HOTD: confronting Aemond part 3: what to expect?

How can you still love me after I've done?"

He was self-aware of the very person he became. He decided that it was out of necessity and that remorse couldn't be allowed in his heart. Aemond convinced himself that he did it for his family, for his people, and his realm but deep down, he knew that these were nothing but words in the wind. Ceryse told him that power had corrupted his soul, that she didn't recognize the man she used to know and love and he met her words with contempt and silence. That was until their last conversation where he almost hit her as her words felt like venomous knives thrown at him. Bitter truth he refused to acknowledge until the half-blind Velaryion reminded him of what he had become. 

He expected Ceryse to leave him, to be so disgusted by the man he was that she would refuse to associate with him any longer. He expected her to spit in his face and tell him that she would give up and let his grandsire do whatever he wanted to do with her. What was the point in fighting when she was effectively without any ally left? Still.... Still... She didn't leave him. Still, she was there, cupping his face and looking at him with a warm and loving gaze instead of contempt and hatred.  Still, she claimed that she loved him despite everything that had happened. Still, she refused to leave his side, even when her very life was at risk.  Aemond's purple eye softened its gaze and he bent a bit forward to plant a kiss on her lips. He repeated his question, this time in a whisper. 

"We do not choose who we love. My heart beats for you and I know your heart. I know your heart...." -She then closed her eyes and put her other hand on his chest.- "However, I see that you're losing control and I cannot sit and watch you destroy yourself and everything that you are and love. Please. Please....don't get lost in the depend."

HOTD: confronting Aemond Part 2 - the Regent King

 HOTD: confronting Aemond Part 2 - the Regent King 

// Time for Ceryse to talk to Aemond. I do love Drama. 

Here they were, sitting in front of each other with several seats between them. Aemond was nervous but his face remained stoic as he didn't want the Lady of Driftmark to so easily read into him. His purple eye set upon her soft face, studying her every move as she seemed to be breathing faster than usual in his presence. She was indeed, breathing faster. Her chest heaved up and down as Ceryse was struggling to regain her composure. Her face was locked in a worried expression and her shoulders were stiff, barely moving at all. Her hazel eyes averted from left to right, as the young woman searched his gaze for potential answers to questions she had not formed yet in her head. She requested an audience with the King Regent, which had been unusual of her and he suspected that it had a lot to do with Ceryse wanting to lecture him about his past actions. Aemond didn't want her to lecture him, let alone argue his decisions. What did she know of War and its consequences? What did she know of the sacrifices that had to be made to protect his family? She lived a privileged life on the shores of Driftmark and never had to lose anything up until the death of her father. The thought crossed his mind and she watched as his face darkened. She could feel the goosebumps covering her arms and she could feel her throat become dryer by the minute they spent without talking to each other. 

"Speak!" -Aemond finally said, leaning into his seat and mind-absently playing with the marble ball before him-

"Is it the way you choose to present yourself to me, Aemond?" -She boldly stated, hazel eyes staring at his face-

"Yes, it is! It is the way I see fit. You requested an audience with me, you walked past those doors, so you can't possibly expect me to treat you otherwise than how a king treats one of his subjects."

"I see... You raised walls so high that I cannot reach out to you." -She concluded before she slowly pulled her hands toward her chest.- "Then, since my King requested me to speak, I shall indulge his request." -She put her hands on her lap,  fidgeting with the fabric of her dress under the table. "It has occurred to me that recently you seemed to be...."

"Thread carefully, Ceryse..." He warned her, his fingers twitched a bit and he grabbed the marble ball instead of playing with it. He wanted to look intimidating for the young woman, to signify that he was not in a playful mood and he wouldn't suffer their usual banters. She noticed but instead of flinching, she opened her eyes wider-

"...Different. I do understand that the war we wanted to avoid at all cost has now begun and we cannot escape the situation. I am aware of the choices you made but I didn't come to discuss them....All of them." She pointed out. He lifted a brow, shrugged, and shook his head slowly. 

"And what gives you the right to stand before me and start to lecture me about my decisions?"

"I believe, our friendship." She picked this word carefully, knowing full well that they couldn't be talking about love, not out loud, not when people could be listening to them, and especially not when she was very openly betrothed to another man. His own grandsire. Still, the word felt like a whip against his chest and Aemond blinked several times before he looked away from her.- "We have been friends from the moment I arrived at King's Landing, or was I mistaken?"

"Are you telling me that I am a liar, Ceryse?" 

This made him blink and while she shook her head, for a brief moment Aemond was heated. The idea of Ceryse thinking less of him was ruffling his feathers in the wrong way. He couldn't really decipher her face like he used to. Was she upset? Was she disappointed? Was she angry? She was hard to read and he didn't want to let his mask slip off of his face because if he did, he wouldn't be able to put it back on. Ceryse had to see him be a strong man, a person fit to be a king just like they always talked about.  He wanted to show her that he was worthy of the title and the crown. He wanted her to look proud but no matter how hard he was looking at her, there was no pride. There was no anger but he imagined that there was disappointment. He could see that she didn't agree with something he did and he wanted her to tell him exactly. 

"I am not, Aemond. You asked me why I decided to visit you today, and I told you exactly why. We are friends and because we are, it is my duty to tell you the truth in your face."

"I am the KING!!! I made the decisions that had to be made!"

"Was it necessary to destroy a whole village??? Was it necessary to kill these innocent people??" She hit the table and pointed her forefinger at him. That made him stand up and quickly close the distance between them. He slapped her hand and grabbed her neck. Ceryse blinked and tried to push him off of her but he didn't let go. 

"You don't get to come here and judge me, Ceryse. You have no idea of the pressure I have on my shoulders. You have no idea of the sacrifices I have to make."

"You killed them, Aemond! No matter your justifications, you killed them! I wanted to know why you did it because it doesn't sound like you." She managed to say. He stopped choking her and shook his head. The King Regent ran his hand over his face and knelt before her.  "I do not condone what you did because you will need the forgiveness of the seven gods, Aemond." He tried to rest his head against her lap but she pushed him off of her again. 

"I will be judged regardless of what I do but I have not been forsaken by the gods just yet, Ceryse. Look at me." -She shook her head- "Look at me, please!" -He cupped her cheek and gently stroked it with his thumb- "Ceryse... I need you to look at me."

