat beside his bed pallet. “You are to drink this.”

He frowned at the tea.

She lifted a brow. “Now. And as you do so I will tell you the news Fearghas brought.”

He harrumphed but began drinking the brew.

“How are you feeling?”

Cuchulainn waved a hand dismissively at his newly cleaned and bandaged leg. “I will heal. What word did Fearghas bring?” he repeated.

“I’m going to be sure that bard sings of your stubbornness as well as your heroism.”

He took a gulp of tea, grimaced, and said nothing.

“As I said—stubborn.” Scáthach held her hands up in mock surrender. “Aife has taken Dùn Dòbhrain.”

“The trading settlement on the islet just off the mainland of Alba?”

“Yes.”

“When do we leave to take it back?” he asked.

“Shortly. The Shadow Guard rides to the ferry at Kylerhea as soon as weapons and supplies are readied. But thatdoes not include you,” Scáthach said.

He gulped the rest of the tea and sat up straighter in bed. “I can ride,” he insisted.

“Even were that true, you need to do a lot more than just be able to ride. The march across Skye northeast to the ferry will be hard and swift. You will then need to ride around the loch and be ready to fight. Uninjured.” He opened his mouth to argue, and she put a hand on his arm. He closed his mouth and sighed. “Sentanta, you cannot go into battle like this. You would be a liability.”

Her words deflated Cuchulainn. His broad shoulders slumped. “I know that you are right.”

“Of course, I am.” She smiled. “Though I readily admit I will miss having you at my side during the battle.”

“Uathach and Tabiti will always be close by.” He paused and then added, “They will be, will they not?”

“Yes. Always. You need not worry. The Shadow Guard is one hundred strong. I will take all of them with me and leave the students, including the Hero of Ulster, to guard Dunscáith.”

Cuchulainn snorted. “Dunscáith doesn’t need to be guarded. No one could take this castle without your permission.”

“True. Which means you should all be well rested when I return.”

“What will you do with Aife?”

Scáthach tucked a length of hair behind her ear. “That will depend on what Aife does after the Shadow Guard and I have destroyed her army. If she agrees to leave and never return, I will allow her to live. If not, I will kill her myself.”

Cuchulainn nodded. “That’s wise, though I know you have been loath to spill your sister’s blood.”

“Half sister,” she corrected. “But you’re not wrong. Since I first heard of my father’s death, I hoped Aife would wear the crown of Lethra and rule wisely, but her people do not want her—or rather, enough of them don’t want her to block her from wearing the crown.”

“Her actions since speak of the wisdom ofnotchoosing her,” said Cuchulainn.

“True. This battle is not of my making, but I will be the victor.” She paused and then added, “Do you know Aife?”