The Dragon's Little Doll

Eye Of The Storm

It was pouring when Lyraena Velaryon touched down in Storm's End, the rain soaking her to the aching bone. The cold did not suit her one bit and she was wished she had allowed one of her brothers to come in her stead.

Worse, a flash of lightening illuminated an enormous form that lingered just outside the hold's walls, catching her gaze: Vhagar...

Aemond Targaryen was in Storm's End as well. Despite the pang of fear that struck her, the realization suddenly reinforced her decision to go in Luke's place. And she did feel fear. Her uncle was a dangerous man at best, a monster at worst.

When she stepped into the Round Hall, dripping onto the stone floor, a smirk spread across Aemond's face, a wide smirk, as if he knew something she didn't. The simple change in his expression made her lip curl back in distaste.

"My Lord," she greeted Borros Baratheon with a polite nod, "I come bearing message from my mother, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen."

"Mm... Odd..." Lord Borros replied, "For I have, this day, received a messenger from The King. So, which is it, King or Queen? It seems the House of the Dragon does not know who rules it..." Lyraena fought the urge to snarl at the man's sarcasm, but Aemond's grin only widened. "What's your mother's message, girl?"

She handed the letter to one of the guards, who passed it along to Lord Borros. "Where's the bloody maester?" Borros snapped after a long, uncomfortable moment of silence. Every few seconds, Lyraena glanced over at her uncle, who had scarcely moved an inch since she stepped into the hall. His gaze burned, piercing through skin and bone as she stood helplessly, waiting for the Lord of Storm's End to respond.

"Remind me of my father's oath?" Borros echoed her mother's words, shaking his head in annoyance. "King Aegon's envoy brings a marriage pact, and your mother means to command me as a bitch commands a pet?"

"The Queen is open to joining our houses, as well, my lord, but only after assurances that you are a friend and ally." Borros laughed, a cold and amused chuckle.

"And which of your brothers would she choose for my daughters?" he asked. Lyraena shook her head.

"'Tis not my brothers' hands she would extend, my lord, for they are already betrothed. Tis mine. You did, after all, lose another wife recently, did you not?" Every occupant in the hall held their breath in wait for his response.

"I see..." His stunned response made her want to smirk. Clearly, he hadn't expected such an offer to be made. In truth, the offer hadn't been made at all, but her mother had given her permission to say nearly anything she needed in order to obtain the support of Storm's End. Glancing across the hall at her uncle, she could see his violet eye burning with a fury that struck terror into her heart. Fuck, he was livid, and she knew she was in danger...

"I will leave you to think on her words, my lord. Should you need anything, you need only send a raven." Without another word, she turned on her heel and made for the doors, desperate for the safety the skies would bring.

"Wait, dearest niece," he spit the word dearest in a sickly-sweet way that made her grimace, "Tell me, where is your brother, Lucerys? He owes me a debt, you see. I would have his eye as payment for mine..."

"Payment?" she asked, turning to face him, "A debt for a spat among children? And you still are... A spoilt fucking child begging for attention." Aemond's gaze on her sharpened at her words. "You lost an eye but gained a dragon, was that not what you said, uncle? And now, in the midst of an envoy sending word, you demand your niece passes on word for repayment?" When a smirk came as his response, her lip curled back into a sneer. "Craven as well as a traitor..." she added, softly. Aemond took a threatening step toward her, and she instinctively stumbled backward, cursing herself for speaking before she thought her words through.