Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Warm Moon/1,000,126 Visenya VI

The rich and enticing scents of roasted meats, cooked vegetables, baked breads, fresh fruits, and countless desserts permeated the air of Stone Garden’s great hall. A pleasant din of lively laughter, convivial conversations, and merry melodies echoed throughout the cavernous chamber, along with the clinking of glasses, the clanging of plates, and the ringing of silverware. Warm waves of contentment, joy, and gaiety poured forth from their guests, making Alicent’s skin tingle and her magic croon.

Above them, the crystal chandeliers were draped in crimson and silver, sable and green, and were ablaze with golden light-orbs. Wreaths of emerald orchids and black roses hung upon the walls, and elaborate flower arrangements and beautifully carved stone animals graced every table. The tapestry displaying Kastrell’s coat of arms that usually hung behind the high table had been replaced by a banner bearing the Orchidflame Cadet Branch sigil.

Light constructs of dragons and wyverns, griffins and dragonwolves, ruks and simurghs, aeolian falcons and phoenixes, pegasi and dream ravens soared and swooped overhead, while sea serpents, hippocampi, aschines, leocampi, capricorns, and lykocampi swam, dipped, and dove through the air alongside them. Kitsunes, owlbears, dire-wolves, shadow-squirrels, spirit bears, winter lions, shadow-tigers, and unicorns frolicked and stalked between the long tables at which their guests sat, and several insect and arachnid light constructs had been created as well, though none ventured far from Queen Helaena’s table.

From her place seated beside Rhaenyra at the high table, Alicent watched with poorly-concealed amusement as Ygritte grudgingly offered a handful of coins to Margaery, who was grinning broadly as she accepted them. At one of the tables closest to the dais at the front of the hall, Laena was similarly collecting money from her sisters and sisters-by-bond. When Alicent’s eyes shifted to the table where Rhaenyra’s daughters sat, she noticed that Mistress Lunerys was wildly gesticulating to Queen Helaena and occasionally stabbing her finger skyward.

Is she upset about the new star, or Rhaenyra moving the moon to create an eclipse?

Considering Lunerys Waynwood was among the Avenian Isles’ foremost astronomers—with a special interest in astrophysics, if Alicent recalled correctly—she supposed that either was equally possible.

I’ll ask Nyra to speak with her later and put her mind at ease about the moon and star.

For she was certain that her mate had conducted all of the necessary research beforehand to confirm that her actions wouldn’t inadvertently endanger Valyria or the wider cosmos. As much as Rhaenyra adored her and delighted in giving her extravagant gifts, her safa would never risk disrupting the structural integrity of their galaxy—not even for Alicent.

Though I suspect that there is little else that she wouldn’t do for me.

Just as there was little that Alicent herself wouldn’t do for Rhaenyra, assuming that it was within her far more limited power.

“You are the sun that warms me, the moon that illuminates my darkest nights, and the stars that guide me home.”

Her mate mark tingled.

My Nyra.

Hers to love.

Hers to cherish.

Hers to protect.

Until the stars go dark.

A silly smile spread across Alicent’s lips at the thought, and when she slightly turned her head to steal a swift glance at her mate—who herself hadn’t stopped smiling since their bonding ceremony—a pleasant shiver rippled down her spine, and her tongue darted out of her mouth to wet her lips.

Her Rhaenyra was a vision.

A very enticing vision.

Having exchanged her bonding robes for clothes more suitable for a feast when they’d returned to the Keep, her Nyra now wore a striking gown of silvery-white satin that perfectly accentuated her alluring curves. Tendrils of embroidered black flame licked their way up the full skirts of her dress and converged upon the fitted bodice where they wreathed an intertwined black rose and winter orchid. The square-cut neckline, which was trimmed with black lace, bared her shoulders and was just low enough to reveal the tantalizing swells of her breasts.

When Rhaenyra had emerged from behind her dressing screen in that gown, Alicent had been sorely tempted to ask her mate if they might absent themselves from their bonding feast. But she’d swiftly dismissed the thought. Much as she would have enjoyed ravishing her lovely safa, she had no wish to insult their guests, several of whom she was eager to become properly acquainted with.

And there will be time enough for me to claim her this evening once I’ve—

Alicent turned her head when she heard once more the soft, melodic chime of Rhaenyra’s bonding bracelet gently clinking against her own, turned her head in time to see her mate’s lips curve upwards into a slightly crooked and unabashedly joyful—almost foolish—grin.

Her favorite of Rhaenyra’s smiles.

This was perhaps the tenth time in as many minutes that Rhaenyra had reached over simply to clink their bracelets together.

“Is there something you need, My Love?” she asked teasingly, biting her lip to prevent herself from laughing at the way Rhaenyra blinked owlishly at her, as if surprised that she’d been noticed.

Rhaenyra recovered swiftly enough, her grin becoming sly as she leaned forward.

For a moment, it seemed as if Rhaenyra meant to kiss her. But instead, her lips brushed against Alicent’s ear as she whispered, “My need for you has been growing greater with each passing moment since I first saw you in the grove this morning, My Sweet Alicent.” Her eyes twinkled with mirth and hunger as she gazed into Alicent’s. “My need to see you panting and flushed from my touches, my need to hear you whimpering so sweetly for more, my need to taste your pleasure,” she nipped her ear, and Alicent almost whined aloud, “is utterly maddening.”

Alicent’s mouth had gone dry, but she could feel her smallclothes growing damp.

“But alas, I suppose that I must wait until this evening to hear the enthralling music of your desperate moans.” Rhaenyra’s mouth retreated from Alicent’s ear, and she offered a smile that was far too sweet considering the lewd things that she’d been saying but moments before. “Until then, I shall content myself with listening to the lovely music of our bonding bracelets.”

So saying, Rhaenyra once more clinked her bracelet against Alicent’s, filling the air with the unique ring of Herthian steel.

∞

Rhaenyra knew that she was grinning like a fool, but she could hardly be faulted for that.

She was mated and bonded.

After nearly 9,236,427 years of waiting, she was at last mated and bonded.

And to Alicent.

Seven Hells, her natal form could hardly contain the giddiness and elation that had seized a hold of her this morning and hadn’t loosened their grip since.

She wanted to shift.

She wanted to shift into her dragon form and roar her joy to the heavens for all to hear.

She wanted to teleport herself to every world that she’d ever visited and declare that she’d at last found her mate.

Save for Maaldoria.

I should have done far worse than simply shattering their slaving empire.

She also knew that she shouldn’t visit Westeros for a third time . . .

Her lips pursed slightly as she glanced over at Alicent, who was an ethereal vision of greens, silvers, and blues. The gown that her mate had donned for their bonding feast was layers of rich blue silks and flowing silver satins. Emerald orchids with peridot centers had been embroidered all over the skirts, and the bodice had been cut in the shape of orchid petals and spangled with different kinds of green gemstones. Her mate’s lovely neck was on full display and made even more striking by the softly glowing celestial stones of her necklace.

Thoughts of Alicent’s wretched home world should not be plaguing her on this joyous day, and yet . . .

I ought to tell her what I did.

Her mate deserved the truth.

Rhaenyra was a fool for not telling her years ago, but she hadn’t wished to burden her . . .

Paternalistic idiot.

Alicent deserved to know what had befallen the vark who had made so much of her life a terror and a misery.

After our holiday. I’ll tell her once we’ve—

The entrancing sound of Alicent’s laughter suddenly filled the air, drawing Rhaenyra from her thoughts. Following her mate’s gaze, she saw that Daenora was capering about with Rhaena whilst their sisters encouraged them. Her granddaughters all wore bright, jovial smiles that were far brighter and more carefree than she could ever recall her and her sisters’ being.

More carefree, she suspected, than her own daughters’ smiles had ever been as well.

Her gaze shifted to the table where they sat with their mates. Helaena and Lunerys’ wings were fluttering happily, and Vaella was chortling at something that Lucerya had said. Sara and Mayara had their heads together, while Jacaerya and Aelora watched their mates’ with expressions somewhere between fond and wary.

Rhaenyra would make certain to speak with all of them before the night was done. Perhaps she could invite them to come visit during future holidays. She was certain that Lunerys would enjoy spending one of the solstices or equinoxes in Kastrell, and Aelora and Mayara had mentioned a few millennia ago that they would be interested in celebrating the Feast of Saint Aenara in Osmera. Jacaerya must surely miss the summer from time to time, and she knew that there were several land foods from her childhood that Lucerya couldn’t indulge in whilst underwater in Saevara.

Time spent with each of her daughters individually would do them all some good.

She hoped.

I ought to arrange for something with Daemona as well.

Her magic instinctively growled at the thought, and Rhaenyra immediately silenced it. The enmity between us must end. For both our sakes. Perhaps she ought to speak with Mysaria before approaching her sister though. Her sister-by-bond was far less aggravating than Daemona, and a conversation with Mysaria was certain to be far more productive.

Or was contacting Mysaria first the act of a coward?

“Nyra?”

“Hmm?” Rhaenyra turned to see Alicent watching her with an expression between worry and determination. “Yes, My Love?”

“There is something . . .” Alicent’s lips pursed for a moment as her eyes briefly flicked down to her left wrist before rising once more to meet Rhaenyra’s. “Have you ever heard of Mother’s Touch?”

Rhaenyra’s brow furrowed slightly as she swiftly reviewed the names of the various poisons and medicines that she’d familiarized herself with over the millennia—lotus water, ivy serum, katroot, dragon tears, unicorn water, blood bane, elcra berries, snakeroot, butterfly’s dust, lunar milk, bloodflowers, Aqua Tofana, dylarium, mother’s mercy, white baneberry, silk bloom, widow’s grip, irilary, sorrow salt, widow’s blood, winter’s blush, witch teeth . . .

