Cregan was silent at dinner when theyr returned to castle black, Valaena wanted to give him space, so she ate her dinner in silence also, taking quiet breaths as the couple returned to their bedchambers. Her hands shaking
It wasn't that him wielding justice had scared her, she wasn't a stranger to beheadings, there were a million things raging in Valaena's chest as they ate in near silence. Instead she tried to focus on the low conversations of the men around her. She wanted to engage in conversation with them, but didn't dare to.
After dinner Valaena and Cregan were brought to their chambers, she again followed Cregan in silence, Alicent's lessons of not speaking unless spoken to by her husband echoing in her mind.
The sleeping and bathing area appeared separated by a wooden room divider. She could see a bathtub but no steam rose from the room. Jusging by the cold so far up North, it must he near impossible to hold a warm bath. Valaena let out a sigh as she took off her heavy cloak. She thought about Winterfell and it's heated walls and floors. Castle Black was much colder. She shuddered as the cold air hit her neck and chest. Promising the gods she would show more gratitude towards Winterfell's keep from now on.
"I'll go out, so you can bathe in private." Offered Cregan as he fastened his cloak and turned on his heel to leave their chambers.
"No, it's-" Valaena fell quiet for a moment, not wanting to live up to her reputation as the Southern Princess. She grimaced walking up the to the tub and dipping her fingers in the cold water.
Cregan watched her, something like amusement creeping up his lips. "They'll have hot water in the morning Princess."
She hummed, shoulders slumming as she felt him slide one hand across her back. He wasn't taunting ber, rather trying to be kind.
"Enjoy your bath Lord Stark." Mused Valaena as she left him standing besides the tub. Not sparing him another glance, she wanted to be rid of feeling like such strangers so badly. Yet she had not an inkling how.
She loosened her braid, her silver hair falling down her back, grimacing as she splayed her arms to reach the fastenings. There were no handmaidens or ladies here, not even a scully maid to aid her.
"Cregan?"
"Laena."
"Would you please help me get this dress off."
She kept her voice silent as she counted his footsteps, listening only to his slightly heavier breathing as he undid the back off her dress. It slid off her shoulders immediately and she had to hold up the bodice at her chest.
"The corset, please."
He hummed only, slightly off tune as his fingers made quick work off the strings that sat tight around her upper body. Valaena took a shuddering breath as she felt the fabric loosen around her. The air felt fresher, fuller and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the loose feel around her chest and ribs.
"Thank you."
Cregan remained silent as he dragged his thumb across Valaena's shoulders before stepping away. She turned, his face still turned towards her. She bit her lip, somewhat relieved to notice the darkening of his eyes, the clenching of his jaw.
Atleast he didn't find her repulsive. The thought had crossed her mind, even when he had kissed her this late afternoon, even then.
She held her breath as her dress and corset slipped to the floor. Revealing her nightshift. It was thin in the cold air despite being made of thick itchy Northern cotton.
"You'll be cold tonight." Whispered Cregan, his accent thick.
Valaena nodded, before turning away from him, counting his steps as he walked back towards the cold bathtub.
She contemplated her next actions for a moment. She wasn't desperate to consumate her marriage, in fact she did not mind easing into it with Cregan, but she did not feel welcome at his court, at his gatherings so long the gods didn't recognize their marriage. So she flinched as she undid the lacing of her gown. The cold air hitting her chest while eased the fabric from her shoulders. Her hands slightly shook as her gaze fixed on the wooden screen. A fire roared in the hearth, but it did nothing to warm her and she prayed that perhaps Cregan would.
She shook her head, cursing under her breath as she slid the nightgown back on her shoulders, the lacing still undone as she took confident steps towards her husband.
"Laena."
She watched him swallow, his throat bobbing. His skin was slightly red from the cold water, but still she could see his shoulders and chest clearly.
"Cregan." Whispered Valaena back as she undid the last pieces of lacing on her nightgown. One tug and the cotton would fall from her body. "Allow me to bathe with you?"
Cregan clenched his jaw, his body growing warm as he envisioned it. He wanted to shake his head, to grant her more time to get used to him, to be happy- but his body defeat him as he nodded, croaking out a hoarse "yes."
He wanted to curse as the nightshift slid from Valaena's shoulders. The cold air doing all sorts of things to her curves that he wished he had done. The fabric clung at her hips and for a moment he considering leaping forward and pulling it down her legs himself, but he held himself together as he watched her tug it down. Her appearance made him all the more grateful to have her as his wife. He thanked the gods, trying not to fall to his knees.
She kept her eyes on him as she stepped inside the tub, making it all more torturous to him as eased into the cold water without flinching. Her silver hair pooled around her as she slid in, before sticking on her wet breasts and shoulders as she sat up slightly. Her eyes curious as she gripped the edge of the tub to steady herself.
"Seven hells"
Cursed Cregan softly as he clenched his jaw. Shuddering at how close Valaena sat from him.
Valaena had a mind to pull her knees to her chest and appear small, all the confidence had left her body the moment she had entered the cold water, but at the moment that Cregan had uttered a curse and bit his lip, she couldn't help herself but sink to her knees and crawl over to him.
His hands took to her hips right away, and she winched as she felt his hard body against her. She remained quiet as her fingertips met his shoulders. Clinging to him for warmth.
