Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

   Alicent blinks awake at the sound of the front door shutting.

  “Shit!” she says to no one in particular.

   She has forgotten to set her alarm for her early morning meeting at the church. Her Fiancé has already risen for his morning run and neglected to wake Alicent. Quickly, she shoots out of the bed and heads over to the bathroom for the world’s fastest shower. As she is scrubbing away at her skin, thoughts of contempt plague her mind. ‘Stupid Criston! Why didn’t he just wake me up with him? I’ve told him a million times about this meeting. It’s as if running is more important to him than his own fiancé.’

   Ignoring her own negligence, she hurries out of the shower and picks up her phone to let Criston know of her disappointment. He picks up after one ring.

   “Criston,” she begins.

   “Good morning, Ali. Have you been outside yet today? It’s beautiful out here. I wish you’d come on these runs with me” he pauses breathless, “enjoy God’s great creation and everything.”

   She can hear his feet padding against the ground as he speaks. The sound irritates her to no end. He’s jogging. So oblivious to his fiancé’s frustration.

   “Criston, of course I haven't been outside yet. You left me in bed the entire time it took you to get ready. How come you didn’t wake me up this morning? Didn’t I tell you at dinner last night about the meeting that I have today? It’s the whole reason we had to leave the restaurant early.”

   “My mistake Alicent, I was unaware that I was your personal alarm clock,” he replies sarcastically.

   She can hear his smug smile through his words. Already losing patience (and time), Alicent abruptly ends the conversation in favor of avoiding another argument.

   “I’m not doing this with you today, Criston. You should have known to wake me.”

   She pulls the phone away from her ear and taps the red button before she can hear his response. There's no doubt that it would have made her even angrier regardless of what he actually said. ‘God he is so brainless at times’ she laments. She sighs deeply, regretting ever deciding to settle down with this man. But her father finds him 'satisfactory', so she must do this. Ever since her mother passed away, she has felt this overwhelming pressure to be the perfect daughter.

   Returning to her task, she adorns a black pencil skirt of conservative length with matching black tights in case too much of her skin is showing. On top she decides on a black turtleneck with a green sweater vest tucked into her skirt. She adds a few signature gold jewelry pieces including her engagement ring and a small cross necklace. Then a pair of Mary Jane heels to finish off the look.

   Then she quickly grabs her things and hurries out of the door. As she starts her car and looks at the clock, she notices that she’s actually making decent time. ‘Surely I can fit in a quick coffee run and still make it on time.’ She decides to stop at the coffee shop that is on the way to her church to get a cup for her and Otto each.

-

   Still a bit frantic, Alicent speedwalks toward the entrance of the coffee shop and reaches for the door handle. Just before she can wrap her hand around it, another hand takes the handle instead. Alicent startles at the presence of the other person and pulls her hand away on impulse. This allows the other person to plow in ahead of her. She looks ahead, seeing who had rudely gone inside without so much as holding the door open. And all that she sees is the back of a head with long silver hair tied into a single braid. A woman.

   ‘Entitled,’ Alicent thinks as she follows behind her.

   Still staring, Alicent notices that the silver haired woman is wearing a simple black pantsuit and loafers. But Alicent can’t look away. The way that her clothes cling to her curves, well It’s... enticing.

   ‘Alicent, you must rid yourself of these lustful thoughts’ she hears her father’s stern voice ringing in her ears.

   She shakes her head in an attempt to clear her mind. While composing herself, she walks up to the counter to place her order. The line is long, but fortunately for Alicent, another barista opens up another one and calls out, “I can take the next guest here!”

   Alicent takes the opportunity to get into the newly opened line. She makes eye contact with the barista with a small greeting smile and approaches the counter. But the silver haired women brushes past her and takes the spot that Alicent was going for.

   The woman turns back and says, “If you’ll excuse me,” she grins, “I did arrive here first after all.”

   Alicent is stunned, partially because of this woman’s audacity, but mainly because of the woman’s striking features. She had only caught a glimpse, but her features have burned into Alicent’s mind. Two strands of silver hair frame the woman’s face. She has soft and clear skin, defined cheek bones, a defining hump in her nose, and what appears to be violet eyes. Alicent Is fixated on her eyes, she can hardly believe them to be that color. This woman…she is the most beautiful person Alicent has ever laid her eyes on.

   Then she clocks what the woman actually said to her. “E-excuse me?”

   But the woman has already turned back to the barista and is now placing her order. ‘Entitled’ rings in Alicent’s head again.

   When she finally reaches the front, Alicent orders two black coffees. She doesn’t particularly enjoy the taste of it, but her father does. When she was younger, she saw him order his that way from this very coffee shop. In an effort to impress him, she had asked for a sip and pretended to enjoy it. She has kept up with that small farce ever since. She knows that it's pathetic, the way she craves her father’s approval. But it’s all that she's ever known.

   When approaching the waiting area, Alicent spots the entitled woman who is now typing into her phone as she waits. She decides to stand up for herself and confront her. ‘She may look like an angel sent from God himself; however, she is only a mere mortal like the rest of us. And an incredibly rude one at that.’

   She walks up to her and taps her on the shoulder to get her attention. The woman flits her eyes up from her phone up to Alicent and turns her body to face her. It seems at this point the woman takes in the sight before her. Her eyes look from Alicent’s own down to the rest of her.

   At the sight of her Alicent freezes, heat pooling in her body. She’s already forgotten what she was confronting this beautiful woman about. In the silence, Alicent watches as the woman shamelessly checks her out. She now regrets wearing tights and a turtleneck because she is going to start sweating if she keeps getting looked at like this. The woman’s eyes comb over her agonizingly slow. Her face first, then her head tilts and she linger on her breasts. Hery eyes move down to Alicet's waist, then her hips, but they finally pause on Alicent’s hand. Alicent notices a small frown form on the woman’s face, accompanied by a barely audible yet ever present scoff.

   “Rhaenyra!” A barista calls out.

   The woman looks up in response and begins to approach the counter before she stops herself.

   “Did you need something miss?”

   Alicent had forgotten that she was the one to approach her about something. ‘What was it? Damn it, what did I get her attention for?’

   “Oh... I, um. Well earlier, you cut me in the-"

   She is cut off yet again by the woman placing a hand on her arm.

   “Listen, I’m in a bit of a hurry” she drops her hand and offers a small smile, “nice to meet you darling”.  With that the woman turns away to gather her coffee.

   Alicent stands there lost in a plethora of emotions. Her heart is racing, her palms are sweating, she is embarrassed, and aroused. The woman lingers in her mind and body. The feeling of her hand against her bicep sent waves of heat through her down to her core. The woman’s eyes, her hair, her figure, her small frown all burn into Alicent’s memory.

   ‘Why had she frowned?’ Alicent ponders, lifting her hand in remembrance. She only notices her engagement ring. ‘Was this what upset her?’

   Alicent tries to shrug off the interaction. Forget her own embarrassment. Ignore the feelings that had bloomed within her. Ignore the sudden weight of her ring. She tries to forget about the woman. ‘What was her name again?’

   “Rhaenyra…” she whispers. The syllables feel natural on her tongue. As if she is the only other person who is meant to say them.

   “Alicent!” the Barista finally calls out.

   This snaps her out of her thoughts, and she quickly approaches the counter. She grabs her coffees and all but sprints back to her car.

-

   Despite her best efforts, Alicent arrives at work late. In preparation for her father’s disapproving remarks, she says a quick prayer.

   “Dear God, may my father be gracious and kind with me today.”

   Although, she knows from experience that these kinds of prayers do not often go answered; she still finds comfort in seeking out help from her heavenly father. She does a sign of the cross with her right hand and kisses the cross around her neck, to complete her prayer.

   Finally, she grabs her coffees and exits the car. As she crosses the parking lot, Alicent notices a sleek black Porsche parked in a guest spot, ‘Must be the Architect,’ Alicent assumes. Disappointment fills her chest. She was hoping to be the first to arrive.

   The meeting that she's here for is between her father, the Bishop Otto Hightower, and an Architect. Otto has plans to build a new church within his diocese and is going through a vetting process for potential Architects. As the church secretary, Alicent was supposed to be there to welcome the potential architect and introduce them to her father.

   The church is empty so early on a Monday, save for her father and the potential Architect. Once she arrives at her office, she quickly places her things down and speedwalks to her father’s own. Facing a closed door, she realizes that the meeting is already under way. She breathes out of her mouth slowly and shuts her eyes for a moment.

   Feeling dejected, she places her cups onto the waiting room table and takes a seat on the sofa across from it. She absentmindedly begins to pick at her nails as she begins to contemplate her predicament. She tries coming up with an excuse that she will tell her father to explain why she is late today. ‘I slept in too late. There was traffic on the way. A very rude very beautiful goddess of a woman cut me in line at the coffee shop.’ All of them are true, yet insufficient. She could come up with some lie, but there are two obvious reasons why that would not work. One, lying is a sin and she would have to add it to the list of things to tell the priest during confession. Two, her father always knows when she is lying. So, she decides to tell him about being cut in line.

   She is taken from her thoughts by the door to Otto’s office opening. Her eyes widen as she sees none other than the silver haired woman from this morning exiting the space into the waiting room. She glances down at Alicent, recognition crossing her face. Her lips curl into a smile and Alicent swears that she can hear a light chuckle coming from her.

   So, she shoots her feet. She’s about to let her have it for cutting her in line this mornig until she notices her father trailing behind. He is… smiling. An honest to God grin with teeth. It looks unnatural. His smile quickly drops as his eyes meet his daughter’s.

