Chapter 20
Loras Tyrell was very sad that he had to leave his sister's third wedding so soon. Though he was glad to see that she seemed legitimately happy this time. Perhaps this Hannibal would truly make her happy, and this marriage would be one that would last - even if he was a Bolton.
But now, Loras needed to be on his way to the Twins. His grandmother had sent him on a secret mission there. He considered heading further north afterwards to Winterfell to surprise his sister and her new husband upon their return. But Loras wasn't entirely certain he wanted to go that far North, he might just wait for them along the road as they journeyed home and wish them well.
...
Daenerys Targaryen was filled with energy. She and her armies had just won Yunkai. They had entered the city and freed all of the poor souls who had been enslaved. The corrupt masters had been punished severely and a new form of government was being established, one that would report to her regularly on the progress being made in the city. She entered the chambers she would be occupying, absolutely elated at the victory. Her dragons were growing strong and quickly. They were all in the room with her and were still very happy to be with their mother.
This victory had awakened something within her. Daenerys sent Missandei to find Jorah and instructed the girl to remain out of the chamber after bringing him.
Jorah had not yet cleansed himself from the light skirmishes he had taken part in when Missandei found him. There was a knowing smile on her face as she passed on the command. Jorah did not hesitate to obey, and went to Daenerys' chambers. He bowed his head after he shut the door behind him.
Daenerys's eyes lit when Jorah arrived so promptly. She had shed her clothes and was standing near the foot of the large bed. Jorah of course had not expected her to be waiting for him in such a state. His eyes roamed over her body with nothing but pure devotion and desire in them.
"Khaleesi." He would wait for her command.
"I require your devotion, Ser Jorah," she said. "I require it until dawn."
Jorah did not need to be told twice. He quickly began to remove his remaining armor and clothing until he was completely bare before her. He approached her slowly before pressing up against her and kissing her deeply and passionately. He was no longer shy nor hesitant in her presence like he had been when they had first met.
Daenerys felt the fire within her flare as Jorah immediately moved into action. She enjoyed how well he understood what she needed and how quick he was to obey her commands.
Jorah lifted her light frame and set her on the large bed behind them. His rough, calloused hands moved over her soft, flawless skin, focusing upon her perfect breasts. He would pace his own pleasure carefully, she had commanded that he continue until dawn, after all.
As Jorah kissed her again, Daenerys returned the kiss passionately and wrapped her legs around his waist. He moved her backwards onto the bed. Daenerys moaned softly as his rough hands began to move over her body.
Jorah would make certain Daenerys never felt a moment without pleasure until the light of the sun was upon them through the windows.
...
Hannibal carried the picnic basket and walked arm in arm with Margaery through the gardens. He caught her glancing up into the trees. "Would you like for me to pick you some fruit?"
Margaery smiled and leaned into him a bit. "No need, my love, we have plenty in our basket. We may yet find a thicket of berries though to sit within and partake." She grinned a wicked smirk and looked up at him. "That is, if you don't gorge yourself on me first."
Hannibal turned to look at her with a smirk on his face as he pulled her close. "Will you be able to restrain yourself so that you are not heard?" He rumbled lowly into her ear.
Margaery giggled as he pulled her in. She tipped her head to him and gave a sly smile. "You wish me to be quiet? I believe last night your order was to do the opposite. I do wish you'd make up your mind, lover."
Hannibal nibbled on her ear teasingly. "You can be loud if you wish. However, it might bring your grandmother down upon us."
Margaery slipped free from his grip and stepped in front of him. She walked backwards to continue teasing him.
"Well her wrath shall crash down upon you, not I," Margaery laughed. "After your explanation of your vigorous talents over breakfast, however is a southern lady like me to resist crying out my pleasure to the gods?" Margaery gave him a playful smirk before turning her back to him and striding ahead to put distance between them. Daring him to catch her.
Hannibal watched as she shifted away gracefully. He set the basket down and took long strides to easily overtake her once again. He leaned down to growl lowly into her ear. "Careful you do not awaken my hunting instinct."
Margaery smirked and again turned to walk backwards. "And why not? I'm curious how you would hunt your prey in her native habitat."
As if to show how well she knew the territory, right as she finished speaking, Margaery ducked into a vineyard maze. She laughed playfully as she moved deeper into the vineyards to hide from Hannibal.
"Here's your challenge, my love! Catch me, if you can!"
Margaery kicked off her shoes to avoid leaving holes in the ground from the elevated heels and have a trail lead to her.
Hannibal watched and found himself impressed with her choice to use a natural maze. He moved the basket and left it next to her abandoned shoes. He climbed a sturdy tree and spotted her long hair as she turned a corner.
He saw where the path of the maze led. Hannibal moved through the maze walls to get in front of Margaery and cut her off. He could smell her scent growing stronger as he waited behind some bushes that led to a small alcove with a tree in it. He waited for her to appear, knowing she would be paying more attention to what lay behind her than before her.
Margaery thought herself too well-hidden, even for her lover. Slowly she moved through the vineyards and amused herself by plucking grapes from the vines and popping them in her mouth. Margaery glanced over her shoulder and listened carefully behind her, she did not pay attention to the path ahead.
Hannibal watched her pause just before him to check behind her. He moved quickly to wrap his arms around her and hold her close as his mouth found her ear to nibble upon as he spoke lowly. "I have found you."
Margaery cried out in surprise when she found herself in his strong arms. She was soon laughing as she tipped her head to kiss him in his victory. "Mmm…so you have! Well done, my love."
Hannibal smirked before picking her up and carrying her into the alcove he had just been hiding in. He went behind the sturdy tree and lifted her so that her legs went over his shoulders.
Margaery was getting used to having Hannibal carry her around this way and that. She cried out in surprise and both hands went to his head to steady herself when he lifted her so high.
"Now to claim my prize. You will keep a lookout won't you my dear?" Hannibal teased her. He quickly slipped his head beneath her skirts and began to kiss along the inside of her thighs and towards her soft folds.
"Mmmm, you're an impatient, ravenous man, my husband," Margaery chuckled. Her breathing grew heavy as her legs squeezed gently around his head as he moved up along her thighs.
...
Ramsay had finished healing from his broken bones just enough to once again hold a knife in his hands. He could not yet hold the weight of a sword nor shoot an arrow, but a knife was more than enough for what vengeance he had in mind.
He was staring at the chambers his brother had occupied with his little bitch prior to their hasty departure. Ramsay envisioned how he was going to leave their present for them. He was pulled from his thoughts when his men informed him that the canvas for his wedding gift had finally arrived. A dark grin crossed his face as he ordered the canvas brought to him. He would set up his gift in this room…what better way to celebrate his brother's marriage than with a new piece of art in his own room?
...
Hannibal eagerly drank down Margaery's sweet nectar. He licked her clean slowly before lowering her to the ground. Hannibal licked his lips slowly as he held her close in case her knees were wobbly. "You taste divine this morning, my dear."
Margaery's knees buckled as her feet felt ground beneath them, she was glad to lean on him for a moment. "I'm…I'm glad you think so my love." She leaned up and kissed him, faintly tasting her own fluids on his lips.
Hannibal smirked when she leaned on him for support. "Did I cause your knees to go weak? Perhaps I should take you to sit down for a moment."
Margaery smirked and leaned into him a bit more. She brought her hand to his cock and rubbed over the bulge in his breeches with her palm. "As long as you allow me to sit upon something comfortable."
