Thank you for being patient! Taken awhile to update because of moving and securing wifi (stealing it as we speak). This chapter I tried to take a stab more into Stannis' mind. Hope you enjoy

Stannis cut into his meat at supper. He watched as the blood and grease drained out in some sort of sick enjoyment and left what remained. It reminded him of his own blade, when cleared of the blood and guts of his enemies: it was beautiful and delicious. Daenerys had requested to join him. Even though the nights in King's Landing had been few, it was still very odd. They hadn't dined together once, only when they were back on the Wall. His company for dinner was always the same: He supped with Davos and Shireen, planning the next step of his reign. Daenerys and Stannis still behaved like enemies, or at the very least two war commanders on the same side but fighting their own war. Relaxation was still a foreign concept that Stannis did not understand and did not plan on enjoying any time soon. Relaxation allowed enemies to build and he wasn't going to be beaten—not now. There was plenty to do, no matter how often Shireen teased him; there were changes to be made to his court, alliances to form, enemies to satisfy, and a wedding to plan. He was less than excited for the last thing on his list. He knew it had be done and quickly- if he was to be taken serious as King. Shireen enjoyed planning the details of it all and he liked it that way.

He could not help but think of his last wedding and his last marriage. Given that, he was just as excited about this wedding as he should be. He had married Selyse Florent. She was not particularly good looking; many of the daughters of the great houses of Westeros were married or promised to sons from other Great Houses. It was not that his wife did not serve a purpose politically. Robert was thrilled when he heard who Stannis had chosen to take as a wife. "It'll teach the Tyrells to side with the Targaryens!" It was a slight to them and checked their power in Highgarden. The wedding was pleasant enough; he was even looking forward to married life. Though there was never any love, he enjoyed the politics of it all and any benefits it would bring him. At the end of the night, with a few glasses in his belly, he had done his duty and got into bed with his newly cloaked wife. Even in his slightly intoxicated state, he could never understand why men lost their minds, killed each other, or went to war, over a place to put their cocks. It seemed a mechanical task to him, everything he did seemed mechanical to an extent: he had loved, hoped, and showed more compassion once, but everytime it seemed that Robert shit on him. I was to be a war hero, I did everything right, but he slighted me even that. He was not surprised to find after the fact that Robert had cursed his marriage as well: Robert took and deflowered Delena Florent in his marriage bed. Weddings held no joy for him. They are only another embarassment. This time will be no different. Daenerys was the beauty of the seven kingdoms that was true, but it was too late to think of capturing love—it was all just a political affair. She will never love me and I don't care to love her.

"Good evening, my king," Daenerys carried herself into the room, wearing the same stern look that her family of conquerors wore. She might be one yet. She wore a light blue dress made mesh material that exposed her porcelain skin, and nearly every part of her. Though her most private parts were covered from Stannis's eyes, by strategically placed fabric. She still wore the fashions from a distant land, far more revealing than what he was used to. She sat down at the other head of the table, smelling her wine before taking a sip. She still does not trust me. They enjoyed their meal talking about Shireen and the impending arrival of Lannister. At least, they agreed on that score. Stannis noticed that she came with a purpose and she definitely was not going to be defeated. He was proven a few minutes later when she began to speak.

"I've talked to Asha Greyjoy about what you said before."

"And?"

"She believes that they wouldn't care either way whose hostage she is."

Stannis cleared his throat. "I see, why does she believe that?"

"Her family married her off, back on the Iron Islands before she could gather people to support her for their queen. They wouldn't care now—she's out of the way.

"I see, and of the Greyjoy's rebellion?"

"They are weak. You made sure of that. They value Asha's life little. They only rebel when they know they can win. They wouldn't attack King's Landing now, especially with the strength of your rule."

Clever girl. She knows how to play this game. Stannis thought silently. He thought she was right, but steel did not like to bend.

"Either way, she is not far from your hands. Ours are soon to be connected." Dany smiled shyly.

There it was again. She knows how to flatter, as all women do, but only few master. She plants an idea to make me believe it is mine—it is hers. Her sly smile gives her away, she has the power. She plants it in my mind, then it flies to her.

"I suppose you are you right. Asha Greyjoy may be your hostage, servant, whatever you wish to do with her."

"Thank you, ser." Daenerys took a sip of wine and refilled her cup. "You do value women too much.

Stannis met her violet eyes. "I don't value them enough."

Daenerys smiled and they clinked their glasses, sharing a round of wine before she left him traveling to another world. The more he saw of the Dragon Queen, the more he wondered about her. She was more than what she seemed, more than a promise; she had real skill. The Targaryen girl has a political mind. There is a conqueror in her yet. He went back to his work, but found his mind drifting back to thoughts of Daenerys. He stabbed another piece of meeting, leaving the fat and grease on, everything that seemed unnecessary-just to see how it tastes.