Chapter 94Notes:Sup, only two more chapters for the end of Part 3! We're really trucking through this story.
Chapter TextLuthor Tyrell was brimming with nerves as he went to present himself to Prince Jon beside his second cousin Garth Flowers. This was a chance that would never come again. The words of Lord Willas echoed in his head. House Tyrell needed them to do well. And more than that, this was their chance, their chance to improve their stations. Improve their House. He knew he'd been chosen as the closest to the main Tyrell family of the correct age, as Garth had been chosen for this due to Prince Jon having been born a bastard. "Are you ready?"
"No." Garth grinned at him though, an excited vibration in his fingers. "You?"
Luthor shook his head. "We'll do our best."
"I'll help you, you help me." Garth gave a sharp nod.
He grabbed his cousin's hand. "Together."
"Do you think we'll be expected to speak with her Holiness?" Garth asked nervously. Which, he was a year younger than Luthor. It was Luthor's job to watch out for him.
Luthor felt his heart beat in his chest at the idea. "We just mind our manners and her Holiness won't pay us any mind. We're just squires."
"That makes sense." Garth breathed out.
He frowned. "His Highness won't care you're a bastard. And her Holiness likes his Highness well enough and he was born a bastard." Of course, his cousin would never rise as high as Luthor would, but he could still rise higher than many.
Luthor marched forward, leading them both straight for the door and knocking. He breathed out, straightening his tunic, his heart thudded in his chest.
The door opened and standing there was Prince Jon. There was a weight to his presence. It wouldn't cross Luthor's mind to think him anything but an important man. Even if his clothing was…plain. He dipped his head. "Your Highness."
"Luthor and Garth then?" His grey eyes which had the faintest flicker of purple in them focused on them.
His spine straightened. "Yes, your Highness."
"Yes." Garth echoed, his eyes wide.
Prince Jon nodded, and stepped aside, waving them into the room. "Well, you'd best come in then."
Luthor and Garth nearly tripped over themselves to enter the solar. They both kept their mouths shut as they waited for their knight…lord…prince…master? To speak. After all, they served him now.
Prince Jon stared at them with solemn eyes for what felt like an age and a half. "You know I can never knight you?"
They both nodded, and excited vibrations ran down Luthor's spine. He was going to get to serve a Prince for his squireship! Who cared if it was the Prince who actually knighted him? Maybe the Queen would! Or a member of the Queensguard?
"I am leading you to a war that could kill us all. There will be no honor, no praise, or accolades. You will be cold, there will be nights you go to bed hungry, wake up hungry, and march hungry. It will not be glorious. No one will give a shit what your names are. If you die you will be burned, not returned to your family. It's a war no one wants to be a part of. A war against death, but it needs to be done. If you want honor or knighthood or songs you should go to your Lord and ask him to remove you from my service. Because I cannot offer that to you." The Prince's honesty radiated from him. His voice and bearing were serious.
Luthor felt the air catch in the back of his throat, a shiver of dread going down his spine. But out of the corner of his eye, he could see Garth straightening, his face turning determined. And…well, he couldn't leave his cousin alone to fight that.
////
Daisy sat by Bran Stark under the weirwood tree in the gods' wood. "How are you not freezing out here?"
"It's warm," Bran replied without a flicker of emotion.
She rolled her eyes. "Because I warmed you up because it's freezing."
"I don't feel it anymore. Not really." His eyes turned to the tree.
Daisy whacked the side of his head. "Your human body can still get frostbite."
He looked at her, an actual flicker of irritation there. "You are a violent person."
"Well apparently you've seen quite a bit of my memories, so I don't know why this is surprising." She was baiting him, but frankly, he needed to be baited out of his shell.
Bran didn't rise to the bait. "Only in preservation of life."
"I'm sure the fact I killed them to save other people made all the difference." Daisy crossed her arms, leaning back slightly, her tone mocking.
His eyes were actually focused on her, progress. "You ask very few questions."
She raised a brow waiting for him to pick up the question. It took a bit.
"Why do you ask so few questions?" He actually managed to communicate a question and that faint bubble of frustration at her being obtuse.
Daisy flicked his ear. "Because you ask too many. Dude, you spend all day out here asking questions. And no real answers."
"I find lots of answers." He defended, and it was a defense.
She sighed, making sure to communicate the 'you are an idiot' vibe his way as hard as possible. "Answers to questions you hadn't asked. Where were you this week? Or I guess where and when."
"The Dance." He answered. "With Cregan Stark."
Daisy ran through what she'd read of the Stark family histories. "He's the one who made the Pact of Ice and Fire isn't he?"
"Aye, he and Jacaerys were fond of one another." Bran's brow furrowed. "I can't see enough."
She let herself take the conversation more seriously, or rather stop needling him. "What is it you want to see about it you aren't finding?"
"The Pact, Ice and Fire. It's important." He looked genuinely angry at himself. "I can't see."
Daisy considered the issue. "Are you looking to see if it was fated and tied into the magical bullshit we're dealing with now?"
"Yes." He breathed, his frustration easing at her understanding.
She hummed. "Fate is…trying to see fate will hurt you, Bran. Changing fate isn't easy. And if you're not seeing it, forcing it will only leave you emptier."
Bran huffed, it was delightfully human. "You are…not helpful."
"I'm very helpful, thank you very much." Daisy reached up adjusting his fur wraps, ensuring the air under the fabric was warm. "You're pushing yourself too hard. Why don't you try looking at what was going on around that time? Like, start by looking at someone insignificant to what was going on. The normal people know more than anyone."
He blinked. "I had not thought of that."
"See, this is why you need to talk to people. Maybe start with your brother? He's learning House history. Talking to him about what Cregan and all those Starks were up to will help you organize it in your head, and your brother misses you." Daisy could feel bits and pieces of 'Bran' rising and then fading again. But she was sure what had robbed him of so much of himself was an accident. It served nothing's purpose for him to be half empty. Or nothing still living's purpose. She was holding out judgment on Bloodraven.
Bran's eyes were cold, the bits of his personality fading slightly. "That isn't important."
"Which part, your brother missing you or it helping you get an outside perspective?" She left her hand on his shoulder.
He was still enough of himself to be frustrated, a good sign. He didn't fade all the way away as often now. "Sentiment."
"Why are you trying to see if you don't feel sentiment for your family and the North?" Daisy was partially pleased and partially confused as she realized she'd flummoxed him. He would take hours to parse that out though. "Think about that instead of the past for a while."
Rising to her feet she glared at the tree, a faint hum of warning thrumming through her and into the ground. She felt the answering hum. Good, the trees wouldn't assist Bran further till the sun rose again. Time in his own head was needed. She squeezed his shoulder. "Ser Conin is going to wheel you inside before dark."
