The banquet was lively with cheers as the Lords and ladies danced around Rhaenyra and Daemon. Rhaenyra had seen Daemon gaze upon her throughout the night. Like a dance of eyes and unspoken tongue. She knew Daemon had came to cause her father headache. Yet like all those other times. She knew he was there for her as well. She knew what was to come. A little part of her guest her father did too. Though the king did not choose to turn his brother away. Maybe it was the benefit of the doubt that King Viserys always had for Daemon. Or maybe it was his love for him.

When Daemon had moved through the crowd towards Rhaenyra. her stomach had dropped. All night she had played confident and assured. Despite the fact that Alicent's tone was distant and Daemon was scheming. The whole of the room was watching her tonight. Daemon was watching her tonight. So she would show them. She was Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to the Iron throne. Not some spineless princess, docile girl, Sweet little Relemes delight. She was a dragon. She understood that's what Daemon was trying to show her that night in the pleasure house. Rhaenyra would show him she understood. Much as Rhaenyra tried to hide her nerves, they boiled in her once Daemon excused Ser Harwin Strong. This was it. The drums beats that filled the room where deep and matching her heart. Not looking her in the eyes. Daemon takes hold of Rhaenyra hand. Leading her to the back of the hall. Daemon wanted their convocation to be as far from the throne where Otto Hightower's rats couldn't hear them.

"Is this what you want?" Daemon asked in high valyrian. His tone daring. His eyes finely meeting her's. There was a hind of something she had never seen there before.

"I was not aware that what I wanted mattered to you." Rhaenyra answered with equal intensity. Staring right back at him. The last time they had spoken was when he abandoned her in that filthy pleasure house. Pants around her ankles. completely confused. Yes, Rhaenyra satiated her needs that night. But it was Daemon's memory that her skin called for. Rhaenyra was done with being abandoned. Betwixt her father's lack of care, her mother's passing, Alicent's betrayal. Now including Daemon's aloofness. She felt she couldn't handle sickening inkling it left in her heart.

"This is not for you." Daemon said. His wine scented breath brushed her face. "Laenor is a good man and a fine Knight. Yet he will bore you senseless."

"Marriage is only a political arrangement, I hear." Rhaenyra thrown his words back at him.

"Mine was recently dissolved." Daemon stated. Rhaenyra knew this. When she heard of the news she was shocked at first yet deep down she felt Daemon had done it. And daemon had done it for her.

"So take me, then." There. She said it. Something she rehearsed in the hour of the wolf while all the castle slept. "Has this not been your purpose?"-"I am not yet married. But the hour pass Swiftly. You are surely armed. Cut through my father's kingsguard. Take me to Dragonstone and make me your wife."

A moment passed as he looked at Rhaenyra. In all her beauty she was fierce. Daring him to do something, anything. If he wanted her it was going to be now. Daemon grabbed her face. Gazing deep into her soul.

"Rhaenyra, is this truly what you really long for?" Daemon said in the most solemn tone.

"Yes uncle." Rhaenyra sincerely told him.

Daemon knew it would have to be now if he were to act. would she be ready for this? Hethoughttohimself. Inhis eyes she was of the purest kind. Precious and young. Would this hurt her future as heir? Did she really understand the repercussions for running away with him? Viserys had told him he would disinherit her if they continued. If he continued in his daming ways. If daemon left right now it would ruin her certainty.

Daemon looked over to where his brother sat. Viserys was ill. Anyone could see it. The way his eyes had sunk in. The hollowness of his cheeks. Taking Rhaenyra would likely worsen his health. But here Rhaenyra was, eyes accusingly staring. If he would leave her here now she could never forgive him.

In that very instant Viserys looked to Daemon. Their eyes met. Dragon on dragon. Viserys face fell as he observed the apologetic look on Daemons face. Viserys was Daemon's beloved brother. But this was a sinking vessel. A ship doomed by the weak choices of his brother. And he was planning on taking Rhaenyra down with him. Her lilac eyes gleamed up at him. Begging for him to save her, take her from this. Dragons belonged with their own. A Targaryen alone in the world was a terrible thing.

Viserys brow furrowed as the realization dawned on him. Viserys warrened Daemon with his eyes.

"I am sorry brother." Daemon whispered to himself.

Daemon turned his eyes to Rhaenyra.

"Kick off your shoes." He orders. Rhaenyra's heart skipped a beat. Yet she obed. Kicking off her shoes to the side. Her bare feet feeling the cold stone beneath it. This was it.

"You can run in this gown?" He asked. And she nodded. She would try her best.

As she answered a rippling Dragon screech shook the walls of the great hall. Familiar to her ears. She knew it was Caraxes. Bonded to Daemon, Caraxes felt Daemons haste. Knew Daemon was cornered and was in need of him.

"Stay close to me."

Daemon gripped Rhaenyra's hand and had began to make his way towards the door as fast as Rhaenyra could move. She gasped at the pace they went. Daemon pushed through what was left of the crowd. The lords and ladies murmured and yelled as they were shoved aside.

Viserys couldn't believe his brother. Unprepared of what to do. Viserys stood up abruptly. Trying to hast around the table.

"Daemon!" Viserys called to his younger brother. "Guards! Stop him!" He yelled.

Rhaenyra can hear the commotion behind her as the reach the door. Her father screaming. The kingsguards rushing. She tried her best to keep up with Daemons long strides. Just as she though they were to escape. Two guards stepped in front of them, blocking their exit.

"Daemon." Rhaenyra whimpered. Holding on to him so tightly her knuckles began to pang in protest. Daemon unshed Dark Sister. One arm holding Rhaenyra to his back.

"Ah ah." Daemon pointing Dark Sister at the guard ahead. When Rhaenyra pared around Daemon she saw the guard was in fact Ser Criston Cole. He locked eyes with her, and she can see the puzzled thoughts in him. She looked behind her to see more guards heading straight for them. In that split second she reached around Daemon pulling on his dagger and pointing it towards the guards. Caraxes rored again. This time louder almost deafening. Back to back with Daemon blades up. Rhaenyra was not taught how to work a blade but she would try her damndest. Rhaenyra felt Daemon leave her back as she heard the clash of steal. The clang had made her jump. Then the sound of flesh slashing and soon after a cry. She spun to see Dark Sister deep in Ser Cristion's side. Blood pouring down his armor. Viciously, Daemon yanked the blade out letting the blood spatter on to who ever was nearby. Rhaenyra hand flew to her mouth. The graphic of it was breathtaking. Her friend and lover Ser Criston collapse to the stone floor with a smack. Chimes of his armor and stone.

Everyone stopped, taking a step back. Scared they were next. To Daemon, they could be. Anyone who got in his way this evening would get cut down.

Daemon towered over Ser Criston as he gasped and drove Dark Sister right into his eye. Ending the man. Putting his boot on the dead man's face Daemon pulled out his sword and grabbed Rhaenyra's arm pulling her passed the door. when Rhaenyra looked back she caught her father's eye. In that moment Viserys fell over onto his hands and knees. This had stopped Rhaenyra right in her tracks. Her face ran cold. For a second she thought about running to her father when Daemon scooped her up into his arm and over his shoulder. Out into the hallway. The dagger still had remained in her hand. No one dared to follow. Even as king Viserys screamed for them to seize Daemon.

"Daemon." Rhaenyra said. She wanted to tell him her father had just collapsed. Did not he see? She asked herself. Was this worth hurting my father for?