Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel

by Lisa L Wiedmeier

  Colt’s image, the last image I had of him in chains and resisting Marcus, came into view. There was pain and agony in his eyes, but the sheer will to fight on showed in his defiance. I wrapped what I could around him, giving him back a piece of me to hold on to. I knew now, regardless of this outcome, that I needed Callon. There was the obligation, but there was more to it now. He’d been the one who pulled me through; he’d been the one who never gave up on me. He was the one who now believed in me and loved me as I loved him.

  Callon could never take Colt’s place, but the love I felt for Callon surpassed more than I could have ever imagined. He held my heart firmly, he cared for it, he nourished it and treated it with dignity and honor. He’d given up just as much as the rest of us, if not more. It was only fair that I gave myself to him fully as well.

  The notes continued to morph into songs, songs of love and admiration for Callon. Songs crying out and letting him know exactly what I felt inside. He knew me; he knew how I expressed myself. He knew what I was saying without ever having to say the words. He knew I was finally giving all of me to him for good.

  The music slowed, the passage of time unknown as the notes drifted quietly to the ground like snowflakes. Fresh, new, and untouched. Whole and ready to be molded into the shape it was to become. My fingers once again hovered over the keys. It was done.

  A gentle hand cupped my cheek. Callon’s musky scent drifted over me. His warm breath ran over my cheek.

  “You did this for me, didn’t you?” He sat beside me on the bench, our shoulders touching.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  “You knew I needed this, to know where your heart lay.”

  “With you, Callon, with you.”

  He pulled my left hand closer and from beneath heavy lashes I watched him slide a platinum ring on my finger. My heart began to patter against my ribs. He had a ring for me.

  “I’ve been waiting for the right moment, waiting for you to be ready.” He leaned in and kissed the corner of my mouth and then slid to the floor, taking a knee. “Cheyenne Alexis Wilson, will you marry me?”

  Tears welled up inside, tears of happiness and joy that began streaming down my cheek. He didn’t just expect me to agree. He was asking me to.

  “Yes,” I whispered unable to utter anything else.

  He slid back up on the bench, his hands framing my face and wiping my tears away. There was a light in his hazel eyes, a light I hadn’t seen in a long time. A light of hope, love and restoration.

  “I love you, Callon.” My lips quivered as he drew closer, my eyes falling closed.

  “I love you more than you can understand, Cheyenne,” he muttered over my lips. “So much more than I thought possible.”

  A cascade of emotions poured over and through me. Soft, gentle caresses lingered on my lips, pulling me deeper into the moment. A stolen breath taken, but then given back as his mouth covered mine. A swarm of butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach, sending goosebumps trailing over my skin.

  His hand gently tipped my head back further, directing me how he wanted to deepen the kiss. My hand came to rest on his chest. His tongue ran over my lower lips, and my fingers slipped up through his brown wavy locks.

  It had been too long since we’d shared a moment like this. It had been too long since he’d released the passion bottled up inside. Every twist and turn of his mouth only showed me how he felt, the man I was to marry.

  He pressed even deeper, stealing away my breath as I stole his. Every twist and turn only made me fall more in love with him. He was the one I’d be sharing my life with, and it would be far from loveless. I knew this was only the tip of the iceberg with his passion. One day he’d show me more.

  His kiss slowed, and he drew back, his fingers tracing my neck.

  “You’ve given me everything I’ve ever needed, love. Thank you.”

  He placed a tender kiss on my forehead, and I leaned in closer, snuggling into his chest. He gently placed his arms around me so he wouldn’t hurt me, but I didn’t care anymore. I’d take the pain and suffer just to feel his love surround me and give me strength.

  I leaned closer to the sitting room window. It was a rare day for sunshine, and my engagement ring was sparkling in the sun’s beams. I stared at the intricate design. Had it been in Callon’s family for years? It looked vintage, and small imperfections were etched into the band itself. The ring felt heavier than expected. I was guessing the diamond was at least a carat if not more.

