The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (76 page)

I was stunned by this admission, for Patcoena to give up his artistic talent for Mathias was beyond anything that I could imagine. I knew from personal experience that one’s own creativity is worth more than any gold in the world. It was at that moment that I realized I could trust Patcoena with my life.

“I don’t know what to say.” Mathias replied. “Thank you.”

“That’s all you need to say my boy.” Patcoena said. Mathias led Patcoena and Summer into his studio. For several minutes, she and I watched them talk about each and every painting. Patcoena peppered Mathias with questions, to which Mathias answered patiently and animatedly.

“What are you working on now?” he asked pointing to the easel that was covered in cloth

“No.” I yelled.  I was not comfortable with anyone seeing me in all my glory. Anyone, that is, but Mathias.

“Ah.” Patcoena said smiling. “We have a few of those kicking around. Don’t we, my love?”

Summer smiled almost shyly. “A few here and there.” she answered

“Ancient naked selfies,” I remarked dryly

“Are you ready?” Patcoena asked me. My hands started to sweat a little. I wanted to shout ‘No.' I wasn’t ready, but I knew that I had no choice. There were a lot of people that needed me to be brave and strong. I had so many doubts, but I also had many reasons to go through with this.

Starting with the man who had walked over to stand in front of me.

I suddenly wasn’t afraid anymore. When you are teetering on the edge of doing something that could be life or death, little things, like admissions of love don’t seem very frightening.

“Here’s the thing,” I started to say. “According to Patty boy when I get back you’re going to have to give me some pretty intense sexual therapy so I can rejoin the living. So in my mind, all bets are off. I’m going to be your sex slave anyway so I might as well just throw in the towel now.”

Mathias was gazing at me so intensely I almost lost my nerve. “I love you.” I said in a rush. “And it’s not because of this whole true mate crap. It’s because I genuinely love you. I think you’re smart and witty. I love you even when you piss me off. I love that you get me when no one else does. I love that you challenge me and make me a better person than I really am, but most of all I love being with you. You make me feel like I’m the most desirable and beautiful woman in the world and no one has ever made me feel that way.”

I wiped a tear that had escaped from my eye. “All my life I’ve always been the girl that made people laugh. Guys wanted to hang out with me because I wasn’t an annoying girly girl, but I don’t think they ever really thought of me as the girl of their dreams. You look at me, even when I am in old pajamas and have no makeup on, like I’m some kind of Playboy Playmate.”

“I love it when you laugh. I remember the first time I heard it. We were on the beach the day you left? It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard in my life. Even though, I had just been knocked on my ass, I was still so proud that I had done that. I made Mathias laugh. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

I paused for a second and looked away. “I love that you give me things that I didn’t even know I needed. For instance, that damn dumb dog that I love like he was my child or that photo frame with all those pictures of Yuma. I needed that, and you gave it to me. I also love that you didn’t bat an eye last night when I started singing ‘I want to sex you up.' I really should be apologizing for that though. I’m not sure where that came from. I heard it on the satellite radio nineties station and I’ve had it in my head for weeks now…”

Mathias cupped my face with his hands and leaned in to kiss me. It was, without a doubt, the sweetest kiss he had ever given me. I didn’t even care that Patcoena and
Summer were watching us in fascination. The only thing that I cared about was that his lips were on mine. Mathias pulled away and gave me on last kiss on my forehead.

I held on to his arms. I didn’t want to let him go. I also didn’t want to look into his eyes because I was somewhat embarrassed by my rambling admission of love.

Mathias sighed. “You just never know when to shut up.”

I laughed. “Thanks. That’s what every girl wants to hear right about now.”

“You are my life.” he whispered. “Come back to me.”

“I promise.” I replied. I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t proclaim his own declaration of love. I wasn’t sure if he was quite ready for that yet, but I was glad I finally said what was in my heart. I didn’t know what was going to happen in a week. I may not be the same person that I was right now. That’s why I wanted
to say what I said. I didn’t want to blurt it out when I was drugged out of my mind on power. I needed Mathias to know how I felt before I might be changed into something or someone else.

“Take care of the dogs and keep an eye on Polly.” I said before adding.

Mathias rolled his eyes. “I will do my best.”

I smiled. “I’m ready.”

I walked over to Patcoena and grabbed his hand. “So where are we going to first?”

“I thought we should go to the Fire realm first,” he replied. “It’s the least appealing so best to get it over with as quickly as possible.”

