Author's Note: Thanks as always for the reviews, favorites, and follows! I meant to put this chapter up days ago, but just couldn't find the time to finish it. I finally got it done though, and I made it a bit longer with a little bit of lovin' thrown in to make up for the long wait. Hope you enjoy it!
It had been three days. Three days without any word from Jaime, and Amarah was beginning to grow rather anxious. When he had told her she would remain in the city a little while longer while he investigated the disappearance of Sansa Stark, she had assumed things would move a bit more quickly. However, it appeared she had been mistaken in that regard.
Alayaya had proven most considerate and helpful as she looked after Amarah's needs while she stayed at the brothel. However, despite Alayaya and her mother Chataya's kindness, Amarah was growing weary of being shut away in this room. At first she had been allowed to wander the upper floors of the brothel until one of their customers caught a glimpse of her and demanded the right to her bed.
It had been rather difficult for Chataya to convince him into purchasing another whore for the night. Amarah had been told that the man was Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. She had heard wild stories about the man from others at court, and from the looks of him he was every bit as dangerous and sensual as the stories told. He had a devilish handsomeness about him, but Amarah wasn't the least bit tempted to indulge his wishes to bed her. It seemed only golden beauty was capable of tempting her into sin. In the end, the prince had finally been convinced to lay with Alayaya and another whore who resembled Amarah in coloring with her dark hair and pale skin.
Amarah had been equally appalled and intrigued by Alayaya's tale that a man could take two women at once. Such a thing had never crossed Amarah's mind, and she couldn't resist asking the girl about the experience. Being hidden away in a brothel had exposed Amarah to a side of life that she had previously been ignorant of. Of course she had been aware of pleasure and the ways between a woman and a man, but she had never been in a place so wholly dedicated to the art of perfecting pleasure. It filled her mind with endless questions about what went on in such a place as this, and Alayaya had no hesitation in satisfying Amarah's curiosity.
"Oh a man can take two women at once, my lady" Alayaya answered Amarah's inquiry about the Prince of Dorne. "In fact sometimes he likes to take more than two. Once we had a man purchase ten whores for the evening to attend him."
Amarah's shock must have shown on her face for Alayaya gave on of her musical laughs before continuing on. "You look rather terrified. It can be a pleasant experience for us as well sometimes." Her face took on a wicked grin of secret delights before she continued on. "Prince Oberyn Martell knows how to take the pleasure and give it, my lady. Perhaps you should have taken the offer he extended."
"I prefer to keep my knees together, thank you" Amarah replied with a haughty tilt of her head at the girl's suggestion, but her comment was quickly followed by a perplexed frown. "Doesn't it bother you at all to let these men use you in such a way? Would you not rather have a man make love to you who cares for your needs above his own?"
A dim sadness settled over Alayaya's expression at Amarah's questions. "I don't 'make love', my lady. I'm a whore. We are paid to fuck, nothing more than that. The men who purchase our services aren't interested in our affections."
"And you are happy here?" Amarah couldn't hold back the question as it sprung from her lips.
Alayaya thought about the question for a moment before shrugging her shoulders in nonchalant acceptance of the circumstances. "I'm happy enough I suppose. I've never known any life other than this."
Amarah considered that revelation rather to be rather depressing, but kept the thought to herself. She doubted Alayaya would appreciate her sympathy. The girl's honest words however opened Amarah's eyes to the truth of this place. There was pleasure humming in the air around them, but it was all a beautiful allusion. There might be sensual delights to be found here, but no true happiness. As these thoughts drifted through her mind she thought of Jaime's face.
He had given her pleasure, but it wasn't the kind to be found within the walls of this place. What had occurred between them had been different. It had been something more than the mere exchange of pleasure. Amarah was still puzzling over the unexpected thought when she heard the secret passageway in the wall behind her make a scraping noise as it slid open. Looking up in surprise, she met the enigmatic gaze of Varys.
He gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement before turning to glance at her companion. "I shall require your guest's company for a short while, Alayaya. I will return her to you later."
"Of course, Lord Varys" the girl answered him before turning to leave. She gave Amarah a brief smile of farewell before she was gone.
Amarah moved her gaze from the doorway where Alayaya had disappeared to the eunuch before her. "Are you taking me to see Ser Jaime?"
"Yes, my lady, but we must hurry."
She obeyed his prompting for haste by swiftly retrieving her cloak and slipping it over the nearly transparent gown she wore. After lifting the hood to conceal her painted face, she followed Varys's lead into the dark stairwell leading out of the brothel. Their trip to the red keep was much quieter than their previous one together. Amarah had too many thoughts running through her head to make conversation with the mysterious figure beside her, and he seemed inclined to remain silent as well.
