Each night was always the same. The shadows and the Dragons would come with their reverie and hellfire, burning as they went, emasciating an entire realm of all other names other than their her dreams she would always face the Targaryen ire only to be awoken each morning by the sound of pleasured screaming resounding from Aegon Targaryens bedchambers as he fucked his way around another serving maid, only to be made painfully aware that she was ward to the queen after her second eldest son Aemond had found her half dead, beaten and raped in the streets of silk a year past when occuping the brothel that his older brother Aegon had insisted he attended with him.

For that Raina would forever be grateful to the one eyed Prince yet still she couldn't hold her contempt towards him. For as much as he was amicable he was cruel and an untamable anger constantly burned in the heart of Aemond Targaryen, one that showed no sign of dying out any time soon.

SItting up in the four poster bed, Raina brushed her Red hair out of her eyes, her brow slick with sweat from the troublesome dreams that haunted her every night since being welcomed into the dragon's den. And her dream was always the same. A gigaton dragon of unimaginable size swooping over Kings Landing with leathery black wings, a pale haired rider astride it engulfing the city in a torrent of burning dragonfire. And its perpetrator was always Aemond Targaryen. In her dream he was just as fierce and just as cruel as he was stalking the halls of the Red Keep. He was a force to be reckoned with and Raina had witnessed countless times Aemonds fury when his brother had upset him.

The sound of clashing steel and raised voices spurred her from her bed and to the window. Below in the courtyard in a flash of black and white blonde hair she saw Aegon and Aemond practising their swordplay. From what she saw Aemond had the upper hand, he had grown taller and stronger than his soon to be king brother even though he was the second child.

Amonds long hair danced with his quick footed movements as evaded his brother with ease.

"Is that all you got brother?" Aemond taunted his kin, "has the wine dulled your ability to fight as well as your wits?"

At his brother's taunt Aegon raised his blade sloppily in hopes to strike at the stoic rider of Vhagar. It was clear to Raina that Aegon had indeed been drinking again, he had fucked and drank himself into a corner and Aemond took plesure in berating the would be king.

The sound of Aegon's drunken battlecry echoed around the courtyard and for a moment he was overcome with a rage all of his own, determined it seemed to strip the blade from his brothers grasp yet as soon as his steele met Aemond's, he was unarmed and staring defeatedly down the edge of a sharp blade, breathing heavily while the One eyed Princes face remained serene and unchanging.

Fucking fool , Raina thought, watching on in silent disgust. Aegon Targaryen was useless. He spent most of his days drowning in cunts and drinkin the finest wines. War and politics didn't phase him, no. He was not cut out to be a ruler even if the blood of the dragon flowed through his princely veins. The warm morning breeze suddenly flooded through the open window and it stirred the hair sitting on her shoulders. As if sensing her presence Aemond Targaryen lifted his head and focused his eye upon her. She watched him back for a moment, both of them staring without a trace of emotion, his silver hair seemed to glow in the rising sun like a golden veil atop his head.

"He is a strong fighter is he not?"

Raina, startled by the sudden company in her bedchambers gasped and turned her head away from the window to where the voice had come from. Indeed she was faced with Queen Alicent Hightower, dressed in the finest emerald green dress, her auburn curls cascading over her shoulders and her face, young yet tired watching her with a curious yet gentle smile.

"My queen," Raina bowed her head apologetically. "Forgive me, I did not hear you enter" a smirk reached the corners of Alicent's mouth as she walked towards where she stood. Instinctively Raina turned her head back to where he had been but he had gone.

"It seems you were rather preoccupied this morning," Alicent said, raising an eyebrow curiously at the red haired woman. Raina dropped her eyes knowing all too well what the queen was implying but she was wrong. She could never feel anything towards Aemond. They hardly spoke and even when they did acknowledge each other, their passing was

Bitter and cold. Yes he had saved her life but he never gave her a reason. Alicent sighed, "I only wish Aegon could do battle just as half as Aemond. He is an able heir and has so much potential but I fear his tastes for the most unsavoury things are blinding him from his royal duties."

