Wolf in a Witcher’s Clothing
Pairings: SlightlyDark!Geralt x Reader; slight Vernon x Reader
Warnings: Language; Allusion to gore, violence and sexual acts
Summary: They never knew just how good he was in manipulating things in his favor.
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In hindsight, it was impossible for someone who had gone through what he had to live without getting quite...unhinged. With all the hatred and death he had faced, it was only a miracle that Geralt hadn't run amok on the last shit village he came across with.
For starters, he never really did consider himself to be a good person. Sure, he saved people and has given his fair share of charity here and there, but he was no saint. He wasn't as opposed to doing things that could sentence him to a hanging on the gallows as one would think.
And as he swings his sword across the legs of the man in front of him, Geralt can't really say he felt any remorse.
Vernon screamed in pain and fell on his knees, "What the fuck are you doing, Witcher?!"
He barely spared the commander a glance, flicking his sword to rid of the blood dripping from the blade. "Shouldn't have touched what's not yours." He said so casually.
They started to feel little tremors on the ground and hear the distant growling coming closer. The trolls would reach them soon but Geralt won't be here anymore by then. Vernon, though...
"Did you really thought I’d let you have her?"
"What the hell are you saying?! I don't understand. Get back here, Geralt! Help me!" He tried to grab him but the pain on his legs caused him to drop on the cold cavern floor.
Not once did Geralt turned to look at him. The Witcher just kept walking towards the way he knows lead to the exit, ignoring the cries for help from the man he once called a...somewhat friend.
Vernon's voice echoed through the cave. Cursing him, begging him and then finally calling out your name. Geralt's jaw clenched, the Commander of the Blue Stripes army was really clueless. Soon his shouting was replaced by the sickening sound of crunching bones and squelching flesh. The Witcher smiled, he knew the trolls had done their job. Now, he just needs to convince you that it had been a really bad accident, somehow he knows it won’t be much of task. You have so much trust in him after all.
You two met when a griffin contract almost caused him his life. He was just cutting the trophy for the contract when a second and even bigger griffin came swooping down on him. He didn't even had the chance to berate himself for the rookie mistake when the beast effectively trapped him under itself. Geralt tried his best to block its sharp beak and land a blow that could knock the creature off him but it was too strong.
It raised its claw and prepared itself to deliver a deadly slash when suddenly a sharp sound cut through the air. The beast let out a loud screech as a silver arrow found its way on its right eye. Taking advantage of its distraction, Geralt quickly got back on his feet, and with one heavy strike, he beheaded the monster before it could attack again.
"Are you alright? I hope I wasn't too late."
He was surprised to see you, seemingly a normal villager holding a bow and arrow with a silver sword strapped on your waist. You introduced yourself, smiling at him as if he was an old friend. You mentioned that you were actually hunting for the smaller griffin as well.
"It's a good thing you found them first. I would've been bird food if I arrived here before you."
From then on, you decided to join him. Against his will at first. He tried to scare you off, intimidate you until you’d run away from him crying. But you were stubborn. You showed him your skill with the bow and the sword, and eventually he was (slightly) convinced that you could handle yourself. Being half-elf, you also assured him that you're stronger than the average human.
"I may not have the pointy ears, but I do have elven blood in me, you know?" You pointed at your ears, the tips slightly pointed but still with a soft curve that's enough to pass you as a normal human.
You were a traveler and a bounty hunter, going from town to town to take on contracts that ranges from run of the mill bandits to nasty ghouls. You were good at your job, but you were no Witcher. You didn't have the fancy signs and senses that they have. And that's what stopped you from taking on contracts with higher pays. Working with Geralt not only increased your chances of taking bigger contracts, but it also gave the two of you higher chances of survival. That’s what you told him.
It took some time before he admitted to himself that he can trust you, both with his back and with yourself. After several 'quests' (as you would like to call them), Geralt finally felt comfortable with having you as company. He started trusting your judgments, going as far as following your lead during your expeditions. He wouldn't say it out loud, but Geralt thinks he made the best decision in letting you join him on the Path.
