Thanks so much for all of the reviews! Enjoy the next chapter.

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Chapter 16

After King Joffrey Baratheon's funeral service in the morning, all in attendance were expected to change out of their mourning clothes and into more festive finery for Tommen's coronation feast. Sansa sat in front of her mirror, thinking about how it had sickened her to listen to the Great Septon declare it a tragedy for Joffrey to die at such a young age, before he had the chance to rule the realm and see victory in the war of the five kings. Sansa felt that it was a mercy – both for her and for the realm. She'd be forever grateful that he died before any more innocents could be harmed.

Sansa looked down at her gown. She was the picture of a good Lannister wife, in crimson satin with tiny golden stones stitched into the bodice, that her handmaiden had laced her into. She always thought the color would look terrible with her hair, but she was wrong. Much as it pained her to admit it, Lannister red suited her. She finally decided she had to leave the bedchamber and face her Lannister family. Lord Tywin would not excuse tardiness for such an important night. The royal family was expected to enter the coronation feast together, meeting first in Lord Tywin's solar. Jaime had gone ahead without her – muttering that he'd had enough of her propriety.

Things had been awkward between them for the past week. Sansa could see that Jaime wanted things between them to go back to the way they had been, but she couldn't seem to get past the thought of him bedding his sister. It still pained her to think of him with her. Today, at the funeral, was the first time Sansa had seen the queen regent since learning the truth, and she could not seem to control the rage that bubbled up inside her at the sight of Cersei. She'd been annoyed when Jaime had mockingly said she had no reason to be jealous, but the truth was, she was jealous. She was jealous that Jaime would never love her as he loved Cersei.

Sansa slowly made her way to Lord Tywin's solar, and heard his voice as she approached the door. "Now that Tommen is on the throne, we need to turn our attention to another marriage," Lord Tywin began.

"He's a child, father," Cersei whispered, incensed. Sansa hovered just outside the door and saw that in addition to Cersei and Lord Tywin, Jaime and Ser Kevan were also present. Tommen was not there yet, so at least she was not the last to arrive.

"I didn't mean his marriage. I meant yours, Cersei," Lord Tywin replied.

Suddenly, Sansa was quite interested in their conversation. Perhaps he will send her far, far away. Lord Tywin should give her to Theon – they deserve each other. And Cersei would hate being a Kraken and living in the Iron Isles. The topic of the queen regent remarrying must have come up suddenly, because Sansa saw that Cersei could only stare at her father for a moment. Then her cheeks reddened as if she had been slapped. "No. Not again. I've told you, I will not."

"Your grace," said Ser Kevan courteously, "you are a young woman, still fair and fertile. Surely you cannot wish to spend the rest of your days alone?"

Sansa noticed that Cersei was looking to Jaime for help. Sansa looked at him as well, choosing that moment to step into the room to make her presence known. He'd best not even think of preventing Lord Tywin from marrying her off. Jaime turned away from his sister, feeling Sansa's gaze on him, and turned to her, smiling softly. Jaime rose and walked toward her, taking her hand and kissing it, his mouth lingering on her hand much longer than necessary. Sansa couldn't stop herself from glancing over at Cersei, who was watching them intently and clearly did not appreciate Jaime walking away from her when she wanted him to support her against Lord Tywin.

"You must have a new husband in your bed, to father children on you," Lord Tywin continued, as Sansa smiled to herself. Yes, marry her off to someone she doesn't want or love. It's what she deserves.

"Three children is quite sufficient. I am Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, not a brood mare! The Queen Regent!"

Sansa wasn't sure what possessed her, other than her own jealousy of Cersei, but she leaned against Jaime, resting her hand on his chest and allowed him to wrap his arm around her shoulders. Sansa glanced between Cersei and Lord Tywin innocently. She felt Jaime's lips against her ear. "I never thought I would enjoy a family argument so much…it seems my sister's presence has made you quite affectionate," he whispered, kissing her near her ear. She looked at him sharply, careful that the others did not see her annoyance.

"Sansa, you look lovely tonight," Ser Kevan said, noticing her presence.

