Trappings of the Heart
By
Sam Dogra
Sam Dogra
Written with permission of the author
Characters
and concepts do not belong to me!
and concepts do not belong to me!
My
lungs were screaming, begging for air as we tore through the dense forest.
Callon’s hand was tight around my wrist, and it was all I could do to keep up
with his strides. Dusk was falling, lengthening the shadows around us, and my
heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly. Every glimpse of darkness brought
back the memory of our escape, and I was terrified our pursuers would jump out
of the gloom at any moment.
lungs were screaming, begging for air as we tore through the dense forest.
Callon’s hand was tight around my wrist, and it was all I could do to keep up
with his strides. Dusk was falling, lengthening the shadows around us, and my
heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly. Every glimpse of darkness brought
back the memory of our escape, and I was terrified our pursuers would jump out
of the gloom at any moment.
“Don’t slow down!” Callon ordered, yanking my arm
so hard he almost pulled my shoulder out of its socket. Hissing in pain, I
staggered over a loose rock, lucky not to twist my ankle. “They won’t fall for
Colt’s trick for long.”
so hard he almost pulled my shoulder out of its socket. Hissing in pain, I
staggered over a loose rock, lucky not to twist my ankle. “They won’t fall for
Colt’s trick for long.”
“But how did…they…find us?” I puffed, my chest
tight. We’d been running for ages, and since I wasn’t fully Timeless yet, I
didn’t have the same endurance as Callon. “And what about…Daniel…Colt…”
tight. We’d been running for ages, and since I wasn’t fully Timeless yet, I
didn’t have the same endurance as Callon. “And what about…Daniel…Colt…”
“They’ll be fine,” Callon said, taking a sharp turn
and heading alongside a steep valley between the trees. Gritting my teeth, I
kicked my knees up, managing to keep pace. “Even if the Trezes don’t realize
they’re following the wrong pair, Daniel can get Colt out of trouble. But it
won’t be long before they find out they’ve been fooled. Your scent is too
strong.”
and heading alongside a steep valley between the trees. Gritting my teeth, I
kicked my knees up, managing to keep pace. “Even if the Trezes don’t realize
they’re following the wrong pair, Daniel can get Colt out of trouble. But it
won’t be long before they find out they’ve been fooled. Your scent is too
strong.”
I swallowed, horrible thoughts
taking over my mind. I’d seen the Trezes before; those terrifying black
creatures with ugly claws and matted fur. One had attacked me once, and
scratched an awful wound onto my back. Now and then the scar still burned,
although it was quiet at the moment as the monsters weren’t close by. They
looked like dogs, possibly even wolves, but they were much bigger- in teeth,
muscle, and temper. Callon had said they were hunters of Marcus, who sought out
Timeless born to destroy them before they turned twenty.
taking over my mind. I’d seen the Trezes before; those terrifying black
creatures with ugly claws and matted fur. One had attacked me once, and
scratched an awful wound onto my back. Now and then the scar still burned,
although it was quiet at the moment as the monsters weren’t close by. They
looked like dogs, possibly even wolves, but they were much bigger- in teeth,
muscle, and temper. Callon had said they were hunters of Marcus, who sought out
Timeless born to destroy them before they turned twenty.
And I was their current target.
My legs were growing heavy, and I
started to fall back again. Callon however was merciless and threaded us back
into the trees. His hold was leaving red finger marks on my skin.
started to fall back again. Callon however was merciless and threaded us back
into the trees. His hold was leaving red finger marks on my skin.
“Callon,” I pleaded, all but ready
to collapse. “I can’t…run…anymore…”
to collapse. “I can’t…run…anymore…”
“You have to,” Callon said, without
any sympathy. “There’s too many of them. If they catch us, I won’t be able to
fend them off.”
any sympathy. “There’s too many of them. If they catch us, I won’t be able to
fend them off.”
“But…”
My words failed me as my heel caught
a loose branch and I went flying. Crying out, I crashed into Callon’s back, and
we tumbled in a heap to the forest floor, getting plastered in twigs and mud. Finally
we rolled to a stop, breathless. Callon groaned, his arm caught awkwardly under
my side. I lay there for a moment, stunned, when I heard distant growls. The
scar on my shoulder flared, and I winced.
a loose branch and I went flying. Crying out, I crashed into Callon’s back, and
we tumbled in a heap to the forest floor, getting plastered in twigs and mud. Finally
we rolled to a stop, breathless. Callon groaned, his arm caught awkwardly under
my side. I lay there for a moment, stunned, when I heard distant growls. The
scar on my shoulder flared, and I winced.
