Archive of Our Own ^beta

The only sound that could be heard after the Commander's outburst was the crashing of waves slamming against the dock. No one knew quite what to say, still in shock at seeing their leader publicly show such strong vulnerable emotions.  

Hebaron and Elliot had released him once they were sure he would not try to dive into the sea again, giving him space to catch his breath and compose himself.  

Suddenly another sound began to fill the air, a slight hum. A bright glowing light appeared at the other end of the dock, in a circular form that grew and grew until it was tall enough that a human could easily walk through it. Once it stopped expanding, the light within the sphere faded to reveal an image: the dock at the World Tower. Standing on the edge of the Tower's dock was Lady Maximilian. Her belongings were being unloaded from the ship behind her and sounds of the hustle and bustle from her side of the portal flooded over and filled the harsh silence of Anatol's dock.  

Maxi did not see Riftan's typically towering frame because he was still on his knees behind his knights trying to collect himself and come to terms with the fact that he had missed his chance to say a proper goodbye. She stepped through the portal with a sad but amused look on her face. She held a small bundle of black fur in her arms. "I found a stowaway in my l-luggage after we departed. T-They do not allow pets so he cannot stay." She carefully passed Roy to the knight closest to her. "Please r-return him to my room so that Rudis may care for him." She softly patted the top of the cat's head, running her fingertips through the thick tuft of dark fur.  

Movement on the other side of the dock drew her attention away from the small creature in front of her. The knights quickly parted, revealing her husband who now stood at his full height on the other end of the dock, his jaw for once was slacked instead of clenched, almost hanging open in shock as his eyes burned with intense emotions. His eyes were also slightly red from the tears he shed earlier once he had realized he was too late. Maxi was too stunned to move or speak. Riftan had been avoiding her for weeks, which tore her apart more than she could say and yet there he was, staring at her as though he were seeing a ghost. She quickly looked down, unable to hold his fiery gaze.  

She turned to walk back towards the portal but paused, glancing over her left shoulder meeting his stormy eyes one last time. He could clearly see love, sorrow, and determination shining in her bright silvery blue eyes. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again the sorrow was gone, overtaken by her resolve to do everything in her power to work hard so that she could come back home as fast as she could. "I'll come back home as soon as I can, my love," she said warmly without stuttering once. She gave him a small smile, one that reached her eyes.  

She pivoted slightly, her eyes sweeping over the group of knights standing on the dock, giving them a slight nod silently asking them to watch over her husband. She hoped he would not become too reckless while she was away. Hebaron, Ruth, Gabel, Elliot, and Uslin bowed their heads slightly, having understood her unspoken plea. She gave them a tight-lipped smile before she returned her gaze to Riftan once more.  

He stood motionless, still shocked to see her standing before him. She held his gaze for a moment before turning around. She knew the longer she stood there the harder it would be to walk away, back through the portal humming quietly behind her, and if she were being honest, it already felt impossible. She clenched her eyes shut and began to take the few steps she needed to reach the portal, but a massive hand gently grabbed her wrist, pulled her arm, and spun her around. She did not have time to fully open her eyes or even squeak in surprise as she felt soft lips crash onto hers. Her husband's familiar scent surrounded her. His left arm wrapped tightly around her tiny waist holding her close, not allowing even an inch of space between them. He buried his right hand in her hair, cradling her head. He devoured her mouth like a man dying of thirst in a barren desert.  

For the second time since she arrived back at the dock, Maxi was stunned. She had not heard him approach. How had he moved so quickly and quietly from the other end of the dock? Her arms, frozen in surprise by her side, slowly began reaching up, one hand holding her husband's upper arm to steady herself as her knees buckled and the other hand to gently run her fingers through his soft black hair. Her hesitant grip became firmer as she lost herself more and more in his breathless kiss.  

Eventually they broke the kiss for some much-needed air. Riftan held her tight and buried his face in her hair, catching his breath while taking in her sweet floral scent. Maxi shut her eyes once more and nuzzled her face into his firm chest.  

Having caught his breath he lowered his head a little so that his lips were level with her ear. She shivered slightly as his breath brushed over her sensitive skin. "I'll be waiting for you," he spoke softly, almost whispering so only she could hear him. Maxi began to softly exhale in relief as she realized the harsh words he had spoken weeks earlier were untrue, however her breath caught as he spoke again. "Take good care of my heart, since it is going with you." Maxi let out a sharp cry. She buried her face in his neck, and clung tightly to the man who held her heart just as much as she held his.  

