Burn me • Aemond Targaryen

Unbecoming

Chapter Twenty-Two~Unbecoming

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They'd been sent to Lord Baratheons castle as soon as the sun appeared on the horizon.
Flying with Aemond was usually the time she felt most free in her life. But now, with the cloud's growing darker and the sky pouring their morning tears of sorrow, Rhaella felt her stomach twist around in uncertainty.

It was supposed to be a short trip, Rhaella had reluctantly left her children in the care of her Mother, after Aemond refused her idea to bring them along.

When they arrived they were greeted by Lord Baratheon. Rhaella disliked him, He had no interest in politics, he'd much rather spend his days hunting and eating the prey he caught with his crossbow.

And that was exactly what they were greeted with.

"Prince Aemond!" Borros cheered. "And your lady wife!" He said before bowing to Rhaella.

"Lord Baratheon!" Rhaella smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Surely it hasn't been that long since you've been away from court that you forget the royal custom?"

Correcting his error Borros bowed lower than he had. "Princess."

Rhaella smirked. "I'm sure His grace's raven reached you before our arrival?" She questioned.

"Of course Princess, arrived a few hours ago." Baratheon confirmed. "My sincerest apologies on the news of his grace King Viserys' passing."

Aemond rolled his eyes, he didn't wish to spend as much time here as necessary, they had more important matters to take care of back home. "Lord Baratheon, I do believe the warmth of your castle would do better to speak in, rather than the coldness of this dreadful rain."

Baratheon laughed heartily. "Oh yes! A feast is to be prepared in the honor of your arrival, please prepare yourselves." He said before clicking his finger and having a serving boy show Aemond and Rhaella to their Chamber, so that they could have a few hours rest after the journey.

Aemond was still in a deep slumber when Rhaella woke to a knock at the door.

"Yes?" She said to the handmaiden.

"Lady Elenda sent me to ask if you wished to bathe?" The maid was only young couldn't of been any older than ten and two, and she held a remarkable resemblance to the lord of the castle.

Rhaella sighed. "A bath would do nicely." She opened the door wider so that the girl could come in.
Rhaella noticed that Aemonds scar was on display.

She knew he hated people seeing it, and it gave her comfort to know he didn't mind when she looked upon it. To keep his dignity for him, she pulled the curtains around the bed frame closed seating herself next to him whilst she waited for her bath.

She admired him whilst he slept, the softness of his hair against the sheets, her eyes drew her to look upon his shoulder. A small scar embedded into his pale skin, the letter R. She remembered carving her initial into Aemonds skin two years ago, after Aegon had told him that Cregan stark had been very interested in her during a feast.

She lifted her night shirt and looked down to the A, carved just below her hip bone. Aemond had told her that if she ever chose to lay with another man, they would see whom it was she truly belonged to.

"Didn't anyone teach you it was unbecoming to stare?" Aemond said his voice low and groggy, his eyes stil closed.

"Unfortunately I think I was preoccupied watching Aegon beat you in another of Cole's battles, when I was supposed to be 'learning not to stare'." She sighed.

Aemond dragged her on top of him, hands resting on her hips. "Always something sly to say." He whispered.

She smiled down at him, and he leant up to meet her.

"Your bath My lady Princess." She heard the girl say from behind the curtain. Aemond kept his hands on her hips, holding her in place.

Rhaella, rocked her hips back and forth, smirking when he closed his eyes and lay back into the pillow, biting his lip to keep a moan hidden.
She stopped her movements and leant down to whisper to him. "Our hosts are expecting us." She left him alone on the bed, dropping her nightgown to the floor.

The water wasn't as warm as she would like. Normally she'd sit in boiling water feeling the burn on her skin. It was a way she could convince herself that her sins had been stripped from her. She also liked the sting of the hot water on her skin, to feel the pain from the heat was a guilty pleasure of hers.

She raised her leg above the water, rubbing a sponge along her skin. "How are we to be sure he will stand with Aegon?" Rhaella said focusing on the movements of the water.

Aemond was leant back, his sapphire back in his eye. He plucked an apple from the bowl of fruit on his bed side. "Baratheon is a proud Bastard, wants to make a name for himself and not be left lurking in the shadows of his father." He scoffed, cutting into the apple with his knife. "He'll choose our Aegon alright, just because he knows his father didn't."

Rhaella turned to face him. "We shouldn't be here Aemond." She stated. "I've told you what's going to happen, should we take a part in this war."

Aemond rose from the bed. "Rhaella," he said asher approached. "Aegon has already taken the throne, his supporters are behind him because he is a male heir, if Rhaynera takes the power back from Aegon, Her supporters would have her string up any threat to her claim, including Me and our children." The thought made his stomach twist. The only option they had now was to ensure Rhaynera did not win back her throne. "We need to make sure our support is stronger than hers."

Rhaella felt caught, like she had been thrown into a cell without windows so she couldn't even see a way out. She should've been able to think of something to get them out of this.

They swore loyalty to Aegon, meaning the threat to her children from Rhaynera's side of the coin was approaching at a speed she could not stop. But if she bowed her head to Rhaynera, the threat would just switch sides. She was trapped.

"Now ready yourself." He placed a kiss on top of her head. "We've a feast to attend."

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