Thank you Girlwithdimples for this amazing poster.

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~*"One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours? I will say mine and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life." Khalil Gibran ~*



Raghad rubbed her palms and groaned in exhaustion. A month has passed ever since Faris pardoned Abdulaziz proving that the man possessed kindness. Their life resembled a quiet ocean after what Faris's sword had committed, but the loneliness still lingered. Today was the fifth day of the Holy month of Ramadan. The bride was forlorn spending her first Ramadan away from her family, her tribe. There was not much difference between how the Borkan tribe spent their Ramadan from the Rashideen tribe. Every night people around the tribe gathered in the tent in front of Sheikh Mubarak's house to break their fast and his family gathered in the house to spend time together. Raghad along with his sister-in-laws Batool and Shouq aided Raghad with the preparation of the Fatoor. It was exhausting since winter was about to end and the need for water mounted a bit more. However, it kept her mind off troubling matters.

Raghad smiled as she recalled what had happened on the second day of Ramadan. She had been preparing the dates just moments away from the call to prayer when a shadow loomed over her, upon looking up a slight frown had appeared on her prepossessing face. Faris had demanded Raghad to rise to her feet and follow him. At first, she denied making an excuse of having too many tasks to do, but the man had not moved an inch.

Reluctantly the bride followed the groom out of the house and towards the very end of the tribe. Just as soon as she understood where he was taking her Raghad had taken a few quick steps to walk beside him and questioned him the obvious with a smile on her face. Another act of kindness from the man who was thought to possess no heart in his broad chest. He had left her there in that chamber with Khalid to break her fast and lull her heart.

Fatoor was over, and now it was time to meet Khalid. They had unconsciously come to this custom of meeting her brother ever since Faris took her on the second day of Ramadan. Raghad wiped off her wet hands on the hem of her galabiya and made her way to her chamber with a smile on her face. She had never envisioned that a day would greet here where she would smile in this tribe, but here she was smiling to meet her imprisoned brother.

Abruptly, Raghad came to a screeching halt from the sight in front of her. She did not step back nor did she hide. Sheikh Mubarak along with his elder son Faris were in her chamber. She frowned at the solemn look that displayed on Sheikh Mubarak's face. Her eyes took in the staff that he held, the man was dressed in a dark robe. "Where are you going ya Faris?" Bu Faris questioned taking another step closer to his son.

Raghad stepped back when a frown appeared on Faris's face. "Departing to meet my knights."

"Your knights?"

"Yes."

The air in the room became so dense that it suffocated Raghad who stood by the threshold. They were unaware of her presence because of the tension that blazed within them. She was unable to comprehend as to why Sheikh Mubarak would ask his son such a question, and that is when a door opened in her brain and she gasped silently.

"You ponder I do not know what is transpiring behind my back, ya Faris?"

"What do you mean, father?" Raghad's heart decayed when Faris lowered his eyes. She had never witnessed the man show such respect to anyone, however, just beyond the veil of reverence she could see his exasperation, his fury of being questioned for his actions.

Sheikh Mubarak shook his head in disappointment. "The hair on my beard turned gray dealing with people from around the Arab world, Faris. Do not lie to me, prince." Sheikh Mubarak lifted his staff and tumped it on Faris's chest.

"What are you indicating, father?" Faris's lifted his head this time not concealing the wrath that danced in his eyes.

"You have granted refugee to a Rashideen in my tribe from over a month now and dare to question me. I hear he endeavored to slaughter you and here you are permitting him to live." Raghad's hand went to her mouth and eyes widened in trepidation.

"I do not dare question your sources father. What you hear is true; however, you must comprehend what I committed had a purpose."

"What motive does my son have for letting a man such as Khalid reside in my tribe?"

"Forgive me father, but that is something I cannot unveil yet." Faris inhaled.

Sheikh Mubarak took a step closer to his son, so close that his robe brushed against Faris's kandoora. "This is my tribe, boy. My tribe. You do not bring my enemy's son the one who yearned to kill you and let him live."Sheikh Mubarak roared.

"Your enemy's son? Then why must you permit your enemy's daughter to live under your roof?" Faris demanded in a calm, low voice.

Raghad gulped when Sheikh Mubarak laughed and shook his head. She took another step back when suddenly he pointed his staff at Raghad. "The Rashideen do not deserve to have mercy upon them. Do tell me, Faris, why do you think it was you as her spouse and not Nasser?"

Why indeed? Raghad already knew the answer. She knew that Faris was known to possess no heart and Sheikh Mubarak knew that he would never show leniency or unbolt his heart towards a Rashideen.

"You have unfurled your ploy ever since Salem committed that sin. Now, I ask you to allow me with what I have plotted." Faris took a step back his voice tranquil, terribly calm.

"Do something about the Rashideen or, by Allah, you will find his head by your door, son." He growled, stepped back and made his way towards the door where Raghad stood perplexed. The bride did not move she glanced towards Faris who peered at her in utter curiosity. When she looked at Sheikh Mubarak again, the man shook his head and marched away.

Raghad stood there not knowing what to do. Her heart thumped inside her chest the bride looked over her shoulder to where Sheikh Mubarak departed then to the floor in front of her. Her skin felt cold so terribly cold that her fingers started to quiver. The nape of her neck damped as the heat of fear mingled with the glacier in her thumping heart. They were going to kill Khalid they were going to take her brother away from her. Raghad inhaled feeling the world in front of her darken. If Sheikh Mubarak gave Faris the orders, he would have no say in it. After everything she did, after all those miserable days that passed and when at last her matrimony with this man did not rip her heart this had to occur.

