8. Chapter 7
8
Chapter 7
Dacias
The sun was making its descent, and the Vexoran moon rose alongside it. Dacias had always loved the sun and moon positioned side by side. It filled him with a dreamy, magical feeling.
A storm approached. Dacias saw the ominous clouds rolling in, and he wanted to soak up this peaceful moment before it deluged.
He closed his eyes and filled his lungs with the salty air of the sea. The crashing waves lulled him into a hypnotic sense of calm that immediately shattered upon hearing that grating voice.
“Well, look who it is! I was hoping I’d see you here.”
Dacias groaned as he opened his eyes to see Jovia’s smug face looming above him. He rose to his feet, dusting the orange sand from his legs.
“Hello, Jovia. To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?”
Jovia sauntered over to him and draped his hands on Dacias’s chest. “Darling, why are you doing this? You know you miss me. You can’t resist me.”
He inched closer to Dacias’s face, about to plant a kiss, when Dacias reeled his head back. “I assure you, I feel none of those things.”
He began to walk away, but Jovia reached for his hand. “I apologized! I told you it was just a fling. You’re so uptight. We never even said we were exclusive. “
Dacias rolled his eyes. “We also never said we weren’t . You could have talked to me. We could have had a conversation about it. Instead, you fucked him and then lied when I confronted you—”
“Because it was clear you were upset!” Jovia protested.
Dacias shook his head and put his hands up in a placating manner. These fights got them nowhere. Why even try?
Jovia continued, “Darling, I didn’t know you were so old-fashioned! Nobody’s monogamous these days.”
Dacias knew this was true. The thought of someone else touching his lover made him want to pick up a chair and throw it through a window. He knew he was possessive, but he didn’t care.
He longed for what his father and mother had. Their love had been so strong. Dacias would catch glimpses of their longing gazes as the family sat for dinner. His brothers would argue over…whatever…and he’d watch as his parents tuned the world out and spoke to each other with their eyes. They understood each other so well; the other would know what was wrong just by looking.
That’s what Dacias wanted. True connection. Something beyond the casual sex, inhalants, and endless gossip that occupied Jovia and his self-obsessed friends.
Jovia’s face was still smug, clearly convinced he would prevail in this tug-of-war. It wasn’t happening. “I think we just want different things, Jovia.”
Dacias began walking away as Jovia screamed, “You cannot be serious! Do you know how many people want me? Do you know how lucky you are?”
Dacias stopped in his tracks, heat coursing through his body. He looked back at Jovia. He wanted to say something, but he stopped himself. Why be hurtful? What was the point? It was over—time to move on.
Dacias found Klorin sitting with a group of friends. They laughed on a blanket and soaked up the last of the sun’s rays as the light faded on the beach.
Dacias stood over his brother, who looked up and asked, “How’s it going, Dax?”
“I want to go to Cupidor. Now.”
???
Dacias braced himself as he plodded along the slick black cobblestones. The air in Cupidor was pungent, and a woody, musky smell from freshly fallen rain smothered his senses.
Klorin had made it clear that he had no desire to trek through the rain with his brother, but Dacias persisted, knowing Klorin still felt guilty about what happened in the changing room with the other cadets.
Dacias couldn’t shake the vision of Arlo dancing under a rainbow of crystals, and speaking with Jovia only solidified his desire to see him again.
Dacias knew it was foolish, but he just couldn’t help himself. There was a vulnerability in Arlo’s eyes that he found intoxicating and heartbreaking simultaneously. The boy had sliced up a battle tog, a symbol of Lapistra’s might, and made it into…the most sizzling thing Dacias had ever seen. It was so rebellious. It was so fucking sexy .
Not to mention, Dacias could have sworn he spotted freckles peeking from under Arlo’s makeup. If so, then I’m a goner.
Dacias was no scholar, but he did have instincts, and they told him to find Arlo. They’d never failed him before.
He nearly lost his footing, rushing down the slick steps leading to the Black Crag, and heard Klorin laughing behind him. He turned to give his brother an obscene gesture.
“Can you remind me why we came here during a rainstorm?” Klorin asked.
“Just for fun,” Dacias replied.
Klorin raised an eyebrow. “All right, and you’re sure this has nothing to do with a certain someone?”
Dacias clenched his hands at his sides. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just need a drink. Let’s blow off some steam.”
“Sure. Let’s blow off some steam. Oh, is this the Black Crag? Are you leading me to where you first saw him?” Klorin rolled his eyes. “Didn’t see that one coming.”
