DarknessOnThePlains_TheBeginning

by Jayme Malvagio

  Puncturing his thumb, he used his blood to close the wounds on Allen’s neck. Then he returned him to the noose and let him dangle, kicking over the chair to complete the scene. Satisfied the death would rouse no suspicions, he turned to leave just as the door swung open.

  “Oh, what an exceptionally ingenious way to dispose of the remains,” Pavlo said, smiling broadly.

  He snorted in amusement before answering, “Alas, I can’t take credit for the idea. Poor Allen here already had the props in place for this little charade.” Closing the gap between them in a blur, he added, “How was your meal?”

  “Delightfully decadent,” he said with a vigorous nod. “He was an underprivileged young man, confused by his sexuality and shunned by the church. It was only a matter of time before his profound burden pushed him over the edge. At least, he died having finally known the embrace he so long desired.”

  “You indulged him?” Niccolo asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “Of course,” he laughed. “A touch is a touch and one long denied is even more eager to please. Don’t tell me you’ve never experienced a bout of male intimacy.”

  Niccolo shook his head. “I never had the desire to know the embrace of another man.”

  “When I was young, my mother once told me that fornication with a woman should only be endured for the sake of procreation. True pleasure could only be derived when shared with someone who knew your body’s needs as well as their own.”

  “I’ve come across many Greeks who shared that point of view during my travels.”

  “And yet, you never heeded their advice?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “And you are the only one I’ve ever claimed as friend.”

  “You really should,” he whispered, stepping closer, hand extended. “You might find you even enjoy it.”

  Niccolo stepped passed him, ducking the intended caress and walked through the door. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Perhaps another time,” he said, following on his heels.

  Chapter Twelve

  “How are you feeling today, Auntie?” Selu asked, taking a seat across from Taima at the table.

  “I’m still here,” she replied with a grunt. “I’m beginning to think I won’t ever be completely well again.”

  “Aw, don’t say that.” She reached across the table to pat her hand. “At least you’re no longer bedridden. You’ll be back to full strength before you know it.”

  She removed her hand from beneath Selu’s and waved it dismissively. “I’m tired of worrying about it.”

  “Are you hungry?” Selu offered.

  Taima merely shook her head.

  “Well, I’m famished,” she said, rising from her seat.

  She went to the cupboard and rummaged for something to eat.

  “So,” Taima began, turning so she might better see her niece. “How’s Kanati?”

  Selu smiled back over her shoulder. “He’s fine, Auntie.”

  “I couldn’t help but notice you two have been spending an awful lot of time together these past few weeks.”

  “Yes, now that he’s…grown more comfortable in my presence, he is a pleasure to be around.”

  “So, should I be expecting gifts soon?” Taima asked in an innocent voice.

  Selu whirled, her hunger forgotten, and returned to the table. “The marriage ritual?”

  “Of course,” she replied, her brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re both of age and clearly in love.”

  “He can’t take me as his wife right now,” she said, staring at the table. “Who would look after you?”

  “Oh, rubbish,” she said with a laugh. “If nothing else, you could both live here.”

  They both fell quiet as Selu contemplated the weight of her Aunt’s words.

  “I’m surprising him with dinner at his house this evening,” Selu said, breaking the silence. “Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to broach the subject.”

  “That’s a marvelous idea. As long as it took him to find his voice, we could be waiting forever if you don’t bring it up first.”

  “Auntie!” Selu exclaimed. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “What ever do you mean?” she asked, smiling broadly. “You know I speak the truth.”

  * * * *

  Selu stood over the stove, absently flipping the deer steaks in the skillet. Her mind was on her discussion with Taima. Why hadn’t Kanati brought it up? Was she just a novelty? The first woman his age he ever met? No, she could see the love in his eyes. There had to be more to it. Yet there was something…something that stilled his tongue when she was certain she’d made it abundantly clear that all he had to do was ask. Then again, he’d been gone for so long. Maybe, he just didn’t remember the custom.

  She removed the steaks, placing them on a plate before grabbing two disks of flat dough and dropping them in the sizzling oil. The fry bread grew instantly, filling the room with its yeasty aroma. She waited until the edges browned then flipped them. Kanati entered just as she pulled them from the skillet.

  “Wow, I could smell dinner before I even made it to the porch,” he said, rubbing his stomach. “And it is a wondrous smell indeed.”

  “I hope you don’t mind,” she said as she strained a pot of vegetables. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Not at all,” he said, crossing the room and giving her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll grab us a couple of plates.”

  He set the plates on the table before helping her bring over the rest of the food. Holding out a chair, he motioned for her to sit.

  “Why, thank you, she said as she slid down and allowed him to push the chair forward.

  Kanati took a seat opposite her, eyeing her with a sheepish grin on his face.

  “Why are you staring at me like that,” she asked, scooping a ladleful of vegetables onto his plate.

  “I…” he began as she watched a whirl of emotions sweep across his face. “Nothing, let’s just enjoy our dinner.”

