I had to admit Oberyn's arrival to the Red Keep hadn't been a wanted one. The first few days were much of the same; the exchanges of stories and memories, likes and dislikes, favourite foods and hobbies. Oberyn wasn't the man I had anticipated, he was a breath of fresh air and the surprise was welcomed. I found myself at ease with the Dornishman I'd only known for a few sunrises.

Initially my apprehension to our marriage had come from fear, like most things did. I was scared to leave my Father, my most trusted confidant, and I was terrified of being married to a horrid lord. I was angry at the small council for conspiring behind me and my mother's joy at my soon to be departure.

But, after spending time with Oberyn I had learnt two things; one, he would never stop me from carrying out my desires within reason of course and two, he was a kind soul.

Currently Oberyn and I were laying motionless in bed, his arm protectively wrapped around my waist cocooning me into his warmth. There was something about him being so close that made it impossible for me to think straight. The natural smell of him, a mixture of wine and spice I found addicting, lingered on his body and around the room.

I softly turned around in his arms and couldn't help but admire how peaceful he looked. I moved my hand out of the blanket's confinement and lightly traced the contours of his face, trailing my fingers along his cheekbone. His usual laughter lines were less noticeable now that he was relaxed, I swear this man had the most contagious smile in all of the known world.

"Sunbeam," He sleepily moaned, moving to nestle his face further into my neck. "Go back to sleep."

I smiled at his reluctance to wake up, the night before we had talked into the moonlight. Mainly about Dorne, the city soon to be my home. I couldn't wait to leave the backstabbing city that was King's Landing in favour of the free Dornish lands.

"You promised we would dine in the conservatory for morning tea." I spoke, trying to nudge Oberyn out of his dozy state.

"I don't remember saying any such thing." He mumbled, rolling his head away from me to rub his bloodshot eyes.

"Oberyn." I whined, trying to rouse him further from his sleep induced laziness.

Appearing in my time of need a knock on the door stirred Oberyn. Slowly the door opened to reveal Ada, "Breakfast is waiting for you, Kendra."

"Of course Ada dear, thank you." Oberyn sleepily teased, his gaze flickering up to me with a wolfish grin on his face.

"Prince Oberyn, good morn to you too." Ada laughed, shaking her head as she scurried into the chamber.

I watched from my place in bed as she moved around the room collecting my garments and accessories for the day. "Your blue dress Princess?"

"Yes please Ada." I agreed, she held a silk blue gown in her arms.

It wasn't long ago that all of my gowns were handpicked by Mother, every style had to pass her approval before they even came close to my chambers. But I had grown tired of the high necklines and the scratchy cloth, so I donated them all to the Faith of the Seven and commissioned brand new silk gowns.

Soon enough I was hidden behind my wall divider and Ada had made a quick start on wrapping the gown. Unlike my other garments this one didn't have a corset, the bodice being a silk wrap in between golden detailing that swept down from the shoulders to the waist.

"You seem very taken with the Prince." Ada whispered into my ear as she tied up my gown. "What ever happened to the stubborn princess who didn't want to marry a certain Dornish Viper?"

"Well once we began talking..." I laughed, turning around to face my friend. "Gods Ada I don't even know what's happened to me."

"You've been swept up into the storm of young love, Princess."

When I emerged from behind the fabric screen, Oberyn stood by the door now dressed in his familiar yellow and orange robes. He sent me a smile and I joined him, wrapping my hand around his arm as we left the room.

The two of us moved through the corridors and into the newly built conservatory, enjoying the song of the humming birds. The entire conservatory was filled with exotic flowers and plants, the building large enough to house tea parties and soirées.

The ladies of the Court had taken to the space instantly and I was happy to join their sentiment. The conservatory was so beautiful it was almost otherworldly. If one closed their eyes the scent of the flowers and sounds of the small critters could transport your imagination all across the Kingdom.

As the sight of our table came into view, Oberyn moved his hand to my lower back and ushered me into a seat before sitting down himself.

He neatly re-arranged a napkin across his muscular thigh and I could feel my body heat at the mundane act.

"So I'm told you favor the Keep's gardens greatly?" Oberyn asked, placing a selection of sweet cakes to his plate.

"Yes," I agreed with him, "When I was young Papa would take me out of the nursery for fresh air. He would sit me on his knee and tell me all kinds of strange folklore."

