Lexi nodded once, but resolute defiance flashed in her eyes.
Mairwen pulled in a deep breath and continued walking. The lass’s attitude could either be very good or very, very bad, depending on the mothers’ mood. She allowed herself a heavy sigh. As they moved through the oak forest, she noticed the woodland animals joining them. It appeared Lexi was a magnet for the creatures. They couldn’t seem to resist her.
A pair of pine martens, a trio of young red squirrels, and a deer followed not too far behind. Even a badger, a nocturnal animal that should be in its den since it was the middle of the day, joined in, feverishly waddling along to keep up with the others.
“Ye appear to have support,” Mairwen said.
Lexi glanced back and smiled, then went serious. “The goddesses won’t hurt them for siding with me, will they?”
“The goddesses would never harm the creatures. They are the true innocents in all creation. Unlike mortals, they never act with intentional malice.”
The mossy forest floor was dappled with sunlight filtering down through the trees’ leafy canopy. A gentle breeze stroked the oaks and pines, causing them to sway as though granting Mairwen and Lexi permission to pass.
“No birdsong,” Lexi said. “That can’t be a good thing.”
“The birds wait,” Mairwen said, “and they watch.” Soon, they would reach the sacred clearing. She prayed this meeting would go well. Her last visit with the mothers had been somewhat defiant, and they had been less than pleased with her. If necessary, she would be defiant again. The mothers had broken their oath to protect her son. With Valan’s death and her husband Lúnastal’s treachery, she had nothing left to lose. She would do everything in her power to help and protect Lexi. The mothers would do well to be thankful that Mairwen remained dedicated to the protection of the Highland Veil and the fated mates who strengthened it. “We are here.”
Lexi moved closer to the ancient monolith of stone that bore inscriptions so old even Mairwen had forgotten their meaning. The lass ran her fingers across the carvings etched into the great, gray-black granite. “What does it say? Or symbolize?”
“I canna remember,” Mairwen replied with all honesty. “It is as old as the earth itself.”
“This one has been among us before,” announced a trio of voices, speaking in unison. “A short time ago in our times, but long ago in hers.”
“Are they talking about you or me?” Lexi whispered to Mairwen.
Mairwen pointed at her and mouthed,you.
“When was I ever among you?” Lexi asked while turning in a slow circle and looking up into the trees. “This is the first time I have ever been here. My first trip to Scotland.”
“Ye were naught but a child the first time ye visited us,” one of them said.
Mairwen recognized the Goddess Bride’s voice and bowed her head. “Mother Bride,” she said loud enough so Lexi would hear.
“Yer spirit came to us when yer body was rendered too weak to hold it,” another voice said.
Mairwen cleared her throat and gave another graceful nod. “Mother Cerridwen.”
“Yer spirit is strong,” said the most powerful of the three voices. “It pained us greatly to send ye back to yer body that day, but we knew this day would come. Such a spirited child, ye were. Yer visit brought us great joy.”
“And which one are you?” Lexi boldly asked.
All three of the goddesses laughed, the musical sound like crystal shards tinkling together in the wind.
“I am Danu.”
Mairwen bowed even lower and motioned for Lexi to do the same. She nearly choked when the lass shook her headno.
“If you knew this day would come,” Lexi said, “then you already know what I am here to ask.”
“We do,” the goddesses replied in unison.
Mairwen held her breath, praying Lexi would behave rather than anger the mothers by being even more defiant than she already was. The mothers respected strength up to a point but gave no quarter to unmannerly behavior.
Lexi flattened her hand on the stone obelisk while still gazing upward. “I love Jeros. More than I ever thought it possible to love anyone. If I don’t go to him, not only will I lose him forever, but an entire realm will suffer because of stupid pettiness and greed. Those are ridiculous things to die for. If you let me go, I can stop that idiotic war. The animals will help me. Then Jeros and I can help everyone heal from the damage already done.”
“How do ye know of any damage?” Cerridwen asked.
“Midnight told me.”
