Chapter 3
Alicent had already sent over twenty messages to Frida, trying desperately to explain the situation. Well, not all of it—she kept certain details to herself, especially what had happened in the bathroom. Instead, she crafted a careful story about how their parents were considering a business deal and that she and Rhaenyra needed to act friendly in order to sell it. It wasn’t personal. Just business.
But every single message was left on read.
At one point, she saw the dreaded "Typing..." bubble appear, and her heart leaped with hope. She waited, staring at the screen, willing Frida to respond. Seconds passed. Then minutes. And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the typing bubble disappeared without a message being sent.
Alicent sighed and leaned back against the wall, running a hand through her hair in frustration. That stung more than she wanted to admit. She really liked Frida—more than liked her, if she was being honest. She had thought they would have made a great match. But now, it seemed like that possibility was slipping through her fingers. Still, a small part of her clung to the hope that Frida would eventually come around. That she would understand. That she would forgive her.
She glanced at the time. 5:56 PM.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the campus as students walked past in groups, chatting and laughing, heading home or to evening plans. Alicent stood by the back exit of the building, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she waited. This was where she and Rhaenyra had agreed to meet. The plan had been set earlier in the day—though, at this point, Alicent wasn’t sure if she regretted agreeing to it or not.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed someone approaching from the side.
Not Rhaenyra.
Criston.
Alicent inwardly groaned but kept her face neutral as he strolled toward her, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket.
“Hey there,” he greeted, his tone casual as he tapped the pack against his palm. “Weird seeing you still here. Thought you’d left already.”
Alicent shrugged, keeping her arms crossed. She watched as he pulled out two cigarettes—one for himself, and the other he extended toward her.
She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m trying to quit.”
Criston smirked, clearly amused, and tucked the second cigarette behind his ear. “Suit yourself. For later, then.” He lit his own, taking a slow, deep drag before letting out a satisfied exhale.
“Can I get a ride home, though?” he asked after a beat. “My brother took my car, so I’m kind of stranded.”
Alicent blinked. She hadn’t been expecting that.
“Uh—yeah, I can call my driver for you,” she said, already reaching for her phone to send a message.
Criston raised an eyebrow. “You’re not leaving?”
Alicent hesitated. “I, uh… I have some things to finish up. So, no. Not really.”
Criston narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her as if trying to decipher whether she was lying. Before he could say anything else, the door behind her swung open.
“Alicent! I’m done—we can go now.”
Alicent stiffened.
Criston turned to the voice, and his expression immediately shifted into one of shock as Rhaenyra stepped outside.
He looked back at Alicent, then at Rhaenyra, then back again, as if trying to make sense of what he was seeing. A slow smirk spread across his face as realization dawned.
“Things to finish, huh?” he teased, his tone laced with amusement.
Alicent exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes in irritation. She didn’t give him the satisfaction of responding. Instead, she turned and followed Rhaenyra, ignoring the knowing grin on Criston’s face as she walked away
The sound of a heavy door slamming shut echoed behind them as Rhaenyra walked ahead, her pace unhurried, completely at ease. Alicent, still bristling from her encounter with Criston, hurried to catch up, her heels clicking against the pavement. The evening air was cool, tinged with the distant scent of freshly cut grass and exhaust fumes from cars pulling out of the lot.
“You could’ve been a little more subtle,” Alicent muttered once she was beside Rhaenyra, her voice low and sharp.
Rhaenyra smirked, glancing at her with amusement. “Why does it matter so much if someone sees us together?” she asked, her tone deliberately teasing. “Am I embarrassing to you?”
Alicent exhaled sharply, looking straight ahead, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She wasn’t even sure where they were going—she was just blindly following Rhaenyra, as she seemed to.
“You’re an Omega. I’m an Alpha. People will start assuming things,” Alicent said finally, her voice measured but tense.
Rhaenyra let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head slightly as she studied Alicent. “So what?” she mused, her lips curving into an infuriating smirk. “Wouldn’t it work in your favor if people thought you had me?”
Alicent felt her face heat instantly. The casual way Rhaenyra said it, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, sent an uneasy shiver down her spine. Having her? In that way? She forced herself to keep her expression neutral, though the warmth creeping up her neck betrayed her.
