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

by Shannon Barczak

  Machall looked up and untangled himself from the family hug and walked over to me. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn’t have too. After everything we went thru together, there was never any need for either of us to say thank you. I stepped into his embrace, and we stood there wrapped in a hug for a good long minute. I didn’t even care that Mathias was probably fuming. Machall was my friend, and I truly cared about him.

  I stepped back and stood by Mathias, who stared at Machall stonily. Mathias still looked pissed about everything that had happened a few weeks.

  “Mathias, I owe you an apology for my behavior on the Isle of Skye a few weeks ago,” Machall said. “I went about everything in the wrong way and I apologize if I offended you.”

  “Apology accepted,” Mathias said, “Just don’t do it again, or you’ll wish I had just broken your nose by the time I get done with you.”

  “Where is she?” he asked as he looked imploringly at me. I nodded towards the living room, and Machall rushed inside. We all stood there awkwardly before finally I had to see what was going on in there. Mathias tried to stop me, but I waved him away.

  Beatrice and Machall were staring at each other and even I could see their obvious attraction. Beatrice almost looked stunned at her reaction. I began to feel Machall’s magic, and I squirmed uncomfortably until all of a sudden the elements came to me. I looked around as Lucia and Mathias came to stand beside me.

  “Willa?” Mathias asked carefully

  “I think I can do it,” I said almost in a trance

  “You can,” Lucia said. “The elements of nature came to you because you needed them, and they will show you the way. All you have to do is believe in yourself, and it will come to you.”

  I walked over to Beatrice and gestured for her to sit down. She gingerly sank to a small high backed chair and looked at me expectantly. I went to stand behind her and placed my hands on her head. Immediately I could feel the elements inside of me almost leak out of my fingers and into her head. She jumped as if someone had shocked her, but I held firm.

  I almost felt like I was performing some sort of brain surgery. It was the oddest experience I had ever had before. I closed my eyes, and I could see black threads tightly wound around her entire brain. I slowly worked the elements in and around as carefully as I could. I just knew somehow that one wrong move by me and I could seriously hurt Beatrice.

  When the last one finally lifted away, she and I both sighed at the same time. I almost slumped to the ground in exhaustion, but Mathias was there to catch me. He led me over to the couch where I gratefully sat down. I heard a gasp and looked up to see Beatrice jump out of her chair and into Machall’s arms. They held onto each other for so long I felt like a voyeur.

  “Get a room Macky,” I muttered. They both came over to the couch and Machall dropped to his knees on the floor

  “I owe you my life and then some,” he said

  “Yes you do,” I said sleepily. “I take cash, large bills only, please.”

  “Fairlian money is acceptable, right?”

  “Oh save it,” I smiled. “I will expect you on the front lines when the time comes.”

  “That is one fight you couldn’t keep me away from,” he said before leaning and whispering. “I’ll follow you anywhere General Willa.”

  “I need to get Willa back to our safe house,” Mathias said as he helped me off the couch

  “Willa, I don’t know how to ever thank you,” Beatrice said before she gave me a tight hug

  “My pleasure Beatrice and if you ever need anyone to keep him in line, give me a call,” I replied

  “She’s very good at breaking noses,” Machall said

  “I heard,” Beatrice smiled and they leaned into one another

  “When will you get in touch?” Machall asked

  “Soon,” I answered. “I have a few things to do before I go to the Isle of Skye.”

  “Call me,” Machall said

  “Should I use a phone or a crystal ball?” I asked cheekily before turning and giving Lucia a hug

  “Lucian, it was nice meeting you,” I said truthfully as he came towards me

  “The pleasure was all mine, and I think I speak for the rest of the family when I say this,” he said. “I would be happy to help fight this war with Lord Fonn.”

  “Please help my dad,” I said. “That would be the greatest thing you could ever do for me.”

  “Mathias already asked me,” he said. “I will go to his island tomorrow and see what I can do to help.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so much.”

