~~ Warning this chapter contains a Lemon ~~ Enjoy X3

Corban sat upon the metal railing of a balcony that overlooked one of the many palace indoor gardens, one leg dangling over the side. The walls surrounding the garden were riddles with similar balconies and galleries reminding the man of a cliff face filled with bird nests. The thought would of made him chuckle but his mind was filled with too many dark and angry thoughts to be of good humour. He peered down at the vast distance to the ground suddenly realising it would be so easy to just slip off and meet the ground, and then he would be the dark embrace of death free from this life that has haunted him so, he was allowed that was. The door behind him swung open with a dull creak and he did not look up even as slow footsteps approached him, then stopped not far from where he sat.

"What do you want?" he asked with a curt tone. The responding chuckle surprised the Samarkandian and he hazard to peer over his shoulder. Morzai stood straight back, with his hands folded calmly at the small of his back as his thin lips were curled in amusement.

"I think you know exactly what," was the smooth reply as Morzai stepped closer to the railing and peered down at the garden below. "Made a bit of a mess you know."

Corban growled deeply, his fingers cracked ominously as he flexed the long slender digits. Morzai inclined his head to regard the other man with a mild expression even as his lip remained in a mocking smirk.

"If you want to know the woman will survive," Morzai then said after an awkward silence and Corban felt his chest tighten with a flood of emotions making him gasp involuntarily. He looked away feeling marginally embarrassed by his sudden display of emotion, but he felt a wave of relief overcome him and he smiled grimly. "No doubt you could guess who is giving the helping hand." Morzai suddenly looked thoroughly displeased a reflection of his tone of voice. Corban tilted his head curiously though he said nothing. "That old man is quite the schemer, perhaps the only thing we have in common, but we all know what he is not as apposed to what he is."

"I hate riddles," Corban stated and Morzai chuckled again.

"Then I will keep this simple," Morzai turned to face his fellow Samarkandian with a dark serious expression, "The plan will go ahead as scheduled. I cannot accept any further failure or delays and I suppose neither will he."

Corban snarled and slid from the rail to tower over Morzai, his eyes glinting dangerously. Morzai merely stared back cooly his face betraying no hint of emotion. They glared at each other for what felt like moments before Corban backed away managing to gain control of himself.

"The plan will not fail," Corban assured though his voice sounded strained as if being forced from between his teeth. Morzai nodded and turned from Corban to walk to the partially open door.

"I trust he then will fulfill his promise?" Morzai then said stopping by the portal with his head inclined thoughtfully towards his chest. Corban looked across to him and nodded.

"Yes, I will make sure of it," Corban said crossing his arms lightly across his chest. A noise of contempt escaped Morzai a look of mistrust crossing his features.

"Your assurances are of little comfort to me," his tone was forlorn and it remained with Corban even as the older man left him with his thoughts once more.

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Sparrow watched as Lorna reluctantly followed Garth and Adrianna across the courtyard. She sighed tiredly and leaned heavily on a gnarled wooden cane given to her by the young Samarkandian woman. It appeared to have been made from a branch with the head expertly carved into the head of a bird with keen eyes and cruel looking curved beak. It was supposedly her mothers and Sparrow welcomed it gladly though it felt a bit too short for her, but it was better than nothing. The muscles in her legs had protested stubbornly when she tried to walk any further than a few metres,which annoyed her to no end as she was looking forward to seeing some of the festivities. As the party of three finally disappeared the smile that graced her lips faded leaving her looking tired and haggard.

It was the first time she felt old and she hated it. Her body responded slower than usual and even if Oota had reassured her that she will be back to normal in a few days she remained skeptical. She turned slowly and walked at a sedate pace down the corridor, the cane making an ominous clicking sound on the cold marble floor. She liked that sound. It made her feel almost official and noble. She chuckled at the bizarre thought that was quickly glossed over. She scowled lightly as the memories of what happened in the last twelve hours replayed themselves in one jumbled mass. All the while it kept focusing on Reaver. Even when her thoughts travelled to something else it made a full circle back to him again. She suddenly felt immense guilt as she remembered unwillingly what she had down to Reaver. Though what had surprised her most was he had done nothing to stop her and then had willingly put himself at risk to save her too.

