A soft morning light bathed the room, gently waking Careen from her sleep. She was immediately aware of the injury to her temple, the throbbing welcoming her as soon as she sat up. Looking out the window, she could see the courtyard was full of people busy with the chores of the day. The sun was set high in the east, too high not to be mid-morning already.
Careen made her way over to her trunk, taking out the dark green gown that her mother made for her. The flowers that adorned the front flowed from shoulder to shoulder. It was a beautiful gown, made of soft velvet and layers with fine black silk. Matched with the black hooded cloak that once belong to her brother Ronan, she looked like a vision.
She poured some water from the pitcher into the bowl to freshen up, took off the bandage around her head and brushed her hair out to cover up the wound. Lily would no doubt give her grief over it later, but she was determined to see Sansa and help her with Lady Mormont.
As she turned to leave, Lily came in the room with a tray of food. Careen stared at her for a moment, before slipping past her. Lily sat the tray down and followed after her. "My lady, the Maester said you need to rest and Lord Snow told me to make sure you do."
Careen turned to her friend and lady's maid with a very bright smile. "Lord Snow asked me to help Lady Sansa with Lady Mormont today. I'm fine, Lily, I swear it by the old and new gods."
Lily narrowed her eyes, giving Careen a good looking over. "Come here, let me at least braid your hair."
She ate the bowl of porridge on the tray as Lily tried to find a way to braid her lady's hair so the wound didn't show. She drooped a few braids over her temple, letting them hang like beads on a dress.
"Beautiful, thank you Lily," she praised her for her handiwork. Lily was a master when it came to hair and Careen felt lucky to have her as her maid.
They walked down to the Keep where Sansa was standing with Lyanna. Sansa looked a little perplexed and a tad overwhelmed. "Morning. Lady Sansa, Lady Lyanna."
"Yes, it is morning, but I don't know if it is good or not," Lyanna said as she looked up at Careen.
"If the weather is not to your liking, my lady then perhaps you would like to visit the Stark crypt and see the lady to which you are named for," Careen answered her back making Sansa's eyes go wide.
"Yes, I would like that," Lyanna nodded her head, still looking very stern.
Sansa closed her eyes, as if she wanted to be anywhere but here. Careen patted her back and asked her to lead the way. Sansa led them through the massive stone archway, passed the statue of two great direwolves and into the darkness of the stone mausoleum.
They stopped to light some candles just past the entrance when Lady Lyanna spotted the statue of her namesake. She walked over to it with Careen on her heels. "She was a great beauty."
"Yes, she was," Sansa said as she smirked at Careen.
Careen had never set eyes on anything so beautiful. The statue was etched with each of Lyanna Stark's perfect features, leaving one to wonder just how beautiful she truly was. The stories of Lyanna's kidnapping and death were renown through the seven kingdoms, but some part of Careen felt there was always more to that story.
Lady Mormont turned her head to the left, then to the right, as if she was seeing something no one else was. "I will be a great warrior like my mother when I am older. No man will ever do to me what Rhaegar Targaryen did to her. My mother died fighting and I will as well."
Careen squatted down to light the candles at the foot of the statue. She looked up at Lady Mormont with a soft smile. "I have no doubt you will be a great warrior. Lady Brienne is one of the best knights of Winterfell. Do not let anyone tell you what your place is. You're a Mormont and you will do what every Mormont before you has done... lead with great valor."
Lyanna gave Careen a brief smile as she slid her small hand inside hers. "Do you know how to fight, Lady Finn?"
"I am fairly good with a bow and daggers but not with a sword, my lady. My brother Liam thinks it's not lady like, but Killian, he was trying to teach me before he lost his wife," Careen began to walk deeper into the crypt as Sansa led the way.
"Show me your skill with the bow and I will show you mine," Lyanna said with a twist of a grin on her small face.
Sansa stopped before her brother Rickon's crypt, knelt before it and placed her forehead on the stone casket. "I'm sorry we failed you, little brother."
Careen's eyes filled with tears. She remembered what it was like the day they brought Ronan's body back to Grey Fork. His once golden hair was now as bright red as hers. A mace had crushed the side of his head, his face so bloody she couldn't look upon it.
Lyanna tugged on Careen's hand, lifting up her square chin. "They are in a far better place than we. They would weep for us if they could."
