KING'S LANDING

King's Landing hadn't changed, still disappointingly green. That blasted Seven everywhere she looked. In some corners she found the ghost of Aemond and her, stealing glances and holding hands. The courtyard that once held fond memories, vexed her now.

They journeyed to the capital by boat, leaving their dragons behind. Considering they were only in the capital to set Luke's claim right, Shouta was the only one to accompany her, the rest remained under Emica and Sunniva's capable hands.

"I would say it's nice to be home, but I scarcely recognise it." Rhaenyra commented, eyeing the changes of her girlhood. "Join us, Hira, so that we may clear your exile."

"There are better things to occupy myself with than a king's decree." Hira strolled past Rhaenyra and Daemon, ignoring her outstretched hands and headed up the stairs with one destination in mind.

Hira may have buried Aemond to the back of her mind and out her life, but a debt was still owed to Helaena. Besides, the silver haired woman was her favourite and most dearest companion, baring her Lengii kin. She found her cousin in the nursery surrounded by her children, embroidering a spider.

"So, which gremlin is named after me?" Hira jested.

Helaena squealed, jumping into Hira's arms and squeezing her tightly. She's grown even taller, though not as tall as Hira, who remained a foot longer.

"Sweet cousin, the harder you squeeze, the less air I have to breathe."

"I've missed you!" Helaena cried, "I knew you'd come back."

Helaena took her to the sofa to meet the children. Twins Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, and little Maelor were a sight, equally of both Helaena and Aegon.

"They're beautiful, Hel. You must be a proud mother." She brushed Jaehaerys' hair, smiling down at the boy. "I've missed you too. It's been long since I've been graced by your presence and now you have three children. Time truly passes by."

"Will you stay for long?"

She shook her head. "We plan to stay only for the proceeding." Helaena deflated. Hira patted her hand, assuring her. "Which is why I'll spend every moment with you and the children before I leave."

They spent the morning catching up. Helaena told her the coming and going of court, the birth of the twins and Maelor. Hira mentioned the new Lengii kin that had taken residence, but not of the fleet or the soldiers stationed at Dragonstone.

"You'd love my aunt Sunniva." She said, braiding Jaehaera's hair in tiny plaits, whilst her brother played with a wooden dragon beside her. Helaena had Maelor in her lap. "A right terror of a woman, even Daemon is afraid of her."

"She sounds fascinating." Helaena answered. "I miss the girls. How are they?"

"Ming's overjoyed to have her mother here. Linh finally admitted her feelings for her, the two are courting. Jade has her moments of grief, but we make sure to keep her smiling. She's taken up the harp and is exceptionally well versed. Shouta is grumpy as always. Raki is quite friendly with Jace and Luke, they spar almost every day and Emica has been a busy mother hen to us all."

Helaena beamed, "I'm glad everyone is well. Mayhaps I can visit them sometime? And perhaps one day I can visit Leng? You can show me the forests and the waterfalls and the stars."

"I'd like that." Hira smiled, thrilled at the thought of Helaena dressed in her colours and traditional gowns, touring the emerald palace and water gardens. "I'd like that very much."

"Not a lot has changed for us here, since you left. Aegon is Aegon. After Maelor was born, he's been absent from our chambers, which is fortunate."

It wasn't a surprise that Aegon took his pleasures elsewhere. The idiot was too drunk and too dense to see the beauty that was Helaena. He never deserved her.

"Say the word and I'll fly you away from this cesspit, from that fool of a husband." Hira spoke with certainty. "We can run away and live the rest of our lives in Leng. Oh, Hel, you'll love it there. You and the children, you can live with me in the palace. We'll eat sweets every day and dance with handsome Lengii men all night."

Helaena laughed ruefully, her eyes misting.

It was wishful thinking on both sides, they both knew it, but they could pretend, just for a little while.

"Your people would scream in fright should they see us on our dragons. We'll dance under the stars and you'll teach the children Lengii. They'd be fluent in the language with all the stories you'd tell them."

