Dear Immortal Tyrant

Sebastian had to admit it. He never seen anyone as brave as the Princess. To cut off her hair and dress as a man, not many were that stupid. Lina stared up at her husband, wide-eyed at being caught. Usually, wives were caught for adultery. Not many were caught for sneaking into their husband's army!

To give the couple privacy, Sebastian awkwardly cleared his throat and walked off.

"Are you crazy?!" Kade snarled, grabbing her by the shoulders.

Kade realized how small her bun was. She had cut off her hair. His blood boiled with her betrayal. She joined the army to see Atlan. She went behind his back. Was she that desperate to hug her assaulter? Was she that brainwashed?

"You're going home," Kade seethed, his nails digging into her arms. He wasn't going to let her go anywhere near that battle.

"No, I'm staying—"

BAM!

Kade slammed his hand into the nearest tree. The tree quaked, branches falling and birds fleeing. He glared deeply at her, hatred set in his eyes. How did he not realize it sooner? He should've known the late soldier looked familiar. He just didn't think it was the silhouette of his wife, for she had lost so much weight, she was unrecognizable.

Kade breathed hard through his nose. He tried to calm down, but how could he? His little wife was sending herself to a death ground!

"Don't test my patience," Kade spat out. "War is not child's play like your little tournaments."

"I'm staying," Lina insisted. "You can send people to take me back, but I'll just run from them."

"Lina," Kade snarled.

Kade took a threatening step in her direction. His eyes flashed with warning. How he wished he could bend her over and give her a good spanking. This wife of his was going to give him high blood pressure.

"If I have to personally send you home myself, I will," Kade spat out.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to burden you by delaying the war you view more precious than your wife," Lina responded.

Kade gritted his teeth. Abruptly, he yanked her close to him. It had been days since she was last in his arms. She stared defiantly up at him, but glanced at his lips. Neither of them could deny each other's charm.

"You want to stay?" Kade suddenly asked. "Kiss me."

Lina froze.

"Exactly."

Kade took the sword from her hips, but she grabbed his wrist. Her breathing grew heavy with fear, her brows tugged together. He was offended. Did she find it that difficult to kiss him?

Kade yanked the sword away from her. Suddenly, she stole his long sword from his waist.

"You—"

"How many other girls have you threatened into kissing you to get your own way?" Lina shot at him.

"None," Kade spat out. "None but my wife whose duty is to please her husband."

"And it's a husband's duty to treat their wife well," Lina argued. "Clearly, you failed."

Kade grabbed her by the chin. He was debating between spanking her into submission and kissing her until she fainted. She was driving him crazy.

"I can promise you I've never once failed my duties as a husband," Kade spoke, his voice low and coaxing.

Recognition flashed in her eyes. His lips curled upwards. She knew as much as him that he never once failed to satisfy her. He always treated her well in bed. Always. 

At her most vulnerable moment, Kade never took advantage of her. After each session, he'd hold her dear to him, kiss her on the forehead, and ensure she was comfortable. He never once abandoned her after they made love.

"I…"

"Now, if you want to stay, give your husband a loving kiss," Kade murmured, bending his head. She was much shorter than him, so much so, that it humored him.

This little cat thought she was some tiger. What she thought were claws were nothing but nails. 

"And maybe then, I'll think about it," Kade said.

"I'd rather go home."

Lina hugged his sword to her chest, refusing to let him take it from her. She knew he couldn't fight without this heavy weapon. His eyes darkened until they resembled the night sky. Her breath was caught in her throat. Sometimes, his pupils were the color of liquid sunlight, the hazel so light, it was nearly yellow. When he was furious, his eyes turned the color of ink.

"And if I'm at home, there's no guarantee I won't do something foolish again," Lina threatened him.

Kade narrowed his eyes. He glanced at her small bun, then towards her face. She was like a child. He let out a small breath. God damn it.

Kade suddenly shoved her helmet back onto her face, but backward. That way, she couldn't see. He grabbed her wrist. Without warning, he began to drag her through the forest. She yelped in protest, digging her feet into the ground.

"Where are we going?!" Lina demanded, tugging her hand back.

Her attempts were futile. He was stronger than she remembered. Did he increase his training regime? He didn't even budge when she put her entire weight onto the floor. Then, she understood the truth. He might've grown stronger, but she was much weaker.

"Tying you to my bed," Kade snapped at her.

Kade pulled her through the forest, ignoring her horrible protests. She struggled against his hand, twisting and turning. To no avail. 

Lina yanked her near his tent, threw her inside the flaps, and sure enough, his bed was already made. They were going to set up camp for tonight and depart in the morning. They were only a day and a half away from the battlefield.

"Kade—"

"It's husband to you," Kade seethed.

"I—"

"If you want to stay, you better start being my wife."

Lina clamped her mouth shut. Fine. They only had a few days left together anyway. 

"And I don't mean it in a degrading manner," Kade emphasized. 

Lina slowly blinked. She allowed him to throw her on the bed. She expected him to force himself on her. He seemed to be that angry. But he didn't do such a thing.

Kade stood by the edge of the bed, breathing hard. He glared to the ground, lost in thought for a moment.

Lina slowly blinked. She hugged her knees to her chest and watched him. His features were scarier than a storm. His sharp eyes were set on fire, his lips thinned, and his nostrils flared. His jaw tightened until it cut through diamonds. 

Finally, he looked at her, making a decision.

"You're to stay in this tent at all times. If you need something, you'll tell one of the soldiers to summon me. You're going to eat everything I give you. You'll stay put." Kade demanded.

The conditions weren't bad. Even in the end, he didn't take advantage of her vulnerability. He could've given her the most unfair terms. Sleep with him. Let him do as he pleased to her body. Kiss her forcibly. Instead, he was prioritizing her safety again.

Lina's chest grew heavy. It was almost making her regret this decision. 

"Do I make myself clear?" Kade commanded.

"Yes…"

"Yes, what?"

"My lord husband."

Kade clenched his jaw. He wanted to hear "yes, I understand." She loved to poke him where it hurts. 

"Good," Kade spat out.

Kade threw her sword onto the bed, snatched his from her and stormed out of the tent. He never once looked back. If she was going to put herself in danger, he was going to save her from it.