Alright, it's wedding time. I know i'm kind of jumping in fast but I really want to get them married and get the story moving along. Please let me know how I'm doing. It would be greatly appreciated.
There's one day before the wedding and the entire castle is alight with energy. Lady Stark is busy finishing preparations, and Raya was sent off to relax. She finds she can't relax though, her stomach a knot of nervous energy and instead of relaxing, she takes to wandering the castle grounds. Her father had been ignoring her since the incident after they arrived. She'd be lying if she said she's not grateful for it. Planning a wedding is stressful enough and it would have been unbearable if her father had been there hovering over her too.
She stumbles across Lord Stark in her wanderings, looking over the training yard where Robb, Jon and Theon are trying to teach Bran how to wield a sword. She approaches him slowly and he looks up as she nears. He smiles softly at her, and she curtsies once she's close enough.
"Lord Stark."
"Lady Raya. Are you nervous for tomorrow?"
She nods. "Yes. Very."
He smiles, looking back over the training grounds. "It will be alright. Robb is an honorable man. He will care for you."
She nods, watching him as he laughs at Bran. "May I ask, if it is not too forward of me, why you chose me to marry your son?"
Lord Stark sighs for a moment before turning to face her. "I had always known I wanted Robb to marry out of love. I did not want him to be arranged into a marriage like I was with Cat. I wanted him to be free to choose. But I was surprised when I received the proposal from your father. I did not even know Lord Bolton had a daughter. I knew about your brother, but I did not know of your existence until the letter arrived. I've heard that women don't last long in House Bolton. Your father married twice, both women died of illness. Then your brother passed. But you've survived longer than any of them. I knew there had to be something special about you. A strength that has allowed you to thrive where others have not. Robb needs a strong woman especially when the time comes for him to take my place as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North." He looks back down at Robb. "I don't completely trust your father. It's no secret the other lords in the North are distrustful of him. I know life there could not have been easy for you. If I had known of your existence earlier, I would have done what I could have to help you escape the Dreadfort."
Raya ponders his words for a while. She had been right about Lord Stark wanting strength in his son's wife. Being the only lady of the Dreadfort, she certainly had that. But his words also made her nervous. Had she not hid the bruise on her face well enough? How much did he know about what had happened to her during her time at the Dreadfort? Were her walls not as strong as she thought them to be and she had given away everything she had tried to hide for so long?
"Thank you, Lord Stark. I am honored to be the one chosen to marry Robb. He is kind, just like his father."
Lord Stark smiles at Raya. "You will have a happy marriage. I hope someday you can come to find love like I did."
Raya smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Happiness is all I could hope for from this arrangement."
Raya is brushing her hair out after her bath when Ramsay arrives. She doesn't bother getting up when he comes in, continuing to work the knots out of her hair. Her wedding dress is hanging in the wardrobe, ready for tomorrow. She'll break her fast with her family one last time and by evening she'll be a married woman. She's not as on guard as she should be.
"What do you want, Ramsay?"
He stops behind her, taking the brush from her hand. "You know what to expect from your wedding night?"
She nods as he starts to brush her hair for her. She has a sick feeling in her stomach. "Yes. Father was very explicit in his instructions."
"He's the young wolf, Raya. He will hurt you. He won't be kind like the men you fantasize about."
"I don't fantasize about men. I know what to expect. I know better than to think he'll care for me."
Ramsay tosses the brush back on her vanity, making her jump. His hand tangles in her hair, yanking her head back as he leans down. His breath his hot on her neck as he rests his chin on her shoulder. "If only father could have waited. He would have legitimized me as his son and heir and then I would have killed him. You would have never come here, and it would be me you'd be walking to tomorrow."
His lips brush her ear and she squirms in his grip, driving her elbow back into his stomach. He releases her and she jumps up, backing away from him. "Get out you sick bastard!"
Rage flashes across his face and he raises his hand, seconds from hitting her when her door opens. "Ramsay!" She'd never been relieved to hear her father's voice before. Perhaps there is a first time for everything. "Out. Now."
She had flinched from his hand, hoping he'd hit anywhere but her face. Ramsay glares at her as he lowers his hand, stomping out of the room. Her father glances at her for a moment before turning on his heel, leaving the room. Raya sinks to the floor, taking in deep breaths of air. She's never been more ready for this wedding than she is now.