“Shut up! I liked this place. Plus, we should patch up things with the owner. After what Ferrean did, it’s the least we can do.”
They walked down the stairs, and a sparse crowd greeted them. The burgundy hue made it hard to distinguish faces, and Dacias squinted as he scanned the bar.
No Arlo. Dacias’s shoulders fell.
Klorin stepped to his side. “Grab a drink?”
Dacias snapped out of his stupor and replied, “What? Oh, yes. Sounds good.”
Dacias knew Arlo probably wouldn’t be here, but he hadn’t prepared himself for how disappointed he’d be. He felt terrible for dragging Klorin all the way here for no reason. What now? Search every bar and dance court in Cupidor? I’m turning into a stalker.
Dacias cursed himself under his breath. He’d behaved like a fool—a love-struck, swooning fool. His face reddened as he heard Klorin order a drink for him. Why am I doing this? He was the one who ran away. Take a hint, Dacias.
Klorin handed him the drink. “Cheers, brother.”
Dacias took it, but he just stood there looking at the floor.
Klorin slammed his drink down on the bar. “Oh, for Vexora’s sake, look at you!”
“What?”
Klorin let out a frustrated grunt. “You look like a kicked puppy! You’re sad because he isn’t here. Admit it.”
Dacias crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s not why I’m upset.”
Klorin crossed his arms too, mimicking Dacias. “Oh? Then, why are you upset?”
Dacias tried to think of something pithy to say back but drew a blank. Frustrated, he yelled, “Klorin, shut up! Leave me alone.”
Dacias sat on a stool, and Klorin wrapped his arm over his shoulder. “Look, the boy is Lapistrean. Is this a good idea?”
Dacias slumped down and cradled his head in his hands. “No! But I’m all torn up! Why am I thinking about him? He’s like a witch or something. He’s cast a spell on me!”
Klorin smiled and playfully mussed Dacias’s hair. “You’re just infatuated. Pursue someone else. Lots of boys chase you in Rugiria. Does it have to be him?”
No, it didn’t have to be Arlo. But Dacias wanted it to be Arlo. Dacias looked at the floor. “We should leave. I’m sorry I dragged you here.”
A voice bellowed from the other end of the bar. “Hello, Mindel. Give me something that will heat my bones. The Mother Planet sure feels like taking a cold piss on us today, huh?”
Dacias looked up, and his jaw dropped.
It’s her! His friend! At least, I think it is. Yes! IT IS!
Dacias grabbed Klorin’s shoulder and pulled him in. “Klorin! That’s his friend,” he whispered.
“What? Who?”
“The girl over there.”
Klorin turned his head, and Dacias punched him in the shoulder. “Don’t look, you dumbass! Be smooth.”
Klorin’s eyes widened, and he slid the drink away from Dacias. “You’re cut off. You’re out of control.”
Dacias ignored that. “Strike up a conversation with her, and then I’ll chime in.”
A baffled Klorin shook his head. “What?!”
“Just do it, please!”
Klorin rolled his eyes, then looked at the girl. “Wow. She’s beautiful.”
Dacias looked at her, too. “She is.” Klorin’s eyes were transfixed on the girl. He swallowed, and Dacias watched as his brother started fidgeting. “What are you waiting for?” Dacias asked.
“Shut up! I’m just…I’m getting ready.”
Dacias chuckled. “You’re nervous.”
Klorin grabbed Dacias’s collar. “Shut your trap!” He took a big swig of his drink. “All right, I’m going over.” He snagged Dacias’s drink and cleared his throat as he approached the girl and handed it to her. “Would the lady like a beverage?”
She looked Klorin up and down slowly with her eyes. “The lady would love one.” She then took the drink and walked to the opposite end of the bar.
Klorin coughed. “Well, I never…”
Dacias scrubbed his face with his hands. “Very smooth, big brother. You taught me everything I know.”
Dacias pushed Klorin out of the way and approached her. “Forgive my brother. He hasn’t quite found his way with the ladies.”
She smirked and asked, “And you have?”
Dacias leaned against the bar, attempting to match her casually cocky energy. “No, but I’ve been navigating the boys just fine.”
She laughed hard at that. “Says you!” She motioned to Klorin with the drink in her hand. “So, are you here to help your friend over there woo me?”
