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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. “You are my 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.”

“Are you saying that as a businessman or my benevolent friend?”

“Both.”

I slowly exhale, watching the breeze play across the thriving field. The alfalfa perfumes the air with its sharp, green fragrance, and a meadowlark sings from a fence post.

Could this be my new flower farm and nursery?

“What do you think?” Cassian asks.

“Do we have to decide right now?”

“If we want it…yes.”

The thought of making a decision this big, this quickly, nearly gives me hives. But I don’t want to lose it, and I don’t want to miss our flight.

“Let’s do it,” I finally say, nearly breaking out in a cold sweat. “Send Hunter an offer.”

“I already did,” Cassian says. “We signed papers this morning. Congratulations, you’re a landowner.”

I whip my head over to Cassian. “What if I’d said no?”

“I would have started a flower farm of my own, and we would be cutthroat competitors.”

“Cassian.”

The vampire chuckles, amused with himself. “I would have sold it. It’s not a big deal.”

We’re talking half a million dollars for this irrigated chunk of land, at least, and he says it’s not a big deal.

I shake my head, baffled by the way the filthy rich vampire prince operates. Then I look at the property again. “It’s really ours?”

“It really is.”

“Oh my goodness,” I whisper, overwhelmed. “It almost makes it easier knowing you bought it without my input. Like, if this all fails, it’s your fault and not mine.”

“I suspected as much.”

I turn to him. “You really want to do this with me?”

“This is your show. Just think of me as a silent partner, here to dole out money.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes getting a little misty. “Seriously, Cassian. This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it. Now, let’s talk about Florida.”

“What about Florida?” He’s acting weird again.

“How about you stay here? Fabian will keep you company and drive you around. Noah and I will be back before you know it. What do you say?”

I glance toward the car. “Are you serious? You’re asking me if I want to stay with Fabian? What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing,” he lies.

“You hired me an armed driver, and you’re trying to keep me out of Florida. Something is up.”

“I just thought you might like to stay here and make plans for our new business.”

He looks innocent, but I’m not buying it.

“I’m going to Florida,” I tell him.

His expression temporarily dims, but then he smiles. “If you like. I just wanted you to know it was an option.”

“You’re acting really weird.”

“I’m fine. Let’s go, bunny. We have a plane to catch.”

“Yeah, okay…”

Deciding to ignore Cassian’s strange mood, I look back at the property as Fabian holds my door for me, feeling a little giddy because I can’t believe it’s mine .

Part of me would like nothing more than to stay and make plans, as Cassian suggested, but it will still be here when I get back.

As the car begins rolling, a weird thought comes to me. “You didn’t buy me a perfectly gorgeous plot of land to lure me into staying behind, did you?”

“What?” Cassian widens his eyes, looking guilty as heck. “Of course not.”

“I feel like there’s something you need to tell me.”

“You’re cute when you’re acting suspicious.”

I’m never going to get a straight answer out of him, so I give up, sighing as I lean into the pillow-soft seat. “You’ll tell me eventually, won’t you?”

He’s silent for a moment, and then he clears his throat. So quietly I almost don’t hear him, he finally responds, “There will come a point when I won’t have a choice.”

If that’s not disconcerting, I don’t know what is.