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Chapter Text

“Go away!”

In spite of Rhaenyra’s demand, Alicent dared a second knock on the door to her friend’s chambers.  “It’s me,” she called back.

“Very well,” the princess yelled, though she didn’t sound thrilled at the prospect.

Opening the door, Alicent made her way through Rhaenyra’s sitting room and into her bedchamber.  Much to her surprise, the princess was not only laying in bed, she was still wearing her sleeping shift in spite of the fact that it was past midday.

“I feel overdressed,” Alicent said playfully, casting a glance down at her own green velvet dress.

The joke didn’t elicit so much as a giggle from Rhaenyra.  The most effort she mustered was to sit up and ask, “What do you want from me, Alicent?”

“We were supposed to meet for lunch,” she gently reminded Rhaenyra.  “I got worried when you didn’t come.”

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes at her own mistake.  “Gods, I’m sorry.  It slipped my mind completely.”

“It’s fine, but…” Alicent hesitated before adding, “Even if you weren’t coming to lunch, why are you still in bed?  Did you get into the strong wine last night?”

“Nothing like that.  I simply didn’t feel like getting up.” 

There was a petulant tone to Rhaenyra’s reply, but Alicent knew her well enough to tell that she wasn’t just being a brat.  There was something bothering her, something that she was trying to cover for.  Alicent took a seat on the bed next to the princess and placed a friendly hand on her shin.  “What’s wrong, Rhaenyra?  You don’t seem like yourself.”

Rhaenyra shook her head.  “Just leave me be.  I don’t wish to talk about it.”

“As you wish, princess.”  Alicent rose and but she only got two steps toward the door before stopping suddenly, her nose twitching as she caught wind of a wholly unexpected scent.  She had become much more sensitive to such things since her recent presentation as an omega and this sharp, heavy musk wasn’t at all what she was used to from Rhaenyra.  Had the princess just lain with an alpha or…

Rhaenyra sighed as she realized what Alicent was reacting to.  “It’s me,” she quietly.  “I presented yesterday… as an alpha.”

“Oh.”  Alicent didn’t say more and she didn’t need to.  Both of them knew the problems this could cause.  The Faith taught that women weren’t meant to be alphas, any more than men should be omegas.  It did happen of course, but it was a shameful thing, a fate that every proper young lady prayed didn’t befall her when she presented.

“Yes, oh,” Rhaenyra snapped.  “So you can see why I wasn’t in the mood for having lunch in the gardens.”

Alicent did her best to put on a smile, trying to find a silver lining in this turn of fate.  She knew that Rhaenyra had feared the birthing bed ever since her mother’s death. That, at least, she could avoid.  “It’s not so bad,” she offered.  “Now you can sire heirs of your own, instead of bearing them.” 

Rhaenyra shook her head.  “Heirs to what?  Do you still think I’ll sit the Iron Throne someday?”

“I do.  Would your father really disinherit you over this?  I didn’t think Targaryens cared so much about such things.”

“The lords of Westeros do.  It was going to be hard enough getting them to accept me as their queen.  Doing it as an alpha will be even worse.”

Whether or not that was fair, it was probably true, so Alicent didn’t dwell on the point.  “So what’s going to happen now?” she asked instead.

“I don’t know,” Rhaenyra admitted, sounding as unsure of herself as Alicent could remember.  “When he finds out, I imagine my father is going to want to find some highborn omega boy and marry me off to him sooner rather than later.”

“I suppose so,” Alicent agreed, even as she felt her heart drop.  Though it was common practice in these circumstances, the thought of Rhaenyra entering into such a marriage made her uncomfortable for reasons she couldn’t explain.

Instead of saying anything more, she climbed back on the bed next to Rhaenyra.  The two of them sat there in silence for some time.  Alicent felt dreadful for her friend. She had already suffered through so much, with her mother’s death along with that of her infant brother.  Why would the Gods heap another trial on top of all that?

And yet, alongside her sympathy was an unexpected curiosity.  She and Rhaenyra had shared nearly everything since she became the princess’ lady in waiting.  Why should this new development be any different?

“How did you find out?” she asked tentatively.  “Were you… with someone?  An omega?”

Rhaenyra laughed bitterly.  “Nothing so scandalous, Alicent.  I was walking by the servant’s quarters and all of a sudden, there was this scent in the air, something sweet and rich.  I guess one of them had gone into heat.  It was like a feast, or a spring day, or… I don’t know.  It’s hard to explain, but it did something to me.  To my parts.”

“Did it feel strange?” Alicent knew the question was too bold but it was out of her mouth before she could think better of it.  “When you shifted, I mean.  I always imagined that it would feel strange.”

“I suppose.  It was uncomfortable at first, but once it was done, it felt kind of exciting.  At least until I thought about what it meant.”

What Alicent wanted to ask next was even more inappropriate, but the fact that Rhaenyra had answered her earlier questions without complaint gave her courage.  Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper and she said, “Can I see it?”

Rhaenyra’s eyes widened.  “Why would you ask that?”

Alicent nibbled on her bottom lip.  It was an urge she didn’t fully comprehend, even if she could come up with ways to justify herself.  “Well, I’ve never seen one before,” she attempted.

What she didn’t add was that the prospect of being wedded to a beta or an alpha, of seeing their privy parts, of actually mating with them, had always been frightening to her.  Yet it was something she had to accept and perhaps if she could get used to doing so with another woman, even if she was an alpha, it wouldn’t be so scary when the time came.

“But why me?” Rhaenyra asked, and even though she hadn’t agreed, Alicent was pleased that she hadn’t rejected the idea out of hand either. 

“You’re my dearest friend, Rhaenyra, and we’re both women, aren’t we?  I thought it might be a good way for me to learn.”

“Very well then,” Rhaenyra said, and the playful smile she offered made Alicent’s heart flutter.  She had always been jealous of how effortlessly beautiful the alpha was, but what she was feeling in that moment wasn't envy.

Without further ceremony, Rhaenyra pulled her shift up to her smooth stomach and tugged down her small clothes.  Beneath, the change had already started to take place. The small button above her sex had lengthened and now it grew even further, shaping itself into an impressive column of flesh topped by a reddish tip that was thicker even than the shaft.  Alicent’s eyes widened and without thinking, her tongue brushed over her lips.  Rather than frightening her, the sight was deeply appealing, a realization that was no less true for its sinfulness.

Indeed, Alicent was seized by a powerful urge not just to see but to touch.  Almost of their own accord, her fingertips stretched out and once Rhaenyra nodded, she kept going.  The alpha was pleasingly warm against her hand and Alicent brushed her fingers up the length, but when it twitched, she jumped back.

Rhaenyra laughed.  “It’s not going to hurt you, Alicent.”

“I know that,” she said, her face flushing at her own inexperience.  The next time she grasped the shaft fully, letting its hardness rest against her palm while wrapping her fingers around the base.  Rhaenyra must have liked that because her head tipped back against the pillows and she let out a soft moan.

It might have been the sweetest sound Alicent had ever heard.  Between her legs she felt a sudden ache, a longing at once painful and pleasant.  Is this what it will be like, she wondered, when I’m abed with my husband?  But it wasn’t some handsome alpha lord she pictured when she tried to conjure up an image of her wedding night but rather Rhaenyra taking her in her arms, kissing her, preparing to mate with her.

The vision was sinful, it was impossible, and it immediately doubled the throbbing in her sex.  Just the thought of being filled by Rhaenyra’s… her cock, some dirty part of Alicent mind said, was overwhelming.  All the words she knew better than to say, the thoughts she knew she shouldn't be entertaining, were bubbling up to the surface.

Rhaenyra wrapped a slim hand around Alicent’s fingers, pressing them against her shaft.  “Stroke it,” she imploded.  “Please.”

Alicent was too entranced to refuse her.  At first hesitantly but then with growing confidence, she pumped her hand up and down Rhaenyra’s cock.  It was rigid against her hand, and yet the skin was so soft, a contradiction that she found delightful.

The princess’ breath was coming in short, sharp gasps and the knowledge that she was gaining such enjoyment from Alicent’s touches was the last straw.  She had to have some sort of relief from the arousal burning through her veins and so she thrust her free hand up beneath the hem of her dress, rubbing her clothed sex even as she keep stroking Rhaenyra.  It was something she had never dared do until recently, but in the throes of her first heat, she had allowed herself that small sin to keep from committing a greater one.

Now Alicent could make no such excuse for her behavior.  Everything about this was wrong, yet she was becoming more brazen by the moment.  Her hand reached the swollen head of Rhaenyra’s cock, her thumb brushing across the slit atop it.  A slippery fluid was gathered there and Alicent was seized by a mad desire to know what it tasted like.  Before she could reconsider, she dipped down and allowed the tip to pass between her lips, swiping her tongue across its curved surface.

The taste was salty but not unappealing.  Even more interesting was the effect her actions had on Rhaenyra.  The alpha’s hips bucked upward and Alicent had to fight to keep the cock in her mouth.  She was aided by Rhaenyra’s hand cupping the back of her head, urging her back down.  Alicent wanted to please the princess but unsure of what exactly to do next, she just sucked on the part of Rhaenyra that was in mouth, hoping it would be enough.

In spite of her inexperience, she must have stumbled onto something good because it wasn’t long before Rhaenyra’s hips thrust up again.  Once, twice, three times, and then her body went still while her cock did the opposite.  The shift twitched inside Alicent’s mouth and she felt more of that fluid spill out.  This time it was thicker, and there was so much more of it.  Her omega instinct was to swallow, but though she managed to get the first few pulses down her throat, soon she had no choice but to pull off.

More seed streaked across her lips before she could withdraw fully, leaving the remainder to either spill onto the princess’ belly or slide down to the blankets beneath them.  Rhaenyra didn’t seem to mind.  Her peak had left her panting, mumbling something in High Valyrian as she tried to find her bearings.  

Alicent, too, was left dazed, but not in a good way.  As intoxicating as the moment had been, now that it had passed, she was hit full force with the knowledge of what she had done.  She had soiled herself, perhaps not in the worst way possible, but what she had done was still horribly wrong. Rhaenyra was an alpha she was not wed to, not to mention a woman, and yet she had… she couldn’t bring herself to describe it, even to herself, but the evidence was right there on her mouth, in her belly…

Those same worries didn’t seem to affect Rhaenyra.  The alpha had a content smile on her face, her earlier cares about her presentation temporarily forgotten.  “Wow,” she said brightly.  “That was really good.  I’ve heard alphas talk but I didn’t know it would feel so good.”

“I am glad,” Alicent mumbled, but shame wouldn’t allow her to look Rhaenyra in the face.  Even if she hadn’t managed to reach her own peak, she too had enjoyed this, but that was nothing to take pride in.

“Now maybe I can find some way to thank you,” Rhaenyra continued.  “I mean, it wouldn’t be right for me to take your maidenhood, but if you like…”

“No!” Alicent blurted out.  Being denied release was painful but not as bad as the idea of compounding her sin.  “We can’t…. I can’t… I shouldn’t have…” she rambled.  The guilt was too overwhelming for her to explain herself properly yet, and she wasn’t willing to wait long enough to try again.  After what had just happened, she couldn’t trust herself to remain in the same room as Rhaenyra Targaryen, and so, rather than fumble for more words, she bolted up from the bed and fled from the site of her shame.

Chapter Text

There was a grim finality in the way the door slammed shut behind Alicent, a feeling of dread reinforced by the sound of a bolt sliding into place seconds later.  For the next three days she would be confined to her chambers, with her father’s beta guards under strict orders to neither admit any visitors nor to let her leave.  She would have whatever material comforts her station could afford her, but it would still be a lonely time, one devoid of any human contact.

Alicent understood the necessity of such measures.  Un-bonded alphas couldn’t be allowed around an omega in heat, nor could the omega herself be trusted.  Suffering from heat pangs, they might well throw themselves at the nearest prospective partner, whether or not they were a suitable mate.

A concern that applies to me, more than anyone.

It had been over a week since her unfortunate encounter with Rhaenyra, since Alicent had sinned so grievously and yet so eagerly.  In that time, she had done her best to stay away from the princess.  It wasn’t possible to avoid her entirely; there were court functions that required both of them to be present, but she could at least keep herself from being alone with the alpha.

It wasn’t Rhaenyra’s fault.  Alicent was the one who’d been weak, who’d succumbed to perverse curiosity and unrestrained lust when the princess was still confused by her presentation.  It pained her when she saw Rhaenyra from across the throne room, confused by her friend’s refusal to meet her eyes.  And yet she had no choice but to keep her distance.  Being around the alpha was just too dangerous.

Letting out a sigh at her own frailties, Alicent settled into a nearby armchair.  On the table next to her was a flagon of wine, alongside a vial containing a light blue liquid left for her by one of the Red Keep’s maesters.  She added a few drops from the latter to to flagon before drinking the mixture down.  The liquid gave the wine a bitter aftertaste, but it was well worth it.  The Omega’s Salve was a necessity in her situation, a potion that could dull the pain of her heat.

Dull, but not prevent.  Alicent’s first heat had proven as much; she didn’t know what it would be like to go through one without the medicine, but the three days she had endured after her presentation had been bad enough.  The only thing that could truly stop an omega’s pangs was a mate and until Alicent had one, she would have to suffer through them every few months.

It didn’t take long for her ordeal to begin.  Just like last time, the first sign was the warmth.  The room became uncomfortably hot, the simple blue and white dress she wore weighing on her body like winter furs.  It would become much worse, she knew, and so she bore that discomfort as best she could, filing up on some of the sweet bread and dates left out for her as beads of moisture began gathering on her forehead.  A heat took a great deal out of the body and soon she’d be too distracted to eat. 

Next came what she thought of as the itch, though perhaps that wasn’t quite the right word for it.  Alicent’s skin began to tingle, the fine cloth against her skin turning from comfortable to aggravating in a matter of minutes.  Clenching her fist against the rising discomfort, Alicent set down what remained of her food and made her way to the bedchamber.  First she removed her golden necklace and then, one after another, her dress, shift, and small clothes, all of them stacked carefully on a nearby chair.  

It helped to be rid of them, but any relief was temporary.  By the time Alicent was naked, slickness already coated her inner thighs and the dull pulse of lust was pounding in her head.  Her body was preparing itself to be mated, not understanding that no such help was coming.

No, this was a problem Alicent had to manage herself.  The first time, she’d been confused as to how to do so but necessity and experience were potent teachers.  The Faith didn’t exactly condone the means by which an omega could ease the pain of their heats, but nor did it condemn them.  There were limits to what someone in her situation could be expected to endure.

Climbing into bed, Alicent settled back against the pillows and exhaled, preparing herself for what she had to do next.  Her skin was flushed and clammy, not to mention extremely sensitive.  Even her breastbone tingled when she ran her fingers over it, and when she cupped her breasts, it was enough to elicit a soft moan.  The nipples were stiff against her palms and already she could feel a low, throbbing ache in her sex.

Her hunger was made worse by the fact that she’d done nothing to satisfy it since her mistake with Rhaenyra.  As powerful as her frustration had been, it couldn’t match her shame.  Somehow, she felt that letting herself stew in that feeling served as at least a partial penance for her actions.

Now, though, she had no choice but to seek relief and so Alicent spread her legs and reached past a small patch of reddish-brown hair to find their junction.  Her moans sharpened as she found the little button that sat just above her sex.  It was swollen already, sensitive enough that she had to begin gently, drawing languid circles across its head.  As the first waves of pleasure spread throughout her body, she closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the dirty practices necessity had forced her into.

She knew what she should be picturing.  Alicent Hightower was supposed to be a good and virtuous omega.  It was proper that she find a highborn alpha or beta lord to wed, the more powerful the better, and thereby advance the interests of her house.  That was how it was her lord father and the Seven wanted things and she should be happy to oblige them.

And Alicent tried to.  She really did.  There was no shortage of handsome alphas and betas at court and she did her best to imagine one of them as she pleasured herself.  Ser Harwin, Jason and Tyland Lannister, even Prince Daemon… one by one, they appeared in her mind’s eye, but as quickly as they’d arrived, they fled back into nothingness.  Their faces melted away, replaced by a single person…

Rhaenyra Targaryen.  No matter who else Alicent tried to picture, she couldn’t keep the princess out of her thoughts.  Over and over, her mind kept returning to that day in the alpha’s chambers, replaying every deliciously sinful detail.  The pungent smell that had first captured her attention, the expanses of skin Rhaenyra had carelessly revealed as she pulled up her shift, the soft moans that had slipped from her lips when Alicent touched her cock…  

Gods, that cock.  Alicent’s inner walls clenched around aching emptiness as she remembered what Rhaenyra’s member had felt like against her palm, how the alpha’s release had filled her mouth…  She pressed down harder against her button, heedless now of how sensitive it was.  The touches blurred the line between pleasure and pain but Alicent didn’t care.  She would pay whatever price she needed to in order to get the relief she craved.  The circles she drew tightened and she groaned as Rhaenyra came back into focus.

This time it wasn’t visions of what they’d done before but of what they might in the future that she saw.  Rhaenyra was drawing Alicent into her arms, her slim fingers undoing the ties of the omega’s dress.  The garment fell to the floor and beneath it she was naked, utterly exposed before her princess.  Only then did Rhaenyra strip, showing Alicent her full beauty without hesitation or shame.

Their lips came together as if they had done this a thousand times before, Rhaenyra claiming her mouth even as her hands squeezed Alicent’s buttocks.  The omega was dripping wet before her sex was even touched, the feel of Rhaenyra’s member resting against her belly enough to drive her mad with need.  All she could think of was what it would feel like filling her, how far it would reach, how her inner walls would clench around it, drawing out the princess’ seed…

Alicent cried out as the heat-fueled dream pushed her over the precipice.  Her thighs clenched tight around her fingers, pressing them even harder against her button while the fires of her heat flared out of control.  The intensity of the peak was so sharp that it hurt and Alicent whimpered but she couldn’t stop rubbing herself.  Every burst of flame provided another instant in which she didn’t have to think about anything else, neither how badly she wanted the princess nor how impossible it was that she could actually have her, and so she kept going until she was sore and drained, her hand soaked with her own release.

Only when her pleasure had burned itself down to the embers did Alicent slump down into the blankets, flushed and panting from her exertions.  “Gods,” she mumbled, relief and misery all mixed up in that one word.  Once more she had failed.  No matter what she did, she couldn’t avoid Rhaenyra, the idea of the princess following her even when she was shut away from the real thing.  Why was she so accursed?  Why could she not desire who and what she was supposed to?  Why did it feel so good to dream of something so wrong?

Lacking answers, she fumbled her way to the edge of the bed, pouring herself a cup of water from the flagon on the night table.  The cool liquid did much to sooth a throat made raw by her cries, but nothing to ease her guilt.  If only she hadn’t been so reckless that day with Rhaenyra, she might have been able to deny her own attraction, but what had passed between them had planted a seed she couldn’t excise.  The memories were always there, always waiting to lure Alicent back into error.  Thoughts of what the princess smelled like, looked like, sounded like when she called out in ecstasy…

A renewed rush of heat surged between Alicent’s legs and she whined pitifully.  She had known that one peak would be nowhere near sufficient to satisfy her heat, but it should have bought her at least a bit more peace.  To have her desire spike again so fast was cruel, but complaining wouldn’t allow her to deny the truth.  The pleasure she’d given herself wasn’t enough, especially when she still felt so miserably empty.  Though it felt more sinful than what she had already done that day, Alicent had no choice but to dare further.  

Tentatively, she slipped a pair of fingers past her sopping entrance and into her sex.  Even that little bit of fullness was enough to make her groan.  She didn’t go too deep, just far enough that when she curled her digits upward, she could touch that special spot she had discovered during her first heat.  Her eyes squeezed shut at the intense jolt that ran up her spine and as soon she they did, Rhaenyra was waiting for her once more.  Gods, no, Alicent whimpered, but her body betrayed her once more.  Fresh wetness spilled onto her thighs as she pictured the princess laying next to her, replacing Alicent’s fingers with her own and thrusting deep…

The next three days were going to be long indeed.

Chapter Text

“I will not do it!”

Rhaenyra spun on her heel and stormed across the royal apartments.  Behind her, her father sighed in frustration but she doubted he could be as exhausted by this discussion as she was.  She’d avoided speaking to him about her presentation for as long as she could and now the conversation was going just as she’d feared.  

“Please, Rhaenyra” he implored.  “Can’t you see that I’m trying to look out for you?”

“Then don’t force me into a betrothal,” she snapped, refusing to give him the satisfaction of turning around.  “It hasn’t even been a fortnight since I presented and you’re already plotting to marry off to some omega.”

Viserys followed her across the room, stopping in front of a replica of a grand temple.  Normally Rhaenyra found his devotion to his stone models of old Valyria endearing but now she had an urge to start smashing them until her father listened to her.  “Your presentation has put me in a difficult position and a rapid betrothal is in everyone’s interest, whether or not you want to hear that.”

“I’m so sorry, father,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.  “I disappointed you once by not being born a boy and now I’ve done it a second time by becoming an alpha.”

Her father put his hands on her shoulders and at least for the moment, she let them stay there.  “I don’t blame you for any of this, Rhaenyra.  You have always been a good daughter and someday you’ll make a great queen.  But before that can happen, you’ll have deal with this problem.  You know what the lords of the realm will say when they find out.”

She could guess.  The Old Gods of the North didn’t object to female alphas, but in rest of the realm, the Faith taught that their presentation went against the order the Seven had established.  The smallfolk, meanwhile, believed that they were uniquely lustful, liable to steal the wives of decent men, especially if they weren’t properly mated.  And yet…

“What do you care what they think?” she snapped, stepping away from her father.  “You are their king and you have proclaimed me as your heir.  If anyone objects to that, they can stand before the Iron Throne and say so.”

“Few men would be so bold,” he admitted.  “But when I’m gone, those same lords who swore they’d respect my decision might well turn around and back another’s claim.”

“Then it will be my problem to solve, when I am queen.”

“No, it will be the realm’s problem.  A realm that it’s my duty to care for, for as long as I live. Would you have me risk a war just because you aren’t ready to marry?”

She spun to face him once more.  “Of course not.  I know my duty as well as you do, and I will marry.  But it will be when I’ve found the right mate, not to cater to the whims of small-minded lords and priggish septons.”

Viserys shook his head, looking older than his years.  She had never met anyone on whom responsibility weighed as heavily as her father.  “We will speak of this again later.”

Rhaenyra didn’t bother responding before stalking out of the royal apartments.  She loved her father but his desire to please everyone rather than assert his authority could be infuriating.  About the only thing they could agree on right now was that there nothing to be gained by arguing further today.

Besides, your father isn't the only reason you’re in a foul mood.  

She hadn’t planned for what happened between her and Alicent, but since that day, it had dominated her thoughts.  Alicent had been her closest friend for years and Rhaenyra had always found her lovely, but she’d never thought that would come to anything.  Someday both of them would present as betas or omegas and marry high lords and whatever childhood attraction they had shared would be left in the past.  It might not be fair but it was the way the world worked.

Now that she was an alpha and Alicent an omega things might be different.  More complicated of course but between their years of friendship and the new fire between them, surely this was worth exploring.  

Unfortunately, Alicent didn’t seem to feel the same way.  Since fleeing from Rhaenyra’s chambers, she had become a ghost.  She had avoided their usual meeting place in the Godswood while invitations to dinner had been returned with polite but definite refusals.  Even in court, she’d avoided conversation, standing at the far side of the throne room and keeping her eyes on the floor whenever Rhaenyra looked her way.  It pained Rhaenyra to think that what had happened between them had put their friendship into jeopardy and she resolved that if she couldn’t settle matters with her father, at least she would do something about this breach.

The path to Alicent’s chambers was one she had trod many times but this walk felt different.  She’d never been apprehensive of seeing Alicent before.  Now, she couldn’t keep nagging worries out of her head.  Was I too aggressive?  Was it my fault she ran away? 

Alicent was the one who started it, Rhaenyra reminded herself.  She had asked to see her shift and she had been the one who touched Rhaenyra.  But Rhaenyra had not only gone along, she’d pushed things further, too caught up in the new sensations to worry about what they were doing.  Maybe her eagerness was why they were in this situation.

Rhaenyra sighed.  There would be no answers without speaking to Alicent and so she continued through the Red Keep, down a staircase and then a hallway, leaving her just one corridor away from the omega’s chambers.  When she turned the corner, however, she was surprised to see a pair of guards standing watch outside a barred door.  She didn’t know the men personally but they bore the sigil of House Hightower on their armor. 

Striding up boldly, she announced, “Tell Lady Alicent that Princess Rhaenyra is here to see her.”

And that was when it hit her.  She’d caught the scent of an omega’s heat when she first presented but this was even more potent.  Sweet as honey and fresh as spring, it washed over her like a tide and her body reacted at once.  Beneath her small clothes, Rhaenyra felt herself shift to full hardness in an instant and her inner alpha growled.  Whatever her intentions had been a moment ago, her primal side now had no thought but getting through that door and claiming the omega on the other side of it.

Unfortunately, the guards weren’t willing to accommodate her.  Neither man moved aside and the older of the two, a bearded veteran with a small scar over his right eye said, “I’m sorry, your Grace.  Lady Alicent cannot receive visitors right now.  I’m sure you understand.”

The hairs on the back of Rhaenyra’s neck stood up and an urge to bludgeon these idiots into submission seized her, no matter how ridiculous the plan was, given their size and her lack of weapons.  “That was not a request,” she growled.

The other guard was younger and sounded less sure of himself when he replied, “Please, my princess…” he began, before a voice from the other side of the door cut in.

“Rhaenyra?  Is that you?”  She had never heard Alicent sound like this before.  The omega’s voice dripped with need, the mere sound of it enough to make Rhaenyra’s cock throb.

“It’s me, Alicent,” she called out.  “I’m here.”

“Let her in,” came the reply  “Please.”  Alicent sounded utterly desperate and the urge to reach her became overwhelming.  Without thought, Rhaenyra lunged toward to the door but the two guards caught her.  They were as gentle as could be expected, unwilling to manhandle the heir to the throne, but nor would they let her pass, no matter how hard she struggled against their grip.

“Release me!” she screamed.  “Release me or I’ll have both of your heads!”

The two men were cowed enough to let go of Rhaenyra’s arms but they remained between her and the door.  Her rage only increased as she heard Alicent’s pitiful whimpers.  All she could think of was that this omega needed her and she was being prevented from helping her.  

If only Syrax was here, she thought, her blood boiling.  I’d roast them alive and take Alicent for my own.

But her dragon was in the Dragonpit and when she considered racing there to retrieve her, the sheer madness of her thoughts finally hit Rhaenyra.  What would I do then? Melt the castle wall?  Kidnap Alicent?  The grip of the omega’s heat on her mind loosened slightly and when Rhaenyra dug her nails into her palms, the pain weakened it further.
 
“I will return later then,” she told the guards, though she had to grit out each word from between clenched teeth.  “Speak of this to no one.”

“Of course not, my princess,” the younger one mumbled, as mortified by the entire situation as she was.  Heats could lead to awkward situations to be sure, but clearly he’d never expected to have to keep someone of her station away from his lord’s daughter.

His compatriot nodded as well and Rhaenyra wasted no time in hurrying back down the hallway and towards the safety of the staircase.  It had taken every ounce of self-control she possessed to leave that door and she knew if she caught another hint of Alicent’s scent, she would rush back, no matter how little sense it made.  

Even the memory of that sweetness was enough to keep her erect as she stumbled back toward her chambers.  Courtiers tried to greet her as she passed them by but she offered nothing but a nod of acknowledgement.  In her current state, pleasant conversation would’ve taken too much effort and she was already afraid of what rumors might spread from this incident.  In spite of the promise she’d extracted from the guards, all it took was one of them speaking in his cups to set the court’s tongues wagging.

Only when she got back to her own apartments did Rhaenyra exhale.  Grabbing wine from the table, she didn’t bother with a cup, instead gulping down a long pull straight from the flagon.  With a groan, she collapsed onto her couch, taking another draught as soon as the first one had been swallowed.  The spicy Dornish vintage took a little of the edge off, but nowhere near enough for comfort.

Alicent’s scent, her voice; they still dominated Rhaenyra’s thoughts, leaving her painfully hard.  She’d have no peace until she dealt with the problem and so, too impatient to undress fully, she simply hiked up her dress and yanked down her smalls.  She hadn’t been an alpha for long but she’d already taught herself what needed to be done. Besides, in the state she was in, it shouldn’t be difficult.

Images of Alicent had often come to mind during her explorations, but this time, there was no way she could picture anyone else.  What had she looked like behind that locked door, Rhaenyra wondered as she wrapped her hand around her shaft and began stroking.  She had heard that omegas often stripped down to alleviate the pain of their heats and Rhaenyra imagined her friend thusly, naked and wanting, her skin flushed and her breath coming in gasps.  Had she been pleasuring herself, her hand working between her legs the way it had when she took Rhaenyra in her mouth?

The memory of Alicent’s lips around her cock made Rhaenyra groan and her grip on her shaft tightened.  It had been so good, but if only she’d been able to get inside the omega’s chambers, what followed would have been even sweeter.  The image of Alicent came back into her mind but now she was beckoning Rhaenyra close, her arms wide and her legs spread as she waited on the bed for her alpha.  

“Please,” she whimpered, just as she had that afternoon, but now Rhaenyra was able to oblige.  She pounced onto the omega, meeting Alicent’s lips with her own, their tongues moving together.  “Please,” Alicent implored again, and time seemed to stand still as Rhaenyra lined herself up with her new mate’s sex.

Rhaenyra’s breath hitched as she imagined entering Alicent, her hand flying up and down her own shaft.  How tight would the omega be, how wet for her?  Her thumb played across the head of her cock, and even as she imagined Alicent’s moans at the penetration, the fantasy became too much.  Her cock twitched in her hand and raw pleasure shot up her spine.  Seconds later she was spilling her seed out onto her hand, her thighs, the floor… she was too caught up to care what a mess she might be leaving behind.

Only when she was drained did she let go of her cock, still panting from the force of her climax.  None of the other times she’d touched herself had been so intense, nor finished so quickly.  And yet, as the fog of lust retreated, it left behind a bitter truth: no matter how desperately Alicent had called out for her, she was speaking as an omega in heat.  Desire might have overtaken her today but when she was in her right mind, she didn’t seem to want anything to do with Rhaenyra anymore.  Until that changed, the images that had brought her so much pleasure would have to remain in the realm of fantasy.

Chapter Text

By the end of her heat, Alicent Hightower was a mess.  Three days of agonizing lust had left her sprawled across her bed, naked, sticky, and ravenously hungry.  She’d long since lost track of how many sets of linens she’d soiled, how many peaks she’d brought herself to, or how many shameful scenarios she’d gone through in order to do it.

None of that matters, she told herself, now that she could think clearly.  Whatever you did, whoever you fantasized about, it’s over now.  Just think of it as a bad dream.

It was one Alicent might have awakened from, but she was in no fit state to return to the reality of her life.  A bell by the bedside summoned her servants and her first order to business was to have them draw a bath.  The hot water felt outrageously good on her sweaty skin and by the end of a long hour spent soaking, she felt almost like a human being again.

Not entirely though.  Full recovery required a huge, hot meal, meat pie and stewed apples, accompanied by fresh bread, washed down with a flagon of wine, and finished off with a piece of lemon cake.  She was ravenous enough to finish almost all of it, eating with nearly as much gusto as she’d recently engaged in more embarrassing activities.

With food taken care of, Alicent was contemplating the prospect of some fresh air when she heard a knock on the door to her chambers.  “Who’s there?” she asked brightly. After three days alone, human contact would be welcome.  Perhaps it’s Rhaenyra.

“It’s me, Alicent,” came a voice that, although familiar, didn’t belong to her friend.

“Come in, father.”

She rose from her table to greet him and Otto Hightower smiled back.  “It’s good to see you out of bed, my dear.  The servants told me that you were feeling better but I thought I’d come and see for myself.”

“I am,” she agreed, though she had to suppress a wince at the memory of her discomfort.

Her father understood anyway.  “I’m sorry you had to go through this alone,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.  “It was always hard on your mother when I had to be away from home during one of her heats.”

“Please, sit,” Alicent offered, and once her father took a chair, she sat back down across from him. “I’m afraid I’ve eaten nearly everything but I can send for some more food if you like.”

He held up a gloved hand.  “I’ve already had lunch.  I’m here because we need to speak about what happened during your heat.”  She nodded but didn’t understand until he added, “You had a visitor, I’m told.”

Most of the past three days were a blur, but amidst all the pain and pleasure, dreams and cries, there was an incident that stood out all too clearly.  A memory of the potent scent of alpha penetrating through her door, along with a voice calling her name, the voice of…

“The Princess Rhaenyra.”  It was not a question.

“Yes, father,” she confessed, certain that she must be blushing deeply at recalling how desperately hungry she’d been for her friend.  “She did come to see me, but the guards kept her outside,” she added quickly.  At least I didn’t disgrace myself any further, trying not to think on the fact that she surely would have given the opportunity.

“I know they did.”  His gaze became stern and Alicent felt herself shrink under it.  She had never been able to bear her father’s disappointment.  Since her mother died, he had relied on her and she hated the fact that she’d never been able to live up to his expectations.  “What I need to know is why she came to see you in the first place.  I know you two have been close for years, but she’s an alpha now.  Had you and she been intimate before your heat?”

If there had been a hole available, Alicent would’ve crawled into it.  Her father had trained her to always tell him the truth and yet admitting what she’d done with Rhaenyra was impossible.  All she could do was skirt the edge of the truth and hope that would be enough.  “Of course I haven’t lain with her.”

Mercifully, he didn’t probe into her denial.  “I knew that couldn’t be the case.  You’ve always been a good girl.”  She felt her stomach sink at the undeserved praise, but before she could dwell further on her sinfulness, he added.  “Don’t worry, Alicent.  I’m going to make sure you don’t have to go through your heat alone again.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, though she feared she already knew.

“I mean that you are a woman now, an omega grown and flowered.  It is time you were wed.”

“To whom?” she asked, even though she knew that none of the possibilities would bring her joy.  She always been nervous about the idea of marriage and now she felt positively sick at the prospect.  Yet she could say nothing.  This was her duty as an omega; how could she tell her father she didn’t want to do it?

“I don’t wish to say just yet,” he replied.  “Not until the match is settled.  But until that time, it’s imperative you avoid anything that might complicate it.  The princess’ visit to your chambers has already led to rumors at court.  Nothing more can happen that might add fuel to them.”

***

Picking at her nails was a dreadful habit.  Her lord father had told her so many times, and yet, as she stood in the Godswood waiting for Rhaenyra to arrive, Alicent couldn’t keep from worrying at the cuticles. Her dread at their upcoming conversation was palpable.  She and the princess had spent so many happy hours talking and reading together in the shade of the great weir-wood and now, it would have to be the site of this instead. She desperately wished that it wasn’t necessary and yet there was nothing she could do about it, about any of it.

Her heart fluttered when she finally saw Rhaenyra approach.  The princess was smiling, the sunlight streaming through the branches, making the expression itself seem to glow.  Clad in a tight dress of red and black, with a bodice that emphasized her small, perfect breasts, she was powerful and striking and lovely all at once, and Alicent ached just to look at her.  Why does she have to be so beautiful?

“Alicent.  I’m so glad you finally accepted one of my invitations.  It felt as if you’ve been avoiding me lately.”

“I have,” she admitted, ashamed of her own cowardice.  This was a conversation she should have had long ago yet fear and weakness had held her back until her hand was forced.

“But why?  Did I do something wrong when we were together?  I’m sorry if I was too eager but what you were doing felt so nice.”

Alicent felt her resolve weakening.  The regret in the princess’ voice tugged at her heart, the guilt she felt at the prospect of causing her friend more pain overwhelming.  “No, it’s not your fault.  It was mine.  I should never have asked of you what I did.”

Rhaenyra laughed, the princess unworried as Alicent could never be.  “Why not?  It might have been a bit brazen but I was happy enough to do it.  You didn’t exactly have to twist my arm.”

Her words were enough to roil Alicent’s guts further still.  She’d had some hope that, in the weeks since their sin, Rhaenyra would have come to her senses.  Instead, she seemed utterly oblivious as to the mess they’d made, leaving Alicent alone with the burden.  “It was a mistake,” she declared.  “Mine perhaps, or maybe yours as well.  It doesn’t matter.  What’s important is that it can’t happen again.”

She hated the way that Rhaenyra’s face fell.  “Alicent, I don’t understand.  What we did was harmless.”

“Not if someone heard of it.  You don’t understand, Rhaenyra,” she protested desperately, practically begging her friend to see the truth.  “You’re a princess.  The heir to the Iron Throne.  And now you’re an alpha as well.  Whatever you do, your father can still make a good match for you.  But for me…”

Rhaenyra drew closer, gathering Alicent into her arms.  It was a friendly embrace, the kind they had shared a hundred times, but this one made her heart pound against her ribs.  After the days she’d spent fantasizing about being with Rhaenyra, any touch would have been too intimate and this kind of closeness was simply overwhelming.  “What’s going on, Alicent?  You know you can tell me anything.”

“My father,” she nearly choked on the words, knowing how much Rhaenyra would hate hearing them.  “Is arranging a marriage for me.”

Shock overcome the princess at once.  She let go of Alicent and drew back, the jealous alpha flaring behind her light eyes.  “Marriage?  To who?”

“He wouldn’t say but he told me it’s not certain yet.  If word of what we did together got out, it would be a disaster.  Your visit is already causing problems.  People are talking…”

“Nothing happened during your heat,” Rhaenyra protested, her voice all defiance and frustration.  “The guards wouldn’t let me in.  You know that.”

“But if they had, we would’ve…”  She couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought, though whether that was because it was too wicked or too delicious, she didn’t contemplate.  “Listen, Rhaenyra, what we did that day can be excused.  Everyone knows that heat makes people behave strangely.  But if more were to happen, while we were ourselves, it would ruin everything.”

Rhaenyra’s sympathy had reached its limits.  “More already happened, Alicent,” she snapped, her eyes narrowing angrily.  “Don’t you pretend otherwise.”

“But no one knows that,” she reminded her.  Rhaenyra didn’t understand and it seemed she didn’t want to understand.  “And it has to stay that way.  Nothing more can happen that could place this match in jeopardy.”

Rhaenyra’s hands curled into fists and the fire of her rage was so hot that Alicent recoiled, stepping back without even thinking about it.  “What are you saying?” the alpha demanded.  “That you’re so desperate to marry a lord whose name you don’t even know that you can’t see me anymore?”

Alicent felt her heart breaking into pieces.  This was so much worse than she’d even feared.  Not getting to be with Rhaenyra was excruciating but now she was losing everything.  “No, Rhaenyra, no,” she pleaded.  “You’re my dearest friend.  I would never turn my back on that.  But what we share cannot be more than friendship.”

“That wasn’t what you were saying during your heat,” Rhaenyra retorted, cutting deep into Alicent with the reminder of her lust.  It was hard for her to recall the exact words she’d used that day but the desperation with which she’d pleaded for Rhaenyra to claim her was all too clear in her memory.  Even now, she longer to throw herself into the alpha’s arms, no matter how wrong that would be.

Yet she could not.  “It was a heat,” she protested weakly.

“And people act crazy during them.  As you already reminded me.”  Rhaenyra shook her head.  “If you’re going to pretend that’s all it was, then I don’t have anything else to fucking say to you.”

