*note: the start of this chapter takes place at the same time as the Otto Hightower part of the previous one*

Vaera sat on a chair in the guest bedroom, looking outside. She could see the Blackwater from where she sat.

She was still in her same old dress that she'd been wearing when Ser Erryk and Rhaenys took her with them out of King's Landing.

She hadn't been in her regular dragonrider clothes, so there were holes in the dress caused by Meraxes' spikes.

She looked down at one of the holes, rubbing her finger over the edge of it when she heard footsteps behind her.

She whipped her head around, looking at the familiar face standing in the doorway. She didn't know why Jace was there and, quite frankly, she didn't know if she wanted him to stay or to go.

"Vaera..." Jace muttered as she looked up at his face. He looked sympathetic. "Where's Baela?" She asked.

Jace walked over to her, sitting down on one of the empty chairs. "I'm not sure..." He said, looking down.

"What you did was very kind." He said, making her frown. "What do you mean?" She asked. "Offering yourself and your dragon to fight for my mother."

Vaera shrugged slightly. "She's the rightful queen. If I didn't, I'd be a traitor."

"Still. You're Aegon's sister. You could've declared for him." Jace said.

"But I didn't." Vaera iterated. "Aegon isn't truly the only bad person in this situation." Vaera muttered as Jace looked confused.

"What do you mean?" Jace asked. "I still can't figure out why he did it..." She said, which made Jace even more confused.

"Why he did what?" Vaera looked up at Jace. "Viserys... why did he remarry if Rhaenyra was already his heir? Why would he risk having her claim challenged by the prospect of a potential son?"

Jace shrugged. "I guess we'll never know now..." He said. "Yes, we'll never know because he died and apparently wished for Aegon to be crowned King."

Vaera was angry at her father. There were things that he did that she didn't understand. Why would he even wish for Aegon to be King? He never really cared about anyone other than Rhaenyra.

"You know, when I was young, I used to ask my mother if Viserys was truly my father?" Jace looked at her with an expression between sadness and sympathy.

"I would ask how he could be my father if he didn't love me... Aegon helped me realize that he didn't love me." Jace walked closer to Vaera as she stood up.

He felt his heart ache for Vaera. He never knew Viserys was so cold toward her. He'd only known love from his grandfather.

"There are people who care about you." Vaera scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Ah, yes. I assume you're going to tell me that my mother, Aemond, and Helaena care for me, that your mother cares for me -" Jace cut her off.

"I care for you." He said. If he'd spoken any quicker, Vaera would've missed what he said entirely.

"I love you." Vaera was now more disorientated than ever. "Jace, please -" He cut her off again by placing a kiss on her lips, but she pulled away.

"I don't want to tear you and Baela apart. If it means that I have to run off to some place, I will." Jace grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers.

"I don't care what anyone thinks. I want to be with you." Vaera smiled slightly. Then, she heard a knock on the door.

"My Prince, your mother requests that you come to the Great Hall." The small man by the doorway said.

"Thank you." Jace said before looking back at Vaera. "Vaera-" She cut him off. "Let us go. It sounded urgent."

☆☆☆

As the Lords around Rhaenyra mumbled and spoke about war, Vaera looked down at one of the pieces that was placed on the table.

"The Lord of the Tides." Ser Erryk called suddenly, making Vaera look up. "Lord Corlys Velaryon, and his wife, the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen."

The Lord of the Tides walked with a cane that made a sound every time he put it down. "My Lords." He said as Baela and Rhaena walked past Vaera, walking to their soon to be husbands.

"Lord Corlys." Rhaenyra addressed. "It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again." Rhaenyra said.

"I'm very sorry about your father, Princess. He was a good man." Jace looked ahead at Vaera as she looked at the lord. He knew she didn't think the same.

Vaera stared ahead at the Lord, wondering what he was going to say. Wondering if he would declare for Rhaenyra or Aegon. Or neither.

Lord Velaryon put his cane down, making another clack sound. "Where is Daemon?" The Lord asked.

"There were other concerns that demanded the Prince's attention." Lord Corlys made a low hum, as if he didn't believe Rhaenyra and continued walking, his cane still clacking on the ground.

"Your declared allies?" Lord Corlys asked as he looked at the table carved as a map of Westeros.

"Yes." Rhaenyra answered. "Too few to win a war for the throne." Rhaenyra sighed. "Well, we would also hope to have the support of houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark."

"Hope...is the fool's ally." Corlys cut in. "Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house. But all of them swore oaths to me." Rhaenyra reminded the Lord.

