"How did you get in here without raising any suspicion?" he asked the princess, turning his head towards the door as he untied the laces of his tunic, the chamber was dark with a single candle reflecting against Aerion and Rhaenyra.
"I have a way." Rhaenyra smirked.
She was quick to pounce on him, tightening the space between them, her lips jumped upon his, hungry and demanding, the surprise caused him to stagger as he cupped his hands at her hips
The kiss was everything compared to what they shared in the throne room, there was no strange feeling of awkwardness or worry, it truly felt as if they were a single entity. She wrapped her hands around his neck as their tongues danced.
He took a large breath, mixed in with a short chuckle as their lips parted.
"That was… unexpected." Aerion said.
He trailed his hand along her arm, planting it at her neck, looking down to have a better look at her, noticing she had nothing but her nightgown on, making him raise his brow.
"Did you walk through the halls in this, what of the servants? Did you not…" he asked.
"Let us not talk about that.." she replied, placing her finger at his lips "I.. I couldn't sleep knowing what we had shared, I needed to see you."
Aerion placed a hand upon hers, their fingers intertwining as he looked to her with a devilish smirk.
"Well.. here I am, standing before you." he responded.
He let go as she stood there, attempting to find the words to speak, and ran his hand across his right cheek, massaging it as he began to feel the pain from his earlier fight.
"If we are to continue as we are…" she paused for a brief moment ".. then I must speak the truth to you, as I fear what might happen if you were to find out from another." Rhaenyra said.
She looked at him confused, though did not speak on what he was doing, and why his face was bruised and bloody, no doubt she thought he was still recovering from the feast and had no knowledge of his experience in the city.
"I'm listening." Aerion nodded.
"Do you not question why Ser Criston had attacked Joffrey?" she asked "And why I said it was my fault that it had happened?"
While Aerion gave it thought, he quickly had forgotten any detail of how it might of begun, with Criston Cole and Joffrey Lonmouth fight being nothing but a disturbance for him in the moment
"Briefly." he admitted "My main focus in that moment was whether you were safe, it would have been terrible should anything have happened to you before I got to express how I felt."
They each chuckled at his words, before the smile on her lips turned to a frown as she seemed to be back in deep thought.
"Ser Criston and I were involved for a short time, before I had been betrothed to Laenor." she said.
Her voice was trembling slightly as she told him, and Aerion did not know what to think with this newfound information.
"Involved?" he questioned, clenching his fists as his mind raced with interpretations as his mind raced with possibilities "Did Criston lay his hands upon you?" his voice raised briefly.
She shook her head profusely, grabbing his hand once more.
"No, not like that… it was my choice." she said, her voice no more than a whisper "I told you that he was driven to madness because of me… I coupled with him, okay? I made a stupid decision and regret it each and every day."
In that moment, there was an uncontrollable amount of anger towards Criston that was not there before, the thought that he grew so close to the Princess to take her maidenhood, and forsaking his vows to the Kingsguard was a crime he would not allow to go unpunished.
"He was driven to madness because you slept with him?" Aerion questioned "There must be more to it than that."
He wondered what could drive Rhaenyra to fall for a Kingsguard, from what he had seen, Ser Criston was nothing, he did not share the blood, nor was he a man of importance, but Aerion did not know the mind of a Princess.
"On our return from Driftmark, he had asked me to run away with him - to leave this life behind for one of infamy in Essos, and I couldn't."
There was a silence between the two for a moment, before Aerion couldn't hold it in any longer and began to laugh uncontrollably.
"What is so funny?" Rhaenyra asked, looking at him confused.
"Apologies, Princess." Aerion said, finally getting control over his laugh "He thought the heir to the Iron Throne would run away with him? Ha, what a fool, you must tell me what his face was like, was he crying?"
Rhaenyra's look turned from confusion into one of disbelief, shaking her head and she crossed her arms.
"I would prefer it if you took this more seriously." she demanded.
Aerion shook his head, a smirk placed on his lips.
