Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

14. Forming Alliances

Daemma returned to the Red Keep quickly, still worried about Aelyx. She had said that he lived in the Flea Bottom, the most dangerous part of the entire capital. Even she felt a deep unease just thinking about the conditions that child must be living in. And Aegon didn't seem to care in the slightest. How could he be so unconscious and selfish?

She arrived late to dinner, apologizing to those present. She noticed that she had kept Aelyx's knife on her dress, but she made an effort to hide it so that no one would notice. She felt Aemond's heavy gaze on her throughout the day and when it was time to return to her room, she suspected she would be interrogated by her maidens, who would surely try to find out where she had been.

She walked, holding Helaena's arm, chatting amiably. Prince Aemond followed behind them, mostly silent. When Helaena entered her room, saying goodnight, Daemma took a few more steps toward her own. Suddenly, she felt her cousin approaching her, leaning in to whisper in her ear with a serious tone.

"Where have you been?" Aemond whispered "I waited for you so we could return to the castle together, but you never came out. I thought you had gone ahead".

Daemma found herself in an internal conflict. She wasn't sure if it was wise to mention Aelyx; she didn't know if Aemond was even aware of his existence. She decided to omit what had happened and murmured as she continued on her way.

"I stayed a bit longer with Auryon. The place brought back memories, so I took a stroll".

"That's it? You were late to dinner. You must have been entertained by something... or someone" Aemond's tone was possessive. He walked alongside his cousin, narrowing his eyes as if something bothered him. Daemma rolled her eyes while looking at him with a slight smirk of mockery.

"Yes, Aemond, I was chatting with the dragonkeepers. They're lovely".

"I'm serious, Daemma. You did something. Why are you lying to me?" The prince snapped, following her closely. Daemma looked at him without stopping, eyes narrowed. 

"Why are you so upset anyway? I arrived late, and nothing bad happened. It's just that I can't tell you the real reason" Daemma replied, trying to remain calm.

At these words, the prince clenched his jaw and reached out to hold Daemma's forearm, stopping her. She looked at him with an even harsher gaze, and they stared at each other in silence until Aemond grunted again.

"Daemma... Why can't you tell me the truth? What are you hiding?"

"Since when do I owe you explanations?" she reproached, trying to free herself from her cousin's grip with irritation. They stared at each other for a moment longer until Aemond sighed and said in a stern tone.

"Since our engagement was announced."

"It hasn't been formally announced yet. Until the king's dinner, you and I are nothing" she murmured brusquely, trying to return to her quarters, but felt Aemond holding her again to stop her. He raised his voice without letting go.

"You're mistaken, Daemma. I am your betrothed, and I don't like secrets." Daemma's eyes widened in surprise as she saw him holding her firmly by the forearm, but suddenly, a slight smile appeared on her face and turned into a laugh, which only made Aemond more enraged.

"What's so funny?" the prince asked through gritted teeth. His grip tightened, but Daemma continued to smile sarcastically as she raised her voice.

"Do you think that just because we're betrothed you can order me around and control me? You're mistaken, Aemond..." Daemma tried to free herself, but noticed that the prince's strength increased with every passing minute. Finally, seeing his anguished expression, she stopped struggling. She whispered with a mix of understanding and mockery.