   “Well, it was a pleasure to meet you Ms.Strong. You’ve made a remarkable impression, and I’ll have my secretary iron out the details of our next meeting,” Otto says as his hand gestures toward Alicent.

   Rhaenyra takes his hand in both of hers, “The pleasure was all mine Bishop, I look forward to working with you.”

   Her hands drop, and she turns her attention back to Alicent.

   “Hello, I’m Rhaenyra. It’s nice to formally meet you,” she puts out a hand.

   Alicent looks down at the hand offered out to her then looks back into Rhaenyra’s purple eyes.

   “You are an Architect?” Alicent asks, “Are you a believer as well?”

   She could hardly believe that the woman standing in front of her prays to the same God that she does. She remembers the way that she looked at her. Like she saw Alicent as prey to be feasted upon. The way that her eyes combed over her body. The way that she made Alicent feel so aroused in a way that her fiancé never has, even in his best efforts to seduce. It was the devil influencing her, surely. And Rhaenyra must be his acolyte. There is no way in hell that this disdainful person was a follower of Jesus Christ. Rhaenyra retracts her hand and lets out an awkward laugh.

   “I don’t believe I caught your name.”

   “It’s Alicent,” she replies sharply. Eyes glued to the other woman’s own.

   “Well, Alicent, I am an architect indeed. I’ll try not to be offended by the surprise in your voice. As for your second question, I am sure the bishop can fill you in on those details.”

   At the reminder of her father, Alicent dares to glance in his direction to see him staring at her with his signature scowl. She needs to wrap this up.

   “Lovely. Will I be seeing you at mass this Sunday? Alicent asks.

   “You will. A personal invitation from the bishop is not something that I can so easily turn down,” she looks back over to Otto and sends him a wink to which he accepts with a tight-lipped smile and a nod of the head. “Shall we confirm the details of our next meeting after Sunday service?”

   Alicent is in disbelief at her father’s approval of this woman. She has bewitched him surely. Alicent looks to him again for further confirmation.

   Losing patience, Otto takes liberty to approve Rhaenyra’s suggestion.

   “Yes darling, my daughter would be happy to go over things with you after mass. Isn’t that right, Alicent?” he says, aggravation apparent in his tone.

   “Yes, that should be fine,” Alicent confirms hesitantly.

   She hates it when he tells people that she is his daughter. It makes her feel small.

   “I see.” She looks between the two of them with a raised eyebrow. “I suppose I’ll see you then.”

   Rhaenyra places her hand on Alicent’s arm again, and this time she leans her head down to whisper something in her ear. “You look absolutely delicious by the way... I just had to say. It’s fucking impossible to ignore.”

   At the admission, Alicent pulls her head back and stares up at the woman in front of her. She can feel her face is growing hotter by the second and feels embarrassed about how red she must look. The hand on her arm combined with Rhaenyra’s words and her lips brushing against her ear irrefutably turn Alicent on. She can feel her underwear begin to stick to her stockings, so she clenches her legs together impulsively.

   Rhaenyra finally let’s go of her and simply walks out of the door leaving Alicent in the waiting room with her father.

   “What did she say to you, Alicent?”

   Instead of answering, Alicent looks around the room at something to avert his attention. She cannot let him see how affected she is by Rhaenyra. Although, she is almost positive that he can already tell.

   “I brought you coffee, father. Black, just the way you like it.”

   She points down at the cups that have been forgotten on the table.

   Otto doesn’t waver.

   “I thought we had moved past these… proclivities of yours Alicent.”

   After a long-disappointing look, Otto returns to his office and closes the door behind him. Coffee cup untouched.

   Once he is gone, Alicent lets out a breath that she didn’t realize she was holding.

   “Shit.”

Chapter Text

   “In the name of the Father, the son, and the holy spirit”

   In a dimly lit confessional booth, Alicent and her priest sit across from one another.

   “Forgive me father for I have sinned. My last confession was three months ago,” She begins.

   She looks across to the priest on the other side of the barrier, to confirm that his figure and his face are obscured by a shadow. ‘Good,’ she thinks to herself. If she can’t see him then he can’t see her. She won’t have to bother hiding the shame that always changes her face during these confessions. That is one thing that she can appreciate about it. The anonymity of it all.

   “Welcome,” the priest replies.

   “Father. I have neglected my duties to the church. I was late for a meeting and not only disappointed our bishop, but the holy father as well by extension. I was quick to blame the mistake on my fiancé; however, I know fully well that my personal timeliness is my own responsibility.”

   Then she pauses, debating if she should say how she truly feels about Criston.

   “I treated him unfairly. Regarded him with anger, aggression, and frustration, yet I still can’t bring myself to apologize.” (It’s more of a pattern of behavior than a one-off incident if she’s being completely honest.) After a deep sigh she admits, “I have committed a mortal sin father. I feel deep disdain toward someone that I am supposed to love and respect. Someone that I am supposed to marry…”

   Her knees part and she rest her elbows on her thighs. She clasps her fingers together and hangs her head low. Her eyes fall to an already damaged fingernail. She picks at it further as she continues to speak.

   “I have no love for my fiancé. And I know that it is my duty as a woman and a child of God to build a family with a God-fearing man, but… all that I feel when I think of my future with him is,” she thinks of a fitting word, “dread.”

   After the admission, she begins to ramble on, letting the truth of her feelings flow out of her. Everything that she can’t tell her father, her lover, or her congregation will be said here.

   “The thought that I will have to lay with him, and bear his children terrifies me to no end. He is not even a particularly bad man. My father claims that he is a good one and the best option for me. So, who am I to question my father’s authority? Anyhow, we have been engaged over three years now and I fear that I cannot evade the wedding nor his sexual desires for much longer. I am constantly being pestered by the people around me about dates and venues. It’s really all just too much.”

   The priest sits quietly on his side of the confessional, patiently listening as Alicent pauses again. Clearly, she is finding these subjects difficult to broach. Alicent clears her throat, finally ready to speak again.

   “Speaking of desires… I have been experiencing some of my own. Only, my desires, they are… they are not towards my fiancé. They are towards someone of the same sex. I am truly ashamed father; you must believe me. But this is an affliction that I have struggled with since I was a girl.”

   She thinks back to her time in Catholic school. A freshman in high school who found herself love struck by a girl in the grade above. A taller, more confident pillar in her life named Alys. She thinks of the close bond that had developed between them. It was everything that she never knew that she wanted. Everything that she knew could never last. When Otto was made aware of the relationship, everything had changed. Suddenly she was separated from her by the adults in charge and thrust into therapy sessions that were aimed at fixing this ‘flaw’ within her. She pulls herself from these thoughts and continues on.

   “I have a fiancé now who I am supposed to be feeling this way toward, but I only feel repulsed by him and everything that he does. I find it difficult to see a path forward. What solution is there for this affliction?” she asks, not expecting a direct response to the question, but asking in desperation anyway.

   The priest hums acknowledging her conclusion.

   “I am sorry for these and all of my sins, father.”

   “We praise God for these confessions. For your penance, you must refrain from acting upon homosexual desires. When these thoughts arise within you, deny them. As you must know, the devil will find many ways to influence the children of God. You must not let him. Pray on your rosary every night before bed to discipline yourself. As for your troubles regarding your engagement, I urge you to remember our doctrine of the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong indissoluble commitment. If free consent is compromised, then it would not be a true marriage in the eyes of our lord. If you wish to work through your resentments, then seek counsel as you have today and find it within your heart to forgive your fiancé for his shortcomings. As you well know, we are all sinners.”

   In conclusion, Alicent recites the acts of contrition from memory.

   “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you”

   “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

   “Amen,” She echoes back.

   She stands up and exist the confesson booth. As she walks back to her car, Alicent takes in the information that the priest has given her and deeply considers it. 'What he has said to me about Criston differs from what my own father encourages. Who is right in this? The bishop, or my priest?'

   Internally debating on this issue, she makes a mental note to bring this question to her father the next time he mentions the wedding. 

-

   Come Wednesday evening, Alicent is completing her day’s work at King’s Landing Church of Christ by consulting with her father in his office.

   “You must be joking father.” Alicent deadpans in disbelief.

   “I am not, Alicent. And watch your temper.”

   He seems to have sensed that anger is swelling within her like he has always been able to. Alicent heeds his warning and takes a few moments to practice her breathing exercise. Five seconds in… three seconds out.

   “I just don’t understand how you could allow a nonbeliever to build a chapel in your diocese. The house of God should be made with love for the lord in mind. How could Rhaenyra not believe in our God and wish to profit off of his believers?”

   “It is not so simple. Rhaenyra has expressed to me a willingness to convert. She claims that her husband has been asking her to take their son to get baptized.”

   Alicent pauses at his last sentence, taken aback.

   “Did you say that she has a husband, and a son?”

   Everything that she learns about Rhaenyra only further confirms her theory that Rhaenyra is some kind of test for her. ‘How could she have shamelessly come onto her the way that she had and be married to a man and have his child all at the same time?’ She is having trouble making sense of it all. The people within the tight knit church community that she has grown up with simply do not act in such ways.

   Otto looks at his daughter with a scrutinizing gaze. “Yes Alicent. Is this news upsetting to you?”

   “No,” She quickly replies.

   She hates how easily he can read her. Speaking with her father most of the time feels like being beneath a microscope, smashed between two glass panels, with a bright light that displays every single flaw that she always works so tirelessly to conceal.

   “Good. I’d certainly hope not, considering your own upcoming marriage to Criston. Tell me, what progress have you made with the wedding arrangements?”

   She has rehearsed the answer to this question so many times that it rolls off of her tongue easily.

