Promises (44 page)

“
Stop before Marcus’s army catches up!” hissed a husky voice.

Dear Lord, this thing could talk?! I took a breath, about to scream, when a hand came up to cover my mouth.

“
Cheyenne, please, calm down! I’m here to help. You don’t need to be afraid.”

His voice sent a chill through me. Why did it sound so familiar?

“
Cheyenne!” Marcus’s voice bellowed from the distance behind us, and I began to shake. I didn’t want to go back to him…but I had no reason to trust this brute, either. I was better off chancing it alone in the forest.

“
Let me go!” I struggled to free my arms.

“
Cheyenne, don’t fight me,” the man said. “Callon sent me.”

I stilled almost instantly. “What? Callon sent you?”

“
Yes.” The man paused. “I’m Koda, from the Silloquize Clan. I’m here to help.”

Suddenly it clicked. His voice…he sounded exactly like Colt!

“
We need to get away from here,” Koda said. “Hold on tight.”

He righted me in the saddle—for he was riding a horse—and I clung to his arm. He folded his cloak around us both, and then we broke into a steady trot. My mind was giddy, running as fast as my heartbeat. Could it be? Had I escaped Marcus? Was I dreaming? Would I return to Marcus once the darkness cleared?

We began to slow. I pressed Koda’s arm to my chest, wishing Colt was here with me instead. It seemed mean—Koda had obviously risked a lot to save me—but I needed Colt to wash away Marcus’s taint, to heal my darkness and give me my light back.

Soon I caught the crackling of a fire nearby, but Koda said nothing as we came to a stop. I counted down the seconds in my head. When I reached three hundred, a twig snapped right beside me, and Koda opened his cloak.

I lost my breath, my ability to speak. Colt was standing beside us, waiting. I couldn’t get out of the saddle quick enough, and I almost fell into his arms. I held on as tight as my arms would let me, as Colt pressed me to his chest. Tears began to pour out, and I buried myself in his warmth. Colt was here, I was with my Colt!

“
I thought…you might be dead,” I sobbed. “I didn’t know until Daniel came and even then…”

He entwined his fingers in my hair and gently began stroking it. “Shh, it’s okay now.”

I never wanted to let him go. I never wanted to leave his side again. Nothing else and no one else mattered except him. I buried my head in his neck, nuzzling as close as I could get.

“
You’re safe now, Cheyenne,” he whispered. “You’re safe, and I won’t ever let go.”

I was always safe with him…

I lifted my head and saw his beautiful eyes. Those eyes that always knew what I needed. How had I been so blind? I’d been confused with Callon, unsure of his true motives, but never with Colt—never. I touched his cheeks, the unshaven texture tickling my fingertips.

He was the one who was there for me after my parent’s death; he’d been the one who helped me climb out from the pit of despair. Regardless of the truth he’d kept from me, he’d been there watching out for me before I ever knew he existed.

He’d followed me to Montana, and he was there when I collapsed. He saved me from the Tresez and showed me wonders that took my breath away. Because he felt I was worth such things. He didn’t care that I was forbidden. He loved me, and he would fight to the end to prove it.

“
I’ve been such a fool, Colt,” I whispered, my lips trembling. “I had everything I ever wanted this whole time and I never saw it until now.” I inhaled a shaky breath. “I love you more than words can say. You’re my best friend, my light, and the greatest gift I could have ever been given. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with…” Tears tumbled down my cheeks. “I choose you, Colt. You and only you are my true love.” I leaned closer and closed my eyes as my lips caressed his. “I love you, Colt O’Shea. I’m yours, forever.”

Our lips met, and it was as if the floodgates of my heart had burst open. I was floating in his hold as he pressed forward. He held my neck steady, his fingers spilling out over my cheeks. I parted my lips, and completely let myself go—giving in to him. I pushed closer, and he held tighter. Together we exposed our hearts, sharing with each other the pent-up feelings within. This was the man I loved; this was who I wanted to spend eternity with.

Colt had always been the one. He held my heart and always would. Screw destiny, I’d make my own path.

