“Then your guide must be your lifemate,” Cuchulainn said.

All eyes turned to the warrior, but his attention was focused on Brighid. “I admit that, as my father has already said, I did not mind my lessons on the Otherworld. It is well known that I have never wanted any traffic with that realm, but it seems my fate must lie in that direction. I’ve tried to deny it-it will not be denied. I’ve even run from it-I will not be foolish enough to do so again. I can’t guide you, but what I can do is give you my oath that I will not let you walk that shadowy path alone. My strength will be yours if you are in need. My sword arm will always be raised to protect you. Perhaps together we can finish this quest and claim your birthright.”

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Didn’t he understand that-?

“But you’re not my lifemate!” Brighid blurted.

“I will be if you accept me.”

She shook her head, wondering if everyone could hear the painful pounding of her heart. “You don’t have to do this just to help me. I’m not afraid to travel to the Otherworld alone,” she lied. “A lifemating is not something that should be undertaken to help a friend in need.”

Cuchulainn’s smile was intimate and knowing. He stepped close to her and took her hand. “We have been friends. But, my beautiful Huntress, we have become much more. My soul tells me that I am willing to gamble on a lifemating with you. What does your soul tell you?”

She shook her head. “What my soul tells me is not important if I cannot become a High Shaman. Think, Cuchulainn! If I can’t shapeshift you have shackled yourself to someone who cannot truly be your wife.”

His hand tightened on hers, and even though his next question was directed at Etain, his gaze never left Brighid’s. “Mother, if Father lost the ability to shapeshift, and could never come to you in human form again, would you still be his wife?”

“Of course. It’s not your father’s form that binds me to him,” Etain said firmly.

“But they’ve had years together,” Brighid said. “They’ve had children and shared each other’s lives and bed for decades.”

“I’m willing to bet that we will, too,” Cuchulainn said.

“You’re willing to bet your life and your future?”

“I am, because I’m willing to do something I’ve not allowed myself to do until now-I’m going to listen to my own spirit. I’m done running from my fate.” He shrugged and smiled at her. “I also believe that you will make a very fine High Shaman. So, Brighid Dhianna, what does your soul tell you?”

She looked into his turquoise eyes and felt lost-and found. “It tells me that this is an impossible dream, but one that I don’t want to end.”

His smile was filled with promise. He kissed her quickly and then turned, and dropped to one knee before Elphame.

“Elphame, as Chieftain of Clan MacCallan, I ask your permission to make your Huntress my lifemate.” He grinned, and for a moment he looked every bit the rakish warrior of his youth. “I would ask her brother’s permission, but I believe, all things considered, that would be rather unwise.”

Instead of returning Cu’s smile and automatically awarding her blessing, Elphame’s expression was strained and sober. “You said it yourself, Cu. You have shunned the Otherworld and the Realm of Spirits. Will you help or hinder Brighid? More rests upon this mating than a life bond. If this joining is the wrong choice, all of Partholon will suffer the ramifications.” Elphame looked from her brother to their mother. “I cannot give Cuchulainn my permission unless Epona approves of this mating.” She ignored her brother’s grunt of annoyance, along with Brighid’s sharp, questioning gaze, and continued to beseech Etain. “Would you ask Epona’s blessing on them? If the Goddess grants it, I will gladly give my permission.”

“Elphame, what-” Cuchulainn began, but his mother cut him off.

“You are a wise and responsible Chieftain, Elphame. I am proud of you.” Etain crooked her finger at her frowning son. “Come.” And then while he got to his feet, she held a hand out to Brighid. “And you, too, child.”

Feeling her stomach tighten with nerves, Brighid took Etain’s hand. Cuchulainn took her other.

The Beloved of Epona smiled at them. “You must link hands, too, and complete the circle.”

Cu’s frown softened when he laced his fingers with Brighid’s. He squeezed her hand and she held tight to him. Then the High Priestess lifted her face and evoked the presence of her Goddess.

My Epona, Goddess of shimmering beauty

for whom the stars are shining jewels,

and the earth Your sacred trust,

weaver of destinies

and protectress of things wild and free.

As your Chosen One, Beloved and touched by You,

I do ask now if You will grant

Thy blessing upon this mating.

Show us through sign, or vision, or word

Your wisdom and Your will.

Instantly the air above the circle made by their linked hands began to swirl and shimmer. Two forms took shape within the brilliance. Brighid gasped as she recognized Cuchulainn’s torso, naked and muscular, shining with his golden light. And then another torso took shape from the diamond-sparked mist. It shimmered with a bright silver light. It was her own naked body wrapped within Cuchulainn’s strong arms. When the apparitions’ lips met, Brighid was filled with the liquid heat of newly awakened passion. She heard Cu’s deep intake of breath, and knew he felt the joining of their spirits, too. Then the air spiraled, whirlpooling into a mass of glittering sparks before the vision dissipated with the sound of rain-soaked wind.

Etain smiled. “You have the Goddess’s blessing, my son.”

Cuchulainn lifted Brighid’s hand and pressed it firmly to his lips before he broke the circle and returned to kneel in front of Elphame.

“Now, sister-mine, do I have your permission to take your Huntress as my lifemate?”

Elphame smiled down at her beloved brother. “Gladly, Cuchulainn.”

Cu stood and hugged his sister, lifting her and making her laugh. Brighid still felt flushed by the hypnotic vision, and was more than a little overwhelmed as Partholon’s High Shaman and Epona’s Chosen congratulated her warmly and welcomed her to their family.

“Mother, will you honor us by overseeing the oath-giving?” Cuchulainn asked.

“Of course, my darling.” Etain smiled fondly at her son.

“It will have to be today.” Brighid thought her voice sounded out of place, and too serious. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to celebrate and laugh and revel in the magical and unique surprise with which Epona had gifted her, but her Huntress’s mind was too aware that the trail she and Cuchulainn must follow would be difficult, and the track was already growing cold.

Cuchulainn moved back to her side, and touched her face gently. “Then it will be today.”

She smiled at him, grateful that he seemed to understand-that he wasn’t put off by her brusque, unromantic manner.

“And Niam’s pyre will need to be lit,” Brighid said.

“Yes, it is as it should be. Today we will make it a celebration of one life, ended in honor and love, and the beginning of another, rooted in the same. It is the circle of the Great Goddess. Life cannot exist without death, one cannot be fulfilled without the other,” Etain said solemnly. “But first we will break our fast and fortify our bodies for the day to come.”

“To the Great Hall, then,” Elphame said.

The Great Hall was noisy and crowded-filled to overflowing with small winged shapes and the Clan MacCallan. The air was thick and sweet with the smell of freshly baked bread and the dark, lumped sugar the children had already become so fond of adding to their morning porridge. Brighid paused in the arched doorway. The hall looked so alive, so different now from how it had appeared two days before when her sister had breathed her last breath. But she could still see Niam there, collapsed on the long, low centaur bench, retching blood and delivering her dire warning.