Dragon of the Island by Mary Gillgannon

Author:Mary Gillgannon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wales, dark ages, king arthur, historical romance, roman britain, sensual romance, mary gillgannon, celtic mysticism
Publisher: Mary Gillgannon

Chapter 19

The next day Aurora knelt before Cunedda and his son and spoke the words that Maelgwn had taught her. Cunedda smiled at her lustily, and she knew no harm was taken on his part, but of Ferdic she was not so certain. His beautiful blue-green eyes flicked over her face coolly, and she couldn’t tell if the hurt had been soothed or aggravated. She worried she had made a lifelong enemy.

After an awkward, rather gloomy meal, they set out for home. Aurora could barely stand the sight of Esylt and her crude escort, and she rode as far from them as she could. Maelgwn was moody and preoccupied, seldom speaking to anyone. Aurora found herself riding beside Balyn, and the big man remained friendly and cheerful despite the obvious tension between Aurora and the king. Balyn’s warmth helped Aurora endure the long, exhausting days of traveling, but the nights were nearly unbearable. Aurora slept alone, nursing her anger toward Esylt, blaming her sister-in-law for ruining things with Maelgwn. Aurora’s emotions were usually fleeting, but this time her anger did not ebb, but grew and grew. By the time they reached the valley below Caer Eryri, she was seething with hatred.

Elwyn and Gwenaseth waited arm-in-arm for Maelgwn and the other travelers to arrive. As he drew near to the fortress, Maelgwn smiled confidently and gestured in greeting to his people. Aurora remained grim and unsmiling, her face pale and tense. Gwenaseth and Elwyn looked at each other uneasily.

“Find out what is wrong with Aurora,” Elwyn whispered. “Something has happened between her and Maelgwn.”

Gwenaseth nodded.

Aurora and Gwenaseth climbed the tower stairs, neither of them speaking. The slave boy followed after them, carrying Aurora’s things. As soon as he had left and the door shut behind him, Gwenaseth turned to Aurora.

“God in heaven, Aurora, what is wrong?”

“It’s all Esylt’s fault! I’m afraid Maelgwn will never forgive me!” Aurora burst into tears.

“Tell me what happened,” Gwenaseth said, putting a comforting arm around Aurora’s shoulders.

In a voice shaking with rage and frustration, Aurora told the story of Ferdic’s gruesome gift and of her fight with Maelgwn afterwards.

“Well, I suppose you did act impolitely in rejecting the trophy head,” Gwenaseth said when Aurora had finished. “But I’m not sure I would have been able to do much better.” She shuddered. “I told you the Brigantes were not decent people.”

“But it is not just Ferdic and the Brigantes. Once again Maelgwn has taken Esylt’s side against me.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” Gwenaseth pointed

out. “Perhaps Maelgwn is just worried about what will happen with the alliance.”

Aurora shook her head grimly. “No, it is more than that. Maelgwn will not speak to me, will hardly even look at me.”

“It wasn’t appropriate for you to tell Maelgwn that he must choose between you and his sister. It’s your place to yield to him, not the other way around. Perhaps that is why he is so angry.”

“Why?” Aurora asked bitterly. “Why must I accept Esylt’s influence in Maelgwn’s life? She is evil! She is deliberately scheming to get rid of me.

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