Anera had talked over the plan with Osha. Gone over it in her head. But it didn't stop the feeling of anxiety in the pit of her stomach as one of the Greyjoy men led her to Theon's room. She just needed to distract him. That was all it would take to let Bran, Rickon, and Osha get away. She kept her head down while the men led her. She wouldn't show them how angry she was, nor how proud.

Theon was unimpressed by her words as she stood in the doorway of his room. "And why should I trust you after that little stunt you pulled outside?" he asked.

"I'm not a liar," she replied.

"You're a wilding," he said. "That makes you a liar and a savage with no loyalty to speak for."

"All I've done is what I've had to survive. The Starks took me captive. I hate them just as much as you do, my prince. Allow met to serve you."

"How? And don't tell me you want your bow back."

She shrugged free of the man's grip, moving to take Theon by the shoulder. "There's many other ways to serve, my prince."

"Like what?" he asked, turning to meet her gaze.

She smirked at that, moving to whisper in his ear. "I know things, my prince. Savage things."

He seemed to understand, looking at the man in the doorway. "Wait outside," he instructed, and the man did as told, taking care to close the door behind him.

She took a step back, slowly untying her dress, allowing it to fall at her feet. She stood bare before him. He raised an eyebrow. "You're pretty under that dress."

At that, she chuckled. "Aren't I pretty even with it?"

He had no response, and she took a step toward him. "It comes at a price."

"You're alive, that's all you get," he replied.

"I want my freedom. Mine and Osha's. And then, the real fun can begin."

He looked her over one more time, nodding. "Then you'll have it. Both of you. But I'll only give it to you if you serve me well."

She smiled, drawing him into a kiss. He tasted like wine and fresh apples. Warm hands wandered across her bare skin and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

By the time Theon had fallen asleep beside her in the bed, Anera's heart was racing. There was a dagger on the bedside table. She could slit his throat and be done with it, kill him while he slept. But, strangely, she didn't want to. She had imagined this moment in her mind so many times, but now, given the chance, she was refusing it.

She found her dress on the floor, pulling it back on. She took the dagger for good measure as she slipped out of the room. There was a guard just outside. She tried her best to creep past, but the sound of his voice stopped her dead in her tracks. "Just where do you think you're going?"

She swallowed hard, forcing a smile onto her face as she looked at him. "Prince Theon wanted me to give you something."

"What?" he demanded.

"Me. He says I have to make my rounds. Keep you men warm."

She brought one hand to the man's shoulder, smiling faintly. Before anything more could be done, she sank the dagger into his throat, feeling the spray of blood on her face when she jerked it free. She pressed a hand to his mouth so he couldn't cry out as he dropped to the ground. She whistled twice and Rickon came running from the shadows, Osha and Hodor following, with Brandon strapped to Hodor's back. The direwolves, Shaggydog and Summer, came last. Osha stopped in front of Anera. "You're sure you want to stay?" she asked softly.

"You protect the boys," Anera said. "I can keep Theon occupied."

She handed Osha the dagger. "What if he notices it's gone?" Osha asked.

"I'll say I was asleep. That someone snuck in and took it. I'll take the blame."

Osha nodded stiffly, hesitating a brief moment before she pulled Anera into a hug. It lasted only a moment, but Anera still smiled when Osha released her. "Go," she urged. "I have to get back."

Osha nodded again, taking Rickon by the shoulder as the small party hurried away. Anera watched them go. Once they had disappeared from sight, she returned to Theon's room, undressing before she climbed into the bed. She thought, for a moment, that everything might be all right, when Theon spoke softly. "Where were you?"

Her breath caught in her throat as she considered her options. Finally, she answered. "Nowhere, my prince," she said, and she moved to kiss him again.