The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook*

by Shannon Barczak

  “You were never childish Willa. You were just naïve.” he replied. “That’s not an insult. That’s a fact.”

  “Maybe,” I agreed. “I was trying to picture myself and what I was doing a year ago. I think it was around this time that I broke up with my boyfriend. I found him in bed with another woman.”

  “He’s an idiot.” Mathias said

  I nodded in agreement. “Do you know that I didn’t even cry? I was pissed, but I got over it pretty quick. If I found you in bed with another woman, it would kill me. I always have thought of myself as a strong woman who didn’t need a man, and if he cheated, he was gone. End of story. I’m not sure what I would do if it were you. I don’t think I could ever let you go, cheater or not.”

  “That’s something you never have to worry about.” he said reassuringly as he came over and gently put his hand under my chin

  I pulled away and sat on the couch. Mathias looked at me with concern. “What? What is it?”

  “When you came home, and we were in the bar that night, Sabine put her hand on your arm. I knew right then that you had been intimate with her. It literally made me sick to my stomach, but I still didn’t want to know. That’s what makes it so weird. Usually I want to know every detail. I always tried to find out everything I could about a guy’s past and his relationships. With you though, I don’t want to know because there is no competition and if anyone tried to take you away from me I would destroy them.”

  “Willa…” Mathias said

  “No.” I interrupted him. “I know that sounds really psycho but it’s the truth.”

  “I had no interest in Sabine.” Mathias said as he held up his hand to stop my protests. “Every night in June I have what you would call a pity party. It’s the night I was turned and the night I saw my sister murdered. Sabine had been after me for quite some time, but I always tried to be polite in my refusal. It’s no excuse, but I was slightly inebriated and feeling pretty depressed when I took what she offered so freely. I knew it was a mistake at once, but I tried to let her down easy. She did not take my rejection very well.”

  Mathias sat beside me on the couch and continued. “I feel guilty sometimes. I ask myself if I had a hand in her insanity but then I realize she was already sick before me. She saw me as a challenge. I’m not going to lie, but I have had to fight off many women who seemed to think that I was some kind of puzzle that they desperately wanted to figure out. They always seemed to be interested in winning the prize than the prize itself.”

  “Is that what you thought about me?” I asked. “That I saw you as a challenge?”

  “You were actually the first woman I saw as a challenge,” he snorted. “I suppose I did think that a little in the beginning. I imagined that you thought of me as some strong but silent hero. I thought you saw me as a real life vampire that walked out of the movie screen and into your life. That all changed though the night, we went to London.”

  “Why?” I asked

  “After I fed on you I was slightly overwhelmed with feelings. Feelings I had never felt before, but it wasn’t until you stood up to my father that I realized that you truly did care for me. You are the only person, besides my mother, who has ever stood up for me. I thought you were the most magnificent creature I had ever seen.”

  “Why?” I asked, “Because I called your dad a scumbag?”

  “Because you saw me,” he said. “Not a cold, controlling, freak but Mathias Worthing, the farmer from Wales. When we came back, and I saw you lying on the bathroom floor crying I have never felt so helpless. Not even when I watched you face several hundred Rau, who were out for your blood. I stayed with you because I couldn’t physically leave your side. I felt your pain, and I wanted to take it away. That was when I knew that you were the most important person to me on this earth.”

  “I didn’t get that vibe the day you left almost five months ago.” I said. “You were so confusing. One minute you were bringing me Chinese food and the next minute you were telling me you were leaving. When you said, I hope we can still continue our friendship I almost punched you in the balls.”

  “I almost knocked myself too,” he grinned. “You have to understand Willa, I was still confused. I wanted to tell you who I really was, but I was afraid that you wouldn’t accept me. I thought if I left that maybe things would become clearer and less intense. That, of course, went out the window the moment I walked into the bar and saw you kiss Riah.”

  “That was nothing.” I said

  “I will have to put that statement to the test someday,” he said. “Maybe I should do body shots off another woman and kiss her. I can only imagine your reaction.”

  “Point taken Guardian Worthing,” I said. “So tell me, would Mathias Worthing of Wales like Willa McCormack?”

  “Mathias Worthing of Wales would have been slightly appalled but intrigued by Willa McCormack.”

  “You would have been appalled by me?” I asked. “That’s really sweet. I don’t know why people think you’re such an ass.”

  “I would have been appalled by your fearlessness and outspokenness.” he grinned

  “Nice save Wolfie.”

  “My mother would have adored you.” he said. “I’m sure she would have thought that you were just a breath of fresh air I needed.”

  “I wish I could have met her.” I remarked absently

  “She was a great lady.” he said. “It’s funny though, I don’t think you would have liked Mathias Worthing.”

  “Why do say that?” I asked

  “Because Mathias Worthing of Wales was even more of a cold prick than he is now,” he said

  I laughed. “Oh, I’m sure I would have gotten under his skin and through all the prickly layers.”

  “I’m sure you would have.” he said. “Mathias Worthing would have never called you his sucking whore.”

  “What would he have called me?” I asked. “A shrew? An annoying chit?”

