A/N:

Life gets in the way of things. That's all I have to and will say. Except thanks to all readers and reviewers. I am in yet another time crunch otherwise I would do my whole bit like previous chapters. Perhaps next time, I will make up and do two sets of thank-yous.

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or the series A Song of Ice and Fire.

She went to her room and dabbed a cloth in a basin filled with water. The cold burned her cheeks, stinging as it washed out the faint hint of blood Cersei managed to draw. Cass held it against her place and applied the pressure as she sat on the bed. Her body felt exhausted, drawn out and stretched thin.

Eventually, when her mind stopped turning and running, Cass fell asleep. No dreams came, though she didn't know if her mind even had a chance to dream before she woke from the knocking. She turned in her bed, uncomfortable in her tight dress, and decided not to make a noise. It's just Loras' cousin. She'll go away.

The knocking persisted, and Cass sat up, annoyed. There was time when she always had to deal with handmaidens knocking too early at her door. I wonder where they are now. She had liked some of them. "I do not wish for my bed to be turned down or my hair to be brushed. You can go away now."

"I do not wish to do any of those things. Let me in."

She stiffened at Jaime's voice and stood up from her bed, stopping at the glass on the wall to see how messy her hair was. All she saw was a bruise on her cheek.

He stood in her doorframe for only a second before inviting himself in and closing the door. The knight seemed out of breath and weary before touching her face and hair and body. Jaime leaned in to kiss her and she let him. He was robed all in white, the heavy Kingsguard cloak making Cass sweat just thinking about it in King's Landing's heat. It was so much warmer than the North, much more colorful and full of people and smells. She tried to attach herself back to her memories of this place, but Jaime was quite the distraction.

Her hands went to the ends of his cloak. "How can you wear this?" She broke away, her lips still tingling. "Aren't you warm?"

Jaime inhaled, even wearier, and raised an eyebrow. "I can take it off."

"No." That would be a dangerous game. "I'm assuming you came here not just to kiss me."
"And what if I did come here just to kiss you?"

"Then you're a fool." Cass turned away from him and sat on her bed. She went to her dresser and lit a candle by her bedside, watching the flame flicker and dance. "You'll get us both killed."

Jaime's hand went to the sword on his belt, his eyes staring her down. "There are no secrets in this place, are there?"

"No, there aren't." She thought of her talk with Sansa and prickled. What if someone knew of that too? Another weight was burdening her as she stared at the knight in her room. This could have all turned out so differently. "If you…if you hadn't joined the Kingsguard, and if you hadn't been in love with your sister…"

"But I did and I was." Jaime sat next to her on the bed. "You make those things sound so little but those 'ifs' were my whole life. And even if they weren't, do you think your brother would have let you marry me? Do you think my father would want to lose his first born son for an alliance he already gained with his daughter?"

She didn't like to be corrected, especially now when she was already so nervous. Her skin was suddenly cold, bumps rising on her pale skin. "What do you want?" Cass asked again. "Why are you here?"

He hesitated before speaking, seeming to not know what to say or whether he should be honest or not. "To make sure you don't do anything idiotic."

To Cass, this was exactly that: idiotic. She couldn't spend time with Jaime like this. She couldn't spend time with any man like this. But especially Jaime Lannister. There are enough whispers about us. "Like save a Stark?" Cass laughed. "Think I'm going to sneak him out now? In the middle of the night?"

"Is there a better time for it?"

Yes. But Cass didn't think she could trust Jaime with that. "I'm not ready to die just yet. I will be a good little girl and sit in my cell and play your sister's game."

"And why don't I believe that for a second?"

"What do you want?" The frustration started to bubble, and she shifted away from the knight. Jaime grabbed her wrist as she squirmed, causing Cass to look at his face. It was weird that he wasn't saying why he was here, but then again—maybe—he had given her the reason already. She flipped her hands over, grabbing his. "When do you think they'll decide I'm a prisoner and not a guest?"

He bit his lip. "It depends on your cooperation."

"I've been cooperative."

"For every apology you give to Joffrey, there is still the memory of you freeing Ned Stark."

"So I am to be punished for my best act?"

Jaime sniffed. "Another thing we'll have in common." His free hand went to her waist. "They won't kill you as long as you're an asset. They will probably marry you off first."