"Why?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders "Why should I take this more seriously? Criston is a fool that did not understand the way of our world, you are to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and he expected you to be nothing in comparison, it is the funniest thing I have ever heard. I pity the fool."
Aerion was taken by surprise as she slapped him across the face, he looked at her with a lustful smirk, peering down towards her night gown, thoughts rushing his mind of exploring what lay underneath.
His lips met hers in a fiery passion, each of them hungry for the other. Rhaenyra's hand ran up his tunic, crossing the scars on his abdomen, pulling the tunic over his head and throwing it to the ground.
Her nightgown was quick to drop down from her shoulders onto the floor, he looked down to her beautiful breasts, running his finger between them.
Aerion bit his lip before slowly stepping forward, directing her towards the bed, his hands finally resting upon her waist as their tongues danced.
She fell into the bed, and Aerion took to untying his breeches, slipping off his boots and pulling his breeches down and then kicking them away, soon joining her as their lips connected once more.
He parted from her with only their gasps for breath between them, and began to kiss down her body, planting small pecks at her neck. Down to her breasts, taking one with his mouth and the other with his hand, the soft moans from her only pushing him further.
"Aerion." she moaned out.
Rhaenyra clutched at his hair as he slid his tongue across her stomach, running his hand against her smooth skin down towards her thighs, perfectly formed like the Valyrian goddess she was.
He let his gaze fall as he slivered his hand over her sex, her lower lips were covered by a thin layer of a lightish gold hair.
"What are you doing?" Rhaenyra whispered.
Aerion looked back up to her, she looked unsure the more he lingered, and he rose back up towards her, their eyes fixated on one another, his hand remaining in place.
"Do you trust me?" Aerion replied.
She nodded her head and Aerion moved his fingers, parting her lower lips slightly, and began to run his finger gently inside her, revelling in how hot and wet she already was for him, keeping his gaze upon her as her eyes closed and she moaned in pleasure.
He slowly slid another finger inside her and she gasped, unintentionally closing her legs, but Aerion only pushed her hand away and parted her legs further.
Aerion removed his fingers, planting a small peck on her lips as he then ran his hand across her cheek, before rising up and wrapping it around his length, aligning himself against her entrance, looking to her for approval, though not uttering a word.
"Take me." she moaned, so effortlessly turning to the language of their ancestors, biting her lip after making sure he noticed.
He chuckled, pulling her further towards him and guiding his length into her, they each moaned in concert as he did. The feeling of her was amazing. He had been adventurous with many girls but none had equated to this.
Their hands intertwined as he pinned her to the bed, and caught her lips once more, their tongues meeting each other, and would be pacing his hips back and forth, with each thrust entering deeper. He knew they were meant for each other, for only a dragon could make love with a dragon.
"You truly are the realm's delight." he whispered, their lips parting as he soon worked on her neck.
He felt as her walls clenched around his length, his heart was pounding through his chest as his thrusts began to get faster. Rhaenyra cried out in pleasure, without an attempt to be quiet so as to not raise suspicion from the servants that walked the castle under the cover of dark.
Aerion cupped his hand across her mouth, covering her screams as he thrusts as fast as he could, finally falling into her as he spills his seed inside her, his lilac eyes meeting hers, joining her smile and he planted one final kiss on her lips before laying beside her.
His mind raced with the possibility of what he had done. He never intended to finish within her, though there was a part deep down that it would be his future child that was conceived from this moment they shared.
"Fuck.." he mumbled.
Rhaenyra laid on her side, planting her head down upon his chest, her fingers tickling along his stomach, she did not need to speak the words of how they each felt, in this moment, they were joined together, and while they remained in this union, he would defend her to his last breath against all enemies.
THE NEXT DAY…
Aerion sat on the edge of the bed, looking back at Rhaenyra as she slept peacefully underneath the covers, dawn was quickly approaching as the sun began to rise from the east, glimmering off the waters of Blackwater Bay, lighting the once dark chamber, and he extinguished the candle that laid on his small table to his side.
