Chapter Text
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Chapter 9.
“Possessiveness pulsed through my veins like something new, hot and dangerous."
Stepstones, 113 A.D.
For Daemon Targaryen.
I woke up the next morning with a confused mind and still very sleepy, despite having had an unexpectedly good night's sleep and feeling well rested. Since arriving at the Stepstones two years ago, it had been a long time since I had known what it was like to lay my head on the pillow and sleep for hours on end. Nights of pure insomnia or terrible nightmares became a familiar and constant occurrence in my life amid the chaos of being in a war for so long.
There was no glory in war, only despair, constant death, fear, hunger, and the uncertainty that we would survive until the next day.
When I went to Caraxes, leaving King's Landing and my niece behind, it was with the thought of accomplishing something great, of leaving my name in history for future generations of the House of the Dragon. Not only that, I wanted to be seen as something more than the Rogue Prince, the Lord of Flea Bottom, the hated younger brother of the kindly King Viserys, the second son of a second son, with no riches or lands to his name.
Although this was probably impossible to come true, I tried to cling to a flicker of hope that I could get rid of my hateful wife with an annulment. Killing her was an option, but the possibility of the blame falling on me, even if I left no clues or paid off the best assassins, was enormous. So, using my hard-won victory in a war that was about to lead the Kingdom into even greater danger was my best and possibly only chance of extricating myself from a totally unwanted marriage.
I was dragged into marrying Rhea Royce when I was 16 years old by my late grandmother, Queen Alysanne. I was never able to free myself from that horrible woman who, according to them, was to be my wife for the rest of my days. Furthermore, I wanted a Valyrian wife, as Viserys had the chance to choose three times, but I was forced to marry a sheep of the Vale.
Rhea hated me as much as I hated her.
And then there was Rhaenyra's request, which she made the day I left for war.
My sweet and stubborn niece wanted me to take her as my wife when she came of age. Her request left me perplexed and bewildered, while at the same time motivating me even more to want to win the war in order to get the damn annulment. I didn't see her as a woman, nor did I desire her as one. Rhaenyra was just my niece, a 14-year-old maiden, the same girl I held in my arms as a newborn.
I only agreed to Rhaenyra's request because I knew that my idiot brother would sell her to the highest bidder, regardless of whether she was the Heir to the Iron Throne or the future first Queen Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. The man who married my niece would see her only as a royal womb and use her as a breeding mare only to bring princes and princesses into the world. And it would be enough for the leech of the Hand and the whore Queen to start whispering in Viserys' ears.
I would bathe the Dark Sister in everyone's blood and rain fire on all the Seven Kingdoms and the lands beyond the Narrow Sea, but I would never allow my niece to suffer the same tragic fate as my good sister Aemma. She would never be cut open like an animal slaughtered in a hunt so that a damned man could have a male heir in his arms.
Rhaenyra would not suffer the same fate as Aemma because of Viserys.
And it may take another four or forty years, but I will never forget the spiteful, broken, dead look on my niece's girlish face the day she asked Syrax to burn the pyre with the bodies of her own mother and younger brother.
''My prince, are you awake yet?''
I was brought out of my cloud of thoughts by the call of the healer Luli outside my tent. I took a deep breath, turned my head to the side with the intention of waking my niece, and found the space empty. Where was she? After Rhaneyra had tended to my wound, we lay down on my bed, and she snuggled up to me, making it clear that she would set fire to me or anyone else who forced her to sleep elsewhere.
I sat up calmly and ignored the wave of pain that ran through my shoulder and chest at the sudden movement. Had she finally realized that it was madness to be in the war and returned to King's Landing? Would Rhaenyra leave without saying goodbye to me? Although part of me was relieved that she was safe and well, a strong feeling of anguish mixed with sadness settled in my throat like a stone.
Fuck!
''Prince Daemon?'' A hand landed carefully on my good shoulder, and I put the tip of the Dark Sister to the guy's throat at the same instant. ''Fuck, it's just me, my prince!'' The visitor screamed, his eyes wide and his face pale with horror. ''The healer, Luli!''
