[Arya's POV]
Every additional day in Meereen felt like an eternity. Once Ser Arthur and the navy arrived, she did expect that promised escort, but… Edric had other plans.
"You're going to have to hold out a little longer. I can't risk Volantis or Lys seizing you on the way home."
"How caring of you…"
There was a clear tone of sarcasm in her voice.
"My earlier decision doesn't mean I don't care about you."
"Or is it that you don't want them to have leverage over you?"
"... If I didn't care about you, and they did seize you - would you really call that leverage?"
"I'm still a lady of House Stark."
"As if that would halt me. If it were just about any other lady they held over my head, I wouldn't even hesitate to storm Volantis regardless… but you, I want you to be safe." There was a rare tenderness to his eyes that few would ever witness. "Just sit patiently for a little bit, alright? I'll make it up to you in the future."
"How?" Arya questioned. "How could you ever make all of this right?"
"You'll see."
[Daenerys' POV]
Edric would spread his magical cure all across Meereen along with his Stormguard, eradicating the Pale Mare as he said he would. Most certainly, there were still hidden cases, but he left more than enough of the cure to sort it out. It was… ridiculously effective. One single drop would cure even the worst of the Pale Mare. Meereen's people were beyond grateful and Edric became someone that was worshipped. First, for breaking the siege, then for escorting her back and now curing the great disease that plagued the city.
The idea of Edric as the King of Meereen became a supremely popular one as the common people accepted him. Even the nobles feared and respected him, straightening themselves in his presence. They treated him differently from her… even Daenerys could see that.
She couldn't quite blame them. Edric was heralded as the greatest warrior in the world by many, a commander who had never seen defeat, he possessed sorcery that surpassed dragons and was capable of curing a disease that no one else could treat.
Unfortunately for them, Edric wasn't quite so interested in Meereen as the city was interested in him.
There seemed to be a rise in rain… aligning with the disappearance of his children from the future.
…
"How is it with that king?"
Irri asked, while styling her hair. She had lost her bells trying to tame Drogon, who had burnt them off.
"Well... it's complicated."
"Most men are not complicated," Jhiqui laughed lightly. "There's one thing that always pleases them."
"Edric is not most men. He does not get distracted easily."
"The Khaleesi I know would not be so timid," Irri remarked.
"He is a walking mountain of muscle," Jhiqui justified. "But... the bigger the man, the bigger the hunger. It is known."
"It is known," Irri agreed. "Khaleesi, if he does not approach, then you must take the first steps and light the fire. You cannot do that in a separate bed."
"... You're right."
...
They advanced on Yunkai by sea and land, surrounding it. She had rode alongside the Unsullied march while Edric led his navy. The port's defences were struck by lightning - swiftly followed by the storming of the city.
They'd open the gate from inside, leading to the Unsullied joining the fray. All the while, her dragons flew under Edric's command, burning hundreds of Yunkai'i together. The city was swarmed and overrun in the blink of an eye.
The slaves were freed once more and the Wise Masters were grouped up by Edric, who left them for her pleasure.
"All yours, do as you wish."
"I showed them mercy before, and they returned it with betrayal. Marched their armies against me and invited others to join their coalition. What would be a fitting punishment for that?"
They were not bound, so one of them rose with a dagger in hand and charged to her. Edric stepped between them and grasped the attacker's right hand. It didn't move an inch.
"Keep your hands to yourself, worm."
There was a look of terror on the master's face as Edric began to twist his wrist, snapping his hand. Edric grabbed the dagger as it fell while the Wise Master retreated in deep pain.
"Fucking whore for slaves…" The Wise Master cried out.
Edric threw the dagger with deadly precision, right in the man's right eye. The cries that came from that were like music to Daenerys' ears.
"When you speak, speak my tongue."
Edric raised his right hand and fired a bolt from the small crossbow that had emerged from his gauntlet - a bolt that pierced the master's tongue and came out the other end. He was reaching for the back of his head, trying to stop the bleeding.
That was not the end of it… Edric took a deep breath and unleashed a wave of flame, engulfing the master from head to toe. He ran around aimlessly, melting and bleeding with each second. Screaming.
It was no small wonder Edric didn't even bother restraining the Wise Masters. They were no threat to him at all. Even if they charged all at once... the result would be the same. Just by standing still, they were already bound. Bound by fear.
"That is one way to do it," Daenerys remarked.
