Indecipherable Looks

Chapter 7

Maxi couldn't believe what she was doing. It was rash, unhinged, and just totally unlike her, but she was going to climb out of her second story window.

Because Riftan promised to take her to the summer festival.

It was just they were talking earlier, and he got so excited at the idea of bringing her, only to remember the Duke's character and shake his head, muttering a never mind. She stupidly suggested the idea of sneaking out and ran with it, even as he questioned her. But Maxi was so stuck on his description of what the festival would be like; each picture he painted surfaced in her mind until she wanted to see the fun for herself. So she prodded him all the while they were in the library until he had to give in and say yes. At the time, it seemed so smart, but now...

It was dumb as hell.

But it was going to be okay. She had her door locked, the dresser in front of it to buy her time: plus, she made sure to stuff some clothes under her blanket to create a fake body. No, it didn't really make sense as a preventative measure but- it eased her mind the tiniest bit.

She would be back long before anyone bothered to check on her, so there was no need to worry at all. Yes, Maxi was terrified and honestly not sure if she was really even sane right now, but Riftan had not failed her yet. He kept her from stumbling as they walked, protected her, listened to what must seem like ridiculous requests without ever batting an eye. The more she was with him, the more she believed in him, cared for him, and maybe she was beginning to trust him too, just a little. So she was going to hide her face and attend her first festival, and no one would stop her!

"Are you okay?" His voice really was soft, but it sounded so loud to her right then. Maxi could hear her own heart beat pounding in her ears as she hesitated to answer.

I don't know if I can do this.

She looked out into the clear night sky and then back into her cold, empty room, tears of frustration threatening to rise. It was just so unfair- to be stuck in this awful castle, this awful situation with no end in sight, with no apparent solution. Why couldn't this decision be easy? She was eighteen, and she wanted to go out.

"If you change your mind, it's okay with me, Maxi."

I can do this.

"N-no, I'm coming!" She called, projecting in a way that he heard her while putting as little emphasis on her words as possible. Then she squeezed through the window and partially shut it, making sure she could easily open it again from the outside. The climb down in itself was not very scary, or difficult there being many footholds and even tough, overgrown vines she could grab onto. It was simply the idea of leaving against father's will that had Maxi in a psychological state of panic, that made the whole ordeal feel much more dramatic than it was.

But soon she was on the ground, turning to meet Riftan. In the moonlight, she could see he looked concerned, but she wanted so badly to be free for the night that Maxi would continue on with her brazen actions, no matter how destructive they turned out to be.

Besides, she wanted to have a memorable time to look back on when he was gone. The Remdragon knight's month stay was already near half over. There was a desperate, overstrung quality to her frantic actions of late; having the found first true solace Maxi had experienced in her entire life. The thought of him leaving, not knowing if they'd see each other again, was killing her. Part of her was scared he would disappear before her very eyes and leave her all alone, grasping at his fading image. She just needed...

"R-Riftan, I-" But the look in his eyes suddenly changed and he shushed her. In one swift move he turned around, simultaneously hiding her behind him with one arm and unsheathing his sword, holding it to the supposed offender's neck. Maxi nearly shrieked as she was swept aside, realizing someone was there, but she held it down not wanting to give them away.