Hannibal pressed his covered cock into her hand as he kept his body pressed against her firmly. "That can be arranged. Is there a bench nearby?" He rumbled lowly into her ear.
Margaery nodded. "Follow me."
She walked up and around the corner to a beautifully carved and finished wooden bench. Typical of Southern artistry. "Is this satisfactory for you, My Lord?"
Hannibal nodded his approval as he took a seat on the bench. Margaery watched as he got settled and followed his lead. Hannibal quickly freed his cock before pulling her close. He lifted the back of her skirts as he guided her to sit in his lap. He had her sitting across his lap, with her skirts covering both of them from the waist down. As he guided her to sit, his cock slid deep within her still wet core.
Margaery gasped aloud as he slid so deep within her. It was not what she expected, but it felt good. To anyone passing by, they were simply resting a moment in the gardens.
Hannibal rocked his hips slightly before leaning in to kiss along her sensitive neck. "How is your seat My Lady?"
Margaery bit her lower lip as she looked to him. "Very comfortable, and you, my love?" She teased as she rolled her hips to let him hit every wall and angle inside her.
Hannibal rumbled lowly. "I could not ask for a better place in all of the seven kingdoms."
Margaery blushed lightly at the praise, but it built her confidence as she remained atop him.
Hannibal continued his subtle thrusts and she rocked against him to build their mutual pleasure. A few servants passed by, but they did not realize what was truly going on.
Once they were alone again, Margaery began to bounce slightly to draw closer to the brink. Hannibal held off for a time, but soon he gripped her hips to hold her in place as he filled her with his seed.
When he seized her so suddenly, Margaery whimpered and felt her core tighten and seize around his cock. Once his heat filled her up, Margaery moaned and the tension in her core burst once again. "Gods…yes…!"
Hannibal chuckled at her powerful reaction. He paused a moment before looking over her dress. "How good is this cloth at hiding wetness?" He asked. He was wearing dark leather pants that would not show the mess he knew they were making.
Margaery glanced down at her dress and gave her pelvic muscles a squeeze to clench around his cock. She smirked up at him playfully. "It's light enough, if light colored fluid were to drip down onto it, it would hardly be noticed." She reached up to a low-hanging branch and plucked a fire plum, which she then held up for Hannibal to take a bite.
Hannibal bit down into the sweet fruit as he heard someone approaching slowly with a cane.
Willas Tyrell turned a corner and moved towards them at his steady pace. "Sweet sister. I had hoped to see you before you left back to the North." He hobbled up and kissed her cheek.
Margaery didn't rise - or couldn't - but she did wrap her arms around her brother and hug him carefully. "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, brother."
Hannibal gave a bow of his head to Willas. He kept a firm grip on Margaery so that they would not be fully exposed. He utilized the shift she made to hug her brother to give a shallow thrust within her, a bold move to see how she would react.
Margaery bit her lower lip to keep from moaning when Hannibal thrust within her.
"Ser Willas, it is good to see you again," Hannibal greeted his new brother-in-law. "My wife was showing me the exquisite vineyards and the gardens here. The fruits truly are quite sweet." He said as both a complement to Highgarden, and as a tease of his wife.
When Margaery leaned back after hugging her brother, she squeezed her core tight around Hannibal's cock. She used her motion of settling back to bounce down on his length while masking her movements from Willas.
Willas smiled, they were acting odd but he could not directly place what was off about this situation. "No surprise there, Margaery always loved hiding out here. This was her secret place, no surprise she shared it with you."
Margaery leaned her head against Hannibal's shoulder. "I wanted to share the best of Highgarden with my husband."
"I daresay you've already shared the best of Highgarden with him, sister." Willas smirked. Oh yes, he'd heard the commotion last night as well. Cripples had to make their own fun, after all - teasing his sister was one of Willas' favorite pastimes. It was all in good fun, never out of malice.
Hannibal used Margaery's skirts to mask his movements as he shifted beneath her to continue to tease her. He chuckled at Willas' comment. "It is a great shame you missed breakfast this morning with us Ser Willas. Your grandmother had a comment or two of a similar nature."
Willas laughed and tapped his cane against the ground. "I'll bet she did. That's indeed our grandmother."
Margaery smiled and cuddled in close to Hannibal. "Have to keep warm in the North somehow brother."
"And you have to work up a good, healthy sweat in the South dear sister." He winked.
Hannibal felt that he was growing close and continued his very subtle motions. A servant came up and bowed before informing them that Willas was needed back at the castle. "It was good to speak with you again Ser Willas."
Willas waved the servant off and gave a tilt of his head to his new brother-in-law. He then noted Margaery's legs and smirked as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Adjust your legs sister. Father may have a heart attack if he hears you and your husband are openly fucking in the vineyards."
Margaery narrowed her eyes but smirked at Willas, she gave a more significant bounce of her hips since they had been discovered.
Willas rolled his eyes and hobbled off. He shook his head as he walked, but smiled all the same. Margaery laughed as her brother left.
Hannibal didn't seem the least bit bothered by the fact that they had been discovered. He continued to rock up into her and increased her bounces. Margaery's laugh caught in her throat and turned to soft moans of arousal when Hannibal intensified his movements.
He growled lowly just a few moments later as he once again spilled his seed within her.
Margaery gasped before screaming aloud for him as she followed him into bliss. She rested against him and nipped at his jaw playfully. "Gods…so good…"
Hannibal chuckled at her words as he held her close. "Careful, the gods might become jealous of me if you continue to say that." He teased. "Shall we relocate before we are discovered again?"
She nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's be on our way – can't let that basket of treats go to waste now can we?"
Hannibal chuckled as he shook his head. "That would be a great shame indeed if that basket was to go to waste."
...
Cersei paced the floor and wrung her hands. It had been weeks since she had sent word that the match made for Myrcella in Dorne was to be terminated, and her sweet daughter was to be returned immediately to King's Landing. She had been promised that Myrcella would be returned safely. Of course Cersei didn't trust the Martells to keep their word. She had sent Jaime to go and bring their daughter back safely.
Finally she received word that a ship was spotted coming into the harbor. A ship bearing the Lannister colors. Cersei raced down to the docks with her special guardian right behind her. She waited anxiously as the ship came into harbor. Cersei waited to see Myrcella at the rail of the ship, but found herself disappointed not to see her there.
It took a half hour for the ship to finally dock and the ramp be put into place. Cersei was nearly beside herself with impatience at having to wait so long. Soon she saw that terrible sellsword Bronn of the Blackwater, and then she saw Jaime. Her eyes lit as she looked for Myrcella, but there was something about the look on Jaime's face that put a sour feeling in her stomach. Then she saw two of the sailors carrying a small bundle wrapped in a red cloak bearing the Lannister lion.
Her eyes hardened quickly, but there were also tears in the corners of her eyes as she set her jaw and waited for them to get off of the ship.
The bundle was brought before her. Cersei nodded that she wanted to see inside, she steeled herself to not cry out here on the docks. Jaime moved to push the cloak aside, he hesitated and gave her a look to double check that she was certain. He then moved the fabric out of the way so that she could see the face of their dead daughter within.
Cersei set her jaw, but felt as if the ground beneath her had just fallen away. She pushed her sorrow away and let her rage boil over. Her eyes lit with fire after a few moments.
"They will pay for this atrocity. I want them to pay as dearly as I have," she hissed through grit teeth.
Cersei moved to return to the Red Keep.
"I will speak with the King and arrangements will be made." She said simply.
