Chapter dedicated to zoyadiackiller! Thanks for the review!

Should I add dates to this? Because the chapters are NOT in chronological order. I'll probably piece the plots back together at some point, but if anyone wants, I can add dates.

~oOo~

It was not as if Daenerys could not claim royal blood. Both of her parents had been of royal blood, prince and princess before they were king and queen, as their parents had been before them. She could trace her line back to Aegon the Conqueror, the first king of Westeros. He had burned Harren the Black in his stone walls, destroyed the Lannister and Gardener armies in the Field of Fire, and taken the Vale and the North without so much as raising a sword. Like him, she was a dragon. No one would argue that, not with Drogon curled around her throne, not when his wings cast shadows over Meereen.

But Dany had not been raised among the noble houses of Westeros. She had grown up in Braavos, in Ser Willem Darry's house with a red door. She had been cast into the streets of the Free Cities, living frightened and abused. When she was three-and-ten, and it had not escaped her notice that there was only interest in her after she flowered, she and Viserys had been taken in by Illyrio Mopatis in Pentos. It was better than living on the street, but it was not Westeros. Viserys had told her how they would retake the Iron Throne with his help, but Dany had been little more than a slave, and had been sold to Khal Drogo in turn.

Arianne, however, had never needed to rely on the favor of others. She was the daughter of the Prince of Dorne, and the Martells still remembered when there had been no king above their princes. While Dany had fought her way up in the world, ruling by her wits, Arianne had been trained by her father to take his place in Sunspear. Although Dany did not admit it to Arianne, the Dornish princess was far better at politics than she had ever been.

Once she had been assured that Quentyn would not die and seen her brother's wounds herself, Arianne had sat with Dany's council meeting to learn what was happening in Meereen. Then she had written letters, not only to her father in Dorne, but also to those who had been masters in Meereen. Dany doubted that letters would do anything for them, but she took them and had them sent where Arianne requested nonetheless. It would be difficult to make the situation worse.

In response to those messages, the Green Grace had come, and she and Arianne had spoken for a long while, feasting in Dany's council room with white Viserion dozing on the balcony. Perhaps it was that Arianne's mother was of the Free Cities, or that she was simply more clever than Dany's advisors, but when the Galazza Galare left the Great Pyramid, Arianne sent word to Dany that she must come to see their negotiations.

So she had left her throne room late, wishing she could remove her tokar and dress in the riding pants favored by the Dothraki, but only clutched the Ghiscari garb tighter. By the time she arrived, her advisers were already arguing. Arianne was seated in the center of the table, a dark green tokar wrapped around her and a large amethyst at her throat. She looked more Ghiscari than many of the former masters that Dany had seen in the city. They quieted at her arrival, and Arianne lifted her chin and began to explain, the others bristling behind her.

"I have come to a first agreement with the Green Grace, although we expect you'll want to make some changes," Arianne sat back in her chair, "she thinks you should marry, take a king among the nobles to aid with ruling the city."

Dany had not expected that. Arianne had come to Meereen offering a marriage to her brother, and now she wanted her to marry one of the Meereenese? "Aid with ruling the city? Can this king puff his cheeks up and blow Xaro's galleys back to Qarth? Can he clap his hands and break the siege of Astapor? Can he put food in the bellies of my children and bring peace back to my streets?"

"Can you?" Dany was speechless for a moment, at the Dornish girl's audacity, but Arianne was not finished. She reached for the wine before her, her fingers and arm gleaming with jewelry and shining metal, "you say you want to sit the Iron Throne. You have accepted my father's offer of ships, but you say you wish to bring peace to Meereen first. You cannot rule Meereen from across the Narrow Sea, and so you must install someone here to obey your orders."

"They have murdered my warriors and tormented the freedmen of the city. How can I trust them?"

"You have dragons," Arianne gave Viserion a pointed look over the edge of her glass,"if you take the Iron Throne and find they have not obeyed your commands, you can come back and burn them. That threat will keep them obedient, if you can first make peace. Tell me, what do you know of Robert Baratheon?"

"The usurper?" The question was unexpected. Arianne had not so much as paused in asking it, as if it followed, but what did the Baratheons have to do with Meereen? "He raised a rebellion against my family, murdered my father and brother, and my brother's wife and children, and if Viserys and I had not fled he would have killed us as well. He is a traitor, and he is dead."

