Not Just a Kingslayer

Chapter 16

Cersei couldn't sleep that night. All she could think about was Jaime, and how badly she'd messed up. When morning finally came, she got up and dressed, then walked to the council hall, hoping Petyr was there.

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After talking to Cersei, Jaime had walked around the city for a while to calm himself down. When he finally returned, Daena had been asleep, so he just kissed her forehead and went to sleep. He woke up in the morning and was putting on his Kingsguard armor when he felt eyes on him. He turned around to see Daena watching him, her blue eyes twinkling. "Good morning, Kingslayer."

He felt himself smile. "Good morning, my lady." The smile slipped from his face. "I'm so sorry Daena. I shouldn't have been so angry at you. I should've known Cersei had something to do with it, not that Littlefinger's a good person anyway. And I definitely shouldn't have..." He broke off, looking down and flushing. Daena blushed as well. "And I'm really sorry about that."

Daena reached for his hand and took it in her own. "It's alright, Jaime," she said, looking deep into his eyes. "I love you, Kingslayer."

"I love you too, my lady," he said, pulling her in and kissing her deeply.

"Now off you go, Ser, I'm sure you have a meeting to attend to," she said, laughing. He pouted at her as she pushed him out the door.

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Daena was looking for Margaery when she felt a presence behind her. She turned. "Lord Baelish," she said coldly.

"Now, Daena," he said, spreading his arms wide,"what have I told you? Call me Petyr."

"Lord Baelish, what do you want?"

He put a hand to his heart. "You sadden me, Daena. I thought we were friends. I've merely come to apologize. What I did was inexcusable, but I hope you will excuse me for it."

"And why should I do that?" she asked, her eyes filled with suspicion.

"Well I know you found out about my deal with Her Grace..."

She interrupted him. "How do you know that?"

"Well, as I've said before, I do make a habit of knowing things, but it didn't take much to find out that Ser Jaime was so mad with his sister that he slung her over his shoulder and carried her away from the conversation she was having."

"Oh," Daena said, covering her face as she grinned. But it was no use; she began to laugh, laughing so much that she had to lean against the wall. Petyr grinned at her.

When she finally calmed down, Petyr began to speak again. "I'm glad I was the one to tell you that particular bit of news. Anyway, now that you know that, you know why I did what I did. Although I'll admit, I wouldn't have done that quite so soon if you didn't remind me of Cat so much," he said, looking away wistfully. "I only wish for a second chance."

"Alright," she said,"a second chance."

He smiled broadly at her and she smiled back.

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Cersei was dismayed to find that Littlefinger was not in the council hall. It began to fill up as more people came in, none of them him. Where could he be? He said he's always early... There was an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something white flashed in the corner of her vision and she turned to catch the emerald green eyes of her twin in her own. His eyes narrowed and he turned away. It was worse than a slap in the face.

The council meeting began without Lord Baelish. When they were deep in discussion about Daenerys Targaryen, the door to the chamber opened and they looked over to see him come in. "I'm sorry I'm late, my lords, Your Grace. I had some business to attend to." Jaime tensed and Cersei's eyes widened as she felt his stare bore into her.

"It's alright, Lord Baelish," she said, as calmly as possible, while simultaneously trying to ask him what he was talking about with her eyes. Unfortunately, that only worked with Jaime.

For the rest of the meeting, all Cersei could pay attention to were Jaime's eyes boring into her skin. When it was over, she walked quickly over to Lord Baelish and stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "I need to speak with you, my lord."

"Yes?" he said, turning.

She pulled him to a corner, away from everyone else, but she could still feel Jaime glaring at her. "I need to end our agreement." He opened his mouth to speak but she continued. "Yes, you will still get a reward. But my brother has found out and he is very angry, as you can see, so I think it is in everyone's best interest."

Is it in my best interest? Petyr wanted to ask. No, it isn't. But I don't need a Queen's permission to do what I want. I will finish my task anyway, and that. Itself can be the reward. "Of course, Your Grace, whatever you believe is best."

"Thank you, Lord Baelish," she said softly.

He passed Jaime on the way out, smiling smugly at him, and Jaime left the room soon after, leaving the Queen alone with her sorrow.