Robin and I were together constantly after our betrothal was announced. Many subjects arose during this time, and many times, I was agog at how times had changed over the centuries.

One day, Robin and I were kissing passionately. I felt a type of desire I’d never known and wanted to give myself to him then and there. “I wish to know what it feels like to be a true woman, but I must not lie with thee until we are wed,” I told him after one of our kisses ended.

“I want you, Alina, in every way, but I won’t press. It will be damned hard, but you need to be ready and willing.”

“Och, Robin, I am so confused. I want thee with all my heart but was always taught a woman must lie with her husband for the first time as a virgin,” I whispered, my face aflame with color. I felt like a brazen woman for discussing such things with a man. Aye, he was to be my husband, but we were not yet wed.

As always, Robin seemed to read my mind. He grinned sheepishly at me and placed his forehead against mine. “Things are very different nowadays, my love. It’s commonplace for virginity to be lost before marriage happens. One of the unfortunate things about modern times is that sex is given away much too frivolously, in my opinion. It leads to such things as unplanned pregnancies and diseases that shouldn’t be discussed in public but are common knowledge. You wouldn’t be ostracized if we chose to do the deed before our wedding, but we won’t do it until you’re good and ready.”

“But it is the husband’s place to–”

Robin interrupted me by placing a forefinger under my chin and lifting it gently. “Alina, look at me.” When my timid gaze finally met his loving, tender one, he continued. “The days of being the sacrificial virgin are long gone, sweetheart. A healthy relationship consists of mutual understanding and respect about everything, including intimate acts. The man lording his power over the woman just because he’s the man doesn’t happen. If it did, he’d be alone because women these days wouldn’t put up with it. We’re a couple, Alina, not master and slave. It’s a partnership with both of us getting equal say in all matters.”

I do not know how my Robin always did this. Every time I fumbled over some modern concept, he explained it to me with such gentle directness that made me feel wanted and accepted. “You always make it sound so simple,” I said as I gazed into his beloved face.

“That’s because it is simple. Now, where were we?” Robin lowered his lips to mine, making me forget all about everything except simply being with the man I loved.

It took quite some time to keep myself from looking over my shoulder when practicing my magic. I even got accustomed to doing it in front of Robin. Sometimes we practiced together and exchanged spells. I was better at Alchemy, so it was nice to become the teacher and explain things to him for once. He learned quickly, so it was not long before he was experimenting and creating new potions of his own.

“I need to talk to you, Alina. There is magic…abilities I have that I’ve not yet shown you. You need to know so you don’t get freaked out,” Robin said after one of our practice sessions.

“Freaked out?” I knew what the expression meant, as Robin had explained it to me long ago. “I could never get freaked out by you, Robin. I love you.”

“I know, sweetheart, and I love you, but this might scare you. I don’t want you to find me appearing comatose without you being aware of what it means,” Robin said.

A cold chill ran down my spine as he mentioned the word comatose. The thought of anything being wrong or something happening to my Robin frightened me more than anything ever has or could. “Comatose? Robin, prithee tell me you are well. I could not bear thee being otherwise.”

Robin slid his arms around me and rubbed my back in slow, methodical circles to calm and comfort me. “Darling, I’m perfectly healthy, I assure you. This ability I have only makes me seem deeply unconscious. You see, Alina, I am quite adept at astral projection.” When I could only stare blankly at him, he explained. “It means that I can separate my spirit from my physical body. It allows me to, well, travel and observe things without being noticed. My astral self can be seen if I choose, but another ability I have is cloaking so I can remain unnoticed. It certainly helps in my line of work because I can see things I would otherwise not be able to. When this occurs, my body appears unconscious, even lifeless at times.”

I had heard of this phenomenon before, but it was extremely rare. Most people who could do it were born with the ability. It could be learned by some, but it took a powerfully magical person to accomplish it. “That is extraordinary, Robin, even for a wizard. But I…that is, have you ever gotten lost or found it hard to come back?”

“Not very often, but there was this one time where I went someplace so beautiful that I was reluctant to return. I’m very good at this and have had no trouble in finding myself. My twin sister, Lauren, can do it, too, and we’re two of the best at it. Both my mother and yours trained us at it so we could perfect the abilities we already had, so it doesn’t get any better than that.” He flashed a smile at me, then turned serious. “I will show you so you know what to expect. I will also show you how to summon me back. It’s a spell you would chant that will compel me to return. Although I haven’t had any trouble before, I put precautions in place just in case. Only a few people know this spell, people I love and trust. This spell being in the wrong hands would make things very difficult.”

“I wish I could travel with thee,” I said.

“We can work on that. Maybe you’ll be one of the lucky ones who can learn how to do it,” Robin said. “One thing at a time though. Let me show you how it works.”

Robin stretched out on the sofa and beckoned me to sit beside him “Now, it’ll just seem like I’ve drifted away. As I leave, you might even feel a little breeze or see the curtains rustle. You can talk to me, and I’ll probably be able to hear you. I’m very observant, after all, and I do my best to keep aware of everything.”

I blinked at him and bit my lip. “I should not like to lose thee.”

