WELL FLAYED [Game Of Thrones: The Boltons]

19. Eye Of The Storm

MORNING CAME, YET THE SKY remained a twilight shade, for the sun was shy and hidden behind dark heavy clouds.

Nisha awoke with the sound of water splashing, and sheets being whisked. She rubbed her eyes to clear her vision then saw Myranda in the bedchamber, preparing her a bath with a wooden portable tub filled with water. Warm towels were ready as well as scented oils and soap.

She glanced behind her on the bed to catch a glimpse of her husband, but Ramsay was already gone, probably had started his day without her. She carefully sat up, though she winced when she added pressure on her rear, for she felt swollen below. Ramsay, even though tried to be gentle then on, had overused her last night. But it was not even the main cause. It was his merciless taking of her maidenhead at the start of their night. It left her ripping and bleeding.

"Good morn, mi'lady." Myranda greeted once she noticed her waking lady. "Let's take a bath shall we? You have to be presentable to see the guests depart."

She helped Nisha to get up. Her trembling feeble form was leaning onto her for support. Once fully standing, Myranda discovered a large crimson spot on the center of the bed. It was probably her virginal blood, though it was a shocking amount that it looked more like it's from a cut.

Myranda then glanced down at her lady's naked body, trying to examine further the matter. Her thighs were stained with dried blood up to her womanhood. She knew then what he had done to make her bleed this way. Ramsay always wanted it rough, however, she never expected that he'd do it early in their first night together. She thought he'd hold on to his coy facade a little longer, but then she was reminded of his destructive appetite.

Nisha descended down the tub, though as soon as the warm water engulfed her, she recoiled with a whimper. She felt a sudden stinging pain in her vagina, she knew then it was not just swollen but also lacerated.

"What's the matter, mi'lady?" Myranda let her grip her hand as she yelped.

"I c-can't. It hurts..."

"Mi'lady," She rubbed her back, somehow comfortingly. "You have to wash. It needs to get cleaned or you'll be sick."

Nisha sighed. "Alright." A small sting was probably nothing compared from what she had been through last night.

Myranda began to gently rub her back, her arms, and her chest. As she did so, she spotted bite marks and bruises. He left his fingerprints all over her skin, marring it with dark hues, but one thing stood out from the rest. It was around her neck. She was badly strangled by the looks of it.

Myranda could handle his violence, for she could match it. But not Nisha. She's dainty and easy to break. Myranda then knew she wasn't suited for him. It would be best for her to leave him while it was still early.

"Mi'lady, your family would be leaving today. Would you like to-"

"I thought he wouldn't hurt me." Nisha's fingers lightly traced the ghost of his hands around her neck. "Why did he change?" She turned around at her side where Myranda sat. "Or has he always been like this?"

Myranda didn't answer her, but raised another question. "Do you still love him?"

"Do you regret loving this bastard now?" Nisha heard his voice in her head; it was clear as the water in the Weeping river.

"I don't know." She replied after a long intervening silence.

"If you're unhappy, I guess it would be best to leave with your family while you still have the time."

"But I am married to him, I couldn't just leave him."

"Not when you have a reason to."

He almost squeezed the life out of her while he was ramming her insides. He grabbed her, he gripped her, he bit her. Bruises and bite marks were on her skin. She could easily reveal his violence to her father. There's no doubt he'd call off the marriage right away. But there's also no doubt that it would create a warlike dispute between two houses. She tried to avoid it long before she was tied to the Vale, to the Eyrie, to the Arryns. Now it's with the Dreadfort, with the Boltons.