At the Al Namer family palace, in the morning time.
The house of Hayja went to the palace with their three pale guardians.
At the palace’s gate, a tiger awaited them and greeted them warmly. They exchanged formal conversations for a minute until Ahmad poked Hajras and went inside.
Daghir, Taz and Siraj went into the flowery front yard and chatted.
Daghir grabbed Taz’s shoulder, smiled, and said, “What changed your mind? I thought you didn’t intend to marry.”
Taz chuckled, then said, “I didn’t. Uncle found out about my secret and twisted my hand into marrying.”
Daghir crossed his arms and asked, “Secret?”
Taz turned to him and said, “Before I took Yara during our spy hunt, I had a former slave.”
Daghir raised his eyebrows and asked, “Was it another Yara?”
“No, it was a young man,” Taz replied.
Daghir smiled, relaxed his arms and said, “So that man. Who gave you fame as an expert torturer? Was kept as your slave!?”
Taz furrowed her eyebrows and said flatly, “Yes….”
Daghir laughed, then said loudly, “By the gods, woman!”
Taz extended her palm to Daghir and interjected, “Hold it! What do you mean Batil gave me my fame?”
Daghir chuckled, then took a deep breath and said, “That’s a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?”
Taz shrugged and said, “As far as we know, we’re both suspended from our duties. It doesn’t seem we’ll be busy soon.”
Daghir went on and told Taz her story of fame.
On one day, in the past. Daghir was returning from a mission in far northern lands. This was at the same time Taz returned from Baghdad.
Babilim’s forces, the standard and royal branches, celebrated their victory against the rebels and their leader while roaring and cheering each other for a war that never happened.
Daghir heard the commotion from the northern naval base. True to his title. His curiosity overwhelmed him, and he went into it to investigate the commotion.
Once he stepped inside, he saw a circle of soldiers dancing, drinking and shouting out their ill intentions if they fought the Persians.
Daghir grabbed one of the drunk soldiers and questioned him about the scene they were making.
The drunk soldier told him about the smashing victory they gained in Baghdad and then told him about the emergence of a new champion. A warrior called Luna-wolf, and others called him or her the Jinn slayer of the south.
Daghir inquired more about this mysterious figure and asked for descriptions of him.
The drunkard narrated his appearance. He told Daghir that the warrior wielded green swords, one long and curved, strapped to their back and the other short and straight, strapped to their hip. The warrior wore an unholy mask resembling a ghoul’s face, was green, and had golden vines.
Though the descriptions alone weren’t enough to sate Daghir’s wonder, he asked about their role in the event.
The drunkard laughed, then said the warrior had done the impossible; even the royal forces started theorizing his methods.
Firstly, he broke a rebel prisoner in under three hours; he made him sell his people! The soldiers stationed in Baghdad took pity on him because they felt the pain in his voice. After the wolf interrogated his captive, the soldiers snuck in while the wolf left for the raid.
They found the prisoner in a mess of shit and semen! His behind was violated. You could fit your entire arm in it!
Daghir shook his head in awe and disgust.
Taz interjected Daghir’s story and said, “Wait! Did you say the soldiers snuck into the cell?”
Daghir nodded and said, “Yes, they did.”
Taz pointed at Daghir and snarled, “I’ve instructed those cunts not to step inside! I didn’t want anyone to see Batil in that disgraceful state.”
Daghir chuckled, then said, “You can’t expect anyone not to be curious after what you did to him.”
Meanwhile, with Ahmad and Akram.
They sat in the hall where they last met.
Akram sat at the head of the table. Ahmad and Hajras sat beside each other on Akram’s right side, and Caleb sat alone on the left side.
Ahmad drank the teacup and said, “It truly honors me that our respected families will unify under the sacred oath of marriage.”
Akram chuckled, then said, “The honor is mine, Ahmad.”
Hajras drank the teacup and said, “Shall we discuss the marriage arrangements?”
Akram smiled and said, “Of course. What do you demand for the lovely hand of Tanaz?”
Ahmad lit his pipe, smoked it and said, “Back in the good days, Akram. I would’ve asked for cattle.”
