[1st Life Flashback continued.]

  "I see," Kade softly said, watching the tears pool in her shaky eyes.

  Lina glanced away, hiding the pain she had experienced. She, too, was a victim of this treacherous war.

  Kade understood why she was willing to sacrifice herself. Now that the Princess had witnessed one of the horrors of war, she wanted to do everything to stop it. Despite being born with a golden spoon in her mouth, she had a heart of gold. Such a woman was difficult to come by.

  "You're a compassionate soul," Kade muttered.

  "Not really—"

  "Many of my kind have also died and suffered from this war."

  Kade debated telling her he was a Commander, one who took the lives of many of her people. That would only make her hate him. Then again, could the Princess really blame him? Her people had also claimed too many lives from Ritan.

  "Were you able to save your sister?" Kade finally asked, in hope of changing the conversation.

  Kade noted that her older sister was precious to her. Lina did not seem like a woman meant for the scheme of the palace. Kade worried if she'd be able to convince her father of this marriage.

  "Yes," Lina whispered, her voice breaking towards the end.

  Every time Lina thought about the fallen soldiers, the torn villages, and the little girl waiting for her father to return home but he never would, her heart fell. Months had passed since the incident and Lina couldn't forget it.

  Lina had told her father the story before. He was furious she had put herself in danger, but swore to send more aid to the border.

  The Emperor had promised her that the aid and supplies had arrived, but he had forbidden her from leaving the palace.

  To make his statement clear, the Emperor threatened to break the horse's legs, should she ever run out with it again.

  "My sister is doing well," Lina admitted. "But she's at the frontlines of war again…"

  Kade narrowed his eyes. Kade remembered an intel from a while ago. The report spoke about a Princess turned Commander who tore through the battlefield with her beauty and prowess.

  Kade had yet to meet her in the battle, but had contemplated being the one to kidnap her. If Teran's Emperor lost a Princess and Commander at the same time, they'll do anything to get her back.

  "You want her back home and safe, don't you?" Kade asked.

  "Well, yes, of course—"

  "Then tell your father you're in love with Prince Kade of Ritan and you want to get married," Kade said in a hard voice, leaving no room for her to protest.

  Lina blinked. She remembered her father's request. As long as she was able to name a Prince from Ritan she wanted to get married to, it could be possible. The price of the marriage would be an alliance.

  No more bloodshed. No more fighting. No more war.

  Soldiers could go home and see their families. Little boys and girls wouldn't be separated from their fathers anymore. Mothers would be able to see their sons again. There were so many benefits to ending this battle.

  "Alright," Lina agreed, nodding her head.

  Lina was too lost in thought to see the twist of his mouth. She had been too sheltered from the outside world to realize men were wolves. Men like him went through women like water, for he was a Prince.

  "Tell him now," Kade instructed.

  Lina slowly nodded. She peered up at him, in all his glory. Kade was so handsome, it hurt her eyes. Her heart stirred when he glanced down at her. The corner of his mouth twitched.

  "If you run off and lie to me, Princess," Kade warned, with an edge to his voice. "I will reveal your cheating scheme."

  Lina's heart jumped. She was frightened by his words, but also his presence. He was much taller than her, his shoulders wide and powerful, his eyes like a predator. What was most scary about him was not his physical dominance, but his gaze that could kill.

  Lina slowly nodded her head. "I've won the sword-fighting tournament, I can talk to him soon."

  "Good," Kade praised, caressing the back of her head.

  Lina stiffened, her entire body going hard. Kade continued to pat her, his large hands traveling to the nape of her neck. She shivered at his warm touch, her pupils dilating.

  Kade realized this Princess was starved of touch. This gentle feeling must've been foreign to her. He could manipulate her so easily. She was practically begging for more of his touch.

  She didn't have an ounce of sin in her, and he was going to fill her with corruption.

  Then, Lina peered up at him, wide-eyed like an idiot. She hesitatingly smiled at him, as if unsure of her beauty.

  Kade's hand froze. He felt a strange tremor in his chest.

  "You will talk to your Father as well?" Lina said, but it came out like a question.

  "I already did," Kade responded.

  Before setting off on this journey, Kade had talked to his father. It was either they kidnapped a Princess for leverage over the war or kidnap a Princess for marriage. Who knew it'd be both? Though, Kade's father's plans were far worse.

  The woman that Kade brought back would've been violated by as many soldiers as possible until there was nothing to ruin. This would only occur if the Emperor of Teran did not give into Ritan's suggestions.

  However, the situation was different. Kade had a willing Princess, one who wanted to stop the war. Kade had already denied his sadistic father's request. This was the Favored Princess of Tera. Violating her would prolong the war—especially, violating a woman meant to be Kade's wife.

  "Really?" Lina asked.

  "Yes, dove," Kade responded.

  "Dove?" Lina repeated, confused.

  Lina glanced around them and saw there was no such bird. The animal was her favorite, for it was a symbol of peace.

  Lina loved the way it spread its beautiful white wings, like angels descending from the sky. But she hated the way it was caged behind gold bars.

  Doves were meant to fly high and show off their beauty, not remain locked behind metal.

  "You remind me of such," Kade said.

  Kade's hands graced her shoulders. Her white training robe did nothing to dispel the image.

  "Innocence unlike any other, you're a symbol of peace, Lina," Kade stated.

  Kade's long fingers stroked strands of her fallen hair. Softly, he tucked it behind her ears. Her lashes fluttered.

  Lina realized his touch was warm. Despite his large size and how easily he could snap her neck, his fingers were hot. She had never been touched intimately by a man before. She wondered what else his long fingers could do.

  Perhaps, pat the back of her hair again? Grab her by the waist? Pull her closer?

  Lina nervously swallowed.

  "Now, remember to tell your father of this marriage," Kade said.

  Kade slid his fingers from her ear to her chin. He raised her head. She opened her eyes. They were the clearest and sharpest things he had ever witnessed.

  The Fourth Princess, in all of her glory, was even more beautiful than the rumors.

  "Will you be here when I return?" Lina asked, grabbing his elbow.

  Kade stared at her, astonished at her audacity. He had rarely met a Princess as bold as her to grab a man. Then again, she was allowing a strange man to be inside her tent. Alone. Without supervision.

  "I will," Kade promised. "Now go, dove."

  Right on time, a horn blew in the distance, announcing the end of the poetry tournament. Lina sharply gasped, realizing she had failed to show up. She had worked so hard for this poem, but no one heard it.

  "It was a beautiful poem," Kade muttered. "I will make sure everyone hears of it."

  "Really?"

  Kade opened his mouth to respond, but paused. His ears pricked.

  They both heard it. Multiple footsteps were rushing in the direction of the tent. The horn blew again, announcing the end of the tournament. Soon, the awarding ceremony was going to commence.

  "Princess, Princess, are you inside?" A voice called out.

  Lina spun around, panicked by the presence of Miah and everyone else. If they found a strange man in her tent, it would be Lina's ruin!

  "J-just a second, Miah!" Lina called out, turning her head.

  Lina was surprised to see Kade was gone, like a figment of her imagination.

  Where did he go?