king for a day ¹ ━━━━ jacaerys velaryon fanfic

40

- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER FORTY ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
DEAR JOHN
❛ you are an expert at 'sorry'
and keeping lines blurry
never impressed by me acing your tests ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
aemond. and only slightly edited!

EUDORA.

The days blurred into one another, marked only by the rise and fall of the sun outside her window. Eudora had spent hours staring at the bustling city of King's Landing below, her eyes tracking the streets that wound like veins through its beating heart. She envied the people down there now more than everything– their freedom, their ignorance of her suffering.

Each passing hour felt heavier than the last. Her chambers were nothing but a prison cloaked with finery, the rich tapestries and golden accents doing little to mask her new suffocating reality. How long has it been? She's tried to keep count but her focus wasn't the finest. All she could see was when the last torch would be put out at night, signaling her that it was time to fall asleep.

The heavy sound of boots against stone tore her from her thoughts. Her breath hitched, her gaze snapping to the door just as it opened. Aemond strode in, his presence seering into the room. "Why so grim, my love?" Aemond mocked, looking at Eudora with a grin. She only looked out of the window, desperate to focus on anything other than him. "The news about you finally reached Dragonstone, or so I've heard."

"Have they said anything?" Eudora asked, her voice a cold monotone.

But Aemond only laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "About you?" he sneered. "They couldn't care less about your wellbeing."

"Spare me from your false pity," Eudora bit back, "you've done enough to mock my pain."

"What false pity?" Aemond then cooed, his tone feigning innocence. He stepped closer to her, hs grin growing wider. "Jacaerys was a fool to believe he could keep you safe. But don't worry, I will do what I must. At least now, we can uphold the promise your father made, Starks never forget their oaths, am I right? You will be my wife by the next moon, the mother of my children. Eudora, you belong to me now."

Her stomach turned at his words. "I belong to no one," she hissed. "Least of all you."

The one eyed man's smile faltered, and a shadow passed over his face. In a swift motion, he seized her by the arms and hauled her to her feet. She struggled against his grip, her hands clawing at his chest, but he was stronger– unyielding. "Perhaps I need to remind you of your place here," he told her, his fingers digging into her skin.

"Mind your tongue, kinslayer," she spat, causing Aemond's eye to narrow at her insult.

"Kinslayer," he repeated, his tone cold and dangerous. "You think that words can wound me? Do you think you hold any power in this place, Eudora? Now that you return a traitor, a wife to a whore's bastard, and a supporter to the pretender? You're just a coddled girl playing pretend."

"I'd rather die than be your wife."

Suddenly, his smirk deepend, his expression calm but chilling. "Then perhaps I should teach you how to live," he murmured. Before Eudora could react, his hand lifted, fingers brushing the side of her neck. His touch was deliberate, slow, and she stiggened under it. The cold pressure of his fingertips sent a wave of panic crashing over her.

"Tell me," Aemond said, his voice smooth and mocking, "did your bastard husband lay claim to you yet? Or were you too proud to let him touch you?"

Eudora froze, snapping her gaze towards the prince.

"Hm," he continued, amused by her reaction. "Perhaps he tried, but you couldn't stomach the thought of his filthy bloodline mingling with yours. Half Targaryen, half Strong– nothing but a bastard laying claim to a right that isn't his–"

Aemond's face whipped to the side, the girl's open palm connecting with his cheek in a resounding crack. A harsh slap cut through his insult.

"Don't you dare insult him!" she shouted, the Targaryen stilled for a moment. The chamber grew quiet, slowly he turned to look at him, Aemond's jaw clenching tighter by the second.

He then laughed, one that chilled Eudora to the bone. "Good," he told her. "There's still some fight in you."

The Stark's chest heaved with anger as he stepped closer, towering over her. But it didn't stop Eudora, it only made her feel bolder.

She lunged at him, fists flying as she tried to attack him in any way she could. Her movements were wild, fueled by what she thought was the adrenaline and hatred, but Aemond knew better. He knew to act quicker. Quickly, the prince caught her wrists mid-swing, his grip so strong as he forced her arms to her sides.

"You think you can hurt me?!" Aemond yelled. "You'll have to try harder than that–"

"Let go of me!"

He leaned closer, his voice a whisper against her ear. "You'll learn to behave, my dear. You'll learn, one way or another."

"I will never be yours."

His eye searched hers for a moment, as if measuring the depth of her insanity. "Perhaps I'll just have to undo whatever hold my nepphew has over you," he mused, Eudora's eyebrows knotting together. "If he ever even touched you to begin with."

"You are vile–"

"And you," he replied with a cold smile, "are mine." The Targaryen released her abruptly, and she stumbled backwards– falling on the ground. Aemond strode to the door, his patience beginning to dwindle. "You'll learn, soon enough." The heavy door slammed shut behind him, and the metallic click of the lock echord in the silence.

Eudora took a moment before she realized what happened, surging forward to pound her fists against the door. "You can't leave me here!" she screamed, beginning to tug on the door. "Aemond! Aemond, you coward!"

Her shouts went unanswered, her voice echoing through the halls. "Let me out!" she yelled repeatedly, and yet no one came to save her. Slowly, she slid to the floor, her back pressed against the door as she felt hot tears begin to fill her eyes.

Her hand went to her neck, the sensation of Aemond's touch still lingering like a brand. She didn't know what to do anymore, allowing herself to cry as she held her head in her hands. Gods be good, she thought to herself, but where were they when she fell into the hands of the Hightower army? When she was first brought to this confinement? When she first tried to escape and yet Aemond was quick to realize her schemes?

Eudora could only led out an agonizing cry, the pain of it all finally coming down on her as she brought her knees to her chest. No scream nor strength would break her free. The Stark finally realized that for the first time ever, there was no escape.

(( 🏹 ))