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Caught Between Dragons
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AELINA WISHED SHE COULD SAY THAT THE TWO MONTHS WENT BY PAINFULLY SLOWLY BUT IF ANYTHING THEY WENT BY QUICKER THAN A SHIP DRIFTING ON THE SEA. She found herself amongst the others in house Velaryon as they waited to join the celebrations in the throne room.

Aelina thought it was quite hypocritical for her, a bastard to be walking in with the Velaryons, she was never referred to as such. Aelina Waters was her name, not Aelina Velaryon and as long as she lived that's what it would be and yet here she was stood beside her brother, a Waters amongst Velaryons.

She was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when hearing Ser Harrold announce loudly beside the enterance to the throne room "Lord Corlys of House Velaryon. Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark and his lady wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and their son and heir, Ser Laenor Velaryon, the future king consort."

Aelina forced her legs to move, to stay in line with her brother as her heart pounded and the throne room erupted in applause. She hated that she was being made to walk in with them but Corlys insisted she did; whether he still felt obliged to look after Aelina for Varyn she wasn't sure but she didn't enjoy feeling the eyes of everyone in her direction as she walked into the throne room, sure they weren't watching her, she wasn't important and the whispers and rumours about her had died down by now but it hadn't been long enough for them to dry up completely so they might as well have all been watching her.

Aelina watched from towards the back as Corlys and Rhaenys greeted Viserys and Rhaenyra who were stood up at the head table and Aelina couldn't help but wonder where Alicent was, she had been distant since the 'scandal', something not all surprising to her but for Alicent to not be at the wedding was a large statement to make.

Corlys and Rhaenys held hands for a moment before they moved off to either side and Aelina watched her cousin step forward and bow to the King and Princess before Rhaenyra walked around the table, Laenor met her halfway and gently took her hand, kissing the back of it, she couldn't hear what was said between them but everyone around her began to clap as Laenor took his place beside Rhaenyra at the main table.

Corlys and Rhaenyrs then stepped forward again, bowing at Viserys and joined their son at the table with Vaemond behind them. Aelina then stepped forward with the remaining Velaryon house, distant members of family. They all bowed before making their way to their table.

Aelina had only just managed to take her seat, beside her brother at the far end of the table before she spotted something—or rather someone out of the corner of her eye. She could just about make out his short silver hair and the smirk on his face to instantly work out just who it was and like how when she had first laid her eyes upon him two months ago in the same very room Aelina's breath caught in her throat and she couldn't help but stare as Prince Daemon Targaryen walked into the room as it fell silent. "Twat." Vaelor couldn't help but mutter under his breath as he held a cup of wine to his lips, narrowing his eyes in the direction of the prince that walked towards the head table.

Aelina's eyes flickered over to Viserys who did not look at all impressed with his brother, his body was tense and when Daemon stepped up to the large table and smiled Viserys' face held a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. Without saying a word he motioned for a chair to be brought and no more than ten seconds later Daemon was seated at one end of the table, conveniently the end that happened to be facing the Velaryon's.

His eyes instantly found hers like he knew where she'd be all along and he couldn't help but smirk as she stared at him eyes wide while the anger of her brother simmered behind her, ready to boil over the edge like a pan of hot water. "Ignore him." Vaelor ordered, his eyes flickering between Aelina and Daemon, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from him and he hadn't moved his from hers. It was only when Viserys cleared his throat thirty seconds later did Aelina manage to pull her gaze away and give the King her attention.

Daemon smirk grew at that.

"Be welcome." Viserys began, "as we join together in celebration. Tonight is only its beginning. We honour the crown's oldest and fiercest ally, House Velaryon." He looked towards their end of the table and nodded softly at them and Corlys returned it. "Reaching back to the days of Old Valyria and the Age of Dragons with House Targaryen and H—" Viserys suddenly stopped, his mouth still open with words that refused to fall. He stared at the other end of the room and Aelina frowned, turning her head only for her eyes to widen when they fell upon Alicent stood in the doorway, wearing an elegant dress. Hightower green to be the precise colour.

Oh gods Aelina thought as the rest of the rooms eyes seemed to follow the Kings as Alicent slowly began to make her way down the small steps. Everyone in the room remained silent and it was only until the Queen was halfway into the room the initial shock settled and people began to stand up for her. Aelina stood with her brother who frowned and his eyes flickered to his sister.

Vaelor leaned towards her as his eyes followed Alicent. "What have you done?" He whispered.

