Chapter Text
Owl hour had passed, and the room was dark. Alicent had never had a problem with the dark, not even as a child. But at that moment, having her eyes closed, with the blackness of the night, reminded her of the deep black throat of the dragoness who had nearly burned her alive. And if that wasn’t enough, once Rhaenys escaped on the back of her dragoness, the useless Gold Cloaks had closed the gates of Dragonpit, leaving them immersed in darkness and chaos for several minutes after the terror suffered.
The Queen couldn't take it any longer and got up to light some candles around her bed. She felt a little cold, so she called the servants and got in between the sheets. Within minutes she had someone stoking the fire. Alicent was watching the task attentively, it might seem that she was watching the servant do his job well, but in reality, the Queen was absorbed in her thoughts. In fact, when the footman finished and bowed to her, she barely glanced at him as she gave him permission to leave with a wave of her hand.
Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was… That wretched harpy, where would she have gone? Alicent hoped that she wanted to avoid trouble and return to Driftmark, without meddling in the decision made by the Small Council. That she would settle for her family the Wooden Throne. But the Queen knew Rhaenys better than that to know she would do no such thing, least of all after the last time they spoke. By then Rhaenyra would undoubtedly be informed by her and would be forming her plan of attack. If only Alicent could have contacted her before Rhaenys, perhaps she could have appealed for peace. Viserys wouldn't have wished that in order for Aegon to sit on the throne, Rhaenyra would have to suffer. And Alicient didn’t wish.... well she wished... Seven Hells...
The Queen, frustrated, sat down on the bed and after pushing back her hair covered her face with her hands. She felt lost, and she certainly didn't want to go along with whatever her father had planned. Suddenly she felt a shiver, a breeze came in through the balcony that made the candlelight tremble for a moment.
“Who's there?” She asked from the bed since she felt a presence in the room.
Daemon looked up from the beach. From where he stood, the Red Keep looked majestic and menacing. Yet he smirked, averting his gaze to his dragon Caraxes. Daemon would gladly ride him and bring him down as Aegon the Conqueror destroyed Harrenhal, but unfortunately he had to wait. He released a sigh of frustration through his nose as he walked down the beach to his sleeping dragon, and nuzzled his long neck. They were to remain like this, in stealth, hidden, for the time being. Daemon sat leaning his back against Caraxes, and gazed at the horizon while stroking the pommel of his sword, Dark Sister. He just had to wait for the sun to rise, then he could watch the city and his enemies burn.
Alicent got out of bed and advanced across the room. Some candles had been extinguished, and the area was no longer as brightly lit as before. The truth was that she couldn't see anything, or anyone, but she could feel on her skin that she wasn't alone. She advanced towards the door to get Ser Criston through so he could secure the room himself, but then she really sensed it, someone was behind her.
Alicent slowly turned around and was stunned to discover Rhaenyra in front of her. A lot of emotions overwhelmed the Queen at that instant. Rhaenyra had returned as promised, and it caused her heart to skip a beat. But she had appeared in her room in the middle of the night and unannounced, what did that mean? That filled her with uncertainty. Had she come to attack her, to harm her?
She looked her up and down, and something gave her to understand that she did not come with good intentions. She was dressed like a peasant, hiding her platinum hair in an old woolen shirley.
That's how she had managed to sneak into the palace, and Alicent smiled disdainfully, that's how she always managed to sneak out of the palace to do whatever she wanted without consequences. But that wasn't what made her lose her mind. It was seeing that at her waist she carried the dagger that belonged to Viserys, and that now belonged to Aegon. That could only mean one thing, so without a moment's thought, Alicent raised her fists and rushed at Rhaenyra to attack her.
"Murderer!" The Queen exclaimed. Luckily, Rhaenyra knew how to react in time. She grabbed Alicent's wrists, and with that she was able to hold her arms crosswise across Alicent's chest, both of them standing very close to each other.
"Calm down." Rhaenyra whispered, looking towards the door. Any scandal could draw the attention of the Queen's prized sworn guard, and she didn't need anyone poking their noses into their affairs. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You murdered Aegon." Alicent said in a voice trembling with rage and grief. How could Rhaenyra be so calm in front of her after what she had done. "You have his dagger."
"First of all, it's my dagger" Rhaenyra corrected her. She still wouldn't let her go because she didn't trust Alicent, she was sure she would try to poke her eyes out, or go to the door to ask for help, so better to keep her close. "And secondly, I didn't kill anyone, he is perfectly safe in his chambers, sleeping peacefully, reeking of wine, but sleeping. I just took what was rightfully mine."
