Ghost's Dilemma Read online

  Egill shook his head, his expression solemn. I already had the vaccine to test it. Sri wanted to be sure she wouldn't get sick. He looked over at the bedroom door. Will he get better?

  Ghost blinked, taken aback by the way his vision grew blurry. His voice sounded odd to his own ears when he spoke. "He has to get better. I won't let this damned disease of Sri's take him away from me." He cleared his throat and brushed the back of his hand over his eyes before he continued. "Will you sit with him while I clean up a bit?"

  I can clean for you. Egill's mental voice was meek.

  "I'll do it. He's sleeping right now, and we need to wait for his fever to break. The antidote just needs to start working. Tidying up will keep me busy while I wait." Ghost walked into the bedroom, Egill on his heels. "Maybe when I'm done, you can help me get him into clean clothing and get fresh sheets on the bed. I can wash him too."

  Egill bobbed his head and sat on the edge of the bed where Ghost indicated.

  "He should sleep, but if anything changes, call for me. I'll come running, trust me." Ghost managed a smile and patted Egill's shoulder. "Thank you."

  Ghost picked up the bucket by the side of the bed, recognizing Gerry's offal bucket. Ghost surmised Gerry had known he was getting sick, but he had not tried to go back to the infirmary. The disease must have had a swifter onset than usual, which made Ghost even more certain the illness had changed as Sri and Tarah had intended. He wondered if Egill had been infected with the more virulent form as well, to test the vaccine. If Sri wanted to be absolutely sure she would not succumb, she would have done just that. Egill meant nothing to Sri. What was one slave to her? Ghost burned with fury to think anyone who had taken a witch's vows could cause such harm.

  To work off the anger, Ghost threw himself into cleaning. He found plenty to be washed, and he opened windows to air out the rooms. The hearth in the main room was burning well, and he added a log to make sure the bedroom was warm. He wasn't about to let Gerry catch a chill, not when Gerry was so weak. Ghost brought in more wood from the yard and went back out to feed the chickens and gather eggs.

  Those chores done, Ghost found fresh sheets and comfortable clothing for Gerry and took them into the bedroom. Gerry still looked far too pale for Ghost's comfort, but Ghost wanted to believe that he felt cooler. Egill was still sitting on the very edge of the bed, and he offered Ghost a reassuring smile.

  "You need to eat," Ghost told Egill. "I'm going to make you something, and we can clean up in here after you've finished, all right?"

  Egill nodded and waved for Ghost to go back out to the main room. The boy's attention was on Gerry, and Ghost felt a rush of gratitude for Egill's help.

  Ghost forced himself to concentrate on preparing tea and food. He couldn't bear to see Gerry like this. He couldn't even begin the fathom the possibility of losing the man he loved so deeply. The very thought was enough to make his heart race and his throat tighten with grief.

  Ghost, he's waking, I think. Egill's cry was urgent. Ghost dropped the cups he was holding and rushed to the bedroom.

  Gerry's eyes fluttered, and he stirred beneath the quilt. Egill stood and moved aside to let Ghost get close. Ghost reached out to cup Gerry's cheek.

  "Gerry? I'm home, love. I'm here. Open your eyes," Ghost said. Gerry felt cooler, and Ghost was dizzy with relief when he realized the fever had broken. "Moon shine on me, I missed you, love."

  Gerry's eyes opened, unfocused at first. Ghost broke into a smile when he saw the familiar green and brown mix, and his own lashes grew damp. He stroked Gerry's stubbled cheek with tender fingers.

  "Ghost?" Gerry's voice was raspy, and he coughed. "Dry."

  I'll bring water. Gerry's eyes followed Egill as he slipped out of the room.

  "Don't try to talk, love. You were infected. You were burning up with fever when I got here." Ghost's fingers continued to explore Gerry's cheek almost of their own volition. "We have the cure, and you're going to be fine, love."

  Ghost helped Gerry to sit up and adjusted the pillows to support him. Egill returned, and Ghost took the cup and held it to Gerry's lips. Gerry's eyes darted to Egill as he sipped, and Egill watched Gerry with equal curiosity.

  Ghost took the cup away when it was still half full and set it to one side. "Enough for now. Too much and we'll set your stomach off again. I think you've purged enough."

  Gerry leaned back against the pile of pillows. "S'better," he said, though his voice was still rough. "You found the Witch?"

