Damn it all.

Damn him, damn the Gods, damn the man who took his sword hand. Who took his livelihood away.

After rotting in a cell for a year, the least the universe could have allowed him was to come home in one piece. But it did not.

He was a shell of who he once was. Kingslayer. It was laughable now, to think that he once slayed the Mad King, the hand that did it reduced to a stump shielded in gold.

Not to mention, Cersei had cast him aside as well. His one true anything that he'd ever had. She hadn't wanted a private moment since he'd returned. Since he got his prosthetic hand, a cold lump that would have made her flinch he knows this.

Tonight, he was drinking in his quarters. Not too much, but to the point his cheeks were pink and flushed from drink; and his thoughts not entirely on the right track.

Then you entered the room.

You were a maid, he knew that much. Just another lowborn girl to collect his dirty linens and empty his chamberpot if it needed emptying. But now, you were bringing him supper.

You set the tray down on the table in his room, not daring to look him in the eye, you knew better than that.

But as you worked, Jaime's mind kept straying to how dejected he felt. How desperate he felt to be the powerful man he once was. How, when the firelight hit your cheek just right, you resembled Cersei.

Jaime swallowed hard.

As you were curtsying to leave, his good hand reached and gripped your wrist. Your eyes going wide with a small gasp.

"Ser-" You tried to speak up but he cut you off.

"You're familiar, girl." Jaime squinted, tugging you closer. "Have I had you before?" He tilted his head, using the edge of his golden hand to tilt your chin. It was cold. "Not a common type of wench, I would remember one that was so lovely."

Your heart felt like it would burst. Him? Of all the men in the world, the Kingslayer was showing an interest in you?

But Jaime just wanted the power back. Tired of feeling like he was missing everything about himself. He could feel the phantom twitch of his fingers where they used to be.

You would help him feel powerful again.