𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
When my eyelids fluttered open, I'm not sure what I expected, but it surely wasn't my handsome husband draped over me, mouth agape as he breathed softly, looking surely like an angel.

He and Lucerys had been back for a few days but it still hadn't sunk in that they were here, alive and friends nonetheless.

The tension had all but faded away between the men and I'd managed to spend every waking moment with Aemond and Lucerys, avoiding Sara at all costs.

I'd never had a close girlfriend besides the short time I'd spent with Helaena. I had hoped we would have raised our children together and with impending war, it was certain we wouldn't be seeing one another any time soon.

I settle into Aemond's chest, taking a deep inhale of his clean scent, which is a bit more floral than usual due to our extended visits to the hot spring baths of Winterfell.

Aemond Targaryen was a sight to behold. His sharp features were chiseled from the gods, an impeccable image of a Targaryen warrior, his facial structure framed by the short dark blonde stubble that I was beginning to grow more and more fond of.

Unable to help myself I lift my hand, grazing the small knicks and scratches that he'd acquired on his journey but my gawking isn't done stealthily for long.

"Hmm, you should be getting your rest sweet girl." Without opening his eye his lips still cock up in his undeniable grin, only this time with a sleepy edge stoking the flames of desire down below.

"I've got plenty of rest, husband. Or am I still dreaming?" I go to rest my chin on his bare chest but I'm taken off guard but only for a moment as he wraps his fingers around my throat to gently tug my face to his, pressing a tender kiss to my lips.

Instead of the teeth-crashing, tongue-swirling kisses we'd shared the night before, Aemond is sweet with me, patient in expressing his love, and my toying words from moments ago are easily forgotten.

"This is quite real, is it not? Or do you need more convincing?"

He doesn't give me time to respond, taking my mouth with his once more coaxing a low moan from my throat and my senses are overwhelmed by him.

His smell, his taste, his touch.

Every moment of it was divine, a blessing I would never take for granted again.

Expertly his tongue glides across my lips, demanding entrance and deepening the kiss that would surely be my undoing but I greet it with open arms, submitting wholeheartedly to him.

It isn't long before the air between us thickens along with the impressive member that was pressed against my thigh. Taking him in my hand I graze the pad of my thumb over the tip spreading the slick of his precum across my fingers.

Aemond hisses at the contact, arching his hips into me granting me easier access as he bites down on my bottom lip but I revel in the pain, only further turned on by the copper taste of blood on my tongue.

Reaching between my legs I use my own desire to coat my palm before wrapping my fingers carefully around his shaft, spreading it down his rock-hard cock.

"Fuck-" he curses, quite unlike his usual put-together self as his eye rolls to the back of his head, his hands gripping and pulling at the sheets.

Quickening my pace Aemond's deep moans fill the room urging me on with each pump of my hand. "That's it Elaena, just like that-seven hells,"

Selfishly I watch his muscles work as he strains his hips to reach his climax and I've never felt so powerful. It was no small feat to have Aemond Targaryen begging for your touch, crying out your name.

It was addicting, he was addicting and I'd finally gotten him back.

Finally.

My prince must notice my absentmindedness, hooking his large hands under my arms he hoists me towards him as he sits up to meet me placing a slow tender kiss on my lips.

I'm dazed when he finally pulls away for air but he seems dazed by something else, watching me with intensity behind his eye.

"Straddle me," He mumbles against my skin as he peppers kisses up the side of my neck and I do as he asks hiking my legs around his waist and lifting myself until I feel him hard and ready for me.

Slowly I press down onto him, gasping his name to the heavens as he filled me hissing my praises. "You take me so well, my love, so well. Made for each other we are,"

Taking handfuls of my ass Aemond helps me with weight, lifting me with ease to keep his strokes intentional no matter how it must've pained him to keep us at this agonizingly slow pace but I needed him, vulnerable with both the light and darkness that dwelled in his soul.

"I want all of you Aemond, you don't have to be gentle with me."

