“They have you back in their lives and that’s all they have ever wanted. I know the feeling.” he said with a smile. Skye laughed and nodded.
“You are an amazing guy Mike. I’m lucky to have you.” Skye’s lips brushed his lightly. Mike felt light headed every time they kissed. Her every touch made him want her more.
His hands went around her head holding her to him as he slipped his tongue inside of her mouth. Her natural sugary taste mixed with his own was overwhelming, yet it was almost magical. Skye’s breath caught but she kissed him back with a passion he had never experienced from her.
“Mike…” she whispered as she leaned her head back onto his chest. He felt confused as to why she had pulled away but quickly noticed they had a slight audience. He let out a hearty laugh then just wrapped his arms around her and danced slowly with her again.
“I’d say I’m sorry but that’d be a lie.” he whispered into her ear.
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not.” He stroked her back softly and thanked the universe for the precious gift that was in his arms.
“May I cut in?” Buck asked walking to the couple. Skye took his hand with a smile. Kel grabbed onto Mike and spun him away on the dance floor.
“How has your evening been, Buck?”
“Well Skye, it’s been great. Kel is amazing. I have to admit, being a demon surrounded by magical light creatures was a bit weird, but their nature is so trusting.” He shook his head.
“You disapprove?” Skye asked.
“In the world we have lived in we know better. Nothing is just happy rainbows and unicorns all the time. Underneath it there is dirt and gore.” Skye shook her head at him.
“Maybe you should try harder.” she suggested.
“Like you?” Buck shot back.
“Yes, I am trying. I’m here wearing a yellow dress aren’t I?”
“You are and you seem happy with Mike, but I can see the dirt you are hiding.”
“What dirt?” Skye stopped dancing. She was suddenly feeling irritated with his attitude.
“You still love Maddox.” he said.
The name shot through her like an arrow. She almost grabbed her stomach to stop the pain but instead looked him directly in the eyes.
“What? Because of my past I’m not allowed to be happy and move on?”
“You are. I know you like Mike, but I don’t want you to get into a serious relationship with him when you know you can’t give him what he really wants or needs.” Buck looked sincere, which just pissed Skye off even more.
“I’m not perfect. I never have been and never will be. Hell I don’t even claim it. I’m trying to give him what I can and that’s better than nothing isn’t it?” Skye muttered angrily at him.
“Is it? Maybe for Mike it is but for me I’d want all or nothing.”
“Well Buck it’s a good thing I’m not dating you!” She threw her hands up in frustration. “Everyone wants me to be their version of what I’m supposed to be. I’m not even sure who I really am at this point, but I am trying my damnedest to make everyone happy. Yes, I bitch and grumble here and there but it’s my right to. My life has been turned upside down several times. Give me a break!”
Buck glanced around and noticed only a few people were watching their heated conversation. He took her arm gently and led her outside so they could be alone on the balcony. She huffed and pulled her arm out of his once they were there.
“Skye I’m not trying to ruin your night okay? I just haven’t seen the real you in a while and I miss her.” Buck said.
“And who is the real me? If I don’t know then how can you possibly presume to tell me?”
“You didn’t have to try then. You were spunky and even annoying at times, but you were you.” Skye looked at him and spoke through her teeth in frustration to answer him.
“When I was with your cousin, right? With Maddox?” she huffed. “I didn’t dump or cheat on him okay? He cheated on me which ended our relationship. I love… loved him and he broke my heart for a skanky piece of ass! And now you are here bringing up memories I want to leave dead in the past.”
“Skye I’m sorry. It wasn’t my place to do this to you. I guess I just miss the three of us hanging out. I… I had no right.” Buck’s sudden change of attitude surprised Skye but she had no time to process it because Mike and Kel had joined them.
“It isn’t any of your business.” Mike said.
“Seriously Buck?” Kel asked annoyed. “Skye I’m sorry. He’s loyal to a family that doesn’t always deserve it.” Kel grabbed Buck’s arm and pulled him away.
Skye stood silent looking at Mike wondering how much exactly had he heard. By Mike’s face she guessed it was plenty. Skye sighed and started to talk but Mike put up his hand in a gesture that begged for a moment. Skye closed her mouth with a frown.
“I know Maddox will always be a part of you. I know part of you will always have feelings for him. As much as I hate that, it’s something I’ve chosen to live with because I love you Skye.”
“Mike…”
“I know you aren’t in love with me yet. As much as I wish you were, you’re not. But I know you care for me. I see that in your eyes. I just want a chance to prove to you that I can make you happy. That I am worthy of your love.” Skye walked over to him grabbing his face with her hands.
“I do love you. I’m not in love with you yes, but I do love you. You are amazing, kind, sweet, and handsome. You are worthy of so much more than just me. Don’t sell yourself short. I’m the same girl I have always been I just have a title now.”
“It seems we both have a complex when it comes to feeling good enough for someone.” Mike said.
“Maybe we do. It can be something we work on together.” Skye put her hands in his and squeezed it gently.
“I’m happy with that.”
