Mâvis slapped Ben on the shoulder and shook him again for a second, “Of course you do know that all this is mine, right? Slaves cannot own property.” He let out a hearty laugh as he went into the kitchen looking around some more. He came back out addressing Avarr, “Looks like a general lives well here. Will this put you up for promotion?”
Avarr loaded the fireplace with wood and worked on a fire. “With you in the village I will be far from promotion, brother. Not like I need it, I do quite well for myself and my wife makes for a comfortable lifestyle with her skills.”
“Not as comfortable as this, Avarr. You should have moved up years ago, how has Diek surpassed you in skill?”
Avarr paused and replied with quirky smile, “The king does not exactly promote based on those skills. I may very well be lacking the ones he likes. Why do you think he went so long with no wife?”
Beatrice put a teakettle over the fresh fire and opened a new bottle of vodka offering some to all the men and pouring a hefty amount into Ben’s mug. “There you go, to make up for the lot Avarr said you wasted on that wolf earlier.”
Ben thanked her and took a sip before following Lúta into the kitchen to help with whatever she was up to. Beatrice scowled and dragged him back out along with Lúta shoving and scolding him, “You will sit and celebrate like a warrior damn it!”
Mâvis chuckled and pulled out a chair close to the fire, “You do not anger a room full of women, human. Your chances would be better off with the palace guard. Sit and relax, you have earned it.”
Avarr reached over slapping Ben’s knee, “Tell me, human, how you have learned your skills? Instincts like that do not come naturally.”
He responded by shaking his head, “The only skills I have involve saving life not taking it.” Ben wanted to change the topic as quickly as possible, “Is there a chance the King will take the killing of his guards as insult?”
“Of course he will, but the challenge was for Diek’s wife not for position. Will he respond? He may, it depends on how threatened he feels. After all that happened tonight, you still worry?” Mâvis eyed Ben for a response to Avarr’s question verbal or nonverbal. Avarr pointed at his brother as he spoke, “There is not a warrior in this village that will take on the two of us together. Combined we could take out half the palace guard.”
The women returned to the parlor with trays full of snacks for the men. Beatrice was barely able to set the tray down when Avarr yanked her off her feet onto his lap. “Hello, woman.” It left his lips with a hearty growl as he stole a kiss. She slapped him hard enough to release her. “You will be sorry for that later.” He snarled and she flashed him a smile and a wink as she grabbed a biscuit off the table and bit into it.
Lúta topped off Mâvis and Avarr’s mugs before kissing Bea good night. Then she ran her claw across Ben’s shoulder and he watched her ascend the staircase. He reached for a biscuit off the table when Mâvis grabbed the one he was going for, he pointed up the stairs and spoke, “Your wife just went up to her room, human. She wants you to please her.” For a moment it looked like Ben was honestly lost on the hint. “Very well, if you will not entertain her, I will.” Mâvis stood to take off his armor when it occurred to Ben what he was insinuating.
“My goodness would you look at the time.” Ben looked at a make believe watch and chuckled at the fact that they were totally lost on his reference, “I didn’t realize it was that late already. Good evening, gentlemen.” Turning to push in his chair, he bid Beatrice a good evening as well and made his way up the stairs to find Lúta’s room.
She was already stripped down to her shift when he came in. The candle light cast a warm glow all over her curvy body and the shadows leftover gave hint to all the places his hands wanted to be. She released her bun letting her hair tumble down over her shoulders and he immediately dove his hands into it to find her neck and draw her close for a kiss.
She was so familiar to him and yet after all this time she felt so new again. The taste of her, the smell of her, the warmth of her touch. He reached around the back of her shift to untie it and she helped drawing her claw through the front and letting it slip to the ground. Ben backed her up until she found herself cornered between him and the bed, then he pulled her legs out from underneath her and pushed her down on it.
