Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The shrieks of dragons filled the air. Anyone listening to the piercing sound would fear an attack, a herald of war. Watching from the battlements atop Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen knew differently. Those were the sounds of happy dragons. She watched calmly as Syrax, the Queen’s own companion dragon, and Seasmoke, her late lord husband’s dragon, danced in the skies under a setting sun. It had been a while since either dragon had shown any emotion beyond anger and restlessness.
Seasmoke had claimed a rider earlier that day. Rhaenyra still could not believe the good fortune that had befallen them at that turn of events. She had silently worried that the dragon would have flown off and abandoned the seven kingdoms altogether after losing Laenor. He had been restless and unhappy for the past several years and shown no desire to be among other dragons or people for that matter. Knowing what she knew now of Addam of Hull’s parentage, it was both surprising and unsurprising that Seasmoke would gravitate towards him.
Lord Corlys had been unusually quiet when Rhaenyra had announced Addam’s place in her court to him before anyone else. A Dragonlord was a rare and coveted treasure in this infernal war they were forced to fight, for a throne that was hers by right. They had the power to tip the balance in Rhaenyra’s favor, a welcome turn of events after weeks of uncertainty. She hoped Lord Corlys would understand and accept this in time.
Daemon, her uncle and husband, also a Dragonlord, had long been gone from Dragonstone gathering an army at Harrenhal to march in her name. Rhaenyra wasn’t stupid though. She knew Daemon almost as well as she knew herself. She knew the lure of power, the call of the throne, would be too much for him to withstand. He would gather an army, but it remained to be seen whether he would keep his oath to her as his queen or if he would do what he was always on the verge of doing. Rebelling and seizing the throne for himself. Another reason she was grateful for Addam and Seasmoke. If it came down to a three way battle for the throne, she needed all the power she could muster to see off the usurpers.
The sound of a throat clearing alerted the Queen that she was no longer alone. Turning quickly to see who had come upon her unawares, she was surprised to see Mysaria standing alone, waiting to be acknowledged. She had not seen the brunette since she'd had to leave her so abruptly to see to Addam and Seasmoke. The thought of what they had been doing before the interruption caused a nervous flutter in Rhaenyra’s chest.
Mysaria had been an unexpected gift in these turbulent times. A calm in the storm. Her fierce intellect came as surprise to Rhaenyra, who thought any companion of Daemon’s surely would be more of the fawning sycophantic type. Perhaps that was due to her own arrogance in her need to be seen as special in his eyes. Different to all the other women he had known. Her younger self had been so desperate for any hint of affection from him she had created an entire narrative in her mind where she was the only one he could see as an equal, especially in comparison to any of his other lovers.
Mysaria turned that perception around within an hour of conversation. Rhaenyra had been simultaneously intimidated by and attracted to the other woman. She had tried to conceal it, being conscious of their social standing in relation to each other. Never would she want to take advantage anyone under her protection. Mysaria didn’t make it easy on her. The other woman would seek out Rhaenyra often with news out of King’s Landing. The news would subtly switch to little observations, and from there the two women would find themselves talking about little things, personal things, with the ease of two people who had known each other much longer than they had. The more she learned about Mysaria, the more intrigued she became.
“Lady Mysaria I did not hear you approach. Is everything alright?” Rhaenyra asked.
“All is well my Queen. I heard you had returned and wanted to see that you were ok as you left so quickly.” The brunette answered, somewhat hesitantly.
“Yes everything is fine. More than fine actually. Seasmoke’s rider has bent the knee to me.” Rhaenyra replied.
“That is indeed wonderful news. Forgive my suspicious nature your grace, but are you sure you can trust them? Are you certain it is not a trick from the greens?” Mysaria asked as she came closer.
“I too was wary of his bending the knee so quickly, but then he explained his origins and sees this as the gods calling him into my service. Besides, he’s a bastard son of Lord Corlys and this is also probably his way of getting his father’s attention.” Rhaenyra responded, seeking to ease Mysaria’s worry over Addam’s trustworthiness. Immediately she regretted the words. This was what being around Mysaria did to her. It made her ramble and say things she would normally keep close to her chest. Out of respect for Princess Rhaenys she’d had no intention of ever revealing Addam’s parentage and therefore Lord Corlys’ indiscretion to anyone, but a simple probe from the brunette and Rhaenyra was a fount of information.
“That is surprising. Was it Addam or Alyn?” Mysaria asked, taking Rhaenyra completely by surprise.
Seeing the look on Rhaenyra’s face Mysaria smiled. “I am a collector of secrets your grace. Very little happened in the kingdom where the whispers did not reach my ears.”