"You didn't kill him?" Alicent asked in a whisper. Her tense body relaxed in Rhaenyra's arms. Her breathing also became calmer, and she leaned her head to one side, trying to understand why Rhaenyra was there. She could have finished off those who were a hindrance to her on her way to the throne, she need only have entered their chambers while they slept and slit their throats. It is what her father Otto Hightower, and Hand of the King would have done.
"I would never shed my blood, if I can help it." Rhaenyra assured her by looking into her eyes so Alicent could see she wasn't lying. Once upon a time they were able to do that, to know what the other was thinking just by looking at each other. And Rhaenyra hoped that once again, that would be possible. If she had come all this way, it was to achieve peace before the Kingdom had to shed blood.
Alicent felt a great relief, the great tightness she had been feeling in her chest disappeared, and for the first time in a long time she allowed herself to smile slightly, and her eyes filled with emotion. Rhaenyra wanted peace, as she did, and had returned as promised. Viserys' death had robbed them of that small window that had opened between them at that dinner, which now seemed far away. She had dreamed of the day when Rhaenyra would return to the Red Keep, and they could mend what was once broken. That they could be friends again, that they could be one again.
And there she was, as if time had not changed, and they were still under that weirwood tree like when they were younger. Alicent would be reading while Rhaenyra would be lying with her head resting on her legs, so her friend could stroke her platinum hair. So many hours they had spent together, and yet, it felt like they had been robbed of their time, robbed of their chance at happiness. Alicent rested her forehead on Rhaenyra's, and closed her eyes, as if she could stop time.
However, unlike when they were young, something felt different now. Alicent was no longer the same, she had stood up to her father not long ago, and that new found freedom made her do something she never thought she would have the courage to do. With some hesitation, she turned her mouth to Rhaenyra's. Between her lips, Alicent caught the Targaryen's upper lip, a small temptation, a small taste. She must have realized that this would not be enough. She wanted more, needed more. She opened her lips, and slid her tongue tentatively over the Princess'. The Queen thought they tasted very good, and soon demanded, with determination, more. She wanted Rhaenyra to open up to her, she needed to taste the dragon's breath.
This caught Rhaenyra completely off guard, she expected anything from the Queen, except what was happening. She didn't understand if it was a stratagem or something else. She only knew that when she felt Alicent's lips on hers, she closed her eyes, and the passivity she had because of the surprise soon disappeared. If it was a ruse, she would feel blissful feeling Alicent's tongue on her own.
Rhaenyra then released one of Alicent's wrists, her free hand wrapped around her waist to drew her body closer against hers. The Queen emanated a heat that was intoxicating to her. She didn't even stop to think what Alicent might do now that her hands were free, for finally, Rhaenyra placed her other hand behind her neck to deepen the kiss. She let out a sigh of pleasure as she felt Alicent's tongue against hers, and prayed to the Gods that this was not all a trick.
To Rhaenyra's surprise, and even Alicent herself, the Queen didn't try to run away, or assault the Princess in any way. She made a sudden movement, but it was to remove Rhaenyra's stupid old woolen shirley and let out her long platinium hair. Her left hand went straight to lose itself in that long mane. She had missed a simple gesture like that, stroking Rhaenyra's hair. She didn't quite know what to do with her other hand, so she placed it on the Princess's shoulder. But the Targaryen knew better. She slid her hand down Alicent's waist and grabbed her ass eagerly. The Queen jumped in surprise, but gasped in pleasure. That startled her and made her take a step back.
When the women looked into each other's eyes, Rhaeryra could see in Alicent's eyes a fire as intense as the flames of her precious Syrax. She smirked at her with a cocky smile, something that in the past would have provoked Alicent's wrath, but in that moment it provoked something different. The Queen smiled seductively back at her, and took a step toward her. Rhaenyra made a gesture to withdraw, but remained in place. Alicent took Rhaenyra's dagger, which she carried hanging from her waist, and deposited it on a nearby table, tonight they would not need it.
After that, the Queen was still feeling that fire inside her, and that new found freedom, for which she was the one who took the next step. Without giving her time to react, she grabbed Rhaenyra by the face and pulled her to her. This time her lips did not move coyly, but her mouth caught the Princess's with great ferocity. When her tongue was not tasting the dragon's breath, her teeth nibbled at Rhaenyra's lips without giving her respite. On top of that, she began to move forward, causing the Targaryen to go unnoticed toward her bed.
They needed to breathe, and it was in those few moments when their lips were parted that Alicent took the opportunity to remove a garment from Rhaenyra. The breeches were the first thing to fall, the Queen pushed them back with her feet when she had them within reach, and just as the Queen removed the rough linen shirt from the Princess, she fell backwards onto her bed. Alicent touched her lower lip with her index finger at the sight before her eyes.
