This chapter is from Gregory And The Hawk - Boats & Birds

Just because of the DDoS attack I'm paranoid now so I've put a link to both my AO3 and WP author page though it's pretty easy to find me there since I use the same username.
I've also linked my Tumblr there, I've rarely used it but with the upcoming move and everything I can try and keep y'all updated there 3
This chapter took a little longer than I had planned. While doing a final revise I got the urge to both add and completely change some things but it was well worth it.

My GOD was this a monster of a chapter but I think it might be one of my favorites...it's definitely my longest lol
I'm also starting to slowly love Gabel the more I write him, he might take over as my fav RDK, sorry Uly.
Final chapter for Meet Me in the Garden is coming up with my goal of having the second part of the series up on August 7th but that really depends on how many chapters I'm able to set up.3

"D-do you l-like d-dancing?"

Riftan winced at the question, not even a few seconds after they met up and she was already bringing up that dammed dance. He shouldn't be surprised by it; he did tell her he would refuse to dance with that woman. Which he would have if it wasn't for Ursuline being there along with the fact she would have caused a scene if she had been refused.

"No, and I didn't enjoy having to do that."

That answer didn't seem to satisfy Maxi as she continued to look morose while pulling at thread that had come loose from her muted green sleeve.

"She was starting to cause a scene."

"I u-understand."

Riftan ran a hand over his face as he sighed, he could feel himself getting irritated, though it was mostly at himself. Once again, there was just a twinge of excitement at the fact she was jealous. Still, he didn't want their last conversation to be about that leech of a woman.

Slowly, Riftan reached out to take her hand in his and bring it up to his lips. "I would have preferred to dance with you."

She finally looked up at him for a moment and Riftan was relieved to see she didn't look as upset as she had just moments before. However, she was starting to look nerves at the mere thought of dancing. That didn't make sense to him. Didn't all nobles learn how to dance or was that a lie told to him by his commander. He thought for a moment that perhaps she just didn't like dancing in public. However, another reason came to mind as a bitter feeling started to sink into his stomach. As much as he knew it wasn't true, the thought that she just didn't want to be seen dancing him wouldn't go away.

"Unless you don't want to." he murmured, trying to keep any emotions from his voice as he gently brushed his thumb over her knuckles.

"It's n-not th-that. It's j-just...m-my father, he...he would n-never a-allow it."

"Not with anyone?"

Maxi didn't hesitate to shake her head no and Riftan hated how much better that made him feel, that it wouldn't just be him that the duke would shield his daughter way from.

"W-would you..." she spoke up but quickly stopped herself while looking down, it was kind of cute how embarrassed she was by the cut off question.

"Would I what?"

"Y-you said you d-don't l-like...dancing." she mumbled, and he felt himself smiling, getting a feeling of what she was trying to say.

Riftan truly wasn't sure if Triton would even be able to do what he hinted at. He was doubtful, but his commander was just as stubborn as he was, so there is a possibility. Still, Riftan held off on telling her about the possibility of them dancing.

There was no need to get both of our hopes up.

"I'd enjoy doing anything if it's with you." he confesses while using his free hand to brush her hair over her ears.

"E-even, e-embroidery?" she asked with a shy smile.

"I can't promise I'd ever be good at it, but I'll try if it'll make you smile like that." he answered with a light chuckle.

Maxi tilted her head to the side, causing the newly tucked away hair to fall from behind her ears.

"Like wh-what?"

He smirked as he watched her hair dance around in the wind. Riftan didn't know how much his answer would make sense. He knew her smile could brighten up any room and it always seemed to make her eyes shine. He also noticed that she would sometimes blush when she smiled, turning her freckles into specks of gold while her crimson hair resembled the clouds during dawn.

She was like the sun.

"You must know how beautiful your smile is, Maxi." he finally replied, not fully answering her question as he took hold of a stray curl.

Maxi looked genuinely surprised by his words, it was something he couldn't fathom. As much as hated the thought, he knew there had to be moments in her life where another man had complemented her or given extravagant gifts worth her weight in gold. Unless...would her father keep her away from them?

Riftan twirled the curl around his finger as he thought back. She had never left the castle grounds before and her father forbade her from dancing with anyone. Could the real reason why Maxi isn't at court be due to her father's over protectiveness? A way to keep his daughter from being courted by anyone?

Before he was able to theories anymore, Riftan felt Maxi's reach out to cup his face in her hands and all of a sudden, his whole world became solely focused on her again. He wouldn't be surprised if one day he learned she could cast magic with the way she could so easily put him under a trance.

