bananadrinkxxx

[bananadrinkxxx]

Please excuse me for posting so irregularly at the moment. I am not doing so well. But today as compensation two chapters of Blood Crown. The other stories will follow soon.

[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (29 PART TWO)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

Aemond didn't hesitate when Ser Criston Cole came to meet him the next morning. 

He grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him close. Cole looked at him confused for a moment until a knowing look crossed his face. He knew immediately.

"You dare disobey my orders?" hissed Aemond.

"You didn't order me to keep quiet about it. The plan was different, my prince."

"The correct address is, your Grace, Ser Criston. I am Prince Regent and you have given information that you were not entitled to without my permission. It could be considered treason. Are you a traitor, Cole?"

"I would never betray you. I ask for forgiveness, your Grace," Ser Criston began quietly and tried to pull away, but Aemond's grip tightened, so he quickly gave up. "But I only had good things in mind. The girl was with Rhaenyra Targaryen. Our enemy. Either she is loyal to her or she has heard things that could be useful to us."

"She didn't hear anything, Criston," Aemond defended. "She told me everything."

"And you believe her?"

"There is nothing to prove otherwise."

"Then let her be taken to the dungeon. They will question her there and-"

Before Ser Criston could continue, Aemond had pushed him against the wall behind him and the man groaned painfully. Aemond's hand went to the man's neck, who looked at him with wide eyes.

He suggested putting a pregnant woman in the dungeon? To interrogate them, whatever torture meant. His pregnant wife?

"If you ever speak of this again, even hint at something like that, I will rip out your tongue and offer it to Vhagar as a snack, understand?"

Ser Criston nodded. He tried to keep his composure, but Aemond saw the fear in his teacher's eyes. He felt no pity. He had himself to blame for that.

"Rose is under my protection. She belongs to me and anyone who acts against her is also acting against me."

Aemond took another searching look into Criston's eyes before letting go of the older man and pushing him away. He turned around without another word and left the man behind.

Nobody would dare touch Rose.

No matter how deep his arguments with her were, in the end she was still his.

And he wouldn't allow anyone to harm her.

He realized that he would kill for Rose. That after all this she still possessed his mind. The only thing he could keep from her was his body. Her return had affected him more than he had expected. Seeing her look at him, her eyes judging him, was almost unbearable. He wished he could forget his feelings for her, erase them from his mind forever, but it wasn't possible. Rose was like his own shadow. She would never leave his mind and his heart.

D R A G O N S T O N E

Rhaenyra took her necklace out from under her dress. She always kept them hidden between fabric and skin, afraid of losing them. It was the only thing she had left of Aemma. She played with the chain between her fingers and looked at it. She read the inside writing.

In dreams we are united.

She had given the necklace to her little daughter for her fourth name day. Aemma's eyes were shining. Her daughter was overjoyed as she held the necklace in her small, soft hands. The necklace was made of Valyrian material and just as Daemon had once given her a necklace, she had given the same gift to her daughter.

"I'm sorry, my queen," Baela said suddenly and Rhaenyra looked up. Baela and Jacaerys sat across from her. Her son looked up, his eyes focused on Rhaenyra's necklace and an inexplicable emotion flashed across his face. His eyes widened before fixing on the table in front of them. He's been different lately. Closer. She would have to talk to him. She looked at Lucerys. He looked sad, but it wasn't like Jacaerys. Something was different.

"What are you apologizing for, Baela?" Rhaenyra asked, looking at her stepdaughter. She was the spitting image of Baela. Beautiful, graceful, proud. "And call me Rhaenyra. We are a family."

Baela smiled briefly, but her smile disappeared as quickly as it came.

"It's my fault Rose was kid-, I mean Aemma, kidnapped."

"You think she was kidnapped?" Rhaena asked. "Maybe she went voluntarily? Maybe she was the one who hurt you? Even if she is Aemma, she has no memory of us, right?"

"She didn't hurt me. The attack came from behind. She was standing right next to me."

"Then she saw the attacker?"

"No I do not think so."

"How can you be sure?"

"I just know, Rhaena," Baela raised her voice and looked annoyed at her sister. Rhaena jumped and looked away. She bit her lip.

"Whatever happened to my daughter, Baela," Rhaenyra interjected, drawing attention back to herself. "It's not your fault."

"But I wanted to go to the market with her, Rhaenyra. It was my idea."

"Then there would have been a different situation," Daemon agreed with Rhaenyra. "Someone kidnapped Aemma and we will find out who and bring them to justice. Whoever is responsible for her disappearance will wish they were never born."

He looked at Rhaenyra and she reached for his hand under the table and squeezed it. She was grateful for his support. A pushing back a chair drew her attention to Jacaerys, who was suddenly pale.

"Jace?" Rhaenyra asked, jumping up to go to her eldest child, but he just shook his head.

"I think I'm getting sick, mother. I'm going to retire so I can recover."

Jacaerys turned away from Rhaenyra and she watched her son go. He seemed so changed. She hardly recognized him. Maybe he had grown more attached to Aemma than he was letting on. Maybe she meant more to him than he was letting on. She would talk to him when the opportunity arose. Even though he was an adult, he was still her child. He would always be her child.

. . . . .

Jacaerys threw up when he was in his room. He shivered all over and slid down the wall to sit on the cold floor. Panic had taken over his entire body and he desperately clutched his brown, sweat-drenched hair. He stared aimlessly at a spot in his room. He couldn't take it any longer. His mother's pained look. She was suffering and because of him. What he had done was wrong and now he had to live with the consequences of his actions. He would never forgive himself for this. He had only wanted to protect his family, but he had ended up causing more evil than he wanted to avoid. He still doubted that Rose was his little sister, but that wasn't the point anymore. He had patronized his mother. He had decided for her whether Rose was worth a chance and he had decided against it. He knew his mother would never forgive him. Just like Lucerys. He had felt Daemon's gaze on his neck as he left the room. He didn't know if his stepfather suspected something, but his words were clear.

If Jacaery's secret were discovered, everyone would consider him a traitor.

And maybe he was.

K I N G S L A N D I N G

Aemond hadn't visited his sister for days. Her sight hurt too much.

She was sitting there without participation, sunk in her own world, tortured by the guilt that she was wearing.

It has always been withdrawn, but this condition was not normal for her either. And yet he looked for her closeness. Their affection. They have always had a special band and he longed for their touches, their loving words. He longed for his sister. He needed her. He felt so alone. Even if Helaena had changed. Sitting here, with her, even when they didn't talk, gave him strength.

"How is Rose?" "Suddenly an voice illuminated the room and Aemond looked up. Helaena looked at him and her gaze was clear. He saw no confusion, no dreaming. Aemond leaned forward. Helaena looked him directly in the eye. "How is the child?"

"You know of the child?" Asked Aemond irritated. Had his mother went to Helaena and told her about it. Helaena put his head at an angle and gave him a meaningful look. No, his mother hadn't told her. She knew it. Just as she knew a lot that she couldn't know. He looked at his sister.

"Are you still answering me?"

She pulled up an eyebrow.

"I think she's fine."

"You think?," She asked and put her head wrong. "Why do you think? You should know."

Aemond snorted. "It hard at the moment. We don't talk that much."

"Hmmm," summed up Helaena, "that's stupid of you."

Aemond looked at his sister surprised. "Excuse me, what?"

"You have to open your eye, Aemond. Look over the horizon, into the distance. Don't be fooled by whispering," and there was. His sister who spoke confusing words. What did she mean? Shouldn't he be fooled by the whispering? 

"What do you mean?"

Helaena leaned her head to the side. "You don't see properly, Aemond," she said as if it were the most understandable in the world. "You must not keep your happiness away. The paper dragon burns to flesh and blood. Dragonseed in Dragonseed. Old guilt must be paid, but you have to be happy."

Dragonseed in Dragonseed?

Aemond knew what that meant, but not in this context. She had said it before. Dragonseed in Dragonseed. But he still could not place it.

Dragonseed was said to speak of bastards of the Targaryen clan, but Rose was not a Targaryen. Was Helaena pregnant? Had Aegon planted new life in her before everything went down the stream? It would not be unlikely. He would ask the Maester to check it in the next examination.

He didn't understand the rest. It was nothing new.

"You have to be happy, Aemond," said Helaena and suddenly she looked so unhappy. 

So incredibly unhappy. "Don't let me go, promise me," her words sounded as clear, more clearly than ever and Aemond searched for a answer in the face of Helaena that she would not give him.

"Do it for me. At least one of us should be happy."

. . . . .

When Aemond was in his bed at night, he could think of nothing other than Helaena's words. They followed him every second, and no matter how much he puzzled, he understood only half. If he understood anything at all. He straightened up in bed and stared at the window. The light of the moon illuminated his room.

"You have to be happy, Aemond." she said.

But he wondered how he should be happy when he was kept taking it again and again?

He had thought that he would be happy as a prince regent, with power as a king, but the desired effect failed to do.

"Do it for me. At least one of us should be happy."

He wanted to be happy. He longed for it. He wanted it more than anything and he also knew that his luck was only a few steps away. He looked at the wall behind him as if he could see it. Whether she was awake at the moment and was just as tormented as he was? Or was she sleeping calmly and dreamed of being far away? He couldn't even blame her. He had treated himself badly. He had blamed her, but he was the blacksmith of his own misfortune. He had spoken words that he shouldn't speak. Even if he had only spoken to her so that he could protect her.

He got up and slowly went to his desk.

His bare feet tingled through the cold of the floor.

He reached for the drawer and opened it. There was a dagger and another eye patch (he owned plently), but his focus was on another object. Aemond reached into the drawer and took out a necklace. He looked at it. It was beautiful. Just like her. This necklace didn't belong to him and it would never belong to him, but he knew every single inch of it. He had found Rose's necklace when she left him and although the anger had tempted him to throw it away, he hadn't. He couldn't. This necklace meant something to her. She had received her from her dead mother. He couldn't take that away from her. 

She had lost it in the attack and Aemond had found it.  It was stupid. Through this necklace he had the feeling that he also had something from her. That he owned something from her if it wasn't her heart.

He turned the necklace in his fingers and read the engraving on the back.

In Dreams we are united.

It was true. 

He was united with her in his dreams.

. . .

"The Blacks are gaining more and more power."

"Various men of the Kingsguard have joined as well as men of the Night's Watch. Traitors, oathbreakers, it doesn't surprise me that they are joining the Black Queen. A bullshit name!," Wylde spit. "They must all be beheaded, hanged. They are not worthy of an honorable death."

"Is there any news from Dorne?" Lannister asked and all eyes turned to Otto, who shook his head bitterly.

"Dorne will not take sides."

"Hmm, I guess they're hoping we'll tear each other apart."

"Well, as long as they don't support the princess."

"House Stark has spoken out in favor of Rhaenyra. But our men have not yet seen any mobilization of the Northman army."

"Winter is coming," Lannister said. "Lord Stark is aware of this. What do the Northmen always say? 'The tunic is closer to me than the trousers'?"

"And Harrenhall?" asked Aemond and all eyes turned to Lord Larys. 

"Harrenhall is strong. Our walls are sturdy. We are prepared for the attacks of the blacks."

"Well, but you can't do anything against their dragons, right, Lord Larys? Harrenhall doesn't have a good history of dragonfire." Lord Lannister loved to test those around him. But he had chosen the wrong opponent.

Larys just smiled at Lannister's provocation. "I guess no big house has that, right? And the ones that have been spared so far could burn quicker than we'd like."

Aemond watched the spectacle, but his mind was elsewhere. They were with Helaena and her words and with the woman who haunted him day and night.

A tentative knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Otto allowed entry and an old man, past his prime, stumbled in.

"Your Grace, please excuse the interruption," the maester began, bowing to Aemond, who was sitting at the table with his mother and grandfather, as well as Larys Strong and Tyland Lannister, discussing possible strategies in the fight against the self-proclaimed queen.

"Can't you see we're having a conversation, Maester?" Lannister interjected and he saw his mother roll her eyes out of the corner of his eye. This man really liked to hear himself talk.

"Forgive me, but the Prince Regent has instructed me to contact him immediately if there are... complications."

"Complications?" Alicent repeated. "Which type?"

"Well, I would like to discuss this with the honorable Highness myself, if you allow me."

"You can speak freely in front of us, we-"

"We will continue this conversation tomorrow. Everything is settled so far," Aemond interrupted Otto, who looked at him in surprise.

"Aemond, you-"

"The correct address is still, your Grace, Lord Hightower," he exchanged a look with his grandfather and he saw the rebellion in his eyes. He looked at him challengingly, a raised eyebrow inviting him to contradict him. But Otto was wiser and he bowed his head and nodded.

Aemond gave his grandfather an unimpressed look. He treated him like a little boy. He had forgotten that he was the one who made Aegon, and therefore Aemond, the most powerful man in the empire. Now he had to live with the fact that his grandsons were above him. Just like she always had.

He left the room without further comment.

"The girl refuses to be examined by me," the maester began as they walked together down the hallway to her room. "My words don't bring them to their senses."

"You call me because you can't control a woman?"

The maester bit his lip in shame. "I don't know how far my authority extends with her." He swallowed. "She had light bleeding this morning. That shouldn't happen, but it can under certain circumstances like stress or too fast growing of the child in her womb. That's why an examination is important so that I can rule out any danger."

Aemond nodded. The words made him nervous. He tried not to show anything and to keep calm.

He would not allow Rose to risk her life and the child's life by refusing to be examined out of spite. He would persuade her to allow this search, otherwise he would force her for her own good.

Suddenly a guard came towards them and looked frantically at Aemond. He was one of the guards he had assigned to Rose. "Your Grace, the prisoner is attacking the other servants."

Ah, wonderful.

. . . . .

The imagination and reality of how Rose attacked guards and servants were completely different and yet completely the same. Pillows and various other objects lay on the floor and when Aemond entered the chamber, another pillow flew towards him, which he threw to the side with a careless movement.

"Get away from me," Rose shouted and the silver food tray flew towards the guards, who were able to dodge at the last moment. At least the one in front, because the one in the back was hit in the face. She could aim, you had to give her that.

"Rose, we mean no harm, please, you need the examination!" pleaded a servant and came towards her, but Rose continued to back away. They seemed to know each other, which wasn't particularly surprising considering Rose had worked for her.

"What I need is fresh air and freedom. That's the only problem here! I'm fine. The child is fine!"

Rose was still in her nightgown and Aemond was overcome with jealousy. Had these men seen her in this effort? He ordered the guards out of the room, and Rose's raging gaze fell on him. Her eyes were full of anger and reproach.

Rose stared at him like he was her worst enemy. He probably was at that moment too.

"Me too, your highness?" the maester asked and without taking his eyes off Rose, Aemond nodded. "Everyone should get out but stay within earshot."

The maester nodded and left the room, as did the other two women.

Aemond came towards Rose, but she grabbed a vaser and signaled him to stop.

"Stop immediately, don't come any closer, Aemond," she snapped and he obeyed.

"You need the exam, Rose."

"What I need is for you to let me out of here. I'm going insane and this is all your fault!"

"My fault?" Aemond repeated. "I wouldn't have to keep you here if-"

"If I hadn't left you, yeah yeah, blah blah, we all know it, Aemond. The whole fucking world knows it, but you were the one who drove me away," Rose screamed. "I would never have left you. Damn it. I was ready to die for you, don't you understand that?"

The first tears rolled down her cheeks and he gave Aemond a stab in his heart. Seeing her like that, so desperate, so hurt, hurt him more than he expected.

"Rose, calm down," he began soothingly, "no matter what differences we both have, don't be unreasonable and get yourself checked."

"Not until you let me out of here."

"That's not possible."

"Well, then it's not possible to be examined," Rose said defiantly and Aemond had had enough. He came towards her with quick steps and Rose threw the vase at him, which he caught in the air and threw away. The vase broke on his hand, leaving a deep cut, but he didn't care. He grabbed Rose and pulled her close, but Rose wasn't willing to give up without a fight. She hit him, pinched, scratched and bit. It was difficult to keep them contained without resorting to violence. Fascinating how such a petite body could suddenly gain strength.

"Calm down, Rose," he yelled to bring her to her senses.

"You're not telling me what to do anymore," Rose screamed. "You treat me like trash, make me look like a villain, but I haven't done anything to anyone." She struck at him again and Aemond intercepted the blow. She was shaking with anger and her breathing was rapid. Rose needed to calm down before she hurt her child, his child, their child.

Her punches caught him in the face and he felt his eye patch fly away. Rose jumped in shock and stared at the spot where his second eye should be. Hadn't she seen it yet? He did not know. He wasn't ashamed of the way his face looked thanks to his nephew. Now he saw it as a weapon against his enemies, who hopped away like frightened rabbits at the sight of him.

Now she saw the real him.

He pushed her back and she fell backwards onto the bed, him on top of her.

"Let me go. Get off me, Aemond," she ordered, but he didn't think about it. He pushed her wrists down and pushed her onto the bed.

"Do you want your child to die?" Aemond asked, looking down at her. She still resisted, but his words reached her. "The Maester just wants to check that he or she is okay. That you are okay. Don't be unreasonable, Rose."

Her resistance weakened, to the point where she lay on the bed beneath him like a lifeless doll, looking up at him in desperation.

"I hate it here so much," she began. "Please release me, let me go, give me some freedom, I beg you, Aemond," she begged and Aemond was pained by the sight of her. But he was too selfish, too afraid of losing her again, that he wanted to let her go. could let go. He needed her. He missed her. Even as she lay here beneath him, so close, she was so far away. And it was largely his fault. "Do you hate me so much? Do you want to see me suffer?"

"I don't hate you. I could never," He confessed and he knew that he was revealing his weakness for her, but he didn't care at that moment. He gave her a knife, a dagger, and he would run in gratefully if she wanted him to, she had dominated him so much by now.

He thought he was in control. But in the end it was Rose who had control over him. 

"But I can't let you go," he spoke, looking into her eyes. He saw her disappointment. "I'm doing this to protect you too."

"Protect me?" Rose breathed. "From what? From who?"

Aemond examined her beautiful face. "From these who want to harm you. You said it yourself."

Rose looked at him in surprise. Her eyes looked tired. "So you believe me after all?"

He didn't give her an answer, but he didn't need to. The four bodies were proof enough and consistent with Rose's story. Yes, she had tried to leave him, but that didn't change the fact that someone had tried to kill her.

"I will protect you, Rose."

She looked at him incredulously and snorted. "And who will protect me from you?"

Her question hit him harder than he expected. Was he really the monster she painted him as? Had he really become so cruel and cold that he only did wrong? Anger and bitterness had guided him in the beginning, but he wondered if his pride had ultimately harmed him more than protected him. He didn't want to appear weak, not in front of her or anyone else, but no matter how hard he tried to put a wall up between the two of them, it always ended up breaking down.

"You scare me, Aemond. I don't recognize you," Rose breathed as her eyes watched him. She tried to touch his face, but he pushed her hand down.

"I guess you're not the only one," he said, seeing her sad look. She should stop looking at him like that. He couldn't stand her looks anymore.

What had become of them? What had become of him? Sometimes he didn't recognize himself. Sometimes he was afraid of the person he had become.

He pulled away from her and got off the bed. Her eyes followed his movements.

"If I allow you to leave these rooms with two servants, provided under constant supervision, will you cooperate with the maester and allow yourself to be examined?"

Rose saw him surprised and for a moment she seemed to think. She probably wondered if he was trying to trick her, to deceive her, but he meant the words as he said them. He would give her more freedom if it made her feel better.

After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and Aemond exhaled contentedly. He ran his gaze over her once more before leaving the chambers and ordering the maester to enter and continue the examination.

Taglist

@watercolorskyy @marvelescvpe @ammo23 @helaenaluvr @toodlesxcuddles @malfoytargaryen

[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (29 PART ONE)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

Aegon never wanted to be king. He didn't want this war and especially he didn't want to be the one who would disappoint everyone.

But here he was again. Back to being a disappointment. The look in his mother's eyes made it clear. He would always be a disappointment. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how hard he tried, it was never enough.

He watched as the new servant, whose name he didn't know, poured water into his cup and Aegon grimaced disdainfully.

"What am I supposed to do with that?" he asked and the servant flinched. She looked at him in surprise.

"My king, you are awake? Forgive me, did I wake you?"

He shook his head. Even this simple movement hurt him. "I keep waking up for no reason. The more important question is why you are filling my wine cup with water?"

The woman looked at him irritated. "In case you get thirsty?"

"It seems to me that your pretty head can't follow me. I want to know why there's water and no wine in it."

Realization came to her face.

"The maester said you're not allowed to have wine."

Aegon snorted and made a noise that sounded like a laugh.

"And the maester is who compared to your king?" He raised his eyebrow and she seemed to understand. She nodded humbly and poured the water back into the jug. Then she went to the wine jug and filled his cup. "More," he ordered and she looked at him, but she said nothing and followed his command. She handed him the cup and he drank it in just a few gulps. Then he pointed to the cup again. "Once again."

She didn't comment on his desire for alcohol and did as she was told. He liked her.

"Who are you? I've never seen you here before?"

He drank the wine again when she handed him the cup, but this time he didn't empty it all at once.

She looked at him. "I've only been here a few weeks, Your Highness. My name is Alys Rivers."

He raised his eyebrow. "A bastard from the Riverlands? You come a long way."

She nodded. "My brother brought me here, my king."

"And who is your brother?"

"Lord Larys Strong."

Aegon frowned. "I didn't know Lord Larys has a sister."

"I'm of no relevance. I don't think I was worth mentioning."

Aegon nodded and ran his gaze over Alys. She was pretty. She was definitely older than him, maybe even older than Rhaenyra, but age didn't change the fact that she was pretty.

"Who do you serve?"

"Your brother Prince Aemond, my king."

Hmm, this could be interesting.

"Is he fucking you?" he asked bluntly, and if she was shocked or embarrassed by his unseemly question, she didn't show it. Her facial expressions remained unchanged.

"No, he doesn't."

"He doesn't?" Aegon ran his gaze over her body again. She had the curves in all the right places. He wouldn't hesitate to bring her into his bed. He would even order her to sit on him at this moment if he could feel anything other than pain.