She suddenly stopped as she then realised Reaver had done something uncharacteristically nice for someone else. She blinked several times and made a curious noise in her throat before continuing on her journey. It never occurred to her that him of all people had changed, if not just a little, but even that was an achievement in itself. She smiled gently and mentally told herself off for being sentimental. Hell, even he would tell her off for thinking in such away. She chuckled as she turned a corner and looked around before realising she had managed to get herself lost. Again.

A passing servant tentatively edged nearer the small woman's eyes were large as she ogled the warrior woman. Sparrow smiled warmly and gestured for the girl to come closer. The maid cautiously neared her looking as if one sound would make her bolt for safety.

"Could you help me, it would seem I have gotten myself lost," Sparrow said in a kind tone and the woman gave Sparrow a strange look. Sparrow berated herself when she realised that the girl did not understand a word she had just said. Kind of obvious really. Sparrow sighed and began gesticulating to convey she was lost and the girl eventually seemed to get the idea as she made a gesture for Sparrow to follow her. Sparrow smiled appreciatively and followed at a discreet distance as she got the feeling that the girl was fairly scared of her.

When the maid brought her to her door she smiled awkwardly and bowed before trotting off at a fast pace. Sparrow watched her leave with an amused smile and opened the door. The room was spacious and she was glad she was given a separate room though she did not know whether she was truly glad or marginally remorseful not being, so close to the Pirate. She shook her head to empty her head of such thoughts and meandered across an animal skin rug that lay not too far from a grand fire place then round the four poster bed to where a vanity table stood. With a sigh of relief she eased herself onto the stool that sat beside the table.

It had been along time she had felt this bad and that was when she had returned from the spire. It had taken her a long time to get over that ordeal both mentally and physically. She shuddered and leant the cane against the table then glanced at her reflection. She grimaced theatrically and leaned closer pulling at the skin under her eye, then released it watching it spring back into place.

"Dear Avo, you look like shit," she muttered to herself leaning back slightly as regarded her reflection with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "You need a bath." She nodded to herself before getting up to find her towel.

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Reaver meandered aimlessly around the halls and corridors out of sheer boredom. He had expected to see at least one of the others by now and wondered where everyone had gone too. He soon figured they may of gone off somewhere, as it was the day of this festival thing, and wondered who would still be here. The festival he did not cared for, but who may still be here was of particular interest. With a wicked grin he turned to go back the way he had come hoping, if this was the case, that Sparrow was still in her chambers. If she was indeed alone then this would be the perfect opportunity. He grinned broadly at the thought that he might even have all afternoon with the woman.

He contemplated the scenario as if it were like a puzzle, a problem that had do be solved as his mind conjured various ways to subdue the woman. He did not want her to get scared off as it was likely it may happen. After what had recently happened it was a possibility, but he believed he knew how to deal with any problems if they arose. If she did not put up some kind of resistance he would be disappointed as it was sometimes the foreplay that is the most fun. He found himself looking forward to the little encounter and wondered what the outcome maybe; a good one he hoped.

Before long he reached his destination and knocked on Sparrow's door before entering when he heard her voice call all out for him to enter. When he did he found her standing by her vanity table wrapped only in a soft, pale lavender towel leaning on a cane. Reaver stopped and peered at her curiously drinking up the image before him with a certain amount of delight. Sparrow looked at him with a start staring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and caution.

"Where is Lorna?" Reaver asked in a friendly looking about expecting the familiar little blonde blob to appear any moment.

Sparrow shifted uncomfortably and held the towel tighter to herself suddenly feeling very self concious of her body. She berated herself for forgetting that Reaver would still be in the palace as well as herself. She fought a shiver as his eyes looked her up and down, and he obviously did not bother to repress the lust that burned in the green orbs.

"Um well, she's with Garth and Adrianna," she hesitated to say biting her lip a little, "I thought you knew."

The pirate shrugged indifferently. "How long will they be gone?" Reaver then asked, a small smirk appearing as Sparrow shifted again in an uncomfortable manner.

