A sky full of stars– Coldplay.

Days grew into a week and weeks into a month. No sign of Nicholas anywhere. Every raid or search that had taken place yielded no success. It was as if he just disappeared into thin air. It made Maya restless because she knew there was no way he would be backing down without a fight. She could only hope and pray he eventually gets caught.

Although their relationship was back to normal, no one could deny the underlying tension growing in the palace. Earlier there had been an uproar in the royal council following the death of Fleurie and Gavin's threats of retaliation to which Dexter had promptly increased the castle's defense. Like Dexter had predicted, he had no intention of letting it go.

Fully recovered, Dexter had begun to spend a lot of time working and training to recover his full strength. It was something Maya was always excited to see. She always made sure she was present when he trained. Winter arrived but it was unlike any winter Maya had experienced. Other than the below freezing point weather and the bare trees, there was nothing else. Maya quickly realized it didn't snow here in Madonia. Which was great since she hated it anyway.

Maya woke up to the feel of someone drawing circles on her back. Mumbling slightly, she shifted, trying to settle back to sleep. The feeling only persisted. Maya opened her eyes to find Dexter staring at her. It had been their default setting these past few weeks. Her kissing him goodbye before he left for work and although it was fun, it meant she had to wake up early.

"Good morning." He murmured, pulling her hair away from her face. She mumbled a reply, placing her head on his chest.

"You woke me up." She muttered, running her hands along his chest.

"Yes I did." He answered as he tried to sit up.

"Beginning your duties already? It's still so early!' she whined, snuggling closer to him.

"You know I have to." He replied and she groaned, clinging closer to o him.

"No! I want to spend all day with you!" She'd barely seen him this past week, always leaving early and returning late at night. He sat up, up, kissing her forehead.

"I'm sorry about that, I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"How?"

"We'll go on a walk. Would you like that?"

Maya mulled on it for a while before nodding. "Okay. But it has to be today."

"Deal. Now where's my kiss?" He asked, his eyes glinting. Maya grinned before placing her lips on his, giving him a warm kiss. It wasn't enough to quench both of their desires but it would have to do.

"Thanks." Dexter muttered once she pulled away. He stood from the bed and began to wear his clothes with Maya watching him. She soon stepped out of the bed to help him with the rest of his buttons and parts he intentionally left out.

"There. All done." She muttered as she dusted off imaginary dirt off his clothes. Glancing up at him, a smile on her face.

"I'll see you soon." He muttered, a corner of his lips quirked up. Maya felt her heart swell for love this man as she caressed his face, a permanent grin on her face. Running her hands through his black curls, she pulled back. He took it as a cue and walked out of his chambers, his steps light and regal.

Evening was only a few hours but Maya couldn't wait for it.

.

.

.

They day could not have dragged on any longer. Maya was almost pulling out her hair when she saw the sun setting on the horizon. Summoning her maids, she immediately began dressing for the occasion. The weather was usually colder at night, so her clothing comsisted of a lot of thick clothing. Twirling in front of her mirror, maya looked several times bigger. She hoped Dexter wouldn't mind.

He arrived soon enough. Only picking up a cape, he urged her out of their chambers. Holding her hands, he led her down the hallways to the garden. Maya resisted the urge to skip behind him, her heart light.

Together, they walked out of the palace and into the garden. One step into the freezing air and Maya shuddered. She hadn't expected it to be this cold.

"You're not cold, are you?" Dexter asked, a tinge of worry in his voice. Maya shook her head, smiling back at him.

"Not at all." She replied. They walked farther, the silence comforting.

"Is the weather always this cold?" She asked after a while.

"It's even colder sometimes." Dexter replied.

"But it never snows?"

"Hardly."

"That's strange." Maya commented and he chuckled. She glanced up at him and saw his face was tinged with worry.

"Is something wrong?" She asked softly.

He glanced down her her, his eyes clouded over. Then shrugged. "My day was incredibly boring and stressful. But I'm alright."

