𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟏𝟎

                         𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐀𝐂.
-☆-

"𝐍𝐎, 𝐈 𝐒𝐀𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓. 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐅 𝐈 𝐒𝐀𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓."

Astraea looked the boy over. Helaena was right; he was taller now. He'd grown out of his softer features and held himself in a more confident posture. His hair was a bit longer now, a curl to it. But it was still Jacaerys. Her Jace.

"My prince." She curtsied; smirking.

The boy smiled.

"Are we no longer familiars?"

"You're a man grown now, as I am a woman." The Hawthorne stood, hands together. She fought the urge to move backward as he stepped forward.

"The comely princess of constellations follows proper customs of court," Jacaerys reached her then, letting out a small laugh, "Or are you queen now?"

"...You're immature as ever."  The girl tilted her head, having to look up at him–something she didn't have to do before.

"I'm a man grown. I am very mature."

"And yet."

Astraea's eyes track his movements. She once knew the same man who stood in front of her inside out. It felt as though she still could . As if she still did. She'd dreamt of what she would say to him when they finally met again, but all those words failed her now.

"Taller." The girl settled on.

"Less chubby too." Jace nodded.

Astraea decided they were definitely still best friends.

"Have you missed me? Longed for me?" He laughed again.

"I missed Vermax," She rolled her eyes, "Take me to see him."

"Demanding a prince of the realm." Jacaerys clicked his tongue, following her as she started to the dragon pit.

Walking down the pathway, she got into the carriage, bouncing with excitement. She wondered if Vermax was big enough to mount two now.

Jacaerys followed closely, sitting across from her. He sat quietly, memorizing her facial features as she looked out the window to the scenery passing. He let his eyes trace the faint scar on her cheek, his light expression dimming a little. The faint memory of Aemond and the sharp rock slashing across her face replaying in his head.

He wondered if she forgave Aemond.

The carriage stopped, and Astraea practically flew out of the door; the Velaryon following closely.

She watched impatiently as they retrieved Vermax. He was a darker green, larger too. The dragons eyes wandered around as he sniffed.

"Does he remember me?" Astraea whispered to Jace.

"Maybe. I did."

Astraea smiled softly at that, approaching the beast slowly.

Vermax let out a low breath as he lowered his head, hot air blowing on her. She put her hand on his head, running over the rough scales.

"Rytsas." Jacaerys said, placing his own hand over hers. "It means hello."

"...Rytsas." Astraea mimicked, the words clumsy and unpracticed. The warmth of Jacaerys' hand over hers suddenly made the summer air fell boiling.

Vermax lowered his head further. He clearly not only recognized the girl, but held sentiment for her.

"He missed you too," Jacaerys observes.

"Yes. Your mother told me that dragons mimic that of their riders feelings," The girl paused to look at him, mimicking his earlier words. "So did you miss me? Did you long for me, Jacaerys Velaryon?"

"I cannot say I did; pest." He snickered, taking his hand off hers.

She scoffed. "Yes you did. Liar."

"I missed Helaena worlds more. Her and her stories."

Astraea rolled her eyes, pouting a bit at his teasing; simply turning back to Vermax to give him much appreciated attention.

"Demanding and ignoring. This is some form of treason." Jace sighed.

"Go bother Helaena." She mumbled.

"I do not wish to. Besides, she doesn't huff half as much as you."

Astraea turned back to him, shaking her head.

"Are you like your dragon? Will you whine until you're pet?" She teasing reached up, messing with the dark curls on his head. The prince caught her hand, holding her arm in the air.

"If I breathed fire, many conflicts that existed here would not." He let his gaze wander down to her cheek slightly.

"...Ah." The girl let out the sound, her breath stuttering. His grasp on her wrist wasn't nearly as rough feeling as Aemond's. A bolder Jacaerys stood in front of her, now; and yet he was still gentle with her.

"We should go back." He looked over his shoulder to the carriage. Astraea wished to forget her duties to the court, she wanted to stay here with her companion.

"Perhaps we should. Your grandsire's first nameday feast should be interesting. We get to see all the competitors before the tournament."

Jacaerys nodded, starting back to the carriage. "I am one of the competitors."

Astraea blinked, surprised. "You never cared for that."

"I grew."

"So you did."

They climbed in, the steeds starting into a soft trot on the pathway back to the Red Keep. Astraea thought to say something, but kept to herself, instead, resting her head on the cushioned back and letting the rocking of the carriage lull her into a light sleep.