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Chapter Text

Another indifferent day had dawned, one of those when Alyssa wasn't next to him in bed and her memory was slowly fading.

For a long time after Alyssa's death, Baelon remained sad in their bed for hours, trying to maintain the same routine they had together, but a few months later there was no time for that.

Viserys and Daemon were a constant headache for him, one being too even-tempered and quiet and the other competitive and boisterous.

Aemon often told him that the boys needed a mother and he needed someone to warm his bed, but Baelon had refused.

He had decided that no woman would take the place of his beloved Alyssa in his life or his bed, and so the first year after her death was lonely, but then no matter how faithful his mind was, his body began to betrays him more and more often.

He had hated himself when one night, about a year and a half after Alyssa's funeral, he had taken a whore to his bed, but fortunately,  no one in his family noticed it.

Then, from the guilt he felt, he had decided that it would never happen again, but sort of time later his suffering got another name ... Viserra.

Viserra was always the most beautiful of his sisters and, of course, she looked nothing like Alyssa.
No one looked like his loved wife, but Viserra was like a fire.

She knew she was beautiful, like a goddess of Old Valyria and that was something that magnified her vanity. Τheir parents were worried about it, especially after what had happened to Saera, but Baelon often found it cute and funny. In his mind, she was still a child.

Until the moment Baelon realized that her goal was himself and not the silly boys who were suffering from her stupid missions and competitions.

"No boy would win her kisses or her maidenhead," the queen had told the king, and while Jaehaerys often reacted as if he saw a new Saera in front of him, Baelon was fascinated.

Ηe often found himself thinking of her youthful, tight body, with its perfect juicy curves, and immediately afterward he felt guilty about it.

However, this has worsened when οne night, thinking of her perfect breasts, certainly larger than Alyssa's, he has touched himself until he emptied his seed into his hands.

This morning his visit to the boys' chambers passed quickly, he was gladly informed by the maesters of Viserys' progress, but the joy turned to ashes when they mentioned Daemon.
His young son was mainly interested in dragons, travel, and swords and littlest about his lessons.

The children need you as much as I do .... He thought sadly as he walked down the aisle leading to his parents' bedchambers.
Usually, this time of day was quiet, except at that time.
The king was still there and judging by his voice he was angry.
Instead of entering, Baelon hid in the nearest corner.

"Find someone for her, no matter if he is younger or older. It is enough to take care of her, but also to make her understand that she should not behave like a spoiled girl."

"You ask to give our daughter to anyone after what happened to Daella." Queen Alysanne was angry, pain and sadness in her voice pierced Baelon's heart like a knife.

"I want to give our daughter to an honest man after what happened with  Saera. Before she opens her legs for half my court as her eldest sister did."

"I told you again that she wouldn't do it. Viserra plays with them as she does with her puppies, but she's not interested in these boys. Our daughter is not a whore. Besides, we are responsible for what happened with Saera."

Baelon realized that his mother's words had softened his father's heart, Jaehaerys was harsh after Saera left for Essos, Baelon couldn't blame him for it.

However, Viserra was not like her. There were many times when she was sweet and kind, and gods, he didn't care if his little sister tortured these boys, as her liveliness gave him a few smiles from time to time.

If Viserra gets married this place will be turned into a crypt. Judging that he had already heard a lot, he decided to leave for the  Dragonpit. His mind was always clear when he was on Vhagar's back, and now was a moment when he wanted to ride her to Dragonstone.

"So you haven't kissed any of them?"
Baelon was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not notice that Viserra was coming towards him with her friend.

"Only a man will win my kiss, not some stupid boys."

Her eyes were on him, she was looking at him greedily and hungry, he liked that.
She reminded him of Alyssa, but he was sure that if he takes her to his bed Viserra would blush like a maiden.

No, that was wrong, he should not have thought about it.
"Brother." Her lips touched his cheek, low near his jaw, leaving a warm kiss on his soft skin.

"I'm going to Dragonstone, would you like to come?"

Why the hell did I say that?

"Of course, dear brother!" 

Chapter Text

Viserra arrived late at the Dragonpit, with a bag on her shoulder, Baelon was sure she either regretted it or was playing with him, but when he saw her approaching him his heartbeat became faster.

Viserra wore riding clothes, so tight that accentuated every inch of her body, it was an amazing sight for Baelon.

"You're late." He tried to say it coldly so as not to show his excitement but Viserra smiled and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"Sorry, brother. Ι tried to leave without anyone realizing it, as you asked me to."

"All right. We must leave unless you change your mind." Baelon said it simply as a confirmation, wished that this wouldn't happen because, in this case, he would put her by force on the dragon's back.

"Of course not ... This is the first time I have got  a secret with you!"

You could have more, but it's not right. I don't even know what we will do there.

"Do you need help?" Without waiting for Viserra to answer, he went to her and lifted her in his strong arms.

Viserra kept looking at him with the same hungry look she had looked at him in the morning and Baelon wanted to fuck her at the next hitching post where is no tied dragon.

"Chains will keep you safe, but you can keep me by the waist if you want." He quickly climbed on the back of his dragon and secured himself with the saddle chains.

Viserra's soft arms wrapped around Baelon's waist, he felt a shiver in his spine. It was a long time ago when Alyssa's arms were around his torso.

The Dragonpit's dome opened and Vhagar spread its huge wings, smoke came out of its nostrils and a few seconds later flew above the Blackwater bay.

Baelon used his whip to force Vhagar to fly to Dragonstone, enjoying the breeze on his face and hair. It was a happy moment, Viserra's arms locked around his waist, her chest resting on his back.

Baelon loved to fly, especially when Alyssa was alive, they spent a lot of time on their dragons' backs, and he continued to do so when she was dead, but it wasn't the same. 

This time the trip was a real blessing however, the day was warm and Viserra was as excited as a little girl.

"Have you never climbed on the back of a dragon?" he teased her, but she held him tighter and brought her face to his neck.

"Only on Silverwing, maybe once on Vermithor with our parents, of course. You and Aemon thought I was too young, while Alyssa wanted to fly only with you." There was a hint of jealousy in her voice.

Baelon brushes her fingers. "So I wasn't a good brother to you."

"But you can become now." She responded giggling.

Brother, friend, husband, lover... What she didn't say, but her voice implied, was like a huge fire in Baelon's heart.

"We're already home." Baelon showed her the large, gray castle below the Dragonmont. She reacted like an innocent little girl.

"It's so beautiful, even the smell of the air is different here."

"You could no live here, sister. It's a wild place, the storms are common all year round."

And there aren't all these idiots around you.

"Can we stay long enough?"

Gods, was her voice always so sweet?

"Vhagar will take us back to the capital quickly, but our parents shouldn't understand that we're together."

Since nothing will happen between us why am I worried?

"I will not delay you then, brother," Viserra whispered in his ear and left a soft kiss under it.

Vhagar left a loud scream and began to descend to the ground, while Baelon took a deep breath and touched the wing of his dragon.

You belong here ... Like I belonged to Alyssa, but now I'm alone. If he didn't have his precious sons around him, he would be lost. Baelon knew it well.

"Let me help you, princess."

A young boy from the dragonkeepers has approached Viserra who was trying to untie the chains that kept her on the saddle, Baelon for some inexplicable reason wished the boy would become Vhagar's food.

"I can do it. I'll do it, sister!"

"But this is his job, brother. And we must be kind to our staff. Mother reminds me of all these boring things at least once a week."

"Mother is worried about you. What she's doing is just for your own good."

"She worries for no reason then. I'm not stupid like Saera."

Upon hearing their sister's name, the boy's cheeks turned pink and his hands began to tremble.

How many men did Saera take into her bed? But the same will not happen with Viserra. Her maidenhead will remain untouched.

It was mostly a reminder to himself. Viserra was his sister, not his wife or mistress.

"We thank you for your service, but we don't need it. You can retire."

The Spring Prince was always kind to their subjects, lords, and smallfolk, but he didn't want this boy close to his sister.

"And now? What is on your mind?" Viserra's voice brought him back to the present, of course, he thought of her and thought of her badly.

He couldn't say for sure if he hated himself for it or if Alyssa would hate him too.

My beautiful wife is just ash. Α memory in my heart, while Viserra is a girl with warm flesh. I want to stay devoted to Alyssa's memory, but I'm hungry for a woman.

"So how do we spend our time here?"

"First of all, we have to go to the kitchen. The food here is simpler than in the Red Keep but then we can take a walk by the sea. I can show you where Aemon and I fished in our childhood."

"Will you tell me another secret of yours?" Viserra said with giggles.

Her lips were so close to his own, he could feel her hot breath on his face.

I can kiss her. Viserra left another kiss on his jaw though, and the Spring Prince felt embarrassed.

Baelon loved her kisses, but there were servants around them, many ears and eyes.

" Viserra" - not here ... What will I say to the king if anyone questions your virtue? I can't take you as my wife.

"What, brother?"

He kissed her on the forehead and didn't say anything.

"Should we go to the kitchen?"

The tension between them was like a small fire that fed slowly, it would surely burn them if they made the wrong move.

"Y -Yes! Must."

"Then let me take care of you. I know Alyssa did that, but I'm not trying to prove anything."

Baelon could not help but laugh at this.

Alyssa hated all these things, she considered them meaningless. Fortunately, we had a good steward. The Spring Prince thought and smiled at his little sister. 

"I'll be grateful to you, Viserra. There someone that I want to avoid if possible."

Of course, there was a sad story behind it.

Several months after Alyssa's death, Baelon the Brave could find no consolation anywhere, so a few nights he visited Flea Bottom to get drunk. One of these nights he slept with a whore who fell in love with him.

She was a good and beautiful, young girl, at the age of Saera, and Baelon felt particularly bad after their coupling, both because of Alyssa's memory and the girl's age.

Baelon had felt worse when the girl had told him about her feelings, but he couldn't go to her bed again. He had changed her life in a better way, however, sending her as a maid to Dragonstone.

"A woman? Do you want to avoid a woman who lives here and works in the kitchen? I wonder what exactly happened between the two of you."

Alyssa might have laughed at that, would have teased him for days, but Viserra was not Alyssa and was angry.

Or

To be honest, Viserra was outraged and that made Baelon both laugh and worry at the same time.

As he watched her walk away to the castle, Baelon stared at her perfect body, but he was sure would regret every word he had said about the girl.

Viserra was never famous for her patience and the Spring Prince had realized she was seeking revenge.

Α new torment begins, it was his last thought before Viserra disappeared from his sight.

He had no reason to normally care about her reactions, but Viserra had warmed his broken heart and perhaps she could do the same with his empty bed.

Chapter Text

When Viserra returned from the castle, Baelon was at the same spot for quite some time, gazing at the sea and the clouds that started to form on the open horizon.

Viserra was like a goddess, she had changed her riding clothes into a light blue dress.

Baelon stared at her. She was beautiful, the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms.

Viserra had a different kind of beauty than Alyssa who rarely wore dresses.

Baelon was sure that she would go to their wedding in her tight breeches and leather waistcoat but she wore a red burgundy dress.

The memory of their first coupling made him hard, his cheeks were pink and manhood almost erect so he avoided looking at Viserra again.

"Since I settled the issue, will you show me where you fished in your childhood?"

How did you arrange it? he wanted to ask afraid, but he reassured himself. Viserra doesn't know the girl, nothing will happen.

"I'm a man of my word, sister, but it would be easier for you if you wore your breeches."

He showed her the large vertical rocks at the edge of the beach. "There! Αre you sure you can get to this point? There are steps carved into the rock but you have to be careful."

Viserra nodded and they walked without speaking for a while, enjoying the smell of the sea. The breeze lifted her dress and exposed her bare legs.

"It would be easier if you wore your breeches." Baelon laughed as Viserra tried to hold the thin fabric in place.

"You don't like my dress, brother?"

"It's... beautiful! You look like the Maiden." But no one wanted to rip her dress off and take her, as I want to do now.

A few minutes later Baelon was about halfway through, but Viserra hesitated.

"The rocks are steeper than I thought, I need your help."

"Of course, that's what the big brothers are for."

Viserra smirked at herself when Baelon held her hand, his palm was warm and soft.

"Watch out here, it's the steepest point but we have reached." Viserra's leg slipped on the rock but Baelon held her tight.

Without speaking again, he lifted her in his arms and their faces approached.

Their lips were close, and Baelon tried hard to prevent himself from kissing her.

"It's wonderful!" Viserra took off her shoes and walked on the wet pebbles.

She didn't look like Alyssa at all, but neither with Saera. She was like a common girl at the time.

"Here I used to come with Aemon, fishing with him was a wonderful experience. I also learned to swim here, although the current is strong."

"So can we swim?"

"Here? it's too dangerous. Currents are powerful."

"It will be funny, and I'm also a good swimmer."

Before Baelon could answer, Viserra pulled the string that held her dress together, now wearing only her smallclothes.

Baelon did not hesitate to look at her. Her juicy curves formed under the thin fabric of her silks.

"Come on, brother. The sea has no waves and there are no sirens that want to seduce you."

But I see one in front of me. 

Her white legs were wet but she kept walking into the water until she disappeared. Baelon hurriedly took off his boots and dived into the arms of the sea. He was worried about her.

Before he could shout her name, her hands closed his eyes and her breasts rested on his back.

"Damn, you scared me! I thought..."

"That  I drowned? It's rather unlikely to happen. Father has taught me well."

"Our father?" Baelon asked curiously.

Viserra was now in front of him, the thin, damp cloth sticking up to her body. Her pink nipples were hard.

She giggled.

"Sometimes he behaves like a normal father and not just as the king. Father taught me to swim and mother how to use a bow, except for all the women's issues of course."

"I thought he had only taught Aemon and me."

"Because you two are his beloved sons?"

Baelon felt her lips on his neck and closed his eyes, his mind left his body. Alyssa used to kiss him there, but Viserra made it worse by sliding her tongue into his ear and biting it gently.

Gods, Don't let me do the same. He prayed to whatever god who listened to them or watched them now to keep them away, and he hoped it was just a foolish dream.

"Viserra," Ηe didn't know what to say to her and felt grateful when she interrupted him.

"it will start raining soon."

"Indeed." The gray clouds that had formed on the open horizon had turned black. "A storm is coming."

"Do you want to leave, sister?"

"Just not. When will I find such an opportunity to tease you again?"

Baelon responded with a sweet smile and Viserra moved her hands into the saltwater, wetting his body.

They continued to swim teasing each other until they felt the first raindrops.

They had to help each other on their way back to the castle because the drizzle had turned into a storm.

"Will we be able to return today?" Viserra asked as they entered.

"I have ridden  Vhagar many times during a storm. Mayhaps It will be a bit difficult for you but we can go back."

 If you wish to.

"We have to change clothes and eat. I'm starving." She avoided the topic of their discussion.

Viserra was hungry, but not only for food ...She stared at her brother each time with the same hungry look. Baelon liked that she looked at him like that, and he often similarly looked at her.

"Me too."

"Where was your room?"

"Ιn the Stone Drum. We loved hearing the sounds of the storms."

"Of course ... She enjoyed riding you instead of her dragon in those moments."

His face was red, like Viserra's but for different reasons. Baelon felt ashamed while jealousy had nestled to her heart, and that was torturous for her.

"I, - I never slept with Alyssa there... I was referring to our brother."

"I-I wanted to know if It had happened here as in Kings Landing ... I still remember that night ...." Viserra was referring, of course, to his wedding night and that surprised him.

Baelon took her hand in his palm, their lips approached, thoughts and desires were no longer his own, and Viserra, Gods, would respond if they did not hear the thunderbolt.

She plays with me ... like the stupid boys around her, but she knows they're unsuitable for her.

He stood for a moment, even though his clothes were soaked, and looked at her as she walked down the aisle.

"Tell the dragonkeepers to free Vaghar from the chains, she likes to hunt here." He ordered the nearest guard.

Τhen, he climbed the steps two at a time and went to the maester's apartments.

"I want to send a message to my brother. Right now."

"Of course my prince." The man nodded, and Baelon hurriedly wrote a small message to Prince Aemon.

Gods, I hope I wasn't wrong. He thought as he returned to his room. This decision was a big risk, even for Baelon the Brave.

He took off his wet clothes, took a warm bath with the help of the servants, and sometime later went to the kitchen. Viserra arrived not long after, more beautiful than before.

"Brother," she said softly as she kissed him on the cheek, "I hope you like the food."

Baelon smiled. He was so hungry that he did not particularly care if the food was good, but he was pleasantly surprised.

The food was simple but delicious, seafood stew, combined from salad with orange, nuts, and cheese while the dessert was a sweet cream. Baelon ate with an appetite. Viserra also played a role in that, she was a pleasant companion, Baelon had a long-time laugh after Alyssa's death.

When she laughed and laughed constantly with his jokes, she was even more beautiful and reacted like a little girl when she pushed her glass while the Spring Prince tried to fill it for the third time with sweet wine.

"Two glasses are enough," she whispered but Baelon smiled.

" You can sleep later," he told her, " the storm is raging and Vhagar has broken its chains. She will return, but will not do it until dawn."

It was a rather innocent lie.

Viserra smiled with relief when he assured her that he would send a raven to Kings Landing to explain their absence.

So instead of retiring to their rooms, they stayed in the kitchen drinking and talking. Viserra's cheeks were red both from alcohol and gossip, it was the first time Baelon had spent so much time with her.

"We have prepared your room in the Windwyrm, my prince."

The voice belonged to one of Dragonstone's oldest maids, a woman whom the Spring Prince had known since childhood.

"My brother was sleeping in the Stone Drum!" Viserra wished that Baelon would not notice the crack in her voice.

"In his youth, princess. After their wedding, Princess Alyssa had chosen another room for them."

Viserra's gaze shifted from Baelon to the nearest guard, whom she looked at provocatively.

"I will sleep in the Stone Drum. I want to hear the storm."

Gods, she had winked to the stupid boy and he was smiling at her.

Baelon was furious, he wanted to feed Vhagar the man's manhood.

"Prepare my old room for the princess and accompany her there," Baelon ordered. Then he rolled his gaze to Viserra.

"It's time to bed, sister."

Damn, I sound like Father.

There is no room for any protest, even proud Viserra understands that.

"Good Night, brother." There's no kiss this time, just her hand touching his own before she leaves.

When her footsteps disappeared Baelon nods at the boy.

"Tell me boy, who are you?" He demands.

"I'm Aethan, my lord. I belong to Dragonstone's guard."

"So not a lord. Just a common boy."

"Ye, -Yes, my lord."

"And what did you learn during your training, boy?"

"That I must serve your family, my prince."

"But your captain did not tell you that you could flirt with my family, did he?"

"Ye, -Yes, my prince."

"Hear this, boy. You will not look at my sister again, because I will feed my dragon with your cock. Am I understood?"

"Ye, -Yes."

"Yes?" Baelon repeats sharply.

"Yes, my prince."

"Good." That was the easy part of this issue dealt with. "Get out."

Τhe boy scurries away and Baelon leaves the kitchen satisfied. Instead of his room in the Windwyrm goes to the Stone Drum.

I can't have her as my own, but I will not let anyone dishonor her. He thinks as he enters the room.

Viserra is lying οn her bed, quiet, she hears the sounds of the storm.

"Hello, brother."Smiles.

"I don't know what you expect from me, Viserra, I don't even know if I can give you what you want, but no one else will give it to you before you wed. Am I understood?"

Baelon nears her bed, Viserra's breaths became silent as the soft covers moved from her body.

His hand touches the soft pillow, but she brushes his fingers with hers.

"You don't need to sleep in an uncomfortable armchair. "

Baelon looks at her in shock for a minute, but then takes off his clothes, leaving his smallclothes on, and climbs on the bed.

"Brother?" Her voice is so soft, she mixes with the sound of lightning as she caresses his neck.

"Sleep, Viserra. We have to go back to Kings Landing in the morning, and I'm so drunk I can't see in front of me."

Chapter Text

Aemon was walking down the aisle of the Red Keep, humming a happy tone, his daughter's favorite song.

He had a long day, as Prince of Dragonstone he had worked on an issue entrusted to him by his father, the king.

He had seen with jealousy, from a window in the tower of the hand, Vhagar flying in the sky.

Although he wanted to do the same with Caraxes and that was the reason for his jealousy, he was happy for Baelon.

At last, Baelon was back to his favorite interests, Aemon was worried about him after Alyssa's death because his little brother was sad all the time.

No woman would win his heart, let alone a place in his bed, Aemon knew. Although he advised him differently, Baelon was always negative.

So when a young maester gave him a message from Baelon, he was shocked.

What the Seven? He mumbled as he took it into his own hands.

Aemon has never been worried about Baelon's safety until then. Baelon was a knight, had won battles, and had earned Dark Sister and Vhagar too, so it was weird that he needed his help.

He opened the message with trembling fingers and a big grin formed on his face.

"Little bastard." He smirked to himself. "Of course, I will help you."

Happier than before, he went to his bedchambers. Jocelyn was there, of course, along with Rhaenys.

The little princess ran into his arms, and Jocelyn gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

"What's the reason for your joy?" Jocelyn asked, earning a bigger smile from her prince.

"Baelon is with Viserra at Dragonstone, he asked me to keep it a secret from my father," Aemon whispered. "I've to help them."

"Dinner is in a few minutes. We need to find a good excuse." Jocelyn agrees. "Say you sent him somewhere. To my brother, maybe."

"Good idea. Father will be happy with Boremund's reference and will not ask for details." Aemon agreed.

At dinner, Alysanne was busy with her grandchildren, and Jaehaerys was talking to Aemon. Baelon's absence was common, he often stayed in his chamber.

"I need my father." Daemon complained, "when will he be back?"

"Is not Baelon here?" Jaehaerys asked surprised.

"I have assigned a job to my brother. I sent him to Storm's End for a government issue." His lie was convincing, of course.

"But he'll be back soon." Aemon comforts his nephews.

Jocelyn smiles, elbowing him under the table. The queen has realized the absence of Viserra, and so has the king.

"He took Viserra with him," Aemon adds. "We thought we should keep her away from these boys until the right one is found for her before any of them claim her virtue."

This development pleases both the king and the queen. Baelon is an honest man and a good brother. This is a pleasant solution until the right match is found for her, and her presence will soothe his grief. They both conclude.

As long as he remembers that Viserra isn't his own if he doesn't intend to wed her. Aemon thinks, but there is no cause for concern.

Baelon is always a man of his word.

At Dragonstone that night Baelon spoons the princess and sleeps with his face in her neck and his hand on her belly.

Her warmth is a consolation for his wounded soul.

"Brother!"

Viserra begs and his hand moves slightly on her small clothes.

Her breath hitched.

Viserra is sad when they leave Dragonstone, but after they climbed on Vhagar's back, she had her arms around his waist and buried her face in his neck.

She loves the scent of his body and Baelon smiles when he feels her breath in his ear.

His thoughts, however, were a tangled mess. Viserra was undoubtedly beautiful, but it was not only her beauty that attracted him to her.

It was her liveliness and laughter, the way he held his hand and sent warmth to his body through this contact, it was her eyes when they met his gaze; her look was sweet though it hid a suspicion of necessity.

Still, it was a mistake to be close to her. She was his little sister and he was a widower, devoted to the memory of his dead love.

He could not claim her as his own so he decided it was wiser to stay away from her. For the next five days, he devoted himself to his children, flew on the back of Vhagar over the city, dealt with some governance issues so that Aemon could spend a little more time with his family, and of course, broke his fast alone every dawn and dusk.

These tasks kept his thoughts busy during the day, but every night as he lay on his soft bed he recalled the night they had spent together at Dragonstone, the desperate embrace they had shared as they tried to sleep.

Her body was resting upon him and that was something magic. Her scent and warmth had awakened something inside him...

He had tried to forget it but every night when he lay on his empty bed he thought of her curled up on Vhagar's back with her chest resting on his back.

When he met her by chance in the hallway and her purple eyes met his lilacs a crazy thought arose in his mind.

He wants to tease her, so he doesn't tell her anything at the time, but on the same night, he walks into her room.

He knelt on her bed and left a chaste kiss on her lips.

She was like a scared little girl as she looked at him.

"Baelon, Oh! Gods. I thought you'd never come near me again."

"Why not, little sister?" He smiled. "I talked to father, we can hang out with each other, but some things have to be kept secret. Do you agree with that?"

Viserra nods and he caresses her hair.

"So can I come with you again, brother?"

"Definitely. In a few days, we'll go hunting in the Kingswood. I like to hunt at this time of year, and you said you were good with the bow."

Chapter Text

Baelon looked out the window of his chamber and he continued to fold his clothes into a trunk. Of course, there were servants for it, but he always used to prepare alone for his hunting trip.

That was one reason of course this time, the other was Aemon.

The prince of Dragonstone kept asking the Spring Prince what exactly happened between him and Viserra, grinning, even though it had been a fortnight since that day.

It was difficult for Baelon to hide something from Aemon, but it was also difficult to report that he had slept with Viserra, even if nothing more had happened.

So he avoided his brother as much as possible, but now he needed his help again.

Baelon sighed looking at the trunk, no more than a third full, and the clothes that were scattered all over the room.

"Shall I give you a hand? I've already prepared my things." Viserra was behind him, hugging his waist with her soft hands.

"You shouldn't be here, sister, anyone can come in, my children or our mother."

"Is it so bad that I wanted to see my big brother? Other than that, we're not doing anything wrong, are we?" 

"No, of course not," Baelon replied, but Viserra's whisper in his ear, her sweet voice, and her hands around his waist were like a sinful dream.

"Well? When are we leaving?" The princess asked, kissing his cheek tenderly.

"I have to solve an issue first, I will only need two or three days."

"Is it something serious?" Viserra asked, staring at him. Although it was indeed something important, Baelon was determined to deal with it without telling her. He needed Aemon for this, not his little sister.

"Nothing to worry about." Ηe returned the kiss, kissing her forehead. "But it's better to be careful. You shouldn't come here."

"Course... Here's her bed..." She said it with jealousy, without thinking what the outcome would be, risking awakening Baelon's wrath.

"Not for this reason, sister. You have to trust me." He was annoyed but kind. Viserra thought as she carefully left his room. She also trusted him, as he had asked her to.

A few hours later, Baelon, thinking about the unexpected problem that had arisen, sought out Aemon's companion.

Τhe Prince of Dragonstone listened carefully to his little brother before he laughed out loud but then he had a solution to Baelon's problem.

"I will ask His Grace to send ser Lucamore Strong with you," Aemon said, although Baelon was not happy with the development.

"I'd rather not have a fucking knight of the Kingsguard with me. Maybe he mentions everything to the king. Besides, I'm a fighter in my own right." Baelon protested and Aemon realized that of course, this had to do with Viserra.

"What should the king not know?" The Prince of Dragonstone asked with a laugh, but Baelon answered with a curse word.

"I hope you don't forget that she's our sister, although I think she wants something more than that. But what do you want, brother?"

Baelon remembered Viserra's body in his arms that night at Dragonstone, but also her hot lips the night he sneaked into her room after their return to the capital.

"I'm not stupid enough to hurt our sister." He finally said. But I'm stupid enough to want to be alone with her.

"So, Ser Lucamore is the best choice to accompany you, since father wants a knight to come with you." The prince of Dragonstone said, making the Spring Prince wonder why the Seven Hells his brother insisted so much.

It didn't matter though. Aemon would help him again and soon he and Viserra could leave for the Kingwood. Although Baelon had been hunting for about half a month, this time he hoped to stay longer, provided Viserra wanted the same.

The Spring Prince wished this from the bottom of his heart until the last night before they set off for the hunt.

The last night at the Red Keep before leaving for the Kingwood was the most stressful in Baelon's life. Aemon, of course, took care of the problem, though he laughed every time he saw his little brother. The Spring Prince had said goodbye to his children, hugging the two princes tightly, but in his mind was still the fucking knight of the kingsguard.

It was a pleasant development when the king called him after his return from Dragonstone and they discussed Viserra. Jaehaerys was pleased with the prospect that the two would be close until the queen found the right match for her, and of course, Baelon had agreed with him but not with such an innocent purpose.

They could be together all the time, with the king's blessing, and that was exactly what Baelon had in his mind when planning the expedition to the Kingswood, but Jaehaerys had ordered a knight to accompany them. Although Aemon had taken care of it, Baelon was still angry with Jaehaerys' decision, but he had no choice.

He was sleepless when dawn came and his servants began to carry the supplies for the hunting trip on their horses. Viserys and Daemon ran to his bed before the Spring Prince could get up.

Baelon laughed as he wrapped his two boys in his arms, thinking how much they love him. Viserys wanted one last hug, but Daemon mostly wanted to complain.

It was really funny that his youngest son was jealous of Viserra and wanted to accompany him, and he even insisted, forcing Baelon to promise with a laugh that this will happen next year.

A few minutes later Baelon sat astride on his horse in the courtyard next to the stables, rubbing his eyes, still having Daemon's voice in his ears.

Viserra's delay, however, made Baelon wonder if she had regretted it.

As they waited for her, he tried to think positively. Even if she had changed her mind, he would enjoy the hunt, although this time instead of his close friends he would have with him only three of his faithful servants and also a knight.

It didn't matter though. "Here’s her highness now," ser Lucamore nodded towards the stables where the princess was walking towards them.

"Apologies for the delay." She said brightly. "Mother visited me all of a sudden."

Baelon felt his lips curl involuntarily. She was stunning, even though she woke up so early in the morning.

"If you’re ready then, sister." He nodded to her.

"Is this all of us?" she asked. “Just us few?"

"Were you expecting some grand entourage, sister?"Baelon replied. "I stalk and hunt my prey. I don't need squires for that."

"Don't be angry, brother." She replied gracefully climbing on her mare. "I had envisioned a larger group. That's all."

I'm sure she's kidding me. Baelon thought, looking at her. A few days ago, she asked me if we would have some private time in Kingswood.

"We can leave, my prince." Ser Lucamore's voice brought Baelon back to reality.

Baelon led their group from the main gate to the River Gate. Kings Landing had started to change form since the roads were built, but it was still a chaotic city.

When they reached the Fishmonger's square, Ser Lucamore pulled his horse's bridle and looked at the prince. "His grace, your brother, has informed me about it. I will come to you on the fifteenth day, however, if your grace needs me earlier your servants know where to find me."

Immediately after, the knight turned his horse and left, leaving Baelon embarrassed.

"I guess he will visit his bastard sons." Viserra had approached him so close that he could hear her whisper.

Baelon felt strange to hear Viserra talk like that. She was a little girl, though not as innocent as she looked on her face.

"It's not right for a lady to say such words. This man is a knight of the Kingsguard." Even though he does have some bastards. Father knows that.

"His vows don't allow him to have children, but everyone in court knows he has one or more bastards. So only a lady's words are wrong, not a man's actions, brother? "

Baelon bit his lips. Viserra was smart and her mind is sharp as valyrian steel, he felt sorry for all those who fought for her favor.

They rode in silence for the rest of the morning through a sprawling forest of oaks, evergreen shrubs, pines, and hawthorns. Some blueberries were scattered under the tall trees and the birds chirped among the foliage.

The cover was so dense it was a wonder at times that any sunlight passed through the leaves at all.

Baelon was at the front of the hunting party with the princess close to his left. His servants took up the rear. Once they turned off the kingsroad, he allowed himself to glance over at his sister.

The little girl he remembered had become a beautiful young woman, she certainly did not look like Alyssa. She had long silver hair, purple eyes, and fair skin. She had long legs but feminine curves. Her breasts were bigger than Alyssa's, and she also had a fine arse.

It certainly wasn't polite to make such thoughts about her, but when he had embraced her while they slept together he had felt her body filling his arms.

"I apologize again for my delay this morning," she said suddenly, turning her attention toward him as if she knew he was thinking of her.

"Mother wanted to talk to me, and you know how persistent she can be."

"We've made up the time, sister," he replied with a smile. Gods, I wonder what our mother thinks.

"She told me to stop seeing everything as an adventure and to obey you. But am I not already doing it, my dear brother?"

They arrived at the hunting lodge just past midday and Baelon was glad to be able to climb off his horse and walk about, stretching his long legs.

The lodge had been in the royal family for generations. Queen Visenya used to hunt there and her brother-husband, Aegon, had ordered the reconstruction of the building for her sake.

It was an old, but sturdy two-level stone lodge with a hearth, table, common area, and pallets separated by wood and fabric screens.

"Nothing grand, sister," he said as he unloaded the horses. "But it should suit us for a few days."

"I’m sure it will, brother," Viserra replied as she dismounted. He watched as she reached into a pouch at her waist and slipped an apple to her mare.

Baelon looked at her again as his servants sorted things on the space. He waited for her to complain about the small, close quarters, but in vain. Of course, without the presence of ser Lucamore, the atmosphere was more pleasant, but there was still a problem.

"So, when do we hunt?" Viserra asked.

"I thought...well, I thought you might want to settle in first. You will take the bed down here and we’ll sleep upstairs."

"That’s just fine," Viserra replied. "Though I have the feeling that I’m putting you out, brother."

"You are, "Baelon replied honestly.

"I could make up for it by killing a deer or an elk, but I will do it anyway. So you don't have to leave your bed. An old man like you needs the warmth of the hearth."

"There is a brazier upstairs, I will be fine."

Viserra giggles as she looked at Baelon's pink cheeks and only then did he realize what she had said to him a moment ago.

"Very well, sister. You will see what an old man can do."

"I suppose you're a better hunter than I am, but I'll try."

"I was not talking about it, dear sister... I changed my mind. We both fit in this bed, but first, we have to catch our dinner before darkness covers the forest. We’ll get some rabbit and there’s a stream nearby. We can fish for something at least."

"Will you make me a cloak from the fur of our prey?"

Her question was innocent, but Baelon imagined Viserra almost naked on his bed, covered only with a fur cloak.

Chapter Text

On the first night they did just that before night fell, Baelon sent his servants into the stream, while he and Viserra waited for a rabbit or two that never came.

While waiting, Viserra took advantage of the half-darkness to give him another kiss on the lips, this time Baelon had reacted by hugging her with one hand and kissing her jawline while stroking her hair with the other.

He didn't want to spend much time in the dark. It was dangerous for Viserra and he wouldn't want to send a word to the king that his little sister had been killed by a wild boar.

So, when the darkness covered the forest, they returned to the lodge.

His servants, however, were luckier, they had fished some trout and cooked them in the hearth.

To Baelon's surprise, Viserra ate without complaining about their simple dinner and shared with everyone the blueberries she had previously picked in the forest.

When their dinner was over, the servants cleaned the area and Baelon permitted them to retire.

Viserra was already sitting on the bed, barefoot, her feet touching the floor.

Some kind of madness made him approach her and touch her soft toes. She smiled and pulled him close to her, Baelon felt his mind explode in color and pleasure as her lips kissed his neck.

Viserra's breath left her body when his hands reached her thighs, stroking her body over her breeches.

To test him, the princess unbuttoned two of her shirt buttons, and Baelon saw her breasts.Ηe wanted to rip her clothes off and make her his own at the time, but they weren't alone and Viserra wasn't a common girl.

Ηe also had to keep the oath he had given to the king, i.e to protect her virtue, even though it was impossible not to touch her at all.

So he got out of bed and began to take off his clothes, looking at her supposedly indifferently.

"It's time for sleep, sister." He told her, wearing only his small clothes. "Of course, you can sleep with the clothes you wear if you feel weird being with your small clothes."

"Turn around." She ordered him. Baelon smirked to himself as he turned his back, knowing that she would try to prove otherwise by hastily removing her clothes, as she did.

This time instead of staying in her smallclothes, she wore a thin nightgown, but her cheeks were red, like a maiden on her wedding night.

"Are you scared, little bird?" 

"No, of course not." She replied calmly, but she turned the rings she wore round and round avoiding looking him in the face.

"Don't be afraid, sister. I would never hurt you."

It was really strange that while he had spent hours in his bedroom with Alyssa, and while Viserra was just as eager for it, he felt not only carnal lust but also affection for her.

"I'm not afraid, just ...Do you remember the night at Dragonstone? "

"Well, let's go on the bed."

Seconds later Viserra felt his hands on her body touching her over the fabric of her nightgown.

"Baelon..."

A finger on her lips choked her whisper.

"Nothing more than that, sister. This may disappoint you, but you have to understand me."

"I will never be like h-," She tried to complain, but It was the first time his tongue slipped into her mouth and kissed her by biting her lips.

"What was that?"

"A real kiss, sister. nobody kissed you until now?"

"You know the answer. Only a worthy man will have me."

"Then I've to do something about it."

Baelon laid down on his side, moving to spoon his little sister. His fingers explored her body, always over her nightgown,  often stopped at her budding breasts, pinching her nipples lightly over the thin cloth.

"Did you like that, dear sister?" He asked smirking, but Viserra's mouth was dry and all she could do was whisper yes.

Nothing else happened between them until sometime in the middle of the night Viserra felt his hard manhood on her arse.

She had never seen a cock before and this aroused her curiosity. Baelon slept soundly, his soft snoring was the only sound in the room. She pushed her body into his, his hand was still on her thin abdomen.

"Viserra!" The prince sighed and his hands went down there, touching her feminine parts over her clothes.

In the morning, Viserra wasn't sure if it had happened or if she had dreamed of it, but there was a permanent smile on Baelon's face.

He was already wearing his hunting clothes and had tied his hair in a knot at the back of his head.

"Good morning, sister."He said smiling, "I hope you slept well."

"I did indeed." She returned the smile. "So are we ready to hunt?"

"You need breakfast if you are going to bring down a deer today, and I need this badly."

Her mouth opened and their tongues danced together, his kiss was hurried but passionate.

"I sent my servants to the stream, they will be back soon so we don't have time. Get dressed."

Viserra got dressed as fast as she could, without the help of her maids it was harder than she had imagined.

They sat at the table just when the servants arrived, the breakfast they had was very simple compared to the one she was taking in her rooms.

The bread was stale, the cheese salty for her tastes and instead of milk, there was only one herbal tea.

There was no room for protest, Viserra knew she had to overcome herself to achieve her goal and was already on the winning side. 

They were all fools, even her closest friends. Everyone was trying to comfort Baelon after their sister died, but she wanted to give him more than that.

He had been wedded and bedded with Alyssa, who had a crooked nose, tangled hair, big ears, and slender body like a boy, why not do the same with his little sister who was like a goddess of Valyria?

The little princes would also play a role in this, Viserra had approached her nephews before doing the same with Baelon. Viserys was a sweet boy though not so vigorous, while Daemon was strong but impatient. They both needed a mother to take care of them.

Although she did not feel so close to the boys, she couldn't say the same about Rhaenys. Her niece was a lovely child. Lively, graceful, and fiery, she was like the daughter she wished to have and in addition, she was Baelon's darling.

Of course, the fact that she was not a boy was another advantage. Aemon was their father's successor, but Rhaenys would need a match next to her. Viserra had thought of everything. Baelon would become Aemon's hand and Viserys would be Rhaenys' mate. This would make Baelon the second powerful man in the realm, without a woman next to him, a position that belonged to her.

Saera was stupid enough to want to be the queen, like their mother, but she has ruined herself by giving her maidenhead to a foolish lordling, not even to a high lord.

She wouldn't make the same wrong move.

Baelon was handsome, strong, and brave, she'd have all the court's attention on her without having to pull the strings. Jocelyn was kind and quiet and Rhaenys was just a girl. She could even become queen if something bad happened to Aemon, especially if Rhaenys was still a minor because the King would never accept a young girl as his successor. Not that she wanted it. Aemon was a wonderful brother.

There was still Alyssa's ghost between them, but day by day she was gaining ground in Baelon's heart. Her brother was a man with weaknesses, after all, he would take her soon, and after this incident, he would have to marry her.

"Should we go now, Viserra?" Baelon said softly. She loved his voice, especially when he was saying her name.

She got up from her seat and took the bow in her hands, Baelon opened the door, and together with a servant, they left the lodge behind. The autumn leaves rustled as they walked through the woods.

"I think we should place a bet to make our day more interesting." She was annoyed by the servant's presence with them, but Baelon was a prince, he would not carry their prey himself.

"What kind of bet, darling sister?"

He stopped walking and looked her in the eyes, suddenly only the sounds of the forest could be heard and this filled her heart with joy.

She was determined now. She walked towards him and whispered something in his ear that made him smile, with bright eyes and red cheeks.

"We have a deal, little bird. I can't wait for tonight."

"Remember that the winner is the one who will bring down a deer first." She told him cheerfully, but it was well known that Baelon the Brave was a lusty lad and now he was not interested in deer because he had another prey in the mind.

Chapter Text

"Seven fucking hells, "Baelon mumbled, as he watched his sister lower her bow and smile with satisfaction.

It was late in the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. He was ready to send a servant off to the stream to catch their dinner once again when a stag came grazing into a clearing. Before he knew what happened Viserra had drawn her bow, taken aim, and hit the buck right on the shoulder, dropping it instantly. She began to move towards the direction of the felled animal when the Spring Prince put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at her prey and then glanced up at him.

"Wait a moment, little bird. He whispered. "You’ll want to be sure it’s died before we approach it."

"You're right, but I think I've you, darling brother. I beat you for sure ." She answered with excitement.

"You did it, so I have to keep my word. Tonight, sister."

It sounded more like a fiery threat than a promise, and it was.

Baelon had spent countless hours mourning Alyssa, believed that his life had no meaning since she was not by his side. Of course, this wasn't true and he understood it abruptly.
His mind was faithful to her, but his body was soon hungry for a woman. He had spent a lot of time on Vhagar's back, caring for their children, or talking to Aemon about irrelevant issues to distract himself but in vain.

His hand soon became his beloved mistress, but it turned out that it was not enough. One night while he was very drunk he had slept with a whore.

Although he had deeply regretted it and felt bad when he thought about how the king and queen might find out, his body betrayed him several times afterward, until he slept with Cassie.

She was a sweet, kind girl, so unlike other times, he had tried to be gentle. Gods, she was probably two and twenty. The truth struck him in the face, Cassie was eight and ten, the same age as Saera. And the worst part was that she fell in love with him.

Burying all the emotions inside him, he had sent Cassie to Dragonstone. He had tarnished Alyssa's memory with a girl the age of Saera, and he couldn't find salvation for it, but he could give Cassie a better life at least.

In the following days, he had tried to stay away from every woman, while Viserra had become everyone's nightmare.

The princess, who recently celebrated her first flowering, was surrounded by a crowd of stupid boys and young men, all eager to do whatever nonsense she asking them. Baelon laughed at her mischief, for him she was still a girl.

Thus time passed until  Gael’s name day.

"Brother?" Viserra went to him when they were alone, their servant already walked away from them with their prey on his shoulders.

She pushed her body on him and their lips joined in a hungry kiss.

"Your booty." He said laughing when they broke the kiss. "But don't be afraid, little bird, this is one of the many kisses I owe you. I always keep my word."

"So my wish will come true?"

"Οf course, sister. But that must remain our secret."

She answered him with an innocent smile.

He stood for a minute and looked at her as he remembered what had mediated from their sister's name day until now.

He was in a good mood that night after a few cups of sweet wine, he didn't know how much he had drunk as he had stopped counting after the third cup.

He had a small talk with Aemon about the ladies of the court until the Prince of Dragonstone noticed that Viserra was constantly staring at them.

"Our sister is a real woman now," Aemon said, pointing to Viserra who was wearing a tight lavender-colored dress.

"You're drunk. Our sister is still a child." He had replied, but then he noticed that Viserra, even though she was dancing with a group of silly boys,
was only looking in the direction of the two of them.
After a while he had realized that she wasn't even looking at Aemon, her eyes were all night on him.

Baelon had begun to stare at her and his little sister was looking at him, too.

That night Baelon was lying on his bed with her form in his mind. Her sweet smile, her soft skin, her scent ... And those perfect big tits.

At the same time, without even thinking about it anymore, his hand went under his muscular abdomen, touching his shaft. To his surprise and shame too, his cock was already hard.

His hand moved back and forth, giving him pleasure. In the past when it happened he thought it was Alyssa's hand that touched him, but this time in his mind there was only Viserra.

Soon, he had emptied his seed into his hands and stomach, having a grandiose expression on his face.

The next day he began to watch her carefully, the silly boys around her were nothing but puppies, but some wicked one could take her to bed. He wouldn't allow it. He was her brother and he had to protect her virtue, but in the meantime, he could have a good time with her. He was a dragon, he wouldn't leave his prey to anyone else.

He wouldn't deflower her, of course, but she could serve his hunger in other ways.
He wasn't proud of his thoughts however, Viserra was his little sister and not a whore, but he couldn't stop thinking about her.

In addition, this wouldn't betray Alyssa's memory as Viserra's maidenhead would remain untouched but he would spend a pleasant time with his little sister.

"Night is coming on,  I'm exhausted and hungry." Her voice broke the silence and interrupted his memories.

"We're close, in a little while you'll be enjoying a meal near the fire."

"I'm also hungry for your kisses."She whispered.

"At the end of the night, your lips will be swollen and red from my kisses. I promise you."

What the  Spring Prince liked most of all was that her cheeks turned red every time she talked about it.

Viserra was relieved to find that the servants had prepared hot water for her bath and did not complain at all when she realized she had to use a barrel instead of her bathtub. Baelon, of course, had no such problem, as he spent a lot of time in the  Kingswood each year. When he was there he always forgot the luxuries of the  Red Keep.

To please her, Baelon withdrew his servants immediately after dinner, but they had to be careful until the three men fell asleep.
They sat near the hearth and waited until they heard the snoring upstairs.

A little later, Viserra left her chair and sat on his lap, they shared a long, lingering kiss, until she felt his hands on her chest.

"The bet wasn't correct, little bird. You wanted some kisses, but you didn't specify where..." Baelon's eyes were like sparks, thoughts, and actions we were more his own.

"Do I have your permission?" He asked in a hoarse voice. "You can stop me whenever you want, I will not force you, Viserra."

She nodded and then his fingers removed her tunic, lowered his head on her pink nipples, and kissed them tenderly.
Viserra's breath left her chest, but then she felt his hands untied her breeches.

His eyes met hers and their lips came close.

"Baelon- Ι"

"Don't be afraid, little dove. I'll be careful."
She didn't say anything else because she had now surrendered to his touches.

Baelon wasn't sure that was in his plan, probably not. Viserra was supposed to serve his desire, but now he badly wanted to give her some small moments of pleasure.

Chapter Text

Tower of the Hand

Prince Aemon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, Lady Jocelyn Baratheon 

"I understand you want to carry out your duties as Hand, but you can continue to work tomorrow, Aemon. It's almost midnight, come to bed."

Jocelyn's sweet voice interrupted the prince of Dragonstone, even though she was wrong. He did have a lot of governance issues to manage but he was not able to work on any of them because he was thinking about Baelon.

"It's not the job that keeps me away from you, my love. I'm scared, Jocelyn." He said slowly and honesty as got out of his chair. "I'm worried I was wrong."

"Wrong about what? Aemon what's going on? Talk to me." The fear and anxiety of his beloved wife forced Aemon to decide to tell her everything. Brotherly love was a great issue in a man's life, but so was married life. Besides, Jocelyn was smart and always had the right advice. Their relationship was based on both the desire of a couple in love and on the leap of faith. They had no secrets from each other.

She listened to him carefully and after a thoughtful silence finally spoke.

As Aemon had guessed, she disagreed with his decision to order the knight of the kingsguard to leave his siblings alone for a few days. Viserra is a young girl, she told him, she could easily succumb to the charm of an older man.

"My brother is not such a man," Aemon justified both Baelon and his own decision to help him. "He is not going to dishonor our sister. After all, maybe this trip will be a trigger for him to realize that he needs a woman next to him, a woman who will warm his bed and give him the daughter he always wanted."

"I guess you're right, but the king should never know that. He will be disappointed with both of you and angry with Viserra. Family marriages are state affairs, they should not upset the king.

We need to help them to present their affair quickly, but intelligently and above all without questioning her virtue. "

Of course, Jocelyn was right about that. He had to protect both Baelon and their little sister.

However, Aemon wished not to be needed to choose between the two. Baelon has been his constant companion since childhood, but the prince of Dragonstone had a soft spot for his sisters, especially after the Saera incident.

"Baelon is a grown man and he knows how far he can go with our sister, but if he goes too far and he doesn't want to face the consequences of his actions, I will not leave Viserra to suffer alone."

"And I will support you, as I promised you on the day of our commitment."

Jocelyn blew out the candles and hugged her prince from behind, burying her head in his neck and kissing him under his ear.

"You did it before we officially committed, Jocelyn...That night we met secretly in the garden." Aemon gently touched her hand and turned to her. They exchanged a slow, prolonged kiss before removing their clothes and lying down together.

The night was long and he couldn't deny her, after all, whatever happened would be dealt it with properly.

___________________________________________

Maegor's Holdfast

King Jaehaerys & Queen Alysanne Targaryen

Although darkness had covered most of the Red Keep, the candles in Queen Alysanne's room were still lit.

The queen studied the details of Westeros' high Houses, looking for a handsome, young heir, the right husband for Viserra.

"You're torturing your mind while we have plenty of time, my queen. With Baelon's presence next to her, the mob of silly boys walked away. You don't have to stay up all night, we will soon arrange a suitable wedding for our daughter."

"The issue of marriage must end soon." The queen disagreed. "Our Viserra is at the right age for commitment and may be quiet at the moment because Baelon satisfies her vanity, but soon she will get bored, and then with a gesture, these boys will flutter again around her. She knows how to handle them."

"Baelon won't let that happen, Alysanne. He promised to supervise her for as long as it takes ."

The queen's gaze was like a dark, wild sea.

"Baelon is kind, but he's still a man. If anything happens, you'll be responsible for it. I warned you about Saera ...."

"Do you compare our son to him, Alysanne? Baelon is not like Stinger. He still mourns Alyssa. You raised him, you do not know what kind of man your son is?"

"I thought I knew Saera too, but I was wrong. If you let me fly to Essos .... Maybe she has realized her mistake and wants to go home..."

Her voice was low, like sobbing and whispering together, but she did not let her tears rise to her eyes.

"You need her like a snake needs its venom but I will not allow it. Saera is dead, accept it and move on."

"How can you say that? she's our daughter." Alysanne's voice broke beneath his words, but it was a poison that came out and not tears. She hated this conversation and was angry with him.

"She's a whore who spread her legs for half my court and would do the same if you brought her back. She is a spoiled woman, nothing more."

"It's past midnight, your grace. You have to sleep.."

Any attempt to discuss this issue always had the same result, creating more distance between them.

Instead of hugging her as he intended, he looked at her angry.

"You punish me by depriving you of your presence next to me in bed, Alysanne, but you would do the same if you were me."

Jaehaerys turned his back and left, closing the door that was between their chambers, and then the good queen burst into sobs.

Hours later a ship crossed the Blackwater Bay and a man the queen trusted kept a letter for the princess Saera in his pocket.

___________________________________________

Kingswood

Baelon the Brave, Princess Viserra Targaryen.

Viserra was still sitting on Baelon's lap and they shared a deeply hungry kiss.

She couldn't say for sure how many hours had passed since he had taken her in his arms, they were still in the same spot exchanging kisses and caresses without being interested in anything else.

Viserra felt her lips burn from the intensity of his kisses, it was more like the bite of a young dragon than the kiss of a man.

She managed to break the kiss to catch her breath and then a small groan escaped from her mouth.

"Shhh, they can't hear us," Baelon remarked whispering.

"Then stop what you are doing." The princess teased him giggling, opening her legs more.

"Not even dead." He answered honestly, burying his face in her breasts, kissing her skin, while his fingers gently touched the warm flesh between her legs, without moving inside her.

When he had untied her breeches, which were still on her knees, he was impatient and wanted much more, but Viserra's body began to tremble with his first touch.

There was a big difference between the whores he once got in bed or even Alyssa. They were all eager for his cock, but Viserra was the only one who trembled and sighed at every touch.

The whores let me do whatever I wanted to win extra coins and Alyssa had no sign of shame. The Spring Prince thought looking at her. Viserra was willing and wanted him, but blushed like a maid out of shame.

He had to be careful to give her moments of pleasure without scaring her, so his every move was slow and gentle, making Viserra hold him tight at every touch.

This was not part of his plan, but in the name of the gods of Valyria there was no plan anymore, only their bodies tangled with each other.

"I want to try something but don't be afraid." His voice was heavy and hoarse, both from the many kisses they had shared and from his lust for her, Baelon wondered when was the last time he felt like this.

He lifted her in his arms and left her tenderly on the bed, removing her breeches with sure movements. Viserra, wide-eyed and naked like her name day was a wonderful sight.

He covered her with the fur they used as a blanket and quickly took off his clothes.

She keeps looking at his nakedness with an open mouth, and rosy cheeks, she had tried many times in the past to imagine him naked but the imagination was far from reality, Baelon was the Warrior in a human body.

Baelon lay behind her embracing her body, burying his face in her soft hair that smelled like spring flowers.

"Take a deep breath and don't shout. I will not hurt you, little bird." Viserra didn't have time to react, his finger had slipped inside her, touching her flesh.

It was the sweetest touch she'd ever felt, a strange sensation in her stomach as his finger reached her core and moved in and out of her. Shortly afterward she felt the first spasm and heat between her legs, and a small moan escaped her throat.

Baelon bit her neck, definitely leaving a love bite on the thin skin.

Viserra would have to cover it the next morning, but he had to make it clear that she was his own now. Although Baelon had not thought about their future yet, he wouldn't leave anyone else near her.

Once he had found this spot, he had not stopped touching her, often making her body tremble. Baelon could easily slide another finger inside Viserra's cunt, but he didn't want to rush. They still had several days at their disposal for their little moments.

"Can I try something too?" Viserra asked shyly, touching his leg.

"Of course, little dove." He was looking forward to what she had in mind.

She turned her body to see his face, her lips stuck to his lips, her hand went down timidly to his growing cock.

"I've never done it before." She told him to justify her awkwardness. She was not experienced, that was true, but she had heard Saera and her friends many times, so she stroked his length and then wrapped her palm around Baelon's shaft, making back and forth movements. It was strange but nice and she felt satisfaction when the prince sighed into her mouth.

Baelon had not imagined that they would go so far, nor that he would want Viserra's touch so much, but her small hand around his shaft drove him badly.

A moment later, the prince moaned as he released his seed into her hands, while Viserra herself also reached her release.

With difficulty, he got out of bed to find a cloth and some cold water to clean both himself and Viserra.

It was the early morning hours, only a few big red coals were left from the fire and the place was cold for his tastes, but Baelon felt his body burning.

After cleaning themselves and putting on their smallclothes, they lay down together and Baelon hugged her again.

"So how was this?" he asked her awkwardly, hoping that from now on they would have many similar moments.

"So perfect that it turned my words into silence."

Baelon laughed. "So it was better than you had in mind?"

"Much better, my loving brother. I'm glad I won the bet. "

She wanted to ask him countless questions about how she was and what would happen in the future, now her plan had been overturned, she was not only interested in having the attention of the court but also for his hands around her, but still, they had not gotten to where she expected.

"It's going to happen." She said to herself and pushed her body on him. "He wants me, I gave him pleasure and he liked it, he may still be thinking about Alyssa, but I'm already halfway now, I'm not going to stop."

She stroked his leg and he squeezed her body on him, leaving a kiss on her jaw. "Tomorrow I'll show you something in the heart of the forest, a special place."

She shifted her body slightly and nestled in his arms trying to steal his warmth.

"I'll look forward to it then."

"So do I, but we have to sleep now. It's far from here and we have a few hours of the ride before of us." He answered her sleepily, holding her tightly in his arms.

"I like that we're here. It's quiet and we are together all day. I will miss this in the capital."

It was sudden, but Baelon felt the same. Fortunately, he had the king's permission to be often with his little sister, and he already thought about what he would say to him when they returned so that they could spend more time together without anyone suspecting what was going on between them.

"We will find a way to see each other more than before. Remember, I'm a man of my word, little dove." He promised her, hugging her tighter. He was tired, but Viserra still wanted to know more about him. Although they were siblings, they never had a close relationship. It was wonderful to have time with him, more privately than she had imagined.

" What do you miss most about Kings Landing when you are here?"

"Our family, but mostly my sons and Vhagar. I'm sure she will be angry with me because I left her on the ground for so many days."

His latest report made her feel weird, she loved flying with Vhagar, especially when she could bury her face in Baelon's neck, but she had never considered having a dragon of her own.

The prince's eyelids were heavy when he heard a whisper in his ear.

"Is it difficult to claim a dragon?"

Baelon smiled at himself. "No," he said. "I'll tell you tomorrow what you need to know..."

But you already have it in your blood... You did it today. No dragon can resist you.

Every time he came so close to a woman after Alyssa's death, he felt guilty, but now he was waiting for the next day.

Chapter Text

To their displeasure, the next day it started raining, a rain that lasted for the next three days, and their little wandering deep into the forest had to be postponed.

So they spent their time hunting and fishing near the lodge on days and hugging each other at night. Lonely days and endless nights were a thing of the past for Baelon and often the Spring Prince wished they had more time at their disposal. Viserra loved his touches and he loved her warmth.

He also loved their little games when she challenged him with bets like the first time. After another one, Viserra had acquired as prey a pair of rabbits and him. His fingers were inside her that night, as she had asked him to do when she won the bet, and he had to kiss her all the time so that the servants didn't understand what was going on downstairs.

Often, instead of the hunter, he was her prey in their case, but it didn't matter so much, since their body every night was a tangle of white flesh.

On the other hand, Viserra was mostly excited. She got close enough to him without realizing her plan. He wasn't as stupid as boys her age, but his broken heart needed comfort and she was willing to give it to him.

Her only problem was that the time she had at her disposal was running out, Ser Lucamore would soon arrive in the Kingswood, and a few days later they would return to the capital.

She had to seduce him right away, now that he was vulnerable to her desires.

She adapted her plan to make it happen. First, she had to find out about the special place he wanted to show her. It wasn't hard to find out his servants were loyal, but two smiles and some bronze coins revealed what was there. Then, she implemented the second part of her plan.

"There were two things that made a man unable to resist a woman," Saera always said and Viserra later agreed with her. One was between her legs, the other was tears.

The tears that shone like diamonds in her dark purple eyes were like a stab in Baelon's heart. Shocked by it, he couldn't refuse to his little sister a private ride.

They started riding at the first light, Just the two of them, as he promised her.

A wet green world was in front of them, brooks and rivers ran through the dark forest and the ground was made of mud and rotting leaves. Thorny shrubs, tall trees, and blueberries were all around them.

"I guess autumn will come faster than we thought." Baelon broke the silence by showing her some fallen golden-yellow leaves. Viserra smiled but did not like this remark at all. After autumn, winter would come and father had said some time ago that they should have found a match for her, by then. She would turn six and ten next year.

She had already found the right match for herself so she shouldn't have failed her plan. Baelon whistled a happy tone, a song Viserra had never heard before.

"What song is this?" she asked him, after hearing some rather obscene words coming out of his lips. The Spring Prince laughed.

"You may remember the last war with Dorn, even though you were only ten and two at the time and little girls don't care about such matters. I used to sing it with Aemon before the battle... He and I..." He paused and Viserra noticed that his cheeks turned red. "Well, it's not important."

"You're lying. It's probably a secret between the two of you, otherwise, you will tell me!"

"Very well... It's a thing of the past anyway. We had placed a bet. The one who would burn the fewest ships would pay for the drinks after we returned."

Viserra took a few seconds to process. "So you wanted to go somewhere with our brother ?"She asked him softly.

The answer was unexpected. "At Flea Bottom. I had triggered Aemon because he never left Jocelyn's side. My ladylove burned fifty-one ships that day, and Caraxes forty-eight."

Two princes, her brothers, in a sketchy, poor little place of the capital... It was unbelievable, especially since it was a proposal from Baelon himself, who spent his time on Vhagar's back or fucking Alyssa by then.

"So you won the bet! What happened next?"

"No, I didn't. Vermithor burned fifty-five ships." He said sighing. "Life is unpredictable, little dove."

Viserra giggled. "You lost from father!"

"Yes, but I'm not going to tell you what happened next."

Viserra was absorbed in her thoughts. She was indeed a girl of two and ten then, that was true, but what Baelon didn't know was that she had watched from a window of her chambers, Vhagar flying into the sky, with tears in her eyes. She had also heard her sister say that when they returned to court she would mount her dragon again.

"Fuck off." She said angrily to her memories. "This dragon is mine now." 

"Put your thoughts away, little bird. This is the special place I was telling you about."

She smiled at him tenderly. 

It was a beautiful lake, hidden among the tall trees, more beautiful than Viserra had imagined.

She jumped off her mare and ran to the waterside. Baelon let their horses graze on the green grass and went to her.

"What do you think of this place, little bird?" His breath was in her neck and soon after, his lips kissed her soft skin. She left him, that was her plan anyway.

"Gods, I love your scent." He had already untied the string that held the dress on her body.

She felt nervous but reassured herself. Let him see. He must understand that I don't look like Alyssa.

In a quick move, she let her dress fall on the grass and Baelon stared at her - with his mouth half-open.

"We can swim here or go there." She showed him the entrance to the cave, raising her hand slightly.

"Viserra, I - You, - We .... We can not ..."

"Then why are we here, dear brother?"

She took her hand in hers and placed it on the big white breasts with the rosy nipples.

"We are alone, it's our secret." She took his other hand in her palm and led him towards the cave. He lifted her dress off the ground and look at her naked form. She was beautiful, warm, and willing for him. He wanted her.

"Warrior, help me." He sent up a prayer and followed her in.

They had to lay their cloaks on the hard soil to lie down more comfortably. To Baelon's surprise, Viserra lay on her back before he left his clothes in a pile on top of her dress.

"Are you comfortable, little bird?" She was nervous and scared even though she didn't want to show it to him.

"I'm good. I just didn't expect it to be so cold here."

He lay on top of her, carefully supporting his body on hers so it wouldn't hurt her. Then, leaned on her face and brushed his lips along her neck whilst she ran her hands through his silver hair, holding his head closer to her bare skin. Her breathing began quickening and she felt pleasantly warm. His touch was like fire.

"Is it better now?" Viserra just nodded before she put her lips on his own. He looked at her lustfully but she realized that there was something else in his gaze throughout their kiss.

"I'm not a fool, Viserra. I know what you want from me."

How was that possible? She was smart, she could manipulate anyone to her advantage. If he knew, her plan had failed. Gods, no...  I don't want to marry anyone else.

"Baelon, I ...." She tried to justify her actions, but his hands wrapped her legs around his waist.

"You are the blood of Valyria, a princess. You will not lose your maidenhead on the ground of a cave or a miserable pallet, but on a soft bed with silk sheets. "

"You mean, you and I....."

"Just give me some time, there're some things I need to fix. I can't tell you anything more right now." He sounded honest.

"So we have to go?" She wasn't disappointed, the suspicion that they would have a common future made her heartbeat louder and faster, it wasn't only her ambition that led her to him, it was also the jealousy for Alyssa...

"I can not claim your maidenhead. Not like this. But," his voice became soft and his hand went down her stomach, "I can give you pleasure without hurting you. If you wish. "

I want it! I wanted it a long time ago ... She had grown up with stories about his wedding night and when she was old enough she felt fascinated by him.

It wasn't right, she knew it well, but she was happy with Alyssa's death. For her, it was the opportunity to get into his arms and also gain the attention of the court. She would no longer be the little princess or the other daughter, but his wife, and she would wake up every morning in his arms.

"This is our last day, right?" She said sadly. They still had five more days to spend in the Kingswood, but the knight would arrive at dawn. There would be no time for tenderness then.

"And also our last night. From tomorrow night you will sleep alone."

"Without your hands keeping me warm and safe?" She complained and her lower lip trembled. She's been doing it since childhood when she wanted to get my attention. Baelon thought and kissed her on the forehead.

"There will be fire all the time in the hearth and you have furs in your bed."

"But I won't have your hands around me. Sounds like punishment."

I've been alone for a long time. I thought I'd grow old and die alone, but my heart warmed up again because of you.

"It will be difficult for me too, little dove. Also... I'd be happy if you did the same for me. But only if you want to. I can't make you do."

His cock twitched against her leg.

Baelon leaned closer, kissing the hardened nipples, his tongue touching them circling the flesh, making the princess moan, her breath hitched when her brother's fingers reached the sensitive skin between her legs.

Viserra took him into her hand, moving her fingers around Baelon’s shaft. His breathing sped up and Viserra's tongue invaded his mouth.

Baelon pushed a finger inside of her and explored the warm, pink flesh.

"Baelon," hearing his name from these wet, red lips, the Spring Prince moving his finger faster and slowly adding another one, curling them around, brushing them against every part of her insides.

"More, brother."She begged him and he couldn't refuse. 

Baelon moved his fingers gently in and out of her, kissing her breast, his cock pressed against Viserra's hand.

The prince felt her walls tighten around his fingers, her face was red and her breathing was heavy.

Viserra came, shouting her brother's name loudly, since there were no eyes or ears around them, only the two of them melting into each other's arms.

"Sister! Oh, Gods, sister you're burning up!"

Just after, the Spring Prince released his seed into her hands and stomach, moaning his sister’s name.

"We have to clean ourselves." He whispered to her when their breaths slowly returned to normal.

He looked around for something they could use but saw only their clothes and the green grass outside the cave.

"Fuck."

Viserra gave the solution. "We can swim, but not before we have another round." Her eyes went down low. "I suspect that's not exactly what the ladies of the court are referring to."

His laughter filled the inside of the cave. "Well, not exactly, little dove, but that's how it starts. A woman has to be willing for you, if she's not, you need to fix this."

I'm willing, I'm willing for you.

Her bright eyes testified to her thoughts, Baelon kissed every inch of her head and chest and buried his face there.

"Let's go swimming for a while, but we'll be back soon little dove."Another word came to his mind, but he wouldn't say it so early. He had to take care of a lot of things back in the capital before he talked about it.

They walked up to the lake in gentle steps holding each other's hand, the water was pleasantly warm.

"I'd like to stay here until the end of my days."She told him when he held her in his arms. She was really honest at the time.

I feel comfortable around him, he keeps me safe and happy. He cares about me.

"We will be back soon, little bird." He promised, brushing her hair.

His lilac eyes met her purples own.

"Can I do this again?"

Yes, you can, I'm yours. just nodded yes, before feeling his fingers in her private parts and a sigh escaped from her mouth again. "Baelon."

This time he moved her small hand to his cock kissing her sweetly in the mouth. Her kiss tastes of spring and Baelon was just a thirsty man.

Gods! I will think of you every time I see our children's faces, Alyssa, but I'm only flesh and bones.

After many moments of love in the lake and cave, they sat together under a willow, Viserra was barefoot, her head was on his chest.  

"I am starving, sinful woman." He whispered in her ear kissing her jawline.

"I brought food..."

But it's not the only thing I want to eat...

The food was just bread and cheese, almonds, some berries, and two blood oranges that Baelon cleaned with his dagger.

Their juice rolled down her jaw as she tasted the red flesh and Baelon licked the juice from her hot skin.

Viserra thought about how their father would react to this scene and smiled to herself.

They spent the next few hours walking around talking about dragons. In recent days she often thought of those who did not have a rider, but she wasn't sure that she could manage to claim one.

Before riding their horses to return to the lodge she braided two crowns with lavender, daisies, and green grass.

"A crown made of flowers is the right crown for the Spring Prince. My brave brother who protects me with his sword." She showed Dark Sister set in his belt.

He blushed like a green boy, Viserra observed. Was that my plan?

"The Keep has many hidden secrets. I guess you would not know-how behind the red door in the west corridor begins a tunnel leading to the boys' rooms, one floor below my bedchambers. It's halfway from my rooms to yours, and there are no guards for the most part." He winked at her, smiling.

Viserra gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Sounds interesting."

On the way back they saw a white doe with its fawn running behind it.

Viserra smiled at their image.

The first stars were already in the sky when they arrived, they were tired and hungry but when they sat around the table they ate only a few bites.

Soon, Baelon withdrew the servants, It was the last night they'd share the same bed and they didn't want to waste time.

Around dawn, when Viserra had fallen asleep tired in his arms, Baelon leaned over her face and whispered in her ear, "Avy jorrāelan."

Chapter Text

"The new one had a letter from her hοme. You have to do something about it." Maron spoke before entering his brother's office. Draeko laughed with his angry voice.

"I don't understand why you're so calm. If she is the one who claims to be, a Targaryen princess, we made a big mistake keeping her here. What if they want her back? What if they come here with their fucking dragons?" Maron continued, forcing Draeko to raise his eyes to his face.

"I would suggest you be as calm as I am, brother," he said, at last, resting his hands on the back of his head. " I've been prepared for this since I heard her story."

"I still don't understand how this will work for us if we burn alive." Draeko got up from his chair and approached his brother. Although it was a very hot day, the breeze entered the room through the open windows. The white curtains fluttered, as did Draeko's long hair.

"Because you don't know the Westerosi king is an old man. He would have come by now if he wanted to take her back home, but he's not stupid. He's not going to start a war for a daughter who shames him." Reassure his brother.

"Ι don't understand why he feels that way. He didn't even catch her in bed." Maron said laughing. "That would happen anyway. I've heard that they marry each other."

"They have a different morality," Draeko says, smirking. "They consummate the wedding with a strange custom. The bedding I think it's colled. The wedding guests carry the groom and the bride naked to the bed."

"Why need something like that when they can just fuck each other?"

Maron touched his brother's shoulder and both laughed.

"Well, I don't know that but I'll find out soon enough. I will visit the spoiled princess tonight."

The sky had taken on the dragonfire colors at sunset, red and orange shades that reminded her of the life she had left behind, on the other side of the Narrow Sea. 

She was walking slowly in the garden and could feel the grass between her toes. It was the most beautiful moment of the day because she was usually alone.

She spent most of her mornings in the pleasure garden, learning how to please a man or a woman. The carnal pleasure was free on Lys, it did not matter if the customers were women or men or both.

The employees at the pillow houses served every taste, no matter how peculiar.

Not that Saera was interested in this. When she came to Lys, she knew she wouldn't have much choice, and house Rogare was among those who were interested in owning her when her story spread.

Without Maegelle's protection and Aemon's secret visits, she felt alone. She still remembered the first time she had seen him after a long time, when he had visited her in Oldtown, secretly from their father.

The Silent Sisters was an awful religious order, strict women who took vows of silence, shaved their heads, and wore roughspun clothes.

However, these unfucking bitches, as Saera called them, loved Maegelle and could not deny anything to the crown prince.

"Silly girl, what did you do?" Aemon cried as he stroked her head.

"How did you come here? you will infuriate him." She asked him with soft eyes.

"Father will not learn anything. I was in Highgarden for a government case. Lord Tyrell was kind enough to lend me one of his horses."

They had talked for a while and he promised to try to get her home soon, but on his second secret visit sometime later their father was still unwavering and angry. Saera had felt that every memory from their family was gone, she was no longer a member.

Instead of talking about herself, she insisted on talking to Aemon about Baelon and Viserra ... Aemon did not understand at first until she had to tell him that she understood her little sister's feelings.

"Don't let Viserra destroy herself in the hands of another man, she loves our brother." She told him before he left, and he promised to take care of both of them.

It was Maegelle who had organized her escape, with Aemon's help. A ship was waiting for her in the port of Oldtown, along with enough of the prince's gold.

She could start a new life, and get a new home.

What has gone wrong and was found in a pleasure garden?

But of course, the fact that she was a girl alone, even though she was the blood of the dragon.

None of the crew cared about her anger when they stole her gold while she slept tired and then abandoned her on Lys. With the few coins she had hidden in her dress, she managed to buy food and sleep somewhere safe for some nights.

She was alone, and the life she had imagined was far from reality. She had to use her wit and beauty to find a solution.

She spread her sad story quite easily, everywhere some children wanted the kisses of a princess and some bronze coins, so several pillow houses were interested in her. Among them were the Rogares. Her prayers to the Mother above were heard.

Of course, her goal was never to become a whore but to approach one of the two young boys, or both. This had not yet happened, but she had more privileges than the other novices.

I.e walks in the garden or better meals. It wasn't a great deal, but Saera had learned to take what they were given.

Looking at the sea, she wondered if Viserra had married their brother, but their mother had not mentioned anything about their marriage in her letter, nor had she heard anything from the Westerosi sailors visiting the pleasure garden.

She was sure that her little sister would soon win a place in Baelon's arms, he was certainly Brave but also lonely, and single men easily succumbed to the sins of the flesh.

Saera laughed as she remembered the silent sisters... They couldn't know what the man's touch was like, the most beautiful of them had a mustache... Yesterday's man, however, was different, he called her "my princess" and his hand trembled when he gave her the letter.

By the way, she has felt more lonely since then. She remembered the queen saying that Daella would be alone after her wedding... It wasn't true. Daella had a husband who loved her, she had given birth to a daughter even though her poor sister had died in childbirth, what was her daughter's name?

"You, Westerosi bitch." An angry voice was heard behind her. " Go wash. The servants will prepare you properly because you will see Lord Draeko tonight."

Saera ignored the woman's words and smiled.

Her goal had been achieved. If Draeko was falling into her nets, the woman would soon regret the reckless words she had just said to her.

The rooms of Rogare lord were richly decorated, with thick carpets, paintings, and various cute objects.

She was led there by a guard who stayed outside the door when Draeko's voice was heard through the room. "Well, my lady, is my room more interesting than me?"

His voice in high Valyrian reminded her again of her home.

Undoubtedly his voice came from the huge soft bed, certainly, he was behind the curtains.

Saera approached with gentle steps and pulled aside the thin white cloth.

Draeko Rogare was lying on the bed, naked, as his name day.

"I imagine you didn't expect such a welcome from me, princess, but I'm a trader, and my time is limited. I want to know more about you, but I also wanted to taste a Targaryen princess, so I thought of combining them."

Saera shuddered when he looked at her. His eyes were dark purple, almost black, his long hair had the silver color of Valyria, and his body... Gods... Stinger had a big cock, but this Lyseni boy had a huge, thick shaft.

"With your permission, my lady, but you don't need this." He kissed her neck and removed her dress with a quick flick.

She waited a long time, so there was no reason for her to waste her time on foreplay. She pushed him on his back when his gaze gave consent and rode him, as she once intended to do with Balerion.

Chapter Text

Vhagar's roar became louder when the hunting party passed the Keep's main gate.

"She realizes I'm back." Baelon smiled as he turned his face towards Viserra. "As I told you before dragonriders' bond with their mount is sacred, It's an inextricable relationship."

Viserra's face was pink and her eyes were dark when she returned the smile. For everyone else, she seemed simply thoughtful, but Baelon was the only one who could understand her thoughts. He missed her, too.

They had spent five torturous days together in the Kingswood, unable to embrace each other while they spent the majority of each day together. Worst of all, Ser Lucamore was constantly singing a song sung by the commons in the taverns, about a forest maid loved by a lord.

Neither of them was angry about it, however. Baelon was smiling and time for Viserra had stopped in their last embrace.

"You don't have to choose right away. First, we'll take a few rides with Vhagar, and then I'll take you to the Dragonpit to see them all."

"I'm not sure I can choose one of them." She answered quietly but was excited at the prospect that she would soon be back in his arms even if it happened on Vhagar's back.

She wanted more than that, but she had to wait until Baelon took care of some things as he had told her. He was always a man of his word and had no reason to question him.

"Then you can choose a dragon egg, but you will ride the hatchling when you are almost an old woman."

"This was not polite words for your little sister. You will regret it."

"Only if you catch me." When he laughed, he was even more handsome, and lately, he did it very often. Viserra was happy because she knew he was smiling for her now.

She spurred her mare to reach him and they ran with their horses from the yard to the stables. For a few minutes, they were the main subject of discussion in the courtyard, as some servants were almost carried away by them.

He lifted her from her mare's saddle in his strong hands, holding her longer than it should. It was difficult for both of them not to kiss each other as her body was pressed against him and their faces were very close.

"I'll see you later," he whispered and she nodded biting her lips.

As they had agreed, Viserra immediately visited the queen, giving her as a gift the fur of the deer she killed on the first day. She gave Jocelyn and little Rhaenys the rabbit's fur while keeping for herself the fur of a white deer that Baelon had killed on the last day. She was careful what she said, without hinting at her relationship with Baelon.

"Our Viserra came back to us with different behavior, is a mature girl now," Alysanne told Jaehaerys after dinner.

"Baelon is a responsible man. I did not doubt that he would push her behavior in the right direction, my queen. What about her marriage?"

"I've looked at several cases of young lords, but I'm not sure."

"There's no need to rush, Aly. Baelon will have an eye on her for as long as it takes. Besides, he looks different, too. Like he's not suffering as much as he did before."

"Maybe you're right," Alysanne answered and lay down next to him. Her mind, however, was on the other side of the Narrow Sea. Did Saera receive her letter? Would she ever answer her?

"One more story and then you will sleep." Baelon laughed and combed his tangled hair with his fingers. This time he simply didn't want to cut it like he did the first time of mourning. Both his sons and Viserra loved to mess up his hair.

"I'll sleep earlier than Viserys," Daemon said with confidence and joy at the same time making the Spring Prince wonder if he should call a maester.

"I'm sure he wants to see Gael in the morning," Viserys whispered to him secretly. "From the day you left for the hunt, they spent many hours together in the garden."

This was a good development as the Winter Child was the sweetest and most responsible child Baelon had ever seen. She was diligent with her prayers or her lessons with her septa, and both her kind manners and her sweet smile won everyone's love. Plus, she was the same age as Daemon, surely her company was a good influence for his young son.

His boys enjoyed the Conquest stories, Daemon's favorite story was the Field of Fire while Viserys always preferred Eyrie's Conquest even though Daemon found it silly.

"You disagree about that tomorrow," The Spring Prince said while he was covering them. "But Eyrie is an impregnable, Daemon, your grandmother told me after she rode Silverwing there. She went to support my sister Daella when she gave birth to her daughter."

"And where is she now?" Viserys asked, sleepy.

"She's dead. Like, mother." Daemon replied coldly.

Baelon bit his lower lip and left the room with tired steps. The younger boy's coldness often frightened him, but this time he didn't think of Alyssa. It was Viserra's thought that made him feel nervous.

She's a young girl, she will want her own, children.

There were several ways to avoid this, but first, he had to sort out other issues much more complicated than his still maiden sister's future children.

He returned to his room sadly. It has to be done today, he pushed himself. I can't avoid it forever.

Alyssa's clothes and things were still in the closet of his chambers. Although the Good Queen had told him long ago that he had to put an end to burning them, he had refused .... Until tonight.

He found Meleys' whip and saddle at the bottom of the closet, the Red Queen was in the Dragonpit for two years, without a rider.

Holding Meleys to the ground was like forcing Alyssa to live just to take care of a household. Her spirit could not stand this. After all, an important event was approaching, the princess would turn two and ten in less than a turn of the moon. It was a good age to have a dragon of her own.

He took a deep breath before calling his servants, but it was something that should have been done a long time ago and he should not delay it especially now.

"Clear all this, I don't want to find anything here when I return. Leave the saddle and the whip, I want to give them to someone special."

His voice was hoarse and stern. He wondered how it was possible and his eyes were still dry.

I will not forget you, Alyssa. I still see you in the faces of our boys.

"What do you want us to do with the princess's other things, your grace?"

"Burn them. Burn them all. But without anything becoming known to the king and queen."

Not yet.

His voice was even hoarse than before but softened with the last thought.

"I need a carpenter tomorrow morning."

"Your grace, you said you needed a-,"

What the seven hells did he not understand?

"I need a carpenter. I think it's clear." He repeated as if talking to his sons.

This needs to be replaced... On this bed, she became mine and gave birth to our sons. The same should be done with the furs we used near the fireplace, but thankfully the table can stay.

"I came to give you a kiss for goodnight, little dove."

"How did you get in? I've been waiting for you but I thought you weren't coming because it's almost midnight."

"A lot of questions and we don't have time. Don't you want me to kiss you?"

I want it. Viserra nodded as her mouth was dry. For some reason, she couldn't understand his eyes had a dark glow and they were looking deep inside her soul. She felt a little girl in front of him.

His arms wrapped tenderly around her neck and she pushed her body on his. She could feel his cock growing in his breeches.

His hands moved on her body while none of them intended to break the kiss, if this was the last breath he only wanted to have Viserra's teste on his lips.

He planned to spend less time with her, the risk of being discovered together by a guard or a servant was big and in no way wanted to upset the king. Everything will be done at the right time. Ηe tried to remind himself, but her nipples hardened with his touch and her body trembled.

"B-brother, please."

Still kissing her on the mouth, he pulled her breasts out of her nightgown and stroked her soft skin with his fingers.

His lips went down to the pink nipples, he took them in his mouth kissing and biting them gently and Viserra sighed in his ear.

"Can I go a little further?"

Viserra thought of his fingers inside her and whispered yes, but Baelon gently pushed her into bed, carefully opened her legs, and knelt in front of her. He started by leaving countless hot kisses inside her thighs, going slowly and tenderly to her female flower.

"Βa-Baelon-,"

She felt his hot breath on her sensitive skin and grabbed the sheet hard, preparing herself for what would follow soon after.

"Sister, please open the door."

The frightened voice belonged to Gael and this was strange as the little princess was closer to their mother and was not looking for Viserra's company.

"I have to tell her to come in. She sounds scared."

Baelon nodded and stood up. " I've to go." He said, rather disappointed but Viserra stopped him by grabbing his hand.

"No, stay. She's never been here in the middle of the night. Something serious is going on."

"How do we explain to her why I am here?"

"She's just a child and we are siblings, Baelon... She will not understand anything. Besides, she's scared, can't you hear it?"

Viserra put on her nightgown properly and opened the door in such a natural way that Baelon admired her composure.

Just a few minutes ago she was in my arms, shaking.

Gael, however, had already fallen into Viserra's arms, sobbing.

"What happened, my little flower?" Viserra asked gently. "You're safe, tell me what scared you."

Baelon had never noticed how good she was with the children, even though she did not have a close bond with them.

"I saw Vermithor in my dream unleashing a fire so big that it burned us all."

Viserra squeezed her in her arms, saying soothing words to her.

"But you are not afraid of our dragons, right? You've seen Vhagar and Caraxes, they won't hurt you."  The Spring Prince tried to reassure the girl. "Go to bed, tomorrow morning I'll take you with Daemon to the  Dragonpit. You'll see with your own eyes that Vermithor isn't a bad dragon." 

Hearing Daemon's name the girl's face shone, her breathing returned to normal.

"Father's voice scared me. . I've never heard him scream before."

Baelon and Viserra looked at each other as hot tears rolled down Gael's cheeks. "He told her that she is a huge mistake in his life because she insists on destroying everything by writing letters to Saera."

Viserra looked at Baelon again in frustration."Doesn't the father want our sister back?"

"Well... No, but I'll explain better another time."

"Mother was crying. She told him that if she doesn't want Saera at home then she doesn't want him by her side either, so she plans to go to Dragonstone."

"This is nonsense," Baelon shouted as if he had swallowed Vhagar's cry. "Stay here. I have to tell them a few words."

Viserra hugged the Winter Child, who had stopped shaking, and gently pulled her into bed.

"You can sleep here. We can talk until you're asleep."

"Thank you, "Gael whispered and lay down next to her older sister.

"For what? you are my sister. I'm glad I'm useful to you."

Even Viserra herself wondered about her change, she had never imagined that she would give comfort to a little girl or how she would care about the fate of her older sister.

Baelon had opened a door in her heart that had been closed since childhood when everyone else was busy with state affairs or with each other. There she hid all her feelings for others, but her Brave, loving brother had opened this door and now she was vulnerable, but maybe it was for good.

Chapter Text

It had been about ten days since Baelon had slipped into her chambers and the situation between the king and queen had not yet normalized.

The Good Queen was still in the Red Keep, after the intervention of Baelon and Aemon but especially little Rhaenys and Jocelyn, but refused to join the king's council again or meet her lord husband.

Baelon took her place, quite annoyed by this result, but without protest.

"One day you will be your brother's Hand, you have to start caring for the government. Battles are won with both the sword and diplomacy."
Jaehaerys told him and Baelon just nodded.

The only battle the Spring Prince wanted to wage was against the sheets, with his body tangled with Viserra's, but with this upset between their family, he had to be careful.

The king was quite upset and angry, Baelon shouldn't have allowed him to understand that he hadn't kept his promises about his maiden sister's safety.

Instead, Viserra was very excited when she was around him, as only a young girl could be.

The majority of the time they spent together was mainly at breakfast and dinner, but sometimes when council's meetings weren't taking a lot of his time they walked together in the garden.

However, he had not visited her bedchambers again, as he wanted everything to be done the right way.

He did not feel particularly brave when he refused to answer Aemon's questions about their time at the Kingswood but thanked him for his valuable help.
Aemon looked at him quite disappointed, it was the first time there was a shadow between them as all the years of their lives they trusted each other.

Viserra was happy and annoyed at the same time with the latest developments.
Although Baelon was closer to power and the Iron Throne, the price was his absence from her life for many hours every day and that was something she did not like. Also, his absence from her bed at night was torturous.

Although she missed Baelon, she had won Gael's love and admiration, the little girl was looking for her company as the queen was quite sad after she disagreed with the king.
She often braided her little sister's hair or walked with her in the gardens.

Baelon's sons and Rhaenys often accompanied them and it was even more fun back then because they all had a picnic together under the tall trees in the courtyard.

