(Please don't ghost read)

When Cregan had woken up, merely an hour since, he could feel Aelyna tightly pressed to his back. Her arms tied around his waist, as though she was terrified he would slip from her grasps. He couldn't help but feel a sense of content hearing her snores against his spine. She had mentioned that she had always struggled to find sleep but when she did it was a challenge to wake her up again.

Gods, was he the greatest fool to ever exist. Perhaps the Targaryens were closer to gods than men. He felt himself drawn to her since she slithered off her dragon, bloodied and bruised. One look into his grey eyes, and Cregan realized this was a woman he would soon not forget. But infatuation and lust would not condemn him for his thoughts and action, his duty would. He had bedded with the princess, taken her maidenhood. He had forsaken his duties as Warden of the North.

As Cregan lied in bed, with the woman he -

He thought about what transpired between the two of them. It had been so long since he himself had been with a woman and he would be lying to himself if tried to convince himself that he didn't enjoy any of it, in fact Cregan did not want Aelyna to ever leave his bed.

Cregan became restless in her hold, he turned to face her. Aelyna's eyes remained closed "I do not wish to leave." Cregans hand moved to the back of her head, gently twisting and playing with her silver hair. He sighed, his hand moved downward and rested itself in the dip of her waist, he thumbed over her skin. They were both still bare under nothing but the furs of his bed.

"I do not wish it either, but the guards will become suspicious if you are not accounted for in your chambers."

The guards, the maids, the maesters, if caught the rumor will spread like wild fire that Lord Cregan Stark had bedded Aelyna Targaryen. He could be sent to the Wall, his cock sliced off or worse- he would have to face the wrath of King Viserys and Daemon Targaryen.

"This is what I hate about Westeros." Aelyna groaned, finally her eyes opened as her tired gaze looked back at him "All the rules. It is why I left in the first place."

Cregan leaned in as he placed a kiss on her nose, before resting his forehead against hers "Unfortunately princess, I am not free of my duties. There has never been a Stark who broke an oath."

"Expect you did, with me." She teased "I must be of utmost exceptions for you to have broken your law of duty."

"What happens between us now?" 

"I do not know. All I know is I feel something for you that I can not understand nor explain." Aelyna shrugged "And I do not wish to fight against it. Whether it is lust or love." She was somewhat relieved marriage was not a thought that had struck him yet. She spent her life understanding what it was to be lusted for, she was no longer a child. Her naivety faltered the day Aegon stole her first kiss on Driftmark. Since then she had taken notice of men looked at women, girls even. Their leering eyes examining their lips, their collars down to their boots. As though they could see under the layers of garments. A quick fuck and they would be all too eager to ask for her hand in marriage. Her only means would be to squeeze out Valyrian heirs for their houses- she did not wish for a marriage based on duty, there was no love in it.

"I can assure you Aelyna, it's not just lust for me." Cregan answered. Cregan had realized that perhaps he had grown too fond of Aelyna. The longer she stayed, the more Cregan found himself attached to her.

"I know." Aelyna murmured "But that is what scares me."

"Why my princess?"

Aelyna felt her her sink through the mattress. "This may come as a surprise to you but I have no understanding of anything but lust." Aelyna sighed sitting up in the bed. She leaned back to the bed post as his gaze kept her hostage "My father, my mother-" Aelyna scoffed "All a web of lies and deceit of them. I am nothing but the filth of their seeds. I would not know how to love you without hurting you in the end."

To this Cregan sat up, taking her hand in his "Aelyna, I have taken you as you are, my thoughts never once dwindling to the gossip about your parentage because to me you more than that. I have no care for your riches nor your blood. All I could want is you." He took her hand as placed it over his chest. All Aelyna could feel was a beating heart "This is what you are to me." his voice cleared

Aelyna felt the stain of single tear down her cheek. Like a child, the words caught stuck in her throat. All she could think was to be close to him, to never leave his side but she couldn't deny the fear that ached her body as well. 

She is her fathers daughter, his love brought nothing but heartache, shame and death but perhaps she could be the one to write her own fate.

Cregan understood her silence, perhaps on the morrow he would ask for her hand but in that moment he needed her to understand how deep his loyalty and love was to her and only her. He continued to kiss down her neck, slow and tender. 

He kissed her down her body, each kiss sealing a confession he had harbored since the first night she plagued his dreams. Before Aelyna knew it Cregan was under the sheets. His cold hands slid low, his fingers had found her way to her cunt. With trembling legs, Aelyna gasped. 

