Lina was not going to run.

  Lina hated that option. She had two good pairs of legs and still refused to sprint. He wanted her to dash for the mountains, screaming bloody murder? Tough luck.

  They were going to figure this out one way or another. It could take all night, the entire week, or even month, but they were going to solve this issue.

  Lina knew distance and time did nothing for her. She was slow, but she learned. Five years. That was how long she put between them. Yes, she finished her education, obtained a career she didn't expect, and worked hard. But there was always something missing. She didn't want to admit it at that time. She had too much pride.

  Being shot in the chest woke her up.

  Human life was short. Lina could die at any moment.

  "Dove…"

  "All I wanted to do was communicate like grown adults. You live for a millennium and still haven't learned how to use that damn mouth for anything, but manipulation."

  "Dove of mine—"

  "Is that how all you've mastered in these one thousand years? How to scare people that love you? How to piss me off in every way possible?" Lina growled, shoving at his chest.

  Kaden staggered back, even though he had held onto her so tightly earlier. He was shell-shocked by her reaction. He thought she'd bolt out of her. The second he let her go, he expected to see her feet touch the ground. Then, she'd shoot right out of those doors and put five more years between them.

  Five years to an immortal was nothing. But five years to a man starved of his lover—it's eternity.

  "You're violent," Lina listed out, jabbing his chest with each word. "You're horrible at begging and groveling. You don't admit your mistakes. You suck at proper conversations."

  Lina continued to stab his firm and irritatingly hard chest with her fingers. Her poor hand was beginning to hurt. Why did it feel like poking stone?

  "All I needed was to hear an apology. All I wished for is a sincere conversation where you don't scare me like that. Telling me to run? Giving me a head start? I should begin with washing your mouth with soap!" Lina hissed, continuing to push him further away from her.

  Lina hopped off the table and glowered up at him. Stupid tower. Stupid height. If he wasn't so irritatingly tall, then her neck wouldn't have to crane to look up at him.

  "Go screw yourself," Lina deadpanned.

  Lina angrily side-stepped the discarded plates and utensils. She headed for the doors. Immediately, she heard the pitter patter of his feet. She glanced over her shoulders to see him.

  Hah.

  Kaden sulked to himself. He wore a grim expression, his eyes filled with shame, and his lips pulled together. He was mopping all by himself with a melancholic face. Even so, he followed her like a lost puppy.

  Lina saw the stunned expression of the maid and butlers gathered outside. They blinked and quickly bowed when she brushed past them. Lina walked up the grand staircase, not caring where she was going. She stormed into the first room she saw, then slammed the doors. But there was no satisfying thud noise.

  Instead, Lina heard the shuffling of Kaden's sandals.

  "What do you want?" Lina demanded, turning around.

  Before Lina could even blink, Kaden was already in front of her. This persistent pup—


  "I'm sorry," Kaden continued to grovel. He clutched her hips and brought her closer. Pressing his lips to her forehead, he hugged her tenderly.

  "I'm really sorry, dove of mine. I am." Kaden kissed both sides of her cheeks, despite her angry shove. "Tell me what I must do to fix this. Tell me and I'll do it."

  Did she want him on his hands and knees, head hung in shame? He could do it. What was the term they used for him again? When someone was too whipped, that there was no return? Was it the word simp? Or henpecked? All these random terms were no match for his ancient brain.

  "The truth."

  Kaden opened his mouth.

  "And next time, it shouldn't take this extreme of a disagreement to get it out of you. I want it the minute it happens. I'm a grown woman, I'm ready for anything you toss at me, Kaden."

  Kaden's chest ached. She was right. And he didn't know how to feel about that. All along, he was worried about hurting her. Or, angering her to the point of where she'd leave him for good. He never wanted to see her in pain, but he also wanted to always see her. Torn at a crossroads, it was always difficult for him to make a decision when it came to her.

  "You've rendered me indecisive."

  "Then shall I take responsibility for hurting you?" Lina stated.

