TW: blood and gore(I warned you)

𝐃𝐈𝐙𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀'𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒.

She lay there, naked, Aemond's grip had since been loose around her waist, but still remained nevertheless.

It was a pathetic thought—She did not want to leave him. Perhaps that is why she lingered there far longer than was necessary.

The liquid had taken effect in her, her lids drooped heavily.

But she needed to move.

Rhaella moved slowly, reluctantly peeling herself away from Aemond's embrace. Her legs shook as she tried to make the minimum amount of noise possible, although it wouldn't have mattered—Aemond would not wake this night.

The clothes that had been cast aside in haste found themselves in Rhaella's grip as she redressed herself. When she was satisfied that all traces of her had disappeared, she stumbled to the hidden pathway from which she came.

Rhaella's cloak shielded her face against the slight breeze of Kingslanding. The streets were mostly quiet, save for the occasional bark of a dog or the drunken bumblings of a peasant.

She found herself at the apartments where she had ordered Astris to wait for her; The old wooden door creaked upon her entrance.

Diana was passed out in a chair, Elinda next to her. Astris, however, was sat against the stony wall, eyes closed.

'So pretty.' Despite heavy adrenaline rushing through her blood, Rhaella took time to admire her.

"I assume you did it then." Astris's voice spoke softly, her eyes still closed.

Rhaella seated herself before her, removing the hood from her head.

"How did you know it was me?" Rhaella questioned, voice in a horse whisper.

Astris's mouth quirked up into a smirk. "You bear an overwhelming presence, did you know that?"

She opened her eyes to take in Rhaella completely; what she had done was quite obvious.

"It can be horrifying, but I am mostly fond of it." Astris decided.

Rhaella gave a small smile. "Have you ensured that the riot will go through smoothly on the morrow?"

Astris nodded. "Her grace should thank you."

Rhaella scoffed at that, her violet eyes blinking alarmingly slow.

"I am not so eager to return to Dragonstone as of now," Rhaella spoke. Her speech was slurred, causing Astris to sit up in focus.

"How much of it did you consume?" Astris questioned.

Rhaella hummed, a beat too long than a sober person would've.

"Enough to not cause any suspicion," Rhaella responded.

Astris sighed, making her way to the backroom. Rhaella's gaze followed her in a dazed confusion. The rational part of her brain advised her to not roll over and sleep.

Rhaella did not listen, instead choosing to lay her body against the dirt floor.

When Astris returned, she saw her lady sprawled out like a sleepy child.

"You'll need to sit up, my lady" Astris commanded softly. When Rhaella still did not move, Astris took it upon herself to sit Rhaella upwards against the wall.

Rhaella whined slightly at being bothered.

"You shall feel more like yourself after this." Astris placed the cup into Rhaella's feeble hand.

Astris was not sure what she found more amusing—The fact that hours prior Rhaella had seduced and drugged the prince or that now Rhaella was acting like a babe.

"I snuck into his room." Rhaella blurted. "It was rather thrilling."

Astris giggled a little, trying to push the cup closer to Rhaella's lips.

"Yes my lady, I thought as much."

"He's going to kill me." Rhaella managed to swallow whatever Astris had given her.

"I am more than deserving of it." She sighed.

Astris did not respond to Rhaella's musings, in a moments time she would no longer feel that way.

"He will fear you I think, as will all of Westeros when they learn of your dragon," Astris said.

Rhaella smiled a bit at the mention of her new mount.

"Aegarax,my beast of death."

Rhaella allowed her head to lean back once more, letting silence take over.

----------

WHEN RHAELLA CAME TO, her eyes blinked rapidly in a panic.

"Ah, finally," Astris spoke cheerily. "You certainly took your time."

Rhaella's head felt significantly clearer now, albeit slightly buzzing.

"What did you give me?" Rhaella asked.

Astris's dark eyes sparkled. "Witchery."

Rhaella pulled a face as she sat up, slightly wobbling.

"Speaking of, I've had a thought," Rhaella said.

"Oh, how I love your thoughts!" Astris beamed. "Tell me."

Rhaella recalled the apparition's words to her.

"He requires blood," Rhaella stated, pacing around.

