Princess Rhaenys arrives on Dragonstone to announce King Viserys's death and Prince Aegon's ascent to the throne; the news shocks Rhaenyra into a premature stillbirth. While mourning the loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together as Daemon pressures her to go to war. When Ser Erryk brings Viserys's crown, Rhaenyra is declared queen. Otto presents Aegon II's terms for her concession, which would let her keep her royal title and Dragonstone and preserve her son's right to inherit Driftmark; Daemon is angered when Rhaenyra considers conceding to unify the realm against the Northern threat foretold in Aegon the Conqueror's dream. Corlys pledges House Velaryon to Rhaenyra's "Black" faction, and Daemon, planning to recruit more dragonriders, awakens a large dragon hibernating in a cave.
Jace and Luke are sent as envoys to secure Houses Arryn, Stark and Baratheon as allies. Luke meets Lord Borros Baratheon and finds Prince Aemond already there courting the Baratheons for Aegon II, who has offered Borros a marriage between his daughter and Aemond while Rhaenyra offered nothing. Luke leaves on his dragon Arrax with Aemond pursuing on Vhagar; the fractious dragons defy their riders, Arrax burns Vhagar, and Vhagar then devours Luke and Arrax, stunning Aemond. Rhaenyra is devastated and enraged upon receiving the news.