Oberyn couldn't remember the last time he had woken up this happy. Last night had been one of the best nights he had had in a while. He had taken his young wife four more times and each time had been better than the last. He had become addicted to her moans and absolutely adored the way her face looked when he entered her. It had become a game for him to see how many times he could make her scream his name; in the end, it had been twelve times.
He stretched his arms over his head and turned to take in his wife, but he was surprised to find her missing. He bolted upright in bed, instantly afraid, but then he noticed her sitting by the window with a steaming mug in her hand. Reyna turned her grey eyes to him, and a slow smile reached her lips. Oberyn was momentarily stunned by her. Her pale skin was awash with color from the sun and her chestnut locks were a mess from their marathon love making.
"Why have you left the bed?" Oberyn asked, sleep still evident in his voice. Reyna chuckled to herself and took a long sip of her drink. Oberyn discreetly sniffed the air but couldn't place the earthy smell.
"What is that?" He asked suspiciously. Reyna's eyes dropped and a look of guilt passed over her face.
"Moon Tea. Please don't be upset with me," she said in a timid voice. Oberyn's suspicions evaporated as he jumped out of bed and approached his wife. Reyna's eyes scanned his still nude body and Oberyn felt his arousal rise.
"Why would I be upset?" He asked, leaning over her. Reyna cupped his jaw and leaned in for a kiss. Oberyn could taste the tea still on her lips, but he ignored it.
"You are not ready for children, I understand," he replied, his nose nuzzling her cheek. Reyna smiled at him for a moment before looking out the window, her expression becoming dark.
"But something else bothers you, what is it?" He asked, kneeling next to her. Reyna set her mug down and turned to face Oberyn, unshed tears in her eyes.
"The trial starts today," she confessed, her skin becoming grey. Oberyn's eyes widened in understanding and clung to Reyna's hand. With his newfound wedded bliss, he had forgotten about the trial. It was just like Tywin to only give them one night to enjoy their wedding.
"I'm afraid for him," she whispered shakily. Oberyn met her eyes once more and pulled her close to kiss her forehead. Reyna turned her face so that their lips met and Oberyn immediately felt her desire. He pulled her from her chair and untied the sash around her robe, letting it fall to the ground. He pulled her close, loving the way their skin contrasted against each other.
"Let me have you one more time before it all begins," he whispered into her neck. Reyna sighed happily in response and Oberyn led her to the bed. He had had her in many different positions last night, but his favorite had to be her on top of him. He was always the dominant one, but something about the sight of her on top of him made him go crazy. It was never like this with Ellaria and for some reason, Oberyn was glad that of that.
"Be just," Reyna whispered as she sank down onto him. Oberyn's mind became mush as it had every time he entered her and for a moment he had no response. Her hands raked down his chest, following the paths of the marks she had made the previous night.
"For you darling, I will," he promised, raising himself up to meet her lips. At his promise Reyna came alive, her hips gained a steady pace and her thighs gripped him in a way that had him quivering.
"My Gods," she hissed as Oberyn angled his hips to hit a deeper spot.
"The only god you need is me," he whispered back arrogantly.
They were finished within minutes, but Oberyn found that he couldn't keep his eyes, or his hands, off of her while they prepared for the trial. He delighted in seeing the bites and bruises that littered her thighs, breasts, and neck. He had promised to mark her so everyone could see. Now not even Bronn or Jaime Lannister could claim her; she belonged to Oberyn Martell.
Once they were dressed Oberyn escorted his wife to the throne room where the trial would take place. Tywin Lannister was seated on the Iron Throne, regent while his grandson Tommen was underage. Oberyn watched as his wife sank into a deep, respectful curtsey for both the Hand of the King and the Queen Regent.
"How do you fair today, my lady?" Cersei asked disinterestedly. Oberyn bristled at the title. His wife was a princess of Dorne now, and the title of a lady was beneath her. But before Oberyn could comment, Tywin Lannister came to Reyna's defense.
"Reyna Martell is a Princess of Dorne now," Tywin snapped before turning his attention elsewhere. Oberyn liked hearing Reyna's name with his house name, even when it was coming from the old lion. Oberyn took a seat to the right of the throne while Reyna stood slightly behind him. Mace Tyrell, Reyna's father and Oberyn's new good father, entered and moved right towards Reyna. She hugged her father and kissed both his cheeks. Mace must have noticed the bruises on Reyna's neck and shot a look at Oberyn, but wisely said nothing.