"You strangled me, Aemond. You squeezed my neck with anger and purpose. I used to think that you genuinely loved me and that the love we shared would spare me your violence. I was mistaken." She pinched her lips together and put her hand above his. He could feel her shake and realized that he lost his temper and probably ruined his relationship with Ceryse. She leaned into his touch and knitted her brows.- "Why did you do it? Why did you kill these people?"

"I was taken aback. I... Rhaenyra surprised me! I didn't expect to see her with new dragons on her side and bastard riders. I...Vhagar...She needed an outlet to express her anger. She was angry... I was angry!" -He admitted before he grabbed her hand and put it to his lips- "I was angry." -He claimed again, unable to keep the truth from her. Ceryse could feel tears quickly pool in her eyes and she shook her head.-

"There it is! Your anger! your anger is going to tear this kingdom apart, Aemond. It has already burned your brother. It is going to burn your relationship with your mother..."

"I  /don't/ care!" -He cut her short but she wasn't deterred, she cut him short too.-

"It is going to burn your relationship with /me/!!! Stay on this path of destruction and there will be no future between you and me." -She pushed his hand away and wiped the tear that rolled down her cheek.-

Aemond remained stoic but his fake eye glowed and she could see just how hurt he was by her words and the fact that he was losing her. He was losing her and knew there was nothing he could do to change the trajectory of History. He chuckled and walked away from the young woman.  She could hear the sobs in his laughter, the disappointment and defeat in his tone. She could hear his pain and fought the urge to stand up and comfort him. The lady of Driftmark felt a pang in her heart and her lips trembled as she was now crying the tears pooling in her eyes. 

"Don't you get it Ceryse? There is no future for you and me. There has never been a future for you and me. I have tried, oh the gods know how much I have tried to fight our circumstances but no matter what I did, we were both cursed, Ceryse."

"No! You know that you're telling me horseshit, Aemond!" She stood up and walked towards him. "I refuse to give up on us! I refuse to believe that we are cursed!" -She put her hand on his shoulder and softly turned him around so she could look at him.- 

Aemond grabbed her wrist and pulled it to his lips. He kissed her soft skin and she didn't flinch. He kissed it again, with an appetite. Ceryse felt goosebumps cover the skin of her arms but she still didn't push him away. Her resolve was crumbling before him, some of it at the very least.  She wanted to reason with him, to make him realize just how far gone he was and that he had to change his ways. Yet, the more he was kissing her, the more the Lady of Driftmark wanted to give into her deepest needs. She had missed his touch for weeks, his warmth, and his voice in her ear. She had missed his kisses, his calloused fingers on her body, and their endless conversations by the fire. Her other hand ran over his hair and she leaned her forehead against his. 

"I don't want to lose you, my love."

"How can you still love me after all I've done?" -He asked in a breathless whisper-

-TBC-

HOTD: Confrontation with Alicent.

Confronting Aemond: Part 1-The former queen regent.

 //It takes place after Aegon was burned to a crisp by his own brother. Ceryse was informed of Aemond's actions, especially the sacking of a whole village after his forced retreat from Dragonstone. 

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Alicent grabbed Ceryse's arm and pulled her aside.  The lady of Driftmark opened her eyes wide as she realized that the former queen regent had isolated her from the rest of the court. Alicent had always put some distance between the young woman and her. She disapproved of her father taking her hand, thinking that he was way too old for Ceryse and reliving her own trauma of being married to King Viserys.  She disapproved of Ceryse's budding relationship with Aemond, thinking that it would be ill-advised to put the grandsire against the grandchild. Alicent felt some empathy for the Lady of Driftmark, but it was a limited one. 

She could relate to the fact that Ceryse was betrothed to an older man. She could relate to the fact that to be protected from the wrath of the Blacks, she agreed to give up on her freedom. She could relate to the feeling of powerlessness that overwhelmed that young woman but it couldn't be more than that.  Her sympathy for Ceryse couldn't take over the love and feeling of duty for her family. The Lady of Driftmark stroked her arm and pinched her lips together. Alicent looked at her, a worried expression plastered on her face and she pursed her lips together. It bothered her to see that Aemond seemed to respond better to the young woman than to his own mother. He was hostile to her approach, dismissive of her concerns and to top it off, she felt threatened by her own son. 

"Do you think that you still have my son's ear, Ceryse? Do you think that you would be able to reach out to him?" -She asked. Ceryse pinched her lips together and tucked some hair behind her ear-

"I can certainly try. A lot has happened since we last had a conversation...Since he became King Regent. I don't know if he would entertain a conversation with me but I have to talk to him. I have to try."

"Ceryse.... I don't know much about your relationship with my son, but I do know that the Aemond he's become has little to do with the man you used to know. He is ruthless and I encourage you to thread carefully when you speak to him."

"I appreciate your concern, your grace." -Ceryse replied softly. Truth be told, she had no idea of how Aemond would react to seeing her. The situation was different from before. There was a suspicion of a deliberate attack on his brother Aegon and an attempt at the king's life. He recklessly attacked a village after Rhaenyra succeeded in recruiting new dragon riders among the bastards of the realm. Aemond seemed too far gone for a fair conversation with the lady of Driftmark, but she still wanted to talk to him. She needed to confront him with his contradictions- "But I think I know how to handle King Regent Aemond. I will be able to talk to him and I will make sure to know what motivates him because I suspect there is more than the duty to House Targaryen."

"Are you suggesting my son attempted on the king's life?" -Ceryse shook her head- "Then what are you saying? Speak truly, Ceryse!"

"There is resentment, this is true. I believe that you know about it already, your grace. There is resentment towards the king and frustration about the wrong-doings in his past. I do not understand some of his actions but I need to know what's in his heart. I need to know."

Alicent took a couple steps back and started to pick on her fingers. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head as she didn't agree with the young woman's plan. What would be different? Aemond refused to talk to his own mother, why would he talk to this woman? She nibbled on her bottom lip and stared at Ceryse from head to toe. 

"I do not believe that my son would be willing to listen to anyone but himself. I commend you for trying, Ceryse, but  I have a feeling that it will be fruitless. He removed me from the council!"