Gods, he'll be the end of me, she thought to herself. Undoubtingly she was wet, the anticipation of his touch was killing her. His fingers teased her sending chills through her entire body, though she could not see his face, Cregan had enjoyed toying with her. Watching her unravel, but it would not be in vain. Before she would return to her chambers he would make sure that she would find absolute pleasure.

When Cregans tongue moved against her Aelyna made a noise that could not be silenced. Aelyna moaned when she felt his breath on her skin, one hand over her mouth again a reminder that she could not be as loud as she desired, the other on his head gripping his curls. "Cregan." She moaned trying to swallow a symphony of moans as she felt him moan against the skin of her cunt.

His grip on her thighs only hardened as she pulled him deeper into her her. She could feel his incoherent moans and humming as he pleasured her more. If there was any hesitation on wanting him, it had all faltered. Aelyna wanted him and only him ever.

She knew he would be her reason for sleeping soundlessly and at peace that night.

That morrow Aelyna practically glowed. Her skin basked in the lings of sun beneath dark clouds as she sat in the greenhouse again. This time she found herself in the stables, petting a mare. It had been the only one brave enough to take her to Vermithor when she took her weekly flight. No dreams, no nightmares her dragon by her side and Cregan, Aelyna could not remember a time when she had felt this much content. Perhaps she could make a life for herself North.

She turned to see Cregan approach the stables. Judging by his face, one could never imagine the pleasure he had when he picked her onto his face. Despite the previous night, in public she was still nothing more than his guest. 

Despite their confessions, their reputations still needed to be upheld.

"Princess." He greeted her standing opposed to her "I take it you've had an easier night?"

"Quite, my lord." She said "Perhaps I should extend my visit North, if it pleases you."

They were alone, but there was a humor to it. That none could know how vulnerable they were with one another behind closed doors

"Winterfell is your princess." Cregan responded "If it pleases you I can arrange to have your travels make tour to the Wall. Should it pique your interest?"

"I would gladly take your offer, if it meant I would be personally escorted by the Warden of the North."

"If that is your command." He replied, sharing a teasing smile back to his silver haired guest

Aelyna's smile brightened as she stopped petting the horse, him returning to eat his stacks of hay as there was nothing but distance between her and Cregan. The setting felt all too familiar. 

"I think it is safe to say that I enjoy your company princess Aelyna. Perhaps after returning from Dragonstone, once reunited with your family an offer can be made."

"Is that so?" Aelyna cheerfully laughed her cheeks burned from blush as felt her legs become weaker. "And what perhaps my that offer be my lord Stark?"

"All I ask is all of you, forever. I only ask to claim your hand in marriage."

"Yes." she smiled back, slowly stepping closer to him "But not because of duty and politics. But rather because I have grown to care for you, more than I perhaps intended to." She paused, her gloved hand traced the direwolf sigil on his cloak "My care for you is stronger than my fears of love."

The yard hard no movement and the stables were empty. Without a care, she took another step forward, her face inches away from him "My betrothed."

Again, Cregan gave into his impulses. He cupped Aelyna's face with his hands, his lips against hers. Aelyna smiled into the kiss as their lips perfectly savored the symphony of two hearts entwined. Each kiss become more passionate, less gentle. Cregans arms around Aelyna's middle as he pulled her in closer, drowning in the scent of winter rose and lilac.

It was the sounds of footsteps approaching that finally split the two apart. Aelyna held her breath as she smoothed out her dress to see a guard pass the stables. He bowed his head, unsuspected of the two.

"Where do you plan to take my trusted steed?"

"I plan to make a visit to my dragon." Aelyna answered "It's been too long since I've taken him for a ride."

"Should I take responsibility for it?" Cregan replied. Taking a step closer, his hand lifted her chin as he placed a final kiss on her temple "If you aren't too tired upon returning, I would be keen in a lesson on how you ride a dragon."

☆ ࣪ ִ AUTHORS NOTE :l 𝆬 3

Aelyna thinking of her mom and dads generational trauma after sex, only to get engaged the next day:

This chapter is a lot shorter than I wanted it to be. I am still very much bedridden and this flu has me feeling as frail as a Victorian child but I couldn't go so long without updating Baptism. 

AAAAHHH- they're finally betrothed but trust me it's not all smooth sailing from here - far from it actually 😆 okay but serious- they are betrothed and I am honestly so excited to further write the dynamic these two will have before, during and after the war. I am honestly thinking about changing so much of how the dance will play off because I do want Cregan and Aelyna both very much centered during the was so we'll see. Baptism is almost at 20K and I can't thank everyone whos still reading, voting or commenting enough. Hopefully I will be able to make regular updates this week 

<3