Chapter 25

“How many days until we reach White Harbor?” Yara the Bottomless asked Lord Darren Haerd.

“I’d guess about four or five at most, Your Grace,” Darren smiled as he stood with his Queen at the helm of the Balon, her flagship.

“I’ve had a raven send me this note. Seems that my brother, Theon, is now very firmly attached to the Night’s Watch in Eastwatch. I’ll see him again when I arrive, assuming that he survives. That’s hardly certain, as it appears that four men have already perished in the defense of said castle. Thoros of Myr. Benjen Stark. Howland Reed. Daario Naharis. What is dead may never die,” Yara invoked the old Ironborn saying as she relayed this news.

“But rises again, harder and stronger,” Darren finished the affirmation, of course.

“The commander at Eastwatch is Ironborn himself, you know. Cotter Pyke. A bastard of our people, though nobody knows who his father was, of course. His mother was what, a salt wife? He’s a fitting choice to command at Eastwatch, of course,” Yara laughed at the likely reaction from an Ironborn crow whose first encounter of his own Queen included her naked arse.

“Perhaps he’ll want to break his vows with you, Your Grace,” Darren chuckled, fighting back any jealousy that he might feel.

“I’d let him, too. He’s a hero, as far as I’m concerned. I’ll gladly award my favors to any man fighting to defend us from such a threat, or any woman for that matter, once they’ve proven their courage. That doesn’t yet apply to those two foolish lads in my cabin, of course. They have yet to prove themselves. As for Theon, we shall see, but it’s moot in his case. He has no cock or balls, anyway. Maybe he’ll bend over for you and then you can fuck a second royal arse!” Yara winked at Darren, but her face and tone hinted that she was in earnest.

“The prospect of you, me ... and Theon together, that greatly appeals to you, doesn’t it, my Queen?” Darren grinned now.

“Yes, along with sharing your salt wives with you. Maybe even your proper wife with you, if you ever reach such a point. You’re my lover now, Darren. I’m one of your salt wives, and quite permanently, I’ve decided firmly. Yes, yes, I know, quite different from my previous stance, but I’ve changed my mind. Women do that a lot. Get used to it. We can be fickle that way, even bottomless Ironborn warrior queens like me.

“But, yes, we can make good use out of my brother. We can even include him in your intimacies with your wife and salt wives. What do you say to that, milord? You saved my life. You are my hero, Darren. I can never forget that fact. Ever,” Yara laughed as she pulled Darren close for a steamy tongue kiss.

“Lovers, then, my Queen? Forever?” Darren held her close, his hands on her bare buttocks as they kissed in front of her crew.

“Forever. I owe you my life, my body, everything, Darren. I will never forget that. Just don’t forget that I am still your Queen and you owe me your fealty nonetheless,” Yara reminded him as she moved one of his hands to her twat.

“Naturally, my Queen,” Darren acknowledged the nature of their affair openly.

“I will never take a consort or husband, not publicly. Just know that you’re the closest thing to it that will ever be. I’m your salt wife as well as your Queen. We just cannot admit as much. Which is why it would help greatly if you do take a proper wife as well as your other salt wives. It will let our people pretend that they don’t know what they really do. All the more reason for me to take other lovers, too. As openly and scandalously as I can, I might add. Including my dear brother, Theon Greyjoy,” Yara insisted, “besides, we both know what I’m like ... and what you are like, too.”

“Lecherous sea dogs?” Darren smiled.

“Exactly,” Yara winked at him again.

“Yes, well, you will always be my Queen, first in my affections and loyalty, even ahead of my wife,” Darren warned Yara.

“And I will always be your salt wife. I won’t be any other man’s salt wife, just yours. Just tell no one. I will have lovers, yes, but I am not and refuse to be their salt wife. You are the only man in all of the Iron Islands with that distinction. The only Ironborn man who knows that his Queen is also his salt wife. You deserve that, because you rescued me from the Silence before it sank.