She turned on her heel and walked out of the woods. It was cold, the snow crunching beneath her feet. Daisy gave a brief nod to Conin who was standing guard over Bran. And then she was passing into the castle proper. Daisy didn't startle as Arya folded out of the shadows and fell into step beside her. "Oh, that's a bad news face."
"You haven't been to see my sister yet today," Arya remarked.
Daisy raised a brow. "It's not even noon?"
"Don't play stupid." Arya's eyes were sharp.
She blew out a breath. "Fitz?"
"Duh." Arya scoffed.
Daisy ignored the sinking nausea she felt any time her mind touched on the thought of Fitz making a portal. She barely bit back something stupid and glib. This wasn't the time as much as she wanted this conversation to go away. She could feel Sansa in her King's solar. "Sansa is dealing with her Lords."
"For fucks sake." Arya grabbed Daisy's arm and twisted so that they were facing each other. "Would you go talk to her instead of both of you being miserable?"
Daisy hesitated for a second before her shoulders slumped. "Not going to threaten violence?"
"Are you going to let me stab you for being a fuckwhit?" Arya asked.
She shook her head. "No, I'll go." Daisy gave a faint pause of hesitation, but then turned and left for the familiar feel of Sansa's vibrations. She walked through familiar bustling halls. It was funny, she didn't even feel discomfort at the ducked heads or gestures of respect as she passed anymore. But then…well she'd been here longer than she'd been anywhere save St. Agnes and the Playground. And even that was by an ever-shrinking margin. She knew how dangerous it was to let this place feel more and more like home. It wasn't her home. But she didn't care.
Daisy kinda wished that it took longer to reach the King's Solar. She also wished she could feel more than just Brienne and Mira in there with Sansa. Alas, it would seem her meeting with her small council had ended already. Likely with assigned tasks for them to see to before they met again in the evening. Why did her girlfriend have to be the single most effective bureaucrat Daisy had ever met?
She paused at the door, ignoring how the guard would just let her through. A thing she typically took advantage of but…today she knocked.
Brienne looked startled as she opened the door, realizing it was her on the other side. But she shifted to one side, her green cloak swishing with the movement.
Daisy stepped in and raised a hand in greeting. "Hey."
"You can knock?" Sansa actually looked confounded.
She gave a light laugh at that as she shrugged. "I don't know, it felt right."
"Fitz's new project then?" Sansa set her quill aside from where she'd been working, likely on letters to the Lords of the Riverlands. Daisy wasn't entirely up to date on that project, but she knew Sansa had been consolidating power there one House at a time.
Daisy knew how much she didn't want to have this conversation was written across her face. But she didn't want to hide that even if her instincts demanded she do so. "Arya pointed out that putting it off was dumb. Or well, her actual word choice was to call me a fuckwhit."
Mira Lovewell choked on her own spit at that, while Sansa just sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Sansa's voice was dry. "Of course she did."
"She wasn't wrong." Daisy felt unease. "I was avoiding it."
Sansa looked down at her letter, before looking up again. "Well, I was hardly any better focusing on letters that could wait."
Daisy stepped to Sansa and held out her hand. "Walk with me?"
Sansa's blue eyes met hers for a long moment before she placed her hand in Daisy's and allowed herself to be raised to her feet. She didn't look away from her. "Mira, that will be all."
"Of course your Grace." Mira curtsied before vanishing out the door as fast as her feet could take her without running.
Daisy couldn't help the tug of amusement on her lips as she turned and led them out and into the halls a few seconds after. "Thank you." She knew where she was taking her without even thinking about it. "So, what do your important Lords think of Tyrell trade?"
"Oh, they hate it," Sansa remarked, humor hidden in her dry voice. She didn't brandish her humor, simply let it settle in her words if you knew to listen for it.
Smiling, Daisy felt a quiet thrill at how Sansa looped her arm through hers. Seriously, Daisy had written off so many of Jemma's period romance movies as kinda boring, but she got it now. "They'd sell themselves to Essos and the Iron Bank instead of deal with the Tyrells?"
"If I let them." Sansa's face was even as always if you didn't know how to read people. "It's the Riverlands that will need to depend on Tyrell trade to survive winter, however. The Vale needs little to survive the coming Winter, the North I've taken on enough debts to bring in food which means we will need little from the Tyrells, but the Riverlands will require the aid whether they wish it or not."
Daisy might need to drop by in the night with some weirwood saplings for keeps in the Riverlands. Their respective Lords didn't need to know how they suddenly had a sapling in their castle. Religious unease was a great motivator…also she really was a cult leader. Fuck. But was it a bad thing? "So, how do you plan to make them take on that deal?"
"Remind them of good sense and that they'll starve without the aid." Sansa's lips twitched slightly at Daisy's disbelieving expression. "Marriage alliances between Northern Houses and them, and to threaten them with a visit from Arya once the Dead are seen to."
She couldn't help snorting at that. "Going to mention her slaughter of the Freys in those letters at all?"
"Implied. 'Her Highness Arya of House Stark, and Master of Whispers will arrive at your House as soon as her duties against the Dead are fulfilled as she was unfortunately unable to do so during her prior journey through your lands. Her time was taken up with her business at the Twins'." Sansa recited what was no doubt an actual line from various letters she was sending to the River Lords.
Daisy ignored the fact Brienne was very much just behind them, and also that there were at least two servants within earshot. "Have I mentioned how attractive you threatening people is? Cause it's a thing."
Sansa let out a peal of laughter then that filled the halls, startled expressions on the faces of all who heard. Her hand squeezed Daisy's bicep affectionately. "You're the only one."
"Oh no I'm not. Half your Lords are terrified and enchanted by you like…all the time." Daisy wasn't even kidding. And it wasn't lost on her that the Free Folk were more respectful towards Sansa every time she returned to Winterfell.
Sansa just huffed fondly. "If you say so."
"I say so." She grinned, before falling quiet as they walked out towards the great courtyard.
As they came to a halt in the center of the yard Sansa looked at her curiously. "Where are you taking me?"
"Do you trust me?" Daisy shifted so she was facing her, a faint bounce to her toes.
Sansa was serious as she replied, though curiosity in her tone. "You know I do."
"You'll want to hang on tight then." Daisy grinned, scooping up Sansa, one hand below her knees and the other at her back. She felt her grin turn to a smile as Sansa let out a faint yelp as her arms naturally wrapped around her shoulders.
"Daisy!"
She glanced at Brienne. "I promise to bring her back before sunset." Daisy bent her knees slightly as Sansa's eyes widened in sudden understanding, her fingers digging into the fabric over her shoulders. And then she launched them up and out of the yard.
