Chains of Bones: Chapter 7: The Scars of the Past, and the lies of the present.
Chains of Bones: DARK!GODAEMOND X READER
Tags: DARK AEMOND, GREEK MYTHOLOGY INSPIRED AU
🔷Summary: You are a servant working for the goddess Rhaenyra and the God Daemon. You are tasked with protecting the flowers and one day, you find yourself captured by rhaenyra's greatest enemy: Aemond.
🔷Author's note: Dark af.
WARNINGS: Misogny, (no kidding) emotional manpulation, dubcon, body betrayl, vaginal sex (f recv) oral sex (f recev) rough sex, mentions of loss of virginty, emotional gaslighting and gore, blood, and a lot of...BONES.
This is a dead dove
Do not eat it.
(a+ warning)
wordcount:7306 (wow what a nice number)
Aemond’s pov, thirth person.
There are few rooms where even Aemond, King of Death, God of murder, doesn’t often visit in his own castle. But regardless, there are rooms he’d rather not come. For instance, the room that holds the murdering witch that murders orphans by baking them into food, the room with his old furniture, of a life long gone and forgotten, and the circle room. There is also the Hellfire, which he tends to avoid, as his father is still burning there from time to time. Anything to avoid that old fucking bastard.
Yet here he is. He stands in front of a bubbling cauldron, lifted into the air hanging on by chains made of bones, chains that rattle when some invisible force seems to move them back and forth. Almost as if the dark ominous smoke brewing is not some deadly omen, but a child, slumbering peacefully over something that watches them. It is calming Aemond too, in some way, to just watch the fingerbones and the kneecaps move in a never ending dance. It takes his worries away, for even a brief moment.
Until that moment passes on, haunted by another. A hooded figure has appeared into the middle of the circle room, wearing a bloodied soaked cloak. He waits for the figure to bow, and when the figure attempts to do so, he instantly dismisses it. ‘’Tell me you have what I need.’’ Aemond says, his tone betraying how nervous he is.
The hood is removed, revealing a man with black curling hair, and a smirk. He manages to get to the cauldron, his weight leaning heavily on the skull crane he brought. He finally reaches the cauldron, testing the waters by picking up the spoon and steering in the cauldron. “Your package is ready. You did well to pick it.” The Magister says, after putting two screaming rats into the cauldron. Aemond does not move a muscle. But Larys knows him for some time now. That empty look in that one, usually angry looking eye does not bode anything good. He knows the human girl, too. He watched her. He knows she’s changing Aemond. He knows she’s undoing all the good work he did.
The King of death tries his best to appear assured and careless, as he takes his usual stance. Hands on his back, where the blood of his hair drips, and a thin line that never quite becomes a smirk, or a smile. “Mhm.” Is all he can bring out.
Larys tests the waters again, as anxiety takes deep root inside of him. He is so close now. Aemond cannot ruin the plans. “Don't doubt yourself now. You know what you must do to keep Rhaenyra from hurting the Queen. It is a small unpleasant sacrifice but it's important. She will forgive you. In time.” He assures the King.
Aemond, who had been quiet so far, finally speaks, his voice filling the room.
“But will she forgive herself? You haven't seen what I've seen. Heard what I've heard. The world spit her out, Larys. The world spit her out and she remained strong and standing. I haven't met anyone with a soul so strong as hers.” He confesses, not sure where his words are even coming from. Larys’ tries to keep his face a steel mask, but it breaks with worry at those words. He truly has fallen in love with the girl.
It would be unwise to go against Aemond. So he complies, for now. “She is quite the extraordinary lady. But that doesn't change the fact that you want her to become immortal. Not even for Rhaenyra's threats but also for her mortality. She will otherwise die at a normal age.” A thing Aemond also had concluded. It would mean he would lose love. Again. He would fall down in darkness and there is no telling if he ever could come back out.
He cannot risk losing her.
He cannot risk losing himself.
“Prepare the ritual.” The order comes out stiff and organised, calculated and merciless. Larys nods, eager to get to work. He turns his back to Aemond, walking to a golden cage where a blonde haired boy is sitting in.
That ritual that will change her life for good. And his too. “As you wish, my King.’’ Larys nearly sings, in excitement. He cannot wait for the puzzle pieces to finally fall into place. ‘’I hear footsteps, someone is coming.’’ Aemond closes his eyes, and indeed, can hear familiar footsteps. Ann has made her way into the circle room. Once she sees Aegon, sitting in the cage, she stops in her tracks. Her face drained of any emotion.
