Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (3 page)

“You made me a crown out of flowers,” I said.

“I did. I told you you’d always be my princess.”

I blinked away the tears.

“Cheyenne.”

“Yes?”

“You’ll always be my princess.”

“I love you, Colt,” I whispered.

“I love you too. I’ll always be with you…”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as Colt’s image faded from my vision.

“Cheyenne?”

My eyes cleared enough to see the remnants of the candle burning and Callon holding my hand.
Daniel must have called for backup.

“I miss him so much.” Callon was speaking differently, in a tone of voice I’d never heard before. It cut through my despair, reaching far enough to touch my place of retreat. “I was breaking our family apart. I was the one who was so determined to push you in the right direction. I’m the one to blame for all of this, not you. It’s because of you that I realized how much my family meant to me. It’s because of you my heart aches…because of what
I
put you through. I’m so sorry…” He bowed his head as the candlelight faded away.

The thin wisp of smoke trailed upwards. My light was gone, but Callon was here. Callon was here
baring his soul, and I couldn’t reject him anymore.

I moved closer
, tossing the cupcake and plate to the floor.

“I’m here, Callon,” I murmured, my silence finally broken. “I’m here.”

His arms came around me, and he buried his head in my hair as we both held on. Holding on for all our losses and for all our pain.

A sudden peace began to cover me like a warm blanket. Daniel had wrapped himself around both
of us. His salty tears ran down my arm.

“You’re back,” Daniel whispered. “You came back.”

Eventually Daniel let go, but Callon held on until my limbs became heavy and sleep overwhelmed me.

I woke to the softest caress on my cheek.

“Cheyenne,” Callon murmured. “Cheyenne?”

I inhaled and looked up into weary eyes.

“I’m here,” I whispered.

A weak smile broke through. “I want you to stay.”

I grasped his hand.

“I’ll try.” I knew I couldn’t say anymore than that. My heart was still heavy, broken, shattered, but I knew I needed to move on. I could deal with this heartache the way I’d dealt with the others…I’d bury it deep in my heart. It would all blend into the darkness at some point, it had to.

“I want you to leave this room.” He hesitated. “I want you to come with me.”

I pressed my eyes closed for a moment. This room had been my sanctuary. Leaving it would open me up. I was safe here.

“It’ll be okay.” He encouraged. “Daniel, Maes and I are here. It’s going to be all right. I want you to live here, to see and explore my home. We’re going to help you move on.”

My hands began to shake at the
thought of the unknown.
Move on
. I knew I needed to, but Callon vocalizing it caused me to panic. I didn’t want to move on from Colt. I wanted him to be alive and with me always.

“Cheyenne.” Callon
said softly, convincing. “He’d want you to see it.”

Callon helped me to sit up and pulled me to the side of the bed. I stood and suddenly my legs felt like jelly.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” His arm quickly snaked around my waist. “You’ve been in bed a long time. It will take time to get your strength back. But I’ll be here every step of the way.”

He led me to the bathroom
, and for the first time I actually took in my surroundings. The room was decorated with white marble and ornate fixtures. Callon didn’t live in any ordinary home. This was plush and elegant, luxury at its finest.

After cleaning up and opening the door, I was astonished at what I’d chosen to ignore. An expansive four-poster bed adorned the center of the room, the bed I’d slept in with its silken fabrics. Large oil paintings hung throughout and a sitting area with antique furnishing
s was nestled in a private corner. I glanced to my left and saw the sunlight peeking through the curtains.

“Do you like it?” Callon’s hand covered mine.

“Yes,” I whispered. “It’s just that I…”

“I know,” he replied. “But you’re here now
, and you can take it all in.”

H
is hazel eyes glowed with warmth. These were eyes that I’d come to adore and the man I needed to make things right with.

“I’m sorry.”
Once again, I was crying, but these tears were for a different reason.

“I know.” He drew my hand up and kissed my knuckles. “Let me distract you for a while, okay?”

I nodded and allowed him to lead the way.

My bedroom door opened and
I hesitated as Callon stepped out into the hall. I looked back. This was my safe place. I couldn’t leave.

“It’s going to be okay.” He tugged on my hand.

I lowered my head and stepped into the unknown.

The shadows seemed to follow me as we headed down the long hall. My feet padded quietly over the carpet
, and we headed down the cascading stairs. I couldn’t bring myself to look up, not yet. My heart began to race as Callon took me through another larger living space. The gloom from the darkened room seemed to close in around me.

Light
,
I needed light!

“Here,” Callon said as he opened a door and led me out onto a terrace.

I inhaled, not realizing I’d been holding my breath.

“Let’s just sit in the sunshine for awhile first, okay?” His fingers squeezed mine
, and I nodded.

He took us to a double chaise and we sat, looking out into the lush forest surrounding us. A lake lay in the distance, dark and mysterious.

My mind wandered to the light of the candle. It was the light that brought me out, as well as the memory of Colt and my realization that I’d pressed Callon’s hand to my chest. He’d been staring into my eyes, and I’d finally seen him. He’d brought me back.

