The Thing That Killed Most DeHaven Men

Lina's heart dropped to her stomach. She didn't know what to say. She already knew the truth, but hearing it from his mouth was much different. Especially when she knew how he acquired it. 

Almost as if sensing her detachment, Kaden tightened his arms around her, pulling her even closer against his body.

"Do not be hurt when you asked for the truth with your own mouth," Kaden reminded her, his voice low in warning.

Lina tightened her grip on his shirt, suddenly wanting to leave. But she knew the truth was inevitable. She had no right to be angry, especially when she was the one who asked, despite knowing everything. It was why she tried to tame her aching heart.

"Did you enjoy it?" Lina asked.

Kaden raised a brow. Did she really want to know? "How do you think I enjoyed it?"

Lina frowned, her brows taut at his question. 

"Are you really asking that question when you're the one sitting on my lap?" Kaden deadpanned.

Lina's head shot up. She was suddenly aware of their position, her previous resolution, and what she was supposed to do—run from him. Looking into his dark and dangerous eyes, she was reminded of his future. 

Of her in a wedding dress, kneeling before an empty altar and sobbing. Her fingers trembled and she tried to leave his lap, but his arms wrapped around her body.

"And where do you think you're going?" Kaden demanded, his gaze flickering to the wrinkled spot on his white shirt.

"That reminds me, why are you so eager to run from me?" Kaden asked.

"You seem to know everything about me. Why don't you take a hint?" Lina said, pushing at his arm. 

Kaden instantly released her. Astonishment filled her expression.

"If you want to stay, if you want to leave, it's all up to you," Kaden slowly told her. "But just remember, there is nowhere in this world you can run that I will not find."

Lina did not understand. "Why do you seem so obsessed with me?"

Kaden tapped the side of her head. "Use this pretty little thing and think why. You and I both know you know the answer."

Lina pressed her lips together. She knew why he was intrigued by her. She knew why he was a date-crasher. But she just didn't think… he'd remember her after all these years. 

Lina didn't think he'd find her again, after the hundreds of years that had passed.

"You've always meant a lot more to me than you've initially thought, Princess," Kaden informed her. 

Kaden gazed at her troubled expression, his thumb brushing against her neck again, where a scar should've been, but wasn't. Of course not.

Lina was reborn into another body, and he was left with the haunting memories of their love.

Kaden wondered if she remembered. Remembered the oath of love, the oath that paired the enemy kingdom's favored Princess with the least favored Prince. All of that was in the past, wasn't it?

"If I meant so much to you, you would've listened to me," Lina coldly said, glowering at him. "If you had, the war wouldn't—"

"Just remember exactly who the war was for," Kaden calmly said, despite the flames in his eyes. It was fire against ice. 

Just the mention of that damned battle made his blood boil. He had gained everything, but also lost everything.

Lina's eyes flashed. "It could've stopped had you—"

"Had I what? Surrendered and handed you over?" Kaden growled, grabbing her shoulders. 

"Never," Kaden seethed. "Ever."

Lina scolded her stomach for fluttering. She refused to believe him. Refused to think that her decree as a Princess wouldn't influence two stubborn Commanders. 

Yet here they are. 

She was reborn and he was immortal. They shouldn't have crossed paths in the museum, but she couldn't admit that. 

A part of her was glad. Glad she had seen him again, healthy and alive. But a part of her also felt guilty. Guilty that she took the easy way out. 

"I'm sorry," Lina finally said.

The pain in her chest reminded her of that. It felt like she was being submerged underwater with no way out. Her eyes moistened with the realization that a flick of her wrist had single-handedly begun and ended one of the greatest oaths of love ever made.

"You've always meant the world to me, my dear dove. When you were nothing but ashes in the wind, the ground crumbled beneath me. You do not know what I've done to get you back in my arms, while all you had to do was breathe," Kaden whispered.

Lina's head snapped up. She suddenly thought back to her nightmare, the day she had returned from the museum date with Everett. They were in a realm that resembled Heaven and he was seen with her, but in completely different clothes. She wanted to ask, but feared the answer.

"We've arrived," Kaden curtly said. 

Lina glanced out the window to see he wasn't lying. They were now parked in front of the gates that lead up to her mansion. The gates were locked with a highly advanced security system.

It was then Lina realized she was still in his lap. Despite their position, he still towered over her. 

"You were my ruin," Lina finally told him. 

Lina slid off of his lap and he looked at her.

"And you were mine." Kaden stroked her face, wiping the tear before it fell. 

Kaden let out a harsh laugh. It sounded soft to her ears.

"And here we are," Kaden said. "In the same position, but a different era. Except, this time, I won't let you go as easily as the many times before this moment."

"And what do you mean by that?" Lina asked.

The corner of Kaden's lips curled into a smile. "You'll understand, soon enough, my dear dove. Now off you go."

Lina opened the car door and slid out. She approached the gates, where the simple sight of her would be enough to have a chauffeur drive from the Second Mansion to where she currently stood.

Lina was surprised when she felt a presence behind her. She spun around, startled when her back connected with Kaden's chest. Flashes went off beside her and she stiffened. But unlike Everett, Kaden slid a hand around her head and blocked her face.

"It's alright," Kaden muttered. 

Kaden lifted his head and shot a warning glare to the photographers, who had followed them from the mall to here. 

The photographers shook in their shoes. What a vicious stare… It was like looking into the eyes of a lion and challenging the King of the Jungle. 

Immediately, the paparazzi fled from the scene, fearing for their lives. 

"One day, you'll tell me why you're terrified of flashing lights," Kaden said, seriously. "And one day, I'll ruin the people that did this to you."

Lina didn't know what to say, but she did not doubt his words. 

"No," Lina whispered. "One day, I'll end them with my own two hands."

Kaden's lips curled upwards. "Well then, shall we make it a race?"

"It's not a race if the winner is evident," Lina mumbled.

Lina was grateful that he was saying something to distract her before her head began to ache again. Just why couldn't she remember what caused this fear? Just why did people know her secrets before she did?

"Your car's here," Kaden informed her. The gates opened and a vehicle stopped in front of them.

"Come now," Kaden instructed. 

Kaden escorted her to the car, his large body blocking her tiny one. He opened the door and placed a hand at the hood to keep her head safe.

Once Lina was safely inside the car, he held onto the door. Her face was still blank.

"Lina," Kaden called out.

Lina jolted. She raised her head and looked up at him. 

"That's my name," Lina mumbled, earning a soft chuckle from him. "Don't use it too much."

Kaden quirked a humored brow. She looked into his eyes, and he felt something shift in his chest again. He must be catching some heart disease.

"Be prepared for tomorrow," Kaden told her. 

After the events from this morning, the pictures that dared to claim Lina belonged to another man, Kaden had made up his mind. He was going to do the exact thing that killed most DeHaven men—seize what he shouldn't take.