(Please don't ghostread)

mature content warning

Duty is sacrifice. All men of honor must pay its price.

That was something Rickon Stark had taught a young Cregan at a very early age. When Cregan was just a boy, he had no understanding of what that had meant. Why must ones sense of honor and loyalty be met on the terms of sacrifice?

But he was not a boy anymore. He was lord of Winterfell. The warden of the North. As he sat amongst the lords of Northern houses, every interrupted thought of a certain silver haired princess made him realize all the more that he needed to sacrifice all he felt and thought for her for the duty of his people.

It had been days since his encounter with Aelyna. He spent three nights playing the events that unfolded in her chambers over and over again. Each time he closed his eyes, he could see her, feel her. The scent of mint and herbs clung to his chest, her peachy full lips so close to hers. Aelyna plagued him like a disease. She made him think like a love struck pup, a boy who had never been in the company of a woman. He tossed and turned in bed, all he could think of was the silver haired girl.

Aelyna Targaryen made him realize that he was just a man. His mind conjured thoughts unfit for an honorable lord. Thoughts that played to the minds of frequent visitors in seedy brothels. He wanted her, needed her. 

Cregan found himself desperate to hear her voice, see her smile, feel her touch. He wanted- needed her with him and around him. It had been a month since Aelyna had crash landed in the North and he thanked the old and new gods for it every day he saw her. Her dragon had grown tiresome of the cold but not  her. She was more than healed, she could have taken flight South, but she did not. Was he fool to believe it was because of him? Was it possible that she burned for him as he did for he

He sighed, Aelyna Targaryen was a disease that infected him. How wrong of him to think of her in such a conduct. He would ache for her in silence longing for the touch of her distant embrace.

Cregan got up out of bed, he would never find sleep if all his mind would allow him to find was his immoral thoughts of Aelyna. Perhaps time with his son would ease his mind.

The castle was empty and cold, as he sauntered through the empty passage Cregan felt as though he was a ghost haunting the walls. He walked alone, each candle he passed his mind played an image of her dancing in the flames. Gods, his men would call him cuntstruck. But it felt deeper than just to fuck her. He did not wish to bed her, not only. He wanted Aelyna to be a part of him, his home - his life.

When Cregan opened the door to his sons chambers he was taken aback to an already present visitor. Unsheathing Ice he held his sword drawn to the threat. 

"Should I be honored of offended that you'd draw your sword so quick for me?" Aelyna turned as she craddled the babe in her arm

Lowering his sword he remained unamused by her. Aelyna held Rickon closer to her chest as the babe gently tugged at her silver locks. 

"Why-"

"He was fussing when I passed to the kitchens. He was hungry." Aelyna shrugged "I told the wet nurse I was willing to help him sleep." She quietly replied as she paced the room with Rickon in her arms

"That was kind of you. You needn't go through such lengths princess."

Aelyna scoffed, placing a gentle kiss on Rickons cheeks "It's no trouble at all. I am the oldest of six. It's fair to say I've had my fair share in practice with fussy babies." Aelyna explained

The babe in her arms was slowly drifting to sleep as the grip on her hair became gentler. He cooed as his tiny hand reached for Aelyna's face. Aelyna placed her finger in his hand, allowing the babe to play with her finger as he was finding sleep.

The sight of Aelyna with his babe in her arms did not help ease his thoughts. Gods, had she always been this beautiful in this light? Cregan wondered to himself.

"How come I have never seen him? Is he your brother?" Aelyna asked in a hushed tone. She carefully turned to place Rickon in his crib. The door had creaked opened, a wet nurse.

Her eyes shot wide at the sight of her lord Stark in the boys chambers "My lord, I was not- the princess had asked me to." The woman stammered over her words "I did not mean to abandon my post." She apologized

A cheerful laugh could be seen on Aelyna's face "Lord Stark was not angry, Myranda. Have you brought it?" she asked her head titled to the side. 

"Yes princess." The wet-nurse nodded as she bowed to Cregan on her passing. She handed Aelyna a white fur blanket "I warmed it as you requested princess." She quietly answered as she handed the blanket to Aelyna.