"Okay...There should be a dip on the far right end of this room, and the chest should be under a hollow section of one of the walls around it." You were standing on the higher level of the sewers, far from the sludge that Geralt was wading through. On your hand was a journal with a clue to a hidden chest containing stolen artifacts you could definitely sell for a lot of coins.
"There is a dip here but are you sure there's even a treasure?" his voice echoed as he moved further away from you.
"Yes, I’m sure I got this figured out,” you said as you wave the journal at him even if he wasn’t looking back at you. “Have some faith in me, Witcher."
He scoffed and whispered to himself without hesitation, "Already do."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, I think I found the ch-!"
You called out his name when you heard the splash of water but did not receive a response back. You instantly jumped down from where you were safely standing. Fearing that a monster attacked him, you didn't hesitate going through all the muck to get to him, sword drawn despite barely seeing anything around you. Then he rose from the dirty water, and you shouted in worry, asking if he's okay. Turns out he just lost his footing from the slippery floor. You held yourself from teasing him but didn't stop the giggle coming out of you.
He dragged a chest with him as he got out of the water. Now both covered in sewer gunk and god-knows-what, you held your breath as he opened the large box and prayed that there really was treasure in there.
"Well, would you look at that. Seems we won't have to take contracts for a short while." Geralt grinned at you as he lifted pieces of golden jewelries.
You laughed and suddenly jumped up to hug him despite all the filth clinging on his body, "I told you! We are burning these clothes and then we'll buy some new pairs. And we'll get that saddle you saw for Roach. We can also get a good bottle of wine, I miss drinking one," the wide smile from your face never leaving. You were so busy listing the things you're planning to purchase that you didn't catch the fond look that Geralt was throwing your way.
Geralt walked through the forest, finally out of the troll cave. He thought back of the times that lead to this consuming affection for you: You, worrying about him and gently taking care of him after a brutal fight with a chort. You, secretly buying different trinkets or items that he likes and leaving them together with his things. You, spoiling Roach like she was yours (and she was, because whatever little he has is yours as well, he likes to think). You, who genuinely smiled at him and thanked him even when he was just doing something as little as opening the door for you.
You told him stories of your travels, of the friends you met along the way, and of the beautiful sites you've seen. Sometimes you randomly tell him ridiculous facts you've heard from people that makes him look at you incredulously. You liked talking to him but it never annoyed Geralt. As a matter of fact, it felt like it was what he needed all this time to chase away the loneliness that had seeped in so deeply in his bones. You were the warmth and softness that he had been missing all his life. And now that he found you, he will do anything to keep you by his side.
You tell him of your plans and Geralt never mentioned it, but it tugs at his heart that you always seem to include him in them.
"I want to go back there someday. I'll show you the ruins too, perfect place for you to do your meditations in peace."
"I'll buy some of their famous bread when we reach the town. I know you don't like sweets that much but I think you might love this one.”
"I don't plan on traveling until I'm old, Geralt. I want to save enough coin to settle down and start my own business. I could try to have a farm. And you could help me! You can work on harvesting the crops or maybe with tending to the animals? You know that Axii of yours is really helpful in herding them."
Months after traveling with you, he started thinking of how much you were meant for him. You understand his trade and know the life of a traveler. You know how to fight, to support him, to stand up for yourself and him when needed. You weren’t afraid of him, didn’t look at him with disgust or spat at his feet for being what he is. His golden eyes never unsettled you. Instead, you never shied away from telling him how beautiful they are.
He knows that you're also all too familiar with the feeling of being an outsider, an outcast who's not entirely human but also not a monster. And the fact that you were half-elven who can live longer than humans only strengthened his belief that you were really made for him. With you, it felt like he found a kindred spirit or the other half of his soul. And by accepting this did his obsession of you started.
