The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (11 page)

“I promise to show you soon.” he replied

“What I did want to talk to you about is the portal. I haven’t opened one in many years, not since your mother and I left Fairlia, and went on the run. I will admit it's difficult. I’m worried that I won’t be able to do it without help."

“Can’t you call on any fairies that may be in the area? Because I’m not sure if a chick that is only half Fae and just started learning her powers is a good back up plan."

“Only those of royal Fae blood can open a portal. My mother, the Queen, can open one at will, but us ‘lesser’ royals usually need a mirror,” he explained. “Similar to calling upon the elements, you will need to do the same. Instead of using them to give a spell a push, we use them to manipulate the objects or results we desire. While most Casters use them gently, the Fae use them and all of their energy to get what we need. We do give thanks like the Casters, but instead of releasing the energy we take, we like to keep it within us.”

"The Fae sound a bit more selfish." I observed.

"Yes, maybe we are but we see it more as safeguarding what was given to us,” Cormac said laughing

"That’s what all the evil people say. The more you use, the more build up you must get. I only did a small spell when I called them, and I felt great power. I can’t imagine trying to keep it and not releasing it back."

“It’s all about balance and yes, is that why the Fae are more powerful? Yes, but we do have the utmost respect the elements and try to give back in other ways."

"Like….?" I prompted

“We keep our Earth clean and healthy by cleaning rivers, no pollution, no littering, planting trees and flowers in our dimension. That is how we give our thanks. Since the elements think the tradeoff is pretty good we don’t worry too much about selfishness. Now are there Fae out there who continue to draw and draw and don’t give back, yes, of course, but there's also Casters that do the same."

“All right, good vs. evil, got it. So are we going to practice a little first?"

“No, unfortunately, we can’t. Your mother has this place like a fortress. Picture a protective dome around the house. To attempt to draw that much power to manipulate time and space is nearly impossible to do within that dome,” he said as he moved to sit behind his desk.

“So you're saying we’re going to wing it?"

"Pretty much,” he answered.

"Hey there,” my mom said coming into the study. “What are you two up to in here?"

“I was about to tell Willa. The Guardians called a few minutes ago; they should be here in two hours."

Two hours until we leave, I thought. One hundred twenty minutes until my life as I knew it would be over. Seventy-two hundred seconds before I would be off to a magical island in the English Channel surrounded by Gypsies and real vampires who lived off of our rich, royal blood.

Awesome, pretty sure nobody else in the world was thinking about two hours the same way I was today.

“I also need to go over the game plan with Willa,” my father said looking at my mother intently.

“Yes, the game plan." my mother frowned. “I have to be honest; I’m not all that comfortable with this Cormac."

“What’s the plan?" I looked at them both in question. “I mean aren’t we going to open up a portal, move our stuff and step through to the other side?"

"It’s a bit more complicated than that,” my dad furrowed his brow. “Your mother needs to undo the protection spell around the house first before we can go ahead and open up the portal. It will leave us open to attacks from humans and Casters. That’s why we have to wait for the Guardians. We’ll need to have their protection."

“I’m not trying to undermine you in any way but why didn't we try to do this last night?"

“We didn’t want to rush home, tell you all this, and shove you through a portal. We knew you were going to need time to absorb everything. I needed your mom to undo the suppression spell on you because I think I may need your help. There’s no way you could have done that last night."

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like a smart ass." I smiled. “So do you think we are going to be under any attacks?"

“Over the years I have set in place a few traps, so to speak, red flags that would go up if anyone tried to access information on us. This morning a few were raised. It's a safe assumption that they found out our names and are now digging for information. Our scent, however slight it was, tipped them off that we are royal, but I don’t think they realize just how royal we are."

“So we need to get this baby up and running as soon as we can." I said

“Yes, that is the idea. Back to the game plan…."

"Or Operation Let’s Get The Fuck Out Of Here Before We Are Killed." I interjected

“That works as well,” my father laughed. “When the Guardians get here, your mother will undo the spell. Now we have about twenty minutes or so before it will evaporate. Once that’s done, we should be able to start right away. Then I hope we will have time for the Guardians to move our belongings quickly through and then the rest of you will follow."

“The rest of us?" I asked. “What do you mean the rest of us?"

"This is the part I am not comfortable with at all,” Cecily said

“When we open the portal Willa, I’m going through first. I have to be on the other side so we can maintain the connection. I thought that you should go first but I’m worried you won’t be strong enough yet to hold it by yourself,” my father said anxiously

“Ok, so what’s the big deal?"