“Callon, I need to tell you something…” I had to let him know about this feeling, this unknown darkness before it got out of control.

“You haven’t been well, Cheyenne.”

“It’s more than that, it’s…”

“You feel something different.”

I inhaled a shaky breath
. He knew.

“I didn’t know how to handle it
. I didn’t know what to do except hide.” I pushed my shaking hand to my forehead. “I—I didn’t try to kill myself with the medicine, either.”

“
Oblivion was your only safe place,” he said, expressing my thoughts for me.

I nodded, lowering my head in shame. “Colt was my light, and with him gone
, I didn’t know where to turn.” I swallowed. “I didn’t know how to tell you. It was like the words wouldn’t form on my lips to speak. I’m sorry.”

He drew me closer, his arms coming around me. “I’m going to help you
.
We’re
going to help you.”

“I’m scared, Callon,” I whispered. “I’m scared of falling back.”

“Then let me help you.” He rubbed my back tenderly.

“I need you
. I don’t want to go back there. I’m so sorry for all that I’ve put you through. You deserve so much more.”

His fingers brushed the hair from my eyes.

“I’m the one to blame here,” he said. “I contributed to your sorrow, and put you through so much. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. Let me be your light, Cheyenne. Let me be your strength. Let me love you the way you were meant to be loved.”

“I don’t know
if I have anything left.”

Callon rested his hand on my chest, and my heartbeat quickened.

“It’s right here,” he said. “Not gone, only hidden. You’ve been through so much. Of course you’d try and protect yourself.”

“We have to find the rest of me before it’s swallowed up by the
...” I couldn’t even say the words, as if that would confirm it.

“Then let’s search together.”

He leaned closer and placed a tender kiss on my forehead. I snuggled in close as we quietly took in the moment. Callon would help me. He wouldn’t allow me to lose to the gloom and despair, but I needed more. My eyes drifted to his right hand, where he wore his Consilador ring. His clan ring that bound us together.

I couldn’t stop myself as I reached for it. I just needed that deeper connection, that tingling sensation running under my skin to
let me know I was alive and he was here with me. My breath caught as I locked my ring over his, and I heard his gasp as well. The electricity flowed through me as he further sealed his fingers with mine. I held on, allowing the pulsing rhythm to warm my cold heart. I took in every ounce and let it roam freely. I didn’t need to hold back anymore.

“Callon?”

Daniel’s voice broke the moment, and Callon unlocked our fingers.

“Yes?” he replied.

“Is everything…”

“It’s fine.”

I curled my legs to my chest as I watched the sun disappear over the horizon. A shiver rolled over me. Nightfall, shadows were coming…shadows I knew were something more.

A warm hand touched my shoulder.

“Cheyenne?” Daniel’s brows pinched together, his expression grim. “We want to help.”

“I know,” I whispered.

“You want to come inside? Are you hungry?”

I nodded, pulling my legs to the edge of the chaise.

It was time to start moving on.

I followed Daniel up the terrace stairs and into the main sitting area. Callon ambled behind, unrushed. As I entered, a surge of unease hit me as the dimly lit room cast shadows in every direction.

“We call this the sitting room,” Daniel smirked. “Cuz all we end up doing in here is sitting.” He disappeared for a moment as he clicked all the lights on. “That’s better,” he said.

I took in the sitting room. Floor to ceiling windows flanked the walls,
which would give an excellent view of the terrace and scenery during the day. Directly in front of the windows was a semi-formal sitting area anchored with a large rug. Beyond that lay a grand piano with chairs and what looked like a music area. Black instrument cases were arranged nearby.

Daniel waved me further into the room towards a smaller sitting area. As I glanced about, I noticed large oil paintings
were placed at intervals along the walls between the windows. Some were landscapes and others were portraits. Were they of the O’Shea family?

“If you’re cold, we can make a fire later,” Daniel added as he pointed to the massive fireplace.

“I’d like that,” I replied. The light and warmth would hopefully fill the empty feeling inside.

“There’s also a lot of pictures and stuff to look at when you’re ready,” Daniel said. He pointed to the gallery hallway and I nodded.

“There’s no rush,” Callon said. “Take your time.”

He led us back towards a dining area that housed an enormous table. It must’ve seated at least twenty or more. Everything was built to such scale, it was making my head spin.

“How about some dinner?” Callon asked as he pushed us through a double swinging door leading to a chef’s kitchen. He pulled out a stool for me as he disappeared into a large pantry and returned with various items.

Daniel moved closer, his shoulder brushing mine. His face was full of anxiety. Despite his cheerful words, I could tell he was lost on what to do to help me. Even his touch was different. In the past it
had always brought comfort, even as it did the other day, but right now I felt nothing.

“So you finally decided to come out of your hole, huh, Cheyenne?”
Maes’s growl caused me to jump. I turned, frowning.

“Maybe,” I replied and turned away. I really didn’t need his coldness right now.

“Congratulations on a fine job as the lost Kvech heir,” Maes went on. “Running from your responsibilities. You are certainly your mother’s daughter.”

“Leave her be, Maes,” Daniel said with icy coolness.