"Who would want a girl fucked by a traitor king?" Cass swallowed and fingered her cheek. Cersei meant it as a threat, but if they intended on marrying her off, perhaps it could be an advantage. "That is what we can tell people, yes? You can tell them that."

He nodded.

And I will be gone before that. Robb and I will be miles away from this place. "You're here because you're worried I'll be gone soon?"

His reply was another kiss and another until Cass was flat on her back again. There was no lust there. She felt his wet lips kiss her softly on her own then her neck and forehead before Jaime broke away. "Why couldn't I have met you twenty years ago?"

"You practically did." Cass touched his cheek. "But I was not who I was now."

"No." His hands dragged tightly down her sides. "And I should not expect you to change what a damn fool I was."

"Am." Cass argued. "You shouldn't be..."

"No, I shouldn't be here." His lips touched hers again, this one long and hard and deep. "How many times do you have to say that until you realize I don't fucking care anymore? Cass, I don't give a single shit. I love you, okay? Does that explain why I'm here?"
You're here because you love your family. And I'm here…I'm trying to fix this. "When is your son getting married?"

He recoiled back from her and sat up straight, standing. "Mace Tyrell expedited Cersei's plans. He's getting married in two days."

"Am I invited?"

"Do you want to be?"

No. "The last wedding I attended was a bit of a mess."

"That's putting it lightly." Jaime turned to leave.

"I do love you, Jaime." Cass sat on the edge of her bed. "Despite of all this."

"How gracious of you." Jaime opened the door and left.

Margaery's cousins came again in the morning and dressed her again. She didn't know why they seemed so fascinated by the idea of what gowns looked best with her hair and skin and eyes. "No, not the grey one. I can't wear that."

"It's beautiful though, my lady."

"The fabric makes me itch. Please, the blue one is fine. Or the green. I will wear the green one even."

They insisted that the grey one had the same fabric as all the others, and Cass, thinking that she was beyond caring about the color of dresses and the dissatisfaction it would give Cersei, agreed. Her hair took longer than expected, and Cass had to ask why they seemed especially nitpicky today.

"You're seeing Lady Olenna, Lady Cassana." The oldest cousin was playing with bits of flowers to put in her hair. Cass stood, getting out of reach. That little detail would have been too much.

The Queen of Thorns? Cassana held her tongue. Why the matriarch of House Tyrell and Redwyne wanted to see her was not a question these girls would answer. "When?"

"When we are finished. She's out in the gardens."

"How appropriate."

The cousins ignored her and passed on a pair of boots. Cass took them and smiled. She may not like the Tyrells, but they were powerful, much more powerful than her house currently. They led her out of the Maiden Tower, down the spiraling steps of the Red Keep and finally outside. Cass hated how they would take her hand or tell her to turn right and left as if she didn't know where she was going. I lived here most of my life, you little fools. She was in a bad mood—a terrible mood—and the chirping young girls in front of her did nothing to help it.

She never ventured to the gardens much as a child or adult. Robert preferred her to stay inside with Renly, and she and Jaime trained in deeper parts of the castle, not outside. Her heart ached at the memories, of when this place was filled with the crowned stag banners and not this new sigil. The Red Keep was a shade of the childhood home she once had, and Cass wished Joffrey's wedding were tonight so that she could leave that much sooner. I should have never come here. I should have told Dondarrion to take Robb Stark and run.

Lady Olenna was shrouded under palm trees and canopies with a light colored tea by her side. She took the glass and drank it, not acknowledging Cassana until the girl was directly in front of her. The Queen of Thorns was seated with Redwynes and Tyrells mingling around her, laughing and playing all sorts of games as if they have been doing that here for ten years. All of them seemed so carefree. All of them seemed so happy and comfortable. Cassana flexed her palm into a fist.

The old woman downed the glass and pursed her lips. "So you're the little girl everyone has been gabbing about."

Cassana curtsied, telling her body to relax at the acknowledgement. "It is nice to finally meet you, Lady Olenna. I have heard much about you as well over the years."
"You're pretty. Do you know that? What am I saying? Of course you know how pretty you are. I can see it on your pretty little face. Sit down."

She abided the Queen of Thorns and sat across from her, straightening her dress. Lady Olenna was old, much older than most people lived to see. The wrinkles ran deep across her face, but her eyes were intelligent and bright. It made Cass nervous. "I am honored you wish to speak with me."

"Honored? You are of a much higher birth than I am, little girl. What in the Seven's names do you have to feel honored about for visiting an old crone?"

