~129 A.C~

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

DRAGONSTONE
The next day The Painted Table was filled once more, the tension in the air thicker than the sea mist outside.

Jace stood at the head of the table, in his mother's place, his jaw set and his gaze unwavering.

"I see no other choice. We need to send a dragon."

The moment hung in the air.

And then—

The doors opened.

All eyes turned as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen stepped into the room.

She was cloaked in the modest garb of a septa, her silver-blonde hair braided backwards, her usual royal presence subdued but no less commanding.

Beside her walked Ser Steffon Darklyn, similarly disguised in a septon's robes.

At the small table, where she had just poured wine for the lords, Vellena froze.

She turned her head slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.

For the first few seconds, she couldn't believe it—but then the reality struck her.

Her mother was home.

A wave of relief crashed over her, so sudden and overwhelming that she felt lightheaded.

She wanted to cry—wanted to run to her mother, throw herself into her arms—but she forced herself to remain still.

Rhaenyra approached the opposite end of the table, her gaze sweeping across the gathered lords before settling on Jacaerys.

Her brows furrowed.

"Where?"

A thick silence followed.

Some of the lords shifted uncomfortably.

Rhaenys and Corlys exchanged wordless glances, each measuring the tension between mother and son.

But Jace...

Jace was seething.

His hand clenched so tightly around the hilt of his sword that his knuckles turned white, as if he was about to snap the steel in two.

When he spoke, his voice was cold, clipped, and filled with restrained fury.

"To support the war that your vassals have been fighting in your absence... Your Grace."

The way he emphasized the last two words dripped with bitterness.

Rhaenyra's expression flickered for a moment at his tone, but she maintained her composure.

Before the moment could erupt into something worse, Maester Gerardys cleared his throat.

"Cole's host has grown since riding abroad. He raised the levies of both Rosby and Stokeworth and, with their combined strength, sacked Duskendale."

A ripple of unease spread through the room.

Ser Steffon Darklyn's head snapped up.

"Duskendale?"

Lord Bartimos Celtigar sighed heavily, as if the weight of the news sat heavy on his chest.

"The city has fallen. Many Darklyn men declared for Aegon. Those who refused were put to the sword."

Silence.

And then—

"What of my father?"

Vellena held her breath.

Maester Gerardys lowered his head.

"He kept his oath. Cole took his head for it."

A quiet, painful moment passed.

Ser Steffon's jaw tensed, his lips pressing into a thin, pale line, but he said nothing.

Vellena looked at him, at the way his shoulders squared, his breathing slowed—he was containing his grief, hiding it behind a mask of duty.

The room felt too small.

Too stifling.

But the moment was not yet over.

Jace lifted his chin, his brown eyes burning with restrained fury, glaring straight at his mother.

And then, his anger snapped.

"Where have you been these last days? You vanished without so much as a word."

His voice was not a question—it was an accusation.

Rhaenyra looked taken aback, if only for a fraction of a second, before she regained control.

Her tone, when she answered, was measured and polite, but unyielding.

"Well, I apologize for my absence and the secrecy, but such was necessary. I went to King's Landing."

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Vellena's breath caught in her throat.

Even Corlys, Rhaenys and Baela stiffened.

Jace's brows furrowed sharply.

"To what possible end?"

Rhaenyra did not hesitate.

"To meet Queen Alicent and sue for peace."

Vellena felt the air leave her lungs.

A peace meeting.

With Alicent Hightower.

Her mother had walked straight into enemy hands, and she hadn't told a soul.

It could have been a trap.

Before Vellena could fully process her thoughts, Jace's voice snapped through the room like a whip.

"YOU SAW ALICENT?!"

His voice was sharp with disbelief, anger, fear—a hurricane of emotions tangled together.

Rhaenyra lifted her chin, meeting her son's gaze head-on.

"Yes, I did."

Jace's face twisted.

"You could have been taken or slain!"

His frustration boiled over, his chest rising and falling heavily as he cursed under his breath, shaking his head.

