A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

morrow, but Theon had ridden over from Pyke to get
a look at her before she was launched. She was not so large as Lord Balon’s own
Great Kraken
or his uncle Victarion’s
Iron Victory,
but she
looked swift and sweet, even sitting in her wooden cradle on the strand; lean
black hull a hundred feet long, a single tall mast, fifty long oars, deck
enough for a hundred men . . . and at the prow, the great iron
ram in the shape of an arrowhead. “Sigrin did me good service,” he admitted.
“Is she as fast as she looks?”
    â€œFaster—for a master that knows how to handle her.”
    â€œIt has been a few years since I sailed a ship.”
And I’ve never
captained one, if truth be told.
“Still, I’m a Greyjoy, and an ironman.
The sea is in my blood.”
    â€œAnd your blood will be in the sea, if you sail the way you talk,” she
told him.
    â€œI would never mistreat such a fair maiden.”
    â€œFair maiden?” She laughed. “She’s a sea bitch, this one.”
    â€œThere, and now you’ve named her.
Sea Bitch.
”
    That amused her; he could see the sparkle in her dark eyes. “And you said
you’d name her after me,” she said in a voice of wounded reproach.
    â€œI did.” He caught her hand. “Help me, my lady. In the green lands, they
believe a woman with child means good fortune for any man who beds
her.”
    â€œAnd what would they know about ships in the green lands? Or women, for that
matter? Besides, I think you made that up.”
    â€œIf I confess, will you still love me?”
    â€œStill? When have I ever loved you?”
    â€œNever,” he admitted, “but I am trying to repair that lack, my sweet Esgred.
The wind is cold. Come aboard my ship and let me warm you. On the morrow my
uncle Aeron will pour seawater over her prow and mumble a prayer to the Drowned
God, but I’d sooner bless her with the milk of my loins, and yours.”
    â€œThe Drowned God might not take that kindly.”
    â€œBugger the Drowned God. If he troubles us, I’ll drown him again. We’re off to
war within a fortnight. Would you send me into battle all sleepless with
longing?”
    â€œGladly.”
    â€œA cruel maid. My ship is well named. If I steer her onto

the rocks in my distraction, you’ll have yourself to blame.”
    â€œDo you plan to steer with this?” Esgred brushed the front of his breeches
once more, and smiled as a finger traced the iron outline of his
manhood.
    â€œCome back to Pyke with me,” he said suddenly, thinking,
What will Lord
Balon say? And why should I care? I am a man grown, if I want to bring a wench
to bed it is no one’s business but my own.
    â€œAnd what would I do in Pyke?” Her hand stayed where it was.
    â€œMy father will feast his captains tonight.” He had them to feast every
night, while he waited for the last stragglers to arrive, but Theon saw no need
to tell all that.
    â€œWould you make me your captain for the night, my lord prince?” She had the
wickedest smile he’d ever seen on a woman.
    â€œI might. If I knew you’d steer me safe into port.”
    â€œWell, I know which end of the oar goes in the sea, and there’s no one better
with ropes and knots.” One-handed, she undid the lacing of his breeches, then
grinned and stepped lightly away from him. “A pity I’m a woman wed, and new
with child.”
    Flustered, Theon laced himself back up. “I need to start back to the castle.
If you do not come with me, I may lose my way for grief, and all the islands
would be poorer.”
    â€œWe couldn’t have that . . . but I have no horse, my
lord.”
    â€œYou could take my squire’s mount.”
    â€œAnd leave your poor squire to walk all the way to Pyke?”
    â€œShare mine, then.”
    â€œYou’d like that well enough.” The smile again. “Now,

would I be behind you, or in front?”
    â€œYou would be wherever you liked.”
    â€œI like to be on top.”
    Where has this wench been all my life?
“My father’s hall is dim and
dank. It needs Esgred to make the fires blaze.”
    â€œThe lordling has a honeyed tongue.”
    â€œIsn’t that where we began?”
    She threw up her hands. “And where we end. Esgred is yours, sweet prince. Take
me to your castle. Let me see your proud towers rising