“Really?” I asked. “Can you breathe under water bitch?”
Her look of confusion was almost comical, but I had no time for laughs, if I didn’t release this power than I was going to go nuts. I shot water at her so fast I almost thought I broke her neck with its force. She was being spun so quickly that even I lost sight of her at one point. I finally calmed down and gradually stopped my vicious cycle. Her body slumped to the ground, and I knew that I had killed her.
My stomach heaved, but I forced myself not to mourn too much. She would’ve killed my grandmother and me if she had the chance. I knew this, but it still didn’t make it any easier on my soul. I turned to Granny Winnie, and she held out her arms. I shook my head and teleported off back in the field.
I was tired and somewhat burnt out at this point. I didn’t want to kill anymore. I wanted to curl up and sleep for days, but I couldn’t. I was just about to join the fray when I heard Machall yell. I looked down and saw Braonan lying on the ground. His eyes were bulging out of his head, and the pallor of his skin was blue.
I walked slowly on the field and knelt beside him. I knew he was dead but unfortunately I had to draw his power out of his body. I felt disgusted with myself, but I slowly extracted his gift of the earth and transferred it to myself. I was shocked when his body started to fold itself into the ground. I knew she was taking him home to for burial and I was comforted by that fact.
I staggered to stand upright. I now had the extra power of the earth and water. I had released some of the water with the witch, but it was still pulsating strongly in me. I looked around and spotted Beatrice and knew what I had to do. I teleported over to her and took her with me back to the beach.
“Willa, what’s going on?” she asked
“You grew up in the Water realm Beatrice,” I said
“Yes, I did,” she answered slowly. I turned as Sidra and Kelvin walked over to us both slowly. I knew Sidra could tell I was close to losing my mind, and she was cautious with her approach.
“Willa, what are you doing?” she asked
“I have to get rid of it,” I said. “It’s too much.”
“OK,” she replied. “What do you want to do?”
“I know we should discuss this, but I don’t have much time,” I said. “Just trust me, ok?”
She nodded and stepped back. I could see exactly when the light dawned in her eyes, and she realized what I was going to do. She nodded and smiled approvingly. I took a deep breath and grabbed Beatrice’s hands. I had no idea what this would do to her, but I hoped that it was the right decision otherwise Machall was going to freak out on me.
I didn’t have to call on the water since it was already within me. I tried to let it leak out slowly into Beatrice’s body, but it’s not something that you can do gently. I heard her yell as the water began to envelope her body and I stepped back to let it engulf her being with its smooth, succulent power. I could almost see it performing some surgery on her, and I rejoiced. It was sucking out the vampire in her body and replacing it back with the power of the Fae.
When it was over, she fell to the ground and moaned. I could see that she was alive and well. I left to teleport back to the field, and Machall was now joined by Lucian and Riah. I had a split second decision to make. I knew the slight presence of Fae in Mathias’s blood was from Patcoena so I wasn’t sure if it would work and I had no idea where he was or if he would even want this power.
It wasn’t much of a choice as I flew off into the sky and searched for my father. I finally saw him battling a Rau and just as he ripped his opponent's heart out I grabbed him and teleported with him onto our island. My mother was standing by the cottage looking anxious, but I had no time to explain.
The earth was calling to me, and I wanted to do nothing more than to sink inside its warmth and never return. I had to do this quickly. Machall and Lucian could only hold off Fonn for so long.
“Willa, are you alright?” my mother said
“I’m fine,” I answered before turning to my dad. “I don’t have time to explain, but stand still and don’t fight this.”
His eyes widened, and my mother yelled but I ignored her. I began to wrap my father as gently as I could in a mist of dirt. He closed his eyes, and I could tell he was happy at the sensation. I said a silent ‘I’m sorry’ before I flung the extra power of the earth at him, and everything started to whip around him in a frenzy.
“Willa, what did you do?” Cecily screamed as we held on to each other
“Just chill out mom,” I said. “He’s going to be fine but you need to let me go so I can finish this.”
“Finish what?” she said as she grabbed my hand. “Wait a minute, what’s that on your finger?”
“Holy fuck, can we please talk about this some other time mom,” I yelled as I pulled away from her
I used what I had left to open the earth beneath us, and my mother screamed as he disappeared. I waited by the surface for him and when he finally popped back out his body was covered in dirt and he was coughing up tree roots.
“Dad?” I asked, “You good?”
He gave me thumbs up, and I looked at my mother. “Get him some water and maybe some comfort food.”
“Food?” she asked. “Willa he’s a vampire.”
“No, he’s the Earth Lord,” I said. “Sorry, you’re not a princess any longer Lady Cecily.”
I had grinned before I teleported back to the field. I almost laughed when I saw Machall holding down Lord Fonn, and Lucian had his foot pressed down hard on his neck.
“It’s about time you joined us,” Lucian yelled
“I was busy,” I said as I walked up to them. “Thanks for holding him until I got here.”
“This is treason,” Fonn sputtered. “I am the Air Lord. You cannot touch me.”
