Shaera's dress
Shaera did not care that her dress was viewed as unbecoming for an unmarried woman. Shaera was helping Rhaenyra get ready for the wedding, she clasped Rhaenyra's gold necklace together before she pulled back.
"I have a gift for you",
"A gift?".
Shaera took off one of her rings, a pure black stone glistened as she placed it onto Rhaenyra's finger.
"This ring belonged to my mother, she gave it to Aemma on her nameday. Aemma then gave it to me on my nameday after she wed your father and now I want you to have it".
"Are you sure, I would not want to take something so dear to you if you are not ready to part with it",
"Nonsense, Rhaenyra. I want you to have it so that you may feel closer to your mother and me. I love you, Nyra",
"I love you, aunt Shaera. Thank you".
Rhaenyra turned to face her aunt at hearing a small sniffle.
"My beautiful niece. It feels just yesterday you were born and now you are getting married and before me aswell. I admire who you have become Nyra, I just wish Aemma could have been here to see it aswell",
"I miss her but I thank you for being at my side in her absence. I still feel strange that I am to be a married woman in a matter of days but it hurts to know that she cannot be there".
"Indeed, your father has planned the grandest of ceremonies planned".
A knock sounded at the door.
"Tis time for the princess to enter Lady Shaera",
"Shall we, dearest?".
"Yes, we cannot keep father waiting can we",
"What did I tell you? A princess nor queen is ever late, everyone else is simply early now go walk with your father".
"I still do not see why you cannot walk with us aswell",
"You needn't be nervous, dearest. I will be there just not upfront for all to see, this is your day".
"Well if you cannot walk with us then I shall see it that you have a seat with us",
"Rhaenyra that is unescessary-".
"Nonsense, you have raised and deserve to have a seat at my table at my wedding",
"Very well", Shaera concluded as she held Rhaenyra's hand until the doors where Viserys stood waiting.
"Father, I want aunt Shaera to have a seat at the high table",
"If it be no trouble Viserys".
"No, tis no trouble at all. Infact a splendid idea".
~
Shaera entered with her relatives from the Eerie who came to celebrate the wedding of not only the named heir but their kin and then sat at the chair brought in next to Lord Lyonel. Many woman in attendance whispered about Shaera's dress whilst men lusted over the Realms desire.
Viserys and Rhaenyra were announced and they entered under the watchful eye of the realms nobles.
"King Viserys of house Targaryen. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the first men. Protector of the realm.
Princess Rhaenyra of house Targaryen. Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne".
Rhaenyra entered with Viserys and sat at the table. The Velaryon's then entered, a true picture of grand elegance.
"Lord Corlys of House Velaryon. Lord of the tides and master of Driftmark. His lady wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Their son and heir, Ser Laenor Velaryon".
~
Then he came in, dressed in black and red of the Targaryen sigil, Daemon Targaryen sauntered in with his usual confidence and arrogance. Viserys had a chair pulled out for him, next to Shaera.
"My flame, you look ravishing this eve",
"Thank you, Daemon".
Viserys continued his speech until he stopped, all eyes followed his to Alicent clad in a green dress. Everyone stood for her then sat again.
"Congratulations step-daughter".
Viserys tried to go on with his speech but forget his place.
"To unite the houses", Shaera reminded.
~
Rhaenyra and Laenor began their dance whilst everyone watched, except one. Daemon ignored everything else in the room but her. Once they had finished their dance other guests joined in whilst Ser Gerold walked over to the high table. Shaera grabbed Daemon's thigh to draw his attention to her even more before she pointed to Gerold walking over.
"In the Vale, men are made to answer for their crimes. Even Targaryens",
"who are you?".
"Ser Gerold Royce of Runestone",
"And?",
"I am cousin to your late lady wife".
"Ah, yes. Terrible thing, such a tragic accident. I'm positively bereft",
"You know as well as I do that it was no accident".
"Are you confessing some guilt, Ser Gerold",
"I am making an accusation".
"You know in Kings Landing, men are also punished for their slanders. Even old bronze cunts like you. Although it is good that your here, I wish to discuss my inheritance",
"What inheritance?".
