A/N: This chapter is romance and smut for the most part, but there are a couple of plot points thrown in the first half.
"How'd you feel about all this? Their plan?" Geralt asked Criss once they were out of the Passiflora and on their way back to the Chameleon under the cover of darkness.
"Not good."
"Is that a gut feeling or did you read something off one of them?"
"Both," she sighed. "Yennefer's not telling us something, that much I could say for sure."
"That's nothing new. She rarely shares all she knows and I'm a bit surprised you agreed to be a part of it. This isn't your fight."
"It's not, but as much as I loathe political moves, I'd rather be there to keep the casualties to a minimum. An open fight in front of a church is sure to be messy."
He curled an arm around her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her temple.
"Still soft as a plush toy," he said, smiling against her cheek when she glanced sideways at him. She tried to pinch his waist in return but was met by hard leather and chainmail.
"Not wanting by-standers killed doesn't make me soft."
"If someone told you there's a cat up a tree that needs saving, you'd be climbing up the trunk before anyone asked you to."
"No, I wouldn't," she fought back with a guilty look.
"Is that only because you can't climb trees?" he asked wryly.
"Hush." She slapped his chest. "And what's wrong with wanting to help as many people as I can? I'd think you'd be the last person to scold me for it with all the risks you take."
"There's nothing wrong and I'm not scolding. I love this soft side of you, but I want you to always be circumspect about the people here. Few of them are kind. Fewer are disinterested. Almost none are grateful. Just don't be too trusting with any of them."
"Where did this come from?" she asked, confused. "Is it because I helped Dijsktra today?"
He nodded tightly.
"I thought you didn't have anything against it."
"I don't," he sighed. "But I also don't want you taking help from him when you don't need to. He's much smarter than people give him credit for and any information can become a weapon in his hands. I'm sure he has a long game in mind. In that, he and Philippa are well matched."
"Don't mistake my friendliness for trust," she said in all seriousness. "I'd never tell him anything about Ciri if that's your concern. I'm well aware of how important it is to keep her presence and her future role a secret."
Inside the Chameleon, another evening revelry was in full swing. This time Priscilla was on stage strumming her lute and playing a lively tune. She gave them a wink as they passed by her, heading for the table in the back where Zoltan and Ciri were testing their mettle at gwent.
As they got closer, they caught the conversation between the two players.
"Aye, lass! You've really grown ruthless over the years. Won't even let an old dwarf keep his dignity for a round."
"I don't remember you ever going easy on me. Just be glad we're not playing for coin or you'd be leaving lighter of purse by the end of the night."
Zoltan waved her off. Ciri gathered her cards and began shuffling in preparation for a new game. She caught sight of them and grinned as they sat down next to them.
"How'd it go? Did you agree? Tell me you agreed!" she said enthusiastically.
"Yeah, we both did," Geralt replied, looking to Criss.
"Ah, finally something interesting to do!" Ciri said and they both turned to her with raised eyebrows.
"You're not actually considering being a part of this?" Criss asked in disbelief.
"I might. After all, why not?" Ciri asked annoyed. "I've got just as much skin in the game as anyone else."
"You do, more than most... and that's exactly why you shouldn't," Criss answered. "Let this be a fight between the Temerians and Redanians. Don't stir ill-will against yourself. Not now when you're on the brink of becoming Empress."
"She's right. If it's discovered you're part of this game, there may be some who'd thank you, but most Redanians will put the blame on the Nilfgaardians once they find out you're to be Emhyr's heiress. You don't want that hate fuelling the war effort in case something goes amiss. Besides, your presence in the city is a guarded secret and it should stay that way."
Ciri pouted and slumped to the side, resting her jaw in her palm. "But I haven't done anything of use since Bald Mountain. My hands are itching for a good fight."
"Save that itch for Eredin. Once we're done with this, he'll be our next target," Geralt said. "Since we're on this topic, any idea if Avallac'h has started his search?"
She shook her head. "Last time I went to see him, he was pouring over maps of the north, drawing diagrams and calculating gods know what. Offered to help, but he doesn't need me either."
"I doubt it's a lack of need that's keeping him back. He's probably trying to protect you, just like the rest of us," Criss chimed in.
Ciri rubbed her forehead as she picked out her words. "I know everyone means well, but all this care becomes patronizing beyond a point."
"No one is trying to patronize you, Ciri," Geralt cut her off. "This will take only a few days. Take it as a short breather before the real storm hits. You went to visit friends today, why don't you use this time to enjoy yourself a bit... Without getting into trouble if possible."
She sighed and pouted again, drawing circles with her index over the wooden boards of the table.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt. There's one friend I haven't had a chance to see yet. Maybe I can catch her at the tavern tomorrow."
Geralt gave her an encouraging smile and the pout was gone in an instant. She was back to shuffling her cards without a care and goading Zoltan into another game.