"Thank you so much." Aelyna nodded as she turned. Placing the blanket over Rickon, Cregan noted as she tucked the blanket under the sides of his babe. "This should keep him more than warm enough for the night, don't you agree Myranda?"

"Quite princess." Cregan noted the sweet smile on the wet nurse. It had taken him a while to realize it, but Aelyna had become quite favored amongst his staff. Despite her title, she had gained a reputation amongst the servants and maids. Aelyna the gentle. She had a kind and nurturing approach to many of the servants, she spoke to them in a manner as though they were her equals. She never commanded anyone to do her bidding, unless it pleased them. Cregan on numerous accounts of the first days Aelyna had been in Winterfell, had heard frequent reports of the princess demanding the servants to not serve her. Many reports of the princess keeping them company whenever they rotated shifts, even ensuring they be served desserts after diner. The kitchen having become overrun with Aelyna and her foreign desserts and cakes.

"It's the blanket my sister Rhaena gifted me before I took flight and travelled to High Garden. It always kept us warm whenever I snuck into their chambers when we were younger." Aelyna cooed as she tickled the sleeping babes cheeks "Now, I think I'll see lord Stark to his chambers, don't you think Myranda?" Aelyna teased as she stepped back from the crib

"Do I look like a parrot to you?" Aelyna asked as she sat by the window of Cregans chamber. The guard outside the door sent away as he had swore he would personally see that the princess find her chambers.

"Of course not."

"Then why make me ask it again?" Aelyna said her finger traced the raindrops against the window "How is that I've only heard you have a son this evening?"

"It's difficult to explain."

"I understand." Aelyna said "Mothers. It will always be a difficult matter to discuss. I should know better than anyone." Aelyna sighed. Cregan approached her, sitting across from her by the window as they stared out the window. Whispers of rain weaved through the night, a gentle serenade between the two. As nature's tears caress the earth, in tranquil songs conveyed. "I suppose I felt worried for him, his tiny body in this big and empty castle. Despite his age, it will be one of his first memories, believe me."

"You don't have to explain if you do not wish to." Cregan eased 

Aelyna shook her head as she turned to face him "I do not mind." she replied "I suppose I have always had a talent with children, at least that is what my sisters believe. I have always had this need to tend to others, perhaps because I have ached the need I give to others."

"How do you mean?"

"I'm a bastard Cregan." she bluntly said "I had no mother and my father was... well my father. Daemon..." Aelyna crossed her legs as she played with the thin layer of her nightgown "I spent my earliest years under the care of my aunt Aemma, until she unfortunately passed. I was a child who had to raise herself while my father used any fight to avoid me. His duties as Lord Commander, the war in the Stepstones. I did have much of a parental figure until I was at least nine."

"Right, the queen." Cregan said "She died during child labors."

"As well as Laena, my fathers second wife." Aelyna added "Laena was the closest thing I ever had to a mother but I still felt alone in our tiny family. Always the outsider looking inward."

"Were you ever treated as such?"

Aelyna smiled "No, Laena raised me as her own along with Rhaena and Baela. My father was grateful for this, especially after my years in Kings Landing where I was seen as nothing but his drunken mistake. The mystery of my mother was quite the conversation at court."

"I am sorry to hear that you have experienced such hardships Aelyna."

"It's fine." Aelyna acknowledged "Laena's unwavering kindness to me made me realize that I am so much more than what others perceive me to be." she said "I understand what it is to be a child alone in an empty castle, it was one of my first memories. When I had heard Myranda struggling to ease him into sleep, I think it took me back to when my aunt Aemma helped me when I was too afraid to sleep alone in my chambers."

Cregan remained quiet for a while. He felt himself fall deeper into her trap that was, just her. "You surprise me each time. Nothing you do is what I could have ever expected from you."

"Is that a good thing?"

Dangerously, Cregan though to himself. "Rickon is my only son. His mother, Arra was a childhood friend of mine." Cregan quietly said "She died giving birth to him." Cregan kept his explanation short, but Aelyna could see behind his grey eyes lay a sonnet of a secret love lost.

