“How does that happen?” I demand. “How does she get stronger?”
Martha’s lips turn up into a smile. “Let her in. Let her love fill you and give that same love in return. It is the only way to not only strengthen your bond, but to also strengthen her magic.”
Love.
I don’t know if I can do this, if I can give her the love that she fills me with. Admitting, allowing, accepting her love is one thing, showing it in return makes me far too vulnerable. I was that way once and all it did was end up in heartache, I can’t do it again.
Whatever this evil entity is, it may just win.
Chapter Forty
BIRDIE
I blink, my body feeling drained and exhausted. I try to push myself up to sitting, but I can’t even move. I’m too weak and end up letting out a grunt of frustration. I hear someone clear their throat from across the room and shift my head and gaze toward them.
It’s a woman sitting in the corner, but the room is bathed in darkness. “It’s me,” Martha’s voice calls out.
“What happened?” I ask.
There is a moment of silence, then she clears her throat again and tells me about this dark entity, how it had filled Florence and was coming after me. She explains that she thinks it was created and sent here to destroy the prophecy and possibly the world.
“Who could have done this?” I rasp.
“I do not know, Birdie. Florence is being held in the jail until further investigation.”
I gasp, forcing my arms to push me up so that I can lean against the headboard and look directly toward her. I watch as she turns up the lamp at the small table next to her.
“You’re a witch,” I point out.
She nods her head, her lips turned up in a grin. “I am,” she admits.
“How?”
“I was sent to watch over Colt, though my powers are technically not legal, I have been instructed to use them if need be.”
“By the Assembly?” I ask.
She dips her chin. “By a few friendly members, yes.”
My eyes widen as I stare at her in awe. Not only is she a witch, she’s been sent from the Assembly, the same group that had some members plot to kill Colt just days ago.
It shouldn’t surprise me as much as it does. I have a feeling that a lot of this plotting and devising of evil plots happens a lot with leaders of countries, I’ve just never personally been involved and it’s shocking, surprising, and scary.
“What happens now?” I ask.
She doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, she watches me for a moment. “Now, you and Colt work on your relationship, then you go with him to take care of the Assembly and weed out the bad seeds.”
“What about Florence and Logan?” I ask.
Martha watches me for a moment, then her eyes widen. “Logan,” she breathes, as if she hadn’t really thought about Florence’s grandson and the role that he’s going to play in all of this. He will no doubt be angry that his grandmother is in prison, but does he know that that thing was inside of her? Is he in on all of this?
“We have many unanswered questions,” she rasps.
“No shit,” I snap.
Martha’s eyes widen and her lips turn up into a grin before she lets out a small chuckle. “Indeed.”
Leaning my head back, I close my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. I hear a deep chuckle and crack one eye open, only to see Colt standing next to me. Opening both of my eyes, I lift my head and look around him where Martha was sitting only to see that her chair is empty.
“I relieved her. I also brought you a tray of food.”
I shift my gaze back to meet Colt’s, my eyes widening in surprise as he gathers the tray and brings it over to the bed, setting it down next to my hip as he sinks down on the bed on the other side of the tray.
“Colt?” I ask, my voice low.
He hums, reaching for something on the plate, then holds it up to my lips. I have no choice but to open my mouth and take his offering. I moan as the sweet taste of orange fruit touches my tongue.
“Whatever awaits us, can do just that, Birdie. It can wait.”
“That big black blob cannot wait,” I murmur.
He hums, nodding his head. “This I know, but nothing will happen tonight. First, I am going to enjoy feeding you, then we’re both going to enjoy the way that I take you. After that we’ll sleep, then tomorrow we shall begin on the next move.”
“What about Florence and Logan?” I ask.
He shakes his head once. “Tomorrow, my bride.”
“Bride?” I ask, arching a brow.
“You are, are you not?”
Pressing my lips together, I nod my head. “I am, Colt,” I whisper.
He continues to feed me, then when he’s satisfied that I’ve had enough food, only then does he kiss and strip my clothes from me until I’m completely bared to him. My stomach is already beginning to round and I cover it with my hands, hating the extra weight that I’ve already started to put on.
“Don’t,” he grunts, reaching for my wrists and tugging my hands from my belly. “You’re beautiful, darlin’. Every square inch of you is breathtaking, especially the part of you that grows with our child.”
My entire insides melt in a swoony mess at his words. Shaking my head, I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and shake my head again. “Colt,” I breathe.
His lips twitch into a cocky grin before he strips himself of his clothes, then climbs into the bed next to me. He doesn’t touch me at first, his eyes just searching my own, looking for something, but he never says what exactly and I’m a bit too afraid to ask him.
Then as if he’s found it, or maybe he hasn’t, I’m not sure, he shakes his head before reaching out and cupping my cheeks with his palms. Colt leans forward and every thought in my head vanishes as he kisses me—owning me, as he seems to always do.
COLT
Sliding my hand down the outside of her thigh, I wrap my fingers around the underside of her knee and spread her leg wide for me. Nestling my hips between her warmth, I guide myself toward her entrance.
