After a forbidden night with Ser Criston Cole, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is forced by her father, King Viserys, to drink the moon tea and protect her honor. To shield her image further, she weds Ser Laenor Velaryon, and together they move to Drift...
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Present Day
Balerion's Chamber, Mount Valyr, Valyria
"Dahlia!"
The voice behind her jolted her back to reality. She had forgotten—she wasn't alone. Her friends were still there, standing at the entrance of the chamber.
Balerion stilled. His molten eyes flicked past her shoulder, narrowing on the newcomers. The chains that once bound him rattled faintly against the stone as his great chest rose with a deep, measured breath.
Panic clawed up her throat. If the dragon tolerated her, there was no guarantee he would extend the same mercy to her companions.
"Guys! Don't come any closer!" Dahlia barked, her eyes never leaving the beast's. Her voice cracked with authority she didn't fully feel. "Don't move—whatever you do!"
"How can you say that?" Ginny's voice rang sharp with disbelief. She tried to step forward, only to be caught by Ron's arm.
"Ginny! Stay where you are! Trust me!" Dahlia snapped, her heart pounding. She tried to steady her breathing, to look confident—even as her knees threatened to buckle.
"Stop it, Ginny!" Ron barked, straining to hold her back with Hermione's help. His face was pale, but his voice was firm. "Listen to her! Dahlia knows what she's doing!"
The group hovered in fearful silence, torn between defiance and trust. Dahlia forced herself to focus back on the dragon, to speak as calmly as her racing pulse allowed.
"I know we're trespassing," she said, her voice low but fervent. "You don't owe us mercy. But please—don't harm them. These are my people. My family." Her words shook, but every syllable was raw, honest, and desperate.
Balerion's gaze softened—slightly. He inhaled deeply, the cavern filling with the sound of air rushing into lungs the size of houses. Dahlia swore she could feel the pull of his breath against her skin.
"Do not fret, little Fire Queen," his voice rolled like distant thunder. "So long as they remain loyal to you, they will never feel the bite of my flame. I was merely learning their scents." His eyes glinted with something almost amused. "I find them... unusual."
"Unusual?" Dahlia's temper sparked, her fear breaking into anger. "They're not odd!"
The dragon's lips curved, not quite a smile. "Peace. I mean no insult. Only that their essence is... different from yours." He tilted his great head, his eyes flicking again to the group. "Call them forward. Let me know them properly. I swear by the fire in my veins, no harm will befall them."
Dahlia hesitated, then turned to her friends. "Guys—come forward."
