Chapter 31: Escape

At this point, it wasn't even a chore to sneak out of the manse anymore. If Daella Blackfyre ever thought it odd that the guards were only lax just below her window, her excitement and eagerness to see her enigmatic first love completely smothered it. Every person had their weakness. For Aenar, it was his arrogance - very little of it warranted. For Gaemon it was his good nature. For Daella, it was Eddard Snow.

In mere weeks, a good friend had turned to a lover, and then into a once in a lifetime soulmate. Her heart just clenched thinking about him.

For their latest liaison she had dressed in her best. A silk gown that snugly fit her slim, athletic body and budding breasts. Some well placed face paint had left her looking like a whore. An expensive courtesan though, and given the purpose of leaving, it was truly perfect.

She forewent smallclothes. There was no point, and it felt… delightfully sinful.

A cloak covering her, she waited in the near deserted alley for her man. A short sword was kept underneath just in case, but few walked by and most of them were arm-in-arm with their paid-for companions. Mostly men and their female whores, a few male trollops also flirting with their patrons. One particularly ravenous woman in the dress of a lesser noble pawed and sucked at her paid female companion. The nature of Lys, and Daella was used to it. Especially that ravenous lust.

Finally, as the moon began to crest atop the dark sky, the familiar cloaked figure emerged out of the adjacent alley. There was no doubt as to who he was, and Daella rushed to him. "Ned!"

He looked up, pulling back his cowl to reveal his handsome face. "Dae…" She cut him off, kissing him frantically. "We…"

"I missed you," she murmured, taking a quick breath before kissing down his neck. Hands starting to paw at his intimate places in the same manner as the noblewoman did to her companion. "Let us find a chamber." Daela was starved for him.

His hands gripped her waist. "Dae… can we stay?"

She peered up at him, only to grin. "Oh, in the alley where all can see? You lecher." Daella tugged him into a rather secluded spot. "Gods, this is literal dragonfire." With little delay, she moved to work at the ties of his breeches.

"Please, stop." A silence, Daella pausing to stare at him. Did he not want to? "I have to tell you something."

Somehow, she knew. Daella didn't want to believe it, but her lust turned to ice. "You have to leave."

At his nod, her heart shattered. "I do."

"When?" She was surprised she could even talk.

"Tonight… after we part here." Why had the gods forsaken her? Tears welled into her eyes, but Ned hugged her. "I'm sorry, I wish this weren't so."

"Take me with you," she begged.

"I can't." He held her tightly, kissing her forehead and then her ear. Letting her sob into his shoulder. "There is nothing I can do, Dae."

It was all spinning so fast. "I love you," she murmured. "I must've from the moment I saw you. You're the only one for me."

Ned pulled back, cupping her cheek. "It is only a few weeks, but I love you too, Dae." She smiled, though the tears still flowed. "I'll never forget the moments we had."

"Nor will I." She brought their lips back together. The kiss no less hungry, but with such an added desperation as to make her head spin. This was no lusty abandon as it started out. No, Daella was immersed in the knowledge that she would never see her love again. That this was their last moment together - and damned would she be if she didn't make it count.

Her dress was undoubtedly ruined as she made Ned slam her against the stone wall of the alleyway but Daella couldn't bring herself to care. Not while he sucked her neck, lavishing the pale column with his tongue. She grabbed his black curls, moaning wantonly as she ground her hips against him. One hand held her up by her arse while the other worked at the hem of her dress.

Seeing her lack of smallclothes he pulled back, darkness in his violet eyes that soaked her. She pulled him back into a kiss, relishing his groans as one hand fished out his cock. Squeezing it between her fingers. Gods, no one could compare to this. He was her only, yet Daella knew. Relishing just how her cunt squeezed him as he finally pushed into her.

"My love."

"Gods, Dae."

Their kiss never broke. The tight grip of her legs round his waist never ceased. Each thrust of his cock split her open, made her scream into his mouth. Their tongues battled, hands wandering as his weight against the wall pinned her in place. The bust of her dress was pulled down and Ned kneaded her tits. Daella loved it.

Fuck if some might call her a slattern, she was a dragon. So fiery and powerful, of course they rutted like monsters. It was their way.

And so when their climax hit, Daella bit his neck. Chomping down as a dragon would a meal, screaming into the skin and muscles of his shoulder till the rippling walls of her cunt stopped. Till the spurts of seed that only deepened her pleasure tapered off, leaving them panting. Ned collapsed on her, Daella wedged against the wall.