"Your grace, with all due respect, when was the last time you actually sat with your son and had a deep conversation?" -Alicent's eyes grew wide and she nearly jerked her arm toward the young woman She wanted to slap her face but refrained from doing so- "I figured that much. I know the man he is and like you so boldly said earlier on, I do have his ear."- Ceryse put her hand before her- "I need to see him, your grace, and I suspect you want me to be your messenger, so perhaps we should cut the chase and go straight to what you want me to tell him."

Alicent blushed and picked on her skin some more. She was flabbergasted because Ceryse was able to see right through her. Alicent was desperate for a way to reach out to her son. She needed to be able to talk to Aemond and have his attention rather than his contempt. It seemed to be an impossible task since he kicked her out of the council. He was angry and no matter what the former queen regent did, he seemed to wish to have nothing to do with her. She didn't know where this anger came from but suspected that it had to do with him wishing to be king and thinking he was better suited as a ruler than his brother Aegon. Perhaps it came from the day his nephews jumped him and took his eye and her failure as a mother to seek retribution for his loss. 

Perhaps, it came from the lack of attention she gave him while he was growing up. Alicent was not maternal. She was not close to her children, preferring to give them to their wet nurses as soon as they were born. She was way too young to be a mother, way too inexperienced to eventually make the best decisions back then. A child was a duty and a mental burden to the young woman who saw their father's face whenever she set eyes on them. Deep down, she knew that Aemond resented her for being an absentee and cold mother. He resented her for giving most of her attention to her firstborn, barely noticing the other children she had except maybe for her only girl Helaena. It didn't occur to the fiery brunette that she might be at fault for her son's behavior. After all, why would she be? It was duty. It was the way things were, how you raised children. 

"What makes you think that I have a message to tell my own son? I have not been banned from his sight, as far as I'm concerned." -She scuffed and picked on her fingers harder, drawing blood to her fingers.  Ceryse noticed and gently put her hands on Alicent's, soothing the former queen regent.- "However... I would like for you to tell him that I still have his best interest at heart."

"I think he knows it already." -Ceryse's voice echoed through the walls and she removed her hands from Alicent's. She tucked some silver hair from behind her ear and nibbled on her bottom lip.- "I will give him your message because he might just need to hear it again." She fidgeted with her dress and looked right back at the queen. "I know you do not trust me, somehow I can still feel it in the way you look at me. I am not trying to replace you, your grace, but the King Regent and I care about each other. I care about him and this is why I must talk to him."

"Thread carefully...Aemond has been restless since he retreated from Dragonstone, so you should choose your words, Ceryse." -She decided to ignore the lady of Drfitmark's claim that she didn't like her or felt threatened. She sighed and brought her hand to Ceryse's cheek.- "I have to visit the king. I do not know if you're safe in the castle now that my Father is gone, but he gave you his word that nothing would happen to you, so I shall make sure to keep his word. If you ever need protection, come to me, at any moment."

And with that said, Alicent walked away from the young woman who put her hand over her chest. Her breathing was labored and she could feel her cheeks burn from the stress induced by the conversation with the former queen. For a moment, her resolve faltered as she wasn't sure that seeing Aemond when he was a little unhinged and pressed was a good decision on her part. She wasn't sure that he would truly listen to her but she had to try, didn't she? She had to try and reach out to him and see what was going on with him. She prayed to the seven gods to give her some strength and brought her thumb to her lips. Would they answer her prayers or would they reject them? She tip-toed towards the door and knocked on the door. 

Knock... knock... knock...

hotd: Daemon x Ceryse

Ceryse longed for the sea. She longed for the days she could set sail and spend weeks if not months at sea. Unfortunately, since her father's death, the Lady of Driftmark didn't have any opportunity to do what she loved the most. Vaemond Velaryon was the only one who understood her desire to navigate until the gods claimed her sight, but Otto Hightower and now Daemon Targaryen didn't share the same opinion. Ceryse became a trophy to be kept on a shelf. She became an asset to protect and use when the time was right. They ignored the person she was and only saw her as a commodity to further their plans. Well... It was true for Otto Hightower, but for Daemon Targaryen, it was somehow more complex. 

Daemon first saw her as a distraction. She was a beautiful maiden, the daughter of a man who disrespected the queen and her heirs. He liked the idea that he was the one who killed her father and who took her maidenhood. He insisted on it being a willful act from her, thinking that it would just twist the knife a little harder in her flesh. At the start of it all, it worked. Ceryse felt as if she had betrayed her own father because the man who claimed her was the one who killed him. She couldn't reconcile the fact she did something so intimate and so good with someone she loathed more than anything else in the world. Daemon relished in her tortured face, the anger that was boiling just beneath the surface, the shame and yet the desire for more he could see in her eyes. He had fun with it. At first. 

Things started to take a strange turn as he found himself more and more drawn to the young woman. He couldn't exactly explain why he was drawn to her but he wanted to be with her. When he wasn't busy, all of his thoughts went to her. Not Rhaenyra, not his daughters... but Ceryse. He remembered his hands wrapped around her neck, holding onto her thigh and his lips kissing their way up to her ears, or down to her belly. He remembered vividly how she sounded when he was deep inside her, or how she felt around him. He remembered her beautiful face, her hands holding onto the sheets of her bed, her hazel eyes staring at his face as if she didn't want to forget him. He wanted it and then some more. The prince consort caught himself thinking about waking up to her, allowing his rough and calloused hands to cup her soft face, or travel her tauth and skin tanned by years of sea fearing. He caught himself dreaming of crowning her his queen instead of Rhaenyra and having her sit by his side as his rightful lover. Was he falling in love with her? He didn't know, and truth be told, he didn't want to think about it. But she did. 

"I can no longer remain here, Daemon. I have to leave and go back to King's Landing."

"What if I refused? What if I wanted you here with me?"

"Here? In this abandoned house? Am I your prisoner?" -She questioned while she was quietly brushing her hair.-

A prisoner she certainly was. At least at the beginning. It became obvious that Daemon couldn't keep her in that isolated place forever, lest he wanted her to lose her mind. He didn't want to watch her whither furthermore but it became clear that the greens were not ready to give up the throne. A war might be inevitable if things didn't change. That was the reason for Daemon's torment. He didn't want to send her back and certainly didn't want to keep her in this little house like something he wanted to hide. Daemon was a man of passion and he wanted to be able to live as he saw fit. He wanted Ceryse to be by his side. He wanted her to live at Dragonstone with him... with Rhaenyra and his children. He wanted... no... He needed her presence, so hearing her claim that she was a prisoner didn't sit well with him. it implied that she didn't want to be here with him. It implied that he was a monster. He didn't like it and he clenched his jaw.

