audacity || aemond targaryen

chapter 15: vows

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THE GROUP HAD BEEN GREETED QUITE ENTHUSIASTICALLY upon their return, although maelina and aemond soon excused themselves to get some sleep (not without some teasing from the others of course).

although sharing a bed was a bit awkward at first, the two soon eased into a comfortable position, cuddled against each other, maelina's head laid on aemond's chest, one of his hands combing through her hair. it was almost surprising how comfortable and natural it felt for them to be in such close proximity, their bodies perfectly fitting together, as if they had always been this close. maelina supposed they had been, just never in a friendly way. despite their newfound trust, aemond still wore his eyepatch, much to maelina's dismay, but he couldn't sway himself to take it off in front of her just yet, still afraid it would make her change her mind and scare her away and she wasn't going to push the subject, having known him long enough.

"i should write to helaena.", maelina suddenly remarked and aemond huffed in amusement , taking ahold of maelina's hand that was thrown over his torso.

"our first night together since our wedding and you're thinking about my sister?", he mused, causing maelina to smile.

"well, we did make plans of running away together prior to our wedding." she didn't have to look up to see the baffled expression on aemond's face.

"i suppose that's fair.", he hummed, "though i'm glad you didn't." he lowered his head to press a kiss onto maelina's hair and for once, she felt no shame for blushing at his affection.

"aemond?", she asked after a while, perking up to look at him, his eye closed and his face muscles relaxed.

"hm?"

"you know how i told you that my family follows the old gods?", she started nervously flexing her hand and aemond nodded, his eye now focused on her, "if i asked - and you can absolutely say no by the way-"

"just ask.", he interrupted her, a smile on his lips as he watched her purse her lips, choosing her next words carefully.

"would you marry me again?", she asked bluntly before she could reconsider and stop herself and aemond's mouth fell open, causing her to scrunch her face up.

"did you just propose to me?"

"right, foolish idea, nevermind it-" once again aemond interrupted maelina by hugging her closer to his chest.

"i would love to marry you again.", he whispered softly, sending shivers down her spine, "is there a specific reason behind your sudden eagerness to marry me?"

"well you're definitely not making it more appealing right now.", maelina joked and narrowed her eyes at him.

"oh, but i've been such a good husband!", aemond complained in a sarcastic tone, pushing himself up by his elbows and glaring at her. the two shared a laugh, before settling back down.

"i suppose i just want to do it the right way.", she shrugged and aemond hummed. neither of them broke the silence, simply enjoying their new found comfort as they drifted off to sleep.

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AEMOND WORE A PURPLE SHIRT under his opened black jacket and maelina's dress was crimson red as her father walked her towards the weirwood tree.

it was a stark contrast to their first wedding, which had been so obviously political in every way. from the choice of colours, to the choice of maelina's escort. she was passed from one targaryen family member to another. from stranger to stranger, one party to another. this was different, they all felt it. she was given away by someone who truly cared for her, like only family could. someone who could chose to pull her away from aemond should he wish to. this was not a wedding of convenience to secure an alliance and there was something comforting about the privacy, not having hundreds of eyes following her every move. they weren't here because they had to be, but because they wanted to. it was a marriage on their terms, not the kingdom's.