Rhaenyra did not waver.

Her voice lowered and grew more stern, but it did not soften.

"I inherited eighty years of peace from my father. Before I was to end it, I needed to know that there was no other path. And now I do. Only one choice remains to me: either I win my claim, or I die."

The weight of her words hung thickly in the air.

Jace's fingers twitched at his sides.

His lips parted—then closed.

A muscle in his jaw tightened, but then, slowly, he composed himself.

He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and forced a tight, unreadable smile.

Then, in a voice far too calm, he said "We stand at the ready."

Rhaenys stood firm, her sharp gaze scanning the room.

"Cole's victories have only emboldened him."

Lord Corlys, standing beside her, added gravely: "He marches on Rook's Rest. His host was just hours away when Lord Staunton's ravens took wing."

Rhaenyra, still trying to make sense of it all, shook her head. She stepped toward the Painted Table, her eyes tracing the lands, her fingers brushing over the small carved piece that marked Rook's Rest.

"Why Rook's Rest? After Duskendale? It is but a small coastal keep."

She picked up the wooden piece, turning it over in her palm.

Ser Alfred Broome, standing beside her, scoffed.

"Because Lord Staunton is a member of this council. And because his castle is small and vulnerable—there for the taking. Cole knows we have no army on the mainland."

Lord Bartimos Celtigar hummed thoughtfully.
"He is brazen."

Ser Alfred cut him off impatiently.
"He is daring us to act"

Jace's hands curled into fists, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
"We need to send a dragon"

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Vellena felt her heart quicken, her fingers instinctively playing with the hem of her dress.

She had Silverwing.

The third largest dragon in the realm.

And the largest of their cause.

If it came to a battle in the skies, she could match Aemond's Vhagar better than any of them.

She bit her lip, gathering her courage.

Then she turned, her voice clear and steady.

"I should go. I have the largest dragon. And if there are complications, I can match Aemond's."

Jace's entire body tensed.

His jaw clenched, his grip tightening at his sides.

The anger inside him burned hotter.

He did not care if he was being unreasonable.

Vellena would not get involved in this war.

He rolled his eyes, his voice sharp and dismissive. "You cannot"

Vellena's eyes snapped to him, her face twisting with irritation.

They had been on good terms again, but here he was—ordering her around like a child.

She lifted her chin defiantly. "But can you?"

A foolish thing to say.

Jace had fought in the Stepstones. He knew war.

The only ones in this room who did were him, Corlys, and Daemon—and Daemon was off in Harrenhal, doing gods know what.

Rhaenyra sighed, closing her eyes for a brief moment before straightening.

Her voice was calm, but unshakable. "There are those who have mistaken my caution for weakness. Let that be their undoing. You will not go, Vellena."

A pause.

Then—

"I will go"

The room stilled.

Shock rippled through the council.

Lords exchanged uneasy glances. "My queen–"

But Jace laughed.

A bitter, disbelieving laugh. "No"

Rhaenyra's head snapped toward him, her voice sharper than steel. "I will not lose dragons to war whilst I hide here in my castle."

Jace's temper flared, his frustration boiling over.

His family was so fucking stupid sometimes.

He shook his head, exhaling sharply. "Our allies raise their banners for you, Mother."

Rhaenyra nodded. "Yes, they do"

Jace put his hands on the edge of the table, his voice urgent, pleading. "If you die, all is lost. Send me."

Rhaenyra chuckled, shaking her head.

A quiet, amused laugh—as if the idea was ridiculous. "No"

But Jace was not done.

He spoke faster, his words spilling out before she could stop him. "I will burn Cole's lines and withdraw before King's Landing could even raise the alarm."

But Rhaenyra's voice cut through his like a knife. "I said no, Jacaerys. That is final"

Jace's nostrils flared.

His hands curled into fists at his sides.

He looked like he was about to explode.

But then—

A quiet step forward.

Rhaenys Targaryen.

She met Rhaenyra's gaze steadily, her voice firm, unwavering. "You must send me, Your Grace"

The words hung in the air.