It wasn't bad at first. He just constantly watched over you, especially when there are other people around. But then there was a growing need of having all your attention focused on him. He made sure to sit beside you when you're eating, glaring at any man who dares to look at you a second too long. You didn't mind him that much, thinking that it's just his usual sunny disposition. He would wrap an arm around your waist possessively when someone tries to approach you with an intent to flirt with you. And while you appreciate that he's looking out for you, you kind of felt that it was unnecessary.
"Geralt, how will I ever find a lover if you keep on glaring at every man in the same room as me?"
That time he wanted nothing more than to drag you up in his room, pin you against the wall and show you how he was the only one who could ever satisfy you, love you, worship you in the way you deserve. But he held back, not wanting to overwhelm you by the intensity of his feelings for you.
He was still not sure then of how you feel about him as well. Your interactions never broached the lines of romance. You flirted with him, yes, but it was more in a joking nature than something that was meant to be romantic. You call him handsome often, and he had made you blush several times with his compliments. But nothing gave Geralt an indication that you wanted him to be more than a friend. And that did not settle well with him.
So he tried to make his presence in your life more prominent. He tried to spoil you when he can. New clothes, your favorite food, rooms at pricier inns. You told him that it was not necessary but he insisted. "You deserve it."
Then he started finding ways to make sure that you have no time to entertain the advances of other men. He always rented rooms that are next to each other so that his sensitive hearing can pickup what you're about to do. And he would hear everything, from the rustle of your clothes to your deep sighs and soft moans; So much so that it's as if he was there, watching as your fingers trace down your body.
He can tell when you're about to leave your room or when you're already sleeping. When he hears the creak of your door, he pretends that he was just about to go out himself and offers to join you. Sometimes he waits a few minutes before going after you and 'coincidently' bumping into you. When you need a time alone, he leaves you be. Or so you thought. You never really did notice him following you.
He almost always had excuses to take you with him, never leaving you on your own. Villagers being suspicious. Contracts expected to go awry. Needing a lookout in case there are other monsters nearby.
"Do you really need me to come with you for this one?" You groaned. The contract was so simple that you can bet Geralt can finish it even with a blindfold on. Bringing you with him is just overkill.
His jaw clenched, "Yes". You decided not to argue when his cold look landed on you.
There was a time when he nearly lost his mind when you got abducted by a group of bandits. It was the first time he realized that he can be the devil himself to the people who would dare take you from him.
He got back to your camp in the middle of the night after dealing with a werewolf in an abandoned farm. With the risk being higher than usual, he ordered you stay and wait for him instead of helping with the contract. You tried to convince him to let you help him, but he was firm in his decision this time. So you promised that you’ll stay put and wait for him.
That’s why he was confused to see your camp empty. He looked around for you, thinking that you went away to relieve yourself or gather some more firewood. His breath hitched when he noticed signs of a struggle near your tent. Drawing his sword, he crouched near your abandoned sword and bow and started to track the footsteps leading away from where you were attacked.
He tried his best to remain calm knowing that he needs to focus on finding you. But dark thoughts started filling his brain.
What if he was too late? What if he finds you bloody and lifeless? What if they hurt you in ways you can’t heal from?
He clutched his sword tighter, and his stride became wider. He has to find you. He needs to make sure you’re safe. He swore to himself that he’d make the men who took you wish they’d be eaten by ghouls instead.
Soon, he started seeing a nearby light that most probably came from a campfire. Drunken voices and loud laughter echoed in the forest. He knows he found them. Silently, he made his way to the edge of the bandit’s camp and hid behind one of the stacked crates. He scanned the area as much as he could given his position just to make sure you were there. His blood ran cold when he saw you inside a makeshift cage, face bruised, clothes dirtied and torn on the edges. You were unconscious and unaware of the men leering at you.
“We can try her out before we sell her, right?”
Something inside him snapped at hearing those words. Springing into action, he moved to the center of the camp and immediately thrusted his sword through the chest of one of the unsuspecting bandits closest to him. The rest of the men froze in fear and surprise. They thought he was a demon at first, his face still lined with black from the combination of toxins he took from his previous hunt. The light from the fire illuminated the promise of pain etched in his eye.
