Goodbye

Ruby ran through the forest, her muscles burned, but she didn't; she couldn't stop. The dark forest grew darker with each turn and soon she couldn't tell what way to go . Ruby had been forced awake by a nightmare: men dressed in green and black were breaking into her home and she could still hear the screams of her mother and siblings. The nightmare had felt so real she had run from the room and into the forest.

When she had gone back, she was horrified to find that her dream had come true; they had spotted her and were chasing her through the forest. Their voices were so loud that Ruby had to cover her ears. The shadow forest was covered in many different plants and traps that Ruby had to watch out for.

"Come on, little girl, this is getting rather boring." One of them hissed, "save yourself a long and painful death and just stop."

Ruby wanted to stop, her legs hurt and were covered in cuts and bruises, but she remembered her father's words: "If you have to face an opponent that is stronger than you, you must find a way to trick them or use their own strength against them." Ruby had to find a way to confuse them and with any luck find a place to hide.

She turned, and slid under a fallen tree; her heart was hammering in her chest. Ruby's mind was suddenly flooded with panic. They were no longer behind her, but for some that didn't comfort her, if anything it only terrified her.

***

Rhaenyra sat in bed a while later with an empty jug of wine by the end of her bed. Her head was pounding like a drunk as she lay there, feeling numb to everything around her. Lyra had been in to clean her vomit off the floor earlier that evening, and Rhaenyra refused to take any herb she offered.

As she wanted to feel numb to the pain that consumed her like a raging fire. Later in the night, the sound of pounding against her door woke her. Groaning, she got up from the bed and raced to the door swinging open the door. She was surprised to see Ser Longwood.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Your Grace. But we have not heard from Rhys since this morning And Lord Ranix is looking for his son." Ser Longwood informed her.

"I have not seen him since he left the castle. He was quite angry with me. I figure he's with his wife and children." Rhaenyra replied, but she couldn't help the feeling that something was wrong. It was unlike Rhys as he always informed someone if he wasn't going to be returning to the castle after dark.

"Very well, I will tell Ranix immediately." Ser Longwood bowed his head and walked swiftly down the corridor.

Rhaenyra sighed, and was closing the door when a foot stepped inside. Preventing the door from being shut.

"Hello my queen." Talon's voice reached her ears, and she cringed at the sound of it. but without thinking she stepped aside and opened the door wide enough for him to slide through.

" Prince Talon, what are you doing here? Rhaenyra asked, "You know, being in my room this time of night is sure to lead to rumors."

Talon nodded. "Yes, well, people can spread rumors all they like. I was told you were drinking yourself practically to death to forget how to feel."

Rhaenyra cursed under her breath, before she had left her room. Lyra said she was determined to get Rainier to come out of her mind, but she didn't think that meant bringing Prince Talon directly to her bedroom. As Rhaenyra walked to the side of her bed, she could feel Talon's eyes rake over her form, turning; she swiftly slapped him across the cheek; the prince seemed unwavered by her reaction.

"Are you that foolish that you would come here to seek my virtue?" She questioned.

"Never. At least not at the moment you will give me your virtue when you are ready," he said with a smirk knowing full well how to get under her skin.

Rhaenyra shook her head."I would never give my virtue to the likes of you." she said, with a sneer.

Prince Talon had a reputation for swaying his opinion towards women as he was often seen in pubs and brothels alike. It always shocked Rhaenyra when she saw women fall at his feet.

"Why are you here?" Rhaenyra asked, knowing it was rare for him to leave his kingdom, especially to come here.

"Ranix told me he couldn't communicate with Rhys and asked if I had any knowledge of where he was." Talon explained, "I thought I might come here and help you search for him, as he is my brother."

Rhaenyra stopped and blinked up at him. Why hadn't Ranix told her that he couldn't communicate with Rhys over the bond. Her breathing increased and her heart hammered in her chest; something was definitely wrong; she could feel it now deep within her blood. Without another word, Rhaenyra raced out of her chambers and quickly searched for SerLongwood, Talon following close behind.

"Your Grace. The knights said in unison as she approached. Unlike normal weapons, her weapons were kept in a vault called The Vault of the Kings , where all the royals kept their valuables and most powerful weapons. It could only be accessed by the four commanders of the Dragon Guard such as Ser Longwood, Ser Blackmount, Ser Riverrun, and Valera.

"Open the vault." Rhaenyra commanded.

The guards nodded, and within seconds they sheathed their swords and placed them on the ground. Rhaenyra heard them lock into place. As they turned their blades, the vault door unlocked and opened. Stepping into the massive room, Rhaenyra felt drawn to a sword inscribed with dragons. Grabbing the sword within her hand, Rhaenyra felt power coursing through her blood.

Exiting the room, Talon was surprised to see her in her armor. Rhaenyra walked past and down the hallway. The moment she stepped outside, Syrax landed on the stone and lowered her shoulder for Rhaenyra to mount her.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Going in without backup?" Talon asked as she climbed on Syrax's back.