  Kaden simply frowned. His brows knitted together in confusion, he dropped his head. Then, he softly kissed her on the lips. He shook his head and brought her body closer. This time, she didn't pull away. Instead, her hands slid up his arm.

  "I don't know what I want." Kaden pressed his mouth to the corner of hers. Then, he groaned and kissed her chin.

  "You're being a big baby," Lina muttered.

  "Now that is something you need to take responsibility for," Kaden grumbled like a spoiled brat. He dropped his head in exhaustion against her shoulders. He sighed in relief when she patted his upperback.

  "You haven't started begging and groveling yet."

  "On my knees?"

  Lina blinked. Wouldn't that be a sight to see? But she was never the kind to feel satisfaction in a humiliating act.

  "No." Lina shook her head. She slid her fingers into his hair. A low and guttal sound escaped his mouth, coming straight from his strong chest. He hugged her tightly.

  "I want it in the form of truths."

  "Let me hold you a little longer, dove." Kaden dropped his weight onto her.

  Lina staggered backward. He was heavy. She nearly lost her footing. And he seemed to realize it. Suddenly, he pressed himself even more against her, putting his full weight against her body.

  "You—!" Lina screamed as she fell back and bounced. The two of them landed right on the bed, his face still buried deep into her neck. He embraced her tightly, his arm like iron ropes.

  "Won't you stay with me?" Kaden tiredly murmured.

  Lina sighed. She didn't know what he was babbling about now. She was irritated by his behavior, but was lulled by his tiny voice. He sounded like a hesitant boy.

  Lina was rendered speechless by his behavior. She could only stroke the back of his head. She softly combed her fingers through his hair. He groaned in pleasure, hugging her even more.

  "More…" Kaden insisted. He nuzzled his face into her skin. Sighing in relief, he breathed in her scent like a starved man. She was stiff, but he didn't care. He only wanted her in his arms. Was that too much to ask?

  "You're going to have to start talking, you know." Lina continued to run her hand through his silky strands. Her nose tickled from the length of it. His hair was smooth. His current behavior was a complete contrast to what he usually did to her in bed.

  Kaden was often a beast savaging through her. Now, he just wanted to cuddle. What has the world come to?

  "Yes… talking… soon…" Kaden tiredly agreed.

  "I don't hear a lot of dialogues," Lina pointed out.

  Lina stared up at the ceiling. One day, she was going to die underneath him. She was certain of it. Why was the brute this heavy? How much did he weigh? Were immortals instantly attractive? She tapped his shoulders, eventually tired of stroking his hair.

  "Hello?" Lina called out.

  Kaden didn't respond. His body went slack, but his grip was as firm as usual. She tugged her brows together in confusion.

  "Kaden?" Lina shook him, but it was useless.

  Kaden let out a slight complaint. When she tried to shove him away, he behaved in a lightning reflex. In a blink, his hold became unbearable. He was rigid, even when asleep.

  "You're dead when you wake up, I swear!" Lina seethed, realizing he had just gotten out of the talk he promised.

  Lina breathed in through her nose and held it. Then, she turned her head. She squirmed her neck away to see his expression clearly. She hated how easy her heart bent for this man.

  Lina's gaze instantly softened. He was beyond fatigued. There were dark circles under his bag, his face haggard, and his brows tightly knitted. She scooted to create the slightest distance, so that he was resting his face on the bed.

  "You better tell me tomorrow." Lina gently pushed the hair away from his eyes. She couldn't imagine how uncomfortable he must be right now, sleeping on an uneven surface and with no blankets.

  But Kaden hugged her for dear life. Lina rubbed his broad back with affection. She lulled him into a deeper sleep, for she knew he needed it. Just how overworked was this man?

  "Sleep well," Lina whispered, pressing her lips to his forehead.

  "…… hm…"

  Lina let out soft laughter. It was rare to see this side of him. He had rarely let his guard down like this. She couldn't imagine a time he seemed this drained. In fact, he was always brimming with energy… and stamina.

  "Stay…"

  Even in his sleep, he was a persistent man.

  "Of course," Lina responded whilst shutting her own eyes. "If not by your side, where else should I be?"