Heilir Hildar Til.

Jace had been foolish and rash in his decision; it had been you who had your guards pry the sword loose that kept your mother locked in her chambers. You were angry at Jace for commanding this. You were angry at Ser Lorent for obeying. If your mother were a man, would they have done such a thing? Certainly not. You caught a glimpse of the shredded red dress, her own anger and disappointment shining through the rash cuts and rips in the fabric, and the distressed look on Mysaria's face. There would be Seven Hells to pay when Jace returned, but the Gods robbed him of such a fate.

When your twin died at the Gullet, after your mother held his lifeless body to her breast, she turned to you and held you tightly in her arms. Your tears of grief mixed with hers, sobbing for the boy…no, the young man who was lost that day. The young man who would have been a great king, with Baela ruling by his side. Two sons dead, two brothers lost to the Stranger. Now you were her heir. The Crown Princess. You wept with your mother, you wept with your good sister who would never be queen, and then you were left to weep alone in your chambers.

"Princess. Ser Addam is here," your guard announced as you warmed in front of the fire, stretched out on the cushioned bench with a white fur draped over your lap.

"Allow him inside, please," you whispered.

"Princess, I am sorry for your loss. Prince Jace will be dearly missed," Addam said, lowering his head. "If only…mayhaps if I had gotten to the Gullet faster…"

"Oh, Addam, you were only following my mother's instructions. I do not think anyone would place the blame on you," you said quickly, standing and rushing over to take his hands in yours.

He softened beneath your touch, giving you a tender smile as he squeezed your hands. "Forgive me, you lost your brother, yet here you are giving me comfort and reassurance."

"Well, I've heard that Lord Corlys has been lost to the sea, so you have your worries as well," you told him gently.

"A man I hardly know," Addam sighed.

"Yet he is still family." He had confided in you not long after arriving on Dragonstone with your mother. The two of you had become quick friends, racing each other on dragonback, with him on Seasmoke and you on Aegarax. You taught him the commands in High Valyrian, as he preferred how they sounded rolling off your tongue. You seemed to possess endless patience, which he warmed to more easily than some of the gruff dragon keepers. "I think I have cried all my tears; no more seem to come, even though my heart weeps inside my chest," you whispered.

"Grief is a strange thing, princess. It can hit you when least expected," he said, and you lifted your gaze to meet his dark eyes and to find that sweet smile on his face. The familiar scent of dragon wafted from him, one you found comforting. "Then there will be moments where it slowly peels away."

"You're right. It happened with Luke and my baby sister. One moment you'll be feeling fine and the next, you'll be brought to your knees. Would you stay with me, Addam? Until I fall asleep? I find such comfort in you."

That smile widened across his face. "It would be my pleasure." He lifted your hands to his lips, gently kissing your fingertips.

He joined you on the bench, and you tucked the fur around both your bodies, letting your head rest on his shoulder. Deeply, you breathed in the scent of simmering embers that clung to his clothing.

"I would like to ride with you tomorrow and help search for Lord Corlys," you murmured, threading your fingers through his. In truth, it seemed like a fine distraction over wallowing alone in your chambers.

"I don't think your mother would allow that."

"If I am with you, I believe she'll be more lenient. She trusts you, Addam, believes you to be a sign. A talisman from the Gods."

"That is too much weight for my shoulders," he teased.

"You ride my father's dragon. A dragon who chased you, who sought you; if that isn't a sign, I'm not sure what else it could be. You are worthy, Addam."

"From your lips, princess." He kissed your temple.

You gazed up at him, growing bold and pressing a gentle kiss to his plush mouth. Warmth permeated from his face.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while," you admitted.

"I'll admit the same thought has crossed my mind once or twice," he chuckled, cupping your cheek.

"Mmm, then I hope you feel free to follow through should it pop into your mind again," you grinned, melding your lips against his once more. You tucked perfectly into his embrace.

He stayed with you until the golden dawn bled through the parted red velvet curtains.

