𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟗

                             𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐀𝐂.
-☆-

𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐒 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐀'𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐑.

"Shush," Astraea cooed, waving the tiny wooden dragon in front of the child. Astraea was a girl of 8 and 10 years now. She took to Helaena's children quickly, mimicking the way she'd played with Lucerys and nurtured Joffery. She longed for her boys back, their ghosts casting shadows of their childish days spent many moons ago.

As she walks into the nursery, she is met with the sight of Helaena cross-stitching and Jahaerys babbling on the floor.

"Good morrow, your grace." Astraea smiled, putting down the girl to play with her brother, her cries finally quieting into small hiccups.

"Astraea, hello." Helaena put the fabric covered ring down, grabbing the brunette's hand. Astraea had learned that the princess wasn't keen to physical touch, watching the way she often recoiled from her brothers and mother. She had no idea what the difference between them and her was, but she enjoyed the comfort the dreamer brought her.

"The other houses will arrive today. I'm excited to see Rhaenyra again." Astraea spoke.

"Jacaerys," Helaena grins, "You miss Jacaerys."

"Yes," Astraea says with a small bashful smile, "I wonder what he looks like now."

"I see him," Helaena nods, continuing with her stitching. "He is taller. But there is a beast beneath the boards."

Astraea was used to this, Helaena said strange things more frequently as they grew into women.

"A dragon? Is a dragon beneath the boards?" The Hawthorne asked, attempting to decipher the words.

"Trapped in a tower." Helaena mumbled.

Just then Alicent walked in; wringing her hands. She'd been kinder to Astraea since Rhaenyra's departure to Dragonstone. The girl knew she was trying, the queen treated her the way she'd treated her own children. It wasn't the same as Rhaenyra, but it wasn't her father.

"Astraea." She gave her a small smile, sitting on the cushions next to Helaena.

"Your grace." Astraea breathed, bowing her head slightly.

"The princess has arrived quite early." Alicent said, watching for the girls reaction.

"They're here?" Astraea structured her reaction carefully, trying to sound partial, but the sudden perk in her posture was obvious.

Alicent answers, "Yes. They landed not long ago."

Astraea looked off to the side, attempting to hide her elated expression.

"You should go find Jace!" Helaena clapped her hands excitedly. Alicent sighed.

Astraea wanted to; very badly. But she knew how her father was going to react.

"I...will greet them later." She moved to the floor, watching the playing children, who were mumbling "papa" to each other.

"Mother," Astraea looked up, meeting Aemond's cold eye before he looked to his mother. Astraea avoided Aemond as much as she could, the long scar on the left side of her face feeling fresh every time she did see him.

"Father summons council." He stands with his hands clasped behind his back. Astraea's image of the boy who once promised her a life of happiness faded as he grew into his features. He was never like this before, so sure of his every word.

"Very well. Good day, daughter. Astraea." Alicent stood, leaving the room. If council waa called, the Hawthorne girl's father would be there too. Which means she was free of his eyes for at least an hour.

She stands, quickly bidding Helaena a goodbye and walking to the door. The feeling of Aemond's grasp around her arm, firm and yet gentle; as if she would break, made her go ridged.

"Your sigil." He murmured, nodding to where she had been sitting on the floor moments ago. Astraea looked back, noticing the shiny sigil—the one he'd given her years ago—she'd dropped from her bracelet. It had broken a few days ago, refusing to stay on the clasp. She turned back, picking it up and sliding it into her skirt pocket.

She walked faster now, the one-eyed's touch lingering on her arm as if he'd burnt her skin. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor as she forced herself to breathe. This is the same game she'd played long ago; trying to find Jacaerys.

"Where are you hiding, Jace? I've tired of this game." She said aloud into the quiet corridor, heading towards the Godswood. She had said the word many times before; but her heart was beating out of her chest now.

"Found you."