Salam guys, hope you like and enjoy this chapter.

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~*If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom*~

Shouq softly mumbled a prayer in Raghad's ear then held her fragile fingers and pushed sumptuous rings in each of her fingers. When finished the women congregated around the bride and bestowed their blessings. Time voyaged over Raghad's despondency and soon lavish feast was prepared for the Borkan women in the tent next to her quarters. Noof and Shouq stayed behind with Raghad while others proceeded to relish the repast.

Raghad shuddered and was grateful of the sunlight that peaked in her tent from the openings providing her some warmth. The weather had turned to reveal its glacial face as though it was disheartened by the thought of her being 'His' bride. Raghad exhaled and her eyes perceived the drugget, they had replaced her carpet, it was the special Persian rug saved for momentous occasion. Here she could not endure it and she broke down, the ocean that clashed against the walls of her heart poured from her enchanting eyes.

Shouq gaped at her in bewilderment, not knowing what to do or how to act. Noof was the one to rouse from the trance and wrap her arm around Ragahd's shoulder to murmur consoling words. Here, Shouq comprehended the bride's anguish and the amount of oppression this feud had on her. She frowned when Faris's face displayed in her brain, indeed he was constrained to marry Raghad as well.

Ya Allah, what have they done!

Shouq knew there was no other man or woman Faris would exhibit his gentle temperament with, aside from his family. A cold shiver streamed down her spine and Shouq encased her hands around Raghad as well. She felt the bride go rigid, "I am sorry. Raghad I-I did not register your desolation. I apologize, forgive us, forgive me habibti," she tightened her grip on her sister-in-law as tears swam in her eyes.

Shouq pledged that no matter what aroused, no matter what savagery her beloved brother exhibited towards Raghad. She will curtain Raghad with the remains of her courage.

Maghrib arrived with the call of prayer and Muslims in her tribe turned to face their Lord. Raghad sensed herself go frail, her vigour slipped from her body like grains of sand. Right after the prayer women wore their Naqab as an indication of her doom. She clenched Noof's hand as Badr, Abu Isa and Naif, brother of her mother, the Imam of their Masjid sauntered in her tent. They had already questioned Faris and he had accepted to this marriage now it was her turn to ultimately terminate the feud.

Um Faris, her dearest mother and Shouq sat by the corner but Noof sat alongside her. "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatu Allah," Badr greeted and ambled to sit in front of his sister, with his feet under and body straight, Abu Isa and Naif sat in the same manner in front of her. Raghad bit her lip in relaxation that it was Abu Isa not a man from 'Their' tribe that would have demoralized her further.

Abu Isa recited some verses of Quran and narrated few Ahadith, he coughed, there was pause then commenced again," Raghad, daughter of Sheikh Faisal bin Saleh, do you accept your betrothed Prince Faris Mubarak Al Borkan as your spouse?" When she heard the voice, her insides tightened. The words terrified her and perturbation took over her form, sweat beaded her forehead and her ears shrilled.

She could refuse and flee, her beloved brother and Uncle Naif, they would surely apprehend her affliction and aid her. They will have mercy on her. She was prepared, Raghad was ready to shake her head in denial. She knew she did not posses the fortitude to live with a monster. She could not abandon her happiness, her heaven for her Tribe.

Raghad bit hard on her lip, so hard that she knew blood was to drip any second. She opened her mouth to verbalize the words. But then a hand on her trembling one woke her up, she slightly raised her head to lock her gaze with Badr's wise ones. Eyes that warned her of her actions, eyes that knew what she pondered about, eyes that oath to shield her. With a shaky breath she gulped and gave a nod.

Silence utter silence ripped the air in the tent.

"Tuwafegeen binty?" Naif questioned his niece in a gentle, serene voice. She bobbed her head again. Abu Isa then asked her the third time, sweat trickled down her forehead despite the cold.

"Yes," She gasped, a pain not physical but mental caged her brain. Everyone in the tent raised their hands and prayed while she remained still, breathing.

What have they done!

Shouq waited for the stranger man to depart, the man she had seen before with Faris. Once he evacuated the tent she encased her hands around Raghad and congratulated her. Women followed after her unaware of the heart they had just slaughtered. Raghad did not vocalize a word, she was his, she belonged to a beast and Raghad did not know how she was to live with a barbarian.

