𝕸y body hummed like a struck tuning fork when I saw him. He was fucking incredible. He wore a short-sleeved shirt, his ink on full display. The grey shirt he was wearing was much tighter than anything he used to wear. I just stood there and took a moment to appreciate just how damn hot he was. The man was made of sin. He shouldn't be fucking legal.

My fingers pulled at my dress, hiding in case I didn't scrub them clean enough. I had held them under the scalding water in my en suite bathroom before I'd come down to the kitchens, until my skin felt raw, but I could still feel paint everywhere. Could also feel the raw emotions I'd tried to expunge from that exercise.

"Good morning," I said shyly, hiding my smile behind the mug. "I made coffee."

He returned my grin. "Morning."

"Enjoying yourself?" he arched an eyebrow at me cockily.

"Immensely."

"Come here," he asked, looping a finger through my jeans and pulling me towards him.

"Do you want me to make you a cup?"

"After."

"After?"

He took me by surprise when his hands rested at my jaw, tipping up my face to press my mouth to his. I sighed softly into it, parting my lips to chase after his tongue. My fingertips memorised every hill and valley wherever they went. The hard and chiseled muscles in his chest were soft now, and his inhales and exhales gently rose and fell at a steady cadence. Two gorgeous tattoos lines.

Before I pulled away, I took just enough to get me through the day, unsure of when I would be able to properly touch him again.

"After," he clarified. My smile barely contained my giggle.

"Well, I'd say this is a better wake-up call than coffee," I teased.

"Have you had any yet?"

He reached to tuck one stray tendril of hair behind my ear, letting his thumb linger at my cheek to swipe back and forth. It might be the first time he'd allowed myself to really drink me in, too careful before this to let his gaze linger for too long.

"Nope and it's my first time making it. Figured I could work the machine."

"And Mrs. Khan let you?"

"She doesn't know."

"Did you sleep last night?"

My heart did a somersault in my chest, heat traveling up my cheeks as I felt myself growing flustered. "Not really."

"I hope painting helped?"

I blushed and nodded. "How are we going to tell them?"

He chuckled. "I think they already know Zee, we haven't exactly been subtle."

"Not about the engagement they don't."

"Pretty sure it's implied," his head tilted to the side.

"You seem confident about it."

"Of course I'm confident," he declared, getting another cup and placing it in my hands. "I have no reason not to be."

"Hmm," I grumbled, flushing in embarrassment at my abysmal flirting skills. I wanted to focus on what we were talking about. It could screw me over if I said the wrong thing, but my mind was still hooked on what just happened between us. Take it slow.

I was engaged.

Asfand raked his fingers down my arms, over my ring, up my chest, around my neck and down my back. He was everywhere.

Frantic. Desperate.

"Miss. Zeenia," Mrs. Khan's voice reached my ears. "Mr. Affandi, sorry to interrupt-"

We jumped apart. Turning, I saw her walk into the kitchen, a lull of silence falling over us.

"Yes?" I prompted, slightly worried by her agitated state.

"I- Your mother is here."

"Here? As in here? Here as in Mughal House?" I blinked in surprise. "Why? How? Does Taimoor know?" I frowned.

"They... met."

"Damn it," I cursed in frustration.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's only here to check up on you," Asfand muttered, running soothing circles on my back. "Go, I'll check on your brother."

Oh my God. If they'd met that meant she'd created some sort of scene. Or said something. Hopefully she hadn't said anything to anger Taimoor.

Or worse, hurt him.

"Yeah I'll see you in a bit," turning to Mrs. Khan I asked. "Where is she?"

"In the formal drawing room."

"Let's go."

༻❂༺

Immediately, I took in her choice of colours, green with specks of gold- a rare and expensive creature. The type of couture only available to her - or at least that's what I'd seen.

I bit my lip, not being able to help but compare the difference in our clothes.

"Mother?" I inclined my head in greeting.

She rushed forward and patted my cheek, uncharacteristically emotional and soft in her approach. "You look well."

"Taimoor's been taking good care of me."

