Teaser of Dance of The Dragonwolf Chapter 15

Chapter 15 (The Rogue Prince)

Daemon's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit halls of The Red Keep, each step ringing with the sound of his mounting frustration. He had been in King's Landing for what felt like an eternity and wanted to return to Summerhall with Aenar, but that wasn't his only source of frustration. His frustration was mainly because his brother had chosen the time he spent training Aenar to call him into the Throne Room.

Daemon felt bad for his brother. He had already planned to visit him, but Daemon was never good at expressing sadness in general; whenever he was grieving, he would much rather do something to keep his mind occupied, whether that was alcohol or sword.

When the Kingsguard told him the King needed him in the throne room, Daemon told Aenar and Laena to go to Rhaenyra. She needed them more than ever before after Baelon's death.

With a firm grip on the cold, metallic handle, Daemon exerted a forceful pull to open the large, looming door. As the door creaked open, he walked inside, greeted by the dimly lit hall illuminated only by the soft flicker of the many tall, ornate candle holders that lined the walls. The room was silent, save for the gentle hum of his own breathing and the soft rustling of his clothing as he made his way further into the hall; Daemon's eyes quickly found his brother sitting on top of the throne. The prince quickly found it odd that he was holding Blackfyre in his hand, and it was unsheathed, and Daemon did notice the five Kingsguards in front of the throne.

What is this? Daemon thought suspiciously, soon walking up to the throne, stopping ten feet away, his brother looking down on Daemon with a hint of betrayal, sadness, and anger.

"The Heir for A Day." Viserys's voice was heard in the silent hall. The only other sound was only by the faint flickering of candle flames.

"Is that supposed to mean something?" Daemon asked, a little dumbfounded, the first time Viserys knew something he didn't.

"Do Not Act Innocent. Brother." Viserys shouted with venom in his voice, he leaned forward from his seat but not standing up; Daemon was a little taken aback by his brother's tone.

Daemon was about to ask what was happening when his brother spoke. "The Heir for A Day. Did you say it?" His brother asked through clenched teeth, his eyes narrowing as he glared at him with a mix of sadness and anger.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Daemon answered with his own question, raising his voice.

"Do not lie to me. I got informers. I'm not a Fool like you would want. Last night, after your nephew's death, after my Aemma's death. You, instead of being by my side, or Rhaenyras, or for god sake, your own son." He stopped talking, and his words lingered in the air, leaving a heavy and accusing atmosphere in their wake.

Daemon pursued his lips into a thin line. He had done the only thing he knew, drink until he passed out. Daemon knew he should have stayed with his son, but Daemon just wanted to completely forget about the tragedies around him, and wine had been the answer. Perhaps the wrong one.

Daemon opened his mouth to speak-"You decided to celebrate your own rise. Laughing with your whores and your ass kissers. You have no allies in the court but me." Viserys's voice cracked slightly, but he refused to break down.

"I only defended you. Everything I have done, you have thrown back in my face." Viserys accused, his hands holding the arms of the throne.

Daemon could feel his own blood rushing through his veins, heating up with an intense anger that threatened to spill over at any moment. His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum, and his eyes narrowed to slits as he focused all his attention on his brother. He knew he wasn't the best of brothers, but Viserys was acting as if he was completely innocent. "You only tried to take me away, to the master of coin, Master of Law, even to the city watch, anywhere but by your side. Ten years you have been King, and not once have you asked me to be your Hand." Daemon said in frustration. Every humiliation he had felt for the past ten years was coming out.

"Otto is my Hand, and unlike you, he doesn't let his own ambitions cloud his mind." Viserys countered; Daemon couldn't help but let out a scoff at Viserys' words as he tried his best to hold back a laugh.

"Otto is no more than a leech." Daemon wanted to say more, but he realized his brother would not listen to him. While he would like to say that Otto was lying, last night, he had drunk way too much. He couldn't recall anything. He wasn't certain if he had said it or not.

With a scowl etched on his face, Viserys spoke with a tone that dripped with disdain and disappointment, "You have no honor. You insulted my child and my wife. I don't want to see you again. Tomorrow morrow, I want you out of the City." As he finished speaking, Viserys tapped the end point of his sword to the metal of his throne, the sound echoing through the hall and serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of crossing him.

Daemon's eyes narrowed into a fierce glare as he looked at him, his anger simmering just beneath the surface as he tried to maintain his composure. He knew that Viserys held the power of the Iron Throne, and despite the overwhelming urge to lash out at him, he held his tongue, but he knew Viserys was king. If his brother wanted to rot alone in King's Landing, so be it.

"I accept your decision, brother, but make no mistake, Otto and the Hightowers are not your allies. They are worms slowly eating you." With that said, Daemon whirled around to leave the throne room. He knew his son would be heartbroken to leave Rhaenyra and Laena. I'm sorry, Aenar, Daemon thought sadly. Suddenly his brother spoke again. The shock was quickly replaced by a fiery rage that bubbled up from within him, threatening to consume him entirely. His anger exploded to the surface, spilling out in a torrent of emotion he struggled to contain.

"Prince Aenar will stay here in King's Landing. You're free to go to Summerhall, but your son stays here."