Emerita Boxing Day, page 6
Doc took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “I will, Onyx.”
“Lucky,…” Quartz murmured.
Doc gave her a smile. “I’m sure I’ll have some time before her shift ends, Quartz.”
Looking away with a smile on her lips, Quartz nodded. “I’d like that, sir.”
“Everything okay, Doc?” Harrid asked, coming out of the guard room. “I thought I heard yelling.”
“I’ll explain it at home,” Doc said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Eight
“You let me die!” Steward hissed, his neck bent at an unnatural angle.
Doc swallowed the bile in his throat as he stared down at the dead man. “You deserved to die for what you did.”
Steward’s limbs crunched, twisting around to put him on all fours, but on his back. “Who are you to cast judgment?”
Doc backed away as quickly as he could. The grotesqueness of the mangled body reminded him of something he’d see in a video game. “Everyone would think so. You took away their free will.”
“Free will’s an illusion,” Steward snorted as he began to crawl toward Doc. “We’re all controlled by others.”
“No,” Doc said, trying to get away from the horror creeping toward him. “We all have free will.”
“Do you? Do you not do what your wives want? The whores here would have you every day, but you don’t give them what they want because your wives deny you the whores’ flesh.”
Citrine, Onyx, Ruby, and all the other women of the Iniquitous Den were suddenly in the room. All of them eyed Doc with lustful gazes as they stripped off their clothing.
“No!” Doc snapped. “They don’t control me. I care for them, which is why I don’t. I have free will. I could fuck all of them if I wanted to. It’s not about being stopped— it’s about respect.”
“Lies! They hold you back, stopping you from taking what you want! We both know you want to gather the pretty things and plunder them over and over again.”
Doc couldn’t argue with that— he had time and again thought of just giving in to Ruby’s entreaties, letting the sexy fox bestial have her way with him, or bending Heliodor over, taming the wolf bestial into a faithful hound for him alone.
“But your wives have constrained you!” Steward hissed as he crept ever closer.
“Love isn’t a constraint!” Doc snapped, no longer retreating. “It’s a precious gift that you can accept. You can’t force another to love you.”
“Yes, you can,” Steward cackled, “if you have the knowledge, power, and will to manage it! Snowflake would’ve been mine willingly if you hadn’t interfered!”
“Brainwashing doesn’t count as willingly,” Doc growled. “It’s as bad as implanting them with soul stones to take away their bodies. Taking away someone’s mind is magnitudes worse.”
“And for that, you let me die,” Steward sneered. “I wasn’t even in your way, healer, but you stood by as I died at your feet, all because those useless whores objected to me. Do you think they’ll throw themselves at you even more fervently now? Will that be when you ‘cave’ to them, letting them please you like the wanton sluts they are?”
The monstrosity that’d been Steward was only a few feet away now. Doc’s hands shook with anger at what was being said. “Fuck you! Apoc will rip your soul to shreds because you aren’t worthy of Mother!”
“You’re not a Voice; you’re a judge!” Steward hissed. “Passing judgment on those who don’t believe in your false demon… but that doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll end you now.” Steward’s mouth expanded, his face splitting apart as a giant void grew from where the mouth had been.
Doc tried to flee, but he felt himself being drawn in. That was when a branch of pine touched his empty hands. Grabbing it tightly, Doc let it pull him from the abyss. A wail of disappointment came from the sucking maw as he was pulled free.
~*~*~
Jerking upright, Doc was sweat-slicked, but safe in bed. Rosa’s hands clutched his while she knelt beside the bed. Swallowing, Doc met her eyes as the nightmare began to fade. “Thank you, Rosa…”
“I tried to wake you, Voice. It wasn’t until the end that you reached out for me.”
“I didn’t think watching him die would scar my mind like that.”
“I can help,” Rosa murmured, shifting closer.
“No…” Doc whispered. “No. I need to be able to accept what I do. Actively killing is one thing, but I didn’t kill him. I just didn’t help him.”
“You did no wrong, Doc. His soul was as black as a moonless night. Time and again, he forced others to do as he wished. You helped all of the women of the Den by not saving him.”
“I know. I don’t know why it gnaws at me enough to give me a nightmare, though.”
“Because you are inherently not a killer. You are gentle, kind, and loving. To see someone die, knowing that you could help, would leave a mark. I didn’t expect nightmares, either, or I would have given you some of my essence last night.”
Doc let go of her hands, then slid over and patted the bed next to him. “Come here.”
She was in bed with him in seconds. Doc just pulled her close, holding her as he let go of the nightmare. Rosa didn’t push for more— she could see his need for comfort, so she just snuggled into him, loving that he wanted her close for more than just sex.
“Thank you, Rosa…” Doc murmured, breathing in the clean scent of pine. “You always help me in the exact way I need.”