It was hard to do it without her hands, but she needed her hands to hold onto Sansa. And she wasn't taking them far. Jon, she might be willing to tie onto her back like a sack of potatoes, but she wasn't going to do that to Sansa. Besides, she really was getting shockingly good at the whole flying thing. It was only a few miles.
Daisy usually flipped from head first to feet first before landing. This time she kept them steady instead, more of a gentle arch, and they certainly didn't reach the heights she typically launched herself to. As they hit the ground, the snow blew out from under at the force of the vibrations to slow their speed. Her feet took their weight with a faint crunch of snow. Daisy nosed at the top of Sansa's head where she'd pressed it into her neck. "You can open your eyes now."
Sansa unclenched slowly. And then slapped her shoulder. "DO I TRUST YOU!?"
"So, want to be back on your feet?" Daisy should not be enjoying how flushed with outrage she was.
Sansa half climbed out of Daisy's arms. "You couldn't have given me the slightest warning? You…YOU!"
"Me." Daisy wondered if Sansa would actually whack her if she tried to kiss her right now?
Sansa blew out a sound of sheer frustration before turning and stomping about two steps before stilling. Her eyes widened as she took in the roaring rapids crashing down the mighty tributary, the great rolling, jagged snow-covered landscape, the towering trees, and craigs. The sun lit up the snow with glittering light. "We're near the headwaters of the White Knife."
"I almost crashed into here the first time I tried flying to see you from the Dreadfort. Which, yes, wildly wrong direction. But I figured the flying thing out." Daisy quietly did not mention the mountain that had a hole in it from her crashing into it. Her vibrations had kept her from splatting like a bug and that was all that mattered.
Sansa's voice was awed. "I've never traveled this far up the Knife before."
"It's beautiful, and I don't know…it kinda seemed like you needed out of Winterfell for a bit." Daisy could see the weight lifted from Sansa's shoulders at being away from court.
She laughed, light airy. "Thank you." Sansa's eyes turned to her. "Some warning before you just fly me away next time."
"Got it." Daisy gave a lazy salute.
Sansa's head tilted to one side slightly. "If you can fly with me like that, why do you insist on tying Jon to your back like a sack of potatoes?"
"At first I didn't have enough control to fly without using my arms." Daisy shrugged. "And if I want to hit the heights needed for going a long distance I have to put on more speed than I did for us. More speed, harder to hold on. Also, it's funny."
Shaking her head Sansa turned back to the river. "This will all be frozen soon."
"Probably." Daisy kicked at the snow which was already about a foot deep. "Yeah, moving an army through this is going to be actually terrible."
Sansa hummed. "We'll have to change from wheels to sled runners soon." She brushed her entirely windblown head of hair over her shoulder. "The days are getting shorter faster. By the end of the year the sun will no longer shine longer than a few hours a day. The darkness will be more dangerous than the snow to morale."
Daisy swallowed, it'd be so easy to keep the conversation going, to let them be sidetracked by the winter hellscape this place was going to turn into. Instead, she stepped forward taking Sansa's hand. "Sansa, we need to talk."
There was something weighted to the air then. Finally, Sansa turned back, her voice was thick. "Well then, let's speak of your leaving since it is much closer to being upon us."
Chapter 95Notes:Yo!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter TextSansa's fingers twisted against the soft fur of the lining of Daisy's cloak they were sitting on. It was so incredibly stupid. "You don't have to apologize to me. Or explain. I've known you would leave since I first met you. You never lied about it. It is hardly your fault I'm finding it…difficult to face that inevitability."
"Fuck, it's shit." Daisy ran a hand through her hair. "You're not the only one who…" She grimaced, shoulders pulling in leaving her looking…truly small for perhaps the first time since Sansa had met her. "Look, I don't know how long it'll take Fitz to build the stupid portal. Fitz doesn't know how long it's going to take to build the portal. It could be months, a year, a few years! I don't know."
She could so easily let that be the end of it, accept the nebulous future lie unquestioned. But it wouldn't be fair to either of them. "But be that as it may, the day will come when he finishes it. And when that day comes you will return to your world."
Daisy's shoulders slumped. "It's my home."
"I know." Sansa reached out taking her hand, threading their fingers together.
It perhaps should have been comforting to know she was not alone in feeling pain at the thoughts of their inevitable parting. But it was not.
Daisy brought her knees up to her chest, curling as if it could protect her from the truth. "It sucks. You have your family, your kingdom, this is your home. I'd ask you to come with me but that wouldn't be fair would it?"
"No, it would be as unfair as if I asked you to stay." Sansa's heart clenched. She could see the future Daisy wished to offer her, and she could see the one she wished to offer Daisy in turn. "It's a nice dream even if it can never be."
Daisy squeezed her hand. "It is, isn't it? You'd take over SHIELD in two years tops with your dark bureaucratic powers. Gotta say, you giving orders? Very hot. So win-win there."
She laughed softly. "I'm sure we'd be very happy."
"The happiest." Daisy agreed before falling quiet. "I was alone when SHIELD found me, or I guess I dropped myself in front of them." Her lips twitched. "They're my family. They gave me…everything. I miss them so badly it aches sometimes and they need me! God only knows what mess they're involved in and I can't leave them to face it alone. I can't."
Sansa leaned against Daisy's side. "My kingdom needs me, my family. I spent so long wanting nothing but to have some sliver of them back. Just being parted from Jon, knowing he is safe, is terrible enough. To walk away from that… I could never leave while they live. And I wouldn't truly be living if I lost them."
"I know." Daisy turned, pressing her forehead against Sansa's. Her breath was shaky as she breathed out. "I wasn't expecting you."
Sansa couldn't help the bubble of laughter. "You came out of a tree. I was hardly expecting you either."
"I've never…fuck." Daisy pulled back, brushing her hair behind one ear. "I've never had this, like this, with anyone. Not for this long. Like this."
Sansa swallowed back the pang that sent through her. "Daisy-"
"No, please let me finish." Daisy held her gaze, her hand squeezing Sansa's. "I love you. And I don't care how long or how short of a time I have in your world. I want to spend it with you."
Sansa made a choked sound and lunged forward, hugging Daisy to her as tightly as she could, her eyes clenching closed as she wished they'd never be parted. She pressed the feel of Daisy against her to her memory. The warm solid presence of her, her stupid windswept scent, the floral notes from Highgarden gone, leaving only the smell of clean soap behind. She knew her voice shook faintly, but that didn't matter, just the genuineness of her words. "I love you like I hadn't thought possible."
Daisy's arms tightened their hold against her, her body humming against Sansa's. Her voice was faintly choked. "If I could promise to come back I would. Even if it was only for short bits of time, but I can't. Even if we get home I don't know if Fitz could get us back and if my enemies found out about your world…it's not ready for that kind of war."
