-Chapter Five-

The world was on fire. My Albion was on fire. I stood frozen as I stared at it all. I looked to my sides, and I saw Walter on one side, his eyes black and empty, as they had been in Aurora, I couldn't stand to look at him. I turned, and I saw Reaver, watching the chaos with his goggles pulled tightly over his eyes. Page and Ben stood together, watching in horror. Then nothing. Utter blackness.

You will die. All will die. Screaming. And alone. The Crawler's voice echoed clearly through my mind.

I felt like I was suffocating, I couldn't breathe. I was drowning in the darkness. I could feel it like a physical thing, wrapping around and devouring me.

I woke gasping for breath. Sitting up, I saw that the bed was empty next to me, and I was relieved. I couldn't imagine explaining my fears and nightmares to Reaver. I drew in a deep breath, almost afraid to close my eyes, to be back in that darkness. The sun had not risen yet, but I saw that a lamp still burned safely on the other side of the room. I wrapped my arms around my knees, holding back my tears, staring into the light. My heart started to slow, and the pain writhing in my muscles started to wane.

The nightmares were worsening as the as The Darkness approached. I could only imagine what Walter was going through. The Crawler's Influence had gripped him much tighter. It had blinded him, made him live the darkness, if only for a short time.

I moved to stand, and I saw that Reaver had left that bottle of brandy. I stretched my legs as I stood, and found that the most tender place of all lay between them. I crossed the room to grab my glass from last night, and I poured myself a generous amount of the stuff. I didn't usually drink this much, but the stress fell squarely on my shoulders. I drank my drink as fast as I could before pouring another. I moved back to the table, and I drank it down quickly before setting the glass back down next to Reaver's. I stumbled back to the bed, and I laid back, waiting to fall back asleep.

I turned onto my side, and I pulled the extra pillow to my chest, breathing deeply. I closed my eyes and gulped. I already felt drowsy, but the terror still held fast onto me. I didn't want to be alone in the dark again. I let out a shaky breath, trying to think of the my father.

When I was younger, his mere presence would chase away any nightmares I had. I could still see his crooked smile and his deep amber eyes. He would stroke my hair, and tell me that dreams were only our minds reminding us of what was important, whether it be important to remember or important to stay away from. I gripped the pillow a little tighter, and I remembered the times that Jasper had carried me to my father's study as he worked tirelessly into the night. He always stopped what he was doing to see to it that I fell asleep once more.

I sighed, my thoughts no longer full of darkness and night, and I was able to drift back into a dreamless sleep.

I woke to a tickling sensation running up my back, and I groaned, rolling onto my stomach. My head pounded and my body ached. The sensation spread, and I realized it was a gloved hand, trailing up and down my back. I opened an eye, and I peered through my hair to see Reaver sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and ready for the day. I hadn't expected him to be around to greet me when I woke, but I was in his bedroom, after all.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said. "I trust you slept well."
I said nothing, just collapsed back into the bed, closing my eyes, shielding them from the offending light that made my head throb so.

"Come now, Your Highness, you've slept nearly half the day away," Reaver chided me, clicking his tongue. "The early bird catches the worm, carpe diem...and all that other blither that people say."

"Go...away," I managed to grumble, opening an eye once more.

He smiled, obviously enjoying my torment, and he pushed my hair out of my face. The light reached my eyes more readily, and I pulled my hand up to cover them.

"I've come to inform you that your only remaining guard has come down ill from too much drink, as have you, it seems."

I pulled the sheets up, and I rolled onto my back. I uncovered my eyes and I dared to open them again. "I need to return to Bowerstone," I said, my voice a little hoarse.

"The bandits are still about, my lady," He said, his eyes looking down to the sheet covering my naked body. "It would be dangerous for you to attempt to make it back to Bowerstone by yourself."

"I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Reaver," I said, sitting up and folding my arms over my chest.

"Oh, I don't doubt your abilities, but in your current state, would you be truly effective against a large band of brutes?"

"I believe I can manage."

"You have no other clothes than your formal attire," He offered as an excuse.

I pushed myself out of bed, and I strode, across the room, not even bothering to cover my nakedness anymore, it would only give him a reason to prod and tease me even more. I opened his wardrobe and I glanced it. "It seems you have plenty of clothes to spare, Reaver."

He opened his mouth to speak, but he instead chose to say nothing.

I pulled out a pair of trousers that looked far too short to belong to him. Unclaimed clothes must be an epidemic in Reaver's household.

"I see that you are helping yourself to clothes, and I welcome you to it," he said. "Though, I still wonder how you plan on making it to Bowerstone in your weakened state? And may I add that my carriages still have not returned from taking my guests home."

"I will walk," I said. "The fresh air will do me good."

"Now, I insist that I accompany you," He said, as if it were decided. "I was planning on taking lunch on the lake, but since you seem so eager to leave me..." He stood behind me now, his fingertips tracing up the curve of my backside.

I whipped around, and I looked up to him. "You didn't have your fill of me last night?"

"Not even close, my croquette," He said, his voice dropping an octave. "But...I suppose you are right. There is business I need to attend to in Bowerstone. I believe I have a contribution to make."

