Wrath's Embrace (Aemond Targaryen)

two

⭒─ two ─⭒

⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝

Alaeyna stood behind Jace, her arms crossed as she watched her older brother look back at them excitedly. The low growls of his dragon, Vermax echoed through the chambers as the dragon keepers brought him out. 

The dragon was still growing, but his growls seemed menacing as Jace took a hesitant step back, “hold!” the dragon keeper ordered, High Valyrian rolling off his tongue smoothly. The others listened immediately, pulling at the dragon’s chain as he tried to walk on.

“Let him go,” he said, as they immediately began unchaining Vermax. Alaeyna heard an obnoxious yawn from her right and scowled up at her oldest uncle, Aegon, who seemed bored out of his mind. She scoffed at his behaviour and kicked his ankle sharply. 

The older boy yelped as he stumbled slightly, he turned to stare down at her, pointing a finger, “you-” he started but stopped himself as the dragon keeper stared at him sternly. 

The sound of chains falling caught their attention and Alaeyna swallowed as the dragon began stalking towards them. She stared at the beast intently, her guard up. He wasn't as large as her dragon but was still equally lethal and Azrathel wasn't there to protect her. 

“Call Vermax to heel, my prince,” the keeper told her brother. 

“Serve!” Jace called, but Vermax didn't seem to want to listen to him. Instead, he stood up straight in confusion as if trying to analyse Jace before he let out a roar. Jace stumbled back in surprise, but Alaeyna didn't let him, instead, she quickly placed a hand on her brother's lower back, pushing him forward. 

Jace tried again, “halt!” he ordered and observed as the dragon listened. The dragon keeper nodded, praising her brother. 

The sound of a sheep bleating caught their attention as Vermax perked up at the sound. Alaeyna moved away, stepping back in line with her uncles, she turned to her left and looked at Aemond who was staring at Jace and his dragon wistfully. She felt a tinge of pity for her uncle, he was the only one out of them whose egg hadn't hatched and yet, he was still forced to attend all these lessons. 

Alaeyna felt like she should say something to comfort him, but decided against it at the last minute. Instead, she turned to look at her brother again, who looked at the sheep gleefully. But before he could say anything, the keeper stepped forward, translating for Jace, “You must hold mastery over your dragon, my young prince.” he said, “as Prince Aegon has with Sunfyre, and the Princess Alaeyna with Azrathel… once they are fully bound to you, they will refuse to take instruction from any other.” 

Jace grinned at the keeper, “can I say it?” he asked and the older man nodded. Jace turned to look at the others, Aegon gave him an encouraging nod while Alaeyna smiled at him. 

“Dracarys, Vermax!” as if the dragon was waiting for just his order, he stalked towards the defenceless animal slowly and screeched loudly, just before he spewed out a stream of blazing, orange flames. The fire surrounded the sheep, burning it to char. 

Just as Vermax began feasting on his meal, Aegon spoke up, holding his younger brother by the shoulder, “Aemond, we have a surprise for you.” he told him. 

Alaeyna rolled her eyes, she knew they were just going to make fun of him again and she didn't want any part in it. They had been doing this since they could walk, and Aemond was always their target. She crossed her arms, giving her brothers a disappointed stare, causing Luke to look away quickly.