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A yelp from behind her startled the two of them apart. Daemon whirled around, hand dropping to the pommel of his sword. Rhaenyra inhaled sharply as she turned her head.
"Aegon?" Rhaenyra called out, hand rising to stay her uncle's temper. He was already growling. Sword half-drawn.
Her brother was no threat. Even if he had seen them, the boy was in no state to recognize the significance. Or recount it with any sort of coherence.
No. He was lying down, face planted in coarse sand, curling inward beneath his cloak as he groaned. Fallen then, stumbling around in his drunken state.
"Are you alright?" Rhaenyra approached him, brow furrowing as she glanced around.
She'd ordered her own protector away when she'd descended the stairs, but her brother ought to have had a kingsguard. A house guard, at least. But none appeared.
"Nyra?" Daemon arched a brow as she knelt in the sand. She brushed a hand over Aegon's back, shaking him lightly.
"Aegon?" Rhaenyra ducked her head closer. She combed his hair away from his face to find it stained with tears. A faint mark on his already red cheeks. "Did someone hurt you?"
Daemon straightened. His hand tightened on his sword again, eyes narrowing as he stalked closer.
"A slap I'd wager," Daemon huffed, nose wrinkling as he surveyed her brother. "Who the fuck would dare to strike a prince?"
"Aegon?" Rhaenyra shook him again, more firmly. "What's happened, Egg?" She squeezed at his arm as he started to turn onto his back.
Her brother hissed, flinched away from her touch, crying softly. A hand rose to his arm, craddling it against his chest. His words were mumbled. Slurred. But she knew begging when she heard it.
The slap wasn't the only hit he'd taken then.
"Where is his kingsguard?!" Rhaenyra shouted, head rising as she glared at the towers of High Tide just visible in the waning light. Daemon pulled a dagger from his belt and handed it to her.
"A question I am quite eager to ask myself," Daemon snarled, marching towards the castle.
His shouts echoed off the stones, flying with the breeze over the crashing waves and shifting sand. A smile tugged at her expression as she clutched the weapon, her uncle's muttering a sweet symphony of Valyrian lingering in her ear.
A whimper escaped her brother's lips as he dragged his eyes opened. His breath hitched and he scrambled away from her, "No! Please!"
Eyes fluttering, Rhaenyra reached for her brother with one hand and held the dagger Daemon had given her carefully in her lap. "You're alright, Aegon. It's just me. It's Rhaenyra-"
"Please don't kill me!" Aegon screamed, arms crossing over his face as he sobbed, "I won't be a challenge! I swear! Please!"
He babbled on more, voice breathless and raw, choking on his own words as his body shook. With terror. With fear. Of her.
"I don't want it! I don't want the crown or the stupid throne!" Aegon huddled in on himself, shoulders hunched and head low. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears streamed down his face. "Please!"
"Little brother," Rhaenyra spoke softly in Valyrian. She waited half a beat for him to fall silent. "Look at me," she ordered and his arms dropped.
She met his gaze, held it, as she set the blade beside her before raising her hands up, palms out. He blinked, throat bobbing as he took a breath.
"I don't want to kill you," Rhaenyra assured him, keeping her voice low. She rose up onto her knees. He stiffened, but Rhaenyra reached for him anyway, cupping his face, "You are my little brother, my blood, I would not wish your death for even a moment."
"But...but he said-" Aegon shook his head, voice cracking. Rhaenyra swept her thumb over his cheek.
Keeping her voice light was a struggle as she exhaled, "Who? Who said I would hurt you, Aegon?" He pursed his lips. "Was it the same person who struck you?" Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes on the faint mark. "Who hurt you?"
Perhaps it was the drink, the wine still clinging to his breath and to his clothes, but Aegon told her everything. Rambling on about how his mother had been obsessed since Daeron was sent away, how the arrival of Otto Hightower had only made her worse.
"She's terrified the rest of us will be sent away too!" Aegon hiccupped, hands fisting in his cloak as he drew it tighter around himself, "The king didn't ask her before he sent Daeron to Oldtown. He promised to consult her next time, but..."
