Chapter Text
In the ten years since her wedding to Laenor, Rhaenyra had become accustomed to sleeping alone. Though Ser Harwin had fathered all three of her children, and she and Laenor had attempted to do their duty on more than one occasion, the interludes always ended with Rhaenyra retiring in private.
On the night following her oft dreamed of wedding to her beloved Daemon, Rhaenyra welcomed her husband into her chambers. Their initial frenzied love making ,fueled by the passion of their shared dragon blood, later transitioned into languorous and tender caresses. On her wedding night, Rhaenyra finally experienced the intimacy of spending the night wrapped in her lover’s embrace.
To be so cherished after ten years of droll tragedy made Rhaenyra reluctant to rise the following morning. But the sunlight poured through the thick damask curtains of her chambers. Her head was pillowed by Daemon’s bare chest, her hair like melted silver spread across his pale flesh.
Rhaenyra reluctantly shifted only to feel Daemon’s arm tighten around her, drawing her close. He murmured something indecipherable in his sleep.
“Husband,” she called, cherishing the word and the man beside her. “We must wake up. Joffrey will need me soon.”
Daemon opened his eyes. They gleamed with reverence. “Wife, Joffrey is in the capable hands of the wetnurse. I believe my need of you may be greater than his.”
Rhaenyra smirked. “Is this your clever way of suggesting that I did not meet your needs last night, my love? This is hardly an auspicious beginning to our marriage.”
“Last night surpassed my wildest dreams, but the sun is barely above the horizon. Lay with me a little longer. We will need our rest before plotting the downfall of our enemies.” Daemon tugged her back down to his side, and Rhaenyra snuggled ever closer.
Rhaenyra felt his lips on her forehead. She never imagined that Daemon could be so tender. “For ten years, I have been unable to sleep soundly, wanting you with every fiber of my being. Now you are mine. Let us rest, love.”
Rhaenyra kissed his shoulder. “As my husband commands.”
In truth she was grateful for the reprieve. She intended to revel in the solace of her beloved’s arms for a little longer. The court would not look kindly upon her marriage, but in this moment, pressed against the man she loved, she was perfectly and incandescently happy.