The Witcher: Oblivion

Chapter Twenty-Three

"I don't like this at all."

Geralt pushed open the door with his foot as he carried Victoria inside of the room. As they entered, she could already smell the ravishing scent of floral suds coming from the steaming tub.

She hated to admit that she craved the hot water on her skin. It had been too long, and she was ready to make up for lost time.

Geralt placed her in the chair beside the tub. He knelt down before her, untying her boots. "Nevellen has changed, but I know him."

"How do you know that?" She asked as he brushed the cloak off of her shoulders. "The power he holds. . . I haven't felt since my father held the power I now own."

"I'm not saying I trust him." Geralt assured, looking up at her. "But this is all we have for the night."

Victoria remained still as his fingers grabbed ahold of the buttons on her shirt. Her skin felt hot, and her cheeks stung.

"I do have the capability to use my hands." She said to him. A smirk played upon the witcher's face.

"Are you complaining?" He asked, opening them. Victoria shivered as the air hit her naked skin.

Geralt's eyes remained on her as he undressed her fully. She sat there still, her cheeks a bright pink.

"What will you do?" She asked as he lifted her from the chair. Geralt carried her towards the tub, placing her inside of the water gently. Victoria's hands closed around the edges, gripping them as she leaned back with his help. She inhaled as the water moved, hovering just above her breasts.

"I'm going to make him talk." He said as he sat behind her at the head of the tub. Geralt stroked her hair, brushing it back as he poured water over it. Victoria bit her lip.

The silence was peaceful. Victoria closed her eyes and settled back as Geralt massaged her scalp, purposely dragging his fingers across her skin to drive her insane.

"I'm sorry, Vic." He said to her quietly. Victoria's eyes opened, and her eyebrows knitted together.

"What are you apologizing for, Geralt?" She asked him confusedly as he rinsed the soap from her hair.

"I'm not giving you the care that you need." He said. "I haven't been taking care of you in the way that I should be."

"You're a witcher." She reminded him. "You have your own destiny, within the other room. If anything, I'm slowing you down."

"You're not." He said to her.

"I'm a paraplegic sorceress who barely knows how to use her power." Victoria said.

"You bear two powers, which your body hasn't adjusted to. The day will come when you will learn to stabilize it and conjoin it."

Geralt slipped his hands down her shoulders, soaking her skin with the suds to clean her. Victoria leaned back, exhaling as his fingers trailed across her neck, over her collarbone and to her breast. His thumb caressed her erect nipple, and she positioned herself, attempting to push herself into his hand.

He moved to the side of the tub before lifting her leg from the water. As his hand closed around her calf, he massaged the soap into her skin before sliding his hand farther up her leg. When he reached her thigh, Geralt could feel just how tight his pants seemed to become.

His fingers brushed over her folds, but he slowly slipped away.

Victoria's lips pursed as she looked away. "You're never going to touch me again, are you?"

"Not yet." He said, stroking her face. "I won't hurt you."

"It's only as if it's the first time all over again." She said to him.

She watched as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her neck before lifting them to her own. Victoria kissed him back, fisting his shirt as her other hand raked through his hair. Geralt placed his hand on the edge of the bath, his free hand cupping her face.

"Relax," he said to her as their lips disconnected. "I'll be back shortly."

Victoria bit down on her lip as she sat there, watching as he exited the room.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the silence was disturbed by the sound of scratching within the walls. Victoria's eyes opened as she eyed the walls suspiciously, looking for any sign of something that could explain the sound.

Victoria pulled herself up as she tightened her grip on the tub. The scratching stopped, and her eyebrows knitted together.

Victoria turned her head to see a grey dress hanging over the chair. It had appeared out of nowhere, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

The door opened, and Ciri poked her head in. "Victoria?"

"It's all right, Ciri. Come in."

The girl entered and dragged a wheelchair in with her. Victoria stared at it, bewildered, and Ciri smiled.

"Nevellen."

The woman sighed.

"Come, I'll help you out." Ciri said.

Victoria frowned. "Just bring the chair closer, Ciri. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Ciri scooted the chair beside the tub, and she watched as Victoria began tugging herself upward. She helped her by holding her arms, practically yanking her from the slick place. Once Victoria was in the chair, she quickly dried herself off before grabbing the dress.

"It's a beautiful color." Ciri said as Victoria pulled it up her legs. "Geralt said grey and blue looked the best on you."

Victoria tried not to show her blush. "Did he?"

Ciri helped her pull the dress on the rest of the way before zipping the back. That's when she finally noticed the white dress she wore.

"You are beautiful, Ciri." She said to the girl. "Truly. . . You remind me of my mother."

Ciri sat down. "You're a princess, right?"
"Oh, I'm not a princess," she said. "at least I don't believe. . . I am. But I don't really care about it anymore."

"You're a fearless princess." Ciri stated. "No wonder Geralt has eyes for you."

Victoria rose a brow. "Was something said?"
"He warned Nevellen not to even think about trying to get to you. Because you're off limits."

The brunette's face flushed. Glancing down at her lap, she pursed her lips to hide her forming smile. "That sounds like him."

Ciri smiled. "I believe you two were meant for each other."

Victoria stroked the girl's hair. "So were you."

The woman clapped her hands together quietly. "All right, shall we? I'm curious to see what they've been up to since we've been here."

Ciri shrugged her shoulders before grabbing the handles of the wheelchair.

"We shall see."