Before starting the chapter I would like to say. WHAT ARE YOU GUYS! My God, I read your comments, personal messages, messages on my board I read EVERY single comment and let me tell you this I have never felt this happy and proud to have such amazing fans.

Seeing the amazing, heartwarming comments I received from you guys I don't think I would ever stop writing. I don't know how much should I thank you guys for standing up for me like shields.

P.S.: PLEASE have an open mind while reading this particular chapter. This chapter will turn things around, my main point is to show what a man does once stuff like this happens. When I wrote the book this was what I had based it on. So yeah.

EID MUBARAK in ADVANCE :)

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girlwithdimples

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~*Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror~* Khalil Gibran





Raghad wore the scarf her spouse, Faris had once bought for her. In the morning when she was about to depart from their chamber wearing it the knight who was busy wearing his headdress turned to look at her and hoisted an eyebrow. When blood had tingled her cheeks, she merely shrugged her shoulders and walked out. If someone were to ask the wind, it would say that the bride was no longer in despair. It knew that her heart did not bleed the way it did before.

"Shouq where must I put this?" Raghad questioned holding up a small crate. The women in Sheikh Mubarak's house commenced tidying the house since Eid was around the corner. The first chamber they started was Nasser's room.

"Nasser always keeps it by the wooden window," Shouq called over her shoulder and resumed folding her sibling's robes in a trunk.

As soon as Raghad placed the crate by the window, there was a knock on the door. Raghad, Shouq, and Batool turned to look at the individual by the door. Batool let go of her task and sauntered up to her sibling and enveloped her arms around Faris. "I am exhausted." She complained.

Raghad observed as Faris tenderly ran his hand over her head, "I know but you would not want to leave Shouq alone would you?"

"Your spouse will aid Shouq." Batool rested her head on Faris's chest.

Upon this, Faris lifted his gaze just for a few seconds. "Ah, you see, Batool my spouse cannot aid Shouq for she must leave for another task."

Batool pulled back from him, and Raghad watched as her eyes narrowed. Indeed, she was coddled by Faris to a great extent. "Where to may I ask?"

Faris shook his head with a smile. "Go help your sister." Before departing, he glanced at Raghad for the last time, and she nodded. That was it, no words no gestures, and she understood that he meant for her to follow him since his eyes spoke volumes.

"In sha Allah I will return soon." She promised upon leaving the chamber. When Raghad was beside Faris in the hallway, she turned to him. "Is something the matter? Is Khalid okay?"

"Bint-ash- Sheikh why must you ponder that something is wrong?" Faris folded his arms over his chest, amused.

"No, I-" she shook her head. "Then what is it?"

"Badr is here." With that, he walked away.

Badr is here. It was Faris who had invited Badr, her sibling to this tribe. However, what Raghad could not comprehend was why on earth would he wage war against his father knowing that he wished for Khalid's head. Badr is here. When she heard those words, her world had brightened. Raghad had followed Faris to one of the tents, and upon entering it her knight, her shield had risen to his feet to greet her.

This time, however, she did not sprint up to him. Raghad gradually made her way to Badr and encased her arms around him aware of Faris who sat down on one of the mattresses. She blinked a few times when Badr cupped her face in his hands and peered at her for a long while. "What is the matter?"

He shook his head. "Your eyes."

"What happened to them?"

"They are gleaming."

"Pardon?"

"I saw this light in them many months ago, Raghado." He grinned, and Raghad frowned not comprehending him.

"Are you well, Badr?" Raghad placed her hand on his chest.

He let go of her to grab her hand. "After what I just witnessed believe me Raghado, I am very content."

With narrowed gleeful eyes Raghad stepped back from him what she committed next baffled the two men in the tent. Instead of sitting beside her beloved brother she walked up to where Faris, her spouse was and sat beside him. Seeing this Badr's grin widened and he sat down as well. "How is father's health now?"

"Alhamdulillah better than it was before despite him fasting." Badr stared at them well aware who was the source of the light in his sister's eyes. Faris had done it. He was the one who doused the glow in them, and now after many months, he ignited it again.