The princess spun on her heel and walked out of the Godswood, not sparring Alicent a backward glance.  For that, at least, she could be grateful for if Rhaenyra had turned around, she would have seen the omega’s eyes filling with tears and that was more than Alicent could have borne.

Chapter Text

In spite of the crown he wore, her father didn’t have the most forceful presence.  There were times during meetings of the small council when he seemed to fade into the background as his advisors debated matters of state.  This was not one of those times.  When Viserys rose to address the council, everyone in the room could tell that this was no ordinary moment.

The king cleared his throat and began, “Before we adjourn today, there is another matter I wish to address.  I have decided to take a new wife.”

Before continuing, he looked to Rhaenyra and she gave her father a reassuring smile.  When he first brought it up, she hadn’t liked the idea of his remarrying, especially so soon after her mother’s death, but he had convinced her this was necessary for the good of the realm.  Along with his assurances that she would remain his heir no matter what, she had made her peace.

Or at least she thought she had.  Viserys looked over the room and continued, “I intend to marry the lady Alicent Hightower before spring’s end.”

Rhaenyra was too stunned to speak.  When she had given her approval, she had assumed the likeliest match was with Laena Velaryon and if not her, then… well, she didn’t know, but someone else, anyone but Alicent.  Alicent is… She didn’t know how to finish the thought.  The omega wasn’t hers, not like that.  Alicent had made as much clear two days ago in the Godswood.  Yet the idea that she would now marry Rhaenyra’s father went against every wish, every urge that she possessed.

Nor was she the only one outraged.  Lord Corlys Velaryon rose from his chair, shooting the king a glare that showed a distinct lack of respect for royal authority.  “This is an absurdity.  My house is Valyrian.  The greatest power in the realm.”  

At exactly the wrong time, her father decided not to back down.  “And I am your king,” he declared.  

As the two men locked eyes, Rhaenyra saw Otto Hightower looking across the table at Lord Corlys, a smug smile on his face.  In that single expression, she learned the truth: this was the match he’d been planning all along, the one Alicent had been given strict orders not to disrupt.

Had Alicent known?  Rhaenyra turned to the omega and immediately had her answer.  Alicent’s face was blank and lifeless, leaving no doubt she was every bit as shocked as Rhaenyra.

Say something, she wanted to scream.  Tell him you won’t do it, that it’s me you want.

But Alicent said nothing, keeping her eyes pinned meekly to the ground as the Seasnake stormed from the room.  Once more, the omega had decided to be a coward.  She would do nothing but comply with Viserys and Otto’s wishes, no matter how terrible they were.

Rage and grief warred within Rhaenyra, both powerful enough to make her cry.  Only pride kept the urge at bay.  She was a princess, the heir to the Iron Throne, and she wouldn’t let them break her.  

Her father, though, wasn’t fooled by her brave facade.  He could see the distress on her face and he said her name plaintively, confused as to what he’d done wrong.  She had no answers that she could give.  Instead, she simply did as Lord Corlys had, fleeing from the chamber as fast as dignity would allow.  Behind her, she could hear the clanking of Ser Cristen’s armor as her sworn protector followed her down the corridor, but in spite of his presence, she had never felt so alone.

****

Viserys was waiting for her when she landed.  Since that day in the council chambers, Rhaenyra had managed to avoid her father but when she saw looked down from Syrax’s back to see him standing outside the Dragonpit’s entrance, escorted by two of his Kingsguard, she knew she’d run out of luck.

Not necessarily, the voice of her anger growled.  She could always climb back into the skies, leaving her father to look the fool.  It was an impulse she resisted.  As furious as she was, she would have to speak to him eventually and at least now, she would have Syrax by her side.

She did make the king wait, circling around slowly to find a landing spot far from the royal party.  Viserys hurried to greet her as she dismounted, his knights following close behind.  He approached Syrax without fear, stopping only when he saw the anger in her eyes.

“Rhaenyra, can we speak?”

She had no desire to make things easy for her father.  “How did you find me?” she demanded.

Viserys smiled ruefully.  “I was told that you’ve been flying Syrax every afternoon and I decided that if I waited here long enough, you would have no choice but to see me.”

It was true.  Of late, riding her dragon was the only way that Rhaenyra could find a semblance of peace.  Racing through the air, she could forget, at least for a little while, the mess that was her life on the ground.  “I’m here, father.  What did you want to talk about?”

He gestured to his knights.  “Give us some privacy,” he commanded and they fell back far enough that the two of them wouldn’t be easily overheard.  “What’s wrong, Rhaenyra?” he asked.  “Ever since my engagement, you haven’t spoken to me once.”

Rhaenyra hesitated before answering.  One of the reasons she’d evaded this conversation was that so much of what was on her mind, she couldn’t say.  “The announcement came as quite a shock,” was what she settled on.  “I’ve had a great deal to think about.”

“Why?  We had spoken of this matter.  You know the reasons why I have to marry again and I thought I had your blessing to do so.”

You did, she thought bitterly.  You would have.  If it were any other woman in the Seven Kingdoms you had chosen.  “I didn’t know you planned to marry Alicent.”

Viserys seemed lost.  “I hadn’t made my choice when we spoke, but I thought it would please you.  You and the lady Alicent have always been close friends.”

Had her father not heard the rumors circulating at court or did he chose to ignore them?  “Since we were children together,” she replied, desperately dancing around the truth.  “Which makes it more than a little strange that you want her to be my step-mother.”

“I know she will never be a mother to you, Rhaenyra.  But we would all be family.  Is that truly so bad?  Besides, this marriage will help you as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t wish to be wed as yet.  I have spoken with Ser Otto, and he and I agreed that if I was to have another child, it would make it easier for you to put off that day.”

At the mention of Alicent’s father, Rhaenyra bristled.  “Was Otto the one who suggested this match?”

“It was my idea,” Viserys insisted.  “But he supports it.  Alicent has been a great comfort to me since your mother passed away.”

“Has she?” Rhaenyra snapped and in response to her anger, Syrax growled.  The Kingsguard’s hands went to their swords but Viserys held up a hand to reassure them at he was in no danger.

Rhaenyra’s mind, though, was racing backward in time.  It was so clear to her now how they had reached this point.  Alicent had once mentioned that Otto had asked her to spend time with Viserys.  In the moment, Rhaenyra had thought nothing of it; Alicent had lost her own mother not so long ago and they had all known each other for years.  The idea that there was some more sordid motive at play had never occurred to her.

Now, though, Otto’s true purpose was obvious.  The Hand had always known his king would need a new wife and he’d positioned his daughter to step into that role.  Worse, he’d done it subtly enough that Viserys didn’t realize he’d been manipulated.

He didn’t understand the source of her anger either, because he insisted, “Nothing untoward happened between us, Rhaenyra.  I was just so alone and she was a friend to me, just as she has been to you.”

Not exactly, Rhaenyra thought.  She wanted to scream that truth aloud, to tell her father that while Alicent might be fond of him, she would never desire him as she desired Rhaenyra.  But she had no right to do it.  Alicent wasn’t hers; she’d made that clear in the Godswood.  If Rhaenyra revealed what they’d done together, all she would do was ruin the omega’s name  and that was too much.

Instead, she shook her head.  “Good luck, then, with my friend,” she said coldly and walked away, leaving Syrax to the dragon-keepers and Viserys to his questions.  Better them than the truth.

****

Two more days, Rhaenyra thought glumly.  In two days, her father would marry Alicent and there wasn’t a fucking thing she could do.  On the surface, Viserys had been right that day in the Dragonpit.  He needed more heirs; the string of untimely deaths that had brought him to the throne proved as much, while the existence of siblings would allow Rhaenyra to delay her own betrothal.  And having a friend like Alicent as her father’s new wife should make those siblings less of a threat to her inheritance.

Yet Rhaenyra could scarcely have been more miserable if she were going to the block instead of a wedding.  The thought of Alicent marrying her father made her sick, but she’d been maneuvered into a position where she couldn’t stop it.  Otto had tricked Viserys into making this choice and now he was publicly committed to it.  Alicent surely didn’t want the match but she was so far under the thumb of her father and the bloody septons that she’d said yes rather than admit her true feelings.  It was hopeless.

Her descent into self-pity was interrupted by a sharp rasp on her doors.  She’d just opened her mouth to ask who it was when they were pushed open to reveal Daemon Targaryen.  He looked as if he’d just landed in the Dragonpit, clad in black traveling leathers with Dark Sister hanging by his side.

Rhaenyra sat up on the couch and did her best to shake off her misery.  “Hello, uncle.”

His smile wasn’t the sneer he so often wore but one containing genuine warmth.  “Rhaenyra.  It’s good to see you again.”

“You as well.”  She rose and threw her arms around her Daemon.  “You’re here for the wedding, I assume.”

He patted her back before letting her go.  “It’s a fucking farce.”

Rhaenyra was unreasonably pleased to find someone else who wasn’t happy about the upcoming nuptials.  “Why do you say that?”

“Because Otto Hightower is a scheming cunt and my brother is about to put his family in line to take the throne.”

She laughed at her uncle’s bluntness but he did point to a disturbing possibility.  "Do you really think he'll try to advance his grandchildren’s claims ahead of mine?”

“If one of them is a boy?  Without a doubt.  He hasn't gone to all this effort to produce spares for you and your father.  He’s coming for the throne.”

Rhaenyra could believe that of the Hand but she still shook her head.  “Alicent would never go along with it.”

Now that smug grin Rhaenyra knew too well appeared on Daemon’s face.  “You seem sure of that, niece.  Does that mean the rumors are true?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, uncle,” Rhaenyra insisted, although the way she bit her lip might have given her away, because the other alpha wasn’t convinced.

“Then you weren’t lurking around Alicent’s chambers during her last heat?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“I may not waste much time here at court, but I still have my sources.”  He chuckled.  “I was surprised to hear you’re an alpha now.  I had thought it might turn out otherwise.”

Rhaenyra could guess his meaning easily enough.  She had long thought he might take an interest in her hand if she’d presented differently, his current loveless marriage not withstanding.  Nor would she necessarily have minded.  Men and women alike could catch her eye and her uncle was charming and handsome.  But a match between two alphas made little sense and of late, it was someone else who dominated her thoughts.

She laughed back.  “So did I.  And yet here we are.”

“Indeed.  So what did happen between you and my brother’s future wife?  I didn’t hear a denial just now.”

Perhaps she still wanted to protect Alicent’s reputation or perhaps she wondered now if what passed between them had ever truly counted.  “Nothing that matters.  And yet, I still can’t believe Alicent would betray me.”

“Her bastard of a father won’t give her a choice.”

“You’re wrong,” Rhaenyra insisted, even as doubt began creeping into her heart.  If Alicent lacked the will to oppose her father on the matter of her own marriage, would she have it later, when the throne was at stake?

“Maybe, maybe not.”  Daemon shrugged.  “But you’d better find out soon or else the Hightowers will take everything from you.”

Chapter Text

Saying that Rhaenyra had a well-considered plan would have been too generous.  There were a list of reasons why she shouldn’t be doing this as long as her arm and yet that knowledge did nothing to stop her.  Whatever might come out of tonight, the consequences couldn’t be worse than inaction.

She’d already had her fill of doing nothing.  The festivities surrounding the royal wedding had been toned down out of respect for her mother’s death, but there’d been no way to avoid the banquet held the previous night.  It had been agony.  Her father, still unable to figure out how he’d broken his daughter’s heart.  The self-satisfied face of Otto Hightower reveling in his moment of triumph.  The endless procession of courtiers congratulating the king and wishing him happiness and many more children.  And worst of all, Alicent, utterly beautiful and smiling at everyone even as Rhaenyra could see that she was dying inside.

There’d been nothing she could do to relieve the misery and if Rhaenyra didn’t act now, she’d spend the next few decades living through variations of that same hell.  There was only one escape she could see and that was the truth.  Either she and Alicent would face it together or she’d have to accept that Daemon was right: her friend was lost and she needed to prepare to defend her birthright.

Taking a final glance at herself in the looking glass, Rhaenyra straightened her cuffs and smiled.  Alicent had always liked her in this dress, its deep black scales accented with hints of gold, but practicality had influenced her choice as much as sentiment: it was tailored for riding, after all.

There was one final preparation necessary before she left and so she wrung the bell to summon her most trusted maidservant.  “Alyssa,” she said when the blonde girl arrived in her chambers.  “I have a task for you.”

The girl dipped her head.  “Anything, my princess.”

Rhaenyra pressed a sealed letter into her hand.  “Unless I tell you otherwise, when the bell tolls midnight, you are to bring this to Prince Daemon’s chambers.  Place it in his hands alone and tell him it’s from me.  Speak of it to no one else.”

“Of course,” the girl said, without understanding.  That was all right; the less she knew, the less trouble she could get into later.

“You may go now but remember, not before midnight and no one must know beforehand or afterward.”

Alyssa bowed before leaving her chambers and a minute later, Rhaenyra followed.  Outside waited Ser Criston, her sworn shield keeping his vigil on her door.  “Princess,” he said.  “It’s late.  Where are we going?”

“I,” she declared.  “Am going alone.”  Criston had been a friend to her in the past, but he was a knight of the Kingsguard, which meant he couldn’t be trusted in this.  Ultimately, his oaths were to her father, not her.

“As your sworn protector, I really should come.”

Rhaenyra smiled at him, the lie coming easily to her lips.  “Don’t worry, Ser.  I won’t be leaving the castle tonight.”

His reluctance was palpable but in the end he said, “Very well then, princess.  Best of luck on your mysterious errand.”

Rhaenyra walked away briskly before he could change his mind.  She had thought doubts might creep in as she made her way to Alicent’s chambers, but the closer she came, the more her resolve hardened.  Whatever answers she might receive, they had to be better than the limbo she’d been trapped in of late.

When she arrived, there was a guard posted outside the doors but unlike the last time she visited Alicent, it was only one man and he wore the colors of her house, not the Hightowers.  Probably sent by my father for his future wife.

“I am here to see the lady Alicent,” she declared, as if there was no question she would be admitted.

The young man smiled nervously and opened the door.  “Yes, princess.”

“We are not to be disturbed,” she added as she walked inside.  “No matter what.”

She found Alicent standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by a trio of servants.  They were trying to fit the omega into the gorgeous silver and red gown she would wear on the morrow, tugging the garment to and fro.

“It’s a bit tight around the chest, my lady,” one of them complained, before all four women turned at the sight of the princess standing in the doorway.

The servants all bowed but Alicent seemed equal parts confused and annoyed by her presence.  “Rhaenyra?  What are you doing here?”

She ignored the question, instead turning her attention to the other women.  “Leave us.”

The three of them looked to Alicent for guidance and the omega shook her head.  “Stay where you are. It’s late and this fitting needs to be finished before I can go to bed.”

There was fire in Rhaenyra’s eyes as she summoned up whatever alpha authority lay in her soul.  “Leave.  Now.”

This time the servants were too frightened to refuse, retreating toward the door while muttering apologies.  The oldest one, a stout omega with light brown hair, asked, “When should we return, my lady?”

“When you are sent for,” Rhaenyra answered in Alicent’s place.  “And not a minute before, or you’ll regret it.”

When they had gone, Alicent glared at her.  “What do you want, Rhaenyra?  You’ve haven’t said two words to me since my engagement and now you appear the night before the wedding, disrupting my fitting and ordering my servants around.”

At her words, Rhaenyra’s spine stiffened and she drew up to her full height, such as it was.  “I have ignored you?  After what happened in my chambers, you treated me like I had greyscale.”

All of the anger drained from Alicent’s face, replaced with a deep, abashed blush.  “You know my reasons for doing that.  What happened between us was a mistake.”

“I would remind you who started it, Alicent.  I wasn’t the one who asked you to remove her clothes.  I wasn’t the one who touched you.”

Rhaenyra wasn’t sure it was possible for Alicent’s face to get any redder but she certainly seemed to be trying.  “I was curious.”

“Is that what you tell yourself?  That you were merely curious?!”  Rhaenyra practically spat the last word.  “That I was the only one who had carnal thoughts?  Yes, I took my pleasure.  But you were enjoying yourself, no matter how much you wish to deny it now.”

Alicent turned away, unwilling to meet Rhaenyra’s gaze even as she made her admission.  “All right, I enjoyed it.  Is that what you wanted, Rhaenyra?  A confession of my sins?”

Rhaenyra shook her head.  She had never understood Alicent’s preoccupation with the Faith and its silly doctrines.  “Do you think I feel shame over what we did?  I am the blood of the dragon.  I don’t give a damn what the Gods may or may not think about such things and I don’t require you to care either.”

The sheer blasphemy of her words stunned Alicent.  The omega just stood there, a blank expression on her face, giving Rhaenyra a chance to take her in more fully.  She looked as alluring as ever, perhaps more so given the way her dress was unfastened far enough to offer a tantalizing glimpse of her bare back.  To say nothing of the smell of her.  She wasn’t in heat, but it was still hard for Rhaenyra to remember how angry she was when Alicent smelled that fucking sweet…

“Then what do you care about?” Alicent finally demanded.  “If you’re not looking for remorse, what’s the point of all of this rage?”

Rhaenyra took a step toward her.  “The point,” she declared, “Is for you to admit that it mattered.  That what we did was not a mistake but your heart’s desire.”

“What good would that do?” Alicent asked desperately.  “I still have to do my duty and you have to walk away.  You’re an alpha, at least.  You can do what you want, with who you want, while I…”

There were tears forming at the edges of her eyes and a part of Rhaenyra wanted to stop and comfort her friend but she steeled her resolve.  She wouldn’t get another chance if she let this one slip through her fingers.  “And what is it that you think I want?  To prowl the Street of Silk in search of whores, like my uncle?”

“Then what do you want?”

“To finish what we started.”

She could see the lump form in Alicent’s throat.  “What we started…  Surely you cannot mean… Rhaenyra, I am betrothed to your father, to the king.  We’re going to be married tomorrow, in the sight of Gods and men.”

Rhaenyra took another step forward, her blue eyes locked onto the omega’s brown ones.  If Alicent was going to reject her, she would look Rhaenyra in the face when she did it.  “And is that what you want, Alicent?  Was it my father you were thinking of when your heat took you?” she demanded, remembering full well who Alicent had called out for in her desire and pain.

“It’s what my father wants,” she offered weakly and Rhaenyra could tell she was close to the edge.

“Then let him fuck the king.”  She took another step, the two of them so close now that they were almost touching.  “You speak of duty.  What about your duty to me?  Your best friend, your princess, your alpha…”

“I cannot,” Alicent whimpered, but there wasn’t an ounce of conviction in her voice.

“You can.”  The scent dripping off of the omega filled Rhaenyra’s nostrils and beneath her dress, she could feel herself start to shift.  “It’s the most natural thing in this world.”

“We are…” she started to protest.

“An alpha and an omega.  For the Valyrians that was enough.”

“I'm not Valyrian.”

“But I am.  And I’m going to be your queen.”

Rhaenyra reached out, slowly enough that Alicent could retreat if she wished.  Instead, she at last accepted what was achingly obvious: that she wanted this every bit as badly as Rhaenyra.  It might have been Rhaenyra’s arm that wrapped around the back of the omega’s head, but Alicent was the one who leaned in for their first kiss.

There was nothing shy or tentative about it.  Now that she had made her decision, Alicent tried to devour Rhaenyra, or perhaps be devoured by her.  It made little difference.  Lips and tongues tangled together even as their bodies fit into a tight embrace.  Rhaenyra slid her hand beneath the loose flap of Alicent’s dress and found the warm skin beneath.  She wanted all of it, to learn every inch of the omega’s body.

“Take it off,” Alicent breathed and it took all of Rhaenyra’s restraint not to tear the garment down to the seams at once.  Only Alicent’s hand placed on top of hers, guiding her to the ties, gave her the patience she needed.

Beneath her dress, Alicent wore only small clothes and those she pushed off of her hips, revealing her body in full.  Rhaenyra had seen her naked before, swimming together in the gardens, but they had been children.  Now Alicent was a woman grown, more beautiful than ever, her body softly curved and flushed with wanting.  For me. Only for me.

Rhaenyra pulled Alicent back into her arms, running her hands first down the omega’s neck and then along the curve of her spine, finally reaching the supple flesh of her backside.  At her touch, Alicent moaned into her ear, the sound soft enough not to be dangerous to anything but Rhaenyra’s restraint.

Once more she claimed Alicent’s mouth but as passionate their kisses were, they only inflamed Rhaenyra’s desire, inspiring her to move lower.  This time she traced a path with her mouth, nipping and licking her way down to the omega’s collarbone and then her breasts.  She lavished attention on each of them, kissing the stiff tips of Alicent’s nipples one after the other.  Only when she had the omega moaning did Rhaenyra kneel, running her tongue along the plane of Alicent’s stomach.  The scent of her grew even stronger and Rhaenyra’s cock throbbed, the alpha painfully hard without even being touched.

Before she could go any lower, she felt Alicent’s hand on her head.  “The bedroom,” she whispered and Rhaenyra rose.

“Good idea.”  The further we are from the door, the better.

Rhaenyra closed the inner door behind them even as Alicent went to work on her dress.  They fumbled through the disrobing together, too eager to for their own good, but soon enough she was as naked as her omega.

They drew close once more, bare flesh pressing together, her member pulsing against Alicent’s stomach as they kissed.  Alicent noticed.  She wrapped her slim fingers around the shaft and whispered, “I wasn’t just curious.”  

“I know.”  Rhaenyra gasped as Alicent started stroking.  She’d gained a little experience with this new part of herself since their last time together, but her own touches were nothing compared to the thrill of Alicent’s soft hand running up and down her length.

Hungry to reciprocate, she slid a hand in-between Alicent’s legs.  Rhaenyra had touched herself there before but she’d never found as much slickness as she felt on the omega’s sex.  Her fingers teased out the stiff point that lay beneath the folds and Alicent moaned, her hand covering Rhaenyra’s, pressing it tight against her.  

The two of them explored each other eagerly, but the urgency of the moment loomed and before long, Alicent took Rhaenyra’s hand off of her sex and looked toward the bed.  

“Are you sure?”

There was no doubt in Alicent’s answer.  “I need it to be you.”

The omega lay down on her back and Rhaenyra slid next to her.  “Spread your legs.”

Alicent did just that and Rhaenyra sucked in a sharp breath.  She could see the omega’s sex clearly now, pink and perfect and glistening with her desire.  Perhaps she should have felt guilty knowing this was the woman her father was supposed to marry but nothing came.  Alicent was hers; anything else would have been a grotesque mistake.

Rhaenyra had never done this before, but she was worldly enough to know the basics.  Taking her cock in hand, she moved in-between the omega’s legs, trying to find the right angle.  It required a couple of attempts but she knew she was onto something when she felt the slickness of Alicent’s cunt envelop the tip.

“Oh fuck,” she murmured even as the omega gasped beneath her.  Rhaenyra shifted her hips and pushed further but it wasn’t long before she felt a barrier.  Her maidenhead.  “I’m sorry, Alicent.  This is going to hurt.”

If Alicent was afraid of pain, the eager gleam in her eyes didn’t show it.  “Go ahead,” she urged, digging her fingers into Rhaenyra’s hair.

Rhaenyra edged forward slowly at first but when Alicent whimpered, she decided not to drag this out.  Her hips snapped and Alicent pulled on her hair hard enough to sting, but she was inside, nearly all the way to the base.  “Are you all right?”

Alicent took a deep breath and blinked hard.  “It’s okay, Rhaenyra.  Just go slow.”  Then she seemed to remember their situation and smiled.  “But not too slow.”

Rhaenyra stifled a laugh.  This was madness, the best moment of her life and the most perilous all at once, but either way, there was no stopping now.  Carefully, she pulled back and then slid forward once more.  This time Alicent opened up for her fully and Rhaenyra was sheathed all the way inside her lover.

“There,” the omega purred.  “That feels good.”

For Rhaenyra, ‘good’ was a severe understatement.  Alicent’s hands and mouth had been wonderful, but this was incomparable.  Warm and wet and tight all at once, Rhaenyra could already feel the first hints of the urge to come building in her core.  All her inner alpha wanted was to fill Alicent with her seed, to claim her new mate in this most primal way.

She fought it down as best she could.  Finishing quickly was one thing when they’d been experimenting; this time had to be different.  The two began moving in earnest, their bodies knowing what to do better than their minds.  Rhaenyra had been right before, when she’d said this was natural.  Every instinct she possessed told her that this was what she was made for, this moment, this woman.

Over and over they kissed, tasting the reality of one another’s feelings in each one.  They had been together through so much; it was only right that they share this too.  Whatever pain Alicent had suffered seemed to fade quickly.  In between kisses, she was panting into Rhaenyra’s ear, her hands clutching onto the alpha’s back.  One of them even drifted down to her backside, making sure she couldn’t leave her, not even for a moment.

Not that Rhaenyra needed the encouragement.  She never wanted to stop, never wanted to be doing anything but this.  Alicent’s her lips, her throat, her breasts, her sex, every part of her that Rhaenyra could reach with hands or tongue or cock, she claimed.

Yet it couldn’t last.  Even if they didn't have to fear discovery, she couldn’t hold back her climax forever.  Not when Alicent felt like this around her.  Unable to slow down, she sped up instead, thrusting with desperate vigor.  The pressure was becoming overwhelming and she traced the shell of Alicent’s ear with her tongue, gasping, “I’m close.”

“Yes,” was all the omega was able to mutter but her grip on Rhaenyra’s back tightened as she too threw herself harder into their coupling.  The two of them moved frantically against one another and somewhere in those frenzied motions, the last threads within Rhaenyra snapped.  Her body tensed and her cock pulsed, spilling the first of her seed into the omega.  The pleasure was better than anything she’d felt before, so intense that it blanked out any care, any worry, any thought.  All she could do was hold onto Alicent, filling her with everything she had.

Feeling her come triggered something in Alicent as well.  Her cunt tightened and she bit down on her alpha’s shoulder in a desperate effort to stifle a scream.  The two of them clung together as they fell apart.  Nothing mattered, nothing was real, except for the truth they had found in each other and the pleasure they gave and were given.

Chapter Text

Alicent didn’t want to move.  As long as she lay in bed with Rhaenyra’s body draped on top of hers, she didn’t have to worry about what she’d done or what horrible fate might now await her.  She could just be an omega with her alpha, warm and safe and cared for.

But she didn’t have that luxury.  At any moment, someone could burst into her chambers and bring what was left of her life crashing down.  That might have been a fitting punishment for her wickedness but Alicent wasn’t ready to accept it just yet and so she looked up at Rhaenyra, brushing her fingers across the soft skin of her lover’s cheek.  

Gods, she’s so beautiful.  “What do we do now?”

Rhaenyra gazed back at Alicent, the light of a nearby lantern dancing in her eyes.  “Now you make a choice.  I can leave here while you clean yourself up, tell whatever lie you want to the servants, and try to pretend that none of this ever happened.  Tomorrow, you’ll marry the king like the good, obedient omega your father always wanted you to be.  Or…” she paused for an instant, and when she spoke again, there was a delightful smile on her lips.  “You can leave with me and whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.”

The old Alicent, the frightened girl who desperately wanted to be pure and virtuous, would’ve clutched at the first choice.  If she washed herself quickly and hid the sheets, she could claim that she and Rhaenyra had simply lost track of time while talking.  The maids might gossip but even if rumors reached the king’s ears, he wouldn’t want to believe them.  Horseback riding could explain why she wasn’t a maiden and if Rhaenyra had sired a child on her, she could pretend it belonged to Viserys.  Despite all she had done tonight, the lie might hold.

But that Alicent, the one who was prepared to live a lie, was gone.  There were no more ways for her to deny the truth.  The thought of sharing the king’s bed, any man’s bed, held no appeal.  Rhaenyra was all she wanted in this world and if Alicent pushed her away now, she’d lose her forever. It might be hard for her to live with what she was about to do but the other road would surely kill her soul.

Her choice made, she leaned in close and kissed Rhaenyra softly.  “How do we get out of the castle?”

The warm smile that spread across Rhaenyra’s face was enough to tell Alicent she’d made the right decision, that one expression worth whatever it might cost her in the future.  “Do you remember that hidden passage we found in your chambers?  The one behind the dresser?”  She nodded and Rhaenyra continued, “There’s lots of those in the castle and most of them connect together.  They give us a way out of the Red Keep and from there we go to the Dragonpit.  Syrax will do the rest.”

Alicent had never found the courage to join Rhaenyra when she went flying before but it was too late to be afraid.  “All right then.  Just let me get ready.”

“Quickly,” Rhaenyra urged and Alicent was grateful that, for once, the princess grasped the peril her decisions had placed her in.

Rhaenyra pulled back on her small clothes and dress while Alicent hastily wiped the residue of their coupling off of her sex.  She should have been disgusted, the alpha’s seed mixed in with her maiden’s blood, yet she couldn’t find any such feeling in her.  It was proof of what she’d shared with Rhaenyra, a memory she would always treasure.

Once she was somewhat cleaner, Alicent turned to the problem of clothes. Simplicity was in order and so she settled on a plain blue riding dress covered by a green cloak.  It might be a bit hot in the late spring weather, but it had a hood, as did the maroon one she picked out for Rhaenyra.  Beyond that, she limited herself to a few treasured possessions: a necklace she had received on her 15th name day, a songbird pin left to her by her mother, and a small bag of gold dragons in case they needed to buy supplies.

She was still donning the cloak when her heart was nearly stopped by the sound of a voice outside her chambers.  My father, she thought in a panic, but mercifully, it was just one of the servants.  “My lady, are you all right?”

Her voice trembled but she found it in time.  “I’m fine, Catelyn.”

“We really must complete the fitting tonight.  The seamstresses may have to make alterations.”

“Just a little longer.  The princess and I aren’t done speaking.”

Catelyn fell silent for the moment and Alicent clasped her cloak before handing the other one to Rhaenyra.  The princess threw it on and cast a gaze around the room, settling on a small lamp near the bed.  “This will do,” she declared, picking it up.  “It’s dark where we’re going.”

The two women made their way to an elegantly carved dresser positioned along one of the walls of the bedchamber.  Years ago they had knocked it over by accident, only to discover that it concealed a doorway into the depths of the castle.  Alicent had been too frightened to explore further but not Rhaenyra.  The princess had plunged into the darkness without hesitation, only returning in response to Alicent’s pleas.  But that had been years ago and she was no longer a scared child.  This time, there could be no turning back.

They slid the dresser to one side, careful to make as little noise as possible.  The entrance was small, forcing Alicent to bend her head to make it through, but once on the other side, she could stand easily enough.  Rhaenyra followed, after which the two of them moved the dresser back into place.  Once their absence was discovered, the passage might not stay a secret forever, but any delay helped.

Rhaenyra led the way as they descended into the darkness, holding the small lantern before her.  It provided enough light to navigate by but not much more and in the shadows, with no sound but their footsteps on the stone stairs to distract her, Alicent’s thoughts began to wander.

What will happen if we’re caught?  Adultery by the queen was high treason; Maegor the Cruel had wiped out the entire family of one of his wives for it.  Alicent told herself that wouldn’t be her fate.  She and Viserys weren’t yet married and in any event, the king was no Maegor.  

But even if she kept her head, it would be bad.  The wedding would doubtless be cancelled and her father would be furious.  Alicent would be swiftly married off to any lord he could find desperate enough to curry favor with the King’s Hand to overlook her sins.  Perhaps she would even be sent a sept or to join the Silent Sisters in order to hide her family’s shame.  One thing was certain: she would never be allowed to see Rhaenyra again.

“They can’t find us,” she said, surprising herself with her own vehemence.  “They’ll take me away somewhere and I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t,” Rhaenyra assured her, but her voice was barely above a whisper.  “We have to be quiet, though,” she added.  “You never know who might be on the other side of these walls.”

Alicent just nodded and soon they reached the bottom of the stairs.  From there they entered into a series of corridors, turning first left and then right.  Unlike the lavishly decorated halls of the Red Keep, they were made of bare stone, with nothing to distinguish one from another.  She would never have been able to find her own way through, but Rhaenyra seemed to know where she was going, only pausing once to consider their direction.  

“Have you done this before?” Alicent whispered.

“I’ve explored a bit.  Daemon knows the tunnels much better.”

As they continued, she realized Rhaenyra had been right about the noise.  From time to time, she heard voices drifting in from the other side of the walls, snatches of conversation and arguments reaching her ears, though the two of them never lingered long enough for Alicent to say who the speakers were.

Another corridor brought them to a second staircase and at its bottom, they emerged out into a cavernous chamber.  Unlike the rest of the tunnels it was already lit, with numerous candles ringing a raised platform at its center.  Alicent gasped.  Atop the platform sat the skull of a massive dragon, far bigger than any she had seen before.

“Balerion,” Rhaenyra said in response to her unspoken question and Alicent paused to stare.  She had always been struck by how little regard the Targaryens had for the Gods but this place felt like a shrine to what the House of the Dragon truly had faith in.

They exited the chamber through yet another tunnel and at the end of it, Alicent could see a sliver of moonlight shinning through a tiny window set into a door.  “We’re almost there,” Rhaenyra told her.

“Good,” Alicent said softly but there was a question that had been forming in her mind for the last several minutes.  “Why did you wait so long, Rhaenyra?  This would’ve been a lot simpler if the wedding wasn’t tomorrow.”

The princess turned toward her, the lantern casting long shadows across her face.  Even in its dim light, Alicent could see her smile, the expression at once fond and rueful.  “You told me you had to marry.  I thought I could make my peace with that.”  Rhaenyra shook her head.  “I was wrong.”

***

If Alicent had to learn to fly, this wasn’t the way to do it.  A bright spring day where she and Rhaenyra could take a few lazy circles around the Dragonpit before returning to the safety of the ground would’ve been ideal, she thought.  Certainly she wouldn’t have chosen to take off in the dead of night, on what was sure to be a long journey.

Under the circumstances, though, she was happy to have made it this far.  They’d reached to the Dragonpit without incident and once inside, Rhaenyra had talked her way past the Dragonkeepers.  In the torchlight, with her hood up, none of them had recognized Alicent and they weren’t interested in asking awkward questions about what young omega the princess might be trying to impress with her dragon.

Now came the hard part.  Syrax wasn’t as big Caraxes, let alone Balerion, but he was still intimidating enough for a woman who was definitely more comfortable on the solid earth.  Rhaenyra might have clamored up the dragon’s side and into the saddle without hesitation but Alicent didn’t leap to follow.

Seeing her reluctance, Rhaenyra extended a hand.  “You can do it.”

“I know, it’s just…”  It’s a dragon, she wanted to say, even though she knew that wouldn’t make sense to a Targaryen.  For them, the dragons were their power and their pride, but to everyone else, they were a good way to get eaten.

“She won’t bite,” Rhaenyra assured her, patting Syrax on the side of her neck.  The dragon made a sound somewhere between a purr and a low rumble as Alicent steeled herself.  After all, it was either get on or go back to the Red Keep and that was no choice at all.  She scarcely breathed as she scrambled upward, grasping Rhaenyra’s hand as soon as she could reach it.  The alpha pulled and Alicent grunted, and then she was there, sitting on the saddle behind her princess.

“Seven Gods,” she gasped, scarcely able to believe she was doing this.

Rhaenyra turned back to her and smiled.  “It’ll be all right.  The saddle is designed for one person, but it’s possible to ride without being belted in.”

“Then what do I do?” she asked, liking this plan less and less.

“Just hold me tight.  I’ll make sure Syrax doesn’t do anything crazy.”

Alicent did as she was bidden, wrapping her arms around Rhaenyra’s waist.  The alpha spoke a word in High Valaryian and the dragon moved forward, at first slowly and then with gathering speed.  That was frightening enough, but when Syrax leapt from the ground and took flight, Alicent thought her heart would burst out of her chest.

I’m going to fall, I’m going to fall, I’m going to fall…

Instead she squeezed Rhaenyra even tighter, imbibing as much of the alpha’s scent as she could.  Rhaenyra was all that she had now, and as long as they were together, she could convince herself she’d be safe.

“Are you okay back there?” Rhaenyra asked, but all Alicent could do was nod against the princess’ shoulder.  It was taking everything she had not to scream or pass out.

Rhaenyra brought them up slowly but their ascent was still steady and soon enough, King’s Landing lay far below.  Once Alicent’s terror had ebbed enough for her relax her grip on the princess and look down, she had to admit it was an amazing view.  The moon was near full and by its light, she could see the sprawl of the entire city, more buildings than she could count, even the greatest of them so tiny it could fit in the palm of her hand.

No wonder the Targaryens rule over us all.

Neither of them spoke for a time and Alicent watched in amazement as King’s Landing swiftly faded into the distance.  Syrax took them first out over Blackwater Bay and then further, until she could no longer guess where they were.  She was tired, she realized now that the excitement had abated, and sore as well.  Her sex ached from their coupling but it was a sweet pain.  She’d always known she’d lose her maidenhood someday but to have it be with her beloved princess was more than she could’ve hoped for.

After so much time spent in silence, it was startling when she heard Rhaenyra’s voice again.  “Alicent, are you all right?  You’ve been so quiet.”

“I’m fine.  Just getting used to all this.”

“How much time do you think we have before they come after us?”

Alicent thought about the question.  Eventually, one of the servants would find the courage to enter her chambers and find them gone.  There might be some confusion but between the evidence they’d left on the bedsheets and the rumors already circulating, the truth would soon out.  The hidden passage might take a little longer to discover, but even without it, Syrax’s absence from the Dragonpit would give them away once the search began.

“Not a lot,” she concluded.

“You’re probably right,” Rhaenyra agreed and then paused.  For a long moment, there was no sound but the wind and then she said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said, about not losing me.”

“And?”

“I should marry you.”  

It was the second time a member of the royal family had proclaimed that intention and once more, Alicent was shocked.  This time, though, her reaction didn’t come from a place of horror, only surprise and confusion.

“The betrothal is ruined no matter what but if they catch us, your father will still drag you away,” Rhaenyra continued.  “But if you’re my wife, only death can separate us and my father won’t go that far, no matter how angry he is right now.”

There was sense in those words, not to mention a thrill at the idea of wedding Rhaenyra, yet doubt gnawed at Alicent.  “How is that possible?” she asked.  “Even if we found a septon willing to risk your father’s wrath, the Faith doesn’t allow it.”

As the wind whipped through her hair, Rhaenyra laughed carelessly.  “That’s why we won’t be married by a septon.  Like I told you, the Valyrians joined alphas to omegas, even if they were both women or men.  We can use those rites, like we were dragon-lords of old.  What do you say to that?”

Though a Valyrian blood rite was the last thing Alicent had imagined for her wedding, she didn’t hesitate.  “I say yes.”  She nuzzled closer to Rhaenyra, burying her face in that long, silver hair she so adored.  The presence of her alpha made her feel safe, even high atop a dragon, even with all Seven Kingdoms hunting for them.  “However we have to do it, I would marry you, Rhaenyra Targaryen.  I love you and I always have.”

“And I love you, Alicent Hightower.”

Even if they couldn’t face one another, her position did give her the ability to cover the back of Rhaenyra’s neck with kisses.  The alpha sighed happily and Alicent eagerly anticipated the moment when she could show her affections more fully.  After all, if they were to be married, it couldn’t be so bad, could it?

“So,” she asked, “Where are we going to find someone to perform a Valyrian wedding?”

“Where else?  On Dragonstone.”