"She does, doesn't she," Jaime said, tilting her chin up to softly kiss her. He met her eyes, and winked. She could see that he understood she would never allow Cersei to see that there was anything wrong between them. She could feel Cersei's glare, but she felt no fear as she would have before. Jaime won't let her touch me. Sansa meant to move from Jaime's arms, but he maintained his grip on her waist.

Tommen came into the solar to join them, escorted by two members of the Kingsguard. Cersei fussed over the little king, though it was strange to see, since Cersei had only ever been interested in Joffrey before. Sansa realized that Cersei only cared about herself and about power. Now that Tommen was king, he had the power she craved. Once the king was present, they were ready to depart for the coronation feast. Sansa took Jaime's arm, allowing him to lead her to the banquet and Tommen ran to catch up with them, taking her other hand. "Can I walk with you?" he asked hopefully.

Sansa looked down at his little face, so like Jaime's, smiling up at her. She could feel Jaime's eyes on her as she considered his son. A child he got on his sister. "Of course, your grace," she said, smiling, as he happily skipped alongside them.

"I got two new kittens today."

"What do they look like?" Sansa looked over at Jaime as Tommen described each kitten. It was strange to her that Tommen was his son, yet he never really spoke to the child or spent time with him. "Your grace," she began, "tell your … tell your Uncle about the new pony you got. I remember that you wish to learn to joust. Jaime might be able to teach you," she said quietly.

Tommen's face lit up as he babbled on to Jaime about how he wished to compete in tournaments – though how he would do so on that tiny pony, Sansa knew not. As they continued walking through the Red Keep, she felt Jaime's hand cover hers and gently squeeze it. She knew that it was his way of thanking her for showing kindness to Tommen, even after learning that he was Jaime's bastard. She thought about her mother and how she had felt about Jon Snow. She understood the pain that her mother must have felt. At least Jaime had not betrayed her – his relationship with Cersei occurred before he and Sansa had even met.

I wonder if he will still come with us to Casterly Rock. Sansa had not been thrilled at the prospect of raising Jaime and Cersei's child but…Tommen was very sweet. He was nothing like Joffrey and perhaps she and Jaime could make sure he never became like his older brother. And Cersei hates the idea of Tommen going with us to Casterly Rock, Sansa thought. It makes me like it even more. She looked down at the sweet little cherub holding her hand and knew that she could come to love Tommen and help to raise him, despite his lineage.

She glanced at Jaime and was startled to meet his eyes. Looking in his eyes, she saw how much he regretted causing her pain. He had been trying to win her over, despite her deliberately cold manner towards him. Sansa knew that it was entirely in her power to make things easy between them. But she couldn't seem to let herself give in to him. She had felt such pain when Jaime had told her the truth. She had realized that she'd made a huge mistake to let Jaime into her heart. If she had not felt anything for Jaime – if she had not fallen in love with him – it would not have hurt her to hear about he and Cersei. A woman's courtesy is her armor. That's what Septa Mordane had always told her. If I can get him out of my heart…it will stop hurting. I don't know what else I can do.

...

The Throne Room was filled with lords and ladies from throughout the realm. They had been in the capitol for the wedding, and simply stayed the week for the funeral and coronation. The little king did not stay long at the feast, as his bedtime came early in the evening. Tommen's absence did not stop the feast from roaring on, as barrel after barrel of Dornish wine was rolled out and the music and dancing never stopped.

The night couldn't end soon enough for Sansa. She found it difficult to be so close to Jaime when their relationship was so strained. Jaime had tried to engage her in conversation a few times, but her politely indifferent responses to him had ended those efforts rather quickly. She supposed it was childish of her to address him as if he were a stranger, with the cold courtesy she had been taught by her septa and which she knew he hated. But it was the only way she could think of to numb the pain of the images in her head of Jaime and Cersei together.

She was distracted from her thoughts when the queen regent returned to the table, sitting on the other side of Jaime. Sansa couldn't hear what was said, but she watched as Cersei leaned toward Jaime, speaking low in his ear. Sansa sipped her wine, pretending to take no notice of the Lannister twins beside her, and watched as Cersei leaned towards Jaime, no doubt intending to give him a good view down the front of her dress. Sansa felt her stomach clench as the queen regent placed her hand on Jaime's leg, though he immediately removed it. How dare she act that way with my husband right in front of me? Does she think I'm that weak to allow her to grope him right beside me?