Breathing deeply, their eyes met, and Daella kissed him languidly. "I love you."

"I love you."

"Never forget me."

"I won't."

"I won't either."

Truly, a moment she never wished to end.

"You know…" Rhaenys rubbed her hands as close to the flames as she wanted. "I have a newfound respect for the cooks in the Red Keep."

Across from her, Ygritte - who was also trying to warm her hands - frowned. Nose crinkling. "And what can yer' possibly mean by that?"

Gesturing to the hare roasting on a spit above the crackling campfire, she clicked her tongue. "Look at it. We've been roasting it for half an hour and it's still not fully cooked." Hot Pie made it look so easy, the apprentice cook pulling off fancy meat dishes and decorated cakes as if it were nothing. How in seven hells did he do it? "I'm close to tearing my hair out from hunger."

"Ya' wanna die from yer' stomach voiding all over the floor for days, be my guest, Princess." Ygritte chuckled, only for her teeth to start chattering. "Fuckin' wind. Blow somewhere else and leave me be by the fire!" she screamed, echoing along the walls of the cave. None were worried at the noise - the blizzard was very clearly masking any noise they could make. Even a dragon would be lost in the void.

"You're right." She shivered too. "It is cold." Rolling up her sleeves, Rhaenys simply shoved her arms into the flames. "Ahhhh…" The warmth felt heavenly, a soft tingling all that accompanied the cold banished from her palms and fingers.

Crossing her arms, Ygritte rolled her eyes. "So Val was right."

"Excuse me?"

"You told me the reason your dragons didn't come and save your arse was that they couldn't be sure that you'd burn up with us Free Folk… but Val said you dragons don't burn."

Making sure to sear every bit of her unblemished skin, Rhaenys shrugged. "Was a bluff - didn't trust you then."

A snort. "Well… you still shouldn't." She lowered herself to the floor of the cave, resting supine on her back with her hands behind her head. "I could still kill you if you slow me down - though there's fuck chance of that happening." Rhaenys shook her head. She'd been with Ygritte for enough time as a captive to know that this was… her best effort at genuine affection. The Princess didn't take it personally.

Soon the hare was ready and they ate slowly - except for Nysar, who devoured her portion. Outside the wind continued to howl depositing drifts of snow against the head of the cave. Certainly disguising it from the patrols Mance… or from what Ygritte suggested, Val, from finding them. "You sure we're safe here?"

Ygritte nodded. "Aye, only I know of this cave. Well… there were others, and they're all dead."

"Who were these others? Would they have told someone?"

"No, if you're livin' in a cramped group ye' need a good, quiet place to…" Ygritte blushed. "Couple."

"Oh." Rhaenys smirked. "So, that's what you did in this cave. No wonder you and your men didn't spill the location."

A groan. "Two strapping men, and one pretty girl - kinda like yourself, Princess."

Rhaenys blinked, looking away. The conversation died down as they ate a bit, but eventually she picked it back up. "So why exactly did you break me out, Ygritte? I assume you didn't do it out of charity to me… unless your story is true."

"It is true, Princess. Mance was gonna Bael the Bard you - and by that I mean seed you with his babe."

"As if I would let him," Rhaenys scoffed.

"When two bear-men hold you down, there isn't a choice. And if not Mance then one of the bear men themselves. Getting you out was the only choice." She shook her head. "Worst thing was that it wasn't even his idea. It was Val's."

She grimaced. "That cunt."

"Pretty much that's what she is, the biggest cunt north of the fucking Wall." Taking a bite out of the hare's leg, Ygritte chewed for a moment before pounding her chest. "She only thinks she's the shit since Mance stole her sister."

"Stole?"

"It's marriage among the Free Folk. Wanna claim a woman, you steal her. If you can subdue her and she doesn't knife you in your sleep, then she's yer' woman."

"That seems… blunt."

"Yeah, that's us." Ygritte laughed. "But that doesn't make Val Mance's second, yet there she is, in a position of power over us all. We picked Mance cause he was a Crow and knew where all the bodies were buried and tunnels sealed, yet more and more are drifting to Val cause she's more aggressive. Why do you fucking thing Mance decided to mass now and force a battle?"

Rhaenys shorted. "I should've known it was a power plan."

