The woman looked nervous, her fingers plucking at the sheet covering her. "I'm Sari, good alpha, and thank you for asking."
"Just Gerry is fine. You're welcome in this house," Gerry said. He looked back over at Ghost, waiting for his answer.
"I could use more jelly, so some good stock bones would be nice, love." Ghost could see confusion in the woman's eyes. "Oh, and stir the big pot on your way back out?"
Gerry assented. "I'll see you in a little while, then, once I've got the meat all sorted."
Ghost waited until Gerry was gone. He was still unsure about many aspects of dealing with people, and so he resorted to being fairly direct. He knew being a witch did allow for certain behavioral oddities.
"Gerry is my alpha and also my vowed mate. We don't stand on a lot of ceremony between us." Ghost shrugged one shoulder. "Most witches are alphas in their own right, so maybe he respects my opinions. Gerry's alpha, the one who raised him, wasn't much for ceremony, either. You aren't an alpha solely because you like to make rules. There's more, like caring about what happens to your dependents." Ghost gestured at the rest of the broth and bread. "For now, eat up, and then let's see if this little one wants to eat. But you'll stay here until you're strong enough to care for him, on my word as a witch. Your alpha can say what he will, but I'll not budge."
The babe woke and nursed, Sari marveling at her son the entire while. Ghost waited until the babe was asleep again before examining the woman, relieved to see no signs of infection. She was cool to the touch, her fever abating well. Ghost tucked her in to let her rest and offered a silent prayer of thanks to the Seeker.
***
The rest of the afternoon passed in the usual fashion. Gerry hummed and picked out a mesmerizing and ethereal tune on his guitar as he sat by the hearth in the main room. The late day sun warmed the room, and a delicious smell of herbs permeated the house from Ghost's sausages. As was custom, their olive-green door stood partially open to let anyone passing know they were at home and welcomed visitors. In the sick room, Sari and her baby slept in peace.
Gerry barely looked up as a shadow filled the doorway. "Lady smile on you," Gerry said, the greeting automatic. He stilled the strings of his guitar just as Ghost walked in from the kitchen, pausing at the edge of the main room.
"You've got my dependent here." Moran folded his arms over his chest, a glower on his face. The smell of mead surrounded him.
Ghost didn't give Gerry a chance to speak. He crossed the room and blocked Moran with a small frown, the peridot spiral on his forehead catching the sun in a sudden flare of green. "Sari birthed this morning. She had a fever when she arrived, and she was barely able to stand. She needs watching."
"I was speaking to your alpha," Moran said and turned his back on Ghost.
Gerry watched Ghost reach out and grab Moran's arm to get the man's attention. Gerry set his guitar aside, prepared to defend Ghost if need be.
"You'll speak with me. I'm this village's witch, and matters of healing are mine to decide." Ghost's frown deepened. "Her fever didn't start today. How long was she ill?"
"She was fine, and I'll have her back now." Moran moved a step closer to Ghost, and Gerry stood. A strange, cold calm swept through Gerry. He had felt the same inner chill when he had killed to protect Ghost and Conn.
"You're not fit to have her back." Ghost didn't move. He glared up at Moran without wavering, and Gerry felt a surge of pride. "I saw the bruises on her. Will you invite a witch's judgment, or will you abide by my decision as a healer?"
"Don't threaten me, you Norther whelp," Moran growled.
Gerry watched as Ghost's spiral brightened, and Moran fell back a step.
"I'm a witch as well as a Norther whelp, and you'd do well to remember it, Moran," Ghost said. "Sari stays until her fever is gone and she can care for the babe. When she returns to your house, she'll need proper meals and rest for her sake and her son's. Will you hear my fee?"
"She has a son?" Moran's voice changed timbre. "Can I see her? And him? Can I see our boy?"
Ghost looked thoughtful for a moment. He concurred and led Moran to the sick room as Gerry followed close behind them. Moran peered in at the sleeping woman and her baby. When Moran turned away from the sick room, the man's cheeks were wet with tears.
"Name your fee, healer." Moran wiped at his cheeks with the backs of his hands.
Ghost picked up a small pottery jar. "A cabinet with compartments for jars this size, and drawers below for bandage linen and whatever else I might need to store."
"Done. I'll start in the morning." Moran hesitated. "A son." He shook his head and rubbed his face with his hand. He turned and looked straight into Ghost's eyes. "I'll do better for them, healer."