"I am revealed to know that. How was your journey?" She questioned her brother aware how Faris sat, how his chest moved slowly with every inhale.

"Alhamdulillah. You inform us Raghad, how is your Ramadan here?"

At this Faris chuckled. "I must warn you I do not take complains well."

She blushed when he glanced at her for a second. "It is going well do not fret Badr."

"I would have raised an army against him if it did not." Badr jested.

Subhan' Allah before seeing Raghad Badr was bitter towards Faris since he still considered him the enemy. However, as soon as she walked in with those timid steps conscious of her spouse, Badr let go of the reins that restrained him. He knew that at last his resentment towards the tribe, towards Faris had ended. And from the way knight of Knights conversed with him in her presence Badr knew that Faris knew he had witnessed the change in Raghad and forgotten everything.

"How is everyone else in the family?" Raghad folded her hands.

"They are well. Maha wanted to come with me." Badr leaned back.

"You must bring her next time." Raghad voiced her thoughts, from the corner of her eyes, she watched Faris's reaction. He was silent, waiting for the siblings to finish their greeting. "Did you see Khalid?" She tested the waters.

She watched how Badr glanced at Faris and nodded. "I am glad he is alive."

"Soon he shall be freed." When Faris said the words Raghad's head snapped towards him, astounded.

"What?"

"This is the ground behind my visit here, Raghad," Badr notified.

"The prince has been my prisoner for over a moon now, and I believe it is time he returns home." His voice was nonchalant, but Raghad was sure there were puzzles they concealed from her.

"Do not dwell upon it, Raghado. Come, take these from me, mother sent them for you." He held two gunny sacks up as she rose to her feet and made her way to Badr. Raghad beamed at him as she took her presents and left the tent understanding that the men desired to converse in private.

The knights sat there in silence for a few moments. Faris interlinked his fingers and looked at Badr. One word and the man had presented himself in the Borkan tribe not questioning the reason behind it. What he felt for his spouse, Raghad transformed his feeling towards Badr as well. Rage did not burn his veins, nor did he want to slit Badr's throat and from the way he was sitting now it appeared Badr felt the same.

"We have already moved towards our purpose what else do you wish to do?" Eagle of knights questioned.

Faris rubbed his lips with his fingers. "Trade."

At this Badr raised an eyebrow. "You expect the Rashideen to trade with the Borkan?" He mocked.

"Yes." Faris merely nodded.

"That is out of the question," Badr grunted. That moment the sun descended keen to listen to their conversation.

"You are a Sheikh. Tribesmen will follow you blindly. Outreach a hand of trade, the tujjar will grasp it."

"And what will happen after that?" Badr sat straight.

Faris smiled. "We will combine our forces in trade."

"Since you suggested this notion I would like to see you make the first move." He peered at Faris who stared back.

After a while knight of Knights nodded his head slowly knowing this was Badr's demand since he, Faris was eager to change things. Prince of knights knew that he will do it and with the will of Allah make their tribes mightier and fiercer.

**

Days sailed over the desert as the Borkan and Rashideen attempted to trade. Indeed, no men could question Faris's actions not even his father once he witnessed the benefits he received from this trade. However, few merchants pulled back from trading with them and those who wished it gained under the watchful eyes of Faris and Badr, the valiant knights.

On the Eid day, Faris had boldly freed his prisoner Khalid but not before threatening him that if such an attempt happened again he shall have his head. The Eid had been different for Faris when he had woken up for Fajr prayer he saw Raghad rummaging through the trunks in the chamber. Upon asking she merely responded that she was preparing her spouse's clothes for Eid prayer and did not wish to be scolded by Umm Mubarak to which he had grinned and went to pray. After the Eid prayer, the men of Sheikh Mubarak's family returned only to discover the women in their house adorned with exquisite gowns that pleased the eyes. Faris had given his spouse money on the Eid day he had given Raghad her eidiya to which the woman had gifted him her smile and went towards the cookery.

"Where is the milk bint-ash-Sheikh?" Faris entered the cookery and found Raghad kneading the dough.

She lifted her head. "Ya Allah, I forgot just give me a moment it shall be ready."

