A Valyrian Heart

Chapter Twenty

" Iksan vaoreznuni kepa, yn emilā naejot urnēbagon nyke ( I am sorry father, but you will have to watch me ) "

When Baela brushes past her father, in a manner that was both brave and likely stupid of her, she hears him growl, a dangerous noise that has fear overwhelming her. All the courage she had displayed earlier seemed to have evaporated into thin air when she hears Daemon curse out and the sound of his footsteps echo behind her. She breaks out in a run.

Baela's feet pounded the cold stone floors as she raced through the Red Keep's hallways, her breath coming in short gasps. The red walls seemed to close in around her, the torches flickering like fireflies as she darted past. Panic gripped her heart, her mind racing with every worst-case scenario. She couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, of being hunted, even if it was by her own father. She knows she has made him angry, more angry than she had ever seen him and there was likely going to be consequences for her actions, and Baela would face him head on but in the presence of someone else, she doesn't want to be alone with him.

Which explains the relief that floods her as she nearly runs into her sister. Rhaena had left only to inform Viserys of her sister's predicament, she hated to admit how much she feared for Baela, she knew what a rash man their father was.

" Baela, are you alright?"

" I am fine " Baela was happy to see her sister and even Viserys, but she wasn't thrilled at seeing her cousins, Queen Alicent and Otto here as well.

" Baela, my dear cousin " Aegon says to her just when she hears her Father's footsteps drawing closer. " We thought you ran "

" Ran? "

" To old Valeria, Aemond here told us all about your silly little plan. Surely you know that place is just a thing of the past "

The glare Baela sends to Aemond's direction is ferocious, and any man would have been put off by it, but Aemond's look is stony. He is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, studying Baela lazily. To think he would tell everyone about what she had told him, she had said it due to being overwhelmed by her emotions then, she had been willing to give up everything to be with him. It was meant to prove how much she loved him, so this felt like a slap to her face. She was about to yell at him but was interrupted by the drag of steel against the stony ground. Baela turns to see her father leaning against Dark Sister which he had embedded in the concrete beneath their feet. Well, at least he hadn't tried to behead her yet, not that she believed he would.

" Father.."

" Step back Rhaena "

" But father..."

" Zhey qoy qoyi Yerza! ( Do not let my wrath befall you! ) "

Rhaena steps back hesitantly, Viserys seemed like he was about to say something, but Otto was by his side, whispering something to his ear which Baela can't make out. But with the glare Aemond sends at his grandfather, Baela knows it can't be anything in her favour.

" Your sister " Daemon says " Always the obedient one. If only you were like her "

" Perhaps if you were like your brother "

She hears Rhaena gasp, Aegon whistle in amusement and her father laughs darkly. At this point she was putting her life on the line, she knew this, but some things had to be said. " To leave the Red Keep for days without telling anyone, the audacity you have. Do you know what is spoken of you beyond these walls?"

She'd only been gone for a day, but Baela is too pissed off to try explaining this to her father. " Do you care for me at all! In my absence, you were more worried about what others had to say! Am I so insignificant father! Easily replaceable by one of Rhaenyra's children "