She would kill each of those devil Sand Snakes slowly for the pain they had just caused her. She was going to make everyone pay for the pain she was feeling right now. Two of her children had been murdered.
Chapter 21
The newlywed couple had pushed the boundaries of decency while at Highgarden and had caused the Queen of Thorns quite a bit of hassle for needing to replace so many mattresses. Hannibal briefly wondered if she would give restrictions upon how many mattresses they ruined the next time they visited Highgarden.
Three days passed quickly and all too soon they were traveling North once again. Margaery had hope that she would return South soon, but knew that it would take time for Hannibal to gain control and influence in the North before he could overthrow Cersei. Still, she found this trip to be far more enjoyable. Hannibal had kept his promise of pleasing her each day, something Margaery found impressive for him to maintain. Margaery could practically feel herself becoming more and more savage with each orgasm Hannibal delivered to her.
Hannibal enjoyed drawing out the lustful side of his rose. It caused her to grow more aggressive and demanding, traits Hannibal wanted to cultivate within her. He wanted her to grow bolder over time. He saw how strong of a Queen she could be and looked forward to seeing the final result.
Soon enough the Bolton caravan was within sight of Winterfell again. The castle seemed ominous to Margaery. It was only then that she remembered that Ramsay had been left to his own devices while they were away. Gods only knew what traps and horrors awaited in the castle. Hannibal similarly did not like the looks of the castle as they approached. It was far too quiet for his liking. He had his personal guard prepared for anything, especially an assassination attempt. They were keeping a wary eye out for Ramsay and his men.
The couple exited the carriage, and Hannibal kept Margaery close. Ramsay stepped out of the shadows with a smug grin on his face - a most unsettling expression to Margaery. Hannibal frowned as he watched his brother suspiciously.
"Father, good to have you back." Ramsay greeted Roose with a bow.
Roose gave a nod of his head. The Maester rushed forward and handed him an urgent message from a raven bearing the Lannister seal. Roose opened it and began reading immediately to himself.
Seeing his father occupied, Ramsay turned his focus to Margaery and Hannibal. "Ah! And here are the newlyweds! Sweet sister, come, give your new brother a hug!" He hardly gave her a choice. Ramsay's arms were around her sooner than she cared for and he held Margaery in a tight, unsettling embrace. He stepped back and regarded her with a tilt of his brow. "You look radiant dear sister – you were gone so long, perhaps you carry the newest Bolton already?" He said with a laugh.
His laugh made Margaery cringe. She quickly pushed away from him.
Soon Ramsay was upon Hannibal and moved to embrace him as well. "Brother, have a heart and show some mercy to your poor bride! You want her to be able to walk don't you?...and ride, of course," he teased.
Hannibal was tense as Ramsay forced Margaery into a hug. His face was dark with warning that Ramsay was crossing lines he should avoid. He shoved his brother off of him and shifted Margaery behind him. Margaery shrank behind Hannibal quickly, putting distance between herself and Ramsay.
"You are not affectionate brother. I have no patience for your games," he said coolly. Hannibal stood tall and menacing as he glared at Ramsay. There was a plain threat in his eyes that he would do more than break bones if Ramsay attempted to touch Margaery again.
Ramsay didn't look offended, hurt, nor intimidated by Hannibal. He just smiled and lifted his brows in playful scolding. "Now, that isn't very nice, brother." Ramsay kept that sickeningly sweet smile. "Look how you're scaring your poor little doe."
"I am not afraid." Margaery corrected sharply. She did not like the look in his pale eyes, something terrible was about to happen.
"No? Well, if you don't mind my saying so, you ought to be." Ramsay tutted her. "The North is a scary place, sister."
Hannibal's eyes narrowed at Ramsay's open threat. "What have you done?"
Roose looked up from the raven and could tell Ramsay was wasting time with a childish game once again. He dismounted and gave a cold look to Ramsay.
"We have been traveling for weeks. We do not have time for your pointless games. They are now married, there is nothing more to be done. I will not allow you to waste any more of our valuable resources in these childish games of yours. Be done with it." He snapped before striding past the group and into the keep to tend to the raven's message.
Ramsay bowed his head in apology as his father passed by, but Roose's scolding was not about to spoil his good mood. He smiled to Hannibal and Margaery and held his arms out.
"Father is indeed right! You're married and I have yet to give you a wedding present! How thoughtless of me, then again I wasn't exactly invited." Ramsay laughed loudly. "But that is of little concern, we should celebrate! Come, sweet sister, I'm certain you're hungry – I've had the kitchen staff prepare a fine meal for us all."
"I'm not hungry," Margaery replied warily.
"No? Ah, silly me. You're likely very tired from your journey. No matter, dinner will wait. Let us adjourn to your chambers and I shall give you your wedding presents and leave you be." Without waiting for an answer, Ramsay turned and entered Winterfell.
Margaery gripped Hannibal's arm, afraid. She didn't want to follow Ramsay. Hannibal pulled her close to wrap an arm around her protectively. He leaned down to speak lowly into her ear. "Trust me, he will not touch you again. If you do not like how he looks at you, I will gouge his eyes out." Hannibal might have to kill his brother far earlier than he planned at this rate.
Hannibal's men followed the pair of them as they entered Winterfell behind Ramsay. Hannibal was sniffing at the air as they moved to try and get a hint at what game Ramsay had planned for them, he could smell blood as they climbed the stairs. Hannibal had given orders that a second set of secured chambers begin being prepared, he suspected a bloody scene from Ramsay. He would not think any less of Margaery if she didn't have the stomach to look, depending on how grotesque the display was.
Ramsay waited for them at the top of the stairs. He wagged a finger at them. "Ah-ah-ah, it's a surprise. Close your eyes now, naughty birds," Ramsay chided them.
Hannibal glared at Ramsay as he heard the sound of muffled barking. He could smell blood clearly now. "We will not be closing our eyes. We won't even look at your gift if you do not leave now."
Ramsay feigned being hurt by Hannibal's words. "So little trust, brother! Ah…but perhaps you are exhausted from your journey. I will leave you to enjoy your gift in peace. I look forward to seeing the both of you at dinner," he said cheerfully before whistling as he began to go back down the steps. He might not be able to break Hannibal with his mental games, but the little rose still looked quite delicate indeed.
Hannibal turned to Margaery once he was gone. "We do not have to open that door if you do not want to."
Margaery felt better when Ramsay was gone, it was only then that she heard the muffled sounds of dogs growling. She was afraid, but she did not want to give Ramsay the satisfaction of knowing she was too scared to even look upon whatever sick display he had prepared. She tried to settle her stomach before looking to Hannibal. "I won't let him win like that," she said quietly, but with conviction.
Hannibal nodded to her before giving a look to his men. Two moved in front of them and two remained behind them. He hoped the dogs would be in the inner chamber, but his men would keep them safe if they were in the first chamber. The door was opened and they entered.
Margaery followed the guards in and immediately felt her stomach turn as she smelled the blood in the room. Her eyes were drawn to the door that led to the chamber where she had stayed. She could hear dogs in there and she remained focused upon that for a few scanned the room and immediately saw that there was a recently flayed skin lying across Hannibal's bed. Hannibal instantly became suspicious of Ramsay's game. He began thinking through who this might be and why Ramsay thought it would bother them.
"He has skinned someone," he heard the dogs growling and snapping at each other better. He recognized those sounds. "He fed the rest to his mutts. It was a man, but I do not recognize him."