"I'll go grab us some drinks. Any preference?" Geralt asked.
"Dwarven spirit for me," Zoltan called first. "At least being sloshed will give me an excuse for getting my arse handed to me by your girl."
"An ale is fine," Ciri said. "Still want to keep my wits about me."
"And you, love?" he asked Criss.
"A glass of Fiorano, or whatever red they have," she said off-handedly while watching the game of cards being set up.
A little while later he returned with a tankard of ale, and two bottles - one of spirit and one of Fiorano. A maid followed behind him carrying clean empty glasses for each of them.
He found the three just as he had left them and he had to nudge Criss to get her attention. She turned with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, got caught up watching their game. Thanks for getting the wine." She planted a kiss on his cheek and gave his thigh a squeeze.
"Mm, you're welcome. Didn't know you've become a local wine connoisseur while I was gone."
She shrugged. "I kind of had to learn them all in one night when I tended bar to help out."
He bristled instantly. "If Dandelion made you work, I'll skin him. Or was it..."
"Let me stop you right there," she said, planting her hands on his chest. "No one made me work. The place was packed and I wanted to help out Selise and take my mind off... things." Her eyes quickly darted back to the game of cards in an attempt to evade further questions. He curled a hand around her waist and cupped her cheek gently to turn her gaze back to him.
"Was I one of those things?"
She bit the inside of her lip and rolled her eyes. "You already know you were. Three-quarters of Dandelion's repertoire is made up of ballads written about you." His face must have fallen right then and there because she instantly hugged his waist and cuddled into his side. "Stop worrying about it, I just had an off night, that's all." As always she was the one to try to lift his spirits even if he damn well deserved feeling miserable for causing her worry.
He darted a look to Zoltan and Ciri and pressed his lips to her temple. Saying he was sorry again wasn't going to do much good and actions always spoke louder than words. He had advised Ciri to use these few peaceful days to enjoy herself and perhaps it was time he took his own advice. After all, it had been too long since they last had a day to themselves with no other worries.
The sun flashed over her face as the window swung on its hinges, reflecting the rays onto the bed. A warm breeze blew in, bringing the salty smell of the sea with it. She stretched out her numb limbs with eyes still closed and a smile. The previous night had ended with them finishing the bottle of wine in their room, falling into bed and getting... creative. Her smile turned into a grin the more she reminisced and finally, she opened her eyes, desperate to lay sight on Geralt's handsome face.
She blinked in disbelief and confusion for a moment. The bed was empty and the sheets cold. Then she saw it: a piece of scribbled parchment lay half under the covers. She bit back the curse that came rushing to her lips.
"Morning love,
Just went down for a bit. Won't be long. Hope to find you still in bed when I come back.
Love, Geralt"
She shook her head, chuckling and threw herself back on the pillows. It hadn't been a dream. At least not all of it, she thought with a grin.
After taking a few minutes to just soak up the sun that came through the window, she got up and put on a robe and slippers. She caught a glimpse of her messy hair in the mirror and smoothed it down before visiting the privy. By the time she was back, Geralt still hadn't returned so she took the opportunity to put herself together at the dressing table.
She was just brushing out the last of her bedhead when the door opened, pushed in by Geralt's wide back. She quirked an eyebrow at the odd entrance he was making until he turned enough for her to see he was carrying a breakfast tray in one hand and a posy of flowers in the other.
"Damn, was really hoping you'd still be asleep," he said with an awkward smile. "You found my note, right?"
She nodded, smiling and he breathed out in relief.
"Good. I really didn't want you thinking I sneaked off again." He raised the tray an inch. "Got you breakfast... and flowers."
Seeing him so awkwardly adorable, she couldn't help but grin as she got up and sauntered up to him. He handed her the flowers and she buried her nose in them before raising herself onto her toes and giving him a kiss.
"You're absolutely sweet and I love you," she told him as their lips parted.
"I love you too," he replied with a boyish grin. "And I've made plans for today."
"You have?" she asked as she filled a vase from the water pitcher next to the basin and he laid down the tray on the bed.
"Mhm. Figured I'd take my role as host more seriously and I want to show you a good time while we wait for Philippa to get back."
"And breakfast in bed is part of that package?"
"It definitely is and I even remembered the cutlery this time," he added as she sat on the bed and glanced over the tray with appreciation.
She pulled the tray onto her lap and dug in. Halfway through her meal, she realized that their friends might be waiting for them to come down and join them for breakfast.
He shook his head. "Don't worry about them. They're all busy. Ciri left early morning to find her friend and said she'd be back tonight or tomorrow. Yen's planning another trip to gods-know-where with Triss and Margarita. And I've already told Zoltan, Dandelion and Priscilla we have plans."
"Mmm, seems like you had a busy morning planning this out."
"I did my best, but there is still one small hitch in my plan. Hopefully, you won't mind my solution to it."
"You're being awfully vague," she said before taking another bite of her breakfast.
