Chapter Text
Sweet little dragon, fly high, fly high, for the poisoned arrow goes straight to your throat.
—
‧₊˚✧[Chapter 18]✧˚₊‧
The time that had passed was strangely quiet, something that no longer pleased Daemon nor Rhaenyra.
—The Maester claims this year will soon end... there is no news from your brothers, nor from King's Landing —Daemon spoke, looking at the map of the Seven Kingdoms.
—I feel something is not right. One of your spies told us recently that several fires were set in the capital —Rhaenyra murmured, holding in her hand the last parchment she had received from Aegon—. I think it would be better if...
Rhaenyra was interrupted as the door to the hall opened. One of her many guards entered with three parchments in his hand.
—My queen, my King —the guard greeted, bowing—. Three ravens have arrived. One seems to come from Lord Baratheon, and the others from the capital.
Rhaenyra, hearing that, approached the guard and took the three parchments.
—You may lave —Rhaenyra ordered while reading one of the parchments.
Her face darkened as she finished reading its contents.
—It's from Daeron. Otto has become Hand of the King again. He managed to get most of the houses of the West to support Aegon —Rhaenyra whispered while looking at Daemon—. Also, it seems Aegon is not well. He hasn't gotten out of bed in months and only calls for Jacaerys.
Rhaenyra finished speaking and let out a tired sigh. She couldn't believe what was happening.
—That explains why there are now houses on Aegon's side. Otto must be ruling in his place. I told you we should have killed him when we had the chance —Daemon complained, grabbing another of the parchments.
Rhaenyra took the one that remained. She and Daemon read the parchments, and their faces did not reflect joy at their contents. After reading them, Daemon burned his parchment, and Rhaenyra simply tore hers.
—This confirms to me that Otto is ruling. He is requesting your presence in King's Landing to kneel before Aegon —Daemon said through gritted teeth. He clenched his fists and tensed his jaw.
He wanted to cut off Otto's head or let Caraxes burn him alive; he had many ideas for finishing off that snake.
Rhaenyra sighed and put her hands to her face. Westeros must be a total disaster at this moment, and she was just on Dragonstone doing nothing.
—Lord Borros demands to know when his daughter's wedding will take place —Rhaenyra mentioned, looking at the map of the Seven Kingdoms and placing her hand over King's Landing.
—That marriage can wait, but Otto cannot. Let me go to King's Landing and burn all the traitors alive —Daemon requested, though his penetrating gaze indicated he was capable of doing it even without Rhaenyra's permission.
Rhaenyra shook her head at Daemon's request and looked at one of the swords near her.
—Lord Borros is too useful not to please him. Tomorrow at dawn, we will celebrate the wedding of Joffrey and Floris Baratheon.
Rhaenyra was serious about what she said; she could not afford to lose allies knowing who was ruling in Westeros.
—With that wedding done, we have the Baratheon army in our hands. Equally powerful houses are on our side, ready to give their men to my cause.
With those words, a smile appeared on Daemon's face. He could feel Rhaenyra's anger and her desire to reclaim her throne.
—I like where you're going with this —he said, then bit his lower lip while looking at Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra smiled and approached Daemon.
—Have your men ready. We are going to reclaim my throne once and for all —Rhaenyra whispered, face to face with Daemon.
—You just tell me what I must do —Daemon whispered, then kissed Rhaenyra's hand—. Tell me whom I must burn alive, my queen.
With those words, Daemon joined his lips with Rhaenyra's in a passionate kiss. While Rhaenyra's hands stayed on Daemon's neck, his hands caressed Rhaenyra, moving from her collarbone, over her breasts, then caressing her waist before returning to her breasts.
Both separated from the kiss to catch their breath. Daemon began to kiss Rhaenyra's neck, provoking her soft moans.
—Daemon... —Rhaenyra moaned, starting to remove her beloved husband's shirt.
—Rhaenyra... —Daemon growled near his wife's lips again; one of his hands slipped into her dress, moving up until it reached her inner thigh.
The gaze of both was full of desire; their hands moved over each other's bodies, removing each garment.
When Daemon had Rhaenyra naked before him, he did not hesitate to place her on the table and kiss her with desire.
—I am going to show you how much I adore my Queen —that whisper from Daemon only increased Rhaenyra's desire.