"One he lost… until you." Ygritte bit her lip. "Now, since I got you out, he's pretty much a eunuch. Y'e know how you southerners like to give rulers names? I have one for Mance - 'The Impotent.'" Both of them ended up chuckling. "If Val hasn't slit his throat and taken over by now, I would be surprised, and she'd burn the Haunted Forest down just to get you back."

"Means we'll just need to stay one step ahead of them." Picking as much clean as she could, Rhae tossed the rest to Nysar. Rubbing the wolf's fur almost therapeutically. Calming herself. "Ygritte?"

"Yeah?" Aside from her wolf, Ygritte was the only other person here. While the wildling proclaimed that she was untrustworthy, if they didn't trust each other they would all die here. Rhaenys was under no qualms about that.

So as such… "Why?"

A blink. "Why what?"

"Why now? Why are you… Free Folk trying to scale the Wall?"

"We've done it before."

"Yes, but why this very moment? So much so that you make a former brother of the Night's Watch into your King?"

She was silent - hauntingly silent. The flickering flames bathed her in an orange-red light, shadows dancing. "I doubt you'll believe me… but the White Walkers."

"White Walkers?" That… hadn't been what she imagined Ygritte to say. "The ice demons in the stories of the legendary past? Certainly not?"

"If you don't believe me, that's fine, but it's true." She stared at the fire. "I haven't seen one of them, but men go out into the snow and they don't come back. Others leave and come back scratched up, speaking of horror stories of men ripped apart and then rising with eyes as blue as ice…"

"Forgive me, Ygritte. But that could easily be just a blizzard… and going mad from the elements."

Scowling, Ygritte nevertheless nodded. "Seems far-fetched, but you don't live here." She stared at the flames. "To imagine wishing for a life safe behind that fucking Wall…"

A sigh. Rhaenys standing and walking till she could sit right next to Ygritte. Taking her hand. "No, I can't fault you for that."

The wildling cracked a tiny smile. "Appreciate that." Nysar trundled to right in front of them both and plopped in front of the fire. Yawning - making both women laugh, as outside the blizzard howled.

Shoving what clothes she had into the sack, Shienna again mentally cursed how foolish the children had been. "Larra! Only what you can carry over your shoulder!"

"Kessa, Lady Aekylosh." The normally fierce Larra Snow was… quite subdued. Who wouldn't be after the tongue lashing Shienna had given her and Alayne - young Eddard couldn't be found, if that was his real name. Gods, the Targaryen Prince and Princess in my presence. It was a hunch, but a damned good one in her mind. Alayne, quiet as a mouse as she helped Althor handle the priceless texts of House Aekylosh which were again wrapped in velvet and placed with care into a hand-held chest had to be one of the Starks. She didn't know the Starks apart from Queen Lyanna and Lord Eddard by reputation, but one of them certainly.

"Muna, can I take my pretty dress?"

"No, Bae," she snapped. "Anything we can't carry in our hands is left behind!"

"Thank you for that, Larra," Althor muttered, only to get his head smacked by Alayne. "OW!"

"Next time your friend is sold into slavery I'll say the same to you!"

"Alayne!" The redhead shut up. Turning to see Baelgora, Shienna did a double take as the girl had simply worn her dress over her existing dress. Clever little scamp. Her daughter inherited her intelligence after all.

When the girls had burst in, direwolves with bloody muzzles and them chattering excitedly about their bonded friend being sold in Astapor, at first Shienna had been confused until her shock turned to horror. Granted, a slaver dead or hurt wouldn't make her lose sleep, but that was safely in a ship headed out of Lys towards Westeros, not here in the middle of Lys. As such, punishment was a secondary concern. With Aron hurrying to the port atop the horse belonging to Lady Larra to secure passage out - luckily not too far away - all they needed was… "Where's your brother?"

"I don't know," Larra shouted back. "He said he needed to take care of something."

"Curses be upon all of you…"

Just as Shienna was about to damn multiple people and things to the gods, Eddard showed up. His hair was askew and his tunic disheveled, but he was present. 'Sorry…" His breathing was heavy. "I had… to… take care… of something."

"That's what I told her," Larra murmured.

Rolling her eyes, Shienna pointed to the direwolves. "Get your pack and get them outside. Stay hidden unless something is amiss."

He blinked. "How do I tell…"

"You'll know when you see it." Thankfully, he didn't ask for more, merely whistling for the direwolves to follow him. They did, silent this time. Intelligent beasts. More evidence as to whom these three were.

Perhaps she was being paranoid.

Mayhaps she was only being safe, given her experiences.

