The Passion of a Thousand Suns | Aemond Targaryen

Thirty eight: a burn so deep

THE CROWNLANDS

Aemond,

I'm alive. I will be at Duskendale in three days, meet me there and I will explain everything.

I'm sorry, so, so, sorry. Please believe me when I say I had no hand in this.

I love you.

Your wife, Hira.

Tightly rolling the scroll, Hira passed it to Mysaria's accomplice, Melia, who gripped it with all her might. The little urchin who stalked the princess years ago had grown, though her hair was still a dirty yellow. It was quite endearing on the girl and Hira prays she finds a safe place to hide once Rhaenyra storms the capital.

"Make sure Aemond receives this. Aemond and no one else."

She nodded.

Hira watched as the girl scurried away, hoping he received the note quickly. It would take a day before the letter reached him. She prayed the betrayal of her death was kind to him. In her heart she knew that was unlikely.

Aemond had the right to know, despite Jade's protests. Whether she liked it or not, Aemond was Leng's new consort, her husband now that they were wed. She would never abandon him, not after everything they went through to be together.

Hira was still indifferent to Jade, the anger and betrayal remained within her. Whilst she understood the need for discretion and haste, Jade could have at least included Aemond into the plans. When questioned, Jade simply said Aemond wasn't the priority. His feelings and his reaction were nothing to the Yi Ti woman. He was simply an obstacle in her plans.

She hated that. The lack of sympathy towards her husband vexed Hira to no end. She couldn't imagine what she'd do if she was in Aemond's place, learning of his death and having to move on from it, when in reality he was alive all along. It crushed her to even think about it, which was why she sent Melia on the errand to deliver Aemond the letter containing the truth. Duskendale was a walled port town, but its outskirts were sparse enough to hide his dragon, surrounded by fields and woods. It was the best place to meet.

She couldn't allow him to step foot onto Dragonstone, not when Rhaenyra was still out for his blood. Nothing would soften that blow, even if Aemond opened the gates to the Red Keep, easily allowing the Black Queen's host to enter and take the palace without bloodshed. Nothing Aemond could do would ever allow him into his half-sister's good graces.

The best outcome was for Aemond to fly ahead to Leng, whilst Hira prepared her people's return to their empire. She only hoped Rhaenyra would allow a smooth departure, or she would be fighting two armies rather than just her half-brother's troops.

The trek to Duskendale was a long one, especially on horseback, but it was the closest town with a port and ships, their means to escape mainland Westeros. The only luggage they carried was themselves, making their travel faster. Mysaria joined the group, ready to take her position as Rhaenyra's Mistress of Whispers once they returned to Dragonstone. She lingered at the back behind Hira and Jade as Shouta took the front.

"Are we to suffer this journey in silence, Empress?" Jade queried somewhat quietly. She knew Hira was less than pleased with her, understanding her bitterness with no ounce of regret.

The new title was a shock to Hira's system. She quickly disregarded it in favour of ignoring her court lady. It was childish to do so, but if she spoke, she wasn't sure what would come out. Something as equally as nasty as the emotions boiling inside her.

Sometimes the boiling ceased and there was nothing.

Those were moments where Hira enjoyed the numbness, denying herself the chance to feel any emotion. She was empty and she found pleasure in it. Then, she felt it all at once all over again, like a massive surge that overtook her.