I was glad to hear that he seemed to be serious about the donation. I found a shirt that looked as if it would fit me, and I laid it over my arm on top of the breeches.

"Wait just a moment, my dear," Reaver said, stepping over to the bookshelf on the far side of the room. He pulled a book down, and he reached behind where it had sat. He must have clicked a hidden switch, because the bookcase parted, opening the way to a secret room. I couldn't begin to imagine what was down there, but my gut told me it wasn't a library.

I didn't dare enter after he went down, but he returned with a coat, vest, and a pair of boots, all looking like they would fit me. He put the book back on its shelf, and the secret entrance was closed quickly.

Reaver laid the clothes on the bed, and he beckoned me to him. I grabbed my underthings on the way over, but he grabbed my bloomers and tossed them to the side.

"You won't be needing those," He said. "Don't worry. I will keep them safe for you." He took the clothes from me, smoothing them out on the bed. I put my chemise on.

As I slid into the clothes, he simply watched, seemingly amused. He tied a cravat into a loose bow, and he straightened my collar. "I've seen men dressed as women, but this is the first time I've seen a woman dressed completely as a man."

"Maybe it will make me a little more anonymous on the trip to Bowerstone," I suggested.

"In that case, we can tuck your hair into a hat," He said, obviously enjoying this little game of dress-up.

I nodded, agreeing. Maybe we'd be able to slip through any bandits without confrontation. I was too hungover to fight at my full effectiveness.

I declined his offer of lunch with him before leaving. I was eager to be back home. I had much that needed to be done. I walked with my arms crossed over my chest, and my eyes staring off into the distance.

"May I just say how utterly confusing...and arousing it is to see you dressed so androgynously..." Reaver noted as we started down the path away from Bower Lake.

I glanced over to him, a small smile cracking on my face. "I'm glad you enjoy it. It's quite comfortable compared to being squeezed into a corset every morning."

He smirked, and he nodded. "Yes, they are quite restrictive, aren't they?"

I decided not to indulge my curiosity. "And I rather like the hat." I ran my fingers across the brim of the short top hat that Reaver had chosen to finish the ensemble.

He looked over to me once more, his eyes moving up and down, taking me in. "It looks very handsome on you." Reaver took my arm and looped it with his, so that it appeared we were simply out for a leisurely stroll, and I straightened a little.

I said nothing, just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Part of me was finding Reaver less despicable, despite everything. I had never felt such unbridled passion with anyone before. I had loved Elliot, and he had been a gentle and considerate lover...But Reaver was something completely different. His touch affected me like nothing else. Even strolling arm in arm with him send my body into a tizzy.

We walked in silence for a few moments before Reaver sighed.

"Am I to be responsible for all the conversation?" He lamented, his eyes finding mine and rolling slightly before returning to the path before us.

"What do you want to talk about, Reaver?" I asked as I raised my eyebrows and pressed my lips together.

"Well, for one, I would like to comment on your stamina last night," He said sounding casual, but his eyes slashed over to smolder at me. "It's so rare that I find someone with stamina comparable to my own. It was quite refreshing. I usually go though two or three lovers before my thirst is quenched."

I rolled my eyes.

"I do not joke, my fine chap. I am trying to pay you a compliment," He laughed.

"Reaver, I-"

A man in all black stepped out from behind a wide-trunked tree, brandishing a shining cutlass. "You lads look like you're enjoying yourselves. Why don't you hand over your purses, and you can be on your merry-"

Reaver's hand moved faster than I could see, and after a loud gunshot, the bandit fell dead, a hole precisely over his heart.

"You killed Terry!" cried one of the bandit's companions as a group of about a dozen ran from behind the tree.

Reaver released me, and he eyed Terry's blade on the ground, giving me a silent suggestion.

"It's Reaver and one of his little boys!" yelled another one. "Get 'em!"

I reached for the blade, and I swung it at one of the lunging bandits. It sliced easily through him. The hat flew off of my head as I moved, and my hair fell loose.

"That little bastard's a girl!" cried another of the bandits before I slew him.

Reaver had shot down three of the dozen men, and he worked at reloading his pistol as quickly as possible, while I shielded him from any incoming attack. My blade met with another's and I brought my knee up to connect with the man's groin, and he let out a strangled cry. Dispatching him as quickly as the last, I held my hand out to the force of three men charging me, and I used my Will to knock them flat on their backs.

Reaver, freshly reloaded, took down three more men, and he turned just in time to see me fighting off the three recovering men that I'd just sent flying. "Get down!" He yelled, and I immediately obeyed. He took out two of the men with one bullet, and I slashed at the ankles of the last. He fell, squealing, onto his stomach, and I raised up to drive the point of my blade into his back.

As I climbed to my feet, I saw that the area was strewn with bandit corpses, but no more men were in sight. I tossed the blade down on top of one of the bodies, and I stood breathlessly.

Reaver stowed his Dragonstomper, and he strode over to me, wiping a spatter of blood from my cheek. "I take it that you are unharmed?"

I nodded, my heart pounding.

He clutched my hips, dragging me toward him, and his mouth claimed mine vigorously.