Aemond hurries himself to her, knowing that look all too well. He does not address the child, locked in the cage. Instead he asks Ann what she is hired for.
“How is she holding up?” He refers to the human captive.
Ann shrugs, her eyes still focussed on the child. “The Queen is upset. Heartbroken, more like. She kept it inside of her, but I know she always had the faint small bit of hope that she'd find her parents some day.’’ Aemond groans, annoyed by that answer. He didn’t kill them. He showed her the truth because he had hoped it would bring them closer, not further apart.
Larys makes himself known again by bowing before Aemond, and finally vanishing into the air. Ann sighs. “I had to tell her. I could not keep this from her.” She would have kept wondering. Always. There is no greater punishment, then not knowing what happened to the people that you love. He set her free. He did her a favor.
Ann crosses her arms. This room will never be a comfort for her. It reminds her too much of the man Aemond used to be, and not of who he is now. “Yet you keep things from her still.’ She remarks, referring to the big secret the two of them share.
His gaze hardens, insulted by her boldness. “Different Things.” He remarks. “Things that are in our shared best interest to keep being a secret, at least until Petal does the ritual.” He reminds her. ‘’You do best to remember that, Ann.’’
She does not respond to his threats, as if lost in thought.
“When do you plan to enact it?’
“Tonight If possible. I will make my case and present Petal to her victim, should she wish it so.’ She chuckles softly. He makes it sound so noble. Killing a child. He makes it sound as if it's her choice. But she has known Aemond since he was a little boy. She knows too well that if things don’t go his way, the monster comes out of hiding.
She turns slightly, barely facing him. “What if she doesn't wish it so? You're not the kind of man to accept a no.”
A man.
He chuckles. “One would argue I am not a man at all. Petal gave me that choice. To be who I want to be. I shall offer her the same. I won't stop protecting her should she reject the plan. But she must be prepared regardless.” He does not bother to look at Ann again, not even when she is crying. ‘’Prepare her for tonight, and prepare yourself. Rhaenyra knows Aegon is missing, so war is coming to our doorstep.’’ He hesitates to call after her after he hears her footsteps die in the hallway, but he does not make that effort. Some things are better left unsaid after all.
—-------------
Petal’s pov.
That night, you are preparing for a special dinner with Aemond. That seems to be a regular thing, but Ann insisted that you had to look perfect for tonight. She went as far to brush your hair three times and applied something to it to make it shine. She also washed your horns for you, and tied golden chains around the tips, giving it some much needed glamour. You know something big is coming. A storm is looming. You also sadly know that you cannot fight the storm. You can only pray you make it out alive. There have been days you were scared in this castle. When you just met Aemond. And now you are considering staying here, in the underworld. You are considering a life with him. It seemed impossible, but he has shown that he’s capable of change.
You know he will always protect you.
You look at your reflection in your mirror, and how much you changed.
The smell of your perfume nearly dulls your senses, and you wonder if that’s on purpose. Your gaze hardens once you notice Ann closing the necklace around your neck. She smiles, admiring the pieces of bones still sticking out of your neck, that became your horns. You understand that she is in danger. As long as she’s here, she is in danger. Aemond choked her before, and while you do believe he is capable of change, it feels unfair that Ann is stuck here forever. ‘’Ann, what did you do to get to the underworld?’’ You ask, stopping her tracks by holding her hands.
Ann’s mouth falls open slightly, caught off guard by your question. ‘’I, nothing to worry about, my lady. King Aemond treats us all well.’’ You roll your eyes playfully. Aemond really has brainwashed her.
You don’t doubt that Aemond has noticed you are fond of Ann, however. ‘’No, I asked, how did you become Aemond’s servant? Aemond told me there is a system. Something that decides when you go to this place or the other.’’ Ann chuckles, nervously as you try to dig deeper into your friend’s past. She is here for a reason. She did something. You think of your own past, full of things you are not proud of. Maybe she is ashamed too. Maybe the past holds her prisoner too. You grab her hands tighter. ‘’You can tell me anything, Ann.’’ You add, a bit softer. Her eyes begin to water, as she begins to breath heavily.
‘’I don’t remember it well, it was years ago.’’ She whispers, distraught. You sigh, but accept that answer for now. ‘’I am sorry, my Lady. I simply don’t.’’ You know she is lying. But you let her do that for now. You allow it for now. Because one day, you trust her to be open to you. You know whatever holds her here is something terrible and dark. You nod, accepting her answer. She sighs, relieved.
