𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟖

      𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐀𝐂.
                                         -☆-

𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 .

She had fairer skin then most in the Vale. Her eyes were violet instead of the deep brown her own family all seemed to have. But the most notable difference was her hair. Light and silver, a symbol of the Targaryen blood that ran threw her veins.

A testament to the fact that she was cast aside and forgotten by her own kin. Her own father.

"You've risen earlier than usual, child."

Deena turned around from her place on her balcony to face Lord Yorbert.

"Mother liked the sunrise. Aunt Aderyn told me she'd ride out to see it on the tallest hill."

The day always came with the same feeling of dread. She was only a babe when Rhea Royce was found broken, presumably thrown off her horse. She'd seen a different death in a dream on her ninth name day. A cloaked man standing over what she perceived her mother to look like by the descriptions spoken to her.

"You haven't touched that horse and yet your name might as well be engraved on its saddle." He was closer now, an aged hand on her shoulder.

"Perhaps I will try today." The girl breathed, the breeze flowing through her hair. She gave her grandsire a tight lipped smile, pulling away and walking through the winding halls to the stables.

They were preparing carriages to depart for the King's name day feast, a pointless celebration in Deena's opinion. She didn't know anything about her uncle, and her uncle knew vague details about her existence. As she reached the stables, she pulled her hair back in a bronze clench, sighing.

"You're nothing like a dragon, horse," The Targaryen mumbled, mounting the animal and stroking its mane, "And you're quite old. You won't live long enough to be a suitable companion."

"My lady."

Deena looked down to her handmaiden, a smile finding its way onto her freckled face as she jumped down from the horse.

"Gella. My grandsire found his way to my rooms before you."

"You were scarce in appearance for the morning meal."

"Yes, well," She tilted her head, her fingers twitching with a need to touch, "No one is out here, other than the horses. Are you afraid I'm going to bite you?" Deena laughed, unbuckling and rebuckling the reins on the old horse.

"You have." Gella mumbled, approaching her and gently touching the small of her back, sending a shiver up the noble girl's spine.

"And yet you haven't turned into a hideous creature."

"No."

"Come with me." Deena turned to face her fully, holding her hand out. Gella slipped her hand into the silver haired girl's.

"Where are we going?"

"Far."

"You're terrible at voicing your thoughts."

"But wonderful at surprises." She helped Gella onto the taupe colored horse, getting on behind her and kicking off, the horse starting into a gallop. The brown haired girl gripped the reins tightly, her knuckles turning white. Deena laughed, putting her head on the other girl's shoulder from behind and placing a lazy kiss on her neck.

"Afraid?"

"Do you want to fall off?" Gella breathed, shrugging her head off her shoulder.

Deena smirked, closing her eyes and feeling the wind whistle over her face as they rode; willing the horse to go faster. For a second, she'd felt as if she were flying. Her home felt so suffocating, no real place for her to fit. Not Royce enough, but not a bastard. Merely unwanted.

They reached the top of the tallest hill she'd found, stopping the horse and dismounting, helping Gella off.

"...You're making a face." Gella stated, pushing her hair flat.

"I want a dragon." Deena said bluntly, tying the reins to a tree.

"I would never get on a dragon. There is absolutely nothing you could tell me that would put the thought of touching one in my head."

"Highgarden." The violet eyed girl grinned.

"...Maybe. I would love Highgarden, braiding flowers into the Lady's hair."

"You don't see yourself as anything other than a servant in your fantasies?" Deena sat in the grass, watching the horse drink from a puddle.

"I dream a world where I were born a boy. A high born boy, even. We would be betrothed."

Deena blinked, looking up at Gella. She didn't want Gella to be high born. She definitely didn't want her to be a son. She loved her the way she was.

"...That's a foolish dream. I dream that this...wouldn't be seen as sin." She looked back down, pulling a dandelion out of the ground.

Gella sighed, sitting next to her and cradling Deena's cheek. "The mother wouldn't make us this way without intention to tie our fates."

"If only everyone could think like you."

Gella smiled, kissing her cheek and pulling her down to lay in the grass with her. "I live to serve, my lady."

The two made their way back up the winding dirt road that led to the castle stables as the sun set; handing the reins to the stable master and allowing the horse to retire.

Gella went back inside first, returning to her duties.

Deena waits a moment before walking into the castle, though she suspected her absence wasn't noted. The echoes in the hall made her feel as if a ghost were shadowing her, no matter how far she walked. She looked for Gella in the dining hall, smirking and leaning against the wall, watching her collect plates around the table.

"And where were you?" Deena glanced to the side, meeting eyes with her aunt, Aderyn.

"Everywhere and nowhere." Deena mumbled, earning a deadpanned expression from Aderyn.

"...You missed evening feast. Again."

"It has been made abundantly clear how much easier it is to keep me out of the way."

"Yes, out of the way. But how will father marry you off if you're starved? Eat something, Deena." The woman sighs, leading her to the kitchen.

Deena rolled her eyes at the sarcasm, eating a piece of bread. "When has grandsire ever mentioned marrying me off? That would mean presenting me as a person."

"Just now. You were off doing gods know what, so you weren't there to hear it. Most houses will be present for the name day feast. A perfect time for a proposal." Aderyn sighed.

Deena choked on the bread, crumbs falling out of her mouth. "What?"

Aderyn rolled her eyes, walking away. Gella waited for her to round the corner, quietly approaching Deena.

"Would you like a bath drawn, my lady?" She asked, wringing her hands nervously, having heard the entire conversation.

"...Bath." Deena gaped, settling on nodding and quickly walking to her rooms, Gella quickly following after her.