Epona's Temple was a welcome sight to Cuchulainn, but it didn't make up for the loss of his mother. Brighid was exactly the opposite. She was familiar with death. She was even comfortable with death, but she had only heard of the temple through her lifemate's memories.

Lochlan stood on the front steps, scrutinizing his late wife's brother and sister-in-law. He had missed them, but there was a third woman he did not recognize. A woman in whom Lochlan could already glimpse both Brighid and Cuchulainn. Could this be the daughter they were rumored to have?

She was strikingly beautiful, with a mane of golden curls that hung to her waist. Her face looked like Brighid's, but with Cuchulainn's turquoise eyes; creating a mortal goddess. She wore a luxurious cream-colored silk that wove sensuously around her body, flaunting her physical perfection. Her face was lightly dusted and her lips were painted a pale, soft pink. A simple circlet adorned her head and a band of diamonds encircled her left bicep. She appeared to be wearing a leather purse, the strap of which hung over her left shoulder, slanted down to her right hip and disappeared into her tresses. She stood one with hand on Cuchulainn's shoulder, which was level with her forehead. Her face registered her shock at her first glimpse of a Fomorian, but she said nothing.

Lochlan knew that look, that body language. The Prophecy, the word of Epona's Beloved, the promise of their Chieftain was only enough for the residents of this castle. Partholon still treated him and every other New Fomorian as though they were mad. This woman would be no different.

Cuchulainn cleared his throat and strode forth, stopping before Lochlan and clasping his arm in the traditional greeting. "Well met, Lochlan."

"Well met, Cuchulainn. Brighid."

"Well met," she parroted, "I'd like you to meet our daughter, Rosaine Dhianna-MacCallan," Brighid said.

Rosaine had been looking at the ground, providing him a view of her thick lashes. At the mention of her name she dipped into a silent curtsy.

Yes, she was no different, Lochlan inferred. She showed him respect because he had been the Chieftain's husband; but inside that pretty head, there were likely some very hateful thoughts. Even Elphame had to overcome her own fear… He bit back the emotion thinking of her always caused him and smiled with closed lips, refusing to bare his fangs once again. Elphame had been special. Elphame had been different.

"It is nice to meet you, Rosaine," Lochlan said, as he turned and guided them up the steps into Epona's Temple. Rosaine stared at his impressive wingspan. Reaching the top of the stairs, the Fomorian turned and waited for them. "Brighid, as a High Shaman yourself, what will you do after Midhir's passing?"

"Don't answer him," Cuchulainn growled. "Lochlan, I don't want to hear things like that."

But Brighid wasn't repulsed by the question. Of course she felt sorry for her mate. First his sister had been brutally dismembered by her own child; and now his mother. Honestly, she was still trying to just be glad his soul hadn't shattered again. What would have become of him, if he had never learned to love?

They stepped into Epona's Temple. In anticipation of a big funeral, there was ample seating in the grand hall, and several people were already seated. In lieu of sitting on a chair, Midhir's equine limbs were folded; and his head was still higher than most. On one side of him sat Arianrhod, and on the other was one empty chair. Seeing them entering the castle, Midhir raised an arm and his booming voice carried clearly through the grand hall as he said, "Cuchulainn! Join us."

Brighid smiled at her lifemate, encouraging him to comply.

"Good to see you, Brighid," Midhir said, as she sat at the other small end of the table. Rosaine joined her there.

Cuchulainn leaned closer to Arianrhod as she tugged on his arm. "We have to stop meeting like this," she said.

"It's inevitable."

"Not if we live together."

Cuchulainn blinked at her, unsure of how to respond. "Can we talk about this later?"

"Of course."

He sighed, sparing his wife a brief look. "Where's Finegas?"

"He's not coming."

"Why not?"

"It's complicated," she said falteringly. "When Mama died, he shut me out. He won't eat, won't sleep. He seems broken."

Cuchulainn felt her words like a knife. Again, he looked at Brighid; whose expression directed their way clearly said she had read Arianrhod's lips. Cuchulainn returned his attention to his sister. "Is there someone he cares about deeply?"

"No," she said quietly.

Before their discussion could go further, Midhir was standing; a large movement that could not go unnoticed. "You have all traveled a long way. Does anyone need anything?"

Brighid waved off his offer. "Please, Midhir. Let us wait on you. Is there anything you need?"

"No," he said coarsely, kneeling again.

"Arianrhod?"

The young woman looked at her. "Yes…but you cannot provide it."

"Tell me," Brighid urged.

Arianrhod pursed her lips. "I want my mother," she said in a stone voice, and nobody answered.

She hastily excused herself and left the grand hall, hurrying through a smaller one from which came the sound of a closing door.

Brighid's eyes shyly met the Shaman's. "Sorry."

He waved it off. "It is only natural. Etain meant very much to all of us."

Brighid nodded, fondly remembering Epona's Beloved. "Yes," she said simply. "She did."

Rosaine felt a pair of eyes watching her. She slowly looked at Lochlan. "What?" she asked, quietly.

Brighid braced herself for another awkward question.

"Would you like to meet your cousin?"

Rosaine felt a prickle of fear at the mere mention of her name. She was here…battling the same madness that had convinced many older, more experienced Fomorians to attack this very castle.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be rude to my grandfather."

Midhir looked at her. "Did the passing of Epona's Beloved teach you so little on the importance of family?" he asked. "You must introduce yourself. It is not something I merely want. It is something I insist upon."

Lochlan prepared himself to stand. "I can show you the way."

Rosaine tried not to grit her teeth as she followed the New Fomorian to where his demonic daughter was hiding.