Disclaimer: I don't own Game of thrones or anything associated with the show or the books.

AN: Sorry about the wait, I would've gotten this Chapter up sooner but ah, I got writer's block for the first time in a year while writing the next update for one of my other Fics. It was horrible. But hopefully this new installment will make up for the wait. Happy reading ;D

Chapter Six.

"Sandor!..." The Hound burst into the Queen Regent's chamber before she had uttered the last syllable of his name, he pushed the oak door closed behind him and clasped his large hands together in front of him.

"Your Grace?" The Hound rumbled in his deep baritone. The Queen Regent didn't look away from the sight she was entranced by. Out in the gardens, illuminated by the early morning sun, Sansa and Duchess watched over Tommen and Myrcella while the Queen Regent's youngest children went about their lesson in politics. Cersei wasn't entirely certain what their new, male tutor's name was, however her spies had already delivered her an in depth report regarding the tutor's background. She was satisfied that he would suffice until she found someone better qualified to educate her children.

"I have not seen Joffrey yet, mayhap you failed in your endeavour?" She murmured, turning away from the heart-warming sight before her viridity coloured eyes. She enjoyed watching Sansa interact with her children as though it were the simplest task in the world, it warmed the jaded organ in her chest to witness how swiftly Tommen had taken a shine to her younger lover and it was clear to her that Myrcella idolised her SheWolf.

"I do not believe so Your Grace, the King seemed every...out of sorts when I left him yesterday evening" The Hound reported dutifully.

"I will have to see him later then..." Cersei murmured to herself as she sat down at her wide desk "...I need you to do something else for me" She stated as she picked up a document that had been laying on the surface of her desk, concerning the need for further rationing during the Baratheon attack. She was certain she had already delivered her decision on this matter.

"Anything Your Grace" The Hound inclined his head.

"I want you to 'procure' me one of Baelish's whores, the very same one that Tyrion tried manipulate my son with..." Cersei instructed firmly. She smirked inwardly at the sudden looks of incredulity and stupefaction she caught slipping through The Hound's commonly impassive expression. Leaning back in her high-backed chair and replacing the document in her elegant hand on the table, she stared at her bulky enforcer expectantly.

"...Before you leave the Keep, I also want you to deliver this to Sansa" Cersei pulled open the top drawer of her carved oak desk, reaching inside she carefully lifted the long, narrow, rectangular wooden box that lay peacefully inside the compartment. It boasted no elaborate gilding nor any detailed etchings. The case was simple, completely contradictory of the single blossom hidden inside, an Adenium hybrid, across between a Desert Rose and an Impala Lily. The tips of the seven individual petals held a deep crimson colour while towards the centre the rich red colours eventually bled out into the palest white she had ever seen. A beautiful, unique flower for a woman that held those very same traits.

"Of course Your Grace" She could determine from the hitch in The Hound's deep voice that he was more than a little confused as to why she would send him to bring her a whore in the same instant she send him to deliver her lover a gift. Cersei extended the rectangular box out to Sandor as he approached her desk, his heavy footfalls echoed thorough her chamber, louder than an onslaught of thunder.

"I expect your conduct to be extremely discreet in this 'delicate matter' Sandor, more so than ever" It wouldn't do to have one of the Maesters or their many pairs of eyes to see a whore being escorted into her personal chambers, the ramifications would no doubt be grave and she couldn't afford to attract the attention of the vultures while her relationship with her SheWolf grew increasingly more consuming. Sandor tucked the Rectangular box into one of the large, leather pouches attached to his thick belt.

"Your Grace..." He lingered in front of her, an uncommon act for her loyal liege subject. She clasped her hands together atop her desk and arched a perfectly shaped blonde eyebrow sardonically. His concern for Sansa's emotional state was cutting through his indecipherable expression, his worries were utterly uncalled for and unneeded, she had no intention of bedding the whore. She held eyes for none except Sansa.

"When carrying out your tasks, do remain a while with Sansa, I would like to know what she makes of my gift before I see her this evening. You're dismissed" The final word hadn't even left her red lips before she was once more reaching for the shares document in front of her. She scowled inwardly, as tedious as she found managing decisions that required a great deal of approximations she knew, that she would have to settle on a specification before the whore arrived. Once the harlot was with her, her game of wits with the Imp would begin. She hadn't seen nor heard of his movements since she'd reluctantly ordered Ser Arys to release him that very same morning, after much 'coaxing' from Sansa. She reclined in her chair with her signature smirk firmly in place, almost purring with contentment as she recalled her morning activities.


