"And then he said, that's no Hobbe that's my wife!" Reaver jest. Ebony released another soft laugh at Reaver's witticism.
"You like that one, my lovely?" Reaver questioned putting his hands on his lap.
Ebony quickly finished laughing, "I liked all of your jokes. Where did you learn so many?"
"Ah I've been here or there." Reaver answered vaguely, however Ebony did not mind. She smiled at him looking directing into those dark orbs one called eyes. Yet, she quickly averted her gaze to the side but keeping her gentle smile.
"My, your atmosphere seems to be rather jovial." Reaver commented.
"Well of course it is." Ebony laughed.
"And why would that be?" Reaver questioned raising a brow.
"Do you not like my jovial atmosphere?" Ebony attempted to joke.
"Oh no no, I indeed like the change, I'm just inquiring why."
"Well you took me out for an absolutely amazing dinner and you're making the ride back very entertaining even though we are confined in just a stagecoach."
"Would you expect any less, my lovely?" Reaver smirked proudly.
Ebony smiled and brought her gaze back up to Reaver's dark endless eyes. She leaned forward slowly and gently took one of Reaver's gloved hand in her small fragile hands. "Thank you." She uttered softly yet confidently. Reaver lowered his eyes to her small hands barely fitting around his and perhaps let a smile make its place on his face.
"It was the very least I could do for my lovely wife." Reaver spoke letting the smirk on his face resurface.
"Well you have my thanks. I wish I could give you something as lovely." Ebony leaned back letting Reaver's hand slip away from her grasp like sand." She thought for a moment she shouldn't have mentioned the last part but the fact she did not bother her much.
The stagecoach came to a slow halt and the weight shifted slightly as the stagecoaches' driver leapt off. Not more than a second later the door was opened. The driver offered is hand to Ebony first and she gladly took it stepping out of the stagecoach. As she did she caught a glimpse of the night's sky and the chilled air lightly tapped her face. Reaver followed soon after signaling the driver to be on his way. Ebony turned to approach the mansion doors but was stopped when Reaver put his hand on her shoulder.
"My minx you can give me something just as lovely."
Ebony turned to him a bit apprehensive.
"I would love for you and to take a walk around the mansion."
She grinned gently, "Yes of course."
"Just one thing before we start on our way." Reaver paused causing Ebony to cock her head.
Reaver removed his large cream colored coat and placed it over Ebony. She jerked out of the surprise.
"Your petite frame will surely need it more." Reaver explained before Ebony could ask offering his arm to her.
"Oh, thank you." He response by taking hold of his firm arm. When her fingers touched his sleeve she could feel his sturdy arm beneath the fabric making it hard for her to hold on to him too tight.
Reaver briskly guided Ebony down the path lit by worn lanterns and rimmed with an assortment of flora. They chatted away as he walked around on the red bricked pathways. Reaver however did most of the talking, but Ebony did not mind. She strangely found herself enjoying listening to him talk away about his travels and his humorous stories. She looked up at the taller man and would occasionally throw in a small laugh in response to one of his tales. For a man who absolutely repulsed her with his behaviors, he sure was making her smile. She, for the first time in being here, felt somewhat comfortable. She began to think her stay over at Reaver's Mansion. He never treated her maliciously. He knew what points to press, but he never actually hurt her. He never beat her or scolded her. She remembered when he practically came to her rescue, as cliché as that sounds, when she herself was the one who put herself in danger. Sure he may not be the…idle husband, but she surely could have been paired up with much worse. Reaver was quite handsome as well. His dark endless eyes which matched his seemingly silk hair. Her face heated up and quickly pushed past those thoughts.
"And that my dear is how I defeated the Troll of Mistwater- My minx? Are you fading off into space again?"
Ebony swiftly ripped herself from her thought, "No no Reaver. I was indeed listening."
"Ah good! Because I was hoping you didn't miss the part where I, oh so cleverly, seduced the water nymph."
"Don't worry I heard it all. I was just listening very intently."
"Very well, my minx. I do hope you enjoyed our walk." Reaver said stopping as the path ended where it began.
