Sometimes Lina wondered if she was in love with Kaden or if she was in love with what they had.

  Kaden did everything right. He treated her well, he cared for her, he never called her high maintenance, and did everything expected of him.

  Sometimes, Lina had a gnawing feeling that something was not right. It was in the way his eyes would flash red like poppies, the sign of a Pure-Blood Vampire. Or, the dark glimmer that flickered on his face when he was displeased by her. Sometimes it was how tightly he held onto her waist.

  Lina wondered if she was being picky or paranoid. Maybe both. Maybe neither. But the more Kaden gently touched her and the kinder his whispers were, the faster she fell for him. There was not a day she didn't feel comfortable around him. There wasn't a day where his arms didn't make her feel like they were the safest place to be. And maybe that was enough.

  "Now that Priscilla is gone," Lina slowly said. "We only need to tackle Atlantis as our last obstacle. Then, the people meddling with our life will be gone and there will be peace."

  She thought it was the last obstacle.

  Kaden slowly nodded his head. She was right. The rest of the problems were minor. He could handle it. He'd never let her be hindered by the pain ever again. From this point on, she would experience all the good things. Never the bad.

  "And how do you believe we should destroy this last obstacle?" Kaden inquired from her.

  Lina's attention swept across the empty parking lot. There was no one else there, but them. Even so, she didn't want to say it out loud.

  "I never said destroy," Lina responded. "I also don't want him dead or immobile, let's establish that too."

  "Must we?" Kaden groaned.

  "We must."

  "Unfortunately," Kaden sighed.

  Lina wryly glanced at him like he was crazy. But she was marrying crazy, so what did that make her? Equally crazy? Less? She didn't know what to make of the situation. One thing was for certain, she wasn't 100% sane. And they both knew that.

  "Perhaps a wedding invitation will be enough," Kaden mused.

  "Let's not," Lina decided. "As pleasing as it'd be for you to envision the fury on his face, maybe that is the reason there are bullets and blood at our wedding?"

  "I'll take extra precautions."

  "But—"

  "Trust me, dove. The bullets and blood will never rain down on our wedding, this I promise you," Kaden reassured her. His voice was kind and stroked her beating chest back to peace.

  Lina let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps he was right. This was Kaden, afterall. Whatever he did was perfect. So, she nodded her head and offered him a pleasant smile.

  "Now, let's decide the wedding venue," Kaden told her.

  "I've always envisioned getting married in a castle," Lina admitted. "But not in the throne room. God no. Perhaps, exchanging vows in an enormous flower garden where the only scent in the air is from the petals falling above us from a wisteria tree. Oh, or even peach blossoms! I've always loved those cinematic clips in the movies!"

  "No matter the cost, no matter the risks, we will have your dream wedding in order," Kaden promised her. "No wish is too big and no request is too small."

  Kaden bent and kissed the side of her head. "A castle it is."——

  The car ride back was silent and comfortable. Lina contemplated the events of Krystal's contract. There had been radio silence from Krystal's side. No updates. No conflicts. Lina was worried if everything was going as planned. She wanted to message Krystal for a quick catch-up, but decided to give her more time. The shareholder meeting wouldn't be for another few months. She still had time to plan.

  "What is going through that pretty little head of yours?" Kaden asked.

  Lina blinked. She was so lost in her daydream to realize they were now sitting in the dining hall. Through the enormous window, she saw it was well into the night. Time always went by quickly when she was with Kaden. She wished for it to slow down so she could savor the time spent with him.

  "Am I to remain human?" Lina asked him again.

  "You are."

  "But I wish to spend the rest of eternity with you," Lina drearily stated. "Like the Queen of Wraith, who was once a human, but became a Pure-Blood. She is blessed with eternity with those that she loves."

  "The Queen of Wraith can barely walk."

  "But that's because she gave birth to twins, and—" Lina froze. "A human girl birthed vampires."

  "Dove—"

  "I could become the next Queen of Wraith," Lina whispered in a horrified tone. Her eyes grew wide with fear and uncertainty. "I could be immobilized by childbirth and you've known that all along."

  "Dove, let me explain—"

  "You've known this and still argued for me to birth your child." Lina's fork clattered loudly onto the plate. She glanced at him, aghast that they had never discussed this concept.

  "Modern medicine prevails once again," Kaden warned her in a hardened voice. "Because of the Queen's limited mobility, pharmaceutical companies made a mad dash, investing millions to acquire proper research into? aiding human women during vampire childbirths."

  "Yes, but—"

  "In particular, Claymore Conglomerate. The Chairwoman is extremely close with the Queen and after witnessing her friend's complications, her entire research team was dedicated to creating a medicine. Now, it has been mass-produced and been on the shelf for over a year with stellar results."

  Lina's shoulders relaxed. Relief filled her. "I knew Claymore Conglomerate was ahead of their competitors, but I didn't think the results were that favorable, with a 90% survival rate."

  "90% chance is much higher than the previous amount. Do not forget that 90% also accounts for zero implications," Kaden informed her.

  Lina licked her bottom lip and nodded. She picked up her utensils and began to eat again. She loved today's meal, consisting of freshly made spaghetti and shrimp braised in a garlic butter sauce with a tart, earthy pesto drizzled over the dish. Accompanying the noodles was a light soup that'd melt away any greasy flavor, cleansing the palette perfectly. There was also a harvest salad accompanying the meal, in case she wanted something healthy and light.

  "How many children do you want?" Lina curiously asked.

  "As many as you can safely provide for me."

  Lina laughed, believing it was a joke. Then, she saw his serious expression. Her laughter died down.

  "Wait, you're serious."

  "So you've realized," Kaden mused.

  "Children are expensive," Lina reminded him.

  "We're sitting in a house worth millions that I paid for in full. Yes, I'm well aware children are expensive."

  "Having more than one is double the expense," Lina explained.

  "Clearly."

  "A-and double the work," Lina said.

  "Of course."

  Lina shook her brain for more responses. "And there is a high possibility that—"

  "Dove," Kaden mused, his eyes flickering red with humor. "You never cease to amaze me with facts I never know about."

  Lina glared at him for his sarcasm.

  "But you can be rest assured, dove of mine, I have all the stamina and resources to raise and clothe our child… as well as create them…… So ease your worries and enjoy your meal, so I can enjoy mine later."