Fated, A Timeless Series Novella (A Timeless Series Companion Novel)
Page 16
“CHEYENNE!”
I raced back down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. The moment I stepped inside, my heart skipped a beat.
She was curled up at the top of the basement stairs, her blonde hair limp against her back, her head tucked into her knees. She looked so broken. Caught between relief and horror, I stood there like an idiot. I didn’t know what I should do.
“When did you get back?” Her voice cracked.
That seemed to shock some sense into me, and I licked my lips.
“This morning.” The impulse to run over and hold her was overwhelming. I wanted to sweep her in my arms and take her pain away, but I wasn’t sure how she’d react. She had so much to deal with, I couldn’t let my feelings get in the way. Not when she was hurting like this.
I approached carefully, and squatted beside her. She didn’t move. Gently I took her shoulders, and turned her around. Our eyes met briefly. Hers were a deep, dark gray, reflecting the sadness within. I’d never seen them such a hue, and I never wanted to ever again.
“I’ve missed you,” Cheyenne whispered, hanging her head. I caught her chin, and tilted her face up. No, don’t hide in your despair. Share it with me, let me take it away.
“I just now received your text and voicemail messages,” I said. “I’m so sorry.”
It was a pathetic excuse. I should’ve been here, should never have left. Why had the enchantment chosen this time to fail? Why had it drawn me away from Cheyenne when she’d needed me the most? We’d been so optimistic, preparing everything so carefully, and now all the hopes and promises of the future lay in pieces at my feet.
“You’re here now.” Cheyenne’s voice was barely a breath.
I couldn’t stand it any longer, and pulled her tight into my chest. Her arms moved instinctively, wrapping round and pressing me close. A quiet sob escaped her, and she began to cry. I hushed her, stroking her hair, and she burrowed into my shirt, her muffled gasps turning to mournful wails. I knew she’d been holding back, trying to keep strong. She’d had to face this all alone, burying her sorrows deep. I couldn’t let her do this to herself. She had to let it out.
It was uncomfortable crouching on the floor, so I scooped Cheyenne in my arms and took her to the living room. She seemed so small and frail. Still her tears came, but I didn’t care. She could cry for all eternity, and I’d be here. I was never going to leave her like this again.
As I started to rock her in my arms, her gasps lessened. Eventually she calmed again, but she didn’t let go. I didn’t want her to, ever.
“I’m sorry Colt. I didn’t mean to ruin your shirt.”
It was all I could do not to laugh. Here she was, heart-broken and falling apart inside, and all she could do was apologize about my stupid shirt? That was just like her.
I stroked away the tears on her cheeks, smudging the remnants of her mascara. Her eyelids were puffy and swollen, yet she’d never looked so beautiful. Her soul bared to me, and only me.
“How about you lie down for a while?” I said. “You’re not looking so good.” She was so pale, and I was sure her clothes hadn’t been that loose when I’d left. “When was the last time you ate or drank anything?”
“Yesterday.” Cheyenne closed her eyes. “My head is hurting something awful.”
I had to sigh. Somehow, this didn’t surprise me.
“Wait here while I make you something to eat and drink,” I said. “I’ll bring some aspirin for your head, too.”
I laid her onto the couch, then strode to the kitchen. The fridge was well stocked, although a few items had gone bad. Quickly I threw them out, before scouring for bread, ham and cheese. I made some sandwiches, cutting them a bit haphazardly, then stacked them on a tray. Next I hunted for the aspirin, which was in the medication cupboard. A glass of water completed the set, and I carried the whole thing back to the living room.
“Dinner’s ready,” I joked, setting the tray on the coffee table. Cheyenne stared. “Come on, I promise they’re not poisoned.”
The corners of her lips twitched, wanting to smile, but it didn’t get that far. She took the first sandwich and began to nibble. I watched her gnaw through half, before she set it down. I really wished she’d eat more, but forcing her would only make it worse. It was better than nothing, I supposed.
I handed her the aspirin, and she downed it. She didn’t reach for her sandwich again, so I gently pushed at her shoulder.
“Rest,” I said. “I’m here, you don’t need to worry about a thing.”
She didn’t say anything, but the creases on her forehead eased. She settled into my lap, and closed her eyes. Her hair flopped over my jeans, so I ran my fingers through it. Her breathing grew soft and even, and she drifted off.
I watched her all evening, and well into the night. I wanted to be sure she’d be alright when she woke. Even without her headache, I couldn’t imagine the pain raging inside her. I’d dealt with losing Dad so long ago, and I’d never got the chance to miss my mother as she’d died giving birth to me. To lose both parents at once, with all the memories of joy and sorrow, must’ve been absolute hell. And of all people, Cheyenne was the least deserving. Dragged into our meaningless war like this, and she didn’t even know why. It wasn’t fair.
Cheyenne murmured, her face crinkling, so I slid a pillow under her head. My fingers traced her cheek, still moist from her tears. Oh, Cheyenne, you’ve lived but for a fraction of time I have, yet you’ve endured so much heartache already. You have so much still to live for. I promise I’ll get you through this. I’ll make you smile again. And I’ll always be here to protect you, no matter what.
Because I love you.
Timeless Series Novel
Data Sheet
See what lies ahead for Cheyenne.
For more information on the Timeless Series Novels visit: http://www.lisawiedmeier.com/ or timelessseriesnovels.com www.facebook.comTimelessSeriesNovels http:/lisawiedmeier.blogspot.com/
A Timeless Series Novel
Cheyenne - Released July 15, 2011
Promises - Release date: May 30, 2012
Daylight - Scheduled release date: Spring 2013
Awakening - under edits
The original construction of the Timeless Series ended with Awakening, but if the demand is still great I will continue on with the following.
Deceptions - under edits
Revelations - under edits
Resolutions - under edits
Side stories / Extra’s:
Fated – A Timeless Series Novella – December 10, 2012
(A Timeless Series Companion Novel)
Bailee - under edits
Sahara - draft
Timeless Clans Glossary
Timeless – a form of immortality, aging one year for every one hundred years.
Kvech Clan
Adalmund – former leader of the Kvech clan - deceased.
Jasalyn – spouse to Adalmund – Cheyenne’s grandmother - deceased.
Qaysean – former leader of the Kvech clan – deceased.
Consilador Clan
Callon – leader of the Consilador clan – acting regent for the Timeless Race.
Colt – Cheyenne’s best friend.
Daniel – all around good guy.
Sarac Clan
Makhi – former leader of the Sarac clan – deceased.
Marcus – leader of the Sarac clan.
Servak Clan
Jorell – former leader of the Servak clan – deceased.
Sahara – daughter of Jorell – deceased.
Coltooro Clan
Dex – leader of the Coltooro clan.
Lilly – spouse to Dex.
Silloquize Clan
Koda – leader of the Silloquize clan.
Laundess Clan
About the Authors
Taming the wilderness of her imagination one story at a time…
Lisa Wiedmeier lives in Idaho with her loving husband, two sons and crazy dog Mandi. She has tamed the wild
erness of her imagination and she has recently completed 8 novels in her Timeless Series, with a ninth book upcoming.
Sam Dogra is a recently qualified junior doctor working in the NHS in England. Between reviewing patients, taking blood and getting grilled by consultants, she also writes fantasy fiction and is a fantasy artist. She has completed her first novel The Binding, with two sequels in progress, and the former is due for release in summer 2013.