Just when I’m about to voice my concern, there is a knock on my office door.
“Sir?” Ernest calls out.
“Enter.”
The door slowly opens and I lift my head, Ernest is not alone. In fact, there are three people behind him and I recognize their clothes immediately. They are from the Assembly.
The members of the Assembly are nameless, the clothing being their only identifiable markers. They are meant to be looked at as equal parts of the government, no one of them is more important than the other.
Their names are hidden to protect not only themselves, but their families as well. It is also supposed to keep them from being able to be blackmailed, though I doubt that works as well as it’s intended.
“True to your word, you’ve arrived,” I announce as I stay seated.
I don’t bother standing, I’m not sure they deserve that much respect at this point. Granted, they did appoint me to my position, but they like to remind me of that often and attempt to use it as a way to get me to do what they want, the way they want it.
They don’t allow me to do what they claimed they appointed me to do. They want to micromanage me, and get angry when I don’t allow it, then send their little minions to put me in my place.
“We have,” the woman in front announces as she breezes past Ernest and heads directly over to the chair in front of my desk.
The other two walk over to the couch and sink down, wordlessly. I watch them, waiting to hear what they have to say. “Have you chosen a wife?” she asks.
“My wedding is today,” I announce. An audible gasp fills the room, but I ignore it. “You’re all more than welcome to attend.”
I would tell them about the gods and the prophecy, but I don’t bother. It is not theirs to know. However, I do tilt my head to the side and ask them about the impending attack.
The woman doesn’t even flinch, she is strong and hardened. The men have a tell and they show it just for a split second, but I catch it. One of them clears his throat and slides his hand on his thighs. The other uncrosses and then recrosses his legs.
“An attack?” the woman asks, attempting to sound surprised, but she fails.
“I have plenty of rooms here or you can go into town and stay at the hotel there. This conversation, whatever it is, will have to take place at a later time, I have impending nuptials.”
Without another word, I dip my chin and begin pretending to do paperwork, affectively ignoring them as a way to end the conversation without leaving the room. The last thing I want to do is allow these people to be alone in my office.
After a few moments of silence, the woman lets out an annoyed sigh, then I hear the rustling fabric of her dress before I hear the footsteps of all three people walk out of the door. Ernest doesn’t leave though, he never does, not when I truly need him.
“What was that?” I ask him.
“You sensed something off, too?” he asks.
“They know about the enemies coming to attempt to take me out and take over.”
“Indeed,” he says with a rumble.
“Bring me Florence,” I demand.
He chuckles, then he silently walks away and leaves the room to fetch Florence. Normally, I would never use magic, always choosing to use my own wit and cunning, but in this instance, I need to know what is actually going on and what they are attempting to accomplish.
She appears a few moments later, her hair particularly wild as are her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’ve contacted her?” she breathes as she shifts from side to side.
I shake my head, knowing that she is referring to the powerful witch who possesses black magic.
“I haven’t. Three members of the Assembly are here, they know about the attack from a secret group who wishes to dethrone me. James has written me that they are close, then they show, I need to know what is going on.”
She licks her lips, her gaze flitting to the ceiling. “Birdie can help you with that. If she can concentrate, she can tap into their thoughts without them even realizing it.”
“Can you?” I grunt, not wishing to ask Birdie to do any such thing.
She may have the ability, but I don’t want her to use it, especially not to aid me in my work. Birdie needs to be my wife, to have my heirs, to take care of our home and me in bed. She does not need to be at my side when it comes to work.
“I cannot,” she practically growls, which makes me think that perhaps she can and knows what I’m thinking right now.
Narrowing my gaze at her, I tilt my head to the side and stare at her, waiting to see if she’ll slip up, but she doesn’t. Florence is strong, steadfast, and unaffected by my glower. I shake my head, deciding that I will just have to do this without their help. I don’t need magic and gods to do my job, at least I never have before.
Chapter Thirty-One
BIRDIE
Martha finishes my hair and then touches my shoulder. Lifting my head, I look up into her eyes. She smiles kindly, then jerks her chin toward the mirror that is to the side of me. Inhaling a deep breath, I turn to the side and look at myself in the reflection of the mirror.
My breath hitches at the sight of me all dressed up in my gown. It’s not just a simple dress anymore, with the hair and the makeup, with the little additions, I feel like a princess. An old western princess, but still a princess.
Spinning, I throw my arms around Martha’s shoulders and hug her tightly. I am going to miss her the most, I think. Her and Florence. I like to think that I’ll miss Colt too, but the reality is that I feel at peace and there is a sense of relief that has washed over me at the thought of leaving him behind and running away to Sybilla.
I know that I’m a coward. I’m running away, but is it fear or self-preservation? I’m not sure it matters, the outcome is the same. I am running away from the only man I have ever felt anything for. I am going to be running away from my husband, because like it or not I’m still marrying him before I leave.
My gut twists at the thought of marrying him, then leaving, but I know deep in my heart that it’s the right thing for both of us. Neither of us will be happy if I stay. It will ruin the people that we are—the people that we want to become.
