Chapter 19 #2
‘We are well,’ she said.
‘In that case, it would be my honour if you would accompany me at the head of our procession,’ he said. ‘Buel will protect Becuma.’
‘Of course, my lord,’ she said.
They had spent almost no time alone together since the afternoon after their handfasting.
Each night, Aganippus had slipped away, allowing Cordelia and Becuma to sleep in his roundhouse.
Cordelia was impressed by his consideration, but she was also curious, imagining what might transpire if they were ever in a position where they were obliged to share sleeping quarters.
Would he be true to his word? she thought, and if he wasn’t, how would I feel about succumbing to wifely duties?
In the darkness, she had pondered how his kiss would feel, his touch, and in the heat of the summer night, her mind had wandered far and wide to wild places she had never before explored.
Aganippus smiled, waving to Buel, who trotted over to take the position at Becuma’s side rather than behind her. Aganippus turned his horse and trotted to the head of his men, Cordelia followed.
‘We shall halt soon,’ he said as they took their positions, ‘there is a settlement not far from here where I have family.’
‘Do you have sisters who have been married to Belgae lords?’ asked Cordelia, realising she knew nothing about this man.
‘No,’ he said with a wry smile, ‘I have two younger half-brothers, but no sisters. It’s my mother, Margan, who lives here.’
‘Your mother?’ said Cordelia.
‘When my father died, she returned home to her tribe in Anglesey. As the youngest daughter, she was promised to a foreign prince – my father – and she had no choice but to leave behind her true love from her childhood, Kerin Goffarsunu. He was a distant cousin and a member of the Belgae. He, too, was promised to another. However, when my mother returned to her tribe a widow, news reached her that Kerin was also widowed. They were married and have kept a prosperous oppidum for many seasons.’
‘Anglesey?’ said Cordelia in surprise.
‘Yes, she is descended from Druids,’ he explained.
‘But did she have no male relatives who wanted her to make a different political match? How was she able to marry Kerin Goffarsunu?’
‘She is the youngest of three daughters, descended from a younger daughter, there were few men who were linked to them by blood. Instead, the matriarch of her family, her grandmother, promised her if she followed the tribe’s needs for a foreign marriage for her first nuptials, if she were ever free, the second time, she could marry for love. ’
‘People do,’ said Cordelia, ‘although it’s rare.’
‘True,’ he agreed. ‘My parents arranged my marriage to Edra but my mother promised I could choose my next wife.’
‘And you picked me?’ said Cordelia.
‘I did,’ he said and his eyes twinkled. ‘The reason I wanted to speak to you before we arrive is to tell you more about my mother.’ A flicker of uncertainty clouded his face. ‘It was on her instructions I accepted your father’s invitation to attend the betrothal discussions.’
‘Your mother sent you?’ said Cordelia and did not understand why she found this unnerving.
‘Yes, despite my reluctance, she was most insistent,’ he replied.
‘You must understand, Cordelia, although Edra and I married for duty, we found love with each other. It was unexpected but our union was a true meeting of souls. My belief was this would never be replicated and, at first, I resisted my mother’s commands. ’
‘What changed your mind?’
‘She claimed it was the most important thing I could do, not only for our people but for the Britons, too.’
‘Does your mother have the sight?’ asked Cordelia, her heart quickening.
‘Yes,’ he replied.
‘She is a shaman?’
‘No, she claims her skills are more mundane. She can see during trances but she doesn’t have the ability to heal in the Everywhen or to alter the journeys of those in peril, all she can do is observe and interpret.’
Cordelia stared at him in surprise. ‘She sees in the way Angarad saw.’
‘Angarad was a distant cousin of my mother,’ said Aganippus. ‘Her determination to send me to the Golden Valley makes me wonder if she saw you during her walks in the Everywhen.’
He gave her a sideways glance but Cordelia did not meet his eyes.
An intense cold was sweeping through her body, a tingling deep in her blood.
She breathed into the sensation, concerned she would be snatched away to unconsciousness and an unasked-for vision.
Instead, the cool dissipated and all around her she saw golden light, followed by her father’s laughter.
The momentary vision cleared and, to her relief, Aganippus did not seem to have noticed. Instead, he sounded rueful as he spoke.
‘My mother is going to be unbearable when she discovers I have returned with a new wife. It will be Samhain before she ceases her boasting and teasing of us.’
He laughed, but Cordelia did not understand. She had few recollections of her own mother; Estrildis had died when Cordelia was young. She found it strange that Aganippus thought his mother would find their marriage amusing: to her it was a source of shame.
‘Does your mother not respect the bond of handfasting?’ she asked, her voice low as she tried to suppress the confusion of feelings pulsing through her. ‘Will she think our union is unsound? A game? My life was ripped apart and you think your mother will laugh at my plight?’
‘Cordelia, my love, you misunderstand,’ said Aganippus and Cordelia blushed at the endearment.
It was the first time he had referred to her in such an intimate manner and she felt an unexpected shiver of desire course through her, causing her cheeks to stain even more deeply.
‘My mother upholds the traditions of the handfasting ceremony with great reverence. She will welcome you as a daughter and with all the dignity befitting a queen. However, she does enjoy being right and when we are alone, she may tease us. This is why I wanted to explain, I didn’t want you to be offended or to fall out with my mother.
You are both important women in my life and it would please me if you were friends. ’
Cordelia realised she had shown her lack of worldly knowledge in her reaction to her husband’s comments. As a high priestess and shaman, she was more accustomed to being admired and respected, this mistake did not sit well with her.
‘My apologies, sir,’ she murmured. ‘We have been wed but three days, it will take me time to learn your ways and those of your family and your kingdom.’
‘The apology is mine to make,’ he replied. ‘I’ve handled the situation badly and I’m sorry if you’re offended. My mother will adore you and she will be in awe of your skills.’
Ahead, one of the forward scouting parties blew his horn.
‘We have arrived,’ Aganippus said and reached over to squeeze Cordelia’s hand. ‘Remember, you enter the Belgae hill fort as my bride and as Queen of Gallia.’
His words resonated with pride and Cordelia finally looked at him. A warmth shone from his eyes, she knew his words were true.
‘You’re correct, husband,’ she said, squeezing his hand in return. ‘I am your queen.’
She shook back her raven hair and straightened her shoulders. This was her new life and she would enter it with courage.