“Is it a medicine or a poison, Ali? Valyrian or not?” While she’d served as a healer and physician during numerous lifetimes and become well-acquainted with off-world herbs, potions, and poisons, she hadn’t dedicated half so much time to learning the medicines of her own world. Such was Laena’s domain, and she hadn’t wished to encroach upon it.

“It’s a Valyrian medicine.” Alicent glanced down at her wrist once more, expression pensive. “Dr. Arwen said that it’s rather little known to the younger generations because they haven’t had use for it.” She expelled a slow breath. “It removes scars.”

Rhaenyra’s eyebrows rose. “Oh.” She’d thought that Alicent had resolved that matter, though she supposed that any resolution must needs be reevaluated when new information came to light. She tilted her head slightly. “Do you wish to remove your scars, Ali?”

“I . . . Yes, I think—I do want them gone, but part of me fears . . . This isn’t a matter of vanity, but what if it’s a matter of me simply trying to forget? To pretend that what happened to me didn’t.”

“Would simply trying to forget be so terrible?” Somethings truly were best forgotten, though she didn’t see how Alicent could ever truly forget what had happened to her without the assistance of mind magic.

Alicent shrugged. “I don’t know.” Her head turned slightly, her eyes sweeping over the hall until they settled upon Grandmother Daenerys and Mistress Missandei. “I’m hoping to speak about the matter with one of them this evening.”

“Is my advice not sufficient?” Rhaenyra teased, hoping to banish some of the shadows that had settled over her mate’s face.

A loving smile curled Alicent’s lips as her eyes returned to Rhaenyra’s. “Your advice is always valued, My Safa, but on this matter,” she leaned forward and kissed her cheek, “they possess insights that you do not. Besides,” she drew back to reveal a wry smile, “you’ve yet to actually offer me any advice.”

“My advice is that you do whatever makes you happy.” Rhaenyra brought her hands up to cradle her mate’s cheeks. “I adore you as you are, My Alicent, and I shall continue to adore you regardless of what you choose to do about your scars. My only wish is for you to adore and love yourself with the same fervor.”

“If I adored myself even half so much as you adore me, Nyra, I think that I would prove quite insufferable.”

Rhaenyra laughed before kissing her softly. “I would still love you,” she murmured when they parted.

“I know.” Alicent nuzzled against Rhaenyra’s hand. “Just as I will always love and adore you.”

“Even if I become insufferable?”

“Become?”

Rhaenyra made an affronted sound, hands falling from Alicent’s face. “Such cruel words. And on our bonding day no less!”

Alicent’s responding laugh was sweet and clear and made Rhaenyra’s heart sing.

∞

A clear, melodious chime suddenly filled the great hall, drawing the eye of every woman to the front of the room where Alicent and Queen Rhaenyra sat. Silence swiftly descended, and Margaery grinned with anticipation as she watched the high table disappear along with its chairs. The light construct animals swooping and swimming through the air overhead began to converge above the dais, slowly merging into a whirling sphere of rainbow-colored light that illuminated the hall as the light-orbs of the chandeliers dimmed.

Sansa leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Are you certain that you don’t wish to change your wager on their song?”

“Quite.” Margaery gave her mate’s knee a soft squeeze beneath the table. She was feeling exceptionally confident after correctly predicting what kind of grand gesture the Queen would make during the bonding ceremony. “Perhaps you would care to amend one of your wagers?”

“Not at all.”

Ygritte turned to give them a scolding scowl. “Hush.”

Sansa bit back a laugh.

Margaery did not.

Queen Rhaenyra’s fingers fluttered close to Alicent’s neck as she cast an amplifying enchantment, and Margaery swore that she saw her heart friend shudder.

Something to tease her about later.

Alicent cleared her throat a little.

Queen Rhaenyra gave her a brief kiss on the cheek.

And Margaery and the other guests waited with baited breath.

When a low, resounding piano chord filled the great hall, followed immediately by a swift and familiar sequence of higher piano notes overlaying the rhythmic plucking of strings, Margaery was certain that she heard at least a dozen different women let out frustrated huffs.

Herself included.

Would that Grandmother had been willing to offer some inkling as to what song Alicent and Queen Rhaenyra had chosen.

She’d been so certain that they would select one of the older ballads from the First Age to honor Alicent’s love of the histories.

Ah well, at least Sansa will be able to collect.

Her mate had been equally as convinced that Alicent and the Queen would select a more contemporary song from this age, even going so far as to specify that it would be from a musical of some sort, considering how fond Alicent had grown of them over the years.

As ever, her mate was correct.

Which she’ll be certain to remind me of for at least a decade, she thought fondly.

Her attention swiftly returned to the dais when the distinctive opening vocalizations of “As Long as You’re Mine” filled the great hall and echoed off of the rafters.

Hmmmmm . . .

Ohhhhh . . . Ohhh, oh, oh, oh, oh . . .

Alicent’s voice sounded lower than it had been the one and only time that Margaery had heard her sing—though it was still higher than Lady Anidi’s—and her heart friend’s improved control and technique were plain to hear. Margaery glanced over at her grandmother, who was nodding with approval as Alicent began to truly sing.

Kiss me too fiercely.

Hold me too tight.

I need help believing

You’re with me tonight.

My wildest dreamings

Could not foresee

Lying beside you,

With you wanting me.

Margaery couldn’t help but smile when Alicent launched herself into Queen Rhaenyra’s arms, was easily caught about the waist, and was then spun around in a wide circle.

Mother above, it seemed utterly impossible that the Alicent standing before her now was somehow the same trembling and frightened woman that Margaery had met four years ago. That Alicent had shied away from all touch, no matter how gentle or kindly meant. That Alicent had rarely smiled and never laughed, oft simply looking as if she wished to flee. And that Alicent certainly wasn’t the sort of woman to snarl at a former empress and hurl spikes of ice at her head.

Margaery bit her lower lip to prevent herself from laughing aloud at the memory of Viserra’s stupefied expression. Though perhaps it was unfair to judge the former empress for her shock, considering that every woman who knew Alicent—herself included—had been just as stunned by that display of protective fury.

“Woe to Those Who Injure My Family.”

The Queen’s motto.

And perhaps a most apropos one for the new Orchidflame Cadet Branch as well.

Up on the dais, no sooner had Queen Rhaenyra set her down than Alicent’s hands rose to cradle her mate’s face as their eyes locked.

Just for this moment,

As long as you’re mine.

I’ve lost all resistance,

And crossed some borderline,

And if it turns out

It’s over too fast,

I’ll make every last moment last.

As long as you’re mine.

Alicent claimed Queen Rhaenyra’s lips in a fierce kiss, which the Queen returned with matching fervor as she wrapped her arms around Alicent’s waist and drew her even closer.

Margaery’s eyebrows rose as she shared a look with Sansa. While they’d all been witness to Alicent and Queen Rhaenyra’s increasingly affectionate behavior over the years, the two had never before shared more than brief kisses when in the company of others. “I never realized that Alicent could be so bold.”

“Your influence, I’m sure.”

“You flatter me.” Margaery wrapped her arms around Sansa’s waist and nigh dragged her mate onto her lap, resulting in a startled squeak from Sansa and an almost violent eyeroll from Ygritte. Ignoring the latter reaction, she settled her chin upon Sansa’ shoulder. “Comfortable?”

“A warning would have been appreciated.” Despite her words and the vexed tone of her thoughts, Sansa made no effort to extricate herself and instead snuggled closer.

“But you make such cute noises when you’re startled.”

“If you wish to continue having the privilege of hearing the noises that truly delight you, you’ll offer me a warning next time.”

“Yes, My Most Beloved Wolf.”

“I had best be your only wolf.”

“That as well.” Margaery kissed her mate’s cheek, which earned her a satisfied purr.

They watched as Queen Rhaenyra drew back from Alicent barely half a measure before her verse, listened as their Queen’s full and rich voice resonated throughout the hall—stronger than Alicent’s, to be sure, and more refined as well, but that was to be expected.

Maybe I’m witless,

Maybe I’m wise,

But you’ve got me seeing

Through different eyes.

Queen Rhaenyra smiled softly and caressed Alicent’s cheek as she sang those words, her affection and adoration palpable.

Somehow I’ve fallen under your spell,

And somehow I’m feeling,

It’s up that I fell.

Alicent joined her mate on the next verse, their voices intertwining to create a beautiful harmony.

Every moment,

As long as you’re mine,

I’ll wake up my body

And make up for lost time.

Say there’s no future

For us as a pair

And though, I may know

I don’t care.

Just for this moment,

As long as you’re mine.

Come be how you want to,

And see how bright we shine.

Borrow the moonlight,

Until it is through,

And know I’ll be here

Holding you

As long as you’re mine.

Queen Rhaenyra pressed her forehead against Alicent’s as they sang the final line together, and Margaery was certain that she could see the love shining in the Queen’s eyes.

∞

As Rhaenyra led her to the middle of the great hall for their first dance, Alicent’s entire body was still thrumming with lingering agitation and nerves from their duet, and her ears were still ringing from the thunderous applause that had filled the hall afterwards.

Thank Relle that it’s over and done now.