"Will you dance with me, my love," Jaime said, turning to her. She nodded, taking Jaime's hand and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. She saw Cersei watching them and moved closer to Jaime, resting her hand at the back of his neck, claiming him as her own. Jaime seemed to know what she was doing, judging by the smirk on his face – and he was only too happy to play along. He lowered his head, kissing her more passionately than was appropriate.

"Jaime," she whispered, in protest.

"We're newlyweds," he said with a smile. "We're supposed to be affectionate. Inappropriately so, even," he said as she rested her head against his chest, her lips tingling from his kiss. As hurt and angry as she was, Sansa was still attracted to him, and she sometimes found herself unable to control her body's reaction to him. Though she did not want Jaime to know that she still wanted him - that a part of her wanted the physical comfort her could offer her.

Sansa smiled to herself as Cersei angrily rose from her seat and strode across the throne room. "What was she talking to you about," she asked quietly.

"She asked me to kill Tyrion. Again." Sansa's eyes widened in shock. "Now, I expect she's persuading others to serve as witnesses. I'm sure you can imagine how she's convincing them." She's such a vile, horrible person. How could Jaime ever have loved her?

Before long, Garlan Tyrell, Margaery's dashing brother, cut in and Jaime returned to the table, sitting beside his father, but Sansa noticed that his eyes never left her. Sansa watched Cersei, flirting and chatting through the crowd, and knew what Jaime meant about how she was gathering witnesses against Tyrion. She was probably promising money and influence and who knew what else if they would accuse her brother of killing Joffrey.

After several dances, Sansa made her way back to her seat beside Jaime, but before she could sit down, he pulled her onto his lap. She was about to protest, when she saw Cersei watching and heard Jaime's voice in her ear. "Look around, Sansa, everyone's in their cups. Impropriety's expected this late in the evening."

The wine had been freely flowing all evening, and it seemed to have had a profound effect on the royal court. At least ten men had women on their laps – in many cases not their wives; she saw several couples in passionate embraces in not-so-hidden corners of the hall; and Prince Oberyn Martell's hand was casually inside his companion's gown as he fondled her breast. It was most shocking. She'd never heard it was like this at court.

She gave in to her husband, mainly because of Cersei's gaze, and settled onto his lap, sipping her wine nervously. She supposed it was relatively harmless. Though it didn't appear to be enough for him to simply hold her on his lap, as she felt his fingers rubbing over her leg and his nose nuzzling against her neck. "This feels nice," he mumbled against her neck. "Holding you…touching you."

She looked at him and saw that his eyes were a bit glassy. He leaned his head up and began softly kissing her. Sansa felt her body heat as he kissed her. "How much wine have you had, Jaime?" she asked breathlessly, as she broke their kiss.

"Not near enough to get through another night without making love to you," he whispered, and she felt herself blush. It had been over a week since she and Jaime had been intimate. She had expected him to simply take her, as was his right, but so far he had not. The anticipation was getting to her. Every night, she cautiously crawled into their bed, wondering if that was the night he was going to pounce on her, and wondering how she would possibly be able to let him kiss and touch her and not soften her manner towards him. "You look amazing tonight," he murmured, his eyes fixed on her breasts.

She tilted his chin up to her face. "Perhaps we should get you to bed, my lord," she said, instantly regretting her choice of words, when she took in the lecherous smile on his face.

"My father wished to speak to me briefly before we left. Give me a few minutes and then I'll happily get into bed with you."

"I can meet you there," she said, rising from his lap.

"You're certain?"

She nodded. "I have nothing to fear walking the halls of the keep now, my lord." Sansa had enjoyed a new freedom with Joffrey's death. She freely wandered through the Red Keep, knowing that there was no one who would dare harm Jaime Lannister's wife. Sansa slowly meandered off toward the tower of the hand.

"Jaime's certainly managed to take the lady out of you." She heard the queen regent's voice behind her. "I never thought I'd see you act as a common whore."

Sansa took a deep breath and turned to face her. "Have you decided on a new husband, your grace?" Sansa asked with false sweetness.