Daemon was ambitious and impulsive, but when he was close to Gael he was always protective with her, while Rhaenys seemed to enjoy Viserys company.

Viserra would talk to Baelon about the children's future matches soon, or at least when he would talk to the king about their οwn case.

It was a rather cold day, Baelon accompanied their father to the throne room after  Aemon had flown with  Caraxes to Dragonstone for an urgent hearing there.
Viserys had accompanied Rhaenys to the library, Daemon was in the training yard and Gael was studying with her septa.

It was a boring morning for Viserra who was used to the presence of various people around her but didn't want to go back to her old company.
So she decided to attend the king's hearings. She could be close to Baelon and also follow the court's developments.

Also, her presence there would please the king, most of her sisters had shown no similar interest, only Saera often accompanied the king before she began to engage in her ridiculous company and disgrace herself. Viserra was very proud of herself, this would never happen to her. Besides, Baelon would soon announce that he was taking her as his wife.

She was engrossed in her thoughts when she stood behind some young ladies, slightly older than her.
They were talking about something and giggling like desperate thought women who were.

No, they were not talking about something, but about someone.
Their eyes were on him, they stripped him with their hungry eyes. 

One of them wondered if the prince blushed gracefully in bed, as when he spoke to her once, when she met him in the hallway, while another dared to say that he had a nice butt.

Those stupid, desperate women who had wet their smallclothes while they looked at him were talking about her brother.

She felt the anger growing in her chest. Baelon belonged to her and she wouldn't allow any wretch woman to dream of him in the dark with her hand between her legs.

"You are referring to the prince who is second in line to the Iron Throne and still mourns his wife, my poor sister. Shame on you."

They all looked at her confused and ashamed, and she felt a shiver of pleasure down her spine as she left, similar to what she felt when Baelon's lips were around her nipples, or his fingers were inside her.

She was only two steps away from them when she felt that was not enough. She needed revenge for those words, they should have known he was only hers.

"To be honest, his arse is not the only impressive thing on his body. He also has a manhood similar to a stallion." 
She whispered to the lady, smiling so that no one would understand the subject of their conversation. And no one understood a thing, since it seemed that the princess was having a friendly chatting with her.

The poor lady, however, blushed as those words came out of Viserra's mouth while she was staring at her.

"So you're not bold enough now, my dear?"  These princess's words were like poison, and the lady lowered her eyes to avoid Viserra's persistent gaze, but she pushed her jaw, forcing her to meet her purple eyes again. 

"If this song becomes known in court, you may be hanged in your bedchambers because of someone who took your maidenhead and he abandoned you, my lady. But you are not a stupid girl, right ?"

She just nodded as her mouth was dry and her legs were shaking, but her terrified look was enough for the princess.  

Stupid woman, I don't know how to do it and I don't have a capable man for it.
Viserra thought as she looked at the Iron Throne, but then the most painful thought nestled in her mind.

There were things she didn't know about her brother. She knew only what was known in court, I.e nonsenses.
Nobody did know that Baelon wanted to visit Flea Bottom with Aemon or that their father had joined them.

Did he cheat on Alyssa that night or did he intend to do so?
Also, at some other time, he was close to a common woman who worked in Dragonstone's kitchen...

Viserra had looked closely at their faces but had not identified who could be the prince's paramour.
Even for his childhood, she knew few details, mainly about his relationship with Aemon, dragons, or his weapons training. She needed to know more and there was someone who could help her with that.

The queen's chamber was bright and beautiful, decorated with paintings, elegant furniture, gilded candlesticks, and roses.
The four-poster bed with the thin white curtains and silk sheets was in the middle of the room and big enough for four people to sleep in, but Alysanne had been sleeping alone for the last few days.

"I'm so glad you came here, my sweet."
Visera took the glass of cider out of her mother's hand and smiled, hiding her nervousness.

"We haven't talked much since I came back from the  Kingswood. Is it bad that I wanted some private time with my beloved mother?"

" I'm glad you're thinking of me, especially now, child. The truth is that I have a lot of free time and a few things to do, but we don't need to talk about it.
It seems that you are a good hunter after all. I taught you well."

"Oh, it was great. Baelon did not think I would kill a deer and when I did he had no words. It was funny to see our spring  prince have nothing to say."

"So you and your brother got close? I'm happy about that. Baelon was always close to Aemon and Alyssa, he's pretty lonely after her death."

"But he doesn't have to be alone, right? He's still young and second in the king's line. Many ladies would like to marry him."

She took a sip of cider looking at the space around her, she didn't want her mother to understand her feelings for Baelon.

"Our Baelon loved our Alyssa. Although he didn't want her near him when he was a child. Ηe often complained to me that she followed him like a puppy."

"But then he married her." There was jealousy and frustration in her voice but she smiled falsely so that the queen would not understand something. However, the truth is that sometimes she just wanted to be older just like now.

If I  had Maegelle's age, Baelon would have loved me instead of Alyssa with her flat chest and crooked nose.

"It took several years for this to happen," Alysanne said with a smile, looking the princess in the eyes. "Although it was not a sudden love where it looks like an unexpected storm but a strong love that grew over the years like a tree that grows slowly. I brought them closer when I suggested Jocelyn for Aemon."

That was too much for Viserra.
Jocelyn didn't have the Valyrian appearance of their family even though her mother was a beautiful woman and Valyria's blood flowed in her veins. When she was a little girl she often looked at Alyssa's portrait, it was in the long hallway leading to the king's rooms, but it was strange that their mother had given her name to their sister since the two women did not look alike at all.

"Jocelyn is beautiful. Aemon still looks her in the eyes, when he doesn't look at her breasts. Not that I blame him for it. I suspect my brother had enjoyed these breasts countless nights."

Alysanne's bright face turned red and her blue eyes were like sea storms.

"These words are not appropriate for a princess. You are a grown woman, not a child, Viserra. You will be married soon, your lord  husband will not be happy if you speak to him  as bawdy  as a barmaid at Flea Bottom."

"Or maybe he likes it."
Viserra pouts and her nose scrunches. Alysanne, of course, notices that.

Reminiscent of Saera. The queen thought in horror. She was a dynamic and smart girl, but she ended up disgracing herself, and now she is far away. Without our love or forgiveness.
I will not return to Viserra to follow the same path. Gods, please, show me that I'm wrong. I must be wrong. She is just a vain girl, but she will become a good woman.

"Our Alyssa was beautiful, Viserra. And she had a good heart. She loved your brother."

Viserra fell into her trap. The reference to Alyssa made her very angry. It was wrong, she had to face her rage so that the queen would not understand how she felt about Baelon but her sister's ghost was ruining her life again. This fucking ghost was always there, no matter what she did.

"And she was riding him too. This does not sound very pious, am I wrong mother?"

"Your siblings were married, Viserra. They had the blessing of both the Faith and the king himself. Baelon told us after her death that he would never marry again.
It is normal for a girl your age to be charmed by an older m-, ...."

Alysanne tried to approach her daughter with sweet words, but  Viserra had already risen from her seat and her eyes were like two flaming lakes.

"Looks like I was wrong to come here today. And he  does not fascinate me at all."
It was her last words before she slammed the heavy oak door.

Alysanne felt her chest heavy with frustration. Viserra certainly wanted to approach Baelon, but not out of love. Aemon was the king's successor, but Baelon had sons and was alone ... Viserra wanted to become Baelon's queen. What had happened in the past with father and Maegor, she thought. They were confronted because of a woman ...

No one had bridged this gap and the suffering had mercilessly hit their family, but it would not have allowed anything like this to happen now.

"Call the king now, tell him to come straight to my solar." She ordered to a knight of the Kingsguard who stood outside her rooms, but the man looked at her hesitantly.

"His grace is at an important hearing, he  ordered not to be disturbed by anyone."

That was enough... She didn't care what kind of hearing was this, Viserra's matter was urgent.

"But I'm not anyone. I'm  his wife and queen and he will come NOW."

Her ladies looked at her in horror, but that did not interest her at all... Her mind was on her children.

"I interrupted a very important discussion to be here, Aly. I hope it's worth it."
Jaehaerys said softly, but Alysanne was not in the mood for fake courtesies. Even when he went to sit next to her she got up and approached the window. Under other circumstances, she'd rather be alone than being close to him.

"Have you talked to Baelon since he got home?"
She asked him bluntly, without beating around the bush. There was no reason to delay demand by speaking to him gently, the result would be the same.

"What do you mean, Aly? I talk to Baelon every day."

"So do you know what happened in the Kingswood?"

Jaehaerys brushed his beard, looking into his queen blue eyes.
He looks confused and anxious, Alysanne remarked, but there is no time for politeness and sweet smiles. He must learn.

"Are you okay, Alysanne? what should I know? Has something happened again?"

This was the worst part, she only had one suspicion and the words of a vanity girl. Baelon was always a serious and responsible man, he obeyed the king's orders, even when he had to train Vaegon or fly with Vhagar to war.

"Our Viserra is fascinated with him, your grace, something that is normal for a girl her age. Baelon is young, handsome, and strong, but she does not love him. She wants to be the  queen."

He couldn't accept it especially after what had happened with  Saera.

They must have made some mistakes raising their daughters, Daella was a sweet but scared thing, Alyssa was smart and dynamic, but after her marriage, her only wish was to fuck her brother-husband, and even though they had given him two strong grandchildren, she had deprived him of Baelon's presence in court.
Worst of all, Viserra was following Saera at whoring.
Only Maegelle was wise and prudent.

"How exactly will she become Baelon's queen, since Aemon is first in line? You are wrong, Alysanne. You probably misunderstood her interest as his sister."

She was angry with him for questioning her a second time. She had tried to warn him about Saera but only saw potential suitors on the faces of the three men.

"I'm wrong? I'm sorry, your grace, but I  have seen the way she preens and prances around Baelon. That is the husband she desires. As for the succession, our father was the first in line and our uncle swore allegiance to him at first. Do you remember what happened after that?"

He stood in front of her, thoughtful. All these years the whole court admired the strong bond that the princes had developed. Their relationship must not be ruined. This time he would listen to Alysanne.

"Everyone believed that it was his ambition that made him question the authority of our father but it was the words of his second wife...
"Do you think that Baelon fulfilled her wishes?"

"I don't know, your grace."She answered tiredly. "You have to find out for yourself. Baelon will not talk to me about these issues but Viserra came to me today and every time I mentioned Alyssa our daughter was angry. Maybe we still have some time."

"I'll talk to Baelon soon then and let you know about it."  He promised her. He was as tired as she was, the conflict between them had to end, it was silly to talk to each other formally.

"Aly, I, - I mean, sometimes I make mistakes  ...You can come to my chambers tonight if you wish."

She approached him and stroked his cheek. Her eyes were wet and her face was so pale as if no blood was flowing in her veins.

"Thanks, your grace, but I prefer to sleep alone tonight. Talk  to our son."

"The boys enjoyed their time with you and I'm also glad you visited us, father. we spend a lot of time together in court, I did not expect you to visit me alone in my chambers."

Baelon carefully left his cloak in a chair and filled two cups with Arbor gold.

"It was good to see my grandsons, they're two lovely boys. You're an excellent father, Baelon, and  an excellent brother, of course."
The king said, looking at him. Although he was sure that Alysanne was wrong, he followed her advice and immediately looked for the Spring Prince in his wing.

Baelon's face blushed, his instinct warned him of something strange. He carefully measured his words, looking the king in the eyes.

"I love my siblings, father. All I want is their happiness."

"So you and your sister had a good time together.
How is the girl? Near you I think is not as irresponsible as in the past. I'm happy about that. "

Baelon could talk to him right away, tell him about the change in their relationship and ask for his blessings, but there was something in his eyes that kept him from doing so.

Jaehaerys looked deep into his eyes as if he had discovered something about them, and all this was a well-set trap. Baelon could have told the truth, but he decided to lie.

"She is quite smart and dynamic and her manners have improved. I spend time with her exactly as you asked me to do, she has changed but she is still quite vain and ambitious."

He must have sounded like an idiot, what he said was nonsense, he knew it well, but he couldn't tell the truth right now. Everything was complicated, all it took was a spark and a huge fire would spread. He wouldn't be responsible for that.

"So nothing more has changed between you two? Tell me the truth, son. It's a sin to lie to your king and father."

"I'm faithful to my wife's memory. You should know this. Viserra to me is just a girl. Nothing more."

It was hard for him to say these words as he thought of Viserra's soft skin and wet red lips, but at the same time, the princess stopped a sound of terror by putting her hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her purple eyes.

She had felt really bad after the conversation with the queen and all she needed was his arms around her body and his confirmation that everything would be fine. So she had followed the tunnel that Baelon had told her about, even though it was cold and dark, and had reached near the boys' chambers. Baelon was there to say goodnight to their sons, she could hear his voice.

It was easy to slip into his chambers, telling the guards that a few corridors down, a maid had twisted her leg and needed their help to get to the maester's rooms.

She was happy and impatient, but Baelon's footsteps were accompanied by the king's voice, and it was not right for his grace to find her there, while it was already dark outside.

She just managed to hide under his bed, a few seconds before Baelon opened the door. She had heard the whole dialogue from there, and could not believe that her brother was only interested in his own pleasure and had used her body for it.
Worst of all, he had used her feelings, while his thoughts were only for the dead   Alyssa, the fucking Alyssa, and her ghost.
She was a girl with flesh and Alyssa was only ashes but he still preferred his dead wife.

She rubbed her eyes to stop crying, she was angry and sad and ready to take revenge. 

Chapter Text

The first rays of the sun in her room were like a caress on Saera's naked body, almost similar to the touch of the older Rogare boy.

She opened her violet eyes and looked at the space around her. Her new chambers were large and comfortable overlooking the gardens and the sea.

She had moved there a few days after her first meeting with Draeko, it was much closer to his chambers, and that was a good omen.

It was only one and a half turns of the moon after their first fiery night and a lot of things had already changed.

A few days after her first contact with the older Rogare, her chambers were decorated with paintings and flowers from the gardens, and very soon Saera had more free time for herself.

Dresses, jewelry, and books soon followed, and when one-afternoon Draeko told her she would have new chambers and maids of her own, the lost princess, as he teasing her, spontaneously kissed him on the mouth.

What Saera did not expect was that she would stop visiting the pillow house quite soon.

The servants had already begun to whisper that their master was no longer fucking any other women, and most of them were already looking at her with jealousy.

Saera smiled when she heard them whisper. Her fate was not to be a whore who would satisfy any Lyseni but to become Draeko's mistress.

She met him mostly half the days of the week, and their coupling was always fiery and passionate. In addition, after each fucking, she slept in his arms, listening to his heartbeat.

What she liked most, however, was his brute behavior every time he waited for her. He was tender during their pairing, but he was always on the bed naked and ready for her. 

Saera moved her body in the middle of her soft bed and stretched. She liked to stay in bed for hours, but the day before, her maids had brought her some new books, another gift from Draeko, of course.

She felt a gentle breeze touching her bare skin as she tried to get up.

Soon the seasons would change, the days would get shorter and sometimes there would be some clouds in the sky, but winter would not get there.

She wrapped her silk robe around her body and brushed her silver hair with her fingers behind her ears.

"Do you need hot water for your bath, my lady?"Her maids were already in her room, carrying a tray with her breakfast. The food was still a chance after she met with Draeko so the breakfast was porridge with fruit and honey, cold milk, and sweet figs.

"No. Not yet. I will have my breakfast in the garden and study this book. I will take my bath later and I also want you to get the red dress ready."

The night before, she had slept alone, so tonight he was going to invite her to his bedchambers.

The day passed quickly, though back in Westeros she hated reading, erotic poetry in Ηight Valyrian was like a balm to her soul.

She was in the garden all morning and at noon with her books, enjoying the view and the poems. At sunset, her maid conveyed the message of the older Rogare. As Saera predicted, of course, he was waiting for her in his room.

  Bathing was a pleasant habit, her maids scented the hot water with sandalwood and lavender oil and Saera felt clean when she came out of the tub. They had washed and combed her hair and scrubbed her body.

Her maidens toweled her dry, and they scented her with spiceflower and cinnamon. A touch on her wrists, behind her ears, on the tips of her breasts. The last drop was for her sex. Her maid's finger was as light and cool as a lover’s kiss as it slid softly up between her lower lips.

They dressed her as she had requested, in the red, silk dress that left her hands and much of her chest uncovered, and fixed the tiara in her hair.

She would go to him as the princess she was, but she refused to wear sandals or jewelry. 

The distance from her rooms to his chambers was much shorter and that was something that made her happy because she wasn't wasting time, but on the other hand, the hungry eyes of the guards on her body were less now.

Although Saera would have slept more easily with a dog than someone so inferior to her, she still liked to play with men.

They were just fools who wanted to have her, nothing more.

The guard of his rooms let her pass after looking at her from head to toe. He was still a fool but she was not interested, as what had caught her attention were Draeko's sighs.

Seven fucking hells.

Everyone said that he didn't fucking another woman, everyone looked at her with jealousy... But what was that?

She entered the room in quiet steps and approached the bed. She could see his figure as well as another behind the thin curtains. She was a slimline figure very close to Draeko, probably another woman.

She didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous after a long time. The last time she felt that way was when her father spent an entire afternoon with Daella instead of herself. And now, she had to share Draeko with another woman.

She had to grit her teeth and accept it if she wanted to be treated better. Although her pride had crumbled her apparent resentment could lead her back to the pillow house.

So she gently pulled the curtain and found herself in front of a strange sight.

Draeko was indeed on the bed, naked like all the previous times, but there was no other woman besides her.

The second figure belonged to a boy with long hair, more gold than silver, and shiny violet eyes.

He had a thin but beautiful body, soft pale skin, and big red lips that were around Draeko's cock.

He could have been a boy from the pillow house, as Valyrian features were common to Lys, but his face was very similar to that of lord Rogare.

"Apologies my lady." Draeko said brightly in High Valyrian, "We shouldn't have started on our own, but when my brother finds my cock, is always impatient. "

"Your brother?" She was confused and perhaps shocked, even though during her training in the pleasure garden she had seen men pleasuring other men.

"You haven't met Maron until now, right? it's because my little brother usually has his head inside his books or between my legs."

Maron raised his head and looked at her, with a saucy smile on his face. A trail of saliva joined his jaw with his brother's cock.

"We will not force you to join us if you don't want to. We have plans for you Saera, but fucking must be done out of pleasure. We both want you, but only if you agree." Draeko managed to complete his sentence amid sighs, Maron kept sucking his cock and was about to come soon.

"Wait." She undressed quickly and went to bed.

"We need to end his torment, don’t we?"

Her fingers touch Maron's naked form and reach his cock.She lowers her eyes to that point, he is already hard, dripping precum out of his slit.

"We do," Maron said, sighing. "But first take me in your mouth. Suck me and fuck me as you do to my beloved brother."

"Whatever you want, my lord," Saera responds and the sounds of pleasure break the silence for the rest of the night.

Dawn found them with their bodies tangled, and stupid smiles on their faces. They were tired but happy after the night of passion they had spent together. Saera looked at her naked body, which had some hickeys on her thighs, breasts, and neck.

A long time ago Stinger had left his marks on her body, but their coupling was boring compared to these boys. She was still numb in her small tender spot, Draeko had bitten her tenderly there giving her absolute pleasure while Maron was biting her nipples.

"I have to go now?" She asked softly when she looked into the half-closed eyes of the older Rogare. Of course, she didn't want that, but she asked like a good girl she was.

Maron smiled and kissed her lips while Draeko hugged her tightly, gently pinching her rosy nipple.

"Go where, princess? You belong to us now."

Saera looked at him curiously, of course, she did not intend to return to Westeros, but when she read her mother's letter she felt a void in her heart.

"Αs I told you before, we have plans for you, Saera." This time there was the familiar smile on Draeko's face, a smile that made her heart like fresh butter.

"Tell me, did you answer your lady mother's letter?"

Was that a trap? She had thought many times about doing it, but the words danced in her mind without making sense. Maybe it was better for her mother to forget her, as her father certainly would have done.

She closed her eyes for a moment but was able to dream of a little girl with silver hair and violet eyes.

"Do you love me more than my brothers?"

"Of course I love, ñuha dilarros, you are my little girl."

He had held her tightly in his arms as Vermithor flew into the sky but she was not afraid because she had the blood of the dragon.

"No, my lord. I didn't answer her letter." Her words were cold, but her heart was bleeding. I'm the blood of the dragon and I must be brave. Like Baelon, and smart ... Like Aemon.

"But you read her letter, right?" Maron asked softly, his finger making small circles on her swollen clit.

"Ye-yes, my lord."

"Good but you will write to her today, princess Saera." This time it was Draeko who spoke, easily slipping two fingers inside of her.

"You will announce to her your engagement, but you better not mention my brother's name."

"My engagement to whom?" Saera asked surprised, but Maron left an innocent kiss on her jaw before answering.

"With us, of course. But my brother insists that your father is better off knowing that you only have one suitor. He's the oldest, after all. I'm the second husband, but don't think that you will spend less time with me. I love your cunt, princess. It's juicy like an orange."

" I don't understand." She whispered while she wanted to scream out from joy. It was more than she had dreamed of but Draeko gave her another kiss, and his fingers reached her core.

"We don't have to talk about it right now, my lady. We have time for all this. It's lovers' time unless you don't want to ride one of us."

"No. I want to ride both of you."Saera replied, smiling, and then left herself to their touches.

Their touches were sweet and she would not share them with anyone else. After all, they were both hers. 

Chapter Text

"These fucking idiots don't let me work properly," Aemon complained as he looked at the boys climbing the garden trees through a window.

More than a fortnight ago, Viserra's old company terrorized the Red Keep. It was the princess, of course, who led them to all new madness and foolishness.

Neither Aemon nor Jocelyn could explain Viserra's behavior, or worse, Baelon's. While the silly lordlings did all the nonsense she asked them to do, hoping to earn a smile or a kiss on the cheek, Baelon was locked in his chambers and refused to see anyone, even his children.

Aemon was trying to give a logical explanation to this mess, he had tried to talk to Baelon twice, but it was an unfair effort. Baelon was drunk and angry.

Right now there was nothing Aemon could do. He just wished Baelon would soon agree to see him.

"Jocelyn, please, called the guards again before one of these stupid boys fell and broke his head or neck. They've become a scourge in the last few days."

Finally, he said and sat behind his desk. He had to face that before the news reached the king.

"I'll do it right away. I'm worried about that, too, but Aemon... What's happened? Viserra looks angry. Something's bothering her, she's not just a silly girl. Her heart is broken. I can feel it. "

He felt it himself, it wasn't like the last time when Viserra did it just to spend her time. It was different now. Something is bothering his little sister and Baelon was responsible for her actions. Aemon wished that soon this paranoia would come to an end without having to choose between them.

"I honestly don't know, Jocelyn. Since Baelon refuses to talk to me, I can't understand what's wrong. Everything was perfect for them when they came back from the Kingswood."

"Perfect? No, Aemon, don't lie to yourself and justify his actions. If everything was perfect he would talk to your father and ask him to marry her."

When he shunned her gaze, she knew they had the same suspicion. Aemon had helped Saera against Jaehaerys' will, but a confrontation with Baelon was too much for the Prince of Dragonstone who adored his little brother.

"And you swore. You swore you'd keep Viserra safe."

He knew Jocelyn's interest was real, she loved his sisters and it was she who had convinced him that they had to help Saera, but this time opposite him he was not the father with the wrong views about their family.

Baelon was almost part of himself, how could he be against him?

"You think I don't know? I did, and I'll keep my word."

He raised his voice more than he intended, but as in every little disagreement, Jocelyn showed no fear. Instead, her big gray-blue eyes met his lilac ones.

For a few minutes, nothing could be heard except their breaths and voices in the garden, although they no longer paid attention to them.

He wasn't the Hand and his lady wife, but two lovers who had come close at perhaps the most inappropriate time.

Not that this mattered to Aemon. He usually worked hard and did not have as much time as he wanted for her but he never really neglected her. She and Rhaenys were his whole world.

He gently grabbed her hand while they kept staring at each other. Her lips were red and juicy, like the first strawberries of spring, and Aemon wanted to devour her whole.

"The guards, -The boys... Aemon-, wha-what are you doing?"

"What am I doing?"His voice was hoarse and deep, and his lips were like flames on the skin of her feet.

"Aemon, It's early... The boys...Our daughter.... "

"She will not come so soon. I'm sure she's torturing Viserys somewhere in the yard."

"But It's, - t's not right. Someone can come in."

"Isn't it right for me to go down on my wife? I remember many of the High Septon's words from our wedding day but not this one."

In another case, it might have been ironic that the Prince of Dragonstone had knelt in front of a woman, but Aemon used to leave thousands of kisses all over Jocelyn's body, especially at that point between her legs.

For another morning Baelon had woken up with a horrible headache, feeling his body heavy and tired. In the last few days, he was constantly angry or in a bad mood for no reason or both.

He had also stopped attending the king's councils, using ridiculous excuses. Not that this was bad, as at the last king's hearing he threatened to burn with Vhagar a lord who was lying.

At least something good had happened after that, Alysanne had returned to her post, worried about Baelon, while her relationship with Jaehaerys had not yet improved.

Although he had tried to convince her that he was simply tired of the sudden duties assigned to him by the king, Baelon did not feel brave or intelligent at all. On the contrary, he felt used like an old children's toy, and that's exactly what was growing his anger.

Although he had tried many times to convince himself that Viserra was just a spoiled girl and not worth his time or thought, the hot tears have been coming up in his eyes more and more often in recent days. He'd never felt that way before, and that made him angrier than anything. He had slept with a beautiful whore at four and ten, he had married Alyssa who was the complete opposite of a holy woman, he has fathered two strong sons and he had mourned his beloved wife and their little boy... But he felt completely powerless to manage what happened with Viserra.

The love he felt for Alyssa was deep and sincere, but what he felt for Viserra was just as strong, powerful, and different. His heart fluttered when he was near her, every time he remembered her soft skin he felt his mind explode and his manhood harden. It was real torture. Viserra belonged to him, but instead of him being next to her, there was a bunch of silly boys.

He couldn't understand what had changed between them, and his ego wouldn't allow him to ask her. So every day went through excruciating, with him in a totally bad mood.

He was still lying οn his bed, his mind had surrendered to the darkness that existed around him, truly empty of thoughts. Even though it was almost noon, he had grunted a "No" to the maid who had tried to open the windows hours before.

The scream was so loud that it made him jump to the roof. Something serious must have happened because the voices were louder now and he could hear the guards running towards the Tower of the Hand.

His mind ran to his brother and his family, the sweet Jocelyn and the little Rhaenys whom he loved as his daughter. He hastily put on the clothes he had thrown on the floor the night before and ran into the yard with his shirt unbuttoned. It was a sight for all the ladies, but it wasn't something that bothered him at the time.

Aemon's clothes were red from the blood, for a moment Baelon felt his breath leave his body, but if his brother was injured, he wouldn't be on his feet.

He saw the boy lying on the grass right after. His face was scratched, his clothes are torn and he must have broken some bones from the fall, but he was alive.

"Help me get him to the maester. We need to make sure he's okay." Baelon felt the rage growing inside his chest, the boy was certainly one of the mobs that were around his sister but it must not have been older than three and ten.

He felt the almost paternal interest for the boy, Viserys was serious and responsible, but Daemon... Maybe it was his son in the boy's place in a few years, not that the Spring Prince wanted to see something like that. He bowed his head and stood on his knees to offer him comfort.

"You may feel your body heavy, but you're fine. The grand maester will take care of you. Don't close your eyes until we get you to him."

The boy nodded to him and Baelon turned to Aemon to find out exactly what had happened, but Immediately after his first words to his brother he felt someone pulling his sleeve.

"It was my responsibility, I climbed the tree, but I lost my balance. Then I fell. It was nonsense, but the princess has no responsibility. It was my decision."

"What did the princess tell you? talk to me, boy."

The lordling lowered his eyes and whispered something that changed Baelon's pale face to red.

Aemon watched the scene with his face unexpressed and frozen. The silly boy had mentioned Viserra's name to the wrong person. It would have been better if he had shouted her name in the throne room in front of the king himself.

What the hell did he tell him?

"You're strong enough to carry the boy to the maester, I believe. I have another job to do."

"Baelon no.Please no. At least let our sister explain to us why. If father finds out, he will be very angry, he will punish her."

Aemon was always the calmest of the two, the one who calmed the anger or grief of everyone, even Baelon himself, but this time he didn't want to calm down, he didn't want to change his mind. He wanted revenge for his wounded ego.

He looked at his brother with a cold look.

"You may love her, brother, but she's nothing more than a spoiled girl, and soon she'll be a whore if someone doesn't teach her how to act. Maybe father should send her to the silent sisters. Like he did with Saera.

For more than half an hour the Spring Prince tried to find the right words to tell the king and queen what had happened to the boy. He felt foolish enough to be jealous of a silly lordling younger than Viserra herself. Although he couldn't explain what had happened to change her behavior, it was foolish to envy a green boy.

"I'm so glad you came, even though you had to bring the boys with you." Alysanne stared at him, reading his thoughts. "Unless you came here to explain your absence from court."

"It's not for me. It never was. The only thing I wanted was a family." Instead of Alyssa, it was Viserra who came to his mind. He hated himself every time he felt uncomfortable thinking about her. He had invested his dreams in a spoiled child and he still felt betrayed.

"I know you miss her, but you have a family, my sweet boy. Your sons were worried about you. Also, if you need anything, you have to tell us. We're worried about you. "

He looked into her blue eyes and felt again a boy of four or ten, like the first time he had slipped out of the Keep to visit a beautiful whore in Flea Bottom.

She had hugged him looking at him with the same look as now.

"Alyssa won't be coming back again, boy. You have to accept it, and there's a place that can give you the strength for it. Your mother agrees with me. "

For the first time, he heard Jaehaerys' voice breaking with concern and fear. Although he couldn't tell them that his bad situation wasn't about Alyssa, leaving court was a tempting proposition.

"Where should I go?" He asked coldly, hoping that the king himself would give him the answer he longed for. The only way to forget Viserra was to go away. There was no other solution.

"Μy Rhaena found solace on Dragonstone. It's the closest place to our origin. There you will find yourself. Also do not think that you will be in bed all day or you will be fishing all the time like a child. You will take over the hearings and Aemon will come often."

There was a huge sadness on Jaehaerys' face and voice when he talked about his eldest sister. Everyone in their family had their ghosts, but Baelon could guess that his aunt's ghost was the one that was still in his father's heart. Alysanne's expressionless style convinced him of this.

"I'll go then. I'll talk to the boys and leave in a day or two. Mother, can you -, "

"Of course, lad. Your sons are my blood. We'll take care of them, don't have any doubts about that. But what we're interested in is that you come back strong to us. Dragonstone won't be forever."

"I know." He smiles. "It belongs to my brother and his child after all."

"You can have whatever your heart craves, Baelon. I'll give you anything you ask for as long as you come back strong."

Jaehaerys said and Baelon the Brave simply nodded and then left without saying a word while his heart was still bleeding. He knew Viserra was playing with the silly boys but she had played with him as well... So what made him better than them?

He had to go to Dragonstone, It was the right thing. What had to be done. It was wrong to leave his heart free to feel all these strange emotions.

His heart had to beat only to honor Alyssa's memory. His love for Viserra was wrong.

But when he suddenly saw her in front of him, there was nothing he could do to follow the logical path. His footsteps brought him next to her as if she were a spring of cold water and he was just a tired and thirsty man.

Viserra's gaze was full of rage and contempt as he held her hand tightly and looked her in the eyes.

"Why?" He demanded to know. "I thought you and I... "

"Because I'm sick of it. It was nice to play with you, but that's all."

It's not she who speaks, but the anger and sadness she has within her from the moment she heard him speak to their father. For a moment Viserra feels that she wants to tell him everything, to ask him why he played with her feelings, but she knows the answer. The only woman he loved was Alyssa.

Baelon, however, was angry, she has never seen his face so red and his gaze so wild. For a moment he raised his hand and she was sure that he would find her skin. Maybe if he did it, If he slapped her, was the opportunity for her to hate him, to stop crying at night, but he just touched her cheek.

"I'm not going to tell father anything about us or your awful behavior, but you're dead to me. I don't want to see you again. "

"If I'm indeed dead to you, you will not feel this ..." She pressed her breasts into his torso and her lips into his mouth. Even though he didn't want it to happen, his mouth opened and his tongue touched hers. Viserra sighed in his mouth, his hands touched her body.

"It's not right. Someone can see us. Baelon...."

"I don't care. You need to have a lesson."

" What the hell-," She protested, but he pulled her close to the door.

"They won't find us soon enough. These rooms are not used by anyone."

The tension between them was like lightning during a powerful storm. Even though they were close because of the anger they felt, their hands made the next move before they even thought about it. Viserra had one hand in his hair while with the other she untied the laces of his breeches and pulled out the hard cock. It only took a few strokes as he lifted her dress removing her smallclothes.

Soon, she found herself in his arms with her back against the wall and her legs around him.

His cold gaze had become familiar and tender as he looked at her that day in the cave and Viserra felt that all the power had gone out of her body. Ιt wasn't as she had dreamed of, but she did not intend to resist or cry.

She felt his cock rub against her private parts and his tongue invading her mouth as he pushed himself inside οf her. She focused on kissing him to relax. She did not feel wet enough, and she knew that the penetration was painful enough the first time, it would not be like the pleasant sensation of his fingers inside her.

"Just relax. I'm not used to hurting girls."

His fingers touched the spot of her pleasure and for a few seconds, she felt calm and relaxed in his arms, but only until he pressed his member into her cunt.

It was worse than she imagined, like burning in her lower abdomen along with strong pain. She felt her eyes fill with tears but at the same time, his lips kissed her neck. She was sure the blood had drained from her body as he looked at her in shock.

"Damn, it's all wrong. I'm an idiot. Did I hurt you?"

She nodded negatively while she was sure that this time he would push harder inside of her but he gently bit her neck's soft skin.

His fingers circled the swollen pearl of her flesh relaxing the body and a little later her brother pushed his cock firmly, kissing her. The pain grew stronger, but only for a while.

"Are you okay? Am I hurting you?"

"I'm fine, Baelon. You can move." Her broken voice looked like an invisible hand pouring salt into his wounds while he had severely injured. He didn't feel brave or happy with this development. He had imagined a thousand times that she would become his own, but not like this.

"I loved you."His cock moved inside her and she felt uncomfortable at first, but soon enough she started to feel pleasantly nice.

A little later she was wetter between her legs while he was moving in and out of her with slow moves that he made faster now.

Her fingers dug the skin of his back over his shirt while his cock was buried deep into her cunt and from his face, it looked like he was close to his release.

However, he was still interested in her pleasure so he didn't spend himself before she reached her οwn climax.

Ηe came right after her, moaning her name while Viserra was still trying to catch her breath.

"I loved you." Viserra looked into his wet eyes in shock and he kissed her forehead. It was as if he was saying goodbye to her.

"What are you trying to tell me? What's happened?"

She felt everything was already wrong, she wanted to scream, but she wouldn't give him the pleasure of humiliating herself anymore.

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Father said he needed me on Dragonstone. There's nothing I can do for you right now. I'm sorry."

"Fine. Do whatever you want, but when you come back don't look for me."

He let her out of his arms and she turned her back on him, lifting her smallclothes off the dusty floor.

"I'll get you the moon tea before I go. It was foolish to leave my seed inside you. This could ruin your reputation." He said, looking at the small drops of blood on his cock's head.

"I don't need your help. I can take care of myself, and I will. I don't need anything from you. Go, Baelon. It's the best thing for both of us. I don't want to see you again."

She did not feel happy when she returned to her chambers but broken. She had heard from Saera and other ladies in court that they felt the fullness of happiness after their first bedding. Viserra didn't feel either of two, only dirty and used while the pain had returned to her abdomen.

She asked for a warm bath and felt grateful when the tub filled with hot, almost boiled water. She took off her clothes with the help of one of her maids and sank herself into the hot water after being left alone.

Moments later she heard the scream and wings of a dragon high above the capital while in the Dragonpit another dragon left a loud cry. Vhagar was already far away and all Viserra could do was touch her belly while hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

She was not sure why she was crying but immediately wiped her eyes and called her maid. The girl heard her order in shock but she left as the princess ordered and returned soon with a small bottle in her hands.

Viserra kicked her out again and took it into her own hands.

All she could do now was save time and pray.

Chapter Text

Vhagar left a loud shriek and began to descend to the ground, after a few cycles over Dragonstone.

Baelon untied the chains that kept him safe on her back and jumped to the ground looking at his injured hand.

The cut on his palm was deeper than he had initially expected and he certainly should have sought the care of a maester, as he was still bleeding, but this could wait as his real desire was to get so drunk that to forget what had happened in the capital.

If the king was right about something, it was that Dragonstone was the only place that suited their family so well. Baelon has loved it since childhood and now that he had to find himself, he could not have imagined a better place to live.

Α large crowd of servants had already gathered around him as Vhagar's presence on the island had not gone unnoticed. Baelon smiled when they welcomed him, he always felt loved among them.

Their attention and interest would certainly help him make the right decisions, Dragonstone would not be forever as Alysanne had stressed to him.

His mind was clear ... Until the moment he saw Cassie smiling timidly, and then everything became a mess again.

He asked for a room in the Windwyrm and decided to walk in Aegon's garden until they let him know it was ready. He had to face his thoughts and especially his actions, what he had done a few hours before was great foolish but he was blinded by anger.

"She'd give me her maidenhead if I climbed to the top of the tree. She promised." The words of the stupid lordling were still in his head, but none of the stupid boys would have her virtue now.

As he closed his eyes and his lungs filled with the cold sea air, he relived the whole scene. He had imagined many times to make love to her, but differently. In his mind, he would be more gentle and she would enjoy it more, while would be done after they had received the blessing of both the king and the gods...

In none of his thoughts was Viserra with her legs around her waist and her body against the wall, except for the moment he had suddenly seen her in front of him.

He had tried to be quite tender even though he wanted to devour her whole. Especially when he saw her blood on his member he was truly crazy for her, Alyssa had not bled during their first coupling.

Baelon had never thought of it until then, often many young ladies lost their maidenhead on a saddle and Alyssa had been riding since she was a child. It wasn't something he cared about so much, though. On the contrary, although he was angry when he had picked Viserra up in his arms, her beauty and warmth drove him crazy. Her face was red while he was inside of her, her nails dug into his back when she reached her climax and she had the most perfect, tight, wet cunt Baelon had ever taken.

What did I do? How did I do this to her?

He had left his seed in her and although she had told him she would take care of it for a moment he felt helpless and weak.

Before he could think of anything else, a servant informed him that his chamber was ready. At last, he could drink enough to forget about himself.

The small council was finally ended and after some time the king and queen were in a good mood with each other.

Aemon noted the last issues assigned to him by the king while his parents whispered to each other. Everything was finally calm or rather almost all. Although the Prince of Dragonstone felt strange that Baelon had left in such a hurry, he was sure that he would soon have corrected everything between his siblings.

While Baelon was calming down at Dragonstone, he was going to talk to Viserra. So when his brother came back to the capital everything would be right.

He had thought countless times about the details during the council but had never imagined this would happen.

The Old King and the Good Queen were talking about the care of Viserys and Daemon when the door rang and a knight of the Kingsguard walked in, accompanying a maid.

Aemon felt his legs tremble, and he felt grateful that he was still sitting. Something was wrong, he was already feeling it before she started talking.

His eyes met Alyssane's gaze, the Queen looked at him anxiously for just a moment before looking back at the maid's hands.

There were many servants in the Κeep but this person was known to the prince. He was sure he'd seen this woman before, though he couldn't understand the reason for her visit.

Without being able to fully understand why, his eyes also focused on the same spot as Alysanne's, on the hands of the maid.

She was holding something white in her hands, and when she started talking in a trembling voice, Aemon looked at his mother in shock.

The woman was one of Viserra's maids and she insisted that she had something important to say to the king.

"I still don't understand what it is you want to report to me. Speak directly, no one will punish you for this." Jaehaerys was irritating but kind.

Although the Prince of Dragonstone made her two desperate gestures to leave and speak privately with him, she continued to speak, even though Aemon swore that he had heard nothing because of the agony he had, until the moment the maid gave the king the cloth.

"I was helping Princess Viserra take her bath when I saw this in her smallclothes. Its blood, my king."

"Why do I have to deal with her moon's blood? The princess celebrated her first flourishing a year and a half ago. It's silly to deal with her smallclothes."

Aemon noticed his father's tone. Having a daughter of his own whom she loved very much would never want to be in Jaehaerys place...

Alysanne, however, looked the maid in the eyes and took the fabric out of her hands.

" That's not her moon's blood... My poor girl...What did she do?"

"What do you mean, Aly? What could she have done?" Jaehaerys was equally anxious and angry and Aemon didn't want to imagine What would happen next.

"Viserra had a lover, my king." Alysanne whispering. Aemon felt the pain in her broken voice. "She gave him her maidenhead, Jae. This blood is the proof."

The Spring Prince couldn't say for sure how many hours had passed since he was locked up in his bedchambers along with two bottles of Arbor gold.

During this time he had drunk a bottle and a half of fruity, sweet wine, had taken off his boots even though he did not remember it happening, like his double and shirt.

However, when he opened his eyes, his torso was lying on the bed, but his feet were on the floor. He'd never felt more pathetic.

He didn't want to see anyone, but someone servant kept knocking on the damn door, and even though he'd already told him twice to leave, to whoever the hell insisted on bothering him, he kept knocking.

"Good. come in now." Without even caring about his condition, he finally allowed the servant to enter his room. If he mentioned anything to the king, Baelon knew what he had to do, or rather what Vhagar herself would do.

He didn't move an inch when the door opened and the first thing he saw was a gray dress and a white apron over it. Of course, he was wrong. It wasn't a man. 

"Μy apologies." Her voice was soft and sweet. "I didn't mean to bother you, my prince, but you've been here so many hours without asking for food. I thought that-,"

The Spring Prince's lilac eyes met the blue of hers and Cassie smiled timidly. "I didn't expect you to come back, alone."

"Why? I'm always alone, Cassie." It was the biggest lie he'd told lately. He had felt alone after Alyssa's death, but Viserra had made him smile again. And now she doesn't want to see me again... She played with me and I'm a stupid fool who believed her...

"Are you sure you are alone?" Cassie looked at him as if she knew the truth for him and Viserra, but without the requirement to know what had happened in the capital. Although he didn't like the way she talked to him, he knew very well that she was doing it out of real interest.

He was already tired of everything. Alyssa had left him alone, Viserra had used him as a toy. For a moment he wanted to live in a world without silver princesses with purple eyes, away from the court and the grief that caused him now and then.

She came closer to him, her eyes were always on him and her fingers touched his thighs. She made no further move, waiting for his consent, but Viserra's laughter was constantly into his mind, like the way she whispered his name while he was inside of her a few hours ago...

"Your hand..." Cassie looked in shock at the bloody bandage around his palm. It seems that he had pressed or hit his hand while he was sleeping because there was fresh blood on the already soiled cloth.

"It's nothing serious to worry about. A scar among so many others." He laughed to hide the pain he felt deep in his soul.

" Isn't that something serious? This is your point of view. Forgive me, your grace, but I see a deep cut. You need the help of a maester. "

Even her persistence reminded him of Viserra when after a long day in the Kingswood she filled his tired body with kisses.

"I don't need anyone's help. I am fine." Baelon reacted. The distance between them was getting shorter and shorter and he caught himself wanting to touch her.

"Let me help you. At least just use a clean bandage."

He nodded, and she tore her apron into two pieces by making an improvised clean bandage and holding the other piece to clear the blood from his hand.

"I broke a window." His face was red because of the anger he felt as the whole scene came back to his mind. Viserra had left telling him that she did not need anything from him, she did not want him in her life. His last silly act was to tell her he was going to get her the moon tea while he had just left his seed inside her.

Exactly what every woman wanted to hear after sleeping with a man for the first time.

Alyssa had taken it herself right after their wedding. It had to be almost a year before he convinced her it would be nice to raise their family.

Although he did not want other children of his own for obvious reasons, after the first touch of Viserra he often had a vision for a little girl with dark lilac eyes and golden-silver hair. A perfect combination of the two.

When Viserra left after telling him that she did not want to be with him he had broken the window and had cut his hand badly.

"I care about you, my prince...My feelings for you..."

His fingers brushed Cassie's cheek, her white freckled skin and blue eyes they took away all his memories for a while.

"I'm just Baelon, Cass. We don't need this distance between us."

Cassie's fingers messed his hair, Something Viserra loved, too. He didn't want to think about her anymore.

"Is anyone in your life, Cass?" His lips approached hers waiting for confirmation.

"No one like you."

There were no more princesses with purple or mismatched eyes, nor grief, abandonment, or death. Only his hands on her warm flesh, under her dress.

"I don't want to be gentle this time." He apologized whispering, but Cassie simply stroked his cheek. "You can be anything you want. I will not blame you for that."

For the next few minutes, only the sound of the torn fabric and their breaths could be heard.

Cassie did not speak or complain about her torn dress or react when asked to stand on her hands and knees.

She was undoubtedly a good girl and when Baelon sank his hard member into her, there was nothing but a world with blonde curls and blond wet fluff between her legs. No trace of silver...

Viserra walked in steady, calm steps to the Throne Room, accompanied by two men of the Kingsguard.

Her right hand was in her cloak's pocket, touching the small, empty bottle. It gave her strength in a way. The strength she needed to face the king and the small council.

It was somehow comforting that one of them would be Aemon, and maybe mother was there too. Viserra was unsure of Alysanne's support, but she had taken Saera's side and no doubt loved her children.

She was also quite fragile and stupid now like Saera, though a little smarter than her. When she realized that her maid was staring at her clothes before taking them for washing, it only took a few seconds to understand what had happened.

Baelon had made her his own, and she was sure she had bled like most maidens during their first time.

Perhaps the woman who had taken her clothes to wash them had chosen to remain discreet but Viserra could not rely solely on it. So, when this maid left, the princess had called one of her youngest maids, who had followed her wishes without hesitation.

It turned out that she had acted correctly when a few hours later two knights of the Kingsguard ordered her to follow them. The king never called anyone that way, unless it was for questioning, Viserra was well aware of that.

Still moving in steady steps, she noticed that all eyes around her were hostile, except those of Aemon. Even Alysanne's face was wild and angry.

Baelon had told her about the battles he had fought on Vhagar's back with Dark Sister in his belt, but she was simply barefoot and dragonless, with a silly bottle instead of a sword, and yet she had to fight her own battle.

Please, if you really loved me, come back to me. I didn't mean what I said, I was hurt by the words you said to father that night. If you return, I will explain everything to you.

"Do you know why you are here, Princess Viserra?" Jaehaerys' voice was stern and harsh, and his face red and angry. He didn't leave her the slightest opportunity to justify herself or to lie.

For a moment she felt scared, but Aemon's calm gaze was on her. She wasn't alone in this.

"I-, I think I know why you invited me here, your grace." Her voice broke, but she looked at the king firmly.

"Do you know what this is, Princess Viserra?"

In another case, she would laugh as Septon Barth kept her smallclothes as proof that she had given her maidenhead to someone, but tried to stay serious. The same, however, does not apply to Aemon, who had a big smile across his face.

"I think this belongs to me." She answered with a serious and steady voice this time. "I guess that's why I'm here. "

"So you admit that you have a lover and you gave him that by law it belongs to your future husband?"Jaehaerys asked angrily.

He treats me like Saera, she thought, but that was the last thing she cared about at the time. She was sure he would punish her, but she hoped her punishment would be to keep her locked in her chambers.

He will return. He has to do it. My brother was the only man I want as my husband. I didn't do anything wrong. Let me prove that I'm going to be a good wife for him and a good stepmother for his children...

"Answer my question, Princess Viserra. Do you have a lover? Did you give him your virtue and dishonor yourself? " She couldn't lie. It was a real waste of time.

"I'm not denying it, your grace. It was big nonsense of mine."

"Α great nonsense?" Jaehaerys roared as if it were Vermithor himself. "Who's the one who dishonored you? Tell me his name."

Even if she wanted to do it, a knot was in her throat and it was impossible to mention the name. The queen's bright face turned into a sad mask as if she had lost all her youth and power. 

"Didn't I raise you with principles, Viserra? Didn't I teach you what is right and what is wrong? Am I not teaching you how important it is for a young girl to keep her innocence for her husband? Seven, what sin have I committed and my two daughters were tempted by sinful acts?"

"Tell me the jerk's name." The king demanded again. "Help yourself, princess. You'll be punished, but only for a short time. All you have to do is say his name and this fucker will die in the black cells."

Baelon... Her eyes are staring οn the Iron Throne and in her mind, there is only the moment when it all began. If I'm dead for you, you can't feel that, right brother?

"I have nothing to say about, your grace. It was someone, but he's gone. It doesn't matter who he was."

Aemon's gaze is on her, he looks at her shocked. He knows, Viserra realizes. He realizes he's our brother, but he won't say it.

"Good." Jaehaerys roars from his throne. "Your punishment will be greater, of course. You'll have the moon's tea and then... "

"I already got the moon tea, your grace. You can ask my maid, Floris, or even the grand maester. She came to you and you gave her this bottle, didn't you, grand maester?"

Grand Maester Elysar looks at the empty bottle viserra holds in her hands.

" It's true, my king. The maid came to me this afternoon, but I thought it was for her own use. I would have mentioned to you already if I'd known it was for the princess. "

Jaehaerys' eyes were like a lilac fire.

"This will not reduce your punishment, even though you had the will not to give birth to a bastard. Your stay for a long time in a Mother's house will teach you to behave properly. It will break your stubbornness and teach you humility. Αnd maybe when you get there you'll remember his name. "

This would be the end of them. Even when Baelon would come back and look for her, nothing would be the same. Although she wasn't sure that his seed would germinate inside of her, she had emptied the moon's tea into the water of her bath.

Staying locked up and guarded she would save some time until his return, but if they sent her to a Mother's house, they'd force her to take the moon's tea when she wasn't bleeding. Her shame would be greater then, and her father would hate her, as he did with Saera.

She looked at Aemon with tears in her eyes and her hands on her stomach. He was probably her only ally, maybe he wanted to help her.

Time seemed to have stopped when she heard his voice.

"My apologize, but I ask for my sister's supervision, your majesty. I'm asking you to make me her guardian. She should be punished for dishonoring both herself and your grace, but far from us, I think she will evolve into a new Saera. I suggest we keep her here, transfer her to the Tower of the Hand.

Of course, she will be under strict surveillance all day and night, without having access to her friends or servants. During this period, her grace, our Queen can arrange my sister's wedding. Many lords will want her to wife and only we know that she doesn't have her maidenhead. A good dowry would help with that as well."

Viserra felt betrayed once again, but Aemon's gaze was reassuring.

Jaehaerys looked at them in disbelief and then turned his gaze to Alysanne.

"I think this is the right thing we can do, your grace. Also, Jonquil Darke will be her shadow. She will follow her in every step and I'll soon find a match for her. "

"It doesn't matter who he is, as long as he wants to marry her. Hurry up." Jaehaerys said, and his gaze moved to Aemon, ignoring her.

"She's under your supervision, son. Take care of her as she deserves. If she wants to act like a whore, she must understand that she deserves to be treated accordingly."

Father hates me. Viserra thought. Everyone hates me, I am alone.

Although the men of the Kingsguard intended to accompany her as a prisoner, they were left behind after a nod from Aemon.

"You have to comply if you want to save time. This is the only way to help yourself." He whispered to her as they left the throne room.

"Your punishment will only last for a while."

Chapter Text

Will you let them treat your sister like she's an animal? She's a princess, not a breeding mare."

Jocelyn was never an agreeable girl in such cases. Especially when it comes to injustices against women. Her voice was heard all over the Tower of the Hand, no matter what the servants would be heard or what the king would learn from them.

"It's not pleasant for me either, but we have to play our part well. An open argument with my father doesn't help us at all, especially while Baelon is still οn Dragonstone."

Aemon tried to calm her down by hugging her from behind, but his lady wife looked more like an angry she-wolf than his gentle doe. Jocelyn, however, avoided him and walked to the other edge of the room.

"Send him words. Tell him what is happening. He's responsible for this. He used her body for his own pleasure and then left like a coward. Your brother destroyed her soul. It's been a week since she came to stay here and the poor girl is crying all the time."

Aemon knew the situation very well. Viserra was silent and sad at first but hoped that Baelon would return soon. When that didn't happen, she started crying all the time.

"I have to talk to him soon but closely. I don't want a raven to convey my words. Anyone can read the message and inform the king about it."

He approached her again, softer and much more tender than the first time. She often wondered how he could be so fair, kind, and loving. And now that she was pushing him to the edge she felt bad about it but she couldn't leave Viserra alone. Maybe because her only child was just a girl to most people.

"I'm trying, Jos. I'm trying hard for her happiness. She should be locked in a chamber here than in a Mother's house. I know it sounds crazy, but I saw Saera... I would never allow the same thing to happen to Viserra."  

"At least let her be with us for a few hours during the day and drove this beast out of her door. I can't understand your mother's reasoning. She is wrong."

"Jonkyl is not a bad person. She just follows my parents' orders. Mother has been very sad since Saera left. She has undertaken to find a suitable spouse for our Viserra. You need to save time."

"I will do it, but first I will chase this monster away from us. I don't care if she's good or not, your sister will be free to go where she wants, at least here."

Aemon's lips left an innocent kiss on her uncovered shoulder. "I can't give you permission for this." He whispered. "I'm Viserra's guardian but the last word always belongs to the king."

"Then wait here and preferably in our bed. I want to say a few words to my big brother. I will not be late."

All he could do was laugh as Jocelyn wore the yellow cloak over her tight dark blue dress. His father had lost the battle with her before she reached Maegor's holdfast.

Jaehaerys was a dragon, but he could not deny anything to an angry stag. Especially since his little sister reminded him of his beloved mother.

The storm was raging with all its might, the windows were rattling from the many thunderstorms and the rain was falling furiously on the ground.

It was about the hour of the wolf but the Spring Prince had not slept at all. The last few days he felt weak and tired, like when Daemon was a baby and cried at night.

Although the night was cold his chamber was warm, perhaps warmer than his tastes. He pushed the furs away and got out of bed. His steps, however, were unstable and his head ached.

He walked slowly towards a window, desperately needing a breath. The wind had turned the waves into mountains, the angry sound reached his ears even though the window was closed.

He looked at the bed for the last time and raised his hand to the iron latch, his body burning as if walking among Vhagar's flames. It was an annoying feeling.

The icy air that touched his face instead of improving it, worsened the condition. He had to be held from somewhere, his body disobeying any of his commands. He remembered one night in the Kingswood, where a calm, gentle rain was falling, and all the smells of the forest were more intense. Viserra kissed his chest, her lips were like blueberries and her eyes were always on him.

Her form tormented him for days, there was not a minute that he did not think about her. He also had not to bed Cassie again, had explained to the poor girl that all he did was hurt her.

He had managed to think about the future among a few bottles of Arbor gold. He felt bad about what he had done to Viserra, now that he was away from her, he could understand that there must have been a reason and her behavior had changed. If his little sister wanted to play with him, she wouldn't give him her maidenhead.

Gods, he felt like a jerk. He had to turn everything into absolute chaos, to move away from her, and only then fully understand his feelings. He understood very well the difference in his feelings between Alyssa and Viserra.

He had grown up knowing that Alyssa would be his wife. She was wonderful, a fighter in her own right, the brotherly love he felt for her had easily turned into concern, interest, and passion. She was always eager for him, which brought them close.

It was not the same as with Viserra. He had fallen in love with his silvery heart, he needed her like a thirsty and dusty traveler wanted the rain or like a sailor who always longed for the sea. Viserra was a miracle in his life as if she had been born just for him.

Avy jorrāelan. I love you. I acted foolishly but I want to make amends. I should have told to father about us when we returned from the woods. There is no right or wrong moment .... Only the one we make ourselves.

He never reaches the chair next to him, he saw her beautiful face and immediately fell onto the floor.

Hours later he woke up with an even stronger headache, feeling his body completely weak. The last thing he remembered was Viserra's face, but next to him stood Dragonstone's maester.

"My sister was here ... Where did she go? Tell her to come in."

The man looked at him anxiously and held his hand to measure his pulse.

"She's not here, your grace. What you saw was a hallucination from the fever. "

"She was here... I saw her with my own eyes." He insisted, but the maester seneschal approached him.

"You need rest, my prince. The princess is not here."

They lied to him. He had seen her face, she was there. Right in front of him. He tried to get up but his legs were shaking.

"You need to rest, my prince. The wound on your hand was badly infected, you have a fever and a slight concussion from the fall."

"My hand?" He looked shocked at the master's face. It was just a frivolous cut... It couldn't have turned out so bad.

"You need to rest, your grace. We will take care of you, but you have to sleep."

The old man brought a glass with thick white contents on his lips. "It's the milk of the poppy", he explained. "You have to drink it, Prince Baelon. You must sleep."

No, I have to go back to the capital, I have to be close to my sister. I have to tell her... I love her...

His eyes closed again, it was impossible to complete his thought.

Sitting in her favorite armchair, Alysanne stared abstractly at the letter without having opened it yet.

She was certainly happy that Saera had sent her news, but her joy overshadowed Viserra's affair.

All these days she was trying in vain to find out who her lover was. Not that this would greatly improve the situation, at least it would help Viserra herself.

Jaehaerys would punish the boy for sure, but he'd forgive their daughter. Alysanne had already lost Daella and Alyssa, Maegelle and Vaegon were in Oldtown, Baelon had left for Dragonstone and Saera...

She decided to read her letter even though she was sure it would just be more bad news. Dark wings dark words the common people said.

The queen's eyes shone from the first words, Saera was discussing her forgiveness.

She wrote almost everything about Lys, the beauty of the island, the beautiful sandy beaches, and the wonderful gardens.

She had also written to her about the House Rogare and Gods... Alysanne read the last paragraph three times to make sure she wasn't wrong.

Saera asked the queen's blessing for her wedding and also her permission to return to Westeros to meet their family...Along with her husbands?

Maybe the king's heart would soften at the prospect of a wedding, maybe give his permission for Saera's return, but with two husbands? This is unlikely even if the name of House Rogare was not completely unknown.

"I'm guessing we have the same news." The door separating their chamber in two opened and the king appeared tired but with a smile on his sad face.

"Jae, please, I've already lost a lot of my sweet children, I want my daughter back."

She was determined this time not to accept anything less. She wanted her children around her, it didn't matter if they'd argue again. She needed them next to her.

" When she was a little girl, she told me she was going to marry the Prince of Dorn, the King Beyond the Wall, and the prince of the Summer Isles. I didn't expect anything else from her. " He laughed. 

"So you're not angry with her anymore? Can she come back?"

Alysanne couldn't believe what she was just hearing. It was something unexpected. She insisted on her questions to make sure Jaehaerys wouldn't change his mind anytime soon.

"Are you sure about that? Have you forgiven our daughter? Can she return home?"

He nodded at her looking her in the eyes. For a moment he was again the man she had fallen in love with so many years ago, the man she had shared her life with. It is difficult to rule the realm without losing ourselves.

His fingers spotted the lobe of her ear, he touched her fondly.

  "This boy speaks like a true Valyrian man. After all, Saera is going to do whatever she wants again. I can't deal with this, especially now. "

"You mentioned a boy... Wasn't Saera the one who wrote to you? "

"No, it was Draeko Rogare. And he speaks honestly. I've met thousands of people since we took our father's throne back. I've spoken to them, I've seen their eyes, I've heard or read their wishes. This boy is honorable. Write to Saera that she can come back whenever she wants and find a good match for Viserra. For everything you need, Septon Barth and Aemon will be here. You can trust them. I have to leave in the morrow. "

She didn't like his look at all... Something was hiding from her, and it was serious. Something bad had happened, she felt it now. She felt a huge void in her heart, as when Daenaerys had complained to her that she was cold.

" It's something about ....." No, she didn't even want to think about it.

She was dreaming badly, that was all ...She was going to wake up soon.

"Baelon. A raven came from Dragonstone, Aly. Our son is very sick. I have to go to him. I will try to bring him back here. "

"NO.." Alyssane's cry was heard throughout Maegor's Holdfast. "The Stranger has already taken enough of my children, he won't take my sweet boy away from me. Bring our son home. Please, bring my darling boy home."

"I promise you." Jaehaerys' voice was heard between sobs. "I'll leave at first light to bring him back."

Chapter Text

Lys, about 25 days ago.

It was a hot, cloudless day, one of those she and Maron usually spent on the beach.

Draeko was mainly in his office or meetings with various merchants, determined to make his House one of the most famous in all of Essos.

The same was not true of Maron, who preferred his books or their lovemaking.

Saera loved them both, Draeko was dynamic and smart, with a fiery, sharp spirit. He adored Saera and his little brother equally, but he looked like the waves of the sea. He was a wiggler boy who tried to dedicate time to both his work and the people he loved.

Maron was just the opposite. Equally smart but tender, gentle and sensitive, he dedicated himself to those he loved.

Saera often felt the happiest woman in the world, and this became even more intense when on a hot morning she and Maron left behind the Rogare mansion to swim in the sea.

After some time when they had been lying on the beach, Maron had kissed her whole nude body and had soon descended between her legs, leaving countless kisses on her salty skin. Saera had almost lost her breath when his tongue moved on the pearl of her flesh. Her body trembled while he pleasured her.

She felt her folds wet with the thought that Maron had tasted her until she had come for him.

She wished that her two lovers would give her the same pleasure in the evening when she would no longer be an exiled Targaryen princess, but the lady Rogare.

She stopped for a moment near the door to remember what the priestess had told. The wedding ceremony at Lys was different from that of Westeros.

It involved three different stages. At first, the bride had to leave her favorite children's items on the altar of the goddess of love, but Saera did not have any of them with her. It was a symbolic gesture that showed that she was ready to be cut off from her past, but her past had already been cut off from her .... And so she decided to leave the only object she had with her and it reminded her of her home, the hairnet given to her by Maegelle, the night of her escape from Oldtown.

She approached the altar smiling, wearing one of her new dresses, the most suitable to visit a temple but at this moment she laughed thinking that this was rather an irony. The goddess of love was a naked woman, while her light blue dress was made of silk, long enough to cover her legs up to the sandals she wore, and tight enough to show off her body nicely. It might have been another irony since she would soon need a new one, but the reason made her happy.

She never thought about how she would feel when she left the hair net at the altar of the goddess, but she certainly never expected two little tears to be on her cheeks. 

"You know that no one is going to keep you away from your home, this is just nonsense. Saera, please ...."

She smiled at Maron sadly and he tenderly held her little hand in his palm. The way he treated her was always as tender as if she were a hatchling and he was her nest.

She remembered the little dragons in Dragonstone's caves when she visited them with her father. It wasn't easy having personal time with the king when there were so many issues and so many children and yet... He always had time for her.

"Baelon and Aemon are men now, they don't need me. I guided them properly when I had to." She remembered him saying every time he took her to the Dragonpit for a quick ride with Vermithor.

Without realizing it, two more tears, hotter this time, were added to the previous one.

"You already have a new house here, but I promise you you'll be back in your own home soon, princess. And this silly custom is not the worst of the day. "

Draeko's remark made her laugh. If there was one thing Draeko Rogere allowed to reveal his vanity, it was his hair.

Although she and Maron had let their hair fall like waterfalls on their shoulders, Draeko had combed his hair into a heavy braid that touched his waist. This was another thing that reminded her of her father, but Draeko's palm was warm when he held her right hand.

With her in the middle, they walked gently towards the outside of the temple, in a huge lush garden. Under the tall palm trees and the lemon trees, there was a table with a white tablecloth. Οn the table was a silver basin with seawater, i.e. Draeko's nightmare.

Seawater was the symbol of catharsis, as the priestess had told her. A sign that they would begin their new life with pure soul and body. Although Saera loved seawater, it was also another slight irony, as she had bedded them so many times that she had stopped counting. Each time it was more intense than the previous one, and her body had already carried the next lord or lady Rogare, but she hadn't yet told them.

The salty water wet her hair and face and she smiled. It was the same as the two boys caressing her body, and the smell of it reminded her of home, something pleasantly good.

Next to her, Maron had the same happy smile as her. He was still holding her hand, stroking her palm with his fingertips. This was something tender and warm at the same time, Maron always found ways to make her melt with joy and pleasure.

"This water ruined my braid. My hair is already tangled and wild. Now I have to bathe them, oil them and comb them again, and that will take time."

"Someone would think you were more interested in your hair than in us," Saera said sadly, with a low look and supposedly wet eyes.

"That's one of your faults, brother. Our bride already feels neglected, and so do I." Maron also said with false sadness. He and Saera were good at teasing Draeko especially at times like this.

"Oh, I did not want that. I just did not want to waste time on something like this today but to be with you two all the time. I can do this."

"I'm sure you can," Saera said melodic, in High Valyrian. "A bath for all three of us would be a good start."

"That's a great idea. This heat is exhausting." Maron responded by winking at her. They had already spent a lot of time away from the bed and the prospect of a bath that would evolve, as always, into a sweet time between them was enjoyable.

"Your wish is my order." The older Rogare sighed. "But we are not going to be in bed."

"Destroy our bridal bed? That's inappropriate." Saera said with a laugh. "Besides, we fit perfectly in the bathtub."

The second part of the wedding started late, as the innocent bath that Draeko had requested had turned into a hot lovemaking scene between them.

Although the older Rogare intended, before of course accepting their proposal, to simply wash his hair and prepare himself for the rest of the ceremony, Saera and Maron had completely wet their hair and then untied his braid.

The tension between them had become more intense when Maron had scrubbed his back with a soft damp cloth while Saera was brushing his chest.

"We only kiss each other, yes? Please only kisses." He had told them twice when he felt their hands go to his private places, to get such a look from Saera, which went straight to his cock.

"As you wish, my lord." Maron had teased him before sharing a hot, hungry kiss with Saera, who was hugging them both. They had braided his hair themselves without the help of the servants, something that, gods help him, made his cock twitch against his small-clothes

He tried to stay calm as he thought of the torturous hours until the night when they would seal their union with their bodies being a tangle of white flesh on the soft sheets, and he focused on the wedding contract.

This stage had particularly surprised Saera since it mainly concerned the dowry of the bride, but she had nothing but the name Targaryen.

"So, brother? Do you agree?" Draeko said smiling as he gave the wedding contract to his little brother.

Maron took it in his soft hands and looked at it in a hurry. "I think her grace will feel satisfied with that."

They both signed it in complete silence, making Saera wonder what the hell it was talking about since she had no dowry.

Maron was partly wrong, she didn't just feel satisfied when she took the contract in her hands and read the terms, but also happy and something that she rarely felt in her vanity, i. e grateful.

A significan portion of Rogare's estate had been transferred to her, as long as she did not sell it or exchange it without the permission of the two young lords. She also saw a significant allowance for her expenses and...She asked Draeko in a surprised voice:" Are you sure about that? You want me to work..."

"At our family's bank? Of course. You and Maron can meet all the people I'm tired of meeting or talking to. However, it won't be every day, so you'll have time for your other activities."

"Activities in which you will participate, I hope, dear valzȳrys." She teased him, smiling. Even in her most optimistic dream, she had not imagined that this day would come.

"Of course, ābrazȳrys. I'm always hungry for your sweet cunt. I will stop wanting you only when I'm dead."

"I think my brother is trying to become a poet for you like I did." Maron laughed. "But he has never said anything about my lips."

"That's true, but please stop it. It's been so many hours until tonight and I just can't ..."

Saera knew very well what Draeko was talking about, as did Maron, of course. Back in Westeros, her silly septa had spoken to her so many times about the sins of the flesh that Saera had decided out of curiosity to learn what it was like to sleep with a man.

In Lys, there were no sins of the flesh, only pleasure. And those two boys who had made her an important person again.

I have to thank Aemon for that. If it wasn't him and Maegelle, I'd be a victim of the silent sisters.

" It won't be forever, Alysanne ..." She heard her father's voice. "All of you around me believe that my favorite child is Aemon, yes, even you. But it was Saera who became my happiness and shame at the same time. We need to teach her a lesson." Surely he had taught her better than he had imagined as at the moment of her absolute happiness her thoughts flew over the Narrow Sea.

The banquet immediately after was dedicated to Pantera, goddess of fertility, and Yndros of the Twilight, god of lovers.

Offering on the altars of the two gods sweet tarts, with figs, nuts, honey, and sweet wines as well, they would give them offspring and eternal love for each other, as the priestess said. That was the biggest irony of all ... Saera gently touched the soft curve of her belly and smiled.

Her pregnancy was already counting four moons, the child was undoubtedly Draeko's, and that's why she hadn't mentioned it to him yet. Maron was sweet and loving, Saera loved him very much and loved her as well. She didn't want to hurt the boy with the bright violet eyes and sweet smile. But now this would be her wedding gift to them, as it was a common desire of both boys to have many children by Saera herself.

It was funny and strange that despite all the moments of passion between them, neither of them had understood the small changes in her body. Her breasts, however, were larger and more sensitive, her thin stomach showed a slight soft curve, and a few mornings she felt sickness, fortunately now it was less noticeable than the first previous moons.

Also, she felt a strong, lustful desire for them. Although was more tired in each cycle of the moon, she still wanted them, maybe more than before.

She pushed her plate, eating the last bite of sweet-tart.

Please, no more. I'll be chased by nuts in my sleep.

Fortunately, the second stage was just over. Three young boys from the temple accompanied her home, two were holding her by the hand, while the third was walking in front of them with a lit torch from the altar of the goddess of love.

The main ceremony and what Saera was waiting for most started at dusk.

Her maids washed her and toweled her carefully dry, and she perfumed herself. Then, after brushing her hair until it shone like molten silver with a few touches of gold, they helped her put on her small clothes. This was the most fun part as Saera had chosen a sheer fabric that left nothing to the imagination.

Her white silk and lace dress was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

The skirt was long enough to cover her legs, but the top covered her arms and part of her back while the fabric separated the right and left of her chest to leave a part also uncovered.

According to Lys' tradition, she had to comb her hair in a special hairstyle for the occasion.

Her maids braided her hair like a crown around her head, leaving a few cute curls flyaway around her face.

Then, after putting on her sandals, they put the veil on her. The brides at Lys wore a red or orange veil to keep the evil spirits away.

Saera's veil was both red and orange so that the shade strongly resembles some of the Bronze Furys' scales.

I guess you are still angry with me but you had to be here..You once told me that you loved me ...

Of course, it wasn't a lie. What no one knew was that the king had visited her in her chambers the night the truth became known about her, Stinger, and the other two fools.

"Why?" He asked her with a broken voice and soft eyes. "Didn't I fulfill all your wishes? Didn't you have more stuff than you truly needed?"

"Just out of curiosity. I wanted to know what it was like to sleep with a man. Alyssa kisses Baelon all the time, even in front of us, and he blushes every time, but then he kisses her too. And you... You're still sleeping with the mother, right?"

He had told her angrily that this did not concern her and that, because she was his blood, she had to know how to behave.

She had thought that if she claimed and mounted Balerion she would show him that she was Valyria's pureblood.

She felt two small tears on her eyes as she was ready, a bride of incomparable beauty.

The ceremony would take place in the garden of Rogare's mansion, the servants had been busy decorating it for days.

Just when the moon appeared in the clear sky, Saera opened the door of her chambers and walked towards the garden with calm, soft steps.

The garden was lit by candles and torches, while the light of the full moon joined them.

The lilies and roses that had been placed in large vases of blown glass generously gave their smell to space, while in the center of the garden under a wooden gazebo with white curtains there was a table decorated with ivy branches and ribbon of fabric in blue, yellow and red. A large shell with pink grains of mineral salt was also οn the table and a sharp silver knife wrapped in a white cloth was next to it.

Draeko and Maron were already there, dressed in similar clothes. The older Rogare wore a white tunic with ivory double and light blue breeches, while Maron wore a light blue tunic and white breeches.

The priestess was also waiting for her with them.

Saera approached them smiling. The priestess joined the hands of their three children and began to speak in melodic High Valyrian.

"We are gathered here today, under the full moon, so that your spirits may be enlightened and your hearts may be united into one. You will share your dreams and desires and bring the seeds for your future, from which you will grow your life together. May the Gods always light your common path. You can say your vows. "

Draeko looked at both of them with his dark purple eyes and began to speak in a soft voice.

"When I tell you that I love you, I do not say it out of habit, I remind you that you are my life. And I will love you until my last day."

Maron smiled at his brother and looked at Saera and then at Draeko with his bright violet eyes. Saera was sure he would have already thought about his wedding vow, while she was still trying to find the right words.

"Yours is the light by which my spirit is born. You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. I vow to love you from today until my last breath."

Maron's words were more than romantic, and the fact that both Rogare had unfolded the most romantic aspect of their character that day made her want to try something similar.

"I saw home in your eyes, and I found love in your smile. I'll love you forever. "

"Go into the world and fulfill your dreams. Love, support and help one another as you grow. Seek out opportunities to be good to each other. May the seeds of your love, now planted in marriage, continue to grow."

The priestess sang as she took Draeko's hand in hers and cut off the tip of his wrist with the knife. The drops of blood fell into the pink salt while the priestess followed the same ritual with Maron and Saera.

She took the shell carefully into her hands and went to the nearest fire.

"May the three of you be united until the end of your days as your blood was united today and your love grows in the years to come as this fire grows now."

She threw the bloody salt into the fire, a gesture that symbolized eternal love, and the fire grew into a huge flame with shades of red, orange, and pink.

The end of the ceremony was sealed with a few lingering kisses. Even though they felt hungry for each other, they had to wait a little longer.

At the wedding dinner there were delicacies with honey, nuts, almonds, figs, apples, and sesame, and also red juicy pomegranates, the symbol of fertility, will a small orchestra with lutes, flutes, and harps played music throughout the dinner.

Around midnight, when the few guests of the wedding party left the mansion of the young lords, the three of them headed to Draeko's bedchambers.

The curtains were pulled aside, while there were flower petals on the white, silk sheets.

"How the hell are we going to be able to sleep here?" Draeko complained, making Maron laugh. "This day was torturous. "

"Come here, grouchy child." Saera's hands were wrapped around his waist while Maron kissed her neck.

He was already hard from her first touches, eager to slip himself into her tight wet cunt. "Ride me, wife. I've been waiting a whole, damn day for this."

"I'll do it, but softly." She warned him."We have to be careful from now on and for a few more months. I'm expecting your child."

She looked anxiously at Maron's bright eyes, but he was the first to kiss her tenderly and came down between her legs. 

"Let me thank our wife, brother." He told Draeko. She'll come to you wet, happy, and willing."

Draeko had happy with the news and had no disagreement about it, as for Saera, she had found love.

Chapter Text

Prince Aemon Targaryen

Τοwer of the Hand

"Do we have news from Dragonstone?" Jocelyn asks softly, approaching Aemon's face as much as possible. Of course, the Prince of Dragonstone knows why.

"A raven came this morning while you were still asleep."

Gods, he had more than ten fucking days to sleep. With the king still on Dragonstone next to Baelon's side, the government is weighing off his shoulders now.

"To learn." The king had told him before he left but Aemon feels that this simply does not make sense. He had never imagined it that way. "The news ...It's all bad. He's still sick, Jos. He has a fever."

Jocelyn just nods, looking him in the eyes. Soft and tired more than ever. She avoids asking him more details because he's already in bad mood.

"I haven't informed my mother yet. I don't know how." He adds, while his hands awkwardly hug his torso.

"I can talk to her," she reassures him, but only for a moment. Aemon knows she wants something from him. Something important of course.

"How is she?" He finally asks. He's not even sure if he wants to know the truth, but it must. I'm her guardian, she's under my wing, I mustn't fail.

"Bad," Joselyn said bluntly. " Οur daughter keeps her company and at least she stopped crying. Daemon made her laugh with his jokes when he came here, even though she hugged him so tight that the poor boy lost a breath."

"Did the boys understand anything about their father?" Aemon's blood has almost drained from his face until she reassures him.

"She was careful with them, they didn't understand anything, although Viserys asked me why Baelon hasn't sent them a message yet."

He had to talk to the boys soon, he could not hide the situation from them for a long time, he and Baelon had promised that they would take care of each other's children if something bad happened.

"And for the other issue? Did she tell you something? was Baelon the one who bed her?" Aemon has a lump in his throat as he spoke, this issue was both serious and complicated given the circumstances. 

"You know the truth," Jocelyn replied soft and sad. "And if you ask me, you have to deal with it now. We have to help her before it became known to everyone else."

It's not a simple or easy thing, Aemon knows it well. For a whole month, Viserra refuses to say her lover's name, even though he and Jocelyn know the truth and insist that she has taken the moon tea, but when she's not bleeding and her sickness is intense some mornings Aemon understand what has to happen.

"I'll talk to her now." He promises. I must do it. If I delay it any longer, it will be worse for all of us, especially for her.

The prince of Dragonstone walked to the next room with calm, quiet steps and the image he saw through the half-open door made his heart melt. Viserra braided Rhaenys' hair while his daughter read a story of Οld Valyria.

Prince Baelon Targaryen

Dragonstone

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Please, come back. "

Baelon's delirium from the fever tormented his sleep once again. Viserra's form was beside him, but when he tried to hold her in his arms, she left.

"I'm sorry." The Spring Prince said again. "I was a fool. I shouldn't let you go ..."

"Any improvement?" The king opened his purple eyes and asked the maester who was next to Baelon on the other side of the bed. "How is my son?"

"Unfortunately, your grace, our prince has a fever and his palm bleeds again. He's struggling to get better, but his body is weak." The man replied with a lowered gaze, avoiding meeting the angry gaze of the king.

"There must be an explanation for this," Jaehaerys said sadly, hiding his anger. "Something has happened that we are unaware of. Baelon is strong, a true warrior. He never got sick in his childhood. His health will improve, I know."

The man simply nodded before washing the wound on Baelon's palm with wine and the king looked at him more angry this time.

During his time on Dragonstone, the Conciliator had thought many times that the maester would be better as Vermithor's food than as Baelon's healer. The man seemed not to know what to do. His grace had asked for a new maester from the Citadel and then another one...Even the grand maester had traveled there but the prince's health was getting worse.

Grey sheep... Jaehaerys thought as he put a new wet cloth on Baelon's head to relieve him of the fever. All of them are sheep, and if anything happens to my son, they will meet my wrath.

He had refused to stay away from him since the first day he got there, had asked for a second, narrow bed in the prince's chamber, and slept there, even though it was hard and uncomfortable.

He also had stopped trusting the servants as he watched his son become weaker and thinner day by day so Jaehaerys fed him himself the honey and water and herb mixture that sustained his life.

"Forgive me. I shouldn't have done it. Come back, my love." Baelon's voice was now a whisper, he still had a fever, and his breath was steady but low in his chest. The scream of a dragon upset him for a few minutes, making his heart beat a little louder.

The voice did not belong to Vermithor or any of the wild dragons that lived in Dragonmont.

It's Vhagar. The king realizes. She's back from her hunt.

Baelon's mount had broken its chains the day the prince fell into bed. None of the few drakonkeepers on the island managed to tame her.

Now Vhagar was back but Jaehaerys had never seen her so nervous and anxious in the past. She can feel him. She knows he's weak.

Her roar, stronger this time made the tower's windows creak.

"Open the window." The king ordered the maester.

"But my king, there's a freezing wind outside. The prince's health will deteriorate."

Jaehaerys noticed Baelon's steady, rising breath, the prince's chest rising and falling steadily, his breathing was calmer.

"Open the damn window." He said again. "Don't you understand that he gets better when he hears her? Both of them have the blood of Old Valyria."

The maester opened the window and let the cold air into the stuffy tower room. Her shriek grew louder. It was a cold and lonely sound, full of melancholy and despair.

Then, Vermithor roared from the ground In response. the king had kept his dragon in the courtyard, he needed the Bronze Fury near him in case he had to return to the capital if the prince's life suddenly ended. He wouldn't let anyone else tell Alysanne. He prayed silently not to have to do so, he did not want to increase the grief of his queen who was already mourning many of their children.

"Vhagar...I have to go to Vhagar, we have to go home." Baelon's whisper was louder this time as if he had taken power from his dragon.

"We'll be back, but you need to rest," Jaehaerys replied with tears in his eyes. "You need some more rest, my dear child."

"I lied to you." This time there was more liveliness in his voice. "My sister, my little love is waiting for me."

"I can't let you go to Alyssa, Baelon. I can't, I can't. Don't ask me that." Jaehaerys felt the hot tears on his cheeks.

"Viserra." The prince whispered."I want to go to Viserra."

Baelon's eyes closed again, his body and mind were tired of the fever.

"Do something. Do something now. The king ordered the maester."He's hallucinating again."

The Master prepared a cup of dreamwine sweetened with honey and brought it to the prince's lips.

"It'll help you sleep easy, my prince. When you get enough rest, the fever will disappear and you'll be back in the capital."

Vhagar was still flying restlessly over the castle when Baelon slept again. Viserra returned to his dream, giggling, with her right hand on her thin stomach.

Princess Viserra Targaryen 

Tower of the Hand 

Viserra continued to comb Rhaenys' long black hair in a loose braid, very different from Westeros' fashion when Aemon stood at the door.

"I think it's nicer now, aunt Viserra. Thank you so much."

The little princess gave a big kiss on Viserra's cheek making her smile. "You don't have to let your maids comb you anymore. I'd be happy to do it." Viserra replied with the same smile on her face, although she lost some of her glow when she saw Aemon.

"Big brother." She greeted him, avoiding looking him in the eyes.

Humble and patient. Surely she's trying to save time until his return. She loves him. Aemon thought and approached them more.

"I think your mother will visit the queen, Rhaenys. Do you want to go with her?"

The girl smiled at both of them, her lips looked like two red cherries as she let a series of perfectly white teeth appear. The Prince of Dragonstone looked at her proudly, his daughter was a perfect mix of his and Jocelyn's.

"Oh, I'd like to see grandmother and Gael. Do you know if Viserys will also be there?"

"If he's not, you can invite him to come." He winked at her with a smile. The two cousins grew up feeling affection for each other, something that had been understood by everyone. Aemon had thought many times that this would be a good match for both of them.

"You're right, as always kepa. I'll send a servant to his chambers if he's not already there." Rhaenys gently kissed his cheek while Aemon stroked the hair that reached her waist.

Before she left the room, however, she looked at Viserra.

"I'll be back later to continue the story we were reading, aunt." She promised, and Viserra smiled again. She felt a great affection for her niece, she was a part of her life now.

"Looks like you two are having a good time together. To be honest, I never thought you'd have such a bond with Rhaenys." Aemon said, stroking her hair. There was sadness in his eyes as he looked at her and Viserra didn't escape his gaze this time.

"And with our sister and our nephews, too." She giggled. "Looks like people change sometimes, big brother."

"You've changed. You're a real princess now." Aemon said, with the embarrassment evident in his voice. In the last few days, Viserra has been sweeter and more tender than usual, it has not been easy for the prince to talk to her about this issue.

"At least our father will approve of that." Viserra sighed, looking at him. It was as if centuries passed before she found the courage to ask him about Baelon.

"That's basically why I'm here." Aemon had decided he wouldn't be able to beat around the bush, he had to know the truth. Whatever the cost, I'm equally responsible for what happened between them.

Viserra kicked her eyes out of him and played nervously with a curl of her hair." Just tell me if he's okay," finally, said. "And when will he return home. Aemon, please. I don't want to talk about anything more right now."

"Do you love him?" Aemon asked directly. "After what happened between you two, do you still love him?"

He felt awful that he had to tease the facts out of his little sister's lips but it worked. Viserra started talking even though she avoided looking him in the eye. It was an awkward moment for both of them, but Aemon felt he had a duty to her as her brother and guardian.

"He had my consent, he never forced me," Viserra said nervously, circling one of her rings. "I wanted it as much as he did, simply... It wasn't as I had imagined."

"You slept with him." Aemon already knew the truth, of course, but he had to hear it from her own mouth. In the meantime, he was trying to figure out what they were going to do next, with Baelon away, he was the one who had to take care of her safety.

"Was he gentle to you?"

"He was quite polite or at least tried to be. Do you remember the first time you laid down with Jocelyn?"

He smiled at her.

"Oh, I was terrified." I had asked father about all those details but when the time came it was as if everything had been erased from my memory. What led me right was my love for her."

"So when you love someone, you have to be kind?"

The tears in her eyes looked like diamonds, precious and big. Aemon has been searching for time to find the right words. He had to ask, but discreetly so he wouldn't hurt her.

"He was violent with you? Vis, please tell me the truth. You said he didn't force you, but I'm sure it wasn't what a maid was expecting, right?"

"No, it wasn't." She admitted, with more tears burning her cheeks. "He tried to be tender, but he was angry... I'm equally responsible for what happened. I provoked him, brother."

"Silly girl, what did you do?" He held her tightly in his arms, wiping away her tears. "Why? Why would you put yourself through this?"

"Because I didn't want to marry anyone else! The thought disgusts me that a fat and dirty old man puts his cock inside of me, smelling of wine and a cheap pillow house lying as he lays above me."

"Did you approach our brother to satisfy your vanity and desire for attention? You are a princess, you would never marry a man like the one you described. I would be the first to disagree with such a wedding."

He answered her angrily." You're a grown woman now, not a stupid girl. People are not games to play with, depending on your mood."