"You're not my prisoner." -He didn't sound convinced by what he was saying and she noticed.- "However, I don't see what's different between you staying here with me and being locked at King's Landing."

"Vaghar is the difference.  Caraxes is brave but he doesn't have the experience and the size of Vhagar. Aemond Targaryen respects his grandsire and if Otto Hightower wants me back to King's Landing, he would send his best soldier and his best dragon after you. You don't strike me as someone who has a death wish, Daemon."

"I am /not/ afraid to go to war, my lady. I have been to countless battles."

"In a time of peace....Far away from the battlefield with even players. We haven't seen dragons go after dragons for ages so don't pretend that you're not worried at the very least at the prospect of fighting a dragon rider." -She pinched her lips together, her tone was harsh and felt like a slap in his face.- 

He didn't like it when she pointed out exactly what he had been trying to hide from the rest of the world. Ceryse might have been going blind, she could see right through him as if she could read his very thoughts. The older man walked towards the young woman. He watched as she didn't flinch when he approached her, as if she was expecting this behavior from him. His fingers twitched and he outstretched his hand towards her, which made her tilt her head to the side, almost giving him access to her gracile neck. 

"Thread carefully, Lady of Driftmark."

"Or what? Or you will put me through your sword like you did my Sire?  -He squeezed not her neck but her jaw, holding onto her cheeks with as much strength as he could. He wanted to bruise her, to make her regret the venom that escaped her lips. He wanted to make her apologize for seeing him as he truly was rather than the man he portrayed for all to see. She snarled as his hand forced her mouth open but her hazel eyes were still staring at him with defiance. 

"What is it with Seafarers that makes them think they can address their king with such disrespect?"

"I am Ceryse Velaryon and I haven't been taught to back down regardless of my situation. I was taught that violence was the language of the weak. Are you weak, Daemon Targaryen? Are you so sensitive that my assessment hurt your feelings?" She dropped her arms on each side of her body, effectively demonstrating that she would not try to challenge his physical advantage over her. However, the judgment he could read on her face had the prince remove his hand and narrow his gaze. She was not afraid of him, not when he thought that she would ever compromise her honor for his petty games.  Daemon was a bully, he had always been, and even right now, even after all the filth he did to her and had her partake in, he was trying to bully her into submission. 

"...I might have... been a little too frustrated with the way you addressed me." -He was trying to deflect the topic and shift her focus to something else but he could see that she wasn't falling for his trick. Instead, as he removed hiçs fingers from her face, she put her own on her jaw to massage the bruised skin. "Perhaps... I do not want you to leave this place."

"Why? What good would that do to me? I need the sea. I need to be able to trust the people I live with and no matter what happens between the two of us, I hate you Daemon because you killed my father."

Her lips trembled and the Lady of Driftmark resumed brushing her hair.  Daemon intensely looked at her, searching for his next words. He could feel his chest heave up and down harder than before and his fingers clench and unclench as he didn't know what to do next. His body moved faster than his mind because he was on his knees. In the blink of an eye, he wrapped his arms around her frame and pulled her into a hug. He felt her body stiffen and her head lower so she could look at his face. Daemon didn't dare move to look at her face, instead, he focused on her collarbone. 

"Your father knew the risk when he disrespected the princess in front of the king. His death was justice to the crime he committed against the crown."

"I don't care. My father was my best friend. He had my best interest at heart and I miss him every single day. I miss him here, I miss him at King's Landing. You took something from me you will never be able to replace." *She said with venom in her mouth. Usually, Daemon would have waved at her words. He would not have felt the pang that crushed his heart. He simply wouldn't have cared if it was any other person, but Ceryse wasn't just any other person. He was confused because as much as he wanted to use her, to possess her, he also felt more for her. Daemon found himself unable to keep a straight mind whenever she was involved and he found himself clinging a little harder on her. 

"I'm not a monster, Ceryse. I'm not.." -He repeated, in an attempt to soothe himself rather than convince her. She remained stoic, eyes lost staring at the ceiling while the man who wrecked her heart was holding onto her.-

He played a cruel game with the Lady of Driftmark. He manipulated the young lady throughout her captivity. They grew closer to each other when she was at her most vulnerable, confused between hatred towards that man and appreciative of his hospitality.  Her lack of experience, her curiosity and her yearning for being touched with spoken desire were too appealing for her. He knew how to touch her, delicately so, excruciatingly slowly just so she could discover yearning for someone's touch. She gave in to him. It was a beautiful first time, one that led to many others where she felt good, powerful, and desired. She went into a frenzy of carnal desire and an intimacy that could have made the gods blush. Yet, at the same time, Ceryse was feeling filthy. She was having sex with the murderer of her father, someone who clearly hated her. She wanted to kill him, to cleanse herself, to ask for forgiveness for betraying her father. She grew resentful towards the Targaryen and yet, whenever he was kissing her, her legs gave up. Her heart beat faster. Her eyes shut tighter until he made them open wide so she could see him. It was a toxic relationship, something she ought to put an end to. It was an awful situation that broke her heart and made her feel disgusted for herself. 

Ceryse put her hand on his shoulder and slowly moved it to his neck. She stroked the hard skin of the Targaryen and looked at the ceiling to gather some strength. For the first time since their back and forth, Daemon was vulnerable and she felt that she could take advantage of it. The young Velaryon needed to escape and the way to do it was to convince Daemon to let her go. He didn't want /her/ to think of him as a monster, so if she played her hand well, he would take her back to King's Landing and she would not be under his influence and presence anymore.  She held his neck and pressed his head against her ample chest. He closed his eyes and held onto her tighter, almost crushing her lungs in the process. Good! That meant he was desperate for her approval, desperate for a positive word from her.

"Then set me free, Daemon. You say you're not a monster but for this to be true, you can't keep me prisoner here. I have to go back to King's Landing. We all have to play our part in this situation."

"Is getting married to Otto Hightower your part?"

