A/N

Hello! If you don't like this formatting, the story is also posted on A03

I update every two weeks. Enjoy!

The evening of his first day in Pentos and all that he had gleaned thus far was that it was bloody hot. Until this journey, he had never left the north before and his insides were twisting with regret that he ever had.

Examining himself in the looking glass, he groaned and hid his face in his hands. All he saw before him was an imposter, dressed in a grey tunic with the emblem of a three-headed dragon. I should at least be able to wear my own clothes.

The room was finer than any he'd ever seen with marble floors and decadent and colorful furnishings. His room opened to a balcony overlooking the Bay of Pentos, shimmering under the setting sun.

The accommodations, while clearly a sign of respect, made him feel more out of place and sick for home.

Sweat stuck to his body and he didn't know if it was from the heat or his nerves. He was preparing to meet his family for the first time. It should have been exciting, but there was a pit in his stomach that told him to run all the way to the harbor and sail home.

He was asked to bring Dark Sister with him to supper, his family sword given to him by Maester Aemon at The Wall. It had been a little over a month since a little bird had found him at Castle Black. The young boy had whispered that there was a man at a tavern in Mole's Town that could tell him about his mother.

That night, in the midst of a drunken crowd, stolen touches by serving maids and beckoning looks from whores, he was told the truth about who and what he truly was. Not a bastard at all, but a prince. The prince of a royal family utterly decimated and reduced to begging and living off the kindness of benefactors.

Benefactors who had sent this man to find Jon, and at the behest of his true family, invite him to join them in Pentos.

Jon was terribly drunk by the time Sam found him and brought him back to Castle Black. The man, whose face was covered by a dark hood and shadow, told Jon he had three days to decide. If he so chose, the man would be waiting in Mole's Town and would escort him himself.

He hadn't confided in Sam. Not that night or anytime before he had left. There had been a powerful shame and resentment toward his father- Ned Stark- and he just couldn't bring himself to say the words out loud. Now he didn't know if he would ever see Sam again and he was riddled with guilt.

While he couldn't confide in Sam, the mysterious man also revealed that he had a family member at The Wall as well. He went to Maester Aemon almost immediately and he supported Jon's intentions, wishing he could go with him.

Things grew much more complicated for Jon when he learned of Ned Stark's imprisonment on his journey east. A large part of him wanted to run to his Stark family, to help them fight for the return of their father. There was a dark part inside of him, however, that wondered if it was justice, as Ned had sent Jon to a prison of his own, at the frozen edge of the world. Then he thought of his sisters trapped in King's Landing and he hated himself for such a thought.

Right or wrong, he had made his choice to cross the narrow sea and he was about to meet his aunt and uncle. He knew nothing about them apart from their names and ages.

It was time to make his way to Illyrio's private solar, and he tried to shake away his racing thoughts. Would they think of him as a bastard like the Starks? While he wasn't really a bastard, one could say his parents' coupling had brought down the Targaryen Dynasty.

He'd refuse to admit it to anyone else but he did long to feel accepted by them and it only made his nerves worse.

Ghost lay by the large four-post bed, his head resting on his paws. He looked as miserable as Jon felt. Jon had wondered if he should have brought him with at all. He wasn't made for such weather but when the time came he couldn't leave him behind.

Taking in a deep breath, he stepped outside his door and was greeted by a young serving girl with golden hair. She led him silently through the marble halls, the air smelling of flowers and spices he couldn't name, and all the while his heart pounded.

They stopped in front of large white double doors guarded by two Unsullied soldiers with warm brown skin. They regarded him with expressionless faces and opened the doors to let him pass through.

He walked into the room the way he imagined he'd walk into a den of wolves but he hoped the fear wouldn't show on his face.

There were four figures sitting around a great table, and they stood to greet him when he entered. His eyes fell on the girl first, and by her beauty, no one could blame him. Her silver hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders and her wide bright eyes left him feeling momentarily stunned.

Internally berating himself he acknowledged the others, eyes falling next on the man who could only be Viserys with his bright silver hair.

"Nephew!", Viserys greeted kindly. There was an undertone, however, that gave him pause.

Illyrio nodded warmly, "How do you find your chambers, young Jon Snow?"

"Jon Snow?", Viserys laughed. "Don't use that name in my presence. That's the name the usurper gave him. Here we will use his true name. Aegon".

Jon felt his stomach turn at the name. "If it's all the same to you, your grace, I'd prefer to go by Jon".

A bald man in long robes whom Jon didn't recognize interjected. "Having just experienced what I can only imagine is a shocking change in identity, it may be best to give him time to adjust, Your Grace".

"Very well", Viserys said with a mocking tone. "Jon Targaryen".

Jon didn't have time to be offended as Illyrio was then introducing Jon to the truly lovely Daenerys. He was certain then that she would be the most beautiful woman in any court in all of Westeros. She was a wisp of a thing who spoke softly and regarded him carefully. After their introduction, he felt her gaze upon him often and he hoped the flush he felt wasn't visible on his cheeks.

