Oberyn watched his new bride as she slept peacefully in their bed.

Their bed. Oberyn cringed slightly. He didn't want to be that way about this. Princess Tatiana was a beautiful and strong woman.

She was someone he could easily..love. The thought nearly knocked Oberyn on his ass. Did he truly just think what the hell he just thought he had?

And about Princess Tatiana, no less. She stirred as though his very presence disturbed her rest.

Oberyn reached a hand out, scarcely brushing his fingertips over Tatiana's beautiful cheek. Something within him stirred. Oberyn wasn't certain if it was lust or actual tenderness.

Tatiana's eyes fluttered open and she gazed sleepily out, until her gaze was at last focused on..Oberyn.

She released a small gasp, clutching the blankets tightly in her trembling fist.

"It's quite all right, my princess. Please. Do not be alarmed." Oberyn turned away, as he unbuttoned his outer robe and dropping it to the floor.

"You..you merely..startled me, my lord," Tatiana said in a small voice. Oberyn turned.

He could see the fear in her eyes and for reasons he couldn't say, it wounded him.

He didn't want Tatiana to be frightened of him. He came closer, extending his hand out towards her.

"Stop!" Tatiana cried. "Don't..Don't come any closer."

"Ssh, mi amor. Ssh. I shall not harm you. You have my solemn word."

Tatiana eyed Oberyn warily. She wasn't sure she could trust him. Yet..the tenderness in his beautiful dark eyes was appealing to her.

Oberyn gingerly lowered himself down on the bed, although he made no attempt to touch Tatiana yet.

"I know you're not pleased with this..arrangement. Neither am I. However, we can make things peaceful between us."

"I've...heard the tales. Of your..cruelty. And your..temper."

"My reputation is...quite the talk, is it not?" Tatiana looked away. Perhaps she shouldn't have said those things. But if they were...true? She didn't want to become a whipping post for Prince Oberyn.

Oberyn leaned over, gently, gently taking one of Tatiana's hands and raising it to his lips. He scarcely brushed the lips over Tatiana's knuckles and he saw he...shiver.

"I wouldn't ever harm you. I may not love you as deeply as I should. However, I shall still treat you with the uttermost respect."

Tatiana slowly, slowly reached out her free hand, barely grazing her fingers over Oberyn's beard. God, he was so damn beautiful.

Oberyn gave his beautiful new bride a wide smile. Tatiana attempted to smile back.

"During the ceremony, you..you looked at me with such distain. I..I thought you..hated..me." Tatiana's dark eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, my sweet. I humbly beg your forgiveness. I was only trying to appear solemn, as not to cause you any distress."

The tears spilled down Tatiana's cheeks. Oh, by Oberyn ached deep inside to caress her smooth and beautiful skin.

"Oh, my lord. I..I.." Tatiana couldn't finish. She was completely overcome by her grief.

"Please, when we are alone, you must call me Oberyn. Or whatever is pleasing to you."

"Oberyn." Oberyn's heart cracked at the sound of Tatiana's beautiful voice saying his name so tenderly.

"Might I..be of some..comfort this evening, my princess?" Oberyn desperately ached to hold Tatiana in his arms and console her.

She stared dumbly at Oberyn before moving and collapsing into his arms. Oberyn gently pressed his lips to Tatiana's forehead and he could feel his new wife slowly relenting against his solid firm.

He smiled with relief.

.......

Tatiana slept fitfully, waking often. She still felt dreadfully tired when morning came along.

She desperately wanted to stay snuggled in the bed, instead of being made to be roused and pushed, this way and that, by her maids as she was
being prepared for the long and tiresome day ahead.

Several lords and ladies were planning on stopping by the royal palace, to give their congratulations on her and Oberyn's recent union.

"You seem weary this morning, my love," Oberyn remarked to his bride, who gazed listllesly out the window as they dined for breakfast.

"I did not sleep well," Tatiana admitted. "I pray I didn't disturb your rest, my lord."

Oberyn smiled tenderly at Tatiana. She wondered at this. Was Oberyn being truly sincere in his affections or was this merely a show for those around them?

"No, my princess, you did not. I am sorry to hear that you slept so poorly. Perhaps I'll see if I can arrange for you to bow out earlier this evening."

Tatiana reached for her wine glass, taking a small sip. She wasn't interested in food. Only solitude and rest.

"There's no need, my lord. I shall stay by your side for as long as needed." Tatiana replaced the wine glass.

"If that is what you wish, my princess."

"It is. Do you know how many may stop in?" Oberyn shrugged, that noncommittal look on his face, as though the very thought bored him to tears.

"I cannot say. I pray not many." Oberyn's dark eyes suddenly twinkled.

"Besides, I have a secret prepared for you." Tatiana raised her eyebrows.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I wanted to prepare something special for my beautiful new bride." Oberyn's face took on almost a shy look and it caught Tatiana off guard.

She wouldn't have thought Prince Oberyn Martell would dare to show his vulnerability to anyone. Not even her.

"I hope with all my heart that it shall please you, my princess." Tatiana gave Oberyn a small smile.

"I am honored that you would do such a thoughtful thing for me, my lord."

Oberyn grinned, obviously pleased by Tatiana's response. What else would one except? Tatiana had been raised to show a gracious attitude, regardless of the person and circumstances.

.......

"Yor hignesses, may I extend my most heartfelt congratulations on your marriage union."

Tatiana was smiling as Lord Vincent Werther and husband wife, Lady Ramona, approached the thrones, where she and Oberyn had been seated fir several hours already.

Tatiana's ass had grown numb from perching upon this throne for hours and she'd tried to shift as gracefully as she could, without drawing unwanted attention to herself.

Oberyn bowed with his head, as did Tatiana. Lord Werther and his wife bowed before them.

Lord Vincent Werther was a strong, strapping older man, with a powerful voice and deep, dark eyes. He had dark skin, as did his wife, although she wasn't nearly as dark as her husband.

"Princess Tatiana and I are quite pleased with our union," Oberyn said. "We hope to keep peace between our two kingdoms, as long as we both reign."

"Yes," Lord Werther agreed. "And my wife and I pray you reign shall be long and prosperous."

Tatiana continued smiling, however, she couldn't miss the dark gaze lurking in Lady Werther's eyes as she smiled back at both her and Oberyn.

Tatiana sensed that perhaps Lord and Lady Werther were not as loyal as they were trying to appear.

And it disturbed Tatiana. She feared for Oberyn's life.

And her own.

......

"I do not wish to appear discourteous
towards Lord and Lady Werther, " Tatiana said to Oberyn once they were at last released from their duties.

"But somehow I feel...wary of their true feelings for us."

Oberyn didn't look surprised.

"You have good instincts, my love. They are not as they appear. Lord Werther and I have been bitter rivals in the past. I fear he wants my..throne."

"Oh, Oberyn!" Oberyn smiled at Tatiana and reached out to cradle her head in his hands.

"Fear not, my princess. I shall not allow Lord Werther to harm me. Or you."

Tatiana smiled. She believed Oberyn.

"No, my lord. You are stronger than that. You wouldn't allow such disrespect for your or your household."

"Yes." Oberyn smiled. The carriage they were riding had at last reached it's destination.

"Come, my beautiful princess." Oberyn took Tatiana's hand. "See what I have had prepared for you."