"Sister," Oberyn heard Reyna speak. He turned and watched as his wife greeted her younger sister who was draped in all black. The two girls whispered together, and Margaery pushed back Reyna's hair and pointed at a bruise. Reyna blushed deeply and shot a look back at her husband. Oberyn smirked at them both and ran a finger across his lips, practically undressing his wife with his eyes. Margaery excused herself and sat in a seat next to her brother and grandmother. Reyna returned to her place at Oberyn's side and suddenly Oberyn had a question in his mind.
"Were you told to stand by me?" He whispered to his wife. Reyna positioned herself so that she was leaning close to Oberyn's ear and so no one could see her lips.
"A Lannister page came this morning and said that Lord Tywin ordered me here. To show the strength of the new alliance," she explained, a slight sense of bitterness in her words. Oberyn was happy at the bitter tone, it meant that she was as unhappy at being paraded around the lion's court as he was.
Just as Reyna straightened up the double doors to the throne room opened and Jaime Lannister appeared escorting his younger brother into the room, two Kingsguard flanking him. Oberyn looked up at his wife to see her reaction and found an immensely worried look on her face. When Tyrion reached the small podium the two Kingsguard locked his shackles to a chain and moved to one side. Oberyn caught Jaime Lannister staring at Reyna and was pleased when the man squinted his eyes at a bite mark on Reyna's collar bone.
"Tyrion of the House Lannister, you stand accused of regicide by the Queen Regent. Did you kill King Joffrey?" Tywin began. Reyna let out a scoff of disgust so low that only Oberyn heard it. He reached up and grabbed a hold of his wife's hand, placing it firmly on his shoulder. He gave it a comforting squeeze and was happy when she let it there.
"No," Tyrion replied without hesitation.
"Did your wife, the Lady Sansa?" Tywin continued. Oberyn found this highly implausible. He had never personally met the lady, but from what he had seen she was a shy, timid girl, clearly not capable of poison,
"Not that I know of," Tyrion said with a shrug of his shoulders. Reyna's hand clutched tighter to Oberyn's shoulder and he looked up to see how intensely she was staring at Tyrion. It was clearly a look that said, "This is no time for jokes".
"How would you say he died?" Tywin asked. Reyna shifted uneasily on her feet and Oberyn saw Tyrion glance in his friend's direction. He shot her the quickest of comforting glances before answering.
"Choked on his pigeon pie," Tyrion replied.
"So, you would blame the bakers?" Tywin scoffed.
"Or the pigeons, just leave me out of it," Tyrion scowled. Oberyn chanced a glance up at his wife and almost shrank at the look on her face. He decided then and there that he never wanted to be on the receiving end of that look.
"The crown may call its first witness," Tywin announced. They all watched as Ser Meryn Trant, Grandmaester Pycelle, and even Cersei Lannister bore witness against Tyrion. With each 'confession' Reyna's grip grew tighter and tighter until Oberyn finally had to give her hand a reassuring squeeze to let her know that he was in pain.
They were listening to Lord Varys now and as soon as the eunuch had finished speaking Tywin adjourned the court for one hour. Oberyn quickly stood and embraced his wife, giving her a deep kiss. He knew that this would all be hard for her, especially when everything seemed to point to her friend as being guilty.
"Prince Oberyn, Princess Reyna, if you would follow me," a Lannister page interrupted them. Oberyn sent the boy a death glare but grabbed his wife's hand and followed the page. They were led into the small council chamber which held Lord Tywin, Queen Cersei, Mace Tyrell, Lord Varys, and Jaime Lannister.
"What is she doing here?" Cersei hissed. Oberyn felt his wife freeze next to him and even when he pulled on her hand she would not move.
"If I am interrupting, I shall leave," she replied in a perfect courtier's voice. Oberyn's blood boiled, but again before he could argue Tywin raised his hand.
"I have need of the Princess," he confessed before sitting. Oberyn pulled out a chair for his wife and reminisced on the last time he had been in this room. He had signed his marriage contract to Reyna in here and had been dubbed an official small council member. Oberyn took the seat to Reyna's left but was angered to see Jaime take the seat to the right of Reyna. His wife shot the Kingsguard a kind smile, and he returned it with a blush. Oberyn let his hand wander Reyna's thigh and now his wife's attention was back on him.
"Have we all heard enough evidence?" Tywin asked the group. Reyna knew that Tywin wasn't really asking her, but the talk they had shared before her marriage still haunted her. She knew that after this meeting she would have to grab Oberyn and tell him.