"Meleys is your largest dragon after Silverwing. And no stranger to battle. I will meet Cole."

A long pause.

Rhaenyra studied her.

And then, after a moment—

A brief nod.

Rhaenys smiled softly, as if she had expected this all along.

She stepped past Corlys, moving around the table toward the exit.

Vellena's breath caught.

No.

No. No. No.

Her body froze for a moment.

And then she shook her head, muttering under her breath. "No... no..."

And then she moved.

She turned on her heel, rushing from the room, her heart pounding in her chest.

She ran.

Through the corridors.

Up the stairs.

Towards her chamber.

She would not stand by.

She would not lose someone else.

Not like she lost Luke.

Not again.

She would fight.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

Jace stormed through the corridors of Dragonstone, his mind a whirlwind of rage and disbelief.

He had just left his mother's solar after their brief argument—no, not an argument. A lesson. Rhaenyra, ever the sweetest mother, had told him she was proud of him. She had spoken to him of The Conqueror's Dream, of A Song of Ice and Fire—a secret meant only for a ruler and their heir.

And now, he was at peace with her.

But Vellena?

She infuriated him.

She had dared to speak back at the council.

She had dared to humiliate him.

His own sister—his own blood—challenging him in front of their mother's lords.

Jace's jaw clenched as he reached her chamber door. He did not hesitate. He pushed through, his anger crackling like a storm, and found her exactly as he expected.

Vellena was in her riding leathers, tending to Mera and Berion, her beloved kittens.

She had always been stubborn, but now—now she was reckless.

Jace's voice cut through the air, sharp as dragonsteel. "How dare you humiliate me at the council?"

Vellena lifted her head, her silver hair falling over her shoulder as she turned to face him.

Her violet eyes burned, the same Targaryen fire that fueled him now smoldering in her gaze.

She slowly rose from the bed, her movements measured, deliberate.

And then she spoke, her voice steady, unyielding. "You are the heir. Our future. You have already been to war, and only the gods know how much I cried for you to return safely. So no, Jace, I saved you."

Her words hit him like a blow to the chest.

His breath caught.

For a fleeting moment, his face softened.

Then—

His eyes flickered to her riding leathers, and something inside him snapped. "What are you doing?"

Vellena hesitated. Just for a moment.

Then she swallowed, avoiding his gaze.
"Taking flight on Silverwing"

Jace's stomach dropped.

His entire body stiffened, his blood turning to fire.

His voice came out low, dangerous. "Where?"

Vellena bit her lip, her gaze flickering up to him from across the room. "Rook's Rest"

Jace's soul left his body.

For a moment, all he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears.

Vellena continued as if she had not just shattered his sanity. "I have to help Grandmother. Now step aside"

His response was instant. "Fuck you are"

Vellena scoffed, pushing past him, her shoulder bumping against his as she strode toward the door.

She grabbed the handle.

Turned it.

It did not budge.

Her body stilled.

Her chest rose and fell sharply.

Then, slowly, she turned her head, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Her voice was dangerously quiet. "What have you done?"

Jace smirked, his hands folded behind his back as he idly examined the vanity beside him. "Absolutely nothing"

He was lying.

Of course, he was lying.

Before stepping inside, he had given clear orders to Bennar.

The doors were to be locked.

The keys given to Lyra, Vellena's handmaid, who would only come to her in the evening.

By then, Rook's Rest would be over.

Vellena's anger flared hotter than dragonfire.

She called for Bennar.

For Lyra.

But no one came.

She snapped her head back toward Jace, who looked entirely unbothered, standing there like a calm storm. "You are a cunt"

Jace didn't even look at her when he responded lazily. "Filthy words for a princess"

Vellena's nostrils flared.

She threw up her hands. "Do you realize we are BOTH locked in here, right?!"

Jace finally turned, his lips curling. "Yes, haedar. I may be a cunt, as you say, but I am not stupid."

