Page 63 of The Moon’s Fury (Moon & Sands #2)

L ayna walked down the inn’s carved steps alone. Their time in Tarakshan was coming to an end, and Zarian had left earlier to scout out the path ahead.

Reaching the final step, she peered around the wall—the front desk was empty.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she headed toward the stables.

Najoom’s large form came into view, his black coat returned to its lustrous, shiny state.

Straw rustled underfoot as she padded over to him, offering an apple.

He snorted, gobbling it up and nuzzling her palm.

The inn door opened behind her. “Mornin’, Miss Ahna!” called Lash. Shafts of sunlight illuminated the stable through slats cut into the roof, lighting up Lash’s blond locks like a halo. He carried a small basket with him. “Have time to peel potatoes with me?”

Layna glanced at the basket—she had never peeled a single thing in her life. How hard could it be ? “Sure,” she said, her smile tentative. Lash led her inside, through the carved, winding halls of the mountain inn.

He must have noticed her glancing around because he said, “Fear not, Lasha’s at the market.”

A small archway led into a modest kitchen. With twin thunks , they sat at a small, round table in the corner and set to work. Lash easily peeled five to Layna’s one, but slowly it came easier.

“Don’t tell me Zem does all the cooking,” Lash teased, glancing at her fumbling with the small knife. “He must really love ya.”

A bright laugh escaped her lips. “He’s going to throttle you one day.”

Lash clicked his tongue, waving a dismissive hand. “Naw. I’ve gotten thrashed plenty for my big mouth. If he was gonna deck me, he’d have done it already.”

A comfortable silence fell between them, marked only by the dull thudding of Lash’s knife against the cutting board as he began dicing the potatoes.

She watched him quietly, the earnest youth who concealed sorrows behind jokes.

“What do you wish for yourself, Lash?” she asked.

His hands froze. He didn’t meet her gaze.

“To be a warrior.” His voice was tentative, wistful, as if he feared speaking the words aloud.

Tarakshan was known for its tough warriors, built like the mountains themselves. Most were hired by towns to maintain order—men of the city watch. Some joined Tarakshan’s army. Even fewer still were selected as palace guards.

Lash resumed cutting. “But we all have our paths.” His smile brimmed with sadness. “Lasha keeps insisting I join a camp, but they cost loads. And the training lasts two years. I wouldn’t make any money ‘til after that.”

“Where is the training camp?”

“There’re several, but there’s a decent one half a day’s journey from here. Meals, lodging, everything. And they basically beat ya ‘til yer black and blue every day.” He gave her a rueful smile. “Ya might’ve noticed—we haven’t been getting many travelers lately.”

“Why don’t you leave? Move closer to the training camp. Lasha can find work there?”

He shook his head sadly. “Our parents owed money. We’ve been paying it back slowly, but we can’t leave ‘til the debt is clear. They’ll come find us otherwise.” Layna’s heart twisted in her chest.

Lash inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. When he exhaled, the shine had returned to his gilded smile.

“But worry not, Miss Ahna. I have a plan! A few weeks ago, I went to the tavern to pay the lender. Not a friendly man, that one. Ya might have seen ‘em on the way back from the markets the other day. Anyway, there was a man at the tavern—a recruiter , he fancied himself. There was a crowd around him, mostly my friends if I’m being truthful. There’s good, honest work in Valtisaan. ”

Her heart stopped.

Lash didn’t notice. “Said they need strong, young men for a few months of work. We’d all be together. And Miss Ahna, the pay is moonsdamned wild! Pardon my swearing. I wouldn’t have believed it, but he gave us ten gold coins each, just for listening to him!”

Every word was a punch to her gut.

Lash saw the stricken look on her face. “It’s only for a few months. Four, maybe five. And it’ll be more than enough money to pay off our debts.”

She racked her brain for a way to dissuade him without appearing suspicious.

“What kind of work?” she asked slowly.

“All kinds,” Lash replied, sliding the diced potatoes into a large bowl. “He said they’d look at our skills and assign us where we fit best. Metal work, carving, building. Some might even get to work with those fancy science people.”

It was a struggle to keep panic from seeping into her voice. “What does Lasha say? She can’t be happy about you leaving for so long.”

Lash shot her a guilty smile. “Well … I haven’t exactly told her yet. The recruiter said we’d leave in two weeks, when he’s got enough workers. I’ve been dragging my feet about telling her.”

“Lash, listen to me. You cannot go with this man.”

His brows furrowed. “Why not?”

“I’ve heard horror stories about what happens to workers in Valtisaan. You’ve heard about their marvels, yes?” He nodded. “But isn’t it strange that even after years, the rest of the continent has no idea how they’ve advanced so much?”