"Don't leave without telling me." Sansa pulled back so she could look at Daisy sharply, and ensure her words were heard and accepted. "I've lost so many people without knowing I'd never see them again."
Daisy caught her face between her hands, an edge of desperation to her. "Never. Ok, all of this is terrible. But I'd never leave you without warning. I promise. Never. I've lost people without goodbyes. I wouldn't do that to you."
She choked back tears she knew were lurking and nodded, leaning further into Daisy. "Thank you." Sansa stayed pressed against her lover, ignoring how she knew some tears were trailing down her cheeks. Her voice was wet. "Nothing has changed. Why does it feel like it's changed?"
"Because it's more real now, I think?" Daisy made a sound. "I don't want us to change."
Sansa heard what she wasn't saying. "But it feels like we are." She pulled back, wiping at her cheeks. She shook her head. "Things always change. I suppose it was foolish of us to think we could act as if that wasn't true."
"Well yeah, but I just…" Daisy grimaced. "What are we supposed to do? I don't want to lose what we have."
She gave a sharp nod. No, she wouldn't lose a second with Daisy that she still had left that she did not have to. Sansa lifted Daisy's hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Her eyes stayed on Daisy's face as she did so. "We continue as we have. You are not gone yet, we still have time. I rule the North, you lead your Order and manipulate the south to do what you want, and me to a degree."
"Sorry about tying your hands about that?" Daisy looked at her, clearly not entirely sure if she should actually apologize for forcing the realm toward peace.
Sansa shook her head. "No, it was the right choice. I could have asked you to stop months ago. You didn't particularly try to hide your intentions at all." She held Daisy's gaze. "And we take the happiness we have now. I would have every moment of happiness with you, short though it may be, than to have never known this. If you'd never come I would never have known I could love someone, let alone feel it. So long as you will have me, I am yours."
"Yeah." Daisy dropped her head onto Sansa's shoulder. "I love you too." She let out a weak sound, her voice cracking. "Maybe I am cursed, I never get to keep the people I love. But you're right. I wouldn't trade feeling this for never knowing you."
Sansa swallowed, she didn't think Daisy had quite realized what her words entirely meant. But she wasn't sure she wanted her to understand completely. Instead, she remained silent for this moment as she mourned what they could have had if they hadn't been tied by duty, loyalty, and love to different worlds. She looked to where the White Knife was roaring not far from them. Its white rapids were dangerous as they were beautiful. Striking really.
Daisy flopped out on the cloak they were sitting on. Just laying back staring at the sky. Their hands never separated. It was intolerable to think of losing that small link to each other. At least in Sansa's mind.
The yearning over the 'what ifs' for years in King's Landing caused her to speak. Sometimes unanswered questions haunted and sometimes they gave comfort. "If things were different, and if we could have all the time in the world: what would you want to do?"
Daisy's head rolled slightly so she was looking up at her. Her expression was…open, vulnerable in a way she so rarely was but had remained since she had first uttered the word 'love'. Her eyes traced the side of Sansa's face before she spoke. "It's stupid, and we're too young, but-" She bit at her lower lip, hesitating, "I'd marry you."
The breath caught in Sansa's throat. Her mouth opened slightly, eyes widening, as she stared at her lover. Her heart sped up in her chest as words failed her.
"I know it sounds crazy. And I'd probably be terrible at it. I'm not good at family, never have been. But if we could…I'd want to try with you. Even if it is kinda ridiculous."
There were a thousand thoughts in Sansa's head as she spoke, and it was stupid. "I have to stay a Stark."
"Duh." Daisy laughed, her eyes fond as they crinkled at the sides slightly. "I figure I'd probably have to be the one to change my name."
Sansa's mouth was dry as she stared. It was…oh gods it was so incomprehensibly stupid. But she was struck by a longing so deep she couldn't unthink it. It was presumptive and possibly cruel to even think. In some ways it would make everything so much worse but… It was that terrible 'but'. She swallowed as she looked at Daisy's face and knew she would give anything for this. "Marry me."
"What?" Daisy stilled utterly, her eyes widening.
She spoke in a rush. "No one could know, it would send the vultures to my siblings if anyone knew. It wouldn't be fair, but marry me. Here and now if you want."
"Wait." Daisy sat up, twisting so she was facing her fully. "You're serious?"
Her heart was thundering in her chest. "Yes."
"But you are planning to marry eventually when I leave." Daisy was staring at her like she'd grown a second head. Her voice was baffled and soft as she spoke.
Sansa repressed a flinch, instead, she tipped her chin up, she refused to lie. "I may not wish to, but it will be necessary to protect them. It's why no one could know. I know it's unfair and-"
"But even if no one knows, wouldn't it be impossible for you to marry again?" Daisy protested.
She didn't hesitate. "I'm the Queen at the dawn of the second Long Night. I can do what I wish. If the Old Gods didn't punish the various Kings throughout our history who did as they pleased; marrying multiple wives or setting their lawfully wedded wives aside as they wished, I should hardly think they will care if I marry you and tolerate some man to tie allies to my court long enough to produce an heir." Her tone was cutting at the utter lack of regard she would ever hold for a husband she would have to take politically.
Daisy opened and shut her mouth, blinking once.
Sansa swallowed back her mounting nerves at the thought she may have just massively overstepped. "Of course, I know it's unfair and that you deserve better. That it is not my place, that what I'm asking is outrageous ev-"
Daisy jerked forward, her mouth swallowing any apologies or justifications.
Sansa's eyes fluttered closed as she savored the contact. What did all the rest matter if she had this for even a moment? It'd been a silly idea anyway, foolish, even if a part of her wished desperately that it wasn't so. But that didn't matter if Daisy was still here. Still wanted her, even if she'd just made possibly the most insulting marriage proposal in all of history.
Finally, as if reluctant to do so, but aware that at least Sansa had to breathe, Daisy pulled back, leaving them connected as closely as possible as she breathed a single word. "Yes."
Sansa's eyes snapped open. "What?"
"Yes." Daisy brushed their lips together again briefly. "I'll marry you." And then she was kissing her again.
And…Sansa's breath shook as she kissed back, a relieved, ecstatic rush taking her as she pressed back into the woman she loved. Who loved her. One of her hands buried itself into Daisy's hair as she shifted, pressing Daisy back down upon the cloak. She pressed their foreheads together, giddy with the feel of Daisy's hands on her, of the way they were tangled near as much as was possible with their dress still upon their persons.
One of Daisy's hands rose, gently brushing some of Sansa's cascading locks up and behind one of her ears. Her voice was hesitant but filled with breathless happiness. "Tonight?"
