Page 55 of Beyond the Ruby River
“You’re speaking as if you’re already lost to me.”
“I will be.” Mahu put his hand on Daka’s knee and squeezed. “Whether it comes sooner or later, my death is inevitable as much as yours is not. You’ll come to accept the loss. I’ve faith that you’ll grow from it as you’re meant to.”
“I don’t want to grow from losing you. I want you by my side. We can grow together.”
Mahu gave a sad sigh. “Let me hold you while I still can.”
Daka tucked both knees beneath his chin, shaking off Mahu’s hands in the process. Holding himself in a ball, he wrapped his tail around his shins. “You’ve given up already, haven’t you? That’s not fair. I said I have an idea; don’t you want to hear it?”
“Of course I’ll hear it, Nedjes, but I can’t imagine whatever you’ve thought of can usurp the will of the gods.”
“It can,” said Daka, knowing he stood on shaky ground. He may only get one chance to convince Mahu not to die, he’d better make it good. “Do you remember my friend Temaj? The one I mentioned helped me to feed?”
“The vampire who’s friends with your family?” asked Mahu warily.
“The very same.”
“What of him?”
“Well—” Daka reached out to hold Mahu’s wrist. “Vampires are immortal like incubi, but they begin their lives as humans. One vampire can make another.” Daka stopped to let the words sink in. He studied Mahu’s face.
Mahu’s jaw tightened as he deciphered Daka’s meaning, lips pressed to a thin line. He shook his head. “No, Daka.”
“But—”
“No.” Mahu’s brows drew close, a mask of horror overtaking his features. He removed his wrist from Daka’s grasp. “Absolutely not. I won’t be made into a demon so you can have me forever. Put the thought out of your mind.”
Daka’s mouth fell open. He hadn’t expected Mahu to embrace the idea right away, but he hadn’t expected total denial. “We don’t have to talk about it now, but could you at least think on it before dismissing the possibility?”
“No, I could not,” Mahu snapped. “My family waits for me on the other side. I cannot abandon them.”
Daka believed Mahu’s family were turning to dust within the desert’s eternal embrace, but he knew Mahu wouldn’t want to hear that. He wouldn’t voice it out loud.
I am your family nowflitted through his mind, but that wasn’t the right response either.
Perhaps he’d brought up his plan too early. He’d have to try again another time, when Mahu was sicker. The thought brought more sorrow.
“All right, Mahu. I’m sorry I’ve upset you.” Daka felt small. He dipped his head to let his hair fall over his brow and hide his face. This had been a mistake. He should speak with Temaj, arrange for him and Mahu to meet. Maybe after Mahu knew Temaj for the kind and generous soul he was, he would reconsider. Vampires weren’t demons in the way Mahu thought of demons but explaining the differences would only be badgering at this point. He’d have to wait.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you.” Mahu’s expression softened. “It was a thoughtful idea, but I must decline. Do you understand?”
Daka understood only that Mahu was wrong, and it would take a lot more to convince him than one conversation, but he nodded all the same. “Will you at least agree to see the doctor again? There must be more they can do for you than honey water.”
“For you, I will. You can come along if you like, listen to the suenu’s advice for yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Mahu reached for him. “Come here and lie down with me. I’m tired. Wrap your tail around my ankle the way you like, put your head on my chest, and talk to me about happier things.”
Daka could obey every request except talk of happier things. His mind could conjure nothing happy. He curled back into his spot along Mahu’s side and flung his tail loosely around his lover’s ankle, as had become his habit.
Mahu wrapped him in strong arms and held him tight. “Everything will be all right, Dakarai. The sun will rise and shine without me, and you’ll find someone new to love.”
Daka clenched his eyes shut to stave off tears. He’d only just gotten Mahu. He couldn’t bear to lose him. Pressing his nose to Mahu’s flesh, Daka inhaled the sweet scent and vowed he’d do anything in his power to keep them together.
* * *
Mahu
