“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 has 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.
Chapter Thirty-Two
BIRDIE
Looking back over my shoulder, the tears fall down my cheeks at the sight. These men that are opposers, they aren’t just some random people who have gathered in someone’s basement, they are organized. They are organized and they are strategic.
What happens now? I ask Arion.
I’m taking you to safety, we’ll hide out just beyond this ridge, then we’ll go back when the fighting has stopped and I have the all clear from Colton.
Take me to Sybilla.
I think about Martha and Florence and wish that they could be with us, but selfishly, I don’t want to chance going back. I want my sister and I want her now. If I go back, I may be convinced to stay.
Colton will not be happy, Birdie.
I know.
He doesn’t question me further. Leaning forward, I lay my chest against his back and I pinch my eyes closed as the air flows all around me and he speeds through the clouds. It’s an amazing experience that I’m not sure I ever want to relive, because by the time we make it to our destination everything on my body is freezing ass cold.
I don’t realize that he’s landed at our destination until I hear his voice calling my name in my head. Slowly, my eyelids flutter open and I look around. I gasp aloud, probably loud enough for the entire country to hear me.
“The grass is purple,” I breathe.
Arion neighs. Yes, Sybilla has mentioned this is not normal to your lands.
“You can say that again,” I mumble.
Arion doesn’t say anything else and neither do I, because in the next breath there are men surrounding us. They don’t do anything other than surround us, though.
They’re dressed much like the messenger that we left behind in Devilrise. They have thick tights, chainmail, and wear a belt around their hips with swords sheathed at their sides.
“Arion,” a deep voice growls.
The men part ways and I watch a
