Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four (37 page)

I focused my attention back to the lake, and reached into my jacket pocket
, pulling out a white gold wedding band. I twisted it in the sunlight, searching for the inscription.

The words jumped from the inside of the ring, and I smiled as I read.

I choose you.

It was simple, and truthful. It summed up our entire relationship. I’d always chosen him and always would. He’d always been my light in the darkest hour. He’d been the one who held my heart first, and he’d be the last. It
had been a long, hard road to get here, but I knew it only made us stronger.

I only wished my parents could be here, all of them. My birth parents, Qaysean and Sahara, had fought so hard to save the Timeless race, and they never got to enjoy the freedom. And Gene and Alexis, the
y never gotten to see all the love and warmth they instilled in me. My fathers would never get to walk me down the aisle, and I’d never see my mothers’ tears as they cried when I was given away.

I closed my eyes
, replaying more memories, when a hand touched my shoulder.

“Cheyenne?” Andre said and I jumped. “Sorry, you were so deep in thought.”

I stood up and glanced at the sky. The sun had fallen more than I realized.

“We need to get ready.”

I nodded and followed her back inside. I’d asked Andre to help me prepare. I only wanted her around.

It wasn’t long
before I was sliding the silk dress up, and Andre buttoning up the back. I stood in the bathroom, admiring the creation I’d found. It was a vintage dress. The creamy satiny material fell off my shoulders, creating a romantic feel, while the bodice was smooth and fitted, creating curves I didn’t know existed. The gemstones sparkled in the light as they ran around the dress just above the skirt. Turning, I saw the deep plunge on my back, my golden skin showing through, and a small train that I’d requested.

Andre handed me the white stilettos
. She’d told me I needed to seem taller if even for just a little while. As I straightened up, she made the final adjustments on my hair. It was simple, just a few ringlets pulled back, holding the crown of flowers in place. I hadn’t bothered with finding new, blue, or borrowed pieces. I didn’t need them.

“Ready?” Andre asked.

I nodded, somehow suddenly unable to speak, and took a breath as fluttering erupted again in my stomach.

“Nerves?” she said when I didn’t move.

“Yes.”

She lifted my
small train and pointed to the bedroom.

“Too late to change your mind now.” She winked. “I mean
, seriously, you’d think you’d get it right the third time.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Thanks,” I said.

I took slow careful steps to the patio door from my bedroom. Daniel and Bree stood outside, waiting.

“Here, let me help,” Bree said, picking up part of the train to help Andre.

“Shall we?” Daniel
asked, holding out his arm.

I took his arm as we made our way through the cut grass to the barn. The large sliding doors were closed, but I
could hear the soft music playing from outside. Andre and Bree helped arrange my train as Daniel waited. A side door opened, and Lilly came out.

Lilly handed me a
bouquet that was filled with brilliant fall colors: yellow, burnt orange, rust, and deep gold. It was tied with a white silk ribbon that hung loosely at the bottom.

“You can’t be without this,” she said, her voice faltering. She leaned in, kissing my cheek. “I know your parents would have wanted to be here for this, and they are in spirit.”

Tears formed in my eyes, and I bit my upper lip.

“I know they are,” I whispered.

She, Andre, and Bree disappeared inside the same side door, while Daniel and I waited just outside. The sun’s rays were hitting the top of the barn. Sunset was when we’d be wed, at the exact moment of the fall solstice.

The heavy barn doors slid open, and I smiled
as Daniel squeezed my arm. I’d asked him to walk me down the aisle for the final time. My brother, forever and always.

We took our first steps together into t
he enormous barn. Dim lighting came from the hundreds of small lights above us. White chairs lined the aisle, decorated with ribbons and flowers. The scent of fresh flowers drifted around us.

My family rose
, and I caught my first glimpse of the man who held my heart. Colt stood tall, his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt tailored perfectly to his large frame. His posture wasn’t stiff, but relaxed. He held his hands at his sides, his weightless gaze solely locked on me. He gave a long slow blink and a brilliant smile rose. He stepped closer as Daniel and I stopped before him.

Daniel squeezed my arm and placed a kiss on my cheek. He
started to step away, but Colt drew him into a hug instead. Moisture beaded at his eyes, and then his gaze focused on me. He extended his hand, and I gave him my fingers as he led me to stand in front of Dex.

Any nerves rolling in the bottom of my stomach ceased
. A peace washed over me, and our eyes remained locked as Dex began to speak.

“I didn’t know if you two would ever have this moment,” Dex said, his voice faltering. “But we’re here now
, and I know this was meant to be.”

Lilly stepped closer, taking my bouquet and handing me Colt’s ring. I’d warned Dex I was changing the ceremony
. First I’d asked that he not use Marcus’s last name Guerry, as I never took it. And second, I wanted Colt to have his ring before our powers were woven into the braid.

“This ring,” I said holding it up, “symbolizes our eternal love. Love that’s brought us near and far, love that’s held strong, love that was always dear to me.”

Colt lifted his left hand and I pushed the ring on.

“I cho
ose you, Colt, always,” I whispered.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a
platinum vintage ring, one with a center stone that was accented with four smaller single cut diamonds on each side. A ring I knew and recognized. The ring that Marcus had stolen from me.

I stared up into icy blue eyes.

“This ring,” he said, “represents my love for you—our family’s love for you. A love that’s held strong, a love that was always meant to be.” He slipped the ring on my ring finger and placed a kiss on my knuckles. “This ring was always meant for you, sweetheart. It could never belong to another.”

Tears misted in my eyes, he’d said
“our family’s love,” and I knew exactly what he’d meant.

