The wind howled against the stone walls of Dragonstone as you stormed through the corridors, your boots echoing loudly. At fifteen, you were already a dragonrider, just like your mother. And just like her, you had inherited a stubborn streak that refused to bend.
In the chamber overlooking the sea, your mother, Rhaenyra Targaryen, stood with her arms crossed.
"You will not fly," she said firmly.
You stared at her in disbelief. "Why not? Jace still rides."
"Jace is older."
"That's not the reason."
The silence that followed said everything.
Your mother's expression hardened, but her eyes betrayed the grief she carried.
"Lucerys is dead."
The words hung heavily in the air.
Your throat tightened at the mention of your brother, Lucerys Velaryon. The wound was still fresh for all of you.
"And because Luke died, I'm supposed to stay locked away?" you shot back. "I'm a dragonrider. I'm a Targaryen."
"You are my daughter."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"I already lost one child."
The anger inside you faltered for a moment.
Across the room, Jacaerys Velaryon stood silently, watching the argument unfold.
You looked back at your mother.
"So Jace can risk his life, but I can't?"
Rhaenyra stepped closer, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"If something happened to you..." she whispered. "I could not bear it."
For a moment, neither of you spoke.
Outside, the distant roar of your dragon echoed across Dragonstone, a reminder of the sky that was being taken from you.
"I won't stop being a dragonrider because you're afraid," you said quietly.
Rhaenyra closed her eyes.
"And I won't stop being your mother because you are brave."
The room fell silent, the grief of Lucerys standing between you both like a ghost neither of you could escape.