"Do you know what Westeros thinks of him?"

"I know the smallfolk of Westeros await my return. I imagine that means they do not approve of his betrayal."

Arianne studied her face, "who told you this?"

"My brother, Viserys. Why does it matter?"

"It matters. What did Ser Barristan tell you of your family?" The knight had gone quiet when Dany entered the room, but now he grew pale, and Dany's confusion was overridden by suspicion. First Jorah, now Ser Barristan? Although, now that she looked to Jorah, she saw that he too refused to meet her eyes.

"That he knew Rhaegar, and had fought beside him. That he was a brave and noble man."

"Nothing of your father?"

"What is this?" Dany demanded, "what should he have told me. Ser Barristan, what is she talking about?"

"Tell her," Arianne looked at Ser Barristan now, and they stared at each other. "Tell her of the Starks, or I will."

Ser Barristan looked to her slowly, "I know of the Starks," Dany snapped.

"Of Lyanna Stark?"

"Of- of Eddard Stark."

"Tell her what happened at Harrenhal. Of what Rhaegar did."

"Prince Rhaegar won the Tourney at Harrenhal, my Queen," Ser Barristan would not quite look her in the face.

"You were there," Arianne pressed.

"Yes, I was one of the men he defeated in the joust."

"And after Rhaegar won, what happened?" Arianne sounded accusing, and as annoyed as Dany felt, "with my aunt there, watching as her husband won the tourney, what did he do?"

"He crowned Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty," The room had gone quiet. The Meereenese in the room were confused, but they were not stupid. Dany's surprise and Arianne's anger kept them silent, looking between the Westerosi warily.

"Are you certain Elia was there?"

"My Uncle Oberyn was as well," Arianne replied flatly, "I am sure. Tell her who Lyanna Stark was, Ser Barristan."

"You might tell her, and make this quicker," he replied, and Dany had never heard him sound so defiant.

"Lyanna Stark was the daughter of Lord Stark," Jorah interjected, "a sister to Brandon and Eddard Stark, and betrothed to Robert Baratheon." Now Dany understood, but the pettiness of Arianne's point did not help the Baratheon cause.

"So Baratheon started a war and overthrew his king because his betrothed was named the queen of love and beauty? Shouldn't he have been pleased?"

"Perhaps he was," Arianne shrugged, "I cannot say. Elia was not, nor was Oberyn. And he certainly was not when Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark."

Her brother had been a brave and just man. She looked at Ser Barristan, "Is this true?" She wished her voice was not so quiet.

"Yes."

"Brandon Stark, her eldest brother, rode to King's Landing and demanded Rhaegar explain himself-"

"He told Rhaegar to 'come out and die,'" Ser Barristan interjected, "I was there."

"You were there," Dany cut in, "so tell me."

"The king had them sent to the dungeons, and sent for their fathers. Lord Rickard Stark came to fetch his son, and the king- he declared them guilty of treason and conspiring to murder Rhaegar. He ordered them executed. Lord Stark- Lord Stark demanded trial by combat." Ser Barristan was staring at some point behind her.

"He lost?"

"In a way." Arianne did not finish the thought, and it took the knight a moment to go on. Dany was suddenly cold. A trial by combat was a just way to determine guilt in Westeros, she knew this well. What had happened that was so terrible that Ser Barristan could not tell her?

"Lord Stark dressed in full armor and came with his shield and sword to the promised combat. He was bound and hung over flames before the throne. The king had declared fire the champion of House Targaryen," now that he had begun Ser Barristan seemed to be unable to stop. He continued talking, the words rushing together. "He brought in Brandon Stark as well, tied a cord around his neck and place his sword just out of reach. He said that if he could take his sword and cut down his father, he would let both of them go. While his father screamed, Brandon Stark strangled himself trying to reach it."

"Aerys demanded the heads of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon," Arianne continued. She was unconcerned with the story, and Dany realized that she knew this well. Perhaps all of Westeros did, but no one had ever told her. Mad Aerys they called him. Viserys had called it lies. Viserys had also said he loved her and sold her like a slave.

"Why?"

"I do not know. My father thinks it was because he feared they would start a war over Lyanna. My uncle thinks it was because he was still angry that they dared to demand Lyanna back. Rhaegar was the crown prince, after all, whatever the Targaryens wanted, they took, in Aerys' mind. What I do know, is that both boys were wards of Jon Arryn of the Vale, and that Arryn would not give them up. He called his banners and closed the Vale.

