"I'm not afraid of danger, brother." Daenerys rose straight from her seat, walked over to Viserys, and gripped his sleeve tightly with her small, pale hands. "You told me before that wherever you went, you would take me with you," she said softly. "You can't go back on your word."
Viserys sighed, his gaze resting on Daenerys's still somewhat childish face, then reached out to ruffle her long silver hair.
"I know, but you really can't come this time," he said fondly. "Dany, Acmot and the others are still young. Their scales haven't fully hardened yet, and they aren't strong enough to shrug off damage. This kind of fighting isn't suited to you. The Iron Islands are in chaos. I can't let you take that risk."
He paused before continuing, "Besides, we'll come back as soon as we've burned the Iron Islands. It won't take long. King's Landing also needs you and your dragons to guard it. We've only just retaken the city. Having you here, and having the dragons here, will put the people at ease. Rhaenys can come with me because her dragon is already grown, and she has plenty of battle experience."
Daenerys bit her rosy lower lip. Her violet eyes were still misty, with a trace of reproach in them, but at last she lowered her head. "Then promise me that you and Rhaenys will come back safely," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "If anything happens to you, I won't know what to do. I'll lose all my courage."
"I promise." Viserys stood and gently drew her into his arms, feeling her small frame tremble.
"I'll protect Rhaenys and make sure she doesn't suffer so much as a scratch," he said firmly. "We'll both return safely. Then we'll live together and govern our dynasty."
Three