CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

"My darling, I must speak with you."

Aenemera turned her gaze away from the book nestled in her palms to peer up at her mother. "Yes?"

Rhaenyra closed the doors to the princess chambers and settled beside her daughter on the small couch positioned in front of the fire place.

The queen glanced at the book her daughter was currently occupying and a faint smile stretched across her face. "You read as much as your grandfather did — I believe you inherited that passion from him."

"I take that has a compliment," Aenemera blushed while folding the page before setting it on the seat beside her. "He was an excellent reader. Many of my good memories come from him reading me stories as little girl."

Rhaenyra placed her right hand on her daughter's cheek, stroking it lovingly with a small nod. "You were his light. His first grandchild and his favorite no doubt." Aenemera broke out into soft laughter along with her mother. "Don't tell your brothers I said such a thing."

"Oh, no, I will be saving that for future arguments with my siblings." Mera grinned proudly.

Her mother titled her head, staring at her daughter with longing love. It was true that Viserys adored Aenemera beyond belief — she was Rhaenyra's first and true blessing. Aenemera's blood seeped with Rhaenyra and Daemon, she could never be mistaken for anyone else's child.

Aenemera was not what was desired for the kingdom, but was no less dear to Rhaenyra. A boy would be heir of the iron throne — but Aenemera Targaryen was hers forever.

"There is something I wish to speak to you about." Rhaenyra shifted closer towards her daughter and took both of her hands into her own. "A story that is only shared between kings and their heir — a Targaryen story told many years ago. I should've told you this sooner."

Mera tilted her head questionably but nodded in silence, allowing her mother to continue. "From my blood come the prince that was promised and his will be the song of ice and fire. Our histories — they tell us that Aegon looked across the Blackwater from Dragonstone and saw a rich land ripe for the capture."

"—Aegon?"

Rhaenyra nodded. "The Conqueror." She confirmed. "But ambition alone is not what drove him to conquest; it was a dream. And just as Daenys foresaw the end of Valyria, Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. It is to begin with a terrible winter gusting out from the distant North. Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds. And whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living. When this Great Winter comes, Aenemera, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A king or queen, strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. Aegon called his dream 'The Song of Ice and Fire.' This secret has been passed from king to heir since Aegon's time. Now you must promise to carry it and protect it."

Aenemera slowly inhaled sharply at her mother's words — recited word for word by her own grandfather that passed. It didn't matter if a woman or a male sat on the throne, as long as they were Targaryen blood — they could save the world from falling apart.

"It's a burden the was passed down to me and now I must pass it down to you. Aenemera no matter what happens — you are my heir." Rhaenyra squeezed her daughter's hands tighter and Mera looked up at her worriedly — there was more she wanted to say to her, she could sense it. "I must ask you an important question but you mustn't be afraid. Please, do not hear my words and fear what will happen but I need to know you understand what i'm asking of you."

"You're scaring me mother," Aenemera whispered. "Did I do something wrong?"

"You could never." Rhaenyra quickly reassured her by placing her hands on her daughter's cheeks. "But I can't trust many people."

Mera slowly began to nod her head in understanding. "Okay."

Rhaenyra lowered her head and released a deep sigh. She hated herself for pushing her daughter into a corner. It happened when she proposed her daughter and Aemond marry. To when Aenemera was forced to stay alone in Kings Landing without her true family by her side. She felt like a horrible mother for forcing her beloved daughter into situations she would never want to be placed into herself—but it was all done with the best intentions.

"If something were to happen — anything at all and you must arrive back to Kings Landing, I need you to be my spy."

Aenemera thought her mother had officially lost her mind.

"I know what you're thinking — "

" — mother, I don't understand why — "

"Listen to me." She rubbed her face with her own hands in distress now. "I won't force you into this awful position, I understand what it would cost, but you are entirely the only person I can trust to carry this burden. You are married to the prince — and I took you away from him, you're carrying his child and yet you are here with me instead of Kings Landing by his side."

Aenemera stood up from the couch and rubbed her now sweaty palms against the long skirt of her dress. "Mother, please, I'm not ready to speak of — I came here to make sure my family was okay. I'm not sure how I'm going to return."

"This is why i'm asking you," Rhaenyra quickly stood and moved towards her daughter with caution. "If — when — you return to Kings Landing, I must ask this favor. But you must return to your husband, I cannot keep you from him as much as it pains me!"

"Then stop pushing me away!" Aenemera surprisingly shouted back at her mother before clasping her hand over her mouth from shock. She forced herself to turn away from her as warm tears began to prickle at her bottom lashes.

Rhaenyra gently wrapped her arms around her daughter's small frame and pulled her tightly against her chest. "My sweet girl," she kissed the top of her head and whispered. "I would sacrifice everything to keep you by my side — but it's not right. I know it's not fair to put you between both of your families, but I have no other way to contact Alicent privately and she trusts you." She pulled away just enough to hold her daughter's face and share eye contact with her. "I need you to share messages with me of what happens behind those walls. I'm completely blind without any insight of what's being decided over there and you're the only person they won't suspect."

Aenemera nodded her head slowly. It was true — being Aemond's wife and the mother of his children — she was more green than she was black now.

Her mother's name and life depends solely on her own daughter and without Aenemera — she might as well give up before the war even begins.

Lyra and a few other handmaidens traveled back and forth throughout the bedroom, busying themselves with placing stacks of books on tables. Along with paint and paper for the princess to preoccupy herself while healing with her children.

There were to be no wet-nurses to feed the babes — Aenemera's orders.

The only people allowed near the babes were Lyra and Gareth — Aemonds orders.

