A Need to Suffer

Roots

So, I want to apologize for taking so long to update... last update was on the premiere of season seven, and this one comes at its finale. I gather that is fitting eh? ;) I've been working a lot of overtime and suffering from a bit of depression and sickness, but I'm feeling better now, and the overtime has finally come to a close with the looming awesomeness of Dragoncon next weekend! *squee!* I hope this chapter finds you all well, and as always, if you like what you're reading lift my spirits and give me a comment to let me know! (I don't expect a eulogy guys, a simple " oved .... etc." let's me know I'm not just dumping this into the ether without anyone reading it. Nothing kills the drive of an author more than to feel that their effort is for naught. (True facts!) Thank you for all of those that do show your support often; it means the world to me :)

Audio link: 

https://app.box.com/s/5kcasz46o26o4h0nrunwq3ggz4ot1y2k

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Roots

Her words hit him like a collapsing avalanche, and all Ramsay could do was stare at Sansa in shocked horror unsure if what he'd just heard was reality or a figment of his imagination. As the impact of the revelation subsided, an immediate rage coursed through him. Betrayal swirled and cinched at his heart to know that Sansa had gone off to meet with his mother against his wishes (even if not said implicitly the implication had been made.) What Sansa had done was far worse than bringing the past back up again; she had excavated it to manifest from a memory into pointed action. What did she hope to garner from communicating with that cunt? Was she looking for ways to hurt him further than the physical pain and humiliation she'd already put upon him by drudging up a person he'd rather forget?

Ramsay's jaw cemented tightly baring his teeth as his body became rigid. He hadn't spoken other than his exclamation of initial surprise when Sansa had announced her tidings, but his fury was evident in the glare he penetrated her with. Recoiling from Sansa's handhold, Ramsay abruptly stood with shaking clenched fists. It was the first time since this new relationship between them had formulated that he'd felt anything beyond adoration for Sansa or fear of her reprisal should he upset her. The impulse surged within Ramsay then to slap her for such an insult (the instantaneous reaction he would have taken had he have been the man he was prior to Sansa's unique conditioning.) He was furious, but Ramsay wasn't so bold as to react on his anger with physical violence anymore. That man was a fading memory to whom Ramsay had become, but the hurt of this discovery was too palpable for him not to let some of his roiling emotions override the common sense within him warning Ramsay to dial back his feelings and approach this conversation rationally. To Sansa's immediate surprise, he snarled rancorously clenching his fists in his barely contained rage, "How dare you! You… you would slither around me like a treacherous snake to seek her out behind my back! To what purpose did it serve you?!"

Seeing the shift in Ramsay's mood, Temeric and Cecil stepped forward quickly flanking Ramsay with a stiff stance and a cautious air. Unlike with Jon, they would take no chances of this argument becoming a physical altercation and stood ready to respond should words escalate into a potential threat where their Lady could be harmed. Ramsay noted the guards preparing actions to take him down and shot both men a withering glower as silent affirmation that their advance was observed to be a slight to his person.

Sansa was staggered by Ramsay's negative reaction, but once she'd regained her composure, she rose from the Weirtree's roots taking swift strides to close the gap Ramsay had created between them. Sansa purposefully towered over him making a point to both him and herself that his volatile response did not frighten her. Her actions belied the inner turmoil she felt though as Sansa was in fact incredibly afraid, not because Ramsay could possibly strike out at her, but because she realized that slipping off to secretly meet his mother could make it hard for Ramsay to forgive and trust her again. It was no secret to Sansa that his trust in her was paramount to his rehabilitation and the furtherance of their continued relationship. She had anticipated that Ramsay would be unhappy to find out where she'd gone, but Sansa had no idea just how outraged he would become. From her previous worry though, she had had an inkling even if his reaction exceeded her expectation.