The Mouth of the Dragon, The Eyes of the Lamb

Chapter 32

"Luce, it's not what you think," Aemond said desperately. Lucela hadn't been aware she had been backing up until the wall connected with her back with a soft thud. She felt like she was in a freefall. Gods, Daemon had been right.

"Not what I think? Aemond, this is treason!"

"She won't do it." The lie took even Aemond by surprise. He knew that his mother had every intention of putting Aegon on the Iron Throne once their father was dead, but the thought of Lucela upset or hurt upset Aemond more than he wanted to admit. "Mother makes plans all the time and rarely follows through. Plus, she would have to convince Aegon, and we all know he doesn't want the throne."

Lucela stared at Aemond. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to run into his arms, but she stopped herself. She knew, deep down, that she couldn't believe him about this even if he did have a point. It was a well known fact that Aegon didn't want the throne. There was no way Alicent could pull it off.

Lucela nodded once, and Aemond rushed to her. He hated and loved how right she felt in his arms, pressed against his chest. Aemond didn't say anything as he picked Lucela up and put her back to bed. He knew that he had just caused a shit storm, but he couldn't deny that he felt better by letting Lucela know.

He sat awake for a while until Lucela was in a deep sleep. He quietly snuck into his own chambers when the sun began to rise and frowned immediately. His bed was rumpled like someone had been lying on it, but there was no one there now. Aemond quickly searched his chambers, but they were empty. Maybe his confession to Lucela was making him paranoid. Yet, the rumples were staring him in the face. With a grunt, Aemond dressed quickly and went outside to the training yard. The cold air would do him some good.

Daemon stared at Lucela with patience that only a father could have. She had found him as soon as she bathed and dressed that morning. "You were right."

His brow furrowed until he figured out what she was talking about. His violet eyes grew in wonder as he stared at her. "How did you find out?"

"I couldn't sleep," Lucela lied gently. "I had had another nightmare and went into the library to find a book. Aemond was in there as well, and I suppose I looked worse than I felt. He asked me, and I told him I had a dream that Aegon took the throne. He admitted it was Alicent's plan."

"I fucking knew it. We have to tell Rhaenyra." Daemon gripped Lucela's hand in his own and turned to enter their shared chambers.

"Wait, Papa. Aemond said she probably wouldn't do it." Daemon stopped moving and looked back at her with a frown. "He said that she would have to convince Aegon, and that would take too much effort."

"He's right."

Both Daemon and Lucela looked at the door. They hadn't realized that Rhaenyra had opened it and heard the last thing Lucela had said. Rhaenyra didn't look happy at the revelation, and Lucela was sure it was because she was still in the situation to begin with.

"Aegon has no desire for the throne, Daemon. It is common knowledge, and I can't be convinced that Alicent would do that to me."

"Nyra..."

"Don't. You have villainized her since she married my father. The Alicent I know couldn't steal my birthright from me. She wouldn't. Now drop it- both of you."

Daemon stared at his wife like she had lost her mind, and Lucela simply looked at her feet. She started moving when Daemon did, mainly because he hadn't let go of her hand yet. She could hear Rhaenyra clear her throat and felt Daemon let go of her hand. Rhaenyra put her hand on Lucela's arm and smiled softly at her when she finally turned her attention away from her feet.