I See Fire / Jacaerys Velaryon

Chapter 6

Rhaella pov

I take Jace back to my chambers and quickly close my door. Jace sits on my bed while I pace back and forth. "What is wrong with you? Why would you do that?" I ask him furiously. "You know why Rhae." Jace says with a sigh. "He called you strong so you punch him?" I ask annoyed. "You know what he was insinuating." He says and I sigh. "Yes I do but now you just sparked more rumors about us being the children of Harwin Strong." I say with a shake of my head.

"Rhae he hurt you." Jace protests and I sigh. "Only because you punched him first." I say and he sighs. "I was just trying to-" He begins before I cut him off. "Trying to defend our name? To defend our legitimacy? Jace as long as we are alive people will question us because of who our parents are." I say solemnly to him. "But they shouldn't." He says quietly. "They shouldn't but they will." I say as I walk up to him. "I'm sorry." He says and I nod. "It's okay Jace but you have to swallow your pride sometimes and let people say and think what they want even if it is incorrect and unjust." I say to him as I put my hands on his face. "How did you become so wise?" He asks with a smile. "I've been in King's Landing for too long." I say with a laugh.

"How's your cheek?" He asks after a few seconds. "It's fine." I say quickly as I hide my cheek behind my hair. "Rhae you can't lie to me." He says and I sigh and brush my hair behind my ear. Jace stands up and places his hand on my cheek. I hiss in pain as he touches the bruise. "Sorry." He apologizes quietly. "It's fine." I reply with a shake of my head. He examines the bruise for a few more seconds and then nods.

"It's not bad. Should heal in about a week. Right in time for the wedding." He says and I sigh. "Wonderful." I say sadly. "Rhae, you don't have to marry him." Jace says and I look up at him. "Jace it's my duty to-" I begin but he cuts me off by kissing me. I try to get away from him at first but then I give in. Our lips move in unison as my body is overtaken with euphoria. We break away and lean our foreheads together.

"Come back to Dragonstone with me and marry me." Jace says as he looks into my eyes. "Jace I want to, I really do, but Aemond would-" I begin before Jace cuts me off. "I don't care what Aemond or Alicent or anyone would do. I love you and I want you to be my wife." Jace says and I smile. "I don't know when we would go." I say with a sigh. "Tonight." He says and I look up at him. "Jace-" I begin before I am cut off by a knock on my door. Jace and I quickly let go of each other and I straighten out my dress.

"Enter." I say and my mother enters my chambers. "Jace there you are. We are leaving for Dragonstone within the hour." My mother says and my heart drops. "But you've only just arrived." I protest as I walk up to my mother. "I know my sweet girl but we must go." My mother says as she caresses my face. "Take me with you." I beg her. "You know I cannot do that my darling." She says and I sigh. "We'll be back in time for the wedding." She says and I nod. My mother exits my chambers and I turn around to look at Jace.

"Jace-" I begin before he cuts me off by kissing me again. "I will not let him marry you." He says after we break away. "I don't think you have much of a choice now." I say as tears form in my eyes. "Rhae I promise you I will do everything in my power to make sure you don't have to marry that monster." He says and I nod as my tears start to fall. "I love you." He says as he leans his forehead against mine. "I love you too." I say to him with a small smile. "I will write to you, I promise." He says and I nod. He leaves my room and I break down.

I cry for what could have been between me and Jace. I cry for having to marry Aemond. And I cry for once again not having my family by my side in King's Landing the very place I need them the most. I go to my balcony and open the doors. I watch as my family's ship sails away. I see Arrax, Caraxes, Syrax, and Moondancer flying away alongside the ship. I look up as I see Vermax, Jace's dragon, flying above me. I smile as he waves at me. I wave back to him and sigh.

I turn around and go back inside. I close the balcony doors and go to my bathing chambers. I call in Anastasia and she fixes me a bath while I strip off my dress and jewelry. I slip into the bath and dismiss Anastasia. I sigh and dunk my head under the water to try and clear my head. I reemerge from the water and sigh. After a few more minutes of bathing I get out of my bath and walk to my wardrobe where I slip on my nightgown.

I walk to my bed and slide under the covers. I sigh as thoughts of Jace enter my head. I slowly drift off to sleep remembering what Jace told me just moments ago.

I am awoken as someone barges into my room. "Princess." Anastasia says shakily. "Anastasia, what is it? Are you alright?" I ask her worriedly. "The King is dead." She says and my whole world stops. "What?" I ask in shock. She shakes her head and a sob escapes my lips. Anastasia wraps me into a hug and we both cry together.