Euron was mad, a fact even his supporters might admit. But he was not truly insane or foolish. He would never commit the grave sin of kinslaying in public. It was easy enough for Asha to preserve her life, but escaping the old man the king had assigned to her, who in some sense was now her legal husband, was another matter. The best way to avoid being sent off to House Emmock to serve as a lady was to destroy her own reputation.
Her plan was to survive the immediate danger by showing weakness and submission, then secure her future freedom by self-destructing. In a desperate gamble, she would tarnish her own chastity and reputation. She would handle the crisis now and make plans for what came after.
Having already lost her aura of strength following repeated failures at the kingsmoot and at Deepwood Motte, this act of self-sabotage was like a shattered pot being thrown away. It discarded the final shred of her worth as a woman. She had no illusions left. Not only could she never become Queen of the Iron Islands, but even living a normal life back home would subject her to countless stares. But Asha loved this land. If her sacrifice alone could bring the archipelago a brighter future, then even if she were ground to dust, she would not hesitate.
"During the countless days and nights after being captured by those damned black-cloaked men, I was humiliated and abused daily. I not only lost my innocence completely, but the trauma, both physical and mental, has left scars like brands that will never fade. In this state, I am unfit and unable to serve a new husband, let alone start a new life." Asha raised her head, face twisted with hatred, as if gritting her teeth. "Please, Uncle, allow me to take back command of the Black Wind and join the Iron Fleet. Let me fight in this war between you and the North and the Night's Watch. Give me a chance to wash away my shame and rebuild my life. I swear I will do everything I can and will not disappoint you."
The Black Wind, Asha's flagship, had returned to the Iron Islands a few days after she fled Deepwood Motte and was captured by Aegor. The surviving crew, running low on supplies and without their captain, sailed it back and surrendered the ship to the new king. Asha had seen it moored at Lordsport when she landed. Though the flag and figurehead had changed, she recognized it at a glance. That was why she added the request on impulse.
Before her voice had even faded, the hall erupted with laughter and jeering. This statement was far more shocking than her earlier show of submission. The audience quickly forgot their rehearsed mockery.
"Did that White Walker slayer do you?" a captain shouted without hesitation. "How many times?"
"No. He never touched me." Asha had resolved to ignore everyone but Euron, but after a moment of hesitation, she replied. She still hoped to rely on Aegor's support in the future to rise again and reform the islands. If she slandered him with a lie like "he raped me" and brought him trouble without discussing it first, she might incur his wrath. Then she would have no ally left. "I don't know if it's because of the Night's Watch oath or his... preference. As far as I know, there's a rumor in the Gift that he likes boys."
She dared not lie that Aegor had assaulted her, but the rumor about "making boys bleed" was real and had not come from her. Even if it spread through the Iron Islands because of her, Aegor would have no proof that she was the source. He would have no grounds to take it out on her. She could use it without fear.
"What? The mighty Lord Commander of the Night's Watch likes boys?"
"Hahaha."
"A bunch of men huddled together north of the Wall. It figures."
The crude topic, aimed at their enemy's dignity, caused another round of vulgar laughter and heated discussion. But after the initial uproar, someone finally noticed the contradiction.
"Wait. So you're saying the head of the Night's Watch didn't touch you... but someone else did?"
Asha turned her face away, lowered her head, and clenched her teeth. Through her silence and posture, she offered neither denial nor clarification. For someone as proud as her, to smear herself with such a disgraceful accusation was painful. But only this way could she be certain her goal would be achieved.
The Ironborn whispered among themselves, all surprised by the implication. They had come to witness the downfall of the former Princess of the Iron Islands. But before they could mock her, Asha had dumped a bucket of filth over herself. Who now would still want to touch her? The most conflicted were the members of House Emmock. To be fair, considering Asha's bold and unrestrained character, few among the ten thousand men of the Iron Islands had expected her to still be a maiden. Her so-called husband, Alli Emmock, had only sought the prestige of marrying Balon's daughter. He likely never cared about her virtue.
But having experience and being defiled were two different matters. The Ironborn were known for being loose and bold, and many could accept a woman with a past. But across Westeros, no noble family would ever accept a woman who had been publicly captured and repeatedly humiliated by the enemy, only to walk into their castle and bear their children.
"Those Night's Watch dogs are truly vile."
