The candle she held cast long shadows around the Library Tower staircase as Cate climbed, Moondancer padding beside her. She hadn't been able to sleep, and so decided to turn to what she'd always relied on for comfort - stories.
She expected darkness upon walking into the library, but emitting from somewhere among the shelves was a twin light to match her own. Curious, she walked to it, rounding the corner to find Princess Myrcella leaning over a table.
Their eyes met - cool gray and bright emerald - and Cate froze.
"Sorry," they both said, and Cate laughed awkwardly.
"Sorry," Myrcella said again. "I didn't know you came here."
"Only to read about the legends," Cate admitted. "I'm not much of a scholar."
She paused, walking slowly along the bookshelf. "Unless," she added, "it's about the Dance."
Myrcella's eyes lit up. "That's what I'm reading about right now! I heard the Winterfell Library had a copy of The Princess and the Queen, so I simply had to get my hands on it."
"That's where I got the name for my direwolf." Cate grinned, looking up to meet Myrcella's eyes. They were closer, the distance between them from before now bridged. "Moondancer, for Lady Baela's dragon."
At the mention of her name, Moondancer prodded forward, sidling up to the princess and nudging her hand. Myrcella giggled and scratched behind the direwolf's ears.
There was a pause, and the candlelight flickered as Cate watched Myrcella pet Moondancer. Suddenly, she whispered, "Imagine if the dragons had lived."
Cate shuddered. There must have been a draft in the tower. "I'd rather not."
Myrcella's gaze snapped back, focusing on Cate. "We're to be sisters, if I hear correctly."
"Oh." Cate's mouth was dry suddenly. "Yes, that sounds right."
"Don't let him frighten you."
Cate gave her a look. "Why would I be frightened?"
"Hold your ground, and don't show fear," Myrcella continued. "You are ... you're to be a princess. Always remember that."
When Myrcella's eyes met her, Cate didn't flinch. They stayed, regarding each other until the candlelight began to fade from Cate's peripheral, and all she saw was emerald green.
"I should be going," Cate heard herself say softly, delicately.
As she turned, she heard the princess call to her. "Goodnight."
Cate paused, and said over her shoulder, "Goodnight, Myrcella."
Songs to listen while reading: Saturn, Sleeping at Last & I'll Call You Mine, girl in red
