The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (40 page)

Obviously Mathias had a life before me, as I him, but to bring this woman here tonight was a little too much for me to handle.  I didn’t have any claim on Mathias, but it was still like a punch in the gut.

Before I could retaliate my grandmother’s voice broke through the red haze that started to blanket my vision.

“Robert?” Winifred said softly. “Robert, you came back.”

I peered around Mathias and saw a tall man with ginger colored hair standing stiffly by the door. This was Robert, the former head of security. This was a man who had left everything to be with his true mate Katya, a Gypsy clan member. When my grandmother and Mathias had discovered them in an embrace, Winifred quickly admonished him and ordered him to stay away from Katya.

Instead of bowing to his Queen’s wishes, Robert pretty much told her to bugger off before they left. Robert and Katya took off to start a new life together in Colorado. I was fascinated by their story. Probably because I wished desperately that this would be Mathias’s and my outcome. Not the exile but the absolute conviction they both had in their love.

“Queen Winifred,” Robert said. “I would lay my life down for you. That is something that you should never question.”

“I never did.” Winifred answered. She walked over to him and clasped his hands. I recognized the look in her eyes as they gazed at each other. It was the same look she gave to her children and grandchildren from time to time. It was unconditional love. Whatever had happened was all in the past. Because one thing, I was sure of was that my grandmother adored Robert.

“Katya,” Winifred said. “How nice to see you as well, I’m sure your parents will be overjoyed as I am.”

Katya, who had hesitated in the background, came into view and looked at Winifred with a shy smile. Her petite frame was accentuated by flawless olive skin and long, lustrous dark hair that fell to her waist. Robert grabbed her hand and together they went about the room greeting other Guardians and long lost friends.

When they came over to the bar, I was surprised to see both my mother and Gussie throw their arms around him in a warm greeting.

“My girls,” he said affectionately. “I’m very happy that you are both home safe and sound.”

They exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, and Gussie introduced him to Julia. After greeting Julia warmly, Robert caught sight of me and walked over to stand between Sabine and Mathias.

“Willa,” he said softly. Robert’s warm chocolate brown eyes bore into mine, and I was put immediately at ease by the kindness that shone in them.

“Hello Robert.” I replied. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. I want to thank you and Katya for being our decoy when Mathias and I fled across the states.”

“No thanks are necessary,” he replied. “I’m just glad we could help.”

“Katya?”
I said. “Thank you as well. Although I have to say, I am not happy to have you here.”

The whole room froze at my words. The only person who didn’t seem shocked was Mathias. Even after being gone for four months he still knew me. He never was surprised at my antics. He always waited to see how they would play out before he got involved.

“I’m not happy because I am completely jealous. Girl, you have some serious follicle greatness on the top of your head.” I continued. “You could totally rock out a Pantene commercial.”

Katya nervous face broke into a wide smile. “Thank you Princess Willa. I will have to give you my secret recipe.”

“Thanks!” I replied brightly

Mathias broke in impatiently. “I’m sorry to break up this meet and greet but I need to speak to the royal family at once. It’s a matter of great importance.”

“What’s wrong?” Winifred and I both asked at the same time

“Outside please,” he said before turning and leaving with Sabine at his heels.

Winifred, Rhoswen, Gussie and my mother started to follow as I turned to Polly and Julia.

“Polly...” I said

“It’s cool. You go ahead.  I’m going to go back to your place since this party is officially O.V.E.R. Over.”

“At least let Riah take you home.” I suggested

“I won’t fight you on that one,” she said before pulling me into a hug. “We have a LOT to talk about tomorrow.”

I pulled away and looked into her eyes. She knew. Fuck. I thought I could at least hold this off for a few more days.

“All three of us have a lot to talk about.” Julia said

Apparently my two best friends didn’t miss a thing. I nodded and turned away but not before grabbing Julia’s hand and catching Riah’s eye.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets back to your house. Then I’ll come and find you.” Riah said

“Thanks.” I said gratefully. As we made our way outside, not only had Mathias, Sabine, Robert, and Katya stood with my family but Frank, Veronica and Leona as well.

“Mathias what on earth is going on?” Cecily asked

“A situation has occurred.” Mathias said solemnly. “We need to go to the hospital.”

“What?” Rhoswen said concernedly. “Who’s been hurt?”

“I don’t want to get into the details here but if you ladies accompany us, we will fly you over there.”

There was no way in hell I was going to be in either Mathias’s arms or God forbid, Sabine’s. I squeezed Julia’s hand and held out my other one to my mother who was on my left.

“Ladies want to hitch a ride on the Willa Express?”

One by one everyone grabbed hands, even Leona and Veronica, which surprised me. I turned to Mathias, flashed him a grin and away we went on my magic teleporting carpet ride.

Unfortunately, I did not take into account the fact that I had never teleported with more than one other person, teleporting with seven slightly inebriated women? Not my brightest idea.

That’s probably why we landed in a tangle near the front of the gray and white craftsman style building that housed the island’s hospital. They only two who landed upright were Veronica and Leona.

“Is everyone all right?” I asked spitting out a few blades of grass.

“Oh my goodness,” Winifred said. “I think a small branch from this bush almost went right up my arse.”

“At least your bush is soft. My bush is much scratchier.” Rhoswen said

“Well, that didn’t sound right did it?” Rhoswen said after a few seconds

That pretty much did it for me. I started laughing so hard I pulled Julia back down on the grass, and we proceeded to clutch each other in hysteria.

“Oh stop.” Cecily said gasping. “I’m going to pee my pants.”