Aelina swallowed hard. Was this what Alicent had been plotting? She thought the Queen had been avoiding her and Rhaenyra because of the 'scandal' and rumours but she had been plotting something deeper. Something that meant war.

"Nothing." Aelina whispered back but her voice betrayed her and as Alicent walked past Daemon, Aelina noticed he was still sat down. He was the only one still sat down in the room. The corner of her lip twitched slightly. Daemon locked eyes with her and Aelina couldn't will her lips to not form into a smile now.

Vaelor lightly nudged his sister. "Stop looking at him." He ordered.

Aelina didn't reply and instead looked at Rhaenyra, Alicent had just said something to her. Rhaenyra met her eyes and Aelina instantly knew that whatever she said was not good.

"Please be seated." Viserys instructed. Everyone bar Daemon, who was already in his chair, sat down. He cleared his throat and whispered something to Lord Lyonel Strong before clearing his throat and continuing. "With House Targaryen and House Velaryon, united I hope herald in a second Age of Dragons in Westeros."

Small cheers and clapping echoed through the hall, the sound reverberating off the high stone walls. Vaelor lightly tapped his hands on the table beside Aelina, joining in the applause. Aelina clapped along with everyone else, though her heart wasn't truly in it. Her mind lingered on more pressing matters, the kind that weren't discussed aloud at grand feasts. She knew her brother's eyes, while outwardly calm, were quietly assessing the room.

"And after tonight's small affair..." King Viserys continued, his voice warm with a hint of amusement, drawing a soft chuckle from the crowd. "Seven days of tournament and feasting. At the end of it all, a royal wedding, between my daughter, my heir, your future Queen, and Ser Laenor Velaryon, the heir to Driftmark."

The crowd erupted into a final round of applause before turning their attention to the lavish spread of food now being served. Goblets clinked, conversation buzzed, and the air was filled with the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread.

But Aelina barely touched her plate, she could feel not only her brother watching her closely but Daemons eyes on her too, she glanced across the room, her eyes catching his at the other end of the hall. He sat with a casual arrogance, sipping his wine and watching the celebrations with that same detached amusement he always wore.

Aelina quickly dropped her gaze back to her goblet, her heart racing. He had to stop, especially with how Vaelor had promised to find her a husband at the end of the seven days. The last thing she needed was a fat old husband because her brother wanted to punish her.

Vaelor who had been watching her closely as he ate held a careful and composed expression as he surveyed the hall. He had always been good at masking his true thoughts, but Aelina could tell he wasn't entirely at ease. He, too, had noticed Daemon's lingering eyes—and what it could mean for his sisters reputation at the court after the last whispers had only just died down.

As the feasting continued, Vaelor leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "He's back now. And a widower," he murmured, his tone carefully neutral. "You must know what that means."

Aelina's grip tightened on her goblet. "The whispers are going to start again, aren't they?" She guessed.

Vaelor gave a small nod. "Yes. And I've heard enough court whispers in my time to know they'll only grow louder if we don't act."

Aelina sighed, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "So, what? You plan to ship me off to some distant keep to quieten the court?"

Vaelor shook his head, though his eyes remained sharp. "No." His reply was quick, and for a moment Aelina thought he had finally changed his mind about the marriage. But then he continued, and the sinking feeling returned. "You like King's Landing, don't you? I've heard you speak of how much you enjoy your time here. How you wish to stay close to Rhaenyra."

Aelina blinked, slightly taken aback by his words. She had expected him to insist on her leaving, distancing her from the source of the rumours—Daemon. But instead, Vaelor seemed to have another plan in mind.

"I do," she admitted, though she wasn't entirely sure where this conversation was headed. "But what does that have to do with—"

"With the seven days of celebration ahead," Vaelor interrupted, his voice firm and measured. "There will be many noblemen here for the tournament and the feasts. We'll have plenty of opportunities to find someone suitable for you. Someone who can protect you, shield you from the court's venom, and secure your future here at King's Landing."

Aelina stared at him, her heart sinking as she realized the full weight of his words. She should have seen this coming. Moving his plan forward, he intended to use the celebrations to quiet any rumours and tie her to someone else—someone far removed from Daemon.

"So you're going to parade me in front of every eligible lord who sets foot in the capital?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Vaelor's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the feast. His tone, as cool and measured as ever, betrayed no emotion. "It's not a parade, Aelina. It's a necessity." He paused, adding in a softer voice, "You want to remain in King's Landing, don't you?"