"Will you say the same thing to your precious brother? He used me for his own pleasure while he always loved Alyssa. He slept next to me, kissed my body, and put his fingers inside of me, but he loved Alyssa. I heard him talking to Father. I went back to my old company to punish him. I told all the silly lordlings I'd give them my maidenhead if they did what I asked them to do, but it's not true. I kept it and gave it to him. He is the only man who has touched me."

"Honestly, I don't know who I should feel more sorry for than the two of you." He told her, and Viserra noticed his eyes were tearful. Aemon and Jocelyn were her only allies, time passed and Baelon was far away... She needed her big brother, she had to tell him the truth even if it made him angry.

"My child." She whispered. "Help the child who grows up in my womb. I never got the moon tea ... I can give him a family, I know, he will love me."

He already loves you. He thought, but he didn't tell her. It would not help much if he told her that Baelon while he was not well said her name almost all day long. Viserra had to stay calm for her baby.

Now that he had learned the truth, he felt the responsibility to weigh heavy his shoulders even more. Governance was a difficult task, but the calm and happiness of his family was the hardest stuff he had ever faced.

Ηe sighed tired, but Viserra nestled in his arms the same way Rhaenys did, stealing a smile from the Prince of Dragonstone.

"You're not alone. Whatever happens, I'll help you. He promised her by kissing her forehead. That's what older brothers are for."

Chapter Text

"Please, my king, you must eat and sleep. Your presence won't help our prince if you fall sick into bed. You have to stay strong."

Jaehaerys shook his head looking at the maester with blurry, tired eyes.

As Baelon's health deteriorated, Jaehaerys refused to leave his side for even the slightest time. "I want to be with him if he wakes up," he told the men, who begged him to sleep. However, Baelon was plunged into darkness, the hours he woke up now were rare, and then he either begged them to return home or whisper Viserra's name.

The king had thought many times why among all the members of their family Baelon wanted to see the princess but had not reached a logical conclusion. Maybe he found out what his sister did before he got sick. He thought again, putting a new damp cloth on the prince's forehead. Maybe he wants to talk to her about it.

He had stopped thinking about Viserra herself and her shame, Alysanne was the right person to deal with this. She would soon find the right husband for her, although their marriage would have to wait.

All this will be done after Baelon recovers, he thought as he neared the open window. At least the stupid girl will not give birth to any bastards.

How did they get this far? He remembered the early years of his reign when he and Aly were closer to each other. Almost every pairing brought them a new babe, and she became more stunning after each birth.

Governance has never been a bed of roses, but that has always been his destination. I earned a lot but I probably sacrificed more.

"Go to sleep," Baelon says calmly. "Every time I open my eyes, you are always here. Aren't you tired yet?"

"You judge wrong, son," Jaehaerys responded with a smile of relief on his face. I'm tired of a lot of things at times but never from my children." Especially my daughters never left me the room to get bored.

"I'll only leave your side when you're well, Baelon. I'm old, but not old enough that I can't spend a few moments by my son's side."

Baelon felt his body weak once again but needed to be left alone with his thoughts. "I need some moments with myself, death hasn't embraced me yet. Please, Father. I'll be here when you wake up. "

I can't go anywhere, anyway, he thought as he looked at his palm, unable to comprehend how he had fallen ill.

It was a foolish act. I was angry because she left. No, that was a lie to justify his actions, he knows. He was angry, that was true, but not because she abandoned him. He was furious at himself for not keeping his promises.

Even if she was toying with me, I had to behave properly. I'm not controlled by my cock. This wasn't true either. It was enough to feel her hand on his shaft; to grow hard for her.

Ηe remembered and did not imagine, the moment he was inside of her. He held her in his arms, with her back resting against the wall, her bare legs around his waist, and her breasts squeezing against his chest. She was warm and tight and sighed into his mouth as he moved in and out of her.

He wanted to give her pleasure even though now he was sure that she had not felt joy or enjoyment from their coupling.

She still had her maidenhead, her blood was on my cock. If she wanted to fuck with one of those boys she would have done it already.

"Try to rest. It is the most important issue right now. I will be back soon." Jaehaerys replied, even though Baelon knew he was bothered. It was obvious he didn't want to leave him alone.

"I'm not a little boy anymore, I can take care of myself. I have been doing it for a long time." Baelon complained, only to earn a tired smile from the king.

"Oh, I see it." He replied smirking. "But you could do it better, lad. Also, make these smart remarks to your sons when the time comes. I'm sure Daemon will be glad to have a similar discussion with you."

Knowing very well his son and his fiery spirit, the Conciliator left the prince's chamber behind him, giving clear instructions to both the guards and the maesters. No one could enter the room in his absence. Baelon was a little annoyed by his observation as his little boy was a continuous nuisance to him, but there was some improvement in his health. Jaehaerys had seen his eyes glow as Baelon put a curse in High Valyrian.

"Be unable to chain sheep." Jaehaerys laughed, thinking about Baelon's curse. For the Valyrians who were shepherds before they tamed the dragons, that was an annoying phrase. If you couldn't chain a sheep, how could you mount a dragon?

Aemon arrived into Viserra's room, whistling a happy melody. The king's message had just come in the capital and finally after so many days of agony and fear the news was quite pleasant.

Τhe princess left the book she was reading on the bed and climbed into his arms. Her fingers messed up his hair.

"Calm little thing. If I go to court with such an appearance, they would think that I had a fiery meeting with a paramour or that I put state affairs aside to make love to my wife."

"Something that is not a lie." Viserra giggled. "I woke up last night and ..."

Her white milky skin had turned red, Aemon however, noticed there was a hint of jealousy on her face.

"Bardon me, sister. I did not want it to happen. I will be more careful in the future. Would you like to go to another room? maybe near Rhaenys?"

"Oh, it's okay, Aemon. You don't need to apologize for something that's... Normal. Besides, I'm far away from a maiden now."

He looked at her thoughtfully. Her purple eyes were twinkling like precious stones, her breath hitching.

"Please, don't cry. It will not always be so bad. it will stop being uncomfortable, and it'll be sweet and gentle." He tried to comfort her by muttering a cursed word between his teeth about his little brother's behavior.

"Ao gōntan qrugh,valonqar."

"Thank you," Viserra whispered and kissed him gently on the cheek. "I'm grateful that you are by my side."

This was something he never expected to hear from her pretty mouth. She was always a smiling and beautiful girl, very proud of herself and extremely vain. However, her attitude was very different now.

"You are my little sister. I'll always be by your side. But you may not need my help anymore. Baelon's health is improving."

Viserra jumped back into his arms leaving a kiss on his forehead. "Are you sure about that? Is he better now? Will he be back soon?"

"Well, we'll wait a little longer but I think you'll be hugging him soon, little sister."

An autumn storm was raging above Dragonstone when a female presence leaned over Baelon, who was sleeping calmly. The girl touched his pale skin with thin, elegant fingers and sighed sadly. Her face instead of the usual pink color was pale as if the blood had drained from her veins. She kissed him gently on the forehead and brushed his silver hair.

"Baelon, please." She whispered gently into his ear, "you have to recover. I know it wasn't your wish but your seed grew inside me. You should see the child born."

"Viserra!" The prince whispered with closed eyes and trembling lips: "My beautiful sister, what have I done to you?"

The girl felt tears burning down her cheeks, she knew that Baelon did not love her but what would she do without his help?

"Cassie. I'm Cassie, my prince." 

Her sad voice forced him to open his eyes. She was very different from what she remembered, nervous and so scared that he couldn't abandon her. Besides, he was responsible for her condition.

"You .... What you said before ... I would never father a bastard. You must be wrong."

"I ask you nothing more, my prince. Just get well."

"Stop crying. Please. It shouldn't have happened, but a child is always a gift from the gods. I'll take care of both of you... But I dishonored Alyssa's memory and hurt Viserra's pride.

At that moment he managed to realize that he was away from Viserra for a long time. She'll think I either abandoned her or used her for my own pleasure. I have to go back to her.

He tried to stand up, supporting his torso on his elbows but felt his body weigh down. "Damn thing." He mumbled before he felt his eyes blur. "Fucking thing."

He was able to take just two steps before he felt like he was losing his balance. Next to him, Cassie was screaming, but Baelon could not understand what the girl was saying among sobs.

Some guards ran quickly into the room, and they lifted the prince off the floor. One of them turned to the frightened Cassie who was still screaming looking at the prince's palm that was bleeding again. "His blood is black. He's dying. Please do something."

A group of maesters entered the room, pushing her aside while the king arrived.

"How did you get in? Why are you here?"

Cassie felt her body cold and stiff, unable to answer or look the king in the eye. She was just a maid and if Baelon died, she'd lose her humble place in the castle. Even if she survived without his help, their child would never know him. At best she would be forced to come back to a pillow house if the king did not ask for her death after seeing the prince against his will.

"Take her to the dungeons. She tried to murder my son." Jaehaerys' voice was harsh and cold, Cass only managed to look at him for a second. It was enough for her to realize that her death would come soon, the Dragonfire would envelop her and her life would surely end.

"Please, my king. You shouldn't do this." She begs him with tears in her eyes. "I have the prince's bastard in me. That's why I came here. Please, your grace, I beg for your mercy."

This upset the king, but with a nod, the guards released her. Cass rubbed her aching wrists but did not go off. Jaehaerys himself gave her a cup of cool water before turning his attention to the maesters.

The older man looked carefully at the wound on the prince's hand while one of his assistants gave to Baelon the milk of the poppy.

"What happens?" Jaehaerys asked, trying to hide his anxiety. "Why do you give him the milk of the poppy again? why don't you heal him?"

"The infection has advanced, my king." The maester whispered without any emotion in his voice. "To save the prince's life, we must cut off his hand at the wrist. It's the only way."

Cassie sobbed again while Jaehaerys felt hot tears well up in his eyes. "Give me some time." He finally told the maester. "Send a raven to Aemon to inform the queen. She's his mother, she needs to know."

Chapter Text

Viserra saw the raven flying over the Red Keep from the Hand's Garden. Rhaenys' cheerful mood and the latest good news took her out of her rooms, on a picnic with the children.

Besides, she couldn't deny anything to Baelon's gentle boys, and when Daemon said he was bringing Gael with him, Viserra jumped on the ceiling. She hadn't seen her little sister for more than a moon's turn because the queen kept the little princess permanently occupied so they wouldn't meet each other.

This morning, Alysanne was busy with something that had made Jocelyn furious, as, after her typical visit to the queen, her good-sister kept whispering to Aemon. So Viserra had decided to follow her niece and let her brother and his wife talk peacefully.

It was pleasant in the garden although the autumn had gone a long way, the leaves of the trees had taken on the shades of orange and gold, the birds were flying between the branches and the bees were around the yellow autumns daisies.

Daemon had climbed an apple tree because Gael asked him for a red, crunchy apple while Viserys and Rhaenys were talking to each other.

Viserra sighed gently and looked around. The message would have reached Aemon by now, she had to find out if it was from Dragonstone. Maybe Baelon had written to him.

"I will be back in a little while." She said staring at them, but no one looked back at her. That made her smile. They were very busy with each other and her absence wouldn't be felt.

Although the stone steps were many and narrow, something that made it difficult to climb went up quite quickly. The guards at the entrance bowed and she smiled at them. Her heart was beating fast, she was looking forward to seeing Aemons' kind and smiling face and hearing the good news.

When she arrived at his solar her face was red and her hair tangled up, she had a flash of joy in her eyes but felt her body become cold and heavy when she heard her brother shouting: "They're all crazy, if they hurt him, they'll become Caraxes' food. And my father? What's my father thinking? How can he do this to him?"

"The king is not a fool. He loves your brother. If that's the only solution... " Jocelyn spoke calmly, but her voice trembled and Viserra realized she was crying.

Something had happened, something bad.

She opened the door without knocking and found herself in front of a nervous and sad Aemon and a worried Jocelyn.

"What happened to Baelon?" She whispered in a broken voice. Tears ran down her cheeks and burned her skin, there was a knot in her throat. she's like a wounded and frightened animal, Aemon thought as he approached her.

"Jocelyn, leave us, please," Aemon whispered. "Go take care of what I asked you to do now if you can. My mother should not learn anything that will hurt her. I will take responsibility for this."

Jocelyn stroked Viserra's curly hair, as she often did with Rhaenys, and then she left while Aemon neared his little sister and tried to take her into his arms, but she took a few steps back.

"Calm little thing, I'm here to help you, remember?" He caressed her left cheek and left a soft kiss on her forehead, Viserra looked at him behind a curtain of fog over her tears.

"What's happened to our brother?" She asked to know. "How's Baelon?"

"His health is worsening, little sister. They don't know what happened to him, but the maesters said..." He felt the words stick in his throat, he still could not believe what he had read a few minutes before.

"What? Aemon spoke to me. Please, please..."

Her tears were more intense now and Aemon was just as sad and helpless as she was.

"The infection has progressed in his blood. We have to choose between his hand and his life and we have to do it soon."

His voice broke between sobs and he cursed himself for not being calm but then he felt a soft, tender touch on his face as Viserra wiped his tears with his fingertips.

"Tell me what you know, tell me everything." She whispered in his ear and Aemon admired her composure. His little sister was braver than him at the time.

"Father wrote that we must choose between his hand or his life but how can we do this to him? Baelon loves to fly, to fight, to hug his children, and to tease me. How can we deprive him of the hand of his sword? He will never keep Dark Sister again."

"So can we save his hand but take his life?" She answered back angrily. "I want him to stay alive and if he hates me I will learn to live with it."

Suddenly, Viserra seemed more mature and calm than a girl her age and her behavior made him feel stupid.

"I'm a fool, you're right. We have to take that risk, no matter how much it hurts us. I can't imagine my life without our brother."

"You are not." Viserra cried in his arms and her body trembled. "Maybe you are right, maybe there is another way, but I'm afraid, Aemon. What will happen to my baby and me if Baelon dies?"

It was futile, of course, to hide the truth from her, so he held her tightly in his arms and explained everything in a calm voice as if he were talking to Rhaenys: "If you don't wed soon so that your child is born as someone's true child, their graces our king and queen will send you to a Mother's house. There you will give birth to the child and they will take care of it, but you will never see it again. They will keep it and raise it until it reaches the age to follow the Faith."

"No," she replied fearfully and tried to get away from him, but iron hands held her in the same place and she buried his face in his chest.

"I'm your ally, remember? I will take care of you, Vis. I have already thought of a second plan. I will send you and Jocelyn somewhere far away from here so that the baby can be born safely and I will keep it with Jocelyn as our child. No one will learn the truth and you will see your baby whenever you want.

"So there is no other way? Maybe if I talked to them and told them that the baby is his child they would love it. If I told them that I slept with him they would understand me."

"No, they won't." He answered her coldly, more coldly than he wanted. "You do not understand, sister. You will be blamed for this."

"Help me, please." Her face approached his and her lips his mouth. It was a desperate move, a cry for help and he was very tired of what was happening so he left her.

Her lips touched his, and his mouth opened for her tongue, maybe they both needed that kiss, they felt so tired to face the truth. Her mouth smelled of candied fruit and sweet pear brandy, her scent and warmth filled his soul, but when she caught his collar he took a step back.

"We can't. It's not right."

Viserra hid her face in her palms and began to cry heartbreakingly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She kept whispering sobbing, "I shouldn't have done that. I acted like a whore."

He hugged her again, kissing her forehead tenderly. "Don't say it again, you are far from it. You are not a whore, Vis. You are only a girl. A scared little girl."

Nothing is enough when life is so short. Jaehaerys thought, holding Baelon's hand, the one he might never hold again, and trying to sort out his thoughts.

"I suspect you may hate me for it, but your life is precious." He whispered caressing his palm. "You will understand in time."

It was a tough decision and he was still waiting for Alysanne and Aemon's answer but he knew there was no going back. "I could not save Dany, I was not there for Daella, there was nothing I could do when Aly's sweet babies died ... I lost my Alyssa, but she died, Baelon, not you. Your sons are waiting for you and there is another child who needs to meet you."

For a moment it seemed to him that his breath became more stable when he mentioned the child. A dragonseed but no less important than the other children." The dragon's seed was never unimportant and this child was Baelon's flesh and blood, the seed of the best son a father could have," he said to himself.

I will have to change many of my priorities if I want to know what is going on in my children's lives, the Conciliator thought, looking at the Spring Prince.

But it was not always so, there was a time when he knew every detail about his children, when Baelon was flying carefree on Vhagar's back, Aemon was holding his newborn daughter in his arms and Saera did not miss the opportunity to accompany him to the Dragonpit.

He smiled at the thought of Saera, with the silver hair and purple orchid eyes, asking for him a real horse and not a stupid pony.

Baelon never had such demands, except when they judged he was too young to join Aemon in training but that did not stop him. He made his own sword from a stick and rushed into the yard anyway to begin whacking at his brother, and although he was soon given his first wooden sword he went everywhere with his stick, even to bed, to the despair of his mother and her maids.

He was a lovely child, smiling and strong with all the dragonfire in him. Even though as a baby he was smaller than Aemon, at birth, he was also louder and lustier, and his wet nurses complained that they had never known a child to suck so hard.

How could he not be such a brilliant and wonderful son? was the result of true love, like all their children, but there was something special about him from the moment he had quickened inside Alysanne.

After Aerea's tragic death and Rhaena's flight away, the Red Keep was a quiet and melancholy place. Alysanne, his sweet and smiling little wife, was devoted to their children. Although neither of them neglected the other, they often spent more time in the nursery than in their bedchambers.

So he was surprised that night when Alysanne wrapped her arms around his torso, joining her lips to his as her hands explored his body.

Her touches had gone straight to his cock, making him grow hard under his small clothes and when Aly climbed on him, in the same way as she rode Silverwing, Jaehaerys sighed into her mouth.

"It's cold outside my king and I want you to warm me up," she had told him by untying his black robe without removing it from his body.

"Aly, how? You're still wearing your clothes." he had whispered, but she had lifted her nightgown to her thighs, putting his hand inside off them. To his surprise there were no small clothes, so she took him inside her immediately afterwards and ride him roughly as if he were her mount.

When the maester had confirmed that the queen was expecting a child, they had taken advantage of the cold winter days and stayed more in their chambers. So she slept in his arms every night, and he often put his head on her swollen belly.

He was with her on the day the labor began, as usual. He was quite nervous, but the delivery was easy, easier than that of Aemon and Baelon was a beautiful baby. He had his own eyes and a silver fluff on his little head, but the shape of his eyes and lips were hers. A perfect mix of both, the result of pure love.

he had held him proudly in his arms, showing him the world through a window of his chamber.

Seeing him sleep peacefully, Jaehaerys sighed and kissed him on the forehead. Baelon should have existed in the future of their House, regardless of whether one of his hands had been amputated. All that mattered was to stay alive.

"If the price of keeping you alive is one of your hands, I accept it. You're going to keep flying with Vhagar, join the councils and bed some beautiful women. " He whispered to him and then steered for the door.

One of the guards was outside, with his back against the wall, guarding the door and waiting for orders.

"Warn the maester to come here," Jaehaerys said in a broken voice without looking at him. "I want to talk to him."

"We must stop this madness, there must be a solution."

Aemon was walking nervously from one end of the room to the other, unable to respond positively to the king's words. Next to him, Jocelyn was reading an old book that referred to various diseases.

"I can't find anything here. Do we need to check if it is poison?"

"Poison?" Aemon spat out the word with anger. "Are you saying that someone would like to murder my brother, a Prince of House Targaryen, with poison? This is treason."

"Besides, everybody loves Baelon. Our brother is beloved to both the lords and the smallfolk." Viserra left on the low table the cup with the tea of wild mint and wormwood sweetened with honey, prepared by Jocelyn's maids for her and come close to them.

"We have to admit that it all happened from a fucking piece of glass and it's my fault. If I had not spoken badly to him that day now he would be in good health." There was a sob in her voice and tears in her eyes.

"You are not responsible for this, don't blame yourself. You did not know what would happen next." Jocelyn tried to calm her down, but Viserra was very upset.

"Our mother and nephews need to be informed, we wrongly asked the maesters not to tell them anything."

"I will deal with this," Aemon answered warmly. "The boys love their father, he is the only parent they have."

This made Viserra break out all the fear, despair, and anger she had in her heart.

"He will not die, I do not want him to die from a small cut on his palm. I don't know anyone who died like that. It is not fair."

Suddenly an idea crossed Aemon's mind like lightning.

"There were no broken windows or glass in his rooms and he was already injured when he arrived on Dragonstone. Take me to where you saw him last time."

Viserra breathed a sigh of relief, though she never wanted to see that room again, maybe they could find something there to help Baelon.

They ran down the stone staircase, left behind the gardens and the moat, and then entered Meagor's Holdfast. Viserra turned right and then north, in a dark corridor, two floors below the king's chamber.

Ιt was cold and dark and Viserra wondered how she had followed Baelon in, but she knew the truth. Her blood was boiling for him, he was the only man who wanted to share her bed with him but also something more important, to share her life.

Aemon pushed the door she showed him and they walked in. It was a dusty and dirty room as he remembered but darker and colder.

When she told him that every time she thought about that day she remembered the room more bright and less cold, Aemon laughed.

"Because then your only interest was him." He said to her. "On one of our visits to Storm's End, I took Jocelyn to a room that looked more like a dump than a proper chamber. Later, we learned that it was an auxiliary area of the kitchen."

Viserra looked at him in shock but laughed, with her warm, sweet giggle that melts everyone's hearts.

Aemon looked at her and brushed her cheek. "I'm not a holy boy, little thing," he whispered. I'm a man like everyone else and I love Jocelyn.

As she slid into his arms she noticed the window opposite them.

"Aemon, look." She whispered excitedly. "We found it."

"Watch out here," he warned her as they neared. "there are broken glasses. The fool, the fucking fool did that. Damn you, Baelon."

They searched the place carefully, looking for something, something that would become a solution for them, something that could help Baelon.

"There's nothing here." Kicked the wall disappointed. "Damn, there is nothing here."

Viserra, who had taken her hand out of the window, rolled her head towards him when she heard the sound of the torn fabric. "Damn, my sleeve." She told him confusedly, showing him the torn purple cloth. "How;"

He approached her carefully and looked out. Viserra saw his eyes twinkle before he even opened his mouth. "There is a nail in the wall just below the window, sister. A rusty nail."

When their eyes met again Viserra looked at him in surprise.

"If the infection has been caused by this it should be dead by now." She said terrified.

"It is his blood that kept him alive, little sister. Our blood. He can be cured, little thing. Our brother can be healed."

"We have to send a raven to Dragonstone, we have to tell Father. Aemon, please."

"No, the raven can arrive late, and we don't have time. I will go to Dragonstone myself."

He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and then ran down the aisles of the Red Keep. A short time later Viserra saw the red dragon flying high above Blackwater.

Soon Caraxes left a loud scream and began to descend to the ground, while Aemon took a deep breath and touched the wing of his dragon.

Vermithor answered from the courtyard while Vhagar's wild and sad cry was heard through a cave of the Dragonmont.

"I hope we did not arrive too late, boy," he told his dragon as he hurriedly got off his back.

Without thinking about anything else, Aemon ran as fast as he could to the Windwyrm, hoping he had arrived on time.

Some servants also went up to the tower, all carrying fresh lines, water, and trays of strange potions and salves, but Aemon stared at one or two maids coming down, carrying some bloody rags.

"No, please, no," he prayed to whatever god who listened to him or watched him now. "Please, keep my brother alive."

He was outside Baelon's chamber when a guard yelled at him that he couldn't get in on the king's orders.

"Fuck his commands," Aemon answered and pushed the door with force.

The smell of illness hung in the air when he opened the door to his brother's chambers. All of the windows were closed and the curtains were drawn, and the blazing fire in the hearth gave the room an eerie glow.

The maester was trying to force some concoction down his brother's throat when Aemon slammed on the door behind him. Startled, the man jumped and dropped the full cup.

"Stop this madness, open the windows and get out," Aemon commanded with a voice worthy of the king who would one day become.

"My Prince, I was not expecting you!" The maester gave him a smile that was as sweet as a rotten apple. "I fear it’s not a good time for a visit. Our Prince requires my attention if he’s to get better-"

"I'm the Prince of Dragonstone and you will obey my commands. What hurt Baelon was a rusty nail. You could have saved his life already, but you let him burn with the fever. Heal him now or I swear I'll give you to my dragon."

Baelon's eyes widened and Aemon smiled at him, as he did in childhood whenever Baelon needed him.

"Father was here, but I don't know where -"

"No need to worry about that, I know where he is, I'll bring him here. I'll be back soon."

Aemon left again, but for the first time, Baelon smiled and sank into his soft bed while the maesters were prepared new potions and medicines.

Chapter Text

It was the last place he wanted to visit but the only spot on the whole Dragonstone where he might find the king.

Dragonstone's crypt was located near the sept and was accessible by a twisting stone stair and a huge pine door that lies at a slant to the floor.

A cavernous place and dark but warm, however, with pillars moving two by two along its length. Between pillars stand the tombs of the members of House Targaryen.

Aemon swept the torch in a wide circle. Shadows moved and lurched. Flickering light touched the stones underfoot and brushed against a long procession of pillars that marched ahead, two by two, into the dark.

Ηe found the king a little further. Kneeling over a small tomb that had her name engraved on the tombstone.

"Your Grace." The Prince of Dragonstone whispered, but the king did not answer.

"Your Grace, I'm here for my brother. "

"I had to imagine it." The king replied this time in a broken voice. "You never left him when he needed you."

"He still needs me." Aemon wiped his eyes hard so his tears would not come out. "He will be healed, Father. I- I found the cause of the infection. It was a rusty nail. As we speak the masters are preparing a new cure for him."

This news gave some breath of life to the king who rose from the ground and looked the prince in the eye.

"You did a better job as a brother than I did as a father, son. Your brother owes you his life."

Aemon watched him carefully. All this time he was on Baelon's side seemed to grow old abruptly. His eyes were bleary and his face tired, his beard had traces of white οn the silver and his hair was a tangled long braid.

"You judge yourself very strictly, Father. You work very hard for both the prosperity of the realm and our House."

Aemon said finally, touching his father's shoulder and showing him the name "Daenaerys," which was engraved on the tombstone.

"You tried hard, Father, but unfortunately you couldn't do anything more. Death is coming for all of us sooner or later."

"I failed to save her. I should have given her a dragon egg while she was still in her crib. I failed to save my little girl, the one who would become your wife. Your mother often said that Daenerys should become queen and she was not even completely satisfied with the thought of becoming your queen. She loved your sister's fiery spirit and stubbornness."

"Yet you gave me a beautiful, honest, and wonderful wife. And I have a lovely family. Wounds heal over time, Father, and Jocelyn is my other half."

"She is a beautiful and honest woman, indeed, she will become a good queen, but she can not give you a successor," Jaehaerys said, hoping that this time their conversation on this topic would have a proper end but the prince's reaction was, of course, the same as in previous times.

"I have a successor and I am not going to have this fucking conversation with you again."

"You are right to judge me harshly for this view of mine, son, but the lords of Westeros will not easily accept being ruled by a woman. You need a son."

When the prince's eyes met those of his father they looked like lilac flames, ready to burn everything in their path.

"I'm not going to put Jocelyn's life at risk. I have told you before.

She was in great danger when she gave birth to Rhaenys. I also do not need a son. My daughter is smartest and most active of all the Westerosi sons."

Jaehaerys touched his shoulder and sighed deeply.

"It is vain to talk about it now, Aemon. Luckily your brother has sons, Rhaenys can choose whoever of the two of them she wants as her husband when the time comes. It would all be different if I had succeeded with Saera, but only fools make plans."

The king's words grew the prince's curiosity. He remembered the night he had seen Saera for the last time. A frightened and angry girl with a covered head. They had shaved her hair. These bitches hated her beauty and thought she would become ugly like themselves.

"What do you mean? She's my sister, what else could happen between us?"

He asked but he worried was that his Grace had learned the whole truth about Saera's escape and was ready to apologize for his act of helping her.

"Honestly, Aemon, did you think I would let her become the wife of a humble lord? Septon Barth and I had a plan for your future, but we had to change the law for that to happen."

Aemon felt like he had been struck by lightning. What the hell were these two planning that the law would have to change to make it happen?

"What to happen between us? I do not understand." He whispered confused.

"Saera would become your wife but of course, we intended to respect your wish not to divorce Jocelyn. Υour sister would become your second wife. I punished her harshly, but only to break her stubbornness. She had to learn to behave properly since she would become your future queen."

"I helped her escape ... I sent her to Essos." Aemon felt his mouth dry, he had never imagined such a thing. He knew he had done the right thing, but at the same time, he wondered what Saera would be like as his wife. However, when he remembered Jocelyn and her sweet smile, he decided that he did not want to know anything more.

"My sons plan to surprise me more than my daughters." The King said after a silence. "First, Baelon who seeded a bastard into a maid, and now you who tell me that you helped your sister go to Essos and marry there not with one but with two young Lyseni.

"Saera always had affection for boys, Father, I would not be a good husband for her," Aemon remarked with a sly smile. "I'm sure she liked both and did not want to choose between them." This is not a problem as long as she's happy. He thought. But did Baelon talk to our father about Viserra?

"Saera often has a soft spot for boys," Jaehaerys said looking at Aemon's angry face. "As for your brother, Cassie is a soft girl, but of course, she'll stay here."

"I can't believe that Baelon did such a thing." He finally said, thinking about Viserra. My poor sister, I'm to blame for what happened to you. I thought you'd have a nice family together, but he's still a lusty lad.

"I'm not interested in meeting her, but her child will grow up here if you wish, Your Grace." I just hope you love my sister's child equally.

For the next three days, Aemon was in a strange mood. Fortunately, none of the maesters became Caraxes' feed, the new treatment had paid off quickly. Baelon's health has improved significantly.

This development had helped Aemon's mood, even though he only visited his brother's chamber for a short time each day.

But his thoughts about his sisters made him hurtful. He was trying to imagine Saera's face now but to no avail. In addition, Jocelyn had written to him that Viserra was looking forward to the return of him and Baelon. This made him even angrier. His little sister was devoted to their brother while he simply satisfied his lust with their maids.

So when one afternoon he entered Baelon's room and found a blue-eyed blonde girl sitting next to him holding his hand, his anger grew inside his chest.

"It's a bad time. I'll come later," he said in a heavy, harsh voice, forcing Cassie to leave her seat.

"The prince and I were talking, your Grace. I'm leaving now." Aemon just shook his head and Cass left disappointed.

She was unwanted there and it does not matter that Baelon's child was growing up in her womb. It was only a bastard.

"Why did you treat her like you are a brat?" Baelon asked wildly. He liked Cass's softness, after all, he was the one who was truly responsible.

Aemon paused only a moment until he was sure that she was far enough away. Then he approached Baelon and looked him in the eye.

" Why did you treat my sister like a jerk?"

"I love Viserra. I want to repair my fault. What I did was neither knightly nor brave."

At least he speaks honestly.

"Good luck with that. She will not be happy when she learns that you seeded a bastard into a maid while she ..." No, I will not say anything about the child, he thought. He fucked her himself, he must also find it alone as well. I did my duty, now I have to protect my sister.

"While she what? " the Spring Prince's gaze met his pale lilac and it was as if he were reading his thoughts. "What do you not tell me about Viserra? is she okay?"

Of course, as good as it can be a woman who expecting whose belly is swelling every day. "If you think about how you got her maidenhead, she's good enough to bear her shame, especially after the king and queen found out."

Maybe if he had learned that he was responsible for the Doom of Valyria he would have taken it more calmly.

He tried to get out of bed but was still quite weak.

"Where are you going, you idiot?"The Prince of Dragonstone pushed him back into his place and covered him carefully.

"You will take on this after you are well. You have to know some stuff first." 

Viserra walked steadily down the aisles of Maegor Holdfast, with her arms around her waist. The sound of her heels was the only thing that could be heard as the servants bowed in her passage.

She entered the queen's solar in the same emblematic way, though she did not fail to knock on the door.

"The king is waiting for a well-arranged wedding and you prance like a peacock."

"Does my beloved papa have a problem with that?" Viserra smirked. "I think it was clear that I would choose my future husband."

"Your father never expected you to reject three suitors when he wrote this. He allowed you to choose because he was happy with the development of Baelon's health."

"But he's still not strong enough to fly on the dragonback, right?"

"He will be soon," Alysanne promised her. "And he will be present at your engagement." At this, Viserra pouts and her nose scrunches.

"So we have time until then. Why did you call me now?"

Alysanne sighs looking at the princess. "Because you have to meet someone. And this time behave like a real princess, Viserra. Not like a tavern girl."

"But you had no anxiety, mother when Alyssa did the same."

"Return to your chambers and do not leave until Jocelyn permits you to do otherwise. You will meet the lord in the afternoon."

Alysanne raises her voice only as much as she needs to, hoping that Viserra will comprehend her place.

"After all, your brother is coming today, and as your guardian, he will take over the meetings with your future suitors."

The queen adds, wishing that this will scare the naughty princess a little and make her behave properly, but a big smile spreads on Viserra's face.

Big brother. How much I missed you. She thinks as she closes the door behind her. She envisions Aemon, his kind smile, his sweet gaze, his warm embrace as she nests inside her.

His plan so far had gone as expected. Soon Baelon will be back.

It was raining when Aemon arrived in the capital but that did not stop them from taking a walk in the garden.

When they were far enough from everyone's eyes, iron hands held her in his arms, so tightly that Viserra felt her chest hurt.

She did not want to blame him for this or push him away from her. She didn't do it even when his lips touched hers, without his tongue parted them. This was their code, a call for help.

"What the hell?" She whispered. "Did something happen to you?"

"Can I hold you a little longer? please!"

This surprised her for two reasons. One was because he asked her; he was stronger than her, so if he wanted it he did not need her approval. The other was because Baelon rarely did it, but he was her lover, so she assumed it didn't matter.

"Of course." She replied, burying her head deep in his chest, under his cloak.

He sniffed her hair and then kissed her head. Viserra let him speak first, all she did was stay there, laying her head on his chest, next to his heart.

He pulled her to a small gazebo at the end of the garden, surrounded by tall trees with bare branches and some yellow and orange leaves.

There he confessed to her everything about the discussion with the king, his thoughts for Saera, and the weakness he felt.

She listened to him carefully and then approached her face to his. Her breath warmed his heart, there was relief in his eyes, she observed.

"What exactly is it that torments you? that you could have a son or how she would be our sister in bed? For the first matter, I think you already have the answer."

That was true of course. Even if he had a son, he would never make him his heir, wronging Rhaenys.

She kissed his cheek gently, giving him one of those smiles that made his heart beat faster.

"As for the second, it has aroused your curiosity but you should not feel bad about it. Saera is on the other side of the Narrow Sea, you don't have to torture yourself."

Αemon admired her calmness and her bright spirit. Within no short time, Viserra had grown from a vain and cunning girl to a smart and dynamic woman.

After a long silence, Viserra approached his face again, earning a smile from him.

"How is Baelon?" she whispered, while her lower lip trembled. She looked like a scared and stressed little girl now. Aemon chuckled, stroking her cheek... "I thought you would never ask me about him. Well, he's better. Soon he will be home."

"He did- didn't ask you anything about me?" She asked him again, clearly showing her frustration. Expect more than that, a few words of love or a small show of interest.

"Well, he begged me to rid you of these Lordlings. Glancing at our mother's fucking list, I probably have a lot of work to do."He sighed looking at her while she smiled playfully.

"I have denied three of them, not in a friendly way. I think the last one will hate me to his last breath." He smiled but looked deep into her eyes.

"However, this list is still a long, little thing, so ... I know a way to reduce it drastically. How about claiming a dragon? Father would reject most of the Lords if you were a dragonrider."

She looked at him shocked but she already liked the idea.

Chapter Text

Prince Baelon Targaryen

Dragonstone

The Spring Prince walked with quiet, soft steps into Aegon's garden enjoying the sea breeze that touched his face, giving a healthy red color to his cheeks.

Although some gray clouds had begun to form on the open horizon, the day was quite hot. The air was thick as he walked deep into the garden, it had a pleasant smell of moist soil, pine, and roses.

Bringing to his mind the discussion with Aemon five days ago, he could not help but laugh when he saw a huge pine tree in the middle of the garden, with its branches reaching high in the sky and tangled with the branches of the younger pines.

"Little bastard," he said to himself, "I remember a time before your wedding when I came back so drunk that I could not remember my name. I wanted to avoid our parents and I thought that this was a good hiding place, but I found you here, together with Jocelyn..."

It was almost funny; he still remembered Jocelyn's embarrassed look as she tried to cover her nudity with Aemon's cloak as well as his brother's angry gaze at him.

You always could approach women properly, even though you did not fuck them.

This was the true difference between the two brothers, although everyone in the court pretended not to notice.

Aemon was tender, soft, and affectionate with them while Baelon was lively, fierce, and daring.

Alyssa wanted this but Viserra did not. I was a fool. He sighed as he imagined her velvet, warm skin as his arms wrapped around her and his lips joined hers. She trembled every time under his touch and begged him for more but always told her that it had to be done carefully.

You idiot.

He had heard Aemon, with his head bowed, tell him about the moments immediately after his departure. The "little thing" was more courageous and bolder than himself, having stood up against the king, the queen, and the small council with so much strength. The fact that she hadn't referred to his name while she could transfer the responsibility to him, as she had the right to, made him even more embarrassed.

He sat in the shade of the pine tree and smiled as the breeze touched his face like a caress. He had already thought about his next actions.

He had spoken honestly to Cass the same morning, reassuring her that he would take care of both her and their child, but stressing that she was free to find someone to truly loved her.

"You do not deserve to love a shadow. It will never hug you and will never tell you that it loves you. Find someone. "

She had shaken her head and then hugged him while her eyes were soft and her lips were trembling.

The next thing he had to do was talk to the king about his affair with Viserra and ask for his blessing for their wedding; he had carefully chosen his words, he had rehearsed for endless hours in front of the mirror of his chamber and yet he still felt nervous and anxious.

He had closed his eyes trying to put his thoughts in a row when he heard a sound in the nearby bushes.

Before he could get up the noise became louder and louder. Something was there. He moved toward the bushes quietly while the thing moved again.

He bent down carefully and then saw it nestled in a nook. He took it into his arms and looked at it carefully. It had bright brown eyes and soft brown fur.

The puppy gently licked his hand making him laugh. Its fur was soft and warm against his skin.

"You are pretty." The pup looked at him with its brown eyes and whimpered slowly. "What's going on?" He looked around guessing he had to find a name for it. A whimper and a growl were heard from the brush, Baelon approached again, kneeling carefully, holding the small treasure. The second puppy was black like the deepest dusk, however, it calmed down when he also held it in his arms.

"Cinnamon and Peppercorn!" These may have been the dumbest names in the world, but he remembered Viserra's grimace as he passed her.

"She's like an annoying puppy," Alyssa had grumbled but he had found her cute, like everything on her. "She is only a little girl." He had smiled at her and her face was shining after that.

"Why did you look at me like that, little dove?"

"Because you are a peppercorn," Viserra whispered without looking away from him. Alyssa pulled him by the sleeve, but he stopped, winking at her to go.

He knew he would regret it, but their little sister had so much fun.

"I'm what?"He asked, leaning his head.

"Peppercorn. Every time you near me, your scent makes me sneeze."

"Then I call you cinnamon." He had told her and she had given him one of her beautiful smiles.

"Why?"

"Because you are sweet and expensive much like it, the tastiest and most costly of all the spices. there is nothing else like it or like you."

His smile was replaced by sadness as he thought of Alyssa and the loneliness he felt most of the time after her death, the empty days and endless nights, the faults he had made in trying to keep her alive inside.

"You left me alone. I was left behind to love a ghost. A shadow that can not wrap its arms around me or whisper sweetly to me at night. I'm sorry, but I'm not brave enough to live alone, Alyssa, and I don't think you want me to continue living like this, to pretend that everything is fine. I have to let you go now."

It was hard to admit that he had made a series of mistakes trying to keep her there, next to him, but it was time to move on.

He returned to the castle with the puppies in his arms, looking for some warm milk in the kitchen at first.

The little things had turned out to be very hungry.

Cinnamon licked his hand with its rough, warm tongue and Peppercorn purred happily as Baelon carried them to his chambers. First, he would speak to the king and then he would prepare his things to leave at the first light. Nothing would go wrong this time.

"A dragon. The foolish girl mounted a dragon."Jaehaerys was in his solar and he sounded angry, upset, and surprised at the same time.

"We are Valyrians..." Baelon whispered to the puppies as if he wanted to calm them down. "Excessive in all of the maters. You will get used to us over time."

However, he could only go closer to the king at that moment, since, as he had understood from his confused words, Viserra had claimed a dragon?

"What's going on Father? he raised a question, without beating around the bush, hoping his voice did not tremble. "Did something happen in the capital?"

"How can I properly rule the realm when I do not know what is going on in my own home?" He answered back angrily. "The women in our family are crazy."

That made Baelon laugh. "And my mother?"

"Your mother is the craziest of them all." Said the king. "She knew Viserra was cunning enough to find the right way to get rid of the lords who wanted to marry her. Why the hell did Alysanne not realize that Viserra would do what Saera had tried in the past? Το steal a dragon! and Aemon? Did he not understand anything?"

"Did she mounted the Black Dread?"

In front of the king stood now a confused, wide-eyed Spring Prince.

"Viserra on the back of a beast-like Balerion? not even the Seven would save us. Luckily she chose one of the youngest dragons, but this is still a problem until she learns to control him properly."

The thought of his sister on a dragon's back brings a shiver down to Baelon's spine and his cock twisted inside his breeches. Fortunately, his cloak was long enough to avoid prying eyes.

" Will you punish her for that?" The Spring Prince asked anxiously." Will you deprive her of her dragon?"

"No," Jaehaerys answered honestly. "As you know the bond between the dragonrider and its mount is strong and your sister managed to make two circles high above the city without even having a saddle and a whip."

Baelon let himself taste the joy of victory, his little love would have her own dragon, they could fly together every day and Aemon could join them from time to time.

"But this act of hers created a new situation." The king added after a short silence that had left Baelon dreaming. "Your mother's list no longer exists, but she has already found a spouse for your sister. The wedding must take place soon."

His body froze at the same time and his mind had stopped working. He wanted to scream. Although he could tell the truth at that moment, admit his love for Viserra, ask for mercy and forgiveness the words had died in his throat.

"Did you find these into Aegon's garden?" Jaehaerys showed him the puppies that were whimpering in his arms. "Daemon will be happy."

"They were alone, hidden in the bushes. I named them Cinnamon and Peppercorn, I will give them to the boys," he lied. Or maybe he was telling the truth ... A spouse for Viserra...

"Go to rest, son" the king said, touching his shoulder. "The maester told me that you can fly in two days; I will return to the capital tomorrow."

He just shook his head and walked away with tired steps while Jaehaerys smirked at himself.

"Cinnamon and Peppercorn," he murmured as he thought of Alysanne's words. "She plays with them as she used to play with her puppies, but she would no more lie with one than with a dog. She aims much higher, our Viserra. "

Prince Aemon Targaryen

Tower of the Hand 

Sitting in a dark corner of his chambers, Aemon was trying to figure out where the hell they had gone wrong. Their plan worked perfectly in the beginning, Jocelyn, who had daily access to Alysanne's bedchambers, attended to the list every day. So she had discovered the weaknesses of most lords, and then he and Viserra had taken full advantage of it. They had to move carefully, Viserra had already refused some young lords, driving them one after the other into madness.

The first was Honeyholt's young heir. Alysanne had thought that a wedding between him and the princess was a great affair, it would bring the Iron Throne and Honeyholt closer, after the last terrible events... She made a big mistake.

Viserra had asked the lordling if he would attack her with his sting, as his brother did to her sister. The lordling, who had the exact opposite character from his dead brother felt offended and left the court the same day.

The queen had spoken enthusiastically about the second young man, the heir of House Darry.

"He is pious, gentle, and thoughtful," Alysanne said.

Viserra found him boring, odd, and too bound to Faith. It was quite easy to get rid of him. On a walk in the garden, she took his hands on hers and kissed his fingers. It seemed that he enjoyed it so she became bolder, putting them under her dress; she did not wear small clothes. Ηe began to stutter that she was not a princess but a whore and had to beg for Mother's mercy. He left the court the next morrow to visit the Starry Sept in Oldtown.

The next lord had a similar fate. Robar Redfort was tall, agile, and handsome, and Viserra tried to dislike him, but every time she was near him she had to try hard to remember Baelon's hands onto her skin. In addition, she often found herself lost in his deep blue eyes. Sometimes his gaze reminded her of the color the sea took on during the storm. The lordling was also excited with her until she asked him if it was true that in the Vale, the men fucking sheep. He asked if her ancestors did the same since the Valyrians were shepherds before taming their dragons. Of course, he left the court after two hours.

Tο the fourth lord, whom she met the day Aemon finally returned to court, Viserra simply told him to run for his life.

"I love someone else and it would be a shame to find his sword accidentally in your belly. I want your safety, but he will show no mercy." The boy thanked her and left an hour later.

Aemon wondered if all this was worth it for Baelon, while he was still far away and clearly had not spoken to their father about his affair with Viserra, while Aemon himself had threatened two young knights that they would become Caraxes' food because they dared to hold his sister's hand and kiss her on the cheek before the wedding.

Knight or not no man would want to be a dragon meal, so they had given up trying to earn her hand.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn insisted that they should be more careful, "Alysanne is smart, she will understand that we are doing it on purpose," she said and Viserra agreed with her good-sister... The only solution would be to force the king to change his mind about the damn wedding or at least to bring the matter to the small council; at the same time, Aemon hoped his little brother would soon return to the capital and no longer hide in Dragonstone, Baelon was never a coward.

Aemon hated himself when he kicked out the last young man. At the age of twenty, Alyn Estermont was a close friend of Boremund Baratheon; the lad would give a noble life to Viserra.

"I'm happy with the prospect of a wedding between you and the princess," said the Prince of Dragonstone.

"You can have my sister but she will come with my bastard also. I turned her into a woman a few months ago." He added that although Alyn knew everything about the dragonseeds and their privileges, he didn't want to be the father of a bastard.

After that Viserra had called her brother "Aemon the Bold" and had thanked him by giving him a sweet kiss.

The next day she claimed her dragon.

At the age of five and ten, his little sister proved to be more courageous and passionate than Alyssa at the same age. She slipped into the Dragonpit and approached one of the young dragons. When the dragonkeepers realized her presence she had already climbed on the dragon's back, without a saddle or whip. They had no choice but to open the huge dome as the dragon shrieked wild while its nostrils smoked.

Viserra had made two cycles over the city before returning with her beast to the Dragonpit, but nothing had been done as expected.

Alysanne had informed his grace, the king, and immediately afterwards she announced their common decision. Viserra would keep her dragon, of course, but their graces would choose her spouse.

"Fuck." The Prince of Dragonstone said to himself. "We have failed."

Princess Viserra Targaryen

Dragonpit 

When her grace, the queen, announced the common opinion of herself and the king, Viserra did not cry, complain or beg. Nor did she run to her chambers, to the safety of the Tower of the Hand, and the arms of Aemon and Jocelyn.

She stood in the same spot, staring at the queen with her dark purple eyes, and the only request that came out of her ruby lips was if Her Grace allowed her to see her dragon often.

Alysanne had agreed immediately because that would be a way to keep her calm until the king returned.

Viserra sighed as her hand touched his scales and felt his warmth on her palm. The dragon looked at her with his big golden eyes and she smiled at him.

"What a marvelous thing you are. A gorgeous beast! We will fly again soon, I promise." The dragon roared slightly, leaving a small column of smoke in the air.

"You are my good boy."

"Did you give him a name?" the king's voice surprised her. She looked at him shocked but he smiled, making her wonder how long she had to see his smile.

"When I rode him above the city his scales shone in the sunlight as if he were made of pure gold. I named him Sunfyre."

"It's a beautiful name. And he is as beautiful as you." He told her wearily and Viserra felt like a little girl wanting to nest into his arms.

"Υour grace, free me from the betrothal that her grace has arranged for me. I don't want to leave the court. I don't want to live in the North, I will freeze there. Father, please."

"Tell me your lover's name." The kind said. "If you do, maybe I can do something about it. Do you understand now, child, that your actions have consequences on your own life?"

There will be no mercy, the king's gifts are poisoned. She thought looking at the gap. I will not do that. I prefer to abandon this place as Saera did.

"I have nothing to say. It was a foolish act of mine, it means nothing also. "

"I can not get rid of your engagement but Lord Manderly is a good and honest man. A noble life awaits you in White Harbor."

"With a man who is older than you, bald as a stone, with a belly that weighs more than I do; he would crush me when we are in bed," Viserra complained to his grace. "If you want to punish me, Father, you better choose another way."

"Lord Theomore did not accept your mother's suggestion of himself, Viserra," the king replied with an expressionless face. "But he proposed his great-grandson, Desmond. He is a boy your age. I hope he will not be another disappointed lord."

Oh shit! Viserra thought, avoiding the king's gaze. They know about the others.

Chapter Text

Lord Desmond Manderly

White Harbor

"Won't you really come with me? "Rose will be waiting for you." Domeric broke the silence as they walked down the cobbled square.

"My great-grandfather said, no whores" Desmond signed, "the princess is too proud to accept such a thing."

"But she's not here, so an exception can be made."Domeric laughed, resting his palm on the rough stone of the fountain; "Old Fishfoot" is called by the locals and it is an impressive thing, rises from the fountain's waters, twenty feet tall from tail to crown.

He remembered the first time he had seen the stone merman with the curly green and white beard with lichens across its face when he came from Drentford to White Harbor.

He and Desmond were both green boys back then, hungry to taste dark beers and beautiful women. Domeric has been Desmond's shield and companion since the first day they met, until now, three years later.

"I have to get used to the new facts soon, I guess." Desmond looked at the statue and then at the dark, cloudy sky.

"She has a dragon."

"Bloody hell," Domeric said, both excited and nervous. "Will we have a dragon here?"

"Actually, we will have two," Desmond replied, quite proud of the engagement lord Theomore had arranged along with the queen. She also has dragon blood."

"Old gods save us," Domeric chuckled by tapping his friend's shoulder. "You are already fascinated by a woman you have never come upon."

"This detail will be improved shortly. I will visit the capital to meet her; both my great-grandfather and the queen had the same opinion, our acquaintance will come before the wedding." Desmond replied, smirking, "I heard that she's Jaehaerys' jewel. Beautiful and precious."

"This was his other daughter, Saera." Domeric answered back, "Come on, Desmond, since you will not come with me to the pillow house let's go to have a beer at the tavern at last."

"Oh, I'm afraid it's impossible, lad. I have to go back to the Wolf's Den and pack my things. I will leave the next dawn before the autumn storms become wilder."

Domeric took a step back, hugging his friend, patting him friendly on the back. "So the next time we meet here, you will already be married."

"Betrothed." He replied laughing. "The wedding will take place here, you will have the honor of leading my bride to me during the bedding ."

"I see; you are already looking forward to it." Domeric laughed as he glanced at his friend's breeches. "The dragon girl will be satisfied with it."

"But Rose no," Desmond replied seriously, lowering his gaze. "So you have my approval to comfort her, at least until my return.

Domerick did not answer as a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky and they felt the first raindrops on their cheeks. The air smelled of seawater and wet soil.

"Go now before the rain intensifies, return to the castle," Domeric told him, gently hitting his shoulder. "I will see you in the morrow and of course while you are off, holding your little princess' hand I will keep Rose warm and willing for you."

"Little bastard!" Desmond whispered as the sound from Domeric's heels faded into the small alley.

He then moved forward to the other side of the square and following the road by the sea reached the Wolf's Den.

Although the New Castle was more beautiful and luxurious, the young lord still kept his bedchambers in the Wolf's Den, the old fort that the Starks had raised while they were still Kings of Winter.

When he entered the gate he glanced at the Castle Stair; The marble mermaids were already lighting the road even though it was still afternoon. The seagulls were flying over the two harbors worried; the rain would intensify, Desmond thought. It was time to pack up his things.

When he closed the heavy oak door behind him, he felt that he was in the safest and neatest place in the world. The large wooden trunk was in the middle of his chamber, still empty.

Desmond neared at the west window overlooking the Goodwood. The wind touched the branches of the Weirwood that were there and moved like huge white hands while its red leaves looked like drops of blood.

He had never thought about the future during his childhood; His grandfather was to become the Lord of White Harbor and his father after him, both died of the fevers the previous winter.

After that, his great-grandfather took him by his side, named him his heir, and took care of his education. At six and ten he was already one of the best swordsmen in the North.

His smile, sharp as a knife, made many maidens wet their small clothes, but he preferred to lie down with Rose, a red-haired whore who had come to White Harbor from Oldtown two years earlier, and although he had bedded many girls of Velvet Pearl's staff since the first time she was still his favorite.

It made sense at some point. Until two years ago he was far from the line of succession and had never thought about what his married life would be like. Most lords married much younger women and his great-grandfather was still strong enough despite his age. So when Lord Theomore announced to him the common desire of the queen and himself, his thoughts became a confusing mess. He had never thought that he would take a princess to his wife and the new situation made him nervous and happy at the same time.

"Problems in your enjoyment?" Desmond turned his head to the Lord of White Harbor. Lord Theomore was standing behind him, holding a green cloak into his hands.

His hair and clothing were waterless, and Desmond realized that he had come to his chambers through the large tunnel that started from a secret passage below the castle stairs and connected the New Castle with the Wolf's Den.

"I brought you something, lad; In King's Landing, you must have a look worthy of a high lord. The princess is the most beautiful girl on the court, your union will be a wonderful event."

"I will try to be worthy of your trust, my lord. I will not disappoint you." The lordling replied politely but avoided the old lord's gaze.

"I know," Lord Theomore said; "you are my blood and you are a good boy. You just have to understand that this wedding is a unique opportunity for you. Maybe one day you have a strong position in court."

Desmond looked up, staring carefully at the northern lord. He wanted to ask him many questions, but he thought the conditions were not right. Perhaps the best thing for him was to follow his Lord's will without disbelief.

"Go ahead, ask what you want." Lord Manderly's blue eyes gleamed as he laughed.

it was quite easy for the lordling to take the question out of his mouth since the Lord of  White Harbor was always kind to him.

"Why did you choose to deny the queen's proposal for yourself and propose me in your place? The Princess could become your wife."

"Because the honorable man should not walk farther than his shadow, son. It would be a sin for her beauty to serve the wish of an old man while in the same castle there is someone her age. Besides, the queen said that she is impatient, just like you. It will be good for both of you to be taught humility and modesty together."

"I did not go to the Velvet Pearl today," Desmond said honestly. Although he felt he had betrayed Rose he had also decided to follow his grandfather's wishes.

"It's a good start." Theomore straightened his body and looked younger than his seventies. "Now call your servants to prepare your things and tell Domeric to do the same. He will accompany you, but you will make sure you stay out of trouble."

"Why?" Desmond felt his cheeks burn, his question sounded stupid.

"Because I know he visited the brothel today. You can both easily find some pretty girls to warm your beds in the years to come, but the opportunities for a good marriage are unique. As the second son of his House, the opportunity to find a good wife in the royal court is remarkable."

Desmond smirked to himself when left alone. His great-grandfather was a smart man and he had already given him a lesson.

Viserra Targaryen

For the first time in a long period, she wished she had not had all eyes upon her. For the last few days, everyone in court has been extremely polite, friendly, and generous with her.

The queen had allowed Princess Gael to rejoin her company, Aemon had spent hours in her company too, flying with their dragons, and the king had allowed her to attend the hearings.

No one had mentioned the dissatisfied lords or her secret lover ... The king and queen because they wanted to persuade her to accept the young Manderly as her spouse without new fights and curses, and Aemon, because it was just Aemon, her beloved brother who was interested in her happiness.

Viserra just smiled at everyone, spoke nicely to them, and tried to keep a low profile. She had even proposed to write her own letters of apology to the lords she had sneered.

Of course, her reaction was not as innocent as it seemed. She had not chosen the path of peace and had not compromised with the king's wishes. 

She just needed a pause, a few moments of serenity for the babe that grew inside her and she loved every day more; it was not just the piece that held Baelon next to her heart, it was something of her own, something precious.

This morning, Viserra had promised Daemon that after his study with the maester they would take a long walk in the garden along with Gael and he had accepted to follow the old man in the library smiling. Aemon often said that the boy, despite being everyone's nightmare, obeyed her every command. It was true, Viserra had found his soft spot.

Her little sister was still holding her nursery, next to the queen's chambers, and usually, in this place was always a crowd of servants, guards, and ladies in waiting. Viserra never remembered her mother's rooms so empty and that was something inexplicable. Her curiosity ignited inside her and instead of heading to her sister's room, she decided to keep an eye on the queen's talk.

"Are you sure about this, Your Grace? I mean..... I know my children well, but I never expected such things to happen." Alysanne spoke in a calm, serene voice as always, but Viserra would be less surprised if there was a whale outside her window than to hear the king answer in the same tone.

"We have sacrificed many things while ruling the realm, My Queen. One of them is contact with our children. What we saw for so long was what we wished for to happen, not what was really happening."

"I never wanted our son to be committed all his life to something that no longer exists." Alysanne's voice broke with Alyssa's reporting. Viserra felt a knot in her neck for the first time. Did Baelon feel like their mother did?

"No, but you also wanted to keep Alyssa alive inside you ... And Daella too. Like I wanted to keep Daenerys... Sometimes I imagined that she would have given sons to Aemon ...."

"Jocelyn is a wonderful wife..." Alysanne tried to say but he stopped her. "Jocelyn is the most wonderful thing that could have happened to Aemon, Aly. I see it now ... What I want to tell you is that we must make peace with the past and build a new future."

"So you want Baelon's bastard child to grow up in court? I have no problem with that Your Grace, we just need to talk to the boys. We can talk about it to Viserys, at first, he is a kind boy and sometimes controls Daemon's fiery spirit."

Viserra almost jumped to the ceiling in shock. She had only talked about her baby to Jocelyn and Aemon, of course, she had visited Jocelyn's maester a few times but he was a kind, old man.

Who had spoken to the king and queen about her baby?

"The child will grow up on Dragonstone, as a member of our family, with its mother. Both of them shouldn't be in court. Cassie is a kind girl, I do not think she would like to live here."

Viserra felt hundreds of invisible knives stab every inch of her body when she heard the king's words.

"It will not be easy for our daughter either if the child and its mother live here," Alysanne whispered. "Honestly...I don't know how to deal with this, Jae."

"Our children must have a good lesson...That's the only obvious thing, Aly." Jaehaerys responded and Viserra realized from his complicated words that they knew more things and we were planning something.

It did not matter so much as she was angry and wanted to make Baelon regret his actions, but she would never leave him in another woman's arms.

Aemon Targaryen

Aemon felt the cold pass through his cloak when he met his little sister in their favorite place.

The leaves on the trees were few, compared to the last time they had met. Viserra was already there, sitting on the stone bench. Her cheeks were red and she was wearing a large orange shawl over her brown dress.

"My beloved," she kissed him on the cheek when he sat next to her, "I'm so glad to see you."

"We should have met in a warmer place," he grumbled. "Your state is sensitive now because of the child."

"Is that why you did not tell me anything about our brother's bastard? or you were afraid that I would not behave properly? Oh, don't worry, my dear, I'm not under wedlock, so that makes my child a bastard as well." She would not let him talk about her baby, she needed to find out about that strange woman who had been found in her brother's bed.

"How is it possible to know these things? I-... I wanted to protect you, Vis..." The words had died in his throat, there was no way to justify what he had hidden from her and let it be for her own good.

"He loves her?" She staring at him, demanded a word to come out from his lips, an answer.

"Gods, not. He's just a stupid fool."

"Then?"

"He was angry about what happened between you. He wanted to talk to Father about you, but he was afraid...Then, one mistake followed the other. You can get angry with him but she... She's not to blame for this."

"I'm angry with him, Aemon, not with her, but I'll not let her take him to her bed again; Alyssa, in my place, might have thought it's funny, but I did not!"

"What do you intend to do now?"

"I will punish him of course." She turned her head towards him, smiling innocently. She looked like the Maiden, so pure and lovely, with pink cheeks and loose curls.

"Punishment is one thing abandonment is another. Don't let your selfishness destroy what exists between you. He is stupid, but he loves you."

"Οur brother's foolish acts taught me more humility than a wedding to a man older than our father or life away from court. The child growing up in my womb learns me even more. "I just thought a brave man like Baelon would not make such mistakes."

"Because you were enthusiastic and impatient and you wanted Baelon the Brave in your bed, but you forget that he is also the Silver Fool."

As there was a short silence between them, Viserra played with the tip of her shawl, without looking at him. Her mind had returned to the past, to the most gentle moments.

Shortly before their hunting trip, she was in love with Baelon’s appearance, the incarnation of the Warrior. At the Kingswood, she loved the lines on his face, a small mark on his left knee from the first time he followed Aemon to the training yard, his blushing when he was ashamed, the dimples on his cheeks when he was smiling.

"So what do you advise me?" She asked her brother. "I'm not the stupid girl I once was, and I have to tell you that our parents suspect our union."

"How? what happened? Is it related to the way you learned about the other baby?" Viserra laughed at his reaction and then told him everything in detail as if she were not the one who had felt anger and rage a few hours before.

"Μother put Jocelyn sit next to me during the banquet when Father named me Prince of Dragonstone; we talked all night. I don't remember anything else from that night except my wife's laughter. I fell in love with Jocelyn, from my first breath while I had sitting next to her. I wrote poems and songs for her. Baelon and Alyssa have never had such a romance, they avoided each other, our brother more than she did, until their bodies brought them closer. What Baelon loved in Alyssa's spirit was a sense of freedom, it was exciting for both of them to jump off Dragonstone rocks into the sea or make love for hours. Our sister loved her freedom and he had never felt the need to step on the ground, because, with her flying in the skies. "

"So, with me, he will never feel this because it belongs to her and their past. Why should I be pleased with this thing?"

It was anger, resentment, and pain that came out of her lips along with this question. Viserra still felt Alyssa's ghost circulating next to her, mocking her desire for Baelon.

"Because he wants to step on the ground with you and he doesn't know how to do it. Let him walk by your side, hold the hand of this fool and show him how to take the right steps."

All desire for revenge had disappeared from her heart, there was no anger only love and a broken promise.

"What you feel now, the fear, the anger, the disappointment can be fixed, little thing. Let him explain to you, over time everything else will be fixed and when you hold our baby in your arms every little gap will be rebuilt."

Before she could answer anything, Caraxes' scream was heard throughout the city, and Sunfyre joined his voice with that of the red dragon.

"Is this a bird? It flies very fast against the wind." She showed him a sign on the horizon among the clouds.

A slight glow of the sun illuminated the sky for a moment, before disappearing again behind the dark clouds, but the prince's experience eyes saw the bronze and green tones.

"It's Vhagar little thing. Baelon comes home."

Chapter Text

The storm had flared up over King's Landing shortly after Vhagar landed at the Dragonpit. Raindrops fell on Baelon's face as he headed for the Red Keep, with the puppies still in his bag.

Cinnamon whined louder as he passed the gate, the rain was a big reason for that. This was not a problem for his sons, however, as he soon saw his boys, accompanied by Rhaenys and Gael, running in Hand's garden. He felt desperate at the idea that he would soon have to take the little monsters into his chambers and take care of them, but he was their father, that was to be expected of them all.

"You are already being punished because you did not ask permission from anyone and you came here while the rain getting stronger." Baelon laughed at the woman's voice, especially when these little terrors quieted and circled; Jocelyn always had a way of handling children.

"I'm a dragon and a prince," Daemon complained. "Won't you tell me what to do especially when you don't say anything to them," while Viserys at least had the dignity to lower his head whispering an apology!

"You will speak respectfully or not at all, my Prince." She answered back, "as for the other members of your company, they are punished equally."

"Oh, this is not funny, anymore aunt Vis." Rhaenys protested. "In the last days, you are stricter than my father is."

Baelon looked at the garden wide-eyed without being able to hide the big smile on his face.

When Aemon had told him that Viserra was far away from that immature girl who had started spending time in his company, he had not believed him that much but the girl in the brown dress and the orange shawl over it did not compare with the girl he had made his own in the worst way. Even her hair was combed differently.

Like mother's Baelon thought.

"I look more strict than your father because he makes no effort to be rigorous with you," Viserra admitted to the little princess. Since you discovered the soft spot he has for all of you. "

"Or because he is a man and is not interested in wasting time on the stupid reprimand. He is bored of doing women's tasks; He is the crowned prince and he would never punish us."

"Indeed, my opinion seems small compared to his own, but we can ask what the king and queen think about it. You know how happy they are with the visits of their grandchildren, my dear nephew."

Instead of shouting, protesting, or running to complain to someone else, Daemon nestled in his corner, as Cinnamon had done in the bag a few seconds before, letting Viserra affectionately caress his long silver hair as a mother would to her child, whimpering that his father would never punish him.

"He may have not, but he is also in punishment, my loved," Viserra said, smiling. "So he will accept my words."

It would have been simpler if he had told him that there was a whale on the tower's roof. Daemon looked at her in surprise, while she smiled at him gracefully.

"You can not punish someone who is not a child, especially when this person is my father who mounts Vhagar and holds Dark Sister."

"Tell me, nephew, do you know who is the king's most faithful adviser?" The boy looked down, and Baelon realized he was ashamed; no one had aroused this feeling in Daemon until now.

"Tell me now, do you know who and how motivated the Conqueror to create the Kingsguard?" Viserra continued to talk, making the boy smirk at her.

"It was Queen Visenya," he answered in a whispered voice. "She pulled Dark Sister out of her belt and cut him on the cheek before he pulled Blackfyre."

"Now you have the answer you are asking for. I'm a woman, yes, like the Queen, or Rhaenys, or Gael, but we can all handle with a man if needed."

"So you do not need a man when you are just as strong as he is." The boy said, quite confused though.

"As my guardian, no. As my partner who respects me as I do, yes. Still, your father can eat as many cream pies as he wants, but you can not." Viserra said but Daemon's lilac eyes gleamed when after he gave his cloak to Gael she kissed him on the cheek.

"You will treat girls with respect, as the right men do." Baelon appeared before them wet and tired with a bright smile on his beautiful face and a quick apology hidden into his words.

An apology only for her.

Viserra stared at him with the look "you have access to as many tarts as you want but not into my bed," but she hugged him tightly.

The puppies, as if they had already felt that they were on safe ground, began to whine again, impatiently.

"I found them in Aegon's garden," Baelon answered blushing, looking at her sister, as Viserys and the girls fondled the little animals and Daemon laughed at the names but showed a soft spot for Peppercorn.

While the children laughed, forgetting the rain but also their punishment, Viserra moved towards him and kissed him on the cheek, turning the foggy and cold autumn afternoon into a warm and bright spring day.

"They need something to eat." Gael looked at Rhaenys and then at Daemon pleadingly.

"Some warm milk will drive away their hunger," Baelon replied laughing, and hugged her when she told him it was a pity he had not found and a cat also.

"I know, you're going to think I'm a dumb boy and not a bright man and you're right; everyone calls me Baelon the Brave but I feel like I'm just the Silver Fool. If you give me a chance..."

"Don't..."

Her mouth opened for him and their tongues danced together, her fingertips tangled into his hair as he pulled her on him. When they broke the kiss they were wet to the bone with red cheeks from passion.

"Do you still have doubts?" The man who was watching the scene from a short distance turned his attention to the woman next to him.

"Oh, just stop it now. Since you were sure it would happen why are you complaining now like a child?"

"I do not complain like a child." He replied offended. "Is there a problem that I want to know what's going on in this family?"

"Well ..." She made a gesture towards them, laughing as he walked away, muttering to himself in Hight Valyrian.

Despite Baelon's return, the tone at dinner was uncomfortable. The children had already retired, tired well happy.

Aemon looked at the stealthy glances exchanged between Baelon and Viserra, in front of their graces, the king and queen. He was happy for his siblings, of course, Viserra had returned to the tower wet to the bone with a huge smile of happiness on her face, but she had not said anything to him.

There was a plethora of food and drinks on the table, but everything seemed bland to him. Next to him, Jocelyn eagerly ate a portion of oysters that had come at the Red Keep the same morning from Driftmark, in barrels with seawater.

Aemon looked at his mother, ignoring the crabs in front of him. Alysanne was gracefully eating a piece of cod dipped in a thick batter and fried in hot oil. The Prince of Dragonstone wondered if there was something his mother did not do graciously, probably not.

When the queen's blue eyes met his lilacs he turned his head in embarrassment to the other side. Baelon and Viserra dishes were just as full as his own plate, but for a different reason.

His little sister giggled now and then while his brother's face turned red, their hands often getting lost under the table, especially when the king and queen did not look at them.

"Looks like you have something in your mind brother, do you want to drink about it?" It wasn't the first time Baelon teased him, but this time he felt weird; angry, and fierce.

That little smirk on Baelon's face as his hands were under the table again .... He wanted to punch him in the face. Of course, he did not answer, all this was already too much but this fired the king's annoyance.

"Have you chosen to behave like a mule, Aemon? your brother is speaking to you."

"Oh, leave your little toys and eat." He said angrily without glancing at him for a single moment. "These crabs are delicious, but those our sister will eat in a few turns of the moon will be even better."

"Do you truly believe it that, brother? what a pity for Driftmark's crabs."

This jerk could not have been his brother, Baelon was always careful and measured.

No, he wasn't .... from what he understood now.

"If I were our sister I would prefer the northern crabs. Maybe they bite less." He answered in a calm voice. Since Baelon did not decide to take on his responsibilities, he would force him.

"It may be more delicious though." This brat considered that everything is funny. He took a crab out of his own plate and added it to Aemon's. "Come on, taste it."

"Enough!" Jaehaerys roared. "You are no longer children. What happened to both of you tonight? put the words aside and eat the damn crabs."

Baelon lowered his head, that was a good thing, his brother was the same person he always was.

Aemon also felt humbled, that part of him that was not so damn angry told him that he had treated his little brother unfairly. After all, he has not seen their sister for a long time.

It happened right after, when Viserra's white face turned pink, like the color of the sky as the sun sets, and a small groan ran out her mouth.

"As Your Grace wishes; we will leave the crabs aside. We can say for then ... When you made me your Hand, Father." The King's face had turned red, even his ears were the same color, but Aemon did not stop.

"You know what I'm talking about, Your Grace, for when Ser Lucamore visited Septon Barth unannounced because his stomach ached, and he found him getting a maid from behind, wearing only the Hand's chain!"

"Have you lost your mind, lad? what are you saying in front of women? To your Queen?"Jaehaerys tried to control the Prince of Dragonstone's words but in vain.

"Ser Lucamore, of course, did not speak to anyone, as he wanted to protect his own bastards, but some eyes saw the maid running down the corridor wrapped in a sheet." Aemon kept confessing; at least the idiots had stopped touching each other and had to start staring at him confused, but it was the queen who finally spoke, her eyes sparkling.

"I think you owe me some explanations, Your Grace. Now!"

The storm was raging above the capital and bolts of lightning tore through the sky; The Red Keep was a quiet, serene place. Some candles lit up Alyssane's bedchambers which smelled of daisies and blue roses.

"You had to tell me all this earlier; honestly what did you think when you hid it from me, Jae? that I will never learn about it?" She was annoyed, but not angry anymore. The king's explanations, albeit late, were satisfactory.

"It was nonsense, Aly. Aemon was ready to take the position anyway, all the previous years as Master of Law he had been prepared for it and Barth was just weak in the flesh, he is a man, not a god."

"Barth has served us well; I will not judge him because his cock controls him even though I don't like this to happen," Alysanne replied with a smirk on her face. "I'm old enough to know what men think."

"Not all the men!" The queen giggled as he leaned his head and kissed her softly on her collar bone.

"Aemon has never talked to me about Septon Barth, Jae. I believe that he did not do it by accident tonight. He was warning us about something." The queen said with a serious voice.

"Do you want to tell me that you did not see anything strange tonight, Alysanne? I'm not a blind man! It bothers me that Baelon has not yet come to me and behaves like when he was a child, but I can comprehend him."

"Of all my children, Baelon was always the one who suffered when he did wrong," Alysanne answered in a cracked voice as if nostalgic for the past. "Do you remember when he broke the carved dragon that Queen Visenya gave you for your tenth name day? he was hiding so as not to punish him and we were looking for him all over the castle for hours; when we found him he chose he was cleaning the stables for a week while you were laughing."

"I could never punish him, Aly; it was a unique gift but not the only one Visenya left us. What we did, what we are, we owe equally to her and our mother."

They were both lost in thought for a few minutes. The queen remembered the night of her death, when shortly before she closed her eyes forever, Visenya told her in a weak voice that she would one day become a great queen. For years Alysanne wondered how she could have known, but she had kept Queen Visenya's last words next to her heart.

"I ordered two knights of the Kingsguard to eye Baelon from a distance," he said more to himself than to his queen. "It doesn't make much sense, of course, if he is the one who deflowered her, but let 's be careful until the wedding issue is settled."

"I hope Aemon will not let them get too close," Alysanne replied. "He is especially emotional about these issues as he is the father of a girl. And what a girl. Our Rhaenys is stunning. She will become a great queen."

But the king did not listen to her. "When I look to your future I see greatness but also bitterness. Sadness will be on you for the rest of your life if you do not make the right action when you have to."

"What will the cost be if I do not?" He had asked her ostensibly indifferently. Stupid boy, you could not see beyond your own shadow.

"You will die alone after you have hurt your sister countless times before." Visenya's last words had almost terrified him, for years he wondered when he should make that damn straight action.

All he knew was that he had inadvertently hurt Alysanne many times and he felt he had not supported Rhaena as much as he should when she was alive.

"Jae, are you okay? something seems to bother you too much." He looked at her tired but determined not to talk to her about it. After all, these words would not change anything in the current situation; it would simply be an extra concern for her.

He kissed her gently on the lips to soothe her anxiety, but she insisted, sliding her tongue into his mouth.

He pulled her on him while their mouths were joined in that sweet kiss, but when they stopped to catch their breath Alyssane glanced at him quite embarrassed.

"What would our children say about that?" she asked him upset. "I'm afraid we're old enough for such enjoyments now, my King."

He laughed and kissed her on the forehead, caressing her honey hair. Her blond turned white in a few curls now, but her look was as lovely and bright as it was after their first marriage.

He kissed her warm lips again and soon his tongue explored her mouth. She reciprocated the kiss, until she felt his hands on her thighs, under her night silk.

"Your grace," moved her body slightly to force him to stop touching her, "I'm no longer in my fertile years, I can not give you offspring."

This made him chuckle again before she felt his head on her chest. "Do you remember our first wedding?" he asked in a whisper. "Even then we could not immediately have a child because you were so fragile and young, but that did not stop us from getting close to each other. Now what happened, woman, are you tired of your old husband?

"Never." She kissed his forehead while holding his hand in hers and a few minutes later his touch sent a shiver down to her spine.

Aemon left behind his lady wife and their bed after first dressing in a black, silk robe.

A servant had pushed him to get up from Jocelyn's warm embrace after bringing him the news that Baelon was there, the foolish lad had left Maegor's Holdfast during the storm, insisted that he should talk to him.

He was ready to make some remarks to him about his foolish behavior at dinner because it was certain that everyone had noticed the special caresses he exchanged with their sister.

He was still annoyed that they were playing like children instead of going straight to the king before that northern boy arrived in the capital. Sometimes he felt sorry for the lordling and other times, especially when he thought of Rhaenys in Viserra's situation, he wanted to slap Baelon badly, but when he found him there wet and tired he hugged him.

"Just let me get into her chambers, I will lie down next to her without touching her a single moment if that worries you, and tomorrow morning I will speak to Father. I was a fool, but don't deprive me of this."

Aemon laughed and looked at him for a moment nodding. He had walked just two steps off when he heard the Prince of Dragonstone telling him not to go to her bed in this mess. Only then did he leave behind his wet cloak and boots for Aemon's servants to take care of.

He slipped quietly into her room, peel off his double, tunic, and of course his breeches, and walked to her soft bed only in his small clothes. He lay down behind her wrapped his limbs around her in a tight hug kissing her neck and whispering into her ear until sleep weighed on his eyelids.

Chapter Text

The sounds of strong winds and rain forced Viserra to open her eyes. The candle by her bed had already reached the third mark, a reminder that it was already the hour of the owl.

She smiled to herself feeling the warmth of his body as he wrapped his limbs around her and his breath warming her neck; she pushed her body slightly on his, nestling into his arms.

"Viserra!" Baelon sighed into her hair and caressed her breasts with his fingertips. Her nipples hardened under his touch. "I missed you sister."

His voice was low and drowsy and Viserra wasn't sure if he was awake or dreaming of her.

"Baelon!" her hand touched his own hand and held it in her palm. She did not particularly care if he was awake or still asleep, she only wanted to feel his touch; so she led it to her lower abdomen, wishing for he would do the rest anyway.

She was not wrong, of course. His fingers moved on her nightdress, gently caressing her belly. That same afternoon, when she had returned to her room, she wondered if she should talk to him about the baby growing inside of her; soon concluded that she wanted to reach her out of love and not out of duty.

His fingers pushed aside the delicate fabric of her nightgown, fondling her feet. Slowly and steadily climbed on her thighs, brushing her soft skin. Viserra held her breath as she felt the tips of his fingers push her small clothes aside.

   His finger brushed her already wet folds and then dipped inside her, ease. Viserra bit her lower lip to keep from moaning with enjoyment while he added another finger to her insides.

"Viserra," his voice was louder this time, but just as calm.

"I thought it was a dream."

His fingers reached her core and she wanted to shriek with pleasure but he closed her mouth. "I promised Aemon not to touch you, little sister, but I could not hold my promises anymore because I love you."

"Or you need a soft and fluffy thing like last time. "

"That day is my shame, let me show you my fondness, my love."

Viserra felt her mind and body explode and she couldn't refuse. "Kiss me then, if you do not want our brother to wake up from our dirty noises" she murmured to him.

So he kissed her until they both felt their chests ache for air and when they broke the kiss she felt her cheeks burn.

As his fingers touched every inch of her body Viserra feel the sweet numbness between her legs becoming more intense and she remembered Jocelyn's words.

"If you want to have him yours you need to take control of him in your lovemaking." When she had asked her how to do it, her good-sister replied laughing that she had to ride him like did to her dragon.

That's what she did. She climbed on him with a quick motion and Baelon sighed as his manhood rubbed against her through his small clothes.

"Viserra," The Spring Prince groaned, saying her name like a prayer. "If you want to torture me, sister, you already did. Let me make amends and show you my feelings for you."

Viserra moved slightly forward, approaching his face, her lips touching his. "A knight please? how brave!"

"Νot once but thousands of times. let me show you everything I feel for you, my love."

"Do it then." With a movement of her right hand, Viserra had taken his hard shaft out of his small clothes while supporting herself on his chest with her other, and Baelon could not hold himself any longer.

He tore the fabric of her small clothes to pieces and the princess smiled when she remembered the chat with Jocelyn. She had changed her small clothes before going to bed with an older simple pair of them, leaving her favorites in her drawer.

Now, these were torn to pieces and Baelon's manhood was slipping inside of her, already sending a shiver of pleasure down to her spine.

"Oh, Gods of Valyria," the Spring Prince moaned as she took its entire length in her slippery cunt, "I had forgotten how wonderful you are, little dove."

"Do you think I'm?" Viserra supported herself better on his chest and moved back and forth on him. Better than the whore you bedded on Dragonstone? she wanted to ask, but she didn't. Iron hands were wrapped around her slender waist, giving her a faster rhythm.

"I can live my whole life in here, making love to you for hours. It's like when I riding Vhagar to the skies because you are my moon my sun and all of my stars."

"What beautiful words," She whispered as she took him wildly, as she rode Sunfyre. "But lovers' words often hide pain within them, sweet brother."

"Because sometimes men are stupid, my love." His fingers moved to her breast, touching her hard pinky nipples, pinching her soft flesh slightly. "But I need you, little sister, with all οf parts of me."

There was something about the way she fuck him, her perfect breasts bounced wildly in time with her motions, the sound of her hips crashing down onto him and the bed creaking beneath him could probably be heard by anyone who happened to be nearby, who was driving him crazy.

He had imagined endless scenes where he would take her wildly and make her shout his name, but not tonight. Tonight he would follow her wishes, he owed it to her.

"Ah!" Viserra moaned each time she dropped down onto him. She sheathed his cock inside of her, rose her hips back up as fast as she could, and repeated the process all over again. "So good! you feel so good inside of me, Baelon!"

"You are a wet, glistening mess and you have the most perfect, velvet cunt I ever take."He muttered. His strong hands were on her perfect arse cheeks, and if she tried to get off of him she would find her progress barred by his full strength. Not that he was the least bit worried about her doing so.

She rode him even harder, forcing her body down onto his hard enough that he was truly surprised the bed did not break or Aemon did not hear them.

He had no time to react, as her walls tightened around his cock and he buried himself deep inside her, muttering confused words.

"Oh fuck!" Viserra cried as she felt him hit her core while she reached her climax again, while Baelon was also ready to begin to cum inside of her.

"Viserra" he begged her by looking deep into her eyes, "I need it, sweet sister-." His face flushed gracefully as he spoke, earning a wicked smile from her.

"Oh, my little love! Your torment must end, Baelon, right? You haven't been inside of a woman for weeks, have you?" Before Baelon could say a single word, Viserra had brought his hands above his head, pinned with hers, and raised her hips enough to slide his manhood out of her wet cunt.

"How do you feel when you are out of control, my brave brother? a lovely, young thing that should follow the desires of others?"

A wicked smile formed on her face as her one hand moved to his cock, slowly stroking the head and then its length, while the Spring Prince moaned in her neck. With a few confident strokes of her hand up and down, Baelon came, leaving his seed on his hard stomach. Viserra wrapped her limbs around him, without even letting him clean himself, and they soon fell into a deep sleep.

The smell of raspberry tea and tart with figs and almonds is the first thing Saera notices before she even opens her eyes as she stretches out on the bed.

There is a lot of free space on the right side of the bed, which means Draeko is already in his office. Half-asleep, she glimpses on the opposite side just to find out that no one is there either.

"Oh, those foolish boys they left me alone." She mumbles like a helpless child. "Maron was supposed to spend the day with me."

"I spend all my days with you." He laughs, as he's the one who carried the breakfast tray to their room Instead of a servant. "I woke up first, that's all."

The orchid meets the lilac and his lips join with her own lips. Then he sits next to her and caresses her hair tenderly.

"I promised you I would not leave you. And Draeko is just a few doors away. You are not alone, princess."

Saera smiles, quite dramatically. She hates to feel lonely and helpless but at the same time enjoys their attention. As she grows heavy with child her mood becomes more and more unusual.

Saera gasps and Maron kisses her again and starts massaging her legs, from her foot to her knees. She melts under his touch, enjoying his caress. His hands are soft and warm and he scents lavender soap and sweet things.

"A little more." She begs him, in a playful mood. She knew that this mix of her purple eyes and her ruby lips always make him hard; helpless to avoid her.

"You must be hungry, princess," Maron said. "You have to eat first. Then we can take a walk if you want."

"I'm hungry for you," Saera responded, hoping that this time she would convince him to bed her at least once. He did not.

As the moons shifted and the child grows up into her womb, the midwife inquired of both Draeko and Maron to carefully make love to the princess.

They, quite scared, chose to make love to her as rarely as they could, and this decision was something Saera could no longer manage.

However, she smiles, as the footsteps heard from the corridor - firmly and decisively - definitely belong to Draeko and indeed the older Rogare enters the room chuckling, holding a letter in his hands. Saera pays him with a hot kiss and soon recognizes the writing of her father.

Reading news from Westeros, written by the king himself, is something that fills her with relief, but not the news that Jaehaerys invites them to Westeros for Viserra's wedding to a humble lord.

"They're foolish," she grumbles as Draeko wraps his arms around her waist kissing her again, mouths crashed against another devouring.

"I'm sure the king would have his reasons," Draeko laughs as Saera throws her pillow at him. "Have you allied with my father now?"

"I am a humble trader and he is a king, my love. How can I ignore him?" He laughs, but this is something she does not particularly like.

"You promised not to tell him anything about it." Saera makes a gesture over her swollen stomach.

"And I didn't, my love," he replies, looking at Maron, who laughs. "However .... He asked me again about you, Saera."

"Tell him I'm fine." She finally says, pressing her lips so as not to allow herself to cry. "This will reassure him for a while."

"I don't understand why Saera. He sent his blessing for our union," Draeko insisted, but in the princess's mind was repeated the scene in which the king looked at her just as frustrated and angry with his lilac eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

"Maybe we should improve her mood a bit." Maron winked at his brother and then gave her something.

Saera stared at it in marvel. It was a bracelet made of black onyx, so beautiful that it took her breath away. A black dragon with red eyes.

"We all know stories about Balerion. I'm not sure if this looks like him, but Maron, who was designing your bracelet, tried hard." Draeko's hands hugged her waist. 

"His eyes are not so bright red. Only when he's angry."

She replied while she couldn't take her eyes off it. He wore it to her, tenderly stroking her hand.

"Rubies." He answered seriously, but with his familiar, tender look. "I'm not a poet like my brother is, Saera, but I want to give the best I can to my little wife."