Vellena let out a frustrated groan, her fists clenching in her leathers. "I thought we were over this. I thought you stopped acting unreasonable."

Jace exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"We would be over it—if only you listened to me."

Vellena snapped "I am not a child to be coddled!"

Jace's eyes darkened. "You are my little sister, Vellena. It is my duty to protect you."

Vellena laughed bitterly, the sound laced with something cruel. "Like you protected me at Luke's funeral?"

Jace stilled. On his knees before her, kissing and sucking on her pretty cunt like a man starved.

She continued, her lips curling. "Or when I wrote to my betrothed, Prince Daeron?"

Jace's blood boiled. He was a dick there but he was so close to given in to sink himself inside her like he belonged there as she did.

"Don't utter his name." He growled

Vellena's grin widened. "Daeron. Daeron. Daeron."

Jace's jaw tensed so hard it ached.

She tilted her head, her voice a whisper. "He might be the love of my life. We might wed. And oh, Jace... we could have children together... He could fuck me like a husband does to his wife—"

Jace snapped.

His body moved before his mind could catch up.

He closed the distance, until their bodies touched, until he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin.

His hand slammed against the wall beside her, caging her in.

Vellena's chest rose and fell heavily, her lips parted, but she did not step away.

She looked up at him, challenging.

Jace whispered. "Those three options still stand and the third one could be put to good use"

I chain him. Poison him. And while the poison makes its work, I fuck you in every way possible on the ground right in front of him. While you keep moaning and screaming my name in Valyrian, hāedar

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her chest warming, her legs pressing together instinctively.

She could feel the tension between them, thick as dragonfire.

Her skin burned where his presence lingered.

Jace slowly reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek, tracing a soft, deliberate line along her skin.

For a moment, just a moment—

She leaned into his touch.

Then—

Vellena jerked away, her voice sharp, but her hands shook. "Do not touch me"

She moved past him, to her vanity, pulling off her gloves with jerky movements. "This. Us. Whatever this is. NEEDS to stop."

Jace stared at her, bewildered. "You are making it too hard to stop."

Vellena snapped. "Me?! Why me?! You are the one who doesn't stop!"

Jace's anger flared again. "Because you are infuriating!"

Vellena barked "Why?!"

Jace snarled "You do not listen!"

Vellena's eyes burned with defiance. "You are not king yet. You cannot order me like I'm some servant!"

Jace's voice dropped, his gaze dark and possessive. "I am your future king, haedar. This fucking castle and island are mine. And after Mother ascends the throne, it will be official."

He stepped closer, their bodies touching again.

Vellena licked her lips, her violet eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "I wonder... what would the people say if they knew their Prince of Dragonstone treats his sister like a common whore whenever he wishes?"

Jace's pants tightened. His cock throbbing painfully. It happened only twice, Luke's funeral and that fucking evening. Now they were on good terms, he had been as asshole but they made up still he yearned her so damn much that every night was a total nightmare because he could only dream of her. Jerking himself off at night whenever the stress was too much didn't help because every time he came, her name left his lips like a fucking prayer.

His voice, low, dark, unwavering. "You aren't a common whore."

He pushed the locks of silver hair from her shoulder to her back, her neck free to his gaze. He leaned in, lowering his head, his breath hot against the skin of her neck. Vellena felt butterflies explode in her stomach and tingles walking up her spine.

"You are mine." He murmured plating a kiss on her skin, his tongue slipping between his lips as he licked his way up to her earlobe making Vellena shiver.

He bit her earlobe softly before muttering in her ear "The heir's whore, sister."

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

‼️smut warning‼️
Vellena's breath was shallow, her fingers trembling as they slid through Jace's dark curls. His presence was overwhelming, his body pressed against hers with an intensity that made the air around them feel thick, almost suffocating. Her back was firmly against her vanity, her body tingling with the sensation of being so close to him. His lips brushed her neck in a slow, deliberate kiss that sent a shock of warmth through her skin.