"A Mormont, through and through. Would you like to go to the armory and get ourselves some bows?" Careen pulled Lyanna towards Sansa, whispering to the weeping lady that she dismissed her of her duties with Lyanna. Sansa looked up at her with teary eyes and thanked her.
Lyanna looked very pleased when they entered the Armory. She immediately went for the short bow that hung just low enough for her to reach it. Careen choose a bow much like her own and gathered a few arrows. She looked at Lyanna who seemed to actually look childlike for once as they exited to the archery range.
Lyanna stepped up to the mark, pulled the arrow back in her bow and hit the bulls-eye straight away. Lyanna's Maester joined them at the training grounds and gave his lady a hardy applause for her achievement. "Very well done, my lady."
"I've done better. Now... you're turn, Lady Finn," Lyanna took another arrow and waited for Careen to take her turn.
As Careen loaded the arrow, she saw Jon out the order of her eye. He was with the Banner Men of House Mormont as well as the Banner Men of House Cerwyn. Jon stopped, his eyes glued to the match at hand as Careen took a deep breath, aimed the arrow and let it fly. She split Lyanna's arrow right down the shaft, plunging her own in the bulls-eye. Jon gave her a sideways smirk, nodding his head before carrying on to the Armory.
"You like him, don't you?" Lyanna asked as she let loose another arrow. Careen watched as her arrow settled beside her, the small lady already well trained.
"Like him, my lady?" Careen wasn't sure what a child of ten knew of such matters.
"Yes, like him. Fancy him. Find him handsome. He is King of the North and will be expected to marry and have an heir. There will be many vying for the right to be Queen of the North. It will be brought up at the council no doubt. There are many lords that will whisper in his ear about their sisters or nieces. I think our King needs a Queen that matches him, that can be his equal. I know who I will speak of if I'm asked about such matters," Lyanna handed Careen another arrow and smiled deeply when she placed it between the ones already there.
"I'm sure whoever the King takes as his wife, will be a great woman," Careen felt her heart squeeze tight in her chest. She knew she wasn't lovely enough or came from a great house, but she couldn't help be envy the girl that would take him as hers.
Lyanna let out a gruff sound, as if she was upset. She placed her bow down and took Careen's hand. They walked over to bench where Lyanna pointed for Careen to sit. "I want my Queen to be brave, bold and loyal. She must serve our King as well as the North. Ser Davos says we must prepare for the dead and the Night King and only a Queen that can stand with our King and defend the North will be worthy of my loyalty and deserve to be a Stark."
"But Jon is a Snow, my lady," Careen tried to interject, but Lyanna placed her hand up to stop her words.
"Snow for now. By the end of this council, he will take the name of Stark. The North demands it. A Stark must always be in Winterfell, that's what my mother told me and a Stark will be. Come to the library with me and my Maester, it's time for my lessons," Lyanna took her hand again and Careen followed where the little lady led.
As they made their way up the Library Tower, they found Melisandre leaving. She smiled at them both which made Lyanna glare at her. "You don't care for the Red Lady?"
"I don't know her to like her, but as for your question... I don't trust her," Lyanna took a seat at one of the tables. Her Maester sat beside her as they studied the Houses of the North, their Banners and their lords and ladies. Careen had endured many an hour like this with her Maester, he was a kind soul but stern. She missed Maester Timbale on rainy days, that was when he'd let her sit by the window and read until the hour was late.
Careen sat by the window, watching as Jon rode off on his horse out the East Gate. She wondered if there would be a day when they didn't live under the threat of death. She didn't fear the Lannister's or the South, because if the Night King were to breach The Wall, they would need the North to keep them safe. Her father often spoke of a divided kingdom, where the North was separate from the South and they only bent their knee for their King.
She longed for that too, but she understood the seven kingdoms untied as one where stronger than just one kingdom of ice and snow.
~.~
Jon knew as soon as the other houses saw the Mormont Banner at Winterfell they would gather their own representatives and be at his doorstep soon. When he woke to Davos telling him House Cerwyn had arrived, he knew his day would be a long one. Davos and Turmond left for The Wall at first light, leaving Jon to deal with the politics of the day. He was a warrior, not a Warden, but here he found himself listening to Lord Cerwyn go on about the defense of the North and pulling the houses together.
