Chapter Text
It was, without a doubt, a glorious day. To be sure, most afternoons in late spring were pleasant but this one was downright splendid. The warm sun caressed Alicent Hightower’s face, a soft breeze blew through her hair, and best of all, Rhaenyra Targaryen was by her side. Clad in a golden dress that left her arms mostly bare, the princess sat next to her on a bench in the Red Keeps’ gardens, plucking at flowers she should’ve left alone.
“Can you believe what happened to Ser Edwin?” Alicent asked. “He was at lunch with Lord Reyne’s younger daughter, trying to convince her to accept his proposal, when one of the castle cooks walks in with their bastard daughter. The look on his face must have been priceless.”
Rhaenyra’s laugh was a lovely, lyrical thing, even when she was speaking about the most scandalous subjects. “He’d have a better chance of storming Casterly Rock in his small clothes than marrying Gemma now,” she declared, flicking purple petals into the air one after another. “And speaking of scandalous, what about Lady Merryweather? They say she’s been spending a great deal of time with that cute seamstress with the red hair ever since her husband left for the Stormlands.”
Alicent gave her best friend a shocked look. “Surely you cannot be suggesting something untoward is going on. They are both women.”
“Didn’t you hear? Melia presented as an alpha a few months ago.”
“Oh my.” Women could become alphas but it was hardly proper. Not everyone agreed, of course. In some parts of the realm, especially the North, such things were accepted as normal, and the Targaryens certainly didn’t worry about them, but in Oldtown at least, such a presentation was something to be ashamed of.
“Besides,” Rhaenyra continued, “Who’s to say ladies can’t do scandalous things together, alphas or not?” She took Alicent’s hand in her own, lacing their fingers together. The princess had enjoyed teasing her for years but since her presentation earlier in the spring, it had gotten worse. She seemed to have no fear of such scandals and no interest in what the Gods thought of her actions. As long as it could make Alicent blush, that was good enough for her.
Still, Alicent seldom did anything to discourage the princess. There was something intoxicating about her lack of shame, even if her best friend couldn’t share it. To have the Realm’s Delight, the loveliest omega in all seven kingdoms, flirting with the mere Alicent Hightower, gave her a naughty thrill every time.
“I suppose they can,” she admitted, offering what she hoped what was an innocent look. It wouldn’t do to let Rhaenyra know how her heart fluttered at those little smiles and touches. Not when the princess was surely joking, not when it was impossible that anything real could come from these games.
“And what about you, Alicent?” Rhaenyra asked, sliding her fingers free with a delicious slowness. “When are you going to present?”
“I might not,” she reminded Rhaenyra. Indeed, most of those who were fated to do so already had by the time they were her age. “My father is a beta, after all.”
Rhaenyra snorted. “How dull. But then, he is a dull man. That hardly describes you, Lady Hightower.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it works. Your father is a beta too.”
“And boring as well. But I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see. Still, I bet you’ll be something more interesting. An omega like me. Or perhaps even an alpha.”
She recoiled at the suggestion, shooting the princess a horrified look that wasn’t entirely feigned. “Perish the thought, Rhaenyra.”
****
In her dreams, it was always Rhaenyra. The details changed but across a hundred nights and countless landscapes the princess was haunting Alicent. Tonight the omega stood by the ocean, clad in a silver dress of the sheerest silk, moonlight illuminating her hair as it flowed freely down her back, a vision too ethereal to be real.
She faced the waves but the sound of footsteps on the sand made her turn. “Alicent,” she breathed and that one word was enough. The sparkle in her eyes and the power of her scent did the rest. This wasn’t the usual sweetness of an omega but that other thing, the one Alicent had gotten just a hint of before Rhaenyra had been locked away for the duration of her heat. Fire and honey, summer and sex, all mixed up together, but this time, there was no one to keep them apart.
Alicent had dreamed of that scent before but this time was different. Not only was the smell stronger, the wanting was sharper. It was saturating every part of her being, tingling in her lips, running along her fingers, curling down her spine, and settling between her legs. That was where the difference was greatest. There was a straining Alicent had never felt before, painful in a way she hadn’t known was possible. Not just a desire but a craving, one she couldn’t ignore, no matter how forbidden.
