The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (69 page)

“Mom…”

“No,” she said. “I realize that there are things that are going on in your life that you have not shared with me. Whenever I ask your father he tells me to leave you alone and that you’re fine. Can you even imagine how much that kills me?”

I sat on the floor and looked down ashamed. I didn’t just hurt my mother this afternoon. I had been hurting her for quite some time. I was an idiot to think I could hide anything from her. I decided to be honest with her. The time for lies and deceit were over. I couldn’t nor did I want to keep anything from her.

“Willa,” she said. “What is going on with you and Mathias?”

“I love him.” I said my voice cracking with tears. I had finally said it out loud and not just in my head.

My mother got up from her chair and walked to her bed. She grabbed the bedpost and leaned her head against it. I was vaguely aware that my father had entered the room, but I was too focused on my mother.

“Do you Willa?” she asked. “Do you really love him or is it the romantic Hollywood fantasy that you’re infatuated with?”

I wiped the tears from my eyes and started laughing. “Mom do you think for one minute I would fall for a guy just because he’s a vampire and it’s ‘in’ right now? Mathias is the biggest pain in my ass.”

“Cecily.” my dad said softly, “Cecily, their true mates.”

“What?” she asked. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me then? Can you speak to each other with your minds?”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “This sometimes can be a good thing and sometimes a bad thing.”

“That makes sense.” she said. “I often saw you both stare at each other, and it looked like you were having a conversation, but I didn’t pick up it.”

“And the other stuff...” she asked

“Yes,” I answered. “All the other stuff that is associated with being true mates has reared it’s not so ugly head a long time ago.”

“Mathias has fed from you, hasn’t he?” she asked after a short pause

I just nodded. I knew that wasn’t the only question she was asking of me, but I’m sure my father’s presence stopped her from discussing anything further.

“Are you really prepared to be with him for the rest of your life?” she asked

“I can’t imagine my life without him.” I said. “He drives me insane. Sometimes I just want to punch him or throw my fire at him. Which I did one time, but I purposely missed. Then there are the moments when he looks at me and everything around me fades to nothingness except for him. I feel like we were both put on this earth for each other. We challenge one another, but we also bring out the best in each other.”

My mom had looked thoughtful before she started crying again. I looked at my dad confused. What was wrong with this woman now? I thought

“I’m sorry I’m being selfish again.” she said. “If you love Mathias, then I will love him like a son. Although it is a little strange that he was my Guardian from the time, I was a baby.”

“That’s like spiders crawling all over my skin weird.” I agreed

“Do you know what I said to your father the night you were born?” she asked. “I told him I couldn’t wait to do that again and as time went on we realized that you were probably going to be our only miracle. That was all right though. I accepted it because I was comforted by the fact that one day you would have children and I would be a grandmother.”

“I would fantasize about playing with your little boy in the mud and watching superhero movies. I saw myself combing your daughter’s hair and having tea parties. That’s not going to happen, and I’ll be ok. As long as you’re happy that’s all that matters.”

“I’ve always been curious, at birthing class’s do they also teach new mothers on the art of a guilt trip?”

“Oh Willa.” she said resigned

“Not to worry grandma. Mathias and I have already discussed this, and we came up with a plan.” I said

“What is that?” she asked warily

“We’re going to hire out Cupcake and Oscar’s stud services. Before you know it, you’ll have plenty of little pups to spoil.”

My father smiled, but my mother still looked unhappy. “There’s always adoption or in vitro. I’m not ruling anything out but right now I have many other important things on my mind though.”

“You’re right.” Cecily said. “We have to find this Fae Lord and get rid of him. I have a wedding to plan.”

“Whoa.” I said. “Who said anything about a wedding?”

“If Mathias thinks he can fool around with my daughter without a commitment he has another thing coming.”

“That’s a sweet and somewhat antiquated sentiment but can we focus on just trying to survive the next few months?”

Later as we walked down to the dining room I felt like a giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I still wasn’t ready to tell Winifred yet, and I had told my mother to keep it quiet. I knew there was a good chance Winifred would probably freak out and banish us from the island but first I needed to make sure that my family was safe.

We were just finishing up our meal when Milton came into the room. I smiled as he walked right over to me.

“You didn’t call me back.” he said accusingly

“Oh, Milton, I’m sorry. I totally forgot.” I answered guiltily.  “What’s up?”

“I translated the last line of Patcoena’s diary.” he said. We all sat there for a minute before everyone, predictably, started talking at once. I sat back and watched in amusement. I’m not sure who was speaking louder, Jeremiah or Cuddy.

“What is it?” Jeremiah said. “Is it really cryptic?”

“Like Indiana Jones cryptic?” Cuddy said, almost excited

“Awesome, Jeremiah’s whip that he ordered from Mexico will finally get some use.” I said

“You have a whip?” Veronica asked

“He also has a brown leather hat too.” I offered, taking in Jeremiah squirming in his chair with delight

“They are simply decorations for my movie room that I am setting up in my new flat over the library,” he answered

“How come you didn’t come to the shop?” Cuddy asked hurt

“Enough.” my grandfather said forcibly. “Milton, please continue.”

“Perhaps we should all go into the living room?” Winifred suggested. I got up from the table, and Polly grabbed her wine glass to fill it all the way to the top.