Next time implied it would happen again. No wonder Alicent had been so against her proposal for Helaena and Jace to wed. Rhaenyra had split her time between Dragonstone and King's Landing for years.
"He told her if Helaena married me, she'd never have to leave, that my sister would always remain in King's Landing, remain safe."
Oh. Oh! Rhaenyra's mouth fell open as Aegon sulked, head falling forward into his hands.
"We have nothing in common!" Aegon fell back into the sand with a whine, "She's stupid and weird!" His arms flung out, "There's loads of people who'd be a better match for her! Aemond even! At least they can be weird and annoying together!"
Rhaenyra's lips twitched up as he complained. She held her fingers to her lips as he rolled about in the sand, legs kicking out and hands gesturing wildly.
"I'd get along better with her dragon!" Aegon shouted and his limbs finally fell still. His chest heaved, his breathing ragged as he finally whispered, "I don't want to get married... Not yet."
"You won't," Rhaenyra rose up onto her knees and shifted forward. She sat beside his head, staring down into familiar eyes.
They were the same violet as her own, but it was their round shape, the tears on his long lashes. Aegon was his mother's son in so many ways.
She had not been able to protect Alicent, to stop their fathers from trapping her in the royal cage Rhaenyra had been born into. But Aegon... Aegon she could save.
"I will speak to the king," Rhaenyra promised him, brushing her fingers down the side of his face, tracing his jawline. Another familiar feature. "I was allowed time to grow first, to... consider my choices. You ought to be granted the same privilege. Helaena too."
He sniffled, nodding slowly. Hesistant. His gaze fell away then. His head turning towards the sea as Aegon gulped, "He said I need heirs. Trueborn Targaryen children, or we'd all be doomed."
It was obvious who he meant, who'd been feeding all the lies into his head. Into Alicent's.
But Aegon hadn't said a name. Not yet.
"Who?" Rhaenyra pulled Aegon's head back, her hand light on his chin as she forced him to look at her. "Who is it Aegon?"
A hand rose up, wrapping around her wrist. Aegon swallowed, "You... you really won't kill me? Me or my brothers?"
"I swear to you," Rhaenyra ducked closer. She pressed a kiss to his forehead as he gasped. Another sob broke on his lips. She tilted her head, smiling at him, "We're family, little brother. I can not imagine there is anything that could change that."
"Otto," Aegon breathed out, exhaling slowly. His next breath stuttered, "He found me on the balcony, and he was angry- He... he hit me, and kicked me."
Brow furrowing, Rhaenyra listened aptly as he spoke, detailing his rather long night so far. His words slurred again. He shook beneath her, tears bubbling up.
A useless drunk. A stupid boy. Weak. Otto had a rather low opinion of the child he wanted to make into a king it seemed. He'd reminded Aegon of the threat on his life and reprimanded him for making himself an easy target.
Rhaenyra wanted to wring the man's throat. Perhaps thrash him, toss him into the sea and let the currents deal with him. Driftmark had many precarious ledges.
Or perhaps Syrax could be tempted. He was not her usual fare, but for Rhaenyra, her sweet beast might make an exception.
It was dark on the beach. The sun fully set by the time Daemon returned. A kingsguard and several Targaryen knights in tow. Aegon clamped his mouth firmly shut when he caught sight of them.
"You see?" Daemon drawled, waving his arm towards them with a flourish. He was grinning viciously at the kingsguard, jaw set, "It has been left to Princess Rhaenyra to protect your charge this evening, ser. And that..." he snapped his teeth together as he crowded the man, growling, "...makes you useless!"
Aegon flinched at that word, shoulders hunching as he sat up. Dragging him into her arms, Rhaenyra kissed his temple. She spoke in Valyrian and Daemon straightened when he heard her words.
"You've done nothing wrong, little brother. You've been helpful even. Helped me to see what needs to be done."
With her brother wrapped in her arms, Rhaenyra turned her head to level a glare on the kingsguard.
A roar shook the air as Vhagar flew over the water. Their heads all snapped towards the dragon as a faint shout came from her back, a joyous yell, a laugh.