Aelina looked away, her gaze settling on the long rows of nobles, courtiers, and lords, all gathered for the grand feast. Despite everything—the whispers, the intrigue, the suffocating expectations—King's Landing had become her home. More importantly, Rhaenyra was here, and though her friend's future was uncertain, Aelina knew she couldn't bear to be far from her. If marriage was the price of remaining by her side, perhaps it was one she had to pay.

"I enjoy the Red Keep," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "And I want to stay close to Rhaenyra."

"Then securing a match is the best way to ensure that," Vaelor said, his tone softening ever so slightly. "This is your chance, Aelina. The longer you remain unmarried, the more precarious your position becomes."

Aelina felt a pang of unease. She had known this was coming for a long time, but hearing it spoken aloud made her stomach twist. The reality of it all was settling in, and she felt trapped. "You're trying to marry me off to keep me here? Or to keep Daemon away?"

"Both," Vaelor replied bluntly, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Daemon is a widower now, and I know him well enough to believe he'd be bold—or foolish—enough to seek your hand to further whatever game he plays. People will talk, and the last thing we need is for the King, or anyone else, to suspect you're entangled with him once more."

"I'm not," she protested, though even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

"Even if for a short time, you were once," Vaelor said, his voice quieter now. "And the court doesn't forget."

Aelina clenched her jaw, her chest tightening with frustration. She hated that he was right. The court never forgot anything. They held onto old scandals like a dog with a bone, gnawing at them until there was nothing left. She had learned that lesson long ago.

"And what if I don't want to marry?" she asked quietly, her gaze fixed on her untouched plate.

Vaelor sighed, his expression softening slightly as his voice took on a gentler tone. "I'm not trying to punish you, Lina. I'm trying to protect you. This is the only way."

She didn't respond immediately, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Ever since she was a little girl, she had known this day would come—the day she would be expected to marry, to do her duty to the family, even as a legitimized bastard. But the idea of being bound to someone she didn't love, all for the sake of appearances and to please the court, made her stomach turn.

But Vaelor wasn't wrong. Staying in King's Landing was important to her. She loved being close to Rhaenyra, and she didn't want to be sent off to some distant keep, isolated from the people she cared about. And if marriage was the only way to secure that...

"Fine," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I get to approve whoever it is. I won't be married off to some old, fat man just to quiet the court."

Vaelor gave a small, approving nod. "Agreed."

Aelina finally picked up her fork, though the food still looked unappetising she lightly picked at it. "Thank you." She whispered. It wasn't the best outcome she could have imagined, she'd much rather be left alone but her own actions created this and her brother could have very easily sent her far away to a Lord that she would never love but instead Vaelor gave her this, at least she'd have some say in her future...

As Aelina continued to pick at her food music began to fill the room and Aelina looked up as Laenor and Rhaenyra both stood, hand in hand and walked away from the head table to the open space in the room to share a dance to display the union and 'love' they shared for one another.

Aelina refrained from rolling her eyes at them and leaned towards her brother. "I didn't think I'd see the day where our cousin marries a woman..." She whispered.

Vaelor shot her a look. "Lina." He warned quietly as the room filled with the sound of clapping as Rhaenyra and Laenor's dance came to an end before others began to stand and join the Princess and her soon to be Prince consort in the middle of the room to dance.

"What." She shrugged through a smile. "I'm only speaking the truth, brother."

Vaelor shook his head at her but didn't reply, his frustration evident in the tight set of his jaw. Aelina sat still, her hands resting lightly in her lap as she watched her brother for a moment longer, sensing his growing impatience with her. Finally, after a long pause, Vaelor stood with a sigh, giving her a curt nod before excusing himself to mingle with the lords who had gathered for the celebration.

As she watched Vaelor move away Aelina let out a breath she hadn't even realised she had been holding and she glanced down at her pendant around her neck, toying with it in her hands. The noise of people chatting and music playing in the room becoming an almost like a backdrop.

Suddenly Aelina felt a presents beside her and she noticed someone sit down, she didn't bother to look at first, Vaelor must have come back from where ever he went, perhaps it was too soon to search for a husband for his sister and she glanced up to look at him only for her heart to leap and her breath catch in her throat when she quickly realised it was in fact not her brother sat beside her.

Daemon.

His eyes watched her closely with a mix of arrogance and amusement with a smirk on his face as he leaned back into the chair. "Your brother has such excellent timing, little dragon." He remarked with a hum as he picked up her goblet and swirled the liquid inside around. "He really should know better than to leave you unattended in a hall full of lords... or dragons."