Many years before, and for a long time, Alicent was Rhaenyra's lady-in-waiting. She had bathed and dressed her, so she had seen her naked before, but Rhaenyra was no longer that girl back then. The body in front of her was that of a woman, and yes, there were parts that were still the same as she remembered, like that hair between her legs that matched her mane. But what attracted her attention the most, and what made her bite her lip, were Rhaenyra's breasts. She, with three children, was no stranger to the changes a woman's body went through. But the Princess was with a child at the moment, her belly was a bit swollen at the bottom, so she should be in the early stages. But her breasts had grown noticeably, announcing her condition.
Alicent, without looking away from Rhaenyra's eyes, removed her nightgown, exposing her own nakedness. This time it was Rhaenyra who held her breath at the beauty of the Queen. Her long brown hair fell forward, covering part of her perfect breasts. With fewer children than Rhaenyra, she had preserved her figure better, and the Princess was already dying to roam her narrow hips. And the hair on her legs bestowed a future promise she intended to claim.
The Princess held out her hand to the Queen to join her on the bed. They both lay down, Alicent lying on top of Rhaenyra. The contact of their skins and bodies felt like an explosion of fire, and they looked into each other's eyes without knowing what to say. Alicent caressed Rhanerya's face as the Princess ran her hands up and down Alicent's back. So many words had been said in the past, mostly hurtful, over the years a resentment had grown between them like a stone wall. However, at this moment it seemed that none of it remained. Rhaenyra placed her palm on Alicent's cheek, and shivered.
“I had forgotten how beautiful you are.” The Princess whispered, Alicent smiled back, and kissed the palm of her hand.
“I had forgotten how much I'm drawn to you.” The Queen replied.
Alicent kissed Rhaenyra again, now that she had tasted her lips, she realized she couldn't stop. Rhaenya moved so that Alicent was lying next to her, so she could better observe her body, and what was even better, feel it. She wasted no time, and while their mouths were still joined she slipped her hands between their bodies to touch the Queen's breasts. The moment she held them, and caressed them, Alicent broke the kiss to sigh a small sigh of pleasure next to Rhaenyra's ear. That only caused the Princess to feel more confident in what she was doing, and she took advantage of the fact that their lips had separated, to bring her mouth to one of the Queen's breasts.
Alicent felt shocked at what her body was experiencing. She had never felt this way in bed before. Rhaenyra's attentions made her feel as if a storm was raging inside her, and thousands of lightning bolts were striking her skin. She felt hot from the inside out, like a fever, her whole body felt warm. Especially her lower body, she didn't know what that meant, she only knew that she was liking it.
Rhaenyra was very pleased with how Alicent melted in her hands. She felt it in how the Queen moved towards her each time she sucked on one of her breasts while squeezing the other with her hand, as if demanding more from her. And she herself felt aroused at the taste and feel of Alicent's tits. But she needed more, she had made a promise to herself that she planned to keep it. While her mouth was still sucking on the royal nipple, she began to slide her free hand down Alicent's body, until she reached her lower belly. She caressed the skin below her navel, hoping to make her intentions clear.
Perhaps to Alicent, Rhaenyra's intentions were unclear, perhaps her mind was clouded by the pleasure she felt through her breasts, or perhaps she had simply never felt anything like it. Rhaneyra ran her fingers along the Queen's lower lips, caressed the area until she came upon the delicious pearl she sought. With a circular motion of her ring finger, Rhaenyra pressed on Alicent's clit, causing Alicent to suddenly startle, with a gasp escaping her mouth as she withdrew slightly.
“What's wrong?” Rhaenyra asked concerned, she didn't think she had hurt her, but she didn't know.
“What was that?” Alicent asked confused.
“What was what?” Rhaenyra replied, a little amused by Alicent’s face.
“You know.” She whispered a bit embarrassed, as if she had realized the situation they were in and the doubts, caused by her faith, resurfaced in her. “That thing you did, it made me feel…”
“Pleasure?” Rhaenyra finished for her. “It's totally normal to feel pleasure when you're touched there.”
“I have never…” Alicent started to say, but didn't finish. She found the whole thing rather embarrassing, and even more so if they took into account the implications. Which was when Rhaenyra realized them.
Was it possible that Alicent had not experienced pleasure in its pure state? Not that she wanted to think about the marital life she might have had with her father. But she could imagine, like any man, her father would never have cared to know if his wife enjoyed it. It would be enough for him if the outcome yielded heirs, as it did. But that led her to other questions, with their respective possible answers. That could mean that the Queen was always faithful to her father, because that's what lovers are for, to please where husbands fail. In that case, had she never thought of doing it for herself? That one needed an answer, so she didn't hold back when she asked her.
