Page 13 of The Moon's Fury

It was everything she dreamed her first kiss would be.

A soft moan escaped her as his lips grew firmer, parting her mouth with gentle insistence. A fire lit in her belly, hazy rays of desire shooting through her limbs. His hands tangled in her long hair, pulling her closer, his tongue tasting her mouth.

He groaned as if she were the most decadent treat he’d ever had.

Her heart beat a furious rhythm, and she must not have been breathing enough in the space between kisses, because a strange sort of lightheadedness dulled her senses. She swayed on her feet, but he held her firmly to his chest, his mouth trailing kisses down her damp neck.

A fiery inferno raged through her, and she felt hot, so hot, as if someone had melted the mighty sun and injected it into her veins. Sweat dripped down her back and—

He yelped and pulled away, releasing her and staggering backward. His dark eyes no longer held desire.

They were frosted with fear.

Her eyes fell to his chest. Dark scorch marks marred his white tunic.

They were the shape of hands.

“Should we tell the council?” Layna asked. Ebrahim and her mother sat across the large desk in her father’s office.Heroffice. Zarian dragged over a chair and sat beside her.

“Are you certain it was actually light? Perhaps the mob rattled you. Or the sun reflected off the carriage window,” Hadiyah suggested, a deep crease etched between her brows. Her mother glanced nervously at Ebrahim.

“I’m certain, Mama. I wish I were wrong.”

“Telling the council is a mistake,” said Zarian. “We can’t risk the Medjai elders learning about Layna’s powers. You saw Zanjeel and the others when they arrived after the eclipse. Their suspicion. Their fear. If even a whisper reaches them, it would be dangerous for Layna.”

Hadiyah scowled at Zarian, turning up her nose. “It’s interesting, then, that they sent you here toprotecther.” Zarian tensed at her thinly veiled accusation, fingers tightly gripping the armrest.

“What are you trying to say, Mama?” Layna demanded, her stony gaze fixed on her mother. Hadiyah was right, of course. The elders had initially sent Zarian to dispose of Layna should she threaten the balance.

But they had already healed that fissure between them, and Layna would not allow her mother to question Zarian about it now.

“Nothing,” Hadiyah replied stiffly. “In any case, I agree. We should not speak a word to anyone.”

Ebrahim cleared his throat. “The mob—I can’t imagine how horrifying that must have been for you, Layna. Such intense emotions could very well have triggered the return of your powers. We should think about ways to help you keep them in check. In the meantime, I’ll search the library, see if I can find anything that might help.”

With the meeting over, the group stood to leave. “Layna, might I speak with you for a moment?” asked Hadiyah softly. Layna inclined her head at Zarian, who reluctantly left the room along with Ebrahim.

Hadiyah sat back down and cradled her head. When she finally glanced up, she looked exhausted. “Nizam arrives tomorrow.”

“I’m aware,” said Layna simply, crossing her arms over her chest.

Her mother sighed, deflating. “I know your heart is with Zarian. Butplease, you must think of your kingdom. Your people.”

“Thepeoplewho want to oust me as their queen?”

“Not all of them feel that way. They are afraid. The rumors have been vicious, but they will fade with time.” When she said nothing, Hadiyah rose and walked around the large desk and grasped her hands. “Layna, please. With your father gone, Alzahra isweak. Weaker than we have ever been. The council is displeased with your relationship with Zarian. An alliance with Baysaht will silence themandstrengthen us in front of the other kingdoms.”

Layna pressed her lips together. “We don’t even know if Nizam plans to propose. He never continued our courtship, remember? Why would he have changed his mind now?”

“He gave you half his army, and only a third returned to Baysaht. He needs to prove his decision was not in vain.Of coursehe is coming to propose.”

Layna reclined on the small sofa in her chambers, reviewing the peace treaties Ebrahim had drafted. The combined goods and gold from Valtisaan, Ezanek, and Zephyria would bolster their stores significantly, and the land from Zephyria was fertile and flourishing with crops. She had meant to look at the treaties earlier in the day, but her conversation with her mother still weighed heavily on her.

The door burst open with a loudthud, and she jumped. Parchments flew into the air, gliding down in a cascade of inked platitudes. A sullen Soraya walked in and closed the door behind her.

“You should knock first,” Layna admonished, gathering her papers.

“Why?” asked Soraya petulantly. “It’s not like Zarian visits any––” She stopped abruptly at the stricken look on Layna’s face. “I’m so sorry, Layna. That was awful of me. Almeer left today, and I’m a mess. I didn’t mean that.”