If there was something that Kaden learned in his sleep, it was that couches aren't comfortable beds. Even though the couch was like a firm cloud to sit on, to sleep on it was a nightmare. He had tossed and turned all night, grumbling that his own wife had stolen the master keys and locked all the guest rooms.

  The master of the house slept on the damn couch.

  "This woman."

  After dinner, Kaden retired to his office to finish the remainder of the work for the week, so he could accompany her to the wedding planner. When he finished his hard work, he discovered his wife's scheme to lock him out. And it worked damn well.

  Eventually, the moonlight peeking through the curtains had pissed him off. The damn thing shone into his eyes the entire night. As much as the milky color resembled his wife's soft skin, it was not her replacement.

  Frustrated, Kaden let out a growl and stormed to his own bedroom. He tried the door. Of course, it was locked. He could kick it down. But he didn't. It'd disturb her sleep and she'd hate him further.

  Scouring the house for a single hairpin, Kaden eventually picked the lock of his own bedroom door. In his own house. That he paid for. In full cash. He rolled his eyes at the stupidity.

  Kaden was ready to give her a piece of his mind. Then, he saw her in his bed.

  Lina was laying on her side, her back turned to the door. The silk blanket dipped over her curves perfectly, her dark hair sprawled. He had the urge to yank her by the hair and kiss her roughly.

  "You let your guard down too much," Kaden growled under his breath. Then, he realized it was because she trusted him. Or, the security in this house.

  Kaden stalked towards the bed. She had pulled back the black-out curtains. The moonlight loved her. Her skin glowed, reminding him of her status in heaven. They called her the Emperor's favorite. And he knew it as well. The most favored woman in all of Heaven, second to the Empress. Her laughter used to be contagious and her mischievous nature mirrored that of a prankster. Even the animals loved her, always crowding her, eager for her soft pats.

  The most loved woman in all of Heaven just had to fall for the most hated man. Kaden was supposed to return after his mortal trials, but it never ended, for he had gained immortality. But he called this his third life and counted each by the time he saw her.

  "You fool." Kaden stopped directly in front of her.

  Lina slept without a care in the world. He crouched down, narrowing his eyes. Her plump lips were parted, her lovely chest rising with each breath. Her lashes were long, her cheeks soft, and her nose like a button. His fingers twitched. He itched to touch her, to stroke her smooth skin, to claim her as his once more.

  The most desirable woman in all of Heaven, and she was in his bed. His fingers curled into fists. Those despicable fools. How could they not have stopped her? How could they allow her to follow after him?

  Blowing out a harsh breath, he ran a hand through his hair. He gripped the ends, straightening to his full height. She didn't belong in this world. She wasn't meant for hardships. Yet, she prevailed. She always did.

  "Hng…"

  Kaden froze. He slowly sat down on the bed, curious about what she was mumbling about. At the sight of her exposed shoulders, he scowled. It deepened when he saw her goosebumps. He could warm her up. If only she wasn't so stubborn.

  Kaden lifted the blankets to her shoulders, keeping them deliberately thin because she sweated easily, but also so she could cling onto his heat.

  "Is…"

  Kaden froze.

  "Atlantis…"

  Kaden's expression grew murderous. In his bed, under his roof, she'd dare utter another man's name? She wanted a death wish.

  Immediately, Kaden grabbed her shoulders to shake her awake. But then, her brows grew taut and a lone tear slipped from her eye. He stilled. Every cell of his body paused. Even when his heart roared with the betrayal and his blood boiled, he waited.

  "Tell… father… to take it back… tell…"

  Kaden let out a harsh breath. He stroked back the next tear that came. He knew what she was dreaming about. She always dreamt of the past. She was cursed to relive it all, so that she did not forget. He bet Heaven didn't predict technology would advance so quickly, there'd be machines to wipe memories, like electric torture.

  "Take… it… back."

  Kaden pulled away from her. Three words. That was all he needed for his anger to simmer down. He knew what she was dreaming about. He remembered it very well. His chest tightened. His throat clenched.

  On the day he was sentenced to enter the Three Trials of the Mortal Realm, all of his people begged the Emperor to rescind the punishment. They pleaded with all of their wills, kneeling for as long as the sun rose and fell.

  The Emperor refused. Kaden could still remember the shattered expression on the Princess' face. To this day, he still remembered how quickly she sank to her knees, clung onto her father, and begged him. And to this day, he remembered the first time she was struck in the face.

  That was when all hell broke loose. That was the day he threatened the Emperor for his throne and only hurt her further. He could've claimed the throne if he wanted to. He could've usurped the Emperor and rewritten history. But he did not. For the sake of Lina's happiness, and for the sake of her safety.

  A woman who was loyal to her family. A lover who had undying devotion to him. Both identities clashed.

  And none won.

  "Never beg in my place, ever again." Kaden brushed his thumb across her lips.

  Lina suddenly gasped, her eyes snapping wide open. She sat upright in bed, shaking with the truth and realization. Then, she turned her head. Unable to stop the tears, unable to hold back the sobs, she knew. They both knew.

  They were a pair of star-crossed lovers, doomed to a tragic ending from the start of time. And nothing could change that…… Not even the red threads linking them together.