But it was precisely because Rhaenys knew this, knew she could neither fight for nor take away the special place Daenerys held, that she had learned from childhood to hide all her feelings beneath that sensible exterior.
Yet now, as Rhaenys watched Viserys prepare to rise and leave her side at a single word from Daenerys, she could not help betraying her vulnerability. Even her voice carried a tremor she herself failed to notice.
Seeing the moisture in Rhaenys's eyes, Viserys's heart softened at once. He lowered his head and pressed a warm, tender kiss to her forehead, softening his voice as she wished. "All right, I'll do whatever you say. We'll lie here a little longer, and no matter who comes to hurry us along, we won't get up."
Feeling how much Viserys cherished her, Rhaenys did not look up. Instead, she rested her burning forehead against his collarbone and said quietly, "I've never wanted to compete with Dany, Viserys. But now I wish you could give me a little more, even if it's only a tiny bit."
Daenerys's knocking had ceased outside the door, and the room fell silent. Rhaenys tightened the fingers clutching the fabric over her chest, even easing her breathing.
She had even braced herself to push Viserys away, get up, and open the door for Daenerys herself.
But the impatience or distance she had expected from Viserys never came. The next instant, his hot arms wrapped firmly around her, holding her so tightly that he almost seemed to be pressing her into his own body.
Through the thin layer of fabric between them, Viserys's heartbeat reached her clearly. Its steady rhythm soothed the unease still churning within her, beat by beat.
"Rhaenys."
Viserys lowered his head, resting his chin gently on the crown of