Ghost's Dilemma Read online

  "Leave the dishes. I'll wash them later, when you've gone. Come and sit with me a bit," Ghost pleaded.

  Ghost had spent the afternoon visiting his patients in the village. Two of them, both elderly men, were not getting any stronger. Still, no one else had died. Ghost would take what small victories he could get.

  The light of the room made the hint of brown in Gerry's gorgeous green eyes flicker as Ghost gazed up into them. "I've finished seeing patients for the day. The packets are all ready for tomorrow's visits, thanks to you and your tally stick. And I have to wait to hear back from the sisterhood. So let's just sit and relax until you have to go."

  "We don't just sit and relax," Gerry teased as he followed Ghost to the main room. Ghost settled into Gerry's arms on the padded, high-backed bench in front of the smaller hearth.

  "Well, what do we do?" Ghost asked. Gerry had the faintest shadow of stubble along his jaw. Ghost stroked a finger over the bristly whiskers to feel the enticing roughness. "If we don't just sit, of course."

  Gerry stroked Ghost's hair. "We do this. You touch and tease. Sooner or later, I lean over and kiss you. Clothing hits the floor, and we hope we remembered to close the front door."

  Ghost laughed and brushed a kiss over Gerry's lips. "I didn't think I was teasing. I'm only teasing if we don't wind up with clothes all over and me making all those noises. I'll have you know, I never squeaked before I met you." He slipped his hands into Gerry's lustrous hair, the brown giving way to deep russet where the sun had lightened the strands.

  "You do more than squeak. You purr like a sind's whelp. You yowl a little, too, at exactly the right moments." Gerry caught Ghost's mouth in a deeper kiss. Gerry's breath was warm against Ghost's cheek as he spoke. "You blush and you growl. I want to keep you like you are just then. All smooth, bare skin and pink cheeks. Your eyes shining up at me brighter than your witchmark."

  Ghost could feel his cheeks heating, surprised by Gerry's description. The words were said with such love, a love Ghost returned without reservation. Ghost opened his mouth to reply, but all that emerged was a faint moan.

  "See? Exactly like this," Gerry said with a laugh, and he kissed Ghost again. Ghost succumbed to the growing heat of Gerry's kiss. When he finally released Ghost's mouth, Ghost was dizzy with desire. "Now how am I supposed to sit and just relax when you're so kissable?"

  Ghost didn't get a chance to answer, and his hand tightened in Gerry's hair as Gerry kissed him again. He moved closer, pressing against Gerry. His belly fluttered with the excitement of knowing Gerry loved him so deeply.

  By the time they broke the kiss, Ghost was quite sorry Gerry needed to work. He knew he needed to prepare himself to See later, but Gerry was here now, and he was reluctant to let Gerry leave. Ghost rubbed his cheek against the light stubble on Gerry's jaw and sighed.

  "I should let you go," Ghost murmured. "Are you hunting tomorrow?"

  "No," Gerry replied, his lips brushing Ghost's temple.

  Ghost smiled. "Wake me when you get home. I'll be the naked one in the bed."

  Gerry growled, and Ghost couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his face. Gerry's heated look clearly meant he would be sure to wake Ghost. Exactly what Ghost wanted.

  ***

  Ghost finished cleaning up the kitchen after Gerry left, as he had said he would do. Once he was done, he reached into the very back of his formulary cabinet and pulled out a worn canvas sack. Ghost handled the small, tattered pouch as though the contents were precious beyond measure. He took the sack to the main room and curled up on the floor in front of the smaller hearth.

  When Ghost opened the bag, the aroma of pungent herbs tucked away in a linen wrapper wafted up to his nose. He breathed in the scent and felt a tingle of warmth behind his spiral. Beneath the linen wrapper were a shallow silver bowl, a small vial, and a slender blade of obsidian, chipped to a razor edge. The grip of the blade was wrapped in thin strips of white hide. Ghost placed the silver bowl in front of the hearth and laid the blade on the bowl's edge.

  Ghost stood and stripped off his clothing, folding the garments and leaving them on the padded bench. He pulled the tie from his hair, letting his mane fall loose around his shoulders and down his back. He knelt in front of the silver bowl, removed one of the tiny bundles of twigs and dried leaves, and placed it in the center of the shallow bowl. He added a drop of potent sind musk from the vial and grasped the obsidian blade in his right hand.