Akram laughed, then said, “Those were wonderful times.” He then joked and said, “If you want to, we could offer twenty camels from our farms.”
Ahmad laughed, then chirped, “If I were still the prince of Hayja, I would’ve bargained your offer!”
The elders laughed.
“But back to our main point, I want to bring Tanaz. It’s only fair for the young woman to decide her dowry,” Ahmad said.
Akram smiled and said, “Absolutely!” He looked at Caleb, who sat on his left and said, “Go summon Tanaz and Daghir.”
Caleb nodded and left.
He soon came back with them.
Ahmad poked Hajras and told him to give his seat to Taz.
Taz sat in his place. Daghir sat next to Caleb.
Akram looked at Taz and said, “I believe this is the first time we have met, Tanaz.”
Taz smiled out of courtesy and said, “It is indeed. My uncle spoke highly of you, Akram.”
Akram chuckled, then said, “I hope he didn’t mention my younger days.”
Ahmad chuckled, then said, “If anyone knew, you wouldn’t be alive.”
The elders laughed.
Akram looked at Taz and chirped, “We wanted to know what you demand for your dowry. I made the first proposal by offering twenty camels.”
Taz chuckled, then said, “What else can the house offer?”
Akram sipped his teacup and said, “Athir told you about our wealth and resources. Pick whichever you desire.”
Taz leaned closer and said, “What Athir told me was unspecific. I want to inquire more.”
“We can offer lands, farms, estate, and businesses across Mesopotamia and beyond. I’m sure a woman of your caliber would find something from what I mentioned to be suitable,” Akram informed.
Taz pressed her lips as she pondered, then said, “I do fancy spacious environments. I’m interested in the farms you offer. Since recently, my house has been defiled by assassins.”
Akram clapped, kept his hands joined and said, “Excellent! Name a city, and we’ll tell you more about the farms we own.”
“I’d love to stay close to my people and work. Tell me about the farms you have in Babilim,” Taz said.
“Currently, we have two vacant farms. One is to the north by the river, with a land size of five square kilometers. It has a dedicated well and water line to supply the crops and, of course, a stable, a barn and an estate,” Akram said.
“I accept it since it’s in a favorable location,” Taz said.
Akram sipped his teacup, smiled, and said, “If I may intrude, can you tell me why you prefer the northern farm?”
“She’s an arrow, uncle. It’s common to be cautious about where you can be attacked,” Caleb said.
Taz smiled at Caleb and said, “Took the words right out of my mouth.”
Akram chuckled, then said, “Excuse this old man for not being aware of that fact.” He looked at Taz and said, “So, Tanaz, here’s our offer. The farm you chose and four thousand dinars as your dowry.”
Taz leaned to Hajras and whispered, “Are the dinars sufficient for wedding preparations?”
Hajras leaned closer to her and whispered, “It’s enough, but I advise you to ask for six thousand instead of four. Remember, we’re the ones with the leverage here.”
Heartless advisory by the fox, yet what he said was valid.
Taz sat upright, looked at Akram and said, “Eight thousand with the farm.”
Caleb stared at Hajras and pouted as he shook his head slowly. Daghir smirked at Taz as he rubbed his mustache. Ahmad looked down as he smiled.
Akram laughed, poked Ahmad’s shoulder and said, “Such a fierce negotiator! She’s truly your niece.” He looked at Taz and said, “The house accepts your demand! Your dowry will be eight thousand dinars and the north farm of Babilim.”
Caleb stood, then said, “I’ll go fetch the scribe.”
The two houses stayed longer, and the scribe Caleb brought wrote down the conditions of each side, such as the dowry, property, marriage arrangement and exceptional cases.
When it was all written down, Ahmad and Akram signed the papers and formally announced the engagement of Taz and her mysterious fiancé Nash.
What followed was a spree of handshakes, congratulations and kisses.
Akram spoke to Taz and told her when she’d be ready to meet her fiancé. Taz got cold feet and told him she’d meet him in an hour from now as she claimed that she needed to prepare herself.
With the end of the marriage contract gathering. Ahmad, Akram and Caleb left as there was nothing more left to do.
