CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

"I want you to return to me. I speak as your mother, not your queen."

Rhaenyra had her head bowed and her forehead pressed against Aenemera's all while holding onto her daughters elbows.

After sending her siblings off with Rhaenys, Rhaenyra requested a moment alone with her daughter before watching her fly off.

"I made your brothers swear to me but — you, you — " tears formed at the bottom of her lash line as she gripped her daughters elbows tighter. "Not only do you carry my grandchild but you are the dearest thing to me, my first born — please come back, I've already lost you once."

"I will, mother," Aenemera whispered her promise.

Anxiety brewed inside the queen as her forehead creased with worry. Aenemera was brave, nevertheless, but her determination like her father could put her into difficult situations like it had before. Rhaenyra knew she wasn't always going to be there to save her daughter; and that feared her the most.

Rhaenyra lifted her head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before kissing her cheek delicately. Her lilac eyes gazed over her daughters before peeking over her shoulder to see Daemon standing in the distance silently.

Aenemera pulled away and followed her gaze over to her father, a light smile pulling on her lips. "I'll be back."

Daemon nodded once with confirmation and belief as Rhaenyra stepped back to give her daughter the ability to actually leave; instead of holding her hostage in her arms.

There was something about Aenemera that Rhaenyra couldn't claim as her favorite, but the only daughter in her bloodline and the heir to the throne — she was too precious.

Aenemera climbed on top of Baeselyx in her new riding gear that was made personally for her travels. It was similar to Visenya Targaryen's old riding gear — all black with hints of red and a red cloth going over her shoulder then tied at the waist with a chain of the Targaryen symbol.

Her blonde hair was braided in several sections then pulled back into a finishing ponytail with a few curls curving around her jaw structure.

Daemon and Rhaenyra stood side by side as they watched their daughter fly off on her dragon, disappearing past the clouds.

Her destination would be joining Jace at House Arryn, in hopes of persuading them a bit more with her name in honor of her grandmother. Rhaenyra would always tell her that they would be her closest relatives and if there was anyone ever to trust — it could be them.

After a few hours of traveling and coming across some intense weather, Aenemera slowly started to realize that the way Baeselyx was headed, wasn't the correct destination.

The sky was dark and gray with lightning flashing in the distance, suggesting that a storm was underway anytime soon.

"Baeselyx," Aenemera tugged on the reigns as she tried to get him to stop momentarily; but the dragon ignored her calls. He continued to keep them moving forward although she was beginning to speak in her best high valyrian in order to correct him; but he was disobeying all her commands.

"Ao rȳbagon naejot nyke, baeselyx!" She scolded the dragon but he refused to acknowledge her until he reached his preferred destination. ❪ you listen to me, baeselyx ❫

When the dragon began to lower himself down near a castle, Aenemera slowly began to recognize it as house Baratheon.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as they finally touched down and the first thing she saw was her sibling's dragon Arrax, resting on the ground with his head lowered and his eyes centered on the front doors.

Aenemera remained on Baeselyx's back as studied the area closely before getting down. Something in the area felt like it was shifting dramatically but it wasn't the harsh weather that was finally beginning to make an appearance.

Raindrops faltered onto her cheeks as Vhagar suddenly lifted her heavy head in the distance, making her appearance known now with a low growl.

Baeselyx returned the same sound as some kind of greeting.

Aenemera stared at Vhagar nervously then gazed back to the doors as they remained closed and the rain became heavier.

Her hair was becoming soaked and the heavy wind was causing her sight to become more difficult against the rain. But her attention was easily pulled away when she heard Vhagar make another noise by turning her attention towards the princess.

The lightning made Aemond's figure more recognizable as he sat anxiously on his own dragon, now fully aware his wife had made an unannounced presence.

Aenemera's forehead creased as she gripped her reins tightly and watched Aemond take off. Something burned in her soul that whatever happened inside that castle wasn't good — if it was between Aemond and Luke, she had a strong feeling something bad was going to happen.