Margaery heard Hannibal and felt her stomach turning at the thought of some innocent man being slaughtered just to taunt them. She remained focused on the door as Hannibal puzzled out the gift. She then turned to him.
"A man? Why would that…" One of the guards shifted and she could see the skin lying on the bed. It was unnerving to see a person's skin laid out flat like that. She approached slowly with the intention of paying her respects to the poor soul. Hannibal sent the men to guard the main door and he followed Margaery towards the flayed skin. So far he was impressed with how she was handling herself. This seemed too simple to be one of Ramsay's games.
Margaery looked over the skin and then froze. She saw a particular birthmark on the skin…one she had seen before. Her heart began to race as she pointed to it. "Hannibal…what part of the body is that?" She asked…praying to the gods it wasn't a hip.
Hannibal noticed when she recognized something on the skin. He immediately had a bad feeling about what was about to be revealed. "That is the left hip." He answered her.
Margaery's eyes widened in shock and fear. "Loras…"
Hannibal set his jaw and his eyes filled with dark rage. Ramsay had gone too far.
Margaery heard the dogs barking again and turned to the door. She flew to it before Hannibal could stop her and threw the door open. She screamed when she saw the remains of her brother laid out on the bed she had slept upon. Ramsay's hounds were devouring the meat and were covered in his blood.
Hannibal reached out to pull Margaery back from the door and shut it before the dogs could get out. They were most dangerous right now. He pulled Margaery tight into his chest and held her there. "Close your eyes."
Margaery didn't hear anything, she felt numb. She just wept into Hannibal's chest and trembled uncontrollably. Hannibal looked to his guards and spoke in a low, icy tone.
"Kill his precious hounds, spill their intestines upon his bed and leave their heads upon his pillows. Chop up their hearts and serve them to him raw for his supper tonight," He commanded. Hannibal then picked Margaery up and carried her out of both chambers and down to the bottom of the tower in a secret alcove where they would be safe. He did not want her to hear the hounds being killed. One of his guards followed after them. He held her tight to him and put his mouth on her ear. He spoke low and soft.
"I'm sorry Margaery. I promise that he will die a hundred times more painfully for this. He has gone too far."
Through her sobs Margaery choked out a few words. "My brother…he killed him…he killed Loras!"
She cried, her face red with anger and sadness as she shook against him. Margaery kept her face buried into Hannibal's chest before she slowly, very slowly, stopped crying. She still sobbed and took her breaths in sharp gulps. Loras was gone. Her grandmother would not stand for this
"They'll want his head," she whimpered. "A Snow bastard took a Tyrell son. They will want blood for blood."
Hannibal's other men arrived to report that his orders had been carried out. Hannibal nodded his head. "Make sure his whore does not fly from this castle. Find her and lock her up where he won't find her. Gag her to keep her quiet, but do not injure her."
Two could play this game. Hannibal intended to pay Ramsay back triple for his 'gift'. After the guards left to lock away Ramsay's whore, Hannibal focused upon Margaery.
"I assure you that he will suffer far worse for what he has done. I will leave him clinging to life before I drag him down to Highgarden for your family to take his head if they wish." There was a dark look in his eyes. He would not tolerate Ramsay crossing such lines. It was absolutely insufferable. Hannibal would also kill any Bolton soldiers that helped capture and flay Loras for Ramsay. Hannibal knew his brother's hands could not have healed enough for him to flay that neatly without assistance.
Margaery was still struggling with the shock. Every time she closed her eyes she could see poor Loras. She finally looked up at Hannibal, tears still in her eyes as she held his gaze.
"I can't stop seeing it…" she whimpered. "My poor brother…how long could he have had Loras here?" How long had her brother suffered? She cried for a few more moments before she allowed her outrage to sink in and regain her composure. She allowed that rage to fill her eyes as she looked upon her husband. "I want him dead. We have to send a raven to Highgarden."
Seeing the rage in her eyes was a comfort to Hannibal. It gave her an opportunity to move past the shock. Her rage was matched in his own eyes as well. He gave a nod to her as he looked deep into her eyes. "I agree, a raven must be sent immediately." He looked to the guard watching out for them. "Send your captain to me."
Once the captain of his guard arrived Hannibal gave a series of commands. "Fetch the Maester immediately and check on my father - but do not alert him to what has happened. Any men who are loyal to the bastard or who assisted him are to be stripped of their clothing and thrown into the kennels for my wolves" The captain bowed and moved to carry out his orders.
Margaery listened as Hannibal set things into motion. His calm demeanor while giving commands to set up his brother's execution was helping to soothe her fury.
Hannibal turned to Margaery. "This is all a game to him. I assure you that the game will end at dinner tonight. I will take him with or without my father's approval." Hannibal's only concern would be how many Ramsay would try to kill before he was taken.
Margaery clutched at Hannibal's doublet and looked up into his eyes once they were alone again. "…was it my fault? Did he kill Loras because I egged him on?" She should have kept her mouth shut. Then maybe Loras would be alive.
Hannibal realized his brother's game in that moment. Ramsay wanted Margaery to feel guilty and always doubt herself. Hannibal took his hands to cup both sides of her face to look deep within her eyes. "This is not your fault."
Margaery managed a sad little smile. She pressed her forehead against his, glad for the comfort he was giving her right now.
The Maester soon arrived with parchment.
"Send three ravens to Highgarden with the same message: Lady Olenna, I regretfully must inform you that the bastard, Ramsay Snow, has overstepped himself greatly. Sir Loras has been needlessly murdered by him. For his crimes he will be arrested. His actions are deplorable and a stain upon the honor of house Tyrell and house Bolton. He will be killed for what he has done, his hide will serve as a warning to those who betray either of our noble houses. Please accept my sincerest apologies for this loss. I assure you that he will suffer greatly for this unnecessary and unprovoked violence." He said before turning to Margaery. "Would you like to add anything, my dear?"
Margaery thought for a moment before looking up to the Maester. "Send a separate raven to my brother in Highgarden. To Willas Tyrell. Loras is dead, you need to be strong for father. Find your fire, brother. Sign it 'your beloved sister Margaery'." Willas would mourn the loss of their brother, but their father would be a wreck. Willas would have to step up and take over for their father.
The Maester bowed his head and scurried off to send the ravens.
The captain returned and bowed his head to Hannibal to inform him that his orders had been carried out. He also passed along the message that Lord Bolton was in good health and had summoned the pair of them to dinner.
Hannibal gave a nod of his head. "Once the bastard is inside, seal off the main hall. I will have him arrested during the meal, watch for my signal."
Margaery listened to the captain and felt dread within her. She didn't want to see Ramsay and his demon eyes ever again, but she knew she had no choice. She stood tall and worked to clean herself up a bit.
Hannibal continued to hold her as she desired. He nodded at her statement. "What he won't expect is for me to appear calm and for you to be angry. It is our turn to rattle his cage a bit." He said before offering her his arm to lead her to the main dining hall for dinner.
Margaery nodded at that as she let her anger fill her. She wanted to wipe that smug smile off the bastard's face. It was their turn to give him a gift.
Chapter 22
Olenna Tyrell had received word that the special gift Margaery had requested for her new husband would finally arrive in three days' time. She had summoned the Maester to send a raven to Winterfell to tell Margaery about the arrival of the gift.
The Maester was slow in coming. "For gods' sakes you are slow! What could have possibly delayed you?"