  “I believe it’s called a European cut,” Dex said.

  I smiled and examined the ring closer. The center stone was accented with four smaller single cut diamonds placed on each side.

  Dex sat across from me at the small game table extending his hand.

  “May I?”

  I lifted my left hand for him to inspect the ring.

  “I’d say around 1930s if I were to guess,” he added thoughtfully. “I think it’s been in the family for a long time.” He smiled.

  “Old is good,” I replied.

  “Congratulations.” His hazel eyes softened. “I know this hasn’t been easy on you, Cheyenne, and I just want you to know that Lilly and I are very proud of you.”

  “I said yes because I wanted to, not because I had to.”

  His smile deepened. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

  “Cheyenne?” Andre’s head peeked around the corner from the main entrance.

  “Over here.”

  “I’ve been searching all over the place for you.”

  She’d pulled her black hair back into a ponytail, and she had a pretty blue sweater on. She’d done her makeup, too. I couldn’t help but giggle.

  “What?!” Her right nostril flared slightly.

  “You look nice. That’s all.”

  “Is there a crime in that?” She smoothed down her sweater.

  “The only crime committed here is you looking pretty,” Dex said with a grin.

  Andre rolled her eyes.

  “Your fiancé wants to see you in the library, Cheyenne.”

  I couldn’t wipe the grin off my lips. Andre was dressing up for Maes, though she’d never admit it.

  “He’d like you there too, Dex.”

  Dex and I followed her into the hall, but she didn’t stop at the library doors.

  “I thought you said the library?”

  “The private library.”

  “Oh.”

  We continued through the hall to the metal studded doors. Andre pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked it.

  “You have a key?” I asked.

  “No, it’s Callon’s. He just gave it to me to bring you here.”

  We continued down the dimly lit hall. Even with the lights on, it still was too dark and gloomy for me. A cold breeze drifted by, and a shiver ran down my back.

  We stopped at the library doors, and Dex moved between us. He whispered a phrase, and the door unlocked, just like it had done before when Callon spoke the spell.

  “Ladies,” Dex said and opened the door, ushering us in.

  Callon immediately rose from the desk and neared, placing a kiss on my cheek. For just a brief moment I witnessed what looked like distress flash through his eyes.

  “Love,” he greeted me.

  Callon led me to a chair and had me sit next to the fire. Andre disappeared back into the hall, but within moments she was back again, Maes, Brogan, Koda and Daniel following. What was going on?

  Callon exhaled and moved back to the desk. He sat and opened a drawer. He hesitated a few moments, but then reached in and placed a small brown package on the tabletop. I sat up straighter, trying to see it better.

  “A package arrived today. The Campbell’s brought it over.” Callon’s voice was devoid of any emotion. “It’s addressed to you, Cheyenne.”

  His hazel eyes met mine, and the distress I’d witness earlier had returned. I blinked.

  “I have a package?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  Maes,
Brogan, Dex, Koda, Andre and Daniel gathered round, inspecting the package.

  “That looks like…” Daniel trailed off deep in thought.

  Callon stood and moved to the ottoman between the two chairs, holding the package in his hands.

  “You need to open this, Cheyenne. It’s addressed to you.”

  I nodded, still confused about who would send me a package. No one knew where I was except…my hands began to tremble. I read the label, and I pressed the Servak ring into my palm. I knew this handwriting. I inhaled a shaky breath.

  “It’s…it’s from Colt,” I murmured. Daniel appeared at my side, holding my shoulder.

  “Yes, it’s his handwriting,” Daniel said.

  I blinked back the tears. How? Why? What was it? My fingers traced the words and I looked to see the return address—the cabin. It was postmarked from there too. I pushed the package onto the ottoman.

  “What if it’s a trap?” I looked up at Callon, begging for some sort of judgment.

  “That’s why we’re in the library,” Callon replied. “We’re protected in here.”

