The Pyre for a hero

Desire and Envy

After swearing fealty to the new king, they all reconvened inside to decide how to tackle the winter before they started the trials.

"What is to be done, your grace?", many asked, whispers of history repeating itself when they saw Shaera sat next to the king with the hand on the other side of her. The young boy did not know what to do and so turned to his only relative at the table, Shaera nodded grabbing his hand before speaking on his behalf.

"We are to speak of how we are to survive the winter ahead of us, Lord Stark as hand of the king and the man with most experience with this sort of issue; what is your input?",

"Winter is a difficult thing to combat, many will die but to help those who may survive there is one matter of major importance and that is maintaning warmth".

"And how exactly do we do that? Lord Stark, you have told us what we need but not how to achieve it", one of the Lords grumbled.

"Perhaps if you hadn't of interrupted him, he would have had the chance to tell us", Shaera bit out. Her harsh tone opposed the neutral expression on her face.

"And you Lady Shaera, do you expect us to blindly listen to somebody who has not been here but sat on his arse in the North? You may have been princess Rhaenyra's aunt and are holding that boys hand but you do not control us",

Shaera glared at him, almost baring her teeth like her dragon.

"QUEEN Rhaenyra, do not speak of her with anything other than respect. You may question my authority, I have always exceeded expectations of men who have the audacity to think me weak because I am a woman but I will not listen to your pathetic opinion as if it matters to me. You are privileged to sit in my presence aswell as amongst the king and his council, do you understand?".

The Lord stood to his full height, his angered stare directed at Shaera who also stood and held eye contact before he spoke again.

"How dare you! I have stayed a member of the small council since I became of age and for you to expect me to listen to the words of a woman-",

"I know you may be experiencing a loss of hearing in your old age but I believe my wife asked you a question", Daemon spoke from where he had just entered the room, his hair that had begun to grow past his shoulders as it once did was slighlty messy from the journey from Dragonstone which he flew with Aemma on Vermithor, the constant reminder of the loss of Caraxes fresh in his heart.

The loud growl of a dragon could be heard, the ground shook as Alyssa and Silverwing flew past the window.

"Prince Daemon, I was merely expressing my concerns",

"Nor did anybody ask for your opinion, now my wife asked you a question that you will answer".

"Yes, I understand",

"Understand what?", Daemon urged.

"I understand that I am privileged to sit amongst his grace, the king",

"I feel as though you owe the Lady Shaera an apology",  Cregan spoke, earning a thankful nod from Shaera which did not go unnoticed by Daemon. His fist clenched under the table, jealousy reared its ugly head in his mind as he looked at Cregan before looking at his wife. Daemon did not know much about the Lord of Winterfell but one thing he did know was that he didn't like how he interacted with Shaera even if it was something completely innocent.

"And I apologise for my rudeness, my lady",

"Very well, may I continue?", Cregan asked looking at Shaera.

"Yes, my lord. I hope there are no more interruptions".

As the Lords began conversing, Shaera walked over to Daemon who stood brooding. She clutched his enclosed fist and whispered her gratitude for him defending her in his ear but he pulled his hand out of hers. Shaera rolled her eyes before going back to her seat next to Cregan, much to the dismay of her husband. Now paying attention to what was being said to avoid Daemon's envy; her efforts to focus were increasingly getting harder when Daemon's observation of her did not stop. He felt conflicted, he was jealous but also something else. Daemon could not help himself in admiring that Shaera stood up for herself and how she presented herself with malicious intent whilst still looking calm.