House of Ashes | Aemond Targaryen

Twenty

Chapter twenty

The night sky was a canvas of stars, shimmering coldly above the Red Keep. Vaiana stood by her window, biting her nails, her mind a whirl of thoughts and anxieties. The moonlight cast a ghostly glow over her face as she leaned against the wall, waiting. Her heart pounded with a sense of foreboding, as if the very air carried the weight of impending doom.

Vaiana, while stabding next to the open window, her teeth worrying at her nails as she looked out into the darkness. Her mind was racing, her heart thudding in her chest. She was waiting for something, and the weight of anticipation was almost unbearable.

A soft creak disturbed the silence, and Vaiana turned to see the door opening. Irene, a trusted servant, slipped inside, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. Vaiana straightened, pushing away from the wall.

Vaiana looked at Irene in confusion, her brow furrowing. "Why are you here already?" she asked, her voice low. "It's too early, isn't it? The task isn't supposed to happen yet."

Irene closed the door with a heavy thunk, her eyes wide with fear. She rushed over to Vaiana, her voice quivering as she spoke. "Now. It must happen now," she said, her words tumbling out in a panicked rush. "They're coming for you, Princess."

Vaiana's eyes widened in shock and horror as Irene spoke. "What?" she breathed, her voice strangled.

Irene tightened her grip on Vaiana's arm, desperation in her eyes. "Jaehaerys has been killed," she said, her voice shaking. "Aegon is accusing Rhaenyra of killing him, and he will declare you a guest no longer. You have to leave. Now."

Vaiana felt the room spin around her. Jaehaerys, dead? Accusations flying? Her thoughts raced, struggling to keep up with the flood of information.

"Wait," Vaiana said, her voice steadying as she pulled away from Irene's grasp. "We... we need to think this through."

Irene's desperation was written across her face. "There is no time to think! You must leave now!"

Vaiana took a deep breath, her mind sharpening with purpose. "No. Listen to me. Have patience. Gather each servant. Once they hear my dragon's screech, they must use the salvia on the wildfire and ensure they don't breathe it."

Irene recoiled at the mention of the wildfire. Her eyes widened, and she stumbled back. "The wildfire... Will it hurt us?"

Vaiana paused for a moment, her expression stern. She met Irene's gaze intently. "No," she lied. "It won't hurt you. You just have to be careful not to breathe it in, it's not hard to avoid. You need to use the salvia carefully. You understand?"

Irene looked at Vaiana skeptically, her face still etched with worry. However, she nodded slowly, seemingly convinced by Vaiana's assurance. "I'll gather the servants." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vaiana nodded, her gaze fixed on Irene. "Quickly," she urged. "Time is of the essence."

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the hallway outside Vaiana's room, growing louder with each second.

Vaiana turned to Irene, her voice urgent. "Hide!" she hissed.

Irene's face paled with fear, but she obeyed, rushing to one of the room's many dark corners and vanishing into the shadows.

The sound of stomping boots grew louder until the door suddenly burst open, revealing a group of guards rushing into the room. The men surged into the room, weapons drawn and armor clanking.

The guards surrounded Vaiana, their faces stern and their weapons raised. She could sense the tension in the air, thick as a tangible presence.

The lead guard, a grizzled man with a stern expression, stepped forward. "You are summoned by His Grace, King Aegon," he announced, his voice echoing through the room. "His Grace demands an immediate audience."