The Serpent's Fangs (Aemond x oc)

Chapter 29

Her hands stung and the inner corner of her arm was red from the force of the string and yet, Visenya showed no sign of pain as she pulled back the arrow and aimed at the target.

"Elbows up." Aemond instructed from in front of her, observing her form while keeping his chained hands clasped neatly behind his back. Ever since the two nights ago where he had grabbed her wrist, Visenya did not make the mistake of chaining his hands at the front again.

The princess complied with a word, lifting her elbow slightly upwards while keeping her eyes on the red dot of the target. It has been three nights, and yet she had only managed to hit the target a whole of ten times.

Her back ached from keeping her form, her thigh throbbed from the strained she had put on it without rest and Visenya was thankful for all the times Daemon had trained her for the sword. If her arms were to also ache she might not have been able to make it.

Aemond stepped forward, shoving her feet apart and she hissed out at the sharp pain that shot up from her usually numb wound. The Prince did not even glance at her and though his expression remained neutral, she could see the amusement in his eyes.

Bastard enjoyed seeing her in pain.

He rose his brow at her when she remained still and Visenya narrowed her gaze in annoyance at the target, releasing her blow and feeling the cold wind whip past her face as the arrow breezed through, striking the outer line of the target's center.

"Take into account the direction and how strong the wind is before you shoot."

The princess did not direct her glare towards him, for that would only entertain the man but instead, breathed in deeply and looked towards the sky in prayers for patience.

Unlike the last few nights, the current night sky was covered in clouds, shielding any kind of light from shining through and illuminating their training grounds. Visenya was forced to light the nearby torches, putting her and the war prisoner in clear sight of anyone who passed.

But it wasn't like she was committing a crime. Visenya reminded herself. He is her prisoner, she could do as she pleases as long as it is within the castle walls.

"Are you praying?" The Prince jest, amusement evident in his voice and the princess gripped her bow slightly tighter.

Perhaps she should send him over to her father's hands.

"I am praying for the Saints the grant me an ounce of patience to deal with you."

"I thought you didn't believe in such things."

"I don't"

Aemond hummed, giving a slight nod in the bow's direction for her to get into form. Wordlessly, Visenya followed, straightening her back and widening her stance as she's been told.

"Such blasphemous words."

"You can add that to the list of sins I have committed."

"Were you always so sinful?"

The Princess pulled back her arrow, taking aim on her target. "My birth alone was a sin, have you always carried such faith?"

"Your elbow, Princess." Aemond reminded her, his eye glancing down to her arm to see if she complied. Satisfied, he turned towards the target just as she fired, seeing it hit closer to its mark.

---

At the sound of Visenya's sigh he turned back towards her. Noticing the disapproving look on her face, it reminded him of all the times Ser Criston used to stare at him whenever he were to fall flat on his back, defeated by his brother.