"About late afternoon-ish," she replied as she began clenching her cane more out of security than support. The situation heavily reminded her of the incident in the bathing chambers and sorely hoped not to repeat it or did she. She mentally cursed herself for her current weakness as she would of forced Reaver from the room at this point, but something stayed her hand as he took a step closer.

"I see, and we are preparing for a trip to baths," Reaver noted in an off hand manner as he slowly approached the suspicious woman. Sparrow inched away from the pirate until she bumped into window sill with a small yelp.

"I...um... was thinking about it," she replied uncertainly feeling like a trapped animal and she grasped the cane tightly preparing to use it as weapon if necessary.

Reaver chuckled as he removed his gloves in a deliberate manner his eyes never leaving her face, but something poked him in the chest and he peered at the cane she had stuck between their persons to prevent him from getting any closer. A feeble barrier, Reaver thought as he ran a teasing finger along the polished wood.

"You know, I saw quite a few of your more... precious memoires," he said tilting his head as she stared at him curiously though her eyes remained suspicious.

"Oh? What did you see?" she asked her voice small as if afraid of his answer.

"Well, I have never seen a woman give birth before," he replied with a grimace and she giggled a little. Reaver then smirked as he took the small window of opportunity to flick the cane aside and he forcefully grabbed her around the waist, pushing her against the sill. She yelped as she stared heatedly at the man and the pirate grinned. "I also saw your first time too, under the full moon, some dirty little room in Bowerstone somewhere... all terribly romantic," he furthered to say as his eyebrow quirked and he pursed his lips causing his cheeks to pinch with distaste.

Sparrow glared at him and she weakly tried to push him off. "I don't believe you, you pervert!" she screeched thumbing him on the chest, "You saw that!?"

"Yes, among other things," the grin turned into a smirk as his hand reached down to grope her behind causing the woman to squeak again and squirm against him though she continued to glare at him indignantly.

"Reaver, those are my private memories," she hissed and Reaver rolled his eyes as he teased the skin just at the edges of the towel making the skin of her leg tingle.

"And the memories you saw weren't?" he suddenly asked catching her off guard for a moment. They stared at each other again a silence falling between them, green staring into blue. Sparrow refused to breath as she felt herself almost being drawn into the deep green abyss and then, as if involuntarily drawn, Reaver slowly leaned closer to brush his lips across hers causing the breath she had been holding to hitch in her throat. She made to move closer, but pulled back uncertainly, fear and confusion showing plainly in her bright blue orbs. Reaver took the opportunity to lay light butterfly kisses across her cheek as she turned her face from him the heat rising to illuminate her cheeks in a rosy red blush. His free hand traced the curvature of her towel covered body until it came to rest, cupping her breast, and he teased the mound with gently circular motions.

"Reaver..." she breathed as her aching body arched into his crying out for more, but even as her body said one thing her mind said another and she tried to weakly push him away. "Please don't," she pleaded as she bit her lower lip to stop the small moan that got stuck in her throat.

"Why?" he whispered huskily in her ear causing her to quiver in his arms giving his handful a quick squeeze, which earned him a small squeak, "I know you want me." He continued his barrage of kisses pausing only to nibble on the nape of her neck. With out warning she thumped him on the side of the head only enough for it to sting, but then that was all she could manage. He pulled back rubbing his ear casting her a dark incredulous look.

"What was that for?" he demanded and she puffed her cheeks in a stubborn manner.

"You're just taking advantage of me," she yelled thumping him on the chest again to make him let her go, which only resulted in him tightening his grip.

"Even if I was, you're enjoying it," he smirked and the look of distinct horror that crossed her face made the pirate laugh jovially. "Come on Sparrow what are you afraid of? Me? Surely not."

She suddenly looked away shame glossing her features and Reaver stared at her incredulously.

"You are," Reaver breathed in disbelief and he frowned questioningly. Why would she be afraid of him? Of all people to be afraid of him. The thought was both amusing and oddly curious, but seeing her distressed expression made his heart lurch painfully, though he tried to ignore the uneasy feeling that had began to slowly seep into him. Before he could inquire further she covered his mouth with her slender hand making the Pirate's eyes widen.

