“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 head 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
