To Be Betrothed

Chapter Eight

~17 Years~

Rhaenyra snuck into the crowd in the court room as Laena moved to take her place beside Viserys. Daemon storms in looking rugged and a bit more mature than when he left causing the girl to smile and stalk closer to the thrown. Daemon glanced at the girl seeing the blur of her silver hair moving through the sea of people. He too couldn't help but smile to himself as he stops and kneels before his brother.

"A great victory, brother. Though the battle proved to be more difficult than any of us could have predicted, you lead the men to quite the victory." Viserys says with a smile. "Now you have returned prince Daemon the hero." The man says genuinely.

"You can add this to your chair, brother." The younger man says placing the crab feeders weapon on the ground.

Viserys chuckles before standing and moving to the man pulling him to stand. "You have been missed, Daemon." He says hugging his little brother. "Let us take to the courtyard to celebrate your return!"

Rheanyra meets Laena at the back of the crowd and giggles with her as they lock arms and follow the group. Laena was sporting quite the belly and the king was quite pleased with her return as well.

"Now that you are home, brother, when do you wish to wed my daughter? She steals all of my wife's time and I dare say she has been dreadful without you." Viserys jest as the woman approach.

"Now, husband, do you truly believe Prince Daemon could steel the princess from me? She is quite dear to me and helps fill my long days with laughter." Laena says leaning into Viserys embrace.

"Steal her? Not a chance. But allow me more time with my wife, yes. I do believe he can manage that." Viserys says with a chuckle.

Daemon joins in the laughter before locking eyes with his love. "When would you wish to be wed, my betrothed?" Daemon asks sweetly wishing he could pull her close and kiss her until he could no longer breathe.

"Today. Tomorrow. A fortnight. A moon. As soon as his majesty will allow." Rhaenyra says with a grin.

"Seven days daughter. I'll allow seven days so we may celebrate before as well as after. I believe we should call for a tourney. It's not every day the kingdom gets to witness a tradition of old Velaria." Viserys says smiling to his wife.

"I quite like the idea, brother. Seven days." Daemon says with a smile.

"Seven days." Rhaenyra confirms.

"I am feeling quite tired, princess. Would you be so kind as to escort me to my chambers? With your permission, of course, Viserys." Daemon says giving the girl a smirk before turning to his brother.

Viserys pulls the man close and whispers in his ear. "If you bed her before the wedding, I will not give you the chance to change your mind, Daemon."

"Worry not brother. She is the only wife I wish to take." Daemon replies before the older man returns to his wife.

"If the princess wishes to escort you, I see no harm." The king says smiling at the way the two look at each other. It reminded him of Aemma and himself.

"Gladly, Uncle." Rhaenyra says taking his outstretched arm.

Once they reach the man's room, Daemon enters the room before looking back at the patient girl. "Care to entertain me?"

"I would love to." Rhaenyra says entering the room and watching as Daemon closes it slowly.

"I heard you've given the knight I left you quite a hard time with your curiosities, little dragon." Daemon says with a smirk.

Rhaenyra blushes at the thought that Harwin told him. "Does that upset you?"

"That depends." He says stepping closer to the girl. "Did you wish to know how he likes to be pleased so you may please him? Or me?" The man asks with darkened eyes.

Rhaenyra smiles before stepping forward herself. "What if they were genuinely curiosities?"

"Now, Rhaenyra, I do not believe that for even a moment." Daemon says pulling her face up to look at him.

"I was hoping that he would give me ideas on how to welcome you home, my love. The man was quite flustered by my questions, though and would not give me the answers that had any substance." The girl says as she feels desire flood her body.

"You are mine, Rhaenyra. Do not ever forget that." The man says before pulling the girl close and pressing her lips to his.

Rhaenyra instantly melts into the girl pulling the man close wanting his hands to devour her. She's wanted this, wanted him, since he left and she felt like she could not wait a moment longer.

Daemon breaks the kiss and looks up taking a deep breath. "I am not going to fuck you." He claims seeming to be convincing himself more so than her.

"Oh, um, should I leave?" Rhaenyra says feeing like she's upset the man.

"No. I want you here. You do not know how bad I want you here. I just do not wish to push you or frighten you." Daemon says cupping the girls face.

"Daemon, you are to be my husband in seven days. Besides I have seen and touched your cock. We may not be wed, yet, but I am ready to be your wife and to be bed by you. I am ready to bare your children and warm your bed as often as you will have me. I am no longer a child, Daemon." Rhaenyra says with a soft smile.

"I want to do this right for you. I wanted to wait until we were married, because you are more to me than any physical desire." Daemon says looking deep in the girls eyes.

"Daemon, do you wish to marry me whether we bed or not?" Rhaenyra asks looking at him with fire in her eyes.

"I wish to marry you even if you tell me you never wish to warm my bed, Rhaenyra." Daemon says meaning every word.

"Then why does it matter if you bed me now or bed me in seven days. I do not mind doing what we've done before but I am curious why you push so hard to wait. Why you tell me you won't fuck me when I don't ask for you to. So tell me Daemon." Rhaenyra responds wondering what is going through the man's head.

"Because, I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to scare you and make you change your mind. I don't want to be what everyone thinks I am with you." Daemon says sinking into a chair and resting his head on his hands. "I tell you I'm not going to fuck you because every fiber in my body wants to bend you over where you stand and take your maidenhead. To ruin you for anyone else. I crave you, Rhaenyra, but I want to do right by you. You deserve better than what I want. Better than me."

"Daemon, I am yours. No matter if you bed me now, in seven days, or not at all. I am yours. My maidenhead is yours. You can take me whenever and however you please, Daemon." She says and he looks up at her as she steps close. He pulls her close and rest his head against her stomach. Rhaenyra runs her fingers through his freshly cut hair. "I think I like this hair." She whispers and he looks up at her with a soft smile.

Daemon sits back and pulls the girl into his lap. "I love you, Rhaenyra." He says before pulling her lips to his.