He kissed her greedily until her breasts were heaving for him then he knelt to the floor and buried his face in her thighs. Mastering her clit with his tongue and stopping every so often to claim her juices. He could feel her claws draw through his hair and as intimidating as that sensation was it turned him on more and he wiped his chin and buried himself inside her.
She gasped at the sudden change in sensations and it fed his drive more. She was so tight and wet he was afraid he would find himself spent before she did. He tried slowing his rhythm and learned quickly that wouldn’t be an option as her claws clamped down on his butt cheeks.
He grunted through the pain and made an immediate mental note about asking her to file those down a bit. She came quickly with the pace and he threw her leg up so he could bury himself deeper and get her hands somewhere a little more comfortable. It took a few good strokes for him to release and as he collapsed to the bed he pulled her leg across his lap.
She giggled as she propped herself up, “Are you going to let me go?”
He cleared his throat and shook his head, “Never. Not after went I went through to get you back.”
Lúta’s voice lost all laughter. He did go through so much to get her back. He had endured so much after nearly being killed by her brother and taken slave to Ormr and now Mâvis. Somehow, he still found his way back to her. Lúta laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat, knowing full well it was beating for her. He meant what he said, she mattered.
Chapter 24
The next morning Ben snuck out of bed to make breakfast. He bustled around the kitchen whistling and humming as he scrambled up some eggs and cheese and whipped up a fresh batch of biscuits. Beatrice was the first to make it into the kitchen, half-asleep. “What are you doing in here, Abbott?”
He darted around her carrying a tray stacked with food and some hot tea. He paused only to put some dried flowers into the empty cup he had on the tray. Ben scooted past Avarr who was now just arriving in the kitchen. He scowled after Ben as he was on his way up the stairs with the tray; then turned to Beatrice, “What was that?”
“I do believe it is what a human looks like when he is in love.” Beatrice chimed as she peered around her husband to watch Ben go up the stairs. “He has not smiled once since he arrived here, now he is nothing but smile.” She now scowled at Avarr, “You never smile like this.”
Avarr faked a toothy grin as he reached for the teakettle. Beatrice returned the halfhearted attempt with an icy glare as she grabbed a couple biscuits and stormed out of the Kitchen.
Jocelyn now wandered into the kitchen with her father right behind. Mâvis snatched her up off the floor and plopped her on the counter offering her a dried flower to play with while he fixed her a plate of food, “What is this? Beatrice must have been up early.”
Avarr rolled his eyes, “It was neither my wife that did all this, nor Lúta…and your servant is making trouble for me with his joyous endeavors in wooing a wife he already has.”
Mâvis laughed, “Let him enjoy it for a bit. He has had a rough go of getting her back.”
Avarr watched Mâvis feed Jocelyn a few bites of the eggs, as he taunted, “No doubt you are in part to blame for that. You have always been rough to deal with, brother.”
“It made you a better warrior, did it not? As it will him. When I met him, he froze before me like a lamb waiting for kill. Now he is practically taking on his own challengers and without so much as a flinch. As soon as I get my wife back I think I am going to train him just to see what his is capable of.” Mâvis was practically in a purr with pride.
“You mean to train a human? Would be a bit of a waste, they are lazy and puny.”
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p; Mâvis replied, “He is not so lazy as the lot you have running around on this island, and when he is pushed he answers.”
Avarr grunted, “Well if he continues to make trouble for me he will have no time to answer. Not to mention if he carries on like this in public he will make a mockery of your name.”
Mâvis took a few bites of the eggs himself before washing it down with his tea, “I did not say I would not address it. I just said he could have today. Besides, should he want to cook, you will find no argument from me, I swear this is better than your wife’s.” Mâvis snatched Jocelyn off the counter and put her on the floor before grabbing her plate, then he slapped Avarr on the back.