Chapter Text

The first rays of dawn already illuminated the sky by the time they reached Dragonstone.  The Targaryen’s ancestral castle was a welcome sight after their long journey, for Syrax as well as her riders.  Though neither of them was heavy, Rhaenyra’s dragon didn’t have experience with a second passenger and she knew her mount well enough to tell she was growing weary.

“We’re almost there,” she said reassuringly, both to Syrax and the woman who’s arms were wrapped around her waist.

Alicent yawned.  “Oh good.”  Her betrothed  -Can I really use that word?  I think I will- was unaccustomed to flying, let alone long journeys, and for the last few hours, she’d been struggling to keep a firm grip on Rhaenyra.

“My uncle’s men hold the castle.  They’ll know me,” Rhaenyra told her as she guided Syrax down toward the courtyard.  “But you haven’t visited before so I doubt they’ll recognize you.  For now, we’ll just tell them you’re my handmaiden.”

“Makes sense,” Alicent agreed, too tired to raise objections.  “As long as they let me sleep, I’ll be happy.”

When they landed, Dragonstone’s castellan was already there to greet them, though he did seem out of breath.  Rhaenyra had met him before; Ser Eldrik was a brash knight from the Stormlands eager for glory, exactly the sort of man her uncle favored.  With him were two more guards, simple men at arms, but they too wore the colors of House Targaryen.

All three men knelt as Rhaenyra dismounted.  “My princess,” Eldrik said.  “It’s a pleasure to see you again though I apologize for the meager reception.  We had no word you were coming.”

Rhaenyra smiled lightly.  “I’m the one who should apologize.  I only decided to come at the last moment.”  She reached up to help Alicent from Syrax’s back.  The omega stumbled, pulling herself back to her feet after an awkward landing.

“And who might you be?” Eldrik asked.  There was a suggestive smile on his long face that Rhaenyra didn’t entirely appreciate, but she could use it.

Alicent played the part of the shy omega perfectly, dipping her head and sounding slightly overwhelmed.  “I’m Alyssa, Ser.  The princess’ handmaiden, if it please you.”

“She’s never seen Dragonstone before,” Rhaenyra told him, flashing a grin from one alpha to another.  “I thought she might enjoy a tour.”

More conventional men might have taken that amiss given that they were both women but such men didn’t last long in her uncle’s service.  Eldrik just laughed.  “I understand perfectly, your Grace.  We’ll find quarters for you at once.  I’m sure you must be tired after your trip.”

“Very much so,” Rhaenyra agreed.  “So make sure we’re not disturbed.  I want to sleep in.”

***

Once the doors to their new quarters closed behind them, Alicent flopped into her her alpha’s arms.  “Oh Gods, Rhaenyra,” she muttered, “I’m going to be sore for a week.”

“From me or Syrax?” the princess asked playfully.

“Both,” Alicent declared before placing a kiss on the side of Rhaenyra’s neck. “I think.  I’ve never done either of those things before.”

Rhaenyra laughed at her silliness.  “Alicent Hightower, you sound as if you’ve had too much wine.”

“No, just too little sleep.”  In truth, she felt light-headed, almost giddy.  To defy all that she’d been taught, to sin so expansively and yet so delightfully brought with it a particular thrill.  If there was no going back, she might as well enjoy herself.

“Then let’s get you to bed.”  

Rhaenyra looped an arm around Alicent’s shoulder and they stumbled across the sitting room and into the bedchamber together.  The bed was easily spacious enough for two, which meant it was by choice, not necessity, that Alicent ended up on top of her alpha.  

It was a very pleasant position to be in.  She’d spent so long so close to Rhaenyra without being able to take that final step, and now there was nothing to stop her from lavishing kisses on the alpha’s face, her cheeks, nose, and eyelids receiving attention along with her lips.

Sadly she ran out steam quickly, rolling off of Rhaenyra and onto the feather bed.  It was pleasingly soft, especially compared to the back of a dragon, and Alicent sighed with pleasure.

Across the bed, Rhaenyra removed first her cloak and then her dress, leaving the alpha clad in only a thin shift.  It was a lovely sight, but one Alicent had no strength to take advantage of.  Instead, she just watched appreciatively until Rhaenyra told her, “Time to undress, my love.”

“My love,” she murmured back, but when she made no move to actually take off her clothes, Rhaenyra leaned over and unfastened her cloak for her.  

After tossing it on the floor, she rolled Alicent up onto the pillows, but by the time she said, “Sleep well,” there was no one else to hear it.  Alicent Hightower was already fast asleep.

***

Rhaenyra awoke to a knock on the door.  Next to her Alicent still slumbered and her first thought was to yell at whoever was disturbing them but a look out the window revealed that the sun was well past its midpoint and the rumbling in her stomach confirmed they’d been asleep for some time.

While she tried to shake off the cobwebs, the knock repeated itself.  “Princess Rhaenyra,” came a woman’s voice, “My apologies for disturbing you but I have a message.”

Rhaenyra pulled herself up from bed and stumbled into the outer room.  “Come in.”

The door opened and a short, plump woman with a freckled face bowed to her.  “Your Grace.  I have a message for you from Prince Daemon.”

“He’s here at Dragonstone?”  My letter did the trick, it seems.

“Yes, your Grace.  The prince arrived earlier in the day.  He asks that you and your guest join him in his solar at your earliest convenience.”

“Tell my uncle I’ll meet him shortly.  Just make sure there’s some food waiting for us.”

“Certainly, your Grace.”

The servant withdrew even as Alicent began to stir.  The omega turned over and looked to the other side of the bed and for an instant, she seemed confused.  Once the princess sat down next to her, she remembered where she was quickly enough.  “Rhaenyra?” she muttered, “It wasn’t a dream?”

Rhaenyra smiled indulgently.  Her omega looked adorable with her mussed hair and rumpled clothes.  “Not unless I dreamed it too.”  She leaned down and give Alicent a soft kiss on the lips.  The omega was too sleepy to throw herself into it fully, but the happy purr she let out was enough for Rhaenyra.  “You collapsed fast.”

“Well I was tired.”  Alicent sat up and brushed her hair out of her face.  “I didn’t say anything too foolish yesterday, did I?”

Rhaenyra grinned playfully.  “Well, you did agree to marry me.”

Alicent laughed at that.  “Oh, that’s all right.  Anything sillier?”

“No, you were an appropriate amount of silly.  But you’d best get up now.  Uncle Daemon is back at Dragonstone and we need to go speak with him.”

Alicent’s eyes widened and Rhaenyra recalled that she and her uncle had never been fond of one another.  She hoped that could change in time; they were all going to be family soon enough.  “Already?” Alicent asked.  “How did he find us?”

“How do you think?  I left him a message.  We’re going to need help and he’s always been good to me.”

“Rhaenyra, what if he tells your father we’re here?” Alicent asked, unable to hide her fear.  “If you get removed from the line of succession, he’d become the heir to the throne again.”

Rhaenyra wrapped her arms around her omega, trying to reassure her.  “I know that.  But I still don’t think he’s going to sell us out.”

“Why not?”

“Because even if my father can’t marry you anymore, he’ll find someone else and once they have children, Daemon will be right back where he started, except the new heir probably won’t be as fond of him as I am.”  Alicent nodded and Rhaenyra added, “Besides, there’s only one thing my uncle enjoys more than annoying my father and that’s infuriating yours.”

***

Prince Daemon awaited them in a chair of carved stone, sitting behind a table pilled high with food.  Rather than rise, he grinned that smug smile of his and raised his goblet.  “Hello, niece.  My lady.  It seems the two of you had an eventful night.”

Still wearing her wrinkled dress from that eventful night, Alicent felt rather embarrassed by the question.  Not Rhaenyra though.  “It’s good of you to have come, uncle,” she said, a smile on her face.

By way of an answer, Daemon held up a note written in Rhaenyra’s hand and placed it on the table, close enough that Alicent could read it.

Dearest Uncle,

If you’re reading this, then I have left the Red Keep for Dragonstone.  The lady Alicent is accompanying me, for reasons you have already guessed at.  If you wish, you may inform her father and mine as to our destination.  If, however, you would rather aid your favorite niece than Otto Hightower, I would be most grateful for any help you can offer.

Your Devoted Niece,
Rhaenyra

“Then you’re willing to help us?” Alicent asked hopefully.  She wanted to share Rhaenyra’s optimism about her uncle, but his reputation didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Rather than reassure her, Daemon said, “Eat something.  We’ll talk.”

Rhaenyra didn’t have to be told twice, diving into the sweat breads and fruits with gusto, and Alicent joined her, albeit with some apprehension. It was hard to think of food when her stomach was still churning, but in the end hunger won out.

She was halfway through a slice of melon when Rhaenyra asked, “So, I’m guessing everyone at court knows about us by now.”

“We weren’t exactly subtle,” Alicent admitted sheepishly.

Daemon took a sip of his wine.  “No, you weren’t.”  

“How are they reacting?” Alicent asked, in spite of the fact that she didn’t exactly want the answer to her question.

“My brother didn’t want to believe it.  He kept insisting it was a mistake and the two of you would be back soon.”  He paused for effect.  “Of course, that was before he heard about the bedsheets.”

Alicent felt shame flush her cheeks and even Rhaenyra had the grace to look abashed.  With more time, they could’ve tried to hide the sheets or perhaps wash the stains out, but haste had won out over discretion.

“And my father?” Alicent asked tentatively.  “How is he?”

Daemon smirked, clearly enjoying the memory.  “Beside himself.  He insisted that you’d been abducted.”

“Rhaenyra wouldn’t do that,” Alicent protested before her alpha added, “How does he think I carried you out of the castle without getting caught?”

“Otto claims you had help.  He demanded all the servants be sharply questioned, along with Ser Criston and anyone else he can think of who could’ve been involved.  Your sworn protector is not happy with your deception, by the way.”

Rhaenyra shrugged.  “His pride will recover.”

“Perhaps.  At least my brother wasn’t willing to have him tortured just yet.  He still wants to believe there’s a reasonable explanation for this.”

“What will he do when he finds out there isn’t one?” Alicent asked.

She must have sounded frightened because Rhaenyra placed her hand on top of Alicent’s and squeezed.  “It’s going to be all right.  I’ll make him understand why we had to do this, and once we’re married…”

Daemon raised an eyebrow, surprised for once.  “Married?”

“That’s the idea,” Rhaenyra told him.  “Actually, we were hoping you might officiate.  The septons won’t approve, but a Valyrian wedding should do nicely.  Sooner rather than later, if possible.”

Daemon turned and Alicent felt herself squirm under his gaze.  “And you’ve agreed to this?  It’s not something a good Hightower girl should do.”

Alicent swallowed hard before answering, but answer she did.  “I love your niece, Prince Daemon, and there’s no other way for us to stay together.”

Much to her relief, Daemon smiled approvingly.  “There may be hope for you yet, Lady Alicent.  Very well, then.  Will tomorrow do?”

Rhaenyra looked over to her and when Alicent gave her future mate an approving smile, the alpha nodded.  “Tomorrow will be just fine.”

Chapter Text

“Are you sure about this?”

Rather than respond to Daemon immediately, Rhaenyra extended her arms so that the servants surrounding her could take more measurements.  With no time to tailor new clothes for her wedding, the contents of Dragonstone’s storage rooms had been pressed into service and though suitable vestments in the Valyrian style had been found, whatever alpha had worn them before her had been significantly taller.

“Thank you, princess,” the elderly tailor told her.  “You can relax now.”

Once she had done so, Rhaenyra turned to her uncle’s question.  “Don’t I seem sure?”

“You do.”  Daemon too had picked out clothes in the old style for the wedding, but his loose brown and orange robes were much simpler to fit than Rhaenyra’s suit.  “But you’re young and marriage is a great deal easier to get into than out of.”

She laughed at that.  “As you know all too well.”

Daemon shook his head.  “I should never have agreed to marry my bronze bitch.  I don’t want you to make the same mistake.”

Though she appreciated her uncle's concern, what he suggested was not an option.  Even if it wouldn't be a horrid betrayal of Alicent’s trust to back out now, that path held no appeal.  “This is different.  Alicent and I have been close since we were children.”  She chuckled.  “I used to think that when I wed, she’d be the one helping me to dress.”

“And then you presented.”

“Even before that, though…”  

Rhaenyra smiled wistfully.  When she was a girl, she’d been more interested in flying than romance, but as she became a woman, she’d taken special notice of Alicent.  There’d been times with her best friend when Rhaenyra’s eyes dwelled on her beauty, the developing curves of her body as well as the loveliness of her face.  Had Alicent not been so shy, Rhaenyra might well have kissed her long ago.

Back then, she’d believed her desires would come to naught.  Eventually, duty would demand she marry and that meant a man, either an alpha or a beta so that she could have heirs.  That wasn’t a terrible thought in itself; men as well as women caught her eye, but it wasn’t her preference either, not if it meant being separated from Alicent.

Becoming an alpha changed that.  Now her duty to the realm and her heart didn’t have to be in conflict.  Not everyone in Westeros would agree but Rhaenyra knew this was the right choice.  “She was always the one I would’ve wanted to marry,” she finally said.  “If it was possible.”

“Then I wish you joy of her,” Daemon replied before snapping at the tailors.  “Do you think you can work a bit faster?  We don’t have much time.”

When they were finally done with the fitting and the servants had departed, Rhaenyra looked to her uncle.  “Before we go, there’s something I wanted to ask you, one alpha to another.”

Daemon grinned.  “Under the circumstances, I would think you already know what to do with your bride.”

“I do,” Rhaenyra quickly replied, her face flushing.  She didn’t embarrass easily but this was an awkward subject.  “It’s only, when I was with her…”  She chewed on her lip.  “How can you avoid finishing too quickly?”

The laugh her question received did nothing for her pride.  “Practice, mostly.”

“That doesn’t help.  I want to do my best for her tonight, not a year from now.”

“Then don’t go straight to your cock,” Daemon offered.  “Find other ways to please her first.  And if you need to, trying thinking of the least desirable thing possible.  I’d say her father will do the trick nicely.”

That image was enough to break the tension and Rhaenyra laughed along with Daemon.  There were other questions she might have asked, but there was also a limit to how much awkwardness she could take.  “Thank you, uncle,” she said instead.  “For everything.”

Daemon gave her an approving nod.  “Come then.  Let’s see you wed.”

***

“They’re ready for you, my lady.”

Alicent smiled appreciatively at the messenger even as she acknowledged the strangeness of this moment.  It was her wedding day and she was far from her home and family, surrounded by people she didn’t know, about to be joined by foreign rites she scarcely understood.  

It didn’t have to be this way, she thought.  Had she kept to her duty, she would have been married by the High Septon himself, in the city she had grown up in, attended by trusted servants, with her father and brother by her side.

And all of it would’ve been worthless.  No matter how perfect the setting, it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d been marrying someone she didn’t love.  Viserys might have been a kind man but the thought of having him as her husband had filled Alicent with dread.  Whereas Rhaenyra… For as long as Alicent could remember, she’d loved the princess.  She’d lied to herself about it and hated herself for it, but was true none the less.

With a deep breath, Alicent stepped out of the castle’s door and onto the seaside cliffs.  A small party had gathered there for the ceremony, Prince Daemon chief among them, but also some of the knights who served him and their lady wives along with Dragonstone’s senior servants.  All had worn their best clothing, but even amidst the finery, Rhaenyra Targaryen stood out.

The wedding garb for Valyrian alphas, even female ones,  consisted of pants, a shirt, and a vest rather than a dress, all of them a mixture of white and red, just like the dress that Alicent wore.  It was unusual to see Rhaenyra so clad but the omega liked it.  There was something about the contrast between her feminine elegance and the mannish style of her clothes than made Alicent’s heart beat faster.

Or maybe that’s because you’re about to marry her.

Whatever the reason, Alicent could feel a nervous energy running through her as she approached her betrothed.  This is it, that scarred little voice that lurked in her head whispered, Your last chance to end this madness.  

But Alicent stuffed that part of her back down, deep inside her mind.  The truth was it had been too late for some time.  Certainly any chance of being a pious, respectable girl was lost when she’d let Rhaenyra claim her, but in truth, her course had been set much earlier.  Perhaps on that day in the princess’ chambers, when Alicent had first tasted her.  Or maybe it was the first time they met that Alicent had started on this journey.  It no longer mattered.  Regardless of what she should do, this was the only thing she could do.

Rhaenyra stepped out of the crowd as Alicent approached, meeting her far enough away from them that no one else could hear when she said, “You look incredible, Alicent.  A true Valyrian bride.”

Her words made Alicent’s heart soar.  She’d always been considered pretty but next to the Realm’s Delight, she’d struggled not to feel second best.  Today, though, that didn’t matter.  It only mattered what Rhaenyra thought and if she was pleased by Alicent’s appearance, that was enough.  “So do you,” she said softly.

“Are you ready?”

“A little nervous about the ceremony,” she confessed with a shy smile, “But it can’t be as scary as riding a dragon.”

Rhaenyra took her hand and squeezed.  “You got through that just fine.  This will be easy.”

Together they walked toward their guests, met by Daemon along with Ser Eldrik, the castellan carrying a dark chalice filled with wine.  The prince looked to Rhaenyra and when the alpha nodded, he gestured for the two of them to take up their positions facing one another.

Alicent didn't understand the High Valyrian he began to speak in but fortunately the couple didn’t have to talk during the ceremony; it was by deeds, not words that they would prove their devotion.  Besides, Rhaenyra had explained the basics earlier.  In its sentiments, a Valyrian wedding wasn’t so different from the one used by the Faith, full of extortions for the pair to devote themselves to one another, to remain steadfast in hardship and to share their joys.  

But it wasn’t the Seven who were called on to witness their bond.  Instead it was the gods and goddesses of old Valyria who watched over them and their promise was sealed not in light but fire and blood.  The former was represented by the braziers that burned behind them, while for the blood…  Her betrothed reached beneath her vest and from her belt, she drew forth a small knife.  It had an ornate hilt but Alicent was more focused on the blade, a jagged thing made of old, dark steel.

It's okay. Rhaenyra is worth a little pain.

She didn’t flinch when the alpha brought the blade to her bottom lip, and even when it pierced her skin, she did no more than blink back the hurt.  It was over in an instant, after which Rhaenyra’s thumb pressed up against the wound, coming away with a bit of blood.  She placed it on Alicent’s forehead, just beneath the elaborate silver headdress she wore, and traced downward, leaving behind a slick trail.

My turn.

Rhaenyra handed her the knife and Alicent hesitated.  Though there was something compelling about leaving her mark on her beloved, she didn’t want to hurt her, even in a small way.  You’re fine, she reminded herself, and Rhaenyra would be as well.  He hand only shook a little as she raised the blade to the alpha’s lip and not at all as she dragged it along the soft skin.  She was afraid she hadn’t cut deep enough, but the appearance of a drop of red told her she’d done what was necessary.  Her thumb replaced the blade and she repeated what Rhaenyra had done, placing a long mark on the alpha’s forehead.

Alicent exhaled, relieved that she hadn’t made a mess of things, even as Rhaenyra took back the knife.  This time, the cut she made was across her own palm, much longer than the other.  It looked painful but Rhaenyra was the blood of the dragon and if it hurt, she didn’t let it show.  Instead her eyes remained locked on Alicent, the intensity of her gaze making the omega forget what she needed to do next.  

Only when Rhaenyra presented her bloody palm did Alicent do the same.  Her hand was slick but her fingers gripped tight, as if she never wanted to let the omega go.  Once their hands were entwined, Daemon stepped forward.  He pulled out an ornate cloth of black and gold and wrapped it around their hands, binding them together in the flesh as they were in their hearts.

Ser Eldrik handed the prince the chalice and he passed it to Rhaenyra, who used her free hand to drink deep before offering it to Alicent.  The wine within was a strange vintage, strong and rich, but she too drank her fill.  This was last part of the ceremony, a symbol that they would share their lives as their shared this first drink.

Then Daemon said his final words and when he fell silent, it was done.  She belonged to Rhaenyra and the alpha to her, now and forever.  When Rhaenyra leaned forward to kiss her, Alicent didn’t think about the strangeness of the rituals, or the throbbing in her lip, or even the people watching them.  All of her existence had been reduced down to Rhaenyra.  The light in her eyes, her hand in Alicent’s hair, and above all, the heat of her mouth were all that mattered.  Alicent could no longer hold back her tears and she didn’t even try.  Rhaenyra was all she’d wanted and at last, she was hers.

Chapter Text

“To the Princess Rhaenyra and her wife, the Princess Alicent Targaryen.  May their life together be glorious, fruitful, and long!”

As he finished the toast, Prince Daemon raised his cup and the guests cheered their approval.  Alicent did the same, but her mind lingered on those three words: Princess Alicent Targaryen.  It hardly felt real.  She was the lady Alicent Hightower, wasn't she?  Except that a bride took the name of her mate's house and being married to a member of the royal family made one a princess.

Rhaenyra sat down beside her and took a drink of her wine.  “Princess Alicent.  I know it’s not queen, but you’ll get that someday too.”

Assuming you’re still going to inherit the throne, Alicent almost told her, but tonight was for celebration and so she just smiled and said, “I can be patient.”

Meanwhile that celebration was already in full swing.  Alicent wasn’t sure how many of those present cared about their union one way or the other, but they were certainly glad for the opportunity to drink and feast and dance.  

As the crowd turned its attention to those happy pursuits, Rhaenyra just watched.  She had a surprisingly pensive look on her face and Alicent placed her hand on top of her mate’s.  “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”  She dropped her voice low enough that it wouldn’t be overheard.  “Do you know when I realized I had to come for you?  It was at the feast, the one the night before we left.”

“You did seem to hate it,” she agreed.  Most of Alicent’s time had been spent hiding her own misery but she’d snuck several glances at Rhaenyra during the evening and the princess had seemed every bit as unhappy and far less interested in concealing it.

“It was more than that.  There was a moment when I could see the future so clearly.  Year after year of feasts and balls and hunts, living in my hate.  Of my father, for marrying you.  Of you, for being with him instead of me.  And of myself, for letting it happen.  If there was any chance to avoid that, I had to take it.”

Emotion threatened to overwhelm Alicent.  It was horribly easy to imagine that path.  How would it have changed her, being married to a man she didn’t love, having the princess so close and yet being unable to touch her?  Her heart might have turned to stone.  “I couldn’t find a way out,” she whispered in her mate’s ear.  “You saved me.”

“We saved each other.”  Rhaenyra looked down from the high bench at the revery beneath them.  “Perhaps my princess would care for a dance?”

Alicent smiled indulgently.  “As you wish.”

They danced the next turn together before being besieged by guests wanting time with the royal couple.  They accommodated as many as they could, but they always found their way back to one another.  Every time, Alicent felt as if the world dropped away, leaving behind only the two of them.  She had never thought of herself a graceful dancer, but with Rhaenyra pressed up against her, holding her close as they moved across the floor, that hardly mattered.

Food followed the dancing, but in spite of the rich spread, Alicent’s thoughts soon turned toward the door, the lure of Rhaenyra too strong to resist.  Only thing stood between her and her desires:  The bedding.  When she and Rhaenyra rose from the table, a cry of “To bed!” came up from the crowd.

Rhaenyra looked to her.  “What do you think?  It’s customary but I can beg off if you want.”

There was an impulse to do just that.  The thought of so many eyes and hands on her, as well as on her mate, made her uncomfortable.  Yet Rhaenyra was right.  It was the custom and if Alicent was going to persuade people to accept this marriage, she should make it as normal as possible.  “It’s all right,” she told Rhaenyra.  “I’ll manage.”

Rhaenyra nodded but she told the crowd, “Be gentle with her.”

Since the two of them were women, the revelers weren’t sure who to attend to, and each ended up with both men and women doing the undressing.  At first, Alicent was nervous when she noticed one of those clustered around her was Daemon, but when he shot a particularly eager alpha knight a warning glance, she was glad for his presence.

Whether it was thanks to his implied threat or Rhaenyra’s admonition, no one in the crowd took any undue liberties as Alicent was lifted her off of her feet and relieved of her gown and shifts.  Still, the process wasn’t entirely enjoyable.  Being the focus of so much attention, especially in that state, made her blush fiercely.  Rhaenyra didn’t seem so abashed; when Alicent got a glimpse of her mate, she seemed positively amused by the festivities, laughing and joking with her porters even as they stripped her Valyrian garments off one by one.

If she can manage, so can I, Alicent resolved and that thought carried her the rest of the way.  She didn’t manage to come up with any witty retorts to the crowd’s ribald jokes but she did laugh at a few and by the time Daemon opened the door to their chambers, her anxiety had faded to a manageable buzz.

Their journey ended in the bedroom with the two of them tossed down onto the feather mattress, now entirely naked.  “All right, then,” Rhaenyra said to the crowd.  “It’s been fun but my lady and I require some privacy for this next part.”

Daemon chuckled at that and the rest of the guests followed his lead out the doors, taking their cheers and jokes with them.  A final suggestion on how they might best try for both an heir and a spare tonight was enough to make Alicent bury her face in her the pillows, but the feel of Rhaenyra’s hands on her shoulders brought her back to the moment.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked, placing a kiss on Alicent’s shoulder blade.  

“It is a bit embarrassing,” she admitted.  “A queer custom, if you think about it.”

“I suppose so.  But it’s over and done with now.”

“It’s all worth it to be with you,” Alicent declared, turning over and cupping Rhaenyra’s face in her hands.  Even if the Gods granted them a hundred years together, she’d never cease being amazed at how lovely the princess was.

“Well tonight, it’s just the two of us.”

It was a thought that made Alicent quiver with wanting.  For the sake of what remained of propriety, she’d insisted they sleep in separate chambers the night before, and the absence of her alpha had only made her hungrier to have her now.

She pulled Rhaenyra closer, giving her wife -Gods, I like that word- a passionate kiss and in its warmth, she let go of everything that wasn’t them.  “Let’s take our time,” she suggested.  “There’s no need to rush now.”

“As much as you want.”  Rhaenyra kissed the side of her neck.  “I’ll even try not to finish so quickly.”

“You hardly embarrassed yourself.”  In truth, Alicent had no idea how long an alpha should last but regardless, she had certainly enjoyed their first night.  “Besides, we didn't have time for any more.”

For once, Rhaenyra was the one to blush.  “You’re too kind but I was also thinking of the other thing.  When you put your mouth on me…”

“Ah, that.”  Alicent had been ashamed of that day but she and Rhaenyra were married.  Did that lessen the sins they had committed beforehand?  She didn’t know but the memory certainly tasted sweeter now.  Even if it had been quick, their encounter had awakened something powerful, something that had helped lead them to tonight.  “If you’d like another chance, I’m willing to try again.”

Rhaenyra laughed.  “Actually, I was wondering if you’d like me to do that for you.”

“Oh my.”  Alicent's eyes widened as she pictured Rhaenyra laying between her legs, her mate’s kisses on her sex.  What she’d tried with the princess had been pure instinct; in truth she knew very little of what alphas and omegas could do together aside from the basics of mating.  “I think I would,” she confessed.  “But could I start?  I keep thinking about that last time, even when I tried not to.”

“Truly?”  Rhaenyra snuggled up, laying her head on Alicent’s chest.  “I was so worried I’d made a mess of things, especially with the way you ran out afterward.”

Alicent shook her head.  “That was my fault.  Let me make up for it.”

Some part of her still wondered if this was right.  Even if they were alpha and omega, they were both women.  And yet weren’t they married?  Hadn’t a prince of the blood performed the ceremony and a whole castle celebrated their union?  Wasn’t this her wedding night?  Once Rhaenyra nodded, that was permission enough for Alicent to do what her heart yearned for.

She took her time moving down Rhaenyra’s body.  Tonight she wanted to linger, to explore every part of her new wife.  Alicent ran her fingers through the princess’s long, blonde hair, kissed along the line of her collarbone, and ran her tongue along the curves of her breasts.  The small, pink nipples that topped their swell were already hard and she delighted in playing with them, teasing with her fingers before flicking her tongue across their tips.  As much as the omega in her wanted her alpha’s cock, she was interested in the other parts of her too, everything she had noticed even before either of them presented.

Only when Rhaenyra whispered, “Please Alicent, more,” did she continue downward, licking across the plane of the alpha’s stomach.  The considerable length of Rhaenyra’s cock hovered there enticingly, but Alicent avoided it for the moment, lavishing kisses on her belly instead.  Her mate’s hand tangled in her hair and Alicent heard a needy murmur coming from above her.  She liked the sound very much.  It sometimes frightened her how much she craved Rhaenyra and it was satisfying to know the feeling was mutual.

She’d kept her mate waiting long enough and after a final kiss to Rhaenyra’s naval, Alicent wrapped her fingers around her shaft.  Its warmth was another thing she liked and she ran her hand up and down, enjoying the way Rhaenyra was moaning even before she added in her tongue.  Rather than go straight to the tip, this time she began where the shaft rose up from a small patch of blonde hair and worked her way upward, flicking her tongue along the soft skin.

“This is fun,” she told a squirming Rhaenyra.

“Yes, lots of fun,” Rhaenyra panted before Alicent cut her off by sucking on the head of the cock.  The alpha’s words dissolved into moans and gasps as Alicent tasted that hint of saltiness she had found the last time but sadly, her fun couldn’t go on forever.  Too soon, Rhaenyra tugged on her hair.  

“Wait, stop,” she pleaded and Alicent looked up.

“Not good?”

Rhaenyra licked her lips.  “Too good.  I’m trying to make it last, remember?  How about I have some fun with you now?”

“Yes, please.”

“This is nice," Rhaenyra declared as she drew Alicent up into her arms.  "Not having to rush.”

Alicent wrapped her thighs around one of Rhaenyra’s legs and squeezed, letting the alpha feel her wetness.  “A little rushing would be all right.”

Rhaenyra smirked.  “We’ll see.”

Indeed, her mate was pleased to take the same course as Alicent had, kissing her way slowly down her body.  She seemed to like it just as much too, taking the time to run her tongue over every inch of bare skin.  “Do you know how often I daydreamed about this?” she asked in-between kisses.

“I’m starting to.”  

With a contented sigh, Alicent lay back against the pillows and let Rhaenyra do as she pleased.  It was wonderful having nowhere else to go or do, at least for this one night. The alpha wasn’t rushing in the least, but it was a most enjoyable delay and before long, Alicent was gasping with need, pressing her breasts into Rhaenyra’s mouth, even as she was nudging her lower.  When Rhaenyra finally approached the juncture of her legs. Alicent spread them without hesitation but her alpha dropped down to her inner thighs instead.  The soft kisses there were delicious but Alicent was too aroused to wait any longer. 

“Please, Rhaenyra.  I need you.”

“You have me.”

The alpha’s tongue brushed over her sex and Alicent nearly jumped off the bed.  The touch was lighter than anything Rhaenyra had done to that part of her before, but its very softness made her tingle.  She clung to the bedsheets as her mate learned her most sensitive places, tracing each curve and fold before reaching that special point above her opening, the one that had been key to whatever relief she had achieved during her heats.

“Yes, that,” she whimpered, and Rhaenyra listened, focusing her attentions on the little bud.  She flicked her tongue back and forth across its top and then drew it between her lips, sucking gently it until Alicent thought she might go mad.  Desperate, she rocked back and forth, grinding against Rhaenyra’s mouth, but the alpha maintained a steady pace, seeming to relish playing as much as Alicent had.

Even that was soon overwhelming.  A tightness was building in Alicent’s core, familiar and yet so much more intense than when she was alone. Rhaenyra, she thought, She makes everything special.  Alicent’s head tipped back and her hands clutched at her own breasts, tweaking the nipples as she sought that last bit of stimulation that would push her over the edge.

Though Alicent couldn’t find the words, Rhaenyra sensed she was close anyway.  At last she began to apply more pressure, licking and sucking until it became too much to bear.  A single scream escaped Alicent throat followed by gasps and moans as the tension with her released in a splendid explosion.  It was like no peak she’d experienced before, sharp, and focused, and so, so good.  

And yet not enough.  Even as Alicent shook with her climax, something primal needed her alpha filling her empty sex.  “Inside me,” she whimpered.  “Now.”

Rhaenyra didn’t hesitate, lifting herself up from between Alicent’s legs and taking her cock in hand.  The penetration was far easier this time.  Alicent was sopping and there was no barrier in their way.  With her first thrust, Rhaenyra plunged in near to the base and one more was enough to join them completely.

Alicent shuddered at the sudden fullness, letting out a sharp gasp.  The sensation of having her wife inside sent shockwaves through not just her sex but her whole body. She didn’t know if it was another peak or just an extension of the first one, nor did she care.  This was how she was supposed to feel, septons be damned.

For a moment, Rhaenyra lay inside of her, not moving further.  “Are you all right?” Alicent asked.

“Fine.  Are you?  When I went inside, you made a sound…”

She smiled lovingly.  “That was a good sound.  But it was sweet of you to ask.”

They came together for a passionate kiss and on her mate’s lips, Alicent tasted herself for the first time.  She didn’t like it as much as her alpha’s flavor; she was a bit sour compared with Rhaenyra’s salt, but nor did she mind.  It reminded her of where Rhaenyra’s mouth had been, of the pleasure it had given her.  

Besides, there was nothing that could dissuade her from kissing Rhaenyra.  Over and over, their mouths pressed together even as their hips began to do the same.  For so long, Alicent had dreamed of enjoying even one such kiss, and now she was going to take all that she could.

As with everything that night, her alpha took her time, drawing back until she was halfway out of Alicent’s cunt before plunging in once more. Again and again she repeated that motion, making every stroke last.  Not that Alicent minded.  The brief feeling of emptiness when Rhaenyra withdrew was more than made up for by the delicious sensation of being filled anew.

Lost in the rhythm of their coupling, she was surprised when Rhaenyra paused.  “Alicent,” she breathed into the omega’s ear, “Do you think we could switch places?”

“What do you mean?”

“Would you be on top of me?  I want to look at you.”

Alicent blushed at the thought but she could deny Rhaenyra nothing.  “All right,” she said, and though she felt the loss when the alpha pulled out, she knew that feeling wouldn’t last. Rhaenyra rolled onto her back and Alicent quickly straddled her.

“I’ve never done this,” she confessed before realizing what a ridiculous statement that was.

Rhaenyra laughed.  “Of course not, silly.  I haven’t either but I thought you’d look so beautiful this way.”

“Oh.”  Alicent had a goofy smile on her face as she lifted herself over Rhaenyra’s cock and though it took a little shifting around to get the angle right, once they were joined, she could see the appeal, and not just for Rhaenyra.  Even if she didn’t get to be pressed so tight against her alpha’s body, this position did afford an excellent view of her loveliness.

Rhaenyra placed her hands on Alicent’s hips, caressing them affectionately as she began to thrust upward.  It felt as if she was deeper than ever before and Alicent moaned.  It took her a minute to figure out how she should move in this position but soon she was rocking against Rhaenyra’s shaft, enjoying all of the new spots it could hit.  

Mating like this gave her alpha had far better access to her body as well.  Rhaenyra ran her hands up Alicent’s sides, playing with her breasts before snaking one of them back down between her legs.  She gasped as Rhaenyra took that bud between two fingers, rubbing it gently.  The combination of the softer pressure with sharper thrusts was more than she could bear for long.

“Don’t stop,” she begged.  “I’m so close.”

“Me too.”  

The alpha’s face was tight and Alicent was seized with a desire to see her lose control.  “Don’t hold back, Rhaenyra.  Just take me.”

Her mate thrust up faster than before, her hips becoming a blur while the motion of her hand stopped, simply maintaining a pleasant presence across Alicent’s bud.  Alicent knew Rhaenyra wouldn’t last long that way and she didn’t want her to.  The thought of her climax, of feeling it inside her, was almost enough to push her over the edge by itself.

A few more thrusts and the tension in Rhaenyra’s face released, her mouth falling open while her grip on Alicent’s hip tightened.  She let out a groan even as Alicent felt the shaft inside her throb and the first splashes of come hit her inner walls.  She fell along with Rhaenyra, her own cries joining those of her mate as her body shook with release.  As good as the last peak had been, this was even more powerful, not least because she was sharing it with the woman she loved.

Her cunt rippled around Rhaenyra and the alpha surged within her, pleasure crashing on top of pleasure until both were spent.  Only then did Alicent slump down, her head resting on her alpha’s soft breast.  “I love you,” she panted, those three simple words the only ones she could find.

Rhaenyra’s hand ran through her hair before coming to rest on the sweaty skin of her back.  “And I you, Alicent Targaryen.”

The reminder of their marriage sent a little thrill through Alicent, an aftershock that made her clench around Rhaenyra.  “Oh wow,” she murmured as it passed.  What she felt wasn’t quite the unquenchable thirst of a heat, but she wondered all the same how many more peaks she might experience in one night.

“Are you really not done, my love?” Rhaenyra teased, running a finger along the curve of Alicent’s jaw.

She should’ve been embarrassed by her own lust, but instead Alicent just grinned.  “I don’t know.  But maybe we could find out together.  We do have all night, don’t we?”

Rhaenyra leaned up and kissed her, deeply and passionately.  “And the morning too.  I’m nowhere near done with you either.”

Chapter Text

“Someone on Dragonstone is going to betray you.”

Daemon said the words dispassionately but they still unsettled Rhaenyra.  After spending half of their wedding night and most of the morning making love with Alicent, returning to the rest of her life would’ve been hard under the best of circumstances and this wasn’t that.

“What do you mean?” Alicent asked.  In spite of the large sofa they shared, the omega was pressed up next to her, while her uncle sat across from them in a high chair of carved wood.

“Someone will send word of your marriage back to King’s Landing.  The maester is my own man, so I doubt the news will travel by raven but the boats are another matter.  Some fisherman or merchant will no doubt decide he can profit from telling your fathers where you are.”

“Did we make a mistake by marrying so publicly?” Alicent wondered aloud.

“I doubt it,” Rhaenyra told her  “Wedding or not, word would’ve eventually reached Dragonstone that the king was looking for us and plenty of people already knew we were here.” 

“So what do we do now?”

Daemon tented his fingers.  “As I see it, you have three choices.  First, you can stay here and force my brother to come to Dragonstone.  That way, you would be facing him from a position of strength.”

“But he’d be in an even worse mood than he already is,” Rhaenyra pointed out.  “He’ll be more likely to forgive if we returned to King’s Landing.”

“Your second choice,” Daemon agreed.  “But it puts you in a vulnerable position if he’s still wroth.  My brother has never been one to hold a grudge, but others will be whispering in his ear…”

“Like my father,” Alicent said.

“Which brings us to your third option: depart for the Free Cities.”

“Would they accept our marriage?” Alicent asked.  “I don’t much about the customs there.”

“It depends on the city,” Daemon replied.  “Volantis keeps to the old Valyrian ways and in Lys, few forms of love are shunned.  But customs matter less than the fact that your wife rides a dragon.  To win such an ally, great lords and merchant princes would bend over backwards.  You’d have no trouble establishing yourselves almost anywhere you wished.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes drifted toward a dragon tapestry hanging on the wall behind her uncle as she weighed his words.  Traveling across the Narrow Sea was an intriguing idea, and yet to abandon Westeros, to lose her birthright…  “It’s a lot to consider.”

“I’ll leave you two to discuss it, but whatever your decision, I suggest you make it quickly.  Better that word reaches my brother from you than that he hears about your whereabouts from someone else.”

With that, Daemon rose from his chair and walked out of the sitting room.  Once he was gone, she and Alicent turned to one another.  It saddened Rhaenyra to see the anxiety on her wife’s face.  They’d been so happy ever since arriving on Dragonstone and Alicent deserved to stay in that place forever.