She leaned into Daisy's touch, her eyes still closed. Her breast felt like it could burn from the warmth burning there. "Tonight." She agreed.
Daisy rolled them so that Sansa landed on her side, the two of them facing one another. "What do we need for a marriage here?"
"Us, a heart tree." Sansa quietly ran through the steps for marriage. "We both are heads of our respective Houses so that is unnecessary. Wedding cloaks, though I confess…I have no idea how that is to work with us both being women."
Daisy smiled against her. "Well, considering you have to remain a Stark, and I'm apparently the one getting brought into your House; I think that means you are the one doing the cloaking bit."
"You already know how our weddings work," Sansa sighed, pulling back faintly so she could see Daisy's face, though the bemused expression on her lips didn't fade in the slightest.
Daisy looked…alight. "I've read a few passages in some real old books about them. Never been to one, and I'm not even sure what your vows are. I assumed the Wildling method of stealing was off the table."
She couldn't help a pointed look at their location. "You've rather already stolen me."
"I guess I have." Daisy's lips quirked up further, a smug look on her face. She leaned in, nudging their noses together. "But really, like what are the words? Cause the ones I know are the whole 'to have and to hold from this day forward, to love and to cherish until death do us part.' Which I'm guessing isn't the case here."
Sansa was struck by…Daisy truly meant it in every way it could be meant. She was willing to take Sansa's name, to be of her House, to say any oath Sansa asked of her. There were no words for the devotion Daisy was capable of, the depth of her affection. Sansa was left with her fingers tightening their hold on Daisy as if by holding her more tightly Daisy would understand that it was returned. That she might be far poorer at showing it, but she felt it all the same. Because she did. And she knew when she lost the woman in her arms it would break her, but it would be worth it without question. "No that is rather different than a Northern ceremony."
"Ok, so how does it go in the North?" Daisy asked, her face warm and open.
She hummed. "It's simple but I'm unsure it will work. The man comes to claim his wife, the woman accepts his claim, and then you kneel before the heart tree and it is done."
"Is there another option where one of us isn't being an actual piece of property?" Daisy asked, her brow rising in question.
Sansa hesitated for a second. "There are the words the small folk use."
////
Daisy was bursting with excitement. She hadn't thought she was permitted this. To have this, even if she couldn't keep it. But it wasn't like she got to keep anything anyways. Her hands had nearly shaken as she'd obediently braided Sansa's hair for her, before jumping them back. Which fair, long hair did get real messy from flying. She'd totally deserved the despairing expression Sansa had managed while pointing at her hair. Though it'd been hard to take seriously when Sansa was still smiling.
The dark look Brienne had given at their landing in the courtyard of Winterfell didn't even touch Daisy. Even without powers, she felt like she could float. It was a terrible idea. Every voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like Mack, told her this would make it worse when she left. That it was unfair. But she didn't care. Sansa wanted to marry her. Her! Sansa, who knew so much more about her than anyone. Sansa, who was a Queen, who Daisy loved. Loved like it was everything. Sansa who she would lose one day. But this, she could hold onto this no matter what worlds or missions she ended up on.
Daisy knew what she was to do before tonight. It was easy to find Loras. He was in one of the side yards sharpening his sword and enjoying a day off duty. Her eyes locked on him. She strode straight for him. "Loras!"
He half startled off the bench, and nearly dropped his sword, but did manage to leap to his feet. "Holiness!"
"You're not busy right?" She beamed, not that she'd really stopped smiling since she'd first realized Sansa truly meant it. Her hand landed on his shoulder. "Great, come on, I could use your help on something."
He stumbled as he followed. "Of course, anything you need, Holiness." Loras settled as he righted himself properly following at her pace. After he realized she wasn't saying anything else he spoke as he walked. "Do you plan to tell me what you need me for?"
"Nope." Daisy knew her tower was secure, A. all the men were out working on the new tackle she'd taught them. B. None of them would dare try to listen at her door. And C. they'd keep anyone from approaching her door if she was distracted without announcing them. And well, it was kinda funny to just haul Loras off.
He nodded. "Of course, will anyone else be joining us? Perhaps Mira, Holiness?"
"Nope, just you and me." Daisy ignored the way he was definitely panicking a bit, and just hauled him into her tower.
She waved at the few people still around. Mostly those who'd worked night guard shifts. Daisy paused as she spotted Duncan. "Duncan! Unless it's Sansa or about Sansa or just generally involving Sansa in some way, no one disturbs us, ok? And if it's Baelish feel free to whack him in the dick with one of your crutches."
"Er…even Fitz your Holiness?" Ducan looked at her clearly unsure of what exactly was happening. But also not asking.
Daisy grinned. "Nope, if Fitz wants to talk to me tell him he can wait until morning. Unless he's dying. If he's bleeding out or something feel free to pass it on."
"Understood your Holiness." Duncan tipped his head in respect and acknowledgment.
She beamed as she hauled Loras towards her personal quarters that were more a fancy closet than anything else at this point. "Thank you, Dunc."
Actually using her hands to open or shut the door behind them didn't even occur to her. Instead, she simply breezed in, the door slamming behind them as she finally released her hold on poor Loras. It really was useful Loras was flaming gay, and she was as blatantly, stupidly, smitten as she could publically show. No weird rumors. Turning on her heel she looked at him. "Right, I need your help, but first you need to swear that nothing of what you learn about tonight passes your lips to anyone."
He stilled, his expression turning from confusion to shock. "Of course, you have my word. On my honor as a knight, none shall learn of whatever it is I witness or hear this day or night. By the Old Gods and the New."
"No." Daisy needed this security to protect Sansa. It wasn't something worth leaving to the faintest piece of doubt. Oh, this was actually going to have to be gross, but there could be zero doubt in Loras's head that he'd die swiftly and immediately if he broke this vow. And likely would be damning his soul to hell. Possibly his family's as well. "You vow to me that what you learn tonight is not shared in any way unless Sansa Stark commands it of you. And you do it with blood."
"Er…how much blood?" Loras's heart rate spiked, but he drew a dagger without question or hesitation.
Daisy softened, not a lot, but she still did. "Not a lot, and don't go cutting your palm and actually causing damage. But for this, I need you to do this."
He used his teeth and yanked off one leather glove, and then neatly, and without pause sliced a long though shallow cut across the back of his hand. "I swear fully and knowingly that no word of what I learn this night shall pass my lips or in any other manner without express command from my Queen, Sansa Stark. By Quake, The Destroyer of Worlds may my life and soul be forfeit should I fail."
"I accept and will hold you to it." Daisy's nose wrinkled slightly as she caught his hand and wiped the blood away with her fingers, evaporating it as it touched her. "So uh..want a bandage or for me to just close that for you? It'll probably scar if I close it."
