Born to Die

Chapter 25

"Corlys Velayron is dead," Daemon announced casually as he entered the throne room. Aemond, Aemeryn, and Rhaenyra all turned to look at him. "I just broke the news to Baela and Rhaena." While she had never been particularly close to her Velayron grandparents, the loss of both of them hit Aemeryn like a ton of bricks. Aemond gripped her hand tightly without Aemeryn reacting other than a surprised blink.

"How?" Rhaenyra finally asked as she stared at her husband as he approached. Aemond and Rhaenyra watched as he stopped beside Aemeryn and kissed her head quickly. Aemeryn simply stared at him.

"He had been shot by the same crossbow that shot Jace and killed Vermax. They aren't sure when he had been shot, but his crew found him on the deck."

"He'll want a Velayron funeral," Aemeryn said suddenly. When they recovered Rhaenys' body, she had been burnt beyond recognition. Corlys had made the decision to give her a Targaryen funeral. Aemeryn would make this decision for him. Rhaenyra nodded her head once, but Daemon shook his.

"We can't give him a Velayron funeral in the middle of a war, Em. Dragonstone cannot be left undefended."

"Then send us," Aemeryn said with a shrug. "It doesn't take long to fly to Driftmark. His grandchildren will hold his funeral for him; we all have dragons."

"She's right, Daemon. The girls deserve to bury their grandfather at sea. Be back by week's end," Rhaenyra said as she turned to Aemeryn. "Take Aemond with you."

Aemeryn crept into Jace's chambers silently. Her brother lay still on his bed with almost his entire body wrapped up. His leg and arm had been set, and the maester told Rhaenyra that his ribs had also been broken and that he would have to keep moving to a bare minimum. He had been extremely lucky that the fall and bolt hadn't caused his death.

"Jace?" Aemeryn whispered as she sat next to his bed in the chair that she and Rhaenyra took turns sitting in.

"Hmm?" Jace hummed as he turned his head toward Aemeryn. She smiled sadly and patted his good hand. He had already been given milk of the poppy and would have no idea what she was trying to tell him.

"Nevermind, Jace."

Aemeryn left his chambers and walked slightly down the hallway to reach Joffrey. She knocked on the door gently before she pushed it open. Joffrey's dark curls bounced as he looked up to the door from where he was sitting on the bed.

"Em!" He yelled happily as he ran over to her and hugged her tightly. She grinned and ran her fingers through his curls before she made her way into the room. Baela and Rhaena were sitting at his table with tear stained faces.

"I convinced Mother to let us give him a Velaryon funeral. We leave now."

Rhaena sniffled and nodded before she squeezed Baela's hand and walked out of the open door. Aemeryn grabbed a bag and started packing for Joffrey. She felt a hand on her arm and paused to look beside her. Baela squeezed her arm gently and gave her a sad smile.

"Thank you."

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Driftmark felt like a tomb as they walked through the corridors. Corlys' body was being carried in front of his grandchildren by guards as they made their way outside to the cliffs. His casket was similar to Laena's but was a male instead of a female. Baela and Rhaena wore matching mourning veils that covered their hair and faces.

Aemeryn wore a black gown with flowing sleeves. A simple black cape shrouded her shoulders and was clasped by Aemond's silver dragon cloak clasp. Aemond and Joffrey both wore black tunic and black pants. Joffrey's tunic was embroidered with a simple filigree design. Aemond's tunic appeared to be made of dragon scales.