Cassandra remained stood where she was in the line of her family. She took her place beside Robb and Sansa, waiting patiently for the King and his party to arrive. She turned her head to the side, glancing behind and seeing Theon stood there, his chin cleanly shaven and his hair neatly cut. She winked once at him, noting Jon Snow stood beside the hostage, a look of disapproval clearly evident on her half brother's face.

She said nothing back to them, turning around as Theon gave her a smirk and turned his attention back in front of him.

"Mother and father are becoming suspicious, Cassandra," Robb hissed down at his sister as Catelyn and Ned began to speak amongst themselves. Cassandra gave a nonchalant shrug which only seemed to annoy her brother even more. Not once did she do as she was told. It annoyed Robb to the full.

He would have thought that she would have learned not to cross their parents. Yet she seemed intent on doing just that.

"Cass," Robb sighed at seeing her. "Just be careful...especially with the arrival of the King and Queen."

"What in the name of the Seven Hells do they have to do with anything?"

"You need to be on your best behaviour," Robb explained. "You know that and so do I. Can you just try?"

"What are you two hissing about?" Catelyn asked her children. Robb and Cassandra shook their heads, not bothering to say anything more about the issue which there seemed to be about Theon. Catelyn took a moment to look at her daughter, arching a brow and not being too convinced at the look on her face. She knew that she had ignored everything which she had told her. Catelyn sometimes didn't know why she bothered if she had to be honest. Cassandra rarely listened to her. She enjoyed doing what she liked.

There were times when Catelyn knew that her daughter had to grow up.

Cassandra watched as the King made his way into the gates of Winterfell. She arched a brow as Winterfell became quiet, everyone waiting for the King to dismount from his horse. Arya suddenly rushed forwards, a helmet sat proudly on top of her head as she came to stand next to Bran. Cassandra smirked a little as her father did so too, clearly entertained with what he had seen from his youngest daughter.

Robb held his chin high as the King advanced towards them. They all dipped to their knees, bowing down in front of the King, waiting for him to say something to them. Cassandra kept her head bowed before she glanced up at seeing her father stand tall.

The King laughed at Ned, hugging him tightly and embracing him. Her mother allowed a quaint smile on her face before she felt the King's hands on her shoulders, embracing her tightly. The king made his way along all of the children, looking at them with wonder. He commented on how strong Robb was, how pretty Sansa and Cassandra were. Cassandra stopped listening as she saw Sansa looked at the young Prince Joffrey who rode in on horseback. She glanced at Robb who sent her a knowing look.

Cassandra then saw the Queen move from the royal carriage, her face stern as she approached the Stark family. No one said anything as Jaime Lannister dropped down from his horse, all of them knowing him and his reputation. The Kingslayer, they all whispered. Everyone did so. Her father actively disliked him, Cassandra knew that much.

"Where's the imp?" Arya suddenly asked.

"Arya." Sansa scolded, clearly embarrassed with her sister's curt behaviour. The young girl shrugged nonchalantly as the Queen turned her glance to her, her eyes narrowed and stern.

"Where is our brother?" she turned around to look at her twin who shrugged nonchalantly. "Go and find the little beast."

Cassandra blinked profusely as she heard the Queen address her brother in such a manner, shock taking over her for a moment as she did so. She looked up to Robb as the family disbanded, walking away from each other to make sure that the royal party had everything which they would be in need of.

"Did you see the way Sansa looked at Joffrey?" Cassandra hissed at her brother, evidentially unimpressed with what she had just seen. Robb nodded, offering his sister his arm before he led her away. He turned his head over his shoulder, looking back as Theon stared after Cassandra, clearly thinking that he would have been able to have some time with her after they had all left.

Robb needed to make sure that he couldn't. He knew well enough that Theon Greyjoy wasn't going to stop pursing Cassandra. And Cassandra most certainly didn't mind.

"I saw," Robb said to her. "They say the prince is an...acquired taste."

"I heard he was an absolute bastard," Cassandra said. Robb rolled his eyes at her curtness and bluntness. He walked with her back into the corridors of the castle of Winterfell, keeping her close by his side as serving staff scurried around them.

"Cassandra," Robb scolded her. "Watch your tongue. We have visitors now. I doubt they would take kindly to hearing you speak in such a tone."

"Do not tell me that you don't feel the same way," Cassandra said. "You know the rumours as well as I do, Robb."

"It is true," Robb said slowly as they turned to move into the main hall. It was busy with people preparing for the great feast, readying the foods and making sure everything was perfect. Servants bowed down as Robb and Cassandra moved through the hall to the other corridor. The Stark girl forced herself to nod back in acknowledgement at them whilst Robb watched his sister.