"Such as?" He questioned, clearly intrigued by the thought of the King acting so humbled with stories of magical creatures and legends.

"Well my favourite myth was of the Grumkins, have you heard of them?" I asked, raising a glass of fruit tea to my lips and taking a sip.

Oberyn shook his head in response and motioned for me to continue with my story.

"They're small beings that grant people three wishes, either doing so with magical objects or by themselves."

Oberyn stared at me curiously, taking my small hand in his colossal one from across the table.

"I always wanted to see one for myself, until Papa told me they were the sort of creatures to steal children. To which I became incredibly scared and spent the next few nights glued to my father's side."  

Oberyn let out a chuckle, squeezing my hand and shaking his head in amusement.

"It's not funny Oberyn, I was scared out of my wits for weeks." I giggled alongside him.

Once he had regained his composure, Oberyn gazed at me with a look I could only interpret as adoration, "I know I said this the first time we met but, you really aren't the girl I was expecting."

My smile couldn't have grown any wider at his words but I bit my lip and pouted instead, "What exactly were you expecting?"

"Well, to put it nicely, a younger version of your dear mother." He laughed, and I tilted my head to the side for him to continue. "But instead your nothing like her or any other Lannister I've had the terrible pleasure of meeting."

"We can both thank the gods then." I teased with a smile. Whilst I prided myself on being nothing like my Lannister family, it wasn't always something to be happy about since being the outcast of your own blood wasn't at all comforting.

"I wonder though, why is it?" He asked curiously.

"Why is it I'm so different from them?" I questioned, and if only I knew. "Truly I'm not sure, maybe because Father kept me tucked away in his arms so tightly Mother hadn't the chance to corrupt me. Or maybe I'm simply more Baratheon than my siblings."

Oberyn smirked at my comment, looking as sly as a little bird who knew something he shouldn't. But for the time being I let it go and decided to enjoy my food rather than interrogate him on the matter.

"Speaking of family, I want you to meet some important people this afternoon." Oberyn spoke softly, pointing his spoon of yoghurt in my direction before putting it into his mouth.

Instantly I knew who he meant, the Sand Snakes. I was excited to meet the girls who held Oberyn's heart but the idea brought along the well-known sadness of not being able to conceive a babe of my own.

"The Sand Snakes?"

"Yes, I hope you don't mind." He said, obviously picking up on the sad tone of my voice.

He seemed excited about his children meeting me and guilt settled in my stomach at the thought of making him feel as though I didn't want to meet them in return.

"I would love to meet them, very much so." I said with a smile, not wanting him to get the wrong impression.

"Then why do you sound so upset, my little sunbeam?" He asked worried.

"I'm not upset, I'm excited to meet them. Truly I am." I reassured him, stroking my thumb along his knuckles.

I knew this conversation had to be dealt with but that didn't make it any easier for me to say.

"I'm sure you know why Father chose you out of all the suitors in the Seven Kingdoms." I said, my eyes dropping to our interlinked hands. "I've always wanted a babe of my own but it's seems with each moon that dream is torn further away from me. I haven't bled and that means I can't yet conceive a child nor heir."

"That's why Father thought you'd be the perfect match, with the Sand Snakes I wouldn't have the pressure on me any longer." I admitted quietly.

When I found the courage to look up, Oberyn had moved from across the table to the seat next to me. His face was full of concern and warmth, it was no help to the butterflies in my stomach.

I looked at him expectantly and he brushed away a loose tear I hadn't realised escaped my eye.

"Kendra, people everywhere have differences and it just so happens that yours is having a late moonblood." He said, cupping my cheek in his palm and I smiled. "We'll figure it out together."

"Okay." I agreed, half in shock of his tenderness and acceptance.

Oberyn's response helped lift away a weight from my shoulders and I leaned into his warmth, wrapping my arms around his torso in an embrace. As I pulled away, Oberyn's hand tangled into my hair causing me to stop my retreat. He leaned forward, his lips only a breath away from mine and I barely had a moment to think as they met in a soft kiss.

The kiss was sweet, tender and innocent. He drew back and held my cheeks in the palms of his hands. We both stared at each other, smiling like fools, but I didn't care because maybe this marriage was a perfect match after all.