THE RIVERLANDS

AEMOND

Vhagar felt the intensity of his bloodlust.

The last time their rage intertwined, a boy died.

At the very least the target of his resentment was a grown man who wielded Valyrian steel and rode a formidable dragon of his own.

The playing field was equal.

In the back of his mind a figment of Hira warned him against it, pleaded for Aemond to turn around. He ignored the voice, because it wasn't real. It wasn't her.

Stone Hedge was only a flight away from the capital. The skies turned grey as Vhagar flew over the town, casting a wide shadow. Aemond narrowed his eye, searching for Daemon in the crowd of bystanders who stopped to stare as he soared above.

He spied men of Dragonstone, bearing the red three headed dragon sigil of his half-sister. Riverland Lords and their hosts. But no Caraxes and no Daemon.

The one-eyed prince cursed, his grip on the ropes tightening to their own accord. Fury sprung from his chest and a shout of dracarys left his mouth without a second thought.

Vhagar burned the village first.

If Daemon wasn't here at Stone Hedge, then surely he could tempt his uncle out of the hole he crawled into. He wouldn't leave his allies at the hands of Aemond, not if he wished his soldiers to be ash and bone.

His blood called for death, called for Daemon's name. Seething with the intent to maim and burn everything in his path.

Another dracarys. Another host of soldiers dying on the field. Ill-prepared for the wrath of the prince.

"Come out!" He yelled, "Come out Daemon!"

Show your face. Let me meet death once and for all.

Screams could be heard from below but that wasn't enough to quell the fury. Aemond set his sights on the castle. It lit alight and came tumbling down. Vhagar was hostile with her assault, smothering the entire castle and knocking the foundation to the ground with a swing of her tail. Eventually fields of green turned to dirt and ash. Flames licked the surrounding area.

There were hardly any survivors.

Yet Daemon never came.

The bitter taste of failure was one he was slowly beginning to be well acquainted with.

Hira's ring was cold against his chest.

In the emptiness of his eye socket, her sapphire was scalding, like a hot iron rod bearing down against his skin.

Aemond continued to burn the Riverlands without a single sane thought in his mind.

[ x ]

DUSKENDALE

HIRA

Sunfyre was as beautiful as he was deadly. With a flap of his wings, the town of Duskendale fell to their knees.

Soldiers bearing Targaryen Green knocked the port walls down, flooding the streets and attacking the people of Duskendale.

Most of their men were with Daemon in the Riverlands or Rhaenyra in Dragonstone, they had little to fend for themselves. Their only hope was Rook's Rest, maybe even Rosby, if Aegon had not already sacked the town as he passed through. But how fast were messenger birds against the might of Aegon's hosts and dragon?

Where was Aemond? Hira questioned desperately, fearing the worst. Unless Melia had failed and he never received the letter. Gods, they truly were cursed.

"Empress!" Shouta yelled, capturing her attention. "Hira! We need to go to the harbour."

Hira nodded, releasing the daggers from her hoisters and following the path Shouta was making, hacking at the soldiers who dared near. Jade was in tow, up in arms with blades and a determined glint in her eyes.

A cry of a child stopped Hira's tracks. She threw her dagger into the neck of a man hauling a child no more than Joffrey's age. She caught the boy in her arms, his cries mixing with the screams of terror and the roars of Sunfyre above.

"Where are your parents?!" She demanded. He continued to cry. "Where is your mother or father? I will take you to them."

Vaguely she heard Shouta and Jade yelling for her but Hira couldn't leave the child here, surrounded by the rush of mindless slaughter.

The boy gasped, staring in fright at something behind Hira. She was quick to push the boy down, before ducking low to avoid the sword that sliced through air. Pivoting, Hira used her leg to swipe at the soldier.

It took less than a second before her dagger was impaled into his chest.

And another second before two other Green soldiers took his place. Snarling in frustration, Hira kept her focus on the men, ordering the young boy to stay back.

His sobs were loud. Brown curls and honey eyes flashed in her mind.

