labour.

xi.

When the children returned to their solar, there was a tense atmosphere waiting in the drawing room. The King was sitting in a chair, his eyes facing the roaring fire as his hand clenched and unclenched around the handle of his cane. Nyra looked to Aegon, his hand taking hold of hers as Alicent was leading Aemond in. "Hurry along to bed, children; I wish to talk with your mother." Eyes were darting, freezing as they looked at Alicent who gave a small nod.

They passed by her first, the same routine they had had since they were little. Aegon was first to receive a kiss to his hairline, a hand stroking through his hair before Helaena, then Aemond with a whisper of something in his ear. "Goodnight, my loves." Alicent told them as the first three began to ascend. Nyra was next, her mother cradling her cheeks before pressing her kiss against warm forehead, and then Daeron who she squeezed the hand of and kissed his cheek; the younger boy seeking a deep cuddle from his mother who swatted him gently to get him to join them.

"Come one, Daeron." Nyra said, holding out her hand for her younger brother who took hold of it, and followed along.

Aegon led them, taking the stairs to where their chambers sat. They all knew what their father wanted to discuss with their mother, just no one was dumb enough to question why. Alicent had done something foolish and reckless, but she did do what any mother would have done. And Nyra had no doubt that if Rhaenyra had called the same, an eye would have been placed in her lap. It made her sick with anger, the very thought begging her to go downstairs and finish the job for Alicent.

"Goodnight." Daeron whispered to everyone, Helaena joining him as the two went to their rooms. Nyra smiled to him as the door closed before going to make her way to her own. But there was a strong hand keeping her still, and a soft eye gazing at her. Aemond hesitated at his door, taking in Nyra who was still clinging to her eldest brother. "Will you join me, Nyra?" He asked, hand clasping the wood.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'll come join you in a moment." She told him, a forced small smile on her lips. He seemed content with that, letting himself turn into the room before closing the door, leaving the other two outside. She didn't even know what to say to him, finding it far easier to have slunk back to her room with her thoughts racing a thousand miles an hour.

"I'm sorry, Nyra. I should have been there." Aegon told her after a moment, his head dropping, the curls of silver covering him from view. "I've been an idiot."

Her head cocked, looking up to him before frowning. "Aegon, you're not an idiot." She told him. "No one could have known they would have reacted that way, that Rhaena wanted to claim that dragon." She said softly, shaking her head.