𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
The sand shifts beneath my feet, dodging another one of Aemond's blows before clashing our swords once again.

"Your knees Elaena, keep them bent!" Jace calls out from the sidelines where he sat with Luke.

Doing as I'm told I keep low but Aemond's smirk warns me of his next move.

Twirling his sword as he does before a blow I knock it away sending it to the sand.

Holding up his hands in defeat Aemond stalks closer despite my sword pointed at his chest of armor, his eye focused in on my lips with a familiar hunger.

"You're improving, my love." Licking his grinning lips he leans down for a kiss but I tilt the blade playfully at his throat.

"I'm afraid I've only grown to recognize your tells, husband." Narrowing my glimmering eyes at him in challenge, he wraps an arm around my waist.

"Hm, and what tells are you recognizing right now, Princess?" He mutters, his deep sensual voice meant only for me.

Tipping up my chin I'm mesmerized by the sight of his sharp features in the sunlight until my little brother breaks us from our desired reality.

"Perhaps you need a new opponent, dear sister!" Jacerys offers himself, his sword at the ready but Aemond's body freezes in front of me.

Even before I was carrying our child it was no secret Aemond was protective over me. Now no one with a pointy object (besides Aemond of course) was allowed within ten feet of me but with our pregnancy still a secret, my brothers only imagined he was acting as his usual self.

"He won't hurt me, Aemond." I assure him but he doesn't seem so certain, his grip around my waist tightening.

His violet eye held not only a husbands concern but a fathers, and before my eyes I'm imagining him with a daughter fending off any dishonorable suitor who may vie for her hand.

A small smile tugs at my lips at the thought as Aemond's concern shifts to that of love, almost reading my thoughts.

"I don't think the hero of the Stepstones need be afraid to face her little brother!" Jace teases, unsheathing his sword but Aemond narrows his eye at him as he comes closer to us.

"We'll be fine," I whisper, referring to the growing babe in my stomach and he notices, turning to look at me with a proud grin.

Kissing me on the forehead he lets me go regretfully, wandering back to the sidelines where Luke watched our affections uncomfortably.

Despite being home for a month the tension between them persisted whether they tried to hide it from me or not. They rarely spoke to one another unless they were made to, Jace included.

"Do you doubt your wife's abilities, Uncle?" Jace taunts with a smile and we all hold our breaths for his response.

"Never, nephew. If she best's me you'll be child's play," Aemond chuckles, his gaze sweeping up my body proudly earning a laugh from both Luke and I.

Jace turns angrily giving his brother a warning glare before making his way towards me, sword in hand.

"Well than, let's give them a show, big sister." He grins and I wave him forward.

Jace's brown eyes dart to the right but he strikes to my left and I anticipate his trick clashing swords. Attempting to disarm me he guides our swords to the ground but I stick out my leg tripping him but he recovers.

I try to ignore the burst of laughter that comes from the sidelines, Aemond's sexy chuckle unmistakable lighting the fire in my bones.

Before we can continue a knight interrupts us, calling from the wall.

"Prince Aemond, a raven's arrived for you. As for the rest of you, your Mother's requested your presence, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys have been spotted off the coast line."

Aemond's face falls his eye avoiding mine as he comes to kiss me on the temple his playful mood all but a memory. My stomach sinks when he says nothing to me, only turning back like I'm the afterthought.

"I'll see you at dinner, my love." Faking a smile I want to ask him why he even bothers with me, knowing full well I can see right through him.

Taking the small scroll from the man I watch Aemond walk away from me up the stairs, placing my hand over my stomach unknowingly.

"Come, there will surely be a feast tonight to celebrate your victory, sister." Lucerys loops his arm with mine and when standing besides me I grow even more aware of his growth, soon to be taller than me.

"Hardly. Mother and Father were furious with me for going off to battle." I scoff, staring at my feet as we walked.

"That's only because you disobeyed them. You were always the perfect child, Elaena. When you ran off they were worried sick, didn't speak to anyone until they got word from Aemond you were safe." Jacerys sheaths his sword, catching up to Luke and I.

Hanging my head in silence I know they're right and I'd thought on it all month, avoiding an apology out of stubborness. It wasn't often I had these conversations with my mother or father so even the thought of it was uncomfortable.

