Ashlyn slowly rose from the Fade, her mind still foggy with sleep. She considered slipping back under, but something was niggling in the back of her head. Something was wrong.

Her eyes suddenly snapped open at the thought, but long trained instincts told her not to move, and to assess the situation first. Her surroundings weren't the ones she was used to. For the past few months she had been sleeping in guest room in the palace. A lovely guest room, but the point was this wasn't –

Ah.

Her brain finally caught up and her muscles relaxed. This was Alistair's – their – room. The wedding was last night. In her alarm, it had taken longer than usual for her memories to resurface.

Turning as quietly as possible onto her side, Ashlyn smiled as she saw her husband's sleeping face. Already facing her, his arm instinctively wrapped around her. After listening to the soothing sound of his breath for a few more moments, Ashlyn silently raised her left hand to gaze at her finger.

Resting next to the engagement ring was now a simple silver band, matched by the one Alistair wore, hidden in the sheets at the moment. The thought made her grin. She was his wife.

It was so strange. To think, a year ago, she and Alistair barely knew one another. They were in the middle of a war, desperately trying to save their world from destruction, sleeping on the road, more often than not going hungry…Now the lived in a lavish palace, and he was king. And she was his queen.

Well, technical she was the princess-consort. She would be crowned the official queen after a year.*

The point stood however. Things were so different now.

She let her arm drop back to her side. Married. A wife. A husband. It still didn't seem real.

She glanced over when Alistair stirred, rolling onto his stomach, but leaving his arm thrown across her. Ashlyn couldn't help but smile again. She had to admit, it was very nice to be able to sleep beside him again. She'd missed being wrapped in his arms. It was such a safe and warm feeling. Of course, sleeping beside her lover had other benefits as well…

She blushed as later memories of the previous night came to her as well. She'd certainly missed that as well. While they'd managed to find a few moments alone since the engagement, they had been few and far in between, and not once had they had enough time to actually make love.

But it was the cuddling she missed most, without a doubt. With that thought, she turned onto her side once more, so that her back was turned to her husband – a thrill ran through her at the word – and let herself fall back into a peaceful sleep.

She woke slowly again an hour later, this time to the feeling of lips being pressed to her neck. She stretched slowly, sighing pleasantly at the sensation.

"Good morning my beautiful wife," Alistair whispered into her ear as his hands began to wander.

Ashlyn grinned and turned onto her back, opening her arms wide to embrace him.

Maybe she'd missed this part most after all.

A/N: Its three am, and while I could be asleep cuddled up to my boyfriend, instead I am writing. You guys should be so grateful.

(Just kidding, I have insomnia. Boyfriend is sleeping next to me though. *preens*)

*I actually have no idea how this works, made it up on the fly.

Special thanks to ilmiopassato and lilolivia179! You guys are superstars!

Reviews are greatly appreciated! I love all of you guys! *great big hugs*

Happy reading! :)