The Maester was a shaking mess and looked exceedingly pale. "News f-from Winterfell." He was sweating profusely.
Mace had just returned from walking the gardens. He had just approached his mother when he heard the Maester's words. He and his mother shared a look of concern when they heard that.
Olenna stood and looked to the Maester. "Well spit it out, you fool!" She snapped, worried for Margaery.
The Maester shuddered as he handed one of the messages to Lady Olenna and the other to Lord Mace.
Both opened the messages and read them. Olenna dropped the parchment and stared out across the gardens. Mace was frozen as he stared at the message. He was in absolute shock at what he was reading. The Maester moved and assisted him into a chair, concerned he might pass out if he remained standing.
Olenna was filled with rage. It took her nearly ten minutes before she spoke. "Fetch Willas. I want to speak with him immediately."
...
Roose was now aware that Ramsay had made some sort of grotesque display and that Hannibal wanted to provide his head to the Tyrells as recompense for it. He had made preparations for Ramsay to be taken away after dinner. There were guards around the room to take Ramsay should he put up a struggle. He nodded to Hannibal and Margaery as they entered.
Hannibal gave a nod to his father before pulling out a chair for Margaery. The three of them waited in absolute silence. Hannibal palmed his knife out of sight so that Ramsay might not spot it. He was prepared to throw the blade to disable Ramsay if needed.
Soon whistling could be heard just before Ramsay strolled into the dining hall with a loaded crossbow in hand. He smiled as he entered and he looked around. "Hello all – so many guards this evening. What's all the fuss about?" He waved the crossbow around, searching for some invisible enemy.
Margaery glared at Ramsay, but did not address him.
Roose ignored Ramsay as he entered and taunted the other two. He took a sip of his wine with disappointment written across his face. "You have embarrassed me for the last time. You insist upon acting like a rabid dog and now I will have to cast you out North of the Wall. You will leave Winterfell with me as soon as supper is over." He said coolly. He did not seem the least bit worried about that loaded crossbow.
Margaery kept her dark eyes focused on Ramsay, they were filled with absolute hate. Hannibal's face was a cool mask, but his eyes were watching every move Ramsay made with suspicion.
Ramsay smiled when Roose gave that order and looked with wide blue eyes around the room. "You think so? Oh no, father, this is far enough North for my liking. I don't intend on going anywhere." Ramsay replied. "I've been nothing but a considerate, hospitable brother. In return I've been ridiculed and met with ingratitude." He pouted his lower lip as he came across the table from Margaery. "And that's just a shame. My feelings have been hurt indeed."
Hannibal shifted his hand to the back of Margaery's chair. He would push her over to get her out of the way of that loaded arrow, if necessary. Ramsay was far too close for comfort.
"Your birth was a shame." Margaery snapped. Then she looked to Roose. "No offense intended to your Lordship." Roose waved Margaery off from her comment. It didn't offend him in the least.
"Ah, but the offense was intended for me, is that right?" Ramsay's eyes were wide and wild with anger as he looked upon Margaery.
Hannibal stood slowly and shifted Margaery's chair behind him. "You have no feelings."
Roose held a hand up to Hannibal before focusing on Ramsay. "Sit down and stop making a fool of yourself, bastard. You are going further North if I have to drag you in chains." He said before taking another sip of his wine.
Ramsay kept his eyes focused on his brother, but aimed the crossbow at his father. "You think so, father? I still beg to differ."
Margaery kept her gaze dark. Deep down she didn't want to believe that Ramsay would do such a terrible thing to his father. Surely even Ramsay Snow wasn't so insane as to kill his own father.
Hannibal's eyes were locked on Ramsay. He was glad the whore was locked away and those loyal to Ramsay had been put down. His men had done a good job. Ramsay would not be here if he thought his plan was ruined. He waited for his brother to act. He had no doubt his brother would shoot, he just needed the opportunity to tackle Ramsay to the ground and restrain him without that crossbow being loaded.
Roose gave Ramsay a dark look. "What good would it do you to kill me? I would wager that me sending you over the Wall is far more lenient than what your brother has planned for you. Now, put the crossbow down and sit." He spoke as if commanding a dog.
Ramsay hardly let the sentence leave Roose's mouth before he pulled the trigger on the crossbow and fired the bolt so that it hit Roose Bolton straight in the chest. It pierced his heart dead center, he was dead within seconds.
Margaery cried out and knocked her chair over to rush to Roose's side to try and do something. Ramsay hadn't expected that, he frowned with jealousy in his eyes. He worked quickly to reload the crossbow. "So then, I suppose that makes you the Master of the castle…for now." He sneered at Hannibal.
Hannibal vaulted over the table just as Ramsay was finishing his taunt. He ripped the crossbow out of Ramsay's grip and delivered an uppercut to Ramsay's jaw that sent him flying backwards and knocked him out.
The guards came forward to surround Ramsay. "Orders, Lord Bolton?" They asked Hannibal.
Hannibal paused for a moment as he looked at his unconscious brother. "Strip him to his smallclothes and tie him down securely to a chair. His punishment will begin now. Any guards that attempt to stop these proceedings or who try to put him out of his misery are to be executed immediately."
Hannibal moved to Margaery as the guards set to work. He touched her shoulder and worked to pull her away from his father's dead body. He wrapped his arms around her and spoke lowly to her. "Shhh, it is over now. He won't harm anyone ever again. He will begin to pay for all of the pain he has caused."
Margaery was crying again, sobbing as she found herself powerless to help Roose Bolton. But after a few moments she nuzzled against Hannibal's neck as she pulled back to look up at him. She gave a nod of her head in understanding.
Hannibal tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you want to stay and watch his punishment?" He asked her.
Margaery considered his question before all the fury of what had happened filled her eyes. "I want to help." She would take vengeance for house Tyrell for what Ramsay had done to Loras.
Hannibal gave a nod of his head before he turned to give orders for preparations to be made.
...
Willas had been relaxing when a messenger delivered two messages to him. Both contained the Bolton seal. He had a sinking feeling as he opened both to read them. The one from Margaery gave him comfort that she was at least safe. However, he crumpled both in anger as he realized what these messages ultimately meant.
Soon another servant arrived to tell him that his grandmother wanted to speak with him. He took a deep breath as he stood and began to make his way to her. They would not leave this without action. The bastard would die.
Chapter 23
Dark chambers beneath Winterfell had been set up overnight to accommodate the new Lord Bolton's plan to punish the bastard Ramsay Snow. Two great metal stands were set into the floor in the shape of an X . An identical stand was made 10 feet away. The room was lit with plenty of torches, and tools for torture were brought in to be used upon the condemned.
Ramsay was brought in and strapped down to one of the stands, but the other remained empty for the time being. Ramsay finally managed to wake up. He looked around and spotted the various tools lying around. It was a nice assortment to be sure. He was not intimidated in the least at the sight. Ramsay watched as Hannibal, some guards, a few servants, and Hannibal's little bitch filed into the room.
"I would say 'good morning' to you brother, but I do not see the sun or sky to know for certain what time of day it is."
Hannibal waved some servants forward. They carried a plate with raw meat upon it, they stood on either side of Ramsay and offered him a bite of the meat to eat. "It is indeed morning," Hannibal said. "I have a gift for you, brother. A delicious cuisine that is quite rare. I'm certain you must be quite famished."
Ramsay did not take the offered bite. The servants then worked to force him to eat a majority of the meat. Ramsay, of course, resisted. He grunted as the meat was forced down his throat. He nearly gagged and spat up a few pieces, choking and coughing.