They did need to gather all the houses and united as one if they stood a chance of defeating the army of the dead. Even what remained of House Bolton would have to fight with them, which wasn't idea for Jon. Ramsay Bolton remained a prisoner in his dungeon, crazed as a mad rapid dog. He knew he should have killed him, should have extinguished his life for what he did to Sansa, but when he found him wounded. he showed him mercy, showed him what being the true Lord of Winterfell was all about.
They meet in the Great Hall, had some food and wine, he listened to their ideas as they rambled on for the next few hours. He was never so grateful when Lady Brienne walked in with Podrick. He needed someone at his council and with Davos gone, she would fit the bill.
"Lord Cerwyn, I think we need to wait for the council to begin before we talk strategy, wouldn't you agree Lady Brienne?" Jon gave her the floor and she took her queue.
Brienne placed her hand on the pommel of her sword and walked over to Lord Cerwyn. "The time and place for such talk will be soon enough, my lord. We must first gather the houses, take note of the fighting men we have, ours supplies and what we will need to withstand a long winter. The South will send no aid, will look to the North to defend their borders. This lies at our feet and our King will see us through."
Jon gave Brienne a nod as he stood and asked them to join him at the Armory. The Smithy had been working day and night since the Battle of Winterfell. Jon wanted to make sure his men had enough armor, swords and shields for the battle to come.
As they made their way to the Armory, Jon saw Careen with Lady Mormont at the archery range. He stopped for a moment, watching as Careen split an arrow into. Lady Brienne gave him a quick smile as they both saw the look of astonishment on Lord Cerwyn's face. "Shall we continue?"
"Of course, your grace," Lord Cerwyn said quickly as he watched Jon nod to Lady Brienne.
The blacksmith had done fine work and Jon was pleased with the new swords and armor that now adorned the walls. Lord Cerwyn committed that he had not seen finer work, not even in King's Landing. Jon had to agree, the North did know how to fight and they knew how to make a sword. As the others looked over the new weapons, Jon's thoughts turned to Careen and how skilled she was with a bow. There was another that once had that skill and his heart. The Gods were either punishing him or rewarding him, of which he was not sure yet. He thought of Ygritte every day, but since Careen arrived, he thought of her less often.
"Jon," he turned to see Sansa standing in the doorway with red rimmed eyes. He hurried over to her, placing his hand upon her flushed cheek.
"Is something wrong?" he gazed into her blue eyes, seeing the unshed tears. She shook her head and gave him a forced smile.
"Careen is tending to Lady Mormont, so I have been relieved of those duties. We received a Raven from The Vale, Lord Baelish wishes to speak to you. He is at Mote Cailin and would like to speak to you," she handed him the message and he took it, reading the contents and passing it on to Brienne.
"Podrick and I will ride with you," she said as Lord Cerwyn and the General of House Mormont agree to join him as well. Jon told Sansa to stay by Careen's side while he was gone and to send a Raven to The Wall to let Davos know he is meeting with The Vale.
Sansa gave her brother a quick hug before leaving to do his bidding. Jon with his Banner Men gather their horses and rode off for Mote Cailin.
He wasn't sure what drew his eyes to the Library Tower. It could have been the promise he hoped to keep to Careen that he would spend the evening with her there or something else, but none the less, he felt her presence with him now.
His mind wander to her face, to how sweet her long crimson locks smell, how good she felt in his arms as they took the Kingsroad out to Mote Cailin. He heard the other men talking, but ignore most of it. Jon found himself longing for more of those stolen moments he had with Careen last night.
He had to relieve himself before bed due to those stolen moments and thinking of her now was going to make the ride longer and somewhat painful.
The Banner of the Vale was flying high at the old castle when they approach. Jon was leery of Petry's attentions and knew better than to really trust him. A young boy about twelve greeted them on the road. The boggy marsh on both sides made this road and the towers it led to an undesirable place for most, but Jon found potential in it.
"I'm Rodrick of the Arryn. Lord Baelish wished to meet with the King of the North and only the King of the North," the young boy swallowed hard, as if his mouth as too dry.
Jon looked back at Brienne, her face was hard and her eyes narrowed. "Tell your lord, he will come to the road and meet with me. I shall leave my men here and stand face to face with him."
The boy took Jon's words and hurried back to the old castle. Brienne shook her head, ready to disagree with her new King. Jon dismounted his horse, placing his dagger in the saddle bags. "He will come unharmed, so I will as well. Take Longclaw, Brienne."