As they traveled through the darkness of the night, Amarah's mind drifted to the purpose of Jaime's meeting with her. She assumed it was to discuss the whereabouts of her missing cousin. Amarah had given the matter a great deal of thought, but couldn't think of a single place where the girl might have gone to. The North was lost to the Starks along with their family seat of Winterfell. There was simply no where Sansa could have run to. Even despite the lack of safe haven, Amarah could not think of anyone in court who would have helped Sansa escape, for it was doubtful that the young wolf could have orchestrated such a thing on her own. Amarah racked her brain for a possible solution to Sansa's mysterious disappearance, but was unable to produce a sensible answer. She prayed to the seven that Jaime had been more successful than her in determining where her cousin had gone. If not, she feared the task of finding Sansa would prove to be nearly impossible.
After a short while, Varys had finally led Amarah back to the secret passageway that led to Jaime's chambers. It didn't take long for them to finally reach the end of the dark passage before Varys found the hidden stone in the wall that opened it, flooding the passageway with light. He stepped into the room first, and Amarah followed cautiously behind him. When they entered the room, she found Jaime sitting in front of a blazing fire in the hearth that filled the place with blessed warmth. Jaime turned as they entered and ignored Varys in favor of keeping his gaze solely on Amarah. She gave a quick glance around the room to ensure that it was empty before reaching up to remove the hood that concealed her face.
She was puzzled for a moment at the startled expression in his green eyes before she recalled her altered appearance. Tamping down a laugh of amusement at his reaction, she returned his look of surprise with a saucy smile before walking to the window a short distance from where he sat and plopping herself down on the ledge before it. His sharp gaze followed her every moment, and they both seemed to forget about Varys's presence before he cleared his throat lightly as if to remind them that he was still there.
"I shall wait just outside" he said once regaining their attention, gesturing to the closed door of Jaime's chamber. "Once you are finished discussing whatever needs to be said, I will escort Lady Amarah back."
With these words he silently exited the chamber leaving them alone together. Once Varys was gone, Jaime returned his glittering gaze to where Amarah sat and left his place before the fire to slowly approach her. She felt her pulse leap a bit as he came nearer, and scolded herself silently for the reaction. Despite the silent reprimand, she couldn't prevent the warm contentment that seeped through to her bones at having him so near once again.
She tried to tell herself that the strange reaction stemmed from her relief at seeing a familiar face once again, but she knew it was something else. She was just happy to see him. Amarah wouldn't admit the truth aloud with her dying breath, but she had missed having him near her these past three days. She had come to rely on him more than she realized. It was dangerous, letting herself depend on him in such a way, but she couldn't seem to help it.
Jaime spoke not a word as the tumult of thoughts raged through Amarah's mind. He came close enough to her then for her to feel the warm heat of his skin before he raised his left hand to lightly caress her painted face. Amarah wondered if he might kiss her, but after gazing at her for a few moments of heated silence between them, Jaime slowly removed his hand and moved away from her a few paces. As he continued to stare at her with that strange look in his eye, Amarah began to feel rather self-conscious about her appearance. Thank the seven she had the foresight to keep her warm cloak wrapped about her shoulders. Judging by the strange look in his eye at her painted face, she didn't wish to see his reaction to the rest of her costume.
"Did you wish to speak with me about something or have you lost the power of speech since we last parted?" she finally asked irritably when he still remained silent.
Her words seemed to snap him out of some strange trance before he gave his head a slight shake as if to clear his thoughts before answering her. "I've done some looking into the matter of your cousin."
"What have you found out?" Amarah asked anxiously forgetting about the slight awkwardness between them moments before.
Jaime gave her a wry look then that heralded only bad news. "Nothing too helpful I'm afraid. It seems she disappeared immediately after Joffrey's wedding feast, but no one knows anything about where she would have gone to. She had no allies in court that anyone knows of which makes determining her whereabouts rather difficult."
"What about Tyrion?" Amarah pressed him, trying to hide her disappointment at his news. "Surely he must know something about where she disappeared to. He was married to her after all."
"Because you imagine wives always confide in their husbands, Princess?" Jaime asked her then with an amused glint in his eye.
She returned his comment with a dark scowl that only seemed to amuse him further. "Some wives confide in their husbands. Not everyone has some dark secret to hide like the queen."
The amusement in Jaime's eyes quickly faded at her reminder of his sister. Amarah longed to ask him what had happened between them since his return to the city, but held the urge in check. She didn't want him to assume the reason for her curiosity was that she desired him for herself. She did desire him of course, she could no longer deny the fact, but she didn't want him to know he held that kind of power over her.
Jaime gave her a speculative gaze over the comment about Cersei but surprised her by ignoring it entirely. "Despite your high opinion of marriage, Princess, no doubt Tyrion's was a rather cheerless one. Even if I was able to see him to ask about Sansa Stark, he would likely have no information that would be helpful to you."