"I want to be gentle with you, ñuha vāedar. I submit to you as you do to me," His words are spread apart between his kisses down my chest until he pulls one of my nipples between his teeth.
*my song

Like lightning, the sensation is sent in explosive ripples through my veins and I almost come undone right then but somehow as he sits up straight he drives into me harder, deeper, stretching me with every thrust.

"Aemond-"

My husband can only moan against my neck in response leaving his mark across my skin like an animal marking his territory and as he whispered sweet nothings my climax was just within reach.

"That's it, you're close, aren't you, sweet girl? I can feel that pretty cunt coming apart for me... so come apart for me, Elaena." His commanding tone matched with the lopsided smirk he wore is my undoing, and I cling to him, snaking my arms around his neck to bury myself in his neck to ride out the neverending waves of ecstasy.

In a matter of moments, Aemond's seed fills me, coating my insides but he doesn't pull away, staying there just like that as the both of us struggled to regain our calm breathing.

At the sudden knock at the door, the both of us groan in annoyance that there's a halt to our affections, and a gentle voice beckons from the other side.

"Princess, I've come to help you dress for breakfast... if you'll allow me."

Reluctantly Aemond pulls away from me draping a sheet around his waist to go for the door, his intent to protect me from the Starks still as strong as the day he'd arrived.

"Must I remind you your services are no longer needed, Lady Snow?" His tone is so harsh with her that I flinch, getting from the bed myself to stop him.

"Aemond!" I swat at his arm making him jump away from me and I take his place at the door. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes to me at first.

Sara had been the closest thing to a friend I'd had in years, and it was true, she'd lied to me about her relationship with Cregan, but all the signs were there, even if I hadn't recognized them.

Cracking open the door a blush consumes her face when she notices my bareness and hair a sex-crazed mess but she still manages a small smile.

"Aemond insists on helping me with my dress it seems but I would quite appreciate some help with my hair if you could come back soon?"

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise but she quickly recovers, glancing to the floor where she shifted on her feet nervously.

"Of course, Princess."

With a perfect curtsy, Sara is gone at least for now and I take a deep breath closing the door.

Spinning around Aemond was already watching me from bed, the bright morning sun reflecting off his sapphire while a knowing smile tugged at his lips.

"I insist on helping you dress do I?" He chuckles something deep stirring my southern regions as if I hadn't had him all evening and morning long.

Our time together would never be enough.

"Well you quite enjoy undressing me and I figured it wasn't too different a sentiment." I giggle to myself twirling my hair like a nervous little girl under his hooded gaze.

"Of course, Princess." He jokes, hiking a pair of pants up his legs.

Aemond is finishing the last tie of the intricate garment as Sara returns eager and willing to help me with my long untamed hair.

Giving us our privacy Aemond presses a soft kiss to my lips before going to check on Luke but not without a last longing look over his shoulder.

For a few awkward minutes, neither of us knows what to say, both of us were afraid to say the wrong thing but for different reasons.

"Sara, I would've liked to think we were friends and I know if Cregan told you to look over me it would've been out of concern... at least, I'd hope that it was." I feel myself frowning when she doesn't reply right away but when she finally nods.

"His intentions were always to make you happy, Princess. Cregan figured both you and Jace were torn to bits about Lucerys... he only wanted to help even if he has made quite a mess of things,"

Throwing back my head in laughter Sara joins along and for a moment we're just girls, not Princess Elaena Heir to the Iron Throne, or Sara Snow, disgraced bastard sister of Cregan Stark.

There wasn't much difference between Sara and me, but I suppose the only difference was our mothers.

"Men do tend to make quite a mess of things don't they,"

I practically skip to breakfast after the joyful morning and even Aemond can't help the fresh fucked grin he'd been wearing.

War may have been on our doorstep but I would bask in the happiness while we had it, every last second of it.

Entering arm and arm Luke is the first to greet us, standing from his seat to wave us over as if we'd sit anywhere else but I take him in my arms just the same.

