Dragonbound

Chapter four

The rest of the evening proceeds smoothly, although Aelys hasn't spoken to me since she first sat down. She has engaged in polite conversation in the beginning with me, but now seems eager to leave. I can see it in face and the way her body instinctively shifts towards her brothers' side of the room. I catch her looking at me sometimes which makes me wonder what she is thinking.

She listens to the conversation of Aemond and Lucerys, but does not speak. It's like she is trying to seem interested so she doesn't have to talk to me. I'm contemplating just saying something to her, anything at all but I can't seem to find the courage to do so.

After another hour of music, chatter and wine Lucerys goes to stand up but Aelys grabs his arm.

"Where are you going brother?" she sounds panicked.

"I am going to ask my wife if she would like a dance, I have left her for long enough." I look between them and I can't miss the desperation in her eyes when she looks at her brother, silently asking him to not leave her alone. Lucerys looks at me and he smiles.

"Uncle, maybe you can take my sister for a dance as well. It will do her good, from all that sitting down."

I look at him and then at Aelys, waiting to see if I can find some sort of indicator she indeed would like to dance. I find none. But she still plasters on a smile, trying to look happy about the sudden suggestion.

"I would love to." I say to no one in particular. "Would you do me the honors?" I ask her.

I stand up and reach out my arm for her and she takes it. The only answer she gives me.

As her arm folds into mine, a shutter goes through me. All the women I have been with and never did I feel this when they touched me. She seems uncomfortable, which makes me feel bad for ever asking her to dance. I look at Aemond who raises his cup to us.

As we walk to the open space between the tables, the guests start looking at us. I stare at Aelys and I find her already watching me. Her eyes are the most beautiful shade of brown, matching her hair perfectly.

"Are they all staring at us, or is that just my imagination?" she asks, a small smile playing on her lips. I think she's trying to lighten the mood, and it works.

"I believe they are. I think now is a good time to tell you that I'm actually not a good dancer," I confess. She laughs, and it's the most enchanting sound I've ever heard.

"Don't worry, I'll lead," she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She places her hand in mine, and we begin to move to the music. Her touch is light, and she guides me gracefully across the floor. I look at our hands intertwined together and I can't stop the little smile tugging at my lips.

As we dance, the awkwardness slowly melts away a little. We find a rhythm together, our steps becoming more confident. The room around us fades, and for a moment, it feels like it's just the two of us.

"You're not bad at all," she says, her smile genuine.

"Thanks to you," I reply, feeling a warmth spread through me.

The music swells, and we continue to dance, our movements becoming more fluid and natural. The guests watch, but their presence no longer feels intrusive. It's as if we're sharing a private moment.

When the song ends, there's a scattering of applause. Aelys and I share a look, both slightly breathless. For the first time tonight, I see a hint of genuine happiness in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispers, and I realize she's not just thanking me for the dance, but for making her feel at ease.

"It was my pleasure," I reply, and I mean it.

This time she doesn't follow me back to the table but instead walks up to her Rhaenyra, still sitting on the Iron Throne. It seems like she has been keeping an eye on us while we danced. I see my own mother sitting next to Jaehaera and Jaehaerys, her eyes fixated on me. I ignore her and take a sip of my wine. It's the same cup Aelys drank out of and all of a sudden I want to bring that cup to my chambers later for safekeeping.

I realize how stupid that sounds, as if I am not marrying her in 10 days, almost nine.

"It seemed like you enjoyed that brother." Aemond said, which brought be back to the present. He is still smiling at me when I shove him in the shoulder.

I look back at Aelys, still talking to her mother, and when my gaze shifts to the right I see Daemon staring at me. I am tempted to look away but it seemed he wanted to play some sort of power game. I only look away when I see Aelys leaving, descending the steps and walking back to her brothers. I can't help but feel sad when I see her talking to Jacaerys and Baela. I want her to talk to me, to want to talk to me. I want her sitting across from me again so she is nearer.