The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (63 page)

“I put it in a few weeks ago.” he said

“Damn.” I said. “I hate to be a sure thing.”

“Trust me. You will never be what I call predictable.”

I followed him out of the bathroom and spied another room down a long corridor, but Mathias seemed to determine to take me up a set of stairs. I let go of his hand and stopped. He glanced back at me in question.

“What’s that room?” I asked

“Nothing.” he said dismissively. “It’s just a small hobby room.”

Hobby room?
I thought. Since when did Mathias have a hobby? My curiosity was immediately aroused. I teleported down the hall, and before he could grab me, I went through the door. My mouth dropped open at the sight before me. This was not just a hobby room; this was an artist’s studio. There were three different easels set up around the room, as well as tables and shelves crammed with brushes and paints.

I spied a large roll of canvas fabric in the corner and several pieces of wood. I walked around and saw paintings that were hung all over the twenty foot high walls. My mouth gaped open in wonder. It was then I thought back to the set of pictures in his office. I had asked about them a long time ago, and he simply said they were of his childhood home in Wales.

“Mathias.” I said. “You’re an artist.”

“Oh Christ.” he growled. “I’m not an artist. I dabble in art.”

I laughed. “What’s wrong with admitting you’re an artist? Is it not manly enough?”

He just crossed his arms and stood by the door. “Mathias, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact if I was this talented I would be shouting it from the rooftops.”

“I don’t want to shout it from any damn rooftops.” he said. “It’s a hobby and one I would like to keep private.”

“Ok.” I said shaking my head. “You’re secret is safe with me Rembrandt.”

I strode out of the room, and we finally ascended up the last flight of stairs. The bedroom was simply furnished with a large king size bed and two end tables. The comforter was a dark chocolate brown color. Upon closer inspection, I also saw a magnificent painting of the desert that hung over his bed.

I walked over to the windows and opened them. I heard the gentle sound of the waves as they crashed into the shore and even could just make out the waterfall.

“Mathias this place is amazing.” I said turning to face him. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. I have to be honest though I’m not sure I can handle all this fabulousness. So if you have a giant rock in that pocket you might want to wait or else I could very well have a heart attack.”

“A rock?” he asked confused. Then I saw him visibly blanch. Human or vampire, a man still got all antsy when you brought up marriage.

I laughed. “I’m kidding.”

He walked over to me, and his expression darkened. “I wanted to bring you here because I needed to share this place with you. When we are done with all this nonsense…”

“If we survive all this nonsense,” I interrupted him

“When we survive this nonsense, you do realize we will have to leave,” he said. “No matter how accepting Winifred is of Robert and Katya right now, I’m afraid that won’t be the case with us.”

“You don’t know that.” I stated

“You’re a princess Willa. A princess of both the royal families,” Mathias said. “Our relationship will not be viewed as acceptable.”

“If my family is who I think they are, then I’m sure after the shock, they will get over it and be cool.”

Mathias shook his head.  “I highly doubt that.”

“We’ll deal with that when the time comes.” I shrugged, “Besides my father already knows about us.”

“What?” Mathias practically shouted

“He figured it out.” I answered. “It’s all good in the hood.”

Mathias shut his eyes briefly. “And if they’re not?”

“Then we’ll leave.” I replied. “We’ll travel and see the world.”

“Can you really leave your family Willa?”

I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re asking like I have a choice. If my family doesn’t love or respect me enough to accept us then so be it. “

Mathias leaned down and roughly placed his mouth on mine. I responded back eagerly. Considering the only affection he displayed all day was by holding my hand; I was primed and ready from the moment his lips touched mine. I didn’t even realize I was naked until I felt his hands run all over my body.

We rolled around on the bed, kissing and fondling each other. Both of us tried to take control, but it wasn’t until Mathias sunk his fangs into my thigh that I finally let him take over. Later as I drifted off to sleep, draped over his stomach, I let out a sigh.

“Happy Birthday,” I whispered before I finally let myself be sucked into dreamland

Chapter Sixteen

“Wake up sleepyhead.” Mathias said softly. I grunted and buried myself deeper into the covers. I tried to swat him away as he started placing soft kisses on my shoulder, but he didn’t seem to take the hint. I shrieked when the covers were ripped off of me, and I was being hauled off naked out of bed.

“Put me down Wolfie.” I yelled. Mathias ignored me and out the window he flew. I held on to his neck for dear life as we flew over the treetops. When I heard the waterfall I only had a split second to take in my surroundings before he dropped me into the water.

Even though, the water was pleasantly warm I still was pretty pissed off at Mathias. When he swam up next to me and grinned, I smiled sweetly before summoning the air and pushing him across the water. I was swimming to the edge when I felt him grab me and pull me under the water. I kicked out at his body, but he held tight.

When I felt like my lungs were burning, we finally broke through the surface near the cascading falls. I pushed my wet hair out of my face. “Are you freaking insane?” I shouted

“You wouldn’t get out of bed.” he answered innocently. “I also wanted you to be able to enjoy the pool before we left.”

“Well, you know last night when I was awake would have been a better time.”

He ignored me and pulled me over to the edge away from the path. He helped me up and over some rocks before setting me down in a small steaming hot pool of water.

“Wow, it’s like a natural hot tub.” I said as I eased down into the water deeper. The early morning air made the steam from the water extra thick. The fog curled swirled around us like a blanket.

