I do not know why, but this chapter was REALLY hard to write. I hope you guys enjoy it for there are only about 2-3 chapters left of Prince of Knights :(

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~*You are the thread that knots my ribs, and when you abandon me, the thread perishes and I bleed internally~* Thequeenofdarkness

Assassin's Bride

Just as Faris heard Raghad's words lightning bolt struck the earth, fragmenting in different directions. The rain commenced again drenching them and coating the tears he knew Raghad had in her eyes. It was then finally, the withered flower that had once grown between them blossomed beautifully with petals that resembled the veins in Faris's heart. That moment Faris felt the sun caress his face even though dark clouds concealed it from them.

The final few steps he waited for Raghad to take, to reach him were taken to spare his life. The scale on his heart tipped towards the woman who finished every dispute among them with those words he craved to hear. Raghad did not consider him her sinner; she did not wish for him to perish. By, Allah, that moment he was willing to follow his foolish woman and fade into a speck of dust.

Her words brought forth incomprehensible torture for Faris. Why now? Why now when he was ready to step in a battlefield? Could he guarantee his return, no, he could not! The steps that he had to take and reach Raghad were smudged, and he stood there alone. The feeling of weakness shattered inside his heart like glass, and it reached every vein in his body.

Badr looked at Faris from over Raghad's head and clenched his jaw tighter so tight that his head started to throb. What kind of dilemma was this? He took an oath to protect her, and now when his sword was ready to end her misery. His angel wished to protect the man who cut off her wings. "I warned you, bring tears in her eyes you shall die." He swallowed when Raghad hugged him again.

Faris inhaled, tormented. "If you wish to utter more threats, we shall do so once I terminate Marwan."

"No. You must not Faris. If you depart now, y-you might not..." Shouq trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. Faris knew, he knew that if he left alone to annihilate Marwan; he will not rise again.

Faris disregarded her plea and observed as wheels started to twirl in Badr's brain. "What was the ground behind my presence?"

"Marwan desired your end, and I acceded." At this, Raghad pushed away from Badr and turned to look at him, baffled. Even though Faris could feel her piercing gaze on him, he did not look at Raghad but her sibling. "Along with his desire to wipe your existence from this world, he brought a present and was foolish enough to ponder that he can trick me," Faris bit his lip in vexation. "He executed his ploy wondrously. However, it ends here."

"And do you plan to terminate me here, in front of my sister?" Badr mocked, provoking Faris.

"Indeed." Knight of knights growled the opposite of what was in his heart.

In a trice, Raghad placed her hand on her chest from the words that left Faris's lips. He had never wished to annihilate Badr. Faris had said those words to trap Marwan and carry on with the ploy Khalid had mentioned to her. Raghad opened her mouth to whisper her plea, her world spun dangerously, her eyes rolled back, and her body collapsed.

Before she could hit the ground, both knights moved like a flash. However, Faris was quicker; he snaked his arms around the unconscious Raghad and picked up her frail form. Knight of Knights did not wait for Badr's approval he did not wait for Badr to follow him. With his bride in his arms, Faris made his way to sheikh Mubarak's house.

It felt as if his heart burst inside his chest and blood cascaded down his nerves like a waterfall. An unfathomable fear knot itself around him. If anything happened to Raghad, he will never forgive himself.

The knight knew that both Badr and Shouq followed him as he entered the house and almost marched down the narrow hallway to their chamber. His steps fluttered when Raghad's head fell back, he looked down, and a silent gasp escaped his lips from the sight in front of him. Raghad's skin was pale, and her lips were turning purple, lifeless. Her wet hair stuck on her face causing her to shiver. Swiftly, the prince pushed open the door of his chamber with his foot and rushed inside to the cot. The room was dark, there was no lantern burning, and the only course of light was from the open wooden window.

Faris bent down, and gently placed Raghad's limp body on their cot, not caring for their drenched clothes from the heavy rain. His throat burned as he recalled the previous night, and what had occurred in this room and his sin. Swallowing, he loosened Raghad's scarf from around her neck and took it off. Faris placed two of his fingers on Raghad's throat and clenched his jaw." Shouq, hand me a cloth and quilts."

