Page 28 of The Moon's Daughter
“Were you perhaps inquiring about a romantic entanglement?” he teased, studying her with playfully narrowed eyes.
Layna’s cheeks warmed under his gaze. “No, that—that wasn’t my intention,” she stammered, thrown off by the sudden change in his mood.
She watched him closely, searching for the emotions he kept tightly locked away beneath his flirtatious mask.
Let me in. Stop distracting me, and let me in.
Zarian chuckled. “To answer your unasked question, while most princes focus on forming alliances through marriage, my path has been different. My duties as a Medjai have consumed all my time.”
“That sounds incredibly lonely,” she commented softly.
“Perhaps,” he conceded with a shrug, “but it gave me purpose and clarity. It taught me to observe beyond the surface. To see that sometimes, a harsh exterior guards a vulnerable heart.”
Her gaze locked with his, and Layna feared he could see into her very soul.
“Perhaps. But some lessons are learned through experience, not just observation,” she said, her thoughts drifting to past hurts.
“Life can be a cruel teacher, Layna, but you’re one of the strongest people I know. You are kind and selfless andgood.” He tore his eyes away sharply, hands clenching and unclenching. For a fleeting moment, Layna glimpsed raw agony in his expression before he managed to conceal it.
His sincere words took her by surprise. Blinking rapidly, she turned her face away as well, her eyes suddenly damp.
They reached her chambers, and she turned to bid him goodnight, but the words evaporated in her mouth as their eyes met again. He was looking at her intently, with so much longing andwant, that Layna felt laid bare before him.
In the soft glow of the torchlights, he reached out tenderly, his touch featherlight, and brushed his fingers against her cheek before tucking an errant curl behind her ear.
Eventually, she found her voice, a soft whisper in the night. “Thank you, Zarian. For your words and for this evening.”
Zarian bowed slightly. “It was my honor. And I thank you. It’s rare I find someone interested in my life…if you could call it that.” The vulnerability in his voice pierced the barriers around her heart, filling her with a warmth she had never felt before, a desire to soothe, to console, a desire tolove.
He hesitated for a moment before bringing her hand to his lips. He pressed a lingering kiss to the back, the sensation sending a current of electricity through her.
“Sleep well, Princess,” he murmured, his voice a quiet whisper.
CHAPTER NINE
The sun beat down on the crowded marketplace as the younger brother meandered aimlessly through the colorful stalls. As he walked, his attention snapped to a young girl around his age. She stood a few paces away, her gaze fixed firmly on him, a bright smile on her lips.
Confused, he approached her, managing a somewhat awkward, “Hi.”
“Hello,” she responded warmly, her smile broadening as she extended her hand. “I’m Mila, General Harith’s niece. I’m visiting for the summer months.”
The young prince blinked, slightly taken aback, but shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mila. I’m—”
“I know whoyouare! My uncle has told me much about you. And I saw you training yesterday,” she continued, eyes twinkling with admiration. “You were quite impressive, even from afar.”
His cheeks flushed with pride, and a wide smile spread across his face. He offered to show her around the marketplace. As they strolled past various stalls, he pointed out his favorite spots, sharing bits of both history and gossip. Mila laughed easily at his jokes, her delight clear and contagious.
When Mila’s stomach rumbled, they both burst into laughter—hers tinged with embarrassment, his with joy. He bought lunch—tangy fire-roasted chicken legs atop soft flatbread, caramelized onions, and fried pine nuts. They ate standing, licking the delicious juices off their fingers, smiling and savoring each bite.
Eventually, their walk led them back to the palace as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Mila turned to him with a smile. “Thank you for being my guide,” she said sweetly, eyes earnest. “Perhaps, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
He nodded, his heart full.
She bid him goodnight with a soft smile and an awkward half-hug, half-pat on the back. As she walked away, his smile faltered, and he stood there, frozen, watching her disappear into the night.
She had called him by his brother’s name.