"I was beginning to worry you'd both keep to your chambers all day again," My little brother laughs, but Aemond only shrugs as he pats my brother on the shoulder, "There's still opportunity, nephew."

My husband stalks closer to Luke, grabbing his chin to take a closer look at his cut but not at all gently as he touches me. "Your cut is healing nicely; consider yourself fortunate that it will fade with time." He smirks, motioning to his own scar.

Luke's face falls, an apology on his tongue but Aemond shakes his head.

"No need. Perhaps it was the gods evening the scales. I couldn't be strikingly handsome and wickedly smart." With a smug grin, he takes his seat next to me, resting his arm around the back of my chair.

I fill my plate and giggle, glancing over my shoulder at him as I bend forward, giving him a good view of my bum.

"My love, it isn't much like you to vie for compliments. You and I are both quite aware of your rugged good looks."

Aemond throws back his head to bark out a heartwarming laugh and my face flushes at the sudden attention he's brought our way including that of Cregan and his close men who sat on the opposite end of the table.

Our peaceful breakfast doesn't last long before Jacaerys enters, his heavy footsteps being heard around the corner before he even makes an appearance in the doorway.

In an attempt to greet him with a friendly smile, I'm taken aback by his thin-lipped hard expression. All conversations trail off as he approaches, noticing the sealed scroll he carried and even Aemond and Luke are struck silent, the air thickening as my gut twisted.

"What is it?" I ask, impatiently.

My brother's brown eyes dart between both ends of the table, deciding before handing the letter to Cregan himself while offering me an apologetic look, "There's... news from Kings Landing. Rumors."

Everyone within earshot stiffens, Aemond included, leaning on his elbows against the table to get a better look at the northern lord as he covers his facial expression with one hand and interlocks our fingers with the other.

Cregan only skims over the letter's contents before his face falls, his frantic gaze darting around the hall.

"Leave us," He commands, his servants and court quick to vacate, shutting all doors behind them but Aemond's grip on my hand grows unbearably tight.

When Cregan doesn't enlighten us right away Aemond grows impatient, warning him in a low tone, "Stark?"

At my husband's fierce tone Cregan turns, ignoring everyone else in the room to stare straight at me, his usually warm brown eyes flooded with unease.

Taking a deep breath he rolls the bit of parchment down the table towards us.

Before Aemond sends a knife through it I scoop it up, unraveling it to read for myself.

There's no sender, no signature at the bottom to claim ownership of the words scribbled in a rush.

Whispers in King's Landing of funerals, and the scent of death and blood linger in the air of the Red Keep.

A son for a son.

The darkness that had been lurking just at the edges had made itself known, coming for the fake peace that we'd settled in and Aemond realizes it too, his jaw grinding with tension.

"What is it? El?" Luke asks but my mouth is dry reading those words over and over again.

A son for a son.

Having read it himself, Cregan answers for me, "My eyes in the capital warn of bloodshed. There's been word of death at Kings Landing."

How he delivers the blow isn't done in a sensitive manner and with Aemond already on edge he flinches at the news, his worst fears unraveling behind his swirling violet eye as he imagined just whose death the letter spoke of.

There were a handful of people I'd count ourselves lucky to be rid of but Helaena would never deserve a hair to be harmed on her head. She was innocent, those twins were innocent, and if something happened...

A twist in my stomach has me reaching for Aemond's upper arm and somehow I know, I know it's Helaena who's been hurt. It seemed my dream had come true after all.

"Who, Jacaerys? Who is the death they speak of?" Luke insists, speaking for me when I can't fathom the words.

Shaking his head he doesn't have an answer, avoiding the burning stare of Aemond who was mere moments away from combusting.

Without warning Aemond pushes his chair out from the table, giving my hand a tug to bring me up with him.

"Aemond, what are we-"

"We're going to Dragonstone. Now." He bites, pulling me toward the door but Jacaerys calls out after us.

"We're coming with you. If it's true we all need to know."