“No,” she said stiffly. “I don’t think it would. It would just bring unwanted attention to me.”
Rhaenyra watched her for a moment, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. It almost looked like she wanted to say something—but in the end, she didn’t. Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled out a set of car keys, pressing a button.
With a soft chirp, the sleek black Porsche Cabriolet in front of them unlocked. The car gleamed under the dimming sunlight, its curves smooth, elegant, and undeniably expensive.
“Get in,” Rhaenyra said, tossing her bag into the back seat without a second thought.
Alicent hesitated, glancing at her before exhaling in resignation. There was no point arguing—there never was with Rhaenyra. She slid into the passenger seat, the leather cool against her skin as she fastened her seatbelt.
“And where exactly are we going?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Rhaenyra smirked again, turning the key in the ignition. The engine purred to life beneath them, the sound deep and smooth.
They exited the college parking lot as Alicent quickly typed out a message to her driver, instructing him to pick up Criston. Just as she was about to put her phone away, it buzzed with a message from Criston:
"Hightower, you will tell me everythinggg."
Alicent rolled her eyes and left him on read before slipping her phone back into her purse. Finally looking up, she noticed Rhaenyra taking a left turn.
“I figured you wouldn’t want people seeing us together after that little interaction earlier,” Rhaenyra said casually, her hands resting easily on the wheel. “So, we can just drive around for a while.”
She glanced at Alicent, waiting for approval. Alicent nodded, relaxing slightly into her seat.
“So,” Rhaenyra continued, “tell me about yourself.”
Alicent blinked at her. “Ah. Well, my major is Law, obviously—first year. I enjoy horse riding. Yeah. What exactly do you want to know?”
Rhaenyra hummed thoughtfully, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel as she considered Alicent’s words. The car smoothly glided down the road, the city lights flickering outside as the sun dipped lower into the horizon.
“Horses, huh?” she mused. “Didn’t take you for the equestrian type.”
Alicent smirked slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Why? Because I don’t fit your image of a prim and proper lady riding side-saddle?”
Rhaenyra chuckled. “More like, I just can’t picture you getting your hands dirty. Horse riding is… intense.”
Alicent scoffed. “It’s not just about ‘getting dirty.’ It requires discipline, skill, and—”
“And an expensive stable,” Rhaenyra cut in with a teasing grin. “Let me guess: private lessons, purebred stallions, the whole deal?”
Alicent rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. “My father is very particular about standards.”
Rhaenyra smirked knowingly. “Of course he is.”
For a few moments, there was only the sound of the engine purring as they drove in comfortable silence. Then Rhaenyra glanced over again.
“What about outside of all that? Outside of law school, horses, and being daddy’s perfect little girl—what does Alicent Hightower actually like?”
Alicent hesitated. It was such a simple question, yet she found herself struggling for an answer. What did she like? Not what was expected of her. Not what she should like. Just her.
“I—” She faltered, looking out the window as if the answer might appear in the passing streets. “I don’t know.”
Rhaenyra didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she reached for the controls and suddenly, music filled the car—a soft yet rhythmic tune. Alicent recognized it but wouldn’t have pegged Rhaenyra as the type to listen to it.
“You like music?” Rhaenyra asked, casually steering with one hand.
Alicent gave her a pointed look. “Everyone likes music.”
Rhaenyra laughed. “Yeah, but what kind? If I gave you the aux cord right now, what’s the first song you’d play?”
Alicent pursed her lips, considering. “Something classical, probably.”
Rhaenyra groaned dramatically. “Of course you would.”
Alicent raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” Rhaenyra said with a smirk. “It’s just so very you. But don’t worry—I’ll fix that.”
Alicent narrowed her eyes. “Fix what?”
Without answering, Rhaenyra turned the volume up slightly, tapping her fingers against the wheel in rhythm with the beat.
“Let’s just say, by the end of this drive, I’ll introduce you to real music.”
Alicent crossed her arms, feigning skepticism as she leaned back into the seat. “Oh? And what exactly qualifies as real music, according to you?”