Alright. Flattery is not her weakness. Cass straightened her back. She expected Loras to be the key to helping her with the Starks, but she was beginning to think that this woman held a bit more potency. "I'm sorry. I meant confused, my lady. Yes, I am young and perhaps pretty, but you have no reason to meet me besides satisfying your own curiosity." Cassana crossed her legs. "And seeing as your granddaughter is becoming Queen of the Seven Kingdoms tomorrow, you must understand why I don't quite understand why you're wasting your time today."

That had the old lady smiling and suddenly waving her arms. "Get away all of you! Fools, I don't want water. I want to be alone. Yes, you too, man with the harp. I have no use for singing right now."

Cass' eyes widened and she went to get up.

"Not you, Cassana Baratheon. Sit down."

The flowers were leaving, and soon the gardens were quiet again besides small birds and the slow breathing of Lady Olenna. Cassana made eye contact. "There is a reason you wanted to see me."

"You're not as foolish as those stupid hens that feel the need to surround me. Are you?"

"No, I am not."

"But you are a Baratheon. Tell me. What causes your temper?" Olenna handed Cassana a glass of the light tea, and Cassana drank from it. She felt hot despite the trees around her.

She tried to think of what Olenna wanted her to say, but she couldn't think of a right answer. Cass thought it would have been family—the threat of that taken away from her, but that was a lie. She forgave Stannis far too easily for that to incite the Baratheon temper. She abandoned Stannis for Joffrey when the boy king shared no blood with her own. "Perhaps ladies are exempt from bad tempers."

"I thought you said you weren't foolish?" Olenna tapped the glass. "I think I know. I heard of your little outburst over Ned Stark. Maybe the people of King's Landing are silly enough to believe he stole you away, but they do not know Lord Stark or Queen Cersei."

"What are you saying?"
"You hate injustice, my lady. You hate lies and disloyalty and dishonorable men. You were raised in the wrong city for that though."

Cassana stiffened. "Maybe, but saying it won't change what or where I am." She was getting frustrated. If she didn't intend on helping her, Lady Olenna was wasting her time. She had to think about tomorrow, talk to Sansa and maybe Tyrion. He had liked the Starks too. "What do you want from me?"

"I think we can help each other. I love my family. You hate vile people. You can see where the Lannisters may be a problem for both of us."

"No, I don't. The Lannisters are the reason why Margaery will be queen."

"My son is an idiot, and Lord Tywin is egotistical enough to think that he can defeat the Starks and your brother. But I do not hold so much faith in our union. I am a survivor, Lady Cassana. And I intend to have my grandchildren survive this war."

They were thriving. Didn't Olenna see? Stannis was north. Lord Stark did not have the man power after the Twins to try and take King's Landing by himself. And even if he did, he would not kill Margaery Tyrell. "Why would I help you with that?"

"Come now. You can be honest with me. Cersei Lannister wants you dead."

"That news is surprising to me. Cersei and I are like sisters."

Olenna bit back a laugh. "Perhaps, but that does not sit well when you are sleeping with her brother."

Cass paled. What spiders had spied on Jaime yesterday? He was an idiot to ever come to her room. "I am a maiden, Lady Olenna. Please do not make accusations like that again."

The Queen of Thorns could not stop the laugh this time. "Apologies then, since you seem so sensitive about it. I should correct myself. Cersei dislikes that you want to sleep with him."

The blush on her face made denying that impossible. "Half of Lannisport wants to sleep with him." She took another sip of tea. "I don't see her wishing all of them dead."

"Most likely because Ser Jaime does not return the sentiment to half of Lannisport, my lady."

She nearly spat the tea out of her mouth. Cass attempted to recover. "A childhood crush, I assure you. He's a man of the Kingsguard." Cass tugged at the falling strands from her braids. "We can stop circling around what we want. Cersei wants me dead, and yes, I admit that puts me into a rather awkward position, but I do not see you helping me. I don't think we want the same things."

"I want the Young Wolf free." Olenna said flatly. "What do you want?"

Cass' mouth must have dropped for suddenly it was dry again. Her posture slouched, her words caught in her throat from her shock and confusion. "I…" She swallowed. "I…"

"You were betrothed to him, yes? You were supposed to be a queen. And he's a nice looking boy. I hear honorable too. I wholly doubt you want to see him dead and rotting on a spike."