   “Criston wishes to wait until peak season is over before we continue the wedding preparations”

   Unfortunately, this excuse has lost effectiveness over the course of their engagement.

   “How many times have I heard that one now? You have been engaged for over three years. Don’t you think it’s about time to rip the Band-Aid?”

   Anger begins to swell within her again. She is so tired of her father trying to marry her off to Criston. ‘He isn’t even a particularly special man. He is only a car salesman who goes to church every Sunday. Are those really the only requirement’s that Otto has for the man that is supposed to marry his only daughter?’ He only wants her to be married off to a man so that he doesn’t have to worry about his own reputation. It’s bad enough that he has a daughter as a bishop, but to have one that is gay would just ruin him. She thinks back to her confession and starts to believe that he may be acting with selfish intent. After much deliberation, she decides against confronting him about the sanctity of marriage, because this would require her to admit that she does not actually wish to marry Criston. And explaining herself to him would leave her far too emotionally exposed. 

   “I’m tired of having these conversations with you again and again, father.”

   She puts a hand to her forehead and the other on her hip. She doesn’t want to cry in front of him, not again. He always wears this disgusted facial expression when he sees her do it. He doesn’t even bother hiding it anymore. So, she finds an excuse to get out of the conversation.

   “I have to get home to make dinner for Criston and me. Tonight’s meal requires a lot of preparation. May I go home early?

   “Fine, go and attend to your domestic pursuits. Perhaps they will bring you closer to God.”

   Unbelievable. He can be so unbelievable at times.

   “Goodnight, father.”

   “Oh Alicent. Before you leave, make sure to email Rhaenyra to confirm the details for our Sunday meeting. And try to make it on time to this one dear.”

   “Of course, father.”

-

   Sunday morning, Alicent finds herself sitting in the pew furthest back from the pulpit. She is so early that the church appears to be completely empty, save for herself. Kneeling down with her head bowed and hands clasped in front of her, she begins to pray.

   “Dear heavenly father, I have been plagued with lustful desires. This must be one of your tests, surely. I do not know that I have the strength to resist these temptations that you have put before me. Father, give me strength in these trying times. That is all that I ask of you. Amen.”

   “Temptations you say.”

   The voice startles Alicent. She gasps and looks to her right to see that it is Rhaenyra who has invaded her privacy.

   "Rhaenyra... When did you get here? What did you hear?” she asks, her voice shaking.

   “I heard enough,” Rhaenyra replies as she looks down into Alicent’s big brown eyes.

   She tilts her head and grins before speaking again. “You know, you look good in this position. Looking up at me, on your knees.”

   She doesn’t know how to respond. So, she drops her hands to her thighs and remains on the ground. Without giving herself time to think, Alicent begins to turn her body towards Rhaenyra. She is now eye level with Rhaenyra’s crotch and cannot tear her eyes away. Honing in on the way the zipper to her trousers creates a small bulge with the fabric. ‘Are those men’s pants? They definitely are. What a heathen this woman is.’ Instinctively, she shuts her mouth that had been hanging open once she feels the slightest bit of drool begin to fall down her bottom lip.

   Rhaenyra’s hand reaches down to cup Alicent’s face. Then her fingers slide down to Alicent’s chin carefully tilting her head upward to meet her eyes.

   “Oh, sweet girl,” her thumb swipes at Alicent’s bottom lip, “You’re drooling”

   Rhaenyra’s thumb presses against Alicent’s bottom lip more firmly. And in response, Alicent opens her mouth.

   “Good Girl. You know exactly what I want, don’t you?” Rhaenyra says with the corners of her mouth upturned.

   Rhaenyra then slides two fingers into her mouth, never breaking eye contact. She begins a back-and-forth motion as Alicent closes her mouth around two long fingers. With each motion, Rhaenyra reaches incrementally deeper into Alicent’s mouth. She moans each time they reach deeper down her throat. She closes her eyes with satisfaction and only breathes through her nose, savoring the feeling of it. At a certain point, Rhaenyra reaches so far down that Alicent almost gags on them. But she pushes through it. She wants to be good for her.

   Slowly, Rhaenyra pulls her fingers out of Alicent’s mouth leaving a spit trail. Then she brings them up to her lips and tastes. Once she is done, she takes a seat on the pew next to Alicent and guides her up. Once she has Alicent standing and facing her, Rhaenyra grabs onto her hips and ushers her forward to sit on her right knee. Instantly, Alicent can feel the heat from between her legs transferring to Rhaenyra’s knee. She’s ruining those God forsaken trousers with her wetness. Facing Rhaenyra, Alicent leans forward hesitantly. She brushes a strand of silver hair behind Rhaenyra’s ear then rests the other hand on her shoulder. At this proximity, they are essentially breathing in each other’s air. Neither of their eyes leaving the others’ lips.

   Finally, Rhaenyra surges forward and captures Alicent’s lips into her own. Alicent gasps at the contact, not expecting Rhaenyra’s lips to feel the way that they do. Impossibly soft, tender and loving. She reaches a hand into Alicent’s curly auburn hair and keeps the other one firm on her hip. As the kiss continues, Alicent grinds her hip forward on Rhaenyra’s knee with Rhaenyra’s h                                            and guiding her. She absolutely loves the friction that she feels beneath her. The combination of Rhaenyra’s mouth on hers and her knee between her thighs is beginning to feel like too much.

   She pulls back to catch her breath and look into the eyes of the woman in front of her. Darkened lavender hues shine back at her. Neither of them moves for a while, just taking in the sight of one another until Rhaenyra begins to speak.

   Her mouth opens, but the sound that comes out does not resemble anything human, “*BEEP BEEP BEEP*”

-

   Alicent’s eyes creep open at the sound of her alarm. Realization hits her as she remembers what she had just been dreaming about. It had just started to get good when she was so rudely awakened by the sound of her alarm. A sense of mourning washes over her and she sighs deeply. She misses the world that she was just living in. A world where it was only Alicent and Rhaenyra.

   Begrudgingly, Alicent turns her body to the side and reaches an arm across Criston’s sleeping figure to hit the alarm.

   “Criston, wake up,” she tiredly says, while she gently shakes him awake.

   "mmmrg, not yet Alicent. It’s far too early.”

   “It bewilders me how you can be an early riser one day, and a lazy lay about the next.”

   She curses herself as soon as she says it. She remembers the penance the priest had assigned to her during confession and feels disappointed for disregarding it already. However, Criston only grins and lets out a small chuckle. He had thought she was joking instead of insulting him. That’s a relief.

   “You are right.”

   He rubs his eyes and quickly sits up in the bed next to Alicent. He then turns his head to look at the time on the alarm clock next to them.

   “Four A.M., Alicent. You must be pulling my leg or something. Why in God’s good name must we wake up at this early hour?”

   “I am trying to work on my timeliness. I cannot continue to disappoint my father as I have been.”

   “That’s fair but why drag me into this torture with you?”

   Alicent rolls her eyes at the question and lifts herself up. She throws her legs off the edge of the bed and finally stands up to begin her morning routine. Her hands rise to stretch above her head. She breathes deeply as she stretches and can feel it in her diaphragm. Once she is done, she reaches down and keeps her legs as straight as possible to touch her toes for fifteen seconds. She finally turns back around to face Criston and ignores his inquiry, choosing to reply with one of her own.

   “Care for a morning run?”

   Criston’s eyes light up and he nods eagerly, like a dog getting excited at his owner mentioning the word “Walk”.

   “Great, get some clothes on. Be ready in ten.”

   Alicent is trying to make a serious effort in developing a consistent routine. As well as being generally nicer to her fiancé. Going on morning runs with him is the best way to kill two birds with one stone. She figures he can’t bother her too much while they are both distracted with exercise. So, she brushes her teeth, braids her hair the way that she has seen Rhaenyra wear it, and slips on her workout clothes.

   Once they are both running side by side, Alicent quickly realizes how mistaken she was.

   “I’m so glad that you’ve decided to do this with me. You miss out on some amazing views by sleeping in, truly. Just look at the dew-stained grass. Listen to those birds chirping. The air is so thick with humidity at this time of day. Isn’t it so refreshing, Alicent?”

   She is astounded by Criston’s ability to speak so much, while saving enough breath to run at the same time. The sound of his voice grates on her ears.

   “Yes, love. Quite refreshing.”

   “I knew you would love it. Will this be an everyday thing?”

   Already losing patience, Alicent slows down her pace and brings her wrist up to check the time on her watch. She then feigns surprise at the time. They had only been running for fifteen minutes.

   “Crap, is that the time? I have to go back now, but you finish up your run. I have an early morning at the church.”

   Criston continues to jog in place and turn to face Alicent. His expression drops as he looks back at her.

   “Okay, I’ll see you at mass.” He replies disappointedly before he turns around and continues jogging.

   For a moment as she stares at his retreating figure, she feels the slightest twinge of guilt. Then she turns around to make her way back to the house.

   Once she makes it back home and is showering off the sweat that she had built up on her jog, her mind begins wandering back to Rhaenyra. The dream that she had last night. Alicent on her knees looking up into Rhaenyra’s eyes as if she was some kind of deity that she was at the mercy of. Deep in her heart, Alicent knew that what she wanted the most was to please Rhaenyra. Whatever she wanted from her, Alicent would provide. Truthfully, she was excited to see her again at King’s Landing. It’s finally Sunday, and Alicent nerves are so heightened at the prospect of having another conversation with Rhaenyra.

