The dragon to be // House of dragons

13

Reina sat quietly, her mind filled with doubt and mistrust. It had been days since Aegon's actions, and she couldn't bring herself to trust him. He hadn't made any attempts to reach out to her or her dragons. For the first time in her young life, Reina felt fear. It was a new sensation, different from anger, dread, or sadness.

"I can't continue like this. I need to take action," Reina declared, standing up. She had discussed with herself that if the whispers weren't going to teach her how to fight faster, she would teach herself. They had been unusually silent, barely saying anything.

Reina walked out the door and faced the guard. "No one enters here," she commanded, and the guard nodded. She quickly made her way to the training ground, knowing no one would be there.

As she arrived, her eyes scanned the area until they settled on a bow and arrow. Could she teach herself how to use it? She knew it wouldn't be as easy as with a sword, but it couldn't be too difficult, right?

Reina picked up the bow and examined it. The whispers had given her the minimum information about each weapon and how to use them properly, but they never went into the details of doing it right. She nocked an arrow into the bow, pulled back, and aimed at a target on the other side of the training ground. It was barely visible, but the light from the surrounding fires provided enough illumination.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned her head closer to the bow, aligning her sights. She released her breath slowly and let the arrow fly. To her surprise, she hit the target—not dead center, but a hit nonetheless. She took another arrow, repeated the process, and this time hit even closer to the center. A smile formed on her face.

"Niece," a voice spoke from behind her, causing her to jump. She quickly turned around and saw Aemond standing there. Her eyes darted around, but no one else was present.

"What are you doing here?" Reina asked, looking at him. He took a step closer.

"The real question is, what are you doing here? A lady shouldn't be out alone, especially at night," he remarked. She looked away.

"I'm just fine," Reina replied. "You may go." A small laugh escaped Aemond.

"Just like you thought you were 'just fine' when Aegon visited your chambers the other night?" he said, causing Reina's head to snap back to him.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about, Uncle," Reina stammered. "I must be going." She tried to walk away but was stopped when Aemond grabbed her arm.

"Maybe I should ask for a similar favor," he suggested, pulling her closer. "I mean, Aegon, of all people?"

"I did not do anything with Aegon!" Reina hissed. "Now let go of me, Aemond!" She struggled to free her hand, but he refused to release his grip.

"Aemond!" Reina exclaimed, attempting to push him away. "What do you want?" she demanded, looking up at him.

"I want you to pleasure my cock like you did with Aegon," he replied, anger filling her. Her teeth ground together as she brought her knee up
to strike his thigh, hoping to break free from his grasp. Aemond pushed her back, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. She quickly regained her footing and tried to run, but he seized her by the hair, yanking her backward.

"Aemond! Stop!" Reina cried out, her voice choked with pain. He tightened his grip on her hair, pulling her head down forcefully onto a wooden bench. He knelt behind her, pressing himself against her.

"You don't like feeling helpless, do you?" Aemond hissed, pushing harder on her head. "Just like you made me feel when I lost my eye."

"That was years ago! Get over it!" Reina retorted, her voice filled with defiance. She struggled to push him away, her arms flailing, but her efforts were in vain. "We were young. It's in the past!"

"I don't care how young we were," Aemond growled, his voice low and menacing. He leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "You had to interfere, had to say something, knowing my father always favored you."

"Are you jealous, Aemond? Jealous that you'll never have a father who truly loves you?" Reina shot back, her struggle momentarily ceasing. She locked eyes with him. It was a mistake. Aemond tightened his grip on her hair, eliciting another cry of pain from her.

"My father may not love me as deeply as yours did, but at least mine is alive," he hissed, the words laced with bitterness. The remark hit Reina hard, striking a vulnerable spot she never expected. Tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably.

"You're a despicable bastard," Reina spat, her voice quivering with anger and hurt. Aemond chuckled darkly, brushing his lips against her jawline in a twisted gesture.

"We both know that you're brothers are the real bastard," he whispered, pressing himself harder against her. She could feel his arousal, but it disgusted her.

"Oh, the things I want to do to you," he murmured in her ear, his voice filled with a sick desire. The thought made him feel repulsed, even as he craved her, desired to possess her. He wanted to dominate and punish her, to watch her belly swell with his child. The twisted fantasy sickened him, but he couldn't deny the power it held over him. He wanted everything—her body, her power, her submission.

"Get back to your room, little niece, before the big bad dragon comes to get you," he sneered, finally releasing her and stepping back. Reina wasted no time, scrambling to her feet without looking back. She ran, her heart pounding, until she reached her room. Slamming the door shut, she pressed her trembling body against it, her hand over her racing heart. Taking a deep breath, she whispered a single word through her tears, "boys."