It was late at night, and the guests gradually departed. Viserys returned to the master bedroom in the Valyrian Freehold, where Ashara was already waiting for him.
She wore a pale blue nightgown that evening, her long black hair loose over her shoulders as she sat beside the bed and watched him.
"Your Majesty, are you tired? Would you like me to give you a massage?" she asked.
"I'm all right."
Viserys lay facedown beside her. Ashara moved closer, climbed onto the bed, and pressed her delicate feet against his back. His body was so strong that an ordinary massage barely did anything for him.
That was why Viserys had remembered a kind of massage he had loved in his previous life. Ashara had been embarrassed at first, but she had grown accustomed to it. Still, Viserys preferred having Daenerys and Rhaenys do it.
"Tonight's banquet was magnificent," she said, extending her arms to keep her balance. "Seeing it for myself really was something else."
"This is only the beginning."
"Mm." She looked down at him with satisfaction in her pale violet eyes. After all, she could be said to have watched Viserys grow up.
When the massage was over, Viserys kissed her forehead and held her in his arms.
"Not tonight. Let's just sleep like this."
The next day, the council to prepare for the sea crossing was held in the Council Chamber of the Valyrian Freehold, which was much larger than the one in Dragonwing Castle.
By the time Viserys entered, both sides of the long table were full. Duke Arthur, Duke William, Duke Clinton, Earl Jon, Earl Alliser, several other local officials, a few former mercenary company captains, Salladhor, and Marwyn had all been allowed to attend this time.
Prince Oberyn had also come, representing Dorne. Andar