The White Queen

Chapter 23

Jacaerys Velaryon
High Tide, Driftmark Island: Late 126 AC

"I'm sorry for your father." Aelia said as they walked the beaches of High Tide. Jacaerys offered her his arm and she took it. "Thank you." Jace said. He cleared his throat. "Do you want to discuss our marriage?" he asked and her eyes meet his.

Aelia bore the dark hair of the Martell family, but the lighter skin tone and lilac eyes of her mother. She was his age and a promising beauty.

Jacaerys had been smitten with Aelia since he was a boy of six and he first set eyes on Aelia. The Martell's had arrived for the Summer Solstice Ball, and he had spotted Aelia. When he had been sat next to Aelia, he had ignored everyone else (except his family) to talk with Aelia.

Politically, Aelia was the best person to marry as the future King of the Seven Kingdoms. She was a Princess in her own right, and marrying her would further bind Dorne to the Seven Kingdoms. She also had Targaryen blood in her veins through Rhaenyra. All in all, she was the best choice for a future Queen Consort.

Not that Jacaerys just wanted her to be a consort. He knew deep down, if he married, he wanted someone to rule with him, to be his advisor and aid in governing. His equal.

And Aelia had been trained alongside her twin, Aliandra, to rule a castle. The Dornish had absolute primogeniture before House Targaryen adopted it, and so Aelia had been taught to help her sister and possible husband rule.

Vermax roared and he grinned, spotting his mount. His mount shrieked and he walked closer, Aelia pausing. "He won't hurt you." Jacaerys promised. Aelia kept a tight grip on his hand as Vermax walked over. "Hey boy." Jace crooned. Vermax's eyes turned to Aelia, inhaling her scent. "This is my beloved, Aelia. She is a friend."

Vermax purred and nudged Aelia fondly. Aelia grinned and began to hesitantly pet Vermax. Jace grinned, glad to have some semblance of happiness since his father died and his mother began plotting revenge.