"Your grace... this isn't wise," Brienne advised him, taking the sword and placing it upon her saddle.
"When have I ever done anything that was wise, Brienne?" Jon joked back, but Brienne didn't find it amusing
Jon walked out to the middle of the dirt road, feeling a little naked with his sword. Petyr rode out, unaccompanied and dismounted his horse. He walked towards Jon, with his usual smug smile.
"Lord Snow or is it Stark now. I don't know what to call you, your grace," Petyr shouted out to him as Jon stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Lord Baelish, you asked for me to come here. What is it you want that you couldn't ask for in a Raven?" Jon got down to the heart of the matter, wanting to get back to Winterfell as quickly as possible.
"You need the Vale to defend the North against the White Walkers. I know it, you know it... Sansa knows it. I came to your aid once before because I dearly care for your sister, but I will not pledge my alliance again without reward," Petyr handed Jon a parchment, the sigil of the mockingbird marked in wax upon the page.
He unrolled the scroll, reading the words of Lord Baelish demands. "You want Sansa's hand in marriage in exchange for loyalty from The Vale? No."
Jon tossed the scroll at Petyr's feet and turned to walk back to his horse. Petyr begged him to stop, saying he could sweeten the pot. "I'll bend my knee to you, declare you the one true king, forsaking all that I have in King's Landing and the Lannister's if you do this."
"My sister is not a pawn. You used her once, gave her to a man that beat her, used her, brutalized her. Never gain. If... if Sansa marries again, it will not be for an army or lands. I will not do that to her again. Blood of my blood - that you will never be. I could kill you where you stand, take your army and The Vale. But I have honor where you have none. Come to me again and I will have your head," Jon's jaw clenched hard as he stared at Lord Baelish. He wanted to rip his head off his shoulders, he wanted to wipe that smug smile from his face, but he did what he was raised to do and left him still breathing.
"At least allow me to attend your Council of Banner Men. After the battle I helped you win, that's the least you could do," Petyr opened his arms, hoping Jon would welcome him to Winterfell.
Jon kept walking, taking his sword for Brienne, strapped it about his waist and mounted his horse. He stared at Petyr for a moment before replying to his request.
"I will have Sansa send my reply to The Vale," Jon turned his horse as he and his Banner Men rode back to Winterfell.
Petyr Baelish wasn't a man that was used to hearing the word no and he was even less used to not getting what he wanted. Jon knew he wanted Sansa, she told him all about what Petyr had done for her and to her after the great battle. He and his sister shared no secrets, not any more. He would tell her about this request and let her handle Baelish how she saw fit.
This was going to be a battle, Jon sensed it. He would have to keep an eye on the North and another on The Vale. He needed to deal with Petyr Baelish and he could think of no better soldier to give that to than Brienne of Tarth. Before they had even left Mote Cailin, Jon gave Brienne orders to protect Sansa night and day. She had already sworn her fealty to Sansa and was still bound to her.
"The North owes you much, Lady Brienne," Jon said as he rode beside his noble knight.
"I owe much to House Stark, your grace," Brienne answered back as she rode beside him with her head held high.
~.~
Careen walked the library until she came across a tome she hadn't read since she was a child. Lily and Sansa had joined her as the Mormont Maester drilled Lyanna about the lands of Westeros. Careen had tried to read the same page several times, her mind wandering to Jon and where he was off too. Sansa had told her about the Raven from Lord Baelish and she worried about his safety. She had been at Winterfell for two days and already felt a connection to Jon, as if the Gods were pulling them together. She didn't want to leave, but if he took another as his bride, that's exactly what she would do.
"Come walk with me," Sansa could see the distress on Careen's face, knowing they both could use the distraction. They walked arm in arm down from the library and over to the Bell Tower.
"Thank you, Sansa. I was going quiet mad sitting there. I have no right to be this upset over Jon, but..." Sansa pulled her into her side, giving her arm a squeeze.
"When Jon gets back, I'll be sure to tell you right away. I think it's time we got to know each other a little better. I used to come to the Bell Tower to get away from all my siblings. This was my thinking place and my mother knew it. She'd come looking for me, see me sitting up in the tower and walked passed as if she hadn't seen me at all. Do you have a place like that at Grey Fork?" Sansa did want to genuinely get to know Careen. She was a mix of herself and Arya and that intrigued her.