Luke frowns, his tone resigned. "It's true, Jace. Aemond had suspected Mother and Father would do something like this-"

"He what? How in the seven hells did Aemond suspect something like this?!"

Once again Jacaerys and Aemond stood at odds but my husband keeps his mouth shut, unwilling to feed into them any longer so it's I who takes a step forward to defend him.

"I've had dreams since I was young. Dreams that weren't just dreams, brother. I saw Arrax fall from the sky and I've heard those very same words in my nightmares... a son for a son." Tears well in the corners of my eyes but I won't let them fall.

I would not be the sensitive princess once more.

All air is sucked from the room and I take my time sizing up the reactions of everyone in the room. Luke seemed unfazed, but Cregan and Jacaerys are stunned looking at me as if I were some witch.

"Aemond has always carried this burden with me, it's why he's protected Lucerys so fiercely, why he went with him to Storms End! We've had to live with these- these warnings unsure what was real or fantasy, and if Mother and Father have done this-" I shout, expelling the pain that had been trapped in my chest.

If this was true...

If my mother and father had killed an innocent...

As my voice cracks Aemond wraps his long fingers around my wrist, taking a step forward to place his lips by my ear.

"We don't know anything for certain, Elaena. This is why we must find out for ourselves," Aemond's calm voice is a facade and when our eyes meet he knows I see straight through it.

He was terrified, petrified for the well-being of his family and there was close to nothing he could do about it.

Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze I nod and my husband offers me a grateful half smile, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "Come, let's go home, my love."

We're almost out the door before Cregan calls out after me, "Elaena!"

His voice is desperate shocking even himself with his warm eyes widened when words fail him.

"I'll have servants sent to help you pack your things and some food-"

"The trip on dragon back is mere hours," Aemond scoffs, keeping a close listening ear though his back was toward us but I clear my throat, forcing him to turn.

"Perhaps you begin packing for your lovely pregnant wife? Hm?"

I ask so sweetly he can't say no but he doesn't spare Cregan the look of warning over my head before mumbling a gruff, "As you wish." And kissing me once more on the temple before turning on his heel to follow Luke and Jacaerys down the hallway.

Once I'm sure they're out of earshot the both of us go to speak at the same time.

"You deserve an apology-"

"I should thank you-"

"What?"

"What?"

I can't help but laugh at myself and find my interest peeked when he mentions something about an apology.

"I know you're in a rush so I'll be quick... I just - I thought we'd have more time." Shaking his head he grows frustrated with himself.

Taking a glance around the hall he takes my hand, his warmth spreading up my arm and I know if Aemond saw this the Warden of the North would be no more but this was goodbye. We both knew it.

"I've only ever wanted to keep you protected and I've gone about it the wrong way but Sara was never meant-"

"I know. You've given me a safe place to grieve, to rebuild, to celebrate and I'll always be thankful to you and Winterfell, Lord Stark. My mother should be proud to have your sword."

"It'll be you who has my sword one day, Princess."

"One day."

I hadn't expected Aemond to be in a good mood when I found him in our chambers but I certainly hadn't expected him shouting at the servants, tossing our belongings about the room.

"If you'll not be of any use leave!" He spits just as I throw open the door.

The two young handmaidens freeze in their place holding one of my dresses but Aemond ignores me, halfheartedly throwing balls of clothes into his bags.

Offering them a small forgiving smile I stand aside giving them an opportunity to run in terror as they should. "My sincerest apologies my ladies, my husband is... weary of travel. It seems we are in no need of your services this morning."

They look at one another for a moment before going for the door, nodding in thanks as they fled for their lives shutting the door behind them.

"Aemond, it does no good to shout at them that way. You had them half scared to death," With a bit of a chuckle it's my attempt to break the burning tension that hung in the air between us. His feet stay planted on the wood floor, hanging his head with his broad shoulders so frigid with anger I almost don't approach him.

