The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (55 page)

“What are you doing?” I asked

“I have to shower and change my clothes before heading back to the castle.” he replied

“Why didn’t you just wait until I was out of the bathroom?”

“Because I have to go to work, and I don’t have time to wait around for you to stare at the contents of your wardrobe for twenty minutes. Besides it’s not like we haven’t seen each other unclothed before.”

“Yes but Riah’s upstairs.”

“What does Riah being upstairs have to do with anything?” he asked curiously. I could feel him coming closer, and I shut my eyes. Was I supposed to be this close to him, both of us in an undressed state, and not want to molest him?

“He’ll  ...he’s…” I sputtered

“What’s wrong Willa?” he asked, his cool breath tickled seductively on my neck. “Afraid poor Riah will hear you in the throes of passion.”

No, I wanted to say. I’m afraid that you will start teasing me with your touch and then pull away.

“Go take a shower.” I ordered him before I lost my resolve, dropped my towel, and rode him like a stallion on the closet floor.

“As you wish.” he said before disappearing through the door. When I heard the water come on, I sank to the floor and briefly contemplated pleasuring myself before he finished. After a minute, I gave myself a mental shake and grabbed some clothes to get dressed.

I sprinted through the bathroom door when I was done and made it all the way to the door before I heard him chuckle. I turned to see him peak his head out of the walk in shower to look at me. I flipped him off before slamming the door and heading upstairs.

I set about making tea while I simmered with anger and irritation. I wasn’t angry about Mathias coming into the bathroom closet. I was angry because we couldn’t be an ordinary couple and satisfy our needs. We had to worry about the taboo of our relationship and scum sucking, power hungry Fae Lords and witches who wanted to destroy us.

I allowed myself to fantasize for a bit about what it would be like if we were just two normal human beings. I had this whole mental movie in my head. Mathias would walk into the bakery and our eyes would lock on each other. I would be witty; he would be charming, and we would go on a real date.

We would have mind blowing sex and rock each other’s world for a few months before he would place a giant rock on my finger.  I then fast forwarded to a perfect, small and tasteful wedding and then onto a big house in the country with a few adorable children running around.

Now and then I would replay it again. Then of course I would mentally smack myself in the head and go about my day. I knew that none of that was in the cards. Mathias didn’t strike me as a white picket fence kind of guy. I also knew from asking Oliver a few discreet questions that it was almost impossible for a vampire to have children. There were a few documented cases, but those were vampires who had just turned and their bodies hadn’t fully acclimated to their new state.

Riah interrupted my thoughts when he came in from the outside with the dogs. I gave each of them a quick pat before setting two cups of tea on the kitchen bar. I looked up as Mathias strode into the room from downstairs and my jaw dropped. I was used to seeing Mathias look sexy but seeing him in a dark suit and tie made my mouth slightly water.

I wanted to take the tie off and have him use it to tie me up to bed. I finally realized I was staring and tried to be flippant. “Guardian Worthing I’ve never seen you in a suit and tie. Are you trying to look official and all that good stuff for Queen Sidra?”

“It’s called dressing and acting as an adult.” he replied “You should try it sometime. I’m more than willing to give a consult.”

I just rolled my eyes at him before he continued. “Your mother sent some things for you.”

“What did she send?” I asked although I already had an idea.

“I believe in the bag is an appropriate outfit for the reception.” he replied. “She asked that you please do not wear jeans and a t-shirt.”

My mom knew me so well, I thought

“She also sent along boxes containing yours and Polly’s dresses for the ball.” he added

“OH.” I squealed with delight. I completely forgot about the dress.

“Polly’s items are in the brown boxes and yours are in the white.” he finished before grabbing my tea cup and helping himself to a sip

“I’m so excited. I hope they added something to the top.” I said, almost to myself

“What’s wrong with the top?” Mathias asked suspiciously

“Well, you know a D cup and a strapless dress usually don’t work well together. They were supposed to take it out a bit and add a built in bra. That means you may want to stick close to me tomorrow night in case the girls fall out. It’s not really a big deal though. I have great boobs. Of course, when I’m older they’ll probably be hanging down to my waist, and I’ll have to stand on a stool to see them in the mirror but for now, I got to say, their pretty perfect.”

Riah burst out laughing. “Jesus Willa.”

Mathias just stared at me. After almost a full minute, he finally spoke. “Riah can you please deliver Ms. Woods her packages?”

“Sure,” Riah said in relief. He hurriedly picked up the boxes and slipped through the back door.

I stood waiting for the lecture that I knew was coming. After I started to drum my fingers on the countertop
Mathias finally began speaking.

“I hope that you have a jacket or shawl for this dress?” he asked softly

“I think it would take something away from the overall look if I added a trench coat.” I answered

“Three out of the four Fae lords are not married. Those three probably see you as the ultimate prize of a wife and I’m sure is the very reason they are coming here.”

“That’s not true. One of them is coming to kill my family and tear my powers away from me.” I answered. “Mathias, do not even attempt to try to tell me what to wear. I can guarantee you that discussion will not end well.”

“I’m just thinking of the Fae Lords and their safety.” he said. “If any one of them tries to get you out of that dress I will kill them.”

“Don’t worry Wolfie. The only person I intend to get me out of that dress is you.”

Mathias eye’s flashed red and instead of stepping back I walked forward until my hand touched his chest. He grabbed it and continued his hypnotic stare until I was almost panting.

“This whole thing is getting ridiculous.” I whispered. “Either you’re going to kill someone or I’m going to start shooting my fire and burn this whole island down. I need you Mathias. I crave you.”

