Ruin Me

Chapter Forty

Despite her fun, Daenyra was exhausted when she returned to her unoccupied chambers. It had been so long since she laid to rest in her bed, since she and her husband were together in their home, with all their children. She wished to be like that again.

She didn't even make it to her bed as she collapsed onto the stone just before it, fatigue like no other washing over her. She was so tired. She just wanted a moment to herself before she was to go back to Harrenhal. She missed her daughters. It ate away at her.

"Mother!" called a voice that was just teeming with excitement. She couldn't take it. She didn't have the energy in her to match such enthusiasm. "Mother, I heard you were home! And the dragons and – Mother, are you alright?"

She forced a sleepy smile on her lips as she leaned against the side of her bed. "I am fine, sweet boy. I simply needed to rest before my journey back to Harrenhal."

He took sceptical steps toward her. "And what required you to rest on the floor and not in your bed?"

She let loose a heavy sigh. "I could not find it in myself to make it onto the bed. If you do not mind, I require a moment alone."

Vaelon didn't listen. He was too much like his family when he didn't listen when it came to their wellbeing. Then again, his family had the habit of lying about their wellbeing. He came to sit before her, her tired eyes opening to see him leaning against the side of her bed.

"Mother, please, let me help you. What ails you?" he begged.

She covered her hand with his before she reached up to cup his cheek. "I am only tired, sweet boy," she promised but before he protested, she continued speaking. "I am tired because I have spent so long being the pillar to support those around me. My children, my sister, my nephew, my husband. It is my greatest pleasure to be there for you, but when I have no pillar to support myself, tis a very tiring task."

Vaelon had never felt such guilt. To him, his mother was always this supremely powerful being who could endure anything and everything without getting tired. She was supremely powerful, yes, but she was also still human. She also needed the rest and support that her support afforded them.

"Mother, please accept my deepest apologies. I did not think –"

"There is nothing to forgive, sweet boy," she promised with a smile.

"Mother, I have never wanted for anything because I have been fortunate enough to have you who has only ever given me everything. Please, let me give you a shoulder to lean on."

He meant it literally as his mother smiled at him before they shifted so she could rest her head on his shoulder as her eyes closed but she was not yet close to sleep.

"Where were you? You were not here when I arrived," she asked as Vaelon linked their hands together.

"I was in the Iron Islands. Well, before I was patrolling the Gullet. Solena was having issues with getting some of our best warriors, the Iron Swords, to board the ships and make their way to us once the command was given. They are a legion of our best land fighters. So I went to help her. I had to make an example out of a few of them; to show them what happens when they defy their Lord. There were no queries after that. My sisters were also glad to see me."

"I miss them," Daenyra said wistfully. "So much."

"As do I," Vaelon agreed. "But they are safe there. Even if they have gotten so big in our absence."

"I am proud of you. For what you did in the Iron Islands. It could not have been easy and –"

"Mother, you know that your words of praise mean the world to me," Vaelon interjected, "but this is the one moment in time where I do not need to hear them. I am simply here to keep you company as you rest."