Violent Delights (House of the Dragon- Aemond fanfic, Ewan Mitchell fanfic)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

"The bond of the Seven is holy and eternal."

With a puddle of Joffrey's blood still pooled on the stone floor, King Viserys had the houses of Targaryen and Velaryon gather for a much smaller more intimate vow exchange then what had been originally planned. Viserra was in a haze, her mind still reeling from the chaos that had filled that very hall not long ago. Beside her stood Laena, her mother next over. To Viserra's left was her father watching his son and new wife as they stood before the High Septon.

"A source of life and love. We stand here tonight in thanks and praise, to join two souls as one."

On Rhaenyra's side were her father and Queen Alicent as they watched the sacrament unfold. Viserra could not lift her eyes from her hands which were folded in front of her.

"Father. Mother. Warrior. Smith. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. Here, now."

She did not see their faces but the weakness, the pain, the grief in Laenor's shaky voice was enough to crush her further. "I am yours and you are mine. Whatever may come."

"I am yours and you are mine, whatever may come." Rhaenyra repeated, her voice more composed but her expression grief stricken as well when Viserra had the courage to glance up. Laenor had been given a kerchief to hold to his bloody nose but it was obvious he was using it to wipe away his tears as well. To marry after barely an hour had passed, after that horror, that brutality. For the one you love to die so. . .

Massacre. It was the only word that came to her mind. What had happened to Joffrey was a massacre. She had seen his face when they had carried his corpse away. That image would haunt her for a lifetime. Or fuel her rage. She had yet to be able to determine which.

Viserra felt a hand on her own, and turned to see Laena watching her from the corner of her eye. Her face was as solemn as the room, but her eyes were concerned. Viserra unfolded her hands and clasped her fingers with her sister's. Rhaenys turned to her daughters as Laena took her mother's hand with her free one. When Rhaenys saw the chain Laena had made her eyes found Viserra's and she gave a small nod and the tiniest of smiles. Viserra felt as if the strength of her sister and mother flowed through their joined hands and filled her with warmth. Enough warmth and strength to do what needed to be done from here on out.

"Here, in the presence of gods and men, I proclaim Laenor of House Velaryon, Rhaenyra of House Targaryen to be man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."

As the High Septon said those final words, the King fell to the floor.

.

.

"I WANT HIM DEAD!" Viserra shouted through the chambers, her composure and shock from the 'wedding' now drained and allowing her rage to take its place. Her mother and father only sighed and continued not to meet her eyes. She stormed over to where the Seasnake was sitting at a desk, her nightgown and robe billowing along her stomping feet. Her hair was down and loose, but it was no longer the straight river it was last night. It was a mess from tossing and turning in her bed unable to find sleep she had been seething so fiercely. She slammed her hands down upon the desk and bent closer to him, her father's dark eyes turned to her, the look in them reminding her to be careful of who she was speaking to. "He committed murder. Why is there no consequence to that?!"

Corlys sighed, "If it was one of our own house -"

"Joffrey has been with our family, loyal to our family for years. And now a low born knight can just come along and beat our man to death, at our celebration no less, and there will be NAUGHT DONE FOR IT!" There was silence, and in that silence Viserra knew her parents agreed with her. "Besides, he struck Laenor in the fray -"