Chapter 19

Tanith

"I could stay like this forever."

Tanith smiled at Theon's words and tilted her head, which was tucked under his chin as she rested her weight against him. In the cold night she could feel the heat of his palms as he gripped her protectively, his big arms wrapped around her petite frame as they stood alone in the forest.

She sighed into his chest. She felt as if she were dreaming. Since Theon Greyjoy pulled her out of that rowboat, she felt her life unravelling. Some days it felt like a bad thing, if her mind lingered too long on her family, or if she saw a passer-by on their travels look at her a little too long and wondered if they were a Lannister soldier looking for her and recognised her. She knew it was far-fetched, but it would take a long time for the fear and paranoia instilled in her during her time in the capital to leave her. She wondered what had become of her story. When she arrived at Riverrun, the camp had already heard of the Mountain's runaway bride. Had it reached every corner of Westeros? Could she make a home somewhere and slip under the radar? Was Cersei Lannister over it, or was there a price for her head?

But some days the unravelling felt good, like the bandages she had wrapped herself in while floating endlessly on that rowboat were coming undone. Her true self felt exposed again, but as if she was cooled down in stifling heat. Things were changing. War was unpredictable, and things would likely never be the same again. But the more Tanith thought about her past and her new life, she asked herself a question she probably already knew the answer to: did she want to go back?

The last thing she expected to do was to fall for someone, if that's what this was with Theon. After weeks of back and forth, they had tried and often failed to understand one another, yet Tanith still felt an unexplainable, exhilarating magnetisation with him. But Theon had told her he wanted to be with her. She had not known him long, but she surmised that this was not something he said to many girls.

She wondered what would happen next. Seagard was a day or so away, and he would be going to Pyke. Panic shot through Tanith's gut and tightened her chest. She realised just how much time they had wasted. Not a lot of time in the grand scheme of life, but thanks to ever-changing war, they had hours left together.

"We should go back." Theon interrupted her thoughts. She wriggled herself loose and looked at him, his blue eyes glinting in the moonlight which illuminated their reverie in a cloudless sky. He smiled attentively at her, stroking her arms to warm her, and this was the most he had revealed his soft side to her. He was being vulnerable, and it made her burn with pleasure.

"Yes, we should." Tanith decided she should speak after such a silence. "Do you really mean it, Theon?"

"What?" He smirked. She elbowed him gently. "Yes I do. I know I joke a lot, but I am serious. In fact," he took her hand in his and used the other to wrap a loose strand of her wild auburn mane around his forefinger. "I want you to come with me. I don't want to leave you."

Tanith tried to control the expression on her face, still aware that it was early days and not wanting to reveal too much. But Theon let out a low chuckle which suggested he anticipated her reaction of excitement.

"Theon," she gasped. She did not mean to sound so taken aback. "Since when did you become so bold? Weeks of no straight answers and now this." They laughed together, and he linked his arm in hers as they headed back the way they both came what now seemed like hours ago.

"Well I know what I want now. The question is, what do you want?"

Tanith cleared. "Well, I was never too thrilled about going to the Twins."

"So you'll come with me?" Theon halted, the crunching of the grass under his boots stopping, and turned to face her.

She nodded. "Yes I will. Of course I will."

Without warning Theon grabbed her arms, hauled her up and swung her round. Tanith let out a yelp, before he pulled her in close and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. She never realised how dominating he could be, rough without hurting her. It was exhilarating, and she found herself thinking about how else he could be with her…

"Let's go back now." She took his arm and began leading them through the trees.
"Okay, it is nearly daylight I suppo- hey! Why the rush?" Theon chuckled as Tanith now took control, hauling him along with her as she tried to look out for the faint firelight of the camp.

Tanith said nothing, instead stopping sharply in her tracks. She faced Theon, who she could tell looked puzzled, almost worried in the darkness. She walked toward him, her front meeting his, and pushed him back into a tree. He cringed a little as his head hit the bark, but a current of excitement shot through his eyes as she grabbed his face with her hands and began kissing him. She had never imagined she would be so bold, but it was all she could do not to tear the clothes from his hot, quivering body.

