Page 88 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Elias’s eyes widened; his mind raced with questions. Had Mahu lost a lover? He opened his mouth to ask, but Mahu shook his head.
“I’ve forgotten something at the castle.” Mahu climbed to his feet. “You stay and enjoy the lesson. Think on my advice.”
“I will. Thank you.” Elias leaned his head back against the tree as Mahu said his goodbyes to the others. He watched the pine needles dance in the moonlight above him and thought about Valeri, alone, up in their rooms.
What could he say to Valeri to fix the rift between them? The truth was that he needed Valeri somewhere between the extremes of treating Elias as if he owned him and treating Elias as if he didn’t care what he did.
Could he tell Valeri the truth? Would Valeri want to hear it?
23
Valeri, Present, 1432 Common Era
Not long after Elias left, a knock sounded on Valeri’s door. He wasn’t expecting anyone. A brief flash of fear struck like lightning. Fedor had not come himself, had he? Valeri’s chest constricted at the thought. His throat tightened. The last person he wanted to see was his hateful sire.
A terrible thought took hold. What if Elias saw him that way? Maybe he didn’t yet, but if Valeri wasn’t careful, it could happen. The idea that Elias might dread seeing Valeri the way he dreaded seeing Fedor clawed at his heart.
The knock came again.
Too gentle to be Fedor. And the man would not have come all this way on Valeri’s account. Though his offer to take Elias was probably some misguided effort to help, it wasn’t for Valeri’s sake, but rather because Fedor thought he stood to gain something from Elias’s company. Even that would not be enough to draw him away from his riches in Russia.
Valeri stood from his desk. “Come in.”
The door opened to reveal Mahu, who gave an elegant bow. “Have I come at a bad time?”
Valeri hid his surprise. He didn’t know Mahu well and had no idea why the man would pay him a visit. “Not at all. What can I do for you?”
Mahu stepped in and closed the door behind him. “There’s nothing I need. I only wish to speak with you.”
“Please.” Valeri gestured to the furniture. “Have a seat. I thought you were with Elias and the others watching a magic lesson.”
Mahu took a chair, leaned back, and crossed his long legs. He ran his hands down the soft maroon upholstery of the arms as he settled. “I was. Elias is still there, no doubt involved in a water fight by now. You can well expect him to return to you drenched.”
“Is that so?” Valeri sat across from him. He didn’t know what to make of that. Vampires in a water fight? “But why?”
Mahu waved his concern away. “The others are learning water spells. Remy already looks as if he tripped and fell face first in a puddle. What matters is they are having fun.”
Valeri did want Elias to enjoy himself, even if it meant he returned home soggy. “Sometimes I forget how young he is.”
“Hmm. He and Remy both, but that’s not why I’ve come. I’ve been meaning to thank you. If it weren’t for your valiant effort, I wouldn’t be here to enjoy watching vampire-witches learn water spells.”
Valeri lowered his gaze. “No thanks necessary. Without Elias, Sachi would never have returned with us.”
“And without you, Elias wouldn’t have been there to charm her.”
Elias could have been killed because of his arrogance. Valeri shivered. “I’m glad it’s all worked out in the end.”
Mahu leaned forward. “Let me do you a favor in return.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Valeri, voice crisp. “There’s nothing I need.”
“I disagree.”
Valeri tipped his head. “Oh?”
Mahu gave a grave nod. “You’re losing Elias.”
Hearing the words out loud and put so bluntly was a jagged blade through his tattered soul. Though he knew Mahu spoke truth, Valeri argued anyway. “I’m not losing him. I’m letting him go.”