"Brandon Stark had been engaged to Lord Tully's daughter, and Eddard married her instead to gain the Riverlands. The North, Vale, Stormlands, and Riverlands rebelled to save Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon," Arianne paused, frowning, "the Lannisters hid under Casterly Rock and the Reach sent men to aid the Targaryens. Dorne did too, for they had Elia. Aerys sent Rhaella and Viserys to Dragonstone to protect them, but Elia he kept in the Red Keep."

"Robert Baratheon murdered them."

"Tywin Lannister murdered them," Arianne corrected firmly, "after he convinced Aerys that he was going to help defend the city. Amory Lorch dragged Rhaenys from under her father's bed and stabbed her over and over. Gregor Clegane dashed Aegon's dead against the wall and raped Elia while she was covered in her son's blood. Then he crushed her head. That is how they returned the bodies to Dorne."

"Robert Baratheon betrayed my family."

Arianne stood, stepping around the table and taking Dany's hands in her own. Dany registered that she was sitting on the floor, one of her bloodriders standing protectively over her, Arianne kneeling in front of her. Her hands were cold and her head was spinning. On the balcony, Drogon had landed, forcing Viserion to flee her larger brother. He had stuck his head inside the room, sending many of her advisers scurrying into the hall, and now looked at her with his fire-colored eyes.

"If Lyanna had been Rhaego, would you have let her be kidnapped because the man who took her would be king?" Dany did not answer her. She would rain fire and blood down on anyone who tried to take her daughter from her. She would have released her dragons from under the pyramid and burned the city before allowing her to come to harm. She would burn them all, slaves and masters alike. "If you were Robert Baratheon, would you have died willingly?"

I am the blood of the dragon. A dragon knew no better, but a man did. She thought of the slave children she had replaced with Great Masters on the road. Of the women she had taken from Drogo's riders. Breaker of Chains they called her, for she had freed the slaves. What was Lyanna Stark, but a stolen slave? What was she to do? Allow the man who wanted her dead to keep his throne? Yet isn't that the choice Robert Baratheon had as well? She looked up at Arianne.

"Why do you tell me this?"

"Many reasons. Because you deserve to know what the rest of Westeros does. Because you must know the mistakes made in the past to make the world better. And because if Rhaegar had asked for Lyanna Stark's hand instead of stealing her, perhaps he would now sit on the Iron Throne. You cannot win Meereen through fire and blood, your Grace; not if you want those you freed to remain alive. You must use diplomacy if you want peace."

Dany was still. Drogon's breathing was all there was to hear, loud in the small room. She wanted to go back to her rooms and take Rhaego from where she slept, to hold her babe and try to understand. Was it just to take the Iron Throne for herself? What if her father's madness was hidden within her? She could not hide, not now. I am the blood of the dragon. Her people needed peace, and she was their queen. Dany gripped Arianne's hands tight, and pushed herself to her feet.

"There is nothing to fear," she pressed her hand to Drogon's scales, hugging his muzzle to her chest and looked into his eyes. "Be calm."

He snorted and turned away, his tail hanging over the balcony railing as he made himself comfortable, watching her still. She took a seat at the table, near Arianne, because she did not yet trust her legs. Her head hurt, and still spun from Arianne's revelation. She pushed it from her mind and turned to Arianne as her advisers came back into the room, "what is it you think must be done?"

"The Green Grace suggestion that you marry a Ghiscari noble, Hizdahr zo Loraq. We spoke of this, and she says that he can bring peace to the city."

The Shavepate began to grumble, "she would say anything to get close to the Queen."

"Do you take me for a fool?" The Shavepate was head and shoulders taller than Arianne when she was standing, and she was sitting down the table from where he stood. Had they exchanged places, they would be the same height. The Dornishwoman's gaze did not falter, "My mother was born in the Free Cities, and I was trained to be the Princess of Dorne. I know of the noble houses of Meereen, and I would not have heard the Green Grace's words if she did not speak the truth."

"What if I marry him and he cannot bring peace?"

"If he can stop the attacks, then he is the cause of them," Airanne ignored Skahaz this time, turning back to Dany.

"We have agreed that there must be three moons of peace before you would marry."