I let out an exasperated sigh and put my sword back beside the bed, then got up and started walking around the tent. A wave of calm washed over me when I realized that my niece's backpack was still stacked in the same place as yesterday. She's still here! I smiled briefly and was furious with myself at the same time. I put on a tunic to go hunting for Rhaenyra.
A war was no place for my niece to be.
''My prince?'' Luli called me again. Grudgingly, I turned to the man, who had been one of my healers for years, and raised an eyebrow. If he had been one of your assistants, I would have run out of my tent by now. ''The princess asked you to eat something and for me to check your wound before going after her when she woke up.'' He muttered, an amused smile threatening to appear on his face. ''And she added that it was an order from her future queen.''
I rolled my eyes and snorted.
''Where's the princess, Luli?'' I asked, increasingly irritated.
Luli bravely shrugged and pointed to my bed. I raised my eyebrow again and crossed my arms. Having been friends with that healer for years, he felt very comfortable with me, something that many would never dare to think of doing.
''The Dragon Princess ordered me to tell you where she's waiting for you've eaten and tended to the wound on your shoulder, my prince.'' Luli murmured, grabbing some clothes, a basin of water, and a pot. ''Now, sit down, please, Daemon!'' He gestured to the bed.
I took off my shirt and sat on the bed, getting more irritated and impatient. I wanted to see my niece soon and not waste time with nonsense. We hadn't talked yesterday, although our kisses had been very unexpected and perfect. A smile appeared on my face when I remembered last night. It had been a pleasant and exciting discovery to see how Rhaenyra fit perfectly in my arms, melted at my touches on her body, and let out little moans of pleasure.
Fuck, my niece was a sin!
A shiver ran up my back, and I had to start imagining any scene other than Rhaenyra clinging to me and panting, lest I end up getting a hard-on in front of the healer Luli.
''There was a time when you were afraid of me and obeyed me, Luli.'' I murmured, still a little distracted, to take my mind off her memory. ''And you respected me too.''
The man laughed out loud, reaching out to clean the wound on my shoulder, and replied in a very good mood:
''Yes, indeed, my prince.'' Luli shook her head. ''But I think you've lost your position as the most feared Targaryen and your niece has taken your place.'' He began to wipe my skin with a damp cloth. ''Princess Rhaenyra has already won the loyalty of almost all the men, and half of them are in love with the sight of the Delight of the Realm among us.''
I frowned.
My chest rumbled with a growl, and jealousy began to heat my blood. Who were these bastards? I was about to get up and chop off the heads of the bastards who dared to look at my niece more than twice, but Luli grabbed me by the shoulder. I looked at him angrily, and the bastard grinned openly.
''I never thought I'd live to see the Rogue Prince jealous.'' He sneered. I thought about retorting but stayed silent while he finished cleaning my shoulder. ''Listen, Daemon, as well as falling in love with the princess, these men are very grateful for the help she has brought. The ships with provisions, food, drink, and more armed men have boosted the confidence and morale of all the bastards who have fought alongside you for the last two years.''
Luli sat down next to me after applying a herbal paste and covering the wound. He then continued in an emotional and grateful tone:
''My prince, the princess even brought us barrels of wine, and now the men are just kissing the ground she walks on.'' He laughed. ''Many were still suspicious of her presence, but after she took to the skies with her two dragons and burned the pirates who were celebrating her near-death, now almost everyone just calls her the Dragon Princess.''
Although I remained silent and thoughtful, pride welled up in my chest. Rhaenyra had always acted as a princess should, and had learned to wield a sword from an early age. Viserys was obviously against it, but Aemma stood her ground and insisted that her daughter should learn to defend herself. Years later, she was a warrior and rode two dragons.
The question I had been asking myself ever since I discovered that Rhaenyra had arrived at the Stepstones with Syrax and Cannibal in tow was: how did she claim a second dragon, being completely wild and never ridden?
In the two years we were apart and communicated by sporadic letters, Black Canary and Harwin Strong told me a few things about my niece. The Harrenhal heir only praised my niece's progress in her sword and archery training. Lisye told me how Rhaenyra fought against the idiot King, the leech Hand, and some men from the Small Council to start and continue some projects, but also how the little people adored her and the respect she was gaining every day.
