CHAPTER FOUR. 

THE WILD DRAGONS

106 AC

VISENYA Targaryen was beyond excited. Her family had finally stopped on the shores of Dragonstone after a long sail from King's Landing. She tugged her little sister after her, Rhaenyra was complaining the entire time. 

Visenya continued to tug her sister up the long winding steps of Dragonstone, a place she'd spent most of her life until their father was pronounced king. She missed the place dearly and was incredibly happy to be back. 

"Enya, stop going so fast," Rhaenrya complained, stopping in her tracks. Visenya turned to face her sister. Her silver hair whipped gently in the wind and though she possessed a great innocent beauty, her eyes held mischief. 

"But you are moving so slow Rhae. I would have no need to go quickly if you picked up your little legs and walked properly," Visenya responded. Visenya had recently turned nineteen, whereas Rhaenyra was only nine. The older girl delighted in the age difference as it meant she had the opportunity to be bossy.

"Exactly, I have little legs," Rhaenyra stated adamantly. Visenya scoffed and turned, continuing the trek. A sudden screech echoed through the air and Visenya looked up in awe as a red dragon passed overhead. 

She could recognize the scales anywhere. It was Caraxes, her uncle's dragon. Daemon Targaryen was a rather mischievous prince and tended to show off his mount at every passing turn. Visenya pulled her sister up the steps quicker, ecstatic to see Daemon. 

They arrived at the top of the hill and Visenya let go of her sister to approach the dragon. Caraxes' head snapped up. He let out a pleasant chirp and Visenya giggled. Her hand passed over his head, his scales warm to the touch.

"Did you miss me?" She questioned in High Valyrian. 

He responded gently, by nosing at her neck. Though he was bonded well with Daemon, the dragon had a large soft spot for Visenya, much like her birth mother's dragon Saelys who'd eventually allowed the woman near her. 

"He likes you more than me."

Visenya looked up from the dragon to the person beside her. She smiled gently, "Well, I am more likeable, Daemon."

"You and I have very different definitions of likeable," Daemon responded, planting a kiss on her head. He then looked down at her and frowned, "You've gotten rather tall."

"Yes, Daemon it's called growing," Visenya drawled a smirk tugging at her lips. She looked behind her as she heard gentle panting. Rhaenyra looked out of breath and her round face was flushed as if she had been running. 

"You left me," Rhaenyra complained, coming forward to hug Daemon. The two were close, though not as close as Daemon and Visenya, and often sat with the older duo. Daemon always brought her something from his travels, further gaining Rhaenyra's love. She looked up to him quite a bit and had taken on some of his mischievous traits. 

"Well you're here now aren't you," Visenya rolled her eyes as she grumbled and ran her hand over Caraxes' scales. Behind Rhaenyra, their father and Aemma were approaching. Viserys called the younger girl back to him as Visenya looked at Daemon. 

"Are we going to see the wild dragons Daemon? I'm old enough," Visenya declared. Daemon had been putting off taking her to see the wild dragons for years. He claimed that she was too young and he did not wish for her to get hurt on their hike. However, he had no excuse now, considering Visenya was past the legal age of an adult.

"Sure," Daemon responded reluctantly. 

Visenya beamed and bounded over to her parents, "Daemon's taking me to see the wild dragons."

"Can I come?" Rhaenyra asked, her purple eyes wide with excitement. 

Viserys stepped in, "No, you may not," he then looked at his eldest as Rhaenyra pouted in disappointment, "And neither are you."

"But Daemon promised since I was young that we'd go see them."

"You are too young."

"I am a woman grown," Visenya argued, her violet eyes blazing with fury. Viserys met her gaze head-on. Daemon looked between them, slightly awkward because he had promised to take Visenya years ago. Visenya's eyes pierced her father's and finally, he gave in. Viserys sighed and nodded. Visenya silently cheered. 

"Take care of her Daemon," Viserys warned, "Come Rhaenyra."

Rhaenyra looked at her sister and uncle longingly and Visenya smiled, kissing her little sister's cheek, "I'll tell you all about it when we come back."

Rhaenyra nodded and followed her parents into the castle. Daemon began to lead her to the fields. 

"Why is your father in such a mood?" Daemon questioned. 