"Even if she's a year older than you?" She teased him to hide how sensitive she felt at the time. I have something that looks like home. I have something that reminds me of home.

"Even then."He kissed her tenderly on the neck.

"Although he will always be the most strict of the three of us."

"I'm not!" Draeko reacted to Maron's words while Saera hugged them both.

Prince Aemon left his chambers at the first light, leaving behind Lady Jocelyn, naked in their bed.

The day that had just dawned was cold and rainy but the young Manderly would arrive at the capital, a new weight on Aemon's back. The Prince of Dragonstone was upset the night before when he realized that Baelon had not kept his promise and was lying with Viserra ... By the time Jocelyn let him realize that the Spring Prince was at their sister's mercy...

From Aegon's high hill the prince saw the capital waking up under the morning sky. A huge area with its own charm. The city was rather ugly compared to Oldtown or Lannisport, but for the Targaryens it was the second home. The first will always be Dragonstone, Aemon thought, and despite the drizzle and the issues waiting to be settled, when he heard Caraxes shrieking from the Dragonpit he could not avoid a ride.

"I need my horse." Aemon politely commanded his servants while ser Lucamore watched him intently.

"But the young lord Manderly has not yet arrived, my Prince." Septon Barth sounded drowsy, and Aemon felt bad about what he had revealed at the family dinner the night before. And my siblings did not even understand what was right to do...

"It's the king's business." Aemon shrugged. "I don't want to interfere in my sister's wedding."

"The king has not yet gotten out of bed, your Grace. His Grace withdrew both his servants and my sworn brothers last night." Ser Lucamor's smile disappeared from his face as his eyes met the prince's gaze that looked like a lilac storm.

"What if he's unwell or if someone attacked him during the night?" The Prince of Dragonstone roared. "If anything had happened to my father the punishment of your sworn brothers would be the most perverted I can think of, Ser."

His heart had smashed inside of his chest when he came outside the king's bedchambers. Behind him followed a horde of knights, servants, and maesters, one more useless than the other if something had happened to his father. Aemon had thought of endless ways to torture them all. The door opened with a loud kick from the prince, just to reveal himself a pile of clothing thrown on the floor and the queen's bareback on the king's bed.

"What the Seven hells happens here?"Jaehaerys shouted from behind her back. "What's the matter of all this, boy? did anyone die?"

"Why did you withdraw your guards and your servants alike?" The prince asked raising an eyebrow. "what happened last night here, Father?"

"I have to remind you what the closed door of a couple's chamber, means, son? the king responded to this. "I think you know quite well." Aemon looked just as uncomfortable when the king kept saying "Βecause I'm going to be truly busy today, go and rule in my place," Leaving him with a tangle of thoughts inside of his head.

"Yes Father," he murmured and followed again the long corridor, laughing at himself with what had just taken place. Just to fall on Viserra in the next aisle, a beautiful, smiling Viserra with a fucking, red mark on her milky neck...

And then ... Desmond's arrival was confirmed.

"Cover your neck and come with me." He said pulling her by the hand, leaving no room for defiance. "We have some serious topics to discuss ... Young thing."

Chapter Text

Aemon gasped and touched Viserra's shoulder while his eyes narrowed meeting her gaze.

"What can I do for you, brother?" She smirked when the two of them were in an empty corridor far enough away from everyone's eyes, while she was between his body and the wall. He said nothing but rubbed her aching wrist and then he removed the silk scarf from his neck, passing it around hers.

"Our father asked me to rule in his place and that was already quite a shock to me, however, he did it from our mother's arms ... Both were naked like their nameday." A gleam passed through Viserra's eyes and spread all over her face, while she laughed as she pulled her brother closer to her.

"Their Graces brought into the world thirteen children, sweet brother, how do you think it happened if not in the traditional way?"

"I have sired a child," said Aemon offended, "but that doesn't mean that I expected to see our parents lying together, with my own eyes, nor that they would continue to fuck."

"I agree that it's a strange sight to behold, but what made you think that they would stop doing it now? I think you have to get used to this, big brother. The rule passes slowly into your hands while our parents will spend their sweet time together without consequences."

"If you are talking about us this was not very kind, little sister, since you are at my very mercy today." He joked.

"I'm always at your mercy, big brother." Viserra smiled, "But I guess you don't enjoy it as much as our brother did last night."

Something in her eyes made his heart beat faster, that light teasing smile of hers drove him mad. "I wish it stayed that way, little thing," he murmured, "because if not ..." He never completed his thought leaving her curious about it. Her brother never said things he might later regret.

"Cover your neck and follow me, Vis," he said sighing. "I must do our father's will; you will join me to meet your husband-to-be."

"Why should I do that, when we both know too well that I'm not going to marry him?" Viserra scoffed but feels his arms around her waist.

"Because he is our guest and I ask for it for your own good." He answers by kissing her cheek; "Don't forget that you still need someone; Baelon has not talked to our father, not yet."

"Last night ..." Viserra tried to complain but he stopped her; "Never believe the words spoken out of lust, little thing. Before we come up with solutions that are not pleasant or we should beg for the king's mercy, I prefer to have played our last cards right." 

He paused for a moment before reminding her that he had not yet told her about Cass' pregnancy.

"It's not your business, but if I had left my seed into someone I would have told Jocelyn. Baelon has not done that also." This annoyed her mainly because it was true so she followed him.

The interior of the Throne Room was dark despite the lit torches and candles. Viserra to Aemon's right felt like a queen, especially when he, in all his gloriousness, smiled reassuringly at her.

The king's herald announced the young lordlings and finally, the northern escort entered the room, a sea of gray, green, and gold; leaving Viserra open-mouthed and wide-eyed from their wealth and grandeur.

"They certainly want a princess for a bride, little thing, and they are determined to claim that. Enjoy yourself, but without taking too far, at least until we know our brother's true intentions."

"Aemon," the princess protested, but he held her hand tightly, "just give this lad a chance and enjoy his company sister. I don't ask for anything more. "

Viserra agreed without speaking for it was Desmond's appearance that convinced her the most. Tall and handsome with a sharp smile and a bright green gaze, lord Desmond was anything but unwanted.

"Your Grace," he bowed gracefully, "I'm glad to be in the capital as your guest. "

"I'm glad you arrived well, Lord Manderly," said Aemon, smiling with comfort. "I heard that the autumn storms have already amplified."

"Indeed my prince, but my people are skillful at sea. After all, nothing would keep me away from your lady sister."

He smiled in her direction and she felt a shiver run down her spine, his eyes had always been on her.

Viserra noticed his face as he referred to herself, too bright, too cheerful, and quite blushing.

"Pardon me for my words," Desmond added as an old man of his escort whispered something into his ear, "Of course, I did not imply anything inappropriate for the princess. I'm just glad to join her company."

"I don't hear any inappropriate words about the princess, only the admiration of a young man, my lord." The Prince of Dragonstone replied with the charm of the king that would one day become and Viserra smiled with his words...She could not depress him, so she agreed to go with Desmond to the gardens, but she would go to Baelon's bedchambers first.

All feelings were a tangle into Baelon's mind as he let himself enjoy the hot water of this bath. Confused and exhausted by the coupling with Viserra the night before, he was trying to remember when was the last time he had felt something similar. The answer was, probably, after the wedding night with Alyssa, but for the sake of the Seven she was his wife, their coupling was wild but he had not dishonored her.

Also, truth be told, there is nothing comparable between them, except perhaps the fact that they both enjoyed riding him.

Even then, Viserra's body, juicy with curves that would make even a holy man cringe, could not be compared to that of his dead love, and Baelon felt equally foolish and helpless.

Although he had caused it himself when he took her maidenhead against a wall, he had never thought that she would claim him so wildly; in his mind, Viserra was still the girl who trembled under his touch.

Sighing as he cleaned himself, he concluded that he had to speak to the king soon, this was a dangerous game between them with so many ears and eyes around them. He had induced this problem and he knew it would anger his father, but he also had to act against the lordling.

He wondered again why in the Seven Hells the queen had preferred a green boy instead of him as his sister's mate. It was unfair in all respects, as only Daella had chosen someone away from the family, but Daella was a fragile, and scary little thing. Then, there was Saera, but she was just a spoiled girl.

It didn't make sense anyway, as Aemon wouldn't leave them much room for another secret meeting, especially if he had realized he had laid with their sister the night before but a different decision from the queen would make things easier.

Of course, he was older than Viserra and widowed but older men often married young maidens, but as he remembered the events of the night before, he felt weird. He had felt her teeth mark the skin of his neck while his body was in sync with hers, even though her thighs had nailed him to the bed to have him at her mercy.

His hands on her hips had given him a false sense that he was leading their coupling every so often, a vain hope for dominance as Viserra took her pleasure fucking herself on his manhood.

That's what Alyssa always did, the Spring Prince thought sadly, but the worst part was that her thought had left him terrified and not sure if he felt love or lust for Viserra.

Ηe came out of the water in a bad mood and withdrew his servants. He was looking at the flames burning in the hearth when her soft arms wrapped around his torso. He had never heard her come in as if she were Alyssa's ghost. Her touch was different but he could hear her giggle inside of his head.

"I will always be here, my beloved." The last word ended with Viserra's whisper into his ear.

"My beloved?" Viserra said again, while her fingers brushed his hair, "I came from the tunnels, my love. I don't have much time at my disposal but I had to catch a glimpse of you."

Baelon kissed her rough, her voices still repeating things inside of his head.

"Baelon-," His hands moved to her face and body as she took off the fabric with which he had covered himself after the bath with a quick flick.

He kissed her even harder as her thin fingers were already stroking his manhood and he pushed her head in that direction.

"Brother?"

It was Viserra the name that had come out of his lips, but she realized that he meant Alyssa.

Her eyes reflect anger and sadness when they meet his gaze, and Baelon wants to apologize for his actions, he wants to hold her in his arms and ask forgiveness not once but a thousand times yet there existed something harsh on her face and her body was stiff when he tries to hug her.

"I'm not her, brother, I never wanted to be." Viserra hears herself say and the voice comes out of her lips cracked. "I'm not here to replace her if you think so. I may have envied her once, but now I feel sorry for her."

"Stop!" It's the only thing he can tell her because he knows, he feels the words will be poisonous for both of them but Viserra feels extremely hurt anyways.

"Why? You know it's true; our sisters hated her because she always did what our parents would not allow the rest of us. She could ride a dragon or fuck her brother every night, or act like a man. Oh, what a marvelous thing for Alyssa with the boyish behavior, broken nose, and ridiculous hair! Poor Daela, a simple and shy young thing dead because she was forced to wed away from home. Poor Maegelle, polite and compassionate to all, has only her prayers. Poor Saera, all she wanted was father's affection… she would do anything to earn his affection… Poor Viserra ... vain and sly Viserra ... all she wants is the attention of the King's court..."

"How can you say that? She was your sister, the mother of my children!  You owe her respect." Baelon hears himself say hard.

"I owe only to myself, Baelon." Her last words came out of her lips only to hurt him, but she gained a kind of fake happiness as he looked at her sadly and tearfully.

"Fuck your memories, fuck your fake feelings and fuck you! I don't want to be your half-loved."

Chapter Text

Lord Desmond Manderly

Quite impatient and anxious, Desmond took two steps forward and the fallen dry leaves rustled under his boots. Domeric stood only a few steps away from him. "These formalities are an annoying issue," he grumbled, commenting on the princess' escort. "I think you will never see her alone before the wedding."

If this wedding ever takes place ... Desmond thought, looking at his childhood friend, without saying anything else. For a well-arranged issue as his great-grandfather had said to him nothing had gone as imagined. Viserra was a wonderful woman in all respects but the issue of her dowry was another matter.

It was Jaehaerys himself who spoke of it, much to the surprise of half the council but not the queen. Everyone at the Red Keep said power between them was well shared. Does that mean I have to give her half my fortune now and rule with her afterwards?

"Lord Desmond," she says brightly when she gets close enough to him, "pardons me for the delay but there was a serious issue in court."

"I understand princess!" he winks and feels like a green boy. Viserra giggles at his reaction.

"You are afraid of me?" she asks and her voice is like flowing chirping, "I'm just a girl my lord, nothing extraordinary besides."

"You are all the stars of the sky," he whispers into her ear as they walk and he can see the pink on her cheeks turning ruddy. 

"My lord is very kind;" she replies stopping in front of a flowerbed with blooming yellow daisies, "he trying to impress me."

"Oh, come now Viserra, I'm just a huge admirer of your beauty." He takes her small palm into his hands and kisses her fingers. "My beautiful princess, my nights are lonely out of your company."

Seconds later Viserra pulls him by the sleeve in a hidden corner of the garden, their guards were distant enough. Desmond leans his face to kiss her, but she makes a sign with her free hand before flaring into her familiar cute giggle.

"Your friend and my lady are whispering to each other today, "I think this relationship will end well."

Something that probably won't happen to us. Desmond thinks. "Domeric has found the warmth he deserves, princess," he finally replies. "I promise to you that your lady will be happy in the North. Domeric will treat her well."

"But there is something else you do not tell me." Viserra smiles and runs her hand through his hair; "I see it in your eyes. I promise not to laugh, if you are afraid of it, my lord."

"I'm not afraid," Desmond reacts but at that moment she pulls him on her, in a contact that takes his breath away, however, their lips never come close...

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a figure with silver hair like hers at the other end of the garden.

"Is this the Prince of Dragonstone?" he asks embarrassed since they have come so close.

"Oh, no ..." Viserra replies, her eyes always on that other figure. "is my other brother, Prince Baelon, in a bad mood I guess!" she says it indifferently but Desmond can see the glow on her face. Their walk ends immediately after.

Baelon the Brave

The sound of strong wings high above the Red Keep and the shriek of a - probably - young dragon broke the endless silence of his chambers.

"You must see this!" Aemon is the one who pulls the curtains aside and the pale autumn light enters the room. Baelon just nods, his head heavy with wine and the constant crying and wakefulness.

"Oh, go away." Is the only thing he whispers, his voice is as if he has come out of a grave.

"I can leave you in your misery or help you to come back to us. When was the last time you saw your sons? "The Prince of Dragonstone hopes that the referred to the boys will force his brother to leave the bed but it's vain.

"Or do you want to prove to yourself that you are an indifferent father and a brother also?" moreover" - Aemon frowned at this- "when was the last time you saw your ugly face in a mirror?"

"Go fuck yourself," Baelon said angrily, his eyes glowing wildly like lightning. " I don't need your pity or advice, you betrayed me with all your heart when you let her go with the lordling."

"Fuck off, Baelon!" Aemon replies calmly as if telling Rhaenys that he loves her, or talking to the king about state matters. "Do you want to talk about your suffering? nice! This is also a beginning."

"I have nothing to say. I'm probably cursed." He speaks in a dramatic tone, something that seems so weird even to himself.

"Or just stupid," Aemon replies while still looking at the dragon circling high above the capital. The name suits him, he realizes. its scales shine in the sun like fire.

"I thought you were here to comfort me!" Baelon sighs and then throws a pillow at him, which strikes Aemon on the face. "When did I say that, valonqar?"He smiles at him.

"If you want solace or advice, I think our siblings will be pleased to offer you both, as long as they are bold enough to undergo your whining."

This made the Spring Prince lift his torso enough to rest on his elbows; "Our siblings are coming to the capital? For what purpose?" he whispered almost terrified at the thought that their family was getting together for one reason; her wedding.

"It seems that the queen finally understood the meaning of punishment," Aemon replied, shrugging. Vaegon's presence at home after so many years on the citadel is certainly the best punishment she could think of."

This brought a faint smile to Baelon's face that turned into a loud laugh as the memories unfolded like a tangle before his eyes.

"Do you remember when our father asked me to drill him? I could never have imagined that some boys are such miserable warriors until I took our brother out to the training yard. Gods, it was horrible! He could not learn even a solitary correct tactic."

"He was even worse with women." Aemon laughed by tapping his brother's shoulder. "I still remember the horror on his face when our parents introduced to him some girls at a gathering."

"Archmaester Vaegon ....." Baelon sneered ... "do you think he will look at us again with this disdainful look brother?"

"Because we are sinners who remain so faithful to the family? Aemon added, laughing. "maybe he brings books with him that say so ...."

"Maybe it's reasonable that he did not understand ... he never had a dragon."

"She was also dragonless so far," Aemon whispered in a conqueror's tone as Baelon got out of his soft bed.

"What did the father say about this?" the Spring Prince asked softly, pointing to the golden dragon in the sky, as he remembered the king's words before his marriage to Alyssa.

"I will not leave our dragons in the hands of girls who might wed away from home. My sister Rhaena had warned me about this. A dragon in a foreign House is a dangerous weapon, two can mean war, more can mean the end of our family. If you want to claim a dragon marry your brother first."

Strangely, Baelon was sure that Alyssa would resist the king's command and sneak into the Dragonpit, but she had accepted the path of marriage ... and death as it turned out.

"Our father allowed her to take Sunfyre in the North. He feels better if he knows that Viserra can return to us quickly if needed."

"When did this happen?" Baelon shouted angrily. "Do you understand what you just told me?"

"In the previous council, valonqar," Aemon answered indifferently. "The council has discussed most of the issues regarding her betrothal, however, the issue of dowry remains."

"Who raised the issue?" Baelon asked just as angry as before. Although it was welcome news, he could not quell his anger. Everything had gone wrong and he was primarily responsible for it.

"The king himself of course. He's present in all the discussions." Aemon sighed. "You will not believe that he's negotiating the matter as if he were the owner of a pillow house if you don't see it with your own eyes. If the Manderlys want our sister for a bride it will cost them more than half of their wealth."

"How much will the crown gain from this?" Baelon asked seemingly indifferently, but he was already beginning to realize that this was the first time, so it was done on purpose; Lord Arryn had paid much less for Daella.

"One-third which will be given her back as a gift if she has a child within a year." The Prince of Dragonstone replied.

"Our little sister will be rich after her wedding," Aemon added to this but the Spring Prince did not hear a single word from his last sentence.

The image of Viserra in the labor bed had formed in his mind and for the first time, he felt brave enough to admit his fear in public.

"No," he shouted, something that made Aemon look at him curiously. "She should never have children, her life should not be exposed to danger as happened with Daella and Alyssa! Viserra is precious for this to happen."

Aemon looked like he had been struck by lightning when Baelon looked at him again.

"I know you're angry with me, brother. I know I made a huge mistake and I wanted to make it the right thing, I tried ..." Baelon tried to explain but Aemon interrupted him. It was finally the right time for them to speak frankly, leaving no room for new secrets or lies.

"Not enough." Aemon heard himself say. "You hurt our sister and forced me to choose between the two of you, Baelon. You pushed me to do something I hate so much."

"And yet you did what I did not have the strength to do! You took her under your wings; Viserra needs your protection, brother, not my stupid ego!"

But your child will need both parents, Aemon thought sadly. Not only because Baelon did not want what he otherwise did not know existed; the baby growing up into Viserra's womb, but mainly for he could not forgive himself for not understanding his brother's fears for so long.

"You have two sons, strong sons, good boys. Alyssa did not die sad, she held them in her arms, she take care of them, and took them with her on Meleys, making our father shout that she was only a crazy girl." 

The memory made him smile. When everyone's words had been in vain, Queen Alysanne had asked His Grace to order her not to do this nonsense as the child was newborn and she was still recovering from the labor.

Jaehaerys had spoken to her as a father and then as a king, he had begged and ordered .... To no avail. The first- and his only - words when the Red Queen spread her wings carrying the princess and the baby in the skies was "Be sure to discipline your wife, Baelon."

"I should have been wiser back then and done what you did after Rhaenys was born," he finally said, "should not have had another child with Alyssa but it's not too late; I will not let Viserra be in danger."

It was comforting that he cared so much for her, but Aemon could not forget the girl in Dragonstone.

"And yet a maid is expecting your third child while you do not want to allow our sister to have children of her own? someone who did not know you so well would think that you are only interested in yourself, valonqar."

"People who do not know me so well can believe whatever they want, brother," Baelon finally replied, "but rest assured that I will bring fire and blood to anyone who harms our sister, starting with myself."

"So you love her, idiot! " Aemon could not hide his surprise. "After what came about you admit that you love her. I will not ask you why you did not speak directly to our father, since the answer is that you are a fool, but I will do everything I can to help you if you promise me that you will try every day to have her cheerful, satisfied and safe. You will not take her to your bed again unless she comes to you willing and wet." His face redden when their gaze met again. "Do not hurt her again, Baelon…."

"And the lordling? our sister seems to enjoy his company." Baelon scoffed. "What will happen to him? what will come about to her future marriage?"

"Because I asked her to do her duty but her thinkings are always on you. Our sister loves you, valonqar. As I've said in the past, Viserra is not the vain girl she once was."

"Accept my apology," Baelon whispered, and Aemon was surprised and scared at the same time. "She came to me after that night, brother ... We talked ... about Alyssa! "

"May the gods help you because I don't know if I can." Aemon was sad when he hugged him. "No woman would like to be compared to the first love of the man she loves - a dead wife - and even more so our little sister. You know it quite well even if you choose not to think of it that Alyssa was like a constant nightmare for our sisters; Or do you believe Saera did not need a tight hug or Daella a kind man to look after her?"

"Viserra told me the same thing," Baelon whispered slowly. "I never wanted to believe that our sisters hated Alyssa, that they did not feel affection for her."

"I know how much you loved her, brother, but do you think that if she were you, she would be alone now? lying on her empty, cold mattress? A widow who would live only with her prayers and the memory of her lost love? Well, I'm telling you that she would keep her bed warm and the only difference between you is that she would not have a brother available for it."

Baelon hugged him after that and remained silent for a while. "You have only one choice if you love the wench; talk to the king now!" Aemon added, looking deep into his eyes, "I will do the rest. You can trust me, brother; all I ask of you is to be sure of your feelings."

"I thought I was. I came back from Dragonstone ready to talk to our father, but that night…" Baelon lowered his head but Aemon could see the blush on his little brother's face. "She was behaving like Alyssa during our coupling."

"What a drama!" The Prince of Dragonstone scoffed. "Your little sister desperately wants your cock in her tight cunt, but you are a holy man like High Septon and you don't want to slip inside her. Viserra is not Alyssa and does not want to replace her, Baelon, but if you don't act quickly be sure that she will do her duty and soon she will marry anyone."

"Where will I find the king?" he asked Aemon while calling his servants to prepare him a hot bath, "is he in the throne room or his solar?"

"In neither." the Prince of Dragonstone mocked, leaving Baelon the Brave wondering where the hell he would find him. "in your place I would start with our mother's bed!" he finally said, pursing his lips. "The last few days he is under her the blankets, between her legs."

Princess Viserra Targaryen

Although she had felt quite nervous when she had climbed on the dragonback for the first time, it was something that was slowly starting to fade. Sunfyre was always obedient and that had dispelled her fear.

Her dragon was the one who calmed her as well, all the previous days. Viserra was disheartened and angry with Baelon, but this time she chose not to talk to anyone about it; Sunfyre was the only exception.

It was the most beautiful time of the day; although there were quite dark clouds in the sky, the sun made the dragon's scales shine like gold and she had already forgotten everything when another scream was heard in the air.

Sunfyre responded cautiously, he was young enough to compete with the older dragons but fierce enough if he needed to protect his rider. Smoke came out of his nostrils and every now and then he let small golden flames come out of his mouth. It was not something that would scare Caraxes, however; Aemon had proudly told her that the smallfolk called his mount Blood Wyrm, which was not surprising, his red color was just like blood and he was wilder than Vermithor or Vhagar.

Viserra herself had often wondered how it was possible to match so well the personalities of a dragon and a dragonrider, as she had read in the books her ancestors had brought from Valyria when Aemon was so calm and gentle. Their mother often said laughing that her brother read from the early years of his life and his first word was why, While the king often said that the first thing Caraxes did when he started flying was to set fire to Dragonstone's stables. Fortunately, the servants had extinguished it in time.

"Gods forgive me but I could resist it," Aemon's voice brought a shiver down her spine through her leather clothes.

"You do not have much to do today?" she teased him while he kept a short distance between them.

"A few stuff, but not here. Will you come with me to Dragonstone? if you want to play an active role in court I can teach you a few things." Aemon gave her a bright smile, his face shone all over, his hair was like white gold.

"Why? since I will leave the court soon; unless you understand that you are sending your little sister to freeze. If this is your problem, my darling brother, you should not feel bad about your decision; I challenged my own fate. Terrible thing, I know, but I feel lucky somehow. At least my future groom is a boy my age and not a man twice my age with a belly as huge as a rock. I just pray that he accepts my child as his own."

There were not many words to tell her, the vanity girl had given her place to a mature, young woman. "You must learn to rule because you are as smart as a fox," he shouted, turning Caraxes to Dragonstone.

"Challenge your luck with me once, little thing!"

Viserra smiled at his words, a provocation against him would certainly have an ambiguous result, but with a shake of her whip Sunfyre followed Caraxes anyways. The breeze was destroying her braided hair, but at the same time, this cold touch on her face gave her a feeling she could not remember if she had tasted before.

It was the first time she had flown so far from the capital, the sounds and noise of the city had been replaced by something else that Viserra could not describe in words. Serenity! She felt like she was walking in a violet sea made of clouds and soft sunlight as the sun went west.

She was high above Dragonstone keeping away from her mind anything serving all the future purposes. all that was important was the touch of the sun on her skin and the sea air into her chest. It was then that Caraxes came out of the clouds like lightning, with Aemon bursting into laughter upon his back.

"Have you ever seen yourself when you are like a scared little kitten?"

She turned her head in his direction holding the whip tightly in her hand. "Not so kind words from a lovely dear like you, you will repent of it soon."

"You have to catch me first and you are nothing more than a small, fluffy cat!" Aemon laughed before lifting his whip hitting the air louder than the red dragon. "So catch me!"

"Mule!" her face was red when she pushed forward the golden dragon. "You have been my favorite brother so far."

She never heard his answer as Caraxes had already started landing on the ground but when Sunfyre also landed his strong hands untied the saddle chains holding her firmly in his arms.

"When will this end?" Viserra made a vague gesture of course meaning their courtship.

Because gods, it may have been foolish but it was also sweet. His words were full of ecstasy and fire, what every woman desires to hear. 

"Never?" he shrugged, laughing at her reactions; "Or until your stupid mate learns to do a similar thing. To talk to you softly before he has you into his bed. "

"Beautiful lies," she heard herself say before his face approached hers and his lips left a soft, pure kiss on her cheek.

"But this was true, little thing. I believe your lord husband will do the rest, but if you ever feel afraid of the unknown..."

"I have my daring brother." 

"You have two brothers, little thing."

"Three", she stopped him "is it true that Vaegon will come home for some time? He has not done it again for so many years."

"Of course," he replied, " this gray weasel would not miss the opportunity to punish Baelon for the past!"

Her sweet giggle cracked the silence of the yard but when she looked back at his face her eyes were full of tears.

"Desmond is kind now because he thinks I'm the pure princess he was promised, not a dishonored girl growing with child."

"So you have not understood anything yet?" he hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. "There is a reason you are here, except of course that you will help me; Everything is done for your happiness, little sister. everything favors your life."

"I don't understand," she murmurs in his ear and Aemon laughs then.

"For now, it is enough to know that I'm always by your side, little thing, although it was wrong not to tell me about the last thing that happened." He sighs and never tells her about Baelon's fears; it's something he will overcome when she tells him she is expecting a baby and this must be done soon before it's known in court.

"How can I defeat a ghost?" she complaints to him, leaving a sob out  of her lips, "she will always have his love."

"Facing it with the truth," he answers her and gently pulls her towards the inside of the castle. "Old loves die hard, but lies die harder!"

King Jaehaerys & Queen Alysanne Targaryen

"Alyssane!"  The king's voice was hoarse as his lips kissed the queen's thighs, "You are still torturing me, woman! I feel like you mesmerized me that night when you secretly came to my chambers to tell me that our mother wanted to marry you to someone else."

"This is an ancient fact, Your Grace," the queen reacted with a giggle. "Then we were just a little older than children and now..."

"Aye, I know..." He said softly and she felt his hot breath on her milky skin. "We  have grandchildren now... but this is not an age-old fact, my queen."

"Your Grace," she sighed as his beard gently scratched the inside  of her thighs, "don't you think we're too old for that, at least?"

"Tell me that  later if you yet  believe it!" He chuckled before his fingers touched her sweetest parts while his tongue slid to her lower, humid lips.

Alysanne's fingers caught a few curls from the king's tangled hair when his tongue moved on her puffy lower lips, slowly dragging up and down her sweet, warm flower and sending a tingling sensation up her spine. She felt her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and arousal now that she had come out of her thoughts to realize how wet was between her legs.

"So you want me to stop this ancient thing, my love?"He teased her but she bit her lip, whimpering softly as the King's tongue slowly trailed up toward her clit, where it stayed to circle her small, sensitive, pink button.

"Jae!" the queen sighed his name as he tasted her greedily, like the first years of their marriage. It was not exactly an old thing as she had teased him before, but deep passion and love.  He was a man who loved everything about her, a lover who knew her own body as well as herself or perhaps even better.

They were both completely devoted to it, this sweet feeling of their lovemaking, and neither of them heard the sound of a hand on the wooden door but they both indeed heard Baelon's voice asking for the king.

Alysanne's face turned red, a mixture of half shame and half pleasure, while Jaehaerys murmured a curse between his teeth.

"Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, Baelon!" He finally said. "I have serious work now. If you need something from the council, go find your brother!"

"My king ...." the Spring Prince insisted, only to win a rather angry reaction from his lord father. "Leave now or I'll see you in a week!"

"That was not very kind, Jae!" Alysanne rebuked him, though quite gently. "Οur son was here to explain to you about our daughter, and you did not accept to see him."

"Two more days will not be a serious issue in life, he is young, he can wait!" the king disagreed by holding a curl of her hair between his fingers.

"After all, he must learn from his nonsense, Aly; it was my daughter who took her to his bed and deflowered her, his little sister! I once killed a boy for the same reason! So, I will not allow him to have... any parts of her for his own pleasure before the wedding because he's my son!"

"Still, that did not stop him from kissing her in the garden on the day of his return. He has already bed her once, what do you think can discontinue it now? Let's be honest, our son has already got a taste of all parts of our daughter, your grace. We need to sort out the wedding issue soon and also find a mate for that boy. Lord Manderly has always been an honest friend of the Iron Throne."

"Aye, but after I get a taste of you my queen," he answered back winking at her. "It grieves me to reject him as our  daughter's spouse, raising the issue of her dowry, but I can not give to the northerners a dragon."

"While you can give them our daughter when it belongs to someone else? I know very well my children your grace, and while I dοn't hide from you that it bothers me that they did not expect to receive our blessing, I'm sure that their hearts are bound."

"Alyssane", every time his lips whispered her name it was like praying to all the gods of the realm, "How many chances does a man have to love so deeply  that it risks its duty?" 

"A woman's love can elevate a man, your grace. Under the right circumstances this relationship can grow well, but I wonder if our daughter will be skilled to do her duty to his children or if he has decided that he really wants to share his life with her and not only his bed. If Baelon is not sure about this, I will not let my daughter hurt!"

"To come here, ready to talk to me he is sure of his feelings. Yes, I agree that he did foolish things and of course, I will warn him for the future but don't have fears, my love. Viserra will be safe and protected by his side."

"Then why did you not agree to meet him?" her fingers brushed his cheeks, the kiss was inevitable.

"Because he has to part from the last piece that binds him to Alyssa, give him some time, he is ready for it.

"Their boys will unite them forever, Jae." Alysanne protested, but he interrupted her with a kiss.

"I'm not talking about our grandchildren, my love."

Their lips joined in a deep sweet kiss while the silence of the afternoon was broken by the voice of a dragon.

Chapter Text

Dragonstone

Princess Viserra Targaryen & Prince Aemon Targaryen, Heir to The Iron Throne 

Dragonstone's chambers were warmer than any room in the Red Keep and the heat was a pleasant thing, especially when she was upset.

Viserra had taken her bath earlier than usual to ward off the smell of the dragon and the tiredness of the trip.

She did not have her own clothes with her except for her leather ones, but they were quite unfit for her vanity; besides Aemon had told her laughing that he would need all her grace in the next meetings and so she had borrowed some of her mother's chest, combining three different pieces; a dark blue skirt, a white tunic and a bodice in the color of lavender.

She had even combed her hair simpler, braiding a few curls into two braids that joined at the back of her head while the rest of her curls touched her shoulders.

Aemon looked lazy and comfortable, with his wet braided hair shining like molten silver by candlelight.

  He had changed his riding clothes with black breeches, a sand-colored tunic, and his favorite green double.

  Viserra noticed the pink color of his face and ran a finger from his cheek to his jaw; his skin was cold to the touch and the green color made his cheeks look almost peachy.

"You come from outside." she remarked in her flowing voice, "you are frozen!" "I went to see the dragons without putting on my cloak and they delayed me in the yard," he replied, lowering his head.

"Is this true or did you not want to hide your double under a black cloak?" she giggled. "Maybe I should sew a green dress when we return home."

"Do it and our brother will teas you too!"He muttered. "It is so odd that I prefer the green more to the colors of our House?"

"It would be odd if I could talk to Baelon about court's fashion while he's stuck with black," she snickered, "how can you be so perfect?" The meeting of his lilac and her orchid always brought a flutter and a serenity to their hearts.

"Dinner is ready and we have a lot to discuss, little thing!" The blush on his face suited him, Viserra admitted to herself, smiling at him as he continued to talk. "But I'm sorry that it's not something special for a princess like you!" 

"This is what the king's heir says," she teased him. "I have no problem with the simple food unless the meat belongs to a mouse from the field."

"Viserra!" Aemon complained, "You keep teasing me, sister!" but he adored her smiling face. "Because I love you, brother." Immediately after, she nestled in his arms and the only sound that could be heard was their breathing as he stroked her hair while her head was on his chest.

"Good that you brought me here," she finally told him giggling, bringing her face a few inches away from his own. "I often find myself more serene in places with smaller crowds."

"I thought you never wanted to leave the king's court, so you turned to our brother first."

"And then I learned that I do not gain more respect if I have a prince or a powerful lord by my side but because I can do something, even a small thing, to leave my mark on the court."

"That's why I bring you here," he told her laughing, giving her a teasing look as she wrapped a thin shawl around her small shoulders, "Jocelyn had to stay in the capital to meet some ladies there but I needed you with me!"

"So are we going to meet some ladies here and you are afraid to do it yourself? for someone who has adored the women of his family, this is strange."

"We will meet mainly farmers," he replied, "so your charm will make them feel more comfortable. If I wanted to scare them I would bring our brother!"

They walked together in the narrow semi-dark corridors, heading towards the kitchens. Viserra guessed the cold outside; dampness pierced her to the bone and increased the anxiety she had felt before.

"Sister, are you okay?" Aemon held her firmly by the hand and looked her in the eyes, his gaze reassured her a lot but she had nothing to say to him.

I can not worry him about something I don't know what it is, he would pass me off as a fool. She thought before giving him a reassuring smile. "Surely we will not eat anything strange?"

It was as silly as telling him that something ghostly was bothering me, she thought at last, but he smiled at her and his face shone all over.

*

*

The food was wonderfully delicious, pumpkin soup with fresh butter, mushrooms with thyme and garlic, and a salad with red fennel, spinach, and walnuts. Viserra was rather relieved that the dinner had no meat. Aemon filled their glasses with Arbor gold, but only twice.

Talking to him was always delightful, even when it came to state issues. Aemon answered all her questions smiling, as did the Norvoshi dance teacher in her childhood.

It was different than with Aemon of course, Viserra thought.

A young man with violet eyes, soft hands, shaved bare. He had a sweet smile and warm red lips and the little princess had proved to be a willing and diligent learner; of all her sisters only Saera knew how to dance as well as she did.

Aemon was different, of course, and although he was equally fantastic in the ballroom and the training yard, he always preferred his books and poems while Baelon .... well .... Viserra was always looking for occasions to dance with him at festivities and banquets.

The thought of Baelon under her body upset her, bringing blushing to her face and Aemon laughed though shyly.

"From your expression, I think you have already missed your loved one." He whispered, and the flames of the hearth shone orange and red in his eyes.

"What about your darling wife?" She asked him playfully, taking a few sips of her wine; "are you still as happy as before, brother?"

"Jocelyn is my desire and my duty, so aye. As you are both someone else's desire and duty. We all have a place in the sun little sister, mine is her!"

"Even if Desmond says such words to me, I'm not sure he truly means them. Sometimes I wonder how you can be so perfect." She felt her cheeks warm as she looked at him and she could not easily explain in words what she was feeling.

"I'm not." He held her hand in his and caressed one of her curls looking her in the eyes. "You see the poet but there is steel underneath. I often struggle with myself to do the right thing, my path is not easy but I can not deviate from it. We are nothing more but weak flesh with desires and weaknesses. Even power is something utopian; one day you can be a powerful king and the next day a corpse. A man's true strength lies in his hands and heart."

"Two things with which he can hold a woman and raise a family, and yet you tell me that I only see the poet but there is also steel underneath." She teas him. "I see what you certainly are, don't you think?"

"This poet is not me, my sweetheart. These are our father's first words when I started following him to the council shortly before I engaged Jocelyn. Why do you think our mother is still in love with him?"

"Then why did you think they stopped lying down together?" Viserra giggled but Aemon just frown. "Our parents are happy ... "

"As will happen to you." Viserra avoided looking at him, lowering her gaze, but Aemon  put a hand under her chin and lifted it gently so that he can look into her purple eyes,
"I know this mood, Vis, you think that even though you obey my wish you will not be loved as much as you want. You always wanted that, didn't you? my little sister who never cried and never begged."

"Your little sister, a sly and vain girl ..." Viserra scoffed, "it seems that our brother and his actions have taught me enough about humbleness now;  everyone is talking about the peaceful daughter."

For the dishonored daughter ... Aemon thought but did not speak further.
Although the king had threatened that anyone referring to the princess' shame would meet the Bronze Fury up close and his jaws also some lords of the small council whispered about it. Aemon had kept their names and may not have met the wrath of Vermithor but they would have met that of  Caraxes if necessary.

"Honestly, fuck the opinion of the court and live! Handle only with what is important to you, don't abandon your desires for them."

Her face shone all over with his words, that warm suspicion that Baelon finally wanted her by his side and would truly claim her, that he had decided to share his life, not just his bed.
"Is there another reason we're here, my beloved? Did you talk to him? Aemon, tell me, I want to know."

"I will say no more, unless I am completely sure, little thing. Pardon me because words are wind and they can hurt you anyways."

"Aemon," she complained, "you have to tell me, I will have to make a decision soon enough and I'm not ready for it; I'm not ready to leave Jocelyn or your marvelous daughter or to leave you ...."

"You are not ready to deny him! You still love him even when he behaves like a fool. I know, darling, when love comes into our hearts overturns all our plans; we are helpless in the will of the gods."

"The Maiden,  the Mother, and the Crone?" Viserra sneered. "Do you think that the Seven know that my blood boils for him?"

"Syrax, Meraxes and Vhagar". He answered with a serious voice. "When your blood boils it is because our gods wanted it. But now you have to go to bed before I upset you more."

"You don't upset me," she protest while he winked at her until she understood what Aemon surely hinted between his words.

"Your wife's prayer book ...." Viserra started saying but he interrupted her by pinching her cheek. "It is not hers but mine, a gift from the king before my betrothal. You see, he wanted me to be well prepared for my marital duties ... Our stupid brother has a similar one, maybe you should ask for it!"

*

*

His laughter accompanied her when she closed the door of her chambers but despite the relaxation and serenity sleep did not come easily.

Of course not because of Baelon's prayer book, although she once or twice thought that they were lying into his bed looking at its contents, nor because of the king's gifts to her brothers, as everyone in court whispered that a similar book had been given to Vaegon but because of the same anxiety she felt before dinner.

Even when sleep weighed on her eyelids the same dream upset her several times, Saera was lying on a bed red with blood. "Dragon's blood", a voice was heard inside  Viserra's mind, "this is the blood of the dragon ..."

Tired, she carried the blankets and furs she used as bedclothes from the bed in front of the fireplace; the fire was always something that the Targaryens loved but that didn't help either.

It was about midnight, Aemon was sitting at his desk wearing only his nightclothes with his cloak thrown lightly around his shoulders. The talk with Viserra had awakened a new fear into his heart, so he prayed to whatever god could hear or see him at that moment to protect what had been important.

"It's my duty as a brother, with Maegelle and Saera away from home and Daella and Alyssa dead she is the only one I have left, she and Gael, but she is still a child. You will not break my mother's heart again by taking one of her children, I know, but give me a sign that I am doing the right thing." The answer never came, and so he stayed in the same place watching the flames dancing in the hearth.

Several hours later, his little sister's innocent desire for a green dress brought the right words; his hands were smeared with ink and his face had a mood that he had conquered something even though it was just words even with a meaning of their own. Then he heard it, a whimper the same as the cry of an injured animal, only it had come out of Viserra's lips.

Sister! Ηe ran to the next room with his chest aching from the anxiety, their shadows-dark and scary- dancing on the walls around them.

"Do you think this is a place for a princess?" he scolded her, but with a smile on his face. "For a princess who is expecting a child; Sorry sister, but I disagree with you; I think you still need your guardian."

His strong arms wrapped around her body, his breath was around her neck as he carried her back to her soft bed and covered her tenderly with her furs as he often did in the evenings with Rhaenys.
"Aemon ..." her voice was a low whisper in the dark. "I know." he replied caressing her hair gently, "I am here and I will stay by your side." Maybe it was the sign of the gods or maybe not .... for Aemon it didn't matter.

"I saw Saera on a bloody bed ..." she murmured before finally falling asleep.
"Protect my sisters." Aemon prayed again before falling into a dreamless sleep besides Viserra's body.

Lys 

Princess Saera Targaryen 

Saera stood on the small hill of the Rogare mansion, looking at the autumn landscape around her. Strong storms had already begun across the Narrow Sea, Draeko said, as some of their own ships that had begun commercial voyages to Westeros were delayed in this turn of the moon.

Winters were always a peaceful time for Westeros she thought; especially after long summers like this when the harvests were good and the people had shelter and food. It sounded silly when she was younger, but now that she lived so far from home she could only admire her father's heart; now he will stop the royal progress and his hearings will lessen, Saera thought.  Ηe may ride  Vermithor from time to time but mostly he will spend the days with muña; Aemon would also retire to his rooms with Jocelyn and only Baelon would be alone with his sons ...

Saera had wished endlessly for their Graces to stop her sister's wedding because winter was coming, but they were more likely to hurry up... before winter covered Westeros with its icy wings her little sister would be a  woman wed.
It's the wrong wedding...Viserra's place was not in the North... She had decided that she would write about it to their father even if he did not speak to her again.

"You should have been in bed like a proper lady, but you came here because you are mainly a stubborn mule."

"My father would tell you that it's my family's trait," she laughed but her face lost its glow and her eyes clouded.

"I can't believe he was talking like that to you, he loves you, Saera ..."

"Oh, it was something he often said to my brothers but with me, he was always kind ..."

She did not let him react as their conversation in the last few days always had the same result and was not funny at all. Instead, she stroked his cheek with her fingertips and their faces come close.

'Are you angry with me because you put your business aside, valzȳrys?"

"Oh, seriously now, ābrazȳrys?" Draeko grimaced before his lips join hers, "I've not left home in the last twenty days but I'm not bothered with that; I want to be by your side when the time comes, but we still have time to inform her your mother. I'm sure she will want to be here, to hold your hand."

"We have no more time for this, I feel it in my bones from the morrow ... The babe will be born soon." Saera answered calmly but Draeko probably lost a few of his heartbeat.

"Sylwia had asked you to stay in your bed," he finally said, already knowing her reaction.

"Speak for yourself, my sweetheart, or do you think Maron did not talk to me?"

"I did not bed him!" Draeko answered back annoyed. "How I could, after all? when one is sleeping or working the other is with you."

"He didn't tell me anything, you idiot," she finally said, by biting his cheek gently, "the poor boy is probably more afraid than I am ..."

"Because he loves you as much as I do. I have given battles and run our House but the moment of childbirth scares me."

"My brother once said the same thing to his wife ..." Although she had never felt any affection for Alyssa, her brother was another matter. I can do something so that he is not left lonely. Saera thought and glanced at the soft grass under her feet.

"Your skirt ..." Draeko said, pointing to the edge of the cloth that had been caught in a bunch of flowers; Saera murmured a curse between her teeth but Draeko used his dagger to remove the uninvited guest out of her clothes. "You ruined my dress," Saera grumbled, but Draeko just shrugged. "I wanted to do it for a long time but in a more private place." Although he winked at her, his face blushed as if he were a boy and not the patriarch of their house... "I never liked it anyway but I will pay for a new one if you wish!"

She was ready to answer him as always but her vision got blurry, and she felt the wetness between her legs. Her eyes widened when she reached to her lady part. It was time.

Cursing under her breath, she tried to take a few steps but the pain that shook her body almost let her fall to the ground.

"Saera?"

"Draeko, help me!" Her voice died, the pain becoming unbearable for her. Taking a small step towards the boy, she felt as she was falling, the ground coming closer and closer, stopping when strong hands grabbed her body. Draeko held her tight and then took her in his arms, careful to not press her belly.

While he was walking fast with her in his arms Saera let a small scream come off her lips, one hand was around the boy's neck while her free hand reached her belly.

"Maron, Tyrja, help!" Draeko shouted with all his might as they moved toward the house. "Ran and call Sylwia and the others! Now! Hurry up!"

Tyrja, their young housekeeper, stumbled here and there, his face white and confused, while Maron helped Draeko carry Saera to her room. Their servants already carrying towels, cloths, and hot water.

"What were you thinking girl? Your child is almost here and you go for walks?" Maron grumbled, but Draeko put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"She just wanted to get some fresh air, valonqar!"

"Besides, there isn't much for women who are expecting to do," Sylwia said touching Saera's forehead carefully.

"You are a bit warmer than usual, my dear, but you will be fine. I haven't lost a mother or child since my first birth, and I won't start to lose them now."

"Thank you," Saera murmured, looking at the older woman and then bit her own arm, muffling the scream that left her throat, "I would probably feel better if my mother was here ..."

"We can call her now," Maron replied, hoping to allay Saera's fears.

"We can not, you fool," Draeko answered back annoyed, "even if the queen left Westeros today it would take days; I hope the labor will last less."

Saera's eyes widened in shock and another scream escaped her mouth.

"I think it's time to leave, your Serenity. Miriam led them our Lords out."

Sylwia smiled reassuringly at the princess. "Your mother will be proud of you, my lady, you are doing great."

"Mother," Saera sighed as the pain increased again, "Is this my punishment because I was never a good sister?" I was probably not a good daughter either .... she thought as the pain was like a knife that cut her in two, "Father, forgave me."

"Tell us when it hurts, sweetheart." Talia pulled a pail filled with water to her side, dipping a clean cloth in it, and placing it on Saera's head.

"Sylwia, tell us if you need help. " Saera heard Draeko's voice from behind the door. Grasping one of the smaller pillows, she twisted it, biting her lips harder, drawing blood.

"Oh no, my lady!" Miriam squeezes her hand, forcing her to look her into her eyes, "there is no shame in the pain. We will share it with you."

Sylwia pushed her legs upward and out, lifting her skirt. " Petra and Talia, help me lift her a bit. Miriam, pull her dress up!" The girls pushed their hands under her torso, Miriam grabbed her skirt, and Sylwia stood at her legs, grabbing a few pillows, pilling them together.

"At my mark, lift. Now!" Sylwia shouted, the girls lifted her with almost ease, Miriam quickly pulling the skirt up to her breasts, Sylwia pushing the pillows under her lower back, the girls lowering her down.

Saera grabbed the sheet again, the pain was unbearable.

"Miriam, to her side! Talia helps us with the water, you will be in charge to bring them to us if needed. Petra, bring herbs to relieve her pain."

The girl gently caressed her belly with a mixture of herbs, the scent alleviated both her pain and her fear.

"Good. Now, I want you to listen to me very closely my lady. The babe has started moving, and we might have to help her out. You are not bleeding as of now, but that can change. Scream freely, this is not an easy thing, but don’t pass out! Yell, scream, curse, just stay with us!"

Saera nodded, and this time, she let a small of her voice escape.

"Just breath my darling!"

Myriam said and Sylwia leaned closer to her, Saera could feel her hands on her body. "Now, when you feel the pain, push with your every power! We will have to get this child out of you sooner!" The midwife ordered her and Saera gritting her teeth and pushing when the pain hit her body again, crying out as it left her with tears in her eyes.

"I see the head!" Sylwia said, "Take deep breaths, and when you are ready push, darling!"

Saera pushed again and again and then heard the crying. Loud and clear, and a sigh left her lips. She felt numb and tired.

"You did wonderfully lady Saera!" Miriam whispered in her ears, dipping the cloth into the water and pacing it back to her forehead.

"You are strong, girl." Sylwia smiled sweetly, giving the baby to Petra, who held the bloody child as the others cleaned it. You have a strong son!"

"Thank you, lady Sylwia," Saera said with tears in her eyes.

"It is nothing, my lady." the older woman said, "now, see your son for yourself." The midwife handed her the small bundle, Miriam and Talia helping the princess up a little.

Saera took her son from Sylwia’s arms marveling at his face.

His purple eyes and silver fluff were a sign of his Valyrian origins, but when Saera saw the small red mark behind the baby's ear she burst into tears. "Is something wrong?" Draeko whispered in a mild voice, "Saera ...."

"My father has the same sign." the princess whimpered into his ear. "I wish he was here, I missed him."

"I'm sure his Majesty will love our child as much as love you, my little love! And I love you more than anything else in this world, Saera. Have you thought of a name for our little boy?"

"Lysandro!" Saera whispered and a soft whimper was heard in the room. "Ηe must eat, my lady, I will call the wet nurse." Sylvia replied but Saera held her by the sleeve" if my lord husband allows it I want to breastfeed my infant myself at least for a short time. My lady mother did the same to me."

Lysandro the Magnificent, Draeko thought looking at his son's face as he sucked the milk from Saera's nipple, Blood of old Valyria, My blood!

Chapter Text

Baelon The Brave

The morning breeze was always cold in the last few days, a sign that winter was coming fast but it was a pleasant touch on Baelon's face.

The Spring Prince stood for a few minutes in front of the open window looking at the gray sky. It was a peaceful hour but the silence of the dawn was broken again by the shriek of a dragon.

Baelon smiled sadly as he could recognize the roar. It did not belong to Vhagar of course as he had flown with her the day before nor to Vermithor and Silverwing since, as the dragonkeepers said, the two dragons were always sleeping together.

The Red Queen, Alyssa's favorite mount, has been without a rider for two years now and although at first, she was silent something has started to change lately.

"You can't keep Meleys in chains," he said slowly to himself. "A dragon is not a slave and that lasted for so long."

He pondered for a few minutes all those moments of the past when they were either riding their dragons to the skies all day or riding each other to their room and a bitter sigh left his mouth as he closed his eyes just to come to his mind a naked female body on him, a body that did not belong to his beloved wife.

"I have surrendered myself to a shadow just so I don't get hurt again but I ruin her."

It had started as a silly act, he liked Viserra's youthful admiration and her eyes on him, and soon when he discovered her other parts it was a way to reduce his hunger without resorting to a whore's arms and tarnish Alyssa's memory or to take Cass in his bed again.

Another innocent girl who also suffers because of me…. He had asked Aemon to visit her, but he was terrified that Viserra would find out that the girl was expecting his child even if it was a dragonseed.

There was a solution, however, after explaining to her and asking for forgiveness, he would fill her arms with gifts and flowers, obey her wishes and after the birth of Cass' child, would fly together beyond the Narrow Sea.

In Essos the winter will be like warm autumn, he thought; it might have storms from time to time, but then the sun will shine again and we will be able to see marvelous things during the days and make love every night.

But all this was just a sweet fantasy and there were enough details to fix up before they left together. Even then, the Spring Prince knew that sooner or later he would have to face his fear; at some point, Viserra would want to have children of her own.

Everything will be settled in time. He sighed slowly, leaning against the window's frame, stretching his body. For now, I have to deal with this.

A flock of starlings danced in the gray sky and the wind smelled of wet soil and winter roses. He left behind the small path and climbed the steep stone steps that corkscrewed around the exterior of the Tower of the Hand.

Contrary to his belief, Jocelyn was up even though she was still wearing her nightclothes.

"Aunt Jocelyn," he joked giving her a soft kiss on the cheek but she pinch his own.

"Did you come to your bed, Baelon?" she asked in a playful voice raising an eyebrow. "It's empty like mine, and an empty bed is a boring thing, right?"

Laughing, they joined in a hug so tight that Baelon could smell the scent of her hair.

"You're playing with me Jos," he complained, "and this is something that hurts me a lot. Your empty bed is not comparable to mine! "

"I'm talking about your sister's empty bed, you fool." She stared at him, brushing his reddened cheek. "Or do you think I don't know what is going on between you? The last time you came here was not to see your brother's pretty face but to lay with your lovely sister; which means your bed is no longer empty."

"What if I told you that I was a fool who hurt her? a dumbhead who thought only of himself? I made big blunders, Jocelyn ... One of them was that I let her think that my lust for Alyssa still exists."

"Your desire is not," she replied, "but your love is still there. She was your wife so I understand, but prove to Viserra that the same is true! Show her that she's important and you love her; that you don't want her just for her tight cunt."

"Such words came off a lady's mouth? this is an improper thing."He chuckled but the blush spread across his face as if he were a maid.

"This and other sweet parts of hers, too," she laughs as she rolls her hands to his chest over his clothing. "You turned her into a woman, so now she is your wife; give her equal love and pleasure, and you will not regret it. I know."

"You think?" he replies, his eyes shining as he smiles at her. "Are you sure, sister?"

"More than ever, you fool." She said and he laughs as he squeezes her body into his arms; "she loves you and you love her too, don't you? leave behind you the fears you have and give her your heart, not just your cock."

"But this is one of my best parts!" He jokes but feels his ears warm as her dark gaze narrows on him. "I will do my bests my beloved aunt; I promise! I will do everything I can to make her happy."

"Well I believe you, my dear nephew," Jocelyn answers back giving him a sweet and saucy smile also. "I'm sure you will keep our Viserra happy and safe and will satisfy her every need and desire."

"I will try hard," he promises, still holding her in his arms. Their contact is always an incredible thing; she has something in common with my mother, he thinks, but it makes sense since she is her sister.

"Do you finally need someone or something or did you come to see me in my nightgown?" Jocelyn jokes and stops his thoughts and Baelon smiles at her. "I came for my niece, I want to take her to a special place if you agree of course."

"Baelon ... " Her dark eyes meet his lilacs and love is reflected in them, "are you sure about that? your sons..."

"They are still quite young and have not yet shown no interest. Trust me, I know what I do." Jocelyn hugs him again and then leaves to wake Rhaenys, muttering that Aemon will surely be surprised when he returns; Baelon smiles.

It was a long way from Aegon's high hill to the Dragonpit but Baelon enjoyed the company of his niece. At two and ten, Rhaenys was a clever and fiery girl and Baelon adore her. She was a perfect mixture of her parents, with Jocelyn's glossy black hair and Aemon's pale lilac eyes. Baelon called her the great beauty from the first years of her life.

"It is wonderful that we spend some time together this morning since we have not gone for a private walk for a long time." The princess broke the silence between them.

"I was probably busy with a lot of things, but now you have the company of my sons." She laughed and held his hand.

"And aunt Viserra's company too, but she's a bit ... different now."

He felt completely foolish with these words as even this little girl had understood the change of his sweetheart but for Baelon himself had taken so long...

"So is aunt Vis more pleasant company than me?" he joked. "Even today that I brought you to this special place?"

The banners of their house were waving in the wind and the gray sky had taken on an even darker hue; the dragon's shriek heard through the Dragonpit brought a smile of happiness to Rhaenys' face.

"She felt your presence as always, uncle. your bond between you is amazing."

"This is not my dragon, little one." Baelon replied in a cracked voice; "it's someone without a rider but its chains are heavy and is looking for a new one. I think you know how it's done but I'm here to guide you anyways." When Rhaenys saw his eyes there was a gleam in them along with a few tears.

"Meleys!"

"Aye. The Red Queen!" my poor wife's dragon. "You have the same passion and spirit like her, I believe. So, let's go inside!"

"Oh, yes!" Rhaenys 'cheeks flushed with grace as they walked in, Meleys' scream subsided and Vhagar left out a roar as Baelon and the princess passed in front of her nest.

"Here is her nest. Watch out, now." Baelon murmured as Meleys moved toward them, looking at the princess who knew both the smell and form of the red dragon.

"Oh, what a gorgeous creature you are!" The princess said looking at her big golden eyes of hers.

"Can I pet her, uncle? please!"

"Of course, my beloved; for this reason, we are here after all but don't make any sudden movements yet. First, remember what your father and I have taught you about them. Don't forget that they are proud and intelligent creatures. They can discern your weakness but also your courage."

"Bow," she said to herself. "That's how you pay your respect to her."

The princess bowed gracefully and to Baelon's surprise and admiration the Red Queen bowed her head, leaving a small amount of smoke around them.

"Uncle, she likes me!" Meleys's golden eyes reflected the figure of the princess and when she stretched out her right hand on the rough red scales she found the dragon's body warm to the touch.

"Of course she does. You are a good girl and you have the same passion and power."

"Can I mount her soon enough?" Rhaenys asked with pure enthusiasm come out of her lips. "She's the most beautiful thing in the world."

"Soon," Baelon responded calmly caressing her hair. "Her whip belongs to you now, use it wisely when the time comes. Her saddle is still in my room but I will bring it to you when we return to the Keep."

"Well, what you gave to my mother before was…"

"The whip Alyssa used on Meleys. Rhaenys... It's yours now, you're connected to her and I'm happy about it; you can fly with her whenever you want, but it would be wise to wait for your father's return. Until then we can come here every day."

"Not to miss my first flight?"

"Actually yes. Because then I risk being killed by him."

"Oh, he loves you so much for doing this, but more than that you are my beloved."

"Not aunt Vis?" he asked and a smile spread across his face as he thought of her.

"Of course she is." She replies. "She became my dear companion since my father brought her to stay with us even though at first she was sad and crying. I don't know why."

The thought of Viserra crying because of him was like a slap in the face of the Spring Prince. If you want to know the truth as it clearly is, you have to ask a child. He thought but he could not put Rhaenys further in this story.

"Daemon, however, wants her company more than me or the others," the little princess added after a quick pause. "Actually, when she is with us or even somewhere near us, he is always polite. "

I don't want to know how he is when Viserra is not near him. thought Baelon the Brave. He is my son and I love him very much, but his unruly character scares me sometimes.

Returning to the Keep brought him a bit of happiness, as he also carried Meleys' saddle to Rhaenys' room while she searched for her cousins and Gael in the gardens.

That part of you that was connected to the Red Queen will return soon to the skies, where you always belonged, Alyssa. He was thinking while watching his sons play together, although Daemon as usual seemed to be leading the game and not Viserys.

"It is so strange that Viserra watches over him when he has so much in common with his mother. Has the poor girl ever thought what trouble he is?" He says to himself and immediately afterwards he feels stupid. "Maybe she does not see Alyssa's son but a lively, orphaned boy."

However, it is such a beautiful scene for all four to play together that Baelon feels a jolt in his body when someone speaks to him about a state issue; the children play calmly so he takes the lord aside to talk.

It happens shortly after when he hears Gael's voice.

"Daemon!" the girl complained angrily, "give it back to me!"

"Oh, come and get it you can!" the boy shrugged indifferently but Gael insisted again.

"Give it back otherwise ...."

"Otherwise what? Will you complain to your mama?"

"I do not need to complain to my mama since I can do this ...." Before Daemon could respond, Gael had already kicked him in the knee while he was pulling her hair. This brought Viserys between them but when Gael bit his hand he took his brother's side. Rhaenys was the one who defended the little princess and before the king understood what was taking place the four children were a bloody mess.

"Sorry," he says through his teeth to the lord, "but my son ... well, if you have children you understand me."

And oh the gods are so cruel because right after he hears the king's roaring, "You ... you are all punishment!"

"For a stupid ribbon?" Daemon reacts as if he has a common man in front of him, not the king himself.

"Daemon stop, now!" He says out of breath and pulls the boy firmly towards him.

"But...She..."

"I said stop. This is your childhood friend but also my sister. I owe her respect."

The boy walked away angrily while Gael and Rhaenys looked at him triumphantly. "My apologies, father..." Viserys murmured with his face red and bloody. "I..."

"You are punished as the king said, "find your brother and go to your rooms..."

" Αll right, father." the boy answers and leaves with his head bowed. They are so different, he thinks. Viserys always clean Daemon's mess.

However, he cannot leave his sweet boys unprotected.

"Father," Baelon's eyes stared to the ground as the king stood beside him, "forgive my sons."
"They are children, Baelon, but keep your son away from my daughter ..." he laughed, resting his hand on Baelon's shoulder. "Walk with me if you want ..."

The wind sounded like crying as it upheld through the bare branches of the trees and Baelon wondered if that was a bad omen but he would speak to the king anyways.

"Father," he muttered but the king interrupted him with a sign. "Your sons need a mother."

"I try, but as Daemon grows up he becomes too risky and always Viserys follows him ... so aye ..."

"And you need a wife too, so tell me, why should she be your sister?"

The question surprised him a  bit but the time he had been waiting for had come, the words came truthfully from his lips.

"Because I can not imagine another woman at my side, your Grace. Even though I wronged her, she proved her sincere feelings for me. I love my sister, and I want her to wife."

"So  if I refuse, I imagine that my decision will not be important to you."

"I respect your judgments, but if she wants me as her mate  I will take her to the other side of the Narrow Sea; I would rather exile myself than see her wed to someone else. "

"Very well," the Conciliator replied, smiling at Baelon the Brave. "When she returns from Dragonstone I  will ask her what she wants, although I already know the answer."

"How is that possible?" he asks him, looking at his lilac gaze with wonder and surprise. He is almost jealous of Aemon who has taken her under his wings while he has left her helpless.

"Who else would she protect so persistently if not her own brother? She refused to say your name as many times as I asked her and then when you were injured, you kept saying her name. her thought tormented you."

"I was dumb and I hurt her since then I try to make up for it. All this should have been done earlier…."

"Indeed, it should but it no longer matters. Your mother takes care of lord Manderly's issue in case your sister wants to wed you but I want to ask you as a father, Baelon, were you gentle to her?"

"Mostly," he replied ashamed with his head bowed. "I never forced her if you were afraid of that, but I did other things."

"Watch now, no more stupid things, no more hurried movements."
Soon your siblings will be here so I will not worry anymore. Still, make sure you tell her the truth about that girl ..."

"I will do it, but leaving Vaegon near me is like punishing me, your Grace."He joked but the king's glowing eyes narrowed on him.
"What do you think I'm doing, Baelon?" Jaehaerys repled. "You took my daughter to your bed, you claimed the gift that by right belonged to her future husband and I am sure that, although he is against your actions, Aemon is helping you."

He was as stern as a king should be, but he smiled as he rolled his head upon Baelon's shoulder. "But, if it's something very important, talk to the only person your brother is listening to."Finally, he said and a smile of glee spread on the face of the Spring Prince.

Two days later Baelon was trying to restrain himself from taking Vhagar and riding her to Dragonstone to claim his sister forever. Instead, he spent time with his sons and various lords of the kingdom.

For the first time after so long, he wanted to do more than just ride a dragon or his little sister. After all, Viserra had always wanted to discuss political issues, and Aemon had told him that when he took their father's place he would name him Hand of the King.

So he was walking towards the king's solar whistling a happy tune but he stopped when he heard his angry voice.

"Anyone who disobeys the laws of the realm must be punished, aye, but I will not let you ride Silverwing there, Aly!"

"Then you may be missing the pieces of understanding, your Grace," Baelon smirked as he heard his mother say. Although they truly disagreed, she lowered her voice as she continued to speak.
"This woman asked for the help of the Iron Throne, not a simple lord, Jae, and I think I am the right person since  the widow's low was my idea."

"You have helped me a lot in governing and I owe it to you, but that doesn't mean I intend to let you go to the Riverlands with a dragon, Alysanne! I have read the woman's letter twice earlier and if she's telling the truth this man he should be brought to the King's justice, but your place is here."

"My place is where I want to be!" The queen answered calmly but Baelon knew this would not end well. So he chose to act since septon Barth had already referred to the issue earlier when they spoke.
"I can go as your envoy your Grace," he said, winking at his mother. "I will talk to all of them and conclude without being unfair to anyone. Accept it as gratitude for the boon you gave me."

The king's eyes remained on him, staring at Baelon's glowing face. "So you are telling me that this girl took you out of your typical tasks?"

"Well ... yes! I want to offer her more than riding dragons if we stay in court."

"Baelon," the king's eyes stayed on him but his voice softened like the late summer snow, "do you believe I would let two of my children live away from home while riding dragons? take the issue of your marriage as a fait accompli. This wench is not going to say no."

"What if she does?" Baelon asked timidly, confessing to someone other than himself one of his last but greater fears. "I did not treat her good, so…"

"Then we will talk again, without avoiding you at all, I promise. But now you have to prepare for the trip."

"I leave my sons in your hands, mother." He said to the Good Queen, smiling shyly.

"And your wedding preparations as well."
Alysanne pinched his ear slightly and together they laughed out loud. 

"You will find everything well arranged, boy, but grant me what I asked of your father! "

"Of course mother," he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and his lips whispered into her ear, "do you think my sister can refuse my proposal? I worry I will never find the right words to tell her how I feel."

"I think not, but you have enough time to think the right words while you are away from the court. Contact with the smallfolk will warm your heart."

"Aye." He replied giving her a new kiss before his steps brought him back to the hallway. "All I need to have her mine forever are some sweet nothings, two strong hands, and a true heart as you always said, muña!"

Chapter Text

Baelon the Brave

It's was past noon when Vhagar landed at the Fairmarket and Baelon sighed quite dissatisfied as he came down from her back.

Daemon's whining and stubbornness had kept him in the capital longer than he would have liked and it was clear that this issue will not be resolved soon.

The woman who appears quite scared on the wooden fence is about Maegelle's age as he hastily estimates.

What kind of man would a woman chase away in her fertile years? unless that's the real reason, he thinks as he glances at her.

"You asked for the king's assistance in some of your household matters, my lady, so I came here as his envoy. I'm his son."

"Prince Baelon!" She bowed gracefully and her purple dress reminded him of Viserra, while behind her a red-haired boy -younger than Daemon- was holding on to her dress, and an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes was strapped on her chest.

"You are safe now, my lady." He assured her, "the king's word is the law and I am here to protect you and your children.No one can drive you out from your home and land."

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and then smiled. "Corenna, my prince. Harry is not here, unfortunately," she replied and Baelon noticed the blush on her face.

"I will wait for him then, don't worry. I want to see with my own eyes what kind of man wants to throw a defenseless woman out of her house."

His voice was more fierce than usual, and Baelon felt almost bad about it, but his words worked because she lowered her gaze in shame and stared at her baby.

"Everything will be solved, I promise," he said and then turned his gaze to the little boy. "Your son needs to grow up in a serene place."

Hearing these words the little boy moved toward the Spring Prince, granting him a sweet smile and studying him carefully, while Baelon's attention turned to the woman's babe.

"Another son?" he asked gently, looking at the calm face surrendered to a peaceful sleep.

"A daughter!" said she.

"Her name is Rohanne!" the little boy said and his blue eyes met Baelon's lilac. A daughter... suddenly, the thought of Viserra with a baby in her arms, a daughter as he always wished for, was not so scary.

"And your name?" Baelon's hand moved calmly toward the boy, brushing his hair.

"Emmon, my prince."

"You have a name worthy of a knight." Baelon smiled. "As said before I will stay here to wait for your big brother, whenever he comes." At the sound of his proposal, Corenna bit her lower lip, an action that did not go unnoticed by Baelon the Brave.

"I'm afraid we do not have any of the comforts that your grace is accustomed to." She whispered almost embarrassed but he held her hand.

"I have slept in humble places again, and dusk is coming soon, my lady. I can not leave you lonely, with the only company your children."

They dined together, and although the dinner was nothing more than a soup of turnips, peas and carrots, barley bread, and smoked pork, Baelon found it delicious and nourishing.

Equally comfortable was the mattress in the next room, while the big red coals on the brazier kept the space warm.

It was past midnight when he woke up to a muffled laugh and immediately grabbed the dagger that Aemon had given him at his previous name day, while with his other hand lifted Dark Sister from the floor.

His bare feet froze as he walked toward the door, looking around carefully. He was sure that the sounds were coming from the yard and he stifled a curse through his teeth as his eyes tried to get used to the darkness.

He walked a few inches securing the space, feeling quite foolish with his appearance, and then saw a human tangle. There was a smile on his face as he moved toward them, lowering the Valyrian steel.

"It was quite dangerous to be out here while Vhagar is not in chains," he said sternly, however giving his hands to them, "but I can understand that your disagreement does not exist. Then why?"

"Because my uncles threatened me when they found out about our affair ... They told me that they would harm her and the children...."

"It was a foolish act my prince, a foolish plan but please, do not punish us." Corenna's eyes narrowed on him already full of tears.

"You love her and the children are yours, right?" Baelon calmly asked the red-haired boy. "You fell in love with her when your father took her to wife, so tell me the truth, were you involved in his death?"

"I can swear to you in my life about this, my prince," Harry said, with his eyes staring at the ground. "He was drunk and fell from our horse breaking his neck."

"No! you don't need to swear, I believe you!" the Spring Prince interrupted the boy. "Your children have your need."

"We tried to resist our feelings, Prince Baelon. We are sinners, but ..."

"We are all sinners in the eyes of the gods, my lady," he stopped her, and then he looked at the boy again. "Go find a septon; a sober one would be a better choice. If he refuses, tell him that a good payment or the jaws of a dragon are waiting for him here, let him choose for himself."

Corenna let out a cry, but Baelon consoled her calmly. "My sister once told me, in her own words, that love must always win; I did not listen to her then."

"And now?" Harry looked him in the eye, feeling the pain in his words.

"Now we need a septon!"

By the time Harry returned, Corenna had revealed everything to him, as if she were talking to her older brother. The queen was their last hope, she told him, they had thought of a stupid plan because of their despair. 

"Tomorrow morn, you will inform your late husband's brothers that you have already wedded and bedded their nephew; if they still disagree we will talk to them but politely."

Leaving Dark Sister on the table with a sharp smile like a knife on his face it was obvious that he would protect these two in every way he could.

"How can I accept this care, your grace? No one has treated us so kindly so far. Our life has always been hard, I was an orphan girl and I had no choice, but I loved him with all my heart."

"I promise you that no one will bother you again and your life will be at least peaceful. I understand that your mate will want to live here, cultivating your land, but ... there is always a place in the Keep for your family if you want to."

"I do not have the skill to serve you as a soldier your grace," Harry said entering the small house accompanied by a septon that was already in half his cups .....

"I'm sober enough to tell the prayers, he reassured them, when he saw the doubt in the faces of both Corenna and Spring Prince.

"I do not need soldiers, but gardeners and faithful servants ...." A beautiful and safe home for her...

"You still have time to think about it," he reassured them while the septon started chanting the wedding prayers.

He was right, Baelon thought about the time of payment. He was sober enough to do wrong in words only three times.

He also gave another small purse of coins to them as a wedding gift and retired to the next room. "Love must always win," he whispered to himself, lying on the covering. "I'm ready to make my proposal."

Love always had to win, Viserra was right but Harry's uncles probably did not know it well and Baelon woke up listening to angry voices and cries. He was wearing his boots when a huge shadow covered the dim sunlight and a shriek made the small house tremble. Vhagar had joined in the folly but her presence was enough to bring about the compromise.

A few hours later the Spring Prince put his mark on the fields' leases and Harry and his uncles shook hands in agreement.

Harry and Corenna and their little family would go to the capital the next fortnight, Baelon would take care of that when he returned to the Keep. He did not expect it when he arrived upon Vhagar in the Riverlands but the Good Queen was right and he felt like a conqueror when he rode his bronze goddess into the sky again. Love had gained a victory.

Princess Viserra Targaryen & Aemon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone

Dragonstone was wrapped in a veil of fog as the two of them walked towards the yard. Although the day was pretty cold, Viserra heard voices from the small fishing village below the castle.

"Are you anxious?" Aemon held her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. "No." he whispered gently, "no need to be scared, sister, you are ready for it."

Viserra smiled sweetly, turning her gaze on him.

"I will do my best, my beloved." She said solemnly. "Besides, I am excited by this hearing. Is so different from those of the court."

"Believe me, you are not going to drink such a beer in any of the court hearings!" He gave her a warm, tender smile, and his pale lilac meet her purple. "But do not overdo it in your case." He made a vague gesture but Viserra knew what he meant. "Also, If you feel any discomfort please, let me know!" this time he said it showing her borrowed dress.

"I'm fine!" she reassured him, placing a chaste kiss on his cheek while they had already entered the entrance of the village.

That same morning they had to face a special surprise. Although the queen's chests had several dresses suitable to this case, the warmest of them seemed almost useless to Viserra as they disclosed her stomach, swollen with child.

Aemon had helped her - with clumsy fingers - to squeeze herself into a tight corset, but she had not commented on either his awkwardness or the caresses left by his fingers along her spine. It was a tender touch, but meaningless in the whole situation, Viserra said to herself.

Her thoughts stopped abruptly, as the flea market in front of them was bigger than she had imagined and Aemon held her hand, pushing his body towards hers while the crowd had begun to gather around them.

Trying to avoid the close contact of their bodies, Viserra sent him a reassuring smile before turning her attention to the smallfolk who had their eyes on her.

She felt terrified but only for a moment, as soon after a young girl gave her a bouquet of lavender while a young man offered her a cup of smokeberry wine. This was intoxicatingly sweet, and the princess felt the taste of warm-up every part of herself, so when she sipped all the contents of her glass she asked for another one.

Aemon was not in her field of view, although for a moment she heard him laugh and see his white-gold hair; it was this development that gave her unexpected happiness. These common people wanted to meet not only the Prince of Dragonstone but also her.

For the first time, the princess understood that everyone could worship the king, but they loved the queen also. "As long as you listen to them, Viserra," she remembered her mother telling her when she was a little girl. "People are somehow the queen's children and they want her comfort and affection."

So when most of the women gathered around her, Viserra listened to them carefully. She soon concluded that they played perhaps a more important role than men, as they cultivated their land, sold their wares while, of course, raising their children.

Not everything was so ideal though. When a young girl told her that all women disapproved of the fact that despite their contribution to the work, the money went to their husbands, Viserra's purple eyes narrowed on her.

"In the war are the heroes but we take the blame..." a blond-haired girl said and the others nodded in agreement ...

Everyday life is a small war for these women, Viserra thought. There are no soft beds around nor men with silver hair willing to ride by them every day, sister….

She did not know why she had thought of Alyssa and her ridiculous smile every time she remembered him, but Viserra was sure she wanted more than just being the prince's wife.

"We only wield words but not swords," added another woman inside the crowd. "We pay with our lives every day while they can fuck and leave having taken our money as theirs."

Viserra caressed her own belly tenderly as she heard the last words. Baelon had not behaved very differently from a common man in their case, and she thought about that poor girl who carried a child of his own in her womb as well.

She continued to listen to them very carefully even when she felt a few raindrops bring down on her bright face.

"I have no standing in the Small Council and I am nothing more than the king's daughter," she finally said, "but I promise you that your words will be heard in court and you will find your right."

"Will you talk to the king about it?" She heard a voice that could not detect, but it did not matter. "No," she answered honestly, "I will talk to someone else, someone who knows well from understanding."

When Aemon finally came back to her, her skin was flushed and her hair was a wet mess from the raindrops, but there was a smile of pleasure on her face.

Despite the drizzle, they walked together around the colorful stalls, tasting sweet pastries with almonds and dates, pickles, and dark beer.

On the way back to the castle, Viserra grabbed in her hand the cloth dragon that a woman had made for her on a stall when Aemon's hand brushed hers.

His touch was fire and she knew there would be no cure if she let herself think more about it, so she smiled playfully at him and started talking mainly to turn their thinking to something else.

"I did it on purpose," he admitted honestly, answering her question. "for a long time I want to correct an unjust law; these women work just as much if not more than their men, but they have not the right to set up a cooperative of their own."

"Do you think that our father will approve it?" asked him without beating around the bush, "Creating cooperatives is a male privilege."

"That's true, my love, but there are already three of us working on this before I present it to the Small Council."

"Three? so Jocelyn ... "

"She would meet some women as well, and then talk to the queen." The Prince of Dragonstone admitted to his little sister, "is a siege move."

"Will we surround the Small Council then?" she giggled and her laughter was like rain falling on dry land.

"Of course! And we will fight any such injustice." He told her brightly, lifting her into his arms as he often did to Rhaenys and Viserra felt like a little girl.

"About the morning ...." She finally whispered to his ear when their eyes met, "it was ...."

"The caress of a brother who went further than he should have; please pardon me for that, Vis. You belong to someone else, and ... Soon you will be a woman wed."

She hugged him with all her strength then, breathing his scent and listening to his heartbeat, feeling safe and happy in his arms.

"What are you thinking, little sister?" he asked her glancing at her bright smile."What is this thought that is in your pretty head?"

"That our love is as old and pure as the earth, my beloved!" She murmured, "and I do not want to harm it for something that can not go on."

Her words were the reason to bury his face in her hair, muttering that this would never happen but the gentle moment between them was interrupted by Viserra herself when her hands cupped his head.

"Will you meet her today?" the words stood quite cold out of her mouth but Aemon saw the anxiety of a girl five and ten in her gaze.

"I will meet her, yes," said the Prince of Dragonstone honestly, "but she means nothing to him my sweet."

"She's expecting his child anyways, and she is a woman alone!" Viserra reacted in a calm voice and put some silver and bronze coins in his palm.

"Tell her that for anything else she needs to send us words in the capital. You said we were leaving today, no?"

He glanced at her before he laugh loudly, "You love my caresses but you are looking for his arms more... We will leave today before dusk."

Archmaester Vaegon & septa Maegelle Targaryen 

They had started their journey home with a small escort given to them by lord Hightower, a faithful friend of the Iron Throne and House Targaryen, and Vaegon was expressionless as usual at first, but as they neared the capital his disdain was obvious.

"Can you believe our little sister is wed soon enough?" Maegelle paused the silence between them. "Our little Viserra will soon be weeded and bedded while she also claimed a dragon some time ago."

"I thought that apart from being a kind soul with all of us, you are also the smartest," Vaegon replied snickering. "Smarter than our father for sure!"

"Pardon me? I don't understand what you imply." She responded seriously, narrowing his gaze on him.

"You will understand quite soon my sweet sister," he mumbled, bringing his hand to her face. Maegelle was sure he would brush some of her curls behind her ears with his fingertips but he stroked her hair almost tenderly.

"A good thing that happens when you return home is that you can be free," he said looking at her from head to toe; "so stop covering your head, we are in the capital now."

"I think we are still very far away." she giggled teasing him.

"No, you can already smell this city!" Vaegon answered back mockingly, bringing a big laugh out of her lips.

"Why did you make up your mind to accompany me? You do not like weddings." His face scowled at that but he did not stop gazing at her.

"However, they are still my family, no?"

"Yes, then but I did not expect you to have feelings for them."

I have feelings for you...

"Our parents raised us and taught us well, and our siblings are still our blood. "Besides, the king has to learn some things, privately."

Suddenly, Maeggele's face lost its soft glow and the lines of her face looked sharper. "Don't." She said. "These are all suspicions, not facts."

"Your οrder's decision to care for people during their illness instead of teaching children is a fact," Vaegon replied stubbornly, expressing his anger.

"But still, I will take care of children who will need me. Do not be absurd, this is my destination as septa."

"And as the king's daughter? Will you do anything to help yourself while you can? if something happens to our siblings will you have this weight in your consciousness? You will not believe it but I still have regrets for the words I once said to Daella."

"You will unjustly worry the father." She almost begged him, but he held her palm in his hand and lowered the tone of his voice as he looked at her. "I would rather worry him, yes, than comfort him after some deaths. Even the idea of a riot against him is treason and must be dealt with accordingly."

His face was fierce and angry, and Maegelle knew that even though he was called "Vaegon the Dragonless" when he was younger, rumors that some lords wanted to end their House had waked up the dragon inside him.

Maybe it was just nonsenses, Maegelle thought, but even Lord Hightower was wary of the rumors as the men in their entourage were fully armed.

"Speak to the king," she finally said, clutching his hand with her own while he rested his head on her shoulder, "but please, not today. I want to spend a day as a normal family."

"We are not a formal family Maeg, but I will grant your boon, aye!" He eventually answered and his words brought a familiar glow to her face.

She gently stroked his hair in gratitude, but his attention was focused on the half-cloudy sky. "No bird can move against the wind so fast." He said pointing to a spot above the bay.

The yellow and red scales shine in the light as a sunbeam came out of the clouds.

"It's ..." Maegelle was awed, the words had died down her throat.

"Our gorgeous beasts!"

"But you hated dragons," she whispered almost surprised, "what changed now?"

"The wolf and the lion can kill a sheep, but the dragon can feed itself with all of them, sister. These sheep decided to oppose our father so the fault is not mine."

A deep sigh came from her lips as she stared at the dark sky. A storm was coming anyway.

Desmond Manderly, heir to the White Harbor

The sound of dragon wings was like a lyrical hymn in Desmond's ears as he was looking forward to meeting Viserra again; even though their courting was probably over, the news he had to tell her was very significant.

He and Domeric had gone south to find their future mates and although he had failed in his attempt to charm her, the young Bolton had done well in his own case.

Lady Marybel Stokeworth had flirted with Lord Bolton's second-born son, had danced with him at feasts and banquets, and finally had agreed to meet him secretly in the garden one evening.

The next dawning Desmond had sent two ravens north, one to White Harbor and one to Drentford to announce on his friend's betrothal, while Domeric along with lady Marybel had visited Queen Alyssane.

House Stokeworth had also given their blessing for their engagement and the queen had organized a small feast for them but the real spree would take place tonight.

Desmond walk outside the Holdfast and met the princess in the yard while she was still wearing her riding clothes. The confusion that existed in the Keep because of the arrival of septa Maegelle and archmaester Vaegon gave them the chance to have some private time together.

"Please princess, you must come with us tonight," Desmond said looking at her pretty face, while they had stopped in a nook of the garden.

  "They are our closest friends and this is a night of happiness. I will become your shield if you are afraid to join us."

She smiled at him and leaned her face to his. "I'm Valyria's daughter," she reminded him, "and the blood of the dragon is not easily feared. It's certainly a nice adventure, but they will punish us if they understand it."

"They will not do it, Viserra, but if it comes about I give you my word that I will take all the responsibility upon myself."

She was not sure if it was his accent or the way he spoke to her or just his emerald eyes, but Viserra chose not to resist his plea.

"Wait for me near the stables when it gets dark. It is easy to leave the nearest gate." She whispered in his ear before she walk away from him. "I will come dressed in my maid's clothes."

"With my beloved still in the Riverlands, the queen busy in Maegelle's company, and the king in his solar with Vaegon and Aemon, no one will notice our absence! After all, Desmond is a good lad, and I owe him a favor! This is just a night of laughter before Baelon's return." Viserra told herself walking down the aisle. "Nothing can go wrong!"

Chapter Text

"Speak clearly, son!"Jaehaerys' voice sounded hoarse and stern.

"We've been here for over an hour and while you were the one who desire this extremely private discussion, you  beat around the bush."

No matter had for the king that Vaegon was no longer a boy of five and ten but a man of three and twenty, and also an archmaester of the Citadel. He continued to narrow his gaze on the younger man's face with such intensity that Aemon had to muffle out a laugh in the back of his throat.

"Where is Baelon?" Vaegon finally asked, pulling the rim of his cloak with such force that Aemon was sure he would hear the cloth being ripped apart. "Isn't he interested in listening to me?"

"He's coming from the Riverlands, although he was a little late." the king answered calmly, but the Prince of Dragonstone caught sight of his brother's pale face.

"Bloody hell," Vaegon mumbled, shifting his gaze from the king's face to his brother's.
"Does he have guards with him? escort?"

"He travels alone, upon Vaghar." Jaehaerys answered back and Aemon swore that Vaegon growled before talking to them again."Let us pray for his safe return then."

"You know nothing about dragons and arms, valonqar." Aemon teases his little brother, causing  Vaegon's wrath. "Baelon is always armed with valyrian steel and Vhagar can melt knights in their armor and burn whole cities to the ground as well."

"Pray to the Warrior then," Vaegon replied resentfully. "For someone who came so close to death, he should be more careful."

"Enough!" Jaehaerys roared from his seat, making the windows in his solar creak. "What the hell happens? what are you not telling me? You may no longer be an heir to the Iron Throne, but I am still your father, Vaegon, so speak to me."

Then he gazed at his eldest son who stifled another laugh in his throat eyeing Vaegon's face; his little brother look like he had swallowed lemon juice.
"And you Aemon, do you think this is the right time for toying and teasing?"

"Forgive me, father," replied the Prince of Dragonstone, "but I will start to worry really when Baelon will not be able to hold his sword any longer; at the moment I don't feel that way."