Reaching for the chair across from her, I took a seat and assumed my stance back straight, hands politely on my thighs and gazed forward.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that. Although I feel he needs someone to take care of him."

"He does. But he won't accept that from us. Not yet."

"I wish that wasn't the case," my attention, previously focused on the pattern of the rug, snapped up to her. Her wariness put me on edge, and I was starting to doubt her motives. Did she mean to put my guard down before she launched an attack?

After two seconds alone with my Mother, I was ready to tear my hair out. Neither of us spoke. I looked around the room, staring at the array of knick knacks set on the fireplace mantel. My courage, bolstered by my own determination, waned.

Thankfully, Mrs. Khan came back with a glass before I had a chance to run. She didn't take leave until she was satisfied with how much I drank. I sucked on an ice cube, praying that its coolness would somehow give me the strength to do the right thing.

"Has something happened?" I asked in an even voice.

My mother strained a smile.

She didn't look dangerous. If anything, she looked weary, dark circles forming under her eyes, her features slightly gaunt where they were full before.

"You eloped two weeks ago with a man deemed unsuitable by your grandfather, your father and your brother-"

"One of my brothers."

She ignored that interruption. "And you're asking me if something has happened?"

"You're not here to take me back are you?"

Her lip twitched in disgust and something akin to guilt flashed across her face. "I know you don't think I've been the mother you and your siblings deserved, but I'm not a monster."

"I didn't mean to-" I began, hesitant.

"I'm well aware of what you meant," she vaguely answered before standing up and staring out the window. "I haven't been the best role model as a mother... or as anything really. But that doesn't mean I don't want what is best for my children. I might have an odd way of showing it, but their happiness is no small thing to me. "

"I hope they didn't blame you for anything."

"They won't be wrong to do so."

As my mind mulled over everything, it finally caught on to the small snippets that had bugged me during the conversation. I pulled the threads like I was unraveling a bad stitch until I finally found the problem.

"You were the one. You told Akbar!"

"Of course it was me," she smoothed her shirtsleeve. "I'm still the lady of Mughal Manor, it's still my house. Even your grandmother couldn't take that away from me."

"But why didn't you do anything sooner? Why wait all that time-"

"We didn't know. It wasn't until that boy burst into the the Manor and tackled Altamash at breakfast-"

"What-?" my forehead wrinkled. This was the first I was hearing of any of this.

"You don't know?" her eyes widened. "He didn't tell you."

"Not the details."

"He came in like a knight in shining armour, knocked Altamash to the ground and demanded to see you. It was all very dramatic. You should have seen Haider, he was fuming! I don't think I've been this entertained in a while."

"How was he even let in?"

"Poor Azaan. He had no clue," oh no. "Your grandfather wasn't too pleased by your brother. He took Altamash aside, tried to reason with him but that boy-"

"But of course, Seher?"

She paused, dropped her crossed arms in favor of folding her hands at her waist. "She's convinced that you're to be married to her cousin and she's convinced Altamash that you're after him."

"I'd rather not comment."

"Of course you shouldn't, that's how you've been raised," she said after a moment of deliberation, as if it had completely escaped her mind. "But as soon as word gets around, everyone will want out. That stint you pulled with Taimoor? How far are the two of you willing to take that? Question is will you? Your grandfather doesn't believe so. According to him, you've never had the stomach to do what needs to be done. That's why you'll never be more than just one of his soldiers."

Instead of the King.

It's what everyone thought I wanted, but a crown wasn't what I was after. Justice was all I'd ever wanted, and now that I had the chance, I wouldn't let Seher and Altamash's bullshit sidetrack me from getting revenge.

I wasn't putting on some sort of show for them.

"He should have thought about that when he locked me up. I have no intention of backing down," I meant that.

I meant it down to my bones.

Yes, I believed in family.

But I did not believe that your blood should be protected at all costs, no matter what.

"Are you sure? You're tiptoeing a very dangerous line here."

