A Holiday by Decree
~~Day 11~~
After their tears had all fallen, Sansa remained in Tyrion's arms, and propped on the cushions, they listened quietly to the calm, dark waves.
Unlike before when Tyrion had looked out on the inky darkness with trepidation, the stars now seemed to shine in the sky in a way they had not before. At the soothing, fortifying rise and fall of Sansa's breath against his side, he no longer felt the acute fear of his losses and the unknown.
He had wondered at it before in other times of his life, but it was funny how one change could bring about such a shift in perspective. For the moment, more worn by his emotions than he cared to admit and guessing Sansa felt the same, he found himself grateful just to relish in this comforting feeling with her. The knowledge that he never saw her so at ease was once again its own reward as well. It satisfied him plenty to draw small, tender circles on her upper arm with his fingertips where he held her. After a while, the ocean breeze began to cool and when Tyrion felt Sansa actually snuggle a bit against him, he savored the bloom of heat that went through his chest at her closeness.
Sansa's voice drifting up from his chest was soft and even: "Though I suppose it's over a bit in your chest somewhere, your heartbeat is so strong. It sounds like the beat of the waves in my ear."
"Perhaps I have a big heart for a small man," Tyrion rumbled back happily, instantly liking the light chuckle that passed through her.
A bit later, a servant came by to check their table of forgotten snacks. The coal on the pipe had gone gray and cold. Hirat also appeared to offer them blankets.
"Tyrion," Sansa said, gently lifting her head from his chest. "Will you mind if I retire to my rooms at this time? I find myself tired after how far we've come this evening. I want to push past it, but perhaps I shouldn't just now," she confessed, and Tyrion only nodded with a gentle smile at her slightly worried look.
"I think we feel the same, my lady. Please rest, and I think I should do the same," he replied.
:
Sansa looked into the mirror observing herself in the golden lamp light, as her maid sweetly brushed and braided her hair for bed. Her eyes were still a bit pink from her tears, but somehow she looked different to herself – better.
Was it really true that being in love could make such a change?
Her heart kicked up a notch in her chest: she had not yet said it, but she was quite sure that she was in love with Tyrion Lannister.
It was finally time – she had to be brave.
"Hirat, there is something I want to do tomorrow with Lord Tyrion. Would you please help me plan it?" she asked hopefully, turning to her maid.