He studied me for a few moments, his eyes looking deep into mine and then, without warning, he scooped me up.
“Hey!” I yelped.
You need fresh air.
He took me out onto my terrace and set me in the chaise, but he didn’t leave. He sat beside me.
Why are you afraid?
“You can speak out loud,” I said.
“What are you afraid of, mon espoir?” he asked again, gently.
I could have lied, could have denied everything, but this was Maes, and he’d be relentless until I confessed.
“I’m nervous.”
“About marrying Callon?”
“No,” I hesitated. “About our safety.”
“Oui.” His rough hand rubbed his chin. “That’s an understandable fear to have, but I promise you, like I’ve promised you in the past, I’ll always protect you.” Jade-rimmed eyes looked deep into mine. “You’ve got an army of warriors here ready to battle for you at a moment’s notice.”
I knew that, but it still didn’t ease my nerves.
His hand closed over mine, swallowing it.
“Would you like me to stay with you until Callon receives you during the ceremony?”
I knew I could defend myself quite well before the ceremony while I still had my powers. “I’m not worried about the before, Maes, it’s the after.”
He raised a brow.
I rolled my eyes. Did I have to spell it out? “When I’m powerless.”
“I see.”
I lay back against the chaise and allowed the gentle breeze to cool my skin. I stared out towards the forest. The sun was dipping further into the sky. Within a few hours I’d be walking down the aisle to Callon, at sunset.
Birds chirped madly and swarmed over a small group of trees. A lone black crow suddenly emerged from the branches and flew by, the sparrows chasing it away.
“It’s a sign, Cheyenne,” Maes said thoughtfully. “The sparrows are chasing away your fears. Let them go and enjoy your day.”
Maybe it was a sign, like he said. Maybe I just needed to let them go.
Maes moved to the chaise beside me and we sat silently, taking in the lush landscape around us. Before long my eyes grew heavy, and I found myself drifting off. Perhaps the sparrows had chased away my fears…
“Is she awake yet?” a voice whispered nearby.
“We need to get started,” another replied, sounding like Andre.
I stretched and opened my eyes.
Bree and Andre were leaning against the terrace rails, staring at me.
“Feeling better?” Bree asked eyeing me carefully. “We could get Callon or Dex if you want.”
“I’m fine,” I croaked and cleared my throat.
I glanced out over the horizon. The sun was lower than it had been when I first closed my eyes. I stretched again and sat up. I paused for a moment, a hand on my stomach, waiting to see if I was going to have issues again.
“You look better,” Andre said, evaluating me closely. “Maes said you slept for a couple hours. Not enough, but at least now the dark circles aren’t as noticeable.” A sly smile rose. “Might not have to use all the plaster I brought after all, Bree.” She nudged Bree’s arm and they both chuckled.
“Ha, ha, ha,” I replied. “Very funny.”
“Of course it’s funny. I said it,” Andre said.
I stood and headed for my bedroom. At least the weather was cooperating. The evening was going to be warm and beautiful, a rarity here in Ireland.
The table that had been carefully stocked with beauty supplies last night was once again set up and waiting. Nakari stood to the side. She gave a faint smile and then looked down.
This wasn’t easy for her, the whole wedding planning and preparation, but she’d been more regal than I’d have been in the same situation. Regardless of my jealously, she was strong, and I admired her.
I sat in the chair once again and allow Nakari and Bree to work their magic on my hair. They’d left the bulk of it down this time so long ringlets fell down my back. Pieces here and there were twisted and pinned, with delicate pink flowers finishing them off. Layla took over when Bree and Nakari were done and added my makeup for the final touch.
Lilly arrived, and she and Layla helped me into my wedding dress. I stood before the mirror, once again admiring Layla’s creation. The dress was even more beautiful than I remembered. The way the silk reflected in the light causing it to look like shimmering stars amazed me. My fingers traced the embroidered band that ran across the top.
