#ahoom

[storiedsiren-blog]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say that there might be some small delays in “A Heaven in Our Misery.” As it turns out, our building is being fumigated and we’re being moved out for a little while. Our hotel should have internet but just in case, I thought I’d let you know that I haven’t abandoned it, it just might get updated later than normal.

The good news is, even if I can’t post new chapters I’ll still be able to write, so I might come back with two or three chapters to make up for my absence!

[storiedsiren-blog]

Chapter 8 of A Heaven of Our Misery

(Also on FF.Net)

Excerpt:

He looked over his shoulder at Brienne. Her face had softened in sleep, the pain and worry gone from her expression. She wasn’t beautiful, and yet he found his eyes lingering on her. When had he started seeing her bravery there, instead of a too-wide mouth? When had her open, steadfast nature blinded him to her broken nose, her wide shoulders, her brutally short hair? When had her goodness made him want to defend her to the point of alienating his own family?

[storiedsiren-blog]

A Heaven of Our Misery: Chapter Four

An AU Braime story in which Brienne and Jaime are forced into an arranged marriage…and then discover that she is the heir to the Iron Throne.

Excerpt:

“You may have renown, Ser, but I have been fighting men all my life, men who turn savage at the thought of being beaten by a woman. Men that jumped me in the night after being embarrassed, keen to put me into my place. Perhaps even trying to kill me."

"Yes well, men have tried to kill me," Jaime replied. "Survive a battle or two, my lady, and perhaps then we can compare notes."

"Have it your way, Ser." She lifted her sword again. "Perhaps one day we'll find out."

He gave her a mocking bow and then headed back inside. At least she hadn't started in on him about his lost honor and how she'd make a much better knight than he, how she would honor her oaths even if it cost her life. They fought that battle frequently, until Jaime stomped away from her in a towering rage. For some reason, her scorn infuriated him far more than anyone else's. He'd heard similar comments for years, but the derision of lesser men concerned him little. From her…well, she meant it more than they did.

[storiedsiren-blog]

A Heaven of Our Misery

Chapter 9

There was nothing he could do but bathe, climb into bed and try to rest. And dream of her. He always seemed to dream of her.

(also on ff.net)

[storiedsiren-blog]

Little peek of Chapter 8 of A Heaven of Our Misery! It’s about halfway done, so hopefully it won’t take too much longer, thanks for being patient!

“You think others will try to harm me?” Brienne asked him, reaching for the goblet. Jaime didn’t reply, but she saw the muscles in his jaw tighten and knew the answer was yes.

She hesitated, then asked, “Will you try to harm me?”

He looked down at her then, his eyes startled. There was a spark of something: fury perhaps. It flitted through his expression quickly and was almost immediately replaced with a sort of weariness she’d never seen in his countenance before.

“No, I won’t hurt you.”

“You hurt Aerys,” she said. Her head was already starting to feel funny. A strange mist was settling over her thoughts. It was both relaxing and a bit frustrating. She wanted to focus, but her concentration was splitting into threads and sliding through her fingers as the milk of the poppy took hold.

“Ah yes. I assumed you’d ask me about that at some point. I suppose a queen married to the Kingslayer might have some concerns.” He sounded bitter. “Well, you can rest easy, lady wife. There were…extenuating circumstances. And I wasn’t married to Aerys.”

[storiedsiren-blog]

A Heaven of Our Misery

Chapter Five AO3 // FF.net

An AU Braime story in which Brienne and Jaime are forced into an arranged marriage…and then discover that she is the heir to the Iron Throne.

Excerpt:

“Of course Renly is here.” Brienne took a long, slow breath. The flush had faded but her cheeks were still pink.

“He is a member of the Small Council,” Jaime commented, studying her closely. “You know him?”

“We met once on Tarth. He was kind to me.” She refused to meet his gaze, and suddenly Jaime put the pieces together.

“You’re in love with him.”

[storiedsiren-blog]

A Heaven of Our Misery

Chapter Six AO3 // FF.net

An AU Braime story  in which Brienne and Jaime are forced into an arranged marriage…and  then discover that she is the heir to the Iron Throne.

Excerpt:

Their arrival at the Great Sept of Balor was met with great fanfare. The captain of the city guard handed her out of the carriage, and Jaime climbed down after her just as the sun climbed over the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. In that moment, surrounded by music and sunlight and cheering crowds, Brienne felt hopeful. She nearly felt beautiful. She would do right by these people. The cruel japes would stop, replaced by trust and respect as she built a government that would succor and protect them.

For the first time in what felt like a year, she truly smiled. Jaime took her arm, something unreadable but strangely sad and gentle in his eyes, and he urged her inside the sept. Together, they crossed the threshold and the ceremony began.

[storiedsiren-blog]

A Heaven of Our Misery: Chapter One

An AU Braime story in which Brienne and Jaime are forced into an arranged marriage...and then discover that she is the heir to the Iron Throne.

Excerpt:

Tarth’s famously blue waters glittered at her, but for once their charm brought Brienne no joy.

The future Lady of Casterly Rock, she thought. The Seven are mocking me.

And so, she knew, would everyone else.