A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 15 - The Intimacy

In the past few days, Aemond had regretted ever refusing any of Aika's wishes. He regretted not showing her all the affection he wanted, regretted allowing her to go with Jace Velaryon, and regretted both his actions and the things he failed to do. How could he refuse her wish right now?

Both of them lay on their backs on Aika's wide bed, apart yet close enough to reach for one another. Neither was sleepy enough to actually sleep.

"It was a mistake," Aemond said unexpectedly.

"Hmm?" Aika turned to the side.

"I do regret that business with Luke. I lost my temper that day, and most importantly, my carelessness endangered you," he said, now facing Aika.

To his surprise, she moved her hand and caressed his face. "It's already happened. War is ahead. I am afraid, Aemond."

"You don't have to worry about anything," Aemond replied. "They would be fools to attack King's Landing with Vhagar guarding."

'If only the dragons were the scariest threat,' Aika thought to herself. She kept caressing his face, wishing to get closer.

"Did Jace withdraw your engagement?"

"No," she shook her head. "I did." Then she continued, "I initially agreed due to my deal with Rhaenyra."

"What deal?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"It does to me," Aemond said, taking her hand in his.

"She promised total safety for you and me, Aemond... I believed she would keep that promise." As Aika spoke, Aemond's curious expression changed to something unreadable. He knew Aika had hoped for that when she agreed, but he hadn't imagined it was a straightforward deal. Could things have turned out well if her plan had gone accordingly? If they hadn't made Aegon king? If he hadn't killed Luke? Or was this all supposed to end in disaster anyway?

"Aemond, will you turn cold once I am fully recovered?" Aika whispered softly. Aemond could sense the worry in her tone as he gently stroked her hand with his finger.

"Was I cold before?"

"Yes, cold and cruel to me," she said seriously.

"I never intended to be," Aemond replied but realized it was better to explain further. "When I lost my eye that day on Driftmark, when you saw me, I think I scared you."

"Half of your face was covered in blood..." she said naturally.

He remained silent as he studied her face. She was so perfect; it was almost unimaginable that the two of them were twins, born together.

"Is that why you avoided me? Because you thought you might scare me?" Aika asked, her tone joking, as if the statement felt absurd to her.

She moved closer and said, "Let me see you now," reaching for his eyepatch. She was ready for him to stop her, but this time he didn't.

He was magnificent to Aika. Under his eyepatch, his blue sapphire eye shone like something that preserved light within.

"Thought you hated blue," Aika joked.

"I do, but you love blue," he said, then froze.

Aika drew closer, almost melting into his body.

"My heart ached so badly for you, because of the pain you had to endure..." she said softly, almost in tears. "I always thought of you as my other half," she finally said.

Aemond hugged her tighter and murmured, "Sorry."

"I missed you so much all these years..." she said lastly as sleep began to take over them.