"Mother told me of the conversation she had with you," Robb told his sister. "Do you know how foolish you are, Cassandra?"

"No," Cassandra replied, stopping and turning to face her brother. "Robb, please understand. Would you always put duty before...well...?"

"Do not even say love," Robb shook his head, unable to look back at his sister. She shook her head, knowing full well that she did not love Theon. She did not know how to love. She had never loved before.

"I don't love him," Cassandra promised Robb. "I've never loved anyone apart from family. But...I suppose I could love him, Robb. In time."

"You're willing to hurt yourself in the future by being happy now?" Robb checked with her. "You really are as naive as Sansa when it comes to romance."

"You don't know what will happen in the future, Robb," Cassandra complained to him. "Please, just stop going on about it. Theon is your friend."

"Not when he has his hands all over you," Robb snapped back. "It's not exactly a soothing sight, Cass."

"Then don't watch," Cassandra shrugged at him, a smirk on her face as she dropped his arm. She watched on for a moment as she backed away from Robb.

"Don't tell me you're going to him now," Robb pleaded.

Cassandra couldn't contain the smile which sat on her face. She backed away from Robb as her brother remained stood where he was, his face one of disappointment and annoyance as she walked away from him.

"Of course not," she lied. "I'm being good, remember?"

Robb shook his head as she rounded the corner, rushing away from him. She said nothing as she heard Robb try and move towards her. She rushed down the halls quickly, looking behind her and making sure that Robb didn't catch up as she brushed past bowing servants.

"In a hurry, are we?"

Cassandra stopped as she felt his hands drop onto her waist, holding her tight against him as she tried not to stumble from bumping straight into him. She looked up, his smirk remaining on his face as she took a second to step back with him. He moved along with her, his hand moving from her waist to her own hand. He took hold of it, walking with her by his side.

"Robb has told me to stay away," Cassandra said simply.

"And when have you ever listened to your brother?"

"Never," Cassandra admitted simply. "I doubt I ever have been able to do as Robb says."

"I doubt you ever will," Theon simply replied as they came to the tower which contained the library. He moved in before her, his hand still held in hers as he pushed the door wide open, making sure that the room was empty. He pulled Cassandra in with him once he was sure that there was no one inside of the room.

"I was talking with Robb of how the young Prince Joffrey was looking at Sansa. It was almost as if they were in love straight away," Cassandra complained as Theon released her hand. She moved around the library, her eyes looking to the vast bookshelves which fully lined the walls. There was only a window or two allowing the light to enter the room. The main attraction seemed to be the large fireplace which sat against the wall, dominating the room.

"I saw that," Theon nodded in appreciation. "I have to admit that it was rather sickening. The boy is supposedly a prick. Not to mention the fact he is part Lannister."

"True," Cassandra said. "Do you suppose father would let anything come of them?" she wondered and then shook her head before Theon had the chance to answer her question. "Of course he wouldn't. Besides, I am sure there are more women in the South who have probably taken his fancy. He is a boy."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Theon asked her, his hands running along her waist as he held her from behind, her back flush against his chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his lips quickly kissing her neck. Cassandra laughed once before turning in his hold, her hands running along his broad shoulders. He looked down at her, the smirk still in place on his face.

"I think it means that most men have eyes more than one woman," Cassandra informed Theon. "I suppose you are the most practical example, aren't you?" she wondered.

Theon shook his head at hearing her, the smirk leaving his face for a moment.

"You think that another woman has come along and taken my fancy?" he wondered. She stopped smiling as she heard that. What was he saying? Theon continuously confused her. "I may sleep with whores, Cassandra, but I won't anymore. I can't...not when I know how you feel. Do you think me heartless? I may be of Iron Blood, but I am not heartless enough to disregard your affections and go for a good shag."

Cassandra searched his gaze for a couple of moments, not too sure how she should reply to his sudden revelation to her. She supposed there was nothing more to say in response to him. She leaned up, quickly pressing her lips against his as he held her tightly in his arms. He smiled into the kiss, simply content on holding her to him as he did so. Cassandra simply groaned as he deepened the kiss, willing to part her lips to get closer to her.

She had to admit that she never thought it would feel like this. She'd never kissed anyone before. Theon was the first one to have the privilege. She had seen people kissing, of course. She had seen her parents and some others.

Theon pulled back after a moment, releasing his hold on her before he sat down on a long seat. Cassandra moved too, dropping herself to sit next to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she sat still.

"I suppose you have heard how I'm not invited to the feast tonight," Theon said to her.

"Why ever not?" Cassandra wondered.

"The Greyjoys and the Lannisters have never been best friends," Theon explained to her. "I also think that your mother doesn't want me near you when there are guests to impress."