"If Rhys is in trouble, I can't wait." Rhaenyra said, and Syrax took flight roaring with the wind.

***

Rhys blinked open, his eyes, hissing in pain as something collided with the side of his face. The taste of blood filled his mouth, spitting on to the ground with a groan. Rhys raised his head. Apollo and Nix stood beside him, their eyes wide with fear.

"Look who's awake."

A shiver ran down his spine, as a person moved within the shadows, their green eyes piercing into his blue. The smell of wine was heavy on their breath as they walked around the room. Rhys hissed, "What do you want, viper."

"You should watch your tongue, mutt. I have enough power to kill you and your innocent little brats right here." They hissed.

Rhys shook his head; he knew that voice. "Rayla?"

The woman chuckled, "Very good puppy." Stepping out of the shadows, Rhys quickly saw Rayla's jet black hair and lilac eyes.

"Why?" Rhys hissed.

"Because you broke my heart! You said that I was your one and only, but you lied to me and married that witch you call your wife!"

"That was before I realized that you were after Rhaenyra; you were going to kill her. You lied to me and betrayed my trust. And now you are with the Jade Vipers, following them around like a puppy; the only person that I see that is guilty is you." Rhys spat.

Rayla's eyes blazed with anger, and Nix screamed and hugged closer to Apollo as Rayla punched and kicked Rhys. When Nix opened her eyes, she cried out. Rhys was on the floor blood pooling beneath him.

"Shut up!" Rayla screamed, stepping toward them with fire still blazing in her eyes.

Apollo left forward, his dark fur sticking up, teeth bared in a snarl. "Don't touch my sister!"

Before Nix could scream, Apollo jumped and Rayla hissed, wrapping her hands around Apollo's neck and a loud snap echoed in the room.

"Apollo!" Nix screamed, and scrambled away as Rayla dropped Apollo; his body went limp and his eyes were clouded over. Nix cried out as Rayla grabbed ahold of her.

"Don't worry, you'll be with him soon."

Struggling, Nix couldn't stop the tears from running down her face as Rayla grabbed her dagger. Nix screamed and cried, but that only made Rayla hold her tighter. A growl erupted, and within seconds Nix was thrown to the ground. Looking up, Nix saw her father and Rayla lunging for each other.

"Father!"

Rhys quickly turned, "run Nix, run, and don't look back!" Rhys focused his attention back to Rayla, who had gotten back up and jumped forward. "Run now!"

Nix' eyes filled with tears as she stood from the ground, turning back one more time. She knew deep in her heart this was the last time she was going to see her family. She ran so much that her legs burned, and because she didn't have a wolf to rely on, Nix was tired; her legs hurt, and were bleeding from where she had fallen.

Suddenly, a sharp pain filled her, and she fell to her knees and gasped; the blade was large and long.

"Nice try, little one, but you weren't fast enough."

***

Rhaenyra landed Syrax and quickly ran in the direction of the small cottage, pulling her sword. Rhaenyra immediately felt the stillness in the air. The moon was high above the clouds, casting long shadows.

As Rhaenyra entered through the door, she was immediately engulfed with the smell of death. As she walked through the hallway, blood smeared along the wall and floor. Opening the bedroom door, Rhaenyra practically screamed. Nira lay on the bed, her clothes torn. Rhaenyra felt her heart break. "I'm sorry, my friend."

Going into the study, Rhaenyra collapsed, leaning on the wall for support. They're in the middle of the floor, laid Rhys and Apollo. Crawling across the floor to the father, and son, Rhaenyra cradled Rhys' head in her lap, sobbing as she gently brushed his black fur, whispering reassuring words to him.

***

Hours seemed to pass, but Rhaenyra stared blankly at the walls of her room. It had been hours since she had found Rhys and his family, burial preparations were being made Upon investigating the forest, they had found Nix' body. Ruby had practically run into her arms and cried as she saw the members of her family mangled and bloody.

Suddenly there was a knock at her door, but Rhaenyra couldn't bring herself to answer it. Without a word, Ranix opens the door, bringing her into a tight embrace. When Rhaenyra pulled back, she saw he had a letter in his hand.

"What is that?" Rhaenyra asked, wiping her tears away with her thumb.

"The guards found it, upon searching the home." Rhys pushed the letter into her hand, "it's addressed to you." he added, before leaving the room.

Rhaenyra sat at the edge of her bed, sighing; she decided to open it after all, why not get the rest of the pain out? Opening the seal with trembling hands, she began to read.

Dear Rhaenyra,

If you're reading this, this means something has happened and I'm gone, but I don't want you to be sad because mourning over my death will only bring you pain. I've lived the last of my Seventy-five years serving you, a person I consider a sister, a person I consider more important to me than the world itself. But I know that my time is coming, and soon you will have to walk this path without me…I wish I could be there to witness every chapter of your life, every memory you make. The people you inspire, and most of all, I wish I could see the person you will become. So if you cannot find a way to smile for your people, then smile for me.

I'll always be with you.