Page 21 of Beyond the Ruby River
“It’s all right, you don’t need to say anything. I know I’ve come on too strong. I’d even tried not to, but then I couldn’t help myself. It isn’t in my nature to move slowly.”
Mahu rolled on his side so he could observe Daka’s face. The expression he found there was hard to read. “I haven’t asked you to move slowly.”
“No, but you should.”
“Why should I?”
“I will overwhelm you, Mahu. I’ll take too much, too fast, and you won’t understand.” Daka squeezed his hand. “You still mourn your family. Your wife. If we are to have something meaningful, we must tread with care.”
Mahu fell in love with Daka a little at those words and the sentiment behind them. “You’ve wisdom beyond your years, but I don’t believe you will take from me. Only give.”
Emotion clouded Daka’s eyes. “Don’t be so sure.”
6
Daka
Working with Mahu gave Daka a sense of belonging and achievement he’d never experienced. He woke up each morning with purpose and fell asleep each night feeling accomplished. Basking in their new friendship, the steady progress of making papyrus, and the sweet kisses on the side brought Daka a sort of contentment he hadn’t known possible.
There was only one problem, a big one: Daka’s hunger surged out of control. Feeding on the escalating arousal between them, though it felt amazing, was like eating a handful of nuts and berries when you craved a four-course meal plus dessert.
Daka could visit the Golden Jackal or seduce a passing stranger who happened to be in the mood, but he had a sinking suspicion Mahu would be hurt if he knew. And Daka wouldn’t do anything that might hurt Mahu. Keeping secrets felt wrong, but short of revealing his mixed heritage, Daka was at a loss. He’d need to feed from Mahu properly or tell him the truth so he could feed elsewhere, and he must act soon. Already a week had passed with no meal.
With that in mind, Daka left his lodgings to meet Mahu at the market square. Naukratis celebrated the resurrection of Osiris by throwing a rowdy street festival, and Mahu had been telling him about it for days. In Rhakotis they’d had something like it, the Nehebkau Festival, and Daka had fond memories of casually feeding off festival goers in a fit of gluttony only a big drunken party could provide.
He’d paid special attention to the kohl lining his eyes, adding a shining layer of gold dust that sparkled as he moved. He loved the way it looked so much he’d powdered his neck and shoulders with it too. He wore a dark tunic, brand new, and purchased with Mahu’s tastes in mind. On top, he layered a heavy necklace of blue lapis lazuli he knew brought out his eyes.
The city streets were bustling in the first cool breezes of the early evening. Lively, cheerful crowds made their way between vendors. Food and drink were free during the celebration, and everyone partook. Daka grabbed two fried cinnamon sticks from a cart thinking Mahu might like them.
Off a side street from the south corner, Mahu waited at their meeting place, a communal garden, already packed with happy citizens. He’d not yet spotted Daka and sat with one long leg crossed elegantly over the other. His blue tunic stretched to reveal smooth, well-muscled thighs. Leather sandals tied about shapely ankles with brown leather such that Daka wanted to untie them with his teeth to lick the delicate skin beneath. Mahu sat straight-backed, posture precise as always, chin tipped up watching the frolicking crowd, but around him, an aura of calm prevailed.
Daka hurried to join him. Mahu caught his approach with a warm smile and light in his russet eyes. He made to stand, but Daka flung himself in the man’s lap before he could do more than uncross his legs.
“Mahu,” said Daka happily, greeting him with kisses that precluded further conversation.
Mahu’s hands landed firmly on his waist, wringing a sigh from Daka’s lips. Though they’d only been apart for a few hours, it felt like ages. Already the pleasure between them began to awaken Daka’s hunger. He pulled back and offered the treat he’d picked up.
“Cinnamon stick?”
Mahu ignored the food, held his shoulders and pushed him an arm’s length away. “Look at you! You are a vision.”
Daka grinned. “Do you like it? I hoped you would.”
Drinking him in, Mahu’s irises darkened. Daka could smell his desire over the cinnamon, and over even that prickly smell Mahu always carried with him that Daka couldn’t identify.
“You do like it,” Daka purred. He sank his teeth into his bottom lip to make sure Mahu would look at his mouth.
“You’re like a god on land, Dakarai. I cannot believe, of all the places you could be in the world, you’ve chosen my lap. I’m the luckiest man at the festival.” Mahu ran a finger over the gold dust on his collarbone.
The words landed bittersweet in Daka’s ears. Though he loved the praise and his chest swelled with pride to be adored by a man such as Mahu, the reminder that he’d never be free to roam other lands was a sad one. As an incubus born of Egypt, in Egypt he must stay. But with Mahu at his side, he couldn’t be bothered to care.
Daka leaned in to whisper in Mahu’s ear. “I will always choose your lap. One day I’ll be naked when I do. Can you imagine?”
A wave of lust poured off Mahu so strong that for a moment, Daka’s hunger abated as he gobbled it greedily.
“Your imagination works very well I see,” Daka breathed the words along his lobe before sucking it into his mouth.
Mahu chuckled against Daka’s throat. “You must stop, or I won’t be able to stand without embarrassment.”
