My breathing comes out in pants as I silently beg for him to touch me everywhere, to relieve the ache between my legs and put out the fire that has started to burn beneath my skin. Whimpering, I slide my knees apart with a silent plea for more.
“Birdie,” he rasps.
A shiver rolls throughout my entire body at his single word. One of his hands slides around my waist, his palm applying pressure against the middle of my back, his other hand slips between my legs and I let out a small cry as soon as his fingers make contact with my aching clit.
“The gods have made it clear what they want for us and I am not going to fight it, fight them, or myself for another moment.”
I want to yell at him, to scream that this isn’t the way life is supposed to be. He should want me because he just does, not because he feels obligated. But the way his fingers feel between my legs has rendered me speechless and no matter how much I want to protest, I can’t.
I don’t want him to stop.
My blood boils, my body begs for release and I know he’s the only one who can give it to me—the only want I want to give it to me. Because even if he has reservations about me, my heart knows without a doubt that he is the one for me, even if it hurts like hell.
Chapter Thirty
BIRDIE
Staring at a sleeping Colt, I wonder if I should try and run now. Then again, do I want to test the fates and the gods by leaving before the wedding?
My other half-baked plan of transporting myself last night didn’t work at all. The only other thing I can think to do, without being detected, is slip out in the middle of the night when Colt is asleep.
“You’re awake,” he mumbles next to me.
He rolls onto his back, then opens one eye a crack and turns his head toward me. I watch as his lips turn up into a grin, then he rolls to his side and slings his arm around my middle, tugging me closer to his body.
“I am,” I whisper.
He touches his lips against the side of my neck, sucking on my skin before his tongue tastes me. “Today we’re to be married,” he murmurs.
I hum, my eyes closing as my blood starts to heat again. God, I can’t handle the way I always feel with him. It’s almost too fucking much.
I’m not sure if I can feel this way for a lifetime. It was weird at first, then it was hot as shit, and now I’m not sure, but it’s almost an annoyance to be so attracted to him that I have such a deep and intense need for him from just a look or simple kiss.
“Martha will be in here soon. I’ll ensure you’re delivered breakfast, then the ceremony will be soon after. I have your gift being delivered today as well.”
“Gift?” I breathe.
He hums, lifting his head and looking down into my eyes. “Of course, darlin’. Every bride deserves a gift on their wedding day.”
I don’t even know what he’s talking about. I’ve never been married before, so I don’t know any of the customs. I frown, pressing my lips together before I release them and my teeth sink into my bottom lip.
“I didn’t get you anything,” I whisper.
Colt’s lips curve up into a grin. “You’re my gift, Birdie. Your body devoted to me for a lifetime is gift enough.”
“Then shouldn’t that go both ways?” I ask. “Your body devoted to me for a lifetime?”
He chuckles as if he finds me cute. I am not trying to be cute. I’m serious. His body is mine just as much as mine is his. Forever. And if I have to throw the gods and our fates in his face, I will without a doubt.
“Colt,” I whisper. He hums, dipping his chin and touching his mouth to mine, then kissing down my neck again. “There aren’t going to be any other women, are there?”
He lifts his head, his eyes finding mine. I want to tell him that it’s hard enough sharing him with Adelaide, that I’m not sure I could share his body, his heart, or his soul with a living woman as well, but I decide against it.
Colt stares at me for a moment and I can see the thoughts spinning in his head, but he doesn’t verbally answer me. Instead, he pushes off of me and rolls out of bed. I watch as he tugs his clothes on, never saying a single word.
When he’s at the door, he stops and turns his head to look back at me. His eyes search my own and I hold my breath as I wait for him to say something—anything.
“See you at the altar,” he announces before he opens the door and slips out of the room.
The hurt, anger, and pain bubbles throughout my entire body. I can’t believe he didn’t respond to me. He didn’t say a single fucking word. Nothing. Just… nothing. I let out a low scream of frustration, then decide that it doesn’t matter.
Marriage, then I’m gone.
I am going to Sybilla and I won’t look back.
No matter how badly my heart hurts.
COLT
Something is amiss. Walking out of the house, I head toward the barn to see if it is Lonesable. The men are all just waking for the day, their camps beginning to smell of fires and food. I slip past them, not wishing to get involved in a conversation about anything at the moment.
The stable is unchanged, except for the giant flying horse, Arion. Lonesable neighs as I make my way toward his stable. Lifting my hand, I touch his flank.
The moment approaches. I can sense her apprehensiveness.
I grunt, shaking my head a couple of times and
