The Unburnt

Chapter 13 - No longer a child

Visenya Targaryen

My entire body is strained, going through birth will have you feel as if you have been turned from inside out, only to cradle the union between yourself and your husband, now in a materialistic form. Daryon Targaryen. I smile as my baby cooes.

The pain lingered, a dull throb that reminded me with every step that I had just brought a life into this world. But I had no time for rest. My son, Daryon, nestled in my arms, squirmed gently as I pressed him closer to my chest, his baby scent inhaling my nose and soothing me down. Linda Belmore, my lady-in-waiting, was at my side, her grip firm yet gentle as she helped guide me through the dim, stone corridors of Dragonstone.

"You shouldn't be out of bed," Linda murmured, concern lacing her voice. "The maester said-"

"I know what he said," I interrupted, my voice strained. "But I cannot hide any longer."
My family arrived earlier today, my father King Viserys, my mother Queen Aemma, my older sister Rhaenyra, and her husband Laenor-everyone who mattered was in the great hall, awaiting my return from the so-called 'visit to the Vale.'

The lie Daemon and I had spun was sustainable. They all believed I had gone away to find peace, to reconnect with my mother's birthland, but in truth, I had been here, hiding, pregnant with my uncle's child. Our child.

The walls seemed to close in around me as we neared the great hall. My legs wobbled beneath me, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain. The guards flanked us, their eyes flickering with uncertainty at the sight of me, but they said nothing.
With a deep breath, I nodded to the guards. The doors creaked open, and the world beyond them stilled.

The great hall was grand, its high ceilings and intricate stone carvings seeming to tower over the gathered crowd. The sea of faces turned toward me as I stepped into the room, my steps faltering only slightly. My heart pounded in my chest, the blood rushing in my ears as I scanned the room. There they were-my family. Rhaenyra sat with her husband, Laenor, their children playing quietly by their side, her bastards were quiet while the twins were rather more unrestful, the blood of the dragon and the Sea and Salt swimming through their veins.

Have the whispers of your twins bastardy reach your ears yet Rhaenyra?

King Viserys sat at the head of the long table, his eyes weary, but softened in relief as they fell upon me, a mix of emotions playing across his face as well as my mother's.

My uncle-my husband-stood at the center of it all. His silver hair swayed slightly as raised from his seat to welcome me, his sharp eyes flicking toward me as soon as I entered. Concern flickered across his face when he took me from my lady-in-waiting's arm, but it was quickly replaced by something stronger-something primal. He watched over me as if I were the only person in the room, his entire focus narrowing in on me and the babe in my arms.

Rhaenyra's brow furrowed in confusion, her lips parting as she looked from me to Daemon, then back again. Laenor, however, seemed happy upon whatever this might have entailed, seeing the Rogue Prince protecting his most prized possession, a sense of amusement lacing his gaze.

"Visenya," my father's voice was soft, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "You were supposed to be in the Vale."

Daemon helped me take a seat, wincing as my body was still raw, yet my appreciation for the care he showed me knew to limit, as he took his rightful seat, his arm protectively leaning against the back of my chair. I wasn't the shy, quiet girl I used to be-at least not never in my uncle's presence.

"I was never in the Vale," I said, my voice trembling at first, but growing stronger with each word. "I've been here... on Dragonstone."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall. My mother's eyes widened, her hand going to cover her parted mouth. Rhaenyra's face twisted in shock, her hand instinctively moving to her children, as if to shield them from a truth too dangerous to be heard.
"I've been here, with Daemon," I continued, my eyes locking onto my uncle's for strength. "And after Laena's funeral, when I came here to find peace and administrate our ancestral home, we married in the traditions of Old Valyria."