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Cast, P. C. Mythica 02 Goettin des Fruehlings
Cast, P. C. Mythica 06 Goettin des Sieges
Cast, P. C. Mythica 03 Goettin des Lichts
Cast, P. C. Mythica 04 Goettin der Rosen
Cast, P.C. House of Night 1 Gezeichnet
Cast, P. C. Tales of Partholo Erhoert
Cast, P. C. Tales of Partholo Verbannt
Destined P. C. Cast
Cooking For One Hamilton, Josie
Boska Komedia Dante Alighieri

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.“Through the blood of a dying Goddess your people will be saved.”Out of love for Lochlan and trust in her Goddess, Elphame fulfilled The Prophecy, sacrificing a piece of her own humanity as well as her brother’s heart to save the race of hybrid Fomorians.Now this new breed of beings was finally coming home.But their struggle had just begun.Remember, the Path of the Goddess was not an easy one to tread…CHAPTERONEElphame was exactly where the Huntress had thought she would be—not that it took a centaur Huntress’s skill to track the Clan Chieftain.The MacCallan’s habit of visiting this particular set of cliffside boulders had become well-known.From the vantage point of the highest of the large, weatherworn rocks, Elphame could sit and look northward toward the Trier Mountains, which were just a jagged purple line of peaks jutting into the horizon.She would stare at that distant line, trying to see past it into the Wastelands beyond.Brighid approached Elphame quietly, reluctant to disturb her.Even after living and working closely with Elphame for more than two complete cycles of the moon, Brighid could still be moved by the sight of the unique being who had become her friend as well as her Clan Chieftain.Born eldest daughter of Partholon’s Goddess Incarnate and the centaur Shaman who was her lifemate, Elphame was human only to her waist; her two legs had been fashioned more equine than human.They were powerfully muscled and covered with a fine coat of glossy fur, ending in two ebony hooves.But her physical differences were not all that set Elphame apart.She carried within her the powers given to her by Epona.She communed with the Realm of Spirits through an affinity for Earth Magic.Elphame could hear the spirits in the stones of MacCallan Castle.She also had a special connection with Epona, and Brighid often sensed the presence of the patron Goddess of Partholon when Elphame invoked the morning blessing, or thanked the Goddess at the close of a particularly productive day.And, of course, they had all witnessed Epona’s favor when Elphame had called upon the strength and love of a Goddess to defeat the madness of the Fomorians…Brighid shuddered, not wanting to remember that ghastly day.It was enough to know that her Clan Chieftain was a miraculous mixture of centaur and human, goddess and mortal.“Was the morning hunt successful?” Elphame said without turning to look at the Huntress.“Very.” Brighid wasn’t surprised her Chieftain had sensed her presence.Elphame’s preternatural powers were sharp and accurate.“The forests surrounding MacCallan Castle haven’t been properly hunted in more than one hundred years.The game practically leap before my arrows, begging to be culled.”Elphame’s full lips turned up in the hint of a smile.“Suicidal venison? That sounds like a truly unique dish.”Brighid snorted.“Don’t tell Wynne.That cook will demand I choose the beast’s temperament more carefully so her stews will have a more perfect flavor.”The MacCallan pulled her gaze from the distant mountains and smiled.“Your secret is safe with me.”Looking into Elphame’s eyes, Brighid was struck by the sadness there.Only her lips smiled.The MacCallan didn’t show this haunted face to the general public—it was a rare privilege to be allowed such an intimacy.For a moment, Brighid feared the Fomorian madness lurking deep within her friend’s blood had awakened, but she quickly discounted the thought.Brighid didn’t see hatred or rage within Elphame’s eyes, she saw only deep sadness.She had little doubt as to its source.Elphame was happily mated to Lochlan.The rebuilding of MacCallan Castle was well underway.The Clan was healthy and thriving.Its Chieftain should be content.And Brighid knew Elphame would be, except for one detail.“You’re worried about him.” Brighid studied Elphame’s strong profile as her gaze shifted back to the horizon.“Of course I’m worried about him!” She pressed her lips together in a sharp line.When she spoke again her voice was sad and resigned.“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to take it out on you, but I’ve been worried about him since Brenna’s death.He loved her so much.”“We all loved the little Healer,” Brighid said.Elphame sighed.“It’s because she was special.Her heart was so incredibly big.”“You’re worried that Cuchulainn won’t recover from her loss.”Elphame stared at the distant mountains.“It wouldn’t be so bad if he was here—if I could talk with him and know how he’s doing.” She shook her head.“I couldn’t stop him from leaving, though.He said everything here reminded him of Brenna, and that he’d never learn to live without her here.When he left he was just a ghost of himself.No—” she reconsidered her comparison “—not a ghost of himself.He was more like a shadow of what he used to be…”Elphame’s voice faded.Brighid stayed by her side while the Chieftain struggled silently with worry for her brother, and Brighid’s own thoughts turned in remembrance to the little Healer, Brenna.She had come to MacCallan Castle as had Brighid, looking for a new life and a new beginning, but the scarred Healer had found much more.She had found love within the arms of the Chieftain’s warrior brother, who was able to see past her terrible burn scars to the beauty of her heart.Brighid remembered how spectacularly happy her friend had been—up until the moment of her untimely death.That her death had set into motion the events that led to the salvation of a people did little to salve the wound left by her absence.And now Cuchulainn had gone to the Wastelands to lead back into Partholon the very people who had brought about his lover’s murder.“It was at his insistence,” Elphame said quietly, as if she could sense the path of Brighid’s thoughts.“He did not blame the other Fomorians for Brenna’s death.He understood her murderess had been under the control of the madness they all struggled against.”Brighid nodded.“Cuchulainn blamed only himself.Perhaps bringing the hybrid Fomorians home will serve as an act of closure.Lochlan says many of his people are still children.Maybe they will help Cu to heal.”“Healing without the touch of a Healer is a difficult process,” Elphame murmured.“I just hate to think about him in pain and without—” She broke off with a dry laugh.“What?” Brighid prompted.“I know it sounds silly, Cuchulainn is a warrior renowned for his strength and courage, but I hate to think of him without his family near while he’s hurting.”“Especially his big sister?”Elphame’s lips twisted.“Yes, especially his big sister.” She sighed again.“He’s been gone so long.I really thought he’d be back by now.”“You know the report from Guardian Castle said there was a major spring snowstorm that ravaged the mountains and closed the pass into the Wastelands.Cuchulainn would’ve had to wait for the next thaw, and then he would be traveling slowly, being careful not to overtax the strength of the children.You must be patient,” Brighid said.“Patience has never been one of your virtues, my heart.”The deep voice came from behind them.The Huntress and her Chieftain turned to watch the winged man finish his silent approach.Brighid wondered if she would ever get used to the fact that such a being existed.Part Fomorian, part human, Lochlan had been born an anomaly [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]