[114] Dragon King’s Dominion

Chapter 114: Dragon King's Dominion

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The dark smear on the rocks below marked Aegon's final resting place—a pretender reduced to nothing more than a stain.

The night wind carried the scent of salt from the churning sea, mingling with the pungent smell of dragon smoke that filled the air.

“That's that, but…”

Above me, Rhaegal circled frantically, his emerald scales catching moonlight as he twisted and writhed in the sky.

The dragon's mournful shrieks pierced the night, occasionally punctuated by wild bursts of green flame that illuminated the darkness before dissipating over the water.

He probably wasn't mourning Aegon, but rather merely confused and panicked by the sudden death of the rider who had forced a bond upon him.

“What to… do?” Viserion asked from under me, her golden eyes tracking her brother's movements, rumbling deep in her chest. Protective. Concerned, even.

Dragons were far more intelligent than most gave them credit for, and Viserion was a cut above the crop.

Below us near the rocky hillside, Daenerys flew with Drogon, her silver-gold hair whipping around her face as she called up to the distressed dragon.

"Rhaegal! Calm down! Fly here! It's me, your mother!" Her voice cracked with emotion, hands outstretched toward the sky as if she could physically pull him down to her. "Please, my sweet child!"

I watched her futile attempts with growing impatience.

The longer Rhaegal remained in this state, the more likely he was to fly off, perhaps never to return. We couldn't afford to lose him—not when the dead marched beyond the Wall, not when my power as the Dragonking could be tripled with his addition.

"He won't listen to you right now, sister," I stated coolly, standing on top of Viserion’s back. "He's panicked. Stand back."

Daenerys turned to me, her violet eyes wide with shock and defiance. "But he knows me! I hatched him, I—"

I shot her a look. "Stand. Back." My tone left no room for argument.

With a flex of will, I called upon my pure bloodline power. The familiar sensation of energy surged through my shoulder blades, and translucent, powerful wings erupted from my back.

They caught the moonlight, shimmering with an otherworldly glow as they extended to their full span.

Daenerys gasped, taking an involuntary step backward. Even after seeing them so many times before, the sight still shocked her. Good. A healthy dose of awe would serve her well.

I launched myself forward with a powerful thrust, shooting rapidly toward the agitated Rhaegal.

The wind rushed past my face but my enhanced vision allowed me to track the dragon's erratic movements perfectly.

Rhaegal spotted me approaching and reacted defensively. “GRRGH!”

He roared, a sound of confusion and fear rather than aggression, and snapped his jaws in my direction before banking sharply away.

I adjusted my course, my wings cutting through the air with precision that came from both practice and the superhuman enhancements of my body.

This wasn't just about physical pursuit. It was about establishing dominance.

Drawing on my Authority stat – although I wasn't quite sure how to do it really, so I just kept the intention in my mind –  I projected my will toward the dragon.

The mental connection felt different than with Viserion. It was less intimate, more resistant—but it was there.

"Rhaegal," I called, my voice carrying unnaturally far in the night air. His eyes turned toward me. "You are a powerful dragon. Enough of this. Calm yourself."

The green dragon twisted away again, but I noticed his movements were less frantic now. I moved close, maneuvering with the agility my wings granted me, continuing to project calm authority.

"You are free of him now," I continued, matching his altitude. "He wasn't a man worthy of your greatness. He was not a Targaryen. He was a pretender, and he's gone now. No more false blood."

Slowly, Rhaegal's frantic circling began to slow. His roars softened into confused cries, more questioning than defiant.

His eyes met mine, reptile against violet storm, and I stared back. Both of us flew gently, maintaining a respectful distance.

“Your mother,” I pointed at Dany without breaking eye contact, “is waiting for you. Won't you come?”

Only silence answered at first. But when I flapped my wings to fly back a little, he followed. Rhaegal moved with me.

I smiled.