Turned out her experiences had given her a sixth sense, for just as they finished up… Did someone shove the door open, revealing five men with swords. Each leveled them menacingly at the women and Althor, who to his credit drew a dagger and stood in front of his muna. That's his kepa in him. "Now now, put down the blade." A well-dressed man in a silk tunic and snakeskin boots entered. The blade on his hip had a bejeweled hilt. "Wouldn't want to cause any bloodshed in here with so many innocents."

Shienna calmly exhaled, thinking a mile a minute. "Drop it, my son." He glared at the man, but did so. "Let us go."

A laugh. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. Your children hurt a friend of mine, and now it's time to pay the piper." He grinned. "Lysandro Rogare always pays his debts. He's like a Lannister that way."

"Rogare?" Shienna crossed her arms. While dressed modestly, as if a laborer's wife or that of a lower-class of shopkeeper, the training of nobility could never leave her. She met this man on his terms. "Don't tell me that a scion of the great banking family that owns half of Lys would stoop so low as enforcers for a simple madam."

Lysandro Rogare only smirked. "When the family's investments are threatened, we must see to matters personally." On the other hand, he simply looked like a scoundrel. Likely it was just his coin at stake. "Now, come with us, and we shall ensure you receive a fair hearing at the tribunal."

"Unless it is that of nobility, I presume we'll face the noose."

"As if we'd waste noble justice upon you."

Larra surged forward. "How's about I…"

Shienna silenced her. "Enough." Not now, young one. Her suspicions, as far-fetched as they were, had to be correct. This girl was very clearly not just Valyrian, but a dragon.

How had she not seen it till recently?

"Don't worry, I won't harm the children."

"He'll sell us into slavery!" hissed Alayne. "I'd rather die!"

"So be it, then…"

"No." Shienna looked at each of the children, two of her own blood and two under her care. "We shall do what he wishes - I won't see you come to harm." Before Alayne could complain, she met her gaze. "The four of you will not try anything." Thank Vermithor the young ones were clever. Alayne seemed to calm, nodding.

Their captor chuckled. "Stupid children," he said to one of the guards in Bastard Valyrian.

Down they went in single file, Alayne holding onto the confused Baelgora's hand as she seemed to sink into her shoulders. A whimper left her, which broke Shienna's heart… fingers glowing red hot with rage. She clenched in a fist, hiding the tips for now. All she could do was wait and pretend to be docile.

"Everyone is sleeping, so make a noise and I'll have your fingers cut off," Lysandro hissed as they came to the tavern. Two slaves suddenly entered from the brothel side, to which his and most of the guards' attention was drawn to. "I said get the fuck out!" he shouted. They complied. Perhaps…

Suddenly a loud howl came from outside. One that sent a chill through everyone… but the two westerosi. "What is that?" one of the men asked.

"A demon!" another shouted.

"Enough with this, there are no demons…"

Suddenly, the glass window smashed into a million pieces as Ghost, his teeth bared, leapt in. Men screamed and went for their swords, but he bounded past towards the upstairs. What the…

Another blur, followed by the screams of whores and groggy shouts of patrons. Twin barks and howls echoed from the brothel, giving Shienna her opening. Fingertips flaring, sweat beading on her forehead, she conjured the flame and shot it forward in a spear, skewering the guard closest to Baelgora and Alayne. "Now! Run!"

"The fuck!"

"She's a fire maege!" Drawing his sword, Lysandro charged at her… only for a flood of nude and semi-clothed men and women to burst out of the brothel, screaming of wolf demons. More flooded from the upstairs, these better dressed but still in nightclothes. Panicked shouts and screams left the tavern in a state of chaos, just what Shienna was hoping for.

Quickly, she conjured flame after flame. They fizzled out almost immediately, but the effect was instantaneous. "Fire!"

"Fire!"

"Fire demons!"

"Run away!"

"Get out of my way, cocksuckers!" Lysandro, writhing around, punched a woman in the face to regain a line of sight on Shienna. "You bitch!" She readied her fingertips.

Suddenly a fist crashed into Lysandro's back, "That's my wife!" screeched a naked man, rings in his ears indicative of nobility. In the other hand was a cutlass and he swung it at the Rogare, which the man was forced to parry.

No better time as any to run…

A man screamed, the thug with flames licking all the way up his clothes as he ran for the window, leaping out before any could ignite the floor or walls. There was Larra, grinning like mad. "Come on!" Shienna grabbed her hand and raced for the door… only to find one of the other thugs have his head sliced off by twin blades. "Took you long enough," she huffed.