“Get up.” Callon was already on his
feet. He hooked his arms under my shoulders and hoisted me upright. My body
trembled, and my legs threatened to give way again. I couldn’t take much more
of this punishing run.
feet. He hooked his arms under my shoulders and hoisted me upright. My body
trembled, and my legs threatened to give way again. I couldn’t take much more
of this punishing run.
“Callon, stop, please, I’m so tired…”
“Cheyenne, I know,” Callon said, “but we can’t
afford to rest yet. Just hold on a little longer.”
afford to rest yet. Just hold on a little longer.”
I snarled. Bitter words were on my
lips, but I thought better than to snap them out. My life was in danger, and
everyone was trying their hardest to keep me safe, risking their lives when I’d
never asked them to. Even if I still didn’t understand what lay in store for
me, this was not the time to throw a petty tantrum.
lips, but I thought better than to snap them out. My life was in danger, and
everyone was trying their hardest to keep me safe, risking their lives when I’d
never asked them to. Even if I still didn’t understand what lay in store for
me, this was not the time to throw a petty tantrum.
I had to keep going.
Tears welled in my eyes as I fought through the
pain and exhaustion. Finally, I dredged up the strength to get back on my feet.
Callon softly stroked my cheek, his hazel eyes full of remorse. He didn’t want
to push me like this, but we didn’t have a choice.
pain and exhaustion. Finally, I dredged up the strength to get back on my feet.
Callon softly stroked my cheek, his hazel eyes full of remorse. He didn’t want
to push me like this, but we didn’t have a choice.
Clenching my fists, we set off
again, this time at a jog. My heart was tense, fearing for both the Trezes after
us and for Colt and Daniel’s safety. Something told me they were alright out
there, holding their own, but for how much longer? Every moment that passed was
another moment they could be hurt, or…
again, this time at a jog. My heart was tense, fearing for both the Trezes after
us and for Colt and Daniel’s safety. Something told me they were alright out
there, holding their own, but for how much longer? Every moment that passed was
another moment they could be hurt, or…
“Cheyenne, look!”
I raised my head, my vision blurry.
To my surprise, we weren’t just surrounded by trees and shrubs any more. A dark
structure lingered amidst the foliage, buried so deep it would have been easy
to overlook. It was an old cabin- long abandoned from the way it was tucked
into the greenery. Despite that, it remained structurally in tact. I was
impressed it had managed to survive.
To my surprise, we weren’t just surrounded by trees and shrubs any more. A dark
structure lingered amidst the foliage, buried so deep it would have been easy
to overlook. It was an old cabin- long abandoned from the way it was tucked
into the greenery. Despite that, it remained structurally in tact. I was
impressed it had managed to survive.
“I’ve got an idea,” Callon said. “Take
off your blouse.”
off your blouse.”
My eyebrows shot up, and for a
moment I forgot my fatigue.
moment I forgot my fatigue.
“What did you say?!”
“Just do it,” Callon barked. “Don’t
worry, I’ll give you my T-shirt. Hurry.”
worry, I’ll give you my T-shirt. Hurry.”
He released my hand, and turned away
to give me some privacy. I had no idea what he was thinking, but time wasn’t a
luxury we could indulge in, so I decided not to argue. My ears alert to the
sound of padding paws, I fumbled with my buttons and slipped off the turquoise
fabric. At the same time Callon flung off his jacket and ripped off his brown
T-shirt. Without looking back he handed it to me, his broad shoulders
glistening with sweat. Cheeks burning, I took his shirt, trading it for my
blouse. I shoved the cotton garment on- it was much too large and hung off me
like a sheet- while Callon raced to the valley’s edge and threw my blouse to
the rocks below.
to give me some privacy. I had no idea what he was thinking, but time wasn’t a
luxury we could indulge in, so I decided not to argue. My ears alert to the
sound of padding paws, I fumbled with my buttons and slipped off the turquoise
fabric. At the same time Callon flung off his jacket and ripped off his brown
T-shirt. Without looking back he handed it to me, his broad shoulders
glistening with sweat. Cheeks burning, I took his shirt, trading it for my
blouse. I shoved the cotton garment on- it was much too large and hung off me
like a sheet- while Callon raced to the valley’s edge and threw my blouse to
the rocks below.
