Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 87

Aemond stirred awake, his body still heavy with sleep. He blinked, adjusting to the dim morning light filtering through the heavy curtains. His hand instinctively reached out to his right, finding only the cool, wrinkled sheets where Aenyra should have been.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face before shifting to sit up. The remnants of last night lingered dry on his skin, a mix of her scent and the evidence of their passion dried in places on the bed. He rolled his shoulders and neck before rising, stretching the stiffness from his muscles.

Still naked he wandered toward the window, pushing the heavy fabric aside and gazed down at the shore below. In the far distance, his sharp eye caught sight of his wife, already deep in training with Ser Erryk. Aemond watched for a moment longer, something possessive stirring in him at the sight of her sparring, pushing herself even before the day had fully begun. She had always been like this—unyielding, stubborn in her pursuits at anything she set her mind to. It was one of the things that always frustrated and enamored him in equal measure throughout their lives feeling as if he was always trying to catch up to her.  A smirk ghosted over his lips at the thought.  She was truly unlike anyone— beautiful, intelligent, a warrior whose skills nearly surpassing his own but with him she allowed herself to be vulnerable, showing him her weakness, and raw edges. Her willingness to submit to no one but him.

Pride swelled in his chest.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Aemond turned and strode toward their private bath. He needed to cleanse himself of the remnants of the night before the day fully began—lest he carry the scent of sex with him through the halls.

The water was warm as he sank into the tub, the heat seeping into his muscles, easing the lingering ache of the morning. He began to scrub but it seened no matter how clean he was he could still smell her sweet scent. It had clung to him.

His mind wondered to how tight she felt wrapped around him last night, the lewd noises, the brrsthles gasp.

Aemond exhaled sharply, forcing the thoughts away before they became a distraction. He could indulge in her later. And he definitely would.

Once clean, he stepped from the bath and dried himself off, dressing in a simple black tunic and breeches. As he fastened the last button, a knock at the door interrupted his quiet morning.

His brow furrowed. Aenyra was still outside, which meant it wasn't her. And very few people had reason to disturb him at this hour.

"Enter." he called, his tone edged with curiosity.

The door creaked open, revealing Elinda standing hesitantly at the threshold. Aemond's eye narrowed slightly in surprise. She was not one to bother him unless it concerned either Aenyra or—

"Is Aemond well?" he murmured, already sensing the purpose of her visit.

"The young prince is fine, Prince Aemond. Princess Aenyra instructed us to bring these to your chambers." Elinda replied quickly, stepping aside to allow the other two guards to enter. They carried a black iron chest, setting it down beside the small hearth. Without hesitation, they lit a fire and carefully placed each egg into the flames.

Aemond's heart quickened. She had left this decision to him? Somehow, it hadn't dawned on him that Aemon still lacked a dragon egg—though, in fairness, he had only been home for a small handful of days.

A smile crossed his lips before he quickly schooled his expression back into its usual stoic mask. "Thank you, Elinda. You're dismissed. I'll have the guards retrieve the other eggs once I've made my decision."

Elinda bowed her head before exiting the room, the guards following close behind.

Aemond stepped forward, kneeling beside the five eggs, his sharp gaze tracing their distinct patterns.