Martha leaves me alone with a promise to return shortly. Walking over to the window, I stare out at the landscape, and I close my eyes.
I inhale the scents around me and listen intently to the men outside, the low hum of their voices, a random shout here and there. I try to just relax, not necessarily attempting to tap into anyone’s head in particular.
Then it happens. My entire body jerks at the unfamiliar voice, but that isn’t what has me in shock. It’s the words this unfamiliar person says aloud to another.
We will dethrone him. It was a mistake to put someone so strong in charge. We thought that we could manipulate him through a woman, at least a woman of our choosing. Now that he’s decided on a wife without it being one of ours, I am concerned that he will be unable to be controlled. A woman’s voice says.
Yes, this is very concerning. Could we perhaps get to her? We must meet her and assess before all is lost. A man replies.
Then a third person speaks, another man. It will matter naught shortly. The men will be here to fight and it will be a bloody reception.
Lifting my hand to my lips, I gasp. Spinning around, I walk toward my door and tug it open in a rush, only to find two men in matching gray outfits, and a woman who is wearing a gray skirt instead of trousers, standing right in front of me.
She smiles kindly, extending her hand, but I can see the shrewdness behind her gaze, the flat-out evil intent that she holds inside of her.
“Hello, I’m from the Assembly, we are just here to wish you luck on your nuptials today and to meet the woman that Mr. James has chosen to rule at his side.”
I almost laugh directly in her face. Chosen? That’s pretty funny. She has no fucking clue at all who I am and why I’m here, why I’ve been chosen, but not by Colt. I give her a small smile, tilting my he
ad to the side and shaking her hand.
The men don’t speak, but they don’t have to. I can see the way that they watch me, and I recognize her voice from just moments ago. She is going to attempt to overthrow Colt today, probably killing me as well as killing him.
In reality, that’s a perfect time to bounce, in the middle of all of the chaos. I’m a coward, but I’m not that big of one. I’m going to warn him, and then take off after I know that he’s won and is safe.
The woman watches me for another silent moment. Then she asks me where I’m from and attempts to engage in pleasantries. I hear Jeremiah’s voice from behind them before I can answer any of the invasive questions.
“Sorry, Miss Collins, your presence is required,” he announces.
I roll my lips before I give them a smile. “Perhaps we’ll be able to talk after the wedding ceremony?” I offer.
I don’t mean the words, naturally. I couldn't care less if I ever see these people again, let alone talk to them.
They dip their chins, then thankfully turn around and walk away from me. My gaze shifts to Jeremiah, who is staring at their retreating forms, then he flicks his gaze to meet mine.
“Take me to him. I must speak to him immediately.”
Jeremiah shakes his head once. “It’s bad luck to see him before you’re wed, do you not have such a custom?”
I snort. “We do, but I don’t really care. This isn’t about luck, this is about life and death.”
His eyes widen, then he clears his throat. “Tongues will wag if you’re seen down there, come and wait for him in his room. I will bring him to you.”
Jeremiah ushers me across the hall to Colt’s room. I haven’t been in here since that first night I arrived, and I don’t remember many details from then. The door closes behind me and I take a moment to inhale deeply. The entire space smells like Colt. It’s woodsy and musky, it’s perfection.
Looking around the salon, I smile at the sight of the little things that are left out. There is a small table with a game of chess, that I assume he plays with Ernest. There is a larger table with a decanter of whiskey and a glass.
Walking over to the doorway, I peek inside and practically swoon at the sight of his bed. It’s unmade, he has some clothes strewn about and there is even a book on his nightstand. The sound of the door opening causes me to spin around and there he is, right in front of me, Colt.
“You needed to see me, urgently?” he asks, his lips turned down in a frown.
I’m a bit taken aback that he doesn’t seem pleased to see me at all, not even in all of my wedding finery. Shaking those thoughts away, I close the distance between us, but still stay a couple feet away, not touching him freely the way that I wish I could.
“I do,” I say with a nod. He watches me, obviously a bit impatient at the fact that I’m not rambling and telling him everything all at once. “Those people, the Assembly?” I ask.
“How did you know about them?” he snaps.
“They came to my room to meet me, I cut that meeting off because I accidentally found myself listening to a conversation just a few moments before they were knocking on my door.”
“Birdie?”
“The group looking to overthrow you will be here tonight. They said that the reception would be bloody.”
His body jerks and then he reaches out, wrapping his hand around my waist before he tugs me against his chest. As much as I want to rest my cheek against him, I don’t. Instead, I tilt my head back and look up into his eyes.
“Nothing will happen. I will protect you, darlin’.”
I could lie to him, but I don’t have a reason to. Lifting my hand between us, I cup his bearded jaw and slide my thumb across his bottom lip.
“I know that you will, Colt.”
COLT
The last thing that I want to do is leave Birdie’s side. Walking away from her, I jerk my chin toward Jeremiah. I instruct him to gather the rest of her personal guard, then make sure that they have eyes on her every second until the wedding.
