Jon

Jon stood rigid with his arms crossed over his chest, trying to decide which matter was worse. They were well far from the burning site. Cannibal was eating his eggs, Jon thought with certainty. The dragon's teeth were littered with them. I knew he used to devour other dragons. I had no idea he would eat his own children. And the possibility of Cannibal not devouring them all terrifies him even more. What if he missed an egg or two? Or a dozen? Jon thought furiously. Cannibal was different from other dragons. His birthing might be different too. He could lay a hundred eggs and Jon would not have the slightest clue. Someone could have an egg with them right now. Jon clamped his jaw with frustration. The eggs could've probably hatched in the midst of all the blood and dragon fire. That was one way to hatch a dragon egg. Jon sighed. I'm going to have to track them down and snuff them out. He brought Tyrion along to study the eggs, but he had no idea where the imp had gone.

Robb was pacing. He pulled his hair aggressively. "Who would dare try to kill us? I am the heir of Winterfell with his sister and brother. Who would be so bold?" Grey wind matched the mood of his owner and paced along, licking his chops.

"Whoever it was, Nymeria will rip their throats out," Arya boasted, rubbing her wolf. Nymeria stood guard, watching the woods around them like a sworn protector.

"I have a good idea of who it was," Jon said. No, I know who it was beyond doubt. "We don't know how many mercenaries are still in the area. It would be a good idea for you two to stay here for the time being. I have to make sure the area is cold before we can join back with the others."

Arya gave him a look. "You did this before."

"I've done this too many times." I don't think I can ever be at peace, Jon thought but kept it to himself. He did not want them to worry.

"I say we all head back to the castle as one to regroup and have a party to clear our enemies out," Robb suggested.

Jon only needed a minute to shake his head no. He is thinking of this as a battlefield. This is survival, hunt, or be hunted. Already, his heart started to race. The wolf was ready to hunt to protect its pact.

"Trust me on this, Robb. You have never been by yourself being hounded day and night with no once of sleep or rest. And you two are not being targeted. It's me. Having you two stay here, for now, is a precaution. The trees are denser here, and there's not a man in the seven kingdoms that can roam the woods better than our wolves.

"How do you know?" Arya challenged.

"Instincts, little sister."

Arya's face scrunched up.

"What's the matter?"

"How do you have a dragon, Jon?"

Jon gave a sad smile. "I will tell you once I make sure we are safe."

Jon set off. Ghost was a couple of feet away. The Direwolf was galloping faster than a horse but more silent than a shadow. All that can be seen by the untrained eye was a white blur and would be passed off as glare from the sun.

There was a clank of armor. "I see the bastard!" I was right, Jon thought. How much gold was promised to still be here when they saw the dragon?

It was two men, one mounted and the other on foot. Before they can draw their weapons, Ghost was on them. The wolf came from behind and they stood no choice. Ghost leaped through the air and collided with the man on the horse, knocking him off and tackling him to the ground.

"Gods!" The other man cried. He brought his gaze up in time to defend Jon's overhead strike. The man staggered. Jon swept his blade to the side. The Valyrion blade, lighter than any normal blade, was brought back in a horizontal slice that separated the body in two.

Jon turned just as Ghost was done tearing out the man's throat. The bloody piece of meat was crushed savagely between powerful teeth. They set off again, with Ghost spreading out wide as a scout. It was a couple of minutes before they encountered another group of targets. Leave one alive, Jon communicated to Ghost.

The undergrowth exploded as Jon sprinted forward. The Valyrion steel blade danced in the sun. The first man had his throat sliced which almost took off the whole head. The second man had his bowels spilled over the ground. Ghost ripped the shoulder off the third. The Direwolf then pinned the final man on the ground, snapping in his face and dropping saliva.

The man was shaking and crying. Jon smelled piss. Not so brave now when the prey fights back heh. Jon looked down at the man but said naught a word. It was another tactic he knew.

"I'm sorry, my lord! We were paid to do it! Lots of gold, lots! You understand!?" The man babbled. He blinked away the saliva that was dripping from Ghost's snarling mouth.