"As did House Hightower, if I remember." The Lord reminded Rhaenyra in return. "As did you, Lord Corlys." Rhaenyra spoke.

Corlys turned and looked back at his grandchildren. "Your father's realm... was one of justice and honor. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause. This Hightower treason can not stand." Corlys said.

"You have the full support of our fleet and house." Vaera smiled as the Lord spoke. Rhaenyra now had a very powerful ally.

"Your Grace." Corlys bowed down slightly. "You honor me, Lord Corlys." Rhaenyra turned back to Rhaenys and nodded. "Princess Rhaenys..."

"But," Rhaenyra continued. "As I said to my bannerman, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united. If war's first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand." Corlys looked confused.

"You do not mean to act?" He asked. "Taking caution does not mean standing fast. I wish to know who my allies are before I send them to war." Corlys looked impressed at Rhaenyra.

He stepped forward, his cane clacking. "The consequence of my...near-demise in the Stepstones is that we now control them. I took care to fully garrison the territory this time. A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already. The Triarchy have been routed. The Narrow Sea is ours." Rhaenyra looked shocked.

"If we further seal the Gullet..." Corlys continued, "we can cut off all seaborne travel and trade to King's Landing." He hovered his hand over Driftmark, then King's Landing.

"I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself." Rhaenys spoke. "If we drain the Narrow Sea, we can surround King's Landing. Lay siege to the Red Keep and force the Green's surrender."

The Lord next to Vaera spoke. "If we are to have enough swords to surround King's Landing, we must first secure the support of Winterfell, the Eyrie and Storm's End." Rhaenyra said.

"I'll prepare the ravens, Your Grace." The Maester said. "We should bear those messages." Jace suddenly said. "Dragons can fly faster than ravens, and they're more convincing. Send us."

Vaera could see the terrified look on Lucerys' face. "The Prince is right, Your Grace." Silence fell in the room as Rhaenyra contemplated.

"Very well." She finally said. "Prince Jacaerys will fly north. First to the Eyrie to see my mother's cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then to Winterfell, to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the North. Prince Lucerys will fly south to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these Lords of the oaths they swore. And...the cost of breaking them."

Vaera suddenly got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach when she looked at Luke. She never got a bad feeling like that unless something bad was going to happen.

"You are dismissed." As everyone left, Vaera stayed behind. Jace searched for Vaera as everyone left but didn't find her.

"Your Grace..." Vaera walked to Rhaenyra. "I- I would like to accompany the young prince to Storm's End." Rhaenyra looked confused.

"Why?" Vaera looked down. "It's hard to explain." She said, causing the Queen to look even more confused.

"Explain it as best you can." Rhaenyra said. "I have a bad feeling about him going to Storm's End. Something just tells me something bad will happen. And besides, I think Meraxes is a lot more convincing than Arrax."

Rhaenyra nodded. "Very well." Vaera nodded and started walking off, but before she could, she heard her name being called.

"Vaera!" She turned around. "Yes, Your Grace?" Rhaenyra smiled. "You don't expect me to send you to Storm's End with the tattered dress you have on now..." Vaera looked confused.

"Your Grace?" Rhaenyra beckoned her over. "Come. I have many dresses for you to wear."

☆☆☆

Vaera laced up her boots as she got ready for a fly on Meraxes. She didn't know where the dragon had taken rest, but she was sure to find her. A dragon that large wasn't easy to miss.

She heard a knock on her door, which startled her. "What are you doing?" She heard Jace's angry voice.

"I'll be flying to Storm's End with your brother." She said, making him step forward. "Why would you do that?" He asked.

"I don't want him to go alone. It feels like something bad is going to happen." Jace sighed, taking her shoulders in his hands.

"Why didn't you express that? I could've gone with Luke." She shook her head. "Storm's End is a short flight. We'll be back in no time."

"You had a bad feeling about Luke going alone, so you decided rather than to have him stay, or have me go with him, to willingly put yourself in danger?" Vaera rolled her eyes, stepping away from Jace.

"It's not danger. I just don't want him to go alone." Vaera kissed Jace's cheek. "I'll be fine. Trust me." Jace leaned in and gave her one last kiss.

"Alright, I trust you."

☆☆☆

A/N- I lowkey hate Viserys, but I hate Otto Hightower so much more. If Otto Hightower had 2 haters, it would be me and Daemon Targaryen. Anyway, fuck Otto Hightower ~D