"Have a little patience, love. Promise you won't have long to wait." He threw her one of his charming smiles.
"Alright, I'll leave it in your hands, but you'll at least have to tell me how to dress for the day."
"Just wear what you would on one of your regular trips outside the city."
"Aha, so we're going on a trip?" she asked, trying to guess where he was taking her.
He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I can tell you as much."
She grinned back and worked on her breakfast while curiosity poked at her. When she was done, she threw on her travelling clothes and wrapped a cloak around her shoulders. Geralt donned his armour and strapped his sword to his back, as he would on any normal day.
They got downstairs and Geralt bid her to wait for a few moments while he took the empty tray back to the kitchen. He returned moments later carrying a satchel. Dandelion and Priscilla passed by her on their way out and they both shot knowing glances and wished her a good time. She would have peppered them with questions to get more out of them, but Geralt was already by her side, leading her by the hand to the stable across the street from the inn.
"This is the one thing I didn't have time to get for you this morning. A horse," he said as he tacked up Roach and led her out. "But we're not going very far, so I figured we could ride together."
"Wouldn't that stress poor Roach? If it's not that far, we could just walk."
"Nah-huh, I'm not making you walk."
The mare sniffed her hair with interest, nudging her with her soft muzzle. Criss patted her along her neck in return and smiled.
"I'm telling you Roach won't mind. She's sturdy and she's taken a liking to you," Geralt insisted.
"Alright, but just as long as I get to ride in front," she caved. He looked at her with raised eyebrows, so she continued. "If I ride behind you, for one I won't be able to see much and I might get an eye poked out by your sword."
He laughed and hugged her waist, pulling her close. "As the lady wishes, but she shouldn't wiggle her pretty ass too much if she doesn't want to get poked by something other than a sword."
"You dirty-minded witcher," she said laughing. "I'll leave it to you to turn everything sexual somehow."
"Don't worry, I promise I won't make any attempts at your virtue. At least not while we ride," he added with a dirty grin.
She scoffed. "I don't even think that would be possible."
He gave her a sly smile and kept silent, but it was enough to make her think he had done something similar before.
"You had sex on top of a horse?" The sheer acrobatics involved boggled her, not to mention the trouble one could have trying to get the horse to be still. Trying to get momentum without spurring the horse on seemed impossible. Perhaps only if he had Axiied the horse beforehand. She gave Roach a pitying glance, silently praising the mare for her patience with her master.
"Don't look at Roach like that. I'd never do that to her. It was a stuffed unicorn, not a horse." The stunned look on her face bid him to continue his explanation. "Yen had a thing for odd places and that was at the top of her list. It must have been the most difficult way to f..." He stopped and sighed, swallowing his words and shaking his head.
"Was it worth it? I mean, did you at least enjoy it?" she asked, trying to sound serious while stifling her amusement.
He huffed. "Not really, but she did. Of course, all she had to do was lean forward and hug its neck while I... Fuckin' hell, I should really shut up now. This is really not the kind of thing I should be saying to you."
She laughed, long and heartily at the ashamed look on his face. "Yeah, normally I'd say it's a bit more detail than I wanted when it comes to your ex, but since it's so unusual, I appreciate knowing the logistics in case you want to repeat the experience."
"I don't. Really I don't," he deadpanned. "No one should if you ask me. Not if they're looking for a good time."
Her giggles turned into another fit of laughter.
"I'm glad you find my past dalliances entertaining," he said, grinning. He helped her onto the horse and settled behind her. "Ready, love?" he asked, reaching around her to take the reins. She just hummed in agreement, as his breath on her neck left her speechless for a moment.
He leaned back and spurred Roach on to a slow trot through the streets of Novigrad. To her surprise, they headed north and for a moment she thought they might be going back to Vilmerius, but once they reached the Oxenfurt Gate, he took a sharp right that got them out of the city.
Once they had passed the city morgue and cemetery and headed west, a verdant countryside landscape stretched before them and she was awestruck by how beautiful and peaceful the area was. So far she had only been south of the city and it was nothing compared to what she was seeing now.
"Damn! I wish I had taken my sketch pad with me!"
"You like it?" he asked, once again leaning into her side.
"I love it!" she answered in all honesty.
He huffed a small laugh against her skin and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. "I thought you might."
"So we're spending the day going sightseeing?" she asked turning to catch his eyes. He had that soft look about them, the one she often saw when they were alone and he had his guard down.
"Partly. I want to show you a quiet, out of the way place I've found over the years. I think you'll really like it... Or at least so I hope," he added with a shy smile.
They rode a while longer through the scarce forest atop the cliffs overlooking the water, catching small glimpses of the shimmering depths below. The sounds of birds chirping in the canopies above were the only sounds aside from their breaths and Roach's occasional snort. She delighted in every moment of their journey, appreciating just how rare a sight this was for one accustomed to living in the city.
