Opening my eyes, the silvery cloud once more obscured my vision. At least it wasn’t black anymore. Lifting my hands, I touched Colt’s face. I knew I couldn’t see him, but I was looking at his image in my mind. I pictured him smiling, happy, and not angry. I wanted to see the longing in his eyes again, but what kept coming up was the last picture of rage…his steely stare cutting through me. I knew I couldn’t hear him, but I began to mumble, over and over again.
“
Colt, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me, I can’t have you angry with me. I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t say “I love you”; I couldn’t handle the rejection again. A tender warm kiss touched my forehead. A violent tremor raked my body, and I fell limp. He pushed me through the water; it dripped off as he was running again. He halted abruptly, and a cold hard surface was beneath me again. Smaller, delicate fingers brushed my cheek; it was gentle—a woman.
A tugging sensation was at my feet. She was removing my boots and socks. She was changing me into dry clothes. Once her task was complete, various hands worked over my body again. My arm was extended, and I felt a small prick. I was sure it was an IV. I was floating once more, but the movement was slower, deliberate.
I landed on something soft and warm, a sheet was draped over. Heaviness began to press me down, deeper and deeper until I felt nothing more. No more shaking, no more pain, no more sight, and no more sounds. Darkness surrounded me, but I was too exhausted to fight anymore, so I let it wrap me up and dropped into slumber.
Chapter 19
A cool hand touched my cheek; small slender fingers brushed the hair from my forehead, tucking it behind my ear. My eyes fluttered open. I was still surrounded by darkness, but it wasn’t the same. My vision adjusted, and I could make out a petite silhouette sitting on the bed as the moonlight drifted over her face. She raised her hand, dabbing the wet cloth across my forehead.
She smiled.
“
Cheyenne,” her voice was soft, sweet, and angelic. I could hear it; I could hear again! I smiled in return.
“
Boys!” Her gaze remained focused on mine. “Cheyenne, I’m Lilly. We’re here to help you, honey. You don’t need to be afraid.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “You gave us a good scare when you arrived. I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone look quite as bad.” Her smile deepened as we heard the heavy footsteps thunder down the hall. “You’re going to be just fine. Your friends are here—they wouldn’t go very far. I had to all but kick them out several times. You were so restless.”
Callon, Colt, Daniel, and a short, stocky man I hadn’t seen before entered the small room. The man flicked the light on in the corner as they neared. My eyelids were still heavy, and I squinted as the light broke the darkness. Colt sat on the edge of the bed. Callon hovered behind him as Daniel stood to the side.
Lilly’s steel blue eyes remained locked on mine. I listened to her voice—almost like a melody in its own right. “Her fever is down, and I know she can see because she smiled.” Her fingers touched my forehead. “She can hear also; her head turned when you came down the hall. You sounded like a herd of elephants.”
Shifting slightly, her coal black hair cascaded down her tiny frame as she extended her hand.
“
Dex, why don’t you come over here so she can meet you?” The man I didn’t recognize slowly approached, grasping her hand. His weathered skin and brown hair immediately made him seem enduring. He smiled and his brown eyes twinkled as he turned his attention to me.
“
Cheyenne, honey, this is my husband, Dex. We’re friends of the boys. Dex is going to try and help you out with your journal.”
He was definitely older than Callon, maybe in his late thirties, which meant he had to have been around a long time, if the one hundred to one theory was anything to go by.
“
Hello, Cheyenne.” His deep voice was friendly. His gaze met mine; he seemed genuine, knowledgeable. Stepping closer, his rough fingers touched my arm. I recognized his touch; he was the one who had placed the IV.
“
You helped them,” I said with a cracked voice.
“
Yes, I did.” He sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you differently.”
I blinked, and my vision started to sharpen. I glanced back at Lilly; she was so beautiful. Her features were so fine and perfect. Everything about her screamed feminine. It would be nice to have a woman other than myself around.
Colt moved, and I turned to him. It was different now; his face cold, unresponsive. What had I done that was so awful to have him reject me like this? My heart ached. I blinked slowly. My eyelids were becoming weighed down again. I was fighting to keep them open.
“
Let her get some sleep.” Lilly chased them out. “She’s been through a lot in the last week. You need to take better care of her.” Her tone turned reprimanding. “She can’t keep up with you yet; she’s not Timeless. I saw all those bruises on her ribs. If you break her, we may not be able to put her back together. You just keep that in mind. There is something much bigger at stake here.”
My blinks were longer, closer together. I was trying to make sense of the conversation, but the words were fading to a dull buzzing. Daniel nodded, though he still looked unsure as he departed. Callon hesitated. He crossed his arms as his warm eyes filled with worry. Lilly touched his arm.
“
Callon,” she said. “You need to leave. She’s not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with her. You have other things to work on right now.”
He still didn’t move.
“
You can come back later. I’ll call if anything changes.” Callon shifted in his stance, wavering, and then reluctantly left the room.
Colt didn’t move, a flicker of turmoil rolled over his face.
“
Colt,” Lilly said. “I’ll be here. I won’t leave. I’ll call you back when she’s stirring.”
I tried to speak, but the sound just wouldn’t emerge.
“
I’m sorry,” I mouthed silently. He turned away.
What was going on with us? Why was he still pushing me away? My eyes could remain open no longer. I slipped into the restless darkness.
When I woke again, deep voices were talking nearby. I could hear them, but I couldn’t open my weighted lids. A chair squeaked, and fingers touched my arm, stroking it.
“
She seems to be doing better.” Callon said.
Callon was touching me.
“
Yes. We should be able to stop the medication tonight,” Dex replied. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “There is a lot we need to discuss, the journal being one of them.”
“
I know,” Callon replied.
“
You’ve heard about the disturbances up north?” Dex’s voice held concern.