  “Like I said, I will help in any way that I can,” he replied. “I will see you both in a few days and from there we will make plans together to win this battle. We will all be in jeopardy of our freedom and lives if Fonn is triumphant.”

  I nodded, but I couldn’t tell them that I wasn’t sure if any of them could even get on the island with the new enchantments. I just smiled and began to chant. A portal opened, and Mathias and I stepped thru the waving air. I had waved to everyone before they disappeared. I looked around the meadow before turning to Mathias.

  “Well, that was a hell of a night.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  We held hands and walked to the cabin in silence. I couldn’t believe how much had happened in just a short amount of time. I rummaged around in the refrigerator because I was suddenly ravenous for food. Mathias just watched me as I scarfed down yogurt, carrots and leftover spaghetti.

  “Hungry?” he asked amused

  “I’m starving all of a sudden,” I answered with my mouth full of pasta. “That was a lot of magic I used tonight.”

  “The whole thing was somewhat difficult to take in all at once,” he remarked as he sat down at the kitchen counter. “I still can’t believe Lucian is Machall’s brother.”

  “I can’t believe that my grandfather has some guy named Brutus on his royal guard,” I said

  “What are you talking about?”

  I quickly told him what Jeremiah and I talked about on the phone. He laughed when I got to the part about Brutus.

  “I forgot about Brutus,” he said. “So he carried you around for a bit?”

  “Seriously?” I asked. “You cannot be jealous over some guy carrying me from one room to another.”

  Mathias just stared at me and the pasta I was swallowing got stuck in my throat. I took a sip of water and walked around to where Mathias was sitting. I barely touched his chest when he suddenly stood up and grabbed me. He crushed his lips to mine, and I felt myself being slammed up against the living room wall.

  I eagerly responded. I might have gotten rid of all my excess energy from the elements, but I was still feeling a little jacked up inside, and it wasn’t from magical energy. It was pure unadulterated sexual desire. Mathias gripped my hips tighter, and I could feel his arousal which made me moan in pleasure.

  I heard a tearing sound, and I was vaguely aware that the shirt Lucian lent me was now lying in tatters on the floor. Mathias’s lips left mine, and he suddenly plunged his fangs in my neck with no warning. I loved it when he prepped me for his bite, but I secretly enjoyed it more when he fed from me somewhat roughly. It just made the intimate and almost forbidden act more exciting to me.

  I dug my fingers in his hair harder when I starting feeling slightly dizzy. He made no move to stop, so I trailed my hands down to his back and decided to tear his shirt in retaliation for mine. I felt an immense satisfaction when I tore it apart, and I dug my nails into his flesh. He lifted his head up, and his eyes were red and glittering with annoyance.

  I smiled and bent my head to bite his neck just as rough. I knew that I didn’t receive any amount of nourishment from it, but I loved the spicy taste of his blood. It was not something we ever talked about nor had I told anyone that I had ever done it with it Mathias, but it just made my connection with him even stronger in my mind.

  I only tasted him for a few seconds, but it was enough to make me al
most cry out in adoration as his blood flowed through my system. When I was done, I leaned my head back and pulled him down to my swollen breasts.

  He disposed of my black bra quickly and began kneading them with his strong hands before replacing his fingers with his mouth. He went from one breast to another, licking, caressing and nipping gently until I was panting in anticipation. He let me down for a brief moment while he ripped my jeans and panties off before tearing his own to the floor.

  His eyes, which were back to the warm brown that I loved was staring at me with such fierceness it almost took my breath away. He picked me up again, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His drove his hardness inside of me, and my eyes rolled back into my head for a minute. I loved that he wasn’t treating me like a fragile piece of glass that was going to break. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him, and I adored the fact that he wasn’t holding back with his lovemaking.

  His pace started picking up, and my body clenched around him as I reached my orgasm. I screamed as a surge of immense satisfaction came over me. I could feel the elements inside me cry out in joy as they felt mine own, but I held back releasing them. I didn’t want to ruin Robert and Katya’s beautiful little cabin.