She's up early the next morning, going to the hall to break her fast with her father and Ramsay. Ramsay is sporting a dark bruise on his cheek, do doubt from their father the previous night. He doesn't even look at her as they eat in their typical silence. Raya can hardly stomach any food, nervous about the ceremony and what will come after. The ceremony itself won't take place until later that evening, giving them ample amount of time to prepare.
Raya leaves her father and Ramsay at the table when it's time to start preparing, Lady Stark along with Sansa and Arya and a few handmaids there to help her prepare. Her hair is done first in a typical Northern style, a few stray hairs left to frame her face while the rest is pulled up. Sansa talks neverending of getting married to a prince and dressing in beautiful dresses and living happily ever after. It does nothing to help Raya's nerves. But she keeps her head high, refusing to let herself break down.
She's helped into her dress, white fabric embroidered with green by Sansa herself. It is beautiful, fitting her like a glove. It's high necked and long sleeved to protect against the cool Northern air. A maid is almost finished lacing her into the dress when a knock sounds on the door. Lady Stark answers. It's her father.
"Lady Stark. I hope I am not interrupting."
"Not at all. We were almost finished." She opens the door wider, letting him inside.
"I was hoping to have a moment alone with my daughter, if that is alright."
Lady Stark nods. "Of course. Come, girls."
Sansa, Arya and the handmaids take their leave with Lady Stark, leaving Raya alone with her father. She waits until she hears the door close before turning to face him. He's holding her maiden cloak with her house sigil on it in his arms. She hates that she has to wear it through the ceremony. Standing there with a red flayed man on her back.
"You look just like your mother." He sets the cloak on the bed before stepping up to her. "I suppose that's not a bad thing. If you had come out looking like me we might never have convinced the Stark boy to agree to the marriage." Had her father just made a joke? He puts his hands on her shoulders turning her away from him. He begins to undo the laces on the dress and she feels her stomach sink to her feet. "After the ceremony there is the feast and after the feast there will be the bedding." He begins to tighten the laces, making her gasp. "You will open your legs to the young wolf and you will keep them open until he is finished." He tightens another lace, nearly stealing the breath from her lungs. "And every night he comes to your bed you will open your legs for him no matter how many times or how much it hurts you." Her breaths are coming in shallow gasps now from the restrictive bodice. "And you will continue to do so until there is a wolf pup in your belly." He finishes tying the laces, turning her back around to face him. He ignores the pained look on her face, grabbing the maiden's cloak. "House words?"
"Our blades are sharp." She recites.
"And they are." He clasps the cloak around her shoulders. "After tonight you will be a Stark by name. But you will always be a Bolton by blood. You will do wise not to forget that." She nods, wanting to save her breath for more important matters. "Come. It is almost time for the ceremony."
It seems all of Winterfell is gathered in the Godswood for the ceremony. The aisle is lit by torches, her father carrying one of his own as he escorts her to where Robb and his father are waiting at the foot of the Heart Tree. She holds her head high, trying to hide her fear as they stop a few feet away from Lord Stark. There's silence in the Godswood and it's almost eerie.
"Who comes before the Old Gods this night?" Lord Stark asks.
"Raya, of the House Bolton, comes here to be wed. A woman grown and flowered, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessing of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?" Her father answers.
Robb steps forward from his place behind his father. "Robb, of House Stark, heir to Winterfell. Who gives her?"
"Roose, of the House Bolton, her father."
"Lady Raya, will you take this man?" Lord Stark asks her.
She swallows the lump in her throat as she nods. "I take this man."
Her father steps away from her, moving to the side as Robb takes his place and they join hands, kneeling before the Heart Tree to say a silent prayer. Raya's not sure how long it is, seconds or minutes before they're standing again, Robb removing her maiden's cloak, passing it back to her father before taking the bride's cloak from his own house, placing it on her shoulders. She breathes out a small sigh of relief. The Stark cloak is softer and thicker than her maiden's cloak had been. It's a heavier weight, but it's a welcome feeling.
She's scooped off the ground and into Robb's arms, signalling the end of the ceremony. He carries her up the aisle her father had escorted her down just a few moments before, taking her out of the Godswood and to the Great Hall to start the feast. She wraps her arms around his neck, breathing a small sigh of relief again.
"Thank the gods for Northern ceremonies." She says as Robb carries her to into the Hall, the rest of Winterfell following.
