The queen could not get to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, her head was filled with forebodings and fantasies about what she should do. Sometimes she managed to close her eyes, but woke up again after a few minutes. The third time it happened he decided he had had enough of trying and got up.

She paced her rooms, restless, like a caged dragon. ''The army of the dead is already on the march'' - ''If we do not forget our enmities and unite, we will die'' ''It will matter little which skeleton occupies the iron throne.''

''Our position is strong, your majesty'' - Tyrion had told him. ''You cannot mobilize your army to face myths and legends'' - Ser Barristan told him.

What should I do then? - she wondered - Execute them as traitors? - That's what my father would have done. Should I let them go? - '' ''How long would it take for the other kingdoms to declare independence as well? '' '' ''Why wouldn't they appoint another king? '' ''

What if he was right? - What if death really was on the other side of the Wall? -

Restlessness had taken hold of her and she knew she would not get any sleep that night. "At least not now. She found Ser Barristan by the door, standing tall as a sword.

- Send for... -

Who? - he wondered - Tyrion? She had already spoken to him. His blood riders? She appreciated his loyalty, not so much his counsel. Ser Barristan himself? -

- Highness? -
- Send for Ser Jaime Lannister," he asked. "Oh, and kindly ask Missandei to come in.

She knew the old knight didn't like the Kingslayer and didn't trust him. Even so, he obeyed without complaining.

- I have to get dressed - she said to Missandei when she entered -.
- What does your highness want to wear? - asked the girl.
- Bring me the gray linen tunic. And the white lion skin - She always felt safer with the lion skin.

She received the knight on the terrace, sitting on a carved stone bench. The crescent moon hovered in the sky above the city, tucked in by a thousand stars. Jaime Lannister entered dressed in scarlet silk robes, high black boots and black satin cloak. On the breast of the robe was the roaring lion of his house, embroidered with gold thread. On one side of his belt he wore a dagger, and on the other, his sword of Valyrian steel.

- Ser Jaime - the queen greeted him - Sit down.

He obeyed and sat down opposite her. All his movements were graceful. The wind stirred his golden hair, and his eyes were as green as summer leaves. He was as handsome as a man could be. But Dany had learned to be wary of beauty. ''Daario Naharis''

- You may wonder what you're doing here,'' she said, ''I'm not sure myself.
- Then I won't have an easy time helping you -
- You may begin by pouring me some wine, my lord -

Jaime fetched a flask and poured her a glass.

- Actually, I'm in urgent need of advice -

''Is this why I have sent for you? ''

- I listen to you attentively, your majesty -
- Jon Snow, what do you think of him? -
- He has honor, or so I think. And it's possible he's telling the truth -
- What if he's lying? - She looked at him in surprise - It could be a trap. Perhaps he intends to lure me to Winterfell and, once there, to murder me.
- The boy doesn't look clever, but even my horse could come up with a better lie if he wanted to lure you to the North.
- Are you suggesting then that the army of the dead exists? -
- Maybe - he took a sip of wine - Before you arrived I didn't believe that dragons existed -
- This is totally different.
- If you say so...

His smile sparkled in the moonlight as a drop of wine trickled down his chin.

- I can't leave the city now - Dany said, hesitantly - The Iron Islands have not sworn allegiance. Neither has the Vale. And in the North they have proclaimed a king. What image would I be giving to my subjects if I went off to fight an army of bedtime stories? -
- The lion does not care about the opinions of the sheep - answered Jaime - The dragon even less so -
- They are not sheep, they are my vassals - she replied - And the king in the North has refused to bend the knee. Why doesn't he kneel if he needs my help so much? -

Jaime shrugged his shoulders.

- He must have his reasons -
- His reasons? - Daenerys let out a snort - They had better be excellent reasons. When he refused to kneel for the second time I was about to order you to kill him
- I was waiting for your order, your highness - Jaime smiled.

Dany forced herself to remember that she was facing the most dangerous man in the Seven Kingdoms.