"Why not? Are you talking too much? Are you stupid? He doesn't like stupid women, although I think he gives it too much importance. You don't seem stupid. What is it? Are you fucking someone else? He doesn't share."

Alys smiled as if he had paid her a compliment. A strange woman.

"He has someone else."

"Someone else?" Aegon repeated. "Is he finally over our adorable rose?"

Alys was silent and he was about to tell her that she had to answer his questions until he noticed something in her eyes. No, he wasn't over Rose.

He opened his eyes in amazement.

"Has Rose returned?"

Alys smiled at his conclusion. "Yes, my king. He keeps her in his chambers."

Aegon continued to sit up despite the pain. "He keeps her in his chambers?"

"Yes, he doesn't allow her to leave his chambers."

Aegon laughed. "What's wrong? Is the idiot afraid that she'll run away from him again? I guess he's a lame act in bed."

Alys left that re-commented. "I can't judge his motives."

"But?"

She looked him straight in the eyes. She looked similar to Rose. Just older. "Rose is pregnant with his child."

Well, that was some interesting news. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. His perfect brother, had fathered a bastard with a servant? In this castle, under his mother's watchful gaze? He laughed. He was proud of Aemond for the first time. He was not surprised that it was Rose who carried his child under her heart. He had always been so possessive of her. He had experienced it first hand and now he locked her in? It would be interesting to hear how her return came about.

He wore a smile on his lips.

"Well then she's almost part of the family. Send me Rose. I'd like to congratulate her."

Alys looked surprised. "You want to see her? But Prince Aemond has ordered that she is not allowed to leave his chambers."

"I don't care what my brother orders. I am the king and I say bring me the woman."

. . . . .

When the door to her chambers opened, she had expected Aemond or some strange servant with whom she had never had contact. Aemond was very cautious about her contact with the outside world. Each friend was someone who could potentially help Rose escape King's Landing. Rose found Aemond paranoid, but her word no longer had any value in his ears. Rose longed for her time on Dragonstone. She never thought it would be better there than here. Aemond held her captive like an animal and did not allow any contact with the outside world. How strange that his sister, his enemy, had treated her better than he had.

That's why she was all the more surprised when Alys entered the chambers.

"Alys," she greeted the older woman in amazement and Alys came up to her with a smile.

"How are you, Rose?" she reached for her hands. "I'm very happy to see you again. Even if with a little change," she commented on her condition and pointed to her stomach. By now Rose had already noticed the change in her body. Her breasts had become larger, her morning sickness had increased, and her stomach seemed larger. She smiled.

"I'm fine," Rose assured. "I think we're fine," she added with a grin and Alys smiled. "I'm very happy to hear that."

Then the smile left her face. "I would like to sit here with you and continue to listen to you, but I have come on an urgent matter."

"Urgent matter?" The last pressing matter was when she was forced to appear before the Small Council three weeks ago. Not a particularly fond memory. After that, Aemond only came to her once. He had asked her the same thing that Otto Hightower wanted to know from her and she had told him the same thing. He hadn't revealed whether he believed her. The only thing he had said was that she would be safe from now on. After that he left her and never returned. Even though she was angry at him, hurt by the way he treated her, she still couldn't deny that she still cared about him. More than she wanted to admit. But every contact with her seemed to be torture for him.

He had even left his rooms and moved into new ones to avoid her. She wished he would just understand how she felt about it.

"The king sent me. He wants to see you."

Rose looked at Alys in surprise. "The king wants to see me? He's awake again?"

She had heard about Aegon's injuries. About his condition. Even though there were times when he treated her badly, he didn't deserve it. She was just surprised that he was awake and wanted to see her. What significance did she have for the king?

Alys nodded. "I was surprised myself. Please come, I don't want to upset him."

"But Aemond..." Rose interjected.

"It is a royal command, Rose. No matter what Aemond says. Even as Prince Regent. Aegon's word will always carry more weight."

She nodded and when Alys went to the door and knocked, a guard opened the door for her. She looked at Rose.

"Come on, let's not keep the king waiting."

. . . . .

She entered the king's chambers with Alys. Rose had to pull herself together to put her hand over her mouth, not frightened by the sight of him. Aegon had burns everywhere. Even his face was not spared. His left side was bare and covered in bandages, but individual areas revealed how badly he was injured.

"A disgusting sight, isn't it, my sweet Rose?"

Aegon looked at her with tired eyes. He looked exhausted. Sick.

She shook her head.

"There is nothing disgusting about the sight of you, my king."

Aegon seemed to like her answer. He smiled and ordered Alys to leave the room. She obeyed him without argument.

"Come here," Aegon ordered. "Sit with me."

She had to admit that she would rather stay there, but Aegon didn't seem to pose any danger. She pulled the chair over to his bed and he gave her a friendly look.

"You see the war is not good for me."

"No, my king."

"Are you sad that I look like that? I've always gotten compliments on my pretty face, I guess those days are over."

She felt sorry for him. "You don't need compliments on your pretty face. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway, that's what my mother said."

"Hmmm," Aegon hummed happily. "Your mother is a smart woman."

"It was she, my king, yes."

"Oh, forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He couldn't hurt her. After what had happened to her with Aemond and the humiliation she had to endure, both from him and others, no one could hurt her anymore.

She shook her head. "There is nothing to apologize for, my king."

"Aegon," the king suddenly interjected, surprising her. It remembered the moment with Aemond. "You may call me Aegon."

"Do you think that's a good idea? Your mother and grandfather won't be happy about it."

"I don't care what they think. They wanted me as king. Now they have me as king. You can call me by my name. No matter when and where." She appreciated his offer, but she didn't want to call him by his name. It would only harm her in the end.

"If that's what you want..."

He looked at her invitingly. She swallowed. "Aegon."

He grinned, then drank from his cup.

From the drop that flowed down the corner of his mouth, she saw that he was drinking wine. Rose doubted that he was allowed to drink alcohol when he was injured.

"It's good to see you, sweet Rose. You bring light into this dark room." Aegon took Rose's hand. Rose had to control herself not to tear her hand away. "It's been so long since I was in the presence of someone like that beautiful woman." He gently stroked her hand. "You've become even more beautiful since you've been carrying my brother's bastard inside you."

She winced. So he knew. Who had told him about it? Even if it shouldn't surprise her. This court thrived on gossip. Even the last groom probably knew that Aemond had gotten her pregnant.

"Your brother has ordered that I must not leave his chambers, my king."

Aegon's eyes darkened at the mention of his brother.

"Why should I care what Aemond wants?"

"Well, he is the Prince Regent."

Aegon's eyes darkened even more.

He snorted.

"Oh, has he finally put my crown on his head? He's always wanted it. He can have it. It's just brought me bad luck. In return he can give me you."

Rose felt like a commodity. she probably was in Aegon's eyes too.

His fingers slid over her skin. She found his touch unpleasant.

"Aemond always acts like he's better than me, like he has more honor and decency, but he still fucked you. How hypocritical my little brother is." He ran his gaze over her. "Is he still fucking you? I heard he doesn't treat you very well. I would treat you well."

"I doubt it, my king," Rose said before she could stop herself and Aegon gripped her harder. She moaned in pain.

"Look how you talk to me," Aegon threatened. "I am your king, you bitch."

Rose was surprised at how quickly his mood changed. He poured the remaining contents of the wine down his throat. He groaned and threw the cup on the floor.

"Fuck, get the maester, Rose. Tell him if he keeps me waiting, I'll have him beheaded and fed to my dragons."

Rose stood up and nodded. He didn't have to tell her twice.

"Wait." Aegon said abruptly and Rose turned back around. He caught her eye and raised his unburnt hand, on which hung the royal ring with the Targaryen seal.

"You are faithful to us, right ? Faithful to me? You won't disappoint me or?"

She looked into his eyes. He was serious.

"I have your loyalty, don't I, my sweet Rose? You're not betraying me, are you?" he asked with mischievous eyes. She had no idea whether he meant the conversation or whether he meant loyalty to the Greens. Rose had to admit that her loyalty, which had initially been immediate, had been clouded by his family's actions.

Why was her loyalty important for him? She was no one with influence or any other supporting force. He would gain nothing from her loyalty.

She felt her lips twitch into a grimace. Idiot. Aegon saw it, his eyes turned into slits. She had to get out of here fast.

She leaned over and kissed his ring. With her now within reach, he grabbed her face and pulled her into a hard kiss. His mouth tasted of wine. She tried to push away, but he held her tight, so she had no choice but to endure his kiss. For the second time. He kissed her until he didn't feel like it anymore and pushed her away from him.

Rose gasped in surprise and stumbled back as he let go of her. She looked shocked at Aegon, who was watching her contentedly. He licked his lips. "You taste good. Now do what I tell you."

He looked away from her and she almost ran out of his room. She told the guard that his king was calling for the maester and ran back to Aemond's chambers. For the first time, she was glad she was here and no one dared to enter. She reached for the cup of water and rinsed her mouth. She rubbed her mouth and looked at herself in the mirror.

Aegon's kiss disgusted her. All the Greens disgusted her. No one here treated her like a person with feelings. She looked at the mirror in Aemond's room. Green clothes had been prepared for her. The only color she was given. She didn't like the color green itself. They forced her to wear a color that was supposed to symbolize her loyalty, but instead of earning her loyalty, they simply took it.

Loyalty was a powerful concept, a binding concept. You couldn't be loyal alone. Loyalty always referred to a relationship between people who were stronger through this connection than alone. But what happened to that loyalty when it was forced?

What if nothing good came of it for one side?

. . . . .

"My prince," Aemond heard from behind him and turned around. This woman, Alys, was standing behind him. He looked down at her, unimpressed. She had so little relevance to him that he barely paid her any attention.

"What do you want?"

"Are you on your way to your chambers? To Rose?"

Aemond looked at her suspiciously. "Why do you care what I plan to do?"

Alys smiled. "Nothing, my prince. I just want to save you the journey."

Aemond pricked up his ears. He felt something take hold of his body.

"What are you talking about?"

"Rose was brought to the king. He wanted to see her."

Aemond came up to Alys and grabbed her arm. "He wanted what? She's with him?"

"Yes, your Grace, he ordered it."

Aemond felt anger take over his body. He trembled and had to control himself not to smash Aly's head against the wall next to her. He pushed her aside and stormed towards his brother's chambers, who looked at him in surprise as he stormed into his chambers. The Grand Maester was with him at that moment, examining his wounds. The sight of his brother was handsome.

"Where is she?"

"What a nice greeting, brother. I'm happy too-"

"Where the fuck is she, Aegon?" he shouted, coming towards his brother who raised his arms placatingly.

"Stay calm, little brother. I'm assuming you're talking about my sweet Rose? If she's not in my bed, then she's not here, brother." Aegon laughed, but his laughter was interrupted by the Grand Maester rubbing his wounds somewhat roughly.

"Careful, old man, that fucking hurts," Aegon snapped, then looked back at Aemond.

"You're still here?," he comments. "I sent her to the maester. If she's not in your room, then she'll probably be on the run from you again," Aegon said amused and Aemond felt his whole body begin to tingle with anger. He would have liked to bury his fist in his brother's face, but Aegon had already been punished enough with his injuries. He turned around and was about to head out the door when Aegon threw something else at him.

"Keep warming my throne for me, brother. Be so good. It stays in the family, doesn't it?"

Aemond turned to Aegon one last time. There was no amusement in his eyes. The two of them exchanged a serious look before Aemond stormed out of his brother's room. He walked quickly to his chambers and threw open the door. He looked for Rose, but he only found empty ones. His heart sank and his stomach twisted. He felt hot and cold at the same time and panic began to rise within him. She had dared again. She had left him again, but this time he would catch her. She wouldn't escape him even if he had to put her in chains.

He turned to order the guards to search for Rose when he suddenly heard a noise coming from his bathroom. His gaze shifted to the side and without hesitation he pushed open the door.

Rose washed her hair and looked at him in shock as he sat in the doorway staring down at her.

"Aemond?" she asked amazed and before he knew what he was doing, he stepped towards Rose and pulled her close. She shrieked and dropped the soap.

"Where have you been?" he began to scream. He could hardly control himself. He had never felt this anger before. "I ordered you not to leave the chambers!"

He saw the fear in her eyes, but it quickly gave way to anger.

"I had no choice. Aegon ordered it!"

Aemond snorted. "Aegon? You're already calling my brother by his name?"

Rose twisted her mouth snidely. "Why not? He allowed me to."

"I don't care what he allows you to do, Rose," Aemond hissed, grabbing her arms. "I forbid you to do."

Rose looked at him in disbelief. "You forbid me what the king allows me?"

She made him angry. Since when was she so arrogant? So cheeky? So rebellious? Did she think she was something better now?

"Don't make me mad, Rose," he warned her. She stuck out her chin.

"Else what? What happens then, Aemond?"

She looked at him challengingly. There were a thousand words on the tip of his tongue and he didn't want to say any of them. He could pronounce it. He wanted to hurt her, he wanted to break her, but at the same time he wanted to protect her and wrap her in his arms.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," he spoke quietly and calmly. He pulled her even closer to him. "Don't forget who you are, Rose. Here you are a nobody. The only relevance you have here is that you carry my seed inside you."

Rose looked at him in disbelief. He saw disgust in her eyes. She dared to feel disgust? In his presence? She was lucky he let her live for her betrayal. She had told him that she had been kidnapped, but he knew that she would have left him anyway.

Yes, he would find the man or woman who had dared to touch them, he would slide his sword through their throat, but he would not make the mistake of forgetting what Rose had done.

She hadn't given him a chance to explain himself. She would have left him behind and he would never have seen her again if fate hadn't brought her back.

"I hate you," she hissed.

Aemond's eye narrowed. "You hate me?" he repeated, leaning forward to look Rose in the eyes.

"Yes, I do. I hate you," Rose whispered.

Aemond leaned back.

"I don't believe you," he says. He let go of her and let his gaze wander over her again before turning around and leaving Rose in his chambers.

He ignored the feeling, the desire to turn around again, grab her and kiss her. To press their warm, soft bodies against you and breathe in their scent.

He wouldn't weaken.

Not again.

For nobody.

Taglist

@watercolorskyy @marvelescvpe @ammo23 @helaenaluvr @toodlesxcuddles @malfoytargaryen

[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (28)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

Two men came in the early morning and took her to the small council.

Before her sat Larys Strong, Jasper Wylde, Tyland Lannister, Grand Maester Orwyle, Dowager Queen Alicent, and last but not least Hand of the King Otto Hightower. The latter was the only one standing.

The only person present besides her who was not part of the small council was Ser Criston Cole.

Those present were all familiar to her, after all, she had worked here. But the only one she had spoken to more than a word was Aemond's mother, who was the only one not to look at her disparagingly. Rose wouldn't call the look particularly friendly either, but it didn't have judgment in it like the others did.

"You can go. Close the door behind you," Otto ordered, and the guards obeyed immediately.

Otto looked at her. His gaze was unpleasant.

"Why am I here?" she asked.

"You speak when you are called upon, woman. You lack respect, too," Jasper Wylde spat snidely. He looked at her as if she was worth nothing in his eyes. Presumably, she was.

"Lord Wylde, it's all right," Otto interjected. "The girl is certainly still a bit.... confused."

Confused? What was he talking about.

"Well, anyone who spends time with the enemy will certainly have plenty to talk about," Lannister interjected, letting his gaze slide down her.

Rose swallowed. So you knew that she had spent the time with Princess Rhaenyra? Well, Aemond had certainly mentioned it, why shouldn't he? He had no reason to protect her in any way. He had made his dislike for her more than clear.

"That was certainly quite a burden as a loyal subject of King Aegon II."

She looked to Otto. "How did you end up there?"

A thousand thoughts went through her mind. Should she tell the truth? Should she say that she had been kidnapped? Should she say that Daemon Targaryen had saved her?

"Girl, a question means you get to talk," Lannister taunted, and Wylde laughed like it was the best joke he'd ever heard.

Rose wondered if she should tell the truth, but the danger of getting caught in lies was too great. Perhaps the one who wanted her dead was also here in this room. She let her gaze glide over the faces. None seemed positively inclined toward her.

"I was kidnapped," Rose began.

"Kidnapped?," the queen mother repeated. "By whom?"

"I don't know their names, your Grace."

"Why should a maid be kidnapped?" interjected Orwyle critically.

"Did you see something that was not meant for your eyes?" asked Lord Larys and his gaze was penetrating. She felt uncomfortable when his eyes met hers. She couldn't explain her feeling, but this man was dangerous. She felt it in every fiber of her body.

"No, my lord," she began again. "I did not know these men, nor did they tell me the reason."

"Did Rhaenyra Targaryen have them kidnapped?" asked Wylde, addressing the others present.

"Why would the princess kidnap her? What relevance would the girl have to her?"

"To get information," Ser Criston suddenly spoke, and their eyes met. "She is in a physical relationship with the prince and carries his child in her womb, as I was told by a maester."

The looks were different. Lannister gave her a smirking look, Orwyle looked at her snidely, Wylde let his gaze slide over her body, and Larys Strong acted as if this information did not surprise him. Otto Hightower pressed his lips together, but the most formative look was from his daughter Alicent. She looked shocked at Rose, and many emotions slid over her face. She turned red in the face.

"This can't be," she spoke, stunned. "It's not possible?" She spoke more to herself than to the others.

"Why not? The girl was your son's personal maid and she was brought back by him. This would also answer the question of why Rhaenyra Targaryen has developed an interest in her. She carries the bastard of her enemy. It's an optimal bargaining chip."

"Well, it's just a bastard and a woman," Lannister contributed, wincing when he met Alicent's gaze. "I mean she's not his wife. He doesn't have to protect her, he has no obligation to her."

"How did you end up with Princess Rhaenyra, girl?" Otto interrupted and all eyes turned back to Rose. She clenched her hands into fists and unclenched them again. She had known she would be questioned, but still the situation frightened her.

"Daemon Targaryen saved me from my captors and took me to Dragonstone."

She saw the disbelief in the faces. No one believed her. If Rose was honest, she wouldn't believe herself either. Her words were too bizarre.

But they were still the truth.

And the truth was, without Daemon Targaryen, she would probably be dead now.

She placed a hand on her stomach. Ever since she found out she was pregnant, she felt like she had to fight for more than just herself. She had to protect someone.

It was strange. She had not noticed the change in her body, but since it was revealed to her, she felt it as if it had never been different.

She saw Alicent's eyes follow her hand that was resting on her stomach.

"The girl is lying!" screeched Orwyle.

"I agree. Everything about this tall tale screams betrayal. She was spying for the princess and got caught," Jasper Wylde said. 

"Girl, you know what a lie entails, don't you?" said Otto, and she shrank under his gaze. Hard. Cold. Emotionless. He looked older, the war seeming to worry him. "If you tell us the truth now, our judgment will be softer. What did you report to Princess Rhaenyra, what did you hear?"

Rose looked helpfully at Queen Mother, no idea why, but Aemond's mother did not look at her. She could not hope for her help. She was on her own here. Her eyes met those of Criston Cole. He looked at her dismissively. She had not expected sympathy from him either, but now to be publicly pilloried, accused of being a traitor and a spy, made her look for what hope she could find.

"I'm not lying, Lord Hightower," Rose defended herself. "I am telling the truth. Neither have I learned anything here, nor over there. I am not a traitor or a spy. What I have told you is-"

Rose heard the slap before she felt it.

"Lord Wylde!" cried Alicent Hightower in shock, but Rose paid no attention. Her head was tilted to the side, her eyes fixed on the floor in bewilderment as her hand went to her aching cheek. She straightened her gaze and looked at a snorting Wylde, who was looking at her angrily.

"You insolent brat," Wylde began, ignoring the Queen Mother, "you dare lie again? You'll be lucky if we don't hang you right now. Don't you know what happens to traitors? Are you not afraid?"

Rose looked hatefully at Wylde. His slap did hurt. Fucking hurt. It felt like her head was going to explode.

"When I'm not a traitor, why should I be afraid?"

Wylde looked at her, stunned. He raised his hand again. "You still dare to talk back?" She saw his hand racing down on her and got ready, expecting the pain, accepting it. She closed her eyes, but the pain did not come.

"I wonder what I despise more. A man who doesn't know his place or who beats a defenseless pregnant woman?"

Rose's eyes turned to Aemond. He stood with his back turned to her, his hand closed around Wylde's wrist. He was almost two heads taller than Wylde, who looked up anxiously at the prince.

"What do you think, Wylde? What may it be?"

"My prince," Wylde began, stammering. "You misjudge the situation, I-"

"I do?" asked Aemond, puzzled. "Were you not just now planning to strike a pregnant woman? For the second time at that?"

She had not heard Aemond enter, but she was probably not that only one.

"Aemond, the situation is more piquant than you assume," Otto interjected, joining them. "The servant is being interrogated by us. It's an urgent undertaking, boy."

Aemond looked unimpressed at his grandfather. "Whether it's urgent is for me to decide. Which brings me to my next question. Why is the small council convened without the Prince Regent?"

"There are probably far more important concerns for the Prince Regent than dealing with these issues."

Aemond looked coldly at his grandsire. Rose felt a shiver run down her spine.

"You exceed your authority, Otto," Aemond continued, stepping closer to the man. "You are only the hand of the king, while I, as the leading regent, make the decisions. Should you override me again, I will consider awarding your brooch to someone else."

"Aemond!," his mother cried in shock, coming toward them.

The two men exchanged a look. They struggled for dominance and Aemond won. Otto looked down and Aemond snorted snidely.

"Aemond, we meant no harm," Alicent defended the council's decision.

Aemond looked down at his mother, his gaze not showing what he was thinking, but he didn't have to. He turned without a comment, letting go of Wylde to grab Rose's hand and pulling her with him. He led her out of the room and she followed. He walked quickly, which is why Rose partially tripped over her own feet.

"Aemond..."

But he ignored her. 

His grip was hard and painful. "You're hurting me," Rose breathed. She thought he hadn't heard her because he didn't respond at first, but then his grip loosened and became softer. He didn't let go, but his grip no longer hurt.

They didn't speak another word the whole way back to her chambers.

She ran after him all the way, wordlessly and without resistance. 