Aron had a grim expression. "Finding a boat on short notice to get us out of here was hard enough." Ghost suddenly bounded from the upstairs. His tail wagged, clearly the wolf had a jolly good time. "Let's get out of here."

"Not without Missy!"

"We're going to Astapor, come on!"

The last thing Shienna saw before they ran from the chaos was Larra's lips wide in an electric smile.

She woke up cold.

This was not new to Rhaenys, as she had been chilled ever since flying north of the Neck. The fires of Old Valyria and the olive skin of the Rhoynar weren't meant to handle the blizzards and ice that the surviving First Men domains had in abundance, but with customary obstinacy she had held out and endured. Until now.

Covered by her furs, cuddled next to the still form of Nysar - who was safe underneath her insulating coat - it wasn't enough even as the fire continued to crackle. Outside, the wind had only grown worse. Howling as the maelstrom of ice and snow battered the entrance. Only a small percentage of the sheer gusts managed to reach this far into the cave but it was enough. More than enough.

Nymerion, girl, I wish you were here. With her dragon she could be warm, and fly out of this desolate hellscape.

"I can tell you're cold too."

Of course Ygritte had to be awake. "Care to mock me?" she murmured sleepily. Tired she was, but slumber eluded her.

But she was surprised to hear a sigh leave the wildling's lips. "Nah, just to say we're gonna both catch ill lest we get warmer."

"Firewood has to last us a while."

"Aye, so we're gonna have to huddle."

Nevertheless tired, her eyes widened. "Huddle? No, fuck off!"

"Aight. Ye' want to trudge out of here half-dead from fever, go right fucking ahead." The argument was… a good one. Rhaenys would later be rather pleased that she hadn't let stubbornness linger, instead groaning and motioning for Ygritte to let it be done. "There ye' go." A chuckle, suddenly the wildling's slim figure pressing against Rhaenys' back as she drew both their cloaks as makeshift quilts - each still warm in their under-furs. "If yer this stubborn without yer' scaly beast, I shudder to think what ye' are with."

"Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor." Not getting any response from Ygritte, against her better judgment she turned on her back, head tilted to catch a glimpse of the confused wildling. "A dragon is not a slave."

What Rhaenys was suddenly faced with was… a pair of blue eyes almost glowing by the firelight that seemed to stare at her as if they caught sight of her for the first time. It… made her heart clench a bit. Mouth going dry. "Yer'... really not like the Crows… or the others that call themselves 'northmen,' are ye'?"

Rhaenys understood what Ygritte meant. "Valyrians… we're the last of a great race. The last dragonriders - we are exceptional."

"Aye, I figured that." Their bodies were close, sharing heat… for the first time that night, Rhae began to feel sweat bead on her forehead. And it wasn't from the warmth, rather the breath tickling her neck. "What's it like? Riding a dragon?"

"Rather intimate in your questions, Ygritte?"

The wildling shrugged, still shivering. "Well… I want to know."

"Oh gods, you still aren't warm?" She'd done this with Torrhen in Castle Black and instinctively drew Ygritte almost flush against her. Only for her breath to hitch as she felt the… slender feminine body pressed close to her. "That… better?"

"Aye." Ygritte shifted underneath their cloaks, but otherwise stayed close. "So, riding a dragon?"

Perhaps that was why Ygritte kept asking, to distract themselves. "It's… I can't explain it but the old saying. Targaryens answer neither to gods or men. What limitations are there to a man or woman that can ride a dragon? That commands the greatest weapon seen by man or god? That can lay claim to the skies where no person had ever gone?"

"There's a word for that, Rhaenys." Her name sounded… quite alluring in that accent of Ygritte's. Not a northern brogue like her muna or Baelon, but one as exotic as a Dornish accent must've been to someone up here at the edge of the world. "It's called freedom, and it's what every wildling seeks. To look upon the world from the mountains, it's a glorious feeling, knowing your destiny is yours. Turns out only the dragons enjoy greater." She sighed. "Freedom is dying here, though."

Curiosity burned in Rhae. "How so?"

"The walkers… I know you doubt me, but we think they're out there. Too many have died." Did Ygritte seem to hold her tighter? Was she afraid? Seemed ridiculous, given she didn't even hold any fear when Rhae raised her sword upon her so long ago, but it was there nonetheless. Made her seem… much more human. Much more relatable. "Even the worst among us are scared. Seek out a leader. That drew us to Mance, and he respected our freedom, but in his failure Val will step up."

