The Red Viper and the Tempest.
An unlikely match from the beginning.
A moment of attraction, fleeting and memorable.
A hint of vulnerability, strong and lasting.
A spark of a flame, inevitable and ruining.
In the midst of storms and poisons, tw...
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The first time Cassandra saw the Red Keep, she had deemed it the castle of dragons.
At the time, it had been fitting. Not simply because it was the seat of power of the Targaryens but also because of the keep's physical appearance.
She had barely been a young girl then, sent to be fostered in King's Landing as was done with many young ladies.
After having grown up in Storm's End, the red stone walls and towering spires were an intimidating sight for one who had not seen anything like it before.
Under the tutelage of her aunt, she had learned plenty about being a young lady and about the Seven Kingdoms.
When she became appointed as one of Elia's ladies, she had to travel back and forth between King's Landing and Dragonstone despite preferring the latter.
That all changed on that fateful day when the Mad King had accused her of being a traitor to the Crown. Since that day, all she wanted was to go home to her real home.
Storm's End.
Even if she had not known it at the time, not granting her request and sending her to Dorne to wed Oberyn Martell instead had been one of the greatest blessings of her life.
Robert may have done it for selfish reasons but it did not change how it resulted. Perhaps that is why she was willing to see him again with an open mind and not with the anger she felt upon leaving.
Cassandra's arm was tucked around Oberyn's as they followed Jaime to the throne room, their shoes clicking loudly against the aged floors.
Owain had opted to rest instead in the chambers set aside for him, not wanting to partake in what he deemed as incredibly boring.
Cassandra had agreed. If she could avoid such a thing, she would do so as well. It might also be best for Owain not to be exposed to such a situation as they did not know what kind of welcome they would be receiving.
"Do you think she had her guards tripled?" Oberyn suddenly asked out of the blue, breaking the silence as they walked.
Cassandra looked at her husband oddly before glancing at the knight leading them. Ser Jaime walked a distance ahead of them so it was possible he did not hear the question.
"Huh? Who?" Cassandra questioned, unsure what or who he meant by that.
"Cersei Lannister. Do you think she increased the number of her guards knowing that you are here?" He continued, thinking better of it as he shrugged. "Then again, as if that would work, you could punch her without any of them knowing better."
"Oberyn!" She exclaimed, playfully shoving him away with her free hand. It was a good thing the knight was too far ahead of them that he would not hear their conversation.
