Legacy of Fire and Sand

Chapter 16: Unveiling Secrets

The tension between Ashara, Nymeria, and Quentyn simmered beneath the surface as they continued their lives within the brothel. Ashara's paranoia grew with each passing day, the letter's ominous message gnawing at her peace of mind. She knew she couldn't hide forever, but the fear of betrayal weighed heavily on her heart.

One evening, while Ashara was out tending to clients, Nymeria and Quentyn found themselves alone in her chambers. The two exchanged worried glances, their concern for Ashara evident.

"We need to do something," Nymeria whispered, her eyes scanning the room. "She's been acting strange ever since that letter arrived."

Quentyn nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Agreed. But we need to find it first. It might give us some clue about who's behind all this."

With a mutual understanding, they began to search Ashara's chambers. They rifled through drawers, lifted cushions, and scoured every corner. Eventually, Quentyn's hand brushed against a heavy, ornate chest hidden beneath a pile of clothes.

"Here," he said, motioning for Nymeria to help. Together, they heaved the chest onto the bed and opened it.

Inside, among various personal items, they found a worn leather-bound book. Quentyn flipped through the pages until a folded piece of parchment fell out. He picked it up and read it aloud, his face growing pale.

"To the last Targaryen, you will not live past the next moon. Daenerys met her fate, and so will you."

Nymeria's eyes widened in horror. "This is serious, Quentyn. We have to confront her about this."

Before they could continue, the door swung open, and Ashara stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing with fury. "What the hell are you doing in my room?"

Nymeria and Quentyn turned to face her, the letter still clutched in Quentyn's hand. "We found this," he said, his voice steady. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Ashara's hands clenched into fists. "You had no right to go through my things. I'm not a child, and you have no authority here."

Nymeria stepped forward, her tone sharp. "We're trying to help you, Ashara. Keeping this a secret puts you—and all of us—at risk."

Ashara's anger boiled over. "Help? By invading my privacy? You think you know what's best for me? You think I need you to protect me?"

Quentyn's expression hardened. "Yes, we do. Because clearly, you can't handle this on your own."

Ashara's eyes flashed with rage. "Handle it? You think I'm weak? You think I'm some damsel in distress?" Her gaze shifted to Nymeria, her voice dripping with venom. "And you, Nymeria, acting so high and mighty. Your maidenhood was taken by Quentyn like a common whore, and you have the audacity to judge me?"

Nymeria's face reddened with anger. "How dare you—"

"But it's true, isn't it?" Ashara cut in, her tone mocking. "You think you're better than me because you have a title? At least I own my body and my choices. You let yourself be used by a man who clearly doesn't know how to please you."

Quentyn's face twisted with hurt and anger. "You don't mean that. You know I cared for you, Ashara."

"Did you?" Ashara shot back, her voice sharp. "You thought I was just another notch on your belt. But here I am, the last Targaryen, and you're all too busy playing house to even think of my well-being."

Quentyn stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "And you think you're so special? Your lineage doesn't make you better than us. You're a whore, just like the rest of them."

"How dare you!" Ashara spat, her heart racing. "You think you're noble? You've spent more time in bed with whores than attending to your duties as a prince. Your father is right; you are a weak man."

Nymeria's eyes flashed, her own anger igniting. "Don't act like you're some innocent victim here, Ashara. You thrive on this chaos. You love being the center of attention, even if it means endangering us all."

"All I see is a spoiled princess who can't handle a little reality," Ashara shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. "You think your title protects you? It doesn't. It only makes you a bigger target."

"You know nothing about being a princess!" Nymeria yelled, her voice echoing off the walls. "You think you can just walk into our lives and take what you want? You're nothing but a common whore, playing at being royalty."

Ashara's breath caught in her throat, the sting of Nymeria's words cutting deep. "At least I own my sexuality. What do you own, Nymeria? A title given to you by birthright, while your father pushes you into a marriage you don't want?"

The air crackled with tension as Quentyn stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You don't get to insult us and expect us to just stand by. You've turned this into a petty game, and you're going to lose."

Ashara crossed her arms, defiance radiating from her. "You think you can intimidate me? I am the last Targaryen. I won't be pushed around by a weak prince and a spoiled princess."

Quentyn's voice was low, filled with barely contained anger. "You've made this personal, Ashara. Maybe it's time you learned your place."

"I know my place, Quentyn," Ashara said, her voice steady. "And it's not bowing to you or your precious title. You're not worth my time."

"Then maybe you should leave," Quentyn snapped, his eyes cold. "You're not welcome here if you can't show us the respect we deserve."

Ashara's heart raced, the fire of anger igniting her. "Is that your final word? You think you can just kick me out of my own chambers? I won't be treated like a child or a toy for your amusement."

"Then stop acting like one," Nymeria shot back, her voice cutting through the air. "You're the one who brought this on yourself. You've always been reckless, Ashara. This is just the culmination of your selfishness."

"You're a pathetic excuse for a princess," Ashara spat, her voice filled with venom. "You think your pretty words and your father's title will save you? You're just as trapped as I am, but at least I'm honest about it."

Quentyn stepped forward, his voice low and filled with fury. "Get out. If you can't be part of this family and contribute to our safety, then we don't need you here."

Ashara's breath hitched, the weight of their words crashing down on her. "You think you can just throw me out? You think I'm some kind of burden?"

"Yes!" Nymeria shouted, her frustration boiling over. "You've become a liability, Ashara. You're the one who brought this danger to us. If you can't accept that, then maybe you don't belong here."

The reality of their words hit Ashara hard. She felt the walls closing in, her heart racing as her mind spun. "I won't let you treat me like this. I won't be pushed aside by a coward and a child."

"Leave," Quentyn repeated, his voice cold as ice. "We don't want you here."

Ashara stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. Then, with a defiant glare, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the door. "Fine. I'll take my chances alone."

As she left, the door slammed shut behind her, echoing through the silence of the chamber. Quentyn and Nymeria exchanged tense glances, the weight of the confrontation hanging heavily in the air.

"What have we done?" Nymeria whispered, her heart sinking as the reality of their words settled in.

Quentyn's face was grim. "We did what we had to do. She's dangerous, Nymeria. She needs to learn there are consequences for her actions."

But as the silence filled the room, both of them couldn't shake the feeling that they had just lost something precious in their heated argument with Ashara.