THE SECRET (The Power Of Love Conquers All)
CHAPTRE 18

Jacelyn felt grateful that Ailean was not paying attention to her right now. The girl was still shaking from Ailean's kiss earlier, and was also amazed by her own passionate response. It was something very amazing and frightening that he had ever experienced.

Jacelyn wants more. But, he thought Ailean did not want the same thing. The man had not said a word. However, from the way Ailean pulled herself roughly from him and the look of anger that was visible from the man's eyes, it showed Jacelyn that Ailean was not happy with the thing they had just done.

Jacelyn suddenly felt very inferior and also very embarrassed. Then, he felt like shouting as hard as possible to vent his feelings and pride that had been hurt. His eyes were filled with tears. The girl tried to take a deep breath to be able to control the emotions within her.

After a few minutes, the vibration on his body began to decrease. And Jacelyn began to think that she would win this war with her feelings that were very confusing, if Ailean hurt her feelings again.

Ailean stopped her dark horse beside Azril's brown horse. And before Jacelyn knew what she was up to, the man rudely threw Jacelyn over Azril's lap without even looking at her.

Jacelyn was surprised, however, it did not last long. Let it. If indeed Ailean did not want to get in touch with her, then Jacelyn would accept it well. The girl even refused to look towards Ailean. Carefully, Jacelyn adjusted her skirt, kept her eyes down, and prayed to God that Ailean would not see her face blushing. The girl felt as if her face was burning.

Ailean took over the front position. Garfie pointed her dark horse behind the Emperor, then Jacelyn and Azril followed behind. Sgaire was once again in residence to protect in the back.

"Are you cold, Jacelyn?"

Azril whispered the question near his ear. The worry is clearly there.

"No" answered Jacelyn.

"Then why are you shaking?"

"Because I'm cold."

Jacelyn realized that the answer was absurd and sighed softly. If Azril thinks that he doesn't make sense, that guy is good enough not to say it. Azril did not say a word to Jacelyn all afternoon. And Jacelyn did the same.

It seemed, Jacelyn also could not feel at ease in Azril's embrace. His back touched Azril's chest several times. But, he was not comfortable enough to lean on the man.

At night, Jacelyn felt so tired that she could barely open her eyes. They stopped at a beautiful cottage with walls of small stones and a thatched roof, located on the side of the mountain. Dense vines covered the south of the building and the rocky road led them towards the barn, which was very close to the front door of the cottage.

A gray man with a thick beard and broad shoulders, was standing in front of the entrance.he smiled in welcome and rushed out.

Jacelyn saw a woman standing at the entrance. She has been standing behind her husband ever since. But, as the man advanced forward, the woman immediately retreated into the shadows.

"We're going through our night here" Azril said. Then get off the horse and put out a hand to help Jacelyn. "You're gonna get a roof for shelter and a good rest tonight, Jacelyn."

Jacelyn nodded. Azril, is a man full of love.Jacelyn breaks up in the heart. The man helped Jacelyn down, but he didn't let go of Jacelyn. Azril knew that Jacelyn would fall if she let him go. The man did not bring up Jacelyn's deplorable state, and he even allowed Jacelyn to hold on to his hand so that Jacelyn could stop her trembling legs. Azril's hand gripped Jacelyn's waist, and Jacelyn knew that the man could feel her trembling.

"Remove your hands from her, Azril."

Ailean's heavy voice rang out from behind Jacelyn. Azril released Jacelyn. Jacelyn's legs are shaking. Ailean instantly caught him from behind just as Jacelyn was about to fall forward. Ailean's left hand coiled tightly around Jacelyn's waist and roughly Ailean pulled Jacelyn aside. Azril retreated from his Emperor, then turned around and walked towards the cottage.

Ailean continued to stand there to guard Jacelyn the next few minutes. Jacelyn's shoulder was tightly stuck to the man's chest. Jacelyn kept her head down.He felt so tired that he wanted to close his eyes and let Ailean carry him inside. But, that would be very inappropriate.

How can a man smell so good after a long ride of a few days on horseback? Ailean's body scent is the clean scent of the outdoors. Warmth emanated from the man's body. Jacelyn was very tempted by Ailean's warmth, and as she realized that, Jacelyn knew she had to pull away.

Ailean was as far away as the storm that began to move from the south. Jacelyn knew that the man hugged her just because he needed the man's help. Ailean feels responsible for herself and she is just doing her job.

"Thank you for your help" said Jacelyn. "You can let me go now. I'm better."

Jacelyn pushed Ailean's arm. However, Ailean had another intention. The man half-twisted Jacelyn's body in his arms and then raised the woman's chin.

Ailean smiled. Jacelyn didn't know what to do. Ailean had acted like a disturbed bear some time ago, although Jacelyn had to admit that Ailean's target was Azril.

The man's arrogance really sucks Jacelyn said. "And when do you want it?" Ask Jacelyn. "Or am I not allowed to ask?"

Ailean raised an eyebrow when she heard the annoyed tone in Jacelyn's voice. Then, he shook his head at Jacelyn. "You're mad at me" said Ailean. "Tell me why?"

Jacelyn tried to push Ailean's hand from her chin, but she gave up as Ailean squeezed her jaw.

"I won't let you go until you tell me why you're upset." said Ailean.?"

"You kissed me."

"You kissed me too."

"Yes, indeed," Jacelyn admitted. "I have no regrets. How about you?"

There was a challenge there, in Jacelyn's voice and eyes. A man can lose his mind if he allows himself to be trapped in the beauty of the woman. The thought coiled in Ailean's mind as she answered Jacelyn. "I'm not sorry either."

Jacelyn looked at Ailean in annoyance. "Maybe you didn't regret it back then. But you're sorry now, aren't you?" Ailean shrugged her shoulders. Jacelyn felt anxious about kicking the man right now. "You better not touch me again, Ailean."

"You can't rule me."

Ailean's voice sounded very firm. However, Jacelyn ignored him. "If it's dealing with kissing me, then I can give orders as I want. I'm not yours, Ailean." Jacelyn added in a soft tone of voice.

Ailean looked like she was about to strangle him. Jacelyn decided that she was too rude to face the man before her. Ailean seemed to have a rough temperament.

"I don't mean to be rude" Jacelyn began. "And I know that you're used to obeying because you're an Emperor. But, as an outsider, I really don't need to obey your orders," he continued in a calm voice. "In this case, as a guest..."

Jacelyn stopped trying to explain as Ailean shook her head at him. "Jacelyn, do you agree that as long as you're at my sister's house, you'll be under her protection?"

"Yes." Yeah."

Ailean nodded. Ailean was smiling too. The man acted as if he had just won an important debate, and Jacelyn was not even sure what the topic of his debate was.

Ailean let go of him and walked away. Jacelyn chased the man. When he reached Ailean's side, he clasped the man's hand. Ailean immediately stopped.

"Yes?" ask Ailean.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because you just approved of me."

"How's it?"

Jacelyn's not trying to lure him. Ailean could see the confusion in the woman's eyes. "Until you get back to Northumbria, I'm in charge of you. You will follow all my orders," added Ailean again while nodding. "That's what you just agreed to."

Jacelyn shook her head. This guy is completely crazy. How can the question that this man should not kiss her again bring all these decisions?.

"I never agreed to such a thing" Jacelyn argued.

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