“What you're asking me to stop doing would be the equivalent of asking me to stop breathing, Midnight. You can fight this all you want, but our lives are intertwined by a fate far greater than what most people experience,” he said.
“Are you listening to yourself? Do you really think there is some—some mystical force in the universe that suddenly decides there are two people that are destined to be together? It's chemistry, Junayd. You’re a doctor. You understand biology,” she replied.
“I understand chemistry and biology. I also understand there are things in the world that can’t be explained. I’ve seen people on their death beds suddenly get better. Children with devastating injuries overcome them. Men and women who thought they could never have a child, gifted with one. There are many layers to this universe. Science can answer most of them, but not all,” he argued.
She pulled her hand free and lifted her fork. She took a defiant bite of her food. He loved the way her eyes flashed with fire.
“It’s not happening,” she stubbornly stated.
“I look forward to proving you wrong,” he said.
His lips twitched when she growled at him and she savagely speared a piece of broccoli. She flushed when he followed the movement of her fork to her lips. The tip of her tongue came out, tasting the tender morsel.
“Be careful,raqisat alqamar,or I will start your lesson right here,” he vowed in a low voice.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
Oh, you should be, raqisat alqamar. You should be,he thought as he ate his meal.
His fingers twitched when she lifted her scarf whenever the Stewart came to see to their needs. After the meal had been cleared, she sat back in her seat, reattached her scarf, and pulled the hoodie over her head. He changed seats so he was sitting next to her. She glanced at him before turning to stare out the window.
“We’ll have about another ten hours before we reach Jawahir. Would you like to rest?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. I’m normally up at night.”
He reached over and cupped her hand. She tensed as if she were going to pull it free before she relaxed. He hated the wall she was trying to erect between them.
“Tell me about your country,” she quietly requested.
Pride filled his voice as he began speaking. He poured his love for his people and the desert into his description. Gradually, she turned away from where she was staring outside at the night to face him. He didn’t think she realized that she was caressing his hand with her thumb.
He shared stories of his brothers and himself growing up, his time in the military, the long hours of schooling and grueling hours in the various hospitals around the country, and his desire to be able to provide his people with the best medical services in the world.
“Would Junebug be safe in your country?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. She needs the sun. Being hidden away hasn’t been good for her. She's practically sunlight itself” she said with a smile.
“And you,habibi? What about you?” he asked.
She leaned her head back against the wall. “I’m the night. I live in the shadows… and dance under the light of the moon,” she murmured.
“Let me show you the night under the desert moon. I promise you have never seen anything like it before,” he said.
She closed her eyes and turned her head away. “Maybe I will take a short nap.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Rest. I will go talk to my men,” he said.
She nodded. He leaned over and kissed her temple before rising to his feet. The steward appeared with a thin blanket. Junayd took the blanket, covered Midnight, and then reclined her seat. Kissing her once more, he strode down the aisle to the front of the plane. He paused when his phone pinged.
Going to meet Bugs. Contact you when we connect.
He typed out a quick response.
Find her. Keep her safe. I have her sister.
Roger that. Peace be with you, brother,Jameel replied.