Page 19 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Elias rarely traded glances with him, knowing Valeri would hate it, aware of the animosity between them, but not its cause. If Elias could discover what had led to the rift, maybe he could avoid it happening to them. Valeri dodged questions, but perhaps Laurence would answer one day. For that to happen, Elias would have to speak to him.
“I’ve served as messenger for The Dozen for nearly forty-five years,” said Laurence.
Valeri tensed against Elias’s side. It went unspoken that Laurence’s service to their rulers was in trade for protection from Valeri himself, though Valeri no longer held any sway over him due to the powerful infusion of Mahu’s blood.
Laurence continued, “In that time I’ve been on many sea voyages.”
“So this is normal?” asked Remy.
“Aye, unpleasant perhaps, but normal enough. The captain will keep the bow pointed into the wind until this blows over.”
“Will you tell us about your journeys?” asked Elias. “To keep our minds off the storm?”
“I’m not much of a storyteller.”
“Go ahead, Laurence, we’re all curious,” said Aella, clenching the bucket in her lap with white fingers.
“Please.” Remy’s doe eyes fixed lovingly on his sire.
Elias’s spirits lifted a fraction because he knew the case had been won. Laurence would deny Remy nothing. Ash remained silent. Valeri was stiff next to Elias, but he would get over it.
“All right.” Laurence sighed and glanced at the low ceiling, gaze unfocused as he recalled a tale. “Shall I tell you of my trip to Malmo, Sweden?”
“Please,” said Remy.
Laurence began, “Did you know the name ‘Malmo’ translates to ‘ground up maiden’?”
Remy’s mouth dropped open briefly before he spoke. “I most certainly did not. Why in the world would they name a town after a ground up maiden?”
“Because her specter demanded the tribute. It was the least they could do, don’t you think, after she’d died such a gruesome death?”
Aella’s face was a picture of revulsion. “They ground a woman in a millstone?”
“Not they.He. A jealous lover, scorned by the maiden in favor of another man,” said Laurence. “But the townspeople didn’t stop him from his bloody revenge. They knew he was dangerous and turned the other way because his money facilitated trade to the area.”
The tale that followed, as ghastly as promised, kept Elias from dwelling on the storm. Though now he would fear nightmares of bloody millstones and vengeful ghostly maidens.
By the time the storm abated, it was near to sunup and the vampires were forced to stay below deck. Only Aella went above to speak with the crew and take in the fresh air. She returned with news that the ship had sustained minor damage, and as Ash had predicted, they were headed to port for repairs.
Though the delay would slow their journey, Elias couldn’t help but to be eager for solid land beneath his feet.
* * *
Four Years Ago
Sleeping through the entire day had been a breeze. After working in the overlords’ field for near to twelve hours straight, almost getting beaten, watching a man murdered, then riding halfway through the night with the vampire who’d done the killing and offering him his blood, it was fair to say Elias was exhausted.
He’d passed out easily enough, head pillowed on Valeri’s chest and shoulder, and had woken only to use the chamber pot then returned to bed until sundown. If the little puddle of drool he’d left on Valeri’s skin bothered the man, he didn’t say anything as he rose and began to dress.
Elias watched him cover his naked chest with a gray shirt then a black leather doublet. He combed his fingers through unruly brown curls. Thick trousers went over his smallclothes, and all the while Elias stared.
Valeri had a lovely form. Muscular without being brawny, a bit of a soft stomach, lean legs and narrow hips. Deep set dark eyes over prominent cheeks. Brows arched in amusement at Elias’s open admiration.
“Will you be getting out of bed tonight, or just watching while I do?”
Unease churned in Elias’s belly. Though he felt drawn to Valeri, he also feared him. His entire life others had told him what to do. When to wake, what to eat, how to work—he’d had very few important decisions of his own. Very little control. Would Valeri allow him to lounge in bed? Did he even want to?
“What would you like?” asked Elias, opting for a safe choice. He was aware of his dependence on Valeri. Food, shelter, clothes, work. He’d abandoned all he’d known when he said,Do it. Kill him for me. Not that it mattered; he’d never known anything good.