She could swear that her body was flushed, the heat spreading from her chest to her cheeks as his touch sent ripples of feeling across her. Every touch, every look, every moment felt like a battle of wills, and yet neither of them was willing to back down.

As his lips trailed over her skin, Vellena's eyes fluttered shut, her pulse racing. But then, something shifted. Jace pulled back, raising his head with an almost predatory grace, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to freeze.

"Turn around" Vellena looked at him for a moment before doing as he said, her back pressed against his chest.

His gaze found hers in the mirror, their reflections staring back at them—intense, connected, but unspoken.

Jace's smirk was quietly satisfied, though his eyes were full of something unreadable, something that made Vellena's chest tighten. He leaned in, his breath ghosting over her ear before he spoke, his voice low, filled with an edge of command.

"You said that you don't want me to touch you, so I will not... You will."

Vellena's breath hitched, her chest rising and falling rapidly with a mix of confusion and something more visceral, something that stirred deep within her.

She stared at him through the mirror, the weight of his words sinking in. The tension between them was palpable, like an invisible thread pulling them closer, taut and ready to snap.

"What do you mean?"

Jace's eyes flashed with something dark, enigmatic. There was no malice in his words, but something far more dangerous—the silent power he wielded over her, the way he could make her feel both small and important at the same time.

"Take off your leathers"

Vellena's heart skipped a beat at the order. Her face flushed, the heat crawling up her neck until it burned behind her eyes. She wasn't sure if she wanted to protest or give in. It was an incredibly intimate request, and the mere thought of obeying him made the space between them feel even more charged.

But she couldn't help herself. She swallowed, nervous tension curling inside her, and she slowly began to unbutton her riding vest, her fingers trembling as they worked. She felt his eyes on her, felt the weight of his gaze burning through her as she undid the last button and let the vest slip off her shoulders, exposing the soft pale skin underneath and her small breasts with their hardened nipples.

Her breath caught in her throat as the cool air of the room brushed against her skin. She had never felt more exposed, yet at the same time, something in the way Jace watched her made her feel both vulnerable and empowered.

She caught a glimpse of their reflections again in the mirror—her lips slightly parted, her chest rising and falling with each breath, and Jace standing behind her, his posture straight and strong, watching her like she was the only thing that mattered.

She couldn't look away. There was something in the way he watched her that was impossible to ignore, something soft beneath the edge, something that made her want to prove herself to him, even though she had no idea what she was proving.

His voice came again, low and velvety, breaking the silence.

"Now the pants."

The command was simple. Direct. But the way he spoke it, the calm certainty in his voice, sent a shiver through her. Vellena swallowed, her gaze locked onto his in the mirror. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, the weight of his presence behind her. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her hands felt heavy as she unbuckled her riding pants.

With every motion, she became more acutely aware of his presence, of the way he loomed behind her, not with force, but with the kind of silent authority that made her feel both alive and exposed at once. The world seemed to slow down around them, the only sound the soft rustle of her leathers as they slid down her legs.

When the pants finally fell to the floor, Vellena stood there, her chest tight, her body aching with a strange tension. She met Jace's gaze in the mirror, their eyes locked. In that moment, she felt a quiet understanding between them, something unspoken, yet as loud as any battle cry.

But neither of them spoke.

Neither of them moved.

The space between them was filled with unspoken words, with things neither of them could voice. There was something shifting in the silence. Something that felt as though it would either break them apart or draw them even closer.

Vellena's breath came quicker now, her body drenched in emotion—confusion, desire, frustration, and something else she couldn't name. She didn't know if she wanted to push him away or let him take everything.

She was lost. But in some strange way, she found herself wanting to be lost.

Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, wide-eyed and uncertain, but somehow also more alive than she had ever felt before.

Jace's grip on her right hand was slow, deliberate, as though every inch of contact between them carried more weight than just the physical. Vellena's breath hitched at the sensation, the air thick with a tension that felt almost suffocating. His hand wrapped around hers, and without a word, he gently moved it, guiding it across her body in a way that felt both intimate and controlling, though not in an overtly malicious way.

