Page 138 of Highland Queen

As Diana and I withdrew, I reached out into that strange expanse of space where all the worlds touched and screamed, “Sid!”

My body rocked when we returned to the forest coven in Birnam. I tumbled from my stool. It took me a moment to regain my footing.

Diana rocked, her eyes closed. She clapped her hands together then pressed her fingers against her lips.

I fidgeted, unsure what to do with myself.

I was crying. My whole body tense, I wanted to do something, anything. But there was nothing to be done.

“Breathe, Cerridwen. Breathe.”

Setting my hand on my stomach, I inhaled slow and deep over and over again. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I yanked off my gloves and brushed the tears away.

I looked back at Diana who was staring at my hands.

I gazed down to see they were still covered in blood.

I sobbed.

Then, I felt it. There was a strange buzz at the back of my neck. My hands trembled.

No. Not now. Not here.

I had not had a fit in many years, and I could not have one now, here, amongst strangers—even if this was a sacred space.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, calming the tremors that wanted to insist themselves upon me.

“No,” I whispered. “No.”

Eyes closed, I pulled my gloves back on and mastered myself. Once I was steady, the shaking beaten back, I sat once more.

“How did you know?” I asked Diana.

“The moon told me,” she whispered. “I am sorry to meet you at such an auspicious time, but I was guided to bring you here, so you could be with her at her last moments.”

I choked back a sob then nodded.

“I will have Arden take you back now. But you and yours are welcome here. Just listen to the trees; they will guide you. In Birnam, whenever the woods speak, listen. They always know what must be done,” she said then rose.

We exited the little earthen house once more. I looked around. The place was not unlike Epona’s coven, though it was smaller and more rudimentary. Like the caves below Dunsinane, it was an ancient place.

I bowed to the women collected there then mounted the horse I had rode in on.

“Be well, Dark Lady,” Diana called to me then motioned to the others. “Come, daughters. Tonight, we shall pray for the spirit of a great lady who has passed.”

“Coming?” the girl Diana had called Arden called to me.

I turned the horse and followed along behind her.

As we rode, I tried to wrap my head around what I had seen.

Epona was gone.

May the Great Mother help us all.

Epona was gone.

Arden and I took the road that led to Dunsinane. When the castle’s torchlight was in sight, I dismounted and handed the horse’s reins to her.

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