𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄. Rhaella's feet dragged in the sand. She had kidded herself into believing mayhaps all her suffering would at last be rewarded.

Perhaps she should have followed Rhaena to the Vale. At least then nobody would continue to question her progress, or lack thereof.

It seemed she was not the only one encapsulated in gloom. The Prince Jacaerys stood on the steps, gazing out into the water.

''Iksos Baela nykeēdrosa hen?" Rhaella asked, taking place at his side. 'Is Baela still out?'

"Ziry emagon issare mirri jēda." 'It has been some time'

Jace's draw brow furrowed, formulating a High Valyarian response that would not embarrass completely him.

"Ēza.." 'She has' Jace began hesitantly. Rhaella did not mock her cousin, waiting patiently for him to finish.

"Olvie tegon naejot ruaragon" 'She has much land to cover'. He finished unsurely.

A small huff of amusement left Rhaella's lips. Jace, much to his credit had been diligently studying the High Valyarian scrolls. He still had quite a way to go if he was to achieve fluency.

"There is no place for naejot in that sentence." Rhaella corrected. 

"Yet another reminder of my own inadequacy" Jace hissed out. Rhaella shifted awkwardly. It was not her intention to strike a nerve.

"You're getting better." Rhaella tried.

Jace scoffed, shooting her a knowing glance. "And nowhere near how you speak."

Seeing an opportunity to feel some semblance of superiority, Rhaella chose to shrug nonchalantly.

"My time was spent in scrolls and pages, yours was in the dragonpits."

The screech of Moondancer cut through, causing both cousins to avert their attention to the skies.

"I do not understand why my mother allows her leave, and not me," Jace said.

Rhaella thought carefully as to what she could say to her cousin. The softer option would be to goad him, reassure Jace that the queen was simply worried about his safety.

But that would be boring, and Rhaella was in desperate need of a distraction.

"It serves in your favor anyhow," Rhaella said. She began to walk to the corridors, Jace quick on her heels."Meaning?" Annoyance was palpable in the prince's tone.

Rhaella stopped for a moment, shifting her fervid gaze to Jace.  There was a slight amusement, something catlike in her eyes. It took him aback sometimes, how offputting albeit alluring Rhaella was.

"In your wait, you have more time to carefully plan your moves." She continued on walking to the table where Baela already stood.

Rhaella's brow raised slightly at her sister's disheveled hair. Perhaps she ran into some trouble?

"Well?"Queen Rhaenyra asked expectantly. All members of the Black Council impatiently waited for Baela's report.

Baela met Rhaella's gaze mischievously.  Just as she thought, her sister and likely been chaotic, as was her nature.

"I saw Ser Criston Cole with half a dozen other knights," Baela said. "Perhaps a scouting for a greater army."

Queen Rhaenyra crossed her arms. Rhaella was hardly surprised, Cole was now a kings guard and was acting accordingly.

Precious time was being wasted on their part. And she knew Jace would agree with her if she cared to voice the thought.

"How could you be sure it was him, and from such a great height?" Queen Rhaenyra asked Baela, eyes focusing on the painted table.

"It was not such a great height, your grace," Baela said cooly. Rhaella held back a snort, surely her sister gave them a proper torment before fleeing.

The queen Rhaenyra did not think it so amusing as she looked to Baela sharply for further explanation.

"You said not to engage so I didn't," Baela spoke. "Not exactly, anyway."

Rhaella's mind drifted to the sound Criston Cole and his party would make when she would scorch them in the flames of Aegarax.

Alas, it was but a fantasy.

"The time to act must be now." Lord Celtigar urges.

Rhaella's eyes traced along the lit table. Cole and his men were heading northeast, but surely not to Harrenhal as her father had claimed it and they would be more than fools to pursue the endeavor.

"Rooks Rest will be the likely destination," Rhaella spoke suddenly, catching all by surprise.

"And pray tell how you came to that conclusion." Ser Arthur said, condescendingly.

At the challenge, Rhaella felt a surge of confidence. She needed not a dragon,

only her mind.

Rhaella picked up a piece and slid it between Duskendale and Rooks Rest.

"Both castles are within their distance, I think Criston Coles's army will lay siege there."Rhaella looked up to face the lords. They held faces of doubt, much to her irritation. Perhaps if she possessed a cock, her words would be taken more seriously.

"She thinks." Ser Aurthor scoffs. Rhaella's face heated up in frustration.

"It is a keen thought." Lord Massey deflects from her softly. She did not wish to be coddled in such a pitiful way.

Jace nudged her shoulder in support, although it hardly made her feel any less silly. She knew he understood the feeling well, however, he was the male heir and she was nothing.

"It is more plausible they would be marching to Harrenhall, word must be sent to Prince Daemon." Lord Massey continued.

"What is your reasoning for such a thought?" Queen Rhaenyra looked to Rhaella.

"It must be a larger scheme one that would force us to--" Rhaella stopped abruptly. A figure walked quickly, almost inhuman into the darkness of the halls.  

Her mind had given way to madness, Rhaella was certain. The chillingly familiar pangs of whispers filled her head once more.

'A God must be fed.' it hissed.

"I commend you for the attempt, but you have no such insight into warfare." Lord Celtigar said.

