From the Diary of Reaver:
(Recorded in Bowerstone Castle)
As I write this tonight, I cannot be certain whether I ought to be suspicious or pleased. I suppose I will settle, in this case, for "baffled." Today's events have in no way gone as expected. I confess I hardly know what to do with myself. Perhaps I shall call for more wine. Yes, I believe that will do nicely. The royal wine-bearer is a comely lass and she is certain to be…accommodating to my needs. Perhaps she can be persuaded to bring some friends, as well…
12 Hours Earlier…
"Ah, Your Majesty!" I cried, bowing with a flourish. "You look more radiant each time I see you. Permit me to say, I am so very sorry to hear about the unfortunate demise of your mentor. He will be greatly missed, I'm sure."
The Queen accepted my flowers with a solemn nod. "Thank you, Reaver. Sir Walter died a hero's death, and he will be honored for all that he has done for this Kingdom and its people."
I studied her face carefully for any signs of vulnerability. If she needed comfort, I was more than willing to offer my services—all of them. A few hours in my bedchambers would be enough to make her forget her troubles, and perhaps render her a bit more…malleable. It would certainly fulfill a number of my desires. She really did look more beautiful than ever; that had been no idle flattery on my part. I was beginning to experience a deliciously painful sensation whenever I laid eyes on her, something I had not felt in several centuries. Here was a conquest I might not actually be able to make. And that made me want her all the more.
The empty space beside her where another throne ought to have been sitting was rather appealing, too, I must say.
But alas, her gaze was steady and her face betrayed no weakness. Unbelievably, there was even a small smile blooming on her lips! I had fully expected her to be so devastated that she might not even wish to greet me. Yet here she was, and apparently in no hurry to see me off. Odder still, she had sent the guards away to wait outside the closed doors of the Throne Room. We were alone.
I was just about to make an attempt to steer our conversation in a more sensual direction when she spoke again.
"Do you know my name?" she asked softly.
I stared at her for a moment, slightly puzzled. Was she actually going to do this for me? "Of course, Your Radiance. It is Rose. A name nearly as lovely as its bearer."
She smiled at my praise—a most encouraging sign—and went on. "I was named for my mother's sister, who was murdered by Lord Lucien Fairfax. The name has history and deep meaning, and with it comes a responsibility I strive to honor. My mother was raised by gypsies after my aunt's death, as you well know. They have strong beliefs about the importance and power of names. With this name I carry all the love, hope, and sacrifices of my forebears. In fact, I am the first Hero of my line to have been known to the world by my real name."
"Hmm, I always suspected that 'Sparrow' was a pet name. That is, er, most intriguing, Your Majesty, but—"
"I have wondered for some time, now…what is your real name, Reaver?" she asked, still speaking quietly. But there was a subtly dangerous edge to her voice, now.
I smirked bitterly. Something was certainly not right. What had happened while I was away? What could she know?
"I can understand your hesitation," she continued, growing more serene again. "I, too, believe as my forebears did. I respect their traditions. But I am not afraid to show the world who I am. Neither are you. But who you were? Now that, you seem to wish to keep hidden."
Though momentarily poleaxed, I recovered quickly. I always do. Favoring the shrewd beauty with my most smoldering gaze, I leaned closer to her. "Am I to understand, Your Majesty, that you wish to know me more intimately? I assure you, the feeling is mutual."
I had no doubt that the impudence of my actions would either anger her enough to refuse me and send me away, or at the very least, intimidate her.
Astonishingly, I was bloody well wrong.
Queen Rose gave me a wickedly sultry smile that was somehow even more beguiling on her angelic, glowing face than it would have been on one less innocent. "Oh, Reaver," she laughed merrily, "that is precisely what I want. You have served me—and my brother, too, actually—so faithfully, and what have you received in return? Cold, soulless gold." She removed one of her gloves and ran a cool finger over my jawline. "I believe you deserve better than that."
"You are truly gracious," I purred, waiting eagerly to see what she had in mind. Her touch was unbelievably wonderful. I could feel my blood rushing in my veins, now, as my pulse quickened. I imagined plunging my hands into the soft mass of her dark hair, inhaling the scent of her, tasting her perfect skin…and other things I would surely be doing in mere minutes, once the Queen had had her fun playing Seductress. I had learned during the course of my many years that nothing could kill a good mood like stealing one's potential lover's thunder. So I waited.
She swept a thumb gently from my cheek to my earlobe. I almost felt an electric crackle wherever her skin met mine. "This beauty mark resting high on your cheek has significant meaning with the more superstitious, as well."
"Does it really?"
"Yes. They call a natural mark on that part of the face 'courage.' May I ask why you cover it up as you do?" She released me and held up her kohl-smudged thumb. It glittered faintly in the sunlight. It was quite expensive, after all; I only use the very best products.
"I do not hide it, Your Majesty," I answered, highly annoyed. Had it been anyone but the Queen of Albion, I would have responded with bullets. I have always hated having my face interfered with by others. "I merely decorate it. The heart shape simply appeals to me at the moment. You were speaking of a reward a moment ago, Your Majesty, if I recall correctly, were you not?"
"I was, and I will again. Before that, however, I have a request."
"I am at your service, as always."
"I should like you to stay here, in the castle, for a while. I will grant you the tower where I once slept and a number of servants to see to your needs."
That certainly was odd. I knew I must tread lightly here. "Might I inquire, Your Majesty, as to what I have done to earn this honor? Or should I say, what I will be doing to earn it?"
"Truth be told, I want you where I might have access to you at any moment," she replied smoothly. She gazed up at me from beneath long, feathery lashes, a trick she may well have learned by observing me, damn her. I wanted to tear her clothes off right then and there, but I was not entirely confident that she would not shoot, stab, and/or set me on fire if I did. The woman just never seemed to go about unarmed. It occurred to me that her personal guard seemed rather redundant. But, as I mentioned before, appearances must be upheld where public figures are concerned.
"My dear, sweet Queen," I said, taking her hand and touching my lips to her fingers, lingering just long enough to punctuate my meaning. "You may access me whenever your lovely heart desires."
And, I added privately, vice-versa. This was not an opportunity I had any intentions of wasting. I had a young, overwhelmingly desirable woman to acquire, and a throne to secure. I would make them both mine before the season was out.
12 Hours Later…
From the Diary of Rose, Queen of Albion:
(Recorded in Bowerstone Castle)
Everything is going according to plan. Reaver literally holds the key to the safety of this realm, and I mean to take it from him. After seeing him today, looking younger than ever, I am now completely positive that the Crawler's sudden appearance was related in some way to the Shadow Court. My mother died so quickly after my birth because she sacrificed her vitality to save an innocent girl. I have been through all of her journals, which were left to me by Walter, along with some of her personal letters to him, and I believe I have hit upon a way to prevent the Darkness from ever returning. Mother included bits of Reaver's old diary, which she found in his Bloodstone home after she took it for herself during his absence. If I have the strength, I can do more than simply destroy the Shadow Judges. I can save the abomination they created so long ago. I will simply give him what he wants. In this moment, there is no one who knows Reaver so well as I do. And I know that his desire will be the end of him.