  Ghost took several deep breaths, slow and even, reaching into himself to find the magic that marked him as a true seer. Scrying required him to look outward. Forcing a vision was about Seeing within and required perfect balance between the waking and dreaming worlds. Tonight he would be alone and vulnerable, but he had to lower his mental shields far enough to permit the vision. He couldn't afford to be afraid.

  "Seeker, guide me." His voice was firm and even. "Let me See beneath the shadows. Let me See beneath the skin. Let me See beneath the mystery. Let me See what lies within." He raised his hands, and the small bundle in the bowl ignited.

  Ghost inhaled the acrid, white smoke that rose from the bowl and enveloped him. He winced as his spiral flared to life. The vivid green light from his witchmark tinted the thick smoke surrounding him. He felt no pain when the cool black edge of the obsidian blade opened his left palm, and the drops of blood sizzled as they fell into the dish.

  "Seeker, guide me. Let the End avert his eyes and See me not." Ghost finished the prayer, his voice still strong and clear despite the thick smoke. He inhaled once more and held the smoke in his lungs. The obsidian blade slipped out of his hand as he plummeted to the floor, and a vision overtook him.

  ***

  Ghost's entire body ached when he woke. He was cold, and the small hearth was dark and empty. His left hand throbbed and his mouth tasted of ashes. His stomach lurched at the smell of the sticky residue of ash and dried blood in the shallow bowl.

  "Never easy," Ghost croaked. He pulled himself up to a sitting position, and his head spun. The remnants of the vision floated all around him. He stood, careful not to grab the bench with his left hand.

  "First things first." Ghost picked up the soiled bowl and the obsidian knife and took them to the kitchen to be washed. He rinsed off his left hand to look at the palm.

  Ghost took it as a good omen that the wound was shallow. The blood had been accepted, and the dread Eighth had looked away. He washed away the clotted blood, letting the thin line bleed freely for a moment before he rinsed the cut again with clean water. Ghost couldn't afford a wound, not when he still had no answers about the outbreak manifesting in the village. The gods' light closed the small wound quickly, only the faintest pink line showing when he was done.

  Ghost returned the cleaned bowl and blade to the canvas sack and placed the bundle back into the drawer, behind a jumble of other oddments. The powerful hallucinogens in his smoke bundles were not meant for Gerry, or anyone else. Ghost drew a cup of cool water to help clear the lingering taste of ashes from his tongue and relit the fire in the smaller hearth. Still naked, Ghost padded into the bedroom, sitting back against the headboard to sip his water and reflect on what he had Seen.

  The Witch was indeed cloaking herself, but a bond had been forged between them when she placed a spiral of peridot on the forehead of a frightened little boy plagued by dreams and visions he couldn't explain. The bond allowed Ghost to find the Witch, and while he had not Seen her exact location, he had Seen enough. She had hinted often enough before she left how she was going north, and the vision said she had told the truth.

  The vision had shown the Witch, bundled in a cloak of fur as white as the snow circling around her. Her gray hair appeared far more silvery than when she had dwelled in the Heartlands. Her eyes were as dark as ever, though, and stood out in the unrelenting whiteness of the landscape. She had been confident and unafraid in the vision. Of course, the Witch always projected an air of unassailable calm, but her confidence felt genuine to Ghost.

  T
he Witch would be of little help, though. She had shielded her mind from all telepathic contact, and even Ghost's bond would not let him break through to her. Travel to and from the Northlands was hard at best, and with winter approaching, she would find it near impossible to return before the thaw, even if she had heard him. Ghost had hoped to have the Witch beside him, but he needed to accept he was on his own with this outbreak. He would have only what he himself could glean from the sisterhood and his own progress in treating this illness. He would likely lose more lives before this was done, a prospect Ghost didn't relish.

  Ghost sipped his water, letting the cool liquid soothe the last of the smoke-induced soreness from his throat. In the morning, he would try to figure out any pattern in the way the plague was spreading. In the back of his mind, the warning from Kerree loomed. If this was not chance, any misstep could prove deadly. Ghost did his best to push aside his growing dread until exhaustion finally won and he succumbed to a fitful sleep.

  ***

  Gerry admired Ghost's peaceful form as he slept. The last of the moonlight cast the angles of Ghost's face into sharp relief. His snowy hair spilled over the pillow in a fall of gilded silver. Ghost's bare arm rested above his head and his hand was open. His agile fingers were still for a change.