“You've never touched yourself?” Rhaenyra asked directly and without any shame. That made Alicent blush, and she even lowered her gaze mortified by the Princess's question.
“N... No, that's impure.” Alicent replied, Rhaenyra couldn't contain it, and a laugh escaped her mouth. She kissed Alicent's forehead and forced her gaze back up to look into her eyes.“It's not.” Rhaenyra assured her. The first time she returned to the Red Keep she noticed how the symbols of faith plagued the place. She had never been very devout, and she knew Alicent had been more so than she, but she didn't think how much her former friend might have been devoted to the faith.
“The Supreme Septon says…” Alicent started again to justify herself, but Rhaenyra decided to silence her with a soft kiss on her lips.
“Did you feel it wrong?” Rhaenyra simply asked her.
“No.” Alicent replied smirking, she knew Rhaenyra was "cheating."
“How did it feel?” The Princess wanted to know.
“It felt... good.” She replied with mock dignity. Then Rhaenyra moved closer to her, slipped her hand between their bodies again, and this time she wasn't gentle as her fingers found Alicent's womanhood. Her ring finger ran along the Queen's sex, ending up making circles over her clit, increasing the pressure with each turn.
“How does this feel?” Rhaenyra asked in a murmur against Alicent's neck. The Queen's body responded for her, her back arched seeking deeper contact. Alicent gripped Rhaenyra's shoulders as a moan escaped her lips.
“It feels better.” Alicent leaned her forehead against Rhaenyra's, her smile against the Princess's lips, she replied with a gasp. Then Rhaenyra stopped to embrace her, her lips against Alicent's neck so that her breath reached her ear.
“You've always been in my heart, didn't you hold me in yours?” Rhaenyra asked, remembering the words spoken by Alicent's father on the bridge. It was time to find out if they were true or just a trick. In response, Alicent hugged Rhaenyra tighter and nodded.“So whatever we do cannot be impure, for it is born of the love we have always kept for one another.” Alicent raised her head and rested her hand on Rhaenyra's cheek, caressing it with her thumb.
“I have to admit that at this point, I don't care what this means, as long as it doesn't end.” Alicent said with a smile. It was funny, but she couldn't remember smiling with this authenticity in a long time. Rhaenyra smiled back at her, took her hand and kissed her fingertips. It broke her heart to realize that Alicent still had her little girl mania, and that her cuticles were shredded.
“I want to kiss you.” Rhaenyra said. And to those words, Alicent laughed.
“I believe you are already doing so.” She replied, and Rhaenyra's smile became naughtier.
“I didn't mean those lips, or that kind of kiss.” She explained, keeping the mystery. But Alicent remained confused. So Rhaenyra moved her hand to the Queen's lower belly, right where she had it before that little interruption. “Down here”. She was more explicit. Alicent's lips formed an "o" of surprise, and her eyes widened.
“Can you do that?” She asked in wonder. To that, Rhaenyra laughed.
“I can do that, and more. Whatever you let me have.” She replied hoping that the Queen would give her permission, and that it would really be for much more.
“Well.. I think… Yes, you can kiss me… there.” Alicent answered her, with a bit of embarrassment, and at the same time with a bit of excitement. With just a few caresses Rhaenyra had managed to make her feel indescribable things, literally her body didn't feel hers, what could she expect from her kisses... down there?
“Alright, then let’s do this.” Rhaenyra said. She got down on her knees on the bed so that she could dispose as she pleased. The Princess moved pillows to the center of the large bed, then urged Alicent to lie on them. She positioned herself on top of the Queen. “I want you to watch.” Rhaenyra whispered before biting her lower lip, now she has Alicent at her disposal and with it her body.
Forgotten had been the reason for her visit to the high tower, and with it that the time she had was finite. So she was in no rush to reach Alicent's lower area, and decided to savor her body completely. She started with her long neck, her skin was so soft, and she smelled so good, that what started as a trail of kisses soon turned into little nibbles, until finally she sunk her teeth. Alicent reacted with a gasp of surprise, she did not think that something as dull as the neck could be so sensitive. And what must have seemed painful, brought her great delight.
Rhaenyra continued her trail of trailing kisses down Alicent's collarbone to her cleavage. Sometimes she kissed them, sometimes she simply brushed her skin with her lips, it was so soft, she even used her cheeks to caress it. The Princess reached the royal breasts, and while it was true that she had already tasted them, she couldn't help but give them a little attention before continuing. She held both in her hands to use her mouth on them. As she squeezed them, she took one of them into her mouth and sucked on it, pulling her head back to get the nipple between her lips. She bit it gently causing Alicent to exclaim in pleasure. Then she did the same with the other.
