Thank Me / Criston Cole

16. Dying For Love

Criston walked Tyland home that night, there was a killer on the loose after all, not because of mallory, nope. 

"You have been spending a lot of time with me daughter." Tyland remarked as they walked. Criston tensed, sparing Tyland a small glance. 

"She is a lovely young woman." Criston agreed. 

"Listen, Cole." Tyland requested running a hand over his tired face. "I love Mallory, she is my little sassy world, she is just like her mother which is why I'm worried about her. You understand you know mallory and I think you have a good head on your shoulders." 

"Thank you Sir." Criston agreed. It was strange but it was a sign of respect, Criston realized that Tyland wasnt all that much older than himself. 

"But you are queens guard." Tyland added. "Whatever you are doing with my daughter, put an end to it." He requested, commanded. Criston cleared his throat unable to meet Tyland's gaze. "I know my mallory." Tyland added. "She is full of love, but she is trouble. You and her can never be, you swore an oath." 

"I did..." Criston agreed hesitantly, his brain felt like it was malfunctioning. 

"So stop leading her on." Tyland instructed. 

"What if I wasnt on the queens guard?" Criston countered. 

"If you werent on the guard then I would expect a formal declaration asking for Mallorys hand." Tyland informed him. "Not you two mucking about behind my back. But since you are queens guard, I am asking you kindly so cut ties." 

But it took two to tango and Criston and Mallory were tangled. There was no cutting ties. 

Criston waited outside the lannister household that night, but mallory didnt come back for hours. She waited until Tully fell back asleep before heading off for the night. 

"Thank you mallory." Larys added as she left. 

"She's like my sister." Mallory assured. "There is nothing I wouldnt do for her." 

"And thank you for... keeping our secret." Larys added gently. 

"What secret?" Mallory smirked back. When she got home criston rose up from the front steps. Mallory rushed to him, he picked her up spinning her around. 

"She looks so happy." Mallory's mother Lou remarked fondly. "Tyland- look at them!" 

"Is he ending things? I dont care if they look happy, no Lou dont give me that look." Tyland corrected. "He is queens guard and leading out little girl on." 

"Leighton was never this in love with anyone." Lou went on. 

"Yes well... thats why she got an arranged marriage." Tyland agreed. 

"Ty, just look at them. He clearly loves her." Lou countered. 

"Our mallory is loveable." Tyland agreed. "BUt it doesnt change the facts."

"I had a talk with your father." Criston remarked. 

"Oh no." Mallory mused. 

"He knows about us." Criston countered, Mallory's smile fell. "Or... that we are close... I dont know the extent I didnt want to ask." Mallory nodded stiffly. 

"And he scared you off?" Mallory whimpered. 

"It's not... I just... he wants us to cut ties." 

"NO!" Mallory cried out. "You can't do this! I need more time with you! I love you." Criston grabbed her bringing her lips up to him. 

"You love me?" He whispered. 

"But I will hate you forever if you leave me like this." Mallory assured. 

"I love you, Mallory, I dont want to cut ties." Criston assured. 

"Good, dont listen to my father he's an idiot." Mallory decided. Lou chuckled from the window. 

"What?" Tyland questioned. 

"Oh nothing honey, lets go to bed." Lou assured. 

"What about Mallory?"

"She is in good hands." Lou countered leading him to their room. 

"I love you, Mallory but I'm kings guard, I'm-"

"Mine." Mallory commanded. "You are mine Criston Cole. I have claimed you. We really are like Romeo and Juliet." She realized. "Even my father is trying to tear us apart." 

"You know how that story ends?" Criston countered. 

"Dying for love." Mallory agreed. "There are worse things to die for." She assured. "Now, kiss me." 

+

"I'm Crowning Aemond today." Criston remarked as Mallory helped him get ready.

"I know, thats a big deal." Mallory agreed. 

"I got promoted... commander of the guard." 

"You... Criston thats wonderful." Mallory assured. Criston tipped his head to the side. "What? You dont have those vows of no wife with commander do you?" 

"I... Ser harrold was Alicent's guard, he left not wanting anything to do with this usurping of the crown." 

"Rightfully so, he was with Rhaenyra for years." She agreed. Then she realized why he was telling her. "So Alicent is being even more needy than usual." She added. "I'm never going to get another moment alone with you." She realized in agony. 

"Dont say that, we will figure it out." Criston countered. 

"Why do you have to look so damn cute?" Mallory questioned. "It would be easier to leave you if you didnt look like you do." Criston smirked popping his collar. Mallory chuckled, shaking her head as she got closer to him. "Well, while you are crowning Aemond, I want you to look out into the crown and look for this red dress and ask yourself if forever with me might be something you could wrap your handsome around."

"Mallory-"

"When you are up there, you will seem like you are on top of the world. Think about it then. If I can be a part of that world."