The moans of both filled the entire room and were so loud they could be heard even before reaching the door. Something not strange to all the servants, for both kings did not keep their hands off each other for long.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Outside Dragonstone, Helaena was stroking Visenya's hair.
—Helaena —the older girl said, hoping the baby would repeat what she said.
—Lele —the little Visenya babbled, laughing and clapping.
Helaena only sighed and stroked the baby's cheeks. She let her play with the top of her dress while enjoying the tranquility of the day.
Being with Visenya, alone, with no one to bother her—that was her favorite part of the day. She thanked the Gods for every meeting of Rhaenyra's council.
But her tranquility was interrupted by the presence of Lucerys, who came running towards her.
—Hello, Aunt Helaena, hello, little Sister —Lucerys greeted.
In response, Visenya smiled and laughed upon seeing her brother.
—Can I help you with something, Luke? —Helaena asked, not stopping her stroking of Visenya's hair.
—No, I was just passing by and saw you, so I decided to come say hello —Lucerys responded while making Visenya laugh.
Helaena kept watching Lucerys and noticed the little dragon figurine he had on his leg. A smile appeared on her lips as she suspected who had given it to him.
—What a lovely dragon, Luke. Did someone special give it to you? —Helaena asked.
Lucerys, hearing Helaena's question, blushed and turned to look elsewhere.
—Aemond sent it to me, in one of his many gifts —Lucerys responded while playing with his fingers, trying to avoid looking at Helaena.
Helaena smiled upon seeing Lucerys nervous about talking of Aemond. She felt happy that perhaps her dear brother had finally started to do things right.
—I see Aemond seems to be more attentive with you —Helaena whispered—. You like him...
—No, Aemond, I don't like him. He's a friend, just a friend, and I have to go.
That interruption only made Helaena laugh. She could feel how Lucerys was already beginning to fall for Aemond.
—It seems your brother is in love —Helaena said to Visenya, who was busy sucking her finger.
Helaena's solitude with Visenya did not last long, for not much time passed before she had another of the Velaryon brothers beside her.
—It is good to see you, Aunt —Jacaerys greeted, sitting next to her.
Helaena only gave a nod of her head; she was still busy watching Visenya. But the baby, upon seeing Jacaerys, stretched her arms towards him to be picked up.
—Come here, my sweet Princess —Jacaerys said, picking up Visenya and making her laugh—. You spend too much time with her from what I see.
Those words from Jacaerys were directed at Helaena, who remained silent for a time. On the very day she could spend alone with Visenya, her dear nephews were seeking affection from their aunt.
—I have a special affection for her. It's normal that I like spending a lot of time in her company —Helaena responded, fixing her gaze on Visenya's little hands.
—She's a baby; it's not like you can converse with her —Jacaerys whispered—. Do you see her as a daughter or something more?
That question took Helaena by surprise. She was left speechless; she couldn't reveal her true intentions, but for some reason, she felt Jacaerys already suspected something about her.
—Did you see Aegon only as a friend or something more? —To avoid revealing her intentions, she threw that question at Jacaerys.
She noticed how the brown-haired boy tensed at the mention of Aegon. That brought a smile to her face; something had happened in Winterfell, and it wasn't something related to the Stark.
—I asked first. Answer me, and then I'll do the same —Jacaerys proposed seriously.
Helaena sighed and nodded.
—Fine. I see your sister as mine. The rest is up to your judgment —Helaena responded seriously. —She's just a baby —Jacaerys complained, for he had not liked Helaena's answer.
—There are many things you don't know, Jacaerys. You and Lucerys are not as free as you think. You were claimed by someone from your birth —Helaena defended herself, standing up, for she was no longer interested in knowing if Jacaerys felt something for Aegon.
Jacaerys was left thinking about Helaena's words; he didn't understand what she meant.
—Are you saying my betrothal was planned since I was born? —Jacaerys asked, quite confused.
Helaena only looked at Jacaerys and shook her head while fixing her hair.
—Four dragons were born, and the four were claimed. It doesn't matter if they marry the wolf or the storm... the fire that called them its own will claim them when the time comes.
With those words, Helaena left, but not without looking at Visenya and Jacaerys one last time. Two dragons who already have an owner.
Jacaerys was left thinking about Helaena's words. He was claimed from the moment of his birth.
For some reason, thinking about that, Aegon's name filled his mind. He hadn't been able to get him out of his head since that kiss in Winterfell.