"A tyrant."

"The worst sort." She sighed. "There is no freedom anymore - if you seek it, you become one of them."

Rhae blinked, looking into Ygritte's beautiful blue eyes. "Is that why you saved me? So I could take you south - to safety?"

A light chuckle, one that didn't reach her lips. "Something like that - would rather get suffocated from some tight dress than die or be bound as a thrall here."

The image of Ygritte in a tight dress, perhaps a Dornish one… Rhae rubbed her legs together. Was this what Torrhen felt when seeing her prior to their affair? "Things… aren't as restrictive as you think, not after my mother."

"The Stark Queen?"

"Aye, the Stark Queen."

A laugh. "She's a legend even here." But the wildling looked away. "Not just that, though."

"What?"

"Don't make me say it."

Seeing Ygritte starting to close off, turn away, Rhaenys held her closer, pinning her in place - turned out the dragon was stronger. "Tell me."

She groaned. "Aight, fine. I didn't want you to be hurt. You… I've grown… fond of you."

Was it Rhae that simply snapped? Was it something that had built up for such a long time only to reach the point of no return? Was it simply preordained and the Princess was simply too distracted or in denial to accept. But with Rhaenys feeling her heart clench, the warmth in her gut that she hadn't felt in such a long time, closing the distance was nothing if not a need to be quenched.

For her part, Ygritte did not resist.

The kiss that took place was one Rhae knew what to expect. She'd kissed as many women as she had men in her casual encounters back in King's Landing. Many Dornishwomen confident in their desires. Many shy maids lured into dropping their trained prudishness from her charms and her position. The soft lips, ones more gentle but no less passionate as a man's. Ygritte was not one to keep chaste, her mouth parting and letting Rhae explore. Their hands ended any pretense of restraint and drifted to desired places. Rhaenys grabbed at Ygritte's rear, while the wildling tangled one hand in the dark locks and the other kneaded an ample breast.

When Rhaenys moaned, it seemed to drive Ygritte over the edge.

Pulling back, her eyes raked down Rhaenys. Blue turning dark. "How did I not? How could I have resisted?" Rhae didn't respond, simply squeezing her arse cheeks. Eager hands seemed to melt the furs off her body, something she reciprocated. Each was simply piled atop the cloak, minds not yet addled by lust.

Each finally nude, skin slick with sweat from the huddle and the fire, it wouldn't be long for their minds to be so clouded.

Rhaenys' eyes trailed down her new lover's body, something she realized she had wished to see… practically since their first hostile engagement. Taking in her slender figure, toned from a hard life yet not losing a hint of feminine curves. Her breasts were small, but still wonderful, legs long, a thatch of fire-red hair the same color as her head.

She could do naught more than stare, licking her lips. They kissed once more, hands roaming, before Ygritte pulled back. "Always thought that mouth could be used for more than talkin'." A tiny grin. "Care to prove me right?" It set something alight in Rhae. Shoving her back, the Princess slid down ignoring she was in a cave in the midst of the icy wilderness. Forgetting she was being hunted by an entire camp of wildlings - only thinking of how much she wished to taste the cunt of this infuriating woman.

And finally she did. Her tongue swiped through Ygritte's cunt, making the wildling gasp above. Hands tangling in her hair. Begging for Rhaenys to feast on her, to which the Princess obliged. She dipped her tongue as deep as she could, lapping the sweet nectar of her cunt before dragging her tongue upwards to Ygritte's nub.

"More… Princess…"

Rhae leaned back to watch Ygritte thrash and moan as she slowly thrust two fingers inside her dripping cunt. Swirling them so as to elicit the sweetest of moans from the other woman. Bidding her to rub at her own needy nub. Easing the pressure while she continued to mouth at Ygritte. Meeting her heavy stare, cheek as flush as her hair before Ygritte threw her head back and moaned. Flooding Rhae's mouth and fingers with essence.

It was as wonderful as she imagined.

Working the last bit out of Ygritte, Rhaenys eventually withdrew her fingers and sucked them into her mouth. A moan left her throat of how good it tasted, only to notice Ygritte staring at her. Mouth open in lust at the sight. It wasn't long before each woman moved simultaneously to embrace passionately. They knelt before each other, naked bodies pressed together and glowing amber in the firelight.