"Short and to the point. Leaves more time for celebrating." Robb says, carrying her to the head table, finally setting her on her feet. He doesn't even seem to be winded from carrying her that far, and it makes her more nervous for what would come after the feast.
She takes the seat next to her husband, the rest of their families joining them, including Jon who had been standing with his family during the ceremony at Robb's request. Ramsay had also been included, standing on the opposite side during the ceremony and now joined them at the head table. She's not worried anymore, a sort of weight sliding off her shoulders. She's a married woman now. They wouldn't dare touch her.
Food is quickly brought out along with wine as everyone settles in. Raya can't bring herself to eat much, the nerves of the bedding tied in with her too tight dress making her feel rather ill. She sticks with wine, trying to lessen her nerves with liquid courage. She feels a hand on hers, and she turns to look up at Robb.
"You look beautiful." He says, smiling softly down at her.
"Thank you." She squeezes his hand gently.
He keeps his hand in hers as he turns to speak with Theon, people beginning to line up to offer their congratulations. She keeps her responses simple, smiles and nods and thank you's. She's beginning to feel the strain of the dress, her head starting to feel light on her shoulders. She squeezes Robb's hand harder during a pause in the line of those wishing to congratulate them.
"I need some air."
She doesn't wait for his response, rising from her seat and slipping out a side door. The cool air shocks her back into her head as she breathes it in. It's a clear, starry night the air crisp and cool. She reaches back, loosening the ties on her dress, freeing her constricted abdomen. She nearly passes out as her lungs fill completely with air, steadying herself on a pillar.
"Are you alright, Raya?"
She turns on her heel, Robb standing behind her. "Yes. I was getting light headed in there."
He nods, stepping closer to her. "It is rather warm in there." He takes her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles for a moment. He watches her face for a moment before smiling, pulling her away from the great hall. "Let's go."
She frowns. "Where?"
"If we leave now, we can escape the bedding ceremony. Today has been strenuous enough. I don't particularly fancy being subjected to that kind of embarrassment."
She nearly cries in relief. She had been dreading the bedding ceremony, knowing Ramsay would be the first to jump into practicing that tradition. After his words the previous night, she had been hoping it could be avoided. And now her kind husband was offering an out.
"Oh thank the gods. I've been dreading that all evening."
She lets him lead her to the Keep, going up a different way from what she was used to. She'd be staying in his room...well their room now. He opens the door for her, letting her walk in first. It's laid out almost exactly like her previous room was, though slightly bigger. There's candles lit over the hearth and a fire burning in the fireplace already. There's wine sitting on his table and she goes over to help herself to some more. Nerves have taken hold again now that they're alone. She hears the lock on his door click into place, sealing her fate.
She listens as he approaches her, her hands undoing the many pins in her hair. She can feel his warmth as he stops behind her, his own hands working her dress open. She drinks the last sip of wine in the cup before he finishes undoing the laces, slowly pushing the dress off her shoulders. She lets it fall, pooling around her feet as she turns to face him in nothing more than a thin shift. She curses her hands for shaking as she reaches up, working the clasp of his cloak open along with the ties of his shirt. He pulls it off over his head once it's loose enough, leaving himself bare chested. He's just as strong and lean as she had pictured.
She finds herself suddenly nervous and she pulls him in for a kiss as he fingers the straps of her shift. It's Raya's first kiss and also her first kiss with Robb. She's not sure what to do, her hands holding his face. She feels his lips move against hers, just as soft as they'd been the first day they'd met. His hands pull her shift off her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground before his hands settle on her bare skin. His hands are calloused from training but his touch is soft, his thumbs rubbing circles into the skin above her hips.
She pulls her lips away from his for a moment, unsure of what to do next. She lets him take over as he pulls her body against his, wrapping his arms around her as he presses his lips to hers again. The first kiss had been gentle, timid. This kiss is hungry and intense, stealing her breath away. Her hands run across his shoulders, moving up into his hair. He'd had it smoothed down again for the ceremony, but she quickly ruins that. His hair is just as soft as his skin, his curls wrapping around her fingers.
He chuckles, pulling away, kissing his way down her jaw.
"I've been wanting to do that since I first met you." She breathes, making him laugh again. "I-I've never...done this before."
He shushes her, biting at her earlobe. "It's alright. I've spent enough time listening to Theon brag I think I have an idea." He cups her face gently. "I will be as gentle as possible." She nods in understanding.
