She had heard of his imminent arrival for months and Sansa was not at all ashamed to admit that she was excited by this Oberyn Martell. Once she would have thought him a fiend, father of bastards, lover of men and women alike but her standards in heroes had dropped and if he killed the Mountain as everyone said he wanted to then who was she to say he wasn't one of her fairytale knights?
The first time she spotted him was in the great hall, he had strode in with Ellaria on his arm, both stunning in their loose, white garments. He had smiled to all of them, even Joffrey and his voice, like liquid gold, had poured words of platitude to every ear that could hear it.
She found herself smiling slightly as he recounted tales of his adventures to the Lannister's at the welcome feast that evening, he was exuberant and brave and he made her want to explore again, he awoke feelings of hope and excitement Sansa had not truly felt since Winterfell.
As she wandered around the castle she found her thoughts turning more and more to him, she would catch herself daydreaming about him as she wandered through the gardens, imagining herself in the sultry dresses of Dorne draped on his lap as they giggles together, these thoughts often made her blush and then she would snap back to the present, reminding herself of her reality. He had caught her gazing at him in the Great Hall one day, she was positive, though he hadn't looked her way he had smirked and strutted happily from the hall, that had startled her, that he'd even noticed and that he had so obviously enjoyed her attentions.
That night she ran to the sept, the guard outside her door had fallen asleep on duty and Sansa has taken the brief respite to escape to her Gods. She prayed to them all, for strength, for peace, for anything but mostly she prayed to The Stranger, asking him why and how all this could come to be, though she got no response but for the sounds of heavy footfalls on tile. She tensed, expecting a Lannister soldier or even Joffrey himself, come to beat her for fun, she peered up meekly and saw Oberyn, sitting, watching. They spoke briefly and she stifled her joy at his offer to walk her to her chamber. When they arrived she acted as a proper lady, curtsying and thanking him but she shut the door and bolted it quickly as he left, unsure of how he made her feel.
Sansa stood there blankly, face neutral as she listened to Joffrey moan on and on. The court day had been long and even the politest of attendants now shuffled on their feet, waiting eagerly to be dismissed. She looked down at their boy king, he was busy sentencing a man to have both his feet cut off as Cersei looked on in revulsion but said nothing. Someone should stop him, she thought angrily but that was stupid, no one would ever stop Joffrey. As soon as Tywin gave the signal she rushed for the door, thrilled she had escaped Joffrey's notice for once and ready to flee to safety, when she felt a strong hand grip her arm she couldn't help but flinch, he hadn't forgotten at all, he just wanted to trick her and now her would punish her for trying to leave. She turned slowly and for the second time was relieved to find Oberyn beside her.
"I am sorry to have startled you Sansa." He murmured, his bright smile pinning her to the spot. She tried to respond accordingly but fumbled and stuttered before letting him lead her on to the large library.
This was one of her favourite places in the red keep and being here with Oberyn made it even better, how she had craved companionship over these lonely days. His dark skin glistened in the dim light and she desperately wanted to run her fingers along his lean, muscular torso.
When he loudly professed his disdain of the court Sansa could not suppress her giggle, gods! How long had it been since she laughed!? And as soon as that thought crossed her mind the laughter died in her throat, not since before her father died surely. For being a traitor, and here she was laughing at traitorous jokes, everyone knew the walls had ears, she felt her chest tighten, her breaths becoming shallow and panicked as she escaped from the room quickly, running back to her cold chambers and bolting the door.
Varys came to her the next morning, his eyes sorrowful as he brushed a lock of her away from her face.
"I am afraid, my lady, that the Queen heard of your joking with Lord Oberyn and she wishes to speak with you." His mouth quivered and his eyes seemed full of tears but Sansa jerked away from him, eyes hardening as she took in all this pale, cruel man had to show of himself.
"Don't feign sympathy." She spat, shocked at the venom in her voice but encouraged as he drew quickly back from her.
"I know exactly how Cersei 'hears' of things and I won't have you coming here acting my friend when you are the one who condemned me!" She screeched, heaving in a deep breath before barreling out her chamber door. She lost her anger as she made for Cersei's chamber, finding it replaced with a deep, twisted fear that gnawed at her and made her sick. She knocked on the door and it swung open instantly as she was yanked in by her hair and thrown onto the carpeted floor.