"I’m starting to see that.” The Queen responded. She didn’t bother to keep the admiration from her voice. “It is Addam. He is eager to make his mark on the world.”
“The older one. Yes, he has long been restless. He has deep resentment towards his father as well. I confess I only know small details about the brothers. Lord Corlys was never one to visit the street of silk. Usually the most accurate information is gathered when the patron is lost in a haze of pleasure.” Mysaria informed her.
“Yes well, he seems to have been more discreet than most in his place.” Rhaenyra replied. She couldn’t keep the gruffness from her voice. Any mention of Mysaria’s past annoyed her. She thought at first it was a sudden distaste for the occupation, especially knowing it was one of Daemon’s favourite ways to pass the time. But on closer examination she realized it had more to do with the thought of Mysaria being with other people. Anyone really. The Queen found herself quite jealous of Mysaria’s attention, be it past or present. An unreasonable stance, but reason had all but deserted her when it came to the enigmatic woman beside her.
“It upsets you Your Grace? The evidence of Lord Corlys’ indiscretion?” Mysaria asked, attempting to understand her Queen’s sudden shift in emotion.
“What? No not all. It’s none of my business really. As long as Addam’s loyalty is assured, how they navigate this situation is between them. Rhaenys is gone, so it cannot hurt her at least.” Rhaenyra answered, trying to shrug off her shift in mood lest Mysaria realize the truth of the matter.
“I must confess, when I heard you were back I was hoping you would call for me so we could finish our earlier conversation.” Mysaria continued, after a moment of companionable silence.
Rhaenyra’s breath caught at the implication. Or at least what she thought was being implied. She did not want to assume the other woman had been obsessing over their kiss like she was. Mysaria could simply be referring to war and strategies. The brunette had proven quite invaluable in that aspect. “Forgive me my lady, with everything that’s happened my mind has been jumping ahead to council meetings and how things have now shifted that I’ve barely had time to settle.” A blatant lie she hoped Mysaria wouldn’t pick up on. Despite everything that happened, the only thing on her mind was the woman standing next to her. Gods this was worse than when she was a teenager desperately in love with her best friend and trying hard not to show it.
“That is understandable your grace. It is quite the coup. I will leave you to your musings.” The brunette bowed her head and turned to leave. Rhaenyra couldn’t stand the thought of ending the interaction there, with what sounded like a dismissal.
“Wait Mysaria,” she said, reaching out to grasp the brunette’s hand. “I would like more of your thoughts on the matter if you would be so kind as to indulge me.”
“My queen does not have to ask. I am yours to command.” Mysaria said, turning back to her.
“I had hoped that we were past the point where I would command anything of you.” Rhaenyra said softly.
Mysaria was quiet for a few seconds, seemingly unsure how to proceed. Rhaenyra knew that she had just crossed some invisible line between them. This was more than a kiss in the heat of the moment. This was a conscious decision to erase one of the necessary barriers between a queen and her servant. Yet, she found herself not caring. Perhaps the reckless princess she once was still lived in her after all.
“I pledged my service to you my queen, whether you ask, or command, I am yours.” Mysaria finally answered.
Rhaenyra was momentarily speechless, sure she heard the underlying innuendo, that it was not merely her wishful thinking. Her eyes connected with the other woman’s and she knew she was not mistaking the desire reflected back at her. Mysaria looked away quickly but it was too late. Rhaenyra had already seen what the other woman would never say.
“Then I shall send for you tonight after the council meeting. We could share the evening meal while we discuss matters.” Rhaenyra informed her, suddenly filled with renewed confidence. Maybe it was folly, the thought of pursuing this new dynamic that lay between them. As the queen she should be the one to exercise some restraint. But the sudden, knowing look that entered Mysaria’s eyes, followed by the welcome and acceptance, silenced the lingering doubt.
This war had been slowly chipping away at her confidence, her self worth. Being with Mysaria was the only time she could be herself, where she could speak freely and share her ideas without fear of ridicule. Where she felt some semblance of peace. Where she was not just The Queen. She didn’t want to deny it or ignore it. Didn’t want to reject what her heart was telling her.
The arrival of her son Jace halted whatever response Mysaria was about to give, but the smile she sent Rhaenyra was answer enough. The brunette bowed to Rhaenyra, subtly extracting her hand from the queen's grasp, then bowed to Jace, and took her leave. Rhaenyra was helpless to do anything but watch her go, even knowing her son was waiting to be acknowledged. She knew whatever happened tonight, nothing would be the same between them. The thought both excited and terrified her. She just needed to get through the next few hours then she could be truly alone with Mysaria.