CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
❛a plan no less.❜

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EARLY 130 AC ⸻ Dragonstone ⸻

RHAENYRA HAD called the council as soon as the sun began to rise.

"You called upon us, your Grace?" Corlys questioned, taking his seat at the table.

Rhaenyra nodded, giving a moment for everyone to be settled. "I spoke with Alicent last night—"

The table immediately erupted into chaos surrounding Alicent. Jacaerys, who didn't like the idea of this either, stepped forward nonetheless, "Your Queen is speaking."

Rhaenyra gave a small smile towards Jacaerys, as if she was thanking him silently. "As I was saying, I spoke to Alicent. She found me in the middle of the night and admitted she made a mistake, which I already knew." She sighed, continuing on, "She will give us entry to The Red Keep, where we will kill Aegon. Helaena, as Queen, will order the guards to lay down their arms."

"And you believe this?"

It took a moment for Rhaenyra to respond. Did she? Truly?

Rhaenyra nodded, "I have known Alicent the better part of my life. We will be cautious, but I believe she speaks with truth." Her lips formed a tight line, "She has conditions."

Scoffs and groans were heard throughout the room.

"She will take Helaena, her child, and Lyria and run. She will never be seen again."

Jacaerys scoffed at the mention of Lyria's name, but did not want to speak against his mother.

"Now, let us talk battle strategies." Her eyes fluttered towards her husband as he stood, " Daemon." Rhaenyra spoke, sidestepping to give him room.

"I secured the Greyjoys ships. We have the entirety of the Riverlands fleet." Daemon smiled, wickedly, "This will be our plan of attack."

⸻

Maerella sat next to Aegon, where she had been for days. Rarely was Aegon ever alone. Alicent and Helaena passed through now and again, but Maerella was the constant denominator.

Caressing his charred skin, she sighed, "How are you feeling as of late, my love?"

Aegon winced as she hit a layer that had been sensitive. "I am feeling as awful as I look."

Maerella sighed, "You're still as handsome as ever, to me."

Aegon simply looked at her, too weak to produce a smile. "Lord Larys offered me leave, with him."

Maerella sat back in her seat, "Would you take it?"

Aegon hummed.

"You would leave me?" Her voice was much quieter now, her eyes trailing down his body. She had stayed with him, through hell. She had left everything — left her family for him. "No, please don't."

"I will die here." Aegon admitted. He would never admit it was Aemond, but everyone knew it anyway.

"No you won't, not with me here. I promise." Maerella scrambled with her words, but they rang true. At least, she had hoped.

"He will come for me." Aegon's voice was more of a hushed whisper, eyes slowly scanning the room as if his brother would pop out at any given moment.

Maerella shook her head, softly placing her hand on his, "No he won't. He's basically running everything right now."

"I am a means to an end."

Maerella shook her head, "No, you aren't, and that is enough talk of it." Her voice was firm; commanding. Aegon knew that when Maerella set her mind to something, that was it.

⸻

Jahaena sat with Aurelia and Basalia in Basalia's marital chambers.

Basalia rested her hand on her growing stomach, "I'm frightened, I think."

"How come?" Aurelia questioned, sprawled out across Basalia's bed.

Jahaena looked up from her book.

The three of them had been getting close, as of late. Perhaps it was trauma bonding, but it didn't matter. They had each other, that's what counted.

"If Jacaerys were to perish in this war . . ." Basalia trailed off. "I couldn't handle that."

Jahaena sighed, "He won't."

"He stays atop his dragon," Aurelia added, "He will be fine from there."

"Rhaenys wasn't." Basalia added.

"That—" Jahaena began, not really sure where to go from there. Usually, dragons and their riders were untouchable. Now, the dragons were at war. Anything was up for grabs.

A lurking Jacaerys entered his room, making Aurelia and Jahaena jump.

"Ladies." He began, smoothly with a smile. "If I could have a moment with my wife?"

The girls nodded with a smile towards both of them, as Aurelia whispered a goodbye.

Basalia stood, placing a hand to her aching back.

"No, no." Jacaerys whispered, guiding her back down to her seat. He crouched down in front of her. "What troubles you?"

Basalia sighed, "I don't want to worry you."

Jacaerys shook his head, "Nonsense. Worry me, please."

Basalia attempted to form a small smile. "I just—"

As if knowing where this conversation was headed, Jacaerys placed his hands on top of hers. "I will be fine."

Basalia nodded, "But—"

Jacaerys leaned in closer to her, "I told you I would never leave you. I intend to keep that promise."

Basalia was merely frightened after Ser Leon's passing, and Jacaerys knew that. He accepted that.

Basalia nodded, a lone tear falling down her cheek. Jacaerys looked up at her, cupping her face. It was a silent, powerful moment as their beings intertwined. He used his thumb to brush away the lone tear as his eyes bore into hers.

Then, he placed a soft kiss to her lips. Basalia shared the kiss, placing her hands on the sides of his neck. Jacaerys pulled away, a comforting smile plastered on his lips.

"I will never leave you."

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