The only thing she could do was look at his strong broad back and wonder if he would ever treat her differently again.

. . . . . 

"Aemond, you must hear me out," Alicent began without wasting time as she was allowed into her son's chambers.

Aemond dined at his table while a book lay before him. He did not look up.

"Whatever it is, mother, I don't want to hear it," he said impassively. She was startled by his coldness. Her son had changed. Something had changed him. Or someone. She didn't know if it was the war, the pressure on him and the responsibility, or if it had something to do with the girl who was carrying his bastard. It didn't shock her that a prince fathered a bastard. Aegon probably had a dozen, but it shocked her that it was Aemond who brought this shame on the family.

She stepped closer.

"We haven't done anything wrong. The girl seems suspicious."

"And why did you exclude me from the meeting?" replied Aemond, looking up at her.

"As your grandfather already said, we didn't want you to be-"

"Bullshit, you were afraid I was biased." Aemond stood up. She had to look up at him. He was tall. Her big boy. "You were afraid I'd protect her, even though she might be guilty."

It was not a question. It was a statement.

Alicent shrugged. There was no point in lying anymore. "Is it so unlikely to think that?"

"The problem is not that you think so. The problem is that you think you can just pass me over. I am not Aegon. You can't manipulate me. You can't manipulate me, Mother."

Alicent looked at her son, stunned. "I would never manipulate you?"

"Wouldn't you?"

"No!," Alicent shouted angrily. "I'm just trying to think rationally, Aemond. She was with Rhaenyra!"

"And she'll answer for that too, but to me!," roared Aemond the last part, pointing his index finger at his chest. "Who did you get the information from? Who told you that she was with Rhaenyra?"

Alicent pressed his lips together and shrugged with her shoulders. She would not mention a name. Neither would it add anything to the situation, but she wanted to create a conflict between Aemond and Ser Criston. The two had to work together and were not supposed to fight each other. Ser Criston had learned from Ser Arryk that Aemond had sent him to Dragonstone to get the girl. She didn't know how Aemond knew, but that was irrelevant for now. More important was getting her son to see reason. She would find out later how Aemond had learned of Rose's whereabouts.

Aemond smiled at her silence. "That is more answer than I need. Leave my chambers now, mother. I want to be alone."

Aemond turned his attention back to his book. Alicent stood there, like an idiot, looking down at him. She no longer recognized her son.

This girl, Rose was her name, right?, only brought mischief. She had changed her son. Anger arose in her. She would not allow her to poison her son. Aemond was her only hope since Aegon was badly injured.

Alicent left her son's chambers. Tayla, followed her as usual.

"Send for Lord Larys. Tell him to come to my chambers."

"As you command, your Grace."

Taglist

@watercolorskyy @marvelescvpe @ammo23 @helaenaluvr @toodlesxcuddles @malfoytargaryen

[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (27)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

Aemond watched her while she slept. Innocent, defenseless and with his child in her womb.

It was the middle of the night when he had entered her chambers.

And now he stood here staring down at her.

Rose was pregnant.

With his child.

Rose carried his son under her heart. A boy, a new Targaryen. A heir.

Or a girl, perhaps the spitting image of her mother.

He didn't care for the gender. Just as he didn't care that the child was a bastard. In the past, it would have bothered him. Having a bastard. The very thought of it, had disgusted him, but now, he could think of nothing but an heir with the woman who had taken his body and his mind.

And who had betrayed him.

Who had abandoned him.

He would have given her anything.

He wondered what he had done that she had decided he was not worthy of her loyalty.

He came up to her. She lay there, not suspecting anything wrong. 

He would only have to reach out his hand and put it around her pretty neck. She would not even be able to resist. He would have her lying dead in front of him in a few seconds. Punish her for daring to turn against him.

But how could he hurt her? Every act against her would be an act against himself. Every injury he would inflict on her would hurt him more than her.

Her eyes were red and swollen. Dried tear tracks on her cheeks. She had been crying. Had she been crying because of him? He had thought a few days ago that her sorrow would please him. That she deserved nothing less. But now he felt a pinch in his stomach, a weight on his guilt, a foul taste on his tongue, and he knew he wanted nothing more than to see her smile.

Rose had changed him. She had given him hope and taken it away.

"Are you going to kill me now?"

He hadn't realized she was awake. Her eyes were still closed.

"You carry my child in your womb."

She opened her eyes and brown-blue eyes gazed at him. An interesting combination.

She lay there, looking at him as if he had ruined her life. Maybe he had.

"I thought you think it isn't your child."

He had called her a whore. Implied that she had lain under another man, but the time of her conception was calculated by a maester. It had to have been his seed, but for sure he would never be. At least until the time of birth. A silver-haired baby would give him certainty.

"We'll see," Aemond said, turning to leave the room, but the hand that closed around his wrist stopped him.

"You broke my heart, Aemond," her voice trembled, was almost so quiet he almost didn't hear her, and she bit her lip as if afraid of his reaction. Her words made him snort.

She had sat up in the meantime. She sat there, dressed only in a nightgown and his desire for her was reawakened. How much he longed for her body. For her touches. Her kisses. Her scent that drove him crazy and was like a drug for him. His own personal drug.

Her hand was burning on his wrist. He still wanted her. He had always wanted her.

"I broke your heart?"

How could the victim suddenly be the perpetrator?

"When am I supposed to have done that? Didn't I give you everything?

Rose said nothing. She bit her lip and Aemond had to stifle a snort. How she tried to make him look like the guilty one. She had left him, not the other way around.

Her eyes slid over his body.

"You really don't know what I'm talking about?"

"I have no idea, but it has no relevance to me either."

He released his wrist from her weak grip and turned back around.

"You will stay here for some time. In that time, you can reconsider your understanding of guilt."

He reached for doorknob, but her following words held him back.

"It is my duty as Targaryen. I will fulfill my duty."

Everything suddenly tensed in Aemond's body.

"She means nothing to me. She's nobody. Just a girl whose body I covet, have covet, but that comes to an end now," Rose breathed, her voice trembling. "I could never forget those words. They always haunted me, lay over me like a shadow."

He swallowed. He was suddenly so thirsty.

"Do you remember those words, beloved?"

Beloved... She had never addressed him like that before. It left a tingle on his body. His desire for her increased. He wanted nothing more than to hold her soft body against him and never let her go.

He had wanted nothing to break her heart. He hadn't even thought he had the power to do that.

She means nothing to me.

He did remember those words. How could he forget them? They had never left his memory, so ashamed had he been of those words. He had never spoken them to her, said them in secret, knowing that Rose would never hear them.

But there she was now. Repeating those very words that should never have reached her.

"I was looking for you that night," she continued. He continued to stand with his back to her, his hand on the doorknob, his face turned toward the door. "I wanted to know if you were all right. Safe. Protected. I've been missing you. Wondered why you didn't visit me, but I had accepted there were more important things than a servant's health."

His mind went blank.

Her words were like a thousand knife wounds. He always thought Lucerys had left the greatest pain on him when he had slid his knife across his face. But Rose stabbed more deadly.

"I wanted to surprise you. But in the end, you were the one who surprised me."

He had only spoken those words because he had tried to convince himself that she meant nothing to him. He had tried to protect her because if he had no affection for her, then no one would try to take her away from him.

The assassination attempt was directed at him. They wanted to kill him, not her, but she had been injured because of him. Almost dead. He had almost lost her and forever.

"Was it all a lie, Aemond?"

These words made him turn around. The sight of her broke his heart. She looked at him through red eyes, fresh tears on her cheek, a helpless, pleading look that took away his breath.

He didn't know what to do.

He didn't want to feel what Rose was triggering inside him.

It was going to stop.

He was not a weakling.

He was not allowed to be weak.

Rose made him weak.

If only Rose knew what power she had over him. What she could make him do, what she made him do. He didn't want to hurt her. He felt like the last dirt, like scum. An emptiness inside him had wanted to be filled, and Rose had been the only one to do it. Never would he feel for another woman what he felt for her.

But he would be stronger than most men. He would not surrender to this weakness.

So he spoke the next lie, which came easier to his lips than he thought.

"You served your purpose. I treated you well in return. That's all you have to expect from me."

He saw in her eyes the pain, her grief. His cruelty was reflected in her face and he quickly looked away. He couldn't bear the sight. It burrowed inside him like an insect, like a pest that craved his heart.

"You tricked me." 

Rose's voice was bitter. Maybe he really had broken her heart. Only she knew.

He saw the reproach in her eyes. He saw her struggling not to lose her composure in front of him.

No, he hadn't tricked her. She meant something to him. More than he wanted to admit. More than he was allowed to admit.

"Tricked you?," he repeated mockingly. "No I saved you."

It seemed that in the end he was the traitor. Someday he would tell her. When this war was over and he had made sure that no one could harm her. Then he would tell her what she meant to him. That he had only saved her.

Aemond pushed down the doorknob and opened the door. Without looking further at Rose, he left her room.

He had to leave her behind. It would be best if she were far away from him, but he knew he couldn't let her go. He could not lose her. She would never know his true feelings for him, but he was too selfish to let her go free instead.

"No one leaves or enters without my order," he informed a guard.

He had to leave Rose behind. He could no longer let her get to him.

"As you command, your Grace."

He had to protect her. 

From this war.

From his enemies.

From himself.

He had to make sure she was safe. He could not allow her to be taken away from him again. And if he had to hold her captive forever for that. 

At some point, she would forgive him.

At some point he would forgive himself.

Taglist

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𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝓵 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝓵 (5)

Give me your loyalty

[Aemond Targaryen x female original Targaryen • fem! oc!reader]

[warnings: sex content, fights, harassment, angst, smut, domination, violence, targcest (uncle/niece)]

Only for 18+

[description: War is going on between the Blacks and the Greens and Aemma Velaryon is brought to Aemond as a prisoner.]

Masterlist for all available parts (click here)

Aemond had not visited her for two days and Aemma was not angry about it.

Neither did she long for his presence nor did she want to be confronted with the fact that she was here at his mercy.

Aemma looked at the door as a woman with black hair entered. You could see that she was a little older, but that had done nothing to her beauty. She smiled as she put the food on the table.

"I'm not hungry," was all Aemma said, turning her head away.

"Refusing to eat is not wise, nor is it punishing the prince. It is, to be honest, the stupidest thing you can do."

Aemma turned around with a raised eyebrow. The strange woman looked at her challengingly, almost arrogantly. "And you are?"

"No one whose name you know. My name is Alys Rivers."

"A bastard?"

Each region of the Empire had its surnames for bastards. Snow for the North, in Crownlands they were called Waters, Sand for Dorne, and in the Riverlands they were called Rivers. And so on.

Alys nodded. "Yes, my father was Lord Lyonel Strong."

Aemma's mouth opened in surprise. If it was true, this rumor that had always haunted her and her brothers and that Aemma herself believed to be true, then Alys was her aunt. She had not known that her father had a bastard sister. Although it was not even a rarity, she had not expected it. A strange feeling, but also an irrelevant one. Just because they were possibly related meant nothing. The best example was Aemond and her.

"You can go Alys," Aemma commanded. "I'll decide when I eat."

Alys nodded. "Prince Aemond has already said you would say that. He also said should that be the case, then I am free to make you eat."

Aemma looked at Alys in irritation. She watched as she took a step backward and knocked on the closed door. Then two men entered. Aemma jumped to her feet.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Grab her," Alys ordered and the men came up to her and grabbed her. Their hands closed around her arms and held her tight. Aemma cried out and tried to fight back, but they outnumbered her in size, strength and numbers.

"Are you insane?" spat Aemma. "I am Princess Aemma Velaryon, and I command you, release me this instant."

Alys stepped toward her, appraising her, before lunging and slapping Aemma, an unexpected slap. Aemma's face flew to the side and she felt her cheek begin to burn. Stunned, she widened her eyes and looked at Alys, who didn't make a face.

"You are no one here. You have no orders to give. You are a prisoner and that is how you will be treated. Only the kindness of your gracious uncle protects you from death by hanging."

Aemma snorted. She tasted blood in her blood. The cunt had hit her so hard she bit her tongue. "Gracious? Kindness?," Aemma asked mockingly. "Aemond's goodness is worth shit if I rip his head off and give him my dragon to-"

Before Aemma could speak further, Alys slapped her again. "You will address his Grace with respect. And don't you dare threaten him, or I will not spare you."

Aemma laughed in disbelief. Alys reared up in front of her, wanting to scare her, but didn't she know that Aemma was a dragon? She had the dragon's blood in her and also its wrath. Before Alys could react, Aemma gathered the blood in her mouth along with her saliva and spat in her face. Satisfied, she watched as Alys backed away, sullied by Aemma's blood on her face. She stroked it, stunned, and looked at Aemma. Her eyes grew abnormally large.

"You bitch," she screeched, coming at her with her hand raised, this time palm clenched into a fist and ready to have it smashed down into her face. Aemma stuck her face out at her, not afraid of the pain or of Alys but before Aemma felt any pain, Alys was pulled back.

"What is the meaning of this?" asked Ser Criston Cole, watching them all with a raised eyebrow, disgust on his face.

"Ser Criston," Alys said, humbled. "The prisoner has behaved disrespectfully."

"To you?" asked Cole with derision in his voice. "You're a servant, she's a princess. I hardly think you are in a position to reprimand her."

Alys looked uncertainly at Aemma and then back again. "But she is a prisoner, an enemy."

"Of royal blood. The prince decides how to deal with her. I can hardly imagine that he has given you permission to chastise her, can he?"

"She has offended the prince!"

"Then it is up to the prince to chastise her, not you, bastard." Ser Criston's voice was cold and thundered over their heads like a thunderstorm. Aemma had not seen him since her visit to King's Landing, since the dispute over Lord Velaryon's succession. He had grown older.

Alys winced and looked at the floor. She bit her lip. Aemma pulled up one corner of her mouth and snorted.

"I ask for your forgiveness," Alys said humbly.

"Rather, ask for my forgiveness," Aemma interjected, "because when I return on my dragon, you will be one of the first to burn."

Alys and Ser Criston looked to Aemma.

Die Männer, jeweils links und rechts von ihr, hielten sie noch fest, ließen ihr keinen Platz zur gegenwähr, doch sie ließ sich davon nicht unterkriegen. 

She was Aemma Velaryon of House Targaryen. No matter how much fear she felt, she would never bend. She was not a weakling. She was a dragon.

Alys hateful, Criston without a clearly discernible expression on his face. He surveyed her. It was the same look he had given her as a child. Disdainful and dismissive.

"That's enough for today," Ser Criston ordered without responding to Aemma's words. "The prince is on his way to Harrenhal. Prepare his chambers and a meal."

Criston Cole gestured with his head toward the door. Alys and the men nodded and walked out of the room. Alys gave her one last hateful look, which Aemma gladly returned before disappearing from her sight.

"You should be more careful with your words," Ser Criston said suddenly. "They may be your last."

With that threat, the knight disappeared and Aemma watched him go, biting the door shut behind him. She looked to the food on her table, the steaming soup she was sure Alys had spat in. She would accept nothing from these traitors. She would rather die.

. . . . .

Aemma heard the click first, before she was blinded by light. The sound jolted her from her sleep, making her wince. She reached for the spoon to her unstirred soup and clasped it tightly. It was only a spoon but with a lot of force, it would be able to be used lethally in the right place. She would not let anyone touch her again. She would rather die.

"Princess Aemma, don't be afraid," she heard a feminine voice and an old woman approached her. She looked slightly frail and her face was full of wrinkles. Aemma looked at her suspiciously.

"Who are you?"

The woman smiled, revealing her toothless smile. "A friend."

"A friend?"

"Yes of Ser Harwin Strong," the mention of his name made Aemma's heart leap. The memory of him still hurt. "I was his nanny and always loyal to him. And he has always been loyal to you. To your honorable mother. He knew who the true ruler of this realm was."

Hope arose in Aemma.

"You must follow me, I will release you."

Aemma looked at her in irritation. "Where are the guards?" She looked toward the door.

"I mixed something into their food. They are sleeping for a while."

The woman grinned with satisfaction and winked at her. "Come, we don't have much time."

Aemma stood up. The woman tossed her dress to her and Aemma took off her nightgown. She had no problem with the woman seeing her naked. She was used to being seen naked by servants and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Can I really trust you?"

"I guess the only way you'll know is if you don't stand around here wondering, but just do it."

She was smart. Aemma smiled and the woman returned her smile. "You'll have to go that way. At the end of the hallway you will find a painting. Behind it is a door. Open it and go along the corridor. Then you'll come out at a wooded area. Keep walking straight ahead. Avoid the paths. The forest is big and dangerous animals are lurking there," she pressed a knife into her hand. "Don't hesitate. Whether human or animal. Dangerous ones lurk everywhere."

Aemma took the knife in her hand. She looked to the woman.

"I will never forget you. If my family wins this war, I will not have forgotten you. You will be rewarded."

The woman grinned and stroked her arm lovingly. Aemma saw in her eyes, her sincerity.

 "Survive, that is reward enough for me, child. And now, go."

Aemma looked into her eyes one last time before nodding gratefully. Then she ran. This was her chance. She could not fail. Her mother was counting on her. Aemma ran as fast as she could until she arrived at the painting. A door, as the woman had promised. The hallway was dark and cold, which is why she reached for the torch next to the painting, which lit her way to the exit. When she reached the end of the hallway, she felt a door and opened it.

Moonlight and the cool air of the night. Aemma took a deep breath.

She looked left and right, but there was no one to be seen. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her toward the forest. Just before she arrived, she stopped, startled, as she was suddenly confronted by  guards standing by the adjacent lake with beer and food.

The men did not see her, but they stood directly between her and the only way to the forest. There was no other way. The men were laughing and joking as if the world was not collapsing around them. Idiots.

Aemma looked at the food. Then back to the men. They had left their food and were standing by the lake, joking and enjoying themselves as they carelessly bawled out their jokes. She would not get past them. They would see her, which was why there was only one way. Aemma stepped to her things and reached for the bottle of alcohol. Wine. Perfect. She poured some over the guards' things. Her swords she added as quietly as possible. Those fools didn't even hear how she gradually put everything in a pile. These were the Green's men? How pathetic.

Then she poured the alcohol everywhere she could. She poured the alcohol so that it was like a wall between them. Like a circle that confined her and gave her the opportunity to escape.

"Question," she began and the men turned to her in surprise. They looked at her with wide eyes and Aemma felt a satisfaction at what was about to follow.

"Aren't you cold?"

They saw irritated looks among themselves, but no one said anything. They were all shocked to see her standing there.

"You are lucky," Aemma began sweetly, almost girlishly. "I am a friend of fire. Let me warm you."

Then the sweet smile on her lips disappeared.

"Dracarys."

Her fingers released the torch, the fire landed on the alcohol trail, and in just a breath everything was in flames. The fire glittered in Aemma's eyes as it grabbed the men's belongings and they ran screaming towards her, only to be sent away by the flames.

Due to the alcohol, the fire spread furiously and everything was ablaze. The men tried to get their things, but they had no chance.

She briefly watched how the men tried to fight the flames, how they took water from the lake into their hands, but it was similar to fighting a wolf against a dragon. Useless.

Then Aemma ran.

As fast as she could.

Harrenhal was burning again. Aemma Velaryon had made it burn again, though she doubted the fire was dangerous in any way. It would only occupy her enemies for a few moments before they would come after her.

Aemma ran as fast as she could. She had no idea where she was running. She just tried to put as much space as possible between her and her enemies. They called after her, but she did not even turn around. Whoever hesitated died.

Aemma stopped hearing their voices and the hope that she had hung them out rose. But she was not stupid enough to stop. She couldn't let herself get caught. This was probably her only chance.

Then she saw the corner of her eye a shadow above her. The bare treetops, which had lost leaves through the winter, gave her a good view of the dark sky above her. And then she saw it again. The clouds parted in two and a roar echoed through the forest.

"Aemmaaaaa....," shouted a male voice she would have recognized among hundreds.

"Shit," Aemma cursed.

"You owe a debt, Aemma," roared Aemond as he flew over her head with Vhagar. She looked up. He was directly above her. Only the trees prevented him from looking down at her.

She ran while Aemond flew above her.

Aemond did came for her. 

"Riñeeee....," Aemond's voice chanted above her, "you can't escape me."

Aemma kept looking up in panic. 

"You are mine."

While she took what felt like a thousand steps, Vhagar had not even made the next wing beat. The fire must have attracted Aemond. But she had no other option.

He chased her like his prey, which he was about to eat at any moment.

"Aōha kepa jāhor va moriot ao." Your uncle will always find you.

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THE BLOOD CROWN (26)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

K I N G S L A N D I N G

Alicent was an anxious woman, plagued by her own demons. The insecurity about her own body, her lack of self-love and the anxiety plagued her during the day and haunted her at night. But she was not a weak woman. She fought for what she believed, for what she loved, and she would die for it too. But to see her son lying here, injured, burned, tormented by pain that he could only forget with medication, she had not wanted. It had not been her plan to make Aegon king and thus override Rhaenyra. But when Viserys had told her of his new will in his last hours, she had put aside her obligation to Rhaenyra and done her duty as queen. Aegon was the rightful ruler. Viserys had dreamed of a boy with a crown. He had told her as they stood before the fire on Aegon's first name day, she pregnant with Helaena and he at odds with Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra had been the heiress.

Until Viserys had changed his mind.

Alicent would not have taken the throne from her if it had not been the will of the king. She had not intended to take her birthright. But it was also Aegon's birthright. Even more than Rhaenyra's, and Viserys had acknowledged that in the end.

"Mother, you're here," she heard Aegon moan, and she walked up to her injured son and grabbed his hand. He looked at her through dazed eyes. She pressed her lips together. Milk of Puppy was a miraculous remedy, it relieved the cruelest pain, but it was also pure poison that befuddled body and mind. She stroked Aegon's head. His hair was damp and messy. He looked there like a little boy who was broken. This was all Rhaenyra's fault.

"Yes, I'm here," she said softly, putting her other hand on his cheek.

"It hurts so much," Aegon wailed, stabbing her in the heart. "I want it to stop."

She had to force herself to stay strong.

"I know. It will get better soon."