The soldier to the left made the first move. She blocked his attacks with the dagger, countering move for move. Each blow was a strain on her arms. Whilst distracted, the second soldier began to draw his weapon down onto her. Hira had no choice but to knock her head against the enemy's, causing him to stumble back with dizziness  and at the same moment she released thin sharp blades from her other hand into the throat of the second soldier. She was never more grateful for the hidden weapons stashed beneath her cloak.

When she turned she was met with the tip of a sword run through the soldier's mouth. When he fell back, Hira was greeted with a familiar knight.

Ser Criston Cole, decked in white, gold and green gaped at her.

"Mama!" The child she had momentarily forgotten about shrieked, running to his mother who immediately lifted him into her arms.

Once the boy and his mother darted away to safety, Hira locked eyes with Cole again. She slowly swiped her daggers off the bodies, getting into a crouched stance.

But Cole simply jerked his head to the side and stepped back, providing a clear exit.

She hesitated for the barest of seconds, before taking off to the harbour. She dared not think about the implications or why Cole allowed her to leave without a fight.

Don't get distracted, she warned herself.

Skidding to a stop against the gravel and dust, she searched for Shouta and Jade.

A hand gripped her shoulder. It was only the familiar glower that stopped her attack.

"Don't leave my side again." Shouta ordered sternly, sword leaking with blood. Jade was heaving, as was Mysaria.

"You're hurt!" There was a spot of crimson on his tunic.

"It'll heal. We need to go."

Hira was tugged to one of the only ships still docked at the harbour. The entire area was lit aflame. No one was safe.

"Where's the captain? The crew?" Jade demanded.

Mysaria pointed to the dead bodies laying limp across the deck.

Shouta cursed. "We steer the ship ourselves."

Above them, as if he knew, Sunfyre lit their only means of escape to flames. The blue waters became a mix of gold and yellow.

"The town's surrounded." Mysaria informed. "If we're captured, I'll be hanged. Your Empress, ransomed or worse."

Jade argued with Mysaria, whilst Shouta desperately searched for a way to escape.

Hira reached for the voice inside her. Called its name, knowing that even if the world gave up on her, he would never. Like a lighthouse beckoning ships, Hira beckoned for Zhurong.

In the midst of chaos and fear, Hira was calm.

She believed. There was no need to beg or plead or pray. There was no one else she would depend on besides her dragon, because, without a single doubt, he would never fail her.

Minutes passed.

Hira followed Sunfyre as both rider and dragon flew the skies, flames erupting in spurts.

Then, the skies turned black.

Hira grinned.

A bellow, a roar. Then, a spew of beautiful flames aimed at Sunfyre painted the skies. Zhurong cloaked the golden dragon in a blaze of inferno. Claws and talons dug into Sunfyre's wings and chest, as both beasts battled.

Jade sighed in relief. "Old Ones, I love that dragon."

Hira wholeheartedly agreed.

Sunfyre, who managed to release himself from Zhurong's clutches, backed away from the violent assault, turning tail for the moment. When Zhurong landed, Hira immediately ran to her beloved. She stroked his scales, a tear slipping past as the emotions inside her surged.

"Oh how I've missed you, Zhurong." Her laughter was shaky, but full of relief and untainted happiness. It was as if a part of Hira was finally complete, finally whole.

He growled lowly.

"I know, I know. I should have never left the way I did. But we'll never part again." Hira pressed her forehead against his scales, breathing in the sulphur and ash. "Thank you for bringing Luke home. But now we must go, before it's too late."

As if he understood the urgency, and he most likely did, for beasts such as Zhurong were far more intelligent than they let on. Zhurong ruffled his wings and lowered his body to accommodate the extra passengers.

"It's safe, he won't let any harm come to you." Hira assured her companions, especially when Mysaria gave Zhurong a look of uncertainty mixed with fright.

"His temperament is an improvement from Caraxes." She noted.