Lilly moved
to stand beside Dex. She held a small metal carved box. She opened it, and Dex pulled out the old, worn leather braided rope.
The Braid del Amour, the braid of love.

I grasped Colt’s forearms as he grasped mine
, and we watched as Dex began to wrap it around our connected hands.

“As the
Braid del Amour
is wrapped around your arms, we are reminded this braid, as our lives, is twisted together in a myriad of different ways. You each bring in your own parts, and combine them together to form one union. One union that shall forever remain strong, one union that will eternally remain united in love,” Dex said.

He turned towards Colt.

“Colt, repeat after me,” he said. “I, Colt Adrian O’Shea, of the Consilador clan, pledge my love and my life to you, Cheyenne Alexis Wilson. To forever be your partner in life and your one love. I will cherish each moment I have with you more each day than the day before. I will trust you and rule with you. I will laugh and cry with you. I will love you faithfully no matter the outcome, regardless of the trials we shall face. I give you my heart and my soul from this day forward as long as we both shall live and until death we should part.”

I listened as Colt repeated the vow, and watched as the Braid began to give off a blue hue, just as it had when it was used with Callon and Marcus. Colt’s hold firmed and his head rose as he finished his vows.

“Cheyenne,” Dex said, “repeat after me…”

“I, Cheyenne Alexis Wilson, of the Kvech and S
arac clans, pledge my love and life to you, Colt Adrian O’Shea.” My words grew clearer, knowing it was so much more than just a pledge between clans. I was pledging my life to him willingly. The Braid’s glow grew brighter. “To forever be your partner in life and your one love. I will cherish each moment I have with you more each day than the day before…”

My vision began
to clear as I listened to the words spilling from my lips, my heartbeat strong.

“
I give you my heart and my soul from this day forward as long as we both shall live and until death we should part.”

A tingling sensation rippled through me, and my hold grew tighter on Colt’s arms. My lower lip began to quiver
, and my eyes twitched. We both began to shake, Colt’s jaw growing firm. My legs gave way as our grip was broken, and the braid fell away. A bright light flashed, and I collapsed to the floor.

I struggled to catch my breath as strong arms came around me, cradling me to
a strong chest. I blinked; Colt was holding me tightly as he kneeled.

“I have you, sweetheart,” he whispered and kissed my forehead. “It’s going to be okay.”

I reached up and cupped his cheek. His simple words were so touching. I knew now and forever more it’d always be okay as long as my light never extinguished.

“I love you, Colt Adrian O’Shea,” I whispered. “I love you with my whole heart.”

He pulled me up, his woodsy scent swirling around me, his warm breath pouring over my face.

“I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he murmured above my lips, “more than you could ever comprehend.”

His lips met mine with a tenderness I’d never experienced before. He caressed them as if they’d never been touched before, slow deliberate passes. I pulled my hand to his neck, pushing myself up and sought for more.

His lips firmed, pressing mine apart. I gave way willingly, wanting, searching
, fighting for more. I’d held back for too long. He was finally mine.

A
throat cleared, and then light laughter followed. Colt drew back smiling, and I felt my cheeks redden. I’d forgotten where we were.

He helped me to my feet, his arm coming around my waist, as my legs were still wobbly.

“May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. O’Shea!” Dex cried.

Applau
se sounded, and then our family gathered around us, offering congratulations. Hugs and wet eyes were everywhere, but they weren’t sad. For once, they were tears of happiness. Soft music began to play in the background, and Colt smiled down on me.

“May I have this first dance, Mrs. O’Shea?” he asked, extending his hand to me.

“I would love to, Mr. O’Shea,” I replied in a giddy giggle and took hold of his fingers.

He moved us out to a wooden dance floor that had been set up, and our family gathered
around as they watched us have our first dance as husband and wife. Colt gracefully led us around the floor, and I began to recall all the dancing lessons Skylar had given. The memory didn’t hurt as much this time, and it was as if I felt his blessing as I glided alongside Colt.

W
e were floating on air, two dancers giving their greatest performance. Our eyes locked together. This was our moment, our time, and our love that had all come together as one. Not perfect, but far better.

I’d never seen him so at ease as we moved. There were no worry lines on his brow, his strong arms held no tension. Even when I’d first met him
, there had been tension in his shoulders, but now, now all his worries and cares had been replaced with contentment and peace. This was how he always should’ve been, how we should’ve been.

The music slowed
, and the song changed. Daniel poked his head out from behind Colt, tapping his shoulder.

“May I have this dance?” Daniel asked.

Colt leaned down and placed a soft, sweet kiss on the corner of my lip. “I’ll share you for now,” he said leaning closer to my ear, his voice low and dangerous, “but in just a few short hours, you’re all mine.” He drew back, a wicked smile growing as goosebumps raced across my skin.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach
, and I blinked, suddenly excited and nervous. He handed me off to Daniel, but purposely trailed his fingers across my bare back as he passed. A wonderful, excited shiver ran up my spine. He chuckled before leaving the dance floor.

Daniel’s smile grew as well as the twinkle in his eyes. A small laugh escaped him.

“Well,” he said pulling me into a dance, “he didn’t waste much time getting back to tormenting you, did he?”

I laughed, knowing Daniel hit the nail on the head. Even with the weeks leading up to the wedding, Colt had been somewhat reserved from his old self, but now everything had changed, and I liked it.

Others joined us on the dance floor and soon loud laughter and smiles took over. It wasn’t just Colt who’d changed—we all had. Gone was the pressure of ending this war, replaced instead with blank pages. We were creating our own stories now, new beginnings. We were words on the pages of our life that had not yet turned, beautiful unread words.