As Alicent moaned, Rhaenyra continued her passage across her belly. Her kisses left a shiny trail on the Queen's skin, so she took the opportunity to blow on it, making Alicent's skin crawl with goose bumps. The Queen's mount of venus was conquered, but Rhaenyra, instead of following the more obvious path down, decided to take a detour.
She grabbed Alicent by the ankles, and began nibbling on the inside of her thighs, first on one leg, then the other. The Queen trembled under these attentions, and had long since forgotten decency, letting all manner of obscene sounds escape down her throat.
“Look at me.” Rhaenyra said with her lips on her right thigh, she noticed that Alicent had her eyes closed. “I don't want you to miss anything.” And then she brought her mouth to Alicent's pussy.
Ser Criston Cole was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, but despite his high position he still considered himself the Queen's sworn shield. And as such he stood guard at the door of the Queen's chambers. He knew very well what his position and duty was, so he did not move from his post even though he began to hear strange sounds coming from the bedroom. Her Queen had not called him, and he had to respect her privacy. For this reason, the White Cloaks always stood with their backs to the door, to prevent the passage of anyone who had not been summoned.
However, the sounds coming from the room had been increasing, and to Ser Criston they seemed to be coming from the Queen herself. So now he was facing the door, hesitating whether he should enter to check that all was well, or hold his position until the Queen called him.
Rhaenyra knew she had to be patient, and take her task slowly. Her desire made her want to go straight to the best part of Alicent, but if she wanted her to have a good experience, she had to do it right. She began by caressing the outer lips with her fingers, using her nails gently, keeping her gaze on Alicent in the process. The Queen was trembling, not only in reaction to this, but in anticipation of what was about to happen, so much so that she found it difficult to stay on her elbows. Rhaenyra continued her exploration, not missing Alicent's reactions, she had to know if she was on the right track. She switched to using her fingertips, and with her fingers in a V shape, she massaged the inner lips from top to bottom.
But she had told Alicent that what she wanted was to kiss her, and so she did. And what her fingers had done before, her tongue did now.
The Queen tasted good, and once the Princess tasted her, she knew she couldn't stop. She climbed off the bed to be on her knees before it, and slid Alicent towards her. She grabbed one of the Queen's legs with her arm, while her mouth continued to play on her pussy. Alicent had begun to gasp, but Rhaenyra knew she could do better. Her tongue had been fiddling around her clit without quite touching it, tempting it. When Rhaenyra put her mouth fully on top and sucked gently, Alicent let out her first moan and expletive.
“Oh Gods!” Alicent exclaimed, throwing her head back, as if she were actually invoking the Seven. Rhaenyra stopped, and smiled at her with her lips glowing.
“I believe it's me doing all the work.” She joked. “But you can help me…”
“How?” Alicent asked her with eyes bright with curiosity and lust. Rhaenyra climbed onto the bed for a moment to take Alicent's hands and place them on her own breasts.
“Touch yourself, touch yourself as I touched you before.” She explained, and resumed the same position as before. With her knees on the floor, and her head between Alicent's thighs.
“I hope I can do it as well as you.” Alicent replied mischievously as she prepared to obey.
“I want to do something to you.” Rhaenyra said while she caressed the inside of her thigh with her lips.
“More?” Alicent asked amused, what else could she do?
“Yes.” Rhaenyra responded with a smirk by resting her temple on Alicent's leg. In that night she had learned how locked the Queen had been in her duty, in every way. So she was not going to be like the others, she would not impose, and she would ask for her consent. “I want to touch you deeper. Do you trust me?”
“I…” Alicent began to say, really thinking about her answer. Because maybe that had been her problem, not thinking. Did she trust Rhaenyra after everything that had happened? Certainly, if she had wanted to harm her or her own, opportunity had been there for her. And instead, here she was, making her feel a pleasure like she had never felt before. “I do.”
Rhaenyra believed Alicent was ready for her. So when she heard her words of consent she did not hesitate to return to her task. This time she wasn't going to take any more detours, and took her mouth directly to her clit. She began to lick it in circles, every now and then she looked up to check that Alicent had obeyed her and was touching herself, her moans soon followed. And soon she really began to taste the Queen she soon began to get really wet.
Now she was really ready for her. Rhaenyra massaged Alicent's inner lips again, this time with her middle finger, impregnating it with her wetness. In a moment she began to gently insert it inside Alicent, which caused her to gasp and clutch her breasts tightly, as if she had run out of air. Rhaenyra wanted to go slowly, so she withdrew her finger, and reinserted it, this time simply fiddling with the entrance, just sticking the tip in.
