Sorry for the long wait but I had surgery on one eye and I couldn't be in front of a screen for long periods of time so I didn't have much of a possibility to write. Don't worry though, I'm perfectly fine. This chapter is short but I hope you'll like it anyway.

Chapter 33

"Gods, you're good Dany…" Jon said, surprised to find himself short of breath, though whether it was because of exertion or arousal he couldn't say. Sparring with Daenerys had made him think of other physical activities they could do together. But that will have to wait until after the wedding. Though how he was going to wait that long, Jon didn't know.

They were in the main courtyard of the castle, the unfinished map of Westeros Cersei had commissioned underneath their feet. The sun was shining bright and warm – though nothing warmed him more than Daenerys' smile. Winter had never felt farther away than in that moment.

Daenerys rolled her eyes at him, blushing prettily. "Shut up. I know you were going easy on me."

"No, I'm serious. Give it a few years and you'll be amazing. It's a different style than the one I'm used to, but it's very effective and I can see why it would work for you. I noticed that it's a style that focuses on speed and agility over strength, and that it also allows you to adapt to your surroundings which is very important."

"It's the Braavosi style, mixed a little with the Ghiscari style my Unsullied favours and a few dirty tricks Daario taught me, who used to be a pit fighter in Essos. I want to be able to defend myself when I'm not in the air."

"Because of what happened to Ser Jorah in your dream." Jon said, voice carefully indifferent. It was stupid of him, feeling insecure over someone that he knew Daenerys didn't love in that way. It was easier with Daario, ironic though it was. Daario had been her lover, yes, but she never cared about him the way she cared about Ser Jorah. Jon had seen the pain in her eyes when she was talking about Jorah Mormont's death. Daenerys loved Ser Jorah deeply. But most of all, she trusted him completely. Could Jon say the same about himself? Could he really compete with that?

"Yes." Daenerys replied, oblivious to his thoughts. "Jorah died because of me. I will not let it happen again. And this time, ser Jorah will remain here when we go North, and so will Missandei, who will rule in my stead. With the help of the Small Council, of course, but especially Lady Olenna."

"Do you have news about him, from the Citadel?"

"I know he completely recovered and that he already left Old Town, so he should be here any day now. I can't wait for you to meet him."

Jon smiled, just to please her, but he couldn't share her sentiments.

Dany sighed. "I know that what he did was wrong, selling poachers into slavery. I know that Ned Stark was right in wanting to execute him. And I too had reasons to want him dead. He spied on me, told my enemies about the child I was carrying when I was married to Drogo. But he also saved my life, more than once. He helped me in my fight against slavery. I know that he redeemed himself many times over. If there was someone who deserved a second chance, it was him. I trust him, and I hope that you will be able to trust him too one day. Because you're both so very important to me and I can't have you being at odds with each other." Then her expression turned into a bitter, sarcastic smile. "I mean…it will be bad enough for you, when your family and I will be at odds with each other, and not by my choice…you wouldn't want to make things worse, would you?"

"I don't know what the right thing to do, or say, is here, Daenerys…" Jon replied, getting a little frustrated with the situation more than with her.

"No, I'm sorry. I said I would turn on a new leaf, and I meant it. It's just that…your family is still a sore spot for me. And to be honest, the idea of meeting them very soon is not reassuring in the least. Maybe my armies and I should remain at Moat Cailin and join you when the army of the dead heads towards Winterfell. This way my army of savages and my dragons will not inconvenience your sister."

Jon winced, but didn't back down. Instead he came closer to her, taking her hands in his own. "You don't have to worry about Sansa, or anyone else for that matter. You, your armies and dragons are welcomed at Winterfell, and anyone who says or makes you think otherwise will have to deal with me. Things will be different from your dream, Daenerys. I promise you."

Daenerys looked at him with trusting, big violet eyes and Jon couldn't resist. He cupped her face in his hands, bringing her mouth close to his. Her soft lips touched his, Jon savouring their taste. They tasted a bit sweet and a bit sour, like citruses, and Jon couldn't get enough.

Kissing her was like coming home. Warm, inviting, and just right.

He nibbled on her lower lip, seeking entrance, bringing her closer to him, one hand lowering to her back, the other cupping the back of her head. Daenerys tightened her own hold on him, her nails scratching the skin of his nape and her fingers playing with his curls.

The kiss lasted long minutes, and yet it was over too soon. Jon was the one who ended it, though he didn't want to.

"What's wrong?" Daenerys asked, her beautiful face marred by a frown. She looked scared all of a sudden and Jon understood immediately the reason why.

"Nothing is wrong. Everything is perfect." Jon said, caressing her left cheek in reassurance.

"Then why did you stop?"

"Because I want to do things right this time. Our engagement hasn't been formalized yet and I don't want people to spread gossip about us."

"Gossip like…that I seduced you to get the North?" Daenerys asked with a cheeky smile; there was something bitter in her eyes, however. She could pretend she wouldn't be bothered by malicious rumours but Jon knew the truth.

"Or that I seduced you to get your help." Jon said, deadly serious. "I don't want to do anything to damage your reputation in any way. Not after everything you did to arrive where you are now."

"That's sweet of you to worry, but people already call me the 'foreign whore'. Being seduced by a handsome northern king would not damage my reputation in the slightest."

Jon knew that it was true. He had heard people called her that in the North before. But not once since he came south he had heard anyone refer to her with nothing but the greatest amount of respect. Jon didn't think Daenerys realized how quickly and effectively she had gained the love and respect of the people, from the common folks to the nobles. Mayhap it was the dream still affecting her view on the situation.

"I won't pretend that in the North there won't be some who will call you that, though not to your face if they know what's good for them, but here in the south…they respect you Daenerys, they love you. And I won't ruin that for you. I would never forgive myself if I did. That's also why we should keep things as formal as possible, at least in public. I don't want anyone to try to use our feelings against us."

"You mean you don't want anyone to know we're in love with each other."

Jon was quick to explain before she thought he was somewhat ashamed of her or his feelings for her. "I don't want to. I would marry you tomorrow if I could. But you're the one who said we needed to wait. And I understand that. But we need to be careful. You said it yourself, we need to be united in this fight, all of us, the North and the South. That's why I believe it would be better for the northerners to think that I'm marrying you for an alliance and not because I love you. After the war is won…" Jon shrugged. "Well, they can go and fuck themselves. They will probably hate me anyway, once they find out who I really am."

Daenerys sighed. "I know you're right, I do. But I don't like it."

"I don't like it either, trust me."

"Does this mean we will have to keep things platonic until after the wedding?"

Jon took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm. "I believe kisses are not out of the question once our engagement is announced. But not before then."

"Very well, Jon Snow. We'll do it your way. For now, at least."

Jon nodded, both relieved and disappointed. He wanted her, gods, he wanted her. But he could wait. He would wait forever for her, if that was what it took.