The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (83 page)

“Why didn’t you go to Sidra right away?” Patcoena asked

“I don’t know,” he answered sadly. “That question has haunted me every day since I left that meeting.”

“Obviously he wasn’t just throwing around ideas,” Jeremiah said.

“No, he wasn’t. Not long after, Sidra called us to Fairlia. She informed us of the problems that the Gypsy Skye clan was being faced with, and she wanted to help. None of us cared until she told us what her solution was going to be. She wanted to offer the vampires of light as a solution for the Gypsies. When Fonn heard this, he was incensed. He felt that she had taken his idea and given the Gypsies the army he so desperately desired.”

“I thought it sounded reasonable and I was even happier when Sidra flatly refused to allow any Rau vampires into Fairlia. After the meeting, Fonn left but I stuck around. Sidra had told us that she had recruited several dozen Guardians of the Solas, and I wanted to meet them. I was curious and surprised to find them to be normal individuals.”

“I noticed though that there were some lurking in the shadows. When I asked Kelvin, your grandfather, why these Guardians seemed shyer than the rest, he told me that particular group were Fae vampires and that they were neither Rau nor Guardians of the Solas. When I asked what he meant he told me that although it is extremely rare for any Fae to be turn into vampires, when they are, the magic in their blood will never completely leave them and their soul. So while they might have fought for their humanity they couldn’t quite dispel the darkness.”

“Like Mathias.” I said

“Exactly,” Machall nodded

I hadn’t realized I had said that out loud and looked up at him in question.

“Patcoena told me about Mathias,” Machall said. I looked at Patcoena and shook my head. I decided to not get too upset. I knew that the word would get out about Mathias, but there was a part of me that wanted to protect him. I waved my hand for Machall to go on with his story.

“Sidra had given them a choice to either go to the newly created Isle of Skye or stay in Fairlia. Most choose to go on their own in the human world, but there was a few that elected to stay.”

Machall stood up from the table and walked over to the window. “I was returning to my apartments at the castle a few nights later after having a fun filled night of debauchery when I first saw her. She was standing by a small pool in the park. A shaft of moonlight was shining on her through the trees. Her hair and face glowed with beauty. I was so awestruck I tripped. She turned when she heard me stumble, and that is when every cell in my body froze in delirious happiness.”

Lucia sniffed, and I was momentarily lost in my own thoughts as I thought about the first time I saw Mathias. When he stepped out of the shadows of my parent’s foyer I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach and instead of pain, I felt butterflies erupt from the very depths of my soul.

“She was weary of me but I could tell she felt the same awareness as I did. Her name was Beatrice, and she had been turned into a vampire when she had travelled to the human world for a visit. The Rau had killed her parents, but decided her beauty was too much of a waste. They knew that she was Fae and that there was a chance that she wouldn’t be turned fully into an evil creature of the night, but they decided to take that chance.”

“When she woke, she made a split-second decision to run away. She was lucky because soon after she found a small den of Fae and light vampires. She was welcomed into their sanctuary and tried to settle into her new life. It wasn’t long after that Sidra recruited them and invited the group to Fairlia. The Fae vampires were overjoyed to be home, but most of them quickly found that they were rejected by their families and loved ones. Beatrice had no family, but she did travel to the Water realm where she was from originally and tried to ingratiate herself within the community.”

“No one there made her feel like an outsider but they certainly weren’t very welcoming. She had decided to come back to court and try to decide what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go. I immediately offered her a place within my household, and I was grateful that she accepted. The next few months were the happiest of my life. I had never known a woman to be so kind and genuine yet she was also smart and quick witted.”

“When I asked her to marry me, she said yes but soon after fear and doubt crept into her mind. I introduced her to my parents, and I’ll never forget what my father said that night. He told her that he could see she was insecure about how they would reply to their son marrying a vampire and what their reaction would be to this news. He also told her that as long as I was happy that was all that mattered for love is blind to race, color and being. Love cannot acknowledge the prejudice of others; it only sees one’s soul.”

“That’s beautiful,” I said. “Your father sounds like a wonderful man.”

“He was wonderful,” Lucia said

“A few days later as I was basking in the glory that only true love can bring, Fonn came to see me. He told me that the time had come for us all to band together and get rid of Sidra once and for all. I laughed and threw him out of my home. I told him I had no desire to join him on his dangerous journey, and I also threatened him. I said if he was going to talk like that then I had no choice but to report him for
treason. He smiled and left. A week later my father was killed. The only thing they found next to his body was a note that said ‘Choice wisely’. ”

“And yet you still didn’t go to Sidra?” I asked in disbelief

“I was making plans to go to court when I woke up the next morning, and I discovered Beatrice was missing. I ran and teleported around the entire realm furiously. I couldn’t hear her. I could feel her, but it was so odd because I knew she was not in any of the realms. I immediately went to the Air realm where I started thrashing the hell out of Fonn. My grief was greater than his madness or so I thought.”