"You found the cause of his infection, right?" Vaegon asked calmly. He was always an annoying thing.

"I was with Viserra, but we were just lucky. The nail tore her sleeve."
Of course, Aemon declined to give details although Vaegon studied him thoroughly.

"Do you still think that none of the maesters had figured it out before you, Aemon? His blood was what kept him alive and the infection spread slowly; some of the maesters made efforts to keep him alive while others... They would not kill him with their own hands, of course, but his body would slowly collapse."

Although Jaehaerys himself had suspected it, he did not want to believe it, so when he got up from his seat and approached Vaegon slowly, Aemon thought he had never seen the king's face so angry.

"Do you understand that you are talking about betrayal, boy? no one touches the blood of the dragon. The cost for this is ..."

"Death!" Aemon answered seriously, "whoever targeted Baelon will regret it badly."

"You still do not understand how serious things are, brother? The target is not just Baelon but all of us.
I'm sure you do not know that Maegelle will take care of sick children when we return to Oldtown. Children with greyscale!"

Aemon's voice died in his throat, unable to believe his little brother's words, and yet, he felt that they were not lies.
"Can her blood save her from this?" Jaehaerys asked bitterly in his voice. "Can we do something?"

"Honesty? I don't know. A myth tells us that a Rhoynar prince cursed our ancestors because they enslaved his people… The masters  say greyscale's progress can stay with hot baths, lime, and mustard poultices, but I have not seen it happen with my own eyes." He stopped for a moment, nervously looking at the space around him. "And I don't want to see if, father, not to my sister!"

"What else has happened? you know a lot more than that." This time it was Aemon who spoke in a heavy, stern voice. His thoughts were on Rhaenys and Jocelyn, Viserra and the unborn child she had in her womb, Gael ... and his sweet mother.

The women of our family are as strong as Valyrian steel but they always needed a dragon by their side.

Vaegon was talking for more than an hour when Vhagar's roar was heard high above the capital.

Baelon landed her in the inner courtyard of the Red Keep instead of the Dragonpit. I have to tell them what happened in the Riverlands, he thought as he walked into Maegor's Holdfast. I was able to bless two people who needed and desired each other so I can do the same for myself. He also thought of his father's face when he would remark on him for holding Vhagar so close.

Our servants are not familiar with her presence in the courtyard, Baelon. You may still be the boy who was not afraid of Balerion, but common people will not find it an attractive idea to be so close to a dragon.

You still have Vermithor very close to you, and my mother has Silverwing ... He would answer with a laugh, that's what he had to say, but when he came into the king's solar the faces of Jaehaerys and Aemon were sullen.

Aemon ... Since he is here, Viserra is back as well. He had to resist the urge to leave the room and run to her, take her in his arms and fill her with sweet kisses. Father blessed our affair, my little dove. You can become my wife, I want you to become my wife, Viserra.

"You understand that we can not blame any of them without proof. All we can do is keep our eyes open. I will send spies around of course."

"If we asked for prisoners, this would stop their plans against us, father.  The rest of Westeros would only see cupbearers, squires, and ladies in wait. only we and they would know the truth."

Aemon's proposal found Vaegon in agreement but not the king.
"Children. At the age of my daughter and yours .... Peers of Viserys and Daemon... I will not be like Maegor," the king replied with harsh determination. "We will be on alert."

"If you're not worried about us then do it for Maegelle. Do it for Saera, father, I beg you. Do not leave my sisters unprotected."

The always bold Aemon wants to protect his sisters. Only with Alyssa had he not felt such a need.

"I prefer to protect you instead of her, brother. She is stronger than you!" Baelon had called him stupid, but of course, Aemon was right as always.

"I will speak to Lord Hightower about Maegelle. He can take her under his roof, protect her without them realizing that we know and Saera is on the other side of the Narrow Sea  with an army protecting her." The nostalgia was obvious in the voice of the Conciliator. Saera has always had the same place in his heart no matter what. "I'm not so worried about her."

"I'm afraid I should, my lord." Baelon turned to the door behind him, where Jocelyn's voice was heard. Although they had not paid any attention to him, the three of them turned to look at her.

"What do you mean woman? Saera is in Essos." Jaehaerys replied without considering that she was in front of him his half-sister and daughter-in-law.

"The queen invited Saera to Viserra's wedding," said Jocelyn as she moved toward them. "Now that we talk she has to sail to Westeros! "But this is not our major problem. I came from the stables, your horse is not there."
She rested her hand on Baelon's shoulder as if it were his responsibility.
"But I was not here! So how can I know why my horse is not in the stables?"

"Because Viserra's mare is also missing and the stable-boy says this was done in your name!"

"This is ridiculous, Jos!"Baelon protested, but Aemon looked at them with a cold and at the same time frightened look. If Viserra is not in the Keep then where is she?

It was truly a night of laughter as Desmond had told her.
Viserra enjoyed the evening with her friends as if she had been drunk on the sweetest wine.

Next to her, Marybel laughed in Domeric's arms, more intoxicated by happiness than by wine. The young Bolton was a kind, sweet and handsome boy and  Viserra approved him for her good friend.

The girl would live a good life as Desmond had assured them that they would stay at White Harbor. Since Domeric was the second son of Lord Bolton he could live wherever he wanted.

Viserra studied Desmond's form as he swallowed a few sips of blonde beer. He was a kind lord and undoubtedly deserved a good union. Viserra thought of all her ladies in waiting and her friends, Amarei Celtigar was the one who stood out from all because of her House since the Celtigars were wealthy and the blood of Old Valyria ran in their veins as well as the intelligence and of her kindness.

Even the queen would accept and support such a wedding. Viserra returned to her cup caressing her swollen belly with her free hand under the table. The baby moved inside her.

You are a strong boy she thought, strong like your father. I look forward to meeting you. To hold you in my arms.  She smiled to herself as she thought of Baelon's reactions but then her gaze met that of her faithful maid.

Of course, it was strange that the girl was here but like everything else it had an explanation. Viserra suggested she join them in a night of happiness -when they traded clothes so that she would go unnoticed by the guards- not that anyone of them noticed the maid on Viserra's mare or the princess on the back of the black stallion that Baelon used to ride.

"Are you okay? is something happening to you?" the princess asked as she felt the girl was upset. She winked, pointing to a table at the end of the hall.

"They followed us here, I don't like the expression of these men my lady. There is something evil in their faces."

Viserrra lowered her hood completely covering her face. Mariah was right, she had seen these men again in the two previous taverns ... Maybe they were just having fun like themselves...But perhaps...

"We have to get out of here! Desmond!" Viserra elbowed the heir of White Harbor. "Something goes wrong."

"The king's guards?" I'm sure that stable-boy spoke to him. He testified to us in His Grace."

"I know my father's guards well ... And Aemon would have found a way to let us know if Father learned about our nonsense. There is nothing His Grace does not share with his sons."

Her face turned pale as she thought of Baelon's fury. The Spring Prince was often quick to anger and slow to forgive... And this foolishness of hers was something that could ruin their future marriage.

"We must leave now, princess." Desmond's muffled voice brought her back to reality. "Follow Domeric and your friends, I will delay them as much as I can."

"No, I will not leave you behind." For the rest of the years, the lord of White Harbor referred to Viserra's stubbornness because it was this thing that had judged the situation.

"Go to the owner, tell him who we are, and beg him to inform the city watch. Then, meet us at the stables."

"Viserra,"

He wanted to tell her everything he felt for her, but she stopped him. "If we get to the castle alive we will talk then, Desmond. I promise." She kissed him on the forehead before he left and she approached the two frightened girls.

"Stay with me, I will take care of you, I promise." The princess murmured, hugging them.
Then they proceeded to the stables. Domeric held Marybel's hand while Viserra supported the terrified Mariah by holding her under her armpit while she leaned on the princess's shoulder.

Desmond joined them just moments later. "The man will call the city watch, he promised me." He said but Viserra did not have time to answer.

The shadows appeared in the dark, menacing and wild. They made no sound. Only a blade came off below the glow of a torch and then another one in the hands of the second man.

"Viserra now! Hurry up. Ride your mare and run! Run and do not look back. Stay safe, princess!"

Everything happened in a heartbeat. Mariah ran towards Sugar and climbed on her back, the mare started running but this action turned out to be in vain. The third man was just outside the stable riding his horse and it was easy to follow her.

"GO NOW!" Viserra could not remember how or when she had climbed on the back of the black stallion that Baelon had named Black Wind. All she knew was that his name matched because Black Wind ran fast, even when one of the devils rushed at him and struck him somewhere in the chest with a knife, cursing that she was Jaehaerys's real daughter.

When the black stallion left the city behind him and reached the middle of  Aegon's hill, Viserra burst into tears. Vhagar roared from the courtyard and there was a commotion in the Keep, but Viserra could only hear the neighing of a dying horse and the sound of swords.

She was alive but at what cost? Viserra's tears had not stopped running down her cheeks, burning her pale skin when she got to the Keep's gate, and when the knights of the Kingsguard came they could not even recognize her.

The interior of the king's solar was bright, everything was in order even now that the Consiliator was standing by the window with his hands trembling and his face pale and expressionless, just like that of a dead man.

Aemon was next to him, Baelon was with a strange young man right in front of them while Jocelyn still had her hand on the Spring Prince's shoulder.

"Tell the truth child, what happened to you?"

Viserra felt her body tremble when she heard the king's calm voice.

She closed her eyes for a moment and the image of Mariah's corpse returned to her mind as Black Wind passed by her. She put her hand on her swollen stomach trying to reassure the baby who was moving restlessly in her womb. Papa is here, we're home. No one can hurt us she thought, but when she tried to read Baelon's thinkings it was impossible.

I must be brave, I am the blood of the dragon. She thought of her own dragon, with the golden scales and golden eyes looking at her like a curious child. 

His scales were always so warm to the touch. She did not claim him because he was beautiful but because his golden eyes watched her intensely when she slipped into the Dragonpit. He had chosen her, Viserra had understood. His thought finally gave her courage and she goes on.

"It was my fault, she is dead!" it was the only thing she could whisper before she lost consciousness, but Ser Lucamore Strong managed to hold her in his arms before falling to the floor.

When he pulled her hood to the back of her head, her silver curls shone in the torchlight like pure silver, leaving everyone speechless.

While her appearance was this of a maid, it was obvious that the girl was Viserra. The king was puzzled, he felt life almost fading inside him.
Viserrra was not like Saera ... Something is wrong ... Alysanne always insisted that Viserra was not Saera!

Aemon looked at Baelon out of the corner of his eye. He was shocked. Silly girl, what did you do?

"For the sake of the gods, call the master, Αemon. Αemon!"Jocelyn said but no one could be attuned to what had just happened except Vaegon who approached her with an expressionless face.
He leaned over the body that Ser Lucamore was still holding and glanced at her quickly.

Her hand did not go far from this point as if it were the most important. Vaegon palpate her body and then turned to the others.

"Take her to her chambers," he said. "She is well. They are both fine, she just had a difficult night and needs rest!"

"Both? What do you mean boy?" Jaehaerys asked equally angry and confused and Aemon bit his lip looking at Jocelyn. There was no worse way to be known to everyone.

"Viserra is expecting a baby," Vaegon answered expressionlessly. "How can you not know?"

"You!" The king's eyes sparkled with rage as he met Baelon's gaze. The Spring Prince's face was like a scared mask.

"The idiot knew nothing and we have more important issues now, father. Please."
Aemon said to the king in a steady voice. "It was all my responsibility. Viserra did not want Baelon to know until he was sure of his feelings. And I respected her wish."

The king's gaze softened with the words of his firstborn and immediately after he moved toward Viserra who had just opened her eyes. She tried to push herself into Ser Lucamore's arms to avoid close contact with the king but he left a tender kiss on her forehead and then turned to Jocelyn. "Stay with her, after all, you have done it with great success so far!"

He could not say anything more; the door opened wide and Desmond Manderly, the heir to White Harbor and Shield of the Faith, entered the room, in blood-stained clothes and with a sharp smile.

"I killed two, and the men of the city watch caught the one who tries to run away, Your Grace. He is injured but he will live and I'm sure he has a lot to say. You have to listen to him! "

Chapter Text

The questions did not last long. After a few nights in the black cells, the man started singing a very interesting song. Some of the servants who also followed him there also mentioned the same names.

Lord Peake was a man deeply impacted by the Faith and quite ambitious.
Some disagreements with minor adjacent lords of his territory had led him to seek the king's justice but Jaehaerys had sanctioned against him.

This led him to work with a group of fanatics who wanted to revive the Warrior's sons
as well as with some maesters who hated the Targaryens and their dragons.
The reign of Jaehaerys may have been quite peaceful, they said in their secret gatherings, but His Grace had two sons and they both had dragons. Sooner or later Westeros would be plunged into a new bloody war.

Aemon, who was present throughout the progress, laughed when they mentioned this and promised to face his brother in the next tournament. That was the only chance they would turn against each other, he said.

Desmond, who was also present throughout the interrogation, although it was not his task, laughed at the prince's words. A strong friendship had started to create between the two men although Aemon never mentioned Viserra.

The issue was personally taken up by the king who had invited Desmond to his solar shortly after that night, in a very private discussion.

He had thanked him and praised him for his bravery, but did not permit him to marry the princess after what happened; yet, the queen had found a mate worthy for him, His Grace added.
One of Viserra's ladies. Desmond had no choice but to agree.

When he insisted on finding out if the princess was in good health, Jaehaerys had responded in the affirmative, adding that she was confined to her chambers.
She was mourning for her faithful maid but she had to take a lesson commensurate with her actions, the king added. Or maybe two.

The Spring Prince was also absent from the court although Desmond had not understood the connection between the two events. Or maybe he was too busy to deal with that either.

When he was not accompanying Prince Aemon he spent time with lady  Amarei Celtigar. The Good  Queen had introduced him to the lass and although he remembered her vaguely like one of Viserra's ladies he truly glanced at her for the first time that day as if he had never seen her before.
She was beautiful.

She was blonder than Viserra and her eyes did not have the color οf lilac but that of the sea, yet they attacked a string in his heart. She was always cheerful and smiling, without the stubbornness and passionate spirit Viserra had, something he honestly missed but was about to become a good wife.

It was late at night and the Keep seemed to be a quiet, peaceful place. All rooms were dark; all except those of the queen.

The flames of the hearth gave the walls a bright orange color while some candles by the bed gently illuminated the space and the shadows of the two bodies danced on the walls around them.

"So you want me to do nothing while they want to kill our daughter, they let Baelon burn like a candle from the fever, and because of them, this poor girl is dead."

The king's voice sounds hoarse and tired. His arms were wrapped around Alysanne's torso, his face in her hair.

"I'm just saying do not send our dragons to Dunstonberry, Jae." She said slowly, turning her head slightly to his side. "Ask lord Peake to come here and defend himself."

"Do you think he will? a chickenhearted man hiding in the shadows and killing women?" Jaehaerys spat out the words like poison. "Men like him need to feel the steel of Blackfyre."

Alysanne easily took advantage of his words. " The steel of a  sword is one thing and the fire of a dragon is another, Your Grace." She murmured in his ear. "Will you send our sons to turn his castle to ashes to become a new Harrenhal? Baelon was ready to ride Vhagar there the same night that poor girl died..."

"Don't  talk about him!" Aly shivered as Jaehaerys spoke abruptly, surprising her. "He behaved like a jerk! He took his sister's maidenhead, seeding a child inside of her, and then left for Dragonstone. Viserra is responsible for not denying him or taking the moon tea but what did Baelon, who is older than her?"

"As for that, I  talked to her, Your Grace. She told me that they had a disagreement back then and she was angry with him, that's why she did not take the moon tea ... She swears that she loves him though, and I believe her!"  Aly said softly, wrapping her fingers in his palm while her free hand stroked his thigh, over his night clothing.

"And yet she swore but lied when I asked her then; how do you ask me to forget it now?"

"What would you do in her place? a young pretty thing you have feelings for your big brother but he is not so sure about his own? And yet, she defended him, Jae! She could blame him ...." Aly stopped talking just to read his thoughts; he thought the same.

"Well, you know ..." she added in a whisper.

"Saven save us! Of course, I know, Alysanne! she could say he claimed her by force, although I'm not sure what happened and he left her afterwards! how will this be resolved?"

"With marriage!" Aly whispered into his ear. "You have already given them your blessings, they would make offspring anyways! Does it matter so much to you that the babe will be born earlier?"

"It makes sense to me because she almost got committed to someone else!"

Aly comprehended his anger. She had felt the same when she went to visit Viserra in her room, but Viserra herself had already thought of a good plan for the young Manderly.

"Desmond is excited with Amarei, Jae! And so did Lord Theomore. Given his action to sneak Viserra out of the castle, they are  happy that instead of being punished he will return to the North with a Valyrian bride."

"If so ..." Jaehaerys brushed his beard, skeptical, but it was enough time for Aly to leave her seat next to him. He made a sound of protesting but Aly did not go far. Seconds later she sat on his lap, straddling him, and he felt her hot breath on his lips.

"Woman!" Aly's arms wrapped around his neck, bringing their faces even closer. "Prove to everyone how wise a king you are," she whispered against his mouth. "For so many years we have been building the ruins we found because of the rule of our father and uncle! Do not break it down in an instant!
"Grant me this! Call Lord Peake to defend himself! You are not like Maegor!"

Without warning, he devoured her, nipping her lower lip with his teeth. His tongue invaded her mouth, and Aly felt her body melt.

"I will grant your boon, aye." He finally whispered into her neck as they regained their breath. "I will call him to apologize before the Iron Throne, but if he refuses...."

"Then he will come chained, my lord!" And he will feel the Valyrian steel on his neck then. She never said it clearly but her eyes definitely implied that she would support his decision and that was another reason he loved her so deeply. Aly hated the show of power unless it was a real need.

He let out a choked growl of satisfaction as he felt her rubbing herself against his cock. When he looked up at her face again there was a playful smile on her lips.

"What else is going on?" He had a hard time gathering his thoughts into his head as his cock twitched against her causing her to giggle.

"Is it fair for me to be in your arms and for our children to be apart, Your Grace? Be punished in their rooms like helpless babies? Baelon should be with his sister right now! to hold her hand and take care of her."

"Alysanne!" he sang her name like a prayer, "I will speak to them tomorrow, I promise! the wedding will take place anyway, we do not want our grandchild to be born a bastard, right? as for them, I will pray to the Seven to light their way! Passion alone is not enough if they want to build a common life together!"

Hearing these words Aly pursed her lips and he brought a hand to the curly honey waves of her hair.

"Well ... Their real keepers are their siblings, not my guards!" He murmured as his hands lifted her nightgown a few inches up her thighs and Aly's fingers did an equally quick job against his small clothes.

"Sounds quite easy indeed, my love, as long as the poor boy convinces Vaegon," She said by biting her lips. Baelon would have no hope of succeeding, Aly knew.

"But Maegelle has always been softer and more comfortable with his siblings!"Jaehaerys said but Aly answered nothing. Just a moment ago she had lifted her thighs slightly to give him access and now the king was inside of her, filling her tight, awaiting cunt with his hard cock.

Viserra sighed as she left her prayer book on the table, smiling slightly at Maegelle sitting next to her.

"Are you okay, sister? Do you need anything?" Maegelle looked up at Viserra's face and also left her own book on the wooden surface.

"Yes!" Viserra answered vaguely, smiling at her older sister. Then she got up from her chair, crossed the room, and stood in front of a window. "Everyone is sleeping." She murmured without waiting for an answer. "Even Aemon!"

"He will surely enjoy some warmth near Jocelyn!" Maegelle said almost in a whisper before noticing her little sister's sad, dreamy look.

"Vis are you okay? Do you want me to help you with something or to read to you for a while?"

Maeggelle's kind intention made Viserra shake as if struck by lightning. "Oh no! No need!" she shrieked but she was already holding the prayer book in her hands.

"This ... is not a prayer book!" Maegelle's eyes sparkled teasingly and Viserra nodded weakly.

The book was from Old Valyria itself, a story of two lovers with such details inside that it would make even the religious man blush.
She flipped through it with such curiosity that is suited to a common girl more than a holy septa. The hard leather cover was the same as the queen's prayer books.

"I know this book! Μother gave it to Jocelyn as a wedding gift!" She said giggling at last. "I wonder if she read it along with our brother!"

This caused a smile on Viserra which turned into a loud, bright laugh. "I think they did! Because Jocelyn herself lent it to me for as long as I needed it!" 

"Yet it was not enough for you!" Maegelle's sweet understanding was the same as Aemon's when the king commanded her and Baelon to retire to their chambers.

The prince of Dragonstone had held her tightly in his arms, whispering reassuring words in her ear. She always felt safe in his arms but she also felt close to this sister even though she had so few memories from their childhood.

"I think nothing can compare to his words into my ear and his hands around my waist but he is truly angry with me again. He did not make the smallest effort to see me while now he knows..." She put his hands on her swollen stomach, touching it tenderly while tears glistened in her eyes. "He was not even curious to learn how  I feel after Mariah's death. And honestly, I can't, sister, I can't pass over it! I am responsible for this! I had to stop her!"

Maegelle neared her, took her in her arms, and then wiped the tears out of her eyes with her handkerchief. "This is ridiculous even for a man like our brother!" She finally said. "So be ready to meet him privately tomorrow night! I'll save some time to your disposal!"

"How-," Viserra tried to ask but she just comforted her. "This is my own business, little sister!"

"Come on now, brother! You said you would find a way to help me!" The Spring Prince made a frustrated gesture in the direction Vaegon was sitting. "I wonder what you want to do because no plan can work with him standing next to me like a watchdog!"

The three of them were sitting together in the kitchen, drinking from dusk. Well, he and Aemon to be honest.

"I certainly did not aim to get him drunk as you thought!" Aemon answered laughing, bringing the cup close to his lips. "Drink!" almost commanded, "it's a part of my plan!"

"Falling boneless on my cold, empty bed is definitely not your smartest thought!" He scoffed, but he drank. Seven save him, the contents of his glass were so sweet that a fire broke out inside him.
The warmth of the wine brought a sweet fever to his body gave him a sense of oblivion and need at the same time….

Soon, his mind turned to a foggy mess and only Viserra's thought remained so clear like a spring morning; the thought of Viserra and the baby growing up in her womb.
He was terrified, that was true and part of him was angry with her because she had hidden something so important from him but the part that was not so damn mad wanted so desperately to hold her in his arms again.
He was not truly interested in anything else but when the servant who filled their glasses every now and then whispered something into Vaegon's ear he felt confused.

"I'm going for a walk in the garden to get some fresh air!" Vaegon left the apple juice on the table and turned to the Prince of Dragontone. "Can you accompany our brother to his rooms?"

Aemon smiled into his cup, but when he turned his gaze to his little brother, he was quite nervous. "I thought you had promised the king," he muttered through his teeth. "I never imagined you would get bored so easily!"

"I'm tired of being our brave brother's governess. I have a more important task to do!" He replied scowling as if he had swallowed bitter lemon juice and then hurried away.

"At least you got rid of this little rat on my behalf and I can go to my chambers alone!" murmured Baelon, pushing his chair into place. "I'm going now!"

"Yes, you can! if of course, you find the right aisle, valonqar! Surely you do not want my help? you are half-cut!" Aemon chuckled and this somewhat irritated the Spring Prince. "I know the Keep so well as my cock, Aemon!" he finally answered. "I will return alone!"

His heavy footsteps led him back to his chambers, frustrated and tired to the bone.
He already loathed his empty icy bed and his lonely room. Closing the door behind him, he threw his cloak on the floor and kicked his boots as he walked towards the bed.

"Baelon!" He rubbed his eyes to get the dizziness of red sweet wine out of his head, but it was not a dream or a fantasy. Visera was lying on his bed, wearing nothing but a white, furry cloak.

Chapter Text

It was not difficult to slip into  Baelon's chambers not since Maegelle's plan was so well arranged.

The Winter Child has played her own part in this.
As Viserra hid a little further from the door the two men were guarding, Gael appeared in front of them visibly upset.

She had lost Cinnamon, she told them, and she needed their help.

None of them suspected the trap as the little princess was the most serious and gentle of the four children who terrorized everyone in the Keep every day.

The door opened easily and Viserra slipped into her brother's rooms, quite nervous though. The memories of the last time she did the same were still curled in her heart like a gigantic snake and still devoured her.

She had hidden under his bed when she heard his footsteps accompanied by the king's voice.
From there she had heard the whole damn dialogue. Baelon had sworn to their father that he was faithful to the memory of Alyssa, and his relationship with Viserra was only what the king himself had called for.
"I will accompany her until someone worthy is found to wed her exactly as you asked me, Father." Baelon's words repeated in her ears after so many fucking months. "After all, what can I need from a ... vain little girl?"

Her need for revenge had brought them into this present and the future ahead looked as dark as a cloudy night sky….

She sighed deeply as her purple eyes gοt used to the half-darkness of his room. There were two lighted candles to the right and left of the bed and another at the table where Baelon was taking his meals when, rarely, he broke his fast alone.

The decoration of the room was simple, Dark Sister hung on the wall next to the bed and the rubies that adorned its handle shone like the burning coals of the hearth.

She approached to admire the Valyrian steel. Even the sword case was beautiful, made of leather and decorated with painted runes of Old Valyria.
She ran her fingers over the handle and the soft leather of the case without taking it in her hands. Her legs were trembling as she felt the room warmer now. Or maybe this was due to the pure panic that made her heart beat so fast...

She shifted her gaze from the wall to the table where there was a silver tray with fruit and a  jug full of sweet Arbor. Viserra filled a cup and drank it with three big sips, the alcohol warmed her even more. It calmed her down. She threw her cloak on the bed and filled her glass of sweet wine again.

After the third cup, she felt her body burning; the fire sang softly in the hearth filling the space with shades of red and orange. With clumsy fingers, she untied the string that held her dress in place and she let it slide on the floor.

Even though the room was so damn warm, her nipples hardened like rosebuds; although she had chosen very carefully her petrol dress and her white cloak and had combed her hair half up and half down, fastening it with gold pins, had avoided wearing her small clothes.

She had not thought of a specific reason when she left her soft silks or the simplest pairs in the drawer but now her mind was returning to the moments when his fingers had set aside the fabric of her small clothes and had slipped between her thighs.

She sighed as she filled her cup again but this time her body was wrapped in sweet dizziness as if she were drowning in a sea of warm milk. She left the glass on the table and walked slowly towards the large bed; she could already breathe in his scent on the sheets.

The next second the plumed mattress welcomed her naked body, and Viserra pulled the white cloak onto her. She was ready to close her eyes and sniff his scent so deeply so that to flooded her senses, her cells, but then she noticed for the first time the carved dragons on the headboard of the bed.

A confused indefinite memory came back to her mind, Baelon's bed, under which she had hidden when she had visited him that autumn afternoon had some moments from the Conquest carved on it ... This ... She looked around the room again. Of course, there is a reason that the decoration was simpler, Alyssa's things did not exist in the space.

If she could she would scream with joy. He may have been angry with her since she had not told him anything about the baby growing inside of her but he had undoubtedly thought about their future ... He had...

She recognized his steps, and a smile formed on her face. She lowered the cloak from the white deer's skin so that her breasts were visible but she immediately felt like a foolish girl. Before reacting, however, Baelon had already closed the oak door behind him, threw his cloak on the floor, and kicked his boots as he walked toward the bed.

He looked frustrated and tired, shadows and dark circles had formed around his eyes and the smile had disappeared from his face. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he had not even noticed her.

"Baelon?" her voice was so soft -a  whisper in the dark- that Viserra wasn't even sure if his name had come out of her lips or she had dreamed of it but he rubbed his eyes as he stood gobsmacked for a moment. "Vis?"

"My beloved." She apologizes because she has to explain to him in some way that it is not a dream and how she was found naked on his bed. "My heart aches, away from you, Baelon. For so many days I have not even  a  single word from you."

"I'm sorry, Vis, I'm truly sorry. I should have found a way, I should have sent you at least a few words, but with this gray rat always by my side ..."

He wants to say he could not do it, but that is foolishness, and he is ashamed right now. I left her alone with her thoughts while she needed me.

He hides his face between his palms because the feeling of guilt is so big, but she is not angry with him. She stretches her soft, milky leg and bumps his arm to make him look at her.

Their skin contact brings a  jolt straight to his cock and he wants to have her now but there is so much to be said before. Still, he lets himself near her, admiring those velvety lips and those wet purple eyes ... Her white skin, always so soft to the touch ...

As she lifts her body slightly to her elbows and raises her head to glance at his face Baelon notices the pink peaks of her nipples as well as a suspicion of her swollen stomach. Maybe Viserra is a witch because the fear that has been in his heart for so long disappears immediately. Viserrra is a lively girl with a cheerful smile, not a corpse... Bad memories and fears abandon his heart and he can finally breathe free.

When he sees the confirmation in her eyes he kneels in front of the bed while her hands lowering the fur that covers her nakedness. He wonders if she was always as beautiful as she is now because she is every man's desire, and she is naked and eager for him, yet he brings his hand upon her belly and feels his body melt as he glimpses her gentle curve. "May I?" he asks slowly and Viserra just breathes and nods before feeling the tears burn on her cheeks.

"Don't." His free hand shifts on her face and wipes her tears with the pads of his fingers while at the same time he gently caresses her belly and his touch is the flame itself; the baby moves slowly inside of her. "Did you feel that?" he asks with pure excitement in his sweet voice and her face blushes. "It's been a few days now that-,"

She never completes her sayings because his lips demand hers and Viserra surrenders herself into the kiss until she feels her chest burning for a breath. "So you are not angry with me?" she asks timidly and he chuckles,  his smile is like honey.

"You?" he asks back and she is surprised that his voice trembles. "It wasn't just one of us so a fucking fool ... Right?" she says gently. "No, it was not." he admits "but I should have behaved better, sister. I'm older than you; a man not a green boy with stupid selfishness."

"But I ..." is ready to admit her love, to bare him her heart as she had done before with her body but for a moment she hesitates. He understands because his fingers touch her lips. "I love you, Vis. I love you with all my being, I suffer away from you. "

"So  touch me, then, brother."

And he does. His hands greedily fondle her body, his lips seek hers again and Viserra surrenders to him, she may have difficulty with words but he feels her love in their skin touch, as her small hands untie his breeches and peel off his tunic.

When they broke the kiss, Viserra feels her lips burn and her body responds so much to his touch, she's so wet between her legs that she can feel it as she shifts herself closer to him.

She presses her lips to his chest to hide her blush, but his lips kiss insatiably the base of her neck and her collar bone, while his hands map paths on her body.

His fingers find her hard nipples while his other hand caresses her stomach again. "Baelon" whimpers against his neck, "Baelon please."

"Soon, sweet sister. Not yet!"

She is ready to protest, but his mouth came down to the pink nipples sucking and biting them tenderly and arching her back when his other hand touches the inside of her thighs. To her displeasure, his hand remains there but it is his sweet mouth that kisses her navel and swollen stomach.

"I have two choices," he mumbles and his voice falls deep and thick in her ears and she is not sure if he is referring to her or just talking to himself.
"The first one is to take you right now, but the other ... I want to adore you, little  sister."

Viserra notices the wild glow in his eyes; the first choice reminds her of the day he claimed her maidenhead or that night when she took him savagely as he had done back then but the second...
The second is like the nights at Dragonstone and the Kingswood and all those moments in his arms, his careful caresses, and the first time she felt her pulse between her thighs when reached her peak thanks to his fingers.

This is what he intends to give her just now, as his lips continue to kiss her belly and his middle finger caresses her folds, and a smile forms on his face.

"What?" she hears herself asking but he grins and keeps teasing her with his fingers and Viserra stretches out her thighs almost shamelessly.

"Baelon?"

"Viserra," he parrots, "you have the most wonderful cunt I have ever taken." His finger slides inside her and finds her dripping.
He moves quickly in and out of her velvety cunt and a  second finger slides easily inside her. Viserra sighs, her walls surrounding his fingers and she welcomes them inside her with wet heat while her hips rise to meet his gentle strokes.

It is the same feeling, that they belong to each other and Viserra comes to his fingers, the words that flee her mouth are more obscene than her spread thighs for him.

When she finds the courage to look down his eyes stare greedily at her wet flower, his fingers work inside her and Viserra meets bliss again. With a desperate movement, she pushes her legs towards him and demands - don't beg him- to take off his breeches.

"Not yet!" he murmurs in her stomach and presses his lips there but only for a moment because immediately after she feels that he kisses her under her belly, and oh Gods, she moans as she feels his tongue in her wet folds.

"Open this damn door now." It is the king's voice that interrupts them and Viserra trembles in her brother's  arms; "This time he will certainly send me into the Mother's House!"

"This time we will face him together." He reassures her, "and if he changes his mind about our wedding we will fly away from this place because I really can not get away from you, Viserra".

He carefully covers her and kisses her hair as he does with Viserys and Daemon every night, and then goes to the door.

He is half-naked, wearing only his breeches while his tunic is somewhere in the room and his cheeks turn red when he remembers how her body trembled when his tongue was down there .... He smirks as his erection is obvious and this is not the best way to welcome your king...

"Damn the fucking gods is true!" Jaehaerys roars and Viserra hides under the blankets breathing in the scent of Baelon as her heart explodes
inside her chest. "What are you talking about, your Grace?" Baelon answers coldly, firmly. We will face it together, my love, his voice echoes in her head.

"Did you bring a whore in here while you asked me for your sister's hand? Your sister is expecting your child and you bed a whore like when you were a youth, Baelon?"

"What the hell? you know I would not bring any whore here, my sons are sleeping downstairs!" he answers annoyed.

"Then it seems you lost something because your son was the one who informed me about it!"

"Daemon!" Baelon shrieks, "if I catch you in my hands..."

"Hollow threats." Jaehaerys replies, "the boy is with your mother but you are here with a wh-,"

"With my little wife! And I have to apologize because your wish was to stay away from her for a while, but... I couldn't, Father. If you have to punish one of us, then punish me."

Are you saying that Maegelle lied to me when I went to your sister's room?"

"Viserra is here," Baelon answers firmly again, and Viserra's breath has almost stopped under the covers, "and I want her to stay here, if you allow to us, Father."

"What if not? Will this change anything for you?"

"Then I will slip into her room at every chance because nothing will keep me away from my love."

"Do I have to thank the fucking gods she's here then? There is a reason I did not allow you to have private pre-wedding moments, Baelon. The pregnancy of an unmarried princess is a scandal."

"I chose her!" His anger comes to her ears as she bites her lower lip while she trembles. I should not have come here today.

"And this was to be done since you claimed the gift that by rights should have belonged to her future husband."

"I came and asked you for your blessing. I always wanted to make her my wife."

If I knew she was expecting my child I would have cleared this damn tangle of thoughts in my head faster, but she was too proud to agree to marry me only for that. 

"Just give us some time, your Grace. For some things need to be said and some wounds need to be closed."

"You had time to do it tonight but you preferred to waste it with ... other things. Your siblings managed to bring the two of you closer for a while. Do you think they had this in mind?"

It was just a vague gesture of the king's hand but Baelon immediately understood the meaning. Their clothes were strewn around the room and  Viserra was naked like her name day under the covers.

I did not fuck her. 

"You both have responsibilities in our House."

Jaehaerys's voice was sharp as a blade.

"I will not allow making our family the prey of gossip of smallfolk."

This story with Saera has affected him so much. But at least I'm luckier than her. Viserra breathed gratefully that no word had been said about the Silent Sisters.

"You and your wife must stand worthy of your duty. I will not accept anything less. Still, your mother insisted that I should be forgiving and I always listen to my wife." his voice became a little softer now, "I will allow you to spend some time together, but make sure you always wear your clothing."

Baelon's wife ... She had dreamed thousands of times that she would become Baelon's mate but now that they have gone so far she is afraid.
Still, she pulls her head out of the blankets when the king demands to see her.

"I love him," she hears herself say as Baelon sends her a reassuring smile, and Jaehaerys tone softens a bit. "Marriage is also an even more serious affair when there are children, and you, Princess Viserra, despite your age, choose a widower. So you two" he continues and his mood becomes serious again, "already have the responsibility to raise your children!"

Alyssa's children... But Alyssa's children are also Baelon's sons and Viserra loves the two little troubles. Maybe I became a mother before I met my own child.

"I will come and get Daemon back." Baelon stops the discussion because enough has already been said but Jaehaerys leans on his shoulder. "Your mother takes care of the issue for tonight, but tomorrow tell your sons about your new wife!"

"One last thing," the king adds before he leaves, "make sure you are discreet in front of others, especially while the young Manderly is still our guest."

When Baelon returns to their bed Viserra can not believe that all this is true.

Their skin contact is like a balm.

"We can go on from where we were," he tells her and she blushes "but first  I shall ease these trembles of yours!"

She does not let him go and he stays holding her tightly in his arms and their heartbeats unite.
"I will make sure you never get bored on this bed."
He whispers into her ear a few minutes later when she drinks the water he gave to her but Viserra overcomes her shame.
"One day, brother, I'll make you beg me on this bed as you did to me today."

"I will look forward to it then." He answers her and pulls her closer, close to his heart. "You are mine and I am yours forever."

Chapter Text

The day that dawns is even colder than the previous one and Baelon stretches his body before he even opens his lilac eyes, grateful for the warmth next to him. Their limbs become a tangled mess and he gently kisses her hair to welcome her into the new day.

"Did I really spend the whole night here?" She purrs next to him like a cat.

"Indeed,  my love."

It is the touch of their bodies that makes him smile and she kisses him gently under his ear.

They had not made love when the king had left them alone.
"We have all the time in the world," Baelon had said to himself as he held her into his arms. They had talked about foolish issues, it's true, but he liked hearing her laugh.

"She is so young. A cheerful, smiling girl." He tells himself, "and yet a few days before she came close to facing death."

He had hidden his rage and anxiety in front of her that day, but only the Good Queen had managed to convince him not to bathe House Peake in Vhagar's orange flames.
The gods are cruel. He thought as he pulled her on him. I could have lost her because of this madness.

"Someone is very enthusiastic about himself." She giggled giving him a new kiss at the base of his neck this time. He had ended up that he loves her lips on his skin for it was a familiar feeling, passion, and comfort at the same time.

"What exactly do you mean, sweet sister?" He grinned as he ran his fingers through her silver curls. Her eyes upon him make his heart melt. I sleep easier with her, I smile with her, my life has meaning near her.

"They call you Baelon the Brave while they should name you Baelon the Stallion!" She winked at him but her face has turned red.

"Viserra!" he murmured supposedly upset, while his heart hammered inside his chest. "I think you're kidding me, little sister."

"I'm not the one with the hard cock." Her laughter is the sin itself and he wants to kiss her all over her body, especially where he made her blush so gracefully like a maiden but has given his word to the king.

"I'm not the one who slept in this bed wearing only a tunic and naught οf smallclothes under it."

She had lying tired in his arms and he had helped her put on his own tunic. It was a thin fabric but it had covered her nudity well, and Baelon was grateful for that because at least he did not feel her whole naked skin upon him.

He had taken off his loose breeches but had left his smallclothes on mainly for decency's sake.

"I am wearing naught of anything beneath this tunic!" She says it with sweet purity but her foot rubs on him and this contact goes straight to his hard shaft. "But it is time for a morning meal, yes?"She keeps talking and he feels his heart explode.

"Yes," he whispers against her neck, kissing and mapping out constellations upon her soft skin. He slides his hand between her thighs -only for a moment- to show her what kind of dessert he wants for himself.

"Fool," she mumbles but makes no move to get away from him.

With her head lying on his chest instead of the pillow, it is so terribly difficult for him to leave this bed behind, but it is late in the morning and he has some serious meetings.

"I do not want to leave." She pouts and he can not help but laugh because she looks like an angry little girl as she speaks.

Stay then my love, his mind cries out but he gives her a sweet kiss, and Viserra purrs again like a kitten,
"We can take a walk in the garden in the afternoon."

"A private meal here would be better, brother." She pouts. "Then I would go back to my own bed."

The thoughts that danced -like sparks of fire- in his head were one more improper than the other.

The king would order me to be flogged in public forgetting forever that I am his son, he thought but his grip spans and squeezes the soft flesh of her hip.
"Lovely Viserra, could you abandon me alone in this bed?"

He accompanied her to her chambers before moving to the king's solar and he kissed her on the cheek before she closed the door behind her.

He was already looking forward to their next meeting because he feels so good when he is near her and it is a pleasant sense that is constantly growing inside him. She may be a young girl with all the warmth and liveliness of her five and ten but it is her enthusiasm that makes him smile again.

Although the day is cold the king's solar is warm, and Jaehaerys is in a much better mood than the previous night.

"Your Grace," he greets him,  grinning; "I came to take what is mine!"

"Oh, I see it, but your son is with Gael in her tasks, so we have some time at our disposal. Have a seat."

He smiles again when he hears that his little boy escorts the princess to her lessons and prayers. My little sister has a bigger influence on my son than I think.

His heartbeat, however, sounds like lightning when the king looks at him, but Baelon sits in a chair made of rosewood. He knows that his affair with Viserra depends on this discussion and he is ready to admit his faults. Like the sea, the past does not go backyard and the future leans upon him.

"I beg your pardon, Υour Grace. "I know I dishearten you yesterday with my behavior and I'm sorry for that but I needed to show her my fondness. Viserra is heaven and earth  for me and now that she's expecting my child I love her even more."

The king's purple eyes are on him, he is skeptical but his tone is milder than the night before. "You understand that wedding  to a such young woman will not be an easy task, right?"

"And I'm ready to work for this union. She is indeed a young girl, Your Grace, but she has a kind heart and understanding. She takes care of my sons and banishes my sadness."

"Are you truly sure your sister is not a way out of Alyssa's absence? the two of you were inseparable as children and made a beautiful pair, blessed by the gods."

"It took me a long time to rest my Alyssa, Father, and I will always honor her memory, but I want to move forward. She would like the same, I think."

Jaehaerys remained silent for a moment - which seemed like an eternity to Baelon - brushing his beard with his fingers.

"All of this could have been done the right way, don't you think?"

"When we got back from our hunting trip I asked a carpenter to replace the bed I took Alyssa as my bride, along with some other things. I wanted to ask you for Viserra's hand back then  but everything went wrong."

"And the babe?"

"I  feel no pride or bravery for the day I claimed her maidenhead."  The Spring Prince bowed his head as he thought of Viserra with her legs around his waist.

"I did not-, I never forced her but I was not gentle.
Not as much as it should."

"Have you regretted it?" there was pure interest and curiosity in Jaehaerys' voice. "The way it happened yes, the outcome, no. The baby is a gift sent by the gods but… I'm afraid, Your Grace."

"Love is combined with fear but also with hope, Baelon. The man who is afraid and yet dares to walk the path of love is truly brave and blessed." The king's reassuring smile calmed the Spring Prince's heart until the Conciliator spoke again.

"You have all the time in the world to remedy all the broken feelings but the wedding has to be done before your sister becomes round like a pumpkin.
Which means we do not have much time at our disposal."

The flutter in Viserra's womb has returned to his mind. Her belly is still quite thin, but not for long. Without her clothes on, her swollen stomach was now fully visible.

No, we do not have much time.

On the other hand, it was just torturous that they kept different rooms and he could not touch her often as he wanted.

"Just grand me this, your Grace." He finally said. "I would like to propose to her before."

Jaehaerys grins.

"What if she refuses? He asks."Then?"

"I will take her to wife even by force, Father, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to convince her that it was worth it."

"Very well. You have a few days until the issue of the riot is resolved. Then, when Lord Peake is punished in one way or another, we will go to Dragonstone. You will stay there until the baby is born.
The place is peaceful and you will have the opportunity to spend some time together without our family becoming the subject of gossip.  Your mother has taken care of the details of the ceremony. It will certainly be small, but the news for your wedding will travel all over the realm and after the birth of the child we will have a banquet and a big tourney."

Staying at Dragonstone certainly sounds tempting as it offers better privacy, Baelon thinks and smiles at the king. "Thank you, Father. I will not dissatisfy you again."

He mumbles something that sounds like "I know it" and then his face becomes more serious. "Yet, inform your sons about your wedding and ... Do not peel naught of any of your sister's clothes before the wedding!"

He leaves behind the king's solar with light steps, pleased with the progress of their discussion. There are some details he wants to talk about with the queen since she has taken over the details of the wedding ceremony, as always.

There are many women gathered in her solar.
Τhe queen's court, he realizes.
Jocelyn is there too, but to his disappointment, princess Rhaenys is not among them.
The queen seems to be in a great mood, her blue dress contrasts with her white skin and has her honey hair down. She looks so young and her eyes stop on him, bright as diamonds.

There is no usual formality between them, he falls into her arms like when he was a little boy and she pinches his cheeks.

"Baelon the Brave will always be his mama's sweet boy," Jocelyn whispers slowly as she approaches them.

"Yet you always have a soft spot in your heart for your big brother, the king; remind me if I'm wrong, aunt."

It was true that the king often had some private meals with the Prince of Dragonstone and his family, which always ended with him and Jocelyn playing cards or cyvasse.

"Oh, you two!" The queen held the hand of the Spring Prince, "you will always find excuses to tease each other."

Then she whispered something to Jocelyn's ear and pulled Baelon aside, to a quieter nook of the room.

"My solar is open for the ladies today but we can have tea in my chambers or the garden." She suggested him.

Baelon rejected the idea of having their tea in the garden as the day was quite cold and so they went to the queen's room. Servants soon carried trays of fruit, apple pies, tarts with honey and cinnamon, and hot herbal tea.

When the servants withdrew the Good Queen held his palm in hers. "I guess you did not come here just for tea and pies," she said giggling.

"But you are always my beloved mama."

"And you, my sweet boy, will soon be a married man. I imagine that then you will not have time for similar moments with me."

"I'm marrying your daughter though, and I believe that she can accompany me if you do not disagree."

"Oh, our Viserra might like these moments of our family."

"Something that Alyssa never liked. She always preferred to fly on dragonback when I was  coming here."

Sadness darkened his eyes and Alysanne felt bad about it. The memories still hurt him but the Good Queen had seen the smile return to his face when he was close to Viserra.

"I have to admit that I judged your sister wrong. Her age and yours... I only saw a young girl with desires and vanity, not the woman she could develop into. Still, Viserra spoke to some farmers on Dragonstone and the women there loved her. Aemon told me that."

"Aemon has always been the best influence for our sisters. Is not that right?"

"And you were always the one that women fell in love with. Both the ladies of the court and your sisters."

"Does that bother you? I never planned a new wedding in my mind until Viserra came into my life."

"Oh, my sweet boy," she replied. "I was sure you would fall into her arms as the ripe apples fall under the apple tree. You are still a young man and she is a joyful lady. I was sure about the growth of your relationship but at the same time, I was worried. You were so devoted to Alyssa and Viserra was just a maiden..."

"I hurt her and not just once. But I did not know anything about the child, she never told me about it..."

"Of course, she did not. She wanted you to choose her out of love, not out of duty. "

He remained pensive for only a moment. "I did but I have to prove it to her, right?"

"Do not judge yourself so harshly, Baelon. Wounds can heal over time; marriage will not be an easy task, but it will bring you truly close."

Baelon smiled at her words as the king had also said the same thing earlier; most of the time they had the same opinion and behavior. As if they were twins.

He looked her deep in the eye for a minute before speaking again, "Since the ceremony will be small can we add some Valyrian customs into it? I think ... she would like them. "

She nipped his ear tenderly, smiling.

"Well, I think we can. Septon Barth knows a lot about our traditions."

The sound of strong wings stopped the words between them and the Good Queen left her favorite armchair, taking a few quick steps towards the balcony of her chamber.

"I thought Aemon was in a meeting with your father, but he seems to have found some time for a quick ride on dragonback."

The red scales shone in the soft light of the late autumn day,  same as fire but not as blood, and when the dragon flew a little lower, the Spring Prince could easily see the pink membranes on the wings.

The Red Queen.

Alyssane, who had noticed the same thing, continued to look at the sky with true excitement in her eyes while a few tears rolled down Baelon's cheeks.

He wiped them out with the pads of his thumbs.

"The last part of Alyssa's soul that was trapped on earth is finally free." He whispered, falling into her arms while she squeezed him upon her chest, stroking his hair. "I know, my sweet boy. I feel it."

The moment in her embrace seemed like an eternity but when he looked up at her face he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I have to go," he murmured hurriedly. "I need  a silversmith."

Talking to children has never been an easy task, especially when it comes to his own children, and today's meal could not be an exception. Baelon pushed his own plate away-still full with food-watching his boys.

For more than an hour and a half, Daemon kept complaining that his cousin had stolen the dragon he once intended to claim for his own, while Viserys was talking so eagerly of the young dragonrider and Baelon thought of falling onto  Dark Sister.

"Your cousin did not steal anything from you, Daemon." He finally said, sighing. "I gave her Meleys' saddle and whip with my own hands."

"This is high treason to me," Daemon shouted from his seat, "you betrayed your own son for a girl. Your behavior is wrong."

"Watch your tongue, boy!" His voice grew louder now, "Rhaenys is not a common girl, but the daughter of my beloved brother. She is our blood, and I love her like my own child."

He stopped talking as Daemon's lilac eyes met his; Seven save me! this child unquestionably has Alyssa's spirit! He thought and then lowered the tone of his voice but his stare stopped insistently on the little boy's face.

"Do you want to talk about wrong behaviors, Daemon? Fair enough! Let's start with yours then. Why were you off of your bed last night? How many times should I tell you that after bedtime we do not walk in the halls?"

"Are you angry with me because I heard this woman in your room?" Daemon wanted to know.

Damn. Yet, there was no better way to talk to them about it since Daemon had raised the issue so abruptly.

"I loved your mother beyond measure.
She was my childhood companion and followed me everywhere since she could walk, like a puppy.
She was brave, smart, and had a fiery spirit. She loved flying upon Meleyes' back but still, she was a wonderful mother and a good wife.
Her death hurt me deeply and I will always honor her memory, but ... Sometimes a new person can get close to us and break all the defenses of our loneliness."

"So... Did this happen to you, Father?" Viserys asked politely while Daemon simply grimaced with his father's words.

"Aye," Baelon admitted honestly. "But we don't choose whom we will love, son.
This happened to me this time as well. The woman who softened my heart is Princess Viserra!"

"Aunt Viserra? Your Sister?" Daemon murmured from his seat but Viserys smiled at the Spring Prince.
"I like her. She is always kind to us and brings us pies when she visits us!"

Viserys was always a sweet and kind boy, but Baelon was truly relieved when Daemon nodded in agreement with the older boy.

"Will you marry her?"

"Aunt Vis is with child, so yes. I will marry her."

"So will I have another one brother soon?" Viserys was the first to speak with true enthusiasm in his voice.

Baelon's eyes, however, were on Daemon.
A sister, I pray.

"No matter if it is a brother or a sister for  this is the pleasantest news." The little boy murmured. "Aunt Vis will be devoted to caring for her infant, so I can do whatever I want without her realizing it."

Mules he thought scowling. Boys are mules. This time the gods will bless me with a daughter.

It was late afternoon when he finally met Viserra in the garden, and Baelon thanked the gods that her maids were far behind them speaking with Maegelle.

Still, there was not much privacy, as anyone could watch them down from the windows, so he tried hard not to make any inappropriate moves. They walked together holding hands and talking about silly things.

Yet, Baelon's heart was about to explode inside his chest, and Viserra's blushing also reflected her emotions.

"I can't." They had gone quite far and the prying eyes were few in this place, so he pulled her to a corner where a large tree was. There were no leaves on the branches but its trunk was large enough to provide shelter for a few moments.

"I missed you." He pushed her gently towards the trunk of the tree, covering her with his body. He tasted venom in his mouth at the thought of the day she stood between his body and the wall. "Baelon!"

Her hand stroked his cheek, her sweet touch was as hot as fire.

"Viserra," he parrots, and he feels his limbs tremble as the tip of her index finger touches his lips.

He wants to bend down and kiss the valley between her breasts, to touch every inch of her body, to put his face between her thighs ... Fuck, this woman is a sinful dream...

Still, he kisses her lips tenderly, caressing her hair, and she smiles. His hand touches her stomach over the light blue fabric of her skirt. "Is she all right?"

"Ηe's fine" she replies but her face gets serious and the glow of her eyes is lost, "Jocelyn's maester believes I'm expecting a boy."

"That's no reason to spoil your mood, my love. This baby is a boon by the Seven; we will make a beautiful family, Viserra."

She smiles and feels a shiver down her spine as his hot breath touches her cheek.
"I will make you an army of princes and princesses if you  wish, but we must wed first!" His voice is serious but his hand is still on her swollen stomach and his lilac eyes are on her beautiful face.

"Is this the king's wish for his dishonored daughter?  But of course, a marriage would solve the problem!" Viserra scoffs.

Her face has taken on a dramatic expression that does not suit her at all and Baelon would have laughed if he had not felt her pain.

"It's not just that, Viserra," he replies in a calm tone. "I'm  not proud of what happened either, I have to make up for it."

"So you want to marry me from duty while your heart..." She does not continue her word because the dragon does not plead or cry.

"My heart belongs to you until the end of my days whether you believe it or not, Vis. To you and only you! I love you."

"I heard you Baelon!" she heard herself say and felt angry that she admitted it but now there was no turning back.
"That day I was hiding under your bed."

Baelon looked at her in shock as if he had seen a cow flying in the sky.

"Were you in my room hidden under my bed? when? why?"

"A few days after our return from the Kingswood. I needed to see you but you came back with  Father."

"Oh Vis,"  He murmured hugging her as if his whole life depended on it.
"I'm so fucking fool! I never thought you had heard that damn discussion."
He touched her face with the tips of his fingertips looking deep into her eyes.
"I did not lie to you, I have loved you ever since. I just wanted to sort things out first."

His voice broke into a sob and she realized what he had done.

"It was a wonderful sight don't you think?"
She changed the subject of their discussion to make it easier for him. "All are talking about Meleys' new rider. Our brother is excited, haven't you met him yet?"

"Nay! I ... I took care of some other issues today."

"Secrets already?" she teased him but Baelon sighed in her neck.
No more secrets between us.

"I spoke to my sons about you; about us."

She looked at him in surprise.

"You talked to your sons about…"

"For our union, Vis." He replied honestly. "For the blessed day that you will be mine forever. They accepted it well, so, now I raise you a question, lovely Viserra. Will you marry me?"

Her eyes were as wide as acorns when she looked up at his face again.

"Has not His Grace already arranged our wedding?"

"Our mother takes care of it," he admitted, "but I want to be your choice, sweet sister, as I choose you as my own! You have my knife and my heart, Vis. You have me."

"Only mine?"

"Only yours," he promised. "All the women of the Seven Kingdoms will know that I am yours forever."

"Yes then."

Chapter Text

There has probably never been more confusion at the Red Keep than in the days that followed. The wedding preparations were moving fast, and an engagement had already taken place.

In a small but quite wealthy ceremony, Desmond Manderly engaged Amarei Celtigar under the eye and blessings of the king and queen.

Αll agreed that they made a handsome couple and especially Princess Viserra.

The Spring Prince thanked the Seven that during the feast he could have one or two dances with her, and come close enough to breathe in her sweet perfume but the king's eyes were constantly on them so there was no room for anything more.

He had returned to his empty bed without being able to sleep for more than a few hours, so he got up at the first light to be present at the training yard.

Aemon joined him a few minutes later and soon, although it was quite early, a crowd of serving men, washerwomen, household knights, squires, and stableboys gathered around them, cheering on one prince or the other.

Their contest was spirited. Aemon was taller and stronger, Baelon quicker and fiercer.
For a few minutes, it seemed that Baelon had the upper hand but the presence of Viserra, who had come to the courtyard along with Jocelyn, affected him so much and with two quick attacks Aemon was finally the winner.

However, he did not have time to taste the sweet sense of victory. He was still wiping the sweat from his forehead when septon Barth came into the courtyard and stood in front of them quite confused.

"Did you meet  Maegor's ghost before  you  came here?" Baelon joked, only to win a stern look from the Prince of Dragonstone,  but Septon Barth swallowed, looked once at Aemon, then at Baelon, and finally turned his gaze looking up to the King's solar.
"May the Seven protect us all," he murmured at last.
"I have some news, Your Graces!"

Aemon read the letters hurriedly without saying a single word, while his face was constantly changing expressions, from anger to surprise and finally to anxiety.

"What the hell?" Baelon murmured angrily. "What has happened?"

"Lords Tyrell and Hightower march on Dunstonbury with their army." He finally said. "Lord Peake  did not accept the king's offer to come to the capital voluntarily."

Baelon bit his lower lip, drawing blood. "You will need no army, brother. Let me go there upon Vhagar and I swear to you..."

"Baelon," Viserra was shaking next to them, "please!"

Aemon kissed her hair without his gaze leaving his little brother's face for even a  single moment.
"Take care of my sister," he finally told Jocelyn. "Stay with her until I return from the king."

Then he turned his attention to the Spring Prince.

"You will come with me. And I don't want to hear anything else about revenge. Lord Peake will be held accountable for his actions before the king's justice."

Baelon nodded in agreement, though he felt anger boiling inside his chest, yet Aemon's attention was focused on septon Barth.

"What does my mother know about the second issue? Has she been informed about it?"

Septon Barth's face is as pale as that of a dead man when he speaks again. "The Grand Maester has already visited Her Grace to inform her, but ...."

No one has yet found the courage to tell the king!

"I will, but I think you are unjustly worried, though. Ηis Grace knows that she would come to the capital for our Viserra's wedding."

She's home! A part of him wants to yell to be heard throughout the Red Keep but then he notices Baelon's confused expression. After the last events, he can not remember what Joselyn said to Father that night. He thinks and gives the letter to his little brother.

"Read for yourself," he mumbles and Baelon takes it with greedy hands as if he were still a child and the paper is a cloth dragon.

"Why is this news bad? Father made peace with her, right?" He asks vaguely biting his lower lip again.

"He made peace with her while she was in Essos, but now she is here; The bad moments from the past along with the news from the Reach and her own request ....."

Aemon is confused, this is obvious, but for Baelon there is no room for diplomacy in this matter. "You have always been the one who defended our sisters, remind me if I'm wrong!" He tells him almost triumphantly, "it 's my turn to do the same for her need if necessary."

When they enter the King's solar they have already discussed a plan. A plan for Saera's safe stay in Westeros in case  Jaehaerys is too angry with all the issues that he refuses to provide her with a shelter in Dragonstone's castle as she formally requested. Under the pretext of the wedding preparations, Baelon would ride Vhagar and go to Driftmark to ask Lord Velaryon to host their sister ...

The queen was already there, quite upset and when Aemon delivers the letters to the king Baelon notices her expression. There is silence as Jaehaerys reads them hurriedly and then looks around, his face expressionless like a statue.

"So, you have not given the order yet?" His eyes are on Aemon, he looks at him so sternly and seriously that Baelon is already thinking about the words he has to tell to Viserra before he leaves, the tears that may have flowed from her beautiful eyes when he told her that Saera would not be present at their wedding.

It is the voice of the Good Queen that breaks the embarrassment, however, something between anger and sobbing.

"Is it too difficult to make peace, Your Grace? we have sacrificed so much in our struggle to rule the realm!"

"Make peace with the one who wanted to kill our children, my queen? with the one who wanted to destroy our House? No! and my decision is final."

"Your Grace ..." Alysanne's words have died in her throat but it is Septon Barth who begins to speak of repentance and forgiveness. Just to confuse the situation more.

Baelon eagerly wants to finish off Alysanne's suffering, he will explain his plan to her as soon as they leave this damn room behind them, she could see Saera at Driftmark...

"Your grace," he speaks, keeping his voice as steady as possible, "there is a second letter, Father, I think you did not notice it as much as you should."

For a heartbeat, everyone's breaths have stopped as Jaehaerys turns his attention to the paper before looking at Aemon again. "I think you are still the Prince of Dragonstone, right?" he says sternly.

"Yes, Father!"

"Then why haven't you already given the order to open the gates to ... the Princess? the last time I thought of your sister  she still had her title!"

Although his style is yet strict, the fact that he accepted to host Saera in Dragonstone is a small victory for them, mostly because Saera mentioned in her letter that the storms faced by the Rogare fleet along the Narrow Sea had left her exhausted.

There is not much to be said on this issue and Baelon accompanies the queen as ordered by Jaehaerys himself. "Honestly, he threw the matter away and kicked us out as if we were servants," he grumbles, but Alysanne giggles and touches his cheek with her soft hand.

"Your father had always his reasons."

That same afternoon, when all the issues have been settled, Septon Barth goes through the door of  Jaehaerys' solar again. The way they meet this time is different, and Barth takes the cup of mulled wine from Jaehaerys' own hand.

"Did you think I would send her away again? as the others believed?" his voice breaks as he speaks, Septon Barth can clearly hear his sobs.

"Your grace... They did not really believe it and you know it for sure; they were just worried that your anger for the other issue would turn against her as well."

"And would I leave her defenseless while there are people who hate us? Never. You know... I just wanted to give her a lesson before I married her to Aemon. She should have known her place before standing next to him."

"The Prince would never give her anything more than affection no matter how many sons she gave him," Barth answered back. "As for her, she would never find it tempting that Lady Jocelyn would still be his first wife."

"And that would hurt Jocelyn too, I know, you have told me before; as you also know that this was the only solution for the future succession. Rhaenys has all the flame of the dragon inside her but she's still a girl."

"But Prince Baelon has sons, Your Grace. The girl will choose one of them when the time comes."

"Baelon has sons yes, yes... And he will soon have more children and I'm happy for him. I was worried that he would devote his whole life to a ghost! Alyssa was my daughter but which father does not want his children to be happy? I'm the King but I'm also their father and while I have to be strict with him and Viserra at the same time I'm worried about their affair.
The problem is not so much their ages, older men often marry young maidens... It is mainly .... what happened between them!"

"Marriage will close the wounds and our prayers will also help them to find their path. Her  Grace asked us all to light candles before the wedding. I will light all my own at the Smith.

His hammer is the mender of broken things, Jaehaerys thought, and sometimes he can build marriages with understanding and respect as well.

The small pause between them seems like an eternity, but when Jaehaerys speaks again, squeezing the glass in his hand so hard that his wrists turn white, there are hot tears on his cheeks and he makes no move to send them away. "The truth is that I'm afraid to meet her," he admits.

"I blamed her for what she did but I never did the same to myself. And I was responsible for that. Saera always had a natural curiosity and demanded that everything become hers, that's true, but I was the one who nurtured her vanity more than anyone else. Maybe because her stubbornness always reminded me of Her Grace, my mother..." And my little girl, Daenerys...
I lost them both and could not do anything to keep them alive. Sometimes I don't want to be close to Jocelyn for this reason and I have not even found the courage to confess it to Aly.

"But Princess Saera is not Her Grace and Princess Viserra is not like her big sister, my king."Barth answers in a gentle tone. "Even the apples on the apple tree are not all the same."

"This is definitely true for my children ... Sometimes I think it's easier to fight a whole war than to raise daughters."

Septon Barth did not answer but after so many years the two were so close Jaehaerys could read the thoughts behind his close advisor's smile.

"What do you think of the Prince? Speak honestly."

"All our accusations fell on the princess, Your Grace," he finally said, for is she a woman of course, but if we thought about the past the girl was always around him. She was looking for him like a thirsty traveler looking for a water source, so, my King, who played with whom?"

"Are you saying that Baelon took advantage of his sister?" he wanted to say that this is ridiculous, but Baelon had bedded her anyway and had seeded a child inside her.

"I want to say, my King, that whatever the reason that brought them close now has turned into pure love. You could have seen it clearly if you had watched his wrath carefully. When someone mentions  House Peake..."

We would both lose so much, instead, they were the poor family who lost their own child. They and Viserra who wakes up scared in her sleep according to what Maegelle says. The faster the girl goes to Dragonstone the better for all of us.

"Aemon always has an eye on Baelon, right?"Jaehaerys asked and Septon Barth just smiled.
Naive question, Aemon always had an eye on all his siblings from the moment they took their first steps and more upon Baelon.

He usually walks by her room every night to kiss her before they go to bed in different rooms.

"Soon," he whispers in her ear every time and she laughs as he kisses her cheeks, forehead, and hair.

Maegelle is always present at these meetings although discreetly and Baelon loves her for it, yet he feels his body burning from desire every time he is close to Viserra but he can not touch her more.

Ηe kisses her neck, muttering an apology to her ear not once, but thousands of times.
"I apologize for my foolish manners in the morn, my dear heart, I promise I will never do it again." He gently caresses her belly over her nightgowns and the baby responds to the touch, bringing a smile of happiness to their faces. "I don't want to leave!" he grumbles and she looks at him with sad eyes, and that's like a stab in his heart, but Maegelle intervenes politely.

"Aemon will tease you for days if you are late to go to him and Jocelyn-,"

"For months!" Viserra adds with a laugh. "It's good that you will be in the company of our loved ones tonight and you don't need to worry about me, our sister nurse me well."

Maegelle's care is really valuable and when the queen also enters Viserra's rooms all Baelon has to do is kiss the queen and the septa on their cheeks and place a chaste kiss on Viserra's lips.

Of course, he is late and when he arrives at the Tower of the Hand he is well prepared for the teasing that will follow but the servants accompany him into Aemon's solar. The fire burning in the fireplace has made the space warmer even for his own tastes so he takes off his cloak while at the same time observes the rich contents of the table. There are apple tarts with pecan and cinnamon but also pear tart with cheese, nutmeg, and almond as well as buns with fresh butter. The wine is richly gold.

"I thought we would play cards." He mutters to Jocelyn who has come beside him quietly. She has her raven hair down and is wearing a dress that insults the dresses. The black silk is weighed down by her breasts that sit nearly quite exposed, and it cascades down her body, only to slit open so high on her thigh that he is forced to wonder if she is even wearing any smallclothes and what she and Aemon had done before his arrival.

"The invitation was for cards, yes, but at the same time, we can eat something. They're not too sweet for your tastes, right?"

Her elegant fingers hold an apple pie and she cuts a large piece biting it almost provocatively while immediately after she licks the liquids from the baked apples off of her fingers.

"Wine?" she whispers smiling but his mind refuses to cooperate, "fuck off Jos," he wants to yell at her but he remains polite. "You could have warned me not to come." He grunts as he takes the cup from her soft hands. 

"We just take a break, valonqar!" Aemon has bright eyes, red swollen lips like Jocelyn, and some small red marks on his white neck. He hugs Jocelyn's slender waist from behind with greedy hands, and his fingers touch her thigh. Fuck you, Aemon.

He gave him a rather irritated look but the Prince of Dragonstone, however, remained in the same position, holding Jocelyn tightly, feeling her warmth.

Is this the price for every time I touched Alyssa in public and made them feel uncomfortable?

Still, Joselyn gently pushed Aemon, and took her place at the smallest table in the room, looking at the cards with the Valyrian symbols painted on them. "So, will we play?"

And they did, but not for long. When Baelon caught a glimpse of Aemon's discomfort as Jocelyn's hand was under the table, he left them in peace returned to Maegor's Holdfast.

The night was cold but his room was warm although empty. "Soon," he said to himself as he slid into the steaming water of his bath.

Hot water is a real pleasure that relaxes the body even more and involuntarily thinks of Aemon and Jocelyn.

The Prince of Dragonstone was always discreet in the way he showed his fondness for her and the current tension between them is something new but Baelon is happy for them. No shadow fell between them when the Grand Maester announced that if they did not want her life to be in danger it would be wise not to have other children. Aemon had dealt with the issue with affection and bravery.

He would drink the moon tea himself if he could, but he was content to watch Jocelyn every time. Undoubtedly their love had remained strong over time regardless of this issue.

When the image of Jocelyn with that sample of dress returns to his mind as he cleans himself with a washcloth he realizes that his manhood is hard and this is almost painful for he has not taken a woman for weeks. Not a common woman. Viserra's form is there, in the back of his mind, and it is almost torture when he remembers the softness of her skin and her own touch, the way her body trembling under his touches. Damn ... He wraps his palm around the heavy shaft sending soft blows up and down its length and already feels a shiver along his spine.

Ηe imagines it's her small hand that touches him like she did in the Kingswood and sends his other hand to grip his balls and urge himself forward.

It is just before his climax when the vision of the happy Viserra disappears from his eyes and now the vision has turned into those frightened purple eyes as his manhood slips inside her .... No you idiot she was scared and the blood had drained in her veins there was no pleasure for her.

Ηe peaks just then but there is no enjoyment at all. He slumps backwards catching his breath, feeling dizzy from the wine, the release, and the panic, complete disappointed in the ruined moment.

The water has started to cool and he feels a weight on his chest because of these memories, so he comes out of the tub and stands naked in front of the roaring hearth to dry himself off.

He weighs the options he keeps in his mind; to fall into bed hoping for a dreamless sleep or…
He hurries to get dressed, wearing the first clothes he finds in front of him in the closet without even looking at them. He is not interested in this issue at all anyway. He could walk naked all over the castle for her sake, to have her love and favor forever.

He was not even interested in the looks of the guards on him as he ran to her rooms. Only when Maegelle's sleepy head appeared in the half-open door did he finally feel a trace of shame for his childish behavior. "I want to see her!" He almost demanded but she gave him a stern look. "Have you lost your mind? She sleeps! I will not let you ruin her peace."

His face softens, he feels tired to the bone. "Only a  moment," he begs her, "I don't know if she spoke to you, sister mine; if she confessed to you the pain I caused her. I was a fucking fool and…"

"Only a minute and make sure you do not wake  her up because then I will call our little brother."

They laughed together and then he walked carefully to her bed and knelt right in front. She wears a simple shift and holds no blanket because the room is too warm; Her night silk is high upon her thighs, small drops of sweat are shining between her breasts and she is probably dreaming of him because she murmurs his name.

Her figure sends a jolt to his thigh which leaves him ashamed in the presence of Maegelle and he manages to restrain himself and settle for a gentle kiss on her lips before returning to his room.

"We have all the time in the world," he murmurs to himself as he falls face down onto the bed and the furs touch his bare body like a caress. In his dreams, it is the day or rather the night of their wedding and Viserra is naked, wet, and happy in his arms.

Chapter Text

The day begins with Baelon stealing kisses. "I have a secret for you little dove," he murmured against her belly, kissing her swollen stomach again and again and she giggles.

"Tell me!" She murmurs, gasping from the passion of his kisses and touches.

"Do you command your big brother, you minx?"

His mouth parted her lips in demand and his tongue find hers, flesh dancing with flesh. Viserra would melt with a single kiss, that kiss, but it is his clever fingers that make her body arch and shiver.
"Baelon", she whines by need and he strokes her lady parts over her silks.

"Be quiet, you do not want anyone to hear us, hm?"
Because our father will whip me naked with his own hands.

She smiles conspiratorial and purrs like a cat when he kisses the base of her neck.

Maegelle always allows them some private time in the mornings when she goes to the sept to pray and they are grateful for that. However, there are guards outside the door so they must always be discreet.

He can not restrain himself from touching her, of course, but there is always a fabric between his fingers and her skin.

It is fair enough. Still, there are moments like now when she sucks his skin on the neck low under his ear or when her small hand cups him over his laces, and the world goes blank for a moment.

"Do I have to remind you that I wear only a shift and smallclothes but not stockings?" She whispers into his ear and Baelon groans. "You have a taste for toying with me!"

"Toying?" she laughs and pushes up her body a bit, supporting it on her elbows. She rubs her soft toes on his thighs and a waterfall of chills travels up his spine.

"This does not sound like a game to me, am I wrong?"

It does not. Because he falls boneless on her soft bed with his head laying on the empty pillow next to her and she stands on top of him stealing more kisses from his lips.

Maegelle finds them in this position and coughs to announce herself. Baelon has a boyish style on his face and Viserra's face has a cute blush.

"Oh, by the sake of the gods you are incorrigible, Baelon. You are supposed to be here because you would tell her a secret. And for nothing else."

"But even the High Septon worships the Maiden, hm?"

"Mother protect us all!" Maegelle stifles her laughter in prayer and heads to the nearest shelf. "Septa Lyra asked for one of my ointments and I have to give it to her now." She winked at them before closing off the door behind her; they still have a few minutes at their disposal.

"Do you have something to tell me, big brother mine?" the question is innocent, but Viserra, the minx, the evil who enjoys having him at her mercy, sucks his finger which rubs her pink lips.

This action sends a new wave of chills down to his spine and his cock hardens in the playful way she speaks to him.

"Saera is οn Dragonstone," he finally tells her, giving her another kiss on the stomach and gently dragging his face in her lower parts, so that he kisses her sweet cunt always over the fabric.

When he holds up his face for a moment he sees her beautiful purple eyes shining with excitement. "Is she?"

"Yes, my love! What news, hm. Our lost sister is home again and our wedding day is in less than a moon's turn!"

He kisses her again there and Viserra gasps and arches her back at the suspicion left by the kiss, his whole face is buried between her thighs. The facking fabrics between his mouth and her woman flower matter no but then it's Maegelle's voice comes to their ears again. "Our Viserra is not alone, Your Grace.  She has a visitor."

Viserra's face immediately takes on a serene expression as if she were Maiden herself, while Baelon turns beet red whit embarrassment and just manages to sit next to her, fixing his double.

"Oh, I see," Alysanne answered back seriously when the door opened wide. "The faithful heart of the big brother..." The lover, Baelon read on her face but luckily Alysanne did not go further.

"How do you feel today, dear daughter?" She asked gently, stroking Viserra's curls.

"Pretty good. Pardon me for the inconvenience I caused the other day."

"All this is normal for a woman who expects a child. No apology need. After all, you have a strong guard by your side." She gently nipped Baelon's cheek and he blushed more.

"Mother! I came to see how she is."  And I stayed because I can not be away from her.

"Of course I understand, Baelon." the good queen said brightly. "A few minutes of privacy will cause no scandal, right? Like taking your sister to bed and putting a child into her.

It was clear enough that the queen had realized how often he slipped into his sister's room and stole small moments of pleasure while Viserra also trusted him again day by day and wanted more.

"The two of us never spent enough time together, but we can have it now." Alysanne held her breath for a moment. "Aemon told me about the meetings on Dragonstone, maybe ... would you be interested in escorting me to women's court?"

Viserra's eyes shone at the sound of the invitation. "I noticed some things on Dragonstone, Your Grace.  It  would please me much to talk to you about these issues."

"Then you need a nourishing morning meal, worthy of both of you." The Good Queen gently touched Viserra's swollen stomach and she smiled.

He should have been happy, right? Viserra has always sought the attention and love of their parents since childhood. Gods, even the puppies she had at times were always some tortured, weak animals.

However, Baelon felt like a child who someone wanted to deprive him of his favorite toy. Not that he wanted to play with Viserra and her feelings again, no. His heart ached away from her, his body needed her touch ... At some point he caught himself thinking every inch of her, dreaming with open eyes that we made love. Gods this was real torture; he needed to be always by her side.

Still, her wish is his command and Viserra seems so happy with Alysanne's suggestion. It's a short time after all and he has to meet Aemon later but not before the morning meal, the queen insists.

They talk about the winter that has finally spread its wings above Westeros. A white raven came from the Citadel this morning and Gael is thrilled about the white bird.
"Ιt's so big, bigger than all the birds in the rookery," she chatters, eating her porridge, and Daemon confirms her words; "It's a beautiful thing with clever eyes, Father."

Viserra looks around with a dreamy look sitting comfortably in her chair. Winter is here and in less than a  moon's turn she and Baelon will have said their wedding vows and will keep warm one another up every night.

Could it be more extraordinary? Baelon's eyes are on her all the time, he is the one who has piled most of the apples on her plate, cut with his dagger, because "you have to eat more, my love, in your condition."

She swallows a small sip of her tea smiling as the king enters the room escorted by two knights of the Κingsguard. She notices the wild expression on his face, his eyes are like two lilac wild seas. "Lord Tyrell sent me word," he says in a voice full of satisfaction. "He and Lord Hightower have Lord Peake. In ten days or a little less they will arrive in the capital and then the traitor will be tried for his crimes."

The news takes her breath away, her legs tremble. Dead, this man wanted me dead but it was poor Mariah who paid the price. She saved me but her life ended with agony.
She leaves her place muttering an apology walking slowly to the balcony of the room, she desperately needs air.

The dragon does not cry or beg and she is too proud to show her weakness to others, even to her family; someone asks her if she's ok but Viserra could only hear the neighing of a dying horse and the sound of swords and then empties the contents of her stomach onto the floor.

Baelon and Maegelle run to her and Jaehaerys call the servants to clean, Alysanne strokes her hair and whispers reassuring words. She murmurs an apology, but the Good Queen insists this is normal for a woman who is expecting a child and does not need to be feeling bad about it.

Baelon kisses her hair and gives her a glass of hot water with lemon juice to clean her mouth.
"I'm fine." Viserra insisted but when Baelon's eyes met those of his parents and Maegelle he saw their huge concern. Something goes wrong.
He stays by her side until she regains her strength and then accompanies her back to her room along with Maegelle of course.

Back in her chambers, he helped her lie down on her featherbed and stayed there holding her hand until she fell asleep again.

He looked for his parents a few moments later into the king's solar.
"What was that?" he asked them anxiously awaiting. "She tried to convince us that happened because of her gestation but she was terrified. I saw it clearly into her eyes."

"My love," Alysanne spoke first, sweetly, trying to calm the fears inside him, "your sister should be happy and round like a pumpkin, instead, she is often sadder and a bit thinner than before.
I would not worry too much, as pregnant women frequently get sick with some tastes or smells, but Maegelle told us that she often wakes up terrified, crying. This is not a normal thing. I spoke with Jocelyn and our Viserra had never complained to her about anything while taking care of her."

He stay thoughtful for a moment, trying to understand what he had just heard. Viserra had felt a big shock, both her life and the life of the child in her womb had been threatened and she had seen her most faithful maid dead.

She looked like livery normal, but that was always her defense, Baelon thought of. Even as a child, Viserra rarely cried and never begged.

"Your mother and I decided that the girl should leave from the court. She needs serenity and calmness now and as long as she stays here her health is deteriorating. So we thought it would be good for her if she went to Dragonstone soon. Your sister is there and of course, your mother would accompany her. She will not be alone."

Baelon rears back as if he's been slapped.

"No, not that! It's almost a moon until the wedding, I can keep her company more often, she sleeps more peacefully with me."

Jaehaerys brushes his beard before speaking again. "The time you spend one another is enough or do you think I do not know how often you slip into her chambers?"

Alysanne intervenes gently, calming them both. "We would not change that, my loving child if it were not necessary. At Dragonstone she will calm down, she will enjoy your wedding preparations. It is difficult to say your farewells to her, I know, but it's only for a while."

"I once left my queen on Dragonstone for half a year, son. It was not easy for us either but her honor was more important than my need. I did not even put my hands upon your mother, even once, while you hurried to taste your sister's gifts. You are a widowed prince but she remains an unmarried princess expecting a child."

A bastard child. The king would never speak in this way about his grandchild, but that was exactly what he implied. The Targaryens called their bastards dragonseeds but that was just a polite name for children born of lust out of wedlock.

"It will only be for a while," Alysanne said again. "The days will pass quickly and then you will have your cloak upon her. You have lived the preparations for a wedding while she has not. Grant her these, peaceful moments and wedding preparations. Stories to tell her children on winter nights."

Our children.  When the gentle flutter inside Viserra's belly returns to his memory, he drops off into his chair defeated.

Baelon had seen battlefields and the trial of Lord Peake will be a similar thing, he can not expose to such danger the health of Viserra and their babe.

"I want to be the one to inform her about it." He says at last. "Let her hear it from my own lips."

His parents get a twin expression, holding hands and agreeing.

When he slips into her room that night Viserra sits on her featherbed with a book upon her lap.

She has the sweetest and most innocent expression he has ever seen and he steals a moment to look at her without knowing it, a moment that he will keep as an amulet in his heart on the days when they will be apart.

"Beloved heart," he greets her and announces himself in one go, calmly like a baby's breath. "I missed you and I came to see how are you feeling."

"I'm fine, Baelon." She insists but there is sadness on her face and although she tries to hide it well Baelon knows it's there. He observes her body carefully, her frame is indeed a bit thinner than before. It makes perfect sense for a young girl but not so much for a pregnant woman. He thinks that after the wedding he should ask for meat, soups, and lemon pies with sugar at the dinners they will have together. She has to gain some weight and he loves her rich curves.

He sits next to her and wraps one of his arms around her neck, putting her into his arms. Her head lays on his chest to hear his heartbeat. He kisses her hair and whispers words of love in her ear; love must be a consolation, right?

"No need to hide anything from me, dear heart, I'm more than just your brother; I will become your spouse."

"No," he corrects himself as she looks at him, "I'm already your mate, my love. I locked our lives together the first time I kissed you Viserra."

"Not when you claimed me or when I took you in the same way?"

There is bitterness in her voice, he can feel it. She does not trust me completely, not yet.

"I did not know that I needed you until the first time I slept with you, then at Dragonstone, and when I kissed you for the first time .... the seed was planted in my heart and became a huge roaring tree. I was a fool who did not admit it to myself earlier and I was so long out from you, but I will make it up. I will make our wedding worthwhile, I promise."

It seems that his words win her heart because she gently brushes his cheek and when he looks into her eyes, tears fall, huge drops of precious stones that make his breath take away.

"I wanted to be brave, Baelon. Brave just like you, but I'm not. I thought that if I gave you children and you married me I would be happy in court but I finally hate it."

Tears well up in her eyes and burn her cheeks although she was sucking in breaths to try and stop the tide. She was always that way, he remembers, never wanting to seem weak.

"I want to flee this place, Baelon. I want to go back to the Kingswood, please."

Her lower lip trembles as she speaks and the memories go back to his mind and he remembers, he remembers how happy they were in that cave, naked like their name days with their clothes a  pile on some edge of the cave.

He can only accept her wish and suddenly Dragonstone seems such a marvelous choice.

"You will leave," he swears, "you will flee this place quite soon, Viserra, you will find your lost peace again. I promise!"

"Will you not come with me brother?" Her purple eyes find his lilac and she stares at him like a scared child but he can not lie to her. "I will come to you on a moon and I will never leave you again. Mother will be with you and you will find Saera there."

Dragonstone. Viserra thinks. "We were happy there, weren't we, big brother mine?"

"We were. It was the first time you slept in my arms and I did not want to let you go."

"Don't go. Stay with me, tonight." She says sobbing and he covers her gently.
He lulled her to sleep with the same songs he sang to his children and Viserra falls into a deep sleep.

They spend the next two days mainly in each other's company while the preparations for her trip had begun and the Keep is in turmoil. The king is mainly busy with both state affairs and the queen, and Aemon spent his free time with Maegelle who offered to accompany their little sister to their family's isle fort, despite the doubt Baelon saw in Vaegon's eyes similar to his own for the departure of Viserra, which he had well-hidden however. We are indeed a family.

When he slips back into her chambers on the eve of her departure there is a large half-full trunk in the middle of the room and clothes around them.

"Most of them will not be useful soon," she grumbles, "They are quite tight."

He laughs when she snorts and pulls her close to him.

"My little sister is already so upset by some clothes that do not fit her well, hm ...You will not need so many dresses when I come, anyways," he groans, winking at her.

She blushes gracefully and he kisses her on the neck making her body melt by his kiss. "Let me help you with this," he whispers into her ear and before Viserra asks him what he implies she feels his hands mapping a path at her feet, her skirts become a tangled web up to her thighs.

The next moment he is kneeling in front of her and kissing her toes, tenderly biting one of them over her stocking. She feels dripping because of his audacity and she shrieks in surprise.

He kisses her passionately to stifle her noises off while his hands caress her thighs and when she looks down again he holds her garter in his hand. "This is mine," he growls against her collarbone, "you are mine, sweet sister. Ι want you, I need you, I love, you, I love you!"

Maegelle enters Viserra's room immediately afterward and looks at him under her eyelashes, raising an eyebrow. "I know, I know, traitor!" He scoffs and leaves while she laughs.

When he returns to her bedchambers just before sunset to accompany her to dinner, Viserra is not there. He stays alone in the empty room observing the space and the trunks that are now full up. The thought of separating pierces his heart like a sharp knife, but he has to allow it to her; Viserra has to find her serenity, and he always enjoyed spending time with Aemon, right?

Yet, he calms down when he remembers her garter, which he has wrapped around his wrist. It still smells of her sweet perfume and a sad smile spreads on his face.
She and Maegelle arrive shortly after, talking softly. "My mount is a kind beast, but I understand, our little sister will be grateful for your company."

"So you insist on doing so?" He snorts. "Sunfyre will follow Silverwing anyways when he is freed from the chains that hold him down on earth. You can travel safely by ship-"

She kisses him wildly, swallowing his words and his lower lip together, trying to stop the disagreement she knows will come afterwards.

The bell that informs them that dinner is ready rings immediately and Viserra is grateful that the discussion stops. A wrong reference to Alyssa and the time she spent on the Red Queen's back even after giving birth could have cost her everything.

The mood during dinner is strange, the children talk softly at their own table and Viserra notices Gael's excitement.

Rhaenys looks older and more mature since she became Meleys' rider. "My girl has matured in one day," Aemon had told her with a laugh and she elbowed him slightly; "your daughter was always mature," she had replied to him, "she has taken this from both her parents," and Aemon had smiled proudly.

