“I will leave it to you, then.”
With a faint smile, Riftan removed his thick leather boots and slid off his belt. After picking up his shoes and placing them neatly by a wall, Maxi called for Ludis to prepare a bath. As she did so, Riftan stood in front of the window, cooling off in the crisp evening breeze. His gaze was stony as he stared at the castle wall, now shrouded in darkness. Maxi, who had opened a chest to take out his nightshirt, paused to watch him.
His broad back seemed more tense than usual, and a dark shadow clouded his face. Her heart ached at his obvious weariness.
So many burdens rested on his broad shoulders: his duties as the king’s vassal, his duties as a liege, and his duties as the commander of his knights…. Even a man as strong as steel would have to grow tired at some point.
After a brief hesitation, Maxi slowly walked over to him and placed her hands on his waist. Riftan looked down at her with a faint smile.
“What’s this? Are you trying to seduce me?”
“It’s just…you looked like you were in a b-bad mood.”
With a flush coloring her face, she pretended to brush some dust off his tunic. A soft laugh escaped Riftan’s lips. He wrapped his sturdy arms around her and pecked the top of her head.
“Your adorable antics are happening more frequently these days. I’m a happy man.”
The heavy air seemed to have dissipated, and Maxi felt relieved. She rubbed her forehead against his broad chest. Although she felt sorry for the knights who were leaving, she was glad that Riftan would not be heading into such danger himself.
—
“Your hair smells nice.”
Riftan exhaled slowly and rested his head on her shoulder. Maxi blushed, glad that she had applied a few drops of rose oil to her hair earlier in the day.
Burying his nose in her thick hair, Riftan slid an arm under her buttocks and hoisted her off the ground. His roughhand caressing her made Maxi shudder with pleasure, and she snuggled more comfortably into his arms.
Being enveloped so perfectly against his large frame made her feel euphoric beyond words. His soft hair tickled her forehead and nose, and his steely arms held her against him with a force that was just enough not to hurt her.
Brushing his hair behind his ear, Maxi released a soft moan. Her whole body felt as if it were melting. Drunk with a languid heat, she barely heard the knock at the door.
“My lord, your bath is ready.”
Riftan paused in kneading her breast and kissing her pale shoulder. He sighed.
“I knew it. Our servants have the best timing,” he grumbled, lowering her to the floor. “Come in.”
The door opened as his voice rang out, and the servants set up his bath. Riftan walked over to the tub and threw off his tunic, giving Maxi a seductive smile. “It’s been so long. Join me?”
“I…I have already washed,” she murmured, glancing at the servants who were adding cold water into the bath to adjust the temperature.
“Don’t be like that. Come here.”
He dipped a finger into the water, then motioned to the servants to leave. Once they had rushed out of the room, Maxi walked over to him, pretending to be unwilling. Riftan’s lips curved into a contented smile as he undid the belt of her dress.
—
The preparations for thecampaign started early the next morning. Awoken by the clamor of activity, Maxi slowlysat up in bed and looked out the window. Servants and soldiers bustled about in the spacious garden that was illuminated with the bluish light of dawn. Loud neighing and gruff voices drifted in from afar.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, Maxi watched the flurry of activity before turning to the empty space next to the bed. Of course, Riftan’s armor stand was empty as well. She sighed and called for Ludis to help her get ready for the day.
Riftan had told her not to trouble herself with the preparations, but she was certain there was something she could assist with before the knights left. After slipping into a blue bliaut, Maxi had her hair braided and coiled into a bun. She immediately headed to the backyard.
Dozens of horses were lined up as knights inspected their condition and their horseshoes one by one. Maxi spotted a familiar face among the men and made a beeline toward him. Sir Elliot, who had been deep in conversation with Rodrigo, smiled politely when he saw her approaching.
“Good morning, my lady.”
“Good…morning. Are you in the m-midst of preparing for the campaign?”
