the heir - daenerys targaryen

xiv

"Your Grace, Carra saved our lives."

It was the first words Daenerys could clearly register when Ser Barristan had informed her of the attack from the Sons of Harpy. The maester had predicted she may not pull through from the wound, and Daenerys couldn't enter her chambers. The image of a deathly Carra would destroy the Queen.

She wasn't able to think straight. Barristan wouldn't approve if he heard she served one of the Meereenese masters up on a silver platter to her dragons and locked the rest away.

It took her days to maintain a strong image that this hadn't affected her, but everyone knew it did. The woman laid tucked in her bed. Bandages were covering areas that needed healing, and her skin had become a ghostly pale white.

It was an image that mangled Daenerys' mind.

It was one that made her decision to open the fighting pits a critical one. But marrying another man was something she had to do. For days on end, she sat with Carra, holding her hand through the toughest time of her life. "Māzigon arli issa." Come back to me.

Her soft and small hand caressed Carra's large and burly one. A soft knock from the door grabs her attention, and she looks up to find Ser Barristan trying to hide his pain as he walks in. " Your Grace." He bows his head and moves forward, silently clutching his torso. "Hello, Ser Barristan." Daenerys greets softly.

"She will wake any day, I'm sure of it. With all her stories, I'm shocked she's hasn't recovered suddenly." He says, attempting to lighten the mood. Daenerys nods and looks at her.

"I have to open the pits." She blurts out and the man sighs. "It seems a likely solution." Daenerys almost seemed shocked that he agreed. "If it prevents anyone else from getting hurt, I will not argue on it." It was her only option.

She knew that if Carra woke up today she'd wage war on the Harpy's, so it was good for her to appease them while her lover was constrained by the bounds of comatose. It was only a short while before Barristan took his leave, and Daenerys never left Carra's side that night.

Except to travel down to the confines underground. She knew in order to stake her influence, she had to engross herself in the culture. This meant an alliance to the masters and giving in to the Harpy's so that, neither side would rise against.

It wouldn't be as easy as she wished it could be, but it was a necessary start. Unfortunately, she was going to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq to begin. She made it clear as she visited his cell that night. Admitting defeat was something Daenerys never wanted to do, especially with her stubbornness.

But if prevent the deaths of the people she's grown to love was a necessary step. And though she'd made up her mind, she needed to talk to someone who wasn't advising her. Since Carra wasn't awake, she sought out the next best thing.

"She'll get over it." Bracken says, taking a sip of her wine. Daenerys almost appreciates the blonde's bluntness, but knew Carra's condition affected her as well. "Why do you say that?"

Bracken smiles and quickly finishes her cup. "She loves you, deeply so. It will hurt her, sure, but it is necessary. Carra places duty above her feelings, she will soldier on. Plus I am assuming when she wakes, you will still belong to one another." Daenerys can't help but nod with a smile.

"I just- There's a sense of guilt I hold for making this move without her. I do not wish her to feel betrayed." The older woman scoffs and shakes her head. "I don't think she will feel betrayal when she know she is the cause of your grief."

Daenerys had to consider why she was doing it. Essentially what Bracken was saying was that Carra would understand and that she was being hard on herself. Everyone knew marriage alliances were common and necessary for leaders.

It was Carra who did her first.

"You are right." Bracken shrugs. "Always am."

"Debatable." The voice makes the women looks over at Carra in shock. "Carra." Daenerys whispers, standing quickly to grasp onto her. "You're awake. What are you doing up?" Bracken notices Carra's left arm shaking as she holds the queen in her arms.

"I woke up and you weren't there so I came to find you." She caresses the smaller woman's hair, and Daenerys softens into it. With a sigh, Bracken stands and begins to walk out of the room, but pats Carra's shoulder before she can.

"Glad you're awake, friend." Before Carra can speak to her, she's quickly out of the room. Daenerys backs away, and matches her contagious smile. "So I hear nuptials are in order?" The queen's smile falters.

"It's only-"

"Political, I know." She limps forward, holding her wince as her back tightens. "I'm glad. And though I'd rather have you marry the likes of Daario than that slaver, it's an unavoidable means."

"You wake up and your first action is to advise. No kiss, barely a hug." Carra smirks and turns toward Daenerys. "I heard you, Dany." The girl frowns. "When I was asleep. Your voice and touch comforted me. I was sad that I couldn't touch you back."

She quickly kisses the queen, ignoring her imbalance on her feet. Carra had never felt so weak as she traipsed through the castle against Missandei's advise, but kissing Daenerys was a worthy reward.

"Are you sure you're alright with this?" Daenerys asks as she retracts her lips. "I don't have a choice."

"But you're right if you were a man, I'd rather marry you if I could." Carra watches her after the statement, words not coming to her. "You don't have to speak. I should take you back."

"I will stay. Stay with you, that is. I miss your bed."

"Okay." Daenerys smiles to herself, and grabs Carra's hand, dragging her with her.

———

Hey, y'all. I know it's been a while since I've updated either of my asoiaf books, but I'm back writing💁🏽‍♀️

also, i promise, this series will move on quicker. thankfully we're halfway through s5, but i will say there will be MAJOR changes plot wise.