Hira laid her forehead on Helaena's shoulder, eyes closed in denial. It was a lovely dream. It almost hurt to imagine it, to want it so much it pained her. A glimpse of Aemond came to mind. Hira knew all too well of wanting so much so it cut deep.

"I mean it, Hel." She said with utter conviction.

She felt Helaena nod. "Someday, if the gods will it."

The two were silent, simply watching the children play, until Helaena spoke. "Father's condition has grown worse and mother frets more. It's been erratic as of late, though the children help calm the nerves. And Aemond. Aemond has been patient and composed as ever."

The last bit was said timidly and unsure. Helaena's frown deepened when Hira was tight lipped.

Helaena took a hold of her hand, the obsidian ring flickered against the sunlight. "What happened between you and my brother, Hira?"

A question for the gods to answer, Hira thought, though they are useless in that regard.

"Forget it, Helaena. I know I have."

At Helaena's persistence, she stood, ignoring her cousin's pleading, "This farce proceeding is set to commence tomorrow morn, I shall see you in the throne room then, sweet cousin."

Hira pressed a quick kiss on Helaena's forehead, making her way out.

"I wrote to you over the years, you know." Helaena revealed, freezing Hira in her tracks. "And I know you wrote back. Aemond had written to you every single week. He never stopped sending ravens! Written letters, unspoken words, clipped wings."

"What do you mean?" She mumbled, though it was loud enough in the room. Even the children had stopped their blabbering.

"Threads of blue and green pay the price of black's ambition."

She whirled round to face Helaena, scrutinising the dreamer as she gazed at Maelor.

"Helaena, what do you mean?" Hira asked desperately.

"The union will cost the lives of thousands."

Hira stumbled out of the room.

[ x ]

In a tavern, Hira nursed her third ale. The bitterness of the drink was a fine companion, one to match her stormy mood. She all but ran from the Keep to the depraved city outside its walls. Helaena's words reeled in her mind, clouding her judgement far greater than the ale did.

The union will cost the lives of hundreds.

Her cousin's cryptic mutterings were undoubtedly confusing, the last time she guessed it wrong it cost the life of Jin. Was she to lose more of her blood? Was the union she spoke of to do with Jace? Did she already know of their betrothal? Questions upon questions and yet none answered.

All she knew in truth was that Helaena wrote to her over the years spent in exile. That Aemond sent ravens filled with letters meant for her, so why had she never received them? The past two years spent in misery, and for what?

Threads of blue and green pay the price of black's ambition.

Black's ambition narrowed it to one culprit. Had Daemon intercepted her letters? When she thought it was Alicent and Otto at first, was she foolishly wrong? That mayhaps the enemy wasn't the greens, but her own father. She remembered the awful glee he posed when she ceased her visits to the rookery. He had the only advantage to her despair.

If this was true, if Daemon was capable of this betrayal, of this hurt, then Hira never mattered to him at all. She was simply a stepping stone for his ambition. He fancied his daughter on the throne, he would stop at nothing to gain it, going as far as stealing letters meant for her eyes. His actions left her relationship in tatters. She believed she was deserted, rejected by those she held close to her heart. She was the biggest fool.

Shouta tapped her hand, causing Hira to unclench her tight grasp on the cup, taking a steady breath.

"I'm cutting you off." He told her.

She protested. He flicked her forehead in retaliation. "Enough. You're mad, I know. You have every right to be, but think twice before you do or say something you'll regret."

"What is there to regret?" She scoffed.

"How this could hurt your betrothed."

Jace never crossed her mind during her turmoil, she realised with guilt sweeping through her.

"I don't care about him." Shouta grunted, arms crossed, "I care about you and the truth, princess, you wear your heart on your sleeve. You bare it for the world to see, which is why it hurts the way it does."

"Your point?"

"You care about that boy. You wouldn't dare hurt him, even when your fury is palpable."