   Alicent decides to wear a dark green sundress that falls just below her knees with a white floral print. She splits her hair and puts the top half in a claw clip while leaving the rest down. She chooses a pair of sandals that match her dress and adds light makeup to her face to finish off the outfit. When she looks at the time again, she sees that she is 45 minutes ahead of schedule.

   After deliberating for a moment Alicent decides that she actually does have plenty of time to get a coffee before she needs to be at the church. On her way out of the door she sees Criston a few yards away, clearly returning home from his run. She chooses to ignore him and quickly get into her car before he can come and hug her with his sweaty arms.

   Once she arrives a Dragonstone Café, she orders her drink and constantly checks her surroundings while she waits for it to come out. She is incredibly anxious because she doesn’t know If she will run into Rhaenyra again while being here. She secretly hopes that she does. She really fucking hopes that she does. She even goes to the bathroom to wash her hands, thinking that maybe Rhaenyra will be in there. She thinks to herself about how ridiculously she is acting. ‘This is just pathetic. Acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, I ought to be ash-'

   She is taken from her thoughts as she hears a flush coming from the last stall followed by none other than Rhaenyra walking out.

   Alicent freezes where she stands as she recognizes the other woman. Rhaenyra is wearing black cuffed jeans with a loose flowing, long sleeved, deep red blouse tucked into them. She looks ahead at Alicent and their eyes meet, brown against lavender, and it feels like the earth has stopped spinning for that instance. This time, Rhaenyra’s eyes almost instantly drop to Alicent’s hand, as if to confirm something.

   The water is still running as Rhaenyra approaches the sinks.

   “Alicent, it’s so nice to see you,” She greets with a wide smile and.

   Regaining herself, Alicent turns her sink off and pulls a napkin from the dispenser. She turns to face Rhaenyra as she dries off her hands.

   “Yes, I didn’t expect to see you here again,” she lies.

   Rhaenyra turns the sink on, and water begins to pour from the faucet.

  “I see you ditched that engagement ring of yours. You look much better without it anyway. It distracts too much from your natural beauty,” Rhaenyra comments casually as she washes her hands off, not looking Alicent in the eyes anymore.

  Her words cause Alicent to blush in reaction. ‘Does she really think that I look beautiful?’ Alicent looks down and fiddles with the napkin in her hand. Her eyes land on her own hand and she sees that Rhaenyra was right, she had forgotten her engagement ring at home. She forgot to put jewelry on today entirely, ring included. ‘Shit,’ she thinks to herself.

  “Why do you say things like that, Rhaenyra?” Alicent asks.

  “I don’t know what you mean, I am simply complimenting a beautiful woman.”

  Alicent decides to ignore Rhaenyra’s gaslighting and flattery and asks another question.

  “And where is your ring, hm? Does your husband know that you walk around without it?”

  Rhaenyra has finished washing her hands and pulls a napkin out for herself. Taking her time, she dries off her hands and throws away the napkin. She then turns back to Alicent and begins inching towards her. She is getting very close.

  Alicent’s breath hitches and her heart begins to beat out of her chest. ‘Can she hear it?’ Rhaenyra is so close to her now that she can feel the warmth of Rhaenyra’s breath on her lips. At this proximity she can appreciate Rhaenyra’s features in 4k. Her skin looks so fucking soft, ‘how is it even possible to get it like that?’ She wants to reach out and touch it so badly, but she restrains herself. ‘When these thoughts arise within you, deny them.’ Alicent doesn’t know what is happening, but she knows that she doesn’t want it to end. Her eyes fall from Rhaenyra’s face as she notices movement at her side.

  Rhaenyra’s fingertips are gently brushing over Alicent’s bare arm slowly making their way from her wrist to her elbow, to her shoulder, to her collar bone, then her chin before she pulls back. A shudder runs up Alicent’s spine as she feels the connection of Rhaenyra’s skin against her own. Her eyes follow that wondering hand and she notices that Rhaenyra is now reaching for the hem of her own blouse. ‘I’m ready for this. I’m ready.’ Alicent thinks. But when Rhaenyra reaches into her shirt, her hand comes out again almost instantly. She’s holding a necklace.

  “It’s right here,” Rhaenyra remarks as she looks into Alicent’s eyes. As if she can read every thought that lingers behind those pleading brown eyes. She opens her palm and watches Alicent’s beautiful eyes study what it is that she’s holding out for her to see.

  “You keep your wedding ring around your neck?” Alicent’s voice comes out deeper than she was expecting. When had her throat gone so hoarse. So, she clears it before she continues, “Who even does that?”

  “I do, and my husband knows all about it”

  “Why would he allow you to keep it hidden like that?” Alicent asks, even more confused.

  “My husband doesn’t allow me to do anything. I simply do what I like… Who I like.” Her eyes flicker across Alicent’s face, studying her reaction.

  “I see. You are in one of those modern relationships.”

   “You could say that. But listen, what I told your father is true Alicent. I wish to give my heart to God. Will you help bring me and my modern ways closer to the lord? Pretty please?” she asks leaning in impossibly close.

   Alicent swears that this bathroom has no Air conditioning. Its so fucking hot and Rhaenyra is so fucking close to her. But she can’t bring herself to back away. She can’t let whatever is happening end.

   “You’re making fun of me. Stop that”

   “No, I mean it,” both of Rhaenyra’s hands come up to rest on Alicent’s shoulders, “I need to be saved, Alicent. Please, save me.”

   Alicent doesn’t know what to make of this. On the one hand, it is her duty as a Christian to usher others toward the light of the lord, and Rhaenyra is practically begging for her to do it. But on the other, this is clearly some plot that Rhaenyra has come up with to get under Alicent’s skin, or perhaps more likely beneath her clothes. The hands on her shoulders are slowly convincing Alicent to only focus on the former.

   “Fine. After mass today, come to my office and we will discuss your faith.”

   Rhaenyra smiles at this and squeezes Alicent’s shoulders, “It’s a date! But we have to speak about architecture first. Business first and fun after. I’ll see you at the Church.”

   Before Alicent can process what she’s just agreed to, Rhaenyra pulls her hands away from Alicent and walks out of the bathroom. She instantly misses the proximity and feels at shock from the loss.

   She bows her head and clasps her hands to her chest, “Lord give me strength in these trying times.”

   When she looks back up into the mirror, she sees that she’s red all over.

Chapter Text

   The King’s Landing Church of Christ Lobby is chocked full of Congregants chatting with one another and catching up as they all wait for mass to begin. Rhaenyra observes it all holding the hand of her son, Jacaerys, in one hand and her husband’s, Harwin, in the other. The small family stands off in a corner awkwardly waiting for something to happen.

   “Are you sure that you want to do this Rhaenyra?” Harwin asks, with concern in his voice.

   She turns her head to meet his eyes, “Yes, I’m Sure.”

   “Okay, it just.. I’m still confused about this sudden change of heart. You’ve always been so adamant about staying away from religion no matter how much I’ve begged for us to go to mass. And now suddenly, you are jumping at the first opportunity to come? It doesn’t make any sense.”

   “I’ve told you already, Harwin. This is for work.”

   Their conversation is interrupted by Jayce tugging on his mother’s arm.

   “Mommy, when is it supposed to start?” He asks.

   “In a few minutes darling, go and look around in the meantime,” She looks around for a moment and spots a small group of boys around Jace’s age roughhousing near the stairs leading to the second level. Pointing in their direction, “See, look at them, they seem friendly. Go and talk to them, and come back to us when it’s time for mass to begin, okay?”

   He lets go of his mother’s hand and sighs deeply. And with an eyeroll he begins to walk off to mingle with the group of rowdy boys. He’s stopped by Rhaenyra before he can get too far. She places a hand on his shoulder and bends down to whisper into his ear.

   “Just don’t talk to any of the priests alone.”

   “What are you talking about?” he scoffs and breaks away from her to continue what he had been doing.

   Her eyes stay glued to her son as he approaches the group only to be pulled away, almost magnetically, to the entry way. Just then, Alicent Hightower walks inside looking absolutely radiant. Rhaenyra had already seen her this morning in the bathroom of course, but something about the way she looks right now has her holding her breath without even realizing it. The warm light from the sun shining through those big windows above the area, makes Alicent appear as if she is glowing. Her auburn curls shine so brightly, and Rhaenyra just wants to reach out and run her fingers through them. She looks incredibly composed, like she is in her element. Like she knows her role, like she is supposed to be here. The opposite to how Rhaenyra herself is feeling.

   “You alright there?”

   She jumps at the sound of Harwin’s voice. She’d almost forgotten that he was standing there holding her hand, evidently watching her.

   “Christ Harwin!” She chuckles, finding herself to be behaving ridiculously, “I’m okay.”

   “Who is that? You’ve been staring.”

   “I haven’t. I’m supposed to be meeting with her after mass today to discuss my next project.”  

   Rhaenyra’s eyes stay glued to Alicent throughout the entire exchange. Alicent hasn’t spotted her yet, so she continues to look on. Rhaenyra notices that Alicent’s eyes have landed on someone else within the crowd. She follows her gaze and sees Criston Cole.

   “Isn’t that your friend over there? Criston?”

   “What, where?”

   Rhaenyra points across to the spot where Criston is standing and Alicent is approaching.

   “Criston?!” Harwin shouts with a wide smile.

   Criston looks up at that and scans the crowd for the source. Harwin is waving his hands above his head to signal him over.

   “Harwin!” Criston responds just as loudly.

