Divine by Mistake (40 page)

“Husband!” His hiss was back. “Sever your ties, female. You belong to me.”

I felt anger fill my soul and I spat the words at him,
“You disgusting creature! ClanFintan will squash you under his hooves like the roach you are, and send you back to rot in hell where you belong! Take a good look at me, because this is as close as he will ever allow you to come.”

His wings began to rustle in angry response and he shrieked, “Tomorrow night, female! You will belong to me!”

As he hurled the goblet at me, Epona pulled me away from that disgusting scene. I kept my eyes tightly closed until I felt myself resettle into my body.

I breathed deeply and tightened my grip around my husband. He squeezed my arm in response.

“They’re at Laragon Castle,” I said.

He took my hand and raised it to his lips.

“They’re going to attack the Muses tomorrow night.”

“That is according to our plan.”

“He’ll be looking for you.”

“Good.” His voice was flat and dangerous. “That will save me the trouble of searching him out.” He barked an order at the centaur closest to us in the column. “Tell Dougal to loose the pigeons to send word to the human armies. We attack Laragon tomorrow night.”

I started to tell him to be careful, but just then we rounded a bend in the river and a joyous cry went up from a crowd of enthusiastic girls on the opposite bank. The Temple of the Muse stood brightly lit by the setting sun. The centaurs began shouting and waving in reply. ClanFintan called a command and the entire army broke into a synchronized gallop.

Which would have been an exhilarating experience, except I could see that we were headed directly for a delicate-looking suspension bridge that was obviously the only means of crossing the raging river.

“Oh, crap,” I said.

ClanFintan shouted above the cries of the welcoming women, “Close your eyes and hold on! You know I will never let you fall.”

I shut my eyes and buried my head into his thick hair, muttering, “Great, that means we’ll both hurtle to our deaths when the damn thing breaks.”

I could feel his laughter shaking his shoulders as he stepped onto the bridge.

“I just hope I don’t puke.”

“If you do, turn your head. And remember, they are here to welcome you, too.”

“Ohhhh!” I felt us swaying with the breeze and the weight of the centaurs who followed us.

“You couldn’t choose now to make me go on one of my spirit-trip things?” I asked my Goddess.

Trust him, Beloved. He will never let you fall
drifted through my mind, but I swear it was accompanied by goddess-like laughter.

The Temple of the Muse was even more impressive from the ground. We followed a flower-strewn path to the central building, then beautiful young women divided up the army, leading each group to their quarters amidst lots of young human voices giggling and centaurs laughing. Thalia was on the steps of the great building to greet us. She wore a long, silver gown that sparkled like it had been threaded with zillions of tiny diamonds. Her thick, honey-colored hair was braided with fragrant gardenias and hung past the middle of her back. The deepening twilight cast her blind eyes into shadow.

“Welcome again, Epona’s Chosen.” She smiled warmly. “And Shaman ClanFintan, we are always pleased to have you visit us.”

“Thalia…” ClanFintan walked forward and took her hand as she offered it, raising it briefly to his lips. “You never age.”

Her laughter was infectious. “Save your flattery for your new wife,” she said, but with obvious affection. Then she tilted her head toward me. “Lady Rhea, I have waited long to welcome you.”

I had the disconcerting feeling that she knew who I was. On impulse I slid off ClanFintan’s back, and took her hand in mine, squeezing it warmly.

“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you, too.” From close up I could see her face was etched delicately with laugh lines and small creases that said she was not as young as she appeared.

She squeezed my hand in response. “Come, our maidens will show you to your quarters. After you have refreshed yourselves you can join the feast we have prepared for you.” She turned, and her robe rippled and shimmered as she moved with graceful confidence up the steep stairs to the open doors of the temple, her ivory cane tapping occasionally in front of her the only evidence of her blindness.

She sees more than most, Beloved.
The words in my mind didn’t surprise me.

We were led through halls that made Epona’s Temple look modest. The ceilings were impossibly high, decorated with crown molding that was carved with lifelike scenes of the Priestesses and their students. I was amazed to see colorful songbirds flitting above us, filling the air with welcoming trills. Our opulent chamber had its own private bath, complete with a sunken pool of steaming water. I noticed a filmy-looking gown, much like Thalia had been wearing, draped over the end of the huge bed.

ClanFintan smiled as I cooed in delight.

“Oh, man! I’m going to take a long bath! Want to wash my back?” I was already peeling off my dirty riding clothes and heading to the sunken tub.

“If I know Thalia and the rest of the Muses, we do not have time for much intimate bathing.” His eyes followed my naked body with what I was pleased to recognize as lustful longing.

“I’ll hurry.” I looked at the bath, then at him. “Come here, I’ll share my sponge with you, there’s just no way you’re going to fit in here.”

He grinned, stripped off his vest and approached the tub with a leer.

“Be good.” I slapped his hands away with the wet sponge. “Hold still, you smell like a horse.”

