Page 20 of The Moon’s Fury (Moon & Sands #2)

“Layna, the way I feel about you, I’ve never felt anything like it.

It’s an all-consuming need to protect you, to be with you, to claim you.

You could be the deadliest poison, and I would happily gulp you down and ask for more with my dying breath.

You could be a burning hot coal, and I would keep you right here”—he pressed a hand to his heart—“until you melted through my skin, until my flesh healed around you and you became a part of me.” He took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Sometimes, I can’t fathom how you could love a man like me.

I am wholly, utterly unworthy of you. But I swear to you, Layna—I am yours.

I would burn this world to ash if it meant keeping you safe, keeping you mine.

I would follow you to the ends of this realm and beyond, even if all I could ever touch was your shadow. Do you understand?”

A lone tear slid down her cheek, quickly kissed away. A watery laugh escaped her, and she nodded, unable to form words deserving of his declaration.

The bedsheet had fallen to her waist during his impassioned speech. His eyes trailed over her, and despite the warmth of the room, her bare skin pebbled under his hungry gaze.

“Finish the tea, then get on your hands and knees,” he growled, his eyes dark with desire.

Layna couldn’t gulp it fast enough.

Hours later, she stood under the lukewarm spray of the shower. Her skin still tingled with the remnants of pleasure—they had remained in bed until it became impossible to ignore the rumblings of their bellies. Zarian had left to buy food, and she had taken the time to freshen up.

The pulsing thrum of her powers had buzzed loudly since, as if angry to be parted from him.

Turning off the water, she secured a towel around herself and walked out. She had only taken a few steps when the door opened and Zarian entered, bags of food in hand. He froze, his eyes raking a searing trail over her body.

The dull pulsing quieted in her ears.

Within seconds, he’d tossed the food on the table and strode across the room. Crowding her against the wall, Zarian fell to his knees before her. Impatient fingers tugged at the towel, and it pooled around her feet.

By the time they made it to the table, the food had long since gone cold. She settled into one of the chairs, Zarian close behind. He set down one plate and two forks.

She shot him an inquisitive look. He gave her a tentative smile, tugging her chair until it slid right next to his, throwing his arm over the back.

“I thought we might share a plate?” he asked, a hopeful expression on his face. It was so endearing, her heart skipped a beat as if to remind her it had chosen him. She watched as he heaped generous portions of crispy falafel , fluffy pita bread, and a bright red sauce onto their plate.

They ate in contented silence until he asked, “Ready for a conversation?” She had been dreading it, wishing they could remain in this peaceful bliss for a while longer.

She set down her fork, steeling herself with a shaky breath.

“I’m sorry for what I said. About your father and brother. It was cruel and unkind, and I never want to hurt you, Zarian. I regretted it the moment it left my lips. I was angry with my mother and—”

“It’s all right,” he murmured, squeezing her shoulder. “Tell me what happened while I was gone.”

“My mother kept pushing Nizam into my path.” A muscle tensed in his jaw, and she feathered a kiss over it.

“I avoided them as much as I could, but the night before Nizam left, I met with her and Ebrahim. That’s when she told me—she sent you to the border to keep you away from me.

I was so furious, I could barely think. And then—it just happened.

Before I even knew what I’d done, light shot from my hands.

It hit Ebrahim and sent him flying. He was all right, but Zarian …

they were terrified. I can still see their faces—the sheer terror.

Of me .” She looked at him, then, afraid of what she’d find.

His face was pained, as if her words had wounded him. He held her tightly to his chest and brushed a kiss across her forehead. “I never should have left you,” he murmured.

“I never should have driven you to leave,” she whispered.

Zarian was silent, contemplating her words. “Who knew about your powers?”

“Mama, Ebrahim, and Soraya, of course.” She racked her brain. “Burhani was there when my light blasted Ebrahim. And Lady Mirah and Lord Saldeen were in the council room when I had that splitting headache. I don’t think my fingers were glowing, but I can’t be sure. And…”

“And?” he prompted.

“My fingers were tingling when I met with Nizam. I hid my hands under the table, but…”

Zarian sighed, shaking his head. “One of them informed the elders, but it doesn’t matter now. Our situation remains the same. I told Jamil to meet us in Sendouk. I have another safehouse there.” He paused, weighing his next words. “Do you … want to return to Alzahra?”

“I don’t know,” she said truthfully. “I don’t want the crown if it means losing you. But we can’t let the Medjai get away with this. I never realized how deep their hold on the continent runs. Is there any way to stop them?”

“Not on our own. There are too many. Even if we took out the elders, others would just rise to replace them.”

He paused, then met her gaze.

“But … they fear you. What you could become. That kind of power could shift the balance.”

She mulled over his words, the implications.

“If I can learn to control the light, do you think we have a chance at stopping them?”

“I think you could do anything.” He inhaled deeply, his expression almost pained. “If you wanted to.”

She worried her lip between her teeth. “You once told me that the Medjai spread their knowledge across the continent. Are there hidden libraries in other kingdoms?”

“Yes,” he said slowly. “The one in Thessan, beneath the Grand Libraries, is the largest. But—”

“Maybe there’s something there that can help me harness my light.

We should go there first, not Sendouk. Until I can control my powers, I’m a danger to everyone.

I can feel it thrumming beneath my skin, always restless.

It’s bearable when I’m near you, but when I’m angry, upset, or agitated… I—I don’t want to hurt anyone else.”

Zarian drummed his fingers on the table.

“Thessan is risky. They’ll be expecting us.

” He traced a map onto her thigh, explaining, “We’d have to go around the Mountains, cross Navrastan into Sendouk, then head north through Shahbaad.

” He grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“We’d have to pass Sendouk anyway to get to Thessan.

Don’t let fear keep you from your family. ”

“Why can’t we go directly through the Mountains?”

“It’s an unforgiving trek, one I’d only take as a last resort. At best, we’d save a few days, maybe a week at most.”

Layna contemplated his words. “When do we leave?”

“Tonight.”