An eye for an eye

Chapter 1: Legacy

"It's annoying" I mumbled. We were less than a hour from King's Landing. And I still don't get how Hightowers can be so rude. I understand why they dispute Luce as heir. But I need only one argument with Rhaena as future Lady of Driftmark and what their heiress is also a woman and Alicent couldn't answer.

But of course court doesn't need the truth. Of course, we're not in the best position. Of course, they will start spouting righteous shit. Like a woman can't sleep with three men in all her lifetime and not be considered a slut. Their rape prince is so much more virginal, with his innocent inclinations.

"We'll get through this" my mother said covering my hand with her own and gentle squeezing. Always so gentle. So forgiving.

I know that she was naive enough to think that her family would treat her the same way she treats them. And I know that they will pay for it.

"Indeed we will" I answered. "Daemon can just will kill Vaemond if he persists too much" I would like Otto to suffer the same fate, but it'll give us more problems.

"She says the right things" Daemon said, looking away from his nails.

"You two can't solve all problems by killing" Rhaenyra looked sternly at her husband and daughter. I wanted to roll my eyes. I have no need to solve all problems like that. Just 'The Hightowers' problem.

Sadly for my mother, but it won't work the way she wants. Or she will become The Queen. Or Hightowers will live happy life. And we all know that it's not a choice for us. Not for me, not for Daemon. Even not for merciful Jace.

"We can't?" he asked smirkingly.

"I'm serious, Daemon" she squints looking into his eyes.

Neither of them look away. Daemon smiles and the irritation slowly leaves my mother's face. Sometimes I wonder how my stepfather can be so active at his age.

"If you want to make sure that you created another sibling for me, then go ahead, but wait until I get out" I said moving away from them towards the deck.

"Daemys!" mother resents.

"I want a sister, if you"re interested" I said and walked away.

–

I always loved wind. It's associated with flying on dragonback. With a sense of peace and freedom. There is always wind on Dragonstone. It's felt in corridors of the castle, in the garden, on the stone cliffs. But here... Behind high walls of The Red Keep, there is no wind. And, actually, quite a lot of new design.

I see an seven-pointed star and getting sick. Sheep judge dragons.

Which legacy they want to safe if did that with with a Valyrian family house? My eye twitches with hypocrisy and I move on to leave this ugliness behind. Religious bitch.

I went to the library not wanting to sit back in my chambers in anticipation, then my boring waiting turned to boring quarrel.

"I then thought why it smelled of bastards?" Aemond said on Valyrian sitting at the table in corner.

"I don't know, uncle, may be fate has brought you to one of prince Aegon's whores?" I said indifferent.

"Well, then I need to be careful" he continued.

"It wouldn't hurt if you were careful"

I watch his jaw clench slightly and smile in my head. You started it, not me.

"I prefer to read, my prince, but I appreciate that you tried to offer your company" I turned and went to the bookshelves.

He's two years older than me, but which of us behaves like a child? I thinked what we talked enough for...

I hear footsteps already deep enough in the labyrinth of library. Really? Second round?

"Sir Criston is temporarily off duty, so he's looking for me" Aemond said more softly when he caught up with me. "Like I am the prince who needs a nurse"

"When my brothers here, you are" I answer with a little annoyance watching him look around.

His healthy eye stands out, shining almost bright enough to believe in flames within. Gods, looking so good should be illegal. Our eyes meet and I just stare at him for a few seconds, before looking away feigning boredom. I don't need to see him to know he's smirks.

"I thought you were mad at me" Aemond whispered moving close.

"I am" but it looks like he'll fix it soon.

"Won't you even call me 'uncle'?" Because of the difference in height, he has to bend over. But he doesn't need to rest his hands on the bookshelf behind me, what he also does.

"Only if you don't want to" I end up looking at him. Most time I like then he flirts. Most time.

"And why are you mad, princess?"

"Did you forget?" because I forgot. He means last flying on dragonback together? If yes, is he so idiot?

Aemond looks at me like we haven't seen each other for years instead of months. "I have a surprise for you"

"I hate surprises"

"You will like this one" he said and taked a step back, taking something out of his pocket and showing me. It's...

"Necklace? Tell me if i'm wrong, but you are Daemon adorer and... "

"And I imitate Daemon in fights, not in courtship" he interrupted. "And it's not just necklace"

I move my eyes from the necklace to him and a smile spreads across my face. "Valyrian steel?"

"At least" he rolled his eye. "Look at the tracery"

I'm looking at a rather elegant necklace. Or, rather, trying. I didn't thought I could like the look of fingers that much. "That's... dragon" I arched my eyebrow. "Original. Even too much, uncle"

"You can vex, do you know it?" Aemond said.

I hope so.

I shrugged, "At least"

"Oh fuck" he laugh taking my hand. "Let's go"

We go further from the exit through the bookshelves. There is little light here and it creates a sense of mystery. I look at our intertwined hands and Aemond's hair.

This awesome hair. I envy him more than the rest of world. Because I never had and, I think, never will have hair like his. If I didn't be so humane and stupid enough, I would ask his to cut it off and made a wig. Although if this hair would be mine and I were asked to give it, I would feed them to my dragon.

Aemond reached the wall and pushed it. Part of the wall cracked and we quickly went inside.

"Didn't know about this one" I said.

"I think it's isolated" he explained. "There is another one way out, but it's closed"

He looks back at me as if I should understand something and I frown. "But you were able to open it?"

"And now we return to the question of originality of this necklace" Aemond smile and attached the pendant of necklace to the pattern in wall. He poked in necklace inside until it clicked and opened the resulting door

"Welcome to Maegor's secret wine chambers, your highness."