"Princess—"

  Lina shoved the man behind her. She protected him with her entire body, her arms spread. She knew her husband wouldn't hurt her. He'd destroy her heart to smithereens but never lay a hand on her. That was the kind of man he was.

  True to her words, the sword never came in contact with her. But it might as well have. Her breath hitched. She couldn't gasp for air. The tip of the sword was a whisker away from her throat.

  "You'll protect your kidnapper?" Kade asked her. His voice was low and steady, despite chasing her through the forest. There wasn't even a hint of anger.

  Lina's lashes fluttered. Her gaze flew to the sharp sword that could slit her throat in a clean cut.

  Before she could even blink, Kade retracted his sword. Then, he turned on his heels, grabbed her wrists, and yanked her to the side.

  "No!" Lina wailed, but it was too late.

  SPLAT!

  Lina flinched. Her eyes trembled, her pupils growing large. Blood splashed onto her face and throat. Once again, it was warm. The heat nearly killed her. She felt her knees give out from underneath her.

  Lina sank low into the mud. She couldn't even scream. Shock petrified her to her core. She didn't know how to react. She felt her emotions at an all-time high. Her heart began to race with adrenaline.

  Before Kade could even react, she hugged her shoulders.

  "NOOOOO!" Lina yelled. The sound was enough to shake the earth. The noise sent birds flying high above the skies and towards the storm clouds. Even the forest turned deathly quiet at her pain.

  Lina sobbed for her fallen soldiers, for the people that came to save her from the monsters. She couldn't stop the uncontrollable sobbing. Her entire upper body fell. She barely managed to support herself. Her whole body was tormented by each nerve-wracking cry.

  Kade could feel his entire chest being torn open by her scream. He had never heard something so devastating.

  When she knelt on the ground, hugging herself and in tears, he was suddenly reminded of a painting he saw. It was in his study.

  "Get up," Kade told her, approaching her vulnerable body.

  "Get away from me!" Lina screamed, but he was fast.

  Kade dropped his sword by her feet. Before she could grab it, he was already kneeling before her. Rain poured heavily on them, soaking their bodies. She was shaking. Her clothes were drenched from the rain. Her skin was like ice. He was terrified.? He'd just lost his little sister.? He wasn't going to lose his beloved wife as well,

  "Let's take you home," Kade murmured, patient as can be.

  Lina wished he wasn't so calm. She wished he was violent and caused a scene. That way, she wouldn't feel like a crazy person. That way, she could start an argument that would lead to a divorce.

  "You monster!" Lina shouted at him, shoving his hand away.

  "Not the worst I've heard," Kade mused.

  Kade tightened his grip on her upper arms. She let out a shrill, but he didn't care. She struggled against his touch, but he only held her closer. In one rough tug, he brought her to her feet. Her shoes sank into the wet soil, her white training robes tainted with grime.

  "You'll be warmer at home," Kade promised her.

  "No, let go of me!" Lina demanded, giving him a hard push.

  Kade staggered for a split second. He was surprised by her strength, but expected as much. He knew she possessed power, but it was a shame he was much stronger.

  "You can fight me all your life, starting from this moment and I'll still never let you go." Kade refused to unhand her. He knew she'd try to do something foolish the minute he did so.

  "You're crazy!" Lina insulted.

  Kade slowly blinked. He let out a small sigh, like an adult arguing with a kid.

  "You're going to catch hyperthermia—"

  PAK!

  Kade's head flew to the side. It nearly gave him whiplash. The left side of his face burned. She had slapped him. He licked his bottom lip, tasting blood. He realized she was still wearing rings.

  "Hah…"

  Kade let out a soft sigh. He turned to look at her. She wore a vicious expression like an injured cat. Her brows were yanked together, her eyes ignited even in this downpour and her features were in a grimace.

  Kade had never seen so much hatred from her. She had lost all hope in him.

  "It's alright," Kade slowly said, despite the anger that momentarily rose.

  "I agree with that slap," he added.

  Kade pulled her towards him, but she was stubborn. Lina struggled and refused to let him touch her. She was even kicking him, though it did little to no damage.

  "My dear dove," Kade addressed. His voice sounded exhausted.

  Lina continued to glare daggers into his skull. Without warning, she raised her foot and kicked him straight in the groin. At this, he buckled and choked.

  "Do you not want babies?!" Kade seethed, his knees wobbling.

  Lina was ruthless. At his weakest, she shoved him to the ground. His large body fell with a SPLAT!

  Lina didn't waste her time. She quickly turned in the other direction and dashed off into the forest. Her breathing was hard, her footsteps loud, and her body frantically searching for the way out of here.

  Kade watched. His vision was blurry, but he saw her white training robes as clear as day. She was like an angel, fleeing from his good grace.

  His wife was still beautiful, even when she ran from him. The chiffon materials of her robes fluttered against the rain, her hair coming undone. He had never seen something so beautiful that he wanted to paint with his own two hands.

  "You can run from me Lina, but you can never outrun me!" Kade shouted. His voice caused the trees to tremble and shake, leaves falling from branches.

  Lina was frightened, but she pushed onwards. Not watching her footing, she suddenly tripped over a rock. Her entire body slid on the mud. She felt sticky and dirty. Sweat clung to her skin. The rain did nothing but drag her down, but she forced herself to continue.

  Lina got up, her knees and legs a mess. She whimpered in pain. Her injured ankles were burning hot. They were beginning to throb and her knees had taken a bad fall. Even so, she ran onwards.

  Lina was horrified by the sound of approaching footsteps. When she turned around, he was right behind her.

  "Lina, Lina wait—"

  She screamed. Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath her. Kade didn't warn her in time. She fell right down on more rough terrain, this time, her body tumbling and falling.

  "LINA!" Kade seethed, finally losing his calm.

  He only lost it when she was involved.

  Kade watched in horror as his woman laid limp on the forest floor. He didn't care about how harsh of a fall it'd be for him. He rushed down the slope and towards her.

  "Ugh…"

  Lina could see the dark forest trees. Rain poured over her face. There was ringing in her ears. Her vision grew hazy. She suddenly felt tired and cold. Her eyelids grew heavy.

  "You can't sleep, wake up!" Kade demanded, shaking her vigorously.

  His voice sounded so distant. Her eyes began to roll back. The adrenaline was beginning to die down, just like her heartbeats.

  Thump. Thu……mp… Thump…


  The last thing she saw was his worried face. Then, everything went black.