“All right,” I said before taking a deep breath. Since I had no clue as to where I was going, it took me longer than the first time I tried to create a portal out of thin air. Eventually, a barren desert that was covered in gray and black ashes began to form in front of me. I stole one more look at Mathias. He was staring at me with his hooded eyes. I saw a faint smile on his face, and I returned it with my own.

I steeled myself for what was to come. I hoped and prayed that I would be back. I knew that this wasn’t going to be easy. I knew that I might not return, and if I did, I might not be who I was. I also realized something in the last seven months. I had a lot to live for and many people that I would fight to my last breath just so that they could survive.

I pulled Patcoena through the portal, and we landed on the dark sand. I turned around and could see the thin veil between our worlds slipping away. I tried to memorize Mathias’s face before he disappeared.

The last thing I saw was his mouthing ‘I love you.’

Epilogue

Dear Granny Winnie,

I know right now you are pretty ticked off but let me assure you that I had a very good reason for breaking Mathias out of jail and leaving. I didn’t tell you, but I think I know what the last line of Patcoena’s diary means and we’re off to go find him.

I promise you that we will be back and hopefully we will have answers.

I want you to know something, in case I don’t make it back. Growing up I always had this warm and fuzzy picture of a grandmother in mind. You are nothing like the image I used to comfort myself with. You are so much more than I could have ever asked for. I know that we got off to a rocky start, but I think it’s because (gasp) we are so much alike.

Thank you for teaching me, not only about magic, but about unconditional love and trust. Only a kickass grandmother would have followed me out into that street to face down Sabine and the Rau. I didn’t have to ask; you just did it because you believed in me.

I love you.

-Willa

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off, I just want to say, please calm down. I’m fine. I broke Mathias out because I needed to have him with me when I open a portal to Yuma. I’m not sure if you remember Mr.Sumners, but I think he’s Patcoena. I’m going there to find out, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.

I know you don’t want to read this but if for some reason I don’t come back I want you to know how much I love you. You both are truly the best parents in the world. I think I was upset when we came here because I felt so out of the loop. I know that I have pushed you both away, but it’s only so that I could find MY way in this world.

I want to thank you for bringing me here. I’m still not sure what I am, but I do know now who I am. I’m Willa Cecelia, daughter of the Princess Cecily of the Clan of Skye and the Fae Prince Cormack of Fairlia. I’m proud to be your daughter but mostly I’m just proud that you’re my parents.

Thank you for letting me find myself and thank you, most importantly, for giving me a family that I have come to love dearly.

Love,

Willa

Dear Polly,

Hey girl! I know, I know, you’re pissed because you have to continue watching the dogs and being my pet sitting bitch. I’m going to be back before you know it, I promise. I realize this whole visit for you has been a bit of a letdown, but I’ve had a lot of shit to deal with and unfortunately I think there is more headed our way.

I’m not going to get all mushy on you, but I just want to tell you that when I’m with you, I feel normal. Well, as normal as I can be. You are without a doubt the best friend I have ever had. I‘ve never believed in fate. I hate the idea that I’m not in control of my life but since I came here to the Isle, I have had it slap me in the face more times than I can count.

I think you were always meant to be in my life, and I will always be grateful that you walked into my bakery that day. Although, I think you were wearing that nasty black t-shirt, with the Rolling Stones tongue on it?

Anyway, I just want to say, I love you girl. You are the wind beneath my wings.

Feel free to make those fake vomiting gestures.

Hugs,

Willa

I love music. Here are a few songs that inspired me while writing ‘Isle of Night’. Listen and support these amazing artists!

Isle of Night Playlist:

“
Awake my Soul”- Mumford& Sons

“Only if for the night”- Florence + the machines

“In my veins”- Andrew Belle

“Be Still”- The Fray

“Turn to stone”- Ingrid Michaelson

“Holding and Letting go”- Ross
Copperman

“Demons”- Imagine Dragons

“Glory and Gore”- Lorde

“Do I
wanna know”-Artic Monkeys

“Afraid”-The neighborhood

“Addicted”- Kelly Clarkson

“Beautiful is gone”-The Ruse

“Blister in the sun”- Violent Femmes

“Closer”- Kings of Leon

“It goes like this”- Thomas Rhett

“The kill”- Thirty seconds to Mars

“Let’s go”- Calvin Harris

“Lovers Carvings”-
Bibio

“Set free”- Katie Gray

“Someone to watch over me”- Renee Olsted