"That's none of your business."

"Of course it is. We are sisters now. Though, I suppose, given your relationship with Jaime, you may not understand the proper relationship between siblings." I can't believe I said that.

She could see the rage in Cersei's eyes. "My father will have your tongue out if you repeat such things."

"Jaime told me the truth," Sansa said calmly, though her heart was beating so fast she feared it might leap from her chest.

Cersei smiled. "Then you understand why I told you that Jaime could never love you. I will always have his heart. I will always be the mother of his children." The Queen Regent moved closer to Sansa, lowering her voice to a whisper. "He will always wish he was fucking me instead of you."

Sansa felt a blind rage come over her. "No. I will be the mother of his true-born children. You're the mother of his bastards." Cersei raised her hand to strike her and Sansa held out her hand, preventing Cersei from slapping her. "I am Jaime's wife – the future Lady of Casterly Rock. You will not strike me as if I was one of your maids. Jaime is my husband and he shares my bed, not yours," she said fiercely.

Before Cersei could respond, Sansa felt Jaime's arm wrap around her waist. "You'll not ever raise a hand to my wife, Cersei." She saw the rage building inside the queen regent, but Jaime ignored her, looking Sansa in the eye, a smirk fixed on his face. "I think it's time to take my little she-wolf to bed," he said suggestively.

In front of Cersei, after what she had said, Sansa had no choice but to appear as if she approved of his suggestion, as they left Cersei stewing in the hallway. When they reached the entrance to the tower of the hand, Jaime pushed her against the wall and kissed her, his tongue tangling with hers. She couldn't stop herself from moaning. "I never thought you had much wolf in you, Sansa," he whispered as he rested his head against hers, gazing into her eyes. "It appears I was very wrong."

Jaime wrapped his arm around her again, walking with her to their chamber. Sansa saw that she had aroused him with her words to Cersei and she's wasn't sure what to say to him. She had not intended for him to hear what she said. She didn't want him to know how possessive she was about him. It surprised even Sansa how venomous she felt toward Cersei and how fiercely she wanted Jaime for herself. They were quiet for the rest of the walk to their chamber, though Sansa was acutely aware of the lust Jaime was feeling for her tonight.

When they reached their bedchamber, Jaime plopped down on the bed and started peeling away his clothes. Sansa scurried behind the privacy screen she had taken to changing behind at night. She had already removed her gown and smallclothes, and had just reached for her nightgown when she heard his voice behind her. "You won't need that tonight."

She wasn't really surprised, after that kiss, and her words to his sister, that Jaime wanted to bed her. I'm going to do my duty to my husband. That's all this is. Sansa's mother had always told her that when she became a married woman, it was her duty to please her husband in the bedchamber. You've done this with him many times. This time is no different.

Sansa watched his hand slide around her waist and felt him kissing her shoulder. "Turn around," he whispered against her neck.

She slowly turned to face him and saw that he was naked as well. "It's been far too long since I've made love to you. I expect you could use some pleasure as well, Sansa." He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. "You deserve pleasure, after all the pain I've caused you." I will be a good wife to him. Whether he deserves it or not.

Jaime gently placed her on the bed and climbed on with her. Jaime settled himself on top of her and covered her mouth with his own. She rested her hands on his shoulders and hesitantly returned his kisses. His hand was caressing her breast as he kissed her. His hand and his mouth were everywhere, kissing, teasing and caressing her. He's done these same things to Cersei. Kissed her and touched her breasts as he does yours. Been inside of her. He's probably thinking of her right now. She tried to shut off her mind, but the thoughts kept coming and he noticed something was not right with her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, stroking her cheek. She thought about telling him that she was not ready to do this with him again. That there were far too many emotions swirling within her. That she was terrified that she was going to spend her life in love with a man who didn't love her back. That she was afraid that if they made love, she'd never get over him.

I must do my duty. "Nothing's wrong. Go ahead. It's your right, Jaime."

She could see that he was hurt by her words. "Tell me what's wrong, Sansa. Please."

"I can't stop thinking about you and…" she met his eyes, not wanting to say her name, and hating the tears in her eyes.

"Don't think about her. I'm not thinking about her. I'm only thinking of you, Sansa. Don't think of anyone but me."

