The Prince and His Flower

T W E N T Y - S I X

As Aegon lay in bed next to his sleeping sister-wife, his thoughts went back to where they always did; Aemma. He sighed as he rubbed his hand over his face and walked toward the balcony that overlooked Blackwater Bay, his head pounding.

Aegon was not a man of gentle nature; he took what he wanted when he wanted. He had no disagreements about it, he knew that he had no duties, no responsibilities. When his mother announced his betrothal to Aemma, he was disgusted. She was no more than a little girl, an obstacle toward what he truly wanted, freedom. He tried to keep up appearances, spending time with her, flying with her, and he had admitted to himself that he tolerated, and sometimes even enjoyed, her company. 

But he ruined it, as he ruined everything. He was more loyal to a cup of wine than he was to his betrothed, and just as quickly as he obtained her, he lost her. He was relieved, at first, when his mother broke off their betrothal. He got what he wanted, his freedom, yet it was taken away again, by Helaena. He loved his sister, truly, but she was not someone he saw himself loving, or fucking, for that matter. He spent many a night with whores and servants, doing as he pleased, for years. But as he fucked and drank his way through the years, Aemma changed. Once her father died, she was this cynical, damaged girl with bags under her eyes and bandages around her hands. 

It had broken Aegon's heart when he saw how destroyed she was when she returned to Kings Landing, her eyes scabbed over and dull. Her dragon seemed to feel her pain, roaring through all hours of the night as she undoubtedly cried herself to sleep. He recalled the first day she had smiled and laughed at breakfast as he fed her.

 He smiled to himself as he stared out into the Bay. Aegon wondered what it was about his words that had brought some form of joy to her, but it did, and after that day, he made it his mission to make her smile whenever he could, so that the broken girl she once was did not seep in between the cracks of her barely stitched together heart, held together by jokes about her appearance and her hands.

Aegon returned to his chambers to pour himself a cup of wine before returning to the balcony, sipping it slowly. He had more fun with Aemma on his wedding night than he did with his wife. 

"Wife." He said the word aloud. It felt foreign on his tongue, and it made him feel strange to think that Helaena was his wife of all people. 

"Wife. Wife. Helaena is my wife." He repeated, trying to get used to the concept. It was then he wished more than anything to go back in time and undo what he did. Aegon had spent years trying to chase freedom, but he never knew where to find it. It was Aemma. She was his freedom, his lifeline. She was the one to pick him up, to clean his vomit off of himself. She had been the one to force him to return to the Keep for his dreadfully boring wedding. 

Aegon had been imagining Aemma as he stood on the dais reciting his vows, wondering how it would feel to kiss her soft lips, her hands on his face, clutching him tighter, molding him to her. 

He would never know, for the honor of marrying Aemma Velaryon went to his brother.

Aegon threw his cup of off the balcony, watching it shatter against the spikes that lined the moat of Maegor's Holdfast. He imagined it was his heart, splintered and bleeding. Aegon had fucked his fair share of women, but none ever made him feel like Aemma did. She spoke to him, mind and soul, she had captured him without even trying. He felt like a bird, trapped in a cage, with a weight chained to his feet.

"Aemma Targaryen, my wife." Aegon smiled as the words rolled off his tongue. It felt so easy with Aemma, so comfortable. Aegon knew he wasn't a good man, and he could take Aemma if that is what he wished, but he loved her. He loved so strongly, so deeply, he knew if he were to have her, he would break her. 

She had looked so beautiful that evening as they danced around the room, drinking merrily. Aegon had never seen her look so joyous, so free. Her smile shone brighter than dragonfire, her face aglow as she laughed and spun. Aegon lightly brushed his hand against his shoulder, where Aemma's hand had been, and smiled.

Aegon silently congratulated Aemond for being the better brother, the better man. They were all but children when Aemond told Aegon of his feelings for Aemma. Aegon would have been lying if he said he did not see it as a challenge at first, but as he truly grew to care for Aemma, he could not help but crave her company. Aemond had continued to tell Aegon of his affections, even now, years later. Aegon wanted nothing more than to take Aemma to wife, to hear her scream his name, but he knew he had his chance, and that was long gone. 

He only hoped Aemond would not squander it.

"Aegon?" Helaena called out from the bed, rubbing her tired eyes. As Aegon turned to return to his marriage bed with his wife, he imagined it was Aemma calling his name.

A/N Sorry guys I know I didn't update for like 2 days! I was struggling with coming up with something for this chapter then I thought "Let's make it an angsty Aegon POV" so I hope you like it!! Please, feel free to comment and give me suggestions of what you wanna see in the story!