Page 29 of The Moon's Daughter

As dawn broke over the palace, Layna awoke with a conflicted heart. She lay in bed, drowning in thoughts of Zarian, practically suffocating withwant. The feel of his hands on her waist, the gentle caress on her cheek, his lips on her hand.

An inferno of desire raged within her, and it roared to be sated.

Despite her efforts to maintain a distance, he had found his way into her heart. He saw her—not the crown princess, but the woman beneath who longed for freedom.

But as the first rays of sunlight breached her private chambers, icy needles of reality pierced through desire’s hazy embrace.

Her heart was not free to choose love. She had known and accepted this her entire life. Her marriage was destined to be a strategic alliance, essential for Alzahra’s prosperity and welfare. Her gut twisted painfully. Had she jeopardized all chances of an advantageous marriage last night?

Layna dressed quickly and made her way to Soraya’s chambers.

Soraya looked up from her bed, still dressed in her nightgown, as her sister entered. “Is everything alright?”

Layna took a shaky breath. “No,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“What happened?”

The elder princess trudged across the room and sat next to her sister, cocooning herself in the sheets.

“It’s Zarian. I’m drawn to him in a way I can’t explain. It scares me. We’ve been growing closer,” she confessed, her face marked with grief. “But it’s not a path meant for me.”

Soraya leaned in, her voice gentle, placing a hand on Layna’s shoulder. “But that sounds like the beginning of something beautiful. Why resist it?”

Layna flung the sheets aside and stood. She paced the room, wringing her hands together. “It’s my duty to Alzahra. I am the future queen. My marriage must serve the kingdom. Not my heart.”

“Why wouldn’t a match with the Oasis be beneficial?” Soraya inquired, her brows furrowed.

Layna sighed, her gaze drifting. “The Nahrysba Oasis wasn’t on Lord Ebrahim’s list of suitable kingdoms,” she explained, voice rife with frustration. “And from what I remember of my lessons, the Oasis is a modest kingdom with few resources. I think their focus must have been on developing the Medjai.”

“Have you managed to learn more about the Medjai?”

Frowning, Layna shook her head. “Only what Lord Ebrahim reluctantly shared—that they are our allies and a secretive order dedicated to maintaining balance. Whatever that means.” A memory flickered in her eyes as she added, “Do you remember the assassination of the tyrant Khyrain in Valtisaan? It was years ago. Nothing was ever proven, but rumors say it was the work of the Medjai.”

“Really?” Soraya sat up straighter. “That doesn’t seem right. The Medjai can just remove a sovereign monarch without repercussions?”

“Lord Ebrahim didn’t seem concerned,” Layna reasoned. “After all, they’ve been our allies for centuries, and Khyrainwasa brutal king. His people suffered greatly—poverty, lawlessness, trafficking, all were rampant.”

Soraya frowned, crossing her arms.

Layna shifted the conversation back to Zarian. “I don’t know what to do. I wish I could change how I feel.”

“Love and duty don’t need to be exclusive, Layna. You can find a way to have both. Marrying for love doesn’t mean neglecting your duty. You can benefit the kingdom in other ways.”

The elder princess shook her head, sighing deeply. “It’s not that simple. Our kingdom’s future might depend on a powerful alliance. Especially with a war looming over us. My feelings for Zarian are a luxury I can’t afford.”

“I wish you could follow your heart,” Soraya lamented. “But I understand the weight of the crown. I’m sorry you have to carry it alone.”

Layna smiled sadly. “Thank you for listening.” She stopped pacing and returned to sit beside her sister. “Let’s not wallow in my depressing circumstances any longer. I thinkyouhave much to tell me. I saw you with someone at the ball.”

Soraya’s eyes widened, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Er, yes. His name is Almeer. It’s still fairly new, but it feels…perfect.”

Layna studied her sister. Soraya’s eyes sparkled with a joy reminiscent of starlight. “Just be careful. The heart is a fragile thing. Who is he?”

Soraya hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly. “Almeer is from Zephyria,” she revealed, her voice brimming with defiance. “He’s a junior diplomat, here on a temporary mission. He arrived months ago. We met by accident in the gardens.”

Layna’s eyes widened. “Zephyria? But with the current tensions—”

“I know,” Soraya interjected quickly, “which is why I’ve kept it a secret. If word got out, it could complicate the already tense situation.”

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