I'd had those thoughts. I'd discussed them with Taimoor. He'd been relatively quiet about them, but they were back in full force as I ruminated over this conversation. Everything I'd done was at odds with all that I'd worked so hard for my entire life. My mind broke down each word and sentence, overanalyzing them as if I was watching it replay over and over on a screen.

"I guess the question is, will you help me?"

"I can guide you, I can't finance you. Until your grandfather dies or I don't know, decides to grow a conscience, my money will always be tied to your father. I can't leave him. And he's not backing down."

The truth shouldn't hurt anymore after all this time. My father didn't give a rat's ass about my mother when it came to what was best for him. I'd known that, but the reminder stung.

"That's...barbaric."

Ever since I was young she'd told me how much she hated my father. Hated the fact that her father had basically sold her to the Mughals. That as educated and worldly as she was, she had no choice when it came to the man she married.

Yet as I looked at her, my smile slowly fell. She opened her mouth to speak before closing it.

"I'm aware."

"And you were okay with me going through the same thing?"

"Why do you think I helped you out?" she continued in a low hiss. "However you cannot just remained shacked up with a man without a formal commitment! You'll need to be seen together in public. Have a proper wedding. Now. Before Seher decides to make this family out to be nothing more than a bunch of cheap immoral con artists."

There it was.

"They won't agree, Altamash will throw a fit-"

She tapped a finger against the back of her hand. "I'm sure that stopped you from eloping, oh wait, it didn't."

Guilt made me wince, but I nodded sharply. "What are you suggesting? I get married? Now?"

"Preferably tomorrow but I'll give it a few days. Before someone leaks the news."

My features were carefully schooled, as usual, but the blood had drained from my face - and I loathed myself for letting that reaction show. "Seher."

"Yes Seher."

"And that could damage my reputation, hurt Taimoor, make Asfand vulnerable-" I said dejectedly, the implication clear.

"You can see why it has to be done sooner rather than later," she blinked approximately six hundred times. "You do want to marry this boy? I hope this is not an infatuation-"

"No, I love him. More than anyone," my voice had the same light, hopeful, airy quality that was fluttering in my heart. "If I wasn't so sure about their intentions, I would even think about apologising and having them attend the wedding-"

"Apologise? That word doesn't exist in our vocabulary," she studied my face for a second longer. I didn't know what she was looking for, but after a moment she sighed. "You should remove it from yours as well."

Confusion furrowed my brows. "Oh come on. I'm getting married, not doing something illegal."

She clicked her tongue. "I'm your mother. I'll make you illegal."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you. For all you've done. You didn't have to do this you know?"

Her face fell slightly, but just as quickly, a small smile sparked back up and she huffed a laugh. "You're my daughter, of course I did."

༻❂༺

I stared for a moment at the door, for one moment truly wishing I could wrench it open and run out into the world - live like I'd never lived before. Yet just as the thought came, a wave of fear went down my back.

Should I focus on the past with a potentially dangerous family, banking everything on the few snippets of affection that may or may not be real? Or did I focus on the present and the future - on Asfand?

"Hey, I was looking for you," Asfand's eyes flicked to me, a small smile quirking up the corners of his mouth when he saw me. "Got a minute?"

"You've got my entire life," he studied me, and I couldn't tell whether he saw right through me or if he was about to let me see through him.

"Yeah about that-"

A song built in my mind, but I pushed it away. My feet started to walk in a circle, physical proof of the thoughts swirling in my mind. Closing his book, he dropped it to the floor beside him.

"Talk to me, love," his voice was calm and forgiving, and the truth begged to spill from my lips. I turned to face him, but the words dried up as soon as I tried to release them. The confusion marring his handsome face matched the emotion that ached inside my chest. I didn't know how to explain what was going on even to myself, and I certainly couldn't with him. "What did your mother want?"

"She told me what you did," a low hum built in my chest, and I shoved my hands in my hair. "How you got that black eye."

"Why don't you sit down for this?" he told me, swinging his arms around my shoulders and leading me to the armchair in the corner.