She picks out two shining earrings and pricks them into your ears, careful to mind the new decorated horns. You look like an eternal avenging goddess. You never looked so beautiful and yet so…haunting. As a living daydream born from a nightmare. An eclipse blocking out the sun. You sigh, thinking of your parents. How they would’ve loved to see you as this, grown up.
How you would’ve loved to see them, old. Alive. Happy. The soul mirror showed you how they drowned. How they cried and reached for you, but how they were eventually drowning. It was a terrible thing you won’t soon forget. Maybe not ever. You must have somehow given off the idea that something is wrong, as Ann stops preparing you and instead sits on your bed, clutching your hands. ‘’I am sorry, my Lady. King Aemond told me what has happened.’’ She says, gently. ‘’I am sorry. Family is one thing I never had myself. But …’’ She stops herself as you tilt your head.
‘’Does Aemond have family?’’ You wonder. ‘’Aside from Rhaenyra?’’ You add.
Ann nods. ‘’He does. He has two brothers, two sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts.’’
That sounds wonderful to you. ‘’That must be great. I want to meet them all when we marry.’’ You say, getting ahead of yourself. Ann freezes as if you said something off. She quickly returns to her tasks, pretending that the last ten seconds didn’t happen.
“Ann?”
She is folding the dresses you tried on.‘’I do not mean offense, my Lady. But King Aemond has not been with his family in years. That happens, when they all want him dead.’’ She adds, with a nervous chuckle. ‘’I doubt anyone would even set foot here. It is quite a gloomy place, is it not?’’ She tries to play it off as a joke. You didn't even think of that. Half of his family wants him dead. The family is not your family. They never will be. You’ll always be just a mortal girl to them. Unless you change that. An idea that horrified you.
To live forever?
Guide other people?
Rule over them, even?
You’d be terrified and insecure.
But now, now you are actually…considering it.
To become immortal.
You wonder…
‘’Do you think I’d make a good Queen?’’ You ask, ready for whatever truth leaves her lips. You cannot do this for just yourself. You cannot risk losing yourself.
Ann presses her lips together in thought, putting away the dresses the two of you tried out. ‘’I think you make a perfect Queen.’’ She says, sincerely. ‘’It is more than carrying a crown. You carry a burden, a weight on your heart. Not everyone can take it.’’ She says, her eyes lowered at the tiles. ‘’I for one, I would never want to become Queen. Because I know I don’t have the heart or the stomach. But you do, my Lady. I’ve seen and know you. Whatever they throw at you, you are ready.’’ She clutches your hands, smiling as she nods towards the door. ‘’He is there, my Lady. Go to your King.’’ You wonder how she knows that, briefly. You take a deep breath, before walking to the door.
You don’t like the expression on Aemond’s face. He is clearly thinking of something, that dreadful thin emotionless line burned into his face, as he clearly overthinks something. You want him to stop worrying. But you know he cannot. You make yourself known by clearing your throat. He stops staring at the ceiling, and meets your eye. When he sees you, all his worries die. All his demons perish. There is one thing, and he swarms to it, as a moth to a flickering candle in pure darkness. He does not say a word, but he offers you his hand. You take it, with a graceful curtsy. The two of you leave your rooms, to the big throne room. Walking through the halls reminds you of your first visit. The halls seem warmer and lighter somehow. Not as scary anymore. And the tiles, the cold and black tiles, have almost a softer appearance. Something has changed.
‘’You are quiet.’’ You say, as Aemond walks to the throne in silence. He stops in his tracks, nodding as if to agree to what you say. You wait for him to explain his silence, to take your worries away, as he so often does. But this time, he has another plan. The plan is to just ignore you completely. He continues on walking, not a care in the world.
You shake your head, mutter a curse, and follow him. He stops by the throne made of skulls and other bones. He looks at your horns as the gold catches into the light of the big dragon skull chandeliers. He caresses your face, with his dark and white bloodied nails, where his veins are always visible and warning you of your mortality. He waits for you to look into his eye again, and when you do, he smiles. A ghost of a smile, a gentle warm smile, as the beginning of a flower growing, as the intro of a chapter. Something so precious, so small and vulnerable that it quite does not match with Aemond or the man he is.
