𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

SEVEN

A few days passed, Aegon and Denera meeting in the library most nights, reading together, sharing their lives whilst they'd be apart, but mostly, just taking eachother in. They felt safe together, like they were one whole person rather than two broken souls.

Alicent had called on Denera that morning, after breakfast, she made her way to the queens chambers, dreading what she would want to speak about. "How are you dear?" The queen spoke sweetly, patting the cushion next to her as she usually did. "Well, your grace" Danera replied, trying to provide as little information as possible. Paranoid the queen knew about her secret meetings with Aegon, the last thing she needed was to be in disgrace. "Your mother has written" Alicent began, "it seems you are due back on Dragonstone." Danera looked confused. After almost a moon, her mother had not wanted to speak to her, ignoring the letter she had sent, but now she was expected back, summoned like a servant. "Do you know why, your grace" staying polite to ensure she could find out as much information as she needed. "It seems you have been betrothed to a Stark" Alicent explained, seeming as unhappy as Denera herself. "What!" Denera shouted, standing up. "Who is this Stark lord, I do not know of him, my mother has not consulted me" she continued to shout. "As with many marriages my dear, the last people to be consulted are the betrothed" Alicent tried to comfort her, a rare occasion where she knew how the girl felt. Before Alicent could continue, Denera had left, searching for the only person who could halt everything, Aegon.

She ran up to him, not taking notice of the surrounding lords, ladies and servants. "Aegon, please, I must speak with you" breathless, she managed to get the words out. He took her hand, and walked towards the gardens, the only place they could speak privately without inducing rumours of scandal. Tears running down her face by the time they slid behind the tree, into the secret clearing. "I...have been...betrothed" Danera blubbered. It was the first time Aegon had noticed how young she still was, she looked like a helpless child. Shocked at her words he knew he had to be strong whilst she was upset, not letting his anger at the news get the better of him. "To who" he replied, seeming a little too unemotional. "I'm not sure, a Stark, my mother has arranged it" Danera explained, tears still streaming down her face. Pulling her into his chest, trying to think of the best course of action. He wouldn't let her marry some random lord she didn't know, the thought of him having her made him feel sick to his stomach. After calming her down, insisting he would make things right, he left Danera curled up in her bed.

Heading straight to his mothers chambers, he burst in, finding not only his mother, but Aemond. "Mother I must speak with you" Aegon was stern. "Yes" she said expectantly. "Without him" he replied, glaring at Aemond. Reluctantly Aemond dismissed himself, however, unbeknown to his mother and Aegon, he stayed listening outside the door. "She cannot marry that Stark boy" Aegon, struggling to withhold his temper began. "And why would that concern you, you have never cared for the girl before" his mother sat down, barely listening to him, only angering Aegon further. "I was a child" he almost shouted. "Betroth her to me, mother, think of the advantage you would have, we could strengthen my claim" Aegon played at his mothers one weakness, her desire for power, well, her desire to please her father. "Mhm" Alicent thought for a moment, her son was right, the people would be more likely to support Aegon as king with Rhaenyra's daughter by his side. "I shall consult with the king" his mother finally spoke after a moment of silence. "Is that it?!" Aegon began to shout again. "My stupid sister is ruining her daughters life, she does not care for her, only for the crown!" His mother refused to speak any further on the matter, as Aegon pushed the door to leave. Knocking into Aemond, his face looking just as angered as his brother. "You will not marry her" Aemond shoved Aegon into the stone wall, holding his dagger to his brothers throat. "I will" Aegon had no time for Aemond, pushing him away, stalking off. Aemond only followed. "She is not a whore for the taking brother" he shouted. "Don't you think I know that" Aegon screamed back "I fucking love her." Aemond stopped in his tracks, stunned at Aegons confession, as Aegon stormed away.

-

Danera, still silently crying, was curled up on her bed, refusing to let anyone see her. Although Danera and her mother did not see eye to eye, she thought her mother would at least consult her before marrying her off to a lord she didn't know. After everything her mother went through, she understood as much as anyone. Shouting could be heard outside her chambers, instantly sitting up, she heard Aegon demanding to be let in. "Open the fucking door or I will break it down myself" he shouted, he'd clearly lost his temper long before coming to see her. Danera stepped over to the door, opening it slightly. "It's okay, Ser, he can come in" she spoke to the guard, taken aback that the princess would let the young prince in her chambers, he stepped to one side. Aegon walked in, smirking at the guard for getting his own way, closing the door and instantly bringing Danera into his arms. "What's going to happen?" She started to sob again. "Shh" he stroked her head, "it will be fine." He wasn't sure what would happen, but he knew he needed to reassure her. Danera looked exhausted, "lie down" Aegon suggested. She moved over to the bed settling herself. Aegon moved behind her, with one arm over her, holding her close. They didn't speak, just enjoyed what they thought to be their last night together. "Maybe it's over Aegon" Danera sniffled, her voice barely audible. Aegon lifted himself up, looking into her eyes with one hand stroking the hair out of her face. He paused, trying to think of the right thing to say, but before he could speak, she continued. "This can't continue" she said quietly. "Why" , his face worried, did she not want this anymore? "Everything is about to change, you and I are destined for disaster" she said looking back at him. "I will fix this" he said, "it will be okay, I promise." He'd never meant a promise so much in his life, he wouldn't let her down this time. They spent the night in eachothers arms, Aegon refused to leave her side. Still fully clothed, they fell asleep.

-

The next morning, they were awoken by Elena, she saw the pair and scurried out, not wanting to endure an awkward encounter. They both giggled at eachother, "scandalous" Aegon laughed sarcastically, dramatically putting his hands in the air. "It's nice to see you smile again" he kissed her gently "I need to go and get ready for the day, but I will see you again for breakfast, my love." Danera blushed at her nickname, she would never get over how it made her feel. They kissed again, before Aegon left.

Elena returned to ready the princess, she barley spoke, not wanting to say the wrong thing. The door flew open behind them, the queen entering. "Apologies for the intrusion, but your mother has requested you at once, she wants you to ready yourself and fly back this morning" Alicent said, trying to remain emotionless. "I cannot go, this is not what I want" Danera filled with further fury. "I know dear, but duty calls" Alicent put her hand on her shoulder, bringing her in for a hug. Danera wanted to collapse there and then. Although she had barely seen the queen in the time she had been there, she had been more affectionate to Danera than her own mother ever had.

Without being allowed to say goodbye to Aegon, Danera was hurried to her dragon. At least she felt safe with Starlight, she hadn't been allowed to ride her in weeks. The dragon immediately stepped over to her, nuzzling into her, almost pushing Danera over. A smile slipped onto her face through the tears. "Hi girl" she said, sniffing. Danera mounted the dragon, who immediately raised herself up. She didn't even need to mention a word, it was like she could read her mind.

The wind dried the tears onto her face, leaving only anger in her heart. She vowed she would do everything to stop this marriage.