   The entire room for a brief moment quiets their chatter and looks between the two men, shocked by the sudden outburst. Ignoring the attention, they make their way towards one another and embrace with a hug that concludes with them roughly patting each other’s backs. Not knowing what else to do, Rhaenyra follows her husband. Surely, Alicent makes her way over to the group after just witnessing the exchange. While the men chatter away about their recent boating trip in Tampa Bay, Alicent and Rhaenyra’s eyes lock onto one another. There is a heaviness between the two of them, and Rhaenyra feels as if the room is completely empty right now, save for the two of them. Alicent is the first to look away, her composed demeanor ever so subtly faltering as she looks down to her feet and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. Rhaenyra takes the opportunity to step forward and speak first.

   “Alicent, it’s so good to see you again.” She says with a smile and means it. Although she enjoys using a teasing tone with her to elicit some reaction, she always means exactly what she says.

   “And you, I’m glad to see that you’ve accepted my father’s invitation. We are always happy to see new faces on Sundays.”

   “I’m just excited to hear what all the fuss is about honestly. My husband here has been urging me to start coming to church since we first met,” She pats Harwin’s arm with the back of her hand to get his attention.

   “Oh, my apologies dear. I didn’t realize that this is the Church that Criston goes to. What are the odds?”

   Alicent speaks up, “You are Harwin? Criston’s boating buddy, that Harwin?”

   “Guilty,” he laughs nervously. “This is my wife Rhaenyra,” he says as he puts a hand on her waist, “And you must be Alicent. I’ve heard so much about you, this guy is just crazy about you.”

   Rhaenyra looks between Alicent and Criston, fitting things together. ‘This is the woman that Criston’s been engaged to for the past three years. It makes so much sense that it’s almost funny.’ She continues to look at Alicent and sees that her eyes are boring a hole into the spot where Harwin’s hand rests on her own waist. She’s barely able to conceal her anger as she speaks through clearly gritted teeth. Luckily it seems like Rhaenyra is the only one to notice.

   “And I am just… crazy about him.” It doesn’t even sound like she is trying to be convincing.

   Just then, the church bells begin to ring, halting their conversation.

-

   Rhaenyra has never been inside this part of the church. As an architect, Rhaenyra has toured some of the most beautiful destinations. From Frank Lloyd Write’s Falling water, to ancient cave homes in Mexico. Each destination is unique and special for one reason or another. This church in particular has a lot of charm. The stained-glass windows contain beautiful, detailed art. The stage in the back of the church where the band performs looks classic, but with recent renovations. Cherrywood detailing serves as acoustic paneling. It compliments the sleek black equipment that the band uses very nicely. The quality of everything in sight is impressive. Even the pews are made from cherrywood with a glossy finish, and  topped off with soft velvet cushions. Above the sanctuary, where the Preachers deliver their sermons, stained glass windows circle around the peak of the building bringing in colorful almost heavenly natural light. In the center of those windows, a cross hangs from steel wires. Thick wood emphasized by steel beams. The whole thing elicits a very powerful message. It’s the pinnacle of picturesque iconography.

   Rhaenyra sits next to Jace who is between both of his parents. On her other side sits Alicent, next to Criston, with her legs crossed looking perfectly composed. Rhaenyra wonders to herself what is going through the woman’s head. ‘Is she nervous sitting this close to me? I can’t tell; she’s just looking ahead stock still like some statue’ She follows Alicent’s gaze to the cross hanging above. Experimentally, Rhaenyra bumps her knee against Alicent’s. This seems to snap her out of it.

   “Cut it out, Rhaenyra,” Alicent whisper yells, “I won’t entertain your teasing here.”

   “Oh, but you entertained it so well in the bathroom this morning,” Rhaenyra replies sickly sweet.

   Alicent turns her head to Rhaenyra so quickly that Rhaenyra thinks she may twist it right off at such speed. She can see the red rising in her cheeks all the way up to her forehead as Alicent glares into Rhaenyra’s eyes in warning. Rhaenyra swears she can practically see flames in her eyes and steam coming from her ears. She loves to rile her up like this, it’s quickly becoming a new favorite activity for her. Rhaenyra simply smiles back at her, looking as innocent as ever.

   The songs from the quire begin to subside as the entire congregation drops to their knees and bows their heads. Rhaenyra kneels as well and whispers to Alicent.

   “What’s happening here?”

   “Penitential Rite. We are acknowledging our sins and praying to God for forgiveness.”

   Alicent reaches back to her purse and pulls out a pamphlet.

   “Here,” She points at a spot on the page that reads ‘Penitential Rite’. “We are here, just follow along with the program to keep up,”

   Rhaenyra flips through the pages of it silently agonizing over how long she will have to be here.

   Finally, everyone stands up from prayer and faces forward. A fat red faced deacon in purple robes, and a pair of glasses begins to speak. There is some kind of call and response situation happening between the deacon and the congregation that mildly freaks her out. But not as much as when everyone begins to sing “The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.”  This entire thing feels so ritualistic to Rhaenyra.

   This sort of thing happens for the entire time that she is there. People stand and sit seemingly at random times. The choir sings at certain times, and she at least knows when that will happen thanks to the pamphlet that Alicent had given her. She continually looks at Alicent, who seems completely engrossed in it all. She sings every word (ever so quietly), listens attentively as the deacon stumbles over his words reading from the bible, responds with the right phrases along with everyone else, and sits and stands on time. ‘She knows this all like the back of her hand,’ Rhaenyra thinks.

   She looks to her right to check on her son and husband. Both look completely peaceful and comfortable in this place. All of this comes naturally to Harwin because he was raised in the faith. And it seems like Jacaerys just follows along with his father. Standing with him, humming along to the songs even if he doesn’t know the words, and bowing his head in prayer at the right time. Rhaenyra is a little envious of how naturally it comes to everyone around her. She hadn’t realized that coming here would make her feel so nervous. Like a fish out of water. She thought that she’d just come here and flirt with Alicent until she cracked through that thick exterior that she puts up.

   As if sensing her nerves, she suddenly feels Alicent’s hand brushing against her thigh. Rhaenyra looks down at it to see that it’s opened in offering. She looks back into Alicent’s eyes silently asking, ‘Are you sure?’ Alicent doesn’t do anything in response, just leaves her hand there open. Rhaenyra takes it and instantly appreciates the warmth. She feels grounded with Alicent looking out for her like this. Her nerves calm for a short while until everyone is standing up again. Alicent lets go of Rhaenyra’s hand in that moment and Rhaenyra tries not to let her disappointment show.

   She looks back to the pamphlet to see what event is up next and sees that they are going to start the ‘Passing of the Peace.’ Everyone around her begins to turn to their neighbor and say, “Peace be with you.”

   Following along, she hugs her son and speaks the same phrase. She feels a tap on her shoulder and turns back to Alicent. Unexpectedly, Alicent pulls Rhaenyra into a tight hug, not giving her any time to react. She’s got her arms pinned to her sides for Christ’s sake.

   Alicent whispers into Rhaenyra’s ear, “I’m so glad that you wish to be saved.”

   When she pulls back, Alicent looks on the verge of tears as she looks into Rhaenyra’s eyes.

  “Um, yeah. Peace be with you too, Alicent,” Rhaenyra says in response, having no idea how to respond to that.

   The rest of mass feels much more routine after that. Rhaenyra does the whole shebang. She eats the bread, drinks the wine, listens to the homily, listens to the creed, and hums to the songs until it all comes to a close.

-

   “Be safe boys, try not to break anything,” Rhaenyra says to Harwin and Jace before they depart.

   Harwin and Criston had the idea to go and play tennis with Jace after mass.

   “Jace, why don’t you go and invite your new friends to come with us while mom does her work things,” Harwin suggest.

   At the idea, Jace lights up, “Yes! That means I can hang out with Cregan! He’s so cool, he plays football, baseball, and basketball!”

   “Haha, let’s hope those skills translate to the tennis court. Go and get them,” Harwin pats his son on the back to send him away and turns his attention back to Rhaenyra.

   “Are you sure you won’t need a ride home from your meeting?”

   “I’m, sure Alicent would be more than happy to drive me home. Stop worrying.”

   “Okay fine. I just worry about you, you know.

   Harwin has always been a soft doting figure for Rhaenyra, and it can be very sweet and comforting most of the time. However, Rhaenyra craves excitement. Harwin never even gets angry at her no matter what she does to try and provoke him. And when they argue, he always gives up far too easily, acquiescing to whatever Rhaenyra wants from him. It’s actually how she has avoided getting Jacaerys baptized for this long. Any time he brings it up with her, she simply tells him that she thinks it’s all bullshit. She can see the way that it hurts his feelings, but he only ever rolls over and takes it, never pushing back.

   “I know Harwin, I love you.”

   “I love you too.”

   He pulls her into a tight bear hug and kisses the top of her head.

   Rhaenyra’s eyes instinctually look around the lobby to find Alicent. She is only allowing this many public displays of affection because she knows exactly what it will do to Alicent. When her eyes land on her, she sees Alicent standing next to Criston paying him no mind. Instead, she is looking directly at Rhaenyra with her mouth in a flat line and her arms folded over her chest. Criston is doing these inane gestures to try and gain her attention, but she is clearly very purposefully ignoring him. ‘Do they even like each other as friends?’ Rhaenyra wonders. Eventually Criston gives up and turns his attention back to Harwin.

   “Harwin, come on. We don’t have all day.”

   “Fine fine fine,” He lets go of his wife and kisses her cheek in parting. “I’ve been summoned, I’ll see you back at the house”

   “Goodbye, Harwin.”

   Rhaenyra stays right where she is as the rest the people trickle out of the Church’s lobby. Her eyes stay on Alicent, in a battle of wills. Sure enough, Alicent relents with a huff of her breath and walks over to where Rhaenyra is standing. She gets closer than Rhaenyra expects, and Rhaenyra raises an eyebrow in surprise.