“That should help throw them off the
trail. Come on.” He scooped up his jacket and slipped it on, beckoning me to
the cabin. I had to bunch his T-shirt together to stop it falling off. How
often I’d seen it snug about his chest…and I’d thought Colt had an impressive
build.
trail. Come on.” He scooped up his jacket and slipped it on, beckoning me to
the cabin. I had to bunch his T-shirt together to stop it falling off. How
often I’d seen it snug about his chest…and I’d thought Colt had an impressive
build.
I trudged up the steps to the
balcony that circled the cabin, ripping away the vines and ivy in my path.
Callon was already at the door, trying to force it open without smashing it in.
I helped him snap off the branches sealing it up, and finally we managed to
make it creak inwards. The stink of rotten vegetation hit me, and I choked, my
stomach churning. It was like passing behind the garbage dump of a local
takeaway.
balcony that circled the cabin, ripping away the vines and ivy in my path.
Callon was already at the door, trying to force it open without smashing it in.
I helped him snap off the branches sealing it up, and finally we managed to
make it creak inwards. The stink of rotten vegetation hit me, and I choked, my
stomach churning. It was like passing behind the garbage dump of a local
takeaway.
“Perfect,” Callon murmured, totally
unaffected by the smell. “If we can get far enough inside, this should mask
your scent and they’ll pass us by.”
unaffected by the smell. “If we can get far enough inside, this should mask
your scent and they’ll pass us by.”
Eyes watering, I only managed to nod
in reply.
in reply.
Callon took my hand and guided me inside. Night had
taken over now, and it was difficult to see much. A high moon glanced through
the windows, reflecting off dewy cobwebs, thick moss and mushy leaves. My head
swam, woozy from the lack of air, and I grasped onto Callon’s arm.
taken over now, and it was difficult to see much. A high moon glanced through
the windows, reflecting off dewy cobwebs, thick moss and mushy leaves. My head
swam, woozy from the lack of air, and I grasped onto Callon’s arm.
“I feel sick,” I croaked.
Callon simply nodded, and gripped my
waist.
waist.
“I’m sorry, Cheyenne, but you’ll
have to put up with it. We might have to stay here for a while until the Trezes
give up.”
have to put up with it. We might have to stay here for a while until the Trezes
give up.”
I grimaced, but didn’t complain further.
I didn’t want a matching scar across my other shoulder, if my last experience
was anything to go by.
I didn’t want a matching scar across my other shoulder, if my last experience
was anything to go by.
We wandered through the ruined hall, dodging the
protruding branches and broken furniture. I tensed, my hair brushing the fallen
roof girders. Oh, I hated cramped spaces! Not to mention it was so dark and
dingy. And the cobwebs promised yet another nightmare. One skimmed my shoulder,
and I shuddered. I did not want to have
to deal with my eight legged friends on top of everything else.
protruding branches and broken furniture. I tensed, my hair brushing the fallen
roof girders. Oh, I hated cramped spaces! Not to mention it was so dark and
dingy. And the cobwebs promised yet another nightmare. One skimmed my shoulder,
and I shuddered. I did not want to have
to deal with my eight legged friends on top of everything else.
Callon remained focused. He rapped
around the walls, until finally he came across a hollow trapped in a cage of
creepers. He snapped the vines free, then kicked at the rotten door. The pinewood
splintered, revealing a series of stone steps that led into an empty wine cellar.
around the walls, until finally he came across a hollow trapped in a cage of
creepers. He snapped the vines free, then kicked at the rotten door. The pinewood
splintered, revealing a series of stone steps that led into an empty wine cellar.
A dark, tiny,
most-certainly-full-of-spiders cellar.
most-certainly-full-of-spiders cellar.
“Callon, no,” I said hoarsely. “If
you put me in there I’ll…”
you put me in there I’ll…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you,”
Callon said.
Callon said.
“No, I won’t do it!” I protested. “The spiders, I
can’t…”
can’t…”
I was cut short as Callon held me and tilted my
chin up, so I was facing him.
chin up, so I was facing him.
“Cheyenne, I can’t let the Trezes find you,” he
said. “I know it’s hard, and you’ve already been through so much. But sometimes
it’s not a question of fair or unfair. You just have to make the most of things.”
said. “I know it’s hard, and you’ve already been through so much. But sometimes
it’s not a question of fair or unfair. You just have to make the most of things.”
“Callon, I can’t…”
He pressed his finger to my lips.
“I won’t leave your side for anything this time. I
promise I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
promise I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
I stared into his eyes. He was so
full of determination, and he wanted to impart some of it to me. To give me the
courage I couldn’t find myself.
full of determination, and he wanted to impart some of it to me. To give me the
courage I couldn’t find myself.