"I do not understand. You came here to ask me to return to Westeros with you, but now you want me to marry a Ghiscari? Westeros will not accept him as their king. Is he to ride one of my dragons?"

"Targaryens are known to take multiple consorts. Aegon the Conqueror himself did it. You have two dragons beside Drogon, and have said you will marry their riders. What is one more husband for the Dragon Queen? Rhaego is already your heir, you do not need another for the Iron Throne.

"This is what I propose: appoint Hizdahr the Prince of Meereen, and have him rule in your name, following your commands. In Westeros, you will have many noble lords who rule over parts of your kingdom, what is one more?"

"He would not be a lord, he would be my husband. I intend to go to Westeros, who will rule after him?"

"Your child." Dany stared at her. Few knew that she could not bear another babe, and she was not certain she wanted Arianne to be among them. She was a valuable ally and rode one of her children, but Dany had known her less than a moon.

"No. I will go to Westeros to sit the Iron Throne, if the babe goes with me he will know nothing of Meereen and he cannot stay here without me. I would not leave my child with a man I know nothing of."

"Then he can take another wife, and their children can rule after him," Arianne frowned, "The marriage is to calm the nobles, not to provide children."

"Am I to marry a man from every city I conquer?"

"I have spoken to the Green Grace about this man, and sought the advice of others as well. If you wish to conqueror more cities, give Hizdahr charge of them as well. He is said to be a clever man of noble birth, if he cannot rule your cities, then cast him away and take a husband who can."

"You wish me to change husbands as I change clothes?"

"In Westeros, if a woman does not give her husband sons, he can set her aside and take a different wife. If a lord cannot control their holdings, their leige lord can give them to another. You expected to have two husbands, now you only have one dragon who can take a rider, and thus will have one husband. What is another?"

"I must think on this."

"I told the Green Grace as much. When you have decided, we shall send for Hizdahr zo Loraq and give him your answer. If you say yes, he promises to stop the killings that very day. If you say no, there will be no change."

"Can we not make him stop the killings?"

"It is not he who commands them," the Shavepate began to interject, but Arianne spoke over him, "why do you need a Westerosi husband?"

"Because Westeros will not accept a Ghiscari king."

"Then why should Meereen accept a Westerosi queen? You do not understand the Meereenese people, my Queen," Dany had a protest on her lips, butcagain Arianne continued, "You do not like it, would not wear it if you did not think it would help, but they do. They do not like your Dothraki garb, you do not like their tokar. A compromise can be reached."

"Have you ever tried to ride a dragon in a tokar?"

"That is not the point. You see it differently from how they see it. While some call you the Breaker of Chains, others see a conqueror from across the seas, come to murder them and make slaves of their children," Dany bristled, but Arianne did not falter, "a king will change that. A highborn king of pure Ghiscari blood will reconcile the city to your rule.

"You asked me to bring peace to the city. This is the best solution I can find."

Dany said nothing. She thought of Stalwart Shield, of Missandei's brother, of the woman Rylona Rhee, who had played the harp so beautifully. No marriage would ever bring them back to life, but if a husband could help end the slaughter, then she owed it to her dead to marry.

"I must think on this." Men would die in the streets tonight. "Send word to Hizdahr zo Loraq. I will give him my answer in the morning."

"As you say, my queen."

Daenerys stood, then, her head still spinning. She did not feel confident on her feet, but she forced her legs to work. She had meant to fly Drogon after the meeting, but instead she turned toward her rooms, Rakharo following close behind. The pyramid was the safest place in the city, but at the door stood a dozen Unsullied, men hand-picked by Grey Worm. They said nothing as she hurried past them. Inside the room, Jhogo sat on a bench, cleaning his weapons, and he started as she shoved the door open. Beside Rhaego's bed, in the most comfortable chair Dany could find within the city, sat Rhaego's wet-nurse, Layaffi, with her babe in her arms.

Dany calmed her voice, "please, leave me alone with Rhaego."

Her bloodriders withdrew to wait outside the door. Layaffi took her daughter and went to her adjoining rooms, closing the door behind her. Once they had left, Dany picked up her daughter, cuddling the babe to her chest. Rhaego's copper skin was dark against hers, and when Dany smoothed back the shock of silver hair, she stirred, looking up at her mother with violet eyes.

Dany had promised to sit her on the Iron Throne.

