Come Back To Me

Chapter 27

Days had gone by without a word from Dragonstone on the condition of Lady Baela. Alicent remained locked away in her chambers, refusing to see or speak to anyone.

The only person who got to see the green queen was her dying king. It was the only thing stabilizing her as she tended to him every night. The only thing that kept her from picking.

Her eyes were so vacant, bloodshot from the nights she cried herself to sleep.

She picked and she picked at the skin around her nails, until they were shredded with dried blood crusting around them.

That day played over and over in her head.

"How dare you! You use your son as some pawn to destroy my own family?! You are just as vile as your father! Seven hells, I wouldn't be surprised if it was you behind Daena's attack!" Rhaenyra spat as she stormed towards Syrax with the remainder of her children already off to Dragonstone.

Alicent trailed closely behind her, reaching for her arm. "Rhaenyra, I swear! I had nothing to do with either of the attacks on your daughters!"

"Lies!" Rhaenyra turned with fire in her eyes, Syrax rising tall with a low growl. Alicent took a step back, trembling with fear. "I trusted you...like a fool...you will always be your father's daughter, Alicent Hightower."

"How dare you! I have done nothing but try to fix everything from your daughter and my son to us!" Alicent built up as much courage as she could stomach.

"There. Is. No. Us." Rhaenyra took a step forward, towering over the green queen. "That became quite clear the moment you went to my father's bed chambers."

"You know I had no choice!" Alicent stomped with tears swimming in her eyes.

"Did your father hold a blade to your throat?! Did he drag you into my father's bed chambers?! No! You went willingly because you are weak. Whether you are behind this or not, your father most definitely was behind all these..." Rhaenyra smirked to herself, rolling her eyes. "...I wouldn't be surprised if Aemond was involved in this-."

"Aemond would never do such a thing!" Alicent suddenly straightened up with a fire of her own brewing at the accusation of her son.

"Regardless...when I return, I will have my throne...and you and your family will return to Old Town and stay away from my family. All of you. Until then, I suggested you keep your family far away from Dragonstone or else you will see how Fire and Blood is served." Rhaenyra would have the last word as she marched off to mount Syrax, leaving a broken queen.

Alicent sobbed and sobbed until she collapsed into nothing against the dirt, being carried off by the guards.

Aemond was going insane as every day passed. His mother told him Baela was poisoned, but she didn't know by whom. He'd almost laughed to himself, almost wishing she'd die, but then he thought of Daena.

She was so quick to save the very same person who ripped them apart. And she hadn't sent a word to him since. His mother forbade him from leaving King's Landing. He'd almost dismissed her until she told him what his half sister had to say upon her departure.

All he could picture was it happening all over again. Only this time, it would be Rhaenyra pulling the strings instead of Baela. He couldn't even imagine the look on Daena's face if she saw him. The last time she looked at him was with such disappointment. How could she not believe he was capable enough of something?

And it picked at him every single second. Why did everyone always see him as a monster? Why did everyone dismiss him? Why did the one person who always swore she'd never leave him, abandon him again and again? Why did he feel so betrayed by her?