A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)

by George R.R. Martin

Storm’s End was strong, it should have been able to hold out for half a year or more … time enough for his father to finish with Robb Stark. “How did this happen?” Varys glanced at Shae. “My lord, must we trouble your sweet lady’s sleep with such grim and bloody talk?” “A lady might be afraid,” said Shae, “but I’m not.” “You should be,” Tyrion told her. “With Storm’s End fallen, Stannis will soon turn his attention toward King’s Landing.” He regretted flinging away that wine now. “Lord Varys, give us a moment, and I’ll ride back to the castle with you.” “I shall wait in the stables.” He bowed and stomped off. Tyrion drew Shae down beside him. “You are not safe here.” “I have my walls, and the guards you gave me.” “Sellswords,” Tyrion said. “They like my gold well enough, but will they die for it? As for these walls, a man could stand on another’s shoulders and be over in a heartbeat. A manse much like this one was burned during the riots. They killed the goldsmith who owned it for the crime of having a full larder, just as they tore the High Septon to pieces, raped Lollys half a hundred times, and smashed Ser Aron’s skull in. What do you think they would do if they got their hands on the Hand’s lady?” “The Hand’s whore, you mean?” She looked at him with those big bold eyes of hers. “Though I would be your lady, m’lord. I’d dress in all the beautiful things you gave me, in satin and samite and cloth-of-gold, and I’d wear your jewels and hold your hand and sit by you at feas...

feasts. I could give you sons, I know I could … and I vow I’d never shame you.” My love for you shames me enough. “A sweet dream, Shae. Now put it aside, I beg you. It can never be.” “Because of the queen? I’m not afraid of her either.” “I am.” “Then kill her and be done with it. It’s not as if there was any love between you.” Tyrion sighed. “She’s my sister. The man who kills his own blood is cursed forever in the sight of gods and men. Moreover, whatever you and I may think of Cersei, my father and brother hold her dear. I can scheme with any man in the Seven Kingdoms, but the gods have not equipped me to face Jaime with swords in hand.” “The Young Wolf and Lord Stannis have swords and they don’t scare you.” How little you know, sweetling. “Against them I have all the power of House Lannister. Against Jaime or my father, I have no more than a twisted back and a pair of stunted legs.” “You have me.” Shae kissed him, her arms sliding around his neck as she pressed her body to his.