KING'S LANDING

Crimson painted her dress. Splatters of red ran across her tanned face.

When the dagger fell to the ground with a loud clang, Hira released the dragon from within her.

She heaved.

The servant girl and the Hightower men associated with last night were dead by her hands. Their bodies mauled and maimed, beyond recognition besides the green cloaks and maid attire.

"There's no guilt." She murmured to the empty room.

Hira wasn't quite sure why she thought there would be. They orchestrated something cruel, something terrible. They didn't deserve any of her guilt.

It was done.

She was avenged.

Hira didn't know what she felt. Nothing. Perhaps everything all at one. All she knew was that there were plenty of people who had tried to hurt her. Each and every one of them failed. Each one was dead.

Aemond enclosed his hand in hers. He tilted her chin with a finger, a hungry gleam in his eye. He looked ready to devour her then and there.

"You are beautiful."

Even with the bruises, the blood stained face? She mused. Perhaps even more.

"Marry me. Tonight." He demanded.

At that, Hira's lips quirked, amused. It looked unusually captivating against the smeared red of her cheeks, with the way Aemond was ogling her. There was a jesting bite to her tone. "Is there a please in that sentence?"

He dipped low, lips slowly caressing hers, close enough to tease. For Hira to want, to beg.

He whispered sensationally, "Please."

She liked it when he begged.

Hira bit her lip, nodding.

Hand in hand, they walked out the cellar, barely sparing a glance at the destruction of their dragonblood.

[ x ]

It was a surprise to no one when Helaena greeted the two in Aemond's chambers, a pool of perfectly made garments on top of Aemond's silk bed. She paid no attention to their state, instead she was almost giddy to show the two her latest and most prized creations.

"Hel." Hira exclaimed, rushing to the fabrics. "Did you make this?"

"I had plenty of time on my hands." Helaena smiled. "They're your wedding garments."

Hira marvelled over the pieces.

The Chut Thai Chakkri was elegant. It was the traditional gown for a Lengii wedding.

Consisting of a sinh, a long tube skirt with two front pleats in the colour of a glorious royal navy blue. It was paired with a top embellished with gold trimmings and thread.

A sabai, a shawl-like upper garment that wrapped around the upper body and trailed down to the floor, was matching in colour, embroidered with patterns of dragons snaking around a tree laden with fruit. The fruit was stitched with sapphires and rubies that flickered in the light. A thick gold belt tied the garments together.

It was crafted with the intention of love and care, made by gentle hands.

When she was a young girl she worried over who would wed and bed her when the time came. She was eight when the first proposal was handed to her mother. He was an old, power hungry man from a lower noble class, but a wealthy merchant with a thriving business. His past wives died in childbirth, and Hira pleaded with her mother not to wed her off to a man closer to death than her age.

The council sought for her mother's approval, assessed it would unite the lower nobles to the crown, who felt neglected and passed over. Fortunately, he died a month later, saving Hira from that fate.

She supposed it was her mother's doing. His demise was a horse accident, his carriage tipped over and he was squashed underneath. There were many ways to spook a horse.

A few years later Hira was shipped to Westeros to wed a Targaryen prince and here she was, with every intention of marrying Aemond tonight.

Most girls fretted about their wedding gown. Hira shared no similar feeling, not since she had her ladies, who were perfect seamstresses. Though they weren't here to produce her gown, Helaena, their dutiful student, learnt their craft and created something beyond magnificent. Hira was in safe hands.

"I'm honoured to wear this." She said sincerely.

Helaena clapped, delighted. "I'm honoured to have made it."

What did she do to deserve such devotion and love from Helaena? Something truly special in her past life, she was sure of it.

Hira moved over to Aemond's garments. His clothing was pure Valyrian, the typical ceremonial gown grooms wear: criss-cross chest trimmed with golden material, floor length, with long sleeves. But rather than a white-cream base, it was the same royal blue as her Chut Thai Chakkri. They were matching. Like flames reaching to the heavens, red dye spanned from the sleeves and bottom length, as well as the shoulders.

A homage to her Lengii roots, a brooch was added, lined with sapphires in the shape of a bluebell.

It was the perfect blend of their ancestors.

"Exceptional." Aemond commented, running his fingers across the fabric, "Truly, well done, sister."

Helaena shone under their praise.

"The stars are at their brightest and the moon is its highest tonight." Helaena said.

