Page 11 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Elias squared his shoulders. “Ready.”
With two crisp clicks of his tongue, Valeri signaled to Pavel, and the gelding’s ears twitched forward. Valeri tapped his heels to the mare’s flanks, and she was off.
The powerful animal between Elias’s thighs sprang to motion, unwilling to let his master ride away without him. Elias bounced at first, clinging with his legs. Though his fingers clenched the reins, he was careful not to pull.
Move with the horse. Move with the horse.
As luck would have it, the rocking motion was somewhat predictable. Elias didn’t have to bounce. He let his weight settle in the saddle and kept his eyes ahead like Valeri had instructed. Riding wasn’t as easy as he’d thought, but nor was it impossible.
Valeri took them past the slash and burn fields Elias had spent years slaving over. Whether or not the barley got harvested before the first frost was no longer his concern. They moved away from the clustered village of hovels the bondslaves slept in and into the great forest beyond. Less moonlight shone through the dense canopy of pines, and Elias could see very little. How was Valeri managing so well in the dark?
Ahead of him, hoofbeats thudded evenly, and Elias simply trusted Pavel not to lose them. Their pace had slowed, making it easier to stay balanced in the saddle. The combination gave his mind more opportunity to wander.
Was he safe with Valeri? Probably not, but the demon was enticing, a mystery in a world that had become dull. Elias wanted to unravel him, to see what hid beneath the bold words and deadly actions. A shiver took hold of his spine. He clutched Valeri’s cloak tighter around his shoulders. Under it, his chest was bare. The material didn’t scratch his skin like the wool he’d grown accustomed too. The fabric was softer, of fine quality, and warmer too.
As night wore on, the nervous energy from expecting to be whipped, from watching a man killed before his eyes, from agreeing to follow a demon into the unknown, began to wear off, and in its place a heavy drowsiness loomed. From sunup to sundown Elias had toiled in the field. Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm his body even as his mind raced.
What sort of creature was Valeri? Where had he come from and why had he shown up to inspect the farms with the overlord? Was Maks his first kill? Elias doubted it. The act had been too easy for him. Natural. A predator.
Perhaps fear would keep exhaustion at bay after all.
Pavel swayed steadily beneath him, content to follow behind the mare who carried his master. Elias risked a pat to the horse’s neck. His ears flicked, and he let out a friendly wuffle.
“Good boy,” said Elias. “Thank you.”
From ahead, Valeri’s voice pierced the quiet night. “Enjoying the ride?”
“Yes,” said Elias honestly. “Especially now that we’ve slowed.”
“It’s not much farther. You’re doing well.”
Heat crept into Elias’s cheeks at the praise. He battled a churning mix of emotions. Terror, gratitude, anxiety, and something he didn’t care to admit—lust. He found Valeri’s confidence alluring. A handsome demon, powerful when necessary then patient when doling out horse riding tips to a beginner.
His stomach growled, drawing him back to reality. Elias was starving, and despite Valeri’s cloak, he was beginning to get cold. It must be after midnight. His rump had grown sore, then numb. His muscles ached.
“Almost there,” said Valeri, as if sensing his discomfort.
At least he would not go to bed bloody from the lash.
The terrain became hilly as they drew closer to the fells of Yllas. Miles ago they’d turned off the obvious path. Elias’s eyes had mostly adjusted to the lack of light, but he had no idea how the horses picked their way over roots and brambles and through the thick copse of trees in the darkness. Pavel proved sure-footed as they approached a steep embankment.
Elias expected Valeri to turn the horses to walk alongside the wall of earth, so he wasn’t ready for their abrupt halt at its base. He lurched forward, bracing his hands on Pavel’s neck to stop himself falling. The horse, bless him, made no protest.
Glancing around, Elias searched for some reason they’d stopped: a house, a barn, anything. But in the black of night, he was at a loss. He looked to his demon rescuer for answers.
Valeri had already dismounted the mare. With her reins in one hand, he reached to Elias with the other. “Come, I’ll help you down.”
Elias took the gloved hand in his own, braced his weight in the left stirrup and drew his leg over Pavel’s rump. He landed with a jolt, his body stiff from the ride, knees weak.
Valeri caught him at the waist, standing close. “Welcome.” His hand lingered at Elias’s side.
“Where are we?”
“My home.” Valeri cocked his head and grinned. “Well, one of them.” He gave a gentle squeeze before releasing Elias’s waist. “I’ll show you in, then I must tend to the horses.”
Elias’s skin tingled where Valeri’s hand had been. He saw nothing but shadowed tree trunks. The air smelled of damp soil and pinesap. Would they sleep under the stars? It was far too cold for that.
Valeri collected Pavel’s reins and indicated Elias should lead, though to where he didn’t know. They were headed to a wall of earth for all he could tell. The horses followed behind, and just when Elias was certain they could go no farther, a wooden door appeared in front of him, framed by a shallow overhang. The entrance blended in so well he’d never have noticed had he not been guided straight to it.