We’d make our own path together. And nobody was going to take that away from me, ever.

Regardless of my exhaustion, sleep didn’t sweep me away like I hoped. Instead I felt heavier and more weighed down than before. I remained still, listening to Colt’s breathing and the fire crackling.

“
Is she okay, Colt?” Koda asked.

Colt murmured in my ear, as I lay curled against his chest. “I think so.” He touched my forehead. “But she’s been through so much lately. I can only hope she’s strong enough.”

Koda sighed uneasily, and I heard twigs snap; he must have been stoking the fire.

“
What about Callon? I heard what she said to you. You know she’s betrothed to him.” He hesitated. “How could you let this happen? This is his destiny, not yours.”

Colt’s hold tightened slightly.

“
I can see your pain, and I can’t even begin to understand,” Koda said quietly. “But I’m surprised Callon’s tolerated it for this long. Even if you are brothers. I wouldn’t have been so kind.”

A deep sorrow stirred inside me, and I shut my eyes tighter. In spite of my words to Colt, despite knowing this was what my heart truly wanted, I knew Callon wouldn’t let it happen without a fight. This was one battle he refused to lose. But why had he turned it into this? If he’d wanted to earn my trust, why had he made Colt the one to befriend and look after me?

Why had Callon allowed me to fall in love with his brother?

Koda sighed.

“
Colt, I’ve known you for a long time. You’re a good friend and a good man, but if push comes to shove, I’ll side with him. She was never yours.”

“
I can’t let go, Koda. I can’t walk away.” Colt shifted, resting his hands on my side. “I’ve tried. I’ve even hurt her profoundly and still…” He let out a long breath. “My hope was that she’d fall into his arms and forget about me.” He rested his cheek on my head. “She’s told me she loves Callon. It’s the same and yet different from what she feels for me. Callon has the ring, but what she and I have is stronger, and I can no longer push it away.”

It was a struggle to keep my tears at bay. It wasn’t just the fact I couldn’t be with Colt; it was also knowing I was the reason the brothers had almost turned against each other. Why did it have to be like this? What I felt for Colt was real, governed by our long friendship and time spent together. But Callon and Marcus had both used the power of the rings to manipulate my feelings; now I’d never know if those feelings were genuine.

My resolve broke, and salty tears began to roll down my cheeks. Steeped in the ruins of a broken vow, my heart would always be denied its true path.

Colt adjusted his position and softly kissed my tears away. I lifted my fingers to his chest and slowly raised my hand to his neck. He moved his hand to cover mine.

“
I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean…”

“
I know,” I whispered. “We both know. But I don’t want to think about it right now. I just want this moment with you, a small piece of happiness to get me through.” He gave a weak smile, but we both knew what would become of this regardless of what we wanted.

I turned my attention towards Koda. Even with the low lighting, his resemblance to Colt was uncanny. They could easily be mistaken for twins.

“
Were you the beast in the forest that knocked down the trees?” I asked.

“
You might say that,” Koda smiled.

I pulled away from Colt so I was sitting properly.

“
You scared the crap out of me, you know.”

Koda chuckled.

“
And most of the Trackers, I would hope, as well.”

I laughed. “Yeah. Thanks for…saving me.”

“
I was glad I could help.” He hesitated slightly. “This isn’t the first time I’ve watched out for you.”

“
Somehow I’m not surprised.” I squeezed Colt’s hand. “Can I ask something?”

“
Sure.”

“
Are you and Colt twins?” It wouldn’t have surprised me if this was another secret they’d kept from me.

Koda shook his head. “I know we could pass as twins, but actually, Colt’s my cousin. Our mothers were sisters.”

I gazed at the fire, watching the dying flames.

“
Where are Callon and Daniel?”

“
They’re on the other side of the mountain. The plan was to take you from Marcus on this side before you reached the treacherous parts. If we failed, then Callon and Daniel would catch you on the other side,” Koda replied.

