It figured that Callon was supposed to tell me and had forgotten. That in and of itself was forgivable, but the fact that Lilly said there would be dancing made me antsy.
“I don’t know how to dance,” I blurted out.
Both Layla and Lilly stood.
“Didn’t you go to dances in high school?” Andre asked.
“No.”
“Were you an ugly duckling or something?” she snorted.
I narrowed my eyes.
“Andre!” Layla said and gave Andre a glare. She turned her attention towards me, grasping my hands. “We can teach you.”
“Skylar and Clayton will teach you, starting tonight,” Lilly stated and then twisted me around.
Bree and Nakari grasped my arms to prevent me from falling. They began removing the dress, and I was left standing once again in my bra and underwear.
“Callon and I were going to be alone tonight,” I said and then reached for my jeans lying on the bed.
“Well, you’ll have hundreds of years to spend alone!” Lilly snapped. “Tonight is your first lesson.”
With those words, she disappeared out the bedroom door with the blue gown while Layla followed with the wedding gown.
“Here, let me help!” Bree called out and ran after Layla and the trailing white silk.
I pulled my jeans and T-shirt on, shaking my head.
“I’m not a dancer,” I mumbled under my breath. I was going to make a complete fool of myself. For someone who was musically inclined, I should have had some sort of rhythm, but it was like I had two left feet. Colt had tried to teach me once and we’d ended up on the floor laughing. I didn’t need any more memories floating around in my head constantly reminding me that Colt betrayed us—me.
“We’ll stick with you,” Nakari said.
“If Skylar could teach Koda to dance, then surely he can teach you,” Andre added.
I sighed. I had no other choice.
Chapter 21
One, two, three. One, two, three.
The count floated in my head as I moved with Skylar around the sitting room. They’d cleared the furniture, making a dance floor of sorts. Initially we started out slowly, focusing on hand positions, moving my feet properly to offset my partner’s legs, keeping my head up…
Then came the more complicated stuff. In the second and third week, I had to put it all together—easier said than done—and to place the icing on the cake, I needed to remember the steps for each dance. Although Nakari and Andre had promised to “stick with me,” they’d been overruled by Lilly. She needed them elsewhere. And why we couldn’t have done it in my room or another more private place was beyond me. Apparently I still needed to be harassed about my lack of abilities.
Today didn’t sit well with me. Despite all the practicing, falls and stubbed toes, I still hadn’t gotten the hang of it. And the wedding was only days away.
“Keep your head up,” Koda said, interrupting my dance so he could tilt my chin up. “You’re not looking over his right shoulder. You’re going to trip each other up.”
I ground my teeth. Koda and Brogan had taken to watching my progress, adding in their opinion whenever they felt like it, and I’d had about enough. It was hard enough to remember everything and keep my steps in line, but their constant harassing was going to push me over the edge.
I tripped on Skylar’s foot, bumping into his chest.
“Ow!” Skylar flinched. “Careful, Cheyenne.”
“Sorry,” I muttered.
He helped me upright again. His wild dark blond locks looked even messier since he’d started teaching me. He kept running his fingers through his hair. He’d been more patient than I could have ever been.
“It’s okay. It’s a bit hard to dance with heels on,” he reassured me, but his green eyes said something completely different. Like, you should have gotten this by now, Cheyenne.
I looked down at my shoes. I’d stepped on his toes more than once with the stilettoes. He was right on one thing; wearing strappy heels to dance in took some getting used to. I couldn’t help it; I’d always preferred flats.
“You’re getting it, Cheyenne,” he added. “By Friday night, you’ll be ready.” He leaned in a little closer. “Besides, Koda was way worse than you to begin with.”
I couldn’t help but grin.
“Thanks,” I whispered, but knew I was still a long way from feeling comfortable with dancing.
Daniel started the music again, and Skylar extended his hand. We were ballroom dancing now, which I had to admit was a bit easier. It was more flowing action, and all I had to do was follow Skylar’s lead.