Illyrio introduced the other man as Lord Varys and Jon's guard was instantly up, recognizing the name of the spider. He didn't understand what involvement the Master of Whispers could have in all this. Whatever this was.

When all the pleasantries were exchanged, Illyrio asked Jon about his famous sword. Jon unsheathed Dark Sister, her sharp blade as dark as smoke with a golden pommel.

Daenerys' mouth fell open in surprise. "Where did you find Dark Sister?"

Jon didn't know why he felt so flustered when she spoke to him, but he suddenly felt hot under his collar. "Maester Aemon. At the Wall. I had told him what I had learned and my plans to leave for Pentos instead of taking my vows and he gave it to me before I left".

"Aemon Targaryen?"

Jon nodded.

"I would have liked to meet him". There was a sadness in her voice that tugged at his heart more than it should have.

He was seated between Illyrio and Varys and directly across from Daenerys who had her brother at her side. Dinner was served in courses and there were delicacies presented to him that he didn't even recognize.

He was surprised when Daenerys spoke to him again, and he felt his heart speed up at the sound of her voice. "You are called Jon Snow? Why are you not called Jon Stark?"

Jon felt his chest grow heavy with shame and he started to answer when Viserys interrupted. "Because, dear sister, the brutish Ned Stark wanted to bring further insult to our family by raising our brother's son under a bastards name".

Jon felt his face grow hot and it took effort to refrain from throttling him. He may be angry with Ned but he wouldn't stand for anyone else to slander his good name, not even this so-called king. "Ned Stark is the most honorable man I ever met and I ask you kindly not to insult him in my presence... Your Grace".

Daenerys gave him a sweet smile. "A man would have to possess great kindness and bravery to protect you the way be did".

Jon felt his heart melt at her words and he and Daenerys made eye contact. "Aye. A brother's love for his sister".

She gave him a small smile that reached her eyes and his heart palpitated.

"A weakness more like", Viserys sneered.

Jon saw Viserys give Daenerys a hard look and the light that had so recently come to her eyes disappeared and she faded into the background.

Illyrio redirected the conversation. "I've been told that you are quite good with a sword".

"If I am, I can only give credit to Ser Rodrick".

He caught Daenerys smiling at him again and he took a swig of wine to hide any blush that may have reached his cheeks.

"I'm glad to hear you're good with a sword", said Viserys. "It's good for a king to have men with such skills around him".

Illyrio nodded at Jon. "I'll have some of my Unsullied guards train with you while you're here. It would be wise for you to learn how men fight in Essos".

He was pleasantly surprised to hear Daenerys soft voice again. "The Wall must be quite a sight to see".

Looking in her warm violet eyes made his heart flutter, and he couldn't help but smile at her. "Aye. I'd never seen anything like it before. It goes on further than the eye can see. It's almost a thousand feet tall and the top is near as wide as the Kings Road".

"It sounds like quite a wonder. I've also heard you brought a great wolf with you?"

"Aye. A great white direwolf named Ghost. I and all of the Stark children have one".

"Aye", Viserys said with a sneer. "Northern dialect, I presume?"

Jon could only look at him for a moment before hiding his anger with a forced smile. "You're right, and it's not likely to change".

"I should like to see him. Your wolf", Daenerys interrupted.

Viserys removed Daenerys' wine glass from where it sat in front of her and roughly set it aside. "I think you've had enough, dear sister. Your lips are loose tonight".

Jon saw her cheeks grow red and he felt his jaw clench at the sight, offended by this man's treatment of his sister. He pushed his own wine glass away. "I think I've had enough myself. I'm not used to the sweet taste of wine. And I'd be happy to introduce you to Ghost on the morrow. If it pleases you".

Dany smiled at him shyly.

"No wine at Winterfell?", Viserys asked.

"Ale is the main drink in the north. Though Lord Stark did keep wine for Lady Stark".

Viserys turned to Daenerys again. "What do you imagine the Dothraki drink, sister? Fermented horse milk?"

"The Dothraki?"

Viserys faced him with a malicious smile. "You don't know? My sweet sister is going to be wed to Khal Drogo, the Great Khal of the Great Grass Sea. In exchange, Khal Drogo is going to provide me with an army of forty thousand warriors and horses to take back my throne".

Jon was speechless and looked to Daenerys who would not meet his eyes.

Viserys took a sip of wine and raised a glass to his sister mockingly. "Sisters are a treasure, aren't they?"

Jon clenched his fists under the table and then looked around at the others. "Why exactly am I here?"

Viserys scoffed at him. "We couldn't very well leave you at the wall, could we? You're a Targaryen. You're not a prisoner at Winterfell anymore".

Hoping for a better answer, he turned to Illyrio. "What will I be doing here?"

"You'll be traveling with your aunt and uncle on the Dothraki sea until it is time to invade King's Landing", Illyrio explained.

