Page 69 of Beyond the Ruby River
“Agreed.” Mahu offered Daka his elbow. “Our destination awaits. Though I’ve lived in Naukratis my entire life, I’ve never set foot in the Golden Jackal. I’m pleased to be making the trip with you on my arm.”
Daka offered a smile, said the enchanted words that made his tail and horns disappear behind the veil of his magic, and took Mahu’s elbow. “I shall be the envy of all the other guests with you at my side.”
The words warmed Mahu’s heart, but his plan for the evening was to encourage and watch. No more. He hoped Daka wouldn’t be too disappointed.
* * *
Daka
Upon learning Mahu only planned to watch and not participate, Daka was thoroughly disappointed.
They’d arrived at the Golden Jackal along with a throng of customers, but as an incubus and a vampire, Daka and Temaj easily secured a lovely woman and a private second-story room within minutes.
The doe-eyed brothel worker fell enthusiastically under Temaj’s thrall and now sat loose-limbed and pliant on a cushioned bed, brown irises unfocused, pupils large. Much like Daka’s limited power of sway, Temaj’s thrall could keep someone calm and enhance their natural interest, but beyond that Daka didn’t know the details. He supposed if he could convince Mahu to become a vampire, and if he could convince Temaj to work the transformation on him, then he’d have all the time in the world to learn the specifics. Until then, his focus would be on bringing that plan to fruition.
But Mahu sat stubbornly on the edge of the bed, insisting he was there only to encourage Daka to feed, not to learn the ways of a vampire or to be involved himself.
“I don’t want to feed from her Mahu, she is for Temaj.” Daka stood in front of him, struggling to keep a whining tone from his voice. “You are for me.”
“Not tonight, Nedjes. You must return to feeding from others, show me you can still do it, so I’m not worried for you from my deathbed.”
If Daka had been in the mood to seduce the woman, that comment alone would have snuffed it.
Temaj curled his fingers through her long black tresses, patient as ever, keeping her in a pleasant haze. They’d put together a fine bundle of gifts in trade for her services this evening—a stack of papyri, rare beads, and fine jewelry—enough that she could share the boon with the entire brothel staff if she so chose. But at this rate all she’d have to do to earn the payment was lounge gracefully on the satin sheets while a handsome vampire played with her hair.
Daka’s gaze returned to Mahu. “Let’s not speak of your deathbed when you know you could escape it if only you’d agree to be turned.”
“Dakarai, I’ve said no. I wish you’d stop trying to change my mind.”
The room was small to hold four people and seemed even more so when two of them were arguing. Muted music drifted in from downstairs, a regular pulsing beat dampened by thick mud walls. The noises of lovemaking from nearby rooms rose and fell.
Daka persisted. “I thought maybe if you saw Temaj feed, saw for yourself how enjoyable it is for his subject, you’d realize being a vampire isn’t at all bad.” Daka nudged Mahu’s legs wide enough to stand between them. He took Mahu’s cheeks in his palms. Such a relief to see color in them again where there had been none. Mahu had grown so pale. To have him like this was a gift he never wanted to relinquish.
Mahu covered Daka’s hands with his own. “It’s not that I think Temaj is bad, only that his path is not my own.”
“It could be,” Daka murmured, leaning in close enough to kiss, but holding back.
Mahu stared into his eyes, and Daka could have sworn he saw doubt lingering in his garnet gaze. But Mahu gave a heavy sigh and shook his head. “It isn’t meant to be.”
The urge to sob stuck in Daka’s throat. He wouldn’t waste another moment of Mahu’s temporary rejuvenation on arguing. Not when they had such fine company, such a soft bed, and such longing for each other.
“Make love to me.” Daka pressed the kiss he’d been withholding to Mahu’s mouth.
Mahu returned the kiss with barely parted lips, a gentle pressure, and not nearly enough enthusiasm. Not when Daka craved him more than sustenance itself.
Daka climbed into Mahu’s lap and straddled his thighs.
Mahu allowed it, but his posture was stiff and restrained. He caught Daka’s jaw and turned his head to the side to speak into his ear. “Daka, not me. Her. I need this from you.”
Daka glanced at the beautiful woman cuddled securely in Temaj’s embrace. Everyone still fully clothed, this was not how Daka anticipated the evening’s progression. Temaj stayed silent, comforting the woman with gentle touches and reassurance. She had the faraway stare of the intoxicated, and Daka wasn’t at all interested in changing that.
“Let Temaj have her. You take me,” Daka insisted, pressing his hips forward, trying to provoke the response he desired.
He got the opposite. Mahu pushed him away, gentle but firm. “I want you to feed from others. You must. I’ll be gone soon, and I need to know you’ll take care of yourself. I came so you’d know it’s all right with me for you to be with others. You must move on from me and sate yourself as your body demands. You have my blessing. And she is willing.”
“I don’t want your blessing,” Daka huffed and reached for Mahu’s cock through the linen of his tunic. Despite his protests, Mahu was gloriously hard beneath the fabric. “I want you.”
Mahu brushed his hand away. “Not now.”