~*~*

Faris sat between Badr and Nasser like a Prince. By Allah he was one, not just any prince, he was the prince of Arabian Desert, Prince of Knights. He observed with his hawk-like eyes as Khalid and other men from Al Rashideen tribe served sumptuous repast for him, his dark eyes looked around the glorious tent decorated with innumerable lanterns then his gaze fell upon Salem. The prime cause of this feud, the ill sibling of Sagr of knights, Badr.

He adjusted his white headdress with his left hand and took another handful of rice from the large round silver tray that had a whole lamb grilled and served on a bed of rice and richly fried nuts. Faris perceived yet another aspect about Badr, how he sat beside him and was present everywhere. If this marriage did not occur Faris knew he would have had a battle of wits and swords with Badr.

When Abu Isa notified him Raghad had acceded, severe complacent escalated in his chest. Even though Raghad was not the woman he desired to take as a bride, she was his enemy and he was certain the woman will unbolt gates of complications in his house. But now she was his treasure, his woman and he knew exactly how to treat her.

"You are in deep contemplation, ya Faris," Nasser's voice dusted his thoughts.

Faris quaffed the cold sour yogurt from the mud cup and glanced at his brother, "What are you indicating?" he answered his query with a question and resumed eating.

"It is your Nikah and like every groom you are engrossed in thoughts," Nasser murmured for him to hear.

"You are mistaken brother, It is not a marriage but inception of misfortune," he paused, "It will be wise if you restraint your tongue or I will roll it like a parchment down your gullet," Faris smirked up at his younger sibling who remained hushed.

After a while feast was taken away and ghawa along with dates was served to the guests. Nasser and Fahd had gone to inspect their horses and camels as they were to depart soon. Sheikh Faisal and Sheikh Mubarak were surrounded by elders of both legendary tribes. Faris was alone with Badr who drank his tea silently.

"I believe you are waiting for that matters I were to divulge to you," Faris reminded and clamped his white teeth on a date.

Badr gave a nod, his hair that fell on his shoulders brushed his white thobe "Indeed Faris I am. I have been pondering about that certain affair from a while now," Badr rested his small mud cup on the maroon Persian carpet. When a tribesman came to fill his cup, he lifted it and shook the cup as an indication of having enough.

"We are a family now are we not? And I desire to apprise you that..."Faris unveiled everything to Badr, all his unfathomable ploys. He had been observing Badr from a long while now and Faris knew that Badr was to be trusted. Even though Badr never displayed his temperament to Faris, he had his eyes on him and watched like shadows in the sand-dunes like a wind around but untouchable.

"I assent to everything you have said, Ya Faris," He looked at the groom from the corner of his eyes, "Let us not ventilate it any longer as many of the men have glanced towards us quite a few times," Badr voiced and leaned back on a pillow.

Faris did not look around right away, "Very well Ya Ameer," he uttered and rose to his feet as Sheikh Mubarak stood up and summoned them.

The notorious knights made their way to the leaders and gave their greetings, "Has Nasser prepared the horses?" Mubarak inquired his son.

"Yes, he has father," Faris replied with his hand on the hilt of his long awe-inspiring sword that hung from his left.

Sheikh Mubarak faced Sheikh Faisal and stared the man in his eyes, "Faisal, have you decided the blessed date for the wedding ceremony?"

"Insha'Allah six days from now," Fasial responded somberly.

"Very well, we shall come and take what belongs to us," Mubarak announced complacent.

Faris at once noticed the involuntary clench of Badr's fist. "Insha'Alla Mubarak, Insha'Allah. We will be waiting," Sheikh Faisal endeavored to smile which evidently did not approach his eyes but kindled his heart. The men were engaged in conversation and Faris craved to vacate. It was not the place or the enervation but the threats concealed in every word either his father uttered or Sheikh Faisal pronounced.

At long last when the time for their departure arrived, Nasser, followed by Fahd sauntered in to announce that the women had mounted and the caravan was ready. Faris bid his farewell, left the enormous tent with Badr who penetrated the silence, "I agreed to pillar your ploys for one cause only, Borkan," Faris rotated his body to look at Badr, disregarding the serene wind that swayed his hair.

"Do I have the knowledge of that cause, Sagr of knights?" Faris demanded in a sharp tone.

Badr waited for people to pass them, he stepped forward and looked Faris in his dark, dead eyes. Both knights dropped the walls of forbearance and seized the robe of warriors. Never in Faris's life had a man had the audacity to glower at him for more than a second. However, Badr glared unwavering.

