Heir of the Dragon

I'm Not Sorry

Aemond had quickly closed the distance between himself and Jessica as soon as they were all in the safety of their living quarters.

Jessica had barely looked at Aemond since they were on the stairwell, she had no desire to.

In hindsight, she should have been more aware of her surroundings when she ran smack into Aemond's chest her face crushing onto the warmth of this leather.

His arms locked around her and his lips brushed her forehead, lingering there. "I trust your flight was pleasant, My Love. Starfyre was able to stretch her wings."

Alicent and Helaena froze waiting on Jessica's reaction.

Jessica blinked, honestly not believing this was the route Aemond was going to take. He smiled down at her, so sweetly, so genuine, that for a moment she wondered why she was angry with him at all.

Then she remembered the pain in her cheek, the mark on her face. How he had raised a hand to her, the one person she thought she could count on the most.

Jessica, as much as it pained her, detached Aemond from her.

His face fell, crestfallen. "My Love." He whispered so sweetly. "It doesn't need to be like this." He gently reached up and cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead to hers. "Things can start anew."

Aemond smiled, he could feel her, how she was holding herself back. "I know you don't want to stay mad. You're tired of this fighting as much as I am."

Jessica scoffed. "By the Gods." She walked around Aemond, but turned and looked back at Helaena. Her expression softened. "Tea, Sister?"

Helaena gave a small nod and the pair of them walked into her chambers.

Jessica stayed until all was drank. She stood and wished to go bid her sister goodnight before Jessica went to stay with Aegon once again. She found Helaena on the balcony apparently talking to herself. "It's all a story...and you are but one part in it. You know you part. You know what you must do."

Jessica came and settled next to Helaena, her back was to the city, her arms crossed.

Helaena gave her a small smile. "Motherhood changes us, Sister. Maybe not for the better, but it does change us for good. And the child in your belly, that precious little -"

Aemond had been leaning against the doorway finally spoke up. "Sister."

The girls looked at each other, and Jessica turned her back to Aemond.

He walked over and stood behind both of them. "We share the same blood, you and I. I know you wish no harm to anyone. But in a time like this, when the good of the realm depends on us…Our mother is not a dragonrider. She cannot understand that you and I have a truer call to heed. Come with me… to Harrenhal? We will lay waste to Daemon and his army. Let our enemy see that we will answer outrage with outrage."

Helaena turned to her brother. "And if I refuse? Will you burn me as you did Aegon?"

Aemond tensed. "That is a lie."

Helaena snapped. "I saw it. You burned him and let him fall."

Aemond voice dropped. "What you say is treason."

Helaena stood her ground. "Aegon will be king again. He has yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne. And you...you'll be dead. You were swallowed up in the God's Eye, and you were never seen again. And after, Aegon will take Jessica to wife, and they go on to rule."

There were tears in Aemond's eye. "I could have you killed."

There was a small shake to Helaena's head. "It wouldn't change anything."