Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole

015 • QUEEN IN CHAINS || part three

"You two, however, well- you had every opportunity to turn Aegon away from his schemes and his treachery, yet sat and did nothing. I imagine his wife and mother would have been able to cut his throat like a turkey any day of any week they chose. But you did not- and in doing so you led him to his demise, and Aemond's as well." Rheanyra got to the end of the iron throne and snatched the back from Mysaria, whose yellow grin sent the first signal to Alicent this was more than an exhibition of embarrassment.

Rhaenyra got closer and closer, swinging the bag and swinging her hips as she hummed a little song to herself, one neither of the queens recognised. She only stopped about five feet in front of them, when a buzzing sound could be heard emanating from the bag.

Alicent's stomach turned: she realised what it was before Rhaenyra had a chance to empty out its contents, the sound of thudding followed by an ear piercing scream from her daughter, that she swore shattered a glass full of wine on a table next to a guard, who himself looked horrified at what he saw, almost vomiting until the dragon rumbled.

Alicent's head was gripped by a hand with nails so long and curled they drew blood from her cheeks. Please Rhaenyra. Please dont me look. I beg of you. Please. If Rhaenyra cared about what Alicent wanted, then the Dowager Queen would not have been forced to turn and see Aegon's severed head, a row of teeth crushing the left side until gore spilled out his crushed eye socket and mouth.

She would not have seen Aemond's one good eye stare up in half-asleep terror at her, most of his right shoulder still remaining but now gone green, flies picking at his lips which were now filled with pustules and the stench of death their father had held on him for days at the start of the war that had killed them.

Heleana sobbed uncontrollably, grasping Aegon's head in her hands as she pleaded for him to come back, to see their children, before descending again into hysteria. I loved them. I loved them so much, and now they are dead because of what i wanted for them, my arrogance. For the first time in a long time, Alicent sobbed like a baby.

"Good" Rhaenyra smirked, walking in a circle around them like wolves circled a dying deer, nothing left in them to fight.

"Now you both now what it is like to lose a son, a husband: perhaps now you realise all the hurt you caused me-" Rheanyra stifled a whimper, tear rolling down her cheek. "I never wanted this. I didn't want any of this. We could've been the best of friends, he my hand and me the queen of a kingdom who worshipped us. But now.... Now i know that this was what needed to be done, so that i could rule knowing justice was in the world". Rheanyra spat bitterly with vile.

Alicent knew what the Black Queen said was true. It was her fault, she Alicent knew what the queen said was true. Her fault, she said to herself, her fault.

"When this last judgement is over, the realm will once again return to peace, and the dragons shall dance with joy. So tell me: Princess Helaena....." Rheanyra trailed on.

"Sister-wife of Pretender Aegon Targaryen, and Queen Alicent Hightower, Supporter and mother of Pretender Aegon Targaryen, tell me the punishment you desire. I can have Syrax swallow you both whole, without pain or fear. Or i can keep you here, to make you pay and learn for what you did to this family."

Alicent peered through the tears to see Syrax move his head slightly closer, his teeth parting to show the deep fire formed within, bristling his teeth until the room began to swelter.

Alicent saw them all before her; Her father, her husband, Ser Criston's head, and the two babes she had nursed long ago, in the fire the dragon continued. They smiled at her, warmly but with some sorrow as well, and held out their hands.