‘’I am grateful.’’ He says. You are shocked. You have not known him to be grateful at all. He takes your hands into his own, staring at your fingernails. ‘’For that I had the chance to know you. For that I got to know you. For that you made me feel for a moment, as if all was possible. You made me feel human. But you did more than that…’’ He takes a shaky breath. ‘’You made me feel as if I was alive. For as long as you’ve been here with me. I felt…alive But more than that: I was allowed to feel alive.’’ You feel dread tear apart your chest. The past terms make you deeply concerned, and it's killing you. You grab his face too, caressing it as you feel the familiar scar.
‘’Life is only worth it if you have something to share it with. You made me feel seen, you made me feel as if I existed. As if I mattered.’’ You say, finishing what he started. Aemond does not speak, but you notice two dark blood red teardrops leaving his eyes, signaling that it touches him. You lean in and kiss him, softly. He returns your kiss.
He sighs. ‘’I have been wondering. Did you consider my offer?’’ His offer. To kill another person to become a Goddess. You must have looked as you feel, horrible for even considering this. Because he reads you as if you are made of pure glass, he looks through you as if you are water and he’s the bird, watching and waiting to pick up the fish from the river. ‘’Is it such a horrible offer?’’ He jokes, but you don’t laugh. He walks to the walls of the throne room, and closes the big doors. ‘’I need to show you something. I meant to show it to you, but …things happened and it…’’ He swallows. You notice his face has red smears of blood. Tears.
You watch as he waves his hand, opening the wall. You blink, but don’t question anything at this point, following Aemond inside the mysterious hidden room.
–
Inside, there are candles burning on a stone altar Candles that spread a familiar and yet unknown scent of forest, wood, especially the smell of burning wood. The candles appear wax to you, made of beeswax. So whatever you smell is enchanted or magic. Aemond has closed the door behind the two of you, and judging by his somber expression whatever awaits the two of you here is either personal, dangerous, or both.
You step closer to the mysterious covered wall. Tapestries cover clearly something very precious. The way the candles stand in front of it, the way the room is so closed off, so near and yet so far away from Aemond it all makes you think you are intruding into something personal. You know whatever he brought you for is not for fun stories. He is here to change your mind. And the worst part is, you want him to succeed.
You want to be swayed off your feet, caught in a nightmare, disguised as a daydream, all while he promises you the world before you both burn and die. You want to believe all his lies, and you want to care about him. You want to believe that even for you, happiness is truly possible.
You need to see there is light at the end of the dark road you've traveled alone and so long. Aemond gives you a soft squeeze in your hands, and you don't even know you are crying until he wipes your tears away. “I need to show you this. Well, I wanted to, to be honest. But I was afraid.” He admits stalling himself. You feel yourself frown. Aemond is not often afraid.
He glares at the curtains covering the wall. He takes a deep breath and yanks the curtain open, revealing a beautiful oil painting. You have never seen anything quite like it. The frame is made of bones, bones who unlike all the other bones, have a gentle green glow. A protection spell, you assume, to keep them in tact. You admire the craftsmanship, but cannot help but wonder whose bones Aemond found so dearly that they had to be preserved.
The painting covers four faces, with a final person hiding in the corner of the painting. You never were that into art, but even someone like you would notice the exquisite details and the lifelike faces brought to life before your very eyes on this canvas. You want to know who these four people are. Next to you, Aemond shudders. You briefly reach out with your fingers, feeling the bone ring. He exhales, and you can almost hear his worries vanish when you smile at him. ‘’Would you like to tell me about this?’’
Aemond takes a deep breath, but joins you. His fingers linger over the first face. A young face, truth be told. You notice the silver hair the boy has, together with those same piercing eyes you found love and hope in. You turn to Aemond, tilting your head. You want to ask him, but you are too afraid. ‘’Ask me.’’ He suddenly says, forcing himself to smile. Whatever happened, it is painful as a fresh wound to him. You lift your head and brace yourself, preparing yourself for the worst. That one time, when you two argued, and the beast came out, that one time, it terrified you. It still does, truth be told.
‘’Is this family of yours? He has your eyes.’’ You say, gently gesturing to the young boy on the painting. Aemond chuckles, amused by your comment. He gives a soft nod, touching the canvas. You can tell whoever that is, he means much to Aemond. ‘’That would be Daeron, my younger brother.’’ That Daeron. That younger brother. You recall how he told you of the Godhood of war. You feel your respect grow for the young boy, that is a god. You just never suspected that Aemond could be so …kind to his family. You also become wary of that kind boy you see. That is not just a boy. That is a killer, someone who struck down a seasoned warrior, before even reaching adulthood. If this is what he achieves in his teen years, what will his adulthood look like?