  "Yes," Ghost said. "Or maybe she found me. I'm not quite sure. But we can talk when you're feeling stronger. I'm just so glad your fever is gone and you woke up. You need to rest a little more, all right? I'll be here. I'm not leaving, love." Gerry closed his eyes, still pale, but Ghost could see the color returning to his cheeks.

  Relief made Ghost giddy, and he stroked Gerry's forehead with a gentle hand. Egill waited quietly until Ghost turned around, brushing away the tears from his cheeks. "He's sleeping. I said I'd feed you, right?"

  ***

  After feeding the boy, Ghost let Egill sit with Gerry while he went out to wash the contents of the basket in the wash house. The chore occupied his hands and helped the time to pass, and Egill proved to be an attentive assistant.

  Gerry only dozed for a short time before he woke again, and Egill summoned Ghost at once. Ghost hurried into the bedroom, his heart lighter when he saw Gerry's weak smile.

  "You look better, love. The antidote's working," Ghost said, sitting next to Gerry. "The fever's gone, and you have a little more color. You scared me half to death, you know. I thought I'd lost you."

  "Not that easy to get rid of me," Gerry whispered. He licked dry lips, and Ghost reached for the cup of water to offer him a drink. "You did it?"

  "I found the Witch. She found Egill after Tal smuggled him out of the West Reaches, and Egill was the one who actually found the cure. It's a crazy story, love."

  "Still want to hear it." Gerry's voice was stronger, and he gave Egill an appraising look. To Ghost's delight, Egill didn't shrink back.

  Ghost beckoned Egill closer. "Egill was taken by the slavers and sold to a witch in the West Reaches. She despised the idea of a male witch enough to create a deadly virus. The idea was to make me look incapable, and this Wester witch, Sri, would have swooped in to the rescue. But in the meantime, how many have died? Four hands, or is it five now?"

  Gerry frowned. "At least three hands, maybe more." The words seemed to tire him, and he peered at Ghost. "I'm sorry. After you left, I saw. Natali did the same thing. I was wrong."

  "Hush. Everything's all right. I should have worked harder to make you see and not just taken offense like I did." Ghost shook his head. "We both have to learn in our own way. So, where was I?" He caressed Gerry's cheek with gentle fingers. "Sri and her accomplice also created the cure, or more precisely, the antidote to the sickness and a vaccine to make you immune to it. One component of the antidote can only be found in the Northlands. They thought the difficulty in collecting all the ingredients would keep anyone from figuring out the cure on their own, and they were probably right. But they forgot one thing."

  Gerry looked interested and Ghost was pleased. He knew he was not a natural storyteller, but Gerry always seemed to like to listen to him, and so he continued. "The Northers are all taught to read and write. They keep the books they find, Gerry, stacks and stacks of books. I was so amazed." He lowered his voice. "I got some books to keep. The godsmen will have fits if they find out, but I couldn't say no. I'll call the books witch records if they find them."

  Gerry managed a small chuckle that ended in a cough, and Ghost offered him more water. Gerry waved the cup off when he had taken several sips, and Ghost picked up the thread of his story.

  "But anyway, Egill knew how to read, and he read Sri's notes. Not only did he read them, he remembered them exactly, and wrote them out for the Witch. Tal, one of the witchsisters, rescued him from Sri and smuggled Egill onto a carriage headed to the Northlands. Egill b
rought some of the antidote and vaccine with him, supplies Sri and her accomplice had prepared in advance. The Witch intercepted the carriage and went north with Egill, and that's where I met them. So Egill's the one who's saved us." Ghost reached out to tug a flustered and shy Egill closer. "He didn't want to stay in the Northlands, so he came with us."

  Gerry looked at Ghost with a faint smile, his color nearly back to normal. Ghost returned the smile, relief brightening it. "But enough of my chatter. What happened, love? Aside from the obvious, since I know you got sick. How did it start?"

  "I had a head ache," Gerry said, and his brow furrowed as he thought back. "I was helping at the infirmary, and when I left, I had a head ache. I didn't want to ask Natali for help, so I just went home." He paused for a few more sips of water. "I went to wash before I came into the house. My head ache got worse, and my stomach started. It all went fast from there. I remember getting sick a few times, and I hurt all over. For the most part, I stayed in bed. I thought I heard you once or twice, but I think I was dreaming. Or maybe it was wishful thinking."

  "I'm here now." Ghost turned to Egill. "I'll bring Gerry some broth, and I can help him wash up and change. Afterward, I could use your help to change the sheets."