For all that Lady Olenna had been diligently preparing her these past months, and for all that Rhaenyra had been earnestly assuring her that her voice was lovely, Alicent had still been terrified that she would ruin their first duet through sour notes, incorrect tempo, forgotten lyrics, fumbled steps, or some other blunder that she hadn’t even contemplated.

The only part that she’d hadn’t fretted over was the kiss.

She’d been certain that she would enjoy that moment immensely.

Just as she was certain that she would enjoy her and Rhaenyra’s first dance.

The last remnants of Alicent’s anxiety disappeared when Rhaenyra intertwined their fingers and raised their clasped hands to hover parallel with their shoulders, when Rhaenyra’s warm hand settled upon her lower back, when the first dulcet notes of “The Sun-Lion’s Waltz” began to play.

Despite how often they’d practiced this dance in recent months, Alicent’s breath still hitched when Rhaenyra drew her so close that their breasts were almost flush with each other. As ever, memories of their first waltz flashed through her mind—memories of the heat radiating from Rhaenyra’s body, of Rhaenyra’s bared scales beneath her fingers, of Rhaenyra’s shining eyes and beaming smile.

Alicent had been so uncertain that night, so convinced that her desires were sinful, so ashamed of how much she’d enjoyed the feeling of Rhaenyra’s strong arm wrapped around her waist.

But she’d also felt safe—cared for.

Cocking her head slightly, Alicent looked up at her mate. “Nyra?”

“Yes, My Love?”

“Do you recall our first dance?”

Rhaenyra’s answering smile was as warm as the one that she’d worn that night, and this time, Alicent could recognize the affection shining in her amethyst eyes. “How could I ever forget the feeling of having you in my arms for the first time?”

Warmth bloomed in Alicent’s cheeks, which she knew that her mate was likely delighting in. “That dance was hardly the first time you’d held me in your arms.”

“Wasn’t it?” Rhaenyra drew her impossibly closer, and Alicent swore that she could feel every sculpted contour of her safa’s body. “Holding you after a night terror—or even hugging you—cannot compare to having your body pressed against mine like this.”

Alicent arched an eyebrow. “Was that what you were thinking about whilst we waltzed?”

“No,” Rhaenyra laughed, swiftly shaking her head. Her hand briefly left Alicent’s back so that she could caress her cheek, her tone becoming soft and earnest. “I was thinking about how happy I was that you’d accepted my invitation to dance, and about how grateful I was to have you in my life.”

“Oh.” Alicent swallowed a little, uncertain how to respond to such a sweet declaration when her own thoughts that night had been a whirlwind of her mother’s cruel words, gnawing guilt and hot shame, and of Lady Tilda’s lessons about proper follows and leads in a dance.

Mischief suddenly sparked in Rhaenyra’s eyes as she leaned closer to whisper low in Alicent’s ear. “Would you care to know what I’m thinking about now?”

A shiver rippled down Alicent’s spine in response to the tantalizing promises lacing her mate’s words. “Are these thoughts appropriate for public conversation?”

“Not in the least.” Rhaenyra gave her a little twirl before pulling Alicent flush against her chest once more. “Unless you wish for everyone to know that I’ve spent much of the evening imagining your lovely gown crumpled on our floor.”

“Is that all?” Alicent scoffed.

“Hardly.” Rhaenyra’s hands gently grasped Alicent by the waist and lifted her high into the air. “I’ve also been imagining how pretty you will look all panting and flushed as I press you up against the nearest wall and kiss you until you’re begging for my touch.”

Alicent’s breathing stuttered, her heart fluttering rapidly in her chest as her grip on her mate’s shoulders instinctively tightened. “The nearest wall? Am I undeserving of a soft bed?”

“You’re deserving of the sun, moon, and stars—”

“I’m still awaiting two of those gifts.”

Rhaenyra chuckled as she set Alicent back down on the floor. “I can craft you a new sun and moon now if you wish.”

Alicent quickly shook her head, knowing full well that Rhaenyra’s words were not entirely in jest. “I think that you’ve given Mistress Lunerys enough stress for one day.”

Her mate pouted.

“There’s no need for that, My Love.” Alicent suddenly shifted the position of her hands and telekinetically urged her mate to do the same so that she could take lead on the dance.

Rhaenyra accepted the change without hesitation or complaint.

“I can think of a much more,” Alicent smiled coyly as she looked up at Rhaenyra through her lashes, “fitting gift that you could give me.”

“And what might that be?”

“You. Naked, needy, and spread out on our bed for me.”

Rhaenyra’s steps faltered as her eyes went wide.

Alicent covered the mistake without missing a beat.

“Seven Hells, Ali,” Rhaenyra finally managed.

The smile that Alicent offered in return was saccharine. “Don’t you appreciate my tender consideration, Nyra?” she asked, cocking her head to one side. “I’m willing to ravish you on a soft, warm bed rather than against a cold, stone wall.”

Rhaenyra gave Alicent a playful leer. “You and I both know that you enjoy being pressed against a wall and kissed breathless.”

“Only by you.” Now it was her turn to give Rhaenyra a brief twirl. “You and I also both know that you enjoy being forced to beg for your pleasure.”

Rhaenyra scoffed, her nose rising high into the air. “That is a falsehood of the highest order.”

“The way that you always drench my hand after pleading for your peak tells a different tale, My Darling Nyra.”

Rhaenyra staggered.

Alicent tightened her grip on her mate’s waist. “Steady there, Your Majesty.”

“Seven bleeding Hells, Ali,” Rhaenyra sputtered. “Do you mean to kill me?”

“Not at all.” Alicent pecked her lips. “I mean for you to be mine until long after the stars go dark.”

∞

By the time that their waltz ended, Alicent and Rhaenyra were both flushed and dark-eyed. Blood roared in Alicent’s ears, desire scorched her skin, and she wished for little more than to retreat back to their chambers so that she could properly ravish her mate until they both lost consciousness. Had Rhaenyra not concealed their scents earlier, she knew that every woman in the great hall would be able to smell how much she wanted her mate.

Which would be—

“Grandmothers!”

Alicent stumbled backwards from the force of Princess Daenora suddenly colliding with her, nearly falling to the floor before Rhaenyra’s hand shot out to catch her.

“Steady there, My Lady,” Rhaenyra chuckled.

Alicent hardly heard her mate as she stared down at the child currently clinging to her waist and squeezing her almost hard enough to hurt.

She gulped, her stomach suddenly clenching.

Twenty-eight years.

She hadn’t been hugged by a child for over twenty-eight years—not since she’d departed from Tamworth Palace to be wed.

Her throat tightened, and her magic whined as she wrapped her arms around Princess Daenora and returned her hug just as fiercely.

Princess Daenora purred happily in response.

And Alicent’s heart melted.

She’d almost forgotten . . .

Merciful Mother Relle above, how she’d missed this.

Much as she’d delighted in being allowed to hold Mistress Damella’s grandniece two Yules ago, Honora had been too young to actually hug her, and the experience of holding a babe in her arms—wonderful as it was—differed from the joy of a child’s eager embrace.

And this child—

Alicent blinked a few times, her head slowly swiveling towards her mate as she tugged on their mental link. “Grandmothers?”

Rhaenyra grinned back at her. “It seems that you made quite the impression at the Summit, Ali.”

Had she?

She looked down at the girl whose face was now pressed against the base of her sternum.

And she suddenly felt on the verge of tears.

Grandmother.

Stepmother.

But never—

Alicent violently shoved the thoughts away and inhaled several deep breaths to steady and center herself, even more glad now that her scent was concealed from everyone—including Rhaenyra.

This was their bonding day.

A happy day.

She refused to ruin it with dead wishes and old longings.

Exhaling a final, calming breath, she brightened her voice as she lifted one hand to lightly stroke the child’s white hair. “It’s good to see you again, Princess Daenora.”

“Daenora,” she corrected, looking up at Alicent with a determined pout.

“If Alicent is more comfortable,” Rhaenyra began.

“Daenora then.” Alicent gave the girl a warm smile before carefully extricating herself so that Rhaenyra could hug her granddaughter.

“Hello, My Dear.” Rhaenyra briefly scooped her granddaughter up into her arms and gave her a firm squeeze—which earned a high-pitched giggle—before setting her back down. “Are you and your sisters enjoying yourselves?”

Daenora nodded eagerly. “We are, thank you, Grandmother Rhaenyra.” She cocked her head, suddenly seeming almost shy as she asked, “Do you and Grandmother Alicent still intend to visit me? Now that the trials are finished and you’re bonded?”

“Of course.” Rhaenyra patted her granddaughter’s cheek. “Once Alicent and I return from our holiday, I’ll have Lady Aemma and Aunt Rhaenys coordinate a time with Grandmother Alyssa and—”

Daenora’s expression immediately brightened as she flung herself at Rhaenyra. “Thank you, Grandmother Rhaenyra! Grandmother Alyssa promised that I needn’t attend lessons during your visit, so I shall be a most wonderful host. You have my word. I’ll introduce Grandmother Alicent to all of my courtiers and staff—and I’m certain that Chef Albiona will be pleased to see you again, Grandmother Rhaenyra—and we can visit the woods together or go into town—Oh! And I must tell you about Jaesemere and Mistress Nimara. You remember Seneschal Jaesemere, don’t you, Grandmother Rhaenyra? She’s finally found her mate! They’re only pairbonded for now, but I’ve placed ten pence on them being mated before the year is done.” She turned to look at Alicent, eyes shining and hopeful. “I’ll be certain to ask Chef Albiona to prepare sweet cakes every night for dessert during your visit. Will that please you, Grandmother Alicent?”

