Dear Immortal Tyrant

"Dove of mine—"

"When did you sneak your phone number into my phone and change my ringtone?!" Lina demanded the second she picked up the phone.

Lina tried to remember the moments she left her phone alone. It was impossible. She was practically addicted to this little device only meant for phone calls, but she used it as her pass time.

"Well, hello to you too," Kaden teased, his lips twitching when he heard her let out an aggravated breath.

Seeing Lina had the energy to get angry, he was relaxed.

Kaden rested his head on the back of the couch, his arm casually slung on top of it. He swirled a glass of whiskey in his fingertips, the amber color reminding him of her eyes under the sunlight. It was a beautiful shade.

Kaden always remembered the moments she'd smile and the world would light up.

"Do you realize how creepy you sound?" Lina continued on. "And what's with this teenage depression ringtone?"

"It fits our situation, don't you think, dove?" Kaden asked, his smirk prominent in his tone.

Kaden could just picture her irritated expression. Her nose would flare, her nostrils would scrunch, and her eyes would widen.

She'd make a terrifying mother. Her kids would' freeze in place whenever she shot them in the face. He'd love to see it—his kids running from her as she chased after them for their mischievous deeds.

Kaden's smirk dropped. That moment never arrived. It could have, but it didn't. All because he couldn't set his pride aside.

"The ringtone fits our situation?" Lina repeated with a scoff. "Which part? The segments of the past? The sun in the sky during the battlefield?"

Kaden softly smiled, even though she could not see it. His woman. She was prideful and proud. Sometimes, it was real. Sometimes, it was a facade—to hide her pain.

Lina was just a scared little girl, desperate for adoration and attention. When she was rejected or hurt, she'd put up a big front. He saw right through her.

"The desperate tears destroying my heart," Kaden whispered. "It has always been that line for me, dear dove of mine."

Lina's voice died in her throat. She stopped breathing for a second. The world came to an abrupt halt.

Her heart was threatening to tear apart, in every single direction.

Lina lowered her gaze to the floor, even though he couldn't see her agony. Still, she wanted to hide her pain. Her pride wouldn't allow anyone to see her cry.

"I think I felt it," Lina mumbled. "In my last moments. Something hot and wet on my chest when everything went dark."

Kaden swallowed. "Yeah?"

Lina frowned. "Yeah."

Kaden closed his eyes. He could still visualize it. The way her eyes slowly shut, the light leaving her gaze. The way she didn't even reach for his hand as she left him.

Despite the hundreds of years that passed, Kaden could still remember her. He could taste her on his lips. Hear the mighty roar in his mouth when he discovered her. And remember the warmth of her blood on his hand. Then, it all went cold.

"Good," Kaden finally said. "Remember it well."

Lina didn't respond. She hugged her knees and leaned her face on them. "What did you call for?"

Kaden cleared his throat. For a split moment, he had let down his walls.

"Did you enjoy the food?" Kaden asked. "They're your favorites."

"I wonder how you found that out, Mr. Stalker," Lina grumbled.

Despite her harsh words, Lina smiled. She felt warm and giddy on the inside. There was something about the way he cared for her. It was the bare minimum, but it still touched her chest. She was beginning to feel like a teenager in love again.

"A little birdie told me," Kaden teased. "Want to know who?"

"No."

"Oh?"

"I'm not crazy enough to talk to birds," Lina chortled.

Kaden let out a warm laugh.

His laughter tickled her chest. Lina suppressed the smile that cracked on her face. She loved this sound the most. He sounded less serious when he was smiling or humored. She liked that.

"But you admit you're crazy, dove," Kaden noted.

"Everyone's crazy to a certain extent," Lina said.

"Not many admit it, though."

Lina buried her face into her knee and smiled. There was something about his voice and tone. His voice was smooth like fine liquor and his tone was gentle like expensive silk. She could feel herself being lulled by him.

"Really?" Lina asked.

"Really," Kaden confirmed.

"Truly?" Lina affirmed.

"I'm beginning to think you have trust issues," Kaden said, with an edge to his voice. "Do you, dear dove?"

Lina's lashes fluttered when she closed her eyes, savoring his comforting voice. She was beginning to grow sleepy in her dark room.

"I do," Lina mumbled.

"Two words I've always wanted to hear from you," Kaden mused. "Just not in this context."

Lina's heart skipped. Pitter. Patter. Maybe she was getting heart disease from him. Despite how aggravating he was, his attention was growing on her. She hummed in response.

"Dove?" Kaden called, realizing her voice was growing distant with each passing second.

Kaden imagined she was in bed now, even though it was still early at night. Not even the birds were folding their wings to sleep. They were just beginning their meal.

"Eden?" Lina responded, yawning under her breath as she hugged her knees tighter. Maybe he was the key to not getting nightmares.

"What an awful nickname. Are you sure you graduated from the top of your classes?" Kaden retorted, doubtful of her grades, but never her accomplishments. He knew she was capable of great things. She always had been.

"You think it's terrible, but I think it's terrific," Lina grumbled. "Doesn't Kaden sound like Eden to you?"

Kaden let out a loud sigh. This woman and her unusual antics. "No, it doesn't."

"Hmm… in my opinion, it does," Lina said, her voice drifting into the distance.

Lina was growing sleepy. His voice was a warm blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She wondered when this realization dawned on her. She just hoped she wouldn't get too used to listening to his voice before sleeping.

"Well, your opinion is wrong," Kaden deadpanned. He settled his glass of whiskey down, deciding he didn't need it anymore. Just this conversation was enough.

"No, it's not," Lina's voice slurred.

"Dove?" Kaden mused, realizing she was beginning to fall asleep on him. Did she like the sound of him that much?

Something stirred within Kaden. Soon, she'd listen to it every night, in his arms, when she drifted to sleep. He wouldn't have it any other way. His woman would sleep in the same bed as him, under the same blanket, and tucked beside his body.

"Eden… I'm tired," Lina admitted.

"Really now?" Kaden teased.

"Really, really."

"Then don't hang up the phone," Kaden instructed, wanting to hear her soft snores.

Kaden wondered if she knew she drooled in her sleep. She'd probably be mortified. He wanted to be the one to tell her that. He wanted to see her horrified expression. He wanted to witness the redness reach her cheeks and stain her ears.

"I take it back…" Lina said. She snuggled into her chair, unable to fight off her sleep.

"Take what back, dear dove?"

"You're not Mr. Stalker… You're Mr. Creep," Lina huffed.

"Why not Dear Stalker or Dear Creep?" Kaden snorted. "Not like it'd offend me any less."

"Heh…" Lina chuckled, delirious from her exhaustion. "How about Dear Immortal Tyrant?"

Kaden rolled his eyes. "Sounds like the beginning of a letter dedicated to me, instead of a loving nickname."

Lina hummed. "See to it as you deem fit…"

Lina could no longer fight off her sleep. She drifted off into dreamland, comforted by the sound of his distant voice. Though he was not with her right now, she felt like he was.

"Dove?" Kaden muttered.

Lina didn't respond.

Kaden simply smiled. He imagined her sleeping face. The part of her lips, the squeeze of her eyes, and her small movements. Absolutely adorable. He didn't want to disturb her, but he stayed on the line.

Kaden listened to her soft breathing. Soon, there was a quiet snore. Kaden suppressed a laugh, even though his lips were struggling to hide the smile.

"Goodnight, sweet dove of mine," Kaden whispered, hanging up the phone call. He relaxed on the chair. A ghost of a smile lingered on his face.

Indeed, it was a good night.