  As the weather grew colder, Ghost had given up sleeping naked and had taken to wearing one of the far-too-large knitted tunics he had brought with him from the Witch's house. He had whispered to Gerry one night how the Witch had made them with her own hands, and although she could never quite get the size right, the garments made Ghost feel safe. But the bare arm was an indication Ghost had forgone warmth and comfort tonight in favor of this tempting invitation.

  Gerry left his boots by the door and moved silently into the bedroom. He undressed in no time and slipped under the quilt. He reached for Ghost's warm, lithe body. Ghost smiled and turned to him, mumbling indistinctly as he pulled Ghost close. Gerry's cock stiffened as Ghost pressed against him, and he was not at all surprised to feel Ghost respond in the same way.

  "You're home," Ghost murmured. He nuzzled up against Gerry's jaw. "I'm naked."

  "I can tell," Gerry replied before he captured Ghost's mouth in a kiss. Ghost tasted sweet, like honey and Southron apricots, and Gerry deepened the kiss. Ghost's pale eyes opened gradually, and his fingers burrowed in Gerry's hair.

  "I missed you," Gerry murmured into the kiss. He gazed at his beloved Ghost and sensed urgency in the way Ghost pressed against him, triggering a pang of alarm. "What's wrong?"

  "Later," Ghost murmured. He draped one leg over Gerry's thigh, his cock brushing against Gerry. "I missed you too."

  Gerry tried to decipher Ghost's mood for a moment longer and sighed. Whatever was troubling him, Ghost was more interested in making love, and Gerry was not about to argue. At least, his cock was not about to argue.

  "Whatever you say, beloved," Gerry replied. He pillaged Ghost's eager mouth in another kiss. Gerry glided his hands up Ghost's lean torso until his fingers fit into the grooves of Ghost's ribs. He skated one thumb over a pink nipple and earned a squeak.

  Ghost's cheeks were already flushed as pink as his nipples. He gasped as Gerry tweaked one tight nub. Ghost's cock jumped, smearing precome as the head brushed against Gerry's belly.

  "What's your pleasure tonight?" Gerry murmured. He watched Ghost's eyes widen a fraction. "I'm going to make love to you, but how do you want me?"

  Ghost offered up a breathless laugh and wriggled free of Gerry. He scrabbled around for the bottle on the bedside table. He handed the oil to Gerry with a wicked smile. He turned and crouched on his knees and elbows, presenting his rounded cheeks. Ghost glanced over his shoulder, and Gerry was struck again at how well he managed both innocence and wanton welcome at the same moment.

  "I like you to take me like this," Ghost said, his voice husky. The tone of his voice sent a shiver down Gerry's spine, as clear a signal of desire as Ghost's promise to wait in their bed naked. A promise he had fulfilled.

  A noise somewhere between a moan and a growl escaped Gerry. He opened the oil and dribbled a generous amount on his fingers. He coated Ghost's tight entrance and could feel Ghost's hole quivering as he stroked, the muscle responding to his touch. Ghost pressed back just enough, and Gerry let one finger breach his precious Ghost. Gerry's reward was a mewl as Ghost bowed his back and raised his ass up, dropping his chest closer to the bed.

  "Oh, like this," Ghost whispered. He turned his head to peer at Gerry, eyes smoldering with lust. "Just like this."

  For once, Ghost didn't beg Gerry to hurry, or insist he couldn't wait while Gerry prepared him. He watched Gerry with those shimmering eyes, darker now in the dimness of the room, but he held his position. Gerry marveled at Ghost's restraint but attributed it to Ghost's concern over the village. Ghost needed to forget his fears for this little while.

  Ghost's breath hitched when Gerry hooked his fingers, rubbing the spot that made Ghost's purr escalate to a yowl. Gerry's balls drew up in response, and he couldn't wait a moment longer. He dribbled a little more oil on his fingers and coated his cock well, his precome mixing with the oil.

  "My precious Ghost," Gerry whispered. His fingers gripped Ghost's alabaster cheeks, thumbs delving deep to spread the hole.

  "Yes, please," Ghost begged. Gerry's cock jumped at the pure need in the husky plea.

  Gerry nudged forward, slow and deliberate, and growled as the head of his cock sank in past Ghost's outer ring. Ghost pushed back with a whimper of lusty desire. Ghost's thighs trembled as Gerry eased in farther. Gerry paused, as he always did, wanting to give Ghost a chance to adjust to the intrusion. Ghost huffed a breath and nodded.

