Page 77 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Sleeping without Valeri at his side proved impossible. Elias had grown too accustomed to curling up with him, and no matter how mad he got, he still ached for the weight of Valeri’s arm over his back, the familiar pattern of his breathing under his cheek.
With his entire soul, Elias didn’t want to leave Valeri, but they couldn’t go on as they had been. Not with both of them miserable. Something would need to change. He let out a long, melancholy sigh, feeling quite sorry for himself and the work that lay ahead if he stayed. Maybe he should leave Valeri after all.
The sun was high in the sky; Elias could feel it in his bones. Exhausted, he leaned against the wall, too frustrated to continue to try to sleep on his own.
Around him, the others slumbered on the floor. Remy nestled against Laurence, Aella the little spoon to Ash’s big one. But Valeri, like him, was wide awake. He lay on his back, knees up, eyes staring at the ceiling. Elias let his gaze linger, roaming Valeri’s chestnut curls, his arching cheekbones, and that little freckle on his upper lip. He loved to kiss that freckle.
Elias blew a breath through clenched teeth and climbed to his feet. Valeri’s gaze turned to his with such longing as to melt the meager resolve Elias had mustered.I don’t want to leave you.Heart heavy, Elias sank to the floor to sit beside him.
“Elias,” Valeri whispered on a breath, tone reverent, saying his name as if in worship.
“You are an absolute ass,” said Elias, glowering.
“I’m sorry.” Valeri’s fingers twitched where they lay on his abdomen, as if he wanted to reach for Elias, but knew better than to try.
The words surprised Elias. Apologies from Valeri were rare and seldom genuine. But this one was wrapped in sincerity. Elias could see the emotion in Valeri’s expression, the regret, the longing. The combination disarmed him, his anger fading to a deep sadness. Elias gave in and lay down next to him like he’d longed to do for hours.
“This does not mean I forgive you,” said Elias, pulling Valeri’s arm around him just how he liked it.
“Of course not,” Valeri murmured against the crown of his head.
“You cannot go on treating me as if I belong to you.”
“I know.”
Elias snuggled into his spot. “I’m still mad at you.”
“I understand.” Valeri held him close.
“I don’t know that this can be fixed,” said Elias honestly. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
Valeri’s chest rumbled as he spoke. “I shall remain hopeless until you tell me otherwise.”
Elias’s lips curled to a smile against his will. “Be quiet. Go to sleep.”
* * *
Elias, Six Months Ago
Bran Vigny Castle gleamed with a splendor Elias had never dared to imagine. After the long sea voyage, and an overland trek to get there, the rising towers and sprawling gardens exceeded his every expectation. The castle truly reached the clouds, tickling their wispy white tendrils with its spires. Astounding.
The interior proved even more magnificent. A veritable museum of treasures strewn about everywhere he looked. Sculptures, paintings, tapestries. Every piece of furniture a work of art. His senses were inundated by the beauty of it all, the richness, the culture contained within these walls. Elias had seen nothing like this in Lappland.
He had a passing thought of Lajos. Though he detested the vampire, Elias couldn’t help but think the artist would be more at home at a place like this than in cold and dark Rovaniemi. He wished the plan wasn’t to return. Already Elias knew he’d prefer to stay in the castle, where vampires, witches, and humans roamed freely through the sparkling hallways and warm courtyards.
Valeri had petitioned The Dozen for an audience through letters, so when they arrived, an apartment had already been prepared for them. Though Elias longed to explore, Valeri insisted they keep mostly to their rooms.
Not even a week after they’d settled in, Elias was enjoying a bath by himself when Valeri stormed into their apartment, his expression furious. While the water cooled and the bubbles popped one by one, Valeri ranted about Laurence’s arrival. And not only that, but Laurence had brought a lover, a runt of a witch called Remy. The Dozen wanted this witch to be on the team sent with them back to the ancients.
Elias listened, for that was all that was required of him; Valeri didn’t leave space for him to get a word in during his raving. All he could think was finally,finally,he would get to see this Laurence for himself. This other vampire Valeri had made who’d abandoned him. Maybe something he learned from Laurence would help him fix whatever was breaking between him and Valeri. He clung to hope.
Before they could meet, all hell broke loose. They awoke early one evening—too early for them to rise as the sun still shone outside—to loud booms that shook the castle walls.
Elias clung to Valeri until it ended, and though Valeri held him, he’d no answers to offer. They only found out what had happened afterward, and Elias was never sure Valeri told him the entire story. A battle had raged. Bran Vigny’s witches had triumphed. And Laurence had turned his witchborn partner to a vampire.
Valeri’s response was one of relief. If the witch had been turned, then he’d lost his magic and would be no help on their mission. Relief soon shattered like icicles in springtime, because not only had Remy retained his powers, but Laurence had gained them, and both were slated to journey with them to Lappland.
Valeri became impossible, and Elias bore the brunt of his frustration. He’d yet to lay eyes on this mysterious and loathed Laurence or his new fledgling, Remy. Valeri kept him locked away in their rooms so much that Elias grew restless.
