"Brother." Rhaenys suddenly spoke, her voice exceptionally clear in the silent room. She turned onto her side and looked intently at Viserys.
"Hmm?" Viserys emerged from his thoughts and turned to her.
"When will you move against the Iron Islands?" Rhaenys asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "Those Ironborn have been raiding the coasts of the North and the Reach. It isn't too serious yet, but if we don't deal with them soon, sooner or later something terrible will happen. I heard they've attacked many villages lately, taking a great deal of grain and valuables."
Viserys was silent for a moment before answering slowly, "When the time is right, I'll go there myself. The situation in the Iron Islands is straightforward, and that time will come soon."
A glimmer lit Rhaenys's eyes as she listened. "Brother, can I come with you this time?" she asked softly. "I want to see those raiders driven out with my own eyes, and I want to serve the kingdom with my dragon."
"Of course." A smile touched Viserys's lips. "You're the strongest dragonrider after me. Of course you're coming along. Your dragon, Meleys, will be a powerful force on the battlefield."
He reached out and gently patted Rhaenys's shoulder in approval.
Rhaenys's lips curled into a smile despite herself, warmth welling in her heart. She tightened her arms around Viserys's waist and buried her face in his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat before sinking into a deep sleep.
Moonlight spilled through the window and fell over them both, as though draping them in a veil of silver.
Meanwhile, in the Maidenvault of the Red Keep, Roslin sat by the window, gazing out at the bright moonlight.
She had changed into the moon-white nightdress she had worn when she first met Viserys. Its