Make Me Feel Again ♕ Geralt Of Rivia

twenty one .

E L E A N O R A

"He got what was coming for him, El." Geralt grumbles from in front of me, "Stop beating yourself up over it."

I listen to the deep rumble of his voice as I lean my head against his back, my ear pressed to the space between his shoulder blades.

It feels like we've finally had a slice of normalcy back, with me riding securely on Roach behind Gor who has control of the reins. He'd tucked my hands into his pockets to keep them warm like always.

I should be revelling in the fact that all seems well between us and that the tension was gone. It's amazing how easily we fall back to what we always were. But here I am, too stuck in my own thoughts and emotions to really care.

"Just because he was a creep and probably deserved to be punished doesn't mean I wished death upon him, Geralt."

He grunts in obvious disagreement, "That man's not worth pondering over, El. Best to rid him from your thoughts."

I wince at how emotionless Geralt sounds as he speaks of a man I'd watch died before my eyes. It didn't feel like we were talking about a life lost and more like we were discussing the weather.

"Easier said than done," I sigh, desperate for a change of topics. "How's Jaskier?"

"I found a mage that could heal him. She's put him in a deep sleep so that he could recuperate."

I nod against his back, "That's good. It means he'll be good as new by the end of this, right?"

"Hopefully."

I raise my head, resting my chin on his shoulder as I take in his profile, everything from his long lashes to the sharp contour of his cheekbone. 

"I was right, wasn't I?" I say teasingly, "You're growing to like him."

Geralt lets out another grunt that was probably the closest thing to an agreement I'm going to get.

Soon, we approach a tall looming house. "Is this where you left Jaskier?"

Geralt nods, lowering himself onto his feet before helping me off of Roach and securing her to a pole nearby. Then, he grabs my hand and leads me towards a set of looming doors by the side.

As we move closer, I spot a man lying motionlessly on the ground. My hand squeezes Geralt's, drawing his worried gaze to me.

"Should we help him?"

"That isn't necessary," He grumbles, "I was the one who knocked him out."

I frown at him, "What? Why?"

"He's a money-hungry asshole, that's why."

Geralt never loosens his hold on my hand as he leads me into the house, guiding me through a torch-lined hallway before stopping outside a door.

"Wait here. I'll check on Jaskier."

I watch as he disappears through the door and closes it behind him.

With a sigh, I slumped against the stone wall behind me. The heat from the fire of the torch beside me warms my skin.

I must've zoned out for a minute, because the next thing I know, I'd almost shit my pants as my gaze flickered to the side, spotting a figure standing close by soundlessly.

"Holy fuck!" I gasped, clutching my chest in hopes to calm my racing heart. "You scared me." I chuckled nervously.

The stranger watches me with appraising eyes- of which I noticed were a stunning shade of purple. There was no denying that she was really pretty, with amazing features and dark hair that framed her face perfectly. For some reason, I didn't feel like she was much of a threat to me.

"I'm Eleanora and you must be the mage."  I guessed, "Your name is?"

"Yennefer of Vangerberg." She says, tipping her chin in what I assumed must've been her version of a wave.

"Well, then. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yennefer."

Yennefer narrows her eyes at me and hums thoughtfully. "What are you?" She wonders aloud, "There's a darkness inside of you that I can't put my finger on."

We'd only just met barely a minute ago and the woman already had me intrigued.

"What do you mean?"

Slowly, she started to move, circling me like a predator who had his eyes set on its prey.

"You're not human, but I'm not quite able to place you either. All I smell is..." Yennefer inhales sharply, taking a deep whiff of what must've been my scent. "Death."

Her eyes snap to meet mine and I don't miss the way they widen in surprised realisation as she takes me in once again.

"Hm...how interesting." She muses.

Just as I'm about to ask her to elaborate, the door of the room slams open and Geralt prowls towards Yennefer, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Instinctively, I step between them, bringing Geralt to a halt.

"Is Jaskier alright?"

"Sound asleep," He snaps. Though, I doubt his anger is towards me.

"Gor-" I try to stop Geralt as he starts to move forward again.

His fingers wrap firmly around my wrist as he pulls me behind him, acting as a barrier between me and the mage.

"That's enough," He growls in her face, but the woman doesn't even flinch. It was then that I decide that I quite liked her. There was no doubting that she was a tough one.

"What I find even more interesting is your reaction." She turns her scrutiny on Geralt, "What's it to you, Witcher?"

"I don't need you planting your false assumptions in her head." He grits back, crowding into her face. Still, Yennefer stands her ground, facing off with Geralt like he wasn't dubbed 'the Butcher of Blaviken' for a reason.

She leans forward, whispering something in his ear in a voice that was too low for me to hear.

Geralt stiffens, his shoulders shaking with barely controlled rage.

"A word in private?" He says, glaring daggers at her.

Yennefer's lips pull into a smirk, "Gladly."

My eyes dart between the both of them in confusion, "What the fuck is this about? I'm not sure if you're aware but I'm standing right here, you know? If this is about me I have a right to know."

Geralt turns to me, his eyes softening as he brings a hand up and runs his finger over my cheek in a soft caress. "Trust me."

His gaze is almost pleading as it holds mine and I find myself taking a step back and letting them past me, because no matter what happens between us, I do trust him. And I always will.