The past week had gone by in a blur. After the first few days, her eyes had run out of tears, but now hours would pass without her registering the events around her. Occasionally she would try to pick up a book or her sewing, but would soon find the task forgotten as she stared into space, lost in her memories and sorrow. Tyrion had tried to engage her in conversation a few times as well, but soon learned that she was utterly uninterested in speaking. Sansa wasn't even sure her voice still worked. She had barely spoken a word since that day. It's not that she was mad at her little husband. She was quickly learning that he too considered the king and queen regent to be his enemies and doubted his father consulted him on any of his plans. But she just couldn't find it in herself to speak to anyone right now.
She had actually been unendingly thankful to him for shielding her from any more cruelty. They had received several summons from the king to appear in court, yet Tyrion had thrown them all in the fire. Then there was the one morning where Cersei herself showed up at the door. Sansa had still been abed, but had heard the fierce whispers as Tyrion had denied her entrance. The queen had left in a huff, demanding that they show themselves in court. She had waited for Tyrion to inform her of the royal demands, but he had never spoken of it. Just let her face this on her own time.
Although she remained stoic and shielded each day, that didn't stop her from allowing him to pull her into his embrace each night as they slept. The first night she had considered turning him away from her, not at all eager to allow any Lannister close. But as the tears had fallen and her bruises had throbbed, she was again reminded of her loneliness and how she needed just one person to trust. She was desperate for someone she could be close to. Especially now when her whole family was gone.
Tyrion was her family now. The only family she would ever have. The only hope for a family in the future. She looked over now to where the little dwarf was slaving away on some records, catching the last of the suns rays for the day. He had taken to doing his work in their chambers, much to Bronn and Chella's annoyance. They had grumbled about heaving heavy ledger after heavy ledger to and from their solar, but after seeing Sansa's bleeding face, they had done so quietly. Chella especially was distraught knowing that the moment she had stepped away to take some ale, Sansa had been hurt. Sansa didn't blame her either though. It was unfair to expect her to shadow Sansa for every second of the day. Perhaps in a day or so she could speak to Tyrion about getting some additional protection. Or perhaps...No. She couldn't go to him. Not right now. Not yet.
She shook the thoughts from her head and rose from her seat. She made her way towards her husband and placed a gentle hand on the pages he was working through. He glanced up in surprise at her, unused to her approaching him or interacting with him at all. She felt appreciation for him flush through her. He had been so patient with her, allowing her to come to him without any pressure. Wordlessly, she pulled the ledger from his reach and closed it. He watched her as one would a wounded animal. She was a wounded wolf right now and she couldn't blame him for treating her cautiously. She had spent the past week mourning her family alone, now it was time to move forward. Her family was gone. Her father, her mother, her brothers and possibly even her sister were all dead. No one was coming to save her. But perhaps she had a savior already. Someone just as desperate for a true family as she was.
She offered her hand to Tyrion and he took it carefully, letting her lead him to the lounge. He sat and patiently waited for her to tell him what she wanted. She had barely spoken in a week and when her voice came out it was foreign to her.
"Will you read to me, my lord?" she croaked and Tyrion nodded slowly, a semblance of a smile gracing his features.
"Of course, my lady. What would you like to hear?"
"Anything" Sansa shrugged. She just wanted one moment where she could forget everything. One moment where she could just relax with Tyrion. She certainly didn't care about the details.
Tyrion seemed to sense this and nodded, pulling a book of tales from the shelf behind them. "Let me tell you of the Triachs of Volantis. You see, Volantis is ruled by three triarchs all members of the highborn families. They are neither kings nor princes, but are actually chosen by their peers. Some women were chosen as well to lead the city."
Sansa allowed herself to relax on the couch, not really registering the words Tyrion was reading, more just allowing his deep, calm voice wash over her. She curled up, hugging her knees to her chest and allowed a hint of a smile to come over her lips. She would get through this. With Tyrion's help, she would continue to survive.