Slowly, he allowed her to pull him down closer to her flushed face. He couldn't hold back the smile as he watched her eyes dart to his lips before placing a quick kiss. Riftan didn't give Maxi the chance to pull away as he quickly brought up a hand to hold onto the back of her head, keeping her lips against his own. He didn't hesitate to kiss her back with more heat and less innocence compared to her little chaste kiss.

He liked to think she had kept her hair down in anticipation for him to run his hand through her curls as her own went from holding his face to wrapping around his neck. He wouldn't be surprised if they completely melted into each other with how tightly they were holding onto one another.

He would miss this; he didn't know if he could survive going a day without feeling her body against his or tasting her lips as she slowly grazed her nails against from the back of his head down to the nape of his neck. Every little sound and movent from her only seemed to make his body crave more of her until it ached. It wasn't until he lightly bit her bottom lip that she let out a moan which sent a shiver down his spine and made him lose control.

Unwrapping his arms from her Riftan swiftly took hold of her waist and hoisted her up so he could pin her against the nearby tree. The new height difference allowed for a better angle as he started to assault her decolletage with little bits and kisses. However, as one of his hands started to move from holding her to gilding over her rib cage and up towards her breast that he felt Maxi start to pull away.

The little moment of resistance from her snapped him back out of his craze. Letting out a slew of curses under his breath, Riftan quickly pulled away from her and set her back down firmly on the ground.

"R-Riftan?"

Letting out a shaky breath, he glanced down at her and forced himself to hold back a groan. Maxi was still breathing hard with her hair a mess and her face flushed. Even part of her dress had been pushed away from her shoulder to expose more skin along with the edge of her shift. If anyone was to see her right now, they would have assumed he had fully taken her.

Riftan tried to keep his breathing steady as he reached out to fix her dress. He could almost laugh, judging by the surprised look on her face, she wasn't the only one that didn't notice how he had started to push her bodice down.

"I'm..." his voice came out a little too horse and he cleared his throat.

"I shouldn't have done that."

There was a small pause, which he was partially thankful for as it gave him time to cool down...until she shocked him with a simple question of.

"Why?"

He had to process what she had just said for a moment.

"You...last time you didn't like that. You told me to stop, remember?" Riftan was pretty sure he was the only intoxicated one that night.

She looked away and started to play with her hair, making the curls even fluffier.

"I w-was s-surprised...and i-it w-was...unexpected but..." She glanced up at him before looking away. "I didn't h-hate it"

A loud crack rang out as Riftan closed his eyes and smacked his head against the tree.

Maxi started to fuss at his sudden action but he held up his hand to stop her, not needed any distracting as he started to try and recite the oath he took. It was the only thing he could think doing at the moment to keep his mind from picturing certain things brought on by the fact she didn't hate him pawing at her like that as he pushed himself against...

"Fuck."

Riftan opened his eyes to look down at a worried looking Maxi. With her hair continued to be a delightful mess and her face still red she brought up a hand to touch his forehead, gently removing it from the tree.

The timid yet kind gesture pulled at his heart but as he brought his hand up to brush a thumb over her lips the bells started to ring out.

Despite knowing she needed to go, despite her telling him before she couldn't be late, Riftan quickly pulled her in for one last kiss.

It ended too quickly as she placed her hands on his chest to push him back.

"I h-have to g-go."

Riftan answered her by shaking his head and kissing her again.

Just a little more.

Maxi didn't seem to like that answer and moved her face away.

"R-Riftan, please." Her voice was small, and he could hear it shake slightly.

Sighing, he brought her in for one last hug, holding her tightly as he kissed her temple. His only solace was the fact that, despite her words, she also seemed hesitant to slip out of his grasp.

As befitting for the final victory banquet, the cavernous space was lavishly decorated. Gold adorned the walls, and the lilting melody of a lute floated through the air. Nobles in their most extravagant finery sat along tables full of fragrant wine, rich food, and fresh fruits.

Not even a second after he entered the hall Riftan could feel the banqueters' eyes on him, gawking at him as they do every night as if he were a crow in a peacock cage. He had tried to ignore them and joined the Remdragon Knights at their seats. No one could say he didn't attempt to enjoy himself, but his mind and eyes kept wondering toward where The Duke of Croyso, in an ostentatious display of fur and silk, sat overlooking everyone at the head of the table with Maxi by his side. Her dress was an elegant velvet in a deep red that showed off her shoulders with her hair pulled into an elaborate braided bun.

His heart instantly started to ache as he watched her glance at him before looking back down with her shoulders hunched. It took all of Riftan's willpower not to stare at her for too long, but the gloomy aura she was giving off made her difficult to ignore. His mood was in a similar state and refused to improve. It didn't help that the ladies from around the room seemed to focus on him more so than the usual amount. No doubt it was a result of last night's dance. It was to the point where both Hebaron and Gabel couldn't keep up. Riftan wasn't sure how or when but at some point they roped Ursuline to dance with the ladies.