"You know, the people back home would pay a fortune to see a place like this. It's hard to believe that a short way south troops amass and war rages."
"So far, the conflict hasn't reached this side of the Pontar Delta, and let's hope things stay that way."
"If the Lodge's plan works, then there's a chance for peace in the near future." She paused, trying to remember what she knew about the ruling dynasty of Redania, but she came up woefully short. "Assuming whoever is next in line isn't worse than the current king."
"That remains to be seen. The king's consort is princess Adda of Temeria, or at least, she should be. No one has laid eyes on her for years and the rumours don't seem to agree on why that is." He shook his head and gave her a rueful look. "Sorry, don't mean to talk politics on our day off. I really hoped we'd both forget about our worries for a little while."
"Are we trying to play at being a normal couple again?"
"Mhm, a normal couple going to a picnic on the beach."
She nearly jumped at his words and turned in the saddle to see him properly.
"Picnic at the beach?" she asked gleefully.
"Yeah," he answered, grinning. "I saw your paintings at your parents' house and I remembered something your brother said in passing about you loving going to the beach. And since today it's unusually warm..." He pointed ahead instead of finishing his sentence. "We're nearly there."
Visible through the thick brush, a wide beach stretched out in front of them. She squeezed his arm in delight at the sight of the mellow waves and nearly white sands. She was about to turn again to give him a thankful kiss when he growled low and feral and spurred Roach on.
"What is it?" she asked, surprised by the sudden change.
"Just my fucking luck. Or lack thereof."
The sun reflected off the bright sand, causing her to squint to see further out, but eventually, she saw it: the remains of a ship wreckage and around it a half dozen drowners swarmed.
Moving the reins to one hand, Geralt drew his sword as the monsters heard them and turned to attack. He cut two of them down on the first pass, then another one on the second run before pulling Roach to a halt and jumping off. The remaining three drowners were dead before she could dismount behind him, such was his rage.
He cleaned his sword, shaking his head and looking at the ground while muttering something to himself. For a short moment, he stopped what he was doing, and then he knelt a few steps away in the sand, near a corpse. He brushed over the dead man's hand and picked something up. The anger was gone when he turned to her, but a pained look replaced it and she didn't know if this was better or worse.
"I should have known something like this would happen. Normal just isn't for me," he said as he got up and walked to the next corpse.
He inspected all the bodies in turn, sometimes squatting beside them, other times just rolling them over with the tip of his boot. She followed behind him but kept her distance. It looked like he was searching for something and each time he didn't find it, he sighed in relief.
"Did you know them?" she asked cautiously.
He shook his head. "No. Look at their garb. They're Ofieri. Not from around here, they're from across the sea, down south. But I think I know who killed them."
She looked around at the scraps of wood strewn over that end of the beach and frowned, crinkling her nose in disgust at the nauseating smell of decay and rot.
"It looks as if a storm broke their ship apart and threw them on this shore, but I don't remember any recent storms."
"They may have washed ashore, but that's not what killed them. Judging by their state of decay, these bodies are at least a week old, but I can still see the telltale signs of a witcher's work."
"One of your own did this?" she asked with eyebrows raised.
"Not just anyone." He held out a small item for her to inspect. It was a ring with the head of a wolf carved out as a sigil. "Lambert."
"Lambert as in your brother Lambert? He massacred these people?"
"It looks that way." He shook his head, still inspecting the ground. "The tracks are too old and there's not much I can tell from them, but the way these soldiers were cut down... the angle of the strikes, the precision... it couldn't be anyone else. And that's his ring. He wouldn't have parted with it on any account."
"You were looking to see if he was among the dead," she said as it finally dawned on her what Geralt had been searching for.
He nodded tightly and finally held her gaze after sweeping over the beach once more.
"He's alive from what I can tell, but I've no way to track him..." He sighed. "Come, I'll take you someplace else. The stench of rotting corpses is hardly appetizing and this is the farthest thing from what I had in mind for our day together."
"I could scry for his whereabouts if you'd like. Maybe find a way to..."
"No, there's no point," he stopped her before she had a chance to finish her sentence. "Whatever happened here, it's been a week or more. He's miles away by now. Let's try to put this whole thing out of our minds and enjoy the rest of the day."
She gazed at him, unsure, but he curled an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek before leading her back to Roach, so she didn't insist.
"Thank you for wanting to help, but tracking Lambert's dumb ass isn't how I want to spend the day," he said with a crooked smile once they were back in the saddle and on the road. "Would probably find him in some tavern licking his wounds and fleecing drunks over a game of gwent."
"Sounds like you have some mixed feelings about him."
"You could say that. He's a prick and an abrasive pain in the ass, but he's the closest thing I have to a brother, aside from Eskel." He huffed. "A dumb annoying brother, but still a brother."
She chuckled. "Brothers tend to be like that sometimes."
