Page 169 of The Moon's Fury

“But life could be differentnowfor so many people. If the Medjai weren’t helping Valtisaan keep it a secret.” Anger twisted in her gut, but she pushed it down.

The Medjai weren’t her problem anymore.

“Do the other islanders know ofsihrrock?”

“Not since I was last here years ago. I don’t know if that has changed.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Any other questions, my love?”

“You helped him build this? I didn’t know you had skills outside of swordfighting and brooding,” she teased. He pinched her side, matching her smile with his own.

“‘Helped build’ in the sense that I am very good at felling trees and carrying heavy things.” He kissed her, quick and light. “Come, I’ll show you the rest.”

There was a small washroom on the first floor down a narrow hallway that led to a flight of stairs. On the second level, Zarian showed her two unfurnished rooms and another washroom.

At the end of the hall were double doors that opened to reveal a bedroom. There was a large bed with a driftwood frame and a plush mattress. Two windows flanked the bed on either side.

Zarian shot her an apologetic look. “We’ll get more furniture. And whatever else you like.”

The attached washroom was larger than she expected. There was a tub in the center, and a standing shower nestled into the wall.

When they returned to the bedroom, Zarian pulled out white sheets from one of the dresser drawers. Together, they fitted the sheets over the bed. She bit her lip, eyes fixed on the large mattress. A question burned her throat, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

Zarian, ever perceptive, seemed to sense what was on her mind. “I’ve never brought anyone back here.”

A relieved breath escaped her, and she smiled at him.

He grinned back.

Moons, she had never seen him smile so often, so freely, anywhere else.

“There’s one more place to see.”

Back in the hallway, there was a door she hadn’t noticed before. Behind it was a flight of stairs leading to the rooftop.

Layna’s breath hitched.

Sunlight shone on a large flat terrace, lined with walls that reached her waist. Tall palm trees stretched out behind the villa and on either side.

But it was the horizon that stole her breath.

A beautiful sandy beach melted into the waves, gently lapping against the shore. The sun shone down on the bright, blue water, white foam glistening at the water’s edge.

She stood quietly for a moment, breathing in the salty, ocean breeze, listening to the sounds of wind rustling between leaves, the crash of the waves, the squawks of seagulls.

Her mind was quiet. Zarian came to stand beside her.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“It is,” he agreed, eyes fixed on her face.

Layna rolled her eyes, hiding a smirk. “You’re so predictable.” She turned, intent on exploring the other side of the terrace.

She hadn’t taken two steps when Zarian grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him. Her back collided against his firm chest, the air whooshing out of her as his muscled arms snaked around her like a vise.

“Good,” he growled in her ear, tightening his hold around her limbs. “I want you to find me predictable. I want you to wake every morning with the absolute certainty that you’remine. That my love isn’t some fleeting thing—it’s fixed, immovable.Yours. I want you to be unshakably certain, that no matter what beauty lays ahead, my eyes will only be searching for you. Do you understand?” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss just under her ear, teeth nipping at her skin, and her knees buckled.

He loosened his hold only to scoop her into his arms. Layna squealed at the sudden motion, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I said”— a kiss for every word—“Do. You. Understand?”

“Yes,” she breathed.