Chapter 16
The sun was shining through the window into Lucerys' chambers as he sat on the floor beside the conjoined cribs.
His daughters, both in matching red dresses, were on the plushest blanket that Dragonstone had and were happily gurgling to each other. Luke had placed them on their stomachs and was watching them as they moved their little heads to look at the array of toys laid out before them.
There were small, soft, colorful blocks, a plush, red dragon, a blue seahorse, a dark blue falcon, and two rattles that had carved dragon heads on the top.
Aenyra had gotten her small hands on the blocks and was currently gnawing on one with her gums as her mismatched eyes watched with wonder as Luke shook one of the rattles above hers and Aemma's heads.
Her sister had gotten her minuscule fingers around the second rattle and was trying to copy her kepa's movements with clumsy jerks that only dragged the rattle around the blanket. But, Aemma was happy enough as she squealed with each sound that was made.
Lucerys found himself smiling as his Aenyra spit out the block she was gnawing on in favor of clumsily grabbing the plush seahorse and stuck its head in her mouth. His oldest gurgled and drooled on the toy as Aemma tried mimicking her sister by attempting to shove the rattle in her mouth. Her Kepa quickly traded it for the plush dragon and she began to contentedly suck on its head.
There was a knock at the door, drawing Lucerys out of the small bubble the three of them had been in.
After making sure that his daughters were not going to somehow roll themselves into the hearth and that any object the twins could hurt themselves on where far away, Lucerys shakily got to his feet.
His steps were still a bit unsteady, but Luke could now walk the length of his chamber without tiring and the pain that was ever present since he had given birth had lessened a considerable amount. The Omega could almost forget it was there most days.
When Luke opened the door, he was greeted by Jace who waited patiently for Luke to fully open the door and allow him in. And after his brother was, surprisingly, Princess Rhaenys.
The Omega had noticed in the few times he had interacted with the Beta Princess, she had been considerably warmer toward him and his brothers. It was an adjustment for the young Omega, seeing this, normally cold and distant figure be open with her affections to him and his brothers as she was with Baela and Rhaena.
And while Luke wanted to bask in the given kindness, he instead guarded himself against it.
The wounds of giving his trust and love to someone who was once distant were still bloody and raw.
It wasn't as if Luke didn't trust Rhaenys. He trusted her with his daughters and knew no harm would come to them if Rhaenys were to watch over his girls. And he felt no fear when she held Aemma in the hatchery, unlike when The Queen tried to take the babes from his arms and when Aemond had held them for that brief moment after they were born.
Lucerys trusted Rhaenys, but could not find it in himself to give his love.
She said nothing about how he shied away from her touch, only giving a look of understanding before pulling her hand back.
The Princess stayed close to the door, a slight smile on her face as Jacaerys helped situate Aenyra in a sling across Luke's chest as he picked up Aemma. Lucerys could carry his girls around his chamber with no problem, but he insisted on the sling to support his child. Luke feared that with how far and with how long he would be holding Aenyra, his arms would give out and he would drop the babe.
Despite Gerardys telling him he was regaining his health and he felt his strength slowly returning over the last few weeks, Lucerys refused to risk the safety of his daughter.
Both pups still had their plushies in their mouths and were drooling over them as they were carried at a slow pace through the halls of Dragonstone.
Rhaenys walked beside the two Princes, listening as the babes made little noises as they headed toward the garden.
Jacaerys was talking animatedly to Aemma, making the babe in his arms squeal in delight when he gently tickled her stomach.
Aenyra had one hand on her seahorse while the other fisted her kepa's soft doublet. Her eyes were wide as she took in the area around her.
Ser Erryk walked behind his Prince, his eyes sharp as he watched for any sign of Lucerys needing his assistance.
They exited the main fortress of Dragonstone and entered Aegon's gardens.
Luke stopped walking, hit with memories of his last day on Dragonstone before he had left for his wedding to Aemond.
He was standing under one of the great, towering trees in the garden, trying to quell the shaking of his hands.
The ship was being prepared to take him and his family to King's Landing.
His nameday was at the end of the week.
He would be six and ten.
