[Flashback continues.]

  What was supposed to be a peaceful bath became four more rounds of pleasure. By the time they were done, another bath was drawn. This time, it was actually meant for cleaning.

  Lina had been limp with exhaustion. All she wanted to do was sleep or perhaps eat, but knew she couldn't.

  Lina had to properly greet her in-laws. Still, Kade had been surprisingly attentive. He helped clean her hair, massaged her body and scalp, then proceeded to wash away the soap. He was as gentle as a husband should be, but with a sense of playfulness.

  "You won't be able to kneel," Kade said, stepping out of the bathtub.

  Water dripped onto the floor and down his toned body.

  "I can kneel," Lina stubbornly responded, trying hard not to be distracted by his perfect, muscular frame.

  Kade wrapped a towel around his waist. At her words, he quirked a brow. Before she could get out, he gripped the edge of the metal tub.

  "Then I failed at my duty," Kade responded, bending his face close to hers.

  Lina's face turned the color of deep sunset, the red spreading to her chest. She glared at him and shook her head.

  "You have outdone your duty," Lina grumbled, placing her hands on the edge.

  Lina tried to stand, but her knees gave way. She let out a breath of disbelief. Kade laughed at her, his eyes low with amusement. He watched her struggle to stand like a freshly birthed pup.

  "Go on, stand." Kade jutted his chin forward.

  Kade knew she couldn't. Lina knew she couldn't as well, much less stand. He had made sure of it. Laughing under his breath, he turned from the water she flicked at him.

  "It's not funny," Lina said. "You're a beast."

  Kade's eyes twinkled. Many had called him a monster, but a beast? That was a first. He had been so used to insults that nothing fazed him. Though, hearing the words leave his wife's mouth, he felt a sense of urgency to show her how much of a beast he could be.

  "Alright, let me help you then," Kade mused.

  "I don't need your help," Lina bit out.

  Kade raised a brow. "Stand and give me a little twirl then, dove."

  Lina swallowed. She wished she could wipe that arrogance off his sharp features. Water dripped from his hair and down his toned body. He was so damn handsome it hurt her eyes. This stupid brute. Why did he have to be this good-looking?!

  It was hard to be angry at him.

  Lina pushed herself out of the bathtub. Then, her foot caught on a discarded linen in the water. She slipped and would've face planted in the water had he not caught her by the waist. He sighed.

  "I thought so." Kade grabbed her by the hips and lifted her.

  Lina screamed in protest, but he caught her in mid-air. He hoisted her up as if he were carrying a doll. His hand was on her bottom, and the other was wrapped on her lower back. Her legs dangled and she tightly wrapped them against his waist.

  "It seems my wife can't walk, I wonder why." Kade carried her out of the cleaning room of his enormous living quarters

  "Arrogant." Lina huffed.

  Despite her irritation for him, Lina rested her face on his shoulders. She couldn't help it. He was like a large doll she'd hug to sleep as a child. That is, before the Empress had it burned. Her heart twisted at the fact.

  But now that the war was going to end, Lina's older sister was going to return to the palace. No one tormented the Empress more than Lina's older sister.

  "Introduce a Prince that isn't arrogant," Kade responded.

  Kade placed her down on the bed, wetting the precious material. He didn't even bat an eye. Instead, he walked to his closest and pulled clothes out for her to wear. First, he dried her off with clean linen as soft as chiffon then helped her into his smallest-sized clothes. They were enormous on her.

  "Spoiled," Kade taunted, his rough hand cupping her face.

  Lina frowned at his words, staring at the ground. His robe was too large for her. The silky material pooled onto the hardwood floors crafted from a beautiful dark red tree. Under the lantern lights, it appeared like grape wine.

  "Princesses are always spoiled," Lina said.

  "Mine seems particularly bratty," Kade teased.

  Lina slapped his hand away.

  Kade roared with laughter.

  Lina's head snapped up, mesmerized by the sound. When he laughed, he appeared much more youthful. There was a shine on his face, from sucking all of her energy out of her.

  "It seems I'd have to be an Emperor to spoil you silly," Kade stated, with a cold edge to his voice.

  Lina slowly blinked. Was he testing her? She searched for his expression. All the warmth from his initial laughter was gone. His features formed a blank canvas. There it was again. That permanent frown line on his mouth. His brows were always slightly drawn together, like he was displeased with the world.

  "Would you like to be an Empress?" Kade asked. He stroked his finger on her chin, curling under the small spot.

  "For your bravery of coming to enemy lines to marry an unfavored Prince?" Kade finished.

  Lina's lips parted. She took the hand hooked under her chin, then rested her face on his palm. His entire body grew hard.

  "No," Lina whispered. "I just want peace amongst our countries. No more bloodshed. No more fighting. Just happiness for our people."

  Kade's heart stirred. He let out a harsh breath like he didn't believe her words. He hated that it affected her so much.

  Kade didn't understand what the warmth in his chest meant. Or the sudden urge to embrace her again. All he knew was that he wanted her, his precious little wife, and everything she could offer him. Her heart. Her soul. Her body.

  He wanted it all.

  "Now I see why you're favored," Kade said.

  Lina pulled away. He grabbed her nape, forcing her to still. Suddenly, he bent down and captured her lips. Lina's eyes grew wide at the passionate kiss, but sank into it, like she always had done.

  Whenever Kade kissed her, he'd sweep the air out of her lungs. She was left breathless and in a daze, her mind going blank. Her entire body began to hum with desire.

  "Your words are as intoxicating as your mouth," Kade whispered upon her bruised lips.

  Lina was shaking, her hands clenching his robes. He pressed her down, grabbing her wrists and pinning them beside her head.

  "Like a sweet drug I'll grow addicted to," Kade finished. Who was he kidding?? He was already addicted.

  Kade kissed her again. He was a merciless man who wanted to own every part of his wife, starting from her mouth. He didn't plan to let her go, not until he was satisfied.

  "Kade," Lina haphazardly whispered, turning her head.

  Kade greedily kissed the corner of her mouth, nibbling to her jawline.

  Kade pressed open-mouth kisses on her revealed neck, licking and sucking sensually on the spot. She let out a slow moan, his groin instantly hardening again. He released her wrists. Her fingers slipped into his hair, holding his head closer to her body.

  "Lina, give every little bit of yourself to me," Kade greedily said.

  Kade took one of her hands, kissing her palm. Growing up, he never had his parents' affection. His mother was always vying for the Emperor's attention, his half-siblings pretended he didn't exist, and the entire palace seemed to disregard him.

  Now that Kade had something that personally belonged to him, a living and moving thing that could speak, he wanted to possess her greatly.

  Kade was never going to share her. He was never going to let her attention drift to anyone but him. He wanted her. Completely.

  "You already have my body," Lina teased, not understanding what he meant. "Don't you?"

  Kade pulled back to admire his wife. Her hair was splayed on the bed, her eyes glazed from his kiss, her neck filled with his red marks, and her chest revealed to him. She was everything he had ever wanted in a wife.

  "What about your heart and soul?" Kade asked. "Do I have those as well?"

  Lina slowly blinked. She reached her hands up and embraced her husband. He stiffened under her touch.

  A split second later, he eased. He lowered his body carefully onto hers.

  "It seems you've acquired my heart and soul, long before I knew you existed," Lina said.

  It was the last thing she uttered before closing her eyes. Before slipping into unconsciousness, she felt a tender kiss on her forehead.