"Your Grace..." Cersei finished pressing the face of her signet ring into the glob of crimson wax clinging to the bottom of the document, when she carefully lifted the solid gold ring, the impression of a lioness baring her sharp canines was left gracing the page. She ignored Sandor's hulking presence on the other side of her desk, beside his imposing bulk stood a tall redhead, as she reached for a piece of worn, lipid stained cloth, she ran the cloth over the face of her signet, removing any and all traces of wax, before she replaced the rag on her desk and returned her signet to its rightful place, adorning the long middle finger of her elegant right hand.

"You may leave Hound..." Cersei purred, finally acknowledging the other two people in her chamber, the use of Sandor's appellation in the proximity of others was a necessity, to conceal the growing strength of their mistress-servant relationship. As Sandor turned to leave she gestured with her hand for the whore to approach her desk. It was like observing a newborn deer attempt to gain her footing. Exceedingly awkward with a hint of uncertainty.

"...Your name eludes me" Cersei commented when the tall redhead stopped in front of her desk, the Queen Regent's eyes narrowed on the whore before she looked pointedly at the basic leather chair on the other side of her desk. Cersei pursed her full red lips in distaste as the other woman fumbled to take the 'offered' seat.

"Ros, Your Grace" 'Ros' answered nervously, for a whore the other woman seemed very tense. To some extent she had expected such an emotion to be obvious from the whore, after all the last occasion the redhead been in close vicinity to one of her high high standing, it's crescendo had been rather grotesque.

"Its my understanding that you are known to the Imp, yes?" Cersei tilted her head, her voice sounded coldly disinterested even to her own ears.

"He personally required my services twice Your Grace, the third-" The whore kept her blue eyes focused solely on the wide table in front of her.

"I am well aware of the events you speak of, and they are not of my concern" Cersei snapped icily, interrupting the other woman mid-sentence. She was still tasking to guide Joffrey away from the spiteful path he was threatening to walk down, her personal delegation called for subtly on her part, any wrong steps would only lead her eldest to act out.

"Did the Dwarf show you any particular favour?" The Queen Regent's spies had already gathered much information regarding the whore's liaisons with the Imp. Cersei knew that Tyrion had given Ros a Lannister pendant, with a lion's head incised on the face of the adornment. Disgust burned through her veins like fresh hemlock. Her father, Tywin Lannister, had once told her that the Lannister pendants were only gifted to those held very dear to their great house. It was an age-old tradition, respected and upheld by every generation of Lannister's dating back to the days of Lann the Clever, founder of their House. The imp might as well spat on her family's name by giving the whore one of their revered adornments.

"He...g-gave me a necklace, back in the North" Ros stuttered. Cersei's upper lip curved into a snarl, however her annoyance wasn't aimed at the whore, in fact she was rather pleased the redhead had told her the truth, the action paved it's way towards the next foothold of her game with the Imp. Her succeeding objective would be to discover how much the Imp cared for his unknown lover, before she perused the servant's identity. And she knew it to be a serving girl as her many eyes had reported that the Dwarf hadn't entered a single whorehouse since arriving in King's Landing.

"Why did you relocate in the South?..." She already knew the answer, so she saw no need to listen to Ros' response, the whore's mere existence was enough to irk her, listening to the peasant's babbling was simply uncalled for. Every commoner, Northerner or Southerner, was suffering with recent developments. Fortunately she had already placed a new system for her people in the South, they weren't as prosperous as they had been, but they had enough to get by. And that was all they deserved, at least until they ceased their support of those ridiculous rumours surrounding her children's legitimacy.

"...I have a task for you Ros..." The Whore's name left a bad taste in her mouth, she didn't trust many people, but whores were even more untrustworthy than the vultures she was surrounded with. Especially in the Capital, the heart of secrecy and scheming.

"...Accomplish this assignment discreetly, efficiently, and without complaint and I will make you one of the richest whores in the city. Fail to do so however, and I will ensure that no one will ever discover your corpse, not even the crows will find you. Understand?" Cersei arched her eyebrow as her signature smirk drifted into place.