Her heart raced at the look in his eyes, heat spreading through her like wildfire, but she shook her head, unwilling to let him turn this on her. It wasn't she who sought him out—he had come to her, like a dragon drawn to flame. Yet she knew how the court would twist the story, how they would take the truth and drown it in the tides of their own convenience. The whispers would rise like waves, crashing over her, relentless and indifferent.

She had always been caught in their currents, tossed and dragged beneath the surface, never allowed to breathe, never given the freedom of the open sea. Everything was for them, always for them, never for her.

Perhaps it was time to be more like him. More like Daemon—a creature of fire and defiance, unyielding to the winds that tried to scatter him. He was a dragon.

Fuck the court and their endless tides of gossip. By the week's end, her brother would have secured her a husband, tying her down with duty and expectation, whether she danced with Daemon or not. So why shouldn't she let herself burn, if only for a moment? She liked him—more than she cared to admit—and the way his eyes burned like dragonfire as they lingered on her made it clear he felt the same flame.

If they were destined to speak of her, the bastard daughter of the sea, entwined with a dragon of fire, then let them. Let their stories rise with the winds, and let her leave them something unforgettable, like the clash of storm and flame.

"You shouldn't be here." she warned softly, her hand falling from her pendant to her lap.

"And yet, here I am." His voice lowered as he leaned in just slightly, his tone smooth, almost conspiratorial. "I heard some interesting whispers, ones that even reached the Vale."

Aelina didn't respond, but her attention sharpened, her breath catching as his lips twitched into that familiar smirk. He leaned closer, his lips grazing the edge of her ear as he murmured, "The court already whispers that we've shared a bed, little Lina."

She pulled away slightly, her breath hitching in her throat. It wasn't the rumour itself that surprised her—she knew about that long ago—but the shamelessness with which he said it, surrounded by lords and ladies.

Daemon's smirk widened, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I'd like to think I'd remember being the one to ruin you." His voice was velvet, dripping with amusement. "Don't you agree?"

"Larys made that up." She whispered, her eyes flicking toward where he sat, tension flickering across her features.

Daemon's gaze followed hers, landing on the pair, his expression shifting ever so slightly. "Hmm." He tapped a finger lazily against the table. "Perhaps I owe him my thanks, then."

Her brow furrowed, unsure of his meaning. "What do you want, Daemon?" she asked quietly, her voice steady despite the tension. She had learned by now that Daemon Targaryen never did anything without a reason.

His smirk softened into something more mischievous. "I only wished to keep you company, Lina," he said smoothly, though the gleam in his eyes suggested far more behind the statement. Aelina rolled her eyes, knowing better than to take his words at face value. Nothing was ever that simple when it came to him.

She frowned again, but Daemon's gaze drifted to where her brother stood, chatting away with a group of lords across the room. "And how is Vaelor Velaryon these days?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with amusement.

"Finding me a husband," Aelina grumbled, her eyes following her brother as he laughed and smiled, clearly at ease.

"Oh?" Daemon raised a brow, leaning in slightly. "And he didn't think to ask me for your hand first?" His smirk deepened, teasing but also dangerously tempting.

Aelina shot him a sharp look. "You know what the King's answer to that would be."

His grin widened. "I'm unbound now, Aelina," he said, his voice lowering as his eyes gleamed with a mischievous light. "Viserys can't use that brāedāzma aspo against me anymore."

She frowned, confused by his Valyrian words. "What?"

He leaned closer, his lips ghosting the edge of her ear. "Bronze bitch," he translated, his tone dripping with amusement.

"Oh." Aelina blinked, caught between shock and an unwilling smile.

"Speaking of wives... I haven't seen your dear sister-in-law, Elys. Strange she'd miss such an event, wouldn't you say?"

Aelina blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "She's unwell," she said. "Her pregnancy hasn't been easy. Vaelor didn't want to risk her traveling."

Daemon leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement. "How noble of him. Always the dutiful husband."

His words were laced with irony, and Aelina felt the need to defend her brother, even though she knew it didn't really matter what he thought. "She'll be here when she's well enough," she said firmly.

Daemon's smirk returned, though this time it was less mocking, more dismissive. "I'm sure she will."

Aelina's attention drifted away from him as a man approached their table, his presence heavy with tension. "In the Vale, men are made to answer for their crimes," he said, his eyes locking on Daemon. "Even Targaryens."

Daemon barely glanced up, his tone uninterested. "And who might you be?"

"Ser Gerold Royce of Runestone," the man replied, stepping closer, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"And?" Daemon asked again, sounding just as disinterested as before.

Gerold took another step, his voice tightening. "I am cousin to your late lady wife."