Entering the hall Luke runs into the arms of our Grandsire and I'm reminded just how worth it my disobedience had been.

"How you've grown since I've seen you last! You as well, Jacerys it's good to see everyone together." Lord Corlys wraps his arms around both of the boys and Rhaena and Baela watch with sweet smiles from afar.

"Elaena!" Princess Rhaenys surprises me with a tight hug but I welcome the affection from her, returning her embrace.

"You were so brave sweet child! Our house will always be so grateful to you. Laenor would be so proud," She whispers her final words about Ser Laenor but that doesn't lessen the blow that hits me straight in the chest.

Fighting back the tears that sting in my eyes I give her a hand a squeeze when pulling away from her, hardly able to verbalize what her words mean to me.

"You would've been proud Daemon, of her and Aemond alike. Vhagar and Seasmoke were the catalysts of the battle. I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for them." Corlys goes on, patting me on the back but my father says nothing only keeping his watchful eyes on me as I blushed under the compliments, receiving them from everyone except for my parents.

"We're very grateful our prayers were answered with everyone's safe return. We're sad however to see Baela leave us, she's been a joy to have here." My mother rests her hands on her swollen belly her fond smile landing on Baela and I try to absolve the jealousy that came with it, unfitting of me.

"You honor me, Princess." Baela nods her head in respect, a strand of her beautiful curls falling in front of her face. Going to her, Jace's eyes never leave his betrothed, a proud smile tugging at my little brothers lips as he watches her with our mother.

I could only hope Aemond would fit in with my side of the family in the same way one day, but our families wounds ran deep and only time could heal that kind of pain.

"If you'll pardon me, I'm going to freshen up for dinner and find my husband." Smiling politely I take my leave, finally taking a deep breath when I'm in the hall.

Expecting Aemond in our chambers I push open the door but he's nowhere to be found and I'm beginning to think he hadn't come back up to the castle at all.

Going to the window I catch sight of him and Vhagar in the skies circling, her cries bellowing through the steep valleys of Dragonstone.

Whatever word had come for Aemond must've be troublesome for him to take for the skies without so much as a word to me.

Vhagar dives through the sky making a close call with the ocean and I watch in awe, wishing he would've taken me with him, but he needed time to himself it seemed and I couldn't begrudge him for that, only dull the ache that came with his absence.

***

All afternoon Aemond had avoided our chambers and in turn avoided me. In efforts to wash away the anxiety, I spent most of the late afternoon sulking in the steaming hot baths of our washroom dreaming of the many names we would name all of our children, gods willing.

Keeping my watchful eye on the door, Aemond doesn't return and I can only hope he'll keep his word meeting me at dinner like he'd mentioned.

It was unlike him to shut me out, maybe everyone else but never me and I wasn't sure how to deal with it being he was my best friend.

Ushering out the maids as usual I dress myself, taking my time in hopes he'd walk through the door and take me in his arms but he never does... so I venture to dinner on my own.

Approaching the dining table I can already hear the bouts of laughter spilling into the halls.

Rounding the corner I search the table first for Aemond but as I've expected he's still absent and my polite smile fades. Though I tell myself to expect disappointment I hadn't expected it from him.

Taking a seat I wish I could partake in the wines and ales as the rest of them but still much a secret to most of the table I was just over a month pregnant. Luckily I hadn't grown sick yet, but I was anticipating the worst to come.

"-It's true, your sister had no fear! Led the charge with courage aback Seasmoke just as your father all those years ago!" Lord Corlys continues, grabbing my attention.

"But did she offer herself up as bait to draw out the scum from their caves?" My father jokes, already a cup or two deep in his wine.

"Perhaps not, but she is far more cunning." My Grandsire nods, holding up his cup to me and I giggle uncomfortably at the compliment, unsure how my Father will react.

"Hmm, still learning if she was foolish enough to go on her own." He grumbles, earning the side eye of Princess Rhaenys and my Mother who'd been lost in their own conversations.

"Foolish, or brave?" I quip, speaking for the first time since I'd sat down at the table.

Everyone turns their heads to look at me and instead of cowering from their stares I revel in it.