The whole thing made him feel oddly paranoid, as if this was some part of Triton's plan so when he got the chance, Riftan snuck off to hide in the corner of the large room. It thankfully worked for a while with the only ones who seemed to notice him for a moment being a servant who had brought him another goblet of wine and an ecstatic looking Gabel.

Riftan watched said goodby to the lady he had been entertaining before he approached him while expertly dodging those dancing beneath glimmering candlelight to the bards' songs.

"Enjoying the festivities, I see."

"I'm trying to avoid another scene." said while taking a sip of the expensive wine.

Something about the tone of Riftan's voice only made Gabel nearly snort in laughter.

"Ah, yes, the lady Duranne. Quite the stubborn woman. You know, if you had stuck beside Sir Hebaron and I that could have been avoided."

"I'm aware." Riftan grumbled as he side eyed Gabel. "How long have you been doing this?"

"It began when I started to get a feeling you were interested in one of the ladies here. At first it was to see if you would react to any of the women I flirted with." Gabel let out a sigh. "I was disappointed when it looked like you didn't even notice it."

"So why keep it up?"

Gabel casually shrugged.

"I was having fun but I'll take you finally noticing as a thank you."

Riftan shook his head and laughed despite himself.

For just a brief a moment there was a peaceful silence between the two of them and Riftan nearly got the idea to ask Gabel about Triton's idea until his ears picked up on the sound of drunken voices.

"-marrying off the eldest to the royal family would be difficult considering her condition. She would need to bear healthy sons."

Riftan head quickly turned to where the voice was coming from. It didn't take much effort to sop the drunken men openly appraising Maxi as if she were a broodmare.

"Indeed, it is a major flaw, but she is still the Duke of Croyso's daughter. That is, worthy bride material. No doubt His Grace's doting will guarantee she comes with a substantial dowry." The older man, who looked to be well over thirty, said with a sickening smirked as Riftan's hand started to hurt with how tightly he was clenching his fist.

"What good is a dowry if she cannot produce an heir? If you have no successor, your fortune and estate will revert to the crown."

"Keep up, my good man. If she is truly as sickly as they say, she will not survive for much longer. You could simply find yourself a new wife once the opportunity arises."

The thought that she might be seriously ill was enough to make Riftan feel as if he had been stabbed in the heart, but that last comment caused him to feel an overwhelming urge to kill the noblemen surged in Riftan's chest. He glowered at them, itching to drag the scum to a corner and slit their throats. That would ensure they could never wag their filthy tongues again.

"The absolute nerve."

Riftan snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Gabel clicking his tongue. The younger knight spoke up loud enough to also draw the attention of the drunken men along with a number of others nearby.

"Imagine sipping on such fine wine provided by your gracious host only to turn around and spread such foul rumors of his beloved daughter."

The two turned around as Gabel spoke and Riftan rage continued to build. They had the gall to look offended by his words after the foul shit they had just been saying about her. They might have even spoken up if it wasn't for their attention being drawn to Riftan who took a step closer to tower over them. Though his expression was steady, Riftan was well aware that the look in his eyes gave away his anger.

Riftan turned his gaze to the duke sitting next to her like a warden. Though the man was pompous to the core, he would no doubt be her greatest protector. He couldn't blame the duke for keeping Maxi tucked away in the castle if it meant keeping her safe from scum like these noblemen.

"I wonder how the duke would react if he knew what you've been spouting." Riftan added with a threatening tone causing their once rosy faces to blanched.

The older man cleared his throat and tried to fix his posture.

"H-how dare you make such accu-"

"Ah! Perfect timing, it would seem our commander would like a word with us." Gabel interrupted with a smirk as he gestured towards where their commander standing near the duke as he waved them over. The noblemen turned to look where Gabel was pointing and Riftan was surprise they didn't just piss themselves right then and there.

"As if the duke would believe anything you would say." The other spat out in an attempt to hide his panic as he gave Riftan a disgusted look.

And there it was, the face that Riftan had come to be used to seeing at these events. Glaring at him as if he was a stain that couldn't be washed off their perfect society.

"Maybe, but it'll be fun to find out." Gabel retorted as he started to follow Riftan who had begun to step away, despite how tempting it was to knock out a few of their teeth he knew he had to step away before he ruined their orders reputation.

"Pigs."

Despite his anger, Riftan cocked a brow at Gabel's comment.

"What? Even I have standards." the comment made Riftan let out a cynical laugh.