Daemon's expression didn't change. "Ah, yes," he said with an air of exaggerated boredom, "terrible thing. I'm positively bereft." He added, as if it were an afterthought. Aelina picked up her goblet, taking a slow sip to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. She shouldn't be amused—a woman had died, and the man before them was clearly grieving. But with how her own life had spiraled lately, Daemon's utter lack of empathy somehow struck her as darkly humorous. "Such a tragic accident."

Gerold's eyes burned with fury. "You know better than anyone, it was no accident."

Aelina tilted her head slightly, sensing the weight behind his words. She knew all too well the hidden meanings that often lay beneath surface accusations—her entire life had been marked by such insinuations, tied to her bastard status. "What are you saying, Ser Gerold?"

He met her gaze for the first time, though his words were directed back at Daemon. "I am making an accusation," he warned, his voice cold and unwavering.

Daemon chuckled lightly, unbothered. "You know, in King's Landing, men are made to answer for their slanders, even old bronze cunts like yourself."

Gerold scoffed, but before he could respond, Daemon continued, his voice smooth and laced with amusement. "Truth is, I'm glad you've come. I've been meaning to discuss my inheritance."

Gerold's expression shifted, confusion flickering across his features. "What inheritance?"

Daemon's eyes gleamed, a dangerous smile curling at the edges of his lips. "Lady Rhea and I had no heirs, as her husband, whatever she was owed now passes to me." He leaned forward, his voice lowering. "She stood to inherit all of Runestone, did she not? After my niece's wedding, I intend to fly to the Eyrie and petition Lady Jeyne myself. Perhaps I'll see you there, Ser Gerold."

Aelina watched as Ser Gerold Royce walked away, his posture stiff with barely suppressed fury, the tension between Aelina and Daemon seemed to thicken. The air hummed with unspoken words and simmering emotions, though Daemon seemed entirely unfazed, swirling the wine in his cup with lazy disinterest.

"You really don't care, do you?" Aelina asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. She wasn't entirely sure if it was a question or a realisation.

His gaze flicked toward her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ser Gerold's accusations? Hardly." He leaned back, his hand resting casually on her chair. "Let the court speculate all they want—they have no proof. In the end, it won't change a thing."

Aelina felt a chill creep up her spine at his words, though she'd expected as much. Daemon had always been like this—unapologetically ruthless, viewing people as pieces in his grand game. Yet, there was an odd comfort in his bluntness. She was tired of false smiles, half-truths, and veiled threats. With Daemon, ever since their first meeting, she always knew exactly where she stood.

"You find that amusing?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, but not quite judgment.

"I find court amusing," Daemon corrected. "Their whispered accusations, their little games. They build their lives around rumours, terrified of scandal, while I... well, I embrace it."

He looked at her then, his smirk fading into something more contemplative. "And what about you, little dragon? You've heard the court too. Are you afraid of the fire they speak?

Aelina held his gaze, her heart racing once again. She wasn't sure if it was from fear, excitement, or something else entirely. She'd always been cautious, careful not to stray too far from what her family expected of her. But now, the idea of breaking free, of embracing that fire, didn't seem so terrifying.

"No," she whispered, surprising herself with her own answer. "Not anymore."

For a moment, something passed between them—an understanding, a spark. But before either of them could say more, the sound of laughter from the nearby lords and ladies brought her back to reality. Vaelor was still across the room, deep in conversation, unaware of what was unfolding between his sister and Daemon.

"Vaelor won't be pleased," Aelina murmured, her eyes flicking toward her brother.

Daemon's smirk returned, but this time it was sharper. "No, he won't. But when has that ever stopped me?"

Aelina didn't reply, her breath catching in her throat. And then, suddenly, Daemon stood.

"Dance with me, little dragon."

It wasn't a question. His words carried the kind of authority that didn't leave room for refusal, though his tone was laced with that familiar smirk she had quickly grown to love and miss in the two months without him. Aelina glanced up at him, her blue eyes with a hint of purple meeting his violet ones. They were practically sparkling dangerously at her, daring her to resist.

"You shouldn't ask me that," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, though a spark of defiance lingered in her gaze. She wished he hadn't asked her because everything inside her wanted to say yes.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "I wasn't asking you."

She stared at him as he offered his hand, his smirk deepening. The world around them—the hall, the laughter, the murmured voices—faded into a distant hum. For a brief moment, she considered refusing, retreating further into the safety of her seat, but then their eyes met again, and something inside her broke free.

