Born to Die

Chapter 21

The family stood in the throne room in silence. Rhaenyra sat on the throne with her crown on her head. To her right stood Jace, Baela, and Rhaena. To her left stood Daemon, Aemeryn, and Aemond. Joffrey hadn't been happy to have been told that he needed to be with Aegon and Viserys during this and almost threw a fit.

"You will be old enough when you are ten, little brother. That is when we all began to stand with mother and grandsire during these dreadfully boring affairs," Aemeryn had whispered in his ear before he stormed off in the direction of the nursery. Now, here they stood, waiting for the first lord to make his appearance.

"Lady Jeyne Arryn!" The guard announced, and Aemeryn felt her back stiffen up.

Jeyne bowed quickly to Rhaenyra with a fake smile planted firmly on her face. "Your Grace." Even her voice put Aemeryn on edge. She felt something touch her hand and looked down. Aemond was rubbing his pinky along her hand in either comfort or to calm her, Aemeryn wasn't sure which. All she knew was that she was glad he was doing it.

Jeyne turned her attention to the two and smiled genuinely this time. Rhaenyra frowned and looked over to her daughter and brother. They both looked at Lady Jeyne in barely disguised disgust. Daemon caught her eye and arched his brow. The guard led Lady Jeyne away from the family but allowed her to stay in the throne room.

"Lord Elmo Tully!"

Lord Elmo glanced around nervously as he walked into the throne room. Aemeryn and Aemond both smirked as they remembered his fear of dragons and Aemeryn's barely concealed threat. Aemond, however, was beginning to remember how attractive he found Aemeryn threatening the man and moved his hands to his front to attempt to conceal his hardening cock. Aemeryn caught the motion and grinned at him.

"That is too large to hide, lord husband," Aemeryn whispered as she teased him. Aemond scowled but stayed quiet.

"Lord Cregan Stark!" The announcement caught Aemeryn's attention, and she waited for the infamous Lord of Winterfell to make his appearance.

Cregan Stark was a giant of a man with muscles as large as Aemeryn's head. His brown hair was braided into two braids that framed his face with part pulled into a bun. The rest of his hair fell in loose curls to his shoulders. His face was covered with a dark bread that was braided as well. Jace had refused to speak of his time in Winterfell to Aemeryn but would blush whenever the young lord was mentioned.

Aemeryn looked over to Jace and saw his face turn as red as his tunic. She had to bite her lip to stop from smiling at her younger brother being flustered. Something had definitely happened between the two, and she was going to find out what.

"Your Grace," Cregan said softly as he bowed and let his gaze wander around the family. He smiled softly at Aemeryn before his eyes landed on Jace. Aemeryn didn't miss the smirk or the nod he gave her brother, and she had to turn to Aemond to hide her smile.

Aemond arched his brow at her and grinned at her in confusion. He didn't understand why she was being weird around Lord Stark, and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know. Lord Quorn Martell was announced next, followed by Corlys Velaryon. Corlys tilted his head when he saw Aemond but smiled at Aemeryn nonetheless. No one had been told the circumstances surrounding Rhaenys' death, so Aemeryn wasn't sure if her grandfather knew that Aemond had been at Rook's Rest or not.

"Lord Decran Strong!"

Aemeryn's face instantly broke out into a smile at hearing his name. Aemond's, on the other hand, broke out in a frown. He still didn't like how close Strong was to his wife. Decran walked in and smiled at Aemeryn immediately before facing Rhaenyra and bowing. Smaller lords that backed Rhaenyra were introduced, but Aemond kept his gaze on Strong.