Would Hizdahr zo Loraq help see her there? She had never before had such doubts, but now they filled her until the rest of the world dimmed. Does Mad Aerys' granddaughter deserve to sit on the throne?

She had promised to keep her freedmen safe, but they were dying.

Would my father have fought for his people? She could not give Meereen a babe to keep the peace. Can Hizdahr?

Collecting the soft blankets that Rhaego was wrapped in, Dany retreated into her own quarters. Dawn would come far too soon, and she wanted to be alone. Her own rooms were brighter than her daughter's, and her handmaidens were in the room already. Irri was readying a bath, the tub and oils laid out already, "I am sorry, Khaleesi, I did not expect you so soon."

The Dothraki was warm against her ears, and suddenly Dany missed Drogo more than she had since coming to Meereen. There would be no argument, no diplomacy, if Khal Drogo was here. Meereen would do as he commanded, or he would put them to the sword. She thought of the women she had saved from his riders, remembered Irri and Jhiqui had been taken as slaves from conquered Khalasars.

"Do not worry. I do not want a bath tonight, but I will take one in the morning," Irri nodded obediently, "go and find the khalasar, Irri. I need nothing else tonight."

"Thank you, Khaleesi."

The bed was covered in fine blankets, was so soft that Dany sank when she lay on it, but she only pulled one of the blankets off and dragged it across the floor. While she had fetched Rhaego, Drogon had made himself comfortable on her terrace. She draped the blanket over his leg, spread it over the floor, and sat Rhaego on it. Then she stripped off her tokar and threw it aside, grateful it came off easier than it had gone on, before collecting her babe and curling against the blanket.

Drogon was black scales and fire, but Dany had long ago lost any fear of him harming Rhaego. Were it not for him, her daughter would be dead long ago. Indeed, he nuzzled near her, careful not to huff his hot breath over Rhaego, but peering curiously down at her all the same. The Harpy himself would not dare attack her now. The babe reached out an arm for the dragon, but Dany caught it, worried she would scratch herself. She placed her hand gently on the smooth scales instead, and the dragon was so close to Dany's head that she was staring into his eyes.

I am the blood of the dragon. She was a Targaryen that had never known Westeros. If the meeting today had been anything to go by, she knew far too little of it to rule. Dany felt small. She was the Queen of Meereen, by right of conquest, but she knew far too little of how to rule. Arianne had pried information from the city that seemed closed to Dany, had found a path to peace within weeks of arrival. How many lives might have been saved if she had been here when Dany first arrived? All of her titles were a lie. She was The Unburnt, with shorter hair than Viserys' maiden sister. The Breaker of Chains, while most of Slaver's Bay had resumed their slave trade. A Mhysa ready to abandon her children for a throne. A Khaleesi who's Khal was dead, who's khalasar had faded, who had been sold as a slave and made a queen. Mother of Dragons. Drogon was still watching her, Rhaego bubbling laughter in her arms.

She sank back into the blanket, relishing in the heat of Drogon's scales.

Dawn came too soon. Dany woke, lying against Drogon's blanketed leg, half-curled around Rhaego. Jhiqui was singing softly in Dothraki in the side room, and she stood slowly. Irri had filled the bath as she had asked, and Dany gave Rhaego to Layaffi and sank into it. The water was steaming still, and she was grateful for it's warmth lapping at her skin. Irri scrubbed her skin, rubbing her with sweet oils and helping her from her bath. As she braided Dany's hair, Jhiqui brought out a beautiful, dark blue tokar.

Dany took a long look at the shapeless garment. It was beautiful, with the silver fringes and soft pattern. It would please Hizdahr zo Loraq to look upon. It was something Arianne would wear to the court, smiling, violence hidden behind sweet words. Something a Ghiscari noblewoman would wear. But she was not Ghiscari. She was not a Dothraki either, though, and she was no Westerosi Queen.

She should wear the tokar.

"Bring me my riding pants," she said. After she donned them, Irri helped her with the tokar. It took two tries to wrap it correctly, and once it was on she took Rakharo's dagger and cut a line up the skirt of the garment until she could walk properly. Then she opened the sleeve to free her arm, and had Irri fix the fine silver belt she had been gifted in Qarth about her waist. Jhiqui brought her hard, pretty slippers instead of her riding boots and Irri set her dragon necklace about her neck and her heavy crown upon her head.

