Familiarity ||| Jacaerys Velaryon

twenty-two

Alyssa had always been wonderful at getting places she wasn't supposed to be. Especially into the chambers of her betrothed. Alone.

She didn't intend to do anything. It was truly only to ensure he knew that he'd done well. To make sure he was okay after what happened in the hall. He'd defended her and his brothers. That counted for something.

Jace was pacing when Alyssa slipped through the door and shut it behind her. She'd watched his knight and waited for him to take a walk, and stretch his legs.

The noise of the door closing startled Jace out of pacing. And when he saw who it was in his chambers, he became even more confused. "Alyssa?" He questioned, watching her apprehensively.

"What kind of woman would I be if I didn't make sure you were alright?" Alyssa asked, raising her scarred brow as she reached down and took hold of his hands. "Thank you. Aegon is a twat."

She brought his hands up and found that he'd also split his knuckles punching Aemond. Alyssa smiled and shook her head.

Jace didn't feel as though his actions had compared to Alyssa punching and forcing Aegon's face into the table. But he'd tried, especially against Aemond. Who was bigger and stronger.

Alyssa glanced at Jace and kissed his injured knuckles, softly dropping his hands to turn and grab a cloth from the wash basin. She knew his neck was going red again, it would take him time to realize many of his wishes would come true.

She took a cloth and wrung it out, returning to Jace and taking him to sit on the bed. Alyssa delicately held his right hand in hers and used the cloth to clean the dried blood from his knuckles.

"He's jealous, by the way. He wishes he were in your place," Alyssa said, making sure she'd cleaned all the blood from Jace's hand.

Without a word, Jace took the damp cloth from Alyssa and returned the favour. Holding her soft hand in his as he cleaned her knuckles. It stung but Alyssa ignored it.

A bit of that bickering had gotten to Jace that night. Alyssa could see it.

"He will never be in your place, I promise you that," Alyssa paused the movements of his hand, putting hers over his. He'd cleaned her knuckle sufficiently. "And I will be well-satisfied. He needn't worry."

Jace blushed again, cheeks going red. He couldn't seem to find the words. Didn't know if he should thank her or tell her that they really shouldn't.

Alyssa pulled her hands away and took the cloth from him. "I didn't come here to seduce you, Jace. I came to make sure you weren't hurt," Alyssa assured, standing from the bed to put the cloth back by the wash basin.

That seemed to shake him out of his stupor. Jace shook his head. "No, I know. Thank you," he said sincerely, following her off of the bed. "Your assurances mean much. I... look forward to the day we are wed."

Jace took Alyssa's hands again, hoping he hadn't offended her with his uncertainty. He truly had thought about it, all of it. But there were many feelings involved.

"As do I. But I've also come to say goodbye."

That had him confused. Was she running off somewhere? Leaving him because of something that happened that night?