"I should leave lest I cause a scandal with the crown princess," he whispered teasingly in your ear, sending a shiver down your spine.

"I will find you once I finish breaking my fast," you smiled. "And we will search for Lord Corlys together." One little sliver of grief unraveled.

"As long as you have your mother's permission," Addam said firmly.

"I will seek it and secure it," you assured him. He left you with another searing kiss before sneaking from your chambers. Just in the nick of time, as your ladies entered to help you dress, and the servants arrived with food. The grief had brought on a hunger, and you were eager to fill on the delicious food, especially the jammy eggs. You were dressed in your riding leathers before heading to your mother's chambers.

Rhaenyra had taken to her bed, wallowing in her grief. She reached a hand toward you, your fingers laced through hers, while you sat at her bedside. "Are you going for a ride?"

"I wish to help Addam search for Lord Corlys," you said gently, slipping into the Valyrian tongue to continue the conversation.

She gripped your hand tighter. "How I wish to coddle you against my breast and keep you safe once more, sweet girl. I am hesitant, but I will give my permission. Please do not rush into something reckless."

"I promise, mother." You placed a soft kiss on her clammy cheek. "Shall I have the servants arrange a bath for you? Perhaps that might make you feel better?"

She shook her head. "I wish to be alone. Come and see me once you have returned, so I know you are safe and sound. I trust Addam will keep you out of harm's way." You hoped Daemon would arrive soon and be able to lift her out of such bad spirits.

"Thank you, mother. I will return soon."

Addam waited in the mont for you with Seasmoke and Aegarax, side by side.

"I have her permission," you smiled at him, squeezing his gloved hand before mounting Aegarax. Her purples scales gleamed once she emerged into the sunlight, appearing like a violet burst against the blue sky.

You took to the skies with Addam, circling over the Gullet. Returning to Dragonstone at evenfall, feeling a high from successfully finding Lord Corlys, Aegarax crawled into the mont with Addam and saw Caraxes slithering through the volcano. The heaviness of your twin's death that you carried on your shoulder and deep in your back began to lift when you discovered Lord Corlys along with the Hull brothers and your sweet-sister, Baela. Grief slowly peeling away in a thin layer.

"My mother will be distracted by Daemon. I'll have the guards inform her of my return. Mayhaps you'd like to bathe with me? While I can bear the dragon stench, the scent of salt and sea makes me a bit nauseous," you admitted.

There was a large bathing chamber built into one of the rooms, one that your mother and Daemon had spent a lot of time in early on in their marriage. One that had been designed and built during Queen Visenya's time. Mayhaps it provided a private abode for conjuring her blood magic.

"That sounds like bliss," Addam smiled, taking your hand. "Then you must eat a good meal."

"As must you," you smiled, squeezing his hand.

It was an odd feeling as you disrobed with him, your back turned slightly as you removed your riding leathers after Addam helped tug your boots off. When you spun around, you caught sight of his chiseled body. Lithe, toned, and gleaming. You had never seen such a defined stomach before, and the urge to trace your tongue over each taut groove. Quickly, you moved into the warm water and swallowed down your lewd thoughts. But you could feel Addam's gaze lingering on you as you descended into the built in stone tub. He joined you a moment later, groaning as the water soothed his aching muscles.

A pleasant silence enveloped the room, both of you marinating in the warm waters and fragrant oil. He leaned back against the stone lip, stretching his arms out and tilting his head back. The tips of his tightly woven black hair dipped into the edge of the water. You lounged across from him before slowly closing the space and pressing your hands against his slick, bare chest.

"Princess?" he questioned, fixing his gaze on you.

"Please, Addam, call me by my name," you whispered before pressing your mouth against his.

It seemed Addam had been harboring similar feelings, his strong arms wrapping around your waist. Your name rolled off his tongue, making it sound like the most beautiful word ever to exist. His mouth pressed against your shoulder before moving across your collarbone, then his tongue gathered against the hollow of your throat. Dragonfire spread through your body from his touch, and you whimpered when it broke. Addam reached for a sponge, taking his time to help you wash before lifting you onto the stones, out of the tub.