Rhaenys tilted her head back, sighing with pleasure as Ygritte drew a dusky nipple into her mouth. "Kessa…" she moaned softly. Her Valyrian only seemed to make Ygritte more desperate, tongue lashing her tits as blooms of red appeared upon her olive skin.

Eventually, she guided Ygritte's mouth back to her own, pressing delicate kisses to the wildling's lips. Tongues entwining, such frantic passion driving them to lick into each other's mouths. Drawn flush and falling with Rhaenys on her back, never breaking their kiss as though they hungered for something that could never be satisfied.

Ygritte moaned as Rhae's hand squeezed her arse. She spread her thighs, to which the wildling seemed confused. Rhaenys smirked softly, shallow breaths trying to keep her from bursting in anticipation. "One leg over, one leg under," she guided, helping Ygritte comply until their cunts touched… and with a tug, Ygritte grinded against her. While Rhae hissed in pleasure, it wasn't compared to the scream that left her new lover. "You… g-g-good?" Her body trembled.

"Yes… fuck… y-y-yessss…" Folds squelching together, the redhead bent. Kissing Rhae hungrily, which was very much reciprocated. She gasped each time her clit brushed Ygritte's own. Breathing growing heavier as the wildling began to buck her hips faster. The slickness that dripped from their cores to coat her thighs, the way their hair mixed together as they sucked each other's skin… it was simply too much.

The wind only just managed to contain their screams of pleasure.

Cupping her cheek, Rhaenys found a genuine smile curl on Ygritte's lips. It was slight, lidded from their exhaustion and framed by her matted red hair, but it was there nonetheless. A certain affection. "Your thoughts then?" Rhae asked, caressing the soft skin with her thumb. An altogether different feel than the rough stubble of a male lover. Not unwelcome.

Ygritte pulled at her back, pressing herself closer to Rhae's warmth. "Just that… if things were different, I'd say we shouldn't ever leave this cave." A quiet laugh. "Mayhaps that's true freedom, seclusion."

Rhaenys kissed her on the lips. A gentle melding of the mouths, the Princess much to tired to restart their earlier passion. "There's a cave on Dragonstone. Not as dry, but warm."

"Ye' know how to charm a girl, Princess."

Smiling, Rhaenys relished their bodies pressed flush together, finally feeling none of the cold that seemed to scorch the landscape as if it were dragonfire. Her eyes closed, nuzzling Ygritte's pale skin. "So do you." It wasn't long before the steady rhythm of her heartbeat lulled Rhae to sleep.

All while the winds continued to howl outside.

Was she worried? Of course she was - seven hells, everyone that knew of the Princess' captivity was as close as possible to a walking corpse from fear and heartbreak.

Lady Melisandre was no exception. Inside she chafed, she screamed, she cried for the pain of the house she served… but her life was unique. Long ago had she closed herself off. Forcing herself to remain stoic, lest the pain of her past be repeated and destroy her completely. Therefore, a placid scowl adorned her face as Richard Lonmouth spoke to the Small Council. It wasn't good news, as Queen Lyanna made clear. "You've found nothing?"

He shook his head. "Lord Stark and the Queen Dowager haven't made any progress in finding her. The dragons won't fly north of the Wall, and snowdrifts are making it impossible for our cavalry to maneuver."

"I don't care!" Rhaegar pounded the table. "Get my daughter! Find her before they do something horrible, even if I have to fly to Castle Black myself!"

If the nobility in the Red Keep was tense, Melisandre could only imagine how pained the King and Queens were feeling. Against her better judgment, she found herself breaking her rule of silence. "They won't harm her, she's too valuable to them."

Queen Elia, the most level-headed in spite of the agony she must've felt, nodded. "This only emphasizes the foolishness in how the Iron Throne has ignored what has happened north of the Wall."

"When the Night's Watch hasn't been able to contain the wildlings, House Stark has always been able to do so." Lord Tywin looked even more placid than Mel did. "This… feels different. If only we had little birds among them."

Varys tucked his lips between his teeth. "It will be difficult to do so, Lord Hand. There exist no connection between our realm and the wildlings. Perhaps… it would be better to secure allies among them with gifts of land in the North."

"And sully my homeland with those flea-infested savages?!" Lyanna's reaction was… fitting for being of House Stark. "I'll have to send a raven to my brother myself - Northmen can fight in the snow, unlike southern armies."

"If you may, your Graces." Tywin stood. "There is some news concerning the Crown Prince that would require your prompt attention."

