Nine Shillings

An Axe-cident

London - 1842

Josef was chopping wood in the garden, maybe with more aggression than required. His shirt was hanging from a branch and I found myself watching how his body moved and flexed as he split chunks of wood with a smooth, practiced swing. I couldn't even do graceful things gracefully, never mind things like chop wood.

'Enjoying the view?' he asked without missing a beat in his swing.

I blinked and shifted where I was leaning against one of the fruit trees. 'Just thinking.'

He tossed the split wood into a basket that already had plenty in then picked up an unsplit piece from the pile on the other side of the block.

'Angry at something?' I asked.

'Myself.' He put the wood on the block and split it with a single smooth swing. 'How did your meeting with Freyja go?' The wood went in the basket and another was put in its place.

'Apparently, we're looking for someone like me.'

Thud. He missed the wood and buried the axe in the block.

'Seems becoming a vampire made my passive magic more active.' I sucked my teeth. 'Why are you angry at yourself?'

'Why aren't you angry at me?' He put his foot on the block and pulled the axe out.

I chuckled faintly. 'Oh, I'm always angry.' I glanced at him. 'But not at you. Frustrated, perhaps.'

He sliced through the wood like it was melting butter. 'Did she tell you anything about this magic?'

'Figured it out yourself, really.' I tucked my hands into my pockets. 'You didn't answer the question.'

He sighed and picked up another chunk of wood and put it on the block. 'So many reasons.'

'Want to talk about it?'

He paused, axe raised, and looked at me then brushed it off and sliced through the wood. 'Not really.'

'That's alright.' I shrugged. 'I'll still be here if you decide you do.'

He looked at me again with another of his indecipherable expressions. No, perhaps not indecipherable. Surprised and confused, maybe.

He picked up another piece of wood.

I stepped forward and pressed my hand to his chest. 'We don't need so much wood, Josef.'

He looked down at my hand against the wiry hair of his chest, his heart was beating quick against my palm. His chest was solid with muscle from a human life of swinging a sword and warm with the energy that coursed through his body.

After a moment he said, 'It helps me release tension.'

'You definitely feel tense.' I caressed the slight swell of his pectoral with my thumb.

He bit his lip, considering me. 'That's because I've not had sex in a few years and you touching my chest is at risk of giving me an erection.'

I chuckled and lowered my hand. 'You exaggerate.' I took the axe from him and swung it around like Josef had taught me to with a sword, I still wasn't used to how light things felt. I picked up a piece of wood and put it on the block. 'If chopping wood helps, maybe you can take a moment to teach me how you chop like that.'

Josef let out a breath. 'I don't think that's going to help with the erection.'

'What was it you told me when I became a vampire?' I planted my feet firmly, gripped the shaft of the axe in both hands, and lowered my voice in a not even passable impression of Josef, 'It's all about self-control.'

'Fuck,' he murmured.

'I can feel you staring at my bum, Josef.'

'It's a nice bum.'

I chuckled. 'I know.' I shifted my weight, getting ready. 'So, how do I do this?'

'You really don't know how to chop wood?' he asked.

'Usually, I chop people. Not sure that's the same.'

'I suppose not.' He stepped up behind me and put his arms round me to show me where to grip the axe.

Most other people I'd feel tense, prickly, and on high alert. With Josef, I didn't. It was comfortable and safe.

'Most people make the mistake of trying chop with only their arms.' He raised our arms then lowered. 'But you lose power and will probably hurt yourself. It's a full body motion.' He raised the axe with one hand on one of mine but kept one hand on my stomach showing me how to move my torso. 'Back straight, use your core. If you need to bend, do it from your hips.' He guided my swing slowly and pressed my hips showing me where to flex. 'Fuck.' His breath warmed my ear. 'Should've thought of that.'

I snorted and laughed, my rear planted firmly against his groin. He stepped away.

I doubled over, leaning against the axe with my arms folded on the haft. 'I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm laughing.'

He shook his head, cracked a smiled, then laughed too.

We stopped abruptly at the sound of Bran approaching talking to Merry. 'It's alright, baby bear, Daddy's not lost. Here he is.' They appeared through the trees, Bran carrying a wet faced Merry on his hip, she was holding onto him and Patches. 'Just chopping so wood for the fires to keep you cosy.'

'Hey, baby.' Josef went to her and lifted her out of Bran's arms. 'It's alright.'

She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. 'Was 'fraid monsters got you.'

'Hey...' He kissed her forehead and rocked her. 'No monsters are going to get me. Mummy wouldn't let them, would she?'

Merry snuffled and shook her head.

I kicked the blunt side of the axe and flipped the it round so I was holding it nearer the head.

She giggled a little. 'That's good.'

I got out a handkerchief and wiped her face. 'When you get older, I'll teach you how to do it.'

She nodded then mumbled, 'Sorry for being big baby.'

'You're not being a big baby,' Josef said. 'It was very naughty of me to not tell you where I was or what I was doing and I'm sorry I upset you so much. I won't do it again.'

She gave him big sad eyes and a sticky out bottom lip. 'Promise?'

'As far as it is in my power to do so, I will always tell you how long I'll be gone and when I'll be home. I promise.'

'Good, 'cause your daddy an' Daddy's s'posed be with Mummy an' Pappy an' all of us.' She squeezed him.

He smiled so, so softly at her. 'I think so too.'