  ***

  Gerry managed a bowl of broth and two slices of fresh bread before he declared himself both full and exhausted. He let Ghost wash him with a soft cloth and warm water, not quite as thorough as a scrubbing in the wash house, but enough to clean away most of the dried sweat and blood. Gerry was stubborn enough to insist on dressing himself. Ghost watched him, wary, while Egill helped change the sheets.

  Egill spent the first night at Gerry and Ghost's house. Ghost tucked him into bed in the back bedroom, not wanting to send Egill back through the strange streets to the infirmary. The boy seemed happy enough to stay, and Ghost had one fewer worry for the night.

  After settling Egill in, Ghost went into his own bedroom and closed the door. He stripped in haste and thought about finding one of his knitted tunics, but Gerry's voice stopped him.

  "I've missed seeing you like this, all pale and silvery in the moonlight." Gerry was watching Ghost with undisguised appreciation, and Ghost put his hands on his hips.

  "You've been feverish and sick for at least two days. You need to rest, not get yourself all worked up," Ghost scolded, but he smiled anyway. The truth was he enjoyed seeing the admiration in Gerry's eyes, a look reserved only for him.

  "You've cured me," Gerry said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "I'm feeling much better, beloved. Come to bed?"

  A fluttering in Ghost's belly matched a growing interest elsewhere. "To sleep," he said, doing his best to sound stern despite his treacherous body.

  "Of course to sleep," Gerry agreed, and he folded back the quilt in invitation.

  Ghost climbed into the bed and slipped into Gerry's warm embrace. "Oh, love, I've missed you," he admitted. Ghost settled into Gerry's arms, his head on Gerry's shoulder. Ghost wrapped an arm around Gerry's broad chest. "Pillows don't quite do the trick."

  "I noticed," Gerry said, and he turned his head to press a kiss to the top of Ghost's head. "I missed you too, beloved. This place was empty without you. And I'm not sure I'm going to be able to fall asleep, now I have you next to me again."

  "Oh, don't you dare, or I'll go make hemp again," Ghost said, lifting his head to look at Gerry. "You need to sleep to heal properly. We can wait until the morning and see how you are then."

  "Mm." Gerry shifted, and his thigh pressed against Ghost's hard cock. "I can see what you mean. Or feel it, actually."

  A shiver ran through Ghost as Gerry moved again, creating a delicious friction against Ghost's cock. "Just ignore it. It's just what a man's body will do," he said, unconsciously echoing Njall's words.

  "Yes, it is." Gerry's voice held a husky note that promised he was not about to let this slide. "A man's body will do many things, especially when he's got the man he loves in his arms. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm interested too, my precious Ghost. I don't want to wait until morning."

  "You've been sick," Ghost protested, but it was a feeble effort. He raised himself on one elbow and looked at Gerry, trying to ignore the tent in the quilt.

  "Moon shine on me, Ghost. When you look at me like this, how can I even think about anything but making love to you?" Gerry's smile took Ghost's breath away. "I'll let you do all the work, beloved. I promise. But just let me feel you. Father help me, I thought I'd ruined everything. I was so scared you wouldn't come home to me."

  "I couldn't leave you," Ghost said. "I see things differently because I'm a witch, or maybe because I grew up with only the Witch for company. I don't always get how love works, and I know it. I also know I don't want to be anywhere you're not." Ghost moved, rising up onto his knees.

  Gerry lifted his hips, and Ghost pulled down the woven pants Ghost had given him to wear. His cock was standing strong and erect and already beaded with precome. Ghost took in the gorgeous sight of Gerry's naked body and shifted to straddle him.

  "This is good, beloved." Gerry wrapped calloused hands around Ghost's hips. "I'll just let you take what you want, my precious Ghost."

  "I want you," Ghost said, and he leaned forward to kiss Gerry, relishing the scrape of stubble against his lips and chin. Gerry's fingers slid into his hair as Gerry pulled him into the kiss. Gerry's cock pressed against Ghost's thigh, and Ghost abandoned Gerry's lips in favor of kissing his way down Gerry's neck. Gerry's pulse beat strong against Ghost's lips, encouraging Ghost to move his attentions a good bit lower.

  Ghost breathed in, the scent of Gerry's precome as intoxicating as it was familiar. He licked his lips before lowering his mouth over the head of Gerry's cock, hearing the delighted gasp that escaped Gerry. He let the tip of his tongue tease the sensitive cleft under the head until he had coaxed a needy moan from Gerry. Ghost savored Gerry's taste, his mouth sliding down the shaft nearly half the way.