She felt more like a queen now than she had in days past, and she went to break her fast with Hizdahr zo Loraq. Arianne had nor joined her, and so she dismissed all guards but her Unsullied, and then only kept two. By the time all had been arranged, Hizdahr had arrived, and she admitted him to her presence.

He was dressed simply, and although his eyes flickered almost curiously to the cut in her tokar, he said nothing of it. As he entered, he bowed low, his face solemn.

"Have you no smile for me?" Dany asked him. She had sent Drogon away too, aware that the threat of dragonfire might threaten this talk. "Am I as fearful as all that?"

"I always grow solemn in the presence of such beauty." It was a good start. She did not consider this because she felt great passion for him, but because he was said to be a diplomat, while she was not. Dany motioned him to sit, and took some of the fruit for herself.

"The Green Grace seems to feel that if I take you for my husband, all my woes will vanish."

"I would never make so bold a claim. Men are born to strife and suffer. Our woes only vanish when we die. I can be of help to you, however. I have gold and friends and influence, and the blood of Old Ghis flows in my veins." Dany remembered her own claim to dragonblood, and wondered if this meant as much to him as that did to her. "Though I have never wed, I have two natural children, a boy and a girl, so I can give you heirs. I can reconcile the city to your rule and put an end to this nightly slaughter in the streets."

"Arianne, the rider of my white dragon, tells me such. She says that if we can find peace, you will rule the cities I conquer I claim the Iron Throne."

"I admit, I did not expect that. She did not seem to impressed when I met her."

Dany had not expected that either. "You met her?"

"She came to my pyramid to speak to me. She had a great many guards, but was kind enough. I know she spoke to others as well, before she summoned the Green Grace here."

Dany had given Arianne leave to do whatever she needed to to bring peace. Who could she trust, after all, if not those her children chose? "Why would you want to help me? For the crown?"

"A crown would suit me well, I will not deny that. It is more than that, however. Is it so strange that I would want to protect my own people, as you protect your freedmen? Meereen cannot endure another war, Your Radiance."

That was a good answer, and an honest one. "I have never wanted war. I defeated the Yunkai'i once and spared their city when I might have sacked it. I refused to join King Cleon when he marched against them. Even now, with Astapor besieged, I stay my hand. And Qarth … I have never done the Qartheen any harm …"

"Not by intent, no, but Qarth is a city of merchants, and they love the clink of silver coins, the gleam of yellow gold. When you smashed the slave trade, the blow was felt from Westeros to Asshai. Qarth depends upon its slaves. So too Tolos, New Ghis, Lys, Tyrosh, Volantis … the list is long, my queen."

"Let them come. In me they shall find a sterner foe than Cleon. I would sooner perish fighting than return my children to bondage."

"There may be another choice. The Yunkai'i can be persuaded to allow all your freedmen to remain free, I believe, if Your Worship will agree that the Yellow City may trade and train slaves unmolested from this day forth. No more blood need flow."

She looked at him, and felt for Drogon. He was high above the city now, and although he was the largest of her children he was still small compared to those ridden by Aegon the Conqueror. He would not be small forever. "If the Yunkai'i continue to trade and train slaves, much blood will flow, and not only theirs. My children are small now, but one day they will have wings to blot out the sun. Then the slave trade will stop, or there will be no more men for slaves."

Hizdahr said nothing, and Dany focused back on him, letting her awareness of Drogon fade, "You have not said you love me."

"I will, if it would please Your Radiance."

"That is not the answer of a man in love."

"What is love? Desire? No man with all his parts could ever look on you and not desire you, Daenerys. That is not why I would marry you, however. Before you came Meereen was dying. Our rulers were old men with withered cocks and crones whose puckered cunts were dry as dust. They sat atop their pyramids sipping apricot wine and talking of the glories of the Old Empire whilst the centuries slipped by and the very bricks of the city crumbled all around them. Custom and caution had an iron grip upon us till you awakened us with fire and blood. A new time has come, and new things are possible. Marry me."

He is not hard to look at, Dany told herself, and he has a king's tongue. "Kiss me," she commanded.

He took her hand again, and kissed her fingers. "Not that way. Kiss me as if I were your wife."

Hizdahr took her by the shoulders as tenderly as if she were a baby bird. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was light and dry and quick. Dany felt no stirrings, but she did not want to marry him because she loved him. She remembered Doreah, and when his kiss was over, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like she had kissed her.

