Revealing Eden (36 page)

“So, do you agree, Father?”

He stared at her intently, as if he really saw her. “Your
mother didn’t mind being a Pearl as much as she disliked that absurd label. She regretted what our coloring did to other people and so she covered. Perhaps she would have admired your choice after all.”

He paused, and in the stillness that settled over them, Eden felt closer to her father than ever before.

“I will allow you to adapt on one condition,” he added, with an enigmatic smile.

“What?” Eden said breathlessly.

“Help me take this ridiculous coating off my face.”

She grinned. “Yes, Father.”

He reached for her hand. “I’m proud of you, Eden.”

That was all she needed.

T
OO EXCITED for sleep, Eden lay in bed, tingling with anticipation for the big day. In just a few hours, she would undergo the adaptation with Bramford and Logan. They would form a family, and perhaps one day—did she dare hope—there would be more children. She and her mate would, well, mate.

Anything was possible, Eden
. Anything but sleep.

She slipped out of bed and leaned against the window, breathing in the beauty of a full moon pinned on the velvet sky. Up until now she hadn’t fully imagined how she would look as a real she-cat. She angled the hand mirror to catch the silvery light and studied herself, trying to picture the dramatic transformation. Definitely nobody’s pet anymore, she thought with glee.

But would panic seize her the next morning when she groggily rubbed her face and felt unusual features? Suppose she didn’t like the way she looked?

She and Bramford would be two of a kind, a pair—that was all that mattered. Yes, but here was the bigger question: would he still be attracted to her? Eden simply had to know.

She hurried to the main room and found her father sleeping peacefully. At least they would see each other again in the
future. Ironically, by gathering data on Eden and her beastly little family, he would pay closer attention to her than she might like.

A familiar, warm vibration in her belly told Eden that Bramford was near. Her eyes flicked to the window just as he strode into view. He sat down on a boulder by the water hole, his broad back to her.

Possibly, the same question worried him.

She flew outside and, rounding the hut, found him swimming. He turned and smiled at her, which gave her a dewy feeling. The water lapped at his wide shoulders. Wet hair tangled around the rugged, chiseled face that she loved. Soft moonlight haloed his head.
My Jaguar Man
.

“Come, join me,” Bramford said. “It’ll be your last chance before we leave.”

Eden leaned against the boulder, still warm from his body, and pondered his choice of words. By ‘last chance,’ did he mean she should consider changing her mind? Or even worse, had he changed his?

As if to confirm her fears, he added, “Tell me, Eden. Are you scared?”

She smiled shyly. “A little.”

“I wouldn’t believe it if you’d said no. Come here,” he repeated, flexing a finger at her.

“Ronson?” She just didn’t know how to say it.

“What’s wrong?”

An indirect approach was best, she decided. “Do you like Logan’s portrait of me?”

“Very much,” Bramford said. “Though it doesn’t quite capture your beauty.”

“You really think so?”

He gave her a sultry look. “Do you want me to tell you again? You’re very beautiful, Eden Newman.”

Though it pleased her to hear him say it, the problem only loomed larger in her mind.

“The shade of your hair was difficult for him to capture,” he continued. “At first he painted it white like his. I only helped a little.” At her puzzled look, he shrugged. “I taught him to paint.”

Not Rebecca?
The artist’s initials R.B. stood for Ronson Bramford?

Eden recalled her arrogant opinion with chagrin.
Bramford is no artist
. How wrong she had been about him, once again. She shook her head.

“Now what?” he said.

“Nothing, really. I just wished I’d known you better.”

“We have time now, don’t we?”

This time Eden couldn’t deny the hesitation in his voice. The question in her mind begged to be asked.

“What if someone painted my portrait after today?” she said. “How would it look then?”

Bramford gave her a vacant look, then, as understanding seemed to flood his face, he laughed. “Will I still find you beautiful after the adaptation? Is that it?” Before she could respond, he added, “Then you are worried about it.”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” she said quickly.

“You don’t have to sacrifice your beauty for me, Eden,” he said, though the trace of regret in his voice worried her.

“Please, tell me the truth, Ronson.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” he said abruptly.

“What?”

Eden watched in agony as he waded towards her, his expression serious. Water streamed in rivulets off his dark, glistening body, which carved the pearly light. She hadn’t come this far, only to lose everything.

“You and Logan only will adapt to my current stage,” Bramford said. “I’ll wait for you to adjust—however long it takes. When you’re ready, we’ll proceed together to the final stage. Okay?”

Until he said it, Eden didn’t know how relieved she would be. “Okay, that would be easier,” she replied, and slowly exhaled. However, the question remained unanswered. “Or are you simply afraid of how I’ll look fully adapted?”

He put his arms around her, the wet heat of his body making her shiver.

“Don’t you understand?” he said. “You’ll be even more beautiful to me because you’ll be mine.”

“Oh,” Eden said, melting into his embrace.

No one had ever loved like this, she thought. Except, maybe dear Aunt Emily.

It’s all I have to bring to-day
,

This, and my heart beside
,

This, and my heart, and all the fields
,

And all the meadows wide
.

Bramford suddenly picked up Eden and carried her, squealing, into the water.

“Stop, Ronson! You know I can’t swim.”

“I’m right here with you,” he said quietly.

Yes, he was. He always had been.

He sank down into the water, cradling her in his arms. As she looked up, a shooting star skated across the glass-black sky like a whispered promise.

“Better?” Bramford said.

Eden smiled at him. “Better than I ever dreamt.”

He began to swing her like a lazy pendulum, back and forth, in the soft water. It slipped under her dress, playing over her body. Her limbs felt as pliant and free as an animal’s.
Why even bother to catalog a particular species?

The last residue of tension floated away, leaving her buoyant and calm. Bramford seemed to register the shift in her with a seductive smile. He curled her tight against him, growling lustily.

“It’s time,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “For what?”

“Jaguars love to swim. And I’m going to teach you how. Let’s begin with a kiss.” He teased her lips with his, then whispered. “Are you ready, Eden?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Author photo by Robert Hale

Victoria Foyt’s previous novel,
The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond
, a young adult supernatural mystery, was recommended by the Center For Children’s Books, and received a Must Read, five-star review from
TeensReadToo.com
: “Foyt has created a compelling character and an electrifying story that will hold readers until the last page.”

An accomplished screenwriter and actress, Victoria starred in many feature films, including
Déjà Vu
,
Last Summer in the Hamptons
, and
Going Shopping
. She graduated from the University of Miami in her hometown of Coral Gables, Florida and currently lives in Santa Monica, California.

Connect with Victoria online at:

Website:
www.VictoriaFoyt.com

Facebook Fan Page:
www.Facebook.com/VictoriaFoyt

Her publisher’s site:
www.SanddollarPress.com

Join the online campaign to Save the Pearls at

SavethePearls.com

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or add your own!

Visit
SandDollarPress.com
for updates on the gripping sequel to
Revealing Eden
—

SAVE THE PEARLS PART TWO

Adapting Eden

BY VICTORIA FOYT

When the past catches up with Eden Newman and her beastly clan, she must fight to save those she loves against impossible odds, testing herself beyond her limits—in love and physical strength—while the countdown to humanity’s extinction begins
.