Ash's POV

Someone's arm is draped over my stomach.

Blinking the grogginess from my eyes, I try to avoid freaking out when I look down to see that the arm is very clearly a man's arm. Cautiously, as to not wake up the person still soundly asleep next to me, I turn my head and mentally face-palm myself when my eyes flick over my husband's features. If I thought he looked handsome before, I certainly do now.

The light sunrays streaming in through the window softly accentuate the sharpness of his relaxed jawline and the slight dip in the ridge of his nose. Without thinking, I turned over and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose, while my fingers moved a few stray pieces of hair off his forehead. His eyes immediately flew open and within a single heartbeat, he was on top of me and pinning my shoulders down onto the mattress. His eyes were wild with something almost like fear and then he blinked. And blinked again. Swore under his breath. Removed his hands and rolled off of me, hiding his face in his hands.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart still pounding from the split-second shift he has just made. I brushed my hair off my shoulders and let out another breath.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Xander mumbled, his hands still covering his face. His arms slightly trembled as he slumped against the headboard, making me more concerned than afraid.

I moved myself so I was kneeling in between his bent legs and gently pried his hands away from his face, "Xander? Are you okay?"

He heaved a long sigh, "Yes, I'm sorry. This is new for me. I am not used to waking up next to someone. You just startled me, that's all."

I tilted my head slightly and gave him a pointed look.

"Alright, fine. My brothers thoroughly enjoyed picking on me since I am the youngest and they would often wake me up with less than...preferable methods."

I smiled and turned so I could my back against his front, "Well, one time my brother tried to stab me with a knife because I ate the last cinnamon roll. So, siblings, right?"

Xander's arms found their way around my middle as he pulled me slightly closer to him.

"Lord Locklynn tried to stab you? How old were you?"

I rested my head against his solid chest and slightly laughed, "That happened two weeks ago."

Xander sharply exhaled and brought his head down closer to mine. His breath fanned over the shell of my ear as he said, "Well, the next time anyone tries to lay a hand on my wife, they will have to answer to me."

"Mmm, I like it when you get all protective over me, husband."

His voice somehow dropped even lower, and I felt the vibrations of the words against my back, "I like the way you say husband, wife."

My magic hummed under my skin at the pure huskiness of his tone, and I felt it flick at my fingertips. So, gaining a confidence that I didn't quite realize I had, I turned around again so I was facing him and wrapped my legs around his torso, securing me on his lap.

Trailing my magic-infested fingers up his chest, I leaned forward ever so slightly and let my eyes drop to his lips. The invitation was not lost on him, and he smirked before leaning forward to meet me in the middle. His kiss was consuming and when his hand gently cupped the back of my head, I involuntarily whimpered. I felt him smile against my lips while also feeling heat creep up the back of my neck before settling on my cheeks, turning them into a crimson I am sure could rival a tomato.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to put mere inches between us and I immediately avoided eye contact with him. But his other hand tenderly guided my face until I was looking at him and his amused expression deepened my blush.

"I said I liked the way that you say husband, but I think I like that little noise even more."

I pulled my bottom lip in between my teeth and gave him an embarrassed half-smile. He simply leaned forward and kissed me again, just a quick peck before putting space between us again.

"Also, as much as I thoroughly enjoy...this...if you don't get off my lap, I think I may have to make us late to our celebration."

My cheeks flamed again as I realized my legs were still wrapped around him and I could feel him under me. Scrambling to get off his lap, I am sure I looked like a complete idiot and his deep laughter did not help me feel any less embarrassed.

Now, I was the one hiding my face in my hands. Xander chuckled again and I felt the mattress shift as he stood up.

"You don't need to be embarrassed, Ashlee. My body is just responding to you just like yours responds to me. But I am not going to do anything you are not ready for. As you reminded me, you hold the power here and I would be wise to respect that."

Still not looking at him, I replied, "This is obviously new to me too. How much time do we have until we are supposed to be ready to dine with our families?"

"About two hours but someone already delivered our outfits while we were sleeping."

That's not creepy at all.

"Then I should probably ring for Dahlia to come help me get ready."

"Dahlia?"

"My handmaiden. She is the one who stocked the bathroom for us last night."

"Tell her thank you on my behalf then."

"You can tell her yourself when she gets here. As long as you are wearing some more clothes first."

Xander turns to face me, a smirk playing on his face, "Is that a little jealously I detect?"

I shake my head, "Definitely not. Dahlia is like thirty years older than you and she has no interest in ever being married. Anyway, I said that because she is very particular about propriety and despite the fact that we are married now, she would scold you. And she can be a little aggressive with it sometimes. You can do whatever you want but don't say I didn't warn you..."

He gives me a two-fingered salute and disappears into the adjoining bathroom. I ring for Dahlia's assistance and by the time she knocks at my door, Xander is walking out of the bathroom.

"Come in..." my words trail off as my eyes find and appreciate the man standing in my room. Xander's black suit is very similar to the one he wore yesterday but this time, instead of being trimmed in purple and silver, as per wedding traditions, he looks every bit like the Future King.

Silver epaulettes sit on his shoulders, with my family's insignia placed directly underneath the epaulette on his right shoulder. The background of the insignia is purple which contrasts with the silver swords that are crossed in the middle, displaying my family's strength. The small silver vines and flowers that wrap around the hilts of the swords are demonstrative of my family's deep appreciation for nature. The source of our magic comes from Mother Nature herself, which is perhaps why I always feel the most like myself when I am outside.