“I’m certain Sidra isn’t going to put me in jail,” I said. “But if you would like to bring charges against me go ahead. I would love to hear your defense you fucking prick.”
I was just about to start the process of removing his power when I felt a hand on my arm. I glanced around and saw Sidra had stopped me.
“Allow me,” she said
“Are you sure?” I asked
“I owe him for stealing my daughter from me,” she said, “Willa go stand by your grandfather.”
I walked over to Kelvin, who put his arm around me. We both exchanged a look, and I knew what he was thinking. If anything were to happen when Sidra was performing the extraction, we were both going to jump in and finish the job. I watched as Sidra gathered her powers and for the first time I felt the true power of the Faerie Queen.
She ripped the air from him, and I could feel it surround both her and me for a moment. I suddenly tore myself from my grandfather’s embrace and teleported to the hospital. I raced in and found Rhoswen tending to a few of the Guardians. She looked up in surprise when I came into the room.
“Rhoswen, you have to come with me,” I said. I didn’t wait for her answer I just teleported us both to the field.
“What is the matter?” Rhoswen asked. “Is someone hurt?”
“Just out of curiosity, where were you born?” I asked
“The Air realm, why?” she answered
“I had a feeling,” I said. “Do you trust me?”
Rhoswen closed her eyes. “Oh God Willa, if anyone else has asked me…”
“Thanks Auntie,” I said sarcastically. I turned to see Sidra taking the last of Fonn’s power. His gasp when he took his final breath made me squirm, but I was more concerned when Sidra staggered away from his body. I rushed over to her and held her upright.
“Grandmamma, release it to Rhoswen,” I said. Sidra nodded weakly and thrust it at Rhoswen almost violently. Rhoswen screamed and started pawing the ground in pain. I had to look elsewhere. I knew how devastating this was going to be for her. Sidra was born with this power, so she didn’t know what it was like to have to absorb it from its source.
“Oh no, what did I do?” Sidra cri
ed
“She’ll be fine,” I said reassuringly. We all watched us Rhoswen came into the power of the Air. I could see her vampirism being removed the same way my fathers and Beatrice’s had been. I knew she was going to be ok when she moaned almost in pleasure.
“What the devil is going on?” Winifred asked
“Long story short, I killed Cual, gave his power to Beatrice. She’s now the Lady of the Water realm. Fonn killed Bran, so I extracted his power and gave it to my father. He is now back to being a Fae and a Lord to boot.”
“Cormac isn’t a vampire anymore?” Sidra cried
“No, he is the Earth Lord,” I answered. “When Sidra took Fonn’s power, I grabbed Rhoswen and now she is the Lady of Air, which is cool if you think about it. We now have two male Lord’s and two female Lady’s. I think it’s a perfect balance of power.”
“Well this is quite the development,” Kelvin said
“It’s perfect,” Sidra said. “I think this was how it was meant to be.”
“Yup, like me and Mathias,” I remarked. “Speaking of which has anyone seen my fiancée?”
“I just saw him decapitating a bunch of Rau and ripping their hearts out rather viciously,” answered Lucian
“Oh fantastic,” I said. “He’s probably in a good mood then.”
Hey baby, you alive?
Dear God, did you just call me baby? I don’t do endearments
I thought you liked it when I called you my sex machine the other night?
You didn’t call me your sex machine. You started dancing around singing some James Brown song after we had sex the other night
Oh yeah, I love that song
You love any song
So Fonn’s dead, my father, Beatrice and Rhoswen aren’t vampires anymore, and all is quiet on the western front. How’s it going by you?
He paused as he took in my words before answering. Well I’m currently being surrounded by a few hundred orange and red faced Sprites dancing with their spears in victory
If we videoed that, we would have like a billion hits on YouTube; any Rau left for dessert?
They are all gone. Tell Winifred to set up the enchantments. I’ll be over in a few minutes.
Ten four
“Granny Winnie?” I said. “Mathias would like you to put the enchantments back up around the island.”
“Will you help me?” she asked and I teleported her to the northernmost point on the island. We stood quietly for a moment before chanting the spell that protected our clan for centuries.
“So, you’re engaged?” she asked when we through and the barrier was back up surrounding the island
“Yes,” I said. “Are you mad?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“Because we never talked about Mathias,” I answered. “I know finding out that we were mates had to have been a shock.”
Winifred sat down on the ground, and I joined her. “I knew something was going on the minute you both came to the island months ago. I think that was one of the reasons I wanted you to leave. I could see the attachment in both your eyes and it frightened me.”
“Why?” I asked softly
“Willa, I missed out on the first twenty five years of your life,” she said. “I have no idea when you learned to walk or talk. I wasn’t there for your recitals or sports games. I never saw you in a prom dress or graduation gown. I still have no idea what your favorite color is or how you like your steak cooked.”
“In short, when I saw you walk through that portal, I knew you were in love with Mathias,” she continued. “You may not have known, but I did, and all I could think was there was another person who stood in my way. Since Mathias was also head of the Guardians I knew it was risky to keep you here with him but the more I got to know you, the more I realized that you were trying your best.”
“So you were jealous of my relationship with him?”