Aemond has surprised you today. He is not just bloodthirsty, he is also sentimental and values family and loyalty. It is clear he does not want everyone else to know that..You move onto the next face. A kind, but charming man smirks at you, wearing a familiar crown. The Crown of Darkness. You would recognize it anywhere. It is almost an exact copy of Rhaenyra’s, but this has three dark rubies, and less silver. You know this must be the usurper. Aegon. ‘’Aegon, my brother, King of all Gods.’’ He says, picking his words carefully. You understand he and Rhaenyra are at war. A bloody war. You admire Aegon’s handsome features, and his smirk but one look at Aemond and you’ve forgotten him already. ‘’He is charming, isn’t he?’’ He remarks, softly. You roll your eyes, smiling.
Aegon is charming, yes. But he could never replace Aemond. ‘’I prefer my men a bit darker. Do you think I consider becoming immortal and killing an innocent just for everybody?’’ He smiles at that, a bit relieved. He shakes his head, suddenly shy. You move onto the next face on the painting.
A beautiful brown-eyed woman has been painted, with a waterfall of red, soft locks. She wears a small diadem with gold and green stones, as well as a classic one-shoulder gown you often see Rhaenyra wear too. Aemond has become silent again, and you hear the increased dripping from his hair as he touches it, nervously. Another Goddess, no doubt. You wonder if she’s Aemond’s lover, from another life. “That would be my mother.’ He read your thoughts. “Alicent, the Queen of Justice. Defender of the rights.” Alicent looks nothing like her sons. Daeron looks like Aemond, and Aemond looks like Aegon, but none of them look like Alicent. You tilt your head, studying her features closer, looking for any resemblance.
You find none.
The only thing they seem to have in common is this chain of duty and immortality that binds them together. It is almost terrifying to you how much of Alicent’s features are erased, as if she was a mere vessel used for carrying the children. They no doubt look more like their father. You see another man, with dark hair, but no one comes close to Viserys’ appearance. Aemond chose not to have his father hanging here. You suppose that would make sense. He did not speak so lovingly of him before.
Just seeing her portrait upsets him greatly, you can tell by the way his pupils darkened, and his nails have become a bonewhite colour. Whatever happened between them is something he clearly still struggles with. “It's been enough for today.” He announces, before storming off. You follow him, closing the secret wall behind you. You offer your hands, should he need it. He reaches out to your touch.
Back in the throne room, a silence falls over you both. Until Aemond breaks it. ‘’I need to prepare for the ritual. Be careful. I have eyes everywhere, but I’d prefer it if you were cautious too.’’ He says, still holding your hands. You give him an illusion of a smile, as dread creeps up in your stomach, slowly clawing its way to your heart. He is not joking. He is deadly serious, he knows your own enemies better than who else. And that is exactly what you fear is going to be your own undoing. Not fully knowing or understanding just what Rhaenyra is truly capable of.
As Aemond has fully vanished, you feel the urge to return back to your rooms. Ann is still waiting there, likely being very interested in how well your small meeting with Aemond went. You do think she is hiding something, but you don’t want to think about it too much. Ann has shown nothing but kindness. Whatever got her into this place, is her business. It hurts you that she doesn’t want to share it, but you have to accept her decision.
When you enter your rooms, however….
Ann is not there. ‘’Ann?’’
‘’Petal.’’ Your name rings from a man’s lips, but you know it’s not Aemonds lips. You turn around, wary and worry, taking hold of your senses. You have always found Jace an attractive man. Him being the King of Charm might have something to do with that. But it is also something else. He looks as if he has escaped from a storybook about fearsome dragons and princesses that needed to be saved. He looks like a prince.
He smiles, as he did many many times before. But this time, you notice something has changed. His smile is wider, forced and insecure. His eyes scream of fear and terror as his lips slowly part, preparing for the words that will enchant you slowly. “Aemond has raped you once already. You must flee now. Come back home with me. My mother can protect you.” He says, cutting straight to the case. You find it odd that he doesn’t try to explain himself or how he even got here.
He reaches out for your hand, and you always assumed you two were friends. But now you see him for what he is. A pawn on a chestboard. And so are you. You step out of his reach, shaking your hand. ‘’Aemond told me the truth.’’ You say, giving him a chance to explain himself. His brows slightly rise, but his face remains stoic and composed. You don’t see a human thought in those eyes. Those brown eyes you once held dear.
