~~~~ Before I start I would like to apologise for my late update. I work in a kitchen and had a small accident with a sharp pointy object. It's not the first time and it probably won't be the last. However it has made it rather awkward to type. So I am very sorry and I hope you can forgive me for my slow update. ~~~~
Muriel POV
Crossing the threshold of my home I felt momentary relief. We were safe once more. Glancing down at the woman in my arms my relief was eclipsed by worry once more. Striding down the tunnel network, I entered the cave that resulted in my decision to make a home here. It was an underground hot spring that pooled here before running into an exiting crevice at the other side leaving the perfect indoor bathing pool. Gently, I lowered Gretel on to the ledge beside the water so I could undress her. My spell had saved her life, repairing both her lung and her ribcage but there was only so far that would go. Cuts and bruises littered her pale skin and each offence brought a new flare of anger. I'd killed them all already but I wanted revenge all over again for her wounds.
Deciding that the best way to bathe her properly while she was unconscious was to get in with her, I slipped off my own clothes and moved us both into the shallows. At any other time I would have enjoyed this immensely, but at this point I was glad just to see the blood and dirt wash away.
Once I'd deemed her perfect pale skin clean again, I scooped her into my arms once more and headed back to what I'd already begun thinking of as 'our room'. I dressed her carefully in one of the shirts I'd bought and the leggings from before. She was shivering in my arms so I gleefully took it as an opportunity to slide in next to her and pull her back against my chest. If she objected later I could argue concern for her health as my excuse for wanting to be close to her. As long as my hands didn't wander in sleep the excuse should fly.
Finally my anxiety abated as I buried my face in her hair, inhaling her rich scent. She smelled like the forest and that underlying scent that was unique to my Gretel. I slipped into unconsciousness with a smile on my face.
Gretel POV
When I woke, it was both pleasant and not. Pleasant, because I woke up in a warm soft bed with Muriel spooning me. Not, because my ribs and head were killing me. I shifted slightly and couldn't hold back the groan as the ache turned into sharp pain. Muriel bolted up behind me dislodging my position even more. Concern and guilt were written all over her beautiful face. "I'm sorry, tell me where it hurts" I gestured vaguely, unwilling to get into a real conversation while feeling this way.
She placed her hands on my ribs and forehead, closing her eyes and muttering too quietly for me to hear. The pain subsided and nearly vanished. I stared at her in wide-eyed amazement. "It doesn't hurt anymore" she smiled in response and pulled me back against her chest again. I would have protested but was currently distracted by my pain free existence. She was warm and even though I'd never admit it aloud, I felt safe when she held me. I couldn't remember the last time I truly felt safe so I found myself unwilling to let the feeling go.
"We shouldn't be doing this" I glanced up at her and knew my confliction was visible. "We're on opposite sides, you're the most powerful dark witch I've ever met, you're responsible for my mother's death and I've killed hundreds of witches. We should be trying to kill each other, but I'm sleeping in your arms." She sighed and looked away. I watched emotions war within her before she brought her attention back to me. "Yes, I've committed crimes against you and many others. But honestly I've never killed without reason unlike others of my kin. My reasons might not make sense to you but they probably wouldn't have made sense to me either before I turned dark. When my sister died I gave up fighting, I just didn't care enough to resist the temptation even if I never completely caved" she held me tighter as if afraid I'd leap from the bed and flee, "dark witches get their power from demons, that's why so many of them slip into depravity, only the most powerful can resist and retain their sanity. To control the demons rather than being controlled by them". I frowned, what she was saying explained a few things and raised questions about many more.
"You've killed hundreds of my kind but I don't blame you. I won't judge you. I am sorry for my role in your parents' deaths, but I can't change that. What I do know, is that fate has deemed us a perfect match. I want you to be mine as I am yours, but I'll never make you do anything." She was so earnest and sweet. She made me feel things no one else ever had. She made me want her when my life was in danger. When the other witches knocked me unconscious, she was the last thing I thought of.
I glared at her, "it's a good thing you smell so good". I promptly snuggled into her once more and resolved to deal with it all later.
Muriel POV
The night before, Gretel had astounded me. I had tried to explain what I could of our situation and her only response was to tell me I smelled 'good'. Time and time again the woman sent me hurtling into an emotional abyss, thinking she'd leave at any moment. Then she'd pull me back and act like we had all the time in the world to figure this mess out.
When she'd finally gone back to sleep, something she was in dire need of to heal, I lay awake for hours. Now I mused over how to court her once more. While I was somewhat further along in my plans to woo Gretel than the time I pondered upon the cliff so long ago, I found myself equally stumped on how to win her heart. Not to mention my permanent place in her bed.
Gretel stretched in my arms, pulling me out of my reverie. Glancing down at her body before examining her arms suspiciously, she turned to glare at me once more. I raised my eyebrows in innocence, though I had a fair idea of what caused her ire.
"And how, pray tell, did I manage to bathe and dress myself while out cold?" there was warning in that voice but I loved it when she got angry. She was so sexy. "I couldn't very well let you sleep in those filthy clothes and you were covered in blood. It was completely innocent I assure you" it was but I decided to mess with her anyway, following up with a salacious grin. She practically growled at me. It was adorable.
