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

by Shannon Barczak

  Mathias swung the car in front of the hotel. He turned his back on the valet and leaned in closely. “Worthing, Mathias Wulfric Worthing."

  My breath caught in my throat at his nearness. Swallowing I said, “Wulfric? Hmmm, can I call you Wolfie?"

  “Only if you wearing a red cape and nothing else little red riding hood," he said in a low, sexy voice

  We continued eye contact until I finally looked away. What was wrong with me? One minute I wanted to rip his head off and the next his clothes. I grabbed the bag and opened the door.

  I looked back before I closed the door it and said saucily, “In your dreams Count Wolfacula.”

  We were checked into the beautiful hotel quickly and efficiently. We got off the elevator on the fifteenth floor. Mathias opened the door to our room, and I was immediately greeted by the sight of the famous Gateway arch which we had a picturesque view of out our window.

  “I’m going to take a quick shower first before you camp out in there for an hour. Why don’t you gather our dirty clothes for the laundry service and leave it out by the front door like they told us. They should be here to collect it in ten minutes. Also, there's a menu on the coffee table. Write down what you want."

  “Yes sir,” I said giving him a mock salute.

  Mathias just strolled into the bedroom and closed the bathroom door. A few seconds I heard the shower come on, and the door crack open as he casually tossed his clothes in the bedroom. I gulped at the thought that he was naked a few feet away from me, and I pushed those thoughts aside as I went into the bedroom.

  I spied a fluffy white robe on the bed and quickly stripped off the clothes that I had been wearing for close to thirty six hours. I gathered up our pile of dirty laundry and tried not to give in and sniff Mathias shirt. I found the service bag and stuffed the clothes in there and placed it out by the door.

  I sat down on the couch and perused the menu. All I knew is, I wanted something green and leafy, in fact, the more vegetables, the better. I wrote down my order of a large house salad with grilled chicken and got up to admire the view out the window again.

  “The architecture of the Arch is beautiful, isn’t it?" Mathias’s voice said softly behind me

  I jumped slightly. “Don’t sneak up on me like that again or I’ll make you carry Tic Tacs in your pockets." Sighing I agreed. “Yes it’s lovely."

  “I have your bath running my lady." Mathias said giving me a slight bow.

  “Thanks. I wrote down what I want for dinner. Oh, can you also order me orange and cranberry juice as well?"

  “Your wish is my command,” Mathias said mockingly.

  “Wow, just imagine the possibilities.”

  There let him mull that one over as I walked into the large bathroom and closed the door.

  Sinking into the hot, scented water, I let out a big moan and closed my eyes allowing myself for the first time in hours to relax.

  Thirty minutes later I was scrubbed from head to toe. I had just got out of the bath and was rubbing moisturizer all over me when I heard Mathias say loudly through the door. “Stay in here."

  I surmised that the dinner had arrived. I looked through the bag and pulled out a pair of black, stretchy yoga pants and a black spaghetti strapped top with a built in bra. Dressing quickly, I ran a brush through my wet hair. I also did a little glamour spell in the mirror that evened out my skin tone and wet my eyelashes making me look refreshed.

  Stepping into the little living area where there was a small dining room table I was taken aback to see Mathias sitting down cutting into a small steak.

  “I thought vampires didn’t eat food,” I said as I sat down and picked up my fork. Digging right into my salad, I looked at him inquiringly.

  “Vampires of Solas do enjoy food and drink. It does not offer anything for us as far as nutrition but our bodies are still able to tolerate it."

  “Not to sound rude or disgusting, but where does it go? Do you still have to use the bathroom?"

  “No, it just disintegrates into our bodies,” he smiled as he cut another piece of his juicy rare piece of meat.

  “Are you sure that steak isn’t going to talk back to you? Wow, it’s rare." I observed

  “I only eat rare meat. If it’s overcooked than it tastes horrible to me. You have to understand all our senses are magnified much greater than any being. So anything too seasoned or overcooked is unappetizing."

  “What else do you eat? Vegetables, fruit?" I asked curiously

  “The only vegetable I enjoy is lightly salted boiled potatoes. Anything else is too bitter. Fruit I like very much, in fact, anything that is sweet is enjoyable. Milk chocolate is my favorite as well."

  “Mine too. Wine, I presume, is also something you like?” I waved my fork at his glass.

  “Crisp, white wine, yes, red, again, is too rich for my palate."

  We sat in companionable silence as we ate. Scraping the bottom of the large bowl, I let out a contented sigh. I leaned back in my chair and took a sip out of my tall glass of cranberry juice.

  “That was delicious, thank you. If I had to eat something that came from a gas station again, I think my body would have gone on strike.”

  “Well, I’m glad you are happy, does this mean we can get back on the road?"

  "No way Jose, that bed is calling my name,” I said as I stood up and made my way to the bedroom door.

  "Keep the door open."

  “Why? Do you have a perverse need to watch me sleep?"

