Dear Immortal Tyrant

Milo stopped dead in his tracks, casted a dubious stare towards Kaden and hesitated. He debated the idea of thanking the Devil for the blessed presents.

"No need, boy." Kaden jerked his chin forward, urging the child to go off and brag to his friends about how great of a brother-in-law he has.

"Milo isn't a boy," Lina quickly defended her younger brother, crossing the room and towards Kaden. She felt nervous jitters when his eyes slid to hers, effortlessly.

With Kaden's charisma and charms, she wouldn't be surprised that he was a God. But how? And what was he doing in the mortal realm?

Lina couldn't shake the nightmare from a few days ago, where she and Kade were seen in a cloudy location. She couldn't remember a single moment in her first life that the location existed. And he kept on hinting there was more than one lifetime they shared together. Exactly how many were there?

Lina doubted he'd tell her the truth.

"Your biased eyes betray you," Kaden whispered to her once she was within distance.

Kaden glanced at her curtain bangs that framed her small face. Strands lingered over her eyes. Before she could adjust them, his fingers were already there. He gently scooped her hair back, revealing her soft cheeks, and her eyes raised in disbelief.

Lina was mesmerized by him. His hazel eyes resembled a pool of sunlight, blinding everyone that looked at him for too long.

"They do not," Lina argued, just as he dropped his hand.

Lina instantly missed his warmth. She wondered how rough hands could touch her so gently.

"Gross, PDA." Milo gagged to further ruin the mood.

Lina stiffened. She had forgotten there were more people in the room. For a split second, it felt like she and Kaden were the only people in this world. How was that possible? She touched her chest, where her heart was skyrocketing.

"Indeed," Evelyn stated, but after seeing the presents in front of her, she decided to be placid.

"Come, Milo," Evelyn urged, waving her hand to the maid.

The maids quickly understood her message, coming forward to accept the gifts. They'd later arrange it on her bed for her to admire.

Lina's face went red when she met her Uncle's pointed stare. He smirked, arrogant as if he had expected her to choose Kaden. She narrowed her eyes.

"We need to talk," Lina said adamantly.

"Of course we do," Kaden mused, his lips tilting upwards.

"In private," Lina emphasized, briefly glancing at her nosy Uncle. All of a sudden, William seemed engrossed with his phone, but she knew better.

"Right."

"Okay," Lina nodded.

"Perfect."

"Splendid," Kaden noted.

Lina's hand twitched. He must find this cute. A ghost of a smile fell on his lips. She was starstruck. There had never been a man who moved her heart as much as he did.

"Just come with me," Lina stated, turning around to walk to the back of her house where the garden was. That way, no one could eavesdrop on them, not even from the door.

"Why are you so slow today?" Lina asked, noting he was behind her.

Kaden strutted like the house belonged to him. His hands rested loosely in his front pockets, his shoulders squared. When she addressed him, he lifted his gaze from her ass to her.

"To admire the view," Kaden said like it was a matter of fact.

Lina glanced at his biceps. Even his white button-up couldn't conceal his physique. Toned. Muscular. Adonis had nothing on Kaden DeHaven, whose body was crafted from stone and power.

"Do you enjoy the view?" Kaden teased, noticing her eyes were glued to him. Suddenly, she raised a brow.

"Do you enjoy mine?" Lina rebuttal, finally understanding what he was looking at.

"I don't know," Kaden stated.

"Then you must be blind," Lina retorted, rolling her eyes and returning her attention to the front. Suddenly, he was beside her. She tried her best to not look surprised, even though her stomach churned.

Heat radiated off of him in powerful waves. His presence took up the entire hallway, dominating and masculine.

"I'd need to see the view without things blocking it," Kaden explained, his arm snaking around her waist. He yanked her close, her eyes widening.

"Like your jeans," Kaden muttered, pulling her towards his chest, and sliding his hand to her face.

Lina's lashes fluttered. Her gaze lowered to his Adam's apple, watching it gulp up and down. His head was bent, his lips a hair away from kissing her forehead.

"You'd need to dream big to see me naked," Lina muttered, even though her stomach betrayed her. Her heart was screaming yes, but her mouth was screaming no.

Kaden harshly chuckled, his hand leaving her face and into her hair. He lightly yanked it back, revealing her throat to him. Her eyes met his. Fire amongst fire. She wanted him. He could see it. Feel it. Smell it.

"I don't need to dream when I can have you begging for me," Kaden rasped.

The corner of his lips drew upwards when her face went red. He didn't have a favorite color until now. He could see it quickly spreading to her neck, then her chest, and then, underneath her shirt.

"I'll never beg for you," Lina whispered, her breath hitching when he brushed his nose against hers. She felt her heart skip and then race.

Thump. Thump. Thump. That was all she could hear.

"Every never turns into a forever," Kaden promised.

Lina wished that'd never happen. Then again, a part of her was already agreeing to his words. Naive as always, her heart was jumping with each promise as if it had forgotten the pain he gave her. The betrayal. The lies. The hatred.

"Not this time," Lina said.

Kaden smiled. She was stubborn as always. He'd enjoy the chase and when he caught her, he'd never let her go.

She, who had gotten away, won't be gone for long.