“
I know about them.”
“
You can’t leave now. You need to stay here with her.”
“
I know that, but I have a responsibility as a ruler. We both know what I have to do.” I heard him shift in his seat.
“
You have a responsibility as head of the Consilador clan, but your first duty is with her.” Dex hesitated. “I saw her rings, Callon.”
“
I know.” Callon sighed. “Brogan is still up north?”
“
Yes. I was going to suggest you contact him. The Laundess clan would be a wise choice to handle this. There are others who are willing to step up and assist as necessary. You know this.”
Callon grasped my fingers and cupped my palm to his cheek. His skin was rough; he hadn’t shaved in a while.
“
I’ve wanted to keep her identity secret. If others discovered that the Kvech line wasn’t gone, I’m not sure what would happen. I just don’t want word to get out to the wrong parties. You know we have traitors among us, some not yet revealed. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk yet.”
“
You know what you need to do,” Dex replied. His tone was somehow different.
Callon’s jaw tightened under my palm.
“
Don’t lecture me about what I already know, Dex.” His voice was rough. “It’s not that simple.”
“
I can see that. Just don’t delay it much longer. It will only make it worse. Lilly hasn’t said anything yet, but you and I know she’ll corner you. This is bigger than all of us.”
Callon lowered my hand and squeezed it. “I know, Dex. Believe me, I know,” he whispered.
There were no more responses, so I drifted off.
Light was barely creeping through the windows when I opened my weary lids again. The room was small and bright. The pale blue paint on the walls was soothing. A large chest of drawers was nestled in the corner, along with the armchair Callon must have sat in. I was snuggled in a bed in the center of the room.
Turning my head towards the sunshine, I saw two large picture windows. They were overlooking an awakening forest; large pine trees dotted the landscape. Birds chirped outside my cracked window. It made me realize just how much I’d taken for granted. My sight, my hearing, Colt’s feelings about me…
I stretched my arms above my head. Something pulled on my arm, and I looked to my elbow. The IV was still attached. I could leave it in, but I did hear them say they would end the medication. I pulled it out, wincing.
Surprisingly, only a small trickle of blood dripped from the vein. In the past it’d dribble down my arm. It didn’t hurt either, and I could flex my arm almost instantly. Was I transforming already?
I pushed up to a sitting position; my right elbow didn’t hurt anymore, either. I drew the covers aside, swung my feet to the cold wood flooring and stood up. I waited for the pain to come, but it didn’t. No dizziness, either. My recovery time was improving rapidly, which was the only good thing about today. My eyes watered at the thought of Colt.
I kept my chin down as I assessed what I was wearing, a cotton tank and shorts. I was decent and could walk around. It was a good thing; I quickly realized just how badly I had to pee. I forced my weak legs to move. It was hard to keep my balance at first—I must’ve been asleep for a long while.
The door was open, and I stepped into the hall. I was relieved to see the bathroom a few steps away. I made a quick retreat and closed the door.
The tiles were cool beneath my toes; the apparent luxury of the fixtures was a surprise. I wouldn’t have expected the opulence in such a remote location. I moved forward, and my fingers glided across the granite countertops. I glanced at the shower and realized it could fit at least three people in at once, and spray nozzles were everywhere. Even the toilet appeared to be imported from France.
I sighed as I saw a bench outside the shower entrance, and clothing neatly folded—my clothing, a pair of jeans and a black shirt.
Avoidance of the mirror was in my best interest. I went straight for the shower after using the toilet. I just hoped I didn’t look as bad as I had felt. The warm water was soothing to my aching body. I knew it would take a little while before I wasn’t so exhausted. Time to heal was what I needed.
I reluctantly peered up into the mirror. My injuries didn’t appear to be as bad as I thought. My face was a little swollen, but overall it seemed close to normal. I definitely wasn’t feeling the same. My heart was still aching, and Colt’s last expression was still locked in my memory.
Walking for the door, I hesitated. Someone would be waiting on the other side. I just didn’t know who that someone would be.
I grasped the handle and turned the knob; Callon was there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. I couldn’t smile; I wanted to cry. His hazel eyes were searching mine, his soul-piercing gaze trying to assess my mood and condition.
I bowed my head and stepped out. He followed as I went back into the bedroom, stopping in the doorway as I placed my dirty clothes on the chair. I sighed and walked to the windows. I wasn’t ready to face everyone yet—face Colt. I needed time to wrestle my emotions back into place. My heart was as cold as the hardwood beneath my bare feet.
Folding my arms across my chest, I stared into the wooded forest before me. I was convincing myself I could do this, that I could deal with Colt’s rejection, accept that it was his choice and move on. Even though I would have to see him day in and day out. My throat grew tight.
Callon’s boots scraped over the floor as he stood behind me. He was waiting for me to acknowledge him. I would, when I was ready.
When I regained my composure, I spoke quietly.
“
What happened to me?”
Callon murmured, “What do you remember?”
I began playing with the ring on my index finger.
“
I couldn’t hear you.” It all flashed before my eyes again. “I watched Daniel and Colt ride back, and then everything went black as night.” A shiver ran down my spine. “I was terr—.” I was going to say terrified, but they probably already knew. “Do you think this might happen again? Is this a part of the change?”
Stepping closer, his fingers glided over my hair. His touch was electric once more. I stepped away to break the connection.
“
We don’t know exactly, Cheyenne,” Callon said. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. Both Dex and I are stumped.”
“
Is Dex a doctor, too?”
“
For the most part, yes. I have the formal training, whereas his is based more on experience. Although treating a Timeless and human are different.” He stepped forward, staring out the window. “What’s most puzzling is the way the change comes on—each time it’s a little different. With this episode, you had your hearing and sight diminish, and you ran an extremely high fever.”