The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (41 page)

“What about...his head?” I asked haltingly

“Back then when a clan member was murdered the Rau would keep the heads as souvenirs,” he replied in disgust

I didn’t know what else to say. I had reached my limit for the night. Between everything that had happened I just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry.

“You remind me of him.” Riah said suddenly

I looked up curiously. For the first twenty-five years of my life, I was not aware of my ancestry or what characteristics I may have shared with any relatives. To have Riah say this was incredible to me. I always wondered what I might have shared with my grandfather. I thought the bakery was our only common interest but apparently not.

“Archie was friendly but he also had a wicked sense of humor.”  Riah smiled. “He always made people feel comfortable. He never wanted to be known as a prince or the husband of the queen. He used to tell everyone that he was just a baker with an amazing wife.”

I smiled in spite of the fact tears started pooling in my eyes. I hoped with all my heart I had a chance to get to know this wonderful man that everyone thought so highly of as soon as I could.

“Thank you.” I said. “Thank you for telling me this. I should go back inside. Oliver will be ready to tell us about his condition soon.”

“Are you coming?” I asked when I noticed he didn’t follow

“No,” he answered. “I’m pretty sure my presence would just set Mathias off, and I’m quite attached to my head.”

I went back over and gave him a tight hug which he returned. He kissed me on the forehead before pulling away.

“Willa?” Riah said

“Yes? What?” I asked

“I love you.”

My mouth dropped opened. I realized that there were words I was supposed to say, but I couldn’t. Riah had thrown me for a loop.

He threw me even more so when he started chuckling with laughter.

“Not like that,” he said. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever been friends with, even when I was human women were nothing more than a toy for me to fool around with when I was younger. I used them and then I moved on without a backwards glance. Serena and I were friends but not like you and me. I feel like I can tell you anything. The good, the bad, and you never judge me. Sure I like to flirt, but honestly? I can’t even imagine us like that, well not now.”

I laughed. “Oh, thank God. You really freaked me out there for a second.”

“Sorry,” he grinned. “The look on your face was priceless though.”

“I love you too Riah.” I said. “I knew from the first day we met that you and I
were going to be great friends.”

“You do realize that no matter what I will always be there for you?” he asked seriously. “If you ever need to talk about anything I will always listen. Whatever the situation may be, whether it’s right or wrong, I will always be on your side.”

I should have known that I wouldn’t be able to keep my feelings for Mathias from my closest friends. Obviously it had been written on my face the second he walked in the bar. I suppose I was not only protecting him but myself as well. To talk about him and admit what I was feeling scared me to death.

“Thank you.” I replied. “Same here Rico Suave.”

Riah started to smile, but it fell off his face in an instant. I looked around and saw why. Mathias must have come around the back and was now standing a few yards away.

“Willa, Oliver is going to address the family in a few minutes.” Mathias said

I searched his face in the darkness but found no trace of anger or jealously. I wasn’t sure what he had heard but for some reason I think he must have been standing there a while.

“Riah, please forgive me. My outburst, this evening, was uncalled for, and you did not deserve that. You have obviously been taking good care of Willa since I’ve been away. I hope we can move past what occurred earlier.”

Holy crap, was the great and mighty, never wrong, Mathias actually apologizing? I thought

“No problem Matt. I would’ve done the same thing.” Riah said

“That does not mean you can call me Matt.” Mathias replied

Riah grinned. “I assume you’ll be staying with the family here for the time being?” he asked me

“Yeah, I want to stick around for a bit. When I go home, I’ll probably just teleport.” I answered

“I’ll talk to you in the morning?” he asked

“I’ll call you.” I replied before he took off into the night sky

I was acutely aware that this was the first time in months that Mathias and I were alone together. I wanted to throw my arms around him, but I knew that was not even a remote possibility. I wanted to shout at him. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs that I missed him so much. I also wanted to hear those words from his mouth.

Words, I realized when he left, that I would never hear from his lips.

“Willa…” he started to say

“No.” I interrupted him. “Please, no. Not now. I can’t. I can’t do this. I just want to walk in there and be with my family and not drag any of our drama into it. Not tonight.”

He stared at me and for a second his stern mask dropped. I thought I saw a glimpse of something in his eyes that made my heart flutter, but as quickly as it flashed, it was replaced with blankness.

“Shall we?” he asked, gesturing to the front door of the hospital.

“I don’t know, shall we?” I retorted before I turned on my heel and walked away from him.

Chapter Five

When I walked into the hospital waiting area everyone looked up as Mathias, and I entered the room. I plastered a nonchalant expression on my face and hoped like hell no one suspected anything out of the ordinary. Luckily Oliver came down the hallway and stopped in front of his mother.

“The good news is he’s stable for the moment.” Oliver reassured Winifred. “Dad’s been unconscious most of the time. He did wake at one point. Not only did he recognize me, he also seemed to be aware of where he was.”

“What’s the bad news?” Cecily asked

“The bad news is he has been half starved, dehydrated, suffered trauma and blood loss for many years. Until we get back the results from his blood work I won’t have a complete understanding of exactly how much damage has occurred and if it can be healed,” he answered solemnly

“Well, can’t you just fix him?” I asked. “Those things are all pretty easily remedied with your magic woohoo doctor stuff aren’t they?”