"Aemond..." Aegon's nose wrinkled as he crawled from Rhaenyra's lap. He rose on to shaking feet, stumbling forward as Vhagar continued her flight. Circling the castle.
"Ah! So it's not just you that's incompetent!" Daemon snapped at the kingsguard, already turning to the castle again. "At one point, kingsguards were expected to actually remain with the princes they protected!"
Rhaenyra rose up, snatching the dagger Daemon had given her for protection. She squeezed at the grip as she watched her brother shaking in the wind, his cloak twisting around him.
He was just a boy. Only a few years older than her own. She still remembered the way he stumbled over her name as a toddler. The way he'd cried for Alicent when the courtiers took him too far from her or his nanny.
"Come, Aegon," Rhaenyra called out to him, offering her hand. He turned back to her, eyes fluttering. She smiled softly, "Let's find your brother, and then the queen, hmm?"
"She'll be mad at me," Aegon whined, but he let her drag him into her side. He leaned heavily on her, his steps still stumbling.
With a hum, Rhaenyra brushed a hand through his hair before wrapping her arm tightly around his waist. She glanced towards the kingsguard, eyes narrowing, "It's not you who ought to be worried about the queen's wrath tonight, little brother."
The man stiffened as they passed him. He fell in to step behind them. The other guards taking up a proper defensive perimeter, encircling them as they walked up the steps to High Tide. Fingers twisted in her dress, in her jacket. Her brother clung to her, just as the sharp sting of wine did to him.
Shouting rose in the air, yelling and crying. Daemon's voice cut through it all. A single word. Dripping with anger, with rage.
"Enough!" Daemon screamed and the halls went quiet.
A moment later, when they came upon the scene, Rhaenyra stilled. Her eyes flickered over each child, over Daemon's heaving chest. His hands were fisted at his side.
Jace was on the ground, face dirty and red. Luke stood just beside him now. A little knife clutched in his hand and blood dripping from his nose as he cried quietly.
"What's happened?" Rhaenyra asked, eyebrows arching as her gaze swept over her younger brother a few steps from her sons. A rock still clutched in his hand, his own face as red as Jace's.
The two would sport matching bruises soon, she'd wager. As might Baela, standing defiantly before her father, expression twisted with rage. Her sister wrapped around her arm.
"He stole Vhagar," Rhaena was the first to speak, sniffling as she looked pointedly at the ground, avoiding Daemon's gaze. Aemond stiffened.
"I claimed her!" Aemond snapped, though he shifted back another step.
His jaw clenched tight. His fingers flexed over the stone in his hand, his makeshift weapon. He looked, quickly, to Aegon, eyes almost pleading before they dropped.
"How are any of you out of bed?" Daemon huffed, hand rising to his hair. He exhaled slowly, fingers twisting in silver strands, "A kingsguard was assigned to the hall-"
"Oh, Ser Criston was dismissed," Aegon mumbled, swaying on his feet. He swallowed as Daemon whirled on him.
Rhaenyra sent her uncle a sharp look as Aegon stumbled back a step, nearly crumbling to the floor. He yelped, arms flying up. She caught him around the waist again.
"What do you mean he was dismissed?" Rhaenyra hauled him back to her side and he slumped forward, whining. She tapped at his chin with a finger and his head rose up.
"When the Hand dragged me back to my room, he sent Ser Criston to check on my mother," Aegon explained. His gaze flicked from her to Daemon, lips trembling, "That's... that's how I knew I could sneak out, get to Sunfyre."
Chuckling, she cupped his cheek, "Well, you have a horrible sense of direction, Egg." Her eyes flickered towards the children, "One we ought to be thankful for, it seems."
Luke dropped the knife in his hand and ran for her then. He slammed into her legs, sobbing into her skirts. Aemond flushed as her son repeated his insults and his threats to her.
Dropping to a crouch, Rhaenyra wrapped him in her arms. She didn't drop her own blade. She held it carefully as she consoled her son, kissing at his dark curls, whispering soft words of comfort.
"You," Rhaenyra clicked her tongue at the kingsguard who'd first abandoned Aegon. She hooked her chin over Luke's head and glared at the man. He straightened as she rose back up, "Wake the queen. And the king."
