The Moon Dancer

Chapter 21

*This chapter contains major spoilers for my previous Magi story The Peace Offering. *

Ruhya laid on her bed, her mind racing and face flushed. All she could think about was Judar. Her mind wandered back to the banquet a few days before. When she dropped her blindfold she had looked directly at him in the light.

Was he always so handsome?

His jet black hair was stylishly messy as if he cared enough to make it seem like he didn't care. His piercing red eyes that once scared now enticed her. 

Ruhya smiled to herself as she recalled his laughter, not the maniacal sadistic cackle he once had but the warm and childish chuckles. 

Judar had changed.

Ruhya blinked in surprise as the realization hit her.  It was so gradual that she hadn't realized how much he had improved, and how much she was starting to enjoy his company. 

The window rattled and Ruhya turned to look over in its direction. After a few moments, the window opened and someone climbed through.

"Peli, is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me. I have great news! We can finally get out of this awful place!"

"What?" Ruhya exclaimed, a weird feeling rippled in her stomach. Peli reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Hurry, pack your things. If we leave now then we can be on a boat back to Balbadd in less than two hours." Peli said excitedly as he pulled on Ruhya's arm.

"Peli, wait! Stop!" Ruhya shouted as she yanked her arm away from Peli.

"What are you doing? We have to go now."

"No, Peli. I'm not going anywhere."

"W-what are you talking about? Ruhya, y-you don't understand, we can leave this place." Peli stammered, his voice growing unsteady.

"You're the one who doesn't understand."

"Ruhya-"

"I don't want to leave, not anymore. I want to stay with Judar."

Peli inhaled sharply. His hands shook as he tried to stay calm. 

"You don't mean that! Take it back!" Peli suddenly yelled as he rushed towards her. Ruhya flinched away from him.

"What's your problem Peli!?"

"That damn Magi must have cast a spell over you! Open your eyes Ruhya, he doesn't care about you!"

"Peli! You shut your mouth right now! Judar has not put me under some spell. I can make my own decisions. I think you should leave."

"Ruhya, no! I'm sorry! Please, you have to come with me!" Peli pleaded as he grabbed Ruhya's shoulders.

"Let go of me!" Ruhya shouted as she slapped away Peli's hands.

"Ruhya! Please, I'm sorry!"

"Get out Peli!"

Before Peli could say anything else Ruhya grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. The pillow missed Peli, landing with a soft thud at his feet. He took deep breaths as his lip quivered.

"Ruhya, I'm just trying to protect you. You don't know the extent of the things he's done."

"You think I don't know how awful he used to be? You think I haven't experienced his cruelty first hand? I'm not a fucking idiot, Peli!" 

"That's not what I meant-"

"I know how mean Judar can be, but I also know his kindness. You don't know the things I know, you don't know how much he's changed. Most of all, you don't know how much I care for him." Ruhya cried out, her voice straining with her effort to keep back her tears.