"Stupid little whore!" Joffrey screamed, kicking into her soft stomach and winding her. Sansa clutched her belly as she tried to crawl from him.
"You little wolf bitch." Cersei spat from the other side, booting Sansa in the face. She heard Joffrey laugh as Cersei continued to kick her, screaming profanities down on her until Sansa could no longer hear.
She awoke in her chamber days later, Pycelle had been feeding her on dream wine as her extensive wounds heeled, she overheard a maid gossiping that Cersei had broken 4 of Sansa's ribs and her jaw and maybe her nose. She had no idea what had been broken she only knew that her whole body throbbed and that she had to see Oberyn. When she entered his chambers she tried to cover the bruises as much as possible, not wanting him to see how ugly they made her. She was so glad to look into his smiling eyes and listen to his soothing voice, the kiss was almost an accident. She had been revelling in him, in the sounds of him, the smell, the weight of him beside her and she couldn't stop herself, it had been so quick, so tiny but when she saw the look on his face she was filled with shame, he would never want her. She ran for the door, only stopping when he yelled at her. She was quivering with embarrassment and sadness when he strode to her, murmuring into her hair something that made her quiver in an entirely different way.
Every chance she got she dragged him into some empty room, kissing him until her lips hurt and her underclothes were soaking wet. He seemed content to spend hours kissing her, running his large hands over her small body and listening to her tell him of her life. These were the happiest days she had since home, watching his eyes shine as he spoke of Dorne and the way he looked at her like nothing quite as beautiful had ever before been seen by him. When she kissed him with her tongue he would always groan and mutter, swearing that she must have done this before but she only giggled and shook her head. These moments distracted her, from the threat of the Lannisters, from Joffrey's marriage, from what her life would become.
At the feast before Joffrey's wedding it came to her, when Oberyn asked her to dance it only sealed her idea more strongly. If she could convince him to take her away she could go to Dorne, it was relatively safe from Kings Landing's influence and he would take care of her, she knew it. Now that the thought had sprung Sansa wanted it with all her heart, as they danced she laughed freely for the first time since she was eleven, relishing in her freedom, relishing in what life could bring once more. They danced until her feet hurt and her cheeks were sore from smiling, she would happily have that pain every minute of every day! She knew she must be flushed, as even Oberyn was sweating and his hair was mussed up. Suddenly she had to leave, the heat from the fires was oppressive and the noise of hundreds of guests pounded in her brain, she dragged him from the hall unsure of where to take him until she realised they were almost at her chambers.
He pulled her into a deep kiss, running his hands up and caressing her breasts and she breathed heavily.
"I want you." The words slipped out and she wished them back instantly until she glanced up and saw the pure, dark desire in his eyes.
"Sansa?" He murmured, already leaning back into her.
"Please…" She breathed out, trying to say everything in one word.
He seemed to understand, his sweet words giving way to moans and cusses as she rid him of his fine clothes and he exposed her in turn. She couldn't stop looking at him, his body was beautiful, all definition and sharp angles, his long penis jerking upwards even more as she gazed openly at it. He was the most glorious thing she had ever seen. When she reached out and gently took him in her hand she felt so much control over him, something she craved, she smirked as he rocked against her, becoming so ensnared simply by her pale hands moving over his thick cock.
He picked her up suddenly, and lifted her up and onto the soft mattress, she sunk into it, sure her breasts looked tiny and her hips too big as he gazed down at her in all his perfection but when she looked at his eyes she saw a reflection of her own feelings, lust, wonder and love.
When he entered her she cried out, it didn't hurt too much but the feeling was wholly unusual, it was like he filled something she hadn't know was missing and as he pushed in and out of her, calling her name over and over she let herself go for the first time, screaming and crying and laughing as a piquing pleasure rolled through her from her cunt and then out, warming and tiring every muscle in her body. When he pulled out of her she almost yelled, he felt so good inside her and she didn't want to lose contact, she understood though, as she felt his sticky seed run along her belly. Now was the time, she thought, he would have to say yes now.
"When you leave, take me with you?" She asked uncertainly, her whole body clenched and ready to spring away from him and run if he rejected her.
"I could never leave you. My winter queen." He drew her tighter to his body and she heard his soft snores as he began to dream.
"Thank you." She whispered to no one as she succumbed to her own slumber.