She went out to the front yard and rubbed her arms as she pondered on a plan of action.
Daghir followed her and tapped her shoulder.
Taz looked at him and asked fearfully, “What do I do? I’ve never been in a situation like this.”
Daghir chuckled, then said, “After demanding a bold dowry. You get scared when it’s time to meet your man?”
Taz nudged his shoulder and retorted, “Meeting a slave and meeting my soon-to-be husband are wildly different situations, Daghir!”
Daghir extended his palms and said, “Calm down and breathe!”
To which Taz did.
Daghir crossed his arms and asked, “What do you know about Nash?”
“Only that he’s a man,” Taz nervously replied.
“Saying Nash is a man is a wild claim,” Daghir said.
Taz looked confusedly at Daghir and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Nash isn’t an adult; He’s younger than you,” Daghir said.
“Did my uncle wed me to a fucking child!?” Taz snarled.
“A teenager, to be specific. He didn’t grow any facial hair yet,” Daghir said.
Taz rubbed her chin and said, “I guess that’s not so bad….”
Daghir smiled mischievously and teased, “Already liking adolescent boys? You’re maturing faster than I thought.”
Taz punched his chest and snarled, “Fuck you!”
Daghir held his chest, stepped back, groaned and bent.
Hajras walked in on their conversation and said, “Is it normal for you to hit every man you meet?”
Taz turned away and sighed in frustration.
Daghir stood straight and muttered, “I forgot how hard she can hit.” He looked at Hajras and asked, “What do you feed this woman?”
Hajras crossed his arms and said, “All the food we have.” He looked at Taz and said, “Care to explain why you’re moody in the afternoon?”
Daghir approached and said, “She has what we call a bride’s fear.”
Hajras laughed, then said, “You fought a horde of Jinn, and you’re scared to meet a girly boy?” He looked at Daghir and said, “No offense to your cousin.”
Daghir chuckled, then said, “Don’t worry, we called him worse names.”
Taz turned around and retorted, “How do you all know about him more than me!?”
“Social gatherings,” Hajras and Daghir replied.
Taz pointed at Daghir and said to Hajras, “You met him before!?”
Hajras and Daghir looked at each other.
“I’ve met him four times,” Hajras said.
“Indeed, and I’ve met the advisor even more,” Daghir said.
Hajras looked at Taz and asked, “Back to our point, why are you scared to meet Nash?”
“Because I don’t know him, neither met him,” Taz said.
Hajras pointed at Daghir’s elbow and said, “He’s about this tall.” He relaxed his arm and said, “And he also appears to look like a little bitch.”
Daghir laughed, then looked at Hajras and said loudly, “Perfect descriptions, Master Fox!”
Hajras laughed, then said, “I have to say every time I look at that boy, I get the overwhelming urge to beat him to death.”
Daghir laughed louder and held Hajras’s shoulder. Hajras wrapped his arm around Daghir while he laughed manically.
Though Taz was a twisted, heartless woman, she felt upset for the fiancé she never met.
The men let go of each other as they wiped the tears of laughter.
“Can you both stop acting like cunts and tell me about Nash?” Taz asked rudely.
“Hajras summarized it, but if you want to know more about him, I can tell you about his family,” Daghir said.
“Isn’t Athir his eldest sister?” Hajras said.
Daghir gestured for Hajras to shut up as he smiled widely.
“What!? That obnoxious woman is his sister!?” Taz snarled.
Daghir approached Taz and said, “Hold it! I know what you’re thinking, but don’t do it!”
“I’m not going to be in the same house as that woman!” Taz retorted.
Daghir chuckled, then said, “Listen―We both hate Athir. But if you left this marriage, you’re missing your biggest leverage against her.”
Taz crossed her arms.
“Your uncle has made a master class move against her; fuck, it even took me by surprise. He knows that Nash is easily manipulated and that he’s Athir’s biggest weakness,” Daghir said.
“How does that relate to me!?” Taz asked.
Hajras sighed, then said, “Father, basically struck two in one. He obtained power over Athir and gave you the type of men you prefer.”
Daghir pointed to Hajras and said, “Exactly!” He looked at Taz and said, “You can create a new Batil. That boy is weak-minded and a reject.”
