Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 58: Chapter 58

“W-We’ve brought water for your bath, my lord.”

Hearing the embarrassment in the maidservant’s voice, Maxi’s ears turned red. Had she heard everything from the other room? Unfazed, Riftan tied the straps of his trousers and made his way to the door.

Maxi quickly hid behind the bed in shame and pulled the blanket over her head. A moment later, a few maidservants entered with towels and a change of clothes. It was only when they had left after filling the bath with warm water that Maxi dared look up. She saw Riftan strip off his remaining armor and clothes before submerging himself in the tub by the fire. He beckoned to her.

“Come, Maxi.”

She stared, captivated by the sight of water dripping from his dark hair. Resting an arm on the tub, he smiled at her as if he were trying to coax a wary cat.

“I’m too tired to lift a finger. Come help me wash.”

“Y-You’re lying…”

“I had to sleep out in the snow for ten days. My whole body aches, and I can’t feel my toes. Come help.”

Though it was plain that he was exaggerating, Maxi could not help but feel concerned. She slowly climbed out of bed and approached him. When she got close, Riftan grabbed her hand and began to rub his lips and cheeks against it.

“Take off your clothes and join me.”

Seeing her hesitate, he added impatiently, “I need you. Hurry.”

Looking at him with quivering eyes, she slowly began to undress. It was difficult to refuse him. After slipping out of her dress and chemise, she removed her stockings and draped them over a chair. Riftan’s dark, smoldering eyes bored into her.

When she had removed her tattered undergarments, she stepped into the tub. Riftan pulled her toward him by the waist and pressed his lips to her swollen breast, prompting her to clutch at his wet, glistening hair.

When she felt his feverish lips tremble on her skin, she felt heat rekindle in her belly. Riftan placed her on his lap and began to nibble her collarbone. With a moan, she threw her arms around his head, uncertain of whether she wanted him to stop or continue. Pleasure akin to pain prickled her spine.

Riftan cupped her breast. “You want me too, don’t you?”

Maxi’s face went beet-red, but that was sufficient response for Riftan. She saw contentment, desire, and an intense emotion she could not decipher stir behind his eyes. Sucking her lips, he spread her legs and entered her, and Maxi melted into the arms of this insatiable man once more.

***

Maxi had no moment of respite from Riftan’s bid to quench his desire. No part of her could escape his wandering hands; he kissed, nibbled, and stroked her body until her skin was tender. After titillating her to the point where she could no longer bear it, he pushed himself in and had her until she was spent, dazed by the endless series of climaxes.

When Riftan finally slumped onto the bed in contentment, Maxi felt so relieved that she could have thanked the heavens. She rested her head on his shoulder, exhausted.

“A-Aren’t you tired, R-Riftan?”

He sighed, stroking her back with a satisfied expression on his face.

“Imagine that you’ve prepared a feast for a man who’s been starved for days. What do you think he’ll do?”

Maxi blinked at him. Riftan pressed his lips to her shoulder, then continued.

“He would devour the food in front of him, even if he were on the verge of losing consciousness.”

Riftan nibbled the flesh between her neck and shoulder. Maxi squirmed and glowered at him.

“I-I am not your feast…”

“But you are so sumptuous.”

He rubbed his lips on her shoulder, which had turned pink, and stroked the sensitive spot on her nape. Alarmed, she dove under the covers. He chuckled and drew her to him, covers and all. A tingle coursed through her, the sound of his laughter tugging at her heartstrings.

Drowsy and content, Maxi buried her face in his chest, and he stroked her hair with his large hands. To be sharing such an intimate moment with another human felt like a miracle.

“I’ve wiped out all the goblins on the mountain, so there won’t be any more raids until winter is over. Once it gets warmer, we can go riding again, or we can go see the lake to the west of here. It’s beautiful even in winter.”

“I-I would l-love that.”

“Then I’ll take you when it gets warmer.”

Riftan’s voice had become softer, perhaps from fatigue. Maxi waited until she was certain that he was asleep before gingerly hugging his waist. He reciprocated as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and just then, she realized how hungry she had been for affection. It was only when she felt his warmth fill her that she became aware of the vastness of the void that had been inside her.

The realization filled her with both joy and terror. Riftan had irrefutably come to occupy the deepest recesses of her heart. He now had the power to tear her heart out, and to crush her will to live. If he grew tired of her, Maxi would have to live the rest of her days in utter desolation. The thought of that wretched fate alarmed her. She looked up at his sleeping face with fearful eyes. It was a different sort of fear from the kind her father had made her feel. Though she was worn out, sleep did not come easily.

***

Riftan rose early the next morning to make his rounds of the castle, while Maxi stayed in bed until noon before washing and getting dressed. With the distribution of the winter garments complete, there was little left for her to do in Calypse Castle.

She walked over to her desk, having decided to spend the day reading the books that Ruth had given her. Ludis soon entered with a breakfast tray, which she placed next to the stack of books.

“I prepared food you can enjoy while reading, my lady.”

Maxi smiled and thanked Ludis for her thoughtfulness. On the tray, there was a delectable meal of crepe with grape jam, walnut oat cake, and warm honeyed milk. She took a bite out of the delicate piece of cake while slowly turning the pages of the tome.

This time, Maxi understood the contents of the book with ease. Perhaps Ruth had chosen the right books for her. She wrote notes on a piece of parchment, etching the doctrines into her mind.

Though she had already wasted several sheaves of parchment since she had first begun her studies, she felt no closer to becoming a mage, and she had started to doubt whether poring over these books would enable her to learn magic. She was staring at the page with narrowed eyes when she heard a knock at the door. She closed the book and looked up.

“Wh-Who is it?”

“It’s me. I’m coming in.”

Maxi hastily put away her books and rolls of parchments as Riftan, dressed in a black knee-length robe, strode in. It was unusual for her to see him during the day even when they were both at the castle, and Maxi was pleased to see him.

“Did you sleep well?” he whispered, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Maxi nodded shyly. “F-Forgive me for waking up s-so late.”

“You should have stayed in bed.”

“B-But how could I have s-stayed in bed when y-you’d already risen?”

“There’s no need for you to keep pace with my schedule.”

Riftan seemed to be drawing a line between them. Stung, Maxi shook her head, consoling herself with the thought that he was being considerate. Riftan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began to smooth out her dress.

“Isn’t this dress too thin?”

“I-I’m wearing more l-layers underneath.”

“Come here.”

He led her by the hand to a wooden chest. He took out a velvet cloak, which he proceeded to drape around her shoulders. Maxi’s eyes went round.

“W-Where are we g-going?”

“There’s something I want to show you. We won’t be leaving the castle.”

Her hand in his, she followed as he led her out of the room, down the stairs toward the kitchen, and through the side door that led outdoors. Seeing Maxi shiver as the cold air struck her, Riftan threw an arm around her shoulders and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.

“I know, it’s cold. This won’t take long.”

Maxi looked ahead, perplexed. All she could see were bare trees and a frozen, untended path. Stifling her curiosity, she continued to follow Riftan.

He turned toward a large stable nestled among the trees behind the castle. Feeling the warm air inside greet her, Maxi lowered her hood. Though the stench of horses pervaded the stable, the place was clean and protected from the wind. In fact, it was rather cozy.

“A-Are we here t-to see the h-horses?”

“Shh.” Riftan put a finger to her lips.

She promptly squeezed her lips together and looked around. Riftan gently pulled at her arm to lead her deeper into the stables.