"Who?"

The man blinked rapidly. "It was the Targaryen welp. Uh-mh-uh yes! It was Joffrey Targaryen and the man with silver and black hair!"

Jon kept his face schooled. "Thank you." He stood. Ghost gave no warning when he tore the man's face off. They left a bloody ruin.

I knew Darkstar was behind the attack. I didn't know Joffrey Targaryen was in it too. What did I do to earn his ire? It seemed it did not matter. They both had to be dealt with.

Jon looked ahead and allowed himself to smile. Jon and Ghost walked in on Tyrion. The dwarf had his back to them and was playing with something in his hands. The Lannister didn't even seem to be aware.

"You can get on your feet now, Lannister. Jon snow is here to rescue you."

Tyrion flinched, stood, and turned around. Jon's mouth opened slightly.

In Tyrion's eyes, two eyes stared back at him, bright red as rubies. The serpent was scaly from head to tail with a gold coloring and red lining its small wings. It saw Jon and screeched a warning before crawling on Tyrion's stunted shoulders.

"Tyrion," Jon said slowly.

Tyrion seemed not to hear him. "It's a miracle," he murmured. He playfully tapped the dragon's snout and received a playful snap in return. "Isn't it?" Tyrion turned his mismatched eyes to his, a genuine smile across his face untouched by wine or whores.

He couldn't deny seeing his friend in such happiness. "Aye." Jon smiled tightly. I ought to snap the little thing's neck. There should only be one person in the world to have a dragon, me. But don't I trust Tyrion? The person who saved me countless times in old Valyria with his wits? Damn it! I knew Cannibal didn't eat them all, and I knew they were going to hatch! Why do I have to be right?!

"You don't like this, do you?" Tyrion observed.

"A dragon is a very dangerous weapon in the wrong hands," Jon told him bluntly. "You may be trustworthy." His eyes went to the golden dragon. "But that dragon will have a mind of its own."

"I don't read for nothing. I consider myself to be an expert of dragons myself, you know?"

That brought up another matter. "Then you should know that dragon being bonded with you makes no sense. What are you not telling me?"

Tyrion shrugged his stunted shoulders with a crooked smile still on his face. "I'm as confused as you snow. Perhaps this is something remarkable, a new age! This is the era where a dwarf can be a dragon too."

Jon was not convinced. "With naught a single pinch of valyrion blood in you?" His eyes narrowed. "You know as well as I do, blood matters. Euron Greyjoy was fried to a crisp because he has no dragon blood. The Martell's can be traced back to the early days of Nymeria. But Lannister? No Tyrion."

"It matters naught."

"It does when I'm considering throttling that little shit," Jon warned. "I've told myself I was going to capture any eggs I happened to find and kill any dragons that already hatched. It's too dangerous.

Tyrion shifted his voice as he noticed Jon was serious. "I've been with you since I first hired you in Essos. I've been with you since we've been captured by that mad fuck Greyjoy. I've been with you in Valyria where we saw all them th-"Tyrion shivered. "I've told you about my past and you told me about yours. I'm a dwarf. My legs cramp. My head gets too wobbly. And I get laughed at wherever I go. And my own father hates me. Please, with whatever remains in your cold bastard heart, let me have this." The crooked smile was there again.

Jon sighed. "Alright, I yield. It better not turn out like Cannibal or I will kill it."

They both laughed. The two of them and Ghost went on the way to Arya and Robb. Jon caught himself scrutinizing Tyrion. He saw his childlike height, his bulging head, his stunted shoulders, his hair so blond it can pass as white, and his eyes black and green. The light caught in the dwarf's eyes. Before Tyrion blinked it away, Jon thought he saw flecks of purple in his black eye.

Tyrion

For once in his lifetime, Tyrion did not mind the cramp in his legs. The feeling of actually feeling important coursed through his veins as he wobbled through the western land camp. All around him the talk of the sighting of Cannibal dominated the camp talk, of how his green flame was so alike Wildfire. Tyrion could not care less.