Theon

Theon's heart was pounding so loudly he was surprised if Tanith could not feel it through her own chest, which was pressed earnestly against his as they collided in a kiss. Fuck me, he thought. She does surprise me.

He had never thought of Tanith Folder in this way before. Well, obviously he had thought of kissing and touching her, but she was a lady. He hadn't imagined she would be this… passionate. She was running her hands through his hair and lightly clawing the back of his neck with her nails. Her tongue slid in and out of his mouth, massaging his every so often and making his knees buckle and melt. He let out a soft groan, and she giggled into his mouth making her even more irresistible. The last thing he wanted to do was stop this kiss, but he did want to take things into his tent.

"Come on." He broke the euphoria between them and pulled her through what felt like five hundred more trees.

They stumbled through the dark camp, and Theon thanked the gods that dawn had not yet broken. They could possibly have an hour to themselves. He wasn't sure how far things would go with her, and he suddenly worried that she would feel pressured.

"Look, we don't have to do anything you don't want to." He told her as they reached his tent. "Your first time should be special."

"I know, and I do want it to be." She told him, sitting on his bed and gazing up at him. His tent was still dimly light with what was left of the candles, and the flickering light danced on her face, illuminating her green eyes. Theon could get drunk on those eyes. He would easily take her right now.

Theon sat beside her, pushed some of her hair away and began planting soft kisses all over her neck and collarbone. She sighed into his ear and he could feel himself getting hard.

"We will find the right moment." He said. She nodded, her eyes still closed and enjoying his rough hands tenderly stroking her neck and cheek. He kissed her again, and she bit his lip.

"Theon." She groaned into his mouth. He felt like he was on fire.

"Yes?"

"I don't want to go, but I must."

Theon nodded. "Yes, you must. I will tell Robb first thing that you're coming with me."

She smiled at him. "I cannot wait."

They kissed one last time that night, and as he crashed onto his bed, Theon dreamt about how many more times he would be able to kiss Lady Tanith Folder.

Tanith

"I am so happy for you, but so sad we will be apart." Tanith and Talisa embraced for the hundredth time that afternoon since Theon had broken the news to her and Robb that Tanith would join him in Pyke. The camp had reached Seagard in a matter of hours, and Tanith thought to herself that her desire to reach the sea and step on board a ship hand-in-hand with Theon Greyjoy was the real reason they had made such good time.

"I will miss you so much Talisa," Tanith told her friend. "You have been so dear to me, and I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done." Leaving Talisa behind was Tanith's only reservation about going to Pyke, but she knew that it had to be done. And Robb knew more than anyone about making a big decision for someone you love.

"Thank you, your Grace," Tanith turned to the curly-haired king, who looked genuinely sad to see them go. "For taking me in at the camp and giving me new life. I am forever in your debt."

"Think nothing of debt," Robb said. "I will only take credit for the advice I gave you that day at the logs." They exchanged a smile.

"You certainly should." She replied. "That is a reason to be thankful." Tanith embraced him, before turning to Talisa once more.

"Please write." Talisa whispered into her ear.

"Of course I will." Tanith replied. "And I want to hear from you too. Especially when he or she arrives."

Talisa broke the embrace to stare at Tanith, wide-eyed. "How-"

"I just had a feeling." Tanith said quietly, sneaking a glance at Robb and Theon, who were preoccupied in an animated goodbye. "But do not worry, I will keep it to myself as long as you like."

Talisa squeezed her shoulder affectionately, and the women hugged yet again. Tanith released Talisa, and turned to find Theon beaming at her.

"Ready?"

She returned his smile, and gestured one last wave goodbye to her friends. Theon stepped onto the gangway and held his hand out to her. She gazed at him in fascination for a few moments, standing with the sails flapping in the harsh wind above their heads, the cawing of gulls dulled by her dream-like state whenever she began staring at him. The sun peaked through a cloud overhead, shining down on the fair flicks of Theon's hair. Then she remembered to breathe as took his hand. With the touch of his hand she was pulled onto the gangway, and into his life. He stood behind her as the ship pulled out, and wrapped his arms around her as they waved goodbye to Robb and Talisa as their figures grew smaller. She was ready. She was ready for whatever was coming, because she was facing it with him.