My grin widened as she stood from the bed, somehow managing to look like a queen even though she had bed hair and wore a plain shirt and leggings. "I'm guessing there's a way to bathe properly around here then?" I was thoroughly enjoying the restrained irritation in her voice,
"There is" I made no move to elaborate, knowing it would annoy her more.
"Would you show me?" so damn adorable, like an angry kitten that thinks it's a tiger. I smirked and raised my brow in expectation. The "Please!" she muttered through gritted teeth amused me no end. Standing I stretched fully, knowing that no matter how angry I made her, she'd still feel attracted to me. I enjoyed her blush at my knowing look, before striding down the tunnel.
Once we reached the main room, I handed her the bundle of new clothes as well as her old ones, cleaned of course. She eagerly pulled out her old leather trousers and waistcoat along with one of the new shirts, before looking at me expectantly. Guiding her over to the opposite tunnel from the one we just left I attempted to explain where each of the adjoining tunnels led, gesturing to my workroom, the second library I'd had to make, the armoury and finally I pulled her by the hand to the bathing room. She made an appreciative sound and started stripping off right there before apparently remembering my presence. I smiled expectantly and gestured for her to continue. The scowl reserved especially for me was back, "you can leave now". I just kept smiling and casually leant against the wall. "Muriel, I need a damn bath" I smirked and walked to where she stood at the edge of the pool. "Yes you do, but you're not the only one", at that I began removing my own clothes, never taking my eyes from her now bright red face. She looked anywhere but me and I grinned, "What? Are you telling me the great witch hunter is shy?" I knew the teasing would break her and with a huff she stripped off her clothes in the blink of an eye. My mouth dropped open as I took in the sight of my fated mate naked. It was her turn to smirk, but I didn't care, she was too beautiful for words and I realised I would be in a hot bath with a naked Gretel in a minute. And this time she would be conscious.
Gretel POV
"What? Are you telling me the great witch hunter is shy?" it was that damn smirk that pushed me over the edge. Before common sense could intrude, I'd removed all clothing from my body and glared Muriel down. If it wasn't for her reaction I would have felt self-conscious, but her literally dropped jaw and open appreciation just made me feel confidant. I smirked right back at her but she didn't seem to mind.
I turned back to the water, slipping my body into its warmth, appreciating the luxury. A shudder of anticipation ran up my spine as I heard the rest of Muriel's clothes hit the ground. My heartbeat increased when I listened to her stepping into the water behind me and I bit my lip to contain my whimper when she stood directly behind me. I could feel her breath on the back of my neck, I desperately wanted to feel her pressed against me, but while I could feel the heat radiating from her tall frame she didn't touch me.
Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I leaned back into her, earning me a victorious chuckle and her arms around me. It was impossible to resist touching her, her scent was intoxicating and her skin was like a drug to me. She laid a gentle kiss on my neck and I tipped my head to the side, offering her better access. She made a sound close to a growl and scraped her teeth across my throat drawing a shiver from my traitorous body.
She turned me in her arms and I pressed against her further, feeling her hands slide down to my backside. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" her words were quiet but they still made me blush. No one had ever called me beautiful before. People rarely complimented me at all. I was a witch hunter, even when I wasn't covered in cuts and bruises from my work, I was still considered a terrifying figure. I killed the monsters in the dark, and even though people in the witch plagued villages and towns were grateful for my existence, I was still thought to be tainted. They believed that in fighting the darkness I became too close to it to be a real person anymore. In previous years it had suited me fine; I was never particularly sociable anyway and it gave me leniency to dress and behave as I pleased. I wore trousers and invented things and no one questioned me. I had been content, my brother was the only one I felt comfortable around anyway and he was even more anti-social than I was. But with Muriel, I wanted to be more than some scarred killer. For once I wanted to be seen as pretty. The look in her eyes did more than that, it made me feel like I was truly beautiful. It was what gave me the courage to stretch up to reach her lips with mine.
Her lips were addictive and I opened eagerly when her tongue traced the seam of my lips. She took control of the kiss with ease and I moaned as her talented tongue dominated mine. I slid my hands up into her hair, pressing as close as I could. Her hands lifted me, allowing me to wrap my legs around her hips. I was momentarily surprised by her hidden strength but refused to break the kiss even as she walked to the edge of the pool, resting me on the ledge. She finally pulled back and my protests were silenced by the fierce look in her eyes. "If you not ready, you need to tell me now" it snapped me out of the passionate haze and I hesitated for a second.
She started to pull away. "Wait" I wasn't sure what to say, what to tell her "I just… I've never… " The desperation at my inability to articulate must have shown on my face because her eyes widened and she moved close to me again. "You've never been with anyone?" I shook my head, unable to look her in the eye I stared at a point on the wall instead. She gently turned my face back to hers, smiled and rubbed her nose against mine affectionately, "Good. I like having you all to myself". I raised my eyebrow at that. "We don't have to do this now love but when you're ready, I promise to be gentle" nice save, I thought. Even when I was at my most vulnerable she could make me smile.
I buried my face in her neck, breathing her in to calm my nerves. "I want to. Be with you, I mean. Tonight" her hand caressed my naked back.
"You're sure?" I nodded in reply and she scooped me up again before climbing out gracefully. "Then we'd better go to the bedroom. Your first time should be perfect and while making love on the edge of a hot spring pool can be passionate too, it's not always comfortable"