Astris racked her brain for a moment. There was a God calling to her lady, feeding her seductions by way of dreams.

Then there was the Princess Helaena's previous warning, pleading with Astris to comply.

'For the sake of the living and the dead'

Astris, shrewd witch she was, held no such sentiment; She only wished to see how far this could go, what Rhaella could morph into.

"Perhaps we could arrange for such a thing, this very night if you wish it," Astris said finally.

This piqued Rhaella's interest, a possible chance to finally seek out concrete answers.

"How would it work?" Rhaella asked, her blank tone held trickles of excitement within. Maybe it was the lust still left inside of her or the thought of satisfying the growing hungry violence.

Astris's smile deepened as she stood to her feet.

"This is more of my specialty, meaning no offense." She assured.

"And you do blood rituals often?" Rhaella deadpanned.

Astris blinked harshly. "Well...no." She said. "But I've always wanted to!"

The plan was bold as well as stupid—Rhaella intended to trifle with a power far above human comprehension.

But Rhaella had since forgone any logic.

"Let it be done then." Rhaella agreed though she was not entirely privy to her handmaids' scheme.

Astris was all too eager at the opportunity to spill blood; It could cause alarm with any other. Rhaella, however, found a twisted comfort in knowing her desires were a shared cause.

"I happen to know of one that shall be useful for such things," Astris said.

Rhaella followed her out of the door, the two girls standing in the empty streets.

"And what of me?" Rhaella asked. "Is there something I must do?"

stris tossed a loose curl back over Rhaella's shoulder. "Wait by your dragon, my lady."

With that, Rhaella watched Astris disappear into the night with a particular enthusiasm.

So, she turned the opposite way, blending into the night. Slipping through the back gate, Rhaella walked further into the woods.

Trying her best not to slip, she stopped when she could make the vague outline of her dragon.

Her dragon. Every time she thought of the concept, a girlish smile twitched onto her mouth.

"Aegarax." Rhaella hissed to the beast.

The dragon opened a single eye, green in color as he emitted steam from his nostrils.

Rhaella was unsure who or what Astris would come back with, nor did she know how long it would take. She sat on the grass, leaning up against the Cannibal's side.

Briefly, Rhaella's mind wandered to how she would show herself upon her return to Dragonstone.

Baela would be more than angry; Rhaella had not attempted to offer even a kind word to her sister upon the death of their grandmother.

But she did not feel guilty about the matter, strangely enough. Rhaella had suffered the loss as well, did she not bear the right to grieve in her own way?

After a while, Rhaella heard the patted footsteps of whom she assumed was Astris.

Aegarax was not so keen regarding the intrusion; his head was raised in alert.

Rhaella stood, brushing herself off, watching Astris struggle to drag something behind her.

"Seven hells, Astris, who is that?" Rhaella panicked, perhaps reason finally finding her.

Behind the Petoshi girl was a man, one larger than herself. He was adorned in ragged clothes, and his face was covered with a bushy mustache and beard.

The weight seemed to not bother Astris in the slightest, though, as she dropped him right in front of Rhaella's feet.

"I found the drunkard at madame Sylvie's brothel!" Astris exclaimed. "The fool was all too eager to follow me."

Rhaella crouched down to stare at the man,then turned her gaze back to her handmaiden.

There was a slight fear she felt,but it only gave way to pure admiration.

Her Astris, so devoted. The greatest of friends.

"You are frightening," Rhaella stated plainly, although there was a small smile on her lips.

"So you say," Astris responded back, rolling the man onto his back. She looked at the large dragon lying behind Rhaella's body in awe.

"He suits you, I think," Astris said.

"I should hope so, he did not make the process easy on me," Rhaella responded.

She shuffled aside some of his outer clothing so that his neck was visible.

"Cut him here, quickly before he wakes." Astris urged. Her cheeks were colored with excitement.

Rhaella glanced at the man again. Not like she hadn't killed before; But that action wasn't completely her own at that time.

This time, the knife would be her own doing. She could not hesitate.

Rhaella patted herself down for her dagger, sliding her hands down to its usual place at her thigh.

It wasn't there. Rhaella's eyes furrowed in confusion as it was not typical of her to misplace things.

Then, she remembered.

