Heir of the Dragon

If I Can't Love Her

The only two people who were in the throne room were Viserys and Daemon. Daemon was looking up at his brother, his stomach unusually nervous.

The doors to the throne room opened and in its arches stood Jessica wearing the traditional Targaryen wedding clothes.

Jessica gracefully made her descent down the stairs and across the throne room to Daemon.

Daemon took both her hands in his before taking the offered dragonglass. As delicately as Daemon could, he cut down her bottom. Then, taking the blood from her lip, he marked her forehead. Jessica in turn, did the same to Daemon.

Daemon then took the dragonglass and made a cut oalong his right hand, then passed it to Jessica. Jessica in turn made a similar cut along her right hand. She reached out and placed her hand in Daemon's, their cuts meshing into one.

As the dragonlord recited wedding vows were being recited, Jessica took from the cup and drank. Daemon gently took the cup from here and drank as well.

Jessica smiled up him, gently touching his cheek, then chin. Daemon could only smile as he stepped closed to her, leaning down and finally kissing her. At last, Jesscareya Targaryen was finally his wife, and their lives could begin together as one.

Daemon only pulled away when he heard Viserys descend the Iron Throne. He pulled Jessica close, resting her head on his chest.

Viserys looked from his brother to his young daughter. "After all these years, you finally have my blessing on this union. But it's still not enough for you."

Daemon looked at his brother cautiously. "I've only ever wanted what was best for her. To love Jesscareya in a way she is most deserving of. And the title of Queen...no one deserves that more than her. I can only make her a Queen if I am named King."

Viserys sighed and took the crown from his head and turned it thrice in hand. "This crown comes with a cost."

With a wave of Viserys' hand the room spun. Daemon was now standing next to Viserys, and the pair of them watched Jessica marry Aemond.

Anger flashed acrossed Daemon's face. "Why make me endure this day again, brother?"

Viserys, who no longer looked young and spry, sat himself down, the crown placed in his lap. "Because, Daemon, this is the price of the Iron Throne. You can have the crown, or you can have my blessing, but both cannot and will not exist in the same space."

Viserys held the crown up to Daemon.

Daemon looked from the crown to his bride and back to the crown. Daemon closed his eyes, as his hands clenched into fists. "What is this?"

Viserys gave a weak smile. "I never wanted it. I was right not to. All that pain it caused. It crushes whoever wears it. You always wanted it, Daemon. Do you want it still?"

Daemon's hands shook as he looked back to Jessica. "And in my twisted face there's not the slightest trace of anything that even hints of kindness.And from my tortured shape, no comfort, no escape. I see, but deep within is utter blindness."

Daemon looked down at his hands. "Hopeless, as my dream dies, as the time flies. Love, a lost illusion...helpless, unforgiving, cold and driven to this sad conclusion."

Daemon looked to Jessica as she smiled at Aemond. She was bright, happy. "No beauty could move me. No goodness improve me. No power on earth, if I can't love her. No passion could reach me. No lesson could teach me. How I could have loved her, and make her love me too. If I can't love her, then who?"

Daemon looked at Viserys, at the crown then turned and began walking towards Jessica. "Long ago I should have seen. All the things I could have been. Careless and unthinking, I moved onward."

Daemon ascended the steps, ready to tear her out of his nephew's arms. "No pain could be deeper. No life could be cheaper. No point anymore, if I can't love her. No spirit could win me. No hope left within me. Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free."

Jessica turned and smiled at Daemon.

Daemon could only smile back. "But it's not to be. If I can't love her. Let the world be done with me."

Daemon took the last few steps and reached out for Jessica as she in turn reached out for him.

Daemon ran right into Simon Strong.

Lord Simon looked to Daemon. "Can I be of assistance, Your Grace?"

Daemon was desperately scanning for Jessica. And when he couldn't find her, he took his anger out on the poor Lord. "What are you playing at, old man?"

Simon Strong gave a sympathetic smile. "I do wonder, Your Grace, if you are getting enough sleep. This old place..."

Daemon cut him off. "Are you mocking me? Or are you perhaps the culprit who has been tampering with my peace? A friend by day and a foe by night. Perhaps...you resent me being here. Perhaps...you are an agent of the Hightower rabble. Or are you still in league with your clubbed-footed nephew? Whatever this may be, I assure you...your king is on his guard."

Daemon went to mount Caraxes when Alys stopped him. "You weren't going to bid me farewell?"

Daemon turned his head to her. "I've been without Jesscareya's company for far to long. It was time she was returned to my side. I know the secret entrances. I plan to make this quick and quiet."

Alys couldn't help but laugh. "If she'll even go with you. Who is to say that you won't return to King's Landing to find she has built a life and perfectly content without you or Rhaenyra in it? Or worse fallen with child."

Daemon scoffed. "The ONLY children Jesscareya will be carrying are the ones I place inside her belly."

Alys sighed, taking a long breath. "There is nothing you can do now. You are not the player Daemon, but a piece on the board. Do nothing now. In three days' time the winds will shift."