Rhaelle's pov
I sigh days later as there's a funeral for Darwin. I watch as his pure burns and leave. "Rhaelle" it's daemon. I've been trying to avoid him these past few days. He can't abandon me and come back years later and stake a claim on me and murder my asshole of a betrothed. I don't even know him anymore. But it feels like there's been no time between us. But he hurt me. Badly.
"Rhaelle wait" he tries. I say "I've waited for you for 3 years daemon. What else do you want from me?" Looking at him. His short hair looks great on him. He touches my hand bringing chills up my spine. "I just want you." He tells me gently. "You had me and left me" I remind him. He sighs "and I am sorry. Truly sorry. I should've left a note atleast or found a way to write you back. And I didn't. And I'm sorry for that. But I could not risk you being there in war with me....constantly worrying. It'd have gotten so many people hurt. But the crabfeeder couldn't continue hurting our men either. I had to go"
"That's all you had to say to me before daemon. You left me at dragonstone in the middle of the night all alone. And left me for years wondering if you were alive or not." I say to him. He cups my face stroking my cheekbone "words can't describe how sorry I am. If I can go back and do it over I'd do it completely different. I'm sorry I hurt you." My eyes flutter closed and he tells me "I got viserys to agree to our union. If you still want it."
He sees my hesitance "we don't have to get married right away." "We've spent years apart daemon. I'm not the same person and I doubt you are as well. We don't know eachother anymore" I reply.
He rests his forehead against mine "elle you're the love of my life. Three years apart hasn't changed that for me. I missed you, a lot. So much. We can catch up on lost time my love. I'll learn everything I need to about you and this time we spent apart. My only thought...out there. On the front lines of war...was you. Was being able to hold you and kiss you again. My mind was filled with thoughts about how I'd get you to forgive me"
He continues "and I need you to forgive me Rhaelle. I can't...do this...life without you. It's been hard enough not being with you for years" "daemon" I say and he mutters "if you do not love me anymore just say it and I'll tell viserys to stop. I'll leave you alone" what? I cup his face "loving you or not loving you isn't why I'm hesitant daemon. I love you. I just...you swore you'd never leave me and you did. You left me daemon. You're all I have. My mother is dead. Viserys only wants me to fill a role and rhaenyra and I are civil and trying. But you were gone. And I don't want to put my heart with you again for you to decide to leave me once more" he kisses my forehead "I'm never leaving again. I swear it. Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever done. And I've done a lot. I've also done a lot to not deserve your forgiveness. But I am begging you Rhaelle. We are bound and the gods will have their way and make us be in each others lives but I want you to be my wife. I need you to." I tell him "I missed you so much daemon" hugging him to me. He sighs in relief knowing I've given him another chance.
He looks around and says "come join the festivities again my love. We're to have a feast" I say "I'd rather not feast in that man's honor" he nods "then we shall not feast together. Come out with me then. We can catch up and do whatever our hearts desire. You are the heir of the throne now I've heard" I nod and say "you were gone and...dragonstone is quite lonely when you're there alone. And your departure left me angry and broken. I just...didn't want to be alone anymore so I came and claimed my place. Gave me something to do and learn" he nods "and I am terribly sorry for the way I made you feel. I'm proud of you and you being heir. Even when viserys already has a son he's still going through with having you. If anyone deserves it. It's you"
"The lords aren't happy of my place. They quite hate me if I'm being honest. That's not the kind of thing I want when I rule. I want my people to admire and love me. But all they do is detest me and my status" I sigh. He squeezes my hand as we walk "they don't know you yet Rhaelle. You think everyone loved viserys when they chose him? They didn't. It took a while for them to accept him. Some people still don't like him. You're to be the first queen of the seven kingdoms. That's a feat no one else could do. You have a gentle heart elle. You also know how things should be. And you have a good head on your shoulders. That's something a good ruler needs. Once they see who you are. And the kind of queen you will be...they'll love you"
I nod and he kisses my head and I ask "are you okay? Did you get hurt during the war?" "Everyone got hurt once or twice my love. I'm okay. I pulled through" he soothes. I look his way "made it through...what exactly happened to you daemon that made you think you weren't going to make it?" We go into my quarters and he replies "I got shot by two arrows. And then I won the war." "Daemon..." I start worriedly "my love I'm okay. I healed fine and I'm here with you where I belong" he soothes me more. Kissing my hand gently.
