Reaver had insisted Anna bathed before their late-night tea. Anna was glad for the alone time, her thoughts seemed to be racing around her head and she needed a moment to think. As she removed her bloodstained clothes, images of the night's events came flooding back. The traumatised faces of the union members engraved in Anna's mind. Faces of acquaintances and strangers all now lost thanks to the two mercenaries, Reaver and herself. Guilt instantly wracked her stomach.

A deep sigh left her lips as she stepped into the warm, soapy water. She couldn't deny how inviting the pleasant liquid felt as she submerged her body in it. Naturally, her eyes closed, attempting a moment of relaxation and distraction. However, the sound of canons and explosions outside in the city quickly halted any enjoyment.

Despite her attempt to relax, her thoughts and focus constantly kept drifting back to Reaver. He was completely impulsive and irrational. Throughout Anna's adult life she had hated this man with a hatred that made her blood boil. But it wasn't until tonight that she really felt afraid of him. Afraid of what he may do if she said or did the wrong thing.

Slowly and steadily, Anna made her way down the large staircase. She could see the door to Reaver's study was ajar and a dim, golden light shone from the room. Instinctively, she inhaled deeply before making her way to the room. The thought of Reaver sat there with his gun in his hand is a thought that Anna could not escape. There was a still a chance he would kill her, especially after the way she acted tonight. Whatever happened next, Anna would have to play her cards just right.

As she approached the door, she gently pushed the wooden door open, revealing the room. It was rather dark, with several candles lit to emit a dim light. In front of a newly lit fire sat the man himself. He looked fairly casual in his robe, leaning back in a dark leather armchair. To the side of him sat a small coffee table, with a simple pot of tea and two mugs. Opposite was the matching armchair for Anna to sit.

Avoiding all eye contact, Anna quickly entered the room, finding her seat opposite Reaver. Without even looking at the man, she could feel his dark eyes staring at her.

"Tea?" he asked so casually. Anna slowly looked up from her lap to look at the man in front of her. How could he suddenly be so nonchalant and laidback when only an hour ago he was holding a gun to her head? She was really struggling to understand the method to his madness. Reaver instantly picked up on her mindset, a smirk slowly appearing on his lips.

"You seem nervous?" he asked.

"Well… yeah," Anna replied honestly, "You almost killed me and hour ago and now we're having tea. I don't understand."

Reaver looked her over, taking in her natural form. The bath had removed not only the dry blood that covered the ex-rebel's body but also her makeup, leaving her face bare. Reaver gazed upon her face for a moment, noting her beauty and her wet hair that was beginning to dry beside the fire. The deviant leaned forward slightly, "I'll get right to the point, my dear. It occurred to me that with a potential new king on the throne, you're more use to me alive than dead. You know the new king and his close friends. You could be my way in," Reaver explained. Anna narrowed her eyes at the man, feeling a wave of anger wash over her.

"So, I'm only alive because I'm useful to you?" she clarified.

"Well of course, my dear. The moment you're of no use to me, I'll put a bullet between those lovely eyes of yours," Reaver said, completely and utterly emotionless. Anna's eyes widened involuntarily and she could feel the drum of her heart beat throughout her body.

"What if I just leave now?" she asked in response. This only caused the smirk on Reaver's face to widen.

"Then I'd just shoot you now, mon Cherie."

The following week was spent avoiding Reaver. The threat of being shot unsettled Anna and she had decided the best way to stay safe was to keep her head down. She had quickly come to learn Reaver's routines in order to stay clear of him. When he ate, when he worked and when he went to bed. If Reaver was working in his study, then Anna would be out enjoying the garden. If he was having breakfast, Anna would keep busy in her room until he left the dining room. That was usually at around 9am.

It was a Tuesday morning and Anna was sat in her bed reading. It definitely wasn't a hobby she enjoyed, but she was willing to do it to avoid Reaver. A quick glance to the clock in her room determined it was well past 9am and Reaver should be long gone from the dining room.

Anna exited her bed, looking herself over before leaving the room. She'd opted for yet another practical outfit, trousers and a shirt. Dresses definitely were not for her. She'd tied her hair back in a messy bun, mainly to keep it out of her face as she read her dull storybook. Leaving her face completely natural, she was happy with her casual appearance. It was not like she had much planned for the day anyway.

Upon entering the dining room, Anna was met by the sight of Reaver. Sitting so casually with a cup of tea and a stack of letters in front of him. She immediately froze. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He should have been finished with breakfast well over an hour ago. A faint sigh escaped the ex-rebel's lips as she entered the room.

"A letter came for you this morning," Reaver spoke, not looking up from the letter he was reading. Anna looked towards him, biting her lip nervously before responding.

"Where is it?"

"Just here," he replied, gesturing to the small stack of mail that sat next to his morning tea. Anna inhaled deeply and forced some confidence as she approached the man. It was not until she stood before the man, that he finally looked up at her. He picked the envelope off the top of the pile. It was small but of good quality and it was sealed with a gold wax seal. Anna took a hold of it but Reaver did not let go.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asked her, smirking slyly. Anna's green orbs widened at the accusation. There was no use playing dumb, Reaver already knew the answer, he just wanted to hear it from Anna herself.

"I'm scared of being shot," she admitted, earning a small chuckle from the businessman.

"If I was going to kill you, I'd still do it whether you were avoiding me or not, my sweet," Reaver explained. Anna bit her lip, she knew he was right. But in her defence, avoiding him meant she was less likely to slip up and end up with a bullet hole in her body.

She attempted to pull the envelope from Reaver's grasp again and this time he let her. She looked it over briefly, realising the seal belonged to that of the king. On the front of it, written in black ink was the name 'Andrea Burton'. Her fingertips lightly touched the penmanship as she admired the calligraphy.

"Sit," Reaver instructed, gesturing to the chair next to him. Anna did as she was told before excitedly opening her letter.

"It's an invitation," she said aloud, "to King Eric's coronation party."

Anna had never been invited to a proper party before. The closest she ever got were the small gatherings of drunks in the local tavern on a Saturday night. That was a far stretch from a party held out the palace. Her mind immediately began to imagine a party such as that. What the castle looked like, what the guests wore, how they food tasted. It was all very new young girl.

"Are you going?" Anna asked. Reaver glanced towards her, his attention otherwise occupied.

"Of course, my dear," he replied.

"Can I go with you then?" She asked nervously.

She would never admit it aloud but the idea of a party, especially one as big as this, made her anxious. It wasn't just the idea of a royal party that brought Anna's anxieties out, but also the thought of her old friends from the Resistance attending. She could already imagine Page judgingly staring at her from across the ballroom.

"You want to be my date? Why?" Reaver replied in a teasing tone. Suddenly he was interested in the conversation again.

"Well… uh, I've never been to a party before," she said feeling embarrassed before adding, "And also, who's going to protect me from Page?"

The latter comment was awarded by a chuckle from Reaver who nodded in agreement.

"Fine, but if our dear friend Page comes for us then I will show no mercy," he responded. Anna smiled slightly, feeling slightly relieved. Without even wanting to admit it to herself, she couldn't help but like this version of Reaver.