“You are my life, Doc. All I want is to be the best I can be for you.”
“You’re the best.”
Rosa felt her core warm at his words. These moments were the ones she cherished above all others. She always took pride in being his energy reserve, and being his insatiable lover was something she loved, too, but it was these soft, gentle, loving moments that made her the happiest. She could see herself as the center of his garden, the towering weed that nurtured his beautiful flowers for him, but the most indispensable of his wives.
“Oh, you’re already awake,” Sophia said when she slipped into the room.
Doc gave her a soft smile. “Your turn to wake me?”
“Yes. We’re very happy you don’t mind that we rotate which of us wakes you.”
“I’d be a fool to complain. This ensures I get time with all of you. As long as you’re all okay with it, I am, too.”
“Good,” Sophia smiled as she unbuttoned her dress.
“Weed, go help her,” Doc said, then kissed Rosa lightly. “I’m sure she’ll reward you for it soon.”
Rosa was out of bed in an instant, going to assist Sophia. “I will accept however much or little my mistress wishes me to have.”
Sophia giggled, then turned to give Rosa easier access to her buttons. “We all make sure our dear dryad is at her best for you. She’ll get her needs cared for after I get what I want, husband.”
Doc chuckled as he stood up. “Let me get some of the night sweat off really quick.”
“Night sweat?”
“Nightmare about Steward. I know I’m not at my best, so I want to clean up, my dear lawyer.”
Sophia beamed, happy that he was going to make things as pleasant for her as possible.
~*~*~
“Not too late, I hope?” Doc asked as he led Rosa and Sophia into the dining room.
“No, but breakfast should be soon,” Fiala smiled.
Rosa knelt next to Lia, who was sitting on Doc’s left. Fiala, Sonya, and Harrid took up the right side of the table while Ayla and Sophia filled out the rest of the left, leaving the chair at the foot of the table unclaimed.
“What plans are there for today?” Doc asked, giving Fiala a smile when she poured coffee for him.
“Sonya and I will be having some of the matrons over for tea,” Fiala said, her tail swishing behind her.
“The two important ones are Iona and August,” Sonya said. “I’m sure Tarbo will be wanting to speak with you soon because of August.”
“Iona mentioned a discussion with her husband about helping with philanthropic endeavors,” Fiala added, “so don’t be surprised if Alaric wants to speak to you soon, too.”
“It’d be the entire elder council,” Sonya said. “You said you’d hinted at getting a discount for river work during the poker game. With the wives getting invested in the projects, that increases the chance of them giving a better deal.”
“I’ll be staying here, but I’m going to work with the estate guards,” Lia said. “I’ll be going over potential troubles and responses to each. If you don’t take either of the Driver brothers, I’ll include them, as they’ll chip in for estate defense.”
“Makes sense,” Doc nodded. “Good thinking.”
“We’re going with you to see McKenzie,” Ayla said, her hand resting on Sophia’s. “We’ll get the contract signed so he can get to work.”
“I was curious when you wanted to push for the river property, Doc,” Sophia added.
“I wanted to get things set up first,” Doc said. “If I wait too long, it won’t work as easily. I should probably see Dodd in the next day or two to plant some suggestions. He should have some questions about the work being done, as it is.”
“It’s good to get things started early.”
“Is eminent domain a thing here?” Doc asked.
“Taking land for public works is a law, yes, though it’s rarely invoked. Most of the time, it’s been used for the church to acquire prime real estate, but it’s also been used in major cases to ensure the public good. You’re thinking of using it for the river?” Sophia asked.
“Yes. It’s one of the things I need to speak with McKenzie about. I have ideas of how to make the land work, but if he’s knowledgeable, then I could maybe get him to draw up the plans for it. It’d make it an easier sell to Dodd.”
“If Dodd were married, we’d have another avenue like we have with August and Iona speaking to their husbands,” Fiala sighed. “He’s a confirmed bachelor, from what rumor says.”
“Can’t have everything go our way,” Doc shrugged.
The door opened to admit the chef, Charles, who wheeled a cart in with him. The hound bestial gave them a smile as he brought the cart to the table. “Good morning. I hope you’re hungry; I got a little carried away this morning.”
“We’ll handle it,” Doc chuckled. “Every meal from you is delicious. Please serve us.”
Chapter Nine
The talk with McKenzie went well— he’d been eager to get the contract out of the way. Their discussion over how to help with the river had the Hibernian smiling. He was quick to understand the ideas Doc had, promising to draw detailed plans for it and the community Doc was building.
Doc kissed Ayla and Sophia goodbye before they took the second carriage— with McKenzie— up to the courthouse to get things recorded. That left Doc with Rosa on their way to the Silver Lily to heal.
“He was calmer and respectful today,” Doc commented.
