Heir of the Dragon

Waiting on a Wish

Rhaenyra blinked in surprise. "No?"

Jessica shook her head, tears fresh on her cheeks. "Not Aegon."

Rhaenyra took a breath the reached out and rubbed her arms. "I can see that this whole ordeal has become far too taxing on you, Sweet Girl. Go rest in my chambers. You can fly out on Starfyre to Harrenhal. I believe you are in much need of Daemon's company."

Alicent blinked. "Starfyre is still with Vhagar. She accompanied me here by boat."

Rhaenyra looked between Jessica and Alicent, then took Jessica's hands. "Many expecting mothers still fly on dragonback. Princess Alyssa did, I myself have. You -"

Jessica cut Rhaenyra off. "Sister, My Queen. Don't take Aegon’s head. Nyra please, there must be another way..."

Rhaenyra looked Jessica up and down. "Why so quick to come to his defense? When have you ever been close to them?! Daemon and I -"

Alicent cut Rhaenyra off. "You have not seen Jesscareya at court as of late. Aegon took her to mistress not long after she wedded Aemond. She's hardly ever seen without one of the boys."

Rhaenyra looked at Alicent in horror. "And you stood by and let her be abused this entire time? Drag my baby sister, Seven Hells, my daughter, out among the masses to gain sympathy for your cause."

Alicent pursed her lips. "I've tried to mother her since Aemma passed. It was you who refused to let me get close to her. Still carrying her on your hip when she was nearly a girl of nine. Letting Daemon sleep in the bed with her, taking her maiden head -"

"It was Aegon..." Jessica's voice was just a whisper.

"What?" Both Alicent and Rhaenyra spoke in unison.

Jessica turned walking towards the skull of Meraxes, tears pricking her eyes. "It was the week of Aegon's wedding. The first day. Before you and Daemon arrived. I went to Aegon."

Rhaenyra glared at Alicent. "And you didn't stop it?"

"I didn't know." Alicent admitted. "I wouldn't -" She reached out toward Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra crossed her arms. "Then you let your crippled son raise a hand to her."

Alicent's hand closed into a fist and then fell to her side. "Aemond didn't mean it. He regretted his actions the moment he struck her."

Rhaenyra scoffed. "You've only used my sister as a pawn, giving her attention when it was most convenient for you. At least when Daemon slipped the Moon Tea to Jesscareya -"

Jessica turned around, pale white. "What did Daemon do?"

Rhaenyra sighed, "I didn't know until it was too late, Sweet Girl. But Daemon had only ever done things that were for your best interest. Everything he has done for you has been an act of love."

Alicent looked horrified. "And you call what Aemond and Aegon have done monstrous."

Jessica's breathing began to pitch, coming in fast shallow huffs.

Rhaenyra held her hands out to Jessica. "Come here, Sweet Girl."

Jessica shook her head. "You don't know what I've gone through! You don't know what I've sacrificed. Everyone that I've long knew, to watch them die and all I hear are..."

Rhaenyra took a step towards her, trying to soothe her. "It will be fine dear, come to my side dear, light of my life, come back to paradise. I know this war's been hard. I'll stay inside your heart."