Prologue

Eight months. That's how long it took for him to break away and finally be on his way home. Home. That was a strange word to him. Home had always been Kaer Morhen for Geralt, but no longer. Home now meant a fiery red haired mage and a cottage in Pont Vanis.

Geralt stepped off the dock boards onto cobbled streets. He carried nothing but the swords on his back, having sold everything to buy passage to Kovir. The castle walls loomed up ahead, a steady stream of foot traffic flowing in and out of the gates. Good. Maybe she was still there. He set a brisk pace toward the castle. Reaching the gates, the guards didn't stop him, but certainly noticed him. He would be watched.

The garden inside the gate was simple and had one purpose: to guide people to the great looming doors of the court of Kovir's king. Geralt made his way to them and heaved them open.

The inside was darkening with the setting sun and empty of the day's petitioners. Dust floated in the light coming through the windows. The king still sat upon his throne, conferring with his chamberlain. They had both looked up at his entrance. He was younger than expected. Reddish blonde hair and beard on an unlined face housing shrewd eyes. He was a large man, but not fat as many kings tended to be. This king was not some bloodthirsty, power hungry royal. This king knew what he was about. It was written all over him.

Not wishing to delay anymore, Geralt strode up the red and gold carpet leading to the dais. He felt the guards' wary eyes. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground coming before a king fully armed. Not to mention that he looked like a wild man from the mountains and smelled as bad. But he didn't care. He had to see her. As he approached the dais, the chamberlain, stepped toward him and he felt the presence of guards move in from either side.

"The king is no longer seeing petitioners today," the chamberlain announced in an imperious voice.

"Kneel before King Tancred," the guard intoned. Geralt gave the guards a sneering glance.

"I bow before no man, king, or emperor." Focusing on the chamberlain he said, "And I did not come to see your king. I came to see his advisor."

"Geralt?"

Triss put away the quill and ink on the shelf and slid the sheaf of papers into the desk beneath. This day had gone on like any other. She sat and listened as the petitioners came and went; commenting when necessary. She sat in on meetings with generals and mages, watching the ever growing tension in her former homeland as any with magical or perceived magical abilities were hunted down and exterminated. She had no doubt that King Tancred could hold his own in Kovir. He had a strong military that was loyal to him, and the refugee mages who were grateful to him. No, peace would reign in Kovir, but not in her heart.

Eight months ago, she had left Geralt and Ciri in White Orchard. She had stayed as long as she dared, but her new position required her to get moving. Geralt has kissed her soundly before she walked into that portal, promising to follow soon.

But he hadn't. At first she kept her head up, knowing he needed to help set Ciri on The Path. But the days turned to weeks. Weeks into months. She began to lose hope and laid awake at night in her pretty little cottage wondering what had happened. Had he run into some trouble? Was he hurt? Or worse, had he changed his mind. No, he wouldn't do that. She did not really doubt Geralt, but herself.

"Stop worrying, Merigold. You still have a job to do." She said to herself as she slid a ledger into its resting place. Seeing everything put away, she dusted her hands and returned to the court. As she entered the court there was a voice. A very familiar voice. A voice that sent her heart racing, stomach fluttering, and knees shaking.

"I did not come to see your king. I came to see his advisor." As she stepped to the top of the dais, she saw his face. Scarred and rugged wearing a full beard. The face of the man she loved above all others.

"Geralt?" He turned his head and there she was, like a vision. Before he could utter a word, she flew down the steps and flung herself into his arms.

"Triss…I missed you so much," he whispered.

"I missed you, too." She looked up at him smiling with tears running down her face. He pulled off his gloves and wiped away her tears, stroked her cheek, then kissed her full on the mouth like he had never kissed her before, right before the King of Kovir and his chamberlain.

Their passion was interrupted by the nasally little chamberlain, but Geralt continued to hold her.

"Ms. Merigold! Control yourself in the presence of the king!" Triss blushed, but could not stop smiling.

"Your Majesty, this is Geralt of Rivia," she said, then added, "I have been waiting for him." The king leaned forward, interest sparkling in his eyes.

"Yes. I know the name. Not many who do not." He sat back and stroked his chin. "Could be quite handy to have a witcher about." Geralt bristled.

