Mir̃alai avoided speaking with the twins again over the next few days. There had been occasions when Aym tried to approach her, but she brushed him off. She did not wish to hear any of his excuses for this foul betrayal. While it was true she had begun the relationship fully understanding Aym's position, she had thought that another attempt on her life at the hands of his Master might have changed things. She truly would not have minded his service to Narinder had it not been for this most recent attack. It felt as if her lover chose to side with the Bishop over her, as if his actions were forgivable or understandable. It made her feel as if she did not matter. The Lamb had strong feelings for Aym, that was undeniable, and that is why it hurt so badly. It was also why she could not see him. She could not bear to have him and watch him go. Not after the way Narinder had left her. The day of the servant's departure came far too soon. Unable and unwilling to give her goodbye, she began to pack her things well before dawn. She called upon Caxton, summoning the gray hare to her bedroom in this late hour of the night. The rabbit, as always, swiftly appeared in her doorway. He looked a little concerned as he eyed the hiking bag sitting on her bed.

"I'm going on a crusade." She said quietly, stuffing her thickest quilt into her bag. "I want you to watch things… Call Nykka if you need help."

"Leader…" Caxton began tentatively, stepping into her room. "You shouldn't leave without seeing him, really. I think you'll regret it…"

"I am regretting it, Caxton." Mir̃alai's voice wavered, and she tried to cover it with a small cough.

"He cares for you, Leader."

"He doesn't care, not enough." She sighed. "I am so tired of this. I deserve better."

"Please don't leave…" Caxton pleaded.

"I can't do it anymore!" She finally snapped, turning to look at the rabbit, tears falling down her cheeks. "I am never enough! I was not enough for Narinder, and now I am not enough for Aym! He is going to leave me, and go back to serve Narinder! Serve the man who tried to kill his brother, who tried to kill me! Twice! He does not care about me, all he cares about is his fucking honor. I will not stand for it." She snatched her bag off the bed, and pulled it onto her shoulder. "I need to be wanted by someone."

"But, Leader! We want you, I want you. Surely you see that we love you." Mir̃alai shook her head and tried in vain to wipe her tears away.

"You don't understand, Caxton… I'm not talking about familial love, I know you are my family. But, I desire a partner. I want to be loved in that way." Caxton's brow furrowed, he seemed like he had some argument left in him. Mir̃alai sighed, "I will not be gone long. Only a day, or two so I can clear my head. That's all."

"Leader, I…"

"Please, Caxton, just watch things for me." She walked past him, but was stopped abruptly when Caxton grabbed her by the hand. Mir̃alai looked back at him, exhausted with the arguing.

"I- I love you."

"I love you too, Caxton. This is not about you, or any of the other Followers, I promise."

"N- No, no." The rabbit shook his head, "I love you, really I do. I… I want you. I always have." Realization dawned on the Lamb. She stared at Caxton, and he stared back. His face had lit up behind his light gray fur, and his eyes were pleading.

"Oh… Oh, Caxton." Mir̃alai frowned and squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry, but I do not feel the same. I do love you, I care deeply for you, but not in that way. You're like a brother to me." He released her hand and nodded.

"I knew that…" A somber smile appeared on his face. "I guess I just needed to hear it… Leader, I want you to be happy. I really think Aym could make you happy if you let him."

"I appreciate your concerns, but I am still going. I will return soon. Goodbye, Caxton." She gave a small wave and left the temple.

Mir̃alai walked past the gates, and through the doorway that opened to Darkwood. She wanted to go somewhere peaceful. Darkwood had its hostile creatures, and lingering cultists like every other Domain, but they were weaker and spread farther apart. She traveled along the winding forest paths, defeating the worms and various small enemies as she went. She happened upon a small ruin and decided to rest there for a while before continuing on. Her ultimate plan was to go to Leshy's temple deep in the heart of Darkwood. She would stay there for a day, or so, clear her head, and return to her Cult. Mir̃alai set her bag down and leaned against the ruin wall with a sigh. Dawn had broken, and judging by the sun's position high in the sky, it was nearly noon. Aym and Baal should have returned to Narinder's Domain hours ago. She sighed, and she wondered if Aym would bother returning to see her at all after the way she ignored him. Mir̃alai was conflicted by this query. Part of her prayed he would, yet another part of her hoped he wouldn't. The Lamb was about to sit down when she was alerted by the sound of heavy footsteps in the treeline. Her crown shifted to the shape of a sword, and she gripped it in preparation. The dense foliage was broken to reveal Aym. She stared at him in disbelief, and her crown returned to her head.