She knew what saying yes meant. It was dangerous, reckless—but wasn't that what had drawn her to him in the first place? Her entire life, she had played by the rules, done what was expected of her, stood on the sidelines and kept quiet. It was easier to do when she lived with her father, he had taught her how to do it well but he never taught her how to hide and deny this.

But with Daemon she didn't want to hide.

With a soft sigh, her fingers brushed against his, and the thrill of it was like stepping too close to a flame—dangerous, but so intoxicating she couldn't pull back. She placed her hand in his, and he gripped it firmly, his lips curling into that familiar smirk.

"You can't resist me forever, little dragon," he murmured, his confidence making her heart race as he lead her away from the tables.

Her heart raced, her pulse quickening as Daemon pulled her closer and further into the middle of the room, the dancing people around them almost a shield from the prying eyes of those sat watching. She kept her eyes on him, afraid that if she looked away, she'd catch sight of everyone watching them. Because people had to be watching them now. How could they not?

Prince Daemon Targaryen, dancing with the Silver Stain, just two months after the rumours claimed he had sullied her. The court would eat this up. Whispers would spread before they even left the hall.

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she should have refused him, stayed in the shadows like she always had. Vaelor would be furious. What if he found no one willing to marry her now, after this public spectacle? After all, who would want the woman whispered to have been ruined by the rogue prince?

But then—maybe that wasn't so terrible, was it?

Aelina felt a flicker of something unexpected, a small smile curling at the edges of her lips. The idea of no one else wanting her, of Vaelor's plans unraveling, because then maybe... just maybe, she'd be his. No more courtly games, no more suitors chosen to secure her future.

Just Daemon.

Though she had danced a few times over the years, Aelina had never craved being the center of attention. She recalled how her father once used her to teach Vaelor the proper steps, showing him how a lord should treat a lady.

The music swirls around them as Aelina copies the moves of the women around her, Daemons smirking as she tries to desperately keep in line, he's watching her intently and she curses when she misjudges the next move and Daemon laughs at her resulting in her glaring at him. "Can't dance, little dragon?" He smirks through a murmur as he circles her.

"I usually stay in the shadows." She replies, her eyes following him before she spins around, like all the other women dancing and Daemons holds takes hold of her hips, lifting her lightly in the air for a moment before setting her back down in front of him.

She's breathless with how close they are with no room left between them. "You're wasted in the shadows, Lina," he murmured, his violet eyes lingering on hers as he circled her slowly. "A woman like you deserves to be seen."

Aelina stays still for a moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly and she opened her mouth to respond to him but before she could she caught sight of Rhaenyra. She smiled as the dance brought the two friends closer. "I see my uncle could leave you alone for long..." She whispers quietly, glancing between them, her gaze lingering on Aelina.

Daemon smirked but didn't stop dancing, if anything his grip on Aelina tightened. "She needed some proper company.

Aelina felt a blush creeping up her neck. "Well, when you tire of Daemon's proper company," Rhaenyra teased, "I have someone I'd like you to meet."

Aelina blinked, her heart had been pounding ever since she began dancing, especially with how little space Daemon made between them, so much so she barely registered who Rhaenyra was dancing with until she gestured towards the man. "Ser Harwin Strong." She introduced. "Aelina, I'm sure you've seem him, but I don't think you've had the chance to meet him properly."

The introduction barely registered in Aelina's mind. Her thoughts were still tangled in Daemon's presents, his smirk, and the way he seemed to somehow drown out the rest of the world. But as they turned in the dance, she stole a glance at Ser Harwin—tall, broad, with the kind of solid, reassuring strength that seemed to radiate off him. His kind eyes met hers, and he offered a polite nod, though his expression was unreadable.

She smiled politely, still lost in the whirlwind of the dance. "It's an honour, Ser Harwin."

"The honour is mine," he replied, his gaze flicking briefly to Daemon before returning to her. His smile was warm, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes—perhaps wondering what, exactly, had drawn the prince to dance with her so publicly.

Harwin's lips quirked upward in a faint smile. "And you, Prince Daemon."

The exchange was polite, but Aelina could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. As she stole a glance across the hall, she caught sight of her brother Vaelor, his gaze fixed on her like a hawk circling its prey. His expression was unreadable for a moment—until she saw it. The tightness around his eyes, the hard set of his jaw. Fury. He was furious. Not just at her... but for who she had been dancing with.

Daemon.

The realisation sent a wave of anxiety crashing over her. She had never been the centre of attention like this before. She was used to moving in the shadows, never truly noticed beyond the whispers about her birth. But now, all eyes were on her. And Vaelor... he was watching.