"We will pronounce Tyrion guilty, but if he pleads for mercy he will be sent to the wall," Tywin announced.
"He will never agree," Reyna blurted out without thinking. Everyone's eyes were now on her and Oberyn's hand on her thigh tightened. She bowed her head in apology and waited while the others talked. Once Tywin released them Reyna shot up from her seat and ran into the hall. Oberyn found her leaning against the wall, her forehead pressed against the bricks.
"Reyna, are you alright?" He asked, turning her around to face her. There were tears in Reyna's eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
"There's something you need to know," she blurted out. Oberyn squeezed her shoulders and moved her out of the way as people began to pile into the throne room.
"You need to pronounce Tyrion guilty," she said, her cheeks coloring with anger.
"You made me promise to be just this morning, what changed?" He asked, his brows knitting in confusion.
"When Tywin approached me about our marriage, he told me that I had to do something," she whispered so quickly that Oberyn almost didn't catch it. When he heard Tywin's name, Oberyn's blood chilled. He felt like he was being betrayed on all sides by Lannister's.
"What did you promise?" He asked, suddenly looking at her in suspicion. Reyna grabbed his face and pulled him close, their bodies touching.
"He threatened me. I wouldn't have agreed otherwise. He wanted me to convince you to pass an innocent verdict," she explained, her words coming out in a tumble. Oberyn grabbed her wrists and pulled them away from his face. The fear that passed through her eyes made his stomach twist, but he was not going to push her away. Instead he brought her in and held her tightly to him.
"Why would he want that?" He whispered and suddenly Reyna's body relaxed in realization. He didn't want them to be overheard.
"He wanted to try you for treason, for covering up Joffrey's murder. I agreed to it, but I knew I could never do it," she said in a shaky voice.
"What will he do if I pass a guilty verdict?" He asked in an even softer tone when he saw Tywin Lannister exit the council chamber.
"An empty threat, he wants to exile us, but he needs my family now more than ever," she said, her voice becoming stronger.
"Are you two ready?" Tywin asked as he approached them. Oberyn gave Reyna a long lingering kiss that was meant to make Tywin uncomfortable before they reentered the throne room. Oberyn retook his seat and felt Reyna take her spot just behind him. Her entire body was tensed, and she had replaced her hand on his shoulder. Before Oberyn could say anything, Reyna jumped away from his side and strut down towards her friend. She and Jaime Lannister met at the podium and began a hushed conversation with Tyrion.
"They'll judge you guilty, but if you plead for mercy, they'll send you to the wall," Jaime whispered. He turned his head and took in the sight of Reyna as she approached. His heart jumped when he saw her and for a moment, he lost his words. Her eyes were on Tyrion, but as soon as she had greeted her old friend, she turned those eyes of hers back to Jaime.
"Ned Stark got the same deal and look where it led him," Tyrion argued. Reyna looked back at Tyrion and Jaime suddenly felt cold, like she had taken all his warmth away.
"Your father is not Joffrey, you can trust his word," Reyna whispered back, placing a hand onto one of Tyrion's small ones. Jaime nodded in agreement but in his heart, he was not entirely sure of his father's motives.
"How do you know?" Tyrion asked, his eyes darting between Reyna and his brother. Reyna lowered her eyes and some dark emotion passed through them. Without thinking, Jaime reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Reyna immediately looked back at her new husband and Jaime released her.
"Do you trust me?" Jaime finally asked. Both Tyrion and Reyna nodded at this which surprised Jaime. They all three turned just as Tywin took his seat and the Lord Hand motioned at Jaime and Reyna to move.
"No more outbursts, this will all be over soon," Reyna hissed before walking up the steps towards her husband. Jaime watched her go with a heavy heart and it only became heavier when she leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on Oberyn's lips.
Oberyn had not been pleased when Jaime Lannister had touched his wife, but the fact that Reyna had glanced back at him meant that she cared more about what Oberyn felt than Jaime.
"The crown may call its next witness," Tywin announced. Oberyn heard his wife let out a small gasp and he turned to see who the next person was. A tall, beautiful woman wearing a very fine court dress walked in past Jaime and took the witness stand next to Tyrion. Tyrion was looking at her as if this woman had just betrayed him. Oberyn gave his wife an inquisitive look and she leaned down.
