Several days passed relatively uneventfully, with a few exceptions.

Griffin had visited her in her office the day after her outing and explained that he would be absent for a while, as he would be staying at the academy for a week to train new recruits.

He had ended the impromptu meeting by pulling her close and kissing her gently, seemingly with no regard for the open door behind him.

This guy.

“When I return, I would like to taste some of that gin again,” he murmured in his low voice into her ear, as a follow up.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she whispered back, breathy and gentle as she ran her hand down from his face, over his chest and down to the edge of his pants suggestively, caressing his skin just underneath it.

I wonder if he has time now?

He only just succeeded in suppressing a turned-on groan, before pulling away, and smiling his pearly, crooked smile at her when he left.

She called after him, teasingly, “Thank you for the heads up, captain.”

Out of the corner of her eye she had seen Cassian approaching the kitchen, but took no notice, and decided to get back to her reading, pondering if she should go to her favorite liquor store to find something special for the occasion.

The day after Griffin’s visit, Victor had struck up conversation with her during breakfast, in front of Shelly and Cassian, repeatedly poking fun at her, trying to see if he could get her to conspicuously blush in front of others.

“I just wanted to thank you for the illuminating meeting the other day, madam. I heard you fell ill shortly after?” he put on his usual gallant facade, mixing in some polite concern.

“Yes, nothing serious of course. A simple migraine.”

“Oh, I hope it wasn’t caused by anything I said or did, madam?” he looked almost a bit distressed, though he was clearly suppressing a teasing smile, and his eyes narrowed in amusement for a moment.

“No, of course not, sir,” Raiva responded, almost monotonously, having tired of the interaction.

Is that really the best you can do, Victor?

“That does, remind me, if I could ask you about something?”

“Of course, how can I be of help?”

“Do you know a good doctor, sir?”

His eyebrows raised as he blurted out, “What for?”

“A friend of mine, he has problems-“ she leaned in and whispered dramatically, “-problems with performing, you see. Can only last a short while, then simply runs out the room from embarrassment.”

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She shook her head dramatically and continued, “It’s a shame, really, since he can’t even compensate with his other, well, tools, just clumsily fumbles around a while before giving up, from what I hear. It must be the young age, simply hasn’t built the necessary confidence and experience to be any good, really.”

She pulled back and looked at him, flashing a polite expression waiting for an answer.

He was so stunned however, that he was holding back a burst of laughter, and barely managed to squeeze out, “Oh, no, madam, I’m afraid I have no good recommendations on that front.”

His breathing was funny for a bit, as Raiva finished arranging the breakfast on the table, as Cassian witnessed the conversation with mild amusement, though his face did not show it.

As she walked back to the kitchen, her gaze crossed his again, and his eyes, full of playfulness and promise of vengeance, were almost enough to make her regret it.

Octavia had become busy with work, due to Raiva’s massive order, though the two stopped to chat whenever they crossed paths, or had a moment after breakfast.

Not wanting to be burdensome, Raiva decided to hold off on making any advances, despite very much wanting to, though she couldn’t stop her gaze from falling on Octavia plump lips when she spoke, or from smiling whenever she did.

She also could have sworn that Octavia touched her arm more than one would between friends, and she often complimented her and her appearance, eliciting an occasional blush or averted eyes from Raiva.

She’s so forward now, but would she be if she knew about Griffin and Victor..?

Making a mental note to somehow bring it up at one point, she continued on as usual.

Raiva continued her nightly ritual of a solitary nightcap in front of the fireplace, of course. She was pleased with how routine her days had begun to feel, and was quietly finding her peace with everything, as well as looking forward to Griffin’s return in three days’ time.

I should find something he’d like. Mead maybe? Or whiskey? I remember hearing something about one made on some type of nut.

She hummed to herself, pleased with how calm she felt, even in the midst of this interpersonal chaos, for the first time in years.

Something tells me that Victor is planning something. Thank the lords he seems busy with all the springtime tea parties and plays right now.

She placed her snacks, some beef jerky and leftover hard cheese from dinner, on the coffee table, and got the fire going. She settled on a small fire, as she had been cutting back on her drinking, and tended to only have a single glass of wine since the incident with Griffin.

To her surprise, she saw Cassian coming down the stairs, unnervingly quiet in his steps, as she stood in front of the liquor cabinets, trying to decide on a new port wine to open.

“Good evening,” she nodded, discreetly adjusting her robe to cover up her sheer-as-usual nightgown, from view.

“Good evening, madam,” he replied, with an enchanting smile that caught her off guard. Pulling out a bottle from behind his back, he continued, “I have been meaning to make it up to you, since my rudeness in our first meeting, but I seem to keep getting my timing wrong. I figured I should take advantage of you routine and have brought a peace offering. May I join you?”

“I-,” she hesitated for a moment, but something in her told her to accept. “Yes.”

She smiled instinctively, and grabbed the two closest stemmed glasses to her.

“Please, have seat.”

“Much obliged, madam,” he put a hand on his chest in acknowledgment, though his aristocratic manners forbid him from bowing or even nodding his head if it could be avoided.

Is it odd that I don’t feel uncomfortable with him anymore? It’s the seeing each other every day, I guess.

“Oh please,” she sighed with a chuckle. “It’s late, and you’ve already made me call you by your name before. I know it goes against proper form to suggest it, but can we speak plainly, Cassian?”

He let out a light laughter, and sat down on the sofa next to her, an unexpected choice.

“Let’s. May I call you Raiva then?”

“Obviously,” she shook her head with a smile, turning her attention to the bottle. “What’s you peace offering, then?”

“Pear Brandy,” he handed her the bottle, and picked up an opened from the table, ready to undo the seal and cork.

“Oh, pear? I’ve had plum before, but pear brandy is new to me.”

“It is,” he started as she handed him back the bottle. “A little sweeter in my opinion, though it still burns like a brandy should.”

She watched him pour the light liquid into the wine glasses, and paused for a moment.

“Cassian? How did you know I do this every night?”