Timidly I step forward, reaching out a hand as I get within reach but he finally speaks when he feels my approach. "I see the way he looks at you, Elaena. I know that look in his eye, it's exactly how I look at you."

My heart stops beating at the frigid voice he uses with me, one I don't hear often making it hard to process what he says, "And how's that?" I ask, regretting it the moment the words come from my mouth.

Aemond slowly turns, clenching and unclenching his fists until his troubled gaze settles on me, calming him despite his stubbornness.

"Like he'd kill for you. Like he'd die... for you." Taking another step his mouth hovers above mine, watching for my reaction carefully as all blood in my body rushes to the surface with him being so close.

"Isn't that what any good soldier should do for his princess? His Queen?" My voice is shaky at his proximity and I can't help but fall prey to his primitive nature.

"His? No, no. That's where you're mistaken, ñuha dōna riña."
*my sweet girl

He whispers, his hot breath fanning across my neck just below my ear where he leans in to press a ghost of a kiss against one of my many love bites along my neck.

"You're mine," He says, taking my chin to forcefully turn up my face so I have nowhere to look but his captivating lavender eye, an endless pool of darkness and anger but at the forefront was what was most familiar, desire.

"If he wishes to die for you, my love, I'll see to it myself,"

My fierce dragon was on the edge, on the edge of doing what I couldn't be sure of, but he sought reassurance and a sense of control from me, his only lifeline left and as his partner, I would be what he needed.

"There's been enough death, husband. I'm yours, by blood, by heart, by soul." His eye darkens when I inch my lips closer, his grip on my waist unbearably tight.

"How he looks at me is of no consequence when I'm much too occupied looking at you."

My words stoke the blaze burning within him and whatever restraint he has is vapor, disintegrating into thin air as he crashes his perfectly shaped lips to mine.

His frantic kiss tastes like fresh fruits from breakfast, sweet and tempting me deeper into him, where his tongue forces through my lips, tasting me for himself.

Before I realize we were moving my back collides with the door and I cry out in surprise.

Like a madman his hands are frantic gliding up my body until he reaches my breasts, roughly grasping them in his palms. When his tugs and pulls aren't enough, I lean my chest into his touch, hungry for more, and his dark chuckle only coaxes my legs further apart, asking without saying the words he so badly wanted to hear.

"What is it, my love? Use that pretty mouth of yours I love so much," He doesn't so much as give me a chance before he starts his rhythm through my undergarments, pressing expertly against my very sensitive clit that was aching for him below.

If there was anyone outside our door they would surely hear the whimper that passes my lips the moment he makes contact.

"Hmm, not exactly what I meant but I'll take it," He smirks, and in a moment he's kneeling at my feet and tearing apart the thin piece of fabric that separated him and me.

Helping him with my skirts he arches an eyebrow at my eagerness, his chest heaving with adrenaline as he worked on the buttons of his trousers impatiently until he breaks his erection free with a satisfied grin working up his face.

"I'm going to fuck you, my sweet wife because you're mine. I want my hot seed dripping down those thighs,"

"Gods please," I beg, throwing my head back against the door while he teases me, sliding the head of his cock between my slick folds until he's drenched in me and satisfied.

"Mhm, that's right. Who do you think sent me to worship the very ground you walk on? I'm here to do just that, Elaena."

I have to close my eyes to focus on the waves that built within me, the pressure inevitable with the friction he was applying until suddenly he's thrusting inside of me finally feeding the undeniable ache.

Growling in satisfaction he moans my name in a shuddered breath, "Fuck Elaena, there's no man who loves his wife as deeply as I love you. How could you have forgotten this?"

Aemond was seeking control and reassurance whether he realized it or not, but I'd give him just that.

Mistrust only bred more mistrust.

I'd opened us up to this so I would fix it, I would give myself to him anyway he needed.

"I've never forgotten, Aemond... it's only you whose tasted my lips, only you whose felt the curve of my body beneath my clothes. It'll only ever be you,"

My words urge him deeper, and as I throw my head back to cry out his name he cradles my face, tracing my jaw with his kiss, "If I don't have you I've lost everything. You're what separates me from the demons, Elaena."