Despite the rather overwhelming flood of words—spoken so swiftly that Alicent wasn’t certain that she’d actually heard them all—she couldn’t help but smile at Daenora’s enthusiasm, which reminded her so much of how her younger sisters had behaved when they were allowed a few spare moments to act like children rather than young ladies. “That will please me very much, Daenora. Thank you.” Unthinkingly, she reached down and gave Daenora’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You’re very sweet for thinking of me.”

Daenora’s chest puffed as she began to preen in the exact same way that Rhaenyra always did when pleased with herself.

And Alicent’s heart somehow melted even further.

∞

As Rhaenyra stole another glance over her shoulder from where she was sitting with her sisters—Laena had swooped in and stolen her away from Alicent and Daenora some time ago—she saw that her mate was now surrounded by all seven of her granddaughters, who appeared just as taken with her as Daenora.

And why wouldn’t they be?

Her Alicent was a delight.

And she has such a way with children.

Memories of her first Yule with Alicent and watching her then-heart friend play with a child shifted into a wolf pup flashed through Rhaenyra’s mind, and she couldn’t help but smile as she imagined Alicent’s utter joy at being able to care for and dote upon daughters of her own. She knew that Alicent would be a wonderful mother—gentle and kind and patient and loving.

Nothing at all like our own mothers.

“Have you and Alicent yet discussed whether you intend to have children before or after she completes her blue lotus training?” Laena’s voice dragged Rhaenyra from her thoughts and forced her attention away from Alicent and back to her sisters, who were all watching her with expressions of amusement.

Save for Daemona.

Her eldest sister had been brooding and pensive all evening and had yet to say a word to her aside from a cursory greeting when Rhaenyra had joined her sisters at their table.

Perhaps she would be more cordial if Mysaria were here.

All of her sisters-by-bond had abandoned the table before her arrival for one reason or another.

Rhaenyra shook her head at Laena. “Alicent and I haven’t discussed having children.”

“Why ever not?”

She simply arched an eyebrow.

Laena’s expression softened. “If she still desires children, her barrenness needn’t impede her any longer. Especially if the cause is her ova rather than her womb.” She smiled gently, reaching over the squeeze Rhaenyra’s hand. “It would be but a small matter to implant one of your fertilized ovum in her so that she can carry the child during the internal gestation phase.”

“And if the source is her womb rather than her ova?” Rhaenyra herself had contemplated the relative ease of Alicent carrying their child since they’d first kissed, but a small part of her worried that her mate might not be wholly content with a child that was not hers by blood. While she knew that Alicent would love any daughter of theirs with her whole heart, her mate had still been raised on Westeros, where the parents with the deepest claim on a child were those that shared blood with it.

“Then one of her fertilized ovum could be implanted in you.”

Rhaenyra recoiled from her sister, snatching her hand away as her lip drew back in a furious snarl. “That is not an amusing jest, Laena,” she spat.

Never mind that such an abomination would violate the Golden Laws, did her sister truly think it humorous to contemplate creating a mortal half-breed child that would wither and die?

Laena offered her hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not jesting, Rhaenyra. Alicent is immortal now, and she grows more Valyrian by the day. There is every reason to believe that combining her genetic material with yours—”

“I beg your pardon?” Rhaenyra sputtered. Creating an embryo using one of Alicent’s ova and Kervanite sperm was one matter, but what Laena was suggesting was utter—

“Don’t be dense, Rhae. We all know that the only reason using the DNA of both mothers isn’t standard practice is because magisters are far too enamored with single lines of descent, which wouldn’t be at issue were you and Alicent to have a child. Considering Alicent’s bloodline isn’t officially recognized, your daughter would be a member of House Targaryen. And, in truth, she would also be more directly descended from Old Worlders than Alicent herself, so even if by some chance she was born mortal and without access to her magic, we know that she can be immortalized and have her core reawakened.”

Rhaenyra stared at her sister, wondering how long Laena had been contemplating this matter and how long she’d been waiting to raise it. “And the Golden Laws?”

Laena shrugged. “Petition for an amendment. Or a waiver. The unfortunate circumstances that led to Empress Aeliana including that provision in her laws aren’t applicable here.”

“You might also consider simply not having children,” Daemona muttered.

Rhaenyra and her other sisters all turned to scowl at her.

“Must you be so callous, Daemona?” Laenora huffed.

Daemona glowered at her. “I’m not being callous.” Her eyes settled on Rhaenyra, boring into her. “All this talk of children and the logistics of having one, and yet I haven’t actually heard you express a desire for more daughters, Sister.”

Rhaenyra’s frown deepened. “If Alicent wishes—”

“And what about what you wish?” Daemona’s eyes sparked. “You shouldn’t be having more daughters simply because Alicent desires children of her own. Unless you want them as well, it would be best to let her continue thinking that she’s barren in truth.”

Swallowing the furious retort poised on the tip of her tongue, Rhaenyra forced herself to actually consider her sister’s words, for there was something in Daemona’s tone . . . something almost . . . Gentle was not the correct word, but the usual bite and venom that had for so long always accompanied her sister’s words to her were absent.

Rhaenyra had decided long ago that she would be willing to offer Alicent children.

Her ability to do so for Alicent hadn’t changed.

Nor had her reasons for offering.

But they would be our children now.

The thought brought a soft smile to her lips.

But also a sharp stab of guilt.

Unbidden, her eyes drifted over to the table where her daughters sat with their mates. Her stomach clenched as she suddenly recalled the dread that she’d felt when carrying Helaena, the lack of joy when Visenya had hatched. She’d been pleased, to be sure, but more because she’d known that she’d fulfilled her duty to the Empire rather than because of true maternal affection.

She was certain that she would feel true joy should she and Alicent have a child.

And what sort of mother did that make her?

She loved her daughters, she did, but she hadn’t—

“I didn’t choose to have children, no more than you yourself did.”

For all their harshness, her mother’s words had not been without some truth.

And Daemona’s words were much the same, she supposed, though perhaps not in the way that her sister had intended.

Would it be fair to herself, Alicent, her current daughters, or her potential daughters to have more children when a part of her would feel guilty for doing so?

I’ll discuss the matter with Alicent.

Rhaenyra would inform her mate of all that Laena had just told her, as well as her own concerns about having more children, and then they would decide what to do together.

I should have raised the matter of children sooner.

But there had been so much else occupying her mind.

Shaking her head a little, she slowly met Daemona’s eyes. “I wouldn’t simply be having more children for Alicent’s sake, Daemona, and I disagree with your belief that ‘it would be best to let her continue thinking that she’s barren,’” she paused, hoping that her voice conveyed the genuine sincerity that she felt, “but thank you, for reminding me to consider matters beyond what Alicent desires.”

Daemona’s eyebrows arched with surprise, and she shifted uncomfortably on her chair for a moment before abruptly rising to her feet and hurrying away.

Laenora cocked her head slightly as she watched Daemona’s retreating back, her expression somehow both surprised and thoughtful. “I do believe that that is the most civilized conversation the two of you have ever had.”

Maegelle nodded in agreement, her eyes briefly sweeping over their sisters before settling on Rhaenyra. “Perhaps the seven of us might take tea together sometime soon? Once you and Alicent have returned from your holiday?”

Rhaenyra smiled as she nodded. “I would like that very much.”

She hoped that Daemona would be similarly amenable.

∞

After bidding Rhaenyra’s granddaughters farewell, Alicent had intended to find her mate and ask Rhaenyra to dance with her again, but she instead found herself facing Queen Helaena and Mistress Lunerys. The Avenian Queen wore a rather eclectic gown of off-white satin that complemented her hair and slate-grey wings and was covered in hundreds of embroidered insects and arachnids that—rather unnervingly—seemed to be crawling about whenever she moved.

Alicent’s eyes widened slightly when she peered closer at Mistress Lunerys’ gown. The fabric was midnight-blue—almost black—and spangled with hundreds of tiny diamonds that she swiftly realized had been arranged to form different constellations. Northern constellations swept across the bodice—the Ebony Turtle with its blue North Star, the Winter Wolf, the Ice Dragon, the Lantern, the Pine Tree.

Eastern constellations dotted her voluminous right sleeve—the Emerald Serpent and the green East Star, the Golden Rose, the Great Dragon, the Huntress’ Bow, the Crescent, the Unicorn—and western constellations her left—the Pearl Tiger’s white West Star shining bright, the Queen’s Crown, the Scales, the Prophetess, Mount Kiska.

The southern constellations of the Vermillion Falcon and the glowing red South Star, the Wings, the Ruk, the Fallen Sister, and the Trident danced across the hem and lower sections of her skirts. And dominating the gown were the central constellations—the Golden Dragon shining with the gold Wanderer’s Star, the Great Shield, the Great Mother, the Phoenix, the Three-Headed Dragon, the Wanderer . . .

And there, nestled in a star cluster that had no name, was a green star paler than the East Star of the Emerald Serpent and the green moon that came once each year in spring.

She knew.

They both had, presumably.

Which answered her earlier pondering as to whether Mistress Lunerys was upset about the new star or the temporary movement of the moon.

“Stepmother, might I introduce my mate, Lunerys Waynwood.” Queen Helaena’s voice was soft and warm, and she was gazing at her mate with the same unbridled affection that Alicent had grown accustomed to seeing in the eyes of women speaking about their mates.

Despite being a magister, Mistress Lunerys clasped her hands together and bowed at the waist rather than bowing and offering her hands.

Alicent immediately clasped her own hands to mirror the other woman’s greeting. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Lunerys.

