I apologize for the delay in posting this chapter, but I've had some aggressive writer's block and other life happenings (my birthday/excessive birthday partying) which made writing this chapter a challenge.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I wrote probably 5-6 versions of this chapter – not 5-6 drafts, oh no - 5-6 totally unique chapters because I didn't know how I wanted to continue. So, I wish I had a better chapter to post after such a long absence, but this is it.

I'm starting to understand why D&D began fudging travel times in the end. They're inconvenient.

Anyway.

I don't own GoT.

DAENERYS:

She lay there sleepily tracing shapes on his chest, her left leg draped over both of his. He was gently running the fingers of his left hand through her hair while his right hand rested lightly on her waist. She knew they had much to talk about, but instead they had been like this for hours, quietly making up for lost time.

She couldn't remember ever making love so tenderly...or for so long. Drogo had been rough and wild. Daario had been cocky and hasty, and although Jon had been gentle and passionate, he was virtually a stranger when they slept together- a coupling born out of mutual attraction and not much else.

But Jorah was different. It was like he could read her mind. Her every desire was answered by his body before she need ask. He had taken his time, paying close attention to how she responded to each sensation. He sent her over the edge again and again; taking pleasure in her pleasure until both were completely spent.

Death certainly hadn't hurt his stamina.

Even so, she felt he had been holding back for fear of hurting her. She found herself even more eager to be fully healed so he could be freer with his passion.

She nuzzled herself closer into his side, tucking her head under his chin. This is what it is to feel safe, she thought. She took in his warmth, the steady rhythm of his breath, his scent...she placed a feathery kiss on his neck, eliciting a low, gravely chuckle.

He moved his hand from her waist to her cheek and turned her face to meet his.

"How are you feeling," he said as he stroked her cheek with his thumb.

She couldn't help but smile at his concern.

"I feel fine. You were very considerate." She ran her fingers over the stubble on his cheek.

He raised an eyebrow and gave her a half-smile, "Considerate? I'm not sure that's the endearment I had hoped for after love-making, but I'm glad you were comfortable."

She blushed, "I didn't mean-"

"I know," He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.

"What I meant was..." She shifted herself to straddled him, "…I look forward to many more evenings like it."

She started to grind her hips against his and leaned down to kiss him deeply, her body wanting his again. He kissed her back like he was afraid he may never get another chance. She would have to do something to reassure him that he would.

She was just starting to run her hands down his chest to the place where their hips met when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and sat up so that they were facing each other. She let out an excited gasp at the prospect of this new position, but Jorah did not continue.

His face had changed. He was looking at her seriously. She could tell he was torn by something.

"What is it, Jorah?" She couldn't hide her concern.

He sighed, "Jon Snow."

"What do you mean?"

Guilt and something resembling shame spread across his face, "This was impulsive...I was selfish. Jon is a better match-"

"You…don't know?" Would they really have kept something this important from him?

His eyes searched hers, "Know what?"

"Jon is my nephew," she said matter-of-factly.

"What?" The shock in his expression was almost funny.

"Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark."

He lifted her from his lap, placing her gently on the bed. He stood to roughly pull on his discarded tunic and started to pace the room. "How do you know?"

"Well, it's my understanding that Samwell Tarly found an account of a marriage between Lyanna and Rhaegar in the Citadel. He told Jon before the battle with the dead. I'm surprised Jon didn't tell you himself. Or Tyrion. They seem to have told everyone else in the Seven Kingdoms."

He rubbed his face with his hands, " When they said Varys thought Jon had a better claim, I assumed it was because he was Ned Stark's son, or the King in the North…I never considered…How could I have been so blind?"

"I don't expect a proposal anytime soon." She was trying - and failing- to defuse the situation.

"I'm the Captain of your Queen's Guard. I'm supposed to protect you. Why was I not told?" His tone had shifted from that of lover to long-serving commander.

"Perhaps they thought I told you."

She was surprised by how insignificant the information seemed to her now. The burden didn't seem as heavy as it once had. She had made up her mind…it was only a matter of time before everything resolved itself.

Still, she could see the worry bubbling up inside of him. "Who else knows about this?"

"Sam told Jon, Jon told his sisters, Sansa told Tyrion, Tyrion told Varys. Who knows who Varys told."

He stopped his pacing and turned to face her. His expression was grave, as if he had just realized the extent of the betrayal.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace."

"What for, Ser?" His sudden formality had not gone unnoticed.

"I know you were in love with him." He looked at the floor.

"I was." I thought I was.

She tucked the sheet around herself and went to where he stood. She was tired of talking about Jon Snow.

He closed the distance between them and took her right hand in both of his. He looked at her with a disheartened expression.

"Now what's wrong?" She found herself getting a bit annoyed. Couldn't he see that all she wanted right now was him?

"This cannot… We shouldn't continue." The longing in his eyes betrayed his words.

"I don't see why not."

"Daenerys…as long as I share your bed, I am a liability to you. You need to be free to make alliances."

"Jon and I do not want to continue the Targaryen family tradition."

"There are other suitable choices. Perhaps Gendry Baratheon?"

"You are the son of a lord. How are you less worthy than Robert Baratheon's bastard?"

"I am an old, exiled knight with no lands or titles. If anyone threatened your claim, I could not help you hold the Seven Kingdoms."

"Then I restore you the title of Lord of Bear Island. Here and now."

He shook his head, "Even so, the minor lord of a remote holdfast does little for you. You need someone who can help you maintain a good relationship with the other houses, particularly in the North… Ned Stark wanted my head. Sansa Stark will not have forgotten that."

"You died defending the people of Westeros. You've paid your debts."

"Yes, and while other loyal Northern men stayed dead, I was resurrected. Sansa Stark will not soon forget that either. Peace with the North is vital to peace in the realm."

She placed her free hand on his cheek, "I am tired of my heart being used as a pawn in this game of thrones. I did not break chains only to forge my own in the process." Besides, she had a proposal for Sansa Stark that she doubted the lady wolf would refuse.

"Khaleesi-"

She claimed his lips with her own to stop his mouth. She would hear no more of this.

"Just trust me. I know what I'm doing."

"Daenerys, this is important-"

She placed her fingers over his lips and looked directly into his eyes. She marveled at the man in front of her. This man who loved her so deeply. This man who had stood aside for years while she loved others; he would do it again if he thought it would help her. He had devoted his life and his heart to her no matter the personal cost.

"I love you," she said. He looked as if she had struck him.

"I love you, Jorah. I will not lose you again."

He took her in his arms and kissed her hard. She knew he had waited years to hear her say it; never believing she would.

He cupped her face in his hands, "I love you more than my life; never doubt that. But-" She kissed him again.

She untucked the sheet and let it fall to the floor. "Then stop arguing and just love me."

Soon she would explain her motives. Soon they would all understand. Soon, but not yet.

Hopefully you're all still interested in this story even though it's been a minute since my last post. I promise to try to get the next installment out sooner.

Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing- and a special welcome/thank you to Seastar21 and sunshine and lollipops.

Also, sunshine and lollipops writes some of the most cinematic Jorleesi fics out there, so if you don't already, you should definitely read her stuff!