Dear Immortal Tyrant

Lina was at a loss for words. She had never heard something this devastating in her entire life. He carried himself with the pride of the most important man in the entire country. But his eyes spoke volumes that his mouth did not. Within it was a shattered man, whose pain rivaled being burned alive in one's own house.

Memories of blurry faces flooded her vision.

"Dove…"

A soft caress on her face, tender kisses on her lips, a strong hand holding her close, and an arm like iron around her waist. She saw visions of tears in darkness and a helping hand brushing the pain away. She heard her quiet moans as two large hands gripped her hips tightly, a low groan filling the air.

"Dove of mine…"

Lina could see flashes of a blurry face. His fingers running through her hair, his mouth on the side of her head, and his rare laughter. She felt the warmth of his long fingers, the way they gripped her like she was his prized treasure, and the heat of his body wrapping around her.

"Linlin," Atlantis murmured, realizing her grip had grown far too loose.

Lina snapped back to reality. She was terrified of what she saw, but also heartbroken. She tried to convince herself that the images she had just seen were from a movie. A book, even. Or maybe a comic. She tried to comfort herself that it was not the truth. But she felt it. Really felt it.

His hands were imprinted on her body, each caress igniting her skin, and his lips the most addictive poison. She felt every touch deep within her heart. Every cell inside of her body told her it was real. But who did she experience it with? And why did she not remember him?

"Who are you?" Lina struggled to say, her voice thick with emotion. "You're not just my kidnapper."

Atlantis embraced her tighter, as if that'd change anything. She struggled in his arms. He reluctantly placed her back onto the ground. The second he did so, he had to grab her wrists. She seemed like a runner. A fleeing woman. He knew she was. Men were always insecure around her. No one could be certain she was here for the long ride. No one could be certain that she wouldn't leave right after stealing hearts.

"I am the villain," Kaden murmured, as if he couldn't forgive himself either.

Lina's eyes watered. She glanced at his hand and realized he wore a wedding ring. Her heart stopped on the spot. 

"You're married, yet pursuing me like the bachelor of a nation," Lina spat out.

"Why don't you ask me who I'm married to?"

Lina's eyes flashed. She didn't want to hear. A bitter jealousy took over her heart. It stabbed her in the chest. She wanted to take that knife and dig it deep within him. 

Lina was confused by her emotions. One minute she wanted to cry at the sight of him, the next she wanted to embrace him, and then, she wanted to murder him. The turmoil riddled her speechless.

Lina took an unconscious step forward. Atlantis held her back, his hold on her wrist like iron bars.

Kaden's gaze flickered to the hand. He reached into the back of his belt. Without warning, he pulled out a gun.

"No!" Lina shouted, shielding Atlantis' entire body with hers. She pushed Atlantis back, covering him with her small frame.

"No one gets to take what's mine, dove." Kaden twisted the silencer onto the gun. Everyone held their breath. The sound of triggers unlocking filled the empty parking lot. Twenty-five men on either side were at an equal standing.

Kaden loaded the gun and pointed it directly at Atlantis' forehead. He could feel other guns positioned towards him as well, but he didn't care. He didn't even blink. With his thumb, he unlocked the trigger.

"No one."

BANG!

Kaden shot Atlantis right in the forehead.

Atlantis ducked. 

Everything happened in slow motion. Lina's ears began to ring with the loud gunshot. But above all, she felt numb. There was no blood. No wound. Nothing. Atlantis grabbed her shoulders and ducked with superhuman strength. Every vein in her body froze faster than water in Antarctica.

Lina could feel her world spin. Atlantis' strong hands on her body began to hurt. He grabbed her out of fervor, his speed taking everyone by surprise. Everyone, but Kaden, who also dodged the bullets in the same superhuman manner.

Lina saw Atlantis' mouth moving. His Adam's apple bounced up and down with each word, but she heard nothing. Her ears were ringing loudly. Ding. Ding. Ding. Water dripped down her face, but it was hot and salty. Tears.

Tears from the truth.

Atlantis was not human. He was a Pure-Blood.

"This will not be the last you see of me, dove," Kaden's voice filled her thoughts. His presence consumed her. His piercing gaze was like that of a crazed man.

Lina wondered how a married man could be obsessed with anyone else, but his wife. Despite attempting to take Atlantis' life, Kaden turned on his heels and stalked off.

Lina realized she was on the ground. Atlantis had grabbed the two of them and ducked out of reflex, but her knees gave out. Kneeling on the floor, sitting on her feet, she could only hear Kaden's velvety voice.

"You belong to me, dove," Kaden continued.

Atlantis' mouth began to move furiously again. Lina couldn't hear him, but she heard Kaden perfectly. 

"Whether you accept it or not."

Lina watched in mute silence as Kaden slid into his car. The windows were tinted and dark, but she knew he was watching her. Despite being possessive, he didn't move to help her to her feet. 

Kaden's car drove away. Dust was kicked up by the black tires, but she didn't flinch. She stared at the spot he once stood, for it was the only stability in his life.

"You lied to me," Lina finally said.

"Linlin—"

"You're a Pure-Blood," Lina murmured, the title like sand in her mouth.

Lina was not prejudiced against this superior race. She knew they were humans too, with insatiable hunger, and inability to control the race they were born. But somehow, the truth of Atlantis' race terrified her.

"All along, I thought you were human," Lina said under her breath. "All along, I thought I was protecting you, but in reality, you could've handled it yourself." 

"Linlin—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lina shakily turned to Atlantis, her eyes unstable and unable to focus on one thing. "Why couldn't you have just told me the truth from the start?" 

Atlantis had nothing to tell her. He opened his mouth, attempted to create excuses, but his mind was blank. As blank as her face, filled with betrayal. He hated that face on her. He hated how quickly she was willing to accept even the wildest things. She grew numb to all the pain around her, just as she always did.

Atlantis didn't know what killed him the most. Her unstoppable tears or her mistrust in him. Regardless of what it was, he took her by the hands and helped her to her feet.

"Linlin—"

"Someone once told me Pure-Bloods have jeweled eyes like rubies under the sunlight. Yours are like decaying organs."

Atlantis pressed his lips together. He didn't dare to speak any further. The two stood in silence as the helicopter descended upon them, the wind able to knock everything and everyone back.

Like a tree, Lina remained rooted to the ground. Unmoving, unyielding, and unfeeling, she was like the oldest tree in a forest—one who'd experienced the worst of pain.

"Where are we going?" Lina finally asked.

"Overseas."

"Where?"

"Wraith, the Kingdom of the West."