Doctor Abbott Read online

  Ben reached up to pull the spear out of the wall and bring it in. He tried to give it a couple good yanks with no avail. Bjorn walked up behind him grabbing it with one hand releasing it from its home in the wall with instant gratification. “Do not worry, human, we will teach you to throw them someday. You did very well today. There will be a reception tomorrow in honor of your courage and in honor of the warriors from the battle. You will need all the rest you can get for now.” He donned a huge grin and slapped Ben on the back nearly knocking the wind out of him. “Come, eat.”

  Ben spent a few minutes scrubbing up for dinner and then joined Bjorn at the table. Not a second after he sat down and pulled up a bowl to eat Avery came bursting through the door. He was jolly and laughing as he tore off his armor, “We chased Ormr’s men clear to the beach. We took nine of his men down! Nine!”

  “Yeah, well, while you were gone our slave took it on himself to save the king’s son and seven others. We only lost three and he says the rest will heal quickly.” Bjorn beamed a toothy grin back at his brother.

  Avery turned to Ben awe struck, “Is that so? You bring great honor to our house human. How is it possible?”

  Ben slowly chewed through a tough piece of the gamy wolf meat and sat back to think carefully over his words, suspecting that he would leave them all baffled. “In my world I’m a doctor. I have special training to help people who are injured or sick. I was an army medic for a few years and I am actually used to working in tough climates and with limited resources, although I do have to say none as limited as this.”

  Both the men stared at him blankly until he finished speaking then they burst into laughter. Avery stood slapping him on the back and reaching for a jug of ale, “I don’t know what you said, human, but I like it! You are the best servant we have ever had!”

  Lúta dropped a platter of biscuits on the table and took a seat, teasing her brother. “You have never had a servant before, Avery.”

  “Right, so that would make him the best!” He rumbled as he shoved a mug full of ale into Ben’s hand. They spent most dinner laughing and telling stories. Lúta eyed him the entire evening, quietly swapping out her brothers’ ale for the potato spirits and topping off their mugs steadily as they celebrated.

  Finally, both the men staggered off to bed and Ben found himself undressing in the dark. No sooner had he had unbuttoned his shirt than he felt Lúta’s claws scrape delicately across his chest. She was behind him, blowing into his ear softly. He turned to protest but the moment he did their lips met and he found himself drawn into a sensual kiss. He wanted to stop and explain to her that he feared the repercussions but instead he went in for a second taste of her mouth before finally expressing his concern. “Lúta this is dangerous. I’m not scared for me but what would they do to you?”

  She stopped and slowly opened her eyes, they were so dark and heated from her need for him. “I would probably be sold. I promise we are safe though. I made sure they had more than their fill of drink. They will be passed out until evening tomorrow.” She giggled.

  “We are not exactly the same Lúta. I don’t even know…”

  She put her clawed finger over his mouth to hush him. “There are couples in other villages. Ormr is king in his village and he is a half-breed. His father was human.” Her eyes were now urging him to continue. Her desperation was not lost on him and he succumbed quickly to his male urges. Running his fingers through her long wavy hair and pulling her into his kiss. He found her tongue to savor it, so sweet and soft in his mouth.

  Ben collapsed to the bed and watched her peel down her blouse. Her breasts were every bit as human as he was. Her silky fur had faded into smooth skin at the breast line. She straddled his lap and the overwhelming mounds fell right out over his mouth; leaving him little choice but to enjoy them. He watched her eyes close as he went for the first supple, brown nipple and immediately he could feel the heat of her response in her thighs.

  He sat up to meet her mouth with his and sucking in her tongue again as the taste of warm tea and honey aroused all of his senses. He rolled with her to the bed, reluctantly letting go of one last sensual kiss so that he could explore what other treasure she had to offer.

  Her breasts heaved with every breath, fueling his need to deliver sensations that were more amazing. Her stomach was smooth skin and after her navel, her fur continued, sleek and silky. Not so much as a single curl anywhere. So soft it could easily be mistaken for skin. He planted some lingering moist kisses just above the fur line and as he suspected, this spot was sensitive. Her knees curled, in anticipation of what was coming. His curiosity for how much he draw out of her took over and he buried his face in her warm thighs, licking her crevice until her lips parted and her warmth invited his tongue in.

  He took hold of her little pink pearl and she squirmed to escape the intense feeling. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and yanked her back and indulging more. He dove deeper when he felt her claws weave through his hair and now he knew she was enjoying it. The more he gave the more she wanted and as her heat intensified, her grip tightened in his hair drawing a grunt from him and fueling him to finish her. He let go of her and her expression was of loss and confusion as she watched him wipe her glisten from his chin and crawl up to meet her mouth again.

  No longer able to ignore the throb of his cock, he had to have her. In a desperate attempt to silence their sounds, he snatched up her mouth with his, as her hands cupped the back of his head. The slick taste of her own juices still lingering on his lips and her own scent heightened her pleasure. He buried himself in her and was not prepared for her claws digging into the back of his neck and shoulders. The reaction made him wonder if she had ever been with a man before, but he dared not ask. The pain evolved into excitement as he answered it with more driven thrusts.