He moved her own hand over one of her breasts, rolling her fingers over the nipple making Vellena moaned softly watching both of them in the mirror.

"You know what are whores used for, haedar?" Jace whispered against her temple, Vellena could only nod. These things but not in this way, they were supposed to please their client, not the other way around.

"N-not like this" she managed to speak between her heavy breathing. Jace only smirked moving her hand to her other nipple, pinching it using her thumb and forefinger, Vellena squirmed pressing her legs together, she was so wet she could feel it on her thighs.

"But how?" He asked peppering kisses on her neck and shoulder. Vellena looked so flushed and embarrassment as she prayed there was a hole in the floor so she could die underneath.

"They should please the client... n-not the other way around" Vellena managed to mutter earning a satisfied grin from Jacaerys. He stopped touching her breasts, moving their hands down her flat stomach ghosting over the place she wanted to be touched most.

"You must be a special one then" Jace spoke nibbling up her ear, Vellena trembled so hard she could collapse right there and then. Of course he was a special one, he was his.

"If I am the heir's whore, why am I not the one to please him?" She whispered barely audible, her clit burning painfully with need as she tried to move their hands lower but Jace's grasp was too powerful.

"Oh, haedar... the heir is pleased enough when he sees you like this, or when you come on his face or fingers" Vellena was about to force herself to pull her hand away but he moved their hands lower finally. He fisted her last three fingers closing his over them as he pushed her forefinger using his down parting her drenched soft folds.

Vellena couldn't stop herself from moaning. Her head fell back against his shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut as the sensation sent a wave of heat crashing over her. Her body trembled, though not from fear, but from the overwhelming flood of feelings she couldn't quite sort through. Jacaerys groaned closing his eyes feeling how dripping wet she was, like the fucking ocean.

Her pulse thrummed in her ears, a dizzying blend of confusion, frustration, desire, and something deeper—something that she couldn't bring herself to name, but that she could feel resonating within her. The mixture of emotions left her numb and hyper-aware at once, her body betraying her, reacting even when her mind screamed to pull away.

Jace's breath was hot against her face, but he said nothing. He didn't need to speak. His presence, his touch, the weight of his attention, all of it was enough to overwhelm her. The familiar tension between them felt so exquisite and unsettling at the same time, a pull she couldn't deny but didn't fully understand.

Vellena tried to steady herself, tried to push back against the feeling of helplessness that was quickly enveloping her, but the truth was, she wasn't sure she wanted to. Every part of her body was reacting to him in ways she couldn't control. It felt almost like a betrayal, but also a moment of unintended honesty, where everything they had fought against seemed to burst out of her chest all at once.

He spread her wetness slowly torturing her before rubbing her clit in the most agonizing way, making her squirm and squeak as her body shook wanting to reach the peak but not yet.

Jace watched Vellena, her face flushed with emotions she couldn't hide, the rapid rise and fall of her chest betraying the storm that raged within her. Her vulnerability was like a soft, silent cry in the chaos between them—intense, raw, and impossible to ignore. His breath caught in his throat as he gazed at her, a mix of admiration and something deeper, darker, twisting inside him. He had never seen her like this. She wasn't the defiant, strong-willed woman he had known; she was something different now—exposed and completely disarmed.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Time seemed to stand still. There was a flicker in her eyes, a questioning look, as if she were trying to reconcile the emotions surging between them. And in that moment, Jace couldn't breathe.

The world outside ceased to exist as he leaned in, drawn to her like a magnet, the silent pull undeniable. He felt his heart race, blood rushing in his ears as he closed the distance. His lips brushed against hers, tentative at first, testing the waters of a kiss that felt as though it had been building for years. A kiss full of tension, of everything left unsaid, of years of shared moments, fleeting touches, and hidden desires.

Her lips softened beneath his, and for a fleeting instant, Jace hesitated—doubting, questioning, wondering if this was real. But then Vellena's hand came up to wrap around his neck, fingers threading through his dark curls, pulling him closer, urging him down. She deepened the kiss, feeling the warmth of his body, the undeniable pull of everything they had fought against for so long.

