So Close I Can Taste It.

Part 11

The next day you'd sent out messages to the bannermen who had served for your father and your Uncles calling them to pledge their allegiance to you, and support your claim to the throne. It had been easy enough to secure the support of the whole of the Iron Islands as those who had remained were loyal to Euron. Anyone who wasn't, had either fled when he was chosen as King, had been executed by Euron or were now confined to the dungeons on Great Wyk, if they had been some of the lucky few. It was perhaps a little excessive but Euron liked to make sure he as unwavering loyalty. The Shield Islands had been successfully held and had pledged their allegiance to Euron in turn.

On the evening before you'd sail, you found yourself in the war council room, placing the remaining marker on the map.

"House Estermont. Sworn to Renly Baratheon and before that, my father, have pledged themselves. I think the men you sent to block out their trade route convinced them,"

Estermont had been particularly stubborn. Initially they had declared they would support a true born Baratheon, but would not support a Greyjoy King after two attempted rebellions. In a strongly worded letter, they'd asked if Roberts last heir had taken leave of all senses to marry an Ironborn, let alone a Greyjoy.

Euron had then sent a ship to block the trade routes that they used for food, to deliver the message that they would not get you without him and that who matter who held the lands or the castles, Euron and by default, the Greyjoys would always hold the seas and could crush them in a moments notice with or without weapons.

"I had more men on that ship than they had in their military," Euron paused and came behind you to wrap his strong muscled arms around you, his legs and hips pressed close to you. You could smell the sea, salt and leather from him again and to you, it was like being home and you pulled into him instantly.

You laughed and ran your fingers across his arm and laced them with yours. "I know. But the Baratheon name gets people to support my claim..." you paused and turned in his arms to run a hand through his hair. "And my claim." You touched your lips to Euron's "is your claim," you kissed under his jaw. "Wait till I'm crowned under both our names, they can't protest because they've already pledged allegiance knowing we're married. I don't care if they call me Baratheon or Greyjoy as long as they call me Queen, both our banners will hang in the hall,"

"I'd like that a lot," he then grinned and kissed your hair. "My beautiful, devious Queen," he caged you against the table and leant in "Admit it. You're enjoying this...aren't you." he ran his fringes down your neck and pushed your chin up to meet his eyes.

The darkness burning there, full of passion, desire and want, there was a storm in his eyes. "Power is fun. I've always enjoyed it. More so now, I have you," he dragged his teeth over your neck hard then kissed the marks he'd given you softly. "You'd had have a lot less fun if your brother had married you off," Euron pulled a mocking face.

"I don't doubt it." You stroked under his tunic.

"I'm going to find the little mainlands Lord your brother wanted to you marry, and if he doesn't swear fealty to me, I'm going to kill him," Euron stated nonchalantly, playing with a lock of your hair. "I'm going to bring you his head," he look at you wildly.

"My King can do as he pleases, but why bother," you paused "I'm yours so it doesn't matter if he dies or not. Surely making him bend the knee to you is much better,"

Euron pulled a face "If it doesn't matter, then he can die," he held your wrist, his hands surprisingly warm and his thumb rubbing the blue of your veins. "I love you," he raised your wrist to his lips and traced his tongue down the vein, using his teeth to pinch the thin skin then his tongue again. "He can't give you what I can,"