We circled around the room when once again the dancing twins felt they needed to add their commentary.
“Your arm looks like a limp noodle, Cheyenne,” Koda said above the music.
“Any limper and it might collapse,” Brogan added. “Better start pumping some iron.”
I forced Skylar to stop. My eyes narrowed, and I quickly crossed the room. Koda and Brogan were leaning against the wall, arms crossed, smirks on their lips. I poked Koda in the chest.
“Okay, twinkle toes, if you’re so good, show me how it’s done!” I snapped.
“Gladly.” Koda yanked on my arm and tried to drag me to the dance floor again. I shrugged him off.
“No, not with me. I need to see, remember?”
He rolled his eyes.
“Fine, I’ll just call Nakari…” He yelled her name, but I put up my hand.
“Ah ah, not so fast.”
He looked at me, speculating. “You want a solo number?”
My own smirk rose.
“Nope. Your partner’s Brogan.”
“What?!” Brogan marched over. “I’m not dancing with Koda.”
“Chicken?” I taunted.
“Listen, princess,” he grumbled. “I don’t…”
He was cut off as Koda grabbed his arm.
“She wants us to show her, so show her we will,” Koda said. “I’m man enough for the challenge. Are you, Brogan?”
Brogan eyed Koda for a moment, then switched his glare to me. His eyes bore into mine, but I could tell he’d accepted the challenge.
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s show this amateur what she needs to aspire to.”
“Music!” Koda commanded. He stuck his hand out for Brogan to take.
A sly smile began to grow. I couldn’t believe they were going to dance for me.
“You’re not leading, Koda, I am,” Brogan said.
“No, I will,” Koda argued.
“Listen, girls, we don’t have all day,” Daniel chimed in and started the music.
Brogan shoved his hand in Koda’s, allowing him to lead. As they started to get into the rhythm, Nakari emerged from the door. Her green eyes filled with confusion, but that quickly dissolved into a grin.
“Someone called…” She started giggling. “I thought they were supposed to be teaching you to dance, Cheyenne.”
“They told me they could do better, so I told them to prove it,” I answered, folding my arms.
Brogan stumbled over Koda’s foot. Koda frowned slightly.
“Careful, Brogan,” I taunted, “your other left foot is getting in the way.”
They whisked by, Brogan snarling as he passed.
“They’re actually not bad,” Nakari said. “I’m surprised.”
“Whoa!” Andre’s giggle echoed from the hall. “This is a first! Maes!”
At first Maes look as baffled as Nakari had. Then a smirk formed on his lips.
“Careful, Brogan, Koda’s been known to grope his partners,” he joked. “Wouldn’t want Layla getting jealous now.”
“Does this dance come with a skirt? ‘Cos one of you needs one!” Daniel added.
Koda and Brogan abruptly stopped.
“Alright, enough homophobia,” Koda said. He took two strides towards me and grabbed my hand. “Your turn, princess.”
I could only squeal as he pulled me into his arms and then
he was dancing me around the floor, faster than Skylar had ever done. I struggled to keep up.
“Slow down!” I pleaded, but Koda was having none of it.
“If you can master a hurricane, this should be no trouble,” Koda said quietly. I blinked. Why was he referring to my power over air? It wasn’t like I could blast Callon around the room…
My eyes widened. Wait, that wasn’t what Skylar meant!
I adjusted my grip around Koda, regaining my footing on the floor. Rather than try and match his moves, I closed my eyes and felt the movement of the air around me. Now that we were moving with speed, I could feel it all around me, understanding my position much better. My eyes couldn’t keep track, but my other senses could.
Using the rhythm of the air, I started to move my feet. The pulse of the music took over, and I drifted from note to note. I opened my eyes again, and to my amazement, I was matching Koda toe to toe. My confidence grew, and soon I was dancing with my eyes closed.
Koda slowed, and brought us to a gentle stop.