“Good. Now I’d like to have another dance with my boyfriend before I decide to run away.” She winked at him.
“Yes ma’am.” he said taking her arm gently and walked her back inside.
Mike brought her back to the dance floor holding Skye’s waist as he gently swayed her from side to side. Skye placed her head on his chest feeling safe in his arms. The night was starting to pass quickly. Skye found that being in Mike’s arms made her less aware of time although, she had to admit it was because she was busy imagining being alone with him.
“Excuse me.” A loud booming voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. “Could I have everyone’s attention?” Everyone turned their heads towards the middle of the room where Buck was standing. Kel was beside him looking confused at his sudden interruption. Skye held her breath knowing what was about to happen. As upset as Buck had made her, she was thrilled to see her friends happy together.
“I wanted to thank you all for having me here tonight in honor of the lovely princess,” he winked towards Skye. “I’m extremely grateful for your acceptance of me as not only Skye’s friend, but also as someone who wants to protect her always. However, this isn’t the reason that I am interrupting your evening.” He turned at Kel who looked as if she were ready to bolt from the room.
“Buck…what are you doing?” she whispered.
“Kel you are the love of my life. No, scratch that, my existence. Being here with you has been great but it’s not enough.” He paused getting down on one knee in front of her, holding a ring in his hand. Kel gasped.
“What are you doing?” Kel had turned a darker shade of red than Skye had ever seen her before.
“I’m trying to propose to you woman, but you aren’t making this easy,” he teased. She snapped her mouth shut in shock. “You are the most beautiful woman in any realm. You are a handful. You fight me. You love me. And you drive me absolutely crazy in a way that I can no longer live without. Kel, I love you. I promise to always protect and love you. Will you marry me?”
Silence filled the room as all eyes fixed on Kel’s face, eagerly awaiting her response. Kel let out a small laugh. She looked at Buck and then glanc
ed at the ring. She let out a long breath and laughed lightly.
“Well just to remind everyone, you yourself are a handful Buck.” Kel said glancing up at the crowd. “And I do love you. I will marry you, but only under the condition that we protect and love each other as equals.”
“I would expect no less from you.” Buck said smiling.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Buck beamed proudly as he slid the ringer on her finger. He stood quickly grabbing her, pulling her into his arms, and kissing her. Kel wrapped her arms around him feverishly kissing him back. The ballroom erupted in clapping and cheering for the couple.
Skye had tears running down her cheeks as she watched two of the people she loved the most so full of happiness and hope. Mike gently wiped the tears from her face. Skye looked sheepishly into his eyes feeling slightly guilty because she knew that this was what was expected from her and Mike by everyone in attendance. She was most grateful that Mike knew it too, but he understood that it was simply too soon. They turned towards to the happy couple and giggled when they saw Kel and Buck quickly making their way out of the castle for an intimate celebration of their own.
Chapter Nine
Skye walked around Maddox’s house in a daze. She had no memory of how she had gotten there. She was quiet so as not to disturb anyone in case his father was home. She was not ready for another confrontation with him.
Skye’s instinct was to run from the house and find her family again, but she fought against that. Curiosity won out over fear. She walked slowly up the stairs until she was standing outside of Maddox’s bedroom.
Skye was relieved his door was open so that she could peek inside without making any noise. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw though. Maddox was slumped over on his couch unconscious and surrounded by empty liquor bottles. Maddox’s hair was rumpled and it was obvious a brush hadn’t touched his hair in who knows how long.
Skye crept into the room slowly, careful not to touch anything. Although he appeared completely passed out from a drunken stupor she didn’t want to risk his wrath at finding her in his room. She had no idea how to answer the question of why she was there. For that matter she had no idea how either.
Skye held her breath as she got down onto her knees and looked into his face. He had a small beard and moustache that he hadn’t had before. Skye thought it made him look even more menacing.
She had to hold back a groan at the thought that he turned her on even more than he did the last time she was with him. She hated herself in that moment for wanting him so badly. He was a monster. A monster that broke her heart. A monster that was drooling just a little.
Skye let out a small giggle and immediately slapped her hand over her mouth shocked that she had made noise. Maddox jumped off the couch in an instant looking around. Skye remained crouched on the ground too stunned to move.
“Who’s there?” Maddox slurred.
“I am.” Skye said after a moment then stood up. She refused to be a coward.
Maddox looked past her not even glancing her way. He grabbed a blade he had on the couch and walked around the room completely walking past her. Skye watched him confused.
“Um are you ignoring me?” she asked.
Maddox turned looking to where she stood but again walked around her. Skye watched utterly fascinated and confused. Were all drunks this oblivious to someone in their room?
“I swear I heard her.” Maddox said to himself. Skye looked around and gasped.
“Is she here? Do you have that slut Nancy here? I swear if you do…” she threatened.
“I’m hearing things.” he said sitting on his couch and putting his head in his hands.
Skye stood with her mouth open feeling like she was missing something big. She walked over in front of him and put her hand on his shoulder. The touch burned her hand hot. She released it amazed at the pain she felt.
