Page 89 of Across the Sapphire Sea
“Semantics.” Mahu waved away the rebuttal. “You’re losing each other, and it’s making you both miserable.”
“He is happy,” said Valeri through clenched teeth, then made himself relax. He wasn’t mad at Mahu. He had no one to blame for their circumstances but himself.
“Sometimes.”
Valeri arched his brows. “What does that mean?”
“Elias is capable of enjoying his new freedoms with his friends, yes, but there’s a deep sadness lurking behind his easy smiles. A wound that pains him, and only you can take it away.”
The accusation didn’t sit lightly, but Valeri knew the truth in it. He supposed he deserved to feel this way for how he’d treated his lover. But why Mahu would rub his nose in his failures, he hadn’t the slightest. “The damage is already done. I don’t intend him further injury.”
“And yet you’re causing it right now.”
“Now?” Valeri threw his hands into the air, frustration seeping into his tone. “But I’ve let him go out with his friends. I’m not lurking over his shoulder or demanding he speak only with me. I’ve given him the freedom he’s longed for. What more can I do? Should I leave?”
“You should ask him what he wants,” said Mahu gently. “You should listen when he answers. Then you should do what he asks.”
A mirthless laugh escaped Valeri’s lips. “That simple?”
“It really is. Tell me, have you tried?”
From anyone else, the question would be offensive, but Mahu possessed an earnest face, a sweet voice, and kind eyes. Valeri would like to say that he’d tried, but if he were being honest…had he ever simply asked Elias what he wanted? No. The answer came as a bit of a surprise. Such a simple courtesy, and yet doing so had never occurred to him. “I haven’t.”
“Admitting as much is a good start,” said Mahu. “Don’t forget to listen to his answer.”
That sounded obvious, but Valeri let it sink in. He was afraid of what Elias might say. Listening to his answer might very well break Valeri’s heart. “He’ll want to leave. He’ll want me to let him go.”
“And if that’s what he asks of you?”
To his shock, Valeri found himself blinking away tears. Unacceptable. He turned his face rather than let Mahu see.
Mahu rose from his seat. “Make sure to hear what he actually says, and not just what you think he will say. Learn from my mistakes as I did not.”
The door clicked softly shut behind him.
Valeri swiped a tear from his cheek.
* * *
Elias, Present, 1432 Common Era
Elias hurried through Bran Vigny’s corridors and up the stairs to his rooms, all the while dripping a trail of water behind him. He hoped he wouldn’t run into anyone, but dashing through the castle soaking wet was worth the potential embarrassment for the fun they’d had.
Though it was hard to picture Valeri in a water fight, Elias couldn’t help but wish he’d been there.
He slipped through the door to their apartments, relieved to have made it unseen. He shut the door and leaned against it, giggling out a breath.
His smile faded as he scanned the parlor and found Valeri sitting rather slumped in his chair, shoulders caved forward, head in his hands. By the look of him, he’d been there a long time. Valeri lifted his head to glance his way.
Elias rushed to kneel in front of him. “Are you hurt? Is it your ribs? I thought they’d healed.”
Valeri perked up, but Elias could see the motion for the show of will that it was. “I’m fine.” He offered Elias a smile. “I was warned you might turn up wet. You may as well be a fish. What’ve you gotten up to?”
Elias’s eyes grew big. “Warned? By whom?”
“Nothing bad, don’t let it bother you.” Valeri reached out to palm his cheek. “Tell me about your night. Or would you rather dry off first? Yes, I suppose you should do that. Why don’t you have a wash while I fetch you some dry clothes.”
“If you’re sure you’re all right.” Elias stood. “You looked as if you were in pain when I walked in.”
