"Your Grace," said Qyburn, "I will not deceive you. Our state of affairs is very grave. King's Landing is besieged, half the lords in the realm have already unfurled their Targaryen banners, and Dorne was the first to offer Daenerys its armies."

Traitors. Cersei clenched her fists. No doubt holding her daughter hostage has made the Martells feel invulnerable to the wrath of King's Landing and Casterly Rock. Yet another one of the Imp's ideas that was proving to be self-destructive.

"Now, if we were to call forth heralds and suggest a parley, terms of peace…"

"No," said Cersei, her green eyes glinting furiously, "no terms will ever do. The Targaryen girl and I cannot both sit upon the Iron Throne."

"My informers have brought me another bit of troubling news, Your Grace," Qyburn went on. "Your brother, the Imp, has joined Daenerys Targaryen, along with his wife."

"Sansa Stark? Truly?" Cersei looked stunned. "Has the she-wolf resurfaces, then?"

"No doubt the girl was seeking some shared glory," said Qyburn, "your brother is an important man now, and you know what a danger he poses with all his knowledge at the disposal of your enemies. Now, if I may venture to mention this again, I have a plan that would enable me to smuggle you out of the city walls safely…"

"I said no," Cersei cut across him sharply and paced back and forth, her skirts swirling, "I will not have this vile dwarf and his cunt drive me into hiding like some scurrying rat!"

"As you wish, Your Grace," Qyburn's face was impassive.

"What about Jaime?" demanded Cersei, "Have you had any news?"

"It seems your brother has disappeared," said Qyburn, "a wise move, if I may say so, for Daenerys Targaryen has placed a price of ten thousand golden dragons on his head. In his case, even bending the knee wouldn't save him."

"Jaime is a Lannister of Casterly Rock," snapped Cersei, "he would never bend his knee to this upjumped dragonswpan."

"The Freys have, though," Qyburn remarked smoothly, "so have Rowan, Tarly and all the lords of he Vale."

Littlefinger was behind this, she would bet. Another traitor. She has been an idiot to ever trust this man.

That night, she supped alone with Tommen. The fare was plain; with the siege in full force and the city stores dwindling, Cersei thought it a prudent measure to keep an appearance of modesty. There was bread and cheese, cold mutton, and pears stewed with cinnamon and honey. She was having a difficulty to swallow even that. Nervous dread made her set her spoon aside.

"Will they break through the city walls and kill us all, Mother?" Tommen asked, his eyes wide and fearful.

"No," promised Cersei, "the city walls are strong, and soon, help will come to drive these evil savages away."

This was what she would have wanted to believe… but where should help come from? Her uncle Kevan still held Casterly Rock, true, but he was alone as well, and had no forces to spare.

… When they came to call for her, she already knew what had happened, and was bedecked in her finest clothes and brightest jewels. King's Landing might have fallen, the city might be sacked by the Targaryen army this very moment, but she will come out to them proud, with her head held high, as befits a queen.

She descended into the courtyard, flanked by the men who still remained to her. All were skilled warriors and well-armed, but she knew fighting would be futile if indeed the city walls have been broken through. And then, up in the sky, coming lower and closer, ever closer – she saw the dragon.

She had to bite her lip to keep from screaming.

The black dragon was swiftest, and as it landed, Cersei came face to face with a girl who made her let out a gasp of terrified recognition. She was garbed in the fashion of the barbarous Dothraki, but her face was the face of old Valyria, of house Targaryen, of the beautiful Prince Rhaegar of whom she had dreamt as a girl.

"Cersei Lannister," said the girl, "bend your knee to me, and you shall be spared. You will be permitted to go to Casterly Rock once I conquer it. Your son shall suffer no harm, and a lordship will be bestowed upon him when he comes of age."

The prophecy, Cersei remembered with a shudder. Queen you shall be, but one day, another will come, younger and more beautiful. And now, it appears, she is here.

And then another dragon landed in front of her, cream and gold, and mounted atop it, leering mockingly, sat her valonqar. "Sweet sister, we meet again at last."

Cersei didn't need to think twice. She knew exactly what she would do if he dares to show his ugly face to her. The seven hells might await her, but she will be taking him along.

She made a sign to two of her men, and two crossbow bolts were loosened. The Imp fell with a gurgling noise, spouting blood.

Dany's eyes darkened with fury, and she said one single word:

"Dracarys!"