"Remain seated." Faris ushered her to sit back down and searched for the milk.

"Look for the mud pot by the shelf," Raghad called out eyes on the dough. She looked up to see that Faris was already drinking the milk and went back to her work.

After a while, a shadow fell over her, and the next moment Faris sat down before her. "What are you doing?" Raghad stopped what she was doing and stared at him.

"Sitting."

"Faris your thobe will be dirty you have to meet your knights." She attempted to roll her sleeve to avoid the dough. The bride inhaled when Faris grabbed her hand and rolled her sleeve gently.

"You think too much Raghad. I did not come here to help you." The knight smirked, and she shook her head.

"Then do tell me to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"To ask my spouse a question."

"What is the matter?" Raghad frowned.

"Do you desire to visit your tribe?" She was silent, dumbfounded by his question.

"Why?"

"You tell me why, Raghad." She observed as his eyes dropped to her hands then back to her eyes.

"Who will help Umm Faris then?"

"Umm Faris?" He repeated recalling how she had once denied saying that word.

"Yes, Umm Faris." Raghad looked away flustered.

"Masha' Allah I did not know this tribe resides in your heart. You do not wish to go." Faris leaned in so that he could read the lines in her eyes.

"That is not what I uttered." She dropped her gaze.

"But that is what these big brown eyes are telling me." At this her cheeks colored.

"Who will accompany me on this journey?" Raghad blinked a few times as his hand touched her cheek.

"You name the person."

"I believe the person who shall accompany me is already well aware of it." She smiled earning another shake of his head.

"I take it you do not dread me anymore."

"No, not at all." Raghad grinned lifting her chin. "You are not the barbarian I believed you to be."

"Barbarian?"

"The tribesmen entitled you one." Raghad poured water to make the dough smoother.

"Enlighten me bint-ash-Sheikh how am I a barbarian?" He wiped flour from her forehead with his thumb.

"Even though our tribes wish to drench our lands with blood you have never wronged me." They stared at each other for a while. "Why are you so courteous to me now Faris?"

"How long would I have survived breathing like this? You are my spouse, Raghad." And he needed her alongside him to strengthen their tribes. "And know this, I would never harm you, never, and if I do I am your sinner." His eyes landed on her shoulder, and he inhaled. "My sword has committed a great sin and for that my nights do not welcome sleep."

"I have forgiven you for that, prince." Raghad slowly verbalized the words.

"You do not wish to seek vengeance?" He questioned fascinated with a twinkle visible in his eyes.

"How long would I survive with vengeance in my heart? You are my spouse, Faris." She repeated his words leaning close so that it was her turn to study the lines of his dark eyes.

**

Faris walked up to one of the tents where Marwan, leader of a small, yet powerful tribe visited to discuss few matters. His brown thobe fluttered with the warm breeze and his hair sway along with it. Faris rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, bent down and stepped into the tent. "As-salaam alaikum."

"Wa Alaykum as-salam." A man rose to his feet at Faris's sight. He was tall with a round belly and beard that touched his collarbone.

"What brings you here Sheikh Marwan?" Faris asked as he shook the man's hand then sat alongside him crossed his legs and rested his slightly clenched fists on his thighs.

"Everything shall be disclosed on the right time, Faris. First, let us have the dates brought from Kuwait." He opened a leather pouch and offered it to Faris.

Indeed, his did not like the man, but he could not allow this mar his hospitality. Faris moved his hand and took two dates, however, did not place them in his mouth. "Now let us continue."

"I heard of your marriage, ya Faris." Marwan looked at him.

Faris frowned. "And?" He probed.

"Word is that the Borkan prince is not content with his marriage." Marwan vocalized, and Faris comprehended his motives. If not for the ploys he was playing, by Allah, he would have cut the man in half.

"Speak of what you desire, Marwan," He hissed through clenched teeth.

"Just as you despise the Rashideen I abhor them as well."

"What is the reason behind your abhorrence?" Faris scrutinized the man as he inhaled.

"It has been over a month since they ceased trade with my men. That bastard Badr gave me his word that he will never cut his ties with my tribe." Marwan growled.