They arrived in the teeth of nightfall. Robb and Arya Stark had gapped at the dragon perched on his shoulders. He was a Lannister they said, and he can't possess a dragon they said.

A crooked grin split his face. I'm the best Lannister of them all. His shit father had the fear. His whoring sister had her golden cunt. His sweet, big brother Jaime had his sword. But Tyrion had his dragon.

The shits that looked down on me will soon look up as I shit on them. More specifically, my father. Tyrion couldn't wait to see the look on the proud Tywin's face.

The dragon wasn't with him, unfortunately. Jon did not allow it. "It stays with me until you decide to leave. The fewer eyes that see your dragon, all the better it is," he had said and put his beloved dragon in a small cage and had Ghost watch over it.

Tyrion could only suffer his anger in silence. He saw sense in Jon's words. He is still baffled that I can claim a dragon. I am baffled. I can think as far back in history as I can, but I can remember a single instance where Lannisters claim to have Valyrion blood. It made Tyrion uneasy as it did Jon. Maybe my late mother cheated on the old lion? That granted a smile to his face. Yes, that is an interesting conspiracy. The late wife of Tywin Lannister slept with a man whore from the free cities who bore Valyrion blood. Thus, the god's sought to punish her by having her die birthing a dwarf. Excellent! Tyrion thought sarcastically.

He was dreaming of soaring through the clouds and thinking about packing his belongings in the morn when he spied Bronn and the hound outside of his pavilion.

"What is it, hound? Your face is grimmer than usual today." Bronn chuckled and shook his head.

The hound smiled, and it was a terrible thing. "Your nephew was stabbed to death by the Baratheon boy."

Tyrion's heart stopped. "Which nephew?"

"The older welp."

Tyrion blew a sigh of relief and let himself ease. "Thank the gods! Maybe they are not so cruel. The boy did have it coming." And he relished the thought of Cersei being in pain. He wanted to see the grief on her face. The only downside is war again, unfortunately. The boy Edric is surely to be executed. The Baratheons, who were already seething after the rebellion, were not going to be their playmates.

"The kingslayer killed the Baratheon boy in his cell. He strangled the poor boy I heard," Bronn said. "He is being detained in the same cell he killed the boy in."

Tyrion heard it once and did not need to hear it twice. He immediately started the attempt to run, as pathetic as it was. His heart was pounding as were his feet on the ground. His legs were already cramping. He tripped a couple of times to the laughter of the bystanders. I will show you what to laugh about very soon, Tyrion promised. Bronn and Sandor picked him up.

They were about to pass the gates when a long column of mounted men came streaming past with banners of a crowned stag and the rest of the bannermen of the Stormlands. The squires, pages, and the fools rode out last. There were mutters and shouts as they watched the party leave.

"It will be Robert's rebellion come again!"

"No! It will be Renly's rebellion!"

"Woe to the Targaryens!"

Why didn't Aegon stop them from leaving? Tyrion had a sickening feeling in his gut. He walked on into the gates and into the massive halls of Harrenhall. It a long trek through a press of lords and more lords of lesser houses that like to gossip. It was Lewyn Martell who stood guard outside Lady Whent's solar. Tyrion heard a passionate debate storming behind the wooden door. He heard a shout, "Why did you let the Baratheons leave? They betrayed the crown once. What makes you think they won't do it again?!"

"I wish to speak to prince Aegon," Tyrion announced. The Martell gave him a look one would give a bug and proceeded to open the door slightly. Tyrion fought to keep his anger down at the insolent look on the older man's face.

Whatever argument there was ceased instantly. "Let him in." Tyrion left Bronn and Sandor standing outside and walked into the room. It was spacious as a room can be. Only Aegon and his sister were present, to which he was immensely thankful. The whole family should never be together for long.

If there was evidence of the Targaryen siblings having a discourse Tyrion could not find any, he admitted. They sat regal and proud.

"Tyrion," Aegon greeted politely. "What can I do for you?"

