The Other Hightower Girl

Chapter Sixteen: Heir to the Throne

Following the two guards towards the dragon pit, Rosyn couldn't help the feeling of dread that built within her; her father had been in fine spirits the last couple of days.

News had spread and lords had been summoned for a ceremony that was being equated to the Great Council of 101 where Viserys had been named heir. 

Otto Hightower had been pulling out all the stops, an act that made Rosyn a little suspicious of her father as he made sure that everything was perfect for Rhaenyra being named heir. 

Rosyn had not seen Daemon since that fateful night where they had shared a kiss, she had done her best to avoid him which had become a lot easier when he had been removed as heir by the King. 

Daemon had almost completely disappeared from court with her father more than happy to talk about the prince's time since his dismissal by the King; all the coin that Daemon was apparently spending at brothels. 

The two guards came to a stop and Rosyn paused behind them, staring ahead as dread filled here; she looked between the two guards as she shifted awkwardly. 

Daemon had his back to her, his eyes firmly focused ahead of him as he stepped towards Caraxes; he was not going to stay in King's Landing and watch as his brother prepared to spite him over some false rumours. 

The confrontation was still fresh in his mind, the words that Viserys had hurled at him from the poison that Otto had whispered in his ear; Otto had wanted Daemon gone for years and now he had succeeded. 

Frustrations that had built up over years had spilled out, Daemon had vented his frustrations that Viserys would rather rely on other people than him and that he couldn't see what Otto was doing. 

He stepped towards Caraxes, hugging the head of his dragon and resting his own head against his before the dragon pulled back and bristled against the sight of the two guards. 

Daemon calmed Caraxes, keeping both his hands upon the dragon whose amber eyes were firmly focused on the guards that had stopped some feet away from them. 

"He won't hurt you," Daemon said, looking back over his shoulder; Viserys had ordered him to Runestone, to return to his wife and to do so without quarrel, something that Daemon had no intention of doing.

Rosyn hesitated for a moment before slowly making her way closer, she stayed behind Daemon as she took in how large Caraxes was up close. 

She made sure to keep Daemon between herself and Caraxes, she was no fool and knew that her life could be over in a matter of seconds if the dragon decided that she was lunch or some kind of threat. 

"Give me your hand," Daemon encouraged, his head resting upon the side of Caraxes face as he looked towards Rosyn who was on his right. 

Slowly Rosyn raised her hand, her eyes taking in how large Caraxes was and how small she was in comparison to the dragon. 

Daemon reached out and pressed her hand to Caraxes face, his eyes focused on Rosyn as he took in the wonder and fear; their eyes meeting as she looked away from their joined hands. 

Caraxes warm, leathered skin was in stark contrast to the rough hand of Daemon and her own soft hands; she stared at Daemon unsure what to say to him as they stared at each other. 

"Come with me," Daemon murmured, his voice low as he searched her face knowing that this would be the last time that they saw one another for many months if she did not agree. 

Rosyn was the one person that truly believed in him, that didn't treat him as some threat or nuisance that must be entertained and dealt with. 

"We will go to Dragonstone and I will make you my wife," Daemon vowed, he would do as his great, great grandfather had done and take himself a second wife as Viserys would not allow him to annul his marriage to Rhea.