It wasn't simply a grievance between Daemon and her, Jace was also involved. She sailed to Dragonstone to support him; she planned to marry him in nine moons time. She promised to carry his burdens, to love him lawfully and bear heirs that were brown haired and with his features. Yet the past two years that were spent in desperation and longing could've been avoided had she known the truth, had she received and read Aemond's letters. Those years cloaked over Hira like a veil, suffocating her throat and drying the air from her lungs. It was torture.

The ale muddled her mind and her confusion and anger brewed. Shouta dragged her back to the Keep. She stood in her chambers for the night, as the rain outside pelted against the windows. 

Shouta was logic, which was why she kept his council. But Hira was far from logical tonight. She was fury. She was hellfire. She was angry, hurt and betrayed. It tasted bitter in her mouth.

And so she escaped through the secret passageway to Daemon and Rhaenyra's room. She tipped an empty jug to the floor, startling them awake. Daemon immediately drew Dark Sister from its sheath and pointed it at her.

"What in the hells are you doing at this late hour?" Daemon demanded, sheathing his blade.

"You're soaking, Hira." Rhaenyra exclaimed. Emerging from the bed, she passed a robe to Hira.

Ignoring the offering, she addressed Daemon. "The letters I received from Helaena and Aemond, what did you do to them?"

At their wide eyed, Hira unveiled. "I know the truth, do not lie to me."

Daemon was silent.

With a flushed face, half from the alcohol, the other from rage, Hira continued, "And the letters I sent to King's Landing, what happened to those? Did the maester send them or was he a part of this too?"

Daemon crossed the room to pour himself a drink, ignoring his daughter. His silence was telling.

Hira huffed, turning to stare at his wife. "Rhaenyra?"

Rhaenyra couldn't look her in the eye. She shook her head. "You weren't supposed to know."

Hira reeled back, the truth littering the air like toxic. They both hid the letters. Rhaenyra knew all along, she kept it from her.

"How could you?" Her voice broke. "They were my letters and you - you what? Read them?"

Daemon sneered at her. "Why would I waste my time with that? The letters are ashes now."

"They were mine!" She snapped. "They came from Helaena and Aemond, people I cherished and you burnt them! All this time you had me think they abandoned me when in truth it was you who stole them."

Daemon seethed back. "Oh come off it, Hira. You're so blinded by that family that you can't see what's right for you, what's meant for you. Yes, I ordered the maester to deliver every letter from the greens to me and I burnt every. Single. One. Yes, I ordered my men to intercept the ravens you sent out. It was pathetic, watching you pine after that one-eyed little shit and cry every day and every night. It was the only way. Think me terrible, but everything that I've done was for you."

Hira's blood boiled.

She laughed mockingly. The sound like nails across a chalkboard, it stung to hear. "No. Everything you've done was for you, for your greed and ambition. All I am is a pawn to you and mother and I'm sick of it! You hold duty above my head like an axe. Did you enjoy watching me humiliate myself? Did you laugh behind my back?"

She stalked closer to Daemon, pushing a finger into his chest. She demanded, hiccuping a harsh breath as she glared with violet eyes that were so entirely Daemon's. There was something of Yhatia in those eyes too, calculating and cold but there was also something of Daemon, unyielding and violent. One side of the same coin. "Did you ever stop to think about how I would feel?"

She didn't give him the chance to speak. She curled her fists, head pounding with rage. "No, no of course not. You're far too selfish to care about anyone other than yourself."

She hissed at Rhaenyra. "Is Jace an accomplice too?"

"No," She immediately replied, "Jace is innocent in this. He knew nothing of what transpired."

"It's best kept that way." It sounded like a threat coming from Daemon's mouth.

If there was one thing Daemon had an absorb amount of, it was audacity.

There was tightness in Hira's tone, a warning. "Oh, it would be a terrible shame for Jace to find out his dearest mother manipulated his intended into their marriage. I respected you, as a woman, as a future queen. I had hoped we'd have a relationship based on our mutual love for Jace, but everything you touch burns, Rhaenyra. All you do is ruin what might be good."

Daemon loomed over, his voice eerily calm. "Don't speak another word."