"I left Temeria to be with Triss. I am my own man, not a king's witcher. So do not presume that I will do your dirty work or to issue me any royal commands." No one moved. Triss stood firmly in his arms waiting while Tancred and Geralt sized up one another, the king staring directly into Geralt's amber cat eyes. The king smiled and began to laugh deeply. He rose from his throne, sauntering down the few steps toward Geralt. He extended his hand, Geralt looked at for a moment then back at the king's face, then accepted it. Tension slid from the room.

"It is a grand pleasure to meet you, Geralt of Rivia. I admit I do get tired of the bowing and scraping and yes, Sire, all the while wondering what they are really thinking. No one speaks frankly with a king. Comes with being a king I suppose. I also suppose you are the reason that the newest flower of my court has wilted so in these past months." Geralt looked to Triss, but she just smiled and shrugged. The king continued.

"Oh, yes. Since her arrival, men and mage alike have tried to woo her, to no avail. She has also been a great boon to my court and hope she will be back to her old self," he added slyly," now that you're here." Triss blushed as the king looked at her.

"Of course, Sire. If I may take a brief leave…" Tancred waved his hand as he ascended back to his throne.

"Yes, yes. But I expect you back here in time for our conference. New intelligence, and all that. Go." Triss turned back to face Geralt.

"Shall we go then? It'll be nice to get you home at last."

"I'm already home." Geralt caressed her face gently, then swooped her up into his arms.

He carried her out into the dying light and into a chorus of Lady Merigold! Several young men and not a few Mages had gathered, all bearing flowers or some other trinket.

"He wasn't kidding, was he."

"No, he wasn't. " Triss touched her love's face and turned his gaze to hers. "But none can hold a candle to you."

"If they did, I might go up in flames right now," he laughed.

"Well, you could certainly use a bath." She wrinkled her nose. "How long has it been, anyway? Wait, I don't think I want to know." Geralt laughed and set her on her feet, entwining their hands together and so no one could mistake his claim to her, he kissed her again.

They made their way to the castle stable, where Geralt mounted her horse and she rode in front of him, arms around his waist. They rode past the watchful gaze of the gate guards and down the main road until the cobbles turned to hard packed dirt. A little way ahead, there was a dim light in a cottage nestled among some trees. It was the cottage from the hydromancy spell in Novigrad. Geralt of Rivia was home.

Geralt sank down into the hot bath with a deep groan. The soapy water lapped over his skin washing away weeks of dirt, grime and sweat. He sunk beneath the water to scrub his loose hair and beard. Next to the wooden tub was a small table with a brush, comb and a small hand mirror. Reaching over he grabbed the knife from his boot and picked up the mirror and began to shave off his beard. It had been a while since Triss had seen his face and he wanted her to see all of it.

Geralt rose and dried, then wrapped the towel around his waist as he admired his handiwork in the large mirror over her dressing table. Not bad for a dull knife and tiny mirror. He stepped around the screen and admired the bedroom. It was large, comfortable and, well, pretty. The bed was large and made from oak. It looked very much like one that was thrown from a balcony once. He heard a sigh from behind and turned to find Triss standing a few steps from him.

"I don't seem to have any clean clothes," he said quirking a smile as he reached out to cup her cheek, "but as I see it, I won't be needing them." He dropped his towel and scooped her up. Triss nuzzled his face, inhaling deeply.

"You smell much better now." She teased as she touched his smooth jaw.

"Indeed. Now why don't we see how good this bed is?"

They lay together in the dying light of the fire, skin to skin, her head on his shoulder as he played with her hair. Triss spoke first.

"I missed you, Geralt. I waited for what seemed like ages…"

"Did you think I wouldn't come?" She tucked her head and said nothing. Geralt shifted up to his elbow and leaned over her. "Triss, did you not trust me to come?"

"Yes…no…it's not…" She trailed off.

"What?"

"It wasn't like that. You said you would and I believed you. I…sometimes it just felt like a dream. All those years apart and you took so long to get here and…" She closed her eyes, not wanting him to see her biggest fear.

"And what, Triss? No secrets. Not ever again." Geralt held her warm body close to his.

"I never thought you'd choose me over Yen." She said softly. He gazed at her intently. "The two of you had all this history and then there was Ciri. And that wish."

"Ah, yes. The wish. Yen and I tamed another djinn in Skellege. She wanted to break the last wish."

