The Prince and His Flower

S E V E N T Y - T H R E E

When Aemma opened her eyes, she thought she had been blinded. The world around her was black, not a single shape or ray of light peeking through. She wanted to wipe at her eyes but her entire body ached. 

A small groan escaped her lips, and she instantly felt cool fingers on her cheek.

"Aemma, just rest." Aemond was more soft-spoken than usual, his voice quiet and filled with anguish.

"I can't see." Aemma whimpered, fearing she would live the rest of her days as a blind woman. She cried out, reaching for her face.

"You have bandages on your face, to protect your eyes from the sun." Aemond gently pulled her hands away, kissing them softly. "You have a concussion, and light will irritate it."

"Where is Terrax?" Aemma asked. "Is he alright? Daemon and Caraxes-"

"He is fine. The membrane of his wing was torn, but he has begun healing already. He will be well enough to fly in a few days' time." Aemond assured her. "He is where we left him; once you are well, you may see him."

"I want to see you." Aemma reached for the bandages once more, but Aemond gently grabbed her wrists. 

"You will be in even more pain if you take them off." Aemond released one of Aemma's wrists and gently brushed her hair off her forehead.

"What else happened?" Aemma asked.

Aemond was silent for a few moments as his eye roamed over the small cuts all over her face, and the gash on her temple that had needed stitches. "You have a few cuts and scrapes, and a gash on your head." He paused, his eye lowering to the dark bruises that had formed on her body. "I should have been here."

"I am glad it was me and not Daeron." Aemma swallowed. "Daemon blamed me when Visenya... he didn't have to tell me. It was my fault." 

"How would a babe being born too early ever be your fault?" Aemond stroked Aemma's hair, and she wanted nothing more than to tear off the bandages and gaze upon his handsome face, one she had not seen in months.

"It was the stress. I can't help but think if I had known more, if I had done more..." Aemma trailed off, and Aemond thought she had fallen asleep until a small sniffle alerted him that she was crying. "I should have known."

"No, you were just a girl. How could you have known?" Aemond asked, feeling guilty as Aemma wept. He had known for years, everyone knew; except Rhaenyra and her family, it seems.

"I was a stupid girl, with stupid dreams." Aemma's lips pulled into a frown. "I thought we could all be happy."

"We can." Aemond cupped her cheek. "You and I can be happy, together. Or we can be miserable and dreary for the rest of our days, whatever you choose. We can have ten children or none, all I want is for you to be happy."

"And all I want is peace." Aemma's frown deepened. "That will never happen."

"I know you have been gathering the riverlords for Rhaenyra." Aemond felt Aemma stiffen. "Under the guise that they are swearing fealty to Aegon."

Aemma remembered the last time Aemma and Luke had tried to swindle Lord Borros to their cause. "I don't know what you mean." Aemma was suddenly glad for the bandages; she was terrified, and her eyes would have shown it.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Aemond sounded hurt. "I want you to trust me."

"I swore loyalty to Aegon, I would never commit treason." Aemma's voice was shaky and she knew Aemond knew she was lying.

"Why?" Aemond asked. "Daemon had Jaehaerys killed, he tried to kill you. Your mother ignored your letters-"

"I don't think she ever received them." Aemma interrupted. "I was mad with grief, she was as well. She still is, more than likely. It is not hard to believe someone like Daemon would manipulate what she does and does not know."