"Fucking hell." Rhaella hissed upon her realization.

"What is it?" Astris asked her.

"I left my dagger in his room," Rhaella admitted in embarrassment.

Astris's mouth fell open in surprise. "You did what?"

Rhaella closed her eyes as she recalled the last moments she held it.

"Aemond made me drop it," Rhaella said, her monotone voice carrying annoyance.

Astris stood in befuddlement, looking down to the man she had made the effort to lull here.

"Why would you let something like that happen?" Astris asked dumbfounded.

"It was not on purpose, obviously." Rhaella's face twitched in aggravation. "I drank your stupid concoction."

"You did not have to, though." Astris pointed out, however, Rhaella's sharpened gaze made her fall silent.

Suddenly, the man's body spasmed harshly as his eyes shot open.

Rhaella pulled Astris to her side, away from him. The two girls stood by Aegarax, the dragon's eyes were locked onto the man.

"Please." The man's hands raised slightly as his legs shook in fear at the sight of the beast behind them.

"If you try to run, he will eat you," Rhaella said, calmly serene.

"Did the prince regent send you?" He stuttered out. "I was only paid to show that gold cloak the way."

Rhaella stared at him in confusion. What was he going on about?

"Skoros gaomas ziry ȳdragon hen?" Rhaella hissed to Astris. 'What does he speak of'

"Īles addemmagon ondoso aōha kepa naejot ossēnagon Aemond." Astris pursed her lips 'He was paid by your father to slay Aemond.'

Yet, somehow, the child of her cousin was killed instead.

"On your knees," Rhaella commanded.

The man hesitated but quickly dropped when met with the Cannibal's growls.

Killing him was no longer the part Rhaella was concerned with, no he would have this coming.

Now, it was simply the how.

"We will need his blood, my lady" Astris reminded her.

"Hold him," Rhaella said to her,turning around to face her dragon.

Astris placed her hands onto his shoulders, holding tightly. He could have run away; surely, he was much stronger.

But the dragon had effectively frozen him in place.

'I wish it to be brutal' The familiar voice hissed inside of her head, the one she intended to see the face of

'Be brutal and I shall come to you.'

Rhaella's eyes flitted upwards to where her dragon stood, their eyes connecting in understanding.

This would be the start of many necessary evils, she concluded.

Turning to face the man, Rhaella walked forward. Kneeling to his level, she placed her hands over Astris's pale ones.

"You should thank me." Rhaella whispered to him gently. "I am allowing you to be of use one last time."

Then Rhaella bared her teeth, not like a wolf, but akin to a dragon. She let her teeth sink into the man's throat, ripping into the flesh of his neck until her mouth was met with the metallic taste of blood.

It felt warm on her tongue; The punctures coated her brown skin with crimson. His strangled cries were muffled by Astris's hand over his mouth.

When Rhaella felt as though she had done enough, she leaned back. The blood dripped from her mouth and onto her dress, her eyes had darkened in hue, blown wide in a rush.

Astris let the man's body slump into the dirt as she stared at her lady; The breaths of her chest quickened, lust trickling inside of her.

'A goddess' Astris thought to herself. She was sure she had never seen a more beautiful sight.

"May I say?" Astris tried to steady herself. "This is quite becoming of you."

Rhaella's tongue darted out slightly, met with the sensation of stickiness. She spit out the excess and sighed.

"Is that enough blood for you?" Rhaella asked. She was not so keen to do that again.

"More than enough" Astris's voice shook. "Let us begin."

Rhaella closed her eyes, unsure of what to expect. The Targaryens were no strangers to magic, but any written rituals were lost on her.

She had a God that was calling to her and fully intended to respond.

Astris began to chant in high valerian, her Pentoshi accent becoming thicker, Rhaella found it slightly hard to follow.

As she began to focus, Rhaella felt a trance-like state wash over her body.

'Come to me.'

When Rhaella opened her eyes, she no longer was in the woods. In fact, she wasn't outside at all.

Looking around she took in the familiar sight of her mother's chamber. The decor of the walls was an instant reminder of how loved Laena was by Pentos.

This was the cruelest of tests,but Rhaella would fight to pass it anyway.