Rhaella wished for the ground to open and swallow her up.

"Still though, I request  leave at once to fortify my castle." Lord Simon Staunton said.So her theory gave way to worry, at least.

"We must do something, your grace." Ser Arther said. It must've been the tenth time he has voiced his opinion. "Set loose the dragons and burn Cole."

Rhaella, in spite of her newfound hatred for Ser Arther, agreed. If the queen would send Rhaenys and Meleys now, while it was dark, any plots the Greens had would end.

But Queen Rhaenyra held fast to her path of peace. Rhaella could no longer admire it, they were at war and people would die either way. Such is the price.

It fell silent as the council waited for Rhaenyra's response. The vexation on Jace's face only grew. He had not given his input, choosing to heed Rhaella's advice.

"I have heard your arguments, and shall consider them." Queen Rhaenyra said, dismissing the council.

"Are you alright?" Baela asked, gently touching Rhaella's arm. "You just disappeared for a moment."

"I..." Rhaella drifted off. Something was here, and she intended to find out what it was.

She shook her head. "Goodnight."

Rhaella hastily marched into the halls. It became apparent to her that this was reckless and maybe her life was in danger.

But in all the places she dared to look, nothing was found. Somehow, she was relieved as she went to her chambers.

It was lonely, usually, Astris was here to help her undress. Rhaella hoped the girl was faring better than her.  Slipping into her nightgown, she sat on a stool facing the mirror.

Rhaella could only trust that her plan could bear some semblance of success, lest she embarrass herself yet again.

Her eyes tugged toward the pillow atop her bed. Aemond's letter was still there, testing Rhaella's already weakened resolve.

"It's nothing remarkable, save for a load of blabber." A voice spoke.

Rhaella knew that voice, the one to blame for her dreams of torment.

Her eyes snapped up to the mirror, seeing a man standing behind her. He was tall, unnervingly so, with tanned skin and curls of chocolate brown.

And his eyes were black as the night sky, leaving no parts white.

Stumbling, Rhaella fell from her stool in a panic. Her eyes frantically looked around for anything to defend herself.

"It wouldn't work anyhow."He said, an odd smile gracing his lips.

"What the fuck are you?" Rhaella bit shakily. The man plopped carelessly onto the floor across from her.

"I suppose it depends on who you'd like me to be." He said.

She could scream and guards would rush over in a moments time.

He chuckled lowly. "You would only look foolish Rhaella."

Rhaella tucked her knees further into herself. He was invading her thoughts.

"Stop that," Rhaella demanded.

"You should be far used to this by now." He retorted.

Yes, she had grown used to her own insanity. The voice that had led her to kill a man had now manifested into something she could see.

"And you chose this form, for what purpose?" Rhaella asked. Besides his abnormal eyes and height, the man was more or less human, handsome even.

He hummed out playfully, taking his time much to Rhaella's irritation.

"I had a mind to take your mother's appearance, though I figured it would deter you."

Rhaella scoffed in disbelief. So the Gods truly did revel in mocking her.

"It seemed to work on the last one, such a frail little thing she was." He mused.

Not only were the Gods very much real, it seemed. But this one had taken the liberty of revealing himself...to her.

"What.." Rhaella began. He crawled over to her, his black eyes boring into hers. Not looking at her, but rather in her.

"What do you want from me?" Rhaella asked.

"I am hungry, Rhaella." His voice dropped lower with an inhumane sound. Petrified, she pressed herself further to the wall, but to no avail.

He had long been inside of her.

"I require blood" A finger brushed one of Rhaella's silver curls to the side-- Her eyes squeezed shut.

"But..you know that, don't you?"

Rhaella drew in a breath. His voice was cold like pure death. When she sought the courage to open her eyes, he had vanished. She was forced to wonder if this was a dream.

Standing to her feet in a stupor. Rhaella's hands trembled. She could not sleep here, if at all.She missed her mother, horribly. It was a fact that she often tried to bury, but alas Rhaella craved the warm touch of her.

She missed Rhaena.
Astris. Her Father. Luke.

Aemond.

What was this?

Rhaella wrapped her arms around her waist, striding all the way to Baela's chamber.

She did not bother knocking either. Softly closing the door behind her, she stood over Baela's sleeping form.

If she were to lose her sisters, her family to this war-- All reason would be lost to her.

Her mind was made up. She would spill blood in her family's name.

Baela's eyes flickered open, jumping at the sight of her sister.

"Rhaella?" Baela whispered, voice laced with sleep.

She inched herself over her sister's body, flopping onto the unoccupied side.

Baela watched her in uncertainty. Her sister was suffering. From what? She knew Rhaella would rather die than tell her.

But when she saw how her little sister's body shook, Baela drew her arms over her.

It was all she could think to do.

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A/N: I'm ngl I could have uploaded this a longg time ago! College is starting back up so you know how that goes,but I'll still try to be consistent dw ^3^

So the God finally shows himself, how exciting lol. Not for Rhaella obviously.

oh and srry about the short chapter,😕

Here's Rhaella's fashion board as a gift!🙆🏾‍♀️

Rhaella is my gothic pookie 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

anyways let me know what you think!