Page 151 of The Moon's Fury
Jamil laid out their bedrolls—his in the middle, and Kharteen’s and Soraya’s on either side.
One more week, and there’d only be the two of them.
Soraya nestled under her blankets, and he lay down beside her.
Kharteen went to “scan the perimeter” as he did every night, giving them a small measure of privacy, and Jamil was grateful for this kindness, short as it was.
He propped himself on his elbow, looking down at Soraya. Her eyes were bright as she smiled at him, but he had learned grief could quickly take hold. She’d be laughing one minute, then crying in the next at a memory.
“How are you doing?” he asked softly, tracing a thumb over her cheek.
“I’m all right, I think. I wish I had done so many things differently. I wish—” She sucked in a deep breath. “I wish I had hugged her goodbye, not just fled on horseback. But then she wouldn’t have let me leave and…” She trailed off. “I can’t change the past.” Her voice hardened with resolve. “I’m trying to focus on what Icando. And that’s find my sister.”
Moons, she was a force, a rose in full bloom, standing tall and unyielding, defying the cruel winds that sought to break her. Soraya, who, when swallowed by quicksand, didn’t sink—she clawed her way out, driven by sheer, unshakable will.
Soraya, who he loved.
He leaned down to kiss her and—
Kharteen’s loud footsteps had him pulling away. He muttered a curse, flopping onto his back.
Soraya laughed lightly, wrapping herself in her blanket.
Kharteen folded himself into his bedroll. The asshole tried and failed to hide a smile.
“Sweet dreams,eushaaq.”
“Shut up.”
Another week passed the same way—stolen kisses and healing hearts—and then it was time for Kharteen to leave them.
Unshed tears glistened in Soraya’s eyes as she pulled Kharteen into a tight embrace. “I hope you find what you’re searching for.”
Kharteen was uncharacteristically serious, squeezing her tightly. “I wish the same for you, Princess.”
When it was his turn, Jamil clapped him on the shoulder, but Kharteen yanked him into a hug. “I’d tell you not to miss me, but I know you’ve been counting down the days,” he said in his ear, voice pitched low.
“Be safe,” Jamil said, pulling back.
Kharteen gave them a salute. “Until next time,eushaaq.”
A wink, and then he was gone.
Tension underscored every minute of the rest of the day. The climb was still steep, but the trees had thinned out enough thatSoraya rode on Ahmar while Jamil walked beside them, giving his horse some measure of relief with the steep terrain.
It was quiet without Kharteen’s constant jabbering, and even chatty Soraya seemed more subdued. Often, he’d turn to steal a glance at her, but found her eyes already fixed on him.
Was she eagerly awaiting nightfall, too?
They made camp and quietly ate dinner. The tense silence between them was nearly unbearable. Now that they were finally alone, he struggled to string together words that would make sense.
Why wasSorayaso quiet, though?
Was she nervous about their first night alone together, with nothing between them—not the ghost of a first love or a third, irritating person?
Did she think he expected her to lie with him?
Jamil wasn’t sure what he expected himself. They had never discussed it, not with Kharteen always hovering nearby. He considered bringing it up now but hesitated—just mentioning it might make her think he was demanding it, and that was the last thing he wanted.
