Page 38 of When the Moon Met the Sun

I jerked my head back, ready to question just how much he knew about any zirilium I had, but he just gave me a lazy smile as the tune of the song began to shift into the next. I knew he was aware at least of the plant zirilium due to our encounter over a week ago, but did he know anything beyond that?

Though, I knew this wasn’t the time to question him. For once, I decided I wanted to enjoy myself. Even if it was in the arms of my supposed enemy.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Instead of focusing on every move IthoughtRobyn might make, I let myself focus on what moves I actuallyfelthim making.

After a few moments, I felt the music sinking into me. My feet began moving on their own accord, and I was able to feel the small shifts in Robyn’s body language that helped me to anticipate any spins or fancy moves.

Together, we danced around the open field, all around the fire and back again. He had been right—it was easy to follow his lead. He spun me often, but not enough to make me feel sick. I couldn’t help but notice how easily our bodies moved together. We were like two trees swaying in the breeze, like two birds flying through the sky together.

We worked together in perfect harmony.

Soon, I realized I had gotten the hang of it—I had just needed to relax, like he said. I opened my eyes and beamed up at the male holding me, letting an unrestrained smile cross my lips as I peered into his eyes.

I watched as his breathing hitched when I looked up at him, my expression fully open to him for the first time, my emotions laid bare. I could feel our joy intertwining in my chest, along with something warm.

The songs didn’t stop, and neither did we. I looked around us, and noticed a handful of people were watching us, but suddenly it dawned on me that I didn’t care. For the first time in my life, I didn’t care what those around me thought of me. I just wanted that feeling to last.

That was the only time I had ever felt truly free with both feet on the ground.

The tempo of the song sped up, causing Robyn to challenge us as he began moving us faster, swaying and stepping and spinning. As the world spun around us, I could’ve sworn I saw a flash of ginger and white dancing together on the outskirts of the field.

Soon, we were going so fast I was sure we’d fall over or step on each other’s feet, but we somehow managed not to. I felt exhilarated,alive.

Caught up in the moment, I tilted my head up towards the stars above and let loose a hearty, joyous laugh.

I felt Robyn’s surprise, causing me to meet his eyes once more.

He wasbeaming.

He was obviously proud of himself, but there was something else there, something deeper I couldn’t place.

I smiled up at him, not holding back in the moment, and was met with a genuine smile of his own. The tempo rose, and soon we were both spinning and moving perfectly in time with one another andlaughing.

We laughed together so much my sides hurt, and for the first time in my life, I wondered if this was what pure joy felt like.

Maybe home isn’t a place after all.

***

Hours later, well past midnight, Robyn and I slipped back into our room, both still giggling as if we were schoolchildren.

Once the door was shut behind us, I doubled over and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I stood back up after a few breaths to see Robyn leaning against the door, still smiling. This time, I smiled back.

We both went our separate ways to freshen up and change into more comfortable clothes, then met back up in the room. Once it was just us, I gently removed the eyepatch and placed it on the bedside table, but didn’t acknowledge it.

Turning back to Robyn, I tried not to focus on all his exposed, tan, toned skin, as I realized he didn’t sleep with a shirt on.

It wasn’t until that moment that I realized we were both to sleep in here. With one bed.Together.

Seeming to have my same line of thought, Robyn awkwardly offered to sleep on the floor, grabbing a spare pillow and blanket.

I reached out for him and lightly placed my hand on his arm. “You… you don’t have to sleep on the floor.”

I felt my face turning pink as I spoke.

Robyn turned to me, jaw slightly ajar in surprise.

Before he could speak, I said, “Just keep your hands to yourself,husband.”

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