Time's Daughter
Page 22
To top it off, two months ago Arthur had found us a beautiful condominium off the lake on the edge of suburbia. It had one of the Chattan clan’s complex electrical systems installed that we were even still trying to understand. But it didn’t have a single camera. We were thrilled about that.
Alex stood so he could pull out the seat beside him like a regular gentleman. His smile was sweet and gorgeous as he gazed across the room at me. I tried not to give in to the urge to rush to him for a hug. I had news he was going to want to hear first.
His eyebrows lifted questioningly when I tugged a thick envelope from my purse. I waved it around playfully for him to see.
“I have news,” I declared, barely able to keep my voice steady.
Abby spoke up with a wry delivery, “Is it about the new Zelda game?”
Her comment went ignored when I turned the envelope around to show Alex the castle-like logo of Eastern Illinois University on the front. “I got in.”
Alex’s eyes rolled to the ceiling. “Duh.”
Ignoring him I added, “And I got a full ride.”
This time his response was wordless. I couldn’t help but grin when his mouth went slack.
It was Drew who shot up to give me a large hug first. “Congratulations, Aeon!” Ruffling my hair, Alex’s brother added, “You’re one step closer to becoming a panther.”
Arthur got to his feet to join the well wishing. “She’s already part of Clan Chattan. She’ll always be an honorary panther.”
“Honorary panther?” Anna queried on her way back into the room carrying bowls brimming with vegetables and my mom trailing behind her shoulder.
“Aeon got a full ride to Eastern Illinois,” Abby explained.
“Oh, Aeon, that’s wonderful news!”
I nodded eagerly as I made my way around the table to where my boyfriend still stood gaping. His lack of a response made me a little uncertain. Did he want to go away to Illinois together next year? Or had he hoped to get rid of me when we graduated?
Cautiously I said, “Looks like you’ll have to wait another four years to get rid of me.”
“You’re part of Clan Chattan,” Alex quickly replied. He stepped forward until he was inches from me. With a gentle gesture he set his hands to my shoulders, lowering his head just enough until we were eye-to-eye. “You’re an honorary panther. And once we’re of age I’ll ask you to be my mate now and forever.”
My cheeks flushed pink because I knew this mate business was serious. Nonetheless I found myself smiling. “And once we’re of age I’ll accept you as my mate now and forever.”
The declaration began a torrent of hugs and happy exclamations. I had little doubt that this was the beginning of a beautiful life.
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