Klorin called out, “Excuse me! I do not need help wooing ! He asked me to talk to you! I handle pick-ups just fine when not under duress. He thinks you’re his long-lost lover’s friend.”
She turned back to Dacias, who swallowed and said, “So…yes, about that. You’re Arlo’s friend, yes?”
She cocked her head and asked, “Arlo?”
“Your friend, Arlo. You were here with him, I think. He has dark hair. He was wearing a lot of eyeshadow or something. Then I saw you both at the dance court.”
A look of realization dawned on her face. “Right…my friend.. . Arlo.” Then she slapped the bar with her hand. “Oh, I remember you ! " She must have made the connection because her mouth fell open. “Did you come here looking for him?”
Dacias knew his face was bright red. “Yes… We also danced together. I really want to see him again.”
She raised a brow in suspicion. “Why?”
Dacias wanted to explain everything he felt but knew he’d sound crazy. He stumbled over his words. “Well…you see…um…”
Klorin stepped in. “He can’t stop thinking about him. He’s been obsessed for days. Even humped a bag of gear during training. Your boy has turned my brother’s brain to mush.”
Her eyes widened. “You did what? ”
Dacias elbowed his brother and spoke through his clenched jaw. “I swear, you’re a dead man!”
He turned back to her, knowing his face was redder than the crystals above them. “Ugh…yes, I… I don’t know.” He slumped his shoulders and then rested his head on the bar. “I came here hoping to see him,” he looked up again to face her, “and I found you . I feel like that means something, right?” He shook his head. “Forget it. Something is wrong with me. I need to get my head examined.”
Dacias turned away, but Souzie snagged his shirt to stop him. She looked him dead in his eyes, and Dacias couldn’t deny that he felt intimidated. “What is this? Are you planning something?” She started poking his chest. “Look, I’m not to be fucked with. I have knives and know how to use them, so if this is some plot to fuck with my friend, so help me—”
Dacias stopped her, raising his hands in surrender. “No! No, no, no, it’s not any of that!”
She looked at him, her face unreadable. “All right. So you really are this…lovestruck?” She waggled her brows.
Dacias shuffled side-to-side on his feet. “I…I don’t know if…I…”
Klorin swooped back in, batting his lashes as he sang, “That’s a yes.”
Dacias scowled at Klorin, and she chuckled. “So, what do you want from me? You have to understand it’s not easy for him to see you, and Lapistra’s not like Rugiria. It’s not safe for people like him.”
Dacias tugged the bottom of his shirt, spinning his finger around a loose thread. “I know, I know all that. But, if you could maybe give him a message from me?”
She looked at him hard. “Remind me of your name.”
“I’m Dacias.”
She nodded. “I’m Souzie, and I’m not a matchmaker. If he wanted to see you again, he would have told you so. Besides, should you be lusting over a Lapistrean? ”
Dacias took a breath and blew out through his lips before looking at Souzie like a kitten peeking out of a basket of yarn. “Do you think he’ll come here again? If you don’t send a message, maybe I could meet him and try to speak to him?”
Souzie shook her head. “Look, you seem sweet, and I think it would be good for him to have someone he could see or even just talk to. I know how lonely he feels, but I can’t arrange this.”
Dacias swallowed hard. “I know. But… please?”
Souzie looked at him for a long time before rolling her eyes and downing her drink.
She spoke to herself, “For Vexora’s sake, I bring him here one damned time, and I have men pulling at my skirt like I’m a schoolmarm.”
She turned to Dacias and gripped him with both hands by his shirt. “If you hurt him, I will find you. I will find a way to slip into your room in the dead of night and slice off something you will miss . Do you hear me?”
Dacias and Klorin stood silently, blinking at Souzie, before Dacias said, “I understand. I…I guess I’m willing to take that risk.”
Klorin looked at him in disbelief. “Really?”
“Shut up, Klorin.”
Souzie laughed. “You two are cute.” She looked at the ceiling before saying, “Let me think about this for a little. Meet me here tomorrow. Same time.”
Dacias couldn’t contain his smile. He felt hopeful again. “Yes! I can do that.”
Souzie put her hand out to shake it. “Good. Now, the one who doesn’t like boys.”
Klorin looked between them, slowly pointing to himself and mouthing, “Me?”
Souzie nodded. “Are you as romantic as this one is? Because, if so, we should talk.”
Klorin looked at her wide-eyed, and she smirked. “That is if you’re not afraid of a little Lapistrean lady.” She winked, and Klorin grinned as he blushed.