"I u-u-understand Your Grace" Ros nodded enthusiastically, fear motivated the redhead's swift response.

"I sincerely doubt that..." Cersei drawled, her voice dripped with cold malicious intent.


"...Tell me" Cersei demanded as she stalked down the hall with The Hound a step behind her, enough distance to show the difference in status but close enough that none would overhear their conversation if they were unfortunate enough to encounter the vultures.

"She seemed to be especially surprised and...jubilant" Sandor rumbled, his hesitance over the last word bespoke of his unfamiliarity with the emotion. Cersei disguised her smile behind her coldhearted exterior as they continued down the corridor, passing servants and nobles in equal proportion.

"...And?" Cersei prompted, the Queen Regent's full lips didn't seem to move as she spoke in a hushed tone.

"I have never seen anyone smile like that" Sandor was baffled by Sansa's reaction to her gift, she could tell by his bewildered tone. She herself had been mildly uncertain about the flower, presenting gifts to her lovers had always seemed redundant, an unnecessary act and a bothersome one at that. But with Sansa, she found herself desiring to bathe her lover in all manner of trinkets, it was entirely possible, and she had more than enough finance to do so.

"Her smile should have been mine..." Cersei grumbled irritably, a stab of envy pierced her stomach. She loved looking upon her lover as the younger woman smiled, the beautiful expression held more worth than Casterly Rock, far more beautiful than watching the sunrise from the battlements surrounding Blackwater bay. And she had missed it while playing her game of wits.

"...No matter..." Cersei sighed regretfully. There would be many more occasions for her to witness her favourite sight in all of Westeros.

"Be sure that the whore doesn't emerge until I require her, and have Ser Boros deliver my 'invitation' to the Imp. Afterwards return to me" Cersei ordered as she drew closer to Joffrey's personal chambers.

"Yes Your Grace..." The Hound lingered by her side, his eyes trained on the door in front of them.

"Something else Sandor?" Cersei tilted her head up towards him, the abrasive, pink scar that covered half his face stood out plainly in the midday sun, glaring in from the windows on either side of the wide hall.

"When I was with Lady Stark earlier the royal children expressed a want to see their mother" Sandor reported, almost nervously.

"To display their new pets no doubt..." Cersei smiled, a trader had arrived very early that every morning, with him was a single, moderately sized wooden container. Inside were the two kittens her children had requested of her days previous. A young male, utterly devoid of colour save his narrow turquoise eyes and his pink nose, curled beside him, almost on top of the smaller male kitten had been his litter-mate. A golden brown female kitten, baring the same coloured eyes.

"...I do wonder how Duchess received them..." Cersei smirked. The young wolf pup had never been exposed to other animals save the pesky squirrel out in the gardens and the occasional butterfly. Sansa's loyal companion had yet to catch either.

"...Alas it will have to wait, you're dismissed Sandor" Cersei turned her head away from her liege subject as she reached for the gilded door handle, the hulking form of her guard disappeared back down the hall. She never knocked before entering a chamber regardless of who it belonged to, especially not one of her children's rooms. She frowned when her jade coloured eyes were unable to locate her eldest son within the luxuriously furnished chamber.

"Joffrey?" Cersei called out as she pushed the oak door closed behind her. Her acute sense of hearing detected nothing. No movements, save her own. No faint breathing, save her own. She stood still for long moments. Joffrey had said nothing about watching the games atop the ramparts, nor had he mentioned any other sports he would be attending. He was supposed to be inside his chambers, his historical tutor would be arriving within the hour but she was not content to wait. She had other, arguably more important, matters to attend. She scowled to herself just as the chamber door swung open, she turned on her heel, fully expecting to find her son sauntering into the room. It wasn't Joffrey. It was no one of note. A plain serving girl about twelve years of age, with long mousy brown hair and dull green eyes.

"Where is the King?..." Cersei snapped, stalking towards the girl, presumably going about her cleanup duties. The maid stuttered fearfully as the Queen Regent drew closer, a lioness closing in on her prey. Waves of annoyance poured of Cersei's body, sheathed in a typical Lannister red dress, the neckline was cut low enough to display a modest amount of cleavage.