"Everyone leave the chamber," spoke Rhaegar. "Except for Lord Tywin and Lady Melisandre." Given her role, she was afforded the highest of scrutiny to keep the secrets of the royal family.

Tywin waited till the rest of the councilors had left before taking his seat back across from Rhaegar. Melisandre hadn't left her chair, not seeing it necessary. When she came of age… things had been relaxed, and with her past nature it was even greater. Even now, with life teaching her the meaning of humility, habits continued. "Care to share with us why this is continuing, Lord Tywin?"

Normally it would get a rise out of him, but the Hand merely nodded. "Certainly, my Lady." He drew a ravenscroll from within his doublet. "A message from Ser Arthur, who is apparently in Lys."

The royals straightened, angling their now rapt attention towards the Hand. Not surprising, given Arthur's ravens detailed information about Prince Baelon and Princess Daenerys. Even Melisandre affixed her gaze upon Tywin. "Don't dawdle," barked Lyanna. "Tell us."

"Of course." The letter was unfurled, and Tywin cleared his throat. "There are personal matters that should be discussed among yourselves, but the critical part I wish to discuss here is that, in brief, the children found a stateless woman and two children that are apparently part of old Valyrian nobility."

"Truly?" Rhaegar's brow rose. "Did they say which house?"

"Aye, House Aekylosh."

"House Aekylosh? I haven't heard of them." Rhaegar scratched his chin. "Lya, Lia, have you?"

Elia shook her head. "Lya and I have spent quite a lot of time in either the Red Keep's or Dragonstone's library, and that name hasn't been in any records."

"You wouldn't find it." Eyes looked to Melisandre, who weaved her fingers together on the large table. "It is… not a dragonlord house, so little was discussed about them since only the dragonlords led conquests outside of Valyria itself."

"Then what sort of house are they?" Lyanna pressed. "Judging if Arthur is telling us, then they would be quite important rather than merely assisting them and going on to the next voyage."

A sigh. "My recollection of these things are spotty, but from what I can tell, a woman of House Aekylosh was the mother of Aenar Targaryen, the founder of House Targaryen's Dragonstone branch."

Rhaegar looked surprised. "No records list his parents as far as I am aware."

"They wouldn't." Mel paused for a moment before continuing. "Long ago I came across an old copy of a poem written in Lys during the Valyrian Freehold, of the 'Dragon who Ran.'" Certainly the King would grumble at that appellation leveled at the royal House by the Valyrian families that ended up dying in the Doom, but it was Queen Lyanna that did. "In there, the poet mentioned the House of Aekylosh, calling them 'Conjurers of Flame.' I believe they are part of the noble class of Fire Maeges."

"That was considered by many to be a myth," Rhaegar interrupted.

"Everyone said dragons were never to be hatched again," Elia countered. "So I wouldn't be too sure."

"Your Graces," said Tywin. "This discussion can be had when the woman comes here. Ser Arthur has stated that Princess Daenerys has the intention of bringing her here." Of course she does. Daenerys was her muna in everything, only born with that sense of draconic energy rather than guided to it. "Assuming that the woman is not a fraud, what should we do with her?"

"Keep her of course." Lyanna made her position known explicitly. "Old Valyria shouldn't be relegated to death. If we have a Valyrian house we should ensure a branch is established in Westeros."

Elia nodded. "Given enough time, they would become strong enough to supplement our banners."

"I must disagree." Melisandre leaned forward, greatly troubled. "Yes, they might be allies, but since House Targaryen is in possession of dragons and only House Targaryen, to add in another house with potential means to counter such a threat would be foolhardy." Aegon IV had already done that with the legitimization of House Blackfyre. Daemon… you were the best of us, but the weak one's spinelessness and that horse breeder turd had to poison you. The memories were still clear in her mind. "All I urge is caution."

"Aye, caution." Tywin drummed his fingers on the table. "Send her to Dragonstone and interrogate her there. If she's not a threat, then grant her lands if she swears fealty."

Rhaegar, silent for the discussion, finally nodded. "Aye, she will be interrogated, but by me in King's Landing."

"Your Grace, I ask you to think about this…"

"I made my ruling, Lady Melisandre. Do not question me further." Melisandre obeyed, nodding even though her blood ran cold. Gods, let it not be like before. With dragons and fire into the mix, not to mention the enmity of Balerion himself, only dread and destruction could follow.

Of course, there was the potential that all could be well. That this was just paranoia.

Melisandre wouldn't have lived the life she lived had that been true.