AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recommend reading my 'You Have My Heart' first to find out what happened between Eskel and Triss before these events. It's not required for this story, although I'm sure you'll love it. :)
I.
People at weddings are supposed to look at the beautiful bride and groom dancing together in wedded bliss, smiling at one another, and blatantly showing what love could be and the happiness of it all. The eyes should observe the beautiful flow of the bride's white dress and hair as her husband held her in her arms in a waltz—a very rugged waltz, as of course Geralt was not much of a dancer—and the twinkling in each of their eyes. The thoughts should be centered on the matrimony of his friend—so much as more of a brother to him—and the sorceress who captured and held onto his heart.
Lambert stood next to the wall, close to others who watched and cheered on the couple during their reception dance with a drink in hand. He was not much for weddings, and though he was happy for his friend and his new wife, his mind was elsewhere. His eyes followed the movement of a certain redheaded sorceress as she danced with his other fellow Witcher Eskel. He followed the sway of her hips in her emerald gown, and the flow of her auburn hair as she gracefully danced. Eskel spun her around, she laughed, as she faced him again, her hand resting against his chest for support. Her red lips curved up in a knowing smile as they appeared to exchange words, and they both laughed soon after. She looked so comfortable in the Witcher's arms as they danced. She looked happy.
"Should she look anything other than that?" Lambert asked himself.
It had been three years since the Battle of Kaer Mohren, and since he last saw everyone he fought beside with. In those three years, he had not seen Triss, but only heard of her wellbeing from the few times he met with Eskel in missions. Not once in those times did Eskel mentioned a relationship with Triss had blossomed, although he knew full well that they were good friends and wouldn't be surprised by it. If they were together, it would explain why Triss did not seemed fazed by the fact that the man she saved and once loved for many years was now marrying her good friend, Yennefer, who was like a sister to her.
"And why do I care?" Lambert asked out loud, berating himself for the odd twisted feeling he started to feel in his gut. It was an unfamiliar feeling of unease and concern, that he'd often find himself feeling when it came to Triss. Vessemir once told him that such feeling was often because you cared for someone. Lambert let out a wry laugh, and brushed off the thought.
"It just means I need another filled cup and fresh air," he said out loud and then gulped down the rest of his wine. He took his eyes away from the dance floor and searched for a server. Luckily, a familiar male server was about to walk pass him until he stopped him.
"More wine, Witcher?" The server asked, clearly knowing Lambert full well as it had been the third time he'd seen him.
Lambert smiled at the server, nodded and took another chalice with thanks as the server left. A new, more upbeat song replaced the steady waltz, as more people crowded the dancefloor. Geralt and Yennefer returned to their table in front of the from and looked onto the celebration. He scanned the room to see if Eskel and Triss were still dancing together, but only found Eskel who was now chatting with a group of sorceresses.
Triss was nowhere in sight.
"Where did she go?" the question popped in his mind, and he mentally shook himself from it.
"Why should I care?" he huffed as he turned to leave the room in search of fresh air.
He needed to clear his mind and be left at peace. He just needed to last the end of the night, until the celebration ended and he could return back to the closes town to find rest in a warm bed. In the meantime, he wanted to find more free beverages, and embrace the peace that came with not having to worry about monsters or cursed angered wraiths, or ungrateful town folks.
The chalice in his hands felt lighter as he'd drank from it without a thought. Thoughts and questions about Triss echoed in the back of his mind, as he continued to experience a lingering unfamiliar feeling in his gut. Lambert he'd find where all the wine was kept and hoped more wine was the remedy he needed.