Born to Die

Chapter 6

"Aemeryn!" Aemeryn turned at her name being called to see Aegon running down the hallway to catch up to her.

"Aegon," she replied with a smile before she continued her walk.

"Where are you headed?"

"To the gardens to meet with Aemond, Helaena, and the children for this ridiculous tourney."

"So that's where they went," Aegon muttered as he straightened his dark green tunic. He glanced at Aemeryn's profile before sighing. "You're a very lucky girl, Aemeryn."

Aemeryn turned at hearing the sadness in his voice and slowed her steps. The tourney wouldn't start without them, and she could give a damn if they were a little late. "Why is that, Uncle?"

"You're loved by everyone in this family. Well, Aemond doesn't, but he did at one point. Actually, Aemond doesn't count. He doesn't even know how he feels about you."

"Thanks for the great talk, Aegon," Aemeryn muttered as she rolled her eyes. She glanced over at him and noticed a bruise forming on his cheek. "What happened?"

Aegon glanced at her and waved her away when she tried to look at it. Aemeryn moved to stand in front of him so he had to stop moving. She carefully touched around his bruise with a frown. Aegon flinched slightly, but stayed quiet.

"Aegon, who did this?"

"It doesn't matter who did it, Em. This has been my life for a very long time."

"Alicent or Otto?" Aegon looked at her in surprise. Aemeryn wasn't making fun of him or asking what he did to be hit. She was concerned about his well being.

"There's no touch quite like a mother's."

"Do you think you're not loved?"

"I'm not even liked," Aegon let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "My father has despised me since birth simply because I was male. Everyone pressured him to name me heir, but he never has. I'm a bitter disappointment to my mother. Helaena barely knows that I exist, and Aemond wants to tear me limb from limb."

"Surely, your children love their father? I know your niece loves her uncle dearly."

Aegon looked down at Aemeryn and smiled sadly. "I love you too, Aemeryn. I've always had you, at least."

"You always will," Aemeryn promised as she grabbed Aegon's hand as they continued their walk.

Aegon stayed silent beside her but would squeeze her hand randomly. She hoped he would tell her why Alicent hit him so hard in the face that it bruised, but she wasn't going to push her luck.

Aemond was leaning against the Godswood tree as he watched Helaena's twins run circles around each other. His eye drifted to Aemeryn and Aegon as they walked to them. He frowned when he saw they were holding hands.

Aemeryn smiled softly, but it fell when she saw his face. His eye was set on their entwined hands, and Aemeryn rolled her eyes.

"See?" Aegon whispered as he let her go and moved away to go to Helaena. Aemeryn stared at her angry husband and put her hands on her hips. Aemond stopped right in front of her, and Aemeryn had to tilt her head back to look at his face.

He was wearing all black like he always did. His hair was pinned back in its usual fashion, and his eyepatch was firmly in place. His sword was sheathed on one hip, and his dagger on the other. Aemond kept his hands behind his back and stared at Aemeryn until he heard Helaena and Aegon walk off with their children.

"What are you going to do? Stab me?" Aemeryn asked as she moved around Aemond and began to walk in the direction of the tourney grounds. Aemond took her in for a moment before following her.