A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 12 - The Wounded Bird

Aemond rode his horse in a rush, signaling the crowd to open the road. So many people gathered near the Dragon Pit, if it wasn't his angry riding, it would have been impossible to get near the stairs. 

When he reached there, his eyes widened from the scene. Starlight almost covered in blood, with thorn wings screeching in a different more silent note than usual. She wasn't letting anyone to approach her while the crowd got thicker and thicker. 

"Move aside!" ordered Aemond and walked up the stairs. 

"Oh gods" "Is that princesses dragon" "What's she protecting?" the crowd chattered.

Near the dragon's feet was Aika's body. She was wounded near her waist and around her neck. Her night gown was soaked in both fresh and dried blood. 

"No please no," begged Aemond more to the gods than anyone particular as he got closer.

Starlight, probably recognizing him, allowed the prince to approach.

His whole body trembled when he bent down to touch her. Her body was cold, but... she was breathing and her heart was beating. Very lightly. 

"It's the princess," said someone in the crowd. He also heard the approaching guards who barely managed after him.

Aemond slid his hands beneath her, lifted her up, and quickly got down of the stairs leaving the dragon and heading towards the Red Keep.

"Please hang in there, please," he whispered as he run towards his horse. "I am so sorry, so sorry" he kept saying to her, his voice soft yet filled with tears and anger.

He brought her to her room, where the Grand Maester was already awaiting. 

"These are claw marks, prince," said the Grand Master as he examined her wounds.

"Why isn't she conscious?" Aegon entered the room with Alicent following after. He seemed furious.

"She lost too much blood, she might not wake up soon..." then he added, "judging from the positions of the wounds and her still breathing, it is safe to assume no vital organs were harmed."

"Do all that's needed for her recovery," spoke Alicent.

"We need to know who did this!" spat Aegon.

Aemond just looked at her, how the maesters removed part of her clothes and more of her wounds were now seen. This view was worse than his worst nightmares. The only thing he loved, tortured and drained, lying unconsciousness. 

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He stayed by her side almost all the time for the next few days, except the times the maids came to clean her up. He missed all the small council meetings and one would argue abandoned all his duties. 

At times, he confided in her and shared secrets that were not meant for our readers' eyes...

As three days passed Aika's body gained color, and her cheeks got a rosy hue. But on the fourth morning when Aemond entered her room he found Aika's bed all empty.