[Edric's POV]
It was all too strange waking up to someone. Daenerys was already awake, leaning against me - her fingers circling my chest. She was not shy at all when it came to touching my body. Her silver hair was all over me. In the night, I had actually slept… which had become a rare thing.
It felt good.
"Do you remember this time, or were you too drunk as well?" Daenerys smiled slightly, referring to Margaery. "I'd hate for you to have regrets…"
"Oh, I remember… one bottle of arbour gold is child's play. I was in control of my actions. Although, the later parts were a bit of a blur…"
"The part where you turned into a beast?"
"Mhm... I am a little curious, actually, where did that performance rank?"
'If we get outdone by Daario and Drogo, it might be time to retire.'
"There was not a sliver of skill on your part... it was raw as raw could be."
"Do I need to learn the Way of the Three Cocks?" I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Mayhaps... though, it was unique. Special. I felt something I didn't with anyone else."
1-0 Edric Storm.
She rested her head on my chest.
"And you lasted... forever. As soon as I thought you were done, you'd go again. I've never felt so exhausted."
"You are never, ever, beating me in a test of endurance," I laughed. "The Stag always wins the dance."
"... Does he?"
Her hand slowly slid down to my member, which had a very strong case of morning wood. Guess it was nostalgic about the last night.
"Yes, he does. On the field, on the sea, in the bedchamber - it doesn't matter. I always win."
"We'll see about that."
She seemed to take it as a challenge, rising and turning to attend to it. First, it was just her hand, slipping up and down. Nothing that moved me. Then, came her tongue - kissing and licking all over. Savouring it. Then... she began to twist it, all the slipping my shaft deep in her mouth.
Can't even lie, I enjoyed it. It was... euphoric, even.
"Ah..."
I let out a relaxed breath, lying back.
Meanwhile, Daenerys didn't let up. If anything, she went deeper, faster and wilder. It was only a matter of time before I flooded her mouth with my seed. She retreated, sitting up and seemingly swallowing it all.
Looks like she's a swallower, huh...
I nodded slightly in approval. If my seed had some special properties to it, it would be quite a waste to see it go nowhere...
"Mnn..." Daenerys looked satisfied, licking her lips and clearing the rest. "Salty, sweet... and rejuvenating. What a strange taste."
"Strange, as in good-?"
Before I could finish, she went for seconds. Not even I could recover that quick.
Now, I knew the true meaning of 'when you cum but she keeps sucking'...
Even I felt helplessly weak.
"Ahh..."
She kept going, never stopping even for a moment. She was flipping the script on me from last night. I lit too large a fire... and she wouldn't stop until I made her. After a good minute, I grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back.
"Mm..." Daenerys smiled rather proudly as she looked at me. She seemed to like the hair pulling - why wasn't I surprised? "What's wrong, dear?"
"Enough," I said, letting go. "I have plenty to do today."
"... It seems to me that I won this dance."
"Sure," I shrugged, sitting up. She did have me on the ropes... it seems that receiving relentless head is my weakness. "I'll repay the favour one day."
"I look forward to that," She sounded pleased, kissing me on the cheek.
I felt the instinct to wipe it off, but didn't.
I got off the bed and got dressed in old clothes. I'd only dirty new ones... I was sweaty, slimy with all types of bodily fluids and god knows what else. I needed a deep clean.
I left first, seeing Arthur by the door.
"You are glowing," He remarked, smiling slightly.
"Lots of sweat," I replied.
"It seems more than that... you look quite relaxed."
"A good night's sleep."
"... Sure," Arthur looked away. "It sounded like something else to me."
"Stay here and guard Daenerys. I'm going to get myself cleaned up with a little swim at sea."
"A swim at sea?" Arthur glanced at me. "There's plenty of empty baths in this city, with all the masters that Daenerys executed. And plenty more willing servants to serve... especially the women, I'd imagine."
"No, I prefer the exercise."
"Any ordinary man would avoid the sea like the plague after that kraken incident..."
"I pray that thing is still alive and shows its face..." I clenched my left hand. "I'm not one for fish food, but I'd feast on its corpse until there was nothing left."
"... Can't blame you," Arthur nodded. "That beast cost us all dearly."
I nodded, stepping away. "I'll see you when I'm done. I need a good spar."
"So do I."
...
I ran up to the port right next to the sea, feeling the cold morning breeze.
The city was quite busy after the siege. With all of the slaves freed, thousands were seeking their purpose. Slavery was a simple answer... granting them shelter, food and work. What value did freedom have when you had nothing to your name, no sense of purpose? No way to sustain yourself?
It's why I was impartial to slavery. The mess that came from freeing everyone at once was great to the point that one would have to wonder if it's even worthwhile in the first place. If I had the time, I could guide them forward, but I did not. My priority was the Seven Kingdoms.
Now that all the masters were executed, what future did Yunkai have? Who would lead them?
It didn't concern me, in the end...
I undressed and dived into the sea, propelling myself forward.
As I submerged, I felt the cold salt water cleanse my body. I kept going forward, keeping my breath and soaring through. It felt like I was almost flying, each stroke of my arms paving the way as the waves pushed forward.