Her breath caught in her throat, and suddenly the weight of the room became too much. Without thinking, she stepped back from Daemon, moving into the swirl of the dance, hoping to disappear into the crowd. Her heart raced, her palms clammy as she tried to escape the burning gaze of her brother. It was suffocating, the intensity of it.

But she didn't get far.

She turned quickly, expecting to find Daemon behind her again, his teasing smirk ready to pull her back into his grasp. But instead, she nearly collided with Rhaenyra.

"Lina," Rhaenyra's voice was soft but filled with concern, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the paleness in Aelina's face. She stepped closer, her hand gently touching Aelina's arm. "What's wrong?"

For a moment, Aelina struggled to find her words. Her chest tightened, her pulse quickening in a way that made her feel even more exposed. The world around her spun, and the weight of Vaelor's fury hung heavy in the air, suffocating her.

"I—I shouldn't have danced with him," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Vaelor... he's furious. And I... I'm not used to this." Her eyes darted around the hall. The court's gaze, the whispers, the judgment. It was overwhelming. "Everyone's looking at me, Rhaenyra. I'm just... not meant for this kind of attention."

Rhaenyra's expression softened with understanding, her gaze flicking to Vaelor before returning to Aelina. "You don't have to worry about them," she murmured, her tone soothing. "All you've done is dance, Lina."

Aelina looked up at her, tears threatening to blur her vision. She wasn't used to being the centre of attention, watched and judged so openly. She had always existed on the fringes of court life, a shadow of her family's name. It wasn't that she preferred it that way—but she was used to it. This was too much.

"I can't..." Aelina shook her head. "I've never..."

Rhaenyra took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I know it's overwhelming, but you're stronger than you think." She smiled, her voice softening further. "You don't need to worry about your brother. He's protective, yes, but you're not doing anything wrong."

Aelina's breath hitched slightly, her emotions still tangled in a knot. She opened her mouth to say something else, but her words fell silent as a scream tore through the crowd. The atmosphere shifted in an instant, like the air had been pulled from the room. Fear struck through her as everyone around them stopped dancing, the cheerful melodies of the celebration dissolving into shouts and confusion.

"What's happening?" Aelina whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. She barely had time to register the surge of people before the crowd began to push against one another, panic spreading like wildfire.

"Laenor!" Rhaenyra's voice rang out as she spotted him through the mass of bodies. Her hand tightened around Aelina's, fingers gripping with urgency. But the crowd was too thick—neither of them could see what was truly happening at the center of the disturbance. Shouts of joy were quickly drowned out by louder cries, and Aelina's stomach twisted with dread.

They were pushed towards the outskirts of the chaos, and the panic was contagious, spreading through the hall as more people shoved forward, desperate to see what had broken out in the centre, towards the back of the room. Some were cheering, but others were shouting in alarm, and Aelina wasn't sure which was worse.

"Stay close to me," Rhaenyra urged, her voice laced with fear, as she tried to pull Aelina through the growing press of bodies. But the crowd around them surged like a tide, pushing against them from all sides.

Suddenly, they were both shoved to the ground by the sheer force of the people around them. Aelina hit the floor hard, her body jolting as she scrambled to her hands and knees. Her ankle twisted awkwardly beneath her, and before she could fully register the pain, another body collided with her, knocking her further down.

A sharp, searing pain shot through her ankle. She gasped, clutching at the injured leg, her breath coming in shallow bursts as she tried to hold back the flood of agony. The pain was relentless, each throb pulsing through her with unbearable intensity.

Rhaenyra, pressed up against a chair, scrambled to her side. "Aelina!" she called, her eyes wide with alarm. She reached for Aelina's arm, helping her sit up, but Aelina's ankle buckled beneath her weight the moment she tried to rise.

"I... I think I've twisted it funny," Aelina gasped, her voice shaky from both the pain and the rising panic around them. The crowd was still pressing in, jostling and pushing, and the fear that they might be crushed where they stood was very real.

Suddenly the people crowding around her and Rhaenyra thins and Harwin is there, he picks Rhaenyra up in a smooth motion, throwing her over his shoulder. "Aelina!" She shouts, trying to reach for the other woman. Harwin goes to pull her up but she can't stand, not on her ankle. "Put me down!" Rhaenyra orders as Aelina nods at Harwin when he realises she can't walk and he carries the Princess away.

She pushed herself as far back into the chair as possible, certain she'd have bruises later, but it was better than being trampled. It felt like forever before silence finally fell over the throne room, and the guards began ordering the nobles out. Aelina's chest heaved as she let out a sigh of relief—grateful she hadn't been hurt worse from being stepped on.

