Seated to Stannis' left at breakfast, Aurelia fought to focus on anything but the memory of Jon's touch, or his words during the night. Stannis and Melisandre discussed some ideas for Selyse's arrival, which Aurelia knew she would be gone for (and for which she was grateful).
Stannis then turned his gaze on her.
"Lady Aurelia," he began.
"Your Grace," she smiled.
"I am afraid I must once again request you enter the fray before me."
"In what way?"
Stannis took a sip of his ale, watching her carefully. "Some matters have arisen which require my attention before starting for the northern houses. However, word has also reached me that the Boltons mean to leave Winterfell."
"According to whom, Your Grace?"
"The Karstarks. If it is true, I want confirmation. If not, I want to know why such information was delivered."
"Your Grace, if you send me to Karhold-"
"You will go to the Umbers. Learn what they know and send word to me. The roads have been safe on my rides down to Queenscrown so you should encounter no danger, and I believe you are familiar with the roads from there to the Hearth."
"I am, Your Grace."
"Good. You will journey to Last Hearth and find out what you can about the Boltons, and the Karstarks, and any other northmen. Their plans and opinions are of great interest to me."
"When do you wish me to leave?"
"Tomorrow. I sent word of your arrival on my ride to Queenscrown last week."
Aurelia bowed her head. "As you wish, Your Grace."
"I imagine you must prepare for your journey," Stannis said abruptly.
"I haven't much to pack," Aurelia said with a small smile.
"It is a long ride, and it may be some time before you return here or join me elsewhere." Stannis replied. "Your preparations should be thorough."
Aurelia nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, Your Grace. If there is nothing further-"
"I will see you at breakfast tomorrow," he interjected, then stood.
Aurelia rose and gave a small curtsy before backing away. Melisandre gave her a soft, knowing smile, the kind of smile that made Aurelia want to slap the woman, but she smiled back.

Aurelia went to her room and prepared her belongings carefully. Last time what she had was carried with Melisandre. This time she would have to take all she could on horseback. Rolling up two dresses, she made sure to include a necklace Robb had given her, and a leather and silver strap for her wrist from Jon. He had given it to her when they were fifteen, after she had gotten a cut on her arm practising knife play. He'd had Micken make an intricate pattern with silver and steel across the wide wristband. It bent just enough to allow for sizing on her wrist. She hadn't worn it in some time, between Jon leaving, the war, and everything after she felt as though keeping it on only served to remind her of what she could not, and for a time should not, desire. Now, however, she unrolled the amber dress and removed the strap. She closed it around her wrist and bound the straps.
She finished packing within another hour and changed into her riding habit, wanting to check that it needed no restitching or patches. The clothes were fine, her boots a different story. She slipped on a pair of slipper-like shoes, borrowed and resized from Melisandre, and picked up both pairs of leather boots. As she made for the door, a scratching came from outside. A soft thud then served as a knock.
"Ghost?" Aurelia said softly.
A single paw scratch confirmed and she set the boots down. She opened the door to see the direwolf standing before her, and Jon behind.
"Lord commander," she nodded, pushing away the lump in her throat.
"Stannis told me," Jon said, a knot seeming to form in his throat as he nearly choked on the words.
"You knew this would come," she said softly.
"Not now," Jon hissed. "And alone? From here to the Hearth so soon after… after…"
"Battle and the like," she finished for him.
Jon's eyes darkened. "Yes."
"Jon, please."
The tone in her voice caused his eyes to soften. "May I come in, my lady?"
"I would like nothing more, but I was just going to take my boots to get repaired." She turned and picked on up, showing Jon the damage. "They rather need it, and the sooner the better. If you have time, perhaps I could come to your chambers later to…"
"Listen to my requests regarding the Watch to see if there is any help the Northmen can provide."
"Yes," she nodded, near tears.
"Ghost, stay," Jon commanded, and slipped past the direwolf and into her room. He shut the door and pulled her into his arms, his lips on hers sending warmth through her body.
"We shouldn't," she whispered.
"You're leaving in the morning," Jon said between caresses. "I don't care about shouldn't anymore."
"You should," she said pointedly, slipping from his arms. "Jon, you are Lord Commander now. Everything you do will be watched. Moreso because of Stannis, and the tension with the wildlings, and because there are those here who'd rather see your face in the dirt than listen to your orders. You cannot give them any reason to distrust you."
"You think I don't know that? And I have to do it alone. Without a maester, without Sam, without you."
He almost choked on the final words and she stepped forward into his embrace.
"My love, you are not alone," she whispered. "Not anymore. Look." She pulled back and lifted her hand, showing him the band around her wrist.
Jon took her hand in his, turning it to look at the band. "You haven't worn that since before I left for the Wall, have you?"
She shook her head. "No. But I will wear it now. Always."
Jon looked at her and smiled softly. "What have I of yours?"
Aurelia blushed and he leaned in and kissed her. His hand slid down to her hip, pulling their bodies closer. She wound her hand up along his shoulder, then into his hair, encouraging him. He kissed her deeply, then trailed his lips down her neck, tugging open the laces on her fur vest. His hands slid beneath her tunic, up to the tops of her breasts exposed above her stays. His lips traveled back to her mouth, playfully licking her bottom lip.
"This arrangement is inconvenient," he snarled.
Aurelia tugged on his hair to bring his gaze to hers. "May I come to you tonight?"
"If you leave off a few layers," Jon smiled.
Aurelia glared and he chuckled. He kissed her softly, then pulled back, his face serious. "I want to spend every moment I can with you. Please come tonight. Two hours after supper."
Aurelia nodded. "I have to breakfast with Stannis in the morning, but I will stay as long as I can."
"Forever," Jon whispered.
"In my heart, yes," she replied before pulling him back to her lips. He wrapped his arms around her as they kissed, then lifted her and spun around, placing her back on the floor facing toward the door.
Jon pulled back, sighing. "Tonight, then."
Aurelia nodded. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "My lady," he smiled. And without waiting for her reply, he tugged open the door behind him and turned, striding out into the crisp air. Ghost had been laying outside the door and sprung to his feet. He looked at Aurelia for a moment until Jon's voice called him away. The direwolf huffed, but turned and followed his master. Aurelia moved to the doorway, watching Jon and Ghost stride across the courtyard. Already his carriage was different; his shoulders pressed back, his head raised, his stride confident. He was a leader now, and yet the man she was with last night was so much more. She stepped back inside and closed the door, sighing as she turned to pick up her boots. What could he be if he were truly free? And what could she do to bring the possibility of such a future? As much as leaving him pained her, she knew the answer lay beyond the Wall, and staying here only endangered his position. They were stronger together, always had been, but now they could only be themselves when alone with each other… or apart.