Lilly stepped behind me and placed a simple but elegant necklace around my neck. It consisted of freshwater pearls that were twisted together with what looked like sapphires, forming a seamless string. She handed me matching earrings too.
She moved in front of me and adjusted them, her eyes tearing slightly.
“This is your something old and something blue,” Lilly said, trying to hold back her tears. “It was Sahara’s. She would have wanted you to have it.”
Emotions welled up inside of me that I fought to push down. My fingers traced the necklace. This was my mom’s. Lilly didn’t need to say it for me to know it. I felt it. How I wished she was here to see me now, and Alexis, too.
Gentle fingers touched my elbow. Nakari had something clenched in her hand. She pressed something small and warm into the palm of my hand. Her mouth opened to speak, but then closed, unsure. I opened my hand to see a silver charm bracelet with a single heart-shaped charm attached.
“It’s something borrowed.” She swallowed. “You need something borrowed.” She looked down and locked her hands together.
My fingers ran over the metal, the ache in my heart tightening. I handed it back to her. Confusion filled her eyes and then I lifted my wrist.
“Can you help me put it on?”
A tearful smile rose, and she helped me latch the bracelet in place.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Nakari, Layla, Bree and Andre quietly left the room while Lilly remained at my side for a few more moments.
“You’re not the same girl I met two years ago, Cheyenne. I—we are so proud of you.”
I nodded and kept my eyes averted. I didn’t need to shed tears now.
“I wish Sahara and Qaysean could have been here…” she whispered trailing off and then sighed. “Daniel will be here soon. Your bouquet is waiting at the bottom of the stairs.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.”
My bedroom door quietly clicked closed, and I was alone.
I stared at myself, the woman before me still a mystery. She had scars running down her back from a Tresez attack, and her chest still contained remnants from the burns. How she’d managed to get to this point would probably be one of the wonders of the world. In just a short period of time, I would be walking down the aisle. I’d become Cheyenne O’Shea…no longer Cheyenne Wilson. What I would have given to have my birth and adoptive parents here to see me walk down the aisle, to have shared in my life for longer than what I’d had. But if they hadn’t been taken from me, would I have become the woman I was today? Or would I have been weak, and relied on them instead of stepping up to claim the destiny that had always been mine?
A cruel twist of fate had changed everything, and I’d never know the answers. But the only thing that mattered now was that I was marrying Callon, and I was fulfilling what destiny had lain out before me.
I’d kicked and screamed the entire journey, endured heartaches no one should have, but I’d lived to see another day…and we’d end this tyranny with Marcus soon.
I turned away and looked at my nightstand. I knew what lay in its small drawer, Colt’s bracelet. I’d brought back the other half on our failed rescue attempt. I couldn’t help myself; I wanted to touch it one last time. My steps were purposeful, and I sat on the bed and opened the drawer. The black stone bracelet looked dull and drab sitting there, all the life and brightness it once knew now gone because
its other half was missing. Just like our other half was missing—my other half. I sighed. It was time to give up childish dreams and come to grips with Colt’s choice. He wasn’t one of us anymore.
A soft knock drew my attention. I closed the drawer, shutting out those emotions, locking them away forever. I stood. The door opened, and Daniel entered, a warm smile spreading as he stared at me.
“Wow,” he said, his eyes dancing with happiness. “I think Callon’s going to be pleasantly surprised.”
He jumped beside me. He was wearing the same black tux as last night, but today his vest was black and his tie white.
“You’re not looking so bad yourself, Daniel.”
“But I’m not the one on display for everyone.” He winked, but then turned serious. “Bree told me you weren’t feeling well earlier.” He hesitated. “Nerves?”
I nodded, knowing it was a lie. I still had that underlying feeling something was off, but Maes had told me to let it go, and I had. I needed to focus on walking down the aisle and saying my vows…and losing my powers for who knew how long.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down.
