Dragon's flame

[Daenerys POV]

The moment I had long awaited had finally arrived. I was about to marry Aelyx. I gazed at him, captivated by the unique charm he possessed. He was handsome, yet there was a delicate beauty in him that transcended mere appearance. I felt a profound sense of contentment. He was choosing me for who I truly was—my essence, my character, and the depths of my soul—not for what I looked like, for he could neither see nor perceive my outer form.

We stood facing each other as the wedding procession began, the weight of the moment settling around us.

Father rose from his seat and approached me, and Aelyx made his way toward the septon, positioning himself at the altar.

"You look beautiful, my little girl," Father whispered to me, his words filling my heart with warmth.

A wave of emotion surged through me, a sense of love and belonging that I had never known in my previous life. The absence of parental affection had been replaced here by the warmth and devotion of my father and Aunt Rhaenys.

Father took my arm and led me toward Aelyx, placing my hand into his.

[Aelyx POV]

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last. All I could think of was Daenerys. Father guided her toward me, and she placed her hand in mine.

"You look handsome, my dear son," Father whispered in my ear, his words bringing a smile to my face. He might have been a weak king, often criticized for his political failings, but to me, he had always been a great father—both to Daenerys and to me, as well as to Rhaenyra.

[POV End]

"I am his and he is mine, from this day until the end of my days,"

"I am hers and she is mine, from this day until the end of my days."

With those words spoken, Daenerys and Aelyx embraced each other in a deep, loving kiss. The room erupted into cheers, applause, and congratulations.

"There will be no bedding until you both turn fifteen!" King Viserys declared with a chuckle, prompting Daenerys and Aelyx to share a laugh.

As the joyous occasion unfolded, the eyes of Rhaenyra and Alicent remained fixed on Aelyx and Daenerys. Both women were already scheming, calculating how best to draw them to their side.

Otto Hightower's expression was unreadable, perhaps already plotting his next move.

"Congratulations, Daenerys and Aelyx," Alicent said, her voice cheerful, as she and her father made their way over.

Rhaenyra, meanwhile, was preoccupied with cuddling her children, unaware of the political maneuvering happening around her.

"Thank you," Daenerys and Aelyx replied in unison, smiles gracing their faces.

"I wish to speak with you both in my chambers tonight, if that is alright?" Alicent asked, her tone warm but measured.

Daenerys and Aelyx exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, both of them already sensing that the plotting had begun.

Rhaenyra, oblivious to the exchange, approached Aelyx and Daenerys with a smile.

"Congratulations," she said with genuine affection.

"Thank you, sister," they both responded, their smiles sincere.

"I hope you're managing Dragonstone well, my little troublemakers," Rhaenyra teased.

"Of course, sister," Daenerys replied. "Did you know that Queen Alicent invited us to meet with her?"

Rhaenyra's smile faltered, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

"Be careful of her intentions. She is no blood of the dragon," Rhaenyra cautioned before walking away.

Daenerys and Aelyx sighed, both knowing the politics were only beginning.

[Queen's Chambers]

Aelyx and Daenerys made their way to Queen Alicent's chambers. As they arrived, Ser Criston Cole opened the door for them, ushering them inside.

[Aelyx POV]

We entered Alicent's chambers. She was sitting on a cushioned chair, sipping something

"She's drinking tea," Daenerys conveyed to me silently, her voice clear in my mind. She knew exactly what I was thinking.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation," Alicent said in a neutral tone, I could sense her gaze on us

"So, what is it you want from us?" Daenerys asked, her voice bored yet firm.

Alicent wasted no time. "I'll cut straight to the point. I want your firstborn daughter to marry Aemond."

Before Daenerys could speak, I felt her intense anger in my mind." Don't say anything! Let me handle this", she commanded, and I fell silent.

"Your Grace, we are honored by your offer, but we must decline," Daenerys said, her tone as neutral as she could manage, masking her emotions beneath a calm exterior. "Aemond will be much older than our future daughter."

I could feel Alicent's anger and resentment radiating from her, even though her expression remained composed.

We stood, bowed, and left her chambers without another word.

[In Our Chambers]

Once we were back in our chambers, Daenerys paced back and forth, her frustration evident.

"If it were Daeron, I might have considered the offer. But Aemond, the kinslayer... No. Not him. His preferences... older," Daenerys said, disgust evident in her voice.

"You're right," I replied, my own thoughts echoing hers. If we were to have a daughter, we would not send her into the heart of what could soon become a battleground—a place filled with war, riots, and assassinations.

[Queen's Chambers]

"They refused," Alicent said to Otto, frustration clear in her voice.

"But they didn't align with Rhaenyra either," Otto responded coolly. "It's not a bad outcome for us. They may change their minds in the future. No need to get worked up over it."

[Next Morning]

King Viserys sat in the small council room, flanked by Aelyx and Daenerys. The King's Guard stood watch outside the door, ensuring no one interrupted the important discussion.

"I hear you both enjoy sword fighting... and that you've learned it yourselves?" Viserys asked, his tone casual.

"Yes," Daenerys replied in a low, measured tone.

"Ser Steffon Darklyn will be training you from now on," Viserys declared, catching them both off guard.

Aelyx and Daenerys exchanged shocked looks. Neither had expected to be assigned a member of the King's Guard as a personal trainer.

"What did Alicent ask of you last night?" Viserys inquired, his tone more serious now.

Daenerys and Aelyx shared a glance, knowing their father must already be aware of the details.

"Don't be surprised," Viserys added with a grin. "I am the king; I have ears all over the realm."

"She asked us to marry our firstborn daughter to Aemond," Daenerys said, her voice dripping with disgust.

Viserys's smile faded, and he understood the implications immediately.

"What did you decide?" Viserys asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"Of course not," Aelyx said firmly. "There will be at least a ten-year gap between our first child and Aemond."

Viserys sighed, clearly understanding their reasoning.

"Have you been taking care of Dragonstone?" Viserys asked, his tone more thoughtful now.

"Yes, Father," Aelyx responded. "We've started enhancing the network of caves and built even more. We've also begun importing soil from Runestone to improve crop cultivation and constructed additional walls to withstand potential attacks."

Viserys's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "If you can support agriculture on Dragonstone, it will become a formidable stronghold, even without dragons guarding it."

Aelyx and Daenerys nodded in agreement.

"Dragonstone is yours now," Viserys continued, "but remember, most of our house's dragons go to Dragonmount to lay their eggs. By giving you control of Dragonstone, I'm essentially giving you control over the eggs. Don't misuse it."

Both Daenerys and Aelyx nodded solemnly.

"We will not... not yet," Daenerys said, her voice firm in Aelyx's mind.

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