“Perhaps we should consider the Free Cities.  I know a manse there wouldn’t be the same as the Red Keep, but we could make a good life,” Alicent offered.  “One where we won’t have to worry about being torn apart.”

Rhaenyra grasped her hand and squeezed it firmly.  “No matter where we go, I won’t let that happen.  You’re my wife, now and always.”

Alicent kissed her with that mixture of sweetness and passion she was already addicted to.  “I don’t doubt that you’ll fight for me, Rhaenyra, but that doesn’t mean you’ll win.  Even Syrax can’t take on all seven kingdoms.”

“I know that.”  She pressed Alicent close against her body.  The idea of being separated was every bit as painful to Rhaenyra as to her wife, but she wasn’t going to let fear rule her.  “I’ve been thinking about this a lot.  When I wasn’t thinking about you, anyway.”

Alicent rolled her eyes but she kissed Rhaenyra on the side of her neck anyway.  “And what did you conclude?”

“That my father will be angry, but he’ll forgive me in the end.  He’ll forgive both of us.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because he wants me to be happy and you make me happy.  And because he never wanted to remarry, not really.  He felt he had to do it for the good of the realm, to secure the succession in case something happened to me.  But if you and I give him some grandchildren…”

That got a laugh out of Alicent.  “You’re getting a little ahead of yourself.  I’m not with child.”

She grinned mischievously.  “That we know of.  And if not, we’ll just keep trying until we get it right.”

She liked the way Alicent blushed but the omega still wasn’t fully convinced.  “Say you’re right about your father, Rhaenyra.  What about mine?  Being your wife means he can’t take me away from you but the Hand of the King is still a dangerous enemy to have.”

“My uncle has managed just fine,” she said, but when Alicent shook her head, Rhaenyra explained her real thoughts.  “You’re assuming your father has to be our enemy.  Sure, he’s upset now but he wanted you to marry the king so he could see his grandchild on the throne.  The only way that happens now is if he supports my claim.  If I’m disinherited, the Iron Throne will go to Daemon and he hates Daemon.  In the end, he’ll have no choice.”

Alicent smiled playfully.  “You really did think this through.  More than usual, anyway.  There’s only one problem.”

“And what’s that?”

“Everyone else.  We didn’t just go against our fathers’ wishes, we made fools of them.  When we come home and they do nothing to punish us, they’ll look weak.”

Rhaenyra bit her lip.  Alicent was right; if the two of them strode straight into the Red Keep and stood before the Iron Throne, it would be hard for her father to embrace her openly.  True, he’d done much the same with Daemon after his misadventures but her uncle had never stolen away the king’s betrothed the night before the wedding, leaving behind evidence that he’d first taken her maidenhood.

“So what should we do? Wait for him to come to Dragonstone, where we can talk away from all the rest of the court?”  She shook her head, rejecting her own suggestion.  “No, that would make him look even weaker.”

Alicent rubbed the fingers of one hand together as she considered the problem.  “What if we wrote to your father and asked him to meet us somewhere else?  Closer to King’s Landing, but not in public.”

“That might work.”

“‘Might’ makes me nervous, Rhaenyra.”

She put an arm around Alicent’s shoulder, rubbing it through the soft fabric of her dress.  “Me too.  But if we run now, we’ll never be able to go back home.  It’s not just the Iron Throne we’d be losing.  Our families, everything we know, would all be lost.”

“It would be worth it, to be with you.”

“It would.”  She leaned in and kissed Alicent softly on the lips, wanting no doubt as to her commitment.  “But I don’t think we have to.”

Alicent took a deep breath.  “All right.  I’ve trusted you this far.”

“Thank you for that.  I mean it.”   She ran a hand through her wife’s hair, caressing the silky strands until Alicent smiled.  “I suppose the only question now is what to write?”

****

The return trip to King’s Landing was far more comfortable than their leaving had been.  Not only did they depart in the clear light of day but Syrax’s saddle had been replaced with one suited for two riders.  Properly strapped in, Alicent didn’t have to cling to Rhaenyra for dear life as they flew.

But that only meant she had a different motive for doing so.  In spite of Rhaenyra’s arguments, it was impossible to wholly repress the fear that their brief happiness was about to vanish as swiftly as it had arrived.  Only the feel of her wife kept that dread at bay and so Alicent kept her arms wrapped firmly around Rhaenyra’s chest as they soared above Blackwater Bay.

“We’re almost there,” Rhaenyra told her as the great mass of the city came into clearer view ahead of them.

She was unable to suppress a nervous giggle.  “I was happier for our last trip to end.”

Rhaenyra’s own laughter was untainted by such worries.  “You’re having that much fun?  I always knew I’d make a dragon-rider out of you some day.”

“Not exactly,” she replied, although she had to admit she was gaining an appreciation for the way the world looked from Syrax’s back. “It’s more that I’m worried about what’s waiting this time.”

“It’s going to be fine.  My father agreed to meet with us alone, so we’re halfway there.”

It was both reassuring and infuriating how casually Rhaenyra shrugged off any concerns.  Alicent had never understood how the princess could be so nonchalant about the consequences of her actions.  

But if she wasn’t so bold, she never would’ve made me her wife.

And that was a prize worth any price.  The days they’d spent waiting for their raven to reach King’s Landing and to receive Viserys’ response had been nervous ones and yet also wonderful.  The days they’d spent exploring the island together and even more so the nights exploring one another had been pure bliss.  And now Alicent was risking all of it, flying back to the very place the two of them had been desperate to escape not long ago. 

“It could still be a trap,” she pointed out.

Rhaenyra patted her dragon’s neck.  “Than Syrax will just have to protect us, won’t you, girl?”

Her dragon growled in reply and Alicent decided to be comforted by that.  As they approached, Rhaenyra tugged on the reins and Syrax veered off, taking them away from the Red Keep and toward the fields outside the city.  Once Rhaenyra found the place she was looking for, she gave a command in High Valyrian and the dragon descended toward the edge of the sea cliffs.

It was a spot Alicent knew well.  It was here that Rhaenyra’s mother and baby brother had been given to the flames. That day was among her saddest memories and Alicent could only pray they would have better fortune on this one.

Even before they landed, she knew something was wrong.  Although Viserys stood beneath them, he wasn’t alone.  The presence of two members of the Kingsguard was no surprise, nor were the grooms holding their horses; the king couldn’t travel outside the city alone, especially since he had no dragon of his own to carry him.  What they had not planned on however was her own father’s presence, standing beside the king.

A panicky part of Alicent wanted to tell her wife to turn around, to retreat to the safety of Dragonstone and perhaps all the way to Essos, but it was too late.  Before she could make up her mind to say something, Syrax was already landing on the damp grass, Rhaenyra sliding down from the saddle.  

There’s no turning back now, she told herself, undoing the straps and taking her wife’s extended hand.

She landed just as the king and her father reached them, the Kingsguard lingering a few paces back while the servants waited further away, well out of earshot.  Viserys seemed more tired than angry, looking at the two women with a mixture of weariness and frustration.  Her own father, however, was positively livid.  Fury shone in his eyes, sharp enough to plunge a blade into Alicent’s gut.  Whatever her reasons, she had failed in her duty, embarrassing him in the worst way.

Rhaenyra didn’t share her guilt.  Rather than bow to the king or plead for his forgiveness, she confronted him.  “You told me you would come here alone, father.”

“Ser Otto asked to accompany me,” Viserys said, but he sounded defensive about his decision.  “Even were he not my Hand, this concerns his daughter as well.”

“A daughter whom you abducted, on the very eve of her wedding to the king!” her father roared.  Alicent had seldom heard him so unrestrained in his wrath, especially in public.

Her whole life, her impulse had been to shrink away from such anger, to do everything she could to be a loyal daughter.  Now, though, she had another duty, one that burned even brighter in her heart.  She stepped next to the princess, as if to shield her.  “Rhaenyra didn’t take me by force, father,” she protested.  “I love her.”

For an instant her father stood stunned but shock merely redirected his rage.  “And for that love, you allowed her to ruin you.  It scarcely matters if she’s put a bastard in you, Alicent.  The whole court already knows of your disgrace, of our house’s disgrace.”

Rhaenyra stiffening in anger might not have been imposing but Syrax’s accompanying roar certainly made it so.  “Mind your tongue!” she snapped, sounding every bit the future queen.  “Alicent may be your daughter but she is my wife and any child she carries will be in line to sit the Iron Throne.”

“Your wife?” Viserys asked, confused.  Rhaenyra had left that detail out of her letter, simply promising to explain all when she returned.  She’d argued it was better to break the news in person, but now Alicent wondered if they should’ve laid the groundwork earlier.

“That’s absurd,” Otto protested.  “You may be an alpha but the Faith would still never allow such a thing.”

“And that’s why we weren’t married by a septon,” Rhaenyra retorted, but her words were clearly directed at her father.  “We were joined by fire and blood, in the tradition of our house.”

For once, Alicent’s father was left speechless and in the silence, she decided to make the apology she’d been rehearsing in her head for days.  Turning to the king, she bowed low.  

“Your Grace, I’m so sorry for all of this.  I know I broke my betrothal promise and that I’ve caused you a great deal of trouble.  But I love your daughter with all my heart and she loves me.  If you could find it within yourself to show leniency, I swear I will do all I can to be a good wife to her and a loyal daughter of House Targaryen.”

Viserys sighed deeply.  “I appreciate your words, Alicent.  Truly.  But this situation is more complicated than that.  If you and your father will give me a few minutes with my daughter, I need to speak with her alone.”

“Of course, your Grace.”  Reluctantly, she stepped away from Rhaenyra, giving her wife a last, pleading glance.  Find the right words, she wanted to tell her.  Whatever you have to say to make this right, do it.  We’re in your hands now.

Chapter Text

The two Targaryens stood at the edge of the cliffs, watching as the late spring wind churned the water beneath them.  Neither was eager to speak and Rhaenyra used the pause to sneak a look backward.  Besides her dragon, Alicent and her father stood at an awkward distance and while she couldn’t hear what they were saying, Otto’s gestures were enough to make his displeasure clear.  

The urge to rush to her wife’s side was powerful, but Rhaenyra resisted it.  With both Syrax and the Kingsguard nearby, Otto wouldn’t be able to go beyond words no matter how angry he was and in the meantime, she needed to focus on her own battle.

“Father…” she began cautiously.

Viserys shook his head, looking even wearier than usual.  “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused, Rhaenyra?”

“Some.  But that's not what I wanted.”

“I defended you.  When they came to me with the news that you and Alicent were missing, I said that surely there must an innocent explanation.  That my daughter and her friend were just enjoying a last night out before the wedding.”

Rhaenyra turned away, not wanting to look at her father.  Though she could never regret making Alicent hers, the way she had done it had unfortunate consequences.  “And then they brought you the sheets.  Daemon told me.”

“Was he involved in all this?  He and Ser Otto have always hated one another.”

“Don’t blame my uncle.  I only went to him for help afterward.  He didn’t know what I planned to do.  No one else did.”

Viserys looked relieved.  “I’m glad to hear that, at least.  A fight with my brother is the last thing I need right now.  I cannot remember the last time the court saw a scandal of this magnitude.”

Certainly nothing in Rhaenyra’s own lifetime qualified, so she tried to remember her history lessons.  “Princess Saera?” she offered.

Viserys rubbed his forehead.  “I suppose I should be thankful you didn’t take Alicent to a Lysene pleasure house.  Of course, none of Saera's paramours was betrothed to the king either.  You’ve made me look like an utter fool.”

“I know that.  And I’m sorry.  When I said you had my blessing to remarry, I meant it.  I just never thought it would be Alicent.  This was about her, not me trying to hurt you.  I swear it, on my mother’s memory.”

His eyes turned toward the small summit of rock and grass where a funeral had been held not so long ago.  “When you asked to meet here, did you hope that memory would put me in a more forgiving mood?”

A part of her wanted to be angry, to tell him that this place was a reminder that he’d chosen duty over her mother in a way that she would never do to Alicent.  But that wasn’t why she’d actually brought him here, and part of taking care of her mate was minding her temper.

“I hoped you would remember how much you loved her.  Because I feel that same way about Alicent and I couldn’t bear to watch her marry someone else.  Could you, if it had been mother?”

“Perhaps not,” he admitted.  “But why do it like that?  Why not come to me earlier, if you had such strong feelings?  When I made the announcement or when I spoke to you in the Dragonpit, you could have said something.”

This was the trickiest question, but one she couldn't avoid, even if she planned to gloss over the details.  “Because Alicent was going to do her duty.  Her father had ordered her not to disrupt the match and I was trying to respect her wishes.  But in the end, neither of us could go through with it.  By then, though, we were afraid that if we stayed in King’s Landing, Otto would force her to marry, whether she wished it or no.”

Her father sighed deeply.  “Maybe they’re right to call me an old fool.  I truly thought that this marriage would please Alicent, that it would please you to bring your friend into our house.  How could I have been so blind?  To believe that a young, beautiful omega would want a greying beta like me…”

I don’t know, she wanted to say but for Alicent’s sake she held her tongue.  “You didn’t know about her feelings for me.  I’m sure most omegas would be thrilled to marry the king.”

He shook his head.  “That may be.  But I have no desire to find another match.  Not anytime soon, at least.  It would be a slap in the face to any bride to know that she was so obviously a second choice.  Besides, for all the problems you’ve created, you might yet solve one for me as well.”

“And how is that?”

For the first time that day, her father smiled.  “Perhaps you and Alicent will provide me with grandchildren.”

“We’re trying our best,” she blurted out before she could think better of it.

It was clear that her father was trying to suppress a laugh.  “So I gather.”

Those damned sheets, she thought, but then the full meaning of his words sunk in.  “So you don’t intend to disinherit me or my children?”

He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.  “You are still my only daughter, Rhaenyra.  I love you and in spite of this incident, I believe you will make a great queen one day.”  He sighed heavily.  “It may not be a popular decision though.  Half the court thinks I should have you imprisoned in the Red Keep.”

“Starting with Ser Otto, I’d wager.”  She looked back to see what Alicent and her father were doing, but beyond the fact that there was still a distance between them, she couldn’t tell.  “He as good as called me a raper.”

“I know his words were harsh but you have to understand that he wanted to believe the best of his own daughter, just as I did.”

She raised an eyebrow.  “The same daughter he described as a whore once he learned I hadn’t abducted her?”

“He had been badly embarrassed.  His anger is understandable and you are hardly in a position to be passing judgment on others right now.”

“I recognize that.  But Alicent is still my wife and I will not have her spoken of like that.”

“Your wife…”  The words held more of a question than the alpha liked.

“She is,” Rhaenyra insisted.  “And I do not care what Ser Otto or anyone else thinks of that fact.  I will leave here with her for Essos before I allow anyone to separate us.”

Viserys held up his hands.  “There is no need to be so dramatic.  If I’m going to recognize your children, I have to do the same with the union that produced them.  Besides, you know how much the traditions of our house and our people mean to me.  But not everyone will feel the same way.  This marriage will win you enemies when it becomes known at court, and not just among the septons.”

“So what do we do?”

He starred out across the ocean, thinking hard before he spoke again.  “As I said, you’ve placed me in a difficult position.  On the one hand, I cannot ignore what happened.  I look weak enough as it is.  And yet, any formal punishment would only provide grist for those who wish to see you disinherited.”

“It is a problem,” she conceded.

“Indeed.  But I may have a solution of sorts.  Some months ago, I had letters from the Prince of Dorne, inquiring about your hand.  He intimated that, were I willing to agree to the match, he might bring Dorne into the realm.”

“Obviously, that’s not possible anymore.”  Even were she not married, Qoren Martell was a beta; a match with a female alpha had virtually no chance of producing children.

“Indeed not.   Unfortunately, he also suggested that, were his suit refused, he might support the Triarchy in its move against the Stepstones and we do not need that right now.  My thought is that you will go on an extended goodwill visit to Sunspear.  The presence of my heir will be a sign of the value the Iron Throne places on its relations with Dorne and Syrax will serve as a reminder of why Prince Qoren should value them as well.”

“And what of Alicent?”

“She will go with you.  The Dornish accept marriages such as yours, so there will be no problems on that account, and hopefully by the time you return, your mate will be with child.  A royal baby always produces good will, which you could desperately use right now.”

Rhaenyra tried not to let her excitement be too obvious.  Under the circumstances, this was as good an outcome as she could hope for.  “A temporary exile then.”

“To the court, I will say that it is a diplomatic assignment, but yes, many will read it as a sign of my displeasure.  That will provide time for things to cool down in King’s Landing and for me to figure out how to convince the people to accept your marriage.”

“And what about you, father?  Will you accept it?”


He smiled ruefully.  “Perhaps I am too sentimental, but yes.  If you and Alicent are truly happy with one another, how can I not approve?”

Rhaenyra threw her arms around Viserys and kissed his cheek.  “Thank you, father.  I promise, I’ll make you proud.”

****

A few minutes earlier:

As Rhaenyra and Viserys walked ever further away, Alicent tensed.  This situation had been uncomfortable enough with her wife by her side but her father seemed to have little interest in her discomfort.  “What could you possibly have been thinking, Alicent?” he demanded.  “You were always such a good girl.”

On instinct, she edged closer to Syrax.  The dragon was tired after the long journey, sprawling out on the grass and lowering her head, but there was still something reassuring about her presence.  Dragons were said to have a special bond with their riders and a part of her believed that Rhaenyra’s mount would protect her if necessary.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.  “I know I’ve disappointed you.”

His hands clenched into fists.  “‘Disappointed’ is hardly a strong enough word for what you’ve done.  You were going to be the queen of the Seven Kingdoms.  Our family would’ve been one step away from the throne.”

“Even if I’d married Viserys, Rhaenyra is his heir…”

“She is also a woman and an alpha.  If you had born the king a son, he would’ve taken her place.  Now you’ll be fortunate to avoid the Black Cells.”  Alicent felt her legs go wobbly.  Could Viserys really go so far?  Anxiously she looked over to Syrax.  Surely, her wife wouldn’t let her be taken and even two knights of the Kingsguard would be no match for a dragon.

Otto seemed to guess her thoughts.  “Do you really think Rhaenyra is going to fight for you if it comes to that?  She will do what she must to save her own position and we will be left in the in the ashes.”

The insult to her wife stiffened Alicent’s spine.  “She won’t.  I know you have reason to be angry at Rhaenyra, but she risked everything so we could be together.  Not everyone is as obsessed with gaining power as you.”

Her father waved his hand dismissively.  “What are you speaking of?”

His tone was indignant but Alicent wasn’t going to be talked down.  Whatever her sins, her father had helped create this situation and she would not take the blame alone.  “I know why you sent me to the king’s chambers all those nights after his wife died.  I only wanted to be a friend to him but you were positioning me for when he had to remarry.  My feelings didn’t matter to you at all.”

“How can you say that?  I wanted what was best for you.  A match with the king, consecrated properly in the sight of the Seven.  Not this strange foreign ceremony with his reckless daughter.”

Her father knew all the ways to cut at her conscience but Alicent refused to denounce her wife.  “Rhaenyra is what’s best for me,” she insisted.  “Whatever you think of the way it happened, we’re wedded now.  Forever.”

Otto sighed.  “Then let us hope that decision doesn’t destroy you.”

He said no more and Alicent had nothing more to say to him.  It pained her to have disappointed her father, and yet she could only apologize so far.  Rhaenyra was her choice and she wouldn’t take it back, not for all the crowns in the world.  Off in the distance, she could see Rhaenyra and the king in conversation, but there was no way for her to tell what they were saying.  All she could do was stand and wait for her future be decided.  

And then she saw Rhaenyra reach out to embrace her father and Alicent’s heart soared.  Surely, she wouldn’t do that if Viserys was going to throw me in prison.

A minute later, the two of them turned and walked back toward the rest of their party.  Alicent gave her wife a hopeful smile and when Rhaenyra returned the expression, she allowed herself to breath freely.

“Your Grace,” Otto asked, “Have you reached a decision about the princess?”

“I have.  Rhaenyra and her wife will be returning to Dragonstone, while I make arrangements for them to undertake a longer trip to Sunspear.  They will remain there for a time, strengthening our relations with Dorne, and you and I will work to calm things down here in King’s Landing.”

There was something embarrassingly satisfying about the shock on her father’s face.  “Are you certain, your Grace?” he protested.  “There are many who will say that this is a grave under-reaction.  I know of your love for your daughter, but her actions…”

“Were rash.  But she did what she did for love and she has apologized for any awkwardness she has caused.  Besides, what would you have me do?  Disinherit Rhaenyra and name my brother as my heir once more?”

For a moment, her father said nothing and she could see his mind working as he realized that the king’s decision was final.  “No, your Grace,” he finally said.  “I suppose that, under the circumstances, this is the wisest course.”

“Oh, cheer up,” the king told him, offering his Hand a friendly pat on the shoulder.  “I know you feel that my daughter has wronged you but one day, your grandchildren will sit the Iron Throne.”

He bowed his head.  “Yes, your Grace.”

Alicent smiled at the king, now her father by law, she realized.  “Thank you, your Grace.  I promise you will not regret this mercy.”

Before he could respond, Rhaenyra reached out and took her by the hand.  “He won’t.  We’ll make sure of it.”  

Her smile was as bright as Alicent’s heart felt.  She didn’t know how Rhaenyra had done it, but for the first time since that strange afternoon in her alpha’s chambers, she could honestly believe that everything would be all right.

Chapter Text

“This is intolerable.  Where is our escort?”  

Alicent might have blamed Ser Criston Cole’s impatience on the heat, clad as he was in the heavy white armor of a Kingsguard knight, but Rhaenyra’s sworn protector had been in a sour mood the whole way from Dragonstone.  Still, the weather was an issue.  Though it was only late spring, the sun in Dorn already felt as intense as King’s Landing at the height of summer.  During their voyage south, the sea breeze had helped but now Alicent could feel sweat gathering on her forehead, her pale skin flushing uncomfortably.

In that regard, she envied her wife.  Though the blood of the dragon could still burn, it was said they didn’t feel heat the same way as ordinary men and Rhaenyra proved the truth of that claim.  Her dress was the deep black of her house, yet she seemed singularly untroubled by the sun beating down on her.

Instead, she was turning to and fro, a smile on her face as she took in the sights of Sunspear’s docks.  Though not as busy as those in King’s Landing, there were still travelers from all across Westeros and beyond here, embarking, disembarking, and hawking their wares.  The flamboyant clothes favored in Bravos, the dyed, forked beards of the Tyroshi, and a dozen other sights were on display, providing a diversion while they waited.

“Relax,” Rhaenyra told Ser Criston.  “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

“You should heed the princess,” Maester Tylin agreed.  The balding older man had been sent along by her father to provide council on their mission and given his penchant for supplying plodding answers to almost any question, Alicent suspected he was meant to blunt Rhaenyra’s impetuousness.  “The Dornish do have a reputation for lethargy, but this is perhaps unfair.  In such a climate, it’s wise to avoid undue exertions whenever possible.  Archmaester Herwaith postulated that…”

Criston cut him off with an annoyed grumble.  “This is the heir to the Iron Throne we’re speaking of.  To keep her waiting like some supplicant is a deliberate insult.”

Just then, there was a commotion near the far edge of the dock and Alicent looked over to see the small crowd of sailors and merchants part for a company of spear-carrying palace guards wearing the orange and red of House Martell.  Behind them came their hosts, headed by the Prince of Dorne.  Qoren Martell was a few years older than Alicent, with dark hair and eyes, and though not especially tall, the beta carried himself with a confidence that made him stand out.

As did his clothes.  Richly embroidered in the colors of his house, they were certainly expensive enough for a prince.  However, they were also cut scandalously low, revealing a good deal of his well-muscled chest.  Nor was he the only one so attired.    Many of the noble lords and ladies accompanying him were dressed in equally revealing outfits, showing a good deal more skin than would be considered decent in King’s Landing.

Beside her, Rhaenyra smiled appreciatively as she noticed the same thing.  “We should have come here sooner.  I can’t wait to see you in this style.”

Alicent fought back a laugh.  “Rhaenyra, this is hardly the time.”

Her wife held up her hands defensively.  “I know, I know.”

The Prince of Dorne and his entourage stopped a few paces away and bowed, though Qoren himself did so only slightly.  Alicent had to remind herself that he was an independent ruler, not subject to the Iron Throne.  “Princess Rhaenyra, welcome to Dorne.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Prince Qoren.  My father and I are grateful for your invitation to visit Sunspear.”

“How could I pass up the chance to meet the famous Realm’s Delight?  Even in Dorne, we’ve heard tales of your beauty but I see they did not do you justice.”  He smiled wolfishly.  “It's only a shame you presented thusly.”

If Rhaenyra was put off by his brazen comments, she didn’t let it show.  “Some might disagree with your disappointment,” she retorted, gesturing in the direction of Alicent.  “May I present the Princess Alicent Targaryen, my wife.”

Qoren looked her up and down, his gaze making Alicent thankful that the heat would hide the way she was blushing.  “An honor, Prince Qoren,” she said with a bow.

“You’re very beautiful, my princess.  Though I suppose you must be to have tempted your mate to cause such a scandal on your behalf.”  Before Rhaenyra could respond to that, the prince laughed disarmingly.  “Never fear, I admire your boldness and I pass no judgments.  Allow me to introduce my own paramour, Lady Melia of Lys.”

He indicated a stunning omega with long light hair and eyes a deep enough violet enough to remind Alicent that Valyrian blood was said to be common in Lys.  Even by the standards of the Dornish she was revealingly dressed, with a silver dress that covered only the center of her chest, leaving the sides of her breasts and much of her stomach bare.

Lady Melia bowed to them.  “It’s a great honor to meet all of you.  And since my prince won’t do it, allow me to apologize for our lateness.  There are a great many people out on the streets to see your arrival and it took time to make our way here.  I am told it’s been over a century since a Targaryen visited Sunspear.”

“And King Aegon didn’t exactly come here on a diplomatic visit,” Qoren added.  “Though it’s said he did make quite the impression when he landed on the Black Dread.  The people will no doubt be disappointed you didn’t bring a dragon of your own for them to gawk at.  We had heard this Syrax of yours would be coming and rumors have spread all across the Shadow City.”

“Oh, never fear,” Rhaenyra replied.  “My dragon is merely waiting on the ship until I make sure her accommodations are suitable.  Dragons can be rather temperamental creatures and I would hate for her to get loose.”

“Well then, let us not keep you and your beast any longer,” Qoren told them.  “To Sunspear we go.”

****

“Well, that was different than what I expected.”

“You are putting it too kindly, princess,” Criston Cole groused.  “Prince Qoren’s behavior was outrageous.”

Despite being out of the Dornish sun, Criston Cole’s mood had not improved.  He’d held his tongue during the walk from the docks to Sunspear, but Rhaenyra could tell he’d been seething the whole while, and now that their Dornish hosts had left them in their new chambers, he was free to vent his anger.

It was a sentiment she didn’t share.  “I found him thoroughly entertaining,” she declared.  “A bit brash perhaps, but hardly as bad as you make it sound.”

Ser Criston shook his head.  “You are most tolerant, your Grace.  To arrive late, bringing his whore to the meeting… it’s outrageous.”

“Rhaenyra, you have to see this view.”

Ignoring their disagreement, Alicent was standing on their chambers’ large balcony, only turning as her wife approached.  Far below, the ocean glistened, while a dozen ships pulled in and out of the docks and the merchants hawked their wares but Rhaenyra had eyes only for her mate.  Alicent looked so beautiful in the Dornish sunlight, with her hair up and a smile on her lips.  More than that, she seemed carefree as Rhaenyra hadn’t seen her in too long.

Whatever the politics, it’s good we’re away from her father’s anger and the court’s judgments.  She deserves some peace.

“Quite nice,” she agreed, placing a hand on Alicent’s back.  “Almost like riding Syrax.”

“Without the same risk of falling,” Alicent added.  Rhaenyra had gotten the omega to fly with her a couple of times during their trip south, but though she was less terrified than that first night, Rhaenyra suspected she’d never be entirely comfortable on dragon-back.  Perhaps only a Targaryen could be.

Criston lingered in the doorway, reminding Rhaenyra of their conversation.  “And what did you make of Prince Qoren?” she asked her wife.  “Ser Criston and I seem to have differing views.”

Alicent gave her an uneasy smile.  “He was very… friendly.”

“That’s a most charitable way to put it,” Criston opined.  “He practically invited you to lay with him, right in front of your mate..”

Rhaenyra laughed.  “Come, Ser, you are being unfair.  I think he would’ve been happy for a chance with me as well, alpha or no.”

Alicent pursed her lips and dipped her head.  “Rhaenyra…”

She held up a hand.  After all the pleasures they’d shared these last weeks, it was easy for her to forget how shy Alicent could be in front of others.  “My apologies.  Criston, if you would give us a few minutes.  I need to fetch Syrax from the ship and I would speak alone with my wife first.”

“As you say, your Grace.”  He bowed slightly before retreating into the apartments and closing the double doors, leaving them with some privacy.

“He’s been in a foul mood today.”

“Not just today,” Alicent pointed out.  “Ever since we embarked at Dragonstone, he’s been unhappy.”

Rhaenyra nodded.  In truth, she’d been too focused on Alicent during the voyage to pay Ser Criston much mind but now that her wife brought it up, she realized her conversations with her sworn protector had been chillier of late.  “You’re right, I think.  Do you think he’s still angry about our escape from the Red Keep?”

“Why would he be?  It didn’t involve him.”

She smiled mischievously.  “More than you know.  Criston wanted to come along when I left for your chambers, but I told him not to.  He only agreed to stay behind after I swore I wasn’t going to leave the castle.”

Her wife was clearly trying hard not to be amused.  “There is that, then.”

“Plus Daemon mentioned that your father wanted him put to the question on suspicion of involvement.  My father wouldn’t agree to it, but still, Criston might have taken it badly.”

Alicent gave Rhaenyra a little smile.  “I think he fancied you, before you presented anyway.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Rhaenyra, half the young men at court were in love with you and you know it.”

She wrapped an arm around Alicent’s shoulder.  Her wife was right.  If she was being honest, she’d enjoyed the attention, especially when it contrasted with her father’s disappointment that she wasn’t born a boy.  Those little flirtations hadn’t meant anything to her though, but maybe they’d been more significant to Criston.  Did that matter now?  She decided not to dwell on it.

“I’m more worried about who one young lady was in love with.”

Alicent took her head in her hands and kissed her deeply.  “You, Rhaenyra.  Always and only you.”

She ran her fingers along the pale skin of Alicent’s neck, dipping in to kiss it before returning to more serious matters.  “So, aside from his rather bawdy jokes, what do you really think of our host?”

“I’m not sure.  He certainly seemed much as Ser Criston said.  Rude, inappropriate, and so forth.  But he’s no fool.  After his mother died, her brother tried to claim the throne of Dorne.  Trystane Martell was a seasoned warrior, but Qoren still managed to outmaneuver and outfight him.”

“So he must have had a reason for behaving thusly.  Do you think he wants to provoke a war with my father?”

Alicent sighed, her sunny disposition vanishing.  “It’s possible I suppose.  Could we be in danger?”

“I doubt it.  Hospitality is as serious a matter in Dorne as everywhere else.  If Qoron hurt us, not only would he start a full-scale war with the Iron Throne but half of his own lords would abandon him.”

That seemed to make Alicent relax, at least a bit.  “Perhaps he simply wanted to make you uneasy, to see how you’d react.”

“Also possible.  Either way, I’d best go get Syrax before I have to change for dinner.  Maybe we’ll learn more about the prince there.”

Alicent gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Please see if you can work things out with Ser Criston on the way.  I don’t want you quarreling with your sworn protector, especially when we’re so far from home.”

“I’ll do that,” she agreed.  They had come to a strange place and she and Alicent would need all the friends they could get.

Chapter Text

The crowds had thinned by the time Rhaenyra and Criston rode back to the docks but the pair remained an object of interest.  Between his gleaming white armor and her long, silver hair, there was no mistaking either of them, and around every corner, inhabitants of the Shadow City waited for a look.

Such fascination didn’t bother Rhaenyra; she’d been the object of it for as long as she could remember, but Criston seemed just as uneasy as earlier in the day.  His hand never strayed far from his sword and he aggressively directed the men-at-arms accompanying them to keep gawkers at a distance.

“I don’t think this one means us any harm, Ser,” she laughed as Criston starred down a young girl in a lavender dress who’d been edging toward their horses for a closer look.

“You can’t be too careful when dealing with the Dornish, princess.  One doesn’t have to be full grown to slip a poisoned dagger between the ribs.”

“I’m surprised to hear you talk that way,” she said as the girl scurried away from Criston’s glare.  “I’d always thought you had some Dornish blood yourself.”

“On my mother’s side.  But my family has been in service to House Dondarrion for generations.  We’ve been fighting against Dornish raiders from the Boneway since before Aegon’s Conquest and I’ve seen first-hand how treacherous they can be.”

“I don’t have your experience in such matters,” she admitted.  “But we’re here to make friends, not start a war, so please be more discrete with your feelings.”

“As you say, princess.”

He sunk into sullen silence for the next several blocks, keeping his distance as the city streets narrowed and twisted toward the sea.  Rhaenyra wasn’t going to let matters go so easily, though.  “I think it’s more than the Dornish troubling you.  You’ve been in a bad mood ever since we set sail from Dragonstone.”

“I would sooner not speak of the matter.”

She pulled her horse up alongside his and placed a hand on his pauldron.  “I thought we were better friends than that.  I wouldn’t have asked my father to name you my sworn protector otherwise.”

“Very well, then.  May I speak plainly?”

“Please do.”

“You made a fool of me, princess.”  Her title sounded like an insult in his mouth.

“The night I left the castle with Alicent?”

“If that’s how you would describe you actions, then yes.  You lied right to my face.”

She snorted.  “Under the circumstances, I could hardly have given you the truth.  You are a knight of my father’s Kingsguard, after all.”

“Which only speaks to how reckless your behavior was.  After you were gone, I was compromised.  The Hand believed I had helped you kidnap his daughter.  He wanted me put to the question and I can hardly blame him.”

“I heard about that and I’m sorry.  But it came out all right.  My father and Ser Otto know now you had nothing to do with my actions.”

Criston shook his head ruefully.  “Hardly.  It just means that, in their eyes, I’m a fool rather than a knave.  I’m not like you, princess.  You can commit whatever outrages you like and it seems His Grace will still forgive you.  My honor and my reputation are all I have.”

There was something in the way he emphasized “Outrages” that she misliked.  “You overstep yourself, Ser.  I may have been brash, but I had my reasons,” she insisted.  “This was not about you or your hurt feelings but my own future and that of my wife.  Or are you upset that I’m not the perfect little princess you dreamed of when I brought you into the Kingsguard?  I’m sorry, but I’m an alpha grown now, with all the desires that involves.”

“Of that, there can be no doubt.”

This time Rhaenyra let him retreat back into his silence, especially since her own thoughts were troubled too.  She’d known that Ser Criston would be annoyed when he found out that she’d lied to him but this anger ran deeper than a case of hurt feelings and she wondered when, if ever, she’d be able to rely on her sworn protector again.

****

Fortunately Syrax sparred her from a return ride with Ser Criston.  Flying had always relaxed Rhaenyra and by the time she left her dragon at the stable the Dornish had built just outside the castle walls, the knight’s wounded pride was fading from her thoughts.

Any remaining interest in Criston Cole’s feelings was banished when she stepped back into her chambers to find Alicent in the process of being dressed in a gorgeous silver and red gown. 

“You’re just in time, Rhaenyra,” her wife said with a smile.  “I’m almost ready.”

“So I see.”  She cast an appreciative eye up and down Alicent’s body.  Although not as daring as the Dornish fashions, her wife’s dress was made of thin fabric in deference to the heat and left enough of her shoulders bare to entice the eye.  “With you looking like that, I may have to have Syrax eat some of the other alphas.”

Alicent rolled her eyes.  “Quit teasing and get dressed.  Your clothes are laid out on the bed already.”

To Rhaenyra’s surprise, her wife had selected for her not a gown, but a suit, with black breeches and a blood red jacket embroidered with small golden dragons.  “It’s very nice,” she told Alicent.  “But for a formal dinner…”

“Female alphas often dress this way in Dorne.  Weren’t you listening to Maester Tylin’s lectures?”

“Occasionally.  He does have a tendency to ramble.”

“Well I’d love to see you in it.”

That was reason enough for Rhaenyra, especially when Alicent accompanied the request with a smile rich in promises.  The outfit also had the advantage of being easier to change into than a formal dress and by the time the maids were done with Alicent, she had already pulled on the breeches and was sliding into the jacket.

“Allow me,” Alicent said, waving off the servants.  After each button, she gave Rhaenyra a small kiss, and when she was done, she smiled fondly.  “Gorgeous.  It reminds me of our wedding.”

“Me too.” 

Rhaenyra offered Alicent her arm and together they set off for the banquet hall.  The architecture of Sunspear was very different than what she was used to.  Rather than the heavy, dark walls of the Red Keep or Dragonstone, made to ensure the winter cold wouldn’t creep in, everything here was built of light stone and lined with windows, allowing the last of the day’s light to shine upon them.

“Is Syrax settled in all right?”

She nodded.  “The stables they built for her are a little make-shift, but she should be all right.  Bonded dragons don’t try to fly away unless they’re angry or afraid.”

“And Ser Criston?  Did you resolve things with him?”

That question made Rhaenyra chew on the inside of her cheek.  “Not really.   He thinks I embarrassed him by lying to him about my plans.  Plus he may not be keen on the whole idea of our marriage.”

Alicent sighed.  “We knew some people would feel that way.  Not everyone is as cavalier about the teachings of the Faith as you, Rhaenyra.  Even I…”

“Hey.”  She stopped them in the middle of the hallway, turning to look Alicent in the eye.  “Don’t tell me you’re having doubts about what we did.  Especially not when you seem so happy.”

“I am happy, Rhaenyra.  Our marriage means everything to me.  But it’s still hard for me to make sense of things.  I know the way the Gods shaped me.  I can’t love other than I do.  And yet the Faith teaches that those feelings are wrong.”

She took Alicent’s chin in her hand, leaning in to kiss her.  “Not everywhere,” she reminded her.  “They worship the Seven in Dorne, yet everyone seems to accept our marriage.”

That made Alicent smile.  “Perhaps I should speak to some of the septons here.  They might know about teachings I haven’t heard of before.”

“If you think it will help.”  In truth, she wished her wife would just tell the septons where they could cram their teachings, but then, she hadn’t been raised with Alicent’s asshole of a father stuffing all that guilt in her head.  “I’m more worried about Criston,” she said as they resumed their walk.  “Once we get back to King’s Landing, I’m thinking I should have my father name me a new Sword Protector.”

“You cannot blame him for his beliefs.”

“Maybe not, but I won’t have someone who doesn’t accept our marriage guarding us.”

“You might be right,” Alicent conceded.  “But we can speak more about it later.  For now, let’s try not to look glum.  We are the guests of honor, after all.”

The doors of the banquet hall were opened for them, and as they entered, a herald exclaimed,  “Presenting Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone and rightful heir to the Iron Throne and her wife, the Princess Alicent Targaryen.”

The assembled guests stood respectfully as they walked in but among the smiles, there were also some hard stares and Rhaenyra was reminded of the words of House Martell: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.”  That much she had managed to absorb from Maester Tylin’s lectures on Dorne.  This was the only part of Westeros that had resisted her ancestors’ conquests and the lesson of Queen Rhaenys and Meraxes’ deaths had been impressed on Rhaenyra from an early age: even dragons were not invincible.