"...Speak up girl or I'll see to it that you never utter another word" Cersei hissed.

"T-the king...he is...o-out in the...city" Cersei growled low in her throat as she prowled out of Joffrey's chamber, she could hear the girl hyperventilating behind her as she stalked through the halls. Sandor was suddenly at her side, his abrupt appearance didn't have the unsettling effect it held on others.

"The Kingsguard..." Cersei began. She couldn't bring herself to entertain what could be happening to her son at that very moment. She had warned him not to venture out into King's Landing, her family were not favoured among the common people as a result of Eddard Stark's vile suspicions.

"They are still within the Keep, Your Grace. His majesty refused their attendance..." Sandor's dry lips formed a tight line.

"Stupid boy..." Cersei snapped, as panic seized her chest in its cold fist, worry pressed down on her slender shoulders threatening to crush her under its weight "...Something else?" She muttered as their pace increased simultaneously. They were almost at the entrance to the Red Keep.

"Apparently the King requested the company of Lady Stark and the younger royal children" Sandor whispered. The Queen Regent's eyes went wild with the one emotion she hadn't felt the instant she knew Joffrey may be in danger. Sheer. Acidic. Fear.


During her seventeen years as Queen, Cersei had seen all manner of gatherings. Familial. Political. Sermons. And so on. However she had never been so close to a riot. She stood tall a matter of metres away from the common people of King's Landing, flanked protectively by six elite soldiers of the Kingsguard, each man had drawn his sword, they wouldn't be a complete unit until Jaime returned, they positioned themselves to form a V shape around her, allowing them to protect her from all angles.

"Hound remain with me. Ser Mandon I want this disorder settled" Cersei ordered in a lethally calm voice, she only wished she was as composed internally. The five gold plated guards, led by Ser Mandon, charged into the sea of barbaric rioters.

"Come we must find them before this escalates" And it would intensify, the show of violence from Ser Mandon and the guards would attract the crowd's attention. Allowing the Queen Regent and The Hound some time to locate the royal children and Sansa.

"You could be harmed Your Grace" Sandor protested.

"With the mood I'm in?..." The Queen Regent's sinister smirk put the image of lioness on the hunt in the Hound's mind's eye "...I welcome the attempt" Cersei hissed as she hurried towards a more secluded niche, formed by the various stone buildings. She cast her eyes around the area as she moved from section to section, Sandor close on her heels with his massive broadsword drawn and ready to do battle. The angry shouting behind her increased as time slipped through her fingers. Her breathing grew shallow as she searched frantically, not from exertion, from worry. What if...

"Mother?!" Cersei glanced up to see Joffrey rushing towards her with Myrcella and Tommen in tow, her relief at finding her children seemingly unharmed was short lived.

"Where is Sansa?..." Cersei demanded of Joffrey as her youngest ran towards her, throwing their arms around her slender waist and squeezing her tightly with a desperate need for comfort. She dropped to her knees in the dirt, uncaring that the expensive silk of her dress would be ruined. She threw her arms around her obviously shaken children, tears streamed down their angelic faces. She wanted to comfort them, soothe their fears. Maternal instinct demanded it. But she had to be sure her lover was safe first.

"...Joffrey?!" Cersei snarled, she could hear the desperation in her voice but she didn't care if Joffrey recognised the emotion in her voice.

"We were attacked by four brutes, they only wanted Sansa so I let them have her. Its of no concern, I am safe that is all that matters. Now we should return to the Keep" Cersei had never wanted to feel the blood of her own staining her hands, the imp was of no significance, but in that moment. She could fully envision Joffrey's slender throat trapped between her elegant hands, feeling the warmth of his blood flowing from imaginative wounds inflicted by her. She could see the life draining from his eyes, fleeing in the face of her anger. She shook herself, unable to dispel the murderous thoughts entirely. But enough for her to regain her footing, Tommen and Myrcella clung to her, two little lion cubs seeking the security their mother lioness.

"Take them back to the Keep" Cersei instructed Sandor, already prying the claws of her children from around her waist.

"I should be at your side Your Grace" The Hound argued. She would allow him this small defiance, she didn't have time to scold his words. She needed to get to Sansa.

"I am your Queen, you will do as I command. Send the soldiers down when you return" Cersei encouraged her frightened cubs towards The Hound's heavy bulk.