Rhaenyra smirked, eyes flicking toward her before returning to the road. “Something with soul, something that makes you feel something—other than the urge to sip expensive wine at some high-society gala.”
Alicent scoffed. “You have a lot of opinions for someone who drives a car that probably costs more than my tuition.”
Rhaenyra barked out a laugh. “Touché. But at least I don’t pretend to be something I’m not.”
Alicent’s expression faltered for a brief second, but she masked it quickly, turning her gaze toward the window. “I don’t pretend.”
Rhaenyra hummed, as if unconvinced, and suddenly changed the subject. “So, law school. Do you actually like it, or is it just what Daddy Hightower wants?”
Alicent bristled at the insinuation. “I chose it myself.”
“Uh-huh,” Rhaenyra said, dragging out the syllables.
Alicent exhaled sharply. “It’s practical. It makes sense. And I do like it.”
Rhaenyra glanced at her, amusement dancing in her eyes. “You like it, or you like being good at it?”
Alicent’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She snapped her mouth shut, looking away again.
Rhaenyra grinned. “Thought so.”
Alicent huffed, turning her head fully toward Rhaenyra. “And what about you? What’s your grand plan for the future? Or are you just coasting through life, waiting for the day you can inherit your father’s empire?”
Rhaenyra’s smirk faltered, just a flicker, but Alicent caught it.
“I’m not waiting for anything,” Rhaenyra said after a pause. “I make my own path.”
Alicent arched a brow. “And that path leads… where, exactly?”
Rhaenyra didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she made a sharp turn, pulling the car off onto a quieter road. Trees lined the sides, their branches casting long shadows in the fading daylight.
“Guess you’ll just have to find out,” Rhaenyra said cryptically, shooting Alicent a sideways glance.
Alicent frowned. “Where are we going?”
Rhaenyra smirked but didn’t respond.
Alicent let out an exasperated sigh. “Rhaenyra.”
“Relax, Hightower,” Rhaenyra said smoothly. “I’m just broadening your horizons.”
Alicent wasn’t sure if that was a good thing—or if she should be concerned.
Alicent eyed Rhaenyra warily as the car continued down the unfamiliar road. The city was behind them now, replaced by a more open stretch of road with fewer cars and more trees. The atmosphere had shifted—it felt less like a casual drive and more like an impending scheme.
Alicent sighed. “You know, I don’t like surprises.”
Rhaenyra smirked. “That sounds like a you problem.”
Alicent rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she glanced at the dashboard, watching as Rhaenyra effortlessly shifted gears. The movement was so natural, so casual, and yet it filled Alicent with a sudden, ridiculous sense of inadequacy.
“You’re really comfortable driving,” she observed, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Rhaenyra chuckled. “Well, yeah. I’ve been driving since I was sixteen.” She shot Alicent a sideways glance. “What about you? You strike me as the ‘learned in a top-tier driving school’ type.”
Alicent hesitated for a second too long.
Rhaenyra’s smirk widened. “Wait—don’t tell me—”
Alicent huffed, crossing her arms. “I can drive.”
Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. So when’s the last time you actually did it?”
Alicent looked out the window. “That’s not important.”
Rhaenyra’s grin was positively wolfish. “You don’t know how to drive, do you?”
Alicent groaned, slumping back into the seat. “I do—I just… never really needed to. My father insists on a driver.”
Rhaenyra laughed, full and unrestrained. “Oh, this is amazing. Little Miss Perfect doesn’t know how to operate a basic vehicle.”
Alicent scowled. “I could learn if I wanted to.”
Rhaenyra wiggled her brows mischievously. “Well, lucky for you, I happen to be an excellent teacher.”
Alicent’s eyes widened in alarm as she suddenly realized where this was going. “Absolutely not.”
“Come on, live a little.”
“I am living. And part of that means not dying in a fiery crash because you thought it would be funny to put me behind the wheel of your ridiculously expensive car.”
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes. “You won’t crash it.”
“You don’t know that!”
“Which is exactly why you should learn.”
Alicent groaned again, but Rhaenyra was already slowing the car down, pulling over onto the shoulder of the empty road.