"You were spreading similar rumors as well."

"I did no such thing; I was merely testing you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure a little rumor reaches the duke ear by the end of the night." Gabel gave a little polite nod towards his vice commander before slipping away.

Riftan honestly didn't know what to make of Gabel's hypocrisy at the moment, all he knew was that he truly hated the delicate politics of nobility. Riftan would give anything to just throw those two out the window, but he knew Gabel's approach was irritably the most sensible one. He could only hope that the duke's reputation towards his daughter was true. Someone with that much wealth and influence could easily ruin those two. Although, it wouldn't be as satisfying as all the little ideas currently running through Riftan's mind.

As he drew closer to his commander his anger slowly lowered to a simmer that possibly matched the rather crossed-looking duke. Despite the smiles both men had Riftan could feel the tension in the air chilling everyone around them.

"Sir Riftan, would you do the honors of dancing with lady Maximilian?"

Riftan paused mid bow, not expecting his commander to just out right ask like that.

"Sir Evan, I was under the impression you would be doing the honors." The duke still held a polite smile but the tone he gave felt like a warning, one which Triton ignored.

"I'm afraid my injury would prevent me from doing the honors." he said while gesturing towards his arm, Riftan tried not to look so skeptical at the man's words. His arm may still be troubling him, but a simple dance would still be doable, and the duke had to know that.

"Sir Riftan may not be fond of the act, but as you saw yesterday, he is a fine dancer and would gladly do the honors of showing our gratitude towards your house."

Riftan's eyes darted towards Maxi as his commander spoke to see her reaction. Her body looked just as tense as it was before. Despite the fact that it would give them away if she even looked a little happy, he still wished she didn't looks so apathetic.

"What a...unique gesture." The duke finally spoke, Riftan could feel the hate radiating off the man, it made him hesitate to hold his hand out for Maxi to take. Riftan was possibly the last person the duke wanted around Maxi, no doubt lumping him in with the rest of the scum.

It wasn't until Triton elbowed Riftan before he gained the confidence to hold out his hand, all the while keeping his mouth shut, not wishing to risk anything.

Surprisingly, Maxi wasn't as hesitant and gently placed her hand in his allowing him to slowly lead her toward the others dancing.

He remembered within the first week of gaining his land and title both Triton and Gabel had all but locked him in a room for what felt like an eternity. They had insisted that Riftan learn all the proper dances of nobility. He hated it, he was supposed to be a knight not some pompous fool. Yet they refused to let him leave until he at least learned some of the basics. He's still surprised to this day that he didn't throw away his oaths after that ordeal and he truly hated the fact that it had come in handy a few times over the years.

There haven't been many instances where he needed to dance with anyone but each time he did he felt a little thankful. It was bad enough that people would gawk at him; he didn't need to add in fuel by stomping on his dance partners' feet. However, nothing they taught him could have prepared for just how many were focused in on him right now.

Riftan didn't need to look around to see their looks of repulsion as they no doubt scrutinized the lowborn 'pagan's' every movement as he led the duke's daughter. He only prayed it didn't bother her to be seen like this with him.

As the next song began to start, they crossed their wrists over one another and slowly followed the crowd as they began to move in a circle. His eyes darted from her face to their linked wrist, and he couldn't help recalling the comments of her health as he noticed how thin her arm was. It was something he shouldn't be surprised to see. Each time he held her he could always feel how thin she was and he thought he knew why with how rarely she ate at the banquets. Even during their picnic she would play with her food rather than eat it. So there was no real mystery as to her slight stature

His eyes darted to where she had been injured and that sinking feeling quickly slithered its way back. At, least that what he wanted to believe.

Unable to take the guilt anymore Riftan spoke up, making sure to keep his tone low as they moved from turning in one direction to another while switching wrists.

"Maxi, I need to know something."

For a moment her mask slipped, and she looked up at him before glancing around at the others around them.

"How... how is your health?"

Her eyes darted around once more at the question; she was starting to look as anxious as he felt. It made his blood boil with a mixture of rage and guilt; how many years have rumors of her health been plaguing her?

Maxi didn't answer him until the dance switched up to where they were face to face with one of her hands now placed in his as he rested the other against her ribs where he could feel her heart racing.

"I'm a-alright." His eyes narrowed at her tone; it didn't sound like she believed her own words.

Riftan once again looked at her arm before swallowing down the lump in his throat.

"So, the venom didn't have any lasting effect on your health?"

The question seemed to have surprised her and her body started to relax more, making her ridged movements become more fluid as the tempo started to pick up.

"I h-had a...f-fever, but it w-went a-away...after I-I w-was healed." Unlike her previous comment, this one he believed. Yet he still needed to make sure.