“There is a lot I can do Willa but fixing damaged organs is beyond my skill or anyone’s for that matter.”

“What about Fairy Nectar?” Cormac asked suddenly

“There’s always a danger when anyone but the Fae drank it. A little may help, but I can’t risk giving him too much.”

“What do we do now?” Winifred asked softly

“I would like you and Rhoswen to come and examine him with me,” he said

“I want to help as well Oliver.” Cecily offered

“That would be great. I need all the help I can right now. Gussie can you assist us?” Oliver asked

“Absolutely,” Gussie said

“What can we do?” Julia asked

“The best thing is for you, Jeremiah, and Willa to go home and get some rest. I’m sure by tomorrow afternoon we’ll need a break.”

“And the boy, Gabriel?” asked Robert

“Gabriel is downstairs getting his nourishment. Joann is also trying to get him acclimated to the new environment.”

“I need to see Archie right now.” Winifred announced

“Wait.” I said loudly. Something occurred to me. Something I wasn’t sure was going to be received very well.

“Wait? Why would I wait?” Winifred

Everyone looked at me strangely. I didn’t want to upset my grandmother, but I couldn’t let her go in there without asking.

Willa, what is it?
Mathias asked in my mind

For a second, I was shocked and somewhat overcome with joy. This was the first time he had reached out to me through our bond.

Are you certain that it’s Archie? The Rau already fooled everyone once before. Who’s to say they haven’t spent all this time concocting this whole plan?

Robert and I both sampled his blood. We are positive it’s him.

So you already thought of that?

Of course

I turned away from Mathias but not before I caught Robert and Katya looking at us intrigued.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just had a crazy thought but it’s nothing. Go ahead grandmother.”

Winifred came over to me and took my hand. “I will know in half a second if it’s him.”

I was so glad she realized what I was thinking and wasn’t mad at me. I wanted for her sake to believe that this was real, but I also needed her to be safe.

Winifred, Cecily, Gussie, Rhoswen and Oliver all headed into the back leaving the rest of us standing around the room.

I turned to Jeremiah and Julia. “So what do you say to a cousin sleepover at my house? Jeremiah can have the recliner like he has for the past week, and you and I take the couches?”

“That sounds perfect.” Julia said relieved

“Willa,” said Mathias

“What Mathias?” I asked impatiently. I had so many conflicting emotions right now. A part of me just wanted to get away from him so I could process everything that had happened tonight. Of course, another part of me didn’t want to let him out of my sight.

“Before you come bac
k here tomorrow will you please stop by the Guardian offices?” he asked. “We need to prep Gabriel, Sabine and Robert about you. I’m going to need you to unmask your scent so they can get used to it.”

Before Mathias had left, he had told the Guardians not only about my freaky witch fire that could kill them but he also informed them of my blood that was poisonous to vampires.  Mathias was the only one that seemed immune. Oliver still puzzled over that fact, but I was pretty confident it had to do with us being true mates.

“Good idea. I wouldn’t want to have to kill anyone by accident.” I answered

Sabine’s musical laughter filled the air. “Kill anyone? That’s ridiculous.”

This bitch was going to get on my nerves. A future altercation between us was on the horizon, and it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Yes, kill you. Better watch it Frenchy.” I said sweetly

Her eyes narrowed and Mathias sighed. What did he expect me to do? Was I supposed to stand here and take this chick’s condescending crap? Not now. Not ever.

“Come on J & J, let’s hit the road. I’m beat.” I said to Jeremiah and Julia. We all grabbed hands, and I teleported us to my house a few short seconds later.

Cupcake and Oscar met us by the front door more excited than usual. After much patting, they finally settled down in a heap on the floor.

“Jeez, what is wrong with the two of you?” I wondered aloud

“I’m exhausted.” Jeremiah said

“Well before you fall asleep can you please shower?” I asked. “You reek of beer and peanuts.”

“Remnants of the poker night gone wrong I suspect.” Julia yawned

Jeremiah disappeared into the guest room to shower. Since Jeremiah had been here almost all week doing research with me, he had plenty of clothes and toiletries stored in the guest room. I had jokingly asked him for rent money yesterday.

Julia and I headed downstairs to clean up as well. We both slipped on some of my pajamas and went back upstairs to make the couches up with blankets and sheets. We all let out identical sighs when we sat down.

“It’s been a long night.” Julia observed. “I still cannot believe that grandfather is alive.”

“It’s bizarre. He’s been gone for such a long time. To find out he’s alive is crazy.” I added

“It’s strange isn’t it?” Jeremiah asked. “In a six month period, all the family is back on the island. It’s almost like its fate or something.”

“You think there’s a reason for all of this?” Julia asked

“Yes, I do.” he answered. “It just seems too much of a coincidence.”

“I don’t believe in coincidences anymore.” I said

“Me either.” Jeremiah agreed

“Well, we should all watch something on the telly and get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day.” Julia said

I was woken up by the sound of Polly’s voice yelling outside. “Get off me furball. Go piss somewhere else.”

I shook my head and sat up chuckling. Julia was still fast asleep, but Jeremiah poked his head out from the kitchen.

“Didn’t you buy eggs the other day?” he asked

“The eggs are right on the top shelf. Goodness if they had teeth they would bite you.” I said