Aegon looked at her in despair.

"I don't want to be king anymore," he confessed, "I've never wanted to be king. Ever since I became king, my life has been a disaster."

He slightly twisted his upper body and groaned in pain.

"Aegon, you must stay still," Alicent admonished him anxiously, and suddenly Aegon's grip on her hand tightened. He pulled himself up by it so that he was closer to her face. Suddenly his eyes seemed clear, the daze gone from them.

"This is your fault," he spat. She saw the anger in his eyes. Alicent flinched, trying to loosen her hand, but he wouldn't let go.

"Aegon, let go of me," she commanded, but he didn't respond at all.

"It's only because of you that I'm here," his voice quivered. No matter what problems she had had with him in the past, he had never acted aggressively toward her. He had never tried to harm her in any way. He had only ever been the son who had shamed her by his behavior.

"Everything hurts so damn much. You brought me here. It's your fault!"

"Let go, I said," she didn't know what hurt more. The fact that he blamed her, or that he crushed her hand. She tried to push away from him, but Aegon was much stronger than her even in this state.

Suddenly a hand closed around Aegon's hair and pulled his head back. Aegon cried out, grabbed the hand in the back of his head, and looked up at his brother, who was giving him an admonishing look from above.

"No matter how bad you get, Aegon," Aemond began coldly, "if you ever get aggressive with our mother again, you'll wish you had died that day."

"Aemond!" exclaimed Alicent in surprise. The distance between her two eldest sons and the rivalry was nothing new to her. But Aemond's hateful words shocked her. She reached for his hand. He looked to her. "Aemond," she repeated, signaling him to let go. "I'm fine. Your brother is not himself right now," she looked down at Aegon, who was looking at her with tears in his eyes. He was suffering and it was her fault. He was right.

Aemond let go of Aegon and the king plopped back into his bed, groaning. He wailed and Alicent reached for him, but he only turned away dismissively and called for the Grand Maester to bring him new Milk of Poppy.

"He will calm down in a moment. He needs rest, noble Queen Alicent," said the Grand Maester, and Alicent nodded with a sad expression. She looked to Aemond, who was silently looking down at his brother. He seemed cold. She did not recognize her son. Together with Aemond, she left Aegon's room.

"Why were you there? Aegon didn't want anyone there but me and your grandfather."

Aemond raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you thank me, Mother?"

"What should I thank you for? For hurting your brother?"

Aemond turned to her, "He hurt you." His eye narrowed.

"He would have calmed down. He's suffering, Aemond."

"Hmm..."

"Aemond!"

"What do you want from me?" Aemond suddenly replied, his voice full of anger and Alicent winced. Aemond had never talked to her like that before. She looked at him, bewildered.

"Haven't I done everything you asked? Did I not go to war just as Aegon did? For a crown he doesn't want at all?"

"We have all made sacrifices," Alicent objected.

"Yes? What sacrifices have you made, Mother?"

She looked at him in shock. His words hurt her. "I have made many sacrifices to bring this family here. I've already made sacrifices for you when you weren't even born yet."

"Spreading your legs is hardly a sacrifice," Aemond replied coldly, and Alicent was so struck and startled by his words that she didn't realize she had hit him until her hand began to tingle painfully and the side of Aemond's face turned red under her slap. He had tilted his head slightly and stood there quietly.

"I'm sorry," Alicent said in a shaky voice and walked toward him, but he took a step back and shook his head. He looked her in the eye and she saw again young Aemond, he had come crying to her when Rhaenyra's sons had bullied him. Even his own brother had treated him like dirt and the moments when he had cried himself to sleep in her arms had not been rare.

"No, I'm sorry," he apologized and turned without giving her time to answer. He walked quickly and was gone from her sight shortly after. She looked after Aemond.

What had happened? What had happened to her good-natured and loving boy?

When had he changed so much?

D R A G O N S T O N E

"Baela!"

Rhaenyra was the last to see Baela. Jacaerys rushed toward his fiancée, stunned at her unconscious state. Daemon was immediately with his daughter.

"What happened?" he angrily asked Ser Erryk, who was carrying Baela in his arms.

"They found her in the village. She was already unconscious, her head is injured."

Rhaenyra briskly joined them. She saw the wound on Baela's head and her heart began to pound against her chest. Seeing her injured in Ser Erryk's arms choked her throat.

"No one saw anything?"

"I am sorry, no, my queen."

She ordered Baela to be taken to her room immediately and sent for the Grand Maester.

"Her head wound, thank the gods, is not a deep wound. I have had the wound stitched and Milk of Poppy ready for her. She should wake up with a severe headache, but I don't expect any deeper or worse injuries. Young Prince Jacaerys is with her."

Rhaenyra nodded and thanked the Grand Maester. He took his leave and left her with Daemon. Daemon said not a word and stood before the fire, which danced wildly in their hearth. She approached him and reached out her hand to grasp his shoulder.

"Daemon, you-"

"You kept it from me that Rose was pregnant."

She winced. Her hand stopped in midair. "What?" How had he known? Had the Grand Maester gone against her orders?

He turned to her, his gaze full of anger and rage. He was quivering. She swallowed.

"How do you know?"

"Does it matter?" asked Daemon with a raised eyebrow. "We're at war and you're keeping something this important from me?"

Rhaenyra stroked her dress and straightened her back. "It has no relevance to the war."

"It only has relevance to the fucking war!," Daemon shouted, coming at her. She backed away, startled, and Daemon stopped. He suddenly looked so guilty and turned around, to the other end of the table. "You should have told me. She is pregnant with our enemy's child. We can use that fact to our advantage."

"You want me to use my daughter's child so I can win a war?" she asked snidely.

"Are you really such a fool?" shouted Daemon. He was scary when he was like that, but she would not show him any weakness.

Rhaenyra looked at Daemon, stunned. "I'm not a fool, I just won't let myself use my own family, harm them, so I can win my war."

"This is not just your war," Daemon countered. "This war hasn't been only yours since the Greens betrayed us all." He propped himself up on the table that presented her realm. "I meant no harm to Rose."

"Aemma," Rhaenyra interjected stubbornly.

"Aemma...," Daemon corrected exhaustedly. "But Aemond would have been easier to control if he had known she was pregnant by him."

"Or he wouldn't have cared and might have even gone after her. You know how much he hates Luke and Jace, insulted them as bastards like it made them worth less."

She had wanted to protect Aemma. She had suffered enough. She wanted to give her a new home here. A place where she could be happy and safe.

Daemon shook his head. "You weren't there. You don't know how he looked at her. He avoided a fight for her. She means something to him."

She means something to him.

Rhaenyra pressed her lips together. She wondered if Aemma felt the same way about Aemond. She hoped that wasn't the case. That she had only been foolish and naive, giving herself over to physical pleasure as she had done with Ser Criston one.

There was a sudden knock at the door and Daemon gave permission to enter. Ser Erryk stood there, bowing. His face looked pale and unrelaxed.

"Where is she?"

Rhaenyra looked irritatedly at Daemon. Where is she? Had he sent for someone?

"My prince," Ser Erryk began. "I learned from a servant that she was in the village with Princess Baela."

Rhaenyra trotted out.

"Who was with Baela in the village?" She looked alternately from Ser Erryk to Daemon and back again. "Daemon, don't tell me, no-" she said when she saw Daemon's look.

She didn't need an answer anymore. His look said it all.

"Has something happened to her?" asked Rhaenyra in a panic, walking toward Ser Erryk.

"She has disappeared, my queen."

It was as if someone had turned back time. Twelve years before, where she had felt the exact same feeling. She looked to Daemon and grabbed her neck. She felt herself suddenly unable to breathe. She reached for the table, looking for a foothold, and in the process threw down the figurines that were scattered there. Daemon grabbed her.

"You have to breathe, Rhaenyra."

Breathe? How was she supposed to breathe? How was that supposed to work?

Aemma was gone.

Her little girl was gone again.

"Rhaenyra," Daemon said, trying to calm her down.

"We have to find her, Daemon."

Rhaenyra was about to have a panic attack. She was shaking all over and her face was pale.

Daemon wiped the tears from her cheek and took her face in his hands. She had not even noticed that she had started to cry. It was as if a ghost from her past was haunting her.

"Rhaenyra, look at me."

Rhaenyra's eyes found Daemon's.

"We will find her, Rhaenyra. We will find her."

K I N G S    L A N D I N G

Larys turned his head just slightly to the side when there was a knock at the door. "Come in," he commanded, and his niece Alys stepped into the room. She curtsied to him and he signaled her to sit down. She looked at him in surprise but obeyed his command.

"I've just received information that Rose Flowers is back at Kings' Landing," he informed her, watching Alys' eyes grow wide. "I wonder, though, why I'm getting this information from someone other than you."

She bit her lower lip. "My lord, I cannot control what I see in the fire."

Larys smiled. "I'm talking more about your pathetic spy skills." He tilted his head and watched with satisfaction as she lowered her head in humiliation. She was afraid of him. Good, she should be. Fear meant respect. It was one and the same. Only those who were afraid thought twice about betraying you.

"Prince Aemond had them taken to one of the chambers in the east wing," Larys explained. "He has ordered that no one but select servants have access there."

Alys looked up at him. I wonder if she guessed what his next words would be. "Make sure you're one of them. Gain their trust. Become her friend. Be there for her, make sure she trusts you with all her secrets."

He would perhaps be able to put his plan into action after all.

He had tried to kill the girl. He had wanted to eliminate her, but now she was here again, guarded by men who could not be easily tricked or manipulated. He had to change his plan somewhat, but he would still be able to have the same outcome.

"The girl is pregnant with his child."

Alys snapped his eyes open.

He wouldn't want to kill Rose anymore. He had something else in mind entirely.

"You know what to do, don't you?"

He saw some emotion cross his bastard niece's face. She looked critical for a moment, desperate, but in the end she always did what she was supposed to.

She had been supposed to seduce Aemond, but that plan had failed. Larys was too smart to pursue it any further, hoping that Aemond would change his mind after all. No, he had something completely different in mind.

She nodded and Larys smiled with satisfaction.

"Make me proud, Alys."

TAGLIST

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[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (25) (PART TWO)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

She didn't expect she would ever see Aemond again.

She had not even known if she wanted to. She felt used and exploited, like an object he had dropped when she was no longer of value to him. She had thought, over there on Dragonstone, that she would never see him again. Whatever her fate, she had thought that path with Aemond had been over. She had accepted it. What else could she do?

Neither her own fate was certain, nor Aemond's. It would have been better if their paths had never crossed again.

But there he sat, looking at her as if she wasn't even worth breathing the same air he was.

He raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to greet me? Aren't you glad I freed you?"

Everything inside her tightened. She didn't want to be here. She wasn't supposed to be here. She couldn't bear to be near him.

"Why am I here?" It was as if she had been on Dragonstone half a breath ago, before she had woken up in this bed. She didn't want to be here.

He snorted at her answer and smirked as he let his gaze slide over her body. "That dress looks good on you."

"Aemond, why am I here?" she only realized she had called him by his name when, in response, he looked directly into her eyes, cool, distant, dismissive. He had changed, she realized.

"Why not?" His voice was soft. The opposite of the expression in his eye. "You belong here."

"I don't belong here." She never had. His words had made that clear to her. He tilted his head and clicked his tongue as if he were talking to a naughty little child.

"I disagree, my sweet Rose. After all, you carry something of me inside you."

She quirked an eyebrow.

You carry something of me inside you....

"What do you mean?" She didn't understand what he was alluding to. Her question amused him.

"You're actually a better actress than I thought. But I shouldn't be surprised after what happened, should I?"

He reached for the cup beside his chair and drank from it. While he drank, he didn't take his eyes off her for a second. He watched her every move, soaking it all in. She felt like she was getting smaller and more pitiful under his gaze. She swallowed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"The maester confirmed it. He felt your pulse. It's a waste of time to pretend you don't know."

Rose understood immediately. He felt her pulse... Suddenly she knew exactly what he meant. It had few reasons besides confirming if someone was still alive why maester's felt for a pulse. For women, it was a special one.

Her hand went to her stomach in bewilderment and she pressed her hand on it. Now everything made sense. The morning sickness, the lack of hunger, this tiredness that had suddenly taken hold of her even though she hadn't even woken up all night. She was pregnant by Aemond? She was carrying a child of his in her womb? She bit her lower lip.

It should not have happened. She knew they had been careless. She knew she should have drunk the Moon Tea, but she hadn't wasted a second thinking that she could get pregnant. She was not stupid, she knew that the sexual act, which was supposed to be for marriage only, could produce a child, but in her infatuation with Aemond, she had not even thought of the consequences. How could she have been so stupid?

"It can't be," she whispered, more to herself than to Aemond, but he had understood her.

"Why not? Wasn't my seed inside you? Or did you drink a Moon Tea without me knowing about it?"

She looked at him. She shook her head.

"That's what I thought. Another possibility is that you had another man between your thighs. You were with Rhaenyra. Was it my nephew?"

His question humiliated her. Did he think she was a whore? Did he think so little of her that he believed she could immediately become intimate with another man? For men, the sexual act might have been something trivial, but she, as a woman, had much more to lose. Apart from the fact that she could not imagine intimacy with anyone but Aemond. Even now, she couldn't.

"You're disgusting." He laughed at her words.

He put his legs down side by side and bent his torso forward so that he rested his elbows on his knees.

"Is it that off-putting? Your sympathy for him was never a secret, right? Maybe you freed him, too. Are you a traitor, Rose?"

It was getting more humiliating by the second to be in a room with him. She pressed her hand tighter to her belly. Had something really arisen there inside her that was a part of both her and Aemond? She didn't recognize this man. This was not her Aemond.

"I didn't betray you." She would never have betrayed him. He was the one.

"But you left me."

Because you didn't want me anymore, she wanted to say, but instead she said, "I didn't want to leave you.".

She no longer wanted to be the victim in this story. She didn't want to be humiliated by him. She didn't want to tell him that she had been grabbed and almost raped and killed. She would have left even if she hadn't been kidnapped. He had made it clear that he didn't need her. That he didn't love her. If she had stayed, she would have had to face him forever. Him and his new bride. She couldn't bear the very thought of that humiliation. Then how would she be able to live through it?

"I don't care what you want. You did it. Who do you think you are? You belong to me. Yet instead of proving your loyalty to me, you go to my enemies."

"You only see what you want, don't you?" She was loyal. He was the one who wasn't.

"What else would I see, Rose? Your actions speak against you. Left me without saying a word," he stood up and walked towards her with slow steps. She resisted the urge to jump down from the bed and run away. Neither would she have gotten far, nor would he have let her. She was hopelessly outnumbered by him. So she watched as he came to her, stood in front of the bed and grabbed her curly hair that was lying on her shoulders wildly. She sat there on the bed waiting for his hand to close around her neck, but he just kept gently stroking her hair.

"But don't be afraid. I will take care of you. But you will never dare leave me again," Aemond said coolly. She furrowed her brow. What was he saying? Her mouth opened, but before she could say anything, he continued, silencing her with his gaze.

"You're going to stay here. Forever. And if I never let you out of this room again. You will learn your place. You will give birth to my child, and if you ever dare to leave me again, you will never see it again."

She looked at him, stunned.

Who are you?, was on the tip of her tongue. When did he become so cruel ?

She did not recognize Aemond. Of course, she had had her moments with him, where he had threatened her, intimidated her, but that was before he showed her his other side. She had thought that what they had was something special. But she had been a fool. He had already confirmed it when he had told Daeron his true feelings towards her. She meant nothing to him. He used her and she had let herself be used.

He grabbed her chin. His grip was gentle. "Am I not merciful?" He looked down at her, his gaze hard and almost contemptuous, as if she were his greatest enemy.

She gave no answer and just stared at him. A tear ran down her cheek. This was no longer the Aemond she had known. If she had known him at all. Suddenly his grip became hard and painful.

"Am I not merciful?" Aemond shouted, looking Rose straight in the eye. His eye was red with anger. Rose returned his gaze. She cried, her eyes burning from the salt of her tears. But she did not lower her gaze. She had her eyes fixed directly on him. She would not give him the pleasure of seeing her weakness. He didn't deserve her. He didn't deserve anything anymore. She twisted her mouth snidely. He wasn't worth her tears.

"I fucking hate you," Rose hissed. It was a lie. She loved him but she wanted to hurt him as he had hurt her. She wouldn't stay here with him. She would find a way. She would not let him take her child. It was hers. She carried it under her heart.

"I guess the masks have fallen, haven't they, my dear?" He gently stroked her face with his index finger, she didn't dare turn it away again. "You have bewitched me, body and soul. I thought I know you. I thought I know your heart. But I'm ending your spell now."

He acted as if she was the one who had made mistakes.

He was the one who had taken advantage of her.

He was the one who had promised her the world, only to take it away from her. She had to look ridiculous. How much she must have amused him. How easily she had given herself to him. How foolish she had been.

If only he knew how much she had loved him. How much she still loved him. But he was only a hateful man who wronged him with every word he spoke. She did not deserve his hate and dislike. She was a good person. She was a faithful person. How could it be that his enemies treated her better than he treated her? Was she so worthless to him that he thought he could play with her, use her as he pleased?

"You don't know my heart," Rose said. "You know nothing, Aemond Targaryen."

Taglist

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[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (25)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

Daemon Targaryen was many things. Unruly, stern, aggressive and hot-headed.

But he was no fool.

He knew what a danger the girl, who was without a doubt, Aemma Velaryon, posed. She had grown up among the Greens, had served them, and was the mistress of Aemond Targaryen. She had a closer connection to them than to her mother's side, but still, even he held that Rose had to learn that her place was here.

Marax had been a useless dragon without Aemma. Neither had he obeyed, nor had he let anyone ride him. But with the return of Rhaenyra's daughter, everything had changed.

And she was Rhaenyra's daughter.

She had the birthmark on her belly button. She had the visual resemblance and she could ride Aemma's dragon. A dragon could imprint on several riders, but never before had it happened that a dragon had several riders at the same time. Of course, one could now claim that Rose was just a coincidence and Aemma was already dead, but then the birthmark still spoke for her.

Rose Flowers was Aemma Velaryon and Daemon would do anything to make sure that Rhaenyra not only had her daughter back physically, but also emotionally. She would be a great support in this war. She knew the Greens, would make a good spy, and would also be a dragon rider. Marax was the strongest of the young dragons. Of course, he wouldn't stand a chance against Sunfrye or Vhagar, but he would be dangerous. Very dangerous.

But first he would have to get Rose on their side. Make her trust them. Get her to stand up to the Greens. He had to admit, he had no idea how to do that yet, but he would pursue that plan.

"You sent for me, Father," he heard Baela say, and he looked up. Baela looked more like her mother every day and the memory of Laena hurt. He had loved her. He had not been in love with her, but he had not been unhappy with her. She had not been Rhaenyra, he had not been able to feel for her what he felt and had felt for Rhaenyra, but she had meant something to him.

"Sit down, Baela," he urged her, and his daughter, complied with his request.

"What do you think of Rose?"

Baela raised an eyebrow. "You mean Aemma?"

He smiled. "You think Rhaenyra?"

"She's their mother and not a fool. You believe her, too, and I know you. You question everything."

Daemon laughed. Baela was smart, cunning, and no slouch. Just like Laena.

He nodded. "She's Aemma, but I don't know if she's just a good actress pretending she can't remember, or actually has no memory of her true origins."

"Can someone act that well?" questioned Baela. "Her execution was in question, wasn't it? She could have just claimed to be Aemma to escape it, but she escaped instead. Would someone do that who knows about his true identity and would rather risk his life than use that knowledge?"

"That's a good point," Daemon agreed. "But we will only be able to know her true loyalty if she trusts us." He leaned toward his daughter. "And that's where you come in."

"You want me to befriend her?"

This was his girl, his smart girl.

"Get to know her. Gain her trust. I want her to be part of this family and useful to us."

Baela pressed her lips together. Her eyebrows furrowed together and she suddenly seemed absent. Daemon frowned as Baela looked up at him, something strange suddenly in her gaze.

"I will do whatever you ask me to do. But first, there's something you should know."

. . . . .

Rhaenyra smiled as she saw Rose enter the hall together with Lucerys. They were brother and sister without a doubt. It made her happy to see her children standing next to each other, as it should have always been.

Rose wore a light blue dress, Lucerys a dark blue gown.

"Mother," Lucerys greeted her delightedly and she gently stroked his head. Then her eyes wandered to Rose, who bowed. "Princess Rhaenyra," she said, and she saw Lucerys wince out of the corner of her eye. She was addressed as Queen by everyone here, but only because they saw Rhaenyra as their Queen. Officially, Aegon was still the king. At least until she had reversed his illegitimate coronation.

Rhaenyra did not comment on her greeting.

"You have your practice fight with Ser Erryk, right?" asked Rhaenyra addressing Lucerys, who looked less than enthusiastic.

"I can stay here, no problem."

She laughed at his attempt to avoid the training. Lucerys had never been the one to do the fighting. He was of the gentle and sensitive side, loving art and music . Unlike his older brother. "Go, Lucerys. Ser Erryk is a good teacher. You need to work on your skills in these times."

Luce made a pout, but Rhaenyra's playful warning look, made him walk obediently towards the exit. He turned to the two of them once more, and Rhaenyra gave him an inviting smile.

"Are you feeling better, your Grace?" asked Aemma suddenly, and Rhaenyra looked at her in surprise.

"You were a bit groggy during our last conversation. Your son was looking worried."

She saw concern in Aemma's eyes. She also saw honesty and her heart warmed. Her daughter had not lost her good heart.

"I'm better, thank you, Aemma, I-," she stopped and her daughter raised an eyebrow in wonder. Rhaenyra pressed her lips together.

"You have a lot of resemblance to my daughter, Rose," Rhaenyra began.

Aemma nodded in understanding. "Your son has already mentioned it."

Rhaenyra tried to hide the pain in her voice. "Sometimes my head plays tricks on me. I miss my child very much," she confessed, and she saw the sadness in her daughter's eyes. She saw the understanding. She saw the pity, which she had usually despised in others.