You know exactly why I'm here, fool.

"The Lannister wants to plead for his brother's head," Rhaenys answered. "He wants to bribe us or use his father's influence to gain leverage. Your uncle Kevin Lannister already saw fit to do that."

"Yes, my princess. You are a smart one. You hit it right on the dragon snout," Tyrion shot back. Aegon gave a smile. Rhaenys narrowed her eyes. "And sorry for my uncle. He could not live to lose my father's love for failing to save his golden boy." Boot licker.

Tyrion coughed to clear his throat. "Jaime shouldn't lose his life."

Rhaenys answered before Aegon could. "Why? Not only did he dishonor his vows-for the second time, mind you," she said, putting two fingers up. "But he also murdered a lord of a great house." She crossed one long leg over the other. "Please explain."

"First, the boy was of no great status. He was a bastard, legitimized or not. Bastards get killed all the time. There are stories of bastards being the all evil of the world and so vile and wicked they would kill their trueborn siblings to gain status. It's in their nature to be devious and scheming."

Rhaenys rolled her eyes. Aegon grinned. "We've heard those stories too, Lannister. It scared us when we were children."

"Shit me not, they still scare me now!"

Aegon leaned his head back and roared with laughter. Rhaenys cracked a smile. Tyrion felt the slightest of guilt as Jon did spend most of his life as a bastard. But it's working. I have to keep them entertained. The Targaryens like to think they are the perfect example of adhering to the honesty and the law. No, they just like the idea of being catered to.

"Second, sadly my final, reason is that the bastard simply needed to be brought to justice. Actually, humor me, why did you insist on Edric being brought to trial as soon as possible?"

"We didn't want house Targaryen to appear weak," Aegon told him.

"It's not because of the love of your family?" Tyrion made puppy eyes. "It's not because you were saddened by the loss of our poor Joffrey Targaryen?"

"No," Rhaenys admitted. "He was a twat."

"Cersei, his mother, was the only person who loved him," Aegon told him.

Tyrion straightened his face. "Then understand what my sweet Jaime is going through. He cared for the boy and watched over him as if he were his own." He was…

"My sister despised me since the day I was born. Yet, she loves Jaime. They are twins and they can never be separated. What they feel is the same. Cersei lost her child. Jaime felt the same way, I tell you."

Aegon waved a hand. "Alright enough, we get your saying. It will be death or the Night's watch."

Tyrion deflated. He hoped for better results. At least his brother could have his life. A Lannister does not decline what is given.

It was in the cells where Tyrion laid eyes on his brother. Even in rags and tatters Jaime still looked like a beautiful lion with the mob of gold on his head and the golden whiskers that have begun to grow.

"Brother," Tyrion breathed. The sight of his sweet brother can never fail to get his delight.

Jaime looked at him and turned away. "What are you doing here?"

I'm here to save your arse! Tyrion's brow scrunched in puzzlement. "I would think you would be happy to see your brother. You know, as he got good news for you." Still, Jaime Lannister kept his eyes on the floor. "You have the chance to die or take the Night's Watch."

Jaime did not respond.

"What is the matter with you?" Tyrion blurted out.

"I'm not a good man, Tyrion," Jaime murmured.

I don't care. "I know that. I forgive you for that because you are my big brother."

Jaime chuckled but it had no humor. "I've done you so wrong. You should not love this monster."

"What do you mean?"

"It all starts with lies, brother. Lies, it will be the death of us all. I'm tired of lying."

"What are you talking about?" Tyrion wanted to rip his hair out. This was not the time for him to be fucking sentimental.

"Joffrey, Tommen, they are my kids."

Tyrion nodded impatiently. "I've known that for a long time now. And?"

Jaime slowly raised his head and looked him in the eye. Tyrion was shocked to find there were tears in those green depths. "It's about the girl…Tysha. It was all a lie."

Tyrion's nose twitched and tried to push the unwanted memories away. "I know. You bought her and had her pretend that she loved me."

"No, I didn't."

