Page 63 of Beyond the Ruby River
Careful not to wake Mahu, Daka slipped from beneath the covers and eased out of the bed. He gathered his tunic from the wardrobe and crept on tiptoes down the hall.
The sun had set, though the hour was still early. Mahu slept off and on throughout day and night lately but should sleep long enough to give Daka a chance to speak with Temaj.
The vampire could make the journey from Rhakotis in under an hour, and Daka wanted to welcome him on arrival. Niya would have given him directions, but Temaj wouldn’t need them. A vampire could find another by their familiar scent trail alone, especially one as skilled as Temaj.
Daka exited the house and sat on the front step to wait. Of course he had no way of knowing for certain that Temaj would come, but he suspected he would. Even if his answer was no, which Daka couldn’t stand to contemplate, Temaj was the sort of man who would let him down in person.
Daka wondered how Niya had phrased his request. How had Temaj reacted? Surprise, reluctance, interest? Maybe Daka should have waited to pose the question himself, but it was too late now.
The evening air had begun to cool. Their street was quiet. With only the sound of night bugs for company, Daka leaned back against the mudbrick and crossed his ankles.
Was he doing the right thing? He had to believe so. Mahu didn’t deserve to die, and Daka loved him. He must do everything in his power to save Mahu, even if his lover wasn’t yet convinced he needed saving.
Daka still believed Mahu would come around, but how much closer would death have to creep before he changed his mind? Already Mahu had lost weight, his strong body turning frail before Daka’s eyes. They couldn’t afford to wait much longer.
Nerves upset his empty belly, and though he’d had no food for supper, Daka felt sick. But that was anxiety making him ill. The anticipation of the difficult conversations that lay ahead. The fear of saying the wrong thing, to Mahu or to Temaj, the possibility of sabotaging his own plans.
Calm down,thought Daka.Temaj is your friend. He’ll understand. He’ll want to help.
Daka took deep, steady breaths as tears threatened to return. He’d had enough crying for this lifetime already. Blinking them back, he swallowed.Calm. Nothing is lost yet.
As Daka glanced up to scan the empty little street, Temaj appeared from around the corner. Daka rose, prepared to beg if he had to.
Approaching at a normal walking pace, Temaj didn’t look as if he’d just run miles between cities, faster than the hawk flies, at Daka’s desperate request. He looked like a handsome young man out for a pleasant stroll on a clear moonlit night.
Taller than Daka, Mahu’s height but leaner, Temaj’s elegant frame suited his graceful movements, as if he were a dancer waiting for the music to begin. His honey-blond hair hung over his shoulder tied with a black ribbon. He wore a pale yellow tunic, longer than the current fashion, the fabric hanging above his shapely ankles.
Golden brown eyes landed on Daka’s with an intensity that caused his sick stomach to flip. Temaj rarely appeared so serious. His usual jovial, sly grin was gone in favor of a scrutinizing stare and solemn expression.
Daka tried not to cringe under Temaj’s glare as he stepped forward to greet him. “Temaj, thank you for coming.”
Temaj blew out a breath. His features softened, and he opened his arms. “Dakarai, what have you gotten yourself into?”
Daka hugged his waist and lay his head on the vampire’s shoulder. The urge to cry rose again, but Daka pushed it back. He had to make his case and sobbing like a fool was unlikely to do him any favors.
“It’s not me who’s in trouble, it’s Mahu,” Daka murmured against Temaj’s collarbone, unwilling to face him yet. “He’s dying.” Saying the words out loud bruised his soul, but Daka choked them out anyway. “He’s grown weak, I fear his remaining days are few.”
Temaj stroked his back, gave him a reassuring pat between the shoulder blades. “Sickness and death are normal parts of humanity, Daka. Sad, perhaps, but something you must learn to accept.”
Daka reared back, searching Temaj’s eyes. “I haven’t asked you to come for platitudes, Temaj. I asked you here so I could beg for your help. I need a favor. A big one.”
“I know what you want. Niya told me. But, Daka—”
“Don’t say no. You can’t.” Daka gripped Temaj’s biceps and hung on. “You’re the only one who can save him!”
Temaj mirrored Daka’s actions, but gentler, taking Daka’s arms in his soft grip. His voice was tender as he spoke. “Turning an innocent human into a vampire isn’t saving them. Mahu has lived his entire life in the sun, savoring delicacies like fresh fruit, crisp ale, baked bread. You cannot sentence him to an eternity of nights and blood without his understanding and his full consent.”
Daka’s face crumpled. The tears he struggled to hold back fell. “That’s why you’re here. To help him understand. He’ll like you, and he’ll realize there’s nothing wrong with how you are, then he’ll agree…”
But would he? Even as Daka spoke, he knew Mahu may never come around.
“Even if he does, I cannot simply make a fledgling of a man I don’t know. It’s an intimate relationship, Daka, even when it’s not sexual. You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Then explain it to me. Please don’t say no, you haven’t even met him yet. He’s wonderful. I love him.” Daka’s voice was laced with desperation. “I’ll do anything.”
Temaj considered him, then pulled him in for another hug. His hand cradled the back of Daka’s head.
Daka was so thoroughly overwhelmed he didn’t know how to respond. Should he continue to beg? Try to stop crying and calm down? Perhaps if he appeared more in control, Temaj would listen to reason. His body shook against his will. Temaj’s grip tightened.
