Page 47 of Beyond the Ruby River
The river was at its lowest point before the flood season, which meant you could no longer wade along the shallows as there were no shallows to be had. Rather one must drop hip deep into the water’s edge.
Mahu made the leap without hesitation, letting the water swallow him whole. He disappeared under the surface only to reappear moments later some ten feet away.
Daka sat on the bank and dipped his legs in to the knee. It was refreshingly cool, but not overly chilled. He couldn’t imagine dunking his entire body as Mahu had. Perhaps he was more incubus than he’d thought, because suddenly the idea of swimming held with it a tinge of fear.
Mahu paddled to him.
Daka spread his legs and leaned back on his elbows. “Are you sure you don’t want to—”
A sly grin was the only hint Daka got before Mahu grabbed him up in his arms and pushed off deeper into the river.
Daka let out a yip, fastening his legs tight around Mahu’s waist, arms around his shoulders, clinging not for fun but for dear life. Mahu’s laughter rang in his ears, but Daka tensed as the water enveloped him up to his shoulders.
Don’t panic, don’t panic.“Mahu, please.”
Mahu’s arms held him secure as he stopped to scan Daka’s face. “Oh Nedjes, I’m sorry. Did I frighten you?”
Yes. “Maybe a little.”
Mahu stood up straighter, bringing their shoulders and waists above the surface. “You’re all right. I’ve got you. See the water isn’t even over our chests here.”
The words helped him relax. Mahu wouldn’t let him drown, and he felt good against Daka’s skin. He took a breath and released it, along with the anxiety that had arisen.
“Better?” Mahu’s gentle voice caressed his ear.
Daka settled enough to lean back in his arms. “Yes, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I didn’t realize you were afraid or I’d never have done that. I wish you’d have said something.”
“I’m not afraid now.” Daka eased the death grip his legs had on Mahu’s waist. “But don’t let me go yet.”
“I won’t.” Mahu walked closer to the shore. “Though when you’re ready, you’ll have to let me go to learn to float.”
Nuzzling against the smooth damp skin of Mahu’s neck, Daka sighed. He’d never want to let Mahu go, but he did want to please him. Mahu had been looking forward to this lesson. Daka wouldn’t ruin it. “All right. I’ll try.”
Mahu turned enough to steal a kiss. “I’ll hold you up, promise. Lie on your back.”
Daka released Mahu completely, trusting him to maneuver his body in the gentle current. With Mahu’s strong arms beneath his thighs and shoulders, Daka stretched out on his back, bobbing with the flow of the water.
Mahu distracted him with questions while he got used to the position. “I’ve been wondering. You and your sister both mentioned something called sway. What does it mean?”
Daka squinted to look up at him in the sunshine. “It’s persuasion, only stronger. Enhanced by our magic somehow. Sway makes feeding simple. Both Niya and Mother are very good at it. My own ability is paltry in comparison. They can demand whereas I can only nudge.”
“And your mother, she attempted to sway me?”
Nodding, Daka swirled his fingers in the water. “Yes, but it didn’t work.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps because you aren’t interested in bedding her. Sway can only enhance a subject’s inclinations; it cannot create what doesn’t exist from the ether.”
“Have you used it on me?”
Daka cringed, he didn’t want to admit this, but he wouldn’t lie. “Only once and only for a moment. When we first met. I wanted you so badly. But you resisted the pull, and I let you go. The rest has unfolded naturally.”
Mahu contemplated his words. He looked calm, as always, and Daka was grateful for his thoughtful nature. His hands under Daka’s back and thighs remained gentle, relaxed. Then he changed the subject. “How is it you’ve never learned to swim?”
“It never occurred to me to try. Perhaps that’s why I need you, to push me.”