  Mathias suddenly looked very serious as he stared at me. “He would have called his betrothed and then his wife.”

  I sucked in my breath and held for so long I almost passed out. Finally, I let it out slowly before answering flippantly. “What makes you think Willa McCormack would have accepted?”

  “Mathias would have made sure they were caught in a compromising position.” he replied thoughtfully. “There is a lovely little loft above the horse stable that he would have lured her too. Then he would have made her his.”

  “A roll in the hay huh?” I said. “I guess it’s much better than sex on the beach. I never thought the whole rolling around in the sand was very romantic. I mean, look how much sand gets in between your toes when you take a walk? I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it would feel in the cracks of my bum or Woohoo.”

  “Your Woohoo?” Mathias asked

  “Yeah,” I said. “I was going to say a flower but I just think that virgins should use that term. Anyway, I’m sure Willa would have been totally down with the hay, as long as she didn’t smell horse poop. That would kill the romance of it all.”

  “Again I am left to ponder to anyone that is listening…Why? Why me?”

  “Sorry, but it could be worse.” I replied. “Can you imagine having to hear every single thought in my head?”

  “I think I would probably try to rip my own heart out.” he sighed

  I smiled and positioned myself on his lap. I felt his response instantly. “You know, you’re a little overconfident. Who’s to say I would have even let you drag me up into the hay loft?”

  “I’m willing to bet a vast amount of money that I wouldn’t have had to drag you,” he replied smugly. “I will also bet that I can have you anyplace and anytime that I want.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Now you sound like a guy from those crappy erotica novels. Do men really think that way? I can tell you right now that you are completely incorrect in that assumption.”

  “Oh really?” he asked, raising an eyebrow

  “Yup,” I answered. “Don’t get
me wrong, I am like a dog in heat around you but there are one or two days a month that you will never get past first base with me.”

  “Willa I could care less about your monthly cycles.” he said rolling his eyes

  “This isn’t about you though is it?” I asked. “The first day of my period I am bitchy, bloated and tired. If you even tried to have sex with me, I would either laugh or start crying about how fat I was feeling. If that didn’t make go running for the hills, I would then proceed to pick a ridiculous argument, which you would have no chance of winning because I would make you feel too guilty. After you had apologized you would probably run out to the store, buy me some ice cream and come home like a dog with its tail between its legs.”

  “This whole true mate’s thing just gets better and better.” he groaned

  “This is just a little tip. Next time you proclaim that you could have me anytime or anyplace, let’s not have to revisit this conversation.” I said. “I can also tell you that I will never have sex with you in a public restroom either.”

  “Oh, Jesus fuck it’s just a term.”

  “Well, you should know better than to throw those terms around with me.” I said. “I will admit though I do want you ninety percent of the time.”

  “The other ten?” he asked warily

  “I want to turn your body into purple ashes with my freaky fire.”

  “I’m good with those percentages.” he said after a minute. “What are my chances right now?”

  “My little magic eight ball tells me that you have a solid one hundred percent chance.” I had said before I pressed my lips to his. Our conversation ended, and there was nothing but the sounds of our passion that filled my old living room.

  “I’m glad I came here.” I said hours later. “I needed to come back.”

  “Are you ready?” Mathias asked. I took one final look around my former cottage and nodded to Mathias. I grabbed his hand, and we teleported off to the bakery. We landed in the same spot as before when I opened the portal. The small alleyway was wedged in between two buildings almost directly across from the bakery.

  “So now we wait.” Mathias announced

  “Do we have a plan of attack?” I asked. “You know good cop, bad cop.”

  “I highly doubt we need to perform some skit to get any information out of Patcoena,” he replied dryly. “If we are correct, he has been waiting for us to find him. I see no need to make any plans for our questioning. Furthermore, I would appreciate it if you would let me handle this. We need answers and I do not want any irrational behavior or offensive language from you to impede this in any way.”

  “Boy, talk about a fucking Debbie Downer.” I muttered

  “Willa.” Mathias warned

  “What?” I asked. “Are you seriously going to stand there and try to school me in the art of behaving? Need I remind you that I am a successful business owner? I may throw the f-bomb around from time to time and get a little emotional, but I do know how to act accordingly.”

  Mathias continued to stare at me with his hooded eyes. “You know, now you’ve pissed me off with your sanctimonious attitude.”

  “I’m simply answering your question regarding my plan of attack.”

  “I’m sorry but I must have missed the fact that we are here together.” I said. “Therefor it is not your plan of attack but our plan of attack.”

  “This is utter madness.” Mathias said dismissively

  “This is not even the tip off the madness iceberg.” I replied. “Stop making plans that concern me without consulting with me first.”

  “There was no Goddamn plan!” he yelled

  “It sure sounded like you had everything figured out.”

  Mathias raked his hand through his hair. “Are you done?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “You know what sweetheart, he’s all yours.” Mathias said sarcastically. “Ask and do whatever you want. I will just sit back and let you handle this whole situation from here on out.”

  “Ok, now you’re being a dick.”

