𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

42

The flight back to Dragonstone stunned everyone who awaited her return. Daenaera lay in her bedchambers when her cousin, the Queen, entered quietly.

"Was it really that bad, Dae?" Rhaenyra asked, sitting beside her on the bed. Daenaera looked up, inhaled deeply.

"He didn't deny it. He chose her... and not us."
The whisper left Daenaera's lips, soft but full of bitter finality.

"Us?" Rhaenyra's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you... pregnant?" she asked quickly.

Daenaera smiled faintly, wide and bittersweet.
"Yes, I am."

"You won't tell him about the babe?" Rhaenyra pressed gently, taking Daenaera's hand.

Daenaera shook her head slowly.
"No. He made his choice. We are not part of it."
Her voice dropped low but firm.
"Nyra, don't even try to convince me, alright? I will tell Hvitserk, though."

"How will you name him?" The queen's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Maegor... the second of his name. Prince of Dragonstone. My firstborn son."
Daenaera's lips curved in a faint smile. "I hope he looks like me."

"He will, dear sister. Most certainly," Rhaenyra answered warmly.

⸻

At the Dragonpit, Rhaenys dismounted her dragon as she saw Daemon and Daenaera waiting.

"Take your mount again. We're flying out." Daemon's voice was firm.

"I patrol over a hundred miles of open sea, endlessly, to hold the blockade. Meleys must gorge and rest, as must I."
Rhaenys stood before them, unwavering.

"We're going to King's Landing," Daenaera said through clenched teeth.

"To what end?" the queen who never was asked.

"Killing Vhagar. I cannot face that hoary old bitch alone. With my dragon, Daenaera's, and yours together, we can kill Vhagar and her rider."
Daemon's eyes burned with conviction.

"Make it a son for a son." The princess purred darkly.

"Was this the queen's command?" Rhaenys inquired.

"The queen remains absent." Daemon's voice was heavy. "I should be bending knees at Harrenhal, but instead, I wage her war."

"Or perhaps, more simply, to await her return," Daenaera suggested.

"She's been gone for days. Too long. She is exposed." Daemon insisted.

"Ziry iksos ilimagho kepus."
She is grieving her uncle.
Daenaera gave Daemon a knowing look, but he seemed blind to it.

"The mother grieves while the queen shirks her duties," the Rogue Prince muttered.

"It was a raven that brought me news of Laena's death."
Rhaenys stepped closer, meeting Daemon's gaze.
"I lived for weeks in torment, refusing to believe it. Only when I saw my daughter's mortal remains could I begin to mourn her. A raven has told Rhaenyra her son is dead."

"She was a fool to go alone." Daemon's voice was low.
"What if Aemond had found her?"

"Then I would pity Aemond. The queen was wise to recuse herself. She has not acted on the vengeful impulse others might have."
Rhaenys' gaze never wavered.

"If you'd acted when you had the chance, Aegon's line would be extinguished. And Luke would be alive."
Daemon's words cut through the air. Daenaera's mind echoed the same bitter truth.

Rhaenys said nothing, turning to leave.

"Fly with us. It is a command!" Daemon called after her.

"Would that you were king," Rhaenys answered over her shoulder.

⸻

News of Lucerys' death came the day after Daenaera's arrival at Dragonstone. Rhaenyra, unable to speak with anyone, stormed out on Syrax in search of her son's body.

For two days, Rhaenyra Targaryen was missing. No one knew where she was.

When the Black Queen finally learned the approximate location of Lucerys' remains, she flew there to search for proof of what truly happened.

"It's a dragon wing!" a sailor shouted, pulling something from their nets.

"Let me see." Another man looked up, eyes widening as a golden dragon flew low overhead.

"Who cares what it is?" one scoffed.

"Dragon!" another shouted, panic rippling through the gathered men.

Syrax landed, and Rhaenyra hurried off her dragon toward the nets. There, tangled among the ropes, was Arrax's wing. Then, she saw her son's cape.

She collapsed to her knees, sobbing, clutching the precious cloth to her chest. Her sweet boy. Her Luke.

Syrax stepped closer, roaring softly. Rhaenyra had lost a son, too.

⸻

"Have her moved to the cells," Daemon ordered as he emerged from the chamber where the White Worm had been held.
"She is to be treated as a traitor to the crown," he said to Ser Erryk, who followed silently.

"Forgive me, my prince, but the lady speaks the truth. She was no agent of the Hightowers."

Daemon turned sharply to the guard, venom in his voice.
"What is it to you?"

"A matter of honor." The guard stood firm before the Rogue Prince.

"Was it honor that made you stand by and watch as the Hightowers usurped the throne? You and your treacherous twin."

"No, my prince. I'm ashamed by it. That's why I abandoned the Kingsguard and my brother, and came here."

Daemon stepped closer.
"I don't care. Aegon was within your grasp. You should've killed him yourself."

"Arryk and I were named to the Kingsguard at eight and ten. We swore the same oath: to defend the whole royal family. So what were we to do when they turned on one another?"

Daemon didn't reply. His niece, Daenaera, came to find him.

"Ziry iksos arlī, kepus. Māzigon va."
She's back, uncle. Come on.

With those words, Daemon turned and left with the green-eyed princess.

⸻

"How is the little one?" Daemon asked as Daenaera placed a hand over her belly.

"Vīz rōvykta. Nyke daor umbagon naejot rhaenagon zirȳla."
Getting bigger. I cannot wait to meet him.

A small smile crossed Daemon's lips as they entered the throne room.

⸻

"Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
Ser Erryk announced as Rhaenyra entered. Her hair was tangled, her face smudged with dirt, tears dried on her cheeks.

Daemon stepped close, whispering,
"Did you find what you needed?"

She nodded silently, no words escaping her lips as she took her place.

"Your council stands ready, Your Grace. I will fly to Harrenhal at your command and secure a foothold in the Riverlands."
Daemon's voice was steady as Rhaenyra's gaze fixed on the stone layout before her.

"Your Grace, my lord husband's blockade of the Gullet moves into place."
Rhaenys announced.
"All seaborne trade and travel to King's Landing will soon be cut off."

Rhaenyra's lips parted, exhaling with fierce determination:
"I want Aemond Targaryen."

Her eyes flickered between Daemon and Daenaera as she left the room.