Jace throws back his head, laughing, as if you told him some funny joke. ‘’You trust Aemond, of all people? I always thought you were smarter than that. Petal, he means harm. He will kill you. You must flee with me, now.’’ He says. You shake your head, laughing as his voice takes a twisted turn. You don’t believe a word on his lips. His smile dies, and you are reminded you are with a immortal, powerful being. ‘’If you won’t come quietly-’’ He steps closer before dark vines crawl up from under the floorboard, strangling his feet, tying him into his place. You notice the soft black roses, and turn around.
Aemond stands right behind you, staring through Jace. Not even at him, just through him. As if he doesn’t acknowledge him as he fights the vines. “Hello, Petal.’’ He reaches out to kiss your knuckles, smiling broadly when he sees you. When he however turns around to face Jacaerys, you can hear the bones in his neck crack, that’s how fast he’s turning around. His eyes that once were shimmering and glistening with hope and possibility now have nothing but hatred. ‘’Hello, bastard. Care to tell me why you're breaking laws of nature and court and invading my lands?” The tone of his voice is suspiciously amused.
Jace snarls, offended that Aemond called him that. You aren’t sure if you want to be involved, as Jace apparently lied to you as well, and you don’t want to come back with him to the realm of living. He points a finger in Aemond’s direction. “You took a living being here. It's you who broke the laws.” You know Daemon gave him permission, but you suppose that Rhaenyra had no say in this decision. If she had, she never would’ve let you go.
Aemond chuckles, steps one step closer and blows, causing a small fire to enlight on Jace’s fingertips. Jace hisses, and quickly uses his own powers to stop Aemond’s spell. ‘’That was a warning. You are not welcome here. You never have been.’’ He says. ‘’This is my terrority.’’
Aemond wraps his arms around you, holding you when the portal finally closes.
‘’You haven’t told her, I bet?’’ You feel your blood run cold. You look to Aemond who looks extremely guilty.
‘’Told me what?’ You demand.
‘’About his first love, of course.’’ Jace snarls, with a smirk. Your soul crushes in your chest.
“Ask him how he became King of the underworld. actually let me tell you.” You turn to Aemond, looking for an explanation. Aemond yawns, not interested in Jace’s anecdotes.
“The position was to be my little brother's. Lucerys. Aemond heard that the crown could be stolen from Luc and made a plan together with his lover, his mistress.” Something snaps in Aemond’s eyes when he hears that one little word, and his pupils become black. You take a step away, a step you hope is only for your own safety. “He had my brother lured out to the lake. Where he tore the dragon toy from my eleven years old brother, and shoved a dagger in his heart.”
Aemond snarls as he notices your discontent. “That's not what happened. Lucerys attacked me. You know I didn't want to take the crown.” His voice has changed again. You know the monster is about to come out.
Jace scoffs, pushing his buttons. “And here you stand. Wearing it so proud and tall.”
‘’Jace, just leave.’’ You beg. ‘’You are bringing out the monster-’’
Aemond doesn’t listen to you anymore, only focussed on Jace.
“You know what happened. You forced my hand. I never wanted the damn thing. You and Rhaenyra and Daemon’s brats-” He lashes out, sending a flame to Jace’s way. Jace captures the flame, well prepared this time, and smirks as you become once again of your own mortality.
“Careful, Uncle. Your emotions are running high. You dont want to hurt Petal here, do you?” He sends the fireball your way, as you try to outrun it. It is too fast.
Aemond needs to use his own magic to stop it, clearly distressed that he almost killed you. ‘’Petal!” His eyes are blue again, a soft gentle colour. He has blood dripping down by his eye, a single tear. You reach out to caress his face, to let him not just know but feel that you are here and with him. You glare at Jace.
‘’I think that I speak for my future husband and my King that you’ve outstayed your welcome. Go back to Rhaenyra. Go back to your wife. I don’t want to see you anymore. Or ever again.’’ You say. Aemond furiously nods, agreeing with you. He kisses your knuckles lovingly. Jace scoffs, before disappearing into the portal, leaving the underworld empty-handed.
A heavy silence falls between the two of you. Aemond hadn’t told you about his love. And it hurts you. It makes you jealous and insecure. But also curious and sad. “What happened?” You ask, gently.
Aemond sighs. ‘’For as long as I can recall, I was the only one in my family without a godhood. My father’s uncle had finally passed. So we had the spot of God of the Underworld opening up.’’ He tells you, and you can see some great pride in that. ‘’It was perfect for me, in all accounts. I always have been responsible and a just person. Justice, is very important to me. My mother, she told me she wanted me to have the Godhood. She believed in me.’’ You wonder what changed between the two of them.
