Ruin Me

Chapter Thirty

Daemon had indeed come back safely from his endeavour to King's Landing. Daenyra's nerves were finally somewhat at ease now, even though Luke's loss still ate away at her, at them all. They could not allow themselves to feel that grief anymore and make decisions in their haste. And now that her children and husband were back under the same roof, she could breathe a little easier.

They now sat together around the Painted Table. Daenyra sat at the Queen's right, her pin pinned to her dress. Well, it was less of a dress that she wore and more of a coat. It was tight around her chest, with long sleeves of red fabric. The front of the coat ended at her waist whilst the back trailed to the floor like a cape, her toned legs adorned in black pants. Braids criss-crossed their way over her head as a curled ponytail rested on her back, the ends tickling her waist. Her legs were crossed, and her feet tucked into black boots.

Daemon sat next to his wife, her hand in his as he was more occupied with the rings that rested on her fingers than what was being spoken. A Targaryen family ring, her wedding ring and two thin silver bands that were gifted to her by Daemon, one for each time she gave birth. She wore all of them on her left hand, leaving her right free to wield weapons without interference.

The news that their plan to execute Jace's wishes hadn't gone exactly to plan, sickened them, of course, but they were still indifferent to it. Green blood was Green blood, and they had spilt it in the name of Luke. They argue that a child was killed but Luke was still a child when he was murdered. Where was the justice for him?

"It is yet unclear how the Keep itself was breached," Maester Geradys reported. "The boy's head was severed from his body. Thousands witnessed the procession."

"And they are accusing me of having a hand in this," Rhaenyra said, for it was not a question. The people of King's Landing now believed that Rhaenyra was responsible for the gruesome death of Prince Jaehaerys, heir to Aegon and to the Iron Throne. It was as it sounded. The child slain and his head severed. A son for a son. Daemon had already explained himself to Daenyra before they both came to sit at this table.

"It appears so. There have been messages sent to that effect throughout the realm."

"We must send our own messages, denying this vile allegation," Rhaenyra said before she took her seat again at the head of the table.

"I will do so at once, but I'm not sure they will be received in good faith," the Maester said.

"And we must double our guard, here and in Driftmark."

"We already did that when the Greens declared war," Daenyra pointed out. "And nevertheless, the few ships and two hundred men we asked for of the Iron Fleet to guard our island will be here in a matter of a week, give or take?"

"Give," Vaelon added from where he stood next to Jace. "The first ships that depart are my fastest, but my fleet is not small. Solena will ready the rest of them, but they will not depart without my command. I do not want them to sail only for the Greens to discover any truth to the size of my numbers."

"Your fleet?" Jace asked with a teasing grin.

"Yes, mine. So, watch yourself, Your Grace."

Jace elbowed him playfully. It was good to see the two boys smile after all that had happened.

"Regardless, there will soon be enough men to surround the entire island and help seal the Gullet and the bay whilst you are at it," Daenyra continued. "Should they seek retaliation, they will not find easy access to my lands."

"Let me fly out on Vermax," Jace offered. "Rhaenys is needed in the Gullet, and I can watch for movements from King's Landing until the Krakens arrive."