The King had been adamant that he and Aemond would marrry the day after. He had said in his letter to Rhaenyra that eight years was enough time to let anger cool and that it was time for Lucerys and Aemond to wed.
And the young Omega was terrified.
The last time he had seen Aemond was when the King announced their betrothal. Which had been on Driftmark, after Lucerys had taken the Alpha's eye.
It didn't matter to the King that both his wife and daughter were agreeing with each other (For once.) that Aemond and Lucerys should not marry. But King Viserys was convinced that a marriage when they both came of age would mend the rifts in House Targaryen.
When Lucerys learned just how close his upcoming wedding was, he panicked, thinking that in eight years his mother or the Queen and Hand would have been able to change the King's mind.
His family had been trying for the last few days to calm him, but all their words had done was made him more nervous. Because after he said his vows and the marriage was... consummated, his family would return to Dragonstone, and he would remain in King's Landing.
He would be left alone, with Arrax as his only friend, and Luke knew he would not be able to spend all his time in the Dragon Pit.
And his mother, who had protected him all his life, would not be able to save him from this.
Lucerys shuddered at the memory and gently soothed Aenyra as she squirmed in her sling.
Jace was still speaking to Aemma as if the pup could understand him when they arrived at the table that had been set up in the center of Aegon's Garden.
Helaena and Rhaena were deep in conversation, giggling as Morning eyed whatever the Omegan Princess had crawling in her hand.
Jaehaera was sitting next to Joffrey as they spoke animatedly to Rhaenyra who was holding a bright red rose in her hands.
Baela stood a distance away from the table, speaking to both Daemon and Corlys who looked murderous. The Rogue Prince whipped his head to where Ser Lorent was standing at attention and beckoned the guard over while the Sea Snake summoned one of his own guards.
Baela saw Rhaenys, Luke, and Jace enter and broke away from her father and grandfather to greet them. When they saw whom Baela was heading toward, Joff and Haera bolted from Rhaenyra and their little hands grabbed at the soft breeches Luke was wearing. Joff tried peering up at the pup nestled against the Omega's chest as Jaehaera tugged gently at his clothes while saying he could sit next to her.
In the end, Luke sat on the right of his mother in a heavily cushioned chair while Jace, who refused to relinquish his hold on Aemma, sat across from him so that Luke could keep an eye on his youngest. Aenyra was unwound from the sling around his chest and was now nestled in his lap, trying to grab every silver utensil that sparkled in the sun. Jaehaera was sitting next to Luke, gently placing the roses she had picked for her cousins next to his plate. Joffrey glowered in his seat next to Jace, upset that he couldn't sit next to his brother, but he was quickly distracted by Morning who was crawling across Rhaena's shoulders to stare down at him,
"Unca Lu! You here!" Jaehaerys came running up with Little Egg behind him.
Both of the pups had freshly cleaned faces that were tinged slightly red as they had vigorously scrubbed the dirt from their cheeks a few minutes before. Jaehaerys raced to Luke and scrambled onto Jaehaera's chair. The two began to argue over who got to sit next to Luke as Egg crawled into Rhaenyra's lap.
The twins began trying to push the other off and Helaena was halfway out of her seat to reach her children when Daemon approached. The Alpha easily swept Jaehaerys from the chair and carried the pup to the other end of the table,
"And there will be none of that today," The Rogue Prince scolded as he sat and placed the pup on his knee,
"But I wanna-"
"Today will not be the last time you see Lucerys, Creature," Helaena said, smiling as her son pouted and crossed his arms.
Corlys took the seat beside Daemon, across from Helaena with Rhaenys sitting between him and Baela.
The family was served an assortment of fruits, cakes, vegetables, salted meat, wine, and ice-cold lemon juice.
Lucerys could not eat some of the heavily spiced foods that had been set before them or the lemon cakes he so dearly enjoyed. He was still sensitive to any type of spice, and the lemon cakes tasted too rich and meat sat heavily in his belly.
His appetite had been slowly returning to what it once was, but Lucerys' stomach had revolted against everything served to him the day Aemond had arrived on Dragonstone. So, the young Omega's plate consisted of fruit, unsalted vegetables, and a light broth while his cup was filled with water.
Aenyra was chewing on his sleeve as he nibbled on a slice of a crisp red apple.