"Shae, Lord Tyrion's whore," she explained before straightening up again. Oberyn nodded his head in understanding, he had heard of this woman before. Apparently, Tyrion had brought her back from war and had been keeping her in the Hand's Tower.
"Do you know this man?" Tywin asked the woman. Shae turned and took in Tyrion and for a moment it seemed like no one was breathing.
"Tyrion Lannister," she mumbled, afraid to look the old lion in the eyes.
"And how do you know him?" Tywin questioned. Reyna's grip on Oberyn tightened and he placed a comforting hand on top of hers.
"I was a handmaiden to his wife, Lady Sansa," she confessed. Everything that came out the woman's mouth next one on lie after another and with each lie Reyna became progressively angrier. Oberyn could tell just by the way her hand shook on her shoulder. If he looked up, he could probably expect rage sweeping across her lovely face.
"How could you possibly know this?" Oberyn asked, making his wife jump. "Why would he reveal such intimate things to his wife's maid?"
"I wasn't just her maid. I was… his whore," Shae confessed. The crowd gasped and Oberyn felt Reyna sway next to him. He placed a steadying hand on her hip and was prepared to grab her if she fell.
"I'm sorry, did you say his…," Mace Tyrell asked awkwardly.
"His whore," Shae confirmed. The crowd gasped once more, and everyone began to talk at once until Tywin stamped his foot for silence.
"How did you come to be in his service?" Tywin asked.
"He stole me," she replied with little hesitation. "I was with another lord, a knight in your grace's army. But when Tyrion arrived at the camp, he sent one of his cutthroats into our tent. He broke the knight's arm and brought me to Lord Tyrion. 'You belong to me now', he said. 'I want you to fuck me like it's my last night in this world.'"
Reyna released Oberyn's shoulder and he felt his wife would have accosted the whore if Oberyn had not grabbed onto her wrist to stop her. The whole room filled with laughter and Tywin had to call for silence.
"And did you?" Oberyn chuckled. He knew it had immediately been a mistake by the way Reyna froze, but he couldn't stop it now.
"Did I what?" Shae asked in confusion.
"Fuck him like it was his last night in the world?" Oberyn couldn't hold back the smirk from his lips. Reyna smacked his hand away from her and took another step away for good measure. He could feel the rage and terror radiating off of her body in waves and knew that he would have to make up for this later.
"I did everything he asked of me. I took his face in my hands and said, 'I am yours, and you are mine'."
Oberyn recognized the words as part of the marriage vows, he had given only yesterday. He looked up at Reyna and saw her face soften for a moment as she too remembered. But as soon as she caught her husband staring, she turned away, her face hard as stone.
"I wish to confess," Tyrion suddenly shouted. The room became deathly silent and Oberyn leaned forward in his seat, his interest peaked. He saw Jaime and Reyna exchange one quick horrified glance before their attention turned back to Tyrion.
"You wish to confess?" Tywin asked in almost disbelief. Tyrion turned, not to his father, but to the court sitting behind him.
"I saved you. I saved this city and all your worthless lives. I should have let Stannis kill you all." His voice was deep like he was growling out a warning.
"Tyrion, do you wish to confess?" Tywin asked, bringing everyone's attention back. Tyrion turned back forwards, and his eyes met Reyna's. There was almost an apology in them before they hardened once more.
"Yes, father. I'm guilty, guilty. Is that what you want to hear?" He snapped.
"You admit you poisoned the king?" Tywin asked as if he had finally uncovered the truth.
"No, for that I am innocent. I am guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I am guilty of being a dwarf," Tyrion shot back. Reyna swayed again and this time when Oberyn reached for her hand she gladly gave it to him, she even stepped closer so she could place her free hand on the back of his chair.
"You are not on trial for being a dwarf," Tywin scoffed.
"Oh, yes I am. I have been on trial for that my entire life. I have nothing to say in my defense, except this. I did not do it. I did not kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had! Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores! I wish I was the monster that you think I am. I wish I had the poison for the whole pack of you! I will not give my life for Joffrey's murder and I know I will get no justice here. I will let the gods decide my fate. I demand a trial by combat!"
Reyna gasped and stumbled backward. Oberyn jumped from his seat and grabbed his wife around the waist, bringing her close to him and steadying her. When he looked down at her he saw Reyna staring at Jaime Lannister and his anger began to rise. They were exchanging looks of sympathy, horror, and exhaustion.
"Ser Meryn!" Tywin shouted. "Escort the prisoner out!"