There had been many pleasure houses in Meereen, but Hizdahr's breath was quicker when she released him. I do not love you. She thought. "One day I will want to return to Westeros, to claim the Seven Kingdoms that were my father's," she said.

"One day all men must die, but it serves no good to dwell on death. I prefer to take each day as it comes."

Dany folded her hands together. "Words are wind, even words like love and peace. I put more trust in deeds. In my Seven Kingdoms, knights go on quests to prove themselves worthy of the maiden that they love. They seek for magic swords, for chests of gold, for crowns stolen from a dragon's hoard."

Hizdahr arched an eyebrow. "The only dragons that I know are yours, and magic swords are even scarcer. I will gladly bring you rings and crowns and chests of gold if that is your desire."

"Peace is my desire. You say that you can help me end the nightly slaughter in my streets. I say do it. Put an end to this shadow war, my lord. That is your quest. Give me ninety days and ninety nights without a murder, and I will know that you are worthy of a throne. Can you do that?"

Hizdahr looked thoughtful. "Ninety days and ninety nights without a corpse, and on the ninety-first we wed?"

"Perhaps," said Dany, with a coy look. "Though young girls have been known to be fickle. I may still want a magic sword."

Hizdahr laughed. "Then you shall have that too, Radiance. Your wish is my command. Best tell your seneschal to begin making preparations for our wedding."

"Nothing would please the noble Reznak more." If Meereen knew that a wedding was in the offering, that alone might buy her a few nights' respite, even if Hizdahr's efforts came to naught. The Shavepate will not be happy with me, but Reznak mo Reznak will dance for joy. Dany did not know which of those concerned her more. She needed Skahaz and the Brazen Beasts, and she had come to mistrust all of Reznak's counsel. Beware the perfumed seneschal. Has Reznak made common cause with Hizdahr and the Green Grace and set some trap to snare me?

She thought of Drogon. No, she did not need the Brazen Beasts, but they were useful nonetheless. If Hizdahr would bring her peace, then she needed him. She looked up at him, "I will not kill you."

"That is good." Dany laughed at that.

"Not today, and not if you fail in this peace. I give you my word."

"My Queen?" A shadow had fallen over the terrace, and Hizdahr stiffened as Drogon landed. He was still not big enough to have to half-drape himself over this one, and Dany strode toward him even as the wing from his wings sent her hair flying back. As she came close, he stretched out his neck, growling low like a cat's purr. She wrapped her arm around his muzzle and pulled it to her chest.

"He will not harm you," she promised, "not so long as I am here. Come to me."

She was almost surprised when Hizdahr moved forward, one step at first, and then he was bolder, stepping so she was between he and Drogon's teeth. He took the hand she had stretched out to him and she folded his hand in her own and pressed it to Drogon's muzzle as she had done with Rhaego's hand last night. He was standing almost directly behind her, his clothes brushing hers, but Dany was unafraid. He if harmed her now, he would die of dragonfire and her guards would help her.

Drogon regarded him warily. "It's all right."

The dragon's gaze shifted to her, and Hizdahr gasped out a word, "Rytsas."

Dany laughed again, gently pulling Hizdahr's hand back, "go back to your siblings," she bid him, and Drogon huffed sharply, annoyed that they were not flying. He turned and simply dropped off the pyramid, soaring upward a moment later, black winds dark against the dawn. Hizdahr had not yet let go of her hand.

"I am sorry if I frightened you," his eyes never left the dragon.

"No man has touched a dragon in a hundred years, Your Grace. It is worth a bit of fright."

"If you bring me peace, I will take you flying if you desire it," Dany answered, and although he paled his eyes gleamed slightly. "You said before that you would bring me anything I desired?"

He recovered quickly, it seemed, "yes, Your Radiance, anything you ask."

"One of my maids died before I came to Meereen. I know Arianne has taken several Meereenese women as her handmaidens, I wish you to find me one," she considered him, "a trustworthy one."

"I shall do as you ask," he agreed. When her eyes lingered a moment too long on his face, he laughed, "if you do not believe me, ask your dragon."

"The fright may kill her."

"It did not kill me."

Dany smiled at that, the freed skirt of her tokar shifted in the same wind that held up Drogon's wings, "if you are to be my king, you cannot be afraid of my dragons."