(refresh prev page)

Xhemin and Darryl returned to the Pearl Haven even before anyone could notice their absence. As they arrived, Xhemin went immediately to their mud room and place the three pots of Acamilla Apparaus in the corner where the sun could reach it. In a while she sat beside the plant while she read the notes about it that she took from the Devil's lure.

​​

The Little Miss was half way through her reading when she noticed Darryl's presence at the door. She waited for him to call her, but it seemed that he had no plans on disturbing her readings and was only there to watch her quietly.

"Are you not going to the village today?" Xhemin asked while her eyes were still on the notes. She anticipated an answer from him but the Lagdameo heir didn't say a word.

Xhemin heaved a sigh, was Darryl still mad?

She remembered their arguments prior to going to the Devil's lure and knew how it ended unpleasantly.

"You still mad?" She asked, this time she put down her notes and looked at him.

Darryl looked back at her, carefully studying his wife's face for a while before he answered, "I am,"

Xhemin swallowed her guilt. She knew she was wrong for not asking his permission first prior to leaving and the fact that she had kept it a secret from him.

As she didn't know to handle his husband's action at that time, she opted to change the topic to make the mood a little lighter. "How did you know I was leaving by the way?"

"Is that even a question?" Darryl let out frustrated sigh as he leaned at the door, crossed armed. "Do you take me for fool milady?"

"Of course not!" Xhemin tried to deny his words but her words were gentle than their previous conversation. This time, she dared not to met his anger since she wanted to appease him. "How could even someone take a Lagdameo heir for a fool? That had never once crossed my mind"

There was a long pause after Xhemin spoke. Both of them stared at each other, carefully seeking something in the depths of their eyes that only they could understand. Most of the times, when they had a disagreement, it would only take a look from both before the misunderstanding disappears, as if their eyes could see through what they both wanted and feel.

"You kept asking about when the boat will be finished," Darryl revealed. The first time Xhemin asked him about the boat, he thought she was just excited about it but when she kept repeating the question every day, he already suspected that something wasn't right.

"Did I?" Xhemin put a hand on her mouth. She certainly didn't notice that such a little mishap would mess up her plans.

Darryl shook his head in response. He saw how Xhemin's expression changed, as she chided herself quietly.

"Well…seemed that I wasn't that careful, and you were too observant," She concluded, still upset on how she had been complacent with the fact. Darryl was right somehow when he said she had taken him for a fool, if not, then she should have not been that complacent with her plans.

"There's another thing," Darryl added just when Xhemin thought that was everything.

"Huh?" Xhemin's head formed lines with this. "What thing?"

"Do you not remember what you did prior to leaving?" Darryl tried to remind her while he made full strides toward her.

Xhemin swallowed a mouthful. Of course, she knew what she did that night and that probably was the most shameless thing she did in their entire marriage life.

Before Xhemin could utter other words to dismiss their recent conversation, Darryl was already in his knees in front of her. Since she was sitting on a bench, their gaze leveled and Xhemin could already feel her stomach fluttered.

"Should I remind you what you did?" Darryl added, much to Xhemin's shame. "You lured me to bed… and you made love to me…twice…" He said in a tempting whisper and Xhemin's nerves already went out of control.

Right then, Darryl started kissing her temple, down to her ears and her bare neck. Xhemin could not help but close her eyes, lavished herself with the feeling of his hot kisses. After that intense argument they had, she suddenly needed his warmth and caress. She wanted his touch, his arms, his hardness and most of all his passion for her.

"Tatta, its still early for this," In her most gentle voice, Xhemin tried to protest although she didn't mean such words. When it comes to making love with him, even time cannot restrict their urges. Darryl's warmth against her skin was so addicting and she would always crave for it anytime of the day.

"Make up with me," Darryl whispered while giving her little bites on the ears. His voice was husky and urgent, as if he was in dire need for her touch.

Xhemin clung to Darryl's arms but before she could lost drown into his touch, someone called from the outside.

"Brother Dee!" The call seemed to be from Baruk Tam. "Brother Dee!"

Darryl immediately withdrew his kisses, much to Xhemin's frustration. She really wanted to make up with him, but their unwanted guest cannot be kept waiting.

"Perhaps later," Darryl whispered which Xhemin answered only with a nod. The Hero of Somer Isles rose from where he was and went to attend to their little visitor who was already in their living room.

"Baruk Tam," Darryl approached him, "Is there any problem?"

"Hello brother," The boy's face brightened when he showed up. "A messenger came this morning from the central village,"

"Does the message concern me?" Darryl inquired curious what could have sent the Baruk into his home unannounced.

"Yes," The boy answered, "You had been summoned to the central village by the Chieftain. Horses were also sent, and you are to leave this afternoon with the Guntas,"

The news came in as a surprise, but the shock didn't make it into the Lagdameo heir's face.

"Okay, I'll go and prepare for the journey then," Darryl responded as if he was not at all wondering as to what business does the Chieftain had with him this time. Perhaps the old man was in need and he'll go and find out what it was.