Besides, I suspected that there was much more hidden behind Rhaenyra's beautiful lilac eyes and sweet smile. She had always been an intelligent and astute child, and she seemed much more mature than she should have been for someone so young in her childhood. And as the years went by, and she grew up, she only became more skilled in the world we lived in.
''And after her threat to Lord Vaemond, the Princess's popularity only increased among us.'' Luli continued to chatter.
I frowned and faced him immediately. Luli had a cheerful, smiling expression.
''What did you say?''
''The day you were wounded, my prince, was also the day your niece arrived, which caused a bit of a stir among the men, but it was Lord Vaemond who wanted her to leave immediately.'' His smile widened. ''The Dragon Princess pointed a sword at his neck and threatened to cut off his head when he said that she didn't have the authority to ask Ser Laenor to go to Pentos to get the herbs I needed for the antidote.''
Although I stared at him a little incredulously, I cracked a huge smile, and my fierce dragon pride roared loudly in my chest.
Indeed, Rhaenyra has become something of a box of surprises over the last two years.
''Vaemond's cunt deserved it.'' I scoffed.
Luli agreed, stood up, and gave my good shoulder a friendly squeeze.
''I agree, my prince.'' He smiled. ''So, I recommend that you break your fast before you go to meet your niece in the Caraxes' nest.''
After eating, I quickly left the tent, as I was very anxious to see her, and walked around the camp. I kept my expression blank and my steps hurried, but that didn't stop a few men from stopping me to ask how I was feeling and to praise the presence of the Heiress to the Iron Throne, the help she had brought, and her beauty. I had to hold back a few warning growls and the desire to pull the Dark Sister on those bastards while they prattled on about my niece.
''Damn them…'' I grunted softly in Valyrian. ''I should cut off each of their penises and let Caraxes eat their bodies.''
I managed to leave the camp before cutting off the head of one of the men, and walking in the direction of where I knew Caraxes had made his nest. Rhaenyra would be in the same place, according to what the healer Luli had said. As I climbed onto some rocks, I could feel a strong wave of satisfaction coming from my dragon and heard some familiar clicks, as if he were purring like a giant cat.
Unlike his usual grumpiness and irritation, my dragon was very happy now.
I was surprised again the moment I reached the top of the mountain and saw why my boy was suddenly so happy. Curled up under Caraxes' scarlet wing, only Syrax's golden head could be seen. My dragon had curled up with my niece's golden lady, and now they were both sleeping peacefully in the warm sunshine. Had they mated? I approached, and my grumpy boy moved his head towards me to open just one eye.
I gave him a smile.
''I see you have good company, my boy.'' I murmured and reached out to touch his muzzle. Caraxes snorted, but I could feel how carefree and content he was. Syrax opened her eyes and let out a low growl at me. ''Hello, my pretty lady!''
Caraxes stroked my belly lightly and tilted his large head to the side, looking directly at my wounded shoulder. I could feel a wave of concern coming from him.
''I'm fine, my friend.'' I assured him, sincerely. Although I had felt very ill from the effects of the poison in the first few hours, now my shoulder was only a little sore and would protest if I made any sudden movements. ''Soon we'll be in heaven to burn these bastards.'' I smiled broadly and leaned my face against his long neck, then closed my eyes.
Caraxes purred in his unique way, and I could hear a very familiar laugh coming from somewhere near the three of us. I opened my eyes and saw my niece sitting on a tree branch next to us.
''How cute to see how the two grumpy old men love each other.'' She scoffed, amused. There was a huge smile on her beautiful face, and her lilac eyes sparkled with happiness. My heart skipped a beat, and my mouth went dry at the sight. ''Looks like your grumpy boy is falling in love with my golden lady, Uncle.'' She looked at our dragons.
I've also discovered that I'm falling in love with you, my sweet niece.
The words stuck in my throat, even though they were the purest truth. Two years ago, I didn't really see Rhaenyra as a woman or desire her, but last night showed me that the reality of the present was quite different and that she had become a sin on two beautiful legs.
A sin that was mine, mine alone.
