Face the Dragon | Dmitrei & Lynessa
The last time he had seen her, she had placed a crown of roses about his head. A beautiful piece of work it was, he recalled: her soft hands twisted the flowers about carefully concealing the thorns so that he didn’t know they were there until they pricked his skin. They had many names for her in the City: the people - especially the children - adored her. But what she really was, was a rose. All soft and beautiful petals concealing her sharp thorns that were filled with a deadly poison. You wouldn’t even notice them until it was too late.
Jon Valles’ lifeless corpse was proof of this.
He had seen something that day, however, that he hadn’t seen before and it wasn’t her thorns. Those he had always suspected. But she had proved to be her mother’s daughter. There was an intensity about her he hadn’t know was there before. And then ... was it caution or paranoia that drove her to threaten him? Her mother saw enemies everywhere, even where she might have found friends. What did Lynessa see? Did she see people who would tear her down the first chance they had or did she simply see him for what he was? A man who would always play the game of thrones, even after he had won.
He had assured her of his loyalty, of course, but they both knew that words were empty promises and only actions would prove him to her. We may be rivals one day, he had said, but only when we have no more enemies to cut down and we alone are standing on their ashes. Until that day, you would do well to trust me.
“My condolences, my lady,” He said, bowing before her. She was still dressed in her wedding gown: all white and gold, ravens and lions. She was as lovely now with her tear stained face (a nice touch, he thought) and hair slightly out of place as she had when she took Valles’ hand at the alter. He straightened, his eyes meeting her’s and for a moment there was a hint of mischief but then it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Might I have a word with you, in private?” He ventured. “If it would not be too distressing, I may have news of your husband’s killer.” He said, slowly as though he was truly concerned for her in this moment of grief.
When she had nodded and her attendants had left the room, Dmitrei grinned, “And how did you like my little wedding gift?” He asked, moving slowly towards her. “We have cut off the head of the serpent. Are you ready, now, to face the dragon?”
