Chapter Text
We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I’d make wine from your tears
I told you
That we could fly
Cause we all have wings
But some of us don’t know why
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
“You are my queen – now and always!”
Dany’s heart soared as she saw the love in Jon’s eyes. She had everything she had ever wanted. The Seven kingdoms were hers, the man she loved was standing before her, his hand cupping her face. She reached out and pressed her lips against his in a kiss which he returned with such passion that it surprised her. - he had been so reluctant at Dragonstone. She had kissed him in front of the fire place and he had held back, pulled away from her - for one sweet moment, the destroyed throne room, disappeared. It was just the two of them. They would remake the world, make it a better place, and he would be by her side.
She felt his hand slip away but was too lost in the kiss to play close attention until she felt something strike her hard - followed by a sharp pain in her chest. She drew back from him in shock, then glanced down, to see the dagger buried up to the hilt under her left breast. Her eyes grew wide and she struggled to speak but could only manage ragged gasps. She gazed at Jon in confusion. but in his brown eyes, she still saw love and heartbreak. He loved her, even now, even as he had betrayed her. The last thing she saw was Jon’s tearful face as her vision began to dim from the edges. She had a sensation of falling, then the blackness enclosed her, and she felt nothing.
Dany’s eyes flew open. It was just a dream, a terrible dream. Her breath rushed into her with an almighty whoosh and she sat up, disorientated. She glanced around in confusion, for instead of her bed chamber, she found herself lying on a slab of stone. Braziers, burning with orange flame surrounded her, beyond which, she could see huge stone columns and statues, made of obsidian. In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a flash of red. Her blue eyes darted around as she struggled to comprehend what had happened to her.
“Where – am I? Who are you?”
The other occupant in the room walked from behind her. It was a beautiful, dark-haired woman, clad in a red, silk gown. “My name is Kinvara. You are in Volantis, in the Temple of the Lord of Light, Daenerys Stormborn.”
Dany’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Volantis, why am I in…?"
Her gaze took in the hues of red, orange and gold, that adorned the walls. It was truly a magnificent place, yet she did not remember travelling here. The last thing she did remember was…her breath hitched as she reached a trembling hand to pull away the red cloth that covered her naked body. As she saw the wound left behind by Jon’s dagger, she began to hyperventilate. No, no, no!
She felt a hand upon her brow. “There is nothing to worry about now, you are safe, Daenerys Stormborn.”
A tear fell from Dany’s eye and tracked down her face. “Who brought me here?” She remembered Jon telling her about his resurrection at the hands of the Red Woman. She had also worshiped the Lord of Light. Her mind began to piece together the rest. Had Jon brought her here? Anguished and contrite about what he had done to her. Hope soared within her, just for a moment.
“Your dragon brought you to us. He seemed to know where he was going. I’ve heard they are intelligent creatures."
Dany swung her legs around, clasping the cloth to her body. “Drogon! Where is he?”
She struggled to rise to her feet, almost collapsing back onto what she now realised was a stone alter. The Red Priestess pushed her gently back onto the alter. “Your dragon is fine, you must rest now Daenerys. You need to regain your strength. The Lord of Light brought you back, but the rest you must do yourself.”
“Why have you brought me back? Have I not suffered enough in this life?”
“It was your reward from the Lord of Light, for everything you have sacrificed.”
Dany’s eyes grew wide. She shifted so she could wrap the cloth around her body but remained seated on the alter. She felt weak and dehydrated. “So, I must continue to remake the world? As I set out to do before I was murdered.” Her breath hitched on the last word as she remembered how Jon plunged the dagger into her heart, even as his lips were still plundering her own. The knowledge of how he betrayed her, was more painful than the killing blow had been.
“There is no need, for the changes have already begun. You set the wheels in motion, now the story must play out without you.
Dany scowled, her lips pressed tight together. This was not how it was supposed to be. but fatigue overwhelmed her. For now, she would rest, planning would come later.
Kinvara called out in High Valyrian and two young women, also clad in the red silks of the followers of R’hllor, entered the room, carrying torches. They beckoned to Dany who rose from the alter, wrapping the red cloth around her as she did. The women escorted her through the columns and arches of the temple to a simple room, in which a bed had been made for her. Upon the bed, lay a gown of gold and orange silk. As soon as the women had left the room, she threw off the red cloth and slipped into the dress, desperate to hide the evidence of how love for a dark-haired wolf from the north, had killed her.