It had been a month since Ava had seen Ben. She'd been counting- and she hadn't stopped thinking about what had happened the night that he'd come to her room. Those kisses had been unforgettable, and for a man with such strong, rough hands, he had been so gentle with her. As though she were made of glass. If she hadn't regained her will at the moment she had, things might have gone a lot farther that night. That next morning at breakfast, Ben announced that he'd be staying at the Cock in the Crown. The owner was an old friend of Major Swift, and had offered to let Ben stay as long as he needed to for half the fee. To earn gold he joined the town guard since he was no longer needed in Mourningwood, and was busy keeping the peace in Industrial.

She was glad he would be staying close by, but she hadn't had time to see him, or leave the castle much. Most days were spent in the throne room, acting as judge in simple matters between townspeople. Just the other day a man came asking for the formal execution of a neighbor's rooster who had been impregnating his chickens. Ava bought the rooster to avoid sending it to an early grave, and was now the owner of a very randy rooster that strutted around the garden and woke the entire castle too early.

Today, though, was a special day, and she woke with a smile despite the loud report from the rooster. The day marked 50 years since the destruction of the spire- the day that many people had their loved ones miraculously returned to them. There had been a parade in Market at noon, and the children had run through the streets with streamers bought from vendors. After watching the parade, people had returned home to prepare for a masquerade at dusk that Reaver insisted upon throwing in honor of the late king. Ava wasn't sure how they had met, but she did know that Reaver had been a friend of her father's, which confused her, as Reaver seemed too young to have known him so well.

Hobson had chosen a beautiful gown and mask for Ava to wear that evening. He had wonderful taste in clothes and she was rarely disappointed with the things he chose for her to wear on special occasions. She was helped into the gown, had her hair done up, then carefully placed the mask and her crown. There was a knock at the door, and Walter called through it, "Are you decent?"

"Yes, you may come in Sir Walter."

He paused when he saw her. "You look just like a Queen ought to, Ava. Your father would be in tears with pride, I think." He smiled and wiped his own eye.

Ava rose and hugged him, "Thank you, Sir Walter. Would you do me the honor of escorting me to the square?"

"Ah. No. I'd only scare the young men off from asking you to dance, an old man like me. Go and enjoy yourself, Ava." He kissed her on the forehead. Ava had known he wouldn't want to be out after dusk. "You won't be unescorted though. Reaver has arrived to take you to the masquerade."

"Reaver?" Ava made a face, but took Walter's arm went to meet Reaver in the foyer. She'd had enough of Reaver from the throne room the day before, when he insisted that she break her promise to Kalin.

Reaver removed his hat and bowed low as Ava came near, kissing her hand. "Your majesty! You look delightful! Positively edible!"

Walter growled, "Mind yourself, Reaver."

Reaver only smiled at him, "Goodnight, Sir Walter."

Ava kissed Walter on the cheek and said goodnight as well, taking Reaver's arm. With a small procession of guards, they made their way to the square, Ava mindful of where Reaver's hands were. As they approached the lit square, where they band was already playing and people already dancing, Reaver leaned in a bit. He took her hand in his, and put his other hand a bit lower on her back than was appropriate, purring in her ear, "Perhaps we ought to skip the party?"

She stepped away from him and spoke low so the people around them wouldn't hear, "I don't need Walter here to take care of me. I can break your neck myself if you won't behave, Reaver."

He laughed- it grated her nerves, that laugh. "Would you care to dance, my Queen?" Reaver said as he offered her his hand.

Ava's first thought was to threaten to cut his hand off, but because so many people were watching, she took it instead and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. He raised his hand and the band leader nodded and began playing a sort of quick folk song. "Oh thank you, Avo." Ava thought as the people lined up- she knew this song. There would be lots of switching partners, so she didn't have to dance with Reaver long. She allowed him to take hold of her waist and he pulled her against him tightly, much closer than necessary. All at once the crowd began to move, spinning round in a kind of contra dance. Ava really did enjoy dancing and although she didn't care for Reaver's company, she had to admit that he was a very good dancer. They parted and she spun around another lady in a colorful mask, joining hands with a tall man with graying hair who smiled at her as they hopped to and fro. "You're a beautiful dancer, my queen." he said before giving her a quick spin and changing partners again. She was truly enjoying herself now, smiling at all the people dancing around her. She met another partner who bowed to her before taking her by the waist, pulling her close but much more gently than Reaver had. Because of his hat and mask, she couldn't see anything above his lips- even his eyes were hidden by the shadows. They smiled at each other as they danced. He leaned close to her ear, whispering, "You look lovely tonight, your majesty." and pressed his lips to her ear, his stubbled chin rubbing against her cheek. She was surprised, but before she could look at him, he spun her away again towards her next partner.

The music was fast and the crowd was thick, but she tried anyway to look for her last partner. Ava had recognized that voice and those rough hands. It couldn't be anyone else. She met Reaver, who was laughing again in that arrogant way she detested. She looked over his shoulder for the dancer she had just left, but didn't see him. The song ended and Reaver bowed, took her hand and led her to a chair on a raised platform- a place of honor for the Queen. "Thank you for the dance, Queen Ava." He grabbed a passing woman and tried to dance off with her to the dance floor but she punched him in the arm. "Get your hands off me, Reaver!" Page said, pushing him away.

"Oh my dear Page! I didn't recognize you in that mask! You look good enough to eat, my dear!"

"You'll be eating the lead from my bullets if you touch me again."

Reaver only laughed and grabbed another, less hostile woman and danced off.

"Ooh I can't stand that man!" Page said as she took the seat to the left of Ava- it had been reserved for her. "I saw you dancing. I was out there too, but when I was meant to return to my partner, he was gone. You looked like you were enjoying yourself. Very happy."

Ava's mind was still on the mystery man she had danced with. She leaned in her seat to speak to Page over the music, "Page, have you seen Ben here?"

"I don't know- all of these masks are so elaborate, I don't recognize anyone. He said he had to patrol Industrial tonight." she said.

That made Ben a liar. She wouldn't mistake anyone else for him. Ava scanned the crowd from her seat the rest of the night. She was asked to dance a few more times, but declined, waiting for Ben to approach and ask for a dance, but he never did.