A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 28 - The Burden Of Secrets

Aika rarely went to the Great Sept of Baelor to pray. The queen used to bring her and Heleana with her whenever she wanted to pray. For Aika, it was all useless; none of her prayers were ever answered. She used to pray for Aemond, for Aegon, for her father... Aemond was hurt, as was Aegon, and her father died before she was ready to accept it.

Once she was inside the sept, she knelt, lit three candles, and closed her eyes. If the gods don't listen to my pleas for the living, may they look over the souls of those who have left... "Viserys Targaryen, Jaehaerys Targaryen..." she lit two candles and "Jacaerys Velaryon," she sobbed silently when his name left her lips.

Since early morning, Aemond had attended a small council meeting after the news came. A battle had taken place at the Gullet, with both sides suffering significant losses, but what saddened her most was Jace's fate. At first, gossip spread among the maids and guards, but later, everything was confirmed by those who had been there: Jacaerys Velaryon had been killed by crossbowmen.

Aika knew that the next time they met, they would be enemies, but what she did not consider  that the next time might never come. Now she grieved for a friend... and for what his death would mean for them.

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Aegon was gazing at the ceiling undisturbed for almost few hours when the door of his chamber creaked.

"I thought after our last conversation, you wouldn't come," said Aegon as Aika appeared behind it.

When he looked closer, he noticed how sad and troubled her eyes were as she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

"What's the matter?" he asked, genuinely worried.

For a moment, Aika wanted to burst out with everything. She wanted to tell him about her failed attempt at claiming a dragon, about how their mother had given up on him and made a "pact" with Rhaenyra, about how she had just yesterday thought of possible ways to convince Rhaenyra to spare him and Aemond if she eventually won. However, after Jace's death, she had no hope for the Black Queen's mercy...

Heleana's voice rang in her head: "Aegon will be king again, but he has yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne," she had said to Aemond. Did Heleana believe in her own prophecy? If Heleana was right about Aegon's fate, was she right about Aemond's as well? She shivered.

"The Red Keep is no longer the safest place for your brother," she said, sitting close to him. "Do you really trust Larys?"

He nodded. "I think so."

"Then you will leave King's Landing tomorrow, before sunrise," she said quickly.

"I will have two of my trusted guards go with you, just in case you need protection," she added. "Speak of this to no one else, Aegon. You must trust no one else in our family."

Later that day, Aika spoke to Larys and instructed the guards. None of this felt easy or right, though.

That night, as she lay next to Aemond, who slept soundly, she kept thinking about all the scenarios that could unfold. She had temporarily secured Aegon's life, but once Rhaenyra got through the city gates, as their mother had promised her, they would all be prisoners.

What could Aemond do then? What would Aemond do if he knew to what their mother agreed to? Maybe he would have a better idea out of this mess was the last thing she thought before sleep took over her.