“We established you as a Voice, with Mother’s backing and me being with you willingly. To not be as he was today would be throwing away his family heritage,” Rosa said.
“What can you tell me about his people?”
“Hibernians are a proud people. They’ve held to Mother, even with Apoc pushing onto their island. The northern edge of the island has seen the influence of Apoc entrench itself, but the rest of the island is still tied to Mother. They have two dryads left there, both of whom are fiercely protected. The few times priests of Apoc have tried to find them, they died at the hands of the Hibernians that stay true to Mother. Then, the famine came to the island, and it weakened the tribes. They didn’t break, even if they sent a good number of their people to Emerita.”
“You called McKenzie fox-touched, part of the leading tribe of Hibernia. Why did they send him?”
“To help lead the others. They’ve broken into smaller tribes since coming over. The cities of Aire and Botolph have sizable tribes that have started to settle into them. McKenzie’s brothers have stayed in those locations to help guide their people.”
“Him being here is odd, isn’t it?”
“My talk with him led me to believe he was lured this way by Mother. It’s possible Mother and Luck both knew you’d be here.”
“How far ahead did they know…?” Doc murmured.
“Madam Zu also knew something,” Rosa added. “She was sent by her tribe to find a light in the West.”
“Which is likely me pushing back the Darkness.”
“She isn’t positive yet, but she is feeling stronger about it. Your help against Steward all but solidified it for her.”
“What did you know, Lady, and how far out did you set this stage for me…?” Doc murmured in thought.
Rosa didn’t have an answer for that, so she stayed quiet, happily snuggled up to him.
~*~*~
Arriving at the Silver Lily, Doc didn’t have an answer to his questions, but he could at least focus on helping people. Harrid didn’t have to turn his weapons over, since he was guarding the owner, but he still went to talk with Ginger.
Doc gave the rabbit bestial a smile as he went past the coat and weapon check. Ginger gave Doc a smile back, not losing track of her conversation with Harrid. Doc heard her telling Harrid about the days she had off coming up, just in case he could get one, too.
Doc took his seat in his office, looking over the paperwork that’d been left on his desk. His left hand gently stroked Rosa’s hair while he read; most of it was just the reports from the Silver Lily, but the one oddity was Dodd’s card in the pile.
“He stopped by, but since you weren’t in, he left his calling card,” Rosa explained, seeing the question in his mind.
“Right. Calling cards. I forgot that old bit of social etiquette. This is an invitation to visit him, since I wasn’t in when he stopped by, right? I did want to talk with him, so we’ll be going there today when we leave. After that, we’ll swing by the Iniquitous Den to make good on our word to Onyx.”
Rosa leaned her head against his leg. “Thank you, Voice.”
“A man has to keep his promises, especially in this world. Breaking one’s word puts a black mark against him.”
Harrid came into the room a second after knocking. “Doc, you ready?”
“Yeah, and we’ll talk days off later,” Doc grinned.
Harrid shook his head, but his beard twitched enough to show the smile he had. “Thank you. I’ll send the first person in. You had a couple waiting, it seems.”
“I’ll be ready,” Doc nodded, standing up.
While Harrid went to get the first patient, Doc went over to the sitting area. Rosa knelt next to the chair he would sit in while Doc remained standing.
The first patient was unexpected— he’d mostly worked on bestials and dwarves. The older man was clearly human and dressed well, but not richly. His eyes scanned Doc, then grew a little wider upon seeing Rosa. “Mr. Holyday?”
“Call me Doc, sir. How can I help you?”
“I’m John Franklin, the branch manager of Emerita First National. Roquefell suggested I see you.”
“I remember your signature on some paperwork,” Doc smiled, extending his hand to shake. “David did say he was going to send some people my way. Please, have a seat.”
Once Franklin was sitting, he exhaled slowly. “David warned me that you’d be informal, but I find it best to err toward the cautious side.”
“I’m one of the most informal men you’ll likely ever meet.”
“Yes, I can see that. I was told you can help heal people. That you’re not a registered doctor, but a spirit healer.”
“That’s correct. My patron is Lady Luck, hence why I’m in a gambling hall.”
Franklin snorted, a smile coming to him. “That makes sense now. I was confused why a healer would be in a gambling hall. My guesses were… unkind.”
“Fair enough,” Doc laughed. “What ails you?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve been tired more often, my appetite has dropped off, and I’ve had pain here.” Franklin touched his abdomen.
“Let’s see what Luck can do for you, then,” Doc said. “Lady Luck, this man comes to you seeking help. Please, let your power flow through me.” He triggered healing hands when he spoke. “Take my hand when you’re ready.”
Franklin’s eyes widened upon seeing the green energy flaring around Doc’s hands. With a hint of hesitation, worried about the green flame-like energy, Franklin eventually slapped his hand onto Doc’s waiting palm.
