The King's Whore - Aegon/Aemond

Chapter 27

Fern stumbled into the Dowager Queen outside of Aegon's chambers, her eyes widening at the sight. Queen Alicent Hightower wore a conflicted frown, her turmoil evident in each step she took, and when she saw Fern it only seemed to deepen.
"Queen Alicent." She said, inclining her head. Her gaze caught on the open door to Aegon's room, the candlelight flickering as mournful whimpers leaked into the hallway.
Fern's heart broke at the familiar sound of Aegon trying to muffle his own tears.
She looked back to the queen, noticing the anxiousness written on her face like she'd been caught in the act of something shameful.
"You're leaving?" She asked.
The Queen fiddled with her hands, as if there was some urge inside her to pick at the skin there. "I thought it best to give him space."
Fern's brows furrowed. Space? That's one thing Aegon had been given far too much of in his life. Space away from the loving arms of his parents. Space away from comfort and safety. Space to fester and grow insecure, the shadows creeping in over his once golden heart.
And now, here in his time of need, she thought he yearned for space? Not his mother's arms around him? Not her gentle words of reassurance?
She glanced at the crack in the door, Aegon slumped over himself like a scared child. He looked broken. Empty.
His baby had been snatched from him, his precious little boy, one of the few pure things he had in this world, one of the few people that he knew loved him... And his own mother would turn away?
Fern gave the Queen a polite nod. "Most gracious." She said with a pinched smile, trying to contain her judgement and condemnation.
It wasn't her place to begin questioning the motives of Queen Alicent. She was not Fern's concern. Aegon was.
With a last small bow, Fern strode through the doors to her lover's chambers. Aegon didn't seem to notice, lost in his own grief.
He played with the ring on his hand, sobbing desperately as the fire crackled beside him, his silver hair cascading past his cheeks in a curtain that hid his beautiful face from the world.
She recalled the day he'd learned of Helaena's pregnancy, the look on his face – that mixture of abject terror and utter joy.
And when the twins had been born? He'd come to her many days later, lying in bed for hours with her and babbling away about their tiny little faces and their perfect little hands and the way they smiled up at him.
They're the future, he had said proudly, so amazed by the fact that something so perfect and pure had come from him.
Every day since, he had told her about them. About their love of ponies, the day their dragons hatched, their favourite hobbies and foods and everything they did. He'd been so proud that most of the whores he'd bedded had been keenly aware of his little ones.
The presents he used to buy them, lavish and over the top...
He'd adored them both. And now half of his heart was gone, torn out when he'd lost his little Jaehaerys.
Fern stood there, frozen as she watched him, for a long moment of silence. After a tense pause, she walked up behind his chair and touched his shoulders. But the sobs only grew.
All his anger, all his rage... Behind it all was a scared boy who'd lost one of the most precious people in his life.
"Aegon..." She whispered, running her fingers through his hair.
Silently, body wracked by sobs, the King leaned into her. His head pressed against her stomach as he wept, clinging to her like a lifeline.
Neither of them said a word as he cried, as she held him close and prayed to every God she knew that he'd be alright.
But she held him, and, for a moment, it was only the two of them in the whole world.
"Come to bed, my love..." She said gently.
Aegon held onto her tighter in response.
"Darling..." She urged softly.
Aegon lifted his head, his eyes red and puffy from tears. He looked so broken.
"Helaena?" He asked, his voice cracking.
"She's going to be alright." Fern answered, caressing his cheek. In truth, she didn't know if Helaena would ever be truly alright but she could see the guilt and concern etched all over Aegon's face.
He'd never been much good at talking about serious matters. He'd cry and act out and drink because he didn't know what else to do. And Helaena had always been a particular issue for him.
It wasn't romantic love they shared. But she was his little sister and the mother of his children. He'd always felt guilty. And when he'd become king, he'd wanted to win her more respect, to make sure that the two of them were no longer pawns in other people's games... Not that it had lasted long.
"Come to bed." Fern repeated, taking his hand. Aegon just held on, following her back to the bed they shared. He climbed in, looking more numb than tired, his tears beginning to harden into an armour of anger and hedonism.
As Fern climbed in beside her, he pulled her close in a far less emotional manner, kisses trailing up her neck immediately.
"There's to be a war." He whispered, roughly pushing her legs apart. "I'll have all her bastards heads served to her."
He tugged her small clothes aside, wasting no time in finding the spot he wanted and pushing his fingers inside.
"I'll kill every last one of them." He said, biting her neck.
Silent sobs by the fireplace gave way to moans as Aegon took what he needed. And, by the time they were done, both of them were too exhausted to mourn the rest of the night away.