After one hour had passed, with Athir and Nash.
Athir combed her brother’s hair in a small room.
Athir, as the loving and caring sister she was, couldn’t hold back her sad tears.
Nash looked at her and said, “I’ll be fine, Athir.”
Athir stopped combing his hair, sniffed audibly, wiped her tear and said sadly, “I can’t….” She looked into his eyes and said, “Those scum wed you to a cruel, heartless woman.”
“I’ll happily sacrifice my life if it meant you and my sisters would survive,” Nash said.
Athir hugged him tightly, sobbed and said, “Never say that again!”
Nash hugged her and said, “There’s no one to look after us. Please, let me face my fate.”
A maid knocked on the door and called, “Mistress, it’s time for the meeting.”
“I’ll finish soon!” Nash replied.
Athir let go of him and wiped her flowing tears. She held Nash’s face and said, “If she ever lays a hand on you, you’ll tell me immediately.”
Nash nodded.
Athir pulled him closer, kissed his lips, then said, “I love you, dear.”
Nash smiled weakly and said, “I love you too.”
Athir stood up, held his hand and said, “Come.”
Meanwhile, with Taz and Siraj.
They walked in the hallways of the palace and made their way to the inner gardens.
“I’m excited to see your fiancé, Lady Tanaz,” Siraj said.
“I’m not. Hopefully, he isn’t some fat spoiled kid. Talks about him acting like a girl is bad enough for me,” Taz said.
“Have faith, Lady Tanaz. I’m sure he’ll sate your taste,” Siraj said.
“Being an arrow long enough makes a person pessimistic,” Taz said.
Moments later, they reached the inner gardens. To Taz’s surprise, she had already found Athir standing in the middle, talking to a boy who faced her.
Taz stepped into the garden, cleared her throat and said, “Greetings, Athir.”
The boy turned around and immediately blew away Taz’s doubts and expectations.
Nash, the man in question. He was an adolescent boy with long curly black hair and soft facial features. His skin tone was sandy brown, and has sad wide brown eyes. His lips were pink and full, and his eyebrows were thick.
Taz smiled at him, wabbled and said, “My, I didn’t know you had such an appetizing younger brother.”
Athir glared at her while clenching her fists.
Nash smiled, approached and said, “Hello, Tanaz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Taz bent down, smirked, held Nash’s cheek and said, “The pleasure is all mine. Especially when meeting someone as appealing as you are.”
Athir cleared her throat loudly and said, “For a newly engaged woman, your approach and manners are distasteful!”
Siraj stepped forward and said, “Lady Athir. I think it’s best to leave them alone for their first meeting.”
“I won’t leave my brother with her!” Athir snarled.
Nash turned to Athir and said calmly, “I’ll be fine, Athir. You can go.”
Taz hugged Nash from behind, rested her chin on his shoulder, looked at Athir with a wicked smiled and said softly, “You heard what my fiancé said, Athir~.” She placed her paws on his chest and said, “It’s only fair for a betrothed to spend time alone with her fiancé.”
The scene Athir would’ve never wished for materialized before her—a foreign woman with her hands all over her dear little brother.
It broke her heart. It drove her mad. She struggled to accept it. She refused to accept it.
If there was one thing, she wanted to do right now. That would be to conjure violence and mayhem. One sonic attack and this twisted cannibal would lay dead on the floor. And her dear brother would get to keep his innocence and chastity. To save it for a proper partner.
One whistle, one clap, one scream, anything! Any action that’ll produce sound was enough to eliminate the threat Athir faced.
But sadly, this life only favors the wicked.
“Please listen to me, Athir,” Nash said.
Athir was snapped back into reality and left the garden with her head down. The weight in her chest weighed down her steps, slow, heavy. As the distance grew between her and the garden, her steps quickened. She hurried back into her room before her mind shattered.
All that was in her mind was violent impulses. She needed to spill blood or break anything into pieces.
She threw away her head veil, tore off her dress and grabbed the knife that hung beside her sword.
She placed her hands on the wall, leaned down, panted, gasped and whined. She then stared at the wall with her eyes full of tears.
