SMITTEN

Meanwhile, on the Western Seas:

"What are you doing here?" Lady Marina asked Lycano in surprise.

She immediately turned her face away. But it was only to don a piece of robe over her.

She was sitting on the sands staring at nothingness when he came to see her. The waves were lapping on her feet and skirt, but she didn't mind.

Her long emerald green curly hair cascaded over her back to the sands where she was sitting.

She doesn't need to use her magic to lure anyone. Beholding her is enough for anyone to be entranced and be lured into her lair.

Lycano drew in a deep breath as he recalled his purpose for why he was there.

It may seem absurd if it was not true. But he still must confirm it for himself.

He bowed down to her before he sat down beside her.

"You left early the other night, my lady," he blurted out as he stared at the horizon.

'This part of Gaea has a magnificent view,' he thought.

This is the part where most of the mermaids gather. They were known to seclude themselves and only arose if needed.

He could even see some playing in the waters at a distance.

"Do you remember?" she stuttered as she turned her face towards him. 

Her bountiful chest heaved up and down as if she was perturbed at that moment.

Seeing her acted that way made his pulse palpitate as well.

The ocean breeze passed through them, letting his sensitive nose smell the familiar smell of his sheets.

Instantly, he sensed a warm feeling in his abdomen as flashes of his dream came running to his mind.

'Is it really her? I can't believe it.'

She was biting her lips as if she felt nervous. And he seldom saw her in that state.

"I thought it was just a dream. Have we really -"

He couldn't even utter it aloud. His tongue felt like it was twisted, and he cannot continue on with what he was saying.

He has not heard of her flirting around with men, whether it was her same kind or not. 

He would understand it if she was like that. But she isn't.

Her body glowed and turned transparent, showing that she was having thick emotions at that moment.

"It was nothing. We were both drunk," She waved her hand in the air nonchalantly.

He didn't know if she was just trying to make the situation casual. Or it really meant nothing to her.

He gazed at her as her body continued to glow. The waves were quite loud as they lapped the seashore. 

But his heartbeats were louder to his ears than them. 

Even with the cold air coming from the seas, he was sweating profusely.

He recalled romping hard on her, satisfying himself to ease his pain. 

What did she think about it? He should have been careful if he knew it was not a dream. 

He didn't know what he would feel at that moment.

Lycano was both apologetic, but delighted and disappointed all the same time. 

He didn't mean to use her. But he was thrilled that he was able to make love with one of his fantasies before. 

He didn't know if he would be disappointed that it wasn't Lady Aisha. Or if because he was not cautious that it was all real.

"Forgive me for my recklessness, my lady. I deeply regret what I have done," he said sincerely.

He didn't want to have a bad relationship with her because of it.

It wasn't the first time that they partnered together in achieving a goal. And he needs her now more than ever.

Lady Marina was playing on the seashells beside her when he said that.

But she paused when he said those words.

"You deeply regret it?" She reiterated before standing up and dusting her skirt.

"Don't worry, you're not a good replacement for the King either," she blurted out before she immediately pivoted around and dashed to the sea.

He could hear the swoosh of air that came out from her nose as she balled up her fists while marching back to her real home.

'Why was she getting angry all of a sudden? And I am not a good replacement for the King?' He growled at just the thought.

He quickly ran after her and grabbed her arm.

"Why are you getting mad at me? And what do you mean by that? Am I lesser than the King?"

He could feel his anger surging within him. His bronze eyes were glaring, and his fangs were attempting to come out.

He doesn't like being compared with the King, much less in a lesser way.

Fortunately, Lady Marina was as equally strong as him that she wasn't intimidated at all.

She fought with the eye stare as her jade eyes fired up while shooting a death stare at him. "Why, did I just stroke your pride? You did it first," she seethed as she gritted her teeth.

Lycano's eyebrows knitted together as he thought out loud. "When did I hit your pride?" 

Then his eyes went wide open as it dawned on him. "You didn't like it that I regret it, do you? Do you want me to say that I enjoyed having sex with you?" 

A corner of his lips lifted into a wicked smile as his face brightened up.

"Why don't we try it, sober, this time, my lady?" He pulled her closer to him as he sniffed her neck.

Yes, that was indeed the scent that was on his bed.

He can't believe that he just had sex with the most aloof lady of the Gaean seas!

Lady Marina's face turned beetle red as she tilted her head and pulled away from her grasp.

"No, it's not that," she stuttered. "I told you're no match for the King."

She then ran towards the seas and quickly transformed into her mermaid form before diving in the waters.

Lycano was left alone. But he was not angry nor dismayed. He was challenged. 

Hea would prove to her that he is a match to the King. And even better.

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"It's nice to look back on your life and see things as lessons, and not regrets."

- Rihanna.