My Tears Ricochet // Alicent Hightower

32. Everything Hurts & I Feel Like Im Dying

"That sounded like my Davina." Viserys remarked as Alicent got him settled. "Riding again. Showing Aemond. I do hope we get to see her smile again."

"It will take time." Alicent remarked. "But Davina is strong this sadness wont last forever."

"Im glad she has a friend like you." Viserys declared as he pat Alicents hand.

"Im lucky to have her."

+

''I need you, Uncle.'' Rhaenyra told him as he leaned back against the stone wall. She stared at him a moment longer though when he met her gaze.

"What?" Daemon spat but rhaenyra was blinded by his handsome face to see his true darkness.

"Let us bind our blood just as aegon the conqueror did with his sisters with you as my husband and prince consort my claim would not be so easily challenged the valeryan's are of the sea but you and I we are made of fire we have always been meant to burn together.' Rhaenyra declared.

'' We could not marry unless Laenor were dead.'' Daemon reminded her.

''I know.''

+

''I've heard about your exploits in the Step stones, Ser Qarl. Said to be a knight of remarkable skill.'' Daemon remarked.

''You flatter me, m'lord.''

''But alas, common-born. You're a landless knight with a lord's taste.'' Daemon told him, hood pulled up high over his head.

''Ser Laenor's been kind to me.''

''Do you know... there are places across the Narrow Sea... where it doesn't matter what a man's name is? Only how much gold he possesses.' Daemon told him vaguely.

''What are you asking of me, m'lord?''

''A quick death. One with witnesses.'' Qarl scoffed but Daemon put a pouch of coin in his hand.

+

''I will not be a tyrant. And rule through terror.'' Rhaenyra assured.

''A tyrant rules only through terror.'' Daemon agreed ''If the King isn't feared, he is powerless. If you are to be a strong queen, you must cultivate love and respect, yes, but your subjects must fear you.''

"Davina was happy with Harwin." Rhaenyra assured. "She doesnt care either of us anymore."

"I see that." Daemon agreed stiffly.

"Why should we care about her she has new priorities that don't involve us." Rhaenyra knew that was a lie. She saw the rage fill her when they entered and it wasn't just over Aemond's eye. But davina had cared up until yesterday that is. Davina had tried to be a good friend a good aunt. But rhaenyra didnt need Davina she needed Daemon.

"I think she would have killed you yesterday had she minded." Daemon agreed. "I know her temper better than anyone."  Last nights memory burned in his mind. Still fresh. Like Davinas face in his mind as she pushed him away.

'I do love Laenor.'' Rhaenyra told daemon softly.

''Then grant him this kindness. Set him free.'' Daemon told her confidently.

'' This will cost Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys their only remaining child. And the realm will whisper that I was somehow responsible.'' Rhaenyra remarked.

''Let them whisper.''

+

'' Who let you in here? Why are you in my father's hall?'' Laenor asked when he came upon Qarl.

''You have always looked down on me.'' Qarl remarked drawing his blade.

''You forget yourself.'' Laenor spat facing off against him.

''My lord. Please!'' his squire cried out but Laenor pushed him back. ''I'll alert the guards!'' he declared scurrying off.

''No!" Rhaenys declared as a body burnt beyond recognition but Laenors necklace adorned around his neck. It was her son, no doubt in her mind, she dropped before him.

''How did you let this happen? In my fսcking hall? Tell me!'' Corlys shouted

+

''We will know the truth of it and our enemies won't.'' Daemon said smugly.

''They will fear what else we might be capable of. ''

"Davina will hate us forever." Daemon remarked.

"I don't think so." Rhaenyra offered again and again she knew it was a lie but she wanted daemon more than she needed her aunt. She wasnt a child anymore she was a woman grown and needed Daemon.

Laenor sails off into the night, head shaved but free of all duties. As Rhaenyra married Daemon. Daemon would never have Davina now but he would have a crown. That was what was most important to him anyways.

+

"Everything hurts and I feel like Im dying." Davina declared when they landed. It would be another day or two of sailing for Viserys and Alicent but davina got the castle to herself it seemed which only made her sad.

Draeya and Haenry took it upon themselves to tend to Aemond. He was their best friend and Draeya hated that she wasnt there to protect him.

Meanwhile on the ship Haezel confided in Daeron. She had seen the whole thing at driftmark and Daeron hugged her tight and assured her that he would protect her.

Valyria and Vaera went looking for Davina on their first night back and found her in the pits.

"Mama?" Valyria questioned as Vaera held up the torch.

"Hey babies... I couldnt sleep." Davina offered. "What are you two doing up?"

"Missed you and couldnt sleep." Valyria informed her. "Found Ve and she thought you might be in here."

"Smart cookie my vaera." Davina remarked. "Hellfires not eating so good." Davina whispered.

"Hellfire misses daddy too." Valyria offered.

"Yeah. I think so." Davina whimpered.

"We can stay here tonight." Vaera offered.

"I dont want you two sleeping on the cave floor." Davina corrected. "Thats bad parenting."

"Camping." Vaera corrected "like when we went to winterfell."

"You remember that? You were so little." Davina recalled.

"daddy was still afraid of dragons back then." Vaera remembered.

"He was." Davina agreed. "Gods I miss him." Davina whimpered as they snuggled in next to her. Fury curled his tail gently around them giving them warmth. "But im so lucky to have you." Davina added kissing their heads.