The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (88 page)

“No but I do of a place that holds an incredible amount of energy,” Holly said

“Are you talking about the clump of trees near the outer edges of the village?” Forrest asked

“Yes,” Holly answered. “There’s an area not far from here that has always had a unique feel. I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s a place that has always felt very magical and mysterious to me. It’s funny because Polly’s tree is right on the edge of those woods.”

“What can you tell us about Lord Fonn?” Jeremiah asked. “I assume that you know or have heard some things about him over the years.”

Forrest snorted. “Lord Fonn is the very reason we had to leave Fairlia. You see, Fonn doesn’t think much of us wood Nymphs or Sprites. He believes that we are inferior creatures, and he is highly resentful of the fact that the queen has not banished all of us from the kingdom.”

“Why do you say he was responsible for you guys being expelled from here?” I asked

“The Sprites are high strung people. Their life expectancy is much lower than anyone that resides here in Fairlia. For years, I had been giving them some of my herbal product as a way for them to find relief from their natural anxiety that is part of their genetic makeup. Lord Fonn reported me many times, but the Queen looked the other way. The last time I sold them some of my herbs, Lord Fonn had set up a sting operation. I was caught red handed, and there was nothing the Queen could’ve done, but enforce the law. We were banished from our home because he hates half-breeds as he likes to call us.”

“He is an extremely bitter man,” Holly said. “I offered to set him up on one of my detailed programs so that he could help open up his chakras, but he declined in a rather nasty way.”

“It’s interesting though,” Forrest mused. “I would’ve thought Lord Cual would be more likely to think of such a vicious plan.”

“I’m confused why you and Machall say that about Lord Cual,” I said. “I met him a few weeks ago and he seemed to be a harmless albeit self-centered young man.”

“I agree with Willa,” Jeremiah said. “I’ve known Cal for a few years and he has never once struck me as evil.”

“The greatest deception men suffer from is their own opinions,” Forrest said. “I believe Leonardo DaVinci said that long ago. In Lord Cual’s case, his own opinions and lies are what lie slithering in his black heart. He believes if he portrays himself as harmless, people will look the other way when there are allegations brought against him.”

“Lord Machall was right Willa,” Holly said. “You must not go to the Water realm without him. I have heard some truly horrible stories about what Cal does in his leisure time. Let’s just say that it is a well-known fact that he likes to hear the sounds of woman’s screams.”

“Holy crap,” I breathed. “I guess my Spidey senses were way off about him. I thought he was a fairly harmless surfer dude.”

“Well, I think we ought to get going,” Patcoena announced as he stood. “We don’t know how long it will take for Willa in the forest and time is of the essence.”

“Is there anywhere I can freshen up?” I asked Holly. She gestured to a small room almost hidden behind the kitchen. I walked in the powder room and went about my business efficiently. When I was washing my hands I desperately wanted to reach out to Mathias. I wished with all my heart that he could be here with me. I never in a million years thought that I could miss someone so much just after a day and a half, but I did.

I tried to calm my brain and my racing heart before I went back out in the living room. I had a vague sense of what I may be in for this time, but it still didn’t make it any less scary. I had a horrible vision of being sucked into the ground with dirt pouring in my mouth and lungs as a force drew me down to the core. I knew I was probably exaggerating, but I had to prepare myself for what was to come. In the cave, I hadn’t been fully prepared but now I knew what I was in for, and it terrified me.

The only saving grace was that the earth’s magic had always calmed me, and I prayed that this time I would feel more joy than anguish. Fire is unpredictable, but the earth is solid and steady. I hoped it would be more peaceful than the last time or else I truly was in danger of losing my mind.

I also couldn’t wait to get to the Air realm and finally meet a Sprite. In the grand scheme of things I knew that was pretty low on my list but still I had to find out more about these mysterious creatures that everyone seemed to think was so indescribable.