"No. Surviving the war is. I have to survive as the last member of my immediate family. I struck a deal and I intend to honor my word. It mattered to my family! it mattered to my father! It matters to me! So...If you're not a monster as you claim, you have to let me go Daemon. Your fight isn't with me and I play no role in your quest for power." -She closed her eyes and whispered softly. "Let me go."

"Your loyalty is commendable, Ceryse, but your stubbornness is going to be the death of you."

"If there is a war..."

"when..."

"/IF/ there is a war, and the blacks win and I manage to survive, then I would be yours. I know you would execute those who lost the war, the traitors as you would surely call them. I know I would not be bound to Otto Hightower if he's dead." 

The silver-head was carefully choosing her words. She couldn't claim that she wanted to belong to him, no... It had to come across as a bargain, as a promise of her willful sacrifice for his desire. It had to be devoid of potential emotions so he wouldn't think that she was in love with him. Yet, she had to make him swallow the hard pill. She had to make sure that he would not become violent with her and decide to kill her on the spot. He could have. She had no doubt about it. He could have but he didn't. 

"Fine. I will take you back to the Red Keep. I would let you play your part as you said while I play mine. When the war breaks and I win it, you will belong to me, Ceryse. You will belong to me because I said so. Because I want to own you. I own you.." 

He grabbed her jaw again with his large hand, squeezing so hard that it elicited a groan from the Lady of Driftmark. She shot him a daring glare and put her hand against his, to try and push it away from her face. Daemon saw that as an opportunity to press his lips to hers and steal a kiss, while his free hand grabbed her breast and squeezed it roughly. She groaned again and squeezed the wrist of that hand. She struggled and pushed him off of her. he struggled with her and managed to overpower her. She managed to scratch his face, hard enough for him to groan and snarl and to have him release her jaw. 

He took a step back and lifted his hand, ready to strike her face before he dropped it. He just pleaded with her not to be seen as a monster and he almost hurt her. It didn't make any sense but since when did Daemon make sense? The Targaryen ran his hand through his hair, then his face, and noticed that she had scratched him to blood. Fuck! what did he do?  He walked away from her and looked up at the ceiling for a moment to gather his thoughts. She slowly found her composure and managed to resume brushing her hair.  he made up his mind. he would let her go. he had to. 

40 facts about Ceryse Velaryion

40 FACTS ABOUT CERYSE VELARYON :

A/N: All usual disclaimers!!!!!!! it's just for fun! Ceryse belongs to me, always

xxx

1. Her full name is Ceryse Velaryon

2. She is going blind and despite the hard work of the Maesters, she can't recover her sight.

3. Ceryse loves the sea. She is an excellent seafarer and considers the sea as her true home. 

4. She hates the Blacks more than she loves the Greens. 

5. She has two beauty marks on her face. one next to her nose and the other next to the corner of her mouth.

6. Her scent is a pleasant reminder of the sea.

7. Her appetite is tremendous, she's always snacking on something when left to her own device.

8. She can handle herself well with knives and swords. Her father taught her.

9. Ceryse hates Otto Hightower. She resents him for manipulating her into marrying him.

10. She was very close to Baela, Rhaena, Lucerys Jacaerys, and Joeffrey until her father died.

11. Daemon took her maidenhood and tried to manipulate her for his own selfish desires. It backfired.

12. She is in love with Aemond Targaryen. 

13. They fell for each other after she challenged him to a sword fight. He didn't expect her to manipulate a sword this good and that prompted him to try and get to know her better.

14. When she doesn't sail, she loves to run and swim.

15. She is distraught over losing her sight but is trying to be independent as much as possible.

16. She doesn't trust easily and because of this she didn't have friends growing up.

17. Her father tried to match her with a few strong men but they were canceled, all 5 of them.

18. Her father was her best friend. His death truly broke her heart and she's still mourning him.

19. She has not killed yet, but would not have any qualms about doing it to save her life or an innocent's.

20. Her matches rejected her because she was too adventurous, rebellious, opinionated, and strong for them. The last one also added that he couldn't marry a woman who was going blind for fear of having blind heirs as well.

21. After her last suitor refused to marry her, her father decided to let her marry for love.

22. Kyra Lannister is her first true friend and eventually becomes her best friend.

23. She wishes to become a mother to Aemond's children. Unfortunately, this is just a dream for now.

24. Her whole direct family has been decimated, she's the only survivor of Vaemond Velaryon's bloodline.

25. Ceryse doesn't think of herself as beautiful, she's extremely self-conscious of the scars on her back and ribs, her calloused hands from working the ropes, and her near-blindness.

26. She thinks women are beautiful, and attractive but hasn't explored those thoughts.

27. Ceryse has a lovely singing voice. She hasn't sung a song since her father's funeral.

28. Aemond has taken her to a ride on Vhagar, which both scared and excited her. 

29. She is 19 at the death of her father.

30. Otto Hightower has a complicated relationship with her. She is a pawn to be used by him and he cares nothing about her survival post-war. However, he is drawn to her, to her youth, to her stubborn attitude, to her fierceness, and finds himself lusting after her. No love. Just lust.

31. She allied herself to the Greens to avenge her father's death but her inexperience got her locked into a partnership she never desired.

32. She used to be very cheerful before her father's death. Since then, it has taken some work to bring that side of her out. Aemond noticed.

33. Ceryse can recognize a footstep after spending some time with the person. She is training her other senses hard to remain independent. 

34. Ceryse is worried that Otto Hightower would not follow through with his plan and would instead have her killed.

35. She deeply feels alone but has mastered the art of the poker face to keep some dignity.

36. Aemond can't forgive Daemon for manipulating his beloved into having sex with him. He knows Ceryse feels awful after the fact and she hates herself for enjoying making love to the man who killed her own father.

37. Ceryse is rather short but is strong and soft due to her seafaring years.

38. She worries Aemond is married off to someone else. What would she do in such a case? 

39. She is withering inside the walls of the Red Keep. Ceryse is meant to be by the sea, at least at the beach if she can't sail anymore.

40. She is rather blunt with what she thinks of others and doesn't hesitate to tell them exactly how it is. however, she refuses to talk about how she feels, mostly because she hides under the pretense she's doing fine.