“You as well, Lady Alicent.” Mistress Lunerys cocked her head slightly as she straightened. “Could you please ensure that Queen Rhaenyra has returned the moon to its proper place? The tides will shift otherwise, as will internal magma flows, and the amount of light available at night. Intertidal flora and fauna would be particularly affected by shifting tides, and many of our winged sisters and brothers rely on the moon for migration and navigation. The general rotation and axial tilt of the planet might also suffer over time, and we ourselves operate in part on a lunar clock even if most don’t acknowledge it. Disrupted sleep patterns will be detrimental for everyone, and then there is the terrestrial plant life to consider, and beetles! Certain beetles rely on the polarization pattern of moonlight and the way that it scatters through the atmosphere to navigate. If those patterns are altered because Queen Rhaenyra did not return the moon to its correct place, then the beetles will suffer. And that would make Hela quite cross.”

Blinking rapidly as her mind whirled to absorb the barrage of information, Alicent found herself focusing on Mistress Lunerys’ wings as a way to center her thoughts. They appeared to be those of a barn owl, or perhaps an augurian owl. Either seemed fitting, from what she’d read about Queen Helaena’s mate.

Refocusing on Mistress Lunerys’ face, Alicent took care not to meet her eyes. “I’ll speak with Rhaenyra about the moon,” she promised.

Mistress Lunerys beamed, her wings fluttering rapidly. “Thank you, Lady Alicent. I can assist, of course. I know precisely where the moon ought to be this time of year.”

“I’m certain that Rhaenyra will appreciate your expertise.”

Mistress Lunerys preened.

Queen Helaena waved her hand, and a slender volume appeared to hover between her and Alicent. “In addition to the matter of the moon, we also have a gift for you.”

Alicent reached out and plucked the book from the air, eyebrows arching when she saw the words Alisenno Qēlos embossed in bright green across the inky-black cover. “You made a book about the new star?”

“Your new star, yes.” Queen Helaena smiled proudly. “Luna helped Mother design the star to ensure that it didn’t disrupt any of the other celestial bodies, and then she wrote this book. It contains information about your star’s exact coordinates, distance from Valyria, chemical composition, seasonal patterns, the reason for its color, luminosity, size, weight, life expectancy, magnitude, radiation, stellar winds, magnetic fields, rotation, and temperature.”

Flipping through the pages, Alicent’s eyes briefly swept over the myriad of formulas, diagrams and drawings, and paragraphs of information. The attention to detail was as plain as it was exquisite. Closing the book, she offered them both a wide and genuine smile. “This is a wonderful gift. Thank you.”

“The placement of Alisenno Qēlos also forms a new constellation,” Mistress Lunerys declared, pointing to the place on her dress where a pale green gemstone had been sewn to represent the newly-created star. “Queen Rhaenyra will no doubt name it after you. Or she will ask you to name it. I would much appreciate knowing that name as soon as possible for my charts.”

Alicent stifled a laugh, unsure if chuckling at Mistress Lunerys’ earnest determination would be considered rude. “You will be the first person that I call.”

“Thank you, My Lady.” Mistress Lunerys bowed low. “And congratulations on your bonding.” She clapped her hands together. “I am certain that your life with Queen Rhaenyra will be as luminous as your star.”

∞

Rhaenyra smiled happily as Cassella spun her around and she caught sight of Alicent speaking with Helaena and Lunerys. Helaena was beaming, and Lunerys’ wings were flapping hard enough to create small gusts of wind. Part of her was tempted to concentrate her hearing on their conversation, but that would be dreadfully rude.

“Am I truly such a dull dancing partner that you must ignore me so, Rhae?”

Rhaenyra swiftly returned her attention to Cassella, her cheeks flushing. “Please forgive me, Cass. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

Cassella chuckled, shaking her head. “I suppose that I can hardly fault you. I can count on one hand the number of times that I managed to look away from Elinda during our bonding feast.”

Rhaenyra laughed as well, remembering the smitten expression that had graced her heart friend’s face the entire day. “I thought it sweet, how you couldn’t stand to look away from her.”

“Your understanding was much appreciated, so I suppose that I can extend to you the same courtesy.”

“You remain as magnanimous as ever, Cass.”

“Naturally.” Cassella grinned as they fell back from each other before coming together once more. “I must ask, how long were you plotting to eclipse the sun?”

“Since we sealed our bond.” While she’d known long before then that Alicent deserved something truly grand and spectacular on their bonding day, it hadn’t been until that night that Rhaenyra had decided to demonstrate her love by showing her mate that she would never allow the stars to become dark.

“It was certainly a sight to behold.” Cassella smiled slightly. “I do think that you’ll be receiving many an incensed letter from the stargazers though. Not least because you’ve ruined all of their star charts and made it so that the night sky now has two green stars.”

Rhaenyra waved dismissively. “The East Star is a different shade of green than Alisenno Qēlos, and in a completely different part of the sky.” She shrugged as she released Cassella’s hands and began to circle her. “I should hope that our astronomers and astrologers are able to differentiate them.”

“And you’re certain that the placement won’t disrupt any existing celestial formations?”

“I consulted with Lunerys on the matter beforehand.” Rhaenyra arched an eyebrow as she peered at her heart friend. “I never realized that you had such a care for the heavens, Cass.”

“It’s less of a care and more of a vested interest.” Cassella slipped behind her to grasp her hands. “I’ve been penning a play that involves constellations, and your new star means that I’ll need to make a number of revisions.”

“My apologies.”

“I’ll seek retribution in the future,” Cassella promised with a wink. “I would not ruin your bonding with petty vengeance.”

“Far better to ruin some later day?”

Cassella grinned, her eyes twinkling. “Exactly.”

Rhaenyra simply snorted.

When the dance came to an end soon after, Rhaenyra pulled Cassella into a fierce hug. “Thank you for coming, Cass. And I do hope that you’ll forgive me my earlier rudeness.”

“There is nothing to forgive, Rhae.” Cassella paused, her voice falling as her shoulders slumped. “If anyone owes an apology, it is I. What my mother did—”

“You are not your mother, Cassella.” Rhaenyra drew back, keeping her hands on her heart friend’s shoulders. “And I don’t hold you responsible for anything that happened when we were children.”

She hadn’t yet decided if she could say the same for Lyonella.

Perhaps guessing her thoughts, Cassella offered her a smile that was equal parts grateful, warm, and solemn. “You seem more at peace now, Rhae, and I’m glad of that.”

Rhaenyra squeezed her hands. “As am I.”

∞

Despite having already been introduced to the All Mother and knowing that she was a kind and gentle woman, Alicent still found her intimidating. And as much as she would have liked to speak with the All Mother about the possible removal of her scars, she wasn’t certain that she would be able to maintain her nerve throughout what she knew would be a difficult conversation.

So she was more than a little relieved when the All Mother was called away for a conversation with one of Rhaenyra’s aunts, leaving Mistress Missandei more or less alone.

After allowing herself three steadying breaths, Alicent approached the table and lightly cleared her throat. “Mistress Missandei?”

Mistress Missandei turned to face her, offering a warm smile that emphasized the smile lines at the corners of her eyes. “Lady Alicent. Congratulations on your bonding.”

“Thank you.” Alicent politely inclined her head. “And thank you for accepting our invitation.” While she’d been fairly certain that the All Mother and Mistress Missandei would accept, Rhaenyra hadn’t been.

“Dany would never wish to miss the bonding of one of her favorite granddaughters,” Mistress Missandei chuckled before motioning to the empty chair beside her own. “Won’t you join me?”

Once Alicent was seated, she folded her hands in her lap and focused on ignoring the nervous fluttering of her stomach. “I was hoping that I might speak with you about a rather . . . delicate matter.” She shifted slightly, not entirely knowing why she felt so self-conscious, yet unable to rid herself of the nerves that had seized a hold of her. “Of late—Well, for some time now, in truth . . . I . . .” She huffed with frustration, jaw tightening with determination as she met Mistress Missandei’s golden eyes. “Dr. Arwen told me about Mother’s Touch today.”

Mistress Missandei’s eyebrows arched, and her scent sharpened. “She waited over four years to tell you about it?”

Surprised by the fierce reaction, Alicent found herself instinctively defending Dr. Arwen’s decision. “She wished to ensure I was removing my scars for the ‘correct’ reasons.”

“That determination wasn’t hers to make.”

“Perhaps not,” Alicent conceded, for she’d thought the exact same thing, and while she understood Dr. Arwen’s reasoning, she still wasn’t certain if she agreed with it. “Regardless, I’m now faced with the question of whether to remove my scars, and I . . .” She glanced down at the scar encircling her ring finger, remembering Larys’ lustful leer after the reattachment. “I want to remove them, but I fear . . . some part of me feels like a coward for wishing to do so.”

Mistress Missandei’s expression softened at once. “And why is that?”

Why indeed?

“Because . . . because I know that I can live with them, so shouldn’t I?” Her fingers drummed on her wrist scar, the movement causing her bonding bracelet to kiss the chemical burns on her right wrist. “I survived what was done to me. I’m still breathing. I’m still living. And I’m thriving now. Despite all of it. And these scars . . .” She raised her eyes to meet Mistress Missandei’s. “Removing them almost feels as if I’m somehow trying to flee or hide from my past, as if I’m trying to erase what happened to me. And, and there is a part of me that worries my reasons are in truth . . . shallow.”

