Breakbones and the Dragonrider

Chapter 16

Harwin committed Rhaenyra's skin to memory as he ran his hand lazily over her stomach. His thumb brushed the underside of her breasts lightly. Laying on his side, he propped his head on his hand, and looked down at Rhaenyra. With the bed linens pulled down to their waists, Harwin had full view of her, bathed in the light of the smoldering fire.

"Did you know that from the middle of the inn, you can see the service stairs?" Harwin asked, a smile behind his voice.

Rhaenyra swallowed, and suddenly wanted nothing more than to disappear beneath the bed linens. She brought a hand to Harwin's chest, and stared at the place where her fingertips met his skin. "Really?" she replied, not daring to look up at him.

He smiled as Rhaenyra avoided his gaze.

"And if one were to instruct a cook, or say... a serving girl... to bring a basin of water to one of the rooms upstairs, one might learn which stairwell leads to that room."

Rhaenyra felt her face grow hot. She said nothing. She felt that if she looked at him she would burn up.

Harwin put his knuckle gently under Rhaenyra's chin, and tilted it up.

"I've never seen you jealous before," Harwin cooed, and Rhaenyra winced at the embarrassment she felt, turning away from Harwin to avoid his gaze.

"Princess," Harwin whispered, softening. Rhaenyra's name threatened to form on his lips as he saw her visibly become upset, but he held it back. "Look at me."

Rhaenyra looked up at him, and the lilac in her eyes appeared a deep amethyst in the firelight.

"There is only you," Harwin said. Rhaenyra's heart fluttered.

"I didn't like it," she said quietly.

"I know. I'm sorry," he said, running the back of his finger along her jaw.

"I know we need to... be careful..." Rhaenyra started, relaxing into Harwin's touch. "And I know that if Laenor and I must keep up appearances, you likely will have to—"

"No," Harwin said. "It doesn't have to be that way." Rhaenyra opened her mouth to question him further, but he quieted her with a kiss. When he finished, and she was properly flushed, Harwin pulled his head up. "You let me worry about that."

Rhaenyra put her thumbnail between her teeth a moment, and blushed at Harwin's chest. When she looked up, he was looking down at her sweetly.

"We should sleep soon," Harwin said, the disappointment poorly disguised on his face. "The road to the Bloody Gate is dangerous, and a much more challenging ride."

Rhaenyra nodded. Not only did the road narrow in the woods leading up to the Bloody Gate, but travelers had to be wary of rock slides. Through the Mountains of the Moon, travelers might encounter shadowcats, or mountain clansmen.

Half of the royal party would be making camp in the field beyond the Crossroads Inn, and would not travel onward to the Eyrie. By leaving the wagons, they could travel faster, and get Rhaenyra to the safety promised by House Arryn and the Eyrie, though they would still have to make camp halfway through.

"Will you be able to ride?" Harwin asked pointedly. Rhaenyra exhaled, and looked toward the fire. She knew he would bring up her loss of balance at dismounting Halya.

"I can manage well enough," Rhaenyra said stubbornly, looking back up at Harwin.

Harwin challenged her with a look. "You are a dragonrider," he said. "You can do much more than manage. But sitting a horse, stationary in your saddle, no change in posture..."

"I will adjust," Rhaenyra said simply.

Harwin nodded his understanding. "You will. The road to Winterfell is a long one, so by the time we reach the North, you will have built up your stamina. But once we leave the Eyrie, the ride will be easier."