  “It’s safe then?”

  “Yes.”

  “What if something leaps out and attacks us?”

  “I’ll whisk you away, Cheyenne,” Daniel said, squeezing my shoulder.

  I stared at the package, my thumb rolling over my Servak ring. Colt would never do anything to harm me, but Marcus would do just about anything to get me. Callon said we were protected…I had to find out what Colt sent me.

  I lifted the small square box and gently pulled the brown paper away, revealing a cardboard container. I carefully peeled away the tape and opened the lid. A small black velvet jewelers box sat protected by packing peanuts. I set the box down and slowly pulled the black velvet box out. I hesitated, not sure what to expect.

  My heart raced, and I tried to still my shaking hands as I opened it. A single glance was all it took. I lost all ability to breathe and dropped the box, spilling the contents. I blinked. Daniel had jumped me further away, near the entry, his arm around me.

  “It’s okay,” he said.

  Callon strode over, picking up the fallen item.

  “It’s—it’s my bracelet,” I murmured. Callon nodded, his fingers tracing the stones.

  “What is it?” Brogan stepped closer. “It looks like a harmless piece of jewelry to me.”

  “It is.” Callon turned towards me. “It’s a bracelet Colt gave Cheyenne last Christmas.”

  “I left both halves of it in Montana,” I said. “I…It was too much to bring it with me.”

  “So it’s a trap,” Maes said.

  “No, it means we know where to start looking for clues,” Koda countered.

  “Clues that will lure you into Marcus’s grasp,” Maes growled.

  “Wait,” I replied. “Why would Marcus care what was in the cabin? He’d know Callon wouldn’t have left anything behind.” I swallowed. “These wouldn’t have had any meaning to him.”

  “He could have forced it out of Colt,” Brogan broke in. “I agree with Maes. Marcus is trying to bait you.”

  “Enough!” Callon said. “Cheyenne has a point. I don’t doubt Marcus would have had the cabin searched from top to bottom to find something to use against us. They wouldn’t have bothered with the bracelets.” He glanced at me. “There’s a chance Colt must have found a way to send this, to let us know he was alive. He wouldn’t know we saw him through Tre and Jayna. He probably wrote the address himself so the information wouldn’t leak.”

  Maes scowled.

  “I still don’t buy it,” he said. “If Colt found an ally, why wouldn’t they have made themselves known to us?”

  “Who cares?” Daniel blurted. “It means Colt’s still on our side, and he’s asking for help!”

  “We can’t just ignore him,” I added. “He must’ve risked a lot to get this to us.”

  “So Callon,” Brogan said, “what will you do? How much are you willing to risk for your brother?”

  Callon was silent for a long while.

  “We’re not in a position to do much right now,” he said at last.

  “But Callon…” I began.

  “Cheyenne, this isn’t something we should rush into,” Callon interrupted. “The bracelets might have come from the cabin, but we saw that Colt was in the forest with Marcus. It could be the forest near his compound. We need to gather more data.”

  I clenched my fists. We had the proof we needed, and he still wanted to wait around?

  Daniel bent close to my ear.

  “I know, Cheyenne,” he whispered. “I want him back too. We’ll bring him home.” He kissed my cheek. “I promise.”

  Chapter 16

  Helena, Montana. I typed in the arrival destination on the flight search. I tapped my fingers impatiently on the kitchen counter, waiting for the details of the search to pop up. Rain splattered on the windowpane, and I stared out into the dreary landscape. What I wouldn’t have given for a good snowfall. The monotonous months of fall and winter were dragging on. I could only hope spring brought some sunshine.

  It had been weeks since Callon had sent Quinn, Skylar, and Clayton out to dig up more information, weeks that had passed with little to no contact. Weeks that we could have been doing something, anything, except sitting here and twiddling our thumbs, as my mom used to say.

