The Dragon in the North - Aemond Targaryen

7.

Vyara's POV

I have been sitting in silence for what feels like hours under the weirwood tree. My knees hurt. No one is around, no one prays to the old Gods here.

I clamber to my feet; my muscles are still weak. I presume the victory party will be arriving soon, so I head back to my apartment.

As soon as I enter the building someone walks straight into me. I almost fall over from the force. I look at whatever has hit me and see silver hair. Big hands grab my shoulders and steady me. My skin prickles. I look up into the face of Aemond Targaryen. Great, I thought I would have avoided anyone at this time.

I get a proper look at him in the light for the first time, a huge scar running almost the length of his face across his left eye, partially covered by an eye-patch. His other eye stares into mine intently. His face is long, and his bone structure is unbelievable. His lips pout as he looks at me. He could be an incubus, partly terrifying and partly staggering.

"Prince Aemond, my apologies I..." I say quickly, continuing to look at him. He looks confused.

"Vyara?" he asks after a moment, of course, he doesn't recognise me from the dying wisp he met a month ago. My shoulders pulse where he still holds me.

I continue looking into his eyes, waiting for him to realise. He looks me up and down again and says, "I didn't recognise you cousin, you look well."

I smile at him politely, trying to think of a reason to escape. He finally let's go of me and I'm distracted by the sensation. I'm too late to escape when he speaks again, "I was looking for you, will you dine with me?"

I almost sigh aloud but I compose myself. The last thing I want to do is dine with Aemond Targaryen, but I cannot decline. I can feel the anxiety rising in my stomach and know I need to get as far as possible from him for a moment, "Of course, cousin, can you spare me ten minutes to return to my rooms?"

He nods at me, "Yes, tell your servants to take you to my chambers when you are ready. Do not rush," I half courtesy at him and turn, walking away. As soon as I turn the corner and am no longer in sight, I let myself panic. I hold my heart as I feel it beating out of my chest as I quickly return to my chambers.

I don't think as I walk, as soon as I'm inside I sit down and hold myself, willing myself not to cry. I don't want this social situation, and there is something unsettling about Aemond Targaryen, why does everyone want to spend time with me?

I go to my bathroom and cut myself five times, quickly. I let the pain wash through me and go to my mirror. I can do this; I pretend I'm fine every day. Alicent and Rhaenyra seem to be the only ones who really know I am not. I hope he hasn't spoken to Alicent about me.

I walk out of my rooms, knowing if I ponder for another moment I will not go. I ask my serving girl to take me to the prince's chamber and I follow her. I turn off my emotions, knowing I can't afford to have a breakdown in front of the heir to the throne.

The guards outside his door announce me loudly, "Lady Vyara Manderly, your grace," no one seems to know if I'm a Manderly or a Stark, I'm not even sure myself.

I enter Aemond's dining chamber, and I am taken aback by the beauty of the room. Instead of the pure gold that is prominent in the Red Keep, this room is much darker, mostly made from a dark marble I've never seen before. I would like this room for my own, it suits my mood better. Everything is dark and solemn, maybe he is an incubus after all.

He rises from his seat and strides towards me. He kisses me on both cheeks, which they tend to do in King's Landing, I still can't get used to their odd pleasantries here. My cheeks tingle and I do not like the affect my handsome cousin has when he touches me, I decide in that moment I do not like Aemond Targaryen. I wish I was in my chambers, alone.