My stomach jumped, and I wrapped my fingers around the lapel of his coat, my blood thudding heavily through my body. Fighting had always thrilled me, but this was something that had never happened to me before. We were moving toward the tree where the bandits had concealed themselves, and he pressed me against the trunk of the tree, and pulled away for air as he fumbled with the buttons to my breeches.

"Reaver, we are in broad daylight," I gasped, pushing at his hand.

"You say that as if it would change my mind," He said, pushing the pants down off of my hips. "I do love a good tumble after a good tumble." He turned me away from him, grinning like mad.

I steadied myself against the tree, glancing around to make sure that no one approached. My heart was racing. I had never anticipated this.

"Now hold tight, darling." He said, his hand drifting up my vest to caress my breasts through my shirt. "We have to make quick work of this one."

We had dallied long enough. I pulled my trousers up, tucking my shirt neatly back in. I was still breathless, and I looked back to Reaver. He had found a crate hidden behind a bush.

"Well, looky what I happened upon," He said, He pulled an armful of fat purses of gold from the crate. "It seems our little friends had been rather successful until they decided to throw themselves at us."

I tucked my hair back inside of the hat, and I watched as he put as much gold in his pockets as he could fit. I rolled my eyes a little, but I reminded myself that this was Reaver. I saw him pull a silver case from his pocket and retrieve a cigarette. He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Well, shall we be off, my pet?" He asked, holding out his arm once more. "Perhaps we won't be ambushed by bandits again."

My hands were raw from rubbing against the bark, and my gait was slightly bow-legged as I stepped back toward him. I looped my arm in his, and he lit his cigarette.

The rest of the walk to Bowerstone was uneventful. Reaver spoke of the trivial acquaintances from the ball the night before, giving lurid secrets and details about each of them, and I listened, though not really interested in who had slept with whose husband or wife. More often than not, Reaver had been the who. He laughed and talked casually about his love-life, completely unashamed on who he'd taken on as his lovers.

I, on the other hand, was feeling very shameful about the events since the party. I had given into temptation twice now. I wasn't sure what Reaver wanted from me, but he had to have something more devious than just sex planned for me.

When we reached the outskirts of the market district, I released his arm, and I said, "I can make it from here."

"Are you sure, my handsome boy?" He asked, his eyes full of mirth. "I could see you safely home and perhaps to bed if you find yourself very exerted from all of our...activities." He took my hands in his, bringing them to his mouth and kissing each.

"Reaver, I will see you when you bring the gold for the donation," I said pulling my hands back from his.

"You know that I have a problem with the word 'no'," He informed me. "It only makes me try that much harder to hear 'yes'."

"Goodbye, Reaver," I said, turning away.

He grabbed my hand and drew me back against him. I had to hold onto my hat to keep it from flying away and revealing my identity to those who now stared at Reaver and his—what they could only assume to be—boy. . He pressed a short, yet heated kiss against my mouth, and he released me, satisfied that he had proven his point and had the last say.

"Goodbye, Reaver," I repeated, though this time a little rattled. I adjusted the hat, and I took off towards Bowerstone Castle.

"Did you see that?" a woman walking behind me whispered loudly to her companion. "So shameful. Can't that wretched man keep his hands off of anyone, even in public?"

I felt my face redden, and I moved my hat further down, obscuring my face even more.

"You're just mad because he doesn't have his hands all over you," The woman's friend giggled.

The original woman joined in the laughter. "Yes. You're right, but did you hear who else he couldn't keep his hands off of?"

My heart stopped, and I nearly tripped over an uneven stone in the cobbled ground. I kept moving swiftly, listening intently to the conversation behind me.

"No," The second woman asked. "What happened?"

"My husband's sister's nephew attended the party that Mister Reaver threw for The Queen last night, and he said that Reaver couldn't keep his hands off of the Queen," She said.

"Did he say how she reacted?" The other woman asked excitedly.

"No. He said they danced in a way that suggested they knew each other very well."

"Just dancing?"

"That's all anyone saw."

"That hardly suggests scandal."

"But the way he doted on her... My sister-in-law's nephew heard someone saying they wouldn't be surprised if he attempted to actually court her."

"Could you imagine The Queen marrying him?" The high-voiced woman guffawed. "Prince Reaver."

"He'd have to sneak thin, pretty boys like that one into the castle behind her back."

Both women broke into unashamed laughter, and I quickened my pace. I hoped that no other rumors had been ignited so quickly. I glanced back to the women, who just now noticed that I had been listening, and they quieted. They both looked like they had enjoyed a tad too much wine with lunch.

I made my way toward the castle, and those women ducked into a shop, trying to put distance between us. I was thankful.

As I reached the main gates to the castle, I was stopped by guards.

"Halt, boy" said one of them, holding his hand out. "You need to have official business to enter the castle today."

I glanced about, making sure the coast was clear before I removed my hat.

The guard's eyes widened, and he bowed quickly. "I apologize, Your Majesty, I did not see that it was you."

"It's quite alright," I said. "I am eager to be home."

He glanced over my strange attire, and he escorted me inside of the gates.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this one, as well. I will try to keep submitting chapters timely! Let me know what you think!