Margaery simply watched in silence. She was aware of what precisely Ramsay was being forced to eat, and she wondered what he would say once he realized it himself.
Ramsay glared up at Margaery, blood smeared on his mouth and face. "You think this hurts me, brother? Seeing that anguish on your rose's face, it's well worth it!" Ramsay laughed with dark glee.
"That was your final goal in life? Disappointing. I expected more from you." Hannibal tilted his head to Ramsay before waving the servants off. "It seems you did not enjoy your hounds as well as I had thought you might. They certainly enjoyed their last meal…"
Hannibal trailed off before snapping his fingers. Ramsay's eyes widened when he realized what he ate, he gagged again and heaved as though he were about to throw up. Margaery smirked at his reaction, but knew the best was still to come.
"Perhaps you crave something sweeter, brother," Hannibal suggested as Ramsay's whore, Myranda, was dragged out naked and strapped down to the other metal tensed when he saw Myranda led out, but his mouth formed a perfect line and he scoffed.
"As if I care for the safety of some woman. Such a waste of your time, brother."
Hannibal smirked as he looked at Ramsay. "Perhaps we should make a game of it. You are so very fond of games, after all," he taunted as his hands began to move over the various instruments available on the table.
Margaery was very pleased at this turn of events. She stepped up behind Hannibal and moved to brush her hand over Hannibal's and guided it to a small, very sharp knife. "First things first, my love. She offended me with her glares when I first arrived. I would have her eyes plucked from her head."
Myranda had been gagged for the time being. However, her eyes widened in fear and she quickly began begging through her gag. Hannibal had not expected Margaery to step into this at all, but he was greatly pleased to see her interest.
"Would you like the honors my dear?" Hannibal asked Margaery as he turned to her. "I can demonstrate the technique on one eye, and you can try your hand on the other."
Margaery smiled wickedly and nodded before stepping beside Hannibal. Ramsay scoffed as they moved towards Myranda and soon began to laugh.
"Dear Lady, if I had known the Bolton way pleased you so, I would have let you assist me in flaying your brother. Hannibal, you chose your bride wisely. She's adjusting to the true Bolton lifestyle easily. I daresay it arouses her."
Hannibal ignored Ramsay, knowing his comment was a ploy to distract them from their purpose. He remained focused on Margaery and guided her towards the now thrashing Myranda. "Now, most people will close their eyes tightly to try and save them. Fortunately, the eyelid is very easy to get past since it is so thin. Now, the eye itself is similar to a skinned tomato, a spoon is far better to fish it out."
A guard passed Hannibal a thin metal spoon, sharpened at the edges and made specifically for removing eyes. Another guard stepped forward and held Myranda's head still. Hannibal reached to push her upper left eyelid up and placed the edge of the spoon against the corner of her eye next to her nose.
"Now, push in with a nice, steady pressure. Then you will carefully slide the spoon around the entire eye. You might have to push down a bit more around the back of the eye to sever the cord there. Once you have made a complete circle, it should pop right out," Hannibal spoke slowly as he demonstrated. At first Margaery's impulse was to turn away from the grotesque scene. She forced herself to watch and pay close attention. The whore screamed out in pain as her left eye did indeed pop out perfectly.
Ramsay struggled against the ropes tying him down, but ultimately realized the futility and stopped. He glared at the pair. "You will pay for that…" he growled lowly.
Hannibal ignored Ramsay and passed the spoon to Margaery. Margaery took the spoon and approached the whore to open her right eye. She took her time and pressed the spoon in as Hannibal had instructed, though her inexperience showed as her hand trembled a little. Still, Margaery was able to pluck the eyeball from the screaming woman.
"Like that?" Margaery turned to look at Hannibal, seeking approval of her technique.
Hannibal watched and gave a small nod. "Well done, My Lady," Hannibal praised her as a chair was brought for her to sit in as he turned to focus upon Ramsay.
Myranda was panting from the pain racing through her body. She was trying to calm down to listen, but the pain was just too much. There was amusement on Hannibal's face.
"I thought you did not care about this whore. Have I wounded you already, brother?"
Ramsay growled and continued trying to wiggle his way free.
Hannibal picked up a new small, sharp knife and slowly walked back to Myranda. "Tell me brother, what parts of this whore do you enjoy so much? I see nothing extravagant upon her plain body." He took the knife and let the dull part of the blade graze over her collarbone slowly before he tapped one of her breasts. "Was it her breasts? They seem terribly small to me…however, I suppose they are satisfactory to cover your cock…perhaps a bit big for that, in fact. Perhaps you enjoyed this instead, brother…" Hannibal taunted, sliding the blade down Myranda's stomach and tapped between her legs.
Margaery was sitting and sipping on a glass of wine as she watched. She found herself squirming a little in discomfort at the last threat from Hannibal. It was instinctive and she couldn't stop herself. She worked to brace herself for what Hannibal might do without looking away. Ramsay kept an intense gaze on Hannibal. He managed to hide his own squirming by glancing between Hannibal and Margaery.
"It matters not to me. Kill her, I'll find another," Ramsay inclined his head towards Margaery. "You ought to tend to your wife, brother. She's the one who seems uncomfortable with your knife's location."
Hannibal would speak with Margaery privately about not showing any emotions when an enemy was being mutilated. This was likely her first torture to witness, he understood it could be difficult. That was the Bolton way. He tsked softly as he looked to Myranda.
"You thought he enjoyed you and wanted a child with you. It would seem he cared far more for these breasts of yours instead." He taunted Myranda. Ramsay wasn't able to hide his reaction. Unfortunately, his brother had accurately identified his favorite part of Myranda.
Hannibal slid the thin blade into her skin just below her collarbone. He continued slicing around her breasts to flay them from her body. He tossed the skins aside and a guard brought a plate forward. Margaery forced herself to watch as Hannibal flayed the girl's breasts. The whole time Myranda screamed and cried out through her gag. That made Margaery chuckle a bit, neither of them had accepted the futility of their situation. Hannibal sliced off a few small chunks of the freshly-exposed meat. He then moved to Ramsay as the guard carried the plate. Ramsay tried to shake his head and resist what was about to happen, but he had no choice. A guard held his head back and forced his jaw open.
"Perhaps this meat will be sweet enough for you to enjoy as your last meal, brother," Hannibal said before forcing Ramsay to eat everything from the plate.
When Ramsay swallowed the meat, he nearly gagged. When the guard released Ramsay's head, he leaned forward and coughed a bit before looking at the whimpering Myranda. "Just kill her and be done with it. Why drag out this dull affair?" Ramsay snapped, breathing heavily.
"You dare give commands to the Lord of the Castle, bastard?" Margaery herself snapped. "Your kinslaying made Hannibal the new Lord Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort and of Winterfell. You will speak with respect."
Ramsay glared at her before spitting on the ground and smirking to Hannibal. "Very well, Lord Bolton, will you do your humble prisoner a favor and silence your mewling bitch by shoving your cock in her mouth?" He sneered.
Hannibal chuckled lowly at his brother's words. "The more insults you utter, the slower I will kill you, brother. I will show no mercy for you or your beloved whore. You will both die very slowly. Perhaps the Tyrells will demand what is left of you to kill themselves…they are more likely to be quicker in killing you than I."
Ramsay gave a defiant laugh. "The Tyrells are far too soft for that, Hannibal. They won't have the stomach to kill a Bolton."
