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.”