"I did not know that." She gasped in realization "Oh Gods, I am so sorry for what I have done. To barge into your boys room and to - Cregan, I had no intentions of-"

"You needn't apologize." Cregan chuckled "It was strange to see, but endearing." He replied "The servants tend to him out of duty and loyalty to his mother, but I could see the care in you. Not many have this toward many."

"Thank you Cregan." Aelyna gave him an earnest smile that would haunt his dreams to come. He could feel his stomach turn at the sight of her beauty under the full moon. 

"I suppose I should see you to your chambers." Cregan stood up, extending his hand to Aelyna. Her soft hand took his as she raised herself to her feet. Cregan felt the graze of her scar on her palm in his as she slowly took back her hand.

"I suppose." She said "But I wish you didn't"

Temptress, Cregan thought to himself as he saw himself in he violet and green eyes. Like a siren, she called his name. His sense of duty and honor slowly slipping from his grasp as Aelyna looked up at him as the moon the nightsky only further highlighted her beauty.

"Aelyna..." he warned. Despite his body screaming no, he did not protest when she approached him again. Her head titled as she only laughed 

"I am far from a child my lord." She teased "If I had not stopped you, you would have made the first the move. Do you not agree."

fuck!

"I couldn't." He swore "I would dishonor you and your virtue by-"

"By what?" Aelyna quickly asked

"We should not- I should not be indulging this conversation." Cregan corrected himself. His breath struck frozen when he felt Aelyna close to him. Her arms snaked around his neck as she played with the hairs on the back of his neck. Her on her tiptoes as she nuzzled her nose to his

"And yet you make no effort to stop me." Aelyna teased, she took notice of his tinted cheeks. 

"Are you challenging me?"

"Perhaps." She replied "Or perhaps I am tired of this game of denial we both play. Are you not tired of this game Cregan?" 

"It would be against both mine and your honor if I indulged you more." Cregan replied, though he felt his hands travel to her middle. He held her firm making no effort to push her away, their chests cleaved to one another as he could feel her breath on his. "I should show more restraints to you princess." He spoke under breath as his body and mind were fighting the will to separate himself from her. 

Gods he wanted her.

No amount of ales or wines could intoxicate Cregan as much as Aelyna had managed to do so. He felt his head spinning trying to fight the urges any man would have when a Targaryen princess pleaded for him to indulge in her games. Honor and sacrifice was all he had ever known, but was it wrong of him to question it.

Would the sins be too great if he wanted to take bit in the apple that was free will? To relinquish himself of honor, nobility and duty?

Would he be able to bare the consequences of his actions if he followed behind his heart and body instead of his body?

"You are a princess." He shook his head leaning towards her. Her forehead against his as he felt his hands move, He craddled her head in his hands, securing her in his hold as he sunk deeper into her gaze "If I were forget my duties, I would bring shame to you and your maidenhood princess."

"Is that all I am to you?" Aelyna sighed as her hands grasped his shoulders "Am I nothing more than a nobility title?"

"Fuck..." Cregan groaned as he held her closer to him "You should know you're so much more than just a title to me."

"Then what am I to you? Please..." She pleaded "I would be mortified if I were to make a fool of myself to you." she muttered

Cregans gaze softened "You..." he breathed "I find myself unable to express everything you are to me because what I want and what I feel is so much more than what duty would allow." Cregan said as his thumbs traced against her warm cheeks "Every glance, every laugh, every whisper we share I burn more in the fire that is you Aelyna."

"You're saying I burn you?" Aelyna chuckled

"Yes." Cregan returned the laugh "But I would burn myself to ash if it meant I could hold you longer."

That was enough. Far from first and certainly not the last, Cregans eyes fell to Aelyna's lips. Her soft, peach scented lips. Like a boy, hesitantly he leaned in. The space between them futile, their very breath inches apart. Aelyna nodded her head in his hands as she held him closer. Cregan silenced his mind, his lips finally on hers. 

He kissed her.

A slow and chaste kiss. He leaned back to see every inch of his body screaming at him to never let go of her. Aelyna smiled as she brought him back into her hold. The second kiss far from as innocent as the previous one.  A slow but lustful kiss as the grasped onto each other. His hand moved the back of her neck as the the other held her waist, the silk of her gown so thin he feared he could rip right through it as his lips matched the hunger of her kiss. A faint taste of berry cakes on her breath that lingered over her as her hands threaded in his hair, tugging at him as Cregan's heart beat like a drum against his chest.