I glanced to the staircase again, and sighed. Tired
as I was, I knew he was right. I needed to be strong. I wouldn’t let he, Daniel
or Colt have their efforts ruined because I was too weak to face my fears.
as I was, I knew he was right. I needed to be strong. I wouldn’t let he, Daniel
or Colt have their efforts ruined because I was too weak to face my fears.
I raised my hand and squeezed
Callon’s shoulder.
Callon’s shoulder.
“Okay. I trust you, Callon.”
With a tight smile, Callon released
me and cleared away the remaining forest debris. I crawled through the
creeper-ridden doorframe- it was a lot narrower than it looked- before starting
down the steps. Callon followed, snagging his shoulders on the ivy, and dragged
a loose branch behind us. Once he was through, he enmeshed it into the hole, so
it would be almost impossible for anything to break through and sniff us out.
me and cleared away the remaining forest debris. I crawled through the
creeper-ridden doorframe- it was a lot narrower than it looked- before starting
down the steps. Callon followed, snagging his shoulders on the ivy, and dragged
a loose branch behind us. Once he was through, he enmeshed it into the hole, so
it would be almost impossible for anything to break through and sniff us out.
As we descended, the last of the light vanished,
and we were soon walking in total darkness. I kept both hands on the walls,
feeling carefully for the next step, and the next. I could hear Callon
breathing right behind me, and I was reassured by his closeness.
and we were soon walking in total darkness. I kept both hands on the walls,
feeling carefully for the next step, and the next. I could hear Callon
breathing right behind me, and I was reassured by his closeness.
It seemed like forever before we
finally came to the bottom. The air was stagnant and muggy, and I coughed,
longing for the fresh breezes we’d left behind. Callon’s T-shirt was plastered
to my back, and sweat started to run down my forehead. Blinded by the darkness,
I also felt very disorientated, only able to rely on my sense of touch for
guidance.
finally came to the bottom. The air was stagnant and muggy, and I coughed,
longing for the fresh breezes we’d left behind. Callon’s T-shirt was plastered
to my back, and sweat started to run down my forehead. Blinded by the darkness,
I also felt very disorientated, only able to rely on my sense of touch for
guidance.
I took one step forward, and immediately came to a
solid wall. I thrust out my hand to the side, and my fingers skimmed rough
stone. My eyes widened. Part of the cellar must have collapsed, leaving only
this tiny patch to shelter in. As I brought my arm back to my side, a soft
patter of stones caught my ear, and I recoiled. It was still unstable. The
lightest breath could bring the rest of the cabin down on top of us.
solid wall. I thrust out my hand to the side, and my fingers skimmed rough
stone. My eyes widened. Part of the cellar must have collapsed, leaving only
this tiny patch to shelter in. As I brought my arm back to my side, a soft
patter of stones caught my ear, and I recoiled. It was still unstable. The
lightest breath could bring the rest of the cabin down on top of us.
Callon shuffled behind me, and more
pebbles rattled to the floor. The supports above groaned, and I flinched. The
darkness seemed to close in, and my breathing grew labored. I tried to stop it,
but I couldn’t slow down. The dizziness came back, and I sank to my knees.
pebbles rattled to the floor. The supports above groaned, and I flinched. The
darkness seemed to close in, and my breathing grew labored. I tried to stop it,
but I couldn’t slow down. The dizziness came back, and I sank to my knees.
“Callon…I can’t breathe…” I gasped. Callon moved
towards me, and the stones wobbled beneath his feet. “No, enough, get me out…I
don’t want to stay here!”
towards me, and the stones wobbled beneath his feet. “No, enough, get me out…I
don’t want to stay here!”
“Cheyenne, calm down.” Callon
dropped to the ground, his arms latching around me, and he pulled me to his
chest. I curled up in his lap. I was shaking like a leaf.
dropped to the ground, his arms latching around me, and he pulled me to his
chest. I curled up in his lap. I was shaking like a leaf.
“Don’t leave me,” I whispered.
“I won’t,” Callon soothed, running his thumb across
my cheek. “I’m here with you. Nothing’s going to happen, I promise. Just take a
deep breath, slowly now.”
my cheek. “I’m here with you. Nothing’s going to happen, I promise. Just take a
deep breath, slowly now.”