After much splashing and laughing, I declared both of us clean, and my husband wrapped me in a towel. I held tightly to his arm so I didn’t slip on the water that we’d caused to spill from the tub.

“We made a mess,” I said as I dried myself and headed over to the bed, where my hands caressed the diaphanous material of the dress.

ClanFintan stood behind me and took the towel from around his shoulders and began helping me to dry my damp hair.

“You will look edible in that.” He leaned down and kissed a sensitive spot on the side of my neck.

I shivered in pleasure, then turned and walked into his arms, resting my head against him.

“Please be careful tomorrow. Nuada is…” I didn’t know how to describe such perfect evil. “Horrible beyond words.” I faltered.

“I will not allow him to touch you.”

“I know you won’t.”

He held me tighter.

Two knocks sounded at the door, and a voice said, “My Lord, my Lady, the banquet is about to begin.”

“Thank you,” I called. Before I pulled away, ClanFintan bent and kissed me.

“I love you,” he said simply.

“I love you, too. That’s why I’m scared.”

He smiled and tapped the tip of my nose. “Do not be.”

I smiled back at him before I turned and pulled on the beautiful dress. But I couldn’t shake the empty feeling in my stomach—and, for once, I knew it had nothing to do with food.

ClanFintan held my hand as we joined the crowd that was making its way to what must be a humongous banquet room. The centaurs were all smiles, looking relaxed and happy as they followed their hostesses to dinner. It was hard for me to imagine they would be going into battle in twenty-four hours.

We stepped into the banquet hall, and I gasped with appreciation for the exquisite room. It was filled with tables and chaises, and food and wine were being set out everywhere, but my eyes were drawn upward. At least a dozen huge crystal chandeliers hung suspended from the high domed ceiling, which was painted with a mural depicting the night sky, complete with constellations encrusted with sparkling jewels. The entire room glistened with a glow that made the stars appear to move in the painted sky.

“There has to be magic in here,” I whispered to ClanFintan as we were shown to our places at the head table.

“Yes,” he whispered back, “there is always magic present at the Temple of the Muse.”

“Wow!” He bent so that I could keep my voice soft. “Now,
that
is amazing!”

His eyes glistened with laughter, and he kissed me on top of my head. “You will find magic is much like life, its gifts are best when they are unexpected.”

“Then this room is a great gift.” As was this surprising new life of mine, I added silently as we made our way to the center table.

“Ah, Lady Rhea, ClanFintan! Please, join us.” Thalia motioned to a large chaise that sat between her regal chair and another beautiful woman’s chair. I was happy to see Victoria was already reclining on the other side of Thalia.

Our chaise was set up so that ClanFintan and I could position ourselves in our preferred mealtime positions, with him reclining, and me perching next to him.

I wonder how the hell she knew so much about us?

As if she could read my mind, she said, “I know more than just that, Shannon.” The Incarnate Muse of Comedy leaned close to me so that our voices wouldn’t carry.

I blinked at her in surprise, a clear question on my face, before I realized she couldn’t see me, and I attempted to babble something that sounded like, “But—I—don’t…”

Her infectious laughter sparkled between us. “Do not worry, I am pleased that Epona’s
true
Chosen has finally arrived—as are we all.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling completely out of my league.

Concern passed across her face and she quickly explained, “Do not fear what you do not immediately understand. Your Goddess is with you. That is all that is really important.” She patted my hand kindly, suddenly reminding me of my mother. I felt unexpected tears catch in my throat.

“What is it, child?” she asked.

“I’m just glad to be here.”

She reached out unerringly and touched my cheek, exactly as my mother would have done. “You must be hungry.” She clapped her hands together, and servants carrying trays laden with steaming food began circulating around the room.

As I devoured a delicious stuffed quail, I winked at Vic. “Hey, did you kill any of this food?”

“Not tonight, Rhea.” She winked back. “I offered, but they said they had already been preparing for our arrival. So I had to content myself with sipping a goblet of wine and waiting for you to finish—” she raised her eyebrows suggestively in ClanFintan’s direction “—dressing.”

“Stop, you bad thing,” I giggled at her. “What can I say, he’s big, so he takes a lot of—” I raised my eyebrows suggestively, too “—washing.” We dissolved into girlfriend giggles. ClanFintan pointedly ignored us, but Thalia joined our laughter.

With the next course I noticed Sila entering the room and being led to our table, and I was chagrined that I’d forgotten completely about the threat of smallpox. Before Sila took her appointed place next to Victoria, she paused to address Thalia.

“You seem to have the outbreak quite under control.” Her voice was filled with respect. “Melpomene asks that I inform you that none of the young ones have worsened, and the marsh people will soon be well enough to be on their way.” Her brow wrinkled as she continued, “But Terpsichore has become ill, and will be unable to attend the feast.”

“Thank you, Sila. Please rest and refresh yourself.”

I leaned over and whispered to ClanFintan, “Isn’t Terpsichore the Muse that danced at our handfast?”

“Yes,” he replied, keeping his voice low.