"Sōvētēs," she commanded her dragon. ❪ fly ❫

Baeselyx didn't hesitate to take off into the rain and start following after Vhagar's scent.

By now Luke and Arrax were traveling through the storm as well and it started to feel like a race against time.

Without command, Baeselyx was already sniffing out Vhagar and following her tail while she searched for Luke.

When the princess watched Vhagar open her mouth wide and snap towards her younger brother, her heart rate nearly stopped as she watched her brother nearly get eaten — followed by Aemonds dark laughter.

Anger and fear installed in Aenemera as Baeselyx chased after them both.

Luke and Arrax managed to escape another bite from Vhagar by slipping through a small crevasse through two mountains, forcing Vhagar to fly above with her large size.

Aenemera took the opportunity to get Baeselyx above the clouds and fly above the larger dragon before ordering him to turn around and hover right at the exit.

Arrax soared out quickly in a panic, gliding underneath Baeselyx that waited for Vhagar's arrival.

Luke called out for his older sister — fear flashing through his eyes but thankful to see he had help to get him through the race.

She could hear Aemond's echos coming towards her followed by Vhagar's growl.

When her large size came visibly clear through the rain and clouds, Aenemera narrowed her eyes at the dragon and commanded Baeselyx to attack. "Dracarys."

Baeselyx opened his jaw wide and released a long breath of fire against Vhagar's face, the female dragon roaring out in pain as Aemond nearly lost his focus in shock.

"Aenemera!" He shouted to the girl with wide eyes as he now tried to gain control of his dragon who wanted to retaliate by flying after Baeselyx in anger. She growled after the male but with Baeselyx's new size and young nature, he was easily flying faster than her.

"Vhagar no!" Aemond called out to his dragon, no longer able to get her to obey him.

Aenemera ordered Baeselyx to go higher above the clouds, her hands furiously wiping away the wet curls from her face so she could see easier. But it only made her acknowledge her brother waiting in the distance for her to follow him back to dragonstone.

Her nostrils flared with frustration upon seeing her younger brother, wishing he would have just flown away once Baeselyx had Vhagar distracted.

"Go home!" She ordered the boy anxiously. "Right — " the next word got caught in her throat as Vhagar suddenly appeared above the clouds and had Arrax between her sharp teeth then clamping down.

Blood splattered everywhere and dragon body parts started to fall from the dragon's mouth. "Vhagar! No! No!" Aemond shouted loudly with a croak in his voice.

Aenemera suddenly felt like she was unmoving while her mouth was gaped open and her heart shattered into a million pieces against her chest. Like it was beaten to death by a hammer over and over again.

Baeselyx could sense her sadden nature, a broken cry leaving the dragons mouth as he suddenly soared through the clouds to escape Vhagar and Aemond.

The princess could feel her grasp on the reins loosening as tears fell from her eyes — guilt washing over her body like a heavy wave as she dropped her head against her saddle.

She can feel herself wanting to let out a scream of pain, but nothing was circling up her chest to even express the sadness she felt in her heart.

Aemond tried to follow her all the way towards a small beach, watching as Baeselyx slowly landed down on the sand and allowed Aenemera to stumble off before following to her knees. Her hands gripped at the sand as tears poured down her cheeks in a silent cry.

Aemond managed to get Vhagar to land close by but still far enough to create distance between both dragons.

He raced towards Aenemera and almost dove to the sand himself once he was at her side and trying to comfort her through her pain.

She managed to let out a choked sob followed by the feeling that she was going to throw up. She couldn't contain herself against her emotions, completely breaking down like a piece of glass but once she felt Aemond's hand comforting her back — it was like a switch had turned her off.

She immediately jolted backwards, stumbling to her feet as her eyes were filled with fire — glaring at her husband like he was venom.

Aemond slowly stood to his feet, reaching out towards her in silence but she quickly stepped backwards and pointed a shaky finger in his direction. "No." Her bottom lip quivered and her eye began to twitch in anger. "I'll go back with you — for the sake of my family, but once I do – we are done."