“I’m still mad at you though.” I said a few minutes later

“I’m sure you are.” he retorted. “More often than not you portray that emotion towards me.”

“That is not true.” I said defensively. “I didn’t get mad at you once all day yesterday.”

“That’s not a good start to our relationship if we have to keep daily tallies of our arguments or lack thereof.”

“Well, maybe you should try to behave more.” I replied primly

Mathias threw back his head and laughed. I was so shocked I just stared at him for a moment. I had only ever heard him laugh one time before, and it threw me off guard.

“If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black.” he finally said

I swam over and settled myself on his lap. I felt him harden almost instantly. “You’ve been a bad boy Mathias.” I said in my most seductive voice

“Did you really just say that?” he smirked

“Oh, screw you.” I said as I tried to untangle myself from his body. He clamped down on my waist and held me against him.

“Now you’re talking.” he said as he lifted me up and settled me on his cock. I sank down and moaned with pleasure. Our mouths converged as I began to move. His hands trailed down my back and landed on my bum. He grasped me tighter, and I started to move quicker. I tore my mouth from his and threw my head back as I came in a rush. Vibrations of my desire shuddered through me, and I rode him harder.

When he plunged his fangs into my neck, I yelled out as another orgasm came over me. I knew Mathias was close when he stopped drinking from me, and I heard him growl sexily. When he reached his release, I made small bites around his neck until finally kissing him on his mouth.

We teleported back to my house and changed clothes. I threw on my usual staple of jeans and a long sleeve shirt while Mathias dressed in more formal attire. I headed upstairs while he cleaned up the destruction from the other night. I had no idea what I was going to tell Riah about the door that had been ripped apart but assumed he probably didn’t even want to get into that conversation.

I was finishing up my tea when Mathias came upstairs. I poured him a cup without even realizing what I had done. When I sat back down next to him, he smiled at the look that had come over my face.

“Did you just figure out how all normal and domesticated this is?” he asked

We finished up without talking. I was too wrapped up in my thoughts and memories of the last forty hours. It had been perfect and now that we were back to reality I found myself slipping into a slight depression. I wished with everything inside of me that one day this would be our daily routine. I know some people might not think that sitting drinking a cup of tea in the morning with your partner was exciting but I would trade all the tea in china for this to be my life.

“Riah should be here soon.” I murmured absently as I glanced at the clock

“Riah is meeting us at the bakery.” Mathias said getting up from his stool

“The bakery?” I asked

“I have one last surprise for you.” he announced. I had no idea what it could be, but anyway to prologue this side of Mathias was a gift. I teleported us to the bakery, and almost stumbled when I saw my parents there.

“Hi sweetie.” my mom said coming over to give me a hug. “How are you feeling?”

I was momentarily dumbfounded before I remembered Mathias telling everyone I had a stomach virus.

“I’m good.” I said. “In fact I’ve never felt better.”

“You look incredible.” Cecily remarked, giving me a once over. “You’re practically glowing.”

My father snorted, and I could tell from his expression he knew exactly what Mathias and I had been doing. I flushed from embarrassment. The thought of my father knowing made me want to crawl up and die in a corner somewhere.

“So what’s going on here?” I asked, looking at all three of them

“Your ovens were delivered.” my dad said, almost stiffly

“WHAT?” I yelled and went into the kitchen. Sure enough, all my equipment was now in place. I did a little happy dance as I opened the three, large standing ovens.

“They’re beautiful.”  I sighed. “I thought they weren’t coming in for several more weeks?”

“Mathias pulled a few strings.” my mother answered happily. I looked up at Mathias, and when I saw his stern mask was back on his face I nodded before I turned away. What I wanted to do was
drag him to the floor and show him my appreciation. Instead, I said thank you and went back to examine my new babies.

I heard the door open and looked up to see Riah and Julia walked inside the shop. I watched the two of them and grinned. Riah had his usual devil may care smile but lurking underneath was something else, a shyness that I had never witnessed from him before. Julia was cheerful as ever, but she also seemed to be nervous.

I was so going to do a little interrogating later when I got her alone.

Mathias gave Riah a look and left without a backwards glance. I was a little stung from his abrupt departure until I heard him in my head.

Enjoy your ovens

I promise to make you something sweet and delicious.
I answered

Nothing you could bake in those ovens could ever compare to you

I smiled wide as a warm feeling came over me. When Julia took my arm, I looked at her in surprise. “What is it?”

“We need to talk.” she mouthed. I nodded and took her hand. “I need something up in the storeroom. We’ll be right back.”

We landed up in the almost empty room, and I whispered. “All right, spill it Blondie.”

Julia wet her lips before whispering back. “After the ball Riah kissed me.”

“Oh.” I answered. I was expecting something a little juicier but then I remembered this was Julia my twenty-five year old virgin cousin. “Did he slip you the tongue?”

“Willa.” she cried before lowering her voice. “That’s not all.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Last night we stayed up late and talked.” she said. “Then we fell asleep. Together.”

“Ahh,” I said understanding. It seemed like the signs of being true mates were finally coming together for Riah and Julia.

“Something else occurred this morning as well.” she announced, almost horrified

“Did he try to kill you when he woke up?” I asked thinking of Mathias and our first fateful morning in a hotel room in St. Louis.

“No.” she answered perplexed

“Did you wake up to see him pitching a tent?”