"Hmph," Daemon watches me for a moment, our eyes locked in a heated stare as I challenge him. I expect dragonfire but his lips tip up in a grin, speaking no more of it and tilting the goblet back for another drink.

"Where's Aemond gone, Elaena?" My mother asks thoughtfully, noticing the unease I feel that he's not here.

I open my mouth to answer when he saunters through the door, his body language heavy and his eyebrows furrowed deep in thought. He's still wearing his long coat from riding and he doesn't bother with it, avoiding my eyes as he takes his seat next to me.

Holding my breath I will him to say something, anything, but he doesn't offer me any affection or attention for that matter and I'm beginning to think I've gone mad.

Filling his cup, Aemond empties it almost immediately filling it once more.

Luckily Lord Corlys has most of the table enthralled with his war stories so they don't notice.

"You've been gone all day," I whisper, hardly looking at him.

Glancing over at me, he takes another gulp of his wine.

Had I been right to worry? What word had come from Kings Landing that it was troubling him deeply enough to keep it from me?

"Vhagar needed to stretch her wings." He replies, still not meeting my eyes confirming straight away that he's lying.

Instead of pressing him on it, I turn away keeping my focus on the untouched food in front of me, my impatience with Aemond boiling close to the brim about to spill over.

"Eat, Elaena." He grumbles, his tone not at all soft like he usually speaks to me so I cross my arms in defiance, giving him his same treatment in return.

Blowing out an exasperated breath he takes another swig of his cup, emptying his second goblet.

"What are you doing?" I hiss at him but he ignores me again, emptying what remained of the wine into his cup once more.

I'd yet to experience Aemond drunk and I never anticipated I'd ever see it knowing how he'd felt about his brothers drinking.

With an empty stomach it's not long before his tense shoulders relax in his wine induced haze.

For the remainder of the dinner we're intent on not saying a single word to one another, that is until most of the table excuses themselves and we're alone on the opposite end of the dining room from my mother and Princess Rhaenys.

Aemond finishes his fifth cup of wine but one would hardly notice unless you knew him well.

His usual alertness and tension had faded leaving only a tired man, staring at me when he thinks I'm not looking.

Taking a deep breath he shocks me by taking my hand in his, his touch red hot stealing my breath away.

Drawing shapes on my palm I can still feel his bloodshot eye burning into me when he whispers ever so softly as if meant only for himself, "So goddamn beautiful,"

Looking to him my cold heart melts and we're back to normalcy for a few precious moments.

Brushing his knuckles against my cheek something flashes across his face and he's withdrawing from me again, slipping through my fingers.

Pushing himself away from the table, my mother and Rhaenys turn sharply to look at us as he leaves me for the second time today and my chest feels hollow watching his broad back as he walks away.

"Elaena, what is it?" My mother asks with a knowing frown.

My eyes dart between the both of them and the tears are burning in my eyes once more.

"I-I don't know," I shudder, clutching my chest my heart threatening to beat up into my throat.

Getting up from her seat Princess Rhaenys approaches me and takes the empty seat that Aemond had just been sitting in.

Taking my hand beneath the table, the Princess gives me a look of understanding but it's not without its pity at the corners of my mind.

"You're sure you can trust him? Alicent's son?" She questions and I'm shocked she'd ask me such a thing. It was a ridiculous question even more so sensing the softness from her when she peered into my eyes.

Lord Corlys had told her.

My pregnancy was no longer a secret and those who didn't know would in only a matter of time.

Betrayal twists in my gut, a lone tear slipping down my cheek.

Unable to answer her I follow suit with Alicent's son, hoping this time he'll be in our chambers waiting for me.

Climbing the steps I struggle for breath, the tears freely flowing now that I'm alone.

Leaning against the wall the stone leaves a sharp cold contrast to the heat that blanketed my skin and I try to ground myself.

Rhaenys must only ask because of her mistrust in Alicent but I take it personally given the timing, knowing at this very moment Aemond was keeping something from me and it was already tearing me apart from the inside out.

Taking a deep breath I finish the walk the our chambers hesitating just outside the door before it's yanked open and I'm face to face with the source of my sorrow.

"Elaena," He sighs a breath of relief, and I can still smell the wine on his breath.