"Do you wish for me to stop?" he whispered, nuzzling his face against the swells of your breasts.

"No," you moaned. He kissed his way down your belly before spreading your thighs. Little droplets of water clung to your bare, tepid skin.

He moved you with a firm ease, as only a dragon rider could, and lowered his face between your splayed legs. His tongue teasingly lapped at your cunt, causing the dragonfire to bloom brighter and hotter in your lower belly. The gentle trace of his tongue over your swollen pearl was unlike anything you had ever experienced before, not even with your curious fingers.

"Oh Gods, don't stop, Addam," you mewled.

He chuckled against your flesh before suckling on the tender bud and making your legs feel like jelly. Your toes curled, your body twitched, and a sudden burst of pressure flooded your lower stomach, followed by a beautiful state of euphoria. It was so intense, making your belly tighten, then relax in its wake.

"You make such beautiful sounds, princess," Addam murmured against your thigh. Your palms pressed against the polished stones, panting softly as you met his dark eyes. A cheekiness clung to his handsome features, lips twisting into a playful smile.

"There you go, calling me princess again," you chided softly.

"It seemed fitting in the moment. Gods know you are my princess." The way he said it made warmth roll through you. It made your heart flutter.

Another layer of grief peeled away.

The day came when your mother took King's Landing and her rightful throne. As you wandered the halls of the Red Keep, childhood memories played through your mind. Jace and Luke chasing you through the halls, Ser Harwin's kind smile, your father presenting you with an amethyst necklace he had bartered from Pentos, Helaena placing a dotted butterfly in your hand, Aegon chuckling as he showed you hidden passageways, Aemond sulking in his bitterness and disappointment, and Joffrey's loud wails when he was born. You reached for your mother's hand.

"You feel the ghosts as well," Rhaenyra whispered, squeezing your flesh.

"Happy ones," you replied.

A small silence befell before your mother broke it. "He makes you happy."

"Addam? Very much so."

"He is a good man. He brought me hope when I thought it lost. Lord Corlys asks that I legitimize him and Alyn."

"And will you?"

"I am sure I will be criticized for it, though I'm sure I will be picked apart for many things. I have agreed."

You kissed her cheek, and her nose rubbed gently against yours. A soft gesture from your youth, her loving touch that lingered on your skin after she tucked you and Jace into bed.

Addam's days were long as he was sent on countless patrols, circling the kingdom on Seasmoke. You would see him off every morning, watching Seasmoke disappear into the clouds and turning into a misty streak. One late night when he returned, weary from the day and his red cloak dragging the ground, he discovered you in his chambers, and an immediate smile spread over his face. A steaming bath and a hot meal waited for him, along with you in a silken violet robe, hair cascading down your shoulders.

"Come," you instructed, extending your hand toward him.

His palm was rough, but you had grown to love his touch. You undressed him from his armor, taking care with the pieces, and draped his scarlet cloak over one of the chairs. The two of you were no longer shy around each other, and he stood proudly before you, in all his glory.

"Into the bath," you hummed, and he climbed into the tub. You sat on a stool behind him, lathering the sponge before scrubbing his back.

"A man could get used to this," he sighed, flexing his toes in the warm water.

"Duly noted," you grinned, continuing to wash him up until the dragon stench faded.

He looked handsome draped in the dark blue robe, his russet skin gleaming from the bath. You ate with him, listening to the details of his day and overindulging in the lemon cakes. It turned out you both possessed a sweet tooth. You drained your cup of Arbor Gold before straddling his lap, wrapping your arms around his neck.

"You will no longer be Ser Addam of Hull, I am told. Soon you will be Ser Addam Velaryon," you smiled.

His large hands settled on your hips. "I never thought I'd ever bear the name Velaryon."

"You and Alyn have earned it," you whispered before kissing him.