He then charged at the next one. The man barely got hold of his sword when Geralt swung at his arm, effectively severing it from the rest of his body. Giving him no time to react, the Witcher then delivered the finishing blow right through his neck.
By this time the others have started to shout and draw up their weapons. They outnumber him but that didn’t matter to Geralt. He was cutting them down like they were sticks. His mind was moving on instinct, telling him to kill them all; To make them hurt for what they did and what they planned to do to you. It didn’t matter that some of them had dropped their swords and started to run away. He chased them down, like a wolf hunting his prey.
Soon, noise from the fighting quieted down. Across the camp laid the remains of the bandits. Body parts were scattered around like twisted puzzle pieces, with some of them charred from his igni. His breathing was steady as he pulled his sword from the head of the man who he caught threatening you earlier.
“Geralt.”
He rushed towards you as soon as he heard you. Breaking the lock, he quickly opened the cage and pulled you closer. “Are you alright? There’s a healer north of here, we can get there before the sun is up.”
You rested your head on his shoulder and wrapped your arms around him, “I’m fine now, don’t worry. Thank you for saving me, Geralt.”
“No need to thank me. I’ll always come for you.”
You both sat there for a while with you clinging to him. And he felt grounded again.
But fate seems to have a habit of pushing him to the extremes. And one afternoon in a small village in Velen, things just escalated his need to control and own you.
Geralt left you to go to the local blacksmith knowing that you were still taking a bath and that it will be safe to leave you by yourself. An hour has passed before the repair of his gears were finished, and by the time he was back you were already done bathing and now in a deep green dress that he bought you. He would've admired how beautiful you looked if only the rage that filled him didn't consume his whole being.
You were sitting at the bar, drink in hand, and talking to a stranger. You were laughing at what he said, and he was looking at you like a lovestruck fool. What's worse is the man had the fucking audacity to touch your arm as he whispered something to you. Geralt felt himself shake in anger. Jealousy burned through him and he wanted nothing more than to grab the fucker by the hair and smash his face on the counter you were leaning on. He didn’t know witchers could feel as intense as this. But he took a deep breath instead to calm himself down. Frown still on his face, he stood next to you and looked straight at the man with the intent to commit his face to memory. "Who's this?"
The idiot didn't even realize he was one wrong word away from a beating, and introduced himself. When Geralt made no response, you softly elbowed him and whispered 'Be nice'. He only grunted in return. You kept the conversation flowing between the three of you, not wanting the awkward entrance of Geralt to ruin your mood.
He needed to be smart about this. He can't just act like a brute and anger you. So he waited until it was night and he can hear your soft snores from the next room. He quietly made his way out of the inn, making sure he was covered by his cloak. Using his Witcher senses, he tracked the man back to a little hut at the edge of the village. Geralt would make sure he wouldn't have to worry about him again.
The next morning you looked over the inn only to be disappointed that the man was not there even though he had promised to have breakfast with you. You looked up from where you were seated to see Geralt heading towards you, seemingly in a good mood.
"Hey, had a good sleep?"
He only hummed in response while smiling at you; the bruising on his knuckles long healed before you were able to notice them.
He knew that there would be others that he needs to scare-off away from you. But what he didn’t expect is to find competition from someone he personally knows.
Vernon fucking Roche.
He perfectly remembers just how much he hated the time you first met the Temerian commander. And until now, he wished he never took their commission.
His brow raised when a familiar blonde woman approached the two of you while you were walking around a village a few miles near Oxenfurt. Ves made brief introduction to you before going straight to business. There was a mole in their group, and Vernon wanted his help to flush out the traitor and deal with him.
He first refused and emphasized that he does not want to get involved in politics again. But when she said the amount of the reward, you convinced him to take it. Soon after the both of you were following Ves to their current camp to have the details of the task further explained by the commander himself.