“Willa, you have got to come see this,” Jeremiah yelled from the living room. I walked back in and saw him sitting next to Holly on the couch looking through a photo album.

“Oh please tell me those are photos of Polly from birth all the way through the awkward teenage years,” I smiled

“I tried to chronicle every milestone but I wasn’t that great at it unfortunately,” Holly said apologetically

“I think you did a fantastic job,” Jeremiah said

For the next few minutes, I sat and pored through pictures that showed my best friend from the time she was a tiny baby until about eighteen. I smiled over her chubby cheeks and laughed at her ever changing hairstyles and colors. Holly and Forrest may not be the most traditional parents, but you could tell that they adored their daughter.

“I guess we should get going,” I finally said looking up at Patcoena

“Yes,” he said sadly. “I wish we could stay longer but I’m afraid…”

“We’re running out of time,” I finished for him. I got off the couch and took one last look around the crazy yet cozy living room. I hoped I would have a chance to come back again and visit longer. I can only imagine what Mathias’s reaction would be to the Wood’s unconventional home and lifestyle.

When we all gathered outside, Patcoena asked Holly and Forrest, which direction we needed to go and soon enough we were off flying through the air. The second my feet hit the ground I looked up and saw the most beautiful and funky Japanese maple tree. I knew in an instant that this was Polly’s tree. It was like her soul called out to me as I walked closer to inspect the tree.

“Can I touch it?” I asked Holly and Forrest. They both nodded their heads yes, and I softly placed my hand on the trunk. Memories flooded my mind as I stood there in silence. Polly walking confidently into my bakery asking for a job, laughing about guys while drinking beers in my backyard, an impromptu flour fight in the kitchen, and even the time we went on our infamous hike when she mistakenly threw a snake at me thinking it was a branch.

I could feel tears well up in my eyes, and I shook my head in disbelief. I had no idea why I was so emotional but being here right now was almost sad. When I found out that Polly was a wood Nymph, I always thought I would visit her in Woodlia. I was finally here without her, and it felt wrong somehow. I was almost angry that I was standing next to her tree, and she wasn’t here to give me a tour. I knew that it was everything that was going on in my life right now that was making me feel this way but still it wasn’t right.

I glanced over as something flashed in the corner of my eye. A gray Koala bear was sitting in a neighboring tree. I grinned as I thought about how this little guy woke Polly up from her sleep right before she came to the Isle a few weeks ago. My mouth dropped openly though when a tall, handsome and very naked man came around the corner.

“Oh, g’day,” he called out. “Sorry, didn’t know anyone was here.”

“Good day to you Alex,” Forrest said. “We are just showing some visitors around Woodlia.”

“Hi,” Alex said to us. “I’m Alex and this here is Sydney.”

“Hi Alex and Sydney,” I answered trying to stare into his eyes and not on his package. “I’m assuming from the accent, you’re from Australia.”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “I’m from a small commune of wood Nymphs near Queensland. I decided to do some traveling, and my best girl and I came to Woodlia.”

“Well, welcome to your new home,” I said before turning my back on him. I knew my cheeks must be flaming red by now. Luckily Jeremiah took over the conversation. When Alex asked our names, we all froze until finally Forrest introduced as Jane, Dick and George. I could tell from Alex’s face he wasn’t buying our new aliases, but he was polite enough not to say anything.

“I have to get going,” Alex said. “I need to pick up some things in town. Jane, Dick and George it was nice meeting you.”

We all said goodbye and watched him leave. I let out a sigh of relief that Alex didn’t seem like the nosy type. I also almost laughed out loud when I imagined Polly meeting this blonde, tall drink of water from the outback.

“He seems nice,” I finally said. Holly laughed, and we both exchanged a womanly look of understanding. I turned around and was just starting to walk towards a set of trees when Jeremiah grabbed my arm.

“No,” he whispered. “It’s over there. Can’t you feel it? It’s almost like a drumbeat.”

