Every night since their first time together, Rhaena took Ilyan to bed. Sometimes they did not even manage to reach the bedchamber, their enflamed desire for one another pushing them over the edge until they could not wait a single moment more. Several times, he took her upon his own desk, whereby he swore never to rid himself of it thereafter just to preserve the fond memories. He would have continued those days until the end of his life quite contentedly, even deciding that he would not ransom Rhaena, but rather try to keep her if she could be persuaded. He knew a little of her struggles when faced with temptation in King's Landing, knew that sometimes the pressures of her work caused her mind to fracture and only those closest to her, or even completely removing herself from the city, could keep her from spiralling entirely. Ilyan thought that he would gather all his wealth and use it to purchase a grand house in one of the cities in Essos. He would even build her one from the ground up, if she wanted. A castle fairer and grander even than the Red Keep, and there they would spend their days in luxury and their nights in pleasure. Even knowing that she would refuse him, Ilyan stretched their days for as long as they were able, until eventually came the day when he was forced to let her go.
After all, one did not refuse a dragon.
Rhaena had called for him upon her horn once they were in sight of Volantis, the sound ringing and echoing through the surroundings as magic fuelled her call. It had taken only one call, and within the day, the dragon had found him. The great beast snarled and roared, bellowing fire upon the ocean to signify his rage as he flew in spiralling circles. Ilyan thought that his Stargazer would become a wreckage at the bottom of the ocean and his bones turned to coral with it, but Rhaena had laughed heartily and promised that Rhaegal would not attack, he was only grandstanding because he was angry with them. Ilyan did not blame the beast. If he were a dragon, he would have burned the entire world had he lost such a treasure as the princess. He smiled to her wryly, knowing that he was defeated. With a command to the crew to weigh anchor, he took Rhaena himself to shore, rowing the skiff as slowly as he dared until they drove up upon the beach, the surf lapping lazily upon the sand.
Climbing out first, Ilyan then turned and grasped Rheana by her waist, lifting her free and carrying her away from the water so that she would not get wet. Even when they were beyond the shore, however, Ilyan continued to carry her until eventually Rhaena laughed, stroking at his hair. "You will have to put me down eventually, captain, or my dragon shall lose his patience." Above them, Rhaegal himself came to land, heavy and huge, his wings flapped as the sand rushed like a wave from underneath him and his intense, fiery eyes fixated themselves upon Ilya. Thief. They said. You are the thief. I should burn you where you stand. Sighing deeply, Ilya gently set Rhaena upon her feet. He did not release her, however. Taking up her hand, Ilyan tugged her back towards him to capture her mouth and fondle her tongue, pressing his hand against her back. Long and deep did he kiss her, wanting to take away with him one final memory of Princess Rhaena Targaryen, whom he had stolen but had turned the tides upon him, and instead, stolen his heart. Even with the dragon snarling and growling over them, Ilyan did not relent until finally, he released her all at once.
"Fair winds, princess. It has been a pleasure." Hiding his forlornness, he dazzled her with a grin and swept a flamboyant bow. "I wish you well in all your endeavours."
"You speak as if we shall never see one another again." Straightening, Ilyan looked at Rhaena in surprise, seeing that she was amused with him as her hand turned outwards and her dragon naturally lowered his chin towards her, crooning with soft chitters as she petted him like the beast was nothing more than an affectionate dog. Even now she amazed him.
"We go our separate ways. I cannot see how a pirate and a princess will cross paths often, unless he seeks to steal her, of course." Undeterred, Rhaena murmured something quietly to Rhaegal who snorted deeply but lifted his head, watching warily as Rhaena then approached Ilyan once again.
"You are a pirate captain, commander of the Stargazer and dozens of other pirate vessels," she told him flatly, stopping once she was directly before him. "I am Princess of Dragonstone, Lady Protector of the Blackwater and Narrow Sea…I shall be very much surprised if pirate raids do not become quite common upon my waters." Leaving the suggestion in the air, Ilyan continued to gaze incredulously at her until finally, he grinned with genuine elation. Lifting her up with a word of his native tongue, Ilyan hooked her legs around his waist so that he could hold her, running his hand down to her rear and fondle her mischievously whilst ignoring the dragon's warning snarls. Rhaena laughed. "You play with fire, captain."
"I do," he agreed, "and gladly, for I burn already." Taking her mouth with his once more, Ilyan vowed that this would not be their last moment together. The channels of the Narrow Sea were ripe for plunder, and if Rhaena was there, then he would gladly seek other treasures if they were within his grasp. When finally they had to part to fill their lungs with air, Ilyan allowed Rhaena to slide away from him and retreat back towards her dragon, who curled his tail forwards and brought it down between them as if to claim her back, daring Ilyan to try and take her again. He watched her climb the dragon's shoulder, watched her settle herself upon its back…then watched her fly away. An emptiness soon opened itself within his chest. Yes, the Princess of Dragonstone had stolen from Ilyan Xenos that which he had never given away, but even as she flew away high into the skies, Ilyan did not begrudge what she had taken. She could keep it, and when they met again, perhaps then he might take hers in turn.