Isabel.
I've heard a lot of people say that married life is hard and that you have to work at it. All I can think is that all those people can't have been married to their soulmate, because being married to Arkarian is nothing short of wonderful. We don't really argue – although I think that's more because he's so calming than anything else, because we do have disagreements, as is only natural. But they rarely last long and we certainly never go to bed angry.
Our honeymoon was magical. I had assured him that it didn't matter where we went because I knew he couldn't circulate in our world. Instead, he organised for us to go to a series of remote islands – I'm not even sure where they were – all controlled by members of the Guard, so his looks didn't matter. There were not many people there, but it was nice. Very relaxing. We went on some walks, and explored all the places thoroughly. There were definitely times that we were very thankful there was nobody else around. I've never thought exhibitionism was my sort of thing, but there was something magical about making love outside in places where we didn't even know if other people had ever been.
I can feel my face heating a little just at the memory. We'd always been a pretty active couple in the sex department, but I think we amazed even ourselves on our honeymoon. I feel an arm snake around my waist and grin, opening my eyes. I am laid on the sofa, daydreaming away and not really guarding my thoughts.
"You certainly amazed me, my love," He's laid on the sofa with me and pulls me on top of him. I rest my head on his chest and listen to the beat of his heart.
"You amaze me daily," I reply, smiling up at him. "How's things? How was the mission?" I ask, referring to the mission that he and Matt just returned from, tracking down rumours that the old magician, Keziah, is still at large. We thought he would die off without Lathenia, but it seems he is still functioning with his own powers.
Arkarian frowns slightly. "We tracked him back to Lathenia's palace, and we suspect he may be laying low there. If he is still alive, he is vastly weakened and doesn't really pose a threat, but both Matt and I would prefer to see him eliminated." I nod. Keziah is strong magician, but the thought of him still being alive makes me shiver a little.
"So what next?" I ask.
"We will monitor the palace, but I am hesitant to enter it without cause. The place sill reeks of evil. All the supporters that were at large have been vanquished, aside from a select few that I suspect will be drawn back to Keziah. Aside from that – it's just a waiting game."
It is a far cry from how things used to be. Without Lathenia and technology, the broken Order cannot make portals into the past, although Arkarian does still monitor his sphere – we are the Guardians of Time, after all. But peace reigns for now, although Matt is always quick to remind us that the balance of life means that there will always be some evil at large for us to watch out for.
I snuggle into him, and we lay there for a few moments quietly. I think about how our relationship has changed since being married. We live in Veridian now, ironically in the house where Arkarian proposed to me. He had assisted in the rebuild himself, after the battle. The large room with the balcony is our bedroom, but there are a multitude of other rooms. Some are still empty and some are guest rooms. Our friends stay quite often when visiting in the City. We have a large dining area that leads off from the kitchen, perfect for gatherings and meetings, along with the seating room that we are located in now. There is also a study that doubles as a library, although our book collection is still quite dire. It's a work in progress. The house is beautiful, and I fall more in love with it daily. The garden is my little project – it's large, but not too spacious, with plenty of trees and different types of flowers.
We both are still dedicated to the Guard. We have more new recruits than ever, what with the Order not being around to get to people first. Ethan and Dillon do most of the training, with Arkarian overseeing. I teach odd sessions too, usually on Initiated recruits who are settled in the Guard. I'm still working on developing minor healing abilities in others; it seems some are able and some not. Arkarian is still my most successful student, and could probably stem a serious bleed or mend a minor break. Neriah picked up a lot, too, but Matt, Dillon and Ethan just can't get their heads around the visualising process needed, and as a result are about as useful as a chocolate fireplace. I'm planning on doing some work with Jimmy and Shaun to see if they have any aptitude. I suspect Jimmy might, given his talents with buildings and structures.
I am pulled back to the present by Arkarian absent-mindedly skimming his fingers across the back of my neck. It sends a pleasant shiver down my spine. I pull myself up, plant a kiss on his lips, and ask if he is hungry.
"I could definitely eat," he says with a grin. I jump to my feet and make my way through to the kitchen. I've definitely become more domestic (I no longer cut myself while slicing apples!) but I'm no expert in the kitchen. I've definitely improved, but Arkarian is miles ahead of me in skill. My excuse is that he's had a lot more practise time.
It's lunch time, so I make a couple of sandwiches. By the time I am done, Arkarian has joined me in the kitchen. He's leaning against the counter, watching me. I pass him his sandwich and he devours it quickly as I nibble at mine. I was hungry when I started, but now I'm not really. I don't think much of it as I watch my husband.
Agelessness is a wonderful thing. He still looks the same as when we met, with his vibrant violet eyes and electric blue hair. He has an incredible body, which now we live together I know is thanks to some dedication to physical training. He says he trains less now than he used to, and I usually joke that's because it was pent up sexual frustration, or something along those lines. I tend to get an exasperated sigh in response (I think that means I'm probably close to the mark with my guess).
He puts his plate down and notes that mine is still full and I've barely touched my food. "Are you okay, love? Not hungry?"
"No, not really." I shake my head,and then grin at him wickedly. "Well, not for food."
His grin matches mine, and he takes my hand and pulls me close. "I think I can help you with that."
I put my palms on the kitchen counter and haul myself up to sit on it. He faces me, his hands low on my back. "How do you plan to do that?"
He leans forward to kiss me, and I feel him smiling. He breaks the kiss to trail his lips down my neck and to my collarbone, which is just exposed out the top of my shirt. "A little of this, a little of that," he mumbles as his lips taste my skin. He nips at my neck lightly, making me squirm, and then returns to my mouth, pressing his body into mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, and my legs around his waist. In one swift motion he lifts me from the counter top and, while kissing, tries to navigate us elsewhere. I try and undress him at the same time, which proves a bit difficult. The one downside of a big house is that everything is so far away! He ends up stopping at the sofa and pretty much drops me on it, both of us laughing. He leans over me and our lips crush together as we fumble at our clothing, discarding it around us as we make love right there on the sofa. Later, we relocate to the bedroom.
Whoever said married life was dull? Certainly not me!