Page 83 of The Moon's Fury

“Love?” she questioned, brows furrowed.

“I think Jamil might have feelings for Soraya.” Her jaw dropped, and he quickly added, “I don’t know for certain. I’ve never pressed him on it. But I get this sense of wistfulness from him whenever he speaks of her.”

She weighed his words. “If you’re right, then poor Jamil. The woman he loves, loves another. And he has to spend every minute with her.”

“And her mother.”

She laughed. “I don’t envy him.”

Zarian finished packing their supplies and pulled her to her feet. “Not everyone is as blessed as you when it comes to travel companions. I come with manybenefits, wouldn’t you agree?” he teased. A slow, lazy grin curled his mouth, his fingers skimming her waist.

She suppressed a smile, rolling her eyes. “You mean constantly being subjected to your arrogance and self-praise? That’s been my favorite part.” She grabbed the bag out of his hands and walked toward Najoom, smiling as his laughter rang out behind her.

Something had changed between them since Sendouk. It was a new sort of ease, a lightness born from baring their hearts—a steadfast surety that felt like a warm, weighted blanket draped over her shoulders. They had seen the darkest fragments of each other’s souls, the jagged, sharp edges they hid from the world and themselves.

And they loved each other more for it.

Zarian seemed more at ease now than he had their entire journey—even while traveling out in the open. His eyes stillconstantly scanned every horizon, but he also teased her more and laughed more. She had missed that between them.

He came up behind her and pressed a kiss to her temple. They finished packing Najoom and continued on their way.

Days later, they found themselves in a small cave where they’d taken shelter for the night. It was big enough for Najoom, and Zarian was coaxing him inside. The large stallion seemed skittish at the thought of being enclosed on all sides, no open sky above.

“Come, Naj,” he said softly. He clicked his tongue, adding, “It’ll be just like in Tarakshan, come.”

While Zarian led his mount into the cave, Layna unrolled their blankets. Glancing up, she spotted him coaxing Najoom to settle a few feet away—the black stallion didn’t like to be touched while he was asleep. She had made the mistake once of gently running a hand over his mane while he slept. He’d bolted up instantly, ready to tear off her hand. Luckily, Zarian had darted between them and calmed him.

With Najoom settled, he walked over.

“I’ll sleep by Najoom.”

He’d had another nightmare last night. She’d woken him, and while he hadn’t hurt her in his panicked state, it had spooked him.

“You’ll do no such thing,” she said firmly, patting the blanket.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed and settled behind her. She lifted her head, and he slid his arm beneath her neck,drawing her close. He never lasted long without reaching for her—and she basked in every second of it.

Nestled against him, she was grateful Zarian exuded an enormous amount of heat. The nights were cold, but she hardly noticed it.

“Did you have nightmares in Alzahra?” she murmured.

He tensed. “A few,” he admitted, his breath warm against her neck.

“What did you do?”

“I’d wake up eventually—panicked, drenched in sweat. Then I’d meditate until I could sleep again.”

Her heart twisted. “You’ve been alone for so long.”

He hummed softly but offered nothing more.

“Have you had any more dreams? About the eclipse?” he asked.

“Not since you told me what happened. I think my mind was trying to piece it together, filling in the gaps of what I’d lost.”

Zarian hummed again, before pulling her hair away from her neck and trailing searing kisses from her ear to her shoulder. His hand snaked around her, resting low on her belly, and she intertwined her fingers with his. “Are you still in pain?” he asked softly, resuming his circuit of kisses.

“A little,” she admitted. “But not like yesterday.” Her moon’s blood had arrived, bringing with it discomfort and sharp, stabbing pains in her abdomen. It was always worse on the first day, and she’d called her light to her lower belly, warming and soothing from within. It had helped, but didn’t completely alleviate the pain. “How much longer to Shahbaad?”