‘’I went to the Underworld, ready to claim my rightful spot among my family.’’ You imagine Aemond walking down the halls for the first time, seeing the skull chandeliers for the first time. You wonder how much is his design and how much his predescorss. His smile falls, leaving a hurtful scar of a snarl. ‘’But the crown, the bone crown…It was gone.’’
“They told me Lucerys took it. My nephew, Jace’s brother.’’ You nod, having already heard that specific part. ‘’Lucerys and Jace, they aren’t worthy of any godhood. They are not like us, they are disgusting halfbreeds-’’ He falls silent, swallowing his own words as he looks at you. You feel heat creep to your cheeks as you understand why. One day, he hopes to have his own halfbreeds with you.
“That must have been a disappointment.” You say, gently.
He nods, “It was. I went to confront him. He laughed in my face and taunted me about my lost eye. He unveiled his chosen. My love. My …Alys.” Your heart drops as Aemond becomes awfully quiet. She has a name now. She is now real. She exists, and was a part of his life. And it sounds like he truly loved her.
Aemond’s shoulders hang and you understand in your heart where this all is going.
“He was going to sacrifice your love?” You whisper. ‘’How cruel.’’
“Yes. He was.” He is tormented by the memories.
Yet here you both are. Lucerys is gone. Aemond is the God of Death, and you both sit in your room in his castle. Something changed. But what?
He takes a soft breath, his eyes watering with blood.“I never stood a chance against Baela and Rhaena and Jacaerys on my own. Not without godly powers. I had to protect Alys. I had to save her. it was my fault she was hurt to begin with.’’ He says, and you can feel the pain he forces upon himself so clearly and fresh.
“You really loved her.” You mutter.
He nods, avoiding your eyes and your reaction. “I did.”
His voice becomes harder, as if reliving the moment. “I strangled him on his own dragon toy chain, and after that I stabbed him so many times in his heart with my dagger that I lost count. Afterwards, I felt myself change. It felt as if my body went to sleep. I couldn't feel anything. Not for a long time. No emotion. Nothing.” He chuckles, as you grab onto his hands. ‘’I felt absolutely nothing. It was as if I died. I had only that knife. It was a special weapon, you see. Valyrian steel. My brother Aegon stole it for me in my fathers armory.” Magic, enchanted, no doubt.
He covers his bloodied face into his hands, taking a sigh.
“If you throw this knife, it will always hit the intended target. No matter what.” Silence.
“So I threw it. Baela is the goddess of time. She froze the dagger. Rhaena is the goddess of alteration. She changed the dagger's …destination.”
Your heart drops, as you feel yourself cover your own mouth, watching Aemond silently sob into his hands. You crawl over the floor, to him, pulling him into a hug. “Aemond, no.” You hear yourself Mutter already knowing where this is going. He nods, in tears.
“The knife went straight into her chest. I watched her bleed out, holding her as I caressed her face. Her eyes were empty. I remember what she said to me. I remember it so clearly. “Why?” That's all she asked. She blamed me. I know she did. She should have. I killed her.”
You only let him go briefly, to ensure that he knows you mean this.
“You didn't kill her.” You tell him.
But he doesn’t believe you. “I did. I should've done more. I couldn't mouth her. I felt nothing as she died. My emotions were taken from me. There was a hole in my heart.”
For a time, you are furious. Until that all dies away, only leaving a void. “Did you punish those brats for killing an innocent?”
He shakes his head. “No. I wanted to spend every last second of her life with her and when she closed her eyes, they were long gone.’
You feel your lips raise, in disgust.
“Cravens.” You growl. “Aemond, does a chosen change when the godhood transfers over?’
“No. She became my chosen. In a sick twisted way, they helped me with my powers.”
“I am sorry.” You mean it.
He shrugs, trying to compose himself, to brush his pain away.
“It's not your fault.’
You know that. “You deserved to be happy, Aemond. You and Alys deserved a chance.”
He smiles, and you understand he put her bones in that painting. “She means a lot to me still. It took centuries for me before I could mourn her. When I didn't burn things to ash or destroyed them just by thinking of her.” He admits.
The two of you remain in that room for some time. Until Aemond eventually stands up, offering you his hand. ‘’I should get back to the ritual. My magister will have the daggers ready for use. I need to inspect them.’’ He says, explaining where he is going. ‘’I will leave you in the good care of Ann. She can be trusted.’’ You want to ask him about Ann, but know that you can’t. You instead kiss him on his lips, brushing the blood away from his face. ‘’Tonight, you will become immortal.’’ He whispers against your lips. ‘’We’ll be together, forever.’’
