The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (98 page)

“That’s not an option,” Oliver said angrily. “Rhoswen is my wife and she is also a healer on the island. She needs to be able to stay. I need her here with me.”

“I’m well aware of that Oliver,” Winifred said

Everyone went silent as the seriousness of the situation came over the room. All of a sudden Robert straightened up and looked at Winifred. “There is an option though for Cormac and Rhoswen?”

“Yes,” Winifred answered solemnly

Robert and Riah both swore. Jeremiah joined in a second later. “Oh God no, tell me that you guys are not thinking what I’m thinking. You know Willa will not want that to happen. She will freak the fuck out.”

“Jeremiah!”
Veronica said in shock

“Sorry Luv, I’ve been hanging around with Willa twenty four seven. Her sailor mouth was bound to rub off on me.” Jeremiah said sheepishly

“Did you just call Veronica Luv?” asked Julia intrigued

“Yes, so by the way Mom, Dad, Grandmother,” Jeremiah said. “Willa’s not the only one mated with a Guardian of Solas or whatever Mathias is, Veronica and I have mated recently as well. I know that you already think highly of her, and I’m positive that you will come to love her as much as I do.”

“Willa and Mathias are mated?” Cuddy asked. “You have mated with Veronica as well? What the devil has been going on around here? How did I miss all of this?”

“Oh, it was so obvious,” Gussie said as she patted Cuddy’s hand before giving Jeremiah and Veronica a hug. “Welcome to the family Veronica.”

“Thank you,” Veronica answered shyly

“Well if it’s a night for announcements,” Julia started to say before Riah grabbed her arm and shook his head

“Don’t touch my sister like that Riah,” Jeremiah said before sighing, “Oh Christ, not you too, Julia?”

“I feel like the biggest idiot in the world,” Cuddy said. “What do you mean by that Jeremiah?”

“Riah and I are mated,” Julia announced

“What?” Cuddy asked in disbelief

“Again, am I the only one to notice these things?” Gussie asked. “Are you all blind?”

“I’m slightly speechless,” Winifred said

“Join the club,” Oliver and Cecily said at the same time

“I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude but can we get back to what we were discussing?” Cormac asked. “Congratulations to all of you but my daughter just lost her mind and I may never see my mother again.”

“Why did you say that Willa would freak out?” Cecily asked. “What did you mean by that Jeremiah?”

Jeremiah just stared at Cecily until Cormac sucked in his breath and went pale before looking at Winifred. “Is this is an option you discussed with Mathias?”

“Yes, Mathias was against it but I know of no other way.” Winifred answered

“Will someone please tell me what the bloody hell is going on?” Cuddy asked

“Mother, whatever are you talking about?” Cecily asked

“There is a way for Cormac and Rhoswen to continue living on the Isle of Skye,” Winifred answered

“Well, what is it?” Rhoswen asked

“You and Cormac would have to become…” Winifred’s voice faltered

“Would have to become what?” Cecily said, her voice suddenly filled with fear

“Cormac and Rhoswen would have to become vampires.”

Part Two

In western lands beneath the sun

The flowers may rise in the Spring,

The trees may bud, the waters may run,

The merry finches sing.

Or there maybe ‘tis cloudless night,

And swaying branches bear

The elven stars as jewels white

Amid their branching hair

Though here at journey’s end I lie

In darkness buried deep,

Beyond all towers strong and high,

Beyond all mountains steep,

Above all shadows rides the sun

And Stars forever dwell:

I will not say the day is done

Nor bid the stars farewell

-
Journey’s End by J.R.R. Tolkien

Chapter Twelve

Mathias

The cool air swirled around Willa and me as we flew through the air. I wasn’t sure if she was trembling from the cold air or because she was frightened. Lights came into view as we soared overhead, and I looked down to reacquaint myself with the layout of the town. I was lucky that night had just fallen in Estes Park, Colorado otherwise it would have made flying up towards Robert’s cabin impossible.

Standing in the living room, surrounded by everyone, I had to make a split second decision on where to take Willa. The only place I could think of that was safe and completely without magic was Robert and Katya’s secret cabin that was in northern Colorado. I knew that they went there to relax every so often and that they also used it as a place to hide away for an extended period so that people wouldn’t get suspicious. One of the downfalls of being immortal or living a long time was you couldn’t stay in one place for too long.

The higher we flew, the more relaxed Willa seemed to get in my arms. I spied the towering hill up ahead and slowly landed in the field that was spread out before the cabin. I sprinted towards the door and kicked it open. A thick steel door guarded the entrance, and I punched in the security code. The cabin may be out in the middle of nowhere, but Robert wasn’t taking any chances, especially when it was just Katya there by herself if he went off exploring.