He closed his eyes, and I saw him take a long shuddering breath. “I need to feed again.”

I nodded and tried to lead him back downstairs, but he shook his head and stopped me.

“I should have been at the office ten minutes ago.” he said regretfully

“After the reception we’ll sneak away.” I offered

“I’ll be back in a few hours.” he said. I could almost see the mask slipping back on his face. “Please stay inside until then.”

“I promise.” I answered. “Don’t kill anyone.”

Later that afternoon I slipped on the dress my mother sent and went upstairs to wait with Riah and Polly for Mathias. Polly had refused to come this afternoon. Even though, I begged her endlessly, she hadn’t budged. She didn’t want to get caught up in the drama and said she preferred to stay in her new camper so she could start repairs.

“Well, look at you.” Polly said. “You’re the very image of calm, appropriate and regal.”

“You think?” I asked nervously. I tugged on the hem of my light purple sheath dress. I had to give to my mom she nailed it on the fit. It hugged my body perfectly. Fitting, but not too tight, the dress had a high neckline which made my bust look deceptively smaller. The hemline landed just above my knee, and my feet were snug in a brand new pair of nude pumps.

The only jewelry I had on were my large diamond hoop earrings that my dad gave me for Christmas and a wide silver ring that had
a diamond leaf pattern etched in the band that my grandmother had surprised me with on my birthday when she slipped it on my finger.

“Riah, what do you think?” I asked as I watched him pace the living room back and forth. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his dress slacks that he had changed into, and his white shirt was wrinkled slightly. He had also slipped on a black jacket but refused to wear a tie. He instead opted to leave his shirt unbuttoned.

He said ties made him feel too confined and accountant like.

“You look quite bangable.” he said after giving me an absent glance

“Bangable?” I asked. “Did you really just say that?”

“You look like a spring petal that has fluttered from a flower and is floating gracefully through a sun-drenched meadow.”

“That’s more like it.” I replied. The front door opened and Mathias walked in briskly

He gave me a quick look before asking, “Are you ready?”

“How did everything go?” I asked

“Everything went like clockwork. Your absence was commented on by just about all that walked through the portal.”

“You’re the talk of the town.” Polly remarked

“Great.” I muttered. “All right let’s get this show on the road. I want to have plenty of time to try and open the scrolls.”

“Knock ‘em dead.” Polly smiled

We walked outside, and I settled into the golf cart beside Mathias, who had gotten behind the wheel. I glanced back at Riah, and he shot me a reassuring look.

When we pulled up to the castle, my stomach started doing somersaults. You could almost feel the electricity in the air. So many magical beings in one place certainly made quite a stir in the atmosphere.

I followed Mathias through the front hall and went down a long corridor to the back garden. The sound of music penetrated the air and got louder as we approached. Mathias opened the door and placed his hand on my back to guide me through the door. Immediately both he and Riah positioned themselves on either side of me.

The sound of chattering stopped, and I gulped nervously as almost three hundred pairs of eyes stared at me in interest. I focused on my grandmother and walked as casually as I could over to where she was standing.

“Willa.” I heard my name said and turned. My fairy grandparents, as I liked to call them were coming towards me. Queen Sidra was truly a beautiful woman. Her long dark hair glistened in the afternoon sun, and her blue eyes twinkled with kindness. Prince Kelvin, my grandfather, also had dark hair but piercing green eyes like my father.

“Queen Sidra and Prince Kelvin,” I addressed them both formally and sank into a curtsy

“Please, I thought I told you to call me grandmamma.” she admonished me

“Sorry, I was trying to be proper.” I apologized

“Just be yourself.” Kelvin said kindly

“That’s a dangerous piece of advice Grandpa.” I said

They both smiled at me, and I saw my parents join our little group with several people behind them.

“Willa, I would like you to meet my sisters’ and their families.” Cormac greeted. “This is my sister Alvie and her husband Lord Fonn, the leader of the Air realm.”

“How do you do?”
I asked as I took in their appearance. Alvie looked a lot like Queen Sidra, with the same long ebony hair and blue eyes. Her face though, while pretty, was not exactly as warm and soft.

“Willa, it’s nice to finally meet you.” she said formally

I nodded before turning to Lord Fonn. “My Lord, welcome to the island.”

“Princess Willa we are very happy to be here.” he replied. Fonn was tall and husky. His blonde hair was cut in a short buzz cut and a neat beard framed his face. His eyes were ice blue and seemed to take up half of his face.

“This is my sister Breena and her husband Banning, as well as my sister Carling and her husband Caspian,” my dad said gesturing towards two other couples. Both Breena and Carling looked like Alvie, but their eyes were greener and sparkled with merriment as they drew me in a hug. I was surprised when their husbands also greeted me affectionately.

“It’s nice to meet all of you.” I said. “So you both married men with same initial huh?”

Everyone chuckled at my joke, and I sized up Banning and Caspian right then and there. Both men were tall and lanky with brown hair. Banning’s eyes were brown, and Caspian’s green but those were about the only differences that I saw.

“It’s remarkable isn’t it?” Breena said. “Banning and Caspian are brothers.”

“That makes sense.” I smiled. Another voice interrupted Carling as she began to speak. I looked around and saw two men coming towards me.

“Your majesty, please do not have us wait any longer. We are dying to meet this beautiful creature.” The first one said.

“Willa, this is Lord Braonan, the leader of the Earth realm.” Sidra said. I nodded while I took in his appearance. Braonan was of medium height and build. His curly dark brown hair and hazel eyes were very attractive, but it was his wide, dimpled smile that set me at ease.