His last statement about Tyrion piqued Amarah's curiosity. "What do you mean if you were able to see him?"
"He's been locked away in the tower under close guard" Jaime answered with a resigned sigh. "The trial hasn't gone well. My sweet sister has produced several witnesses to testify that Tyrion was the one to poison the king."
Amarah's eyes widened in alarm at this news. "Is there nothing you can do for him?"
"Unfortunately, no" Jaime said shaking his golden head in disgust. "Tyrion has called for trial by combat, but I'm of no help to him there." He held up his stump as testament to that statement. "He's somehow convinced the Viper to defend his honor against Gregor Clegane."
"Oberyn Martell?" Amarah questioned remembering the man's face. She had heard how great a warrior he was, but doubted the man's ability to defeat someone like Gregor Clegane. Cersie had been clever in picking the Mountain to be her champion. It would likely discourage anyone from agreeing to champion Tyrion's cause, but somehow the little lord had convinced the Dornish prince to do so.
Once Jaime heard the prince's name on Amarah's lips, his brows narrowed together in a speculative gaze. "How do you know of the man? I don't recall mentioning to you he was in the city."
"He came to the brothel two nights ago" Amarah supplied the answer with a careless wave of her hand. "He caught of a glimpse of me roaming the halls and wanted to buy my company for the evening. The man seems to have an insatiable appetite for fucking."
After she had finished speaking, Amarah was startled to notice a spark of anger flash in Jaime's eyes. "Did you let him touch you?"
Amarah was a bit taken aback by the sharp anger that laced his tone. "Of course not" she defended herself with an angry scowl to match his. "I'm not as depraved as you after all."
Jaime's look of anger only darkened further at her words. Taking her instantly off guard, he swiftly approached her with dangerous intent before wrapping his good arm around her waist and yanking her up too him until she was pressed securely against his hard form. "You think I'm depraved, Princess?" he whispered hotly in her ear, making her shiver at the feel of his warm breath tickling her skin.
She stubbornly fought the sensual pull he held over her as she tried to retain her indignant anger over his earlier comment. "Aren't you?" she returned the question before shoving at him with both hands in an effort to remove herself from his tight grasp. Despite her best efforts, she only succeeded in shoving him away for a moment before he grabbed at her once again, pulling her to him more forcefully than before. In her struggle to get away, the cloak around her shoulders fell to the floor, leaving Amarah with only a thin layer of silk between her and his burning gaze.
Jaime took a moment to look over her appearance before raising his eyes to meet hers once more. "Perhaps I am depraved" he whispered again, moving his left hand to trail up and down the thin silk covering her skin from her waist to her breasts while keeping his right arm securely fastened around her waist. "I'd like nothing more than to throw you to the ground and bury my cock inside you."
Amarah was struck by another of those delicious tremors at his wicked words, but she tried valiantly to fight it. "We're not lovers" she reminded him. She tried to sound stern to recall him back to sanity, but it came out sounding more like a breathless plea.
"No" Jaime agreed with a dangerous smile. "We are not."
He contradicted that statement by slowly moving his lips to her exposed skin and trailing soft kisses up the tight cord of her neck to her jaw. His actions reminded Amarah of what had occurred between them several nights ago, and her hot skin heated even further at the thought. I can't let him do this she thought even as his mouth moved closer to hers. The intensity between them frightened her, but she couldn't seem to summon the will of mind to stop him.
"Jaime, no…" she tried weakly to shove him away once again, but his mouth quickly swallowed the words of protest.
Once his mouth covered hers, Amarah couldn't stop the natural instinct to wind her arms around his neck while he slowly made love to her mouth. His tongue demanded entrance and she willingly gave it to him. Jaime's kisses were just as intoxicating as she remembered. As he continued to intertwine his skillful tongue with hers, Amarah felt herself melt even further into his secure embrace. After a few moments of heady bliss in his arms, her fog of passion was quickly pierced by the feel of his hand firmly cupping her breast through the thin silk of her dress. The touch reminded Amarah why she couldn't allow for this kind of intimacy between them. It would be difficult enough for her to leave him now. She couldn't make it even more painful for herself by letting him make love to her. She was tired of losing people so precious to her, and she couldn't allow this man too close to her heart. So she summoned every ounce of will to hold him at bay. Resisting the overwhelming impulse to let him have his way with her, Amarah abruptly spun out of his embrace taking Jaime by surprise.
After she left his arms, the look of passion that clouded Jaime's eyes was abruptly replaced by irritation. He started towards her once again, but Amarah held him off by raising her hand in a silent order for him to keep his distance. To her surprise, he obeyed the request and stopped before coming any closer. They both eyed each other a bit warily for several moments before Amarah voice finally broke the strained silence.