  “I’m being a dick because I am stepping aside so you can take over?”

  “It’s the way you said it.”

  “Willa I swear to all things holy right now…” Mathias started to say before he abruptly stopped as he glanced at the bakery. I followed his line of sight and immediately recognized the dark blue Buick that had pulled up.

  Patcoena had arrived. I watched as he and his wife got out of the car and disappeared through the bakery’s front door. It was all so surreal to be standing here watching everything unfold. To think the man that I had hoped had all the answers was sitting a few hundred feet from me, eating pastry, and drinking tea was almost bizarre in a way.

  “It’s him.” Mathias whispered. “That’s the man who brought me to Fairlia and took care of me for the first few days after I was turned.”

  “Who is he?” I whispered back. “He can’t just be some artist.”

  “We are going to find out very shortly.” Mathias said, gesturing to the front. We both watched as Patcoena and his wife came out and got back into their car. I climbed on Mathias’s back without hesitation. He took off into the sky and for the next twenty minutes we circled high above, all the while keeping them in our sights.

  Mathias flew in lower when the car finally turned into a retirement subdivision not far from my childhood home. The couple climbed out of their car as they came to a stop in front of a small but well-kept home. I found it amazing how these two Fairlian’s were living in a cookie cutter style home. The great artist and his wife were hiding out amongst the average, middle class retirees of America.

  It was unbelievable.

  I dropped the concealment spell as Mathias, and I cautiously walked up the front walkway that was lined with flowers. We both had taken an identical deep breath before Mathias knocked on the door. When it swung open to reveal Mrs. Sumner, I took in her appearance. She still had flawless skin with just a hint of wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Her pure white hair was short and styled attractively.

  Her eyes widened when she saw us, and I was taken aback when she threw her small arms around my neck.

  “Willa, you’re finally here,” she said enthusiastically. “I was so worried. I thought you both would have come yesterday. Mathias, how handsome you are. Come in, we have much to talk about. Patty has been quite anxious for your arrival.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I walked into the house slowly. The living room looked so normal and grandparent like. Pale blue couches, lace doilies on the tables with brass lamps and even cross stitched panels that hung in frames on the walls.

  “Willa.” A familiar voice said my name. I looked up to see the man I knew as Mr.Sumners come walking towards me. His blue eyes met mine, and we stared at each other for a moment. I had known this man all my life and yet I never really knew him at all.

  “Patcoena,” I replied. I had so many questions that I wanted to pepper him with, but I didn’t know where to start. I asked the only one I really wanted to know. “Who are you?”

  “I’m an artist,” he smiled. “Please come into the kitchen. The kettle is almost ready for tea.”

  Mathias gestured to me to go ahead of him, and I followed Patcoena into the bright, sunny kitchen. We all sat down at the small kitchen table, and an awkward silence penetrated the air.

  “I suppose the best place to start is in the beginning.” Patcoena said. “My mother was the King’s sister and I was fortunate enough to travel to court when I was a young lad. The king was supportive of my talent, and so I set to work on creating murals throughout the castle. It was a happy time in Fairlia. The king had finally married, and the realms were all at peace with one another.”

  He paused to grab the whistling kettle off the stove. “Your great-grandmother Ailish was an amazing woman. She was kind and generous. Unfortunately though, Ailish had trouble conceiving. Finally after many years she was pregnant. The king and his kingdom rejoiced at the n
ews. When the babe finally came though, Sidra’s birth was marked with sadness because the queen had given her life to bring the babe into this world and slipped away soon after childbirth.”

  “I thought the Fae were healthy and could live forever as long as they drank their nectar?” I asked

  “There are something's fairy nectar cannot fix, not many, but there are a few,” he answered. “We all wept when she died. The king was torn between happiness over the birth of his daughter and profound sadness over the loss of his precious wife. Sidra helped him immensely, and he became a doting father. All was well or so it seemed until the rumblings started occurring within court.”

  “Rumblings?” Mathias asked

  “The Fae Lords were not pleased that the heir was a girl and so they all banded together to hatch a plan.” Patcoena said. “When the king heard the news, he dismissed it at once. After all, these men were his friends. When Kelvin presented him with the damning evidence, it was undeniable. The proof was overwhelming.”

  “Kelvin?” I asked. “As in my grandfather?”

  “Kelvin was the head of the royal guard.” he replied. “The king summoned the Lords to court where they were immediately arrested. After a fair trial, they were all sentenced to death for treason. The king himself carried out those executions.”

  “Why did the king and not the royal guard put them to death?” I asked

  “Only the king or queen of Fairlia has the means to kill a Fae Lord. You have to have the power to suck their powers out and make them mortal. Once they are stripped bare of their element it is quite easy, but you have to be quick enough to catch them unawares.”

  “So who are they Fae Lords now?” I asked

  “The Fae Lords are the first nephews of those that were killed. That is the greatest mistake Cormagglia ever made. He made their families promise that there would be no act of vengeance towards himself or his daughter from the new Lords. He was overly confident in the fact that they would obey their king, and he questioned his decision the second he came back from crowning them.”