"Do you think your daughter is still alive?" asked Aemma suddenly, and Rhaenyra looked at her in surprise. She must have misinterpreted her look, because Aemma gasped in dismay and slapped her hand over her mouth. "Forgive me," she stammered, "I meant no disrespect or insensitivity. It's none of my business." She looked frightened and stared at the floor.

Rhaenyra felt a stab in her heart. She didn't want Aemma to be afraid of her. She wanted to build something with her, something that had been taken from her. She wanted to build a relationship with her daughter, the same one she had with her mother, if not more intimate. This was her little girl.

She reached for Aemma's hand and saw surprised blue-brown eyes. These eyes were unique. She would recognize them among hundreds.

"You don't have to apologize," she began, squeezing her hand. "I want you to get to know us, Rose. Lucerys cares a lot about you, and I'm afraid you don't have a good picture of us. Give us a chance to prove to you that we're not the monsters you might think we are."

Aemma looked at her inquiringly. 

"And to answer your question. Yes, I believe my daughter is still alive. No, I know she's alive."

She's standing right in front of me.

Aemma searched her face for something, her eyes jumping back and forth as if fighting an internal battle, before a smile came to her lips and she looked to her hand resting in Rhaenyra's. It had to be a strange feeling for her. A foreign queen reaching for the hand of a foreign servant.

Yet they were so much more than that. A meaning that Aemma did not yet know and that Rhaenyra held only in her heart for now.

"I am sure that one day your daughter will be in your arms again."

Aemma had no idea how much her words touched her. And how much she longed for it at that moment.

Rhaenyra smiled. She felt her lip tremble. "I think so, too."

K I N G S   L A N D I N G

Ser Arryk was a faithful person. A religious man.He and his brother had been brought up that way. He was God-fearing, followed the laws and believed in the supreme order. He believed in loyalty, he believed in virtue and courage, and he believed in honor.

But what he was supposed to do had nothing to do with honor. It was honorless, and Ser Arryk felt sick at the thought of what he was being asked to do.

And he would do it. For his king. For the choice he had made.

He prayed for forgiveness in the Sept.

He prayed that the gods would not strike him for something he did only because he obeyed orders.

He prayed that he would not meet his brother on Dragonstone, because the sides they had both chosen were those of enemies. They were enemies. Their mother would turn in her grave.

Hearing footsteps, Ser Erryk flinched in surprise and drew his sword, only to look the young Prince Aemond, or the current Regent to be correct, in the eye. Aemond Targaryen looked at him, unimpressed.

Erryk quickly lowered the sword and bowed. "Your Grace," he greeted him. "I did not expect you at this hour."

"You are here yourself," Aemond replied coolly, stepping closer. "Are you praying for my brother's recovery?"

Erryk swallowed. "That too, your Grace."

"For what else?"

"For the forgiveness of my sins."

"You have sinned?"

"I think I will."

Aemond nodded. He knew what he was talking about. He looked to the shining window of the sept that was illuminated by the candlelight. He was silent for a moment and Ser Erryk could do nothing but stare at the prince. He looked graceful and dangerous. Just as one imagined a Targaryen would be.

"Perhaps you don't need to pray for forgiveness yet," Prince Aemond said suddenly, and Erryk looked at him in surprise. "I have another task for you. One of particularly high urgency."

Aemond turned his eye back to the knight of the King's Guard.

It was surprising how a man with only one eye, commanded so much power that just one look from him was enough to show that he was the one in charge.

"Whatever you command," Ser Erryk replied, and Aemond looked at him with satisfaction.

D R A G O N S T O N E

Baela had lured Rose, or Aemma, (she herself was confused about it) to the village under a pretext. As discussed with her father, she wanted to get to know her cousin better. She also wanted to show her the people here on Dragonstone, who had all sworn allegiance to Rhaenyra. They adored their queen and she wanted Rose to know why. What better way than to have supposedly like-minded people convince her.

"It's a nice dress, isn't it?" asked Baela, lifting up some dress. She didn't care about something as trivial as clothes, but they were women, weren't they? Somehow, in the end, it was always about clothes.

Rose nodded.

"You'll look beautiful in it."

"Oh, I meant for you."

Rose looked at her in surprise. "For me, your royal highness?"

"Baela," she interjected, holding out her hand. "I don't think much of all these titles."

Rose looked at her hesitantly, puzzled by her candor and that she didn't care about her status, but it was the truth. Yes, she was a Targaryen and even entitled to the throne at some point, but the only thing she cared about was riding a dragon and various amusements that were considered unladylike. But what did she care about public opinion? She did what she wanted.

She nodded to her hand. "You're not going to refuse my hand, are you?"

Rose's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "Sorry, no, just me-"

"Just, you-?"

Rose seemed to want to say something, but she remained silent, shaking her head. Then she reached for Baela's hand and slapped it. Baela grinned with satisfaction. "there you go."

"Where were we," Baela scratched her chin. "Ah, your dress."

"I don't need a dress, but thank you," Rose objected.

"Why not? Do you prefer to wear shirts and pants?" she raised an eyebrow. "If that's the case, I can totally understand, I'd rather be a boy too, but the gods gave me a cunt."

Rose's eyes snapped open at her vulgar choice of words, and Baela realized she was speaking too familiarly to her. But before she could say anything, Rose suddenly laughed and nodded.

"I guess a lot of things would be easier then," she concluded.

Baela grinned and pulled Rose along with her.

"It definitely would be, wouldn't it?"

She saw Rose opening up more. She seemed less tense. Good, she should trust her after all. And she did that without any bad intentions. Rose was a nice girl, she wanted to get to know her, wanted to know about her life and what she had experienced. They were a family and she wanted to help Rose find her way back to them and finally become who she really was. She owed that to Rhaenyra.

Baela opened her mouth to let out a funny joke her mother had once told her, appropriate to the situation, when suddenly she heard a bang. Then she felt an unbearable pain before everything went dark and the darkness enveloped her.

The last thing she saw was Rose's shocked face.

. . . . .

Aemond's gaze softened, the hardness receding from his face to make way for gentleness. Suddenly he stood up. Rose drew in her breath in surprise as his strong hands grabbed her by the waist and a short moment later she was standing in the water with him. 

"Confess," the septa said.

"You are beautiful," he breathed, suddenly gripping her neck. Wrapped his long fingers around it. "And you're mine. You are mine."

"Confess," the septa said again. Confess what?

He kissed her neck. She felt tears on her cheeks. Why was she crying ?

"You are mine," he repeated his words.

"Confess." 

"I love you..."

When Rose woke up, her whole head was buzzing. She moaned at the pain and grabbed her forehead with shaky hands, only to flinch. The touch hurt the thousand hammer blows. What in seven hells had happened? It felt like the entire nation of Westeros had stomped on her head. She opened her eyes slightly, only to close them again. Although it was quite dark, the dim light pained her.

What had happened? She tried to remember. Baela Targaryen's face came to her mind; they had been in the village because the princess had insisted that she accompany her there. She remembered the conversation and Baela's head suddenly being thrown against a wall. She remembered Baela going to the ground and reaching for her, only to be yanked back. She remembered how someone had put a hand on her mouth and nose and how everything went dark after that. Then she remembered nothing more.

She tried to open her eyes again. This time she succeeded. She was lying in a bed, a soft bed, in a room that did not look familiar to her. Had she been taken to another room in Dragonstone. And where was Baela? Had they found her? Had someone come to help them? She swallowed. Her throat was completely dry. She licked her lips with her tongue. They were raw.

"Water is next to your bed."

It didn't take her a second to match the voice to its owner. It was the voice that had haunted her dreams every night. It was the voice that had given her the most beautiful and terrifying moments in her life, and it was the voice that had broken her heart.

Rose jerked her head to the right,

Aemond. Just as she remembered him. Dressed in graceful black. His white blond hair spread over his shoulder to his chest. He played with the rings on his fingers while keeping his gaze on her. A cold shiver went down her spine. His gaze was hard and strange and he looked at her as if she was nobody of importance. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, as if he was pleased to see her shocked expression. He had thrown one leg over the other, and was leaning into his chair as if no moment could be more satisfying for him.

There he sat. The man she loved, and who did not love her.

But what was more shocking was the fact that he shouldn't be here.

What had happened?

How could this be? Why was he here? Was he on Dragonstone, or was she...?

"Welcome back. Did you miss me, Rose?"

Something about me. English is not my native language. I've learned in school and I still make mistakes. When you see something wrong or which absolutley makes no sense, please tell me. I write my ideas in my native language and even when I translate everything, sometimes I can miss something when I correct myself. So please tell me when you see weird stuff. Lot of love ❤️

Taglist

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[bananadrinkxxx]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐲𝐞 (6)

[Aemond Targaryen x female Lucerys Velaryon • fem! oc!reader]

[warnings: sex content, fights, harassment, angst, smut, domination, violence, targcest (uncle/niece)]

Only for 18+

[description: Boarding School - Modern Setting. Lucerya avoided her uncle for years but Aemond remembers and he is on his mission to make her life a living hell.]

Masterlist for all available parts (click here)

Aemond first saw his mother's angry eyes before his gaze moved on to Lord Corlys, who only signaled him with his head to sit down. 

Aemond took the free chair next to Alys, who looked at him in surprise. She reached for his hand, but he was quicker and avoided her touch. He couldn't even stand the sight of her, how could he stand her touch. He saw her eyes widen out of the corner of his eye, but all he felt was disgust. She had never meant anything to him, for him only the physical thing had mattered, but now he didn't even want that from her.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, for appearing so quickly," Corlys thanked him, and Mrs. Rivers nodded.

"What happened? Your secretary said it was urgent, but she wouldn't tell us exactly what it was about over the phone."

Corlys clasped her hands together. "We have a serious issue to discuss." He looked to Aemond.

 "Our school has a zero tolerance policy toward bullying, and yet it has come to my attention that one of our students, within the walls, under my supervision, has had this very thing happen to her."

Aemond heard Alys inhale sharply. He looked forward to the next few minutes. He had no idea why he was here, but perhaps the gods just wanted him to witness their demise.

"Aemond was only protecting his sister," she said suddenly, placing her hand on his knee. He turned to her, looking at her stunned, while Alys misinterpreted his facial expression and felt confirmed in her mission to spread more lies. "Helaena has been bullied by Lucerya Velaryon for weeks and he has only defended her. You can't punish him for doing the right thing."

Lord Corlys raised an eyebrow and leaned forward slightly. "Miss Rivers, what do you think is the reason you're here?"

Alys looked at him in surprise. "As a witness?" She looked to Aemond as he removed her hand from his knee.

Alicent snorted snidely. "Unbelievable," she spat with hatred, leaning back in her chair as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "The acting talent of your students is truly remarkable, Corlys. It seems to me they put more emphasis on drama lessons here than the safety of your students."

"Excuse me?" interjected Mrs. Rivers indignantly, straightening up. "Alicent, you-"

"That's Mrs. Targaryen to you, Mrs. Rivers," his mother retorted hostilely. "Your daughter has been bullying my daughter for weeks. I don't know what went wrong in your upbringing, but in my family we don't bully weaker ones."

"Aemond, please. Don't leave me here alone... Aemond."

Aemond closed his eye for a brief moment as Lucy Velaryon's face appeared in his mind, tearful and distraught. He clenched his hand into a fist, disgusted with himself.

"Bullying?," Mrs. Rivers almost shrieked, looking to her daughter, who stared at the floor, stunned. "You're bullying others?" Alys shook her head, but her silence was answer enough. She didn't even bother to lie. The first tears appeared in her eyes.

"Alys, I'm sure you know the school rules, even if you don't seem to understand the moral rules of our society. Your behavior has consequences, and I want you to understand that you have caused great harm to Helaena. I have therefore decided to suspend you for two months."

Alys looked up in panic. "But in two and a half months are the mid-year exams. They're crucial for our college applications. You can't suspend me, I need the classes."

Alicent made a deprecating sound. "You probably should have thought about that before. You didn't care if my daughter could prepare for the exams either. I would have loved to have had you kicked out of school."

Corly's look was clear and his mother reluctantly remained silent.

"Your punishment was lessened just by the fact that Helaena asked me to give you a second chance. However, I can't let you go without a punishment, which is why I think the suspension is more than appropriate."

Alys was trembling and suddenly pale. Aemond heard her swallow. She looked to Aemond, but when she met his hateful gaze, she flinched and slumped in her chair like a heap of misery. She suddenly seemed so small, so pathetic. Just like her character.

"We apologize for our daughter's behavior," Mr. Rivers said, giving his daughter a reproving look. "Should it be true," he added quickly. "But at the moment, it is testimony against testimony. Is there a witness to such allegations?"

"Indeed, there is a witness," Corlys said, presenting documents to him. "Lucerya Velaryon unfortunately cannot attend this meeting, but she described an incident to me in a private conversation. As a result, I had Aly's friends come to me and they all confirmed that the accusations were legitimate. Here are their testimonies."

At the mention of Lucy, Aemond had to gulp. Corlys was definitely referring to the incident where Alys had turned him against his niece, even though she had been the one making her life hell. He looked at Alys' devastated face. She didn't know yet that this suspension was the best thing that could happen to her. As soon as she came back, she would beg him to show mercy. He would destroy her.

"Then, of course, we accept the punishment," Mrs. Rivers replied dejectedly as she held the sheets in her hand. "We will take our daughter with us to Harrenhal today."

"That would be the best," Corlys confirmed.

Alys parents stood up and Alys wanted to follow them before Aemond grabbed her and pulled her close to him. He pressed her petite body against his and pushed her head against him. With his mouth, he slid to her ear. "Pray I never meet you alone," Aemond threatened her softly. He felt her tense. "You are dead to me." Her whole body stiffened in his embrace. He had spoken as softly as he could so that no one but Alys understood him. He released their embrace and pushed her away from him. Alys looked at him fearfully before quickly turning around to put as much distance between them as quickly as she could.

When the Rivers were gone, his mother addressed Lord Corlys one last time.

"I hope we never have to repeat such a conversation again, Corlys," she spoke icily, not hiding her lack of sympathy for the man. Corlys nodded with a smile, it seemed forced, but he preferred to remain silent. A clever man, Aemond thought. His mother seemed to have expected nothing less.

"Come, Aemond," she commanded, and Aemond followed her instruction, but a clearing of the throat held them both back.

"I would like to speak with Aemond in private, Alicent."

His mother looked at Corlys Velaryon with a raised eyebrow.

"What for?"

"I would prefer to discuss this with him alone."

"Do you have to?"

"I'm afraid so."

Alicent looked at him critically before her gaze wandered to Aemond, who only raised his shoulders. No idea what else the old man wanted from him.

"I'm with Helaena, she wants to go back to school here," she began, addressing Aemond. "Come to us after your talk."

Aemond nodded and watched his mother storm out of the office without saying goodbye to Corlys. Neither had ever tried to hide the fact that they disliked each other.

Corlys signaled for him to sit down.

"Miss Rivers said something interesting earlier," Corlys began. "Basically, she confirmed a suspicion I've had for a long time, and which has been brought to my attention several times now by various students. The only one who has been consistently silent on the subject is my granddaughter."

Aemond had a small premonition of what was about to come. Corlys walked around his desk. He stopped in front of Aemond and sat down with one leg on the desk. He looked down at him, and Aemond realized what he was doing to him.

He was making him feel small.

"I want to be frank with you, Aemond. I'm afraid you wouldn't understand otherwise. If it ever comes to my attention again that you are bullying Lucy in any way, I will expel you from this school. And then not even your father can save you, understand?"

Neither of them averted their eyes. It was a struggle of power, though it was clear who had the higher leverage.

"Understood."

Corlys smiled. "Very good. I'm glad to hear that. You can go now."

. . . . .

Baela stared at her cousin, who had been lying in her bed for two days, leaving it only to go to the bathroom. She had left Lucy alone, sensing that something had happened, but she hadn't spoken a word since returning to the bedchamber in the middle of the night two days ago. She had looked like a ghost, mascara spread over her face and eyes teary and puffy.

The only time she had spoken was when Alicent, Aemond's mother, and Lord Corlys had joined her in the room after Lucy had called in sick. Baela had tried to eavesdrop, but she had only understood bits and pieces. Too little to make sense of it all, but she was smart enough to understand that it must have something to do with Aemond. Even though Lucy didn't say a word, Aemond's sudden announcement to leave Lucy alone again from now on was almost proof enough.

But that was not enough. She did not want Aemond to get away without consequences. Rhaena had tried to talk to Lucy, to convince her to go to Lord Corlys, but she had not succeeded, so her twin sister had gone to her grandfather herself. But even that was not enough for Baela. She looked to Jacaerys, who was standing at the pool table with his friends, laughing as if all was well with the world. Well, it was for him. He was a grade above them, and the bullying against his sister had apparently passed him by completely. Even though the whole school was involved, the upper years had just watched while the younger ones did what they always did. Obey Aemond Targaryen. The only ones who could say anything against Aemond were his brother Aegon and Jacaerys.

"Jacaerys," Baela said when she arrived at the pool table. The boys looked at her in surprise, as if they had completely tuned out the world around them.

"Baela," Jacaerys replied in surprise, smiling. "Do you feel like playing along? The boys might-"

"We need to talk."

Jacaerys's smile vanished at the seriousness of her voice. His eyes roamed her face inquiringly, and he understood. Baela gave his friends a look that made it clear this conversation was not for their ears. They looked to Jacaerys, who nodded at them promptly.

When the boys were gone, Jacaerys turned to her.

"What's this about?"

. . . . .

Jacaery's fist crashed into Aemond's cheekbone without warning. Aemond stumbled back from the blow, but still managed to stay on his feet. The crowd around them filled up and suddenly they were surrounded by several classmates who were watching them in a curious manner.

Aemond looked angrily at Jacaerys and wiped his lip. Blood was visible on the back of his hand.

"You'd better not do that again," Aemond warned, and everyone stared at Jace, who only made a snide noise.

"This is for Lucy. I heard what you did," Jacaerys approached. "Turn your classmates against her? You're lucky I'm letting you live."

He saw something flit across Aemond's face. A realization, guilt, and something else, but he didn't particularly care. That bastard had hurt, humiliated and bullied his little sister and he had been too absorbed in his own world that he hadn't noticed how Lucy was suffering. But that was the end of it now. He would protect her from now on. Of course he never missed an opportunity to tease her, but this was different. He would never want to hurt her seriously, but Aemond had always had it in for Lucy. He felt sick when he thought about what Baela had told him.

"Jace," Baela called out warningly, but by then it had happened. Aemond shoved Jacaerys so hard that he stumbled backward and flew over his own feet. He landed on the ground with a loud thud, and Aemond snorted disparagingly at the ease with which he had brought his nephew down.

"You asshole," Baela yelled, but was held back by Aegon. Baela swung at him, but as usual, Aegon made fun of such things.

Humiliated, Jacaerys jumped up to face his uncle. He lunged, but Aemond intercepted his blow and held his wrist tightly. With his other arm he lunged wide, his hand clenched into his fist, and for a brief moment Jacaerys remembered back to when Lucy had slid the kitchen knife across his face. It had been a harmless argument that had escalated, stopped only when Lucy had taken her uncle's eye. He would never forget Aemond's screams. Just as he would never forget Lucy's stunned, frightened look as she looked pleadingly to Jacaerys, hoping to undo what she had done.

Aemond's fist raced toward his face, he braced himself for the pain, but then suddenly brown hair appeared before his eyes. He knew immediately who had placed himself in front of him. Aemond's fist stopped just before her face and he saw the bewilderment on his face.

"Are you crazy?" asked Aemond, addressing Lucy.

"What are you doing, Lucy? Get out of here," hissed Jacaerys, but Lucy ignored him.

"Listen to your brother," Aemond said low, his fist still in the air. Jacaerys grabbed Lucy by the shoulder, but she tore away from him. She stepped closer to Aemond, standing inches away from him.

"I'm right here, Uncle," Lucy dared him. Her voice was strong, no weakness in it. "The object of your ire, the reason you lost your eye. If you wish to get your revenge, you have to get rid of me. So do it. And be done of all this bother."

Aemond stared at Lucy. For a moment, the world stood still. All eyes were on the two of them. No one saying a word. Lucy stood there, like a warrior, they say, not backing down an inch. Jacaerys was impressed with his sister at that moment.

He had come to save her, to defend her but now she was standing there to save him.

Aemond was silent. He didn't say a word, the only thing he did was stare at Lucy. Then he snorted and turned around. The crowd parted to make way, from the king of the school who had just been put in his place by a woman.

"That was dangerous, Lucy, are you insane?"

But no response. His sister ignored him and stared after Aemond. Even when he was long gone from sight.

. . . . .

"Exercise improves blood flow to the muscle, reduces the likelihood of hardening of the arteries and thus the risk of a heart attack later in life. In addition, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood fat levels are regulated. But that's not all: exercise also strengthens muscles, tendons, bones, joints and ligaments."

At the word sport, Lucy had already switched off in her mind. Neither did she do sports, nor did she want to hear about them. Vaemond Velaryon, her gym teacher, didn't like her anyway, and pretending to be excited about his classes would be as much of a waste of time as pretending it could. There was probably no one more unathletic than she was.

"People who exercise in the fresh air are more balanced and happier. Just 5 minutes of sporting activity in the fresh air is enough to significantly improve your mood. That's because people who exercise outdoors in nature produce more of the body's hormones, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine."

Could someone stop this torture? Lucy looked at her cousin Baela, who rolled her eyes in annoyance. Rhaena, on the other hand, looked at her great-uncle with shining eyes, as if he were the Messiah. She was sure that Aunt Laena had dropped her from the changing table when she was a child.

"And so now I want you to run five laps around this forest," Vaemond explained, and a groan went through the row of students. This man had invented torture. Five laps ? Healthful, my ass. It was like a funeral. Where was the mass grave ?

She looked at Jacaerys, who, as always, was happy about any sporting activity. Lucy pursed her mouth. Her brother was embarrassing. A disgrace to this family. Due to lack of teachers, they assigned her year and Jacaerys' together in sports.

"You are allowed three breaks, five minutes each. The breaks are taken when you have finished one round each. Anyone who does more you will be disqualified."