“The big deal Willa is, you are our child, and your safety should be first and foremost. There has got to be another way Cormac.” Cecily said

A light went off in my head, “I get it. Dad goes through first, then after our crap, Mom, and then finally me. You need me here last to keep the connection from this end. You know it’s ok, that’s the way we have to do it. Need I remind you, again for the 1,387th time, I am a grown woman, not a child? I would much rather see the two of you get to safety first."

“Willa, that’s not how it’s supposed to be…” Cecily started.

“Mom, do you honestly think for one second that I could watch anything happen to either of you? No, for my own piece of mind, we are sticking to this game plan. End of story. Besides I'm sure I'm not going be alone, right?"

“Of course not, a Guardian will be with each of us at all times,” my mother answered reassuringly.

“Then we’ll be all good in the hood, no worries, all right?"

“Oh boy Willa, your grandmother is not going to know what to make of you,” Cecily said smiling as she came over and put her arm around my shoulder.

"I guess that would only matter if I gave a flying...”

"Willa," my mom warned

“A flying rat’s behind is what I was going to say," I said innocently. “Mom, really, it’s all good."

“I know it’s just I worry, and I should be the one comforting you…"

I interrupted her right away. “You did comfort me. You comforted me last night and this morning when I needed it. Right now I don’t need support. I need you to have faith and confidence in me that I can do this."

“I understand and I will try to stop being such an overprotective, worrywart."

“Well, I have complete faith in you Willy Dilly,” said my dad as he came around from his desk and patted me on the back.

“Thanks. Now if you two will excuse me, I’m sure you have things to do but I need to get out of here and chill. I want to spend the last few hours relaxing and gearing myself up for what’s to come.” I said as I walked out the room.

“Stay in the property lines.” Cecily called after me.

I let myself out of the back door and almost sprinted to the back of my cottage where I sank down in my Adirondack chair. Out of view from my parents I let out a long shuddering breath and looked down at my shaking hands. I tried to play it off to my parents as no big deal. The idea of them counting on me to keep the portal connection opened on this end freaked me out. What if I couldn’t do it? What if I put us all in danger because of my lack of skills?

Still shaking, I unconsciously started calling the elements. Only when the Earth’s warm embrace and cool caress of the Air envelope me did I relax. Apparently Water didn’t seem to think I was in that bad of shape. She was stubbornly silent, but I did see a slight change in the current on the river so maybe that was her way of saying Hey girl.

For the next few hours, I sat there mulling everything over, the past, the present, my uncertain future. I tried to go through as many memories as I could. Every school year, every friend (even Suzy), every boyfriend, every customer, and tried to imprint them all in my mind. I didn’t want to forget anything. I didn’t want to lose my connection to this place whether I lived two hundred years or two thousand.

I saw the shadows of the trees change as the late afternoon sun shifted and realized I was ready. I was ready to say good-bye to this average almost idyllic chapter of my life. I jumped slightly as I heard the door open and then my mother called to me.

“Willa, the Guardians have arrived. It’s time darling."

"Be right there,” I called back. I stood up and softly whispered. “Ok, earth, air, and water, I know you're still around me and I appreciated the company but I need you a little longer. I’m asking you for strength and help in guiding me with opening the portal and meeting the Guardians. I know that we just met, but I need you."

I let out a deep breath and slowly walked to the back door of my parents’ house. I looked behind one last time at my cottage and said good-bye before I opened the door to my future.

Chapter Seven

I shut the back door as quietly as possible and paused for a second. I heard murmurs coming from the living room and strained to catch anything that was being said. The house went silent though as I shuffled as slow as I could through the kitchen while the phrase ‘Dead Man Walking’ flashed in my mind.

I took a deep breath and exhaled when I came into the living room. I was greeted by the sight of not only my parents but three other individuals. Two of those strangers stood right in front of me and blocked a full view of the third that was hidden in the shadows by the front door.

“Willa, the Guardians have arrived. May I present to you...” my dad started introductions

“Frank, my name is Frank, Princess Willa. It’s a pleasure and honor to meet you.” The one closest to me said holding out his massive hand. He was tall and well-muscled. His ebony skin was smooth from the top of his round bald head to his broad face. His deep, rich, dark chocolate brown eyes looked at me with sweet anxiousness. I liked him right away.

