UNDER THE OAK TREE

374 Chapter 135

Feeling the tremor running through him, Maxi slid her fingers down his toned waistline to the loose band of his trousers.

His large member was so stiff that it was nearly ripping through the woolen material. When she gingerly held it in her hand, a strange moan gushed out of him. He gripped her wrist and began thrusting into her palm.

"Maxi..."

Maxi looked up at him. Through the dark, she saw his eyes burning with desire.

Riftan slid an arm over her shoulder to grip her nape, continuing to move rhythmically against her hand as he pushed his tongue into her mouth. It all felt terribly primal.

Her heart began to pound in excitement. Fatigue and fear forgotten, all she wanted in that moment was to make this strong and beautiful knight happy.

She eagerly sucked his tongue as her hand pleasured him over his strained trousers. Cussing, Riftan roughly yanked the garment down.

Knowing what he desired, Maxi promptly sat up. She gripped his hardness with both hands and slowly moved them up and down.

She saw his jaw clench as he threw his head back. Seeing him losing his mind to pleasure sent a fiery thrill through her.

Gently circling her thumb over the wet tip of his member, she kissed the vein bulging from his neck. She heard him grinding his teeth. His hand clamped onto her nape again. Despite the roughness of the action, she felt no desire to complain.

Riftan hungrily tasted her mouth while his hand slid into her loosely tied trousers. Maxi unwittingly bit his tongue.

His fingers found the throbbing nub hidden beneath her bush, and the slick noises as he began to stroke made her realize how aroused she was. When he slid a finger inside, it was her turn to writhe.

The only thing she could focus on was what his finger was doing. Whenever he delicately rubbed the sensitive places inside, a shot of lightning ran down her spine.

Panting, she began to squirm, and he prompted her to pleasure him again by moving her hand. Lying face to face on the cramped bed, they indulged in each other for some time until, frustrated at the climax that lay just out of reach, Maxi grew impatient.

When she looked up at him beseechingly, she saw that he had also reached his limit. Withdrawing his fingers, Riftan pulled off her trousers and threw them on the floor. He urged her to climb on top of him. Maxi drew a sharp breath as he immediately penetrated her.

"Does it hurt?" he asked anxiously, caressing her tense back.

Maxi shook her head. There was slight pain, but it was nothing compared to the pleasure. When Riftan made no move, Maxi slowly rocked back and forth, moans escaping their mouths simultaneously.

Why did the act always feel so unfamiliar? Eyes closed, she was savoring the sensation of him filling her when he suddenly grabbed her hips and thrust upward. She gasped for air as she fell on his chest. He began to move rhythmically, and Maxi thought she might lose her mind. Her toes curled with each thrust, and whimpers broke out of her.

She involuntarily twisted her hips, not knowing if it was to escape or to drive him even deeper into her. She let go completely, entrusting her instincts to take over.

At last, her vision growing hazy, she climaxed. Maxi bit her lip as her whole body tensed, her sensitive inner wall spasming and clamping around him.

Riftan grew rigid as well. He held her in a crushing embrace, and she sensed him restraining his movements before hastily pulling out of her. She watched in a daze as he stroked himself. Soon, hot fluid spattered onto both of their abdomens.

"Goddammit, that was close!"

Riftan flopped onto the bed in exhaustion. Still sprawled on top of him, Maxi jerked her head up.

After confirming that she was not pregnant, Riftan had taken great pains not to release his seed inside her. In fact, throughout the campaign, the most intimacy he dared were light kisses here and there. It seemed tonight he had finally reached the limits of his self- restraint.

He leaned back, his arms still wrapped around her. When he finally got out of bed, he immediately returned with a basin of lukewarm water and a towel. He wiped her down with great care before starting on himself.

Maxi watched as he sat on the bed with his back to her, adjusting his trousers. She silently snaked her arms around his waist. She felt him freeze, then shift to return the embrace.

"There's nothing to worry about. You have me."

Somehow, it felt as though the words were meant more for himself. She caressed his strained neck and rested her head on his muscled shoulder.

"I'm not worried. I just... needed you." Feeling a prick of guilt, she added, "Still, I apologize for behaving so irresponsibly when... you have been holding back for my sake."

"You may have started it, but I was the one who lost control."

Riftan let out a small sigh as he patted her back as though soothing a puppy. "You don't have to apologize. I wouldn't have been able to restrain myself for much longer anyway."

Maxi rolled her eyes. Despite what he said, she doubted he would have touched her if she had not made an advance. His patience and self-control had solidified during their separation, much to her vexation, making it nearly impossible to tempt him.

She looked up at him and sullenly mumbled, "L-Liar. Y-You seemed to hold yourself back quite capably."

Riftan, who had been pulling at the cover, furrowed his brow. Squeezing her face in his hands, he asked, "What are you so unhappy about?"

"N-Nothing. It's just..." Trailing off, she hesitated before finally blurting out, "I-I feel that... I desire you... more than you desire me... a-and that... u-upsets me a little."

She felt him freeze in place. When she peeked at his face, she found her husband looking down at her as though she had uttered something absurd.

Flushing, she pushed his hand off her. She tried to turn away, but he grabbed her waist. He pressed his lower body against her and murmured, "You think I desire you less?"

Maxi swallowed past her dry throat. His member, which had grown hard again, was nudging her lower abdomen.

"I can barely keep my hands off you, so stop trying to provoke me with such absurdities," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

When Maxi nodded, Riftan heaved a sigh.

He shifted slightly so their lower bodies were apart again and said gently as he tucked her in, "You should sleep now. A tougher journey awaits us tomorrow."

"But... i-is it all right... to leave it like that?"

"It will settle on its own. Enough talk and just go to sleep," Riftan said through gritted teeth.

Maxi closed her mouth. Her words seemed to provoke him no matter what she said. With a small sigh, her eyes fluttered shut. Soon, the crackling fire and buffeting winds lulled her to sleep.

The following day, the coalition army split into separate units. It was a necessary move, as they could not afford to send all their forces to save Darund Castle while also racing against time to reach the Lexos Mountains.

The Knights of Phil Aaron and the Wedonian army marched north toward Darund, and the Bolosé Royal Knights, Temple Knights, and the mages of the Tower continued their journey southeast.

Maxi's anxiety grew as she observed the fluttering banners of the Remdragon Knights and the Knights of Phil Aaron. She wondered why the two groups had been chosen to form a unit. Was it not widely known that Richard Breston held deep animosity toward Riftan? It was highly doubtful the man would obediently follow Riftan's orders.

Her gaze shifted nervously to Riftan, who led the army. She struggled to understand why he had made such a decision. Did he intend to keep a close eye on the northerners despite the risk they posed?

She wracked her brain for a reason but eventually gave up to focus on riding. The decision had been made, and all she could do now was trust and follow her commander. Staying close to Elliot, she urged her mare up the snowy hill.

Soon, they came upon a windmill and a cluster of storehouses. The windmill appeared to be damaged, its walls tipping forward. The knights brought their steeds to a halt not far from it

Maxi soon realized why. Scattered on the ground near the structure's crumbling timber frame, alongside the splintered sails, were charred human remains.