Avarr growled after him as he left the kitchen, “Now you surely wish a cruel death on the creature.” The moment Mâvis left, Avarr glared at the eggs and sneered. He took a gulp of his tea before tossing a quick look out the kitchen door to see who might be watching, then he stuck a fork full into his mouth and shoved it onto the plate. “Just as I thought, not nearly as good as Bea’s.” He spun around and worked quickly on his tea to wash the taste out of his mouth. Not even a full swig later he found himself wanting more and he peered out into the parlor again before devouring the last of the eggs in a few quick bites. “Mmm, perhaps I need a servant at home as well. Damned humans.” He tossed the fork back to the plate and stormed out of the kitchen.
Both the brothers got dressed and went out to work for the day as Ben set about rearranging rooms to give Mâvis the master suite as ordered. The house was huge in comparison to the other cottages that surrounded. With a full second floor, that boasted three rooms and endless storage in the eaves. He left the smallest room with finishing touches a young girl would like. Including a couple of hand tied rag dolls and a well-crafted rocking horse.
Both the women stood marveling over his patience in showing the little girl how to use it. They whispered to each other as Jocelyn giggled with glee on the ride. Beatrice leaned over to Lúta, “You are going to find yourself busy with all the cubs he is going to give you.”
She replied bashfully, “Can you imagine what they will look like with his fluffy black curls?” They both giggled and shoved at each other, catching his attention as he tried to help steady Jocelyn on her new ride. He smiled and winked at the two of them and Bea shoved Lúta out of the doorway laughing heartily as she pursued her friend down the hall.
As soon as Jocelyn settled in for a nap, Ben went to work setting up the washroom for better ease of use for the women. He finished with a quick bath and shave before relaxing in the parlor as Mâvis and Avarr came in for lunch.
Mâvis sat at the table with a bowl of stew and a loaf of bread, breaking it open and offering the other half to his brother as he addressed Ben, “Did you make this or the women?” He used the bread to sop up the juices and chewed slowly as he waited for his answer.
Ben was still drying his hair with the towel, “That would be the women, I have been fulfilling your list all day.”
“That is good, human. I expect after today you will leave the women’s chores to the women.” He watched Ben answer with a bit of an eye roll and then a nod. His reluctance angered the creature and he added, “I also expect your displays of affection to remain in your quarters. You will not make a mockery of my name.”
“Understood, sir.” Ben tossed the towel over his shoulder and started to lace up his boots.
“Where are you off to now?” Avarr inquired.
Ben sat back to throw on his shirt, “There are two full cords of manly chores behind the house that need chopping and stacking. I might as well keep myself useful.”
The moment he left Avarr turned back to Mâvis, “I honestly do not know how you tolerate his behavior. I would have torn through him by now.”
Mâvis replied, “No, I like his defiance. He is quite entertaining at times. Besides, he has learned what I will respond to and knows my limits.” Mâvis smiled at Lúta as she passed, then he dropped his spoon into his bowl and followed her into the kitchen.
“Hello, Lúta, I trust you slept well.” He poured himself some more tea as he eyed her reaction to his offensive insinuation. He put the tea down and cornered her by the sink basin putting an outstretched arm on either side of her and looking her in the eyes so she knew he was dead serious, “I have returned your husband to you.”
She swallowed hard and held her breath in fear of what his request was going to be, “I am grateful, Mâvis.”
“As well as in my debt. Are you not?” He watched her nod slowly, “Then you can repay my kindness by getting a message to my wife.”
She finally let go of her breath as full panic washed over her face, “She is well guarded, Mâvis. The king knows you are here.”
Mâvis spun her around and held her face still as he reached past her and opened the curtain on the window, “You see him out there working for you?” She nodded as her eyes started to water, “He risked his life many times to make it here and every day that he is with you he risks it again. Do you want him protected?” Again she nodded, and choked out a sob, “Good, then you will find a way to make it happen I am sure.” He tucked a small package into her cleavage, “You know if neither of us ends up with a spouse we could still always have each other.” He took a firm grip on her breast sparking a retaliation from her that left a good-sized scratch across his face.
