Chapter 1

The Queens Chambers

Sansa swallows harshly, her blue eyes turning as cold as she feels inside. Jaime was on top of Cersei. No not on top. Inside. Sansa listens to the slapping of their flesh, Cersei's moans and Jamie's grunts. I know those grunts. She thought those grunts were only for her. She thought….a lot of things that were clearly not true.

Arya was right. I am a stupid and silly little girl. Sansa catches her hand against the wall and feels her stomach lurch. Sansa sees a flash of her father's head falling toward the hard ground in front of his head. Her back stings with the memory of the beatings she took at Joffrey's behest.Joffrey was not even the rightful king. Joffrey was the bastard son of the Queen and Jaime. All the murmurs and rumors were true about the Lannisters. All the rumors about him were true. The Queen's children were product of… whatever this was she was watching.

Sansa could have stood there for seconds or hours. She didn't know. Instead she just watches them fuck. Sansa may have never done this herself but she knew enough to realize how fast and rough this was. Their joining was devoid of laughter and smiles. Both Jaime and the Queen had their eyes closed.

Even with their eyes closed, at least one of them should feel me standing here.

Sansa wasn't more than 10 feet away. Just standing there. Where they really so caught up in each other as to not notice her? Sansa's stomach rolls again and she takes a deep breath. The Queen gasps in pleasure and murmurs "more" to Jaime, to her brother.

Sansa cocks her head to the side. She wants to leave, to stop watching and listening; but she can't seem to make the rest of her body move.

He swore to me. He swore to me these were lies. Vicious lies. Jaime told me that my father was mistaken, set up by Jon Arryn and Stannis Baratheon. He seemed so disgusted that I could even ask the question. I felt ashamed that I'd even asked him about his sister.

Sansa lets out a loud laugh mocking herself for her own stupidity. Both Cerseri and Jaime stop and look towards her. Cersei has the decency to look embarrassed and grabs some cloth to cover herself. Sansa straightens her back and places a hand over her stomach. Her throat is dry and her face feels both hot and cold at the same time.

Without looking directly at Jaime's direction, Sansa address Cersei. "Your Grace. Forgive me for disturbing you. I just came to ask you whether I should come here in the morning to get ready or if you would come to my chambers."

Sansa can't meet Jaime's eyes. His eyes will mock me. He's mouth will show him smug. He may even throw back in my face the things we've done.

Sansa could hear Jaime say her name over the blood rushing in her ears. Out of the corner of Sansa's eye she sees Jaime jump up from the bed. Sansa reminds herself to keep her belly calm and keep her eyes on Cersei.

Don't cry. Don't show embarrassment. Just stand here and act as if Jaime isn't here. Don't look at him.

"Sansa," Jaime says louder and more anxious than before.

Sansa sees a blur of white out of the corner of her eye as she assumes Jaime is reaching for his garments.

Ignore him. Don't look. Don't give him the satisfaction of smirking in your face. Just don't look at him.

Cersei's voice shakes, "I will come to yo…your room little dove."

Sansa turns on her heel and immediately leaves the bedchamber. She hears Jaime say her name again, deceivingly desperate. Act like you don't hear him.

Sansa walks down the hallway, past the guards quickly. She makes it down a few steps before she grabs the skirts of her dress and runs as fast as she can. Her heels click loudly as she runs down the endless hallway. She runs towards the western stairwell, then up the hall towards the gardens. She can hear Jaime calling out to her but she only runs faster. She dashes pasts the fountains that have been put out for the wedding tomorrow and hears Jaime's voice call out to her again.

Jaime continues to try and lace up his pants and keep his undone boots from falling off his feet. He nearly trips running down the stairs but continues running. Jaime swallows harshly as he realizes Sansa's silver dress is out of sight and he can't hear her boots clacking anymore. He lost sight of her. I've lost her.

Jaime stops running and let the words wash over him. He'd never really had her but now….now he'd lost whatever trust he gained. Jaime briefly thinks about tomorrow. What if he can't find her tonight? Jaime shakes his head.

Sansa Start was a lot of things but she would never be late to her own damn wedding. It would be too un-lady like for her.