Tyrion heard a coin drop, loud as any hooves. "…What?"

"I didn't buy her. It wasn't a setup. Our father told me to lie to you. She loved you, Tyrion. She truly did. I'm sorry." Jaime looked down in shame.

The coins came crashing down, all in silver. There were so many coins it had slipped between her fingers and fallen into the floor. They all had their time with her, one at a time while Twyin forced Tyrion to watch. When it was Tyrion's turn, a golden stag was given, as he was a Lannister.

Fury was in his fists as he pounds against the cell bar. "You deserve to die!" He screamed, spittle dripping down his chin. "You fucking kingslayer! Sister fucker!" He kicked. It hurt. But it only gave him more fuel. Angry tears streamed in rivulets. "I'm not even Twyin's son am I?" He had been thinking about it all day after he claimed the dragon. It was damning trying to hold himself together. "The fucker always said I wasn't worthy of inheriting Casterly Rock because I was no son of his. There has to be some truth to that!" He spat.

Jaime snapped his head. "Why do you say that?" There was a touch of fear in his voice. It only served more fuel to the flame that was blowing in Tyrion. Jaime laughed weakly and shook his head. "It's nonsense Tyrion."

"ANSWER me!" His eyes were about to pop out of his bed. "Obviously, if you knew I raped my wife for no reason, you would know this too!" I know there is something…There is something…

Jaime gulped. He couldn't meet Tyrion's raging eyes. "No…you are not. One time, when our mother was pregnant with you, I stood outside their room as father and she argued about something, something so grievous to provoke my father to yell. I didn't know what. I didn't understand it at the time. I was so young. Aerys can't get away with this, father yelled. It was the only time I heard my father raise his voice. Mother was crying and said they couldn't anything about it as he is king. I can remove him, father said. We will be destroyed and burned alive, mother had cried out. And it will ruin the reputation of our house and ruin the Lannister name, mother had said. The rest I figured they were arguing if you had to die or not. Mother made him promise that no harm will fall on you as you are still her son. There was one thing that everyone knew-father truly loved mother."

Tyrion stood in stunned silence. My whole life is a lie. I'm the mad king's bastard dwarf. He breathed haggardly. I'm a bastard.

Jaime continued slowly. "It lined up. Mother was in kings landing with father the same year you were conceived. And I think father resigned as hand around that time but the mad king refused." He saw the devastation on Tyrion's face. "When I realized years later, why father hated you so, you were already a man grown. You suffered so much. I…I didn't want to cause further harm. All of this doesn't matter, Tyrion. You are still my brother and I love you." Tyrion didn't pay attention to what he said in mind as his mind was in a cluster fuck.

Tyrion always liked to think he survived the doomed city of Valyria with Jon because of his intellect and quick wit. Was the only reason I survived in that damned place because of the Valyrian blood? He wanted to scream some more, rage at Jamie for telling him more lies. But…it all makes sense. The journey to Valyria, the dragon, his father's unnatural hate for him, his white hair, and his obsession with dragons since he was a child, all came full cycle. Hot white anger surged through him.

Tyrion snarled. "I hate you! You are no brother of mine. You are nothing to me. You don't deserve the watch! I will tell everyone about you and Cersei and your bastard children! All of your heads will be on spikes!"

Jaime looked up at him warily. "You won't do that. They are family."

Tyrion laughed hysterically. "I will. I will pay my debts with fire and blood." I have the means to do so…for Tysha.

Jon

He left?

Jon wore a black cloak with a hood to cover his face. He walked and peeked around in the Dorne camp, yet he had not seen a glimpse of the Dayne. I will find him, Jon said. If I have to go to Dorne on Cannibal I will. He will not get away with this.

He decided to stalk around the vaulted halls of Harrenhall. There was a small chance he would be able to find him here yet he did.

"What are you doing in the hour of the wolf snooping around in the clothing of the night?" Oberyn said humorously. He leaned easily against a stone pillar. "You are the white wolf, but I saw you skipping about these halls a while ago."