"I surely did Reaver, your tales were quite fascinating."
"Well of course they were my minx, I was in all of them." Reaver boasted.
Ebony simply smiled and shook her head causing her loose locks to dance around her face. "Here." She presented Reaver with his jacket, "And thank you."
"Oh hold onto it my dear." Reaver waved his hand.
"I'm sorry?"
"I have a few matters to attend to while I'm still out here so I believe the most logical to pick it up when I visit you in your chambers."
Ebony took a step back, "Pardon?!"
"Oh silly silly minx I merely want to have a chat with my wife. Perhaps in fort of the fire place?"
Ebony lowered her guard, "Really? You still wish to talk with me?"
"But of course!" Reaver said extending his arms dramatically.
Ebony smiled excitedly for a reason she not know. "Yes! I'll be waiting in my chambers!" She swiftly made her way to the mansion doors before stopping, "And knock first!"
"Indeed I will my dear."
Ebony did not respond pushing herself past the doors almost knocking over the servants who opened them. She held her dress up as she made her way up the long staircase, her heart like raising steeds but never missing a beat. Her body moved like wind twirling past every obstacle she came in contact with.
She entered her chambers finding it empty. She recalled how she had given Priscilla the day off and was happy she had listened. She approached her wardrobe, discarding her attire and replacing it with her nightgown. She wrapped the dark purple shawl around her shoulders before fully examining herself in the mirror. She played with his long hair and sighed roughly as it would not be tamed. She took one of her many ribbons and began elegantly grading her hair back. She finished by tying a crisp blue ribbon around the end.
She ran a hand over her work and flattened out her night dress before stopping herself. Was she truly getting this adrenalized? She didn't want to admit it, but she was. But a fact kept her back. She knew Reaver only intended in talking, but she was well aware of his nature. He was a man of many different experiences. She knew he would not go this entire marriage without intimacy and Ebony was far too scared to provide it. He would most likely return to his sexual acts with many and others. Ebony knew that, but what she did not know was why that upset her. Her marriage to him was forced and she had always resented him and yet… She felt comfortable with him. She knows most of his history but he has shown no violence to her and has never forced her to engage in sex. On their wedding night he respected her, against all her thoughts, he did not take advantage of her. And at the dinner tonight she felt happy with him, with her situation. Sure his personality could be a source of annoyance, but she had been growing on it. And besides since being his wife she felt she could interject herself into his work. Yet, even if she did all of this would he still be the Reaver everyone fears and even lusts for? The Reaver who loves none but himself? She couldn't be a part of the people who fall for his charm and looks. She knew even if she where to love him, could he possibly ever love her? But she wasn't looking for love was she? No she wanted to be happy and she was on the path of getting there with out love.
Stopping her from thinking any further a knock was heard against the door. She quickly banished those thoughts away and happily opened the door.
"Well hello my dear minx." Reaver greeted letting himself in the room.
"Nice of you to finally drop by." Ebony remarked.
Reaver rose a brow at Ebony but said nothing. She grabbed his coat from a small coat rack and handed it to him, "Here you are Reaver."
"Why thank you!" He gladly retrieved his coat and swiftly put it on. "Ah! I see you have already taken the liberty of getting the fire started."
"Well of course, I didn't want to waste any of your precious time." Ebony smirked causing Reaver to do the same.
"Oh you intrigue me every minute my minx. Now let's get to chatting shall we?"
"I wouldn't want to waste another second."
Ebony and Reaver sat on Ebony's large bed as the red and gold flames twirled around each other. They actually sat in the comfortable silence for quite some time. Almost as if the flames were performing a dance for the two of to watch. She wasn't sure how much time had passed but she decided to let her voice rise.
"Reaver?" She asked almost inaudible not taking her gaze off the dancing flames.
He turned to her, "Hmmm?"
"You've told me many tales, yet you haven't mentioned the one with my…father."
"Oooh I believe I didn't."
"I've only heard it from my father's point of view and even then he has never told me much." She turned her head to him, "Tell me about it."