When she opened her mouth to wonder what was going on, no words came out. Instead Rhaenyra took it as an invitation, pulling Alicent into her arms as it it was the most natural thing in the world. They had kissed in daylight but not this way. Not with the omega’s tongue sliding into her mouth, her hands clutching hungrily at Alicent’s body. Her body, not her clothes, she realized. She was naked before the princess and perhaps she always had been. Every part of her was exposed to Rhaenyra’s eager gaze: her legs and breasts, belly and… cock?
To her surprise, Alicent realized that between her legs was a rigid erection, one that Rhaenyra was now stroking, purring endearments as she caressed the throbbing flesh. The alpha, for if she now had a cock, it must mean she was an alpha, groaned, succumbing fully to her desires. And why should she not? Rhaenyra was hers, she knew deep in her soul, and how could that be a sin?
At the merest touch of her fingers, the omega’s dress fell away, leaving Alicent free to know her lover’s body in full. She traced a line down Rhaenyra’s neck and across the smooth skin of her shoulders, worshipping as much as touching. The omega’s small, perfect breasts fit into her hands as if they were made for each other and when she caressed the nipples that topped them, they hardened like diamonds against her palms.
“Yes, my Alicent,” Rhaenyra cooed, urging her on as always, but without a hint of her usual teasing. “It’s all for you.”
The words made her member throb with need, aching at the promise of the ecstasy that was to come. Alicent’s hand dipped between the princess’ thighs and the merest touch was enough to leave her digits coated in slickness, more than she would’ve believed possible. “For me,” she growled, her voice thick with wanting as she spread Rhaenyra’s velvet folds open, sliding inside with ease. She could no longer think of anything but what it would feel like to bury herself there in full, to claim that mate that her heart yearned for.
“All for me…”
Alicent awoke with a start, bolting up in bed as a surge of pleasure unlike anything she had felt coursed through her. But as good as her body felt, her mind wouldn’t let her enjoy it. Confusion and fear were stronger and her hand shook as she reached beneath the blankets and pulled aside her shift. As soon as she saw what lay beneath, a gasp forced its way out of her throat. The dream had been a true one. Not about Rhaenyra of course; the omega was nowhere to be seen, but about herself. Standing between her legs, thick and long and covered in the stickiness of her own release, was an alpha’s cock.
****
“An alpha?” Otto Hightower shook his head, every bit of the disappointment Alicent had feared to see written plainly on his face. “You are certain of this?”
Alicent bowed her head, hoping that she wasn’t turning red as she thought about how she had discovered her presentation. It wasn’t something that left any room for doubt and her father probably knew that. He just didn’t want to believe it, no more than she did. “I am.”
Her turned away, starring out the window of his study as if he was too ashamed to even look at Alicent. “That is unfortunate. And just when it seemed as if the king was growing fond of you too…”
That was the only saving grace of her presentation. Ever since Queen Aemma’s death, her father had been sending her to comfort Viserys. She’d thought he only wanted to help his king through a difficult time, but of late, she’d begun suspecting he aimed for her to take the queen’s place. Now that would never happen, much to her relief. Viserys was a kind man but not one for whom she felt any of the desire she had for his daughter.
“I’m sorry, father,” she said, doing her best to sound sincere. She’d already failed her family; the least she could do now was not be relieved about it.
“No one can say how the Seven choose for us to present but I do wonder why they condemned our house to this embarrassment.”
“I don’t know,” Alicent pretended, even as she felt sure it was her fault. She had harbored such sinful fantasies about Rhaenyra, thoughts that ladies should not have, especially not for one another. Surely that must be why the Gods had cursed her with a form that made those desires manifest. Once she had been able to bury her shame deep down but now, merely thinking too much about the princess would reveal it to anyone who cared to look.
“We have to move quickly,” he continued. Her father had never been one to dwell on her feelings, especially not if there were more practical concerns involved. “Unmated, your condition will attract far too much attention. I will need to find an appropriate match for you and soon. Under the circumstances, perhaps one far away from King’s Landing would be best.”