"Don't be so sure of that." Margaery stood as she spoke and took a long, curved knife from the table as she stepped up to Ramsay. She pressed the tip of the blade to his exposed throat. "You took a Tyrell son. My brother Willas will ignore the pain of his crippled leg and ride again, dragging you on a ceaseless tour of the Seven Kingdoms. He'll behead you himself and hang your head over the entrance to Highgarden." She left a long, shallow cut from his jaw to his cheek. "House Tyrell is patient, but when crossed our anger is terrible. We do not take kindly to those who mistreat the children of our house."
Hannibal found Margaery's boldness to be very attractive. He chuckled at her words. "The Tyrells would have no problems killing a Snow, brother. I think it would be great entertainment to see you being dragged behind the horse of a cripple."
Hannibal then approached the whore. He used the knife to leave a series of shallow cuts across her body as he removed her gag. "Tell me, whore…what part of my brother's body is your favorite?" He asked before slowly sinking his blade into what remained of her breasts. "Answer truthfully, now."
Myranda cried out as Hannibal pierced her exposed breasts. She squirmed in vain to get away, to no avail. "H…his cock! His cock!"
Hannibal turned to look at Ramsay with a smirk on his face. "That is my brother's favorite part of himself too. That's why he normally guards it with a knife. He will miss it terribly," Hannibal smirked darkly.
Ramsay's body stiffened. He knew what his brother was planning.
...
Littlefinger settled behind the desk in his room at the Vale. His spy in the North had recently reported that his secret ally had completed the union with House Tyrell. He had also heard a report that multiple ravens were flying towards Highgarden. Littlefinger was anxiously waiting to see if his secret ally would need him sooner rather than later. Everything was in place here in the Vale. The lovely young lady with him was his ally and currently trusted him. He suspected that he would be able to complete his plan quicker…depending on the messages those ravens seemed to be carrying with some haste.
Chapter 24
The captain of Hannibal's personal guard went to check on the one prisoner of Winterfell.
The kennel master's daughter had been tortured very slowly by his Lord. He had flayed her entirely before disemboweling her. Ramsay's last few hounds had been brought in to tear into her body before she was fully dead. He had never seen the bastard looking so truly angry and hurt. The hounds had been killed after they finished off her body and their bodies burned.
His duty was to force water and food down the bastard's throat to keep him alive until Lord Bolton ordered otherwise. He approached the broken bastard slowly. He was not a threat to anyone with how mangled his body was. The bastard no longer had a right arm, and had been left with only two fingers on his left hand. The tendons at the back of his ankles had been sliced open to render his legs useless.
He moved to the bastard and tilted his head back. "It is time to eat again eunuch. I know you do not want to, but you will. Lord Bolton wishes you to remain alive long enough to hear what the Tyrells wish done to you."
Ramsay had groaned and was about to make a snide remark when food was shoved down his throat.
...
Hannibal was lying on his back and had his arm under Margaery's head as she idly traced circles upon his bare chest. He had tossed the animal skins that were rather wet off of the bed so that they could rest after the full day of torturing and long evening of fucking they had experienced. He chuckled as the tracing of her fingers drifted lower down his body.
"You are quite eager this morning. Did I not satisfy you last night? Or perhaps I have started a fire deep within you that requires constant tending."
Margaery smirked at the tease. "You did indeed satisfy me last night. Now that you mention fires...I do indeed feel a hunger in my belly that only you can satisfy." She purred.
Hannibal chuckled at that as his hands moved to cup and fondle her breasts. "That only I can satisfy? Then I should tend to that fire immediately." His voice was a low rumble as he pulled her closer.
Margaery sighed at the feeling of his hands moving over her breasts. "Mmm...you are indeed the cause. It is only fitting that you tend it."
However, Margaery bit her lower lip as she suddenly recalled some of what was said during the torture yesterday. One piece was stuck in her mind that she could not let go undiscussed. "Before you tend that fire...I want to ask you about something you said yesterday when we dispensed justice on your brother."
Hannibal saw her hesitate and begin thinking. He shifted so that they were lying on their sides and he tucked a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear. He moved to rest his hands on her ass as he looked into her eyes. "Very well, what is it that is on your mind?"
She smiled as she curled into him and looked into his eyes. "Hannibal… you said something before. That Ramsay was not good enough to be consumed like the ancient traditions of the Red Kings, have you…does that mean you have consumed people before? Those who were indeed clean of disease and a worthy enough enemy?"
Hannibal did not speak for a few moments as he regarded her question. This was not a conversation he had expected to have so early. However, after seeing how well she did yesterday he had confidence that she would be strong enough to hear the truth.
"The first time was for survival when I found myself stranded in the woods alone as a young man. I was 15 at the time. I was hiding in the woods from Ramsay as a final test for my father that I was worthy to be his heir. I was starving and had not been able to catch any game. Ramsay had poisoned the area I was in so everything was foul. I came across a house with one survivor inside. They had killed and eaten their family and were the last one still breathing. I killed them and ate them to survive." He explained.
Margaery leaned back as she listened to his story. She felt as if she should have been horrified by this story, but she was not. Oddly enough it seemed to…make sense. It was simply a matter of survival.
Hannibal continued speaking when she did not seem repulsed. "The second was a ceremony my father required of me to prove that I was a true Bolton and that I did not inherit any squeamishness from my mother or her family. I was 16 at the time of this ceremony." He said before pausing for a moment. "The second time was when I realized that I enjoyed the taste of this cooked meat."
Margaery bit her lower lip as she listened to that. She looked upon his lips for a moment as her curiosity got the better of her. "What was required in this ceremony?"
Hannibal saw that she was curious. "A nobleman who had dishonored my father was brought forward. I was required to flay him alive and then select a piece to consume. The most vicious of the Red Kings tore the hearts of his enemies from their chests before eating them. I carefully peel back every layer and sliced off pieces of the man's heart to eat while he was still alive to watch it. I then crushed the life out of him with my own hand before tearing out his still beating heart and biting into it as if it were an apple. It pleased my father greatly to see me so fearless. Ramsay didn't have the stomach to watch me consume the heart."
Margaery felt her heart beginning to race as she listened to the story. She did feel a moment of fear, but she also felt arousal as she clearly pictured this ceremony and her strong husband carrying out such barbaric acts so easily. She felt how hard he remained as he spoke and felt her own arousal remaining high. These words did not dampen her desire for him.
Hannibal reached out to brush his thumb over her cheek. "I have discovered that it is a powerful rush to have such a victory over your enemy. You can make the most highborn of men feel lower than a dog as you peel off a bit of them and consume it before their eyes." He said. It had been some time since he had partook of the unique meat. He did have a man in mind…but that clever fox would be difficult to trap without possibly ruining his plans with the Vale army.
Margaery bit her lower lip as he spoke so boldly the gods punished such acts…didn't they? She brushed her fingers along his chest. Somehow, she was not disgusted or fearful by his admissions. Margaery just stared at him for a good long while. "What…" There's pause as she considered her own question. "…what did it taste like?" She was curious, and for a long while she regarded the curve of his lips. Margaery thought long over what it must have been like, drinking the blood of another and consuming human flesh. Her fingers came up and she dragged her index finger along his lower lip. Her eyes were dark with curiosity.
Hannibal could see her curiosity and found it very attractive. "It tasted like lean deer meat with the added sweetness that you taste in rabbit meat. I do not usually eat them raw. I personally season and cook the meat first. As I said, I feel it tastes better cooked."