She was wrong. Aegon wasn't capable. It was In Fact Raina's belief that if installed as the king, once his father, Viserys the peacemaker met his end, that Aegon would abuse his power as king and run the realm into ruin. But Araina couldn't speak so plainly to the queen about her son. So all she she said was,

"In time he will learn my queen." but she didn't believe her own words and the way queen Alicent looked at Araina made her believe that something deep down told her the same.

"I hope you are right Lady Raina." Alicent sighed. She seemed fatigued. Even though she was still young her heart had grown old and Raina felt a pang of sympathy towards her. Raina smiled a half smile not able to fully conceal the doubt within her. Realising that she still was clad in her nightgown, Raina grew slightly uncomfortable in the queen's presence.

"To what end do you spend the day then my lady?" Alicent asked softly noticing Raina's growing anxiety.

"It is customary for me to take a morning walk in the gardens of my Queen." Raina replied.

"Then I shall bid you farewell for now Lady Raina," Alicent said softly with a tired smile. Raina smiled back and nodded as Alicent turned on her heel and began to wander to the doorway. But she stopped. "Raina, can I ask something of you?" the queen looked over her shoulder at Raina who stared back at the queen.

"Of course my queen." Raina said.

"I fear how Aemond will handle the news of Aegon's coronation. It is yet to be decided but he has a temper. He is a silently terrifying man since his.." she looked down. "Incident. It seems he listens to you more than anyone else here in power. He is my son but sometimes a mothers guidance is not what he needs but mayhaps a friend."

Raina blinked. Aemond and I haven't been friends since the day I came here, my queen, Raina thought. We merely tolerate each other for the sake of the crown.

It wasn't a lie.

"I will do my best to ease his mind, my queen." Raina replied with an uneasy smile. Alicent smiled back at her and nodded before turning her back once more and exiting the room..

For the rest of the morning Raina's mind pondered over the queen's words. It was a strange request for the queen to ask of her, for nor she or Aemond had shown any obvious interest in conversation with the other. She had been living in the Red Keep for half a year now and only in off hand passing would Aemond even acknowledge her presence. His only remaining glass blue eye glaring into her soul like a dagger to her chest, he would merely grunt an acknowledgement before sauntering off to wherever he pleased.

….

The skies were alive with the cries of vhagar circling the keep as Raina took leave of the grounds and entered the rose gardens. It was a place filled with delightful beauty, rose bushes plump and ripe and blooming spreading along the gravel pathway like a mesmerising dream. The golden midday sun beat down onto her red silken hair, her purple dress of silk brushing against the gravel beneath her booted feet, following the path with a familiarity that she had known so well by now. The life of a lady was one that she was yet to still grow accustomed too and she found herself often floundering, feeling alone in the keep. Yes Heleana kept her company but Healana was a soft young woman with the purest heart and Raina often felt dirty even being in her presence. She still had the heart of a whore.

'

So, when she found herself standing in front of the great godswood tree, she didn't know what to do. She prayed to the old gods and the new to help her find her path but in truth she did not know whether she had one. Silver petals rained down upon her pale shoulders as she stood beneath the tree. They fell on her face and in her hair and almost felt comforting until a cloaked figure in the distance emerged from another pathway that led to flea bottom. It was tall and lithe and fully hooded but the eyepatch gave it away. It was Aemond Targaryen.

Aemond seemed to notice her and his footfalls came to an abrupt halt as he stood staring from beneath his hood.

"It would do you wise to not utter a word of this." He told her sharply. Raina frowned.

"How can I utter a single word, my prince if I don't even know the secret?" Raina stated with a sharp tone. Knowing all too well where the prince was returning from. Though she wouldn't speak it.

"Hmm" Aemond replied coldly. He glared at her with his one eye, lips pursed. Silver hair concealed beneath the black cloak. They didn't say another word to each other and Aemond made no move to leave, only when Vhagar sore over head with her great black wings blacking out the sun that Aemond turned his head the skies above.

"It would perhaps serve you well Aemond to tread more carefully in daylight." Raina spoke truthfully as her eyes followed Vhagar. "The red keep has eyes, and a Prince who spent the night not abed will surely cause talk." She turned her eyes back to look at Aemond who stared back at her bitterly before stalking away in a blaze of black anonymity. She watched him leave and swallowed. She understood all too well where had been even if she had acted like she hadn't known.

A cold Prince's heart will shatter this realm. Raina thought sadly.

"