But that alone was more than enough for Alicent, who could no longer contain herself, and had mentioned the Seven again on occasion between moans. She gripped her breasts tightly, while pinching her nipples between her fingers. Her body kept moving, wriggling, and arching her back, as she's offering herself to the Princess.
The sight of Alicent was a dream for Rhaenyra. To see her so erotic, and to know that she was the cause of her being in such a state was too much for the Targaryen. Unable to restrain herself, she let go of Alicent's leg to start touching herself, still pleasuring the Queen with her mouth and her other hand. Soon, both women joined in the moans they provoked in each other, without being aware of where they were, for them, only their bodies and their pleasure existed.
Alicent felt on the verge of losing her mind. She had never felt this way before, and she didn't know how to put into words what her body was experiencing either.
She felt like a fire inside her, coming from where Rhaenyra had her mouth. It was like being tickled from the inside, but it felt more intense, and much more pleasurable. In a moment she began to feel herself falling, her body rising into the air, and something exploded inside her.
“Rhaenyra!” She cried out the Princess's name when she could no longer contain herself. She felt the room spinning, felt as if her body was on fire, and felt like she was still short of breath. But most of all, she felt happiness like she hadn't felt in a long time.
Ser Criston Cole was uneasy. The strange noises had only been increasing, and he was worried about her Queen. He had his hand outstretched towards the doorknob, when a particular scream caused his doubts to dissipate, he stormed unannounced into the room, ready to draw his sword if necessary. What he encountered froze him for a few moments. Her virtuous and pure Queen was totally sullied in the clutches of that whore.
The women were startled by Ser Criston's sudden entrance, Alicent tried to cover herself out of inertia, and Rhaenyra fell with her ass on the floor as a consequence. This was not what she had planned, she hadn't even had time to talk to Alicent properly. She tried to stand up don't knowing what else to do, running away maybe? Anyway, there was nothing she could do, the Lord Commander was already on top of her.
“Whore!” Ser Criston shouted as he caught Rhaenyra. The bitch had tried to run away, but he had grabbed her by the throat before, and now he was pushing her against the wall as he squeezed harder. “What have you done to her?”
“Ser Criston, stop!” Alicent ordered from the bed, terrified of the situation. Rhaenyra was hitting Ser Criston to get rid of him, but it was no use. He would not cease his grip, it seemed he would not stop until she died in his hands.
“She was the only pure thing in this rat's nest. And you have sullied her.” The knight yelled at Rhaenyra, ignoring her Queen's order. Even with her life hanging by a thread, or in this case in Ser Criston's hands. The Princess couldn't help but smirk, and let out a choked laugh.
“Jealous?” Rhaenyra provoked him knowing it might not be the wisest thing to do, but she couldn't control herself. She was fed up with the puritanism of the court and their false honor.
“You are a spider who sting and suck your prey dry, and as such, I will crush you.” Ser Criston threatened her as he tightened his grip around her neck, lifting her off the ground. Rhaenyra was no longer smiling, her vision was beginning to blur.
Another scream rang through the room, and Ser Criston's face went from pure anger to surprise, then pain. He released Rhaenyra to slowly turn around to find Alicent with the Targaryen dagger in her hand stained with his blood. His eyes looked full of anger and at the same time, broken by betrayal. Alicent was frightened when the knight moved that she stabbed him again in the chest accurately, because there was no armor that could stop the Valyrian steel, and less at such close range.
That caused him to start staggering backwards, which Rhaenyra took advantage of to put the shank on him and make him stumble, falling out of the window, rushing into the dry moat full of iron stakes. Alicent dropped the dagger as if it burned in her hand. Rhaenyra looked out to see the end of her one-time lover, and when Alicent went to do the same, she prevented her from doing so by hugging her.
“Don’t look.” Rhaenyra advised her while stroking her hair, but Alicent was in shock at what just happened.
“I've killed him.” Alicent whispered, pulling herself away slightly to look at Rhaenyra.
“No, it was an accident.” She assured her by cupping her face in her hands. “You saved my life, and if anything, we did it together.” Rhaenyra tried to comfort Alicent, and she must have done it very well, because the Queen went from fright to distrust in an instant.
“Why are you here, why have you come?” Alicent asked her with suspicion. The magic they had felt moments ago had faded, gone out the window with Ser Criston. That hurt Rhaenyra, who let go and turned away from her, still keeping an eye on where the dagger had fallen.
“I want my father's kingdom, and I want peace.” She answered her, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible. Although she was hurt, she was trying to be understanding with Alicent due to the circumstances that had arisen. “I have come to bargain.”
“What a way to play it, first you seduce me, and then you kill my sworn shield.” Alicent folded her arms at that accusation. “By what right do you claim the Kingdom?” Rhaenyra put her hand to her mouth, and rubbed her chin. Her "stepmother" had returned, and in her words she could hear the voice of her father, the Hand of the King.
