The families gather on Driftmark for Lady Laena's funeral. Viserys fails to reconcile with Daemon, while Rhaenyra and Daemon reunite and have sex. Prince Aemond claims Vhagar as his dragon, provoking an altercation with his cousins and nephews in which Luke slashes Aemond's eye with a knife. Alicent demands justice and lunges at Luke with Viserys's Valyrian steel dagger; Rhaenyra blocks her and is injured herself. Calling for an end to the infighting, Viserys decrees that anyone claiming Rhaenyra's sons are bastards will be punished.
Otto, reinstated as Hand of the King, assures Alicent they will prevail, while Rhaenyra and Daemon unite against Alicent and her family. Qarl appears to murder Laenor, leaving behind a charred body, and Daemon and Rhaenyra privately marry in the old Valyrian Dragonlord tradition to perpetuate the Targaryen bloodline. Laenor, having faked his death, escapes Driftmark with Qarl.