Shouq hurriedly moved around the room to get what Faris asked and handed it to him. She glanced at Badr, who stopped on the left side of the cot, watching Faris with narrowed eyes. Faris cupped Raghad's neck and commenced to wipe her face and throat. "Hide her." At this, Shouq covered Raghad with the heavy quilts to stop her shivers or prevent her from catching a terrible fever. When the bride made no movements, Faris repeated his action, and this time, his thumb caressed her cheek as he wiped raindrops from her face and hair. "Shouq," he looked over his shoulder. "Go call the tabiba." He ordered his voice hoarse, fearful. Shouq marched out of the chamber and when no one from the Borkan family walked in Faris knew that Nasser must have informed them of what had occurred. They needed to get Raghad out of her wet clothes, and he knew only the tabiba could that. Not being able to commit anything, Faris started to rub her hands to provide a little warmth.

Faris sat back on his heels his eyes fixed on Raghad, desperate. His hands shook it felt as if sand grains slipped through fingers, and he watched unable to do anything. Just when they both accepted their wretched fate and each other, that is when Marwan destroyed everything. Both knights stared at Raghad in silence. "You are going to kill him and his tribe all alone?" Badr's slow voice sounded.

Faris did not look at him. "Are you doubting me?"

"I do not. However, you think too highly of your capabilities. A single man cannot exterminate a whole tribe of vicious bandits."

"And you trust me enough to come along?" Faris questioned touching Raghad's fingers.

"If I did not, believe me, you would have been dead by now, Borkan." Faris believed him. He knew the Badr did not ponder of him as a sinner, a monster he thinks he is. "This is what you were talking about this is what you mentioned on your nikah."

"Once Khalid was freed, I knew they would make a move." Faris closed his eyes for a moment.

"First Salim, and now Raghad..." Badr's voice shook. "I will kill him."

"Marwan is not the one with the reins. He is merely a pawn. The real culprit is from the Borkan tribe." Faris opened his eyes and hellfire blazed in them.

"Do you have any evidence?"

Before Faris could respond, something caught his attention. A sudden shadow fell upon the window, and knight of knights frowned. He glanced towards Badr to see if the knight took note of the man standing outside, but the knight was unaware, gazing down at his sister. Just like that, the shadow evaporated, and Faris stood up knowing where to find it. "I shall be back soon." He told Badr, glanced at Raghad, not wanting to leave her side. Before Badr could utter a word, Faris stormed out, making his way out of the house towards the farms on the east side of the tribe.

He did not pay heed to the mud or the rain as his steps hurried and heart beat faster. Why on earth would his spy appear in the daylight and today out of all days? What ominous news do his men have? His wet hair that reached his shoulder clung to his cheeks. Water dripped down his beard and soaked his kandoora. When no tribesmen attempted to stop the beast, Faris breathed a sigh. Entering the farms, knight of knights searched around. A rustling of bushes on his left made him turn, and a second later a man garbed in black with only his eyes visible came in view.

"As-salamu Alaykum." The man stopped a few feet away from Faris.

The prince of knights dipped his head. "Wa ʿalaykumu as salām. What news do you bring?"

The man held out a rolled parchment, and Faris took it. He did not open it knowing that that rain would ruin the message inside. "Marwan is waiting for you."

At this, Faris took a step forward. He resembled a demented being for that moment, his eyes turned dark, darker than the clouds up ahead. "Where?" that one word caused the man to swallow.

"He knew you were coming, sheikh. Marwan has gathered not only his men but rather help from around these lands."

Faris smiled causing a shiver to cascade down the man's spine. "How many?" So, this is how it will end.

"Around fifty."

"Very well. Be prepared. I shall meet you there." With that, he walked towards the training ground to gather his knights to end this.

**

When he heard that Faris had assembled all his knights immediately, Nasser came rushing towards his brother with his sword in hand. The rain had ceased by now, and the tribe was buzzing with unexplainable energy. It felt as if darkness had spread over the tribe like a veiled cloud, with every order Faris gave the tribe quivered even more. As Nasser came closer, he noticed that almost twenty-five men were on the training grounds with sombre faces and swords.

"Kill as many as you can," Faris started in a deadly tone. "They rip your right arm, hold the sword with the left. I demand their heads, and if you are to hesitate, I shall have yours," Faris took a step forward with his hands clasped behind his back, his slightly dry thobe swathed itself around his leg whenever the wind blew. "We shall depart after the Asr prayer, be prepared."

