Chapter Twelve #8
“The Reformed Church allows the trade of monster bones, scales, and skin, but they strictly forbid the trading of their blood and meat.”
Maxi frowned. “W-Why…would people…buy that?”
She knew that the magic stones and bones from dragons and other monsters were used to craft magical devices, while their scales and skin were used for shields and armor. However, she had never heard of people using monster blood or flesh. She had no idea what those parts might be used for.
When Maxi furrowed her brow, the princess gave her an amused look. “They can be used for dark magic or alchemy…I have heard that some even consume it.”
“C-Consume?” Maxi grimaced in disgust, as did Ludis and Sybil, prompting a laugh from the princess.
“But those are only rumors. Being caught would result in immediate banishment, so I doubt there would be anyone mad enough to do such a thing.”
“That is a heavy punishment indeed, but…I cannot fathom why anyone would want to consume such things in the first place,” Sybil remarked as he made a small gagging noise into his sleeve.
“Anyhow, it is no easy feat to create a magical device in Drachium,” Agnes continued.
“Not only do mages need a cleric’s permission to possess the items needed, but they must acquire them on the black market at an inflated price.
This is why mages in the capital come to the southern regions of the kingdom where the Reformed Church has greater influence. ”
“Does that mean…mages would flock…to Anatol as well?”
“I think a lot of them are already here. I saw quite a few doing business with the mercenaries. I would be willing to bet that more mages would come to Anatol if they were to find out how lax the church is here.”
If the princess were right, it would be a boon for Anatol that they desperately needed. Even three or four more mages meant that they would be prepared for the injury toll of another catastrophic monster attack.
But even if more mages do come to Anatol, they would likely leave once winter returned…not unless we could convince them to settle here permanently.
Maxi was deep in thought when the princess, who had been studying Maxi silently, asked in a cryptic tone, “Are you an adherent of the Reformed Church, Maximilian?”
“To my knowledge…the Duchy of Croyso…followed the Orthodox Church. Their doctrines…were always strictly observed in my father’s house,” Maxi replied.
Then, not wanting the princess to misunderstand, quickly added, “But…that does not m-mean…that I consider magic…immoral. I consider magic…a talent…bestowed by God…. No different from swordsmanship…or cleverness.”
“How nice of you to say so,” the princess said with a gentle smile.
Telling Agnes of Maxi’s own magical studies would erase any doubt from the princess’s mind of Maxi’s views on magic, but Maxi chose to keep it to herself still.
She was too embarrassed to call herself a mage in front of such a great sorceress.
The mere thought of doing so made her blush.
Clearing her throat, Maxi tapped the panel to signal the coachman to start moving.
“Where are we off to now?” Agnes asked, her eyes alight with excitement again.
“Back to the castle, Your Highness,” Sybil replied, trying to stretch his legs in the small cab. “We wasted so much time at the market that I’m afraid I am already exhausted and covered in dirt. I should like a nice bath and a good rest before the sun goes down.”
It was not just the attendant. All of the passengers, besides the princess, were exhausted. The sky blazed red from the setting sun as they left the outskirts of the village and made for the castle.
Disembarking from the carriage in front of Calypse Castle, Maxi looked up at the indigo clouds across an amber sky.
She had been a bundle of nerves the whole trip, and now her shoulders and neck felt stiff.
Wincing, she started toward the great hall, but felt an arm suddenly wrap around her waist, pulling her against a sturdy chest. Startled, she turned around as far as she could in the strong grip.
It was Riftan, in full armor, who had snuck up on her from behind. “You must have found it tiresome, being dragged around all day.”
The princess, stepping out of the carriage with Ursuline’s assistance, covered her mouth in mock indignation. “Heavens, what a mean thing to say. You make it sound as if I forced Maximilian to accompany me today.”
Ignoring the princess, Riftan looped an arm around Maxi’s shoulder and planted a kiss on the top of her head.
It was the kind of affectionate gesture he had not shown in quite a while, and it made Maxi’s face flush.
Although such public displays of intimacy still embarrassed her, her heart raced, and a tingling sensation made the fine hairs on her nape stand up.
A shiver ran down her spine when he gently caressed her arm.