"And?"

"Triss, the magic was long gone for me. It just took me a bit to realize it."

"Then, why did you leave?"

"More correctly is why did you leave me? I wanted you to come with me. Half begged you to. "

"I didn't want to be there when you saw her for the first time since…." She left the last unsaid.

"I had to go, Triss. Ciri needed me and Yen was the best hope to finding her. And I guess, I needed to see Yen, too."

"Did you…kiss her?"

"Yes. But I could not think of anyone but you. I knew then I had to be with you. But first I had to find where you had run off to." Geralt sighed and settled back down, pulling Triss on top of him. "I just wish that Vesemir could see us now." Triss laughed softly. "Well, not right now." She leaned down and kissed him.

"I love you, Triss."

"I love you, too, Geralt. I always have."

Kaer Morhen, six months after Loc Muinne

"Need some help up, brother?" Eskel helped Geralt off the ground after a brutal sparring session. "Getting your leg crushed didn't do you any favors, did it? You left me a wide opening."

"Yeah, I know. You're not the first one to tell me that." Triss slipped next to him and whispered in his ear, then returned to her perch to watch.

"Again!" Eskel called. The two witchers circled one another, low and slow. Geralt moved in and swung fast, but Eskel countered easily. They exchanged blows, the metal ringing throughout the crumbling fortress.

"Come on, Wolf! That all you got?" Eskel taunted. They moved into a familiar pattern of movements. Geralt parried a strong hit from Eskel, leaving his left side vulnerable. Eskel grinned with satisfaction and then was blown back by the aard. Geralt jogged over and held out his hand.

"Do you need some help up, brother?"

"No fair. You had help."

"Yes, but it was a good suggestion." Geralt looked over at Triss who sat with a beautiful smile on her face. He marveled at her. How smart, kind, and sexy. He had recovered most of his memory and he found he was happier now than he had ever been. Because of her.

"Excellent work, Geralt!" Vesemir strolled over to them. "I never thought you'd make up for that opening. Could have saved yourself a lot of scars if you had done that sooner." Yeah, sooner thought Geralt. "Ah, well, here. This came for you."

"I didn't see a courier. Who's it from?"

"It didn't come from a courier," the old man huffed. "It was brought by a…raven." No one spoke as they looked at one another, and then to Triss. It shouldn't have been a surprise. Letho told him she was alive.

"What?" Triss asked. "You all turned so…serious…" she saw the symbol in the wax seal. Yen. "Well, are you going to read it?" she asked shakily.

Geralt broke the seal and began to read. Triss stared down at the ground while Eskel peeked over his hand.

"What's that about a unicorn?" Eskel asked.

"Nothing important. I have to go. I have to find Yen."

"What's wrong?" Vesemir asked.

"Ciri's in trouble. I have to find her."

"I'll start packing." Vesemir said and walked back to the main hall. Eskel stood silent, watching all the color drain from Triss's face.

"I'm due to head out soon in the opposite direction, though. Good luck, Wolf." He followed Vesemir.

"Triss, come with me." Geralt held his hand out to her. "We're sure to find her faster with you." Triss held up her hand to stop him.

"No, Geralt. I'm sorry. I can't…"

"I need you…" he said intently.

"Are you sure?" Triss asked, questioning his true need of her, not just as a travel companion.

"Please," he pleaded, but Triss shook her head, turned, and walked away from her heart's true love.

That had been a hard one to swallow, but in the end it was for the best. Geralt not only needed to find Ciri but he also needed to sort out his feelings for these two women. He remembered Yen and all their ups and downs yet as happy as he was with Triss, he couldn't be absolutely sure what was real. Eskel had once berated him for the way he treated Triss and mocked him for his indecision. Geralt had been angry at the time, but Eskel was right. He needed to decide. He needed to know.

When he finally found Yen in White Orchard, she was impossibly beautiful. And that sweet smell of lavender and gooseberries. It was damn near intoxicating. When he was able to get her alone, he took her in his arms and kissed her. It began passionately, but other thoughts intruded. Thoughts of a lovely red haired woman who had risked everything for him. Her very life, even. When he had been found running through the forests near Kaer Morhen, Triss dropped everything and came to help him. This woman he held in his arms now never even looked for him. True, she had given her life to try and save him but when they had met after all this time, instead of throwing her arms around him, she remained aloof and cool. When the kiss ended, Geralt decided then that Triss was the one he wanted. The one he would return to. The one he truly loved. He kept Yen at a respectable distance after that, focusing on Ciri instead.

