Salam Alikum ladies and fellas. I hope you guys are well and hope y'all like this chapter. Thank you so much for being so patient with me, I really appreciate it.

PS: I'd like to thank my dearest, sweetest friend, and sister idonotexist madmanboomer1 for this breathtaking painting she did for my story. Thank you, sis you are amazing.

______________________________________

"Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure." Rumi

Raghad encircled her fingers around the fabric of her dark green gown and lifted it an inch or so over the sand so that she could walk more freely. With a sigh, she looked over her shoulder to the Borkan tribe that shrunk in size as she, along with her spouse walked further away from it. She shivered when a bitter wind swirled around them as sand dunes came in sight.

Raghad looked ahead and a deep frown made its way on her face. Faris held the reins of their camel and Tufan trotted alongside his master. The wind grabbed his robe and fluttered it with every step he took. She peered at him, taking in his black headdress that concealed his hair and made him appear even more daunting. His free hand moved to rest on the hilt of his sword that hung from his right, his form taut, she could feel his fury just as vigorous as the sun that gleamed down at them.

She bit her lips then shook her head when she recalled how he had pronounced her name for the first time. She could not comprehend how all arguments faded on her lips that moment. Raghad wished to demand Badr's well-being, however, was unable merely from the look Faris had displayed. Irked she moved her eyes to the camel that followed Faris and here she clenched her teeth. Her feet throbbed and the intense cold had caused blood to turn ice in her veins. At least he could be benevolent enough to permit her to mount the camel, however, he was hushed.

They passed a flock of sheep with the shepherd who trailed behind, a long cane in hand and a flask, that seemed to brim with water dangled from his left. Raghad's thoughts lingered back to Bu Hammad and the man, Badr was accused to have annihilated, at this a ripple of dread tapped at the door of her guileless heart.

What if Faris was unable to proof Badr had no hand in this monstrous sin? What if another carnage befell? The torment, the affliction will all be in vain. She acceded to pair with Faris in order to tie the knot of peace among their tribes. This, by Allah, would destroy everything.

So engrossed in her contemplation that Raghad did not perceive that Faris had halted and stared at her over his broad shoulder. "Sheikha," she jerked at the sound of his voice and allowed her doe-like eyes to clash with his. "If you walk with the pace of an ant, by Allah, we will reach the tribe the next moon." He taunted and pivoted his form to fully face her.

Her heart fluttered at the resonant voice, Raghad frowned then made her way to him gradually. "It would be wise if you, Borkan, used the camel for the journey and not as an individual to accompany us." She scowled at him then glared at the camel. There was solely a leather pouch that hung from the camel, nothing else and it piqued her that he would not allow her to mount.

Faris disregarded her remark and commenced with his journey, a groan sounded from her lips then she trailed behind her unwanted spouse. After a prolong while of walking, Raghad tripped over her gown and almost toppled over. With an exasperated huff, she lifted her gown enough to free her ankles oblivious that Faris's sharp eyes followed her movements like a falcon.

Once she was able to walk Raghad moved her head an inch to left and bit her lip, there was something she desired to question but did not know how to commence a conversation with the man she could not endure. Something within her abdomen swelled when she opened her mouth then locked it again. She grimaced at her own cowardice. "It will be better if you verbalized what you wish to say, bint-ash-sheikh, instead of raging under your breath." Her head turned to the left at his voice. Faris faced ahead almost as if he had not just addressed her.

Raghad took a deep breath. "Do you believe Badr would meet any condemnation?" Her throat felt parched by the time she finished her sentence.

Faris did not glance at her, his brows creased at her words. There was a drastic turmoil brewing in his brain, he was certain Badr did not have a hand in this assassination, there was someone who desired to terminate the treaty among their tribes. However, they failed to recall that Faris was the leader of Borkans he shall not permit another bloodbath. He brought his enemy's daughter in his house for the sake of peace and he will commit anything for his tribe and it's people.

"What is that you believe in, sheikha?" The knight inquired as they descended a sand dune.

"I am certain Badr is guiltless and I am well aware that you know there is someone who wishes to entitle him a slayer." Raghad voiced her thoughts feeling something twirl in her blood. Ya Allah, she could not comprehend how they conversed like normal man and wife, with no battle of wits and words clashing among them.

"And if your sibling is not guilt-free?" Faris's caustic voice reached her ears.

Raghad looked up at him and frowned. "You and I are both well aware of that fact. Badr has nothing to do with this annihilation. He is my brother."She noted eyes narrowed.

"Salem is your sibling as well." At his trenchant remark, she clenched her jaw and faced ahead.

They trekked over the plain desert and none made an attempt to utter a word. "What would the son of Sheikh Mubarak commit if his own tribe did not accept his words?" Raghad pronounced in a rigid voice. She heard Faris tsk and shake his head.