He winced. "If you would not trouble you to close it, Holiness."
"Sure, uh..sorry if this hurts?" Daisy really did feel a bit bad for the whole theater act there, but also not at all if it made Sansa's position a fraction safer. Also, probably best not to tell him it was the first time she'd cauterized a thing. But it was light, surface deep and might have needed a stitch or two tops.
He hissed but didn't pull back till she released his hand.
"After we're done here go find Wolkan, he'll have a cream or something to help that heal right." Daisy stepped back. "And sorry for the whole…all of it really."
"I'll do that. But what do you need of me then, Holiness?" Loras asked looking at her curiously, though his heartbeat still raced.
She stepped back. "Conin is the guard at Sansa's hallway tonight along with Wagstaff, yes?"
"He is?" Loras said slowly.
Daisy nodded, right, she'd remembered the roster right then. "You're going to convince Wagstaff to trade with you so that it's you and Conin only tonight. Understood?"
He paused for a moment and then nodded. "That shouldn't be too difficult."
"Good. The rest can wait till tonight then." Daisy paused staring at her chest of clothes. "Think you can help me find something they've made me that doesn't invoke the trees?"
He crossed his arms. "Well, you're wearing Stark colors right now, Holiness."
Daisy felt a faint thrill at that. Fuck, she was going to be a Stark. That was…how many years had she wanted someone she wanted to want her back? The same way she wanted them? She didn't care what sappy look was on her face. "Not for tonight."
Notes:Ah, the dumbest option that solves none of the issues, leaves so many issues un-touched, and just makes everything kinda worse. So much worse. Also Loras is not paid enough for this shit.
Chapter 96Notes:And we've made it to the end of Part 3! You guys are awesome!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter TextLoras hadn't felt a moment of peace since her Holiness had asked for that oath of him. A shiver ran down his spine at the memory of it. It was…she so rarely felt like a god when you stood beside her. But sometimes…sometimes you knew she was far more than she appeared. He was unsure of exactly what to expect tonight, her Holiness hadn't told him. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept an eye on Conin. The man didn't seem stressed? But then perhaps blood oaths to gods of ruin for silence weren't as shocking to someone in a religious order devoted to said god? Or Conin didn't know.
It was concerning he didn't know which, and while he knew the god who'd made him swear himself to secrecy would never harm a hair on Sansa Stark's head, he didn't like the sense of doubt. Was it an oath his Queen would have wanted him to make? Most likely yes. But what if? He didn't like being in some ways trapped between a ruthless Queen and a god of fucking ruin! But they were lovers, doing something for one was most likely doing something for the other.
While late, there were still people about, particularly in the main halls. The sun only having set an hour ago at most. For their Queen, it was perhaps slightly early for her to have returned to her chambers and dismissed her servants. But not too unusually so. Her private solar had enough work to keep her awake for some time yet. A not unusual occurrence, their Queen certainly was diligent in a way monarchs so rarely were.
Loras turned at the sound of her Grace's door opening. His words caught in his throat, Sansa certainly knew about what Daisy had asked of him. Relief loosened his shoulders. But then he felt a slight shiver.
Sansa Stark was wearing her grey gown that was so pale it was nearly white, with delicate embroidery along the hems that belied how thick the garment was. It was a court gown and not the one she'd been wearing earlier. And clearly, she meant to leave the interior of the castle, as over her shoulders was a cloak, though not one of her thickest. It was a darker grey with wolves along it, the hem and lining green with white fur.
"Your Grace!" Conin snapped to attention. Ah, he hadn't known to expect anything tonight then.
"Ser Conin." Sansa ignored Loras, looking at Conin only, her eyes sharp. "I will keep this simple. Nothing happened tonight. You see and hear nothing. You remain at your post, and should anyone ask I never left my quarters. Do you understand?"
Conin's face was deadly serious. "Aye, your Grace. Boring night." He turned on his heel, his back to them, and eyes to the empty hall.
Loras felt his eyes widen. Seriously? Who just accepted orders like that…then again he had made a blood oath to a god without question. He couldn't really judge. Was there something in the water that just made people fucking absurdly loyal here?
"Ser Loras, with me." She turned and left, down the hall further into the family wing.
And well, he followed without question or hesitation. He frowned as she paused at one of the empty rooms that'd been badly burned by the Greyjoys and Boltons and left unrestored as of yet since there weren't enough Starks for it to have been worth the work of cleaning it out. Loras frowned, it was dark here, the light from the hall dim and barely flickering.
Nevertheless, Sansa swept in without a doubt, and so Loras followed her. He squinted as she touched the wooden backing along one wall, and swung it open.
The breath caught in his throat. "Should I get a candle?"
"No, hold the railing, there are stairs." And then she vanished down the dark passage.
Loras followed behind, shutting the false wall after them. It was pitch black, but as Sansa had said, there was a railing. It was a spiral staircase he realized. He was unsure of how far down they walked before he jolted at the bottom of the stairs. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. But he could feel more than hear Sansa only a pace or so ahead of him.
Keeping a hand on the wall he continued to follow on the now flat stone. It sloped further down as they walked, and walked. Loras was unsure how long it took until it began to slope upwards once more before they stopped. Sansa touched the wall before them, and with a soft grunt, slid it to the side.
Loras quickly stepped forward and helped, it moved with surprising ease. He blinked as faint light came through the now open doorway as he realized they were at the edge of the gods' wood.
"Cregan had an old servant's passage changed so that he could go to pray in the woods without passing through the whole of the keep after the Dance. It also served to allow the family to be moved away from where invaders would first look for them." Sansa turned. "We used to play in it as children, the staff all knew of its presence, but everyone who once knew of it is now dead, save us."
Loras carefully closed the stone door that rolled with shocking ease after an initial shove. It settled back into place, and looked indistinguishable from the stone around, only a chipped carving of the Stark sigil on one stone set it apart. "Wise of him."
"Most likely. I believe it was originally a servants' path to the kitchens more directly but that side was stoned over and instead, it was connected to a passage for servants to reach the gods' wood without passing through the main thoroughfares." Sansa explained. She looked at him. "Shall we then?"
Loras swallowed but followed her towards where the face tree was. He had never approached it from behind, but as they walked across the light snow on the ground he realized it was what they were doing. And there by the foot of the tree was Daisy. She stood there inhuman, not a cloak nor sign the cold touched her at all as she stood in the forest of snow. Not even a jacket, merely a black vest with red eagles and a white woolen shirt.
Daisy spotted them and was to Sansa in three strides once they were under the red leaves of the face tree.