Hira's bitter smile turned nasty and sharp. "I wish you stayed a nameless, pathetic excuse of a father. You say everything you've done was for me, but we both know that's a lie. On your deathbed, you're going to realise that it will have all been for nothing and no doubt you'll spend what's left of those meagre seconds of your worthless life regretting every decision you've made and the people you've hurt. I wash my hands of you."

[ x ]

The following morning Vaemond Velaryon makes his case, he speaks of pure bloodlines and cutting his veins to prove his right and he calls Rhaenyra a whore in front of court.

Hira was unsure why she stepped in, why she drew her dagger across his neck, blood bursting from the seams. Perhaps the anger that boiled from last night never left, perhaps she wanted to prove that she could take another life, prove to Daemon that crossing her meant something mad, something cruel.

Maybe she wanted to take something from Daemon, just as he had stolen something from her. He was itching to kill Vaemond the very moment he spoke, his hand ever present on Dark Sister's hilt. All these reasons, or excuses were just that. Vaemond was bleeding on the floors of the great hall, crimson seeping into the melted swords of the Iron Throne and Hira felt no satisfaction. When she dealt the killing blow, she simply proved that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

She wonders now, where her coin has landed.

Otto screams for the guards to disarm her. Daemon, with a vicious smirk placed himself beside her, with Shouta at the rear. She's half tempted to dig her blade into Daemon, if only to justify the betrayal, her raging anger at the man.

Everyone had jumped back in shock, disbelief, fear, yet Hira only regarded Aemond. Seeing him clearly, Hira damned the gods, for surely they took their time when making him. He was handsome when they were younger, in a boyish way, but that boy grew into a man. His hair longer, body leaner, and under the leathers muscles sculpted his arms and thighs. Were she a weaker woman she would've fantasised about his broad chest and how the leathers suited him better than anything known to man.

His eye burnt holes in her, heated her like a furnace. Aemond had always been intense, with that stupid tilted grin on his lips. He watched her as a hawk would watch their prey, ready to swoop in and feast upon its prize. He looked ready to devour her. She remembered the look in his eye, the lust and pride when she killed that foul man during the riots.

Hira's eyes darted to Jace, and guilt overtook her once more, it seemed as of late she was forgetting she was promised to another. Her gods must surely laugh at her expense, lusting after a man when her betrothed was an arms length away. He caught the exchange between his betrothed and uncle, a daring question on his lips. Hira sheathed her dagger back in place and left the hall, Shouta at her heels.

"A dangerous move." He spoke in Lengii.

If there were repercussions, she would be held accountable by now. But it seemed that everything under Viserys' rule had no consequence.

When Lucerys dragged the blade across Aemond's eye, stealing his sight, where was justice for the second son of the king? When Alicent sliced Rhaenyra's arm, shedding the blood of the king's heir, where was her punishment? Jin dying on the streets of King's Landing, his murderer free to roam Oldtown, with his family to protect him, where was justice then? It only came about by Jade's poison and through Hira's schemes.

When Vaemond declared the Princess of Dragonstone a whore and her children bastards, justice was brought by her hand, simply because she made it so. Vaemond died for his claim and Hira defended her betrothed. Justice was nonexistent.

Justice was only what you made it out to be. Hira understood it all now. What the game truly was about, how to win and how to lose. How to survive.

"I am done playing by their rules."

Gossip spread like wildfire, by the end of the day they called the Lengii Princess under a new name. The Vengeful Daughter of the Rogue Prince. It seemed that the court still remembered Lyonel's timely demise after the threat she laid out and with the display that morning, only confirmed the moniker.

"It's a terrible name." She complained to Shouta. "Why am I associated with him, anyway? Constantly in his shadows."

Shouta snored behind the book laid on his face. Hira whacked him with a pillow. His fast reflexes halted the attack.

"Pick a damn dress and be off." Shouta replied carelessly.