Viserys was pleasant and polite as always but Viserra's gaze stood on Daemon. His silver hair fell tangled upon his shoulders, "I thought I had found a way to get closer to him," Baelon had told her two days ago, "Alas! he keeps distance himself from me."

Viserra had spent the next morning with the boy. They had walked into almost all of the Keep's gardens, stolen sweets from the kitchens, and entertained him with stories from her childhood.

"Do you really have to go?" he had finally asked her by biting his lower lip to keep his lilac eyes dry. In a way, he reminded her of herself. "Yes, but your raven must come to Dragonstone often!" She had brushed his cheek tenderly and the glow had returned into his eyes. Baelon’s eyes.

She decided that she would definitely see him before she left.

When she looks at the others again their plates are empty and only hers still has food. I have to leave, this place weakens me.

"Sister," Baelon makes her come back to the moment, "I have to say my farewells to you here, I have a few things to do in the morrow."

More important than saying your farewells to your future wife properly? she does not say it, instead, she kisses him on the cheek and returns to her chamber.

She sleeps for a while and gets out of bed at the first light. She washes her face and wraps herself in leather riding clothing and a green cloak.

She has a quick morning meal with the queen, Gael, and Maegelle while Aemon comes along with little Rhaenys and Jocelyn to accompany his sisters to the port. Aemon hugs her, Jocelyn and Rhaenys leave kisses on her cheeks and she is ready to cry with emotion.

Yet, she almost blows up into tears when the queen tells her that the king is not in some meetings but at the Dragonpit, he went there to make sure the dragons are well fed and ready for the flight.

Her heart bleeds while her cloak billows around her and the only sound that comes into her ears apart from the hooves of the horses is the song of the birds.

"Aunt Viserra," Daemon runs towards her as soon as she dismounts her horse, Viserys walks behind him holding an orange daisy in his hands and it's him, Baelon holding her tightly as if trying to stick each broken piece of her heart. Love is care, right?

Viserra hugs the children again before they are left in the care of the King's guards and then walks inside along with Baelon, holding hands.

The roof was drawn open but he pulls her into a dark corner and kisses her passionately, the darkness covers them from the eyes of those around them.

"Send me words when you arrive," he pleases, "send me every day. I will answer you and I will think of you, there will be nothing else in my mind."

She kisses him back and his hands go down to her swollen stomach, touching her tenderly.

"You can not leave like this," he holds her hands in his and kisses her knuckles while the light encompasses them, the dome pulled away.

He takes off his cloak with a quick flick and wraps it around her. "Your cloak does not cover both of you quite well, my love, and it's cold on dragonback."

"Baelon," she whispers while the king and queen's eyes are on them, they had already said their farewells she realized, and Sunfyre leaves a wisp of smoke out of his jaws. "I love you!"

"I know," he replies, "and I love you too because you hold my heart, Viserra."
He helps her climb on the back of her dragon and secures the chains of the saddle. She holds the whip that Aemon had given her as a gift and says the order. Sōvegon.
Sunfyre leaves the ground happy that they can have a flight after so long. Silverwing follows them.
Soon they are high in the sky, gold and silver scales shining in the dim light of the winter sun.

He feels moistness in his eyes and bites his lip to keep them dry but it is the king's hand that touches his shoulder, offering comfort. "It's only a moon," he tells him softly. "Soon you will be by her side forever."

Chapter Text

Dragonstone
Princes Viserra Targaryen

Thick fog shrouded Dragonstone when Sunfyre circled high above the castle following Silverwing before their landing in the inner courtyard.

The day was cold but Viserra was thankful for the huge fabric in which she was dressed. Baelon's cloak still had his scent. It was a comfort for his absence.

Despite the chill, the dragonkeepers quickly came to their side, but when a young boy stood up to help her with the saddle chains, Viserra smiled as the memory of a similar moment returned to her mind.
It was the first time she had come to Dragonstone with Baelon and he had sent away one of those who had approached to help her.

We were dripping with necessity since then, but we were both selfish enough to admit it. She thought smirking at herself. At that time their tension between them was a spark, a spark that turned into a roaring fire. Baelon wanted her as desperately, he showed it to her in every way he could, but she held herself back. She loved his touch and his face that lit up with a smile whenever he looked at her, but there were still some little secrets between them. Only when it came time to leave did she admit that she loved him.

"What is the issue?" The queen asked softly as she walked over to her, but Viserra did not have time to answer. The strong bat feathers had caught everyone's attention but among the crowd, they saw the silver hair and the figure of a young woman. "Saera!" Alysanne's voice breaks into a sob.

Viserra watched her sister make her way through the crowd, moving fast, drowning in a huge cloak just like herself, though more luxurious than Baelon's. It is cold and this place is lonely and eerie if you are alone.
But Saera was not alone. A few steps behind her were two boys her age. Viserra could guess the anxiety they felt as they walked as if waiting for something else; no, they are waiting for someone. Viserra thought as the bright violet eyes of one of them stared at the dragons. They believed that father was with us.

There is no more time for extra thoughts as Saera stands right in front of them and looks at them beneath her eyelashes, her face bathed in tears.

"Your Grace!" she finally whispers with trembling lips, trying to bow down before the queen.

Alysanne's arms immediately wrapped tightly around Saera's torso, hot tears stream down her cheeks. Saera, Saera, Saera. Viserra smiles as her sister's name comes out of the queen's mouth like a prayer but then Seara takes a step back and this is so strange for someone who just wants the mother's affection.

"He fell asleep a few minutes before," Saera explains as she unbuttons her cloak and presents the last offspring of their family, who sleeps peacefully, strapped to his mother's chest.

Alysanne observes the baby wide-eyed.

"Stupid girl, why? Why didn't you tell us about it? I would go to the ends of the earth for you -and your father would do the same- Oh, Saera, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I wasn't there to hold your hand."

"I thought I could go through it alone, or to be honest with an army of midwives and my husbands by my side, but when the time came I was so scared my Queen. It hurt like hell, but we are both fine! yet, the storms along the Narrow Sea made us tired and my milk was less, so I asked for His Grace to allow me to have the comfort of the castle-,"

"Are you breastfeeding your hatchling? Can we find a wet nurse for this purpose, it will not be too difficult." Alysanne whispered caressing the soft silver fluff on the baby's head, but she politely refused. "You did the same for me, mama!"

Viserra, who was attending to the discussion in silence, felt her body stretch as Saera reported the labor pains. The last baby she saw born was Aegon, so small, so weak. Will Baelon hold my hand when the time comes? part of her knew that her prince, a warrior of his own right was familiarized with blood, but it was Alyssa who was referred to as brave warrior by his lips.

She tried to dispel her fear before it took over her. They stood outside in the chill for quite some time and the dragon's blood may have been strong but Viserra had heard stories about a sister who had died of a cold.
They are both so excited that they would spend the whole day in the same place if I left them, she thought as he took two steps forward, but this is a dangerous thing for the babe.

"Sister!" She greeted her gently, watching Saera narrow her eyes upon her face. "I'm glad you're home again!"

"Oh, little dove. Look at you! my little sister is already a woman grown!" The three of them join in a tight hug, which is stopped only by the gentle crying of the baby.

"Let's go inside," said Alysanne holding their hands, but Saera's lilac eyes met dark purple and bright violet and she gently pulled the queen by her sleeve. "Your Grace, you must let me introduce you to my spouses first." She said in High Valyrian and the two young lords bowed to the Good Queen.

Shortly afterwards, the queen's solar was opened for the two young Rogares, giving the two princesses some private time. Viserra unpacked the few things she had carried with her on the back of her dragon, though most would arrive by ship.

She had chosen to keep her chambers in Sea Dragon Tower, close to the queen and Saera until the wedding. She did not want to return alone to the room she had shared with Baelon in the Stone Drum; her fingers ran on the black cloth and her cheeks turned red when she remembered the moment he knelt in front of her and took off her garter.

She wondered if he would miss her during the moon they were going to spend apart when the door opened and Saera came in.

"My apologies for invading like that, I put the baby to sleep and I thought you would appreciate some company." Saera's words died in the back of her throat as she stared at her little sister.

Without  Baelon's cloak upon her and still wearing her tight riding clothes, Viserra's swollen stomach was quite visible, especially to experienced eyes.

"Oh, "Is that why they insisted so much on this marriage?" She asked, making a vague gesture toward Viserra's pregnant belly.

"Is your betrothed at least kind to you? handsome also? I did not know that young Manderly was in court for a long time. Mother did not mention it to me in any of her letters."

"Oh no. He was only present for two moons, no longer." Viserra responds with a sigh, her fingers still touching the soft woolen cloak.

"I'm sorry little sister, I'm really sorry. Gods, I never expected to be such a bad example for you. Is your engagement at least happy or is it just politics? Oh, Vis, what will happen to your baby when it's born?"

The storm of questions that comes out of her sister's mouth leaves her quite confused but Saera's pause gives her time to think properly and Viserra laughs. "You probably did not receive the last letter from mother," she finally replies, "I will not marry Desmond but the father of my child."

"And is he polite? does he love you? did our sire accept it easily or is he angry?"

Viserra smiles sadly. Saera's interest seemed real, and she too had thought endlessly of their father's reactions, yet Jaehaerys was not called wise by chance.

"A bit yes, but I guess when he sees my baby grow up in court he will love it as much as his other grandchildren."

"So is anyone from court? oh, Vis, he's not an old man with a huge belly and some kind of power, is he? or some stupid boy! My poor sister, you deserve more, why have you ruined yourself like that?"

Viserra takes two steps away, clenching her fist into Baelon's cloak; the last person to judge her choices is Saera, yet she speaks calmly for the sake of their mother and the love that her brothers have for the queen.

"Am I destroying myself with Baelon? if you mean that he is not the Prince of Dragonstone  I give not a fig-"

She stops talking as a sheepish Saera stands in front of her, confused and slightly shocked.

"Your child...Is Baelon's?"

Viserra gently rubs her round belly and the baby flutters in her womb. "Yes, a son."

The annoyance disappears from her face as Saera's eyes shine and a wicked grin spreads across her face.
"Oh, thanks the fuckings Gods!  did you finally fuck Baelon?"

They talk for over an hour and Viserra tells her everything, about the first night she slept into his arms feeling happiness and safety, listening to the sounds of rain in the Stone Drum, for their hunting party and the Kingswood and the tragedies that followed.

And Saera listens. She watches with the same greed as a child standing in front of a jar of candy and when Viserra finally stops talking, she carefully pulls her into her arms. "Oh, Vis," she whispers, "you should never have ridden him before the wedding. From what you told me, your groom is madly in love with you, but ..."

"I reminded him of her." Viserra's mouth fills with bitterness. Saera nods without referring to Alyssa's name. "Yes, you reminded of her, but that can be amended if you listen to me carefully."

They spend the rest of their time chatting about the wedding preparations, Saera's spouses, and the gifts she brought her from Lys. When the baby's crying reaches them Saera runs like a cat in the opposite room and Viserra smiles. Motherhood was able to change even my capricious sister.

It's not the baby in her womb that she's thinking about, but Daemon, with his tangled hair and sad eyes, was biting his lips to keep them dry, she recalls.
Alyssa's child, a treacherous part of her whispered to her insides, but the memory of the boy nestling into her arms before she leaves the capital behind is so vivid into her heart.

Baelon's baby she finally whispered to herself. He was only four years in age when his mother died, and he has been deprived of the motherly touch for two fucking  years.

We can. We can become a happy family. Alyssa's children are also Baelon's babies, he has been taking care of them as a father and mother together for two years.

She does not allow herself to think of Cass or her brother's seed who grows up inside this woman. She had promised Aemon at least twice before leaving the Keep. "There is no reason to spoil the peace you need so much sister, promise me, promise me you will not look for this woman. Our brother loves you, I have his word that he will explain everything to you,  little thing."

She takes a deep breath instead and decides to visit Saera's small bundle. Outside the wind blow wild, It's winter yes, but all seasons are different, lighter, and happier when there are babies around.

She just strokes her swollen stomach laughing. The Spring Prince will have a winter son in a few moons.
It's a good jape.

King's Landing (a few days later)
Baelon the Brave

When Aemon married Jocelyn in a ceremony splendid more than the Golden Wedding itself, the Prince of Dragonstone was anxious and terrified. The Spring Prince, who was always by his side, often teased him about it, and when the blessed time finally came to marry Alyssa he felt no trace of anxiety or nervousness, only impatience for the consummation of the wedding.

He feels nervous and worried now and that makes him moan and complain like a child.
Aemon and Vaegon seem to be cooking something with Jaehaerys because together with septon Barth and the Grand Maester they spend most of the day in the Small Council's chamber and Baelon has no choice but to look for Jocelyn's company.

He finds her into Aemon's solar, surrounded by a multitude of tailors and fabrics. "So as we agreed, these two and the black of course. We will start soon, but first, you can get some tea."
She shows the older man a burgundy and a sand-colored fabric and immediately after kisses Baelon on both cheeks while her servants led the man and his assistants to the next room.

"Did I come at a bad time?" he grunts as she gently pulls him by the sleeve. "Are you sewing a new gown?"

"Aye, but these fabrics are not for me."

"Oh, do you want your prince to be handsome before you take his clothes off, hm?" He snorts.

"Maybe!" she replies with a sly smile, winking at him and Baelon growls. Maybe it's better to ride Vhagar in the rain eventually.

"My master asks if this is truly your final decision about fabrics because we have to look at the buttons later. Maybe it was good to hear the opinion of the prince before..."

The apprentice child was a rather annoying thing but not for Jocelyn. "The buttons will be matte black and the prince agrees with my decision." She said before sending him away with a flick of her wrist.

"So you are committed to this task? To make your prince look dangerously handsome in court?" he sneered as she moved towards him holding a cup of steaming tea and a raspberry tart.

"With extra sugar," she whispered sensually in his ear, ignoring his words. "Gods know that you are always grumbling as a child, Prince Baelon, and I must make you dangerously handsome for your bride. She looks prettier every day, so you do not intend to go to your wedding in the same clothes you wear every day in court, right?"

Baelon falls into his chair defeated and eats large bites from the tart, more to overcome his stress despite his hunger. There is no way he can deny this to Jocelyn, as she has always had her own way of getting what she wants and the gods know she is right. Viserra was as beautiful as a Goddess of Old Valyria, so he had to be attractive for his bride on their wedding day, even if it meant spending his next few days among fabrics, tailors, and Jocelyn's orders.

It turned out to be probably the most interesting thing he could do as storms fall upon the capital for the following five days.

His days begin with his sons and he secretly rejoices when Daemon tells him that he had a letter from Dragonstone.

"Princess Viserra is always so kind," Viserys chats while eating a cherry jam tart. "Even now that she is away from us she cares about our comfort."

"Is she?" Baelon asks proudly as he hears such sweet words from these innocent lips. They could consider her their mother at some point.

"But of course father," Daemon responds by holding her message tightly in his small hand. "Princess Viserra often came to our chambers after our mother's death, but only when you left. She told us stories and sang to us to sleep."

A shocked Baelon looks at the two boys while Viserys complains that they vowed never to reveal this secret.

The days start with his children but end in his empty bed, and Baelon often feels grateful for the tiredness of daily routine, yet every time he wraps his palm around himself it is a specific image of Viserra that comes back to mind and fills his senses. Her lovely body arches and trembles while her wet heat surrounds his fingers and murmurs his name over and over again as his manhood twitched against her thigh.

It leaves him burning and impatient and ashamed and wishes the queen to have fulfilled his wish and to have settled the matter of Cass definitively and in the best way.

"Mother please! Ι have done things in the name of loneliness that makes me ashamed. In the name of my loneliness and anger too, but I'm not proud of my actions.
I exempted her from me before I came home after my illness and I would settle the matter myself but with my sister there this needs to be done sooner.
Find her a mate, someone good and kind who will love her and accept the child. I will take care of their comfort until the end of my days and the baby will be welcomed in court yet I don't want Viserra to be upset again. I will explain everything to her after οur wedding."

Aemon Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne

This is not the first time Aemon has become accustomed to working hard, it's something he has become familiarized with over the years either as Master of Laws or as Hand of the King but this time he is grateful that Jocelyn and Rhaenys had a task to deal with as he spent most of his time in the king's solar. Rhaenys had already acquired his and Jocelyn's taste for court style, and Jocelyn enjoyed teasing Baelon.

He wished he could spend more time with them, Gods, he broke out into laughter every night when he lay down next to Jocelyn and they traded stories, both nude like their name days. Certainly, she spoke more, as he enjoyed listening to her voice and was glad that the wedding preparations were moving fast.

He missed all three of them so much but he can not blame anyone for this as it was his own idea that turned the sparking into flame. He had liked the young Manderly quite much and Viserra also cared for him, and since the king had once thought of the matter with sympathy... Well, it was not only a way to show the power of the dragons but also a way to keep his mind active away from the anxiety of waiting. He was never a warrior like Baelon but he felt an itch beneath his skin as the days passed anyway. The trial was about to begin soon. The lords from the Reach would arrive any day now.

Keeping Baelon away from this was difficult but seven hells, Aemon knew well Baelon and the anger he carried within him. His wedding preparations left him little time to think, Viserra's absence hurt him. "He has a look on his face every time someone refers to her name, a mood ..."
"like a sad puppy?" Aemon had mocked but Jocelyn had elbowed him so wild that his ribs ache.

His strong hands had wrapped around her thin waist and pulled her on him, regardless of the pain.
His hard manhood twisted against her womanhood and put her hands on his chest for balance while taking him inside of her inch for inch.

"Our little brother is madly in love, my darling," Jocelyn had whispered into his ear -before biting the sensitive skin of his neck- while her walls surrounded his length, and Aemon could think of nothing more than her warmth and her body upon him.

It was the dawn of another gray day and the wind smelled of rain but when they fell on top of each other as Baelon went up the stairs and Aemon came down quickly they both laughed and looked at each other meaningfully. They had not ridden the dragons for more than a week and the shrieks from the Dragonpit sounded too angry.

"Well?" Aemon asked raising an eyebrow, "are you ready to lose once more brother?"

"From you?"

"I think my Meleys is faster than both of your mounts," Rhaenys stood behind them dressed already in riding leathers, her raven hair combed in a tight braid that came down to her waist and her pale lilac eyes shone with mischief.

Thin like a whip and flat-chested as a boy, but strong of arm, and long of leg, she looked like a warrior princess.

"Rhaenys," Aemon said softly for Baelon had never flown with Vhagar next to Meleys after Alyssa's death, "maybe another time, sweetheart."

Rhaenys, however, wasted no time.  "Uncle Baelon?" her lower lip trembled as she spoke but her eyes were locked on him.

"Don't  beg!" He told her sternly, yet caressing her hair. "Gods know there is nothing I can deny you, Rhaenys."

When the girl kissed him on both cheeks he smiled, the perfume on her clothes vaguely reminded him of Viserra. "Aunt Vis was with me when I made these," Rhaenys explains. "She almost jumped down the tailor's throat to make my clothes the way I wanted them."

"Our sister has exquisite hands." Aemon teased Baelon when he thought of Jocelyn's words the night before but Rhaenys steps in defending her uncle even without knowing it.

"Well, she sewed up it herself to show him how I wanted it done."She proudly showed off Viserra's elegant stitches on the soft black fabric and Baelon suddenly felt so pleased that Jocelyn had coaxed the tailors to make him some beautiful clothes.
He stood with a dreamy look on his face, but Aemon was in a great mood not to give up without remarks.

"What happened? did a witch take your tongue?"

"Fuck off, cunt!" Baelon replied indignantly but bit his lower lip in embarrassment when his eyes met those of Rhaenys.

And Aemon, the ever-serious Prince of Dragonstone and the Hand of the King, Jaehaerys' pride and Alysanne's joy, he laughed out loud holding his stomach.

"You two!" Rhaenys spοke to them with the voice of the queen that would one day become, "you do worse than children."

"Μy apologies dear niece," Baelon leaned over his niece, with a boyish expression on his face. "Let's go now." His stern look did not deter Aemon who followed them laughing.

It was different daybreak for King's Landing as the Kingslanders left their beds to run to the windows as the three horses galloped off down the road, Aemon and Baelon laughing and hooting, Rhaenys silent and intent.

Rhaenys Targaryen, (the Queen Who Never Was)

This is not the first time Rhaenys has seen the view from Meleys' back but this time the view is extraordinary. The view is Vhagar and her uncle upon her, It's Caraxes and the perfect circle he makes as if he was the full moon itself, it's the Pit's dome and the Keep's towers, and the sea.
The wild waves at Blackwater bay that look like sea smoke.

"Up." She hears a voice floating in the air after a while and realizes that it is her father who challenges Caraxes to fly higher.

"Now!" It's her uncle's voice urging Vhagar to go up as well swirling in a circle that causes him to soon overtake her father, the two of them racing one another forward.

Rhaenys huffs in joy as she urges Meleys in rounds over the city as she is comfortable with of now—she might go faster than the previous times - but she does not want to miss the return that is sure to come soon, Vhagar and Caraxes are little more than hints in the clouds.
Yet, she flies over the sea, Meleys' wings spanning to her limit and soaring just above the water.

Vhagar and Caraxes come screeching and spinning downwards like children's toys, only they are flesh and fire, claws and horns. Their descent is so fast, their leathern wings tucked into the sides of the bodies. Rhaenys watch them with astonishment and her nails dig into the whip she holds.

It happens just then, the icy wind that blows brings with it the sound of the bells, an eerie sound that none of them was prepared to hear so soon. Her father and uncle look at each other, there is redness on their cheeks and wildness in their eyes.

"It is time." Her father says, and orders  Caraxes to land, her uncle gives the same order to Vhagar and Meleys follows them immediately after.

Rhaenys holds the whip tightly in her hand and guesses she needs to change clothes when they return to the Keep. She intends to observe the trial along with her uncle.

Chapter Text

A few days after her return there, Viserra was convinced that Dragonstone was the only place in the kingdom that still offered true freedom and comfort to all wounded hearts.

Although she had a dragon and could fly to the ends of the world, she was totally sure that no other place would give her what her soul was looking for. Serenity.

Most days like this one start with the voice of Saera, who always has her human hatchling strapped to her chest when she comes to her room. Viserra smiles at their sight and lazily stretches her limps on the bed. It is quite early and she wants to stay a little longer here.

"Oh, we are half of preparing for your wedding, Vis; you do not really want to be in bed all day long, right?"

Viserra laughs. Surely no one was more excited about her wedding than Saera herself. The queen had arranged and attended many weddings of either the royal family or numerous lords, even among the commoners when she was on Dragonstone or when she crossed the realm with His Grace, so she handled the situation with delicacy and grace, while Saera reacted like a child.

She chose fabrics and materials for Viserra's wedding clothing, talked to the tailors, spoke to the cooks about the food they would prepare for the small feast after the wedding ceremony, and watched the servants who took care of the decoration while together with the queen she was preparing the wedding guests list. Although the King wanted a small ceremony, Saera was the one who insisted that the ceremony would remain small even if they had a few guests, faithful to the crown, as the lords of the Crownlands ruled directly by the Iron Throne and  House Targaryen.

The queen had sent a raven to the capital and the king had accepted Saera's suggestion, so the invitations to Ηouses Velaryon, Celtigar, Stokeworth, Massey, Rosby, and Bar Emmon had already been prepared.

While Saera rejoiced like a child, the slightly larger ceremony was quite stressful for Viserra. In the short time that Saera's tastes left her autonomous, she rode Sunfyre circling over Dragonstone or remained in the silence of her chamber, sending letters to the capital.

 The letters of Jocelyn, Rhaenys, and the boys often came into her hands but Baelon had written to her only once.
Jocelyn had insisted that it was wise for both her and Baelon to keep the distance the king wanted. It was difficult to not put down their thoughts on a piece of paper, although for the princess it was slightly easier. Jocelyn had written to her in her first letter that this action would benefit Viserra herself.
According to her good sister, the Spring  Prince was burning away from her, and he was looking forward to the wedding and its consummation.

The days were hardly spent away from him but Viserra often enjoyed the preparations of their wedding. Her wedding dress was a beautiful one and she felt like a Valyrian goddess in it.

Alyssane had helped her choose the right jewels and the way she would comb her hair but there was one more detail and that's why Saera had come to her room so early.

"The tailors did a quick job exactly as I οrdered them. Silk will cover your body like a caress and lace will leave a spicy view for your groom alone. We're talking about Baelon of course, so you won't need many details but I have some tips to have him all night."

Viserra's face turned red when she remembered the thickness of his fingers inside of her, the bliss that they led her every time. Although she had delivered up to him her maidenhead and had him once more during which she was in control she had not felt such pleasure with his cock as with his clever fingers.

It was a rather strange thing and the only person who could talk about it was Jocelyn but she was far away and Viserra did not trust such words in a letter. The queen was a woman with understanding, had given birth to thirteen children, and was still going to bed with his Grace but it was difficult for Viserra to ask her for advice. So Saera was the only one who could help her.

With all her experience as a woman grown, who had been trained in a pillow house was an outstanding choice, but her advice was curious.

Viserra watched her speak wide-eyed but she felt even stranger when Saera showed her a pair of silk smallclothes sewn especially for her wedding day.

It was an elegant fabric that did not leave much to the imagination and she felt her cheeks warm at the thought that she would stand in front of Baelon dressed only in them on the night of their wedding.

Yet, a sense of shame had waked up in her and this made her react like a blushing maiden.

"I can not wear these, I will feel completely naked and if our sire asks for the bedding everyone will see me dressed like a-,"

"If the bedding takes place, the guests will have other things to see besides your smallclothes," Saera said laughing but Viserra put her hands on her round belly feeling chills pierce her body. "I do not want others to touch me, Saera."

Saera looked at her little sister with a sheepish look feeling bad about her failed joke. Viserra was young, pregnant, and always the proudest of them all. She was like a Valyrian goddess but Saera doubted if she had been seen naked by others than her maids and Baelon.

"Oh, sweet Vis! If our sire asks for it, you can not refuse," she finally said. "It will end quickly and we will not let anyone touch you in a way you would not wish for. Aemon and my spouses will keep you careful, you trust them, right?"

Viserra nodded but Saera's clever stare caught glimpse of her annoyance. "Oh sweet sister, you are right to worry that many ladies will want to lay their hands on our handsome brother. He's like the Warrior in a human body, hm? this chest and strong arms..."

"Saera!" Viserra grumbled, "you can not be so greedy bitch! Baelon-,"

"Ηe's yours, little sister, only yours. Jocelyn and I will not let any of those hens of the court touch him. He will be yours for the taking!"

Saera's words finally offered her some comfort but the thought of being alone with him in a room and having to do her marital duty made her blush with shame.

Alyssa had no feeling of embarrassment when she rode him, Viserra thought angrily to herself, so why should I  feel ashamed because sometimes I wanted to mount him for my pleasure alone?

Some of her thoughts may have been painful but staying in the island fortress to which the Targaryens had moved twelve years before the Doom of Valyria was like balm to her soul.

Viserra loved the gray colors, the wild sound of the sea, and the smell of the air; even the baby growing in her womb was more lively now.

Synfyre had also joined in the foolishness, frequent circling over the island and approaching Silverwing more and more every day. She was always friendly with him but did not often follow him on flights high in the clouds. Viserra had realized that the queen was in a similar mood to that of her mount; she was glad she was close to Saera and she loved the two young Rogares but the king's absence was like a wound in her heart.

Viserra could fully understand it but she did not feel lonely for even a single moment. Maron was a kind boy with a nice smile and a sweet voice while Draeko was as serious as Aemon and as brave as Baelon. Still, they had both tried to approach the dragons though warily.

It was something that did not bother her or the queen. "Not everyone is born to mount dragons," the queen said one night when they were all sitting around the fire, "but everyone has a field where their skills stand out." Draeko was not born to ride a dragon but was one of the smartest men Viserra had ever met. He was very good with numbers and trade and his suggestions were always brilliant.
If Aemon convinced our father to work with him, Westeros would flourish, Viserra thought as she walked down the aisle, next to Saera, who was chattering non-stop.

It was another pleasant day for the two princesses but not for the queen who had asked Saera to keep Viserra busy. Alysanne herself had an important task; to meet Cass.

Just as she had promised Baelon, the Good Queen met Cass in her solar that morning.

The girl was scared but she assured her that everything would be done for her own good. "Prince Baelon explained everything to me, child," Alysanne said in a calm, sweet voice. "You are free to create a comfortable life for yourself, with the help of the Iron Throne always by your side, of course. Your child will grow up with all the privileges of the prince's child..."

A dragonseed, her mind was saying but Alysanne's character was far from describing a child that way. Bastard or not the baby was a child of Baelon although the Good Queen had not hidden her frustration when they talked about it.

Still, she was polite to Cass who trying to find the right words to explain her feeling. She had deeply loved Prince Baelon she told her and he was always kind to her; he had taken her from Flea Bottom giving her a new life. He paid her well for her services when he called her to his rooms, although this had only been done a few times. Yet, he had told her that he did not love her. It was his loneliness that brought him closer to her...

Baelon himself had told her before returning to the capital that she was free to love and be loved, and then she and a captain of Dragonstone's guard had grown font for each other.

"He knew about the babe and is willing to raise it as his own child, Your Grace," Cassie said and  Alysanne was so pleased with the news so gave her her blessings for the wedding that took place the same afternoon at Dragonstone's sept. Saera had played her part well and Viserra did not understand anything.

The trial started on a very cold morn. Small snowflakes danced in the air but melted before touching the ground. Inside the Red Keep, the servants had lit many fires to keep the cold away, even in the glutted Throne Room.

It was the first time in his life that Baelon saw the cavernous room full to the brim. The king was sitting in all his glory on the Iron Throne, dressed in the black and red of their Ηouse, with  Blackfyre strapped to his belt.

Next to him, Aemon was like an impressive figure dressed in black, his silver hair brushed the tops of his shoulders and he wore it half back in a knot at the back of his head so that the lines of his face look sharper.

The faces of the Small Council's members as well as most of the high lords were harsh and stern as if they had already condemned those who had moved against the Throne and  House Targaryen.

It was a good sight. Baelon desperately wanted the lord of Dunstonbury to be punished. He would not bet even a single coin that the outcome of the trial would be favorable for him. Instead, he would bet all his gold that Peake's life would end in agony as he would be bathed in the dragonfire.

Lord Peake, however, was standing at the base of the Ιron Throne, chained but with a face as empty as a stone. He did not seem at all afraid of his fate.

"It is impossible to count them all." Rhaenys held his huge palm to hers that was almost half the size and made a vague gesture to the crowd.

Suddenly the paternal interest in his niece was more important than his hatred for this insignificant lord.
When he turned his gaze on her he saw her smiling mischievous, just as Jocelyn did when she was next to him.

"Does your mother know that you are here instead of studying with your septa?" Ηe asked sternly but without intending to quarrel with her. Her presence next to him always vented his anger.

"Her moonblood arrive last night and barred her to her bed for today," Rhaenys answered seriously. "Don't worry uncle, I'm not going to ask you to lie to her for any reason, my father already knows I'm here!"

"It was only once, Rhaenys." Baelon apologized with a boyish look on his face. "And she would never have understood it if you had not felt sick that night."

"I have not eaten gingerbread since then." The princess protested, "I was sick all night."

And I could not sleep because of my regrets and Alyssa's grumble in my ears.
It was a beautiful spring day where everyone was happy then and Rhaenys was excited about the baby who had started following her in the gardens holding her skirts.
Having clearly inherited both her mother's stubbornness and charm, she had tried to teach Viserys to say her name but he had called her Rhae laughing.

It was a good time then, Baelon thought sadly but the next memory shocked him a bit. Viserys who could not call Rhaenys by her full name had soon learned to call Viserra, who had been joined with the two children soon enough.

His little sister always fluttered around him like bees around flowers when Alyssa was away-which was rare- unless the queen had called her.

"It was the eve of grandsire's name day, right? the kitchens were constantly making his favorite gingerbread."

"Yes, your mother and aunt Alyssa have been with the queen all day and your father had gone to Dragonstone for an important matter I think. It was a unique opportunity for me to steal you from your parents and look after you all day as if you were my own child."

"We had more fun then." Rhaenys' words were like stabs into his heart. If my niece has such complaints about me, what do my sons truly think of me?

"I did not want it to happen, Rhaenys, but my grief was like an endless sea and-"

"I'm not just talking about the last two years, but I'm glad you came back to us - normal, I mean, like then-"

Baelon knew full well that a child's words always hid the biggest truths, and especially Rhaenys' words that were always honest. He did not have time to think about it, however, as Jaehaerys' stern voice was heard the next moment.

"You stand accused of murder, you stand accused of treason, how do your answer these charges, Lord Peake?" He began, and at the sound of his voice, the entire cavernous room became silent like a grave.

"Treason?" the man laughed off at Jaehaerys' words. "If there is a traitor among us, it is you, Conciliator. Yes, you are a traitor against human nature because you fucked your sister and brought into the world these abominations that will one day destroy our world."

His words were accompanied by a wrist gesture pointing to Aemon, and Baelon had to quell the anger boiling in his chest for Rhaenys sake.

"Not a suitable place for a child here, sweetheart." He whispered to her calmly, but when their eyes met again it was obvious that Rhaenys was no longer the little girl who giggled every time he held her into his arms and threw her high to fly like a dragon.

At that moment, the Spring Prince remembered an incident from his own childhood. He was much younger than Rhaenys then, a five-year-old boy when the Prince of Pentos came to Westeros. The banquet was attended by Baelon and Aemon next to the king and queen. It was a beautiful evening until Baelon slipped out of the care of the servants and headed for the garden. It was then that he heard one of the Prince's guards say that it was no coincidence that the Targaryens were marrying each other since the women of the family were so beautiful and that Jaehaerys was a lucky man who fuck such a woman.

Baelon was young enough to understand what the man meant, but he was old enough to understand that it was an insult to his parents. Thus, he attacked the man with the wooden training sword he was carrying secretly under his cloak and when Aemon found him he joined him, but of course, the commotion was soon noticed by the servants who informed the queen of this event.

He had never told Alysanne what had really happened and had stoically accepted the punishment she had imposed on him. So many years later he had no regrets about attacking the drunken man but he could understand his niece's feelings.

"Words are like the wind, Rhae." He whispered to her, bringing his face close to hers, holding her hand tightly. "Many times you will hear words that are meant to hurt you but know that the truth is always here." His free hand moved carefully and the princess smiled when he touched her chest where her heart was.

Lord Peake, however, must have had a heart of stone as he continued to blame the Targaryens for both their incestuous habits and their dragons, and it seemed that he would never stop unleashing his accusations, the same as rain falling from the clouds, but then Jaehaerys rose from the Throne; his eyes were like two wild lilac seas and his voice echoed thick and rough in the cavernous hall.

"What do you think will happen to you now, Lord Peake?"

"You will shut my mouth forever as only a tyrant would. Because that's exactly you, my Lord, a fucking tyrant like your uncle was."

Baelon felt the cold irony in Edwyn Peake's voice, grateful for the presence of Rhaenys next to him; at last, this mockery would soon be over, he thought, but a smirk spread across the king's face before he spoke again.

"I hope you enjoy your stay in the Black Cells, my Lord because you are not going to face justice right away. This treacherous act was started by you but before you are confronted with your actions you will see all those who worked with you either betraying you or dying."

Baelon turned his gaze upwards, looking at Aemon almost in shock. They always expressed their anger in different ways, but this move was so cunning that Baelon himself never expected it. A man always feels weaker when he was about to die alone on the battlefield, the Spring Prince thought, and even Edwin Peake seemed to agree as he stood in his place open-mouthed.

Aemon gave him a naughty look before the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard led another of the accused inside.

One by one, those who had worked with Lord Peake began to accuse him of conspiracy, begging Jaehaerys to show mercy.
"It is unlikely how easily our brave rebels blame each other to save their arse."

Baelon watched Vaegon with wide eyes while he speak. He could not remember if he had ever seen his little brother laugh. Still, he made a very kind remark to Vaegon since Rhaenys was still there, and she, as Jocelyn's daughter and Alysanne's granddaughter, winked at him laughing.

Just as Aemon had guessed, most of the rebels decided to accept the king's mercy to take the black, blaming Lord Peake almost exclusively.

Those maesters who participated in the conspiracy and were late to cure Baelon handed over their chains to Vaegon to send to Oldtown.
Towards the end of the day, Jaehaerys urged those who had decided to join the Night Watch to be careful with their new vows.

"The Night Watch will require vows from you as well," he told them."Be sure to keep them or the next thing you will lose shall will be your heads."

He then left the throne room along with his advisers and also Aemon and Vaegon, leaving Baelon behind alone with an unsatisfied desire and an itch beneath his skin.

He turned his attention back to Rhaenys.
"Since your father will not return early tonight and your mother is in bed would you like to come with me?"

"I can already smell the gingerbread!" Rhaenys sneered making him laugh.
"I would come, uncle, but I must answer aunt Vis' letter."

"Does aunt Vis write to you often?"

"Almost every day!"

"Oh!" he murmured in frustration. He frequently tried to do things to keep his mind busy so that he would not think about her absence and now he was learning that. It was like a betrayal of their love.

"I know!" Rhaenys responded slyly as a child who had already caused mischief. "My mother advised both of you to keep the distance grandsire wanted, but she also told aunt Vis that if she did not write to you often, you would need her more; or something like this!"

When Rhaenys left him alone he thought he should go straight to the traitor, his good sister, and complain to her about her ideas but then another traitor's face came up into his mind.

Viserra's lovely face, her purple eyes that looked at him with tenderness, her soft hands around his torso, her sweet mouth that devoured his lips. It was the tension between them that turned a small spark into a roaring fire but something was holding her back.

Baelon had felt it the last time they were together before the king interrupted their lovemaking. She was always happy when he held her into his arms but the closest contact beyond a few kisses and caresses seemed to scare her.

He knew he was responsible for it, because of the way he had claimed her, but they had made love once more, and then he was the one who had been terrified.

"To think that I tried so hard to give her comfort," he murmurs to himself trying to wipe out from his memory her frightened style but he can not. The wedding is no longer so far away and he doesn't want their night to fail. Part of him does not want to believe that Viserra has not felt pleasure either time but another, that part that is always full of worry and caring for her leads him to the only person who can advise him.

He finds Jocelyn in Aemon's solar, paler than usual, with her black hair down, same as a waterfall falling on her shoulders and back, dressed in a black silk nightgown and a matching robe.

There is no formal greeting between them, he hugs her tightly as if they were siblings of the whole blood. "Is it so terrifying as usual?" he asks her tenderly and she nods still nestled into his arms.

"But you are here, with us, Jos and that's all that matters." He felt cold pierce his body when he remembered the night of Rhaenys' birth, the endless hours he had spent with Aemon while he prayed silently.

Jocelyn had escaped from the Stranger's close embrace however any reference to those hours left Baelon with a trace of bitterness in his mouth, especially after Alyssa's death.

"Well?" She asked playful raising an eyebrow. "wine, pear brandy, or my warm embrace? what exactly are you asking for, nephew?"

"Wine," he hears himself saying as he looks at the flames to hide his nervousness, and Jocelyn fills two cups and sits next to him.

"It took you less than I finally thought." Her laughter echoed in the room and Baelon felt a new wave of shiver run through his body. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"Of course. And this failure comes from my own advice I have to admit. We all knew how you enjoyed spending time with Alyssa, so I thought ...."

"How would I enjoy it if Viserra did the same? if she was riding me? it was pleasant as long as it lasted, yes, her lovely body on me, but Seven Hells, it was like Alyssa's ghost came back to haunt me."

"The same was true of her, Baelon," Jocelyn whispered while her gray-blue eyes were locked on him.
"She never told me openly but it was obvious that no pleasure had come from that moments. She wants you, she loves you, but it is a pity that she can not enjoy your moments. Do not forget that she's a girl, not an experienced woman. You turned her into a woman and you have to be patient with her. You will have her wet and willing or you will have her not at all until she wants it, this is my advice. Make her feel that she is special to you, whisper tenderly to her in the dark, adore her, write her letters and give her flowers, with your mouth." She added, winking at him and the last sentence made his face blush gracefully while she laughed.

The intensity of the trial and the conversation with Jocelyn had put a hunger inside him, his skin was burning with impatience and need, so when he returned to his chambers he sat at his desk, picked up the quill, dipped it into the ink and he began to write, hoping to find the right words.

After three ripped parchments and four empty cups full to the brim with Arbor gold, he finally found the courage to write her what his soul had longed for. These were details that would make even the holiest man shudder, but Baelon was relieved when he finally finished the letter.

It was quite late and his hands were black with ink, yet he had to wait until morning to ask for a bath and send his letter to Dragonstone. Sleep came hard due to the wait but in those hours there was enough time to think. If his letter fell into the wrong hands it would cause a scandal in court but he could give it to her before their wedding, right?

Yet, when he lay down on his soft bed and closed his eyes, it was a specific image of Viserra that did not let his mind rest.

His sister was lying on her featherbed, with her shift upon her thighs and her belly swollen with his child. Her cheeks had turned red as she read those words.

Her thought always leaves him burning and impatient and only when he wraps his fist around himself does his body and mind finally calm down and he can finally fall asleep.

The second day of the trial is much more difficult than the first one and Baelon blinks his eyes in shock when he sees the first defendant standing before the Iron Throne.

Aemon stands next to the king expressionless, in the light of the torches that illuminate the space his lilac eyes look black with anger.

Baelon observes the king, who is also expressionless but plays with the ring he wears on his middle finger. He is irritated, Baelon realizes. He knows what will be said next.

He blames himself as the impudent puppy begins to talk, his body is numb and heavy.

"I did not regret even a single moment that I worked with Lord Peake against immorality," the pup yelled and Baelon heard a curse from the place Boremund stood. The Lord of Storm's End is imposing like a giant, his gray-blue eyes are always on the boy while a thick black beard covers his face.

"I don't have much to say about this king but I have much to say about his children. If raising children is always the duty of the family, this is a failed family. You all know about princess Saera's lovers but this thing was not the king's first failure.
I have been princess Viserra's companion for years and I have to tell my Lords that she is an evil little bitch."

Baelon bites his lower lip until he draws blood and when his gaze meets Aemon's angry look, he knows there is nothing they can do to stop the boy.

"The princess is just a spoiled girl who lives to torment men with her whims and nonsense. She was the one who led good men to every silly mission or competition, giving them false hopes. Ever since Lord Peake's men approached me, I pretended to be one of her admirers so to be near her.
She said she would give us kisses, my lords, if we climbed the trees in the garden or if we swam in Blackwater Bay. She told me she would give her maidenhead; this was Princess Viserra, an immoral girl born of an immoral family. These are the leaders who rule our lives."

The whispers that had spread in the room grew louder. More and more like a sea wave that took power from the wind and reached the shore destroying anything it could touch.

Baelon raised his eyes to the throne and looked apologetically at the king. Since the tide had already begun his relationship with Viserra would become known to all. In a few minutes, everyone in the room would know that he had taken his sister's maidenhead, putting a child inside of her while he had abandoned her afterwards, and then, the queen had been forced to find her a match, a young lord who would be growing his bastard.

The king's credibility would be severely damaged, Westeros' stability would be engulfed, and the lords would riot. This would be their fate, the fate of Valyria's last children.

It happened shortly after, the whispers suddenly began to fade, as an old man walked slowly to the base of the Iron Throne, wearing a thick chain around his neck of ten different metals.

"My lords," he began to speak in a low voice, forcing every other voice to be silent. "The young lord Buckler told us his own view of the morals of the princess and consequently of the royal family, but did he also tell us the truth?"

Whispers spread again across the Throne Room when he turned his gaze to the boy. "Tell us now, child, what happened when the princess promised you her maidenhead?"

"I climbed the tree as she asked me to, but I fell to the ground. I was bleeding and had broken some of my ribs, but the princess showed no interest in my health because she has a black heart. She is an evil woman who has no sympathy for others."

"Still, it was prince Aemon who brought you to me and stood by your side while I took care of you, am I wrong?"

When the boy did not answer the old man's eyes turned to the crowd and Baelon held his breath.

"My Lords, I will speak honestly. I have vowed in my order, but I do not serve King Jaehaerys, even though I have been in his court for many years. It's House  Baratheon of Storm's End I serve, as I accompanied Lady Jocelyn to the court when I was very young and now, at the end of my days, rest assured that I will only tell the truth. When I heard this story, I looked for princess Viserra out of interest in the House I serve. Lady Jocelyn's only daughter, Princess Rhaenys, is close in age to princess Viserra and I had to preserve her honor if that were true. What I found out, my Lords, was that young Buckler had told an untruth!"

The whispers turned into wild voices of disapproval towards the young lord and only when the king demanded that there be silence did the old maester begin to speak again.

"Talking to many different men I confirmed my suspicions, there is no trace of truth in the words of his lordship. Serving men, housemaids, septas, and ladies in waiting, said the same thing. Princess Viserra had kept her maidenhead for her future husband and had never kissed any boy. She had indeed told our Lord that she would kiss him if he reached the top of the tree, although she never intended to do it so! The princess wanted to punish the boy for making a mockery of one of her ladies!"

Baelon was shocked to hear the rest. Viserra had realized that some of her friends were terrorizing a simple girl and wanted to punish them for it. The girl herself confirmed it immediately afterwards and some angry voices were heard in the crowd. "What infuriated the princess the most was that she heard the lord say that princess Gael was as simple as poor Beatrice Butterwell." The old man said and the voices of disapproval became louder.

"This little bitch had refused my marriage proposal twice while she had already put someone to her bed; my servant was having an affair with one of her maids so I know that very well!" the puppy protested but then was interrupted by a voice unknown to Baelon. "Did he put you into her bed boy?" Certainly not since she refused to marry you. You talk about her with hatred because she denied you and you want to damage her reputation. Well, I don't believe you! None does!" Then he paused for a moment, glanced at the crowd, and immediately after addressed the king.

"I think I am speaking on behalf of all, your Grace, so I have to suggest something. The lies told by his lordship are horrible and he must be punished. So, punish him for the tales he spread but spare his life. Cut out the tongues from him and his servant and send them to the Wall!"

Baelon felt his body shiver. All the details of his affair with Viserra were kept secret thanks to the Sea Snake and his audacity.
The audience room cheered and when Boremund got up from his seat everyone's eyes stood locked on him. Since Gawen Buckler was a bannerman of House Baratheon, his opinion counted twice.

He looked once at Aemon, then at Baelon, and finally at the king himself. "I don't need traitors, liars, and murderers in my territory, Your Grace," he finally said. "In the Stormlands, we do not kill little girls. I agree with Lord Velaryon, cut out the boy's tongue but allow him to live."

Baelon could not be sure if this was Aemon's plan, nevertheless with the boy already terrified a crazy idea went through his mind. He got up from his seat with the grace of a panther and proceeded to the lordlings servant. "I would like to make an exception for this man my king," he said. I think he will sing us a very interesting song."

"Mercy, mercy my lord!" the man yelled out. "Have pity on me and I will say everything I know."

"Yes, I will consider mercy," Jaehaerys spits in response and the man collapse then and begins his confession.

He talks about Lord Peake and his men, Viserra and the mob of the lordlings around her, and Baelon's illness. He begs for mercy again before he refers that he was the one who watched Baelon until his injury.

"I followed the prince for days while he listed the empty halls of the Keep. That specific day he was angry with the words my lord had said to him, a huge lie."

"Go forth." Lord Hightower murmured impatiently. "What kind of lie?"

"That the princess would give him her maidenhead if he climbed to the top of the tree, sire. But she would never do it. I have seen the princess and her maid confirmed the same thing to me. She is very proud of herself. She would never take to bed a humbly lord."

"So no one can question the virtue of the princess." Aemon interrupted the man. "But one question remains. Who watched my sister on a silly walk to the city? Whom informed Lord Peake's men to try to kill her and murder an innocent girl instead?"

"Lord Buckler himself, you Grace." the man whispered. "He was my lord but he had only described her clothes to them. He did not know how..."

"My daughter had traded clothing with her maid?"
The Conciliator stood up from the throne.
"Take him away from my sight, we have already heard enough. Lord Gawen Buckler, you are guilty of treason, I spare your life but you will lose your tongue and will join the Night Watch."

The smell of urine touches Baelon's nose, and he scowled looking at the boy while a guard stuck his dagger into the flames of a nearby torch. It did not take long for the blade to gleam hot and red by the heat of the fire.

The two guards that held down the lordling were joined by a third one on Jaehaerys' command, who was to hold his face. Baelon glanced at the king just once and then walked over to the boy, taking the dagger from the guard.
"Look at the opposite wall," he whispered as he cut into his tongue but not wholly through it. Instead, he cut a little into his own wrist too, to draw more blood as evidence.

"Remember that I have mercy upon you today." He whispered while tears wetted the boy's cheeks.
No mention of Viserra would leave his lips any longer, no comments about their affair. He did not lose his tongue but was forced to remain silent to keep his head.

Baelon threw the bloody cloth on the fire and returned to his seat feeling sick. He did not feel brave at all but weak and defeated. Everything was based on a lie, and even now that lie weighed on his conscience.

When it came time for Lord Peake to apologize, Baelon's mouth was bitter and dry. Jaehaerys came down the Iron Throne and stood right in front of the lord of Dunstonbury looking him in the eye.

"It seems that before you lost your head you lost all your allies, my lord. What a shame! So know that I have your sons and your daughter, but they will not suffer at my hands even a single moment. But you will live the last hours of your life knowing that my guards are the ones who will put a shield in the hands of your sons and my maids who will take care of your daughter."

Edwyn Peake looked at Jaehaerys with hatred, muttering a curse between his teeth; Jaehaerys, however, did not seem at all annoyed.

"Is there anything else you would like to say in your defense, my lord?" The king said. "Else my judgment shall be forthcoming."

"Some may call you Wise but you are nothing more than a fucking tyrant. Your horrible sons will destroy our world, bathing in blood the whole territory. These beasts you mount will cover castles into flames ..."

"Still, Dunstonbury will not be one of them because it will never belong to your family again. Years ago your House stole the castle from its owners, so now I give it back to them rightfully. Under certain conditions, it will return to House Manderly and you, my lord, will be taken to the Dragonpit tomorrow morning, where you will face the King's justice."

"Fucking tyrant!" Ηe yells and Jaehaerys finally laugh.

"Keep your last words, for the first light, my lord, when I bring the king's justice upon you."

Chapter Text

Baelon returned to his room truly shocked. The development of the trial was what he expected, but the things that were said were not. Although he was the one who had ordered that servant to tell what he knew, the truth was now like a weight that had been placed heavily on his chest.

It reminded him that he had acted like a fool.

The boy had lied to him and he had fallen into his trap as if he were just a fucking dumbhead. He could not forgive himself for his actions.
He took a quick look at the letter he had written to Viserra the night before and then gave a kiss to the garter he was wearing around his wrist as if it were her sweet lips that he was kissing.

Her image often left him burning and panting and ashamed but this time it left him sad.
Viserra had a snake in her heart, a giant serpent that curled ready to devour anyone who touched her-even himself-and Baelon knew full well that it was himself who had awakened the beast.

He had to do something about it, give her comfort and affection, regain her confidence... He carefully hid the letter at the bottom of the box that was the gift he would give her on their wedding day and sighed loudly.

Their union would be a fresh beginning, but they had to talk before they lay down together. Our wedding night will be the right occasion for that, Baelon thought. We will enjoy the ceremony and the feast afterwards, but when we retire to our champers an honest discussion awaits her. Nothing more, he warned himself. No kisses, no caresses just honesty. Later, in her own time, she can come to me if she wishes.

There was no time for further thoughts, however, there was a knock on the door and one of his servants informed him that the king had asked to see him immediately.

Baelon did not try to avoid the meeting, it was something he wanted also. So much had been said during the trial but what was most significant was the king's decision to return the castle of Dunstonbury to the Manderlys. He had wondered several times what might have been the specific conditions Jaehaerys himself had mentioned for its return to its owners but he could not conclude. He was sure, however, that this was what Aemon and Vaegon were cooking up with the king.

It had small importance compared to the fact that in the sunrise the life of Lord Peake would have ended and after a few days, they would fly to Dragonstone.

This thought gave him relief but he still felt a weight on his chest and a strange feeling. However, the king's response came shortly after Baelon knocked on the door, dispelling the anxiety. The warmth of the place helped even more.

His gaze remained on the roaring hearth as Jaehaerys poured mulled wine into two cups. "Have a seat." He showed Baelon an empty chair next to his favorite armchair in which he sat down. "Drink."

Wine played its part, warming him to the bone and finally relaxing his body. Baelon considered it a good sign.

"I saw the princess by your side on the first day of the trial, she has a real interest in the court."  There was pride in the words of the Old King, it was obvious.

"She is the daughter of her parents," Baelon answered back with a smile. "Rhaenys has Aemon's wisdom and Jocelyn's stubbornness. Valyria runs in her veins."

"Oh, I see. Although the trial was not the right place for a child I did not expect anything different. Someone would say that women always need male protection but women in our family affect situations even if they are far away."

Baelon blinked his eyes in surprise. "Are you saying that my mother-"

"She sent Lord Velaryon here, yes. He is a smart, skilled man. I think he deserves a seat on the Small Council."

"And the maester?"

"This was undoubtedly a work of your good sister. Jocelyn could successfully change her paternal sigil from a stag to a fox. This woman has a sharp mind, like a razor."

"So you called me here to talk about the women in our family?" Baelon joked. "It's something you're not used to so often, Your Grace."

Jaehaerys drank a sip of wine avoiding looking toward Baelon. The agony returned to him, and his heartbeat became louder.

"We all have duties to our House, Baelon. Even the generations to come. The Seven have already blessed you and your sister with a child and I am sure that more babies will come along the way."

The words that were not spoken directly from the king's mouth left Baelon deeply annoyed. The baby they had not yet welcomed with Viserra was just another heir to their House, another child who should behave the way the king wanted.

"I think my children can have the life they choose, Father." he finally replied, unable to hide his bitterness.
"They will not do the slightest thing that will put the Throne or our House in trouble but it is Aemon who will become king after you and after him Rhaenys-"

"Rhaenys will do her duty properly, as a princess of our House should do." Said the king. "Marriage to Viserys is her only choice," Baelon heard,  but it was not something he had wished a thousand times?  "I have a son and you a daughter, brother, we will join our lines!" had told Aemon on Viserys'  first nameday, drunk with wine and happiness and Aemon had agreed with a laugh until Alyssa kicked them both out of the room.

"Rhaenys and Viserys are still children, Your Grace. They have a close relationship, yes, but it will take a few more years until they feel affection for each other." He said finally, feeling every trace of strength leave his body.

"Yes, they are still quite young but when the time comes they will do their duty, as will your future daughter. You can engage your first son with Viserra with whoever you want, from either side of the Seven Kingdoms or even from Essos but the first daughter to be born to you and your sister belongs to House Manderly. She will be engaged to the second son of Lord Desmond and Lady Amarei and together they will inherit Dunstonbury."

It was rather the rage and tension of the whole day that had grown inside him, the absence of Viserra, and the shame he felt for the way he had treated her so the king's last words lit the spark that Baelon was trying to extinguish throughout their discussion, creating a huge fire.

"What kind of man is thinking of engaging children who have not even been born yet? and what makes you believe that even if everything goes according to your plan I will sell my daughter as a broodmare?"

He was about to leave when the king's voice forced him to stand before the closed door.
"The same reason who made me give my blessing to your wedding to Viserra Instead of sending her to the Silent Sisters and banishing you to Essos. Do not test me, Baelon. So sit down and listened to me."

He wanted to leave, the next moment when he blinked his eyes he dreamed that he was outside this damn room but immediately after he fall into his chair defeated.

Jaehaerys' gaze softened a bit, however, and when he spoke again The Spring Prince could feel his anxiety.

"It has always been my desire to keep our blood pure as our ancestors did, the Gods know how much I tried with your mother to bring Vaegon and Daela close to each other, but these last circumstances have made me think seriously about the future. Marriages only within the family will turn out to be wrong if we lose the lords."

"The Doctrine of Exceptionalism allows us to marry within the family. It's not wrong," Baelon murmured but Jaehaerys stopped him shortly.

The desperate hope of a man who loves his little sister. I created this dogma so that I could marry your mother without Westeros being bathed in blood again. It was the only solution we had.
  It will continue to apply, of course, this is what your marriage with Viserra will be based on but we need the lords of Westeros loyal to our side.
Lord Peake's riot stopped in time but I will not risk a new one. Weddings and meeting certain requests from important  Houses will help with this."

Baelon had never before felt his tongue tied. Even when the rage was boiling inside him there were words -angry words- but now there was only silence. Jaehaerys looked at him with a look of understanding before resting his hand on his shoulder.

"Aemon is my heir, but you have always been my strong son, the most wonderful son any father could have. You always had a kind of freedom that Aemon never had. He was the heir and you the second son, it was my mistake that I did not give you more responsibilities but I was happy for you. I did not want to push you further; but your marriage with Alyssa kept you away from the court and after her death, I was afraid that I would lose you forever... It was wrong to lay with your sister without letting me know about your intentions to wed her, but something good came out of it. You do not intend to bury yourself because of Alyssa, do you?"

The Spring Prince nodded negatively leaving the king to continue.
"So I need you to become the man you were always meant to be, not later, not tomorrow, now!
Your brother will become King after me, but you are always his strong right arm. I know your anger well because it is something you have taken after me since your mother is always the grace itself but it's time to tame the beast inside you, just like you did today with that boy; or do you think I do not know?"

A slight lift on Baelon's sleeve revealed the cut on his wrist. A small, thin red line that had played its part in the atonement.

"I could not cover one crime with another. There is no justice in this. Joining the Night Watch was enough."

"There's no justice in the world, not unless we make it," Jaehaerys answered in a tired voice. "When I climbed on Vermithor's back to claim the Throne I was still angry. But when dismounted in the Keep's yard I knew justice was a war. A battle you must always win."

"You are our sire, we will follow your wishes. Give Lord Peake a clean and quick death, as it should. Keep the Throne and our family safe and I will pay off my debt when the time comes."

"You will!" Jaehaerys replied, shocking him quite a bit. "You will give Lord Peake a clean death without malice and then you are free to wed your sister. If you have to apologize for something to her, do it but after the wedding."

Baelon nodded before leaving the king's solar behind with heavy, tired steps. It was not the first time he would do justice but it was the first time he had to tame this beast within him.

He had first felt it curl inside him when he had heard that Pentoshi man speak disrespectfully of the queen, and had since become his strong companion. He did not have to get rid of it when he married Alyssa but there was a moment that had frightened even him when after her death he had dared to look down the bridge to see iron spikes and salvation.

This beast was a faithful companion at the time of his mourning but he was also responsible for what had happened with Viserra. If I do not stop now I will be lost in my rage, he thought as he opened the door of his chambers before throwing his cloak on the floor. My anger will not overwhelm me again.

Sleep never came to his eyelids that night but when the dawn comes he left behind the Red Keep with Dark Sister strapped to his belt. He had prepared his sword himself so that it would be as sharp as it should be.

It was a cold and rainy day, the cold piercing under his black clothes but he felt calmer than ever. There was no crowd gathered outside the Dragonpit to see the man die. Baelon knew this was his father's work, he would never act as Maegor did. The wooden block was set up in the yard and a guard soon moved toward him. "If you are ready my Prince."

It only took him a moment. "Bring him here."

Lord Peake was paler than usual, yet he stood in front of him looking him in the eyes. "Where is your fucking beast?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "Let's finished it."

"We are not the monsters you talk about, my Lord. Your death will be quick, without pain." Baelon  said harshly, "do you have any last words or requests?"

"My curse will fall on your heads!" Peake responded by spitting on Baelon's boot. Another time he had to calm the beast inside him, to calm himself from hitting the man back. Not now though. He unsheathed Dark Sister while two guards forced Peake down upon the block.

"In the name of Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, I, Prince Baelon of House Targaryen, sentence you to die for the crime of treason. May the Gods spare your soul."

"Monster!" The man tried to yell, but  Dark Sister arced in the air, and with a sure stroke Peake's head departed from the body while the blood spread around red like summerwine.

The guards took the body and head to bury as requested by the King, but Baelon remained in the same position, falling to his knees despite the rain that had soaked him to the bone.

A hand on his shoulder forced him to look back, where the Old King was standing. "Father?"

"Justice is a battle, Baelon, you just won one. Let's go home now."

"It's not here anymore." He showed his chest in the part of the heart, already feeling stupid. He will suppose me mad!
But Jaehaerys the Wise looked at him with comprehension.
"I had a beast inside me after my mother's death  but abandoned me when Saera was born!"

The storms continue to fall on the capital for the next four days, heavy dark clouds unleash torrents upon the streets.
Many houses in Flea Bottom are flooded and Baelon defying the rain accompanies the king and Septon Barth to the Guildhall of the Alchemists. The King's appeal to temporarily open their doors to the homeless is heard immediately, and Baelon returns later with Rhaenys to oversee the installation and breadline as Aemon seeks gold to restore the houses.

Tall and slender with her raven hair braided
and the black clothes she wore and the dagger of Valyrian steel strapped to her belt she looked like every inch of a warrior princess. Baelon could easily have imagined her dressed in both elegant silk and mail armor.
He did not admit it easily but sometimes she reminded him more of himself than of her father. Her eyes lit up when she looked at him and Bellon smiled at the thought that she was still following him everywhere. Like a puppy!

"What?" She stared at him, making him laugh.
"If the king knew you were here with me, I guess he would be angry with both of us! This place is not suitable for a child." Baelon mimicked Jaehaerys' voice.

"But my father is happy anyways and surely grandmama would be happy with that too, so sooner or later grandsire would agree, don't you think?"

Baelon shrugged, laughing, just to win a glance as she picked up an apple from the nearby basket and stood to help with the food. He smiled doing the same. He did not doubt that his little niece would become a wonderful queen after her father.

The dragons fly to Dragonstone two days later, although the skies are not yet fully clear.
Baelon did not have the patience to wait any longer and Aemon, although he continued to tease him, agreed that they could not delay anymore.

Jaehaerys agreed tacitly. There was no room for further delay although he felt anxious to go there.

He had missed his beloved queen and their little daughter, his gentle little princess with her polite ways and her warm smile. He had missed Viserra. He did not admit it often but she was the most enthusiastic of his daughters, just like Aly. He was looking forward to seeing Maegelle also ... And her. Saera.

Part of him was so damn angry when he remembered that night again, the night his little girl had confessed she had delivered up her maidenhead to that bastard but that part of his heart that had been so badly hurt when she fled Westeros felt relief.

Saera was home and that was all that mattered, she and the two boys she was married to. This was a new hardship. Septon Barth was a common man with a heart full of love and understanding but the Faith would not easily accept this marriage. The silly girl was in danger of being characterized as the Rogare whore, especially after her escape.
What would be his position then?

He had tried in numerous ways to teach her humility back then but they all fell into the emptiness.
And yet, Seven Hells, he never intended to send her into the Mother's House because she had given her maidenhead to that scum of the earth, just as he had not sent Viserra, of course.

The difference between them was that Viserra from a wild girl had become a mature woman. She loved Baelon's children, was interested in the affairs of the Throne, and on two occasions when Aemon showed him her notes on certain matters Jaehaerys himself had found them interesting.

Still, Saera's act of formally asking to stay at Dragontone showed a slight sense of humiliation. Maybe it's still a game like then, a treacherous part of his mind persisted but he drove it away focusing himself on what was happening right in front of his eyes.
This is a game.

Meleys and Vhagar race each other to go faster, as they did then, but it is Rhaeny's laughter that rips through the air and mixes with the sound of strong wings.
Baelon shouts orders at Vhagar holding the whip firmly in his hand but does not use it, and his hair shines like molten silver in the dim sunlight; the sky was clearer when they came high above  Driftmark.

Caraxes follows them steadily but without joining them in the game. Aemon and Jocelyn seem to enjoy the ride, talking and laughing.

It's a blessed moment, the king thinks, urging Vermithor to fly forward, like that night when they fled with Aly under the cover of darkness to wed at Dragonstone, and now, he returns there for another wedding. The gods are good.

"Can we still win my father?" Viserys asks Rhaenys and she giggles holding the whip in her hand, ordering the Red Queen to fly higher and faster.

She was young even without much experience in dragοnriding but Baelon and Aemon had agreed that the two children should have a warmer relationship.
Daemon is not with them. Fascinated by Lord Velaryon's stories over dinner after Lord Peake's condemnation, the little prince had asked the man to travel to Dragonstone by the Sea Snake, making the Spring Prince open and close his mouth in surprise.

My line will go on with, Jaehaerys' thinks and smiles secretly. He often regrets that he is not like Aly, but that was a cost he had to pay for the throne. Being the king was never an easy thing to work out, even though Her Grace, his mother, always told him he was born for it.

It's Vermithor shriek that stops his thoughts and then silver scales appear immediately before his eyes. Silverwing is nearing Vermithor and the two of them together are flying lower now, while Baelon is making some indecent jokes again. Jaehaerys is smirking!

If the marriage to Alyssa did not teach him as much as it should, the marriage to Viserra would do this and more; after all, she was the one who slipped into the Dragonpit and stole a dragon, even if that was Aemon's idea.

Jaehaerys did not doubt that the Prince of Dragonstone was behind this plan and there were some moments in the beginning when he thought about what it would be like if she had come close to him instead of Baelon. Giving him a son and giving her a crown was a fair exchange. He did not think about it anymore, no since he saw again the smile on Baelon's face and Jocelyn wrapping her arms around Aemon's torso.

He had chosen his mate out of love so it was fair for his children to do the same. Even if Baelon was in a hurry to take pleasure in the gifts of his bride and Saera as another greedy child could not choose only one spouse.
The blood of the dragon is running hot in their veins, the king finally concluded as Vermithor landed in the courtyard. Everything will be solved in their own time, there is still time.
One by one the dragons landed, gathering a small crowd in the yard. Jaehaerys' gaze moved upon numerous faces, looking for a specific one that was not there.
He tried to hide his frustration when Aemon and Jocelyn approached, his boy always discreet and compassionate and she brazen and fearless. She put her hand on his shoulder, unaware that he was her king apart from her older half-brother. "Give her some time," she whispered, "I bet it's hard for her too but your relationship will be remedied. The wound will close."
She was right somehow. The silver locks and purple eyes finally caught his eye, faces sweet and a little scared.
They could be my sons, he finally thought, moving towards them. Maybe that was how Gaemon and Valerion looked like if the Mother above had not taken them in her soft embrace.
The Rogare lords lowered their eyes as he stood in front of them, welcoming them to Dragonstone and inviting them to his solar, after first ordering the castle castellan to discreetly place guards around Baelon and Viserra.
Undoubtedly the two of them would like to be close, but Seven Hells, they could wait until the wedding.

The private meeting with them was more interesting and manageable than he had ever imagined. They were both smart and loved Saera. They were also honest as they admitted that their marriage to her was based on mutual understanding and love. This left him with a strange taste in his mouth. Such marriages were common in Valyria and Essos was known for its non-existent morality, but in Westeros, men did not lie down with men, at least openly.

There was an excuse, of course, the princess' wedding had taken place in Lys, the Doctrine of Exception allowed her to marry whoever she wanted - even her brother- and a visit to Starry Sept would help both the septons and maesters remember that the Targaryens were the only descendants of Valyria who still owned dragons.

Everything was almost flawless, everything except Saera's absence. She was not in the courtyard, nor into the Throne Room, nor had she escorted her husbands into his solar.

She's fooling you, the wicked part of his mind thinking. She knows you are here, but she feels good about avoiding you because she considers you an anachronistic old man, a man she hates.

"Give her some time," it was Jocelyn's voice that came back to his mind, to calm down his worst fears. "I bet it's hard for her too."

He had to go out to look for his queen, she was the only one who could bring them together, her tender heart was always full of understanding, even when he was so furious with Saera. He was walking towards the door when his ear caught an unholy noise that forced him to stop and a curse left his lips as the pair's voices grew louder; they certainly enjoyed their coupling.

"To think that I put guards near them," he sneered talking to himself, "but these two can not wait a few more days until their wedding."

The thought of having to intervene and stop them again leaves him nervous and angry. It seems that neither of them has understood the meaning of humility and regret but it is then that the unholy noise that comes off of the woman's mouth turns into Aemon's name.

He does not intend to do the slightest thing now. Aemon and Jocelyn have been married for over a decade and it's a blessing that they love each other so much.

You could still give them a son, he prays silently to the Mother above and sits at his desk again.
Aly will not be coming to his solar soon, he knows, she will certainly hang out with Viserra so that she is not left alone with Baelon. So he asks for steaming tea from the kitchens and some lemon cakes. There is still work to be done, Aemon handed him the report on the reconstruction of the houses of Flea Bottom and these Braavosi bankers are haggling worse than the owners of the pillow houses.

A little later he is stopped by the knock on the door and the maid who enters holding a tray in her hands is a thin girl who wears a disproportionately large cloak for her size.
Her head is covered with the black hood of her cloak, and her eyes avoid eyeing him staring at the floor but he could recognize this voice among thousands of others.

"The tea you asked for, Your Grace."

"Saera?"

Her gaze moves from the floor to him, she is scared and anxious, emotions that she has never shown him before. He leaves his place nearly without thinking and approaches her, although, despite his greatest will, he does not embrace her. Not yet.

"What is the meaning of these actions, girl?" He asks in a heavy and stern voice cursing himself that he can not just take her in his arms like when she was just his little girl who always asked for more and offered it to her with pleasure.

"My gratitude that you allowed me to come home Your Grace, to be present on my sister's wedding day." There is humility in her words, although she avoids looking at him again and nervously holds the rim of her cloak. He decides to make the first move, taking the hood off her head and revealing her beautiful face before his eyes.

She does not wear a ribbon or a barrette in her hair and her curls tumble mild on the shoulders.
They are still long but not as long as he remembers.

"Your hair ..." is the first thing he says without thinking much, to reduce the tension between them. "The Silent Sisters- " she interrupts him, trembling, and he hates himself for her sufferings.

"Why? Why did this have to happen?" he demands to know in a strict tone, without letting his voice break in the slightest from the intensity of the moment.
"Why Saera? I gave you more freedom than all my children, even my boys, your brothers. I gave you whatever your heart wished for as a child and I just wanted you to behave like a real princess."

"So your problem was my troubling behavior? You exiled me to Oldtown, and you let those bitches touch me only because I gave my maidenhead to him?"

"Your maidenhead? even now do you think it all took place because you fucked him, Saera? Do not be stupid. This was the smallest of my problems. Your lost maidenhead alone would never anger me too much. You would stay in your room for a while and then you would be married to someone rich lord faithful to the Throne, but you chose to slip out of there, to knock an innocent woman down a flight of steps, and try to steal a dragon. It was the mockery you showed for the institutions not the loss of your maidenhead."

"If you intended to forgive me so soon then why did you force me to see his end? why did you not meet me again to speak to me? You hated me because I slept with him and you do not want to admit it!"

Her voice broke into a sob and tears glistened up her cheeks while he watched her under his eyelashes. "Did I hate you? Do you believe that? I continued to love you Saera! "Even then I still loved you!"

"Then why? you left me without even coming to greet me before I go. You knew what was going to happen in Oldtown and you allowed it. My clothes were the first thing that was taken away from me, and then my hair ... I could see behind my tears the lock of my hair falling to the floor but these bitches did not stay there. They did not leave a trace of hair on me to hide my shame behind them, not even those between my legs. For the next few days I waited for you to come, I had atoned for my sins and I hoped to hear Vermithor fly over the city.
I waited for a year stoically, I endured the silence, the cold baths, the scratchy roughspun robes, the meatless meals... And the cane! And I waited for you to come but it was my brother who finally saved me."

"He saves you? if he had understood then that this era was just a lesson for you he would never have been involved. I was not a fool, Saera. No one could mistake you with a holly septa, lest of all, me.
I believed that discipline, silent prayer, and contemplation would help you to understand what you were doing. You still had the choice to have the comfortable life you were used to, married to a rich lord who would never mention the detail of the loss of your maidenhead. It was not what I truly wanted, but it was a promising cure for your actions. You may not believe it now but if you had not behaved so foolishly a great wedding was waiting for you. I would give you what you always wanted, Saera. You would become  Aemon's queen. Ι would change the law for it but you fucked that bastard and your ruined everything."

Saera would have more believed it if Dragonstone‘s great hall turned into a real breathing dragon it was shaped after.
"Would I become Aemon's wife? how? why? He loves Jocelyn, he would never divorce her."

"So I had to do some actions, Saera, and I needed time. The Doctrine of Exceptionalism allowed Aemon to marry one of his sisters if he wished, but for a second wedding to take place without the first being abolished, the law would have to be changed."

"You say I  would become queen if I wasn't so fucking stupid as to ruin everything but that was before. what would happen after I returned home having repented of my sins?  To whom would I marry then? you say someone rich lord faithful to you! Someone fat whose belly would be as much as my whole weight I think. Why not Baelon? He was already a widower so he was free to wed again. But of course, because he was your precious son and I was a spoiled girl, right?"

Jaehaerys looked at her in shock but Saera kept talking.

"Don't worry, I would never marry him anyway because of Viserra! I'm glad he realized how much she loved him."

Ιt was finally time for Seara to serve the king the same shock she had felt before because he looked at her confused. "How was it possible for you to know that?"

"How is it possible that you did not know?" she answered back. "She admired him from her childhood and when she flowered it was understandable that she saw him differently. It was shortly after Alyssa's death and Baelon had no time for anything but mourning but she fluttered around him like a butterfly anyways."

"You mean Viserra has had feelings for him for so long? And this mob around her? These boys?"

"She knew it was lowborn," she replied snickering. "Viserra wanted to get equal love and power from her marriage, so she would never lay down with any of them. She played with them, but whoever asked her more knew how to handle him.
A boy once told her that he would make her scream his name. She replied to him that this would only happen if he went to the Dragonpit and put his head in Balerion's mouth."

This knowledge terrified him. It would be easier to have fought ten wars than to raise daughters.
Once again Aly was right, the king thought touching his beard. As then. They had called him Wise but she understood everything about their children, even what they did not tell her. Aly had warned him about Stinger and  Viserra's issues but he had not taken her words seriously.

The memories went back to that night, and he felt hot needles pierce his body. Saera had never admitted to getting all three to her bed, she had only talked about Stinger. Aly had tried to tell him more but had refused to listen. Ηe would settle the matter with Blackfyre and everyone would understand that  Stinger had dishonored their daughter and did not want to wed her he told his queen.
He forced Saera to watch them fighting from the window of her cell to make the lie more plausible, exiled Connington when he refused to wed Alys Turnberry, and arranged a wedding for Perianne Moore with Jonah Mooton.
No one would know the true story of that night, and when Saera returned home she would be free to marry a wealthy lord who would give her a comfortable life. He would of course be someone much older than her, widowed and with children of his own so that Saera could have a family.

Someone like Lord Manderly. The king thought but Viserra had finally found solace in Baelon's arms or he in her own, matters no now who had started it.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, Saera." He finally said. "The gods know that my children have all my stubbornness and will always do what they like. I do not even blame you for your decision to marry both of them, they spoke to me honestly. All I ask is that we share a meal whenever you want. Time will bring the rest."
She did not have time to respond to his proposal, the door opened wide and Alysanne suddenly came in, staring at him with bright eyes.

"I guess it was time to introduce you to someone," she said, and only then did the king notices the small bundle she was holding in her arms and which was now looking at him with purple eyes. "He's such a good boy, Jae, but he missed his mama."

Saera looked at him anxiously. She had agreed to meet him but did not want to talk to him so early about her child! Alysanne had misled them both.

The king, however, was more surprised than angry, and Saera saw that he smiled at her little boy.
The next minute Jaehaerys had carefully taken her human hatchling in his arms but cried when he saw the small red mark behind the baby's ear.

Then, he hugged the babe and Saera tightly without speaking, as if wishing at that moment to stick something broken again.

Alysanne was the one who interrupted them again, but the king did not let them out of his arms.
"I left Baelon with Viserra for just a while, my love." She said. "He was so desperate for it that he planned to take her for a walk along the beach if I did not allow it."

"I thought he had only lost his heart but apparently, he also lost his mind," he scoffed. Viserra is heavy with child, what will happen if she catches a cold?"

The wind was strong outside and Baelon walked away from the window, placing a new log on the fire. Red and orange flames danced around the walls and Viserra neared him, placing her hands in his.
She doesn't kiss him yet but he grabs her by the waist anyway and puts her to sit down on his lap.
He had truly lost his mind and heart when, coming down from Vhagar's back, she stood in front of him smiling with her arms around her round belly.
They had stayed there, staring at each other until Aemon pulled her by the sleeve inside the castle.

He was a bit disappointing with Aemon's act but then Saera had rushed into his arms and almost took his breath away from her tight grip.  Immediately after came her mates, and the queen, and before Baelon blink his eyes, almost the whole family had gathered around him. The hope of a private meeting with Viserra was gone, but at least everyone's mood was pleasant.

Finally, so many hours after his arrival at Dragonstone he had managed to be alone with his little sister in her chambers, and while it was a unique opportunity to talk to her about the latest events in the capital and to ask for forgiveness, he held her tight without speaking.

"It 's getting more difficult every day," She showed her slightly swollen calves finding a place where she felt more comfortable in his arms. "There are times when I feel like a pumpkin rolling down the aisle."

Her words dispelled all worries and fears and he smiled with that boyish smile that always made her heart beat faster. They had to talk but it was so delightful that they were together, and Viserra was swollen with child and in his arms.

Later, he thought as his fingers moved gently over her shapely legs, rubbing them gently over her long white stockings. There is still time for an honest discussion.

She seemed to like his touches because the anxiety left her face, her cheeks turns red and her pink lips parted as her breath weighed down inside her chest.

She was so lovely with her silver curls flowing about her shoulders and her soft arms around his neck that Baelon could do nothing but taste her. He gently took her lower lip between his teeth forcing her mouth to open for him.
Her breath smelled of lemon and burnt sugar and he wanted to taste her more than the cream pies baked in the kitchens.

Be reasonable, he thinks without stopping to kiss her; this is not for your pleasure alone, if she feels uncomfortable you should stop at once but then a loud whine comes out from Viserra's throat and he can only smile at the thought that she feels pleased into his arms.

He becomes bolder. He lifts her leg slightly with a gentle move and holds her foot between his palms, rubbing it gently. It's more than just a touch and Viserra feels wet between her legs, so she thinks that maybe they could play a little more because his fondles have already calmed her fears.

The light turned into darkness and no one had interrupted them yet this blessed moment, so he brought his hand under her dress upon her lovely leg, gently pulling off her garter and her stocking together...

His fingers had just touched the soft skin of her foot when Saera knocked on the door leaving him burning.

"I have to go, big brother," Viserra whispers before giving him a gentle kiss on the neck under his ear and he feels the sensation of her lips along with her words straight to his cock. He regrets the moment he let septon Barth travel from King's Landing to Dragonstone by ship and now he has to wait for his arrival to bless their wedding.

Baelon sighed deeply falling onto her bed quite dissatisfied. He felt less like a dragon and more like a man bound on a hook who fell into the fire.

Chapter Text

The day begins with Vhagar's green eyes on him even though both Jocelyn and the queen have said more than once that such a visit is wrong in the morning before the wedding.

"I will not keep you away from the skies for many days girl, I promise." He tells her, and she lets a wisp of smoke rise inside her nest.

He could of course go flying to the sept, but he thought his little bride would like to have all that attention on her.

Viserra loved to fly, but with the babe growing in her womb, both the king and queen behaved paranoid and she had stopped flying for the time being. He could take her with him on Vhagar's back of course, but he turned down that option. Viserra was famous for her beauty, her vanity did not allow her to enter the sept with crumpled clothes and the smell of dragon on her skin on such a special day.

"I will not come tomorrow though, maybe not even the day after tomorrow if the gods are good." He adds, while his hand rests on Vhagar's snout and she continues to look him in the eyes.

He was never as religious as Aemon and certainly, neither of them had enough devotion to the Seven as Maegelle but at this point, he needed to believe that the gods would soon light their way. "If not, I will wait until she wants me, but do not wait for me unfairly until at least four days have passed."

Vhagar left a bigger wisp of smoke this time showing her displeasure but Baelon could notice something else, someone was coming. "What is it, girl?" he asked her and she turned her bright green eyes to the entrance.

"Leave me alone, pest. Yes, yes I know I should not have been here at such a time. And no, I'm not nervous."

"You do not look completely calm, however, and your mother told me that you have not slept at all. We all had anxiety on our wedding day, son. The Grand Maester can give you a tonic-"

"I'm fine!" Baelon stopped the king, yet this time he spoke calmly. "And I will be better when this  fucking day is over!"

"Oh, I understand." The Conciliator's gaze combined with that chuckle brought a new wave of irritation to Baelon's head. "Your mother was secretly talking to Jocelyn this morning and that makes me believe that our Viserra has the bride's nerves. What we need now is for you to become as mad as Aemon was on his wedding day."

"Oh, do not start too!" He grumbled but stopped immediately, looking at the king's face. I act like a paranoid. Gods, save me!

"As I told you, girl." He greeted Vhagar, caressing her snout tenderly, and then walked over to Jaehaerys. "Did my mother send you here or the other traitor?"

"This is the right way to talk about your good sister ... Also forgetting that she is my half-sister with whom you once played knights and princesses..." Jaehaerys scolded him though tenderly, and the memory made the Spring Prince smile.

"Alyssa was more of a knight than a princess and it was nice for me to save Jocelyn until Aemon rescued her just once and she never played with me again." He scoffed. "But you know that I love her anyway!"

"It was not Jocelyn who sent me here, Baelon." The king sighed, "That is to say, not exactly. The gods know how powerful the secrets you have between you..." He paused for a moment and stared into his eyes. "Septon Barth came and found me last night!"

"You must know that it's important to me, Father." Baelon sighs dramatically. "I did not have to do it for Alyssa but with Vis is different... Well, I have to do as much as I can to gain my wife's trust! Aemon can preside over the ceremony, he knows the ritual-"

"I did not intend to stop you, son! I came to tell you that I will do it instead of your brother, but it will be done as Septon Barth suggested. After the recent events, it is prudent not to show that we are mocking the Faith."

Baelon nodded in relief, pulling out from his belt his dagger. Its blade was made of valyrian steel and its hilt from dragonbone.
"Did you come just for that?" he asked as he handed it to the king. "You could use the one I gave to Rhaenys!"

"Rhaenys will use hers on her wedding if the gods are good to us. Do you also have the chains?" the Conciliator asked, to receive a sly look from the Spring Prince. "It's something different than usual! Are you sure you want to know?"

Gods save us! The Conciliator thought. My children have always been crazy with a stubbornness equal to that of a mule.

"You probably want to impress your bride, hm?"

The naughty smile on Baelon's face was the answer to every question Jaehaerys could ask and so he left, muttering to himself in High Valyrian.

When he comes back to his room he takes a hot bath before dressed for the ceremony to chase away his worries and the smell of the dragon as well.

"Jocelyn told me to bring you this." The presence of Aemon disturbed him, he had not heard him coming in.
"Is it beautiful?" he asks as he gets up from the bathtub indifferent to his bare body who exposed in Aemon's eyes. He gives him a big soft cloth to rub himself dry.

"She said it's so beautiful, like your little bride's eyes!" He chuckles and Baelon feels Aemon's teasing as mockery. Of course, he knows it is not, but Baelon has never been a poet like his brother, and such words from his mouth sound like -

"Our little sister managed to excite you so much that you fell madly in love with her." Aemon completed Baelon's thinking loudly but won only one annoyed glance.

"Oh, you are really in love!" The Prince of Dragonstone teases him again, filling a cup with Arbor gold. It was early for a drink but it was not a common day. "So, valonqar, do you need any tips for the bedding?"

The curses fell from Baelon's mouth like rain falling from the black clouds and Aemon's laughter filled the space.
The two sat side by side laughing together.

"How is it out there? Father came and found me in the pit." Baelon asked, drinking down a large sip of Aemon's wine. "I think you already know why."

Aemon just nodded. "It's a bit paranoid but not like when I was the groom."

"I have never seen you as anxious as that day. It was a blessing that you did not end up needing advice for the bedding! " Baelon finally replied laughing just to win a curse in High Valyrian.

It was always nice to talk to his big brother since he was his faithful companion before even Baelon took his first steps. He and Daenerys but then she left the world of the living and then Alyssa was born ... The Spring Prince's gaze darkened until he recalled another birth in his mind, that of Viserra. He had gone to visit his mother and newborn sister shortly after giving birth, although more out of concern for the queen's health.

Viserra, however, was a beautiful baby who had turned into a beautiful girl and until Baelon blink his eyes he had a beautiful woman in front of him.

Aemon's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Jos will kill me with her own hands if I am late and I have to accompany our little sister to the sept. I will call on your servants to help you."

Baelon nodded and Aemon's footsteps were lost in the hallway, but by the time the servants returned he had enough time to admire the bridal cloak he would be wearing on Viserra. Jocelyn was right. It matched the eyes of his bride, just as he had imagined.

Although it would be a modest ceremony there were flowers along the street leading to the sept and even though it was winter now, the music from the small fishing village could be heard in the castle.
The news of the wedding would later come to the Seven Kingdoms but Dragonstone's farmers and fishermen were already celebrating with them. The king had promised to send the food that would not be eaten during the feasts to those in need and also in the courtyard of the fortress a smaller feast had been prepared for those inhabitants who wished to attend.

