~Tyrion~

She was distant when we arrived back home, shying away from my touch and refusing to meet my eyes as she followed me through the halls silently. This both upset and excited me. It was upsetting because I could tell she was hurt by the women in the pleasure district. I still wondered how I managed to lead us there, my mind so weighed down with news of Stannis and the discovery of dragon fire. Not to mention the townspeople think I am to blame for the ill fate of the city and have a hand in manipulating Joffery, which was ridiculous. She'd been different since rushing away from the whores who called and laughed. Which excited me because that meant she cared, though whether or not that was still the case had yet to be determined, though I secretly held hope that she still did.

"You never did tell me where you came from." I spoke to make conversation as we neared the gardens. I sent a silent prayer to the Gods that Cersei would not be lurking there.

"You have never asked." She snorted with a shrug of her shoulders as she still refused to meet my eyes, a frown hiding the beauty of her smile. I chuckled lightly at her pouting, finding it almost adorable instead of annoying as I normally would.

"Well, where do you come from? What was home like?" I asked with a small smile. She sighed deeply as we came to the gardens, a sigh of relief falling from my mouth when I noticed it was empty of prying eyes.

"I come from the desert lands of Westeros." She spoke, her eyes losing focus in a memory as I led her to the far wall next to the white roses.

"Tell me about it." I urged, trying to know more about her, almost craving the information. She met my eyes then, icy eyes searching my face before she looked out over the waters.

"The sun does not hide in fear as it seems to do here. It shines with all it's might, turning skin the color of leather and helping to grow the most luscious fruits. The sand is hot on bare feet and the clothes are more revealing that the ones that the noble women wear here. People love more freely it seems, the people kinder. They would definitely not hurt young girls where I am from." She snorted as she placed a gentle hand on her cheek, wincing slightly at the touch.

"And your parents?" I asked as a feeling of familiarity touched at her words. She's from Dorne? I thought curiously as I pictured the place she spoke of in my mind.

"My mother was killed by harsh soldiers from a foreign land. My sister was only in her first year of life then, so my mother's friend took us in and my adoptive uncle raised us as best as he could. Though I stayed away from home as much as possible, taking to visiting the town and hiding away in the desert sands for days on end. I'd often been called a troubled child. The elders blaming my behavior on my mother's death. Though, to be honest. I only craved freedom." A sadness touched her eyes as she looked at me.

"Haven't you ever wanted to be free of a place? To live a life completely your own. One not dictated by the rules of the world, family, or what your last name happened to be?" She asked as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

"More than anything." I breathed before a smile touched her lips again, causing my heart to skip a beat. It's now or never. I thought determinedly as I reached into my satchel and removed a wrapped gift.

"I found this for you while you were looking at perfumed soaps." I announced as I handed her the gift. She raised an eyebrow at me, her smile growing before she carefully opened the parcel, eyes widening when she spotted what lay inside.

"Oh my Gods. It's beautiful." She awed as she held up the lion pendant with diamond powder mane and garnet eyes hanging from a thin strand of gold.

"Can you help?" She asked as she handed me the necklace and turned, lifting hair from her slender neck so that I could clasp it.

"I will think of you ever time I see it." She whispered as she held the small lion in her hand, tears glistening in her eyes. She stared at me then, a heat growing in her eyes as they traveled towards my lips before she leaned in and captured them. Her lips were soft and warm, her kiss careful as she caressed my cheek with gentle fingers. Most women I kissed wanted to rush it in order to get it over with, but not Elena. A soft moan built in her throat as my tongue explored her mouth, my hands tangling in her hair as my heart threatened to explode, and just when I thought I would die of to much happiness, she pulled away, panting slightly, her eyes hooded as she watched me closely. My thoughts were jumbled as I looked for something to say to her, my mouth opening and closing like a dying fish.

"I could love you forever." She spoke softly as she turned from me again, hands clasped firmly in her lap. My brows furrowed as I scooted closer, taking her hands in my own, causing her to look at me as tears trickled down her flushed cheeks.

"What is it my lady?" I asked as I reached up to wipe away her tears.

"You are a lord, a Lannister. You will marry a lady one day, and I can be no part of that life." She announced with all to knowing eyes.

"No lady will want to marry the Imp." I reassured before a laugh devoid of humor fell from her lips.

"You are not an Imp. You are a man being crushed under the weight of a burdened world, and you will one day marry a beautiful lady." She spoke, her warm hand caressing my cheek. My heart ached for her. How can she not see that there is no one else for me? I thought miserably.

"So, until that moment comes... Let us make the best of the time we have." And her lips were back on mine, more urgent this time, as passion flowed from her into me. I will love you forever. I thought determinedly. If we don't all die in a war first.