Sunfyre gave a screech as they climbed onto Zhurong. Aegon had made his way back. In response her dragon gave a daring snarl. Goosebumps trailed across her arms. Hira understood at that moment that Aegon would not let them leave peacefully.

"If he wants a battle," Hira declared, "we shall give the usurper one."

Nothing will stop her from returning to her people, to her throne. Not the war, not Rhaenyra, and certainly not Aegon.

Ascending up, Hira ordered everyone to hold tight. There was barely any room left on the saddle, with Jade pressed behind her back. Mysaria was half on top of Shouta's lap, both were sat on Zhurong's back, clinging onto whatever they could. The scowl on her guard's face said enough.

Hira steered Zhurong further and higher and Aegon followed closely behind, nipping at their heels. The issue with a dragon as large as Zhurong against a nimble, younger dragon was speed. Zhurong took up the whole sky, his movements slower, making it easier for Sunfyre to weave between his limbs and shoot beams of flames to his underbelly, his most valuable points.

But Zhurong was made of steel and spite. He was also far smarter. A trap was laid.

"Higher, Zhurong." Hira commanded in High Valyrian. It was as if they were thinking of the same plan, with the same desperate need to execute it perfectly. "Quicker."

Beside her ear, Jade screeched as her mount took to the skies higher and faster. The cold began to seep in the further they climbed. The air was drier. Hira struggled to catch her breath.

Above the clouds, at its highest point, with enough distance from Sunfyre, Zhurong manoeuvred in an one eighty arc. From his maw spat flames of black obsidian directly at his target. Fire Hira had never seen before.

It was too late for Sunfyre to change directions, not with the speed he was travelling at.

Aegon and his dragon caught to flames. And down they fell.

[ x ]

DRAGONSTONE

Hira never thought she would be grateful to see the sands of Dragonstone until Zhurong landed on the beach.

The century guards must have alerted the castle of their arrival, for the whole area was surrounded by Lengii. Hira took a moment to gaze at the faces, before climbing down from the leather saddle.

She thanked Zhurong again, caressing his neck. "You were brilliant."

He purred, eagerly accepting the praise. Through the bond, he must have sensed her hesitation because with his snout he pushed her towards the crowd gathered around, huffing with impatience.

It wasn't long before Hira was caught in Raki's arms.

"By the Old Ones, Hira!" He exclaimed, lifting her up and spinning her around. "Thank the gods you're here."

Tears gathered in her eyes. With a shaky breath, she replied. "Raki, I'm so glad to see you again."

Like currents against the seabed, the rush to surround Hira was swift and untamed. Her guards and ladies each took turns to hug and address her individually. Those who were less familiar to Hira, such as the warriors bowed their heads in respect. She reminded herself of the change of leadership, now that her mother and Atarah have passed. They looked up to her now.

All of a sudden everything became too real.

Hira caught Jace's eyes for a split second, who was stood next to the twins. Neither of her half-sisters approached her. Mayhaps it was to allow her kin to greet her first, but insecurity festered inside and provoked other rotten thoughts. Though the relief on their faces told her it was most likely the former than the latter.

Jace was stern-faced, looking far older than when she last saw him. Matured from the horrors of this war. It hurt, expecting to see Luke right next to his brother, only to find empty air. Jace inclined his head.

On her long list of tasks to accomplish before the day ends, she added a visit to his quarters.

Ming grasped her hand, providing an escape from Jace's narrowed eyes. She questioned quietly, "You know?"

Hira's eyes darted to Jade, wrapped under Raki's arms. She nodded.

Ming smiled sadly. "I'm so sorry, cousin."

"There's much to do. I trust you have my back?"

"Always."

[ x ]

In her chambers the Lengii gathered. Hira was perched on the chair with Pilak curled against her feet, unwilling to let her out his sight. Much like his reptile counterpart, the basilisk was partly angered at her disappearance but immensely relieved she was back.

Jade, Ming and Linh were stationed beside her on separate chairs, with the rest of her guards leaning against the walls. As always, Sunniva was an imposing figure as she stared down at Hira in discontent.

