“Tell me why you have come here,” Colt demands.
Sylvi turns her head, her gaze flicks to me then she turns and looks over to Colt. “Our seeress had a vision. Liv is too close to delivering the new prince to come out here herself, so I was sent in her and my brother’s stead.”
“A vision?” Colt asks.
Sylvi nods her head. “She saw the two of you. Birdie was pregnant, there was seiõr.”
“What is that?” I ask, interrupting.
“It’s a form of black magic, evil intentions. They saw it enveloping your home here. Quest brought me as soon as he could to warn you. Though I cannot help you much, I will do whatever it is that I can.”
“Was it three women and a man, in her vision?” Colt asks.
Sylvi’s eyes widen and she nods her head once, her lips parted in awe. Jeremiah chuckles, his eyes finding and locking in on Sylvi. It’s as if he’s completely enamored by her, and I wonder if it’s possible that’s exactly what he is. It would not surprise me because she is stunning.
“It was,” she breathes.
“Birdie took care of them all.”
“I was too late,” she sniffs. She turns to face me, her eyes wide and her face pale. “I am so sorry,” she cries.
Shaking my head, I make my way toward her, taking her hands in mine and squeezing them gently. “Don’t be. It’s all over now, and everything else is okay?”
Sylvi nods her head a couple of times, her lips curving up into a grin. “My seeress had to take the time to give me the ability to speak your language. I’m sure that it is to blame for my being too late. I am so sorry. I wish I could have been here earlier. Usually, the seeress can see much further ahead in time.”
“Don’t worry. Tell me about my Liv,” I urge.
The room slowly empties as the people leave us alone and Sylvi tells me all about Liv, about her life on their island and I listen intently, happily. Hearing about Liv and the love that she shares with her husband is everything that I could have ever hoped for.
By the time we’re finished talking, I have a sense of peace that washes over me about being so far away from Liv. She’s happy, just like Sybilla and me now. This was truly meant to be, the fates aligned or however that goes. The gods had a plan for us and here we are, fulfilling some prophecy, and living the best lives we could ever imagine.
Colt comes in and announces dinner. Sylvi dips her chin and walks out of the room, not looking back.
“Have you heard all you need about your sister?”
Smiling, I look up at him as I stand to my feet. Closing the distance between us, I lift my hand and cup his cheek.
“She’s happy and having a baby soon,” I whisper.
He dips his chin, his lips brushing mine. “Good. Perhaps we’ll travel after the child arrives so that we can see him?”
“I would love that,” I breathe.
His lips press harder against mine and I sigh, leaning in closer to him. His tongue slides inside of my mouth and I moan as he tastes me, consumes me, and owns me. This man. This man that I have fallen completely and totally in love with.
I don’t know how or when it happened, but it has and I’ve fallen in love with my husband without even realizing it. I knew I was falling, but I’ve fallen. I’m there and there is no turning back now. I can’t leave, not even if I wanted to—I don’t want to.
This is home now.
I’ll miss my parents, the modern conveniences of my previous life, but I would never trade what I have with Colton James, not for anything in the entire world—mine or his.
Bride of the Soldier
A Prophecy of Sisters Short Story
Prologue
JEREMIAH
Birdie watches me… incessantly. She is worse than my mother ever was when I was sick. We are headed home, back to Silverridge, thank the gods. I don’t think that I can handle any more special treatment from her. She’s far too sweet for me to be angry with, but I am on the edge.
Following behind them, I stay back slightly, wondering what awaits me in the future. I know that I will happily be a part of Birdie’s guard until I am no longer needed. As a soldier, this is a high honor, but I can’t help but think about what else could possibly await me in life.
“Do you think that we’ll be in Silverridge for long?” Samuel asks me.
I grunt, knowing how protective Colton is, and why, I have a feeling that we will be in Silverridge until the end of our watch, however long that will be.
We continue to ride in silence until a roar from the lions in the distance sounds. I know that they’ve spotted us and are acknowledging their master. I wonder what it would be like to be Colton. He’s not only in control, he’s powerful, and he has the love of a woman like Birdie. Love that is created and harvested by the gods.
It doesn’t take much longer for us to arrive at Silverridge, but instead of heading straight to the house, Birdie and Colton make their way toward town. They stop in front of the Blue Bird Theatre, Colton giving us a wave, a silent signal that we’re supposed to wait outside.
The four of us face the entrance, ready to pull our six-shooters out of their holsters and protect our leader and his wife at any given moment. We don’t get the opportunity, a few moments later Colton and Birdie appear none the worse for wear.
“Let’s go home,” Colton grunts.
He picks Birdie up and places her on his horse before he mounts it after her.