"Truly?"

She nodded as they began to move faster and Riftan took advantage of their building momentum to push Maxi out into a spin, causing her skirts to ripple and highlight the tones hidden in the soft velvet. The simple little act also caused her once dull eyes to start to shine again.

Did this mean I was fast enough?

Was that why she had so many healers?

His eyes quickly darted toward the duke who glared at him.

Is that why you hired so many hierarchs?

Having his eldest daughter hurt like that, nearly dying to something so preventable, of course he would ensure something like that would never happen again.

Despite her being the one to have been spun around, Riftan started to feel dizzy at the sudden rush of relief. He could hardly hold back a smile and as the tempo of the music reached its height, he took hold of the small of her waist and lifted her up to spin them both around, making her light up the room with her smile.

To hell with the rumors, to hell with any of them who would dare see her as nothing more than a broodmare. If there was one thing both he and the duke could ever agree on was the need to fend off those who would only see her were some mere object to be used and thrown away. Just the thought that someone could look at her and feel that way filled him with rage and fierce urge to protect her.

Maxi was so much more than that, so much more than anyone in this room could ever dream to be and Riftan felt like the luckiest man here, because he knew they would never know her as well as he did.

As the dance continued his mood began to lighten more and more. He could no longer feel the eyes of those in the room on him, all he could focus on was Maxi. On the feeling of her in his arms, the soft fabric of her rich dress and the hammering of her heart under his hand as she smiled and laughed while they danced.

It was like day and night to how she looked just moments ago; her ridged posture and sullen look was completely washed away as her adorable curls started to break free and frame beautiful face.

She looked so beautiful and carefree and it took all his everything he had not to pull her in close and kiss her as the song came to an end.

As they parted Riftan brought her hand up to kiss it, trying his best not to linger too long.

"Y-you're l-leaving...tomorrow m-morning?"

Riftan slowly nodded as he released her hand. Hearing her ask that made him feel both elated to know she wanted to see him just one last time, but it also twisted his heart since he knew that they couldn't.

The once bright look in her eyes slowly faded as she gave him a small curtsy.

"Th-then, I p-p-pray for your s-safe...t-travels, S-Sir R-Riftan." she mumbled, fumbling with her words a little as her voice trembled.

He wished he could hold her again, but he held back as he watched Maxi walk away. Although he could already feel his gut twisting in frustration as his stepfather's words, he couldn't stop his eyes from trailing her. He couldn't stop himself from wishing for her to turn around and look at him again. He expected her to keep walking like the fist banquet, but to his delight she did turn back for just a moment before disappearing behind a corner.

For the rest of the banquet Riftan kept dodging the questions from some of the other knights and ignoring the cold glare from the duke as he sipped his wine. It wasn't until the night was nearly over, when most had either left or where now deep in their cups, that he was finally able to thank Triton.

Riftan felt conflicted as he watched the gradually receding Croyso Castle. A small part of him wondered how many days would pass before she regretted everything between them. How long would it take for her to eventually ignore his letters?

Riftan laughed as he shook his head, willing himself to push away that voice of doubt as he remembered what his commander had told him.

Triton had visited just as dawn broke, catching him as he was trying to pack the little pressed flower safely away.

"Good, you're nearly done. I'll need your help dragging Hebaron out of here, the lad indulged a little too much last night." Riftan had chuckled at that, knowing very well that Triton would make Hebaron pay for that latter.

"Did the lady gift you that?"

The sudden question had made Riftan's face burn, and he refused to answer the question as he continued to try and place the gift safely way, padding it with as many of his clothes as possible, though he hated how it would likely stain the scent of her perfume with the smell of horse.

"My wife is completely captivated with her garden."

Riftan had paused his movements as he gave his commander a confused look.

"It's practically her child." he said with a cheerful tone. "She knows every plant and flower that resides on the grounds and could tell you the usage and meaning of each one as well."

He continued to speak before nodding towards Riftan. "That one, is one of her favorites."

Riftan wasn't sure what his commander was getting at until he told him the name of the little flower tucked away, the same one that had once been part of the many others that made up the little flower crown Maxi had once gifted him.

It was strange, the little mirrored moments in life. The first time he had left the duchy his last thoughts had been of her sitting alone in the garden. That didn't change, he could still picture Maxi sitting in the garden waiting form him, however, but his feelings and actions were so different from ten years ago.

Before, he had sworn to himself to never look up and now, he found himself doing just that and while he had scattered the dried flowers across the road, he now held on tight to her gifts with the necklace around his neck and the little handkerchief carefully tucked away protecting the small forget-me-not.