He grinned and winked as he wiped off the blood and watched her chest heave in anger. His face straightened quickly, “Very good, woman, I expect word from her soon then.” He strolled out of the kitchen and ushered his brother to leave with him.
As dinnertime came, Lúta served Ben, Mâvis, and Jocelyn before removing her apron and going upstairs. Ben sat for a moment quietly before shaking his head and turning to look up the stairs. “I do believe my wife is not feeling well, I’ll be back.”
Mâvis was feeding Jocelyn, “She is fine, you will stay.” Ben stopped at the staircase and turned on his heel, pressing his lips together. His master asked, “Something on your mind, human?”
Ben thought quickly on how to address this, “You’re right it is probably nothing. Females.” He chuckled as he dove back into his meal eating quickly. The moment Mâvis told him to stay Ben knew something happened. To let on that information would be dangerous right now. He had to eat his meal as if nothing occurred to him and go check on her in natural a course of events. He reached to finish off with his tea and spoke, “That was good, do you need anything from me before I turn in for the evening?”
“Yes, you may finish your wife’s duties.” Mâvis pushed Jocelyn’s empty plate to the middle of the table and turned to finish his own food.
Ben threw on his wife’s apron and retrieved the dishes before going into the kitchen, “Of course just this afternoon you warned me not to help with her duties.” The comment drew a warning growl. He took his time cleaning knowing Mâvis would pack up Jocelyn soon and bring her to bed. He quickly wiped down the table and removed the waste before creeping up the hallway to his wife’s room with a bowl of food. He opened the door to find her in tears and he quietly closed it behind himself.
He rushed over to her vanity placing a bowl of stew in front of her and brushing away her tears. She smiled and leaned on him as he whispered in her ear, “What is it? Please tell me.”
Lúta reached her arm around his back and leaned in closer for a hug, “It has just been a long time without you, that is all. I have a lot to shake out of my mind.” She watched his eyes in hopes he believed her.
Ben kissed her tenderly, “It’s okay, I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere I promise.” He watched her eyes close as she let out a long breath and more tears fell, then he pulled her in tighter and stroked her hair. “Shhh, it’s okay you can cry if you want to. Just let it out.”
Mâvis stood outside the door listening quietly to see if she let on any hint of their conversation earlier. He saw their shadows move to the bed to make love and he sheathed his hunting knife before heading to his bed.
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br /> In the morning, Lúta left very early. The kitchen at the palace was bustling already with a full staff preparing the meal for the king and his guards. She saw a breakfast tray that had been prepared for Genevieve sitting on the counter and bit back her fear of even passing towards that side of the kitchen. She knew full well the lead cook would want to know what she was up to and that tray was ready to leave.
She picked up a mop and made her way across the room to use it quickly. The cook stopped mixing her bowl and stood staring at her, “What are you doing?”
Lúta chuckled, “I am sorry, someone left a bit of a mess over here and I did not want anyone to slip.” The cook scowled and turned to grab some spices out of the closet. The moment she turned her back Lúta stuffed the tiny package under the queen’s overturned teacup. Then she continued mopping the floor.
The cook came back out of the spice closet still giving her the wary eye, “Do you not have enough of your own work to do?”
Lúta returned the scowl to the bitter old bat, “I was just trying to help is all.” As she scoffed and dragged the mop back over to the dish sink to start her own chores. She checked over her shoulder periodically to see if the tray moved. Finally a chambermaid came to retrieve it and bring it up to the queen. Lúta closed her eyes and whispered, “Please find her safely” as she continued washing her dishes.
A few minutes later the tray made it to Genevieve’s room. She sat getting ready for the day as she pinned her hair up to change from her evening wear, then she went to the tray and flipped over her tea cup to pour some tea. A tiny package lay under it and Genie glanced at the chambermaid to see if she noticed, before snatching the package off the tray. “I need to get ready if you do not mind, you can come back later if you like.”
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