Celtic Moon (30 page)

T
ALIESIN WAITED IN A SHADED GLEN FOR
S
OPHIE AND
Dylan to make their way toward him. He looked out at all the grave markers, aisles of marble and granite honoring their beloved deceased souls. They were at peace, he knew with envy, in the home of their God. Peace was something he would never know, just as heaven was a place he would never see.

With a final glance toward Francine’s grave, Sophie and Dylan made their way in Taliesin’s direction, hand in hand, joined in heart and in purpose, a marriage made whole by his intervention.

Taliesin heard Dylan ask, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure.” Sophie stopped a few feet away, her eyes direct and searching. “Hello, Matthew. I wish you had joined us for the service.”

Suddenly nervous, despite knowing the outcome of this day, he kicked at a clump of grass, his gaze looking to the ground. “My name is Taliesin,” he said.

“I know. My husband has told me everything about you. Is that what you want me to call you?”

“My friends call me Sin,” he offered.

“Are you my friend?”

“Yes.” He made sure his tone carried the weight of that curse.

“Will you tell me something, Sin?”

He sighed with regret. “Of course, Sophie, but you already know the answer.”

“Why did you give me the Serpent?”

“Because it wasn’t Francine who was supposed to die.” Whenever he changed the course of a human’s fate, another always took their place.

“Was it supposed to be me?” Her voice was heavy with guilt at the thought.

“No.”

A whisper of acceptance. “Joshua.”

He remained silent.

Gently, Sophie placed her hand on his arm. “Do you have a place to stay?”

He shrugged. “I have many homes, Sophie.”

“Will you be alone in these many homes?” she asked, ever observant as only someone with a pure heart could be.

“I’m used to being alone.”

She pursed her lips at her husband’s snort. “I want you to stay with us.”

To his shame, because his heart rejoiced in the warmth of her embrace, of family and forgiveness, he was tempted to accept her offer. Shaking his head, he whispered, “I shouldn’t.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” Dylan agreed, but then his eyes met his wife’s. After a small wordless argument, his shoulders sagged in weary acceptance. “If it will make my wife happy . . . you are welcome to stay with us. Our lake house is available.”

And so will Luc’s apartments soon be, when Rosa comes to claim Dylan’s debt owed to her for helping Sophie, but Taliesin kept that foresight to himself.

“I’ve never seen greater courage, warrior, than I’ve seen from you this day. I will consider your offer.”

“A war has begun,” Dylan said with firm censure. “A war between the very creatures created to protect you. One of these days you will have to choose a side.”

“Ah, Dylan.” Taliesin shook his head, using the warrior’s given name as an acceptance of friendship. “Don’t you realize . . . I’ve already chosen a side. And the side I’ve chosen is yours.”

The warrior winced, because, unlike his wife, Dylan understood the danger that Taliesin’s friendship carried.

ANNWFN; OTHERWORLD

Homeland of the Welsh Celtic deities, similar to
sídh
of Irish mythology, where the
Tuatha Dé Danann
reside, the land of faery and magical beings.

BEDDESTYR; WALKER

Once messengers to Ceridwen in the Otherworld; four known Walkers still exist, all have lost their power to walk between worlds.

BELTANE; MAY DAY

A Celtic holiday to celebrate the beginning of summer. Ancient Celts believed that the barrier between our world and the Otherworld opened this day and that the Gods visited to bestow fertility blessings.

BLEIDD; WOLF

A Guardian descendant born or trapped in wolf form who cannot change to human; human intelligence exists within the wolf.

CERIDWEN; CELTIC GODDESS

Welsh Celtic goddess, worshiped by
ancient Celts as the great sow goddess; though less recognized, Ceridwen was also revered as the goddess of wolves; known to brew potions of transformation and knowledge; master of animal transformation; birth mother of Taliesin.

CERNUNNOS; CELTIC GOD

Welsh Celtic Lord of Animals; worshiped by ancient Celts as the Great Hunter; commonly depicted in Celtic artifacts with horned animals, such as the horned snake of Celtic tradition, and the stag; honored by ancient Celts as the leader of the Wild Hunt where spirits of the dead were carried to the Otherworld.