A/N: Like I said previously, this story has taken a slight turn that I hadn't expected originally. This is what happens when I allow things to run their course. XD Enjoy.

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Logan was lost in thought again. Try as he might Logan couldn't forget the voice of the darkness and it still whispered to him in his sleep. Memories welled within his mind as did the probable future. There was still time and so much to do, but it felt so hopeless. He needed guidance and a helping hand but he didn't want to tell anyone about what had happened. The only person who seemed to know of the darkness was Reaver. It seemed like he was going to be Logan's partner in all of this.

"Isn't that right, brother?"

Logan snapped out of his thoughts and looked across the table. Tara's eyes were wide and filled with joy as she recounted some tale to Reaver. The man was eying him again with a smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, um, yes." Logan didn't know what he was agreeing with but the response made Tara grin happily and then make a face at Reaver, which wasn't becoming of a lady her age but Logan decided not to point it out.

Dinner continued in that fashion. Tara controlled the conversation and Reaver seemed to listen eagerly while Logan kept to himself. After a point wine was served, much to Logan's relief. The alcohol calmed him and in turn gave him a voice. Any nerves about Reaver's presence were gone for the time being and the haughty attitude the man had seemed to melt away.

The door to the dining room opened and Jasper slowly walked in. Tara and Reaver paid him little attention as he approached Logan. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?" Logan replied.

"It would appear that it is time for the princess to retire for the night." Jasper said, clearing his voice.

Tara pouted, "Already? Logan, may I please stay up?"

Logan cradled his glass in hand, his eyes flicking over to Reaver as he raised his own glass to his lips. "I'm sorry, Tara, but even a princess needs her sleep."

"I enjoyed our conversation. Will you come back?" Tara asked Reaver as she stood.

"Oh, I'll be back on business," Reaver smiled, "but I suppose I can take some extra time to entertain you and your brother."

Tara seemed pleased with the response. She hurried to Logan's side, throwing her arms around her brother and placing a kiss on his cheek. The joy in her voice as she bid both of them good night made him smile.

"She is a charming girl," Reaver said once the door closed behind Tara. "So full of wonder and so naïve; I take it Tara hasn't seen much of the world?"

Logan shook his head and drank the remainder of wine in his glass. "Our parents kept us both rather secluded which, in hindsight, is rather odd. I do understand why. The world isn't a pretty place. Tara is protected here and is living in a perfect world. That's going to change. She'll either learn it from me or the boy she has taken interest in."

"A boy, is it?" Reaver smiled.

"One of the servants, no less," Logan replied.

A laugh escaped Reaver, "Oh how droll. The boy must be the idol of many other young servants. It's not every day a commoner catches the eye of a noble."

"Reaver, I want you to be serious for a moment."

"Oh, your majesty, I'm always serious."

Logan doubted that and wanted to say as much, but held his tongue on the matter. "You seem to know what I'm facing...I want you to help me with the situation."

"Ah, a formal invitation," Reaver smiled, finally taking off his hat and running his hand through his hair. Either the wine was taking slow effect or the man was growing comfortable around Logan. "I can have some paperwork written up so this can be something more official."

"As long as I agree with the terms," Logan replied.

"Of course." Reaver grabbed the bottle of wine and poured himself a fresh glass before refilling Logan's. In any other situation that would have been an insult but the atmosphere was so relaxed that Logan didn't seem to mind. "The terms will be only slightly different then our current, unspoken ones. Let's drink to our future."

Logan raised his glass with a slight smile and, throwing proper manners aside, the two downed their respective drinks.

"Tell me you have something better than this," Reaver chuckled, gingerly tossing his glass onto the table. "An occasion like this calls for something a little harder than just wine."

"You can't be serious."

"I told you only moments ago that I'm always serious."

Logan shook his head and pushed himself away from the table. "If you insist, follow me." He led Reaver into the kitchen and motioned towards a closed door. "That is where the help keeps the alcohol. If there is anything more than wine it will be in there."