Sadness flowed behind Aemond's eyes like a shock wave of a broken heart but he couldn't find it in himself to speak. He took one stumble step backwards as he anxiously watched Aenemera climb back onto Baeselyx and fly off.

It wasn't long until she arrived back to king's landing, but her approach came as a siren once she heard the screaming and panic coming from the city below her.

Baeselyx settled down on the front steps to the castle, his clawed wings and feet breaking the steps with chunks of rocks and cracks forming beneath.

Guards were now aware and had their swords drawn as the princess climbed down from her dragon. A vicious yet stern look behind her eyes no longer held tears as she walked straight past the guards, their focus centered on her dragon from behind.

Baeselyx let out a warning growl from his throat, unmoving from his position as he made sure his rider made it inside without a fuss.

Aenemera headed straight for the throne room — walking past every person without a single glance of acknowledgment.

Some were shocked to see her return, while others had the look of fear upon seeing her dangerous figure. Her eyes were burning red from tears of anger and her face pale from shock.

When the doors to the throne room were pushed open, her presence was acknowledged by a guard as he called out her name. "Princess Aenemera Targaryen, daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon."

Aegon lifted his head from where he was seated on the throne. Alicent's attention turned as well when the princess' presence was made aware.

Aegon shifted anxiously while looking towards his niece, watching as she strided into the room; making her return just after her dramatic disappearance at the coronation on Meleys.

Several of the guards standing before the king for protection pulled out their sword, prepared to make a stance against the princess as she got offly close to the throne. When she finally stopped, her eyes blazed up towards her uncle with her hand resting over the small blade at her waist.

She yanked it out with a firm grip before tossing it towards the steps. The blade skidded across the floor with a screeching noise, capturing Aegon's attention briefly before he quickly looked back at Aenemera.

"I'm not here to bend the knee," she stated strongly. "Nor am I here under the command of my mother or prince Daemon from Dragonstone. I'm here on my own terms."

Alicent furrowed her eyebrows curiously as she turned to her son questionably. Aegon watched Aenemera anxiously, waiting for her to make some kind of move from where she stood — but the guards were still in her way from attacking him.

" — You wanted me here and now I'm yours. But my mother must remain unharmed. Any act of violence towards my family comes with immediate threat." Aenemera folded her hands behind her back now. "I'll continue to perform my duties as wife and future mother — but that is all you'll get out of me. I am not here as a family or a friend."

"Your husband will have something to say about that," Aegon finally spoke in a muttered tone, but she quickly caught it with her eyebrow perked upwards.

"Then he can address me with such. I'm not here to start a war — but if one happens to start, I'll be sure to finish it."

Aenemera couldn't turn her burn gazing away from her uncle who was now crowned as king. So much hatred blossomed in her heart and she was fully aware her venomous tongue would get her in trouble or worse, but she couldn't hold herself back.

It would only be a matter of time before Rhaenyra discovered the death of her son and the disappearance of her daughter.

Regret and anger raged inside Aenemera's heart but she would not let her brother die in vain. Her chance to react will come in time — and it was better to be under their noses, knowing all their moves instead of miles away.

She knew it was best to keep your enemies closer, especially when you're married to one of them. The games had only just begun and she was ready to play all sides in order to survive.

❪ dylan ❫
and that's the end of season one !!
i feel like this chapter could've been so much better and i had such strong visuals that i'm not sure i interpreted good enough. but i hope it was just enough to keep you all on your toes.
as of right now this story is "finished" until the second season. but i do plan some chapters to come in part 4 of the story, to keep this fic from collecting dust and give us something to look forward to LOL.
thank you guys so much for the love and support. i tremendously enjoy all your comments and reactions, they kept me motivated with updating. but also with my huge amount of love for Aenemera, i wanted to turn her into a warrior — a true targaryen vision with the heart of a dragon. this is quite literally only the beginning for her and i can't wait to share what i have in store for you guys.