Fern woke late the next morning. Her hair was a mess, the sheets around her rumpled from the night before, her dress torn in half and discarded on the cold stone floor.
There were bruises and bites all over her body, not that she was complaining, and her muscles ached so terribly that she thought maybe she should just stay in bed for the rest of the day to recover. But, when she glanced beside her to find Aegon, he wasn't there. In the cold light of morning, she'd been left alone in the mess that he'd made of her.
It wasn't like him to leave so early, especially without waking her. But, she supposed, he wasn't really himself at the moment. He'd likely gone to Small Council... Or to Fleabottom to drown his sorrows in whores and ale.
For some reason, that idea left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She wasn't sure why. She knew Aegon had always had others, she was only the favourite. He was a man of unconventional tastes. And yet...
She pushed the feelings aside and sat up, climbing out of bed slowly, reminding herself of all the lessons Cedra had taught her over the years.
She knelt to pick up her torn dress, frowning at the sight. It'd need mending. A waste, surely, but Aegon had needed the relief.
She tossed it aside and went about her business bathing and dressing. The warm water of her bath soothed her sore muscles and the ache between her thighs, washing away the sticky evidence of the night before.
The morning became afternoon.
Afternoon became evening.
Late into the night there was still no sign of Aegon.
Aegon the king. Aegon The Magnanimous or whatever they were calling him now. A ridiculous title.
Her Aegon.
He'd left no note. No word. No servant to tell her where he'd gone or when he'd come home.
So, she spent much of the day with Jaehaera and Helaena again.
The funeral had taken a toll on Helaena, seeing her sweet baby boy with his head stitched back on, jolting along the road as hundreds tried to grab at her and reach her.
She'd folded in on herself again. That quiet sweet girl.
But at least she'd started eating again. At least she could stand to be near Jaehaera without crumbling.
Fern climbed into bed with a bottle of wine and a plate of cakes and fruit. She passed the long solitary night reading and entertaining herself.
In truth, it was a little bit of a relief to be alone. The silence was like a warm welcome hug.
She didn't have to wear a face. She didn't have to behave in a way to please anyone but herself.
But, as pleasant as she was, she worried about Aegon.
He was losing himself, she could see that.
The door unceremoniously slammed open, making her yelp.
Her eyes were wide.
And in stride Aemond.
He did not look happy. Not at all.
"Aemond?"
"Waiting for my brother?" He asked, his voice cold. The door closed behind him. He took long steps towards her, touching her cheek as he stood over her. "Dutiful little Fern."
She stared up at him.
There was no gentleness in his gaze, despite the soft touch of his hand on her cheek.
"Aemond?" She whispered, brows furrowing.
"He's in Fleabottom." He told her, his hold tightening on her jaw. "Whoring."
The words made her flinch.
He leaned in closer, his free hand running slowly down her bodice.
"He's not fit to have you." He whispered in her ear. "Just like he's not fit to sit that throne."
He pushed her back onto the bed and she stared up at him with wide eyes.
"You want me, don't you Fern?"
She didn't say anything, just stared up at him uncertain how exactly she should handle this situation.
The Prince scoffed, running his fingers through her hair. "You... Some little bastard from Fleabottom." He shook his head, leaning into her so she could feel just how much he wanted her. "You drive me insane. Every time I see you on that hobrenkor mittys' arm I want to feed him to Vhagar."
He ran on hand slowly up her leg.
"They meant to kill me, you know?" He whispered, kissing her jaw. "Daemon meant to kill me. Because he knows. He knows I'm a threat to him. Not some lapdog to that drunken quptenka twat."
"Aemond..."
"You know it too. I know you do." He whispered, nuzzling into her neck. The action made her shiver. "You're the only one. The only one who sees me."
His words were almost sweet, but something in his tone made a chill run down her spine.
She softly ran her fingers through his hair and he made a sound like the purring of a cat.
"I could have you now." He whispered, squeezing her thigh. "Right here in his bed. I could have you and you'd thank me for it."
His kisses moved lower, down to her breasts.
"Aemond..."
"You're going to be mine." He whispered. "One of these days. I'm going to make you mine."
In an instant, he'd pulled back. Before she could fully react, the door had closed behind him and he was gone, leaving her stunned and dazed.
What in The Stranger's name had happened?

Hello all! Long time no update! Sorry about that :(
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. There is more to come!! Happy holidays all!
-Rhi