   “Shall we get this over with?”

   “Don’t sound too excited,” Rhaenyra lets out a small chuckle hoping it will hide the bit of hurt that came with Alicent’s words.

   “Follow me, we’ll discuss things in my office,” Alicent instructs.

   “After you, boss lady,” Rhaenyra quips.

   She can practically see Alicent’s eyes roll through the back of her head as she follows her down the hallway to the office. She rather enjoys walking behind Alicent actually. It gives her the perfect view of Alicent’s ass swaying from side to side in her pretty sundress. That is one thing that she loves about going to church. Everyone is dressed up like an easter egg, but if it means that Alicent will be wearing dresses like this every Sunday then she doesn’t mind it in the slightest.

   As if reading her mind, Alicent slows her pace and looks over her shoulder catching the direction that Rhaenyra is looking. Instead of calling her out for it, to Rhaenyra’s surprise, Alicent just smirks and continues her path ahead.

   Once they reach the office Alicent takes a seat behind her desk and gestures to a chair in front of her for Rhaenyra to sit. Rhaenyra pulls the door closed behind her and turns to look at where Alicent is gesturing.

   “You want me to sit here?

   Alicent looks confuse by the question, “Yes. Is there a problem with the seat?”

   “Oh yes, a very big problem.”

   She pulls the chair to the side of Alicent’s desk, practically inches away from her.

   “It was much too far away from you,” Rhaenyra says as she sits down.

   “Do you really have to manspread like that, Rhaenyra?” Alicent says, but it seems like she doesn’t notice that her eyes have landed squarely on Rhaenyra’s crotch.

   “Seems like you like it”

   Alicent looks up into Rhaenyra’s eyes, realizing that she had been caught. She blushes yet again, embarrassed.

   “Like it, would I like it? You’re taking up all of my space.”

   “So, you want me to move my seat back?”

   Alicent doesn’t respond to that. She just whispers something to herself.

   “What did you say?” Rhaenyra asks, curious.

   “I said, Deny,” Alicent admits, “I am supposed to deny these thoughts when they arise, but you seem so keen on eliciting them from me.”

   “What thoughts Alicent?” Rhaenyra asks leaning in even closer, “Enlighten me.”

   Alicent’s eyes fall to Rhaenyra’s lips and her brows furrow.

   “Deny, deny, deny,” Alicent repeats.

   Rhaenyra places her hand on Alicent’s knee and slowly pushes at the hem of her dress. Alicent gasps at the contact but makes no move to pull away.

   “Just admit it Alicent. This is what you want, what you’ve always wanted.” Rhaenyra says in a deep sultry voice.

   Alicent shakes her head at that, still not ready.

   “If you admit it, I’ll keep going. If you tell me now that this isn’t what you want, then we can go back to talking about church or whatever.”

    Alicent looks deeply into Rhaenyra’s eyes, weighing her options. It seems to take almost a full minute before Alicent finally mutters, “I want this.”

   “Good girl.”

    Rhaenyra grabs Alicent’s thigh more firmly and turns Alicent’s chair to face her. That same hand loosens, then slowly drags its way further up Alicent’s leg. She can feel the woman shuddering beneath her at the touch. She uses her other hand to mirror the actions of the first. She can feel the soft skin of Alicent’s thighs in her palms and can’t help but squeeze. She looks forward to Alicent’s chest that is now heaving. Her head is even thrown back giving Rhaenyra a perfect view of her neck. Something devilish swells within her and Rhaenyra feels eager to claim her.

    After another squeeze of her thighs, Rhaenyra reaches a hand to Alicent’s jaw. She moves forward and begins to kiss her neck. Alicent sighs above her as Rhaenyra’s lips make contact. Experimentally, Rhaenyra sucks the skin into her mouth and feels Alicent’s hips move forward in reaction. Her hand moves to the back of Alicent’s neck. She continues to do this, kissing and sucking at the skin on Alicent’s neck before she starts biting down carefully.

   At the first bite, Alicent lets out an involuntary moan and reaches her hand into Rhaenyra’s hair encouraging her on. Rhaenyra’s kisses and bites move lower finding Alicent’s Collar bone.

   Rhaenyra pulls her head back and looks down at the woman in front of her. Once Alicent comes to, she looks back at Rhaenyra with a confused look on her face.

   “Take off your dress,” Rhaenyra demands.

   Alicent quickly nods and brings herself to her feet. She turns her back to Rhaenyra and asks, “Help me with the zipper?”

   Rhaenyra stands up to help her out. She places her hands on Alicent’s shoulders and slowly draws them in toward the zipper. She undoes the clasp at the nape of her neck and pulls the zipper down which stops right above her ass. Rhaenyra’s hands come back up to Alicent’s shoulders, then she drags the fabric away.

   Alicent’s dress drops to the floor exposing miles of delicious skin, specked with little moles all over her body. Rhaenyra turns Alicent back around to face her and takes in the sight before her.

   “You’re perfect,” Rhaenyra whispers while she studies Alicent’s figure.

   This time she can see how Alicent’s blush begins at her chest and makes its way up to her face.

   “You really think so?” Alicent asks sheepishly.

   Rhaenyra looks back up into Alicent’s eyes, “of course I do Alicent.”

   Rhaenyra steps in closer and puts a hand on Alicent’s face. She kisses her softly, taking it slow, feeling Alicent’s reactions. Alicent puts her arms around Rhaenyra’s neck deepening the kiss. This allows Rhaenyra to hoist her up and drop Alicent down on the edge of the desk.

   Rhaenyra begins to kiss down Alicent’s body. She stops at the top of Alicent’s breast reaching the fabric of her bra. She reaches her arms around Alicent’s form to unclasp it. Once she has it open in the back, she returns her attention to the front. Rhaenyra leans down and bites at the fabric, slowly pulling it away with her teeth then discards it once it gets pasts Alicent’s wrists.

   Rhaenyra’s pupils darken with want as she takes in Alicent’s breasts. She takes them both into her palms and squeezes them gently. Alicent’s back arches at the touch

   “Rhaenyra,” she whimpers.

   She looks back into Alicent’s eyes, checking in. “This okay?”

   Alicent, nods her head in response.

   Rhaenyra continues to squeeze, then dips her head down to lick around Alicent’s left nipple. She circles around it for a bit before she takes the nipple into her mouth fully. Alicent’s hands find themselves back in Rhaenyra’s hair as she arches into the feeling of her mouth on her tits. Rhaenyra sucks on the nipple and can feel it hardening in her mouth. Only then does she release it with a pop.

   Then she moves onto the other, doing the Same thing. Sucking and licking until she feels it peak in her mouth.

   Rhaenyra’s hands fall down to Alicent’s waist. She kisses down Alicent’s body savoring every inch. When she reaches the hem of Alicent’s panties, Alicent is the one to eagerly pull them off.

   (Rhaenyra takes a mental note of Where Alicent threw them.)

   Rhaenyra drops to her knees and Alicent puts her own knees on Rhaenyra’s shoulders. Alicent throws her head back and moans from her chest as soon as she feels Rhaenyra’s tongue lapping at her wetness.

   “Fuck Rhaenyra, that feels really good.”

   Rhaenyra hums at the praise, which sends vibrations through Alicent’s body from her core. Rhaenyra’s head is now being crushed a bit by Alicent’s thighs, but she pushes through it. She can feel Alicent unraveling beneath her. So, she continues to lick around her hole until she feels Alicent begin to falter. It’s then that she redirects her tongue upward to circle around Alicent’s clit.

   “Oh my God! Rhaenyra Fuck, Please!”

   Rhaenyra continues to circle Alicent’s clit until she feels Alicent’s thighs start to shake around her head. Then she sucks it between her lips and squeezes Alicent’s ass.

    That finally does it. Alicent lets out a guttural moan and her thighs clench tightly around Rhaenyra’s head. Wetness flows out of her onto Rhaenyra’s chin and down to the floor of her office.          

-

   “So, I take it you weren’t being serious about getting saved?” Alicent asks Rhaenyra.

   Rhaenyra is sitting next to Alicent on the short couch in the front of the office. Alicent resting her head on the other woman’s lap while Rhaenyra cards her fingers through her hair.

   “Not in the moment that I said it, but after going to mass today… I’m not completely closed off to the idea.”

   Alicent sits up and turns her head to Rhaenyra with a perplexed look on her face, “Really? You would entertain it?”

   “I don’t know if I would go that far, but I think that this is a good community for my son to be a part of. Besides, coming here every Sunday means that I get to see you.”

   Alicent smiles at that last sentence, but her eyebrows wrinkle and her expression shifts shortly after.

   “Your son. And your husband. You’ve just committed a mortal sin, Rhaenyra,” she looks down and speaks in a lower voice, “So have I.”

   “Alicent look at me,” Rhaenyra takes Alicent’s chin between her thumb and index finger, “My sins are not your burden. Don’t worry about them.”

   She presses a kiss to Alicent’s forehead and then continues.

   “I don’t know particularly how these things work, but I’m sure that you can find a way to get out of your situation with Criston. Anyone with eyes can see that he doesn’t deserve you,” Rhaenyra reassures.

   She can see the wheels turning in Alicent’s head as she contemplates Rhaenyra’s words. Instead of replying she just lets out a tired sigh and rests her head back down on Rhaenyra’s lap.

   “You should come to bible study with me on Wednesday morning. Perhaps it will bring you closer to the faith,” Alicent suggests.

   “Closer to the faith, or closer to you?” Rhaenyra teases.

