Come Back To Me

Chapter 14

The next morning, Daena decided to sleep in late. Her late night swim wore her out more than she wanted to admit, especially when she returned to the castle and saw Aemond waiting for her with that smug smile on his face. She completely ignored him and just continued on her way back to her chambers.

Instead of her usual early morning training, she let the exhaustion claim her until it was nearly afternoon. She began to dress, but before she could slide her loose tunic over her head, something caught her attention.

Her neck.

It was atrocious to look at. There was no way she could hide this with any of her clothing.

The longer she looked at the mark on her neck, the more she remembered what caused it in the first place. She let him get the best of her. All those years of training just for her to be the one to almost greet the stranger. At his hands.

No, not again. She wasn't going to continue to hide in the shadows and just take whatever was thrown at her. It was time to show she wasn't one to be messed with. She quickly dressed, braiding her hair into one long braid that hid behind her.

She rushed down to the training yards, but stopped when she saw her brothers, Jace and Luke, practicing with their swords while on the other end Ser Cole was training Aemond and a drunken Aegon. She stayed in the shadows, behind the passing lords and ladies, just observing for an opportunity.

Jace managed to knock Luke's sword from his grip, prompting laughter across the yard. Perfect.

"Trouble there, nephew?" Aemond smirked.

"Oh, come now, my prince. The young lord is still quite strong of a lad." Cole chimed in, only making the two silver haired princes to cackle.

Luke snatched his sword from the ground, while Jace began to rush marching over to the other side with his cheeks red with rage.

"Jacerys!" Daena shouted, finally stepping into view behind Luke. Jace froze and turned to see his sister standing straight with her hands folded over her lap as she walked towards him. She turned her brother to face away from the snickering group behind them. "You know better. Let me handle this."

"I can fight them. You can't." Jace mumbled, still continuing to sneak glares behind him as he saw Cole and Aegon mocking them under their breath while Aemond just smirked at them.

"I'll bet you a pint I can." She arched her eyebrow at him. He tilted his head in confusion, but before he could say anything she cut him off. "Go over there with Luke while I handle this. Just...trust me, I need this moment."

Jace's eyes dropped with her stern tone. Finally seeing the markings on her neck. His whole face was red with so much fury he tried to turn towards his uncles, but she gripped onto his arm so tightly he couldn't move. His eyes went wide over the strength of her grip, but he relaxed and nodded with a curious smile. "Go for Cole...he's the reason my father is dead."

Her heart went out to him when she saw him walk back to Luke. He'd told her the truth about Ser Harwin and even Luke at the same time. Luke was so confused about when Aemond had called them bastards that night that Jace couldn't bear to keep him in the dark anymore.

It devastated him to lose Ser Harwin. He blamed Ser Cole for his death considering it was him who put Jace and Aegon together. It was Cole who laughed as Aegon beat on him even on the ground. It was Cole who lured Ser Harwin into a fight.

Daena nodded and turned around swiftly with a tight smile at Cole. Her hands still remained folded over her lap as her eyes narrowed slightly. Cole and Aegon just continued their laughter, but Aemond had his eye fixated on her. But little did any of the men know, she knew exactly how to instigate Cole. "Interesting you wear a white cloak, Cole. It is the color of purity after all."