After explaining the matter of Storm's End, Blood and Cheese, the monkshood, the false death orchestrated by the hands of Jade and Sunniva and their escape at Duskendale, Hira finally announced the news.

"In secret, Aemond and I married under the laws of Valyria and Leng."

Instantly the room erupted into chaos.

Hira allowed them a moment, before ordering silence.

"I have decided to pull the remaining fleet from their station at Blackwater Bay. Our troops will return home. We will return home. The burden of this war is no longer ours to carry. We've sacrificed our blood for this cause, but there is another war we must focus on. With the passing of my mother and Atarah, the throne should rightfully pass to me. But there are others who see fit to crown my niece and have her rule over Leng. She is innocent, but manipulated by ambitious men riddled with greed and power."

Hira paused, taking the time to look at each of their eyes. Lilac met amber, and in those reflections Hira saw only devotion and utter loyalty. She questioned whether she deserved it or not.

"The Elders and Council are not on my side, I don't believe they've ever been on my side. But I must ask you all, will you help me claim my mother's crown for the good of Leng?"

Because in truth Hira couldn't do it without them.

Ming was the first to respond. "There is no one more worthy to carry the God-Empress' mantle. I pledged my service to you when I sailed across the seas, and I pledge it again."

"You are my God-Empress, now and until the Old Ones return and the world meets its end." Linh bowed her head.

"You gave me justice and closure when I needed it most." Jade was the next to speak, "Risked much for it. There is only one I would blindly follow and it's not a girl of seven. It's you."

Raki pounded the stone walls with his fist, grinning excitedly. "It was never a question, Empress. We'll turn Kol Hafim and anyone who dares lay a finger on your throne to dust. Bring on the fight."

Shouta shrugged. "You know where my loyalties lie."

The glint in his eyes spoke louder than his words.

"By right and by law, the throne is yours. More than that, Yhatia would have wanted her daughters ruling Leng, not an upstart like Hafim to taint the crown." Emica bowed low. "My sword is for Han, my sword is yours."

One by one her ladies and guards declared their vows.

Surely Hira must have done something right in her past life. Their strength was her strength. Their loyalty lifted her to the highest of highs.

She turned to Sunniva, waiting for the harsh words, the reprimands, the inevitable feeling of failure.

Instead, her aunt gently cradled her face and kissed her forehead. "The ancestors have not been easy on you. But the stars and moon shine on you, sweet child. You are not cursed. The gods give their hardest battles to those with the strongest of armours with their devoted shields at their sides. Even if one shield is painted green."

Hira couldn't help the little sniff that escaped her. It was an approval.

"The Council will hate you for your choice of husband." Sunniva warned. "There are traditions meant to be upheld. And by breaking our most sacred one, will turn the tides against you. They'll use your marriage against you."

"Leng is far too stuck in their old ways. No more." She replied.

"Hmm. We shall see. First, we win your throne, then we break years and years of beloved tradition."

Hira nodded. "And then we break tradition."

[ x ]

When Hira sought for Rhaenyra, she found the queen alone at the Painted Table. Her advisors were gone, only a lone Queensguard was stationed at the doors.

When the Blacks realised Duskendale was sacked, Princess Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys was sent to Rook's Rest to defend the town and the Lord Staunton, who remained loyal to the rightful monarch, if an attack should happen.

There was an air of melancholy encircling the queen. In a span of a few months, Rhaenyra had lost her throne, her father, a stillborn daughter, and a son.

"Thank you for bringing him home." The queen murmured once Hira neared. She didn't need to guess who Rhaenyra was referring to.

Hira shook her head. "I broke my promise."

Rhaenyra didn't say anything for a while. Hira was content to bask in guilt, it gave life to the consequences if she failed in her endeavours.

"They think you are dead."

She made a noise of agreement.

"Alicent fears your Lengii will strike. We hold Lord Hobert Hightower hostage. When we first heard the news, I was tempted to let your kin tear him apart. I wanted to deliver his mauled corpse to Otto myself."

