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“You’re such a dear bunny. I feel like I’m going to break your heart when I tell you she and I can’t be together, especially now that I’ve decided to try for the throne.”

“Then rescue her and let her go.”

He thinks about that. “How many times must I save her, do you think? How will I know when I’ve crossed the line that separates chivalrous from foolish?”

“I guess when you know without a doubt she’s past saving.”

“The only time someone is past saving is once they’re dead.”

“It sounds like you have your answer.”

He lifts a brow. “You want me to kill her?”

I smile despite myself. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

He laughs, looking a little more at ease. “Don’t make any vampires, bunny. Progenies are more headache than they’re worth.”

“I wasn’t planning on it. But just think, if you hadn’t made Sophia, you wouldn’t have me in your line, and what a travesty that would be for you.”

And there it is again—that strange look. It lasts a few seconds longer before it’s replaced with something that’s a touch exhausted. But he smiles past it. “Youaremy favorite.”

I study him for half a second, wondering what he’s hiding. But instead of being nosy, I joke, “You like me more than Noah?”

“Oh, certainly.” He smiles, his expression as light and easy as always. “Patriarchs shouldn’t pick favorites, but you’ve claimed the spot at the top of my list. I will warn you, however. On Father’s Day, I expect a heartfelt card and a nice tie.”

I cringe. “Not happening.”

Cassian grins, and then he sits up a little, looking out the dark window as the car rolls to a stop. “It looks like we’re here.”

Thankfully, the sun has just sunk behind the tree-lined, red-rock mountains, making it possible to leave the car without my umbrella-carrying escort hovering over me.

I open the door and step out, gasping softly. “This is perfect.”

The field is currently planted with alfalfa. A ditch runs through the property, and trees grow around the perimeter. Although we’re in the shade, the tops of the mountains are still lit by the sunset, making the landscape look especially picturesque.

“What do you think?” Cassian asks, stepping up beside me. “I checked the zoning, and you can have an agricultural business here. We’re not too far from the heart of town, and you would have irrigation rights.”

“How many acres is it?”

“Ten.”

I glance at the distant neighbors, noting the glossy horses in the manicured pasture and picture-perfect stable. Land next to horse property is never cheap.

“This has to cost a fortune,” I say, though I already want it desperately.

“It’s on the upper end of the properties we’ve looked at,” Cassian admits.

“But it only took about ten minutes to drive out here.”

“A short commute is worth its weight in gold.”

I turn to Cassian, preparing myself for disappointment. “But is it in our budget?”

A smile flirts across his face. “What budget?”

“Be serious,” I say. “You’ve looked into the numbers. Is this a smart investment, or would it take too long to recoup our money?”

“I’m comfortable with it.”