Page 122 of The Moon's Fury
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 didIdo? 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 gettingheated 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 thesumzeher!” 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 doyoucare?” 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? Justsay 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’mliving. 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.
“Idofeel the same,” she said softly.
