Page 60 of Beyond the Ruby River
Stunned, Daka let his back hit the wall and slumped. “He won’t hate me.” The words came out much quieter than he’d intended. It was hard to picture Mahu hating him, but maybe…maybe he would. For a time. But surely he’d forgive Daka eventually. And he may yet agree to this plan. In his soul, Daka knew Mahu didn’t want to leave him.
“I don’t want to do it against his will, Niya. I want to convince him to accept, but I’ll need Temaj’s help. Once Mahu meets him, he’ll come to see there’s nothing wrong with being a vampire just as he’s learned there’s nothing wrong with being an incubus.”
Niya remained unconvinced. “What if Temaj says no?”
Daka had thought of that, but he couldn’t accept the possibility. “He must agree. I’m desperate. Mahu will die without him. Surely he’ll understand.”
“Daka—”
“It’s the only way!”
“Shh, it’s all right. I’ll send Temaj to meet you, just don’t get your hopes up. You’re asking a lot of them both.”
Daka’s shoulders sagged. “I know.”
Niya rose and reached for him. Daka went to hug her back, but the smell made him hesitate. He glanced at her goopy, purple leg. “You’re sure that’s worth it?”
She chuckled. “Positive. You should let me do yours sometime to prove it.”
Daka would rather milk a bull than smear bat’s blood on his skin, but Niya had always been the adventurous one in the family. He hugged her, and she felt entirely real in his arms even though her body wasn’t actually present. Not for the first time, Daka wished he could manage that feat as well.
She ruffled his hair. “Bye for now. Good luck with Temaj.”
“Thank you.” He watched as her image flickered and evaporated, leaving him alone in Mahu’s shop.
He flopped down across the cot and stared at the ceiling. His plan had to work. It must. Or he’d lose Mahu forever.
17
Mahu
Wiping bloody spittle from his lips, Mahu squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to see the reddish-brown spots. He knew too clearly what their constant presence indicated.
Mahu wasn’t ready. He’d thought this would be easier. He’d thought when death came for him, he’d welcome the reaper with open arms. He’d thought he had nothing else to live for. He’d been wrong on all counts.
His breath rattled in his throat, chest tight, but he rose from the bed anyway. He didn’t want to spend all his remaining time asleep. He wanted to spend it with Daka. His poor, sweet Daka, who’d lovingly taken care of Mahu’s every need while neglecting his own.
Mahu would have to convince Daka to feed from another. Couldn’t have both of them growing weak. But his lover was stubborn and swore he needed no one else. Mahu knew the lie for what it was, a denial of his very nature. Daka remained torn between his human side and his incubus side, and Mahu thought perhaps if he could help with that, then his time with Daka would be worth something.
He ambled from bedroom to den, intending to find Daka and insist he go feed. But Daka wasn’t there. Nor was he in the inner courtyard, the kitchen, or the entryway. Mahu was the only one home, and though he’d been accustomed to such before Daka came crashing into his life, being alone actually felt lonely now.
Silence surrounded him as he settled on a lounge to wait. His eyes roamed his plant collection, shining green leaves of all shapes and sizes in various pots and jars strewn about the bright room. Daka had taken good care of them. No yellowing, not one withered leaf could be spotted. What would happen to them when he was gone?
Mahu hadn’t been able to bring himself to ask Daka the questions that gathered in his mind like storm clouds.Will you stay in this house? Continue our work in the shop? Take comfort in my old friends, your new ones? Because they’ll treasure you, as I wish I could.
He’d begun to nod off when he heard Daka’s arrival. The door opened and closed, shoes were kicked off, a basket set down. Then Daka swept in through the archway and startled at seeing Mahu out of bed. Daka’s smile warmed Mahu’s heart.
“Are you feeling better?” asked Daka hopefully.
He wasn’t, truly, but he couldn’t bear to admit as much. Though he didn’t want to lie either. “I’m all right, but you look divine. Come here.”
Mahu shuffled back to make room for him. Daka did look lovely, clad in only his white skirt. Flush from being outdoors in the heat, his cheeks pinked, hair tousled. Mahu had intended to suggest Daka feed from someone else, but maybe he could rise to the occasion after all.
One last time.
Daka, sensing Mahu’s mood in that uncanny way he had, sauntered to the lounge, hips swaying. He let his tail and horns emerge, and Mahu found that rising would definitely not be a problem. Just looking at his lover made him hard.
When Daka was close enough, Mahu took those alluring hips in his hands and dragged the incubus on top of him.