"Who did this to you?" He asks, reaching for my tear stained cheeks but I scoff at him, pushing past to get inside.

You, asshole.

"Elaena, talk to me." he rasps from behind me.

Ignoring him as he did me I take my seat on the bed and begin unbraiding the many twists I'd fashioned into a bun.

Taking careful steps closer he kneels before me, taking my hands in his forcing me to stop and look at him.

"Hey, it's my fault, I know, I'm a dick. I saw it happening but I couldn't do anything to stop myself..." Aemond begins but I yank my hands away going to the window.

"That's hardly an excuse." I snap back.

"It's no excuse, Elaena. It's true, fuck." Running his hands through his long blonde hair he yanks off his eyepatch balling it up in his fist, his knuckles white.

"We're husband and wife, we're supposed to be communicating. Not riding into battle alone remember?"

"I remember, of course I remember. I just needed time... I didn't want to worry you!" He growls, raising his voice only slightly and it speeds up my heart in a way that excites me.

"Which in turn worries me more and that can't be healthy for Aelyx-"

Slapping my hand over my mouth, Aemond freezes, narrowing his hazy purple eye at me and his anger fizzles away.

"Aelyx? As in..." Aemond's expression softens as he motions to my still flat belly and I place my hand protectively over it.

"It's just an idea there's still plenty of time-"

"It's perfect." Closing the gap between us he rests his hands on top of mine and the warmth spreads like wildfire and I don't feel so alone.

"If it's a boy that is," I mutter.

"It's a boy." He smirks, leaning his forehead against mine and I'm home.

Taking my face in his hands he tips my chin up for a kiss and I almost give in but I pull away from him, reminded of our quarrell when I smell the wine on his breath.

"You won't distract me that way, husband." I cross my arms over my chest and Aemond's gaze falls on my breasts now at full attention.

Gripping the night stand Aemond holds himself there, his struggle to keep away clear but the more we argued the more I wanted to release that frustration.

Biting at his lip he chuckles darkly, a hot tempered desire falling over his eye as he devours me with just his stare.

"Who is it distracting whom, my song? I can't focus on anything other than how much I want to bend you over this fucking bed just looking at you." Adjusting himself I find him straining through his trousers and despite my best efforts I can't ignore it, my desire pooling between my thighs unable to take my eyes away from him.

"You didn't speak to me all day, even took Vhagar so I was left wondering if you'd gone without me," I begin, taking a step forward.

"I'm sorry. I should've never shut you out... you of all people." He whispers, risking a step towards me but I don't move away this time.

"It was a letter from my mother, and it wasn't the best of news." Aemond sighs, reaching for my hand to interlock our fingers.

"Heleana's with child and Daeron is coming home from Oldtown to say his goodbyes to our Father... she's requested I come home as well." He grumbles waiting for my reaction.

"That's not all bad. We'll both go, together." I assure him but he shakes his head his mind already made up.

"It's safer here with your family to protect you. I don't want you and our baby anywhere near those vipers where you could be in harm's way." He says, and I realize this was what had been troubling him all day.

"I'm the safest with you, Aemond. No one protects me better than you, or do you doubt yourself, my prince?" I smirk as he cups my face with his sword worn hands.

My words shatter his resolve, his jaw unclenching bringing his lips a breath away with a groan.

"You could drive any sane man mad with that mouth of yours. What am I to do with you?" Pressing me into the wall he cages me in with his strong arms, his predatory gaze returning as the corner of his parted lips tip up in a grin.

"I have a few things in mind," I rasp, our mouths so close they brush with each word.

"Say it, Elaena. I want to hear those sinful words pass your heavenly lips." He all but growls, pressing his thick desire against me, his violet eye never leaving mine.

"I want you to make it up to me... all, night, long." I whisper bringing his pointer finger into my mouth.

Licking his lip, it quivers while he watches me, waiting painfully for his moment to strike.

Swirling my tongue expertly around his finger he lets out a shaky breath, "I'll be making it up to you long after the sun rises, my love."

Hiking me up around his body I let out a squeal and his promising laughter only tightened the pressure building down below.

Tossing me onto the bed Aemond's already working on his pants while he stares at me, "So goddamn beautiful,"

***