''I still want an answer, princess.'' I whispered, giving a mischievous smile. Possessiveness pulsed through my veins like something new, hot, and dangerous. My mind was clouded by intense desire, and my penis throbbed with the desire to bury itself in the warm, moist folds of my sweet niece. ''If I kiss you now, you'll only be mine, Rhaenyra.'' I said it darkly.
There was nothing and no one who could separate me from Rhaenyra if she wanted me as much as I wanted her. The girl I had left in the Dragon Pit was no more, now there was a beautiful, wild, and horny woman in my arms. Fuck! My cock seemed to get harder when she gasped and pulled my hair, causing a delicious pain. I grunted, and my niece's mischievous smile widened.
''Ah, kepus…'' she whispered in high Valyrian. Her eyes were dark, her cheeks flushed, and her breathing was irregular, like mine. ''Why would I want someone else when I can marry you? The man I chose to be my husband, future king consort, and father of my children?'' Rhaenyra nibbled her lower lip as shock coursed through me. ''Dragons are selfish and possessive creatures, and I am a dragon, and I will never share my man with anyone.''
Was she still choosing me? Why was the Crown Princess really deciding on a second son with no land, riches, or castle, just a man with an ancient sword, a grumpy dragon, and a bad reputation for being a Rogue Prince?
An unexpected emotion enveloped my heart, and I had to smile.
''Little dragon…''
Rhaenyra pulled my head towards hers, and I finally kissed her, my heart overflowing with a new discovery.
I snorted loudly and felt my penis stiffen at the memory. As if she knew what was going through my head, Rhaenyra's smile turned mischievous when her gaze fell on the spot between my legs and her cheeks flushed. I gave her a broad smile, feeling a surge of pride and satisfaction at knowing that I affected her too.
''Are you enjoying something in particular, princess?'' I asked hoarsely. My cock went completely hard at the sight of her biting her lower lip. Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. ''Little dragon?'' Crossing my arms, I raised an eyebrow mischievously.
Rhaenyra's dark gaze flicked at my face, but I got no response. On the contrary, my niece smiled wider before using Caraxes' back to climb down from the tree and landing on her feet with a graceful leap. I stood motionless, watching her walk towards me and stop in front of me, her hands behind her back.
''Of course I like everything I see, kepus.'' She tilted her head to the side and licked her lips. I had to control myself very tightly not to take her in my arms and claim her as mine once again. There was still a lot to discuss between us. ''How can I not like what I see when I choose you as my future husband and King Consort?'' She raised an eyebrow.
Oh, hell!
My sweet and appetizing niece let out a startled scream the moment I pulled her against my body. She widened her eyes a little, and my smile got bigger. I didn't give Rhaenyra time to say anything else, I just buried a hand in the soft hair at the nape of her neck and leaned forward, pressing my mouth to hers.
She clung to my robe, let out a sigh of pleasure, and opened her lips for my tongue to slide across them. I kept my left hand on her back and slid my right hand down to her plump ass, where I grabbed the flesh covered by the fabric of her dress. I let out a loud sigh as she rubbed herself against my cock, and I could hear her happy giggle. Furthermore, I kissed her more enthusiastically.
''Gods…'' She sighed, clinging to me with her eyes closed.
I laughed softly and pressed my forehead against hers, still holding her against me. Our breathing was difficult, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were slightly swollen.
''Beautiful…'' I whispered, with a strong passion pulsing in my chest. ''You're beautiful, Rhaenyra.'' I tucked a loose strand behind her small ear.
She opened her eyes a little, and she smiled shyly.
''Thank you, kepus.'' She held my face between her small hands, stood on tiptoe, and kissed my lips. ''You're beautiful too, Daemon.''
As far as I could remember, it was the first time in years that I'd heard a woman compliment my appearance, other than a prostitute wanting my cock and gold. Rhaenyra's unexpected and sincere compliment brought a slight warmth to my cheeks and a huge smile to her face.
I was a 28-year-old man blushing at a damn compliment!
She touched my warm cheeks, but said nothing. Suddenly, she got serious and held my hand between her small, warm hands.
''Kepus, we have a lot to talk about.''
I sighed and shook my head.
''Yes, little dragon.''
My niece gave a small smile, held my hand tighter, and pulled me towards some rocks located under the same tree next to Caraxes and Syrax.
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