Nasser stopped alongside Faris and swallowed from the sinister look on his face. Never in his twenty-nine summers did he witness such a vicious look on Faris's face that even a giant of a man like Nasser was intimidated.

He was ready to lead these men and destroy. Nasser knew that Faris would not stop until he collapses. Nasser was still unaware of the ground behind such an assemblage, but he knew Faris must have an ominous reason to gather his men even before appraising their leader, Sheikh Mubarak.

The men dispersed when Faris turned around to leave the training ground. "Nasser," he vocalized when the younger Borkan fell into steps next to him. "You must join me. I need as many knights as possible." Nasser took note of how Faris clenched his jaw.

"In sha Allah, brother. However, I wish to know the reason behind this war. What has happened in the course of a night that you have summoned your finest knights?"

Faris opened his mouth to verbalize his reasons, however, stopped when "Ya waladi. Is it true that you have gathered your men for a war?" Sheikh Mubarak's voice question followed by his form.

"Yes, father it is." Faris nodded, ignoring his wet, filthy clothes. He appeared like a mad man seeking vengeance.

"What has happened?" Sheikh Mubarak demanded, a deep frown on his face.

Faris inhaled then dropped his gaze, cautious. He bit the inside of his cheek, and after a brief pause, he lifted his head and pushed his shoulders back, with another inhale, he revealed everything. What had happened the night before, how Marwan poisoned him, and how he believes that there is someone in their tribe craving to drench their land in blood. And why Badr was in their house, his chamber with Shouq looking after an unconscious Raghad. Faris watched as his Father's face changed from puzzlement to downright fury.

"What evidence do you have to make such a statement?" Mubarak asked the same question as Badr.

"I do not dare to challenge your judgment, Father, but then again why on earth would someone like Salim murder a man for a mere palm tree? What is the difference between him and a child of nine summers?"

"Men from this tribe, witnessed Faisal's boy kill your cousin," Mubarak stated.

Knight of knights shook his head, knackered. "I have men observing their activities. If I get to Marwan today, he will provide me with a name." Faris bit the corner of his lips in exasperation. Time was ticking and he did not know how else he could coax his father.

"Then what of Ali, Abdulaziz's brother?" Nasser quizzed, muddled.

"Badr's sibling is my spouse. Would he dare make her a widow by annihilating Ali?"

"Very well. I must accompany you." Mubarak decided.

Faris shook his head again, his hair brushing his shoulders. "No. You must not, Father. You must remain here. If I do not return, the tribe needs a leader." Nasser's head snapped towards his brother at this. Faris cannot die, he will not let anyone near Faris.

"I shall accompany Faris as well." The three of them turned at the voice. Sagr al fursan stood there with a dark, incensed look in his eyes.

Faris glanced at his Father then looked at Badr. When the Rashideen met his gaze, he nodded. Sheikh Mubarak made his way towards Badr then stopped a few feet away from him. They stood there in silence for a while. When Faris had met Sheikh Faisal, he had dropped his gaze in reverence. However, Badr stood in front of sheikh Mubarak and looked at him without blinking. He knew his father was not as lenient like Sheikh Faisal and comprehended Badr's stance. And just like that, Sheikh Mubarak walked away without another word aware that if he wanted his brave son back, he needed the Rashideen's aid.

**

Faris made his way towards Sheikh Mubarak's house once he made sure the weapons and his men were ready to depart. Badr informed him that Raghad had gained conscious after the tabiba nursed her. He had peered at the man for a while then nodded. As he took his steps, Faris discerned that the woman with big brown eyes looted his senses. He frowned, endeavouring to recall when and how Raghad became his heart's desire? He did not know when the veins in his heart conversed only of her, and every time he remembered her, he felt the world drift around him.

Is this how it feels to have a beloved? Then why, why did he feel suffocated? If he and his bride were to reside in misery, Faris knew he would do anything in his power to eclipse Raghad from that torture, even if that pain was him. He clenched his jaw when he remembered her glossy hair, at times Faris knew he wanted to hide in them away from this world, away from all the despair.

