Chapter 13
The day had finally arrived.
Aegon and Aemond were leaving King's Landing and departing for Dragonstone.
Viserys had once again risen from the depths of the Red Keep as the sun breached the sky and wheezed his way down the stairs with the help of Ser Harrold. The King managed to pull himself into the awaiting carriage and collapsed into the closest seat.
After him came Alicent who sat across from the King as their sons entered.
Aegon sat on the left while Aemond sat on the right, both just out of reach of their parents.
The carriage lurched into motion after the door shut and began carrying the four of them to the Dragonpit. There, Aegon would be dropped off so he could get to Sunfyre, and then they would continue out the Dragon Gate for Aemond to reach Vhagar.
Their journey was accompanied by the King moaning in pain as the carriage jostled over the divots in the uneven street.
Alicent kept looking between her husband and sons, looking like she desperately wanted to speak, but she eventually lowered her gaze to the ground as she picked at her bandaged fingers.
Aegon was slumped back in his seat with his head resting on his fist. He had at first laughed when he heard that the King was insisting to see them off, thinking that Viserys would forget he even said the words or come up with some excuse not to go. But Aegon was surprised to see his father hobbling into the carriage.
He didn't think it was necessary for the King to accompany them, but Aegon was grateful that his presence kept the Queen quiet.
While Aegon stared disinterestedly at his parents, Aemond kept his gaze on the satchel in his lap. He had spent hours choosing the contents, but it no longer mattered. They would need to be returned.
He had received a raven from Daemon, the smugness rolling off of the paper as his uncle told him that the eggs he had chosen were not needed. That his niece Jaehaera and nephew Joffrey had picked the dragon eggs that would rest with his children.
Daemon had not said it specifically in his raven, but Aemond had heard the message loud and clear.
You are not needed or wanted.
The carriage came to a halt at the Dragonpit and Aegon practically jumped out the door, ignoring Alicent when she called for him.
Aemond stepped out after his brother and approached the Dragonkeepers who had led Sunfyre out of his cave. He held the satchel in his hands and looked at the eggs one last time.
The dark maroon and purple on the left, and the dark orange and bronze on the right.
Aemond closed the satchel and held it out to the Dragonkeepers,
"Issi daor jorrāelatan,"
These are not needed.
The Keeper looked at him in confusion, but Aemond turned away and headed back to the carriage,
"I thought those were for your daughters?" His mother asked when he reentered the carriage, taking Aegon's empty seat since it was furthest from the Queen. The Prince gave no answer to her,
"Aemond?" He clenched his jaw but answered the King,
"My daughters' eggs have been chosen from the ones that reside on Dragonstone," Viserys blinked at his son before nodding as Alicent stared sadly at him.
They passed through the Dragon Gate and rode for a few more minutes before stopping at the place Vhagar had rested hours earlier.
He didn't even wait for the carriage to completely stop before exiting to approach Vhagar.
Her mighty head shifted as he drew closer and she emitted a low noise that quickly turned into a growl. The dragon's lips curled to reveal sharp teeth that were taller than Aemond as the Queen called out to him.
The Prince did not turn around and instead quickened his pace. He grabbed the rope ladder that led up to the saddle as the Queen tried again to call for him.
Vhagar's growl shook the ground under Aemond's feet and he placed a hand on his mount's flank. Her head did not move, but her yellow eyes flicked to him as the King called out,
"Alicent, come back. Dragons are protective of their riders,"
"I am trying to say goodbye to my-"
"Back away, Alicent," The King's voice had a strong sense of authority that had not been heard in years, "Vhagar cares not for your intentions. She only cares that you are getting close to Aemond,"
Aemond did not look at the Queen and kept his gaze firmly on Vhagar.
He waited until her growls had subsided before gently patting her scales and beginning the long ascent up to the saddle.
When he was secured, Vhagar slowly rose, stretched out her wings to beat them against the air, and began lifting herself and Aemond into the sky.
King's Landing had quickly become a small speck beneath him and Vhagar.
Aemond wasted no time and turned Vhagar toward Dragonstone.
His blood roared louder than Vhagar in his ears as she carried him closer and closer to his destination.
He had not seen Lucerys or his pups in a month.
