Aemma Velaryon was the spitting image of her mother; she had pale silver hair, fair skin, and dazzling blue eyes. She was a Targaryen in all sense but her last name which she bore from her father Laenor Velaryon. She was the younger twin of Lucerys...
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Aemma slipped under the water in the bath, wondering if she could drown herself. She sighed as her own mind forced her to rise to the surface and gasp for air. She tried not to look at the purple splotches that lined her body, caused by the fall that had killed her.
"I wish things were different," Helaena said as she helped Aemma out of the bath, wrapping her snugly in a robe. Mya had attempted to help, but she kept crying and Aemma had sent her away.
"As do I." Aemma kept her gaze lowered as Helaena led her to the vanity. Aemma had not been permitted to leave her chambers, but Helaena urged them to let Aemma ready herself in the Queen's apartments.
"Your mother would have loved that you wore her wedding dress," Helaena said as she wrapped her arms around Aemma, smiling at her through the mirror.
"It is quite a shame she won't see it." Aemma closed her eyes, imagining it was her mother readying her for her wedding. Aemma had always wondered what her and Aemond's wedding would look like; the colors, the food, her dress. None of it mattered now.
"I think you look perfect." Helaena pressed a kiss onto Aemma's cheek, frowning after someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?"
"The King, Your Grace." The guard called out, but Aegon already strode in, holding a hand up to silence the guard. He wore his crown on his head, but quickly removed it and tossed it aside.
"You shouldn't be here while she's getting ready." Helaena folded her arms over each other, sighing when Aegon sat down.
"If I have to suffer through another one of those fucking small council meetings." He rubbed a hand over his tired face. "My apologies, Helaena, but may I speak with Aemma?" Helaena nodded but did not move. "Alone."
"Oh, then no." Helaena shrugged and turned back to Aemma, grabbing a brush and ripping through the knots. "You may see her when she is ready."
Aemma almost felt the urge to smile as Aegon frowned, growing impatient.
"I am the King and I demand-"
"I am the Queen, and I politely invite you to stop talking and leave. I will send for you when we are finished." Helaena glanced at Aegon through the mirror, chuckling as he slammed the door behind him.
"Fucking move." Aemma could hear Aegon shove the guard out of the way.
"Apologies, my King." The guard said gruffly.
Aemma glanced in the mirror, pleased with the braids Helaena had managed to pin to her head. She wondered what her father and Viserys would have thought if they were here to see it. Aemma imagined her father would cry as he walked her down the aisle, and no doubt be very reluctant in removing the Velaryon cloak from her shoulders.
Luke had never wanted Aemma to get married, even when they were children. Luke had begged and begged for Aemma to go to Dragonstone with them, even offering his own hand in marriage. Aemma wondered how much everything could have changed if her mother agreed. Their last night together in Kings Landing had been a sweet memory Aemma nearly forgot about; their conversation in the dark about their mangoes and trips to the Summer Isles. Oh, what Aemma wouldn't give to see him one more time.
Helaena felt the air of melancholy that had settled over Aemma, and she wished she could do more for her, but there is only so much that can be done for pain that isn't physical.
"You look beautiful," Helaena said as she pulled Aemma up. "Now, it's time for the dress!" She felt bad for being excited, but she was just glad Aemma was alive to have a wedding at all.
Aemma looked in the full-length mirror, a surprising rush of emotions overcoming her. Helaena stood behind Aemma and wrapped her arms around her as she cried softly.
"I have nobody here," Aemma said, wiping at her tears. "Not even my father to walk me." Aemma had missed her father terribly, but it was moments like these, where fathers were supposed to be there for their daughters, that hurt even more. "Grandsire is dead, Luke is dead, Jace is..."
"I am here, Aemma. I will always be here, for you." Helaena rubbed Aemma's arms and kissed her shoulder. Aemma rested her head on Helaena, grateful that she was here to help.
"Is she done yet? It truly cannot take this long for her to ready herself." Aegon knocked at the door, letting out a dramatic sigh. Helaena threw open the door, glaring at her husband, but he simply walked past her and pushed her out behind him, turning and shutting the door.
Aegon could not describe the feeling that hit him square in his chest as he gazed upon Aemma, looking otherworldly in her wedding gown. How often he had pictured her dressed in white, spouting vows to him to bind them together forever. But here she was, dressed in white, about to spout her vows to Aemond.
Aegon's eyes raked over her body before darting to her face as she sniffled and wiped away her tears. He was in front of her in an instant, cupping her face gently.
"What is it?" He wanted to kick himself for asking such a stupid question. Aemma said nothing as she stared at him, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"I don't want this." Aemma shook her head, pulling Aegon close as she cried into his chest. "I always imagined it- but not like this."
Aegon silently held Aemma, wishing he could sneak her out of the castle and send her back to Dragonstone, but he knew he couldn't. He was a puppet on a string, and no matter how many times he tried to cut the strings, his blade grew dull.
Aemma felt so empty and hollow without Luke, she hated it. He brought her warmth and happiness, and he loved her just as much as she loved him. Aemma grieved constantly, knowing nobody would ever come close to her older brother. All she wanted was to feel a little less empty, even for a few moments.
"Aegon..." She whispered, pulling away from his embrace.
Aegon hated himself for the way he glanced down at her lips, still wanting her after all these years, even on the day of her wedding. Aemma was everything; his best friend, his love, his heart. She was the one who forced him back to his feet, dragged him to the Sept of Baelor, and forced him to wed, she was the one his children looked up to.
Aemma wanted to pause her pain, even if it was just a few short seconds. Aemma's hands slowly slid up Aegon's back and over his shoulders, grabbing the collar of his black velvet doublet. Aegon said nothing, his breath quickening at their proximity. It would be so easy to angle his head downward and close the space between them. Just her touch had him stiffening in his breeches, but he knew he couldn't. He wouldn't.
Aemma's hand left his collar, tangling in his hair as she pulled him down toward her and crushed her lips against his. Aegon savored the sweet taste of her lips, the way her hand tugged at his hair, and the way she pressed herself to him before he pulled away.
"Aemma..." He breathed.
"Please." She begged, looking up at Aegon with her tear-filled eyes. "Aegon, please."
Aegon groaned as his lips met hers once more. The kiss was passionate and surpassed anything Aegon had ever imagined. He moaned as Aemma palmed him, rubbing her hand against the tight fabric of his pants. Aegon dropped to his knees, pushing up Aemma's skirts as he sloppily kissed up her leg, letting his tongue trail up her inner thigh.
"No!" Aegon snapped to his senses, abruptly standing and facing away from Aemma as he recollected himself. She was getting married, and to his brother. He would not do this, especially not when she's mad with grief.
"You love me." Aemma was breathless, and her face flushed from her arousal. "We both know it, so show me. Show me how much you love me."
Aegon turned and grabbed her neck as he pulled her to him in one final kiss, savoring every detail so that he may never forget it.
"I love you," A weight lifted off of Aegon's chest as he finally spoke the words aloud. "But you are not mine."
Aemma said nothing, her eyes roaming over Aegon's face before she fixed her skirts. The hollowness had returned, and so had Aemma's wit.
"I am to hand you off to Aemond. We should be going." Aegon turned and walked out of the room quickly, not waiting for Aemma to follow.