"Actually, I do. I would sneak out to the Kissing Tree that rested on the fork of the road. I'd climb up in the branches and sit there, spying on my brothers as they wooed and courted ladies of the court," a smile formed on Careen's face as she remembered happier days.
"Kissing Tree?" Sansa asked as they climbed the stairs up to the top of the Bell Tower.
"My grandparents were married there and had their first kiss there as well as my parents and both of my brothers. It's a Finn family tradition. Some of the residents of Mill's Town would ask father if they could be married there too, and I even caught of few of them kissing under that tree," Careen's fingers touched her lips as her mind wander to kissing Jon there under the full foliage of that enormous tree.
Sansa and Careen shared stores until Lily came for them. Lyanna was done with her lessons and wished them to join her for dinner in the Keep. Lily asked Sansa if she might have a word with her lady and Sansa have Careen a hug before departing for the Keep.
"Do you still have plans to join Lord Snow in the library tonight?" Lily asked with some reservation, not sure if her lady's mind had changed.
"That is what I hope, but if not, then perhaps some other night," Careen brushed the thought away, trying not to get her hopes up.
Lily waited until they were almost at the Keep to speak what was truly on her mind. "I overheard some of the Banner Men talking. They said that the Lords and Ladies of the Council were going to ask King Jon to take a bride and unite the North. Some want him to marry an Umber, others say he should marry a Manderly, to unite the great houses of the North. I asked Lady Mormont what she thought on the matter and she said that it was up to the King to take counsel and to choose his wife, himself."
Careen stopped, unable to move another inch. She looked at Lily with doubt filling her heart. "I'm so foolish to think a man like Jon Snow would pick a girl from such a small house. He is kind and good, all the things a woman could want in a husband. He should marry for the betterment of the North; don't you think?"
"Yes, he should," Lady Mormont spoke up from the Keep door, her tiny frame barely filling the entryway.
"My lady?" Careen stood shocked as Lyanna strolled over to her.
"I am to meet with the King this evening. You will go in my place. This will give you time with him, let him see there is no other in the North that will be a better choice," Lyanna lifted her head with a confidence about her that Careen couldn't help admire her.
"Bear Island must be a very remarkable place to have a lady such as you," Careen praised her as they walked into the Keep together.
Over dinner, Sansa, Lyanna and Lily gave Careen advice on what to say, what to do and what not to do. Careen, being a woman of 21, found it odd to be getting advice on men from women younger than herself.
They finished dinner and agreed to meet again tomorrow. Lyanna called it the Council of Banner Women and they all laughed, enjoying the prospect of being in a council.
Lyanna escorted Careen to the Great Hall where she was to meet with Lord Snow. "I will be in Feasting Hall with my Maester if you need me. You are to be in the Great Room waiting for our grace. Do your house well, Lady Careen."
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she walked into the Great Room. She saw the fireplace roaring with its flames licking up into the chimney. Her knees were about to give out, she finally set down on the couch, her fingers twisted together so hard they hurt. She watched as Melisandre walked passed, her eyes darting to the flames beside Careen. They nodded to each other before the Red Lady disappeared down the corridor.
A warmness began to fill Careen's body, but not from the heat of the fireplace. This was soothing, like a warm bath on a cold day. She settled back on the couch, enjoying the contentment the feeling gave her. She could feel the happiness in this room, the laughter shared and the joy that was embedded in the stone. A tint of sadness floated in the air above her, but those feelings were nothing compared to the pureness of the love she felt.
All reservations and doubt were soon melted away as she gave into the energy filling her heart. She rose from the couch and walked to the large hearth, standing there while the fire painted shadows of her curvy frame on the wall behind her.
"I'm sorry, Lady Mormont. I know the hour is late, but I've only just returned from Mote Cailin..." Jon marched into the room as he tossed his cloak on the armchair across from him. He stopped by the archway when he saw the shadow of a voluptuous woman before him.
"Good day, Jon," Careen turned slowly, her velvet green gown hugging all her curves, her long hair trailing over her shoulders. She had draped her cloak over the back of the couch to give Jon a better look at her.
"Good day," Jon said back, his brain a bit foggy from the ride and the image before him.
