Lady Arianwyn Targaryen, Lady of Runestone, was not born of love. Nor passion. Nor even a sense of duty. She was seeded by her father, the Rogue Prince Daemon Targaryen, in an act of unbridled hatred, and borne of her mother, the late Lady Rhea Royc...
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The morning air was cool, heralding winter's coming before too long. But Arianwyn did not mind; it was quite warm on Emrys' back. Indeed, the fire within him was so intense that even with the chill in the air and the wind whipping around her, Arianwyn's brow was still dotted with sweat.
As always, she was loathe to bring Emrys back to solid ground. But Daemon's threats still rang in her ears whenever she glanced westward to King's Landing. So, she landed again in the courtyard of Dragonstone and watched with an aching heart as he was guided back to the Dragonmont.
While Arianwyn loved flying, she was decidedly less fond of her riding leathers, especially when the thick garments trapped the dampness of her sweat against her skin. So as long as she had to remain on the ground, she was eager to return to her tower to change into something more comfortable and read Aemond's newest letter.
When Arianwyn emerged from the dressing room in a deliciously soft gown of gray silk, Brynna was waiting for her in the solar with paper in her hands.
"Today's message from Prince Aemond, my Lady," Brynna said, holding out an envelope sealed with deep green wax and pressed with his seal – a silhouette of Vhagar. She fumbled nervously with a small fold of parchment before handing it over. "And a note came for you – from Princess Rhaenyra."
Arianwyn's hands froze in the middle of tearing open Aemond's letter. Rhaenyra sent her a message? Though her mind raced, she could not think of why. Curiosity thoroughly piqued, she took the note from Brynna and unfolded it.
Lady Arianwyn,
As soon as you are able, meet me in the Chamber of the Painted Table.
The weather is pleasant today, and I thought we could take a walk.
Princess Rhaenyra
In all the time she had been at Dragonstone, Arianwyn had never been asked to meet with her stepmother. So what reason could Rhaenyra possibly have to call for her now?
Arianwyn refolded the note and looked to Brynna, waiting impatiently to find out what Rhaenyra had said. "She wants me to join her for a walk."
She was sure Brynna's look of confusion was mirrored on her own face, but the lady's maid quickly composed herself, nodded, and stepped back into the dressing room. "Right. You'll need a cloak," she muttered, almost to herself. "The wind will give you a chill."
Once dressed to Brynna's standards, Arianwyn made her way out of her tower toward the Chamber of the Painted Table. She had been able to find her way through the castle without guards for several years, though Daemon still insisted she be escorted by at least one of his men whenever she left her apartments. Which, in turn, prompted her guards to double that number from their own ranks so they would never be outnumbered.
Unfortunately for her – and Sers Adrew and Ruban – Jace was just leaving the Chamber of the Painted Table when they arrived.
"Dear sister, what an unexpected delight!" A smug grin split his face, and Arianwyn wanted nothing more than to slap him. Her guards wanted to do even more. Their hands drifted closer to their weapons – not a threat, just a reminder. One that Jace wholly ignored. "It's so rare to see you outside of your tower."