His lips find her neck, sucking and biting at her skin as he slowly backs her towards his bed. A small moan leaves her lips as he bites down on her pulse point. Her entire body is tingling and it feels alive as he touches her. The heat that had gathered in her stomach whenever he'd touched her is back, but twice as hot now. Her legs hit his bed and he lets her go, letting her drop onto the sheets. The furs have been pulled back, neatly folded at the end of the bed to keep from getting dirtied no doubt.
He reaches down, undoing his pants as he kicks off his boots. She leans up on her elbows watching him as he finishes undressing himself. He sees her eyes widen, a flush spreading across her face as he drops his pants to the floor, stepping out of them. He steps to the bed, kneeling in front of Raya, sliding her so her head is on the pillows. He leans down, kissing his way down her stomach. Theon had spent the last week doing nothing but telling him how to please a woman in bed. He had listened to some of his advice, getting an idea of how to lessen the pain for his wife during their first coupling.
She leans up slightly as he parts her legs, leaning his head down between them. "Robb...what are you - ooh…" He places his mouth on her, exploring her folds with his tongue. It feels strange but it's also beginning to feel good.
He finds one spot that makes her gasp whenever he hits it, her hands gripping the bed sheets as he sucks at that one spot. He slowly presses a finger into her, feeling her maidenhead and how tight she is. It's a strange feeling for her, having his finger inside her. But he keeps hitting that spot that's making her tingle, her stomach tightening like a coiling rope. She feels like she's getting closer to something but she's not quite sure what it is.
"Robb…" She moans his name as she feels herself chasing after something.
She nearly whines when he pulls away from her. He sits up on his knees over her, slowly stroking himself. She keeps her legs open like her father had told her to, watching Robb's face. His eyes are dark and hungry as he stares at her so open beneath him. She gulps as he stares at her like a dog stares at a piece of meat. That's all they were. He's a wolf, and she's nothing more than a piece of meat.
She shivers as his hands run along the curve of her waist, moving up past her breasts as he settles himself over her, leaning on his elbows. He cups her face, his length rubbing against her slit. She gasps at the sensation, her hands gripping his arms. He had felt how wet she is, but he knows it's still going to hurt her. He reaches down, lining himself up with her before slowly pressing in.
He watches her face contort as he slowly enters her, stretching her. She's trying to hide the pain but he can see it, her hands clutching at his back. He feels her maidenhead and he pauses, letting her take a breath before he breaks through with a thrust. She clenches her eyes closed, a whimper leaving her lips. Her nails are digging into his back, her knees gripping around his hips. He watches tears escape out of her eyes, and he gently brushes them away with his thumbs. He leans down, capturing her lips with his in an attempt to distract her from the pain as he slowly starts to move.
Her father had been right in telling her that it hurts. There's no pleasure like there had been when he'd had his head between her legs anymore. His thrusts are slow and gentle, but all she can feel is pain. She clutches at him, digging her nails into his back as he takes her. He pauses for a moment, sitting up to wrap her legs around his waist. She groans quietly as this pushes him deeper inside of her, the pain starting to fade as he continues his thrusts.
He groans into her ear as he slowly picks up speed. The pain is almost gone now, this new angle bringing about the same feeling she'd had earlier. His lips are at her neck, his teeth biting at her skin, his thrusts getting even faster now. She clings to him, moaning his name as that coil tightens again in her stomach.
"Robb…"
He groans into her ear, licking the shell of it as his hands grip the sheets by her head. "Let go."
She stops holding onto the feeling, letting herself fall over the edge with a cry. His own pace stutters as she clamps down around him tight, her walls pulling at him, trying to milk him of his seed. He bites down on her shoulder as he feels a shiver run through his body straight to his cock. He releases inside her, releasing her shoulder with a groan. They stay there connected for a moment, both trembling and breathing heavy. The room feels stuffy now, their bodies slick with sweat.
Robb gently pulls out of his wife, flopping on his back beside her. They're silent as they catch their breath, Robb recovering faster than Raya. He turns on his side, his fingers running down her arm. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
She shakes her head. "It hurt at first, but whatever that was afterwards was wonderful."
He smiles, kissing her head. "Good." He rolls back onto his back, wanting to reach out and hold her but he doesn't want to push her to do something she's uncomfortable with. He figures she's been forced to do that enough tonight. He's not going to force her into something else she doesn't want.