The blacks and greens were to sup together, by order of the king. Hira would rather feed herself to Zhurong, she'd make a tasty meal for her dragon, than to sit and make peace with Otto and Daemon. Or be in a room with her betrothed and past lover, if one could even call Aemond that.

Hira plucked an outfit at random, a dark blue two-piece gown reminiscent of the one she wore the morning of her name day. Paired with silver bangles and unbraided hair, free flowing to her waist. She fiddled with the wooden box laid on the table.

"Are you certain?" Shouta questioned, his tone serious. "The implications of this not only to our people, but more importantly to yourself."

"Without a shadow of a doubt." She conceded.  "It's mine to give, is it not?"

Shouta sighed, but agreed. He had no choice in the matter.

She passed the box to him. "This dinner will be shambles, but at least I can drown myself with shit amber wine."

She was the last to arrive, barring the king. She took her place beside Jace, smiling at Baela and Rhaena. She congratulated Rhaena on her betrothal, glad that it was this twin Luke was to marry, for their closeness was evident to all. Perhaps in another life, Baela was set to marry Jace, and maybe in another life Helaena would've been his bride, had Alicent agreed to Rhaenyra's proposal. But in this life, Jace and all his unfortunate burdens were hers alone.

She pointedly ignored Aemond's leering, knowing he had stared at her unabashedly as she crossed the room.

"You look beautiful." Jace complimented.

"Thank you, Jace. So do you."

He wore a navy tunic underneath his black ensemble, the colour suiting his complexion. Unconsciously, their clothing matched, both dark in colour with hints of silver. He's been doing that often, wearing her colours. It was sweet, if it didn't leave her sour.

"How are you?" He asked, his hand caressing hers.

She pulled away. "I'm well."

Hira pretended his look of hurt didn't affect her. She was a liar.

Turning to Luke, she asked. "And how is the future Lord of the Tides? We'll need to work on your sea-legs. Krita can teach you how to steer when we return."

The boy looked nervous at the prospect. Luke opened his mouth to answer, though he was interrupted by Daemon's loud mouth.

"How fond are you of your remaining eye, nephew?" He remarked, scowling solely at Aemond across the room, who stood beside his brother. "Gaze upon my daughter a second longer and I'll gouge it out."

"Hira happens to like my wandering eye, uncle. Among other things." Aemond replied smugly.

Hira sucked in a harsh breath, humiliation causing her to turn red. She gripped the armchair so hard it creaked under her touch. Not one word to her and that was what came out of his mouth? Jace sent her a concerned look.

Daemon laughed scornfully. Rhaenyra gripped his hand and shook her head. Daemon was terrible at keeping to orders, but at the very least his wife had him on a tight leash.

The room was tense, on one side held the greens and the other the blacks. There was obvious mistrust and past histories between the lot of them. It was laughable, how broken this great house truly was.

Everyone stood as the doors opened and the king, carried by guards on a chair, made their way to the table.

"How good it is to see you all tonight. Together." Viserys said softly, struggling to talk. How he managed to leave his quarters to defend Rhaenyra was a mystery. Perhaps it was the power of fatherly love, Hira mused.

"Prayer before we begin?" Alicent asked, "May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest."

Hira pursed her lips, sending a quick prayer to her gods for patience and one for Vaemond, may the gods judge him fair and true.

"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems." Viserys announced. "My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Hira and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses and bringing new allies into the fold. A toast to the young princes and their betrothed."

Jace beamed at her, toasting to their announcement. She offered a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Hira dared a glance at Aemond, her eyes peeking over the rim of her drink. His hands clenched around the cup, with a deadly stare aimed at Jace. His eye almost cold with simmering fury. Her thoughts betrayed her, because he looked godly when angered.

Daemon was loud with his approval. "Hear, hear!"

Aegon who sat next to Jace interjected, whispering so only they may hear. "Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman."

"I will cut out your tongue." Hira threatened.

Aegon ignored the jab and continued to taunt. "You do know how the act is done, I assume? At least in principle? Where to put your cock and all that."

Jace's eyes hardened and narrowed into slits. "You can play the jester if you wish, but hold your tongue before my betrothed."

