Ri giggled lightly at this slightly erratic version of Dyon. She had only stayed by his side for so long because she was worried about how he'd react to Jade's situation, but it seemed he had bounced back quicker than she expected. She could tell that he was still troubled by the situation, but she also knew that he had chosen to look forward instead of backward.
That was the kind of man Dyon was. Since his future self messed up, he wouldn't allow this current version of himself to do the same. If he wasn't certain before, he was certain now. He couldn't allow Jade's tragedy to repeat.
Ri smiled and left silently. She had taken up responsibility as the Elvin Queen. She had taken a more hands on approach to fostering the growth of the Elves during the past few years and it was a responsibility that she was intent on upholding.
Jade's words about the final remaining elves struck a nerve with Ri. She wouldn't allow her people to face the same fate in this life Since Dyon was working hard, she would work hard too.
Finally, countless hours later, Dyon awoke from his trance, numerous plans floating around in his mind.
"Oh!" Dyon looked toward Amphorae with an apologetic expression.
However, Amphorae didn't seem perturbed.
"Lord Husband Are you alright?"
Dyon smiled. Amphorae looked truly adorable right now. She was clearly out of her comfort zone, trying to help Dyon feel better while not being certain how to. Her slightly flustered appearance made Dyon's heartbeat quicken.
Dyon's arm reflexively wrapped around her small waist. Her aura was so powerful that he felt his newly reconstructed forearm crumbling under her presence, but he held her tightly anyway.
"One of these days, I'm going to conquer you."
The words almost came out in a low growl, a bestial rumbling hidden deep within Dyon's chest.
He would never say such a thing to any of his other wives. What 'conquering'? He saw his women as his own equals. Just like he was, they were pillars for the future success of the Mortal Alliance.
However, something felt different about his relationship with Amphorae. There was still a barrier between the two of them. Though, it was an incredibly thin one. It existed nonetheless.
There was a heavy power imbalance in their relationship. This wasn't something as simple as Amphorae being far stronger than Dyon, it was something deeper than that. She was more mature, her mind was steadier, and she spent more time uplifting Dyon than Dyon spent uplifting her.
Dyon understood this reality more than anyone. His words weren't something anchored in some toxic will to dominate his woman. It was about expressing his desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with his wife, to promise her that there'd be a day where he too could uplift her.
Amphorae smiled lightly, resting her head on Dyon's chest.
"I look forward to it, Lord Husband."
The faint whisper of her voice made Dyon's spine tingle. He wanted to whisk her away to the nearest bed, but remembering his pathetic display last time, he refrained. Instead, there was something more important he felt he had to do.
"For now, I'll have to rely on you." Dyon smiled. "I'd like to know more about your Clan. I don't mean the Pakals Rather, I want to understand more about what it means to be an angel."
This was something Dyon felt he needed to understand. Now that Amphorae's memories from her first life had awoken after meeting Dyon, there was no better person to learn from than his own wife.
...
Dyon and Amphorae moved locations, settling within the hidden garden of the Soul Palace, just a few meters away from the fountain that protected the entrance of the celestial beast realm.
The small garden was just as beautiful as usual. After paying respects to Mia and Bella's grave, the couple sat before its small stream, Amphorae happily sitting on Dyon's lap. It seemed that even if she was aware that she wore the "pants" of their relationship, she still didn't mind pretending to be vulnerable for Dyon's sake. Who knows, maybe that was the real reason she insisted on calling him Lord Husband.
"You probably already know that angels are separated into two categories. Hell's Angels and Angels. One is known for their body prowess, while the other is known for their qi control, manipulation, and output.
"Still, there are some special categories as there always are. My father, from my first life, had black wings tinted in red. This sort of tinted color layered atop of your path choice is only possible for angels with high blood purity and comprehension.
"The red winged path is one of battle and blood. While I have white wings normally, just like my father, my wings are also tinted in red. Well maybe tinted isn't a strong enough word"
Amphorae's words trailed off. Since it didn't seem like she was intent on completing her thoughts, Dyon didn't press her. He wasn't yet stable enough to help her carry her burdens, so who was he to press her to reveal her secrets?
"Lord Husband is a bit, no, more than a bit special, though. You don't seem to have angel blood, but you very clearly have angel wings and share the abilities of angels as well. Also, you can bring out white, black and even golden wings. In addition to all of this, you can display the characteristics of the Virtuous, Archangels, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim"
Amphorae took a deep breath.
"You might have guessed, but the Virtuous have two pairs of wings, Archangels have three pairs of wings, Thrones have four, Cherubs have five and Seraphs have six Though Lord Husband has yet to form his sixth pair, you've already entered the realm of Cherubs."
Dyon stifled a laugh, causing Amphorae to look back and up at him in confusion. He was then forced to explain that in his mortal world, cherubs were cute babies with wings. It was hard for Dyon to connect with the five-winged demi-gods Amphorae described.