Darrkon awoke on the sandy beach, aching in places he forgot existed.
He lay and watched Naomi sitting on the beach.  Thoughs of the night
before began filling his mind.  He remembered his uncontrollable lust
for her, he remembered her intense desire for him.  He remembered their
complete lack of control.  In those memories came the image of his mask
hitting the sand.  Although he felt the weight of the mask on his face
he checked to make sure it was in its proper place.  He couldn't
remember putting the thing back on.  He just hoped Naomi's memory was as
choppy as his own.  The only humor he could find in this situation was
that this was his first sexual experience in six years, and he actually
didn't want the woman to remember.  But how could he find out if she had
seen him?

Naomi turned toward Darrkon.  At first she said nothing, then she seemed
to notice he was watching her and she spoke, "Good morning.  Amethyst
and Calindeth should be here soon to take us back to the warren."

Darrkon rubbed the sleep from his eyes.  He didn't exactly know how to
proceed with Naomi.  In all of his past experiences with women either he
or she was gone in the morning.  "What is to be done today?" he asked.

"I have a few duties to take care of and you have training.  But first
you must clean up.  I'm sure it's not a good idea to show up dirty for
your first day of training."

"We have a common problem.  What are we going to do about that?"
Darrkon became uncomfortable just thinking about explaining to Lacey
what had happened the night before.  But his reaction to the situation
made him realize that his attraction to Naomi was purely physical.
Although he respected her because of her position in the warren, he
couldn't find any way to connect with her.  And the way he felt about
Lacey made him sure he didn't want to.  He has been a gambler most of
his life but he refused to gamble with the emotions of a woman.  One of
few things he learned from his father.

"You mean Lacey."  Naomi answered.  "I think it would be best if I
talked to her.  I think it would soften the blow if she heard about this
from me first."

Darrkon couldn't admit to Naomi that he had little experience in
relationships.  Just standing here talking to her and remembering the
previous night made him uneasy.  But he had to find out what role he
could play in easing this for Lacey.  "Of course, you're her sister.
She'll trust what you say.  But how do I proceed with her?  I've heard
that these situations are common in warren life but it's uncommon to
me."

"Just reassure her."  Naomi answered as Amethyst and Calindeth came
flying over a cropping of trees.  Naomi climbed into her saddle as soon
as Amethyst landed, Darrkon hesitated.  "Are you coming?"  she asked.

"I'll be along soon."  Darrkon answered.  "I just want to spend a little
more time here to get myself together before training."

"Alright.  I'll see you at the warren."  Naomi replied as Amethyst
launched herself in the air.  Darrkon watched as the blinked into
nothingness, and prayed that his happiness with Lacey hadn't gone along
with them.