Flayer

25.Edda

I'd been awake for a while now, maybe one or two hours. But I didn't open my eyes. I was listening.

Ramsay was sitting at my side, never letting go of my hand. Every time if twitch he'd panick.

"Maester Willis!"

A shuffle of feet "My lord?"

"Why hasn't she woken up?" He asked sternly "Surely there's something you and your men could do?"

"We can only wait my lord-"

"Why do you disappoint me so?"

"Forgive me my lord, but she has lost a lot of blood. Give your fair bride her time to recover and she'll be up and about in no time!"

"In no time you better wish it be, Maester"

"...Y-yes my lord"

He shuffled away. I yawned, starting to feel my leg again.

"MAESTER!"

A shuffle of feet "It was just a yawn my lord-"

My eyes fluttered open and I was met with the angry and worried face of Ramsay Bolton.

"Ramsay?"

He just stared at me, blinking a little harder than most people would. His anger left completely but it would take days of reassurance to erase the worry in his icy blue eyes.

"Lady Stark," the Maester spoke "How does your leg feel?"

I sat up, wincing at the pain "... I can feel it"

Ramsay helped lay me back down.

"How exactly would you describe your pain-"

"Thank you Maester, that would be all," Ramsay snapped at him, annoyance sharp in his words "Call on the kitchen wenches to make her some good broth, not that salty piss they call soup"

The Maester nodded. I'd never seen an old man run so quickly in my life. Everyone else in the room followed after him as soon as the Flayer shot them his deadliest looks.

Ramsay placed his hand on my cheek. His eyes stared me down. His caress was gentle but serious just as the expression on his face.

"My men have failed me," the young Lord Bolton admitted "They let in an enemy who wanted my dearest possession dead. They'll learn from their mistakes as soon as you heal. But from now on I'm not letting you out of my sight. Who knows what Roose will do to you or to me now that his first attempt on my life has failed? I've ordered for your belongings to be moved to my chambers. Your savior the direwolf is currently in the stables with my hounds until you can control her again. She's quite a wild thing! But as soon as you are well we will make ample space in our chambers for the beast if you will it"

I smiled. He furrowed his brow at me.

"What is it?"

"I love you too"

Ramsay froze, clenching his jaw.

"I'm sorry for what I did," I murmured.

"Myranda is the one to blame for your injury, not you-"

"No..." I swallowed as I touched his arm "I'm sorry I had to kill Myranda"

His eyes widened. "... You?"

"I'm sorry-"

"No!" He laughed "She called me a bastard and thought she could manipulate me- I could give less of a shit about her death. But you killed Myranda?"

"I... I did" I confessed, "Lya attacked her from behind as she shot an arrow at me and I... I bashed her head into the floor." I held back a laugh "I still can't believe I did it, I punched her until she was just mash!"

Ramsay laughed, kissing my forehead "I didn't know you had it in you my little she wolf"

I caressed his face, so infatuated, so in love.

"Now!" He clapped his hands "Tell me: The gatesmen, who would you like to see burn and who would you rather be mauled down by the hounds?"

I giggled, trying to ignore how grotesque that was. Though, wasn't it me that bashed a girls head in until her skull cracked? "Ugh I don't want to talk about blood now! I lost about a bucket"

"I thought seeing someone else's blood would make you feel better?" He was very confused, "It always helps for me"

"But when I can walk, Ramsay. And then I'll set them on fire myself"

His eyes flashed something warm. For the first time ever I felt as if the blue of his eyes was not of ice but of the base of the flame. Something I had said made his feelings soar high.

He smacked his lips on mine and kissed me roughly. Breathing heavily as he pulled away he said "You're right about me,"

"Hm?"

"I do love you"

I felt the fire in me as well. Surely the same he felt. I kissed him again, my Flayer arm wrapped around his neck.