"I exist in this world as a slave of Allah but she is my life, Faris. If I witness tears in her eyes and I were to discover you were the reason. I will, by Allah kill you." Badr hissed the words through clenched teeth.

When Faris did not make an attempt to respond he continued, "I will disregard the true meaning behind this marriage and erupt another blood feud. Faris, do not take my silence as my frailty that shall be your gravest mistake," Badr threatened in a lethal voice

Flames of immense wrath blazed in Faris's narrowed eyes, the sides of his lips lifted in amusement, "Do not tempt me Badr. I did not harbour evil intentions towards your precious sister. Your intrepidity can be the cause of your death," he straightened his spine, "She is my spouse now and I shall do what I please," Faris spoke in steely tone, his diabolic gaze fixed on Badr.

Seconds later two shadows appeared on their side and Badr stepped back. Faris glanced to see Khalid standing alongside his brother. Without looking he knew his brother, Nasser was beside him. "Fe aman Allah, Badr," Faris mocked then ambled away like a lion who had captured yet another territory.

~*~*

Two days were left from the undesirable wedding, Shouq sat in Faris's chamber as maids helped her decorate the room with a new cot, mattress and beautifying the mud shelves with silver plates. "What are you doing here?" a voice whispered, she jumped then looked up only to exhale.

"Uff ya Nasser! You startled me," the gigantic, broad man gave a throaty chortle. Shouq looked around to find the room vacant. The brother sat in front of her on the carpet, even though Shouq was on the cot Nasser came face-to-face with her.

"You were present but not present at the same time sister," he spoke then took her small hands in his large, warm ones. "What are those thoughts, share them with this poor soul," he grinned.

"Faris and his bride," She frowned at the words.

"Why are you despondent?" Nasser demanded gently as he drew circles on her palms.

Shouq smiled and shook her head, "I am not despondent," Nasser shifted his position, and he scrutinized her for a long moment.

"Very well, do inform me why your hands are cold?" At this she sighed.

"I can never conceal the truth from Nasser, now can I?" she grinned again. Silence sprinkled its spell on them for a while. Shouq could not abid it any longer, she needed to investigate him. "Why_Why did you not accede to this?" Nasser's brows touched.

"I do not comprehend, "he pursed his lips.

Shouq was well aware that Nasser had the knowledge of what exactly it was that she indicated," Your marriage to Darren was not conformed back when this proposal rouse. You could have assented to marry her, Nasser. Your heart is purer than Faris," Shouq did not cease when a deep scowl materialized on his face. "You both are my brothers and I understand the two of you. Indeed you can be terrifying in appearance," she paused.

"Raghad could have lived a much tranquil life alongside you. Faris is my beloved but his heart is made of steel and he will never unfasten the doors for Raghad or anyone. I met here," tears pricked at her eyes, "She is petrified and shattered. She is a girl, a girl like me, Ya Nasser, leaving her family behind to live with those who wished to annihilate her months ago is merciless." By the time she finished tears brimmed her eyes and her breathing was rapid.

"If the woman is prudent she will never question Faris," Nasser sided his brother.

"You do not understand, Akhi. I am asking you, why did you not agree?" Shouq demanded incensed.

"I did not wish to be paired with her. Father knew Faris would accede," Nasser elucidated, perturbed.

"You do not comprehend, Nasser!" Shouq almost yelled.

"That is enough!" Nasser growled and rose to his feet towering over his sister, "What is done is done do no create predicaments sister," he spat and strode away leaving a weeping Shouq behind.

Meanwhile Faris watched as two of his new knights trained with their swords, he was so engrossed in the battle that he had forgotten about Raghad or his wedding. Clouds had unfolded their wings and shed mercy on them the night before and the weather was bitter, every time wind blew it bit hard on his skin.

Faris leaned back on the palm tree, tilted his head and grinned when one of the knights dodged his opponent's attack elegantly. However, his peace did not last long when one of his warriors darted towards him, "Faris!" It was Hamdan, a good friend of Nasser's and son of his Uncle, Adam.

Hamdan sprinted ignorant of the dust that flew in the air as his long robe brushed the sand grains. Promptly Faris jumped to his feet and the knights that trained halted their moves. "What is it, Hamdan?" Faris interrogated.

"I bring grave news ya Faris. Few men are charging rapidly towards our tribe they are the bandits," Hamdan spoke quickly.

Fury so drastic flared in Faris's eyes that Hamdan flinched. The knight of knights turned around snatched his sword and rushed towards Tufan.

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