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the veins beneath. She didn’t want the great Druid to fear. Because if she did, what hope remained for them all? “I fear what will happen once I continue with my journey.”
    “There are still many steps for you to take before that happens.” Carys couldn’t imagine Druantia no longer being in the physical world. Didn’t want to imagine it.
    Druantia shook her head, and confusion creased her face. “My grandmother, your own foremother, Carys, had eyes the color of the sky and the earth. Just as you do. The great Morrigan chose her as her acolyte at the age of ten.”
    Carys knew that, had heard the family histories many times. But Druantia liked to tell her stories, and so she said nothing. What was there to say? She knew Druantia had expected Carys to be chosen by the Great Goddess. And yet, far from being chosen, she’d always felt inexplicably rejected.
    “The eve you were conceived, the Morrigan herself came to me.”
    Carys’s breath stilled in her breast as shock ricocheted through her senses. This she hadn’t heard before. Was her mother aware? Yet she knew she wasn’t, for there were no secrets between them. Was anyone aware? Visions were not generally kept from those to whom they pertained. And unless she was deeply mistaken, this vision of Druantia’s had a great deal to do with her.
    Druantia stroked her drying hair. “She told me the child would have eyes from the sky and the earth. And that you would one day be the light in the darkness, the one who led us into the new future.”
    Shivers coursed over her arms, made the hair on her scalp rise. Even the wood warblers ceased their distinctive trilling, and the ensuing eerie silence screamed through her mind.
    “But I’m not a leader, Druantia. I’m a healer.” Surely that wasn’t the reason why the Morrigan had never honored her with her presence? Because she was a healer ?
    Druantia peered at her through her clouded vision. “I knew, in my heart, the Morrigan had chosen you for her acolyte from the moment of your conception. Our goddess is not one to give up what is rightfully hers. And yet upon your birth she allowed Cerridwen to claim you.” Druantia’s brow puckered. “Why? You were destined to lead our people, Carys. Why did the Morrigan turn from you?”

Chapter Six

    Maximus decided to indulge in the bathhouse before meeting his Celt. That she would be waiting for him he had no doubt, although logically his certainty made no sense.
    Besides, if she didn’t appear, he would simply tear the countryside apart until he discovered her whereabouts. It couldn’t be that hard to find her, not if she were living with her family. Some traces could be uncovered, and how his scouts had missed them astounded him. Twice he had encountered her within a five-mile radius. She had to be hiding somewhere in that vicinity.
    Aquila settled himself onto the neighboring bench in readiness of his own massage. “Are you intending a night in the town?”
    No. He was intending a night in his Celt. He grunted as the masseur kneaded his knotted muscles.
    “Possibly.”
    “Want some company? I know where there are some pretty girls who are more, uh, selective about those whom they favor.”
    Maximus eyed him. “What of the girl, Branwen? Is she still refusing you?”
    Aquila’s grin faded and a frown took its place. “Mars take her. I can’t work her out at all. She answers me if I speak to her, and appears not to be repulsed by my presence.” He shifted impatiently. “And yet if I attempt to touch her, she flees as if she believes I might ravish her.”
    Maximus snorted. “And nothing could be further from your mind, naturally.”
    Aquila scowled as if he didn’t appreciate Maximus’s humor. “I’ve no wish to hurt her. Gods, I’ve a good mind to give her whatever herbs her grandfather needs without any form of promise from her.” He paused for a moment. “That’s if she could remember what they are. She seems very vague at