The Maiden and the Drowning Boy

Chapter 8 - Something In Your Touch

It was Aemond's nameday and the royal gardens were more alive than they'd been in ages. Three of the terraces that spilled from the Queen's ballroom were filled with courtiers, from young men and women newly arrived to King's Landing, to the Queen's ladies and children of the Small Council, to those who were slowly trickling in preceding Aegon's nameday celebrations. Minstrels were playing beneath the shaded cover of the cloistered walkway, and there were tables laden with cakes and meats, even a marchpane facsimile of Vhagar that had surprised them all when the queen, beaming brighter than Abby had ever seen her, proudly revealed it.

"Happy nameday, my darling," she'd told Aemond, slim hands on his upper arms, a fond kiss to his cheek. Even now, at seven and ten, he only blushed lightly at the affection of his mother rather than pull away with complaint. So rare was Queen Alicent's softness that not even a crowd of peers could dissuade Aemond from pulling away for some sort of manly pride that he was too old for a kiss from his mother; he'd sprouted another few inches, now taller than Aegon, who was rather put out by it all.

In spite of the warmth from the midday sun, Abby could feel the promise of autumn on the breeze, a cool caress that tugged at the fire-kissed curls that hung loose down her back, held back by a pair of lapis and amethyst combs. Normally her hair would be worn pulled back in a knot at the crown of her head, but she was acutely aware of the mark below her right ear that she need not draw attention to.

She tilted her head back to feel the sun kiss her cheeks, ignoring the feeling of Aegon's eyes on her back, of the shiver and prickle that came when one knew they were being watched.

The scent of lemon preceded the whisper of silk and Helaena's amused voice against her ear. "You're blushing," the princess sing-songed, laughing softly as Abby huffed and lightly smacked her hand against her sister's chest. It did little to deter her, and Helaena rested her chin on Abby's bare shoulder, tugging a little at the skirt. "I like this dress. He does too."

"I didn't wear it for him." The light silk organza was luxurious, shifting in colors from the softest pink and periwinkle into sage, baring her shoulders with the low neckline edged in embroidered blue flowers centered with pearls. It helped with the heat of the capital and she couldn't deny that she felt lovely in it. "If he enjoys it, that is simply a bonus." She bit her lip and chanced a glance over her shoulder.

Aegon stood beneath one of the cypress trees with a goblet held lazily in one ringed hand, his other arm braced against the trunk of the tree. His own eyes were on her, angling around Aemond who stood in his way, teeth pressed into his lower lip. The moment he realized she had caught him watching, he gave a slight start and Abby scrunched her face at him, teasing. His surprise eased into a satisfied smirk, the gold of his dragon stamped buttons on his black jerkin catching the light as did the rings on his fingers. She watched him tap two of them against the goblet he raised and after a shy moment, she gave him a smile and tapped her own fingers against her chin.

"Adorable," Wylla teased from her other side, the roll of her eyes evident in her voice. Abby squeaked in surprise, the elder girl having seemingly appeared to seize the opportunity for teasing. Her cheeks flamed and she looked out towards the low hedge maze below on the next terrace.

"I didn't wear it for him," she emphasized, and it was Wylla's turn to smirk as Helaena hummed her own disbelief. "You're both ridiculous. Did you race across this whole garden just to say that to me?" Wylla raised her eyebrows in challenge. Abby squinted blue eyes at Helaena's innocent look. "Are you both conspiring to tease me so?"

"Never," Helaena said emphatically and Wylla was all innocence in her agreement.

"Of course I wouldn't vault over a hedgerow at the opportunity to tease you. I'm conspiring to tease the foolish one." She nodded her head in the direction of the brothers and Abby frowned.