Illicit Affairs // Harwin Strong // Criston Cole

32. White Cloaks

''Viserys has taken to bed while his ship is readied.'' Rhaenys said as she approached her husband.

'Perhaps I... overextended myself? Pushed him too close to the edge?'' Corlys countered thinking of their talk

'My cousin chose to sail into this tempest, husband. It was undignified of the King to drag himself here and beg for Laenor's hand.'' Rhaenys retorted happily.

''Where is Laenor?'

''He and Rhaenyra are walking the coast.''

''Good. Do they seem... familiar? They grew up together.'' Corlys questioned

''Familiarity is not at issue.'' Rhaenys reminded him.

''Oh, I'm sure Laenor was already taken with her. She's grown quite comely these last few years.'' Corlys offered.

''You know his true nature.''

''He's still young. He will outgrow it. There is no pleasure in the world like... bedding a woman.'' Corlys told her happily.

''We are placing our son in danger.'' Rhaenys reminded him.

''The lords of the realm bent the knee to Rhaenyra and swore obeisance to her.'' Corlys reminded her confidently.

''That was before there was a true-born prince named Aegon Targaryen. Rhaenyra's succession will be challenged.''

''Knives will come out for her, her husband, and for their heirs. Our house controls the realm's navy and half its dragons. Anyone fool enough to challenge Rhaenyra's claim will be crushed.'' Corlys told her with the utmost confidence.

''To what end, Corlys? Wealth? Power? Pride? Justice.''

''By all rights, you should be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. You were robbed of the crown by-' Corlys began.

'I never wore the crown because the realm would not have it so.'' Rhaenys reminded him bitterly.

''And I would remedy that... small-minded error by any means necessary-'

''I myself have put the business behind me, Corlys.''

+

''I've always feared the day you'd have to marry a woman. And now it comes. Your betrothed gives you leave of her own free will to continue partaking of. Was I the duck or the goose?'' Joffrey questioned smugly as he kissed at Laenors chest.

''I've come to meet my fate and you make a jape of it?'' Laenor countered pushing him away.

''Look, Rhaenyra will be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and you will be her king consort.'' Joffrey reminded him. ''Think of the tournament, the feast, the battles at sea. Will you wear your crown today, Your Grace?'' Laenor chuckled

''You're a fool.''

''You will need a sworn protector.'' Joffrey reminded him flipping him onto his back.

''Mm-hm.'' Laenor agreed happily.

''Well, this is better than we could've hoped for. She has a paramour of her own.''

''I wonder who it is.''

+

''Did sleep flee you as well this morning?'' Vaera offered as they had set sail for home. She couldn't sleep, her mind racing with the uncertainty of the future, her kiss with Harwin... oh that man.

''I needed to see you, Princess.'' Criston remarked approaching her slowly, a plan, a mission on his mind.

''I confess I had a similar desire.'' Vaera admitted. She thought it was okay to love them both, since her time for love was coming to an end once she was married to Tyon Lannister.

''You have confided in me now and then over the years of our acquaintance. I feel, forgive me, that I, I know you... a bit.'' Criston remarked.

''You know more than a bit.'' Vaera agreed softly a little chuckle on her lips.

''I've heard you say so many times how you loathe the lot of your position, that you are to be married off at your father's whim with no thought given to the yearning of your own heart, and... now the day comes. Lord Tyon might be a good and, and decent man, but you, you did not choose him. He was chosen for you.'' Criston remarked.

''That's true.'' Vaera agreed "I don't want him, I don't want to leave home, I don't want any of this."

''If there were another path... one that led to freedom... would you tread it?'' Criston offered and Vaera stared back at him. 'Vaera, before I came here, I was a knight in the Storm lands. I have deep knowledge of the port at Sun spear where I've seen the ships of Essos setting sail with their hulls full of oranges and cinnamon and I've always wished to see where they went.''

''Are you asking for leave?'' Vaera questioned confused. "You can't have it, not yet. I'm to leave to the fucking rock of all places, you can go then if you wish." Vaera countered.

''I'm asking you to come with me... away from all of this." Criston countered.

"What?"

"From the burdens and indignities of your title. Let us leave it all behind and see the world together... where we'll be nameless, and free... free to go where we like, to love as we like. In Essos... you could marry me. A marriage for love, not for the crown.'' Criston reasoned. Vaera stared at him, running away... that could be fun, that would surely anger her father more, she wouldn't be able to see Nyra again though... or Harwin. Vaera noticed Harwin coming up from below deck and she sighed.

'"I can't." Vaera whispered.

"You could." Criston countered and Harwin watched them silently.

"Criston... leaving would mean never seeing Nyra again. Staying on the other side of the world... I don't want to marry Tyon Lannister but at least I would be here. In westeros. Able to be near my family." Vaera told him softly. ''I want us to continue as we began, with you as my sworn protector, my white knight.' Vaera corrected

''I took an oath. As a, as a knight of, of your Kings guard. An oath of chastity. I've broken it.'' Criston said in desperation. Harwin's jaw clenched at his words but Vaera wasn't looking at Harwin her focus was on Criston's broken face.

''I won't tell anyone..." Vaera assured. "You can just be my protector. Nothing need happen ever again."

''I-I've, I've soiled my, my, wh... my white cloak. And it's the only thing I have to my fսcking name!" Criston reminded her. ''I, I thought if we were married, I might be able to restore it." Vaera choked out a laugh. 

"You mean, you tainted me and now to ease your conscious you want to marry me? Not because you love me but because it would ease your guilt." Vaera spat. 

"No, thats not what I meant-' Criston began. 

"It sure sounded like it." Vaera countered her arms crossed over her chest. 

"No, i want you Vaera. I want us." Criston assured. "We can never be... here though." Vaera shook her head.

''The Iron Throne looms larger than me and Nyra, larger than anyone in my family. Aegon the Conqueror united the Seven Kingdoms and put them on a path... Criston... I'm sorry... im not leaving.'' Vaera informed him turning back to the waters before snapping back around to him. "And for your information that was a shit proposal." Vaera added. "No cookies in sight."

+

With a labored breath Viserys stepped out of the carriage only to collapse to the ground.

''Fetch the Maester!'' Harrold shouted.

''Get back.'' Lyonel demanded.

''Get Mellos! Get back!'' Harrold demanded.

'Prepare the crucible. We'll need leeches.'' Mellos remarked. Alicent watched as her husband fell to the ground, hoping for death.

"Father!" Vaera shouted dropping next to him. "What's going on?"