Page 57 of Rise of the Morrigan

27

Cú Chulainn grippedFand's hand tightly as the two lovers stood outside Ulster's gates.

"You have to tell her the truth," Fand said.

"I know," Cú Chulainn said. "I just hate what I know this is going to do to her. I mean, she just lost her father... and now to lose the one who she'd thought was about to become her husband?"

"If you wish to be with her..."

"No," Cú Chulainn said, waving his hand. "I want to be with you."

"Then find the strength to face her in your love for me."

Cú Chulainn nodded. Still, he feared Emer more now than any foe he'd ever faced. He didn't want to hurt her. He never wanted to hurt her. But all he'd ever done since he first laid eyes on her, training with Forgall, was bring her pain. Still, she loved him no less. Why would a woman continue to love a man who brought her only heartache? Matters of the heart, Cú Chulainn had learned in many tales, were rarely sensible. And what he was about to do didn't make much rational sense, either. But he had to follow his heart.

Cú Chulainn took a deep breath. "I'll be back shortly."

Fand shook her head. "I'll come with you, my love."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

Fand shrugged. "I can vanish should any threat befall me. But I want to be there for you..."

Cú Chulainn nodded. Fand, who had no real means to defend herself other than to feel into the invisible ether, had more courage at the moment than he did.

No sooner did they pass through the gates and Emer was upon him, wrapping her arms around her would-be husband. "I was so worried, husband! When you left, and the army fled but you did not return..."

"I am well," Cú Chulainn said, grabbing Emer by the shoulders and putting some space between them. "Emer, this is Fand."

"Fand?" Emer asked, tilting her head. "Are you a..."

"I am a faerie," Fand said.

"Husband, why would you bring a faerie..."

"Because I love her," Cú Chulainn blurted. He hadn't meant to be so direct.

Emer scrunched her brow. "Youloveher? As in, you care about her well-being..."

"No," Cú Chulainn said. "I'm in love with her. I've always loved her. Ever since I met her as a boy. I'm sorry, Emer. I never thought I'd see her again. But the army that came, they'd been sent by the Faerie King... and I ended up rescuing her from the very King who sought to kill her..."

Emer turned her back to him. Her shoulders quaked. Cú Chulainn lifted his hand and put it on her back.

"Don't touch me!"

"Emer, I'm sorry... I never meant..."

"You never meantwhat?"Emer turned around and poked Cú Chulainn repeatedly in the chest. "That you would leave me without a father? That you would woo my heart and then leave me before consecrating our marriage bed? No, of course you didn't mean to do that. It was purely an accident!"

Cú Chulainn took two steps back. "Emer... I..."

"What is the meaning of this?" The voice came from behind Emer. King Conchobar, now his hair turned completely gray, marched toward them with purpose. "Is this a faerie you've brought into Ulster's walls?"

"He says he loves her," Emer said, kicking at the dirt.

A wide smile split the king's face. "A marriage with one of the Fae... the possibilities... what is your name, young lady?"

"I am Fand..."

---