𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘'𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 always told her she was Lady Samantha reborn; fiery, fierce, and beautiful. And fiery she was, refusing to sit quietly as lesser men mocked and belittled her, a sharp and clever retort always resting on her tongue. Fierce she also was ━ protective of her kin and proud of her family name. Indeed she was beautiful... perhaps the most beautiful woman in all of the Reach, surpassing the prized rose of Highgarden.
While Maris was awash with praise and admiration, winning every argument and game, her older sister was losing. Ellyn, bitter and full of a stinging rage, began to harbor her grievances toward her father and sister. Despite being the eldest, she was not given the same opportunity as her esteemed sister... but Ellyn was not one to speak her mind as soundly, and resentment began to dwell within.
In the eyes of Randyll Tarly, Maris was a perfect match for Willas Tyrell. She was beautiful and clever, as should a girl born of high and respectable birth. She was pious, but not so taken by her piety that she only heard the words of the gods, and kind she certainly remained, despite being thought of as a pawn in her father's games. She was a perfect lady of the Reach in Randyll's eyes, and the perfect opportunity to continue his ambitions...
...But Mace Tyrell laughed at such an offer, because just like Lord Tarly, the Lord of Highgarden had high ambitions for his children, and a mere bannerman's daughter would never be a suitable bride for his heir. Instead, Randyll's prized daughter was sent to be nothing more than a noble handmaiden to Lady Margaery as soon as she first bled. Maris longed to rule the Reach by Willas' side, even if his eyes never once lingered upon her. She dreamt of blooming flowers and golden roses; of everlasting summer and the halls of Highgarden, while Ellyn dreamt of winning, marrying higher above her station and her sister.
Randyll, scorned and mocked by House Tyrell far too many times before, could not hold his anger ━ the final strike after years of offences came with Tommen Baratheon's failing reign, bringing his abandonment of his liege lord. Randyll's eyes turn east, toward the shores of Shipbreaker Bay, where a boy with lilac eyes and an army of sellswords at his back lies in wait, calling himself the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell, the true heir to the Iron Throne.
Randyll travels across the Narrow Sea, both daughters in tow, with the offer of his sword and service, his own men, and the support of the Reach to the rightful king, with only one simple condition; Aegon must make one of his daughters his queen.
Maris cared little to be the queen of a hidden dragon, until she sees her sister vying for the crown. Suddenly, her dreams of summer and Highgarden turn to a burning desire for crowns and the Red Keep.
𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 is a fickle thing, and men are easily deceived by a mummer's farce. Bones and blood scatter the land, from the thunderous forests of the Stormlands to the sweltering shores of Meereen. Ice seeps from the North, and devastating wars between families rule with a cruel fist. War is a dangerous game to play ━ Maris and Ellyn tread into dangerous territory, and learn they must be mindful of their every step, lest they wish to find themselves without heads.
After all, what harm could come of crown, a throne, and a bitter rivalry between two sisters?
Book 5 in the Winds of Change series (can be found on wattpad under the user -windsofchange)
story edited and beta read by longsword (can be found on wattpad or ao3)
WARNING: violence, death, gore, sexual contents, sexual assault, discussion of heavy topics such as sexual assault, death, extreme violence, domestic violence etc. i will put a warning above any chapter that goes in deep discussion of anything noted above. please read at your own discretion.