The Ironborn in the hall grew indignant. Even if they had scorned Asha's failed attempt to lead the islands away from the Old Way, it did not change the fact that she was Balon's daughter. She was born of House Greyjoy, the royal blood of their independent kingdom. No matter how much the Ironborn mocked, ridiculed, or criticized her, it was a matter of internal dispute. But a warrior princess of the Iron Islands, abused by the Night's Watch?
That was a humiliation to the entire realm.
No matter the age or land, men would feel outrage over this. It was a primal instinct buried deep in their blood. The women of their people were part of their pride and legacy. Outsiders had no right to take them. Even a willing union was treated with scorn. Forced violation by outsiders? That was unforgivable.
As the emotions in the room spun out of control and the crowd edged toward fury, Euron sneered. It was a clever move. If he still insisted on sending Asha to House Emmock, it would now seem like he was disgracing Alli the Anvil Breaker. Even so, she had only saved herself with a shameless trick. The power remained in his hands.
He clapped his hands, calling for silence. Once the room calmed a bit, he rose from the Seastone Chair.
"Not an excessive request," Euron said loudly, like a cat playing with a mouse, descending the steps with slow grace. "As her blood kin, I should be happy to grant such a modest wish. But every ship in the Iron Fleet belongs to the whole realm. Each vessel already has its captain and owner. Though I am King, I cannot arbitrarily strip someone of their ship just to satisfy a niece's request for revenge. Let the matter be judged by those gathered here today. Ironborn men, do you think I should grant my niece's request?"
"She was captured and used how many times, and she still thinks she's King Balon's son? Even if she had a ship, who'd crew it?"
"Her old crew, probably. Asha may be a woman, but she can sail better than you. Give her some worn-out vessel and let her follow the fleet. It could only help."
"You like her that much? Then give her your worn-out vessel."
The captains in the hall burst into debate. Human nature showed itself in all its contradictions. Even though they had rallied behind Euron, their views clashed. Some feared Asha's threat to his claim. Some were misogynists who believed a woman's place was in the bedchamber. Others prioritized the good of the realm and believed a warrior like Asha, willing to serve, should be welcomed back into the fleet.
Voices rose on every side, and the hall filled with shouting.
Asha smirked faintly with her head bowed. She had never expected her request to be granted. Her goal from the start had been to aim high and settle for less. Whether or not she reclaimed the Black Wind did not matter. As long as she could avoid being dragged off to House Emmock to become a broodmare and instead remain near Euron on Pyke, she would eventually find the right moment to kill him and escape. If a dagger would not do it, then poison would. They called poison a coward's weapon, the tool of women. And she was a woman, after all.
While the hall was filled with noise, Euron had stepped down from the throne and silently paced toward her. He stopped only a few feet away and stared at her with a strange smile.
He was close. Only three or four feet away. Asha's heart began to race. The chance had come suddenly. She had not even expected it herself. If she could just draw the dagger from her breast and strike his neck, she could avenge her father and rid the islands of their darkest blight.
But she could not do it.
She wanted more than revenge. She wanted to lead the Iron Islands to a better future. For that, she had to live.
After his victories, Euron would not forgive her if she struck him now. She would never escape alive.
She had to wait. Wait for the shouting to end, for the hall to clear, for the next opportunity.
She was still lost in thought when Euron stepped closer without warning. The King of the Iron Islands opened his arms and gave her a firm embrace.
What is he doing? In her shock, Asha's mind blanked. Was Crow's Eye showing affection? Could it be he had not killed her father? Even this madman, did he still have a trace of sentiment? Did he still care for his kin?
The idea flickered, but it vanished in an instant. Horror overtook her. He was not embracing her. He was locking her arms, pinning them behind her back like shackles.
"Uncle?" Asha looked up, confused. Even if he stabbed her, she would not have been so stunned. Why would he stoop to restrain her like this in front of all?
She got her answer.
With one hand locking her arms, Euron freed his other and reached up. While no one paid attention, he lifted the eyepatch covering his left eye.
They were face to face. Asha could not help but look.
The eye beneath the patch had no white. The sclera was blood red, and the pupil was pitch black. It was nothing like the blue in his right eye. It looked like a void opened in a sea of blood. That eye had power, and it pulled at her like a whirlpool.
In the blink of an eye, the world disappeared.
Asha felt herself falling, or being stripped of skin and bone. Only her soul remained, exposed and bare. Her every thought, plan, and secret was laid bare under that terrible gaze.
She choked. A sound gurgled from her throat. She could not even speak.
And then the world went black.
She fainted.
(To be continued.)