❝ There was a feeling of inevitability when I met you. And our lives were fated to converge like some cosmic dance. And I think I had to break your heart and you had to break mine. ❞
As Cressida Black's lungs ceased to draw breath, Aurelia Martell's...
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December 110 AC
As she lay in the dark, Daemon's arm around her waist, Aurelia put a hand to her belly, tears slowly gliding down her cheeks. She dared not wake her husband, did not want to worry him with troubles of her own but ever since she had told him of her pregnancy, almost three months prior as they explored the islands, her nights had been filled with naught but anxiety.
She did not know what had brought this fear to light, to the forefront of her mind where it resided during the dark hours of the night but she was terrified it was a warning from the gods. That they were trying to warn her.
Over and over she began to relive Baelon's death, remembered how weak he felt during those three days, the sound of his little breaths, his face pale as he fought to stay alive.
She was afraid, terrified that she or the babe would die. She feared that without magic or modern technology, the birth would be tragic.
What if this was a warning? What if all these fears were a true warning that death was to come....that her babe would not survive. She knew in her heart she could not bear it, she could not survive losing a child.
Perhaps she was never meant to be a mother, her mind would suggest, but she was quick to push the thought away.
In an instant she bolted into an upright position, Daemon jerking awake with her sudden movement.
"Aurelia?" He asked hurriedly, though still trying to fully wake, taking her face gently in his hands and frowning when he found his palms wet with tears. "Aurelia, what's the matter?"
"Nothing," she whispered with a shake of her head. "It's nothing, Daemon, truly. Go back to sleep. I was just thinking about the babe."
The Prince looked rather unconvinced at her explanation but could tell that then was not the time to press for a true explanation and so simply gathered her into his arms, pressing soft kisses to the damp trails left by her tears on her skin.
"All will be well," he told her as she trembled slightly against him, trying to keep her breathing in check. "You and our child shall be well."
Aurelia merely nodded mutely, wrapping her arms around Daemon's neck so that she could press herself gently against him, the need for his warmth almost overwhelming her. Closing her eyes, she tried to push away her remaining tears and focus on the steady beat of her husband's heart, hoping that would soothe her mind.
Though, she knew, that her fear would only return come morning, most likely more daunting than ever before.
━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━
Liane feels undressed in Keira's borrowed Pentoshi dress— in truth it feels more like a slip or a chemise than a dress — but she cannot deny that it's more comfortable than the clothes she'd been trapped in since arriving here moons ago. She sits on the edge of the small lake while the Velaryon siblings and Keira splash about, and finds herself smiling at the sight. Keira does look like part of the family in some lights. From what she knows of Princess Rhaenys, it would be easy to think Keira simply takes more after her mother. She hasn't summoned up the courage to ask after Keira's parents, to know if her suspicions are correct, but moments like this make her certain she's right.