She hoped he would be disqualified as a teacher. Only 5 minutes break at a time? She would gasp after the first minute. Could someone take this maniac back to the psych ward? The man was born for torture.

"I just hope I don't break a fingernail," she heard Alys' friend say behind her, and she just rolled her eyes. Since Alys had been suspended from school, they'd been running around like helpless sheep, looking for someone to fill the spot Alys had left behind.

Lucy had to admit that she had felt schadenfreude when Baela had told her that Alys would be absent from school for two months. She would have liked to see her go for good, but Alys' uncle Larys Strong was a close friend of Alicent. She was sure he had his fingers in the pie. Lucy wondered if he would do the same for her. Harwin was her father, there was no doubt about that, Larys' older brother, but she had never been able to form a familial bond with him.

"She's even dumber than she looks," Rhaena whispered, and Lucy grinned. Alys and her friends had a lot in common. Their dopiness was one of them.

"Are you really okay?" asked Rhaena suddenly, and Lucy looked at her in surprise. "You didn't get out of bed for days and all of a sudden you're back and it's like nothing happened." She reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. Rhaena had always been the more empathetic of the two twins. While Baela was tough and rebellious, Rhaena was gentle and quiet in nature.

"I feel better," Lucy lied, forcing a smile. What Aemond had done to her had taken a toll on her and she still had nightmares about it in parts, but she wasn't one to give up on herself. Her classmates left her alone and Lucy hoped that was the end of her argument with Aemond.

She looked to her uncle, who stood annoyed in the corner, Aegon beside him, banging his head wearily against the wall behind him. Lucy had to grin at the sight. Aegon was doing what they all wanted to do. Then suddenly Aemond turned his head in her direction and the smile froze on Lucy's face. It was as if he was looking deep into her soul when their eyes met. He was watching her, and Lucy could do nothing but avoid his engaging gaze. Goosebumps ran over her body. Since the incident, her relationship with Aemond was different. She felt more fear in his presence. More reticence. The urge to just crawl into a hole and not come out. He had proven to her that he was the more powerful of the two of them and that she stood no chance against him. She didn't want his attention. She didn't want anything from him.

"Really?" asked Rhaena as she turned her gaze to. Lucy forced herself to smile again and just nodded. Then she followed her classmates and prepared to die of respiratory distress. She would not survive this torture Vaemond Velaryon had devised (the man was evil to the core).

Vaemond whistled into his whistle and the students began to jog, groaning.

"Jogging, not stumble, Lucy," Vaemond shouted, and she wished him the worst diarrhea of his life.

As she jogged. And cursed every moment she chose to rejoin the class. Apparently she wasn't the brightest candle on the cake, otherwise it would have occurred to her to skip gym class.

It was relatively cold outside and it was the last class of the day. Most of them passed Lucy and Jacaerys gave her a deprecating look as he passed her for the second time. Maybe she should tell the story of how he had peed himself after his first horror movie after all.

It did not take long until Lucy was the last. Even Aegon was faster and he did nothing but drink, eat and smoke. She was definitely disgracing her mother, but if she remembered correctly, she had never asked to participate in gym class. A burden that had been imposed on her. Who wanted to volunteer for gym?

Lucy stopped, panting for breath, when she got the first side stitch. She gasped for air like a fish at the surface and looked around. There was no one to be seen far and wide. Rhine theoritically, then no one would notice if she took a shortcut, would they? Lucy looked back again and judged her plan to be good enough to implement. She walked to the edge of the path. She would only have to climb a short distance and then run straight out. In an inconspicuous minute she would blend in with the people.

She grabbed a branch and tried to get a secure foothold with her foot. Below her was a mud pit, a giant big puddle from which there was no escape. She would have to be careful. She gripped the branch tighter. It was a bit tiring but it would work. She tried to grab the second branch. She would just have to-

"Whatever you're trying, it won't work," a voice suddenly said behind her, and Lucy turned around, startled. Aemond stood behind her with his arms folded in front of his chest, watching her with one eyebrow raised. Lucy's hand reached out into space and before she could react, the lack of footing caused her to fall and land with a loud splash in the biggest mud puddle the gods could think up. The mud splashed everywhere and the word mud bath took on a new meaning. She was completely wet from top to bottom.

She looked up, stunned, at Aemond, who was looking at her innocently.

"That's unfortunate."

Regrettable would only be his death if she put her hands around his neck.

"Don't look at me like that, it's not my fault."

"Of course it's your fault. You were distracting me. I had everything under control."

"It didn't look that way."

"Well, it was."

"If you say so."

"Oh just fuck off," Lucy yelled angrily and stood up. The mud was slippery and when she grabbed a tree root, she slipped again and flew back into the mud.

"Sure you don't need help?" asked Aemond innocently.

"Most definitely I don't need your help. Get someone who wouldn't let me die here."

"Hmmm, don't feel like it."

Lucy looked at him, stunned. "Excuse me?"

"No desire. I'm exhausted. Jogging is exhausting."

"You're not even sweating yet."

"Maybe so, but my legs hurt. I'm tired. Just call for help, or..." he stopped and knelt down. He looked down at her with a smile. "Or just ask me for help."

Aemond grinned smugly. He was actually serious. Lucy snorted.

"No way."

"It's just a short little sentence, little Lucy. Aemond, please help me. Give it a try. It does wonders."

"I'd rather drown in here."

Aemond's grin disappeared. He braced his hands on his knees and jumped up.

"Well, have fun. I'll run back now, maybe you'll get lucky and someone will find you by sundown."

Aemond turned and Lucy's eyes widened in shock as he disappeared from her sight. He was really going to leave and leave her here? She shrieked. "Aemond, please stay here," she screamed in panic. "Please help me." How humiliating.

For a moment she thought Aemond had really left her behind, wouldn't respond to her cries for help, before he suddenly reappeared, knelt down and held out his arm.

"There you go," he said smugly, pointing to his arm. "Go on, take my hand."

Lucy looked at him, exhausted, and rolled her eyes. She pushed through the mud and reached for Aemond's hand. The grip was slippery from the mud, and when Aemond tried to pull her up, she slipped and flew back into the mud.

"Fuck," she screamed.

"You need to hold on tighter."

"I did, your hand is slippery."

"I think it's more like your hand is slippery."

They tried again and this time Aemond applied more force. He had almost pulled her up when Lucy slipped again with her leg on the mud. But this time she had gripped his hand too tightly that she didn't let go and instead of just falling back into the mud herself, she pulled Aemond with her. The mud splattered everywhere, turning Aemond's light blond hair a dark brown.

He looked at her, aghast, and Lucy had to laugh. "Sorry," she said, raising her hands apologetically.

"Great job, Lucy," he spat. "Now we're both stuck here."

"Well, what can I do about it? You told me to hold on tighter.

"But if you fall, you're supposed to let go of me."

"You might want to say that before next time."

"Sure, I will when I pull the next one out of the mud. Thanks for the tip, niece."

Lucy couldn't tell at the moment how badly she wanted to punch him.

"Help!," she yelled, but other than her voice echoing through the forest and branches cracking, there was no response. They were trapped here.

Aemond looked for a way to escape from the mud pit, but no matter what he did, he kept slipping.

"Come here," he said suddenly, reaching for Lucy, who flinched in fright. If he was going to kill her now, she wasn't going down without a fight.

"Don't ever touch me again, I'm a white belt in Taekwondo and I'm not afraid to use my learned skills on you."

"Isn't that the belt for beginners?"

Lucy looked at him in irritation. She didn't think he knew that. "Yes, but I was a very advanced beginner."

He said no more and just looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Save your irony!"

"I didn't say anything."

"The look on your face says it all."

"Now I'm not allowed to look?" His voice was full of irony. "I was just trying to lift you up so you could climb up, but as unathletic as you are, that's not going to happen."

"Aemond, just shut up okay?," screeched Lucy. This guy was driving her crazy. It was maddening. "Because of you, we're trapped here and probably going to starve and die."

Aemond was silent for a moment and Lucy hoped the gods had finally heard her.

"Starvation implies that we die."

"That's it, I'll spare you, no, I'll spare myself the pain and kill you."

"You're pretty aggressive."

"You must know."

"I actually do know."

He didn't say it but they both knew what he was talking about. And again it was about his eye. She preferred to remain silent. She signaled for him to lift her up, but that plan didn't work either. They were trapped here and had to hope that the others would quickly notice their absence. The mud was cold and the later it got the colder the air became. Lucy began to freeze and sat down on an excellent rock.

They were trapped here in a mud pit and only because she wanted to be smart enough to take a shortcut. They wouldn't drown here, but the cold would chill their bodies to the point that she was sure they would freeze to death by the next morning if no one rescued them.

Aemond sat across from her. He did not look at her, but Lucy could not take her eyes off him. He had tried to help her, and because of her, she was trapped here now. But no matter how much guilt she felt, she was glad she wasn't alone here. It was dark by now, and she had no idea what time it was. They hadn't spoken to each other the whole time. Lucy was shivering. She was incredibly cold and her eyes burned like fire. Her throat hurt, it was dry and scratchy.

She noticed herself slipping off the stone and at the last moment managed to keep herself from flying into the mud. Aemond looked to her.

"Are you all right?"

"Fantastic."

She was anything but Fantastic. All she wanted to do was get into her warm bed, with a hot water bottle, and never come out. It was so incredibly cold.

She didn't hear Aemond come up to her, but when he touched her, she flinched.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," he tried to reassure her, putting his ice-cold hand to her forehead. Then on her cheek. His touch was gentle. She didn't know this gentleness from him. He was usually rough with her. "You're hot."

"Thank you."

"No, I mean you have a fever."

Lucy tried to keep her eyes open. "That's nice." She had no idea what Aemond was even talking about. She leaned next to him and his cool skin, despite the cold, gave her a soothing chill before she started to freeze again.

"Do you think anyone else is coming?"

"They'll probably be looking for us already. Be quiet, and get some rest." She felt him put an arm around her and press her against his chest. He warmed her with his body and gave her support so she wouldn't sink into the mud. Although she hated Aemond, she felt safe in his arms. At the moment there was nothing more beautiful for her than to sit there and feel protected by him. How ironic, considering that just a few days ago she had felt just the opposite. But she blamed it on her fever, which was tormenting her more with each passing second. She suddenly became too tired. She grew weak in his arms and she felt Aemond hugging her harder. A tingling sensation ran over her body.

"Aemond?"

He exhaled in annoyance.

"Can't you be quiet for once? I told you to shut up."

"Okay..."

It wasn't even a minute before she opened her mouth again.

"Aemond?"

She didn't see it, but she felt him roll his eye.

"Hmmm?"

"About your eye. I'm really sorry."

Taglist

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[bananadrinkxxx]

Next update in the next 24 hours. ✌🏻❤️

Next update Royal Betrayal or the Psychopath and his lost eye ?

Hmmmmmmm…. 👀

You decide

[bananadrinkxxx]

Next update Royal Betrayal or the Psychopath and his lost eye ?

Hmmmmmmm…. 👀

You decide

[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (24)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

D R A G O N S T O N E

Jacaerys had never questioned his mother's decisions.

He had always followed her guidance, always defended what she did, and accepted it as it was. She set the course, and he followed.

But this time it was different. This time he questioned and challenged her decisions. He poked at his food, playing with the salad, no desire to shove even a piece into his hungry body. He had never been able to eat when something was bothering him. Jacaerys looked to Lucerys who avoided his gaze. They had not spoken since their conversation, and Jacaerys honestly did not know what to say to his little brother either. He was afraid of another argument. This girl, who everyone seemed to think was Aemma, only brought unrest and imbalance to this family. Why didn't anyone see what he saw? Why did they make him out to be the bad guy?

All he wanted to do was protect his family.

His gaze continued to wander to Daemon, who was staring into the fire. He often seemed absent in thought. It was as if he was thinking about the war every second. He did not blame him. The war was coming, it had been started by the Green side. They were surrounded by enemies and potential traitors, which brought him back to Rose. She didn't belong here. He didn't know her, no one knew her, and even if she was Aemma, there was no guarantee that she was on their side.

Why should he trust a stranger just because she was his blood?

By that logic, he would have to trust Aegon, Aemond, and anyone else.

"I'm done eating, may I remove myself from the table, Mother?" asked Jacaerys, and Rhaenyra looked at him in surprise. She looked at his full plate, quirked her eyebrows, hesitated a moment before nodding. He felt her gaze on his back as he left the room.

He decided to go see his dragon. Jacaerys felt he was the only one he could be himself with. Vermax stared at him as if it knew exactly what Jacaerys was feeling. No wonder, they both had a special connection. He walked up to his dragon and placed his hand on its scaly skin. Vermax gave a soothing growl and he smiled. He would love to take his dragon and fly far away.

Vermax heard her before Jacaerys even knew she was on her way to meet him. He lifted his head toward the entrance and stared there until Jacaerys heard her as well. His mother was dressed in black and red, her hair tied behind her ears. She smiled gently, but it seemed forced. She approached him and stood beside him. Vermax calmed down and tilted his head slightly. It almost seemed as if he was bowing to his Queen.

"You haven't eaten anything," Rhaenyra began, watching him as he stared at Vermax. "Is something bothering you?"

He just snorted and out of the corner of his eye he saw his mother raise an eyebrow.

"Jace..."

He took a deep breath before turning to his mother. "Why is she still here?"

Rhaenyra knew immediately what he was talking about. "Jace, she-"

"She doesn't belong here. She's not Aemma."

His mother looked at him, exhausted. Understanding was in her gaze as she moved closer.

"Look, Jace, I know this is hard to accept, but I'm sure."

He shook his head. She had to be wrong.

"Just because she looks like Aemma doesn't mean she is Aemma. And even if she is Aemma, she grew up with our enemies. She doesn't know us, we don't know her. She doesn't even know anything about her true origins, if that's the case."

"But that doesn't make her any less my child than you or any of the other siblings."

"What makes you my mother is my love for you. Our time together. Our past. She does not know you. She knows nothing. I love you. She doesn't love you."

He saw his mother wince at his last sentence and he felt guilty. He was partially disgusted with himself, but he had to speak the truth before a major disaster happened.

He walked toward her, but she seemed dismissive, so he stopped. He clenched his hand into a fist. He hated that he was now the bad guy. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to hurt his brother either. He just wanted Rose to go away.

"Give her a chance, Jace," his mother began. "I won't put her in any position where she can hurt us, I promise you that, but I do wish that you would try to get to know her."

He would love to grant her that wish. He would do anything for his mother, even that, but if he felt it would hurt them, would it be the right thing to do? Wouldn't it be negligent to grant her this wish when he knew that he could in fact be this girl's enemy?

He shook his head. "I can't." He looked to Vermax, who was watching him. No movement escaped his scrutinizing gaze.

Rhaenyra looked at him in disappointment. "Jace..." She did not speak further. She didn't have to.

"Forgive me, mother. I understand that you miss Aemma. I miss her, too. Every day. I loved her, but I love you too. I can't let this girl," he puffed, "take advantage of our vulnerability."

With those words, he turned around. He knew he was being rude and lacked respect, for his mother and for his queen but he didn't understand why no one saw what he saw. He would prove it to them. He would prove it to them all.

. . . . .

Rose could not get the last conversation with the Black Queen out of her head. It was her first conversation with her, by the way, but it had felt strangely familiar, as if she had known the princess for ages. She had a perfect view of the Dragonpit from her window. She watched the dragons and especially Marax had taken a fancy to her. He was a young dragon, a maid had told her, but he was far superior in size and strength to his brothers and sisters. Before she had ridden him, Marax had listened to no one. A stubborn beast, the servants had called him, a dragon no one wanted to get too close to. He had belonged to Princess Aemma before she disappeared. She was incredibly grateful to the dragon for wanting to save her. She longed to put her hand on his scaly skin. I wonder how he was doing. The arrow had pierced his wing, an injury he had only because of her.

"Aren't you hungry?," she suddenly heard a voice behind her, and Rose flinched, startled. Prince Lucerys stood leaning against the door, looking down at her full plate, which stood untouched on the table. She looked at him apologetically and shook her head. She hadn't heard him come in, so engrossed had she been in her thoughts.

"I feel a little nauseous," she reported, "I'll eat when I feel better."

Lucerys looked at her critically. "The food is already cold. I'll have new ones brought in."

"Please don't," she shook her head. "Don't trouble yourself on my account, my prince. I am grateful for your food. Even cold, it will taste good to me. I will eat it as soon as my stomach settles."

"It is no trouble," Lucerys objected. He came closer and raised a hand to press it against her forehead. Rose flinched in surprise. "Are you sick?" It was a strange sensation to feel his hand against her forehead. This closeness was foreign to her.

"You don't have a fever," Lucerys stated, looking relieved. "Maybe we need to take your mind off it."

Rose tilted her head slightly to the side. "What do you mean?"

Lucerys grinned. "Come with me, and I'll show you." The young prince grabbed her hand and was about to pull her along, but Rose stopped and shook her head. He looked at her in wonder.

"I guess that's not a good idea. I should stay here in my room."

"My mother gave permission. You're free to move around here."

Rose's eyes snapped open. "She allowed it?"

Lucerys smiled warmly. "She doesn't want you to feel like a prisoner here."

But I am. I am a prisoner, Rose thought, but she did not speak it. Lucerys seemed so happy at that moment, liberated, that she didn't want to take that feeling away from him. He reached for her hand again and this time she let him pull her along. It wasn't until they were just outside the Dragonpit that she realized what he was about to do.

"Marax misses you," he said, and Rose looked at him in surprise.

"I get to visit him?"

Lucerys seemed to want to say something, it seemed like he was fighting an inner battle, but then he nodded and smiled at her. He had the dragon summoned by the dragon guards and Rose watched with wide eyes as the young dragon stomped towards them proudly, almost regally. He let his gaze glide suspiciously over the area before spotting her and almost joyfully approaching her. The fear she had first felt with Vhagar and also with Marax had vanished. It was as if it had never existed. She took a step toward Marax and the dragon bent down slightly toward her. His hot air blew toward her and a tingling sensation arose on her skin. She put her hand on his nose, and he made a contented sound.

"I missed you, too," she confessed, and she had a feeling he understood. It was a strange feeling. They felt... connected. As if Marax belonged to her and she to him.

Then she remembered the dragon's injury and looked at his wing, which had a hole in it.

She looked to Lucerys. "How is he?" she asked, concerned.

"Better, he's eating a lot and his wing is healing well. The wing will have a tear but the dragon guards said it is comparable to a scar on a human body. It will be visible forever, but eventually it won't be felt."

She nodded in relief. "Very good. I couldn't forgive myself if he were hurt because of me."

"Do you feel a special bond with him?" asked Lucerys suddenly, stepping closer. Marax surveyed him, but he did not perceive him as a threat. Rose was surprised at his question.

"I had a dragon, too," Lucerys began. "His name was Arrax. My mother laid his egg in my cradle and from that point on he belonged to me as I belonged to him."

"What happened to him?"

Lucerys looked at her as if considering whether to tell her. "Aemond killed him."

She swallowed, feeling the stab in her heart that the mention of his name triggered in her. She turned her gaze to the ground.

"Or rather, his dragon, Vhagar. We met when we were both trying to win Lord Baratheon to our side. Aemond demanded my eye and when I flew away on Arrax, he chased me. I am sure he wanted to kill me. Arrax tried to protect me. It all happened very quickly and only the gods know how I survived it, but in the end my dragon was in several pieces and my uncle had grabbed me by the arm and pulled me onto his dragon. You know the rest of the story."

Rose looked at the young prince in displeasure. She had not known that Aemond had killed his dragon. He must have meant a lot to Lucerys. She understood the hatred of uncle and nephew, both had suffered losses and both had taken something from the other. But then she remembered a question that had been burning on her tongue for some time, and she felt that this time would be the right time to ask it.

"Did you know about Blood and Cheese?"

Lucerys eyes widened. He looked at her in wonder and he shook his head.

"Blood and Cheese?"

She searched his eyes for a lie, something that would prove to her how evil the Blacks were, but she saw only honesty and confusion in them. He knew nothing about the assassination.

"An attempt was made to assassinate the sons of Queen Helaena and King Aegon. Assassins named Blood and Cheese, said to have been sent from your ranks."

Lucerys eyes grew abnormally large and he shook his head. "We didn't send anyone."

"It happened the night you escaped. They say it was your mother."

"No," Lucerys almost shrieked, shaking his head even harder. He stumbled back a step. He turned pale. "Mother would never hurt innocent children. She would never have given the order."

"Then who did?"

"I don't know," Lucerys said harshly. He seemed dazed for a moment before he got himself back under control. He looked her seriously in the eyes. "I don't know, but what I do know is that our mother would never do such a thing."

Our mother... It was strange that he called her our mother, but probably at that moment he was thinking of his siblings, who seemed to adore Rhaenyra as much as he did. Rose was envious for a brief moment. She wished she had had that connection to her mother as well. Instead, she had had a cold block of ice that, other than shelter and food on the table, hadn't given her much. And yet Rose had loved her.

"Forgive me," Rose interjected apologetically. She walked up to Lucerys and took his hand in hers. His hand was warm. Hers cold. "I meant no offense to you or your mother, my prince."

He eyed her and for a brief moment she was afraid he would snatch his hand from her, but then he nodded and the warmth returned to his eyes.

"I don't want you to think badly of her," he confessed, and Rose looked at him in wonder. Why did he care how she thought of his mother,? She was a nobody in all of her presence. She wondered what she was doing here anyway. She was worthless. If they tried to blackmail Aemond with her, they would soon find out that their efforts were useless.

She smiled nonetheless. "I don't think badly of your mother. She seems like a kind-hearted woman."

Lucerys seemed pleased by her words. "She is."

. . . . .

"She's pregnant," Rhaena told her sister, and he heard Baela make a surprised sound.

Jacaerys had wanted to visit his fiancée, to talk to her about the situation, asking for her opinion, asking for her help, before he heard Rhaena's words.

He had been standing outside the door, ready to be advised by his fiancée, his future queen, before Rhaena's words held him back. He pressed himself against the wall, in shades of darkness, safe from their gaze. He was ashamed of himself for eavesdropping, but he had a nasty feeling that he knew exactly who they were talking about.