He held her so close, her body curved so perfectly in his as though they were molded for each other. He wanted more, he craved it. Needed more of her.

"I need you..." he moved his head back, drunk on lust as he whispered out of breath 

"Then have me as you want."

Cregan lifted Aelyna in his arms, her legs wrapped around his torso. As the stumbled across his chambers to the bed each piece of clothing dropped to the floor, never releasing himself from her kiss. He laid her gently on his bed, not even the rain could drown the fire between the two of them. She sat back in the bed as she watched him undress himself. Finally bare infront of each other, both Cregan and Aelyna were flustered at the sight of the other with nothing to leave for the imagination.

Aelyna sat at the foot of his bed, her hair covering her breasts. Cregan leaned in, his hand cupped her cheeks as he placed a kiss on her forehead, drowning deeper in her "Is that what you want Aelyna?"

"More than you can understand Cregan." she smiled

There was no hesitation when he kissed her again. He held her gently, both Cregan and Aelyna unknowingly laughed in between their kisses. Her fingers threaded in his untamed hair as she felt Cregan deepen their kiss. His lips slowly trailed away from her lips as she could feel him lead down to her neck. Her breath hitched when she felt his kiss so close to her collar.

"Fuck." She cursed. Cregans breath left her collar as felt his thumb trace against her lip. He was constantly looking for the reassurance and approval of what would transpire between them. With a deep breath Aelyna nodded her head again "Please don't stop..."

Cregan held his breath as he lowered her onto the bed. Her back firm against the mattress as he hovered above her. Aelyna giggled as she held him closer to him. Her body ached to feel every part of him. Cregan warm hand separated her legs, his knee between her thighs as Aelyna could feel his skin between and on her.

She kissed him again, more hungrier than the last. Her breasts against his chest. His hairy chest tickled her skin was she felt herself become drunk on his kisses. She moved herself against his thigh desperate for me. This fueled Cregan only more, he knew what she wanted and needed. He bit her bottom lip as he continued to kiss down her body, Cregan kissed the valley of her breasts, cupping her breast in her hand. Aelyna held her hand to her mouth, she could have her moans echo through the halls.

"I thought we were done playing games?" She huffed as she held him to her chest. A moan against her skin as Cregan's lips hovered over hers

"This is far from a game for me, princess." He coaxed as he gently kissed the corner of her lips "This is more than just a quick fuck for me, I'll prove that if you have the patience." Cregan coaxed her

Aelyna groaned in annoyance. Her leg hooked over him as she pulled him in closer "Patience has never been my strongest suit. Whatever will we do, my lord." she teased him

"Oh?"

"Oh." she nodded. Cregan moaned when he felt her hand slowly take him, her hand gently stroked him as he could see the fire in her eyes. He would be the worst liar if he said he did not enjoy her stroking his cock, but he wanted the night to be so much more than his pleasure alone.

Cregans hand moved down her body, until his fingers teased between her legs "Oh..." she moaned, pushing her deeper into the bedding underneath her. Her eyes shot closed as she felt his fingers slowly tease her. Aelyna's hand let go of him as she gripped the sheets underneath her, her head suddenly spinning from pleasure as she moaned to his ears and his alone.

Aelyna's head craddled itself in the crook of her neck as she continued to moan. Slowly she felt Cregans fingers slip with ease in and out of her. Aelyna's could feel herself rip the sheets from the beds as she kissed his shoulders.

"Have you ever?" Cregan asked he kissed her neck, nipping at her skin "Will this be your first time?"

"Yes." Aelyna moaned as her head fell back to mattress. Her hands trailed to his chest as she played with his chest hair. "I have never been with anyone in this way..."

Cregan only smiled as he looked down on her, her chest heaving. He kissed her again, his forehead against hers as he held her middle "You're more than safe with me. I promise."