Aemond had slunk backwards far enough that he was nearly to the bend in the hallway. Rhaenyra tilted her head and beckoned him towards her. He stilled, lips pursing tightly.
"I need more wine for this," Aegon groaned and in two long strides, he was at his brother's side. He locked their arms together, leaning on Aemond as he ducked his head to whisper in his ear.
She didn't hear what he said, but Aemond dropped the rock. Which had Jace exhaling audibly. He flung himself back with a huff, arms splayed wide.
It would be amusing, how the action mirrored Aegon's earlier dramatics, if the circumstances hadn't already stripped Rhaenyra of her humor. Every fiber of her being pulsing with anger.
"Let's get you lot to a maester, hmm?" Rhaenyra cupped her younger son's face, smile tight.
The maester met them in the Hall of Nine. Along with a very harried looking Rhaenys. She fretted over the girls first, before the maester assured her they were fine. Luke's nose had been cleaned and bandaged.
"Very few Velaryon men manage to make adulthood without breaking their nose at least once," Corlys chuckled as he knelt before her sons. Luke managed a tiny smile, still trembling even as Corlys swept him into his arms.
Rising to his feet with Luke curling into his chest, Corlys surveyed the room. Daemon had roused every kingsguard who'd come to High Tide with the royal family. He was snapping and snarling at each of them.
Helaena had joined her brothers, hovering beside Aemond as the maester checked him over, cleaned his face and his knuckles. Alicent's ladymaid had been in her room with the girl, ordered to watch over the princess directly by the queen. The woman lingered near to her charge, hands wringing in front of her.
"A maid is doing your job for you! Ensuring the protection and virtue of my young niece!" Daemon dragged a groggy eyed Ser Arryk closer, seething, "What does that say of the queen's faith in you I wonder?!"
"Daemon," Rhaenyra sighed, fingers combing through Jace's hair. He was fine, for the most part. She suspected Aemond's words had done more damage than his fists.
And her brother was no better off.
"He was not the one on duty," Rhaenyra reminded her uncle, eyebrows arching. With a huff, Daemon stepped away from the kingsguards. For now.
She had no doubt Ser Criston would face her uncle's ire when he arrived. And Ser Harrold. He was the commander, after all, and his men had left their charges undefended.
"Hold your temper for those who have earned it," Rhaenyra hummed, fingers twitching as she glanced towards the dagger she'd left on the table beside her. Jace arched a brow, following her gaze. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and turned.
Aemond had been seen to. Her sons. Daemon's daughters. Even Helaena had received a cursory look over from the maester when she arrived.
"Prince Aegon next," Rhaenyra ordered the man and the children all furrowed their brows. Her brother's eyes widened, a wine goblet freezing halfway to his lips.
"Next for what?" Alicent arrived with a pinched expression. Her curls bouncing around her shoulders as her head whipped around the room, "What's happened?"
Daemon's barking laughter was harsh and humorless. Rhaenyra raised a hand and he quieted. He settled by the door, arms crossing as he glowered at Cole.
Clearing her throat, Rhaenyra gestured towards Aegon, "I stumbled upon Aegon while I was walking outside. He'd been attacked." Alicent's eyes widened and she was already racing towards her son. "Apparently, Ser Criston had been dismissed from his post in the children's hallway, so that was just the beginning of several incidents."
"You were quite smart to leave your lady's maid with Princess Helaena," Daemon drawled, grinning viciously at Ser Criston, "She's the only child who actually stayed in her room."
Cole straightened, chin rising as he took a defensive position not far from Alicent and her children. Ever her shadow. His jaw clenched as he surveyed the children, his gaze lingering on Aegon. On the red mark that still colored his pale face. Eyes narrowed.
Her brother's protests fell quiet as his mother snapped at the maester to hurry up. Alicent brushed his hair from his neck to find another mark. It was older, a few days perhaps, and half hidden by his collar.
"What is this? Who's been hurting you?" Alicent took a shaky breath, exhale shuddering as she pulled open the clasps of his doublet.
Aegon flushed and ducked his head. His mumbled response had Cole's face twisting into a scowl. Aemond reared back, eyes fluttering.