"Where is Darkstar?" Jon asked him.

"You want to kill him."

"I want to speak," Jon denied.

"You want to kill him," Oberyn repeated. "Do not fret, boy. I hold no love for the man. He is poison. I should've killed him a long time ago."

"Then where is he?"

Oberyn shrugged nonchalantly. "He is ways gone. You did him in good. The man is crazed. He left boasting of a new era of dragons and deemed himself a dragon lord. We left him be. He's always boasting about one thing and grumbling about the other."

Shit! DAMN HIM! DAMN HIM!

"You may never find him until he wishes to pop out from under a rock, the little shit. He hasn't been seen in high hermitage or Starfall in years."

He has a dragon was all Jon was thinking about as he started for the outside. The fresh air of the lake did not ease him. He delved into the mental link between him and Cannibal, determining how far he was. We need to hunt a dragon down, he told him. There was a wave of dark satisfaction across their bond. Jon let the energy from the dragon fuel him, letting the dark energy roll off him.

Rhaenys

Why do you have to be so stupid, little brother? Rhaenys thought with a sneer as she left him in a fury. Loras kept watch at the solar while Lewyn Martell shadowed her. Her uncle had the sense to leave her be when her temper was on her. He let the Baratheon slip through his hands in the dead of the night. Renly will make it to Storm's end and call his banners. Father and mother will be furious.

Freaking Kingslayer, Rhaenys cursed. At his hand, war will be reborn anew. And there was Twyin Lannister to the west, the looming power of Casterly Rock. His golden son might not lose his head, but the old lion will not be pleased to have his son banished to the wall. It's arguably worse than being in the kingsguard. In the kingsguard, you can always get the royal decree to step down from your position. The Night's watch is for life. Potentially, they will have to deal with the Stormlands and the Western lands.

Rhaenys felt trapped and went outside a side gate. There she stood in the breeze, sucking in the fresh air to calm her nerves. She eyed the wood across the lake; saw the burnt trees, and the black smoke that lingered. The rider and its dragon were here. Were they simply hunting for game or were they hunting for someone?

Something flickered in the corner of her vision. Rhaenys turned to see Jon snow walking into the deep press of trees. Where are you going? She wondered. "I am going to retire. You may return to my brother," Rhaenys told her uncle.

Lewyn frowned. "Loras Tyrell is already flanking him."

"You can flank him too." There was a command in her tone. She saw the look on his face and soften her tone. "I will be fine, uncle. Aegon is who you have to worry about. These are dangerous times. The prince must be protected. He does not lack for enemies after these events." Lewyn still had a frown but respected her wishes.

Rhaenys did not desire to put her dear uncle in a tight spot. But she craved to follow after the wolf. No kingsguard was going to allow a princess to wander the woods alone for a bastard.

They still do not understand. He is no ordinary bastard. He's different. Rhaenys knew it. She could sense it whenever she laid eyes on him. It was not only because his eyes and voice can make her daydream. It was his aura. It was a mystery. Yet, he avoided her. It confused her. She loathed admitting it but it hurt her as well. I thought we were passed this.

She followed him, kept Jon in her line of vision but stayed far enough to where he couldn't see it. She used the trees and the bushes as cover as he was bound to make sharp turns and cuts. It felt like an hour passed to Rhaenys but Jon still walked on.

Then the air shifted. It suddenly became hot. Rhaenys heard the flap of wings. She looked up to see a scaled serpent body blocking out the sun. It was humongous. The sheer size of it made her head throb. It landed in a clearing in front of her. The crash sent rocks and branches everywhere and bent trees backwards. The dust had to settle before Rhaenys could afford to peep over the rock she was crouching behind.

The dragon was dark as onyx. Its scales were armored by spikes sharper than any sword. It can bleed at the slightest touch. Horns protruded out of his skull and it was reminiscent of demons from the stories her father and mother read to her and Aegon as children. Its eyes were such a green it sent a chill up Rhaenys's spine. It was the shade of wildfire, greener than Lannister eyes can ever be.