Anxious, the Spring Prince felt like many years had run forward when he finally stood at the entrance of the sept dressed in the colors traditionally worn by the Valyrians at their weddings,-black breeches, cream tunic, and red burgundy cloak-happy that he let Jocelyn take over most of the details.

The two Rogare wore similar purple cloaks from velvet and hard leather, adorned with precious stones on the sleeves, low at the wrists, and embroidered runes on the shoulders and back. Maron's cloak also had gray fur around the sleeves while Draeko wore a heavy gold chain around his neck, adorned with gems identical to the king's crown.

Baelon smirked when his gaze met that of Saera. His sister had used her knowledge correctly so that the king would like the young Rogare even more.
But if Baelon had admired both Saera's cunning and Jocelyn's taste in style, what could he say about the Sea Snake?
His velvety blue-green cloak was so striking that it had gathered all eyes on him. Peacock feathers were embroidered on the fabric but not with a common thread. Gold and pearls adorned the fabric while the pin that joined the two halves around the neck was the coat of arms of House Velaryon made of sapphires and emeralds.

Of course, he refused the position in the Small Council under the pretext of his ninth trip. Baelon thought as he glance at Rhaenys standing next to his sons, dressed in black and gold. This man is outrageously wealthy.

"Oh, don't be late," he murmured to himself, and as Alysanne's sweet look met his, the gods seemed to hear his prayer as Viserra arrived at the sept accompanied by the Prince of Dragonstone and the King Jaehaerys himself.

"Seven Blessings." It was the only thing that came out of her sweet lips as the king held their hands looking at them with a stern but loving look.
Baelon, however, could think of nothing as they walked into the sept before they stood between the Mother's and Father's status; he could only feel.

Dressed in a samite gown made of a pleated black underskirt with a blood-red overcoat with a long trail, Viserra was like a Valyrian goddess.
The red silk of her wedding gown was covered in the embroidery of black peaks. The shoulders were covered with long sleeves of thick silks weaved in a texture that almost resembled armor.

Her maiden's cloak was something familiar to Baelon. It was the same cloak that King Jaehaerys had worn to Queen Alysanne when he secretly took her to wife. None of his siblings had kept it until now and Baelon knew this was a sign of acceptance of their marriage.

Keeping the Valyrian tradition, Viserra wore a tall cream bridal veil, which fade into red at the bottom while her hair was combed into two braids at the side of her head that were interwoven at the back into a single strand. At the back of her head, another braid was woven into the shape of an exotic flower.
Rubies also adorned her hair and every inch of her looked like a queen.

At the hasty glances they traded her purple eyes shone with happiness and Baelon felt equally drunk with love, happiness, and her sweet perfume; fortunately, septon Barth quickly began the ceremony.

"My lords, my ladies, your graces, we have gathered today under the Light of Seven to celebrate the union of Prince Baelon and Princess Viserra of  House Targaryen."

They praised the Seven, and the guests lit candles - the Conciliator lit all his own to the Smith while the Good Queen distributed hers to the Mother, Maiden, and Crone - songs sung and prayers said. Viserra who had not stopped smiling from the moment they had found their place between the two statues was now looking at him with the same impatience as a child.

Baelon felt just as impatient even though he knew the ritual and eventually they had to hold their hands on the Seven-Pointed Star and say even more meaningless prayers.

"Ιt is now that Princess Viserra will be passed from her father's protection into those of her husband." Septon Barth said smiling, and the king took a step forward; with a quick but tender move removed the maiden cloak from her shoulders while Baelon had already unclasped his own cloak and now covered her with it.

Viserra could not understand why all of them were left with their mouths open, but she felt happy wearing his soft cloak made of red velvet with a black samite around her shoulders. A gold dragon-shaped brooch held the cloak in place and the same black peaks were embroidered on the red fabric as on her skirt. Most striking, however, was the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen which was embroidered on the back with black Myrish lace and purple pearls, the same color as her eyes.

Jocelyn had spent many days constantly supervising the tailors when Baelon confessed to her that he did not want to cover Viserra with the same cloak that Alyssa wore at their wedding, but with a new one.

You are his wife now, you must be devoted to him,  cower in front of him. The memory of their first coupling woke the snake inside her but Viserra ignored the thought as they joined their hands, and septon Barth tied them together with a cream ribbon as one.

"Let it be known that Prince Baelon and Princess Viserra of  House Targaryen are one heart, one flesh, one soul and whoever tries to bring  them apart will be cursed in the eyes of gods and men."

"In the Light of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity." Septon Barth declared and then unravels the ribbon.

Then he looked them in the eye and spoke again.
"It's time to look upon each other and say the words" and in trembling voices, they both began to say at the same time;

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger."

"I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."

"I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."
She smiled at him and Baelon mirrored her expression, his one hand cupping her face and the other still holding hers.

"You can kiss your bride."  Septon Barth announced and Baelon leaves a chaste kiss on her lips. It was clear that he wants to taste her more, but Septon Barth gives his place to the king who holding Baelon’s dagger in his hand-tied with a cream ribbon that fades red at the bottom.

Viserra blinks her eyes in surprise while the wedding guests cheer as the king says a prayer in High Valyrian before looking her and Baelon in the eye.

"Who is claiming this flowering maiden before the eyes of the gods?"

"I, Prince Baelon of House Targaryen,take you, Princess Viserra of House  Targaryen for my lady and wife!"

"Do you accept this man as your husband, my lady?"
the king then asked and Viserra looked over her shoulder at Aemon who nodded to her to urge her forward. Viserra had never attended a Valyrian wedding before but words came easily out of her lips.

"I, Princess Viserra of  House of Targaryen, take you, Prince Baelon of  House of Targaryen as my lord and husband."

"Come closer," Jaehaerys ordered them and Viserra held her breath as the dagger slightly cut off Baelon's lips and wrist.
The king did the same to her and collected their blood in a golden cup. Then he smear the blood on their foreheads and asked them to kiss so to "bind the blood."

"With this kiss I pledge my love." They said in one voice and her lips tasted blood; her heart fluttered in her chest while her body trembled. Baelon's lips found hers and Viserra smiled as she closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes, they turned to face the guests and looked at the wide smiles of their sisters, their brother, their loyal sires, and their good sister who smiled brightly.
The lords all loudly cheered and clapped for them and Baelon kissed her for the second time.

Usually, brides changed their bridal gown to something lighter for the feast afterwards, but when Viserra arrived at the chamber she was sharing with Maegelle for the last time, she removed only her veil and cloak. Jocelyn arrived just in time, as Viserra admired the embroidered Targaryen coat of arms.

"It was his idea!" Jocelyn whispered in her ear, hugging her from behind. "He came half-drunk one night and confessed to me that he wanted the cloak he would wear to you to match your beautiful eyes."

"Did Baelon truly say that?" Viserra asked with pure curiosity. Well, they had made progress since that afternoon he had made her his own but the snake was still curled up inside her ready to attack.

"He loves you," Jocelyn reassured her again, kissing her on the temple, "but whatever happens today remember that you can always say no, Vis, if you are not ready!"

She wanted to stay there and talk more with her good sister, but then the queen came, and with her were Saera, Maegelle, and Gael, and Viserra's anxiety disappeared under a rug of cheerful voices.

She met Baelon at the entrance of the Great Hall, where the feast was to be held. "I'm a humble man but  I must admit that I'm a lucky one too." He said kissing her wrist where his dagger had cut her soft skin during the ceremony.

"Why do you say this?" She giggles, asking for more kisses which he gives her generously.

"Because I wed the most beautiful woman in the world," he replied by winking at her and kissing her again.
"Oh my dear humble husband, do you need a few words to boost your confidence maybe? Oh, Prince Baelon is so handsome and enjoys his kisses."

"You are made to kiss," he grumbled, biting her lower lip tenderly, forcing her mouth to open for him.
Her fingers touched his neck, reaching to his ear; he wore the gold earrings she liked on him.

"If we do not go in now ..." he wanted to say, even jokingly, that they could overlook the feast and go straight to their room, but he dismissed the thought. There was a discussion that needed to be done then and he did not even want to guess the outcome.

As they both entered the feast, their quests clapped and cheered. They sat at the high table reserved for the royal family and without further delay, the king ordered the banquet to begin.

The food was delicious, beef stew with mushrooms, onions, and carrots, roast pork spiced up with honey, pepper, and mustard, roasted pheasant stuffed with apples and chestnuts, turnip puree with fresh butter, and salads with cabbage, corn, and cardamom.
Viserra, however, only started eating when a clear broth was served as all other foods were out of her taste and she was worried that her stomach would not hold them.

She hated the fact that she was so nervous and only Aemon was able to temporarily get her out of her bad mood as he leaned on her shoulder.
"Are you enjoying your feast?" he asked, rubbing her palm under the table, but she just nodded.

Jocelyn, who was watching her with her blue-gray eyes, however, did something more drastic. She filled her empty cup with pear brandy, smiling playfully. "It helps more with these nerves of yours Vis," she whispered to her and Viserra took a big sip and then another one.

Half a cup later, her mood was much better and she ate enough of roasted trout in a salt crust, and the salad with orange, walnuts, and radishes.

Baelon did not feel better either, as he had turned his nose even to the venison that was usually his favorite and had only eaten half a bowl of crab soup.

"Eating just that you will not be able to spend all night with your bride, nephew!" Boremund roared, making everyone laugh out loud, while the Sea Snake's voice was heard from another table. "Our prince makes a wise choice, that which comes from the sea gives us more vigor."

The laughter grew louder and the only good thing that came out of it was that Viserra, looking at the blush on her brother's face, held his hand under the table.

The liquids that were plentiful on all the tables improved everyone's mood. Beer, pear brandy, many types of rum, and many fine wines were poured into gold and silver cups. Next to her, Baelon denied anything other than the  Arbor gold while Viserra was in the third cup of pear brandy.

It was a real surprise to both of them that the first toast was made by Vaegon who was not talking emotionally.

"From her childhood, my little sister always got what she wanted, even from me. I remember once holding her up on my shoulders to reach a fledgling's nest -interrupting my lessons- but she quickly lost interest in me when Baelon come close."

The memory was something that surprised both of them, and when they looked at each other their faces turned red. Baelon was eight and ten then, a married man, but never missed an opportunity to entertain his sisters when they asked him to. "High," the little thing had demanded, "lift me more, big brother!"

"He may not have imagined it then but from today my Brave brother will lift the weights of their family life every day. To Baelon and Viserra, may their life together be happy."

"Baelon and Viserra". The cups were raised, emptied, and refilled numerous times, and the last toast was that of the king.

"As parents, my queen and I, we are always proud of our children, especially when they open their own wings making their own family. Princess Viserra made me angry many times but she proved to me that she dared to defend her choice, her love. And Prince Baelon has been like a boy five and ten all these last few days, looking forward to his wedding night so let them enjoy their feast. It's time for their wedding gifts and then the dance begins my lords."

The king's gift to Viserra was a book of stories from  Valyria itself and to Baelon a dagger with a dragonbone grip.
The queen presented the prince with a book of stories from Essos, "to read to them on cold winter nights," and the princess with a blue velvet shawl.

Aemon and Jocelyn's gifts were bottles of oils and perfumes, a hairpin carved from dragonbone, and a riding whip.

Maegelle gave Viserra a set for embroidery and Saera a whole trunk with perfumes, oils, and fabrics.

Draeko and Maron's gift was a velvet fabric for Baelon and pieces of jewelry for Viserra, while Boremund gave her a  brown clock made from stag's skin he had killed himself a few months earlier, joking that he had given her the symbol of his House.

Lord Velaryon's gift was a tiara with purple stones and the other lords also presented their gifts - Viserra greatly appreciated the leather gloves given to her by Daemon and Viserys - and soon after the dance began.

There was a traditional dance from Valyria, the king danced with the queen, Aemon with Jocelyn, Vaegon with Maegelle, Viserys with Rhaenys, Daemon with Gael, and Baelon with Viserra, and soon after they were joined by Saera and her mates and the rest lords.

Viserra danced until she got tired and returned to the table where the pies and tarts had already been served.
She noticed everyone's happy mood, but her gaze stopped on Rhaenys, who was paying close attention to Lord Velaryon and Stokeworth talking about the Sea Snake's voyages.

"I will stay in Westeros until the end of winter and then shall off for Essos, the Sea Snake is a fast ship even if there are storms along the Narrow Sea," Lord Velaryon said proud but Rhaenys finally got into the discussion uninvited.

"My dragon is faster than any of your ships," the princess said winning a warm smile from Lord Corlys' lips.

It was a truly blessed night and Viserra's fears had lessened until one of the bards started singing "The queen took off her sandal, the king took off his crown."

"BED!" The voice of a drunken lord was heard and then another! "BED, BED!"

Oh, no! Baelon...

She looked for him with her gaze, while at the same time she was looking for Aemon. Ιf my brother keeps me, I will be safe!

So far, more have joined the shouting and a couple of lords had already gotten up and were about to move toward her. Without much thought, Viserra quickly drowned the next cup of wine while Baelon approached her.

"My lords, my wife and I thank you for your presence but I assure you that we do not need your help in being bed. It's something we've been waiting for for days, and our heir will be coming soon so we wish you good night."

Viserra sighed and drank another cup of wine. Made no sense to find Aemon anymore. He could save her from the touch of the drunken lords but not from her conjugal duty.

He held her hand tightly and they started running in the corridors as if they were cheerful children, yet when they came outside their chamber and tried to catch their breath he lifted her in his arms.

"I do not believe that we got rid of them so easily before our sire announced the bedding." Viserra laughed as he made her sit at the table after they had locked the door behind them.

"Still, you do not need all this fabric upon you."

With a quick movement, he had now knelt in front of her, taking her elegant leg in his hand. He stroked it gently before removing the white garter which had the same embroidered peaks as her skirt.

"Saera's idea. She wanted everything to fit my dress."  She whispered, but with cheeks red with excitement.

"Of course, our greedy sister turned into an obedient girl. What a night, hm? Most wedding gifts are for you."

"But you can take a bath with my oils, wear beautiful fabrics or learn to embroider your doublet! You have a sword, it will not be difficult to learn to use a needle."

She bite her lower lip already feeling stupid for her words; he's your lord, you have to obey him but he held her calf removing her white stocking slowly.

"I have a gift for you too, little sister, which I normally had to give you at our ceremony." Her purple eyes twinkled with interest and enthusiasm as he spoke. "Well then, do I have to find it?"

She tried to get up but held her firmly in the same position.
"You only have to close your eyes and give me this lovely leg of yours again!"

Her heart hammered inside her chest as she felt the cold steel touching her bare skin; what the hell was that?
As she pulled her leg away from him Baelon chuckled at that boyish laugh that Viserra loved so much and approached her face. He kissed her lips and she could smell the cider in his breath.

"In Valyria, weddings were sealed with blood and steel alike," Baelon explained, bending over again to kiss her calf. "Steel bound the mates to eternity as the gods blessed them with offspring and dragons."

When she opened her eyes and found the courage to look downwards, she saw a thin chain of black steel around her calf. It was something familiar of course, the king and queen wore similar chains but in their hands. Viserra had never seen them without.

She quickly filtered what he had confessed to her, which meant that Baelon also had to wear a similar one but in his hands was nothing more than pieces of jewelry she already knew; a sly look was enough to give her the answer she was looking for and she felt wet between her thighs at the thinking he wore the same chain around his leg.

Glancing around quickly, she felt weird at the thought that this work was also Baelon's, as was her bridal cloak.
There were many lighted candles, and flower petals on both the floor and the bed, some winter roses in the vases, and next to her on the table was a silver tray with juicy fruit and jugs full to the brim of cider and cool water.

A thin white robe was on the bed but there was no sign of his night clothing.
He wants us to consummate our wedding, she thought and filled a cup of cider. Well, that's will help my nerves.

"You do not need this," her lips had just tasted the apple wine but Baelon chased away every drop using his tongue. The trembling flesh on her lips made her shudder.

"Baelon ..."

"It's our wedding night and everyone wants for us to consummate our union, but you do not need to, Vis, not if you do not want to truly."

He looked at her misty-eyed and Viserra felt that she loved him at that moment. He could accept her wish, wait until she felt safe and ready to surrender herself to him but the feast was still going on in the Great Hall and she already had his child in her womb, the baby's paternity should not be questioned.

"Our royal sires certainly want us to lie down together."

"Aye. So I will tell them that there was a bedding, you do not have to worry about anything, sweet sister. I will take care of it. What came about between us was wrong, I had to be more careful, give you time and respect your maiden nerves. You may have wanted me back then, but you were a maiden and I was a widower, not some green boy. I should not have claimed your maidenhead. I'm angry with myself for acting recklessly, but I want to make amends now. I will not force you to lie down with me until you are ready to do so. As your brother, I will take care of your every wish and need, and all I ask as your groom is to share this bed. You are already expecting my child, there should be no doubt that I am his father."

She nodded, looking him in the eyes. "So should we make noises now?"

"Make noises?" this is ridiculous.

Of course, he wanted her to shout his name, not by performing but by pure love and pleasure also.

"No need, Vis, I'm a prince of blood, my words are enough. If I say that we came to bed together, this is not in question and to be honest, their Graces already know that."

"So can we sleep?"

He was obviously disappointed when he looked at her beautiful face, but he was also determined to accept her wish. "Let me help you with your clothes," he whispered in her ear while his hands moved deftly under her skirt, to turn his gaze upwards really surprised.

"Baelon my beloved I forgot to tell you that I do not wear a shift?"

"Not your smallclothes either?"

"Oh do not be a fool, my beloved. It would not be appropriate for a lady on her wedding day. I still have my smallclothes on but it's also another Saera's suggestion; are sewn according to Lys' fashion, you see..."

He felt his manhood twitch inside his breeches at the thought that Viserra was probably wearing only a few tiny pieces of fabric under her wedding gown and she would soon lie down beside him wearing only those.

He tried to restrain himself, to respect her wish but the thought of her wet heat on his fingers did not help, nor of course, the thought of her velvety pink folds, wet like a spring rose after the morning rain.

"I should have been more sensible also, to take care of your comfort instead of defiling your reputation and go to our sire to ask for your hand instead of bed you then. I have no excuse for my actions, for it was the jealousy that blinded me, Vis, the damn thought that you just wanted to toy with me and give yourself to someone else afterwards."

"Oh Baelon," she cups his face looking at him behind a veil of tears. "I was young, a foolish girl drunk from your sight upon me, but I never wanted to toy with you. I always loved you Baelon, I always wanted you!"

He took a deep breath before finding the courage to tell her what his body and heart longed for so much.

"Let me make an effort to show you how beautiful it is to be loved, Vis. If you feel uncomfortable or want us to stop, just inform me. A glance of yours and I will stop until you wish to keep going."

She nodded, letting him kneel before her again, removing her other stocking as his lips touched her calves and her fingers found purchase into his hair.

"Baelon," she moaned as his mouth left marks across her thighs, worshiping them like an altar of pleasure.

Yet, he lost a heartbeat when he lifted her dress on her thighs and his eyes met the Lysene style she had spoken of. Viserra's smallclothes was just a piece of cotton fabric that covered the necessary area, with a single strip that connected to the piece at her hips for better fit and coverage. The borders of the piece were decorated with handsome myrish lace.

Her eyes watched him in disbelief as he left a kiss on the white cloth, which was moistened in her liquids.
"Baelon," her voice dies in the back of her throat as he slips his finger beneath her smallclothes without further thinking. He lets her do the work of lowering them, more as a confirmation that she did not change her mind, and immediately after he slipped his central finger into her cunt.

"Viserra," he murmured as he found her dripping, "You are beyond any man's fantasy. You are my ecstasy sweet sister."

Viserra yet hesitates to look downwards, especially when he buries his head between her thighs although his hot breath upon her bare skin makes her heart beat louder.

One finger is joined by a second one into her and Viserra's face becomes similar to a crimson rose at the thought that he stares greedily at her pink flesh and her watery pearl.

He seems to enjoy it because when she spreads her thighs, Baelon sighs into her cunt, running the pad of his thumb over her pearl. His tongue fondles her wet folds and Viserra comes just then, her lovely body arching and shaken.

He does not let her recover as his tongue takes the place of his fingers inside of her and Viserra whimpers his name as she spreads her thighs shameless, to ride his whole face.

She peaks for the second time then and she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her moan, but he batted it off tenderly.

"It's our wedding night, your night, little sister. You can sing and scream my name as many times as you want until sunrise, no one will comment on that. We can have this every day, you have my heart and my chain upon you for eternity."

His words dispelled all her nervousness and when she find the courage to look downwards she saw his crimson cheeks and his lilac eyes shining with satisfaction.  His swollen lips glowed with her fluids.

"Baelon, Baelon please, I need you." She whimpers into his mouth as he goes into her arms, his mouth swallows the end of her words and her lower lip together. She tastes herself greedily on his lips and she pulls him closer to her, hooking a leg around his waist.

"So you do not want us to stop?" he asks her for confirmation and her hands run hungry upon his chest, loosening his tunic.

"I want to go further," she replies and leaves the work to his skillful fingers to unbutton her wedding gown.

She stays almost naked in front of him, wearing only the upper piece of her smallclothes, cotton cloth with elegant myrish lace on the border, with straps on the shoulders to provide lift and hold her breasts.
He looks at her with his eyes wide like acorns, kissing her hungry until he feels his chest ache for air.

"Let's go to bed" he whispers into her neck, but she holds him by the waist removing his tunic, and kissing his bare torso.

"Please, big brother mine! take me now, fuck me here!"

Her suggestion surprises him but he can not resist, not when her fingers untie his breeches, disclosing the awakening beast.

He lifts her in his arms, putting her to sit again upon the table, and holds his hard cock into his hand. Then, he slides inside her with soft thrusts until he tests her limits.
He praises the gods as her sweet  cunt was slippery enough to swallow him whole. Then, he put a heavy hand on her bare back to keep her flat and slides to a hilt. 

He buries his face in her breasts, biting and kissing her nipples while she whimpers into his neck.
"How do you fare?" he asks huffing and she messed up his beautiful hair with her fingers.

"I need you!" She answers him back, loud groans come off from her sweet mouth.

He knows too well what she wants but he likes that she claims it, so decides to toy with her. "Tell me what you need, sweet sister," he murmured against her collarbone and Viserra feels less like a princess and more like a whore as the words slip out of her lips like the water that gurgle into the river.

"Touch me, brother, use these clever fingers of yours upon me!"

His thumb touched her pearl and her fists gripped his thighs. "Oh, Βaelon!"

He quickened his thrusts when his little wife cries out his name, and between his fingers and his manhood, Viserra started to tremble, keening and whining before she broke with a moan into his neck.

He comes right after her, emptying his seed into her, shouting her name.

"Was this good?" he asks after they catch their breaths, holding her into his arms and kissing her hair.

He was still inside her and he wanted to stay there all night, making her his own again and again until daybreak, making love to her until the pieces that had cracked that day reunited and their two hearts reunited in one for eternity.

He was not a poet like Aemon, but the smile that bloomed on her face was the strong proof that although his virtues stood always in other arenas, he had certainly the skills to please his little wife.

Maybe his more wise act was to take care of her and let her recover since she was heavy with child but she pulled him on her and so he picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bed.

The sight of the naked Viserra on the bed with the petals of winter roses made him hard once again and both of them fell into each other.

"Is this real?" she asks him as he moves slowly inside of her, her name and praises falling from his mouth like a storm of the winter clouds. 

"I love you, Viserra." He sighs against her mouth and Viserra feels waves of shivers run down her spine. "And I will love you till the end of my days. You are blood from my blood and bone from my bone. I give you my body that we too may be one. I give you my spirit, 'til our life shall be done."

Chapter Text

It was the wine, sweet and warm on his tongue, and it was the softness of Jocelyn's gray-blue eyes, and soon after his siblings left the wedding feast the Prince of Dragonstone became bold.

This was a simple explanation for what had happened a while ago.

With his back scratched against the rough wall and Jocelyn still in his arms with her legs around his waist, gasping from their lovemaking, Aemon was also trying to catch his breath. 

"This reminds me of that night at Storm's End!" She whispered in his ear, running her fingers through her hair. Her intricate braid had been ruined by the intensity of the instant.
"It was early in our marriage, and..."

"You're still pretty proud of yourself for dragging me into that room, hm?" Aemon gasped in response, not even making a single effort to push her out of his embrace; his manhood was still buried inside her while his seed ran down her thigh.

"Seeking flattery, my Lord? I'm sorry, but I won't take part in this. If my memory serves me right, you were just as impatient as you are now."

"I apologize sweet lady, but in my defense, you must know that I am gravely ill, and the only cure is you. More specifically, this soft spot between your legs."

For another woman, these words might have aroused a sense of shame, but shame did not serve any purpose in their own bed. Although they did not rush into the consummation of their marriage before the wedding, the hours they spent in their rooms after the ceremony were endless.

Their continuous efforts had blessed them with a child, their sweet princess Rhaenys, and Aemon was not disappointed at all when the grand maester warned him that it would be wise for Jocelyn not to grow with child again.

To each of her complaints that she would never give him a male heir, Aemon always answered back that he had everything he dreamed of and slowly the complaints faded away, and their love went to another level.

These details would make even the most unfaithful man blush with shame, even though Aemon had not even talked about it to his most faithful companion, his younger brother.

"My apologies, good ser, but I suffer from the same serious illness and the only remedy is your hard cock."

Perhaps at some other time, he would respond with a laugh, but not now. He was high off her body, her scent.
Her slender fingers moved smartly under their clothes, touching his soft cock. It took but a moment and some firm caresses before Aemon felt the beast awake again.

"Seriously, Jocelyn, don't you want us to go to our bed this time? Our chambers aren't far. Anyone can see us here." Puffing, he tried to resist her touches, but when did he succeed in doing it again?

"It didn't stop you the first time, though. Most of them are still celebrating, Aemon! Even if someone accidentally comes here, they will surely be drunk; nobody will understand anything."

The complaint that came off from her velvet lips was like a stab into his heart and so Aemon, who was under a spell by her caress, could not stand up to it.

Bare flesh meeting flesh wasn't helping him either. They were wearing their clothes, of course, but her private parts were uncovered since her smallclothes had been removed by him the first time he had taken her.
Jocelyn in return has unbuckled his breeches and taken off his growing cock. It was quite an easy task, as the Prince of Dragonstone wear naught of his smallclothes.

This was a pleasurable shock as they at once fell into each other without losing time. Of course, the foreplay was something they loved in their bed and Jocelyn never complained since it was mainly for her benefit, but some moments were rushed and wild like this.

"If you don't change your mind now, I won't hold back much longer.'' He tried to tell her, gasping, but she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist.

"I want you now," she whispered, biting his ear gently, and Aemon feel like his body burn up.

"Then you will have me." He answered, his voice deep and thick. Deep and thick, just what they both needed right now.

It was a rather difficult task for the prince, given that he had to bend his knees a little to allow Jocelyn to rise and fall onto his middle. One hand she held onto the castle walls, the other tousled his hair.

The most unholy noise came off from his mouth as Jocelyn moaned his name. It was then that Aemon pulled out of her, and before she could react, she felt his hard manhood rubbing against her rear entrance.

Maybe to another woman this would have been inappropriate, but not to Jocelyn, who liked any kind of coupling with Aemon.

"Is this why you wanted us back in our chambers?" The question died in the back of her throat as Aemon pushed himself into her, slowly filling her with his full length. The small discomfort she felt was worth it to be so fucking full. The contrast of his hard shaft inside her with the softness of his eyes and hair was always worthy of a flight on dragonback.

"I told you I want you. I can't take my eyes off of you. I've been dreaming about this moment since the morning when I saw you wearing those smallclothes..."

The shadow moved so quickly towards them that Jocelyn didn't have time to escape Aemon's strong grip, who only managed to cover her bare bottom before the intruder was upon them.

"Is that the smallclothes you are referring to, brother?" The Spring Prince's voice was stable and calm, but his smirk revealed the truth; he had seen them.

"What in the Seven Hells are you doing here?" Aemon's voice was hoarse and angry, "You walk the halls like a ghost instead of being with your wife!"

"I've dismissed the servants for tonight, but we needed something..." Baelon tried to apologize but couldn't stop laughing. "I never expected to find you here on my way to the kitchen!"

"Has your little wife given you an appetite?" Aemon asked with a raised eyebrow, but Baelon didn't seem uncomfortable at all. Unlike Aemon who was irritated and embarrassed, he enjoyed the moment.

"I was hungry, but thanks to what I saw, I'm not hungry anymore."

The thought that Baelon had seen Jocelyn in this state and so had this damn smirk on his face brought a new wave of irritation to the Prince of Dragonstone.

"You could pretend you didn't see us." Aemon barked, staring at his face. "Seriously Baelon why are you such an imbecile?"

"You mean jerk, my love?" Jocelyn finally looked up from the floor, staring into Baelon's face. Her twin expression with Aemon brought another wave of laughter to the Spring Prince, which he stifled on the back of his throat before she spoke again.

"You leave your bride alone on her wedding bed so you can go to the kitchen? that's what servants are for, nephew. In her place, I'd let you sleep on the floor. It wouldn't matter if
you tried to excite me!"

"It seems that your older nephew excites you more anyway since you allow him to have you like that. Seriously, Jos, how would the king or queen feel if they were me?"

"Undoubtedly, they wouldn't look at my nude skin, Baelon! After all, Her Grace knows all about this!"

This was something that surprised Aemon just as a summer storm stretching across the clear sky surprised the smallfolk.

  The Prince of Dragonstone stood open-mouthed while Baelon took a step away, muttering that the queen would never approve of such a thing.

"It's silly what you two think because she's your mother and you don't see that she's also a woman who brought thirteen children into this world. Your mother is a woman of understanding, and this belongs to me." Her eyes darkened more when her hand touched his own. Her touch was fire itself.

"If you return to your lovely bride holding my smallclothes, will surely have a long night ahead of you, my dear nephew."

In the end, all he was able to mumble was an apology before he went back to his room and lay down beside Viserra's bare body.

Jocelyn's words still repeated in his mind, yes, it wasn't right for him to watch their private moment, to see Jocelyn's bare flesh, but it was Viserra he dreamed of, her legs around his waist, sighing his name.

"What did you think happened tonight?" The Conciliator asked softly, laying down beside Alys' body. It was late at night and the celebration had stopped a long time ago, but the intensity of the day left no one of them sleeping.

"Are you still wondering if they consummated their marriage?" Aly supported her body up on her elbows and brought her face close to his.

"Don't play the fool, my love. You heard her sing for him, everybody in the hall heard it. Our children have consummated their marriage, although it is foolish to pretend that we do not know the truth! She was his long time before this day. Ever since she took her first steps, she followed him everywhere. He was the brother she admired!"

"I thought she admired Aemon more!" Jaehaerys murmured, kissing her hair. The golden honey in some curls had turned to silver. "The two of them are very close. Our daughter has grown up because of him."

A mischievous grin spread across Aly's face, and she brushed her nose against his. "That's true, but she never desired him more. Viserra loves Aemon, but only as her brother."

"My sweet Aly, always know all our children's secrets!" He whispered, kissing her wrists while Alysanne giggled, kissing his lips in return.

"I wonder if you know why Aemon and Jocelyn left the feast so early as well. Didn't our son find anything interesting, or does our half-sister have some small secret to keep?"

"I'm always the guardian of my children's secrets, Your Grace! Don't ask me to tell you more!  All that matters is that one loves the other, and the realm will be in good hands after us. I know you're uneasy about Aemon's succession, but Viserys and Rhaenys would make a beautiful match as well."

"They are still young Alysanne! Maybe the gods aren't done with them yet! They keep laying together right?"

"Of course, Your Grace!" replied Alysanne firmly, and her voice did not confess any feeling. "They're still in love, as you know."

"So how can you be so sure? If the gods bless her and she's got with child in the time to come, we will prepare properly this time. An army of midwives and maesters will look after her, and we will bring healers from Essos as well."

"If Jocelyn is expecting again Aemon will let us know about anything they need. Don't push yourself so much, Jae." She answered and laid her head on his chest instead of the pillow. It was a good day and she didn't want to stay on it when she recalled the conversation she had some moons ago with their half-sister.

Aemon would take the moon tea himself if he could, and so he found other ways to not cause damage to Jocelyn. 

The day dawned rainy and cold, drizzle and fog had covered the island and Blackwater Bay, but as Aemon made his way deeper into the Dragonmont the air warmed.

Climbing the mountain for a common man might have been a form of madness, but for a Targaryen, it was a pure need.

Following the example of the king and queen who still kept their mounts in the courtyard, Viserra had made the same keeping Sunfyre in the eastern stable.

There was a reason for this, though. The king and queen wanted fast access to their dragons and Sunfyre was such a young thing. It would be crazy for him to try to keep Caraxes close to him, chained to the ground.

Blood Wyrm, the smallfolk had named the red dragon and although Aemon laughed the first time he heard it, he knew that the name was all right.  No other dragon could equal his strength or fierceness, not even the king's Bronze Fury.
Caraxes loved to burn everything in his path and only Vhagar's flame was hotter than his own.

Aemon barely remembered the days in his youth when he shared his room with the red dragon.
Caraxes had hatched at Dragonstone, five days after the prince's birth and everyone had taken it as a good omen. Yet, from the first days of his hatching, he had shown his wild nature and when a year later he set fire to the skirts of a septa who had made a foolish remark to Aemon, the king sent him to the stables and then to the Dragonpit.

After all, the Prince of Dragonstone had remained shy around dragons for years anyway, and no one thought his gentle nature would ever match Caraxes' fierce spirit. He was but a quiet lad yet turned into a fiery man after his marriage.

At eight and ten, his lady wife was still great beauty and Aemon was madly in love with her. Though her stomach remained thin like when she was a maiden, he did not care so much. 

Their love grew stronger day by day, he wrote her poems, filled their room with flowers, and on summer nights, they looked at the stars together.

It was one such summer dusk and they were watching  Silverwing and Vermithor flying into the sky before the full moon when suddenly she began to cry.
She was jealous of their Graces she had confessed to him, she wished to fly among the clouds to forget her thin stomach and empty womb.

Aemon held her all night in his arms, whispered in her ear, and they had made love three times until the first light.

The next day he laid off the servants who had dared to doubt his beloved wife's fertility, yet it turned out that it was not enough for him.

Seventeen years of age with knighthood now achieved, it was time to become a dragonrider as well.
While he had no plan for which dragon he would claim when he entered the Dragonpit, it was Caraxes' shriek that broke the early morning silence arousing his curiosity.
It took only a moment, a glance, and a stroke at the red scales to create the bond that still held.

He knew the place pretty well, so he quickly found the entrance to the cave.

The light of the torch dances over the walls around him, filling the space with impressive colors. In this part of the tunnels, there is not only black dragonglass but also purple, red and green. Aemon laughs when he remembers that Rhaenys asked him for a crown made of this volcanic glass that the Valyrians called frozen fire while the maesters obsidian.

"Hello boy! You probably weren't expecting me today, but the madness' day is finally over."

Caraxes let out a wisp of smoke in reaction to Aemon's words and his gaze locked on the prince.
"Of course, my little brother couldn't help but torture me, even on his wedding day!" Aemon mumbled angrily, as he thought about his meeting with Baelon in the hallway some nights before.
"He couldn't go off without teasing me, but my wife's nude body is no laughing matter." Yet the thought of her bare flesh on him sent a shiver down his spine.

Jocelyn was not shy at all when she closed up the door to their room behind them before they fell into the bed.

Perhaps another woman wouldn't have any more desire after what had taken place, but not his wife. Aemon had her once more before wrapping his limbs around her in a tight hug and they slept until the following evening.

Touching the dragon's red scales the truth came out of his mouth with ease.

"I have no complaints about the way I have her or because she tortures me whenever she likes! Some would want a male heir, but all I want is to wake up in a warm bed with my wife. Girls are fine!"

The words he had kept within him for so many years are now like a torrent that he cannot hold on to and has no meaning anyway.

"I was afraid I was going to die on this bed, Aemon. For a moment, I was sure that my birth bed would turn into my deathbed just like my mother's."

How could he tell her that they had come so close to it that night? The Stranger was outside that room, Aemon had felt his coldness.

Some would sacrifice their wife for the baby in her womb, but he had chosen to believe in Jocelyn, in the beautiful moments they had shared since their childhood.

"Men are often fools, even the king. What would he do without his queen? What would be the sense of life without my wife's arms around me, in a world where I would be alone?"

But he was not alone. Caraxes turned his gaze towards the pit's mouth where a squeak rings loud, the telltale slide of a wet boot against the stone.

"Who's there?" he demands, his hand on his sword's hilt.
Maybe Rhaenys did?

When a sheepish Baelon reveals himself, walking inside the cave, Aemon relaxes his grip.

"What the hell are you doing here instead of in your marital bed? Vhagar would wait a day or so."

"I saw you when you were sneaking out of the castle and decided to follow you." The Spring Prince answered honestly. "Viserra is sleeping so she won't come looking for me anytime soon."

"Why do you have to do this? Because you always follow me? I just wanted a moment of peace. I don't see anything bad happening. Go to sleep!"

"I wanted to have a word with you alone. I guess I worried Jocelyn and she's angry with me after last night. Especially since this was the second time I walked in on you in your good times!"

The memory of this moment made them both laugh, hitting each other on the shoulder.

A short time before their wedding, Baelon had returned one morning from the Dragonstone's inn to the castle, surely drunk.

Because of his age, Jaehaerys' attention was still on him, so the night of enjoyment might end with a major punishment.

The Spring Prince had assumed that the gardens of Aegon would make a good hideaway for a few hours, but to his surprise, there was no privacy there either.
Aemon and Jocelyn were there, naked as their name day and this was their only attempt to consummate their union before the ceremony.

"It was a good thing the three of us weren't punished, can you imagine our sire's gaze if he found us here?"

"He would be even more confused than I was last night. Seriously now, Aemon, what the hell was that I saw? Those things  don't happen easily, even in a pillow house and yet happened down Dragonstone's aisles?" 

Aemon's gaze changes, but his voice remains steady. "Are you telling me that you don't have such tastes? That you've never tried it? Well, if you had even done it with that girl, Cass, now you wouldn't have to explain to our proud sister that you fathered a bastard."

Baelon blinks and his face turns red. "So you're taking your pretty wife like that to keep her from having a baby?"

"Especially you, you shouldn't be asking me about this. You stood outside this room with me. You know what they asked me to do that night!"

Of course, Baelon remembered that night, but he wasn't about to let himself or Aemon relive it again. Jocelyn had survived, it was everything.

"So you didn't fuck each other any differently?"  Baelon asked with an eyebrow up and Aemon gave him a slight pat on the head. But when they stared at each other's faces, they laughed aloud.

"We do, but I don't want her to burden her health with moon tea often. That's why we needed to be more creative."  The Prince of Dragonstone replied and then sat down on a rock a little further back. Baelon silently mirrored his movement, leaving him to speak.

"It took us over a year to get back to bed and I always felt frightened not to hurt her. She was also afraid, even if she wanted to do her duty, she pretended it was fine, but not to me. So at first, I had her with my mouth or fingers and when she was confident enough, she returned the favor. Pretty soon she became my bright wife again so I had her breasts or her whole body the days when there was no risk of her getting with child."

The blush on Aemon's face was the spark for Baelon to understand his brother's words. To make love to a woman during her moonblood was strongly taboo in Westeros. He couldn't say if the same was happening in Valyria or not, but he had developed no such taste.

He had Alyssa in the ways he always wished and when her moonblood came to her she always wrapped her lips around his cock....

He hadn't tried it with Viserra yet, but the thought of her red velvet lips around his member was enough to make him hard.

He hid his arousal under a wicked grin. "When did you get such viciously delicious tastes?"

Aemon arched a brow shamelessly.

"The wetter the better, and I love the sight of her on my cock. She gave me a child by putting herself at risk, how much I risk with my wife's moonblood?"

"And the other thing? When did it come out?" Baelon found himself asking shamelessly. It was clearly a private matter and he felt Jocelyn as a sister, but curiosity kept burning inside him like a flame.

"She found me one day looking at the prayer book that our sire had given me before my wedding! I think you have one too!"

Baelon swallowed, stifling a few possible jokes down his throat, looking at Aemon wide-eyed.

He had forgotten this damned book for years, but he suddenly developed an irresistible desire to leaf through it with the naked Viserra in his arms.

"Judging by this starry-eyed look of yours, Valonqar, I think you have some wily plan for your lovely wife," the Prince of Dragonstone said with a laugh, but this time there was no trace of shame in the Spring Prince's words.

"I'm gonna tell you for it when my cock stops hurting me from our yesterday's lovemaking!"

It was one of the rare times recently that Saera Targaryen could walk alone through the hallways of Dragonstone, silently, like a ghost.

It was only the afternoon after her siblings' wedding, and while Baelon and Viserra were still living among the honey and milk, the blissful moments of a newly wed pair in love namely, Draeko Rogare had gone back to his tasks as he had summoned Lord Velaryon to discuss a trade deal.

Maron was somewhere with the Prince of Dragonstone and his lady wife while the Good Queen and the Old King had a special guest in their solar, her baby boy.

The princess had never imagined the day the Rogare fleet had sailed for Westeros that the king would accept her back and love her son so much.

And yet, to her surprise, the plea to allow him to have some private moments with his grandson had come into her hands along with a request to share supper the following night.

So Saera, who was once a vain girl who needed the eyes of the court on her, now walked in the corridors of the castle with her head covered by her hood so that she would be invisible to others.

It was something she truly enjoyed, though no more than the dirty jokes the lords had shared the night before when her siblings left the wedding feast.

"Baelon the Brave shall put a little dragon in the princess's womb tonight," Lord Massey said,  and Boremund had added shouting that if Alyssa's pleasure cries had been heard at Duskendale, Princess Viserra would certainly have been heard at Pentos!

This was no doubt true, Saera thought as she went down a dark hallway leading to the courtyard.
She had planned to spend some time with Maegelle, the sister who had been invisible to her when they were children.
She was always calm, it was no fun for me to torture her like Daella, she spits out the phrase, talking softly to herself, her memories were like poison through her veins.

There was a daughter in the Vale but as much as she had tried to learn more about the girl from the queen, Alysanne had only told her what she wanted to share.

Absorbed in her memories, she hadn't noticed the two figures talking in the dark from afar, but now that she was within breathing distance of them she couldn't help but curiously notice the girl's blonde hair, slightly darker than the Good Queen's and the white skin. She could not have been a maid, as she wore fine clothes and jewels. Besides, Saera had never seen her before in the castle and judging by her soft hands, it wasn't hard for her to realize that Septon Barth was talking to a whore.

"Don't be silly!" She scolded herself, "he's a good man and everybody needs forgiveness from the Mother above, even me at times," but she felt her blood freeze through her veins as the girl's tears turned to rage.

"Very well, since the Prince does not intend to come to me I will go to him, and not even the king himself can stop me while I carry his bastard grandson in my womb! How good is Jaehaerys the Wise?"

The irony in the girl's voice was an irritating thing but Saera felt her body freeze and stiffen because of this revelation.

Aemon can't have bedded a whore, no, Aemon loves his wife he would never seed a bastard! She thought in horror, cupping her face with her hands, but the horror grew stronger the next moment.

"I'll find Baelon anyways, even if they try to keep me away from him. I need to see him!"

Saera stayed hidden in her place truly shocked, watching the strange girl walk away having a look of satisfaction on her face. 

They knew. The king had chosen to hide Baelon's secret, as he always did with his dear sons, while the queen had stood by them, ignoring Viserra, something Saera she could not allow herself.

Chapter Text

Sometimes you want to be a common person with common needs and not part of a complicated family or at least that was Saera's wish as she strode proudly towards the king's solar.

She had really tried to make peace with herself, there was no one to blame for the opposite and yet she still feels like she has a lost battle ahead of her.

She had talked with Maegelle, hugged her son, slept in Maron's arms, counseled Draeko, and Gods -how deeply she loved him when he listened to her advice- she had also walked the gardens with Vaegon and Aemon, and above all, she had avoided meeting Baelon and Viserra or rather they had managed to avoid their family for a day longer.

She had tried to keep her family's balance on her shoulders, which she should normally be proud of, so why was she angry?

There is no honest explanation, of course, except for the anger she felt grew stronger in her chest with each step that brought her closer to him.

Close to her father, the only person Saera needed to trust and still had disappointed her.

The first time she had felt disappointed by him was when he denied her the elephant she so wanted, but allowed Red Alyssa to have a dragon of her own.

A favor that she and the rest of her sisters would never have. 

Like it wasn't enough for her that she married Baelon who owned a dragon, or that she had turned him into her mount and rode him whenever she wanted.

Alyssa has been always a greedy bitch in her eyes, her worst nightmare, and Saera was deathly jealous of her.

Her hatred for her had one day led her to ask the king why her older sister had so many freedoms while the others had none. The answer confused her.
Alyssa behaved like a boy and could be free, but nobody was happy when Saera did so.

That was another reason she hated Alyssa, but Viserra had won her admiration.
She had claimed both the man she desired and a dragon of her own without having to marry first, she had grown from an impatient child to a mature woman and Saera could not leave her alone in this. Viserra deserved to know.

Saera's first choice was to talk about what she had heard - against her will - to Viserra herself, but this could endanger her little sister's wedding.

Saera knew quite well both Viserra's pride and Baelon's love. She had studied his face during their stay at Dragonstone, he had constellations in his eyes when he looked at their sister.

Only a man in love could do it and Saera turned towards her second choice, the difficult one.
She would talk to the king.

So she shut the door behind her without a clear plan in mind.

Although the smallfolk called him Wise, he has never been comfortable discussing such matters, and the discomfort that sometimes existed with each other because of what had happened made things worse.

The whole thing was a tangle of thoughts in her mind until she finds his gaze, his big lilac eyes filled with love and for a moment Saera cursed her tragic discovery.

"Have a seat." He showed her a comfortable armchair near the hearth, not far from his own, and he poured them mead into two cups.

"I would have offered you something heavier, but your mother told me you insist on breastfeeding your baby, even though you don't have to, Saera.
You are home. We can find a wet nurse to do so!"

Saera hid her uneasiness behind a smile.

Maybe her father could not understand the bliss and serenity she felt when her baby boy sucked on her nipple but she couldn't blame him for this.

Her mother had given birth to thirteen children, but few of them had breastfed with her own breast. As queen, she had to resume her duties without delay.

"Thank you for your care, Your Grace, but I don't need a wet nurse. My duties at Lys are specifically, my household and a few business affairs. I always have time to spend with my child. Besides, I'm here now and this place is peaceful as usual."

He stared at her face with an eye of true interest.

"But you are pale, Saera. You need some rest! Why do you refuse help when it can easily be given to you?"

"Because I can take care of myself, Your Grace. I'm not some weak little girl." Her words were sharper than they should have been, but the thought of his betrayal weighed heavily on her.

He leaves my sister in the dark just to protect his precious son. The one who should be apologizing to his wife on his knees already.

"I never said you were weak or anything, Saera, but you loved being cared for. You were always trying to get more attention. Even more than your siblings had.
If that's any different, I apologize."

She never had time to respond. The servers came back with trays full of steamed food,  Saera's favorite ones.

Pea soup, pumpkin roasting with chestnuts, carrots, and mushrooms, spinach salad with grated walnuts, fennel, and cheese, roast chicken honeyed with spices, salmon with honey and pink pepper, apple tarts, and gingerbread.

There were also two jugs filled to the brim with mint tea and mead.

To her surprise, he dismissed the servants with a flick of his wrist.

"I  just really want to be alone together, and since you run your own household, you can act as the lady of the house, I think."

Saera nipped her lip; she had exactly what she longed for for so many years, some private time with him, some time to heal the wound among them, and yet she felt bad.  How she wished she'd never heard that bloody conversation.

This wouldn't change, of course, but she could claim that it didn't happen, she could leave Viserra among the honey and milk of the early days of her marriage, safe in their brother's tight embrace.
Baelon was a bloody fool but he loved Viserra, Saera had a feeling that.
She could ask him about it later, she convinced herself, and her face brightened when the king's eyes stared into her face.

So, she decided to make peace, and the evening went on remarkably well. They ate, discussing light topics about Saera's stay on Lys - avoid, always the reason why she was there, or the time she was trained in a pillow house, - of which Saera was grateful.

When Jaehaerys put a second serving of apple pie on her plate, she wouldn't say no. She had already regained her weight from before the pregnancy and this movement was worthy of the relationship they both had, but no longer.

The good mood among them had made her forget her discovery and she had no intention of spoiling the evening, so she turned to a pleasant subject. A subject that turned out worthy of the Doom.

"They are beautiful." She murmured, touching the blue petals of the winter roses that were seated in a large tinted glass vase in the center of the table. Their smell reminded her of happy memories. "You must send some to Viserra tomorrow morning."

Jaehaerys' gaze narrows over her face, causing her to shiver.

"Your sister needs more food than flowers in her condition, and it's something her mate has taken now, although I can't say I like what they're doing. The servants whisper things, Baelon forgets that he must protect her and their babe!"

Saera knew exactly what he was referring to, a thing Aemon had confessed to her the day before.
With Viserra growing round with child, the king and queen had grown into psychotic bitches. They wouldn't let her fly until she gives birth to her child, something that upset her.

Baelon had decided to grant her whatever freedom she wanted so they were ready to fly to Driftmark and back quite shortly.

"Why not let her do as she pleases?" the words slipped out of her mouth easily, what they were doing to Viserra bothered her deeply.
"The maester says there is no risk if she rides her mount for once.  She needs to,"

"I said no and it's for good, Saera. Besides, I never interfered with her marriage. I forbade her to ride her mount out of pure concern for her and the child's health, but I didn't say a single word about her brother, even though she rides him every night."

His words aroused the anger that was hidden in her chest, a growing spark able to turn into a giant fire.

"How dare you?" She shrieked. "You prefer to see him fucked  that bitch who waiting for his bastard? Or do you think nobody would ever find out? You say you care about the health of Viserra and the baby, but you don't care about the mocking behind her back. What if she was in my place last night? to see a whore in our home asking to see her mate? What would happen then? what if something happened to her?"

A flood of tears came up in her eyes then and she cannot push the tide away, her breathing was heavy.

He says nothing, but his hand is raised enough to brush his hair.

This movement of his reminds her of her childhood and she wants to fall into his arms, into the warm embrace he always kept for her but she won't, not now, not until their ledgers are equal.

"You put me through my worst nightmare and you would have done the same to my sister. You'd rather see her married to a green boy or an old man older than you, but the baby growing into her ruined your plans, no? Yet you keep this whore here! Why? because she's your son's favorite?"

His face was stern when they looked at each other, but his voice was gentle.

"I understand you're upset, Saera. And this is a difficult matter to discuss.  All you have to know is that I did it not for Baelon's sake, but for the proper order of things. If a prince of blood cannot take over his responsibilities properly, how will he rule the realm when the time comes?"

" So you keep this whore here for the proper order of things? Don't lie to yourself, my Lord! What will happen if Baelon gets bored of the marital bed? Will he take her again with your blessings?"

" This will never happen, Saera." The Conciliator replied once more, his face as cold and without expression as a statue. "You should have more trust in your brother. As for the girl was a kitchen maid, not some whore! And she's married also, your mother handled it!"

His words brought her a wave of growing anger, and when she looked at him again her face had turned red.

"You're a liar!" She cried once again, her voice covered in grief. "You pretend to love us but you don't care about us truly! certainly not as much as you care about your beloved sons. You were always the same!"

The voice coming out of his lips was the same as the night he told her she was leaving for Oldtown- to redeem herself for her sins- and Saera shivered.

"For the last time, I'm asking you to stop this nonsense. I'm willing to forget the words that were spoken because they came from a place of pure love for your sister and I'm grateful for that. Yet you must show more trust in Baelon as well. He's a grown man, he knows how to deal with it!"

"Then you are nothing but a bloody fool, but I will not allow my sister to be hurt, even from him!"

It was the last thing she said before shut-off the door behind her truly angry. If Saera Targaryen had learned anything too well over the years, it was to do a spectacular outing.

She was not happy about this development, however, but rather lost.

Knowing pretty well the king's character she had avoided going back to her chambers.
This would be the first place Jaehaerys would seek her, if he did, of course.

Really disappointed and sad, she walks down the hall that led to the yard in search of some fresh air. The bottle of cider already half empty weighed dangerously into her hand. 

The wine she had stolen from the kitchen, of course, instead of helping make things worse, and for the first time felt truly helpless.

There were people who could help her, of course, her husbands, and her sweet sister, Maegelle, but Saera dismissed the idea at once. The three of them would advise her to talk to the king one more time.

It was something she didn't want, her thoughts a tangled mess.
She took a deep breath, staring into the darkness of the courtyard and his handsome face immediately came into her mind.

Aemon. The quiet, the shy, the beloved. The one who went to Oldtown secretly from their father to see her, the one who always kept an eye upon his siblings.

He could advise her properly, hold her in his arms like the perfect big brother he was. This was what she desperately needed.

He had left in the early afternoon to meet some farmers and she hadn't seen him coming back but she would look for him anyways.

It was the lady Jocelyn who welcomed her into his solar, however, beautiful as sin.

Her raven hair fell to her shoulders and her gray-blue eyes twinkled mischievously. She was wearing a nightgown of silk and myrish lace, an elegant, fine thing that gave a new meaning to sinfulness and caused Saera to wonder if she had interrupted anything and if she was undesirable there.

Staring her closely from head to toe, the princess, who had inherited the famous Valyrian beauty, felt like an ugly little girl.

The skirt was all black silk, long enough to cover her long legs with a damn slit high up her thigh.
The upper part was made entirely of black lace with embroidered black flowers covering only the main part. The skin of her thin belly was visible to others along with much of her breasts.

"Coming in?" The words coming out of her lips were like sweet music and Saera was sure that she looked at her like a fool but she could do naught.

"My Pale Prince hasn't come back yet, but you're welcome to wait here. Do you want to share a drink with me?"

She nodded, because of the dryness of her mouth. The drink, however, was nothing but honeyed wine ably to lighten Saera's rage.

After a few sips, she felt better and thanked her good sister for that while Jocelyne leaned over her, fondled her hair, and kissed her on the brow. It was a feeling of sweetness and Saera let her. She was comforted somehow.

"I always have time for our family, niece,  your siblings know that well. If you have any issues, please let me know."

No wonder Aemon had such a wonderful marriage. He and Jocelyn had a charming way to calm the world around them. Saera thought and surrendered to the contact with her good sister.

It reminded her of the days when all was calm and peaceful and she was in the company of her dear friends, her Pretty Perri, and her Sweetberry.

"I thought it would be all right this time, but I couldn't stop myself. Not when he's a fucking liar."

"Jaehaerys a liar?" Her gray-blue eyes narrowed on Saera's face, looking at her slyly.  "Νο. My half brother is many things, liar is not one of them."

Resentment flared within Saera's chest.

"How can you justify him when he wanted to put you aside just so Aemon would have a male heir? Like you didn't already give him a grandchild! What can a son do in comparison with a daughter? What can Baelon's sons do that Rhaenys cannot do?
Just one thing. To fuck a whore as their father did."

"This idiot! This fucking idiot!" Jocelyn muttered through her teeth, still brushing Saera's hair with her fingers.

"I told Aemon that her stay on the island would bring nothing but trouble, but your father insisted that it was the proper order of things. To raise the child close to his father. I'm not even sure he's the father!"
Saera was struck again by a wave of frustration. "Is Aemon in on this?"

"Of course he is! When did Baelon ever do something Aemon didn't know? The truth shocked him quite a bit, but it was too late to act differently. She was with child at the time."

"So the men in our family have their own rules of right and wrong, hm? Even him! I always thought he wasn't like Father!" Saera whimpered, laying her head on Jocelyn's neck.

"He is not, but he can't always respond as he pleases, Saera. He's not the king. Not yet!"

Jocelyn wasn't really mad at her half-brother.
They had a pretty good relationship, but she often had the impression that there was a thorn between them. Something that hurts them to the core. She had some suspicions about this matter.

I gave Aemon no male heir and he needed a grandson to rule after them but he's blind. I gave him a granddaughter instead, the future queen who will make Westeros wealthy and powerful, after her father.

"This fucking king is the cause of our suffering and he always does whatever he wishes. Jaehaerys the Wise reigns not only over the realm but over our lives as well."

Saera was upset, tired, and sad. To get hold of into a warm embrace was like a balm to her wounds. She doesn't care anymore who that hug belonged to.

So, It was not a difficult task to tell her all that had happened, including Barth's bloody talk with that girl. Jocelyn was kind and sweet and understanding and the princess felt good near her, although they had no special relationship when Saera was a little girl.

However, it was the first time Saera had ever spoken to her for so many hours without Jocelyn interrupting her once, even when Saera was complaining like a child.

Jocelyn's presence made her feel better and suddenly her body was burning, the candles and fire made the room warmer, even to her own taste.

She helped her unbutton her cloak, and soon enough her long, elegant fingers made their way up her body over her gown, sending waves of shiver down her spine. 

It was surprisingly pleasant and brought back memories of the pillow house, she had once trained in. If she wanted this for once if she claimed it, who could blame her?  What else remains for women, in a world ruled by men, except for pure pleasure?

"They wanted you to marry Aemon, right?" The question fell like lightning and surprised Saera so much that she didn't know how to respond.

"Of course, it was you. The little sister who understands Valyria's ways and is beautiful enough to seduce him. He is shy at times but strong as a bull and you won't find him boring in bed, not at all." Jocelyn winked at her with a wicked grin upon her lips, and Saera felt her cheeks getting warmer.

Jocelyn felt terribly wronged.

She had left her home to protect her brother's legacy.
"You must do your duty, their Graces will always protect your brother against anyone who wants to claim Storm's End, even my own brother, damn him. I give them a future queen, to keep an eye on both of you always. I failed to do so."

She had hidden in Boremund's bed that night, but at dawn, she was ready to go and follow her father to the capital. This was the last time she saw him but she had never forgotten his last words. "Never forget who you are, Jocelyn. In your veins flows the blood of the Durrandons, the last kings of the Storm, you will one day be queen."

She had been preparing for this her whole life and yet they wanted to find a second wife for Aemon like they didn't care about the family they had together. So, why shouldn't she do as she pleases even for once?

"I would never accept such a thing!"
The words barely came out of Saera's mouth, but when she looked upwards she saw Jocelyn's sad gaze, which made her heart beat faster in her chest. 

"I only went to bed with Aemon, yet in my childhood, I used to play kissing games with my cousins, but that's as far as we got. It was inappropriate to three young ladies." She bit her lower lip while the words were coming out of her mouth.

"No one can blame you for that, Jocelyn. I did some things I'm terribly sorry for."

They kissed a little afterward.  Their mouths moved against each other and Jocelyn nipped the bottom of Saera's lips, sucked on it lightly, and licked inside, finding her eager tongue and caressing it with hers. 

The sound of the door suddenly opening together with the sound of his boots against the stone as he walks into the room caused them to stop fondling and kissing.

The Prince of Dragonstone found them sitting side by side with red cheeks and trembling hands and gave them the brightest of his smiles.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but after I came home from the village, I saw Father. He was upset. I had to stay with him until he calmed down like this damn day wasn't already too long." He complained earning a twin look of interest. The place turned hotter suddenly.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my love? You look tired!"

"And drunk!"

It was not the contact with these common folk that made him tired, but the court itself. The king was not a bad man he just had some insight into the order of things which, in Aemon's eyes, was false.

We raise dragons in this family, no matter what gender they are.

He would change the order of things for Rhaenys, whatever the cost, but the burden of that particular responsibility often took his breath away.
Τhis had no fun.
There were times he was jealous that Baelon wouldn't have to listen to the small council every day.

"These farmers make an excellent blueberry wine! So my sweet sister is right, I'm surely drunk!  But is enough with all that whining. What are you talking about?" He asked, unbuttoning his cloak before walking towards them.

"Oh, you already know, I believe, since you come from your father," Jocelyn whined leaving her seat and sliding into his lap, winking at Saera, who spread her body relaxing in the armchair.

"I will speak to our stupid brother in the morrow, this foolishness must end. I agree Vis needs to know the truth, but for all of your needs, you can come to me. Leave Father to deal with his roads."

He always speaks with the voice of the future king, 
yet his face turns red when he is shy.
It was the first time an evil thought crossed Saera's mind and she laughed desperately, watching him drinking all his wine in three big sips. Although it was quite late Jocelyn had opened a bottle of Arbor red.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" She asked sheepishly, filling her cup to the brim. Jocelyn tousled  Aemon's hair, glancing at her from time to time. "I breastfed my baby before I came here. He won't wake up before the first light! I don't want to go back."

"We did this as children, it was fun. Remember Aemon? Besides, our bed is big enough!" Jocelyn replied first, smiling gently at both of them... And Aemon nodded.
It was something they did when they were children, he, Alyssa, Baelon, and Jocelyn often shared a bed telling scary stories until sunrise.

Nothing bad had ever come of it so what difference would it make now?

It was funny being in the same bed, covered with the furs they used as blankets. For some foolish reason, Aemon, the solemn, the shy, the sensible, behaved like a little boy playing with Saera's curls.

"Fuck you!" She wailed as he accidentally pulled a lock of her hair.

"If they found us all in one bed, they'd think so." Jocelyn laughs back, making Aemon's face turns red. "Even though it might not be part of your father's plan."

"I'm not like Baelon, I would never bed my sisters, at least not as long as I understand what I'm doing." He moans more frustration about developing with Cass.
If there was anything Aemon hated so much, it was to support one of his siblings against another.

"Your problem shouldn't be that he fucked Viserra,  but I can't tell for Red Alyssa that much, of course. But you, big brother, should be more worried that he brought a whore here, in our home, and our royal sires care more about her own comfort than Viserra's."

Saera's words were followed by a blow on his ribs, so hard that he had to bite his lip instead of letting out a moan.

The double kiss on his neck was sweet well, and while the lips of Jocelyn and Saera were so fucking warm upon his skin, sending chills down his spine, he remained calm.

They had promised each other that they would do nothing but what they were doing as children, even if Aemon had never played kissing games with anyone but Jocelyn.

"And if she's lying? What if the child isn't his? Didn't he tell you he didn't remember much of this day?"

"Because that fucker was drunk, Jos!"

He wasn't really mad at him, but this story had upset them again and Baelon hadn't spoken to Viserra yet.
Aemon still hadn't seen her even from afar but he could smell it.

He prefers her lying beneath him for the time being because he thinks that if she is well fucked her rage will be lesser.

A mad thought crossed Saera's mind at this time, but she could not help saying so.

"What if it wasn't only the wine, but there was also poison in his blood?"

"Poison? that would kill him, Saera! Even his blood couldn't keep him alive then. Besides, no man at Dragonstone could harm us. In the Keep maybe, since it's bigger and there are many more servants, but here... no, I know the people who work here one by one."

In no case did he want to believe that his family could be in danger inside the walls of the fortress that the Targaryens had built when they left Valyria's Freehold.

My only child is here, my little princess sleeps under this roof.
He was always kind to those around him, but if anyone hurt Rhaenys, they would no doubt meet Caraxes' anger.
And he likes to burn things.

Νο, she's wrong! He reassured himself staring at her pretty face. After all, the castle is built with Valyrian magic to keep us safe for the rest of our lives. Queen Visenya had said that to my father and him to me when I was a shy young child.

Jocelyn, however, had understood what Saera was implying and had removed the furs, leaving all three only in nightclothes.

"They never expected him to die from a stupid infection caused by a rusty nail, nephew. This was their second plan, to let him burn like a candle until the Stranger would take him from the world of the living!"

"Which means someone had to poison him, but something happened then!"

Once he would have called them crazy, but he remembered Baelon's words and the frightened expression of Cass, the girl who trembled every time his eyes were upon her.

"Since you know all the servants here it must have been someone new, there are recruitment books, right? We can find out who it was!"

He feels his body freeze and stiffens at Saera's words. How could I be such a fucking idiot?

"I ask you a second time, who has the books, Aemon? If the maester has them, I can go and ask for him now, but I can't go to the king's chambers this time of night!"

"What?"

"What am I supposed to say? Hello big brother, I'm here to see your stuff, have no fear. I will go back to my own chambers quite soon!"

The mention of his father finally lightened his head and he looked at Jocelyn, who was holding Saera's hand, with wide eyes.

"You don't need to go anywhere, as Prince of Dragonstone it's my duty to check those things. I remember very clearly who was the last one hired in our castle."

As he watched their cheeks blushed by the
the emotion and heat of the room, Aemon sighed in frustration.

There were many descriptions of how he felt after this long day, but one of them worked out so well.  Fucking!

The day starts with the feeling of his lips on her bare skin, which has become a habit now, a week after their wedding.

She enjoys it a lot.

For a week they are away from court, locked within the four walls of the chamber that Viserra loves so much.

Every time they lie in bed they promise themselves that it is the last moment they will make love and that the next morn they will return to their common duties, but each morning begins just the same.

His lips create a path from her nape to the soft curves of her bottom, a part of her that Baelon has grown to love so much.

She giggles every time his lips leave endless hot kisses on her perfect arse-cheeks, but every time she turns to face him, her face is red like a rose.

It's something he likes because it makes her look innocent but she's not.
She didn't have Alyssa's tastes at all, but each day she's more confident and creative in their bed.

He hadn't yet managed to show her the prayer book the king had given him before his marriage to Alyssa, mostly out of worry and fear that it would scare her.

This was no holy book or religious in any case, and he always laughed when he remembered that Aemon had called it by this name because its cover was similar to the queen's prayer book. It had been owned by their family from the days of Valyria and was one of the treasures that the Targaryens had brought with them to Dragonstone before the Doom. It was a book in three copies and passed down from father to son.

Baelon knew perfectly well that he and Aemon had two of them and the other still belonged to the king.
Although he gave it to Vaegon once, he returned it before going to Oldtown.

He blinked, dismissing the idea that he might still be using it. His royal sires were still young, of course, and although the queen was past her fertile years Baelon knew they still laying together for no reason beyond the joy of it. It did not bother him at all but he always felt sick with the idea that they could still be flipping through it together.

He had glanced at its context once or twice, but Alyssa always laughed when he told her about it and said every time they didn't have to read a book to get fucked.

 On the contrary, Viserra had always had a natural curiosity, since she was a child, and it would be easy to persuade her to flip through it together.

Of course, he was hoping that this would just be a start. They would soon find plenty of interesting things to do in bed like this picture that always haunted his mind.

A man and a woman kissing and caressing each other's private parts with their mouths and tongs.

Don't be silly he scolded himself, kissing Viserra's swollen stomach before slowly bending down and burying his head between her thighs. She has to learn how to use her mouth on you first.

He would never press her to do it, of course, he was always willing to give her pleasure and he loved to lead at her peak her using his tongue and mouth until she was crying beneath him, eyes closed, red lips apart, begging him to fuck her.

As now, but this time he had to leave her and he hated it, but on the other hand, he enjoyed torturing her from time to time.

Alright, that was a lie. He always preferred her beneath him with her thighs spread wide for him, so, It was not an easy task to put on his breeches and boots.

"Where do you think you're going?" She stretched out on the bed, legs apart, unashamedly showing him what he would lose, even for a moment.
He glanced at her, trying not to look between her legs, but it was her whole sight that sent chills down his spine.

"Do you want me to hold off the Prince of Dragonstone from his duties?" What if he's looking for a new place to take his wife this time and he wants my view?

He had said nothing to Viserra about the unfortunate meet with them, but he still felt strange when he thought about it.

He laughed every time, but their two bodies joined into one and the little sighs that had left their mouths had aroused his curiosity. Will she ever say yes to it?

"Besides, I need his help." He whispered against her neck before their lips squeezed together and his tongue searched hers. "Don't you want to mount Sunfyre to Driftmark and back?"

"I want to fly to the Free Cities! Saera told me Lys is lovely. Wouldn't you like to swim on a seashore with me? Saltwater be the only thing upon our naked bodies, my beloved!"

He took her bottom lip between his teeth and their tongues danced together. Viserra deepened the kiss filling his mouth with her tongue until he gasped, one hand through his hair while the other down his waist.
He liked her bravery. Her small, warm hand on his ass sent waves of pleasure up his spine.

He liked what she had in mind. Was he not dreaming about it countless times? Both alone on an empty beach, making love in the starlight.

"I'll be late and Aemon will kill me for it!" He moans against her mouth and her small hand slips down the front of his breeches and wraps around the waking beast.

"Gods be damned!" He cried out while she squeezes gently, admiring how his shaft hardening and moved in her full grip.

He gasped and a whimper escaped his mouth as she squeezes gently; "Viserra," he groans as if he is in pain. "I-"
Perfectly satisfied to be merciful, she draws him out. 
"You, what, Baelon? You didn't expect your little sister to excite you that much?"
She kisses him to drown out his protest then, her mouth pillows against his, biting tenderly and her tongue curling to his own, sweet presses of flesh savoring flesh.

The thought that she might wrap her hot lips around his member and take him into her tight mouth made his manhood twitch in her grip.

"For Gods' sake, Vis." His hand joined hers as she continued to stroke him up and down, he slowed her down but did not stop her. She likes that.

She only stopped for a moment to pay attention to the sensitive pink head of his manhood, stroking it with her fingertips.

"Evil witch, I can no longer." He wanted to have her that time, but she batted his hand off when he tried to spread her thighs.

"This time I'll show you my love, brother."

She needed only a moment and a few firm caresses before her Spring Prince came, leaving his moans to escape his throat, emptying his seed into her hand, gasping.

"Such is my love brother!"

"Oh, Vis!" He mumbled into her mouth, but she's evil and likes to torture him, so she licked her fingers tasting his seed.

"You may go now, my beloved, give our big brother my warmest regards!"

The dream was as sweet as a memory, but nothing could convince him he hadn't indeed dreamed of it.

It couldn't be true anyway, no matter how realistic it was.

He had awoken with a heavy head from drinking, wearing nothing but his smallclothes, as did Jocelyn sleeping beside him, but as he made his way to the Dragonmote the cold air managed to clear his head more than the mint tea he had taken in his solar a few hours earlier.

He did not remember when the three went to sleep since they had emptied two bottles of red Arbor. Surely, Saera would have left at first light, to go back to her baby boy.

He didn't remember her leaving, however, just as he didn't remember anything apart from the conversation they had about their siblings.

They had come up with a pretty silly plan, but it was their only option anyway.
Firstly Baelon and Viserra had to leave the court, and not only for one day.
When they were far enough away, he would call Cass to the castle.
They were supposed to do it for the sake of friendly discussion, but it was pretty much a common questioning.

It was their first disagreement, but not their last. Each of them wanted to deal with this differently and fortunately, they agreed on one thing all along. No matter what, Cass needed to be treated kindly and discreetly.

Their second disagreement took place a short time later and was worse than the first. They had no idea where they were going to send their siblings.

Out of true love, the Prince of Dragonstone had initially left both Jocelyn and Saera to choose, but the dragon woke up inside him when they suggested Essos.

They were women, right? They had both been with child once, and they had all the attention of the world upon them.

They didn't need to be dragonriders to know that 
flying on dragonback across the Narrow Sea during winter would be dangerous for Viserra, and for the Gods' sake! He wouldn't let his nephew be born this far away.

Tarth had turned out to be a wise choice and Aemon had joined them in this stupid kissing game just after their agreement, kissing each other on the lips.

Their third argument almost brought a new Doom. They were all in agreement to divert the king and queen's attention elsewhere, but where?

Each of their plans was more foolish than the previous one and Aemon felt himself losing his good temper.

So they decided to go ahead with no real plan until Jocelyn suggested a betrothal. Aemon was far from certain whether Boremund would accept an arranged union, but Saera and Jocelyn were right, he and Alyria Massey had gotten pretty close the night of the wedding feast.

After all, it had been two years since his late wife passed away, leaving him with no heir, and the possibility of such a union would certainly please their Graces.

Or so the three of them wanted to believe before deciding to spend the rest of the evening sharing equally scary stories and kisses on the lips until they fall asleep.

It was foolish, but it was sweet at the same time and even though Aemon never did that as a child, at least with someone other than Jocelyn, it was fun to do so even now. It was quite innocent.

That it wasn't that fucking dream.

"You are late!" Baelon's voice interrupted his thoughts and Aemon pouted, expressing his displeasure, but of course, the Spring Prince did not let himself be discouraged.

'Wasn't your bed so comfortable or have you united body, heart, and soul with your fair wife over and over again last night?"

"You talk? Your fucking moaning sounds all over this castle."

"Normally I should apologize, brother, but I can't get my hands off οf her or my face out of her thighs!" A wicked smirk had formed on Bealon's face while waiting for Aemon's reply, but he did not seem at all annoyed by these comments.

"If she tortures you when you lie down with her, she's already earned my admiration, I know full well these wicked tastes you have, valonqar!"

"My cock hurts but you don't look good either."

"Because I'm tired of governing, you idiot!" Or truly fucking but that was just a dream. Wine and these silly kissing games play with my mind as if I were a green boy but in no way is that true.

He made the memory of that bloody dream disappear when he coughed to clear his throat. "Saera knows about you and Cass, she fought with Father last night because he stood by you! I think you should talk to Viserra."

"Me and Cass? are you out of your mind? There is nothing more between us but I must look after her even though she's married now! she is expecting my child!"

"Are you really sure about this? I mean -," Aemon took a break to pick out the right words, "are you sure she didn't sleep with anyone after you, so to get with child? It was a way she could avoid losing the benefits she had as your mistress."

"She stayed with me that night, and she never got the moon tea. It was my fault! I was sad, I didn't want to be by myself."

You bloody idiot!  "She told Septon Barth to intercede for a private visit with you, and I believe she knows something about the riot against us! She's probably in fear! I'll call her here when you leave!"

When Bealon looked at him again it was like he was standing in front of a pumpkin. I should have been more subtle. I gave him a lot of information that is nothing but speculation.

"Go where? what are you talking about? If she knows a thing, I should be here!"

He had but one way of handling Bealon's persistence.

"Your beautiful wife will tell you the same thing, that you should be together, and if she finds out the truth from someone else, there are two ways! Either she'll tie you to the bedpost and ride you for her pleasure alone until your cock can no longer stand or you will see her sweet cunt again after years!"

He felt terrible saying these things. Sorry, little sister, but this is for your happiness.

His words had some effect, however, when the Spring Prince returned to his senses, either by the mention of the private parts of Viserra, or by the words Aemon said, or both; the Prince of Dragonstone didn't understand what finally awoke his little brother!

"So where are we off to?"

"Tarth! we already sent a raven to Evenfall Hall last night! You won't come back until my raven comes to you, which is about two weeks away!"

"We? Are you and your pretty aunt making plans instead of fucking one another?"

Seven Hells, why was he such a prick sometimes?

"Saera did this, not Jocelyn! No matter how upset she was, wanted to help me,"

He regretted his confession immediately afterwards! It was great to spend time with Saera, he had a bad fight with the king when he insisted that she be harshly punished, he had secretly visited her and helped her run away...
Their sire's desire to get married to one another once had only aroused sorrow in his heart, for Gods' sake Saera was just his mischievous little sister, and...

"And you fucked her worthily in exchange? How goes your aunt? Is she aware of this?"

Baelon asked with a raised eyebrow, smiling like it was funny, but it wasn't, of course, and the bloody dream came back into Aemon's mind.

"Fuck you, cunt!" He shouted out, but Baelon had already embraced him and how could he be mad at him?
Wasn't it always the same anyway?
They loved their siblings dearly, but their bond was unbreakable as if they were both one heart in two bodies.
"Look after yourself and οur sister, I take care of the rest!" He whispers by tapping his shoulder and Baelon turns the movement, his eyes blink and his cheeks blush.

"Thank you, brother! You always do! You are the best brother we could ever have!"

He nodded in silence. Baelon was right most of the time, but it was impossible for Aemon, as a brother, to envision things that the damn dream reminded him of over and over again.

He had his face between Jocelyn's legs but it was Saera's thighs that surrounded his fingers with her moist heat as she cried out his name and that was inappropriate even in the dream world.

Chapter Text

Dragonstone, King  Jaehaerys I Targaryen

"What happened to both of you? How can you have anything to do with this nonsense?"

Jaehaerys' voice was cold and harsh and so mingled with Vermithor's cry that the Prince of Dragonstone thought for a moment that his father was the dragon itself.

The shaking hand of Saera in his palm made him feel bad.

He wouldn't let his little sister be punished for this. After all, what they had seen happen was the work of all three of them, although the king ordered only the two of them to stay in the yard sending Jocelyn back to her chambers.

Like she's a stupid child or his beloved little sister something he won't admit! But we are his children, so naturally, we will be punished for what we have done!

But what they had done was magnificent, Saera had whispered in his ear while the wings of the two dragons had stretched into the sky above Dragonstone.

Vhagar and Sunfyre were already flying out of the island, but not without the king realizing it.

Jaehaerys had run into the courtyard, with his cloak unbuttoned, but even if the cold was intense, no trace of it touched his bones. Pure anger ran through his veins.

"Saddle Vermithor!" He had screamed at the dragonkeepers, but it was Alysanne's hand around his shoulders that had stopped him.

"And then what? Will you fly against Vhagar? Even with Baelon upon her back, this hoary old bitch has a fire that could burn knights in their armor, not a man in his daily velvet. Vermithor is massive, aye, but he's still smaller than her!"

He stared at her both annoyed and frustrated. "But they're gone like thieves, Alysanne! As if they did not understand the responsibility at stake!"

"They are just in love and need time of their own, my love; we did the same thing in the early years of our marriage." The queen calmed down his anger. "They will be back soon."

The Prince of Dragonstone nip his lip until he drew blood. No, they wouldn't return as fast as the queen thought they would, but he won't tell his parents now.

"They would never have left like thieves if you had allowed her to fly from time to time. She missed that."

Aemon pressed Saera's hand enough to know that she should not carry on the already tense conversation, but gently enough not to hurt her.

Oh, little sister, why are you making things worst than they already are?

"Don't you understand, Saera? I didn't do this because I wanted to punish her, but because I really care. You may not believe me, but I really do."

Aemon felt his heart almost stop in his chest. It would not be hard for them to start a new quarrel with one another, on the contrary.

"You could have shown her then. Βe kind to her. Something you never did." Saera's voice was gentle as she replied bitterly.

"Perhaps I should have, but it's easier to fight an entire war than to raise daughters yet I tried. I really did. She wants freedom, needless to say, but I've lost two daughters in childbirth. I can't lose another one."

So this is all. It was the first time that the king mentioned the daughters he had lost in their delivery; the poor princess Daella, that he wanted so much to marry her to a lord.

"It will not happen to her, Father." The Prince of Dragonstone heard himself say without thinking of his words.  " Viserra is strong and-," He never got to the end of that sentence. His Grace's concerns were justified, especially because of his own mother's last birth, as Aemon knew.

Yes, Vis was strong; a cute, lively girl but wasn't Jocelyn the same? And yet, the childbirth really wore her down for over half a year?
Did not the queen herself have two childbirths so difficult that the maesters feared for her life? Wasn't she bedridden for six months after Valerion was born?
Alyssa was far from fragile like Daella and yet childbirth turned out to be a bloody battle for both.

Having a daughter to himself, the light of his life, he could sense their father's concern.

Women who deliver babies fight like knights on a battlefield.

He gently pressed Saera's hand, staring at their mother's face. The Good Queen still had a soft and warm smile for all of them, even when they were just naughty children, which never change.

"It's rather cold out here. Let's go inside," Saera, at last, murmured, always holding Aemon's hand in her own. This was a consoling gesture, which gave strength to both.

The Conciliator nodded wearily.

"I don't want to punish any of you, Saera, but I don't want to lose any of you either. Ι have sacrificed much for the good of the realm, I wish to spend my last years in peace."

Those specific words filled the princess's heart with fear. It had only been two years and a half since she went to Oldtown and then fled to Essos, but the king was no longer the strong man he was in the old days.

"I was there all the times the maester examined her. Both of them were in perfect health and Baelon would take care of her.  He promised us before they rode their dragons. Nothing will send our Viserra into early labor, fear not."

"Of course he did, but Viserra's stomach grows rounder every day, like a pumpkin. Flying on dragonback may become dangerous for a pregnant woman and Seven Hells, it's winter! Sunfyre has not flown under such conditions."

The prince's restless gaze found the queen's, and Alysanne nodded. "Family confessions are sacred, we all agree, but it's time to go inside the castle. The cold is growing stronger and Saera has been away from her baby for quite some time."

When the king reached for Saera's left hand, Aemon took a deep breath, feeling grateful that the tense conversation had ended quickly.

This was just the beginning, as his royal parents would soon realize that his siblings' absence would be longer than they thought, but Aemon's always had a proverb from childhood; "Be alive today, fight tomorrow."
*
*
*
Back in their chambers, Alysanne carefully placed her blue cloak on a chair and then warmed her hands on the hearth.

"Ι can't believe you made your peace with our Saera so easily when you were like an angry demon when you heard the dragons flying," The queen said as he approached her.  He kisses her forehead, then her hair. It was a rare day she had her hair down and she's not wearing the hairnet she's been wearing lately.

"I have no desire to lose anyone else, Alyssane. I mean every word I said, but you can tell me what those three are cooking together. You still know all our children's secrets, I think, so just tell me! I won't go mad, I promise, my queen."

She shrugged and smiled playfully at him. "Not this one, your Grace! Baelon didn't come to me to say his farewells. I know he would give to our Viserra all the freedom she wanted, but I have no idea what he and his siblings have planned!"

His arms wrapped around her thin waist, and he pulled her to him. The close contact between them did not tire them at all after having been married for so many years.

"Not these three, my queen. Our half-sister, Aemon, and Saera have knotted this riddle well, but are dangling the key above our heads!"

"The three of them together?" Alysanne laughed. "Aemon wouldn't be able to! He was always shy among many ladies!"

Aemon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, Heir to The Iron Throne

It soon became clear that things that were difficult for Aemon were nothing but a game for Jocelyn.

"It happens my Lord," her hands moved on his body greedily when he shut down the door of his solar behind him. "Boremund has accepted the betrothal we proposed, their Graces will be very busy in the coming days; so tell me, when are you going to see her?"

He returned the favor to her with one palm on her back and gently rubbed it. "Honestly, how did you do it? I never expected him to accept it so easily! The last time I talked to him, he wouldn't even consider a new marriage."

She purred like a cat, and his hand went down below her waist, touching her more persistently this time. 

"Do you doubt me, nephew?"

He felt the word in his cock. She used that very often because she knew how it affected him. And it affects him a lot.

By now he's completely forgotten about their conversation and all he can think about is her, fucking herself on his manhood. Would this be a safe day to have her normal?

She moves away from him like an eel, leaving him burning, panting, and ashamed; he will not have her before night, he knows, or before she wants it truly. He's not going to press the issue any further. Jocelyn loves her little games and his insistence will turn against him.

He fills their glasses with wine to clear his mind, while gently pressing a  discreet hand against his cock to stop his arousal. 

He hopes she changes the subject of their conversation, but she giggles, giggles, and pulls his bottom lip with careful teeth, filling his mouth with her tongue. Gods, this is torture.

"Is he a simple man, no?" Her hand moves in front of his breeches and touches him over the fabric sending chills to his spine.

"What?" He gasps as her small hand still squeezes him over the laces and spun cloth.

Seven Hells, he is a dragon but he feels like a simple man each time she touches him. Gentle words, sweet kisses, and cunning caresses, this is how a man falls to his knees for a woman.

When she raises her eyebrow to tease him as he is lost in the pleasure of her touches, he finds an opportunity to wrap his arms around her slim waist, raising his left hand in her armpit. "You shall not dare," she yells, but of course he dares, and she tries to free herself from his embrace, she tries to escape the agonizing sensation of tickling.

"Fuck off!" She shouts because he does not leave her a single inch to escape his grip but he is so handsome with this boyish smile on his face, pale lilac eyes shining, and red lips parted that she already feels wet for him when she presses her thighs together.

"You are brutal, I swear before the Old Gods and the New if you go on," she sighed, but he won't let her finish her sentence; he tilts his head down so much that he kisses the line between her breasts.

Jocelyn had developed a special taste for court fashion over the years so she wore a blue dress of deep blue velvet, with golden embroidery on the skirt, long enough to cover her legs, and tightly enough at her waist. It left her neck and chest exposed, parts of her that Aemon was so fond of. The shawl that was sewn on the gown covered her arms, leaving the skin on the rest of her hand also uncovered.

"Gods, every day you grow more beautiful, how can I not desire you?"

"There's a job left in the middle!" She grumbled against his neck then, and it was only when they heard Rhaenys' voice from the outside that they stopped their usual games. "This is something we didn't think of when we sent our Viserra away. Rhaenys loves her, spends a lot of time in her company."

"I know, I know, but maybe in Viserra's absence, she'll get closer to Viserys! I'll also allow her a short flight with Meleys, Jos!" He apologized.

"With Caraxes at their side! I don't want her flying all alone in stormy weather."

"With Caraxes at her side and us upon his back," he reassured her. "To think that you grew up in the Stormlands and have blood in your veins from the Storm Kings!"

"Get fucked, Aemon! I  was only six years old when I came to court! The Keep is my home."

"Do I?" He chuckles and pulls her face to his to put aside the offense.

"You trapped me," she whispers on his chest as he holds her in his arms. Constellations shine upon their faces.

