Jacaerys hadn’t intended to be caught. He had taken flight to the Twins to secure the North passage when his mother needed them most.

He hadn’t seen the Scorpion positioned on one of the Twin Towers. The bolt had shot off and pierced Vermax’s throat sending the beast and he to the ground in smoke and dust.

Captured, chained, beaten and paraded through the streets of King’s Landing with Vermax’s head on a cart. The war had turned men into monsters, his Uncles included.

But he hadn’t expected to be kneeling, his hands chained behind his back, shackles on his ankles, staring up at Aegon with fire in his eyes, his dark curls matted with blood and dirt, his clothing ripped and filthy.

Jacaerys’ stared blankly as Aegon chattered his insults and triumphant banter, seemingly waiting for something. And that something was her.

Aegon’s younger sister, Jacaerys’ aunt pushed into the King’s chambers with a confused expression that quickly morphed into horror at the state of Jacaerys, her old childhood companion.

“Sister!” Aegon grinned maliciously, “I have a gift for you,” he added, tugging on the chain that was hooked to the collar around Jace’s neck, “You are no longer dragonless, for I’d like you to have him…”

Jace’s blood boiled as you gawked in horror at first, taking a few cautious steps closer, her eyes never leaving Jace until close enough to look up at Aegon, ready to fight him until he spoke again.

“If you do not keep him for yourself, I shall give him to Aemond. And I think we both know he’d have a better life as your plaything. Besides, sweet sister, you’ve always collected pretty things, why not add one more.”