Daenerys Targaryen, First of Her Name, paced the empty stateroom. At this late hour the upper floors of the Great Pyramid were almost empty. With the siege lifted from Meereen and all of her armies preparing to embark for Westeros, the entire
city
seemed eerily empty. She straightened some cushions on the divan, eyeing the furniture arrangement critically. She was only here to tie up a loose end, but it could prove to be a crucial one. She hoped Missandei would not be late.
As if summoned by her queen's thoughts, Missandei entered the throne room, wearing nothing but a loose green robe that flowed silkily over her oiled skin. Daenerys turned to meet her and saw Missandei's eyes widen at the sight of her; she was wearing a deep blue Qartheen garment, gifted to her by the Thirteen, which left her right breast exposed. Missandei lowered her eyes, blushing slightly. She was Daenerys's advisor, not her lover, however much she might wish to be both, and tonight she had a different assignment.
'Missandei, thank you for coming,' said Daenerys. 'I see the Graces have done a good job with you.'
It was true. The women of Meereen had styled Missandei's hair so that it fit into an ornate gold circlet and scented her skin with oils. She practically glistened beneath her robe, and the aphrodisiac aroma left her moist between the legs and tingling with anticipation. That her queen would be involved in what was to happen only heightened her arousal.
The Unsullied standing guard outside banged his spear-butt against the floor, heralding the arrival of their guest. The door swung open and Geris Drinkwater strode in. The Westerosi knight looked a little dishevelled after his brief stay in Daenerys's dungeons, but he had been given time to wash and change his clothes and his loose white tunic was thin enough that Missandei could see the tight ridges of his stomach muscles. His blond hair had grown down past his ears, and there was smouldering anger in his green eyes as he gave Daenerys an insincere bow.
'Queen Daenerys, to what do I owe the pleasure of my release?'
Daenerys eyed the knight as he rose. 'Things have changed since your imprisonment,' she said. 'My enemies are defeated and this city is free. Soon my armies will sail for Westeros, where I will take my rightful throne.'
'Dorne will resist you,' Geris snapped. 'You as good as murdered our prince the moment you refused his marriage offer.'
'Prince Quentyn's death,' said Daenerys firmly, 'was a tragedy he brought upon himself.'
Geris made an angry interjection, but Daenerys raised her voice to cut him off.
'
However
, as it was my dragons who killed him, I accept
partial
responsibility. I wish there to be no misunderstanding between House Targaryen and House Martell. I wish...' Daenerys paused, emphasising her next words, 'to make amends.'
Geris shook his head. 'What do you propose?' he sneered. 'Blood money will not satisfy Prince Doran.'
'If money cannot assuage Prince Doran the loss of his son, then the truth will have to do,' Daenerys replied. 'I need only a messenger whom the prince will trust.'
'If you are thinking of me, then you can think again,' Geris snapped. 'I will not carry your honeyed lies home to my prince.'
'You were charged with protecting him, were you not?' Daenerys asked. 'As his companion, that was your duty. Yet when Prince Quentyn decided he could win my hand by taming one of my dragons...you allowed him to walk into their den and be devoured. What words will you carry home to the prince's father, if not mine?'
Geris paused at that. He glanced at Missandei, standing quietly to one side. Daenerys seized upon his silence as an opportunity to approach, walking down from the dais towards the knight.
'Truth and lies are often a matter of perspective,' she said. 'To the masters of Meereen I am a conqueror, a foreign bitch who destroyed their way of life.' She quirked an eyebrow, silently challenging Ser Drinkwater to agree with her enemies. When he failed to hold her violet gaze, she began to walk slowly around him, forcing him to follow her with his eyes, the nipple of her exposed breast almost brushing his chest. 'But to the slaves of this city I am saviour, liberator,
mhysa
.'
Daenerys came back around to Geris's front and took his chin in her hand, lifting his face from her breast to her eyes.
'I am every people say and more. I could be your executioner. If you intend to use the freedom I have granted you to turn your prince against me then that is what I