JAIME

Jaime retired to his chambers in White Sword Tower. Sparring with Addam Marbrand had done naught but show him his left hand was worthless. He had been hoping to slip into bed and rest his tired muscles.

Instead, he found Amina leaning on the balcony overlooking the city below. Her nightdress clung to the curve of her hips; the fabric so thin he could make out the shape of her body underneath. "I'll miss this stinking shit heap," she murmured fondly, just loud enough for Jamie to hear.

He laughed and went to join her. His good hand rested on the small of her back, and she leaned into him. It had only taken a fortnight for the bad blood between them to melt away. Amina didn't blame him for his family's crimes, any more than Jaime could blame her for hers. The matter of the Stark boy he'd pushed from the tower had never come up. He had a feeling she was content with ignorance, unwilling to turn another friend into a foe.

It seemed Margaery Tyrell was the latest to be added to that list. Desmera hadn't been seen with her dear cousin once since the trial. Jaime was willing to bet the Tyrells concocted some scheme that would use Amina and the ever-lucrative island of Beldain to their advantage.

He thought about his own proposal. He wondered what he would have done if she'd said yes. If she hadn't seen right through him. But she had, and he wouldn't want her any other way. She had needed him to put her back on her feet, but he had needed her just as much. As if sensing his thoughts, Amina tilted her head up to look at him over her shoulder. She leaned close to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

Amina turned away from the balcony, rolling her hips against Jaime's leg as she did. He watched her go back into the room and pour herself a glass of wine. Something stirred within him. Until recently, Jaime hadn't thought it possible for any woman but Cersei to arouse him. At least with Amina he didn't feel as if his body was betraying him as he had with Brienne in the bath. The princess was beautiful, and she showed him more kindness than he deserved.

"Ellaria will have me transformed into a Dornish girl by morning," Amina said, almost wistfully. "I'm going to see her tonight, but I wanted to say goodbye first." Jaime sat, and she handed him a glass of wine before situating herself in his lap. Amina fit like she'd been made to sit there.

The first time he'd held her like this, it had been an accident. Amina had too much wine and stumbled. Jaime caught her and tried to help her to her feet. Instead she stayed where she was, resting her head on his shoulder and eventually dozing off. It hadn't been the last time, but it was innocent. At least it had been. Jaime thought it must make her feel safe, and she needed that after all that she'd been through. Besides, it was nice to have someone to hold who didn't push him away in disgust.

But tonight, Amina was far from innocent. She drank her wine in a quick succession of gulps and dropped the glass onto the table. His was whisked out of his hand before he had the chance to take more than a sip.

The princess moved his good hand to her hip, then pulled his face toward her and crushed their lips together. She tasted of sweet wine and lemon cakes. Jaime tugged her closer, insistent. The thin fabric of her nightdress bunched in his hand. He wanted this, wanted her.

But then he remembered his sister. The thought was like a dull blade working its way into his mind. Amina caught his hand to move it up her body to her breast, but he turned his hand over quickly, holding hers instead. Jaime pulled away, regretting it even as he did.

"You should go." Her lilac eyes flashed dark and she pressed her lips together in a frown. "It's late, you don't want to keep Ellaria waiting," he amended. Her face softened, though he could tell she was still hurt. "I'll be there in the morning, watching the caravan leave."

Amina didn't say goodbye, just whispered his name like a quiet sigh, and brushed his lips one last time with hers. I'm protecting her, Jaime reminded himself, if only to keep from shouting out and calling her back. But not from what she thinks.

It was himself he was more scared of; he was afraid of getting too close and afraid of what that might mean. Worst of all, he was afraid Amina would change her mind when the grief she worked so hard to ignore had faded to a bitter aftertaste. Maybe it wasn't the princess he was protecting at all, maybe it was himself.

Among the Dornishmen, Jaime could hardly pick Amina out. The girl had a talent for blending in. Finally, he spotted her and weaved through the throng of travelers. He didn't speak her name. She was no longer Desmera, and he wouldn't risk calling her Amina while she was still in this city. Rhaenyra. No, he couldn't risk that anywhere, not even when they were alone.

He slipped his good hand in hers. She turned, eyebrows knitted in confusion and worry. "I thought you were watching from a distance," Amina said, expression melting into a soft smile.

"Couldn't stay away," Jaime teased. Amina's left hand came up to rest on his arm, just above his stump, her right stayed warm in his good hand. "My father's sent Arya Stark to Winterfell to marry Roose Bolton's bastard." Amina's eyes narrowed, immediately seeing through the tale. "Perhaps the girl looks a bit like your sister if you squint."

Amina bit her lip for a moment, thinking. She drew a sharp breath. "It must be Jeyne Poole. She came to King's Landing with Sansa." She shook her head. "That poor girl."

"Speaking of your sisters, I'm going to send Brienne after Sansa." He waited for her reaction. He almost expected her to assume the worst of him, as he was sure Brienne would. That he would have Sansa dragged back to face Cersei's wrath. But Amina didn't even frown. He explained anyway, "I swore an oath to Catelyn, and I intend to keep this one."

"Of course, you will." She squeezed his hand. "Thank you." They stood like that for a moment, neither sure what to say. Finally, she leaned up to press her lips to his cheek, just the faintest brush.

"We'll meet again, Little Queen," he whispered.

Amina nodded once, with a small smile. "We will."