Chapter 24: Mess Is Mine

I stood by the window looking out towards Millfields, the actions I had done just a mere few hours ago still drummed in my brain. I had gotten dressed again while Reaver lay fast asleep in his bed a positively gleeful smile on his sleeping face. I gave him a small smile before frowning looking back out the window, I couldn't believe I had given into my hunger so easily worst so I loved every moment of it.

I knew this wasn't a permanent thing, Reaver wasn't one for keeping someone around for very long once he got what he wanted. I knew I was just a little excitement to pass the time and I would be a fool if I thought otherwise. None the less it was something to give me a bit of solace in these trying times.

I looked around the dark room, the only light being a few candles placed on the table as I walked over to the books on the far corner of the room. Most of them were quite old and had collected dust while some looked like they were touched recently. Working my way around the room more I stopped short seeing a dark red book bound in old leather behind a glass case. There was no indication on what the book was just that it must have been a treasured possession to be behind a locked case.

I nibbled on my lip curious about its contents but Reaver's groan stopped me from prying as he began moving in his sleep his eyes fluttering under his eyelids. I frowned lightly, from the look on his face he was having a nightmare. I brought my hand up brushing his hair softly out of his eyes then giving his hand a reassuring squeeze as he began to slow his stirring. I smiled content that he had relaxed deciding I should leave while the sun was still down.

As I passed Reaver's servants they insisted I stayed but I brushed them off not wanting to overstay my welcome, it was just easier to see myself out then the pain of being kicked out once he woke. Opening the door I breathed in the fresh air smiling walking towards Bowerstone, with a slight limp to my step.

-Reaver's POV-

I awoke with a start feeling sweat build on my forehead groaning reaching for the bottle of whiskey at my side table. Taking a sip I looked to my other side seeing the bed was empty where Sophia had once resided. I closed my eyes in contentment, the previous night was rather unexpected but in a very good sense. She was much rougher then I had originally thought but that was not a bad thing in the slightest. I looked to the ground seeing her clothes had gone as I frowned putting on my trousers stretching seeing the sun had just started peeking over the horizon.

Walking out of the room my servants cowered in fear as I smirked happily for the obedience. I looked towards Maury the younger servant as his eyes shifted down not wanting to look into mine.

"Where is Queen Sophia?" I questioned as he flinched saying, "She left before the sun came up Lord Reaver… I couldn't stop her."

I glared towards him taking my gun shooting at his feet as he cried out cowering in the corner while I put my gun back slicking my hair back. Never had someone left me in the middle of the night, this was a rather strange first especially for one so innocent.

I smiled darkly knowing she wasn't as innocent as she let on, there was a fire in her electric blue eyes that even sent a shiver down my own spine. Along with her stamina, I actually found myself aching for more but that would have to wait for another time. I just had to bide my time till then I thought looking at Maury cowering in the corner.

-Sophia's POV-

Once I made it back to the castle with no issues I made my way to my chambers seeing Hal sleeping sprawled out on my bed. I smiled as he twirled over wagging his tail happily while I walked to the bed stripping down curling into the bed trying to get a little sleep.

My little sleep, however, was interrupted by servants coming in to clean not realizing I had returned from the night before.

"Oh forgive me, your majesty, I thought you were still at Master Reaver's house." She said sheepishly making me sigh sleepily replying, "It's quite alright, no use sleeping now."

I got dressed sitting in the dining area for a much-needed meal as Walter walked out giving a sigh of relief seeing I was unharmed.

"Thank Avo you're okay." He said as I gave him a little smile saying, "I told you I wouldn't stay over."

"Was he civil with you?" Walter asked worried as the night's activities flashed through my head feeling my heat spread again.

I went to take another bite swallowing down my lust simply saying, "He was."

Walking to the old resistance base gave me memories of my journey to the crown, this was a big reason I now sat on the throne and I was most curious what Page had in store for me. It was quiet for the most part, most of her men had gone out of hiding to start a real life in the city.

"Good to see you again your majesty." I heard seeing Ben walk over to me giving me a friendly hug as I returned it.

"How have you been Ben?" I asked as he gave his signature charming smile replying, "Pretty good, found a nice house in the market district."

I laughed lightly saying, "You know you will always have the invitation to the castle whenever you wished it."

He laughed nervously replied, "I know and I'll think about it. Anyway, Page is in the back waiting for you."

I nodded watching him walk away then went to Page's usual spot by the map seeing she was looking at it intensely. Her eyes looked up at me for a moment as I stayed quiet waiting for her to speak first.

"You've done some good for this city and I'm grateful, I wish some things were done differently but I suppose I can't change your mind once it's made." She said crossing her arms as I replied, "I'm doing what I can to keep my promises but also keep the city safe. You'll understand when this is all over you haven't faced the darkness as I have."

She gave me a defeated sigh nodding her head and debriefing me on why she called for me. It seemed the Bowerstone tavern was being hassled for gold most nights and Nigel Ferret was behind it. I closed my eyes images of Elliot and Linda flashed through my thoughts the last time I dealt with him but none the less he was scum that needed to be taken out.

I walked towards Bowerstone tavern as the sun had begun to set tightening my gauntlets feeling the energy coarse through my veins seeing the doors were locked. I kicked open the door seeing that the customers, barman, and barmaid were being held at gunpoint making me glare pulling my Dragonstomper out.

I easily shot all the men surrounding the people except one as he began cowering throwing his weapon down.

"Where is your boss?" I asked holding the barrel to his head as he shook fearful telling me and giving me his key as I smirked replying, "You've been most helpful."

He went to speak but I shot him in the head putting my gun away assuring the people in the tavern they wouldn't be bothered again. Making my way down towards the water I saw an entrance into the sewers putting the key in seeing it was indeed the correct spot.

I gave a great sigh of relief, fighting through Ferrets men was easy enough, most of them cowered in fear as soon as I appeared to them. Watching them crumble before me felt riveting and I found myself hungry with lust for Reaver again. Shaking my feelings away I decided another time would be more appropriate for that kicking opening the last door.

Ferret had foolishly locked himself behind a jail cell two large men guarding him as I put my gun away grabbing my sword. One went to swing towards me as I ducked gracefully sliding under his swing coming into contact with the second man's sword. I swung around sending a shock push towards the one now behind me as he slammed against the bars slumping to the ground. Now with one, I could see he had sweat begin to build upon his brow just making me smirk.

We clashed back and forth as he was able to knock the sword from my hand with the force of his blow making me growl. I charged up my fist with electricity as he went to swing down on me hitting him square in the chest causing his whole body to convulse and fall limply to the ground.

I turned towards Ferret as he began begging me to let him go offering me gold in exchange for his freedom. Page came running in seeing him smiling triumphantly towards me while I turned my eyes towards him.

"Sorry Ferret you're going to be locked up forever." I said grabbing my sword as I looked towards Page saying, "He's in your hands now."

Walking out towards the now evening sky looking up at the stars beginning to appear, I looked towards the castle then towards Millfields contemplating my next move. Reaver had probably found someone else to entertain him for the evening so I huffed walking towards the castle smiling kindly to the people and servants that passed.

Once I reached my room Hal had already taken over most of the bed making me snort laughing to which he simply kept his eyes closed but his tail wagged. I looked towards my nightstand seeing a small present as I picked it up gently untying the bow seeing a few books inside and a note.

I'm sure these will occupy your time for at least a few nights but do remember you're always welcome to browse my wares whenever you so wish. My door is always open to you.

-R

I smiled inhaling softly smelling the faint smell of his cologne looking at the books smiling wider, I would just have to take him up on that offer very soon.

Next chapter up soon!