Come Back To Me

Chapter 28

***Ok, so I totally somewhat lied. HUGE surprise in the second half of the chapter🤭🤭🤭🤭***

"I'm sorry, princess, but I'd feel more comfortable if you wore proper northern clothing on your journey back. Gods only know what your mother and father would do if their own little dragon died of frostbite." Cregan joked as he clipped on a thick fur cloak over her Stark leathers.

"It's quite alright, Cregan. I think nearly losing my fingers once was enough for me. I appreciate your hospitality, my lord." She smiled, feeling her cheeks warm slightly at his kindness. She definitely felt more secure in the northern attire he had picked for her. After her teeth chattering all night, she couldn't wait to return south.

But she had to change back into her usual riding leathers. She didn't want to see Aemond for the first time after everything in another man's clothing. She was already nervous enough about how he'd react to seeing her.

He hadn't sent a single raven since she'd fled King's Landing. Not once did he fly to her. Part of her feared he must not have truly wanted her for more than just a night. Maybe it was nothing more than just something physical for him.

It was a small part of her, but as more time passed with no word, she felt that fear growing ever so slightly each day.

But she wouldn't hide behind fear. She was brave in her heart. And she would at least for herself, even if that meant her heart would turn to ash.

Cregan led her to Silverwing, giving them both a polite bow before Daena mounted her shedragon. Daena nodded her head with a smile just as Silverwing took off in a hurry.

Back to Dragonstone.

A quick stop, Daena smiled to herself.

Silverwing let out a screech, feeling the fluttering of her rider's heartbeat. It only pushed the dragon faster and faster through the clouds. Her rider had the widest smile plastered over her face, cheeks burning brightly red under the beaming sun.

Happiness.

This was happiness.

She wouldn't listen to a word her mother and father had to say on the matter. It was her life. Not theirs. Enough had been taken from her.

Not him. Not anymore.

Dragonstone was coming into view and Silverwing jerked out of nowhere, roaring painfully loud to the point even Daena had to cover her ears.

What is it, girl? What's happened? Shhh, calm down. It's ok. You're safe.

Daena could feel the pain from her dragon's heart. It wasn't panic, it was hurt. It was sorrow.

But why?

Silverwing crashed into the ground tougher than usual and Daena's eyes went straight to a group of people slowly making their way towards the top of another hill.

In all black.

Daena rushed down from her dragon, but Silverwing just took off the second her rider's feet hit the grass. She ran down as quickly as she could and stopped right in her tracks as she came up behind the crowd.

There was her mother and father with their backs turned to her, in front of a small pyre. Her eyes went to her brothers, who had their heads bowed and were ghostly white.

Then to her sisters, clutching at each other with silent tears streaming down their faces.

"Daena..." Rhaenys whispered as she stepped over to her granddaughter, taking her into her arms.