He halted before the wooden door of their house and exhaled, feeling his chest compress. Faris pushed open the door and walked in then made his way down the corridor towards their chamber. The door was slightly ajar, and he could detect Shouq's voice. Just as he was about to clear his throat to gain their attention, Shouq walked out of the chamber. She halted at his sight then beamed, despondency apparent in her eyes.

Faris stood there by the door for a while once Shouq left. He was not hesitant the knight did not know if he would ever stand before this door again or see his bride. With a sigh, Faris pushed open the door and stepped in the room. As soon as he walked in the room and closed the door behind him, the wind ceased. There she stood by the window her back to him and fingers entwined. Her dark scarf rested on her shoulders; Raghad had changed into a maroon jalabiya providing her warmth.

Slowly, the bride turned to look at her groom and their eyes clashed, brown against black. Her eyes scarlet with unshed tears, his, on the other hand, dark with such intense passion that even the wind was on fire. Raghad swallowed, and Faris took a single step forward. He yearned to hear from her the knight craved to know if she thought of him as her sinner.

Raghad's lips shook, and a single tear rolled down her eye. "I will not question you why for I know the reason," he knew she meant what had transpired in the same room the day before. "I will not question you what will happen to us now for it rests on our verdicts," she wiped that treacherous drop of tear from her cheek. "However, I will ask you this, Faris, if I am to disregard all of this and take a step forward, will you take my hand? Will you," a sob escaped her lips. "Shoulder my pain?"

Something shattered within Faris, and he clenched his fist. Even after he almost ruined her, this woman with doe-like eyes wanted him to walk alongside her. Faris wanted to drop to his knees and pray, pray to his Lord for giving him such a woman who would cleanse his wretched soul. Faris al fursan took the few steps separating them and stopped so close to Raghad that his kandoora brushed against her dress. Gazing deep into her bewitching eyes; wishing that his bride would see his soul and see him burning. Slowly, but gently Faris lifted his calloused hands and cupped Raghad's face.

He waited for Raghad to pull back and when she didn't the knight lowered from his mighty height then tenderly placed his lips on her forehead. Faris knew that she was his Raghad and he was hers, a man she wedded against her will, and now, he will fight against his own will to never let her go.

"If you ask me to voyage to the end of the world, I shall. Raghad." He closed his eyes when her fingers clutched his thobe. "If you demand I perish, by Allah, I will. I have sinned. Forgive me so that I can breathe."

"You stopped," She wept out of horror, out of strange delight. "You stopped when you could have ruined both of us. Who is capable of that Faris, no one, but you,"

"I am a sinner."

Raghad pulled back and placed her hands over his that held her face, tenderly. "I forgave you. If I had not, I would not have stood before Badr."

"You think too highly of a sinner, Raghad." His eyes dropped.

"No," Raghad shook her head. "Pardoning Khalid when you could have executed him, and it was your right. You aided Badr, my father, and protected me all this time, why Faris?"

Why indeed? It struck him like a lightning bolt that he had unbolted the doors of his heart for her long before he knew it. Faris knew his feelings transformed for his spouse when they were in the Rashideen tribe when she treated his wound and when her absence scratched at his heart.

"You are my spouse, mine to protect, mine to cherish." When those words were articulated, the trees swayed with the wind, the wolves howled causing the ants to murmur glad tidings, and the wind whirled fluttering its wings jubilant.

"Then protect me from my suffering."

"I do not know if I will return, Raghad," Faris whispered, and his thumb caressed her cheek. "Marwan's men are notorious brigands from all around these lands, rogues." He pulled away not stepping back. "I do not know if I will return." She attempted to argue but Faris stopped her by holding her chin in between his fingers. "Remember this, if I perish it is in peace, for now, I know you have pardoned me." With that, he twisted around to leave, however, slim fingers held his wrist. Faris faced Raghad again and what happened next caused him to hiss in disbelieve.

Unexpectedly, his woman, his Raghad, enveloped her arms around his large frame in a tight embrace, resting her head on his broad chest. Faris gulped, shell-shocked then gradually brought his hands to encase her body feeling her hands tighten in return. The elder members of the wind blushed, and they attempted to cover the eyes of the younger members, however, failed for the wind, the sky, even the mighty sun beamed with such contentment that Faris felt it within his soul.

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Forgive me for the mistakes.