They rode a little while longer until they hit upon a small clearing through which a creek passed.
"This looks like a good spot," she said, taking in the lovely sight.
"It's no sandy beach, but it'll have to do," he huffed and dismounted, extending a hand to help her down.
"It'll more than do," she replied and cupped his jaw, pulling him down into a kiss. He leaned into her for a moment, his hands grasping her hips before coursing up her back, into her hair, and then he pulled away. A low fire burned in his golden eyes.
"First we have our picnic," he said to her disappointment. She would have forgone food in favour of a romp in the grass, but he was already pulling out a blanket from his saddlebags. "Sun or shade? Which do you prefer?" he asked.
"Sun."
He laid out the blanket and took the satchel of food from Roach before letting the mare graze nearby. She settled down on the blanket, kicking off her travelling boots and resting back on her elbows, watching as Geralt took off his baldric and armour. By the end, he was standing barefoot in his trousers and a clean white linen shirt.
"This is better," he said. "Now I look more like a normal man."
She couldn't help an appreciative hum and a dirty grin as he stood tall in front of her.
"Hardly normal, but who wants normal?" she joked.
He looked down at his attire and shrugged, scratching his nape. "Hey, at least I tried."
"You look great, handsome," she said, patting the spot on the blanket beside her.
He sat next to her and pulled out sandwiches, a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses from the satchel. They both settled on the blanket, with her leaning into his side.
"You know, I'm not really all that hungry for food," she said, hoping he'd catch the not-so-subtle hint.
Instead, he got out slices of the cook's speciality cake, which happened to be her favourite thing on the inn's menu. "Not even for dessert?"
"Mmm, you're making it difficult now," she protested, taking a slice and biting into it. "You did your research."
"Of course, that's the trademark of a good witcher. We always do our research before pursuing anything."
"Pursuing? Geralt, I hope this picnic isn't going to end with you hunting me through the woods."
"There are many different kinds of pursuits, love. And the one I have in mind doesn't require running at all," he said with a wolfish grin.
He opened the bottle and poured wine into the glasses. She took a glass from him and smiled.
"In that case, I'm looking forward to being pursued and caught. And for once I can drink and not have to worry about the drive back," she said sipping her wine.
"You didn't magic it this time," he said with a wry smile.
She shrugged. "Figured there's no need. It's just the two of us in the middle of the wilderness. Besides, I doubt I can get drunk from a couple of glasses of wine."
He grinned and pulled out a second bottle from the satchel.
"That might do the trick," she said, laughing.
"I'm not saying you should get drunk or anything, but if you want to..."
"You're just trying to smooth your way into my pants," she laughed and took a bite of her cake.
"Most definitely," he replied with no shame. "See, I planned to take you to a romantic spot you'd love, ply you with booze and good food then wait for those panties to fall off..." he said in his most serious tone, making her snort with laughter. "Instead I took you to a monster den and got blood splatter all over your trousers." He smoothed his hand over her shin where the fabric was stained with dark drowner blood. "I think these are ruined and you might as well take them off now," he deadpanned.
"Ah, now I finally see through your elaborate scheme! Ruin my clothes so I'll have to undress... Clever, witcher!"
"So, you going to take them off, or what?" he asked with a quirked eyebrow and a grin.
"You're not even trying to be subtle," she chided. "I'd consider taking them off, but I have my hands busy." She raised the glass in one hand and the food in the other.
"I don't mind giving you a hand or two if you need them," he said already unlacing her trousers and tugging them down her hips. She laughed as he dragged them all the way down to her ankles and took them off, leaving her in her underwear and shirt.
"You know this isn't really fair," she protested, downing the last of her wine and setting the glass aside.
"I don't see anything unfair in it," he replied while kissing along the inner part of her calf, going up in increments. "You've had your dessert, now I'm about to have mine." He sat up and tugged at the laces keeping her shirt together.
"Geralt, if anyone stumbles across us, I'm the one laying here half-naked for everyone to see while you're fully dressed. I'd count that as unfair," she moaned as he dragged the shirt off her shoulders and latched on to a breast.
"And how do you propose we even things out?" he asked, unwilling to stop his hands from wandering. His fingers were already stroking her over the lace, and his mouth had reached the crook of her neck. She leaned into his hands, almost forgetting how to speak. Moans were the only sounds she could make, especially when he moved her underwear aside and caressed her before dipping a finger between her legs.
"It would be fair if you were in an equal state of undress," she finally mustered, pulling on his shirt to take it off.
He smiled against her neck when she moaned his name and scratched his nape, unable to continue her attempt of stripping him, too caught up in her own pleasure. His eyes coursed down her body as he let out a pained sigh at having to part his hands from her. He leaned back, shrugged off his shirt and unlaced his trousers before sliding them off, leaving him in his braies. As soon as he was done shaking off the clothes, his mouth was over hers and his hand was again between her parted legs.