Faris's frowned deepened. The Badr he knew would never commit such an act he would never deny trade unless there was a reason behind it. Marwan was lying. Faris rotated his ring on his finger and pursed his lips. He caught the culprit, but the one in front of him was just a mere pawn. "So, what do you desire?"

Raghad looked up at the afternoon sky due to the heat and huffed. She pulled open the door and stepped out in search for Faris. Umm Mubarak had sent Raghad to find her spouse and call him since she needed to speak with them both. Her eyes landed on Jazee and she walked up to the little girl as she was drawing on the dirt with small sticks with other girls of the tribe.

"Jazee habibti," Raghad called.

The little girl turned around and dashed up to Raghad. "Naam?"

"Have you seen your brother?"

"Which one?" Jazee blinked, and Raghad grinned at her.

"Faris."

She nodded pointing towards a tent near the training ground. "Faris is in that tent."

"Shukran Hayati. (Thank you, my dear)" Raghad gave her a quick peck on her cheek and turned towards the tent eyes downcast. She reached the tent and thankfully saw Fahad standing there watching two of the men training. Just as she opened her mouth to call Fahad, Raghad heard something, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

"Badr is the pillar for the Rashideen tribe, and I want that pillar to collapse. I know you despise that bastard as well. Lend me your hand, and we will terminate him."

Faris raised an eyebrow. "You desire to slaughter Badr. The sagr al fursan." Marwan nodded. "What about his sibling, Khalid?"

"What of him? You imprisoned him for over a moon and made him look like a hamar (mule) among the tribes."

Faris allowed his eyes to roam around the tent contemplating. "Very well, I will help you kill Badr. However, this shall take place where I say. Badr is a shrewd man he needs to be convinced that we are not plotting against him." Faris leaned forward.

Marwan laughed eyes bright with approval. "Yes, of course." He gulped down his tea and moved his hand for Faris to eat his dates.

With a nod, Faris ate the dates eyes on the fool who dug his own grave. Faris rose to his feet and slowly walked out of the tent once Marwan departed. "Hamdan." He hollered.

His cousin and knight left what he was doing and jogged up to Faris. "Na'am ya Faris," Hamdan asked.

Faris placed his hands on Hamdan's shoulders. "Ride to the Rashideen tribe locate Badr and apprise him that Faris demands his presence. Rest there for the night and accompany him tomorrow." He ordered. Hamdan opened his mouth to investigate, but one look from Faris and he decided to remain silent. "Leave now." With that, knight of Knights watched Hamdan mount his horse and rode away.

**

The sun climbed down the stairs and welcomed the crescent along with her countless friends that shimmered in the sky. The moon quivered at sight of the dense, dark clouds that promised heavy rain and the stars sighed when clouds shielded their view of the tribe. Soon the wind began to howl wildly sensing peril, a peril that was unfathomable.

Faris blinked his eyes a few times. Something was wrong with him, just after the Maghrib prayer his brain felt heavy he could not think clearly, and his eyes would lose focus now and then. Faris departed from where he sat with his knights, Adel and Abdullah and made his way towards Sheikh Mubarak's house since he felt drained. The weather was crisp however Faris's body burned with fever and beads of sweat decorated his neck. His heart thumped wildly in his chest, and blood warmed his skin dangerously.

The knight latched the wooden door of their house since he was the last one to enter the house. He walked through the hallway and into his chamber feeling the world tip to the side every time he took a step. Latching the door of his chamber, Faris searched around for Raghad and found her staring out of the window of the room. Why on earth was she not sleeping? Faris placed his sword on a shelf urging his body to stand still. He shrugged off his robe and shivered feeling cold. "Bint ash-Sheikh close the window and bring me water." He asked feeling frail and unwell. He blinked and shook his head when Raghad's form swayed in his mind.

Faris sat on the cot eyes on his spouse who did not move an inch. "Did you not hear what I asked for?" He hissed, vexed with the sudden fever and numbness of his brain. His eyes narrowed when Raghad shut the window and latched it.

"Of course, I heard it, Borkan that is the only thing I hear from you, your commands." Raghad spat standing up.