"You can start by staying out of the mead house," Ghost retorted. "Come by tomorrow to see her. I'll know more about when she can go home."
Gerry watched Moran leave. He walked up behind Ghost and embraced Ghost's smaller frame. "I thought I was going to have to throw him out," Gerry admitted. He buried his face in the fragrant silk of Ghost's hair. "If he'd laid a hand on you, I'd have been hard pressed not to beat him fucking senseless."
"He's a bully," Ghost said, leaning back into Gerry. "They don't know how to react when you're not afraid of them. Let's see if he can keep his word about the mead house, though. If he doesn't, he'll have to deal with me again, and I won't be so nice."
Gerry chuckled. "You're getting fierce. I was waiting for you to curse him on the spot. Some terrible witch's curse. His eyeballs rolling back or some other dire fate."
Ghost turned, and his forehead wrinkled in a frown. "We don't actually do those things," he said as he backed out of Gerry's hold. "Witches don't cast spells or curse people. Maybe in the stories sung in the mead house, but not in real life. We use the old lore to heal people. We read the ancient language so we can learn how to use the relics the rangers scavenge. Like my Seeker's kiss, or the gods' light. The relics are only tools the ancient healers used."
Ghost gave Gerry a mischievous grin. "The Witch told me stories of places she called libraries, filled with books. People could come and borrow books to read, and they would return those books so they could borrow still more books. I fell in love with the notion, and I was so disappointed to learn there were no such places anymore. People don't learn to read the ancient words unless they're a witch or a ranger. According to the Witch, the godsmen discourage reading, blaming the knowledge of words for the fall of the cities and the humbling of the people.
"What you'd call magic is more about the way we can hear each other in our heads. Telepathy was the old word for it. And a very few of us have dreams and visions. We See things that happened and what might happen too. But Moran didn't know any of this, and so my threat worked. Besides, I'd only have given Sari a tincture to add to his meals to give him a bad case of limp cock for a moon or so. And then I'd have asked him for another fee to cure him."
Gerry laughed in earnest. "Is this what you learned from the Witch? Extorting fees?"
Ghost wrapped his arms around Gerry's waist. "Don't be silly. Besides, the Witch was much better at this sort of thing. She got a new drying shed for not cursing someone once."
"Wicked." Gerry leaned in to kiss Ghost, lingering over Ghost's full lips. "Did the Witch play this game often?"
"Only when someone was simply too big an ass," Ghost replied and stretched up for another kiss.
The wail of the baby interrupted them, and Gerry looked at Ghost with a sigh.
"Sometimes I'm very glad we can't make a babe," Gerry admitted. "Do you need to go and help?"
"Sari's still weak enough, so I should," Ghost replied. "Don't go anywhere. I'm not quite finished with what you started."
Chapter 2
The summer passed quickly, and autumn nipped the air most mornings. Gerry hunted more frequently, smoking what he could to preserve the meat for the coming winter. Ghost wrapped root vegetables in straw and filled the cool cellar with sealed clay jars of pres
erves and small casks of lamp oil. Gerry chopped wood and stacked it to dry while Ghost aired out the woolen clothing and extra blankets they would need.
Gerry put aside a pair of choice sind pelts to make a warm cloak for Ghost for the winter. He kept the thick, tawny fur on the inside and dyed the leather outside a deep green. Gerry spent close to a full moon preparing the pelts and joining them. The finished cloak was a luxurious gift, and Gerry was eager to see his beautiful Ghost wearing it.
The day he finished the cloak, Gerry stopped Ghost in the main room as Ghost was headed to the yard. The late afternoon sun caught Ghost's spiral as Gerry shook out the cloak. Ghost stood frozen with eyes wide and mouth agape as Gerry hung the garment around his shoulders to test the fit.
The cloak looked even better on Ghost than Gerry hoped it would, the green of the leather a deeper shade than Ghost's shimmering peridot spiral. Gerry waited for Ghost's words, admiring the sight of his beloved mate.
"This... this is the most exquisite thing I've ever seen. I can't believe you made a cloak for me. It's too much, love."
Gerry laughed, delighted by Ghost's reaction. He loved to pamper Ghost, not only to prove he was a proper alpha, but because Ghost was so unaccustomed to being pampered. Gerry leaned in to kiss Ghost and revel in the joy on Ghost's face. Ghost returned the kiss with great fervor. Gerry tugged up the hood as he kissed Ghost, the soft golden fur tickling Gerry's forehead.
