The Realms Rose | Aemond Targaryen / Daemon Targaryen

LVI

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Aurora's mind was trapped in a half-woken state between sleep and lucidity. She felt the coldness of the chamber all around her, the bite of the chains that bound her limbs to the bed. The dim light from a single candle flickered against the stone walls, casting eerie shadows across the room.

She tugged weakly at the chains, but they held fast, biting into her soft skin. She felt vulnerable and exposed, her mind struggling to make sense of the situation. The nightmare seemed all too real, and the fear in the pit of her stomach only grew with every passing moment.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the halls, growing louder with every stride. The footsteps stopped just outside the room, and Aurora's heart hammered against her chest. She strained to hear the voices beyond the door, but the thick stone walls muted the sounds, making them impossible to discern.

Aurora's breath caught in her throat as the door creaked open, the candlelight from the hallway spilling into the room. She squinted against the sudden brightness, her eyes struggling to adjust. In the flickering glow, she could make out the silhouette of a figure standing in the doorway.

Aurora's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the figure in the doorway, her heart skipping a beat. Rhaenyra stood there, her hair tumbling down around her shoulders, her eyes sharp and her expression cold. She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her as she approached the bed.

Rhaenyra stopped at the edge of the bed, her gaze flicking over Aurora's form, taking in the sight of the chained woman lying before her. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she reached out and traced a finger down Aurora's cheek.

Aurora's heart was racing now, her mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. Rhaenyra's touch sent chills down her spine, and she instinctively tried to pull away, only to be stopped by the chains that held her in place.

"Rhaenyra...?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What are you doing?"

Rhaenyra chuckled softly, the sound low and sinister. She didn't respond immediately, instead continuing to run her fingers over Aurora's skin, tracing the soft curves of her face and neck. When she did speak, her voice was soft, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"I don't think you're in any position to ask questions, my sweet," she murmured, her fingers pausing at the hollow of Aurora's throat.

"Such a pretty face." She whispered. "It is no wonder my husband took such a liking to you."

The Queen's tone was almost affectionate, but there was a darkness underneath. She pulled against the chains, trying to put some distance between herself and Rhaenyra.

"I don't understand..." she said, her voice shaking.

Rhaenyra let out a soft chuckle, a cruel smile playing at the corners of her lips as she heard the fear in Aurora's voice. She could see the terror in the young woman's eyes and it only fueled her cruel intentions.

"Oh my sweet, naive child," she said softly, her fingers weaving through Auroras auburn locks. "Can you really be so dense as to not know why you're here?"

Aurora's mind reeled as she tried to grasp Rhaenyra's meaning. She knew that she was a prisoner, that much was clear, but what could Rhaenyra possibly want with her? Could she know of the secrets she and Daemon shared? Could she know about the stolen kisses, feverish touches and whispered promises in the dark corners of the castle?

"Please, Rhaenyra," she whispered, her voice laced with desperation.

Rhaenyra chuckled again, her eyes lighting up with an almost sadistic joy. Oh she knew exactly what had been going on between Aurora and Daemon, and the thought made her almost giddy with rage. But she wanted Aurora to admit it, to confess her sins, before she finally snapped.