“Out,” Rhaenyra commanded, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Alicent looked at her in disbelief. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Alicent opened her mouth to argue but found herself momentarily stunned by the sheer confidence in Rhaenyra’s expression. There was no hesitation, no doubt—just pure certainty that Alicent would follow her lead.
And, annoyingly, she kind of wanted to.
With a dramatic sigh, Alicent unbuckled her seatbelt. “If we die, I’m haunting you.”
Rhaenyra grinned. “Deal.”
Alicent stepped out of the car, hesitating for a moment before rounding to the driver’s side. The open door felt like an invitation—and a threat. Rhaenyra stood next to it, arms crossed, that infuriating smirk still playing on her lips.
Alicent narrowed her eyes. “If you laugh at me, I’m walking home.”
Rhaenyra raised her hands in mock innocence. “I promise. No laughing.”
Alicent gave her a skeptical look before slipping into the driver’s seat. It felt wrong. Like she was sitting in the wrong chair at the dinner table. She adjusted her posture stiffly, her hands hovering awkwardly over the wheel.
Rhaenyra slid into the passenger seat, closing the door behind her. “Okay. First things first—seatbelt.”
Alicent shot her a glare. “Obviously.” She clicked it into place.
Rhaenyra bit back a grin. “Alright, now adjust your seat. You look like you’re trying to drive from the backseat.”
Alicent huffed but reached for the lever, shifting the seat forward. The motion made her feel even more out of place.
“Now, mirrors,” Rhaenyra instructed, leaning back like a smug driving instructor.
Alicent let out a slow breath, adjusting them with stiff, deliberate movements. She was painfully aware of how natural Rhaenyra looked in the passenger seat—completely at ease, like she belonged anywhere she went. Meanwhile, Alicent felt like a child pretending to be an adult.
“Okay,” Rhaenyra said, tapping the dashboard. “Foot on the brake.”
Alicent obeyed.
“Now, start the car.”
Alicent reached for the ignition, pressing the button. The engine roared to life, and she jumped.
Rhaenyra chuckled. “Relax. It’s not going to bite.”
Alicent exhaled sharply. “You promised not to laugh.”
“I promised not to mock you,” Rhaenyra corrected. “This is just light amusement.”
Alicent shot her a glare before returning her focus to the wheel.
“Alright, now put it in drive.”
Alicent hesitated. “And… which one is that?”
Rhaenyra blinked. Then she howled with laughter.
Alicent groaned, dropping her forehead against the wheel. “I hate you.”
Rhaenyra gasped between laughs, holding her stomach. “Oh, this is so much better than I imagined.”
“You’re the worst.”
“I’m the worst? You’re the one who doesn’t know what ‘D’ stands for!”
Alicent sat up with a huff, gripping the wheel. “I know what it stands for! I just… wanted to be sure.”
Rhaenyra wiped at her eyes, still grinning. “Okay, okay, I’ll be serious now.” She inhaled deeply, centering herself. “Right. ‘D’ for drive. Gently take your foot off the brake and press the gas.”
Alicent pressed too hard. The car lurched forward, sending her and Rhaenyra jerking back against their seats.
“Not that hard!” Rhaenyra yelped, reaching for the dashboard.
Alicent slammed on the brake. The car skidded to an abrupt stop, sending both of them jolting forward.
A heavy silence followed.
Rhaenyra slowly turned her head. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Alicent clenched the wheel, face burning. “I told you this was a bad idea.”
Rhaenyra exhaled, rubbing her temples. “Okay. New plan.” She turned to Alicent, eyes glinting mischievously. “Let’s make a bet.”
Alicent sighed. “What kind of bet?”
Rhaenyra smirked. “If you can drive us five minutes down this road without giving me whiplash, I’ll owe you a favor. Anything you want.”
Alicent narrowed her eyes. “And if I lose?”
Rhaenyra leaned in slightly, her smirk deepening. “Then you owe me one.”
Alicent swallowed, suddenly unsure if she liked where this was going. But her pride was already bruised beyond repair—she had to prove she could do this.
“…Deal.”
Rhaenyra grinned. “Perfect. Now, try again—gently this time.”
