Kaden didn't think he'd fall asleep so quickly. As a Pure-Blood, sleep wasn't a necessity. They could go a full week without a blink. Only after that, would they feel mild exhaustion. Thus, he was startled to wake up. He was even more shocked to feel the empty bed beside him. He expected her warmth. Her softness.? And when he felt icy coldness, his eyes snapped open.

  Kaden frantically glanced at the spot where she should've been. The blanket was tucked neatly, as if no one had laid there in the first place. When he turned his head, he saw clothes discarded on the floor. Her clothes.

  "No."

  Fear grappled Kaden. Like hands reaching from the grave, they dug and crawled at his heart. Kaden was suddenly reminded of her disappearance in the forest. He was instantly reminded of how beautiful she looked when she ran from him and how heartbroken he was.

  Kaden was horrified. She wouldn't leave him the same way she did that night, would she?

  Atlantis.

  In the end, did Atlantis win again?

  Kaden tore the blankets off his body. He raced out of the door, ignoring the thin clothing he wore. He stormed down the staircase, ready to steal her back. He'd kidnap her if he had to. There was nothing he wouldn't do.

  Not again.

  "This time, you're mine for eternity," Kaden growled.

  Kaden stomped to the entrance, but then heard it. Her voice. He was always beguiled by her voice, like a sailor towards a siren. When he reached the kitchen, he saw her. She was seated at the countertop, her expression distant.

  Then, Lina raised her head to him. Aloof. Indifferent. A woman in her domain, and she knew it. Her expression was calm. Too calm. He couldn't read her properly.

  Instead of reacting to his panic, Lina went back to her phone. She typed something into it, completely ignoring him.

  "You—" Kaden seethed, but stopped.

  What did she do wrong?

  Kaden couldn't tell where she went wrong. All she did was get dressed for the day, without him. Was that a crime? Was that a sin? She knew that as well. She knew what she did to his heart.

  "Hah…" Kaden scoffed in disbelief.

  Kaden ran a hand through his hair. He furiously grabbed the ends of it. His jaw ticked. His eyes grew dangerous. She knew. She knew how terrified he was of losing her and she used it against him.

  "I must warn you dove," Kaden slowly said. "Fighting fire with fire will burn your world to the ground."

  "Burn it to ashes then," Lina responded.

  Lina lifted her gaze from the phone. She sat in the kitchen chair like it was a throne. Her shoulders were set back and her chin was leveled.

  "Is it because I left to pick up a phone call believing you were asleep?" Kaden asked. "I would've returned to bed shortly after that call."

  "Feeling the same panic as I did… the abandonment after a tender night… Is it so hard to experience?" Lina questioned.

  Kaden crossed the distance between them. He remained on the other side of the countertop. The space between them was large. She held his gaze. She was always brave. Despite the wild storm that raged in his eyes, she remained still. She didn't flinch. She didn't stiffen. She knew he wouldn't hurt her.

  "It is," Kaden said.

  "Then don't do it to me again," Lina chastised.

  Kaden narrowed his eyes. "It's not like I wanted to leave you."

  "Alright then," Lina stated.

  "Good," Kaden agreed.

  "Great."

  "Good," Lina echoed.

  Kaden's brows shot up. He walked around the counter and towards her.

  "Let's agree not to be so passive-aggressive then," Kaden deadpanned.

  Lina's lips curled in amusement. She quirked a brow and turned. He was standing beside her now. His hands snaked to her hips, grasping them. He was taller than her, even though she was sitting on a high stool.

  "I won't abandon you," Lina said.

  Lina slid her hand to his upper arm. She gripped the spot and leaned up. She brushed her lips against his soft ones.

  "So long as you don't do the same," Lina whispered.

  "Deal." Kaden instantly captured her mouth.

  Lina pulled away, but he was relentless. Kaden kissed the corner of her lips. Then, he pressed open-mouthed ones down her chin, beyond her jaw, and towards her neck. She held back a soft moan. His mouth was warm and wet, sensual and slow. Her fingers dug into his arm.

  Lina tilted her neck to grant him access. He let out a slow laugh and pulled away. The same teasing.

  "Prick," Lina breathed out.

  "Glad you know." Kaden pecked her on the throat one last time.

  Then, Kaden was gone as quick as he came.

  Lina shifted her head to see he had moved to the enormous coffee machine. It was the kind that was found in shops where a cup cost more than lunch.

  "Aren't you going to change?" Lina mumbled, eyeing his black silk robes. Not that she was complaining.

  "Hm?"

  Kaden turned. Her throat went dry. His black robes were loose. The top gathered at the waist, revealing his fine body. His chest was tight and his abdomen was harder than a washboard. He leaned against another kitchen countertop. His skin was tanned and his body was tense. She could barely breathe.

  Lina had the sudden urge to touch his powerful features. Specifically, the eight sharp lines on his stomach.

  "Come," Kaden coaxed.

  Lina was tempted to get off the chair, but she remained glued to her seat.

  Kaden revealed a slow smile. Dangerous. This man was crazy and cunning. He tilted his head, narrowing his gaze. It was no wonder everyone always took double and triple glances his way. No one was more handsome than him.

  "You won't come?" Kaden murmured.

  "N-no…"

  "That's a first," Kaden teased.

  "I—" Lina was unable to refute him.

  "Shall I make you come then?" Kaden taunted.

  Lina pressed her thighs together. His words were crude. She felt the arrogance dripping off of him. His gaze was heated. She felt her skin grow warm. Her body was practically begging to be stroked by his large hands.

  Lina was tempted to get off the seat. Especially when his smile twisted into a smirk. Her gaze flickered to his hands. His fingers rested loosely. When she raised her eyes to his, her heart stopped. He was watching her. He had seen where her attention was.

  Kaden let out a chuckle. The sound was deep and rich.

  "It seems my dove would like my guidance to help her come," Kaden murmured.

  Kaden straightened to his full height. He towered over her. Just then, the coffee machine went off. The heavy scent filled the air, but all he smelled was her sweetness. He saw her squirm in her chair. She shifted her legs together. With a slow bite of her bottom lip, he was beginning to wonder who was the temptress and who was the tease.

  "Keep biting your lips like that and I'll have something put in between them," Kaden told her.

  Lina sucked in a sharp gasp. Kaden approached her. He rested his arms on the countertop, on either side of her. He caged her in and lowered his head.

  "Would you like that, dove of mine?" Kaden whispered near her ear. "Would you like a taste?"

  Kaden brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. She was soft as a marshmallow. Slowly, his other hand caressed her thighs. He could practically hear her heart skip. With his long thumb, he rubbed her inner leg. Then, his large hands parted her lower limbs, so he could settle in between them.

  "Hm?" Kaden pressed.

  Lina's lashes flustered. She opened her mouth, as if she wanted it. Then, she gripped the silk holding his robes close. She tugged him nearer.

  Kaden's stomach clenched. God. He was hard already. Just a small pull and he was already throbbing. She must have known that by now. Her attention shifted to his large tent. Ah. she knew.

  Lina's face grew red. He wished to see that color on her bottom. He wanted to see her milky skin turn red from his hand. To see her flinch and shake with pleasure and pain.

  "P-perhaps…" Lina managed to say.

  Lina was frightened by his size. It was a miracle he fitted inside of her. Or maybe, they had done it so much, her insides were sculpted to his shape. He'd love that.

  "Perhaps just once—"

  RING! RING!

  Lina jumped. The trance was quickly broken. Kaden let out a string of curses. Both of their gazes snapped to her phone on the countertop.

  Atlantis was calling her.