"Mm-hm." Aegon mocked.

Viserys continued his speech, the mask that hid his empty eye socket and decayed face, fell to the table with a thud, revealing to all how far the king's health had fallen. He's not long for this mortal world, he'll die soon, Hira didn't need Helaena's gift of prophecy to decipher that. Perhaps he'll pass tonight, maybe this week. What was certain was that King's Landing will have a funeral and a coronation sooner than late.

The table was silent, digesting everything the king had said. The crown cannot stand strong if the house of the dragon remains divided. Little did he know the house was already divided, the moment he named Rhaenyra heir and Alicent birthed a son.

"I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the queen." Rhaenyra stood, her cup in the air as she looked toward the woman who was once her closest friend. "I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife. She has tended to him with unfailing devotion, love, and honour. And for that, she has my gratitude and my apology."

It seemed that everyone was in the mood to speak about their repressed feelings. Hira gulped more wine. Gods, she was becoming like Aegon. She shuddered.

Alicent lifted her cup in response. "Your graciousness moves me deeply, princess. We are both mothers and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow. I raise my cup to you and to your house. You will make a fine queen."

Servants began laying plates of food. Hira nibbled on a few pieces. Aegon had gotten up to pick up a pitcher of wine beside the couple, pouring himself another cup as he cleared his throat.

"I regret the disappointment you are soon to suffer, cousin. But if you ever wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask."

In an instant, Hira grabbed the knife off her plate and drove it into the table. Jace shot up, slamming his hands against the wood.

"Continue, cousin and you'll be joining Vaemond in the afterlife." Hira promised. "And that is before I cut off your cock."

Jace stilled her hand. Aemond followed in pursuit of his brother and stood up. Hira rolled her eyes at his bravo.

Jace raised his cup. "To prince Aegon and prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles."

Hira saw it as clear as day. Jace was as cool and collected as Rhaenyra, level headed and quick with words. Hira was Daemon's bad traits, quick to pounce with a dagger in between her hands and teeth bared. No wonder why it was sought-for-match. When he sat, Jace intertwined their fingers above the table.

Then, it was Helaena's turn to toast. "I would like to toast to Hira and Rhaena. They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you ... except sometimes when he's drunk."

Hira promised to make the rest of Aegon's life as painful as possible. And although Helaena had a smile, she knew the truth of her happiness, or rather lack of.

She supposed it was her turn to say her piece, if only to see a real smile on Helaena. She rose to her feet. "A toast to Helaena, my dearest friend. I've been wracking my mind on how to repay you for saving my life that day of the riots. I believe this will suffice."

She gestured to Shouta who brought the wooden box to Helaena. Hira made her way to her cousin, prompting her to stand. Opening the box, she carefully pulled out the ji and presented it. It was designed in the traditional style of a royal ji, the Han standard evident in the tree trunks that flowed down from the hairpin and laden with gems of sapphires.

Helaena was in awe.

"Han princesses rarely give their gems so freely, much less a ji. In Leng it's customary for a princess to give a ji as a token of friendship, or a request of courtship or a promise of protection."

Turning Helaena around, she braided her silvery strands into a thick single braid, coiling it around the nape of her neck in the fashion that's usually worn with the hairpin. She slipped the ji into the bun.

"Often we are warned to give it with caution, especially with those we consider as outsiders. I gift it freely to you, Helaena."

Helaena turned to her, eyes watering slightly.

"You honour me." She murmured.

"Fuck honour." Hira replied bluntly, to which Helaena giggled. "I don't give a shit about honour. Or duty, not anymore. Only you. I meant what I said, should you ever need it. There's a place in Leng for you and your children. A roof above your head at my house, a plate at my table. My Sapphire Guards are yours, they would lay their lives for you, the way they would for me. From now on and until the world ends, you are a friend of Leng and under my protection."

Helaena grasped her hands, pressing a feathered kiss. "Thank you, Hira. Thank you."

