Blood Upon The Snow ||| Cregan Stark

twenty-two

It was a game for Cregan to leave Jacaera's tent that night. He couldn't be seen or there would be questions. What Jacaera was trying to avoid.

In the grand scheme of things, it probably didn't matter. Within days, they'd be officially betrothed. Still; it would open Jacaera to questions. She'd be called a whore and that wasn't something she wished for.

So as carefully as he could, after he was dressed again, he timed his exit. Escaping the tent without being seen and circling around the whole camp so no one saw him coming from her direction.

When he was gone, he did have a knight standing guard outside her tent for the duration of the knight. No matter how much he trusted his men, there were always those who were stupid.

Better safe than sorry.

Jacaera slept extremely soundly that night. Tired and happy. And hey, that man was right. It did warm her up.

The hardest part was the next day. When everyone was up and getting ready to leave the campsite. Jacaera had her hair done up in its braid, any of the marks that had been left were covered.

Yet she had to act like Lord Cregan hadn't fucked her well. Couldn't smile at him, couldn't stay near him. Just to make sure no one asked any questions.

He wanted to be kissing on her, making it clear that she wasn't available. Yet he couldn't do anything until they'd signed their agreement.

Cregan had to endure the comments while they packed everything away. Someone swore they heard something from her tent, saw something. Everyone was trying to figure out who she'd invited in, if she'd invited someone in.

All he wanted was to keep his head down until they returned and had witnesses to their agreement.

"He's mad because it wasn't him."

Oh, how wrong they were. If it wasn't so unseemly, he might've shown everyone the marks on her thighs. They couldn't have her.

Things were better once Jacaera rejoined the fold. Men liked to talk a big game. But in front of a princess who could order their head for such talk, they were quiet.

Craven.

Thankfully, they were packed quickly. Tents and animals packed up, the most important people entering carriages to get back to Winterfell.

The same day they arrived back, Jacaera found tea in her room in the Guest House. She tasted it and smiled.

Moontea.

She downed it all.

Lord Cregan and Jacaera secured their marriage pact in two ways.

First, Cregan gathered his advisors. He announced to them that he and the princess had come to an agreement.

"I will take her as my wife."

Beyond wanting to fuck her for the rest of his life, marrying the daughter of the Queen was extremely beneficial for House Stark. Especially when they added on the dragon that could defend them.

Some brought up the fact that she was a woman and couldn't decide on her betrothal. But Jacaera had come as an envoy. She had the power to agree to anything, even who she would marry to benefit her mother. It wouldn't be rescinded.