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Cú Chulainn bit his lip. Restraint had never been one of Aife's virtues. If she didn't kill them, she had a reason. Nonetheless, there was no sense dwelling on her. She was his past. But his future was with Emer, or Fand if she would have him. "Marry me, Fand."

"I'd be forever exiled from my home... I could never return..."

"But we would be together," Cú Chulainn said, taking each of Fand's hands. The tingle of her magic warmed his hands.

"I don't know how it could be possible... a marriage between our kinds... it is forbidden!"

"You cannot return to Manannán mac Lir and I would prefer never to return to Ulster. If I do, I will be destined to live a life of battle."

Fand placed her hand on Cú Chulainn's cheek. "But you must return to Ulster, at least once. Think of the woman whom you left under the pretense of your vows. You owe her the truth."

Cú Chulainn sighed. He dreaded that conversation. But Fand had a point. What sort of man would leave the woman he'd committed himself to in word before consummating his vows without at least an explanation? He had to be the sort of man who deserved Fand's love. "I suppose you are right."

Cú Chulainn heard a caw. He looked overhead—it was the Morrigan, appearing again as a raven. If a goddess blessed their union who could prevent them from finally being together? He had one thing left to do—and it frightened him more than any warrior he'd ever faced or any battle he'd ever fought. He had to tell Emer.