Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

The First Kiss Stealer (Part III)

The next couple of years went by just like that. Shujae would visit twice a year whenever he knew Layla would be in Reim. He would stay for two weeks before sailing back to Imuchakk. In between, Layla sailed the oceans with Sinbad and their team, forming trade relations with different parts of the world. She also discovered her true roots in Estia and captured the dungeon, which Shujae was very proud of. He named her a true warrior. Shaheen wasn't so accepting of her relationship but when he finally met Shujae, he warned him that he would end him if he ever made his little sister cry. It was enough to make the Imuchakk warrior scared for his life.

Layla and Shujae waited until she was 16 before they first made love to one another. It was difficult because Shujae was a lot bigger but it was possible. She was sore for days after and she would still be in pain for a long time every other time after that.

By the time Shujae had finished his training, Sinbad and Layla had bought an island and founded Sindria. He was finally free to stay with her for her journey. He even aided in building the palace, houses and school in Sindria.

Sinbad was named King. However, he declared a ruling that if anything ever happened to him, Layla would become Queen even before his own children. That was if he ever had any but he had no desire to. He always thought that if he were to ever have kids, Layla would be the mother. But since she was betrothed to Shujae, that could never happen. Sinbad had gotten used to having Shujae around and became even more accepting of their relationship. He loved seeing how happy he made Layla and that was all he ever wanted.

Shujae aided in the battle during the First War of Sindria. In the middle of the battle, he became separated from Layla. It was in that time that Mystras shielded her and ended up being killed. He blamed himself for it, saying that he should have been the one to protect her.

A couple more years went on and after Layla turned 18, they got married. They had a ceremony in the palace before they all sailed to Shujae's homeland to have a traditional Imuchakk ceremony.

After that, Sinbad and the others returned to Sindria whilst Layla and Shujae spent some time in Imuchakk. Shujae's parents wanted to spend time with their only daughter-in-law.

They spent about two weeks there before Layla received a message from Shaheen. The hawk landed on the sill of Shujae's house with a note attached to its leg.

"What does it say?" Shujae asked.
She read the note before sighing. "One of the countries Estia trades with are being incredibly demanding and unreasonable. Shaheen needs Sinbad and I to go and help him deal with it." She looked at him. "I'm gonna have to cut this trip short."
He nodded. "I understand. But I need to stay here and help the other warriors."
"Oh, right. The Abare narwhals..." She breathed out softly. "I'm sorry."
He smiled and held her shoulders before kissing the top of her head. "You have nothing to be sorry about. Go to Estia and take a break over there. You know...once the negotiations are done."
She laughed softly. "Okay. Will you meet me there?"
"Yeah. It takes, what, a week to get there by ship?"
She nodded. "Yep."
"So, narwhals should be here in a few days. I'll sail out next week, so, we'll only be apart for two weeks."
"That seems so long to be away from you."
"I know. But we used to spend months apart before. This is only a couple of weeks."
She pouted and lay her head on his broad chest. "I'm going to miss you."
He gently wrapped his arms around her. "I'm going to miss you more."
"And I'm going to miss your birthday..."
"It's alright. I'll celebrate when I'm with you again."
"Okay. But," she pulled away from him, "since I won't be here on your birthday, I'm giving you my gift now."

She rummaged through her bag before taking out a box. She gave it to him and smiled.

"I had this made for you," she said. "It was made in Estia."
"Oh, Layla, you really shouldn't have," he said as he took the box. "But thank you. Can I open it now?"
She nodded. "I want to see how it looks on you."