“Well, they’ve always been secretive about their methods—”

“It’s because they bring in workers from the outside. Boys like you. But they never let them leave.”

He frowned, mulling over her words. “That can’t be. We’d have heard about somethin’ like that.”

“No, Lash, listen—”

“There you are.”

Both their heads snapped to the doorway. Zarian leaned against it, arms crossed over his chest. His discerning gaze flicked from Layna to Lash to the bowl of potatoes.

“Here to steal more honey?” Lash teased, though his smile was forced. “It’s a bit late in the day for ya.”

Zarian rolled his eyes and pushed off the door. He must have noticed the panic in her eyes because he grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze— are you all right ?

The words tumbled out of her. “Lash is going to Valtisaan. For work.”

She stared with wide eyes, trying to convey the crushing fear flowing through her.

His expression didn’t change.

“Don’t say a word to my sister,” Lash added hastily. “I’ll tell her soon.”

Zarian kept his gaze fixed on Layna. “If you’re done putting my Ahna to work, I need to borrow her.”

Zarian’s grip was firm on her hand as she led them to their room. As soon as the door shut behind them, she whirled.

“We have to—”

“I know.” Heavy footsteps led him to the bed where he sat, cradling his head in his hands. A long, pained sigh escaped him before he raked a rough hand through his unruly hair. “Tell me what he said.”

“He met a ‘recruiter’ in the tavern. The man said they can work for a few months in Valtisaan and make enough money to pay off their debt.” She crossed the room, standing in front of him.

Sharp stabs of worry shot through her gut as she thought about the fate awaiting him should he leave for Valtisaan.

Zarian tugged her closer until she stood between his knees. He kissed her palm and splayed it over his chest. “I’ll head to the tavern tonight and handle this.”

“I’ll go with you.”

His brows knit together, and she knew he was about to refuse.

She cut him off before he could. “I can help . You’ve been training me. I can take care of myself and you.”

“I know you can.” His voice was gentle, and he widened his knees and pulled her deeper into the vee they created. “There’s no one I’d rather have guarding my back than you.”

“But?” She scowled.

“Women stay indoors at night in Tarakshan,” he reminded. “Every eye will be on you. It’ll be difficult to blend in.” He pressed a kiss to her ribs. “But it’s up to you. If you decide to come, we’ll figure out a plan that works.”

She pressed her lips into a thin line. As much as she wanted to mangle this vile man luring innocent boys to their deaths, Zarian was right. A woman out at night, risking madness or angry mountain spirits, would draw unwanted attention, even in her niqab .

“Make him suffer.”

It had been thirty minutes since Zarian left. Layna paced another circuit around the room, wearing a path in the woven rug. Her chest tightened, a weight pressing over her lungs, heavy and suffocating.

Hands wringing together, she headed downstairs until her light footsteps brought her to the kitchen. Lash was stirring a large pot over the stove, while Lasha stood at the other counter, kneading something in a large bowl, streaks of flour painting her forearms.

She cleared her throat. Two sets of eyes snapped to her.

“Zem went out. I thought I might help?”

The siblings were silent for several heartbeats, before Lash beamed.

“Of course! Come stir the soup. I’ll be back in a lash .

” He guided her to the stove and placed the spoon in her hand.

“Make sure ya scrape the bottom.” He gave Lasha—who was staring at them with pursed lips—a pointed look before leaving the kitchen.

The two women quickly averted their gazes, each focusing on their respective task.

The soup smelled incredible—a creamy broth with chunks of carrot, meat, and the potatoes she’d helped peel.

An awkward silence settled between them, broken only by the rhythmic scrape of the wooden ladle as Layna focused intently on not ruining dinner.

Lasha cleared her throat. “Um. I wanted to apologize.” Her words were stilted. “For how I acted when ya first arrived. It was—uh, inappropriate. And I’m sorry.”

Layna’s hand stilled. “I appreciate that.” She stared at the soup, willing the words in her heart to pass through her lips. “Lash told me everything you’ve done for him. I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been, managing the inn and taking care of him. Alone.”

She turned to Lasha, finally meeting her gaze.

The other woman stood frozen, seemingly at a loss for words. “Thank you,” she finally said quietly. Lasha turned away, but Layna didn’t miss how she surreptitiously wiped her eyes.

“I’m the eldest, too,” Layna added softly. “It’s difficult and lonely, and my entire life, I felt crushed beneath impossible expectations. But crumbling was never an option. Because there were people who depended on me. I just—I know what it’s like. And I’m sorry you have to go through it alone.”

Lasha listened quietly, her breathing slow.

When she turned, her eyes were clear. Her watery smile was genuine, a peace offering, and Layna smiled back, accepting the truce.

Lasha sniffled, gesturing to the door. “Let’s go find my idiot brother and have dinner.”