  I knew he was close to his own release when his pace went from fast to wildly out of control. Everything around me blurred, and I held onto him because I thought he might plow us through the wall. My next orgasm spun my head sideways and even though I heard his shout and felt him come inside of me I still was only slightly aware of that fact. My body was singing with happiness, and when he sprinted upstairs still entwined with me I almost came again at the jerky movement of his racing body.

  We fell on the bed, and he gently kissed me for what seemed like hours. His hands started running down my arms and legs lightly until I sighed as the most wonderful feeling of contentment came over me. I didn’t want to fall asleep, but my eyes were heavy and his light caresses lulled me into the welcoming darkness.

  I woke up the next morning feeling slightly hung over. My limbs ached, and my stomach felt queasy. I knew that all of last night’s activities were catching up to me. I had to be careful not to overextend myself yet. There was so much I needed to do and to get burnt out now was not a good idea. I heard footsteps on the stairs and smiled when Mathias came into the bedroom with a tray.

  “You’re bringing me breakfast in bed?” I asked in mock disbelief. “I knew I rocked your world last night but you shouldn’t have.”

  “I was woken up to the sounds of your stomach grumbling so I thought I would feed the bear before he woke up and was grumpy,” Mathias answered

  “That’s weird,” I said. “Usually I wake you up with my snoring or teeth grinding. The whole stomach growling must have been a welcome sound compared to what you're become accustomed too.”

  “I have to admit it was better than your snore and hissing sound you make as you slumber.”

  “At least I don’t fart,” I said. “Well, not yet, probably when I’m older. Although I’m not sure if I’ll ever get all gray and hunched over. I hope not because boy; I have smelled some stink bombs from the Granny patrol that used to come into the bakery from time to time.”

  “Dear God did you…?”

  “Did I really have to go there?” I interrupted. “Yeah, that just happened. Do vampires break wind by the way?”

  “No,” he said curtly

  “Well, that’s going to be awkward then huh?” I asked

  “What is going to be awkward?”

  “You know the first time I let one slip?” I said. “It’s not like you can make me feel better by busting out a bigger one and being all manly.”

  Mathias shook his head and looked up at the ceiling briefly. “Can we just forget this conversation ever happened and start over?”

  “Sure,” I said brightly. “Hi honey, wow is that breakfast in bed for me? You are the most amazing man ever.”

  “Breakfast is ready your highness,” he said as he placed the tray on my lap. My stomach did a happy dance and all the queasiness flew right out the window at the sight of blueberry pancakes drenched in maple syrup

  “So what do you want to do today?” he asked

  I was quiet as I ate my breakfast. I took a sip of orange juice before answering. “I want to open a portal and bring my grandmothers here for a meeting.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready to be around them?”

  “I figured it would better here than on their turf so to speak,” I said. “At least here I can run away from their magic. I can’t do that too easily in Fairlia or on the island.”

  “What’s this meeting going to be about?”

  “We need to create a plan Mathias,” I said. “There are decisions we need to make. The most important one being is how we keep the residents of the Isle of Skye safe from the inevitable invasion.”

  “The barriers are in place.”

  “We need to remove the barriers,” I said. “We can’t fight Fonn or Cual in Fairlia. It’s too risky. They’ll be even more powerful surrounded by the natural elements of their home and realms. The island is the ideal place for any confrontation.”

  “I agree,” Mathias said, surprising me. “I thought about it when I left for those four mouths. I had a few ideas about what we may be able to do to keep everyone safe.”

  “I’m all ears,” I said

  “Let’s wait until your grandmothers are here,” he said before taking my empty tray. “Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll call Winifred.”

  “Sounds like a plan Stan,” I said as I jumped out of bed. I took a quick shower and threw on a pair of khaki colored cargo pants and a red t-shirt. A few minutes later we were standing out in the meadow, and Mathias gave me an encouraging nod as I opened a portal to Fairlia first. I had no idea what the time was there, but I was relieved to see Sidra sitting alone in her study with the afternoon sun pouring through the long windows.