I followed his instructions, trying to blot out my panicked
thoughts. I was so pathetic, so useless. I couldn’t do anything. Couldn’t
control my destiny, couldn’t fight against the ones who had killed my parents
and wanted me dead. Couldn’t even overcome my silly fear of spiders. The three brothers
all worked so hard to defend me, while I could only watch on, utterly helpless.
I wasn’t worth so much trouble.
thoughts. I was so pathetic, so useless. I couldn’t do anything. Couldn’t
control my destiny, couldn’t fight against the ones who had killed my parents
and wanted me dead. Couldn’t even overcome my silly fear of spiders. The three brothers
all worked so hard to defend me, while I could only watch on, utterly helpless.
I wasn’t worth so much trouble.
A sob escaped me, and I closed my eyes, unable to
stop the flow of tears.
stop the flow of tears.
“Cheyenne, why are you crying?”
“I don’t deserve this,” I whimpered, pushing Callon
away. “You’ve all sacrificed everything for me, and all I’ve ever been able to
do is stand by and watch you get hurt.” My body shook. “I couldn’t save my
parents, I couldn’t save Colt and Daniel…now you’re stuck with me, and…”
away. “You’ve all sacrificed everything for me, and all I’ve ever been able to
do is stand by and watch you get hurt.” My body shook. “I couldn’t save my
parents, I couldn’t save Colt and Daniel…now you’re stuck with me, and…”
“Enough.” Callon tightened his embrace, and softly
rocked me. I clung to him, an anchor of safety in my sea of despair. He ran the
back of his hand across my cheek. “Cheyenne, you’ve done nothing wrong.” He
leant closer, brushing his nose against my ear. He was so warm, I cupped my
hand around his jaw and rested my forehead against his. “Don’t ever blame
yourself. We wouldn’t have done any of this if we didn’t think you weren’t
worth saving.” I tiled my head slightly, and his breath whispered over my lips.
“I wish I could take this burden away from you, to let you live your own life
as you choose.” He entwined his fingers in my hair, running them down my blonde
strands. “But I can’t. Instead all I can do is try and make it easier as best I
can. Because…”
rocked me. I clung to him, an anchor of safety in my sea of despair. He ran the
back of his hand across my cheek. “Cheyenne, you’ve done nothing wrong.” He
leant closer, brushing his nose against my ear. He was so warm, I cupped my
hand around his jaw and rested my forehead against his. “Don’t ever blame
yourself. We wouldn’t have done any of this if we didn’t think you weren’t
worth saving.” I tiled my head slightly, and his breath whispered over my lips.
“I wish I could take this burden away from you, to let you live your own life
as you choose.” He entwined his fingers in my hair, running them down my blonde
strands. “But I can’t. Instead all I can do is try and make it easier as best I
can. Because…”
I didn’t let him finish. Before I knew it my lips
were on his, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Callon hesitated at first,
but then he pressed in closer, parting my lips and deepening the kiss. My heart
rumbled, and my breath came in shallow gasps. He held me by the waist, shuffling
onto his knees, and pushed me against the wall. My hands started to roam, creeping
beneath his jacket and tracing the outlines of his naked chest and torso. His
body shivered, giving in to my touch, as he gently lifted my shirt and stroked
the bare skin of my stomach. I moaned softly, renewing my caresses, savoring
the taste of his mouth against mine.
were on his, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Callon hesitated at first,
but then he pressed in closer, parting my lips and deepening the kiss. My heart
rumbled, and my breath came in shallow gasps. He held me by the waist, shuffling
onto his knees, and pushed me against the wall. My hands started to roam, creeping
beneath his jacket and tracing the outlines of his naked chest and torso. His
body shivered, giving in to my touch, as he gently lifted my shirt and stroked
the bare skin of my stomach. I moaned softly, renewing my caresses, savoring
the taste of his mouth against mine.
At last Callon broke away. Though I couldn’t really
see him, I heard his rough panting. I was breathing faster too, my face hot.
Finally I seemed to realize where my hands were, and I snatched them back to my
chest. What on Earth was I thinking? This wasn’t what I wanted. My heart
belonged to Colt; I’d said as much that day in Dex and Lily’s cabin. Though I
did care for Callon, I’d vowed not to get too close to him, not to let him
confuse my feelings.
see him, I heard his rough panting. I was breathing faster too, my face hot.
Finally I seemed to realize where my hands were, and I snatched them back to my
chest. What on Earth was I thinking? This wasn’t what I wanted. My heart
belonged to Colt; I’d said as much that day in Dex and Lily’s cabin. Though I
did care for Callon, I’d vowed not to get too close to him, not to let him
confuse my feelings.