That was the time you met Vernon. It was an honest to God cliche moment for the both of you, with you near speechless and slightly blushing when faced with the handsome commander, and him losing the hard edges of his look and softening his tone when he introduced himself to you.
A feeling of dread grew inside him then because he can see the way you looked at the other man, and he can tell that something was brewing between the two of you the moment you shook hands. After your meeting with the commander, he pulled you to a secluded area before Vernon even had the chance to know you better.
"You need to stay clear of him."
"Vernon? Why?"
"He has history with your kind." He told you everything he knows about the man, most specially his hatred for elves. At this, he saw the crestfallen look from your face. And though a small part of him felt uncomfortable at seeing you sad, Geralt cannot deny the feeling of satisfaction that coursed through him.
"Thanks for warning me, Geralt." You said, forcing a smile on your face although your heart was already drowning in regret.
After that, Geralt became more complacent with your interactions with Vernon. You tried to distance yourself from the commander, only exchanging civil words with him when conversations were inevitable. Vernon, on his end, was clearly confused with your sudden aloofness towards him and started questioning himself whether that pull he felt during your first meeting was one-sided.
All in all, everything was going Geralt's way. He took you with him whenever he's out investigating. And in your free time, you preferred staying in your room and not interact with anyone else. He still noticed that look you throw at Vernon, the second glances you thought no one would see. It's okay, Geralt thinks. You'll get over your silly infatuation once you're done with the current commission and you're far away from the place. He plans on taking you to Kaer Morhen, with the excuse of traveling early to have enough time to prepare for winter since no one stays at the keep to maintain it anymore. And with just the two of you during the winter, he knows he has enough time to convince you to be his.
That was his plan. Or was his plan until you came knocking at his door one evening, a blinding smile on your face as you unknowingly broke his hopes.
"Geralt, I told him what I am!" You exclaimed as you excitedly entered his room.
"Told who what?"
"Vernon." Geralt felt himself freeze. "I told him about me being an half-elf."
He suddenly grabbed you on the shoulders, "Are you out of your mind?! Do you even have an idea what he could have done- what he could do to you?!"
"No, listen," you tried to pry his hands off you, "I told him and he was okay with it. I mean, he took his time thinking about it. But then he told me about his past. Told me about Iorveth, the battle with the elves, everything."
"Why?" He asked, already dreading your response.
You blushed a little and your eyes looked anywhere but Geralt's. You were excited to tell him about what happened between you and Vernon earlier, he was your best friend after all, but now you kind of felt embarrassed for acting like a naive girl gushing about her first love. "Well...I...he wanted to be honest with me. Said that I deserve to know the truth."
"Why?"
"He wants to properly court me-"
"Court you?!" Geralt's voice boomed in the room and you were startled at his reaction. "And what did you say?! Did you let him?!”
You don't even know why he is getting angry over this. "Please, Geralt, calm down. You don't have to worry about anything."
"You would let someone like him have you?! Are you even thinking?!" He didn't mean to question your intelligence when you're one of the smartest people he ever talked with. But he was taken off guard, too scared of losing you, too mad at the situation, to think about what he was saying.
Tears gathered in your eyes as you felt lost at Geralt's reaction. You expected his support and happiness for you, but instead you can see the anger in his eyes. And the volume of his voice was enough to send a small thread of fear through your body. "Geralt, I know you're worried about me. But please, trust me." You held his hands and looked directly in his eyes as you plead. "Please."
Seeing your state at that moment slightly eased the torment he was feeling. The immediate need to wipe the worry and sadness in your face was brought at the front of his brain. So he took a deep breath and held on to your hands. Tightly, as if saying he wouldn't let you go. "How did it come to this?"
You let out a small laugh, hoping you have read the situation correctly that the mood is starting to lighten, "I don't know as well. But the first time I met Vernon, I had this feeling. Like I have been lost in darkness all my life and I have finally found my light. I just knew it, Geralt. I knew it's gonna be him. And I think, he feels the same way as well."
Geralt sighed and pulled you in an embrace, "Alright, but I'll use him as ghoul bait if he ever hurts you."