"I meant for you to stop publically mocking your brother and playing pranks on him with your nephews!" Alicent shrieked, her whisper carrying across the room, "That doesn't mean my father can hit you!"
"Oh," Aegon's lips pursed and he rocked back on his heels. His eyes didn't rise from the floor and Ser Criston took a few steps to block him from view when the maester asked her brother to remove his doublet.
He took another step to block her when Rhaenyra crossed the room. She narrowed her eyes on him, "I will see the extent of the injuries I discovered on the beach." He swallowed and moved aside.
With a clipped nod, Rhaenyra joined her siblings, standing beside Aemond as the bruises were revealed. Aegon flushed, his face a bright red as his mother gasped. Alicent reached towards his side and then snatched her fingers back.
"You said he kicked you," Rhaenyra's nostrils flared as she took in the mottled bruising across his side. It was not just red, but yellow and purple.
Alicent's head snapped to her, mouth falling open. She clutched at her skirts. The queen's breathing was shaky, loud in her ear as Rhaenyra dragged her eyes up to Aegon's face.
He met her gaze through his lashes as she asked, "It wasn't the first time was it?" Aegon shook his head, small and hesitant. Rhaenyra inclined her head, "Okay then." Her throat bobbed as she swept back across the room.
A curious arch to his brow, Daemon followed her closely with his eyes. Rhaenys had bundled Jace and the girls behind Corlys. Rhaenyra stopped in front of them and knelt. She crooked a finger and Jace walked forward.
"Have you ever seen bruises on your uncle before?" Rhaenyra asked him quietly, as low a whisper she could manage as she held her son's face in her hands. His forehead creased and his head shook. "Not ever?"
"No," Jace wrinkled his nose and looked over her shoulder towards Aegon. He found Cole standing directly in his way.
Breathing slowly, Rhaenyra pressed a kiss to his temple, "Good." Jace squinted at her as she rose back up. She pressed a hand to her abdomen.
The anger was roiling inside of her, burning in her veins. She exhaled, hand dropping to her side.
"Take the children upstairs," Rhaenyra looked to Rhaenys. Narrowed eyes surveyed her carefully. Lips twitched. A nod.
"What's going on?" Baela demanded as their grandmother ushered the girls out. She was shushed. Jace lingered a moment, staring up at Rhaenyra as Corlys set Luke back down.
Rhaenys called for them, and Jace turned, taking his brother's hand and wrapping an arm around Luke. He glanced over his shoulder as Rhaenyra turned to the kingsguard next.
"Ser Arryk," Rhaenyra inclined her head towards Aemond and Helaena, "Escort my younger brother and sister to the kitchen, he should eat something after his flight."
"Flight?" Alicent's eyes fluttered as Ser Arryk moved to follow her instructions. She squinted at Aemond, "What is she-"
Aemond raised his chin, arms crossing behind his back, "I claimed Vhagar." The queen choked. "It was fine. I only went for a short ride-"
A snort from Aegon interrupted him, "You circled High Tide, over the Blackwater." Aemond blushed as Aegon flicked his forehead, "You're lucky you didn't fall and drown, you idiot."
"I am not! Vhagar-"
"Is accustomed to a rather experienced rider," Daemon drawled. He pushed off from the wall, exaggerating his swagger as he crossed the room.
The maester had finished. Aegon hurriedly closed his shirt as their uncle approached them. Daemon's gaze flicked over his older nephew quickly before he locked eyes with Aemond.
"Putting aside the offense of claiming her dragon the same day as her funeral..." Daemon leaned over, enunciating carefully, "...Laena would have been the first to caution claiming Vhagar so recklessly. She may be big, but she is old and stubborn and you have never ridden a dragon before."
Helaena hummed and Daemon's gaze snapped to her. The girl did not falter as she stared him down, "Not entirely true. He rode here on Dreamfyre with me, and Aegon's taken him up on Sunfyre before."
Smile twitching, Daemon straightened, "I stand corrected then." He nodded towards Ser Arryk, "You ought to take your brother to the kitchen regardless. First time on Vhagar can leave you a bit... off balance."
