Page 10 of Across the Sapphire Sea
“Good, then it’s settled. I’ll bring them by later on. And, Elias, when you’re done feeding, come find me, and you may pick your own.”
Elias fought to keep his tone level. “Thank you, Remy, that’s a generous offer, but I’m sorry. I have to decline.”
Remy arched his brows. “Why? Surely Valeri can’t be jealous of a book?”
“No, no, it’s not that.” His shoulders sank. “I can’t read. I never learned.”
“Oh,” said Remy, drawing out the sound so it lingered between them along with Elias’s shame. Remy stood from his place on Rasz’s bed and knelt in front of Elias with a hand on his knee. “That’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Lots of people have never been taught to read. Instead of choosing a book, we’ll begin your lessons. All right?”
Elias felt the shy smile as it formed on his face. He’d always wished to learn to read. “Really?”
“Of course. It would be my pleasure.”
“Thank you.”
Remy stood. “You’re welcome. Now, I’ve kept you from your breakfast long enough. I’ll leave you to it.”
“Goodbye.” Elias was still grinning as Remy left.
Damra pulled her chair up to his. “That Remy’s a good lad, is he not?”
“He is,” Elias agreed.
“And you are too, my boy.” She brushed aside long brown waves of hair, exposing her neck. “Come on now, drink.”
Elias eyed the pretty blue vein pulsing beneath her creamy skin. “Thank you, Damra.”
Then he leaned in, and ever so gently, he bit her.
* * *
Four Years Ago
“Take my horse,” said Valeri, clicking for his gelding to come. “I’ll take the mare. Can you ride?”
Elias eyed the gray gelding with no small amount of longing. He loved horses and enjoyed caring for them, but he’d never been on one. Bondslaves didn’t ride; they walked behind to shovel shit from the overlords’ roadways. But riding didn’t look difficult. He thought he could manage.
“Probably,” he answered.
Valeri cast an amused glance over his shoulder. “That’ll do.” He left the mare where she was and approached, gesturing to the horse he’d ridden. “This is Pavel. He’s an easy goer, and with some encouragement, should follow me anyway. You won’t have to do much but stay on.”
“Hello, Pavel.” Elias held his hand out for the horse to sniff. His lips tickled Elias’s fingers. Giving Pavel a gentle pat along the solid muscles of his neck, he thought the two of them would get along fine.
Valeri hovered close, gathering the reins and handing them to Elias. “Left foot in the stirrup, reins in your left hand.”
Elias’s gaze flitted back to the slumped body of Maks. His stomach clenched, and he forced himself to look away. Taking the soft leather reins from Valeri, Elias did as he was told. Was he really leaving the fields, leaving the other bondslaves, and escaping his servitude? The punishment for runaways was death, not even considering the body they were leaving behind. So he’d better get on with it and not get caught. He grasped the saddle with his right hand and felt Valeri’s touch at his waist, ready to help if it turned out Elias was inept at horse riding after all.
Pavel stayed still as he mounted, and Elias found himself on the back of a horse for the first time. A grin tugged his lips, despite his fear and their circumstances. Valeri’s hand squeezed his calf, catching his attention.
“Sit up straight. Relax your hips. Good. Be gentle with the reins, don’t pull on him or use them for balance. Let your body move with his rhythm. Keep your heels down in the stirrups; don’t let them slip out. Eyes ahead. I’ll lead.”
That was a lot to keep in mind at once. “All right.”
“Oh, and Elias,” Valeri caught his eye as he strode back to the fidgety mare, “don’t fall off.”
“Don’t fall off. Got it.” Pavel shifted his weight, and Elias stiffened. Remembering Valeri’s advice, he took a breath and relaxed.Move with the horse’s rhythm. He’d always wanted to try this. And the challenge of it kept shock’s icy tendrils from digging in.
Valeri mounted in a graceful movement, turned the mare about, and glanced to Elias. “Ready?”