So why then was I filled with such a deep longing
to stay in his arms?
to stay in his arms?
Callon lowered his hand, so it was resting atop my
left one. A sudden
desire to maintain contact flooded over me, so I softly kissed his neck, then his
jaw, wanting to affirm he was here with me. His embrace renewed, and we kissed
once more, yearning for each other’s touch.
left one. A sudden
desire to maintain contact flooded over me, so I softly kissed his neck, then his
jaw, wanting to affirm he was here with me. His embrace renewed, and we kissed
once more, yearning for each other’s touch.
I pressed my hand against his chest and pulled away
slightly, my brow resting against his. I wanted to speak, to let him know how I
felt, when something clattered loudly from above. I almost screamed, but Callon
pressed his finger to my lips and held me tighter. We sat stock still in the
darkness, listening as something heavy clanked and crashed through the cabin
hall. Every noise sent my heart into a fresh flurry, like a raging snowstorm. Callon
was just as tense, his body rigid.
slightly, my brow resting against his. I wanted to speak, to let him know how I
felt, when something clattered loudly from above. I almost screamed, but Callon
pressed his finger to my lips and held me tighter. We sat stock still in the
darkness, listening as something heavy clanked and crashed through the cabin
hall. Every noise sent my heart into a fresh flurry, like a raging snowstorm. Callon
was just as tense, his body rigid.
Eventually the sounds died away. Trembling, I
rested against Callon’s torso, thoroughly worn out. The dizziness had come
back, and my mind was more muddled than ever. Part of me was adamant I
shouldn’t have done what I’d just done, and yet I seemed oddly content to sit
in Callon’s embrace.
rested against Callon’s torso, thoroughly worn out. The dizziness had come
back, and my mind was more muddled than ever. Part of me was adamant I
shouldn’t have done what I’d just done, and yet I seemed oddly content to sit
in Callon’s embrace.
What was my heart trying to tell me?
“Cheyenne,” Callon whispered under his breath. “I
love you.”
love you.”
#
My eyes snapped open, and I found myself staring at
my bedroom wall. It was still dark, and the leaves outside were casting shadows
through my window. For a moment I was lost, wondering why I’d woken up. Then fragments
of the dream came back to me, and my face flushed.
my bedroom wall. It was still dark, and the leaves outside were casting shadows
through my window. For a moment I was lost, wondering why I’d woken up. Then fragments
of the dream came back to me, and my face flushed.
I turned over, looking to the other side of my bed.
Surprisingly, Colt wasn’t there. He’d been beside me when I’d drifted off earlier
in the evening. Blinking, I rolled to a sitting position, gathering the sheets
around me.
Surprisingly, Colt wasn’t there. He’d been beside me when I’d drifted off earlier
in the evening. Blinking, I rolled to a sitting position, gathering the sheets
around me.
I heard a quiet sigh, and looked to the door.
Callon was standing there, leaning against the doorframe. His arms were folded
and he had his eyes closed, almost as if he’d dozed off.
Callon was standing there, leaning against the doorframe. His arms were folded
and he had his eyes closed, almost as if he’d dozed off.
I looked down at my knees, my cheeks burning. I
didn’t know why I was so embarrassed; it wasn’t like he could look into my
dreams or anything. But I was still shocked at how intense it had been. And it
had felt so real…
didn’t know why I was so embarrassed; it wasn’t like he could look into my
dreams or anything. But I was still shocked at how intense it had been. And it
had felt so real…
I shook my head, and lay back down in bed again. Don’t
be crazy, Cheyenne. A dream was a dream. I knew I had some feelings for Callon,
but they were different to what I felt for Colt. Or so I’d thought. Maybe I’d
just been trying to tell myself that so I wouldn’t have to choose between them.
be crazy, Cheyenne. A dream was a dream. I knew I had some feelings for Callon,
but they were different to what I felt for Colt. Or so I’d thought. Maybe I’d
just been trying to tell myself that so I wouldn’t have to choose between them.
Either way, I knew one day I’d have to confront
that decision, and probably sometime soon.
that decision, and probably sometime soon.
But not tonight.
I rolled onto my side, giving Callon a final
glance, before I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. Before I was completely
gone, footsteps approached, and a soft hand stroked my cheek.
glance, before I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. Before I was completely
gone, footsteps approached, and a soft hand stroked my cheek.
“Sweet dreams, my love.”
The last thing I remembered was a tender kiss
against my cheek, and then the darkness claimed me.
against my cheek, and then the darkness claimed me.
END