HOTD: The war is inevitable

Since Aemond accidentally killed Lucerys, the Lady of Driftmark had not had the opportunity to see him again. He was avoiding her on purpose, leaving the young lady to the whims of his grandsire. His absence was felt deeply by the young woman. It was akin to a stab wound that pierced her flesh and went deep into her skin. Why didn't he visit her? Was it because he was obsessed with protecting the Red Keep and his family? Was it because he was upset with himself or he couldn't face her because he was responsible for the death of a kin?  Ceryse was confused, upset, and probably a little angry at the young man. She was forced to share the bed with her betrothed Otto Hightower but fortunately for her, he didn't try to force himself on her. Instead, he simply wanted her to warm his bed, to feel her breath against his skin, to watch her sleep as if there were no worries in the world. He wanted companionship, but not enough for her to know his secrets, just enough for him to enjoy her presence.  Any attempt at talking to him was shut down by the older man who required his beloved to remain pretty and silent, which frustrated Ceryse even more. 

Aemond isolated her when he decided to avoid her presence and she couldn't take it anymore so she took it upon herself to find the one-eyed prince. Ceryse was rather overlooked by the people working at the castle. Since she was rather pleasant and kind to them, they decided to mind their business and let her move as she pleased in the hallways of the Red Keep. She looked for Aemond anywhere she knew she could find him until she decided to walk towards the dragon pit inside the Red Keep. As the young woman hastily walked further into the darkest corners of the Red Keep, she could rely less and less on her sight. Everything became blurry and only what was directly lit by the flames was caught by her deficient gaze. She didn't notice Aemond closing in on her and certainly didn't feel his strong hand grab her arm to pull her around and force her against the wall. Ceryse eyes grew wide and she quickly drew the little knife she carried with her to his neck. Aemond felt the cold metal press against his neck and smirked at the young Lady whose chest was heaving up and down at a faster pace. 

"Aemond!" -She exclaimed, relaxing against his frame as his eye took in the beautiful feature of her face lit by the fire- "I have been looking for you for weeks!"

"And here I am, Ceryse.  I have been busy..."

"Busy? You mean, you killed Lucerys Velaryon and you didn't think that you could have come to me? He was my cousin!"

"And I didn't mean to! I--- I lost control of Vhagar and I couldn't stop her from eating... I couldn't stop her." -Ceryse's lips trembled and she slapped his face with her free hand. He didn't retaliate and instead grabbed the wrist of the hand that had slapped him. She swallowed hard and felt her heartbeats go harder- 

"You could have come to me. I couldn't grieve....properly. You should have come to me." -She whispered before her hazel eyes looked down to his chest.  Aemond fought the urge to press his lips to her wrist, to take in the scent of fresh roses she had. It took everything he had to stop himself from stealing yet another kiss, in the secrecy of the hallway leading to the dragons pit.-

"How could I have? You're spending your nights with my grandsire. I can't exactly come to his chambers to talk to you."

"How cruel of you, Aemond. Do you think I want to spend my nights with Otto Hightower? Do you think I want to share my bed with a man I hate?" She bit back a sob and looked up at his face once again. 

"Did he... Touch you?" -She shook her head- "Then why does he have you sleep in his bed  every night?"

"Company... Your old sire feels lonely. I'd rather he doesn't try to touch me. He... knows about us. He sounded upset when he confronted me." -She admitted, closing her eyes as the prince lost to his intrusive thoughts and pressed his lips to her wrist. "Ohh.. Should we?... I don't want to put you in trouble..." She moaned out, unable to resist the velvety sensation of his lips on her skin. He looked at her with his sole purple eye, an intense gaze, an apologetic one for the grief he caused her and the deep need for more of her. So Aemond kissed his way up to her inner elbow. 

Ceryse could feel her legs slowly starting to give up. Her breathing became more labored and she could feel her heart pound against her ribcage. Was he seriously considering kissing her in public? Was he seriously considering resuming their secret affair despite his grandsire taking hold of her? Ceryse was upset for Lucerys, she was upset for the loss of her baby cousin whom she loved dearly despite the death of her father. She was upset because he disappeared when he should have been closer to her, helping her grieve. Yet, as his kiss kept moving up, now attacking the soft arm of the young woman, she found herself unable to stop herself from sliding her fingers through his silver locks and holding a fist of them.  He kissed his way up to her neck, suckling the soft skin and eliciting another moan from the young woman. It was so improper, so risky, and yet she couldn't stop herself from wanting more. So the Lady of Driftmark held a fistful of hair a little tighter, pulling him off of her neck so he could look her in the eye. She was panting and shivering from his touch as his knee slid in between her legs, pressing the sensitive spot there. 

"I have missed you Ceryse. I have tried to stay away from you, thinking that you wouldn't forgive me for what happened to Lucerys. I have tried to..."

"I am upset. I am upset that you avoided me and left me alone Aemond. I'm upset that you didn't even try to see how I was doing. Ceryse Velaryon, the blind Lady of Driftmark... A perfect lamb to sacrifice for the honor and glory of House Targaryen."

"I don't want to.."

She put her forefinger against his lips, that he kissed as he was seeking more contact from her. He tried to push her finger towards her, in hopes that he would capture a kiss of her soft lips that were glistening under the sweet light of the fire but Ceryse moved her head and pushed him away so she could take a few steps away from the prince. He saw she was flustered. He knew the way her chest heaved up and down when she was overwhelmed. He knew the slight change in her tone, the raspy undertones of her voice that betrayed her arousal. She wanted the same thing as him but he understood that her anger towards the prince trumped the rest. So he cleared his throat and took a few steps back, so she could feel that he was not going to overwhelm her.  Ceryse, wiped her face to try and regain some composure before she turned around, her face a little stern, her eyes a little more focused as she was trying to notice his features despite the darkness and her near-sight. 

"We can't continue like this Aemond... I am not safe with your Grandsire. I am not safe here because I am just a pawn in this war..."

"Aren't we all pawns, Ceryse? I am well aware that despite what my mother and grandsire say about me, they see me as nothing but a spare. No one is important and even worse, the one responsible for this war they started. My mother and Aegon usurped the throne and because of that, we can't have the life we want to have. What do you want me to do, my Lady? What can I possibly do?"