"Your Grace..." Sandor reached behind him, producing a seven inch dagger, it was crude in its simplicity, this was a weapon created for one purpose and one purpose alone. To kill.

"Protect my cubs, Hound" Cersei glared at Joffrey as she passed him, following in the direction she seen her children emerge from. The shouting of the rioters eventually grew quieter as she hurried away from the scene. Only to be replaced from a much more terrifying sound. Screams. Screams she knew. She had heard them multiple times before, always she had been the one eliciting them, but they always been filled to bursting with pleasure. Heart thundering in her chest, she rounded a single stone corner. The sight that met her made her blood run cold with fear and hot with rage.

Adrenaline urged her forward, rational thought wasn't needed. The element of surprise was on her side as she ghosted forward like a wraith. She couldn't quite recall what her body was doing. A harsh male grunt accompanied the sensation of warm, thick blood covering her hand. She blinked slowly, reality greeted her with the sight of her hand, Sandor's dagger clenched in her fist, the weapon was buried inside the carotid artery of Sansa's attacker. She glanced to the right, her eyes glowed with calculative bloodlust, she smirked at the second attacker as she jerked the dagger out of her victim's throat. The remaining three fumbled on their knees, their disorganisation allowed her to shift forward effortlessly. She found the second attacker's jugular with her murderous eyes, blood sprayed like a fountain as she buried Sandor's dagger into the second attacker's jugular vein. Blood stained the front of her dress, it coated her pale neck and chest while staining the ends of her silky blonde mane. She felt an unmistakably male hand graze her hip, she moved without thinking, she brought her hand under the arm suddenly encircling her waist and thrust the dagger straight into her almost-attacker's abdomen, dragging the weapon to the side aggressively, he crumpled to his knees with a cry of surprised pain, she had the satisfaction of watching him attempt to hold his guts inside of him as she searched for the last of her prey. The fourth attacker had risen to his feet, he backed away like a frightened dog. Her lion's eyes narrowed dangerously, she had every intention of dealing the same judgement on this man as she had his 'friends', element of surprise or no.

"...Cersei?" Sansa's voice called to her over a wide rift, her upper lip curved into a snarl of frustration. She finally ripped her attention away from her prey, her eyes cleared of their madness the second she found her lover. Her reprieve was temporary. Blood oozed from a small cut marring Sansa's left eyebrow, bruises were painfully evident on the insides of her lover's thighs.

"Your Grace!" Sandor was suddenly standing by her side, he must of carried her children in his massive arms as he ran like the great Targaryen dragons of old were snapping at his heels to return so quickly. She was frozen with her need for retribution. This snivelling bastard had hurt her lover, tried to rape her SheWolf. She would have him screaming apologies before the day was done, then she would finish her hunt.

"This one is coming with us" Cersei hissed, she barely recognised her own voice as she spoke. The Hound growled low in his throat as he moved forward, Cersei fell to her knees beside her fallen lover, with a shaking hand she jerked the skirts of Sansa's dress down to preserve the redhead's modesty. She leaned down to nuzzle Sansa's porcelain cheek like the lioness she was often compared to, she sighed as she felt her lover's arms snake around her slender shoulders tightly. A glance out the corner of her eye showed her, The Hound gripping the man's throat in one of his large paws, lifting the fourth attacker off his feet by several inches. As Sandor pulled back his right fist and promptly drove it into the side of the would be rapist's face, forcing the attacker into unconsciousness, the Queen Regent sought out the softness of her lover's lips with her own. She licked the seam of Sansa's mouth before she crushed their lips together, much harder than she'd intended. She prayed Sansa wouldn't ask her to stop because she didn't know how. She nipped at Sansa's succulent lower lip with her teeth, demanding to be let into the sweet tasting cavern of her lover's mouth. The sound of Sansa's moan accompanied a faint whine, not belonging to her lover. She lifted her head in suspicion, instantly her eyes landed on the small form of the redhead's wolf. Duchess stood beside them, whining pathetically, her front, right paw was lifted off the ground, because of injury?. Cersei was unable to keep from brushing her lips across her lover's once more before she straightened regretfully. She reached out with one hand, sinking her long fingers into thick white-grey fur, gripping the pup by the ruff of her neck. She lifted the young wolf off the ground and her injured paw, she carefully avoided the affectionate lick the pup tried bestowing upon her as she tucked the wolf under her arm.

