Page 5 of Beyond the Ruby River
A flock of waterfowl took flight, their wings beating the water before they rose. Mahu watched their departure, stretching his back as he did. He wondered where the birds were headed and what they’d see on their journey. Wiggling his toes in the muddy marsh, Mahu felt them beginning to prune. Perhaps he’d take a turn with a wagon next to let his feet dry as he hauled this batch back to town.
“Mahu?” Sebek’s friendly tone startled him from his thoughts.
“Sorry.” Mahu easily got caught up in his inner musings. Dwelling on Sebek’s inquiry brought sorrow. How was he? Lonely. Sad. He woke alone; ate, read, and slept alone. His house was too big for one man, with empty rooms that held memories instead of people. Mahu wouldn’t burden Sebek with those thoughts.
“I’m well.”
Sebek studied him.
Mahu turned his attention back to the plants, their spring-fresh scent a familiar comfort.
“Have dinner with us.” Sebek tucked his blade into his belt and climbed up from the marsh.
Mahu followed.
“The girls would love to see you. Especially if you’re wearing that.” He gestured to Mahu’s blue tunic. “It would help make their case to Meri.”
Mahu gave his friend a warm smile and shook his head. “You think me a fool? I’ll not risk Meri’s wrath.”
“All the same, come to dinner.”
“Perhaps another night.” Though spending time with Sebek’s family was tempting, Mahu couldn’t muster the energy to pretend to be happy. He’d rather spend another evening by himself than try to be the man he was before, back when they’d gathered as two whole families, not one family and one lonely man. “Thank you for the offer.”
Sebek gave a nod and took up a hauling cart. “Of course. You’re always welcome.”
They hauled the last of the day’s harvest to the shop in pleasant silence. Mahu’s lungs strained by the end of the journey, though it had taken less than an hour. Twice he had to stop as coughing fits came and went. He didn’t remember the task being quite so difficult the last time he’d performed it, though that had been several harvests ago.
Waving goodbye to Sebek, Mahu headed to the public fountain for a drink of water before the short stroll home. The cool, fresh liquid soothed his parched throat. A refreshing splash cleansed hands and face. He took a lungful of air, caught his breath, and gave a passing thought to stopping at his favorite tavern but decided he didn’t want to go there alone.
Mahu rolled his shoulders, stiff and sore from work. His neck gave a crack so satisfying as to draw a sigh from parted lips.
As he turned to head home, he caught sight of an enchanting, spritely built young man who stopped dead in his path and stared right at him.
Mahu blinked.
The curious man remained in place, observing him, his dark eyes lined heavily with kohl and focused on Mahu with the intensity of a predator. Then he smiled, and the quality of his gaze shifted to something lighter. Delight, perhaps, though Mahu couldn’t think of why. He checked behind himself to make sure the man wasn’t looking at someone else. No one there.
The young man approached, light on his feet, one graceful step after another until he stood a mere arm’s length away. Still smiling, his teeth gleamed white and his eyes crinkled at the corners. A charming button nose sat on a lovely symmetrical face. This close, Mahu saw glints of navy blue in his dark irises.
“Hello. I’m Dakarai.” His voice was smooth as dripping honey.
A flutter of desire awoke in Mahu’s chest, warm and tingling. An odd feeling. Mahu hadn’t lain with another man since before he’d married, and he hadn’t taken a lover even after Ahset’s death. He’d thought that drive within him had vanished along with Ahset herself, but the spark of yearning stirred, baffling him as he gazed at Dakarai. The man couldn’t be any older than twenty.
Mahu shook off the feeling as best he could and offered his hand. “I’m Mahu.”
“Mahu,” the young man tested the name on his lips, taking his hand.
In the back of his mind, Mahu knew this encounter was strange. These feelings, though not unwelcome, sprang from nowhere, as did Dakarai. But somehow, with the slim hand in his, Mahu couldn’t bring himself to care.
* * *
Dakarai
A lump of guilt caught in his throat as Daka abandoned what he’d planned to say,take me to your bedroom,in favor of the right thing to do.
Reluctantly, he released Mahu’s hand, sensing the man’s confusion, and stepped back. He left off his trifling ability of persuasion and watched Mahu’s expression clear. He’d such a handsome face, long and angular with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. His kohl was smudged around reddish-brown eyes. Daka would love to neaten it up for him, swipe away the smear with his thumb. Trail a finger to his plump lips. He sighed.
“My friends call me Daka. Would you care for a beer?” All Daka could do now, without his paltry sway to nudge Mahu in the direction he wanted, was hope.
