I am going to confuse the hell out of you guys. Have fun!



This chapter COULD not be part of the war chapter, which is why I separated it.





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~*Did she turn her world into smoke she could not taste? ~*TheQueenOfDarkness



Raghad opened her eyes and sighed. It had been a few hours since; Faris and his knights departed. Their departure had ushered a gloomy cloud to unfurl its wings over the tribe. She lay there on the cot with only a lantern burning next to the wooden door of their chamber. Raghad moved her gaze down to stare at the headdress her spouse had once bound her wounded leg when she had ventured to conceal herself from the world before sealing her fate with Faris. Her lips trembled at the memory.

He had been protecting her ever since. Faris al Fursan had been her shield ever since.

She placed the fabric to her lips and breathed. After a short while, Raghad attempted to move, however, something on her waist stopped her dead in her track. The bride hissed, muddled when she took note of the warm, hard body pressed against her.

Slowly, Raghad peered over her shoulder and gasped at the sight that welcomed her. Faris, her spouse, was resting beside her. His eyes were closed, and his lean fingers pressed against her abdomen, possessively. Raghad gulped when she felt the weight of his hand on her waist, the proximity of his face. She moved her head further; to the left to take in his form, she watched hypnotized and dazed.

What on earth was Faris doing here? Did he kill Marwan? Countless questions chimed in her brain, but she stopped when she took in his features. His soft beard brushed Raghad's cheek, and his chest moved with every breath he took. She blinked when her eyes landed on Faris's black eyelashes, which almost brushed his high cheeks; they were long and thick. As he slept, his eyelashes covered his eyes in a warm, protective shield, however not as thick as her eyelashes.

The thought made her smile.

The wind nodded, agreeing with Raghad. Faris's eyelashes were black silk that shimmered in the dim light, hers, on the other hand, were like a pair of butterflies descending from the heaven, with eyes so bright that every time she blinked the wind blushed.

The tips of her fingers touched his face just above his eyes. Raghad traced his forehead and stroked her thumb on his eyelashes. Unquestionably not thicker and longer than her eyelashes. The smile vanished from her lips when Faris stirred in his sleep and opened those inky eyes. Instantly, Raghad shut her eyes, feigning to be asleep.

"As salamu Alaikum." She heard his deep voice. Her heart ducked behind her ribcage. When Raghad did not respond, she heard a chuckle. "I know you are not asleep, woman."

With an inhale, Raghad opened her eyes and silently gasped. She looked over her shoulder at him, "Wa Alaikum as-Salam."

"I hope I did not frighten you?"

She shook her head, unable to form words. He was too much for her, his omnipotent presence, those inky eyes urged her to drown her rationality.

"So, satisfied?" Faris lifted an eyebrow.

"I do not understand?"

"That your eyelashes are longer than mine." He smirked at the blood that burned her cheeks.

"You were conscious the whole time."

"Yes, the moment you ventured to move away."

"You must have apprised me, Faris."

He closed his eyes when she uttered his name. "It is not every day my spouse takes leisure in my face. I hope this," he gestured to his face. "Suffices."

"No," Raghad shook her head a twinkle in her eyes. "I have witnessed more pleasing, prince."

"You have now?" The corner of his mouth lifted.

"Yes,"

"Pray, tell, who these men are?"

Without a second thought, Raghad responded. "Badr."

The knight of knights threw his head back and laughed. He knew that his naive woman would never lift her gaze on others aside from her brothers, and him, of course. "Ah! I think otherwise."

Raghad peered at him for a while, well aware that she had never come across a man like Faris. Everything about him compelled her, his voice, his reverence, his courage, and those dark eyes. Ya Allah, those eyes.

"If Badr is the one why on earth are you gazing at me like that, woman?"

She bit her lip and moved to her side to face him, causing her hair to curtain her shoulder and back. "Is it a sin to peer at my spouse?" Raghad lifted a brow despite her abashment. Her heart whispered in her ear to conceal her delight in fear of losing it for their witness was the wind who gaped at them.

The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement, and without warning, the knight leaned forward and placed his warm lips on Raghad's forehead. At this, the moon blushed; and endeavored to curtain itself among the clouds, the unusual behaviour of the moon caused the wind to giggle, and wolves to howl.

"I am yours just as you are mine, no one can change that, and from this day on, no one shall harm you," Faris whispered against her skin.

"Oh, was it not you, who declared I would rather sleep by the door?" She recalled.

Faris chuckled then slightly moved away but pressed his fingers that lay on her abdomen. "Woman, you put a lot of salt in your meal."

"But you still noshed it."

"A famished man can eat anything even if it is grass." The knight mocked, wrapping a strand of her hair around the finger of his free hand.

"Then, I must prepare the grass for you."

Again, Faris laughed at her, the movement, caused the corner of his eyes to crinkle in mirth. Raghad had an all-consuming urge to trace them with her fingers.