Hira nodded, "Good, a sure sign my gods will bless this union." Then, she gave Helaena a look upon realising. "You saw us getting married tonight?"

It hadn't even occurred to her that Helaena came by with the intention to gift their ceremonial wear. Gods, she hasn't washed the blood off her face yet, she must be looking like a terrible sight. 

The dreamer grinned cheekily. With one hand, Helaena gathered her gown and with the other grasped her hand, towing Hira out the room, not caring for her bloodied or bruised hands.

"Meet at the rocky isle in an hour, brother." Helaena called out, "Don't forget the minister!"

[ x ]

HELAENA

Helaena sprinkled pomelo leaves into the warm bath as Hira washed the blood off herself. She collected the red robe and slippers, placing them besides the tub.

"Did you see, in your dreams, that Martyn would ..." Hira questioned, not unkindly, only an inquisition.

The new queen frowned, "No. I only see what the dreams force onto me. If I could have spared you from that horrible fate, I would have."

Hira patted her hand, her eyes losing a bit of its shine. She smiled faintly. "I am well now, if not nervous. I'm to be married in a little under an hour."

Helaena wished she were more useful. Her prophetic sayings were more riddles than anything worthwhile. She cleared her mind, willing happier thoughts. She watched as Hira swept the leaves over her body.

The Targaryen woman read enough Lengii scripture to understand the importance of the ceremony. This ritual they were performing symbolised the couple entering a new stage of adulthood, leaving behind their lives as individuals. Aemond was washing in the same manner.

The pomelo leaves cleansed away bad spirits. Awful things hung over Aemond and Hira, ghosts who lingered and dead things that should stay dead. A witch who spies in the dark, spinning her webs of malice. A mouse chasing for cheese and a knife's gleam in a candle lit room.

Helaena was never good at debunking riddles. When the words flew from her mouth, she couldn't take them back. She dreamt, she spoke, she saw, she heard, she cried, she laughed. She was simply a vessel to receive all the good and bad tidings with no purpose but to serve the will of the gods, whatever that may be.

The sound of water splashing onto the floorboards startled Helaena to reality. She quickly wrapped the robe around the Lengii bride. Once Hira was sat in front of the mirror, Helaena lit a stick of incense and a pair of red taper candles. Then, she began to comb Hira's dark tresses.

Her Lengii wasn't the best, but Hira's encouragement took away her worries.

"May the first comb bring you a long-lasting union.
May the second comb bring you a harmonious union.
May the third comb bring you an abundance of descendants.
May the fourth comb bring you prosperity and longevity."

To close the ritual, Helaena clipped a red yarn with cypress leaves onto Hira's damp, untangled hair. She wrapped her arms around Hira's chest and her cousin hugged them in return.

"Let's get you wedded."

Helaena silently mourned what could have been. But Hira's contagious excitement melted whatever cold feeling was creeping inside her. She was happy. Aemond was happy. Helaena couldn't ask for anything more for the two people she loved most in the world, barring her own children, their happiness.

[ x ]

HIRA

On the rocky isle at nightfall, below the stars, Hira and Aemond bidded their blood. Torches lit the scene, the sigil of House Targaryen situated on the left, with the standard of Han on the right.

In the Old Valyrian custom, officiated by Taemyx Galtheos, a seedy looking man with a thick beard and even thicker pockets lined with coins, was more than happy to wed the couple in secret.

Taemyx passed a blade of dragonglass and Hira proceeded to cut a thin line along Aemond's lip. His gaze was steady, hungry. It sent a shiver down her spine, despite the warm night and the fire pot in the middle. She dragged her thumb across his forehead, marking it with her blood.

Aemond then cut a similar line across her plump lip, lined with a rose tint rouge and smeared her temple in the same manner. His lone eye was filled with pure, unfiltered emotion. Affection. Want. Warmth.

The traditional marital robes of Valyria were simply alluring on him. He looked every bit as a fine prince of the dragonsblood. His hair draped past his shoulders and was left untethered. He did without the leather eyepatch and instead her sapphire sparkled from his empty eye socket. Hira liked him more like this. Exposed, free, careless.

Aemond sliced their palms, joining it as they had done a thousand times. A cloth binds their hands, their blood, their souls together. They drank from a chalice.

Helaena clapped and squealed. Vhagar roared, a sprew of fire emitting from her, covering them under a show of magnificent flames.