“Sweetheart, you won’t.” Robin reached up to caress my cheek. “I’ll always come back to you, always.” Robin arranged his hands over his chest and explained that this was the position he always liked to take. Should someone find him this way, those who knew of this ability would instantly know what he was doing.

As I touched his hand, he recited the summoning spell. “I will travel twice. The first time, I’ll return myself in five minutes’ time. When I go the second time, say the summoning spell so you can see how that works.”

I kissed him soundly and ran my hand over his hair. “Please come back to me, Robin. I love you so.”

“I love you too, Alina, and I will come back. I will always come back to you.” With that, he closed his eyes and appeared to fall asleep. A moment later, I felt a light breeze touch my face although the window was closed. I leaned over to place my cheek next to his lips. He appeared to barely be breathing, but he looked like he was just asleep. I slid my arms around him, kissed his temple, and whispered in his ear. “I hope you are visiting someplace beautiful, Robin. You must tell me about it when you return. In the meantime, I will watch over thee until thine awakening.” I stroked his hair, softly touched my lips to his unresponsive ones, and whispered my love to him. Then, I waited. I looked into his peaceful face, held my Robin close, and just waited.

It was the longest five minutes of my life as I watched for something to happen. I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling my muscles relax when Robin stirred in my arms and opened his eyes. My heart fluttered when he smiled at me and caressed my cheek. “Are you all right?” I asked softly.

“Of course! Just a little cold, but that’s normal.”

I covered him over with a nearby blue and white Afghan, then put my arms around him again, snuggling close. “Where did you go?” I briskly rubbed his arms and back in an attempt to help warm him faster.

Robin grinned at me, his eyes twinkling. “I went to Aunt Lenora and Uncle Tyrone’s. The kids were outside trying to figure out how to play Quidditch.”

I’d devoured the Harry Potter series, so I was familiar with that term. I began to laugh, which set Robin off. “Is that possible? I mean, I have never seen a Quaffle or a Golden Snitch.”

“Me either, but different sized balls can be charmed to act accordingly. They were really doing well at it and having the time of their lives,” Robin chuckled.

“Och, I wish I could have seen it.”

“I bet you will. They were proud as could be, which means they’ll want to show it off once they get it all worked out,” Robin said.

A few minutes later, Robin traveled again. This time, I waited about ten minutes before reciting the summoning spell he’d taught me.

“From there to here, I summon thee.
I call thee, Robin, back to my side.
I wish thee, at once, to return to me.
This I command, so mote it be.”

Robin’s body gave a little jolt, and he inhaled sharply. As before, he stirred in my arms just before his eyes opened. I touched his face and looked at him in concern. “Your arrival was not as gentle as your first one. Are you all right, my love?”

Robin smiled gently at me and nodded. “When I’m compelled to return, I’m brought back a bit faster than if I arrive on my own. It’s kind of like how you’re jerked awake after you’ve just fallen asleep. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s more abrupt than my coming back on my own.”

“Och, I hate being woken like that. It’s hard to return to sleep afterward,” I said.

“Sure is,” Robin said. When he felt warmer, he sat up and snuggled me against his side. “Want to hear where I went this time?”

“Sure,” I said.

“I went to see Lauren. I made it so she couldn’t see me, but she felt me anyway. As you know, she’s been traveling in Asia for a long time now, but she’s making plans to return home. Like I said, she couldn’t see me, but she turned right in my direction and said, ‘Robin McIntyre, if you tell the folks I’m coming home, you’ll ruin my surprise. If that happens, I’ll have to beat you within an inch of your life and make you wish I’d finished you off.'” Robin started to laugh, and I couldn’t help joining him.

When the mirth died down, I looked worriedly into his eyes. “What if Lauren doesn’t like me?” I’d never met her before, but from the many things Robin had said of her, she sounded wonderful.

“Oh, Alina, she’ll love you. I told her all about you, and she can’t wait to meet you,” he assured me, his fingers tenderly pushing a few strands of stray hair away from my face.

“Does…does she know about the time travel?” I asked.

“No. I thought that would be best coming from you. You asked me to keep it close to the vest, so I didn’t tell her. I just said you came from somewhere very, very far away, which wasn’t a lie.” He squeezed me close and kissed my cheek. “She will be completely blown away by you.”

I smiled, reassured by his confidence. “Och, my Robin! I cannot fathom being happier than I am now. I never dreamed that any of this could be possible.” I snuggled even closer to Robin, who wrapped the Afghan around us.

“You deserve every happiness, Alina. It only gets better from here on out.”

As I rested my head against him and was warmed by his body, drowsiness stole over me. I yawned and closed my eyes. “I love you so, my Robin,” I whispered.

“I love you, too, Alina. Forever.” His breath was soft as he whispered his love for me in my ear. I sighed in utter contentment as Robin leaned us back a little more against the arm of the sofa, my head resting against his chest where I could hear the beating of his strong, loving heart.

“Forever,” I whispered

“Forever and ever,” Robin whispered back, bringing my relaxed hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “It’s been quite a day. Sleep now.”

As Robin held me close, rubbing my back and stroking my hair, I felt myself slide into sleep. I felt safe, warm, and loved, and I was sure nothing could ever make me feel otherwise.