The large windows were all covered with metal bars on the inside and thick wooden shutters on the outside. I had set Willa down on the couch before I punched in another code to slide the bars into the lower window casings and threw open the shutters so that way Willa wouldn’t feel confined. I looked around and was thankful that Robert and Katya had been here a few weeks ago, so everything looked well kept.

The large open kitchen and living room was cozy but airy. A towering stone fireplace was massive in size and
rose almost three stories to the ceiling. The walls were a calm taupe color, and the kitchen was small but functional. I raced up the stairs and went into the loft bedroom that overlooked below. The roof was a little low for me, but the skylights set in the ceiling made the sloped chalet feel more expansive. The floor to ceiling windows that covered the entire back wall was boarded up, but I figured I would deal with that later.

I went into a good size bathroom off the bedroom and panicked when only cold water came through the taps into the claw foot tub. I swore before I realized Robert had probably shut the water heater off before he left the cabin to come to the Isle of Skye. After racing around, I finally found the switch and made the bed up with fresh sheets while the water heated up in the tank.

I checked on Willa every few minutes in between all my running around, and I was happy she seemed to be in a deep sleep. When I passed through the kitchen, I stopped and rifled through the cupboards. I groaned when I saw that the only food in there seemed to be of the canned variety. Willa may be out of her mind right now, but I knew her well enough to know that no matter what state she was in, she still would not even consider eating anything out of a can.

I may have felt out of control at the moment and somewhat helpless, but one thing I could give her was decent food. The only problem was to do that I would have to leave, and I didn’t know if I was even capable of that right now. I stood there for a few minutes before finally deciding to take a chance. I wouldn’t be long, and if Willa woke up while I wasn’t here then I would deal with that later. Right now my priority was food and shelter.

I placed the throw from over the couch around her body and listened to her even breathing before finally leaving. I had set the bars and steel door in place before I flew off into town. I made it to the grocery store in seven minutes. I grabbed a cart and tried not to arouse too much suspicion as I went about my business as quickly and efficiently as possible.

My cart was piled high twenty minutes later when I went to check out, and I sighed to myself as I went outside and looked at all the bags. I pushed the cart to the side of the building and gathered everything up in my arms. My purchases may not have been heavy to me, but they were cumbersome. I had way too many other things on my mind though at the moment, and I flew faster than I ever had before back to the cabin.

I knew I had left only about forty minutes ago, but it felt like a lifetime. When the butcher was wrapping several pieces of meat in brown paper and talking to me, it had taken everything in my entire being not to shout at him to hurry. The cashier had taken her sweet time ringing up my purchases, and I almost laughed at her blatant interest. I’m sure she was a lovely girl, but there was only one woman for me and right now her life, was in peril.

When I spotted the cabin, I dropped down to the ground and sprinted into the house. I set the bags right on the floor and hurried over to Willa. I looked up to the heavens to say a quick prayer of thanks when I saw she was still sleeping soundly. I unloaded the groceries in the kitchen and went upstairs to run a bath again. I set down the soap, body wash, loofah, shampoo and conditioner that I had bought on the lip of the tub and headed back downstairs.

I stood there for a minute completely unsure of what I should do now. Willa needed her sleep, but I knew that if she had any ounce of self-awareness then she would want a bath. I could care less that her hair and body had dirt and blood caked in them but I knew she would be appalled. I also thought that maybe she would be able to relax better if she were clean.

I picked her up as gently as I could and carried her upstairs. I set her down on the bed and tried to take her jeans off, but they were glued with dirt to her skin. I ripped them off and proceeded to do the same with the rest of her clothes. I cursed myself that I forget to grab her backpack but figured we would worry about clothes in a day or two.

She squirmed in my arms as I picked her up and tried to put her in the bathtub. I was shocked when she knocked me away with a gust of wind. She opened her eyes and looked around wildly.

“Willa, you’re safe,” I said. “Do you know who I am?”

She opened her mouth and started to cough. I almost jumped out of my skin when puffs of smoke came streaming out in a rush. Finally after a full minute she stopped and swallowed several times before answering.

“Mathias,” she said hoarsely

“Yes, Luv,” I said. “It’s me. I’m going to give you a bath ok?”

She looked down at her hands and started scratching her skin. I rushed over and pulled them away from her when I saw fresh blood welling up on her flesh.

“No Willa,” I said. “I’ll bathe you and get you clean. Stop scratching sweetheart.”

She shook her head and pushed away from me. “Out,”

“Willa I’m not going anywhere,” I answered firmly

“I have to pee,” she forced herself to say

“I don’t give a shit,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Out,” she said again as she pointed to the door.

“Oh for Christ sakes,” I muttered. “Fine but when you’re done I’m coming back in to wash you.”

She nodded, and I walked out of the bathroom. I smirked as I thought of her request for me to leave so she could urinate in private. I was a vampire and could hear the smallest sounds from miles away. I decided to let her have her modesty though. I also took it as a good sign that she was concerned with something as ridiculous as that right now.