“See,” he said, smiling. “I knew you could do it.”
Icy blue eyes shone down on me, icy blue eyes that should have been Colt’s. I looked away. Colt would have encouraged me like this. He’d always believed in me, but now…
Koda squeezed my waist.
“Just remember, you owe me a dance now.”
I nodded, but kept my gaze away from his face. It would only bring back memories of a Colt that no longer existed. The Colt that couldn’t be there for the wedding.
“Well, good job, Cheyenne,” Skylar said. “Apparently you just needed a challenge.”
“You know she only does well under pressure,” Maes said.
I rolled my eyes at him. Skylar chuckled.
“I’ll remember that for next time,” he said. “Rest for a few days. You’ll be doing plenty of dancing on Friday.”
I nodded.
“Thanks, Skylar. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He waved his hand to have the furniture set back into place. I sat in the music area and removed my heels, stretching my toes. It was a reminder why I didn’t usually wear them. Standing on the pads of my feet all day made them ache.
While Koda and Brogan lifted the sofa, Daniel flashed by and left through the front door. I frowned. It wasn’t like him to leave without a word. What was he up to?
I waited for a few moments, then followed him out. Grabbing my shoes was probably a good idea, but he might disappear by the time I found them. The stone on the front steps was warm—the sun had finally decided to show itself after all these rainy months. I relished the warmth for a few moments, before carefully stepping onto the gravel. Daniel was sitting on the ledge of the front fountain by himself. He was staring into the distance.
“Daniel?” I called out.
He turned, and gave me a half smile. I slowly walked over to him, stopping to dig a pebble out of my foot.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, plopping down beside him. A slight breeze cooled my skin.
“It’s nothing,” Daniel replied quietly. A little too quietly. He picked up a small round stone and skipped it down the road. I sighed. Something was bothering him. He’d been keeping to himself more over the last few days. I sat beside him, silent. Daniel was never a good one for secrets. Eventually he’d cave. He couldn’t hide things from me, just like I couldn’t hide things from him.
“Do you think he’s out there?” Daniel said, his voice somber.
Ah…I thought that was what was bothering him. Colt. The person that had been bothering all of us.
“He’s with Marcus now,” I replied.
Daniel shook his head.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said. “I mean…is our Colt still out there? Trapped inside that…” His voice shook. “I just want to know why he’s acting this way. We’ve been through so much in the past. I can’t imagine what it would take to make him betray us.”
I touched his shoulder.
“I don’t know, but…” I swallowed. “Andre said he was telling the truth. It wasn’t a trick.”
“I don’t believe it.” He picked up another stone and threw it. “Andre must have gotten it wrong. Colt never…he’d never side with Marcus, ever. I know he wasn’t around all the time, but he was always there for us when he needed to be.”
“I don’t want to believe it either,” I said, “but we both saw it with our own eyes.” Even saying the words pierced my heart. I didn’t want it to be the truth either.
“He should be here with us.” Daniel clenched his fist. “He should be a part of the wedding.”
I looped my arm in his and leaned my head on his shoulder. Colt’s betrayal ran deep. Marcus knew it would. How Colt could have fallen under Marcus’s sway was beyond belief. He’d been fighting him for hundreds of years, but then again Callon had accused Colt of wandering, doing his own thing…maybe it had started long ago and no one knew. Maes’s thoughts had started to change once he was around us. Why couldn’t Colt have changed his mind in the same manner?
“He should be here with us,” I said, my mind still whirling through the why. “But we can’t dwell on the past. We can’t change what he is now, Daniel. What we have to do is move on.” I said the words, but in my heart I didn’t mean it.
“I’m tired of moving on, Chey,” he whispered. “So tired. He’ll always be my brother, and I…I want him home.”
He hid his face from me, but I still caught the glisten of tears. We were all tired of the changes, the constant struggle to move on after another senseless tragedy. Daniel and the others had seen far more than I had, but the most heartbreaking thought was that it wasn’t over yet. There would be more death and loss before we’d find peace.
