Aerion Targaryen. 3

-No.

—I didn't even tell you what it was.

—Knowing you, I don't need to hear the rest.

Aerion let out a laugh.

They were walking through the castle gardens after an unbearably long dinner.

The moon illuminated the stone paths and, for once, there was nobody around.

Just the two of you.

-Come on.

-No.

—Say yes.

-No.

—Say yes.

—Aerion.

—Say yes.

You were already laughing.

—You're infuriating.

—And you're very difficult.

Aerion walked a few steps ahead of you and then turned around.

—Only once.

-That?

—What I'm going to ask you for.

—You still haven't told me!

—Because I want you to promise that you will say yes.

—That's not how it works.

-Ought.

You shook your head.

And Aerion smiled.

Because I loved it when you tried to look serious.

"Okay," you finally said. "Speak."

—I want you to come with me tomorrow.

-Where to?

—Let's get mounted.

—Was that all?

-Yeah.

—I thought you were going to ask for something terrible.

—So you'll say yes?

You looked at him.

And there was that smile.

The same as always.

The one that appeared when she already knew she had won.

-No.

-That?

—Just because it bothers me that you're so sure of yourself.

Aerion put a hand to his chest.

—That was cruel.

—You will survive.

He sighed dramatically.

—Someday you'll learn to say yes to me.

—Someday you'll learn to accept no.

—I doubt it.

And as they continued walking among the roses in the garden, neither of them could stop smiling.