The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (59 page)

“Willa I am sorry for Lord Machall’s actions.” Kelvin said

“Don’t worry grandpa. I can take care of myself.” I smiled. “I did admire your boxing technique. Maybe we can hit some punching bags together later?”

My grandfather came over and kissed my injured hand. “I’m sure I can learn a lot from you.”

“Willa, do you want to go home?” my dad asked in concern

“No.” I almost shouted. “I’m not going to let him ruin my night.”

“I think Rocky is going to be fine.” Riah smiled.

“I just need a minute to freshen up.” I replied. Everyone but Mathias left the room. I turned to face him. His expression still was one of fury. I reached to touch his cheek, but he turned away.

“Mathias.” I said. “It’s over.”

“I’m going to end up killing him at some point,” he sighed. “You do realize that?”

“I have a better punishment.” I said. “Let’s chain him up outside the house and make him pick up dog poop?”

Mathias looked thoughtful. “That’s not a bad idea.”

I smiled. All I wanted is for Mathias to calm down. I prayed daily that we could keep the fact that he was the Rau a secret forever. He leaned down and put his forehead against mine in a familiar gesture. I realized with a start that this was the way he usually calmed himself down. I closed my eyes to soak in his warmth and reluctantly pulled away a few silent minutes later.

We walked back into the ballroom a few minutes later, and I fervently hoped that the drama for the night was over.

Little did I realize tonight my whole life was about to change.

Chapter Fourteen

The next few hours were almost mild in comparison. I tried to keep to the sidelines as much as I could, but it was next to impossible. When Lord Braonan asked me to dance Mathias snarled, and I had to calm him down in my head.

I let the Earth Lord lead me on the dance floor, and Mathias stayed within a few feet. Even though, I had reached my limit on interacting Fae Lord’s I knew I still needed to keep this charade going. So I smiled and tried to engage him in conversation. I was hoping maybe he would slip and say something to arouse my suspicion.

“Lord Braonan, tell me more about the Earth Realm.” I said. “My father remembers it as being a beautiful forest with the most wondrous evergreen scent.”

He flashed me his dimples before answering. “In my opinion it is the most peaceful and beautiful of all realms. We have tried to preserve the beauty that surrounds us by incorporating our homes and business to flatter rather than just let the nature provide us with ornamentation.”

“There’s nothing quite like a walk in the woods is there?” I asked wistfully. “I grew up in the desert, but we did venture north a few times, and I fell in the love with the majestic trees.”

“The trees in the Earth realm are our guardians,” he replied.  “They provide us with nourishment and protection from the elements.”

“It sounds lovely.” I said. “My best friend Polly is a wood Nymph. Woodlia is your neighbor I believe?”

“Yes, I thought I saw Ms. Woods earlier,” he smiled. “The Earth Fae acts as protectors to the wood Nymphs.”

We continued to chat until the dance ended. Bran, as he told me to call him, gave me a slight bow before he disappeared into the crowd. Before I could leave the dance floor Lord Cual appeared in front of me and asked for my hand.

I saw Mathias stiffen out of the corner of my eye. I was pushing it dancing again with the next to last remaining Fae Lord, but I was determined to act calm.

“Princess Willa,” he said. “I heard you have a mean right hook?”

“It’s only mean when someone tries to kidnap me.” I answered

He chuckled. “I am so sorry you had to go through that ordeal. Please know that I am not as barbaric as Machall.”

“I would never even dream that you would do such a thing Lord Cual.”

“Please call me Cal,” he said. “I hate the name Cual. I don’t know what my mother was thinking.”

“So tell me Cal, how is your island different than ours?” I asked curiously

“Our island is more tropical,” he replied looking thoughtful. “The Water realm is more in keeping with the West Indies.”

“The West Indies?”
I asked. “Oh, you mean the Caribbean?”

“Yes.” he said. “Our climate is milder, our vegetation lusher, and our residents wear far less clothing.”

“Count me in then.” I grinned

The rest of the dance Cal continued extolling the many virtues of his island. My mind started to wander after the first minute. Although Cal was charming, he seemed to be a bit self-centered. I also suspected he wasn’t very bright. I found it extremely difficult to imagine this man planning a masterful invasion.

I spied Polly over in the corner and started to make my way over to her. Lord Fonn placed himself directly in my path. What surprised me the most though was the fact it was not my Aunt Alvie on his arm but Sabine.

I decided to ignore the leggy brunette, “Good evening Lord Fonn or should I call you Uncle Fonny?”

He gave me a tight smile before answering. “Lord Fonn will be fine.”

“Willa.” Sabine said in her sickly sweet French accent. “You look lovely this evening. Your dress is charmingly simple.”

I gritted my teeth as I took in her appearance. Her long black lace dress had a plunging neckline and two generous slits up either side of her leg. With her over made up face and severe bun, she looked like she was doing her best to appear seductive. I almost, but not quite, felt a small twinge of pity for her. Sabine looked like a woman that was trying way too hard to be noticed and admired.

“Thank you Sabine.” I said just as fake. “Your dress is interesting. Did you order it from one eight hundred hooker chic?”

Her eyes narrowed into slits. “This is Valentino.”

“Really, wow,” I asked in disbelief. “I guess it’s the kind of dress that looks much better on the runway or a model.”

“Princess Willa.” Lord Fonn said rather snotty. “I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend the lovely Sabine.”

“I have to be honest with you.” I said. “I totally meant to insult Sabine.”

Sabine leaned forward and grabbed my arm. I flinched slightly as her nails bit into my skin. I looked around, but Mathias was nowhere to be found. Riah and Robert came over immediately though when they saw Sabine put her hand on me.