"I want you to be warm this winter. You'll get called out for all sorts of emergencies. People dropping firewood on their toes and getting icicles stuck on their noses. Everyone will want my witch to make them better." Gerry nibbled soft kisses as he teased Ghost, watching Ghost's pale eyes light up. "So I have to make sure my witch stays warm and healthy, and since I can't keep you in bed with me all winter, this is the next best thing."
Ghost ducked his head. "You say such things. I'm sure there won't be people coming with icicles on their noses."
"No," Gerry agreed, his arms firm around Ghost. "If they're smart, they'll be in bed. Bundled up and making new babes for you to deliver in the spring. You'll be running from house to house trying to make sure everyone is fine."
Ghost laughed. "Then I'll make you follow me around with a bucket of hot water and a big pile of linens. You can be my apprentice." He reached up to push the hood back. "I should put this away until the weather gets cold. I don't want it to get ruined."
Gerry helped Ghost take off the cloak. Gerry draped the garment over a chair and reached for the laces on Ghost's linen tunic.
"What are you doing?" Ghost asked, his hands darting up to cover Gerry's hands.
"Well, taking off your cloak put me in mind to take off a few more encumbrances. Like this tunic, and your boots, and your breeches." Gerry untied the laces and started to lift the hem of Ghost's tunic.
"What if someone comes?" Ghost raised his arms anyway.
"We close the door." Gerry tugged off Ghost's tunic and crossed the room to do just that. He strolled back over, watching the color rise in Ghost's cheeks. Ghost's blush was not the only thing rising, and Gerry smirked when he saw Ghost had already toed off his boots.
Gerry reached down and grabbed Ghost under his ass, lifting Ghost up until his legs wrapped around Gerry's hips. Ghost's arms draped over Gerry's shoulders and around his neck.
"Moon shine on me, Ghost, when you look at me like this," Gerry murmured, carrying Ghost toward their bedroom.
"You talk too much," Ghost said and leaned in, offering a kiss to Gerry. Gerry took the offer and plundered Ghost's mouth.
Gerry eased Ghost onto the bed, kneeling on the thick mattress as he leaned forward. He supported himself with one arm, the other behind him to push at his own boots. Ghost's fingers made quick work of the laces of Gerry's tunic. Gerry paused for a brief moment to marvel at the way Ghost could go from shy and innocent to eager and wanton, in an instant. He had been Ghost's first lover. The meek apprentice hiding in the shadows had vanished as Ghost's confidence had grown until Ghost grew comfortable enough with Gerry to revel in their lovemaking.
Ghost tugged at Gerry's tunic, pushing it up over Gerry's ribs. Gerry wriggled his free arm out of the sleeve. A puff of air hit Gerry's lips as Ghost laughed into the kiss, and Gerry felt a nip on his lower lip. He pulled away and peered into Ghost's sparkling blue eyes. Joy and heated passion reflected back at him as Ghost pulled the tunic over Gerry's head with a firm tug and tossed it aside.
Gerry kneeled between Ghost's parted thighs and ran his gaze over Ghost's smooth and slender torso, relishing the way Ghost's pink nipples had hardened. He reached up to tease one, watching Ghost's eyelids flutter in response to the touch. Gerry leaned in to kiss Ghost's inviting lips again.
Ghost's deft fingers pulled the laces of Gerry's breeches loose while Gerry explored Ghost's tasty mouth. Ghost slid Gerry's breeches past his hips, allowing Gerry's hard cock to spring free.
"Ghost," Gerry breathed, watching as Ghost unraveled the tangle of his own laces and lifted his pert ass to slide the soft leather over the curve of his cheeks. Gerry shifted to let Ghost kick off the breeches and then watched Ghost spread his pale thighs in welcome.
Gerry stood for a moment to peel off the last of his clothes, his cock proud as he kicked the leather aside. He scrabbled in the basket on the table by the bed, finding the small vial of oil they kept there. He raised a brow in inquiry, and Ghost nodded.
"Just a little," Ghost said, and Gerry's pulse raced at the husky note in his voice. "I want to feel you, love."