He glanced away as the two embraced. An amused curl to his mouth, well, whatever he'd been summoned for wasn't terrible. Not that he thought it would be from how just..happy Daisy had been earlier. Hours to simmer on it was what had led him to worry.
Daisy's voice was soft as she stayed closely enwrapped with her lover. "Are you ready?"
"I would think that was my question." Sansa replied softly, "But yes, you?"
Daisy's face was lit up in a way Loras didn't think he'd ever seen before. Hell, he'd never seen their god this effervescently happy before. Which…oh. Oh, that implied a lot about how good she was at wearing masks to disarm the people around her. Because here, with just Sansa, their god was soft and happy in a way she just wasn't otherwise. Her looseness felt different, the faint whisper of danger he always felt in her presence was absent.
"Yes, obviously yes." Daisy laughed before stepping back, though she did not drop Sansa's hands. "So how do we uh..do this?"
Sansa huffed fondly, her attention never leaving Daisy, nor the affection dimming whatsoever from her face. Something…almost shy passed her face as she drew Daisy with her before the face in the tree.
It was quite clear that Loras was at best irrelevant and more likely forgotten. He awkwardly trailed behind, giving a great deal of space to them. Perhaps he was to witness? Though why he'd been sworn to silence with an oath in blood for that he had no idea.
Sansa and Daisy stood before the face tree, their hands never parting. An excited near vibration to the air…actually the air was vibrating faintly against Loras's skin. They both seemed to hesitate, and then Sansa seemed to settle, her eyes holding Daisy's unflinchingly as she spoke. "I, Sansa of House Stark, a woman grown, come to swear my troth before the Old Gods, to be wed and beg their blessings. I come to swear my love and my life to Daisy Jonson. So it is spoken and witnessed and so it shall be. What was mine is yours, so we are one."
Loras's breath froze in his lungs. His heart stopped beating. This was impossible. Shock and terror raced through him as his eyes widened, his entire attention riveted on the pair before the tree. He knew those words, they were old, though not the words for any marriage of nobility. They were the words the small folk uttered when they had no house to claim, nor true birth to brandish. But it was valid nonetheless: binding. Could two women even marry? Only…her Holiness was a god.
"I, Daisy Jonson, a woman grown, accept your troth and swear my own before the Old Gods, to be wed and beg their blessings," Daisy spoke as if it was not impossible what she was doing. No, she had love, affection, and excitement painted across her face as she continued without hesitation. "I come to swear my love and my life to Sansa Stark. So it is spoken and witnessed and so it shall be. What was mine is yours, so we are one."
It was as good as done. Loras swallowed.
He was witness to the first marriage between divine and mortal since the ages past. Even the Maiden had only brought forth a girl to wed the Seven's choice of king. Though some claimed the Maiden herself had wed their Andal King. But Loras and most doubted that heresy. And whatever daughter of the Storm god the Stormlord King had stolen and taken as wife was…perhaps not mortal but having met Daisy he doubted the girl had been a god in her own right. The concept of any taking Daisy and making her wife against her will was so absurd his mind rebelled at the very thought.
Of all the possibilities..it truly could be the first time in all their long history. The shift of power changed…everything. Loras trembled from the weight of it. Why in secret? How could a breathing, living god accept a mortal claiming equality with them and give it in equal measure? He did not…he did not know what this meant. But for all that, it was real. A small hysterical part of himself realized while looking at them, with what felt like a sudden moment of clarity; they were doing this for love. Good gods, they were doing it for love and the world would change from this act, and he wasn't sure any of them could control how.
////
Sansa's hands were shockingly steady as she unhooked her cloak. Her breath froze as she breathed out. Every part of her being was present in this act. Her soul sang with the rightness of this moment in time. It was cold, silent, and beautiful here in the gods' wood. The light from the clear night sky above them reflected off the snow on the ground. No doubt the pool before the tree reflected the stars as well as them. But she didn't have eyes for any of that.
Instead, all she cared to see was Daisy standing before her. Daisy, who was safe, whom she loved and trusted absolutely. Who was beautiful and smiling at her with all the warmth a person could exude. With not a shred of doubt or hesitation. So Sansa's hands were steady, a certainty and braveness filling her as she pulled her cloak off of her own shoulders.
Stepping forward she wrapped her cloak over Daisy's. Sansa's knuckles dragged against her. She straightened the fabric before pressing the flats of her hands to the front of Daisy. The feel of the fabric of her cloak over Daisy's shoulders filled Sansa with a deep satisfaction at the rightness of it.
Daisy reached into her vest and pulled out two silver rings. She pressed one into the palm of Sansa's right hand. With careful, warm hands, Daisy took Sansa's left hand in hers and slid the ring onto Sansa's finger.
The weight of what this meant to Daisy was clear. Sansa looked down at the band as it was slid into place. It was a silver band, but looking upon it was clearly an eagle, its wings were the sides of the band wrapping around to meet, completing the band. It was beautiful. Breath caught in the back of her throat, she opened her right hand, looking at the band that lay there. It matched, though rather than an eagle it was a wolf. The band was the wolf, its nose met its tail completing the full circle. The detail on both bands was such that it was impossible to have been made by any human hand.
Sansa understood what Daisy wanted, and she was deeply touched by the gesture. She took the silver ring of a wolf and slid it upon the same finger Daisy had placed the eagle ring now upon her own hand.
She laughed as Daisy kissed her. It was silly and wonderful, both of them smiling too much for it to be more than a pressing of lips. Sansa pulled back, gently pulling Daisy to kneel before the heart tree. She could see the fondness but all the exasperation at the idea of kneeling to anything on Daisy's face. But she kneeled all the same. For her.
Sansa didn't know what she prayed, only that she was filled with it. She hadn't prayed in years, since that first year in King's Landing. But in this moment she allowed herself something like prayer. For she knew they were real. And for all she did not trust the old gods to act in the interests of man or to intervene for anything save themselves, she could never express the gratitude she felt that they had brought Daisy to the North, to her. So she knelt, and perhaps she prayed.
The moment was that, a moment, and then it was passed, done. Sansa rose to her feet, and then couldn't help laughing once more as Daisy caught her around her hips, spinning her in a circle.
Sansa threw her arms around Daisy's shoulders, sharing in the joy spilling out between them. It was done. They were one. For now and always. She breathlessly kissed Daisy, because she could. Who was her wife. "Daisy Stark." She couldn't help how it thrilled her to say those two words.
"Huh." Daisy's head cocked to the side. "I like it, wife." She was smiling, and well. How could Sansa resist kissing her once more? Her fingers were buried into the Stark cloak over the shoulders of her wife who now bore the name. If she was permitted a perfect moment, she was grateful for it with every fiber of her being. Now and always.