The Gardens

Sansa sits down, her back resting against a tree and uses its branches to hide her figure in the shadows. She puts her and over her mouth and muffles her sobs. Her shoulders shake and her eyes water.

They were lovers. No, Sansa corrected herself. They are lovers. The woman Jaime spoke of, the only woman he had ever loved was… is his sister.

Her tears flow as she grips the tree. She doesn't even have to make herself be quiet. Kings Landing has taught her many lessons and crying silently is one of them. By the time Sansa calms herself down, the moons have changed their position in the sky. Her face is hot and her eyes burn. Her nose runs and her chest heaves forward trying to catch her breath.

Sansa looks around the garden. At this late hour, the only light comes from the torches of the Red Keep. She wonders why she chose here to run to.

Because I am as warped as they are now.

Sansa recalls that the first time she and Jaime kissed was here in this garden. Jaime found her outside the Throne Room, bleeding and bruised. Joffrey had been particularly cruel that day, preferring to use a broken chair to beat her for hours. The King never bothered to hit her himself. Joffrey instructed the Kingsguard where to hit her and how hard. Even now, Sansa wasn't sure what Jaime did once he left her in the garden, but that had been the last time Joffrey or the guards had laid a hand on her.

Sansa's breath gets caught in her throat. He'd been so kind that day. I thought he actually cared. But perhaps he just felt guilty that his own son had ordered her to be beat?

That thought sends Sansa lurching forward and emptying the contents of her stomach. With the back of her hand she wipes her mouth. It's undignified and un-lady like but Sansa can hardly think of that now.

She silently prays to the Old Gods and the New. Keep Robb safe. Keep Mother safe. Keep Ayra from harm. Let every Lannister die a thousand deaths.

Sansa realizes tomorrow she would be one of those Lannisters. Her belly rolls again. She'd long known she was to be a Lion, to be a part of them. From the day Jaime escaped from Robb's camp, Sansa knew she would never leave King's Landing.

Originally, Sansa assumed she would be killed to teach the Stark's another lesson. Instead she was to be made Queen.

Queen? No she would be the wife of a bastard, born of incest. Stannis Baratheon is the rightful King. He's King Robert's heir not Joffrey. Cersei and Jaime are traitors. They should be killed on the spot. Joffrey should too. Sansa throws up again.

Tyrion's Bedchamber

Tyrion hands his brother a cup of wine which Jaime gulps down. The servant refills the cup and Jaime washes it down again. How the fuck could I be so damn stupid? Jaime wonders with worry that Sansa could have somehow escaped like her sister did. No. There were hundreds of guards in preparation for the wedding. There were dozens of guards posted at every exit to the Red Keep. She won't get out.

"Care to tell me what has you so damned upset?" asks the dwarf. A moment of silence passes between the brothers before Jaime answers.

"Someone caught us tonight."

Tyrion's eyes grow wider. Which 'us' was it? He seen with his own eyes the way the Stark girl's eyes shone when his brother walked into the room and the way Jaime's eyes followed her. Everyone at Court knew how protective Jaime was of the girl and how much she preferred Jaime's company to her betrothed.

Seeming to understand his brother's thoughts, Jaime verbalized it was he and Cersei who had been caught.

Tyrion cocks his head to the side and watches his brother drink more wine. Jaime and Cersei should be taking the children and getting the hell out of King's Landing. If they were lucky, they could get back to Casterly Rock and hope whoever took over the Iron Throne would spare the children.

"Sansa saw us," explains Jaime. "She couldn't even look at me."

Tyrion shifts his misshapen face and observes his brother. Jaime rarely drinks more than a cup of wine. Tonight he has already downed at least four. Jaime's face is full of tension and sadness. It remind Tyrion of the way his brother looked when Cersei was betrothed to Robert.

The elder Lannister lets out a loud, cruel laugh. It is self-deprecating and hollow. To Tyrion, it sounds like Cersei.

Tyrion asks, "What does it matter? She is marrying Joffrey tomorrow, not you."

Jaime's mouth sours into a frown, his jaw tightens and his green eyes shift to a darker hue. Jaime leans over the table and throws up a nasty combination of food and the wine he just consumed.

Tyrion understands the sentiment. Joffrey isn't just mean. He's sadistic and broken. Sansa had been physically and emotionally abused by his damned nephew more times than he could count. Now Joffrey can legally have Sansa in his bed too, any way he wants her.

