A shiver snaked down Aspen’s back as she watched the two of them. Why would he look at Ruby like that and not her? She hadn’t asked Ray to be so friendly. Dylan had held her hand a few moments ago, for heaven’s sake. It was still warm from his touch.
They swept past her and she was sure that Ruby was putting on a show. Surely she didn’t think that Aspen was jealous? Hah! She wound her arm around a surprised Ray and walked into the store. He didn’t waste any time and pressed her to his side. A lump formed in her throat and she hoped that she hadn’t encouraged him by mistake.
As they walked along the aisles, she peeked over his shoulder at Dylan and Ruby. Everything that Dylan said seemed to make her laugh, and her face was beaming with pleasure.
The sound of her laughter made Aspen’s jaw clench, and she tightened her grip on Ray’s waist. His arm remained on her shoulder.
After a long while, Dylan hoisted a can of paint onto the counter along with a mop and a container of polish. He asked the shop keeper to have it delivered to her dad’s house.
Once Ray had found the flour that his mother wanted, he grabbed it and raised the package in the air. He hugged her spontaneously, and Aspen allowed him to wrap his arm around her shoulder again. She looked up to see Dylan staring at her darkly before he pulled Ruby against his body.
“It’s going to be Lavendula soon. Do you want to hunt with me?” He spoke against Ruby’s hair while leveling his gaze on Aspen.
“I’d like nothing better.”
Aspen couldn’t bear to watch the two of them any longer, and released herself from Ray’s hold to stride out of the store.
Caden had dismounted and held the reins of Ruby’s horse. He didn’t look happy when she exited the store with Dylan, but Aspen was too upset to wonder why. The familiar thrum of energy sizzled down her arms. She had to stop being so emotional or she would lose control of the power inside her.
Ray walked out and placed the flour and a few other items in a saddlebag that hung from the side of his black horse. “Are you going to hunt with me?” he asked Aspen. Walking over to her, he winced as he tried to touch her.
“Ouch, I thought your wristband stopped you from shocking people?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Dylan, you can ride with me.” Ruby tried to pull him toward her horse, but he wouldn’t budge. He stared at Aspen.
“I’ll have to use Ray’s horse. Aspen won’t be able to sit behind Ray on the saddle. She hasn’t learned to shut off her power, and he’ll be shocked until she can control it.”
Aspen’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as he spoke.
“You can’t be serious?” Ruby rolled her eyes.
“Ruby will ride with me,” Caden offered. “You can use her horse.”
Aspen turned to look at him. He was a tall Water Walker with sun-streaked blond hair and pale eyes, and he walked confidently toward Dylan as he spoke.
“Absolutely not!” Ruby exclaimed furiously.
Caden ignored her and handed her horse’s reins to Dylan. He marched over to Ruby, and his lean fingers wrapped around her wrist as he pulled her toward his dappled horse.
Dylan didn’t hesitate after he’d grabbed the reins and mounted Ruby’s horse quickly. He held out his arms to Aspen. “Let me help you up.”
The tension in the air was noticeable, and it took a lot for her to move forward. Once she was next to him, Dylan reached down and swung her onto the saddle behind him. Her hands trembled in anger, and rather than wrap them around his stomach, she kept them on her thighs while he nudged the huge animal away from the store.
She was upset because of the attention he’d given Ruby. How could he have said that she couldn’t control her power? The small hairs on her arms rose, and her fists throbbed with electricity as her anger grew.
Ray mounted his horse in silence, and the band of riders trotted out of the small village.
After a while, Dylan spoke up. “Relax.” His voice had the opposite effect and made her jump.
“What did you say?” she croaked.
“Relax, you’re wound up like a spring.” He turned in his seat and looked at her. “Touch me.”
“What?” She gasped.
“Touch my skin. It will help you to release your energy. Ray really worked you up, because your eyes turned silver when you spoke to him. Your hair is standing on end.” He pointed to strands that had escaped her ponytail.