“And Melpomene is Muse of Tragedy,” Thalia surprised me by leaning toward me and volunteering. “She feels she needs to be in charge whenever there is an illness.”

“Then you’re familiar with smallpox?”

Thalia’s expression remained serene. “It is not unusual for illness to come out of Ufasach Marsh, and we have dealt with the pox before. But we were saddened to learn it had spread to Epona’s Temple.”

“We have the sick quarantined, and our Healer says it is under control.”

“Excellent.” She took a sip from her crystal wineglass before she continued in a voice pitched low for my ears alone. “Perhaps you would like to know that next to your husband sits Calliope, Muse of Poetry. Beside her reclines Cleio, Muse of History.” She tilted her head, listening, before she continued. “At the head of the nearest table, Erato, Muse of Love Lyrics, is entertaining young Dougal, who has so recently lost his brother.”

My eyes followed her introductions and I was pleased to see Dougal’s face glowing with rapt attention as the lovely Erato spoke animatedly.

“Seated at the table with the leaders of the warriors are Polyhymnia, Muse of Song, Rhetoric and Geometry, who is wearing a violet robe, and Urania, Muse of Astronomy and Astrology, who should be attired in her typical velvet robe the color of the night sky.”

“Yes, it’s exactly as you describe.”

“You have already heard that Terpsichore, Muse of the Dance, has fallen ill…” Her voice lowered with sadness. “And Euterpe, Muse of Lyric Poetry, became ill two days ago.”

“I’m sorry. Terpsichore danced at our wedding. She was beautiful.”

“And if her Goddess wills it, she will be again.”

“Thalia, thank you for explaining all of this to me. And thank you for accepting me.”

“You are very welcome, child.” She straightened, still smiling, and clapped her hands together twice. The room fell silent in expectation. “Allow us to entertain our brave centaur warriors.” Her smile was as bright as the chandeliers. “And may all of our Goddesses bless you tomorrow.”

The Muse Erato was the first to rise. She began a touching song about a young peasant girl who won the heart of a Chieftain’s son, and the feats he had to accomplish before his father would consent to their marriage.

I tried more delicious food than I could keep count of, then, satisfied, I leaned back against my husband’s warm chest to enjoy the talent of the Muses, and the delicious quality of their red wine.

Erato was followed by Calliope, who expertly recited a rousing epic poem about the first centaur High Shaman, which concluded to the thunderous applause of her audience. Then Polyhymnia sang a hauntingly beautiful ballad that reminded me of something I could have heard on an Enya CD. As several dancers entered the huge chamber and began a sensuous dance, accompanied by pulsing drums, I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy.

ClanFintan’s arms encircled me, and I tried to swim back to wakefulness.

“Shh, child, sleep.” Thalia’s motherly voice drifted into my semiconscious mind. “Your Goddess calls.”

And blackness overcame me.

This time I wasn’t eased out of my sleeping body by a delicious dream. Instead, I felt my spirit wrenched upward, through the diamond-encrusted dome in response to the order
Come!

I hung above the enormous temple, momentarily disoriented. The temple looked misty and confusing—and I realized that clouds had rolled in with the night, obscuring the familiar landmarks of the mountains and river. But laughter and music floated in the night around me. Despite the bad weather, the Muses’ temple was alive with esprit de corps—in other words, morale was damn good.

Too soon my body began moving in a westerly direction. I began passing over the fields that separated Laragon Castle from the Muse, catching only occasional glimpses of the green beneath me through the low-hanging clouds. I hadn’t gone far when I began to feel an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of my stomach.

My body slowed—then stopped.

My heart was racing, and I heard the blood pounding in my temples. Below me, just outside the western edge of the temple’s grounds, the misty fields were thick with the moving bodies of the Fomorian army. They were approaching silently, using their wings to increase their insect-like gliding strides.

No! I closed my eyes and willed my spirit back into my body…

I leaped up, interrupting the lovely dance as I screamed the word aloud, “No!”

“Rhea!” ClanFintan reached for me. “What is it?”

I gasped for air—my body was shaking violently. “They’re coming! Now! The Fomorians are almost on the temple grounds.”

The room erupted in pandemonium, and ClanFintan shot to his feet, raising his arm and shouting for silence. Centaur and human obeyed.

“Then the time has come,” he addressed the centaurs with the confidence of an experienced leader. “Herdsmasters, assemble your warriors on the western lawn. Dougal, send our swiftest runner with orders to skirt the Fomorian line and get to the humans. Tell them we await their aid. Loose the pigeons with the same message. And remember, centaurs, they must not break through our lines.”

Bless them, Beloved.

I was filled with a sudden calm, and my voice rang out across the huge chamber. “We are counting on your courage. And you are courageous. I know it because courage is not measured by the crude vulgarity of claws and fangs overpowering women and hacking apart unprepared men. Courage arises from a sense of duty, and the firm resolve of goodness and right. And that is what I see before me—your nobility and integrity. May Epona’s blessing and grace go with each of you. My love surely does.”