Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 82

Leaving Aemond's prison chamber hand in hand, they stepped over the two lifeless bodies and began the long descent down the spiral staircase. Not even five steps down, they spotted Jacaerys sitting patiently on a step, his sword resting between his knees.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Jace turned, breaking into a knowing smirk as his gaze fell on Aenyra's bright, triumphant expression and Aemond's stoic presence. "About time! I thought I'd have to take Vermax and head home alone if this took any longer," he quipped, sarcasm lacing his tone.

Aenyra passed him with a playful smile, while Aemond's hand landed briefly on Jace's shoulder, a silent reassurance of his gratitude and relief. "Yeah, yeah, I know you missed me," Jace teased, keeping the mood light despite the darkness they'd just left behind.

"Surprised to see you here, nephew," Aemond replied with a sharp smirk, "seems to me it was you who missed me." Hand in hand, he and Aenyra continued down the staircase, the weight of their escape still pressing in, but tempered by the quiet warmth of reunion.

Jace quickly fell into step beside them. "Someone's grown a bigger head while locked up! And just so you know, you're welcome for the rescue." His eyes flicked to Aemond's torn shirt clinging to his slightly damp chest, then to Aenyra's hair; damp in some places. A teasing grin spread across his face. "Looks like you two worked up quite a sweat."

Aenyra nearly choked on her breath, her cheeks burning like wildfire, while Aemond let out a low snicker. "You could say that." he replied, choosing to keep the more intimate details of Aenyra's unique talents of being a squirter to himself.

They moved on in silence, carefully descending the steps past the grim trail of lifeless bodies. Aemond's gaze lingered on the fallen figures before shifting to Aenyra. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Thank you," he murmured, pride and relief threading through his voice. Aenyra's lips curved into a tight smile, warmth radiating from her as she squeezed his hand in quiet reassurance.

He straightened, lingering on her a moment longer before they emerged from the towering castle into the open air. Cannibal was there, a terrifyingly majestic sight, feasting on the remains of the fallen soldiers. Most would have recoiled, but Aenyra chuckled softly, running her hand along his snout. At her touch, Cannibal abandoned his grisly meal and padded over, purring in approval.

Aemond scanned the horizon for his own dragon, relief flooding him as he finally spotted her soaring from the far side of the castle. She landed with a thunderous thud, the ground trembling beneath her as she came to a stop, her sheer presence radiating power and reassurance alike, cutting through the tension of the aftermath.

So the old hag didn't forget about me after all.

Aemond thought to himself. But before he could walk any further he remembered the situation with Baela. Turning around he called out to Aenyra who was about to climb up cannibal.  "Aenyra wait! " Aemond called out, he walked back to her and grabbed her hand once more. Aenyra's smile fell at the seriousness of Aemond's expression. "I have to tell you something... it's about Baela." Aenyra's breath hitched in her throat at the sound of her sisters name. "I don't want to hurt you— but you need to know it was her, even from the beginning it was her. She's was the one who took our letters not Daemon, and since this war began she's been taking information and giving it to Aegon. That's how Aegon knew I would be their that night in kings Landing to get Helena and the children. Aenyra I believe it was her who told Aegon about you, Jace, and Luke going to form alliances at the neighboring houses..that day when he arrived at Storms End, it felt off, he already new I would be there but he arrived suddenly he didn't seem at all surprised to see Luke.