Page 55 of The Moon’s Fury (Moon & Sands #2)

H e had been right. The village was welcoming to newcomers.

Their newly thieved horse behaved as he helped her dismount, calloused hands holding her with reverence.

They were promptly greeted by four villagers.

She scanned the square, the smell of freshly baked bread calling to her, while he told the men a story they’d concocted—their town had been overrun by outlaws, and they’d barely escaped.

The four men nodded sympathetically, one of them clapping a hand on her love’s shoulder.

Her hand rested on her belly as she turned back to the town.

It seemed like the perfect place for a home.

For a new beginning.

Soraya’s arms were loose around his waist, as if she couldn’t bear to touch him any more than necessary. And why would she?

It had been one week since she’d asked him to take her to Zephyria.

One. Long. Week.

Two more, and she’d be reunited with her love.

They stopped to make camp, and she flew off Ahmar, eager to be away from him.

Her footsteps thudded loudly as she stomped away. Jamil couldn’t figure out why in the moons she was so angry with him. She’d spent the last three days muttering under her breath and shooting glares in his direction.

He hadn’t bothered to ask why.

Restraining a sigh, he dismounted and left to hunt.

They were eating dinner when she finally broke her days-long silence.

It was not at all what he expected.

“Are all Medjai moody assholes, or did I just get lucky?” she snapped, glaring at him from across the fire.

His mouth fell open.

“Wh—what?” he sputtered, eyebrows shooting up. “What did I do? You’ve been grumbling at me for the last three days.”

“What about the three days before that?” A vein pulsed in her forehead. “I tried to talk to you five times over those three days. FIVE times, Jamil. And what did you do?” She was getting heated now, dark eyes burning brighter than the fire between them.

She didn’t wait for him to answer, just barreled on. “‘I need to go hunt, Soraya. It’s getting late, Soraya. Go to sleep, Soraya ,’” she seethed, waving her arms around in a mockery of him. “You’ve been insufferable.”

He couldn’t decide if he was pissed off or turned on.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” he finally gritted out, anger lighting his veins. “You wanted to go to Zephyria, so I’m taking you to—”

“I found the sumzeher !” she shouted.

He froze.

She took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Tell me why you went back for it.”

Silence.

“ Tell me .”

“I—you wanted it. You were upset.”

“Why did you care that I was upset?” She crossed her arms, glare sharp and unrelenting.

“It doesn’t matter.”

His anger flared hotter. Why was she doing this?

“Jamil,” she snapped. “Why did you care?”

“Why do you care?” he shot back. “We’ll reach Zephyria soon. You’ll be with Almeer.”

She stepped forward, fire blazing in every line of her body. He rose to meet her, looming—but it was her fury that towered.

“I know you’ve suffered. I know this isn’t easy for you. But for all your strength, all your weapons—you’re terrified of a few words? Just say it , Jamil. Why did you—”

“Because I’m in love with you!” The words ripped out of him like a blade. “ Fuck , Soraya.”

Anger left him the way a coward flees battle, leaving him with only embarrassment as his shield. He looked away, jaw clenched.

“I have feelings for you,” he said quietly. She had stripped him bare. “I don’t know how to say it right. But, moons, you make the darkness bearable. Like I’m not just surviving anymore. I’m living . And it scares me to death.”

It hurt to speak the truth he wouldn’t even admit to himself. Because he knew—it wouldn’t be returned. Not in the way he needed.

“I know you don’t feel the same,” he ground out. “It’s fine. I’ll get you to Zephyria. I promised.”

He finally looked at her.

Her eyes shimmered with tears.

“I do feel the same,” she said softly.

His breath caught.

“But I need to tell Almeer first. It wouldn’t be right otherwise.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, oh , you donkey.” She glowered again, but there was no heat behind it this time. “That’s what I was trying to tell you.”

Jamil’s mind struggled to process her words. She wanted to go to Zephyria to end things with Almeer. So she could be with him without guilt.

He really was a moonsdamned donkey.

“I’m sorry,” he said, rubbing a hand behind his neck. “I’ve never, um—I don’t…”

“It’s all right,” she said softly, giving him the first smile in days. It warmed the chill in his bones. “We can figure out how to be together. I’ll tell you how I feel, and you tell me how you feel. We’re a bit old for miscommunication, no?”

“I feel like kissing you.”

She laughed, cheeks coloring. “Okay, maybe don’t tell me everything you feel. At least not until we get to Zephyria.”

His heart felt lighter than it had in months. Years, even.

There was a future waiting for them—a real one. He and Soraya could be together. They’d find Zarian and Layna, and somewhere, they’d carve out a safe place to call home.

Still, a question burned in his mind. He didn’t want to ask it.

But Jamil had never shied away from pain.

“You don’t love him anymore?”

She didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes were apologetic when she said, “Not in the same way. I want him to be happy and safe, but it’s not the passion I felt before.”

“You’d risk your life, cross the continent, just to tell him that?”

She shrugged. “It’s the right thing to do. He was my first love. I don’t want him to spend his days waiting to hear from me, wondering if I’m dead. He deserves the chance to move on.” She gave him a wry smile. “I feel guilty that I have to risk your life, too.”

My life is yours to risk , he wanted to say, but she wanted him to hold onto those thoughts for now.

He’d tell her in two weeks.