Chapter 12
Baelon was in his room when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," said Baelon as he watched his cousins step inside. Jacaerys led the way, followed by Luke and Joffrey, who jumped on the bed.
"We wanted to ask you something," said Jace shyly.
"Okay," said Baelon, putting down the book he was reading.
"Will you teach us magic?" asked Joffrey. "Please," he pleaded with big brown eyes, and Baelon sighed.
"I don't know, guys. It's not something I learned, it's just something I know. It's hard to explain."
"Mother says we are the blood of the dragon," said Jace confidently, puffing up his chest with pride. "We have magic in our blood, that's how we ride dragons."
"Please, Baelon," said Joffrey with an adorable pout. "I want to fly on a broom too and move things with my hands."
"Okay, let's try an easy one. Put out your hands." All three boys obeyed, putting out their hands. "Now focus and say 'Lumos.'"
"Lumos!" All three boys said in unison.
Jace and Luke looked disappointed as nothing happened. Then Baelon heard an excited squeal. Atop Joffrey's small palm was a small ball of light. It wasn't as big as Baelon's, no bigger than a fingernail, but it was there, floating above Joffrey's tiny palm.
"I can do it! I can do magic!"
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Rhaenyra had been eating with Daemon and Leanor when her children stormed in.
"Mother! Mother! Magic! Look, look!" came too many voices speaking at once.
"Calm down! What is going on?" she demanded, feeling a headache coming on.
"Mother, look what Baelon taught me!" Joffrey stepped forward, head held high with pride, and she looked at his tiny palm. There was nothing there.
"Lumos!" said Joffrey, and her eyes widened as a small ball of light appeared above his palm. He smiled brightly at her, and Leanor looked like he might faint. "Mama, see! I have magic!"
Her eyes turned to Baelon, who stepped forward nervously.
"Your Grace, the boys asked me to teach them magic. I wasn't sure if I could. I taught them a simple spell, and Joffrey was the only one who could do it."
Jace and Luke looked disappointed, but Joffrey looked like he might float off the ground at any second.
"Can you teach me more?" asked Joffrey excitedly. "Can you teach me to be like you?"
Baelon turned to Rhaenyra, who stared back at him intensely.
"Boys, why don't you go get ready for your bath? We'll talk about this later."
"But mother—" protested Joffrey.
"Listen to your mother," said Leanor, standing up. Joffrey pouted as Leanor led the boys away, leaving Baelon alone. Daemon had a grin on his face, and Rhaenyra stared at him curiously.
"You've put my son in danger," said Rhaenyra.
"Your Grace, I have no—" began Baelon, but she held up a hand.
"The Greens will use this against them when they find out what Joffrey can do. They'll claim I'm unfit for the throne, cavorting with sorcerers."
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. It won't happen again."
Daemon scoffed, and Rhaenyra turned to him with a glare.
"You should be grateful, Princess. Joffrey is a third son; soon maidens will be throwing themselves at him once my son trains him to do what he can." Rhaenyra imagined it, her son bringing men to their knees with a single word, bending the elements to his will. Could she deny her son a chance at greatness?
"Could you?" Rhaenyra asked, turning to Baelon.
"Perhaps he has a lot of potential. The other boys don't seem to have as much magic in their blood. They couldn't do any of the spells I taught them, but Joffrey is a natural."
"And in exchange?" Here came the hard part. Baelon teaching Joffrey was worth more than all the gold at Casterly Rock.
"Father," Baelon turned to Daemon, who grinned.
"A place at your court, a sizable stipend, and once you are queen, a place on your small council, along with ownership of Runestone," said Daemon. Rhaenyra took a moment to think it over.
"I'll accept. Train my son to be as strong as you, and I shall give you all that you have asked for and more."
"Excellent," said Daemon with a grin, pouring himself another glass of wine. "To Joffrey, Baelon's new apprentice."