  He knew he had her over on the edge of release when she was wrapped around him so tightly. Moving with him, breathing with his well-timed rhythm and desperately lost in his eyes. She let go of his mouth and grit her teeth as she finally gave in. Her box tightening on his cock as her arms and thighs went limp.

  He let her relax for a few moments, then held up her thigh, driving home as if it was the last ass he would ever have, as this very well may be. She was still so tight and when he spilled his seed, he collapsed on her. It took a few minutes for him to find the strength to roll off of her and as he did so she scooted down to look into his eyes.

  Running her claws delicately down his cheek, she could not help but admire the way the moon seemed to illuminate his skin in the dark. He was so magical, she thought. Able to heal people, and able to give her so much pleasure with his touch. She had been with a warrior before. However he did not draw that kind of pleasure out of her, and she now knew no warrior would ever compare to what she had with this human, this sorcerer.

  Her hair created a curtain in the moonlight and he could not help but be mesmerized by her soft features. He wanted so badly to spend the rest of the night with her warm, shapely body draped across him. That would not be possible. Not with the threat of the sleeping giants in the other room. He brushed some of her hair out of her face and said, “I will have a long day tomorrow. In addition to my chores I now have seven patients to check in on. I have to be sure they are not facing infection or other complications.”

  The twinkle in her eye was replaced with a hint of moisture, and she said nothing as she climbed off the bed and retreated to her quarters. She couldn’t help but stop at the door and look over her shoulder at him. Just to be sure he was still there. Still real…still hers.

  Chapter 5

  Ben had spent the morning following Lúta to the homes of each one of his patients to check on their progress. Every single one seemed to have the same reaction. They were not used to a human or a servant making inquiries on them. By the time they got to the last house Lúta was fed up with the cold reactions and took over knocking on the door. The woman of the house opened it to see Lúta standing there with Ben. Her warm smile
turned serious as she scorned Lúta, “My husband did not ask for help, he owes nothing for the service.”

  Lúta let off a rather feminine warning growl, as her eyes went cold. “We are not here to collect on your husband’s debt to my slave. We are here to ensure your husband will not get sick from his wounds. You will let the healer see him.”

  The woman stepped aside and let both of them in. Ben held his first-aid kit tightly in both of his hands and greeted the woman warmly as he passed. Then the warrior he had treated the day before tried to stand up from his dining chair, letting off a very impressive rumble. The vibration from that beast’s chest had Ben feeling like he was approaching a bear. His hands shook as he placed his kit on the table and opened it up. “I swear, I am not here to collect on any sort of debt. You owe me nothing. I am here for nothing more than to ensure your wounds are healing properly.”

  The rumbling ceased and the warrior limped over to a dry bar plucking up a jug of spirits and biting out the stopper. He spun the dining chair around and sat in it taking a swing and offering up the leg for examination. Ben thought on warning about how much the liquor could thin the blood, but he didn’t have will to even argue the point with the creature. He simply took out some freshly sterilized rags and proceeded to cut the bandages on the wounded leg.

  The wound appeared to be clean although it was uncomfortably swollen. The stitches were tight from fluid buildup. Ben went for a metal skewer he had obtained from Lúta’s kitchen. He held it over the flame of a candle on the dry-bar, “The wound looks good with the exception of the swelling. I am assuming it is very sore?”

  That comment won a grunt although, the warrior was clearly suspicious of what Ben was doing with the skewer. The predatory stare was more than enough to prompt an explanation. “I can ease the pain if you can handle a little prodding. The swelling is from built up fluids in the wound. If I do not drain it, the wound will become infected. However if I can relieve the pressure you will find it is more comfortable and the healing should progress.” This explanation did not seem to ease the creatures edgy temperament in the least.

  Lúta was leaning on the table watching the warrior carefully to be sure he would not make a grab for Ben. “Marlow you got that wound in battle. You were warrior enough to take that, now you flinch at the thought of a puny human relieving it. Your king would think you a coward, and I would be sure you are the gossip of the kingdom before you take your noon meal.”

  Ben watched in amazement as the creature relaxed. Then he shook it off and proceeded to puncture the slit in the stitches. The warrior went rigid at first, as expected, the draining started with blood at first then progressed nicely to clear fluid. Exactly what Ben was hoping for. He squeezed around the wound to ensure he was leaching all of the fluid then he soaked the rag with some of the vodka placing the compress on the wound. The beast growled again flinching from the pain. For all of a second it looked like he meant to throttle Ben, but Lúta shoved Ben backwards to the floor effectively putting herself between him and the warrior. “It is for your good, is it not?”

  Again, the warrior calmed taking another swig off the jug and capping it. “Take him out of here. I will need no more of his powers.”

  Lúta packed up Ben’s supplies and took him by the hand as he stood, leading him out the door. Not a moment after they left she turned to him. “Go home and get the cart, we are going shopping.”

  He was a bit perplexed as she usually brought something to trade, “Do you want me to grab some honey or anything else?”