Holding me in his arms, he explained everything from the beginning - how he'd barged into Mughal Manor, how he'd punched Altamash once he'd told him I was locked up, how he'd contacted Taimoor and used Akbar to get closer to my mother but had also needed time to protect his parents from Daada Jaan and my father. Both Azaan and Mother had helped him get to me, they'd colluded to get my brother and his wife out of the manor.

I nodded, happy he was giving me a detailed account of everything. I may be still smarting about his omissions, but I couldn't help the way my heart warmed at his efforts to be by my side.

"Drink."

"Where did you get this?"

"Saw you drinking this when we first came here."

Warmth bubbled up in my stomach. "God that seems like a century ago."

His eyes flickered over my face, studying me like a book before boring into my soul. One hand lifted up and pushed back a curl. They'd spilled out of the braided crown that I knotted them up in. His fingertips caressed my skin, down my cheek, and I barely resisted leaning into his palm. He continued to trail down my jawline until he traced my jawline.

"What is it? There's still something bothering you."

"Mother thinks Altamash is not going to let this go Asfand. And as long as he's after me, I can't let this go. I have a plan-"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed roughly, the rest of him was deadly still. His gaze locked with mine, and I recognised the same fury that I'd seen in my own. His whisper was terrifyingly calm, heavy with promise, and latent with threat. "He can't do shit Zeenia. Not if I have anything to do with it."

"He can malign me in front of the board-"

He straightened again so I could see seriousness settle in the hard lines of his face, and my lower belly tightened. This was an entirely different side of Asfand and I was beginning to like it.

"He can't do anything because a good chunk of Mughal Co. Holdings and its investments are being held by me."

"By you?"

He cupped my cheeks with both hands and murmured low as he met my eyes. "Well once you sign the documents, by you as well."

"I'm confused-"

"Taimoor wanted to make sure we were safe. I suggested that the best way to keep someone safe was to tie them up with a shit ton of money. Make them an asset and not a liability."

"So the firm bought the land and not us as individuals?"

"Taimoor and I are owners of that firm. It's headed by a CEO that has no connection to us, hence, no direct way to find out who bought what until they dig deep."

"They go after you, you ruin the company."

"Us love, us. They go after us, they ruin the company," his voice sent a thrill up my spine, and I shivered. "Wouldn't make it go bankrupt, but the damage will be significant."

"You took care of it."

"I'll always take care of you."

That was it. My family had done the best they knew how with what they'd been dealt, but in the end, and at any point over the years, they could have done better. I'd deserved better.

From a lot of people.

And Asfand... well, he was all I'd ever wanted.

"Does he know? Does Daada Jaan know?"

"He suspects. But I'm sure Taimoor will pass on the message when and if it comes up."

"You don't think he'll go against me?"

"Your Daada Jaan isn't the softest man on this planet but he does love you," he raised his hands at my incredulous expression. "He's not going to hurt us despite what you think."

"He didn't lift a finger when Altamash decided to lock me up!"

Love and loyalty were never given blindly. There were always rules. There wasn't such a thing as unconditional anything in this world. And there shouldn't be. Everything should come with conditions. Everyone should have lines that others are not allowed to cross.

"You're right. But I don't see him making this a public fight. We can live in peace."

Peace.

His promises and his large, strong hands had goose bumps of pleasure erupting over my skin. I leaned into him and pressed my palms against his chest. My fingers gripped his shirt, and he tugged my hips flush against his body.

"That sounds nice...and easy," I warned.

"It'll be nice, not sure if it'll be easy."

Tension exploded between us as our lips collided. Asfand's were like pillows against mine, promising solace and safety in him. At first, his fingers dug into my nape, and his other hand gripped my hip to the point of pain, as if he was afraid I'll disappear. He rested his arm on the back of the chair, and I leaned into him again. After several more minutes of quiet reverence, his broad shoulders rose and fell with a weight that I felt in my soul.

He faced me, and it was there on his face - sheer, absolute, overpowering love. It was a look I'd seen on his face many times before, but he was not trying to hide it anymore. He cupped my face in his hands. "Tell me that you're in love with me, too, and I swear I'll make you fucking happy," he said.