His devotional words are meant to calm me but it does the opposite. If I was all that separated him from his demons what did that mean for me?

Would I be the ripped to shreds keeping him unmarked?

***

With Vhagar's injuries, we take our time flying home, even with the urgency these rumors created but thankfully the flight to Dragonstone is still a quick one. If I'd thought I might've been returning with Luke aback Seasmoke I might've never left in the first place.

Breaking through the clouds the sun was still high in the sky with the late afternoon keeping a hopeful gleam in the air but I wouldn't be fooled. Our answers and heartbreak dwelled inside the castle walls.

With the queen's guard announcing our arrival, my mother and Rhaena are the first to greet us practically running down the stairs to find us on the dragon mount.

Breaking out into a sprint Lucerys takes after Aemond, dropping his things to run after and embrace both of them with tears in their eyes as Jacaerys only laughed at them, too much a man to show and more emotion than that.

The sight was enough to melt any heart of stone, even Aemond cocked a small smile at the pure joy he'd brought with returning Lucerys home to his family, our family.

"You did that you know. Our family owes you a debt, in more ways than one."

Smiling sweetly at him, his tension fades away if only for a second as he interlocks his long calloused fingers with mine.

Inching up on my tiptoes I give his cheek a kiss but our moment is quickly ruined.

"Aemond!"

Neither of us manages to hide our shock well as Rhaena approaches, leaving Luke to my mother but she has a friendly smile much like her Mother and our Grandmother.

"Thank you, my prince. We can't- I can't begin to express how grateful I am that you've brought him home safe." Rhaena's friendliness seems to make him uncomfortable but he offers her a curt nod in response.

"Elaena, look at you! You're a beautiful sight to behold and your child grows so quickly!" My sister sighs with relief, hugging me tight as my mother makes her way toward us, "I'd hoped you'd return in a better state than you'd left,"

I can't help but laugh at my sister, glancing over my shoulder at my husband who was watching from afar.

"Much better, thank you, Rhaena. How's Jaehaeryn? He hasn't missed us too terribly I hope." I smile graciously, thankful to see such a friendly face.

"He's been wonderfully behaved the maids and servants dote over him truthfully. He's been quite the talker," she laughs putting my nerves to ease.

"My daughter, Aemond- what a relief it is to see you both here and together." My mother looks much healthier and happier than when I saw her last. Color has returned to her cheeks and she'd gained a healthy enough weight to tell me she'd been eating well again just as I had.

She holds me long and tight, being careful of my stomach which was growing more and more with each passing day. How I longed to meet our son, our heir.

"I do wish it was on better terms, sister. A vile rumor reached Winterfell, though some of us aren't inclined to jump to conclusions."

I hear the smirk in Aemond's tone but his jab wasn't only directed at my mother but to me as well.

None of this would've happened had I reacted this quickly in getting answers for myself.

"My apologies, Aemond. We were quick to doubt you but when the news came of Arrax I suppose it's true... we all had jumped to the wrong conclusion. And how thankful I am to have been wrong, brother." My mother's face falls, but she's quick to apologize, guilty even more so than I expected and I realize the rumor is true.

Aemond and I exchange a look of disappointment though she hasn't confirmed it.

"Come! Your father's waiting for you. It's not safe out in the open like this," Without continuing our conversation my mother turns to follow my brothers and Rhaena back to the castle escorted by Ser Erryk and Ser Lorent her most trusted Queensguard.

Lost in thought I stand perplexed, staring after them but Aemond urges me forward, looking to the skies as if Aegon or Daeron would descend upon us at any moment.

With our things taken care of we're not given any time to freshen up, we're instead whisked into the great hall where my father awaited.

He unlike my mother hadn't changed at all in my time away but when he finally turns from the fireplace to greet us I notice that the change lies in his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping but I couldn't imagine why, it wasn't like my father to be regretful.

