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Jacaerys feels as if the entire world comes to a halt when he receives the news.
Cregan is standing beside him, as always, but Jace can’t even look at him, can’t look anywhere but ahead of him. His vision has blurred and the world somehow feels colder.
His breath becomes heavier and shaky as he stands amidst the falling snow, hearing the words echo through his head over and over.
“My prince,” Cregan is saying but Jace barely registers it. “Prince Jacaerys,” His tone has an undertone of sorrow now.
That succeeds at getting his attention. Jace turns his gaze and sees the Lord of Winterfell staring at him with the most solemn look he’s ever seen on the man thus far.
“My deepest condolences,” Cregan tells him and Jace wants to feel consoled by his words but still, a raging fire burns within him.
He is a dragon, after all, and his other half, his beloved brother, is gone. Unjustly, taken from Jace by his careless beast of an uncle.
I should’ve taken the other eye, Jace thinks bitterly. It’s not the first that such a terrible thought has crossed his mind before and it most certainly, won’t be the last.
“My prince. Jace,” Cregan says, reaching his gloveless hand out. “I grieve with you.”
His freezing hand fits perfectly in Jace’s own and it feels like an offer for comfort, to take the pain away.
Jace tightens his hold ever so slightly as the snow continues to fall around them.