"You are not to let them out of your sight," Rhaenyra ordered the kingsguard. Ser Arryk gave a low bow. It was only once Alicent nodded that the two moved for the door.
Cole stepped between Alicent and Daemon as the room fell quiet. The two men openly glaring at one another. Alicent glanced towards her, eyes wide, as Aegon's had been on the beach. Trembling. Afraid.
Rolling her shoulders back, Rhaenyra clasped her hands in front of her stomach. She smiled, as best she could, at Alicent, "I understand there has been some... concern, about my intentions, when I ascend the throne."
It seemed the room had not been quiet before, as even the faint sounds of their breathing stopped at her words. Alicent stricken. Cole squinting at her. Daemon's mouth fell open.
"What intentions?" Corlys hissed beside her and Rhaenyra did not need to turn her head to know he was scowling. She did so anyway. His jaw clicked as she inclined her head, eyebrow arching.
"To be clear," Rhaenyra looked back to Alicent, meeting her gaze, "My siblings will all be welcome in my court in whatever capacity they so wish. Just as you will be, your grace. I would, of course, want you to continue to provide your excellent advice to me and the Small Council."
Alicent's throat bobbed. She reached for Aegon. He took her hand between his own, squeezing at her palm as she dragged him closer. Her brother ducked his head to the queen's shoulder, whispering softly, "She could've killed me earlier. No one would've known."
"Rhaenyra would never-" Daemon's shout was cut off by the arrival of the king. A door slamming against the wall as he stalked in. With his Hand.
"What's happened?" Viserys frowned at them all, head swiveling, "It is the middle of the night. Ser Harrold told me there was in incident with the children?"
Daemon was more than happy to fill him in, gesturing widely. Wildly. And with great emphasis. First towards the kingsguard who'd left Aegon alone, and then to Cole. A boy left drunk and alone with bruises. A dangerous dragon claimed by a child. Fighting amongst princes.
He was not kind in his assessment, vicious even. And Corlys was quick to address the offense against his house - refusing his guards and then allowing such trouble to occur on the day of his only daughter's funeral. Her father grew paler with every word.
Otto Hightower grew stiffer. He stood behind the king, a few steps to his left. Always close, near enough to whisper in his ear. Just as he had been when Rhaenyra was a child.
Just as he had whispered in Alicent's ear. Aegon's.
The queen herself was looking more at her own father than she was the king, her brows furrowing when he met her gaze. Entirely unashamed. Unrepentant.
"I am most curious to hear from the Hand on this matter," Rhaenyra declared and the men fell silent. Her father turned, face pinching. She spread her arms wide, "He is the one who ordered Ser Criston away from the children's hallway, leaving my sons and my siblings unprotected."
"My request was for him to check on the queen, while I saw Prince Aegon to bed," Otto answered simply, practically shrugging as he bowed his head, "I had assumed he would return quicker than he did."
Cole's eyes narrowed. His lips pursing. Rhaenyra gave him no chance to respond to the accusation though. He wasn't the reason for the roaring in her heart. For the fire in her blood.
"And the bruises you left on my brother? Are you blaming Ser Criston for that as well?" Rhaenyra seethed, chin dropping as she glared across the room. The king startled. Aegon ducked behind his mother entirely.
Her hand fell to the table. To the blade she'd left on its surface. A dagger, unsheathed, just as it had been when Daemon handed it to her only a few hours earlier. Perhaps not even that long.
This night had not gone how she expected, but when the blood trickled from Otto Hightower's mouth a moment later, Rhaenyra found she did not mind.
"You..." she snarled at Otto as she twisted the blade in his stomach, "...will never touch my brother again."
Screams echoed off the walls. Alicent's. Mostly.
"Rhaenyra!" her father shouted at her, but she ignored him. Daemon cackled. She ignored him too.
None of it matter. She held Otto's gaze as the light in his eyes dimmed. His last breath stuttered from his lips as she pulled the dagger out. His body slumped to the ground at her feet.
"Next time, when I tell you the Hand is corrupt, perhaps you won't invite him back a second time," Rhaenyra exhaled, spinning on her heels to face her family once more. She set her gaze upon the king and he straightened, throat bobbing as she walked past.
