Page 74 of Over the Emerald Valley
“In Sikait, I’m not just another body to be purchased and used. Rather I am a rare gift to be savored. Treasured. Fed, clothed, given anything I needed plus all the candied nuts I could fit in my belly. Jewels, kohl, powders, perfume, silks, and satins. I’ve been swathed in luxury. Hot baths, clean linens, my own bed. Not that I use it. No one would take me for granted here. Abasi would never have allowed it. He may have treated his slaves like property, yes, but he valued his property in the highest esteem. He took good care of his things because he knew their worth.”
“But people are not things.”
Temaj took Solon’s hands in his. “No. We shouldn’t be. But if I’m to be treated as a thing, I’d much rather be a valuable jewel than a ratty old rag.”
“I’m coming to understand. And I’m sorry I’ve ripped all that from under your feet.” Solon lifted their joined hands to his lips and kissed Temaj’s knuckles.
“You have. But there is something you can give me in exchange.”
“Name it, and it’s yours.”
Temaj narrowed his gaze. “Turn me. As Abasi turned you. Make me a blood demon.”
CHAPTER25
Solon
“Temaj, no!”Solon’s mind railed against the very thought. “I can’t. Ask me anything else but that.”
“Don’t refuse me what is in your power to grant. You asked me to leave with you, and I want to. I will. But as equals. Give me this, and I shall be my own master for once.”
No, no, no.Solon couldn’t bear to turn Temaj from the vibrant young man he was into some sort of depraved night creature who fed on blood. To take his mortal life and give him a nightmare in return? To be responsible for such a crime against nature? And to the person he was coming to care for so deeply? “Please. It’s too much.”
Temaj blinked, his pretty lips parted. “Why not?”
Though Solon could think of many reasons, the most practical came rolling off his tongue first. “We don’t yet know the full extent of the consequences.”
“So we’ll learn them together.”
“What if you change your mind?”
“I won’t. But if I do, that’s my burden to bear, not yours.”
“You might resent me for it.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence. It’s my decision. I’m not likely to forget and blame you.”
“You’re impossible to reason with.”
“Because my reasons are sound. I’ve had enough of this life. I want another.”
“We both know you can spin rings around me with words.”
“So you may as well do what I ask.”
“Temaj, please, just think on it a little longer.”
“How long?”
A yearsat on the tip of his tongue, but Temaj’s facial expression was enough to let him know that suggestion wouldn’t be tolerated.A season? A week?He was still pondering what to say when footsteps approached from a distance. They sounded heavy. Awkward.
“What is it?” Temaj was watching him closely.
Solon tilted his head. “Someone’s coming.”
“You can hear through the walls?”
“Apparently.”
