Dragons Blood

8.

Maegoryias POV(finally)

I had to sit in between Aegon and Jacaerys. 'They did this on purpose, I know they did' was all I could think about. This was definitely a set up to get me and Jace to talk again. Why would I be sitting next to him if it wasn't a set up. My thoughts were interrupted by mother clearing her throat loudly, which lead me to roll my eyes.

"Prayer before we begin?" She said. I didn't believe in the new Gods. I believed in the old ones. The ones that everyone at the table believes in but her and my grandsire. Idiots is all I think to myself as I'm forced to bow my head for her prayer to the fake Gods.

"May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest." She says and I look up to see Daemon scoff with a smirk on his face before making eye contact with me and raising his eyebrows causing me to roll my eyes at him and look away. I don't understand why my mother had to hook up with him of all people. There is no way he's my actual father, I just won't believe it.

"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses. A toast to the young princes... and their betrothed." The king, who I want to believe is my real father, says while holding his cup up and everyone drinks to his words but myself. I refuse to drink to the marriage proposal of my nephew and sister-cousin. I love Baela and I know she doesn't even want this marriage but she is doing it for her grandmother, Rhaenys. I grew up with Baela, but I was always closer to Rhaena, but that didn't mean that I didn't know the girl. She was basically my sister, they both were, she would talk about how she never wanted to marry anyone. She always had a crush on one of the maid girls growing up who is the same age as us, and I'm sure she still does but I'm not going to be the one to say anything about it.

"Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman." Aegon says to the boy with a smirk while leaning over me. I just roll my eyes at my brother as I smell the stench of wine on his breath. "You'll be great. You do know how the act is done, I assume? At least the principle? Where to put your cock and all."

"Brother." I warn him, knowing he is playing difficult right now, and we mustn't cause a scene in front of father, not while he is in this health but Aegon just ignores me.

"You can play the jester if you wish, but hold your tongue before my betrothed." Jacaerys threatens lowly while leaning across me as well, making me tense at the fact he used the word 'betrothed' but what else would he say? It was true, he and Baela were betrothed and nothing would change that.

"Can you both stop this. I do not like being in the middle of it all. Quite literally." I sneer at the two boys who are acting like children.

"It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past." Father pauses to take his mask off. I see everyone restrain from grimacing or looking away but I still see his young beauty, I still see him as he has always been. "My own face... is no longer a handsome one... if indeed it ever was. But tonight... I wish you to see me as I am. Not just a king... but your father. Your brother. Your husband... and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems... walk for much longer among you. Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The Crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the Crown... then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly." I clap softly at the end for my father who smiles gently at me and I return the smile.