It wasn't even a question. I'd imagined telling him that I was in love with him a thousand times, but I'd always been petrified of the admission. Afraid that I'd sound stupid, or I'd fuck up the moment when I tried and get the words out, stumbling all over myself. In the end, the words came out easy, though, simply because they were true. "I'm in love with you," I whispered.

His eyes fell closed. "Tell me that you're in love with me, and I'll worship you every day for the rest of your life."

"I'm in love with you."

"Tell me that you're in love with me, and we'll be each other's forever."

"I'm in love with you."

"Zeenia," he rested his forehead against mine, fingers twining into my hair.

He kissed me like I was the air he breathed. He kissed me like I was his motherfucking lifeline.

This was crazy, and I needed to not to short-circuit. Feeling lighter than ever, my fingers clutched his hair and I moved forward until-

"Why'd you stop?"

"I keep thinking your brother's going to walk in,"Asfand caught my hand and held it between us as I tried not to let my annoyance flicker across my face. "I know Taimoor is our biggest supporter right now, but he's still your brother. Don't want him seeing this."

"What did he do?" I asked as a flurry of butterflies danced across my rib cage. "Has he threatened you?"

Asfand scoffed and rolled his eyes. "He can't go beyond growling at me. Now, what did your mother want?"

"So, um," right, needed to clear my head. "She's decided we need to get married. Sooner rather than later. That's mainly what I came here to tell you."

"And you're okay with that?"

"I understand why. Tradition and keeping up appearances, those things are important to her. It's probably going to be the snobbiest event this city has ever seen. Swans and harps and canapés on gilded platters. Maybe the absence of time would keep a lid on all of that," I paused to take a breath. "I know she wants to contact your parents but I stopped her because I know you'd want to tell them."

Exactly five seconds ticked by. "I want it to be what you want."

"I have all that I need," refusing to acknowledge my relief, I got off his lap and yanked open the door, a laugh bursting out of me on the way out. "But you better buckle up."

He grinned. "I'm ready love."

I would have never doubted that, but hearing his verbal confirmation brought back an ineffable peace to my soul - as if I'd been teetering on the edge of the precipice until now but I'd finally found my balance.

༻❂༺

Whatever the reason for this pre lunch rendezvous was, Sara was deadly serious about it.

"I'm glad you're here, I can't believe you decided to cut your honeymoon short! What did Danial say?"

"We'll have another one soon, besides I couldn't miss your wedding. I'm here to offer my services."

I did a double take while adding a splash of milk to my coffee. "Okay but in what way?"

Sara frowned as if the answer should be obvious. "In every way, of course. Your wedding will be the biggest event of the season. I'm here to help."

"Don't get comfortable calling it that. There are eyes and ears everywhere in Islamabad, you know," I mock shivered. "I just want to have a simple ceremony, but I suppose if you wanted to make me a bouquet-?"

Sara's giggle stopped me short. "Simple ceremony. That's adorable."

My smile vanished, dread curling in my stomach. "Yes, but there's no way I can plan an elaborate wedding within the time frame we need. Right? Wait. What do you know?"

"You might want to figure out who's planning what. Your mother told Asfand to have his tuxedo ready by this Friday," Sara took her time continuing. "And then she had to get off the phone because the caterer was calling on the other line."

"Caterer?" I choked out.

I should have seen this coming. No way my mother could get down with a simple home ceremony. Not with the pageantry and tradition of the Mughal name to uphold.

"There was also some talk of a venue. Maybe renting out some giant tents to pitch here," she tilted her head, but it was hard to discern whether she was sympathetic or excited. "You're getting the full wedding treatment whether you like it or not. Your mother is taking the flash-and-awe approach. "

"When was this-"

"This morning. To be honest she didn't have to convince me," she said as she piled her long waves into a haphazard bun at the top of her head. Somehow, it always came out perfectly messy. "Come, I've got some dresses for you to try on."

"You've got some dresses? Where did you get them from?"

"A mutual friend heard about your impending nuptials," her head fell back on her shoulders, a giggle bursting through. "Decided to tinker something up."