   “Come off it. I’m still not completely sold on the idea of a heathen like yourself building a church.”

   “You wound me!” Rhaenyra clutches her chest in a dramatic gesture.

   Alicent sits back up, but this time she stands up fully.

   “Rhaenyra we completely forgot to schedule your next meeting with the bishop,” She remarks as she looks around the room for her discarded clothes.

   “Relax, how long could it take for you to tell me when he has an opening that coordinates with one of my own?”

   Alicent’s movements become frantic as she spots every piece of her outfit except for one. She puts on every piece of clothing that she can find, to try and clear up the space. Maybe that will help her see the floor more clearly. Once she finishes zipping up her dress and putting her sandals back on, she stops looking. Slowly she turns around to face Rhaenyra, who is still sitting comfortably with her legs crossed over the cushions.

   Alicent crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head as she looks at Rhaenyra who is behaving far too calmly.

   “Hand them over.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

   Tuesday morning, Alicent meets with her father again to update him on the recent developments regarding the church. The most important item on the itinerary is, of course, Rhaenyra.

   “How did your meeting with her go?”

   Alicent has rehearsed her answer to this question in the mirror several times before coming here. She cannot allow him to suspect that anything untoward occurred with Rhaenyra. So, she schools her expressions and speaks as if she’s an actor reading a script.

   “The meeting went well, father.”

   She looks down at her notepad attempting to avert eye contact. She traces her finger along a note completely unrelated to the conversation as she continues to speak.

   “She would like to meet with you to further discuss her design plans on Monday morning of next week at ten o’ clock. Your schedule was open for that time, so I went ahead and confirmed the date and time. Later today I’ll get back to her with a location.”

   She finally looks up from her notepad to ask him directly, “Where would you like to hold this meeting?”

   Otto points a stare at his daughter, causing Alicent’s nerves to spike. As she looks back at him, searching his face for any indication of what he may be thinking, she realizes that she can’t read him at all. Even after all of this time, she has not developed the ability to see through his exterior the way that he can so easily with her. The gap in their power over one another is most apparent in moments like these.

   After a long pause (clearly manufactured for intimidation) he speaks again.

   “We will hold our next meeting in my office. I think that would be the most appropriate setting.”

   “Right, I’ll call her later and let her know.”

   “You seem quite eager to have her working on this project… such a stark contrast from merely a week ago.”

   Alicent straightens her back, feeling put under pressure yet again.

   “I am simply doing my job, resisting her efforts will only make things more difficult.”

   She mentally kicks herself for the double meaning in her words.

   “I am only surprised by this, is all. You were quite resolute in your… hesitance in this matter.”

   “Well, she has shown some real effort in bringing herself closer to God. She has even agreed to attend bible study with me tomorrow morning. And she has expressed to me that this church provides a healthy environment for her son.”

   “So, you two are getting along on a personal level?”

   Alicent can’t understand how he takes that sentiment away from what she has just said and squints her eyes. ‘How much does he know?’

   “Her husband is a good friend of Criston. It is only natural, expected even, for us to become amicable at the very least.”

   “Right. Well, I trust you to continue leading her down a righteous path. Perhaps you can hold one another accountable. I can only pray that you don’t stray too far away from your own. And speaking of Criston, please update me on your wedding preparations.”

   “They are under way.”

   “So, you have said.”

   Otto pauses for a moment, seeming to consider his words before he speaks again.

   “You know, your mother would have wished for you to be married by now. She and I were actually married by the time Alyrie was only 19 years old. If she could see you today, almost 25 and unmarried… she may feel like she failed as a mother.”

   He never mentions her. This is too much for Alicent to hear all at once, after not hearing him so much as utter her name for the past few years. Alicent can feel the tears beginning to well in her eyes. It’s almost too hard to stop them from falling this time because of how deeply his words have just cut her. Ever since she lost her mother at 14, all that she had ever wanted was to have her back. And since she could not have that, then living to be a daughter that she would be proud of would have to do.

   “I only wish for you to be happy, Alicent. I must insist that you set a wedding date, I cannot bear to see you like this any longer. Nor can I stand the thought of your mother looking down at you from heaven, just imagine her shame.”

   There is no room for arguments here.

   “Yes father,” Alicent mutters with her voice hoarse and her head hung low in shame, “Will that be all today?”

   “Yes daughter, you may go.” 

   Alicent rises and smooths out her clothes. Continuing to avert her eyes from her father, she turns to leave his office and closes the door behind her without another word. She speedwalks down the hallways. Her heels clack loudly against the tiles, echoing throughout the mostly empty Parish. Once she reaches her office, she closes her door and keeps the lights off.

   She approaches the couch and carefully lies down with a deep sigh. Only then does she allow her tears to fall freely.

-

   The first thing that Alicent notices when she gets home is that Criston is still out. Hers is the only car parked in the driveway. She lets out a sigh of relief, realizing that she will not have to tell him about their newly advanced wedding plans just yet.

   Once she gets inside, she toes off her shoes and hangs her keys up on one of the hooks by the front door. She then ascends the stairs leading to her bedroom. And once she gets there, she begins to undress preparing to shower the day off. Once fully undressed Alicent goes into the bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror. Now, with the layers of clothing removed, she can clearly see all of the marks that Rhaenyra had left on her body. It had already been a full day since that evening in her office, so the marks had begun to fade away. A fact that Alicent hates to admit makes her incredibly sad.

   She traces her fingers along her collar bones slowly, then she dips them lower to her breasts. Every time she touches one of these marks, a memory of how she got it flashes in her mind. She recalls Rhaenyra’s soft touches and hungered bites so fondly. So fondly that her body reacts in tandem with her mind. These memories make her stomach twirl. And with no fabric to absorb, she can already feel wetness beginning to swell. She has to stop these thoughts. She knows that what she did with Rhaenyra was sinful behavior, yet she can’t help but miss it with everything inside of her.

   Before Alicent knows it, she is picking up her phone and taking a picture of her collar bones where the marks are the most visible. She only contemplates for a short moment before she sends the picture to Rhaenyra.

   Alicent: [image]

   Rhaenyra: You look beautiful like that.

   Alicent feels more heat swell in her body, and she needs to hear Rhaenyra’s voice right now. If she can’t touch her then that will have to make do. So, she dials her number, and Rhaenyra picks up after a single ring.

   “It’s good to hear from you again Alicent, I thought that I may have scared you off.”

   As soon as she hears the words fall from Rhaenyra’s lips Alicent feels the weight from early in the day begin to alleviate. She can hear a tun signal in the background and the sound of traffic coming through the phone.

   “I don’t scare that easily,” Alicent replies glad that her giddy expression is hidden behind her phone.

   “So, I am learning. You know, that picture you’ve just sent… It’s getting me excited.”

   “Excited, how do you mean Rhaenyra?”

   “It’s making me want to mark you up all over again.”

   Rhaenyra’s bluntness is something that Alicent is beginning to love about her.

   “Are you naked right now?”

   “I am. I was going to shower but I got distracted in the mirror. I look like I got mauled by a rabid animal.”

   “You seem to want to get mauled again, is that right?”

   Alicent walks back into her room and sits down on the edge of her bed.

   “Maybe…”

   “Don’t be naughty Alicent. Admit that you want it again”

   Alicent then lays down fully on her back as she feels her clit begin to pulse. She needs to take care of this.

  “I think that you want it more than I do, honestly.”

   “Honestly? That’s rich. I seem to remember you being the one to moan so loudly the birds outside your church could hear.”

   At the memory Alicent blushes. And scoffs playfully.

   “That’s not fair, if you weren’t so… so good with your mouth I wouldn’t have been so loud,” she defends weakly. 

   “Hmmm, I see. So, this is all my fault. And how good are you with yours Alicent? I have yet to learn.”

   “Oh I, I don’t really know. I might be bad at it.”

   “Theres nothing a little practice can’t fix.”

   “Right, practice…”

   Alicent’s hand wanders down to where her wetness has undoubtedly gathered through the course of this conversation. She is shocked by how easily her fingers glide through her folds and lets out a surprised gasp.

   “What’re you doing over there Alicent. Are you practicing for me?”

   Her fingers continue to rub up and down, putting pressure against herself that has her lightly whimpering. The sound of Rhaenyra’s voice coming through the phone held in Alicent’s other hand fuels her arousal all the more. She thinks she can also hear the sound of a belt buckle followed by a zipper but can’t tell if that’s just wishful thinking or reality.

   “Yes Rhaenyra, I want to be good for you next time. So, I’ll practice on myself.”

   “Such a good girl. Touching herself all for me.”

   Alicent moans again at those words and her back arches as she leans further into her own touch. She slips a finger inside and her breath catches at the sensation of it.

   “Oh, fuck Rhaenyra. I wish you were the one here touching me right now,” She admits breathlessly.

   “I wish it too Alicent. Fuck yourself for me, please?”

   Alicent slips in another finger and quickens her pace, rutting her hips against her own fingers. She keeps that repetitive motion going, knowing exactly what it is building up to.

   “Oh God Rhaenyra, it feels so good,”

   Once the pressure begins to feel like too much inside her, she pulls her fingers out and uses them to rub circles around her clit.

   “Fuck, I’m so close,” Alicent admits between heavy breaths.

   “Then come Alicent, Come for me sweet girl.”

   That’s all that she needed to hear. Her hand continues its motions and her body tightens up. Everything within her finally crumbles. She freezes up as her orgasm works its way through her. Her legs clench around her hand as choked moans spill from her chest.

   “Good girl,” she hears Rhaenyra speak proudly from the phone that she is still clutching.

