The Burning Heiress

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The next morning, Alicent awoke to the low groaning of her true husband, Daemon, and the familiar weight of something bouncing on her chest. She blinked, her emerald eyes still heavy with sleep, only to be greeted by the sight of their eldest twins, Aegon and Sirion, giggling as they jumped on the bed, their silver and raven hair respectively tousled in wild disarray. The soft morning light filtered through the drapes, casting a warm glow over the chamber, illuminating the playful mischief on their faces. Their laughter echoed in the large room, filled with the scent of lavender and oak from the hearth fire that still smoldered faintly.

Before she could react, Daemon—always quick with his reflexes—reached out with a mischievous growl. His arms shot out like serpents, capturing the boys mid-jump and pulling them close. With one swift motion, he threw them down onto the bed, locking them beneath his powerful forearms. His silver hair spilled forward, catching the light as he pinned the twins playfully, his violet eyes glinting with feigned severity.

“Good morning, Muña! Good morning, Kepa!” Aegon and Sirion chorused in unison, squirming happily under Daemon’s iron grip. Their wide grins and sparkling eyes made it impossible to take their playful antics too seriously.

Alicent smiled softly, warmth spreading through her as she sat up, her loose auburn hair spilling over her shoulders like a cascade of copper. She leaned in, her lips brushing against their foreheads, her touch soft and filled with love. “Good morning, my sweet ones,” she whispered, the sound of her voice gentle like a breeze, but underlined with motherly affection.

Still holding the boys captive, Daemon raised an eyebrow at them, his expression mock-serious. “And why, might I ask, are the two of you jumping on Muña and Kepa so early in the morning?” His tone was playful, but there was a glint in his eye that suggested he was enjoying their early morning chaos just as much as they were.

The twins giggled, undeterred by their father's half-hearted scolding, and blew raspberries at their mother. Their laughter filled the room, a sound that made Alicent’s heart swell. She adored these moments—moments when they were nothing more than a family, safe in their shared love, away from the shadows of court politics and the looming threats of the outside world.

As she began to rise, Alicent felt something soft yet firm nudge persistently against her leg. Glancing down, her eyes widened slightly as she saw the golden snout of Sunfyre, Aegon’s dragon, nudging her gently. The dragon, though only three years old, had grown significantly since hatching. His shimmering gold scales caught the light, giving him an almost ethereal glow. He was now nearly the size of three fully grown direwolves, though he still retained some of the awkwardness of youth. Despite his size, Sunfyre refused to leave Aegon’s side for even a moment, much to the initial concern of the castle servants.

Alicent smiled fondly and reached down to stroke Sunfyre’s head. The dragon hummed in contentment, his golden eyes fixed on Aegon with a protective gaze. The bond between her son and his dragon was undeniable. She remembered how she had to plead with Viserys to allow Sunfyre to stay close to Aegon at all times, arguing that the connection between a dragon and its rider was sacred. Over time, Viserys had relented, though not without some hesitation.

Sunfyre had quickly become a fixture in the household, and not just for Aegon. The dragon was equally protective of the other children, especially the youngest two. It wasn’t uncommon for Sunfyre to position himself near their cribs, barring even the most trusted servants from approaching too closely, a fact that never ceased to amuse Daemon.

“Well,” Alicent said, lifting her two boys into her arms, “it seems the two of you have become terribly naughty.” She waggled her finger playfully as the boys giggled and blew more raspberries at her, their innocence a balm to her soul.

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