Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

fourteen

Smut!!! This chapter and half of the next.

Naerys was pacing her bedchamber when she returned to her quarters. She could hardly think straight. Her thoughts, everything, were centred on him.

What he'd said. The insults he'd levied against them. That was surely the cause of her anger.

But more, her body's reactions to even just his touch. She hated him. Naerys knew it to be true. Yet the look on his face when she punched him, the feel of his hand around her arm. It had her confused.

And he hated her. It was obvious in everything he did. He insulted her and her brothers at dinner, insulted her in front of the crowds. What was she thinking? Why was she going crazy?

Did she crave pain and suffering? Is that what it was?

While she was pacing, her door opened. Naerys looked and saw her mother. And she instantly stopped, wondering what kind of scolding was coming her way.

At first, Rhaenyra didn't say anything. She only approached Naerys and picked up her right hand, looking at the dried blood. Naerys hadn't even noticed she'd split the skin.

"I understand you want to defend yourself and your brothers, my love. And the things he said were far out of line," said Rhaenyra as she ran her thumb gently over Naerys' knuckles. "But you must learn to control your anger when the only goal is to do exactly as he did. Rile you."

Rhaenyra placed one of her hands on her daughter's cheek. "I know. I'm sorry." Naerys was sorry for causing a further disturbance. Not for punching him.

The older woman leaned forward and kissed the side of Naerys' head. "We're going back to Dragonstone tomorrow a bit earlier than we planned. I think it's best if we separate ourselves, hmm?" Naerys smiled and nodded.

"Then rest well, darling. I love you more than any words can express."

They put their foreheads together and Naerys felt much calmer. She felt comfort from her mother. "I love you too."

With that, Rhaenyra kissed Naerys' head and left, closing the door on her way out.

Naerys sat on her bed for a few minutes. Thinking. Before she finally got up and began to undress herself. She undid her hair first, pulling it out of its braid.

And then she undid her boots, the mess of strings minutely aggravating her. After it was her dress. She reached around and pulled at the strings, trying to loosen them by moving her body around.

In the middle of it, though, she heard her door open again. Naerys assumed it was Rhaenyra again. With a sigh, Naerys spoke before she turned.

"Ugh, thank the Gods. You must help me with-" her heart shot into her throat when she saw who was actually in her chambers. "What the fuck are you doing in here?!"

Aemond Targaryen. He looked agitated, angry. Determined. And he said nothing as he rubbed his face and walked toward Naerys.

"Have you come to call me a bastard again? You know I can scream once and guards will be here. Or maybe I won't scream, deny you the mercy of-"