“You do not want to get on my bad side Princess.” she said before removing her grasp. She leaned in and whispered. “Don’t be jealous that I had him first.”

I laughed. “Oh believe me, there is not one jealous bone in my body when it comes to you Sabine. There’s only pity.”

“Save your pity for someone else little girl.” she hissed

“Yeah, but you’re so much fun though.” I retorted laughing. Lord Fonn gave me a disapproving look and steered a pissed off Sabine away to the other side of the ballroom.

“You just can’t stay out of trouble.” Riah said shaking his head

“Trouble?” Mathias asked as he joined us. “What trouble?”

“Willa called Sabine a hooker.” Robert said

“I did not.” I almost yelled. “I just implied she was dressed like one.”

Mathias sighed. “Willa, we still don’t know Sabine’s motives for coming here. Please try to keep your claws sheathed.”

“I think that the ship has sailed.” Robert murmured

“By the way, does anyone else think it was odd that Lord Fonn was with Sabine?” I asked

“I’m sure they have met on occasion.” Mathias answered dismissively

“I don’t know.” I said. “There was something intimate about the way they were together. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it the situation.” Riah said

“Whatever. I need a drink.” I said before turning on my heel

I finally made my way over to Polly. She held out a glass of champagne which I eagerly accepted.

“Here you go champ.” she sighed. “I wished I could’ve been there.”

“I can’t believe I did that.” I said. “He just pissed me off so much.”

“I think it was more than that.” she said

“What do you mean?”

“I think you were probably more pissed off that he frightened you than anything.”

“He did.” I admitted. “He could have taken me anywhere and I was powerless to stop him.”

“So what was that little scene about with the high and mighty Lord Fonn and the bride of Dracula?”

I quickly recapped what had happened. Polly choked on her champagne, “One eight hundred hooker chic? Nice but it would have been better with seven letters after the one eight hundred. Like one eight hundred I am a ho.”

“That’s six letters.”

“I was never good at math.” Polly said, “One eight hundred hookers?”

“Probably would have made more sense.” I agreed

“Oh my, looks like Granny is stealing your man.” Polly said staring at the dance floor all of a sudden

I looked over and sure enough on the dance floor was my grandmother and Mathias. I also noticed that many of the Guardians seemed to be dancing with those they protected. I especially got a kick out of Jeremiah and Veronica whirling around the floor. They were looking deep into each other’s eyes. I had a hard time believing that nobody would notice their obvious attraction for each other.

“So who do you think is going to make it to the forbidden alter first?” Polly asked. “Will it be the scholars, Jeremiah and Veronica, or Ken and Barbie, Riah and Julia?”

“Tough call but my bet is on J and V.” I answered thoughtfully

“I don’t know.” Polly replied. “The whole virgin thing with Julia may push Riah into action.”

“In more ways than one,” I quipped

We stood in companionable silence while we watched the dancers float around the floor. I gave my grandmother a grin when she and Mathias ended right where Polly and I were standing.

“I may nickname you Ginger from here on out.” I said to her. Winifred looked flush and happy. Her black lace, high neck dress, fitted her perfectly.

“I do love to dance.” she said. “Mathias, why don’t you and Willa take a turn next? I believe more Guardians are joining in on the festivities.”

Mathias and I both froze. There was no way I wanted to be clinging to him in front of all these people. Talk about letting the proverbial cat out of the bag.

Mathias stood in front of me and held out his hand. I gulped nervously and looked at Polly for help. She suddenly launched in conversation with my grandmother about campers and RV’s. I realized this was her way of diverting my grandmother’s attention but still she could’ve broken my foot, so I didn’t have to dance.

When I placed my hand in his every part of my body felt like it had been given an electric shock. I don’t know if it was the night or the surroundings, but I was acutely aware of the movement his body and
mine made. I didn’t recognize the song when the orchestra started playing but soon enough, much to my chagrin, I found myself slightly amused.

“What is it?” Mathias asked, the corner of his lush mouth twitching. “Do you find the band’s selection of ‘Someone to watch over me’ cheeky?”

“Cheeky, cheesy, cringe worthy. Take your pick.” I replied with a roll of my eyes

I relaxed in his arms and caught sight of a pink gown close to where we were swaying. Riah and Julia looked like they either were going to run in opposite directions or tear each other’s clothes off. I had to bite my lip from laughing when my prim and perfect cousin caught me staring and mouthed ‘Shut up.'

I suppose Mathias and I were both trying hard to look anywhere but at each other. When we finally did, I sucked in my breath and held it for so long I almost saw stars swim in front of my eyes. I could see red shimmer in his depths and I knew that it was only a matter of time before he either kissed or bit me.

As the song continued I felt myself grow increasingly uncomfortable in my dress. I could feel the fabric brush against my sensitive skin. With every sway and turn I was aroused more and more. I tried to focus on Mathias’s perfectly stiff bow tie, but the more I noticed how stiff it was, the more my thoughts turned elsewhere.

Mathias let out a hiss. I looked up and saw his nostrils flaring. “Willa, whatever it is you’re thinking about, please stop at once.”

As soon as the song stopped Mathias practically pushed me away. I had given him a polite smile before I disappeared in the crowd. I had reached my limit on dignity and decorum for this evening. I spied my mother in front of me and hurried to reach her.

“Hi sweetie.” she said brightly. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

My dad must have kept what happened with Machall quiet otherwise my mother would be hysterical. Instead, I answered cheerfully. “So far this ball had been very entertaining.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re having fun. I saw you dance with Mathias. I’m so proud of you. I know you’re both like oil and water, but it is nice to put aside differences for one night.”