"You speak half-truths, my love! I believe you like being trapped in my arms!"

"Aemon!" His mouth swallows the word and her bottom lip together before lifting her in his arms and laying her tenderly on the furs that are spread on the floor, before the lighted hearth.

There's plenty of time for other things, but later.
*
*
*
"Tell me now, my love!" 

Curled up in the arms of her Pale Prince, Jocelyn pulled the fur to completely cover their naked bodies, while his fingertips marked a path from her breast to her hips.
  His touch on her bare skin was usually the fire itself, but this time he relaxed her.

She still felt his warm, sticky seed rolling over her breasts, where he dropped it off a few minutes ago.
This was another game of theirs.

"It was easier than you think, just not because he thought of it. He couldn't say no! Not after I told him I knew about it."

"What else are you aware of?" He asked curiously but was not able to catch a glimpse of her gaze. He buried his face into her raven hair, instead, and smelled her sweet perfume.

"Oh, Aemon, that dance at the wedding feast was only the start, of course. The Massey girl had a lovely evening with him! She's still a maiden, you know, but," she bit her lower lip with her teeth and stopped talking for a moment, which was enough to lift his body up and see her face.

"But?" He parrots.

She looked at him under her long black eyelashes, raising an eyebrow. "How many times have you sent me to my climax, my Lord, with just your smart fingers in my cunt?"

His face turned red. "How would you know that?"

She shrugged. "Because, my love, my maids were instructed to do so by me!"

"You were spying!"

"Naturally!" She laughs. "One of the many great things I learned in court is to know what is happening in my home, one way or the other."

She told him what her maids had said to her, and all that was heard was the noise of the fire, apart from their breath and her voice. Aemon has always paid close attention to her words since childhood. Baelon has always been his best friend and faithful companion, but Jocelyn has always been the wisest adviser.

"Maybe he got mad with me at first, but he admitted I was protecting his legacy. He has been widowed for two years and has no male heir."

Ηe cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

"Look at me, please!" There was moisture in her eyes, but he used his thumb to chase it away. "You have given me far more than I could have hoped for. A true warrior princess and yourself."

When he pinched her dark pink nipple, she screamed, but tilted his head on her tits and took her other nipple in his mouth, sucking gently!

"Fool! We should have cleaned ourselves up first!"

His seed ran dry on her, but what Jocelyn had thought was more like a hot bath with him than what he had just done.

"That's what you love me for, though, isn't it?"

He was always the shy Pale Prince, with good manners and kind heart, but in their bed, he turned into a completely different man, a freak, and she loved him madly for it.

"I'll call for a bath," he whispered in her ear, "and then we'll find our Rhaenys in the pit so you need to dress comfortably and warmly. I want a day of family time today, my love, I'll call Cass in the morrow."

He was still thinking about the confusing situation, of course, but this day belonged only to his little family.

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

It was a normal afternoon, the fog that had covered the entire island was the only reason why Rhaenys had finally stopped flying around Dragonstone and also the reason that had forced him to return to his usual duties.

He had retreated to his solar to complete some of the work that had been delayed due to the wedding, as the rebuilding of houses at Flea Bottom which had been destroyed by the floods.

He had started to read Aemon's detailed report about the progress of this work, which, to their displeasure was delayed because of the winter, when he heard Rhaenys' voice shouting instructions to Meleys.

His steps then brought him closer to a window without thinking too much about it.

When Rhaenys commanded the Red Queen in High Valyrian to follow her wishes, again and again, Jaehaerys felt his chest swell with pride.

Except for Daella who had only learned the word muña, all his other children spoke their mother tongue from early childhood including Gael with Daemon's help.

Even Jocelyn had been able to speak in the native language of the Targaryens since Aemon took her to his childhood lessons, although she only uttered curses every time she lost from his Grace, Jaehaerys himself, when they played cyvasse.

But Rhaenys was another matter.
Before she could read, she liked to be read to, while she spoke High Valyrian before she turn three years old. Just like her father!

In this matter, at least because apart from that, she is like her own mother, the Conciliator sighed.  Jocelyn was another case as well, and no matter how busy he was trying to keep himself, there hasn't been a moment where he hasn't thought of it lately.

The day she was born.

"It's no fault of hers," Alysanne had whispered. "Look at her! She's so small, so fragile, a motherless child! Look at her, Jae, please!"

Contrary to Rhaena, he had finally taken the babe into his arms, but only for Alysanne's sake. The return to King's Landing and contact with his own children had alleviated some of his anger and rage, and when he saw her four years later, a cheerful child asking questions about all that was around her, he felt sympathy.

She was a little girl who didn't have a mother.

But when she returned to court one year after Daenerys died, the boys regained their liveliness because of her presence, which was a consolation to all.

He's loved her ever since, though in his own way, but after Viserra's pregnancy announcement, the old wound bleeds more.

His concern for Viserra often makes him paranoid, but who would blame him for it? And now his blessed children were gone. How can Baelon be that careless?

Viserra really needed more freedom, and her brother was willing to give it more than this. Jaehaerys was relieved that Baelon truly cared for her.

A widower who lost his first love could easily approach a beautiful girl like Viserra only out of lust, but fortunately, it had not happened in their case.

He had no interest in what happened between them when Baelon turned her into a woman, but not out of indifference.

Give them time with each other, he often thought. Mistakes are rectified when one loves another, and they are in love. They need time to come closer, and when their son is born, all doubts will scatter like dried leaves into the air.

Baelon was about to hold another son in her arms, something that would never happen to Aemon, Jaehaerys knew.

And yet the girl, Rhaenys, was so bright and smart with a good heart and a sharp mind. Our future queen, Alysanne often said so, but had Visenya become the queen of Westeros? Nay.

A marriage would have been very helpful, however, and there were still hopes even if she and Viserys had not gotten close enough.

Aemon and Baelon had spoken much about it and Viserys accompanied her every night to her champers. They just expected that their children would kiss in the dark... It hasn't happened yet, but there was still time.

He did not have time to think about these issues anymore, voices were heard outside the door, and Ser Ryam Redwyne came in muttering apologies before bowing to his Grace.

"The lad, the older Rogare, wants a private hearing, I think, my King!"

Well, this matter seemed urgent.

Draeko Rogare was a good lad who spent the majority of his time discussing his business. He was smart and ambitious, but he hadn't disturbed Jaehaerys at all. They had spoken several times and had supper together but at the king's invitation.

"Is the princess with him?" The Consiliator asked. They had not spoken in private these last hours and it disturbed him a lot, but he had to leave her space to understand!

"Not my king, he's come all alone. It is difficult to understand what exactly he is asking for. He doesn't even know one single word of the common tongue."

Jaehaerys laughed at this remark. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard knew only a few words in High Valyrian, the ones that Jaehaerys used the most in his daily life. They weren't always the gentlest.

"It's all right, Ser Ryam, let him in and make sure we don't have anyone bothering us. If he came on his own, he's got something important to say."

Yet he could not help but be surprised that Draeko wished to see him. What in the Seven Blessings does he want to tell me? Jaehaerys thought, but the faint knocked at the heavy wooden door interrupted his thoughts.

Still, when a sheepish Draeko appears in front of him, Jaehaerys remembered Velerion and Gaemon, his poor sons who died in the crib while they were just babies. He also remained gobsmacked for a time that seemed eternally long when Draeko spoke quietly in bastard Valyrian, without looking into the king's eyes.

"Sorry for my sudden visit, Your Majesty, I've come to apologize for my lady wife's behavior."

Is he serious about apologizing for Saera? This lad is either in love or insane, Jaehaerys thinks, but he would listen to him anyway, just for the sake of decency.

"It's your Grace for Westerosi, and it is enough," he gently corrected it before showing him a chair beside the roaring hearth. "Have a seat."
He poured wine into two glasses for both and then sat in his favorite chair beside the young Rogare.

"So what happened, my Lord?"

"This has to do with Saera, Your Maj-, Your Grace. She was very upset when she came back to our chambers in the morn after your disagreement! But I know she loves you and I know you love her too. There should be no such a dissent within a family, your Grace, so I'm here to apologise for her ways."

"Was she missing all night?" Jaehaerys tried to sound surprised, but he was not at all. He was sure where she'd been overnight, but he didn't say that to Draeko. What are my blessed children doing?

He wanted it once, but not now. Saera's pride had been tarnished, and her close relationship with Aemon would have tarnished his status as the crown prince. After all, they had both made a quite tidy life for themselves. They shouldn't destroy in the blink of an eye what they have built over the years.

"Saera has always been a curious, feisty, and ambitious girl; she always had a way of winning whatever she wanted. I have some responsibility of course. The Queen often said that I would spoil the girl, but as a father, I wanted to spend time with my children and at that time the kingdom was in peace and prosperity; the situations were much different from the first years of my reign."

"She is still a curious, lively, and ambitious girl, your Grace," Draeko answered in bastard Valyrian who spoke in the  Free Cities. "This excites me, but also frightens me sometimes!"

Jaehaerys could well understand the riddle behind the boy's words. The blood of the dragon runs thick through the veins of my children, at least in the majority of them. Saera has never been an easy case, and after her flee became even more unpredictable.

He wasn't sure that he could blame her completely for this, and yet Draeko did what he didn't.

"I'm sure she appreciated you being so kind, my Lord. Hardly anyone would do what you did. To give her a home, a comfortable life similar to what she had left behind!"

"Maybe she's angry with me because I haven't always been honest with her, your Grace, and now that she's back in the comfort of her own home probably she wants to punish me for it."

This awakened Jaehaerys' curiosity. If Saera wanted to stay home, this time he would stay by her side, as long as she asked him to.

"What do you mean? What would make the Princess mad after she chose you?" His voice was heavy and stern, and when Draeko spoke again, he avoided staring at the king, fixing his gaze upon the ground.

"I just wanted to break her wild nature, make her understand the consequences of her actions, but by no means did I want to mistreat her!"

"And the pleasure house? She didn't work there?" Jaehaerys spat the words as if they were poison. "A  Targaryen princess, blood of Old Valyria, turned into a whore!" 

Those words that went out of his mouth were cold and harsh, but he bit his lips to bleed. He said it once, and it hurt Alysanne pretty bad.

"No, never! She was merely an apprentice for my own reasons. I'm not so naive as to make the princess spread her legs for the spice merchants, your Grace!"

Oh, I see! "Do you love her?"

"With my whole soul and heart. I had to make sure she understood the weirdness of our affair before I asked her to be my wife, but I never forced her,"

"Although such marriages are not common in Westeros, they were common in Valyria, so I understand." Jaehaerys interrupted him, yet gave him comfort. "My ancestor Aegon the Dragon took both of his sisters as wives, and my queen is also my little sister. Love often blossoms in strange places, child."

He nodded, feeling so embarrassed that the ring he was playing with, which he had worn since the death of his parents, fell to the ground.

It was a small elegant thing of Valyrian steel; two dragons with dark blue eyes of deep blue sapphire, devouring one another.
Jaehaerys lifted it off the floor looking at both the ring and Draeko with his eyes wide open. "Where did you find it? How did that get in your hands?"

His words, a mixture of enthusiasm and surprise, were more savage than he would have liked, and Draeko felt uncomfortable.
"It's family legacy, your Grace. My family has owned it for years! It is inherited by the oldest child, -" Draeko tried to explain, but Jaehaerys had already left his seat and was lost among the books that were on his desk.

A few moments later, he walked towards the door asking Ser Ryam to immediately find the queen, and then he went back into his books, making the Rogare lordling wonder whether the king had gone mad.

All of his questions were settled when the Good Queen entered the king's solar with a familiar smile on her bright face. 

"Can you tell me what happened?"  It was the only thing she had time to ask before the Conciliator grabbed her in his strong arms, lifting her up and spinning her as if they were both children.

Maybe somebody else found that ridiculous, but Draeko didn't. These curious people reminded him of his parents whom he had lost so early in a sea storm. The Queen's smile was similar to that of his mother, and the King had the same tone as his father when talking to him.

"I found it Alysanne! Our grandsire was wrong! There are still living descendants of house Belarys."

Alysanne blinked, casting a playful glance at him, but she chose her words with great care.

"Our grandsire tried to find them, aye, but they vanished! There are no Belarys alive, I'm afraid!"

"How is that explained, then?" The deep blue of the sapphires sparkled in the light of the expected candles, making it nearly black! The queen held her breath but stayed still.

"It's a similar ring!" She finally said, shrugging her shoulders.

"It's the same ring, Alysanne! Come up here and see!"

The front of the king's book was incredible. The towers of Valyria were embroidered with golden thread upon the book while high in the night sky a dragon flew amongst the stars, so high that nearly touch the full moon. The sky wasn't anything other than dark blue velvet.

He slowly turned to a page where there was something drawn that Draeko could not see from where he was sitting. "Look over here, my queen!"

As he gently laid the ring beside the painting, Alysanne Targaryen felt her heart stop in her chest.

"How can this be?" She raised the question with great enthusiasm. "Aegon had been searching for years, you know how important it was for him to find our ancestors' lost loved ones!"

"Pardon me,  your Graces, but how is it possible that the Belarys are beloved friends of the Targaryens? According to Essos' history, I know that your ancestors left Valyria before the Doom to came to Westeros, but the Belarys chose to live in the east, in Volantis." Draeko said nervously. There was no way to understand what on earth was happening, and he also wanted his ring back, but these people acted paranoid.

"They were not only dear friends, but family, so you need to tell us how that ring came into your hands," Jaehaerys answered before giving him the ring back and Draeko felt his heart pounding. How is that possible?

"Family? Pardon me, your Grace, but I would have known that! The blood of the Belarys runs through the veins of each descendant of my House, since the last descendant of  house Belarys married a  Rogare lord when her family moved to Lys!"

Alysanne and Jaehaerys shared a twin look that made Draeko feel weird. "Is that how you got this ring?"

"It is always inherited by the eldest boy in our family, queen Alysanne. This was the desire of Aelya Belarys, when she married Myrion Rogare so that the descendants of our House would always know their origins. My father told me this story when I was young, but he never told me that the houses of Targaryen and Belarys were connected with blood."

"Do you know if they still had dragons when they were on Lys? Could the first offspring of Aelya Belarys have known?" Jaehaerys asked in a rough, but enthusiastic way. "Try to remember, lad."

"No. Their last dragon died that same day with Aelya's father while they live in Volantis, as I recall.
He was the one who mounted the beast.
Aelya's mhysa sold their property and they moved to Lys."

"How can you find anyone who's trying to get lost, trying to forget who they are? Maybe that's why our grandfather couldn't find any of her offspring and thought they were dead. But what drove her to want to lose herself in an unfamiliar crowd?"

Τhe king's solar was a quiet place for a while, the sounds of fire were joined by the sounds of rain falling outside. Dragonstone did not resemble Lys at all, it was a wild and melancholic place with terrible weather and yet Draeko loved it as if it were part of him.

"Fear, Alysanne.The same thing that kept our ancestors away from Essos when the wars in the Free Cities started. In many of them, they hate our dragons, so our sires thought this trip was too dangerous. Fear cuts deeper than swords!"

She nodded, but Jaehaerys' eyes were focused on Draeko, who was watching them closely.

"Can I take a look at this book, your Graces? I feel that there's a large part of my family's history in this. I've always been proud that my son has  valyrian blood, mostly because of Saera, since you still keep the tradition of pure blood in your family, but I had never imagined that!"

Their Graces exchanged a familiar look, and the Good Queen winked at the Old King. He must know, she said silently, for words were often useless to each other. Their relationship was old, yet strong as the earth. They knew each other all too well.

He came to me for Saera, so I need to call her right away. If she learns these details, she'll find a good reason to not destroy the family she created all by herself.

"Is your brother with Saera and the child?"
   
"I think so, your Grace. Unless, of course, she visited Prince Aemon."

Jaehaerys nip his lips but hid his worries behind a faint smile before taking the book into his hands and sitting down in his beloved armchair among the Rogare lordling and his queen. He would be talking to Aemon the next morning. The prince was hiding something from him, and Jaehaerys already hated riddles.

  When he started to read aloud, Draeko blinked in surprise because this was not just any book, but one which referred to the last days before the Targaryens left the Valyrian Freehold behind them, written by the own hand of Aenar the Exile.

Villa Targaryen, Valyrian Freehold, Tenth day of the Seventh Moon, 114 BC.

These are the last days before our departure to the far west of the Valyrian empire. Dragonstone is a melancholy place if I compare it with the motherland, but Daenys' visions become stronger day by day.

When the fire comes, and it will come one day or the other, it will not find us here. My daughter's speech to the council didn't have the impact I was hoping for. The great dragonlords are busy fighting one another, the council is weak. Not even half of the lords were there, and not one of them believed us. Let it be. When the fire comes from above, they will not be able to escape.

I will not let my family to die among the flames that will burn even the dragons if Daenys is right.
My youngest son had not yet celebrated his first nameday. He's a sweet child, just like his muña. My third lady wife.

My family will be safe in the small fortress across the narrow sea, just like my cousin's, Vaelarr Balarys in Volantis.

It saddens me that Vaelarr doesn't follow me to Dragonstone, but he's worried about the journey. His second wife, Naella, is again with child. Volantis is the right place for them.

I gave him the ring my father gave me on my fourteenth nameday, as a present for the baby that was to be born on a few moons. If the gods are good, we will meet again in a year and a half. Then I believe we shall celebrate the child's first nameday.

This ring shall keep our families together forever, I asked the scholar who will travel with us to draw it in this book so that my descendants know that our Houses are bound by blood.

I wish there was some time left, but we need to leave in the next 5 days. If the autumn storms find us in the narrow sea, it will be a tough trip, even on dragonback, although I am not worried about myself. Balerion is a strong beast, but Gaemon and Daenys will ride their own dragons and have never traveled to Westeros.

As the sun sets, the sky is painted orange and gold, like gemstones found in the mines. I don't think I'll forget these colors for the rest of my life, but Veelarr and our families are waiting for me for the final celebration.

I wish the gods to light our way and protect my cousin's family.

Aenar Targaryen, lord Freehold of House Targaryen.

When Jaehaerys stopped reading, Draeko carefully took the book out of his hands, as carefully as he held his little boy in his arms.
His eyes were caught on the rich colors of the paint on the ring he was now wearing on his hand.

"They loved each other."

"Aye, they did, son. Their blood connections were strong, like yours with Saera. Never doubt that. Maybe she's been acting strange lately, but remember she chose to live with you."

"You can read this book whenever you want, but I suggest that today you go back to your wife, she's already quite long by herself," Alysanne suggested, and Draeko's face brightened up in her report.

"You're right, your Grace." He bowed down and left as quickly as he had arrived, leaving Jaehaerys wondering whether a god had pushed the boy to the door of his solar this afternoon.

"He's a good lad, Aly, but our children..." The Old King started saying, but she stopped him in a hurry, "Trust them! Sometimes kindness is the only thing that matters. They would never do a thing they didn't think of."

"Do you believe that?"  The pressure of the day made him tired to the bone, he already felt his body heavy, and all he wanted was a warm bath with her, chattering about trivial matters. Everybody wanted a break.

"Of course I do."

Chapter Text

The many hours upon the back of her dragon had awakened in her an unprecedented hunger. It was wonderful to be so close to Sunfyre, flying among the clouds, surprising Vhagar and Baelon just as much, looking at all these marvels of the world that existed below them.

The trip to Tarth, however, was longer than she had imagined, even on dragonback, and the bad weather was another reason why Baelon asked her to slow down.

They were flying high above Sharp Point when the drizzle turned into a storm, something in common for this turn of the year, but not particularly pleasant for a young dragon like Sunfyre.

It was just as difficult for Viserra since her roughspun clothes were comfortable for walks in Dragonstone corridors, but not for a trip on the back of a dragon. Her riding clothes had been left in her closet since her stomach became more than visible, preferring mostly beautiful but larger dresses.

None of the four of them liked the rain even if the clouds had taken on so many shades of gray and the sea beneath them was also dark as a sapphire.

Even so, Vhagar did not hide her annoyance when a flock of wild ducks was found next to them as they were now flying lower. A pillar of smoke rose high in the sky from her nostrils, but her roar was as gentle as the roar of a dragon of this size could be.

"Lykirī," Baelon commanded her, using the valyrian word which meant to calm down, without using the whip he had in his hand. Vhagar obeyed his voice more often than not.

Viserra laughed when the dragon gently tilted its head to Baelon's command, as an obedient child, and then the princess fondly touched one of Sunfyre's scales. She could feel his warmth through her leather gloves.

"You find it funny to tease my poor mount, ñuha byka dārilaros?"  His words in High Valyrian aroused lust in her, even though they meant nothing other than my little princess.

"Only her rider, my dear brother!" She caught a glimpse of him biting his lip before he showed her the great watchtower with the fire lit at the top, even in the midst of a storm.

From the time of their departure, she dreamed of the sandy shores of Tarth but would welcome a roof over their heads for a few hours, especially with this growing tightness she felt in her lower abdomen. The dragon-riding after such a long time and Baelon's lightness had lit a fire within her.

She wanted it more than she was able to taste it.
With a quick move, she directed her whip correctly, finding more air than her golden mount.

Sunfyre followed Vhagar's example, descending closer and closer to the ground, but Vhagar touches stone instead of earth because Baelon preferred not to guide her to the courtyard.

The space was quite small for a dragon her size and Baelon, knowing well the character of his beloved girl, did not want to keep her close to him.

"Arghugon," he urges her to hunt and she looks at him with her bright green eyes before stretching her wings and flying again.

Soon after, the Spring Prince moved to Viserra and Sunfyre. She had nearly loosened the chains that kept her safe on the dragon's saddle, but help was always welcome, and contact between them even more, because his hand, which slipped beneath her skirts to touch her calf, sent waves of chills to her spine.

Then he bit her bottom lip with careful teeth to open her mouth, but he could not kiss her as deep as she wanted. The presence of the dragons had already gathered a small crowd of people around them of household guards, servants, and serving maids and the lord Bar Emmon himself with his two sons.

Taking a hasty look at them Viserra assumed that the eldest boy was Daemon's age, as the lord of Shar Point must have been Baelon's peer and certainly had a young wife as she knew far too well. After all, that was the reason he had rushed home after attending their wedding at Dragonstone.

The handshakes and usual words were quickly completed, and soon lord Rogar Bar Emmon led them to the interior of his castle. It was a simple fortress, but the sight of the cape took Viserra's breath away; Heaven and earth together into one.

The guest chambers were quite close to those of Lord Rogar, a cozy area with elegant furnishings and tapestries on the walls depicting scenes of the coming of the Andals.

Viserra assumed Baelon would like the place, but since he had followed Lord Rogar to his solar, she asked for a bath. The servants of the castle came quickly with a copper bathtub and steaming water from the kitchens that they flavored with lavender oil.

She removed the maids with a  flick of her wrist so that she could undress herself before sinking into the hot water. The Seven Kingdoms had long been informed of her marriage to Baelon, but the pregnancy of a newly-wedded princess was always a scandal in the eyes of others.

A few seconds before she carefully steps into the tub, she thinks she may be able to call this girl with light brown hair and nice look; Her body aches from pregnancy and the dragon's riding so a bit of help is always nice-

No one comes when she sounds the little bell which is placed on the small table with the salts and the washcloth.

She was of course used to always getting the attention of others around her, but she couldn't really be angry with the people who were doing their duties. Hers and Baelon's presence had certainly upset the castle and she still remembered the meeting with the women on Dragonstone so many moons ago.

They are a bit slower than they should be, but this is not really bad, justified them and she sank into the tub with her eyes closed; the water was pleasantly hot.

With her eyes closed, she does not understand the presence that moves quietly in space like a cat until a body sinks into the water beside her.

Her mind comes back to the night a knife left debris in her heart, a knife meant to cut the thread of her own life. Neither she nor Desmond could forget that night, for they had secretly spoken about the incident later, something that even Aemon did not know.

A similar knife had left sorrow in the heart of the good queen, Vis knew that. If she was screaming, maybe Baelon had time to come-, "It's me, don't be afraid, Princess," the words sound so strange in his drunk accent, and she opens her eyes equally angry and surprised;
  "Fuck you, Baelon! I thought.... For a while, this horror came back to my mind," she cried out and yet she nestles in his arms as if it was a strong refuge, the safest place on earth.

He holds her like he doesn't let her go. "I was outside that door when you called the maids and I thought this was a great opportunity to bathe together. Seven Hells, I've not touched you for so many hours, I miss your touch Viserra!"
Viserra, Viserra, Viserra!

Her name sounds like a prayer in his mouth, his lips worship her body as if it was the altar of a Valyrian goddess but something in his gaze troubles her, though. He is definitely drunk, but there is another thing that worries him, she can discern the fear in his eyes. Viserra know, Aemon never really kept it secret from her, and although it was something she knew well, it bothers her a little now.

Βut this is the last thing that remains between them as a thorn; If Baelon tells her the truth now, if he talks to her about his scullery maid, there are no other secrets between them.

Her left nipple is in his mouth while his hands caress her swollen stomach. "You're so big, and so beautiful!" his smile widens when the lilac of his eyes meets the orchid of hers; "you've always been beautiful but small, and now there's this!"

When he strokes her belly again the babe gives a strong kick, which brings him a new smile.
"It's yours," Viserra whispers shyly.

"Ours", he corrects, with a sad smile on his mouth. "He's our little dragon, the child of true love and I am only his foolish father."

"Baelon!"

He interrupts her by placing his forefinger upon her lips. "You must listen to me Vis, you must listen to me, sister. I'm drunk, aye, but that was the only way I could muster up my courage and talk to you about it."

So it's time. She is frightened and upset because the dragon is not afraid, but his hand on her skin is balm.

"How do you feel? There are hours where we are far from the comfort of home, and so many hours on  dragonback are painful in any case, more so for a woman expecting a child. Please, dear heart, you have to tell me. I might be able to help you."

"Pains in my feet, in my legs, and my back," she replied, putting her hands on his arms. She forced herself to smile.  "Something that can be handled."

"Of that I'm sure. Just let me try to ease your pain, sister."  He replied with a grim grin.

It is useless for her to pretend that she does not need help, so she lets him do that. He devoted himself diligently to this task. His hand moved skillfully through the water massaging her toes and the arch of her foot up to the ankle.

His hands are made for war and yet they move gently over her skin, but when he presses his thumb a bit harder where her muscles hurt more than she thought, she grumbles.

"Pardon me," he apologized while his warm hands drifted along her calves and worked the tired muscles there.

"Don't be," Viserra said, as her head lies against the bathtub. "It's all right, yet  my knees ache too."

"Oh, I understand." His palms moved to her knees and thighs this time, giving her a chill in her spine.
 
She's trying to come back to the present without letting him distract her any longer.

She doesn't want to think about how he distracts her, but every time they end up in bed with her lying beneath him the fire of his love warms every cell of her body and Viserra surrenders to it; but the issue with Cass still troubled her. It was something they should talk about.

Orchid and lilac met again as she tilted her head and her lips lay upon his neck. Her voice made him shiver. "Well, would you tell me of your foolishness, big brother!"

Time froze for a moment, and he felt his heart stop in his chest, but her warm breathing gave him strength somehow.

I owe her that. I must speak the truth.

He tried to keep his eyes on her so that she could feel his most profound repentance, to see his shame.  He wanted to be naked before her, not just in the body, but also in the soul.

I surrender myself to your hands, sister. Take me and I promise you I'll be a good husband to you and a good father to our children. It's the only thing my heart wants.

"Remember that day I took you to Dragonstone? I thought that all was finally over in those days, that I would live the rest of my life alone, forever in infinite darkness. I wasn't expecting you to worry, much less to take care of my broken heart, sister. And yet you did, but before that... There was a woman at Dragonstone, not something important, a maid. I was heartbroken, yes, but my body was weak, Vis. So she became the guardian of my... loneliness."

"You bedded her?"  Her face had taken on a bright pink color, and her eyes were shining as though there was a cascade of tears ready to flow down her cheeks.

Baelon hated this. Ever since he was a child, he hated to see his siblings cry, especially when he was the cause and yet he couldn't help but be honest.

"Yes, I did. I took her to bed, Vis, but I felt no pleasure and no will to please her. I had become a monster trying to stay alive, not to sink into itself."

"How many times?"

"Two, maybe three." He lied. "It never mattered so much, I didn't feel for her the way I feel for you, my love, it was my loneliness that drove me to this act."

She still kept her eyes dry, biting her bottom lip to ward off the tide. She never cried easily, Baelon recalls, as if she had built a wall several inches tall inside of her.

He had made up his mind to tell her the whole truth, but her expression made his heart bleed. Of course, he would talk to her about the babe, but he wouldn't tell her that he met Cass at Flea Bottom. After all, only a handful of people knew that Cass was a whore back then and they were all trustworthy, nobody would say it to her out of fear of her pregnancy.

And I can't hurt her pride any worse.

"That woman meant nothing to me, but my actions... On some moons a child will be born, a boy if the maesters are right. I can't help but do my part as a man and a prince, but it won't change anything between us."

He avoided looking into her eyes while he spoke, but felt her angry gaze upon him. Selfishness and vanity served him no purpose now that he begged her forgiveness. A heartfelt remorse might help make things the way they were.

"Please, darling heart, you have to believe me. I can't leave an innocent child among all the dangers, but I'll still be faithful to our marriage. It was just a foolish moment."

Anger made her purple eyes look black in the candlelight. "When did this happen, Baelon? When did you sleep with her? You promised to be honest with me, loyal to our marriage, so tell me, when did  you fuck her?"

What in the Seven Hells made him think this would be as easy as with Alyssa? She would get mad, yes, but only for a moment, and then she would laugh and challenge him with so many ideas and suggestions that would surely made his face red.

Viserra would find all those things undignified at the very least. That was something he was well aware of now. There was no need to hide this fact behind a falsehood, children would be peers after all.

"When I left the capital. I was mad at myself and very drunk, it never happened again, you must believe me."

Aemon had spoken the truth, hugging her firmly, giving her kisses on both cheeks, and gently rubbing her back with a warm hand to give her comfort. He had kissed her on her lips too, though she had erased it from her memory. Baelon was the man she always wanted.

"The day you claimed my maidenhead and then left me on my own?"

"Or the next. I was at my chambers drinking and she came to check on me. Then I took her to bed. It was a means of forgetting, of forgetting what had happened, what I had done."

"A way to forget me? To forget you were in bed with me? Ι had no such luxury, Baelon. When you abandoned me, I had to reflect.
I thought if I gave you a child, the daughter you wished for so much, you would come home and love me more. I failed to do so."  She made a gesture, aiming at her swollen belly and trying to keep her eyes dry, but her voice turned into a deep sob.
"I lied to the king and the small council, I was left alone and nearly without protection.  Aemon tried hard not to be sent to a Mother's house."

"If I had not been sick, I would not have left you alone for such a long time. Your name was continually on my lips, Vis, and your shape in my mind. Yet I am thankful to Aemon.  He took care of all the things I was supposed to take care of."

"Yes, he did it like any older brother who's interested in his family."  He'd even keep our son safe if you didn't come back. She felt her body freeze and stiffen in thought.

She wasn't really angry, mostly she was disappointed. No doubt she appreciated his honesty, but she was hurt because he took a common woman to bed a few hours after giving him her maidenhead.

Her words were like repeated stabs, in a wound he so desperately wanted to heal.
Why shouldn't things be easier with her? Alyssa never-,

"You cannot blame me for that and compare me to him, can you? Aemon is our brother, he loves you, and I'm more than that. I'm your husband, you belong to me. From your first breath you were mine and the thought that you could leave me for someone else can make me mad!"

When he looked at her face again, he almost felt ashamed of the declaration. These are words that turned into a giant fire long ago and burned from the inside, but she was not yet ready to hear them. These were possessive words, words he had never thought of about Alyssa because it was something natural that they were living, it just happened like spring rain.

It was never this way with Viserra. She woke every possessive cell of his own, a self that had tried to hide since he was a child. Their affair was more like a winter storm covering everything completely, bringing with it thousands of flashes of lightning and thunderstorms, and yet Baelon wanted to stay naked beneath her.

There were things he felt growing within him, since Gael's name day, less than six months after Alyssa's death.

It was the night Aemon said Viserra was a growing lady, and Baelon, who felt until then as if he had been dragged by force to the celebrations, had felt attracted to his little sister in the same way that a moth was drawn by the flame.

He had made every effort not to tell anyone and to stop his feelings. It was in vain, but he would not tell her about these things. Not now.

"I hope you understand me; I never intended to hurt you or to play games with you. And I had no need to talk to you like that, it was wrong and I want to-,"

He wanted to apologize for his possessive words, he really wanted to, but when Viserra pushed his chest with her hands, her movement in his mind was immediately translated into a gesture of disgust.

"You had better go now, dear brother. Said she. "I think dinner is coming up soon, and it won't be polite at all if I'm dragging my feet because of you.
In addition, it happens that the advice I so desperately need is not yours."

"Oh, Jocelyn, why aren't you here today when I need you so much?" Viserra weep in the darkness when she was left alone, but the thought of her good sister brought strength as usual.Torture him for good, but keep your hand on him. He's your husband, you don't want to give him to another woman.

Telling Baelon he wasn't angry was lying. He was upset and irritated and... and he wanted her!

He had desperately desired her from the time she appeared in the Great Hall, dressed in a black and gold velvet gown, and seated herself next to him at the table.

The bodice and skirt of this dress were made mostly of soft black velvet with golden decoration. The back was all black velvet, but only the front of the bodice and skirt was different, as they are intricate, gold-colored of myrish fabric. The shoulders of the dress feature rounded velvet decoration and the sleeves were fitted to the arm and end in cuffs decorated with gold patterns.

Her beautiful curls were combed half up, while a pin hair made of dragon bone and valyrian steel held them in place. It was an elegant thing; two branches of a tree joined by a tall piece of green dragonglass at the top and a small dragon carved into the lower part.

Every inch of hers was like a goddess of Valyria or like the Maiden of the Westeroshi religion, but the Maiden would never do such things.

Just seconds after Lord Bar Emmon's toast, she graciously slipped her hand under the table, pressing patterns on the fabric of Baelon's breeches over his thigh, hot promises for the evening they had in front of them.

Baelon felt his blood boil as she continued to eat or chat, always touching him beneath the table. He felt as warm as only a dragon could be and things got worse when she took his hand to her and placed it upon her thigh. 

Could it be that simple?

She had kicked him out of their chamber while he was trying to ease her pains and then she chose to finish her bath on her own instead of sharing a bath with him.
And now she wants to do this publicly? Not even Alyssa had such attitude, but Viserra seemed to appreciate his touch on her thighs, over her dress, as a wicked being who had come into the world to torment him.

"And of course, we want to thank you once more for your hospitality,"  Viserra raised her drink in a toast, smiling gently and innocently at the Lord and Lady Bar Emmon, but Baelon barely got his glass up.
His mind had turned into a foggy mess from the moment she, his evil little wife, had slipped his hand under her gown and onto her inner thighs, and then took him to more private places.

Her small clothes were forgotten when she dressed after her bath and when his hand moved between her thighs, upon her velvet folds, he found her wet and warm as her sweet cunt was always for him.

He swallowed, gazing anxiously around him, really restless and stressed. Her cunning smile was a sign that his cheeks had turned red, as if he were a green boy on his wedding night.

She angered him, but made him seek more. He had not gone that far with Alyssa, although most of their subjects would have thought that this was what almost all their family dinners would look like.

He almost felt bad for his behavior towards the lady and Lord Bar Emmon, although they also seemed to expect the moment when they would retire to their own rooms, but he slipped his hand under her gown anyway.

She clasped his hand with her palm, chasing him out, while a satisfied smile spread across her face.

Well, she's always been such a wicked girl. He could hardly remember how many times she'd taken him away from the training yard or the company of Aemon or Alyssa to join her in whatever foolishness she thought as a child, because "I need a brave and strong man to help me, just like you, big brother."

"Feeling tired, brother?"  Her voice brought him back to the present, choking a curse down his throat while she innocently smiled.

"I think I abused the hospitality of House Bar Emmon, but this wine is truly good just like the company of course. However, I am likely in need of rest."

At least she took a look at him after noticing that his plate was still full. She was anxious and he would normally appreciate her anxiety, but the fact that he felt used just made him mad. It wasn't easy for him to bring up his feelings.

"You can stay if you like, I'll find the way to our bedchambers by myself." He regretted what he had said almost immediately. What the hell was wrong with him?

Since I told her the truth, she treats me in the same way that Daemon treats his old toys, but I'm her husband, she said the same wedding vows as me. She can't just walk away. He tried to reassure himself, but she responded in the same way, which gave him the impression that he was being used.

"Oh, I hope the settee in the solar is quite comfy, my beloved."

Time stood still for a moment, until the smile returned to her face, but Baelon could feel the coldness behind it.

"I was joking, of course," said she, with one of her loveliest smiles, holding his hand firmly. "I love Prince Baelon nearly my whole life."

"It's common knowledge," he joked, trying to look as natural as he could. I won't leave those people with the impression that my wife is doing whatever she wants to me.

"Maybe Lady Arra wants your company a little bit longer, my princess. I won't worry as much about your absence if I know you'll have such a sweet companion."

If he believed that she would allow him to return alone to the serenity of their room, he was probably mistaken. And of course, she replied in the same way as him.

"I think lady Arra will forgive me for my absence, but I am exhausted and all I need now is to go to bed, dear brother."

The apple never drops far from the apple tree.

She didn't seek the help of the maids when they went back into their rooms, trying to loosen alone the laces of the gown that were on her back, which were used to fasten the dress.

He decided to help her out of duty rather than out of sheer desire, but when she stood there naked, he felt his body burn. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, near his heart, but tilted her head over his shoulder.

"This has been such a long day for me, Baelon. I must get some sleep."

"Sleep well, dearest." Ιt was a damn, false courtesy, the one he used to keep for court and hated the most.

I'm not getting any sleep. I'll stay awake in the dark wondering if we'll ever be the way we used to be.

Pleased, happy.

But happiness seemed a distant, inaccessible, and unattainable thing, and only pure silence now existed between them.

He couldn't get close to her and bury his face in her hair, smell her scent, or feel the texture of her skin with his fingertips, but he lay on the empty side of the bed anyway, hearing her snore gently.

He had been happy, right? When he ride Vhagar for the first time, when he held Dark Sister, when he took his sons into his arms for the first time, or on the day he married Alyssa... He was happy.

And she was a torment in his life from the very first moment they met.
She was the sixth of his siblings who had held in his arms very shortly after the queen delivered and the most distinct.
   
"You were shrieking like a little demon when I walked into the birthing room, so loud and so persistent that for a moment I was afraid that you could no longer breathe. You were nothing but a crimson babe, but when I approached your crib, you stopped crying."

He had visited them mainly for the sake of the queen's health, as he always did after each birth, rather than out of curiosity about his baby sister.

"She's comfortable with you so she can stop crying. Hold her, Baelon," the queen had urged him. "You'll be a father one day, not too far from now, judging by Alyssa's smiles every time she's around you."

"It was like I was struck by lightning as I held you in my hands for the first time, when you stared at me and smiled. It's rare for a babe to smile a few hours after birth, but you have done so. Only to me! When his Grace entered the delivery room and tried to take you in his arms you screamed so loudly, that I swear to you that the Keep was creaked from the foundations."

Stubborn by baby still, just like our parents.

"You have taken me out of the training yard thousands of times to help you climb trees in the garden, just to carry a fallen hatchling back to its nest. You were my torment, Viserra, but each time your eyes were upon me, there was nothing in the world I could deny you."

"Oh come on now, big brother," she always told him, and he followed her on every whim regardless of Alyssa's complaints.

Even when he was unable to explain why.

"You were always around me, with those bright smiles until I became a father and I didn't have time for that."

He was drunk with bliss from the first time he embraced Viserys and Alyssa was so beautiful, so sweet whenever she had her babies in her arms...

" Then, I blinked and the next thing I saw was you, half a woman, looking at me with devotion and holding my hand at her funeral, as tight as when you were a child."

Happiness is a fucking butterfly.

"I gave up dreaming about everything until Aemon said you had grown into a beautiful woman, and then I noticed you, it was like I was meeting you for the first time."

He had looked at her dancing that night, bright and lively with her loose hair trailing after her like the wind in the sky, making him wonder how her tiara remained securely upon her head.

"The ballroom was filled to the brim that night, there were countless people around you who wanted to win one of your smiles, and yet you always smiled at me."

That night, when he got drunk in the dark and deadly silence of his chamber, his body betrayed him one more time, but it was his mind that had played the worst game with him.

When he wrapped a fist around himself it was not the figure of Alyssa who set his body on fire, but Viserra's, with the lavender dress and her silver hair falling like a cascade on her shoulders.

Ηe was left naked, ashamed, and gasping in the darkness, trying to get her out of his mind, but that was impossible.

"Damn, I've loved you since the first time I held you in my arms, Viserra, you've always been mine, you came into this world to be my lady wife. You always bring peace to my heart and soul when you wrap your hands around my chest, and when I'm inside of you, I feel like I'm home."

And there isn't anywhere else to go.

Out there, the darkness was still deep, but the eastern stars had lost the strength of their light. The hour of the nightingale was coming soon, and the Spring Prince had not slept at all.

He took a deep breath while the only sound which broke the early morning calm was the sound of fire in the hearth.
The night was quite cold, so he had fueled the fire with logs, heavy enough to keep their room warm.

He was tired, sad, and mostly distressed. If his belief in the gods was stronger, he could have asked the  Crone to enlighten their way-,

"Look! It's almost dawn, and instead of talking to you, I'm mostly talking to our baggage, but I'll follow all your desires if there's any hope of a cure. I would go to Tarth, return to Dragonstone, or fly to the ends of the earth, as long as you were always by my side, cinnamon."

Cinnamon. It was something that existed among them years back, when he called with that name the 4-year-old Viserra.

Because you were such a precious and dear child.

"If your wish is to go home, I will return with you and I will never stop trying to make amends. I've hurt your pride, and I know it, and I'm really sorry."

He leaned lightly towards her to press his lips against her face and let a tender kiss upon her temple, before closing his eyes and resting for a few moments until the sun comes up.

Foreseeably, he falls asleep.

The kisses on his eyelids wake him up and it seems that several hours have gone by because the sun is low in the sky, the dusk crawls over the windows and softly covers them as a blanket.

There's a blanket on his body as well, but it's not the only weight he feels upon him.

"Viserra?"

"Brother," Viserra giggles, giggles like a little girl; "wake up my beloved. I kept our hosts company for most of the day, but lord Bar Emmon will send the maesters soon if you don't leave this bed."

Baelon grumbles, lethargic to the core. His arms wrap around her and pull her from where she leans over to lie atop him.

"Sounds like I've been asleep a lot."

"The same sounds to me," she teases him but then her face becomes serious and Baelon hates that she loses some of her brilliance.

"We lost a day, but it was very cold and it was raining, so it was a nice change for me to spend it within these walls, instead of the back of my dragon, especially after last night, but I made some great progress with our hosts today. Lady Arra is a favorite of mine, and she's with child, too."

"What?"

"What a surprise, hm? I thought it might be a good idea to invite them to court sometime. Daemon needs his own companions, besides his relatives, and Lord Rogar has a smart mind, our brother would love his company."

The contact between them was sweet, as usual, though a little more awkward. However, listening to her speak so passionately about the things they would do when they returned to court, he was concerned.

Was she still mad at him?

She wants to go back to Dragonstone shortly?

Did she feel safer and happier when she was in the arms of their siblings instead of in his own embrace?

"Would you like to go home soon?"

He could not forbid it to her, of course, but back at Dragonstone Viserra would find warm hugs and others' care and his own efforts would fall into a deaf ear.

Oh, Gods, he was totally unprepared for that.

Saera, Jocelyn, and Maegelle would continually stand beside her day and night, and the thought that the angry eyes of Vaegon would follow each step brought a chill to his spine.

And there was also Him whom Viserra worshipped as Her God. The perfect older brother, with smiles and soft words, advice, and care-,

Fuck, cursed himself, still angry with his thoughts. I think I'm going mad.

"Our home will be in the same position tomorrow and so will Tarth," she whispered to him, moving a palm between their bodies, to loosen the laces of his breeches he wore before going to bed.  "But I want to fuck you now."

Chapter Text

"You come from the outside." Viserra's soft voice reached his ears as the most marvelous music, mixed with the sounds of lightning, and he smiled right away at her sight.

His little sister was so beautiful, wearing nothing but a white homespun shift, with loose hair falling on her shoulders.

Her stomach was getting rounder every day, and Baelon couldn't help touching her and talking to their babe. Like other times, he knelt down before her, gently kissing her on the fabric, but Viserra trembled, feeling his lips on her.

"I went to our dragons." His voice sounded weird when he laid his head against her stomach; "so what would you like us to do tonight?"

They stayed at Sharp Point another day due to the storm, and they spent much of the day with lord Rogar and his wife when they were out of their rooms.

Behind the walls of their room they had made love once and they had slept in each other's bare arms so the fire inside her had somehow decreased.

"You really want me to choose on our behalf? What if you didn't agree to my suggestion?" She teased him by messing up his hair with her fingers, completely ruining his braid, since his head was still on her lap.

"I will follow your desires, sweet Viserra, whatever you please."

He could not help but admit that each day he woke up at her side with his hand on her swollen belly, he loved her more. He had never imagined that he could feel something so strong for her, but gods, how could he not feel pride at the sight of Viserra with her big round belly full of his babe?

He didn't care much about her choice, as long as she wanted them to spend time together. Luckily for him, she seemed eager for exactly the same thing.

"Lady Arra was a bit anxious at midday, wasn't she? She was looking for more time with her lord husband." Viserra whispered slowly on his cheek when she bent over to give him a kiss on the neck like in the beginning when she approached him to give her more attention.

He had noticed it too. Whenever she thought they weren't watching her, lady Bar Emmon would slide her hand under the table, onto her husband's thigh.

"We should probably go soon, little sister, after thanking them for the hospitality, of course. In our presence, they don't have enough time for one another."

"Mmm." Viserra circled her fingers around his hard stomach, on the fabric of his tunic. "Well, I have a plan, big brother."

He felt his mouth dry from the idea of sliding into her soon. With his head still on her lap, so close to her crux, he could sense her scent, and every time she pressed her thighs together he could almost hear the wet sounds between her legs.

"I'm dying of hunger, but I want us to stay here for a while. To have supper together, chatting things."

"That sounds like a great idea, love."

He moved on the floor beside her, sitting on a huge pillow, unwilling to sit away from her as she gave instructions to the servants.

He loved being a loving husband for her, and in return Viserra was a sweet wife.

What else can a man want? But there was something. The thought of her on her knees in front of him, with her swollen stomach full of his child and his cock in her wet little mouth, drove him mad.

He dismissed the idea right away. It was pointless to go this far if she did not feel safe and happy. He liked good sex, getting and giving pleasure in a lot of ways, but he could wait for her to be ready.

"I hate getting back in the capital, even when the time comes. Still in the middle of winter I love being out here, on Vhagar's back."

"I know." She ran her fingers through his hair so hard that she felt her grip ache. She always liked the feeling of his silver hair on her skin, although this time she did it mainly because of necessity.

However, she felt worried by the sigh that came out of his lips.

"Sorry," she apologized, "I never meant to hurt you. It was pretty foolish of me."

"And it's not the first time." His laughter fills their room and her entire being, warming her up to her heart. "Seriously, Vis, how do you not remember? After that day, I cut my hair short and you were sad for quite some time."

"I, never," she began to say, but the memory returned to her mind strong as a lightning bolt and eventually laughed out loud.

"Oh Baelon, you don't speak of when we were on Dragonstone and insisted on riding with you. I was under six years of age. That's an ancient story."

"You were four, Vis. When we come home, my hair was damaged and I was scratched on whatever part of my skin was uncovered.
Alyssa thought I had taken another woman."

She was sure he would become melancholy after thinking about Alyssa but Baelon started laughing. "There's a price to pay, little sister. You certainly wanted to torture me."

"Forgive me!" said she innocently, hoping to escape her torments, but the feeling of his fingers on her calf made her shudder.

He knew very well how she handled things and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow but did not lower his hand.

"It's old news, like you said, but I still have you. Don't forget it, my love. Well, tell me now."

Her mood went from that of the Maiden to that of a cunning fox. "That silly horse of yours scared me, Baelon. He ran to the shore of the cliff."

"Dragonstone has cliffs!"

She shrugged and laughed as a naughty child, making him grin against his will.

"You sang and shrieked throughout the ride, Vis. If somebody was terrified, it wasn't you."

She won't respond until his fingers are on her foot. "Fine, I'll pay for it so many years later. Just leave me."

Instead of moving his fingers to the arch of her foot, he wraps his hands around her waist and somewhat secures her as her torso leans against him and her mouth claims his lips.

When they break the kiss to regain their breath, she notices his red, swollen lips, the wild glow in his eyes, and the bulge in his breeches. She feels a strong fire within her chest, pure need drips between her thighs.

She treats him with a raised eyebrow, hiding every emotion behind her flat voice. "So, brother, have I paid my debt?"

"Of course, sweet sister, but only a small part. Because, if I take into account all the times you've kept me out of my business, I think you owe me your kisses forever."

"Hm...Someone's a little greedy, like a child."

"Someone needs his sweet wife."  He stroked her cheek as tenderly as he could to make her feel his love.

"Even when she displeases him?"

"Stop saying that now. If either of us ever displeased the other, I did. I wanted no more children, that's true. But not through selfishness or whim. It wasn't even my intention to force you into a good relationship with my own heirs. I wanted to live with you, traveling around the world together."

"As your paramour?"

"As my wife! I no longer wanted babies, Vis. But not because I thought you might not be a worthy mother, but because I was afraid of losing you at childbirth. However, there isn't a moment when I don't love the baby growing in your womb, and it doesn't bother me that it's not a girl, if the maesters are right."

"But you always wanted a daughter!"

He pushed her chin slightly with his thumb, forcing her to look up at his face.

"Children are a gift from the  Mother Above.I already love our little dragon with all the strength of my heart, and I will do anything to keep you safe and happy, my love. I promise."

Outside the rain fell with the same intensity, making Baelon curse the moment when he succumbed to Aemon's pressures. If the weather did not improve quickly, they would have to go home soon and the trip back could have been dangerous for her and the baby inside her.

Her voice got him away from his thoughts. "You let your babies fly on Meleys' back when they were just newborns. Babies of two weeks of age. I plan on riding Sunfyre until I fall into childbirth, Baelon."

"You're crazy!" He protested, but she just wiped his lips with hers, kissing him until his chest was in pain to breathe.

"Dear Baelon, apparently I have my brother's traits, so don't blame me."

"All right, but only if you get permission from the maester, and not from some common man among them of course. I have more faith in the maester of Jocelyn." For he spoke the truth and opened my eyes.

"Fine, but don't grumble like a child when he's on my side."

Ηer cheerful disposition was entirely contagious, and Baelon forgot the old lies, the new fears, and everything that could come between them. Nothing could keep two beating hearts apart.

"It won't be so bad when we get back. There are things we need to do. You should be comfortable with the babe and make sure the boys are just as nice. You do not have to do it yourself of course, we have servants for this and it is also my duty,"

"I'll take care of it!" She interrupted him. "Your children are my nephews, two boys who have no mother. I will not choose to forget them simply for the sake of my own child. This won't make us a family, Baelon."

No, this wouldn't make us a family, but we can become if we're respectful and understanding.

Part of him was quite happy about that development. The children loved her and she loved them too. Daemon might have needed a bit more attention, but they could do it.
"All right, dear heart, if you want to look after the children, you'd give me more time to help Aemon."

His words surprise her quite pleasantly. So far, Baelon has used his time flying, training in arms and sleeping with Alyssa. Viserra wants those things, but has greater ambitions. And why shouldn't it have after all? Even Saera knows all about the affairs and finances of house  Rogare.

"It's an excellent way to spend your time." She praised his decision. "As for me, I want to be part of all the women's courts. I found the idea fascinating during my time in Dragonstone."

"Oh!"

Her lips reclaimed his mouth as a prize, and Baelon fully surrendered to their kiss.

"Or I could of course do what all the ladies of the court do," she bit her lip, looking at him playfully and the desire began to twist in his belly again.

"To seduce your husband?"

"Talk of gossip and nasty stories."

He glanced at her really surprised. "Naughty stories in our father's court? I hardly believe it."

"Oh Baelon, you're such an innocent man." She laughed straight. "Saera's scandal has made everyone more careful, but don't think they're all that innocent. The scandals are still going on."

"Right in our sire's face?"

"Our father adores children, but he has bigger problems to solve than some bastards. As long as they have happy faces and bellies filled with food, His Grace will pay no more attention. But if they hurt them..."

"It will awaken the dragon." Baelon knew it, but he was still excited by the thought that Viserra knew these kinds of things.

"Would you mind sharing your naughty stories with me, my love?" Asked her, pinching her ankle. "You might not believe this because you think I'm so innocent, but it would be fun."

"All right," she answered with a bit of a conspiracy tone. "I  shall tell you all I can."

Many hours later, their faces were red with laughter, and Viserra held her belly from time to time, smiling happily at his face.

They had been lying on their bed for ease and Baelon was gently rubbing her aching legs as she lay comfortably and continued to speak to him.

"I never thought it would literally happen right under our noses. Is Lady Lannister having some sort of affair with him?" Baelon wondered, his palms touching her thighs.

"But even if she did, brother, since he has no intent of ruining his betrothal, then what can they do? Only to share a bed once in a while."

"It's inappropriate, my love," he's groaning against her neck, leaving a kiss on her collarbone. "Were they to do so, they would be discussed by the entire court."

"They still do, Baelon." Viserra whispered, hiding a yawn. "Perhaps this act made the three of them happier though, since Lady Lannister knows about his betrothal and Lady Tarly allows it."

"I had no expectation that you would be so... Progressive! Would you do such a thing?"

"Mmm, no! Besides, there are moments where I feel so tired because of my pregnancy."

He felt quite crazy about the idea that Viserra would do that, especially with their own brother. These thoughts in his mind were senseless, he had already found himself jealous of Lord Rogar while he kept his eyes on his own wife. On top of that, Aemon loved Viserra like Baelon himself loved their little Gael.  That was nonsense.

"I love you!" The word came out of his mouth, as well as her name. "I love you, sweet Viserra."

Viserra had fallen asleep, he realised with a pout of his own, tamping down on the sudden childishness he felt, she hadn't said she loves him. It was implied, of course, that she did it from her actions, but it would be nice to hear the words. Baelon sighed in tired defeat, closing his eyes and letting himself fall asleep.

Golden rays of sunlight surprised Viserra as they entered their bedroom through the stained glass window.

She took a look at Baelon, who slept peacefully and left their bed quietly, as quietly as a woman with such a big belly could move.

Winter morning was rather cold, so she chose a warm brown velvet gown. The skirt was wide and high in the waist so that it is comfortable around her round belly, and instead of a belt there was a wide strip of green fabric with white flowers embroidered on it. The upper part of the dress was tight, a large square of brown velvet, with a V-shaped fur on the shoulders, both on the front and the back of the gown.
A small part of her back, neck, and chest were exposed, but the same fur also adorned the tight velvet sleeves.

"Are you sure this train from your gown is comfortable οn dragonback?"
His lips on her back's naked skin surprised her. She did not hear him wake up and walk across the room as she sat in front of the vanity table, brushing her hair.

"They are not as comfortable as my riding clothes once were, but they are more comfortable than many of my old dresses."

A smile spread over his face, his mouth moved towards her neck, leaving a new kiss beneath her ear.

"Oh my little Vis, your old clothes are the cost of the dragon growing inside you; our babe. My son."

His strong hands embraced her from behind, squeezing their bodies together, as if they were united into one. "At least we can go on our trip. I have so much to show you." One of his palms was found upon her growing stomach, fondling tenderly. "My baby, how you are growing each day!"

"Some might say you love the baby more than its mother." She laughed, but his palm fell, teasing her between her legs. She tried to ignore the desire growing inside her, only to tease him further.

"Does your son matter more than your little wife, my prince?"

"Just a bit. As long as that little toe of yours, my love. My son is my mark on you, the sign that you belong to me and only me for the rest of our lives."

Desire pooled between her legs, lifting her heartbeat, but she always liked to tease him. She purposely forgot to say that she loved him, just to torture him a bit.

He used to be so predictable!

"Viserra!" he whispered, biting her earlobe, "say you love me, sister."

Despite the stirring in her belly, her lips formed a bright smile, really happy with herself that he could not see it.

"It's time to go, Baelon, if you don't want us to get to Tarth like wet rats. Synfyre gets mad at the rain, he doesn't want his baby and mama getting wet."

His baby? Her neck was so pretty he barely swallowed, his mouth dry.  Since when has the baby inside her belonged to her golden beast? Aemon spoiled her really bad. She would have been safer on Vhagar's back, instead of that golden beast who didn't like him!

"Maybe we should have let Sunfyre stay home. He's still young, and you're no less secure on Vhagar's back."

"It's not that he dislikes you. He's just wondering if he can trust you. That's all. You got his mommy to cry."

"I make his mama cry? How often have I apologized for my behavior, Viserra? I didn't choose to send you to Dragonstone until we got married."

Nearly six and ten, Viserra Targaryen successfully played princess and wise lady to everyone, but they were all fools to mistake her for anything but a dragon.

A big belly was not enough to hold her tied to the ground, and he succumbed completely to her desire, as if he were a green boy. He hated it, but nodded in defeat. "I'll pack our stuff and then we'll greet our hosts."

A huge bright rainbow decorated the gray color of the sky and a flock of starlings flew up, so high that they seemed to fly through the bright colors when they entered the courtyard, walking towards the dragons.

Sunfyre turned his head to the side, like a happy child, letting a fine column of smoke come out of his snout while his golden eyes looked at her with adoration.

Vhagar, on the other hand, with her eyes still fixed on Baelon, clearly showed her discomfort before the small size of the courtyard.

"Do not worry so much, my love; we will fly by your side during our trip. Sunfyre is very protective of me."

She smiled at her prince, touching the muzzle of her dragon. "He knows he has to be nice to us, he belongs to both me and the babe."

"Very well. I'll keep a close eye on you."  Baelon groaned, but helped her climb on the saddle of her dragon while Sunfyre let a greater column of smoke rise in the sky, showing his annoyance at the presence of the Spring Prince.

How long has Viserra developed a trait that resembles that of Alyssa? It was definitely something in Targaryens' blood, Baelon was sure of it, but it was something that made him crazy sometimes.

Viserra has always been a sweet but ambitious girl yet as a dragonrider she was wild and passionate.

At Tarth, we will have more time to get closer to each other, he thought, stroking the green scales of Vhagar as he tied himself to her saddle.

It was great yesterday, I almost forgot we had memories together. He saw her from the corner of his eye, beautiful and fiery with the whip in her hand, ready to give her order to the golden beast.

The rays of the sun gave her a rosy color on her cheeks and her hair shone like a melted blend of silver and gold. She wore the cloak he had given her in the Dragonpit, and since she has carried it everywhere.

"For comfort," she said, but he liked to believe that she might like to feel that he was still with her, within her.

We are one, he reassured himself every time he thought of their wedding vows, she is the most beautiful woman in the world, but she is mine and with this big belly no one can look at her in a dirty way.

Even though he absolutely didn't want to put her life in danger and couldn't imagine his life without her waking up next to him someday, the thought of leading her to further pregnancies, of filling the Keep's chambers with little princes and princesses came back to his mind as a tempting solution.

Viserra loved children, her time would be filled with the care of their family, and no one would dare to raise their eyes on her when they knew she belonged to him.

"Sōvēs Synfyre!"

Alas, she does not belong to him alone, but to the heavens, and to her golden beast, who always looks at him with anger.

"Cursed thing," he whispered through his teeth, for a dragon learns, but does not forget easily.

"Sōvēs Vhagar." He followed her example, allowing Vhagar to spread her massive wings and bring him into the sky, where things were prettier and small problems seemed unimportant.

"Tarth, little sister." Baelon showed her the green isle beneath their feet. "They call it the Sapphire Isle for the striking blue waters in which it sits."

"It's beautiful." Viserra whispered, excited. Vhagar let a light pillar of smoke rise in the sky, showing her sympathy for Sunfyre, allowing him to approach, while he responded with a joyous howl.

They had a marvelous flight as the sky had begun to acquire a vivid blue color and the winter storms were now left behind. Even the air was warmer as they landed.

However, most of the anxieties that had vanished from his heart and mind as the dragons were high in the sky came back more troublesome when they hit the ground.

The eldest son of the Evenstar of Tarth along with a small group of the castle guard was in the courtyard, and Baelon would have been pleased with this welcome if the boy hadn't been staring so intently at Viserra. Instead of calming his worries, she took off her leather glove, and let the young boy kiss her skin, causing Baelon to curse under his breath.

Why can't we make it easier?

He wrapped his arms around her waist, placing one on her round stomach to show everyone she was his. The baby immediately responded to his touch, and a smile of bliss spread over his face.

My family, our family. I had stopped hoping that the good times would come back to my life, even less that peace would come back thanks to my little sister.

"Baelon," the sensation of his name in her mouth was sweeter than sweet summer wine, and if possible he would savor her insatiably as a thirsty man.

"Avy jorrāelan." (I love you.)

At the sound of the word, his eyes opened wide, and chills traveled up  his spine. "I do, my brother."

Chapter Text

"What are you doing?" Aemon turned to the king, surprised, since his question had no connection with what they had discussed so far. However, after the queen had departed, he constantly felt his father's sharp gaze upon him. This was a very challenging situation.

"I'm alright, I suppose." He chuckled, trying to break the tension between them, however, Jaehaerys continued to stare at him sternly, his lilac eyes had become darker now.

"Don't make a fool of yourself, Aemon. You know what I speak of."

He was in no mood to pretend that all was well after the suspicions they had with Jocelyn and Saera. The riddle still remained unresolved above their heads and the conversation with Cass did nothing but complicate the situation and make it worse.

"I sent them too far from us, but there is a reason for that. I did it for the protection of their marriage. I didn't mean to offend my sister if she saw the woman here, the belly full of my brother's bastard babe."

"What the seven hells are you telling me?" Jaehaerys' look narrows further on his eldest son's face.
"Your lady mother fixed that. The girl has no business being here. She was well paid, and the Iron Throne will look after the rest when her child is born."

Aemon was no longer able to hide his displeasure.  This particular situation was quite a mess and it was supposed that the king would be slow to learn of the existence of these matters.

"Doesn't seem to be that important to Cass."

"Doesn't that mean so much to Cass? She is nothing but a handmaiden. What leads her to believe that her opinion is more important than that of the Iron Throne? Are you implying that she's questioning my authority?"

I don't think she cares that much about our authority. Aemon thought very upset. She claims to be very afraid, but she won't say why. But what makes her feel that way if she has nothing to hide?

"I'm not suggesting she casts doubt on your authority, Father, but she's hiding something. I wasn't going to ruin everything or hurt my sister, but she asked to see him. Septon Bart tried to convince her that it was wrong, that Baelon is a married man now, but when she insisted, I took the blame."

"And now you feel doubly responsible because things didn't go the way you thought they would, son?" The king's voice softly softened, and gently caressed his eldest on the shoulder.
"It's no fault of yours, but I still don't understand what you're trying to hide from me."

"We... I was having second thoughts, Your Grace." He tried to avoid referring to Jocelyn and Saera and their contribution to this one. The situation was already very confusing and this would only worsen matters.

"I'm not certain of her innocence. I may be mistaken, but I believe she knows something about the conspiracy against us."

"What the hell, Aemon? Lord Peake is dead, and Lord Buckler is exiled to the Wall, along with those who chose to repent, but whose sins were heavy enough to be pardoned."

"You're right, Father, but I get the feeling we've missed something." Aemon's eyes, instead of the king's face, rested on the window opposite him.
"She's terrified, and she's definitely hiding something, but I can't figure that out."

"So her presence here is a result of questioning..."

"The result of a friendly discussion that gave the least result I expected." Aemon sighed. "However, I did grant her the favor of living here as long as necessary, so that she could feel safe for herself and the babe. Maybe now she'll trust me more."

"I'm sure you'll learn more about it - actually, I'm sure. Nevertheless... when I asked you what you were doing, son, I never meant that."

Jaehaerys face lit up with a smirk on his face, his eyes narrowed again on the face of the Prince of Dragonstone, and this time Aemon couldn't help but look at him.

"You mean you didn't know?"

"No, I was talking about you and your sister, Saera; Aemon. You've been very close these days, and I wonder what's really going on between you two. Anything more would be wrong now, you don't want to ruin our good relationship with  House Rogare, do you?"

"You don't have to worry, I'm glad she's home. That's all."
Aemon breathed deeply.
"So you didn't know anything at all?" Deep down, he couldn't believe he had destroyed the secret of his plan all by himself.

"No! I had no knowledge. However, I will not have the time to deal with it now. I'd send Baelon to White Harbor, for lord Desmond's wedding, but now that he is far away I'll have to make that trip myself, but not alone."

"The mother must take care of Boremund's engagement!" He bit his lip just after the sentence, Aemon, how can you be such a fool? You disclosed on your own that you had arranged secrets with these girls.
Jocelyn and Saera will make fun of you.

"This is why it is not your mother who will come with me, but your daughter, and Baelon's eldest son, Aemon." Jaehaerys once again touched the prince's shoulder, patting him on the back. "However, the next time you want to keep something from me, let your wife and sister talk about it on your behalf. They're a hell of a lot better at excuses."

Fuck you, Aemon.

Not only did you show you had plans in mind, but you couldn't even protect your daughter from a future she might not want to have.

They had discussed it with Baelon, they had agreed that it was the best solution for their future, but deep down he knew that this union would never have deep feelings beyond a friendly familiarity.

"I sure as hell don't want to go, my queen." Jaehaerys sighed, kissing her wrists, before pulling the furs to cover their bodies, placing his queen more comfortably in his arms. "But I have to. We need to further strengthen our relations with the Manderlys if this plan is to succeed. And also a few days away from the court may bring out  grandchildren closer together."

"Perhaps the cold of the North will bring them together," replied Alysanne, but without really believing in it. Rhaenys feels Viserys as her brother, not more.

"Anyway, hopefully this opportunity will be a good start for them, Alysanne." Jaehaerys sighed into her hair. "With this new information, our family will require more dragonriders. The girl-"

"You can't use my granddaughter for that, Jaehaerys. For a threat that exists within your mind alone. For the love of the gods, Draeko is concerned about his wife and the welfare of his house, not the dragons."

"However, Draeko has Valyrian blood from our ancestral kin, and his offspring with Saera can certainly claim a dragon anyway because of her own blood. If that happens, it's going to be a disaster for our house."

"If that happens, Jaehaerys. But in the Free Cities they hate dragons. If the Rogares returned to Lys with a hatchling, it would lead to a series of assassination attempts against them. Against our daughter and grandson! Draeko and Marron aren't that stupid, so don't keep pushing Rhaenys! She's still a child."

Alysanne's voice softened at the end, particularly when the king's fingers brushed her thigh on the white fabric of her chemise.
"You were that old when we got married, my love." He whispered in her ear.

"And you never laid me for two years, Jae, when you were older than me. Don't expect Viserys to court Rhaenys when he's three years younger than her."

"Come here." He squeezed her tighter as her lips found his. "I am curious and strict at times, I know, I treat all of you like this, even you who are my closest ally and my loyal consort, my Aly. But I just want to make our inheritance strongest, my love.  When we were young, we found a kingdom bleeding from war; I want us to leave a quiet land so that our children can reign safely."

The memories of their past had always been a sweet thing within their hearts.

"We had to go on that trip together! We have so much time to leave this court of ours." Alysanne complained then. "Just the two of us, our dragons and the never-ending blue sky."

"The grey northern sky you mean." He chuckled. "I would like you to be with me, but also I need you here, my love. Our half-brother's betrothal is an excuse - a falsehood!"

"Jaehaerys, our brother needs some happiness in his life, and inheritors too! Lady Massey will give him happiness and sons, I'm sure of that." Alysanne gently scolded him.

"I know, but Aemon is cooking something behind our backs. Cass is here, asking if she can see Baelon-"

"I know." She interrupted him with her thumb on his lips. "Did you really think that there was something I didn't know? I will be your ears and eyes for as long as required. After all, the happiness of my children is more important to me."

Generally speaking, Baelon should not be angry! The hospitality of the  Evenstar of Tarth was wonderful. The dinner that had been prepared in his and Viserra's honor was rich and plentiful, and the chamber they had been granted was a huge room with its own solar, elegant furniture, large windows overlooking the sea, a cozy canopy bed and a small private bathroom.

The lord and lady of Tarth were friendly and welcoming, the servants worked in harmony and... The lord's youngest son never misses a chance to flirt with Viserra all the time.

Baelon didn't have any reason to get jealous. He had earned his spurs at the age of six and ten, was a dragonrider whose mount was Vhagar, the legendary mount of Queen Visenya, and also  holding her sword. Dark Sister's valyrian steel used to sing in his hands. To be jealous of the boys who were still breastfeeding was foolish, they were children, with no experience and no interest.

And yet Baelon was so jealous that he felt anger boiling in his chest like it was Vhagar's own fire. Gods, this was horrible.

The fucking feeling in his heart was horrible and she was so beautiful and that made the torment in the Spring Prince's mind worse.

Viserra's black dress was a perfect fit for her pale skin.
The skirt was long, and wide enough to hide her swollen belly, while the upper part was tightened to beautifully highlight her breast.
The low square cut of her gown left some skin of her chest exposed, while the fabric on her shoulders and chest was embroidered with shiny black dragon scales. The long black sleeves of her gown made her hands more elegant and longer.
She had rejected the idea of too much jewelry to wear a special pearl necklace and her rings.
Having bathed shortly before, she had let her silky curls fall down on her shoulders.

Viserra was the most beautiful of his sisters and she was always surrounded by a crowd of boys.

Of course, it bothered him ever since he started to have feelings for her, but he hoped it would end when they saw her pregnant with his child.

Alas, this was probably only the hope of a fool.

"I'm excited to see more of the island, big brother. This is a lovely place." Viserra whispered as they returned back to their chamber.
"Aemon was right about the trip."

Baelon knows his anger as well as he knows Vhagar's flame or Dark Sister's blade. Both could be lost in the world, and still, his wrath would be capable of fighting an entire army. Even so, he had tried to control it recently, but without much success.

So instead of allowing his anger to guide him, he took her hand without leaving a single word out of his mouth and continued to walk in haste.

"Do you think there will be enough sun in the coming days for us to have a swim? They said there are beautiful beaches throughout the island. And with our dragons, traveling around will be easy if the weather is warm. Sunfyre-"

"Yes, yes, I know. Your favorite boy loves the heat." He made fun of her, and he felt like such a fool to do that. For Seven's sake, this is wrong. She has to stay calm and I make her sad.

Viserra, however, continued to talk happily like a bird singing on a spring morning.

"We were supposed to have fun, brother, right? Isn't that why we're so far away from home? For the beaches and the warmth."

"You don't really think Aemon had that on his mind, do you, sister?" A small move around them revealed how upset he was.

"The beaches and the warmth?"

"You, flirting with a bunch of fools right in front of my eyes."

With a swift movement that left her no place for reaction, he pushed her body between his and the wall holding it there.

A part of him shouted how foolishly he behaved. This was the second time he had trapped her between a wall and his body, and the first one led to this perfectly round belly that looked like a big pumpkin.

At first there was a trace of fear in her eyes, but it vanished when their lips met in a hungry kiss that dragged on.

"I don't think we can here, big brother."
She murmured in his ear, her mouth went down to pinch his neck skin with her teeth, and her words went straight to his half-hard cock.
"They can see us and on top of that, I can't balance myself well."

"There's nothing wrong with the first one."
His hoarse voice made her spine shiver and she felt moist between her legs. Since that night that he had spoken to her about Cass, Viserra really saw him, feeling that his behavior was different, like a fire burning from within. He loved her, no wonder.

"What about the other one, my beloved? You let your babies drop onto the cold floor?" Besides her raised eyebrow, it was her body that was leaning against his, driving him crazy with lust.

"No. At least not that huge belly of yours, my love."

"So you'd take me to the floor?" She pouts, but the gleam in her eyes showed more excitement than fear. "Would you do it, my dear brother?"

"Not now, my love, but I may do it in the future," He moaned. Ηe cupped both of her cheeks and claimed her mouth.

Viserra opened her lips a bit, inviting him in. He took it, his tongue exploring her mouth, his teeth teasing her tongue, making her breathless.

He parted their lips to breathe, "I have told you many times, you are mine." He growls before devouring her once more.

She feels her limbs shaking, weak and hopeless; she stares at him.

"You’re mine, Vis, you understand?" He asks; his violet eyes were dark and full of lust. All she did was shake her head.

He kisses her back on the lips, more gently this time; his hands fondle her round stomach.

"Say it, sweet sister, I want to hear it from your mouth."

She breathed deeply, "I am yours, brother!" She finally whispered, and she surrendered herself to him. Her defenses have been weakened once more.

Baelon smiles, the familiar boyish grin pours over his face.
"Avy jorrāelan, ñuha prūmia," ("I love you, my heart,") he said and kissed her again.

"Baelon," Viserra sighed when his fingers moved between her legs, over her dress, rubbing and stroking her. "Baelon, please!"

"Kostilus skoros, jorrāelagon prūmia?"
("Please what, dear heart?")
He pressed her wrist with his hand, making her moan, but not through pain. It was a sheer need, like what flowed between her legs.

"Let's go back to our room. I feel rather uncomfortable here."

"Gaomagon ao zūgagon issare caught? issi ao zūgagon bona se taoba qilōni courted kesā ūndegon īlva?"

("Do you fear being caught? Are you afraid that the boy who courted you will see us?")

"I don't..." She tried to read his face, to understand what his tight grip meant, but that was impossible.

"Se risk hen issare caught while verdagon jorrāelagon iksis dōna, dōna hāedar,"
("The risk of being caught while making love is sweet, sweet sister,) he finally told her.
"But if you insist we will continue when we go back to our chamber."

Back in their room, her dress and his garments were soon a mound on the ground. He had taken off all of his clothes before lying beside her on the bed, but Viserra still wore her shift.
He loved it when Viserra seemed so innocent, wearing white.

"You should have been more careful, brother," she muttered when he wrapped his arms around her body, stroking her stomach. "You ruined my dress."

"So maybe you should wear a dress that's easier to take off, sweetheart."

His thumbs brushed the bare skin of her shoulders, pulling the straps of her shift down slightly, sending a new shiver down her spine.

"And with a slightly tighter skirt, so that your perfect and round belly can be seen more."

"And why would I do that?"
Her question was never answered, because his hands slipped between her legs.

"Because I have you, my sweet sister. We've taken the same vows, and you're wearing my steel on your leg."

It wasn't her own leg she was looking at, but his, the same chain around his ankle made the warmth she felt in her navel extended over her entire body.
"You're not playing fair, Baelon." She sighed while his fingers stroked her inner thighs.

"When did I say I would play fair, my little dove?" His hand reaches higher and Vissera gasps at his touch. "Shhh, breathe. You'll like it like you always did. Let me listen to my little sister sing."

Instead of actually sliding his hand between her legs, he kissed her neck and pinched her nipples on the fabric of her shift, making her sigh.

"I think you're pretty ready now, hm?" It was one last question before he bit her earlobe.

"Baelon, you're torturing me!" He looked at her in amazement.
His finger had not slipped over the lace of her small clothes as he believed, but in her wet folds.

"You forgot a thing."
He chuckled, raising an eyebrow, sliding a finger into her slippery cunt.

"With my belly, I'm lucky to have clothes on, brother." She laughed. "I'm not sure what you think, but underclothes are often tiring for a woman who's expecting a child. It is easier to go without."

"Little minx, you play innocent, but I know what a dirty girl you are." He growled, moving his finger faster in and out of her.

"Baelon, please!" Her growing humidity made him sink another finger into her, making the heat under her navel the most intense.
"you're va moriot sīr lōz syt nyke, dōna riña."

("You're always so wet for me, sweet girl." )

"Mmmm, so perfect, so beautiful." She's dripping at his words, her walls tighten around his fingers and she reaches her peak.

"Baelon, Baelon please. This is as far as I can go."

Her plea instead of the result she hoped for simply brought a wild glow to his eyes.
"You look so beautiful when you come for me, my love. I guess I can put one more finger into your beautiful cunt."

"Please, it's too much," she whines. "The babe is squeezing me and your fingers are going to force me to make a mess again."

"I love your mess, sweet Vis," he replied, puts another finger in her cunt, stretches it, and prepares it well for his cock. "My sweet girl, my heart." He praises her and then showers her with kisses.

His thumb rises up against her swollen pearl while the rest of his fingers work inside and out of her and then he feels it again; her walls tighten around his finger, milking him desperately, "Oh fuuuuuck!" She yells and he chuckled.

When Baelon pulled out his hand Viserra hissed, she looked at him, wanting to beg but too prideful. He positioned himself between her legs, pushing her thin silk shift up to her waist.

"My beloved heart, how I like to be inside you when you're already so wet and soft from your orgasm," he whispered while pushing the tip of his cock into her.

He clenched his jaw to keep his sanity intact; she was too warm and welcoming. He wants to thrust all the way, coating himself on her sweet, warm wetness, but he recalled that it was too much for her condition.

Baelon kissed her again to relax, as he pushed further into her as slowly and gently as he could.

He felt the pressure he had created within her, even now that he had so carefully prepared her.
The pressure the baby was putting on her was big and her stomach had grown larger. It was amazing that she hid it so neatly beneath her dress.
"You are my brave girl," he praised her, and she smiled to his words.

"You spoiled me, brother mine," she breathed, as he moved slowly.
He growls as their hips finally meet; he breathes heavily, trying not to spill himself immediately; nothing could compare to his sweet sister, the way her cunt throb, the warmth, and how it drenches for him, she droves him mad with desire. 

"Fuck, I feel so full." She moaned as his thrusts grew faster inside her and grasped his ass to give him a sense of rhythm.

"And I feel complete!" He kisses her again, his tongue sliding into her mouth and his hands cupping her round stomach.

"I think you can go faster, brother," said she, and he nodded, he moved faster, and she moaned beneath him. "Fuck, I'm so close, Baelon!" She whimpers; the Spring Prince groaned and pumped her faster.

"Come for me, sweet sister." He said. And she does; she bites his shoulder as her sweet cunt milked him dry, "Fuck…" He cursed  as he spilled his seed deep inside her, and he kept thrusting until he became soft.

"Avy jorrāelan, ābrazȳrys.

("I love you, wife.")

He said breathlessly, collapsing beside her, but his head resting on her breast and his hand still cupping her belly.

"se Avy jorrāelan tolī, ñuha zaldrītsos."

"And I love you too, my little dragon."

Viserra fondle Baelon's hair, smiling happily; there is nothing that can keep them apart, they have their place in the world.

"Avy jorrāelan, valzȳrys."

("I love you, husband.") "Even if you ruined another one of my clothes."
She said, not even looking; Baelon knew she was pouting, and he laughed.

It was something more than he ever dreamed of.

Chapter Text

"Be serious, loving though with the smallfolk and friendly yet stern with the lords. For everything they offer you, you will first have your grandsire's permission and when you are not sure, you will look into his eyes for his answer."

"You don't need to get nervous, you're ready, Rhaenys, you're ready to shine, just... Not so much that Viserys got ignored by the rest of the guests."

Rhaenys repeated the words of her parents in her mind as Meleys made a joyful growl, following Vermithor into another circle above the city.

She smiled as she saw the white city lying beneath her, where the mouth of the White Knife met the sea. It was beautiful, clean, and well-ordered, in contrast to the capital.

Rhaenys could already admire the Seal Rock, a giant rock that prevailed in the outer harbor. It was crowned with a special ring on top, of an outpost made of stones that came straight from the time of the First Men, centuries ago.
The seals sunbathed on the bottom rocks when they emerged from the sea.

"The cold is truly horrible. I think I'm about to freeze in a minute."
Viserys muttered behind her back, and this brought a smile to her face. "We're about to land, cousin."

"Praise the Seven. A few more and they'll have a statue of myself in the castle. I'm already not feeling the joints in my feet from the cold." The boy murmured once more, pressing his chest against her back and wrapping his arms around her slender waist.
He then put his face on her shoulder, on the leather riding garments and the fur coat she was wearing.

"Just be patient, Viserys. There's the mouth of the White Knife, we'll leave the dragons and ride into the city." Rhaenys repeated their grandfather's plan.

"I hope the Northerners brought any carriages with them because I'm done riding today." The prince complained, and the princess commanded Meleys to begin landing after Vermithor and their grandsire.

There's already a small crowd gathered on the riverside when the Red Queen steps on the white river stones instead of the ground, and Rhaenys looks out from behind her long dark lashes at the northern party.

Her gaze falls first on the two young squires bearing the banners of houses Stark and Manderly, the gray direwolf, running on a snow-white icy field, and the white merman with green hair, beard, and tail, holding a black trident on a green-blue field.

When the young flag-bearers bowed and parted the real heads of the Northern party is revealed, lord Edric Stark and lord Desmond Manderly himself.

There is soft snow where the Northerners kneel before the Old King, and Rhaenys observes the scene carefully behind her black eyelashes; her eyes, Aemon's eyes, however, glow with cunning and cleverness.

Jaehaerys makes moves for them to rise, and a young boy kiss the hand of Rhaenys who blushes gracefully.
"We brought a carriage, but there are also horses, your Grace," Edric Stark tells the king and he narrows his gaze on his face; Rhaenys knows.
Her grandsire knew Lord Stark's grandsire, no doubt looking for something in common.

"The carriage is a nice idea for children, the future of the realm, yet I will ride into the city. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk along the way, my Lords." The king replied and Rhaenys doesn't stand a chance. "And so can I, your Grace. I would like some information on northern issues."

There is a crowd, of course, on the streets of the northern port, for it is the center of commerce of the northern province of the realm, but today there are far more people than ever in the streets braving the bitter cold.

It is the beginning of winter, and at Dragonstone the storms had only started long ago, but here the cold rages as a living thing.

Rhaenys doesn't feel the cold, at least not as much as Viserys.

"The blood of the Durrandons really runs through your veins," her father used to joke, but the Prince of Dragonstone was telling the truth anyway.
The Durrandons were Kings of Storm before the Conquest and Rhaenys had inherited more from them than from her father's Valyrian ancestors.

So when she rides into town on a white mare with her hair in a tight braid that stretches beneath her waist, wearing furs and riding leather, she is like a warrior princess.

Before their little party left Dragonstone, the Good Queen had a lively discussion with her about how a queen feels at similar moments and the honor she should show in every place.

Rhaenys is not a queen, and it will be years before she is crowned as one, but she is familiar with her duty.

The cheers of the crowd brought a sweet smile to her face before their party entered the Seal Gate and she spontaneously raised her gloved hand in a greeting, her grandfather's twin gesture.

This is not the case of Viserys who complains again about the cold when he comes down from the carriage in the court of the New Castle.

The bells of the Snowy Sept ring three times and Rhaenys breathes deeply, filling her lungs with the sea breeze.

"We have at least three hours before the feast, cousin; our grandsire was already in lord Theomore's solar," there is a playful smile on her face as she speaks; "Why don't we take a walk in the city?"

Viserys is like a little brother who rarely refuses, so both follow the white stone staircase which links the New Castle with the Wolf's Den.

When they leave the New Keep, Rhaenys takes a deep breathing full of surprises. From where they stand the view is breathtaking, the sea stretches across the horizon like a magic carpet and they can see the two ports of the city.

As they descend at fast paces, the noises of the city become louder, like the cry of a dragon that reaches their ears.

"Meleys is not very satisfied far from you," Viserys breaks the silence by reaching for her hand.
"She sounds annoyed."

"She's been so frustrated since Sunfyre left."
Rhaenys answered angrily, but smiled at Viserys, reassuring. "I miss Auntie Vis."

"Yes, I know..."
Viserys has ceased to smile and Rhaenys feels ridiculous with her explosion.

"What you miss most is Uncle Baelon."

"I love Aunt Vis," he said, angry, "just... I didn't have time to get used to their wedding idea and he took her away. Adults often act foolishly, but in this case, my father acts like he's gone mad. Shouldn't Aunt Vis rest before the babe? If anything happens to her when she's away, who will take care of her?"

The memory of his mother was still painful inside him, and Rhaenys clutched his hand in hers. "It's all right, Viserys. They'll be home by the time we get back, but for now, let's have some fun, hm?"

"Your Graces, stop! You shouldn't be out there!"

One of Lord Manderly's soldiers shouted when he saw Viserys' silver head, prompting Rhaenys to take his hand so that they might run.

"Your Graces stop right there!" A second soldier ran into them at the same time and Rhaenys began to run faster as she was pulling Viserys with her. It was amusing.

"You should have covered your hair sooner, Viserys." She scolded him, but with love pulled the hood from the coat to cover the boy's silvery hair.

"You never have to." The boy complained.

"Because my hair is pretty common, you little fool." Rhaenys bent, breathing deeply.

"They must have lost us, though." He replied breathlessly.

Rhaenys had led them through the crowd that was in the docks to the wharf that separated the outer from the inner harbor.

"Where can we go now? Should we go back?"

"Oh, don't be boring, cousin!" Her eyes shone with mischief as she talked.
"What's the fun in that?"