  Gerry's fingers tightened in Ghost's hair, and Ghost could see the way Gerry's chiseled belly tensed. Ghost slipped one hand under Gerry's balls, cupping them. He stroked the tender patch behind the sac, and Gerry moaned again, a sound that ran straight to Ghost's belly in a rush of heat. He drew his lips up with deliberate slowness and sank back down again, taking almost all of Gerry's cock. His tongue traced the thick vein along the underside of the shaft as he drew his mouth off Gerry's cock, sucking as he went.

  "Ghost," Gerry whispered, and his voice was husky with need. Ghost glanced up, loving the flush in Gerry's cheeks and the heat in his eyes. Gerry tugged to pull Ghost up and into a kiss. Ghost fumbled for the oil in the little basket, nipping Gerry's lower lip as Gerry deepened the kiss.

  Ghost let his body say all the things he had no words for. His sorrow over their argument. His regret at having to leave with the disagreement unresolved. His fear upon seeing Gerry so ill. He couldn't get enough of Gerry. He opened into the kiss as Gerry plumbed his mouth. He could feel his nipples tighten as they brushed against Gerry's chest, the peaks sensitive to the lightest touch. Gerry's hand closed over Ghost's and took the oil from him. Ghost gasped in pure need as Gerry's hand caressed the curve of his ass.

  "My precious Ghost," Gerry murmured, his breath hot against Ghost's ear. "I've missed you. I've missed this."

  Gerry's finger, slippery with oil, traced the entrance between Ghost's cheeks. He pressed back, wanting to be breached. He needed to be filled, to know he and Gerry were whole again. Ghost's world dwindled down to this moment, one bow-roughened finger buried inside him. Ghost heard his own soft gasp at the welcome intrusion. Ghost's cock jumped, leaving a wet mark on Gerry's belly.

  "How's this, beloved?" Gerry's whisper sent a tingle down Ghost's spine, and Ghost pressed back against Gerry's hand, demanding and needy. "I'll take this as approval, shall I? Or do you want more?"

  "You talk too much," Ghost informed him, and his cock twitched as Gerry added a second finger. Ghost's hole loosened at Gerry's familiar touch. At the same tim
e, the touch heightened his desire. Ghost's restless fingers worked their way into Gerry's thick hair, tugging him into another kiss, because Gerry's mouth was made to be kissed.

  When they broke apart, Ghost gazed down at Gerry, drinking in the expression on his face. "Now," he whispered. "I'm ready. I need you."

  "Are you sure?" The question was their ritual. Gerry was already grasping Ghost's hips, helping Ghost line up his hole with Gerry's oil-slicked cock. Ghost pressed down, impatient to be filled, his hands gripping Gerry's forearms for leverage.

  Ghost watched Gerry's eyes flutter closed as Ghost's passage accepted the head of Gerry's cock. Ghost eased himself down on Gerry's cock with short, small movements until Gerry's balls brushed against Ghost's ass cheeks. Gerry was inside him as far as it was possible. Ghost was home.

  Strong hands held Ghost in place, and Ghost wriggled against the restraint, his back bowing as Gerry's cock ground within him. The movement hit all the right places and sent sparks of pleasure up Ghost's spine.

  "Give it a moment," Gerry said. "Let yourself adjust."

  "I need to move." The words came out as a growl, and Gerry chuckled as Ghost wriggled again.

  "Fierce little thing." Gerry loosened his grip, though.

  Ghost rolled his hips forward to ride Gerry's cock, his thighs flexing as he lifted himself. His hands tightened around Gerry's forearms. Ghost gasped, sliding back down as Gerry's cock found the sweet spot inside him. At the same time, Gerry's hand wrapped around Ghost's cock, squeezing tight. The room disappeared in a flash of white behind Ghost's eyes.

  All the need and desire and worry found release in the cry Ghost couldn't hold back. He was aware, somewhere in the back of his mind, how his balls had tightened. He could feel the throb of the thick vein along the underside of Gerry's cock as his passage closed around it. He ground down, wanting all of Gerry. His hips rocked again, and Ghost gasped as a glorious wave of sensation burst through him. He rode Gerry with frantic and erratic thrusts as he spasmed around Gerry's cock. His balls pulsed, and his come emptied onto Gerry's taut stomach.