"Faris?"

"Hmm." He responded caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"Have you really returned back to me?" Raghad closed her eyes when his fingers touched her jaw.

"Yes, I have."

"Is it over now?" The bride gulped when his eyes met hers.

"Indeed it is." He leaned in, his inky eyes alive.

She started in a hurry, "Umm, we must pray. It is almost fajr time."

The knight nodded with a ghost of a smile on his lips. They moved to get up when Faris vocalized, "So how is he?"

"Who?" She looked at him, confusion on her face.

Faris did not respond for his gaze dropped from her face to Raghad's belly, where a while ago, his long fingers rested. She followed his gaze and almost jumped out of her skin at the sight of her. They both stared at a very visible swelling on Raghad's belly. His eyes warm, almost loving, hers, wide with shock.

"Alhamdulilah." Her lips verbalized despite her shock.

Faris inhaled, pleased with what he witnessed. Suddenly, Raghad's confusion did not exist when they stood up to get ready and pray fajr. The bride watched as her spouse rolled the sleeves of his kandoora to his elbows, then moved his head on his shoulders to alleviate the stress.

"I shall go to the masjid now," Faris announced and moved towards the door.

Raghad watched with a hand over her belly as her spouse reached for the latch on the door. However, a quick movement on his right caught her attention. She tore her gaze from Faris and looked to the trunks placed next to the door and froze.

There on top of the trunks sat an enormous, vicious-looking serpent. The beast slithered towards Faris soundlessly, its scaly skin glistening under the light of the lantern that hung right above it. Raghad watched horrified as it flicked it's tongue in the air to taste fear, her fear.

She watched horrified as the serpent braced itself for a strike. Raghad knew she knew if it reached Faris, he would not survive. Something, a terror, so raw exploded in her that she sprinted forward just as the snake leaped towards its prey, ready to end its life.

"Faris!"

Raghad's eyes opened, and she sat bolt straight on the cot, quivering uncontrollably with tears of fear tingling her eyes. She whipped her head around her chamber and found it empty. Promptly, her gaze moved to the door, then descended to her belly to see that there was no swelling.

What on earth was that? Why on earth would she see such an ominous dream, hours before the fajr? She moved her hand to place it over her heart, that is when she took note of Faris's headdress in her hand. Her trembling fingers enclosed around the fabric and a single drop of tear kissed her cheek.

"Not now, not when I have just accepted our fate. Not when I have given him my heart." Raghad shook her head and pleaded to the wind, to the stars up ahead.

Faris! Did something happen to Faris?

After a long moment, the bride knew that she could not sleep anymore, and there were still hours before fajr prayer. She placed her trembling feet on the floor, collected her long hair then wore her scarf. With worried eyes on the trunk, Raghad rose to her feet and made her way to the door.

She could not stay in the chamber anymore.

Gradually, she made her way down the narrowed hallway without making any sound. The only source of light was the lantern that hung above Nasser's room. She placed her hand on the mud wall and walked to the medium size main chamber.

A scream almost hissed passed Raghad's lips when she witnessed a woman resting alone by the cushions on the other side of the room, her hair cascading down her back, and head resting on her curled knees. There, next to her exposed feet, sat a rusty lantern, providing enough light to move around.

Raghad narrowed her eyes and took a step forward. "Batool?"

The young woman lifted her head at Raghad's voice then quickly looked away. However, she was not quick enough for the bride saw the tears in her crimson, puffy eyes. "What are you doing here?" She asked, her tone was not impertinent, but it was not welcoming either.

"I suppose you and I are aware of the response to that." Raghad murmured, worried they might disturb others. As the bride ambled towards Batool, she glanced at the Quran, placed on a cushion next to her. The bride knew that just like her, Batool could not welcome sleep.

Of course, she was anxious, Faris coddled her the most, cherished her the most.

The Rashideen stopped by Batool, not knowing what to do. They did not have a harmonious relation, Batool had always disregarded Raghad's presence, and kept her distance. Biting her bottom lip, she sat next to the young woman. Silence followed them for a long while.

"I could not sleep." Raghad heard a small voice whisper. She moved her head to her right and saw Batool gazing at the main door. "He has departed for many battles before, but this...this battle terrifies me."

A burning lump settled in Raghad's throat, but she swallowed it down quickly. She was the spouse of a gallant leader, and she had to be strong not only for herself, but for everyone, this family, and Faris. With a deep inhale, she placed her right palm on Batool's left forearm. "In sha Allah, they will come back to us, Batool. Do not fret. Allah is with them," She patted her arm. "We have placed our faith in Allah, and Allah loves those who place their trust in Him."

Batool looked at Raghad, and suddenly a sob escaped her lips. "Oh! Batool, habibti." The bride quickly enveloped her arms around the Borkan and stroked her hair.

