Muriel POV
I woke up before dawn broke. While I may have slept in the chair, I'd been lying when I said it was comfortable. Even a well-padded armchair like mine was awkward to sleep in all night.
Stretching fully as I stood, I could hear my spine popping in a supremely satisfying way. I glanced towards the tapestry covered doorway. Unable to resist I moved quietly down the tunnel towards the bedroom beyond.
Gretel was curled up in the furthest corner of the bed. An adorable little scowl plastered on her face even as she slept. I leant against the entryway watching her sleep while I collected my temporarily scattered thoughts. I figured I'd keep hold of her clothes while I headed for the nearest populated area to get her new ones. I'd prefer she didn't leave while I was gone.
A soft whimper interrupted my thoughts. Her face was a mask of fear for whatever haunted her dreams and that whimper sounded again. Moving forward, I sat on the bed beside her, gently removing the hair from her face. Out of nowhere she sat up, her eyes wild. "Gretel, it's ok! It was just a dream, you're safe!" my words were unheeded at first as she struggled against the sheets. Wrapping my arms around her I pulled her against my body, murmuring nonsense words into her ear to soothe her. Slowly she calmed and relaxed into me, I reluctantly loosened my grip, not wanting her to feel trapped.
We stayed that way for a while before my curiosity overcame me and I asked, "What did you dream of?"
She was silent for a long time before answering. "The fox witch of Antrepe. She'd been pulling children from their beds and skinning them. After, she'd put their bodies back in their beds", I didn't make a sound, I'd never really killed children without a specific reason such as the ritual I'd previously planned to carry out. A lot of witches would kill them and eat them, but personally I preferred a good steak. Even now all these centuries after turning to the dark I found it somewhat distasteful to kill a child. I hoped she'd carry on talking and not remember that the person she was confiding in was a dark witch herself. "By the time we caught up to her she'd taken her sixth victim", apparently this witch didn't just have a taste for human flesh but was also an idiot; killing close to one's lair wasn't the way of a smart witch, killing repeatedly near one's lair was moronic, "when we found her lair, we had to grab the child and run because she was so strong. We trapped her in the end. The plan was to drag her into the moat with the harpoon arrows but she managed to cut one of the lines and ended up pulling me in too", I stiffened, I'd been to Antrepe before, that moat was pitch black from pollution and I doubted the conditions had improved in the last few decades, I shuddered to think of Gretel being pulled into its depths. "A line was tangled around my leg, I couldn't see and I could feel the weight of the water pressing down on me. I was under for ten minutes before Hansel could get me out, they had to push the water out and breathe into my lungs. It's the only time Hansel's cried since we were children"
Once she'd finished, she turned and buried her face in my neck. I heard her inhale deeply before her breathing became deeper indicating she was asleep once more. I don't know what confounded me more; that she took comfort from me of all people because of a dream about the actions of another dark witch, or that she would then go to sleep in my arms. For a moment I just sat there unsure of what to do. Finally I decided she'd probably feel uncomfortable about this when she woke next so I should leave now. Attempting to extract myself didn't go well, as I pulled away she mumbled in her sleep, that scowl returning as she clutched the front of my dress, not wanting to let go. Eventually I gave up and carefully rearranged us so I was lying down with her against my side. That scowl disappeared and she moved closer, practically on top of me. I smirked, I was perfectly comfortable, and I did try to do the chivalrous thing. I was fully intending to tease her about this in the morning. I wondered if I could make her blush again.
Gretel POV
When I woke again, it was to a warm haven of semi-consciousness. I vaguely registered that I was lying on something warm and soft so I snuggled closer to it.
It was when I realised my impromptu pillow was breathing that my eyes snapped open. I choked back a gasp as I realised said 'pillow' was actually Muriel and I was lying completely on top of her.
Jesus Christ. I started to panic as I attempted to find a way to remove myself without waking her, but considering our legs were entwined and she'd probably notice the removal of my entire body weight, the task appeared impossible. Mentally cursing myself for being a 'Cuddler' when I was sleeping, I attempted to ease my upper body away.
"You know, you make a very efficient blanket", I nearly fell off the bed. Swearing I jerked back, glaring at her highly amused grin. I finally managed to stagger off the bed. Turning to look at her I saw her relaxing against the pillows, that damnable grin still in place. Memories of the night before came back to me and I looked away feeling embarrassed. "About last night…" I started, "You mean before or after you claimed me as your mattress?" she asked innocently. A blush coloured my face, "before". I cleared my throat and tried again, that damn blush still in place, "I just, well, um, thanks. For … helping". Not the most eloquent speech. She smiled gently now.