"Let us return home" Cersei extended her hand to her lover, she winced inwardly at the streaks of blood staining her entire hand as well as her dress sleeve, would Sansa to wary of her now?. Her worries were unfounded. The redhead didn't even seem to notice the evidence of her recent blood shed as she slipped her palm into the Queen Regent's. They climbed to their feet just as Sandor flung the limp body of Sansa's attacker over his broad shoulder like a sack of grain. Cersei refused to relinquish the physical connection with her lover as she stalked out into the open, Duchess tucked under her arm and Sandor bringing up the rear. She cared not what the soldiers would think as they watched their Queen, drenched in blood from neck to toe, walking through the city, cradling the hand of her 'captive' in her own and holding a young wolf. She needed to feel the softness of Sansa's skin against hers, to assure herself that the worst was over. She only hoped the trauma of her SheWolf's attack would dissipate faster than her own concern. She would never forget that fear for as long as she lived and couldn't bare the thought of Sansa carrying the remnants of this day.

"Forgo the Dark cells Sandor, take that worthless bastard directly to the 'chamber'" It took her several moments to find her voice, when she did, she knew that The Hound would know what she meant. Sansa's attacker would be taken to the royal torture chamber upon their arrival.

"May I start work immediately Your Grace?" The Hound's voice took on a dangerous edge.

"You may" She would stay with Sansa, she began caressing her lover's erratic pulse point with her thumb as they made their way back to the Red Keep. She barely even noticed the rioters being roughly subdued by her soldiers as she passed them, all that mattered to her in that moment was ensuring that Sansa, Tommen and Myrcella were comforted.


"These bruises will heal in good time Your Grace" Maester Pycelle informed the tense Queen Regent, still sheathed in her blood stained attire.

"Was she raped Maester?" Cersei bit out. After returning to the Keep she had led her lover to the redhead's chamber, ordering a near by soldier to escort Maester Pycelle to Sansa's room while Sandor carried his evening entertainment to the dungeons. It was all she could do not to forcibly remove Maester Pycelle's assessing hands from her lover's form.

"No Your Grace..." Pycelle was quick to affirm, masterfully concealing her sigh of relief behind a disinterested expression "...Are you hurt, Majesty?"

"No" Cersei snapped bluntly.

"Oh I just assumed..." Pycelle began, running his eyes over her body, even with the deep Lannister red of her dress, it was clear for all to see that she was soaked in blood. The silk of her dress clung to her skin uncomfortably.

"Tread carefully Maester, it would be embarrassing for one of your rank to reach the wrong conclusion" Cersei drawled. Her words were a warning, simple as that. Rumours of her 'disarray' were already circling the Keep like wildfire through dry grass. If asked she would be forced to claim that it was her children she'd found in danger. What she would tell Joffrey was left to simmer in the back of her mind. She didn't want to lie, she wanted it well known what she would do to those that attempted to hurt her lover.

"Of course, does it please Your Grace to note all three of the royal children are unharmed?" Cersei's eyes flashed a dangerous, glowing, green. What type of inane question was that?. She would always be grateful to the Gods for sparing her children harm as she would damn them for allowing Joffrey to leave the Keep without her being notified.

"Of course it pleases me..." She snapped "...Was there something else?, another needless question to display your idiocy? Or better still, are you going ask me whether or not I intend to have everyone of those insolent bastards in chains?" That was what Maester Pycelle wished to know so that he may inform the other Maester's of her 'unfair treatment' of those fully 'justified people'. They were determined to undermine her at every possibility.

"...Well..." Pycelle lowered his head nervously.

"Go bore one of your whores will you" Cersei snarled. Pycelle flushed indignantly as he reached for a brown leather satchel.

"Good day Lady Stark" Pycelle inclined his head before taking his much anticipated leave. Cersei trailed after him just to lock the door after his departure. She turned on her heel and returned to her lover's side, she remained on her feet as to avoid ruining the basic white bedsheets and to prevent herself from acting out her body's demands. Due to adrenaline or fear she wasn't certain but, she wanted Sansa's naked body beneath hers. She needed to touch every inch of her lover's flawless skin to assure herself that her SheWolf was unharmed. But Sansa needed rest more than she needed to relieve her desires.

