The Serpent's Fangs (Aemond x oc)

Chapter 24

"She arrived in servant's clothing." Jacerys repeated for the third time that morning. He and his mother were currently gathered around the Princess's bed who was sleeping peacefully after throwing Dragon Stone into chaos.

Rhaenyra merely smiled softly at the sight of her daughter's face back in her arms, gently combing a hand through her hair. The princess had forced herself exactly ten steps away from her dragon before collapsing against the Queen's arms.

Jacerys, nearly dropping Aemond to run to her aide was abruptly stopped by Daemon's appearance at the princess's other side, keeping her now unconscious state upright. That was when they noticed the dark path of blood that trailed from her skirts.

Without another word the Prince consort had lifted up his daughter into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way back into the castle while the Queen ran off to wake the maesters. All but leaving Jacaerys staggering with a Prince slumped to his side.

Lord Corlys and the Princess Rhaenys along with her children had also rushed to the missing princess's chambers upon hearing the news and it wasn't until the Maesters had confirmed of her safety did most of their guests return to rest.

All but he and his mother.

"She had been infiltrating their walls." The Queen murmured, still not taking her eyes off of her daughter. "It must've been frightening."

Jacerys sighed, looking over towards his sister before walking over to stand at one side of the bed. She was the same as he remembered yet so different.

When the letter had arrived in Dragonstone his mother, and he himself, had reread it again and again until he was sure he'd be able to recite it from memory. Daemon was skeptical, as were the rest of the council though he was strong headed in his beliefs.

He wouldn't have mistaken his sister's handwriting for anyone.

Then days later, Visenya had returned covered in scared and burnt marks. The maester had said that the scar on her leg should have been fatal, or at least cause her to cut off her whole limb, which meant she had found allies in the capitol we didn't have before. Either that, or is sister was a master of disguises, which he truly doubted.

A distant call of an unfamiliar dragon roared out, reminding Jacerys of the additional member of the family.

Not only was his sister not dead, she had managed to tame one of the rogue dragons all on her own. Jacerys felt pride swell in his chest and he smiled, leaning down to gently kiss her forehead.

The short moment of peace was interrupted as Daemon pushed the door opened quietly into the room. Jacerys looked up at the Prince Consort.

"The cunt is stable." Daemon announced, closing the door behind him as he glanced over to the sleeping princess. Despite his words, the Prince Consort's tone was oddly contained.

Rhaenyra looked up, finally forcing her eyes off of the princess. "Has his illness been identified?'

"Poisoning, a mixture of different kinds as well." Her husband responded though he remained stood next to the door way, hand coming to rest on the hilt of his sword. "If he hand't arrived, the Prince would've been dead at sunrise."

"And where is he now?"

A brief glance towards his son.

"In the East guest chambers."

Jacerys looked at his mother, bewildered. "Is he not to be chained in the dungeons?"

"The Prince is barely alive, left with a fever and had only awoken hours earlier. Leave him in the dungeons and we may as well send Alicent her son's head."