The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (95 page)

I knew the Water was waiting for me. I was fully aware that it wanted me to call out to it and finally make it a part of me. I hesitated because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but something inside me took over and all of a sudden the Water almost yelled out a shriek and joined the fray of the other elements.

A wave that was higher and larger than I ever thought was even possible lifted around me in a perfect circle. I smiled because I could feel its joy of finally being able to unleash itself. It had waited so long for me, and it had missed being used to its fullest potential. The Air, Water, Earth and Fire erupted magnificently around me, and I felt the most amazing sense of happiness as I finally manipulated them all together.

I had done it, I thought. I was now in control of all the elements.

It was the last thought I had before I lost my mind as the power overwhelmed my brain and my body.

Chapter Ten

Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Fire, Water, Air and Earth almost suffocated me with their power. My senses were so overwhelmed by the elements. There was a part of me that wanted to push through their folds, but I couldn’t. My whole body was humming with almost painful vibrations. I tried to open my eyes, but even my eyes felt like someone was jabbing me with sharp needles.

I could hear and smell so many different sounds and tastes. It was intoxicating. I thrashed around until finally I found some relief as I hit the water. I felt wrapped up in the waters silkiness and moaned in appreciation. Even when the salty liquid filled my lungs, I felt no panic. I knew that I would not perish in the ocean. The water wouldn’t let that happen to me.

What I didn’t know was that Jeremiah, Machall and Patcoena were frantic as they dove in the ocean to search for me. I saw their murky images coming towards me, and I shrank in fear. I felt myself being pulled up out of my comfortable cocoon and I wanted to scream. I didn’t want to leave. Didn’t they know the surface would bring me more pain? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t get the words out. I just screamed and kicked at them.

“Willa,” I heard a voice yell. I didn’t know what or who Willa was nor did I even care to find out. I spit out the water’s refreshing brew that was in my mouth, and when the air sucked back into my lungs I started scratching at my chest. It was too much. I could feel the massive amount of energy enter my body, and I wanted to get rid of the pain.

Something pulled my hands from my body, and I lashed out with the only weapon I could conjure. I opened my mouth, and a stream of fire came out in a rush. I heard yells, and I smiled. It felt so good to finally release the flames that had been building up inside of me.

“Willa, please,” someone yelled. “Don’t hurt me.”

Hurt you? I asked myself. Why would I want to hurt anyone? All I wanted was to enjoy my power and let it out of my body. It had been building up for so long, and I wanted to free it so that we both could find peace together.

I writhed around on the course sand and felt the earth start to enfold my body with its warmth. I drifted in and out of consciousness completely unaware of the chaos that I had unleashed. I didn’t want ever to leave my snug sanctuary. I felt safe being surrounded by the elements. They didn’t want to hurt me. They just wanted me to use them and cherish them. They had waited so long for me and now that I was here they didn’t want me to go just yet.

I knew instinctively that they wanted me to stay in the safety of their cocoon until I was ready. I was aware that I should tell the people around me that piece of information, but I couldn’t speak.

“Jeremiah,” Patcoena said. “We must get Willa to court. The queen can help us.”

Jeremiah was still sitting on the sand in shock. He couldn’t believe what he just saw. One minute Willa had been dancing around on the sand and the next she had been standing on a rock in the ocean being lit up like a fireball of nature.

“What are we going to do?” Jeremiah muttered

“We are going to take her to the Queen,” Patcoena answered. “After that we are going to go to the Isle of Skye.”

“Do you think Sidra or my grandmother can help her?” Jeremiah asked

“I don’t know,” Patcoena said. “Willa is much more powerful than I thought. I’m afraid the only one who may be able to help her now is Mathias.”

“Why is Mathias the only one that can help her?” Machall asked

“Mathias has a connection with Willa that no one else has,” Patcoena explained. “He will be able to put the pieces back together in her mind.”

Jeremiah’s head shot up. “She’s not Humpty Dumpty. You can’t just glue her back together. Her mind is shattered and I’m not sure that even Mathias can use his sexual prowess to help her. That is utterly ridiculous.”

Mathias, I thought. I know Mathias. I wanted Mathias here with me now. I wanted for him to ride this wave of pleasure with me. I moaned his name but when I didn’t feel him near me I started to plead.

“Mathias,” I said. “Please, please, Mathias.”

Jeremiah ran back over to Willa’s side. “Willa, we’re going to get you to Mathias.”

“This is a good sign,” Patcoena said. “She recognizes Mathias’s name.”

“We must get inside,” Machall said. “There is a long mirror in the room Willa was using. Patcoena you need to open a portal to the castle and bring Willa and Jeremiah there.”

“You’re not going with us?” Jeremiah asked

“No,” Machall answered. “I am going to see Fonn and tell him that Willa has found the weapons.”

“What?” Jeremiah yelled.

“I have to Jeremiah,” Machall answered calmly. “If I tell Fonn that Willa has found the weapons then he will assume that she has talked to Sidra. I’m hoping this will make him panic and disappear for a while. He’s probably going to want to regroup and rethink his plans. Hopefully, this will give Willa time to recover.”

“Machall’s right,” Patcoena said. “Fonn and Cual will both be running a bit scared. We don’t know how much time Willa will need to recover…”

“If Willa recovers,” Jeremiah interrupted

“When Willa recovers we can make more definite plans,” Patcoena said. “How will we get in touch with you Machall?”

“Use the old system,” Machall replied. “I believe I still have an old crystal ball kicking around.”

“Wait a minute,” Jeremiah said. “You guys use crystal balls to communicate?”