"You're the prince...You're skilled and needed.. Surely, your grandsire could see how better it would be for me to marry you than him?" -She realized what she'd said and then covered her mouth with her warm palm.- "I must come across as desperate to you, don't I? You judged me for something I wasn't... You judged me for what Daemon did and what I let him do to me. You are upset at me for agreeing to marry Otto Hightower but what choices did I have when my parents and brothers are all dead?? What choices do I have as someone who is going blind? What choices, uh? Aemond!"

He watched as she sobbed, covering her face with both hands before she fell on her knees and sat on her heels. Ceryse was exhausted by the situation and she simply needed a break. She already stated her desire to marry Aemond, the one she truly loved but was well aware that he might just not be on board. She was no longer a virgin and to make matters worse, it was his sworn enemy who took her virginity. Why would he rescue her from Otto Hightower? Why would he?  His heart sank and he quickly put one knee on the floor and both hands on her shoulders. 

"Now now... My lady, please don't cry. I can't suffer this sight..." His voice was soothing but she kept crying, releasing the tension that had taken hold of her body and mind.- "You're speaking as if I would not want to make you my wife. You do know of my feelings for you. Yes, I was upset but not at you for what Daemon did. I was upset at him for tormenting you like he did. I know of his ways, of his brutality, of his conniving ways. I know he played your heart and innocence and took it for himself but I give no shit about whether or not you're a virgin, Ceryse. Seven Hells, we made love already. You gave yourself to me of your own free will. You... welcomed me as I was."He cupped her cheeks as she dropped both arms from each side of her body, defeated, exhausted, wet from all the tears that she cried- "I want you. Blind or not, virgin or not. I want you, Ceryse...Do not doubt me, my lady. I just couldn't face you after the accident. I didn't know how to handle your reaction given how poorly I was received by my own. I knew I had broken your heart and I didn't want to see for myself. I should have come to you. I should have.." 

He pressed a kiss on her wet cheeks, then her forehead, her cheeks again, peppering her with affection as she was still sobbing. He pulled her into a hug and gently stroked her hair. He would talk to her again, would make sure that she had her needs met but he knew that she needed to be comforted. She needed to hear that he wanted her and that he would fight for her. Aemond wasn't sure of how things would go but he was willing to try, for Ceryse... for him. 

-TBC-

HoTD: Otto and Ceryse

 HoTD: Otto and Ceryse

"It took you a while to get there." -Otto's stern voice sent a shiver down the Lady of Driftmark's spine. She nodded quietly, uncertain of how to react to him and he moved back into the room so she could enter.-

He had her fetched by a maid, late at night and the young woman was starting to fear he wanted to become intimate with her. She wasn't interested in sharing his bed nor did she want to go through with her promise to marry the old man. He looked at her, his green eyes stared at the young woman before him. She looked so young, so small before him but exuded strength. She was defiant and stubborn and Otto was aware of the intrigues she became a part of. Daemon Targaryen took her flower and claimed her for himself. Otto was angry at the news, thinking that Daemon did it out of spite, but he slowly started to see how it could benefit him. The young lass was not a virgin anymore and he wouldn't have the burden of taking it from her any longer. Besides, Daemon was said to have fallen for her, which could help Otto use the young woman as a bargaining chip. 

What was more problematic was the rumors of a budding romance between Ceryse and Aemond, his grandchild. Aemond was an obedient boy and Otto believed that he could manipulate him into doing his bidding. The old man had not anticipated that he would have fallen for Ceryse and he didn't know just how deep those feelings were. Perhaps it was just puppy love that could be squashed into nothingness or, it could unfortunately be a much deeper feeling, a love deeply rooted within them that would require harsher measures. Either way, it wasn't a situation that put the old man at ease and he wanted to deal with it as soon as possible. 

"The maid fetched me in the middle of the night. I couldn't possibly leave my bedroom with next to nothing to cover myself with." -She countered. her brown eyes tried to decipher his face, but the room was barely lit so she couldn't see him well.-

"Have a seat, Ceryse." -Otto's harsh voice made her swallow a lump and she quickly obliged his request.- "Do you remember why you're here? Do I need to remind you what happened after your father was killed by Daemon Targaryen?" -He didn't have to remind her of her father's death but he did because he knew that would cut her deep. Ceryse eyes grew wide and she clenched her fists-

"How can I forget? I was there!" -She took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. She was well aware of what the older man wanted to do but was still trying to remain defiant, in memory of her father- "I remember why I came to you. I wanted revenge for my father. I wanted your protection because I was afraid to become a target for Daemon Targaryen."

"Yes! And haven't we provided you protection since? Ever since you became my betrothed, I haven't seen you in my chambers. You always keep your distance from me but seem awfully content with spending time with my grandchild."

"Are you accusing me of adultery?" Her tone shifted and Otto lifted a brow. "You accuse me of never coming to your bedroom but have you tried to come to mine? Have you ever tried to treat me like your betrothed? I highly doubt so, Ser Otto. You've treated me the exact same as you did before you took me under your wing." She then pulled her fists up her thighs and  bit her bottom lip

"And how am I treating you, Lady Ceryse?" He asked. he closed the distance between the two of them and grabbed her cheek with his right hand.  "Can you even see me Ceryse or did you go blind?"

"Why do you care, Ser Otto?" She groaned while her left hand tried to swat his hand off of her face but it didn't work. "I can still see you. I am not crippled if that's what you implied." She furrowed her brows and held onto his arm. "Did you ask for me because you wanted to claim me?" She was trying to hide how terrified she felt by the older man. She was threading on a very thin line which could either see her killed for treason or forced into a loveless union with the older man. 

"And what if I wanted exactly what is owed to me?" He asked, allowing his eyes to glance down to her chest. He saw her curves, barely hidden by the flimsy white fabric of her nightgown, and caught himself lusting after her.  Ceryse was a beautiful woman, he noticed it the moment he met her and it had been years since his wife passed away and he felt the warmth of a youthful body against his. "What if I wanted to take what's mine?" he asked again and grabbed her nightgown. She struggled against his firm grip but he managed to tear the fabric of her gown enough for her breasts to be exposed.