"Then the son of Sheikh Faisal will have to proof his blamelessness," Raghad felt fury cloud her sense. His words like always felt like sharp, serrated daggers. Even in a situation where she endeavored to be cordial, his words were ruthless. "Then again, I do not believe men in my tribe would be witless enough to defy my word."

Faris's voice fractured through her thoughts like shredded glass. Somehow those words made her heart beat steadily. The bride knew Faris possessed a great deal of dominance in his tribe and was well aware that those who opposed him would face an appalling end.

A shiver rushed down her spine causing her hands to tremble, the action did not go unseen from Faris's eagle-like eyes. "If you desire to stay in your tribe, you can."

Raghad did not respond, indeed she yearned to stay at her tribe. However, she had to make certain Badr would not be viewed as a butcher in the Borkan tribe and for that her presence was essential.

A rich chuckle rang in the air, from the corner of her eyes Raghad saw her spouse laugh at her. "You do not wish to stay? That is rather perplexing Sheikha. One would say you have taken a liking to my tribe." He ridiculed.

"Wallahi? Then would you explain Borkan why do I calculate my days in your tribe?" She turned to glower at him.

"Very well, you must accompany me back to make certain my men believe Badr." He declared her intentions.

"I shall." With that, another phase of quietude welcomed them as the sun descended another stair willing to plunge in a deep slumber. It was then the shadows blended with darkness and birds encased their wings around them. Crickets opened their eyes, joyous to chirp their melody for they have waited a long while to greet the stars and the glorious moon.

**

Al Rashideen Tribe

The night grew chiller as more dense clouds dispersed over the tribe. Badr, son of Sheikh Faisal, heir of the Rashideen tribe knew they brought forth a message of heavy rain. He sat in an enormous tent accompanied by his men, his faithful, devoted knights. With Jabir on his right observing as they contemplated what had occurred with the goods of the recent trade.

His men had been away for two moons, they had traveled to Saudi Arabia in order to exchange goods and attain profit. While on their way back some raiders had ambushed his knights. However, they did not loot, or touch the caravan at all.

"It appears they only meant to deliver an unspoken message," Jabir delivered in a solemn tone. Men around the tent nodded in harmony.

Badr had commanded that this riot shall not reach Sheikh Faisal, he had to tackle this obstacle alone which is why he congregated his men here at such a late hour. "Very well, let us say they committed this in order to send the Rashideens a message. But, what is the message we are to know? The men stated the bandits had their faces concealed behind clothes."Khalfan, Badr's dearest cousin leaned forward and placed his hand on knees over his crossed feet.

"It is a warning ya Khalfan." Badr, at last, voiced his thoughts, pinning their attention on his inflexible, poised form.

"A warning, brother? Who would be imprudent enough to meddle in your affairs, Badr?"Khalid, his younger sibling demanded flabberghasted.

"Do you ponder it is the Borkan tribe?"Omar, Jabir's brother interrogated.

Badr directed his eyes on the carpet in front of him. "La, ya Omar. It is not the Borkans. And now it is our prime aim to disclose who the real culprit is, as soon as possible,"he lifted his gaze and stared his men in the eye. "Next time it most certainly will not be a mere warning." An impenetrable cloak of agitation and wrath fell over the men.

"What do you suggest we do now, Badr?"Jabir twisted his head to face his dear friend, his brother.

"We must continue with our trade if that is what they wish to halt. However, no mere Rashideen will perform this act, but rather accomplished knights will. Jabir and I shall travel around and examine if there is someone who craves to bring greater catastrophe to this tribe."Badr recited in a grim voice, his decision was final and his men were set to serve their leader.

"We must also keep..."Badr stopped when the flap of the tent was pushed aside Abdullah, his cousin along with one of the men he had assigned to shadow Raghad barged in the tent. He brows knit in concentration, Ya Allah, Raghad!

"What is the ground behind such an interruption?"Jabir demanded eyes on Abdullah then on the messenger. The man was garbed in a white thobe, his long saber hung from his right with a black turban that also veiled his face so that only his dusky eyes were visible.

The man walked up to where Badr sat and knelt on his knees eyes on Badr, sagr al fursan. "I bring distressing news, ya Badr." The knight's eyes looked around the khaima then landed on his messenger. "Sheikh Faris is on his way to this tribe along with," the man hesitated. "With his spouse."

Badr's jaw clenched. "What is the purpose of his unexpected visit?"

"I am not certain, Badr. Just as you instructed we trailed him the instant the Borkan was beyond the boundaries of his land."

Sagr al fursan inhaled a deep breath then gave a nod. "We must greet him with utmost hospitality then. Where is Bahij? Was he not with you?"