“We used too,” Machall answered before taking out his cell phone. “Now we have more modern ways to go about things.”

“The crystal ball will be better than a phone,” Patcoena said. “It’s impossible to put a trace on a crystal ball than a phone.”

“God, I wish Willa was conscience to be a part of this conversation,” Jeremiah muttered

“Come,” Machall said. “I’ll get Willa.”

I felt myself being lifted up and cried out in a panic. No, I don’t want leave here, I thought. This place was so warm and cozy. I felt safe and comforted by my protectors of nature. I thrashed around and felt a tremendous amount of satisfaction when my hand connected with something hard.

“Dammit,” Machall swore. “She broke my fucking nose again.”

“I don’t think she wants to leave,” Jeremiah said

“No, of course not,” Patcoena mused. “This is where she feels safe. Let’s put some sand in her clothes and hair. The Earth will probably make her feel better when we move her.”

Machall muttered as Jeremiah and Patcoena covered my body with sand. I sighed in contentment as the warmth seeped into my pores. I didn’t protest when I was being picked up this time. The air blew around me before silencing abruptly. The Water rose into a huge wave and crashed into the sand before calming down. I knew they were saying goodbye for now.

The element of Fire though stubbornly wouldn’t leave me. I felt it settle down inside of me though, and I smiled as my belly filled with a small glow.

I drifted off in and out of sleep. I didn’t want to succumb to the rest my body was screaming for, but I knew on some level that I had to rejuvenate myself so I can start learning to use my new powers. I felt like I was floating, and it wasn’t until I was laid down on something soft that I let myself fall into the dreamy darkness.

“Thank God, I think she’s asleep,” Machall said after he placed Willa on the bed

“Afraid she’ll break something else?” Jeremiah snickered

“Why don’t I break your nose a few times and see how you like it?”

“You better watch it Machall, my cousin is the most powerful being on the planet,” Jeremiah said cheekily

“How emasculating it must be for you to use your cousin who is a girl as a threat?” Machall sneered

“I’m actually quite fine with it,” Jeremiah remarked

“Machall, thank you for all your help,” Patcoena said. “I will be in touch soon.”

“Yes, thank you Macky,” Jeremiah said as he stuck out his hand. “Be safe ok? Don’t let Fonn know you’re playing for the other side.”

Machall shook Jeremiah’s hand. “My dear boy, I am way too smart to get caught right now. I have planned this for years, and I will not let anyone, including Fonn or Cual, get in my way.”

“You’re doing all this for a woman?” Jeremiah asked with a small smile

“There is nothing nobler than to fight for the one you love,” Machall answered

“I agree,” Jeremiah said. “I just wanted to make sure that you were truly doing this for that reason.”

Machall smiled before leaning down to pick Willa up off the bed. He gingerly handed her over to Jeremiah, who staggered under her weight.

“I thought she was a lot lighter than this,” he gasped

“You’re lucky she’s asleep,” Patcoena said. “Never say anything to a woman about her weight. I casually mentioned one time over a thousand years ago to Summer that it looked like she put on a few pounds, and she still brings it up whenever we have a disagreement to this day.”

Patcoena turned to face the long mirror and closed his eyes. A few moments later, an image of a small room decorated with white flowers appeared. He gave Machall a smile before stepping through the portal and stood waiting expectantly for Jeremiah.

“Take care of her Jeremiah,” Machall said as he placed his hand on Willa’s head gently. “Get her to Mathias. She needs him.”

“Will do, Lord of Fire,” Jeremiah said before walking through the mirror into the throne room at the castle. He turned and nodded to Machall before the portal closed.

“So what do we do now?” Jeremiah said

“I imagine Kelvin and the guard will join us in twenty to thirty seconds.” Patcoena said

“Good,” Jeremiah said as he shifted Willa in his arms. “I’m not sure how much longer I can hold her.”

“I think I hear him now,” Patcoena smiled

Prince Kelvin and twenty large men dressed in black burst into the small room and surrounded Jeremiah and Patcoena.

“Who do you think you are opening a portal in the realm of the Queen…Jeremiah?” Kelvin asked disbelievingly before looking down. “Is that Willa? My God, what the devil is going on? Who are you? Patcoena, is it you?”

“Prince Kelvin,” Patcoena bowed. “I’m so sorry to come here unannounced but we had no choice.”

“What is wrong with Willa?” Kelvin asked as he stepped closer. “What is wrong with my granddaughter?”

“It’s a long story,” Jeremiah said. “Hey do you think someone could take her? I’m going to drop her.”

“Brutus,” Kelvin snapped. A large, hulking man stepped forward and took Willa from Jeremiah swiftly

“Brutus?” Jeremiah asked. “Why on earth can’t Willa be awake when you need her?”

“We must see the Queen at once,” Patcoena said. “It is imperative that our presence here remains a secret though.”

“Willa is my granddaughter Patcoena,” Kelvin said almost menacingly. “I would never put her life in jeopardy. You don’t need to tell me what to do. I am fully aware that whatever the reason is that you are all here is of the utmost importance.”

“Forgive me, your highness,” Patcoena said. “I meant no disrespect. I’m afraid I have been away from court for a long time now.”

“No, I’m sorry; I don’t mean to sound so curt,” Kelvin said. “I have to admit that when it comes to seeing my granddaughter, covered with dirt and she looks like she has been in the war and back, I find myself acting slightly overprotective.”

“Of course,” Patcoena said. “I think we all feel that way about Willa.”

Kelvin nodded before turning to Jeremiah and offering his arm. “Jeremiah, please take my arm and I’ll take you to the Queen. Pat, I’m sure you remember the way?”