“I just want you to know, you’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a sister. And now that it’s official, I just wanted to say…” He paused and took a breath. “I just wanted to say I love you an awful lot, Cheyenne. You’re one of the best things that ever happened to us, my brothers and I. And regardless of the fact that Colt’s not here with us anymore, you were the one who drew us together as a family again. You completed us.”
He leaned in kissing my cheek and embraced me. His warmth spread through my limbs and calmed my nerves.
“You were the ones who completed me, Daniel,” I whispered. “And you’re the best brother I could have ever hoped for. I love you too.”
He held on for a few moments before he stepped back. He tried to hide the fact that he brushed a stray tear from his eye, but I saw and it touched me even more. I was the lucky one. I was gaining not only a loving caring brother, I was gaining Callon too. A man who could move me like no other. I was gaining a husband who’d love me no matter what. The same way I’d love him back.
“Shall we?” He extended his arm, and I looped my hand through it.
The silk of my dress swished with each step. We paused at the top of the stairs so I could take in the beauty of the garlands wrapping the staircase and the candlelight in the entry.
“Ready?” Daniel asked and I nodded.
I blinked, and we were at the bottom of the stairs. I smiled. At least I wouldn’t trip down the stairs. We moved towards the sitting room, and stopped at a small table so I could pick up my bouquet.
It was a beautiful collection of brilliant pink and white zinnias. The stems were wrapped in a white silk with long flowing silk ribbons attached. They were simple, and yet elegant, like everything else Lilly had planned. We waited in the sitting room until Lilly came and motioned for us to wait at the terrace doors.
My heart began to race, its beat rattling in my ears, drowning out the soft music. Daniel’s fingers touched my arm, and I took a deep breath.
“You okay?” he whispered leaning closer.
“Nerves,” I murmured back.
Clayton and Skylar stood guard to the entrance, their eyes on us. Lilly motioned, and they slowly drew back the tulle-filled entry, parting the way for Daniel and me.
The music changed, and my knees grew weak. I leaned on Daniel as he escorted us off the terrace steps and into the tent.
The tables were gone and chairs were lined up in their place. I took in the beauty around me. The rows were draped with wildflower garlands along with the tent posts, and thousands of twinkling lights illuminated the ceiling. I followed the rose petals that continued their trail to the front. The sunlight was disappearing over the horizon, and the soft hue was creating a warm glow. The lights sparkled.
My attention locked on Callon, and at that moment, nothing else mattered. He made me forget about everything else.
His warm eyes took me in, while goosebumps trailed over my skin. His black tux made him look regal, like he had been made for this moment, to stand and wait for my arrival. A stray lock of his wavy brown hair fell on his forehead; his chiseled jaw was clean shaven. His full lips beckoned me to come closer, to kiss them wholeheartedly.
Callon stepped forward as Daniel squeezed my hand and raised it for Callon to take. My pulse quickened even more, but any fear or doubt I might have had washed away with every step we took. We stopped in front of Dex. Callon raised both my hands in his, and placed a tender kiss on each without ever losing eye contact.
A shiver filled with pleasure and promise escaped me.
“I’m the lucky one,” he whispered as he leaned in and place a kiss near the corner of my mouth. “The lucky one indeed.”
I heard Dex begin the ceremony, but I didn’t take in all the words…I absorbed all of the man that was before me, my soon to be husband, Callon.
Lilly stepped beside me and took my bouquet; it was time for our vows. We each turned, facing each other, and locked wrist over wrist. Lilly next held a carved metal box with a simple latch. Dex raised the lid and revealed what looked like an old, worn leather braided rope. The Braid del amour, the braid of love.
Reverently he pulled it from its velvet-lined case and began to wrap it around our connected hands. He then began to speak.
“As the Braid del amour is wrapped around your arms, we are reminded this braid, as our lives, is twisted together in a myriad of different ways. You each bring in your own parts, and combine them together to form one union. One union that shall forever remain strong, one union that will eternally remain united in love.”
Dex focused his attention on Callon now.