"He's annoyed because I scared off one of the many suitors he's tried to force on me," Visenya shrugged flippantly, "Who wants marriage when you can have freedom."

Damon hummed. He'd been betrothed to Lady Rhae Royce of Runestone since the year Rhaenyra was born. The woman hated him as much as he hated her. He, like Visenya, didn't wish to get married and never remained at Runestone for long. 

He mentioned he'd seen Grey Ghost lounging there and Visenya happily followed after him. 

Once they approached the dragon, Visenya breathed in awe. He was curled up in a ball, his large nostrils huffing warm air in their direction. No doubt he was able to sense them, but he paid no mind as he continued to sleep. They stayed a fair distance away but Visenya was itching to get closer. 

She'd always wanted a dragon for herself. Unfortunately, her egg had not hatched and whilst she didn't care much for it anymore, she used to spend hours holding it by the fire and willing it to hatch. But now, there were quite a few unclaimed dragons, one she could easily take for herself. 

Daemon spoke and Visenya looked on in wonder. Grey Ghost was beautiful. His white scales were shimmering in the sunlight making them seem more silver than anything else. Visenya could see why he'd gotten his name. His spiked tail swished gently in his sleep and his wings twitched slightly under his large head. 

Another growl ripped through the air. It was deeper than Caraxes' snarl, more menacing. Daemon paid no mind but Visenya looked around for the source. The growl had reverberated through her body and her chest felt heavy. She glanced back at Daemon who was slightly in front of her, talking about the dragon. He was utterly unaware as Visenya sneaked off. 

Her footsteps were as light as a feather as her body moved in the direction of the deep snarl. As she moved further away from Daemon, she came upon a large cavern. Her neck craned to attempt to see what was inside. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew what was inside but the curiosity of a girl outweighed her sensibility. 

Taking a tentative step toward the entrance, she was immediately forced back as a large black figure emerged from the darkness and blew hot green fire into the sky. Visenya stumbled back, landing in the grass as she attempted to move away from the dragon they called the Cannibal. 

The Cannibal was as terrifying as the smallfolk described. His bright green eyes shone with malice, as the dark slits widened. It had two horns curving forward, one jagged and broken— most likely from battle— the other pointed. The rest of its dark horns swept back in the direction of its black scales. As its wide jaws opened once more, long strands of saliva hung off its massive teeth. It was clearly waiting for its food. 

Visenya's heart skipped. This dragon had been the subject of her most terrifying bedtime stories, stories that had given her night terrors for weeks. And now she stood before it. She scrambled backwards as its large body moved toward her and out of the dark cavern. 

She could faintly hear Daemon calling for her, but she did not dare look back in fear of death. She moved to a stand carefully and his jade eyes studied her. Fear still gripped her heart yet a new emotion moved forth. Visenya cautiously stretched a hand. 

The Cannibal, shifted backwards, as if almost afraid. Visenya was not. Her palm splayed in front of his nostrils and the large holes opened to sniff her. A minute later, the Cannibal surged forward for her hand to press against his snout. 

Immediately a dizzying haze slammed into her body. Power surged through her head and she was no longer aware of herself. Pain split through her back as it arched away from the dragon. She collapsed in a heap, blood pouring like a river from her nose and eyes. 

By now Daemon had come upon her and the large black dragon. He'd laid witness to the connection between the two and seen Visenya collapse immediately after the bonding. Now, as he approached the dragon growled, stepping in front of its bond mate in a protective manner. 

Daemon stepped back as its jaws opened and green fire balled at the back of its throat. 

"I'm trying to help," he spoke calmly in High Valyrian, "She will die if I do not get her back to the Maester."

The dragon was clearly worried as he moved. Daemon shot forward and picked up Visenya's limp body. Her skin was a mixture of hot and cold. One moment she'd be burning his hands and the next his fingers would numb as he hurried back to the castle. 

The doors of the castle slammed open in his wake as he burst through them, calling for someone to help. The girl in his arms was still bleeding and her red blood was beginning to mix in with the red of her gown. He followed the Maester to Visenya's room which had been prepped before their arrival. As he laid her gently on the bed, he brushed her silver hair away from her face, it was becoming streaked with blood. 

The Maester ordered him to leave as handmaidens rushed in. The door slammed shut behind him and Daemon was left with the silence of the corridor.