She eyes me, face paling. “And the Castilleja?”
“Red flowers signify passion?—”
Love.
I can’t say the last part.
Her cheeks glow, and she looks down, studying Daisy’s mane too hard. “Thank you.”
When her brown eyes meet mine again, they’re large and filled with questions. Questions I already know I can’t answer. But I have to try. She needs to understand why I can’t stay.
“What do you know about Wildbloods?”
“Wildbloods.” She huffs a laugh. “Only every tall tale Raven’s Ridge has ever produced.”
I arch an eyebrow, waiting patiently. The saddle creaks beneath me, a gentle breeze cooling the sweat gathered at the back of my neck.
The corners of her mouth tip up. “Let’s see… Wildbloods ride lightning and rope whirlwinds. They tame devil horses faster than steam engines—not as impressive in the age of airplanes, I’ll admit.”
I chuckle, already enjoying this too much.
“You hear things the rest of us don’t. Feel them, too. Deep down in your bones. Sometimes, you give warnings to us mere mortals, help us protect our land or families. And all you ask for in return is… privacy.”
I nod once.
“You heal too fast, live too long, and were made to tend this land better than any rancher or Wakefield ever could.”
The irony of her last statement nearly chokes me.
“Am I wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nope, just imagining what old Alistair would say about that. Along with you and me riding like this.”
“You talk about him like you knew him.” Her words hit too close.
“Sounds impossible, huh?”
“I know! You’re a vampire,” she teases. “Bloodless bull. It was you all along.”
“Sorry to disappoint. No immortality here… or bloodlust,” I correct in gravelly tones.
“Lust. Interesting word choice. Another thing men like you are known for.”
I tug at the collar of my shirt, wishing this heat would break.
“Couldn’t be further from the truth.” The words convict me. Need curls low, insistent at the base of my spine. I could take her here. Make her mine before she even knew what happened.
She couldn’t stop me. Couldn’t fight me off.
But never. I’d die before I hurt her.
“Could’ve fooled me with all that silly talk of Marjoram Ashby.”
The lopsided grin finally captures my lips. “Youarejealous.”
I turn, and that’s when I see it from the corner of my eye. A hint of black and tan against red sand.
Eliza gasps. Daisy rears back. I reach for her reins but miss. Tempest lunges to the right, side-stepping and stomping.
