“Vermax will find it intriguing to meet a new face,” he said, walking in front of you as if he already owned Winterfell. “Just do not move too fast. For your own safety.”

For you—it almost seemed funny, you thought he'd get lost before he even took five steps, but the young prince had quite a good sense of direction. The North was not for beginners, little traveled, but he managed well and by a near miracle, your brother began to like him more and more.

“Oh, what a surprise. I was well planning on petting your friendly dragon's head. It must be lovely.” Definitely, your sarcasm dripped into every word you and Jacaerys exchanged—not because you had anything against him, but sometimes, he got a little annoyed by it, and that was the fun thing to see.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he stopped for a moment so he could walk beside you—and not in front of you, as he had done before. “So reckless? I guess I was expecting less madness from a Stark.” His eyes smiled along with his lips. Cute, you thought.

“I believe you sought sanity in the wrong Stark, your highness.” Your words made the smile linger on the crown prince’s lips. He found you intriguing, more than he could admit to himself—but, honestly, he didn’t expect anything less. Cregan had praised you to him, more than once.

Suddenly, your sarcasm and silly jokes stopped. Your eyes were fixed on the creature a little ahead of you. Vermax, a dragon not as big as the ones your father used to talk about—but scary, as well as peculiar and beautiful. Olive green, with red detailing, like a lizard.

Words in High Valyrian were spoken, you didn't understand them at all, but the dragon seemed to understand when Jacaerys approached and petted it, as if interacting with an extension of himself.

The first time you could see and feel how connected dragons were to their riders. Vermax still scared you a little, but not more than the idea of never being able to witness a creature like that right in front of you. Breathtaking, in a good way.

“Come closer, if you want.” Jacaerys said quietly, in a calm, serene tone, signaling with his head that you could take a few steps closer. “Slow steps. Please.”