There was something in Helaena's eye that scared her, something that told Hira that the dreamer knew something she shouldn't. Hira copied her movement and kissed her hand in equal measure. Damn their politics, Helaena was too good for the world. She deserved everything kind and sweet. She deserved a happy life. Hira will do her best to make sure it happens.

"It warms my heart to see the children so close." Viserys commented, smiling brightly at them. "And speaking on Lengii custom; I believe I'm owed a dance, niece."

Hira shook her head, yet at Helaena's persistent begging and her uncle's desire for a family united, Hira complied.

The musicians began a melody as she walked to the centre of the room. Hira started with a simple two step dance, allowing her body to move with the strum of the lute. She spun in circles, dipping low and raising herself high on her toes.

When she turned, she suddenly came face to face with Aemond, causing Hira to stumble back. He caught her by the hip, straightening her and pulling her taunt against him. Every curve of her body aligned with the strong, defined muscles hidden under his leathers.

She questioned his actions with a frown. He answered with a smirk. He leaned his head until his lips pressed against her ear, voice as sweet as honeyed mead, "Lead the dance, my princess."

Aemond held her close by the waist, his fingers brushing the exposed skin of her back. Unwilling to make a scene, Hira reached for his shoulders and resumed the dance, their gazes unwavering.

Their feet moved in tandem with the beat. It was less of Hira leading and more of Aemond touching and stroking her body unprovoked, in view of everyone. At one point Aemond had manoeuvre behind her, guiding her body as if strings were attached to every limb, his breath hot against her skin. Warmth crawled through Hira's body. His hands stroked her shoulders down to her hands, landing at her hips as he spun her around.

When the music died down and they straightened, Hira was breathless, peering up at his eye that held the same fondness she remembered, before the letters, before the betrayal, when she was simply Hira and he Aemond. His thumb stroked her bottom lip, gaze never leaving hers. He swallowed and her eyes followed the movement, before quickly darting back to the lilac eye.

"Fuck it." He whispered hoarsely and leaned down to her lips.

Aemond was rough with his kiss, exactly how she remembered it and Hira enjoyed every bit of it, gasping into his mouth as he caressed her neck. Then realisation struck her and she recoiled back, hand pressed to her mouth in horror.

Not a moment later Jace advanced towards Aemond and landed a blow that missed its target. Aemond jerked back, a manic grin plastered on his face. Jace tackled Aemond to the floor, landing punches upon punches, until Aemond had the upper hand, flipping him over.

"Jace!" Hira exclaimed. Shouta grabbed her by the arm, holding her back. "Let me go!"

Eventually, two knights pulled Aemond off of Jace and another two held off the elder Velaryon.

"Final tribute." Aemond taunted, spreading his arms wide. "To the health of my nephews: Jace, Luke and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise, strong."

"Enough, Aemond." Alicent pleaded.

"Come, let us drain our cups to these three Strong boys."

It was mayhem. Aegon had slammed Luke's face on the table, when the younger boy attempted to help his brother. Rhaena struggled against Baela as she tried to defend Luke. Alicent held Helaena tightly whilst Otto watched the scene unfold. Rhaenyra was concerned over Luke's bruised face and Daemon stayed seated, hostility rolling off him in waves.

In a fit of anger, Jace broke from the knight's grasp and pulled a sword from one of their sheaths. Moving without thinking, Hira pulled free from Shouta and stepped in between the sword and Aemond, the tip of the blade landing directly where her heart was.

The room eclipsed into a horrifying silence that deafened all.

Jace stared at her as if she was a stranger. Hira knew not what to do, seemingly deciding to protect Aemond against all odds.

Fuck, she screamed in her mind. Damn Aemond, damn Jace. Damn her!

"I had one desire,"Viserys croaked, banging his fist against the table. "to see my family united. Even so, you have all failed. Know that you have pulled my hand."

The house of the dragon waited with bated breaths.

"Call for the High Septon. I will see Hira and Jace married tonight, to silence resentments and grudges. This night will end in celebration, and I dare you to disobey me."