Tonight, though, there seemed little danger of such violence.  Prince Qoren welcomed them to the high bench with a smile, seating them at his right side, while on his left sat his paramour, Lady Melia.  “Is it possible you two look even lovelier than this afternoon?” the prince asked.

“Certainly my wife only grows more beautiful,” Rhaenyra told him.  “But then, I may not be an impartial judge.”
 
“Don’t sell yourself short, your Grace,” Lady Melia told her.  “You look stunning as well.  A very Dornish style for a Targaryen princess, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

Alicent shot her a knowing glance and Rhaenyra bit back a laugh.  “Credit Princess Alicent.  The clothes were her choice.”

“Your wife has excellent taste,” Qoren said.  “As do you, at least when it comes to mates.  But if I might turn your attention to more serious matters, I’ve just had a raven from friends of mine in the Stepstones.  It seems someone has decided to challenge the Crabfeeder’s control of the islands.”

She could tell the prince was watching her reaction carefully but she genuinely had no idea what he was speaking of.  “And who might that someone be?”

“The newcomer’s ships were flying the colors of House Velaryon.  At least most of them were.  Some bore the device of your uncle, Prince Daemon.”

Rhaenyra did her best to hide her surprise.  Daemon had departed Dragonstone on Caraxas shortly before she and Alicent had left for Dorne but he’d given no hint as to his plans.  What was he playing at, joining Lord Corlys for a private war in the Stepstones?  Had he decided that things were a bit hot for him in the realm, despite her denials of his involvement in her elopement, or was something else at work?

“An interesting development,” she said, “But no worry of yours, I would think.  Unless I’ve missed something, Dorne is neutral in that conflict.”

“I would prefer to say we’re presently uninvolved but not uninterested.  What we desire is stability and the free flow of trade,” Qoren told her.  “Whether this development helps or hinders those things remains to be seen.”

“I suppose so,” she agreed, even as their attentions were grabbed by the servants bringing out the banquet’s first course, figs and peppers stuffed with cheese and seasoned with something Rhaenyra wasn’t familiar with.  The spices were aromatic though, and hungry as she was after the day’s travels, she accepted a generous portion.

The first bite of pepper made her exhale sharply, the flavor stronger than she expected, but she adjusted quickly, eating several more slices with gusto.  Alicent didn’t seem to take to the food as well, because when Rhaenyra looked over, her face was flushed and she was gulping down a long drink of wine.

Rhaenyra leaned in close.  “Are you all right?”

“I will be,” Alicent said, though she sounded short of breath.  “I’ve heard stories about Dornish spices, but I really wasn’t prepared.”

“It seems not,” Rhaenyra said, though her thoughts were suddenly elsewhere.  There was something new filling her nostrils, not the spice of the meal but the sweet omega scent of her wife.  Alicent always smelled good, but this felt different.

Is she going into heat? Rhaenyra wondered, pulling back as she tried to clear her head.  Certainly, some of the signs of a heat were there in her own reactions.  Her pulse was quickening and beneath her breaches, she felt her sex throb with the first stirrings of a shift.

Yet she quickly realized that wasn’t right.  What she’d smelled outside Alicent’s chambers that day hadn’t just been stronger than the omega’s usual scent but different somehow.  Now, Rhaenyra was simply aware of Alicent in a sharper way, and it wasn’t just her.  From down the table, she caught a hint of Lady Melia’s jasmine and summer wine, and even the pretty omegas serving the food were drawing her eye more than they should.

No, this was something else, something Rhaenyra had heard about but hadn’t yet experienced.  Fuck me, what a time for my first rut.

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra bit down on her lip, hoping the little prick of pain would provide a distraction from her larger discomfort.  She’d made it through the first couple of courses but by the time the servers were bringing out the roast pig, her self-control was starting to crack.  Neither food nor conversation were capable of holding her interest, both drowned out by the throbbing ache between her legs.  The common belief was that ruts weren’t as crippling as heats but if that was true, she pitied Alicent.

Desire was taking over not just Rhaenyra’s body but her mind.  She couldn’t stop picturing what lay beneath every serving girl’s dress or wondering what it would be like to steal a kiss or more from the pretty noble omegas dancing beneath the high table.  But most of her fantasies were centered around her wife.  Every time Alicent smiled or laughed, Rhaenyra yearned to throw her mate down on the table and claim her, never mind who might be watching.  She’d tried everything to fight the urges but not even her uncle’s advice about picturing Ser Otto could keep her lust under control.

“What do you think of the soup?” Prince Qoren asked, seemingly oblivious to her plight.  “Myself, I find it a bit rich but it’s a favorite of my lady.”

The lady in question was indeed eating with gusto, but all Rhaenyra could think of was how she would look if the spoon in her mouth was replaced with something else.

Fuck, this is not good.

“It’s not bad.  A bit… something though,” she gritted out, unable to think of the word she was looking for.

“Are you all right?” Alicent asked and just the sound of her voice made Rhaenyra’s cock twitch.

She held up a hand.  “Fine.  I just could use some air.”

Qoren laughed.  “No surprise there.  Our food is a bit strong for those unaccustomed to it.”

“That must be it,” she said quickly, unable come up with a better lie.

The prince pointed her in the direction of a nearby balcony and Rhaenyra stumbled toward it, trying to position herself away from her hosts.  Whatever advantages breaches had, they did a much worse job of concealing her erection than a good, voluminous gown.

Once outside, she gasped sharply, trying to exhale all of her desires but although her head felt clearer in the evening air, the improvement was marginal.  The urge to fuck was painful in its intensity, her thoughts out of control.  Alicent remained the central figure in her fantasies, but they jumped around uncontrollably, pictures and scenarios rushing through her mind.

With a groan, she reached into her breaches, trying to adjust her cock so at least it would be at a more comfortable angle.  It wasn’t a good decision.  Any touch, even that of her own hand, was enough to make the throbbing so bad that she had half a mind to…

Before she could finish the thought, she caught a familiar scent and turned to see Alicent standing behind her.  “Rhaenyra, has your rut started?”

She sighed.  “Is it that obvious?”

Alicent smiled indulgently.  “Your scent is all over the place.  The only reason Qoren hasn’t noticed is that he’s a beta.”

“Fucking hells,” she murmured as another wave of lust rolled over her.  She couldn’t seem to focus on anything else, especially not with her mate here.

The problem only grew worse when Alicent walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.  “We should go back to our rooms, Rhaenyra.  You seem absolutely miserable.”

“This feast is in my honor,” she protested in spite of herself.  “The Dornish will be insulted if I leave so soon.”

“You can’t go back in there like this.  You look like you’re about to take me right up against the wall.”

“The table, actually.”

Alicent failed to suppress a laugh.  “What am I going to do with you?”

“Not sure,” she mumbled, the words catching in her throat.

Her wife’s face softened and she caressed Rhaenyra’s shoulder.  “It’s all right, sweetheart.  I’ll take care of you.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes widened.  “How?”

“Well, you don’t want to leave and you can’t stay here like this, so…”

“Oh.”  She glanced over to the doors.  Right now they were closed but they weren't locked either.  “What if someone comes out here?”

“I told Ser Criston we weren’t to be disturbed,” Alicent assured her.  “I thought we might need some privacy.”

It only took one look at her wife’s smile for Rhaenyra to forget about her doubts.  “Okay,” she gasped before adding.  “I’m in bad shape, Alicent.”

“I can imagine.  But I’ve got you.”

Alicent cupped Rhaenyra’s cheek with one hand while with the other, she worked on the laces of the alpha’s breaches.  Once they were undone far enough, she reached inside and Rhaenyra gasped as soft fingers closed around her shaft, drawing her out into the open air.

“Gods, you're hard,” Alicent whispered in her ear before claiming her lips for a deep kiss.  It was a good thing too, because Rhaenyra couldn’t keep from moaning deeply into her wife’s mouth while her cock was stroked.  She was already leaking pre-come, her hips bucking as she sought relief from the agonizing pressure.

“Don’t stop,” she whimpered against Alicent’s shoulder.  “Please, don’t stop.”

“I won’t,” Alicent murmured.  “I promise.”

It wasn't as if Rhaenyra was going to last long.  All the wanting coiled in her body had been waiting for was some kind of outlet and in her pitiful state, this simple pleasure was more than enough.  She clung desperately to Alicent, thrusting into her palm as she fell apart.  Her wife’s thumb slid back and forth across the slick tip and she knew the end was coming.

“So close,” she gasped, and to her surprise, Alicent slipped out of her embrace, dropping to her knees.  Before Rhaenyra could ask what she was doing, her wife took her cock in her mouth, sucking on the head while her hand resumed pumping the base.  It was a sight that made her think of their first encounter after her presentation and that memory combined with the pleasure she received was too much.

Rhaenyra gasped and thrust deeper into Alicent’s warm mouth even as the tension inside her snapped.  Her wife worked her shaft enthusiastically, coaxing out a flood of the alpha’s come.  It felt as if she’d been backed up for months but her mate was determined, swallowing down everything she had to give.  At last the shocks faded and she slumped back against the railing, while Alicent rose to her feet.  With a smile, she licked her lips clean of the last traces of Rhaenyra’s orgasm.  “Wow, that was a lot,” she declared, but her cheerful tone made it clear she didn’t mind.

“Thank you,” was all Rhaenyra could come up with, though it hardly seemed adequate.

“You can thank me when this dinner is over.  If a rut is anything like a heat, our next time is going to be very soon.”

Her words were enough to make Rhaenyra’s shaft twitch.  “Don’t say things like that,” she implored.  

“Why not?  You’re always teasing me.”

Rhaenyra shook her head.  “It’s not that I mind, but if you don’t stop, our next time is going to be in about a minute.”

“Well, we can’t have that.”  

Alicent took a moment to straighten her dress and wipe her hand on the railing while Rhaenyra tucked herself back into her breaches.  Though she remained shifted, at least she was soft and hopefully able to get through the rest of the night without further embarrassment.

****

Rhaenyra was trying.  As Lord Yronwood, a big, barrel-chested alpha, made his drunken way through a tale involving a hunt, some bandits, and a sleazy Myrish lace merchant, she smiled and nodded and did her best to pretend she was interested.  

In truth, her mind was elsewhere.  Every time she could get away with it, she snuck glances at her mate, picturing all the things they would do once they were alone.  Alicent’s ministrations on the balcony had bought her a few courses worth of respite, but not more than that.  Rhaenyra was painfully hard once more, her cock straining beneath her breaches and her palms sweaty.

Mercifully Alicent realized that her patience was cracking.  Her wife gave an exaggerated yawn and when that got the attention of the table, she said, “You’ll have to excuse me, my lords and ladies.  It’s been a long day and I fear the excellent wine may have gone to my head.”

Rhaenyra shot her a grateful smile.  It was better if she wasn’t the one responsible for their early departure.  “I apologize, Prince Qoren, Lord Yronwood, but it seems I should see my wife to bed.”

“Of course, princess,” Qoren told her magnanimously, while Yronwood laughed like he knew what they’d be doing the rest of the night.

It only took a couple of minutes for them to say their good nights and escape from the hall, but the delay was still enough to worsen her discomfort.  The very fact that they would be alone soon made Rhaenyra crave her wife all the more, her skin flushing from the anticipation.

Ser Criston remained a few paces behind them as they walked back to their chambers and so Alicent leaned in close before asking, “How’re you, sweetheart?”

Through pursed lips, Rhaenyra gritted out, “Managing.  Barely.”  Alicent squeezed her hand and she remembered anew why she’d risked everything to be with her mate.  No random omega her father chose would’ve taken care of her like this.

They walked as quickly as dignity allowed, if not a bit faster.  Rushing through the halls might be a bit unseemly but it would be worse if she ended up taking her wife in the middle of the castle.  By the time they reached their chambers, her skin was flushed and her tongue tied, meaning it fell to Alicent to bid Criston a swift farewell as they hastened inside.  

Whatever he knew about what was going on, the knight didn’t exactly seem happy, but right then, his feelings were the furthest thing from Rhaenyra’s mind.  As soon as the door slammed shut, her lips were on wife’s, drawing her into a kiss as passionate as she could remember giving.  

Even as they embraced, Alicent’s hands were at the laces of Rhaenyra’s breaches.  The sensible thing would’ve been to let her work in peace, but Rhaenyra was too far gone for sense.  While Alicent fumbled, the alpha covered her throat with kisses, nipping at the soft skin hungrily.  Her own hands couldn’t keep still either, squeezing her wife’s breasts through the light fabric of her gown.  She wasn’t usually so rough but the urge inside her was wild and as long as Alicent kept moaning, she wouldn’t try to restrain it.

Finally, Alicent managed to get her breaches and smalls down, letting Rhaenyra kick them aside.  Her wife’s hand slid along her hardness but unlike on the balcony, the alpha wasn’t going to let herself finish that way.  Seizing hold of Alicent’s dress, she pulled it up to expose the creamy expanse of her thighs.  Rhaenyra grabbed her hip with one hand, sliding the other along her small clothes.  There was a damp spot at their center, and the realization that her mate was ready broke the last of her restraint.

“I need to be in you,” she growled in her Alicent’s ear.  “Now.”

“Yes, Rhae.  I’m yours.”

Rhaenyra didn’t have the patience to undress them.  Instead, she pressed Alicent’s back up against one of the wall hangings, tugging off her small clothes even as she covered her face with kisses.  Her cheeks, her forehead, and then her lips were all peppered before she moved between the omega’s legs and took her aching cock in hand.

She angled herself upward and when Alicent raised her hips, a single thrust was enough to get Rhaenyra most of the way inside while a second let her go all the way to the base.  That warm wetness felt even better than what she’d been dreaming of and she groaned with relief even as Alicent cried out for her.

The sound only spurred Rhaenyra’s passion.  It wasn’t easy holding Alicent up against the wall, but there was a remarkable energy flowing through her veins and as her mate’s legs wrapped around her waist, Rhaenyra slammed into Alicent again and again.  It wasn’t a pace that could last long, but she needed her mate too badly to hold back, especially since she knew she’d be taking her more than once before the night was through.

“Fuck,” she panted in-between strokes.  “You feel so good, my love.  So fucking good.”

“I’ve never seen you like this,” Alicent whimpered, her fingers clenching against Rhaenyra’s shoulders.

“You make me crazy.”

Rhaenyra squeezed down and the soft flesh of Alicent’s ass yielded, letting the alpha pull her further onto her cock.  She could feel her mate’s cunt clenching around her, dripping wetness with each thrust.

“Love how you squeeze me.  Like you never want to let me go.”

“Never, Rhae.  Just don’t stop.”

“Can’t,” she gasped, making a high, hard thrust.  “Can’t… fuck, gonna fill you up, Alicent.”

“Do it.  For me.”

Her mate’s encouragement was all Rhaenyra needed.  On the next stroke, she felt her body tighten and then release, the clawing pressure inside her finally unwinding.  As hard as she’d come on the balcony, this was even more intense.  Over and over she pumped her come into her wife’s waiting cunt, crying out as pleasure overtook her.

When she was done, she eased out of Alicent, letting her down to the ground gently.  Her wife was flushed and panting and Rhaenyra realized to her chagrin that she hadn’t lasted long enough to bring her over the edge.  Experience had improved her stamina but the rut had stripped all of that away, making her unable to hold back.

Of course, being in rut had advantages as well.  To her surprise, her cock not only remained shifted, it was still standing erect in front of her, slick with their arousal and nearly as hard as before she’d come.

“More?” she asked, and no sooner had the words left her lips than Alicent was tugging her dress up over her head while Rhaenyra fumbled her way out of her top, kicking off her shoes at the same time.  The two of them pulled each other toward the bed and when Alicent fell onto her back, Rhaenyra followed, sliding between her wife’s spread legs.  Her cunt welcomed the alpha back in eagerly, the entry easy given how much of her come was already inside.

Now that they were naked, she was able to touch Alicent properly, caressing her breasts and nibbling at her ear as she thrust.  She wasn’t quite as desperate as a minute earlier, but Alicent’s hunger made up for it.  The omega was grinding down against her cock, making sure that Rhaenyra didn’t leave her empty, even for a moment.

“You take me so well,” she murmured.  “My good girl.  My good wife.”

Her praise only made Alicent wilder.  Her inner muscles fluttered around Rhaenyra and her fingers dug in so tight they were sure to leave marks.  Rhaenyra’s lips closed around the rock hard peak of her wife’s nipple and she bit down ever so gently, shivering at the way it made her cry out.

Fuck Dorne.  Fuck diplomacy.  Fuck the Iron Throne.  This was what she was meant for and she’d burn anyone who dared to tell either of them it was wrong.

This time it was Alicent who couldn’t hold back.  Her face was contorted with pleasure and she was no longer capable of words, moaning and screaming as Rhaenyra took her.  Not that the alpha was much better off.  The sight of her mate laying beneath her, naked and sweaty, her breasts bouncing with each thrust while her hair splayed across the bed sheets, was too good.  She wouldn’t have believed she could need to come again so fast but between Alicent’s passion and the rut’s hold on her, the pressure was already building back up.  

With one hand, she reached between them, sliding the pad of her thumb up against that special spot above her wife’s sex.  The force of her thrusts pressed it down and that was all Alicent could take.  On the fourth stroke, Rhaenyra felt her cunt tighten and she screamed out her pleasure.  

It felt as if she was trying to milk the alpha’s climax out of her and Rhaenyra didn’t fight it.  Clutching Alicent tight, she came again, the experience all the more joyous because she was sharing it with her mate.  The two of them surged into each other over and over, soaking the sheets beneath them.  Every time she thought Alicent was done, the omega would shudder around her and Rhaenyra would spill a little more she hadn’t realized she had left.

Finally Alicent went limp and Rhaenyra slumped down onto her shoulder, kissing the bare skin there.  One of her wife’s hands came to rest on her back while the other stroked her hair and Rhaenyra reciprocated, caressing Alicent’s face tenderly.

“Thank you,” she said softly.  “I really needed that.”

“It was my pleasure.”  Alicent kissed her cheek before nuzzling into the crook of her neck.  “Besides, I remember how miserable and alone I was during my heat.  You shouldn’t have to go through that.”

“Neither should you,” Rhaenyra promised.  “And you won't have to again. Not if the whole world is between us.”

Chapter Text

After three days and more sex than she would’ve thought herself capable of, it was hard for Rhaenyra to believe she could crave another release so badly.  Yet a rut was a powerful thing, especially under these circumstances.  Sliding into Alicent from behind, her wife’s cunt gripping her shaft, her ass pushing back against each thrust…

The only reason she hadn’t come already was that she needed to make sure Alicent finished first.  Her mate deserved it after all she’d done the last few days and she was close too, moaning and writhing with a hunger that nearly matched her own.  It would only take a little more to push her over the edge and Rhaenyra had an idea what might do the trick.

“You’re taking me so well,” she breathed, her hands caressing the soft flesh of Alicent’s rear. “Such a good girl.”

Her praise made the omega flutter around her shaft, a soft whimper slipping from her lips.  “My good girl,” Rhaenyra growled, her fingers gripping tight and her hips becoming a blur as desire seized hold of her.  Alicent could take her so deep in this position and the thought of filling her wife again made the alpha wild.

Beneath her, Alicent’s body clenched down, her hands clutching at the bedsheets as she reached her peak.  The added pressure on her shaft was all Rhaenyra could take.  With a sharp gasp, she plunged in to the hilt, her cock pulsing as she filled her mate again and again, until her release was dripping down onto the bed.

Her legs gave out just as her member did and she collapsed against Alicent’s back, the two of them tumbling into the feather mattress in a heap.  Once they were more comfortable, Alicent purred contentedly and Rhaenyra knew just how she felt.  For the first time in days, she wasn’t just sated but at peace, the idea of more sex actually retreating from her thoughts.

“Alicent…” she asked, in-between soft kisses to her wife’s back.

“Yes?”

“How do you know when your heat is over?”

Alicent tilted her head, considering the question.  “It’s nothing definite.  The urge just kind of slips away and I can think clearly again.  Why?  Do you think your rut might be done?”

“I do.”

Her wife laughed.  “Is it okay if I’m a little relieved?  I mean, it’s been really good these last few days, but at this point, I’m a bit sore.”

“I know, my love.”  She kissed the side of Alicent’s neck with affection rather than passion.  There’d been times when her mate had needed to use her mouth or her hands to please her, her sex requiring a rest from the alpha’s desires.  “And I really appreciate everything you did.  I know it was a lot.”

Alicent rolled over, sliding her arms around Rhaenyra.  “It was for my mate.  I like being able to take care of you sometimes, even if I don’t have a dragon.”

“You’re sweet.”

“Besides, it won’t always be this way.  Eventually my heats will get in time with your ruts and then I’ll be just as insatiable.”  She smiled playfully and licked her lips.  “Maybe worse.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”  Even the whiff of Alicent’s scent she’d gotten during her mate’s last heat had been intoxicating and thought of spending three days drinking it in, among other things, was delicious.

“Me too.”

The two of them spent the next several minutes cuddled up, enjoying a flagon of wine along with the feel of the cool evening air on their bare skin.  Every so often they would lean over and kiss, not trying to reignite anything but enjoying the simple pleasure of being together.

“Can I ask you about something,” she said as Alicent reached for some biscuits from the end table.

Her wife took a bite and smiled.  “Of course, Rhaenyra.  Anything.”

She ran a finger along the valley between Alicent’s breasts.  “When we’re having sex, I’ve noticed you like it when I compliment you.”

A blush crept up Alicent’s neck.  It was getting harder for Rhaenyra to make her wife do that, at least when they were alone, but clearly not impossible.  “Well, of course,” the omega said, too quickly.  “Don’t you enjoy it when I say nice things about you?”

“Sure, but…”  Rhaenyra leaned in and kissed Alicent affectionately.  “You seem to really like it.  You start twitching around me…”

Alicent’s eyes went wide.  “You noticed that?”

“Oh yes.”  Now Alicent was well and truly red and Rhaenyra decided that was enough teasing for now.  She took Alicent in her arms, kissing her face until her wife smiled once more.  “I’m not complaining, Alicent.  It feels great and I’m not saying anything I don’t mean.  I’m just curious is all.”

Her assurances made Alicent relax a little bit, but she still seemed uneasy.  “It’s hard for me to explain.”

“Can you try?”

Alicent nodded.  “It’s just that sometimes I feel this must be a sin.”

“Oh Alicent….” Rhaenyra said, her heart aching.  It hurt to be reminded that her wife couldn’t simply enjoy their marriage the way she did.  Truly, there were times she wished she could have Syrax eat every septon and septa in the realm for filling Alicent’s head with their nonsense.

“It’s not as often as before we were wed,” Alicent assured her.  “But there’s still this voice that says I must be wicked.  And when you tell me I’m not, that I’m a good wife, a good girl… it makes me feel free of all that, at least for a little bit.”

Rhaenyra’s brows furrowed.  “But why does it matter what I think?  Aren’t I just as wicked?”

“It’s not the same.  You’re a Targaryen.  You have your own Gods, your own customs.  And you’re my mate.  I’m supposed to please you.”

“You do.  Repeatedly.  And I’ll never get tired of complimenting you.”  She kissed Alicent softly on the lips.  “But please, do talk to one of the septons while we’re here in Dorne.”

“I thought you didn’t care what Gods think about any of this.”

“I don’t,” she admitted.  “But you do and I don’t want you to feel guilty, especially not about about being with me.  Maybe they can help.”

****

The sept at Sunspear could hardly be compared to the massive edifice the Targaryens had built in the middle of King’s Landing, let alone the Starry Sept at Oldtown, but Alicent still liked it.  Light and airy, with a high ceiling that let the sun shine through a large window in the shape of a seven-pointed star, the setting eased her mind as she walked toward what she knew would be an uncomfortable meeting.

The hall had been cleared for her visit, save for the man she was supposed to speak with: Septon Benedict.  He was an older beta, with a streak of white down the center of his otherwise black widow’s peak.  In spite of his age, he had an air of vitality, seeming like someone who’d been seasoned rather than wizened by time.

“Hello, your Grace,” he said with a fatherly smile.

She dipped her head.  Even if she was royalty now, she should show respect to a representative of the Seven.  “Hello, Septon.  Thank you for agreeing to speak with me.”

“It’s my duty to help anyone with questions about the Faith.  Besides, it’s not often one gets the chance to meet the future Queen-Consort of the Seven Kingdoms.”

“Actually, that’s what I was hoping to talk to you about today.”

“I suspected as much.  Your marriage is an unusual one, at least for a Hightower of Oldtown.”

“Have you spent time in Oldtown?” she asked, not quite ready to move onto her real question.  “I think I hear a touch of it in your accent.”

“You have a good ear, your Grace.  Long before you were born I studied at the Starry Sept.”  He gestured toward the benches where the faithful would listen to his sermons.  “Come, let’s take a seat.”

The two of them sat down on one of the wooden pews.  Alicent felt more at ease around him than she’d expected.  If only her own septas had been so friendly.  For teachers, her father had preferred those who emphasized fear of the Gods, rather than love of them, as a path to holiness.

“Now, tell me what’s troubling you, your Grace.”

She sighed.  This wasn’t easy for her to speak of, especially to someone she didn’t know, but it was too important to hold back.  “As you said, it’s about the Princess Rhaenyra and our marriage.”

“Are you unhappy with her?”

“Not at all.  I love the princess very much.  But we are both women.”

“Something that many in the Seven Kingdoms disapprove of, even though she is an alpha and you an omega.”

“The Faith disapproves of it.  I was raised to believe such relationships were a sin.  But here in Dorne, it seems that people believe something quite different.”

“We do.”

“Can you help me to understand why?  As I said, I’m very happy with the princess, but I struggle to reconcile that with the Faith’s teachings.”

He smiled warmly, seeming entirely at ease with the subject.  “Do you remember what the Seven-Pointed Star teaches us about men and women and how we are made?”

Alicent nodded; whatever her sinful thoughts, she had always been an attentive pupil.  “That men are cast in the image of the Father and women, the Mother.”

“Just so.  Each soul is placed in the body best suited for it, that they may play the role that the Gods intend.  Men are meant to sire children, women to bear them, and so forth.  But sometimes, the Gods make a mistake.”

“A mistake?” she blurted out.  Surely such a suggestion was blasphemous.  “I don’t understand.”

He held up a hand.  “Forgive me, your Grace, it was a joke.  Rather, let us say that sometimes, as a soul makes its way through the world, the Gods realize that person would be better fitted to a role other than the one they were originally assigned to.  Our presentations are a chance for a new beginning.  Men who would be better suited to bear children become omegas and women who would make good sires can be alphas.”

Alicent rubbed her fingers together, trying to wrap her mind around the idea.  “Do you truly believe that’s what happens?  That the Gods made Princess Rhaenyra an alpha?”

“I do.  And your feelings for her are as natural as any wife’s for her husband, capable of leading to the same blessed result.”

Gods, I want that to be true, she thought, even as a part of her rebelled against the comforting conclusion.  “I was taught that the presentation of female alphas was the work of unnatural forces and that a woman’s desire for them was a sign of sickness in her mind.”

“That’s what the Septons of Oldtown told me as well,” he agreed.  “But my time ministering here in Sunspear makes me doubtful.  The marriages between two women or two men I have observed seem to me much the same as those the Faith sanctions.  Think of your own affections.  Do they seem more a curse or a blessing?”

Alicent took a deep breath and tried to consider the question honestly.  For too long, she had feared that desiring Rhaenyra made her filthy and sinful.  But it didn’t feel that way when she was with her wife.  When they were together, she felt whole and loved, as if she was exactly where she belonged.  It was others who claimed it was wrong, who’s voices gnawed away at her happiness, not her own heart.

“The latter,” she finally said.

The septon patted her hand.  “That is what I think as well.”

Alicent smiled, trying to seem confident.  “I’m glad to hear it.  Though I am surprised that the Faith allows a different doctrine here than in the rest of Westeros.”

The old septon laughed.  “The Most Devout may act as if their teachings come directly from the Seven-Pointed Star, but they can be pragmatic when needs be.  Consider the Doctrine of Targaryen Exceptionalism.  It’s not found in the holy texts, but rather was devised to end the war between the Starry Sept and the Iron Throne.  Dorne would not accept a ban on marriages such as yours and if His High Holiness were to try to enforce one, he would risk a schism.  That which cannot be changed must be accommodated.”

She couldn’t hide her surprise at hearing a septon speak so frankly.  “So, you believe what the Faith teaches is just a matter of convenience?”

“I believe that, sometimes, the Gods bring their truths to us in unusual ways and the truth is that there is nothing sinful about your marriage.”

“Thank you, Septon Benedict.  You’ve given me a great deal to think on.”

“It was my pleasure.”

He rose from the bench to depart but before she did the same, Alicent knelt for a long time in prayer.  She desperately wanted to believe he was right, that the Gods had shaped her and Rhaenyra for this union.  And yet she still had to fight the feelings her father and the septas had raised with.  It wasn’t easy to banish the thought from her head that someday, there would be a price to be paid for all her happiness, but for Rhaenyra’s sake, she would try.

Chapter Text

No one had ever claimed Rhaenyra Targaryen was a great writer.  Her tutors had despaired of her calligraphy and when they assigned her compositions, she frequently cajoled Alicent into completing them while she went flying on Syrax.  Not this time though. This time, she’d been at her desk for some time, trying to find the right words. This message was too important not to take seriously.

My Beloved Father,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits.  Here at Sunspear, Prince Qoren has proven to be a gracious host.  He has his complaints about the Iron Throne to be sure but I don’t believe he truly desires war, especially now that my uncle and the Velaryons have joined the conflict.  Rather, what he wants is to use the possibility of his involvement to gain concessions in Dornish Marches.  Maester Tylin will send a separate letter with the details; please advise me how you wish to proceed.

Politics aside, Alicent and I have enjoyed our time here.  In addition to the usual feasts and balls, I’ve taken the opportunity of my visit to learn a little about how to handle a blade.  It may not be the most lady-like pursuit but it’s the custom in Dorne for both men and women to know how to defend themselves, especially if they’re alphas. Besides, I will be queen one day and Syrax won’t always be there to protect me.  Though Alicent doesn’t like the heat very much, she has appreciated the chance to learn about the perspective of the septons here on marriages like ours.  Perhaps when we return, she can enlighten those at court who currently object to them.

Finally, I have a piece of news to share that I know will make you happy and perhaps even lighten Ser Otto’s foul mood a bit…

****

Earlier That Day:

Rhaenyra reclined on the couch, enjoying the feel of warm air on her skin.  Unlike many in their party, she felt at home in the Dornish sun and after spending the morning training with spear and dagger, it was pleasant to lay back and soak it in along with a nice cup of wine.

The only thing that would make it better was Alicent but her wife had been absent from their chambers when she returned.  Still, the servants had informed her that Alicent hadn’t left the castle, so Rhaenyra wasn’t worried.  She’d see her soon enough, and in the meantime, the dry Dornish wine along with the lovely view of the ocean was enough to content her.

She was near the end of her cup when her wife finally joined her on the balcony.  Although Alicent still avoided the more daring Dornish styles, she’d adopted some of the local fashions and today she looked radiant in a blue dress fringed with silver than left her arms bare and showed enough cleavage to entice the alpha even more than usual.

“Alicent,” she said with a grin.  “Come join me.  I wasn’t sure about this Dornish red at first but it’s really grown on me.”

Her wife sat next to her on the couch but rather than pouring herself a cup, she put a hand on Rhaenyra’s back, rubbing it affectionately.  The alpha turned to give her a kiss and Alicent drew it out, taking Rhaenyra’s face in her hands and drinking her in for a long time before she let go.

“What was that for?”

Alicent gave her a coy smile.  “Can’t I just enjoy kissing you?”

“Of course.  But it still feels like something’s going on.”

“You know me too well.”  Alicent took a deep breath.  “There’s something I need to tell you, Rhaenyra.  I was just visiting with Maester Tylin.  I’m pregnant.”

Too stunned to find the right words, she pulled Alicent into her arms, holding her tight against her chest.  “Oh Alicent,” she finally got out.  “Oh my love.”

“I love you too, Rhaenyra.  So much.”

She pulled back far enough to see the warmth in Alicent’s eyes, but she kept stroking her face, unwilling to break contact.  “How do you know?  Is it certain?  ”

“I’ve been feeling queasy in the mornings.  At first I thought it was just something I ate.”

Rhaenyra laughed.  Alicent had developed a taste for Dornish food but it didn’t always agree with her stomach.  “But it wasn’t?”

“Well, after a few days, I worried it might be some sickness instead, so I went to the maester.  He helped me do the calculations and my heat should’ve started already.  I know that the dates aren’t precise but taking a mate is supposed to make it begin sooner, not later.  Given that along with my stomach troubles, he says I must be with child.  He wanted to send a raven back to King’s Landing immediately but I told him you should be the one to write your father.”

A smile spread to cover Rhaenyra’s entire face.  “Thank you for that,” she said and then chuckled.  “We didn’t even get to enjoy a heat together.”

Alicent curled up into her lap and Rhaenyra stroked her hair affectionately.  “We will,” her wife assured her.  “It’ll just take a little longer.”

“We only have ourselves to blame,” she said, still grinning.  Heats weren't necessary for pregnancy; betas had children after all, and given how many times they’d made love since their marriage, this was hardly a surprise.

“I suppose so.”

Alicent purred happily while Rhaenyra’s hand slid down to rest on her wife’s stomach.  There was no difference there she could discern but it still felt intimate in a profound way to know that their child was growing inside.  Just a few months earlier, she’d been dreading the thought that she might lose Alicent forever and now they were going to be parents.

****

It’s still early but Maester Tylin says that she’s doing well.  I don’t know what’s happened at court in my absence but I do hope this makes it easier for us to return before Alicent is too far along to travel.  As fond as I’ve become of Dorne, I want our child to be born at home with a dragon egg for their crib and I’m sure you’ll want to meet them as soon as possible too.  Until we see each other again,

Your Devoted Daughter,

Rhaenyra

“What do you think?” she asked and felt Alicent’s hand come to rest her shoulder.

“Very nice.  Written almost like a proper lady.”

She tilted her head and gave her wife a look.  “Almost?”

“You couldn’t refrain from a little jab at my father, could you?”

“Am I wrong about his mood?”  Alicent stifled a laugh and Rhaenyra added, “I can get rid of that part if you like.”

Her wife gave her a sly smile.  “Leave it in.  Otherwise, your father may not believe you actually wrote the letter.”

Now it was Rhaenyra’s turn to laugh.  “If you say so.  Now I just need to send one to my uncle, reminding him not to get himself killed before he has a chance to meet our child.”

Alicent leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Later.  Right now, I want you all to myself.”

Her wife’s hand wrapped around her own, leading her out of the chair.  She covered Rhaenyra’s face in kisses but although the alpha felt a heavy pulse between her legs at the attention, she tugged back, stopping Alicent before they could reach the bed.  “Are you sure?  The baby…”

“Will be fine.  I asked the maester about it,” she admitted, although judging by the abashed look on her face, she hadn’t enjoyed doing so.  “When I get close, I won’t be very nimble, but otherwise there’s no problem.”

“When you get close…”  Rhaenyra repeated, her desire suddenly forgotten.  She’d gotten so caught up in the excitement that she hadn’t thought about where this would go.

“Is everything all right?” her wife asked as Rhaenyra pulled her into an embrace.

“I don’t know,” she admitted.  “I was thinking about the end of your pregnancy.  When you have to give birth.”

Alicent kissed her on the cheek.  “You were thinking about what happened to your mother.”

Rhaenyra drew her arms tighter around her wife.  “It scares me, Alicent.  When I presented, you told me I’d escaped bearing children but now it’s you and I’m even more worried.  I can protect you from a lot of things but all the dragons and castles and armies in the world won’t help if something goes wrong with this baby.”

“I’m young and healthy, as well as an omega,” Alicent told her.  “I’ll be all right.”

She did have a point.  Unlike Alicent, her mother had been older and a beta, and Rhaenyra had heard it said that at least some of the pain omegas suffered during their heats was made up for by having an easier time in the birthing bed.  It didn’t guarantee anything but it was enough to help her relax a little.

“See that you are, Alicent.  Your princess commands it.”


It was a weak attempt at a joke but the omega laughed anyway.  “Yes, your Grace.”

Rhaenyra took a deep breath and ran her hands over her wife’s back, reminding herself that Alicent was alive and well.  “I’m sorry to ruin the moment.  It’s just… the thought of anything happening to you is unbearable.”

“You don’t have to apologize for caring, Rhaenyra.”

Alicent eased them down onto the bed, but rather than start anything amorous, they just held one another.  Feeling her wife in her arms, Rhaenyra’s anxiety ebbed and she remembered how happy she was.  She wanted this baby, not just to secure the line of succession or to get back into her father's good graces, but to build a family with the love of her life.

“Whatever you need these next months, I’ll do it for you,” she promised, tangling her hand in in her wife’s auburn hair.

“Anything?”  Alicent seized her lips, her tongue sliding into Rhaenyra’s mouth.  It was strange that the omega wasn’t as frightened, given that she was the one who would have to face the birthing bed, but perhaps that was love.  If their positions were reversed, wouldn’t Alicent be more frightened for her than she was for herself?

“Absolutely anything,” she agreed, her earlier mood returning.  She pushed on Alicent’s shoulders, easing her wife backward onto the mattress, but rather than join her there, Rhaenyra slid to the bottom of the bed, ducking underneath the hem of Alicent’s dress.

A pleased “Oh!” came from the omega when she realized what Rhaenyra intended and she hiked up her dress, exposing her pale legs.

“I love you, Alicent.  For as long as I live.  My good, wonderful wife.”

Rhaenyra kissed her way upward, running her tongue reverently over warm skin.  The salty tang of Alicent’s sweat mixed in with the sweet smell of omega as she neared her wife’s sex.  The smallest nips on Alicent’s inner thighs left her whimpering, her scent growing ever stronger, and by the time Rhaenyra tugged down her smalls, they were damp with arousal.  

Alicent spread her legs further and the alpha slid two fingers into her soaked cunt.  “Yes, Rhaenyra,” came a soft whimper, her wife’s body opening up easily for her.

Rhaenyra began slowly, gliding in and out of Alicent while she kissed around her sex.  She was in no rush to reach her wife’s clit, only taking it between her lips when she felt a hand press against the back of her head.

“Gods,” Alicent gasped as Rhaenyra began sucking on the hard little nub.  Beneath her breeches the alpha felt herself stiffen, her wife’s arousal fueling her own.  With her free hand she palmed her erection, stroking herself lazily while she focused on Alicent’s pleasure.

It wasn’t hard to give it to her.  All it took was Rhaenyra pressing against Alicent’s clit with the flat of her tongue and speeding up her hand to make her wife moan and thrash beneath her.  Wetness dripped down her fingers and Rhaenyra stopped just long enough to taste it.  Alicent whimpered but Rhaenyra couldn’t resist; not when the omega was so delicious.

Still, she only gave herself a moment.  She was determined to make Alicent fall apart and it wasn’t going to take much more.  Her fingers curled upward, seeking out that sweet spot inside of her wife.  She found it just as her tongue returned to Alicent’s clit and the combination was too much.  Her wife’s legs clenched around her and her grip on the alpha tightened.  

