𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆

VALENTINE SPECIAL | PART iii

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Alaesys pushes Daemon away and rushes out of the chamber, leaving the letter and the rose behind. She passes by everyone, even her own family members, without a second glance. She heads straight to the Dragonpit where Saphira was first stabilized after her growing.

As Alaesys arrives, a Dragonkeeper approaches her with a look of confusion. "Your Highness, what are you doing here?" they ask.

Without hesitation, Alaesys commands, "Get Saphira for me."

"But, Your Majesty, I don't-"

"I am not asking. I am commanding you to get Saphira for me," Alaesys interrupts, her voice firm. The elder Dragonkeeper nods in agreement, having never seen such an unusual command from the princess herself.

The Dragonkeeper signals to the others to let Saphira out of the stable. The she-dragon, who is the same size as Syrax, emerges from the pit and heads straight towards Alaesys. Saphira can sense the distress of her rider and is eager to help.

Alaesys lets out a soft sigh of relief and rubs Saphira's snout before climbing onto her back. In High Valyrian, she commands, "Sōvēs," and Saphira spreads her wings and takes off into the sky.

Alaesys and Saphira fly for hours, soaring above the clouds and watching as the sun begins to set. Eventually, they land back where the Dragonkeepers are waiting. Alaesys climbs off Saphira and runs her fingers through her scales, thanking her for the journey before letting the elder Dragonkeepers take her dragon back to the pit.

Alaesys was startled by the sudden appearance of one of Princess Rhaenyra's young handmaidens. "Princess Rhaenyra wants to see you at once, my lady," the girl said urgently. Alaesys couldn't help but wonder what urgent matter had prompted the princess to summon her in such a hurry but boneless follow the maiden.

"I heard you were looking for me," Alaesys strode into the room, interrupting the silence the moment she stepped into the room as the maiden left her and Rhaenyra alone.

Rhaenyra, holding a rose between her fingers, met her gaze as she walked toward Alaesys. "You heard right. I need you to accompany me to Driftmark," she said, her tone equally assertive.

Alaesys frowned thoughtfully. "Wouldn't Prince Daemon be a better escort?" she asked, her eyes flicking to the letter on the table with wide eyes wishing that it wasn't the letter from Daemon.

"I would be but we want you to come with us," came Daemon's voice from behind her. Alaesys spun around, startled. "Baela and Rhaena have been asking for you," he added, his tone persuasive, strong and determined.

"Alright, for Baela and Rhaena." Alaesys stood there, her head hung low, feeling ashamed and guilty for her actions. She wished she could undo what had happened between her and Daemon, but she knew that wasn't possible, not noticing the look Daemon and Rhenyra shared. She could feel the tension in the air, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy around them. 

"Burgundy rose," Suddenly, Rhaenyra spoke up, catching Alaesys by surprise. She was holding a burgundy rose in her hand, its petals dark and velvety as she spoke, she looked straight at Alaesys, her voice barely above a whisper.

" A deeper, richer shade of red, burgundy roses have a profoundly more meaningful symbolism than traditional bright red roses.," Rhaenyra added, her voice soft. Rhaenyra held the rose out to her, and Alaesys took it, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. She knew that Rhaenyra was aware of what had happened between them, and she wished that she could disappear.

Daemon, who had been standing behind her, spoke up, his voice low and intense. "Unfathomable passion, loyalty, commitment, and desire," he said, his eyes fixed on Alaesys. Alaesys felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the depth of feeling between Rhaenyra and Daemon. She knew that she had to face the consequences of her actions, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of fear and apprehension about what lay ahead.