We all went quiet, and I closed my eyes in concentration. The faint sound of a drum drew me back towards Polly’s tree. I stepped around and there I saw a perfect circle of oak trees. The opening was large, but the canopy of branches and leaves made the area look like a natural gazebo. My heart started to pound, and it took me a minute, but I realized it was in tune with the sound of the drum that was emanating from the trees.

I had given everyone a nod before I headed into the shelter of the trees. Patcoena, Jeremiah and Holly looked anxious, but Forrest looked fascinated. I decided to ignore everyone and focus on what I needed to do. I called upon the earth, and I stood still for a second. A deep musky scent filled my nose, and I walked forward as calmly as I could.

The second I stepped in the middle of a natural tree gazebo; the branches unfurled themselves from their positions that they had probably held for hundreds of years. I looked over my shoulder as they entwined with one another and through the leaves I took one last look at my companions before they were completely blocked off from my sight.

I saw green roots shoot out of the ground and slowly they made their way over to where I was standing. They wrapped around my body so gently it almost felt like they were caressing me. I was firmly encased with tree roots when I saw the dirt on the floor of the forest swirl in soft clockwise motions until it was nothing more but a light blanket around me. The warmth that poured through me relaxed every part of my being. A tear escaped my eye as I realized what was happening. The earth was trying to be as gentle as it could with me. It didn’t want to hurt me or overwhelm me right away. It wanted to almost mother me with tenderness.

Unlike the element of Fire, which had given me about a minute to adjust before searing into me, the earth wanted no part of doing any such action towards me. I knew that it was waiting for me. The element was almost asking me to signal when I was ready for her power. My lower lip trembled for a moment before I finally gathered up every ounce of courage I could muster. I finally just nodded and then braced myself for the earths power to envelope me.

The tree roots immediately tightened around my body, and I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. The dirt that had looked almost beautiful now looked like the wrath of God had been unleashed in this little grove of trees. I tried to keep my eyes and lips shut, but I couldn’t. There was a force greater than I had ever felt pry my mouth and eyes open. I tried to yell in protest as my eyes were being scratched by the flying dirt which now felt like knives on my unprotected eyeballs.

I instinctively wanted to swallow, but I fought against that reaction until finally I had no choice. Dirt, leaves and roots travelled their way down my throat, and I gagged as they kept getting stuck. I don’t know how many times I almost threw up, but something always stopped me. I tried to look around to get my bearings, but it was impossible. My vision was so blurry that the only thing I could make it out was a dark brown color with flecks of green.

I wasn’t sure how much longer I could go on standing here. Just when I thought that though, the situation got worse. I could hear the sharp crack of something penetrate the air, and I prayed that Jeremiah had a shotgun and was going to break through the branches to save me. When I felt the terrain beneath me tremble, I realized that the sound I heard was not of a gun but the earth itself opening.

My feet plunged in first, and I screamed as an incredible heat hit my toes. I tried to stand upright but the more I fought, the more my body was being plummeted into the soil. The only good news was that the dirt had stopped flying around, and I could incredibly see things better than I ever had in my life.

Unfortunately though what I could see made me want to go back to being blind.

I was being sucked down into the hot core of the earth. I looked up at the small hole of light from the sky before the hole caved in, and I cried out in anguish. It was then the tree roots wrapped around my body started moving, and I was being twisted in a circle faster and faster. I twirled around so many times that I didn’t know which way was which anymore. Around and around I went until finally I shot back up towards the surface.

I lay on the ground completely numb. I didn’t realize that it was over at first. My body stayed tensed up because I was waiting for something else to happen. I was plagued with images of being sucked into the ground, and I started to whimper in fear. I held my head and almost ripped my hair out. The whole experience was like being buried alive only a hundred times worse.

When I felt someone kneel down next to me, I curled up into a ball and tried to move away. I didn’t even realize that it was a person. I thought it was a tree root coming back over to wrap itself up around me again.