The Baratheon Bride: Daemon Targaryen (ON HOLD)

Part 6: Fire and Fury

DAY ONE AFTER THE DEATH OF BOREMUND BARATHEON

Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Alicent proved to be the truest friends to Lady Alyssa Baratheon that awful night. Princess Rhaenys stayed by her young cousin's side, unable to peel herself away from the young girl. Alyssa was so small and delicate in her arms. She was an orphan in this world and Rhaenys vowed to look after the girl who was her flesh and blood.

Alyssa slowly wrapped her arms around Rhaenys middle and clung to her for dear life. The Princess felt her dress become wet with the girl's tears. "We were supposed to have more time..." she whispered into the older woman's middle. "He promised."

"Oh, sweet girl. The Gods are cruel, but be of good heart. He is with your mother and they will be together in paradise." Alyssa cried renewed clinging her arms more around Rhaenys. "Shhh...sweet girl."

Soon enough, Alyssa grew silent and unresponsive. Rhaenyra and Alicent tried to get her to speak, but nothing would awaken her. "Why won't she answer?" Alicent asked, with tears flooding down her face.

"I don't know," Rhaenyra said, feeling useless. Her cousin was always so strong and resilient. To see her so weak, knocked Rhaenyra off balance. How could the world be so cruel to one person?

Outside, Ser Criston and Prince Daemon led the wheelhouse from the tourney grounds to the castle gate.

Daemon noticed Ser Cole had been silent on the way over, but he had no time for him. Daemon could"t think straight as the echoes of Alyssa's screams filled his mind. She had lost her last parent and Daemon knew that pain. The memory of his father dying from a burst belly haunted him for years. He had never been able to get over it, the scars were still there. Now, Alyssa his intended bride, the future mother of his children felt the same pain. He wanted to protect her from it all, but he was powerless to do so.

As they came to the front of the Red Keep, his niece stuck her head out of the window and began to cry. "She isn't talking uncle! She is just staring out into nothing."

Daemon swung off his horse and strides over to the wheelhouse. His cousin Rhaenys opened the door and he looked at Alyssa.

She was tucked into Rhaenys's arms, but her purple eyes stared into nothing. Unfocused, and unresponsive. It made his insides tightened in fear. Please no, don't let her fade away from me. I will do whatever it takes to make her happy. I will give her as many babies as I can. A family of her own to love and I will stand by her side always.

"Give her to me!" His voice broke as Rhaenys eyes widened in realization. Daemon cared for Alyssa, perhaps more like a cousin to a cousin. Rhaenys knew this was not the time to comment on it. Alyssa heard Daemon's voice, and her eyes had a small flicker of recognition. She lifted her arms to him, and the Rouge Prince gathered her in his arms, carrying her bridal style to the Red Keep. "I am here with you," Daemon whispered in her ear.

Alyssa looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Don't ever leave me... I can't be alone anymore."

"You are not alone. You have people who care for you...as I do." Daemon couldn't promise to love her yet. But he cared for her so much. It would grow into love he knew but for now, he would be there for his lady. "Cole! Go find a Maester and bring him to the Lady Alyssa's chambers!" Ser Cole didn't argue with the Rouge Prince. He set off at breakneck pace to do his duty to House Baratheon.

Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Princess Rhaenya followed Daemon as he carried her to the Baratheon chambers. He kicked the door open and took a survey of the rooms. It was filled with her family possessions. Rhaenyra pointed to a door on the opposite side of the room. "In there!" Daemon kicked the door open, and the scent of lavender hit him hard.