I guided Rhaegal toward the relatively flat hilltop where Viserion and Drogon had already landed, maintaining eye contact the entire time.

When Rhaegal finally landed, it was with a heavy thud that sent tremors through the rocky ground.

His massive body trembled slightly.

“Rhaegal!” Dany shouted, rushing over.

“No,” I stopped her with a gesture. “It'll be dangerous.”

“But-!”

“You gave him away to a new rider, sister. He's confused. Don't you remember why you had to chain him in the dungeons before? Just let me handle it, I have a massive advantage that you don't.” I told her, watching her eyes look at me with annoyance and defiance but she just nodded in the end.

Ignoring her, I turned around.

Green draconic eyes warily fixed on me as I retracted my wings and approached the dragon.

From our vantage point here, I could see the dark stain on the rocks where Aegon had impacted. I was worried that he'd react to it, so it was better to calm him fully.

We could also see the lights of Pentos twinkling in the distance, all oblivious to the drama that had unfolded in the skies above.

I reached into my Inventory once I was in front of the confused dragon, pulling out several large chunks of cured meat I'd stored for Viserion.

The space between dimensions rippled slightly as my hand emerged with the food. It was a sight that would have seemed like magic to anyone watching. Well, I guess it is.

Rhaegal eyed the offering suspiciously, nostrils flaring as he caught the scent.

He was silent at first. But hunger and exhaustion eventually won out; he cautiously stretched his neck forward and took the meat with surprising gentleness.

As he chewed, I slowly raised my hand to his snout, letting him become accustomed to my scent. "That's it," I murmured. "No more false riders. Don't be confused."

A translucent blue notification appeared in my field of vision right then.

[You have calmed the dragon, Rhaegal.]

[As a rider-less dragon, you can Mark him as your own. Add a small amount of your blood to the offered food to solidify the bond.]

That made my eyes twinkle. I can do that?

I didn't hesitate. Keeping my movements casual, I reached to my belt and palmed a small dagger.

With a quick but heavy motion, I drew it across my palm, feeling the brief sting before my regeneration began closing the wound.

Daenerys watched from the side as I did this. “What are you…”

I let several drops of my blood—Targaryen blood, further enhanced and purified by the System—fall onto the next piece of meat before offering it to Rhaegal.

The dragon devoured it without suspicion, his eyes never leaving mine.

Another notification flashed before me.

[Bond Successful!]

[Dragon “Rhaegal” now recognizes you as his Primary Rider under the Dragon King System.]

[Loyalty: Wary. Control: Moderate.]

=== Page [3/3] ===

Dragon Management System [S]

You can manage your dragons here. You can see their location, hunger rate, and also their respect toward you. You currently own [2] Dragons.

| Viserion |

| Rhaegal |

=== Page [3/3] ===

A surge of satisfaction coursed through me. Two dragons. Not just any dragons, but two of the three born in this age.

I couldn't help but grin as I patted his head. The power this represented was staggering.

In the original timeline, Daenerys had struggled to control even one dragon until much later. Now I commanded two, with the potential for more.

This day couldn't get any better.

****

The dawn was approaching, painting the eastern sky with the first hints of pale light. Rhaegal had calmed considerably, now accepting meat from my hand without hesitation.

Viserion and Drogon watched from a distance as I stroked Rhaegal’s scales, feeling the heat radiating from beneath them.

Unlike Viserion's golden warmth, Rhaegal burned hotter, more volatile. It wasn't because he was stronger; he just couldn't control it as well as my Viserion.

Daenerys couldn't keep away for any longer. She walked over, her expression a mixture of relief and awe as she observed me interacting easily with Rhaegal.

"Rhaegal?" she called softly, approaching with cautious steps. “How do you feel now?”

The green dragon turned his head, now much calmer, and allowed her to approach.

I nodded at him and he nuzzled her hand tentatively, recognizing her scent.

Overjoyed, Daenerys stroked his scales, tears welling in her eyes. “My baby…”

Dany hugged the dragon she hatched, the dragon that wasn't hers anymore, tight as tears trailed her cheeks.