"Any luck with Nicholas?' Maya asked after a while and Dexter shook his head, his body tensing.

"None yet. For some reason, he seemed to have just disappeared." Then he sighed. "I don't feel too good about that."

Perhaps that's what was worrying him, Maya wondered. "Cheer up, I'm sure you'll find him soon." She said but he just shrugged.

The evening walk wasn't going the way Maya envisioned. Running to stand in front him, she folded her arms, a frown on her face.

"Hey! No more depressing thoughts." She yelled at him.

Dexter stared at her before breaking into a grin. "Okay, no more depressing thoughts." He replied, waving his hands.

"That's better." She said and continued walking. Dexter soon caught up with her and they began walking side by side.

"Did you go on walks like this?" Maya asked in a bid to change the topic. He glanced at her before nodding, his eyes lighting up.

"A lot... When I was younger. It was my favorite time of the day." He told her. " I would like walk around with my mother. Occasionally my father would join in. It was rare but I used to be so excited when it happened."

"You had a lovely childhood." Maya said, her eyes filled with wonder as she stared at her.

"I guess you could say that." He muttered quietly.

"I went on walks too but I was always alone when I did. It's so much fun to walk with someone." She told him, rubbing her hands together as they were growing cold. He walked up to her and helped her with it. His hands were a lot warmer so they warmed hers a lot quicker.

"Thanks." She mumbled.

"You're welcome." He replied. Once again, his low voice sent tingles down her spine. She grinned at him and they continued walking. They found a bench and sat down on it, watching the sun disappear from the sky.

"Why are we sitting down?" She asked, confused.

"We're waiting for something." He told her.

The sunset meant there would be a quick drop in the temperature so Dexter pulled her close, wrapping his cape around her. Maya turned around and began patting his curls. When he raised a questioning brow at her, Maya grinned.

"I couldn't help it. You're so beautiful" She said.

Like an obedient puppy, Dexter lowered his head so she could pat it more. She began running both hands through it, loving the feel of his hair in her hands.

"it's getting late. We should probably head back to the palace." Maya began to say, seeing the violet streaks in the night sky.

"But this is the best part." He said and Maya stared at him, confused.

"Just look up." He groaned, nudging at her.

It grew darker still and Maya gasped at the sight she saw. They were meteor showers lining the horizon. Dexter chuckled when he saw the look of wonder in his eyes as she stared at the sight. Maya jumped from his laps and ran ahead, taking in the sight. Dexter was right behind her.

"You should make a wish." He said, smiling at her. Then shrugged. " Come on, make a wish."

Maya clasped her hands together and made to close her eyes when she caught a glance of Dexter. He was smiling at her and his eyes sparkled. Basking in the evening lights, he looked ethereal. Her hand grew slack as they fell to her sides. "Why make a wish when all I could ever want is in front of me?" She muttered aloud, dazed.

Dexter paused and Maya could swear she saw him blush. He started to look away, embarrassed when she spoke again.

"You have the most beautiful eyes, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Well... Not really."

"But it's true. You're so beautiful, it's hard to imagine you're mine. I've been nothing but happy since meeting you. I must be so lucky."

"Don't talk like that." Dexter began, his voice dead quiet.

"Like what?"

"Like... All the things you're saying right now."

"But it's true." She walked up to him, reaching up to hold his face. "You're the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. Why would I want anything to more?" She held his face, staring into his eyes. Don't stop loving me. I hope you never will."

Dexter's eyes grew glassy and his lower lip trembled. Seeing him like this made Maya think of an overjoyed puppy. She grinned, blinking out tears. "I love you." She whispered.

That was his breaking point. Swooping down, he met her lips with a kiss. Maya leaned on to him, letting him kiss her.

" I love you too." He said between kisses. Maya felt like a bird soaring in the sky as she returned his kisses, holding on to him. Underneath the shooting stars, two golden lovers confessed their love for each other.