Desired by Morgan Rice Page A

Caitlin fly away, completely baffled. He could not understand why she had left so abruptly, or what he had done wrong. He thought the night before had gone so wel , and she had seemed so happy to be there. Why her sudden change of mind? He racked his brain, trying to think what it might be.
    Maybe she blames me , Caleb thought, for having to come back in time for me. For losing our child of the 21st century . If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have had to come back, she would be safe and sound in the 21st century, with everyone she knew, with everything that was familiar, with that child.
    Or maybe, he thought, she was stil blaming him for turning her. She had asked him, she had begged him, to turn her, and he had urged her not to. But he had relented. Did she resent him for that? For a life stuck in immortality?
    Or maybe she just doesn’t love me anymore , Caleb thought, at least not like she used to. Maybe she loved the idea of me, but the reality of being here, with me, settling down for a life together—maybe it scared her away .
    Whatever the reason, Caleb had to know. He couldn’t just let it go until he at least had an answer.

    He set out from the house determined to find her, to discover the reason, and to do whatever he could to make wrongs right. In some ways, it was like heading off into a battle. In fact, he wished he was heading into battle instead.
    This, he realized, was harder. Love, caring for someone, he was realizing, could sometimes be the hardest battle of al .
    *
    Caitlin walked on the sand, barefoot, alongside the crashing waves, Ruth beside her. The day grew overcast, and the strong wind pushed back her hair. She had never felt so sad. Just at the moment when she thought she’d final y found peace, had final y found true love, she had discovered that he didn’t truly love her the way she thought he had. She’d been so stupid. Living in a fantasy al this time.
    But now what? Without Caleb in her life, she felt like she had no purpose. She had no idea where to turn, or where to go next. She could go back to searching for her father, but what was the point? Whether she found him, or found the Shield, Caleb would stil not be there.
    She could go off in search of Sam. But again, without Caleb there, none of it real y meant much to her.
    Caitlin looked out at the waves, and wondered how life could be so cruel. She felt completely, utterly hopeless.

    She suddenly heard a noise, and turned.
    She was shocked to see Caleb walking towards her.
    He walked barefoot in the sand, and in his hand he held a rope, by which he led two beautiful, white horses.
    He had a smal , hopeful smile on his face.
    Her heart pounded in her chest, as she wondered what had happened. Had he changed his mind?
    Within moments he stood just a few feet away from her.
    Ruth ran over to them, looked up at, and yelped. In return, the horses lifted their heads and slowly lowered them.
    Caitlin couldn’t help smiling.
    “I’m not sure what happened back there, or whatever I said to offend you,” he said, “but whatever it is, I’m sorry.”
    “It’s not what you said,” Caitlin said. “It’s what you didn’t say.”
    Caleb looked back, puzzled.
    “I guess…” Caitlin added, “…I just realized that your heart was somewhere else.”
    He looked even more puzzled. “What do you mean?”

    Caitlin studied him, wondering if he was being truthful. She could tel that he was.
    Now, she was confused.
    “I… I know that you stil want to be with her,” Caitlin said, now not so sure of herself. “That you regret leaving her.
    Sera.”
    Caleb broke into a laugh.
    “Is that real y what you thought?” he asked. “And here I am, thinking that you were mad at me because I turned you.”
    Now it was Caitlin’s turn to be confused. “Are you saying you’re not interested in her?”
    Caleb laughed again. “Not in the least,” he said. “I have never felt so free as I do now, being away from her. In fact, she hadn’t even