When his mate had been living at the Red Keep, Aemond had been able to keep an eye on him from a distance. Watch him from awnings above the gardens, from the shadows of the library, and from the back of Vhagar.
Even when he had listened to those rumors, those lies, and refused to speak to Lucerys, Aemond still watched him from afar. It was the only instinct he gave into, the need to constantly see and protect his mate.
But he couldn't be with Luke.
Because he had been too weak, too susceptible to lies, and Lucerys had suffered for it.
He suffered because of the Queen, the former Hand, Cole, the people whispering about him in the halls, and because of Aemond.
Their daughters could have died because of him!
Lucerys could have died because of him!
This month, this full turn of the moon, and these four weeks, have shown Aemond that he could not bear being apart from his mate. The knowledge of Luke's weakened state, and that he and their daughters had come so close to meeting the Stranger...
Aemond had taken Vhagar to the sky after his mate and daughters left for Dragonstone. The storm above King's Landing turned into a deluge, giving him and Vhagar cover from prying eyes below them.
He had let his anger known, screaming at the gods for making him a stupid and susceptible man like his father, raging at himself for being such a fool!
The Prince knew he would spend the rest of his life crawling on his knees and begging for a chance to prove himself, regain Luke's trust, and be a part of his daughters' lives. To be a part of Lucerys' life.
But, as it came with the rejection of the dragon eggs, he began to see just how long this road will be.
Aemond gripped the reins tighter in his hands as he saw Dragonstone steadily growing closer and closer.
His throat became dry and his heart almost cracked his ribs with how hard it was beating.
He was so close to Lucerys and his daughters.
His mate and pups!
How were they fairing?
Were they well?
Did Maester Gerardys' fears come true and was Aemma suffering from failing health?
Was Lucerys?
And what of Aenyra?
Aemond had written letters to Lucerys but never sent them. They were locked away, hidden in the darkest corners of his chambers so no one could see them, for the words, the questions, the begging, and the apologies, were meant for one person and one person only.
And as Vhagar landed on the beach, Sunfyre diving for the sand in front of them, all of his questions and apologies rang loudly in his head.
Aemond's feet hit the sand as a figure emerged. It was one of the palace guards who only said he was to lead them inside.
The Princes were led into what Aemond assumes was the Chamber of the Painted Table and were told to wait.
Aegon immediately set himself on one of the chairs and said, "This is quite the welcome. Not exactly a surprise though,"
Aemond ignored his brother as he looked at the table, reading the names and studying the carvings that marked the houses and great seats. He walked along the edge, then stopped at a smooth stone that marked an island that rested in the middle of Blackwater Bay.
His gloved hand traced the letters that spelled out Driftmark.
His entire life had changed on that island ten years ago.
He bonded with Vhagar, lost his eye, and was told he would marry Lucerys when they were both of age.
Aemond had despised the idea at first, a bastard, the one who had cut out his eye no less, was to be wed to him! But, the disgust turned to glee when he realized that it could be used as revenge, a way to settle the debt.
The Alpha had thought he would relish in the way his husband trembled with fear anytime they were together, knowing that it would be something Lucerys would be unable to outrun. However, after their wedding night, when he fucked and knotted the Omega for the first time, Aemond found himself drawn to small noises Lucerys made.
They were not of pain, no. They were small gasps and quiet moans of pleasure. Small sounds that the Omega tried to hide from the Alpha, as if he would be angry that Lucerys found pleasure in the act of bedding.
It had been the opposite, Aemond found himself wanting to hear those noises. To hear that he was pleasing the Omega underneath him.
Instead, Aemond had painfully dug his fingers into Lucerys' soft flesh and hissed in the Omega's ear,
"I guess they are right. Omegan bastards truly are nothing but whores!"
That was what he had said before sinking his teeth into the glands on Lucerys' neck, marking and claiming him as his knot locked him with the Omega.
He had not felt the satisfaction of humiliating his nephew. He had felt ashamed that what was supposed to be an intimate, and sacred moment between them had been tainted.
And Aemond had continued to ruin it because when morning came and they were free of each other, Lucerys had tried to complete his end of the bond. But the Alpha Prince had grabbed his hair and hissed that he would not have the Omega mark him again!