"Why would anyone care about what we do?" Cassandra asked him. "Surely, it is none of their business, Theon."

"You would think that," Theon responded, a small chuckle coming from his lips. "But that is not how it works. People talk, regardless of whether it is to do with them or not."

"Dear Gods," Cassandra complained with a roll of her eyes.

"You've been sheltered living in Winterfell for your entire life," Theon said. She nudged his ribs, looking at him with a look of disbelief.

"And since when have you been so worldly?" she asked him. "You've been a hostage here for years, Theon."

"I know more than you," he assured her. "Besides, shouldn't you be getting ready for tonight?"

"I suppose so," she complained. "A few more moments can't hurt."

"Perhaps not," Theon agreed limply.

The two of them remained seated together until Theon persuaded Cassandra that she should leave for her duties needed to be completed. She remained curt with her mother as she helped her change into the green dress which she was to wear for that night. Cassandra groaned as her mother tightened it around her body and she wondered how long she would be able to breathe for.

The feast was in full flow by the time Cassandra decided to leave her room to attend it. She didn't truly want to go. She would have preferred to have sat in her own room instead of sit amongst the drunkards in the great hall. She took a seat beside Robb, looking across where her mother and the Queen sat at the head table.

"Did mother tell you how she uninvited Theon to the feast?" Robb asked, pouring his sister a goblet full of wine. She nodded at him for a few seconds, pressing the goblet to her lips and draining the alcohol.

"She told me when she was dressing me," Cassandra said. "She said that I should understand."

"You should," Robb said to her. "You were with him this afternoon...I covered your back..." he assured her. Cassandra quickly kissed him on the cheek. He sighed for a few moments before pushing her hair behind her shoulder and out of her face.

"You're not going to listen to any of us, Cassandra. I know you. You always think you're right. It's an annoying trait which you have, I will admit to that."

She drank some more of the liquid, her eyes downcast. She knew that Robb was right. She knew that he made sense.

"But if you will not listen to me then...well...I do not want to lie to mother...but I do not want to see you two arguing. I'll only be able to keep the truth from her for a while. If you're going to keep seeing Theon then make sure you do it where no one knows."

"I will," Cassandra said to him.

"I don't want you to become involved in this," Cassandra promised him. "Theon and I...well...it will last as long as it will last."

"And when it ends then you'll have your heart broken. Who will be the one to pick up the pieces, Cassandra? It'll be either me or mother." Robb said to her. She drained more of the alcohol before pouring more into the goblet.

"Probably," she agreed limply with him. She continued to remain sat where she was as Robb refused to ease his stare on her. The next thing they heard was a loud shriek of Arya's name. They both turned around to see Sansa sat there, some form of food resting on her cheek. Robb and Cassandra began to laugh, one managing to stifle the noise whilst the other freely laughed.

"I'll take Arya to her room," Cassandra said to Robb who nodded at her, still laughing. Cassandra moved, grabbing Arya by the hand and dragging her from the hall. She listened as Arya insisted that it had been funny before she left her in her room. She kissed her quickly on her forehead before leaving and shutting the door.

She contemplated going back to the main hall, but she thought better of it. She moved outside into the cold air as she heard a sudden hissing sound. She found Theon stood with a bow and arrow in his hand by the archery range.

"What are you doing out here?" Cassandra wondered, folding her arms over herself to warm her body up. "It's freezing."

"Not when you have a cloak," Theon replied to her. "Besides, shouldn't you be at the feast?"

"Arya flung food at Sansa," Cassandra explained to him. "I had to take her back to her room."

"I can only imagine it now. Your mother's un-entertained face must have been interesting." Theon laughed once as Cassandra stood across from him. She kissed him quickly and Theon faltered for a moment, wondering where the sudden action had come from. Clearly someone had drunk too much wine which had gone to her head. Theon didn't complain at the feeling, knowing full well that he may not have much time to enjoy Cassandra in such a manner.

"Young love."

The pair of them pulled back from each other. Theon took the lead, looking across to where a small man stood, his gloved hands held in front of him.

"Nice to see I'm not late for the feast," he declared. "Does Lady Stark know that her daughter is out here with her face plastered to the Stark's hostage?"

"Watch your tongue, Lannister," Theon warned him. Cassandra wrapped her hand around Theon's arm, stopping him from moving closer to the youngest Lannister.

"The feast has only just begun," Cassandra said, managing to be polite to the dwarf. She didn't want him going off and speaking to her mother about what had happened. It wouldn't do. "I am sure there is plenty of food and alcohol."

Tyrion smirked at hearing her sweet tone. If anything it was too sweet for a Stark.