"Okay, I admit it, I am afraid of you! and yet... and yet I like you, but then I hate you," she growled her tone confused and one of Reaver's eyebrows rose inquiringly as she clenched her eyes shut so she did not have to see his face, "I hate it because you make me feel so confused when I am around you and yet when I look at you I want to either hit you or embrace you, and I want to embrace you not because you are handsome, there is no denying that you are, but because I want to forgive you for what you have done, but what scares me is I know if I do that, if I did embrace, you then I will... I will never be able to let you go."

Reaver removed the hand that covered his mouth staring at her disconcerted by what she had said. He smiled awkwardly suddenly unsure of what this strange feeling was that suddenly appeared, but what ever it was made him uneasy and yet he wanted to let it envelop him. The fact she was pressed against him delighted him, but he was uncertain as whether to pursue it further. Then his hand moved of its own volition and it cupped her cheek so that his thumb stroked her soft skin, which she hesitantly leaned into. He drew her closer so that his lips brushed her ear.

"I wouldn't want you too," he whispered and her eyes shot wide open. "Please be the one to forgive me." Slowly she turned to look at the pirate and she frowned gently her brow wrinkled with mute confusion. Reaver merely smiled drawing her close again and locked her lips in a tender yet deep kiss. Sparrow froze for a moment, surprise gripping her, before she relaxed against his lean body as she hesitantly returned the kiss. The cane clattered noisily to the floor as Sparrow released it to circle both her arms about his neck forgetting about both the branch of wood and the flimsy towel that was the only thing covering her body.

Reaver let his hands roam the slender body before dropping his gloves idly on the floor while his deft fingers unlatched his cloak letting it follow suit along with both his belts. With gentle encouragement Reaver guided Sparrow's form over towards the bed as he slid with practised ease from his boots. He then turned his attention back to Sparrow as his hands slid their way to grope her behind and pull her against him. She gasped, then moaned as he began to nibble and suck the naked flesh of her shoulder. Her heart slowly pounded in her chest and the sound of her breath hitching in her throat excited him more causing the aching in his loins to grow almost painfully.

Sparrow felt uncertainty again even as Reaver's hands slid between gap of her towel to reach up and grope her bare breast where he tweaked her nipple. This caused a mewl like sound to escape that made Reaver grin. She pouted in an offended manner, but her eyes widened as she felt the towel fall from her body leaving her naked and trembling. With a deliberate slowness Reaver pushed Sparrow upon the bed where she lay quivering with expectation. She suddenly grew angry again at how foolish she had been allowing the pirate manipulate her so, but Reaver bit down on the soft flesh of her shoulder making her yell in pain, loosing momentary thought.

With meticulous care Reaver licked the small bite before he began to travel down the woman's body kissing and leaving small bite marks upon her peachy skin causing her to gasp and moan quietly. She squirmed as she watched him move further over her stomach, but pulled away at the last minute leaving her core throbbing with want. She quivered with the unexpected reactions of her body and she found herself craving more. She had only slept with two people in her life and she had not wanted this as much as she did now.

She blushed as watched him playfully remove his tie, then jacket and finally his shirt throwing them on the floor and exposing his lightly toned torso. Upon seeing it she wanted to reach out and run over hands over the tanned flesh, and he grinned wickedly upon seeing her eyes stare at him with undisguised desire. It was a sight he had waited for a long time and he took a moment to savour it as she looked up at him with darkened, heavy lidded eyes. Then he hesitated for a brief moment before leaning over her body.

He clasped his mouth to hers in a bruising and passionate kiss, which she was all to happy to reciprocate pulling his body closer to hers, her flesh crying for contact. Electrical shivers ran through her body reminding her just how starved her body was as their tongues danced tasting each other, eliciting light sensual moans from their throats as they continued their passionate onslaught.

Reaver broke the kiss, breathing deeply to regain oxygen for his starved lungs and looked down at the panting Sparrow who clutched at his shoulders with a sort of desperation he knew she would never admit. He drunk in the sight of flushed cheeks, kiss swollen lips and lust filled gaze before attacking her neck with nibbles and light sucks as his hands glided over her body gently caressing the more sensitive areas of skin causing her to gasp breathlessly and squirm against him. He moved her legs so he knelt between them and kicked his trousers away to finally free his aching member. He shivered a little as the cooler air of the room touched the taught flesh and Sparrow's eyes were staring at it with a mixture of surprise and anxiety.