Tomorrow night will likely be filled with terror for the poor girl. Joffrey will not care if she is in pain or uncomfortable. Hell, he'll probably like it the more he hurts her.

Tyrion looks back at his brother, watching as Jaime wretches again. Suddenly, Tyrion feels very sick himself. Sansa Stark may be the only truly kind person in the whole damn kingdom. Yet, tomorrow, she is to wed the most horrible human in the Realm.

The Throne Room

Jaime watches Sansa carefully. Her hair is down, curling around her shoulders. Her cornet of gold and onyx stones marks her in Baratheon colors. Her silver gown was decorated with pearls and diamonds: her breasts sat high on the neckline and the sleeves were long and billowing.

Sansa had done her duty well during the ceremony and now she looked every bit the beautiful maiden, marrying her King. She'd managed to smile when Joffrey kissed her lips and acted like she'd never experienced the brush of another's lips to hers.

Jaime knew from experience that Sansa had been kissed, many times before. Jaime knew how her tongue tasted in his mouth. He knew the sound Sansa made in the back of her throat, when their tongues brushed against each other.

Jamie watches as the new Queen received her gifts in celebration of her marriage. Tywin Lannister has gone first. The Hand gave the King and Queen a pair of golden lion statues. They were impressive with emeralds for eyes and "Hear Me Roar" written on the sides. Joffrey happily declared the lions were to be placed on the side of their thrones.

Next came the high houses of the land, well at least those who weren't in open rebellion. Next were the lesser houses. The King and Queen now had a ship, jewelry, silk fabrics, horses, a small Valyrian sword, rare books on the Red Keep and the Lannister family, and limitless supplies of grain and oats. Yet, they aren't even halfway through.

Jaime drinks a goblet of wine as he stare at Sansa. She was so damn polite and ladylike as she thanks each and every lord and lady. Seeing a break between two lesser households presenting gifts, Jaime walks over to the thrones and bows dramatically. Sansa's lips press together harshly, her eyes still not meeting his.

"My King. My Queen. I too have a gift for you. As the uncle of the groom and the former prisoner of the bride's family, I have a unique gift for the happy couple."

Several roars of laughter come from the audience while others whisper of Jaime and Sansa's odd relationship. Jaime signals for the Lannister grooms to come forward with Jaime's treasures.

Jaime address the King first.

"Your Grace, I have bought you presents for the future. For your heir that will no doubt soon be in your Queen's belly."

The first groom displays a crown that is a replica of Joffrey's, only a smaller size.

Sansa meets Jaime's gaze. His mouth has a hint of a smile. It reminds Sansa of a wicked teenage boy playing a trick on someone. Meanwhile, Jaime was taking in Sansa, glad that she was at least paying attention to him even if it was out of hatred and rage.

Joffrey's smile sends a shiver up Sansa's back. He loudly pronounces, "By the end of tonight she will have a child in her belly. No matter how many times it takes."

Sansa turns a deep shade of red, her eyes looking down at the floor. Jaime mentally reminds himself to appear calm and jovial. "Of course Your Grace will treat his Queen with nothing but the kindness and respect she deserves and the crown will symbolize the children she will bless you with." Joffrey please be gentle with her tonight.

Then Jaime turns his attention to Sansa, "..and for my Queen."

The audience gasps as they observe a fist of fur and see the present moving. Sansa gasps as does the crowd when they recognize what they were seeing.

Sansa's eyes fill with tears. The ball of fur looks just as Lady did on the day Robb gave the pup to her at Winterfell.

Jaime smiles. She's loves it. She loves it like I knew she would from the day I thought of it.

"It is part wolf, My Queen. I give you this gift from your new family, a gift to represent your old one." Please just forget what you saw last night.

Sansa arises from her throne and walks down to the groom holding the animal. She takes the animal from the groom and realizes this wolf is a boy.

"He is beautiful. Thank you Ja…Ser Jaime. I shall treasure him always."

For just a split second, Jaime sees Sansa's eyes light up and a genuine smile cross her face. Joffrey's frown widens.

Jaime silently begs Sansa to understand the gift. If I cannot be there to protect you, maybe the animal will.