"Ser Otto! No!" She scratched his arm and forced the older man to release her so he could tend to his scratches. He groaned and slapped her face, forcing Ceryse to lie on the bed. She didn't move, shocked and furious by his reaction. Her brown eyes glanced up, at his frame walking in circles in front of her. She held onto the sheets and pulled them towards her chest, keeping her body hidden. "How dare you? If you were so lonely and needed a fuck, you could have asked instead of forcing yourself!" She scolded him, while she sat on the bed. "You fetched me in the middle of the night, accused me of adultery, and tried to force yourself on me? You reminded me of my father's execution and you expect me to bend the knee?" She yelled and managed to stand up. 

Truth be told, Ceryse couldn't see well in the dark. Her degenerative disease had claimed a lot of her eyesight and she was nearly blind by now. She didn't know where Otto was nor did she know what his next move was going to be. However, she was furious about the way he was treating her and tried to stand her ground. Otto was furious as well and aroused. It had to do with the way she was resisting him, the truth she was hiding from him and he knew still, and the fact she was so fierce despite being unable to see correctly. Perhaps that was the reason Daemon fell for her? Perhaps that was the reason Aemond fell for her. He wouldn't fall for her, there was nothing but his great design in his mind. There was nothing but this and a little bit of lust he could feel in the pit of his stomach. Otto walked behind her and grabbed her gracile neck. He pulled her against his hard frame and licked her soft skin. 

"I don't like the idea of another pair of hands spoiling my future spouse. Do you think I don't know that this filthy Targaryen fucked you? Do you think I don't know that you let another man take your most precious gift? Now don't protest that much. I could tarnish your reputation if I wanted to. I could drag the name of your father through the mud if I wanted to. I would not. As a matter of fact, I have to thank Daemon for making it easier to break you in."

"Ser Otto! Let go of me!" She struggled against him and as he pressed his body against hers, she noticed he was not exactly erected. He wasn't even trying to grab her which confused her even more. He wasn't trying to force himself on her so what was the angle he was going for? What did he want? upon realizing she couldn't escape his firm grasp, the Lady of Driftmark stopped struggling and instead dropped her arms and along with it, her sheets that fell on her feet. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to remind you of our agreement. I also fetched you to sleep with me tonight. I do not want to force myself on you, there's little to gain from it. I will marry you when the war is over as agreed upon. Now now...my tender betrothed, lay on our bed and let me lie next to you."

He released her neck and the confused young woman didn't know how to react. He sat on the bed and she obediently climbed onto the bed. She lay on the bed and curled into a ball next to the older man. He kept his word and didn't try to touch her in her sleep. Could it be that he just wanted some company that night and felt lonely? Could it be that she could use it against him? She wanted to talk to Aemond and ask for his advice. She needed to see him and wished she could leave the bedroom she was trapped in but she had to buy her time and endure the first night with her betrothed.

-TBC-

Filth - HOtD

Filth -HOtD

// This one is a vent piece.  I couldn't pick any of the current characters I am writing. So, I picked Cerys Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen instead. 

xxxx

His calloused hands sunk into the supple flesh of her thighs, keeping them apart so she could be exposed to his greedy purple eyes. He couldn't keep himself from grinning at her, because she looked almost like a different woman. Not so long ago she was defiant and filled with rage and he couldn't argue that she was justified in her anger, after all, he was the one who killed her father. Not so long ago, she insulted him as she reluctantly agreed to get married to the man. Not so long ago, he realized that she had not been touched prior to getting married to him and that became a challenge for Daemon.

He was a conqueror, a dragon rider and she was a virgin island that no one before him had explored. Her reluctance to consider him a good person intrigued him and he set a goal for himself. He wouldn't just make her his. He would make her want him. He would make her crave him. He wouldn't assault Ceryse like she believed he would, too barbaric for his liking. Instead, he would coax her into thinking he was a gentleman. Instead, he would treat her well and slowly but surely would convince her that he was not the man she thought he was.

Daemon was a conqueror and relished the idea that he conquered her mind, body, and soul. She became his, of her own volition. She let him defile her, She let him claim each crease and curve of her body and she let him devour her most secret place. Daemon enjoyed her complete surrender. He enjoyed claiming her over and over again and pushing her buttons so hard that she couldn't help but moan his name. Slowly but surely, he managed to become the only thought she had in mind. He managed to introduce her inexperienced mind to a brand new world of debauchery and the most satisfying thought he had, was that her father would have turned in his grave if he knew that his only daughter, his cherished child, was fucking with the man who took his life.

Ceryse embraced her sensuality. She revealed an inner beauty that complimented her beautiful frame. She was soft, yet her body could withstand the harshest seas and oceans. She was supple, yet strong as it was required to be for a seafarer. She had angelic features and bright white hair that complimented her soft black skin. She was a temptress, wild and with a temper, and slowly but surely she had turned the tables on him. It was filthy, sweaty, and a union forged in sin. Daemon found himself to be the one who was addicted to her, unable to spend a day far away from his new wife. He found himself to be turned on by the sound of her voice, the kind touch of her soft hand over his neck, and the way she moaned out his name. He found himself addicted to the wet and tight confines of the walls. How could he not, when she was so deliciously constricting his length.

She drove him mad with desire and the more he took her, the more he wanted Ceryse. Tonight; perhaps, more than ever. The Prince wanted his wife. The fire within him burned her skin, his heart was racing against his ribcage as he wanted to devour her whole. They were true filth, for he enjoyed wrapping his hand around her gracile neck, squeezing it lightly to remind her that she belonged to him. They were true filth, covered in sweat, tears, and spit. She begged for him, to go harder inside, to snap his waist until he disappeared completely in her wet and tight walls. She begged for him to run his fingers through her silver locks and pull them towards her. Filth as the words that escaped their lips were unholy and wouldn't be repeated once they sobered up and recovered. 

Daemon could care less now. He could care less about the motivations that led him to wed his niece. He could care less about achieving his goal because, to him, Ceryse wasn't conquered. She only revealed how much more depth she had and how much he underestimated her. She was losing sight, but that didn't make him love her less-- oh, the forbidden word.-- instead, he became even more protective of her. She would remember him, his grunts, his groans, the taste of his sweat, the intense purple eyes set upon her, studying her. She would remember him, his powerful thrusts into her, the wrinkles on his face, and the scars over his body. He wanted her... All of her.  Filth, they were true filth. She was lying on their bed, legs spread by his hands, and was biting at her thumb, anticipating his next move. how exquisite she looked, so welcoming, vulnerable, and yet so filthy. 

-TBC-