“First, I seem to remember that you kissed me.” Rhaenyra reminded her as she bent down to pick up the dagger. Alicent blushed, and at the same time took a step back. “And second, with the right that my father gave me the day he named me his heir.”
“That's the thing. The King chose Aegon to be his successor before he died. Those were the last words he said to me - his last words.” Alicent explained to her.
“How convenient.” Rhaenyra said, expressing her disbelief.
“Well, it is the truth.” Alicent replied defensively. “He believed that Aegon would be the one to unite the kingdom, The prince that was promised, he called him.”
“What did you say?” Rhaenyra asked in surprise, could it be that her father's last words had been meant for her?
“What you've heard. He said I was the one, that I was the one who should do it. He put his faith in me that I would bring his son to the throne.” Alicent answered her, very sure of her words. Although she didn't quite understand Rhaenyra's expression. She had put a hand to her mouth as she closed her eyes, as a tear escaped, running down her cheek. Suddenly she grabbed her hands and startled her, still holding the dagger.
“Alicent, what were his exact words?” Rhaenyra insisted with fierce intensity.
“I don't... I don't know, it's true that he didn't speak very intelligibly. But he mentioned Aegon, and he said that he would unite the realm.” Alicent understood that Rhaenyra wanted to know of her father's last words. But if she didn't trust that she was telling the truth, it would serve no purpose for her to tell her those words one by one.
“Did he tell you about the Song of Ice and Fire, about the great danger coming from the North?” Rhaenyra asked her, and when she saw the surprised expression on Alicent's face she released her, and went to the fireplace. There she deposited the dagger near the fire to let it warm up.
“How do you know that?” Alicent whispered in bewilderment. She had spoken to no one of the exact words Viserys had consecrated to her, not even to her father. She said only that the King told her he wished Aegon to be his heir, and no one questioned her or asked further questions.
“He didn't speak to you of Aegon, his son, but of Aegon, the Conqueror and his prophecy.” Rhaenyra answered her as she pulled the dagger out of the fire to show it to Alicent. On the reddened blade had appeared some words in Valyrian that Alicent didn't understand, but she certainly never knew were there, neither she nor her son.
“What does all this mean?” Alicent was beginning to be unsure of what a few days ago she was sure of with certainty. Had her father so poisoned her mind that she wanted to believe what suited her household?
“This is a legacy that has been passed down from King to heir since the time of Aegon the Conqueror.” Rhaenyra began to explain carefully. She had to choose her words well, and she commended herself to the Gods so that the Queen would believe her. “My father passed it on to me in my youth, as a form of commitment to my inheritance. But over the years everything became so complicated that I lost faith. And the last time we were in King's Landing, I asked him if he believed in the prophecy, and if he really believed that I was the one to carry it out. You see, in Valyrian, the prophecy doesn't specify gender, so it could be the prince or princess who was promised.”
“I.. Really thought he was talking to his son.” Alicent whispered, then realizing that her mistake had caused so much damage, she collapsed. She began to be aware of her nakedness and hugged herself to ward off the cold. “What have I done?”
“It's okay, we can fix it.” Rhaenyra told her sympathetically. She put the dagger aside, and hugged Alicent. She took care to lift her up and carry her to the bed so that she could tuck herself in with the covers. “Everything you did was done in the belief that you were doing it for the good of your son and the realm. It's what any mother would have done and that is what makes of you such a great Queen.” She comforted her by taking her hands and caressing them. Then Alicent came back to herself and looked into her eyes.
“But at what cost.” She said caressing her cheek. It is true that if she had left it in her father's hands, things would have been worse. Perhaps Rhaenyra would have died, her consolation was that she did everything possible to prevent it. “We have to restore you on the Throne.”
“I do not wish for any bloodshed, least of all from your household. Will your sons agree? What will happen to your father?” Rhaenyra was worried that words would not be enough as they had been with Alicent. She didn't have a large army, but she had more dragons than her half-brother. She could take King's Landing by force, but she had no desire to reign over the ashes. Alicent, however, seemed to have risen again, and the Queen spoke.
“Leave it to me. My son will do what his mother tells him, no matter how much of a king he is. And my father... Well, his manipulations have come to an end, his conspiracy is over.” Alicent assured her in such an earnest manner, that Rhaenyra believed that she herself would open the gates of the city for her.
“If you promise me that this will happen, then I must march to communicate it to my allies and cease any initiation of war.” Rhaenyra said with the intention of leaving the bed, but Alicent held her hand tightly to prevent it.