- I will not order you to kill anyone - she said - I order you to tell me what you would do if you were in my place.

"Maybe it's worth listening to.

- I would let my brother point out a target for me to attack him with my sword.

Dany couldn't help but smile.

- If I wanted to know what your brother would do I would ask him himself. I have a rebel lord in the North who asks for my help and five kingdoms who may be waiting for the right moment to crown their own king -
- Are you worried that the other kingdoms will take the North as an example? -

She nodded.

- You need Jon Snow - Jaime told her - He is little more than a child. Earn his respect and he will bend the knee. If he does it, the rest will.
- I've already told you, I can't leave the capital...
- Then don't leave it," Jaime interrupted. Viserys would have cut off his head for interrupting him while he was talking'' - Flatter him, let him speak, tell him you need to know more. Surely you can support him without leaving the Red Keep. This way we gain time until we can see if the threat of the dead is real.

Dany remained thoughtful. That's good advice" - She would not weaken her position, she could continue to ensure the loyalty of her subjects and at the same time prepare herself in case Jon Snow was right.
- It's w
orth a try - she said at last - I don't want to begin my reign on a mountain of corpses -

Jaime nodded.

- I thank you for your advice, Ser, but now I'm tired - Dany continued - You may go.

But she did not sleep that night either.

JON

The candle had stopped burning, drowned in a puddle of wax, but the morning light was already shining through the shutters. Next to him, Val was still asleep, curled up against him, one arm across his chest. He lay there for a long time, listening to her breathing. ''If I died right now, I'd die happy'' - Jon thought and, at least for a few moments, he was at peace. But he did not die.

He lay to one side and sat on the edge of the bed.

- Jon? - Val said, feeling the mattress with one arm.
- I'm here -

She turned and leaned on one elbow to look at him. Her big gray eyes sparkled in the daylight.

- You look worried -
- I am - he answered - For my life, and for yours.
- I'll take care of my life - She had a sweet voice, a small mouth made for whispering, full lips to kiss. Her hair fell down her bare shoulders to her breasts, thick, with little golden curls - Worry about yourself -
- If the queen decides to condemn us there'll be no life to worry about -
- That queen again - Val sighed - You're going to make me jealous. You seem to love her more than me -
- I don't want her, I want her army - "And her dragons too''

She looked around her. His underwear was scattered across the rugs. Jon bent down to pick them up.

- Your hands are shaking - she pointed out - You're cold -
- Winter is coming -
- It's not the first time you've said it -

''I've been hearing it all my life, but this is when I understand it.

- It's the motto of the house Stark-
- Stark... - Val repeated - And the house Targaryen? What is their motto? -
- Fire and blood, I'm afraid -

Val laughed. ''Would there be another woman with more morals than his betrothed?''

- Don't be afraid, Jon Snow - she said - She won't murder us -
- Do you think so? -
- If she wanted to kill us he would have done it already -
- I hope you're right - sighed Jon - But... - he sat down in front of her - If the queen decides I deserve to die for treason I want you to kneel in front of her and beg for your life -

Val gave him such an angry look that he thought she was going to slap him.

- Not a chance -

''I knew it wasn't going to be easy''

- I want you to promise me, Val - he stubbornly - I know the Free Folk don't kneel, but I need to know that if anything should happen to me you'll be all right -''
- I'm not going to promise you that.
- Then I command you -
- You know nothing, Jon Snow - ''a shiver ran through Jon's body at that sentence - If you die, I'll die with you - she pushed him against the bed and kissed him before he could answer - You're mine - she whispered - You're mine just as I'm yours. If we have to die, we will die. All men die, Jon Snow. But first we will live -

"Wild to the core," Jon thought, "As wild as Ygritte. When she died in his arms he thought he would never fall in love again. But then came Val.

- Maybe I won't live long - his voice was cracking.
- Then let's make the most of the time -
She untied the ties that bound her shirt and threw it aside.
- This is not the time... -
- It is the time. - she said sitting astride him - It may be the last moment, Jon Snow - she kissed him - You said so yourself -