Viper | Oberyn Martell

4

The oppressive heat of summer hangs heavy in the air, suffocating Yasmin with its stifling embrace. Her swollen belly stretches taut beneath the thin fabric of her gown, a testament to the life growing within her—a life that fills her with both joy and discomfort in equal measure.

As she reclines upon a pile of cushions in her chambers, Yasmin feels the weight of her pregnancy pressing down upon her like a burden too heavy to bear. Beads of sweat glisten upon her brow, trickling down her skin in rivulets as the stifling heat of the day threatens to overwhelm her.

Her handmaidens flutter around her like butterflies, fanning her with palm fronds and offering her cool drinks in an effort to alleviate her discomfort. But despite their ministrations, Yasmin cannot shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at her insides—a constant reminder of the life growing within her, of the responsibility that awaits her as a mother.

"Is there any word from Edrick?" She asks, her voice tinged with a note of longing.

Her handmaidens exchange glances, their expressions filled with sympathy for their mistress's plight.

"Not yet, princess" One of them replies softly.

Yasmin nods, her heart heavy with worry for her beloved. She knows that Edrick's duty as a member of the Martell guard keeps him far from her side, but she cannot help but yearn for his presence—the sound of his voice, the touch of his hand, the warmth of his embrace.

As the hours pass, the heat of the day shows no sign of abating, and Yasmin's discomfort only grows more acute. Her belly feels like a lead weight upon her, dragging her down into the depths of exhaustion. She longs for relief, for respite from the relentless onslaught of heat and humidity that surrounds her.

But even as she struggles to find comfort in the sweltering heat, Yasmin knows that she must endure—for the sake of her unborn child, for the sake of her family, for the sake of the love that binds her to Edrick, wherever he may be.

The news of Edrick's death spreads through the palace like wildfire, a dark cloud of sorrow hanging heavy in its wake. As the messenger delivers the grim tidings to Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper's heart sinks like a stone in his chest, a cold knot of dread tightening in the pit of his stomach.

He listens in silence as the messenger recounts the details of Edrick's passing—the fierce battle, the valiant sacrifice, the tragic end.

With a heavy heart, Oberyn makes his way to Yasmin's chambers, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the corridor. He knows that he must be the one to deliver the news to her—to be the bearer of sorrow in her hour of need.

As he enters the room, he finds Yasmin sitting by the window, her gaze fixed upon the horizon as if searching for some sign of hope amidst the darkness that surrounds her. Her face is pale, her eyes hollow with grief, and Oberyn's heart clenches at the sight of her pain.

"Yasmin," He says softly, his voice a gentle caress against the stillness of the room.

She turns to him, her eyes wide with apprehension, sensing the weight of his words before he even speaks them.

"What is it?" She whispers, her voice trembling with fear.

He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead.

"It's Edrick," He says, his voice barely above a whisper, "He's... he's gone."

Yasmin's breath catches in her throat, her heart stuttering in her chest as the full weight of his words hits her like a blow to the gut.

"No," She gasps, her voice choked with disbelief, "It can't be true."

But even as the words leave her lips, Yasmin knows that they are a futile denial—a feeble attempt to ward off the inevitable truth. And as the reality of Edrick's death settles over her like a suffocating blanket, she feels a primal scream building in the depths of her soul—a scream of anguish and despair that threatens to tear her apart from the inside out.