“Hi Frank,” I held out my hand and it was engulfed in a brisk handshake. “You know I found out about this whole thing less than twenty four hours ago so just Willa is good. In fact if you never call me princess again that would be great."

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said as his smile faltered

“No, it’s cool. I’m just more of a regular kind of girl. Titles make me a bit nervous."

“Me too,” he said with eyes twinkling.

“Hi, Princ, I mean, Willa. I’m Serena." said the second of the two. Serena was tall and had an athletic body. Her light brown curls were cut short into a flirty bob and her hazel eyes accented her heart shaped face and full smile complete with dimples.

“Hello Serena, it’s nice to meet you. Thanks for coming to our rescue." I smiled

“Of course,” she replied. “This is the most important rescue mission and extraction I have ever been a part of in my life as a Guardian."

“So this often happens?" I asked

“Well, not exactly. We occasionally get a few clan members here and there but rarely members of the royal family. Never in a million years did I imagine I would ever meet a Gypsy-Fae Princess. To be honest you’re a pretty big deal right.” she answered

I glanced at my parents real quick. The idea of me being the result of a miracle birth anomaly was weird. I liked the occasional pat on the back for a job well done like anyone. The idea that I might be looked at with amazement and adoration because I existed was a little off putting.

“Well, again, we thank you for coming so quickly,” Cecily said before she looked off into the shadows by the front door. “Mathias, come meet my daughter Willa."

“Mathias?" I asked. “Wasn’t he your Guardian?"

“Yes, isn’t it lovely that he is here? Now, of course, he is much more important as the head of security for the island.” she beamed

As Mathias walked into the living room, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut, and small butterflies took off wildly in my stomach. While Frank and Serena could easily pass for human with their easy smiles, Mathias looked like the very definition of a dangerous vampire. Tall and broad shouldered he seemed to take over the room with his commanding presence. His short dark chestnut hair was thick with a slight curl by the nape of his neck. His mouth was lush and sensual. His eyes that burned into mine were a smoky whiskey color that did not betray any emotion. His cheekbones, wow, I thought my dad had a pretty killer one's, but you could sharpen a knife off of Mathias's.

I stood there waiting for his greeting but unlike Frank and Serena he did not seem to be overly friendly towards me. He stood there rather stiffly regarding me with his eyes. I thought I saw a flash of the same awareness in his eyes. However, it was gone so quickly and replaced with such indifference I thought I had imagined it.

“Hello Mathias." I said. Briefly I thought to hold out my hand but couldn’t bring myself to extend the offering. Instinctively I knew it would not be reciprocated by him. In fact, he almost seemed relieved that I did not offer any more of a greeting.

He gave me a slight nod before turning to my father and addressed him. “Cormac, I believe you have a few things to go over with your daughter before Cecily drops the protection spell. Frank, I want you to do a quick check on the backyard. I’ll keep an eye on the front, Serena you stay here with Cecily and Cormac,” And just like that he turned and went out the front door.

Frank gave a slight bow and went out the back, leaving us with Serena. Rattled by Mathias I stood there for a moment not sure what to do.

“Willa, why don’t we all head into the study and go over a few things?” Cormac suggested.

I silently nodded my head and followed my parents into the study with Serena closely behind me. We all formed a loose circle around the mirror and studied the smooth glass surface for a few moments. I heard Frank and Mathias talking quietly to each other as they came back into the house and stopped by the study door.

“You know how we talked about gathering the elements and using them to create what we want?” my father asked. “What I want you to do is to focus on each element as you call them...”

“I already have them with me,” I interrupted

“What?" my mother asked. “What do you mean?"

“When I was outside having my little pity party I decided to invite a few friends over and they rsvp'd right away. I asked them to stick around for the main event and help give me a little push. Although the liquid courage, I asked for didn’t come in the form, I wanted.”

My parents were used to waiting for a few seconds for my punch lines stared at me indulgently but the Guardians were a bit perplexed.

“What kind did you ask for from them?" Serena said.

“Well, you know the whole water into wine thing?" I answered. “Apparently that’s something I haven’t mastered. Or maybe I’m just not divine enough yet.”

Frank, Serena and my dad’s faces all broke out into smiles. Mathias just stared at me with his hooded eyes and my breath caught again in my throat. This guy was wreaking serious havoc on my stomach.

My mother didn't seem to find the humor in this either. “Willa, you shouldn’t keep all the elements inside you for so long, especially since you are just starting out and learning your way. They’re not something to trifle with."