Alicent took a deep breath, her grip on the wheel still a little too tight. Rhaenyra was watching her like a cat waiting to pounce, and it was making her nervous.
It’s just a car. It’s not that hard. Just don’t kill anyone.
Slowly, she eased her foot off the brake and lightly pressed the gas. The car rolled forward at a much more reasonable pace this time, and Rhaenyra made an exaggerated show of placing a hand over her heart.
“Oh, thank the gods, I won’t have to write my will today.”
Alicent shot her a glare. “Do you want me to run us into a tree?”
Rhaenyra snorted. “I’d love to see you try. At this speed, I think we’d just gently bump into it and apologize.”
Alicent exhaled through her nose, forcing herself to focus on the road. The trees lining it blurred past, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows over the pavement. She was actually doing it. Driving. By herself.
It wasn’t that bad.
Rhaenyra propped her elbow against the door, resting her chin in her palm as she watched Alicent. “See? Not so scary.”
Alicent kept her eyes forward. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
A moment of silence stretched between them, filled only by the hum of the engine. Alicent found herself relaxing just a little—until Rhaenyra’s voice cut through the calm.
“So, tell me, Miss Hightower…” Rhaenyra tilted her head, her smirk returning. “What’s the real reason you never learned to drive?”
Alicent stiffened. “I told you. I have a driver.”
“Yeah, yeah, rich girl perks.” Rhaenyra waved a hand dismissively. “But you could’ve learned. So why didn’t you?”
Alicent kept her gaze locked on the road. “I never needed to.”
Rhaenyra hummed, unconvinced. “Mm-hmm. And it has nothing to do with the fact that you hate not being in control?”
Alicent’s foot almost pressed the brake too hard again. She shot Rhaenyra a sharp look. “That’s not true.”
Rhaenyra grinned, clearly enjoying herself. “Oh, it is. You’re a perfectionist, Alicent. You don’t do things unless you know you’ll be good at them. That’s why this is freaking you out.”
Alicent’s grip on the wheel tightened. “You don’t know anything about me.”
Rhaenyra arched a brow. “Don’t I?”
Alicent clenched her jaw, ignoring the heat creeping up her neck. She hated how easily Rhaenyra could see through her. How she peeled back layers without even trying.
Just five minutes. Just get through five minutes and you win.
Rhaenyra watched her struggle for a moment longer before letting out a small laugh. “Relax, Alicnet. You’re actually doing fine.”
Alicent exhaled slowly, forcing her shoulders to drop. She could do this. She could win.
Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Rhaenyra’s hand move.
Before she could react, Rhaenyra reached over and blared the horn.
The sudden noise made Alicent yelp in panic, her hands jerking on the wheel. The car swerved slightly before she managed to regain control, her heart pounding in her chest.
“WHAT THE HELL, RHAENYRA?!”
Rhaenyra was laughing so hard she was crying. “Oh gods—your face—”
Alicent slammed on the brakes, sending Rhaenyra lurching forward with a grunt. She turned to her, eyes blazing.
“I hate you.”
Rhaenyra wiped at her eyes, still gasping for air between laughs. “No, you don’t.”
Alicent growled, gripping the wheel so tight her knuckles turned white. “That should count as me winning. You cheated.”
Rhaenyra smirked, unbothered. “You panicked. That’s a fail.”
Alicent wanted to strangle her. Or push her out of the car. Or both.
Alicent let out a long, defeated sigh as she pulled the car over and put it in park. She slumped back against the seat, rubbing her temples.
“Alright. Fine. I lost,” she admitted begrudgingly.
Rhaenyra stretched her arms behind her head, a smug grin plastered across her face. “Music to my ears.”
Alicent turned to glare at her. “You’re insufferable.”
“You’ve said that already,” Rhaenyra said, grinning wider.
Alicent rolled her eyes and let out another breath, trying to push down the frustration. “You know,” she said after a moment, “since you’ve tormented me enough for one day, maybe it’s your turn to try something out of your comfort zone.”
Rhaenyra arched a brow. “Oh? And what do you have in mind?”
Alicent smirked slightly, sitting up straighter. “Horse riding.”
