The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 10 (Edited)

He hoped that it was not him that had caused the tears. Sadly, he sensed that it was more than likely his absence, and stupidity of not communicating where he was going that morning that had caused them. Slipping off his sandals and outer garments Geralt slipped into the sheets and pulled Julia into his arms. 

Rather than the resistance he was expecting she turned to towards him, her hand reaching up to the side of his face. The look in her eyes was one of disbelief, then relief and then something else. Her soft hands caressing his cheek reached up behind his neck and pulled him towards her. Her lip sought his softly at first as if to determine they were truly there. Then she increased her intensity her lips opening, their tongues dancing in a heated display, desparated to find each other.  Her desperation spilling into every movement of her body as she sought out his touch. Clinging to him as if he would disapear if she let go. Geralt taken by surprise by her passionate response. He let go of his resolve and responded in kind, all the anxiety of the day, the worry and indecision disappeared. Right now the only thought left was the feel of this passionate woman in his arms. All boundary's, all restraint, all disappeared, as they sort assurance, acceptance, and comfort in pleasure.   

Moonlight softly caressed Geralt's face as Julia silently studied his sleeping form. When Geralt had slipped into her bed that night she had been so sure he had already left. His arms around hers had knocked down the last of her defenses. Every bit of self-restraint she had disappeared into the deep fear of losing him. However, as the haze of pleasure lifted from her brain, reality hit of what she had just done. Would he lose his respect for her now? Would she be able to forgive herself? All sense of peace she once had seemed to be replaced with a tight knot in her middle. A different fear.

It was not Geralt's fault he didn't live by the same code she did. Yes, she knew he had understood her need to take it slow, but she had never talked with him about her need to keep lovemaking as something special between a committed couple. That for her had always meant marriage. Last night had been different, her body had remembered the steps of the dance. Her mind had given up restraint and instead of the sweet lovemaking she remembered with Wilfred this had felt desperate and left her feeling hollow inside. For there was no promise of tomorrow, no certainty that he would return instead just an empty place now filling her heart. Unable to sleep, Julia feeling a need to prepare for his departure silently left the room. With an ache in her heart she moved to what she knew best, the comfort of her herbs and elixirs in the healing room.

Geralt awoke to an empty bed. The sun was just peering over the tops of the trees in the garden, a warm glow streaking across the sky. However, Geralt felt cold. Somehow, he knew even in the heat of passion that he should have stopped, but he just could not. His own need to tell her how much he wanted her, needed her, overtook his resolve. Geralt berated himself, he knew even if she didn't verbalise it how much that act was precious to her. Groaning Geralt got out of bed, he had committed to the villager that he would go with him this morning. He had every intention of talking it through with Julia when he got home but...... groaning again and running his hand over his face Geralt went in search of the one person he needed to see before he left.

Geralt found Julia in the healing room, she was seated at one of her desks, bottles, and books scattered in front of her. He walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder, she didn't shrink from his touch, but she didn't relax into it either. Pulling a chair up next to her Geralt sat down and decided small talk would be a good start "what are you researching?"

Julia didn't look up at him but spoke while she mixed the potions and read "I'm preparing your elixirs for your battle with the Bruxa. I've already put together the general healing herbs and elixirs, I have this book passed to me by my mother, it had been given to her by an old man many years ago on his death bed, it explains the Witcher's elixirs. This says you need black blood if you're going to have any defense against a Bruxa. Is that right? It says it acts like poison if she drinks your blood."