She didn't register her brother suddenly beside her as her eyes locked onto Laenor, lying on the ground staring at the bloodied pile that was once his lover, his face completely mangled and unrecognisable. He let out a horrified cry and crawled over to his body, sobbing into it as more of the remaining guests, stood in shock filed out of the throne room. "Lina." Vaelor whispered, gripping her shoulder but she didn't turn to him and he cupped her face and forced her to look at him. "Aelina, are you okay?"

Aelina blinked and tore her eyes off Laenor and his mushed lover on the ground. "Y—yeah." She nodded slowly, her voice shaky as she gritted her teeth, gripping the chair behind her. She tried to push herself up, but when she got halfway her foot gave way again, and she felt her body lurch forward.

Before she hit the floor, two large hands caught her, firm and steady. She looked up, her breath caught in her throat. Her brother's intense glare was locked on someone behind her, and she didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Aelina," Daemon said, holding her tightly, his arm wrapped around her waist to support her. His voice was low, filled with concern she hadn't ever yet heard from him. "What's wrong?"

"My ankle," she whispered, wincing as the weight of it sent another sharp pain shooting up her body. She turned slightly to look at him. His hair was a mess, his lip cut and still bleeding slightly, and the knuckles of his hand were bruised and red. Clearly, he had gotten involved in the brawl, his usual smirk now edged with the thrill of it.

"I'll get the maester," Vaelor said quickly, stepping forward, but before he could move, Aelina's hand shot out, grabbing his arm.

"No," she said softly, her voice strained. Her eyes drifted over to Laenor, who was now sobbing into his sister's shoulder, his grief raw and exposed. "It can wait."

"But Aelina—" Vaelor started, but she cut him off with a firm shake of her head.

"It will be fine," she reassured, though her voice was less certain. The pain was sharper than she let on, but she didn't want to pull attention away from the larger disaster in the room.

Daemon, still holding her upright, glanced between Aelina and her brother, his grip firm and unwavering. "She can't walk like this," he said, his tone cool but matter-of-fact. "I'll take her to her chambers."

Vaelor's eyes flashed with warning, his jaw tightening. "No, you won't."

A tense silence fell between them, and Aelina suddenly felt like a pawn caught between two stubborn forces. Daemon's hold on her didn't loosen as he turned to face Vaelor fully, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"She needs help, Vaelor," Daemon said, his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and challenge. "And I don't see you moving fast enough." His words carried a casual arrogance, as if he were the only one taking charge of the situation.

Vaelor stepped closer, his glare hardening. "No, I'll take her," he insisted, his voice tight with restraint. "She's my sister."

Daemon tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "If she stays here while you debate, she'll be flat on the ground again." He paused, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "And that would be a shame, wouldn't it?" His tone was mocking, laced with challenge.

Aelina winced, the pressure between the two men almost as painful as her ankle... "Daemon, I—" she began, but Vaelor didn't let her finish.

"I don't need your help," Vaelor snapped, his voice filled with barely restrained irritation. "She's my family, and I'll see to it that she gets to her chambers safely."

Daemon's smirk faltered, his amusement fading into something sharper. He stepped forward slightly, his grip on Aelina tightening just enough to show his frustration. "And you're wasting time standing there arguing." His gaze flicked to Aelina. "She needs support now, not your endless concern."

Vaelor's jaw clenched. His hand reached out, prying Daemon's grip from his sister and pulling Aelina toward him, his touch protective and resolute. "I'm taking her. You've caused enough trouble involving my sister."

For a moment, Daemon's eyes darkened, the playful glint disappearing. The air between them seemed to thicken as the tension grew. His fingers lingered on Aelina's waist, but he finally let go, his smirk returning—this time more sardonic than before.

"Very well," He said smoothly, though his eyes gleamed with thinly veiled defiance. "Far be it from me to interfere with family matters." His voice dripped with irony, but he stepped back, allowing Vaelor to take Aelina fully.

Without another word, Vaelor scooped Aelina up into his arms, careful but swift, making sure her injured ankle was supported. Aelina let out a small sigh of relief, resting her head against her brother's shoulder, the pain in her ankle slightly dulling.

Daemon watched, his eyes lingering on Aelina for just a moment longer before he turned away, a quiet storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. He didn't push further, but Aelina could feel the weight of his gaze on her as Vaelor carried her out of the hall.

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No words other than Daemon and Aelina dancing <3 <3 <3