Chapter 35

It was early in the morning, hours before dawn, when Root opened her eyes and found herself looking up at the inside of their carriage home's sleeping area. The lantern was out, but to her side was the soft glow of a candle. And there was her Regis, quietly reading, as was his custom.

"How did…?" She said softly, remembering the beautiful song and the bards' flirtatious comments to her. "Dandelion."

"Hello, my dear." Regis replied. "Yes, our master musician plays a right powerful lullaby does he not?"

"I think I may bite Geralt in tender places the next time I see him. He told him didn't he?" she asked.

Regis tried not to think about how much that would hurt, but he knew by looking at her mirthful smile that she wasn't altogether displeased, nor serious about hurting the Witcher.

"Oh, come now, my lovely one, can you blame a group of male traveling companions for sitting around a fire one night, chatting about the gorgeous woman in their company and what she enjoys? Of course we spoke about it. And don't you feign surprise, I know your thoughts." He said, running his fingers from her temple to her chin.

She blushed and leaned into his open palm and Regis noticed the slightest movement of her lips and the quick glance at his wrist. So quick that she consciously didn't know she'd done it. The vampire had wondered if it would be hard for her, but he also knew he'd had little to no choice in order to save her life. He too knew that the longing could become unbearable if she went too long without drinking from him, but he didn't think it'd set in so quickly. Regis also wondered if that was because his blood was so potent, or perhaps it had something to do with her own unique nature that she was already craving it. However, he also knew that not talking about it was good, and his love was very easily distracted. He lowered his hand, showed her the open palm, and then with a flip of his fingers, he made a small coin appear, rolled it over his knuckles and then it vanished. Root looked at his empty hand with a face filled with innocent joy.

"You are so beautiful." He said softly, handing her the coin. "Your amazement at sleight of hand is absolutely adorable, Root."

Root held it, trying to see if there was anything unusual but there wasn't. She gazed at him, her green eyes searching and curious.

"Regis, do you…I mean…do you suppose I could resist?" she asked.

The vampire was amused by the question, but humored her.

"That depends on what you'd be resisting, my dear. Could you resist Dandelion's lullaby? Probably. Or perhaps you mean could you resist Geralt's voice." He said, slightly altering his own to the cadence he used to entrance. "Or did you mean could you resist me, my darling?"

Root's eyes glazed over so he lowered his gaze from hers briefly and she woke up quickly.

"How…why does that affect me so much?" she said, blinking and looking at him with wonder.

The vampire smiled. "Well, I sort of have an advantage. My powers are magical in nature and there are few, if any, who can resist them. You fall quickly to my power simply because I am what I am but…also because…well, how do I say this…because you are mine. Remember our bond, my love. In mind and in…well, let's focus on the mind right now."

The woman gazed at him, pondering, remembering the intense feeling of surrendering all that she was to him on the palace bed.

"Of course." She said, feeling her body tingle pleasantly. "I remember. It's just…well then why Dandelion and Geralt though? They don't have your abilities."

"No, of course they don't." he answered. "Ahh, how can I explain this in a way that won't hurt your feelings? Let me begin by stating that you are a very astute, intelligent woman, Root. However, it would seem Nature has seen fit to give you a mind that easily slips into altered states. Lullabies are crafted in such a way that they lend themselves to aiding people in slipping into a trance or dream-like state. And Geralt uses a focus-based technique to distract and then slip in suggestions. Although I'm quite sure just the sound of his voice would be enough to put you into a relaxed, suggestible state."

"Do you think so?" she asked.

"I do indeed. He's no master hypnotist to be sure, but he's learned how to use that deep, gravelly voice to gain an advantage. But as for your question, could you resist? Them? Yes. I believe you could, if you knew what they were doing and actively tried to. Me? Well, I'm not one to say anything is impossible, usually, but in this case I don't think it is possible for you to resist. I mean yes I could allow you to resist but that's…well you see I'm sure. That's allowing you to resist, which isn't really resistance now is it?"

"Can I try?" she asked, softly biting her lower lip.

His dark eyes caught the light of the candle and he smiled, just barely showing the tips of his teeth to her. Regis nodded. "All right. Begin."

The forest maiden looked up into his eyes, but she wasn't sure exactly what to do now that she thought about it. And her eyes were already closed by the time she finished that thought. The vampire chuckled quietly and touched her forehead, waking her. Her green eyes were amazed and playful.

"I…didn't even…Again." She said, sitting up, a look of determination on her face.

Regis nodded. "Why do you resist, Root?" he whispered to her.

"That's not…fair…" she said, her voice trailing off, but he woke her again with a light touch.

"Come on, my dear. Resist. Other vampires aren't going to wake you." He said softly but noticed the look of fear in her eyes. "Oh, now there's no need to be afraid. You're protected from that, my lovely forest maiden. I was teasing you. Now look. Look deeply into my eyes, Root."

Root felt the pull of his will, and Regis let her have enough of her own to push against him, but he knew she didn't really know how to do that either.

"Push with your mind, my love." He said softly, watching her eyes cloud over. "No, no, push back."

"I…I can't…it's too…too much…" she said trying to shake it off, her head slowly falling to her chest.

"It is, my dear." He said, waking her again. "We can perhaps work on it another time. But it is late, well I should say it's rather very early yet. And Geralt will be coming to bed soon as it is my turn for watch. Ah and here he is."

The flap of the carriage opened, letting in a rush of cold winter air so Root pulled the heavy covers up to her chin as the Witcher climbed into the back.

"A very early good morning to you, White Wolf." Root said with a long yawn.

Geralt was exhausted, she could see it in his eyes, and patted the space next to her while Regis kissed the top of her head.

"I'll see you in a few hours. Get some more rest." He said, grabbing his cloak and slipping out the back.

The Witcher stripped off the heavy winter gear, kicked off his boots and got right into bed, laying on his side with Root nestling up to his chest. It was her favorite place to lay with him. He pulled the covers up over their shoulders and she looked at him in the soft darkness.

"Long day for you." She said quietly. "The long ride, and then returning to a drowner fight. My poor hunter."

Geralt gave her a tired smile and let his eyes close while feeling her tuck her head right under his chin, her fingers resting on his chest. Root had a tendency to fidget so Geralt would always know when she had fallen asleep, because her hand would go limp and she had a quiet little snore, like a soft wheeze.

"Geralt?" she said softly.

"Mhm…" he replied, his eyes too heavy to bother opening them.

"I love you." She said and kissed his chest, nuzzling him.

The great hunter traced his finger over her ear, down her neck, shoulder and arm.

"I love you too, Root." He answered, stroking his finger between her closed eyes, feeling her body relax into his.

And they both fell asleep, her quiet soft snore being muffled by his strong body with Geralt's louder rumble filling the carriage.