“That's the plan,” Aislinn returned. “Helen's coming to pick you up, isn't she?”
“Yep, I'm gonna go pack and wait for her. So you two be careful on the road, okay? I know you're tough immortals and all, but I won't be happy if something happens.”
Grinning, Aislinn promised, “We will be,” and gave her mother a goodbye kiss on the cheek.
Miranda also hugged Troy before she left their chamber, and once the door shut, he stepped over to slip his arms around Aislinn from behind, asking, “So, you ready to go?”
“Very,” she nodded, leaning back against him while thinking over the past several days spent in the Spire. Curiously, she asked, “Do you think they'll find Estelle and Derick soon?”
“Don't know,” he admitted, “It'll be interesting to see what happens when they do, but I'd rather forget about them for now.”
Aislinn could easily agree, ready to wash her hands of the entire affair, and didn't think she'd feel any better until they could get back to Arkin City and continue with a more normal routine, asking hopefully, “By the way, you packed everything into the suitcase this morning, didn't you?”
“Mm-hmm,” he drew out, nuzzling her neck. The attention sent shivers across her skin while he murmured against her ear, “But before we go, you know I want you to be my wife, don't you?”
“Yeah,” she answered, turning her face to his with an affectionate smile. “I know.”
Hearing this, Troy reached into his pocket, tugging a jewelery box out to hold up before her eyes, asking, “Then would you accept me as your husband, and this ring to show how much I love you?”
Aislinn's gaze became rapt to the box as he cracked the lid open, revealing a sparkling, emerald cut diamond inside, set in white gold with two smaller stones on each side.
Immediately, her hand flew to her mouth in genuine surprise, and after a silent moment, she breathlessly exclaimed, “Troy! When did you get this?”
“Two days ago at a boutique upstairs,” he started, referring to one of the many shops the Spire possessed. “I was gonna save it for our day on the lake, but I've waited too damned long already.”
Pulling the ring free, he grasped her left hand to slip the metal band around her ring finger. It settled with an easy fit as he added, “Besides, you said your intuition was coming back, so I figured you'd learn about my plans before I could surprise you.”
Gazing at the diamond on her finger, tears began trailing down her cheeks, and not simply over his proposal, but also how well he'd come to know her. “I did,” she admitted softly, “ but I didn't know you'd already bought a ring. So I'm actually surprised.”
“Good,” he drew out, adding at her ear, “I need to make you happy, Aislinn, and I love you so much those words won't ever do it justice. So will you be my wife?”
Turning to grasp him in a tight hug, she answered the question fervently.
“Yes, Troy, with all my heart, yes! I love you, too!”
He smiled, gently clasping her chin to tilt her head and kiss her long and slowly, and she savored every moment. Just as he'd confessed, words would always fall short in saying how much she loved him, but if they could hold each other between kisses, and show it with all they did, Aislinn thought it might just be enough to get the idea across.
Her life had changed drastically since she'd met Troy Ashland, and some of those changes would take time to deal with. But she had everything she could ask for to face any problem that came their way—the love of her life, and his love in return.
All that remained was to make whatever dreams they had come true. Together.
Author's Note
To my readers, I am eternally grateful for the support you've shown over the past two years and all the wonderful notes I've received. Writing Strange Brew in particular was loads of fun for me, and I hope that, going forth, it's only going to get better!
As always, I hope you've enjoyed this story, and if you have any questions or comments, you can contact me through the information provided below! Thanks so much again for reading Strange Brew, and stay tuned for future updates!
-Angela Colsin
[email protected]
www.acolsin.wordpress.com
Strange Brew Page 32