  Spearing a steak with his fork, he placed it on her plate before claiming the other for himself. They ate in silence, Selu staring at Kanati and him staring at his plate. When he swallowed the last of his food, he turned his gaze upon her and he wore such a doleful expression on his face, her breath caught in her throat.

  “What’s wrong?” she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

  “I…” He paused, his expression softening. “I love you so much, it hurts sometimes.”

  Her heart beat faster, thudding against her chest. “I love you too.”

  “Which still astounds me,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t…we’ve never… It’s just that when I’m around you, all other thoughts are pushed from my mind. To be honest, it’s even worse when we’re apart. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  Selu’s brow furrowed as she tried to guess where he was going with the line of thought. “And this makes you sad?” she finally ventured.

  With a quick motion, he swept the plates aside and held his hand before her, palm exposed. She placed her own within it and he gripped it tenderly.

  “Of course not.” He gazed into her eyes. The power of that stare bored through her and her limbs suddenly felt like jelly.

  “But?”

  “I had an interesting conversation with Acabo today,” he began softly. “He told me that I’m not doing right by you, that if you had other suitors, I would most likely have already lost you to one of them.”

  “Why would he say such a thing?” she asked, but she already knew the answer.

  “With as much time as we’ve been spending together, I should take you as my wife. I should perform the marriage ritual and offer a gift to your Auntie. If you had other’s who were interested, they would’ve already done so.”

  “But I don’t want any other suitors,” she said, placing her other hand over the one he held. “All I want is you.”

  A smile beamed below his nose and spread to his eyes. “I’m sorry, if I’ve wronged you. As I said, I can think of no
thing else but being with you.”

  “Perhaps, you could visit my Auntie soon.”

  “Oh, Selu! That would mean so much to me,” he said, pausing as a look of doubt replaced his smile. “What should I bring her?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she said, laughing. “You could show up with a handful of fresh picked flowers and she would say yes. I have it on good authority, she’s quite fond of you and waiting with baited breath for your visit.”

  “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Let’s just say you’re not the only one who had an interesting conversation today.”

  “Then it’s settled,” he said as he rose from his chair. “But I’ll have you know, I won’t show up on her doorstep with mere flowers in hand.”

  He circled the table and she rose just in time to be pulled firmly into his embrace.

  “No, I’ll rise at first light. Tomorrow your Auntie will receive the mightiest, most majestic buck I can find.”

  Selu pulled back and stared up at him, one eyebrow arched.

  “Dressed and quartered, of course. I’ll even tan the hide for her.”

  She buried her face in his chest and breathed deeply of his scent. Pulling herself from his arms, she led him to his bedroom. She knew exactly how she wanted to celebrate the occasion.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Niccolo stood hidden in the shadows of the east side of the house, watching Kanati and Selu as they prepared for their evening meal. He’d followed the boy from the store all the way to his home. Kanati’s mind was troubled and Niccolo wondered how he would handle his newfound burden.

  “If you insist on being in his presence during every waking moment, perhaps you should turn him and be done with it,” Pavlo whispered in a voice so soft, it could only be heard by a vampiric ear. “At least then, we would not be compelled to spend most of our time watching him as he goes about with is diurnal drudgeries.”

  “No one said you had to come with me.” He cast him a sideways glance.

  “Hrmpf,” he grunted, making a sour face. “The only thing worse than spending my evenings observing this whelp is the prospect of spending them alone when I know you are so near.”

  “It’s not like we spending every night here or even the entire night for that matter,” Niccolo turned to face him. “Do I not indulge nearly your every whim?”

  Pavlo caressed the side of his face. “Not every one.”

  “I said nearly.” He pulled away from the touch.

  “You’ve never answered my question. Why not just turn him?”

  “He’s not ready.” He returned his attention to the window.

  “He is old enough, learned, and has had an opportunity to know the touch of a woman. What more do you want?”

  “More time. He is just beginning his life. I’ll not rob him of his happiness just because I’m intrigued by him.”

  “How altruistic of you,” he smirked. “You would rather wait until life has dealt him a few weighty blows. Have him learn the true meaning of misery and only then offer him an opportunity for the release of his pain. Me thinks it would be more philanthropic to spare him such knowledge.”

  “It’s not your decision,” he said with a warning glare. “I will decide when and if the time is right.”

  “So be it,” Pavlo said, visibly trembling. “Until such a time, we will simply wait…and observe.”

  Niccolo wondered, not for the first time, if the peculiarities of his friend outweighed the benefits of having the company of one of his own.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Taima settled back in her favorite chair as she watched the young couple embrace each other in the middle of her living room. Kanati still clutched the ear of corn she had given him to accept his proposal. She dabbed at the moisture that flowed freely down her cheeks and hoped they didn’t notice her tears of joy. He had really surprised her with his generous gift. She’d thought he would only bring a ham or venison at most, and yet he’d given her enough meat to last from full moon to full moon. She made a mental note to use some of the tanned hide to make him something nice to wear.