"Lady Olenna…"

"I want you to go to my granddaughter's wedding, smile and act all happy. Then I want you to leave before the toasts start. I want you to go to the cells and then the docks and sail away with Robb Stark and his family."

She was dumbfounded. That was exactly what she wanted too. "But…"

"Now, now. Don't look like a chicken with its head cut off. As I said, I don't deal with fools, Lady Cassana." Olenna tapped the young girl's chin, causing Cass to close her mouth. "I want you to marry the wolf boy and when the time comes when King's Landing is sacked, I want you to convince him and your brother not to kill my family."

"You give me too much credit, my lady. Robb Stark and I may have been betrothed before, but things change. We have fallen out."

"Then rescuing him will surely bring you back together. Don't get me wrong, Lady Cassana. I know this may be what you want, but I am also using you. I'll be upfront about it. I want you to take the blame for this. I want the lions after your stag head and not mine." Olenna raised her head. "I am a survivor."

"I will gladly do this, Lady Olenna." Cass got up and curtsied. "Who knew our goals aligned so well?"

"Yes, yes. It was quite a challenge for me to come to terms with. But alright. Good. I am glad you agree. Now try not to run around telling people about this, yes? It'll probably cause some sort of commotion. I am much too old to deal with that."

She met Sansa in the godswood and started pacing. The nerves started getting to her again, the acid and fire in her belly making her head spin and her torso twist as she walked and tried to think. She wasn't made for this sort of thing. She wasn't taught how to escape castles and forge fake alliances. I was taught to sew and grapple. Both seemed like useless skills in a castle full of walls and swords.

"And you trust her? Sansa asked, wide eyed with her back against a tree. "You trust Lady Olenna will help Robb and my mother?"

"I do. Do you trust this…knight to take you away?"

"Yes." Her red hair was perfect in an elaborate braid, and she was clothed in Lannister reds and golds. "I have good reason to trust him."

Cass was still uneasy about it. "And you cannot tell me his name?" She wanted Sansa to come with her, to be a part of the rescue with her brother and mother, but the girl had promised she would leave with this so-called knight, and she refused to go back on her word. What a lady. Foolish, but a true lady. It was getting cold under the shadow of the trees, and Cass shrugged under her borrowed cloak. She had tried going back to her own room, back in her old tower and walls, but the guards had stopped and redirected her long before she even got close.

"No. He insists that I keep it a secret…and that my mother come with me."

"What?" Why? Why would Jaime rescue two but not the third? Was he so petty to deny Robb refuge while he saved his mother and sister? But that's assuming this is Jaime.

"My mother." Sansa repeated. "He'll free my mother too. I asked about Robb, but he says that my mother always has fewer guards. And they won't follow us with just her and me. I…wouldn't agree at first, but if you will save Robb, then it's all okay, isn't it? It should be easier for us all."

No, Sansa. This won't be easy. But Cass smiled and touched the younger girl's cheek. "Maybe." She suddenly hoped Ser Davos and not Jaime was the knight Sansa was talking about. He would certainly be able to smuggle them back North. "Sansa, I see you talking to the Lady Margaery and Ser Loras." Her hands were sweaty. She wiped her palms all over her dress but they just seemed to be coated with sweat seconds later. "Do you trust the Tyrells?"

Sansa smiled. "I do, my lady." The red-haired girl picked up her skirts and started towards the Red Keep. "Your own brother trusted Ser Loras with his life. Excuse me."

Cassana turned back to the godswood as Sansa went to the castle. She touched the bark of the trees, scraping off bits and feeling the wood crumple beneath her hands. Her thoughts went back to her dream—the one of the graves and the stranger and the seven-pointed star. And Renly is dead.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

She didn't know what to say. Cass was never really fond of things in her hair. The pins for her braids were fine, but she refused to wear the heavy circlet Robert had given her once, and she much preferred the temporary shade from a hood than any form of hat. But she took the netting from the Tyrell cousin and spread it with her fingers. "Yes." Cass handed it back. "How lucky of you to wear it."

"Oh, but I'm not wearing it, my lady."

"It's your cousin's wedding." She pushed the pearled hairnet closer to the girl, who finally took it and set it down on Cass' dresser. "I should not get to wear such a…nice thing."

The wide-eyed girl laughed. "Yes, but it is your nephew's wedding too."

Cass sniffed. "How kind of you to say that."

