I watched from the window of the house Gideon purchased and smiled. Evan and Livie were playing catch on the front lawn of their parent’s home.
“I’m glad you managed to convince the council those two need their parents.”
“Yes. I think it was wise.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind and squeezed. “I think they will be safe enough with two Cartuoteys living on the same block.”
“Me, too.” I tried to step away, but he held me tight.
“It is time we talked.”
“Talked?” I refused to look at him. He had been itching to get this over with since we’d rescued the guides, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk about what I’d overheard. He’d said it was Marta he had been talking about and I believed him. I just didn’t want to hear him tell me I wasn’t his mate. I knew that already.
“We already talked. You said you were telling your friend about Marta, not me. What else needs said?”
“I love you.”
“Wha... What?” My heart actually skipped a beat. I shook my head and closed my eyes. “I know you didn’t just say you love me.”
“But I do.”
“You can’t. You’re immortal.” I knew there were other reasons, but that was all I could think of, to start.
“I don’t want to be immortal if I can’t have you. Hell, I might not want it, even if I can. I would love nothing more than to be born over and over so I can live and relive the feeling of falling in love with you. I would do it again and again, forever.”
What was I supposed to say to something so romantic? I searched my mind for a reply. After a moment, I blurted the obvious, “I’m not a guide. Everyone knows that Cartuoteys mate with guides.” His arms tightened when I again tried to slip free.
“We mate with guides, yes.” He released me long enough to turn me around. Grasping my upper arms, he knelt slightly, bringing his eyes level with mine. “We can also mate with other beings that aren’t quite human. We just cannot have a productive union with someone who is full-blood human.”
My ears started ringing. I stared up at him for a moment, my mouth open. “Are you saying that I’m your mate?” My heart pounded as I awaited his answer. I couldn’t help but stare at him as he smiled down at me.
“Yes.” He nodded. “I do believe that is exactly what I’ve been trying to say.” His smile faded as he picked an imaginary piece of lint from my shoulder. “That is... if you’ll have me.”
“If I’ll have you?” I laughed out loud. “Of course I’ll have you. I’ve been dreaming of this moment ever since I met you.”
“Will you marry me?”
“On one condition.” I smiled up at him.
“Anything.”
“We get to keep Marnie.” Something inside me had turned motherly toward the girl. “I need her here as fast as you can manage.”
“Is tomorrow soon enough?” he asked with a smug smile.
“Tomorrow?” How would he manage that?
“Her things are already in one of the bedrooms upstairs. We’re merely waiting for the council to fix the human paperwork. I knew you had formed a bond and suspected you would want her in your life.”
“God, I love you.” I threw my arms around his neck, wrapped my legs around his waist, and let him carry me upstairs. “We have one night before we’ll have a child in the house.” I fisted my hands in his hair and drew his face closer to mine. “Let’s make the most of it.”