"If you're lacking in creativity, I can help with that."
"Go on."
"Strap one of them to a chariot and ride until they die... or on the outside of a large wheel. You could also launch them high in the sky with a trebuchet. Impalement, starvation, crucifixion, death by dragon, death by a thousand cuts, hungry rats in a bucket, flayed, slowly roasted alive... tossing them into a crowd of former slaves would work as well. You have plenty of options."
He sounded passionate regarding the deaths of others. Or, at the very least, was very knowledgeable.
"... You do not lack for methods," Daenerys said, looking at him.
"I am an avid reader..." Edric shrugged.
"Restrain them," Daenerys instructed the Unsullied. "Each Wise Master shall face a unique fate that mirrors the cruelty they brought upon others."
Grazdan mo Eraz was first.
She recalled his words from the first siege of Yunkai...
"You shall rue this arrogance, whore. These little lizards will not keep you safe, I promise you. We will fill the air with arrows if they come within a league of Yunkai. Do you think it is so hard to kill a dragon?"
She brought him before Drogon.
"My little lizard is not so small now, is he?" Daenerys stared at the Wise Master.
"They... they do grow quickly..." Grazdan began to sweat. "Surely... we can come to some agreement-"
"The time for that has passed," Daenerys gave him a cold look before turning to Drogon. "Vyltas zȳhos."
Eat him, she commanded. Drogon snapped forward and ripped off the master's arm. Then he opened his jaw and grabbed hold of him by the side - biting the master in half before swallowing him whole.
Next was Yurkhaz zo Yunzak, a Wise Master who would be carried around by a palaquin that required forty slaves to move. He was tossed into a crowd of those who once carried him... and never returned.
Yezzan Zo Qaqqaz had an obsession with grotesques, collecting slaves with deformaties like trophies and pets. He rolled through the streets, strapped to a wheel, until he became one.
Paezhar zo Myraq, who was known as 'Little Pigeon' would truly fly from Edric's trebuchet.
One, after the other, the Wise Masters would come to justice.
The last fell right when the veil of night came upon the sky.
Yunkai was hers, once more. Previously, she left it in the hands of the Wise Masters after putting an 'end' to slavery... only for them to reinstate it shortly after her departure. She had left the city unsacked - the desire to mend that was strong. Mayhaps Yunkai would do better as a ruin...
What history did this city have that was not built upon the suffering of its slaves?
She observed from the highest balcony on the Pyramid of Qaggaz.
"Edric, what do you think of Yunkai's future?"
"Is that all you called me for?" Edric raised an eyebrow. "You can do as you like. Regardless, I have no care for this city. Its most prized resource is... bedslaves. Entirely useless, in other words."
"Aren't you at all curious about the great ways of the seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure?" Daenerys chuckled.
"I much prefer the way of one arrow to the head."
"You could use a few drinks, I'd say. Relieve yourself."
"... I'd rather not sink in false comforts."
"One night of peace won't be the end of you, Edric. I know you have a wide range of wines... so why not put them to use? If not for yourself, do it for me."
"..." He raised a slight eyebrow. "Right."
"Is there something wrong with wanting to enjoy a night with my future husband after a successful conquest?"
"..." He looked at her with guarded eyes. "Not at all. What would you like? Thanks to Illyrio and Robert, I have every nearly every type of wine you'd find in the known world."
"Let's start with the famed arbour gold."
She hadn't even tried it before.
"A good choice... beloved by most highborn," Edric withdrew a bottle from himself, along with two cups, popped it open and poured for both of them. "I personally prefer something stronger."
"Like?"
Daenerys had a sip - it was worthy of its reputation.
"There's this wine I regret drinking each time... because I end up doing things I might regret. I got my first kiss because of it," Edric smiled slightly "Made a lady who previously frowned at me fall in love... and I had quite a bit of explaining to do. The next time, I took Margaery's maidenhead. And well... since then, I've avoided it like the plague."
"It sounds like the wine awakens your appetite."
Edric downed his cup in one drink.
"Ah... yeah, you could see it that way. I suppose a part of me relishes romance, passion and attention. In times like that, it seems that it doesn't matter who it all comes from... and even when sober, I used to flirt rather carelessly."
"Oh, I know," Daenerys smiled. "I've been a victim of it a few times."
He poured another cup, finishing it just as quickly as he had poured. Daenerys drank a bit more, although she preferred to savour the taste...