"I am so cold." Confessed Valaena with pink cheeks. Sucking in another heavy breath. As she felt his fingers moving up and down her hips.
"I want to make you happy Laena." Cregan's voice was hoarse, as if he was fighting himself to not move his hips and slide right inside of her, making love to her and hoping to have her bear his sons, he could feel himself throbbing, her breast pushed against his chest and he groaned as she slightly shifted in his lap.
Despite it all he wanted to give her time. To make her feel at home.
"Then make me yours Cregan." Valaena had bent down slightly, her lips tracing the shell of his ear, and he wanted so desperately to ask her if she was sure, but she shifted again, and if only one singly thrust with his hips, then he would be burried inside of her and he knew there was no going back when she stared at him with her violet eyes, curiousity and passion inside them. She wanted this. He wanted this. He would be a fool to deny her.
He let go of her waist, trying to keep himself steady as he raised up his hand to trace her jaw. "Laena-"
"Please."
He couldn't contain himself as she asked him again, his hand slid to her hair as he thrust upwards, sliding inside of her and the warmth of it made him nearly roll his eyes back as he moaned. Valaena in turn flinched, squeezing her eyes shut at the feel of him. She wanted to cry out in both pleasure and pain. But chose against it as she squeezed her legs around him.
Cregan hesitated before bringing his fingers to her chin and softly kissing her, their lips parting as he used one hand to slowly guide her hips. She winced again, so he kissed her softer. "Are you alright Laena?"
She hummed at him, unable to speak, and so he moved slowly, bringing his hips up and kissing her nose. Then her forehead and her lips again, picking up his pace only when soft whimpers started leaving her mouth. She didn't think about the capital, of her duties , the Green's betrayal or mourning what could have been. Instead she felt focused only on him, her body warming.
Valaena held onto his arms, her body sinking into his as he picked up the pace, and before she knew it she clung to his neck while heavy moans started leaving her throat. She shuddered at the feel of him inside of her, she was his, and he was hers. The North was her home. Her heart beat faster at Cregan's touch and her hands no lonher shook as she dug her nails in his shoulder.
Cregan held her in his arms, stroking her hair untill the water grew so cold that they had no choice but to leave the water, yet if was in front of the hearth, were they stood. Both robed and half clothed that Valaena couldn't help but pull off her robe and nightshift again, she stared at him, waiting, untill he clenched his jaw and fists and nearly tripped as he pushed her onto the carpet and took her there again, their lips nearly glued together while their moaning and breathing filled the castle once more.
In bed. Cregan snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him, promising that it was only for warmth as she dozed off to sleep. He breathed in the scent of her, lingering notes of powdery flowers in her hair before he too felt exhaustion taking over.
Near dawn, Valaena woke up so exhausted that Cregan had to nearly drag her out of bed, promising to take her up to see the wall.
Their breakfast was served in private, they were sat across from eachother and Valaena couldn't swallow the dark ale because besides not liking the taste she couldn't help but imagine him kissing her and sliding inside of her right on the table, she hesitated getting to her feet herself.
"We are meeting with the council first." Told Cregan Valaena as he sat down his cup and watched her with curiosity. Something had welled in his chest last night, before he had been terrified of it, but now he felt content and comfortable besides her. No longer he felt like he should walk on eggshells, fearing that he might cause her to never feel at home. He felt himself growing warmer already, thinking of how her body felt around his, how he felt when he sunk into her for the first time last night. He wanted to curse himself for not lingering in the moment more. He felt like a crazed man when he beheld her naked body last night, when she sat on his lap, her hips underneath his fingertips.
"We?"
"You are Lady of Winterfell Laena, you are to become my closest council."
He watched as Valaena swallowed, Southern ladies weren't raised to ask questions, but the Princess seemed to expect that she had to be completely obedient. He had taken notice that she had been taught to bite her tongue, despite her mother, a woman becoming Queen after her Grandfather. Cregan knew it had to do with her being raised in the Capital and not on DragonStone, Rhaenyra would never bite her tongue, and he couldn't imagine the Heir teaching her daughter to do so.
"The men will take your council." Continued Cregan.
"I confess..."
He watched her bite her lip, her cheeks blushing in shame as she let out a shaky breath. "I have spent hours on historical and political lessons, but I- I regret that I wasn't raised to give council."
"I will teach you to do so, but it's best not to let the men know, just follow my lead Laena."
Valaena nodded at him, hoping to remark something witty, but she was cut off by a knock on their door. Cregan stared at her, his brow raising as he eyed the door, encouraging her to answer. She frowned, arching her brow back at him.
Why was she even clinging to her years at court, she had married a Northernman, Cregan Stark of all men. The Young Wolf. The man's whose reputation stood more fierce than most famous commanders and Knights.
Yes, Valaena had been raised to be a quiet little girl, to attend court, to dance, and sing, and sew dragons on cotton, to wear silk ribbons, and to keep her mouth firmly shut when men spoke. She had always despises her aunt Helaena's silence as a child, but she was no better now. Always adhering to the laws of men.
Who told her she couldn't have an opinion, a voice, not her mother, and now her husband neither. So who was she to follow a set of rules laid of for a husband that would never be.
"Come in."
Valaena kept her gaze on Cregan, grabbing her cup of bitter dark ale and managing a sip.
"My Lord, My Lady Princess. The council is ready for you."