How aware she was of his heated gaze, roving across every curve of her body like coveted treasure. Like she was a taste of the divine that he starved for like the intensity he craved for blood. She was forever aware of that possessive hunger within the mismatched eyes of her lover intently on her. Those unique eyes of his were as if within each hue were a glimpse of the very duality of his nature. Darcy was hardly a simple man. Flourishing at her side, rather than becoming prey to a mantis.

But this place. It represented far more than perhaps even her cowboy knew. It was something Darcy had created, had forged out of the very dirt, a testament to his growth. Now, he wished to show it to her. As though he finally deemed it worthy to show it to her. That, perhaps, said something. And even more, that she was here to see it. Willingly, stepping away from her empire and into this vastly different world.. for him. That certainly said more than words ever could.

Risque allowed her own pale hypnotic gaze to linger upon her lover who was dressed in attire wholly fitting of this place. While she had no desire for plaid, it seemed suitable here amongst the crackling fire and nature that flourished outside. She made no mention of commenting on it. After all, his wardrobe was not why they were here, nor was her own. Yet, while she hardly cared much for plaid, it was the jeans and the way they hung off his hips were another story entirely. They were as relaxed as his demeanour in this place, away from the competitiveness of Syn. But not even with this sense of ease, never did that intensity leave him. Especially when she knew that rapt focus was upon her. The she-devil focused wholly on dressing in a languid way where she knew his gaze would follow as if each movement was to wrap his attention around her. Not to manipulate but for a far more simple reason... She liked that gaze upon her like she was the goddess he worshipped and hungered for. It didn't take long before she moved like a tigress, silk and lithe, prowling across the room toward him in her languid, purposeful sensual stalk, avoiding the creaks from the wooden planks of that floor. Never once did that gaze stray, until her words became a seductive purr that only seemed to draw him in further, enveloping her mate within her as she welcomed him into her black hole orbit. Those words were purposefully suggestive, a simple dare to touch what he appeared to covet. How to anyone else, that would have been a trap and even if it was, it was one that her mate seemed unable to resist, melting into her all the same, as steady, masculine hands reached for her hips. His very lips pressed to the exposed slope of her neck. A sort of greeting between them, exchanging scents in a way that was instinctual. Her arm rose, those slender fingers reaching to straighten the collar of his shirt as she resisted the urge to taste his skin, only settling for a brush of her soft cheek against his rough one. How that very gesture seemed almost feline-like... before the question prompted them a moment to anchor in reality.

What was he going to show her? She drew his focus back into the present, her kitten fangs just peeking from her parted lips. It would seem that his words had been forgotten to the feel of their close proximity. At least temporarily. That question caused his unique gaze to find her own and yet they remained close, as true mates should, rarely ever apart. His accented voice reached her. He claimed he wished to show her a bunch of things... the land, his beasts he called them. A couple of other things before they could return back to a planned dinner. Dinner? Oh, her mate had been busy putting a great deal of effort into planning this. She could tell just how much this meant... that he sought her approval. He wanted for her to like it or at least appreciate what he had made. Was the cabin not a testament to that?

It was then, at the very mention that they would head to the ridge first. Yet she could not help but wonder... could his truck, despite how it was built, make it to the ridge? Perhaps more roads have been added since then. But there were an awful lot of trees. A lot of angry, perilous protruding rocks in their path and even more wilderness stood in their path. She said nothing about the concern, focusing far more upon the mention of dinner, that was placed like a reward. Her hand remained as his collar, as the top of her curled finger stroked his skin in a barely-there caress, feeling the vibrations of his speech through his neck, the sensation of him.

He had clearly been busy, creating their itinerary. "All for me? Then we have a lot to cover. A great deal has changed since the last time I was here. Hm?" She considered out loud. It was time to go. She broke their contact, it would appear she was not meant to bask in the sensation of him anymore.


The vampire pair slipped free from the bedroom's confines, through the hall, down the staircase and then finally, out the door, away from the warm crackling fire. She had sensibly decided on those boots, it would seem.. The leather remained overtop of those form-fitted jeans. All sacrifices that she was willing to make. Yet just because she wore clothing designed for this, it didn't mean she didn't still move like she was on the catwalk. The she-devil was always one to claim and dominate everything she wore, even if it was nothing but her own allure.

It was almost instantaneous as she took notice of the sudden movement of a scurrying human worker, quickly scrambling to finish his task. A predatory gaze followed the human man with vague interest as he milled around where two hitched horses stood, tacked and ready. The human retreated to who knew where shortly after tightening the girth of a horse she did not recognize. Risque did not realize that they were to see the land on horseback. She supposed it made sense now that Darcy smelled faintly of horse and for the simple fact that they were on a working ranch. The terrain was likely better on horseback than in that truck, no matter how well it was made. She eyed the black truck parked away in the distance and then settled upon the handsome blue roan waiting perfectly still. A cowboy's horse. They both were. So very different from the beasts she ever came into contact with. Darcy had already climbed atop his own steed back, perched upon there like he was made to be on a horse's back, looking every inch a cowboy. That... view.... Was far more attractive than she realized it ever could. Yet despite her thoughts, those pale eyes shifted back to what was so obviously her horse to ride.