Alicent wouldn’t have thought she could feel any worse, but the idea of such a banishment did the trick. “Are you sure about that?” she asked tentatively. “You’ve always said that my friendship with the princess was valuable to our family.”
“And so it was. You did well as her lady in waiting. But now that very closeness has become a liability. A friendship between an alpha and an omega could lead to unsavory rumors, ones that could damage her reputation as well as your marriage prospects. It would be best if the two of you kept your distance until a match can be made.”
“Rhaenyra will not allow us to be parted,” Alicent said desperately. She didn’t dare to defy her father but perhaps if the objection came from someone more important, it might give him pause. “I am her closest companion.”
“Then I will have to speak to the king. He is a sensible man and can be made to see the necessity of this separation.”
Some part of Alicent saw it too. She had already spent far too long indulging in the most foolish dreams about Rhaenyra, flirting and touching and even playing silly kissing games when she could find the courage. How much worse might she behave now that she was an alpha? Better that she was far away from the princess, where her wicked heart could do no more damage.
And yet that belief did nothing to remove the horrible clawing feeling in her guts at the future that was now spread out before her. She did not want to leave court, did not want to marry whatever male omega her father would pick out for her, and most all, she did not want to lose Rhaenyra from her life forever. And yet, what choice did she have?
****
Rhaenyra Targaryen seldom bothered to knock. Why should she, when Alicent was always happy to see her dearest friend? Today, though, all the newly presented alpha wanted was to be left alone with her misery and here was Rhaenyra, barging into her chambers as if she lived there.
Of course the princess had to look even more stunning than usual. Clad in a gorgeous red dress piped with gold, her long hair tied back in a simple braid, her loveliness was only a cruel reminder of Alicent’s situation. “Where were you?” Rhaenyra demanded. “We were supposed to have lunch with the Archon of Braavos’ daughters. I was left alone to listen to three courses worth of a discussion on the cloth trade.”
“I’m sorry, Rhaenyra,” she said, unable to find the motivation to get out of her chair to properly greet the princess.
“Well, you can make it up to me tonight. There’s a ghastly banquet planned for the whole delegation and I want you by my side. At least we can make fun of everything together.”
“Another time,” she offered, even as she feared that was a lie. She’d skipped out on lunch not only because of her father’s command but because it didn’t feel like a good idea to spend more time with Rhaenyra right now. Not after the previous night’s dream and especially not when the omega smelled so good. She always had, but now Alicent was aware of it in an entirely new way, the sweet wine of her best friend seeping into every pore of her being.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one becoming aware of a scent. Rhaenyra’s cute little nose twitched and she leaned in closer. “Alicent,” she asked, “Did you just present? As an alpha?”
She buried her face in her hands, afraid to look directly at Rhaenyra. “Is it so obvious?”
“Yeah, kind of. Is that really so bad?”
“Are you serious, Rhaenyra? Hightower girls are not supposed to become alphas. I’m a disgrace to the family name.”
“That’s your father talking, Alicent. I think it’s just fine.”
Rhaenyra’s lack of disgust came as a relief but it changed nothing. “My father,” she said with a deep sigh, “Is sending me away. He wants me out of the capital and married, to keep this as quiet as possible.”
Alicent would’ve given anything not to see the pain that her words produced. At once Rhaenyra’s face fell and the light in her blue eyes seemed to dim. “When?”
“As soon as he can arrange it. He doesn’t even want me spending time with you now that I’ve presented like this.”
Rhaenyra placed a hand on her shoulder. Even that slight touch burned, making the alpha’s skin feel as if she was fevered. “And what do you want, Alicent?”
She sat up in her chair, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. “To stay with you, Rhaenyra. Of course.”
“Then refuse to go.”
Her shoulders slumped once more. “I can’t. I’m not a princess. I don’t have a dragon to fly me wherever I want to go.”
“You’re an alpha,” Rhaenyra huffed. “Or at least I thought you were. Because right now, you’re acting more spineless than any omega I’ve ever met.”
Alicent wanted to protest but no words came to mind. She was a failure on every level, unable to present right, love right, or act right, incapable of doing anything as Rhaenyra Targaryen turned and stormed out of her chambers and quite possibly her life for good.