The sound of the waves was calming.
I remembered when my parents would take me to the beach, I'd always stare at the water, imagining some kind of shark beneath me. I was so cautious, even fearful. Now... I feared no such thing. If anything, the idea of finding a large shark was compelling.
I could make a new friend.
Or hunt a trophy...
Land, sea, sky, it didn't matter. I was the apex predator.
My swim in Slaver's Bay was not only good for exercise but also magic training. I manipulated the wind and waves to create various different results. If I could learn surfing... I'd imagine I could make it quite entertaining. I'd also need to design a surfboard, of course.
Or maybe I could learn to walk on water?
I began to try that, to great failure.
I'd fall in every time - unable to keep myself up for more than half a second.
Guess this isn't something I'm going to pick up immediately...
'You're being rather care-free...' The little voice in my head remarked. 'Do you plan to beat the Night King in a surfing competition?'
That would be a better way of settling the war. No unnecessary bloodshed... wait, weren't you the one whining about the Night King being the only thing I cared about?
'Er... we don't talk about that. I'm meant to criticise everything you do.'
Classic backseat driver.
This would be a more amusing and perhaps even more effective way of training my Hydro... which just so happens to be my weak point regarding Storm Magic.
So much water to play with, and it comes to me so easily.
After my swim, I dried myself off and put on some fresh garments. Then I found Arthur, who was with Daenerys in the main hall. She was handling petitions... of which there seemed to be an endless supply of. The freedmen asking for food, jobs, work, lesser masters seeking justice for the vengeance the freedmen brought upon them, all sorts of things.
I'd slam my head against the wall if I had to spend all day in there hearing the same stories from different people.
When I arrived, the entire hall grew silent. I looked at the man making his petition, and he stepped back.
"You're working hard," I remarked. "Last night you were just talking about razing the city to the ground, now you're acting as their queen? Will you next decide that the Seven Kingdoms don't matter anymore and settle in Slaver's Bay?"
"I'm doing what I can to make things better while I am here..." Daenerys smiled slightly, shaking her head. "Don't fret, I'm not leaving you."
"I was never worried to begin with, you'd only stand to lose."
"You two are a better match than I could've imagined," Arthur remarked.
"Well, whatever you want to do, do it quick. We're sailing for New Ghis tomorrow," I looked at Arthur. "Let's get going."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"There's something I'd like to talk to you about when you're done with your sparring," Daenerys added.
"Very well."
We took horses and rode out of Yunkai into the wilderness... just like the good ol' days, except it was not Storm's End.
"So far out?" Arthur questioned.
"Wouldn't want to torch anything important by accident, now would we?"
"Fair enough..."
I found a nice flat, mostly empty space, a few miles out. Arthur hopped off his horse, drawing Nightfall all too naturally. The sword was like an extension of himself. I drew out the famed Blackfyre in response.
"Lady Forlorn has been retired?"
"I wore her out a little..." I grinned slightly. "Besides, I wouldn't want Lord Corbray to be too upset. And... well, isn't Blackfyre the most fitting of the two in my hands? A bastard sword, wielded by most Targaryen Kings until it was lost, the sword from which the bastard House Blackfyre gained its name... if I were a Targaryen bastard, it would be the most perfect sword for my hand."
"I think Blackfyre needs a new appearance, one fitting for a Baratheon King," Arthur remarked. "Or, mayhaps... you'd consider forging your own dynasty."
"..." I paused for a moment, considering it. I was fond of the thought. "My own House, my own words, my own banner... my own Kingdom. It's tempting, if not a little selfish."
"You have every right. You'd also draw a greater distinction between the royal and noble House Baratheon in the future. Since you're merging bloodlines with the last of House Targaryen... it makes sense to create something new, representing both - signifying your unity. House Baratheon was created in a similar way, wasn't it?"
"A bastard Targaryen male marrying the last descendant of House Durrandon, only in reverse..." I chuckled, stroking my chin. "The irony is a little amusing."
"Wouldn't it also legitimise yourself further, in a way? You'd be washing away the stain of being a bastard by forging your own house."
"It is no stain for me, Arthur. I wear it as a badge of honour."
"... The point remains," Arthur replied.
"When did you get so political, ey, Arthur?"
"Well... all that time in King's Landing does affect the way you think, unfortunately. And - Sansa has an odd taste for it. So does Rhaerra."
"Oh, you rogue, juggling two at once?" I raised an eyebrow, grinning slightly. "I grant you freedom and you turn into a dog, hahaha-"
Arthur lunged at me like a flash of lightning, but I blocked.
"It's not like that," Arthur took a deep breath. "Rhaerra and I have simply helped each other."
I returned the favour - he sidestepped me.
"Helped... no doubt," I looked doubtful. "She is very beautiful, I couldn't even blame you."
We returned some blows.
"I mean what I say. Without her, the Stormguard wouldn't be so deadly at range. It was almost like having you, yourself, train them."
"Rhaerra is a woman of many talents, that is true..." I nodded slightly. "Mayhaps I sent you after the wrong lady. Or, well, you could try having both-"
I swung at him again, and this time he seemed more uncertain - Nightfall shaking slightly.