Rhaenyra made a face. “Horse riding?”
“Yes.” Alicent crossed her arms, tilting her head. “Unless, of course, you’re scared?”
Rhaenyra scoffed, leaning toward her. “Please. Nothing scares me.”
Alicent hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Mhm. Sure.”
Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes, then smirked. “You’re on.”
Alicent blinked. “Wait, really?”
“Yeah. Why not?” Rhaenyra shrugged. “I’m free tomorrow.”
Alicent hadn’t actually expected her to agree. “You do realize it’s harder than it looks, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. If I can drive like a pro, I can handle a horse.”
Alicent snorted. “That logic is going to get you thrown off one.”
Rhaenyra grinned. “Then you better be there to catch me, Alicnet.”
Alicent felt heat creep up her neck but ignored it, turning away to hide the small smile threatening to form.
//
The next afternoon, Rhaenyra was once again behind the wheel, sunglasses perched on her nose, one hand lazily resting on the gear shift. The car moved smoothly down the winding country roads, the city skyline long behind them.
Alicent sat beside her, arms crossed, watching the road ahead. “Okay, slow down—you’ll need to take a right at the next turn.”
Rhaenyra glanced at her with a smirk but followed the instruction, smoothly turning onto a narrower road lined with sprawling fields and white fences. “So this is where you disappear to when you’re not busy pretending to enjoy law school.”
Alicent shot her a look. “I don’t pretend to enjoy it.”
“Mhm.” Rhaenyra grinned, then nodded toward the landscape. “Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting this. You really grew up around all this?”
“Yes.” Alicent looked out the window, something fond softening her features. “My family’s owned the stables for years. My father mostly sees it as an investment, but my mother—she loved it here. She taught me how to ride when I was little.”
Rhaenyra stole a glance at her, noting the rare vulnerability in her tone. “And now you’re going to teach me?”
Alicent turned back to her with a smirk. “That depends. Can you actually follow instructions, or are you just going to do whatever you want and end up in the dirt?”
Rhaenyra scoffed, placing a dramatic hand over her chest. “You wound me. I’m an excellent student.”
Alicent hummed, unconvinced. “Left up ahead. That’s the entrance.”
Rhaenyra pulled onto a gravel driveway, the tires crunching over the stones. Up ahead stood a large, elegant barn with polished wooden beams, several horses grazing in nearby paddocks. A few stable workers moved around, tending to the animals.
Rhaenyra whistled lowly. “Alright, I’ll admit—it’s kind of impressive.”
Alicent smirked. “Try to keep up, then.”
Rhaenyra parked the car, and as they stepped out, the scent of hay and earth filled the air. Alicent led the way confidently, heading toward the main stable. Rhaenyra followed, hands in her pockets, taking in the surroundings with interest.
“So,” Rhaenyra started as they entered the barn, “do I get a majestic warhorse, or am I stuck with some lazy old pony?”
Alicent chuckled. “Oh, no. If you’re going to do this, you’re doing it properly.” She stopped in front of a stall, reaching out to stroke the nose of a stunning chestnut horse with a white blaze down its face. “This is Syrax. She’s strong, fast… and a little stubborn.”
Rhaenyra grinned. “Sounds like my kind of horse.”
Alicent gave her a knowing look. “I thought you’d say that.”
As they stood outside the barn, one of the stable workers led out two horses—Syrax for Rhaenyra and a sleek black mare named Moondancer for Alicent. The horses snorted, their ears flicking as they adjusted to their new riders.
Rhaenyra eyed her horse with appreciation, running a hand down Syrax’s neck. “Alright, big girl. You and me, we’re gonna get along just fine.”
Alicent smirked as she adjusted Moondancer’s reins, effortlessly swinging herself onto the saddle. “You do realize you actually have to get on her first, right?”
Rhaenyra scoffed, gripping the saddle as she placed one foot in the stirrup. “Please. How hard can it be?”
As soon as she tried to mount, Syrax shifted slightly, and Rhaenyra wobbled, cursing under her breath. She quickly caught herself, but Alicent had definitely noticed.
“Oh, is that hesitation I see?” Alicent teased, tilting her head.