A groan of “Rhaenyra,” signaled the end, Alicent bucking up into her mouth as she found release.  The alpha pleasured her through her climax, eagerly licking and stroking until her wife’s shudders stopped.

Once they did, she couldn’t wait any longer, tugging her breaches and small clothes off before moving up between her wife’s legs.  “Are you ready?” she asked, even as Alicent yanked her dress up and over her head.

“In me.  Now.”

Wrapping an arm around Alicent’s body, she pulled her into a deep kiss as she moved forward.  It was wonderfully easy to go inside, her omega’s slickness seeming to welcome her.  It was a feeling like nothing else and though Rhaenyra was ready to return to King’s Landing, she knew that as long as she was with Alicent, she was already home.

Chapter Text

“Your leaving grieves me, princess.”

From atop her horse, Rhaenyra grinned playfully.  “I’ll miss you as well, Prince Qoren.”

Whether or not that was true, she would definitely miss the weather in Dorne.  The hunt staged in honor of their imminent departure had been blessed by another beautiful day, with a bright sun and clear skies above them.  The forest near Sunspear might not have been as verdant as the Kingswood but otherwise there was nothing to complain about.

At least in her opinion.  Ser Cole seemed more ill at ease than usual that morning.  Any hopes that the prospect of returning home would improve his mood had been dashed some time ago, her sworn protector glowering and grumbling as he rode beside her.

Still, Rhaenyra wasn’t going to let Criston Cole spoil her fun, not when everything was going so well.  Her father had been overjoyed to hear about Alicent’s pregnancy and even Ser Otto was said to be well pleased.  In another day she’d be sailing for home, and in the meantime, they were going to celebrate the end of a successful visit.  Not only was Dorne remaining out of the war in the Stepstones, but she and Prince Qoren had reached an agreement on several outstanding disputes in the Marches, heading off future conflicts there.

“Not that I don’t understand your decision,” the prince continued.  “I’m sure your father is looking forward to meeting his grandchild.  It’s not an opportunity you should take for granted.  My own parents passed away before I could marry, let alone give them that pleasure.”

“As did my mother.”  It was one of the few lingering blots on Rhaenyra’s happiness.  While Aemma might’ve been distressed by the way her marriage came about, she had always been fond of Alicent and she would’ve adored their child.

Lady Melia rode up alongside them.  The prince’s paramour might have been an omega but she was as enthusiastic for the hunt as any alpha.  She had already brought down a rabbit with her bow and now she scanned the forest for larger prey.  “Today is not a day for grief,” she declared.  “How is your mate, your Grace?”

“Doing quite well.  We had breakfast with Maester Tylin just this morning and he assures us everything is progressing as it should.  Alicent only regrets that her condition doesn’t allow her to join us today.”  In truth, her wife had little interest in hunting, especially in this heat, but there was no need to mention that.

“There is nothing to be sorry for,” Prince Qoren said.  “Still, I do regret we didn’t get a chance to spend some more time together before your departure.”

In spite of his innocent seeming words, Rhaenyra guessed at another meaning.  The prince hadn’t been shy about dropping hints that he and Lady Melia would enjoy getting to know her and Alicent in more intimate ways.  It was flattering perhaps, the sort of offer she imagined her uncle might leap at, but not something that interested her.  Since their marriage, Rhaenyra couldn’t picture being with anyone except her wife, and it was even harder to think of Alicent being interested in such a proposition.

“I think Princess Alicent prefers it if you and her mate stick to hunting,” Melia laughed.  “That way, it will just be the animals you spear, my prince.”

Ser Criston seemed offended by that remark, his eyes tightening as he fought to keep from commenting on it, but Qoren just laughed.  “There’s always other game in the woods,” he declared, even as one of his outriders drew up alongside them.  

“Prince Qoren,” he interjected.  “We’ve caught sight of a fine boar.  It’s this way, if you please.”

“Excellent.”  

The prince spurred his horse and Rhaenyra turned her own white charger to ride after him.   Her mount broke into a fast trot, the breeze blew through her hair, and life was good.  There was only one thing troubling her.  Though she would’ve sworn the weather hadn’t changed, in the last few minutes, she’d started to feel uncomfortably hot.

****

Alicent was humming as she helped their servants pack for the trip home, the cheerful melody of a Dornish feasting song from the previous night running through her head.  There were all sorts of fond recollections to be found in the piles of their possessions, both gifts given by the lords and ladies who’d come to pay their respects to the heir to the Iron Throne and things they’d found into the markets of the Shadow City.  A fine pair of red leather riding gloves, a jeweled dagger they planned to give to Prince Daemon, a gold and ruby pendant that looked especially lovely around Rhaenyra’s pale neck, and many more treasures made their way into the bags and crates.

Though she was happy to be returning to King’s Landing, Alicent would always cherish the memory of her visit.  Most of all, her time here with Rhaenyra, learning to live as mates and conceiving their first child, was precious, but it was more than that.  Ever since Alicent had become old enough to have desires, she’d been ashamed of them.  She’d known she wasn’t supposed to look at other women in that way, especially not if they were a princess of royal blood, and yet she hadn’t been able to stop herself. 

Here, no one cared about such things.  Some people regarded her with more lust than might be appropriate for a married omega, but none with disgust.  In the last few months, she’d even met other couples like herself and Rhaenyra: Lady Blackmont and her much younger lady wife from house Dayne, a hedge knight in service to Lord Yronwood and her ribald paramour… here, Alicent was just another omega with her mate, not a freak or a sinner.

“What about this one, princess?” one of the chambermaids asked, holding up a bronze vase with etchings depicting some long-forgotten battle.  The workmanship was good, but the scene was excessively bloody, not the sort of thing she wanted in their private chambers.

“Put it in that pile over there,” she said, indicating those things that would go into storage once they were back in King’s Landing.

Alicent returned to sorting her clothes, shaking her head as she realized how many of them no longer fit properly.  I’ll need a whole new wardrobe by the time we’re back in King’s Landing. Unconsciously, her hand went to her stomach, stroking her growing bump tenderly.  Before her marriage, bearing children had seemed like a burden she would have to endure but this pregnancy was a blessing, an expression of the love she and Rhaenyra shared.

I wonder what they’ll look like.  It would probably please the court if their child had the look of a true Targaryen, with pale hair and light eyes, and certainly Alicent wouldn’t mind them sharing her mate’s beauty but a selfish part of her did hope they resembled her in at least some small way.

The Gods would decide on such matters in their own time and Alicent made herself return to more present concerns, such as the final feast planned for later in the day.  She had just decided on a once-loose blue dress when the doors to their chambers were thrown open and  every eye turned to a messenger in the colors of House Martell, red-faced and out of breath.

“Your Grace,” he panted to Alicent.  “It’s the Princess Rhaenyra.  She’s collapsed.”

****

Rhaenyra had always been slight, but there had also been a vitality to her that made her appear larger than her petite frame.  Now as she lay unconscious in bed, her skin flushed and clammy, she seemed so small and vulnerable that it broke Alicent’s heart.  Her wife had been brought back from the hunt to the bedroom nearest the gate, a modest chamber on the ground floor now filled with people milling about, concerned but seemingly useless.

“What happened to her?” Alicent demanded, cutting through the mindless buzz.

It was Prince Qoren who answered.  “It started during the hunt, your Grace.  She began to complain of the heat.”

“Rhaenyra never does that,” Alicent objected.  “She is the blood of the dragon.”

“I know, but it was quite warm, and so I thought nothing of it.  But then, when we were having our lunch, she lost her balance and before anyone could reach her, she fell from her chair.”

“Did she say anything more?  Something that might make sense of this?”

Lady Melia placed a hand on her shoulder.  “Her words were confused, while she still had them.  She did, I believe, ask for you.”

And I wasn’t there.  Alicent felt sick.  She wanted someone to blame, some cause she could focus her hurt on.  “What were you doing while this was going on?” she demanded of Ser Criston.  “You were supposed to be protecting her.”

The knight looked toward the floor, unwilling to meet her anger.  “I was there, your Grace, but I could not shield her from this.”

She whirled to face Maester Tylin.  “And just what is wrong with her?  She was in perfect health this morning when we had breakfast.”

The old man had been hovering over Rhaenyra but now he straightened, the many links of his chain clinking together.  “Given the sudden onset of her symptoms, the fever, and the quick loss of consciousness, I would say this is some variation of the scarlet sickness.”

“The name sounds familiar,” Prince Qoren told him.  “But I don’t know much of the disease.”

“It was a malady that struck several of the Free Cities a few decades before the Conquest,” the maester told them.  “Myr and Pentos were hit hardest, but others were affected as well, as were parts of Westeros.  It hasn’t been so common since then, but cases do crop up from time to time.”

“Are we in danger?” a tall, thin omega Alicent dimly recalled to be one of the prince’s household knights asked, edging away from Rhaenyra’s bed.

“Have no fear,” Maester Tylin assured him.  “The disease is not contracted from exposure to the infected but rather spread by insects.”

Prince Qoren nodded his head.  “The river delta.  There was certainly no shortage of such pests when we rode by.”

“Then you should keep a close watch on all who took part in the hunt, at least for the next day or two,” the maester responded.  “But this disease strikes quickly.  If they are not sick yet, they are unlikely to become so.”

“What about Rhaneyra?” Alicent demanded, unable to focus on anyone else’s fate.  “What treatments are there for her?”

The maester sighed deeply.  “I’m afraid that if this is indeed scarlet sickness, there is little that can be done.  I have sent a raven to the Citadel in case there some remedy I am unaware of, but to the best of my knowledge, all we can do is keep her warm and comfortable, feed her a great deal of water, and hope for the best.”

“And just what are our hopes?” she asked desperately.  Alicent felt sick, from worry but also her own powerlessness.  Rhaenyra had spoken of being unable to protect her from the birthing bed but now it was her wife who lay ill while Alicent who could do nothing to aid her.  “Will she recover?”

“It is too soon to say.  The princess has the advantages of youth and strength.  But this disease has claimed many who fit that description.  The next few days will tell.”

Alicent turned back to her wife’s bedside, sitting down next to her and taking her hand.  The skin was far too warm and though, from time to time, a murmur would escape her lips, there were no words contained in it.

“Fight,” she whispered.  “You have to fight, my love.”  Rhaenyra was more than just young and strong, she was the blood of the dragon, the daughter of a king and the future queen of the Seven Kingdoms.  This could not be how her story ended.

Chapter Text

“Your Grace, you need to take a break.”

Though Alicent was loathe to admit it, Lady Melia had a point.  It had been more than two days since Rhaenyra fell ill, more than two days since the omega had left her side.  She’d taken her meals in the princess’ sick room, sleeping fitfully in a chair by her bedside whenever she absolutely had to.  The rest of the time she would talk to her wife, or read to her, or just hold her hand… anything to keep Rhaenyra here with her.

And after all of it, the most that could be said was that her wife was still alive.  Unfortunately, her condition hadn’t improved either and all Maester Tylin could tell Alicent was, “Time will tell.”  It was enough to leave her exhausted, heartsick, and probably in a frightful state.  And yet, she still protested.

“I can’t leave.  What if she wakes and I’m not there?”  Or if her condition takes a turn for the worst.  Alicent wasn’t willing to give voice to that possibility, but if it did happen, she had to at least be able to hold her mate one last time.

Melia came over to her chair, patting her on the shoulder.  “Then someone will come find you and you’ll be here a few minutes later.   But you will not be able to do any good if you collapse.  Not for her or your child.”

It was the reminder of their baby that got through to Alicent.  When Rhaenyra woke up, she would need to know their child was all right.  And if she doesn’t, this child is all of her that will remain.

“What would you recommend?” she asked with a resigned sigh.

“Change your clothes.  Sleep for a few hours in an actual bed.  Clear your head.  I’ll keep watch while you’re gone and if anything happens, I’ll get word to you immediately.”

“I’ll do my best.”  Alicent touched her stomach.  For you, little one.  Before she left, she leaned over Rhaenyra’s bed and kissed her wife gently on the forehead.  “Hold on, my love.  I won’t be gone for long.”

****

Exhausted as Alicent was, she managed a few hours of sleep easily enough, and changing into fresh clothes was a simple matter, but actually relaxing was a problem.  This wasn’t her home and the chambers she shared with Rhaenyra were too full of memories for her to linger there after she awoke.  In the end, there was only one place she could think of that might give her peace.

At that late hour the sept was empty, for which Alicent was grateful.  She had always been most comfortable praying in solitude.  The Gods might see all but she preferred not to feel as if everyone else did too.

Especially tonight.  As she fell to her knees in prayer, all of the fears and doubts that had been nagging at her since Rhaenyra’s collapse were already boiling to the surface. Did I do this? she asked silently.  Is this the price of my sins?  Of the few months of stolen happiness I enjoyed?

If there was a price that had to be paid, Alicent should’ve been the one to pay it.  She was the one who had first lusted after the princess, who had tempted her into sinning right after her presentation.  She was the one who had broken her betrothal to the king, who had agreed to be married by foreign rites before foreign gods.  Rhaenyra was a Targaryen; those were her ways.  Alicent was the one who had broken faith and she was the one who should’ve been punished.

Not Rhaenyra.  And not our child.

The baby she carried would need their sire.  To teach them how to be a Targaryen, how to ride a dragon, and someday, how to rule the Seven Kingdoms.  Alicent didn’t know how to do any of those things and the thought of trying to teach them to their child without Rhaenyra by her side was heartbreaking.  Once, she’d believed she might go her whole life without real love.  That thought had been bad enough but now that she’d found it, the prospect of its loss was unbearable.

Spare her, she pleaded, over and over.  If you need some kind of penance, I’ll do it, but just spare her.

No answer came.  None ever had.  For all the time Alicent had spent asking the Gods to take away her sinful thoughts, they had only ever grown stronger.  Maybe Septon Benedict had been right; maybe the Seven had wanted her to be this way.  But then why are they punishing Rhaenyra?

She couldn’t say how long she might have kept going in such circles had she not been disturbed.  The sound of boots on stone roused her from her prayers and she looked behind her to see Criston Cole walking into the sept.

Alicent bolted to her feet.  “Ser Criston?  Why are you here?  Has something happened with Rhaenyra?”

“There’s been no change, your Grace.  But when I went to resume my watch, you were gone and I thought I might find you here.”

“I appreciate your concern, but you should be with the princess.  She is your charge.”

“My responsibility is to you as well, your Grace.  Your child will be heir to Iron Throne.”

Alicent didn’t like the implications of his words in the slightest.  “Rhaenyra is the heir to the Iron Throne!”

For the second time, Criston shrank away from her anger.  “She has other guards watching her room,” he said defensively.  “Besides, who would try to kill a dying woman?”

“She is not dying!” Alicent insisted, but she couldn’t keep her voice from cracking.  Her legs wobbled and she slumped down into one of the pews, her whole body shaking as she tried to fight back her fears.

Criston came to sit down beside her.  “I’m so sorry, your Grace.  I know what a difficult time this is but you have to take heart.  It will all work out for the best.”

Alicent brushed back the tears forming in the corner of her eyes.  Something in his words didn’t make sense and she had to know what it was.  “What do you mean by that?”  He went silent, looking at the floor, and the omega repeated herself.  “What do you mean, Ser?”

“I would sooner not say.”

“And I insist.”

He sighed.  “Very well.  I know you are infatuated with the princess.  She is very beautiful, and I’m sure that she is taken with you as well right now.  But it could never have lasted.  She is…”  Criston hesitated on the next words but she glared so intently that he continued, “Everyone knows that female alphas are lustful creatures.  Look at how she stole you away from her own father.  In time, she would’ve found another lover and set you aside.  Their children would’ve competed with yours for the throne.”

Alicent was scarcely able believe what she was hearing.  “So you’re saying I should be grateful that my wife is dying?!”

“I’m saying you should make the best of it.  You are still young and you will be mother to the heir to the throne.  Your father will be able to make another marriage to a suitable mate, this one properly blessed by the Seven.”

“You know nothing!” she snapped, so angry that she shoved the knight’s breastplate, trying to push the vile notion away along with Ser Criston.  “I will have Rhaenyra or I will have no one.”

Criston got a hurt look in his eyes and his voice was cold when he told her, “As you say, princess.”

He rose to leave without further comment and as his footsteps trailed off, tears were falling down Alicent’s face.  How could he believe she would be better off without Rhaenyra, that her wife would’ve abandoned her in the end?  It wasn’t true.  She knew the horrible things that were said of female alphas, but she didn’t believe them, not about Rhaenyra.  Deep in her bones, she knew that her mate truly loved her.

But even as she reassured herself of that fact, another thought began tugging at her.  Why had Criston been so certain Rhaenyra would die when Maester Tylin said there was still hope?  Maybe he was just resigning himself to a bad situation but maybe not.  Maybe this was not a punishment for her sins but something more sinister and if that was the case, there was only one person should could turn to for help.

****

On her third knock, the doors to the royal apartments opened, revealing Prince Qoren.  He was clad in a sleeping gown of dark green silk, his eyes heavy and his hair mussed from sleep.  With a shake of his head, he asked his guards, “Am I not paying you for something?”

“I’m sorry, my prince,” one of them told him.  “I know the hour but the princess said it was urgent.”

Qoren turned to face her.  “Princess Alicent?  Has there been some change with your wife?”

She shook her head.  “May I come in?  I wouldn’t ask so late but it’s important.”

“Of course.”  He motioned for his guards to stand aside and Alicent joined him inside his chambers.  He indicated a carved wooden chair.  “Please, take a seat.”

“There’s no time.”

His brow furrowed.  “What’s going on?”

“Prince Qoren, I need to ask a favor of you.  Do you have confidence in your maester?”

He cupped his chin in his hand, considering the question.  “Arrian?  He advised my mother for many years.  Actually, I believe he attended at my own birth.  Certainly, I have no reason not to trust him.”

“Then I need him to examine Rhaenyra.”

“Why?  Maester Tylin seems capable enough.”

“Perhaps, but I would appreciate a second pair of eyes.  And ask him to check for signs of any poison that might mimic the symptoms of this scarlet sickness.”

Prince Qoren raised an eyebrow.  “I know what is said of us in the Seven Kingdoms but not everyone here in Dorne is a poisoner.”

“I’m sorry if I offended.  I don’t think Dorne is responsible for this.  That’s why I’ve come to you for help.”

He nodded.  “If not us, then who?”

“I would sooner not say,” she told him, pacing back and forth as she tried to burn off the nervous energy coursing through her body.  “Perhaps this is just a frightened wife’s fantasy.  But please humor me.  You have nothing to lose if I’m wrong.”

“And the gratitude of the Iron Throne to gain if you’re right.”  He laughed.  “Very well, then.  Let’s go wake up the old man.”

****

They arrived at Rhaenyra’s room seven strong, not just the prince and the maester but four of his soldiers joining Alicent.  Outside the door, they found that Ser Criston had taken back up his post, flanked by two guards.  The knight didn’t seem pleased to see so many armed men, his hand dropping to his sword as they approached.  “What is this?” he demanded.

“Excuse us, Ser,” Qoren told him.  “We are here to see Princess Rhaenyra.”

“You can return in the morning,” Criston replied in a clipped voice.  “Right now the princess needs to rest.”

Alicent moved to the head of their party, summoning up a royal authority she was still unfamiliar with possessing.  “Stand aside, Ser Criston.  As her wife, I will decide who sees her and when.”

For a moment Criston considered a further protest, but the other guards were already obeying and he soon followed suit, moving to one side so they could enter.  Inside Lady Melia sat by Rhaenyra’s bedside just as she had promised, while Maester Tylin prepared a flagon of water for the princess.

“What’s going on?” he asked, looking up at the crowd of newcomers with a mixture of surprise and concern.

“Maester Arrian is here to examine Rhaenyra,” Alicent told him.

Tylin gave an indigent huff.  “She is my patient and I will not have you disturbing her unnecessarily.”

“And I must insist,” Qoren retorted.

The maester turned to Alicent.  “Your Grace, I really must urge against this.  Princess Rhaenyra is in a delicate state.  Any further poking and prodding can only worsen her chances at recovery.”

His words tugged at Alicent’s worst fears but she didn’t relent.  The whispers that something was wrong had become a scream, one she couldn’t ignore.  “None the less,” she told him.  “Maester Arrian will examine her.”

“Do as you wish then,” he said dismissively.  “I have other business to see to anyway.”

It seemed Qoren now shared her suspicions because he smiled dangerously.  “I think not.”  He looked to his guards and they close ranks, blocking off the path to the door.

The maester fumed but there was nothing he could do and so he sat down in one of the chairs, allowing Arrian access to the bed.  The new maester wasn’t quite as old and he had far more hair, even if most of it had turned grey, but more than that, he had a forceful air about him that the old blowhard lacked.

Maester Arrian leaned over Rhaenyra, tilting her head back and forth, listening to her breathing, and touching his fingertips to her damp forehead.  “It certainly seems like the scarlet sickness.”

His analysis earned a derisive snort from Tylin.  “Much as I told everyone two days ago.  I hardly see the purpose of the second-guessing.  It is an insult to my reputation and…”

He kept complaining but Alicent was scarcely listening.  Arrian had undone the laces of Rhaenyra’s shift and was now examining the flushed skin beneath it with an intent expression.  For what felt like an eternity he said nothing, but just before Alicent’s patience cracked, he lifted up his head and gestured to her.

“Come here, your Grace,” he said and at last, Tylin shut up.

Alicent did as she was bid and the maester directed her gaze to the red blotches marring the pale skin of her wife’s chest.  “Do you see these?”

“From the fever?” she asked.

“It would seem so.  But look more closely.  There is a slight brownish tinge around the edges.”

Alicent squinted.  It was subtle but now that she knew what she was looking for, she realized the maester was right.  “I see it, but what does it mean?”

“It means you were right, your Grace.  This is no sickness but poison.”

Chapter Text

“You’re certain of this?” Prince Qoren demanded, his fingers tapping on the pommel of his dagger.

Maester Arrian looked up from his patient.  “I am.  The poison is called the Demon’s Heat.  It’s not the surest of killers but it is effective at making it appear that the victim has died a natural death.  Unless, of course, one knows what to look for,” he added, directing a withering glance at Maester Tylin.

“Can it be treated?” Alicent asked.

“There is an antidote,” Arrian replied.  “It would’ve been better if it had been administered two days ago, but if the princess has survived this long, it should still suffice.  I have the necessary ingredients in my chambers.”

Prince Qoren nodded.  “Get to work then,” he said, and the maester hastened from the room.  “In the meantime,” he told his guards, “You may escort Maester Tylin to the dungeons.”

“I made a mistake,” the maester protested as his arms were seized and he was dragged up from his chair.  “A simple error.  Anyone might have done the same…”

“Perhaps and perhaps not,” the prince replied coldly and Alicent could see now the man who had secured the throne of Dorne with steel and subterfuge.  “Someone has tried to murder the heir to the Seven Kingdoms while she was under my roof and I will know the truth of the matter.”

“Then I would recommend you question Ser Criston as well,” Alicent told him.  “When I spoke with him earlier, he seemed quite certain that Rhaenyra would die.  That was why I came to you in the first place.”

“I always misliked that man,” Lady Melia agreed.  “Every time we talked, he seemed as if someone had spit in his wine.”

Qoren gave a gesture to his guards but when they opened the door, the Kingsguard knight was nowhere to be seen.  “Where is Ser Criston?” Alicent demanded and the two men at arms shrugged.

“I don’t know, your Grace,” one of them said.  “Right before that other maester came out, he told us he had something to see to and ran off.  Seemed like he was in a hurry.”

“Then seal the castle and begin a search!” Qoren barked to his own guards.  “And I want him taken alive.  Dead men give no answers.”

As the room emptied out, Alicent remained.  She was no knight to chase down Ser Criston, nor had she any skill in extracting information from prisoners.  Instead she sat back down at her wife’s bedside and took her hand, running her thumb along the knuckles.  

Hold on, my love.  Just be strong a little longer.

****

“This will cure her?”

In response to Alicent’s question, Maester Arrian tilted his head noncommittally.  “It will neutralize the effects of the poison.  Beyond that, I make no promises, but yes, there’s a good chance the princess will recover.”

A good chance was more than they’d had an hour earlier.  “All right,” she said.  “Let’s do it.”

The maester took hold of Rhaenyra’s head and tilted it back, using one hand to open her jaw.  That left it to Alicent to pour the dark blue liquid down her wife’s throat.  It only took a moment to empty the vial, and once that was done, they eased Rhaenyra back onto the bed.  

“What do we do now?” Alicent asked.

“It’s up to her,” the maester explained.  “We can do nothing but wait.  In the meantime, I have to examine Maester Tylin’s chambers for any evidence of the original poison, but I’ll be back soon to see if there’s been progress.”

“She’ll make it,” Alicent said, to herself as much as to the departing maester.  She has to.

As she settled back into her chair, she felt Lady Melia’s hand on her arm.  Prince Qoren had left to take charge of the investigation but his paramour had remained with her.  A strong contingent of guards remained outside as well, ensuring there would be no more attempts made on Rhaenyra’s life, but inside the room, it was just the three of them.

“I’m sure she will,” Melia agreed.  “And she’ll have you to thank for it.”

Alicent smiled at her.  “I appreciate all that you’ve done.  Both you and Prince Qoren.  Neither of us will ever forget your help.”
 
Lady Melia laughed playfully.  “Maybe Qoren can get an extra castle out of it.  Princes can never have enough of those, it seems.”

As far as Alicent was concerned he could have the entire Dornish Marches as long as Rhaenyra recovered but that wasn’t her decision to make, so she just nodded.  “I’m sure the king will be most grateful as well.  He loves his daughter very much.”

“He must, if he forgave her for making off with you.”

She blushed, reminded once more that everyone from the Wall to Essos knew the circumstances of her elopement.  “Yes, well, I suppose that’s true.”

“It was very romantic what you did,” Melia added graciously.  “People like you and your princess are rarely able to marry for love.”

“Are you thinking of your own situation?” Alicent asked.  It was obvious that Prince Qoren cared for her greatly and yet she remained a paramour, not a wife.  The distinction might not mean as much in Dorne but it was still very real.

“Perhaps.  I understand why Qoren cannot easily marry a courtesan from Lys, even if I don’t like it.”

“Well, I think he could do far worse for a bride.”

“That’s most kind of you to say,” Melia replied, just as the door opened to readmit the prince in question.

“How is she?” he asked, looking over to the bed.

“Maester Arrian gave her the antidote,” his paramour told him  “Now we’re waiting.”

“May the Gods grant her strength.  Princess, I thought you might like to know what’s been going on.”

“Very much so.  Has Ser Criston been found?”

“Not as yet, but we’re on his trail.  According to those we’ve questioned, he made it out of the castle before it could be sealed but the gates to the Shadow City have been closed off and his description given to every ship in port.  A knight of the Kingsguard can’t stay hidden there forever.”

“And what of Maester Tylin?” Alicent asked.

“For now he denies any involvement but I don’t believe him.  Maester Arrian claims that a man of his experience should’ve realized the true cause of your wife’s collapse days ago.  Regardless, my questioners will get the truth out of him soon enough.  Do you have any idea how he might have delivered the poison?”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Alicent replied.  “We had breakfast with him that morning, but we ate from common dishes.”

“He might have taken the antidote in advance,” Qoren said.  “But you’ve shown no sign of illness either.”

The truth struck her in a flash.  “The soup!  There’s a spicy soup you serve here, with fish in it.  No one who who’s not Dornish can stomach it except for Rhaenyra.  She had it with breakfast.”

“Any evidence in the bowl would’ve been long washed away,” Melia pointed out.  “But it does provide a means by which he might have carried out the poisoning.  To think that a maester could do such a thing…”

And then Alicent heard Rhaenyra murmur and everything else was forgotten.  Her wife’s head tilted to one side, another soft sound coming from her throat as the omega whipped around.

“Rhaenyra?  Rhaenyra, can you hear me?”

Once more, Rhaenyra groaned but this time she leaned up and her eyelids opened an inch or so.  She blinked several times and Alicent took in the first sight of those beautiful, blue eyes she’d had in days.

“Alicent?” her wife asked, but she sounded unsure of herself.

“It’s me,” she said, tears of joy falling down her cheeks.  “I’m here.”

“I had the strangest dreams, Alicent.”

“It’s all right, my princess.  You’re with me now.”

She was aware of Lady Melia saying, “We should give them some privacy,” and then she and the prince leaving their room, but only dimly.  Nothing mattered but the fact that Rhaenyra was going to be all right.

Leaning down, she placed the softest of kisses on her wife’s lips before easing her back onto the pillows.  Her breathing was slow but steady and when Alicent touched her face, her skin didn’t seem so hot.  Still, it was clear she was weak and for several minutes, Alicent just stroked her hair, letting her gather her strength.

Finally Rhaenyra opened her eyes again and this time she seemed more aware of her surroundings.  “Alicent,” she asked, “What happened to me?  I was eating lunch and then… nothing.”

“You were poisoned.”  Rhaenyra’s eyes widened and Alicent added, “You’re okay now.  You got the antidote.”  Her wife gave her a little nod, and Alicent smiled, fresh tears gathering already.  “You were so strong.”

Rhaenyra managed a weak smile.  “Couldn’t leave you.  But who…”

“It seems as if Ser Criston and Maester Tylin were both involved.”

“Criston?!” Anger flashed across Rhaenyra’s face and Alicent regretted telling her something so upsetting.  “Why?  Because of what we did?”

“I don’t know but Qoren is working on finding out.  I went to him for help when I realized it might be poison.  Everyone thought you were sick but there was something about the way Criston was talking…”

Her wife made a sound that was something like a laugh but too hoarse and Alicent brought water to her lips.  Rhaenyra swallowed it down slowly and when she found her voice again she asked, “You were the one who figured it out?”

“I had suspicions is all.”

“My good wife,” Rhaenyra said softly.  “My love.  You saved me.”

Alicent thought then of what Rhaenyra had told her at their wedding.  “We saved each other.  I don’t know what would’ve become of me if I’d lost you.”

“You won’t.”  

Rhaenyra placed a hand on Alicent’s wrist.  Her fingers lacked their usual strength but it still comforted the omega to have them there.  However long the journey back to health took, they would walk it together.

****

“How are you feeling, your Grace?”

“Not bad.  Maybe I’ll go flying in the morning.”

Maester Arrian had been pleased to discover that Rhaenyra was awake but now he was shaking his head, an old man annoyed at the frivolities of the young.  Alicent, though, was smiling.  As long as her wife was cracking bad jokes, the omega knew she was going to be all right.  “I can’t recommend that just yet,” the maester said dryly, “Indeed, you should remain in bed for at least the next day or so.”

“When can my wife join me there?”

Alicent rolled her eyes.  The alpha was barely off of death’s doorstep and already her mind was going there.  “Rhaenyra, this is not the time…”

“I didn’t mean it like that.  Just to sleep together,” she said and Alicent felt her heart flutter.  She’d grown very accustomed to sharing their bed and especially now, it was a welcome idea.

“Tonight should be fine for that,” the maester told them.  “If you’d prefer to return to your own chambers, that shouldn’t be a problem either, as long as you’re willing to use a litter.  Stairs are out of the question right now.”

“Hardly the most dignified way for a princess to travel,” Rhaenyra complained but Alicent just laughed.

“Your royal dignity will survive.  What about ships?  We were supposed to set sail before all of this happened.  I know there’ll have to be a further delay but I was wondering how long.”

“A week or so would be my recommendation, but that long a wait may not be necessary, depending on how the princess progresses.  She’s shown exceptional resilience thus far.”

Alicent beamed, proud of her wife.  “She is exceptional.”

The maester gave them a look that seemed to say, “Ah, youth,” before excusing himself, but even as he was leaving, another man entered the room.  Alicent recognized the tall, solidly built alpha as Ser Edric, the captain of Sunspear’s guard.  He wasn’t someone she knew well but he’d always been polite enough when they ran into one another.

The captain gave the two of them a respectful nod.  “Your Graces,” he said.  “Prince Qoren sent me to inform you that we’ve captured Criston Cole.”

That made Rhaenyra sit up in bed.  “Where?”

“He was trying to buy passage on a ship to Volantis when he was recognized.  Put up a quite a struggle when the guards came for him.  A few of my men are badly injured.”

“Tell Prince Qoren to bring him here.”

Alicent looked to Rhaenyra.  “Are you sure about that?  In your condition…”

“I’m not going to fight him, Alicent.  But I want answers.  Now.”

Chapter Text

“I can do this, Alicent.  I promise.”

Rhaenyra wouldn’t have blamed her wife if she’d rolled her eyes at that.  She’d made a similar claim when they’d first been told of Ser Criston’s capture and promptly fell back asleep.  This time, though, she meant it.  She was better rested, she’d changed into a fresh gown, and she’d even managed to gulp down some soup.  “Healthy” was still a ways off, but she was much improved.

What’s more, she needed to do this.  All her life, she’d been taught that she could trust the knights of the Kingsguard.  Her father had drilled it into her from the day he took the throne: if you’re in trouble, run and find a Kingsguard.  And now one of them, a man she’d picked for induction, her own sworn shield, might have tried to kill her.  Rhaenyra had to have answers before she could rest comfortably.

Fortunately Alicent understood.  She reached across the bed to take Rhaenyra’s hand and brought it up to her lips, kissing the knuckles.  “If you’re sure, I won’t try and stop you.  But if it’s too much, I’m having Criston sent right back to the dungeons.  He’ll still be there for us to question tomorrow.”

Rhaenyra smiled up at her wife.  “That’s fair.”

A message was passed along to Prince Qoren and while they waited, Rhaenyra kept turning the events of the last few days over in her mind.  “I don’t think he’s the one who poisoned me,” she told Alicent.  “Criston’s not that subtle.  If this was his idea, he would’ve used his sword.”

“If he’d stabbed you, he could hardly have pretended that it wasn’t murder.”

“I know, but I still think it’s more likely it was Tylin.  A maester is the kind of person who’d use poison, not a knight.”  She drummed her fingers on the blankets.  “The problem is, I don’t know what possible reason he could have to want me dead.  Maesters serve lords and ladies, they don’t kill them.”

“Someone else would have to be behind it,” Alicent agreed.  “And we know it’s not the Dornish.”

“You may be right,” Rhaenyra said, but a knot formed in her stomach as she considered who that mastermind might be.  There weren’t many people with both the influence and the incentive to do this and most them were too close to them for comfort.  Not wanting to give voice to those thoughts, she decided instead to say, “Hopefully Criston will tell us more.”

“Do you really think he’ll speak to you?”

“I don’t know but I always thought he was an honorable man.  Some part of him has to feel guilty.”

Alicent ran her fingers across the back of Rhaenyra’s hand.  Though she claimed to be fine, it was obvious she was still shaken from her alpha’s ordeal, eager for excuses to touch her.  Not that Rhaenyra could blame her wife.  If it had been Alicent so close to death, she would’ve been out of her mind with worry.

“When we spoke, he couldn’t meet my eyes,” she told Rhaenyra.  “But he also said horrible things about you.  That female alphas were inherently sinful, that you would eventually leave me for someone else and make their child your heir instead…”

In spite of her weakness, Rhaenyra picked herself up far enough to take hold of Alicent’s shoulders.  “You can’t believe I would ever do that.”

Alicent leaned down and kissed her reassuringly on the lips.  “I didn’t and I don’t.  But I think he did.  He acted as if it was good for me that you were dying.  When I told him I didn’t want anyone else as my mate, he actually seemed disappointed.”

“Fucking idiot” Rhaenyra snapped, failing to control her rage.  How could anyone, especially someone who’d spent so much time with them, believe she would betray her wife like that?  Why couldn’t the Seven Kingdoms be as reasonable as Dorne?  She didn’t have any answers, but she needed to come up with some.  Otherwise she’d spend the rest of her life dealing with this bullshit.

She hadn’t made any progress when the door opened and a phalanx of her guards dragged Criston Cole inside.  The knight looked very different from the last time Rhaenyra had seen him.  Not only had his white armor been replaced with a dirty grey cloak, his face was bruised and there were hastily bandaged cuts across his body.  She wasn’t sure he’d be standing at all if not for the guards holding his arms, forcing him to remain on his feet.

Rhaenyra said nothing at first, starring into the knight’s eyes.  His recent surly demeanor was absent, replaced with pain and fatigue, and though a part of her enjoyed seeing that, she needed him coherent.

“Give him water,” she told the guards, and two of them held up upright while a third brought a flagon to his lips.  Once he had drunk his fill, she crossed her arms, summoning up as much royal dignity as she could manage from a sickbed.  “Why did you do it, Criston?”

“I didn’t poison you, princess,” he protested, though there was no real defiance in his voice.

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes.  “No, you’re just an innocent man who threw away his white cloak, fled the castle, and tried to book passage on a ship to Essos.”

He dipped his head, looking toward the floor.  “I didn’t claim I was innocent.”

“Than what did you do?”  She shook her head, knowing she should wait for an answer but she was too furious to do it.  “You broke your oaths and why?  Because I lied to you and eloped?  Because you had your feelings hurt?  Gods, I should feed you to Syrax right now…”

What finally stopped her diatribe was Alicent looking at her with soft eyes, reminding her of her promise not to agitate herself.  With a sigh, she fell silent, catching her breath as she waited for Criston to respond.

Eventually he did, though not without an awkward pause.  “When we came to Dorne, it was not my intention to harm you,” he finally said.  “I was angry, but I would never have…”

“Would never have what?!” Rhaenyra snapped when his voice trailed off.  “You were bold enough to do whatever it was.  The least you can do now is say the words.”

Alicent pattered her on the shoulder, calming Rhaenyra once more, and when the omega spoke, her words were a soothing contrast to the princess’ fury.  “Ser, I know you feel remorse for your crimes.  I could see it in your eyes when we spoke in the sept.  But you have to confess what you’ve done for the Gods to forgive you.”

He shook his head.  “You do not wish to hear my confession, my princess.”

One of the guards struck Criston in the stomach and he lurched forward, spitting a few drops of blood onto the floor.  “You will answer her Grace’s questions,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt for the man who, a day earlier, had been his commander.

“Go on, Ser” Alicent added when he was pulled back to his feet.  “I am not a flower that will wilt from hearing an uncomfortable truth.”

At her words Criston spoke again, though Rhaenyra noticed he didn’t look either of them in the face.  “Before I left King’s Landing, your father, the Hand, came to see me.  He apologized for his earlier accusations and said that it wasn’t my fault I had been deceived, that everyone knew how false female alphas were.”

Rhaenyra’s hands balled into fists but she made herself be calm.  She had to hear the rest of this.  “And then he told me that this trip to Dorne required great sensitivity but he feared your rash nature would lead to problems, perhaps even war.  He explained that Maester Tylin had his full confidence and that if any difficult situations arose while we were here, I should defer to his wisdom.  At first, I thought that’s all it was, caution over our dealings with Dornish.  But then…”

“Go on, Ser,” Rhaenyra said, her eyes hard.

“On the morning of the hunt, you were having breakfast in the maester’s chambers.  I arrived first, to check on the security, and I saw him adding something into the soup.  He assured me it was just a spice and when I expressed further concern, he reminded me that I had instructions from the Hand to follow his commands.”

“But then, after you collapsed, when I accused him of poisoning you, he didn’t deny it.  Instead he claimed it was done for the good of the Realm.  He said you had already shamed your house with your lusts and your rash behavior.  Not just when you absconded with the king’s betrothed, but during your rut, at the feast.”