  “No, I have gotten used to the dulcet sounds of your snoring. I need to keep you in my sights as much as possible. Especially since we are in a hotel, which I didn’t have time thoroughly to check out,” he said as he placed our dirty dishes outside the door. Closing it, he slid the chain in place as well as the deadbolt then he turned and faced me.

  “Well, big guy you are in for a treat, because I am a triple threat in bed, not only do I snore, I also grind my teeth and drool. Enjoy the show." At that I turned and walked to the bed, drawing back the covers, I slipped in and adjusted the pillows.

  “Comfy?" Mathias asked

  “Comfortable is an understatement right now. Although I do feel like my body is still moving in a car, but I hope that will go away once I am asleep.” I said ending with a big yawn.

  “Sleep well, Willa,” he said as he turned away.

  “Mathias?” I called. “This is going to sound weird but can you just stay in here with me until I fall asleep? You can watch television?” I offered.

  “There’s no chair in here but if it makes you feel better and less whiny by all means,” Mathias said as he stood by the window next to the bed, grabbing the remote, he crossed his arms and stood still.

  “There’s no way I can go to sleep with you standing there lurking over me. Look I will put these two pillows in the middle of the bed. Your side, my side, and I promise not to accost you,” I said smiling. “Please, I’m exhausted, both mentally and physically. I just want a good night’s sleep and the only way I can do that right now is if you’re...Close to me."

  “Fine," Mathias said as he climbed on top of the covers and sat rather stiffly.

  “By the way, nice pj's, is that the Four Seasons special?" I teased as took in his black boxer shorts and white t-shirt, both, embossed with the hotel’s logo.

  “Shut up and go to sleep,” he answered crossly turning on the TV and flipping through the channels.

  I rolled over on my side before saying. “Good night Wolfie.” I heard him grunt and before long I slowly drifting into sleep. I never in my wildest dreams could have predicted what I would be waking up to or how it would change everything.

  Chapter Ten

  When I got up in the morning, I laid as still as possible, not wanting to alert Mathias to my awakened status. He would probably throw me out the door and push me into the car before I even used the bathroom. I listened for a minute and realized that the TV was still on, and the sound set on low.

  I peeked around stealthily, but
I did not see any sign of my bodyguard. I sat up, and when I turned my head, I saw why. Mathias, for all his bravado about not needing sleep, was out cold beside me in bed.

  I was almost giddy with this small victory, Ha, I thought, I woke up first. I realized that I could take this occasion and study him unguarded. His face, which was usually set in a stern scowl, was replaced with a smooth, relaxed unlined expression that made him look like a gorgeous fallen angel.

  He lay eerily still; his body was not making any movements. Instead of this freaking me out, I was almost happy. I'm glad he slept, maybe then, he wouldn’t be so cranky. I turned to get out of bed as stealthy as possible when suddenly I was being pressed back down into bed and my arms snatched up above my head.

  At first I thought that he was just kidding around but fear quickly washed over me as I took in his face that was as fierce as a predator. Mathias was awake, but this was not the Mathias that I had come to know, this was the beast that lurked inside him and I was the prey within his sights.

  “Mathias,” I said softly. “Wake up. It’s me Willa. I’m not going to hurt you."

  Instead of answering his eyes began alternating between brown and red. His mouth opened slightly, and his lips began to peel back from his lips, revealing his white teeth. I watched in horror as his sharp canine teeth elongated and so help me Mathias growled deep in his throat.

  “Mathias, please, please wake up. You're scaring the shit out of me." I said as my heart pounded in my chest.

  I pushed down my fear and realized I had to do something and quick, or else I was going to become Mathias’s next meal. Still looking into his frightful eyes, I forced my body to relax beneath him, and tried to lay as still as possible. If I fought or resisted him, it would only escalate the situation.

  After what seemed like hours, Mathias’s grip loosened on my arms and his eyes looked less wild than before. Even though, I was still slightly terrified, I ignored the flight or fight response that coursed through my body.

  Then something strange happened, those wild eyes softened, and he nudged my face with his nose. Scarcely able to breathe I watched as he continued to caress my face and neck with long, inhaling breaths. My body, which had been poised to flee, began to respond. Desire replaced fear as his body ground into mine, and I was aware of his hardening length through our thin clothes. His hands slid down my arms and chest, ending near my legs that he hitched up around his waist.

  Moaning I thrust my fingers into his thick hair and instinctively turned my head to the side submissively offering him access to my exposed neck. This was all the invitation he needed. Mathias’s lips were soft and warm as he showered my flesh with light kisses. His tongue swirled on my neck, saturating a small area with his saliva. His teeth graze my skin, and I tensed up, not out of fear, but the anticipation.

  I closed my eyes waiting for his bite, but it never came. In an instant, Mathias went still on top of me. I opened my eyes with caution and saw he was staring straight back at me. Instead of the seeing desire mirroring my own, his face looked horrified.