"Welcome home, Elaena, Prince Aemond. We owe you our thanks," My father reaches out to shake Aemond's hand but my husband hesitates narrowing his burning gaze at him before finally accepting it reluctantly.

"We journeyed almost two weeks to Winterfell in the bitter cold! I even learned to fish!" Luke was rambling on and on to Rhaena and my mother who was beaming at my little brother. They couldn't get enough of his animated storytelling, even if he had already written Rhaena days ago with every detail of their adventure.

From across the room, Luke notices the tense exchange with my father and comes closer opening the conversation to the rest of us. Jacaerys however stays to himself and I can't help but wonder if his unsettled body language was because of his departure from Sara or his inevitable run-in with Baela.

"Rhaena, love, send for your sister and Grandmother. They'll want to know of their arrival home," My mother gives Rhaena's small hand an affectionate pat and as soon as she's gone, the joy is sucked from the room.

No one is eager to speak at first but each second ticked by at a snail's pace as we all looked at one another until Aemond's articulate voice commands the room.

"We departed Winterfell immediately after hearing a rather... disgraceful rumor." Though Aemond speaks with an unsettling calm tone I knew what rage lurked around the corner, but unlike us it was clear he hadn't jumped to conclusions.

"It does no good to dance around the subject does it?" My mother joins my father at the head of the painted table but they stay a few feet apart, their usual affection gone cold.

"Word came from Kings Landing only just this morning. There were... sympathizers that entered the Red Keep with the intent of harming not only Aegon's twins but Alicent and Helaena as well."

My mouth drops open in shock when my mother, the Queen finally admits it but none of us had realized just the extent this went to.

"Sympathizers?" Aemond mocks her, cocking his head to the side with no regard for his Queen and I cringe.

"But tell us they're okay Mother... tell us..." I beg of her, tears welling in my eyes but she looks away keeping a tight lip expression that shows nothing of her emotion.

"Helaena will thankfully recover but... she's lost her unborn babe and her son, Jaehaerys."

If Aemond hadn't been holding me up with his tight grip I would've fallen to the floor just as I had when I heard the news of Luke.

Though at first, my reaction is to mourn, Aemond's is the other end of the spectrum. Rage.

"You did this I don't have to be told to know. My nephew died at your hand didn't he?!" Aemond shouts, his voice the epitome of a King, demanding answers from my father as if he was a mere subject.

"There were no intentions of following through. The White Worm took it upon herself-"

At my father's words, my husband throws his hands up in the air, laughing so loudly in disbelief it echoes through the great hall but I cringe away, almost scared of what he could be capable of.

"But it was always a possibility to murder an innocent child!? I nearly sacrificed my dragon and my life bringing that boy back alive!"

Luke flinches when Aemond regards him so impersonally after all they'd been through but it seemed my husband couldn't care less, taking jabs where he can find them.

"It was an oath you made, boy!" My father shouts across the painted table but Aemond yells back louder, fiercer.

"AND IT WAS AN OATH I KEPT! Rewarded with uncertainties and bloodshed. Would you have dared to put a blade to my son's throat had he been born I wonder?!" He growls, the veins in his neck about to burst.

"Watch your tongue boy a walk through the woods hasn't made you invincible!" My father calls out through gritted teeth.

I about snap my neck when I turn to look at Aemond as his words steal my breath.

Placing a hand over my belly I falter, falling back a step.

I hadn't even thought of it, but as he mentions it, I'm forced to. If Aeylx had been born would my father have sent him away or simply killed him to get his revenge? I would hope he wouldn't kill his own grandchild but he'd already murdered his own wife, and now his own nephew.

"Now who is it that bares the title, 'Kinslayer', Uncle?" Aemond's gruff tone is chilling enough to bring me a step closer to him, terrified he may send a blade through my father's eye if I looked away for a moment.

Unsettled by my husband's words my father shifts on his feet looking to my mother for support but she would give him none.