I did nothing different than any alpha might have, Rhaenyra wanted to scream.  And less than some.  She could remember at least three occasions when she had chanced upon lords mating right there in the halls of the Red Keep when their ruts took them, two of them with omegas they weren’t married to, but they were men and so it seemed that didn’t count.  “Go on,” she growled.

“He claimed that if you were allowed to rule it would lead to civil war and so it would be better if the throne passed directly to your child.”  He looked to Alicent before he continued, hoping to find some glimpse of sympathy from her.  “He even argued I would be saving the Princess Alicent from the disgrace of her marriage.”

Now it was Alicent’s turn to be angry.  “And what have I ever said or done to suggest I require rescue from my own mate?”

“I only thought…”

“You did not think,” Alicent snapped.  “You saw me as a helpless omega in need of protection, but I have made my own choices.  The only thing I require from you, Ser, is the truth.  Did my father order this poisoning?”

Criston swallowed hard but he accepted Alicent’s demand.  “Maester Tylin did not say his name, but he told me that his orders came from the Red Keep and I do not believe his Grace gave them.  He has always been blind to the princess’…”

That was as much as Rhaenyra could stomach.  “If you value your tongue, I would advise you not to finish that thought,” she told him and Criston fell silent as she turned to the guards. “Return this traitor to his cell.  As much as I might want to burn him myself, that decision is for my father to make.”

As Criston was dragged from the room, he looked back to face them one last time.  “I am sorry, your Graces.  I thought I was doing my duty.”

“You were wrong,” Rhaenyra said icily, and then he was gone and the guards along with him.  Her eyelids felt heavy now that the anger of the confrontation had passed, but after what they’d just heard, she was more worried for her wife than herself.

“Are you all right?” she said, even Alicent as asked the same question.

In spite of the tension or perhaps because of it, Alicent laughed.  “You first.”

She offered a reassuring smile.  “I’m fine.  Just a little tired.”

“Then lie down.”

Rhaenyra groaned at her wife’s fretting but she complied, settling back into the pillows.  It did feel good, she had to concede, but she fought off the temptation to close her eyes.  “Your turn, Alicent.  How are you?”

“It can wait, Rhaenyra.  You need to rest.”

She reached out and took Alicent’s hand in her own.  “I’m okay.  Just talk to me.”

At last, Alicent let her cloak of strength drop, showing the pain and exhaustion beneath.  “Please Rhaenyra, I can’t.  Not yet.  I have to think.”

“Tomorrow, then,” Rhaenyra said, but before Alicent could respond, the door opened once more to admit Prince Qoren.  He had entered alone and from the way he was breathing, it seemed as if he’d come in a hurry.

“Princess,” he said, “I hate to disturb you again tonight but this cannot wait.  Maester Tylin is dead.”

Rhaenyra bolted upright, her fatigue shaken off in an instant.  Tylin had been the only one who could confirm Cole’s story, connecting Otto directly to the attempt on her life.  “Dead?” she demanded.  “Did you question him too severely?”

“No.  He took poison.”


“Wasn’t he searched?” Alicent asked.

“The vial was sewn into his robes most cunningly.  Still, I will have words with my questioners about it but that’s not why I had to see you tonight.  Before he died, the maester named the man he claimed ordered him to carry out the poisoning.”

“We already have it from Criston,” Rhaenyra told him.  “It was Otto Hightower.”

Qoren shook his head.  “I don’t know what he told you, but Ser Otto was not the name the maester gave.  It was your uncle, Prince Daemon.”

Chapter Text

For the first time in too long, Alicent woke up next to Rhaenyra.  Her wife’s long hair spilled across the pillows, her breath was soft and steady, and her scent was clear.  Ever since she’d been poisoned, the comforting tang of alpha had been muted, almost absent, but at last, Rhaenyra smelled like herself.

With a purr, Alicent slid beneath the blankets, nuzzling up as close as she could without disturbing Rhaenyra.  As soon as the princess awoke, all of the previous night’s revelations would become real again, but for now, she was just an omega with her mate, enjoying a quiet morning.

Eventually, though, Rhaenyra’s eyes fluttered open and she let out a long yawn before rolling over to smile at Alicent.  “Hey, there,” she said sleepily.  “How’s my beautiful wife?”

“Glad you’re here.”  She reached over, stroking her alpha’s face.  The skin no longer felt so hot, just pleasantly warm, as it should be.  “What about you?”

“Feeling better.  And very hungry.”

Alicent nodded approvingly; Maester Arrian had told them that a strong appetite was a sign of recovery.  It was also a sentiment she shared.  The last few days, she hadn’t had much interest in food, and now her stomach grumbled unhappily.

A huge breakfast of breads, fruit, and pastries was delivered and for a few minutes, both of them just sat in bed and gorged themselves, but their troubles couldn’t be put off forever.  Alicent was still finishing off a raspberry tart when Rhaenyra got a somber look on her face. “So, about what happened yesterday…”

Alicent sighed, or at least she started to before Rhaenyra took hold of her fingers and sucked the traces of raspberry off.  “Rhaenyra, did you want to be serious or not?” she asked, fighting back the urge to laugh.

“I just couldn’t resist.”

Alicent rolled her eyes.  “I love you, do you know that?”

Rhaenyra gave her a quick kiss but she did get back to the matter at hand.  “So, whatever’s going on, there’s no way my father was involved.  He was angry at first, but he’s still my father.  Besides, if he wanted me out of the way, he could just have disinherited me and half the court would’ve cheered him on.”

Alicent nodded in agreement.  She hadn’t wanted to marry Viserys, but he always seemed like a kind man, certainly not one cold-blooded enough to order the murder of his only child.  “That leaves us with my father and your uncle.” 

“I doubt they’re working together,” Rhaenyra opined while nibbling on a fig.  “One of them must want the other to take the blame and my coin is on your father.  I just can’t believe Daemon would do this to me.”

“I’m not so certain, Rhaenyra.  You’ve always had a soft spot for your uncle but he’s dangerous.  I’ve heard a lot of dreadful stories about what he gets up to in Flea Bottom and when he was commander of the city watch, he terrorized half of King’s Landing.”

“Who did you hear that from?  Your father?  He’s always hated Daemon.”

“He’s not the only one.  Even your own father has never trusted him fully.  Why do you think he named you his heir instead?”

Rhaenyra shook her head.  “You might be right about that.  But even still, it doesn’t make sense.  Criston hates Daemon too.  Why would he work for him?”

“That’s true,” Alicent conceded.  “But he might not have realized that’s what he was doing.  Tylin was the only one he talked to.”

“I still don’t know.  Even if Daemon wanted to be king that badly, there’s still our child in his way.  Plus, if I died, my father would have to remarry, which means more heirs.”

“All of whom would be very young.  They might not be able to block an ambitious uncle from seizing the throne the same way you would.”

Rhaenyra crossed her arms and huffed.  “You just don’t want it to be your father.”

“And you don’t want it to be your uncle.” 

Both of them lapsed into silence after that, Alicent chewing on a piece of bread as she considered Rhaenyra’s words.  As much as she hated to admit it, her wife had a point.  The revelation that her own father could’ve been responsible for this crime had been devastating.  Whereas Daemon… as a child, she’d never been fond of the alpha and though she’d appreciated his help when they fled King’s Landing, he was still a far safer person to blame.

Tentatively, she reached out to touch Rhaenyra’s arm, relieved when her wife didn’t pull away.  “You’re right, I don’t want my father to be behind this, but I do have to consider it.  What’s his motive?”

“Revenge on me.  You saw how angry he was, even after you told him I didn’t abduct you.”

“I know but he also wants his grandchildren on the Iron Throne.  Killing you now would be a terrible risk.  What if something goes wrong with my pregnancy or with the baby later?  He would wait until after we have a few more children in order to be safe.”

Rhaenyra ran a hand through Alicent’s hair, fiddling with the strands as she considered the question.  “I guess it depends,” she finally said.

“On what?”

“If he really believes I’d leave you for another omega.”

Alicent felt a chill run all the way through her.  She’d wanted to believe that Ser Criston’s horrible words represented only his hatred, or perhaps that of Maester Tylin.  But if her own father thought that way, then it made sense he would go so far to secure her unborn child’s inheritance.  With Rhaenyra dead, there could be no second mate, no other child to keep hers from the throne.

“He’s very traditional about these things,” she admitted.  “You might be right.”

“And you might be too,” Rhaenyra said graciously.  “About Daemon, I mean.  If Criston taught me anything, it’s that people can be capable of a lot more than you think.  Either way though, we have to find out the truth soon.  I survived this time but whoever it is may try again.”

Alicent ran her thumbnail over her cuticles, fighting the urge to pick at them.  “Right now, we don’t have solid proof of anything.  Criston can only speak about Maester Tylin but he’s dead and I doubt if the real culprit would leave any evidence just lying around where we could find it.  If it was someone else we suspected, the king could have them questioned, but the Hand and his own brother…”

“I doubt it,” Rhaenyra agreed.

“What we need is a confession.  Daemon is in the Stepstones, but my father is back at King’s Landing so we can start there.”

“What should I do then?  Just march in and ask the Hand of the King ‘Did you try to murder me?’”

In spite of herself, Alicent laughed.  “That does sound like one of your plans, Rhaenyra.  But no, if I’m careful, I think I can get him to talk to me.”

Rhaenyra leaned across the bed and pulled Alicent into her arms.  “Are you sure about this?  It’s one thing to marry me against your father’s wishes, but if he is behind this, it’s treason.  He could lose his head.”

Alicent burrowed deeper into the embrace, letting the protective scent of her alpha calm her rattled nerves.  “I know that.  And I don’t want it to be him.  But if it is, I made my choice.  I have to protect you and our baby.”

Rhaenyra bent down, placing a kiss on the top of her head.  “You already did.”

****

“It seems we really are saying goodbye this time.”

Prince Qoren laughed, patting Rhaenyra on the shoulder.  “It would appear so, princess.  Rather less formally than I’d planned too.”

“But more impressively,” Lady Melia added.  “Between a dragon and a ship, the one that breaths fire makes a stronger impression.”

Alicent couldn’t argue with that, even if she wasn’t exactly thrilled about the prospect of a long flight.  At least Syrax was in a good mood.  As soon as Rhaenyra had gotten in sight of her pen the golden dragon had roared with approval, straining against her fetters in an effort to get closer to her rider.

Rhaenyra seemed equally pleased.  Leaving the rest of them behind, she jogged up alongside Syrax, patting her muzzle and rubbing her neck affectionately.  “I know girl,” she said, responding to the dragon’s rumbling purr.  “I missed you too.”

“They tell me that when Princess Rhaenyra was poisoned, her dragon became agitated,” Qoren told Alicent.  “The keepers had to throw her meat inside for fear she’d take an arm off if they got any closer.”

“There’s a special bond between a dragon and its rider,” she explained.  “I don’t understand it, but Rhaenyra told me that if something happens to one of them, the other feels it somehow.”

“Remarkable,” Lady Melia said.  “But are you sure it’s safe to fly in your condition?” Lady Melia asked.

“It’s probably less dangerous than a long sea voyage.  Or at least quicker.  But either way, we want to get back to King’s Landing before whoever is behind this plot knows we’re coming.”

“I’ve done my best to keep any ravens from flying,” Qoren told her.  “But too many people know at least some of what’s happened here.  Rumors are bound to spread.”

“All right,” said Rhaenyra, coming back to join them at the entrance to the pen.  “She’s calm enough to saddle now.”

“I still think you should be the one to do it,” Alicent told her, and Rhaenyra laughed.

“If you insist, my love.”

Before she could go to pick up the saddle, Qoren gave them both a nod accompanied by a fond smile.  “Not every host would appreciate the way this particular visit went,” he said.  “But more the fool them.  What use is a dull life?”

“Not much,” Rhaenyra agreed.  “And you’re welcome to visit King’s Landing any time.  Neither of us will ever forget what you’ve done.”

They all exchanged embraces, and as Alicent hugged the prince, she whispered, “You have an omega who loves you very much.  Don’t forget that either.”  It probably won’t make any difference, but the least I can do is try.

After that, Rhaenyra saddled her dragon and it was time to leave.  The alpha mounted Syrax first and Alicent followed.  Each time her wife pulled her up onto the great beast, she was a little less frightened, though she suspected there would always be some apprehension.

Still, her lingering nerves did give her an excuse to cling tightly to Rhaenyra as the dragon took flight.  Whether it was her developing pregnancy or having come so close to losing her mate, the craving for Rhaenyra’s touches had been especially intense this last week.  Feeling her wife in her arms, her scent filling the omega’s nose, relaxed her as they climbed until Sunspear became nothing more than a small spike far below them.

Only when they had leveled off and Alicent’s grip on her waist had loosened, did Rhaenyra speak.  “I’m going to miss Dorne.”

Alicent took a deep breath before responding, making sure she had her voice back; it still took a few minutes when they took flight.  “You did seem to enjoy the food more than most of us.”

“I wasn’t thinking about soup.  I don’t want to spend my life watching people shake their heads at our marriage.”

She ran her hand along the rich leather of Rhaenyra’s riding dress.  “I didn’t think you cared about those kinds of things.”

“I never did," Rhaenyra said defiantly.  “But you do and every time someone looks at you that way, I want to have Syrax eat them.”

Even as the dragon growled in sympathy, Alicent sighed.  “Before we came to Dorne, I just accepted it.  It felt like I was sinning by being with you, so I expected everyone to treat me the same way.  But the people here in Dorne didn’t seem any less devout than the ones in Westeros.  They just believed something different and it makes me wish the rest of the world could too.”

Rhaenyra shook her head regretfully.  “Criston hated our marriage so much he was willing to see me die to end it and now I’m worried that even if we deal with this plot, there’ll be more like it.  Maybe we should’ve just gone to live in the Free Cities like my uncle suggested.”

Alicent nuzzled up against the back of Rhaenyra’s neck, trying to sooth her with her scent.  “Not everyone is like Criston.  I know it’s hard, but if we don’t give up, maybe people will get used to it eventually.  They accepted some of your family’s other unusual customs, after all.”

All at once, Rhaenyra straightened in the saddle, her worries seemingly forgotten.  “That’s it!  You’re brilliant, Alicent!”

 “What do you mean?” she asked, not feeling especially brilliant.

“People didn’t just accept my family’s customs.  My great-grandfather made a bargain with the Faith.”

“Do you mean the Doctrine of Exceptionalism?  But that applies to marriages between close kin, not female alphas and omegas.”

“Why couldn’t it?  The whole idea was…”  She ran her fingers through her hair.  “Something about how Targaryens were different from everyone else.”

Alicent laughed; lessons about the history of the Faith were definitely something she’d paid closer attention to than Rhaenyra.  “It said that the prohibitions on incest were given by the Seven to men in old Andalos, but since the Targaryens aren’t Andals, they don’t bind them in the same way.”

“Right, and if that could apply to marrying your sister, why not a female alpha who wants to marry a female omega?”

“I suppose in theory but that’s not what the High Septon teaches.”

“The High Septon will teach what my father tells him to, and if he complains, we can donate some gold to the Faith or something like that.  Look, I wish the Seven Kingdoms could be like Dorne, and maybe when I’m queen, I can make it so.  But until then, this could work.”

Once, Alicent would’ve found the idea that the Faith’s doctrines could be modified to suit them outrageous, even blasphemous.  But now she remembered what Septon Benedict had told her about how the Doctrine of Exceptionalism had first come to be.  As a girl in Oldtown, she’d seen crowds listen to songs celebrating the love between King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne, and yet she had no doubt that if her father had tried to betroth her to her own brother, those same crowds would’ve torn him apart before accepting it.  “It might,” she agreed.  “At least if your father agrees.”

“Why wouldn’t he?  This is the best way to make sure the succession is secure.  Now all we have to do is stop whoever’s trying to kill me and everything should be all right.”

Chapter Text

Though it was deep into the night when they arrived, the Princess Rhaenyra and her new wife couldn’t land in the middle of the Dragonpit without causing a commotion. Even at that hour, there were dragon keepers awake and as soon as Syrax hit the ground, several ran out to meet them.  Rhaenyra recognized one of them, an older beta named Edmund who’d been tending to her dragon all her life, when he offered her a hand down.

“Welcome home, your Grace.  It’s good to see you again.  We heard you’d fallen ill.  Poison, some said.  There were even rumors you’d died.”

“I appreciate the concern,” she said, sliding down to the ground.  “But I’m all right.”

Alicent followed close behind.  She was still a bit awkward getting on and off Syrax but Rhaenyra enjoyed seeing how much she’d improved.  In her heart, she knew her wife would never love to ride on dragon-back the way she did but it was nice to for them to share a little of her passion.  

Our children, though… Them, I’ll really teach how to fly.

A carriage was arranged to take them back to the Red Keep but word of their arrival must’ve travelled faster because when the reached the inner courtyard, her father was there to greet her.  The king was only half-dressed, a cloak embroidered in their house’s colors thrown over his sleeping gown, but his face lit up as soon as Rhaenyra stepped down from the coach.

He opened his arms in welcome and she embraced him.  “Gods, Rhaenyra,” he exclaimed as he hugged her tightly.  “When the raven arrived saying that you’d collapsed, I nearly died myself.  After your mother and brother, I couldn’t have borne it.”

“I’m feeling much better,” she assured him.  “Alicent deserves most of the credit, though.”  She turned her head back toward her wife.  “She’s the one who realized it was poison.”

Viserys released her and went over to hug the omega as well.  “I can’t tell you how grateful I am, Alicent,” he said before looking down at her stomach.  The swell was growing larger by the day, clearly visible even in torchlight.  “And how is our future prince or princess?”

“Well, thank the Gods.  We’re both doing very well.”

“I apologize for the shabby welcome,” he said,  gesturing at his own clothing.  “We weren’t expecting you home for several weeks.  The last raven said you were getting ready to travel but I assumed you’d sail from Sunspear.”

“It seemed safer to come back this way.  I wasn’t certain if there’d be another attempt on my life.”

Viserys shook his head.  “This whole business is dreadful.  I’m having Ser Harrold take charge of your security personally but we’ll speak more of it in the morning.  Right now, I imagine both of you could use some rest.”

Alicent suppressed a yawn.  “Thank you, your Grace.  I fear I don’t have your daughter’s stamina when it comes to flying.”

“No one ever did,” he agreed, beaming with pride.  “She’s a born dragon rider.”  They walked into the castle together, several knights of the Kingsguard trailing close behind.  Rhaenyra wondered if she would ever have the same confidence in them again.  Ser Harrold she trusted completely, but it was clear now a white cloak offered no certainties.  “The whole city has been praying for your recovery,” Viserys continued.  “Even your uncle was worried enough to return home.”

Her eyes widened.  “Daemon is here?”

“He arrived on Caraxes a day ago.  Apparently, he had word of your condition even in the Stepstones.  But as I said, we’ll speak more in the morning.”

“Of course,” she agreed, but her mind was racing.  She only hoped Daemon’s presence reflected concern for his favorite niece and not a desire to finish what his agents had started in Dorne.

****

“All your things are already here.”

Alicent looked past Rhaenyra and into the open bureau.  Indeed, some of her dresses were there, hanging right beside her wife’s clothes.  When she opened the drawers of a nearby dresser, shifts and small clothes, gloves and cloaks were there too, neatly organized and folded.

“Your father must have had them moved while we were away.  I suppose he really isn’t angry at us anymore.”

Rhaenyra turned around and smiled fondly.  “He never really was.  Sure, he was upset about the spectacle, but once he understood the whole story, he was mostly embarrassed to have been so wrong.  He really thought you’d be happy about marrying him and I’d be glad you were becoming part of the family.”  She paused, her smile turning rather suggestive.  “He may have missed a few things about us.”

“It wasn’t just that,” Alicent said.  She hesitated to continue but they had come too far for her to believe her wife would judge her.  “Rhaenyra, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to promise me you’ll never share it with another soul.”

“Of course, Alicent.”

“Even if I’d never met you, I wouldn’t have wanted to marry the king.  Or any other man, alpha, beta, or omega.  I realized a long time ago there was something different about me.  When other ladies would go on about some knight or lord, I could see they were handsome, but I never felt what it was ladies were supposed to feel when they saw a handsome knight.”  

Before continuing, she ran her hand through Rhaenyra’s hair, marveling once more that she’d actually gotten to marry the woman who’d always held her heart.  “Instead, I felt it when I looked at you.  Even if you’d been become a beta or an omega like me, I still would’ve wanted you.  I hope you don’t find that too strange.”

Much to her delight, Rhaenyra’s response was to grin.  “It’s actually rather flattering.  Still, I think we’re lucky things turned out this way.”  

She placed her hand on Alicent’s belly, stroking it affectionately, and the omega purred in agreement.  If Rhaenyra hadn’t presented as an alpha, they would never have been able to marry, much less have this child, and those were things she’d always be grateful for.  “What about you?” she asked.  “I know you liked the handsome knights sometimes.”

“I did,” Rhaenyra agreed.  “And the beautiful ladies as well.  I never saw a reason I couldn’t appreciate both.  So if you’d presented as an alpha, I would’ve found you no less appealing.”

Alicent nodded.  In a way, she and Rhaenyra were very different, but their feelings had brought them to the same place.  “Septon Benedict told me that the Gods make us present as we do for a reason.  Maybe they made us this way so that we could be together.”

Rhaenyra took the omega’s hands in her own.  “I like that.  Because I know I was supposed to be with you.”

They dressed for bed together and though Alicent was happy to find a pink nightgown she thought Rhaenyra would appreciate her in, she was somewhat less pleased by the way it fit over her stomach.  “Gods,” she laughed ruefully as she realized the silk now only reached halfway down her thighs.  “Soon I’ll be nearly as big as Syrax.” 

“But no less lovely for it.”  Rhaenyra came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her belly and when she scattered kisses along the back of Alicent’s neck, the omega purred.  Through the silk of her nightgown, she could feel her mate’s cock taking shape, rubbing up against her bottom.

“Feeling better?” she asked playfully, turning around in Rhaenyra’s arms.  This was the first time she’d felt the alpha’s shift since the poisoning and her own body was responding, heat pooling between her legs.

Rhaenyra gave her a mischievous smile.  “It seems so.”

Alicent ran her hands along Rhaenyra’s thin black shift.  She knew her mate was still recovering but at the same time, desire was awakening in her, a yearning to renew their connection.  “I know it’s late,” she said, kissing the base of Rhaenyra’s neck.  “But do you want to?  I can do most of the work.”

“If you’re not too tired.  I know it was a long flight.”

She smiled warmly.  “It was.  But it’s been too long.”

Rhaenyra lay back on the bed and Alicent mounted her.  The swell of her belly made her feel awkward atop her mate but they eased into things with kisses and caresses and soon enough, she found her bearings.  When her alpha’s cock slid inside of her, Alicent almost came apart on the spot.  She’d missed being so full and though Rhaenyra wasn’t as energetic as usual, she was sweet and attentive, tending to Alicent’s bud with her fingers while the omega rode her.  Alicent’s peak came in shuddering waves, the pleasure mixed in with the sheer joy of being alive and together, and when Rhaenyra’s seed filled her, she felt whole.

Afterward they lay together, Rhaenyra wrapped around her back, kissing her gently until they fell into a deep sleep.  In spite of the perils ahead, it was good to be home.

****

Though by law and tradition the king didn’t have to rise for anyone, when Rhaenyra and Alicent entered the royal apartments, Viserys sprang up from his chair, a broad grin on his face.  That left Ser Otto with little choice but to do the same, though in Rhaenyra’s opinion, his smile was a bit forced.

She and her father exchanged hugs while Alicent did the same with Otto.  Even more than the night before, Viserys seemed to be in excellent spirits.  “I hope it’s not too early,” he said brightly as the servants began carrying in the first course of their lunch.  “I remember how tiring a long trip on dragon-back can be.”

“We slept well,” Rhaenyra assured him, squeezing her wife’s hand under the table as she thought of the previous night.  She’d been tired and sleep had been her first thought, but she was glad Alicent had suggested more.

“I thought we might all want to share a meal and catch up,” her father said and when Rhaenyra’s eyes went to an empty chair at his side, he shrugged.  “Your uncle is late, naturally.”

“Naturally, your Grace,” Otto agreed, but Viserys waved a hand dismissively.

“There’s no need for formality today, Otto.  For this lunch at least, let’s all just be family.”

“Of course…” Rhaenyra could hear him catch himself starting to say ‘Your Grace’ again before he turned to his daughter.  “And how are you feeling, Alicent?  You look well.”

“I am,” her wife agreed.  “The queasiness has passed, thank the Gods.  These days, I’m mostly worried about not fitting into any of my clothes.”

The king laughed.  “Then we shall have new ones made.  You are a princess now.”

“And you seem to be in good spirits,” Rhaenyra told him, gobbling up some smoked fish.  Even after a week, she was hungrier than usual, her body trying to make up for all it had been put through.

“Should I not be?  My daughter has returned home safely and I’m going to be a grandfather.  You know, my own grandsire, King Jaehaerys, once told me it contains most of the joys of being a parent without so many of the cares.”

For a few moments, Rhaenyra drank summer wine, and ate pastries, and allowed herself to share in her father’s happiness.  Seeing him so excited over the prospect of becoming a grandsire, it was easy to forget it had almost been him married to Alicent, his child she would’ve been carrying.  Rhaenyra had risked everything to prevent that but Viserys actually seemed happier with things having come out this way.

I think he never really wanted to remarry.  He just felt it was his duty.  That, or Otto convinced him it was.

Her father was discussing his thoughts on a feast to celebrate their return when Daemon came into the dining room.  Her uncle seemed as if he’d had an even later night than her, groaning unhappily as he went to take his seat.  Still, he did give her an affectionate pat on the shoulder and remembered to glare at Ser Otto, so he couldn’t have been too hung over.

“You’re late, brother,” the king told him, though his good mood appeared un-dampened.

“I wasn’t expecting an invitation to a fucking family reunion.”  

Daemon picked up a flagon of water, gulping it down while Rhaenyra rolled her eyes.  “Good to see you too, uncle.  How goes your little war in the Stepstones?”

“Well enough,” he mumbled, though she wasn’t entirely convinced.  The reports she’d heard in while in Dorne suggested a standstill, not the glorious victory he’d no doubt hoped for.  “Better than your trip to Dorne, at any rate.  After you were poisoned, I thought of going to Sunspear, but by the time that was possible, I had word you were coming back here.”

“We arrived on Syrax last night,” she said, taking a long sip of her wine as she considered her uncle’s words.  Though everything he said was plausible, there was also a more sinister explanation for his swift arrival back in King’s Landing.  “It seemed the safest way to travel, given that my own sworn protector and a maester of the Citadel tried to kill me.  They might have had allies among our company.”

Otto shook his head.  “Disgraceful.  Especially when ones considers you were the one who picked Ser Criston for the Kingsguard.”

“He always was a cunt,” Daemon declared.  “But I’m more interested in this Maester Tylin.  I made some inquiries and it seems he’s an old friend of yours, Otto.  Just how did he come to advise my niece, anyway?”

“He had served me well in negotiations with some of the Free Cities and he was familiar with Dornish customs.  I would hardly describe him as a friend.”

Viserys held up has hands.  “Let’s not make baseless accusations, especially on such a happy occasion.  I’m certain that no one here could be connected to this terrible crime.”  He turned to Rhaenyra.  “Do you have any idea what their motive was?”

“I’m not certain,” Rhaenyra said.  She and Alicent had decided it was best not to reveal everything they’d been told until they had a clearer picture of the situation.  “Tylin took poison after he was arrested and Criston didn’t know very much, but it seems they objected to my marriage with Alicent.”

“Still, to go so far…”  Viserys shook his head.

“Faith can drive some men to excesses,” Otto replied.  “Though I don’t recall Maester Tylin being especially pious.”

“Actually, that brings me to something I wanted to discuss, father,” Rhaenyra said.  “You should speak to the High Septon and get him to declare that the marriage of a female Targaryen alpha to another woman is permitted under the Doctrine of Exceptionalism.”

Otto made a grumbling sound.  “That is a rather radical suggestion, princess.”

“Any more radical than marrying your sister?” she retorted dryly.

Viserys stroked his beard.  “Both types of union were allowed under Valyrian law.  And it would solve a very real problem we face.”

Daemon made a dismissive gesture.  “I don’t understand why we indulge these fanatics in the first place.”

“I suppose you would’ve preferred if Aegon had burned down the Starry Sept with all of the Most Devout inside,” the king replied.

Daemon looked right at Otto as he answered.  “It would’ve made things much simpler.  Maybe then the sheep would’ve realized their Gods aren’t worth a damn.”

Alicent visibly blanched at that but the Hand just shook his head and turned back to Viserys.  “There may be objections, but if you are set on the idea, I can certainly make inquiries with the High Septon.”

“Do that,” Viserys agreed before telling Rhaenyra, “This is a wise idea.  I’m told that news of your escape from death as well as the impending royal baby have generated considerable support for you among the people, but it’s important we make sure your marriage is accepted as well.  When it comes to the succession, there can be no ambiguities.”

“Thank you,” Rhaenyra said, but though her gratitude for her father’s help was genuine, it was also tempered.  It was obvious he didn’t want to suspect either his Hand or his brother in her poisoning, which meant that, no matter what it took, she and Alicent would have to be the ones to get proof.

Chapter Text

Under other circumstances, Rhaenyra would’ve met Daemon alone, perhaps even taken their dragons out flying together.  Now she felt more comfortable in her own chambers, with Ser Harrold waiting just beyond the balcony doors.  The Lord Commander had been her sworn shield for years before being appointed to his current position; if there was one member of the Kingsguard she still trusted fully, it was him.

In spite of her caution, everything was friendly enough on the surface.  Her uncle was sipping a glass of wine while she nibbled on a fig cake, the two of them enjoying a lovely view of the summer sun reflecting off of Blackwater Bay. 

“You look well,” he said, “Especially under the circumstances.”

“It was a near thing,” she admitted, curious what reaction that would elicit.  “If Alicent hadn’t realized I'd been poisoned, I might well have died.”

“I’m glad to have been wrong about her,” Daemon said, and she thought his respect was genuine.  “I’d thought her too weak to defy her father, let alone be wed to a dragon.”

Rhaenyra popped the last bite of cake into her mouth, remembering their conversation the day before she and Alicent fled the Red Keep.  Daemon had believed the omega was so far under Otto’s control that she’d rather marry the king than admit her own feelings.  Rhaenyra would be eternally grateful he’d been wrong, even if it had been a narrow thing.

“It wasn’t easy for her.  She had a lot of crap about the Faith and how dutiful omegas should behave shoved into her head.”

“Have you managed to fuck it all out yet?”

She lifted an eyebrow at his choice of words.  “That’s my wife you’re speaking of, uncle.”

“Apologies.  But you take my meaning.”

“I do.  But I’d rather hear your opinion.”

“I think she’d chose you if it came to it.”  He took a swig of his wine before adding, “Which is good, given that her father probably poisoned you.”

Now this is getting interesting.  “You suggested as much at lunch, but you also told me he wanted the throne for his family.  Why risk everything when my child will inherit it some day?”

“Long after he’s dead.  Besides, you cut both of his balls off, you and my brother.  The first one when you ran off with his daughter, the second when he let you get away with it.”

“I didn’t mean to,” she said, even as she thought of Ser Criston.  She hadn’t meant to embarrass him either but she had, and his humiliation had probably influenced his betrayal, justifications about the good of the realm notwithstanding.

“Your good intentions don’t matter to a prick like that.  Besides, there’s no way a braindead knight like Criston Cole and a maester hatched this scheme by themselves and if it wasn’t Otto behind it, then who else could it be?”

Rhaenyra looked her uncle right in the eye.  She wasn’t skilled enough at this kind of dance to tease the truth out of him but maybe the direct approach would put him off balance.  “What about you?”

There weren’t many people who would’ve taken being accused of attempted murder lightly but Daemon just smirked.  “Do you really think I could do that to my favorite niece?”

She shrugged.  “You never know what people are capable of.”

“You may be learning.  But if I wanted you dead, I could’ve done it on Dragonstone far more easily.”

“Not if you wanted to get away with it.  Besides, you might’ve thought Alicent and I would fly away to the Free Cities or that my father would disinherit me.”

“You really have learned.  I am an obvious suspect.  Without you, there’s only your unborn child, plus any future offspring of my brother’s ahead of me, and I’d have plenty of time to get rid of them.”  He finished off his wine, setting the empty goblet down on the railing of the balcony.  “Yes, I have wanted the throne but not like this.  This would destroy our family and risk bringing down our entire house, and whatever I may have done in the past, I have only ever acted to strengthen it.”

Perhaps she was only hearing what she wanted to, but to Rhaenyra, something rang true true about his claims, something that accorded with what she knew of her uncle.  Alicent was right that he was a dangerous man but this didn’t feel like him and so she laughed and said, “That, or to amuse yourself.”

He tilted his head and flashed her a slight smile.  “Your death wouldn’t amuse me either.”

****

Alicent’s hands shook as she paced across the room.  It felt uncomfortably likely that Ser Otto was behind the poisoning and the little girl who was still frightened of her father would rather forget all of this had even happened than learn the truth.

But then she remembered how Rhaenyra had looked laying in her sickbed, red and fragile and horrifying close to death, and she put that girl aside.  Whoever was responsible had to face justice, and more than that, they had to be stopped before they could try again.  For Rhaenyra, and for a child that needed their sire, she would do this, even as she still hoped she was wrong.

Her father strode into her chambers, stern and straight, and Alicent’s heart beat faster but she made herself smile the way she did when she didn’t want people to know how afraid she was.  “Thank you for coming, father.”

“Why are we here?” he asked, looking around her old chambers, now largely bare.

“It’s quieter.  And there’s less chance we might be overheard.”

He nodded, approving of her discretion.  “Are things so serious?”

Alicent took a deep breath.  This would not be easy; lying to her father never had been and this was a far greater deception than she had ever dared.  “Please, sit,” she said, gesturing to one of the chairs.  He did, and she sat down across from him.  “I’m worried about Rhaenyra.”

“I’m sure that incident in Dorne must’ve been unpleasant.  But she has recovered.”

She rubbed her hands together uncomfortably.  “I thank the Gods for that.  But I have other concerns.”

That piqued his interest, as she’d known it would.  “Such as?”

What she was about to say sickened her, especially considering who would hear it, but she steeled herself inside, even as she put on a mask of distress.  “Her attentions seem to wander.  At first, I told myself it was a Dornish problem.  You know how wanton the omegas there can be.  But even in the fews days since we returned, she has often been absent from our chambers at night, not telling me where she’s going…”

Otto shook his head.  “What else could you have expected?  Female alphas are sinful creatures.  Everyone knows this and yet you still chose to marry one.”

Alicent’s hand balled into a fist so tight she feared she might pierce the skin of her palm, but she made herself play the frantic wife.  “I have no excuse but now I need your help, father.  What can I do?”

“You will have to accept some distasteful things.  It does not matter how many whores Rhaenyra takes into her bed, so long as they merely birth bastards.  Indeed, it may work to our advantage.”

“How can you say that?!” she demanded.  There was no need for her to fake her outrage, even if she wasn’t admitting to its real target.

“Because someone like her cannot be allowed to take the throne.  Not only would it go against the dictates of the Faith, it would divide the realm and lead to civil war.  If she disgraces herself with her lusts, this may make it easier for your father to see this truth and set her aside in favor of your child.”

“Are you suggesting I should encourage the king to disinherit my own wife?”

“When the time is right, yes.  But until that day, what you cannot allow is for the princess to take a high-born lover, especially a male omega.  Then you would risk being the one set aside, along with whatever children she has sired on you.”

Alicent felt a chill run through her, and she tried to use it, pretending it was this possibility that frightened her and not the implications of her father raising it.  “Ser Criston suggested something similar, after he was captured.”

“I’m not the only one who can see the danger she posses, Alicent.”

“But perhaps, if you can persuade the High Septon to say it’s not a sin for us to be wed…”

He clasped his hands and frowned.  “Put such thoughts aside.  This is a dangerous game we are playing and you must have the resolve to see it through, in spite of any setbacks we might suffer along the way.”

“What does that mean?  How far must we go?”

“As far as is necessary.  This is all for the good of the realm,” he said, and then Alicent knew, knew it in her bones, but that scared part of her wanted to stop before he said it aloud.  This was her father after all.  And yet how could she, when with every breath, he revealed how dangerous he was to Rhaenyra.

“I will do whatever you think best.  It’s just… I cannot bear the thought of her leaving me.  Of having to see her everyday with someone else.  It would be too much.”

Otto sighed and perversely she actually heard regret in his voice for once.  “I had hoped to spare you that, Alicent.  A quick death in Dorne, seemingly of natural causes, and all of this might have been left behind us, fading away like a bad dream.  There would only have been your child, the heir to the Iron Throne, whom we could’ve raised properly.”

Was that enough?  She had to be sure.  “It was you?  But Maester Tylin named Daemon before he died.”

“In order to protect us.  If only you’d realized the necessity of this sooner, his sacrifice could’ve been avoided.”

At last, Alicent couldn’t contain her horror any longer.  Rage and sorrow mixed together, both sending tears streaming down her cheeks.  “Seven save us, how can you say such things?  I asked you here hoping you would assure me you could never hurt Rhaenyra and instead I find out you’re a traitor!”

He rose from his chair, his face reddening. “What trick is this?!” he demanded.  “Some scheme you concocted with that spoiled brat you half married?”

Her father’s anger rarely showed so openly, but when it did, Alicent felt the urge to curl into a ball and plead for his forgiveness.  But not today.  She stood up straight, meeting his gaze with all the fury of an omega defending her mate.  “Rhaenyra never betrayed me.  You did!”

“I have betrayed you?!  Time and again, you have ruined everything I had planned.  You are a disgrace to the Hightower name.”

He stormed across the room and for the first time in years, Alicent feared he might actually strike her or worse.  Whatever her reasons, she’d betrayed her own father and now there was only one way this could end.

****

A Little While Earlier…

“This doesn’t seem like a good idea, my princess.”

Rhaenyra laughed at Ser Harrold’s concern.  “Well, I’m going in there,” she told him.  “If you wish to defy my father’s orders and let me do so alone, you’re free to remain behind.”

Her old sworn protector sighed wearily but she had no doubt he would follow.  Over the last few days, she realized she’d actually missed the way he was always fretting over her impulsiveness.  This time, though, she wasn’t being rash.  She had to do this, and he had to be there as a witness.

Unsurprisingly, when she pushed the rack of clothes further to one side and slipped into the darkness, he was right there behind her.  “And may I ask how the princess knows about a secret passage in one of the Red Keep’s guest rooms?”

“From her uncle, of course.”

Even if Ser Harrold said nothing, Rhaenyra could feel him rolling his eyes.  Together, they navigated the stairs and corridors, their way lit by the small lamp she’d brought along, and soon they were retracing the route she and Alicent had taken the fateful night of their escape.  

After a final ascent, they reached their destination but rather than push aside the dresser that blocked the way into her wife’s old chambers, Rhaenyra knelt in the space behind it, motioning for Ser Harold to do the same.  “Is this really an appropriate activity for the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?” he asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Rhaenyra held a finger to her lips and whispered, “Given that it concerns high treason, I would say so.”

That got his attention.  For several minutes, they waited in the small landing, with nothing but the sound of footsteps to break the silence, but then she heard Alicent say, “Thank you for coming, father,” followed by Ser Otto asking, “Why are we here?”