"The departure of my children left a bitter taste. I... despise the feeling of loss more than anything. No matter what I do, it eats at me, slowly. I feel..."
Edric paused, choosing a more efficient method of drinking as he grabbed the bottle and drained several mouthfuls. Daenerys observed with slightly widened eyes.
When he chooses to drink... moderation is not a concern.
"Funny, I was at my happiest when I was just another one of the king's bastards. I had almost everything I wanted within arm's reach. It was so easy to feel content, so easy to feel proud of every little achievement... but now? It all feels... empty."
Edric sighed, drinking more of the bottle... until there was nothing left to drink.
"Yunkai was just another victory. Like a tide inevitably washing down a sand castle... there was no challenge. It feels like I'm chasing something I'll never have again."
"You're not the same boy you were then," Daenerys shook her head. "But that doesn't mean you won't be able to find that joy in something else."
"You believe so?"
"I know you've kept me at a distance. Whether it's because of your love for someone else or some other reason, it doesn't matter," Daenerys reached out, grabbing his hand. "I'm here for you. You can share all of your secrets, burdens and struggles with me... as I share mine with you."
"It's so lonely at the top, isn't it?" Edric grasped her hand, all too gently for a man of his overpowering strength. "Servants and subjects are plentiful, but that is not the same. Does anyone reach you, truly understand what you are? Someone you connect with - someone who makes you feel whole?"
"..."
Daenerys did not have an answer to that.
"... Someone like that is not easy to find." He smiled, "I am fortunate to have Arthur, but... even he does not know all my secrets. Nor my children, who had the pleasure of seeing life through my eyes for a time. It's in great part my fault, of course. I prefer to keep to myself - let people see me the way I want them to. How can you reach someone who doesn't want to be reached?"
"I've been on the receiving end of that..." Daenerys looked at Edric.
"I want to make up for that... and I suppose there's no better time than now."
Edric stood up, walked over to the bed, removed his boots and fell into the bed.
"..."
She hadn't expected him to take that step first. Yet, there he was. All hers.
Daenerys finished her cup of wine, slowly walking over.
"I imagined you to be more of the assertive kind..."
"Well, you're the one with all the experience," Edric said with a slight grin. "I've only done it once, and I remember fuck all. I may as well be a maiden."
"I never imagined you to be so innocent and sweet behind the mask of the 'Storm King'."
"..." Edric laughed. "Don't mistake my inexperience for submission. I'm simply curious if your experience is worth anything."
"I think you'll be surprised... but you chose the wrong place."
"What do you mean?"
"Come outside..."
"Is it your Dothraki nonsense?" Edric raised an eyebrow.
"Don't be shy, man-maid..." Daenerys teased as she walked to the balcony. "Everything of importance must be done beneath the bare sky."
"... I'm not moving an inch," Edric yawned, "This bed is far more comfortable than the balcony floor."
"How stubborn..."
"If you want me, I'm here. If not... well, Garth did leave plenty of incomplete projects-"
"Have it your way."
Daenerys got on the bed and began to thoroughly undress him.
"Did you think you had sex fully clothed?" She questioned.
"Well, I considered putting on my full set of armour..." Edric jested, tilting his head. "Being naked seems like such a foreign concept... I feel... naked, you know? Completely bare. Bare-naked. Remarkably naked."
"... I hate you," Daenerys laughed, shaking her head. "So much..."
"Show me just how much..."
"Oh, I will."
The bigger the man, the bigger the hunger, Jhiqui had said... but Daenerys had plenty enough desire for the both of them. She rode like there was no tomorrow, relieving whole moons of frustrations all in one night. It was... liberating.
Edric looked almost disinterested at first, laying like an unmoving pillar. Daenerys took that as a challenge, using every method known to her - all to break down his face of indifference. Slowly, but surely, it cracked... until she broke it and lit his fire.
That was where the beast came out.
Once desire took him, he turned her over and matched her passion. There was no art or skill to it, only raw, vigorous and ravaging sex. To dominate the battlefield was not enough... he sought to dominate her as well.
"You'remine."
His eyes glowed a luminous violet purple before he pushed his tongue through her lips. They kissed again, only this time... it felt real. It was not to treat her from the Pale Mare... it was because he wanted to.
She felt all of him, pounding into her, over and over again. Relentlessly.
She did not put up much of a fight, nor could she, submitting entirely to his will.
That was... liberating in its own way.