Jace was currently eating with the added challenge of Aemma trying to grab his fork.
Egg happily spoke with their mother between the food he was shoveling into his mouth, pausing every so often to place a small hand on the bump where their new sibling was growing. Rhaenyra kept telling Aegon it was still too early to feel any movement, but the little pup was determined and kept saying he wanted to be sure.
Rhaena excitedly told her grandmother and sister about her progress with Morning as the hatchling feasted on the bits of meat that were fed to her.
Jaehaerys, while still seated in Daemon's lap, listened with rapt attention as his mother told him all the facts she knew about the beetle he and Egg had found for her.
Corlys was in a deep discussion with Daemon. Luke could not tell what their conversation entailed, but he saw the displeased expressions on both of their faces that were only alleviated when Ser Lorent returned and whispered something to the both of them.
Lucerys swallowed and swiftly ducked his head back to Aenyra when their gazes turned toward him. He kept his eyes on his pup who had begun to wave her seahorse around while trying to ignore the two Alphas staring at him.
He had no doubt they were discussing Aemond.
The One-Eyed Alpha had been given leave to wander Dragonstone, but he was forbidden to enter the Sea Dragon Tower since it was where Lucerys' chambers were located. So far, he had followed those orders, but that did not mean he was not nearby.
Aemond could be watching from the ramparts or from somewhere within the garden. Lucerys hoped that he would not approach and demand to see the girls, but the idea he was close by, just watching, had him tensing while tightening his grip on Aenyra while staring at Aemma,
"Lucerys?"
He gave his mother a tight smile before reaching over Aenyra's head to grab another apple slice.
Conversation flowed around him, and Luke tried his best to remain present in the moment, but could not help but trail his gaze around the gardens. He was half-expecting to see the familiar stance of Aemond lurking somewhere nearby.
The thought had him pulling Aenyra close as he turned to Jace, intent on asking for him to hand over Aemma so he could have both of his daughters.
But the question was drowned out by a dragon's roar as a shadow drifted across the garden,
"Lost dragon's return," Helaena murmured without lifting her gaze from the table as Jace questioned,
"Is that Seasmoke?"
The library of Dragonstone was not nearly as big as the one in the Red Keep, but that was no surprise to Aemond since he had spent most of his time there when he was not with Vhagar.
What was surprising was the fact that Aegon was currently reading there.
Aemond knew his brother never entered the library in King's Landing as he stated it was dull and boring.
The older Alpha must be bored out of his mind if he ventured into this room,
"I'm surprised you remember how to read," Aemond muttered as he entered, "What book is that anyway?" The question garnered a sigh from his brother,
"Some storybook Heleana reads Jaehaerys and Jaehaera before they go to bed. They keep talking about it. Figured I should at least know what they are babbling about,"
"A book for children? It is on your level of reading then," Aegon huffed and glared at Aemond over the top of the page.
Aemond glared back when he noticed the pitcher of wine on the table next to his brother. Aegon rolled his eyes and turned back to the book,
"Tis not wine. Our sister has ensured that all wine is beyond my reach," The younger brother snatched the cup off the table and sniffed the contents.
There was a fruity smell to it, but it was not sour nor had the odors of fermentation that came with his brother's favored reds,
"I told you," Was Aegon's smug reply.
Aemond glowered and emptied the cup in two gulps to spite Aegon before grimacing at the taste,
"What is this?"
"I didn't ask what it was made from. I just asked if there was something that tasted similar to wine and that is what was served,"
Aegon flipped another page in the book, the smell of the warm spices and oak coiling up around him. Aemond remembered that as the scent of his brother before he began to drown himself in wine ten years ago.
It brought a surprising comfort to the agitated Alpha.
Aemond's shoulders relaxed a bit as he leaned against the table,
“How are Jaehaerys and Jaehaera? I’ve not seen them since we arrived,”
There was something that looked almost like a smile briefly flashed across Aegon’s face as he shifted in his seat and cleared his throat,
“As loud and obnoxious as they normally are,” He said while sounding a bit, sad.
Aemond eyed his brother, “You’ve never spent time with them before this week. How would you know how they normally act?"
