The dragon to be // House of dragons

24

"Raina," a whisper said. Raina's eyes snapped open as she sat up. "It's time to claim the second head. The flame is ready to be marked," they said. Raina furrowed her brows, confused.

"What? Ahh!" Raina hissed as a pain ran through her back. She jumped out of bed, pulling down the back of her dress to examine her reflection in the mirror. She noticed the skin on her spine turning black, watching as it spread all the way up to the back of her neck, leaving behind beautiful marks resembling flames.

Raina lightly touched the marks as the whispers continued. "Claim the second head. Go to Dragonstone." With determination, Raina turned and summoned a maid to help her dress. After getting ready, she left the room and headed towards her grandparents.

"I will be traveling to Dragonstone," Raina announced as she entered the chambers, her gaze fixed on her grandfather, who was holding Wyrion in his arms.

"Dragonstone?" Her grandmother looked at her in surprise, and Raina nodded.

"I would like to see my brothers, and I'd appreciate it if you could come along to keep the peace," Raina said. Her grandparents nodded in agreement. "Alright, we'll leave for Dragonstone today," Raina declared, picking up her child as she prepared to leave the room in search of the king.

"Grandfather," Raina said as she entered the king's chambers, walking over and taking a seat beside him. "We will be leaving today," she informed him, handing him Wyrion.

"You will come back soon, yes?" he asked. Raina nodded, offering a small smile. He gently kissed the baby's head before turning to Raina, planting a kiss on her cheek. "I will miss you, my girl," he said. Raina smiled back at her grandfather, returning the kiss. She gave him one last look before cradling the baby and walking out of the room.

It wasn't long before Raina and her two grandparents found themselves back on the water, heading towards Dragonstone.

"What else do you plan on doing in Dragonstone?" her grandfather asked, coming up to stand next to her. "Besides seeing your brothers." Her grandfather knew her well; if she wanted to see her brothers, she could simply send a raven and ask them to come to Driftmark. It was unusual for her to want to go to the same place as her birth mother.

"I'm going to claim the second head," Raina answered quietly, not looking up at him. Her grandfather furrowed his eyebrows.

"What does that mean, 'claim the second head'?" he asked. Raina turned her head to look at him.

"We are getting closer," Raina said, turning to gaze back out at the sea. "It is getting closer." And with that, their journey continued to Dragonstone. They traveled on the water for nearly six days before finally arriving.

"Raina!" Luke exclaimed, running towards her and enveloping her in a tight hug.

"Oh, my Luke," Raina replied, reciprocating the embrace and holding on tightly. Jaca quickly planted a kiss on her cheek before moving to take Wyrion from her grandfather's arms, allowing Raina to greet her cousins.

"I have made something for him. May I take him?" Jace asked, looking at his sister. Raina nodded, giving her approval, as she turned her attention to Wyrion's guard. Her brothers and cousins walked off, with the guard following closely behind.

"Raina," her mother said, her eyes following her son. She had never seen the child until now, and he was undeniably beautiful with Targaryen white hair and big blue eyes, tan skin. Raina cleared her throat, recapturing her attention.

"We are traveling back from King's Landing," Raina explained. "I wanted to stop and see my brothers. My apologies for not announcing it earlier."

"The second head, driven by insatiable desire,
Longs to conquer the flame, its yearning reaching higher.
Seek the one that lies in the depths, rarely sought,
Claim it as your own, for the three-headed dragon is not yet fully brought," the whispers echoed, and Raina's gaze shifted towards Daemon.

"There is no need raina. We are happy to have you here," Daemon quickly interjected, his eyes locked with hers. In that moment, Raina understood what needed to be done.

"If you would, we would be honored for you to join us for supper," Daemon continued, still not breaking eye contact.

"We have had a long journey," her grandmother stepped forward, gently placing her hands on Raina's shoulders. "We would like to get settled first, and then we can discuss it further." Raina remained silent as her eyes shifted towards the other young boy standing not too far behind them.

"Raina, these are our son," Rhaenyra said, gesturing towards the white-haired boy. Raina had heard of him before, knowing that his name Aegon, but this was her first time meeting him. He wasn't to much older then her son a couple moons. Raina offered the boy a warm smile before turning her attention back to her grandparents as they entered the room.

"Have you found the second head?" her grandfather asked, walking up to her side. Raina closed her eyes briefly and nodded. "Will you be joining them for supper?"

"No, I will not," Raina replied, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror. "But you and Mama will. I need you to distract them, keep them away."

"What are you planning to do, Raina?" her grandfather inquired with concern evident in his voice. He didn't like not knowing her intentions, and he could only imagine what she might do to obtain the second head she spoke of.

"What needs to be done?" Raina replied, turning to face her grandfather. "They asked for me. I was feeling unwell from the travel. You may take Wyrion," she said, handing the baby over to him.

"And if they inquire about him?" Her grandfather asked cautiously. He was well aware that Raina had her sights set on Daemon, but even she didn't know what she planned to do to secure his loyalty.

"You can simply say that you don't know his whereabouts," Raina responded simply, meeting her grandfather's gaze. "Your task is to keep them occupied in the dining hall."

He nodded, his lips pressed together tightly, before exiting the room. Raina took a deep breath, glancing at her reflection in the mirror one last time before walking out, determined to execute her plan.