The air in the Red Keep was thick with the scent of summer’s end. Rhaenyra lounged in her chambers as she traced idle patterns on your skin. The other woman reclined beside her, a book forgotten in her lap.

“She dares,” Rhaenyra muttered, staring at the letter in her hands. The royal seal had been broken with an almost violent impatience. “She dares to ask this of me.”

“What does she want?”

“To speak,” Rhaenyra scoffed, though there was something beneath the bitterness. Not hesitation, not quite. “Alicent Hightower sends word that she wishes for a private audience.”

You hummed, unfastening the letter from Rhaenyra’s grip and scanning its contents. “You despise her,” you pointed out.

“She betrayed me,”

—

Alicent stood in the dim candlelight of Rhaenyra’s chambers, her hands clasped before her; Rhaenyra sat down, and you remained standing, a hand resting on Rhaenyra’s shoulder. A silent claim.

“Everything wrong between us, Rhaenyra – it was never my wish.” Alicent whispered after some futile conversation.

“You still want her,” you said, as if it were the simplest truth in the world.

Alicent’s breath caught.

Rhaenyra, who had sworn to herself that she had buried all softness for the woman before her—only watched.

Your fingers trailed across Rhaenyra’s arm, a touch so casual, yet possessive. When you turned your attention to Alicent, there was a question in your gaze.

Alicent swallowed. “I—”

“Do you?” Rhaenyra interrupted.

“Yes.”

“I could ask the same of you,” Alicent murmured, stepping closer. You raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by the shift in tone. “Could you now?” Rhaenyra, standing just behind you, let out a quiet, pleased hum. “She could,”

Alicent stood before them, the weight of years pressing against her ribs.

“You still look at her the way you used to,” you mused, watching Rhaenyra.

“You’re enjoying this.” Rhaenyra said. “Immensely.” You replied.

“Then tell me, {{user}}, what do you want?” Alicent asked in a low tone, raising an eyeborw.

Rhaenyra watched you like something sacred.