"Thank you, Geralt. You're my best friend and the only family I have. Your support means so much to me." You smiled and hugged him tighter, burying your face in chest.
In your joy, you missed how his jaws were locked and how his eyes were burning with hatred.
Geralt had to endure the times he saw you with Vernon, your hands intertwined as you converse freely with one another. Had it been under a different circumstance, the Witcher would've been amused on how much the Commander had changed. Gone was the hard, jaded look that seemed to have been permanently etched on his face. It was replaced with soft and loving glances whenever he talks to you or talks about you. It sickens Geralt to know that you were right. The Commander has fallen for you.
The Witcher was almost driven to madness at the thought of losing you. You were barely spending time with him, and in the rare occasions that he had you alone, you were talking about Vernon; about the stories he told, about the flowers he got you, about how happy he makes you.
They say Witchers are cold, unfeeling mutants; their ability to have emotions long stripped away from them after undergoing the Trial of the Grasses. But Geralt disagrees with this. Because lately he has been feeling a lot of emotions- anger, hurt, betrayal and something darker.
One day, it almost took over him that he barely held himself back from killing the Commander without care of anyone witnessing it.
Geralt felt him approaching as he sat at the edge of the camp, sharpening his steel sword. He tensed up but pretended to not notice his presence as Vernon leaned on the tree beside him.
“Geralt.” Still he didn’t respond. “I want to talk to you.”
Cat eyes finally focused on the Commander. His stare sharp and piercing. “What do you want?”
Thinking that he was just in his usual sour mood, Vernon sighed and shifted to look at the camp before them. It took a while before he spoke again, seeming to find courage he finally said your name and let Geralt know just who the topic of their conversation would be.
“I know you are close with her. She mentioned you’re the only family she has left.” Geralt’s posture remained tense, like a coiled snake ready to strike. “That’s why I think it’s only right that I say this to you first. I know she means a lot to you. And I promise you I will do everything I can to protect her and make her happy…” He trailed off.
Geralt knew that he wouldn’t like where this was going, “Just get on with what you want to say.”
The Commander nodded and met his stare, “I’m going to ask her to stay here with me.”
That day was a wake up call to him. He would be losing you if he doesn’t do something. He knew that you would say yes to Vernon. You would stay with him and leave Geralt to walk the Path by himself again. And he couldn’t let that happen. He would not be alone again.
He started feeling desperate. His days not working on the commission was spent on plotting and thinking of ways how we can keep you. He thought about killing Vernon and anyone who tries to stop him, and then put you to sleep, keep you unconscious until you reach Kaer Morhen where he would lock you up until you break and choose him. He didn’t want to frighten you and make you hate him, but if it means that he can have you, then he’d gladly do so. He realized he was selfish like that.
But an opportunity came his way in the form of the rat that he had to find. He finally had a lead on the commission and he reported the person he suspected to be the spy to Vernon. However, when the Commander ordered him to apprehend the guy, he opposed to it and gave him a better plan.
“We’re not sure yet if he’s really your rat. I suggest it would be better to catch him on the act of the information trade so that we can know whoever he’s working for too. Might give you a few ideas who your real enemy is.” He smiled when Vernon tiredly agreed with him.
Geralt knew that the Commander was hands on with the dealings of his army and would not pass the opportunity to personally catch the traitor. So he told him it would be better if it would just be the two of them who will trail the man.
“It would be easier to follow someone and less suspicious if there would be less people involved. Frankly, I could do this alone. The only reason I’m bringing you along is so that you can better identify who the other party is. But if you don’t want to go, I don’t mind.”
He laid the bait.
“No, I’ll go.”
And Vernon took it.
Early in the morning, Geralt and Vernon rode together to follow the guy after he made an excuse to leave the camp. An errand for his family, he said. But they knew he’s about to drop another information about them.