"Hmm, it's not very eventful, but I will do as you wish my minx." Reaver shifted his body so he was far more comfortable yet still kept eyes contact with the emerald eyed girl.
"I was simply minding my own business when your father showed up, decored in armor and demanding my help. I told him I would help if he helped me first. In which he agreed, he couldn't disagree. However you see, I knew he was coming that fellow Lucien Fare-something or another made me quite the deal."
He continued on, "Your father returned and in top shape may I point out and just as I was about to betray him, Lucien Fairbottom or what have you betrayed me. It was an awkward situation to tell you the truth. So we end up running and fighting, I took out most of our enemies if I do say so myself."
Ebony silently laughed at his last comment.
"We met up with his other fellows and they practically begged me to join so I just couldn't turn them down. And so our most glorious adventure took place. We fought we traveled and sometimes we fought and traveled at the same time. But all that traveling didn't get us anyway considering Lucien Fairfeet or whatever he is called ambushed us and regrettably I was apprehended. Your father, being the noble hero, saved all of us and weakened Lucien Fairhead and he began his great and oh so dramatic speech. Your father listened well, but I personally grow bored of bland speeches so I simply shot him for your father."
"You shot him?!" Ebony exclaimed.
"Indeed I did. He was just dragging this on and on."
"My father told me he defeated Lucien Fairfax."
"Oh that's his name Fairfax yes, and well your father gave me a nasty glare after I did so and well I let him take all the credit for Lucien's untimely death." Reaver said slyly, "Then out of the dust that old woman appeared and with that old hag was a younger far more beautiful woman. Oh she ran to your father like a moth to the flame."
"…My mother?" Ebony questioned.
"Why yes, your mother, future queen. Your father made his wish and I made mine."
"What was your wish?"
"Oh that old bag claimed to take me anywhere and I chose to go to Samarkand. But before I completely left that wretched place I saw your father and mother being so close and happy. Personally I thought it to be rather cliché; the hero reunited with his beautiful love. However something far more beautiful and exquisite came from that cliché little love story. A precious little gem that out shined the rest."
"A gem?"
"Oh my dear, you."
"Me…?" Ebony's face flushed.
"Why yes, you!" Reaver chimed.
Ebony laughed quietly, "You're just saying that. You probably say that to all the girls."
"Oh far from it, my lovely. You are truly divine."
"Well," Ebony smirked, "You're not so bad yourself."
"Not so bad hmm?" Reaver purred.
"I suppose..." Ebony hadn't noticed it before, yet both of them seemed to glide closer and closer to each other until she could feel his warm and crisp breath upon her face. Their faces were mere centimeters apart and nothing was holding them back from further travel. Just as their lips were about to softly intertwine. Ebony turned her head ever so slightly and placed a smooth kiss on Reaver's cheek. After doing so she backed away, face flushing a light shade of pink and turned her head away. She kept her eyes to his, occasionally moving them away only for them to return to his. For some odd reason she hoped he would not be upset with her for doing what she did.
Yet Reaver only simpered before speaking, "I do say, it is rather late. I believe it would be in both our best interest to get some rest."
"Y…Yes I agree. Perhaps I may join you for breakfast tomorrow?" Ebony boldly asked.
Reaver nodded his head once, "It would make my morning! But for now get some sleep my lovely wife."
"And to you Reaver." Ebony's eyes never left Reaver as he got up from the bed and left her chambers. Her eyes stared at the door as the flames in the fireplace finally were put to rest. She felt something brush past her leg. Looking down she saw her charming pet Charles nuzzling into her leg. She smiled before picking him up.
"Hello you. I'm sorry I haven't been around for you. I've just…" Ebony smiled slightly before laying down on her large bed Charles still in arms. She did not know how long she had stared up at the tall ceiling. But she did know that the smile was still upon her lips as she was casted into slumber.
Taadaaa! This story is still alive! I have no mapped the entire story out so I hope things will run much more smoothly! I hope you enjoyed and feel free to give feedback! More to come!