Renegade// Criston Cole / Davina Targaryen

29. Shame & Bruises

''It fills me with unrelenting shame.' Lyonel remarked.

''So that's what this is about then? Your shame.'' Harwin countered

''Our shame, Harwin!'' Lyonel shouted back looking between his sons. ''Shame on the whole of House Strong.'

"I didnt do anything, I would like to put that on the record, this is all Harwin." Larys corrected. 

''Because I laid my hands on that insufferable Cole, the son of a steward?'' Harwin countered

''He is a Knight of the Kingsguard now, a defender of the crown.'' Lyonel corrected through an exasperated breath. "He is close with Davina Targaryen, you now her rage, you want her to turn on your because you wounded her pet?"

''Davina didnt do anything." Harwin countered. 

"Not yet." Lyonel agreed. Larys chuckled. 

"It's frightening when she goes quiet, isnt it?" Larys agreed. 

''You have laid us open to accusations of an uglier treachery.'' Lyonel spat

''And what treachery is that?'' Harwin countered annoyed.

''Don't play the fool with me, boy. Your intimacy with the Princess Rhaenyra is an offense that would mean exile and death... for you, for the princess, for the children!'' Lyonel reminded his sons sternly.

''It is rumor only... spun by the Princess's rivals'' Harwin hissed.

"Yeah, right." Larys agreed. "And the people have apples for eyes."

"The tiff in the yard... yes well Criston needs a good punch every now and again." Davina assured. "I will make sure he..." she didnt know but she knew he was fine so she was letting her own anger simmer which was something she didnt usually do. 

"Lord Strong is not going to be happy." Rhaenyra countered.

"I'm sorry does the hand make the decisions or me?" Davina reminded her and Rhaenyra chuckled. "The correct answer is me." Davina reminded her. 

''To ease the pain, Princess.'' a handmaiden remarked and Rhaenyra nodded to her.

"I can talk to Harwin and Criston. I can put them in a corner like i used to with the boys when they argued. Aemond and Aegon when they were little. Make them talk or stared at each other endlessly until they are buddies again." Davina offered as Laenor and Qarl could be heard singing loudly and very drunkenly. "Were they ever buddies? I dont know but they will be when Im done."

''Thank you.'' Rhaenyra said softly "I would appreciate the help... I don't know whats gotten into them." She grabbed at her chest in pain and annoyed.

"I hated breast feeding." Davina remarked. "I always felt like Aemond was going to gnaw my tit off. Glad those days are done with."

"Are they though?" Rhaenyra countered.

"Heavens no more babies for me." Davina begged. "One and done." the heart break of losing the last one made her diligent with her teas. 

''You'll feel better in a day or two, when the milk dries up.'' their singing grew louder but the door swung open and they silenced before bursting out laughing

''My dear wife.'' Laenor said with a chuckle

''Princess.'' Qarl said softly as he let go of Laenor

''Oh... I fell down.'' Laenor lied getting off of Qarl.

"I like you Laenor. You're fun and loud like I used to be. But now is not the time for grab ass." Davina instructed and Qarl went pale as he faltered back. Davina looked between them as Laenor cleared his throat.

''Where have you been?'' Rhaenyra questioned stiffly

''Out with Qarl. Didn't I mention it? Are you in very much pain?" Laenor remarked noticing her hand on her breast her pinched face. ''The milk... swells the breasts...'' Laenor said grabbing at his own breasts.

''Would you mind, Ser Qarl? I would like to speak with my husband.'' Rhaenyra said stiffly.

''Of course, Princess.' Laenor sighed as Qarl left.

"This seems like a you talk and not a we three." Davina remarked getting up the door closing behind her

''I miss my brother, Daemon. As I think do you." Laena offered

''I miss Westerosi strong wine. It could be depended on for a few hours of peaceful oblivion. This amber shit that they drink here.'' Daemon countered spilling his wine as he got up. He missed Davina. He missed her. Ten long years and he still craved her touch.

''Do you never long for home?''

''No.'' he lied.

''I don't believe you.'' Laena countered

''Believe what you please.'' Daemon said nonchalantly.

'You laud the virtues of Pentos, but you have no interest in it. If you did, you would venture into the city, but instead, you spend your time here, in the library, reading accounts of the same dead dragonlords whose legacy you claim has no hold on you.'' Laena demanded

''Didn't know I was being so minutely observed.''

''You do not sleep.''

''Well, how can I with you haunting my every move?'' Daemon countered glaring back at her.

''Life has, I know, disappointed you.' Laena offered and Daemon chuckled she wasn't his first choice. ''Perhaps, I too, am not the wife you would've wished for yourself.''

''Laena.'' Daemon said exasperatedly.

''It does not pain me. I have made my peace. But you are more than this, Daemon. The man I married was more than this.''

"I told you when we first met that you didnt know me." Daemon reminded her. "You fell for the idea you had of me. there is only one person in this world that knew who I was and loved me for it." Daemon informed her. "I am not pretending to be something i'm not. I'm not pretending as you are that we are perfect."

+

"Nasty hit." Davina chuckled Criston stared back at her a moment before averting his eyes. "Oh honey... listen, you were being a typical alpha male fuck face of a child." Davina went on.

"Thanks love," Criston answered. "Was there a point to you coming today?" Criston remarked.

"Just checking on you." Davina offered sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Oh?"

"I had plans for you Criston, big plans!" Davina declared. 

"What plans?"

"You will never know." Davina countered. She touched his bruised cheek. "Strong. You went up against a strong you idiot."

"Glad to know you care." Criston remarked as she kissed him 

"I care a lot." Davina agreed. "I dont like when what's mine is broken." 

"I'm not broken." Criston assured pulling her into his arms. 

"I hope not." Davina agreed. 'You are harder to cuddle with when I have to worry about your bruises."