"Hmmm," I grumbled as I went to change coming out and doing a pitiful twirl in front of her. "This is not what I imagined I'd be wearing."

She pursed her lips, tapping her finger against her chin as she considered me. "Yeah no, it's washing you out, go change."

"How about this one?"

Sara stopped glowering at me long enough to give me a what-the-fuck side-eye. I smiled and she responded with a scathing glare, and immediately, I backed off.

Begrudgingly, I mumbled. "Meh. "

"Try the red one."

I gave her a deadly glare but I trudged my way back, putting on the next one.

It went on like this for another hour. I never realized how hard it was to please Sara. At this point we were running out of dresses and she hadn't liked any.

"What about this one?" I asked as I came out a while later. To my surprise, I found her waiting for me with a cart full of food, tea and even dessert.

"Your fiancé seems to think I'm starving you."

She stopped the cart in the middle of the room as she straightened her spine, her eyes roving all over my figure.

I'd put on a light blue number that I'd thought complimented my eyes quite well. And as she perused me from head to toe, I rather believe she liked it too.

"This is the one isn't it?" I whispered as I stepped closer to the mirror, my hands marvelling at the fabric.

"That's absolutely stunning," Sara murmured as she came closer. "Like it was made for you Cinderella."

Cinderella.

I choked back a sob, my memory flooded with everything I'd been through these past four months.

"Hey hey, what's going on?"

"Dammit. I wanted to keep the crying to a minimum," Sara chuckled and I wiped my tears. "I didn't expect this to happen this way. Without Daada Jaan. Without my father, Altamash - apparently everyone here has thoughts about what I should be doing, where the wedding should be..."

The honesty seemed to shock us both.

"Zeenia," she shook her head. "You're surrounded by people who love you, who're putting you first. Even if it's not everyone, enjoy your love story, I had to fight for mine."

"Shit, Sara, that was inconsiderate of me."

"Oh honey. What I had to go through? It was worth it. And it'll be worth it for you too. You're marrying someone you love. And who loves you. The size of the ceremony doesn't matter, the two of you do."

Her words were like a hole in a dam, not quite enough to break me, but I gave into the fissure. We both cried  silently together, comforting each other by accepting the other's grief, our fight, our love. I let her back away first, but we both left the streaky tears on our cheeks this time. They were evidence of our own existence. That we felt. That we'd lived. Somehow my heart ached more, and I embraced the pain.

"What if I mess this up? Did you feel that with Danial?"

"All the time."

"And that doesn't scare you?"

"Sometimes but then I remind myself that I broke the mould. We've done the impossible. We haven't exactly seen the best examples of marriages around us. In the midst of all that, I doubt we'd know what to do with such a fragile thing as happiness. Our hands were made for breaking things. We are too powerful for happiness," it was a statement steeped in deep resentment. Somewhere deep inside, I'd known this all along. But words spoken had power. What she said next burns away any second thoughts I had. "But we'll try. We'll try and we'll succeed. We dared to write our story Zeenia, why not our fairytale as well?"

I nodded, finally letting a smile breakthrough as I watched her fawn over the dress.

In our world marriages were conducted for business purposes only, either to conjoin two strong lines for the money their future offspring would have, or for political reasons to make alliances. When everything was rotten to the core, when the only relationship model was of a corporation, what was there to emulate?

I also knew the reality of what was implied in the books. The world was so horrible, there was absolutely no place for romance.

But I had found it.

Sara was right, who wouldn't want to live an epic love story?

"What are you thinking?"

"What's the point of having fuck you money if I can't use it?"

Here's the second last chapter. As promised this is much lighter than Dawn to Dusk and the beginning of all the power games that'll be played in the upcoming years. You can see both Zeenia and Taimoor becoming their own people with Asfand's help. His importance in their life cannot be overstated. He's someone they can trust implicitly.

Anything to say before the final chapter that comes out on the 14th? Yup, Valentines Day...a fitting end to Zeenia and Asfand's love story 🤍 See you then!

***