The Knight of the Forest Series

Chapter 10 **

Warning, smutty part after break (*****).

This is bad ... Really bad. From the moment Lillia had walked down the aisle on the arm of Ser Jaime to the present when the two young people stood facing each other, Lillia had not once looked Loras in the eye. She had taken to staring blankly at the silver pendant that held his Forest Green cloak closed or looking at the High Sparrow as he performed the ceremony. As Loras reached down and took the girl's hands in his, he was stunned to find that they were shaking like a leaf. This was something that was entirely foreign for someone as strong and confident as Lillia.

As Loras went down to kiss Lillia, the girl finally lifted her eyes to look at him and all Loras saw in the big green orbs was pain and misery. He clenched his teeth, knowing that he was the cause of the girl's hurt and he could do nothing to erase the past twelve hours. Gently he pressed his lips to Lillia's plump shaking ones and it was all Loras could do to keep from ravaging her. the faint scent of vanilla, the taste of sugar and sweet on her lips that were so smooth and soft that Loras could get lost in them.

But not here.... Not now. Not after what he did to make this day a solemn one. The two newlyweds turned to face the crowds, hands still joined and immediately Lillia's eyes found Margaery, her only source of comfort at this time. The Tyrell girl gave her a sad smile before turning to shoot her brother a blood curdling glare. The banquet following was held outside in the same courtyard as the Purple Wedding had been held. When it was announced that there would be swords handed out so there could be some sport, Lillia expected Loras to jump at the opportunity to leave her seated at the table while he went and enjoyed himself.

However, the man remained rooted to her side like glue, pouring her a fresh glass of wine the moment she drank a sip from her cup, restocking her plate with food after every two bites. If Lillia didn't know any better, she would have suspected her husband of trying to make her fat but she knew that Loras was feeling particularly guilty and thus was the trying to treat Lillia with the best of care.

A part of her appreciated the attention but then she recalled the reason behind his caring actions and the appreciation she felt disappeared. The girl found herself in a stalemate. She had no one to talk to since Margaery and her fiancé of a king were giggling together as they observed the dessert table and she could not bring herself to strike up a conversation with Loras so she did the first thing that came to mind. Pushing her chair back and rising to her feet, she strode down from the banquet table to where the squires had lain out all different types of weapons. The girl ran her hands over each before she stopped on one heavy dual handed sword that could have been an axe in another life and lifted it into her hands with ease.

Several of the knights and guests had stopped what they were doing to watch the young bride as she carried her find bac to the banquet table and faced her husband.

"I challenge you, Loras Tyrel, to combat."

Everyone present froze and many of the women gasped while Lady Olenna sighed, not exactly surprised by the turn of events at yet another wedding of her grandchildren. Loras rose to his feet and stared at the petite blond in bewildered shock.

"Whatever for?" he asked. "I understand that you are angry with me but I have nothing against you and I have no wish to fight you."

Lillia sneered, "Scared much? Lets strike a bargain shall we? If you win, I will forgive you and we will put this behind us. If I win, you will be alone in your chambers, every night for a week. No company, not myself nor a lover."

Lillia faintly heard Mace Tyrell gasp at this but she ignored him as she met Loras's stormy gray gaze with her own, unwavering.

Loras breathed heavily, "I accept your challenge Lady Tyrell."