"He was worried when he departed. Raghad, Faris always leaves for a battle with a smile on his face, but yesterday, he was troubled. I witnessed it in his eyes." Raghad blinked away her tears when she heard Batool weep.

Here she was attempting to shoulder someone else's sorrow when her own heart withered. "Have faith in Allah, Batool." She murmured those words biting the inside of her cheek.

The bride sat there with Batool crying in her arms. Raghad brought forth a herculean effort to not break down. Placing her head on top of Batool's, Raghad stared at the wall remembering her dream. Was the sister feeling the same terror that roared in her heart? Did Batool feel the wind turn bitter just like she did? Did Batool feel as if she was sinking into a dark abyss with no end just pure blackness?

Another episode of silence lapsed between them, and soon Batool's tears halted, and she lifted her head. "I would like to apologize for my ill-behavior towards you."

Raghad gave a small forlorn smile. "We mistreat family. Do not worry about it. I did not take your behavior to heart."

"I suppose I was just envious." Batool tucked her hair behind her ear, not looking at Raghad.

"Why is that?"

"Ever since I comprehended what marriage is, I have always envisioned Faris with Adhari." Raghad slightly flinched at the words, nonetheless, she remained hushed. "She was the daughter of our Uncle, the closest to me, and I closest to Faris."

"I understand." Feeling the night getting chiller.

"I attempted to despise you, Rashideen. I did try a lot, and I resented you for taking all of his time, invading his days." Batool shook her head.

"What made you think otherwise?" Raghad peered at her, intrigued by this young woman.

Batool traced the steel handle of the lantern with her fingers. "It is not what, it is rather, a who. He cherishes you a lot, Raghad," She glanced at her sister-in-law, and suddenly Batool resembled a mature, courteous lady, not a child. Her dark eyes held mysteries, which Raghad did not know.

The bride gasped at her word, and her wide eyes stared at Batool for a while. "Brother loves his religion, then his parents, then his tribe. However, soon that pattern transformed in his eyes," Batool chuckled playing with the hem of the scarf that lay on her lap. "Soon it was his religion, and then..." She trailed off.

You.

Batool moved to her left to study Raghad. "It was grandmother and me who took note of this transformation in him, Raghad. Faris, himself was unaware of it. That was when I knew for sure that Adhari was never supposed to lead alongside my sibling."

Raghad felt her head spin, and she pressed her palm against her forehead. This information was not something she desired to hear now, not when she did not know if Faris would return to her. All this would make his departure even more suffocating. "Why are you telling me all this now, ya Batool?" She questioned.

"I know what transpired between you two, the day before yesterday." At this, Raghad's head snapped towards Batool. "And I yearned to apprise you of the admiration and respect he has for you. Faris would die a hundred deaths before he harms you in any way, and this is why I resented you, but could not loathe you anymore."

"Batool, habibti stop."

"By Allah, I do not mean to torment you, but you must know that his heart does not belong to him now. Before this matrimony, Faris was always seen by others as a ruthless man, even I feared him. However, now, Subhan Allah, he is more serene."

"You have left me speechless, Batool."

"No, you have left us voiceless, Raghad. If I were you, I would have died long ago from wretchedness. Indeed, the Rashideen are brave. You have proved to everyone that you are his woman."

Raghad dropped her gaze, and a traitorous tear rolled down her cheek. The desire of her heart was not here, the man of beautiful words was not here, and here she sat alone in the house that her heart had built. Was this what woman in her tribe described as affection? Was this where your own heart abandoned you for a man, where your sense robbed you of your breath? Was this the secret that Faris had opened for her? How on earth was she going to fight herself to not shatter into countless pieces if something were to happen to Faris?

How!

It was then Raghad knew that Faris was the remedy to her wounds. He was going to be in every word of her prayers. She eclipsed her pale face in her hands and sagged forward. He had always been closed to her like the veins around her heart, Faris was always like the touch of fresh breeze on her heart. How on earth did she not see it before!

Did she turn her world into smoke she could not taste?

She felt Batool hug her this time, and Raghad ducked her face in the younger woman's neck. "Batool, I cannot live without him." At this confession, the wind wept and caused the clouds to move away so that the moon could comfort the wind. The crickets stopped worried their chipping might cause dismay to the wind.

"Have faith in Allah," Batool repeated her words, her voice shaking.

"He must come back to us."

"He will. In sha Allah. He will."

After a while, Raghad moved away, wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "You must rest. It is still a few hours from fajr prayer."

Batool shook her head then rose to her feet, "I cannot sleep alone. Shouq is with mother and Jazee." She picked the lantern.

Raghad stood up. "You can sleep in my chamber."

Batool stared at her, taken aback. She beamed and then nodded.

**

Well, how are you guys after reading this chapter? I was working on the war scene and then this scene popped in my brain. Can't drop bombs on you guys, had to give something sweet before the blood and gore.

Have I ever told you guys that I freaking love your comments?