He kissed her softly and looked at her so tenderly that it would be so easy to believe that he loved her. She nodded, feeling more vulnerable than she had on their wedding night. She felt his hand move between her legs, softly stroking her the way she liked and murmuring in her ear. "You are everything to me, Sansa. My beautiful bride. My sweet, gentle, perfect little wife." I love you, Sansa. She could almost hear the words she needed to hear fall from his mouth.

Sansa felt herself relax and Jaime held her body close, kissing her over and over and he continued whispering sweet words in her ear between kisses. "I've missed having you in my arms…I've missed your little touches…your kisses…Sansa…I've missed my sweet girl." She gasped as he entered her, filling her completely. She could hear him murmuring her name over and over into her ear as he thrust in and out of her.

Jaime pulled one of her legs over his shoulder, thrusting deep into her, and gazed at her, so intently, it almost scared her. She heard him again say her name over and over. She knew what he was doing – he was showing her that he was only thinking of her. She cursed herself as she felt her body tighten as it prepared to peak and heard his name on her lips.

She felt tears at the corners of her eyes as her body began shaking in pleasure and she loudly moaned his name. She felt Jaime pin her down and increase the speed of his thrusts until he exploded inside of her. His eyes stayed focused on hers and saw that the emotion in his eyes mirrored what she was feeling. "We belong here together," he murmured in her ear. He slid partly off of her, keeping one leg wrapped around her and slid down her body, resting his head against her breasts. His good hand absently played with one of her nipples while he kissed and gently sucked on the other, as they waited for their heart rates to slow.

Sansa felt herself giving in to him as she lay in his arms. It would be so easy to forget about Cersei and just love him; and just let him hold her and make love to her every night. Sansa had to distance herself from him. "Did that please you, my lord," she asked, as if she were sitting across from him at the dinner table, not lying naked in their bed as he suckled on her breasts.

She could hear the disappointment and annoyance in his voice. "My seed on your thighs should tell you that I enjoyed it. Just as your little moans and cries told me you enjoyed me fucking you." She flinched at his choice of words. It serves you right for trying to push him away. It hurt him. Though not nearly as much as he hurt me. "Are you planning to be this cold to me for the rest of our lives? Over something I did before you became my wife?"

Sansa rolled onto her side, curling herself up with her back to him. He's right. I don't think I can do this forever. She felt his hand stroking her back and then sliding over her hip before Jaime pulled her into his arms.

"Will you let me hold you?"

"Is that what you would do with her? Hold her in your arms after? Sleep with her in your arms?"

"No…she'd never let me just hold her. She never let me sleep with her in my arms as you do – as you did," he corrected. "You are the only woman who has ever been only mine. The only woman whose ever held me and comforted me. You're the only woman I've made love to slowly, for hours, as we have before." Sansa felt herself blush at the memory. "There's no comparing you to anyone, Sansa. And no comparing how I feel about you, to how I've felt about anyone else."

Sansa kept her face turned away from him, not wanting him to see how much his words affected her. She looked down at his arms wrapped around her. She so needed some comfort and she always felt so safe in his arms. Sansa hesitantly reached for his golden hand. He was breathing hard against her neck as she unfastened each buckle, until she pulled the golden hand away, placing it on the night table and clutched his stump, holding it against her chest, between her breasts and leaving him as bare and vulnerable as she was. Then, Sansa closed her eyes and Jaime nuzzled his face in against her neck.

He's my husband. This is what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to let him make love to me and hold me in his arms. Sansa wished that it didn't feel so good to be intimate wiht Jaime. She wished that she didn't still love him as much as she did. I'll do better. I can be a good wife to him without loving him as I do. Sansa closed her eyes and said a prayer to the seven that one day, she wouldn't even think about his past with Cersei – that it wouldn't hurt her; and, in a moment of weakness, she prayed that one day Jaime would love her as she loved him.

...

Don't think all is well between them at this point - they still have to deal with Sansa's hurt, Cersei's presence and Jaime's issues with love - but realistically, there's no way there wouldn't have been something physical between them, since they are married.

Next chapter: Tyrion's trial & Jaime tries to figure out what he feels for Sansa