The sight would have been touching if I hadn't been so aware of her earlier interference.

She turned to me, gratitude shining on her face. Her dress was disheveled from the flight, clinging to the curves of her body in a way that reminded me of the girl she'd once been when I hadn't yet awakened in this world—but now with the fullness of womanhood.

"Thank you, brother. I... I thought..." Her words trailed off as she noticed my expression.

I wasn't smiling.

My violet eyes were cold, fixed on her with an intensity that made her falter mid-sentence.

"What you did back there," I began, my voice low and dangerous, cutting through her relief like Valyrian steel, "interfering when I was about to strike. Putting my dragon and myself at risk. Why?"

Daenerys flinched, the joy evaporating from her face. Usually she'd counter by arguing, but now…

She looked down, unable to meet my gaze. The silver-gold of her hair fell forward, partially obscuring her features.

"I... I was afraid," she whispered. "Afraid you would kill Rhaegal. He's my child..."

I stepped closer, using my height to tower over her. "He is a dragon. He'd have been fine from a bit of flames. My actions were necessary. Your sentimentality nearly cost us."

"I didn't think—"

"Exactly," I cut her off. "You didn't think. If Aegon had escaped, he could have rallied Dorne against us. He could have attacked King's Landing while I was away. Your child would have been used to burn thousands."

“....”

Each word struck her like a physical blow. Unlike our first confrontation in Meereen, Daenerys didn't argue or defend herself. She'd been broken down by now. So she just stood silently, absorbing my anger, her shoulders slumped in submission.

It was a stark contrast to the defiant queen I'd encountered a month ago—the woman who had looked me in the eye as I broke her arm.

This Daenerys seemed smaller somehow, more reminiscent of the girl who had once feared my temper in the days before my awakening.

"I... I am sorry, brother," she murmured, finally looking up, her eyes pleading. "It won't happen again. Please... don't be angry."

I studied her, searching for signs of manipulation or deceit.

But all I saw was genuine fear and regret. The mighty Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, so-called Breaker of Chains, reduced to seeking my approval.

The irony wasn't lost on me.

In the original timeline, she had grown to become a conqueror while I had died pathetically, my head melted by molten gold.

How the tables had turned.

After a tense moment, as I still wondered what to do with her, Daenerys made the first move. She hesitated, then stepped forward. She tentatively raised herself on her toes, pressing her lips against mine.

It was a soft, hesitant kiss, an act of appeasement rather than passion.

I remained still, surprised by her initiative. The anger that had been coursing through me began to dissipate, replaced by a familiar stirring of desire.

Her body pressed against mine, soft curves yielding to the hardness of my frame.

The scent of her, all the wind and smoke we've been through, along with something uniquely Daenerys—filled my senses.

As the kiss ended, she looked up at me, her violet eyes wide and needy in the growing light of dawn.

"Please don't be mad at me anymore…" she whispered, her voice carrying a vulnerability I'd never heard from her before. Her hand rested on my chest, fingers splayed against the fabric of my tunic. "All this time, I've been blind. I realize now. I see that I need you… brother. I need your guidance, your strength."

I let out a slow breath, the last vestiges of my anger fading.

There was something intoxicating about having the mighty Daenerys Targaryen submit to me so completely. About having my dear sister admit that she needs her family.

With a decisive motion, I gripped her waist firmly, pulling her against me. I captured her lips myself this time, with force and passion, pushing her back until she stumbled onto the grassy ground.

She let out a wet gasp against my mouth, her body arching upward to meet mine.

The first rays of dawn painted the eastern sky orange and gold, bathing us in warm light as I loomed over Daenerys. Her silver-gold hair spread across the grass like molten metal, her glossy lips parted in anticipation as our kiss deepened.

Around us, three dragons watched in low, grumbling silence, witnesses to the union of fire and blood.

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