“I need a drink for this.” she said when she caught me looking at her

We all finally settled in the living room, and Robert shut the doors. Milton turned to us and began to speak nervously. “I had to use several different applications. Patcoena made this difficult which is most peculiar.”

“Why is that Milton?” Gussie asked

“The line is actually nothing more than a famous quote.” he answered. “I’m not sure if it is even a clue.”

“What’s the quote?” Jeremiah asked

“It’s by the famous English poet John Gay.” he paused. “‘We only part to meet again.'”

I froze at my place by the window. Everyone else muttered the famous line in confusion. I turned away and looked out at the night sky. I wasn’t sure if it meant anything or I was just grasping at straws, but I had heard that line every Friday for the last three years before I came to the island.

A million memories and thoughts raced through my head. I tried to remember every little detail. I knew that I had to keep this to myself. In fact, I wasn’t sure if anyone would even believe me. After all, it was a famous quote, it might mean nothing.

But it also could mean everything.

“That sounds familiar.” Polly said. “Doesn’t it Willa?”

Shut up Polly, I thought. Shut up right now.

“Yes it does sound familiar because it’s a famous quote Polly.” I said sarcastically

She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Look why don’t we all try to sleep on it tonight.” I suggested. “I’m tired. It’s been a really long day.”

“Willa’s right.” Cuddy said. “Let’s go to bed and brainstorm in the morning.”

I quickly said goodbye to everyone and grabbed Polly. We teleported back to my house, and I had to shoo her to her camper.

“Geez, what’s gotten into you?” she asked. “Mathias is locked up in jail so you can’t be waiting for him to come over for a booty call.”

“I’m tired.” I said. “I need to think of ways to get him out early.”

“Oh, ok.” she said, not buying my act for one minute. “If you’re planning to go on the lam I have to tell you I’m not watching the mutts.”

“I’m not planning anything.” I answered.

“Are you and Mathias going to have telepathic sex?” she asked intrigued

“Yes.” I said. “You figured it out. You’re a regular freaking detective.”

“Have fun.” she said before she walked out the door and into her camper. I teleported downstairs and went right into my closet. I poked around until I finally pulled out a black Chanel quilted backpack. My mother had slipped this on my shoulders and called it the backup plan backpack before we came to the Isle of Skye. What she didn’t know was that I had it packed and ready ever since I moved in here.

I looked through it to make sure everything I needed was in there. Money, clothes, small travel kit, and, of course, an untraceable cell phone were all neatly packed. I threw on a new pair of jeans and shirt before grabbing a jacket. I was just leaving my closet when I spied Mathias’s clothes.

On the floor by the door was a small pile of Mathias’s clothes folded neatly. My heart began to pound, and my ears started ringing. I knew I didn’t put those there, and I also knew after living with Mathias, he didn’t leave his clothes lying around.

It was a message, a message that I was to bring him with me on my journey. I rolled my neck and groaned. If I didn’t bring him with me, I would have to deal with his uncontrollable rage. If I did bring him with me, my grandmother would be furious, and we would essentially be criminals on the run.

I pondered this for a few minutes before deciding that I wasn’t going to mess with fate or Mathias’s attitude. I had no desire to hear shouting in my head for God knows how long.

I scooped his clothes up and stuffed them into the bag. On my way through the bathroom, I took a few of his essentials before I stopped in my little office and quickly wrote out three notes. I headed back upstairs and sank down on the floor to pet the dogs.

I knew I probably looked like an idiot as I talked to them and told them what I was doing but for some reason I thought they understood. They both gave me big licks on the cheek, and I let them out back so they could bug Polly.

I glanced around my house and prayed I would be back to see it again. I also sent up a little prayer for encouragement and guidance.

Then I was off to break my mate out of jail.

Chapter Twenty

I muttered the concealment spell and teleported to Mathias’s jail cell. I stood in the corner and watched him as he sat on his bed. He was completely engrossed in his book. I was feeling rather smug about being in here without him being aware of my presence.

A concealment spell doesn’t mask your breathing

Shit. I thought. Why does he always have to ruin everything?

What are you doing here?
He asked

Milton translated the last line of Patcoena’s diary

And…?

I tried to formulate what I wanted to say but when I opened my mouth, everything came out in a rush.

I recognized it. It was a famous quote, but the thing is I think I know what it means. Even though, I’m sure you’re going to think I’m crazy, I think Patcoena’s alive.

Mathias’s head whipped up and stared in the direction I was standing.
What? That’s not possible. If he was alive, he would be several thousand years old

I know, and maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think so. I was going to go do this on my own, but I was sent a sign that you were to come with me. I also figured if I took off without you, you would probably get all crazy red eyed and Winifred would order that you be put down like a rabid dog

I appreciate the fact that you thought this through, but even if we were to leave, we don’t know where to look. Fairlia is a big place and we also have to think about the fact we could be regarded as criminals

He’s not in Fairlia

You know that for sure?

He’s in Yuma

Mathias stood up and stretched. I could tell he was trying to appear nonchalant in case any Guardians were watching him.

Do you know him?

I think he’s always been in my life. I just didn’t put all the pieces together until now

How are we getting there?

I’m going to open a portal

He rubbed his eyes and sighed.
Can you do it on your own?

Yes.

I stared at him as he started to pace. I knew he was running through all the variables in his head. I began to get worried when I saw his nostrils start flaring.

You’re hungry