"There you are, sweetling." Rhaella heard the voice of her mother behind her. It was a sound that had been pushed to the back of her mind—One that wasn't meant to be heard again.

Although her hands shook with anxiety, Rhaella turned to face her.

It was the Lady Laena Velaryon, or at least it looked like her. The white curls of her hair streamed onto the blue of the dress she wore; Rhaella wanted to do nothing more than to throw herself into her arms.

Alas, the plain truth was that this was not her mother--It was him.

"I have done as you asked," Rhaella said, only to be met with Laena's sweet smile.

"Not interested in wasting time I see." Laena chuckled,sitting herself on the couch.

"Come to me." Laena beckoned.

Rhaella's head tilted in uncertainty; Her footsteps were light as she walked. When she sat,her body shifted,legs shrinking into a new form.

Her younger form.

"I can withstand your games, if that is your intention," Rhaella spoke. Such strong words coming from a little girl's mouth.

"I think you'll find this a bit more natural." Laena's hands remained on her lap.

"I find this humiliating." Rhaella retorted, the baby fat of her cheek huffing.

Laena's laugh broke the illusion, it was an awful one, far from the sweet sound her mother made before her passing. It was the chuckle of death.

"You've always been so resilient, even from the time you were born." Laena mused.

Rhaella was silent so she continued on.

"I suppose that is why I let you live as a babe, so much potential there," Laena said.

"I do not understand." Rhaella shook her head. Laena simply smiled.

"You must understand that every action you've taken thus far has been guided by my will."

Rhaella looked away, unable to stare into the face of her mother speaking such things. Her life before this point had been largely unremarkable as she blended into the walls, unnoticed by her family.

"You are mine, from the start of your life you are mine." A hand reached out to tilt Rhaella's chin upwards.

"You say that," Rhaella said. "But you still cannot use me so freely, or you would've done it already."

"So astute." Laena mocked. "More so than the last one."

"I've already promised you my soul, so long as you give me strength," Rhaella said.

"The soul is yours to keep." Laena said. "I wish for the heart."

Rhaella looked down to where she pointed to the chest.

"My love?" Rhaella asked in confusion.

Your violence," Laena said. "I will feed on the violence that resides there."

"Balerion." Rhaella hissed to him. "Why does death wish to feed on my violence."

"I have found that Targaryens bear such misery" Laena spoke,her voice sounding distant.

"And you," Laena said. "You were born miserable."

So she would be the most wretched of her line?

"So let it be." Rhaella said. Her body shifted back into its current self--Her truer self.

Laena smiled,leaning in and placing a chaste kiss onto Rhaella's cheek.

"It is done."

----------

WHEN RHAELLA OPENED HER EYES, liquid black fell from them, coating her cheeks.

What had she become? A dragon or a monster?

Perhaps both.

The acrid smell of the man's corpse filled her nose, though it didn't bother her much. She was drenched with the stench of blood--- It was but a meager sacrifice to forge a girl into an abomination.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Astris calls out, her voice sounding far away.

Rhaella was still fixated on the rat catcher's body, gazing at it apathetically.

She could have Aegarax burn him, but perhaps that was too light of a punishment for his kind.

"Aegarax," Rhaella called for her dragon, who growled and raised his head.

"Ipradagon zirȳla giez."

'Eat him whole.'

Upon her command, The Cannibal took some steps forward, notably faster than he had moved before; He bared his teeth, chewing the body into pieces.

Rhaella was sure Aegarax felt sufficiently rewarded, she looked back to Astris.

"Quite all right" She spoke.

"Dawn shall be upon us soon." Astris looked up to the sky. "Leave now while you still have the cover of dark."

Rhaella used the hem of her dress to wipe the remaining blood stains from her face.

"You aren't coming?" Rhaella questioned,a pang of sadness present.

"I am of best use to you here," Astris said, shaking her head.

Though it was likely true, Rhaella knew it would be hard to return to Dragonstone, faced with a family that couldn't possibly understand her.

Resigning, Rhaella placed a kiss on the apple of Astris's cheek.

"You must promise to return at the first sign of trouble," Rhaella said.

Astris smiled fondly. "Naturally."