“I was,” she admitted. “The next morning he stood in my office and sang your praises or as much as Mathias can ever sing anyone’s praises, and I was shocked. I had decided not to like you. I figured I already missed out on so much that there was probably no chance that we ever form any real bond. Then of course you stood there and fought with me. I knew in that instant that you and I were a lot more alike than I could ever have dreamed of, and I desperately wanted to get to know you.”
“Yeah, you went about it beautifully,” I laughed
“I love you,” she said. “I think you are smart and funny. I think you are truly the most loyal person I have ever met, and even though you can try my nerves, I do find you to be amusing on occasion.”
“I never wanted anything in my life as much as I wanted your approval,” I said. “I thought the whole Mathias thing would pretty much kill any progress we had made.”
“Mathias Worthing is the finest man, besides your grandfather, that I have ever known, and I am proud to call him my grandson.”
“Oh gosh, you shouldn’t say things like that to me right now,” I said as I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. “I started walking when I was ten months, and funny enough didn’t talk until I was almost two. I’m horribly uncoordinated, any dreams my mom had of me being a ballerina flew out the window during my first recital when I bumped into another girl, and she fell off the stage and broke her toe.”
“My favorite colors are red, burnt orange, chocolate and eggplant and I like my steak cooked medium,” I answered tearfully.
“Thanks for telling me,” she said
“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out
“What?” she whispered in shock
“Yeah, I just found out this morning,” I said. “Not only that but we’re having twins. I’m totally freaked out. I’m going to be the worst mother in the world, and I have no idea what Mathias’s reaction is going to be when I tell him.”
“I have to be honest with you Willa I am completely at lost for words.”
“I understand,” I muttered. “So am I.”
“Why do you think you’re going to be a bad mother?” she asked after a few minutes of silence
“Well let’s see, I swear like a sailor. I break out into song for no apparent reason sometimes, and I have to think that I will totally embarrass them with that little personality flaw. I’m not sure if I can do a daily schedule thing. I mean what if I want them to stay up late and watch a movie with me? What if I want to have junk food night?”
“Willa, don’t be ridiculous,” she chuckled. “You are going to be a mother of epic proportions.”
“Did you just say epic?”
“Yes, I did,” she said. “You will love and protect those two children with your last breath. I envy them and the adventures that you all will have together.”
“But how will I know what to do?” I asked. “How do I change a diaper or give them a bath without one of them drowning?”
“You’ll know, and if I know your mother, I’m sure you will have plenty of guidance,” she said reassuringly. “Don’t forget I also had three children. I’m sure between the three of us we will we keep them alive and teach you how to change their nappies.”
“You know Mathias, how do you think he’ll react?”
“Well after the initial shock I’m afraid we won’t see you for a while,” she answered
“Why is that?” I asked
“Because he will probably bundle you up and take you somewhere safe where he can pamper and protect you until they arrive.”
I smiled at the thought. “I can live with that.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Winifred and I walked back down to the field. I could see from the hill above the castle that an impromptu celebration had started. Everyone was milling about swapping war stories. I knew a few Guardians were recovering in the hospital from more serious wounds but all in all we were very lucky.
My eyes scanned the area until I finally saw him. He had blood and dirt all over him. His disheveled appearance made me smile, and I laughed when I saw him drinking a
bottle of beer with Lucian, Robert and Machall. He glanced up, and we exchanged a look of amusement. I was aware that my presence was being noticed as my grandmother, and I came onto the field but I had only had eyes for one person.
I walked right up to him and threw my arms around his neck. I was surprised when he hugged me right back. I could hear the gasps as well as the chuckles, but I didn’t care. I was exactly where I wanted to be, and honestly I was pretty sure most people had already figured out the truth about our relationship.
“You’re filthy Guardian Worthing,” I remarked
“You’re not looking so fresh either darling,” he replied right back
“I thought you liked me dirty,” I said
Mathias groaned and stepped out of our embrace. “Did you have to say that in public?”
“Oh, sorry,” I said. “I forgot you only like me to talk like that in the bedroom.”
Machall and Lucian let out a shout of laughter. Robert just shook his head. He held out a beer for me, but I declined.
“Willa, I have to admit, you are a bad mother fucker,” Lucian said. “But, just be warned, you killed a Fae witch tonight and they do not take that lightly.”
“She was throwing killing curses at my grandmother,” I said. “I was supposed let her live?”
“I’m just saying,” Lucian shook his head
“Speaking of which, what about this warlock guy?” I asked as I gratefully accepted a bottle of water from Robert.
“That warlock guy is the current king of the Fae witches,” Lucian answered. “He took one look at you and observed your powers before running off pissing his pants.”
“If he’s the king of the Fae witches I doubt he’s that scared of me.”
“I find your naïve attitude refreshing,” Machall said. “I was also very happy that you beat someone else up besides me.”
“I thought you deserved a break,” I answered
Robert suddenly took off running, and I looked around to see Katya coming towards him. Polly and her parents followed closely behind, but Cupcake and Oscar had made a beeline right for Mathias and me.
The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* Page 96