The Minstrel (Part 1) (Page 41)

It's a cold morning despite the sun shining in our room. Ciri rises with me as she sleeps since she's attached to me. Our clothes are everywhere. We didn't waste any time indulging in the pleasures of our bodies. Ciri and I smell delicious food. She's looking tired. Waking in the middle of a cold night is one of my favorite things now.

The more we spend time together, the closer and better our relationship gets. The best part of it all, we're crazy about each other. I cover her with the blankets as I get up. It takes about a minute to collect everything. I get dressed and head for the door. The door slowly creaks as Ciri struggles to get her eyes open as she squeezes the pillow that I slept on.

The smell of the food is wonderful. Jaskier is a fan of the finer things in life. The fact he could cook surprises me more than anything. I look at the kitchen to see the man cooking. "Good morning Jaskier, whatcha making?" It smells like chicken and some tea. I can smell the faint smell of sweet bread.

He looks at me with a funny face, one that has a deeper meaning. "I couldn't sleep well with you two in the middle of the night... I honestly didn't believe it when she said you two had a few nights of passion... I think that's an understatement..." The chair makes a slight squeal as I drag it out to it down. My small laugh distracts me from the truth he heard both of us last night.

He continues cooking and keeps his attention on the food. "It's just when we're alone together. It's hard to keep our hands to ourselves... Last night was different because of what Priscilla did..." He gives a small chuckle and sighs solemnly. He does fancy Priscilla more than he lets on. "How long are you planning to make her wait, Jaskier?" He tries to ignore my words, but I see the effect.

He's about to speak, but we're interrupted by the movement upstairs. "I have a problem with being tied down... There is so much to enjoy in the world. I'm not ready to settle down..." I can see his point, but he'll miss out on what Ciri and I have. That's something you don't want to miss out on. It's worth more than anything Jaskier will find.

He finishes cooking the floor and places it on the table on a center plate so everyone can get some. Ciri is on her way down here. "I know that you're a different, Jaskier, but you aren't getting any younger." He chokes on his tea after my blatant observation, and he gives me a flabbergasted look.

He sets his tea down a little hard to vent his frustration, almost breaking it. "I'll have you know that I'm only a few years over forty! Even though I barely look over 30!" He's sensitive about his age, by the sound of it. A reality check is always good to have, I had plenty in the past, and I came out better for it. I think so anyway...

The food is teasing me too much, and I have decided to dig in with Ciri not here yet. "Jaskier, you aren't like Geralt or Yen. They'll live forever... They don't have to worry about their place in the world. Every moment you live your life like this... The more you'll miss out on something real..." I'm no sage with wisdom boundless, but spending as much time with the one I love is wise.

He finishes his tea, and it's apparent he's thinking about what I said. Ciri calls my name from upstairs, and I'm unsure as to why. I get up from the table, and I look over to Jaskier. I give him a genuine smile. "My fiancé is calling for me. I'll be back shortly." The stairs creak as I climb up to our room.

After making it to our room, I hear her groaning a little when I approach the door. I push open the door, and I look over to Ciri as she's sprawled on the bed with her hair down. I focus on her hands, and she's holding her crotch. I don't think she's doing what a girl normally does. I make my way over to her and see her pained face. "Are you alright?" She looks at me with a cute frustrated face.

I take a seat next to her, so she doesn't have to get up. "I'm really sore, Cera... I can barely walk... We were too intense last night..." We both start with a small chuckle at her words. They're funny for some reason. A bit later and we're laughing, and water begins to build in our eyes. "Ohh... Don't make me laugh, Cera... It makes it hurt more..." I follow my instincts and start rubbing her head.

It's a form of love that Yen said I would need to do for the woman I loved one day. I smile at her as I massage her scalp gently with my fingers. "Want me to carry you?" I'll carry her regardless, but I want to hear her ask me. It's nice to hear her ask me something that'll make her life easier. She leans up and holds her arms out.

So she wants a piggyback ride. I can do that easily. "I would love for you to carry me... I smelt food downstairs... Is Jaskier cooking?" I pick her up and let her lean all her weight on my back. She's so light... Like the clouds... We make our way towards the door with her relaxing on me.

After I open the door and head out, I grip her butt. I'm comfortable touching her in public now. Well... Not that kind of touch. Holding her by her butt gives me control and allows her to relax. "Jaskier made us breakfast. It smells and tastes good." She hums in my ear to confirm that she heard me. It's slower going down the stairs, and she hugs me tighter.

She has something to say. I know her. I rub her thigh a few times to let her know that she can talk. She catches on and takes a light sigh. "Will you carry me around today? I don't think I'm in the condition to walk..." I can do that. If she needs me to carry a mountain for her, I will.

We reach the bottom of the stairs, and I give her an answer. "Of course I will, Ciri, I'll do anything for you... You know that, right?" My voice is softer than I intended, but it has a greater effect on her than I thought it would. She leans her head into the side of mine since she's trying to relax.

She kisses my cheek with a red flushed face and cheeks. "Yes... Thank you, Cera... I love you..." My heart swells when I hear her utter those words. Having someone I love so much love me back is a feeling I can't describe. We approach the table, and I let Ciri down. She sits while groaning in pain. Jaskier looks at her with a knowing smile.

He chuckles and asks a question I didn't think he would ask a lady. "Little sore there, Ciri?" He laughs loudly, thinking it's funny. Ciri, on the other hand, is not amused. She reaches for some food and puts it on her plate, she takes a few bites, and then a cocky smile rises on her face.

I didn't anticipate her response, however. "Jealous, Jaskier? I bet all the coin in our possession that you've never made a woman sound the way I did." Damn... That was cold-fucking-blooded. Jaskier is making the same face a fish makes. I can't hold in my laughter, and Ciri follows suit. We laugh and laugh as Jaskier tries to find an answer. He just can't from how brutal Ciri's comeback was.

Jaskier gives up trying to say something and soon starts to chuckle. We all settle down and finish our food, talking about mundane things. After we clean and put away the dishes, I look at Jaskier as we stand in the kitchen while Ciri rests on the couch. "So when are we supposed to meet your contact?" We have to take care of the mission of finding someone who can repair Ciri's magic item.

Then, after we are done with the Minstrel, we can see if Ciri is pregnant. Jaskier looks at the clock in the room and looks back at me. "We leave in a couple of hours. So let's relax for a bit. My good friend Zoltan has been teaching me to play Gwent. Want to play a few rounds?" As soon as he says Gwent, Ciri's head pops up, and she looks at us.

I heard of Gwent in my travels, and I also have some experience with the game. Not much, though. "Cera!! Come over here and pick me up!!! I have some Gwent to win!!!" No reason to make her wait any longer. I get up and walk over to the couch, picking her up in my arms. I can watch the first few games. Learning how they play can give me some insights on how to beat them.