Rhaella left her, climbing atop her dragon. Astris moved aside for them;The Cannibal's leathery wings pushed the winds as he took to the sky.

-----------------

HE QUEEN RHAENYRA GREW MORE WORRIED BY THE SECOND.

She had considered sending someone to search for Rhaella. However, she had not the faintest clue where they'd even look.

Baela was worried too, but not largely unsurprised. It was typical of her as of late, to disappear in such a way.

Jace clutched the hilt of his sword anxiously, watching his mother stare down at the painted table.

"Your grace." The voice of one of the guards approached. "A dragon has been spotted overhead."

Baela's eyes darted to Jace's,it was not too hard to figure out who had just arrived.

Rhaenyra did not offer a response as she strode to the balcony to see the sight for herself.

There, descended from the skies, was Rhaella, mounted on the Cannibal. Following behind her were Jace and Baela. They looked up in shock-- Ignorant to what Rhaella had truly done.

Rhaella circled over the beach once before landing in the sand. She could see them up ahead, watching her, judging her.

She jumped from her dragon, uncaring--She knew what was coming.

"Your grace." Rhaella greeted simply. It was trifling Her tone.

Rhaenyra turned to go back inside, with Rhaella following after.

Baela said nothing to her, though her eyes were fixed on her dress's bloody stains.

"You have certainly made a showing for yourself," Rhaenyra snapped.

Rhaella blinked, largely unamused with the queens tone.

"I thought you'd be pleased." Rhaella said.

Rhaenyra scoffed. "You are impossible."

Rhaella's eyes trailed back to Baela, who avoided her gaze.

She was angry, Rhaella found more disconnect with that fact than Rhaenya's scolding.

"Your grandmother has sacrificed so much for the good of you!" Rhaenya exclaimed. "And here you stand, indulged in the doings of your own desires."

"My desires?" Rhaella nearly smiled at that. "You haven't the faintest clue what I've just done for our house."

"You will not speak to the queen in such a manner." Jace's voice cut through but was promptly ignored.

"The only reason why your scheme with Mysaria will be of any success will be my doing," Rhaella stated.

Rhaenyra was taken aback; she hadn't divulged her plan to anyone.

"Is this what you intend to do then?" Rhaenyra asked. "Come and go as you please."

"I have only acted as necessary," Rhaella responded. She wished to continue, sighting that Rhaenyra hadn't moved an inch worth noting.

"Go to your chambers," Rhaenyra ordered.

Rhaella shrugged, walking off to her room. None of them could see, not that she had expected them to.

It was beyond their understanding.

Rhaella stripped her dress off, the chemise underneath was still horribly wrinkled by Aemond's hasty touch.

"You are just like him," Baela said, standing in the doorway.

Rhaella grabbed a washing cloth, wiping herself down. She knew well to whom Baela was talking about.

"I have done more than our father in little time," Rhaella said, turning around to face her sister.

"You have done nothing, Rhaella!" Baela shouted, eyes enraged. Rhaella's defiance at a time such as this irked her.

"It is because of me Aemond will be unable to control the city on the morrow." Rhaella started.

"And I suppose he gets your love then?" Baela shouted. "Your heart?"

Rhaella flinched at the sound of her sister's voice.

"It is I who claimed the largest wild dragon." She walked to Baela, facing her closely. Truthfully,she did not want to think of him at the moment.

"I can not make you understand," Rhaella tried softly. Baela was not so receptive to her words.

Baela stared at her younger sister coldly—Untrusting.

"Chose." Baela crossed her arms. "The Queen or your kinslayer."

Rhaella looked away from her sister. Had it not yet been glaringly obvious?

"I choose you." Rhaella said. "I am ensuring that you become a queen."

Baela said nothing, however, the fire was still burning inside of her.

"Everything I've done thus far." Rhaella insisted. " I did for us."

Baela looked downcast to the floor, nodding. Then, she raised her hand, smacking Rhaella across the face.

"You have gone mad," Baela said.

She shut the door, slamming it harshly.

Rhaella's cheek stung, but she felt little else but sick satisfaction. This is what it meant to abandon weakness.

A/N: heyyyyy lolz. I did not mean to leave y'all hanging but I'm back and locked in!! I made sure this chapter was extra long as an apology <3