She smiled at him and he could feel his body relax. His body moved without him willing it to, his feet carrying him next to her. He took her hand, kissed it gently and sat, pulling her down beside him.
"I know you were expecting, Lady Mormont, but she asked me to meet with you instead," Careen decided the truth was her best option, she didn't have it in her to lie to him.
"I'll have to thank her later. You look... beautiful. I can't say I've seen a lady more beautiful in all of the North. The dress, did you make it?" his eyes scanned over the embroidered flowers as he admired the fullness of her breasts. The heat in the room started to become unbearable as he sat there with her, his hand holding hers.
"No, my mother made it for me. I don't have that particular skill, yet," she giggled, causing his smile to widen.
Jon stared into the blue of her eyes, not able to pull himself away. The tight ball that was in his gut the night before had returned, pulling on his desires and making his body tingle. He tried to push back the urges that were growing, causing his cock to twitch.
Careen was lost in his eyes as well, her heart still beating so hard it was making her dizzy. She could feel her nipples hardening, her arousal swirling inside her and clenching her walls so fiercely she had to push her thighs together to stop the ache.
Jon licked his lips, trying to figure out whether to kiss her or put some space between them. Careen pulled her hand from his, feeling the callused skin on his fingers. She shivered thinking of those hands, sliding roughly down her body, cupping her sex.
"Have you eaten?" Jon shook off the haze of sexual desire he was trapped in, letting his honorable side win.
"Yes, I had dinner with your sister and Lady Lyanna," she wanted to kick herself when she saw the look of disappointment on his face. "I do think I saw some tarts in the kitchen window. I haven't had a tart in months," she giggled out and he quickly took her hand, tucking her it in the crook of his elbow and escorted her to the Feasting Hall.
Jon took his seat at the head of the table with Careen on his left. She sat there with her hands in her lap, like a good lady should and watched as the men and women at the other end of the table stared at her.
"Ignore them, I do," Jon teased as he took her hand, letting all those gathered see him kissing it. His lips were driving her mad, the feel of them on her flesh. She wanted them on her lips, wanted them on her body, but she'd more than gladly take her hand.
He gave her a too brief smile before sending a steward to get their dinner. Careen left her hand in his for the time being, deciding to engage in some conversation to take his mind off of the heat that was throbbing through her apex.
"Was your meeting with Lord Baelish productive?" she settled into the high back chair and blocked out all others but Jon Snow.
"Let's not talk of him. I don't want to ruin my dinner. I'm sorry we didn't get to spend the evening in the library, but we will and soon. I have the council meetings to attend for the next few days and I would love to meet with you and your father when he comes with his Banner Men," Jon watched as the joy spread across her face. He did want to get to know her and her family better and maybe even ask her father for her hand.
There was already this attraction between them. He felt it and he knew she felt it too. Her body reacted to his touch, her hand trembled slightly when he held it and her eyes held a softness that made him feel at ease. She was a crimson beauty, a sight to behold and he knew he didn't want another man to claim her.
His dinner came and with it the tart she asked for. He would normally inhale his meal when he was this famished, but he remembered his manners. She nibbled on the tart, not wanting to be unladylike. Jon looked up from his plate to see her breaking off tiny pieces of the crust.
"I'll make you a deal. We will take this meal to my chamber so we can both eat without prying eyes upon us," Jon waited for her reply, watching as she pondered the offer.
Her heart leaped in her chest. He wanted to be alone with her, in his room. Was this prudent, to be seen in the King's room at such a late hour. She didn't want rumors of her honor to get back to her family so she came up with a comprise.
"You promised me an evening in the library. I do believe you have tables there," she gave him a coy smile and hope she didn't offend him.
Jon asked for their meal to be brought to the library as he took Careen's hand. They collected their cloaks and swiftly made their way across the snowy yard to the tower.
Careen lit two candles by the window as the steward placed the meal out for his King. Jon took a cup of wine and handed it to Careen.
"To beautiful ladies and libraries," he smirked before taking a large gulp.
She took a small sip and sat down, taking a fork and digging into the tart. Jon did the same, taking large mouthfuls of potatoes and meat.
"A meal should be enjoyed and it makes my heart glad to see you enjoy yours," she said as she placed another bit of tart in her mouth.
Jon nodded his head as he chewed up the last mouthful of food. "I like a lady that isn't bashful. Thank you for being you, Careen."