"Better now?" he asked between two kisses.
She bit her bottom lip and nodded while he moved to her neck, then her collarbone. His lips on her skin left a trail of burning little patches leading down until he sucked a mark on her inner thigh. She wanted to ask him if he was branding her, but the words left her when his tongue slid between her lips to tease her clit. His fingers pumped in and out of her, slow and steady like he was in no rush to get her off.
She threw her head back and gazed at the clear skies above while her hands sneaked into his hair, possessive and demanding. Responding to her unspoken plea, his tongue rolled over her at a faster pace and his fingers curled inside her until her thighs shivered in response. He shot her a small glance and the corner of his lips twitched up, every part of his expression filled with delight at the way her body responded to his every touch and caress.
A flood of heat washed over her and her breath staggered, then her orgasm hit her and her whole body burned with it. She collapsed back on the blanket, unable to hold herself up for a moment. The ripples of pleasure hadn't fully receded when Roach neighed and stomped her hooves a mere yard from them, startling her. Geralt's mouth left her and he uttered a curse as he scrambled up.
She wrestled with her unwilling body to make it get up and look around, but she was half in a daze. Even so, she registered the urgency with which Geralt reached for his sword and then she finally saw it: a large griffin was circling them.
"Fuck," she cursed, leaping up, forgetting all about the bliss she was in a few seconds ago.
Their shields flashed in tandem as the griffin descended in an aggressive plunge. Geralt let it get within a few yards from them when he blasted it with Aard, toppling it back on its hind legs. He lunged at it, trying to catch it while it was down, but the beast was large and sturdy and recovered from the blast quicker than either of them anticipated. Instead of slicing into its body, Geralt found that he needed to dodge a sweep of its wings. He slid to the side in a graceful move, but the monster was on to him, already lunging with its beak wide open, aiming to take a bite. Criss's stun spell caught it square between the eyes, momentarily dazing and blinding the creature. It was more than enough time for Geralt to slice at its outstretched throat, sending a spray of blood over both of them that drenched them from the neck down.
A piercing shriek was all the beast had to give before its dying breath. It collapsed in a cloud of dust at Geralt's feet. He bent forward, resting his hands over his knees, shaking his head.
"Fucking hell! I swear, the gods must have it out for me today," he said with bitterness.
"It looks that way," she replied, coming over to him and caressing the length of his spine.
He tilted his head to look at her and once he did, his sourness all washed away, drowned in loud laughter.
"What?" she asked, shocked at the sudden change.
He couldn't muster enough coherent words as he howled with laughter until he drew a large breath in, settling himself for a moment. Tears streaked his cheeks as he spoke.
"You fought a griffin with everything hanging out, love."
He threaded a finger under her panties, pointing out how they were still askew and she laughed with him as she straightened them out.
"Don't you dare laugh at me when you fought a griffin with a tent pitched in your trousers," she replied, giggling.
"If anyone had seen us, we'd have lent credence to all the made-up stories the Church spreads about witchers and sorceresses getting off on killing things in the woods," he said, wiping his eyes, still grinning. "We must have been a ridiculous sight."
"Then it's lucky there was no one to bear notice."
"Yeah, but that's about all the luck we have today." He turned to wave a hand toward the corpse laying by their picnic area. "This was supposed to be a romantic getaway, but instead we get ploughed by monsters wherever we settle." He looked down at himself and shook his head. "And I'm drenched in blood." He whistled and Roach came to his side. "Thanks, Roach. You saved our hides," he said petting her neck affectionately. He reached into a saddlebag and pulled out an apple. Roach took it with a grateful neigh and Geralt petted her again before turning to Criss. "If you want, we can call it a day. Just go back to the inn and..."
"You must be joking," she said. "After watching you fight in the buff, leaving is the last thing I want to do. We just have to remove this dead griffin and clean up a bit." She took a few steps toward the dead beast and stretched out her hands, whispering the words of a spell. The carcass shrivelled up as if its decay was sped up by decades and all that remained behind was a small stone. She picked it up and threw it on the blanket, then turned to Geralt.
"The first part is done, now we just need to wash up. Lucky there's a creek nearby and I'm dying to go for a swim."
He grimaced. "Not sure how lucky that is. The weather might be warm, but that water is ice cold and as far as I remember, you handle the cold about as well as my balls."
She laughed at his crassness and took his hand, leading him to the water. It was clear as crystal and she had no doubt it was as cold as he said.
"On my recent trips, I learnt a few new spells and among them, there's one that acts as a temperature shield. I've used it for heat, but it should work just as well on the cold."
The hand gestures and incantations had become reflex after practising them for so long and in a few seconds, they were both enveloped in a translucent film. She was the first to jump into the water with a splash. The water barely reached her belly button, so she laid back until she was fully submerged before coming back up for air. The spell worked as intended, she felt the water flowing around and past her, washing away the blood, her skin was damp as it should have been, but there was no sense of temperature. The only downside was that she no longer felt the sun's warming rays.