Rhaenyra knew what was coming next.  Though she couldn’t be sure, after her talk with Daemon, she doubted he was the guilty party.  That meant Otto was next and Alicent had argued this was the best way, even as she’d sworn she wouldn’t mean any of what she had to say.

In spite of that, it was gut-wrenching.  Otto's accusations were bad enough, but hearing her wife’s voice catch as she said she suspected Rhaenyra of adultery, listening to her promise she would help her father try and steal the throne was agony.  It took every ounce of restraint Rhaenyra had not to burst out and denounce Otto, but she made herself wait.  Mere prejudices wouldn’t be enough to condemn him in her father’s eyes.

Ser Harrold held his tongue as well, at least until the conversation turned to the poisoning.  Then she felt the other alpha tense, his scent sharp and angry.  “Wait,” she whispered.  “Let them finish,” even as her own instincts screamed at her to tear this traitor apart.

Instead she let him dig himself deeper and deeper, but when she heard him rage, “You are a disgrace to the Hightower name!” followed by the heavy tread of his boots across the stone floor, it was enough.  Words were one thing but he would not touch Alicent.

“Now!” she growled and Ser Harrold sprang up, shoving aside the dresser and bursting into the room with Rhaenyra close behind.

As soon as they entered, Otto froze, his face going from red to white in an instant, while Alicent rushed to her side.  “He confessed,” she said, her voice quivering.  “Did you hear it?”

“We heard,” Rhaenyra assured her.  “Ser Harrold, arrest this traitor.”

Ser Otto regained enough composure to draw himself up straight and put a tone of command into his voice.  “You will do no such thing.  I don’t know what vile plot this is, but I am the King’s Hand and you obey my orders.”

In a flash, Ser Harrold’s sword was in his hand.  “Not anymore, Ser.  In the name of Viserys, the first of his name, I am placing you under arrest on charges of high treason and the attempted murder of the Princess Rhaenyra.”

There was panic in Otto eyes and Rhaenyra could see him looking to the door.  “Try it,” she said icily, her hand dropping to the dagger sheathed in her belt.  She was no knight, but she had picked up a few things in Dorne and she hadn’t wanted to come here unarmed. 

In the end, Otto thought better of it.  Rather than give her the chance to cut him down, he yielded to the Lord Commander.  “Very well then, Ser,” he declared.  “We will let the king sort out these lies.”

“We will indeed,” Ser Harrold agreed.  “But in the meantime, you can wait in a cell.”

He led the fallen Hand out of the room while Rhaenyra turned to her wife.  Alicent was still shaking when she drew her into her arms.  It had taken everything she had to face down her father, and Rhaenyra’s heart swelled with pride.  “You did it, Alicent,” she said soothingly, running her fingers through the omega’s hair.  “You were so brave, my good girl.”

“Gods, Rhaenyra, you were right,” Alicent gasped out.  “I didn’t want to see it, but you were right.”

“It’s okay.”  She pulled Alicent further into her embrace, letting her omega breath in as much of her scent as she needed while Rhaenyra kissed away her tears.  “Everything’s okay.  It’s over.”

Chapter Text

Her father’s face was pale as he listened to the news and when Rhaenyra was finished, he shook his head.  “I can hardly believe this.”

“It is shocking, your Grace,” Ser Harrold agreed.  “And yet there can be no denying what the princess says is true.  I heard it as well, straight from the Hand’s own mouth.  He poisoned Princess Rhaenyra to prevent her from taking the throne or setting aside her wife in favor of another mate.”

“She wouldn’t do that, your Grace,” Alicent added quickly.  “Whatever I said to my father was only to get him to confess to these crimes.  I’ve never had reason to doubt your daughter’s love or her fidelity.”

The king smiled weakly.  “That’s good to know.  Still, to think that my Hand could have conspired to murder my own daughter…”

“I know.” Rhaenyra took a seat at the same table where they had all eaten lunch only few days earlier.  Today the king had been dining alone when they came in and the aroma of his now-forgotten beef stew filled the room.  “I’ve never been fond of Ser Otto but for Alicent’s sake, I didn't want this to be true either.”

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand: if you already had these suspicions, why didn’t you come to me sooner?”

“Because we had no proof.  And because accusations had also been made against my uncle.  We were worried that if we pointed a finger at the wrong person, it would tip the other one off.”

He nodded thoughtfully.  “A sensible precaution.  You’ve done well, Rhaenyra.  I will admit, I was worried about your judgment after the earlier… incident, but your visit to Dorne was a great success.  Prince Qoren writes of you in glowing terms, you’ve helped settle several outstanding disputes with Sunspear, and now you’ve brought this plot to light.  You’ve proven yourself to be a true heir to the Iron Throne.  The realm will be in good hands after I’m gone.”

Rhaenyra placed her hand on top of his.  “I appreciate that, father.  But don’t think of leaving us anytime soon.  You have a grandchild to meet, remember?”

“And hopefully many more after that.”  He brightened at the thought, and when he turned to Alicent, there was a smile on his face.  “I should thank you as well.  You’ve shown yourself to be a loyal mate and a worthy daughter of House Targaryen.”

Her wife smiled back at the king.  “I’m proud to be one, your Grace.  And I apologize again for the incident, as you called it.  I’m just grateful you've been able to forgive us.”

The king waved his hand dismissively.  “There’s no need for further apologies, Alicent.  A father wants nothing more than for his daughter to be happy and you make her happy.  I only wish I’d seen it sooner.”

Alicent dipped her head low enough that the king couldn’t see her send an abashed glance to Rhaenyra.  “I didn’t make my feelings very clear.”

Rhaenyra looked up at her wife and smiled.  “They’re clear now.”

“That they are,” Viserys agreed.  “Unfortunately, not all our difficulties are so easily put in the past.  For one thing, I will need a new Hand.  “My brother has long coveted the position, although he does have his war in the Stepstones to deal with now, along with Lord Corlys.”

“My uncle might not be the best choice if you still need to negotiate with the High Septon,” Rhaenyra added.

“I do.  This business with Ser Otto has only emphasized the importance of gaining the Faith’s blessing for your marriage before there are further troubles.”  He paused for a moment, stroking his beard.  “What about Lord Lyonel?  He has a good head and he’s served me well as Master of Laws.”

Rhaenyra considered the choice carefully.  In her time as her father’s cupbearer, she’d had a chance to observe Lord Lyonel on the small council and he’d given her the impression of being a decent, prudent man, observant of the Faith but no fanatic.  “He seems like a good choice.  And he’s already here at court, so he can start immediately.”

“That does weigh in his favor,” Viserys agreed.  “We have much to do and no time to waste.  Not only must this matter with the Faith be resolved, there is still the war in the Stepstones, not to mention his predecessor’s treason.  I don’t wish that to have that cloud hanging over the court a moment longer than necessary.”

****

Of all the ways they had spent time together as children, perhaps Alicent’s favorite had been when the princess would lay in her lap, the two of them reading, gossiping, or otherwise whiling away the hours in comfortable closeness.  Unfortunately, her own lap had largely disappeared thanks to her growing belly and so it was her turn to rest her head on Rhaenyra.

Not that she minded.  Beneath her the bed was soft, an evening breeze drifted in through the open windows, and the princess’ slim fingers ran through her hair.  It was hard to imagine a more relaxing position to be in and yet Alicent’s nerves remained raw.  How could they not be?  Her own father had conspired to murder her wife, he would soon be executed in turn, and she’d been at the center of all of it.

Rhaenyra must have sensed her discomfort because she paused in her touches.  “What are you feeling, Alicent?”

“Too many things.  Relief that you’re safe.  Anger at my father.  All my life, I thought he was the virtuous one, teaching me how to obey the Gods and bring honor to the family name while I was the sinner who couldn’t keep from wanting forbidden things.  It wasn’t until today that I saw how much ambition was really driving him, or how little he cared to know me.  I mean, he actually thought I would help him to steal your throne.”

“You have every reason to be furious,” Rhaenyra assured her, and in her wife’s bright blue eyes, Alicent saw understanding alongside compassion.  Rhaenyra had had been angry at her own father before, most of all after her mother’s death, but this was far worse.  As terrible as what happened to Queen Aemma had been, Viserys had been in a horrible position, trying to save his son.  Her father had no such excuses for what he’d done.  

“And I know you’d never betray me,” Rhaenyra continued.  “I swear I’ll never give you reason to.  I’m not going to be all those things they say about female alphas.”

Alicent allowed herself to laugh.  “You had better not be.  I know some omegas would tolerate their mate’s mistresses, but I did mean one thing I told my father: I couldn’t stand to see you with someone else.”

“Don’t worry,” Rhaenyra assured her.  “I have you.  That’s all I’ll ever need.”

The omega purred softly, breathing in her wife’s comforting scent.  She had heard those same stories about female alphas, had believed them as a child believes whatever they're told.  But from the first day she found out about Rhaenyra’s presentation, she’d never believed them about her and after her stay in Dorne, she didn’t believe them at all.  The female alphas there just seemed like other alphas, some lustful certainly, but no more so than the male ones.  Maybe, in time, others would come to see the same thing and the world could change.

It was a hopeful thought but not the sum of her troubles and after a time, she spoke again.  “Is it wrong that I don’t want to see my father die?  I know he’s a traitor and execution is no more than her deserves.  It’s just…”

“He’s still your father.”

“It’s not just that.  I feel responsible for what happened.”

Rhaenyra stroked her face soothingly.  “You have nothing to feel guilty about.  He’s the one who put you in this position.”

“I had a duty to him as his daughter and I’d tried to do it for so long.  But then, when he forced me to chose between it and you, I picked you.”  She sighed deeply.  “If I hadn’t run away in the first place, none of this would’ve happened.”

Her wife laughed, but there was something nervous in it.  “Are you saying we made a mistake?”

“No, never,” she protested.  “I just wish he’d taken it differently.  That he could’ve understood why I needed to go with you.  Maybe not at first, but eventually, the way your father did.  And some part of me knew he wouldn’t, but I still went and now here we are.”

“You can’t blame yourself for his blindness,” Rhaenyra told her, and when Alicent looked into her eyes, she saw nothing there but love and acceptance.  The omega leaned up, her tongue brushing across her wife’s lips until they parted, letting her slip inside.  As terrible a choice as she’d been forced to make, she knew it had been the right one.  A life with Rhaenyra offered happiness, for the two of them, and for their children as well.  There was no way she would let them be raised with the same lies she’d had to endure.

****

It had only been two days but when Rhaenyra looked through the bars of Otto Hightower’s cell, she saw a very different man than the one she’d watched Ser Harrold lead away.  Perhaps it was the harsh conditions in the Red Keep’s dungeons or maybe the realization that he’d been beaten, but in the torchlight, he seemed older and smaller than she remembered.  Not broken, perhaps, but no longer the imperious Hand of the King.

“Have you come here to gloat, princess?” he asked as he picked himself up from the straw mattress he now slept on.

Rhaenyra ignored the question.  “I never liked you, you know.  When we were girls, Alicent was always afraid of your disapproval.  Sometimes I was angry with my father but I was never afraid of him and it seemed to me you must be rather cruel if she was.”

He brushed the stray bits of straw from his coat.  “Perhaps if your father had inspired a little more fear, you wouldn’t have acted so disgracefully.”

That comment earned a derisive snort.  “I’m not the traitor here.  You tried to have me killed and if it were just the two of us, I’d happily feed you to Syrax.”

A hoarse sound that might’ve been a laugh came from Ser Otto.  “You always were fond of that threat.  You used to deliver it to your septas, as I recall.”

That was true but she would not let him make her feel like the child she no longer was.  “Of course, in this case my dragon might have to wait in line,” she continued.  “Daemon has volunteered to stand in for the King’s Justice.”

“So my fate is already decided?  I am not to be given a chance to defend myself?”

“There is nothing to defend, Ser.  Your confession was heard by the heir to the throne, her wife, and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.  As far as my father is concerned, that’s more than enough to sentence you to death.”

She paused, tapping her fingers against her breaches as she chose her next words.  “But Alicent doesn’t want that.  Whatever you have done to her, or tried to do, you are still her father and I don’t wish to begin our life together by making her an orphan.  So for her sake, here’s what I’m offering.  You will not contest the charges against you.  You will confess to everything, name anyone else who might have been involved in this plot, and plead for forgiveness.  I have spoken with my father and if you do those things, he will allow you to take the black.  You will go north and if there is the slightest hint of you trying to escape from the Night’s Watch or involve yourself in any further schemes, I will hunt you down myself and you really will be dragon food.”

“And if I refuse to abase myself as you demand?”

“Then Daemon gets to have a good day and I can at least tell Alicent I tried.”

Through the bars, she watched as Ser Otto considered her words.  Finally he said, “I had thought you ran off with my daughter out of mere lust.  Perhaps I was wrong.”

Rhaenyra shook her head.  “You’re such a fool.  I ran off with her because I couldn’t bear for her to marry someone else and because I knew she couldn’t either.  If you had bothered to look at her as something other than a piece on your cyvasse board, you would’ve seen it for yourself.  It’s too late for that now, but if you care about her at all, you can at least not force her to  watch you die.”

He nodded slowly.  “It seems I have little choice.”

“We all have a choice,” Rhaenyra said coldly.  She would not let him escape responsibility for this or any of this other decisions.  “Make yours.”

He bowed his head.  “I will take the wall.”

Chapter Text

It was a beautiful summer day, bright and pleasantly warm without being overly hot, but that fact was doing little to put Daemon Targaryen at ease.  Nor did the knowledge that Otto Hightower would soon be led in chains onto a ship bound for Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, to live out the rest of his days in the Night’s Watch.  Although he was ostensibly talking with Rhaenyra, her uncle kept glancing across the dock at his old nemesis, plainly hoping that the beta would would run, or attack Alicent, or do anything else that would give Daemon an excuse to cut him down.

“Oh, don’t look so glum, uncle,” Rhaenyra said with a laugh.  “I’m sure my father will at least let you behead Ser Criston.”  The disgraced Kingsguard knight was the only man still awaiting justice over the plot to kill her.  Maester Tylin was already dead, and although Ser Otto had named two of his servants as accomplices, Daemon had declared them unworthy of Dark Sister, leaving them for the headsman instead.

He shrugged.  “Sadly not.  By the time his ship returns, I’ll be back in the Stepstones.  Wars don’t win themselves.”

“I was surprised to hear you’d joined this one.  I didn’t think you cared so much about…”  She bit her lip, trying to recall the words…  “A pile of shit-stained rocks I believe you once called them.”

“A charitable description.  But it’s not about the rocks.  Someone has to make sure House Targaryen’s enemies still fear us, especially with the way my brother hands out clemencies.”

“My father would’ve been happy to send Ser Otto to the block.  This mercy was granted at my request, for Alicent’s sake.”

“Does she have you so far under her thumb already?  Her father would be proud if she hadn’t gotten him arrested.”

Rhaenyra gave her uncle a firm shove.  “She didn’t ask.  I told you, this was my decision.  It was hard enough for her to go against her own father.  Better she doesn’t have to feel his blood is on her hands as well.  Besides, surely the thought of the pompous Ser Otto Hightower freezing his ass off at the end of the world is vengeance enough for you.”

“For trying to kill my favorite niece and frame me for it?  Hardly.  Still, it does make for an amusing picture.  Perhaps one day I’ll take Caraxes up there and see it for myself.”

She laughed at that image.  “Well, before that I hope you’ll make it back to King’s Landing after our child is born.”

“I’ve never cared much for babies,” he told her, smiling that half-serious smile of his.  “But perhaps in this case I’ll make an exception.”

****

Alicent didn’t know what she expected her father to say, or even what she planned to say to him.  The day before, they hadn’t spoken at all.  He’d been led into the throne room in chains, confessed what he had to, heard the king’s judgement, and then been dragged away once more.  This was her last chance for something other than hatred or frozen silence and in spite of everything, she felt compelled to take it.

He hadn’t so much as looked at her yesterday, but when she approached, he turned around, as did the two royal guards escorting him.  “Give me a moment with my father, please,” she told them and the men nodded.

“Of course, your Grace,” one said crisply.  She was still getting used to the deference accorded to her as the heir’s wife.  Not everyone might approve of her marriage but most knew better than to question it openly as long as it had the king’s blessing.

The guards retreated a few paces away, remaining close enough to intervene if her father reacted violently.  Alicent doubted he would.  Not only were his hands and feet shackled, he looked like a beaten man.  It was something she’d never thought to see.  Her father had always seemed in control of every situation, able to bend even the king to his will, and now he was utterly powerless.

“Why did you come here?” he asked.  “Have you not seen me humiliated enough already?”

Alicent shook her head ruefully.  Once his disapproval would’ve made her buckle but those days were past.  “That’s not what I want.  It never was.”

He sighed, his brow furrowing.  “Perhaps not.  I realize now I never understood you very well.”

“No, you didn’t.  And you didn’t understand Rhaenyra either.  Just because she’s an alpha doesn’t make her some lust-crazed beast.  She loves me and she would never set me or our child aside.”

“You had best hope you’re right,” he told her.  “Now you have no choice but to put your faith in her affections.”  A strained silence followed and when she didn’t rise to the bait, he added, “But I will hope so too, for your sake.  Whatever mistakes I have made, I do want you to be happy.”

She wasn’t sure he understood what that meant but there was no use in arguing over it now.  “And I hope you find a good home with the Night’s Watch,” she said instead.  “I’m told they always need capable men.”

Her father forced a small laugh.  “I always did do my best to serve the realm.”

And yourself, she thought, but again, what was the point in further recriminations, when they would probably never speak again?  “I’m glad you will still be able to do that.  As terrible as your crimes were, I do wish you well.”

He nodded, seeming to accept that for whatever it was worth.  “Goodbye, Alicent.”  He began to shuffle toward his ship and the guards fell in behind him, but just before the three of them reached the gang-plank, he turned back.  “I’m sorry you chose the side you did but I do commend you on the skill with which you played the game.”

Alicent smiled slightly.  “Goodbye, father.”

****

“So how was it?” Rhaenyra asked and it was clear from the way her voice softened that she was worried.  Not that the Alicent could blame her.  She had avoided the subject of her father all the way back to the Red Keep and through a late lunch.  In truth, the conversation hadn’t been as bad as all that.  She’d just needed time to work through her feelings and now, laying in bed with her wife’s hand resting comfortably on her stomach, she finally felt ready to explain.

“As good as could be expected, I suppose.  I don’t think he’ll ever really understand, but at least he doesn’t hate me.”

“I’m glad for that.”  Rhaenyra drew back her hair, pressing her lips against the nape of her neck.  “Is it all right if I hate him?”

That got a laugh out of Alicent.  “I wouldn’t blame you.”  She turned around far enough that Rhaenyra’s next kiss could be on her lips.  “Thank you for convincing your father to spare his life.  It wasn’t something you had to do.”

“I know you didn’t ask but I wanted to.  You shouldn’t spend the rest of your life remembering your father’s execution.”

“It is a relief,” she agreed.  “I don’t think we have very much left to say to one another but it’s easier knowing he’s alive.  Somehow, it makes it simpler to leave all of it in the past.  Not just him, but the feelings I kept having…”

“Which feelings?”

“The guilt.  The dread.  Ever since that day in your chambers, after you presented, I kept fearing that something terrible would happen because of my sins, a punishment for the little bits of stolen happiness we found together.  And then, when you collapsed, I thought maybe this was the Gods’ judgment.”

Alicent paused, shaking her head.  “But it wasn’t.  It was the person who’d always told me to be a good, godly omega who tried to murder my wife and I finally realized he didn’t know what the Gods wanted.  I might not either but I do know they made me to love you.  I’m not going to be sorry for that any more.”

“I’m glad,” Rhaenyra said.  Alicent’s guilt had always saddened her wife and it was obvious how relieved she was to put it behind them.  “You deserve to enjoy this just as much as I do.”

The alpha curled up tighter behind her, kissing the back of her neck, and Alicent could feel the first stirrings of a shift pressing against her rear.  Letting out a pleased murmur, she wriggled suggestively, encouraging the change along.

“I’m thinking,” she said, reaching behind her to caress Rhaenyra’s hip, “That it’s been a very long few days.  And I would really like you to help me relax.”

Rhaenyra’s hand cupped her thigh, stroking it through the thin fabric of her summer dress.   “That sounds absolutely perfect.”

Alicent purred as a string of kisses were scattered along her throat, moving up toward her jawline.  She could feel her skin flushing, heat already pooling between her legs.  It would’ve been embarrassing how easily Rhaenyra could inflame her desires if not for the fact that the alpha was no better off.  Her shaft was fully formed now and even through layers of clothes, Alicent could feel its hardness throbbing against her.

“Can I ask you for something?” she said as her mate slid a hand up to toy with her breast.

“Of course, my love.”

She felt a brief flash of awkwardness but that was something she’d learned to overcome these last months.  “Even if I don’t feel guilty, can you still say those things?  You know, the ones I like.”

Rhaenyra laughed, the sound amused yet without mockery.  “Whatever my good wife wants.”

She proceeded to unlace Alicent’s dress and every time she exposed a bit more skin, she covered it in kisses.  “And you are,” she continued as she reached the base of the omega's spine.  “A good wife.  A good girl.  A good princess.”

A little whimper slipped from Alicent’s throat at the praise and she knew that by the time Rhaenyra reached her sex, she would find it soaked.  Her wife wasn’t willing to leave that to chance however.  Even before she finished with Alicent’s dress, her hand slipped between the omega’s legs, rubbing her through her silky small clothes.

It didn’t take much to make Alicent desperate.  They hadn’t made love since their first night back in King’s Landing but more than that, she needed this connection with the person she’d chosen above all others.  Impatient, she tugged down her smalls, just as Rhaenyra finished with her dress and shift, leaving her fully naked.  Once she would’ve rolled over to strip her wife but she no longer felt so graceful.  Instead, she tilted her head backward and said, “You too, Rhaenyra.  I want to see all of you.”

Her mate wriggled out from behind her, a playful grin on her face.  She was wearing a simple red dress, one that she was able to slip out of quickly.  “The Realm’s Delight,” Alicent said as she looked at the beautiful woman kneeling above her.

“Your delight,” Rhaenyra clarified, yanking off her small clothes.  Her cock sprang free, tantalizingly hard, with her arousal already pooling at the tip.  Alicent felt her cunt clench just from the anticipation of having it inside her.  “How do you want to do this?” Rhaenyra asked.  “I know it’s a bit tricky…”

“With my belly getting big,” Alicent finished with a wry smile.  “You can say it.”  She turned over on the bed, getting on her hands and knees.  This position was harder for her than it used to be but she could manage.  “Like this.  I want you as deep as you can go.”

At her words, the alpha’s scent sharpened and moments later, Alicent felt calloused hands grasp her thighs, spreading them further apart.  The tip of her mate’s cock pushed against her entrance and she moaned.  “Please yes, Rhae.”

Her wife was quick to oblige.  Alicent didn’t open up as easily as she had before her pregnancy but Rhaenyra was persistent.  One of her hands snaked around, playing with her clit, as the alpha nudged further inside.  Alicent whimpered at the touch, spilling wetness onto Rhaenyra’s fingers, and her body relaxed.

“That’s it,” the alpha groaned as she buried herself fully.  Rhaenyra was leaning over Alicent’s back now, her breath hot in her ear.  “You take me so well, my good girl.  My good, beautiful girl,” she repeated as she began moving.  She was going slowly for now, but she was so deep that it was still overwhelming.  Alicent closed her eyes, clutching at the blankets as she was filled.  She didn’t want to look at pillows or a carved headboard; she just wanted to hear Rhaenyra’s voice in her ears and feel her cock in her cunt.

“Keep going,” she gasped, not sure if she was talking about the words or the thrusts.

Either way, Rhaenyra did what Alicent wanted.  Her mate drove into her hard, her hands caressing the omega’s thighs even as she kept whispering those lovely things in her ear.  She told her how beautiful she looked, how how well she was taking her cock, what a good, wonderful mate she was.  And Alicent believed her.  That little voice that said she wasn’t any of those things, that she was dirty and sinful, had finally shut up completely.

The omega had been eager from the beginning and when Rhaenyra’s teeth grazed her shoulder-blade and she groaned, “My gorgeous wife,” it was more than Alicent could take.  Her cunt fluttered, her body went tight, and then her limbs failed her.  With a long moan, she fell apart completely, her head collapsing into the pillows as her peak washed over her in shuddering waves that felt as if they ran all the way down to her toes.

As always, Rhaenyra was there to catch her.  Strong fingers gripped Alicent’s hips, holding her steady as she trembled with the sharpness of her pleasure, and when it ebbed, her alpha lowered her down gently, guiding them onto the pillows without pulling out.  They settled onto the bed with Rhaenyra wrapped around her back and in spite of the alpha’s attempts at restraint, Alicent could feel her hips making little thrusts, her shaft throbbing with unsatisfied need.

“Go on,” Alicent assured her, “Give me everything you have.  I won’t break.”

Rhaenyra didn’t have to be told twice.  A low growl came from the depths of her throat.  “Fuck, Alicent.  The things you do to me…”

One of the alpha’s hands squeezed her breast while the other clutched her hip, letting Rhaenyra push in deeper once more.  Alicent gasped at the fullness, leaning back into her mate’s thrusts.  Most nights, she loved Rhaenyra’s tenderness but tonight it was her raw passion that had Alicent chasing a second peak with startling speed. 

“Rhae,” she whimpered, unable to control the stream of words pouring out of her.  “Oh Gods, Rhae.  More.  You’re so good.  Gods, you’re so good.”

Everywhere her wife’s hands roamed her was heavenly, but it was when Rhaenyra took hold of her leg and lifted it up that the pleasure became too much.  Not only could she go even deeper now, the angle of thrusts changed, causing the head of the alpha’s cock to slide over that special spot every time she plunged inside.  “There, right there,” were the last words Alicent managed and then it was just whines and cries as her cunt clenched down and she soaked Rhaenyra with more of her slick.

This time, her alpha wasn’t far behind.  A final, “Oh my Alicent,” slipped from her lips and then she tensed, burying her cock all the way to the base.  Even in the haze of her own pleasure, the omega could feel how hard Rhaenyra was coming, her release pouring inside, every surge sending more heat into Alicent.  There was something primal about this, her body responding with shudders of delight, even though her mind knew the alpha couldn’t make her any more pregnant.

The evidence of Rhaenyra’s pleasure was dripping out by the time her wife was done, not that Alicent was worried about the condition of the sheets.  Instead she lay slumped down on the bed, breathing in and out and luxuriating in the feeling that there was absolutely nothing wrong in the world.

Rhaenyra was equally content draped across against her back, lazily kissing and stroking Alicent as they enjoyed that lovely, half-dazed place that could only be entered after making love.  Her mate’s cock first softened inside the omega and then shifted away entirely.  It was a change Alicent was familiar with by now.  Sometimes it would happen after one peak, while on other days it would require more, but when Rhaenyra was spent, her body would resume its original shape.  

Alicent was sure some maester must have written a treatise on this process but she hadn’t read it and she was curious.  In truth she had been since Rhaenyra presented but today was the first time she’d had the courage to investigate.  Groaning at the effort required, she rolled onto her back and smiled at her wife.  “I was wondering about something, sweetheart.  When you finish and your parts change back, are they still sensitive like mine?”

Rhaenyra laughed playfully.  “Perhaps not quite as much as yours.”  She brushed her fingers gently across Alicent’s sex, even that light touch enough to make the omega gasp as her mate continued, “But yes, they seem much like they were before I presented.”

Alicent brightened at the news.  As much as she loved Rhaenyra’s presentation, she had also adored her wife before it.  “What would you think about me touching you like that?  I want to know you in every way.”

“Then go ahead, my love.”  She took Alicent’s hand and placed it on top of her sex.  It was still slick with the residue of their coupling and when the omega ran her fingers along the outside, her wife exhaled sharply.  

“Does that feel good?” she asked as she explored further, sliding up and down the alpha’s folds.  Beneath them lay the hard point of Rhaenyra’s clit and she circled it gently, remembering how sensitive her own could be after her climaxes.  Indeed, this reminded Alicent of pleasuring herself yet there was something not only thrilling but intimate about the alpha allowing this touch.

“Yes,” Rhaenyra agreed.  Her voice was husky with desire and Alicent dipped lower, sliding a finger inside her wife’s sex.  The muscles clenched down around her and she smiled.  Others might see this as perverse, she knew, but Alicent no longer cared.  Rhaenyra accepted her desires and now they had a lifetime to explore them together.

Chapter Text

Epilogue: The Heir’s Heir

“Again.”

Snorting at her own mistake, Rhaenyra picked up her training sword from the dirt where Ser Harwin had knocked it.  She was panting from her exertions, her skin glistening with sweat, but she wasn’t ready to quit just yet.  

With a flourish of her sword, she slid back into position opposite the commander of the City Watch.  “Go on,” she told him and once more Harwin came at her.  Rhaenyra knew that the knight was holding back and yet it still took everything she had to fend off his advance.  Her lessons in Dorne had been a start but it would take time for her to be truly capable with a blade.

It was worth making the effort.  The attempt on her life had reminded her that the heir to the throne always had enemies and the Kingsguard might not protect her from them.  Syrax was more reliable to be sure but she couldn’t live on dragon back and so she trained.

As Harwin closed in, Rhaenyra gave ground, retreating purposefully across the training yard.  He had taught her that, at her size, it was foolish to try and match strength with strength.  Instead she should lure an attacker off balance, aiming to create a hole in their defenses that she could exploit.  He had been a good teacher but today she wasn’t proving a very adept pupil.  When she finally side-stepped his thrust and lunged at his chest, he turned the stroke easily, knocking her to the dirt with a counter she only half parried.

“That’s enough for today,” he said, extending a hand.  Rhaenyra ignored it, vaulting back to her feet on her own before handing her sword to a waiting squire.  She and Harwin made their way over to the castle wall where a servant waited with iced water.

As she gulped down a cup, Harwin asked, “If you will pardon my familiarity, princess, is everything all right today?  That wasn’t the best I’ve see you fight by a fair margin.”

“I suppose I’m worried,” Rhaenyra conceded.  She and Harwin had become friendly these last few months and he deserved an explanation for her poor performance.  “Alicent’s time is very close now.”

He nodded sympathetically.  “You’re thinking of your own mother.  Queen Aemma’s death was a terrible tragedy.”

Not just her death, Rhaenyra reflected.  Her grandmother, Princess Alyssa, had perished shortly after giving birth to her short-lived son Aegon.  “I sometimes think my family has lost more in the birthing bed than on the battlefield.”

“I know.  But your wife is a young, healthy omega.  You have to trust in her.”

She appreciated that thought, as well as the way he called Alicent her wife without a hint of mockery.  It had been a month since the septons had begun preaching that her marriage was permitted under the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, in exchange for her father’s promise to fund a splendid new sept in the Riverlands.  Nonetheless, there were still those at court who disapproved, which made it important to cultivate the friendship of reasonable people like Harwin Strong and his father.  Even with the king’s backing, Rhaenyra couldn’t take her ascension for granted.  Allies would be important when the time came and the lords of Harrenhal were good ones.

“Of course I do,” she agreed, wiping her brow.  “I just wish there was some way I could help her.”

“You’ll be there.  That’s all we alphas can do, I’m afraid.”

“We alphas?  Does that mean you’re thinking of settling down as well?”

“Maybe,” he said with a deep laugh.  “Now that my father is Hand, I’ve attracted plenty of interested omegas.  Still, I want it to be the right one.”

Rhaenyra patted him on the shoulder.  “Just try not to cause as big a scandal as me.  Same time tomorrow, Ser?”

Harwin nodded.  “Of course, princess.”

From the courtyard, Rhaenyra set off to see the castle’s tailors.  Given her ongoing training she’d ordered more clothes suited for such activities but today wasn’t the day she’d get to see what they’d prepared.  Somewhere in the Red Keep’s twisting corridors, she turned at the sound of footsteps to see a servant so frantic to reach her that he ignored her guards until they seized him by the arms.

“My apologies, your Grace,” the thin omega gasped.  “I was told your were in the courtyard but when I got there you were gone, so I’ve been running all over…”

“Enough,” she said, motioning for the guards to release the poor boy.  “What's going on?”

“It’s your wife, your Grace.  Princess Alicent has begun her labors.”

Rhaenyra felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.  “Where is she?  Now!”

“In your chambers.  She was having lunch with the Lady Laena.”

“And are the maesters with her?” she demanded, turning in the direction of her rooms.

“Yes, your Grace,” the omega said, struggling to keep up with her pace.

“And do they know that if they do anything that puts Alicent’s life in danger, no matter their reasons, I’ll have their heads?”

His expression was somewhere between confused and frightened.  “I’m not certain, your Grace.”

“Then I’ll have to remind them,” she snapped.  Over the last few weeks, she’d been warning every maester in the Red Keep that whatever happened, they were to make Princess Alicent their first priority.  Even without having met her child she already loved them but she couldn’t lose Alicent the same way she’d lost her mother.

Rhaenyra arrived at her chambers out of breath, just as Laena Velaryon stepped out of the double doors.  At Alicent’s invitation her cousin had been serving as one of the omega’s ladies in waiting for the last month or so and the two had become fast friends.  

“Laena,” Rhaenyra panted, grasping her by the shoulders.  “How is she?”

“All right, I think.  I don’t really know.  When the servants didn’t find you fast enough, she sent me.”

“I was in-between things,” was all the explanation Rhaenyra could manage in her haste to get inside.

Her chest tightened when she was finally able to see into the bedroom.  All around Alicent were a collection of maesters, midwives, and attendants but Rhaenyra had eyes only for her mate.  Clad only in a white shift, her skin was pale and clammy and her face was slack.  She stirred at the sight of Rhaenyra though, giving her a weary smile.  “You’re here.”

“Of course I am.”  She rushed to the bedside, taking Alicent’s hand in her own.  The omega’s  scent was different than she’d ever smelled before, strong but not enticing, calling on Rhaenyra to protect rather than mate.  “How’re you?”

“Not so bad.  It was more painful a few minutes ago.”

“She’s in-between contractions, your Grace,” Grand Maester Mellos explained.  “The pain will increase again, I’m sorry to say.”

“But she’ll be all right?” Rhaenyra asked, trying to will that to be the truth.

“We do not know for certain.  But there are no complications as yet, which is a good sign.”

“If there are, you remember my orders.”  Her hand clenched into a fist as she thought of what the Grand Maester and his ilk had done to her mother, telling the king that her life could buy that of her brother and then losing them both.  “You will make the princess’ survival your first priority.”

“As you say, your Grace,” the Grand Maester told her while Rhaenyra gave him a glare that suggested he would not survive disobeying.

“You know, your Grace,” said another of the maesters, a short, nervous man who’s name she didn’t care to know.  “There is no need for you to be here.  Often, alphas find it more comfortable to wait outside until the babe arrives.”

Rhaenyra shot him a viscous glare.  She would not leave Alicent’s side, nor would she trust her wife alone with these men.  “I am going nowhere.”

****

The next few hours were agonizing.  For Alicent, obviously, but Rhaenyra suffered in her own way.  Every time her mate cried out, her heart felt as if it would stop, and she kept looking to the maesters and mid-wives for assurances they couldn’t give her.  For all of their vaunted knowledge, much of this seemed a mystery even to them.

But she never considered leaving.  She held Alicent’s hand and stroked her face, telling her that she was good, and strong, and that she could do this while her wife pushed, grunted, screamed, and occasionally used curses that Rhaenyra couldn’t recall coming out of her mouth before.

And then finally, mercifully, one of the maesters said, “Your Graces, I can see the babe’s head.”

Their head.  Not their feet.  They’re facing the right way.

“You’re almost there,” Laena said from the other side of the bed, while Rhaenyra squeezed down on her mate’s hand.

“You’ve been so brave, my love.  It’s almost over.”

Her mate’s grip on Rhaenyra became so forceful that it hurt but the alpha gritted her teeth, pushing aside her own pain.  She could see Alicent’s body tensing, her mate putting her whole self into the effort.  “Rhae,” she gritted out as she bore down, “Oh Gods, Rhae…”

“I’m right here, Alicent.  You’re doing great.”

“Just one more push, your Grace,” came the Grand Maester’s voice and she felt Alicent squeeze down again followed by the words she’d longed to hear.  “The babe is out.”  

Her wife collapsed into the pillows and Rhaenyra kissed her sweaty forehead.  “You did it,” she whispered.

“The baby…” Alicent asked weakly and her question was answered by a cry.

Rhaenyra looked down to see one of the mid-wives cutting the cord that connected a squalling infant to their mother.  Their body was covered in the residue of birth but between their legs, she could see a tiny cock.  “It’s a boy, Alicent.  We have a son and he's beautiful.”

Her wife’s smile was tired but bright as one of the mid-wives turned to Rhaenyra.  “Allow us to clean him up and then you can hold him, your Grace.”

The alpha nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.  Her wife was resting peacefully, her son was crying lustily, and at last, she felt as if she could breath.  For several minutes neither she nor Alicent said anything, Rhaenyra stroking the omega’s head as Laena fed her water and she regained some measure of her strength.  It was only when the midwives brought the babe back that the spell was broken.  The sticky fluids covering him had been washed off and he was wrapped in an embroidered blanket of red and gold, which was handed to Rhaenyra.

“Here you go, your Grace.”

A huge smile spread across Rhaenyra's face as she took the boy into her arms.  His little patch of hair, she could see now, was a shade of copper and when his eyes blinked open for an instant, bright blue gleamed up at her.   A little of both of us, she thought as she brought him over so that his mother could see him as well.

“You’re right, he’s beautiful,” Alicent said and in spite of her disheveled condition, the glow on her face made her as lovely as anything Rhaenyra had ever seen.

“Just like his mother.”  She leaned down for a kiss and even through her exhaustion, Rhaenyra could feel the love in the way she reciprocated it.

“Have you decided on a name, cousin?” Laena asked.

Rhaenyra hesitated before answering.  This wasn’t something she and Alicent had discussed before.  Not only had they not known if it would be a boy or a girl, she had been afraid to speak of their child’s future aloud, as if doing so might tempt fate to snatch it away.  At the same time, she had thought about the question and as she looked down at their son, one name came to mind.

“What do you think about Jacaerys?” she asked as she rocked her son in her arms.  It was an old name, belonging to a famous dragon rider from the days when Valyria warred with the Ghiscari Empire.  She’d always loved the stories of his adventures across the length and breadth of Essos, and she’d shared many of them with Alicent in the long days they’d spent falling in love without realizing they were doing it.

“Jacaerys,” her wife repeated thoughtfully and in her eyes, Rhaenyra could see she remembered reading those stories with her.  “It sounds perfect.”

Grand Maester Mellos nodded approvingly.  “Very good, your Graces.”

“I love you so much, Alicent Targaryen,” she said when Laena had ushered the old man away, giving them a bit of privacy.  “And I love you, Jacaerys Targaryen, my little prince,” she added, pressing a kiss to his tiny forehead.

“We love you too, Rhae.” 

Alicent held out her arms and Rhaenyra lowered Jacaerys into them, watching adoringly as her wife held him for the first time.  Soon her father would come to see his grandson and then the bells would ring, signaling to all of King’s Landing that the royal family had welcomed its newest member.  After that would come the feasts and balls in her son’s honor that Rhaenyra had forbidden her father to plan until after the birth and before long, little Jacaerys would be the talk of the Seven Kingdoms.  Those things were right and good, but this, right here, Alicent and their child, her heart, her family, her future, was all that Rhaenyra truly needed.