"He was, Sheikh. Bahij remained behind retaining an eye on Faris while I traveled here to apprise you." The messenger responded.

"Abdullah," Badr glanced at his cousin. "Prepare supper for our guest," his gaze then met the messenger. "Depart back to your location as soon as you are finished."

The man gave a sharp nod of his head and rose to leave. Badr glanced to his right at Jabir who stared back at him in puzzlement. What could be the reason behind such a visit? Is something the matter with Raghad? His eyes narrowed into slits when something rather appalling lurked in his brain. Ya Allah!

**

The night sky was pitch black now, stars commenced to tiptoe over the inky curtain that outspread over the sky with eager, twinkling eyes. The groom and his bride journeyed with only the crescent as the source of light. A faraway howl caused the bride to move her head to her left and bite her lip.

Wolves!

Raghad breathed then faced, yet another sand dune they had to descend. She chewed on her bottom lip at that thought, the task was not troublesome, however, being in the presence of Faris, Raghad knew she could not lift her gown further in order to possess her freedom.

Faris moved ahead, with Tufan following and their camel alongside him. Raghad squinted against the wind that accompanied them like an earnest child. She ran her tongue over her chapped lips and hoisted her dress enough so that the velvety skin of her delicate feet were in view. She prayed under her breath that her spouse would not rotate around to glance at her, the mere thought caused her to cringe. With that thought the bride moved ahead with cautious steps, eyes on her feet and the dark gown she held in her feeble fists.

Midway down the sand dune, Raghad felt her breath become harsher, fists welcome moist notwithstanding the grievous cold that engulfed them. A startled screech hissed between her lips when abruptly her right foot was too heavy to lift and she tumbled over, forward towards the sand. Every thought in her brain froze and all that mattered was to shelter herself from the venomous looking shrubs.

However, no pain greeted her, no Thrones slit open her flesh to savor the sweetness of her warm blood and dot the sand along with it. The quivering of her form against something warm and sturdy terrorized her. Raghad opened her eyes and gasped when she saw the noxious shrubs just inches away from her body. How on earth was she capable of shielding herself?

A warm air stroked against her scarf and Raghad became completely paralyzed as if the air in her wretched lungs deserted her as if her blood transformed into frost and she was nothing more than a mere shell.

It was then Raghad grasped her stance, inches away from the shrubs in the air with brawny, firm arms encased around her middle. A faint path of perspiration materialized on her forehead and her nape started to tingle. A queer feeling knocked at the door of her naive heart, requesting to lull its race.

"I have lost count of the times you have fallen under my mercy, woman." Faris vocalized the words in her ear, his voice hoarse, vexed, but she could have sworn there was something just underneath the sheath of his resentment.

Even with the chunky layer of her robe and jalabiya, Raghad felt her skin kindle to an extent that breathing was arduous for her. That moment she wished that the shrubs had made contact with her form, that the Thrones had ripped open her skin and feasted on her blood. Being in the arms of the enemy felt detrimental than the agony the shrubs would have provided her, feeling his compelling warmth and that secure, indestructible grip, brought forth a perilous wave of vertigo.

Raghad swallowed the lump that ignited her throat then pushed on his hands that engulfed her midriff when vanquished, she fought against his embrace. She needed to get away from him, from this brute who in a blink of an eye shielded her from a ghastly fate. "Release me." She attempted to scream but her voice was frail, almost inaudible.

The bride heard him snarl in aggravation. "I would ya sheikha, but that would cause great displeasure than the one at hand."

"I do not care, Borkan. If you do not unlatch your hands this instant, wallahi we both shall regret it." Raghad growled with her heart in throat, palms pressed against his arm that wrapped around her like a vicious serpent.

Her wrath mounted when she heard a deep, mocking chuckle vibrate next to her ear and sink in her bones, that sound unfurled a parchment of a burning sensation she did not like."We both know bin-ash-sheikh it is you, who shall regret it." With that, Faris pulled back drawing her form back as if it did not weigh more than a feather. Once he was assured his spouse was away from the route of damage the knight loosened his grip, then gradually let go of Raghad.

As soon as his warmth abandoned her, the bride moved away as if inflamed and whirled around to glare at him. Faris stood to his full height and hoisted a thick eyebrow at his spouse. He observed as she opened her mouth to verbalize something, then swallowed and took another step back with trembling hands and flushed cheeks.

________________________________

Hey there guys! It's been such a long time I missed writing so much, but the writer's block almost demolished everything for me. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. This story is up for #Wattys2016 hope you guys support it. And recently I have been seeing my fans nominate me to #Thefictionawards thank you guys.

Sorry bout the mistakes.

I wrote this chapter with great difficulty, I still need a lot of motivation. In sha Allah will update soon or try to.