“There is nothing wrong with having shallow reasons, Alicent. And there is nothing wrong with wishing to erase the physical marks of your past.” Mistress Missandei held out her arm and telekinetically drew back her sleeve to reveal flesh unmarred by anything save for age. “My father broke my arm when I was twelve because I sneezed too loudly,” she murmured, her voice both cold and heated as she stared hard at the inside of her arm. “The bone sliced through my skin, and to punish my mother for not ‘minding me’ better, he made certain that my arm was set incorrectly.

“This arm remained slightly crooked for centuries until my husband eventually fractured it in the same place. And while he allowed the physicians to properly heal me, I had twin scars for millennia until the yellow lotuses created Mother’s Touch.” Mistress Missandei pulled her sleeve back into place. “When offered, I didn’t hesitate to use it on those scars. They were ugly, and I couldn’t look at them without remembering the sound of my bones snapping, without feeling stabs of phantom pain.”

Alicent didn’t feel phantom pains as much as she used to, and the memories oft weren’t as visceral as they had been, but still . . . “Did . . . Please forgive my rudeness, but did the All Mother . . ?”

“Dany adores me,” Mistress Missandei smiled warmly, her eyes practically glowing with love, “and she didn’t care about my physical scars. No more than I did hers. We both could have lived with them, just as you could, but why should we have to?” Her lips pursed slightly. “Our desire to remove the physical reminders of the horrors that we suffered before Valyria is not some moral failing, Alicent. For many of us in the First Generation, watching those marks melt away was healing, in more ways than one.”

“Did all of your scars dredge up old memories?” Not all of hers did, for she couldn’t even recall how she’d gotten some of them.

“No. But I removed them all the same because I hated seeing them.” Mistress Missandei offered her hand, and Alicent accepted it a moment later. “Alicent, the decision is yours, and only yours. That is what matters most.” She paused. “If I may, do you still have nightmares about Westeros?”

“Not as often.” And when she did, Rhaenyra was always there to hold her close, kiss her softly, and murmur words of comfort and love until Alicent was calm.

“But still occasionally?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“And do you think removing your scars will rid you of them?”

“Of course not.”

That would be foolish.

Mistress Missandei smiled. “Exactly.” She spread her free hand. “You said that part of you feels like a coward for wanting them gone, as if by removing them you’re somehow hoping to erase or forget what happened to you. But you will never forget, Alicent.” Her eyes closed as she expelled a slow breath. “It has been over one billion years since the Doom, and I still sometimes have nightmares about when my father broke my arm. I still sometimes hear the sound of my bones snapping.” Opening her eyes, her gaze locked with Alicent’s. “We are all of us haunted, Alicent, in our own way. You bear many scars, to be sure, but not all of them are visible, are they?”

An instinctive shudder rippled through Alicent’s body as memories of being trapped in Criston’s cage flashed through her mind, as she remembered the suffocating darkness that had engulfed her after her mother caught her kissing Adelaide. She still needed Geltic crystals to illuminate her and Rhaenyra’s bedchamber at night, still couldn’t stand being confined to small spaces, still couldn’t handle hearing certain phrases or being grabbed certain places. “No,” she murmured “they’re not all visible.”

“Those scars will remain with you long after the ones on your body fade away, should you use Mother’s Touch.” Mistress Missandei gently squeezed her hand. “Scars can be healed, yes. Some scars can be removed as well, but not all. Removing your visible scars does not erase or invalidate the invisible ones left behind on your heart and mind. You are a woman who has survived unspeakable horrors, Alicent. Whether or not you have the physical scars to ‘prove’ it matters little.” She smiled softly as she released Alicent’s hand. “Whatever you decide will be the correct choice because it is your choice. And know this, wishing to remove your scars is not tantamount to erasing or ignoring what happened to you. It’s simply another way of overcoming it.”

Alicent’s throat felt tight, but her heart felt lighter, and the storm in her mind had at last begun to quiet. “Thank you, Mistress Missandei.”

∞

Visenya couldn’t help but laugh as she watched Alicent—wearing an expression of the utmost determination—sweep forward to steal Mother away from her dance with Vora Lorenna. The Thistle Knight was perfectly polite and graceful about the interruption, of course, and as she bowed before taking her leave, a broad smile graced her lips.

Her stepmother had just spent the past few hours flitting from table to table and speaking at length with any woman interested in her company—which was all of them—and it seemed that Alicent was now determined to devote the remainder of the evening to Mother.

Which was entirely understandable.

“Your stepmother is much fiercer than I expected,” Elysande mused as she poured them each another glass of wine.

“I suspect that a certain amount of fierceness is required to survive what she did.”

Even now, Visenya’s stomach churned as she recalled the first time that she’d laid eyes on Alicent Hightower, on her sunken cheeks and deadened eyes, on her skin mottled with bruises and marred by scars, on her trembling frame and hunched shoulders. Her stepmother had reeked of terror, and the way that she’d cowered and flinched—

Would that Cole wasn’t protected by that thrice-damned Treaty.

They never should have allowed him to leave Valyria whilst he still drew breath.

But that ink had dried.

Alicent was safe now.

Safe and happy and mated and bonded.

And Mother is happy now as well.

Happier than Visenya could ever recall seeing her.

Which stung—much as she wished that it didn’t.

She knew that her mother loved her. She knew that her mother had loved her and her sisters as best she could when they were children. And she knew that things would be better now.

But that didn’t erase the millions of years that their mother had withdrawn from them.

Elysande lightly nudged her arm, drawing Visenya from her gloomy thoughts. “Do you recall, during our bonding, the fire elementalism display that your mother performed for us?”

As ever, that memory brought an immediate smile to her lips. “How could I ever forget?”

Her mother had depicted the entirety of her and Elysande’s lives together thus far through intricate and detailed flaming constructs that had roared across the night sky and burned so bright that Visenya could almost believe it had been midday.

Elysande reached over and squeezed her hand. “She loves you.”

“I know,” Visenya sighed, “and I love her.”

But she simply couldn’t seem to rid herself of the lingering remnants of the bitterness that had been born when she was a child.

Her mother had shown her love in ways both great and small over the millennia, but there had also been many times when Visenya had felt as if her mother simply couldn’t be bothered to remember that she even had daughters.

She knew that such thoughts were unfair, and yet . . .

“Have you considered speaking with a therapist, Enya?” Elysande’s eyes were soft and gentle, her tone warm and loving.

“Several times,” she admitted.

Ever since the Summit.

But there had been so much else to occupy her mind and time.

Elysande arched an eyebrow.

Knowing well the meaning of that particular expression, Visenya chuckled as she leaned in and kissed her mate’s cheek. “I’ll make some proper inquiries on the morrow,” she promised.

“Wonderful.” Elysande rose to her feet and held out her hand. “Dance with me?”

Visenya snorted as she accepted her mate’s hand. “As if I could ever deny you anything.”

Elysande grinned. “A trait that you have in common with your mother, it seems.”

∞

Rhaenyra laughed as Alicent—wearing an expression of the utmost determination—stole her away from her dance with Lorenna, and she purred loudly when she felt her mate’s hands possessively clutching her back. “Is something the matter, Ali?” she teased.

“It’s our bonding, and I’ve only danced with you once.” Alicent pouted up at her, brown eyes wide and shimmering.

Seven Hells, her mate’s eyes were unreasonably captivating.

“I promise that I’ll dance with no one else tonight.”

Alicent laughed, leaning up to kiss her cheek. “I don’t mean to claim you entirely, Nyra. You’re allowed to spend time with our guests.”

Rhaenyra waved dismissively. “I don’t wish to be claimed by anyone else. Now or ever.”

A low growl rumbled in Alicent’s chest, and the sound went directly between Rhaenyra’s legs. “Nor will you be. You’re mine.”

“And you,” Rhaenyra kissed the tip of her mate’s scrunched nose, “are mine.”

Part of her was tempted to ask if this sudden possessiveness was somehow connected to the conversation that Alicent had been having with Mistress Missandei earlier, but Rhaenyra didn’t wish to spoil their dance with mentions of anyone else.

There would be time enough to talk about such things.

Alicent’s smile suddenly turned sly, and Rhaenyra’s stomach tightened. “My control over my canines has become much better these past months,” she whispered, low and coy and so full of promise.

“Has it now?”

“Perhaps I might show you this evening.” Alicent winked. “If you’re good.”

Seven Hells, her mate meant to drive her mad.

∞∞

Their bedchamber door had only just latched shut when Alicent pounced upon Rhaenyra and began loosening the laces of her mate’ gown. An insistent and familiar pressure was already coiled low in Alicent’s belly, and the lovely gown that she’d worn to the bonding feast suddenly felt far too confining and restricting, but such things mattered little compared to her need to see Rhaenyra lying sprawled upon their bed—naked, panting, and flushed.

Rhaenyra laughed as Alicent’s fingers—made clumsy by her own eagerness—struggled with the laces. “Let me help, My Love.” She snapped her fingers, leaving them both in only their smallclothes.

Seven Hells, her mate was stunning.

Alicent allowed herself the indulgence of simply drinking in the sight of her Rhaenyra’s flawless physique for several moments before she surged forward and claimed her mate’s lips in a searing kiss. She was desperate to feel Rhaenyra’s body pressed against her own, desperate to feel Rhaenyra’s supple flesh and sculpted muscles, desperate to feel Rhaenyra’s tongue curling around and stroking her own.

She needed Rhaenyra so much it ached.

And she knew that her mate shared her ardor.

The eager hands fondling and caressing her body, the husky moans vibrating against her lips, the hardened nipples rubbing against her own through the thin fabric of their breast bands all told her as much.

As did the intoxicatingly heady scent of roses.