His heart pounded, each beat deafening in his chest. The kiss was fierce, desperate, tongues dancing together as if neither of them could contain the hunger, the need that had been building for so long. There were no words now, just the connection between them, raw and intense. The air around them seemed to hum with the weight of their unspoken thoughts, and Jace couldn't help but feel consumed by it.

He stopped his movements on her clit urging their hands lower between her thighs, Vellena groaned in disappointment against his lips, earning another infuriating grin from Jacaerys.
He used her finger to push it in her tight heat, earning a yelp from Vellena, her lips parting so much and her violet eyes wide glaring into his brown eyes, but it was only the fingertip and not pushed so deep because her maidenhead was precious and could not be stained. The only thing that would take it would be his hardened cock.

Jace groaned taking her finger out and moving it back to her clit resuming their strokes. He had almost forget about the painful throb in his pants, he should not be focused on himself, only on her but this time it was too hard. His free hand gripped the edge of her wooden vanity as his strokes increased, Vellena's moans became whines and loud whimpers and Jace started to rub himself against her butt through his pants.

Vellena's breath hitched against his lips, and Jace felt the tremor in her body, the way her form pressed against him, betraying the battle between desire and resistance. Her hands gripped him tighter, her nails digging lightly into his skin, as if grounding herself, but also giving in.

It was too much... so good... too much... until—

They both came at the same time, Vellena on their joined fingers and Jacaerys in his breeches. Vellena was breathing heavily gazing at her brother, she could not feel her legs, her head still resting against his shoulder. Jace was not better, his chest rising and falling as he drank in the sight of her perfect swollen lips, pink blush on her cheeks and wide tired eyes.

Jace's nose brushed against hers, planting a small kiss on her lips as he slowly pulled their hands away from her core, but he didn't let go. Instead he brought her hand up to his lips, and into his mouth to taste her. Vellena watches in awe, being turned on once again so easily and so fast seconds after she just peaked. Jace sucked her finger before pulling out and pushing his finger in her mouth which she sucked greedily tasting herself on it.

As he took it out the sudden sound of the key turning in the lock made both of them freeze in place. Jace's gaze immediately flicked to the window—it was still daylight, the sun high in the sky. Why would Lyra come now? His pulse quickened, his mind racing, realizing the timing was far too early. He cursed under his breath, eyes narrowing as the door handle turned.

Vellena pushed him away, grabbing her gown from the bed and pulling it over her head, before she gathered her riding leathers and gif them under the blankets. "One moment, Lyra!" she shouted fixing her covers so the leathers will not be noticeable.

Vellena, still breathing heavily from the intensity of the moments they'd just shared, didn't hesitate. She grabbed Jace by the arm and yanked him away from the vanity, panic flashing across her face. "Quick! Get in the wardrobe!" she hissed, her voice low but urgent. Her pulse raced as the moments before her handmaid's arrival seemed to stretch longer than they'd ever been.

Jace raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning as he glanced over at her. "As the princess wishes," he said, his voice dripping with teasing amusement, though his eyes shone with something else. He looked at her with that same intensity, capturing her lips in a kiss before walking into the wardrobe, the door creaking as he slipped inside, hiding himself from view.

Vellena's breath caught as she closed the wardrobe doors, the weight of what had just happened settling in her chest like a heavy stone. She quickly adjusted her gown, smoothing it over her body, the contrast of the soft fabric against her skin a sharp reminder of everything that had just transpired. She could still feel the heat of Jace's lips, the taste of him lingering on her own, but she couldn't let any of it show.

She swallowed hard as she heard the click of the door opening. Lyra was here. Vellena straightened her posture, forcing her mind to focus. She could not let anyone suspect anything. Not now. Not ever.