  “No. Marlow will be paying for our outing today.” With that, she stormed off, fed up with the treatment the slave was receiving. No warrior would dare treat her that way. Yet they take on a defenseless human without hesitation. A few minutes later she found her brother on post outside the village gates. He was sitting on a stump conversing with a few other guards

  “Bjorn, the slave cannot perform his duties. He is challenged in the market, he is challenged when I take him to the homes of the warriors he saved. They have no respect for him.” He clearly was ignoring her as he continued his conversation and she took his arm to be sure he understood that she would not go away. “They cross me Bjorn, without hesitation. Are you not going to do something about it?”

  He shoved her back in through the gate, “Perhaps you need to keep the nuisance out of their way. What need does he have with those warriors?”

  She expected the casual stance on the matters of the slave. Joutone warriors thought all humans to be inferior. What she found unexpected and intolerable was his stance on her own affairs. His showing off infuriated her. “Very well, those warriors owe him for using his powers. Now you have seven debts to owed to your house. Go on then, let these warriors think they can refuse payment to me. When you are starving for your supper perhaps then you will see fit to stand up for your name.” With that she took up her skirts and left for home just knowing what would happen.

  She had not made it even a few steps when Bjorn snatched her up by the arm. “Your tongue has grown careless, and you are not a cub anymore.” Yanking her back to him to be sure she understood what this meant. “You talk to me like this again I will cut your throat and toss you to the wolves.” She was now livid, but she would not dare challenge him. She simply shook off his grip and watched him storm off, tossing over his shoulder, “I am to collect on these debts, woman?”

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mâvis leaning on the fence opposite the side her brother was on. She wondered if they even knew he was there as the worriers gossiped. He was pretending to ignore the spat with her brother. She knew better and chose to ignore his presence as she took up her skirts to follow her brother. Mâvis let off warning that stopped her cold.

  She simply replied, “It is not your concern, Mâvis.” Then she watched him carefully as he straightened up and crossed her path. Shortly after passing her he spun on his heels to watch her reaction as he said, “I have never liked your brother. His forked tongue is dangerous. Dangerous for the king, the village…you. I assure you should I find him beating you like he did last spring, I will gut him like a deer.”

  Her chin trembled at the thought of what Mâvis was capable of, “Please, Mâvis. He is only protecting me. It is duty, is it not?”

  The warrior simply let off a smug warning growl and casually spun back towards the palace. He had the information he wanted. The conversation between Bjorn and the other guards was just what he was looking for. Someone had alerted Ormr’s men to the young prince’s hunt.

  Mâvis dwelled heavily on the death of the last warrior he had killed from the attack. The coward scrambled across the frozen ground in fear of the next blow from his axe. A warrior he had known well growing up, a warrior that once pledged his loyalty to the greatest king to ever rule these lands, Ormr’s own father. This warrior stood and watched with many others while Ormr tortured his father to death. The father that had raised them like brothers.

  The trail of blood from this coward had drenched the snow as he cradled his freshly severed arm and begged for his life. The promise Mâvis made of the wolves feasting on the coward’s carcass rang still fresh in his own ears. He relished the memory of the warrior making his last feeble attempt to fight off his demise. Trying to block the final deathblow with nothing more than a bloody stump of an elbow and his still good hand. The final swing was so swift and so clean, taking off the head and delivering a much warranted end to a pitiful traitor.

  Chapter 6

  The celebration was huge, it looked like the entire village had come out to check on the prince and it was clear the villagers were having fun. The party took up the great room and spilled out onto a patio on the side of the beautiful colonial style chalet. The floors of the great room were done in a parquet style. Some of the tiles had inlays with motifs and designs that all seemed to rally around a hunting theme. There were several long tables to dine at and there were a few tables set up as buffets.

  The king’s table stood in front of an
impressive fireplace with an enormous mantle. Above it sat a wolf skull painted in war colors, the same blue and yellow that donned the spears and arrows that the warriors carried. Ben found this interesting, as the creatures wore no other bright colors on their armor or garments. For the most part everything was earthy colors and leather or wool. He only saw women wearing colors and even then, it was clear that status had a role to play in who could afford color and who could not.

  Taking in the rest of the scene, there was music, food and dancing. Bjorn and Avery sat at the crowded table with King Freyr in heavy discussion while Ben trolled one of the buffet tables. Checking out all the different concoctions these indigenous people had come up with, he made no effort to touch anything in the spread. Instead he chose to watch the other folk’s manners as they approached the table.

  Lúta paced behind him quietly watching his movements and wondering why he was so shy after all the work he had done for the king. After a few moments she leaned one arm on his shoulder and reached around him to grab a pastry off the table. She offered it up to him and whispered into his ear, “You are an honored guest here tonight, if you want something it is yours.” An enchanting purr rolled off tongue, something he had never heard a human pull off as well as she did.

  He accepted the baked treat and turned to watch her stroll off and join her female friends. He smiled warmly at her every time she stopped talking to check on him with her eyes. After a few moments, the entire group of females was looking at him giggling and he now felt uncomfortable. If the ladies were discussing the prior evening’s events, he would quickly find himself the focus of an execution party instead of this lovely celebration.