"What are you going to do to them?" Sansa murmured quietly after a moment.

"I'm going to have them all killed Sansa..." Cersei answered brusquely. Cursing herself when her SheWolf flinched.

"...I have been far more lenient than the Targaryen's would have been in such circumstances. This latest charade cannot go unpunished" She tilted her head curiously as Sansa's nibbled on her lower lip.

"They're starving Cersei" Sansa murmured thoughtfully.

"Had they not just endangered everyone I hold dear, I would've continued my attempts to see them fed and prosperous. No longer. I will not assist peasants who, at every opportunity, seek to disobey their King" Cersei growled. The lowering of her lover's striking blue-grey eyes had her frowning. It occurred to her that she didn't truly know how the riot started, she shifted on her feet uncomfortably, maybe she should refrain from making any judgements until she had statements of events.

"Something you wish to tell me?" Cersei titled her head to the side.

"Nothing. The King is to be obeyed in all things, any-" Her lover sounded like a mindless courtier. She didn't like the mechanical quality of Sansa's voice as she spoke meaningless words, not when she had grown accustomed to her SheWolf's melodious song.

"How many times must I tell you to put voice to your thoughts with me?..." Cersei interrupted softly "...I am curious to know why you seem so concerned with the common people, when they..." Rage manifested in the pit of her stomach. She knew precisely what would've happened to her lover had she not arrived in time to shed blood. But instead of condemning the small people like she should, Sansa was concerning herself with their contentment?.

"When those you love are hurting you do what you can to help them, those people and their families are dying of starvation. Joffrey was..." Sansa's eyes darted around the chamber as thought she expected the King to emerge from the shadows.

"What was he doing?" Cersei coaxed her lover gently, she dreaded the answer, but she had to know, was it Joffrey's fault?.

"When approached by the common people, he stated that he didn't care for their problems nor their close proximity to his person. He insisted that their only purpose was to see him fully content and if it amused him to see them starving then they should give thanks they were carrying out his will" Cersei closed her eyes with a small sigh. Her temples began to throb painfully as she considered her options. What could she do?. The people hated Joffrey, their misconceptions of his birth were only spurned by his arrogant and cruel behaviour, the Western lords only showed him loyalty as to gain patronage from both her son and her father. As for Stannis Baratheon and House Stark, they were fully prepared to do battle as so have Joffrey removed from power. And damn her for so much as thinking it, but she understood why, Joffrey showed himself to be less and less of a King and more of a petty child with everyday that passed. It left her with only two paths. Continuing to protect Joffrey's claim to the Iron Throne or name herself the sole authority in the Seven Kingdoms, to claim power for herself.

"You should rest now little SheWolf. I will remain with you until you sleep soundly, then I must see Tommen and Myrcella" Though it would chill her like death itself to be parted from her lover. She watched as Sansa curled on her side, before she moved forward to pull the plain sheets up to the younger woman's slender shoulders. She couldn't even bring herself to curse the lack of furnishings in Sansa's chamber as she settled on the floor, leaning her back against the cold stone wall, there was a basic wooden chair in the far corner of the room, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Sansa's side long enough to retrieve it.

"How is Duchess?" Sansa murmured tiredly. Cersei partly smiled and partly grimaced, the pup had tried on several occasions to lick her affectionately as she'd carried the whelp back to the Keep. Sansa's had insisted the pup stay with Tommen and Myrcella once a Maester had declared the pup's front paw was suffered minor bruising.

"Irritating..." Cersei drawled in mock contempt, savouring Sansa's short but lilting laugh "...She will be fully recovered in a matter of days" Cersei assured her lover, watching intently as Sansa's eyes drifted closed. A soft pang in her chest had her reaching for her lover's graceful hand, she quietly prayed for Sansa's dreams to be pleasant and not horrid reminders of the day. Squeezing her lover's hand gently, she let her eyes feast on Sansa's beauty as her thoughts ran like wild horses. Too many to count. Too many to truly consider. But one was clear at the forefront of her mind;

She already had every intention taking Joffrey's future wife from him, in addition, could bring herself to steal her son's Throne?

AN: Feedback is always appreciated. The next Chapter should be up quite soon, I hope ;p