<h4>Chapter 255 - An Immortal</h4>


    "It''s toote," Lina finally confessed. "Far toote."


    At the exact moment, a quiet knock echoed throughout the room. Theodore entered, bowed his head, and pretended not to see the kneeling man on the ground professing his love for their Madam. Theodore pretended it was an everyday urrence. With how beautiful their Madam was, he was certain this happened more than once.


    "Your chamomile tea, Madam, and for our deranged guest," Theodore exined, cing the porcin tray down. "Apanying it are finger biscuits and cookies."


    Antis dryly nced at the aging butler, who had never once looked at him. Without another word, Theodore bowed again and exited the room quietly.


    "I meant what I said," Lina informed Antis. She yanked her hand back. "It''s toote. Enjoy your tea and leave."


    "Lina—"


    "Now."


    Lina wasn''t sure if she was repulsed by his confession or heartbroken by his expression. He resembled a wounded puppy. This man was attempting to appear as docile as amb, but neither one of them believed that. He was one of the most ferocious men she knew. A raven would be a better description for him.


    It humored Lina.


    A dove, a raven, and a hawk. Two predators and one prey.


    "Let my heart bleed on the ground then," Antis suddenly said.


    Lina''s eyes shed. He rose to his feet, grabbed her violently by the shoulders, his gaze trembling. She struggled in his grasp, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest. She was worried he''d do something. He looked like a mad man. She thought he''d hit her, maybe. Or be a cliched scorned lover—force a kiss.


    Antis looked her dead in the eye. She froze, the breath leaving her lungs. Despite the heartbreak in his stare, he didn''t do anything. It was almost as if he was searching her eyes for the truth. That maybe, just maybe, a part of her loved him beyond a friendship. When he received the answer he wanted, he waspletely shattered by it.


    Lina had to make her feelings clear to him, especially at this moment. He deserved the truth.


    "I never sent you the invite," Lina said. "I love the man on the invitation. I love him so much, I''m willing to pour my heart on the ground for him to stomp on. I love him beyond words, I love him, Antis, and nothing you do or say can convince me otherwise."


    "But something he does or says can convince you of otherwise," Antis suddenly told her, watching as she wavered in confusion.


    Antis believed he knew something she did not. He knew Kaden was immortal. He knew a human girl like her would never be able to ept that. He wondered if she knew all Pure-Bloods possessed an ability. And Kaden was no exception.


    "Would you have loved me if he never came into the picture?" Antis shot back.


    "I think I loved him long before I knew of his existence."


    At this, Antis waspletely broken beyond repair. His heart couldn''t even be considered bleeding. The poor thing was stomped into thousands of tiny shards that could never be ced back together. His throat tightened. His chest pricked. He felt an ufortable weight on his shoulders.


    Antis let out a shaky breath, released her, and then, did something she never thought he would. Antis hung his head in defeat.


    "I''ll never stop loving you, even if there is a bullet through my heart," Antis softly said.


    Then, without another word, Antis turned and headed for the door. Lina watched his figure leave, tall and broad. He could shoulder the world, but not a heartbreak. She didn''t realize, in this exact moment, that she was his world. And without it, he was nothing.


    "If you ever need me," Antis said, from the doorway, ncing back for a final moment. "I''m always a phone call away, Lina. Always."


    Lina doubted there would ever be a moment she''d call him for help. Why would she? It wasn''t like Kaden was going to betray her. She felt the ring on her finger burn.


    Antis saw her gaze. She lowered her head to look at her ring. He could barely keep hisposure. She was so beautiful, she stole the breath from his lungs, and bled him dry. Her hair cascaded softly over her shoulders and down her back. She revealed a slither of her neck, long and lean like a graceful swan. Hershes fluttered when her fingers, thin like jade, brushed the ruby ring. His heart ached. She had grown up and changed, whilst he remained the boy that held her hand and pulled her from the bullies.


    "Don''t let the door hit you on the way out," Lina sardonically said.


    "There will never be a goodbye between us," Antis suddenly dered. "I will always be here for you, even if you do not need me to."


    At this moment, Lina knew one thing. Lina could murder Antis a thousand times, and he''d never lift a weapon to her. The truth shattered her.


    - - - - -


    When Antis departed from the living room, he was met with the final boss. The man stood by the entrance, a hand on his tie, and the other resting on his side. Kaden was deathly still. He wore a detached and distant expression, his skin pale, and his features sharp.


    At the sight of Antis, Kaden''s eyes didn''t even change. Instead, he went back to loosening his tie. Neither man said anything, despite the fiery tension in the air.


    Kaden didn''t need to say anything. He didn''t need to warn Antis to stay away from his woman. He was self-assured that he had Lina in his grasp. She was in his arms, not another man''s.


    "You better cherish her whilst you still can," Antis said whilst brushing past him. "You may have her now, but I''ve known her longer than you have."


    Kaden couldn''t even refute that im. Long before the Seventh Prince of Ritan met Lina, An was by her side. Perhaps that was what infuriated Kaden. The fact that another man had her first.


    Without warning, Kaden grabbed Antis by the cor. He yanked him close, his eyes burning a lethal red. Antis let out a bark ofughter, despite not being amused.


    "Killing you would be like child''s y," Kaden murmured.


    "Does she still make that little noise?" Antis taunted.


    Kaden''s eyes shed. He knew exactly what Antis was talking about.


    "Little?" Kaden repeated with a sardonic and sly smile. "All she does is scream."


    At this, Antis'' expression became murderous. His jaw tightened, despite provoking Kaden first.


    "You son of a—" Antis controlled himself. He willed every cell in his body to calm down. This was not his n.


    "I know you''re immortal," Antis suddenly said.


    Kaden let out a softugh. The doors in front of him clicked open. He made eye contact with Lina. Her face paled as if she was caught red-handed cheating on him. Then, without warning, he mmed his fist into Antis'' face.


    Lina let out a scream as Antis staggered backward, blood dripping down his nose, his lip split on the spot. But she remained frozen in ce, not racing to his aid. That was all Kaden needed to know. That was all either man needed to see.


    Antis supposed he deserved that punch for attempting to take Lina with him. Instead of saying anything, Antis let out a cunningugh. Kaden might''ve gotten thest hit, but Antis won the war.. He had found what the King of Wraith wanted all along—an immortal.