Breaking the kiss, I lift my head and look into her eyes. They are swirling with something that I can’t quite read, but I don’t bother asking any questions. This isn’t about what we’re thinking, this is about how we feel with one another.
This is about us.
This is about our future.
Birdie hooks her knee around my hip and wraps her hands around my back, urging me closer toward her body. Placing my hand next to her head, I keep my arms extended and look down into her eyes, never taking my gaze from hers.
“Darlin’,” I rasp as I slowly sink inside of her warm and waiting body.
Her eyes widen when I’ve rooted myself deep inside of her. Licking my lips, I inhale a deep breath through my nose and let it out the same way, forcing my mind to clear and for my own self-control to remain intact.
Birdie’s breath hitches as she wraps herself around my body, pulling me closed as if she wants to absorb me completely and wholly. I don’t blame her, I wish that I could sink inside of her warmth until there is no longer two of us, but instead one being.
Shifting my hips, I move inside of her, feeling all of her around me. Her breathing comes out in pants, washing over my face as I pump in and out of her body. I can’t look away from her, not even if I tried. She has my gaze held hostage and I don’t mind it overly much.
“Yes,” she hisses, arching her neck and breaking eye contact with me as she throws her head back.
Moving one of my hands to her hip, I grip her flesh hard and brace myself on my knees as I move hard and faster, slamming into her body unable to control myself another moment longer.
Sweat gathers on my forehead, dripping down my face as I tip my chin and watch myself move inside of her. It’s beautiful, the way that her body takes me, opening just enough for my cock to move inside of her.
“Colt,” she gasps. “I’m close.”
Her warning is u
nnecessary, I can feel the way her cunt flutters around me, the way it tries to suck me inside and clamp down, keeping me right where she wants me. My fingers grip her tighter around her hip, helping me to balance as I slam inside of her over and over, climbing higher and higher toward my release.
My back tingles and sweat starts to gather there as I continue to thrust hard and fast inside of her sweet body. Her mouth opens, but no sound comes out. I feel her entire body jerk and freeze, her muscles tense and then her cunt squeezes me instantly.
I moan, my climax roaring through me without much of a warning. Burying my face against Birdie’s neck, I inhale her sweet scent as my hips continue to move slowly, enjoying every sweet soft sound that she makes as we ride our elation and slowly come down from it.
Birdie’s fingernails begin to graze my back in a calming motion, my movements slowing down until I just bury my half-hard cock deep inside of her and catch my breath. She lets out a sigh, shifting her hips and wrapping her legs around my hips, squeezing tightly.
“I love you, Birdie,” I murmur against the skin of her neck.
Her breath hitches. Lifting my head, I look into her eyes and smile down at her. “I love you, Colt. I hope that this is real, that your words are real, but even if they aren’t, I know how I feel.”
Nodding my head once, I give her a small smile. “They’re as real as they can be, darlin’. There’s no more hiding. There is just you and me and we will get through whatever this is and we will come out together, on top.”
“We will,” she agrees.
Dipping my chin, I touch my mouth to hers and don’t voice any of my fears or concerns. They don’t matter, not right now. Maybe one day I can think about the future and what this means, but right now I can’t even think about what happens tomorrow.
All I can do is protect her today. One day, one moment at a time. That is all that I can give her—give us.
A knock sounds on the door and Birdie lets out a little yelp. With a moan, I force myself to roll off of her, groaning when I pull out of her warm heat. I hear her scrambling to pull the bedding up her body as I stomp toward the door. Tugging it open, I frown at the sight of Ernest standing in front of me, his gaze narrowed on mine in no doubt anger.
“You’re upset,” I point out.
He shakes his head. “Disappointed,” he announces.
“In?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “Florence.”
Pressing my lips together, I tilt my head to the side and watch him for a moment. “We shared much together, I didn’t see it inside of her. I would have never guessed. So, I suppose I’m disappointed in myself as well.”
“I didn’t see it and now I have to deal with Logan, too.”
He grunts. “Guards will be ready by first light to head out to gather the Assembly. You’re still to join them?” he asks.
I hadn’t forgotten, but I have been avoiding it. I don’t want to leave, knowing that Birdie is safer isolated out here rather than beside me in the city. Though, I refuse to leave her alone, even under the guard of the lions and my men.
“Ensure that Jeremiah and the rest of Birdie’s personal guard is ready to ride, along with yourself. Have Logan meet me in my office.”
My words aren’t a suggestion or a question, rather they are an order. Ernest dips his chin, and wordlessly turns from me, walking away swiftly to take care of my demands. Closing the door, I turn back to face Birdie who is still covered in the bed.
“I have some things that I need to discuss with Logan. Martha will begin to pack your bag.”
“Where is Daisy?” she asks.
My head jerks and I lift my gaze to meet hers. “You asked me to make sure she was gone and I did.”
“Did you…”
Shaking my head, I walk over to her. “I told you that I did not want her, and I did not take her. She does not interest me. It’s only you, darlin’.”
“Why?”
Pressing my lips together, I wonder if there are really any words that I can say to her. I don’t feel that there are any in this instance, at least none but the truth.
