The Great Hall of Winterfell echoed with the sound of Li Peien's boots as he stalked toward her, his presence filling the space like a storm. The Lannister princess stood frozen, her golden hair cascading over shoulders suddenly bare as his hand shot out to yank her fur cloak from her body.

"You think you can come here with your lion's pride," he growled, his fingers digging into her upper arms as he pinned her against the stone wall, "and not expect the wolf to claim what's in his den?"

Her gasp of surprise mingled with something darker as his body pressed fully against hers, leaving no doubt about his intentions. His mouth hovered inches from hers, the scent of pine and leather overwhelming her senses.

"I am a princess of Casterly Rock," she managed to say, though her voice trembled slightly, "you would do well to remember your place, Lord Peien."

A dangerous smirk played across his lips as his hand slid up to wrap around her throat, not tight enough to harm but enough to remind her exactly who held power in this moment.

"My place," he murmured, his thumb brushing across her lower lip, "is wherever I choose to take it. And right now..." His knee pushed between her legs, forcing them apart as his grip tightened just enough to make her breath catch, "my place is between yours."

The firelight danced across his face, highlighting the sharp angles and intense gaze that had made him both feared and desired throughout the North. There would be no diplomacy tonight.