Heir of Shadows, Rhaenyra x Alicent

Chapter 13. Ritual

Rhaenyra was not entirely sure what she had signed herself up for. On the surface level using magic to have babies seemed like a good idea, but the more she researched the more worried she became.

The number of reports on how the rituals had gone wrong or the curses it had brought almost made Rhaenyra want to change her mind, but she had promised Alicent she would at least hear Malaenys out so that is what she planned to do. Alicent had put a lot of effort into solving the spy case for her and Rhaenyra felt bad for being a dick to her before, so she was willing to do whatever Alicent wanted.

Researching blood magic was also a good distraction for Edya who was grieving over her lost relationship. Adian and Jasper still rotted down in the dungeons, and Rhaenyra was unsure what to do with them. She wanted to show her father and expose Daemon for spying on her, but she also feared that Daemon would find a way to get them out of punishment so she could not risk sending them back.

She decided to leave them for Mysaria, the woman would question them and find out what they knew before deciding what fate they deserved. Rhaenyra was sure she would treat them fairly, probably. 

Alicent had been in contact with the Bloodmage and they had arranged for her to visit Dragonstone within the week to walk them through the ritual. Rhaenyre was still not fully convinced but Alicent seemed excited.

"This will be great for us!" Alicent insisted, kissing Rhaenyra's cheek. "I know you are nervous but we always talked about children and now we have the chance!"

"How many do you want?" Edya asked, putting down the book she was reading.

Rhaenyra frowned. "As little as  possible."

"Ignore her, she is just nervous about me going through childbirth.. I suppose as many as it takes to have a male heir.. but ideally three? Maybe four." Alicent said.

Rhaenyra nodded, she had always wanted a family and did not want her child to be an only child like she was. "Yeah, three is good."

Edya reached over and squeezed Alicent's hand. "I am glad you are both more or less on the same page.. that will make things easier in the long run." 

Alicent smiled at her. "Yes.. So, how are you feeling about the whole Jasper situation?"

"I will recover.. It is just.. a lot at the moment." Edya admitted. "I still cannot believe he betrayed us.. asshole."

"You deserve better than a stable boy anyway." Rhaenyra said.

Edya laughed and nodded. "You are right, I do.. but that is enough about me. When is this woman supposed to arrive?"

"I think you are even more excited than us!" Alicent said. "She should be here any day now I think."

"I love children! I cannot wait to help look after them, dress them up, and play with them. They will have so much fun with Aunty Edya."

Rhaenyra shook her head. "You think I would trust the heir to the Iron Throne with you? Who knows what you would get up to or what you would tell it.. you are a bad influence."

Edya playfully slapped her arm. "Rude!"

It felt good to see Edya back to her usual self, she had been so upset after Jasper was arrested. She sometimes got upset about it, but the baby business kept her mind off it most of the time. Rhaenyra had never been the best at comforting people when it came to romantic problems, she supposed it was the man in her, so she had let Alicent deal with most of it.

Rhaenyra had supplied lots of treats, towels, and books for their 'crying sessions' and although she did try and help most of the time they had 'girl nights'. She did not feel insulted that she was not invited, she was a girl but did not think she was very good at being one. As much as she tried to comfort Edya, she was her eldest friend after all, it felt more natural when Alicent did it.