As a way of comforting her he kissed her gently allowing the tip of his member to run along and tease her folds. She gasped into the kiss trying to suppress a moan knowing her body wanted more than just a tease. Reaver grinned continuing to kiss her already swollen mouth while his hands encouraged her legs to part wider stroking the soft sensitive flesh of the underside of her thighs before bringing up one hand to slip a couple of fingers inside her hot core to make sure she was sufficiently wet. She moaned into the kiss as he worked the digits deeper causing her hips to buck. He soon withdrew the fingers running them along the folds to taunt the small bud sending tantalising waves of pleasure coursing through her body making her write and moan.

She rocked her hips towards him trying to cause more friction between their bodies, but he grinned evilly planting his other hand on her hip to keep her from moving and she pouted. He brought up his slicked fingers and smirked as she watched him lick his fingers. Her eyes widened as she watched him lick the digits clean and she shuddered, with a mixture of disgust and fascination, at the thought of how she may taste. He chuckled again kissing her fiercely allowing her to snake her arms about his neck once more. He took hold of his member to gently guide it towards the target and slid with deliberate slowness inside of her pausing just long enough for her to allow her to adjust. Her body trembled against him her breath hitching in her throat.

"Reaver," she moaned breathlessly as he began to move slowly bringing his full member out till only the tip of his shaft remained inside before diving back, repeating the process over and over. Sparrow let out a cry of pleasure as she moved against him, gripping his body so tightly her finger nails raked the skin leaving deep scratches that made the Pirate moan in her ear in both pain and pleasure. He buried his face into the crook of her neck nuzzling slightly; the feeling of his panting and hot breath on her skin along with the sensuous moans in her ear turned Sparrow on even more the burning in her lower region intensifying with each thrust.

As he moved with growing fervour he slipped his hands behind her knees to bring them up so he could drive deeper into her core. She moaned and screamed with pleasure calling the Pirates name, her hands clutching at the silk sheets as pleasure caused her body to tremble under his relentless bombardment.

She was lost in the sensations of her body as she neared the precipice of her climax, but then she gasped as Reaver moved to change his position and she glared half heartedly for ruining the momentum. He moved so he knelt, leaning over her, with one hand supporting his weight, and her left leg hooked over it whilst his other arm had the other leg hooked over it. He grinned down at her surprised by her flexibility and his eyes roamed over her now flushed skin, the flesh covered in a sheen of sweat from the effort and he leaned down to kiss Sparrow passionately. From his renewed position he pounded her hot core as fast as his hips would allow causing his member to reach deeper than before.

She screamed in surprise her body jolting from the force as he repeatedly dove in and out with small grunts escaping him. Sparrow's screams grew in intensity as her climax breached causing her toes to curl with pleasure, her body tensely shuddered and the muscles deep inside her clenched about the member that continued to drive back and forth. Reaver let loose a cry mingled with the woman's screams as he came hard, in an explosion of pleasure, continuing thrust until her core had milked him completely.

The pirate blinked as sweat threatened to invade his eyes and glanced down at Sparrow who panted heavily her eyes closed as if peacefully asleep, but then her eyes lids slipped open to peer up at him sheepishly. She suddenly turned away eliciting a small moan as he withdrew from her body leaving a dull ache between her legs. It was a feeling she had grown unaccustomed too and she suddenly blushed furiously at the realisation covering her face with a pillow.

Reaver chuckled in amusement as he leaned on his elbow and tugged the pillow playfully so he could see her embarrassed expression. She was resistant, but he proved too persistent and the pillow came away, but refused to look him in the face as she pouted slightly.

"What's wrong now?" Reaver asked in a slightly annoyed tone though he still grinned boyishly.

Sparrow quickly glanced at him from the corner of her eye before covering her face. She wanted to roll over away from him, but the weight of his body was still on her preventing her from doing so.