  “Hey grandmamma,” I said softly. Sidra’s head shot up and looked at me in shock. I was pretty sure her cry emanated in all of the realms.

  “Shh,” I said. “We’re here on a top secret mission.”

  “Willa, oh my goodness, are you all right my darling?” Sidra whispered back frantically. “What’s going on? What mission?”

  “I need to see you and Winifred,” I said. “I want you both to come here because it will be easier on me right now.”

  “Of course,” she said as she almost stepped through the mirror. I held up my hand to stop her, and she looked at me in surprise.

  “I’m going to go in the woods,” I explained quietly. “Can you open another portal and get Granny Winnie? I know the portal from the island to Fairlia was closed, but I was hoping we could still open one from here in the human realm.”

  “Yes, absolutely,” she answered. Just as I was about to turn away, the door to her study burst opened and in walked my grandfather Kelvin.

  “Willa?” he practically shouted. Sidra and I shushed him, and he looked around confused. “What the devil is going on here?”

  “No time to explain Grandpa,” I said. “I just need my two grandmas’ for a few minutes. She’ll be right back, and Mathias is here so no need to worry.”

  “Humph,” he said as he glanced at Mathias. I think Kelvin knew about Mathias, and I being involved. I had a feeling he wasn’t that keen on our relationship yet.

  “Mathias,” he said finally. Mathias had nodded back respectfully before Kelvin spoke again. “I’m not very happy about you and Willa mating but I will concede that if it had to be anyone I’m glad it was you.”

  “Thank you Prince Kelvin,” Mathias said in surprise. “I’m…”

  “If you hurt her in any way, shape or form I will hunt you down and kill you,” Kelvin continued

  “I would expect no less,” Mathias replied. Kelvin stared at him for a moment before turning to me.

  “Are you alright?” he asked gently

  “I’m better,” I said. “I don’t feel like I want t
o rip my skin off, so that’s an improvement.”

  “Do you know…?” he started to ask but I cut him off right away.

  “Do I know about my dad?” I finished. “Yeah and I haven’t dealt with that yet so let me figure a few other things out first before trying to have a conversation with me about my father.”

  “I understand,” he said sadly

  “She’ll be safe, I promise,” I said

  “If she is with you than I am not worried,” he said

  “Also, keep this quiet,” I said. “I know you trust your royal guard but I just have this feeling that there is a leak somewhere. I don’t know where or on which end, but we need to keep things close to the chest for now.”

  Kelvin nodded and turned to Sidra. “Be safe my love.”

  “Bye Gramps,” I said before teleporting off into the woods. Mathias and I had agreed to have Sidra come first so that she could open a portal for Winnie while I stayed away for a few minutes. I had just settled on the floor of the forest when I heard the sound of something come crashing through the forest.

  I stood up abruptly and prepared myself for whatever this threat may be. What I did not prepare myself for was the sight of my dogs racing towards me in an excited run as they came into the small clearing and joined me. I was so shocked that when Cupcake jumped on me I fell to the ground in sheer joy.

  Tears were pouring down my face as I held on to his fur and hugged him. I didn’t realize how much I missed my dumb furball of a St. Bernard. I finally sat up and was amazed when Mathias’s dog or should I say our dog Oscar, put his paw on my face and leaned in to give my cheek a lick. It was the first time this dignified Weimaraner had ever let his guard down and been affectionate with me.

  After several minutes of petting and more kisses I finally stood up and laughed when Cupcake went to a tree and lifted his leg to pee.

  “You always have to mark your territory right away huh Cupcake?” I grinned. Both dogs fell in step on either side of me, and we walked out of the woods and into the meadow together. I stopped and gripped their collars when I first spotted both my grandmothers standing there by the cabin. They were looking at me hesitantly. I knew they were trying to keep their emotions and magic under control.