On impulse, she rammed her head against the wall multiple times. The wall cracked, and her forehead split and bled with each hit.
A ram, the wall cracked more. Another, her blood covered the crack. Another, her skull was visible as the skin tore open.
She stepped away from the wall. Blood poured onto her face and dripped on the floor.
She looked at the knife in her right hand, then sat on her bed. She gripped it with both hands and drove into her thigh repetitively. Her blood gushed and covered its surroundings.
As the stab wound became void of any flesh. She kneeled on the floor, thrust the blade into her gut, then groaned in anguish.
She got onto her hands and knees, then cried audibly. Her body sprinkled blood and tears on the floor, and her blade was still stuck in her gut.
“One day, my beloved, I’ll save you from that monster!” Athir muttered.
Evening time with Taz and Nash.
They sat on a comfy padded bench in the inner garden while they chatted casually and drank tea. Through their talks, Taz noticed that Nash was timid for some reason.
All she could think of was. Maybe Daghir and Hajras were right about him? The ill thought ran through her mind.
She was worried that her fiancé, technically her husband, was weak-minded. It would bring shame to her If that were the case.
But she had one way to find out why.
Taz placed her teacup, looked at Nash and said, “I wonder―What’s the thing you desire from this world?”
Nash smiled weakly and asked, “Why do you want to know?”
Taz smirked, stroked Nash’s curly hair and said, “You sly man, I’m your betrothed!”
Indeed the time Taz wasted reading mature romance stories has helped her act like a feminine bride.
Hopefully, she can keep up her fake personality.
Nash looked at her and said, “I might give you the wrong impression if I told you.”
Taz chuckled femininely, then said, “I’ve worked with your cousin Daghir as an arrow. Believe me, my dear fiancé. I already have a bad view of your family.”
Nash laughed, then chirped, “What I want is childish, not worth mentioning.”
Taz pinched his cheeks playfully, then smiled and said, “If you won’t tell me, how can I help you as your spouse?”
Almost convinced by Taz’s words, Nash has yet to reveal his deepest desire.
Nash looked down at the floor, then said, “Do you honestly want to know?”
“Yes,” Taz replied.
Nash looked at her and said, “I desire respect and a strong presence, so none would dare to harm my sisters.”
Taz smiled as she finally knew what type of man she got engaged to. She looked into his eyes and said, “Noble desires, I admire that.”
Nash’s face lit up, smiled at her and said, “You do?”
Taz held his cheek, rubbed it with her thumb and said, “Yes.”
On a childish impulse, Nash hugged her tightly. Taz, in response, chuckled softly and wrapped her arm around him.
Nash quickly let go, sat further, blushed and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
Taz subtly bit her lower lip, smirked and said softly, “Don’t be. That’s the least of your privileges as my future husband.”
Nash blushed more, and his breaths heavied. He pulled his collar gently as the air thinned.
Though Taz wanted to completely ensnare this young man, a force she could not overcome stopped her.
She yawned audibly.
Nash looked sincerely at her and asked, “Are you tired?”
Taz looked at him with half-opened glistening eyes and said, “I haven’t got the chance to sleep well.”
Nash took a pillow, placed it on his lap, then looked at her and said, “Lay down your head.”
Taz smiled, yet she knew Nash was a sincere man. She obeyed his request and placed her head on his lap.
In a moment of silence, she gazed at the stars above.
Nash stroked her soft hair gently and lovingly. The wolf felt peace with his touches and a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
A feeling of being loved and cared for.
Was it his innocence? Was it his good intentions? Was it his sincere and kind speech?
That―Taz never knew.
Yet under the hands of this stranger, she was so scared to meet. She felt affection and serenity, unlike Talal, who was forced into her hands, or Batil, who was broken and reshaped into the desired image.
What she received from Nash was genuine―a boy younger than her in years—compensated her with a lifetime of affection that she had barely received.
And like a tormented soul at the gates of heaven, or a troubled child back into the arms of his mother, or a father who spent his entire day shedding blood and sweat, then finally gets back home to his family.
Taz submitted herself to bliss and slept on his lap.
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The End
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