Taemyx Galtheos stepped aside and their beloved Helaena took his place as their witness to perform the Lengii ceremony.

Hira licked her lips, coating her tongue with blood. She buzzed with excitement. Aemond's gaze narrowed, following her tongue as it darted out.

Helaena proceeded to drape the lace veil over Hira's head, mindful of the intricate braids that crowned her head, and over Aemond's shoulder.

In Lengii, Helaena announced. "Let it be known that the veil cloaked over Princess Hira Han of Leng, daughter of God-Empress Yhatia, and Prince Aemond of House Targaryen are clothed as one."

The ceremonial cord of the yugal was then wrapped around them in a figure of eight.

"Let it be known that the yugal binds these souls to an eternal bond of fidelity, an infinite bond of love that ties their hearts together. May this bond keep them strong in the face of adversity."

Aemond never broke eye contact.

Under the stars, they become one.

"You are no longer two, but one in marriage."

As the veil and cord were removed, Hira attempted to calm her frantic heart. The vows were next.

"Aemond." She breathed, smile widening. She had waited far too long, they both have. "Lengii astronomers say the sun is a star. When I was a little girl I used to wish on stars. I think I have wished on a thousand stars and the sun for a thousand different things. But one lucky star granted me, you. We have faced separation, banishment and a farce betrothal. All of which has led us here to this moment. Our love, Aemond, it's the passion of a thousand suns."

Her prince couldn't help but grin, nor help how his hands grasped the back of her head as he leaned down to kiss her. The kiss was sweet and long, all the other sounds of the world went silent - the ocean waves, the beat of their hearts, the flaps of Vhagar and Dreamfyre's wings - silenced. That moment, they were the only two beings on earth and everything around them burned in a bright, fiery blaze.

Hira gasped into Aemond's mouth, the taste of copper and jasmine filled their senses.

When the kiss drew to a close, Hira giggled against his lips, "Once again, terrible timing."

His grin stretched.

"I will follow you to the ends of the earth, until the world is nothing but dust and ruin." He declared with absolute certainty. "I am yours to command and to love. Hira, you crawled into the space between my ribs and built a home there."

It was Hira this time, who tugged Aemond down and claimed him for herself. His lips were soft, silken against hers as her fingers ran through his hair as they breathed each other in.

She chose Aemond against reason, against duty, against a crown. She loved him against all that stood in her way and forced her to obey.

When they parted, Helaena came forward with a small wooden chest.

From that box, Aemond revealed a golden ji shaped as a lavender flower. Gems of purple made up the hairpin, whilst two gold chains fell from the tip of the hair stick. At the end of the chains were small dragon figures. Upon closer inspection Hira realised it was a miniature version of Vhagar and Zhurong.

It was breathtaking and flawless and Hira was overwhelmed beyond recognition.

Aemond twirled Hira around by the hand, slipping the ji into her braided bun, the dragons clinking together when she moved her head from side to side. His hands ran along her shoulder down to her arms.

He whispered in her ear. "Do you remember, my wife, on your nameday I gave you a lavender?"

My wife. Gods, did that send her heart flying. And how could she forget? A lavender among the blue.

She nodded slowly. Aemond continued more intimately. "Lavenders represent devotion. The gem is jamuniya stone. It is famously called the lover's gemstone. It signifies true love and faithfulness. Those are my vows to you. Utter devotion, true love and unwavering faithfulness."

Her eyes watered. Hira turned to face him, knowing Aemond had more to say.

"If your will is to seat my half-sister on the throne, then I will do nothing but obey it. My family almost cost me the woman I hold dear. I won't risk it a second time."

And Aemond did something that she thought he would never do.

He kneeled before her.

"You own me, my Hira, my wife. My sword, my dragon, my soul are yours."

[ x ]

There was no music, but they danced the night away. Hira and Aemond danced the pangalay, their feet moving in seamless tandem. Authentic feeling was conveyed through the arms and hands.

"Motion in stillness, stillness in motion." Hira proclaimed breathlessly. "This is the pangalay."

Helaena weaved between the two, her light feet tapping against the stone floors. She giggled, whirling between the newly-made husband and wife. Even Taemyx joined in for a bit.

When they grew tired, the trio snuck back in the Red Keep.

"Goodnight, sister." Helaena hugged her tightly.