She waved him over, smiling and he obliged, jumping in after her.
"This is an odd feeling," he said, running his fingers through the water, against the current.
"Good odd or bad odd?" she asked, splashing water over herself.
"Good I guess," he replied, cleaning the blood off his chest. It flowed down the stream, colouring the water a light pink. She swam around him as he scrubbed himself and his stained shorts. He threw her a thoughtful glance as she let herself float on her back, carried by the stream.
"What?" she asked, sensing his gaze following her. She swam up to him, and then stood with her feet touching the sandy bottom peppered by small, slick rocks. His eyes slid up and down her body and a spark of lust lit them up.
"You really do fit the description of a water nymph. Now more than ever," he said with his eyes still trained on her and his hands brushing the hair from her face. He leaned in and kissed her until she pulled away smiling.
"Have you caught many in your net?" she asked, amused.
He shook his head. "None." He kissed her again, slow and languorous, moaning into her mouth. It was his turn to pull away smiling. "This is my chance to finally persuade one to bed me." He circled her waist with one hand, while the other kneaded her buttocks and drew her flush against him. His hard length pressed against her belly as his tongue slipped through her parted lips.
She clung to his neck and wrapped both legs around his hips as she returned his kiss.
"Consider me persuaded," she whispered. He chucked low and headed for the shore, carrying her, his mouth only leaving hers for long enough to see where he was stepping so they wouldn't tumble back into the water.
He knelt on the blanket and laid her back, pulling off her underwear. His mouth drifted from her lips to her jaw and lower to her neck. His touch was as amazing as ever, sending ripples of pleasure through her, yet something was missing. It took her a minute to realize that she couldn't feel the heat of his body against hers. With a gesture, she lifted the spell from them both, as his fingers sought a way between her legs. They brushed against her just as she was casting a cocoon of warmth to dry them and the heat of her pleasure mixed with the spell caused her to arch into him. Something about his touch made both her body and her spell flare.
"Fuck, Geralt!" she moaned as his fingers slipped inside her. "Those nymphs had no idea what they were missing out on," she joked and he laughed against her neck.
"I had nothing they wanted," he replied while he nipped at her ear. His hot breath scorched her skin and gave her gooseflesh. "Nothing they needed..."
"You definitely have something I need," she moaned. "You feel so good..."
She unwrapped her legs from around his waist and pulled down his braies so his hard length brushed against her bare skin. His hips moved back and forth, grinding on her without slipping inside until she near growled in frustration. Her need for him was unmatched by anything and having him play with her so cruelly drove her mad.
"Don't tease me, Geralt!" she begged.
"I won't, love..." he groaned and in one slow thrust, he was inside her. He swallowed her moan in a kiss and rolled his hips into her. "Is this what you needed?" he asked, scooping her up with one hand under her ass.
"This... and more," she whispered, letting herself get carried away in the moment. Her hands curled into his hair, dragging him down to her lips. "Everything... All of you..." she spoke against his lips between small nips and gasps.
Her thighs held him against her and wrapped around his hips like a vice. He sank into her each time with a grunt and the sound of his deep voice vibrated in her bones. "Tell me how you want it," he demanded, slowing his thrusts to a near stop.
She closed her eyes and struggled to put words together, to give voice to what she felt. Feeling him hard and unmoving inside her wasn't making it any easier.
"I want you tender and rough all at the same time. Take me like I'm yours and no one else's, like you're mine and mine alone," she said, unable to find a better way to express how many mixed emotions he stirred inside her whenever they were together. He smiled and nipped at her lips. Somehow he understood, perhaps because she did the same to him.
Hiking her legs over his shoulders, he caught her underneath his body, his fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her head back and baring her neck. He sucked a mark into the tender skin as he fucked her slow and deep. She replied in kind, running her fingernails down his back, leaving little crescent marks at the base of his neck each time he sank into her. His teeth dragged along her neck, nipping playful bites each time he pulled her hair or pinched her nipples. She clenched around him, whimpering in blind delight. Whatever he did to her, it was pure pleasure and she gave in to it, letting him lead her to the climax she sought.
His lips neared her ear. "Mine to love," he whispered between thrusts, and she sighed in return. "Mine to make come." He licked along her ear. "Mine to give myself to."
"Yours," she called back as she came around him, dizzy from the storm of emotions and pleasure that raged inside her.
He smiled against her skin and kissed down along her neck until he reached her breasts. Again, he sucked a mark on the inside of one breast, then on the other, all this while never stopping the roll of his hips. She was helpless to him and his maddening touch. She never wanted him to stop. His golden eyes were on her again, delighting in how she lost herself to him.
"One more?" he asked, leaving another mark on the other side of her neck.