Faris did not raise his head as he held it in his hands but lifted his gaze. He watched muddled as the woman brought him water and stood in front of him. Faris took the mud pot and gulped the liquid. "You seem parched Borkan is your conscious eating you?" Raghad mocked.

He inhaled then handed Raghad the mud pot as their hands were about to touch the bride curled her fingers and the mud cup dropped on the carpet between them. Faris stood up his cold eyes on her. "What is the matter? Have you lost your senses?" He growled.

"I am sickened by your mere presence." Raghad stepped away rage vibrant in her big brown eyes. "How dare you?"

"What on earth are you uttering?" Faris al fursan questioned his eyes narrowed wrath taking over fever and pain.

"I heard everything, you are a backstabbing monster. I know you have plotted to assassinate Badr." Her voice rose with each word that she spoke.

Faris took a few steps towards her so that he stood inches away from her. "Do not vocalize of matters you do not know about." He glared at her urging his eyes to open.

"I am well aware of everything. You desired to destroy my tribe took me as your bride against my will, and now you want to destroy the pillar that supports the Rashideen." Raghad hissed tilting her head back to glare at him.

"Sabarni ya Rab." Faris sighed and pivoted around to walk away. He could not understand when and how she heard those words spoken to Marwan. Not possessing the energy to tackle the hurdle Faris desired to sleep since his throat burned and he felt the world spin before him. What was the matter with him?

The dates!

Indeed, ever since he ate the dates, he was unable to think straight. Marwan had given him poison, a poison that did not kill but lessened the brain's ability to ponder and function. That explained the fever the urge to sleep and never wake up.

"You are not a man but a coward. A coward who is afraid of facing Badr!" Raghad screamed at his back.

Faris halted, his whole form went rigid as if someone poured icy water on him. He clenched his fists as inhuman fury surrounded him it was so intense that the atmosphere dropped. Slowly he turned around to face her and Raghad gasped. Fire, hellfire blazed in his dark eyes and despite the anger that kindled Raghad's brain her heart drummed like greedy duffs. His face was expressionless, but his stance and eyes spoke another language, a language that indicated ruination.

Suddenly the crickets outside ceased their chirping the grey clouds shielded the moon. Faris took a threatening step forward, with every second that passed his rage increased ten folds. How dare this foolish woman call him a coward. In a flash, Faris crossed the space between them and grabbed her shoulders, and it was then the rain poured and dotted the Borkan tribe. "I am not a man, huh?" He asked in a sinister voice, and an evil look materialized on his face.

"Let go. I am not frightened of you." Raghad pushed on his chest, but he did not move an inch.

"A coward?" He growled. Raghad fisted her palm and pushed harder on Faris's chest, in doing so, her scarf fell revealing her wet hair. His head spun causing the world to darken. Who was this woman who stood before him? Where was he? Yes, this woman was his enemy he yearned to kill her and her sibling. "I will show you what a man is, Raghad," Faris hissed.

Here her heart clawed at her bust to decamp. She had never witnessed an impish and savage look on Faris's face it horrified her to no end. Raghad screamed when he grabbed her hand in an iron grip and dragged her towards the cot then tossed her fragile form on it. The bride's vision blurred she blinked the tears allowing them to soak her cheeks. Raghad gaped at him as Faris grabbed his headdress and flung it to the side. His hair fell on his shoulders making him look like the devil who just descended from hell as he made his way to her.

When Faris had his way with Raghad, he lay on the cot unaware of the thunder that struck far away unaware of the sorrow that cloaked the sky making it drench the earth. Unconscious of the beast that blazed within him unconscious of the woman who wept silently alongside him. He closed his eyes and was engulfed in a dreamless slumber. Oblivious of the sin he just committed to the woman he vowed to shield for eternity.

His enemy.

His spouse.

Raghad.

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I know. I know. But wait for the next chapter before dropping bombs of judgement on Faris. Marwan just dug his damn grave. Faris will destroy him but what will Badr do to Faris now? 0.O Remember this is a fiction book and remember whatever I write has a purpose behind it.

Hope you guys liked it!