"Did you follow me?"

"Yes. Caxton told me you intended to leave…" Aym approached her, resting his staff against the wall. She shook her head, turning away from him.

"Just go, Aym. Narinder needs you." She reached down to grab her bag, but Aym took hold of her shoulder, having her turn back.

"I cannot leave without saying goodbye." Mir̃alai rolled her eyes.

"Goodbye then."

"Mir̃alai…"

"No, Aym. I will not let you do this to me, your Master did this to me already. I am not doing it again."

"I don't want to leave you, I am not abandoning you like he did. I care about you." Something inside her just snapped. She pulled her hand back and slapped Aym hard across the face.

"Don't lie to me! You don't care about me! If you cared, you wouldn't go back to him! You're choosing the man who tried to kill us over me! How can you claim to care for me and do something like that?! You were only using me, and now you're going to toss me aside like nothing!" She tried to storm away from him, but was stopped when he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back against the ruin wall. When she glared up into his face, she saw he had no anger in his expression. Rather, he looked sad.

"Please listen to me… I would never use anyone, especially you. I do care about you, it hurts me to leave you, Mir̃alai… I want to stay, truly I do. But I cannot. I wish you would appreciate the position I am in."

"I don't, Aym. You're going to be gone for weeks at a time, and I'll be alone."

"I know and I feel terrible about that." He frowned, "I should leave you, I should let you move on to find someone who can be there for you all the time, but I just… I am selfish. I want you badly, and not for sex, Mir̃alai. That has little to do with anything. I want you, I want to be with you, to hold you, to protect you. I love you…" He admitted quietly. He went on in a more stern tone, "The only way I will leave you, is if you tell me to leave you." He loosened his hold on her shoulders. "Now that you have finally listened to what I have been trying to tell you, I leave the decision in your hands."

"Love me…?" She muttered weakly, "How could you love me, Aym? We've hardly had any time together."

"I've loved you far longer than we've been together. I tried to be professional, to keep my feelings to myself. Truthfully, I fell in love with you before Master left. Do you think I would defy his orders for just anyone?" She shook her head, and silent tears dripped down her face. Aym felt her cheek, and gently brushed the tears away with a thumb. "I love you for your strength, your kindness, your bravery, your intelligence, your beauty… You are the most amazing creature I have had the pleasure to know." A weak smile appeared on Mir̃alai's face, and she slipped her arms over his shoulders, pulling him down to rest her forehead against his.

"Promise you won't leave me, Aym. Swear it. Because I don't think my heart can take it."

"I promise." He said softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "No matter how long I am gone, or how far away I may have to be, my home will always be with you." Mir̃alai tilted her head up to press a deep kiss to his lips. He returned it, and reached down to support her butt as he lifted her. Mir̃alai squeezed her thighs against his hips, her back against the ruin wall. Aym deepened the kiss, pressing against her. When Mir̃alai finally broke the moment she huffed a small laugh.

"I love you too…" The Lamb admitted with a smile.

"I had hoped so." He chuckled, "Where was it you planned to go?"

"I was going to go to Leshy's Temple." Aym nodded and gently lowered her to the ground. He grabbed her hiking bag for her, slinging it over his shoulder before taking his staff.

"It is not far, we should arrive before sunset."

"What…?" She looked up at him, her brow furrowed in confusion. "You and Baal are meant to leave today, you should have left already."

"Master does not know that… Baal said he would wait for me this time, one more day won't hurt." He smiled and leaned to kiss her head sweetly. Mir̃alai smiled brightly.

"Very well, if you're sure."

"I am…"

Aym and Mir̃alai continued along the path that would lead them to the abandoned temple. Between the two of them, they had ample fighting prowess. Taking care of the feeble creatures standing in their way was effortless. As promised, they arrived at Leshy's Temple just before sunset. The massive structure had a hauntingly beautiful quality to it. Moss and vines had grown along the decrepit stone blocks that made up the temple walls. Broken stained glass windows glittered in the fiery evening sun. Mir̃alai stepped forward, pushing open the large wooden doors so they may take refuge inside. Once safely within the sanctum, Aym closed the doors. The room was illuminated by a hole in the ceiling where the roof had caved in, allowing a shaft of orange light to stream in. A curtain of moss hung from the hole, blooming flowers clinging to it. Aym looked around the temple with a nod of approval.

"I see why you wanted to come here… It is serene."

"Much more serene with Leshy and Witness Agares gone." She commented with a chuckle. Mir̃alai held out her hand for her bag, and Aym obliged. The Lamb plopped down on the stone floor, unclasping the straps.