She hummed and nodded, focusing on how he felt against her, his soft lips and harsh teeth, his raw strength pinning her in place, his tender whispers in her ear. He leaned back, releasing her legs only to scoop her up into his lap and hold her close. With both hands under her, he moved her up and down his cock while she clung to his neck. She took him eagerly, arching into his body and let him play her as he willed. The simple act of giving in to him was thrilling. Him and no other she trusted.
Sweat dripped down his chest as she tightened around him, pulling him in each time he fucked into her. He quickened the pace until she couldn't keep up, and all she could do was let herself be swept up by another wave of pleasure. It hit her abruptly, robbing her of reason and she cried out his name with abandon. He followed her down the rush, spilling into her and panted into her neck, exhausted and spent.
She held him against her in a tight embrace, feeling her pulse like a drum echoing down to her core.
His eyes met hers and there was that soft look in them again.
"My love," he said in a breath.
She pressed her lips to his, chased his tongue and moaned against his mouth. Slowly, his hands caressed up her back until one wrapped around her shoulders and the other cradled her nape. He took her breath away for a moment, then broke the kiss to look into her eyes.
"I really do love you," he said. "I should tell you more often. Find better ways to show you."
She laughed. "You're doing pretty well so far."
He gave her a wry smile as she stood from his lap and sought a kerchief in his bag.
"Come here," he said, still sitting on the blanket. She came over, standing before him and he gazed up with clear amber eyes. The bright sun had reduced his pupils to mere slits and he looked fierce because of it. "Let me do it," he asked before taking the cloth from her hands and running it over the inside of her leg. Her fingers coursed through the length of his hair with even strokes, same as the ones he used to clean her up. When he was done, he placed a kiss on her lower abdomen.
"Hungry now?" he asked.
She thought about it for a second and realized he was right. Fighting griffins, swimming and making love had stirred up her appetite so they both settled on the blanket and dug through the provisions the cook had prepared for them. Aside from the sandwiches, there was roast, baked potatoes, sweetmeats, a few types of cheeses and fruit. By the end, there was nothing left except the wine and they both laid back on the blanket, stuffed and sated, just looking at the sky and admiring the orange shade it was beginning to take.
She rolled onto her stomach and looked at him.
"It's going to get dark soon," she said. "We might have to start thinking of going back."
He met her unguarded gaze with his own, turned to his side and caressed the back of the thighs up to her ass.
"Mhm," he hummed, running his hand up her spine with a feather touch. He leaned in and pressed his lips to her shoulder. "But I want to take you somewhere before we go." He sighed. "Unfortunately, we need to get dressed first."
"That is a shame indeed," she said, her eyes gliding over his muscled chest.
"Trust me, no one regrets it more than me. I'd have you riding naked if it were up to me and there'd be no risk of anyone seeing us." He slapped her behind, drawing her from her comfortable position.
She unwillingly got up and dressed, arranging her hair as best she could without a mirror, braiding it in a single plait over her shoulder. Meanwhile, he packed everything with the efficiency of one used to set out at the drop of a dime.
She took her place in the saddle and he settled behind her, taking the reins and leading Roach away from their small campsite. He guided the mare through the forest and up a mellow slope. If this was another time, she would have spent this ride guessing over where they could be going, but now she was content to ride with him wherever he wanted and appreciated the feel of his armoured chest behind her.
As the light was beginning to fade, they made it out of the brush and onto the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. He pulled Roach to a halt and she was left speechless, watching the beautiful scenery that stretched out ahead.
In front of them, the sea spread out as far as the eye could see, caught between the city's outline to the left and the mountains to the right. And right at the centre of it, the sun was making its last descent of the day, sinking gradually towards the watery depths, casting the clouds in vivid orange and red hues.
He circled her waist with both arms and brought his lips close to her cheek. The heat of his skin and breath made her dizzy.
"I thought we'd watch the sunset together before going back to the inn," he said.
Her words caught in her throat, so she simply rested her hands on top of his, giving them a squeeze and letting her cheek lean towards his lips. They stayed like that, in comfortable silence until the sun had nearly disappeared under the horizon.
"Thank you," she said, turning to kiss him. "That was beautiful and very romantic."
He smiled crookedly and rested her forehead against hers.
"I know today wasn't ideal, but I hoped this might make up for some of it," he said.
"You worry too much, Geralt. We can't control the world around us and things will never be perfect, but we can always make the best of it. I think that's what we did today and I loved every moment of it... drowners, griffins and all."
He huffed a little laugh and kissed her.
"I love you, I really do," he whispered to her lips. "More than I know how to put into words."
"I love you too," she replied as the last rays faded and night fell upon them.
A/N: Since people have been pining for the romance, I thought I'd give the characters a day off. Of course, the sadist in me couldn't keep it uneventful 😈 Hope this scratched the itch for those of you who wanted them to be cuddly again.
The next chapter might be late since I'm falling behind on writing. I'll do what I can to keep up with the current schedule, but I can't promise anything.