As the couple embraced, the knights looked out at the water or down at the dock awkwardly, not knowing what to do, except Hebaron who had a smug grin on his face. For once he managed to hold his tongue, knowing his Commander would literally kill him if he interrupted them.  

"My lady," came a quiet voice from the portal behind her, "We are ready to take your things to your room." A man dressed in a simple mage's robe, one of the greeters for new students, stood patiently on the other side of the portal, waiting for her to return. His eyes were cast downward slightly so as not to stare openly at the couple's private moment.  

Maxi, who had shifted slightly in Riftan's arms to see who had spoken, slowly turned back to her husband. His grip on her tightened to the point that it almost hurt, and his eyes looked more and more desperate, almost wild as he stared down at her, not ready to let go just yet.  

"Riftan, I should not keep them waiting. They cannot h-hold the portal open much l-longer."  

Still, he clung to her like a lifeline. "Tell them to open another portal tomorrow. Come home with me, let me hold you one last time tonight. I need you Maxi, just stay a bit longer, please." His voice was soft and cracked slightly as his eyes pleaded with her to stay. She wanted to cry out and embrace him again and promise to always stay by his side but deep down she knew she could not.  

"I am sorry Sir," said the mage, "Her training will begin this afternoon once she is settled. We are on a strict schedule and cannot be delayed. There will be consequences if her studies are delayed any further."  

Riftan did not even slightly loosen his loving hold on his wife after hearing the mage's warning. He was tempted to put Maxi behind him, draw his sword, and cut down anyone who would dare come through the portal to try to take her from him. Before he could do so he felt hands on both of his shoulders, as Hebaron and Gabel now stood on either side of their Commander. They cautiously but firmly pulled him back and he had no choice but to let go of his wife so that she would not get hurt by being pulled away with him.  

Riftan and Maxi's gazes remained locked on one another as Hebaron and Gabel continued to firmly hold their ground fearing the Commander might try to break free at any moment.  

Instead of turning around to walk through the portal, Maxi walked backwards holding his gaze for as long as she could. She knew he loved it when she smiled so at the last second, she gave him a reassuring and loving smile, beaming at him with a soft twinkle in her eyes. 

In the past, her small smiles had always melted his heart but the look she gave him now made his breath hitch and his heart almost burst. He would never forget the way she was looking at him right now with a huge grin on her face, eyes full of love and a bit of joy as she excitedly anticipated the knowledge she was about to gain during her time at the World Tower. Her smile, which provided him with a warmth that could rival the very sun, would sustain him until she returned.   

The portal glowed brighter as she backed through it. The light surrounded her until she vanished. The glow slowly faded away as the portal disappeared.  

The knights tensed, concerned that the Commander might lose it again. Hebaron and Gabel braced themselves expecting Riftan to try to make another run for it but to everyone's surprise he remained calm. He stood still, taking a few deep breaths with his eyes closed almost as though he were in prayer. Maybe he was praying, praying that his wife would stay healthy and safe and not overdo it with her studies (though that last prayer request was rather unlikely). He also prayed that he could remain at least somewhat sane while he waited for her to return.  

He walked over to Talon and rubbed the horse's nose before swiftly mounting the large animal. He looked at his fellow knights still standing on the dock, waiting for his orders. They were surprised to see an almost peaceful look on his face. 

"Let's go. We have plenty of work to do." 

The knights smiled inwardly, happy to no longer worry that their Commander might have otherwise spent the coming weeks locked away in his office in despair and regret. Riftan turned Talon around and started back towards the castle. He would miss Maxi terribly every second of every day for the next few years, but he would not let that longing consume him, they both had a job to do.  

While she was studying at the Tower, she needed him to stay strong and take care of their home until she returned. Throwing himself into his work would, hopefully, make the coming days, weeks, and months go by faster. He would meet this task with fierce determination; not only would he care for and protect their home, but he would also make it thrive to the point that she would hardly be able to recognize it when she returned. She would be proud that he managed to help Anatol prosper during her absence. The thought of her looking up at him with those beautiful silvery blue eyes filled with pride made his heart swell. He kicked Talon's side, urging the horse to move faster as he raced home eager to get to work and make his Maxi proud.