Page 6 of Beyond the Ruby River
Mahu considered him.
Daka felt bad for having tried to influence him. He had a sense for when people embraced his little mental push, and when they fought it. Mahu had fought it. Daka wouldn’t try again. If he was to win this man over, it would be with his human side only. Just as he thought Mahu would decline, the man gave a small smile.
“All right.”
Grinning, Daka otherwise tried to contain his cheer.Act normal. You won’t impress him with overeager enthusiasm.“I’m new in Naukratis. Why don’t you choose the place?”
“Are you hungry?”
Famished. Ravenous.“I could eat.” Daka shrugged, trying for casual rather than giddy.
“Then we’ll go to Herit’s Tavern. They always serve a good plate. My stomach rumbles thinking of her sour barley bread and lentil stew.”
Daka had the sudden urge to touch Mahu’s stomach, to feel the rumbling under his palms. He kept his hands to himself. “Lead the way.”
Side-by-side, they left the fountain and headed toward the market. Tonight Mahu smelled of sweat and papyrus. Daka wished he could lick him.
There was another scent too, faint, underneath the others, but he couldn’t place it.
The sun hung low on the horizon, lighting the sky in a dazzling array of pinks and purples. Even the cobbles beneath their feet were lit to near glowing.
“Is Naukratis always this beautiful, Mahu?”Mahu, a lovely name to roll off the tongue, and well suited to its owner. Sturdy and warm.
“I don’t have much to compare it to, but yes. Naukratis is a beautiful city.”
Even his voice was enticing. Delighted to be next to him, Daka wondered what they would discuss over the meal. A sudden fear rattled his nerves. What if they found nothing to talk about? What if Mahu thought him tedious? Daka’s confidence lay in stimulating a body to a sweet and prolonged euphoria, not…polite dinner conversation.
He was woefully underprepared for this. Panic threatened the simple magic he used to disguise his horns and tail. If he didn’t get himself under control, he’d have more to worry about than looking silly at dinner. He might look like what he was. A demon-halfling searching for snacks.
Deep breaths. Can’t have that.
“Are you all right?” The question, asked softly in Mahu’s gentle, low tone, soothed the thrum of anxiety.
Heat crept across Daka’s cheeks. “I’m worried you won’t like me.”
They arrived outside a large building, two stories, the taller story with little balconies over each door. A mouth-watering aroma wafted from within, promising a delicious meal indeed.
Mahu held the door for him. “Of course I’ll like you. I like nearly everyone.”
Had that been a bizarre thing to say? It probably was. Daka didn’t know what humans said to one another outside oftouch me, don’t stop, and harder. He’d spent far too much time with other demons and almost none conversing with humans.
Daka flashed a smile as he entered.
Mahu’s return expression hinted at indulgence and curiosity.
They walked through a wide parlor that led to an atrium. Half the tables were under the awning of the second story, and the other half were on a patio in the small courtyard under the stars. Perhaps ten in total. Other guests sat tucking into their food. A young girl, maybe eight or nine, walked the perimeter lighting the lamps. She flung a familiar wave at Mahu, and he waved back.
To Daka’s delight, Mahu chose a table in the open. The chairs were a light buttery-yellow tamarisk wood with simple brown cushions. Daka settled in his quickly so he could better observe Mahu’s elegant motions as he sat and scooted in.
The girl, finished with the lamps, came to greet them. She gave Daka a once-over with fierce inquisitive eyes and turned to Mahu. “Who’s your friend?”
“Imi, this is Dakarai. Dakarai, this is Imi, Herit’s daughter.”
Imi rushed through a quick bow and got immediately back to staring at Daka.
“Hello, Imi.” Daka began to wonder if he’d done something wrong or if maybe he was dressed peculiar. He wore an ordinary white tunic with a burgundy sash about his waist. His tail and horns definitely weren’t showing. And he exuded none of his limited power of sway at the moment.
She quirked a brow. “That’s an interesting name, Dakarai. Where are you from?”
