Page 23 of Beyond the Ruby River
“I haven’t, but we should get some.”
“Yes, we definitely should.”
They linked arms and ambled toward the excitement of the market. Daka wrapped his tail, carefully hidden with a hint of magic, around his waist and wondered what Mahu would think of it. Could he tell Mahu the truth? He wanted to. As the man became more important to him with each passing day, it felt wrong not to be completely honest.
Grabbing mugs of beer from a street cart, they sipped and took in the decorations. Colorful streamers danced above, hung from trees and awnings, transforming the square for the festivities. Actors in costumes paraded by en masse, beating sticks in rhythm. Some turned cartwheels and spun so fast Daka grew dizzy watching.
Ahead of them, lively notes of music grew louder. The steady thump of drumbeats vibrated enough Daka felt the pounding in his chest. They returned their empty mugs to another cart. Mahu went to take another, but Daka stopped him, catching his gaze.
“Let’s join the dancing. I want your hands on me.”
A hint of laughter laced Mahu’s response. “The things you say.”
Daka felt a stab of self-consciousness. “Was that wrong to say? I’m sorry.”
“No, no, not wrong at all. Never fear. I love how you speak your thoughts so clearly. It’s delightful.”
Relieved, Daka dragged Mahu to the center of the crowd of dancers near the musicians and pressed in close. He wrapped his arms around Mahu’s neck, sighing as Mahu encircled his waist. Mahu spread his fingers wide, pulling Daka in, just what he’d wanted. Together they moved with the drummer’s rhythm, lost in a sea of revelers.
Daka took deep breaths through his nose. A low thrum of arousal drifted through the crowd, teasing his appetite and tempting the demon. The bouquet of food, sweat, and desire combined to make an aroma that stoked the embers of his hunger to flames. They swayed and rocked together as the tunes continued, one after another.
The beat picked up, merry and pulsing. Mahu held his lower back, fingers just caressing the uppermost swell of his ass as they matched the quicker pace. Daka laid his face against Mahu’s neck and pressed his hips forward to chase the bulge of his groin.
“Daka,” said Mahu into his ear. “Do you want to go?”
Go? As in, go with Mahu, tear his clothes off, and fuck? Please let that be what Mahu meant.
“Yes, let’s go,” Daka nearly begged.
He pulled back enough to meet Mahu’s gaze. Desire swirled in his sparkling garnet eyes, reeling Daka in for a hard, fast kiss. He needed Mahu like he needed air.
They abandoned the dancers, the market, and the festival all together.
“Come home with me?” asked Mahu as the noise of the celebration faded to a murmur in the distance.
Daka’s blood tingled in his veins. “Please.”
7
Mahu
Mahu had been dreaming of this since the day he took Daka to the Nile and held him, naked and squirming, against his chest. Still only half-believing his luck—that someone like Daka could desire him—he unlatched his front door and stood back so Daka could enter. The air between them crackled with possibility as Daka passed by.
Mahu’s home, though modest, was comfortable. It’d been an age since he’d had a guest. What would Daka think of the place? Tidy and neat, the sitting area boasted little else than worn furniture and overgrown house plants. He kept a variety of species throughout the rooms, letting them grow beyond their containers and take over end tables and walls alike.
Daka didn’t seem to notice. His eyes fixed on Mahu, gaze hungry, something fierce and feral in his blue irises. Heat pooled in Mahu’s chest. To be the subject of that intensity sent a shiver racing up his spine. His cock, having softened on their walk, began to fill.
“The bedroom?” Daka’s voice pitched low and husky in a tone Mahu hadn’t heard from him until now. That too sent Mahu’s blood coursing.
When he didn’t immediately move, Daka closed in to tug the sash of his tunic loose.
“Never mind.” Daka’s hands took his waist. “This room suits well enough.”
Mahu gripped Daka’s nape to draw him in for a firm kiss. His mouth tasted of cinnamon, sugar, and beer. His skin flushed warm beneath Mahu’s fingers.
“The bedroom,” murmured Mahu against his lips.
“Mahu.” Daka’s hands slipped under Mahu’s tunic to his thighs. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”