  "Feels so good. I'm ready, Gerry. Move for me. I want to feel you move in me."

  Gerry eased in a little more with short, gentle thrusts and heard Ghost hiss in pleasure. He wrapped his arm around Ghost's chest and sat back on his heels, pulling Ghost with him. He settled Ghost onto his thighs. Gerry's hands skated down to wrap around Ghost's hips.

  "What are you--" Ghost's question broke off in a moan as Gerry rocked him a fraction, and Gerry's cock moved inside him.

  "You like this?" Gerry whispered. Ghost's hair tickled Gerry's chest as Ghost nodded. "It's even better like this. You'll see."

  Gerry guided Ghost up with firm hands around his hips and lifted Ghost off his cock until only the head remained inside. Gerry lowered Ghost, and Ghost let out a soft cry signaling Gerry's cock had hit the precise spot at his core.

  Gerry continued to guide Ghost until they found an easy rhythm. Gerry reached around to wrap one hand around Ghost's cock. Ghost's slick precome dribbled down the shaft from the dusky head. Gerry stroked Ghost's cock and slid his thumb over the slit. He looked over Ghost's shoulder and saw the precome he’d smeared glistening in the faint light coming through the window.

  Ghost rose and fell on Gerry's cock, his movements almost languid as Gerry guided him. Gerry could see a faint sheen of sweat on Ghost's thighs. Gerry drifted one hand up Ghost's chest to find a pebbled nipple. He tweaked the tender nub and coaxed another cry from Ghost. Ghost's cock jumped as Gerry stroked it. Gerry knew Ghost was close to release.

  "Ghost. Let go for me," Gerry urged. Ghost's back arched and his head fell back. His glossy hair brushed against Gerry's shoulder and neck.

  Ghost's voice was raspy as he begged, "Please, just a little more." Ghost lifted himself and came down sharply. Ghost yelped and the already tight passage clenched even more around Gerry's cock. Ghost's cock twitched in Gerry's hand, and hot come spilled over Gerry's fingers. Ghost ground down on Gerry's cock with a sob of pleasure.

  Gerry couldn't hold back any longer. His balls tightened, and the heat in his belly spread through him like wildfire. Gerry registered Ghost grinding down on him, and white light filled his vision as he came.

  "Gods, Ghost." Gerry groaned. He tightened his arms around Ghost, shuddering as Ghost went limp against him. Ghost's breath was ragged. He buried his face in Ghost's
soft hair, inhaling Ghost's unique scent and trying to control his own harsh panting. A few long moments passed before he realized Ghost was sobbing.

  "Hey, what's this?" Gerry held Ghost tighter, one hand coaxing Ghost to turn and look at him. "Did I hurt you? Are you all right?"

  Ghost shook his head and took a deep breath. "It's not you. You've never hurt me." He hiccupped. "I tried to See the Witch tonight while you were out. I guess I was feeling a little raw."

  Gerry eased Ghost off his cock and turned Ghost around. Ghost straddled Gerry and crossed his ankles behind Gerry's back. Gerry looked at the witch, intent. "You forced a vision? I didn't even know you could do such a thing." Gerry's fingers were gentle as he wiped away the tears from Ghost's cheeks.

  "I'm able to force the Sight, but pushing for a vision requires you to open yourself up. Wide open. Scary to feel vulnerable." Ghost sniffled and offered a weak smile. "I'm not as fierce as the Witch, I know. I do have ways to defend myself. After the ranger, I made the Witch teach me. But this is different, because you have to let down your shields and allow whatever else can See you have a chance at you."

  "Gods, Ghost," Gerry said again, gentler this time. "Did you have to be alone? Because I would have been here for you, if I could. I don't ever want you to feel like you're in danger or alone. I'm your mate and your alpha. My job is to protect you."

  "Like with the ranger." Ghost's smile was a bit stronger. "I knew you'd find me. I knew you'd come. And even though I was scared, I didn't lose hope." Ghost wrapped his arms around Gerry and squeezed him tight. "I think you can be there when I push to See. I don't know for sure. I have to ask. I know one witchsister who's also a seer. But I burn certain herbs to help me let go of the waking world, and I don't know if they'd hurt you."

  Gerry risked a small chuckle. Ghost rested his head against Gerry's shoulder and Gerry pressed a kiss to his sweat-dampened hair.