"Rhaenyra?" He heard Baela ask.

"Aemond's mistress."

"Aemma?"

"Stop calling her that," Rhaena demanded. She suddenly sounded dismissive. "Maybe Jacaerys is right. Maybe we're all wrong."

Jacaerys inhaled contentedly through her nose. Finally, someone who understood his position. Maybe he wasn't fighting a losing battle after all.

"Rhaena, you know what Father said. You-"

"I don't care," Rhaena interrupted her sister. Normally Baela was the more short-tempered of the two of them, and Rhaena the one who kept her cool. A strange situation to suddenly see the roles reversed. "She is expecting a child from Aemond. Our enemy. She is carrying a child by him in her womb."

"How do you know?" Baela sounded suspicious.

"I heard the Grand Maester talking to Rhaenyra about it. They haven't seen me. I don't think even Father knows."

Jacaerys clenched his hands into fists. His mother was hiding Rose's pregnancy? Even from Daemon? Was she out of her mind? Why did she feel so much sympathy for a girl she didn't know? Was she so addicted to her desire to see Aemma again that she was willing to risk everything for it? He did not understand his mother's naiveté. Surely she had to know how dangerous it was. If it was indeed Aemond's bastard, then Rose would choose him. If she had ever intended otherwise.

"I'm sure she has a good reason, Rhaena."

"I don't care, I want this girl gone," Rhaena hissed. "Because of Aemond, we almost lost Lucerys. She can't be Aemma. She knows nothing about our cousin. The only ones who are really convinced are Rhaenyra and Lucerys, and that's only because they both blame themselves for her disappearance. If Aemond learns that she carries his bastard under her heart, he will stop at nothing to get her back."

Rhaena had summed up what Jacaerys was thinking and at that moment he knew what to do. His cousin had provided him with the answer. He would make sure that everything would be back in balance. Rose would not destroy his family. He would not let it happen. He couldn't let it happen. Jacaerys tried to slip away as quietly as possible. Once in his chambers, he locked his door behind him to make sure no one would barge in unexpectedly. Then he sat down at his table, took out his feather, parchment and ink, and closed his eyes for a moment. He wondered if he was making the right decision, if perhaps he was acting too much out of his emotions, but then he thought about the consequences that his inaction could bring.

He saw his dead siblings in his mind's eye. Lucerys, dead, lying in the dead arms of his mother, who had laid her head on him. Around them, the corpses of the people Jacaerys loved more than himself.

He would protect them all. He opened his eyes, determined, and dipped the feather in the ink.

Then he began to write.

K I N G S   L A N D I N G

Helaena Targaryen was no longer the woman she once was. She had never been open and full of life, but now she seemed like a shadow of her former self. She sat there at the window, staring at the moon and humming softly to herself, while Aemond watched her. He had longed for his sister, missed her, and longed for her warmth, but she had hardly noticed him since his arrival in her chambers. It was almost as if he did not exist. She even refused to visit Aegon, which did not even surprise him much. Their marriage was as forced as love for each other. The two of them had never been connected. But they both, on the other hand, did. He always felt the need to protect her, whether from others or from himself, he was always ready to throw himself in front of her and defend her with his life. But since the assassination, that night, she was a different person. He would never forgive Rhaenyra for this act, he would kill her for trying to take his family's life, but he admitted that he suspected someone else. He had heard about the cruel character of his uncle. Second Maegor, Otto always called him. But it wouldn't change anything if it was Daemon or Rhaenyra. Both would die at his hands.

Aemond watched his sister. His poor sister. He missed her. He had hoped that at least Helaena would remain with him after he lost Rose, but not even that, did the gods grant him. Was he such a bad person that they didn't even begrudge him a little happiness and joy?

"Dragonseed in Dragonseed," Helaena suddenly sang, and Aemond's eyebrows drew together in irritation. He wondered if he had heard her correctly, so sudden had been her words. "Dragonseed in Dragonseed," she repeated again. She didn't speak to him, it was as if she were singing herself a lullaby, three words she repeated over and over. He straightened up, stared at his sister, and was about to ask her the meaning of her words before there was a knock at the door and Ser Criston Cole entered. He bowed and came briskly toward Aemond.

"Here, your Grace," he said humbly, holding out a letter to him. Aemond raised an eyebrow. The letter had no seal.

"What is this?"

"The letter is addressed to you. It was on the iron throne, I found it when I was looking for you. Look at the back."

Aemond turned the letter over and suddenly everything stiffened. A name appeared that he had not expected. It was only the first letters but he knew immediately who had written this letter to him. He tensed every muscle in his body, every fiber began to burn and without letting another moment pass, he stood up, went to the window and tore open the letter. He read quickly, starting over and over again. His hands began to tremble and his breathing quickened. Suddenly his mouth was dry and his eye was burning. Everything in his body felt strange. He stared at the written lines, handwriting he hadn't seen in years, but which he would recognize among hundreds. He stumbled backwards slightly, crushing the letter in his hand before regaining his composure and walking out of his sister's chambers without a word.

The look of Helaena burned like fire in his neck.

_____________________

explaination "Dragonseed" : Dragonseeds is a term to describe the bastards of Valyrian descent, usually fathered by members of House Targaryen.

Taglist

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[bananadrinkxxx]

THE BLOOD CROWN (23)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

K I N G S  L A N D I N G

When Daeron Targaryen returned to King's Landing, he had expected many things. 

His brother Aemond with the conqueror's crown on his head was not one of them. As he stepped down from his dragon, he looked dumbfounded at his mother, who welcomed him, dressed as always in green. She smiled, but her smile did not reach her eyes.

Aemond stood a little further off, with Ser Criston Cole and his grandsire Otto beside him, who seemed to be discussing something. As Daeron came closer, they suddenly fell silent and the young prince drew his eyebrows together.

"Daeron, my boy," Otto greeted him, but Daeron had his gaze fixed on Aemond.

"What has happened? Is my brother Aegon dead?" he asked in a weak voice, and Alicent put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"Do not be alarmed, Daeron. Aegon is being cared for by the best maesters in the realm."

"What is his condition?"

"Concerning but he has improved."

"Can I see him?"

He had never had much connection with his brothers or his sister, but he loved them nonetheless. He loved each and every one of his family so much that he would die for them.

His mother shook his head. "He won't see anyone but me." Her voice was bitter. She seemed changed. The war was leaving its mark on her.

Daeron looked to Aemond, to be more precise at his crown, who commented on his look with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you have something to say, brother?" Aemond's tone was challenging. 

Come on, say it, lay in it, but Daeron was not one who liked to pick fights. He preferred to be silent, to not let his thoughts bubble out.

"Are you king now?"

Aemond opened his mouth to reply, but it was Otto who stepped in.

"He is prince regent. Until Aegon recovers," Otto said. "Come my boy, you must be hungry. Tell us about your journey."

Arriving in his mother's room, they took a seat to dine together. Ser Criston kept watch with two other men, always expecting the attack of the blacks. It was only his brother, his mother, Otto and he, and for the first time Daeron felt how much this war had already torn his family apart. Helaena lived in seclusion, not wanting to see or be seen by anyone, Aegon was badly wounded and no one knew if he would survive his wounds and Aemond, Aemond seemed colder and more distant.

The meal was silent. No one spoke, no one listened. They were all caught up in their own worlds and when their stomachs were full and their hearts still heavy, Alicent and Otto withdrew to speak with Ser Criston while Aemond played with the knife in front of him and Daeron watched him.

"Wine, Your Royal Highness?" Daeron watched as an unknown woman poured wine for his brother as he communicated permission with a brief nod. She smiled and Daeron watched as she didn't take her eyes off his brother for a second. He furrowed his eyebrows. Where was Rose? She reported directly to his brother and should have been here. He tilted his head slightly to the side, but except for another unknown servant, they were alone.

"Where is Rose?" asked Daeron bluntly, and Aemond's eye straightened.

His mouth became a thin line.

"Gone."

"Gone?"

Aemond snorted at his repetition.

"What happened?"

"Is it relevant?"

"Of course!"

"Why?"

"Why?" asked Daeron, irritated.

"Why does it matter to you whether she is here or not?"

Anger arose in Daeron. He was normally a man who could control himself, but his brother's arrogance made him angry.

"Because she's my friend," Daeron said as if Aemond were stupid. "What did you say to her?"

Now it was Aemond who became angry.

"What?" spat Aemond, looking sharply at Daeron.

"What you said to her, I want to know. Rose would never leave without saying goodbye. Or did you do something to her?"

He saw the anger in Aemond's gaze, but what frightened him most was the coldness with which his brother regarded him. Aemond clenched his fist and slammed it down on the table. Their mother and Otto's attention was drawn to them.

"Aemond?," he heard her ask, but her son ignored her, his focus on his younger brother. His look almost murderous.

"I am now Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm. You will respect me as that, if you already find it difficult to respect me as your elder brother, Daeron."

Daeron snorted snidely.

"I could respect you more if you had also been Rose's protector. You know how much she meant to me as a friend."

"Did you? I don't remember you being there for her."

Daeron's legs made themselves go, and before he knew what he was doing he stepped up to his brother, who was eyeing him with a raised eyebrow. Daeron could feel the anger making him tremble.

"Daeron," he heard his mother ask irritably, and heard her light footsteps as she walked briskly toward him. She reached for his arm, but Daeron still had some things to say.

"That's not fair."

Aemond hissed disparagingly. He stood up as well. He was a head taller than Daeron and looked down on him from above.

"What's not fair, Daeron?" asked Aemond. "That you want to put blame on me? She left me, not I her. I don't owe anyone an account."

Daeron sensed the bitterness in Aemond's words. He was hurt, he realized. When Aemond had revealed to him that Rose meant nothing to him, back in the secrecy of his own chambers, he had believed him. He had accepted it, just as he accepted everything his family did, but this time he could not remain silent. His time with Lord Hightower had often been lonely, it had filled him with sadness that his mother had not loved him enough to want to keep him with her, and Rose had always stood by him, never judging him for his feelings. For that he found more pleasure in men than in women. With her, he could be himself.

But now she was gone, and it was his brother's fault.

D R A G O N S T O N E

When Rose opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Rhaenyra Targaryen. The black queen looked down at her, looking worried and studying her face. Her throat scratched and when she coughed, Rhaenyra reached for the cup of water and held it out to her.

Rose looked at her suspiciously and looked down at the cup.

Rhaenyra watched her, dressed completely in black. She lived up to her name.

"Don't worry, I don't want to poison you."

Rose raised an eyebrow. 

"But you were going to execute me, right?"

Rhaenyra looked at her apologetically. "That was up for discussion but I would have chosen not to."

Rose watched Rhaenyra. In her face and in her eyes she saw only honesty.

Rose didn't know why, but she believed the princess who called herself Queen. At the Red Keep, she had been portrayed as the evil one. As a cruel woman who wanted to steal the crown from Aegon, but Rose wondered how much truth there was in it.

She decided to drink and Rhaenyra smiled as if proud of her.

"You escaped with my daughter's dragon," Rhaenyra began.

"My apologies, royal highness," Rose said but when she was honest she had no guilty feeling. She had tried to kill them, hadn't she? She had no idea whether she could believe the words of this woman. The last weeks and days had taught her better. Everything in her screamed to believe her, but her head contradicted.

 "I did not mean to steal your dragon. I only feared for my life."

Rhaenyra shook her head. "A dragon cannot be stolen. They have a mind of their own. He was trying to help you. He sensed your fear and decided to protect you."

Rose frowned. "But why?"

The princess smiled gently and took the cup from her hand. She was amazed that she was so kind and courteous to her. Usually, women of her standing were the ones who expected such service. She reminded her of Helaena.

"I can't answer that for you. A dragon does what it wants. It is an illusion that we control the dragons." Rose tried to sit up slightly. Her whole body ached.

"Have you ever had contact with a dragon?"

A memory flashed through her mind. Strong arms wrapped around her as she flew on the largest and oldest dragon in the world. She shook her head and decided to lie. It would not be a good idea to tell her about Aemond.

Rhaenyra nodded. "Then Daemon must have been mistaken when he saw you on Vhagar?"

Shit. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to think a moment longer.

Rose looked at them apologetically. "Forgive me. I was just being cautious."

Rhaenyra nodded and played with her fingers. She looked a little nervous. It was a strange conversation and it was getting stranger.

"Careful?"

"I'm trapped here, aren't I? And I'm on the side of the Greens."

"Are you?"

She had to admit, she didn't know anymore. She had thought she was on Aemond's side, she had been willing to choose his side because she loved him, but she meant nothing to him, did she? She knew that Rhaenyra had been the heiress. King Viserys I had never withdrawn his decision, but now it was Aegon who sat on the iron throne and Rose accepted it as it was. Who was she to doubt his claim?

She was further from the iron throne than anyone else.

It wasn't like she would ever sit on it, so what did she care which family claimed the iron throne. She was just a bastard.

A bastard, without property, without family.

She was silent and Rhaenyra seemed to understand.

"Do you believe in Aegon's coronation?" Rhaenyra didn't look angry. She turned her head slightly to the side and smiled gently at her. Why was she being so nice to her?

Rose lifted her shoulders. 

"He was crowned by the eyes of the people. There's not much to believe in that. It's a fact."

"You are right. They hid the death of my father, their king, and did not inform me. They wanted to present me with a fait accompli, but I am the chosen heir."

"Not according to the Greens." Rose felt that her fall must have driven her crazy. Arguing with the princess about legitimacy was tired of life. But then, maybe she was. Tired of life. 

Why was she defending the Hightowers at all? In their presence, she had experienced nothing but loss and pain.

But she had had good moments, too, hadn't she?

"What exactly do you want from me?" she knew she was overstepping her bounds, but the last few days had made her bitter. "I will not betray the Greens. I don't care who sits on the throne, but my loyalty lies with Aemond."

"Aemond?"

Rose winced. She cursed her mouth. How stupid and naive.

She shook her head. She didn't want to talk about Aemond. He didn't want her and no matter how much she wished he would love her, he had made up his mind.

"Forgive me, royal highness. I mean no offense or disrespect. I do not know you. I am of the common people and have served your family and their kin since I was a little girl."

"Served my family?," she sounded irritated when she repeated her words. Why did it surprise her that she had served them? "Where did you live Rose?" Rose turned her head slightly to the side. Why was the princess so interested in her?

"At Lord Hightower's, the Reach."

Suddenly something flitted across Rhaenyra's face. She looked almost as if she was possessed by an evil spirit, her eyes bulged out, her skin suddenly looked sickly pale and she breathed in loudly. Rose looked at her in surprise. Was her hatred for the Hightowers so high that the mere mention of them made the princess seethe with rage?

"Lord Hightower?"

"Yes, I was employed there as a servant. "

Suddenly, Rhaenyra jumped up and her chair flew backwards from the force. The chair hit the floor so hard that she winced.

Rose straightened up, startled, and watched as the princess ran across the room, utterly distraught and gasping for breath. She turned her back on her and went to the closed window. She didn't know what to do, she tried to get up to rush to Rhaenyra's aid, but then the door was pulled open and she saw a young man step inside. His eyes locked on Rhaenyra and he ran toward her. 

"Mother, what happened?"

Rhaenyra grabbed his arm as if she could not stand on her own. She leaned on her son. She suddenly seemed weak. Not like before. So graceful and so royal. "It's all right, Jace," Rhaenyra assured him.

"What did you say to her?," her son suddenly feinted at Rose and she winced at his hostility. His look was almost hateful, as if he despised Rose's very existence.

She did not know the prince, she did not understand his hatred towards her. He looked at her as if he hated no one more than her.

Rose shook her head, but not a word passed her lips.

"She didn't do anything," Rhaenyra defended her. She still had her back turned to her.

"But you-"

"That's enough, Jace. I'm just overtired. Help me out of this. I need rest."

Rhaenyra avoided Rose's gaze, and while Jace gave her a warning look, the princess and she no longer crossed eyes. Her son helped her out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

Rose stayed behind, confused. She stared at the door from which the princess had been led out by her son. She no longer understood the world. Why had she been here? Why had she questioned Rose? She was a nobody to someone who wanted everything. Had she felt sorry for her? Had Lucerys persuaded her to let her live? No matter what possibilities she ran through her head, Rose had no idea why Rhaenyra Targaryen suddenly had this uvious interest in her.

. . . . .

"She was with them," Rhaenyra screamed and hurled a vase against the wall. It shattered into a thousand pieces. "She served the Hightowers. The whole time. She was their servant! Their servant! A princess. Can you imagine that?"

She shook with rage. She was shaking so much she felt like the ground was shaking with her. Daemon reached for her hand, but she avoided him. She could not bear his touch at that moment.

"Did they take my Aemma to hurt me and then keep her as their slave? A Princess of this fucking Realm. My Realm."

The thought rushed at her like a dragon in a rage. "Did they try to turn my own child against me?"

Aemma or Rose, she didn't even know what to call her own child, hadn't told her how she ended up there, but that couldn't be a coincidence. Her daughter disappeared and ended up with the Hightowers? Not even the gods could be that cruel.

And then something struck her. Suddenly everything was so clear. How could she have been so blind? Aemma had disappeared when Aemond lost his eye. That couldn't be a coincidence, could it? Someone had stolen Aemma from her, torn her away from her family, and suddenly Rhaenyra remembered Alicent's words.

"If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will."

Had Alicent taken her daughter from her? And had she intended to continue with Lucerys until there was no child left?

She had no idea why it had been Aemma and not Lucerys, but maybe they had wanted to draw attention away from them?

"Daemon," she said, looking to her husband. He said nothing, but she saw in his gaze, the clear reproach he had always given her.

I told you so.

Yes, he had always told her that the Hightowers could not be trusted. Starting with Otto, continuing with Alicent.

She didn't know if Daemon had wanted this war, sometimes she had that feeling, but he thirsted for Otto's blood, for the blood of the Hightowers and finally Rhaenyra understood his bloodlust.

She had not wanted to believe that Alicent was capable of cold-blooded murder. But now she believed it. Too much had happened. Harwin, her father, Visenya, Aemma. Even Luke had almost paid with his life.

She had no proof of that, Rhaenyra knew. So she would find out the truth. She would find out if Alicent had taken her beloved child from her, and if she was, if she was guilty, then she would do everything she could to take from Alicent what she had taken from her.

"I tried to protect her, Daemon. But Alicent's heart is full of hate and resentment. I cannot rule this realm if House Hightower is still with us."

They had trampled on her feelings for years, humiliated and degraded her.

That would come to an end now.

She would destroy anyone who came for her family. 

"What do you want from me, Rhaenyra?"

Daemon looked at her promptly. She saw what he wanted to hear from her and she wanted to give it to him.

"I want you to burn them all. Protect your family."

"If I do what you ask, I won't be able to let Alicent live. No one. Not her, or any of her children."

Rhaenyra nodded. For a brief moment she felt sadness, but then she looked at the door. Her room was directly across from Rose's.

"Do what you have to do. Kill our enemies. Anyone who's a threat to us. I want Alicent to know what it's like to see your child suffer like this."

Check out the last chapter. Little hint - it's the end. Any parallels, hmm?

Taglist

@watercolorskyy @marvelescvpe @ammo23 @helaenaluvr @toodlesxcuddles @malfoytargaryen

[bananadrinkxxx]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐲𝐞 (5)

[Aemond Targaryen x female Lucerys Velaryon • fem! oc!reader]

[warnings: sex content, fights, harassment, angst, smut, domination, violence, targcest (uncle/niece)]

Only for 18+

[description: Boarding School - Modern Setting. Lucerya avoided her uncle for years but Aemond remembers and he is on his mission to make her life a living hell.]

Masterlist for all available parts (click here)

If she had thought Aemond Targaryen had a problem with her before, she had had no idea what would happen if her uncle really had a problem with her.

It was like Lucerya had a red arrow on her back, because suddenly the whole school hated her. It started in the girls' locker room when her things disappeared during gym class, her books were wet, and they spread chocolate in her bed. Silly teasing, but the worst part for Lucy was being punished for something she didn't do. Helaena had been completely broken up after the argument with Alys, and Aemond had not wanted to hear another word from Lucy. For him it was clear that she was the guilty one. Lucy had hoped that Helaena would help her clarify the situation, but she had not seen her aunt since the incident.

In the dining room, the situation was no better for Lucy. No matter what Aemond had said, her classmates suddenly seemed to hate her. No one except Baela and Rhaena would talk to her. Jacaerys would probably talk to her too, but since they were in different classes and he had a different circle of friends, they had never had much to talk about with each other anyway.

Lucy was taking a sip of her orange juice when she was suddenly bumped from behind, and all the orange juice got all over her breakfast and clothes.

"What the hell," Baela said and jumped up.

Speechless, Lucy turned around.

"Sorry," Alys said, raising her hand, but the grin on her face contrasted with her apology. She tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. "Ever since I was threatened with a spoon, I've kind of not been the same."

The girls behind her giggled. They were the same as that night.

Lucy stood up and Alys looked at the yellow stain on her blouse, smiling.

"What did you say to Aemond?"

Her opposite raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, just that what happened. That you threatened Helaena, crushed her beloved bugs, and when I tried to rush to her aid, you threatened to remove my eye with a spoon. Aemond was quite angry. Did he hurt you?," the question at the end of the sentence was hopeful, almost yearning, and Alys pointed to Lucy's hand. Indeed, Aemond had hurt her. When he had pushed her, Lucy had hit the ground with her hand first and sprained it.

"You are evil, Alys Rivers."

Alys smiled as if she had complimented her. She winked and raised her shoulders.

"That should be a lesson to you, Lucy. I always win."

"What's going on?" a voice suddenly asked from behind her, and Lucy turned around, startled. Aemond looked down at her dismissively and pulled up one corner of his mouth as he stared at the fresh stain on her blouse. He had his hair tied in a braid, and the dark shirt stretched through his broad shoulders. Not for the first time, Lucy noticed how muscular Aemond was. His gaze wandered to her bandaged hand and for a brief moment an emotion she couldn't place flitted across his face before disappearing as quickly as it had come. 

"What's the matter, niece? Forgotten how to eat?"

Everyone laughed except Lucy and her cousins.