The remark did not seem to affect the young girl at all and she insisted again on putting the netting over Cass' hair. Cass did not care enough to argue. Though she was not one for adornments such as these, she was also not one to have much of an opinion about them. She conceded and looked at herself in the mirror. The pearls didn't match her gold dress at all.

She wanted something tighter to her body. She wanted to wear her riding pants or one of her less…obtrusive dresses, but this was a king's wedding—a Baratheon wedding—and anything less than the full skirt and golden bodice would earn her curious looks and questions. I cannot afford questions. Not tonight.

And dresses could always be removed later. She planned on it. Just as she and Jaime had borrowed those farmers' clothes when they escaped the Stark camp, she would do the same with Robb.

She was forced to stare at herself and admire her borrowed handmaiden's work. Her dark brown waves were softly pulled back. Her face was smooth again and white. The girl had done a wonderful job to cover the scars on her face, but her thinness was still there, wearing her down and exposing her frailty. Cass wasn't nearly as strong as she once was. Mentally, she was exhausted, tired of running and playing these games with forever changing rules. And physically, she hadn't trained in weeks. Her stomach still wasn't used to rich foods, and her muscles throbbed with unknown soreness.

"Your escort will be here soon."

She prickled at that. Cass only ever had two people in her life escort her to these types of things, and one of them was dead. Jaime would not dare to. Cass was torn at the thought. As much as having another man hover around her would make things easier, she did not want anyone else to escort her.

Her handmaiden opened the door to reveal the knight in white scaled armor. Cass raised an eyebrow. "How did your sister allow this?"

"Is she my keeper?" Jaime gave the Tyrell girl a sidelong look. "You seem unimportant. Why don't you leave?"

The small girl fidgeted. "Ser Jaime, I haven't finished yet…."

"She's fine. Go. You wouldn't want to miss a thing. I'm sure this wedding will be more memorable than your own."

The mousey girl scurried away, dropping Cass' shoes and shutting the door behind her. Cassana moved to get the heels and tried her best to ignore the Kingslayer. Jaime did not seem like talking much either. He looked at her dress and then her hair and then moved to sit on her bed again, his sword clattering at his side. Cass swallowed. He won't let me leave on my own. And I cannot dare to outmaneuver him.

"You're wearing gold?" Jaime asked, his head down. The blonde bangs were covering his eyes.

"For a Baratheon wedding." She sat beside him. "And you're wearing white?"

"For a king's wedding." He reached and grabbed her hand.

Cass gripped it tightly, that fear coming back inside her body. What am I thinking? "You told your father you would be a kingslayer again with Joffrey on the throne."

The knight stiffened. "A man of the Kingsguard serves for life."

"Unless you're Ser Barristan." Cass couldn't help herself. "I'm sorry. What I meant was…Stannis would not be a good king, Jaime. I see that too. Joffrey is…"

"Have you seen your nephew?" Jaime huffed. "He orders me to kill at least one commoner every hour. And Cersei stands by him idly. She's blind to what he is."

"But Lord Tywin must control him." Cass persisted. "There's a reason why people respect your house as much as they do." Despite his children. "He's knowledgeable of this kingdom and does not wish to watch it burn. I…I can't say the same for my brother and that Red God he chooses to surround himself with."

His green eyes were clouded. "He frightens you, doesn't he? Tell me, why did you ever pick him over Renly?"
"It…it was the right thing to do."

"Morally." Jaime agreed. "But if I always picked the moral option, you'd have died in the North with all the Starks."

By letting Aerys live? She stared at herself in the mirror. There was so much history between these people that she did not understand, so much that happened before she was even born. "Who's to say I still won't?"

He straightened beside her, and Cass thought she had said too much. "I don't want to know about your schemes."

"I had no intention of telling you."

"Cass, don't be foolish."

"I have been foolish. Speaking up at Ned Stark's execution, running away to Robb and not my brother, freeing you." She spun back to face him and kissed him on the cheek. "Jaime, I've forgotten who I am. And when I remember…I do something foolish. I remember what pride left the Baratheon name has and how I want to live up to it."

"There is no pride. You have nothing left, Cass. Your legacy begins and ends with my children. What do you hope to do with that?"

Gods, he's right. "I have my pride then. My name." She didn't want to talk about this anymore. To her, there was nothing left to say. She was adamant about helping Robb Stark, and she offered Jaime her hand. "We'll be late if we keep arguing. I still don't understand why you're escorting me."
"I have before." He took her hand. "But if you must know, I'm assuming my father believes the rumors of our relationship are much more appropriate than the other ones about me."

