Jaime was gone when she awoke the next morning just before dawn. She hadn't expected him to stay the night and she was thankful for the solitude so she could think. She climbed out of the low bed and wrapped herself in a thin robe she found in the wardrobe. Her body was stiff, but she wasn't sure if that was a result of the sex or the fall she took from her horse. It was then that she noticed the blood on the sheets. There wasn't much but enough to betray what had happened the previous night. Uncertain of what to do, she settled on throwing the blankets atop the stains to hide them. She would deal with it later.
Apart from the blood, there was no more physical evidence. Her tangled hair was easily fixed with a strong brushing and Jacqueline washed the sweat off her body as best she could with a wet cloth since there was no time to take a proper bath. When she felt herself clean, Jacqueline began to dress. She moved slowly, her body more sore than she originally thought. Riding a horse would be painful but she wanted to return to King's Landing as soon as possible. She had spent too much time away.
She picked up a clean dress from its place on the large chair and climbed into it. It was her last clean one that was suitable for riding. The dark golden material was a bit too heavy for the southern warmth but she didn't really mind. She rather be too warm than too cold. The Northern cold had left a bad taste in her mouth.
Jaime walked in then, not bothering to ask permission or announce his presence. Jacqueline watched the knight's reflection in the looking glass as he silently began to lace up the back of her dress. He looked the same as he did the previous night. He was already wearing his Lannister red armor, instead of the white of the Kingsguard, despite the early hour. His face was more reserved and his hair was combed a bit neater but he was still Jaime Lannister. So Jacqueline wasn't sure why she had such trouble concentrating around him.
"Don't make it so obvious, Baratheon." Jaime said when he caught her staring at him.
"We shouldn't have done it," Jacqueline admitted, looking down at the brush that was still in her hand. "Last night was a mistake. What if someone finds out?" She practically whispered.
Annoyance flashed across Jaime's face. "Everyone's going to know if you don't wipe that guilty look off your face."
"This is your fault." Jacqueline muttered. When Jaime made no sign of hearing her, she continued. "I didn't know what to do with the sheet."
When he was finished with Jacqueline's dress, he walked to the bed and moved the blankets aside to examine the evidence. She took a seat in the chair and began to braid her hair while she watched Jaime. He looked at the sheet only briefly before pulling it swiftly off the mattress. He rolled it up into a ball and threw it gently into the brazier that warmed the tent. It caught fire and soon burnt down into nothingness. He turned to her then, annoyance gone and with a smirk to show that he was proud of his cleverness.
"I didn't know the fire was an option." She muttered under her breath, returning her attention to her hair. Jaime walked back out of the tent, leaving Jacqueline alone. She put her hair into a simple braid before pulling her riding boots on. Content with her appearance, Jacqueline exited the tent and walked into the cold morning air.
Jaime reappeared then, followed by a young squire leading a large black palfrey and five Lannister guards already atop horses. In his arms, Jaime carried a folded bundle of red cloth. When he reached Jacqueline, he unfolded it to reveal a hooded cloak. "It looks like rain." The knight explained, noting her confused face. The sky was indeed covered by low, heavy grey clouds, which blocked out the sun. The resulting bleakness reminded Jacqueline of their arrival in Winterfell.
Silently, Jacqueline slipped on the cloak, before allowing the squire to help her mount the borrowed horse. "These men will escort you back to King's Landing, my lady," Jaime said, nodding at the five Lannister guards before passing her the reins to her horse. "Don't take any detours this time."
Jacqueline suppressed the desire to roll her eyes. "Don't do anything stupid." We did plenty of stupid things last night, she thought to herself.
"Like what?" Jaime asked with his usual smirk.
Raindrops started to fall then, softly crashing into Jacqueline's black hair. "Like start a war." Jaime's smile disappeared at her words, but he didn't respond. With a nod to the knight, Jacqueline pulled the hood up before pointing her horse in the direction of the capital and trotted away.
Jaime stood in the quietly in the rain for a moment, watching the woman disappear among the mass of red tents. "It may be too late for that, my lady."
Sorry about the short(er) chapter but I just wanted to say thank you to all of those who reviewed or followed/favorited. It means a lot so thanks again. - Madison