Page 131 of The Moon's Fury

“Hmm?” He glanced down at her, brows furrowed.

“Lash and his sister. Their parents passed years ago. She’s been running the inn and caring for him.” The last part left her lips so begrudgingly, it was as if it pained her to utter the words.

Something twisted in his gut. “That’s unfortunate.”

“Maybe we can help them somehow,” she continued. “If we have some extra gold…” She trailed off, looking at him expectantly.

“You want to help Lasha?”

“I want to helpLash,” she said hotly, glancing away. “Though I hate her a smidgen less after what he told me.”

Moons, his Layna and her golden heart.

Between what Hamzh had given him in Janta and the two pouches he’d recovered from Sahar’s Taj in Sendouk, hedidhave plenty of gold to spare.

“We’ll help,” he assured.

They walked past more shops, when a large weaponry display caught his eye. There was a gleaming sword, its sharp edge glinting in the sunlight. The hilt was a muted gold with swirling filigrees wrapping around the hilt like lace. He steered Layna through the shop’s curtain-covered archway, pointing out the sword to the shopkeeper. The bulky man plucked it from the display and handed it to him.

He tested its weight—it was light. He swung it through the air, and it arced well without any resistance. “Try it.” He held it out to her. “I’ve been meaning to get you a new sword.”

She took it from his hand. Her grip was firm around the hilt.

And around his heart.

After a few test swipes, she beamed. It looked perfect in her hands. It looked likehers. Her pleased smile made his heart clench.

He’d guard that smile with his life.

“You like it?” he asked, his voice low and deep, eyes raking over her. Layna holding any weapon was enough to bring him to his knees.

Her wicked grin answered his question.

He paid the shopkeeper while Layna practiced a few mock maneuvers, mindful of the cramped space.

As he walked back over, a playful spark flickered in her eyes—one he didn’t realize how much he had missed until he saw it twinkling.

“Careful,” she teased, pulling her lower lip between her teeth. She knew what it did to him, the little minx. “A new weapon in every city? Keep this up,Zem, and I might think you’re trying to court me.” Ever so slowly, she pointed the sharp blade at his chest. Gazes locked, she traced a slow line up to his neck.

Desire tightened within him.

He stepped forward into the blade, slowly, deliberately, until itjustpierced the skin of his neck. He dropped his voice to a gravelly whisper. “Is it working,Ahna?”

The shopkeeper’s disapproving eyes prickled his neck, likely wondering what strange foreplay was occurring in his shop, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Layna’s chocolate brown eyes were fixed on his neck. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and—

“She’s finally come to her senses!” a voice called from outside the shop. Layna startled and brought the sword down, a furious blush warming her cheeks as Lash bounded inside. “I’m surprised it took this long.”

“I was just testing it out,” Layna said with a laugh. “Zem bought this for me.”

“Gosh, if only I had met Zem earlier! The man knows how to court a woman. Buy her a sword and invite her to test its edge.”

Zarian clenched his jaw so tightly, his teeth ached.

This fucking—

Layna laughed, loud and bright, hand clutching her belly.

Moons, she really loved jokes at his expense.