“I think I did!” Gussie laughed

That sent us all back into uncontrollable giggles, which is how the Guardians and Katya found us a few seconds later.

They all stared at us perplexed as they took in our sprawled and laughing bodies. The sound of a golf cart coming to a screeching halt broke through our laughter and my father’s voice echo
ed loud and clear.

“Good Lord is everyone all right?” he asked.

“We’re good Uncle Cormac. Well, maybe not my mum. She might need some new knickers.” Julia answered

I finally got into sitting position and was wiping my eyes when I noticed Uncle Cuddy, Jeremiah and Milton had accompanied my dad.

“Are you done now?” Mathias asked as he came over and offered his hand

“Why am I always to blame?” I asked, ignoring his hand and standing up myself

“You teleported with seven other people,” he said angrily. “You put not only yourself but their lives in danger just to prove some childish point.”

“Mathias?” Winifred asked. “Why are we all gathered here?”

Mathias sighed and went quiet. All at once my slightly buzzed system sobered. Something was wrong. I could tell just by the way he was standing there. It was almost like he was unsure of himself, which Mathias never, ever portrayed.

“I was planning on returning a week ago,” he started. “But I received a call from Sabine in Paris. She had gotten a tip that a young man had been turned into the Solas, and the Rau was torturing him.”

“How young is the boy?” Winifred asked

“Eighteen.” Mathias answered. “His parents chose that life a few years ago and were waiting for him to be of age before they turned their son. Unfortunately for them, their son Gabriel did not want that life.
”

“Eighteen.” Gussie remarked. “It’s such a shame.”

“Gabriel was being kept locked up until the Rau could figure out what to do with him. His parents wanted him to be kept alive, but you are all aware that the Rau hates for someone to turn into the Solas.”

“Go on,” Winifred prompted after Mathias paused.

“We were unprepared for the number of Rau that were in residence of the underground lair where he was being held. We made a quick decision to engage in combat with them. Obviously we prevailed but it was a long and hard battle. After we had secured the premises, we searched out Gabriel and found him locked in a cell.” Mathias said

Robert seeing Mathias’s hesitation took over telling the story. “Surprisingly, Gabriel was already well informed about who and what we are. When we questioned him about this, he told us that he had already been told many stories of the Guardians of Solas and their unwavering commitment to protecting the Clan of Skye.”

“How did this kid know anything about us if he was just turned?” Cuddy asked

“He told us that beyond the door in his room there was another cell. This cell contained a member of the royal Skye family that had been held captive there for a very long time. He also said that this person had become his friend.”

We all stood in stunned silence. Even my unflappable grandmother seemed at lost for words. Finally, she found her voice and asked the question we all wanted an answer too.

“Who?”

Robert grabbed Winifred’s hands and stared at her. “Your Majesty, its Prince Archibald. Your husband is alive.”

“That’s impossible,” she breathed. “Archie is dead. We saw his mangled body parts.”

“All a ruse I’m afraid. A cunning and horrible deception orchestrated by the Rau.” Mathias answered. “We always talked about how after Archie’s death the Rau got cleverer. Instead of murdering the Clan, they realized the value of keeping them as captives. They fooled us with a body similar to Archie’s, put on his clothes and wedding ring. We fell for it, hook, line and sinker.”

“He’s alive?” Cecily asked. “He’s really alive?”

“My God, it’s been over a hundred years.” Cormac said in disbelief

“One hundred and thirty four years.” Winifred corrected

“What’s the status of his condition?” asked Rhoswen. She and my Uncle Oliver were the island’s two main healers so it didn’t surprise me that she would want to be apprised of my grandfather’s health situation.

“I have to see him.” Winifred said suddenly. “I have to go to him.”

Robert placed his hands on her arms and stopped her. “Winnie, Oliver asked us to please wait until he has finished with his exam of Archie.”

“Oliver’s with him?” she asked. “Thank goodness.”

My mother and Gussie went over to Winifred. They wrapped their arms around her, and the three of them wept. I looked up as Jeremiah came over and nudged in between Julia and me. He put his arm around us, and we stood in solidarity.

“I think you will all be more comfortable in the waiting room.” Mathias suggested

Winifred nodded and together with Cecily and Gussie she led the way into the hospital. I had just started walking when I saw Riah land a few feet away from our procession. I looked at Jeremiah and Julia and held up my hand to indicate I would be inside in a minute.

Mathias looked at me before turning away and walking inside. The slam of the door should have shattered the glass door but fortunately it stayed intact.

“What’s going on Willa?” Riah asked concerned

I told him as quickly as I could, but the words came out haltingly, but
the whole thing seemed so surreal to me. My grandfather was alive but the horrors he must have gone through these years made me shudder.

“Archie’s alive?” Riah asked softly

“Yes.” I answered. “Did you ever meet him Riah?”

“I did,” he answered. “I was one of his Guardians, Willa.”

“What?” I asked. “How come you never told me?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I guess I didn’t want to bring it up right away. I was supposed to be there with him that day.”

“Oh Riah,” I said. No wonder he didn’t want to say anything. I had gotten to know Riah pretty well over the last few months, and I suspected he felt in some way responsible.

“At the last minute, Paul, Gussie’s Guardian asked if he could go in my place. He hadn’t been off the island for a while and thought this was a good time to go to the mainland. Everyone was in shock when their bodies were carelessly flung from the sky. Nobody could believe that they had actually gotten to him.”

“I just don’t get how his body wasn’t identified correctly.” I said

Riah shrugged. “The body, whose ever it was, had been torn apart. His clothes and wedding ring were clearly visible. Between that and the other boxes containing the two Guardians with him we were reasonably confident in our assessment.”