"Lady Rhea and I had no heirs meaning all her lands and titles pass to me. She stood to inherit the whole of Runestone, did she not?",
"You-".
"I'll fly to the Eerie and petition Lady Jeyne myself, perhaps I'll see you there",
"You will do nothing of the sort, Lady Jeyne is my cousin and the rightful leader of the Eerie", Shaera fumed.
Ser Gerold walked away knowing he had lost but not without a glance to Shaera who stood up to Daemon without fear. Rhaenyra noticed the conflict and in a moment of either envy or care for her aunt she asked Ser Harwin to get Shaera to dance with him.
"Lady Shaera, would you allow me a dance?",
"Indeed, Ser Harwin. Thank you for asking".
Daemon gripped his challace tightly as he watched Harwin's hand lay on Shaera's waist. He got up and interrupted so Harwin went to dance with Rhaenyra. Daemon danced with Shaera, forgetting who was around them. His strong grip restricted her movement as he whispered in her ear.
"Do not forget, my flame, it is I who made you scream my name. Tell me, have the marks on your thighs gone yet or do they linger as a reminder of how I pleasured you?",
"How could I forget the way you fucked me into early hours of the morn. Yes, your handprint is still engraved on my skin. How I wish you would take me again, and again and again. How I would beg on my knees for you to touch me". Shaera whispered back, she would play into Daemon's teasing. When it came for the lift of the dance, he raised her from the floor then brought her back down. She twirled as part of the dance but Daemon put his hand on her neck from behind.
"Daemon?",
"Yes, my flame".
"Why did you kill your wife?",
"For you, Viserys said that we could not wed because I was already married but now that problem has resolved itself".
"For me?",
"I may be a selfish man but I would do anything for you".
"You promise to not get bored of me?",
"How could I ever get bored of you, My flame".
She turned back around to face him. One of the Lords came up to ask for a dance with Shaera but was glared down by Daemon. Once the song was over Shaera tried going back to the table but was stopped by a loud scream. In her moment of distraction, she had not noticed a fight break out between Ser Criston and Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, whom she knew was Laenor's paramour. The crowd kept pushing everyone, Daemon grabbed Shaera's hand to pull her away from the crowd but she joined back in to find Rhaenyra.
"Where is Rhaenyra and Shaera?", Viserys asked frantically. With a nod from his father, Harwin hoisted Rhaenyra upon his shoulder and set her down with Viserys. Daemon had once again found Shaera in the crowd and pulled her away, she went and checked Rhaenyra for any injuries when the crowd separated. A truly gruesome sight lay on the floor, Ser Criston had beaten Ser Joffrey to death. His face mangled as pools of blood spilled to the floor. The puddle of blood reminded Shaera of when she saw Aemma being cut open, the all too real memory came flooding back as she concealed her gaze with Daemon's shoulder. The pained screams of Laenor could be heard as he dropped to the floor. Shaera felt his vulnerability so went up to pull him away from the body whilst everyone else stood shocked. She held Laenor as he cried over his lover's death, everyone else ushered the other guests out of the room. Other than Alicent who went to find Ser Criston about to stab himself with his sword. He was not himself, he had not been since he bedded Rhaenyra.
"He's gone", Laenor gulped ,
"I know, Laenor. It will be a bitter wound but all wounds heal eventually".
Shaera stroked Laenor's hair as he continued to cry. He tried reaching for Joffrey's hand when the body was taken away but Shaera stopped him.
"Laenor", Rhaenys came over. Shaera stood with Laenor, his gaze fixed on the blood but Rhaenys covered his gaze.
~
A more private ceremony took place in spite of the horrors that took place.
"I am his and he is mine until the end of my days",
"I am hers- and she, she is mine until the end of my days".
The two kissed softly as Rhaenyra gripped his hands in hers to support him in his time of need. Viserys collapsed at the end, the strain of everything that had happened and his lingering illness clearly affected him. Shaera and Rhaenyra rushed to him, their worry evident. This would be a tragedy remembered by many.