“
They’re on their way here. They should come soon. Then we’ll leave immediately.” Colt’s hand wrapped over mine. “We’re going home.”

I tensed and clasped his hand tighter.

“
Marcus will find me if we go home. He told me he wouldn’t give up.” I started to hyperventilate.

“
We’re not going back to the cabin,” Colt said, stroking my back. “We’re going home to Ireland. You’ll be safe there. Marcus won’t follow. It’s too risky.”

“
Then why didn’t we go before?” I asked. “Why did we stay in the cabin?”

Colt sighed.

“
Callon thought it best if you remained with us where we’d been staying. The risk was too great to move you to Ireland at the time. Not so soon after your parents…” He trailed off.

I swallowed back the memories. I couldn’t be distracted by grief now.

“
But Marcus knew I was with you this whole time.”

Colt shook his head.

“
We didn’t know that until now. We didn’t realize Maes was relaying information. We’d been tracking his movements since the moment he joined us, but he must’ve had a really discrete method.”

“
Maes…”
I murmured.

“
The traitor,” Colt snarled. “Why Callon allowed him to come with us I’ll never understand. He led you straight to Marcus.” The veins in his neck began bulging, and his muscles tightened around me. “When I see him again, he’ll pay for what he’s done. With his life.”

“
Colt, no!” I said.

“
Why not?” Colt snapped. “He threw you into the arms of his master! He stalked you every day, reporting your movements to Marcus, and how we tried to keep you safe. He doesn’t deserve your pity!”

“
He still saved my life,” I said. I lowered my head. “Killing was what started this mess in the first place. Please, I don’t want to add to the bloodshed anymore. Promise me you won’t kill Maes.”

Colt’s gaze softened. He gently tilted my head up, so he could look into my eyes.

“
I…”

“
Quiet, both of you!”

Koda was suddenly on his feet, looking into the trees. Colt gazed in the same direction, and his jaw tightened. He stepped away from me, joining Koda, and spread his arms, ready for a fight. I searched the dark forest around us. I couldn’t make out anything, but then the scar on my back began to burn.

“
Tresez!” I whispered. Had Maes sniffed me out already? But my back didn’t burn when he was around…

I stood up, my legs sore from the awkward position I’d been lying in, when three monstrous creatures burst through the shadows. Two sets of fur and fangs jumped on Koda and Colt, while the third began to stalk me.

My ears caught the grunting and snarling as Koda and Colt faced off their opponents, but my eyes remained riveted on the beast before me now. I took a light step back. Would it come at me from an angle or straight on? Did it really even matter?

The adrenaline pumped through my body, heightening my awareness. Slowly, I raised my hands. The Tresez tilted its head, unsure of what I was going to do. I seized the chance and thrust my hands out. At the same moment, the Tresez leapt. My wind attack caught its flank, but it wasn’t strong enough, and the beast collided with my right arm. Pain rang through my forearm, and I yelped, but then the air became trapped in my chest as its mouth clamped onto my throat. I choked. Its jaws tightened, and I felt the putrid drool trickle down my neck. I fought to free myself, pinching its snout and struggling to poke its eyes, but without my powers, I was no match.

The world became deathly quiet; Koda and Colt had stopped struggling and turned their attention to me. My breathing became more constricted, and the pain in my arm threatened to overtake me. I closed my eyes and let my arms fall to my side—I needed to concentrate on getting the air into my lungs.

More menacing growls echoed in the trees, and I flinched as the Tresez’s grip loosened, only to reposition across my neck and shoulder. It was going to drag me off!

A moment later, my neck and shoulder began burning. My blood and the creature’s saliva were mingling. I now couldn’t move my right arm at all. A haze began to fill my mind, and a strange dizziness overwhelmed me.

I was suddenly yanked backwards. I screeched; my collarbone felt close to breaking. My vision cleared, revealing the forest flying past at an impossible speed. The creature suddenly turned left, and my knee hit a pine tree. Whimpering, I fought to grab hold of its neck with my left hand. My fingers laced through its fur, and I caught Koda and Colt running after me with more Tresez.