Gadyel
He patted his four year old on the top of his head then hefted his axe onto his shoulder. There could not have been a better child than his own son.
"Dad, I'm going to lay down after I put the logs down."
Gadyel smiled at his son. The boy was so eager to help; carrying three freshly cut logs. There was not a day that went by in which he did not admire the lad. Five years ago, he would never have seen himself as a father, in fact, it was more likely he would have driven a sword through the stomach of anyone for insulting his chastity.
"Okay." He responded, watching the child merrily skip ahead of him. Something caught the former crusader's attention. Pausing, he turned his head to stare. A lone figure dressed in white stood vigil over the lake close to their tiny cabin.
"Dad?" Young James shuffled his feet in the dirt coming to a dead stop. "What's wrong?" He adjusted the logs in his arms and followed his father's gaze. "Is that mom?"
Gadyel stared at the woman dressed in white. His wife had not worn that dress since the night they first shared a bed. So much had happened so much had changed. Seeds had been planted that day. His distrust in his order, his first time being with a woman-let alone intimate with one-their son was conceived that very evening.
"Dad?"
The elder Halpford was completely mesmerized by the haunting majesty of his wife. The dark brown skin, her long wavy black hair, her perfect hourglass shape-
"DAD!" The little boy shouted, trying once again to get his father's attention.
Gadyel snapped out of his trance and tugged at his collar. "Okay-okay, boy. Go back to the house and I'll catch up with you." He carefully lowered the axe, butt of the blade resting on the dirt, catching his son glaring at him; a thick black eyebrow cocked.
"Dad...are you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah-yeah. I'll be by later." It was not his intention to snap at and shoo his only child along but his own clothing was becoming uncomfortably tight.
The child eyed him one more time and scampered off.
Signoury stood in a shallow part of the lake, staring out at the hinterlands. The skirt of her long linen dress, which was soaked from absorbing lake water, clung to her legs.
A snap of twigs alerted her that someone was approaching.
Letting his axe fall, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pushed his full front against her. He nestled the side of his face against hers, tickling her skin with the bristles of his strawberry blonde beard.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, there's a crazy axe wielding maniac on the loose. Oops, that's me."
A chuckle fluttered through the air and blessed her husband's ears. "You'll have to deal with my fierce faithful knight."
"Oh?" Gadyel smiled and squeezed her tighter.
"Yes. You should know, if somehow you get beyond my tiny guardian, my husband will be waiting for you." She pressed her backside against his hips and rubbed from side to side.
Gadyel's voice came low and husky, "I remember that gown." He purred against his wife's ear. "How long has it been since you wore that?"
The beautiful exotic woman freed a hand from his embrace and reached up to play with the hair around his ear. "Five years." She bumped against him one more time, before taking his hand and moving it downward between her thighs.
Her lips parted in a wide pearly smile while feeling his growing arousal pressed to her buttocks. "Five years ago, today." She whispered in his ear.
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, trying to think of what he should do. The gentle grip on his hand, guiding him along her most sensitive area. After letting out a rough grunt, Gadyel stooped down grabbing his wife by her waist and legs.
He hefted his wife from the lukewarm water, with an animalistic roar, causing her to let out a surprised shriek.
"Gad!" She shouted through fits of laughter, "Gadyel Josseff Halpford, what are you doing?!"
It took a lot of effort to keep such a stern, focused, expression on his face. He was convinced that if he were to give in and laugh, the squirming woman in his arms might end up getting dropped.
Trudging cautiously through the mucky lake bottom, he carried her to deeper waters.
"Gaddy?" His wife's voice came again, this time with a hint of concern.
He bit his lower lip, upon hearing that shortened, dumbed down, version of his name. Gadyel understood she meant no harm but he was sensitive about his name.
In his crusader days, names of angels, and saints (regal and honorable) were passed to young boys from the highest order ranks. Gadyel was named for one of the purest most fearsome warriors of the Light.
The water was over his knees and seeping through the cuffs of his boots. The intoxicating aroma of her perfume was almost as powerful as any mind control spell. His knees were weakening with each step. His wife was not heavy, quite the contrary. The urge to have his way with her, right then and there, threatened to overtake him. Just a little bit further.
"What do you think you're-eeeeeee!" Signoury squealed as he tossed her into waist high water. She flew a couple feet before splashing into the lake. She was going to be furious but it was worth it.
"Finally!" He gasped as his wife's head broke the surface. His teeth were exposed, lips pulled back in huge smile. As expected she was angry but he could not help but laugh.
"Just what were you hoping to accomplish?" Her frustration sharpening her voice.
Her husband lowered his head and he waded even closer to her, stopping an arms length away. She was completely soaked, hair matted to her face, neck and shoulders, her white linen dress transparent against her light brown skin. In a swift motion Signoury brushed her long raven locks back so she could glare at him with her piercing brown eyes.
"I thought you needed to cool down. Figured I'd help." He finally replied.
He enjoyed this view of her and tilted his head to the side to take in the angular features of her face and deep red lips. His eyes followed the deep plunging neckline of her gown and pondered how her perky breasts still remained covered by the soaked linen. The struggles of her pregnancy, over four years ago, did nothing to steal her beauty.