“Nonsense,” my father said. “It's smart for you to reach out to them in your time of need even more so to keep them with you to help with your task."

“Hmm, smart indeed Willa, but very Fae as well,” my mother huffed.

“Sorry, I understand what you're saying Mom, but cut me a little slack ok? I didn’t intentionally seek them out; it just happened. It's a pretty good sign though, right? That I'm already able to call them on my own and so quickly?"

“Yes, that’s a good sign,” Cecily conceded. “It’s amazing that you were able to do it by yourself for only the second time and keep them with you for so long.”

“Impressive." said Frank in his soft voice.

“So Willa,” my father continued, “I need you to gather the elements and focus on the glass. Try to picture the strands of each element forming to manipulate time and space. Mathias I think you brought pictures of the throne room for Willa?"

“Yes,” replied Mathias in his deep, smooth voice. “I took several from different angles like Cecily requested."

He crossed the room and stood in front of me holding out a stack of photos. I glanced up at his face and wished I hadn’t because I was immediately drawn into his eyes that varied in different shades of brown. I mentally kicked myself for probably looking like a star-struck teenage girl who just met a guy from a famous boy band. I dropped my gaze and grabbed the pictures from his hand.

My mother came over and stood beside me as I looked through each picture. The throne room seemed pretty ordinary at first glance. Large but not cavernous, it was furnished simply with a few tall chairs (the throne’s I guessed) at one end. Wide chestnut floors looked a bit worn but cared for, and three high windows were set into one wall with pretty stained glass insets on top.

The next few pictures must have been taken from the throne’s vantage point. In these pictures, I saw the mirror that would act as our portal. Set against a stone wall the mirror took up pretty much all the wall space. I guessed it to be around seven feet tall and at least double that in width.  It was framed with full panels of dark wood, this mirror was not as ornate as my dad’s, but even more impressive because of its size.

I glanced at my mother who fell silent and still next to me. I can only imagine what emotions must be going through her as she looked at the pictures. This was her home that she had left so long ago. I’m sure not only was she feeling homesick, but excited to see where she had grown up as a girl.

“So is the mirror a fat mirror or a thin mirror?" I asked my mom with a secret smile.

“I always found it to be a most flattering mirror,” Cecily replied with a grin

“Ah, a big, wide mirror that makes you look thin, excellent." I said. All three men looked at us with a confusing expression, but Serena seemed to get it right away.

“It’s wonderful. I always say when you're a little down or a bit bloated go to the throne room. We all need a pick-me-up every now and then,” she said

I liked her more and more. “There’s nothing like a mirror that can make you look smaller, and it’s in the throne room too. Are there any crowns in there? Talk about an ego boost,” I said smiling at my mom. I noticed her teary expression evaporated, and she had a little spark back in her eyes.

"Can we get back to the opening of the portal part of our conversation?" my father asked with a slightly bemused expression.

"Forgot about that, it’s not every day you find a large ‘skinny’ mirror. All right so I need to somehow to manipulate strands of the elements to create a portal that will drop us halfway around the world." I said shaking my head, “You know that’s just not a sentence I thought I would ever say."

“Picture the throne room and then use what is around you to thrust into the mirror. Twist and form the strands to force the glass to open where you want,” said Cormac.

"But be respectful. Too much power may unleash a violent reaction with your untapped energy. We don’t want the mirror to shatter." Cecily said

“Easy peasy,” I smirked.

“Cecily, its time,” Cormac said gently

Positioning themselves around my parents and me, the Guardians stood alert immediately and any friendly smiles that Frank and Serena was now replaced with serious, watchful expressions. Cecily caught Mathias's eye and nodded. She closed her eyes, and her lips were moving as she began to chant her spell, but I didn't hear the words.

Finally after a few minutes she opened her eyes. “That’s it,” her voice quivering. “The spell has been lifted."

“Are you okay?" I asked, somewhat puzzled. “Dropping the protection I’m sure is stressful but why did you have to whisper it?"

“Some spells are better-off said Willa quietly,” Cecily replied. “There are those that use and manipulate the wind craftily. The ultimate eavesdropping device you could say. The undoing of a powerful protection spell would be valuable information to the right people."

“Gotcha although I’m surprised none of these Wind Casters or Fae work for the government."

“Who says they don’t?" Frank snorted

My father, who was standing on my left, grabbed my hand. “Before you look at the mirror Willa, close your eyes and gather the elements already inside of you."