—Oh, little sister, what's happening to me? —Jacaerys asked, looking at his sister.
The baby in his arms only laughed at her brother's caresses, making him laugh along with her.
—Aegon... what have you done to me?
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The fireplace fire created a cozy atmosphere in the room against the cold night. Rhaenyra was stroking the hair of her youngest son, Joffrey, who was quite tense.
—Do you think I will be a good husband? —Joffrey asked while playing with one of his mother's hands.
—You will be, Joffrey. I know you didn't want to marry so soon...
But before Rhaenyra could continue speaking, Joffrey interrupted her.
—Don't worry, Mother. I know it's for the good of the realm, but I thought I would marry Uncle Daeron first —Joffrey whispered, ashamed of himself for thinking that.
Those words from Joffrey surprised Rhaenyra, for he spent time with the Baratheon girl, so she didn't think Daeron was in his head before the girl.
—Why did you think that? —she asked curiously—. Do you want to marry Daeron first?
Joffrey blushed at that question from his mother. Without looking at her, he gave a slight nod of his head.
—Floris is adorable, but she spends more time with Rhaena. I don't mind that they are friends, but Uncle Daeron is different —Joffrey responded, now playing with his fingers.
Rhaenyra still couldn't believe what she was hearing. When did her brother become so important to her beloved son?
—In what sense is he different? —Rhaenyra asked, stroking Joffrey's hair.
—He has always been good to me. When we were in King's Landing, he always took me for walks. We ate cakes in secret. He treats me very nicely, and he has been sending me poemas —Joffrey responded with a smile.
The little boy ran to his bed and took out the letters he had hidden. He brought some to his mother.
—Look, these are my favoritos —Joffrey mentioned, quite happy to tell his mother about the letters Daeron sends him.
Joffrey maintained a joyful smile while Rhaenyra read some of the poems.
—Joffrey, I will ask you a question, and I hope you answer with total sincerity —Rhaenyra requested while putting the letters aside.
—Alright, Mother, tell me —Joffrey said, standing before her.
Rhaenyra knelt to be more at Joffrey's height. She stroked his hair and one of his cheeks with her hands.
—Are you in love with Daeron? —Rhaenyra asked.
That question left Joffrey with nothing to say, for he, for some reason, felt nervous about answering. Daeron treated him in the best way, made him feel special, and was quite attractive.
Joffrey had never stopped to think if he had fallen in love with his uncle; even now, he didn't know if he truly was in love.
—I don't know —Joffrey responded, quite nervous—. Mother, I don't want to be left with that doubt.
Joffrey grabbed Rhaenyra's hands and looked into her eyes.
—Joffrey...
—Mother, I want to see him. I want to see Daeron —Joffrey asked with a certain desperation in his voice.
—My boy, forget what I told you. I shouldn't have asked you that question —Rhaenyra pleaded upon hearing her son's desperation.
She feared she herself had awakened Joffrey's curiosity about his feelings.
—Mother, please —Joffrey begged—. Bring Daeron. I want to talk to him. I want to know what I feel.
Rhaenyra looked into Joffrey's eyes; that pleading look was in the eyes of her little boy. She could not tell him no when he looked at her like that.
—I will send a raven to King's Landing. I don't know when he will come, but I will do everything possible for you to see him —Rhaenyra promised.
Joffrey hugged her immediately, quite excited by what his mother had promised him.
—You will still have to marry Floris tomorrow —Rhaenyra reminded him while hugging Joffrey.
—Alright, I will do it —Joffrey responded without separating from his mother's embrace—. Thank you, thank you, Mother.
Rhaenyra kissed Joffrey's cheek. She hoped everything would turn out well, but she was still worried about what would happen in the future.
While the two were still embracing, a loud crash startled them both. Upon separating, they saw Alicent leaning against the door. Her arm was cut, and her lip had a slight cut.
—Alicent...
Before Rhaenyra could speak more, Alicent ran towards her and broke into tears.
—They took them. I tried to stop them, but I couldn't —Alicent sobbed in Rhaenyra's arms.
—Alicent, who did they take? —Rhaenyra asked, worried and at the same time frightened by the answer.
Alicent cried more when Rhaenyra asked who they had taken. She felt useless for not managing to be of help; rather, she ended up injured, and it hadn't been worth it.
—Aegon and Viserys. They took them both.