Princess Joanna's apartments - 598 AC

[The Stranger]

Jon cocked his head, "You're staying at court? Since when?"

[Marie]

"Since I agreed it with Morgan. Daemon approves too."

She said no more, watching his expression carefully.

[The Stranger]

"Well," Jon struggled to reply, "I sort of feel like you might have mentioned it to me to discuss before you agreed," Jon said, "I don't object of course, I think you'll enjoy that, but I do sort of wish you'd said something first."

[Marie]

"I'm sorry," she said with genuine regret. "I thought about it so much that I forgot we hadn't actually discussed the matter. I will miss you when we ae apart, unless...can I persuade you to stay with me instead?"

She gave him a mischievous look and pressed her body against his.

[The Stranger]

Jon smiled and kiss his wife on the lips, wrapping his arms the small of her back and holding her close, "I would love to darling, but I am needed at home. We've been gone for awhile as it is. When is the court next coming to the Vale?" He asked.

[Marie]

"I wish I knew, but Daemon has not told me and it will take a while before we are truly on the footing I wish us to be on. We'l be having a conversation and it's comfortable and easy and then he will say something that reminds me he is the king. It will take time. That is why I must stay with the Court now. But..."

She smiled up into his eyes.

"I will make it up to you the night before we are separated, I promise. I'd still prefer to have you at my side though."

[The Stranger]

"I'd prefer to have you beneath me," Jon grinned lasciviously and squeezed his wife's rear playfully. "I'm sure everything will be fine, you are a good sister to your brother, he should be happy to have you."

[Marie]

She grinned and kissed him.

"I think he is starting to realise that, but it won't happen all at once. I accept that. And yuo know I'll gladly lie beneath you when you wish it."

[The Stranger]

Jon chuckled, "I wish, I wish I wish."

[Marie]

Joanna grabbed Jon's tunic and pulled him forward as she walked backwards to the sofa. She sank down on it, pulling him with her. Half-sitting and half-lying, she pulled him on top of her.

"See. I always keep my promises," she said. "Kiss me."

[The Stranger]

Jon kissed his wife's lips, as his hand reached up to her bodice, and fumbled with the strings. He growled in desire.

There was a slight knock at the door.

[Marie]

"Ignore it," Joanna demanded. "Our servants will learn to wait for us."

[The Stranger]

Jon turned his attention back to the bodice, and finally got it open. The lord of Runestone sighed in relief, and buried his face between his wife's cleavage. The knock on the door got increasingly insistent.

[Marie]

Joanna wilfully ignored the knock as she slid her hands under Jon's shirt to stroke his shoulders.

"Whoever it is can wait," she muttered.

[The Stranger]

Jon grunted in agreement, as he took one of her nipples into his mouth.

The door opened slightly.

"milord, forgive me, but her grace the Queen is without...Ah..." the page shielded his eyes and looked down at the floor.