"What stopped you?"

"Your aunt. She explained the reason behind faking your death. You want to take your fleet."

"I do."

Hira picked up the metal piece representing Leng's fleet. The Painted Table only had room for Westeros. A century ago, Aegon, Rhaenys and Visenya mounted their dragons and roamed the kingdoms, memorising all the lakes, mountains and cities by eye alone, before Aegon created the table and before he conquered the West.

But that was that. Aegon looked to the East and the past was staring right back at him. When he looked West, there were lands for the taking and a dream to unite all kingdoms under one rule, one House.

There was no place for the East here.

No place for Hira.

She dropped the metal figure into the fire below the table. It melted almost instantly.

"And I will."

Rhaenyra stared at her, expressionless.

"I don't need to justify myself to you, but it is a right you deserve, as the only one attempting to hold this kingdom together. They are my people, they come first. But for the last part of the year I've allowed myself to be selfish for the first time. It was lovely. It was freedom and it tasted so sweet. But even the sweetest of nectars turn sour. My people need me, but the truth is, I need them more. The only memory of my mother is her legacy and I cannot allow everything she's built crumble to ruins."

Rhaenyra's expression shifted. Cautiously, she latched onto Hira's hand. She laid hers on top.

"You will make a worthy Empress."

Her words were weak and unconvincing. Hira's insecurities were reflected in Rhaenyra's eyes. Two sides of the same coin.

"Those who oppose you are unworthy of your mercy. Before fleeing to Dragonstone, Aegon and I met in a battle above the skies. Zhurong burnt him and Sunfyre. If the flames did not kill him, then the height would have. The gods do not answer my prayers, but I beg them to listen to this one: I pray Aegon is dead."

After that revelation, Rhaenyra called for her advisors and they began their plans to hasten the storming of the capital. Offhandedly, the queen mentioned Daemon's return by nightfall.

Hira mentally added another note to her unending list.

She had instructed Krita to prepare all the ships docked at Dragonstone for departure. A message was sent to the ships protecting the Gullet, announcing the withdrawal. The rest of the fleet will meet with the ships and together they'll journey through the Narrow Sea.

It would take a day before any news of Aegon was announced. Hopefully by tomorrow morning they will receive the death of the usurper.

No one survives flames as harsh as that.

She questioned why Zhurong's flames had a change of colour. Hira wasn't sure what magic possessed her bonded dragon, but she was thankful for it all the same.

Her mind drifted to Aemond. It couldn't be helped. Where was he now? She couldn't send another letter, when she had no idea where to send it, nor did she trust anyone on Dragonstone with such a task, not when Luke's death was fresh in everyone's minds.

Yet Cole saw her. Surely he would reveal the truth to Aemond? But neither could the new Hand of King be trusted. He was Alicent's loyal lapdog, and Aegon's, if he lived.

Hira desperately wished for his death. If only to make such matters easier. It was cruel to wish death on another, she knew this but Aegon, at the heart of it, was a cruel man. Unfit to rule. Unworthy.

"What of your siblings, Your Grace? Princess Helaena's children? They are claimants to the throne and a threat to your rule."

Hira's head shot up, cursing herself for getting lost in her thoughts, instead of listening to the conversation.

Rhaenyra glanced at Hira, before shaking her head. "I have no quarrel with my half-sister. Once she renounces her claim, she will be sent to the North with her children."

"Your Grace." Hira interrupted. Everyone's attention was on her. "Allow the princess exile across the sea, where any claim to your throne is void. Let me house her and the children."

"You're close with my half-sister, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Whilst I trust your intentions are pure, Hira, I cannot allow it. Helaena and her children are better kept with an ally to the crown, where I know of her comings and goings, of potential uprisings."

The words were clever and so clearly directed at their broken alliance.

Hira clenched her fists, ready to rebut but a sharp glare from Jace prevented such actions.