—
You await some time for Aemond’s return.
But to your surprise it’s not Aemond but Ann who wakes you up. You notice she isn’t wearing her regular long sleeved uniform. Her eyes are big of adrenaline and her hair is put up in a bun. Her arms are still on your own from waking you. ‘’My lady, we need to hurry. We need to save the sacrifice.’’ You are a bit sleepy still, unaware of anything that Ann is saying. You are dragged from your bed.
‘’Ann-’’ You protest. ‘’I know what you think is doing the right thing, but we cannot let Rhaenyra win. She’ll kill me.’’ Her eyes meet you with such intensity and guilt that you cannot look away for several moments. Her eyes are stinging with tears. She doesn’t listen to your protest, instead she drags you with her.
You both arrive in front of a strange door. You somehow know that behind is something terrible and unspeakable. ‘’Aemond has protected this room.’’ Ann says. ‘’He is gone now, the Magister took him away on my request. But we don’t have forever. We need to free Aegon and get him out of this room.’’ You know of Aegon. The little son of Rhaenyra. You feel your stomach turn.
‘’He was going to let me kill a child?’’ You whisper, sick to your stomach. Ann doesn’t even nod, she just stares at you until you accept her words for truth. He was. What is one child to Aemond? Ann pushes the door open, and you both rush in. The door falls back into the lock, and you panic as you see it close.
Ann chuckles, as she sees your worried face. ‘’You won’t be killed by him. In time, he will forgive you this.’’ She promises. You don’t trust her words. You look around. There are bookshelves that reach the ceiling, filled with magical dark books.
Eventually, you spot a silver-haired boy sitting in a cage, his hands tied and his eyes puffy. You step in his direction. Ann follows you silently. ‘’You can free him. Aemond enchanted the cage. Only you can open it.’’ She whispers. You turn around, glaring suddenly as you catch her off guard.
‘’How do you know that?’’
She doesn’t answer you. ‘’We don’t have much time. Just free Aegon.’’ You wonder what she’ll gain. And what you will lose. Hasn’t Aemond warned you? Hasn’t he been clear? Freeing this boy, instead of killing it, it will be your undoing.
But when you look into Aegon’s eyes, you are met with your own. You see yourself, alone, in the streets and starving. You see yourself cry yourself to sleep because you wanted your parents so badly. You see a lonely, innocent child.
You might die if you don’t do this.
But you will lose yourself if you do.
So you wave your hand over the lock, and as Ann predicted, it opens.
You hear Aegon gasp, as Ann helps out of the cage.
‘’You are free, my Prince. You must flee. Aemond will be back any second-’’ As if summoned, a bang echoes through the castle halls. You turn your head and see the door open, just as Aegon vanishes through a portal of light.
Aemond enters the room, his cloak not far behind as he takes it off. He stares at you, confused. You open your mouth, pointing to the cage. ‘’I-’’ You begin, uncertain how to continue. His eyes darken. He uses his magic to appear in front of you, staring you down.
‘’What. Did. You. Do?” He hisses. You shake, unsure. You look around for Ann…But she is nowhere to be found as well. Ann likely escaped through the portal. How could you be so…stupid? No one ever helps you for free. You cover your mouth, looking at your feet as you begin to sob.
And that's when you notice someone laying by the cage, unconscious.
Ann. You rush to her, but Aemond beats you to it. ‘’No! What did she do?!’’ He screams, shaking her violently. He looks at you, his rage all forgotten. ‘’Did she open the portal?’’ What?
You fake a smile, trying to master calmness as the pieces fall into place. ‘’What?’’ you repeat your own inner thoughts. He sighs, pressing the bridge of his nose.
‘’Petal, this is serious. Did she use her powers?’’ Powers?
You watch as Aemond removes her gloves, revealing that wood has been intertwined with her fingers. Her fingernails are what covers acorns. You understand they lied to you. Both of them. Ann, Ann is like Aemond. Ann is a …
‘’Goddess..’’You mutter.
Her hair becomes a gentle silver, all too familiar colour. Aemond presses his nails to where her heart should be, violently shaking her, as his voice becomes more and more panicked. ‘’’Helaena! Wake up!’’
---------------------end of chapter------------------------------------
yeah i've been planning that one for some time.
So its been so long and im so sorry but it took some time to get this right and also i kinda had others things going on good things bad things you name it.
Please enjoy this chapter.