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes. “I do not need your help.”
Alicent shrugged, her smirk deepening. “I never said you did.” She turned Moondancer slightly, watching as Rhaenyra attempted again.
This time, Rhaenyra managed to lift herself onto the saddle—almost. But as she swung her leg over, she miscalculated slightly, her balance tipping.
Alicent, acting on instinct, moved quickly, reaching up to steady her with firm hands on her waist. “Careful,” she murmured, her voice steady but just a little amused.
For a second—just a second—Rhaenyra stilled. Alicent’s hands were warm, steadying her effortlessly as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It caught her completely off guard.
She blinked, heat creeping up her neck, but she absolutely refused to let it show. “Well,” she huffed, clearing her throat, “if you wanted to get your hands on me, you could’ve just asked.”
As soon as the words left Rhaenyra’s mouth, Alicent stiffened. Heat crept up her neck, and she was so grateful she wasn’t facing Rhaenyra directly because there was no doubt her face had gone red.
“I—that’s not—” Alicent sputtered, her grip tightening on Moondancer’s reins as she tried to compose herself.
Rhaenyra, of course, had noticed.
“Oh?” she drawled, turning slightly in the saddle to glance at Alicent with a smug expression. “Did I strike a nerve?”
Alicent refused to give her the satisfaction. She lifted her chin, trying to look unimpressed despite the warmth lingering on her skin. “I was just making sure you didn’t make a fool of yourself before we even started,” she muttered, kicking Moondancer into a slow trot.
Rhaenyra chuckled, clearly amused. “Mhm. Of course.” She clicked her tongue and nudged Syrax forward to match Alicent’s pace.
As they rode across the open field, the crisp scent of hay and earth filling the air, Alicent felt something settle in her chest—something almost peaceful. The rhythmic sound of Moondancer’s hooves against the ground was soothing, and for a moment, she could almost forget about everything else.
Almost.
Because next to her, Rhaenyra was still grinning like she had won something.
“Enjoying yourself, Alicent?” Rhaenyra teased, tilting her head slightly as she rode beside her.
Alicent scoffed. “I would be if you stopped talking.”
Rhaenyra laughed, the sound light and unbothered. “Admit it—you’re having fun.”
Alicent would have denied it, but before she could form a response, something shifted.
Syrax, who had been trotting steadily beneath Rhaenyra, suddenly jerked her head up and let out a sharp, startled whinny.
“Whoa—what—?” Rhaenyra barely had time to react before Syrax reared up slightly, her muscles tensing as if spooked by something unseen. And then, before Rhaenyra could regain control, Syrax took off.
“Rhaenyra!” Alicent’s voice shot up in alarm as she watched Syrax bolt forward, galloping at full speed.
For a moment, Rhaenyra tried to steady herself, pulling at the reins. “Syrax! Hey! Slow down—” But the mare wasn’t listening. Her ears were pinned back, hooves kicking up dirt as she sprinted across the field, the sudden burst of speed making Rhaenyra’s body jolt forward.
Alicent cursed under her breath. “Seven hells—” Without thinking, she urged Moondancer forward, digging her heels in.
The moment Moondancer sprang into action, the wind whipped against Alicent’s face, stinging her skin as she pushed the horse faster. Her heart pounded in her chest. Rhaenyra was holding on, but Alicent could see the way she struggled to keep her balance, her body shifting slightly with each powerful stride Syrax took.
“Rhaenyra! Pull her to the side! Make her turn—don’t just pull back!” Alicent shouted, her voice barely carrying over the rush of wind.
Rhaenyra tried—Alicent saw her attempt to tug Syrax’s reins to the side—but Syrax was too caught up in the panic, too wild in her movements.
Alicent clenched her jaw, pushing Moondancer to close the distance. If she could just reach her—
The terrain ahead was uneven, patches of taller grass and small dips in the land making it dangerous at this speed. If Syrax lost her footing—if Rhaenyra fell—
“Hold on!” Alicent yelled.
Rhaenyra shot her a look, eyes flashing with something stubborn and reckless, even as she struggled to keep steady. “Oh, brilliant advice, Alicent! Hadn’t thought of that!”