“I swear to you.” Alicent said, and so that Rhaenyra would be sure of her words, she sealed that oath with a kiss. “Do you really have to leave so soon?”
“Well…” Rhaenyra looked towards the window noticing that it was still dark, maybe she still had time. She couldn't rush it either tho, Ser Criston's death had accelerated things, and if they found his corpse before they could take care of him, things could get messy. “I'm supposed to have before sunrise to get back. Or they'll think something has happened to me.”
“And what would happen then?” Alicent asked without really wanting to have the answer, because deep down she knew it. And at Rhaenyra's silence, she answered herself. “Daemon, isn't it? He would destroy the city or something.”
“Or something… But you have nothing to worry about, he won't do anything without my consent.” Rhaenyra assured her.
“Well, there is still time for sunrise. And you can't just leave.” Alicent said as she moved the sheets to cover Rhaenyra, because it was clear she was going to stay longer.
“How so?” Rhaenyra asked amused.
“Well, we have things to plan. Aegon won't be king, but something will have to be, and significant enough for him to relinquish the crown smoothly.” Alicent knew his son well, it is true that he never cared about ruling, but he had tasted what it was like to have the acclaim of the masses, and he would not settle for simply being part of the court, he would want some of the power taken from it.
“He can be my Hand.” Rhaenyra replied with a shrug. She had already thought of something like that. Normally the position of Hand was given to someone who could rule in the absence of a suitable monarch. But she had no intention of being that, so even if she listened to Aegon's opinion in council, it would be her voice that would prevail. The matter settled, Rhaenyra prepared to rise again, but once more Alicent prevented her.
“What about Aemond? I think he could give more trouble than his brother.” Alicent said, holding her by the wrist. Rhaenyra sat back down, and smirked.
“I had thought of offering him the Golden Cloaks. You really have nothing to worry about, your children will be well positioned. I think you want me to stay in this bed more than anything.” Rhaenyra replied mischievously.
“Is that a bad thing?” Alicent replied playfully, feigning a certain dignity.
“Not at all.” Rhaenyra said giving up, and leaning back on the bed. Alicent immediately followed her lead and settled into her arms.
Finally the two women did talk about the future of the Kingdom. At the very least, both sides had to make concessions if they wanted everything to proceed peacefully. Alicent agreed that the Council of the Greens should be dissolved, and that those who had conspired to wrest the Throne from Rhaenyra should suffer the consequences of such treachery. Although they did not specify what would happen to her father. There was also the matter of Rhaenyra's succession. Certain words that might be offensive were avoided, but the Targaryen had to accept a compromise on that matter as well, and her children.
But above all, that night Rhaenyra and Alicent became one again, as they once were. They stayed awake until the sky began to lighten just to have a chance to be in each other's arms. At one point, Rhaenyra suggested that Alicent should be her consort. If Aegon the Conqueror had two wives, why shouldn't she have two consorts? As much as Alicent was flattered by the idea, she knew that in that respect they were going to have much more going against them than their families. With a kiss, Rhaenyra promised her that she would think about it and find a solution to stay together.
The sun had not yet peeked over the horizon, but the sky was already getting lighter, and Daemon was getting impatient. He had never been a patient man, he was about to climb upon Caraxes to burn all of King's Landing if Rhaenyra wouldn't showed up.
“What took you so long?” He asked frustratedly, but because he had been worried inside. He hugged his wife when she was close. “Is it done?”
“I believe so.” Rhaenyra answered him by looking towards the Red Keep, as if from where she stood she could find Alicent's chamber. “We must wait, we must gather our men. But first, I need a favor from your supporters among the Golden Cloaks.”
“What for?” Daemon asked suspiciously. They were not supposed to take the city by force, and in any case, it was her friend, the Queen, who was supposed to handle the Golden Cloaks to let them enter the city without a problem.
“I need them to take care of a dead body.”
Alicent decided to get dressed without the help of her handmaiden, for the moment it was better for the castle to remain asleep, and no one would know of her departure from her chambers. The Queen walked nervously through the corridors of the Keep, looking every which way, praying to the Seven that she would not encounter any gossipy servants or any guards making their rounds.
She knew what she had to do and say, and went over it again and again in her mind, while she couldn't help pinching her nail cuticles, deep down she was nervous even if she showed composure. As she expected, she did encounter a Kingsguard guarding the door to the King's chambers, as well he should. Despite the hour, bbeing the Dowager Queen had its advantages, so she had no problem with the guard letting her pass. And just as Rhaenyra had told her, she found Aegon sound asleep and reeking of wine. Alicent sat on his bed, and shook him by his shoulder.
“Aegon, wake up.” She called out to him, and didn't stop moving him until her son woke up, and sat up when he saw that it was his mother. “We need to talk.”