"Hahaha..." Arthur laughed, almost nervously. "I'm not like you, Edric. I don't need a woman for every day of the week."
"Hey... I don't either, but life happens, and you adapt to what's best. In an ideal world, I'd be waiting for her..."
"... Yeah," Arthur looked more serious. "You must've had a strong reason to break off your betrothal."
He returned my swing with more force, pushing me back a little. He's gotten even stronger.
"I did what I thought was best for the Realm and its future..."
"It's turning out rather well for yourself personally, as well."
"... Yes... Arthur, I don't feel like I'm walking on eggshells anymore. I can be a man."
I took a deep breath, deflecting his next attack and opening his guard wide to a slash. What was meant to be a certain blow... Arthur miraculously turned into a deflection of his own. I retreated in time, watching the blade skim past my head.
Was that counter planned? If I were only a bit slower, and this were a real fight without magic, he would've carved into my head.
"You're becoming a little too good with the sword."
"It's all I ever practice," Arthur spun Nightfall. "You have three weapons to master; I only have one. If anything, you always matching me speaks of your talent."
"No... I can admit, you are a greater swordsman than I."
"And you still surpass me in everything else." Arthur chuckled. "What even was that about the eggshells? I didn't take Arya for someone intimidating."
"I did not mean it in that way..." Maybe I said too much, or maybe I said something I always wanted to say. "There's some context to this that no one knows."
"Your secrets can die with me, if you wish," Arthur nodded.
"It's... something not relevant to most people. Something most are better off going on without knowing, as it would only raise more questions."
"Still, it seems to burden you."
"To an extent... I've learned to live with it, of course. But, you, Arthur - you are my sworn brother, my sword and shield, my only true friend. You've saved my life more than once and performed so many great feats in my name. We've known each other since we were young. I feel like I could share anything with you, and doing any less feels like a disservice to our great bond."
"You don't need to if you don't want to..." Arthur shook his head. "It's fine."
"It's the last secret of some importance that you don't know," I already told him about Raiden to some extent, so I might as well go all the way. "This life... isn't my first."
"... Oh," Arthur's eyes widened slightly. "Rhaerra mentioned some theory she had like that..."
"Yes, that woman was on my case for a little while," I chuckled. "She is quite clever. But, yes, I lived to nearly nineteen or nine-and-ten, as we would say. It was a modest, humble, life where I did not accomplish much of anything."
"I see... so to you, Arya really is a child."
"Quite so," I let out a sigh of relief. It was good to share it with someone. "The whole thing almost always felt awkward. It would be strange to fall in love with someone that much younger than me, especially if she's not come to maturity, no?"
"I understand... and yes, it would."
"So, you don't think differently of me?"
"Why would I?" Arthur shrugged. "You are still the Edric I've always known, that's all that matters. All of your moments of wisdom make a whole lot more sense, however... and the fact that you've been able to achieve so much at a young age. It doesn't change who you are, though."
"I suppose you're right," I nodded. "Well, I have something to show you. Don't fight back."
"... Well, alright."
I put my hand on his shoulder and channeled my Greenseer magic, trying to drag out his soul and transport it into my inner world. Since he didn't put up a fight, trusting me entirely, I was able to achieve this rather easily.
We were now both in the Plane of Euthymia.
"It worked..."
I stroked my chin, curious. That one warg could force his way in, Daenerys walked in, and I was able to transport Arthur's soul myself. What if I could forcefully drag someone like the Night King and keep him chained up here with no escape?
Hmm...
What if I could form a connection with Arthur like the one with Daenerys? And with others of importance as well. Dream discord calling... that could come in handy too.
"This... what is this?"
"My inner world. A place where dreams and reality collide, to some extent. Here... we can spar to our heart's content, without holding back anything. We could burn each other to ashes, and we'd recover shortly after, along with our equipment. Not to mention, our magic regenerates quicker - allowing us to test and refine our skills quicker as well."
"Really?" Arthur blinked. "That's... absolutely brilliant."
"Mhm. I've lost all of my sparring partners, so... it's been a little dry recently."
'Hey, you still have me.'
You don't count.
"And that purple-haired woman... is she the one you were talking about before?"
"Mhm," I nodded.
"I couldn't even blame you," Arthur smiled slightly, taking my words from earlier.
"You know, if I had her alive and by my side, she'd carve up the Night King and his forces so easily... I wouldn't even have to do anything."
'And that's why she has been a ghost all this time.'
"In which case, would it be her by your side or you by her side?" Arthur tilted his head slightly.
"... Well, if I were a less experienced Edric, I'd have very happily fallen in line."
I was in line, for that matter.
"Absurdly strong, with the beauty to match and knows you better than anyone else... small wonder you hold her in such high regard."
"You're just scraping the surface, but yes... we were very close," I called upon my warhammer. "Now, show me what you've got. Don't hold anything back, fight like you want to kill me."
"It's a bit easier said than done..." Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I don't mind bashing your head into the ground until you get the hang of it."
"Suppose I have no choice..."
Nightfall's black-as-night blade lit up with white flames.