“She is not you.”
Without another word, I dress and leave her alone. I’m not sure if she wished to discuss things further, but there is no need to do so. Finding Jeremiah, I ask him to gather Markus, Thatcher, and Samuel so that they can guard Birdie’s door. Leaving them, I trust that they have her in their capable hands.
Martha is next on my list as I make my way toward my office. She isn’t hard to find, her hands deep into a big heap of dough as she kneads what I assume is going to make a delicious fluffy bread of some kind.
“Can you help Birdie pack for our trip to the city?” I ask. “Pack yourself as well.”
“I don’t leave the property,” she announces.
Shaking my head, my gaze lifts and focuses on hers. “You are the only one with powers and the capability to protect her. You’ll join us,” I snap.
Martha arches a brow in my direction, but otherwise stays quiet. Turning away from her, I make my way into the office and inhale a deep breath as I prepare to tell Logan about his grandmother.
Chapter Forty-One
BIRDIE
Martha appears a few moments after Colt leaves the room. She looks perturbed, but doesn’t voice her annoyance or complaints. Pressing my lips together, I watch her move around the room as she tugs out a trunk and begins to pack dresses that I’ve never even seen before.
“Where did all those come from?” I ask.
Martha doesn’t even falter as she answers me, her body still moving quickly through her tasks. “These are the custom gowns that Colt ordered. They have all arrived and have been waiting for you. There will be a ball that you’ll be attending, so everything must be packed.”
“A ball?” I ask, scrunching my nose.
Martha chuckles, nodding her head. “Indeed.”
“You know I’m only going to get bigger. I’m afraid that these gowns and dresses aren’t going to fit me for much longer.”
Martha’s gaze lifts to meet mine, her eyes practically glitter as they look back at me. She shakes her head a couple of times, but doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, she takes a few steps toward me, sinking down on the edge of the bed before she reaches for my hands.
“You needn’t worry over anything, Birdie. The dresses will fit and when they don’t, new ones will be made for you. Colton will never allow you to be without. It’s just not who he is.”
“But?” I ask.
She looks down at her lap, then lifts her gaze to meet my own. “Not really a but, something else. Be careful. While it’s true that there are good members of the Assembly, there are many who are not even decent and that includes their families. You must watch yourself. I’ll be there, but you must stay vigilant.”
“I will,” I breathe.
Martha’s hands squeeze mine and she nods her head once. “I understand this,” she rasps. “It is not a good place, the city. Colt detests it, which is why he prefers to reside here. I will stay as close as I can.”
“Thank you, Martha,” I rasp.
She dips her chin in a nod, then stands and begins to pack my things again, busying herself. I try to stand up to help her, but she won’t let me, demanding that I rest. Apparently, being pregnant here means resting and I’m kind of okay with that. I’m exhausted. I’ve been through a hell of a lot the past few days.
I watch her, a million questions on the tip of my tongue. I don’t ask them, though. Instead, I just breathe and watch. A sense of peace washes over me, though I don’t know if it’s because Colt and I are finally in a decent place or if it’s because that big black blob is gone.
“Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security,” Martha announces.
My eyes widen and I open my mouth to ask her if I said something aloud, but she shakes her head. “I sensed it. You should practice trying to slip into people’s thoughts. Never relax and never stop practicing your talents. You don’t know whe
n you’ll need them again.”
Nodding, I press my lips together and decide to do exactly what she suggests, except I don’t try to get into Colt’s head, or anyone here. Feeling devious, I force myself to relax, to take in the senses around me and I think about someone… I think about that woman, Daisy.
It doesn’t take me long, but I find myself in another space. Another room. It’s soft and feminine, pink and floral, the scent of lavender surrounds me and it makes my stomach turn. Then I see her.
Daisy.
She’s sitting down at a small table, an older woman sitting across from her. The woman leans forward, her eyes narrowed as she grinds her teeth and lets out a growl.
“You had one job,” the older woman barks.
Daisy doesn’t respond, her mind begins to work though, but her words are not coming in clear. “I’m sorry, Bessie. I tried. He wouldn’t let me anywhere near him and then she came back and once she was there, it was as if she had cast a spell over him, and he brought me back here immediately.”
“Magic,” Bessie whispers, her eyes widening.
There’s a moment of silence. Daisy hums, but still, her thoughts are blocked from me somehow. I try to concentrate harder to get deeper inside of her mind, but I’m still blocked.
“Magic,” Daisy purrs.
The way she says it, my entire being goes on alert. There is something bigger here, something that I can’t quite put my finger on, but it’s there, just beneath the surface.
I don’t know what it is, but it’s there and it’s not good. I’m not sure that it’s pure evil, but I know that it isn’t honest or kind. It all seems a bit mischievous, sneaky, and maybe even a bit devious.
“And what are you going to do to fix this?” Bessie demands.
Daisy doesn’t say anything immediately. She seems to want to take her time with everything that she says in response to Bessie and I’m not sure why. I cannot get a read on her, not even when I’m inside of her own head.
Bride of the Frontier (The Prophecy of Sisters Book 3) Page 27