Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 26

After supper with her family came to a close, Aenyra made her way back to her chambers, nerves twisting in her stomach like a tightened ribbon. Tonight—after years of silence, distance, and wondering—she and Aemond would finally talk. She would finally have answers.

As she moved through the dimly lit corridors of the Red Keep, her thoughts spun endlessly.

What if we can't resolve things? What if he's only playing with me? What if... I never get my best friend back?

She had just reached her chamber door when the sound of her name echoed through the hall.

"Aenyra."

Her breath caught as she turned, heart pounding in her chest.

It was Daemon. His voice calm, but his eyes sharp with something unreadable.

"I wish to speak with you for a moment, little dragon," he said, his tone serious.

Aenyra nodded slowly, anxiety now doubled as her mind raced, unsure what her father could possibly want to discuss.

Daemons gaze softens slightly as he spoke

"I want you to stay clear of the green bitch's children," Daemon said bluntly. "After everything you've been through—especially with the one-eyed princeling—I think it's for the best."

Aenyra blinked, stunned. Her father's words landed like a slap, stirring a slow burn in her chest. She loved Daemon deeply—respected him more than most—but the way he tried to dictate her actions never sat well with her. And now, telling her who she could or couldn't be around?

Her expression twisted with disbelief and irritation as she stared at him.

"Don't worry father, I know better." She replied with a fake smile before kissing his check. ""Goodnight, you should really go check on mother she seemed agitated at dinner." 

"Of course, goodnight." Daemon leans down placing a swift kiss to her temple before walking down the hall.

As Aenyra stepped into her chambers, her heart skipped a beat—followed by a startled gasp. Standing in the center of the room, cloaked in shadows and moonlight, was Aemond.

She froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
"How did you get in here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

A slow, knowing smirk curved Aemond's lips as he stepped toward her.
"Did you forget about the hidden passageways?" he murmured with a smirk.

He rose without a word, his movement fluid and deliberate as he made his way toward her. Instinctively, Aenyra took a cautious step back—then another—until her back hit the cold stone wall, trapping her. Aemond's tall frame loomed over her, his presence all-consuming as he leaned in, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.

His eye bore into hers, intense and unreadable.
"Well... you said you wanted to talk," he murmured, voice low and taunting. "So talk."

And just like that, he pulled away, turning his back on her as he strolled across the room, casually inspecting the trinkets and mementos she had collected over the years—his indifference cutting deeper than any blade.

Aenyra felt something inside her snap. The push and pull, his silence, his distance, his presence—everything she had bottled up for years surged to the surface like a storm finally breaking.

"You know what, Aemond?" she said, her voice trembling—not from fear, but fury. "I've had enough of your hot and cold games. One moment you're looking at me like I'm your whole world, and the next you're pretending I don't exist."