A smile spread across Reaver's face, "Marvelous!" He sauntered to the door and opened it without pausing. Logan didn't move but just watched as his guest disappeared into the room, only to reappear moments later with a bottle in hand. "This will do just fine."

"I never took you to be such a lush," Logan said.

Reaver laughed as he retrieved two glasses, "I am fond of the drink but I wouldn't say I'm a lush. When you live as long as I have one learns that two things never change: drinking and lovemaking. That and, I suppose, that money will always put you in the right."

Logan didn't reply, just watched as Reaver poured two glasses. He handed one to the King which was taken without question. 'Whiskey,' Logan thought as the aroma hit him. Reaver downed his portion in one mouthful and glanced at him, waiting. Logan mimicked the man's movement, knocking back the drink with ease. He wasn't much of a drinker, mainly just wine and even that was rare, so the whiskey hit him hard. Logan knew that he reacted more than he intended when Reaver let out a laugh.

"You'll get used to it," Reaver explained, pouring them both another drink.

"I'm not sure if I want to," Logan replied.

Reaver raised his glass before downing it. "Let me tell you one thing, Logan, I know you want to be a just King, and you have but I think its high time you became a little more forceful."

"What do you mean?"

"War is not pretty and if this thing, this darkness, took out some of your elite guards, Albion has a bleak future." Reaver explained. He leaned against the counter, one hand trailing over the bottle of whiskey as if contemplating pouring himself another glass. "Its high time you had a tighter grip on the people. This will be for their own good, even if they don't know it."

Logan stared at his glass, eying his reflection in the whiskey. He hated to admit it but Reaver's words rang true. Months had gone by and there was no progress. Little money was being brought in and the army he wished to amass was no where near a respectable size. Setting his mouth in a solemn line, Logan downed his drink. "You're right."

Reaver smiled, "Of course I am."

"And you're going to help me."

It wasn't a question or even a request and it made Reaver smile even wider; the King was finally taking charge. "Without question," he replied, taking a few slow steps closer to Logan. The two studied each other in silence, Reaver noting the King's guarded posture. "You should learn to relax more. Perhaps you would like another glass?"

Logan's eyes flicked down to his empty cup and he debated about taking the offer but shook his head. "I think I've had enough as it is."

"Your mother was a wonderful woman," Reaver said with the slightest of smiles. "It was a wonder that she sought my company even after I tried to take her life. Before becoming queen she bought my home, which is where I found her when I briefly returned to Albion before. Oh how happy she was to see a familiar face, even if it was mine. I tried to kill her that first night but you're mother knew me better; she was waiting for me with weapons drawn. I would have taken her there but she denied me."

"Why are you telling me this?" Logan stammered.

Once more a smile played on Reaver's lips, "To assuage your view of her and our 'relationship.' We did have secret rendezvous and I wanted nothing more than to have a go, but there was nothing more then embraces and kisses. And just when I thought I may have a chance, your father happened along and that was the end of it all. I left."

"How can I believe you?"

"Do I seem like the type of person to actively deny my escapades?"

Logan shook his head. He was growing uncomfortable with how close Reaver was and he was beginning to realize the alcohol was taking it's effect on him. "You despise my father, then?"

"No. He was the better man, especially for her. Your mother wanted more than the hot nights I was willing to give her. Settling down and raising a family just isn't in the cards for me."

"More conquests out there?"

The question brought a brazen smile to Reaver's face, one that would have raised alarms in Logan's mind had it not been hazed by their drinking. What ever distance had been between the two was gone as Reaver moved forward and crushed Logan's lips with his own. Logan let it happen, didn't bother to stop the advances as he opened his mouth to accept Reaver's probing tongue. It was when he felt the man's hands tugging at his shit that he pushed him away, face flushed and heart pounding. All Reaver did was smile, his tongue running across his lower lip.

"I think its time you left," Logan said, finally finding his voice.

Reaver didn't move for a moment, his eyes locked with Logan's. "Of course, your majesty. I'll let you know what I've gotten the paperwork ready."