“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 when 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,
