Dawn. It was well into the morning when they awoke. Criston arose to find Alicent already waiting for him to rise.
"Good morning to you my love." She said bringing his lips to hers.
"To you as well." Criston welcomed hers, Alicent rested her side on the pillows and swept her hand across the length of his chest.
"I did not know a warrior such as you retained the capacity to be so gentle and amorous." She said in a groggy voice.
"And I had not thought a lady of this rigid court could be so impassioned."
"It was so provocative having you back, what more can I say?" Alicent said with a flattered chuckle.
Ser Criston scoffed "Provocative! You are quite outrageous, my Queen. Scandalous, even."
Alicent sat up and looked pensively before saying "well…I don't expect I should stop now with my scandalous behavior."
Alicent climbed out of the bed and rummaged through her belongings a moment "It occurs to me…I have something of yours, but you have nothing of mine. So…I think you ought take this, from me to you." She produced a golden ring, etched with an ancient script and topped with a pale opal stone. "It was given to me some years ago in my youth. It's been in my family for generations apparently, but I'd had no use for it."
Ser Criston marveled at it a moment before he placed it on his hand "Alicent…I don't know what to say, this is better far than I deserve."
"But it isn't, Criston. It means nothing compared to how I adore you. If anything should take you away from me, I want you to wear this and remember me and remind you that you are to come back to me." He chuckled.
"I need no ring to know that, I assure you."
"Have it nevertheless, I love seeing it on your hand." Alicent says breezily with love gleaming in her eyes.
Criston knew then the matter was settled. "You know, that would usually give me cause to take you back to bed. Unfortunately, I have a council meeting to attend." He said.
Alicent furrowed her brows. "Council meeting? For what? And what need does Queen Rheanyra have of you?" She questioned.
"Believe me, I found it strange too. But, I am Lord Commander and I am required, for what purpose I do not know."
Alicent helped him to prepare and re-armor. "Go then, Lord Commander, a man of such stature as you cannot be tardy" she said in a sarcastically deep grave voice.
They smiled, shared a kiss, and embraced one more time before he left.
"Perhaps you may take me to bed again when you return" Alicent said in a low voice, Criston smiling all the while.
After his departure, the Dowager Queen herself rose and prepared to visit Aemond again.
•••••••••••
In the council chambers, Criston was surprised to see the table so crowded. Queen Rhaenyra and her councilors sat as usual, but King Daemon attending also, standing behind his wife, as well as knights of Lord Baratheon and a knight of House Tyrell.Ser Tyland Lannister cleared his throat to address them all. "My Queen, Your Grace, my lords…I am afraid we have received intelligences from Dorne that give us great discomfort. Otto Hightower, aggrieved at his attempt to engineer the course of the succession, has fled into Dorne and has sought to incite them against us." He declares.
Murmuring echo around the table.
Otto Hightower. The man could not leave well enough alone, he was the child who had lost the game and this was his tantrum.
YOU ARE READING
Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole
FantasyQueen Alicent Hightower against her better judgement, falls in love with her sworn protector. Ser Criston Cole, can she bear to fight her feelings or will she finally just give in? "I trust again to you, Ser Criston, and to your loyalty. Aegon must...