"And you are sure nothing will get in?"

"Quite sure." She pulled her quilt from the bag. "The mindless worms are too weak to penetrate it, and the cultists respect the temple too much to risk harming it." Mir̃alai stood, unfurling the quilt to lay it flat on the ground. She glanced up as Aym walked along the walls, setting the sconces ablaze so light would remain even as the sun dipped beneath the horizon. She sat down on the soft quilt, and Aym joined her, putting his arm around her shoulders. The Lamb leaned against him, watching the flickering shadows along the walls. "Have you spoken to Forneus since your return?" Aym looked at her, surprised by this very sudden mention of his mother.

"I… Er, no. I haven't had the opportunity."

"You haven't seen her since you were a child, yes?"

"Correct, the day of our sacrifice was the last time we saw her."

"She may not know you're back at all, Aym. You should visit her. Baal too, of course."

"Ah, I don't know… It has been too long."

"She's your mother, Aym. She will want to see you." The Lamb reasoned. He sighed heavily.

"Very well, we shall pay her a visit next time we are free. I will speak to Baal about it, I am sure he will agree to accompany us."

"I think she's a lovely woman, she is always so kind when I happen upon her traveling shop."

"Yes, I agree. It was terrible to be taken from her. I only hesitate because it has been so long, and I do not wish to open any wounds that she may have healed. Any visitation we give her will undoubtedly be brief, and far between. I would hate to cause her further grief."

"You won't, hun." She kissed his cheek and rested her head against his shoulder. Aym laid his head against hers.

"We only had our mother, we always traveled; the three of us. As I understand it, your life was quite different. You had a larger family."

"I did." She nodded a bit. "I had my family, and a whole flock. All sheep." Mir̃alai's tone had become low, leveled. Aym could sense her pain and rubbed her back gently.

"If it is too painful, I understand… But, I'd like to know about them." She went silent for a long time as she considered the request.

"I… lived with my mother, my father, and my two siblings." She began quietly. "My mother, Merida, was warm, and gentle. My father, Cahir, was our protector. He was among the warriors of the flock. We lived in Anura, and as you know, Anura is extremely hostile. Most of the men took on the role when they came of age. I was the oldest of my siblings. It was my sister, Lydie, our younger brother, Arlynn, and me. The entire flock was very close-knit. Most of us were kin, as we did not spread out or breed with other creatures. We'd rather live amongst each other as a small community. The men protected us, the women foraged for food, the children helped with the fieldwork. When-" she paused, taking a breath. "When Heket ordered the slaughter of my people, everything we knew came to an end. The cultists came to us without warning, hundreds of them. For not only were we attacked by Heket's disciples, but all the Followers of the other Bishops came for us too. It was a massacre. My father joined the fight, and he told my mother to take us and run. I knew he would die, I had come of age and I begged to stay so I could try to save him. Mother refused. She had to drag me away from our hut, and it wasn't until I saw my father speared through that I finally gave in to her demands. We managed to avoid capture for two weeks. But, our efforts were in vain. The cultists came in the night, and I woke as my mother screamed. She told me to take my siblings and run away, I was to protect them. I did not hesitate that time despite my concerns for Mother, my siblings needed me. I picked up my little brother and ran with my sister. Unfortunately, we did get far. I don't know why they did it, perhaps it was just to torment me, but the cultists ripped my brother from my arms, and forced me to watch as they slit their throats." Her voice broke.

"Mir̃alai, you… you needn't say anything more." Aym said tenderly as he put his other arm around her, holding her against his chest.

"I know you two thought I accepted Narinder's deal to save my own life." She muttered, and shook her head, "I took it for revenge. I didn't care about myself, in all honesty I would have preferred death at the time. But, I saw a chance to kill the Bishops and avenge my people. I took it."

"I never realized how badly this affected you, I should have known. I am… I am so sorry that happened to you, Mir̃alai." He kissed her head, keeping her in a secure embrace.

"After a while, it stopped being revenge. I grew my cult as Narinder asked me to, and in doing so, I created another family. Another flock, but this time I would have the power to keep them safe. Having them healed me, filled that aching hole in my chest. I was finally able to let go of that hate, and be the Leader they needed me to be."

"It takes exceptional strength to move on from such an intense trauma. I admire you."

"Thank you." She sighed, pulling away from him. "It is… oddly soothing to speak of it. I never have."

"I am always willing to lend an ear." He kissed her forehead. She smiled.