The door swung open, and Lyra, her ever-reliable handmaid, stepped inside, her expression filled with mild concern. "Princess, I apologize, but Lady Baela wants to speak with you. She's waiting in the gardens," Lyra said, her tone respectful but tinged with curiosity.

Vellena felt her stomach twist into knots, her heartbeat thudding in her chest as she composed herself. Baela—why could have happened? She didn't have time to question it; she needed to act normal, to keep everything under control.

Vellena quickly nodded, her voice steady, though there was a tightness in it. "Of course, Lyra. Thank you for informing me." She forced a smile, keeping her eyes trained on the door. She couldn't let her handmaid see anything out of place, any signs that might give her away. She glanced briefly at the wardrobe, where Jace remained hidden, before turning toward the door.

Lyra stepped aside to allow her to pass, and Vellena quickly made her way towards the door, mentally preparing for whatever conversation lay ahead in the gardens. Lyra walked out of the room closing the door behind her with a click. As she walked, Lyra followed close behind, the soft click of her shoes echoing in the quiet room.

Jace waited quietly inside the wardrobe, his chest still heavy with the remnants of the tension from moments earlier. He could hear the muffled voices of Vellena and Lyra as they spoke in the room, the soft rustle of Lyra's shoes on the stone floor and Vellena's steady, composed responses. His heart still raced, and he could feel the weight of what had just transpired between him and his sister pressing down on him like a storm on the horizon.

He felt a quiet, unexpected sense of relief when he heard the door close behind them. The room was still, and he knew he was alone. For now. He cautiously stepped out of the wardrobe, stretching his stiff limbs as he glanced around the room. There was no one in sight.

But as he walked further into the room, a soft rustling sound caught his attention. Jace stopped in his tracks, eyes flicking to the bed where Mera and Berion, the two kittens that Vellena had adopted only a short time ago, suddenly emerged from under the bed.

The two kittens sat on their little butts, their tails flipping back and forth with adorable little wiggles. They paused, each one studying Jace with wide, curious eyes. Jace blinked in surprise, a chuckle slipping past his lips despite himself. He wasn't used to being the object of their attention.

"Well, aren't you two mischievous little creatures?" Jace muttered softly, though his voice lacked its usual edge. He grinned awkwardly at them, feeling somewhat silly for the situation. He had just shared a moment with his sister—his sister—and now he was being stared down by two kittens who were probably just as confused as he was.

The kittens blinked, seemingly unimpressed by his awkwardness. They tilted their heads as if to study him even further, their little tails flicking back and forth in sync. It was a strange moment, one that almost made him forget about everything that had happened.

However, that sense of peace was fleeting. His thoughts quickly returned to the gravity of what had occurred between him and Vellena. His heart clenched, still unsure of what all of this meant.

"Alright, alright," Jace said in an attempt to lighten the mood, though his words fell flat. "I need to get out of here before I get caught."

Before he could step any further, one of the kittens—Mera, if he remembered correctly—gave a soft mewl. Jace froze for a moment, unsure if it was an invitation to play or just the kitten's general curiosity. The little creature stood up and took a few steps closer to him, its tiny paws padding softly against the stone floor.

Jace couldn't help but smile, his tension easing just a fraction as he crouched down to offer the kitten a hand. "You want attention, huh?" he whispered, more to himself than to the kitten.

But his smile quickly faltered as he heard a faint sound from the hall outside. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Someone else could be coming. His breath hitched, and his instincts kicked in.

Without a second thought, Jace stood up quickly, glancing nervously at the kittens once more. "Not now," he muttered, shaking his head, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he rushed toward the door. His heart raced even faster now, as if he were running from something far more dangerous than just a few kittens.

In his haste, he didn't stop to grab his cloak or make himself look less disheveled. He just needed to get out. The door swung open, and he darted out of the room, his feet moving quickly across the stone floors, each step punctuated by his heartbeat. His thoughts were a whirlwind, and he had no room for anything but the urgent need to escape.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

IM READING TWISTED GAMES ATM AND IM LIKE A HOE FOR MR LARSEN🫠😫😩🙏🏻