Come Back To Me

Chapter 45

The two knights escorted Helaena and her children safely down the halls through the same passage. While Daena on the other hand remembered the same tunnels she once used to explore with her husband. There was one stop she had to make before she'd find Aegon.

She slowly pushed the door open, looking around to make sure there wasn't anyone else. Nope, perfectly alone and standing by the window biting their nails. Perfect.

"Lady Alicent." Daena spoke sternly, making the former green queen jump with a yelp.

"Princess! Seven hells, what are you doing here? Where is Aemond?" Alicent moved closer but then stopped when she noticed the sword and dagger the girl wore. She took a step back cautiously and swallowed hard. "Daena..."

"I have one question. Why should I let you live? After everything you have ever done to my family. My mother. She spoke so highly of you when I was here and you turn around and betray her so easily. And you put that monster on the throne over a dying king's dream instead?" Daena's eyes twitched with irritation as she thought about everything her mother and father told her about Alicent. What Aemond told her about Alicent.

"I was following Viserys' words, that was all. I didn't want Aegon on the throne. I wanted your mother..." Alicent choked up. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth as she tried to contain herself.

And suddenly it clicked with Daena. She'd known about her mother's prior relationship with the former queen. But what she'd never considered was that Alicent was in love with Rhaenyra.

"And yet you spent every last second since I was born as far as I know terrorizing my mother and her family." Daena saw the look of surprise grow in Alicent's eyes and she smirked. "You summoned for Joffrey and had my mother carry him to you just as giving birth, you denied my mother's offer for a truce, which was her setting aside her fucking pride for you."

"You remember?" Alicent gasped in a softer voice, then it occurred to her. Daena remembered. Then she'd surely remember this moment in particular. "Then I suppose you remember how quick I was to reject the proposal to my other son."

"After Aemond begged you not to." Daena scoffed, but Alicent just shook her head.

"Aemond went to his father first. I had already made my decision when I left that room...I saw the way you tensed up at the idea of marrying Aegon. I saw how scared and alone you were holding that pitcher and saw myself...when the king announced he would wed me...in front of your mother." Alicent felt like a little girl standing before Daena. She felt small and helpless, much like that day when she truly lost the girl she loved in secret. But she quickly cleared her throat and lowered her eyes to the ground. "I will apologize for my actions profusely to you and your family and mend what I can. I let my father's venom consume me for far too long that I forgot the warmth of the fires."

Daena studied Alicent and for a moment, she saw Aemond. Easily manipulated by a cruel, scheming man who only sought power. Both having wronged and wanting nothing more than to make it right, even if that meant it would never get better for themselves.

"Would you bend the knee to my mother?" Daena finally asked after many moments of silence.

"I would have a long time ago if I could." Alicent nodded.

"Then put this on." Daena tossed over a black cloak she hid underneath her own. She'd been debating on if she would protect Alicent, but after hearing what Viserys' last words were, she knew Alicent simply misunderstood.

And of course she would.

She was a Hightower, trying to push out anything Targaryen from her castle. It was all just reminders of her. Her faith was a reminder of the shame she should feel for ever feeling this way. A reminder to be a good, pious queen.