Margaery nodded slowly and leaned in closer. His were the lips that had consumed the flesh of others; that had drank the blood of his enemies. Margaery was very quiet for a moment before leaning forward and kissing him softly. Her lips closed around his lower lip and her tongue pressed into his mouth, as though she would be able to partake of the phantom taste. After a long moment, she pulled back and smiled to him.
"You're a dangerous man, my Lord Bolton."
Hannibal returned the kiss and chuckled lowly at her comment. "You are a dangerous woman Lady Bolton." He said lowly. He dropped his voice lower. "If you have a desire for a sweeter meat, all you need do is ask."
Margaery smiled and tipped her head into his touch. "You think I'm strong enough? That I might have the stomach for such a thing?" She tilted a brow at him.
Hannibal nodded his head. "Indeed I do. I am careful with this sort of prey. I am careful not to choose diseased creatures."
Margaery smiled at that and cuddled in against Hannibal. Her curiosity was satisfied for the time being. "Then I look forward to that day to try this sweeter meat of which you speak."
Hannibal held her close. He smirked as he began to nip along the column of her neck. "Now...I do believe there is a raging fire within you that needs thorough tending." He rumbled as he rolled atop her.
...
Willas Tyrell had sent a response on the strongest raven they had. He wanted his new brother to bring that bastard to Highgarden alive. Or at the very least still breathing. House Tyrell would put the bastard to death. He did hope that his brother would torture the bastard mercilessly until he could be brought to Highgarden.
...
Jaime Lannister sighed as he left the Sept following behind his daughter's gilded coffin. A small group of men were taking her body back to Casterly Rock to be buried properly with her kin. He oversaw them load her coffin and followed them out of King's Landing. He stopped at the main gate on the North end of the city. He then made his way back towards the Red Keep to speak with his sister and one remaining child.
He was slow in returning to the Red Keep and he made his way to his sister's chambers where Tommen was waiting with his mother. "She is safely on her way home." He said quietly to the two of them.
Cersei had cried plenty, but she was no longer crying now. She simply nodded at Jaime's news.
Tommen looked upon his 'uncle' with deep sadness in his eyes, but there was also anger. "I want to declare war, uncle. I want to…I want them to pay for this." He said with as much firmness as he could manage.
Jamie sighed softly as he bowed his head. "I recommend speaking with your Small Council about this. Your armies are still recovering from the prior war. They have yet to be rebuilt properly. I do not recommend open war with Dorne at this moment. I advise that we continue to rebuild before striking. However, you are in command. If you truly desire it, your army will fight tooth and nail for you."
Tommen nodded after that before wishing them both well and excusing himself to go and think in solitude.
Cersei waited for Tommen to leave before she turned to look over her shoulder at Jaime. "That pushy old woman sent a raven today. Apparently she married her little bitch of a granddaughter off…to the Boltons." She said as she sipped her wine.
Jaime stepped closer to her as he listened. He was surprised at that bit of news. He did not expect that at all, apparently his spies had grown lax in their duties. "Well…at least we don't have to worry about her trying to get into Tommen's bed anytime soon."
Cersei gave him a glare at that, but drank of her wine once again. "I hope that the Boltons put her in the right place. Maybe that rabid bastard will gouge out those haughty little eyes of hers." She said with no small amount of venom.
Jaime took a glance at the bottle of wine and noted it seemed to be the third bottle on the table. Two were empty and the third had perhaps one more glass of wine within it. "How much have you had to drink?"
Cersei was staring out darkly across the city. "Not enough."
Jaime clenched his jaw at that answer. "Then I'll leave you to it." He answered with a bit of anger as he turned to leave her be. He shook his head after he left her chambers and went in search of the Maester.
Cersei ignored him as she moved to pour the last glass of wine and begin drinking it.
Jaime had not even heard a whisper of the Tyrells marrying off Margaery to the Boltons. He had an uneasy feeling about the match. Both of those houses had strong armies…on either side of King's Landing. He did not like the thought of them being joined without being assured of their loyalty to Tommen. Both Olenna Tyrell and Roose Bolton were far too clever for his liking with this match.
...
Margaery went down to the main dining hall for a late breakfast with Hannibal after a delightful evening and morning in his arms. She had no doubt that he had planted a child within her by now. Something that pleased her greatly. When they arrived, the Maester was waiting for them with a large raven perched on his wrist. The message carried by the bird was sealed with green wax and the Tyrell golden rose seal.
Margaery smiled as she approached, anxious for her brother's response. "Well then, Maester. What news from Highgarden?"
The Maester unrolled the scroll and read the message aloud to Lord and Lady Bolton. "Dearest sister and new brother, we are deeply disturbed to hear the news of Loras' death, but are consoled somewhat by the capture of the bastard Ramsay Snow. We would be obliged to have you bring him alive to Highgarden to be punished by the Tyrell house he has so offended. We will make preparations immediately to receive you. Margaery – the black box you sent for has arrived, we will keep it safe in Highgarden until your arrival. Sincerely, Willas Tyrell, interim Lord of Highgarden."
The last news made Margaery grin and clap her hands happily. "Wonderful! Two pieces of good news in one morning!" She kissed Hannibal's cheek. "We should make haste to Highgarden, darling."
Ramsay had been brought up from the torture chamber so that he could listen as the message from Highgarden was read. He heard the many loopholes left for his brother to pick from. Perhaps he could goad the bitch into killing him before they left Winterfell.
Hannibal listened to the message and turned to his captain. "With just the vanguard for protection and no carriages, how long would it take to reach Highgarden?"
His captain stepped forward to answer. "Two weeks at a full gallop My Lord. Three at a more moderate pace.
Hannibal's gaze remained locked upon his brother. "Send four riders out now. Instruct each of them to secure a safe place for us to stop each evening along our way to Highgarden. We will take a moderate pace. They have requested my brother to still be alive upon our arrival to Highgarden. The fourth rider is to ride at a full gallop to Highgarden to inform them of our arrival. How soon will the vanguard be prepared for travel?"
"Three hours My Lord." The captain answered as he gave a silent command to one of his subordinates to pass the orders to his four fastest riders to leave immediately.
Hannibal finally turned away from Ramsay to look at his wife. "We can return with a carriage from Highgarden. Would this amount of haste please you My Lady?"
Margaery was listening carefully and was absolutely giddy with anticipation. She smirked triumphantly to Ramsay and then turned to Hannibal with genuine excitement. "That suits me fine, My Lord. Gives us plenty of time to prepare for our journey."
Hannibal sent his men to make all of the necessary preparations for their rapid travel. He then nodded to his captain who moved behind Ramsay and forced his jaw open. Hannibal picked up a pair of metal tongs and a red hot knife. He stood in front of Ramsay with a smirk on his face. "I hope you had nothing more to say brother." He said before using the tongs to pull Ramsay's tongue out as far as possible and slicing it off.
Ramsay struggled and screamed as his tongue was sliced off.
Hannibal tossed the tongue into the fire and placed the tools down on the table. "Secure him in a harness made with our thickest rope. We don't want him breaking his neck on our way down to Highgarden." He told his captain. He fully intended to drag his brother behind his horse the whole way. He looked forward to seeing how much of his hide he kept once they reached their destination. He then turned and offered his arm to Margaery to lead her back to their chambers to pack for the journey.
Margaery beamed with pride as she took his arm and walked with him to prepare for their journey South.