"Save your jokes, Aemond," Lucy replied bitterly, taking a step back as Aemond stepped forward one. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her close.

"Don't tell me what to do," he hissed.

"Let go of me right now."

"Look around you, Lucy," Aemond whispered. "See how they all look away. No one would come and help you," Aemond said, grabbing her chin to bring her gaze back to himself. "I told you not to mess with me."

Something was different. Aemond was different. He was more sinister, more hateful, more threatening.

"You're crazy." All of this was crazy. But Aemond would not break her. She didn't know why Helaena was silent, maybe even lying, but she wouldn't give Aemond the satisfaction of making her tremble before him.

Aemond snorted. "Don't worry, little Lucy," Aemond mocked, patting her cheek.

"This is just the beginning."

And it was really just the beginning.

She was locked in rooms, when she went to the toilet water was poured over the cubicles, her homework disappeared or she was bumped into in the corridor by classmates Lucy had never seen before in her life.

"Watch it, idiot," Baela yelled, trying to get at the boy who was laughing and being dragged along by his buddies. Lucy reached for her cousin's hand and shook her head. She held her aching shoulder and tried to smile.

"Don't give him any attention."

"Lucy, it's getting worse," Rhaena said. "You need to tell a teacher. Preferably Lord Corlys, and-"

"Then it gets worse, Rhaena."

"Then tell Jacaerys," Baela interjected. "I'm happy to beat up anyone for you, but I need backup. Jacaerys is popular, he'll help you. Here, his word is as big as Aemond's."

Lucy shook her head. She didn't want Jacaerys and Aemond to clash. The event from her childhood was too formative. Besides, she didn't want to appear weak. It would be a satisfaction for Aemond if she ran to her big brother like a little child. Then he would have won.

The only thing she wanted was to find Helaena, but her little brother Daeron had told her that Helaena was sick and had traveled to her mother to recuperate.

Wonderful.

Lucy looked at Aemond, who, along with boys from his class and, as always, Alys fucking Rivers, was sitting on a bench in the school garden talking. As if sensing her gaze, he looked at Lucy and she flinched. Before she could stop it, she looked at the ground and felt ashamed of her weakness at the same moment. She didn't see Aemond, but she knew he must enjoy the fact that she was afraid of him.

"I can do this alone."

You can't do anything by yourself. You already cry when he gives you the evil eye.

"Lucy, I-"

"I'm going to get new books from the library," Lucy interrupted her, pointing to her damaged math book. She didn't have the energy to argue with them. She knew they were just trying to help her, but she preferred to be alone at that moment.

It was now 8 pm and in an hour they would have to be in their rooms, so she hurried. Many students were already in their rooms or in the common halls, so she was relieved to see hardly anyone. Most ignored her or gave her snide looks. It was interesting how quickly Aemond had turned the whole school against her.

Lucy snorted in annoyance as she checked out the note on the library door. She reached for the note and tore it off the door.

- Closed for two days -

Of course. How could it be otherwise. 

She crumpled the note and kicked the closed door. Could her day get any worse?

"Do you always treat other people's property like that?" she heard a familiar voice behind her and turned around, startled.

Aemond stood leaning against the wall, his muscular arms crossed in front of his chest, his eyebrow raised.

"I mean, I'm not surprised. You've always done what you wanted without having to live with the consequences, haven't you?"

Lucy gritted her teeth. Her whole jaw hurt, she bit down so hard. Her breathing became rapid and she turned without saying a word to get away from Aemond as fast as she could, but Aemond grabbed her by her hair and pulled her back.

Lucy cried out and grabbed Aemond's hand that was buried in her hair. He pulled her down so she was standing bent over backwards while he looked down at her.

"Are you crazy?" asked Lucy in a panic, but Aemond only looked down at her dismissively. His grip hurt.

"You seem like the one who's crazy if you think I'm going to let you do whatever you want."

"I just want you to leave me alone."

"And I want your eye, but I guess we'll both have to live with the fact that we don't always get what we want, right?"

Lucy managed to turn slightly so that she was now standing directly in front of Aemond. His hand was still buried in her hair. She tried to push him off her, but Aemond just laughed at her pathetic attempt.

"Not so strong after all, hmm?"

"Isn't it enough? Will you ever be satisfied?"

Aemond's smile disappeared, and the pressed Lucy against him.

"It's never enough."

"Then tell me what you want. Tell me and leave me alone."

Aemond eyed her.

"Kneel down."

Lucy looked at him like he was crazy. Well, he was.

"You're a psychopath," she retorted, and the smile returned to Aemond's face.

"Maybe, but at least I'm honest, little niece. What's the matter? Afraid your knees will get sore?" It sounded like an innocent question, but Lucy thoroughly understood the ambiguity behind his words. Her uncle was a son of a bitch. "If you're nice and good, there'll be a reward."

"Fuck you, Aemond."

Aemond clicked his tongue reprovingly. "Such a naughty mouth." He reached for her mouth and squeezed it into an 'O'. "Maybe I should stuff something in it so it finally serves its purpose."

Lucy didn't know what was driving her, it was probably all the pent up hatred, the rage inside her that Aemond was torturing her for something he had brought on himself and was now abusing Helaena as a reason to make her life a living hell. He had attacked Jacaerys then and she had defended her brother. She had not intended to hurt Aemond or take his eye, but she would do it again and again if it meant him or her brother.

She would never cower from Aemond like a frightened dog, which is why, without hesitation, she gathered the spit in her mouth and spat in Aemond's face. It hit him on his cheek. Lucy felt satisfaction as she watched it drip down Aemond's face.

Aemond looked at her stunned and raised his hand to wipe the spit from his face. He looked down at his fingertips, which were wet with her saliva, before his gaze darkened and scowled. Before she could do anything, Aemond yanked her along and Lucy cried out.

"You dare to spit at me? You don't seem to know your place in the world, bastard," Aemond roared and Lucy hit him, but no matter how hard her blows hit him, they had no effect. Aemond dragged her across the hall, to a door and opened it in anger. Lucy saw that it was a broom closet and she looked at Aemond in panic. She knew immediately what he was up to.

"Aemond, no," she said, her voice already beginning to tremble.

"We'll talk again tomorrow, niece. Until then, good night." Aemond had no sympathy for her. He knew she was panic-stricken in the dark. She screamed as Aemond pushed her into the chamber, trying to escape, but Aemond was faster and slammed the door in her face.

It was completely dark and Lucy's panic rose. She banged frantically on the door.

"Aemond, let me out! Let me out now!"

She kept banging on the door, but he did not react. Lucy understood that he really wanted to lock her in this room for the night.

"Please, let me out, please," she pleaded, and her blows grew weaker. She heard his blows moving away and she sank to her knees. "Aemond, please. Don't leave me here alone... Aemond." Her whole body trembled and she felt panic rising inside her. The cold of the room scratched her skin and Lucy squeezed her eyes shut. She pressed her hands on her ears and rocked herself back and forth. She would wake up from this nightmare in a moment and then everything would be okay again.

In a moment she would wake up.

It was 11 pm and Aemond found no sleep. Still sitting in his chair with a whiskey in his hand that Aegon had sneaked in, Aemond found for the first time that his older brother had done something meaningful. He stared out the window, looking for distraction, but his thoughts kept returning to what he wanted so badly to forget.

"Please, let me out, please."

"Aemond, please. Don't leave me here alone... Aemond."

Aemond shook his head as if it would help somehow. She had it coming. No matter how much Lucy cried and pleaded, she finally had to live with the consequences of her actions. He couldn't let her get away with it forever. Her whimpering couldn't soften him. What she had done to him was already enough, but Helaena was another matter. He would show no mercy to those who would harm his family.

He heard the door open, and a drunken Aegon barged in.

Welcome to the club.

Aemond pulled up the corner of his mouth snidely and drank from the whiskey.

"Hey, isn't that my whiskey?" asked Aegon indignantly.

Aemond ignored him and Aegon snorted in response. Aemond heard a vibration and tilted his head slightly. He looked to his cell phone, but before he could reach for it, Aegon had leaned over and snatched it off his bed.

"Alys Rivers?" asked Aegon, irritated. "You're still in contact with her?"

"Why wouldn't I be in contact with her?" Aemond didn't understand what Aegon was getting at. Usually, Aegon always wanted Aly's number so he could have fun with her himself. Aemond wouldn't care. Alys had no meaning for him. She was solely for physical entertainment, for pleasure.

"Strange, I would have thought our sister meant more to you."

This time Aegon had his full attention. He stood up and walked toward his brother.

"What do you mean? What does Helaena have to do with this?"

Aegon raised an eyebrow.

"You don't know?"

His brother had a special talent for making him angry. Aemond set the whiskey glass down on his nightstand and grabbed Aegon's shirt. His brother raised his hands defensively.

"Aegon, don't provoke me. What don't I know?"

"That Alys bullied our sister for weeks?"

Aemond didn't know what to think at first. Suddenly everything was silent, then suddenly everything was loud. He looked at his brother with his mouth open.

"You really didn't know, did you? Helena told our mother today. Our sister is a tough one, but Mum knows how to deal with her by now. She's traveling tomorrow to meet with Corly and Alys' parents."

Alys had done this to Helaena? She was the one who had come for him when he found Lucy bent over a crying Helaena. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be true.

He hadn't gotten anything out of his sister that evening, she was silent as always when something was bothering her and for him it had been clear that it had been Lucy who had put his sister in this state.

That it was Alys he had not expected. He would destroy that cunt. 

Anger pulsed in his veins.

"Lucy defended her to Alys, which is probably why Mum spoke to Rhaenyra again for the first time, too. Mum called me. She has been trying to contact Lucy, but she can't reach her."

It was like someone was ripping Aemond's guts out of his body. Breathing suddenly became difficult and he felt sick.

What had he done?

"Aemond, please. Don't leave me here alone.... Aemond."

"Aemond, are you all right, you look-" Aemond ignored Aegon and pushed him aside. He ran as fast as he could out of the room and down the corridor. He had made her life hell, he had humiliated and tormented her because he had seen evil in her, but instead evil had been right by his side.

Lucy had begged him and he had left her behind.

Arriving at the broom closet, his whole body trembled. It was quiet, too quiet, and Aemond was afraid to open the door. His heart was beating wildly against his chest and when he opened the door, for a moment it was as if the chamber was completely empty, but then he saw a small huddled figure in the corner and the pain that went through him when that sight reached his eye he would never forget. With light and silent steps he walked towards Lucy, who flinched in panic when he reached out and touched her shoulder. Her face was completely blubbery, her mascara was smeared and her lips were bloody from her teeth.

Had he succeeded this time?

Had he broken her?

Wasn't that what he had wanted? What she had deserved?

Strange, because at that moment he wanted nothing more than to see her smile.

He had known that she was afraid of the dark. But he hadn't known it was this bad.

"Don't touch me," Lucy screamed, trying to push Aemond away from her, but Aemond wouldn't let go and pressed her to him. He pressed her against him, and Lucy stiffened. She pushed away from him, but when he still wouldn't let go, she gave up and sank powerlessly against his chest.

"I hate you," her voice was so weak and low that he almost didn't hear it.

Aemond nodded. "I know."

"I hate you so much."

He nodded again.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly and seriously. His voice was pitiful. He hoped for her forgiveness, even though he didn't deserve it. He was a monster. But he was also selfish.

"I'm sorry, Lucy."

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THE BLOOD CROWN (22)

[Aemond Targaryen x Original Female Character ! I fem!reader]

[Dark Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Revenge]

Content for adults. 18+

[warnings: smut, sex content, dark romance, angst, fights, domination, murder]

[description: Aemond Targaryen meets his niece under a different name and falls in love with her without knowing that she is supposed to be his enemy.]

Masterlist - click here for all available parts

116 AC.

T H I R T E E N - Y E A R S - A G O

KING'S LANDING

RED KEEP

Rhaenyra had only learned what true fear was when she held Jacaerys in her arms for the first time. The little creature had felt so fragile that she was afraid to make a wrong move. A quick movement that would rip this gift from her arms again. So pure, so innocent, so vulnerable. Rhaenyra had known that day that she would do anything for him. She had felt the same with each of the children that followed.

With Aemma, this feeling had been especially strong. Not because she meant more to her than the others, no, but because she knew how cruel the world was to women. Her brown eyes, with their extraordinary blue gleam, had looked at her expectantly, as if she expected more than could be offered. Rhaenyra had vowed that her daughter would never have to go through what she had, but it was difficult to rebel against the world of men when you were trapped in it.

"Aemma tells of strange figures in the fire," Rhaenyra began, seeing her father turn to her in surprise.

"Strange figures in the fire?" he furrowed his brow. He looked tired and sick.

Rhaenyra nodded and played nervously with her fingers. "At first I thought it was the playful mind of a child, but it happens to many times."

Viserys placed the stone dragon back on the table and looked at her intently.

"Very interesting. It sounds like Aemma is a dreamer."

Rhaenyra took a breath. "But she doesn't dream these things. She sees things in the fire."

Viserys rubbed his chin and leaned back in his chair. His movements were slow, as if each one pained him. Deep circles were under his eyes. His condition depressed Rhaenyra, put her in fear about the time that would come when she would be all alone in this world.

Laenor was by her side, but he was no help to her. Sometimes Rhaenyra thought he was her fourth child, a boy who never wanted to grow up. She stroked her round belly. Or her fifth.

Then there was Harwin Strong, the father of her children, who was never allowed to be what he really was. He would support her, he would die for her, but he would condemn them all to death if she ever openly showed what he meant to her.

"I really only know about our ancestors and their dragon dreams," Viserys admitted. "But in the diaries of Aenar Targaryen, the few we still have, in which he writes about his daughter Daenys and her abilities, he also talks about his younger sister seeing her own death in fire. It is said to have occurred in the same way. Maybe it was just a coincidence but probably that's why he didn't doubt his daughter's words."

Aenar Targaryen was the father of Daenys, the dreamer. She had foretold of the fall and destruction of Valyria, a prophecy that had come to pass twelve years later. Aenar had been wise enough to believe his daughter, and had fled with his family to Dragonstone. Aenar's rivals had seen their flight as weakness and cowardice, but while their families perished, Daenys had saved House Targaryen and Velaryon with her prophecy.

"Did Aemma say what she saw, then?" asked Viserys curiously, leaning forward slightly.

"Green dragon, bloody crown, black wolf, fire comes after blood," Aemma had kept repeating while staring into the fire. "Green dragon, bloody crown, black wolf, fire comes after blood."

She had no idea what her child had meant by this, but it had an unsettling effect on her. She had come here with the thought of asking her father for advice, but then she looked to his green coat and it reminded her that she was surrounded by enemies in her own home. He would tell Alicent about it without anything evil in mind, but Alicent was no longer the girl that Rhaenyra had trusted with her darkest secrets.

She shook her head. "She only talked about figures she sees."

Her father looked disappointed and nodded.

"Whatever Aemma's abilities are, you have to protect her, Rhaenyra," Viserys began, looking to the fire burning in the hearth beside them. "Protect her from any danger, protect her from herself."

Rhaenyra looked at her father in irritation. Protect Aemma? Her stomach clenched.

"Dragon dreams can be dangerous. More dangerous than our dragons," Viserys explained to her calmly, but his words worried her. "Many in our line have been dragonriders. Very few among us have been dreamers. What is the power of a dragon next to the power of prophecy?"

129 AC.

DRAGONSTONE

Despite the closed door, Rhaenyra heard Daemon going from one tantrum to the next, raving about what had happened last night. But Rhaenyra had other worries. She watched as the maesters tended to Rose, checking her for further injuries.

She watched her sleeping daughter. Exhaustion had made her close her eyelids again, although Rhaenyra would have liked to ask her a thousand questions. She had so many questions, but the most important thing was that her little girl was back. There was no doubt.

It still seemed like a dream to have her daughter lying in front of her.

Rhaenyra gently stroked her sleeping daughter's face and followed the maester out of her room as he finished the examinations.

"You look worried," Rhaenyra stated with a fast beating heart and Grand Maester Gerardys looked at the door. She felt nervous.

Gerardys nodded and pulled her aside, away from the guards and maids.

"Her injuries are minor in nature, my Queen. Worst of all is her exhaustion."

"But?" She heard in his voice that there was more. Gerardys looked at her seriously, his brow furrowing.

"The girl is expecting a child," he revealed, and Rhaenyra's eyes widened.

"She's pregnant?" she asked, "Are you sure?"

Gerardys nodded. "She hasn't been pregnant for very long, and I doubt she knows, but there's no doubt that new life is growing inside the girl."

Rhaenyra had to admit that she had expected everything, but not this. Daemon and Lucerys had told her about her relationship with Aemond. Daemon because he had seen it and Lucerys because he had suspected it, but she had hoped they were both wrong. 

What a bizarre idea that Aemma was pregnant by her uncle. The gods showed no mercy if it were true.

She'd have to find out whose child it was. 

Rhaenyra nodded gravely. "I wish that her pregnancy will not be discussed for the time being and that you keep silent about it."

Grand Master Gerardys nodded. "Of course, my Queen." If he was surprised, he didn't show any sign of it.

Should it turn out to be true that Aemond was the father, then Aemma would be in danger. She didn't know what relevance her daughter had for Aemond, but she knew her brother well enough to know that he would come for what was his.

. . . . . 

"You betrayed Mother," said Jacaerys, and Lucerys looked up. Six sat with Rhaena and Baela on the beach, staring at the sea as they had done when they were little children.

All of them hadn't found sleep since last night. Jacaerys looked at Marax, who had already been fed for the fifth time in the day. The wounded dragon ripped apart his prey, his anger was clearly felt.

Lucerys looked at him hurt, but Jacaerys had no pity. What he had done was wrong.

"Jacaerys," Baela hissed, but he ignored his fiancée.

"You freed her, even though Mother gave a different order."

"Her execution has been proposed. I had to help her."

"It wasn't your decision to make."

Lucery's hands were shaking. "She's our sister."

"Bullshit."

"The Queen called her 'Aemma,'" Rhaena said defensively, looking at Jacaerys. "I heard it, loud and clear."

Jacaerys shook his head. "That's not possible. They have no resemblance."

"Are you blind, brother? She looks like Aemma."

"She has dark hair and brown eyes. Surprise. Let me go to the village and I'll bring you five girls who look like Aemma."

"You think you're smart," Lucerys spat. "But you talk like a fool."

"She's dead! Aemma is dead," Jacaerys shouted and clenched his fists. He jumped up. He felt him tremble with anger. Why didn't anyone listen to him?  "She's no longer alive, that's just wishful thinking. That girl up there can't be our sister. The Greens are fake and sneaky. They know of our loss and try to destroy us from within. Why can't anyone see what I see?"

"Rose is Aemma, brother," Lucerys said desperately. "They have so many similarities. Please, you have to listen to me. Even mother thinks she is. Get to know her."

Jacaerys shook his head.

"No, she's a fraud."

"She never claimed to be Aemma," Lucerys defended the strange woman. "Why can't you believe what we believe? Our sister has returned."

It would be too good to be true. For a moment Jacaerys wanted to give in, but he had to keep his senses. He couldn't be fooled.

He looked at Baela, seeking help, but she only shook her head. Rhaena had lowered her gaze, and Lucerys looked at him defiantly. In the past, Lucerys would never have spoken to him like that, but since his imprisonment, he's been someone else. He didn't recognize his brother, and it was all his own fault. If he hadn't suggested Luke fly to Baratheon, he would have been spared all this.

Jacaery's heart ached at the thought that he had almost killed his brother. He wouldn't let a stranger ruin this family just because she happened to look like his beloved sister.

"She's Aemond's mistress, isn't she, Luke?"He saw Lucery's surprise. He looked to the side and Jacaerys breathed. "We can't trust her. You can't trust her. I won't let that happen."

Whoever she was, she wasn't Aemma.

Aemma was dead.

No matter how much his brother and his mother wished for their return, Jacaerys would not be able to deceive them.

He would protect his family. At all costs.

Without another word or giving the others a chance to reply, he turned around and stomped back into the castle.

He'd prove to everyone he was right.

RED KEEP

Aemond listened to his brother's cries.

He stood in the hallway, waiting for his mother, who was visiting her brother at that moment. When she came out of his room, she seemed distracted. She looked at him with sad eyes, desperate, but there was also anger in them.

"This is Rhaenyra's fault," she said, full of hatred and Aemond followed her. "He is hardly conscious anymore, and when he is, he only expresses pain. He's in so much pain, Aemond, it breaks my heart."

Her voice trembled. Aemond didn't know whether it was grief, pain or anger.

Aemond felt sorry for his brother. He had been so preoccupied with his own problems, with Rose's loss, that drove him insane.

"Everything that Rhaenyra touches falls apart," Alicent continued. She had never spoken more openly about her feelings for Rhaenyra than she does today. It reminded him of the night on Driftmark when Lucerys took his eye off him.

"We must take revenge, my boy."

Aemond looked at his mother in surprise. His mother had longed for peace, she had done everything to make sure nothing happened to his sister, the princess, even after the failed assassination of her grand children, she had kept calm, but now he saw her anger, her willingness to shed blood.

"This realm needs guidance and right now your brother is unable to fulfill that duty."

Aemond stopped and held back his mother. Did his mother mean what he was thinking?

"What do you want from me, Mother?"

Say it. Say it.

"Rule this kingdom while your brother is unable to do so. Become Prince Regent, Protector of the Realm. Protect your family."

Aemond didn't know what to feel. That's what he'd always wanted. He had always wished to sit on the iron throne and possess what he was supposed to have in place of Aegon, if the gods had been righteous.

He would not be a king, but he would possess the power of a king.

Satisfaction flowed through him. He'd finally be able to prove himself. He would eliminate his enemies, every single one of them.

"If I do what you ask, I won't be able to let Rhaenyra live. No one. Not her, or any of her children."

Alicent nodded, he saw sadness in her eyes, but her attitude showed determination.

She looked back to Aegon's room. 

"Do what you have to do. Kill our enemies. Anyone who's a threat to us. I want Rhaenyra to know what it's like to see your child suffer like this."

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I have to cry every time I read this line.

ALICENT HIGHTOWER: I want to see my sons again… and Helaena, my sweet girl.