Reaching out to the lions, I instruct them to be ready. They agree that they will head in closer to camp and lie in wait for what is to come. I send them many thanks as I make my way out to the stables.
Reaching out to Arion, I gnash my bottom teeth together as I wait for him to allow our link to open.
I need you, Arion.
How?
Birdie.
The subject is simple. This is not a personal request, not truly. This is about Birdie. This is about keeping her safe and in return, keeping our world protected from the fallout of a failed prophecy, Arion knows this just as much as I do.
A war is being brought to my door. I need her protected.
Admitting it, that I may not be the one able to protect her, makes me feel weak. However, I’m also not naïve enough to think that I am able to protect her against all enemies without help. I will not allow another woman, my woman, to be harmed.
You know that I will do this.
I thank him and ask him to keep guard outside of the stables in case he needs to quickly swoop in and take her to safety. He makes a whinny noise and jerks his head around a couple of times and with that I turn and leave, heading toward the wedding ceremony site.
There are a few people gathered and sitting on the provided barrels that I had brought out from the barn for last-minute seating. The officiant is ready, his gaze surveying the crowd. My eyes search for a particular person and when I see him, my lips twitch into a small smile before I swiftly walk over to him.
“Where is it?” I demand.
He jerks his chin behind him. “It’s out on my trailer.” He turns and I follow behind him, quickly.
When we approach, I see the item that I requested. A gift for my bride. I don’t touch it, unsure of how it works and not wishing to break it before she’s even seen it.
“Follow me, I know where I want it.” He doesn’t say anything, but I can hear him moving behind me.
We walk into the house and head straight upstairs. Jeremiah and the rest of the men are standing guard at Birdie’s door when I arrive. I can hear the man behind me huffing and puffing as he attempts to catch his breath from the climb up the stairs.
Turning to Jeremiah, I jerk my chin. “Is she inside her own quarters?” I ask on a whisper.
He nods his head and my lips twitch into a grin as I turn toward my salon. Letting the man inside, I watch as he sets the heavy piece of equipment down and then begins to work on the pieces.
“I’ll have this set up in just a moment.”
I dip my chin, walking over to my bedroom, and close the door so that I can quickly change into my wedding attire. The time is near and it would not be in good taste to be married in my normal daily wear.
Thankfully, it only takes me a moment to change and by the time I walk into my salon, the man is just leaving and the gift is all set up and ready for my bride. Making my way over to the piece of equipment, I study it.
I hope that my bride will enjoy it and that it will bring her joy, especially since I know that this has been such a huge change for her and I doubt being attached to me, as surly as I am, has been an absolute joyous occasion.
Leaving the room, I make my way downstairs and toward the officiant again. Shaking his hand, I thank him for doing this today and before he can even respond, the music begins. This isn’t a normal wedding, there will be no groomsmen, bridesmaids, or flower girls.
There is only Birdie and me in front of some people that we know and some that we don’t. Florence sits to the side, her eyes on me. I can feel her gaze on me, but I don’t turn around to look at her. I know that she is no doubt irritated with me, but she will need to be here. I might need her magic soon to fight off the opposers who are apparently coming my way.
The music continues, then I hear murmurs before a hush is drawn over the crowd. Turning toward the aisle, I watch as she begins to walk toward me. Clearing my throat, I watch her walk in my direction.
Birdie h
as no veil, she carries no flowers, and her expression is one of sadness rather than elation and excitement. I can’t blame her, not really. She’s stunning though. She walks slowly toward me, her eyes never leaving my own.
When she arrives in front of me, the officiant begins. The normally long ceremony is cut short, at my request. Slipping the ring on her finger, she puts one on mine as well. We devote ourselves to one another and I inwardly cringe before I tilt my head to the side and kiss her.
The small crowd erupts in cheers. Lifting my mouth from hers, I look into her eyes, but there is something missing. She looks sad, almost empty inside.
“Birdie?” I ask.
She shakes her head once, as if shaking off the emotions, then her lips turn up into a smile. “What’s next, husband?” she asks on a whisper.
Husband.
Something that I never thought I would be called again.
Something that I never wanted to be called again and yet, I don’t hate it, especially the way she says it.
“Again,” I rasp.
“Husband,” she breathes, knowing exactly what I wanted to hear.
I hum, touching my mouth to hers again before I take a step back, holding her hand in mine and turn toward the crowd. Holding our hands up in the air, the people around us cheer once again. Taking a step together, then another, I lower our hands just as I hear shouts behind us.
The time has come.
My eyes find the Assembly members and I watch as all three of them grin for a brief moment.
Turning my gaze to Birdie, I clear my throat. “Go to Arion, he can get you out of here the fastest.”
“Colt,” she whispers.
“Go, Birdie. I will see you when it is safe. Now, go.”
Before she can say anything else, Arion runs toward us. Birdie climbs onto him, but her eyes never leave mine. She watches me and tears pool in her gaze.
“Be safe, Colt. I love you,” she calls out right before the horse shoots into the air and flies away and out of view.
Bride of the Frontier (The Prophecy of Sisters Book 3) Page 21