Alicent nearly growled in frustration. Even in this situation, she had the nerve to be difficult.
Moondancer surged forward, finally closing the distance. Alicent reached out, heart hammering.
Alicent reached further, nearly out of her saddle as she stretched her fingers.
Alicent’s fingers locked around the reins of Syrax with a firm, unwavering grip. She could feel the heat of Rhaenyra’s pulse beneath her fingertips where their hands had briefly met, but there was no time to dwell on it. Right now, all that mattered was slowing the horse before something disastrous happened.
Syrax was still galloping wildly, hooves pounding against the earth like thunder. Alicent kept Moondancer right beside her, moving in perfect tandem, refusing to let Rhaenyra slip further away.
“Easy, girl…” Alicent murmured, voice steady but commanding as she tightened her hold. She angled Moondancer slightly closer, pressing Syrax into a gradual turn instead of trying to stop her outright. A sharp, sudden pull could only make things worse.
Rhaenyra was still gripping the saddle tightly, her posture tense, but Alicent could tell she was finally starting to trust that Alicent had this under control.
“Don’t fight her too much,” Alicent instructed, her voice loud enough to cut through the wind. “Let her feel you guiding her, not forcing her.”
Rhaenyra exhaled sharply but listened. Her grip on the reins adjusted slightly, still firm but less rigid, and Alicent could see the way Syrax responded—her frantic pace slowing just the slightest bit, no longer running purely on fear.
“That’s it,” Alicent coaxed. “Good girl, Syrax. You’re okay.”
She kept repeating it, her voice steady, measured, as she gradually pulled Syrax into a wider turn. The mare’s pace finally shifted, the frantic gallop easing into a fast but more controlled canter, then a steady trot.
Alicent didn’t release the breath she’d been holding until Syrax finally came to a complete stop, her sides heaving as she let out a sharp exhale.
Rhaenyra, still gripping the saddle tightly, was visibly out of breath. Her hair was wind-tousled, and her face was slightly flushed from the sheer adrenaline of the moment.
Alicent swung her leg over and hopped down first, quickly moving to Syrax’s side and placing a calming hand against her neck. The horse was still trembling slightly, her nostrils flaring, but she wasn’t panicked anymore.
Rhaenyra was slower to move. When she finally slid down from the saddle, her legs were a little shaky, and for the first time since this entire ordeal had started, she actually looked a little shaken.
Alicent didn’t hesitate. She reached for her, steadying her by the arm.
“Get on Moondancer,” Alicent ordered gently. “We’re riding back together.”
Rhaenyra blinked at her. “I can ride Syrax now—”
“No, you can’t.” Alicent’s tone left no room for argument. “She needs to rest, and you need a moment to breathe.”
Rhaenyra opened her mouth as if to argue, but then—perhaps for the first time ever—she didn’t. Instead, she exhaled through her nose, gave Alicent a look that was half-defiant, half-something else entirely, and nodded.
Alicent turned, leading Moondancer closer before gesturing for Rhaenyra to get on first.
Rhaenyra raised a brow. “Oh? No more helping me onto the saddle?”
Alicent rolled her eyes. “Just get on.”
Rhaenyra smirked but obeyed, swinging herself onto Moondancer’s back with practiced ease. Once she was settled, Alicent moved behind her, grabbing onto the saddle before lifting herself up as well.
And then—
She realized just how close they were.
Alicent swallowed hard, feeling the warmth of Rhaenyra’s back pressed against her front. The scent of her hair—something faintly sweet, mixed with the lingering scent of hay and leather—was suddenly overwhelming.
“Comfortable back there, Hightower?” Rhaenyra asked, her voice thick with amusement.
Alicent scowled, gripping the reins a little tighter. “Just focus on not falling off.”
Rhaenyra chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. You’ve got me.”
Alicent’s face burned, but she refused to give Rhaenyra the satisfaction of a response.
Instead, she clicked her tongue, nudging Moondancer into a smooth, steady trot as they started making their way back—Rhaenyra sitting in front, perfectly at ease, while Alicent sat behind her, far less at ease than she wanted to admit.