“I know, Daniel.”
The crunch of tires on gravel caused me to look up. In the distance, an old yellow truck was slowly approaching. Who was coming to see us? Daniel felt me tense.
“It’s okay. It’s the Campbell’s. They’re bringing Lilly the things she asked for.” He gave a weak smile. “Wedding stuff.”
“Oh.” Wedding stuff…I cringed. I’d forgotten to go see Lilly after my dancing lesson. She was probably searching for me by now. She’d been a little testy lately. I got the impression she wanted the wedding to be as perfect as possible. Several times I’d had things taken away from me when I didn’t do it right, which was completely out of character for her. But we all dealt with stress differently.
The yellow truck stopped in the circle drive. A man with slicked back sandy-blond hair stepped out.
“Hey there, Danny-boy!” His Irish accent was thick. The man circled the truck as Daniel stood and shook his hand firmly. “And who might this be?” He winked.
“Cheyenne, Callon’s fiancé,” Daniel replied.
“Aye, so you’re the one, are you? I’m Ryan Campbell, It’s good to meet you finally. I’ve seen you hiding around and figured I’d meet you when I met you.” He gave a broad smile and looked towards the house. “Looks like the weather might just hold up for the next few days.” He turned back. “Is Lilly around? I have the things she asked for.”
“Sure, let me get her,” Daniel said and gave me a quick glance. He disappeared into the house, and I inched closer to the truck, taking a peek in the back.
White canvas and metal poles were rolled together, circular tables and white folding chairs were leaned up against the side. Boxes labeled china, lights, and glasses were pushed towards the back. Pillars and other miscellaneous things were piled together.
“It’s going to be a beautiful sight,” Ryan said thoughtfully. “Lilly described what she wanted it to look like.”
I looked up and smiled. Lilly had given me a few hints, but she wanted it to be a surprise.
“My family has served the O’Shea’s for many generations,” Ryan said, “and we look forward to many more generations of Campbell’s continuing on.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m glad
Callon has found himself a bride. That there will be more O’Shea’s around in the future.”
“I’m glad he found me too,” I replied. My life would have had a very different future if they hadn’t—a future that mostly likely would have involved Marcus.
The front door closed. Lilly’s pace was brisk and her eyes focused on the truck’s contents. I moved back.
“Ryan.” Lilly pulled him in for a hug. “I think you might have outdone yourself!”
Ryan blushed and shrugged. “Just doing what I was told, ma’am.”
“Let’s get this truck moved to the back of the manor to unload then, shall we?”
Ryan nodded and headed for the driver’s door.
Lilly turned on me and looped her arm in mine, guiding me back to the manor.
“You were supposed to come and find me, Cheyenne,” she reprimanded.
“Sorry, I got distracted.” I decided it best to keep my focus on the ground.
“I see.”
We paused at the front door.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know that I’ve been a bit pushy the last few weeks. I hadn’t realized how bad I’ve been till Dex pointed it out to me. I didn’t mean to…”
I squeezed her hand.
“It’s okay, Lilly. I know you want to make the wedding as special as possible.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not the wedding plans that have me on edge.” She looked down, her eyes tearing up. “It’s Colt’s betrayal. I’ve just used the wedding as an excuse.” She pressed her eyes closed, her black hair falling into her face. “It’s so unlike him, so out of character, that I’m still so shocked and angered by it.”
Now it was my turn to look away.
“I’ve known him since before he turned Timeless,” she whispered. “He was very different to Callon and Daniel—and not just physically, with his lighter hair. He had such an adventurous spirit. But he always put family first. He loved his brothers and his father more than anything.” She touched my cheek. “And I could tell he loved you just as much. I just can’t believe he’d…” She trailed off, and we stood in silence for a few moments. Memories of Colt teased at my mind, and I had to wipe a stray tear that had escaped. It all should have been so different…
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 32