Jon could sense he was not getting the full story and it angered him that these men thought they could use him the way they were clearly using Viserys. What exactly did they have to gain?

The spider nodded his head and added, "Your ties to the North will also be paramount in brokering peace when he takes his throne".

"Don't look so disappointed, nephew! It won't be long after Khal Drogo has his bride that I have my army".

The full moon was hanging bright in the clear sky over Illyrio's garden. Much to Jon's dismay, the air still felt too warm. The aroma of flowers was thick in the air and there was a marble pool at its center, surrounded by blossoming cherry trees.

He hadn't been able to sleep after that incredibly disappointing meeting. Unable to stand his dark, racing thoughts, he and Ghost had begun wandering the expansive manse.

Any sane man in his situation, would cut his losses and leave, he was sure. He knew there was more to the situation than Illyrio and Lord Varys had let on. He couldn't understand why a Khal would commit his army to cross the narrow sea only for a marriage alliance and what Illyrio and the eunuch would get out of it.

Viserys had been an utter disappointment. Smug and cruel, Ned Stark would have murdered Jon if he ever treated his own sisters that way.

When he thought of leaving, his mind turned to those warm violet eyes and her sweet smile. He had known her for the space of a single meal and he already felt a duty to protect her. What would he do if he went back anyway? Return to the wall?

He sighed as he sat at the edge of the pool, noticing the way the moon shimmered on the calm water.

Ghost's ears perked up and Jon followed his gaze upward to a sight that made his throat go dry. There leaning against the railing of a balcony overlooking the garden, was Daenerys. The moon shined on her hair as she looked out at the stars, and his heart broke to see sorrow coloring her features.

Seven hells, but she is beautiful... And she's your aunt, you dolt.

He almost cursed when Ghost whined, giving away his position. Startled, her eyes found him. All he could do was stare at her, frozen where he stood.

His heart fell to his feet when she walked away and he hid his face in his hands and groaned. He was even more embarrassed when Ghost whined again and he saw she had returned. She had a small smirk on her face and she outstretched her arm over the balcony, dropping something down to him.

His heart was thudding like a hammer as he got up to retrieve a crumpled piece of parchment. Opening it, he read the words "wait for me".

She was already gone by the time he looked up again, and he quickly tucked the note away, straightening his clothes and trying to right his mess of curls. He tried to wipe his sweaty palms off on his trousers as he began pacing unsure what to do with himself.

When her soft steps reached the courtyard, like a beautiful maiden from a story, he was awestruck again. She appeared to be wearing a nightgown with a long silk robe tied around her waist.

"Good evening, Princess", he greeted her with a bow of his head.

"You may call me Daenerys, Jon", she replied kindly. "We are family, after all".

Of course, you idiot!

"Havin' trouble sleeping?"

She nodded. "You as well?"

"The heat has been a bit difficult for me to adjust to".

"We aren't what you were expecting?"

His words stuck in his throat. "Well, no. But you're lovely". He felt his body flush at his accidental admission. What is wrong with me?

She gave him a true smile. "You are not what I was expecting either".

He froze expecting some kind of admonishment.

"I knew you'd be comely", she told him and his heart began stuttering as she went on. "But I expected you to be an ill-mannered brute and... cruel... like Viserys".

Instantly feeling the need to defend her, he told her. "It's not right how he treats you".

She smiled again and he knew his words had touched her.

"Will you introduce me to your wolf? Ghost is it?"

"Of course".

At his name, Ghost stood before her at his full height and she gasped.

"He won't hurt you".

Tentatively, she reached out to touch him while her dainty hand trembled. Her shoulders relaxed as the great beast leaned into her touch and licked her hand.

"He's beautiful".

That was a word Jon had never heard used to describe Ghost and it endeared her to him all the more.

His poor heart jumped again when she turned to look at him and he fought the urge to squirm under her gaze as he felt her eyes trace the features of his face.

"No one would guess you were a Targaryen with those dark eyes, would they?" Reaching up, she ran a lock of his hair through her fingers and he suddenly felt all of his senses come alive. "You do have our curly hair".

Feeling awkward, Jon ran a hand through his hair and his breath hitched when she took his hand.

"You're hurt", she said with concern in her voice.

"What? Oh-", he chuckled. "No, it's a burn I got shortly before I set out here".

She held his hand with both of hers and her thumbs brushed over the puckered skin there. He felt himself break out in goose flesh, suddenly very sensitive but he made no move to stop her.

"Fire hurts you?"

"Well- yes... Does it not hurt you?"

"What happened?"

"Ah- that may be a story for a different time..."

"Very well, Jon Snow". She kissed his hand before releasing it and he felt a bit light-headed. "I do hope you stay for a while".

She didn't turn back again as he watched her walk back inside. She hoped he'd stay. Of course, he would stay. As he looked at the hand she had kissed, he knew he was past the point of no return.