A part of him had wanted Luke to protest, to say that it was what was expected of him, his duty. But the Omega had only nodded without saying a word.
Aemond lifted his hand from the stone marker and wondered what would be different if he had allowed Luke to mark him. Their bond would be whole, and not halved. And while he was more attuned to his mate's needs and wants during his heats, everything else he had heard about having a bonded wasn't there.
There was a loud sigh that echoed around the room,
"Are you going to keep up the silent act?" His brother asked, "As amusing as I find mother prostrating herself every time she sees you in hopes of hearing one of those half-hearted grunts you let out-"
"I'm so glad, nephew, that you have managed to find amusement in this situation," The deadpan voice of Daemon Targaryen had both of the princes jolting in surprise.
The Rogue Prince was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and the famous Dark Sister ever present on his hip.
After him came the Queen Who Never Was, who looked at them with thinly veiled contempt. Her husband was at her side, his hand unsubtly resting on the hilt of his sword.
And then last came their sister, regal as ever.
Her eyes were sharp as she studied them and the silence nearly suffocated the two Princes until she said,
"You are both guests here, by order of the King. And I expect you will behave in accordance with that and adhere to what I expect of you. Aegon," He looked at their sister, "You will not drink Dragonstone dry. No wine or ale will be served to you, no matter how weak the brew. And if it is discovered that you have left the castle to go to the docks in search of brothels or whores, or have attempted to coerce any of the servants here into sexual acts, whether by force or bribery, you will be sent back to King's Landing,"
Rhaenyra's gaze then turned to Aemond, her purple irises alight with a violet flame,
"As for you, despite the fact that you are still married under the eyes of the Seven, you will not go near Lucerys. You will stay away from his chambers, and away from his daughters," Aemond frowned slightly before quietly saying,
"I thought the purpose for these visits was for Aegon and I to bond with our children,"
"And you will," Rhaenyra said,
"Helaena has told us that if Aegon wishes, he may see Jaehaerys and Jaehaera," Rhaenys said, "But, when it comes to you, Aemond, that is a privilege you will need to earn,"
Daemon spoke up, "And you will get that privilege if Lucerys says you have earned it,"
Aemond grits his teeth but did not speak against anything that was said, and instead asked,
"How do I earn it?"
"As I said, nephew, that is up to Lucerys," The younger Prince bit his tongue and nodded.
Aemond knew he would need to prove he was worthy of being back in his place at Luke's side, but it made it no less easy to agree,
"And if I find that you have gone to Lucerys, entered his chambers, or done anything to worsen this situation for him I will send you back to King's Landing. And if that happens, it will not be a pleasant journey. For either of you," His sister stared between him and Aegon, "Have I made myself clear?"
Aemond nodded, but Aegon opened his mouth,
"How can you make a trip by dragon back unpleasant?" Aemond was considering shoving his brother's face against the table when Rhaenys let out a bark of laughter that startled the two of them,
"Foolish boy. You think the journey would be on dragon back?" Aegon slowly nodded as the Sea Snake spoke for the first time,
"I would be the one taking you back by ship,"
Aegon shrugged, "Doesn't sound too bad,"
Lord Corlys' smile told Aemond that it would be worse than either of them could imagine,
"I don't suppose you know what Keelhauling is?" Aemond grimaced.
He had read about it when Lucerys was in King's Landing, trying to keep up with his studies about Driftmark and House Velaryon.
"It is the act of tying a disgraced sailor to a ship and throwing them into the ocean so that they are dragged behind it in the water. It is a form of punishment, and in some cases, a slow execution," Corlys nodded as Aegon went slightly pale,
"But don't worry, My Princes. I would have you pulled back onboard if it looked like you were nearing death. Give you a chance to rest before throwing you back in,"
With that last threat, the Sea Snake and his wife departed the room.
Daemon grinned viciously at the two of them as Rhaenyra asked,
"I believe we will have no troubles then?" Before she too swept from the chamber, leaving them with their uncle who was eyeing them as a dragon does its prey,
"Now, nephews, shall I show you where you are staying?"
Aegon gulped as Aemond internally sighed.
This week was not going to be pleasant for either of them.