Page 72 of The Moon’s Fury (Moon & Sands #2)

T he rusted hinge of the iron door creaked loudly as his jailer opened it. The man set down his tray of food, then quickly turned to leave, not meeting his gaze.

His jailer never met his gaze.

Tahriq’s joints creaked louder than the cell’s door as he retrieved his meager meal. At least there was bread today with his watery broth.

He’d lost track of the time he’d spent down here, in the dank bowels of the palace he’d once ruled.

Zanjeel came to gloat at least once a week. Ruslayn used to come more often than that, but the hateful man had been absent of late.

Tahriq finished his pitiful meal quickly, licking every crumb from his gnarled fingers. He relieved himself in the designated corner of his cell, his nose long since immune to the stench of his own filth.

He lay down on his matted, straw bed with a weary sigh.

Fate had dealt with him justly.

He’d had a long time to come to terms with his mistakes. He would die in this cell, and it was a fitting end for the failure of a father he’d been.

He’d failed both his sons, but even now, his wretched heart only cared for one.

As it always had.

Tahriq pictured Zarian’s youthful face, before he had let himself harden into marble.

His son’s innocent, hazel eyes, before they had seen unimaginable horrors.

Zarian’s small, fragile hands, before they had picked up a blade and ended a life.

He closed his eyes and said a prayer for his son—the same, desperate prayer he’d recited daily, hundreds of times, since he’d been imprisoned within his own dungeon.

Please. Please let Zarian find happiness.

Let Zarian choose himself, choose safety, choose his love over me.

Should his heart ever soften toward his father, should he ever think of coming to rescue me, oh moons, remind him of how I’ve hurt him.

Hurt his brother. Remind him of all the ways I’ve failed him.

Harden his heart against me until I am not even a whisper of a shadow of a thought in his mind.

Let him forget me.

Let Zarian’s footsteps guide him to happiness and peace and contentment. He deserves it, more than anyone in this world. Ease the burdens weighing his heart, and let him be happy.

Oh moons, let my son be happy.