"Fan the fire then?" She couldn't exactly blame Lord Tywin for that, and the sudden thought of actually speaking to that man made her voice dry and her hands sweat. As Jaime moved to go out the door, Cass found herself not wanting to walk. She stood stiffly on the stone floor, head low. "Jaime, wait."

He did without hesitation. The sword swung on his hip, and Cass wanted him to just take it off. She wanted him out of white and reds and golds and back into the dirty wool of the road. Maybe we should have just ran away and forgotten all of this…go to Dorne or Essos and pray to the Seven no one would recognize us.

The idea of passivity didn't sit well in her gut. She could not ignore this land and the wars raging just for her own thin chance of happiness. Her voice became firm. "Please don't try and stop me."

Ser Jaime turned back around, his grip on her hand tightening. "Did I tell you that you look stunning? Even in gold."

Cassana had been to a wedding similar to this once. Over the years, she had been to many, but there was something about a king's wedding that had a certain air and flavor, a certain sense of awe and luxury. Robb's was different, of course. Just the thought of Robb Stark's wedding made Cassana cold and nervous. She touched her fingers against a wall to steady herself as she was led to the Sept of Baelor. This place brought on a whole new set of memories—Sansa screaming, the giant greatsword towering over Ned Stark's head, and Cass' own mind berating her, begging her to wake up and stop this.

There was a short, plump blond child turning as she approached. Tommen Baratheon was running, ecstatic to see his aunt again. Cass had almost forgotten how much she loved that child. One tight hug and kiss on the forehead had her smiling sincerely for the first time in weeks.

"I hope you don't miss your sister too much." She ruffled his blond hair and gave the young boy another hug. "You've grown!"

"My mother told me the same." He frowned. "She says I should eat more beets."

"Princes can eat whatever they wish." Cass took a step back to stand behind Jaime. "Have you said "hello" to your uncle?"

"Hello, Uncle Jaime." Tommen gave another smile and bowed. "Mother also says now that you're back, Joffrey and I will be safe. She says maybe you can even teach me how to be a knight."

Jaime raised an eyebrow. "Cersei will let you handle a sword?"

The poor boy looked down. "Maybe. If I behave."

"You don't need a sword, you know." Cass wished she believed her words as much as she wanted Tommen to. "Some people are like knights with no weapons at all."

"Though if you learned how to use a blade perhaps your mother will stop relying on me for your protection. Cass, I'll be inside. I think I escorted you far enough."

She watched Jaime walk inside the Sept and then jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. "My, what a pretty headpiece."

Cassana was never good around this man. She could not outwit him nor out-charm him. Whenever she was forced to hold eye contact with Lord Tywin, she always felt that his gold flecked eyes were eating away, exposing her. And I had nothing to hide before. Cass found herself unable to perform. She stumbled as she tried to curtsy, and her voice muddled any words that tried to escape. She coughed, "Lord Tywin."

"Cassana Baratheon." The expression on his face was unreadable. "I saw you in court. You look well, considering your circumstances. I must apologize that the gold cloaks did nothing to stop Ned Stark's kidnapping."

"I'm glad you're okay!" Tommen hugged her side again, jolting her back to some consciousness.

Cass swallowed and grabbed Tommen's hand. "I was lucky, my lord. Ned Stark may be rash but he is not unkind." She moved forward to the step, but Tywin's grip on her shoulder held her back.

"Tommen, go inside and find your uncle Jaime."

The little boy kept holding her leg. "But…"

"Go now, Tommen." Tywin's voice ordered obedience. The blond child gave Cassana one last squeeze and went inside. More and more people were arriving, all dressed in their best clothes and gowns and jewels. Cassana smiled and curtsied to the passing lords before turning her attention back to the Hand.

"You wish to speak with me, my lord?"

"Yes. But this little wedding gets in the way of it."

She held on to her smile. "Mace Tyrell must be eager."

"More eager than most. But the Tyrells are not too timely."

Cass rubbed her arm, knowing she had no option. "I haven't seen my brother's tomb, my lord, in some time."

There was almost a faint grin on the man's face. "I will take you there, Lady Cassana."

