𝑩𝑼𝑹𝑵 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | Maelea Velaryon x Rhaenyra Targaryen

PROLOGUE

—MAELA STOOD LOOKING OUT TO THE RIPPLING TIDES WHILE her family arrived one by one from Kings Landing to attend her sister Laena's funeral. The two sisters had been extremely close as children, Maela looked up to her older sister as a role model, that was, until she'd married and ran off with Daemon Targaryen years ago. Since then Maela was left on Driftmark rather alone, her older brother had also left the seaside castle to live in Kings Landing with Rhaenyra. Maelea hadn't seen her family in a long time, she'd been living on Driftmark with her mother and father, and the last time she'd seen anyone other than them was when she and her dragon Vermithor took part in the battle of the step stones with Daemon.

Maelea and Daemon didn't exactly get along that well, they'd always had a rivalry about who was the better swordsman and dragon rider. Daemon of course was quite a bit better with a sword than Maelea, and when it came to dragon riding, well, neither was better than the other, they were equally as skilled, though none would ever admit it. Another significant part that played into their rivalry was their love for Rhaenyra, both of them had always had a thing for the Realms Delight, though it was Daemon that had the feeling's reciprocated, and it goes without saying that Daemon used to gloat about it to Maelea.

However without Daemon and hers rivalry in mind, Maelea was looking rather forward to seeing her brother again, and his children she had yet to meet. She was quite pleased about being an Aunt as she had always wanted to be seen as a 'cool older role model' which she was really hoping her nieces and nephews would think such about her.

Her thoughts were interrupted as more voices became louder from behind her. Maelea could recognise the voices and so she turned around to get a glimpse at the culprits; Her brother Laenor and her cousin Rhaenyra, with their two sons at their sides.

Rhaenyra's eyes had quickly found Maelea in the crowd of others attending Laena's funeral, The Realms Delight gave a soft smile toward her younger cousin, causing Maelea's cheeks to turn a warm red. Maelea soon returned an admiring smile to Rhaenyra, who was just as beautiful as the last time she'd seen her. The Realms Delight soon left Laenors side and began her way through the crowd toward Maelea.

The girl averted her eyes as she noticed Rhaenyra coming toward her, she didn't wish to accidentally stare at the Princess too long and make a fool of herself. It was lucky that her dragon Vermithor soon came bounding from behind the Driftmark castle, giving her something to focus her attention on.

Rhaenyra silently came to stand beside her cousin, a soft smile held across her peach lips as she turned her head to the side to look at Maela who was admiring her bronze dragon.

"He's beautiful." Rhaenyra said, her elegant voice making Maelea's heart skip a beat. How wonderful it was to hear her voice again.

Maelea kept her cool and turned to face Rhaenyra with a smile, "As are you." She replied, a flirtatious tone in her voice.

Rhaenyra looked to the ground a moment sheepishly from her younger cousins compliment. "You flatter me Princess." She said before lifting her purple eyes to meet Maelea's again.

Maelea leaned her elbows against the concrete railing separating them from the drop into the ocean. "Well, my brother has never been one to appreciate a woman's beauty, so I try to make sure I take up that responsibility myself." She said with a slight shrug.

Rhaenyra chuckled, "You haven't changed a bit." She said.

Maelea smiled, "And you have changed quite a lot. You're a mother now, congratulations." She said as she gently took Rhaenyra's hand in her own.

Rhaenyra then glanced down at Maelea's hand clasping her own, she smiled. "Thank you Princess, and what about you? Are you married yet?" She asked.

Maelea laughed, "No cousin, I'm fortunate to admit I'm not." She replied.