"Do you want me to get you some clothes now?", grateful, both for the offer of proper clothing and the change of topic, I looked up and nodded. She rolled to her feet in a graceful motion that I'd never manage no matter how hard I tried. I knew I probably looked a mess from sleep, but she looked … Delicious? My subconscious supplied. Her hair fell perfectly as ever and I wondered if she used magic to do that.
I watched her glide out the door and trailed after her. When we reached the main cavern, she promptly retrieved her broomstick. Gesturing to a large cupboard behind me she said, "there's food in there, I'll bring more back too, is there anything you like in particular?", I glanced up from where I was counting the swirls on the rug beneath my feet. I flashed back to the witch who'd stood in front of a horde of witches a few days ago, fanning the flames of their bloodlust. Back then I'd been able to ignore what I felt for her by focusing on her as only an evil witch. But now, when I saw the care and concern she was capable of, at least when it came to me, I couldn't see things in black and white anymore. "Apples" I blurted, realising how long I'd been standing there, staring at her but not responding. Her mouth curled at the edges, apparently as amused by my speech impairment as I was unamused with it.
When she turned to leave, I felt a strange pull in my heart. Reaching out I caught her fingers with mine, causing her to stop and turn back to me. Ignoring her questioning glance, I stared down at our fingers entwined.
It was her fingers under my chin that finally made me look at her. When I met her eyes I found myself entranced, unable to move or look away as she moved her hand from my chin to my cheek. Stepping closer, she leaned down, her sweet scent engulfing me. When her lips finally met mine, it was the barest brush, so light it was only the tingling of my skin that told me it actually happened. She pulled back slightly, her eyes flickering over my face, searching. Whatever she found must have encouraged her because she leaned in once more. This time there was nothing chaste about it. Her lips were like a sensual drug, pulling me in and getting me addicted from the first taste. Her tongue darted out teasing along the seam of my lips and I yielded willingly. She tasted so sweet, like nothing I'd ever experienced before.
Suddenly she pulled back, rubbing her nose against mine affectionately before stepping away completely. I gaped as she hefted her broomstick, winked at me and brushed past another tapestry, presumably heading to the outside world. Anger quickly replaced my shock "Bitch!"
Poking her head around the tapestry again she grinned, "Actually it's 'witch'", then she was gone again. I stomped back to the armchairs swearing violently under my breath. Throwing myself into the same chair she'd occupied last night, I thought about the kiss. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my lips.
Gretel POV
It had been a few hours since Muriel had left and the longer she was gone the more uneasy I felt. I paced the length of the cavern; I worried about my brother, what he'd think of this whole situation, what he'd think of me kissing Muriel. She kissed me, I argued. But you kissed her back, the irritatingly smug voice in my head replied, and you can't say you didn't enjoy it. I scowled. Now she had me arguing with myself. Shaking my head I figured I could use some fresh air.
I doubted Muriel's extra specially secret lair would be anywhere heavily populated so I wasn't concerned about my minimalist attire when I pushed aside the tapestry. Understatement.
There was a long tunnel intersected at several points, but I kept going straight ahead as I could see natural light from that direction. Reaching the end I stepped out and nearly stepped back again. I'd found myself standing on the side of a mountain. It really couldn't get any less populated.
The entrance led out onto a large, flat ledge, looking out across an incredible wild landscape that even I could appreciate despite my acrophobia. Looking back towards the cave I noticed scrollwork runes encircling not only the walls of the cave entrance but an area of the ground around it. Frowning, I cautiously stepped over the line. When nothing happened, I shrugged, figuring it was probably supposed to keep humans and animals away. I crept forwards a little more, still keeping away from the ledge. The sun broke through at that moment and brought a smile to my face.
I'd been sitting in that spot for a while when I heard a noise that seemed out of place. As a hunter I'd learned not to react, but internally I flipped quickly through my options. I hadn't thought to bring my crossbow or any other weapon, feeling secure in Muriel's home. But you're not in Muriel's home, slowly I turned to glance at the rune line I was about ten meters away from and cursed myself. The witches Muriel had betrayed for me would be vengeful, and I'd stepped out of the safe zone without a thought.
A pebble rattled and I tensed, I could sense them behind me. Standing slowly, I turned to see a dozen witches staring silently, enjoying their assured victory. "Ah, fuck"