////
Daisy held Sansa's hand, their fingers entwined, even as the door closed behind them, her whole being buzzing with giddy happiness. She laughed, her back pressed against the door, Sansa beside her, back to the door as well. "We just got married."
"We did." Sansa's voice was as full of joyous disbelief as Daisy's.
She turned her head, her eyes tracing over the elegant planes of Sansa's face, how her red hair was cascading down over her shoulders, the bright blue eyes looking back at her. Daisy tightened her hold on Sansa's hand slightly. "Dance with me?"
"What?" Sansa glanced at the bedroom and its lack of open space.
Daisy pushed off the door and gently pulled Sansa with her. "Not your ridiculously complicated group dances. Or well even any of the fancy ones from my world. Like...just a cheesy slow dance."
"A what?" Sansa was genuinely baffled, though she followed along willingly, amusement plain to be seen. "What does dancing have to do with cheese? You do know half the time I just pretend to understand what you're saying?"
Her face felt like it ought to hurt from how much she was smiling, as she drew Sansa into her arms. "Cheesy means unsubtle, trying too hard." She shrugged, nudging Sansa's arms into place as they faced each other. "A cheesy slow dance is just an excuse to hold the other person. I'll show you an actual dance some other time."
Sansa's voice was soft. "I'd like that."
"Yeah?" Daisy gently led them in a sway. "It's funny I was never much for like…ballroom dancing. Didn't do it. But May hated those missions so she made us all learn."
Sansa laughed. "Of course."
"Hmm…laugh it up. You'd have a heart attack if I ever took you to a club." Daisy kinda wanted to laugh at the thought. She wished it was something that could actually happen. "Music alone would be weird. But good club music you feel in your bones. No set steps like your dances here, or what we'd have expected in a ballroom, you just move with the beat."
After a quiet pause as they continued to sway together, Sansa spoke. "That sounds…confusing."
"It can be." Daisy agreed, her eyes closing. She wished she could freeze time, could just stay here, in this moment, in this place.
Sansa's fingers trailed over the shell of Daisy's ear, brushing some few strands of hair behind her ear. "Well, if you agree it's confusing."
"I do." Daisy tipped her chin up and brushed her lips against Sansa's briefly.
With a sigh, Sansa leaned her forehead against hers. "You make it sound more confusing on purpose."
"Have to keep things mysterious don't I?" Daisy's mouth twitched.
Sansa's hand squeezed at her shoulder gently. "Oh yes, just being a god isn't enough."
Pulling back slightly, Daisy held Sansa's gaze. "You know that for everything I'm not…I'm not…"
"I know who you are." It felt as if she was looking through her. "You are the kindest, most genuinely, inspiringly good person I have ever met." Sansa pressed the palm of her hand over Daisy's heart. Her voice was thick. "You are mine, and I am yours. The rest doesn't matter."
Daisy stilled. It was…so stupid. She knew the faith and trust Sansa had in her was breathtaking. Knew that was what should be moving her. And it was, but what made her soul tremble were the words 'you are mine'. That Sansa, the woman that she loved, wanted her back. Not just wanted but claimed her.
Wife. Sansa Stark had married her. She was her wife. That…it meant forever. A thing Daisy hadn't thought she'd ever have. Would never have dared hope for it because losing it would be so incredibly painful. And she didn't but…even if they didn't have forever, they both wanted. They both chose each other.
She stepped into Sansa kissing her without thought or hesitation. It was as easy as breathing to lift Sansa and carry her in two steps to the bed before setting her on the mattress and pressing both of them down onto the soft fabric. She kissed down Sansa's neck.
Daisy was unhurried as she near lazily trailed her lips across Sansa's available skin. She gave a faint sound of frustration, as Sansa flipped her, Daisy's back hitting the mattress with a thump. She laughed looking up at Sansa's slightly frustrated expression.
"You're taking too long, wife." Sansa's eyes were smiling as she looked down at her.
Daisy settled against the mattress. "Am I?" Her fingers gave a slight tug at the fabric of Sansa's gown. "I don't know, you're kinda wearing a lot of layers, wife."
Sansa rolled her eyes, the affection not dimming in the slightest. She touched the clasp of the Stark cloak still wrapped around Daisy's shoulders. "At your rate that wasn't going to change."
"Feeling like changing that?" Daisy couldn't help the challenging grin.
////
Sansa stared up at the crooked canopy above her bed. The morning light illuminated the room. Running her fingers through Daisy's hair, gently scratching at her wife's scalp. She looked down at where Daisy's eyes were closed, her head resting on Sansa's chest. Their time alone was coming ever closer to an end. The day would be like any other. Except…it felt different. "I owe Robb an apology."
"Why?" Daisy's voice was faintly rough. And though her eyes remained closed where her hand lay on her hip, her thumb began to rub softly in comfort.
She continued the gentle movement of her fingers along Daisy's scalp. "I've made the same choice he did." Sansa wondered at the difference between her and Robb as rulers. She let the thought fade. "Do I want to know why we've been undisturbed this morning?"
Daisy's lips twitched. "I just made the door vibrate slightly when Sera got here. She had your bath brought to your solar."
"Thank you." Sansa was…she wasn't ready for the outside world, her court, to reassert itself.
Daisy's eyes opened, the languid way she shifted sending a flicker of heat through Sansa. "Really? Not dying to go deal with your small council?"
Which, honestly. "You never stop do you?"
"Nope." Daisy pressed a light kiss to Sansa's sternum before rolling to her side. She looked distinctly amused as she gave a pointed look towards the headboard. "So, we broke the bed."
Oh gods…that was going to make the gossip rounds by midday. "Cracked. And you cracked it."
"Yeah I think cracked doesn't quite cover it." Daisy looked so smug. "And I def can't take total credit for that."
Sansa felt a pleased flush at that. It was, well she had gotten Daisy's control to slip. She was having a hard time feeling anything but pleased. There wasn't a good reply to that, so she didn't bother, instead kissing Daisy. With a sigh, she finally pulled back. "I wish we did not have to leave."
"So do I." Daisy's hand cupped Sansa's cheek. She didn't say what they both knew. They had to, the outside world would not wait.
Her eyes closed as she accepted the comfort offered. But she had her duty, as did Daisy. And today that duty would allow them to return to each other, even if a day was coming when it inevitably would not. Opening her eyes she straightened and gently began to slip out of the bed. "Come on then, we have a day to prepare for."
Notes:yeah the wedding vows are a mix and match of GoT and old Irish ones. Cause the ones we're shown focus on true birth and shit. Which...there's no way the peasants are using those vows. It'd have to be remixed. Probably less drastically than I did, but figured if I was already changing them up I might as well make them flow nicely.