Joffrey seems less than thrilled with the gift but dutifully thanks his uncle. Jaime smirks and asks the King for one favor in return in a joking manner. Joffrey tries to hide his annoyance but his frown gives him away.

"I only wish to be allowed to kiss your bride and welcome her properly into the family."

Joffrey's eyes narrow but even he can sense the crowds' excitement. The King nods and moves onto the next guest and gift. Sansa's eyes fill with something between fire and terror as Jaime leans over her.

She breathes in his scent for a second before Jaime touches one of her cheeks with his lips. He pulls back and looks into the Tully blue orbs for a second before moving to the other cheek. The contact is all too brief before Jaime pulls back again. Without a second glance, Jaime walks out of the side gallery.

Sansa looks around trying to ascertain if she has given herself away. Her face feels flushed and she's sure she leaned in to Jaime's lips. Luckily, most everyone seems too caught up in their own goblets and the feast to notice.

Sansa swallows harshly as she notices Queen Cersei exiting the same way Jaime just had.

Tommen interrupts her thoughts, "What shall you name him?" The little boy reaches to pet the fur of her new pup.

Jaime did this to protect me. Sansa smiles brightly, knowing exactly what name the pup would have. He shall be my sword against Joffrey, just like the one her father had.

"I shall name his Ice."

Joffrey seems pleased with the name. He must not remember that was the name of my Father's sword. There are a few more presents left before Joffrey announces it is time he makes his wife a maiden no more.

Sansa feels her stomach clinch and her cheeks flush in embarrassment. Some of them men shout out vulgar sayings and the crowd seems to grow closer as the bedding ceremony seems to start. Sansa holds closer, wanting to both protect him and seek protection from him. Louder shouts come from the back of the Throne Room. Sansa catches Tywin Lannister's eye and sees his usual expressionless face.

The large crowd seems to stop coming closer and instead parts as Knights dash towards the front.

"Your Grace. Forgive us from interrupting your service but it cannot be helped."

Joffrey's eyes flash fire, "What is it?"

Ser Migen Holdcroft, one of the Lannister guards, comes forward with parchment. He explains to the King that Robb Stark has sent thousands of men south to "kidnap your new Queen and her sister Lady Ayra Stark."

Tywin Lannister approaches the King and grabs the letter out of his hands. Ser Migen explains that Robb Stark has told anyone who will listen that, "Your Grace did not hold up their end of the prisoner exchange."

Sansa hears gasps and whispers and realizes virtually everyone in the hall is looking at her. Robb is finally coming. I'm finally to be rescued. I can finally go home. Sansa quickly returns to her wits as Joffrey proclaims that he will single-handily defeat any traitor sent to steal his wife.

The blood pumps so loudly in her ear that Sansa can scarcely hear Ser Migen as he continues. Robb has given a ransom of 1000 gold dragons to anyone who returns his sisters to him. Sansa's eyes grow wide. That ransom is large for most landowners and lesser lords.

Another Lannister guard comes rushing in with more news. There are several hundred Northerners scouters just half a day's ride from King's Landing; there are thousands that travel a few days later.

Tywin Lannister yells a small council be called immediately. Joffrey seems confused for a moment before grabbing his new wife harshly. Joffrey promises Sansa that he will put a child in her soon but first he must, "kill your treasonous brother as I did your father."

The Small Council Chamber

Jaime was sure the wine was affecting him. There is no way this is happening. Joffrey would never allow it. Cersei would never allow it. The gods would never allow it.

Jaime looks over at Petyr Baelish. As always, the Lord of Coin appears to have a secret only he is privy to. Joffrey for his part is speaking in the corner of battles and "his" victory at the Battle of Blackwater. Tyrion seems concerned and Cersei appears to be absolutely livid.

Tywin Lannister reminds his son that this war is everything to the Crown and to the Lannister name.

"You will take the new Queen to Casterly Rock at once. You will stay there until we can assure that Robb Stark and his whole damndable army are no longer a threat to us or the Realm."

Plans are shouted out quickly. There are only to be a handful of men to accompany he and Sansa. They will leave before sunrise. Tyrion will see to the horses while everyone else prepares for yet another battle.