Aelyna nodded her head. She looked down to see his cock, for her first she wondered how much it would hurt her. Would it sting and burn her like her Septa had taught her? "Gods, is it going to fit?" She thought out loud.

Cregan laughed, completely amused and hypnotized by her "Not at first, but I will help you through it all." he promised her. He sat up pulling her closer to him, he locked himself in between her legs. Aelyna propped herself up to her elbows, her head tilted back as she moaned when she felt him tease her slick entrance with his cock.

A stinging pain erupted through her body when she felt Cregan slowly ease inside of her. His hands roamed her body, gently caressing every part of her. Her eyes wild as she looked back up at him "I have you." He eased deeper into her "But if you need me to stop-"

"If you stop I might actually burn you." She threatened as she felt herself become full of him. Her fingers late at night could not nearly compare to the reality of him inside of her. Aelyna grabbed hold his shoulders, bringing him down to her. She kissed his lips as she nodded head. She wanted more, ached for more.

Cregan kissed down her neck as he willed himself to slowly move in and out of her "It will only hurt for a minute, after that..." His thick Northern accent only drove her further mad. Aelyna's eyes fell shut breathing in and out as he slowly started to move inside of her. Cregans forehead to hers as she could his ragged breath on hers.

"You're doing so good love." His connected to hers as she slowly moved with him. Aelyna whimpered and withered in pain, the tears rolling down her cheeks as she felt herself become addicted to the man that was Cregan Stark.

He promised it wouldn't hurt for too long and it didn't. When Aelyna's eyes opened again, he could see it in her eyes, Still Cregan eased slowly into her as her hips matched his rhythm, her legs pressed against his sides as she nodded again.

"Cregan, I can take it." Aelyna moaned "Please go faster."

Cregan moaned as he felt himself go deeper inside of her. His hands gripped her thighs as he pushed into with more speed and ease. His head rolled back as he felt his cock in an out of her cunt, His breaths staggered as he felt Aelyna take him so well, every thrust faster and deeper than the last.

Aelyna's nails dug into his skin as her legs wrapped around Cregan tighter, she wanted to remember the feeling forever. "Shit!" she moaned into her hand when he felt Cregans fingers touch her as he fucked her harder and faster. She felt herself become exceedingly overwhelmed from pleasure as her breast bounced to the rhythm of him fucking her.

"Aelyna..." Cregan moaned. Aelyna's senses were overwhelmed. The air so thick and hot, her skin a sweating mess. Just the sound of her name coming from his mouth sent her over edge. Aelyna's back arched itself when she felt him his click fingers rub her so slowly. "You're doing good ,love." A sweaty and panting Cregan reassured her. Cregan continued to fuck her wildly, Aelyna's so arched as she felt her grip the sheets with one of her hands.

Every part of her body tensed as she felt him on and inside of her. His cock, his fingers, his rugged breath- Gods, Cregan fueled the fire inside of her. Aelyna held her breath, unable to hold on for much longer as she felt a wave of pleasure wash over her. She bit down on her lips, forcing her scream away. Over his panting Cregan could hear a squealing sounds as her body twitched as she succumbed to pleasure. Aelyna's body stilled before lowering herself back to bed, but Cregan had not finished. He held her middle as he continued to fuck her, his paste had become so much faster and sloppier as she moaned to the side. Finally when she took her hands in his, when his hands where at the side of her head, when her silver hair formed a halo around her and her blood lips moaned his name did he feel himself release.

He let go of Aelyna's hands, he leaned back with nothing but the candlelight's illuminating on their bodies, moaning to her when he released himself from her hold. Aelyna gasped when she felt him pull his cock out of her. Her eyes met with his as a thin veil of sweat covered his forehead. Her name rolled off his lips, a sweet laugh shared between the two as Cregan rubbed himself onto her belly. Finally they had both come.

He was a sweaty and panting mess when he finished. Completely out of breath when swiped his hair out of his eyes. Cregan kissed her forehead, he plopped to her side as Aelyna was drawn into his chest. Still breathless he snaked his arms around her, laying on his back as Aelyna rested her head on his chest.

Duty was sacrifice, but where was duty in the arms of a woman's love?

Authors note:

The candles in Cregans bedroom that night:

woah...