Two braided silver aiguillettes, drape down from his left shoulder and connect in the middle of his blazer. A lavender silk sash runs under the aiguilettes and across to his right hip where his ceremonial sword hangs, the ornately decorated scabbard seeming to sparkle in the still soft rays of sun. Moving my eyes back up toward his face, I realize he has been watching me watch him. I feel a blush start to stain my cheeks again, but I hold his cheeky gaze and let my lips twist into an appreciative smile.

He smiles back at me, but there is a hint of amusement in his smile, making my heart skip another beat. And then his eyes move from me to the space behind me and I realize Dahlia has been standing there the whole time.

I slowly spin around to greet her, but she just smiles knowingly and gives me a playful little wink. I hear Xander chuckle to himself as he goes to sit down while I get ready.

Dahlia quickly ushers me into the bathroom, carrying a dress bag and once I am inside, she shuts the door but not before speaking to Xander.

"Lord Canmore, no peeking while I prepare your lovely wife. When I am done, you can look at her like she just looked at you."

My face goes red. Again.

"No peeking, got it," is Xander's reply, and Dahlia shuts the door.

"My, my, my, he is one good looking fellow," she whispers to me as she starts to unzip the dress bag, making me give her a questioning glance.

She dismissively waves her hand at me, "I have eyes. So even I can see that he is...what do you kids say nowadays? Delicious?"

I didn't think it was possible for my face to get redder, but I was mistaken; I am obviously part tomato.

Ignoring my obvious discomfort, Dahlia continues, "Now, let's get make you into the perfect picture of the Future Queen. You will look so good that he will have no choice but to be reminded of how lucky he is that he gets to be your husband."

Now, that I have been prepared for what feels like a hundred hours, I am studying myself in the full-length mirror.

My dress' main fabric is charcoal gray with a sheer silver overlay, decorated with hundreds of tiny sparkling diamonds. The bateau neckline, dotted with slightly larger diamonds, follows the curves of my collarbones and rests on my shoulders before flowing out into the sheer silvery mock sleeves. The A-line cut of the fabric highlights the feminine curves of my body, and the way the fabric flows around my waist makes me feel like I am floating as I walk.

My hair has been left down this time and falls in elegant waves down my back, covering the laces that are holding my dress to my body. My makeup is light and natural, the only real color being a light shade of rose on my lips. A simple yet sophisticated necklace laid around my neck, further drawing attention to my collarbones.

The combination of the dress with my hair makes me look like the night sky personified.

A soft knock at the door catches both mine and Dahlia's attention and she speaks before I get a chance to.

"What do you want, Lord Canmore? We are very busy in here."

Xander quietly laughs, "I was just knocking to say we have ten minutes until we are expected in the high hall for breakfast."

"Oh," she sighs, and I fight back a smile.

"Go sit down so we can come out. Your wife is ready."

Xander laughs again and I do smile at Dahlia this time, "Go easy on him."

She shakes her head, "I will do no such thing. You are like a daughter to me and if this man is to call himself your husband, he would be wise to not mess with me either."

"Noted."

She grins and goes to open the door. I try to follow her, but she holds a hand up to stop me.

Her tone is scolding when she says, "I thought I told you to go sit down, Canmore."

"Yes, ma'am. I am sitting down now," Xander hurriedly replies.

With a look of approval from Dahlia, she opens the door and dramatically introduces me before I walk out.

"May I present..............your wife."

I walk out of the bathroom and Xander's attention snaps to me. His lips slightly part in amazement as his hazel eyes hungrily roam my body, drinking in the details that are me before slowly meeting my gaze.

He stands and bows before striding over to me and quickly capturing my lips in a searing kiss. His hands rest on my hips as he holds me in place.

"You..."

Kiss.

"Look..."

Kiss.

"Perfect."

Another kiss.

I pulled away first this time, feeling my lips tingle from the intensity of his kisses.

I lean my head close to his ear, "If you keep kissing me like that, I will be the one to make us late this time."

His hands flex against my hips but he lets me go and we turn to face a very entertained Dahlia. She looks at me with a mischievous grin, "Told you so."

And then she is looking at Xander, and with a pointed finger, she says, "Don't you dare rip that dress when you take it off later or you and I will have some problems. I don't care if you are to be my Future King or not, I made that dress and I intend for her to wear it more than once. Okay?"

Xander blushes at her words and he raises his hands in surrender, "I promise I will not rip your creation. Plus, I want her to wear it more than once too."

Satisfied with his answer, Dahlia shoos us toward the door, "Go or you will be late. I will clean up here, so it is ready for you when you return this evening."

"Thank you, Dahlia. We appreciate you," I say, placing my hand in Xander's before walking us both toward the door. Xander opens the door for me, and I squeeze his hand in thanks. As we walk into the hallway, we are greeted by Finn. He is wearing his normal suit this time, his sword returned to his side. His eyes widen slightly when he sees me, and he goes to say something but when he sees my hand interlocked with Xander's, I can tell he changes what he was going to say.

"Good morning, Lady Locklynn; Lord Canmore. You both look absolutely regal this morning."

"Thank you, Sir West. Are you here to accompany us to the high hall?" Xander asks, even though he already knows the answer.

"I am, if you are ready; I will follow behind."

Xander nods and starts to lead me in the direction of the high hall.

This will be our first introduction as a married couple, and I am very excited to stand next to my husband as we participate in today's many celebrations.