Although, between the two beasts, Seth seemed hardly too pleased with having the other horse beside him, pinning his ears back with a look as his body filled with buzzing agitation at having another so near. How perfectly suited a horse for her mate. Darcy's voice drew her attention from the horse. She could ride, couldn't she? A perfectly dignified scoff escaped her a moment after. While it might not have meant to be one, it certainly felt like a challenge. "Of course, I know how to ride." Risque said with full confidence as if offended he would even dare to ask. Did he forget?

She was around when the first cars met the market, far before even that. But even despite her willingness to embrace modernism.... It took some time to embrace vehicles. After all, she was under the impression that horseback was still the best mode of transport. Far less faulty at the time and far more versatile. After all, it was not always carriages for her. How little he seemed to know of the woman in her earlier years. Times have certainly changed and yet she was hardly intimidated by the thought of riding despite the initial reluctance of surprise.

It was then that Darcy spoke of her familiarity with side saddle and how ladies were expected to ride in them back then when she was human. He had done his research. She wondered why he never asked, then again, she rarely ever mentioned that part of her life. No. Nor was she in a mood to speak of such things. The time period often remained dead and buried, as it should. Not to mention that she loathed those saddles with a passion. If she could commit genocide on them all.. it would have already been done. But how was he to know? Even though she was certain that a part of him should have known. She should have been relieved to be spared that Darcy, in some grand effort to accommodate her, didn't go and procure something from the ancient reminders of the past. One of the many things that should have remained in the past. "That was what was expected of women of my time, oui. One of the many things that was expected of a lady. I loathed them. I preferred to ride like a man, much to the disdain of many men, my own... father, perhaps most of all." She admitted almost casually, a matter of fact, as she strode toward her awaiting horse. Studying the western gear, mostly at the horn that protruded from the bulky saddle. "I am not familiar with.... These western saddles." She stated simply, before her waiting striped feline began to bound forward from seemingly nowhere to greet her. Of course, her mount did not appreciate the large predator, which caused its strong muscles to tense immediately. As if prepared to bolt should it come any further. In a sharp movement, she raised a single pointer finger to the big cat, without even the use of her powers the feline halted and sat after a few sharply ordered words in French. The creature was obedient and responsive. Just as she liked it. There was no room for it here. The tiger was a perfectly trained house pet despite the wildness which remained within its tawny eyes. How much restraint it took to cause the beast to not attack its prey.

Although, without protest, the feline slowly sank down to a laying position on the porch, as if waiting for further instruction, eyes intent as the twitching ears that caught every sound and movement within its radius, its tail weaving in a way that was snake-like. The horse seemed none too pleased with the large predator as a sound of worry escaped him and his hooves which danced beneath him, tail whipping against his flanks.

"Oh don't be so dramatic. It is just a... cat." She scolded, in a voice entirely made for the equine. The vampire queen then turned to put her boot-clad foot into the stirrup and ignored the protruding horn that jutted out of the saddle before she lifted her lithe body up and over with her fingers entwined with the black, well-groomed mane before settling into the seat. It was an impressive horse, even if a little short. However, the act of Darcy holding the reins seemed to settle the roan some even if his own horse's eared pinned in silent warning. Perhaps it would be best if the feline remained a sentinel to that cabin.. She could not have a foolish horse beneath her. A rush of power pulsed through to meet her feline. Perhaps she should have chosen something smaller.... Not that there was anything she could do about it now.

Darcy began to speak of his own mount. Yet, the more he said, the more terminology he used.... covering and playing. Risque eyed him with a steady, blank gaze before her lover quickly amended that his horse acted a fool around lady horses.

Ah, that made more sense. "This is typical of the male species, non?" She did not let her question linger long as she spoke as Darcy let go of her reins. "Is this one called anything?" She questioned as she collected the leather reins in two hands until there was direct contact with the bit within the horse's mouth. This seemed to prompt Darcy to explain neck reining. Riding with one hand. It always appeared so strange to her, to ride with one hand. But she never really paid much attention to how it was done... and now she was riding a horse whose training consisted of neck reining.

This prompted a frown to settle upon her features as she looked at the reins she held in both hands. She did not like things she was not good at. Before Darcy asked when was the last time she rode a horse. Her sharp gaze sliced to him. "It was not 'that' long ago." Even though exactly when that she could not quite place exactly when. How time was so vastly different for an immortal. Was it years? Decades?

"I know how to ride, I simply...don't fathom this business riding with one hand. It feels... unnatural. Even though it appears natural to you." At least the creature appeared tolerant, even as the contact on his mouth caused the horse to take a few steps backwards, as if unused to contact. The moment she loosened the reins, it seemed to prompt the horse to relax, lowering its head as if on command, his neck levelled with his withers. The vampire queen almost wondered if something was vitally wrong with her mount. Perhaps it was... unwell. How unused to animals this quiet she was. She let a breath exhale between her pursed lips. This wasn't going to work her way. She eyed her mate's hands only to attempt to mirror the way he held those reins. She offered her lover an expectant look. She hardly liked not understanding this.

"You will need to show me this... neck reining business, Dar. I will master this." Surely seeing how her lover did it would.... Help her operate this style of horse before it falls asleep or dies. It was difficult to tell. Her horse then began to close its eyes. Never had she met a horse... so droopy. Perhaps the creature was unwell... It had better not die with her on it or halfway to that ridge. She moved a strand of unruly hair from her face with her free hand.