His mind raced with what could happen should they be revealed; he knew the risks of taking a princess of the blood to bed, though he cared not about the possibility that he could be killed for treason, or exiled to spend the rest of his days travelling the world. But the thought of a potential child of his being put in danger put fear within him.
He ran his hand through Rhaenyra's curls, nudging her shoulder to then wake her, with her eyes soon blinking open, she met him with a warm smile before wrapping herself in the covers, hiding her face from him, causing a slight chuckle.
"Wake up, Princess." Aerion said.
He playfully fought with her to remove the covers, each of them giggling as he can out victorious, as their eyes connected, he leaned over her and caught her lips.
"Such a welcome taste after a night's sleep." she smirked.
Her presence brought him a warmth he had never experienced, she calmed him and kept him grounded in the moment, for most of his life there was a need to block out his emotions or he'll be hurt as a result, but not with the princess.
"Well do not expect it to be the last." he chuckled.
He pulled his breeches back on and stood from the bed, walking over to the table and pouring her a cup of watered-down wine and passing it to her.
"Mm.. how nice of you" she responded.
Aerion looked out at the bay, watching as the waves crashed against the rocks, and the port began to become busy, with people rising from their slumber.
Rhaenyra came to join him, having put on her nightgown, and placed her hand at his stomach as she rested her head on his chest, she became curious, running her hand across one of his many scars.
"Where did you get this one from?" she asked.
He looked down, placing his hand over hers and bringing it up to his lips, kissing her knuckle gently, and smiling that she would ask. Though it brought him back to long forgotten memories of his involvement with the mountain clans.
"Clansman." he said plainly "You would not believe the size of him, one could mistake him to be descended from giants. I misjudged his movements and got cut for it."
She trailed her hands down his arm, and against the palm of his hand.
"And this one?"
He smiled, remembering the pact that he made with his cousin, Willam Royce, they had always been close throughout childhood after Willam's parents died at sea.
"A reminder of the bond I share with my cousin, Willam." he explained "When we were fourteen, we swore a sacred vow with blood as a price, and from then on we became brothers, and promised to always have each other's back, and to never do anything that may betray the other."
Aerion had not seen his companion in two years since Willam was sent away by his mother, Lady Rhea, to serve as a ward to Lord Lothar of Castle Darry in the Riverlands.
"Well I certainly look forward to meeting him, he must be a special man." she smiles.
They shared one final kiss.
"I think it is high time that you head back to your chamber." Aerion said "Before we are to raise any suspicion of your whereabouts."
She nodded her head in agreement.
"Yes, I shall."
Rhaenyra turned from him, and he assisted her in tying the laces of her nightgown, soon confused as she made way to the corner of the chamber, instead of to the door.
"You never did say how it is that you managed to get here unnoticed." Aerion mentioned.
She smirked, walking back over and grabbing him by the hand, leading him to one of the many tapestries on the chamber walls, and pushed it open, the cold air coming through and making him shiver.
"Incredible."
He took a step within the secret passage, and looked down at the circular rounded staircase, not knowing where it may lead.
"It connects to most places within the Red Keep, Maegor had them constructed, it is said he killed all the builders so that only he and our family would know they existed." She explained.
He ran his hand across the cold iron railing, scoffing at the thought that this would have been a perfect way to travel the Keep last night after his adventure into the city.
"And who showed you these?" Aerion asked
She held a finger up to her lips, withholding the secret, then tracing her nails across his chest as she departed down the stairs, disappearing into the darkness, and he closed the passage behind her.
An hour had passed and he ordered Nyssa to draw him a bath. Making sure he was refreshed and ready for the battles ahead, still feeling the pain from the fight in Flea Bottom, sorely regretting his foolishness.
Finished with his bath, he called for his clothes. He chose his black and red gambeson, showing off the colours of his house, black breeches and boots made of the same colour, along with a black belt to hold his sword and dagger.