“Shit!” She cradled her hand. Maddox stood up quickly looking around.
“I swear I think I hear you Skye and I swear I thought I just felt you touch me. I’m losing my fucking mind.” he groaned leaning against the wall.
“Apparently you’re not alone.” Skye responded. “Why can’t you see me? Am I dead?” She walked over to the mirror but no one was standing there looking back at her. She was invisible.
“Baby, the memory of you tortures me. It’s too much.” Maddox whispered as he grabbed another bottle of Jack and walked out of his room with it.
Skye stood in his room dazed. She looked into the mirror again with again no one looking back at her. She sighed and started to walk out but saw something under Maddox’s bed that caught her attention.
She bent down and pulled out the seductive lingerie that she had found the night her relationship with Maddox had ended. She dropped it back on the floor disgusted it was still there.
“What? Are you keeping souvenirs now?” she grumbled to herself.
She looked back at the small clothing that had taken away her happiness when she noticed something she hadn’t before. Skye bent over taking a closer look and noticed there was still a tag attached to the scrap of clothing.
“Why…” she couldn’t finish her thought. Her whole world started shaking. Everything around her moved violently. Skye grabbed onto the bed trying not to fall over but lost her footing and headed towards the ground with a scream.
Skye sat up in her bed gasping. She couldn’t catch her breath. Mike ran into the room and immediately to her side.
“Skye are you okay?” he asked.
Skye shook her head confused. Where was she? Was this real? What happened? She couldn’t focus her mind on one thing. Everything felt wrong and her body was sweating profusely.
Mike held her in his arms and spoke to her calmly. He instructed her to breathe slowly. She tried to listen to him but she felt as if she were about to be sick all over him.
“Skye if you don’t get your breathing under control you’re going to pass out.” he said sternly yet with fear layered in his tone.
Skye tried to concentrate and finally was able to slow her breathing down. After a few minutes of copying Mike’s breathing she was able to calm herself down.
Mike laid her gently back on the bed and looked into her terrified eyes. She grabbed the glass of water she always kept beside her bed and took a long sip before laying back in the bed.
“What was that?” he asked concerned.
“A bad dream I guess.” Skye said unsure of what it really had been. Mike frowned, but only nodded.
“Try to get some sleep. I’ll sit here until you fall back asleep.” he said brushing her hair out of her face. Skye stared at him for a few moments before finally closing her eyes to drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter Ten
Skye sat alone in her room the following day unsure at what had happened to her the night before. She had a dream about Maddox. That much she could admit to herself. But then she woke up unable to breathe. Had the thought of being so close to him overwhelmed her?
The questions were starting to make her crazy. She had already turned down breakfast, stating that she was too tired to get up. She had watched as everyone left the house one by one, all except for her father.
Skye got dressed in her black jeans and white tank top then walked downstairs to her father’s studio. He was painting. Skye paused in the doorway watching as his paint brush run smoothly over the painting. She smiled at how talented he was.
“Are you going to come in or stand there and stare?” Gary asked never looking behind him.
“How do you always know when someone is behind you?” Skye asked walking in standing beside him. He turned and looked at his daughter.
“We all have energy inside of us and each person’s energy feels different than everyone else’s. It’s a heat or sometimes a chill.”
“Dad you always make everything sound so magical.” Skye said with a smile.
“Everything is magic. Some just never look for it, so they will never find it.” H
e took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
“What?” She suddenly felt he could see right through her.
“I know something is bothering you, but I’m not sure what. You have a way of putting up a wall inside of your heart that keeps everyone out.”
“I’ve had to. It was the only thing that kept me from falling apart in the past.” Skye said with a slight shrug.
“You know you are safe here. I will fight for you and die for you if needed.”
“Dad, it’s not necessary to worry about me. I’m fine.”
“Oh Skye,” he sighed. “If that were true then you wouldn’t need such a strong wall. Talk to me please.”
His voice was as gentle as ever. It was silky smooth and almost begged you to confide in him. Gary’s whole presence screamed “You are safe here” and Skye loved being near him because of it.
“I’ve just been having dreams lately… about him.” She whispered ashamed.
“I’m not judging you.” he said, quickly aware of her tone.
“Maybe not, but I’m judging me.” Skye mumbled.
“Why ever for?” Gary seemed surprised.
“I’m moving on in my life. I have feelings for Mike and want a relationship with him. I feel like I’m cheating on him by dreaming about my ex.” Skye sat down beside her father.
“It’s natural to dream about those who have touched our hearts. I had dreams about Lucille for a while after I came here.” he admitted. Skye gasped at the news.
“Why? She was horrible!” Skye said.
“Not always. Not really when I was with her anyhow. She loved me. She pretended to love you so I believed she did. I thought she would take care of you. I cared for her, but I never actually loved her. I tried to love her.”
“Dad…” Skye began but wasn’t sure what to say.
“I blame myself for not being able to love her. If I had loved her perhaps she would have loved you and treated you better after I left.”
“You can’t know that.”
Slivers of Skye (The Skye Chronicles Book 2) Page 6