The two followed the man through a forest, a couple of miles from the camp. After the traitor handed off some documents to two men, Vernon decided to make their presence known. Two of them tried to fight, but going against a witcher and the Commander of the Blue Stripes was an instant death sentence. The other one ran off. However, Geralt managed to immediately pick up his trail.
They eventually arrived at the entrance of a cave and as they enter it, Geralt noticed the telltale signs that it was inhabited. A fact that Vernon missed, too focused on catching the bastard that decided to betray them.
An idea suddenly popped in the Witcher’s head as he get an inkling of what exactly is the cave with them. A wicked smile formed on his face. There would be no need to kill your lover himself. And there would be no need to kidnap you at all. Not when you’d willing go with him to heal your broken heart.
Geralt was in a good mood as he climbed up Roach. His plan worked after all. On his way back to camp he thought about what to say to you; how he’ll break the tragic news. Eventually, he decided he didn’t need to form a script. Because you would believe him no matter what he says. He knows how much you trust him, and he plans on capitalizing that.
After traveling for almost an hour, he was finally able to see the temporary camp in the distance. It wasn't a big settlement. There were a few soldiers outside serving as look outs his and Vernon's return. You'd definitely be waiting at the entrance, that he knows. But not for him. No, not entirely. He's sure that the moment you see him, you'll be asking about Vernon. And he’s prepared to lie straight to your face.
Soon he reached the camp’s entrance, the guards announced his return upon recognizing him. As expected, he saw you rushing towards him, a big smile on your face as you greeted, “Welcome back! I’m glad you’re okay.”
Smile absent from his face, he tried his best to look as forlorn as possible. He whispered your name and placed a hand on your shoulder.
“Did you get the guy? Where’s Vernon?” You looked passed him, trying to get a sight of your lover.
He sighed and pulled your attention back to him. “The mark ran away from us and we chased him to a cave…”
He can tell that you already know something was wrong with how your voice was starting to falter. “What happened? Geralt, where’s Vernon?”
“The cave turned out to be a home for some wild trolls. We tried to fight them off but…” He stopped as if this was difficult for him to say. “I tried to protect him but we were overwhelmed. I’m sorry…Vernon…He didn’t make it.”
As he expected, you wailed and started crying. “No! That’s not true! Not him! Please, Geralt. Not Vernon. Bring him back! Bring him back, please!”
He enclosed you in his arms. You tried to break free from him to go and find your lover but Geralt’s strong grip stopped you from going anywhere. All you could do was cry and call for your lover. Geralt placed a comforting hand at the back of your head as you continued crying against his chest. “I’m sorry.”
But he wasn’t. Because at that moment as he held you tightly, all he could feel was relief and excitement. You were finally his again.
Ves and a few soldiers approached him, asking what happened as well. He felt you shaking as he retold to the others the fate of their commander. Ves was clearly devastated, he can tell that she held more than admiration for Vernon. The rest of his people wore different expressions on their faces. Some were sad at the passing of their leader. Some were worried about their fates now that there is no one to guide them. But Geralt didn’t feel a single ounce of care for them. Offering another apology, he excused you and himself. He knows there will still be questions asked later on. It’s possible that they might even suspect something was not right. He wasn’t worried though. Right now, his focus was solely on you.
He led you to your room and locked the door once you were both inside. Urging you to rest, he guided you to your bed and told you he’d watch over you. You did as you were told without uttering a single word to him anymore, choosing to let grief wash over you.
He watched as you turned away from him and heard your pleas as you cried out Vernon’s name again. He figured that he can let you do that for now. He’ll give you some time to grieve, but as soon as things calm down, you’ll start to learn that you’re not allowed to call out another man’s name other than his.
He won’t passively wait for you to notice his feelings and make the same mistake again. You’ll realize his love for you. And he’ll ensure that your love would be his and only his. So he’ll take you to Kaer Morhen and keep you there. Whether you like it or not.
Although, maybe you can take a detour on the way to the old keep and investigate an information he came across with.
A djinn without a master.
The Witcher smiled. A few wishes in his favor sounds like a good idea.