Machall snorted. “He laughed at me. He told me that if I ever wanted to see my blood sucking bitch of a whore again then I would go along with his plans. I must admit I did not react well to his words, again though his laughter stopped me. He told me that Beatrice was alive, but he and Sabine had wiped her memories of me from her mind. Then they cast her out into the human world. I was wild but in a moment of weakness I agreed. I asked him what he wanted from me. He told me that there was a prophecy and this prophecy stated that one day there would be a child born. Two members of the royal family of both the Fae and Gypsies would conceive this child and
he, or she would be the only one who had the power to wield the Fae Sanctities.”

“Fonn wanted my help to find this child and when we did, the power in each weapon would be transferred to him. When that happened, he would give Beatrice back her memories and return her to me. I was in shock when he first started talking. I knew that only a Fae could conceive with another Fae, but I agreed because I had to get away from him. The very second I left was when I started forming my own plans.”

“Which were…?” I asked

“I was going to do everything in my power to help this individual find the weapons and then kill Fonn but only after I tortured him to give me the information on the whereabouts of Beatrice.”

“And you want nothing else?” I asked. “You want nothing in return?”

“The only thing I want is my Beatrice,” he answered

“I’m assuming you knew right away that it was Willa who you had been waiting for?” Jeremiah asked

“When Cormac disappeared with Cecily, I think we all thought that it was a possibility. Our suspicions were confirmed at the Yule Ball. Sidra took us aside and told us that Cormac and Cecily were back on the Isle of Skye. She then told us that they had been able to conceive a child, a girl who was now a grown woman. Little did Sidra realize that she had written her only granddaughters death warrant when she imparted that news.”

“Fonn was ecstatic, and I have to admit for the first time in many years I felt hopeful. I thought maybe this would finally be the end. After the meeting with Sidra, Fonn held his own meeting with us. He wanted to make plans. He asked all of us to charm Willa and then he asked me to use my talents on her. He surmised that if you were able to resist my mind imaging, something only the Queen can do, then that would be enough confirmation that you were the child prophesized.”

“And the only images that you could come up with were you and I in bed together?” I asked in disbelief

“Machall,” Lucia said in disgust. “You had no right to do that.”

“I’m sorry Mother but Sabine had informed us before the reception that she suspected Willa and Mathias were true mates. I knew that if she was indeed mated, as well as powerful, then she would have no problem pushing through my spell.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t push through your mouth,” I said

“My fairy white teeth and I are grateful for your restraint,” he grinned

“I’m sorry but if you wanted to convey your willingness to help that wasn’t the way to go about getting me to trust you,” I said

“The night of the ball, I wanted to get you alone. I knew with Mathias around that I wouldn’t have many opportunities. Unfortunately, before I could explain you punched me.”

“Goodness, you’re somewhat of a loose cannon aren’t you?” Lucia remarked

“She gets that from her grandfather, Prince Kelvin,” Machall muttered. I smiled as I thought of my Fae grandfather who had punched Machall in the stomach when he had come to my rescue with Mathias after Machall had teleported off with me at the ball without my consent.

I shrugged. “OK, so why don’t you explain that little scene with Sabine,” I asked. “You know when you asked her if everything was all set before you tore her clothes off and had sex with her?”

“I wish you would’ve stayed around a few more seconds. If you had, you would’ve witnessed me place her under an immobile spell. It only lasted for a few minutes, but I figured it would give me enough time to sound a warning. I went right to Sidra and Kelvin and briefly told them what was happening. I then went through the portal to come back here and have been waiting for you ever since.”

I sat quietly for a few minutes. I thought about what Mathias had said to me before I left. He told me to trust my gut, and since I was on my own now I had no choice but to do just that. I believed Machall, and I also knew that he could be a very valuable resource to me as I to him, to place my trust in him though I had to tell him the truth.

“I believe you Macky and I would be very appreciative of whatever help you can give me.” I said

“I am honored to help you,” Machall said

“I hate to tell you this though, but there are no Fae Sanctities,” I said. “There are no weapons.”

“What?” he asked in disbelief. “But that’s impossible. The prophecy was something that many seers foretold a long time ago. Sabine herself confirmed it with her own sightseer.”

“There are no weapons so to speak Machall,” Patcoena said

“What does that mean?” Machall yelled

I stood up and walked over to him. I stared into his eyes, which I could see were filled with despair.

“I am the Fae Sanctity, Machall,” I said strongly. “I am the weapon.”

Chapter Four

“That’s insane,” Machall announced. “There is no way that is even possible. Only the King or Queen can handle that much power.”

“Do you doubt my awesomeness?” I asked mockingly. “I’m hurt Macky.”

“But,” he stuttered. “You’ve already shown amazing capabilities. How on earth are you supposed to absorb that much power on top of what you already have?”

“Well, apparently it’s either going to kill m
e, make me go completely bonkers, or it’s just going to be a walk in the park.” I answered. “I’m hoping for the third option but I figured since I’m already halfway to becoming a mental patient option number two is more likely.”

“What are we to do if Willa does go mad?” Jeremiah asked Patcoena

“There is a plan in place if that happens.” Patcoena answered

“What is it?” Machall asked

“I think that information should be kept private.” Patcoena replied. “It is of no one’s concern but Willa’s.”

“I have to right to know.” Machall said. “I’m risking a great deal to help you. If Willa does indeed go insane, I need to know that she’ll be able to come out of it so that we can continue with our plan.”