"Seven Hells!" Rhiannon exclaimed, eyes wide with shock as she leaned back in a desperate attempt to distance herself from Aegon. In haste, she miscalculated her balance and toppled off the edge of the bed. Her feet flew over her head in an awkward, graceful arc before she landed unceremoniously on the floor with a dull thud.
Aegon, unable to contain his amusement, watched as Rhiannon scrambled to her feet. A loud knock on the door interrupted their awkward moment as Ser Morsh called out, concerned for Rhiannon's well-being.
"Uh, yes, just a bad dream!" Rhiannon exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief as she stared at Aegon, still processing the surreal sight before her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her heart racing as Aegon stretched lazily across her bed, the moonlight filtering through the curtains to illuminate his relaxed posture.
"Just passing by," Aegon replied with a casual shrug, adding to Rhiannon's astonishment. Her eyes narrowed, and she instinctively gripped the bedpost, her disbelief growing at his nonchalant attitude.
"Passing by? But how did you even get in?" Rhiannon demanded, her mouth falling open in disbelief. The presence of the guard stationed just outside her door made it seem impossible, and she struggled to understand his sudden appearance.
"The door," Aegon replied, his thumb casually gesturing toward the wall nearby. Rhiannon leaned over, her curiosity piqued, only to notice that the couch that once blocked the wall had been pushed aside.
"How did you—" Rhiannon began, stepping around the bed to stand at his feet, her bewilderment deepening.
"You find ways to entertain yourself," Aegon said with a playful smirk, pulling a bottle of wine from beneath his shirt and waving it mischievously.
"Aegon," Rhiannon said, rolling her eyes playfully as she sat on the edge of the bed, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Some things never change, I see." She watched him with amusement as he took a generous gulp from the bottle, before he handed it to her, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
"I did say the ones at the keep are much sweeter," he teased, his grin stretching wider as he leaned slightly closer. Rhiannon's gaze was fixed on the bottle before her. Rhiannon chuckled as the memory flooded back to her. Gripping the bottle, she responded.
"That you did."
Laughter danced through the air as Aegon and Rhiannon passed the bottle of wine back and forth. Rhiannon's cheeks glowed crimson from the alcohol, while Aegon, seemingly unaffected, radiated a relaxed charm. She fixed her gaze on him, captivated by how his lips formed words, each echoing in her mind like a cherished secret. Surely whatever rumor Vanesha had whispered was a mere fabrication, right?
"Surely you were just returning from your night at the Street of Silk?" Rhiannon purred, tilting the bottle toward her lips; a drop of wine escaped and trickled down her chin. Aegon's gaze was almost predatory, drinking in every detail of her, from the way her playful demeanor lit up the dim room to the slight tremor in her breath. His fists clenched by his side, a smirk spreading across his face.
"You believe everything you hear?" he teased, accepting the bottle with a slight lean forward. Rhiannon, undeterred, let herself fall back onto the bed, propped up on her elbow.
"Not always," she retorted, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. Was she testing him, challenging his restraint? He pondered the thought as they held each other's gaze, his lustful eyes tracing her every movement. The air crackled with unspoken possibilities—he could take her right here, right now. After all, they were to be married, weren't they?
Rhiannon sensed a shift in his gaze; she knew she wasn't a foolish woman. The heat of his desire was palpable, and to be honest, a part of her felt an undeniable pull towards him as well. She had encountered her fair share of men at Dragonstone, but none had ever looked at her with the intensity he did at this moment. A soft chuckle escaped her as she turned towards the window, only to gasp in disbelief. The silvery moonlight had vanished, giving way to the soft, golden hues of the rising sun.
"It's morning?" Rhiannon exclaimed, astonishment lacing her voice as she sprang to her feet.
"Oh, would you look at that?" Aegon replied nonchalantly, his tone suggesting it was of little consequence.
"You need to go," Rhiannon said, the remnants of her drunken haze evaporating as clarity washed over her.
Rhiannon's gaze flickered anxiously between Aegon and the door, her heart racing at the thought of Vanesha walking in at any moment.
"Already?" Aegon protested as Rhiannon tugged insistently on his arm, struggling to pull him to his feet.
"Yes, we need to hurry before Vanesha arrives," Rhiannon replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She quickly began to rumple the bedcovers, creating the illusion that she slept.
"Who?" Aegon questioned, a confused frown etching deeper on his brow as she hastily shoved a half-empty bottle into his arms.
"You need to leave now," Rhiannon urged as she turned to confront him. Aegon, lounging casually in front of her, surveyed the room with a nonchalant smirk as if nothing was amiss.
"We are to be married, aren't we?" he replied with a careless shrug, oblivious to the gravity of their situation—his late-night presence in her private chambers. Rhiannon's breath caught in her throat, the reality of his words hitting her.
"Yes, no—I don't know! But you have to go now! If your mother finds out—" Rhiannon's frantic plea was cut short when Aegon raised his hands in mock surrender, and with that, he slowly made his way toward her bedroom door.
"What are you doing? Go back the way you came!" she hissed, her heart racing as she darted toward him, urgently pushing against his chest. With a desperate intensity, she guided him toward the secret door she'd only just discovered that night.
"Right, right," he replied, and with that, Aegon slipped into the enveloping darkness of the secret door. A wave of curiosity washed over Rhiannon, compelling her to peek inside. However, she recoiled in surprise as she heard the creak of her bedchamber door opening. Whirling around, Aegon swiftly closed the door just as Vanesha turned the corner.
"You're awake?" Vanesha inquired, her voice tinged with surprise as she caught sight of Rhiannon, who stood frozen in front of the closed door.
"Yes, I was unable to find sleep," Rhiannon replied, a nervous smile formed as she gracefully approached Vanesha, who stared at her unsure.
"Any letters for me?" she asked, hoping to change the topic; she watched Vanesha pour the steaming tea into the cup.
"I'm afraid there are none today," Vanesha replied gently, handing Rhiannon the cup with a warm, reassuring smile. Rhiannon accepted it gratefully, the cup's warmth bringing comfort amidst her anxiousness.
""Hmm, I see..." Rhiannon murmured, the words barely escaping her lips as she swallowed hard. Her mind raced while she sat in a chair before the crackling fire. Vanesha's voice floated in and out of focus as she busied herself, remaking Rhiannon's bed, but truth be told, Aegon was wrapped around her thoughts, consuming every ounce of her attention.
"Rhiannon?" Vanesha's voice was laced with concern as she paused beside the princess, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Hmm," Rhiannon replied absentmindedly, her gaze drifting up to meet Vanesha's with a distant look.
"Are you well?" Vanesha asked, instinctively placing a hand on Rhiannon's forehead to check for any signs of fever.
"Shall I call the maester?" she offered, her eyes searching Rhiannon's for reassurance. Rhiannon shook her head slowly, though the weight of her thoughts made it feel heavy.
"There is no need. I feel fine, but I want to break fast in my chambers today, " Rhiannon said. Vanesha nodded and strode towards the door to inform the kitchen.
"Also, I'd love to take a ride today. Please see if Ser Morsh is available for the task," Rhiannon called out, a soft smile gracing her lips. Vanesha nodded again before stepping out into the hallway.
"What a day today will be," Rhiannon murmured to herself.