~~Two Years After The Darkness Battle~~
      As his shadow was now visible, the rain began to back down. She took a long breath as she saw the details on his familiar face come into view, and as he stood in front of her she spoke, "You . . . left me." She tried to sound as queen-like as she could under his dazzling blue gaze. But him, so tall, and smirking sarcastically as always, she had no choice over her voice. It shook, and she guessed he could hear her heart beating as rapid as a Balverine's. "W-where'd you go?"
      "An extraordinary land of which you weren't invited, love," his tone was cold, yet his crooked smile remained, "what would you care? You held that 'rebel's' opinion higher than my own. How many died because of her in the conclusion of the battle? I'd presume all of them . . . even that elderly Walter fellow."
       She narrowed her dull blue eyes, "Yes, Walter did die, in my arms to be exact. And now I rule over ash and corpses, but at least it's a nobler fate than what you would have brought upon it. You're a coward, that's what I 'presume'. You'll run from a fight as long as you can save your own skin, even at the cost of your people."
       Rolling his eyes, he purred, "I do what I do to save lives, foolish queen. Isn't that why you saved you dearest brother, because you knew his actions had meaning?"
     "Blood was not spilled that day because he was my only relative, he would be useful in the fight, and because he has a heart, unlike you," she glared into his eyes, not being able to look away again. She finally closed them, taking a rigid breath as she did so, "Why did you come back then, to torture me?" that's when she felt the tears beginning to well up, "Reaver, I missed. . . Y-you should have never come back at all." Turning her head away from his now-frowning face, she let a single tear escape, attempting to keep the rest back so he wouldn't view her as a weak leader.
       His next move made her wince, but she gave in. wrapping his arms around her, he whispered, "Maybe I should have asked you to come as well, my little minx." Warmth spread through her face as she blushed, tears now streaming. The smell of whine, gunpowder, and . . . . death engulfed her as she buried her nose into the fur collar of his coat. 'Is it just me', she thought, 'or does he seem much younger now?' she pushed the thought aside, folding her arms around his neck. Although she refused to play his game of tyranny, she never hated him. Just as he had kept Logan in a trance, he now had her in one. It wasn't the same, though, Logan had next to no emotion with him, only business. Reaver's voice spoke as he ripped her from his neck, "I really must get some paperwork finished, dear. As much as want you to ruin the fur by soaking it more than it already is, I must be off."
      "Oh, alright." She blinked blankly back at him, straitening her dress as if nothing happened, "Well, you're allowed to visit any time, I'm sure. . . 'Logan' would like to discuss things with you," 'and me', she thought.
      He snorted, "Yes, I'm sure 'Logan' would love to speak with me." Reaver gave her a prize-winning wink before turning away and walking down the castle steps.
      "Wait, Reaver!" she sniffed and ran down to meet him on the bottom step, "There . . . aren't any workers, so there isn't much paperwork, right? Would you like to," she bit her lower lip and shuffled her feet nervously, "like to come in to dry off and for some tea? Elliot is cooking something for me, I'll tell him to make more, and it's no trouble at all."
      He stared into her eyes, his perverted smile taking over his expressions now, "So it's like a . . . little party I assume? Goody. I suppose we do have some catching up that's far overdue."
      "Yeah, lots of 'catching up' is in order. Two years is a long time." She grinned, stealing his gloved hand in her own. As they neared the massive doors, he swatted her hand away, continuing the way they were headed, "Really, holding hands is where you draw the line?"
      "You wouldn't want 'Elliot' to see that, now would you," he rolled his eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Anyway, if you must know, I'll tell you where I've been. You can't do anything about it anyway."
      She just grinned wider, "Alright, if you want. I'll tell Elliot to cook something; you wait in the dining hall."
      "As you wish, your majesty." He strolled off, and she turned to head upstairs. She had to talk to Logan about something and get ready. The rain had smeared her makeup and she didn't want to look like a peasant now.