Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 30

Aenyra stood in the dimly lit hall, her fury simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to consume her entirely.

"Jace, tell me honestly—did you have anything to do with keeping me and Aemond apart?" Her voice trembled with restrained emotion as she fixed her gaze on her brother.

Jace blinked, caught off guard. "Aenyra, I—I don't—"

She cut him off, the words spilling out in a rush. "My letters to Aemond... his letters to me—years worth of them, gone. Neither of us ever received a single one. I know we drifted after Driftmark, but I can't stop wondering if you had something to do with it." Her voice cracked still on the lines of a hushed shout, unshed tears  welling in her eyes. "Please, tell me you didn't."

Jacaerys stared at her, hurt flashing in his eyes at the accusations. But then his expression softened into something gentler, more sincere.

"I swear to you, I had nothing to do with that. I don't blame you for thinking I did, not after the way things were between us then... but I would never betray you like that, Aenyra. Someone must've taken them—but i promise it wasn't me."

People had begun to stare, their curious eyes flicking toward the pair as they whispered, clearly trying to decipher the hushed conversation. The weight of their scrutiny pressed down on Aenyra's chest. She needed air—space to breathe, to think, to escape the tight coil winding inside her. Just a moment, she told herself. Just a moment away from the eyes, the court. Years spent away had almost made her forget what it was truly like here—how quickly rumors spread, how sharp tongues turned curiosity into daggers. If you let your mask slip for even a second, it would be noted... and remembered.

Aenyra was the first to turn to leave, with Jace following closely behind until he caught up. As the two walked side by side through the winding halls until they were nearly out of the castle., Aenyra began to speak again . Hesitant at first, then gradually more open, she recounted what had happened between her and Aemond—well, most of it. She chose her words carefully, sparing Jace the more intimate truths of their recent tryst.

"Aenyra, you love him... don't you?" Jacaerys asked, his voice lowered as they passed a pair of court ladies deep in their own quiet gossip.

Aenyra glanced at him, then forward again as they walked. "Honestly—ive always loved him, I'd marry him right now if I could," she murmured. "But the chances of that happening are slim. Alicent already rejected Mother's offer for you and Helaena years ago. Why would she ever agree to me and Aemond now?"

Jacaerys said nothing for a beat his expression shifting to one of hurt for only a second before nodding politely to a knight of the Kingsguard as they passed. His brow furrowed as he leaned a little closer. "I don't understand it, truly—but I don't need to. I just want you to be happy, Aenyra."

She gave a small, grateful smile as her steps slowed. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're our mother's heir. The next Queen of the Seven Kingdoms after her," he reminded her in a quiet, resolute tone. "Alicent would be a fool to refuse you."

"A fool indeed," Aenyra muttered under her breath

Just ahead, the winding corridor opened into the solar where Rhaenyra stood beside Alicent. They were speaking in low, measured tones as they prepared to head out into the gardens, their steps slow and deliberate. Though their words were too hushed to hear

"There you two are," Rhaenyra said, turning slightly from her conversation with Alicent. "Lucerys isn't with you?"

"He wanted to finish training with Daemon," Jacaerys replied.