Page 67 of Beyond the Ruby River
“Yes, that will be good, thank you,” said Mahu, and he meant it. Knowing he’d be leaving Daka in the hands of a friend who wanted the same things for him that Mahu did was a relief, though bittersweet.
Temaj rose, his movements silent and graceful. He put the chair back where it belonged and approached Mahu’s bedside.
Mahu extended his arm, and they clasped hands. Temaj’s cool grip felt lovely against Mahu’s fevered skin.
“I’m sorry we didn’t meet sooner,” said Temaj. “I would have liked to have known the man Daka has fallen so hard for.”
A wave of sorrow washed over Mahu. “I’d have liked to have known you as well, Temaj. Thank you for looking out for him.”
Temaj inclined his head, released Mahu’s hand, and said, “I’ll send him in.”
Mahu had a few minutes alone with his thoughts to consider what he’d just agreed to. A mouthful of blood for one last stolen night, one chance to set Daka on a healthy path, and then back to this miserable sickroom to die.
The silence crept back like fog consuming the horizon.
Mahu closed his eyes and wondered what it would be like to drink blood.
19
Mahu
The following day passed in a hazy delirium of fever and struggle. Struggle to breathe, struggle to cough hard enough to clear his lungs, struggle to pretend his situation wasn’t as dire, for Dakarai’s sake.
Poor Daka was a flurry of motion, striving to be helpful when nothing he could do would fix Mahu in any meaningful way. He changed the linens, brought warm drinks, made a savory broth Mahu could barely hold down, gently scrubbed Mahu clean, and patted his back when the coughing became relentless.
Mahu remembered all too well Daka’s plight, having been through it himself three times before. The endless chores, fussing with the little things that didn’t matter because you couldn’t bear to tackle the one thing that did. That someone you loved was dying, and there was nothing you could do. The helplessness.
Mahu’s heart ached for Daka and the loss that was coming for him like a plague of locusts, bleak and relentless. He’d never wanted to be such a burden, to steal the light from Daka’s eyes.
As the sun sank and Ra made way for Osiris, Mahu’s nerves jangled. Though he’d vowed to do anything in his power to help Dakarai embrace his dual nature, the thought of watching him feed from another brought jealousy. Paired with the anticipation of Temaj’s offer and what Mahu had agreed to do, his mind rattled with worry.
But when Temaj finally arrived, his presence came as a relief. The plan would soon be in progress, and Mahu could stop fretting and focus on performing this one last service for Daka’s benefit.
Propped up by a mountain of pillows on the lounge in the den, Mahu cleared his throat to greet their guest. But the one cough turned into dozens, and by the time the fit settled, Daka was wiping blood from his lips.
Temaj had the decency to turn away as Daka gently finished cleaning him up.
“Thank you, Nedjes,” Mahu whispered, his throat raw and painful.
“Of course.” Daka kissed his forehead and palmed his cheek.
Mahu leaned into the comforting touch.
The vampire approached. “Are you ready?”
A shiver passed through him. Would he ever be ready? Mahu was beginning to think the answer was no, but he forced out the word, “Yes,” instead.
Temaj sat next to him on the lounge, very close, enough that Mahu felt the coolness of his thigh against his hip. Daka backed away, looking both nervous and hopeful—always hopeful—his tail hugged around his own torso for comfort.
“What must I do?” asked Mahu.
“Your part is simple. You only need to swallow a mouthful of blood, perhaps two if you can stomach the second.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll open a vein in my wrist with my teeth. You needn’t watch if you’re squeamish. I’ll hold the wound to your mouth, and you’ll drink. That’s all. Quick and easy, I promise.”
Quick and easy. Then why was Mahu so afraid? He didn’t consider himself particularly squeamish, and yet, he didn’t want to watch. His gaze sought Daka’s.
