The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 7 (Edited)

Geralt groaned the feel of her soft warm hands seemed to melt the tension he was feeling. How did she know, she always seemed to know exactly what he needed. She continued to find all the sore places kneading them until the knots released and let go. Julia continued her ministrations for some time. Tracing the new pink scars on his back elicited a painful groan from Geralt "these scars are healing but are still tender, they still pull on the skin and can cause pain but soon they will just be a memory to remind you of your past. There is no shame in these scars, they have made you who you are Geralt who you are today." Geralt did feel shame, right now he really just wanted to take Julia in his arms and erase the loss of connection he had felt earlier. He wanted to get lost in passion and pleasure. In the past, he would not have hesitated. However, this special woman deserved more, she deserved to be cherished for a lifetime, not just one day.

Geralt had been so startled by seeing Yen again. She was still beautiful and he knew that she could, would be passionate if he asked her. However, right now he wanted to make a sacrifice of his own pleasure, to honour the one who right now even thou she should be demanding answers from him was instead comforting him. Lost in his thoughts Geralt had not noticed she had finished and moved back in front of him. "Geralt look at me" looking up into her eyes he saw the pain, but also an unguarded love, he would do anything to protect her from Yen and anything from his past. She leaned in and kissed him on the forehead "I'm tired Geralt".

Not wanting to leave her side or the peace he felt Geralt got up the courage and asked "Can I sleep with you again tonight? I promise to behave myself" pleading eyes were met with warmth and understanding. "Ok" removing their sandals they got into bed Geralt tucking Julia against him. Julia could feel his warm arms around her, she snuggled into him, it felt so much like home after the last two days. Nevertheless, her heart was breaking, she had worked so hard to earn his trust, friendship, and the budding love that she felt she couldn't just kick him out into the cold. Instead, she lay there thinking about what Nessie had said, would Geralt be for just a while or would he be her next great love now she really was not sure.

Geralt had woken in the early hours of the morning, the sun was just coming up but there were still stars out. Feeling restless and not wanting to wake Julia he quietly slipped out of bed. Picking up his shirt and sandals left her room and headed for the garden. The night air was fresh and nippy. He paced around the bushes, his mind spinning with the events of yesterday. Thoughts of the new budding love he felt, and the crushing realisation that he had to face Yen before he could continue to court Julia plagued his mind.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he ploughed into a figure standing staring at the stars. The figure immediately reacted and sent him flying with a magical flick of her wrist. Thankful that a hedge had tempered his fall Geralt stood up and brushed off the leaves, "Sorry Yen, I didn't see you there" Yennefer look at Geralt with a guarded expression that as usual was hard for Geralt to read.

Walking further into the gardens Geralt found a bench and sat, offering for Yennefer to sit beside him. She looked at Geralt a mix of rage and concern marring her features "Where did you disappear to? we looked for you for months after you did not return, and then people started looking for Ciri, so we've now been on the run. I thought that Julia's estate would be a great hiding place as this would be the last place a princess of Cintra would be found." Yennefer's tone wasn't really compassionate rather an accusation. Then seeming to change tact she looked up at Geralt her violet eyes glowing, leaned up and kissed him soundly and passionately on the lips. As if by default his arms reached around her remembering her familiar shape, and her smell of lilac and gooseberries.

Julia awoke to a cold empty bed, the playfulness and joy from the day before had evaporated. Not sure what time Geralt had left she looked out at the garden. Hannah popped her head in the door, "Mistress do you need assistants dressing today" but Julia didn't answer instead she just stared out the window eyes filling with tears. Hannah walked over to see what she was looking at, walking slowly out of the deeper part of the garden was Geralt and Yennefer. Geralt had twigs and leaves in his hair and Hannah could only guess what they had been up to. Hannah turned to her mistress her heart in her throat, they had all thought that it was right to encourage their mistress to open her heart again, but it looked like they had made a mistake.