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Landing in a great heap in the mud, I look up just in time to see the bull skid to a halt at the barn entrance, snorting and pawing at the ground. Now that it's no longer a looming shadow, I can see that it's only a young bull, not the two-ton monster I had feared only a moment ago.
I spit out a mouthful of dirt while derisive laughter rings in my ears. When I lift up my head, I see Isabella doubled over. The sound that had been a beautiful melody down by the river is now a series of daggers.
I push myself up to my knees and shake my head. I don't recall ever feeling this small before. Isabella can barely breathe through her laughter as she watches me brush myself off.
"If you can't handle a game of tag with a six-month-old steer, maybe the ranch life just isn't for you," she finally says with a snide satisfaction. "Why don't you head back to your castle? If you hop on the plane now, maybe you'll be back in time for evening tea."
I finally get to my feet. "I'll have you know that Solvaria does not bow to the altar of tea. We make a rich and world-renowned coffee."
"That’s the second fact I have about Solvaria. Thank you.”
“What’s the first?”
“Its princes are creepy perverts who trespass on other peoples' property."
I should not have taken the bait.
My voice is steady despite my frayed nerves. "No. You’re wrong. I am a man who would do anything for his family. I have a directive, and I’m attempting to carry it out. If you would just let me talk to Lily, none of this would be necessary."
"You royals are all the same," she says with a wave of her hand. "You think you can just waltz into any place, demand anything you want, and get it automatically because you put a metal hat on top of your head. You don't value hard work or understand the meaning of the word 'no.' You think everything in this world is yours for the taking. Well, it’s not."
We circle each other as we trade insults.
"Well," I counter. "It's easy to judge from behind your fortress. I've heard stories about you from my employees, Isabella. Hiding behind this tough exterior, always needing to prove how tough you are. Afraid to be weak. Isn't that right?"
Isabella responds with a scowl. "Oh, look who's talking. The royal prince pretending to be a rancher. We have a word around here for guys like you. Maybe you've heard it. "
I know she's baiting me, but I can't stop myself. "What? What's the word?"
She narrows her eyes and curls her lips into a smirk. "Down here, we call that a phony."
I start to close the distance between us. "Is that right?"
She steps backward but doesn't falter. "Yeah. Phonier than a three-dollar bill."
"That reminds me of something back home," I tell her, trying to stay rational as I get nearer to her. "We have folktales about a horrible sea beast, and every so often someone says they have a picture of one. But it’s always fake. It doesn’t exist.”
Isabella's sly expression disappears when she realizes that she's placed her back against a tree. I slam my hand against the bark with a sudden jolt, cutting off her chance to sneak around the side.
Our faces are a mere inch apart as I conclude. "I assure you, I am very real."
She stares back at me. She's silent, with her mouth drawn tight with steely determination. I was expecting to see fear in her eyes, but instead, they are still filled with fire.
This is the first time I've been close enough to catch her scent. It's the fresh smell of the breeze over an open field cut by a beguiling earthiness. I try not to let on how much I enjoy it.
I can feel her breath against my skin as I linger closer. "Do you want to feel how real I am?"
Her lips brush against mine as she continues, not waiting for an answer. "Touch me..."
She pushes me away. “And the next thing you’ll feel is my shotgun.”
"Bella!" I hear Lily's voice calling from within the house, pulling my attention away. Isabella is able to run past me and into the house without a second glance. I can only stand there and shake my head.
10
ISABELLA
Stars dot the sky outside the kitchen window. Looking out into the vast night sky over the range usually helps settle my nerves after a long day. But tonight, all I can think about is that moment with Alex this morning.