He journeyed through the halls of the Red Keep, on his way to the courtyard to find Ser Rodrik when he was met with Queen Alicent and her first born, Prince Aegon, holding her hand in the corridor, looking as if he was about to shit his breeches in terror.
Aerion bowed to the Queen as they came to a stop.
"My Queen, it is such a pleasure to see you this fine morning, must I say you look stunning." he said, then crouching down "And good morrow to you, little Aegon, It is good to finally meet the boy I have heard so much about."
Aegon hid behind his mother's dress, away from sight except for the moments his little head poked out to look at him.
"Hello…" he mumbled.
Aerion gave the boy a brief warming smile, rising back up from the ground and looking at the Queen.
"Aegon is shy around those he does not know." she looked down at her son "Perhaps you shall spend some time with him during your stay, unless you intend to spend it at Princess Rhaenyra's side."
The prince scoffed, surprised at the Queen's brazenness, he looked down at Aegon peaking behind his mother, before nodding his head and looking back up to Alicent.
"You're right, my queen." he answered "Let me make it up to him; perhaps while I am here you will allow me to take Aegon off your hands one day so he may watch me train."
Aegon's eyes widened as he made the offer, and the shyness appeared to have lifted from him and replaced with overwhelming happiness as he tugged at his mother's dress, trying to make her accept.
"I shall take it under consideration, Aerion, thank you for your kind gesture." Alicent replied "Come then, Aegon, let us break our fast with your father."
Aerion watched as they walked away and rolled his eyes, before setting back on his way towards the courtyard.
The courtyard was filled with knights and their squires, preparing themselves for both the duels and the lists; he spotted a number of different knights from the Vale that served houses such as Arryn, Redfort, Grafton, and Waynwood.
"Aerion!" Rodrik beckoned him over.
He kept his face planted to the ground until he got close, dreading the scolding he was going to get for being bruised ahead of his fight.
"Wha…What happened to you?" Rodrik said.
Rodrik placed a hand aggressively on his neck, and pushed it sideways to get a better look, shaking his head in disappointment, Aerion in response, smacked his hand away and took a step back, balling his fists.
"I'm fine, there was an altercation at the wedding and I got involved to defend Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, that is all that you need to know.. I am still capable of winning this thing." the prince replied.
Aerion assured Rodrik, though refused to tell him the details of what happened following the feat, deciding that he did not need to know about the fighting pits.
"Very well." his sworn shield nodded, gesturing for him to follow.
Every eye followed them as they walked the outer courtyard, and their tongues ran quickly with whispers. The prince was a worthy opponent to all knights who came seeking glory, and it was they who would end up on the ground should they go up against him.
He even spotted Jory and Rickard Manderly, dorning their black armour with the gold cloak of the city watch crossing their shoulder, but they were busy enough battling the other to make notice of the prince.
"Do you see that knight there?" Rodrik stopped.
He pointed out one of the many knights that dotted the outer courtyard, one that belonged to House Mallister in the Riverlands, wearing their distinct purple surcoat with their coat-of-arms embroiled, it was a silver eagle displayed on an indigo field.
"What do you think?" Aerion responded sarcastically.
Rodrik raised a brow as he looked across to him, before shaking his head.
"Ser Rymun Mallister of Seagard" Rodrik revealed "Winner of the Melee at Cider Hall many years ago."
"He will be crushed." the prince stated.
Rodrik chuckled, then pointing out a knight in steel armour wearing a helmet that resembled a tower, with green as his gambeson underneath, currently training against another knight belonging to the same house. He found the coat-of-arms on his chest plate to be that of House Hightower.
"The lists begin in two days time, where you'll be going up against Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, Brother to Queen Alicent. We need you to be ready for that."
Aerion looked from Gwayne Hightower and over to Rodrik, a devilish smirk forming on his lips, there would be nothing better to send a message to the family who seek to remove Rhaenyra as heir, than to defeat the brother of the Queen.