   Then she suddenly hears the sound of a car door locking in her driveway through the front window.

   “Shit! Rhaenyra, I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

   Alicent scrambles to her feet and doesn’t wait for a response before she taps the red button to end the phone call. She smooths out the bed sheets as fast and as well as she can before she darts into the bathroom to turn on the shower and close the door behind her.

-

   Once Alicent finishes her shower, she wraps a towel around her body and around her hair and walks back into her bedroom as casually as possible.

   “Hey Ali, long day?” Criston asks.

   “Quite,” Alicent responds while she takes the towel off her head and wrings out her damp curls.

   “You’ve got a call from Rhaenyra while you were in the shower,” He picks up her phone from where she left it on the bed and shows her the screen.

   Sure enough, a missed call sits at the top of her notifications. Fortunately for Alicent, there are no accompanying text messages that Criston could have read.  She thinks up an excuse as she takes the phone from Criston’s hand.

   “Yes, she was calling me back to go over the details of her next meeting with Otto. But that isn’t important right now, I need to talk to you about something.”

   “Oh, what is it? Did I do something?”

   “No, no you didn’t do anything…” for the first time Alicent begins to feel a little bad for him, “Just let me get changed and I’ll fill you in.”

   Alicent picks her clothes out from her dresser and closet and starts to walk back into the bathroom.

   “Wait Alicent… You know, you don’t always have to go to the bathroom to change. It’s a bit silly don’t you think? You not getting naked in front of me when we already live together?”

   Alicent pauses at his words. He hasn’t ever pressed this issue before. When they moved in together, she made her boundaries clear stating that she had to ‘preserve her modesty’ since they aren’t married yet.

   “Oh, I…I’m not sure. You could get tempted or something.”

   “I’ve been tempted for the past four years Alicent. I won’t be trying anything ungodly with you, I promise.”

   She feels uncomfortable at the admission that he has wanted to sleep with her since they met but finds his words slightly reassuring all the same. And he is right after all, it’s bothersome going to the bathroom every time she wishes to dress or undress.

   “Okay… but close your eyes and turn around.”

   “Seriously?” 

   She only gives him a blank stare in response. He takes the hint and sighs begrudgingly before he turns around to face the window with his eyes closed.

    Alicent speaks up as she gets dressed for the evening, “I spoke with my father today. He asked about our wedding date,”

   “And what did you say to him?”

   “I told him that I’d talk to you about setting a date.”

   She can see Criston’s back straighten in surprise, “You did?”

   “Yes.” She shuffles a bit as she finishes putting her clothes on. “I’m done you can turn around.”

   He whirls his body around on the bed where he is sitting. He has a shocked expression on his face.

   “Why do you look like that Criston?”

  “Well, I’m just surprised. I was beginning to feel like you would never want to marry me.”

   “How could you say that? Of course I want to marry you. I wouldn’t have said yes and stayed with you all this time If I didn’t,” Alicent spits out, irritation building already.

   “But, why the sudden urgency?”

   She doesn’t particularly want to talk to him of all people about her mother, and the guilt that she now feels after the conversation that she had with her father. He wouldn’t understand, and he may be offended that she’s doing this out of guilt. So, she involuntarily picks at her nails as she comes up with what to say next.

   “Because I love you, and I think we’ve waited long enough. Don’t you?”

   He glances down at her hands in consideration, before he stands up and pulls them into his own in a comforting gesture.

   “I love you too Alicent, I think this is a great Idea,” he says in earnest, then pulls her into a hug.

   Alicent goes rigid at the touch, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He only whispers a question into her hair.

   “When should we do this?”

   Alicent thinks about it for a moment before she pulls herself back and out of his arms as naturally as she can manage.

   “I think we can do this in the next five weeks.”

   “You’re funny today Alicent,” he says with a slight chuckle.

   “I’m not joking.”

   “You’re serious? Oh, this is fantastic! Can I tell Harwin?”

   “Not yet, we have to send out formal invitations before we begin telling people.”

   “Okay,” he says, then grins again widely and pulls Alicent into another tight hug

-

   While Alicent lay in bed that night, she finds that rest escapes her. Her mind is racing, contemplating all of the recent developments that seem to have flipped her life upside down. She tosses and turns trying desperately to find comfort next to her fiancé who sleeps like the dead. She wishes she could find peace as easily as he seems to. She stares at his sleeping figure wishing that it was Rhaenyra lying next to her instead. If she were lying down in this bed with Rhaenyra’s arms wrapped around her, she would be able to find rest much more easily. As she stares him down in the night, the same thought crosses her mind over and over and over again ringing like a siren.

   ‘This is all there is for me. For the rest of my life, just him.’

   Tears begin to fall from her eyes making her sniffle. Criston stirs awake next to her when he notices the sound.

   “Oh Alicent, shshsh. It’s alright,” he says as he wraps his arms around her shoulders and kisses the top of her head.

   Alicent only cries harder. His touch burns against her skin and all that she feels is disgust when he speaks to her. Her body is now shaking with sobs and all that she can do to find calm is imagine that it’s Rhaenyra holding her instead.

-

   The next morning, Alicent wakes up extra early and finishes getting ready for bible study much sooner than she had anticipated. With all of this extra time, Alicent decides to wait in the living room and begin reading the book that she had been putting off. This would be a great idea if she could focus on the words long enough to comprehend them. Instead, her mind is wracked with nerves.

   ‘Did I wear the right outfit? Will she like my makeup? What if she hates that I suggested bible study? even I find it boring most days,’ Alicent’s mind races.

   Her thoughts are stopped abruptly when she hears a knock on the door. Her heart beats quickly, knowing exactly who it is. She doesn’t want to answer the door too fast, so she takes her time placing her book down and gathering her purse before she stands up.

   Unfortunately, she can hear Criston’s footsteps coming down the stairs. And since the door is right across from the front stairs-

   “Rhaenyra? It’s nice to see you, is there something we can do for you?”

   “Is your fiancé in? We’ve a bit of a day planned, no boys allowed unfortunately.”

   Alicent rounds the corner in time to cut off whatever conversation was beginning between the two of them. “Rhaenyra,” She greets with a smile and hugs her just about as soon as she has her in sight.

   When they pull apart Rhaenyra’s lavender eyes are taking her in, gliding up and down Alicent’s figure. And her hands are resting lightly on Alicent’s arms.

  “Well don’t you look…” she pauses, her eyes flitting behind Alicent to Criston and back to Alicent before completing her sentence, “conservative.”

   Alicent rolls her eyes with a scoff and pushes Rhaenyra’s shoulders playfully, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

   Rhaenyra raises her hands in surrender and chuckles slightly, “Nothing, its just...” she tilts her head at Criston.

   “Oh Criston,” Alicent turns back to her fiancé momentarily catching the bewildered expression on his face, “I’ll be back later today, Rhaenyra is taking me to bible study.”

   He looks between the two women in front of him still confused, “okay… will you be back for dinner?”

   “Probably, but we really have to go. We’re running late.”

   “Okay, be safe.” He gives her a kiss to the cheek, but his eyes stay on Rhaenyra, territorial.

   Alicent only accepts it and exits through the open doorway, “Bye Criston.” She says before she’s pulling the door closed.

               -

   “What did you mean earlier,” Alicent asks from the passenger seat.

   “When?”

   “When you said that I look conservative, was that an insult?”

   “You could be wearing a potato sack Alicent, and you’d still look beautiful,” Rhaenyra glances back to Alicent who is already staring back intently awaiting the answer. “But I couldn’t exactly say any of that with your fiancé staring daggers at me.”

   “You really think I’m beautiful?”

   Rhaenyra reaches her hand over which land on Alicent’s thigh and squeezes it gently, “Of course I do. I don’t understand why you’d settle for that imbecile when you deserve so much more.”

   The weight of Rhaenyra’s grip on her thigh makes Alicent forget to think before speaking, “Oh you’re one to talk, there’s no way that brutish husband of yours is really doing it for you.”

    “He isn’t,” Rhaenyra says as they come to a stop at a red light. She then turns her attention to Alicent fully, “I only want you Alicent, he doesn’t satisfy me the way that you do.”

   Alicent blushes at the seemingly honest admission, and she giggles, nervous at the confrontation.

   Rhaenyra puts both her hands back on the wheel and speeds a little on the way to the church. She turns the volume of the music up And Alicent can already tell that she’s just trying to get a reaction out of her.

   “Really Rhaenyra, do you have to listen to such secular music on the way to bible study?”

   “I didn’t think you’d have such a problem with secular things given our recent- “

   “That’s enough Rhaenyra, If you’re referring to what I think you are then you’d be wrong. I believe that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of the lord.”

   “Christ Alicent! You sound like a homophobe,” Rhaenyra says jokingly.

   Alicent is not finding the humor in those words, “Is that a problem?”

Rhaenyra finally pulls into a parking spot and puts the car in park before she turns back to Alicent, who has her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face.

   “You’re serious?”

   “As a heart attack.”

   Rhaenyra only laughs again before she pops open her glove box. She pulls out a very familiar wad of fabric and dangles it in Alicent’s face as she taunts, “If you’re so homophobic, can you explain to me what I’m doing with these?”

   The color drains from Alicent’s face in recognition, “What the fuck Rhaenyra! Why are you keeping my underwear in your glove box?!” she as asks she reaches out to take the fabric from her.

   Rhaenyra only pulls it away from her repeatedly and laughs at Alicent’s efforts.

   “You really are a heathen,” Alicent says as she finally gets a hold of her panties. “Jesus Christ, hurry up and grab your things, were going to be late for bible study.”