The smell of ash burned in the library as Aegon glared at his brother,
"And how are your daughters, dear brother? And your mate? How have they been this past month?" Aegon didn't flinch as Aemond slammed his fist into the table and whipped around to glower at him. A threatening growl crawled up his throat, but Aegon once again acted nonplussed to his brother's anger and settled back in his chair.
When he saw that he was not getting any reaction, Aemond turned away so that his hands were pressed harshly against the table with his head down,
"Have you seen them? Or Lucerys?" He asked in a quiet whisper.
Aegon sighed and set the storybook aside before standing to walk toward his brother,
"No. And from what little conversation I've heard, he's not left his chambers since we came to Dragonstone,"
"Why?" Aegon rolled his eyes with a huff,
"Maybe his husband and mate who accused him of having an affair and carrying bastards is now in his home?" There was a slight snarl from the younger brother, but Aegon kept going, "What I don't understand, is how you went from the most cunt-struck mate who ever existed to an accusing asshole who jumped at the chance to declare that Lucerys had been fucking somebody else-"
"As did you! If I recall correctly, you were laughing at the idea of me being cuckolded!" Snapped Aemond as his hands clenched at his sides,
"You're right, I did laugh. I thought you were an idiot-"
"Because of what everyone was saying about Lucerys-"
"Because you believed what they said, you twat!" Aegon exclaimed, "Because, even though I was so deep in my cups, I could see that our nephew was terrified of you! Too afraid to breathe loudly lest he sparks your ire! Much less let another Alpha fuck him!"
Aemond blinked slowly while Aegon returned to his seat with a groan, running both hands down his face as he muttered something about wine.
The room fell into silence, the only sound being the crackling of the fire as it burned through the logs.
The younger of the two thought over what Aegon had said.
It wasn't that he was unaware that Lucerys harbored some fear toward him. That had been made clear the moment the Omega had been directed to sit beside him instead of Jacaerys at the dinner the King insisted they had to celebrate the upcoming wedding the day Rhaenyra and her brood arrived from Dragonstone.
The Omega hadn't lifted his head the entire duration of the meal, not even when the King addressed him.
But Aemond had been aware of the curdled smell of fear coming from Lucerys and had been aware of it throughout the entire week until they married. And any time they crossed paths afterward.
The Alpha had begun keeping his distance from Lucerys when he realized, like on their wedding night, he felt no satisfaction from the Omega's fear. It had the opposite effect and made Aemond want to comfort and protect Lucerys instead.
There had been no fulfillment of his revenge, only shame that he had been failing at protecting his Omega.
And regarding what Aegon said, Aemond never thought that Lucerys, considering how close they had become during the pregnancy, would have had a strong fear of him. (Before Aemond had abandoned him, that is.)
Or, maybe he had and Aemond had just been blind to it?
The Alpha tried wracking his brain for any memory that would confirm what Aegon had told him but growled when he came up empty.
He snatched the cup from the table and filled it with the juice.
Aegon raised his brow as Aemond finished it in less than two gulps and refilled it,
"That was mine," The only response he received was Aemond sighing as he sat in the chair opposite him,
"I wish to fix the damage I have caused, Aegon," He murmured, "I thought choosing dragon eggs would be a step in the right direction, a place to start. But I was wrong in that regard,"
Aegon frowned, "What did you think would happen? After making no effort to reach out, only to try and force your way into whatever fucking peace Lucerys would have made,"
Aemond said nothing as he swirled the bitter-tasting juice around in his mouth before swallowing it down,
"What do you think I should do? How should I begin to regain his trust?" His brother shifted to stare at him in bewilderment,
"Why are you asking me? I'm the last person who you should be going to for advice,"
He scoffed, "Then who on this gods forsaken rock should I ask? Who, besides you, is willing to speak with me?"
Aegon shrugged which caused Aemond to roll his eye.
He could have left, returned to his chambers, or gone back to Vhagar and taken another flight. But Aemond stayed in his seat while Aegon resumed reading and he resumed drinking.
If only the Queen could see her sons now. The one she saw as a disappointment reading a book his children enjoyed so that he may know what they liked while the one she considered her most dutiful was wishing he'd had something stronger than what was currently in his cup.