Noble could hardly wait to return to her husband. With her business done, she floated out the window of her office, flew straight over the city streets, picked up an embarrassingly large cake from Sarai, and then began her journey to the cosy cottage that she called home.
Up high, the wintry air had become quite frigid, but Noble didn't care. If anything, it invigorated her.
'I'll have to remind Fort to bundle up extra, though.'
Ah, she was excited! And as she neared, she could feel her husband's anticipation too.
She might have an emotional sixth sense, but Fort had a sense of his own that defied description. Somehow, without a sound from her, the handsome man met her at the door exactly as she entered.
The cake floated to one side as Fort's arms wrapped around Noble's waist, pulling her close. He kissed her deeply as he nudged the door shut with a kick from his foot.
"I shouldn't have let you go," his voice was husky. "My mind's been stuck on you ever since you walked out the door."
Noble placed her head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of his neck. She smiled. "Does that mean you didn't get your work done?"
"I finished. Fortunately, you married a man who can multitask," Fort chuckled. "It's a good thing I did. Some of that news couldn't wait. I have dealt with it, though, so–"
"News?" Noble glanced at the papers, which had been bundled and set aside. "On the…war?" She lowered her voice on the final word.
"I shouldn't have mentioned it." Fort shook his head. "You just got back."
"Tell me," Noble could not stand the suspense.
Fort sighed. "War is all but a certainty now. We have months at best—weeks at worst. All that's left is for someone to light the fuse. My guess is that they will wait until after the solstice at least. You are fortunate that you went when you did. Any later and you might have waited too long…"
Noble could feel his reluctance to speak about unhappy things, not when she had just returned.
"I am very fortunate indeed, but for a very different reason. I'm back here with the most handsome man in two worlds." Noble tucked her arms snuggly around her husband's chest, careful not to crush him.
That had always been a concern for her, and now she would need to be even more conscientious.
Fort rested his cheek against Noble's head. "Did you get all your errands run?"
"Mostly. Sarai and Zenkai are both doing well. Oh, and I saw Brock in action at the Academy. The boy is making progress." Noble nodded against her husband's shoulder.
"That's good." Fort's emotions were steadier than they ever had been when it came to one of their children getting closer to entering a Nightmare. She was proud of the progress he had made over the years.
Noble melted into his hug. "Oh, and I seem to have a mysterious friend who is trying to contact me..."
"WHAT?!" Fort's calmness flew out the window as he took hold of Noble's shoulders. "Not another stalker?!"
Noble scratched the back of her head. "Well, since my last one tried to break out and is buried in the waking world and the one before that blessedly died in a Nightmare by Nickel's hand, any stalker would be a new one." She quickly kissed her husband. "But in this case, I don't think it's a stalker. I think someone is genuinely trying to get a message to me without being noticed."
Noble released her husband long enough to dig out the note and soul shard that she had tucked away. Fort studied them both for a moment.
"Hmm."
"I believe the same friend tried to apply at the Dreamer Academy while I was gone, through a proxy, of course. The application was taken back because I wasn't available to accept it." Noble did not want to leave anything out.
Her husband already worried about her, and she didn't want to keep secrets from him. It was frustrating enough that she couldn't fully come clean about Sunny. This, in contrast, was something of which she wanted Fort to be fully aware.
Fort tapped his chin. "Keep me posted if they reach out again. I'll poke around my government contacts and see if anything peculiar has been going on that might warrant someone going into hiding."
Noble blinked. "So you agree that you don't think this person is a threat?"
"Based on that note, my gut says you are right. They didn't ask you to meet anywhere or try to establish contact. It seems like someone wants to get you a message."
"That's what I thought!" Noble always loved it when she and her husband were in sync. It made life much easier.
"Even if they were a threat, though, with your current power level, there isn't much they can do to you," Fort squeezed his wife's arm gently. "I was more worried about your mental state, but you seem to be more curious than concerned."
"I am very curious indeed. But there are things I am far more curious about at present." Noble's smile was just a little too sweet.
It was irresistible. Fort raised one eyebrow. "Oh, and what, pray tell, is the source of your curiosity?"
"I am curious about how much you missed me—" Noble took a small step backwards.
Fort placed his hand on the door beside her head with a wolfish grin. "That's no mystery. But since there is some confusion, let me clear that up right now."
Noble always enjoyed her husband's presence. He was her anchor.
And after a long absence, the time was particularly sweet. What was it Syrce had said? Absence makes the heart remember.
Just now her heart had found its home. And the memories were sweet.
The world faded away for far too short a time. That's the way it was with loved ones. There was never enough time.
"I love you," Noble kissed her husband for at least the hundredth time. "It is so good to be home."
"I love you too," Fort tilted his head. "But why does that sound like you are about to leave again soon?"
"We are about to leave soon," Noble corrected him. She stood, pinning her hair back in place with a wink.
"Oh?" Fort's interest was piqued.
"Remember how I said most of my errands were done? There is one that involves you." Child of Promise contained her excitement behind a coy smile.
The ambassador eyed her carefully. "And what if I want to stay here with you instead?"
"Then I will happily oblige," Noble answered seriously. "But I do think you will want to see this."
It was a hard choice, and Fort decided he couldn't resist the offer. His children would be home in a little while anyway, and a short date with his wife sounded heavenly.
He stood with a determined nod. "I'll get my coat."
"Make sure it's your heaviest one!" Noble wanted the adventure to end in fun and not frostbite.
"With you to keep me warm, how could I ever be cold?" The handsome man kissed his wife's hand.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." Noble laughed. "But really, go get dressed."
Fort returned with the proper attire.
After checking on the cake, which she had left haphazardly on the table, Noble exited her humble abode with her husband.
"You ready?"
The man gave a subtle nod. "As ready as I'll ever be. Where exactly are we going?"
"You'll see." Noble took his hand.
Fort's feet left the ground, and the weightlessness of his body caused his breath to catch.
He cut his eyes at her.
"What? Don't tell me you are afraid of flying!" Noble's eyes swirled in amusement.
She had never taken Fort with her on her trips to the sky, but he had never asked either.
"I guess we are about to find out," the man responded, squeezing her hand.
"Hold on to me. I won't let you go." Noble promised. "And while we travel, I have the most interesting story to tell you."
"You do?" Fort welcomed the distraction from the floating sensation.
Noble nodded. "I made a friend while I was away. A regular ball of energy. You'll never guess what she told me…"