Gerry's cock jumped in response to Ghost's request, and he dribbled a few drops of oil on his fingers. He spread the oil over Ghost's entrance, feeling the tight hole quiver and relax as he worked the oil in. Gerry breached Ghost with one finger and worked a little more of the oil in as Ghost let out a wanton gasp.
Desire brightened Ghost's eyes and made his exotic looks even more beguiling. Gerry leaned down to drag his tongue over Ghost's pink nipple as he thrust a second finger into Ghost's ass.
The way Ghost responded never failed to arouse Gerry. As often as he made love to Ghost, it took Gerry's breath away when Ghost was this eager. Gerry had claimed his Ghost for the first time in a ruined city, in front of a campfire. Gerry had always felt their initial lovemaking had lacked a certain propriety, due largely to the dead ranger nearby. He had been striving to make up for it ever since, and Ghost had been a willing participant.
"You're thinking again." Ghost's raspy voice startled Gerry from his thoughts. Ghost buried his fingers in Gerry's hair and tugged. "I'm ready enough. I don't want to wait."
"You're sure, beloved?" Gerry asked, but he was already moving, his fingers sliding out of Ghost. He couldn't resist the urge to bury himself in Ghost and feel the slick, tight heat surrounding his cock. Gerry took a moment to rub his oiled fingers over the shaft of his cock, precome smearing as his fingers slid over the swollen head.
Ghost's answer was pure Ghost. His legs wrapped around Gerry's hips, pulling Gerry down, and Gerry gasped a laugh as he grabbed his cock to line the head up with Ghost's loosened hole.
"I don't want to wait," Ghost said again. He cried out as Gerry breached him, the swollen head of Gerry's cock pushing past the slight resistance Ghost's hole offered.
Gerry moaned in pleasure as the firm passage engulfed his cock. Ghost's muscles tightened around him as he sank farther into the inviting heat.
"Moon shine on me, Ghost," Gerry rasped. "You feel so good. How do you always manage to be this tight?" He groaned as he pressed in until he could go no farther, his balls snug against the warmth of Ghost's round cheeks. He paused for a moment, wanting to give Ghost a chance to adjust, as Ghost trembled beneath him. "Tell me when to move, beloved."
Ghost made a small noise that Gerry couldn't interpret, and lifted his hips a little more. The movement dragged a gasp from Ghost, and Gerry could feel him clench around Gerry's cock, the pressure rippling along the shaft.
Gerry felt a bit of moisture against his bell
y, and he looked down to see the precome welling from Ghost's cock, the head a dusky rose against the shaft. Gerry looked into Ghost's lust-darkened eyes.
"So good," Ghost whispered. "Move, love. I need you to move now."
Ghost's hands caressed Gerry's ribs and wrapped around Gerry's back. He pushed his hips up and rubbed his cock against the muscles of Gerry's abdomen. Gerry felt the pulse of the vein along the underside of Ghost's cock. Ghost hissed when Gerry began to move, and Gerry paused until Ghost nodded.
Gerry kept the pace steady at first, letting Ghost continue to adjust. He always worried Ghost would push for too much, too soon, and no matter how often they made love, Gerry insisted on a slow start. He could tell Ghost was getting impatient, though. Ghost's fingers dug into Gerry's back, and Ghost's legs tightened around his hips.
"Fierce little thing," Gerry teased, a little breathless as he moved faster, his thrusts deeper. He was rewarded with a yelp as Ghost matched the accelerated pace, eyelids fluttering closed. Ghost's glossy white hair lay spread out across the thick quilt, and a few tendrils clung to Ghost's damp skin. Gerry could feel his own balls growing heavy, and he leaned close to whisper to Ghost. "Touch yourself for me, my precious Ghost."
Ghost's eyes flew open, and his teeth gleamed as he caught his lower lip between them, but he managed a nod as he looked up at Gerry. Ghost's hand slipped between them and wrapped around his own cock. He moaned as he tugged, the strokes ragged.
Neither one of them was going to last much longer. Gerry felt the tight passage gripping his cock with more insistence, his balls drawing up. Ghost was all but painting his belly with precome, and Ghost trembled beneath Gerry.
Ghost whimpered and let go of his cock, his hand sliding under Gerry's arm, scrabbling against Gerry's back. Ghost shifted and howled, and Gerry felt Ghost spasm around his cock almost hard enough to be painful as the heat of Ghost's come spattered between them.
Ghost's Dilemma Page 2