She snapped her eyes sideways when she couldn't see Jon anymore. Where did he go? She took her eyes off him when she saw the dragon. The white wolf disappeared in a pop of smoke. That's what she thought before two rough hands grabbed her, flipped her around, and pushed her against the rock.

Jon's purple eyes were cold and empty as he straddled her. "What are you doing here?" His voice was harsh. Rhaenys's heart was in her throat. He shook her roughly when she didn't answer. "Do you know what kind of danger you are in? Did you know I almost killed you? Why were you following me?"

"You were avoiding me." Rhaenys hated how small her voice sounded. Dare I say it? The look in his eyes frightens me. She then felt anger at her weakness. She held up her chin and stared right back at him.

The empty look in Jon's eyes slowly filled. Jon sighed. "I swear, I did not know princesses acted like this. I wouldn't have come if I did, spare me a lot of pain. Stalking me in the woods." His hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her easily to her feet. He did not let go. She liked it.

"I beg to differ," Rhaenys said with mischief. "I think I bring you joy. You rarely smile. Do it more."

"That's a command?"

"It's a royal command." Rhaenys turned in his arms to look at the beast. The dragon was watching them intently. I wonder, is his fire as hot as his gaze?

"He thinks you will bring me harm," Jon whispered in her ear. "He is a mother I never had."

"He's yours," Rhaenys gasped, and she did not whisper.

She felt him shift. "Yes."

"You saved us in Kingslanding. It was you." Rhaenys kept her gaze on the dragon. "Explain to me, Jon. Why have you not come before the king when he requested your audience?"

"I did not want to reveal myself. It is too dangerous. I do not know the king."

Rhaenys narrowed her eyes and slipped away from his grasp. "My father wouldn't harm you after you saved his family." My father is a flawed man yes, but he is not cruel. She loved her father and was ready to lash fire at anyone who dare speak ill of him.

"As you say, my princess. But I wish for this to remain between us. It would put my whole family in danger. The king might not mean harm, but others will have more ambition."

That's fair, Rhaenys acknowledged reluctantly. An idea swam to her head as clear as the sea. Having a dragon rider on our side would be a massive boon, Rhaenys thought. Baratheon and Lannister would not dare fight against flame. And I can have him to myself as well, no matter the status of his birth. She looked at his guarded but handsome face, his dark hair, and his purple eyes. Desire heated her insides. Yes, I can. But I have to get him eased up to it. He said he has been dodging me. We have to correct that first. This changes everything. It will flip the realm on its side. Rhaenys understood at this moment she was talking to the most powerful man in the world and nobody knew except her.

"You have a deal snow," Rhaenys told him. Then she smiled. She saw his eyes move to her lips briefly then snap back up. Her smile stretched. "But I want to ride your dragon. Right now." I'm a Targaryen. He would give me this much.

"No," Jon said immediately.

"Why?" Rhaenys asked stubbornly. She didn't like being denied. She knows that was a bad thing. But the flip side is I always get what I want.

"It's his first time meeting you and you are comfortable about riding him? If it was my wolf I would have no worries. But this is a very old and very prickly dragon, and very dangerous."

Cannibal growled. It sent a shiver to her spine again, but this time it was not of fear. Rhaenys smirked to show she was not afraid. "I'm not a little girl, Jon. I am the blood of the dragon."

"And I had urgent business before your snooping interrupted that," Jon accused. Rhaenys was not offended. It was worth it. "You are not supposed to be here."

"As condolences, I shall go with you."

"You shall not. I very may command him to spew fire." For what? Hmm.

Rhaeny's smile was bright. "I very much want to see that. If it's urgent business as you say, you are wasting time. And you will not let a princess walk through the woods back to the castle by herself. You will have no choice but to let me come with."

"You are manipulative," Jon told her. "I should very well leave you here and make you walk back the whole way."

"But you won't," She challenged. I know you won't.