And return to Triss he did. Every day he rode up to the castle and waited for her at the end of the day. He didn't want to wait for her to come home. During the day, he made improvements to their home, added extra rooms, expanded the stable and put in a fenced practice yard enclosing one side of the house. It kept him busy. He would also occasionally pick up a contract from craftsmen in the city or a nearby village.

When they were at leisure together, they made love. Everywhere. In bed, the kitchen table and the garden on the south side of the house under the willow trees. And forget a stuffed unicorn, Triss and Geralt even managed on the back of a moving horse.

One evening as Geralt leaned against the wall of the court waiting for his beloved, the king's chamberlain approached him.

"His Majesty would see you, Master Witcher," he paused as if the next statement pained him, "if you could see fit to do so." Interesting. A king asking to see him. Geralt followed the chamberlain to a side room with a plain round table and chairs. Book shelves lined one wall and a large world map hung on the other. An elaborate screen obscured the rear half of the room. The chamberlain gave him a half bow and sniffed as he left the room, closing the door. Someone else was in the room. Behind the screen, he could see a faint shadow of a man moving around.

"Please, take a seat Geralt," came the voice of the king but the man that came into view was not at all what he expected. He was dressed simply in a linen shirt and pants and soft leather boots. He would be indistinguishable from a farmer on the streets. "You don't mind if I call you Geralt, do you?" Geralt shook his head slowly. He watched as the King of Kovir poured beer from a small keg in the corner and placed a tankard in front of him then sat in the chair nearest. Geralt was still waiting for the axe to fall.

"What." He said simply.

"Nothing. Well, not nothing, but it's not at all what you think." The king looked at him openly. "I can see you're not convinced." He extended his hand to Geralt for the second time since his arrival. "Allow me to introduce myself. Tancred Thyssen."

"King of Kovir, etcetera…"

"No. Not here. This is my refuge from all, well most, things kingly. And all I am seeking from you is your friendship. And you can call me Edward." He continued to hold his hand out. Geralt thought for a moment while he watched this odd king then removed his gloves and took his offered hand. Edward smiled heartily.

"Why me? And why Edward?" Geralt asked, still skeptical.

"Edward because it is the moniker I go by when I am at leisure. You because you're honest. I need a few good men that I can count on to tell be I'm being a fool, not ones who merely obey my orders because I am their king." He sat back in his chair.

"You have advisors for that. Triss in fact."

"True. But most of my advisors have never actually seen or done the things they are attempting to advise me on. Trying to make them agree and see sense is like dealing with a roomful of children. Triss helps to keep order, bless her, and I do trust her completely. She has seen much. But I'm talking about friends, real friends. Those people who would walk through fire for you. Do you understand?" Geralt did indeed understand. He thought of Zoltan, Dandelion and his very first friend, Eskel. Triss, of course, and Lambert figured in there somewhere. Vesemir was more of a father.

"I do," and raised his tankard to his new friend. "Who else do you count among your friends?"

"Just a couple," a firm knock on the door interrupted him. The door opened and a scruffy older man entered followed by a clean cut soldier. Geralt recognized the soldier as a captain that was seen frequently at the docks. Edward stood and greeted them.

"Geralt, this is Charles, Captain of the King's Guard, and Miles, Master of Horse. Both these men at one point or another have told me I was a fool. And they were right. Not to mention I grew up with Charles so he's always been telling me I'm a fool." Both men took seats while the casual king poured two more and pulled out a deck of cards. "Well now, shall we play?"

Geralt eased into a comradery with these men, discovering that the offered friendship of this king was nothing like the favor bestowed upon him by Foltest. This was real, not whim. The four maintained the veneer of professionalism in public, but behind closed doors, it was easy truthfulness. They gathered every week to drink, play cards, and sometimes offer advice to a troubled king.

Life in Kovir was nothing like Geralt had imagined it would be. It was beautiful, happy, seemingly perfect. Triss was living our her dreams while he was able to find peace and contentment. He tried not to think about what lay around the corner but merely enjoy what life had given him. It wouldn't be long before trouble would find them.