Shifting Shadows

Warm Embrace

*I could feel myself getting dizzy, the room began to spin and the words that the witchers were saying began to blur all together. Soon enough the room went dark...*

My eyes gently fluttered open. The pain in my shoulder was almost totally gone, just an uncomfortable tightness left. Had they finished patching me up? I must have passed out from the pain; I won't blame myself for it though- it was the worst pain I felt in a while. My eyes slightly glazed over from the residue tears- the room was darker than I remembered, only the faint flickering of a nearby flame reflected on the wall in front of me. Its orange and yellow glow dancing and swaying on the wall filling each tiny crevice with its glow. I was warm, tucked neatly under the woven covers of the bed that just a few hours or so ago served as a medical table, the covers huddle and bunched up by my neck a barrier to the cool air that filled in the room. A familiar smell lingered around in the air. I took a deep, hearty breath in. Cedarwood. I closed my eyes. Just a few more minutes won't do me any harm. I gently shifted my weight, rolling onto the other side, I hit something. Was it a wall? No. it couldn't be the wall was on the other side of the bed. I saw it. I saw the flame reflecting its glow on it. I could feel my heart rate picking up as my head filled with intrusive thoughts:

'Where am I?'

'Am I dead?'

Instinctively I rolled back facing the wall, my heart still pounding in my chest. I pulled the quilt further up my neck in an attempt to calm down. I could hear my heart. Thump, Thump, Thump. In my ears. Thump, Thump, Thump. My mind racing with irrational thoughts. And then I felt it. A weight on my waist. Gently moving up and down along my body, followed by a low and gentle,

"Shhh..." the sound fading into the room "Its alright now Y/N, it's all over." His voice slick with sleep "Im here"

A feeling of warmth slowly spread through my body. I felt yet again at ease. I took a deep breath and as I did the scent of cedarwood filled my lungs and a small smile emerged on my face. I opened my eyes and gently turned my head. He was lying on his back, silver hair sprawled out on the pillow, his hand gently placed on the quilt where my waist was. From the corner of my eyes I could see Lambert and Eskel slumped uncomfortably on the chairs, leaves and vials scattered across the floor.

"Geralt?" my cracked voice stuck out like a sore thumb in the silence of the room.

"hmmm" was the only reply I received from him. I could tell he was tired.

I wonder how long they stayed up patching me up, they were all knackered. I could tell. I felt bad for them.

"How long did it take?" my voice trembled slightly. I hate how vulnerable I sound.

"Why does it matter?" his voice was low. Really low.

I had no reply. I just lay there, a deep sigh leaving my mouth. I felt the bed dip and move as he shuffled around on the bed. Soon enough I felt his chest on my back. I could feel his slow yet steady heartbeat. His arms wrapped around me in a lose hug.

"All that matters is that you are safe now" I felt his warm breath caressing my ear and him plant a gentle kiss on the nape of my neck.

Shivers ran down my spine as his lips made contact with my neck. I closed my eyes ready to drift off yet again into sleep in the warm embrace of the white haired witcher. The fragrence of cedarwood seeped into the bedsheets.Within a few more minutes I was off again, sleeping peacefully curled up in his arms....

*A/N, sorry for this chapter being a bit shorter than normal. I wanted it to focus solely on the interaction between the reader and Geralt. Longer chapter are back on now ;)*