  “Willa,” he said, his voice sounding hoarse and uncertain.

  I raised my hips to his, hoping he would take the hint that I wanted him not to stop. Unfortunately, that only seemed to pull him more out of his stupor. With a curse, Mathias untangled his body from mine, leaving me feeling vaguely empty. The weight of what just happened washed over me. I had been attacked, seduced and rejected in the space of a few minutes.

  Needless to say, I wasn’t sure what emotion I would pick to describe my mood. Scared, embarrassed and pissed off were the top three front-runners.

  I decided to wait and see where this conversation was going to go before I said anything. If I spoke, it would be in the form of begging. Judging from Mathias’s face, I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t get me anywhere except down Humiliation Lane.

  “Willa, I ..." he started. “I don’t know what to say, other than I am sorry. Please forgive my behavior.”

  “OK,” I said forgoing my resolve to stay quiet. “We’re both adults here. I admit when you first woke up; you scared the hell out of me but obviously I got over that quick. I understand that me being who I am and you being who you are makes this a bit of a messy situation but I…"

  “A bit messy?" he interrupted. “This is more than just slightly messy, this is an absolute nightmare."

  “Wow. Don’t you think the term nightmare is a little harsh?"

  “You have no idea what might have happened. Messy would have turned into catastrophic." he said as he went to stand by the window.

  “When I think of catastrophic, I think of Hurricane Katrina, not you and I having an intimate moment in bed."

  Mathias crossed his arms and looked at me. “I’m sorry for putting you in an uncomfortable position. Please accept my apology. What took place will never happen again.”

  “What if I want it too?" I asked quietly.

  “Willa, I was asleep. You could have been any woman in the world and my response would have been the same. I haven’t fed for a few days, and you woke me up from a dead sleep. I would have tried to kill or fuck anyone of the opposite sex at the time." he coldly said.

  I got out of bed and stalked over to him.

  “You can play off what happened as some random reaction to being hungry and tired but I don’t buy it. I think something much bigger just occurred, and if you want blow it off, that’s fine. I’m a big girl; I can take it. But know this, you don’t fool me one bit Mathias."

  “Nothing of great consequence happened Princess. You were just a warm body that happened to be next to me and nothing more. Now why don’t you go get dressed so we can leave, I'm getting bored."

  “You were a few minutes ago, stiff as a board that is, but no problem I wouldn’t want to hold you up any longer. I’m sure the quicker you can are released of your duties the better." I sneered.

  “This discussion is over. Go get dressed, we’re leaving in ten minutes, and you're right, you are holding me up with this high school like attitude. It was a mistake, I don’t want you, nor do I want to be around you any longer than I have too."

  I blinked back my tears and was proud as I turned to walk in the bathroom with my head held high. I closed the door and locked it before I allowed myself to have a little breakdown. Tears streaming and hands shaking I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the hot water, hoping like hell it would wash the misery off of my body

  We checked out of the hotel and got into the car in silence. Mathias headed back on the highway and minutes turned to hours. I sat staring out the window lost in my thoughts. I was so confused by what had happened. I'm not going to deny the attraction I had for Mathias. From the moment, I saw him it had been there immediately, and I knew that I wasn't alone.

  When we first clasped hands in Arizona a stirring of lust pooled in my belly. What took place this morning was more than lust. It was intense and passionate. I fully believed that the animal in Mathias recognized that, but I'm confident the man himself, was fighting it tooth and nail.

  Even though, I was angry at the way he had pushed me away this morning part of me was glad. I’ve had so much upheaval in my life the last few days that hooking up with Mathias would have been a mistake. There are so many other things I had to focus on right now. I had to get through the portal to the island, start a new life, figure out who and what I am, and learning about my powers. Those are my priorities, not lusting after my Guardian.

  When we stopped a second time for gas only then did I realize we were in New York. The miles that had seemed so great now had dwindled at a rapid pace. Arriving in Vermont was becoming more of a reality.

  I grabbed the phone and hit redial. Desperate to take my mind off of this morning’s incident, I was suddenly overcome with the need to hear my parent’s voices. I wanted anything to distract me from Mathias’s presence as he climbed back in the car.

  “Hello?” my mother’s voice came through the line.

  “Hi Mom,” I said
. “How are you?"

  Laughing she answered. “You know I’m a basket case. How are you doing? I am so glad Mathias stopped last night and got a room. I’m sure you were exhausted."

  “Yes. I’m glad he stopped too,” I said glancing at Mathias, who was staring at me. He returned his attention back to the road, and I resumed my conversation.

  “So we’re in New York and according to the GPS we should arrive in Bennington in about five hours. Anything we should know before we get there?"

  “Marilei is the Princess of the Fae Reserve. She is descended from the Earth Fae, who are famous for their gracious hospitality. There is nothing for you to worry about once you enter the dimension of the Reserve. I am more concerned about you getting there."