"I can't" was all the excuse she offered with a helpless shrug of her shoulders.
Jaime didn't prod her for any further explanation though. Instead, he bent to the ground to retrieve her fallen cloak before slowly approaching her once again as if she were a frightened animal. Once he was certain she wouldn't dart away from him in fear, he unfolded the rumpled cloak and placed it around her shoulders once again. "If you don't want me touching you, Princess, then you had better cover the merchandise" he said with the faint smile touching his lips.
Amarah felt a smile grow on her face in response to his quip. "It's just as well" she said with an exaggerated sigh. "My fee is rather high. We whores can't afford to give our favors for free."
"I have a lot of gold" Jaime reminded her with a gleam of amusement in those green eyes once again.
"Your father has a lot of gold" Amarah reminded him before turning away to return to her ledge by the window. Jaime stayed where he was this time as she retreated. "The whole kingdom knows Tywin Lannister doesn't approve of his imp son spending the family gold on whores."
Her statement caused a slight frown to flicker across Jaime's face. "They brought one of Tyrion's whores to testify against him in the trial."
"Seven hells" Amarah muttered in disgust. "Tyrion's greatest weakness has always been his desire to be loved. I suppose he thought he could purchase the affection, but it's come back to haunt him."
"The girl's testimony hardly matters now" Jaime quickly waved off Amarah's concern for Tyrion. "His fate lies with the Viper."
"Do you actually think Oberyn Martell has a chance of beating Clegane?" Amarah asked him.
"Perhaps" was all the reply Jaime could offer. "I've never fought the man, but Clegane has more strength than skill. That might give Martell a chance of defeating him if he's smart about it."
"He didn't look stupid" Amarah offered hopefully.
Jaime gave a wry laugh at her comment. "I've met many a knight who didn't appear stupid at first glance. He'll have as good a chance as any of defeating Clegane though. I would suggest you say a prayer for my little brother if you think the gods can help. He could probably use it."
"The gods don't seem to have heard my prayers of late" Amarah murmured at his suggestion.
Jaime returned her comment with a gentle smile. "They don't seem to hear mine either, Princess. No matter how hard I pray, they don't give me the new hand I ask for."
Amarah couldn't help but smile at his comment. "You don't pray to the gods" she accused with a soft laugh. "You'll just have to make the hand yourself."
"How would I do that?" he asked then, eyeing her with a speculative gaze.
"I'm certain you'll think of something" she said, recalling a similar conversation they had in the baths soon after Jaime had lost his hand. "You can retrain yourself to fight with the left hand I'm sure. You'll probably have more skill with only your left than most knights who possess both hands."
"Your confidence in my skill is most appreciated" Jaime replied in a condescending tone that indicated he didn't share her opinion of his chance at regaining his previous skills.
All this talk of knights reminded Amarah of her own knight who had been carted away to a tower cell the last time she'd seen her. "Speaking of skill with a sword, where is Brienne? Surely you haven't kept her locked away all this time."
"The thought was tempting, but, no, I haven't kept the stupid wench locked away. I released her the morning you left the keep. She's been training with my men. She'll be ready to leave with you when the time comes."
Amarah's smile melted away at his reminder of the journey she was meant to take with Brienne. "When will that time be might I ask?"
"After this matter with Tyrion has been cleared up and I've discovered more about your cousin's whereabouts" Jaime replied. "Though I don't think he would have much to tell, it would be helpful if we could question him first before you depart."
Amarah nodded her head in understanding before she rose from her seat indicating that she was ready to leave him. "I'll await your next summons then" she said with a mock curtsey before him.
Jaime took her by surprise then by suddenly stepping towards her and yanking her up by the shoulders to meet his hard mouth. It wasn't a thorough kiss like the one before, but it was enough to make her knees a bit weak. After a few moments, Jaime broke the brief kiss with a satisfied smirk that pricked Amarah's temper, and he made certain to quickly move out of her reach before she could reach up to smack that look off his handsome face.
Amarah had to content herself with simply glaring at his retreating back as he opened the door to summon Varys. When the eunuch reentered the room, he said nothing but simply walked to the spot on the wall where the door swung open to reveal the secret passage. He stepped into the darkness and waited silently for Amarah to join him. She looked back to Jaime for a brief moment before entering the dark passage.
"I'll find some way for you to speak to Tyrion" he assured her, correctly guessing her hesitancy to leave him.
She gave a brief nod of her head in acknowledgement. "Thank you."
With these words, she turned and left him to enter the passageway with Varys. Before leaving, she turned back once more to look at Jaime and held the glittering, green gaze until the stone door slid shut, blocking him from view.
So there it is! Next chapter we'll probably meet up with Tyrion:) Let me know what you think! Reviews are always appreciated! Thanks for reading!