So Close I Can Taste It.

Part 4

"Let him in. You can go for the night, Ser, thank you," you told the guard.

"'M'lady," he left, you poured yourself a glass of wine and a second for Euron, left them on your table and walked back out to the balcony.

A moment later, Euron had joined you. He moved so quietly, you didn't realise he was there until you felt a presence next to you.

"Thank you....for earlier....how did you even find me?" You started.

"You're lucky I was there" he replied. "I'd noticed him following you as you left. I didn't like it...So I followed him,"

You shook your head. "Had he been given the chance he'd have probably slit my throat,"

Euron leant forward as you both looked out to sea. "Then I'd have slit his," he said in response.

"Ah, yes," you responded "One of your guards murdering me would have likely ruined our alliance," you raised your eyebrows and smiled

He frowned slightly "That's not why I'd have done it,"

You stole a glance at him, wondering what he meant.

"So what did you do with the man..." You asked.

"He's at the bottom of the water now," Euron waved a hand out to the sea.

"You killed him yourself," A statement more than a question. Deep down, you knew that's why the guard was scared when he realised his Lord had caught him. He'd all but signed himself up to die.

Euron nodded "Of course." He paused "What would you have done?"

"You're asking my advice?" For a moment, you were surprised.

"No. Too late for that," he smiled slightly and turned around to sit on the ledge whilst you continued to stare out in the distance. "I'm asking if you'd have had him killed,"

You drummed your fingers on the ledge. "He drew steel on a Lady, he threatened me...it is a crime punishable by death in whichever manner his liege Lord chooses. I'm not going to mourn a man who tried to murder me," you turned your head to face Euron.

In Kings Landing, men were punished by hanging, beheadings or if they were especially lucky, by exile to the Wall to serve out their days as a man of the Nights Watch. It was extremely uncommon for the King himself to administer the punishment, preferring instead to use Illyn Payne. Euron, however, had a flair for the more dramatic options.

"You want to know how he died? Your attacker?" Euron asked.

You attempted a half smile. "I can use my imagination," you turned your gaze back out to sea. "Or you can tell me when we sail in the morning, I'm sure it was a suitably creative punishment for the man who nearly ruined your alliance"

You moved away to walk back inside when he caught your arm and pulled you back so you were flush against his chest, the only place you could look was up at him. "It had nothing do with the alliance,"

Euron brought his other hand up to your face to cup your cheek and his eyes took you in, there was something different in his eyes. Earlier with the guard, he'd looked positively enraged. Now you couldn't place it.

"I had to do it, you know....I don't want another man to lay a hand on you.." his voice was low but firm. You could smell sea, salt and leather on him. "He had to know he can't touch you,"

"I...He...cornered me," you began.

"I know. But it still bothers me...I promise he'll never threaten you again,"