The robes tangled together on the floor while Addam placed you on the bed. His cock protruded stiffly from his strong thighs, your soft palm stroking him until frothy beads clung to his tip after the fleshy hood retracted. You gathered them over your tongue before guiding him under you.

"You have ridden enough for today; allow me to do the work," you smirked as you mounted him, sinking slowly onto his hard, velvety cock.

Addam groaned, lust drowning in his dark eyes while his hands roamed your naked body, squeezing your tits, hips, and arse while you rode him. When he took you a second time, he moved on top and wrapped your legs around his waist, sinking deep inside you with each powerful thrust. Your head rested on his chest while he rubbed soothing circles over your back until you fell asleep in his arms.

Another small layer peeled away.

Addam and Alyn were now styled as Velaryons, and so you carefully broached the topic with your mother during a private dinner with her. "I wish to marry Addam."

An amused smile tugged at her lips. "I thought as much."

"The great Valyrian houses united, just like you and Father were," you said before biting into a bit of quail. While you knew the truth of the matter, you never wished to lay it before her. Laenor had been the man who raised you; he had been your father for all intents and purposes. "The people will look fondly on a crown princess who is married." You prepared for her to say no. You were the future heir, and your marriage alliance could be used as a great bargaining tool.

"My father allowed me to choose, and I will allow you the same, sweet girl. Truth be told, many in this realm will find fault with a woman ruler even if she is perfect. You may as well be happy with a good man by your side."

Lord Corlys was overjoyed with the news; another son to serve as a royal consort. You understood the crown was under stress from the stolen gold and insisted that you did not need such a lavish wedding.

"But you are heir to the throne; you should have a wedding befitting a crown princess," Daemon scoffed.

"My only desire is to marry on Dragonstone in the old tradition of Valyria," you replied, knowing that would appease him and broker no further argument.

"Ah. Very good," Daemon chuckled. You remembered your mother's wedding to him, dawn creeping over the horizon. It had been a confusing time; your father and aunt not long in the ground, but you remembered the passionate heat between your mother and step-father. There was no doubt that they were meant to be. Fire meeting fire. Twin flames. You loved the ritual, the blood exchange, and the words spoken in the ancient tongue.

Truth was, you were eager for it to happen sooner rather than later, and a simpler wedding assured you that. Addam's child grew inside you.

From beneath the layers of grief, a hard center of hope began to emerge.

The tang of Addam's blood lingered on your lips and tongue, the pungent incense making your eyes water as you recited the vows in High Valyrian. Addam had worked diligently with Maester Orwyle to master more of the language, and you could see the pride in his face as he repeated the words. The scarlet slashes on palms, his rough and yours soft, mingled together, signifying you were one with him now. Seasmoke and Aegarax circled overhead, braying and chortling. As Dragonstone was yours by rights now, you and Addam stayed there for a week after the wedding, in a bliss of relaxation, fucking and dragon riding. You waited two turns of the moon before visiting Orwyle, who confirmed you were with child and your grief was but a mere layer of gossamer tucked under your skin.

Jacaerys was born in your mother's first year on the Iron Throne. A tumultuous year that brought on a new dawn and fresh clutches of dragon eggs. Addam had chosen a green one with orange swirls for his son, one that reminded him of Vermax. One that you hoped would hatch soon. The mornings were started with Jacaerys tucked against your chest and Addam by your side, gazing lovingly at the two most important people in his life.

"Your uncle never lived to take the throne, but you will be king someday, my little Jace," you whispered in his ear. Already he looked like a smaller version of his father, and you hoped he possessed Addam's nature as well. He seemed to have inherited Jace's dark curls; the tightly coiled ringlets decorated his small head.

"He will be a good one with two strong queens paving the way for him," Addam smiled as Jace's small hand grasped his finger.

"I wish to feel your embrace, husband," you murmured.

"How can I refuse, wife?" he grinned, gently shifting you into his arms, holding you and Jace against him.