Her arm was laced with the lion's as they walked through the door of the Silent Sisters and down into the Great Sept's tomb. The Stranger's door. Cass felt chilled, bare. Her skin was bumpy and this gold dress was too damn thin. The air only got colder as they walked down, and she covered her arms when she saw the statue of her brother carved of rock.

Gone was the messy beard and overflowing gut. Gone were the wrinkles under his eyes and the red glow of wine in his cheeks and nose. Robert had broad shoulders and a strong gaze. He was tall and black haired and blue eyed once, and this statue had that image—not the one Cass had last seen of him. She felt a tear roll down. "Mauled by a boar. Gods, Robert. What an idiot you were."

Tywin crossed his arms and widened his stance. Does the great Tywin Lannister feel threatened here? Surrounded by all these kings? "He was brave."

"The only difference between bravery and idiocy is winning." Cass spat. "His rebellion would have been a fool's errand if he had lost. If he had killed that boar, he'd be a hero again and not dead." She fell to her knees, not caring about her gown. "I loved him, my lord. Despite his...weaknesses."
"You're surprising me, Lady Cassana. You look Baratheon, but you do not play the part well."

"I have a temper, my lord." She held her shoulders higher even though she was still on the ground. "Surely, your daughter can attest to that."

"I'm much more interested in your relationship with my son."

That threw her. She thought he had seen through her guise and knew of her and the Queen of Thorn's plan. She thought he would ask her of Robb Stark and her time with him or her alliance with her brother. And she said as much, "You do not wish to hear my loyalty to Joffrey?"

"Loyalty depends on situation and time. I believe you are loyal to Joffrey right here and now. You would not be so courteous and pleasant if you weren't. And I believe in the Stark camp you were shouting King in the North with the rest of them, as you announced your brother King of the Andals when you were on his ships."

She looked at the rings on her fingers. "It has been a confusing year for me."

"This was your true king." He pointed to Robert's tomb. "Even despite his so-called weaknesses, he will be the bar you hold all kings to."

"Yes."

Her honesty didn't surprise him. "Do you love your brother's son?"

She didn't mince words. She knew the truth and Tywin did as well. "My brother has no true-born sons, my lord."

Tywin knelt down next to her. The action surprised her and made Cass feel even more uncomfortable. She looked at his golden armor, the lions on his shoulders and the long red cloak he had attached to it. Tywin Lannister was a proud man. He was not rash like Cersei or Jaime. Tyrion is the child closest to him. She was sure Cersei would have something to say to that, but it was the truth. Tyrion could be harsh, but he was smarter than most and calculating. And he loved his family. Cass suspected Tywin felt the same. "Do you love my son?"

"I do."

"Despite his weaknesses?"

Cass stood up and offered a hand to Lord Tywin. He didn't take it but still stood as she did. "Ser Jaime…I don't know what happened to him when he was young. I don't know why he…felt that way or why he did some of the things he did, and it's hard. It's hard to forgive him or understand him, but I think I do. I'm not saying I can forget all that, but I see him." She bit her lip. "I love him because of what he would do for me, and what he is doing for himself. He tries so hard to do what he thinks is right, my lord. And he loves you and respects you too. He's a good man."

The words didn't seem to affect him. Tywin held his stolid face. "Would you marry him?"

"What?" She coughed and laughed. "A man of the Kingsguard cannot…"

"…Hold lands or take a wife or father children." Tywin finished. "He will be dismissed."

"No, he won't. He does not want to and Cersei would not…"

"Cersei and Jaime have no say. I have a say. I am the Hand of the King and the ruler while our young king is underage. And I will not have people whispering and laughing at my children, and I will not have that dwarf and his wolf bride sit in Casterly Rock."

She shook her head. "You cannot ask me to marry Jaime, my lord."

"I am not asking." Tywin explained. "The question before was just a formality. You will marry my son be both the Lady of Storm's End and Casterly Rock. I thought you would be grateful."

She backtracked. "You're…selling your son for nothing, my lord. I have nothing."

"No, my lady." He grabbed her hand and looked at her rings—the onyx and gold. "You have a name and a castle. You are a Baratheon. And while I have some Stormlords, your brother deludingly holds the rest. You're an important piece."

Her eyes strayed back to Robert's stone face. "In this game, my lord?"

"Yes." Tywin grabbed her shoulder again. "And unlike your brothers, you're playing it well."

A/N:

Thanks for reading everyone! Spare time may be few and far between but I enjoy writing this so be sure to check back :)