Suddenly, something warm, rough touched her quivering chin, and it was lifted up. As soon as she looked up, her teary eyes clashed with narrowed, mysterious ones. A single tear rolled down her right eye, and he watched as it kissed her cheek. "He will kill him." She whimpered.

"He will."

"But you, Faris, you allowed Khalid to live." Raghad closed her eyes as more tears trickled down her eyes. Her heart burned and spread its ashes from her chest when the beast who stood before her wiped the tears from her left eye with his thumb.

"When did I ever commit that?"

"You took me to meet Khalid to break my fast with him." She wept, lost.

"He is my father, Raghad." Faris stroked her cheek.

"He will kill Khalid."

"What do you want me to do, bint-ash-Sheikh?" His voice lowered to a whisper as if he was relishing in her pain, demanding something only his eyes knew.

"Let him live. Let me live." Raghad beseeched.

"You are already breathing." He leaned in, his eyes dark, dangerous.

"That is what I appear to you." Raghad attempted to pull back, but he clutched her chin harder.

"Do not you dare." Faris threatened.

"Let me go, please."

"Not when I am the only one who can aid you."

"Faris I beg of you."

"Has that ever traded anything, ya bint-al-halal?" Faris moved his hand to place it on her neck.

"No, nor has it stopped you from ruining my life any further." Raghad grabbed his wrist and tugged on it, knackered.

"I am sure you are conscious that if I disregard this tribe's leader, my end will be just like Khalid." He moved his hand from her neck to her arms and then encased his warm hand around her cold one and stepped back. Raghad frowned as Faris stepped further back into their chamber and guided her inside before the bride could question Faris's actions Batool's voice sounded from the passageway.

Without uttering a word, she followed him just like every other time. Faris did not shut the door but stood behind it in a manner they were concealed from the eyes of the world. Raghad looked over her shoulder as Batool passed their chamber without halting. As soon as she sauntered away, the man placed his hand on her wounded shoulder that had now healed. "What is it that you need from your enemy, Raghad?" Faris questioned. She peered at him as his eyes just like every time turned bitter. It was as if every time he placed his hand on her shoulder he recalled what his sword had done.

"Pardon your enemy yet another time." She vocalized.

"You ask for too much, bint-ash-Sheikh, too much." Faris allowed his gaze to fall on her.

"He is my brother. Khalid committed this unpardonable crime to protect me you are well aware of that."

"Then it should be you imprisoned." Knight of knights smiled. His smile resembled the tombstones just beyond her tribe. Calling her towards something so familiar with torture or perhaps was it insanity?

"I already reside in prison, ya Faris, your prison." Raghad's gaze turned into a glare. If this man was not aiding her, she did not need to appear tender with him.

"Other women would say otherwise."He grinned, and this time his smile looked as if tiny members of the wind played with the cords of his lips.

Raghad exhaled exasperated and stepped back. However, before she could move any further, the beast held her waist and stopped her. "If you do not wish to aid me, prince, I must depart to my tribe and seek Badr's help."The bride placed her hands on his chest and shoved him back, or attempted to.

"Why don't you comprehend that what you ask for is another blood feud." Faris pressed his fingers and smirked when she flinched. "You were named my bride to prevent the bloodbath, and here you stand demanding for another one."

"Then help me prevent it again," Raghad begged yet once again shredding her pride.

"Give me one good reason as to why I must commit that?" He locked his head to the side, intrigued waiting for her reply like a wolf waiting for its prey.

"I am your spouse. You married me against my will and if your father annihilates Khalid all that I," she shook her head," All that we sacrificed would be in vain."As she verbalized those words, her fingers unconsciously grabbed the fabric of his kandoora. They stood there in that stance for a few moments. Faris looking down at her with inscrutable eyes and Raghad gazed up at him with damp eyelashes that fanned his heart every time she blinked.

Suddenly Faris laughed, he laughed in such a way that Raghad felt the world perish. His face transformed into something she had never envisioned, the corner of his eyes crinkled and mirth so beautiful appeared in his eyes that she had to lean forward to support her form. "From the time father departed I am merely asking you, bint-ash-Sheikh, to quote the words Faris uttered in front of Sheikh Mubarak."

Her brows knit in consternation. 'Now I ask you to allow what I have plotted' Her eyes grew wide in understanding. 'That man over there has plans with Badr' Raghad recalled what Khalid had mentioned over a month ago. Faris had been ridiculing her, taunting her. Irked she unwinded her fingers from his kandoora and shook her head. "How can I believe you?"

"You do not have to." He smirked. Raghad opened her mouth to retort, but he started again. "You came to me with your own feet, Raghad." At this, she frowned, utterly bewildered. "Faris waited for you to walk up to him, and here you stand before him."

"What do you mean?"

"Khalid will live. No man in this tribe can touch a hair on Khalid's head even if that individual is my father. I am certain Khalid gave you a glimpse of what Badr had in mind, so rest assure woman." Faris let go of her waist but did not move away. "I cannot allow you to meet my prisoner today. My knights await me." He stepped away from her.

"When will I see him?"

"The next time when you see Faris." He grinned and ambled out of the chamber.

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Ramadan Kareem to all my lovely readers!

So how was the chapter? *Wink Wink* and in sha Allah the next chapter will be updated soon. I dedicated this chapter to them, to Faris and Raghad since my readers kept asking me to make a chapter where it is only them. So here it is!



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P.S. Please don't call Prince of Knights POK! Its too close to pork.