The Gathering Storm | Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 28

The three Velaryons landed in the court yard of the Red Keep just as the sun was dipping down to kiss the western horizon.

The flight had taken more energy out of Haera than she would have liked, her body slumped in the saddle. Her brothers had chosen to forego the Dragonpit as it would have made for an even longer journey on horseback from the hill of Rhaenys to Aegons High hill.

Their arrival had clearly startled the guards in the courtyard, the handful of men moving quickly to regain their composure. Jace and Luke were off their dragons quickly, rushing to assist Haera from her own saddle. Luke then moved to unstrap the crutch Maester Gerardys had forced Haera to bring with her.

Feeling all eyes in the courtyard on her, Haera let out a huff as Luke guided her forward. "Please throw me into the bay. This is more embarrassing than I would have liked."

Opening his mouth to speak, Lucerys was cut short as a man clad in armor and a white cloak descended into the yard, his hand resting atop his sheathed sword.

"Princess we were not expecting you and your family until tomorrow evening."

Plastering on a fake smile, Haera looked up. "Ser Criston, forgive us but our mother sent us on dragon back so that we may settle in."

At the mention of their mother, a muscle in Criston Coles jaw pulsed slightly as he clenched his jaw. His dislike of Rhaenyra plain on his features though he was trying to hide it.

"Of course. I will alert Her Grace of your arrival."

Haera nodded in turn, and with a stiff how Ser Criston turned on his heel and went back the way he had come.

"Come on, let's get you to your apartments. You're on the verge of collapse." With a steady hand on her shoulder, Jace walked slowly besides Haera as Luke held her hand on the other.

As the three siblings entered into the belly of the Red Keep, Haera could feel any remaining ease in her body, seep from her and disappear into the red stone walls. Daemon was going to tear into her the moment he saw her and she didn't even want to thing about the one eyed idiot no doubt lingering in the shadows somewhere.

Haera had told herself she would never come back to the Red Keep, yet here she was, limping through the halls like an idiot.

Haera had barely placed her first foot on the steps that led up towards where her quarters were when Ser Cristons annoying voice stopped all three of them in their tracks.

"Princess, Queen Alicent would like to speak with you in the throne room. She has some matters she would like to discuss with you."

Haera stumbled slightly, Luke reaching out to stabilize her as she did. "Might I rest first?"

"No. She has demanded your presence at once."

Clenching her jaw, Haera stared at the man before her. If she wasn't so weak she would have lunged at him and thrown a very solid fist into his chiseled jaw.

Fucking cunt.

"Are you mad?! My sister is in no state for that—" Jace spat, his hand still resting on Haeras shoulder as he did.

Ser Criston remained unfazed, hands folded neatly behind his back. "Your Queen has given you a command. Follow it or there will be consequences."

Haera could feel the anger radiating off her brother in waves, Jace no doubt ready to start a fight at any given moment. "Jace, calm yourself. If our grandmother wants to see us. . . So be it."

She was moving before her brothers were, the two boys sharing a look as they helped her back down the step and deeper into the Keep.

As they passed Ser Criston, Haera stopped to look at him. "You're a brainless cunt, I hope you know that."