“Back so soon, Commander?” Hebaron asked, looking up from the luggage he was unloading from the carriage. “I thought the soil inspection for the road construction would take a while, so I assumed you would be returning late. I hope there were no problems.”
Riftan let out a sigh and released Maxi. “I’m afraid there were, which is why I’ve been waiting out here for you and Ursuline to return. Gather everyone in the council room. There’s something I wish to discuss.”
“God. At this hour?”
“Correct,” Riftan answered firmly.
Hebaron stuck his lip out like a duck. Maxi bit her lip as well, except in disappointment rather than irritation. It appeared she would spend the night alone again.
Oblivious to her discontent, Riftan turned to Maxi. “You must be tired. You should get some rest.” With that, he gently pushed her in the direction of the great hall.
Maxi reluctantly acquiesced, retreating slowly with Ludis trailing behind her. At the princess’s voice, she stopped in her tracks.
“Let me join you.”
However, when Maxi turned, she realized that Agnes had been speaking to the knights, not to her. The princess half-jogged to catch up to Riftan. “I do not know what this is about, but I will help if I can. You know, for old times’ sake.”
Riftan gave her a curt nod. “How kind of you.”
Maxi stared after them vacantly as they headed toward the knights’ quarters. Her chest felt tight, and an unpleasant feeling swelled in her stomach. Desperate to shake it off, Maxi hurried up the stairs.
—
Maxi dined alone in her chambers that night, whiling away the time by watching the kittens play. She wondered what deliberations were keeping the knights in the council room so late into the night. The servants told her that Riftan had asked for supper to be served there as well.
Despite her exhaustion, Maxi lit a candle and began reading an ancient text at the desk. She was determined to stay up until Riftan returned. After a while, she heard the door open, and Riftan quietly walked into the room.
“You are…back.”
Riftan froze in the middle of casting off his armor and turned to her. “I thought you would be asleep.” He threw off his robe and strode over. “Why are you awake? Today’s excursion must have tired you.”
“It was not…that tiring.”
Furrowing his brow, Riftan cupped her chin and brushed a callused thumb over the dark circle under her eye. “I know you have been busy with the garden and welcome preparations. You need not exert yourself so much.”
“I am…all right. It is you…who needs rest.”
His touch melted her, and she impulsively leaned her cheek into it, pressing her lips to his palm. She felt his hand twitch, and then, with a groan, Riftan crashed their lips into a kiss. His lips were slightly cold, and Maxi tasted traces of wine on his tongue.
“I have been frustrated with need lately,” he mumbled, a hint of self-deprecation in his somber tone. He cupped her cheek and swept away the curls covering her ear. Candlelight illuminated his face, making it look almost sinister. “But I do not wish to tire you. If you do not want to…”
“I-I…don’t mind.” Maxi cautiously reached for his arm. To say she did not mind was an understatement. She had missed him terribly.
Riftan’s eyes bored into hers. A beast-like growl rumbled in his throat, and he began sucking on her lips with fervor. Maxi responded by running her hand through his hair, heat simmering inside her.
Riftan quickly shed his clothes and began fondling her breasts. While he massaged them until they were tender, Maxi caressed his hard chest and neck. By then, he was like a frenzied hound freed from its leash. Nothing could have cooled his feverish desire.
He kissed her with a desperate hunger, as if he wanted to swallow her whole, all the while stroking the flesh between her legs. It was only when she was frantic with need that he finally entered her.
The sharp pleasure she had been denied for so long made her feel as though she were melting beneath him, and the shattering climax he brought her to was so intense that it burned away all thoughts.
But even in that moment of pleasure, a void lingered within her.
Her eyes took on a faraway look as she lay in his arms, staring at the canopy above the bed.
How could there be a hunger within her that was not sated by passion?
Why could she not rid herself of this anxiety when he clearly cherished her more than she deserved?
The loneliness felt like a stain that she could not scrub away.
“Did I tire you after all?” Riftan rubbed soothing circles into her sweat-slicked skin, his voice concerned.
Maxi buried her face in his shoulder and shook her head.
Unconvinced, he caressed her swollen, pink breast and peppered her shoulder with kisses. “Did Agnes say anything?”
“What…do you mean…by anything?”
Riftan propped his head up on one arm, a faint line creasing his forehead. “Are you being coy?”
“N-No…I really don’t know…what you mean.”