"Damn you." Jon turned sharply and motioned her to follow. Sweet victory flowed through her body as she followed behind him. Her smile curdled as they stepped into the shadow of the beast. The black monster lowered its long spiky neck to look Rhaenys up close. She can see the visible glimpse of rows of sharp black teeth. She was almost pulled off her feet when it sniffed her. Cannibal hissed and looked at Jon.

The bastard watched their interaction closely. He nodded and came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist again. "Climb up the rope. Be careful, you can cut yourself when you didn't even think you touched a thing." Rhaenys looked at the scars on Jon's arms and silently agreed. He helped her find her footing. The rope was tough but strong. The spikes helped Rhaenys to climb quickly.

I'm on a dragon. Rhaenys sat in the saddle and looked over the rocks and the trees, and she could even see Harrenhall in the distance. This is what Aegon the conqueror felt. She felt like a conqueror at the moment. Though, she was wary of the quantity of gleaming pointy spikes that lay around her. Someone can impale himself here.

Through probably years of experience, Jon climbed up much more swiftly than she did. Once he reached the top he positioned Rhaenys behind him and tied a rope around her waist. "Grab hold of me as well," he said. She did just that.

Jon didn't say a word; however, Cannibal stood and flapped its wings. Everything was swept away by the gusts of the winds. Slowly, they rose in the air. But, as soon as they reached the treetops, they shot further into the air with a clap. The speed at which they were traveling scared her shitless. She pushed her face in Jon's shoulder to weather the winds and prayed to the seven.

When she got accustomed to the weight and the speed, she dared open her eyes. Her breath was seized from her chest. Down far below they raced pass trees at unimagined speeds. She looked at Jon's face. His face was pinched with the intensity of his concentration. She wanted to brush the hair that whipped across his face but decided that was a bad idea. Rhaenys only just become aware of the vast golden chest tied against one of the long spikes. I never saw a chest of that size.

"What's in the chest?!" She yelled in Jon's ear.

"What?!" He yelled back.

Rhaenys realized at this speed he couldn't hear her so she stayed quiet. Her stomach dropped when Cannibal suddenly dived towards the earth at a fast rate. She shielded her eyes with her hands but moved them when the dragon only hovered in the air.

This is where he razed the wood, Rhaenys realized. It had seemed far away from the castle, but the dragon reached it in seconds. Split of a second, the dragon roared, descended, and crushed an egg. Cannibal stomped a few couple of feet before crushing another one.

Was that a dragon egg?

"Are those eggs?" Rhaenys said with horror. Throughout Targaryen history, dragon eggs were treasured and stored to wait the day it would hatch. It was the most prized possession. Yet this man is destroying them like they are the plague!

"Yes," was all Jon offered.

"Why are you crushing them?!" Rhaenys yelled.

"Because they are too dangerous. They cannot hatch."

He wants to be the only dragon rider, Rhaenys realized. He wants no one to be able to challenge him. It was smart. But Rhaenys yearned for one of them, to be able to claim her own dragon. She was a Targaryen after all. But she was sharp enough not to ask Jon that. It will never come to be…

Very soon, they were airborne again. This time it was not as quick. They sped down along a road, then another, then another. They circled around keeps and Inns. They even landed on a hill; cannibal roared but the only thing they got out of it was scared birds that took flight. What are you looking for? No, who are you looking for?

The sun was dying when they landed back at the clearing. Jon helped her dismount. Rhaenys was dizzy but filled with delicious delight. It reminds me of the times in Sunspear when Arianne and I ran the halls. Jon dropped to the ground and started walking back to the castle without a word. Rhaenys was put off by his altitude as it dimmed hers.

"What were you hoping to find?" Rhaenys demanded, suddenly angry.

"Don't worry about it, princess."

I told you to call me Rhaenys, she wanted to yell at him. But she kept her mouth closed to rein in her temper. It was a genuine moment where she could spend time with him alone, but he seemed he didn't feel the same way. It displeased the princess as it was not the result she desired. He will tell me, Rhaenys told herself. He will learn to tell me everything because he is not going back to the north.