ℍ𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 | 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝓇𝒶𝑔𝑜𝓃

15

Cerys resided in Winterfell for what felt like an eternity. Since the shared kiss between Cregan and Cerys, he'd kept his distance, like she was a curse he needed to escape. Instead of him, it was the servants who checked on her, their pitying glances igniting the guilt that gnawed at her.

Her heart was torn between the security Aemond offered and the untamed love she felt when glimpsed at Cregan. During supper, their conversations were mere exchanges of nods and brief, empty phrases. Even Jace noticed the tension that was immersed in the air. Only Baela knew the full extent of what troubled her.  

Baela comforted her through the nights, trying to guide her in the right direction. but what was the right choice? Aemond could provide security, but Cregan seemed to offer much love that Aemond was lacking. Was Aemond still even considered an option? 

Her fingers fiddled with the silky fabric of her nightgown. The grey shoulder pelt still draped over her shoulders for warmth. She laid three gentle knocks on his chamber door. Was she doing the right thing? 

As the night deepened, Cerys found herself standing before Cregan's chamber door. Her fingers toyed nervously with the soft silken fabric of her nightgown. The grey pelt, still draped over her shoulders offered little comfort against the chill that breezed past her. Pushing her thoughts aside, she knocked softly three times. Was this the right thing to do? 

Her knocks were met with silence that stretched on. She hesitated, unsure whether to leave, but the door creaked open and her heart leaped. She was disappointed to be met with a woman standing in the doorway but confusion began to crash over her, fighting back the tide of swirl of emotions within her. 

"M-My lady" 

the woman stammered, quickly dropping into a curtsey in her dirt-soaked dress, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Where is lord Stark?" 

Cerys demanded, her voice steady despite her nervousness. She clasped her hands in front of her, trying to still their trembling. 

"He is..taking a bath, my lady. Shall I call for him?" 

the servant offered, her gaze flickering to the way Cerys's fingers gripped the sides of her nightgown. Cerys wasn't fond of the servant being inside his chambers, better yet, her going into his bathroom and watching him sit in the bath without clothing. 

"That is not needed, I will wait for him inside" 

Cerys replied, brushing past the woman and stepping into Cregan's chambers, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.

Jealousy twisted inside her. Why had she reacted so strongly? Had he been with that woman? The questions swirled in her mind as she surveyed the room. Everything was in perfect order; the bed was freshly made. 

The sound of a door opening behind her snapped her back to the present. She spun around, and her breath caught in her throat. Cregan stood there, steam still rising from his smooth skin, a towel slung low around his waist. The muscles of his chest and arms were on full display, glistening with droplets of water that clung to him. A few scars dragged across his abdomen. His dark hair hung loose and damp, in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

For a moment, she was frozen, caught between the urge to look away and the overwhelming desire to take in every inch of him. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with unspoken tension.

"What are you doing here?" 

Cregan's voice was stern, pulling Cerys from her turmoil thoughts. 

"Must you walk out like that?" 

She mumbled, quickly averting her gaze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Cregan chuckled a low sound that sent a shiver down her spine.