  I knew where I’d start looking—the cabin was the most obvious place—but they wouldn’t listen. I thought with my heart; they thought with facts. I wasn’t going to win this battle easily. Yet I had to start something. I was going crazy just waiting…

  The kitchen door swung open.

  “What are you up to?” Koda asked.

  I jumped and slammed the laptop closed. Hopefully he hadn’t seen the search window.

  “Stop scaring me like that!” I snapped, brushing the hair from my eyes. If I was caught trying to do this on my own, I’d never hear the end of it. I could hear Brogan now, “Well, our little princess thinks she can just run out and save her knight in shining armor…”

  Koda strolled closer, his eyes on the laptop.

  “Whatcha looking for?”

  I averted his gaze.

  “Stuff.”

  “Like?” He raised a brow.

  “Wedding stuff.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the counter.

  “Don’t lie. It doesn’t suit you.”

  I looked down at my hands. I shouldn’t have lied, but…

  “I was searching for a new invisibility cloak.”

  Koda let out a bellowing laugh. At the same time, Daniel pushed the kitchen door open.

  “What’s going on in here?” he asked, a smile plastered on his lips.

  I cringed, now I had to deal with the two of them.

  “Cheyenne’s searching the internet for an invisibility cloak for me,” Koda snorted.

  “Oh?” Daniel stepped beside me, his eyes filled with laughter.

  “I felt bad that I’d lost it.”

  “Any luck?” Koda chuckled.

  “Maybe.” I pressed the laptop to my chest. “Now leave me alone.” I took a step when Daniel swiped the laptop from my hands.

  “Hey!” I reached for it, but he’d already jumped to the other side of the kitchen island.

  “Let’s see what you’ve found,” Daniel said and opened the laptop.

  I ran around the island, trying to close it, before he saw what I’d been searching for.

  Daniel grew still, and I stopped beside him. He was staring at flights times to Helena, Montana. Koda leaned over my shoulder.

  “Well, I didn’t really think you were searching for invisibility cloaks,” he said. He turned me to face him. “Nor did I believe it was wedding stuff.”

  I looked down, my thumb running over my Servak ring. I’d been caught.

  “Did you think you could just walk out of here, Chey?” Daniel asked softly. He pulled his sweater sleeves up, exposing the scars on his arms. “You do reme
mber how we got these? You think Raina and the others won’t swarm you the minute they get the chance? Not to mention the fact that you don’t have your passport. Callon does.”

  I kept quiet. There was nothing more I could say.

  “We’ve been sitting here when we could have been searching for Colt, Daniel,” I sighed. “I just want to do something. He’d have done the same for us.”

  “You may think we’ve just been waiting, but we’ve been planning,” Koda replied.

  “Then why haven’t I been told?” I argued.

  “You’ve been told, but you’re not listening. You’ve had your mind locked in on one thing and one thing only,” Daniel said.

  “It’s not fast enough.”

  “And you need to have some patience,” Daniel added. “Don’t you think Callon and I are just as anxious to find Colt?” Daniel drew me into a hug. “I promised, Chey, and I won’t break it. We’re going to find him and bring him home. So no more searching for flights or invisibility cloaks.”

  I managed a smile.

  “Wasn’t having much luck in finding a replacement anyway.”

  “Come on.” Koda tugged on my elbow. “Let’s see if we can torment Andre about Maes. That always provides great entertainment.”

  We left the kitchen and found Brogan and Layla in the dining room.

  “Evening, Princess,” Brogan said dryly.

  Layla elbowed him.

  “Cheyenne, we were waiting for you,” Layla said. Her long dark braid tumbled over her shoulder as she stood.

  “Oh?”

  Koda and Daniel moved on.

  “With so much going on, and the fact that you can’t really leave the estate, I wanted to offer up my services to you. I’d like to make your wedding dress if you’d allow me.”

  I blinked. Despite my earlier lie, I hadn’t even thought about wedding preparations, I honestly didn’t know if they would want to risk hosting anything elaborate.