Aemond spoke the truth, not only had my father invoked revenge for an act never committed but he'd attacked innocent children. It was a wonder Jaehaeryn had been safe in their care during our time away but now it was clear, not even the innocent were safe from the Rouge Prince.

"I have half a mind to go to Kings Landing and check on my sister myself-"

Every eye in the room widens, but only Lucerys and I step forward, anxious to stop him.

"Aemond, stop, please. It's not safe," Taking hold of his arm I shake him from his haze but only for a moment, and his rage returns but thankfully he turns aiming it back at my father and mother.

"If my sister doesn't respond to my raven by the morrow I'll be going to Kings Landing whether I'm granted leave or not. The warning I issue now is solely out of love and respect for my wife and my sister the Queen." Aemond doesn't give them time to reply, turning on his heel without paying me a single look and it stings almost as bad as the betrayal of my father.

Though Jacaerys still stood frozen not uttering a single word, Lucerys comes to my aid but I make a beeline after Aemond through the side door desperate to stop him from whatever scheme it was that he was planning.

He hadn't truly intended to leave me again, had he?

Leave us?

Luckily with my riding armor, it was easier to keep up with him down the hallway and I was at the least thankful he was headed for our rooms and not the dragon mount.

If he were to see the mess I'd left behind...

My necklace in pieces where I'd left it...

"Aemond!" I call out to him but he continues with no regard for his pregnant wife following closely behind.

As he pushed through our door I'm relieved to see our chambers had been cleaned and prepped for our arrival but that's where the relief ends.

Standing over my desk Aemond hang his head, taking deep breaths in an effort to calm himself.

"Aemond-"

"He killed them, Elaena. He fucking killed, innocent little children. My poor sister... my mother, Aegon even must be in shambles, fuck." As he thinks aloud I approach him and I can't imagine how he feels, how bitter he must've felt for being here with me instead of with his family when trouble had struck.

"I've given everything to you, to this cause when my own mother and siblings sit on the other side..." Slamming both of his fists on the wood I flinch back, taking a step away from him in fear, something I hadn't done before.

Noticing my sensitive state it takes everything in him to find his composure. He lifts his chin to look at me as he closes the distance between us and it's then that he notices the tears in my eyes.

My intent was never to hurt him more but it seems I do, his lavender gaze falling even further when it lands on me, his wife, the mother of his child.

"They've always expected the worst of me, Elaena... even you..." His expression falls and my heart along with it but he was right. Whether it had been regarding Jaehaeryn or Luke I'd expected the worst, never giving him the benefit of the doubt as a partner should.

Aemond reaches for my face, his fingers trembling when he pulls away at the last moment, his lavender eye glazing over with something unsettling and unfamiliar as he continues in a deathly low voice, "Perhaps it's time I give it to them."

My heart stops working, my blood running cold or simply not running at all, and just as fast as he's returned to me he's leaving, going for the door.

"Aemond, no. Please... you don't mean that-"

Calling out to him I plead, "You promised me, Aemond Targaryen! You promised you'd never leave me... not again."

My words stop him dead in his tracks and without turning he replies curtly, insisting on hurting me further, "I won't leave the island. I give you my word."

He waits a few painstaking moments for my reply but never turns to look me in the eye and he finally stalks out, slamming the door shut behind him.

Without fail I crumble like a piece of parchment as I watch the door, praying to any god who would listen to bring him back to me.

I lay on the stone hard floor, cradling my growing stomach, focusing on the cold that contrasted with the fever-like heat growing inside of me.

"He'll come back, little one. He's promised... your father always keeps his promises." I say it more for myself, reassuring my anxious nerves though my voice shook with my rising panic.

Breathe in, breathe out.

"He promised,"

***

From the Author;

Sorry this took so long! It's a mega chapter at 6800 words!
I give you, Aemond with scruff <3
I discovered Photoshop AI Generative Fill a couple of weeks ago and the first thing first is to give my man some facial hair. He already looks so much older with the scruff.