"Your attempt at being pleasant has been looked through, my dear," he said.

Theon opened his mouth, looking as if he was ready to say something to Tyrion. But Cassandra managed to intervene first.

"Your intelligence certainly does not desert you," Cassandra replied. "It is true. I should not be out here."

"I doubt your mother would mind you being outside," Tyrion said to her. "I think it may be in regards to the company which you are holding."

"That's-"

"-True again," Cassandra agreed with him. "I suppose you and I both know that a Stark and a Greyjoy should not really be together. However, I would appreciate it deeply if you said nothing of this to my mother and father."

"Don't want to get in trouble?" Tyrion checked with her. She shrugged nonchalantly in agreement with him.

"No, I don't want to be in trouble," Cassandra said. "Who does want to be in trouble?"

"No one," he replied to her. "I trust you know that all good things come to an end?"

"It really is none of your concern, imp," Theon snapped, unable to hold his temper. Cassandra nudged him again in the ribs, tiring of listening to him insist on arguing.

"I apologise for Theon's rudeness," Cassandra said. "But no, we do not know what will happen in the future. And until then we would like for us to remain a secret."

Tyrion eyed the girl with interest for a moment, a small smirk on his face as he did so.

"Perhaps the next time you two decide to become intimate then you will chose a private place," he declared and they watched him wander off. Cassandra wondered if she had managed to persuade him to keep his mouth shut.

"Why did you do that?" Theon snapped at her. "I don't need you apologising for me, or fighting my battles."

"I'm sorry," Cassandra snapped back, her voice suggesting she was anything but sorry. "I was trying to protect us. I didn't realise that was such an issue with you."

"Don't cut me off again, Cassandra," Theon snapped. "I could have handled the situation better."

"By doing what?" Cassandra wondered, her arms flapping at her sides. "Were you going to shoot an arrow through him? Do you think that would have worked, Theon?"

He glared at her for a moment, shaking his head back and forth as annoyance came over him. She stared back at him, refusing to back down.

"Everything is fine now," Cassandra replied. "I honestly do not see what your issue is."

He smirked at hearing that, his head shaking back and forth as he threw his bow and arrow to the floor, his anger becoming too much for him to handle.

"My issue is being undermined by a Stark once again," Theon snapped. "Being treated like the hostage who I am. It's almost like I don't have a voice here."

"You're being stupid," Cassandra replied.

"That's what I'm talking about."

"I simply stopped him from talking! I undermined you because threatening him was not the answer, you idiot!" Cassandra roared as Theon stepped closer to her, his hot breath on her cheek.

"Idiot," Theon repeated the word she had spoken. "I would have managed. I'm tired of being second best in this pile of cold shit. I'm tired of being told what I can and cannot do."

"You really are overreacting," Cassandra stepped back from him as Theon stormed away from her, shaking his head back and forth as she called over to him;

"Where are you going?"

"To relieve some frustration which you've built up," he replied, turning his head over his shoulder to look back at her. She ground her teeth together, stomping her foot on the floor as she felt tears well up in her eyes. She had an idea as to where he was going and the thought hurt her. It hurt her more than she cared to admit.

"Go then!" Cassandra snapped. "Go and fuck your whores! See if I care!"

Theon didn't turn back around as he heard her yell at him. She didn't chase after him as she felt herself begin to cry even more. She swore to herself that if he went to the brothel then she would stay away from him. He said that he would stay away from them. Obviously he hadn't told the truth.

She clutched her stomach as it began to churn and Theon disappeared through the gates, his sight completely gone. She hadn't undermined him. She hadn't done anything to hurt him purposefully. She had tried to protect them. That was all she had done.

...

Theon stood and looked outside the brothel house. He knew that he could go in without a moment of hesitation. But, he contradicted himself for he found himself stood outside, unable to move inside the doorway.

That was what she had done to him.

She had cast some form of spell over him which he knew full well he could not break. She had done that.

He knew that he had overreacted earlier. He shouldn't have yelled at her and snapped. He should have kept calm. Threatening the imp would never have worked. But, the fact that she had treated him as an idiot was the thing which annoyed him. It wasn't her fault. She was trying to protect him. Theon was just tired of being treated second best by everyone.

Lord and Lady Stark had told him to stay away from Cassandra.

Robb had warned him too.

Even Jon Snow had told him not to bother.

Everyone treated him as if he wasn't good enough. Everyone looked at him as if he was a fool. That was the thing which hurt Theon the most. It was the thing which annoyed him more than anything. It was the thing which would change in the future. He would make sure of it.

...

A/N: So thank you to anyone who is reading and anyone who has decided to follow! Reviews are welcome, please.