After briefly opening one of her eyes to make certain that their path was clear, Alicent began urging Rhaenyra towards their bed, kissing her all the while. Her hands had settled upon her mate’s neck, teasing and stroking the sensitive flesh as she swallowed Rhaenyra’s answering moans and whimpers.

Fire burned in her veins, and her cunt clenched every time another needy sound escaped Rhaenyra’s lips.

When they finally tumbled back onto their bed together, Alicent was quick to straddle her mate’s hips before swiftly relieving her of her smallclothes. She couldn’t help but moan when Rhaenyra’s perfect breasts were at last revealed to her—so full and round and peaked by hardened nipples that begged for her mouth.

“My Love,” Rhaenyra panted, her cheeks beautifully flushed, “I—”

Alicent pressed a finger to Rhaenyra’s lips. “You’re mine, yes?”

Rhaenyra nodded, kissing her finger. “Always.”

“Then let me take care of you,” Alicent purred, her hands sliding up to gently knead her mate’s breasts and tease her nipples.

Rhaenyra simply nodded again, her eyes wide and almost black, her scent warm and rich with need and desire.

As Alicent continued playing with her mate’s breasts, enjoying the full weight of them in her hands and the feeling of hard nipples rubbing against her palms, she delighted in the way that Rhaenyra’s face twisted with pleasure.

Her Rhaenyra was always beautiful, but there was something especially satisfying and enticing about seeing her in the throes of passion.

Once Rhaenyra’s hips began to roll and buck beneath her, Alicent abandoned her breasts, earning a plaintive whine that caused her cunt to clench.

Bracing her hands on either side of Rhaenyra’s head, Alicent teasingly rubbed their noses against each other before laying herself down atop her mate and capturing her warm lips in a fierce kiss. She swallowed Rhaenyra’s moan, savoring it as she licked into her mouth. Her tongue curled around Rhaenyra’s, rubbed gently, flicked teasingly. She could feel her mate squirming beneath her, could feel every centimeter of Rhaenyra’s warm skin rubbing against her own, could feel every sculpted muscle and enticing curve slipping perfectly into place to align with her own body.

Seven Hells, how she adored this woman.

Her clit was throbbing with need, demanding attention, begging to be rubbed against the muscular thigh trying to slip between her legs.

Alicent frowned, breaking their kiss and drawing back. “Nyra,” she chided.

“I can smell how wet you are, Ali.” Rhaenyra shuddered when Alicent lightly pinched her nipple. “Please, My Love, let me pleasure you.”

“Not yet.” Alicent nipped at her neck, earning a strangled moan. “I wish to take my time with you first.”

Rhaenyra groaned with frustration, but ceased her attempts to slide her leg between Alicent’s.

Alicent returned to exploring her mate’s body, wondering if she would ever grow tired of doing so. She knew every place that made Rhaenyra whimper and moan, every place that made her shudder and thrash, every place that made her whine and keen, every place that made her toes curl and her back arch. And yet, she still enjoyed simply indulging in the perfection of her safa’s coiled muscles and smooth skin, her perfect breasts and lovely neck, her bucking hips and wantonly spread legs.

The scent of Rhaenyra’s wetness, the feeling of her pebbled nipples, the desperation in her eyes were driving Alicent to distraction. Rhaenyra’s hips bucked impatiently beneath her, and she bared her neck again and again in a silent plea for more.

Alicent could feel her own slick pooling between her legs and soaking her smallclothes, and she knew that Rhaenyra could feel it as well, could feel the stickiness of the wet fabric pressed against her.

“Please, Ali, please. I need you.” Rhaenyra fisted the sheets as her back arched to push more of her breast into Alicent’s mouth.

Nipping gently at the offered nipple, Alicent soothed the bite with her tongue a moment later, drinking in her mate’s desperate keen. “I adore how much you desire me, My Nyra.”

“You adore tormenting me,” Rhaenyra groaned.

“That as well.” Alicent sucked harder on Rhaenyra’s nipple while her hand slipped down between their bodies to roughly cup her soaked cunt.

Rhaenyra howled and thrashed beneath her.

“Nyra,” she scolded.

Harsh pants filled their bedchamber as Rhaenyra forced herself to still. “Please, Ali. I need you. Can’t you feel how wet I am for you?”

She could.

Rhaenyra’s cunt was drenched and twitching, spread open and begging to be filled. Alicent had little doubt that she could easily thrust two fingers into her mate’s warm heat without meeting any resistance. And while sorely tempted to do just that, she instead slowly slid her fingers between the swollen folds, her own cunt clenching as slick, wet sounds reached her ears and Rhaenyra’s breathing devolved into harsh, needy pants.

Taking care to avoid her throbbing clit, Alicent’s fingers circled around her mate’s weeping entrance, teasing and taunting until Rhaenyra suddenly bucked her hips, causing the tips of Alicent’s fingers to slide inside her clenching cunt.

Alicent knew that she should scold her mate, knew that she should withdraw her fingers, knew that Rhaenyra deserved far more teasing in retaliation, but her own desire to see Rhaenyra peak was too strong, so she instead thrust her fingers deeper.

“Ali!” Rhaenyra cried, eyes rolling back in her head as she moved her hips to meet each of Alicent’s thrusts. “Don’t stop, Safa, please don’t—Fucking Hells!” she shrieked when Alicent crooked her fingers and rubbed against her front wall.

“Moan for me, Nyra.” Alicent increased the speed of her thrusts and brought her other hand down to roughly rub against her mate’s clit. “I want the whole Keep to know how much you enjoy my fingers.”

Rhaenyra’s moans immediately grew louder and more obscene as she tore through the sheets. “I do, Ali. I do—Fuck! I love your fingers. So much. Harder, please, Safa. I need you to fuck me harder. Please, Ali, please. I need you. I need you. I need you. No one will ever touch me like this. No one but you. Fuck!”

Each word was punctuated by a harsh moan or a desperate whimper, and Alicent’s own cunt clenched in response.

She wondered if she might be able to peak simply from witnessing Rhaenyra’s pleasure.

Leaning down, she captured Rhaenyra’s left nipple in her mouth, sucking harshly whilst attempting to use her telekinesis to fondle and caress her mate’s neglected breast.

Rhaenyra howled. “Don’t stop, Ali. Just like that. I love your mouth, I love your hands, I love your fingers, I love you tongue—Seven fucking Hells!”

Crooking her fingers once more, Alicent rubbed again and again at the front wall of Rhaenyra’s cunt, nearly peaking herself when wetness gushed from between her mate’s legs. She pressed her thighs together as she focused on sucking Rhaenyra’s nipple, fondling her breast, and fucking her cunt.

“Yes, yes, yes! Ali, Ali, Ali! Yes!”

Rhaenyra’s inner walls clamped down hard enough to still Alicent’s fingers, her hips bucked so much that Alicent was almost sent tumbling onto their bed, and her moans were so loud that Alicent was certain the entire Rose Tower must hear them.

She couldn’t wait to feast upon her mate’s pleasure.

When she was finally able to drag her fingers from Rhaenyra’s clenching cunt, Alicent wasted no time in sliding down her body and settling between her spread legs. She allowed herself a few moments to simply admire her mate’s lovely cunt—her swollen clit, her glistening folds, her soaked and clenching entrance. The heady aroma of Rhaenyra’s desire filled her nose, and made her head spin.

Shuffling closer, Alicent began slowly lapping up the wetness coating Rhaenyra’s cunt, her eyes rolling as the taste sang on her tongue. She heard Rhaenyra gasp above her, felt her thighs trembling on either side of her head. “Touch your breasts for me, Nyra.”

She didn’t need to look up to know that Rhaenyra had done as bid. The fresh slick that coated her tongue told her all that she needed to know.

“Fuck, Ali,” Rhaenyra moaned when Alicent’s licks became firmer. “Your mouth is so perfect. You’re perfect. My perfect safa. Oh, Relle, please, my clit. I need—”

Pressing her face more firmly against Rhaenyra’s cunt, Alicent wrapped her lips around the swollen bud begging for attention and sucked harshly as the tip of her tongue rubbed and flicked and circled.

Rhaenyra howled, back arching off of the bed as she reached her second peak. Fingers tangled in Alicent’s hair, holding her head in place as Rhaenyra’s hips bucked against her face. “My Ali,” Rhaenyra growled as she soaked Alicent’s chin. “My mate. My safa.”

“Yours,” Alicent agreed, parting her lips just enough so that she could lap up the slick flowing from Rhaenyra’s cunt.

By the time that Rhaenyra’s second peak began to wane, Alicent knew that she was on the verge herself. Her inner walls fluttered desperately, her clit throbbed insistently, her nipples were almost painfully hard, and she felt so desperately warm and needy.

Ignoring all of that, she crawled up Rhaenyra’s body and lay down atop her once more.

Her mate’s eyes fluttered open, black with desire and shining with pleasure. “May I—?”

Alicent sank her sharpened canines into Rhaenyra’s mate mark.

Rhaenyra screamed as she peaked for a third time.

And Alicent peaked along with her.

∞

Alicent was still catching her breath when Rhaenyra suddenly flipped their positions and gently pressed her down into the soft mattress. Her breath hitched when she saw the hunger shining in her mate’s amethyst eyes. “Do you mean to exact your revenge now?” she panted, pleasant shudders rippling through her body at the thought.

Rhaenyra smirked as she slowly removed Alicent’s smallclothes and tossed them aside before leaning down to husk in her ear, “I mean to make you scream my name in ecstasy.”