  “Auntie, are you alright?” Selu was suddenly hovering over her with a concerned look on her face.

  “Yes,” she nodded. “I’m just so happy for you both. It warms my heart to know that when I’m gone you’ll still have someone in your life that loves you as much as I do.”

  Selu hugged her neck and kissed her still damp cheek. “But you are not going to leave us any time soon.”

  “Tomorrow, I will make my way down the hill to announce your betrothal to the other elders.”

  A concerned look washed over her niece’s face. “You are still pretty weak from your illness, I’m not sure you have the strength for such a journey.”

  “Bah!” she grunted in response. “I’ll make it. It’s tradition. They will have our Uku begin blessing the area for the ceremony immediately.”

  “Dustu will be so happy,” Selu said, calling the Uku or priest by name. “It has been ages since he’s had the opportunity to perform a marriage.”

  “How long will it take him to prepare?” Kanati wondered aloud.

  “Seven days.” She smiled as she watched his shoulders sag. “Do not fret. The time will pass quickly.”

  He strolled closer to them and placed his hand on Selu’s shoulder. “What’s a few more days when compared to a lifetime in the arms of the woman I love.”

  Selu rose silently and kissed him.

  “Well, I had better get some rest if I hope to get everything done I want to tomorrow,” Taima said, pushing herself up from her chair. “Help an old woman to her bed?”

  Kanati watched Selu escort her aunt into the back bedroom, his mind reeling with thoughts of what his wedding day would be like. Who knew he could ever know such happiness after having so much of his life filled with such sorrow.

  “What are you smiling at?” Selu asked, emerging from the bedroom.

  “I can’t help but smile when I think of you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. He kissed the top of her head. The smell of her hair was intoxicating. Everything about her was intoxicating.

  Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, he froze, forcing his smile to stay in place. “Don’t move,” he whispered.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “A shadow just crossed the window. There’s someone outside.”

  “Is it—?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied, pulling from her embrace. “But there’s only one way to find out.”

  He entered the kitchen on long strides, scanning the counters as he moved. He grabbed a large cast iron skillet with his left hand and carving knife with his right.

  “Kanati, don’t go out there!” she urged in a rushed whisper.

  “I have to,” he said, moving toward the door. “I’ll not start my new life with you and your auntie living in fear.”

  “Then I’m going with you,” she said, turning back to the kitchen.

  “No, just wait for me here,” he begged, the thought of something happening to her nearly crushing the breath from his chest.

  He cracked open the door and slid out onto the porch as quietly as he could. Aware of every creak of the wood beneath his feet, he brandished his makeshift weapons and edged closer to the corner of the house, his back against the wall. Holding his breath, he leapt around the corner, ready to fight for his life.

  There was no one there.

  He exhaled heavily before dropping into crouch. Keeping close to the house, he scurried down to the next corner. He sprang into the clearing behind the house without hesitation. Nothing. By now his heart was beating with such force, it rocked his chest, but still he pressed on. He could hear grass crunching beneath someone’s feet as he approached the next corner. Retightening his grip on the knife, he rounded the corner just as a shadow rushed at him. Sparks flew as a blade bounced off the skillet he held before him. With a mighty roar, he drew his arm back, ready to pl
unge his knife into the intruder. His arm froze mid swing.

  “Selu!” he hissed. “You were supposed to wait for me inside.”

  “I couldn’t,” she said, lowering her knife. “What if there were more than one of them out here?

  “I could’ve killed you.” The revelation rocked him.

  “I… I…” she stammered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hurt you did I?”

  “No, you just hit the pan,” he said, laughing as he realized she had delivered the first blow.

  “You saw no one else?” she asked, looking beyond him.

  His gaze followed hers across the moon-drenched hillside with its long shadows. “No, but if they are still watching, I’m sure they will think twice before returning. I can’t imagine they would want to face either of us when our ire is up.”

  Maybe even you more so than me. The thought made him smile with pride.

  “Selu, you are truly a remarkable woman.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You never cease to amaze me,” he replied, draping his arm over her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go back inside.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “What were you thinking?” Niccolo asked tersely as they pushed deeper into the woods. “You’ve ruined a perfectly good evening for them.”

  “I just wanted to share in their bliss,” Pavlo answered, pushing branches out of his way. “And there wasn’t a very good angle from the window you were using.”

  “I chose it because it put the moon at our faces so we wouldn’t cast shadows into the room—as you well know, so don’t play innocent with me. There isn’t a chance in hell you’ve been able to live this long without taking account of such factors.”

  “I beg to differ.” He came to a stop, hands on his hips. “It’s true I’ve been a hunter for centuries, but this is the first time I’ve been reduced to observing humans for hours on end. To that end, you simply must forgive me if I have yet to develop the proper skill set for it, and forgive me even more if I have no real desire to do so.”