“Callon repeat after me,” he said. “I, Callon Michael O’Shea, of the Consilador clan, pledge my love and my life to you, Cheyenne Alexis Wilson. To forever be your partner in life and your one love. I will cherish each moment I have with you more each day than the day before. I will trust you and rule with you, I will laugh and cry with you. I will love you faithfully no matter the outcome, regardless of the trials we shall face. I give you my heart and my soul from this day forward as long as we both shall live and until death we should part.”
I listened as Callon repeated his vow to me, and then watched in awe as the Braid began to give off a bluish hue. I looked up, listening to the love and sincerity flowing from his voice, and the firm grasp of his hands told me of his commitment. Dex turned to me now, and he read the same vow. It was my turn to repeat the words.
“I, Cheyenne Alexis Wilson, of the Kvech and Servak clans, pledge my love and life to you, Callon Michael O’Shea.” My voice grew stronger, knowing the words I was pledging to him. The Braid’s glow began to grow. “To forever be your partner in life and your one love. I will cherish each moment I have with you more each day than the day before…” I hesitated, blinking my eyes. My vision was growing blurred, lights flashing around the edges. I looked down. The Braid’s blue hue was growing darker. A tingling sensation tickled my skin. My powers were draining. Were they going into the braid? They hadn’t told me what would happen during the ceremony. They just said our powers would unite. Why hadn’t I thought to ask more detailed questions? I inhaled and forced myself on.
“I will trust you and rule with you, I will laugh and cry with you. I will love you…” I paused again. A strange stinging sensation pinched at my flesh. I shook my head; the lights around Callon’s body were growing brighter. I couldn’t see his face clearly now, but felt his grip tighten. I went on.
“Faithfully no matter the outcome…regardless of the trials we face…” I sucked in a wild breath, starting to become light-headed. “I give you my heart and my soul…”
The pain was becoming intense, and I shook. This wasn’t right. I tried to focus on Callon again, and then realized my mistake. The lights; they weren’t from the ceiling. They were shimmering speckles, the same ones that had appea
red during our ride to Dex and Lilly’s. Where Callon had first kissed me to break their hold on me.
No…not here…not today! This couldn’t be happening!
“Cheyenne!” Callon’s voice broke through.
“The lights,” I whispered, scarcely able to get the words out. “The lights…Ghosters!”
They’d been here the whole time, and I was staring straight at them…they were around Callon’s face!
With every ounce of energy I possessed, I fought to shut my eyes. But it was too late. They had me, and I couldn’t stop them. They must have waited until I was at my weakest during the ceremony, when my powers would start to fade…but how’d they get through the enchantment? Had Colt let them in?
I watched in horror while I floated above my body in a ghost-like state, my vows unfinished. There was an eerie silence as I watched my family frantically race to my side. It was as if all sounds were blocked out. I could see their lips moving, but I heard nothing. I grew cold, colder than I’d ever felt, like I was freezing. The warmth my skin provided no longer insulated me. I exhaled, and steam rose from my mouth only to cause me to start choking. It was as if the air was freezing on contact—freezing me from the inside out!
Dex ripped the glowing Braid from our arms. In desperation, Callon pushed his lips to mine, fighting to bring me back—to focus on him. I reached out, struggling to force myself back into my body, but it only caused more agony. I wailed as thousands of needles pierced my limbs and saw, in the last moment before I was ripped away, my limp body in his arms—my eyes wide open and lifeless.
The more I struggled, the more misery I was in. The needle pricks turned into stabbing pain. I willed myself to still. I watched the forest fly past as I was sucked away by some invisible force. My soul was ripped from my body, only to be joined back when I arrived at the Ghoster’s side. I was at their mercy—I’d be in Marcus’s hold. No!
Powerless, I could only watch the scenery fly past. Trees flew by in a blur as they blended together. Dark shadows mixing with the leaves…what else was out there? The night sky gave way to a glowing figure in the distance. As I came closer, I saw the Ghoster, and Raina was standing beside her.
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 35