Seven Hells.

Her inner walls fluttered, and she could feel her wetness dripping from her cunt to slide down between the cheeks of her ass. She knew that it wouldn’t take much to send her tumbling over the edge again, and she was certain that Rhaenyra knew it as well.

Warm lips pressed against her mate mark, and Alicent moaned.

Sharp teeth nipped at her collarbone, and Alicent whined.

A hot mouth engulfed her nipple, and Alicent howled.

Alicent’s eyes squeezed shut as the pleasurable sensations of Rhaenyra’s tongue swirling around her left nipple and of Rhaenyra’s fingers rolling her right washed over her. “That feels good, Nyra. So good.”

“You have such perfect breasts, My Sweet. Always so eager for my attentions. I could bring you to a second peak simply by playing with your pretty nipples, couldn’t I?”

“Yes,” Alicent gasped. They both knew full well that she could.

Rhaenyra released her nipple after giving it a final lick, and Alicent shivered as the cool air assaulted her wet flesh. “So pretty and flushed for me,” she cooed, “so needy.”

“Please, Nyra.” Alicent rolled her hips, eyes wide and pleading. “I need you.”

“You have me, Ali.” Rhaenyra kissed the crescent scar on her left breast. “Always.”

Alicent scowled up at her. “You know that wasn’t what I meant.”

Rhaenyra simply chuckled before placing a kiss on Alicent’s right breast and then slowly making her way down the length of Alicent’s body, kissing and nuzzling and licking every inch of her as she went. “My sweet safa,” she murmured against her overheated skin. “My beautiful Alicent,” she crooned against one of her scars. “My perfect mate,” she purred as she at last settled between her legs.

Pleasurable tremors wracked Alicent’s body, the coil of tension in her belly winding tighter and tighter with each passing second. “Please, Nyra. I want—Oh!” Her hips bucked when warm breath puffed against her cunt.

“Tell me what you want, Ali.”

“You mouth,” she panted.

“Specifics, My Love.”

Alicent whined with frustration, her mind hazy with need and in no state to articulate what she wanted.

Rhaenyra’s fingers drummed on her hip as she waited.

“Please, Nyra.”

“Words, Ali.”

She wondered how difficult it would be to murder her mate.

“Y-Your tongue,” she finally managed, eyes squeezing shut as she focused on forcing the words from her lips. “I, I want to feel your tongue on me.”

“Where?”

Seven thrice-damned Hells.

“My cunt,” she whimpered. “My clit. Please, I—” Her words dissolved into a strangled moan, and her back arched off the bed when she felt Rhaenyra’s warm, wet tongue lapping at her entrance. Her inner walls clenched around nothing, and her clit throbbed with jealousy. “Nyra,” she wheezed.

“You always taste so good, My Alicent.” The tip of Rhaenyra’s tongue flicked over her clit, making her hips buck as pleasure raced up her spine and down her legs.

Shudders wracked Alicent’s body as Rhaenyra continued lapping at her cunt—slowly, gently, tauntingly. She could feel herself soaking her mate’s chin, and she whined every time Rhaenyra’s nose brushed over or pressed against her swollen clit. Her fingers scrabbled at her mate’s back, attempting to urge her to lick harder, or vibrate her tongue, or suckle on her clit, or something.

When Alicent tried to buck her hips in desperate search of more friction, warm hands held her in place.

“Is this all right, My Sweet?”

“Yes.” Her cunt ached and wept with need, and she was fairly certain that she would soon go mad if Rhaenyra didn’t stop teasing her, but she knew that wasn’t what her mate was asking. “Please, Nyra, please. I need more.”

More hot breath puffed against her cunt, and Alicent cried out as tantalizing jolts of pleasure assaulted her body. “You’re so demanding, My Sweet Safa.” Rhaenyra’s fingers skimmed over her hip before sliding between her legs, teasing the sensitive flesh around her cunt without actually touching where Alicent needed her most. “You have such a pretty cunt, Ali.”

“Please, Nyra. Please stop teasing me.” She didn’t think that she could bear it a moment longer.

Rhaenyra tsked at her before she returned to slowly licking Alicent’s cunt.

Alicent thrashed as best she could, her moans growing higher and more desperate. “Please, please, please, please, please.”

“Open your eyes, My Love.”

She hadn’t even realized that she’d closed them.

“Look at me, Safa.”

The words sounded distant and far away even as they echoed in her own mind. The coil in her belly had grown painfully tight, and she felt as if she was balanced upon the edge of a cliff. She needed—

“Look at me, Ali.”

Groaning with the effort, Alicent propped herself up enough to look down between her legs.

Hooded amethyst eyes gazed back at her.

The coil snapped.

And Alicent screamed her mate’s name.

∞∞

Rhaenyra smiled softly as drew Alicent closer to her side and began to lightly stroke her silky auburn curls, savoring the satisfied sigh that she received in response. There was little that she adored more than how soft and sleepy and pliant her mate became after being bedded. She loved seeing her Alicent so relaxed and at peace—so very different from the trembling woman who had once surreptitiously glanced at her with unbridled terror and dread. The woman lying in her arms now only ever looked at her with love and affection.

Occasionally exasperation as well, but it was a fond sort of exasperation.

She absently wound one of Alicent’s curls around her finger as she watched her mate’s eyes flutter drowsily—her perfect face softly illuminated by the Geltic crystals glowing on her bedside table. Rhaenyra’s eyes then traveled lower, along the length of Alicent’s slender arm and down to the bonding bracelet now encircling her right wrist.

My Light, My Love, My Guiding Star.

Glancing up at the canopy overhead, she teleported it to the other side of the room and then neatly folded it with her telekinesis.

Alicent’s eyes opened fully, a furrow forming on her brow. “What are you doing, Nyra?”

“I’ve one more gift for you, Ali. If you’d like to see it now?” She kissed her forehead. “We can also wait until tomorrow night, if you prefer.”

A wry smile curled Alicent’s lips. “You’ve already removed the canopy, My Love. And I would think that a bonding gift wouldn’t be quite the same if given the day after the bonding.”

Rhaenyra grinned as she focused her attention on the ceiling just long enough to transmogrify the atomic and molecular structures of the stone into that of glass.

∞

Alicent gasped as the ceiling suddenly disappeared to reveal a seemingly endless expanse of stars glittering within the blue-black sea of the night sky. The moon—not quite full, and so still shining white rather than ruby-red—was swiftly approaching its zenith.

Squinting slightly, she realized that the ceiling wasn’t actually gone, simply transformed.

Mother Relle above.

Considering the magical feats that she’d witnessed earlier that day, seeing Rhaenyra transmogrify stone into glass probably shouldn’t impress her as much as it did.

Before she could ask Rhaenyra what exactly it was that she wished to show her, Alicent’s eyes fell upon the silvery-green star glowing brightly overhead.

Oh.

She turned to look at her mate, her heart fluttering. “You made certain that the star was visible from our chambers.”

Rhaenyra’s chest puffed proudly. “I did. And it’s your star, My Love. Alisenno Qēlos, or whatever you wish to name it.” She pointed to the other stars clustered around the green star. “You have a new constellation to name as well.”

Alicent supposed that she should have realized Rhaenyra would wish for her to name the constellation. She peered up at the stars, her eyes tracing over them again and again as she searched for a shape.

They bore some resemblance to a unicorn, but there was already a unicorn constellation.

“Would you care to know what I see?” Rhaenyra whispered.

“Very much so.”

Rhaenyra chuckled as she raised her hand and began tracing a shape in the sky. Green light trailed after her finger and then lingered so that, once she was finished, Alicent could easily recognize the distinctive outline of an orchid.

She almost snorted aloud.

“How much time did you spend searching the skies for just the right star cluster that was visible from our rooms, could feasibly resemble an orchid, and could accommodate a new star without disrupting the structural integrity of the cosmos?”

“About eight months.”

Alicent shook her head as she rolled onto her side so that she could prop herself up on her elbow and properly look at her mate, who immediately repositioned herself to mirror her. “You, Rhaenyra Targaryen, are the Sweetest Mate to Ever Draw Breath. Extravagant beyond measure, to be sure. But very sweet.”

Rhaenyra preened for several moments before her expression shifted to become soft and earnest. “And you, Alicent Hightower, are the Most Magnificent and Empathetic Mate to Ever Draw Breath.”

A hot flush was swiftly spreading across Alicent’s cheeks and down her neck, but she didn’t lower her head or look away. “Flatterer.”

“Not particularly.” Rhaenyra smiled at her—warm and bright. “I meant every word that I said during our bonding. You make my heart sing, Ali. You make my magic purr. And you make my days brighter.” Reaching out, she lightly brushed her fingers over Alicent’s bonding bracelet. “My light.” She leaned forward and kissed her softly. “My love.” She kissed her again. “My guiding star.”

Warmth bloomed in Alicent’s chest, tears pricked her eyes, and her magic sang. She lifted her right hand and gently clinked her bracelet with Rhaenyra’s, filling their bedchamber with the distinctive chord that only matched Herthian steel could make. “My heart.” She clinked their bracelets again. “My home.” She claimed her mate’s warm lips. “My igniting spark.”

“I am yours,” Rhaenyra whispered when they parted. “And you are mine.”

Alicent beamed. “And our stars will never go dark.”

Thus Ends . . . Part One

Behold! Alicent’s constellation (I included a version with an outline because constellations are just Relle’s version of a Rorschach test and all of you are required to see my vision). Please ignore the fact that the brightest star isn’t green, Pixlr was being moody.