"I appreciate that, Aym…" She chuckled, "Let us talk about something else, yes?"

"That sounds fine." He agreed, untying his robes. He slipped them off, along with his tunic and laid back against the plush quilt. Aym offered his arm to Mir̃alai who instantly obliged, laying beside him and cuddling against his chest.

"Before I left, Caxton declared his love for me."

"Oh?" Aym chuckled, "I wondered when he would have the nerve to admit it to you."

"You knew?"

"Of course. As intelligent as you are, I am surprised you did not catch on. It was rather obvious."

"He did not behave much differently than the other Followers. More persistent, perhaps."

"He followed you around like a child."

"Exactly, a child. Not a lover."

"What about the way he looked at you? The unyielding admiration. He always lit up the moment you spoke to him."

"I suppose…" She muttered, sounding a bit embarrassed. "Be that as it may, I let him down gently. He understood, I believe he only wanted closure."

"I am pleased you gave that to him. We may butt heads on occasion, but I feel for him."

"You are too sweet." She lifted her head to kiss his cheek. Aym caught her before she could lay her head back down, kissing her lips gently. It was broken for only a moment before she kissed him passionately in return. She shifted, pressing her body against his. Aym recognized this signal, and acted accordingly. He broke the kiss and sat up just enough to move Mir̃alai onto her back. Aym moved so he would be over her, between her legs.

"I love you…" He said softly, resting a hand against her cheek.

"I love you too…" She smiled warmly up at him, her hands running over his chest. One of her hands had drifted down dangerously close to the hem of his trousers. When her fingers glided along the strings, he assisted her in removing them. This time, when he prepared to enter her, it felt different. Somehow, more intimate. She blushed darkly, and took hold of his shoulders. Aym leaned down, kissing her forehead.

"Are you ready…?" He asked softly, wrapping an arm around her. Mir̃alai hugged him close, nuzzling against his neck.

"Yes…" Aym pushed into her slowly, and a soft huff escaped the Lamb, her hips shifting to more easily accommodate him. He began to thrust slowly and deeply, holding her tightly against his chest as he did so. "Aym…~" She breathed. He did not quicken his pace this time. Instead, he kept to his intimate, slow movements. She moaned sweetly by his ear, her back arching high. He buried his face against her shoulder.

"Mir̃alai~ You're everything to me…" Aym huffed, thrusting a bit harder, but maintaining the pace. "I need you in my life."

"I- I need you too." She squeezed him tight. "You swear you won't leave?"

"Never." He grunted. She wrapped her legs around him, allowing him to ram her more deeply. The feeling of his twitching member filling her was incredible. A loud moan escaped her, and he kissed her cheek. "I will always come back for you." Mir̃alai pulled back enough to look up at him. Tears were in her eyes, yet she smiled. Aym's words meant more to her than he could ever imagine.

"I trust you…" Aym smiled in return and kissed her lovingly. She could feel her climax mounting in the form of a fire deep within her. He grunted against the kiss, shifting to find her sweet spot. When the tip of his erection pressed in just the right place, it was like fireworks. Her pent up orgasm hit her immediately and with such force she yelled out in pleasure. Aym did not let up, continuing to fuck her as her orgasm rocked her. The way he continued to pound her even as her orgasm released its grip made her squirm. She had become so incredibly sensitive in the aftermath, and was nearly unable to take the intense feeling. Mir̃alai cursed loudly, gripping his shoulders tightly in her tremulous hands. Despite her overstimulation, she found herself begging for more. Aym seemed more than happy to oblige, picking up his pace at long last. As much as she adored the slow and intimate way he had been making love to her, she was desperate for the world-shattering pounding he had treated her to on their first night together. She screamed for him, her pleasure-filled voice echoing in the large room as a second orgasm overtook her more powerfully than its predecessor. Aym huffed and sat up, pushing her legs back to ram her with incredible force. He hooked his arms around her thighs to hold her steady so she could not squirm away from him. Loud, unintelligible moans escaped her. She could not think properly, let alone form a sentence. She gripped the quilt tightly in her fists as a third orgasm besieged her senses. By that point, she had melted into a slurry of pants, moans, and screams. Just as she thought she truly may not be able to take anymore, Aym slammed into her. She could feel his erection twitch madly as it released thick streams of cum into her. He gave a final few uneven thrusts as his climax drew to a close. He panted as he released her legs and slowly pulled out of her. He looked down upon her, and she smiled breathlessly. He smiled in return, reaching a hand down to feel her cheek.

"I love you…" He purred. She nuzzled against his hand.

"I love you too…"