Hira smiled against her shoulder. "Goodnight, sweet sister."

Aemond's chambers, which were now hers, now that she thought about it were dimly lit with few candles scattered around.

Suddenly, she's nervous again, but for an entirely different reason. She sat on the sofa, idly playing with her rings.

Aemond began to unbraid her hair, placing the ji back in its box for safekeeping. He kissed her neck, then again and again. He littered her neck with tiny nips and licks, in response Hira eagerly exposed more of her flesh.

"You are exquisite." He murmured against her skin.

Hira pleaded, growing wet. "Don't tease."

They help each other undress, chuckling when Hira's arms get caught in the sleeve. Once naked, Aemond's throat swallowed at the sight of his wife, drinking her in. When Aemond frantically disrobed in such a hurry that he tripped over his feet, Hira burst into laughter.

At that, unceremoniously, Aemond pushed her down on the bed and without an ounce of hesitancy or doubt, his mouth claimed hers once more.

She shut up immediately.

One of her hands slid up to fist his hair, tugging it slightly back, emitting a moan from Aemond's mouth. The other hand snaked up to wrap around his shoulders, pulling him further into her.

His touch always felt feverish and this time was no different. She's bare and he's naked and it felt right.

"I love you." His hands grab at her waist, her neck, her thighs, anything he could get a hold of, the consuming need to be close, skin on skin, it just wasn't enough.

She needed more. She begged for more.

His hand glided down to her abdomen, trailing to her thighs before going higher. Her breath hitched, cheeks blushing a deep red as he stared down at her, smirking because he knew the exact effect he had on her body. His hair was mussed, hanging from both sides of his face and his eye full of intense want.

Hira shifted in anticipation, head pressed against the pillows. A frustrated groan leaves her as his fingers dally, never nearing where she wanted him to be. His finger teased, but nowhere near her aching slit.

His lips parted, panting.

Then, finally, he strokes her slit, coating his finger with her wetness, then inside her. She moaned once a delicate spot was found, burying her head into the pillows as she tried to hold her gasps.

"No. I want to hear you scream." Aemond ordered. "I want the whole fucking Keep to hear you scream, my wife, ñuha ābrazȳrys."

A tightening in her lower belly emerged. Aemond caressed her slit, dived his fingers and hooked them inside and she came with a loud moan.

She blushed once more when Aemond lowered himself between her legs. He snatched her legs, which still quivered, and quickly placed them onto his shoulders. His tongue stroked and licked and her toes curled up immediately. When he rose, his lips glistened with her essence.

Aemond eased himself inside her, his lean, muscular body above hers. He groaned, eyelids clenched shut as pleasure filled his features.

"You were made for me." He rasped out, struggling not to move. "I do not want to hurt you."

She assured him, "It hurts only a little. I simply need time to adjust."

Adjust to the feeling of something larger than fingers inside her, to a thick, girthy cock. When the pain passed, Hira nodded and Aemond rocked into her.

She was filled to the brim, their hips moved in tandem, as if they were dancing and the rhythm matched the pace of their hearts. Ragged breaths and content moans released from their mouths. Tongue slid against tongue and hands grasped bruised skin.

They were one in marriage and they were one in flesh.

The same, familiar heat found itself pooling in her and she chased it, hiking her leg higher and demanding to be fucked harsher. Aemond obliged, hand gripping her thigh and his thrust becoming deliciously rough and their teeth clasped in a manner that was far from decent.

Hira screamed in ecstasy as she was overcome with unspeakable pleasure, and Aemond's seed spurted within her. She collapsed beside him, accepting the gentler kiss that he gave.

A quick note from me: They're married! The moment we've all been waiting for! And oh my goodness, 50k reads and 2.2k votes! Thank you guys so much, this is amazing 🥺🥳 I never thought people would read this little fic of mine so it means so much to me that you guys would take the time to read, comment and vote!!!

This chapter was one of my favourite chapters to write. Their wedding brought tears to my eyes, it's nice to finally see them happy and married (even if it took a murder or two to get here 😭😂). Act two is officially finished and on a happy note. Act three is a little more 😅😣Hint: blood and cheese and the infamous alys rivers (edit: as I've gotten a few comments, I can assure you there's no cheating in this story!)

I appreciate every single person who has gone out of their way to read, comment and vote on the passion of a thousand suns. See you in act three 💙💚