When Kade returned back to his tent from the meeting, he found out his wife was already asleep. Pressing his lips together, he wondered if this was her tactic. He had made plans to get someone to take her home right this instant. With her in a deep sleep, hugging his blankets, he could do nothing. All he did was stare.

  In her sleep, Lina was most peaceful. She slept like a well-fed puppy. Her breathing was shallow, her eyebrows calm. How could she sleep in a time like this?

  Kade held back a sigh. He supposed he'd send her back first thing in the morning. For the time being, he wanted to hold his wife. For the final time before war started. Just one last time.

  Right when Kade approached the bed, Lina turned her entire body.

  "Ugh…"

  Lina spread herself like a starfish, her tiny body taking up the entirety of the bed. She lightly snored, her eyes still shut.

  "Hah…"

  Kade let out a breath. Was she doing this on purpose, so he couldn't sleep in the bed? Too bad for her. He was just as shameless as she was, if not, worse. Thus, he approached the bed, rolled her to the side and got under the blankets.

  The minute he did so, her eyes snapped open. When she made eye contact with him, she froze.

  A second later, Lina opened her mouth to scream. He covered her mouth and grabbed her.

  "Relax," Kade muttered. "It's just your husband."

  Lina's frantic gaze calmed down. She began to glare at him. How dare he show up in bed, this late at night, and wake her up?! She tried to sit up, but found he had rested his arm on the dip of her waist. She laid on her side and deepened her glower.

  Kade pulled his hand away.

  "Because it's my husband, I'm screaming for bloody murder," Lina snapped at him.

  Kade's mouth twitched in amusement. She must think her words hurt like a dagger. He had heard much far worse things from her. He pulled her close. She shoved his chest for distance.

  "Go sleep on the floor," Lina demanded. She pushed his hand off her waist, but he was unbudging.

  "I'm off to war tomorrow, my dear dove. Let me hold you one last time," Kade said. He lowered his voice in hope of gaining her sympathy.

  Lina hesitated. Did he know of her plan? He couldn't have, right? If he did, he wouldn't have allowed her to stay in the tent.

  "Just for tonight," Kade muttered. "I'm exhausted, dove."

  Lina pressed her lips together. She peered at him, her heart filled with uncertainty. This would be the last time he got to hold her. The last time she would be embraced in his arms.

  "Fine," Lina grumbled.

  Kade gently smiled.

  Lina's heart stopped.

  As many sins as Kade had committed, Lina still loved him. She couldn't bring herself to completely fall out of love with him. Minus the war part, he treated her well.

  "Then let me bring you closer," Kade whispered.

  "Fine…"

  Kade softly chuckled. He slipped their bodies closer against each other. He hugged her waist and kissed the top of her head.

  Lina's breath was caught in her throat. She was unable to speak. All she could hear was her loud heart beats. Thump. Thump. Thump. Blood rushed to her ears. She could barely concentrate.

  "My beloved wife," Kade sighed. "How I love you so."

  Lina's eyes watered, but she shoved her emotions down. Right now was not the time to cry or grow sentimental. Instead of responding, she turned her body, so her back touched his chest.

  Kade simply hugged her tighter. He pressed his face into her hair and breathed in the soft scent. He always enjoyed embracing his wife. He sought comfort in having her beside him. He was reassured by having her in his arms, knowing he could keep her safe.

  "I know you don't love me anymore," Kade quietly said. "But I'll try my hardest to gain your love back. No matter what it takes."

  Lina didn't respond. She let out a fake snore and closed her eyes, hoping he'd fall for it. He kissed the top of her head again. A lone tear slipped. This would be the last time they fall asleep together, side by side, their heart beating as one——

  Just as the birds shook their wings, getting ready for the day, Lina woke up. When she opened her eyes, the tent was a soft blue color, hinting the day was barely beginning. That was all the time Lina needed.

  Lina tried to move her body, but it was impossible. An enormous weight pinned her down. Kade hugged her like a child would with their stuffed toy. His entire body was woven over hers, his legs entangled with her short ones, and his arms securely on her waist.

  He was never going to let her go.

  Even so, Lina managed. She wriggled, lifted, and slithered, until she was finally out of his grasp. Suddenly, she heard him move.

  Lina froze. She turned to see his arms were reaching for something. She quickly grabbed her pillow and placed it into his arms. He immediately hugged the pillow, burying his face into it.

  "Ugh…" Kade grunted.

  Lina's eyes grew wide. She was hoping he'd be so exhausted from the journey, he'd sleep for longer. Thus, she quickly brought her hand to his hair and gently stroked it.

  "H-hush little baby," Lina stammered out, her voice low and sweet. If she had to sing this dumb brute a lullaby to escape, she would.

  Unfortunately, Lina forgot the next line. She swallowed hard. Suddenly, she remembered a lullaby her older sister would sing her to sleep with, whenever Lina had night terrors.

  "The moon is bright, the leaves are quiet," Lina softly sang.

  Lina continuously caressed his hair. "The breeze blows by, the branch waiting by the window."

  Lina watched as Kade's tense shoulders began to relax. It was working. She wondered if he had ever heard a lullaby in his youth. He seemed like a neglected child…


  "My darling baby, fall asleep quickly…" Lina softly patted his body. "Fall asleep quickly and may you dream of sweetness."

  Kade's breathing became shallow and steady. He was no longer moving. Instead, Lina knew he was in a deeper sleep than before. But she didn't stop there.

  Lina continued to stroke his hair, until she knew it was time to go. With a final kiss on his head, Lina got out of bed. She wrote him a note, stole the map from his desk, slipped out of the tent, and into the morning. The sun was barely rising from the east. The skies were still dark and barely lit.

  All of the small tents were dim. No one was awake. Then, she saw in the center of the place, two soldiers who had their backs turned to her. They were the ones watching over the night, waiting for an ambush.

  Lina quickly sneaked off before they saw her.

  "Hey there," Lina greeted her sleeping horse.

  The horse let out a soft neigh in response. Lina searched for her saddle and was relieved to find it. She looked around the tiny area and found small treats for the horses. Apples, carrots, celery, and everything useful.

  "Eat quickly, we must go," Lina murmured, placing the apple near the horse's mouth.

  Lina fed him well. Then, she loaded the saddle and supplies onto his back, and hopped on. They started off in a slow walk at first, but eventually broke into a thundering run.

  She didn't plan on stopping. Not until she reached her destination.

  The battlefield.