DARKSIDE // Aemond Targaryen

SEVEN

TRIGGER WARNING – PTSD

Three days have passed without a word from my husband. I'd see him at morning meals and dinners, but that was it. He had kept to himself for three days, I tried to speak to him every time I saw him, but he would bow and move on, not even saying my name–I could not say the same for Aegon.

Whether in the morning after breakfast or evening after dinner, he always found his way to my chambers. A few times, I suspected he laced my wine with something, I was asleep during some, bound during others or forced to pleasure him in any way he saw fit, and Aemond didn't even bat an eye my way.

It was the same pattern every time–raped, Moon Tea, pretending to be okay, crying, sleeping, and repeat. For three days, this torture had gone on. Even today, Aemond's sixteenth name day, Aegon had dismissed all the handmaidens from helping me dress and raped me on the cold floor.

I could see the servants of the Red Keep whispering to each other as I walked by, but I held my head high–I would not let this get to me. Most nights, when I couldn't sleep, I found my way to the training yard and practised with the sword, praying that I would be able to defend myself next time. A few times, I also swore I saw Aemond standing above the yard and watching me.

After Aegon had his way with me, I called the handmaidens back into the room. They all looked at me as I gathered myself from the floor and smoothed myself out. I sat at my desk and allowed them to braid my hair, requesting that one of them fetch me some Moon Tea from the maester. They all worked on my hair silently, but I could feel their judgement.

I would not allow any of this to ruin Aemonds' day. He did not need to know, and tonight we both would return to his chambers, and I would allow him to have his way with me, hopefully giving us both child I could pour whatever love I had left into the new babe.

Somebody knocks at my door and enters without waiting; I turn to see who it is, Helaena. She is wearing a light green coloured dress, and her hair is done in braids also. She asks the handmaidens to leave the room, and when they are all gone, she softly closes the door and sits on the couch next to my desk.

Helaena does not say a word, and instead, she takes both my hands in hers, rubbing circles with her thumb. I stare at her hands holding mine, then up at her–what does she want?

No words are exchanged until my Moon Tea is brought to me, and I have finished it all. Helaena stands, grabbing my betrothal necklace from beside the empty cup, and she puts it around my neck, making sure it lays perfectly across my neck.

I stand to look at her, and she takes my hands back into hers. No words are exchanged, but she pulls me into a tight hug, and I cry uncontrollably. Helaena soothes me, singing a lullaby she would sing to her children and rubbing small circles on my back. We stay like this until two kings guards come to collect us both for the beginning of our day.

The first part of the day was a tournament between all the knights that wished to compete for the chance to be promoted to king's guard. After that had concluded, all the lords and ladies invited would come to the throne room for a massive feast–everyone would stay there while Aemond and I had our wedding night.

Helaena and I are led to a booth above the tournament grounds, with two open seats between my husband and hers. I sit next to Aemond, who doesn't look my way until I place a kiss on his left cheek, keeping up appearances.

"Husband," I sneer, clapping as the first two knights make their way onto the jousting grounds, "happy sixteenth name day."

Aemond looks at me, and I look at him. The air is tense, and I can't read his expression. His eyes look over the black and green dress I am wearing, then to the blue sapphire around my neck.