Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 47

Later that night

Aenyra and Jacaerys slipped away from Dragonstone under the cover of darkness, with only the stars and moon as their witnesses. They crossed the narrow sea, and as they neared King's Landing, they circled high above before discreetly landing Cannibal and Vermax in the open field where Vhagar often rested.

Aenyra dismounted with practiced ease, but Jace lingered atop Vermax, his eyes fixed on the massive form of Vhagar. The old she-dragon had lifted her head, letting out a low, rumbling growl. But upon spotting Aenyra beside Cannibal, she lowered her head once more and settled into the grass.

Aenyra noticed Jacaerys's hesitation and stifled a laugh. "Jace, are you planning to stay up there all night, or are you coming down?" she called, crossing her arms with a teasing smile.

With cautious movements, Jacaerys descended Vermax's wing, quickly making his way to Aenyra's opposite side—putting as much distance as possible between himself and Vhagar, who was still watching him intently.

"Is it just me, or does she seem to be staring at me?" he asked, lowering his voice.

"It's not just you. She doesn't recognize you or Vermax yet," Aenyra replied.

Turning to Cannibal, she began speaking in Valyrian: "Mīsagon Vermax lo bēvílagon."

"What did you just say to him?" Jace asked.

"Really? Remind me to help you with your High Valyrian, you really need to learn it." she said, rolling her eyes at the thought that her brother still hadn't mastered their ancestral tongue. She let out a breath before continuing, "I just told him to protect Vermax if necessary."

"You know what'll happen if we get caught, right?" Jace whispered nervously as they crept closer to the castle.

Aenyra shot him a determined glance, brushing off his concern. "Just stay quiet and follow my lead," she said, carefully navigating down the rocky slope toward the hidden beach behind the castle. They stopped in front of an unassuming door tucked into the stone—one that led directly into the crypts below.

"Where exactly are we headed?" Jace asked, his voice low. "And how do you even know about this place?"

Aenyra grinned. "Aemond and I stumbled across it when we were younger. It leads to a network of secret tunnels that run beneath the castle. Legend says Maegor had them built as escape routes—but hardly anyone knows they exist."

As they approached another door, nearly invisible against the stone wall, Aenyra didn't hesitate. She swung it open and grabbed the flickering torch mounted nearby.

"This way." she said, and the two of them descended a narrow spiral staircase, winding through dark, musty tunnels until they reached yet another door.

Aenyra took a steadying breath, set the torch on the cold stone floor, and slowly pushed the door open. A warm flicker of light spilled into the corridor, revealing a room Jace had never seen before.

Her eyes swept the space and landed on Aemond, standing in his chamber, deep in conversation with Helaena.

"Aemond!" Aenyra exclaimed joyfully, rushing toward him and leaping into his arms.

Aemond turned at the sound of her voice, his eye widening in surprise before softening with unmistakable relief. A rare, genuine smile broke across his face as he caught her, holding her tightly against him. He pressed a firm kiss to her temple, his large hand sliding up her back and into her braided hair, gripping her like he feared she might vanish again.

"You're here." he murmured into her ear, his voice low with emotion.

"I missed you."she whispered back, clinging to him for a moment longer before pulling away.