Activated / Addam of Hull / Hugh Hammer

18. Reputation

The final day before they set out for the capital.

☀️

"What the hell are you doing?" Pushing up on his hands back to sitting, Ulf shook his head to clear the cobwebs and the light ache that too much bourbon has left behind. Scrubbing his palms over his eyes, he stared up into the face of the woman he knew he was going to spend the rest of his life pissing off, it was certain with the glare she sent down at him. He flopped back against the doorframe and stared at her for a minute. Really taking her in. She's fucking scary and sexy when she's mad.

"Are you drunk?" Her eyes land on the empty glass beside him. "Why are you staring at me?" Her arms cross over her body, and she popped a hip out.

"I'm not drunk." Anymore.

"Did you sleep out here?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I got lost." Ulf burped back.

"Ugh." Her eyes shut and her head tips back. "I can't believe you are a dragon rider!"

"Wait wait wait-" Ulf stumbled up chasing after her.

"get sober fast. Jace will skin you." Aelora seethed. She glanced back at Hug urging him to stay silent until Ulf had left. 

"You were up late last night, I heard somethings, or maybe I dreamt it." Ulf offered. 

"You dreamt it. Go away." Aelora demanded. 

Addam was surprised when Aelora hugged him that morning, he glanced over his shoulder wrapping his arms around hers. 

"My mother just told me," Aelora declared sitting beside him. "Addam Velaryon." She clarified, he blushed. 

"Its not a bug deal  just a name."

"Its a huge deal Addam. You really are family."

"And you know family is..." how could he say that he was totally okay with any incest between because their family link was loose despite sharing a last name  

"Yes?" Aelora pondered

"You sleep well?"

"Exhausting night. Ulf woke up outside my door. I basically ran him over trying to get out."

"You were fucking the princess. Well done. If i had my way with her we would still be in bed however." Ulf remarked  

"You will say nothing to no one."

"That statement doesnt make sense. Telling no one nothing is easy. I would tell certain someones everything." Ulf challenged 

"Ulf," hugh growled

"Banging the princess-"

"I beg you..."

"Why was ulf outside your door saying he was banging the princess?" Aeron demanded

"Excuse me ser Addam Velaryon," Aelora purred before shoving aeron aside  "i don't know what ulf spews or why." She assured 

"And banging the princess? You can't seriously be-"

"Im not. But it shouldnt matter to you who i do or dont sleep with because you are not my father:"

"Im your brother. Your twin. Im responsible-"

"Im the heir not you  dont give me that holier than thou bullshit. Men can fuck who they want-"

"You fucked ul-"

"Never." Aelora assured. 

"Your reputation... aelora you know what mother is facing with jace. What jace is going through. A woman's reputation is all she has." Aeron warned aelora was quick to slap him in the face  

"Mother is queen. I would say she has more than just a reputation." Aelora warned

"I meant as an unwed woman like yourself-"

"I will slap you again Aeron." Aelora warned before heading off "come on Addam. Im in the mood for making some scandalous decisions!" She shouted addam knew she was doing it to anger her brother but he followed her all the same  

"Aelora's mad at me, and I'm not clear why."

" Okay. Were you talking before she got upset?" Baela pondered.

" Yes." Aeron admitted.

"That's probably it." She agreed.

"Baela." Aeron groaned.

 "What'd you say to her?"

"Nothing..."

"Right." Baela mused

"I swear im going to kill him. Some days he is my best friend and others its like he doesnt even know me." Aelora growled like the dragon she was   "Come on lets fly." Addam stared back at her  "what?"

"Just admiring the strong and empowering woman before me."

"Flirt."