"Thank you for reminding me that I'm more than my title, Jon. So many people let things like titles and being high born, rule what they do and what they say. I'm a little envious of the free folk. Some call the Wildlings; I call them free. Every man and woman born, no matter what God they serve, are all the same. We bleed the same, we cry the same, we die... the same," she suddenly felt self-conscious, as if she had said too much.
Jon pushed his plate away from him, making Careen a bit nervous. It had been a while since a woman had spoken so truthfully to him. It was like she could see inside his heart and knew his every thought.
"Where did you come from, Careen Finn? You have been hidden in the halls of Grey Fork for far too long. Women such as you are rare and here you are, with me," Jon was done with being a good Lord and playing the King. He wanted to kiss her and he wasn't going to waste another minute.
Careen could feel her pulse quicken as he spoke, his hand taking hers and pulling her towards him. Her body leaned forward, her face suddenly in his hands. "Jon?"
"Don't... speak," he whispered and a flood of heat coursed through Careen, racing to her apex and drenching her sex. As his lips took her, she began to quiver. His tongue gently swept inside her mouth, teasing her lips as he deepened the kiss.
Careen leaned closer to him. placing her hands on his hands as he held her face, angling her so his lips could taste her better. Jon was on fire, his cock so hard he knew it would be visible. His body burned with want for her, her lips awaking the man that he thought he left in the cold North of Castle Black.
Jon could hear her breathing hard between kisses, her breast nearly touching his chest. His right hand slid from her face to the back of her head as his thumb of his left hand stroked her cheek. He pulled her full bottom lip into his mouth, making her moan.
The feel of her body, the sound of her moans only spurred the hardness of his length. He wanted her, wanted to be deep inside her warmth, but he would wait for the night she became his.
Careen couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips, the feel of his tongue stroking her tongue was too much. He knew how to kiss and the heat from his hands only added to the euphoria of the moment. She scooted to the edge of her chair as the hand on her cheek slide down her neck, stroking her skin. Jon Snow was about to burn her alive and all she wanted to do was shed the dress that kept his hand from touching all of her.
"I'm yours," she whispered out and Jon stopped. He had heard those words once before; from a woman he would have burned the world down for.
"And I'm yours," he said softly back to her.
"Then... have me, Jon Snow," she pulled back, pushing her cleavage up at him so he could unlace her dress. Jon placed his finger on the lacing, wondering if he had the right to take her maidenhead.
As his fingers pulled the lace through the first hole, Lady Brienne came up the stairs calling out for him. "Your Grace... Your Grace."
Careen quickly straightened up, pulling her hair over her shoulders. Jon stayed seated, his manhood was so painfully obvious he couldn't stand if he wanted to.
"Lady Brienne," he said roughly as he tried to calm his overheated state.
"We have a problem," Brienne's eyes widened when she saw Careen and the flush on both of their faces. "Your - guest has left his room."
"Guest?" Jon said as he contemplated what she meant.
Brienne approached him, trying to be discrete about the situation. She gripped her sword as she squared back her shoulders. "Ramsay has escaped and killed a guard in the process, your grace."
Jon ordered Careen to stay in the library as he jumped to his feet and quickly left with Brienne. He hurried to the dungeon to find the guard had been killed with a fork, the utensil still lodged in his throat.
"Get Sansa, take her to her room and keep her there. Podrick, get the men and any Banner Man that may be here. We hunt him down tonight," Jon's blood was boiling. He would kill that mad man if he laid one finger on his sister's head. He should have killed him at the battle and been done with it.
Podrick brought Jon his horse and they tried to track Ramsay in the dark. They followed the path out the Hunter's Gate, around to the South Gate. A guard lay dead, killed by his own sword that was now missing. Jon held the torch closer to the ground, seeing blood drops leading back inside Winterfell. He left his horse and went on foot as the drops led him all the way back to the Library Tower.
Fear gripped his heart as he tossed the torch on the ground and raced up the stairs. He called Careen's name but got only silence in return. When he reached the top of the stairs, he found a message waiting for him in blood on the wall.
You took mine. I took yours.
Jon froze, his body trembling with fear and hate. Podrick raced up behind him and Jon turned with tears in his eyes. "Get Brienne - Now!"
Thank you for reading and reviewing. I hope you continue to enjoy and I promise this cliffhanger will be over soon.