How will she save Helaena from a life in the cold, barren North? She belonged under the sun, chasing butterflies and digging the earth for bugs. If Hira delayed their departure, it would raise Rhaenyra's suspicions and the longer she was away from Leng, the easier it would be for the turncoaks to install her niece on the throne.

But if she left a trusted Sapphire Guard behind, who knew of the passageways of the Red Keep to kidnap Helaena and the children at the same time Rhaenyra takes the palace ...

"Daeron will be sent to the Wall and as for the kinslayer, nothing will satisfy the justice of my son's death than Aemond's head mounted on the gates of the Red Keep."

No. Hira wouldn't allow such a thing. Someone must know of Aemond's whereabouts, it wasn't easy to lose sight of something as enormous as Vhagar. Then it dawned on her. Of course. Who knows the secrets of the Lords and Ladies, of the smallfolk better than the White Worm.

When the meeting ended, Hira made her way to the new Mistress of Whispers. Before she could say a word to Mysaria, Jace quickly grasped her hand, leading her down to the caves below the castle.

Best get this over with.

Jace sat on a large driftwood branch, elbows on his knees, gazing out to the sea. Hira sat beside him. Plenty of their most important conversations occurred on this beach. Much like the rocky isle for Aemond, this was Jace's.

The heir to the throne fiddled with the Targaryen heirloom ring on his middle finger, gnawing at his lip. "My mother would never stoop to begging. But I am not above that. Stay. Please."

She sighed. "Jace."

He faced her, sorrow in his eyes. "We're close to winning the throne. Help us one last time."

"I already have." She argued. "Aegon must be severely injured, if not already dead. If he does survive, he won't be able to lead any hosts or plan any battles. You have every chance to take the capital with the Dragonseeds. You thought of that plan, Jace. You don't need me anymore."

"You vowed to seat my mother on her throne."

"That was before I knew the turmoil my empire was against. If it's failure that hinders you, cast it out of your mind. Your mother will claim her throne. Look at how many Houses support your mother and you have far more dragons than they do. The Greens are at a disadvantage. This is the only moment your mother can strike without further bloodshed."

"And if I lose more of my brothers, what then?" Jace's voice was near shouting. "I wasn't even there for Luke. As I feasted and drank in Winterfell, my brother was here, dying. What kind of elder brother does that make me?"

"You couldn't have known about Storm's End."

It wasn't fear. It was guilt that clouded Jace's heart.

"My uncle murdered my brother and you married him."

"I won't justify my actions, especially when it comes to Aemond, not to you or anyone else." Hira replied roughly. "There are no words I could possibly say that would make you feel better. But Jace, I'm sorry about Luke. I'm sorry about every misfortune that's occurred in your life but I will not stand here defending my choices to you."

Venom filled Jace, she could see it in his eyes, the way his fist bunched tightly. "You love a monster. You married a monster."

"By that degree your mother is also a monster. Had Blood and Cheese been successful, then your mother would have been branded a kinslayer for ordering Jaehaerys and Maelor's deaths."

His jaw clenched.

Hira continued. "It was my choice, as it was your mothers, as it was Daemon's. It is all about choice and not regretting it."

"You'll regret marrying him. Maybe not now, but in the future. He'll be the death of you, Hira."

"And I'll be the death of him."

The anger left Jace as quickly as it took hold of him. He deflated. "It's all my fault. I should have never suggested sending us. It's my fault!"

Hira reached for him, tucking Jace under her chin as he sobbed against her chest.  "Luke wouldn't want you to blame yourself."

She said it with such surety. It's what she told herself when she first heard of his death. The lie slowly became the truth, because Luke had always been the most understanding of all the Targaryen and Velaryons. The most collected, the first to admit his faults and the first to apologise. The first to forgive, no matter the severity of the offence.

Both Jace and Hira held a vigil for Luke. Her shoes and dress were drenched in the water, but she hardly cared for such a thing.

Jace was submerged in the sea, lost in his grief.

And Hira tried not to regret the choices she made.