"Then let us get on with it." Aerion said, gripping his blade.
They trained the way of the blade for hours - until it was time he prepared himself for the duel, he wore his armour with pride as they made their way to the arena, basking in all the attention that a prince of the blood could receive, he doubted his father was as popular as he. Both commoner and noble alike cheered for him as he entered to face off against Ser Rymun.
The announcer named him 'The Bronze Prince' as he was introduced, one he was not typically a fan of, but soon they will see that he shares no traits with that of his mothers blood, the prince will forever be a dragon, and referred only as that.
He gave the favour, granted to him by Princess Rhaenyra, a kiss before wrapping it around his arm, twirling his sword around as he showed off to the crowd, finally pointing it towards his opponent.
"It will be a shame to see a great knight fall so soon." Aerion smirked.
Rymun rolled his eyes at the prince, preparing himself in a defensive position.
Aerion was the one to go on the offensive, dashing towards him and swinging his sword at the knight's left arm. When it was blocked, he was swift to change hands and strike at his right leg, though to his disappointment, this was also managed to be blocked by his foe.
He retreated back, and began circling him. His mind raced as he assessed the man, looking for any weaknesses he could use to his advantage, though the prince found nothing that could help him before it was he who was attacked.
Mallister charged at the prince, bringing his sword down and Aerion was able to raise his own up to block it. A loud clang rang in his ears as the two blades collided, causing him to stumble backwards.
As he lost his balance, his opponent struck the sword out from his hand and it slid across the dirt, pushing him backwards with his shield. Aerion found himself having to twist and turn in order to avoid being struck, falling to the ground.
His feet scrambled beneath him, though he eventually pulled himself up against the wall, the yells of the crowd above were deafening. Mallister's sword hit the stone wall as Aerion dodged, only just managing to avoid the blow. He slid between the man's legs to grab for his sword that laid behind.
Standing again, he tightened his grip on the sword and swayed slightly. He was out of breath and exhausted, even by such a short fight. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths as he watched Mallister turn and advance once more.
He sidestepped to the right as Mallister struck, leaving his side open. Spotting an opportunity, Aerion lunged and slashed just above the belt, cutting through cloth and biting flesh. Mallister grunted and gritted his teeth.
Aerion darted around his opponent and aimed a blow at the back of his legs but was thwarted by an elbow to the face.
He struck back wildly, and Mallister caught the blow on his shield and retaliated with finally drawing blood. Aerion's upper right arm exploded in pain and he couldn't help the instinct to clutch at the wound with his other hand.
The prince snarled in pain and bore his teeth at Mallister, who pushed forward and knocked him to the ground. He knelt over Aerion's prone body and struck his face, blow after blow.
He was outside of his body, watching it from above. How pathetic he looked, lying in the dirt. Submitting to a Mallister.
Eventually Mallister pulled his punches and sat back on his chest. 'Yield!' he cried, and Aerion only chuckled lowly, smiling through the pain as he turned to spit blood onto the dirt.
Using his opponent's wound to his advantage, he pushed his finger deep into the scar, opening up his stomach and causing the knight to grunt in pain as he pulled himself up from Aerion falling onto the ground beside him.
Aerion attempted to sit up, which he found was a very bad idea. The world bent and spun around him, though he flipped on his belly and with the will to not be defeated, crawled over to where his sword layed, abandoned.
He gripped the pommel and used the blade to help him stand, and made his way over to the knight on unsteady feet. Raising his blade for a final time, he held it against Rymun's throat as he lay in pain, feeling him tense up as he faced possible death.
"I yield." the knight declared.
Aerion staggered back, his sword held loosely at his side, his heart pounding as he watched Mallister pick himself up and storm off the field. Rodrik rushed over to Aerion, and he could not hear his voice over the roars and the cheers.
Rodrik raised his hand, and wrapped it around his shoulder, assisting him as Aerion walked from the arena, each step more painful than the last, all he could think about was resting on a nice comfortable bed.