Without a word, she offered the knife to her uncle. It was his after all.
Daemon giggled, head shaking as he rocked forward onto the balls of his feet, "I believe that is yours now, dear niece." He grinned, ducking closer, "Though you might have let me be the one with bloody hands."
"Remind me of our house words again please, uncle?" Rhaenyra scoffed as she set the dagger on the table once more. She met Corlys' eyes. His lips curled up into a smirk as he inclined his head in a bow.
"Vhagar is not the only dangerous she-dragon on the island," Corlys joked as his head rose up. He offered her a handkerchief and Rhaenyra wiped her hands on the cloth.
Alicent had collapsed. Her breaths short and shaky as she stared at her father's body across the room. Gasping even, as they rattled through her chest. Tears streaked down her face, but she did not sob. Or cry out. Or even curse at her, as Rhaenyra had expected.
She clung to Aegon's hand though. Her brother was tugging on it, whispering to his mother harshly as he stood beside her. His voice cracked, "I didn't know she'd do that. I swear, I didn't-"
"His life was forfeit the moment he laid a hand on you, little brother," Rhaenyra whirled around, gaze hard, "He knew that. His death is his own fault, not yours."
Aegon's throat bobbed. The smallest nod, eyes flicking over the floor. He shuffled his feet, "Yes, Nyra."
Warmth spread from her chest at his words. At the name he'd used for her when he was small. Rhaenyra clapped her hands together and inclined her head towards the door, smiling brightly, "Let's get you and the queen back to bed then, hmm? We have much to talk about tomorrow and you need your rest."
Ser Criston had to carry Alicent, and she whimpered as he stepped over Otto's body. Aegon stared at the dead man when he slipped past. He paused, nudging Otto's head with his foot.
A quiet laugh, breathy, almost stuttering, escaped his lips before Aegon fled the room. Rhaenyra stopped in the doorway when her father called her name.
"Yes, your grace?" Rhaenyra arched a brow over her shoulder. Viserys clamped his mouth shut. His eyes followed it, head shaking.
"You might have let me deal with the matter, Rhaenyra," the king sighed, rubbing at his temple. She snorted and his eyes flew open, forehead creasing.
"I let you deal with it last time," Rhaenyra raised her chin, "And you let him convince your wife that her children's lives were in danger from their own sister." She inclined her head forward in a shallow bow, "Sleep well, your grace."
Outside the door, Rhaenyra stepped to the side, pressing flat to the wall. She listened as her father sputtered.
His voice was sharp as he began to shout. Ripping in to Daemon, to Corlys. But he did not come after her. Her father did not call out for her.
Aegon did.
He stood in the hallway, at the top of the stairs that would take him down to the guestrooms. Eyebrow arched.
"Nyra?" Aegon whispered, head quirking to the side. She pushed off from the wall.
Her brother was waiting for her.
"Are you alright, Egg?" Rhaenyra rubbed at his back as they descended the stairs together. She kissed the side of his head, "I didn't scare you did I?"
"No," Aegon shook his head, nose wrinkling, "I'm not scared of you."
With a hum, Rhaenyra led him to his room. She wasn't surprised to find Ser Arryk hovering in the doorway.
Aemond and Helaena sat on their brother's bed, half asleep, waiting. She walked inside with Aegon, breathing out slowly, lightly. Almost laughing as Aegon stumbled forward, landing with a huff on his bed, half on top of Aemond.
"Good," Rhaenyra said to herself, clasping her hands together as Aemond shoved at his brother's shoulder. Aegon shoved back. They snapped at one another, arguing as they wrestled across the bed.
Helaena stood. She ignored their brothers' antics and moved to stand beside her. Rhaenyra offered her a quick smile, swallowing thickly as his sister glanced first at her hands - blood still visible beneath her nails, her skin faintly red - and then up into her eyes.
"You'll make a good queen," Helaena said. Her voice was light. The statement simple. Rhaenyra blinked as her sister turned her head to look at their brothers. The girl hummed, lips quirking up, "Sooner, rather than later, I expect."