"I can't believe we just did that," she stated in firm disbelief covering her face with her hands. Reaver laughed playfully trying to pull her hands away so he could see her face. This resulted in a hefty slap across the chest as they play fought on the bed. "Have you no shame!!"

"Probably not," He shrugged, "but if I did this wouldn't be as much fun." He sniggered and lent down to gently bite her stomach causing the woman to squeal. He then nibbled the skin sending her into fits giggles.

"Stop, please that tickles," she gasped through stifled laughter trying to push him away. Reaver smirked and went to kiss her, but she blocked him by pressing her forearm to his chest. Though she looked amused she struggled to regain her composure. "I said stop you damned pirate. What if someone comes."

"Well you said it yourself didn't you," Reaver replied his smirk turning sly, "that the others will be gone till this evening, so we have the all afternoon to ourselves. And if a servant comes in well... they can watch if they like, or join us."

He grinned when she immediately protested against the idea. She squirmed and wriggled as she fought to push him off, which he resisted for no other reason than to enjoy the brief tussle.

"Get off me, I need a bath," she growled resorting to kicking the man until he eventually relented. He rolled to his side and watched as she slid to the edge of the bed. She cast him a reproachful glare over her shoulder and he gave her a saucy wink. She huffed and made to stand managing to stand straight despite the stiffness of her limbs. She winced as she took a few steps towards where the cane lay on the floor, the bird looking her in an almost offended manner. She rolled her eyes as she felt Reaver's eyes continue to watch her and she eased herself to stand straight. She glared at him again as we walked over to pick up her towel.

"Do you have to keep staring!?" she demanded indignantly and he chuckled.

"Leave me alone, I'm enjoying the view," he replied loftily stretching out on the bed and rest his hands on his stomach. Sparrow sighed and rewrapped herself before taking from a hook a bath robe. "You know seeing as your going to the baths I might as well join you."

Sparrow turned to regard Reaver steadily. "I'm not fooling for that one," she stated sliding the robe on and tying at the waist.

"Fine then," Reaver pouted staring at the ceiling as his main source of entertainment had been denied him, "I will just remain here... naked... until some hapless servant enters. I wonder what Adrianna would say, hmm now there's a thought."

Sparrow spun round her face flushed a dark crimson as she glowered at the Pirate.

"You touch Adrianna and I swear I will beat you to a pulp!" she growled and Reaver peered at her mildly with his head tilted to the side as if he were examining a curious object.

"My Sparrow, was that a threat?" he asked, smirking, "But I am curious..."

"Don't go there Reaver," Sparrow snapped turning towards the bedroom door. Reaver merely watched her with a silly smile as he began drumming his fingers upon his torso. The room remained silent as Sparrow stood rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Fine! Just don't do anything funny," she begged turning to regard the pirate with an exasperated sigh. Reaver flashed her a cheeky grin bouncing off the bed with a level of exuberance than made her groan inwardly. Damn him and his boundless energy, she cursed mentally as he approached her and snaked his arms about her waist.

"Define funny," he asked with a low growl nuzzling her neck. Sparrow sighed and removed his hands. She opened the door a small crack and turned to look at him with her chin held imperiously in the air.

"When it suits you I will be in the baths," she huffed and left the room leaving him to listen to echoes of her walking stick as it clicked against stone floor. The door snapped shut behind her and he let loose a breath he did not even know he was holding. His eyes travelled to the ceiling with an amused look.

"How did her former husband put up with that," he asked to no one in particular. He turned slightly and saw his shadow that turned a little towards him. All of a sudden the shadow gave him a thumbs up. Reaver rolled his eyes and turned back to look for his clothes.

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A/N Well long time no see and I apologise for that. I finished Uni last week and because it has been a long time since my last chapter it was hard to get into the swing of things, no pun intended. As you could imagine this chapter took a while to write and I wanted to include a bit more, but I was just not feeling it as it were. I wanted to write something a little special for you readers for being patient with me and it actually is necessary to the plot believe it or not XD

Despite this... set back, I will thank all those who reviewed. They were very encouraging and I enjoyed reading them, so keep them coming. If there are any words of criticism don't be afraid to say, but if want to flame be prepared to be laughed at. Hard.

Anyway read and review and the next chapter should be along soon. X3