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Rhaenyra saw Alicent standing alone in the hall after everyone was leaving. She looked forlorn and regretful.
Indeed, Alicent was regretful.
All I have ever wanted was for you to say sorry, Rhae. And when you did.....I could tell it was true. I have been so angry...for so long. Forever upholding what I saw as my duty, my faith, my responsiblity. My son...how could I have ever made a son like that? Why did I ever think he could be a king? My poor sweet Helaena, I'm so sorry for everything I have done, making you marry him.
Rhaenyra....I hurt you...I did not mean to, I swear it. I only wanted to protect my son! But I nearly burned everything down.
Rhaenyra gazed at the queen, and was pulled into a memory.
I want to fly with you on dragonback, see the wonders of the world and eat only cake. She had said.
She allowed herself a nostalgic little smile upon her lips, and moved forward to speak to her. This queen, who used to be her dearest friend. Now....I'm not sure what we are now. Enemies? Rivals? Frenemies? Whatever the case, our fates were made for us long ago, but we can still defy them if we only have the courage to try. I loved you, Ali. Your sweet kind personality, your piercing eyes, soft inviting lips....but none of us are who we were. You definitely aren't. Yet in that moment at dinner, I saw a glimpse of that young girl I once knew. A girl I once loved. I am truly sorry, Ali. For it all. I know I hurt you, so badly. You've only put your duty first, and thats all I should have expected out of you. We live in the same world. She tried to keep the world as it was. I want to create a new, better order. If only you would see that, Ali.
"Rhaenyra?" Alicent said in a soft voice. For the first time in a long time, Rhaenyra did not see a bitter rival, the scheming stepmother queen who sought to deprive her of her rights. She saw a scared, sad old woman, broken down by her experiences. She bit at her nails, an old habit from the old days. She saw a woman who just wanted a hug from someone, anyone.
"Your Grace.... I...I should probably get back to Dragonstone."
Alicent frowned and looked upon her with pleading, teary eyes, "S-So soon...? But you have only just arrived! Surely...." It was unspoken but Rhaenyra knew she wanted her to stay and spend time..Perhaps continue rebuilding their relationship? Perhaps-
"I must put the children to bed."
"Of course. I should do the same. Aegon.....Gods, Rhae." Rhaenyra cracked a small affectionate smirk at Ali using her nickname. "How could I have made a son like that? I told him....he was no son of mine."
Alicent grasped onto Rhaenyra's hand and saw the scar there. The scar I created that night.
"Does it...does it still hurt?"
"No, Your Grace."
"Rhaenyra...I'm so sorry, for that, for everything."
Rhaenyra gazed at her with surprise, "I've never....Thank you, Your Grace. For a long time all I could see when I looked at you was a rival. An enemy trying to deny me."
"You must believe me that I regret it...It's just that when I saw my son's injuries, I....Any mother would have been upset."
"Aye, if it was Jace who was hurt...I don't know what I would have done. We fight as hard as we can for our children, Your Grace. They don't always appreciate it."
Alicent smirked, "Indeed. For so long, I have been driven by my desire to protect them. From any threat....and I believed for a time...for a long time...this included you. Our fates have driven us apart, Rhae. It necessitated us be at odds. I feared it too late to make amends, for us to ascend the Iron Throne as one."
"Don't say that." Rhaenyra reached up and caressed her stepmother's cheek.
She sobbed, "But it is too late, isn't it? I made all the wrong choices. Now I've burned everything down."
"It's never too late, Alicent..." Rhaenyra whispered. "I will return. On dragonback."
Alicent choked back a sniffle, "I t-think the king and I would like that." Idiot, why did you phrase it like that? I would love that, you should say. But Alicent didn't. The words could not leave her mouth.
Rhaenyra gave a sad smile, and looked down.
"I missed you..." she whispered so quietly she thought Alicent couldn't hear her.
Alicent smiled warmly, "Just missed?"
Their faces were close now...too close. Their breaths hitched in anticipation on what was about to happen. Then....
"No....I lov-"
Alicent moved the rest the way in and captured Rhaenyra's lips in a soft kiss. Rhaenyra exhaled, in a slight gasp of shock, but then slowly started to kiss back.
I'm kissing her...I'm kissing Rhaenyra, my own stepdaughter. Gods! The Gods will be so angry at me! What am I doing? Yet it feels so good and right!
In truth, Alicent had only ever felt this way for women, more specifically Rhaenyra.
The deep feelings of love for Alicent she had long repressed, were now flowing to the surface. I'm finally kissing Alicent, thought Rhaenyra. It feels just as I dreamed for so many years....no, it is better. Gods, Ali, I love you so much. Why did we waste so many years steeped in hatred and resentment? I want to kiss only you.
"Ali..." she breathed, and Alicent could not help but smile into the kiss at hearing her old nickname that of course, only Rhae ever used.
Alicent's lips were so soft, thought Rhaenyra. Why had she denied herself them for so many years? She pressed herself closer into her, and their breasts were now pressing against one another. Ali moaned and so did she. She reached up and stroked Ali's hair, continuing their deep yet soft kiss. Finally, Alicent's tongue asked for entrance and Rhaenyra let her in.
It was dangerous. It was forbidden. It was wrong. Yet neither woman could stop, and neither woman wanted to. The better part of two decades had been building to this moment of finally realized sexual tension, that had begun when they were just young teenage girls at court, playing and having fun together. Alicent, ever dutiful, only wanted to play inside while Rhaenyra wanted to ride around on her dragon.
Finally, they pulled apart.
"Rhae..."
"Ali..." they both whispered breathlessly.
"How long have you wanted to kiss me?" Alicent asked.
"Our whole lives."
"Gods, Rhaenyra.....you're my stepdaughter." That's not so uncommon in our family, Ali.
"I don't think you much care." Rhaenyra smirked seductively, and Alicent blushed. How do you still have so much power over me?
"What do we do now?"
"There's nothing to do right now. We will take things as they come. I will return on dragonback for you, Ali. I promise."
Alicent didn't know if she could fully trust Rhaenyra just yet but as she looked into Rhaenyra's eyes, she saw pleading truth in them.
"Remember our kiss, Rhaenyra." Alicent pleaded, "I do not wish to be forgotten."
"I could never."
"I l-love you." Alicent choked out. If I don't say it now, I will never again have the chance.
Rhaenyra pressed her lips to her queen again, "And I you, Ali." she whispered with a gentle smile. "I always have,"
Then Rhaenyra turned to leave back to Dragonstone.
The houses of Targaryen and Hightower had been in conflict for many years. Yet now there was some hope, a dream of spring. Two lost and hurt souls had found their way back to one another.
What neither woman knew is that it would be their last kiss. They would not see each other again for many months. And when they did meet up again, it would not be under such gentle circumstances.
Perhaps it will be okay.
I might get lucky.
The End.