The room was slightly chaotic and crowded from the busy people doing their best to make the prince and princesses room more comfortable.

Aenemera sat on the bed with both of her daughters lying in front of her. Bright smiles with cheeks red as tomatoes, and small hands constantly reaching for the princess's blonde hair. Little babbles were spoken between both babes as if they were speaking to one another — occasionally turning to acknowledge each other.

Mera played with the ribbon on Delaenya's dress before tapping Rhaenerys nose gently. "You know," the princess began to speak to her daughters with a gentle smile. "We expected a male heir to appear after such a quick birth. You two may not be what was desired — but you are no less dear to me my angels. A boy would be future heir to the iron throne — but you both shall be mine."

The words her mother repeated to her as a child still rang true in her heart — in which she repeated to her own children as they reached out for her love. They could feel it in the air and want every bit that Aenemera can offer.

The bedroom door to her chambers opened wistfully and Aemond appeared suddenly, with Gareth trailing silently behind him.

The princess lifted her gaze from the girls and the feeling of unconditional love flooded her heart when her eyes met Aemond. He was a sight she would never get tired of seeing.

"How are my beautiful girls?" He walked straight towards his wife and happily whisked her up into his arms. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then caressed her cheek with his knuckles.

"We're wonderful, just like I promised!" Aenemera grinned then looked down at their daughters. "They're so beautiful—So happy and full of life. The maester said babies aren't supposed to smile this early but the handmaidens expressed they've never seen babes so happy before."

"We've been blessed," Aemond hummed before leaning his forehead against the side of her head. "This is everything i've ever dreamt of."

Aenemera gently rubbed Aemond's back through his leathers, unsure if he could feel her love but continued holding him anyways. "Your mother is anxiously gathering a small celebration for our children — she's too much."

"She is thrilled we both made not one but two beautiful children that will soon rule the westeros together." The corner of his lips tugged upwards. "She's anxiously been waiting for this moment — I could never get her to smile before but now it's like she's a new person."

"That's sweet," I nodded. "But I do believe it's not necessary and the Maester — "

" — Said to rest, I remember his words exactly. Which is why I'm making sure you will be comfortable in our chambers while you take your time healing, my love." Aemond placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her gaze to meet his. "Please promise that you will rest."

"I swear it," Aenemera laughed softly.

He placed a soft kiss upon her lips and sighed. "Good, you've caused me enough stress before our children arrive — I need to make sure you stay in one place in one piece."

She rolled her eyes and playfully pushed his chest. "Very clever but may I remind you — I don't like being told what to do."

Aemond's eye glimmered with a dark shade of mischief. His placed one hand on Mera's waist and gently pulled her closer before whispering in her ear. "Daor unless ao sagon gō issa begging syt tolī." ❪ Not unless you're under me begging for more. ❫

Aenemera's cheeks burned a deep shade of crimson red and purposely ignored Aemond's comment by shoving him away once more. "Get out of here, i'm on a beautiful date with our two girls." She shook her head with soft laughter.

He slowly grinned down at her as she sat on the bed again. "I did want to ask you a question, my princess."

"Yes? What for?" Her attention was solely back on the girls, smiling and talking to them with their babbles.

Rhaenerys turned to face Aemond and raised her chubby hand towards his figure — practically beckoning him closer and he couldn't deny.

He knelled down on the floor beside the bed and allowed his youngest child to hold onto his pointer finger. She willingly stuck the tip of his finger in her mouth, spit collecting quickly as she playfully gnawed down on it. Aemond laughed softly under his breath and lightly pinched her cheek with his free hand.

"My brother — he wanted to spend time with me to properly celebrate the welcoming of our children." Aemond carefully glanced towards Aenemera. She was still smiling peacefully as if nothing else mattered most in the world than her own children — Aemond didn't understand how he gotten so lucky. "But if you need me here — I don't have to go — "

"You should go," the princess smiled brightly at her husband. "He wasn't here when they arrived and he wants to spend time with you — I can sense he's beginning to change."

Aemond raised his eyebrow, "interesting you say such a thing. You two have set aside your differences yet?"

Mera shrugged her shoulders and leaned down, scrunching her nose against Delaenya's. "I don't care — at the moment, no, I couldn't be bothered." With a big playfully kiss on her daughter's cheek, she then turned to Aemond and shrugged once more. "I must channel all my energy on the girls, I can't be bothered by petty drama we shared as children."

Aemond inhaled deeply and pressed his forehead against hers tenderly. "I love you so much."

"I love you," Aenemera smiled brightly then planted a chaste kiss on his cheek. "Now go! Be with the king, relax, you deserve the time. I'll be here waiting for you when you get back, of course."

He nodded knowingly and kissed his daughter's heads before standing up. "I'll return later tonight after our gathering." He gently took Aenemera's chin between his fingers and tugged her face upwards. "Then you and I will spend plenty of time alone together." He leaned down by meeting her half way and pressed a passionate kiss on her lips.

Her heart fluttered heavily against her chest and when he turned away to leave the room, sadness almost overcame her to watch him leave.

He desperately needed to spend time with his own brother but she deeply prayed he wouldn't keep Aemond away for long. The prince needed to bond with his daughters and there was no possible way of that happening if he's gone planning a war or drinking the best ale in kings landing with his brother.

Aenemera — as delighted as she is right now, could never fully be happy again — not after leaving her mother or losing her brother. But nothing was ever going to prepare her for the terror that would be creeping up on her doorstep in the next few days.

Daemon might've been her father by blood — but it would never stop him from getting what he wanted. Even if it meant going behind the queens back and creating his own vicious plans to take down King Aegon; which would eventually bring down the reign of his own daughter.