Our mouth hung open as we came near to the palace. It felt inadequate to call it a palace, this place was a stronghold.

The citadel was a mesmerising piece of architecture - a fortress that had managed to see the rise and fall of many Monarchs

The enormous royal citadel, Aqib had explained, covered almost ten acres of land. It consisted of two palaces. One, where the Monarch held meetings with his courtiers and where diplomats visited him. This was bigger and according to the public was the main palace. The another palace was for private residence of the Royal family - away from the politics. This palace was smaller in size and well protected behind the main palace. An open courtyard connected the two palaces. The smaller palace had a private garden for the Royal Family. The citadel also comprised of the other complexes that were used by the courtiers in the administration of the Kingdom and where the important noblemen, like Master Wali, resided.

From a poor girl's perspective, the citadel was a piece of heaven. As the gates opened and we entered we could help but gape at the architectural masterpiece made of red stone. There was nothing extravagant about it but at the same time there was something unique about that we never saw or could imagine before.

Initially, Master Wali had wanted Asad and me to reside in these complexes along with him. But Prince Omar had refused, he wanted us closer to the Monarch. Hence, we were to reside in their private palace along with the Royal Family.

"Who all lives there?" Asad managed to ask.

"The sisters of the Monarch are married and live happily with their husbands. So as of now, it is just the Prince, the Monarch and I." Aqib smiled at us.

"You live with the Monarch?" Asad gasped.

"I live with my wife, but yes, I share the same palace as the Monarch."

"You have a wife?" Asad blinked. He looked ridiculous. But I was shocked at that piece of information too. Aqib did not look like a husband.

Aqib laughed and waved a finger at us, "Why do you think I wear this? I am not a man of fashion!"

He was referring to his ring that he wore in his hand. I did not even notice it before. I mentally scolded myself. I needed to be more observant, especially in a strange land with strange people.

"I cannot imagine you committed."

"Why? Is it because of my boyish look? When you see my wife you'll know why I wanted her to be mine so quick. I still fear that other men may take her away from me." He winked. An odd habit of his that always took me by surprise.

I could not help but smile. She must be a lucky woman to wed Aqib. A woman always wanted two things from a man - loyalty and safety. And Aqib comprised both of these qualities. Safety, in my opinion, did not mean simply protection from enemies. It meant safety from her man, himself. It meant that no matter what, he would not harm her even if others did.

My brother shook his head, smiling in disbelief.

"Come on," Aqib motioned with his head, "I know you are tired."

We nodded. Any movement in my muscle caused me to grit my teeth. It was so sore. I also felt bad for the horses, having to carry us throughout. The gates to the citadel opened and we walked inside. The Royal Guards saluted Aqib as he passed and remained in position as we did. Aqib unmounted his horse and handed the reins to a servant. Asad and I followed suit.

"Servant boy!" We heard a familiar voice and Asad looked straight ahead, "we meet."

"Master Wali." Asad gave the courtier a curt nod. Master Wali looked lavish and elite as he marched towards us. I could now see that when he had come to Master Maha's house had tried to tone down his glamour. The man was stylish, I had to admit, and he could fit perfectly in any portrait of the Royal Family.

He wore a black thick leather coat underneath a burgundy vest with golden markings that ran from the shoulder to his chest. He wore leather pants and wore nice boots. His small but strong arms were neatly placed in the middle of his torso as he stared at us with his black eyes.

"Welcome to the Royal Citadel," He said with a wave of his hand, I followed his wave as realisation sunk inside me. We were here. I was this close to learning the truth about the Monarch. The butterflies in my stomach wanted to come out. My heart hammered against my ribs. There was something within this Citadel that pulled me to it. Something that I was resisting. It made my eyes go wide - it felt hollow. Despair.

And then I found my vision turn blurry and dotted. I was struggling to breathe; I gasped loudly. I was suffocating, drowning. My legs could no more take the burden of my weight.

"Ayah," Asad said, "Are you all right?" He grabbed my hand.

Aqib rushed towards me, eyes filled with worry. I was trembling. I did not even realise I was until Asad grabbed my hand.

Even Master Wali looked worried.

"Get her to her chamber," he said, "The journey has taken a toll on her. A doctor should be sent right away." He commanded.

Aqib and Asad carried me inside the palace. I could not even see anything as I absorbed the hollowness of the air. It was like a vacuum that I was sucking in. It felt like gaping hole. I tried to breathe but something was pressing against my chest. It was heavy and painful. Tears streamed my eyes as I tried to push it away. It was forcing itself upon me. It was darkness. 

Darkness to my light.

_

Hushed whisper broke all around me as the darkness left.

My lips and throat felt dry. My head pounded and I could feel the sticky sweat on my skin.

"What happened to her?" I heard a familiar voice that did not belong to my brother. The person sounded distant and I felt the urge to reach out to him. It was almost like he was my anchor to reality.

"We do not know, sire. It could be fatigue and dehydration, but we are not sure. Her brother said that she was perfectly fine." It was a woman that spoke. Her voice sounded clearer and closer. Something cold touched my forehead and I welcomed it. It felt nice against my bothered skin.

Someone else moved closer to me from the other side. I felt him push back a stray strand of hair from my face. His touch was warm and comforting and it made me feel relaxed. He moved his hand away from me and I wanted it to return. But I was too tired to open my eyes or speak.

"I think a night's rest will help her," The woman sounded as if she was reassuring him.

"Yes," he said. It was him, he was close. I wanted him to stay. I did not want him to go, "I'll stay here."

"But, sire." The women protested but fell silent. Good. He could stay.

I heard steps move away from us. The women's presence was gone. I rolled to my side and curled up comfortably. He adjusted the sheet on me and smoothened my hair. I exhaled at his touch.

"Sleep, Ayah."

_

I opened my eyes.

And closed it shut.

Then, I opened my eyes slowly adjusting to the light.

"Ayah," my brother came to my side in an instant. I turned towards him and smiled. He looked clean and it looked like someone had trimmed his hair. He wore nice clothes too as I ran my hand over the fabric.

"Aqib's tailor is good," Asad smiled, "How do you feel?"

I gave him a thumbs up. Too tired to use my arm to explain how I felt. My arms got more exercise than my entire body.

"There she is!" Aqib entered my room and I tried to grin at his sight, "You had us worried for a second." He ruffled my hair the way Asad used to do. I looked around, trying to get in my surrounding and my eyes widened. The room I was sleeping in was enormous. My one room was almost thrice the size of my entire house. I sat up slowly as I took it all in. A wave of dizziness attacked my head and I leant against the bed's headrest. The bed had a head rest!

"Easy," A woman appeared to my side, "Drink this. You will do nothing but rest today. Whatever Aqib has planned for you will wait." She handed me a glass of water. I drank it slowly because my stomach was revolting. I raised an eyebrow at Aqib and he laughed -

"No, she is not my wife." He informed and I nodded.

The woman turned red at his comment and I felt bad for asking the question. It also took me by surprise how easily he understood me.

"You will have to get my consent for the dinner," she told me as she checked my temperature. I nodded.

I felt a bit disappointed when I realised that I was still in the same clothes as before. I was a bit envious too when I looked at Asad's fresh clothes. I wanted to get rid of the thing I wore. For all I know, it must be reeking.

Who was with me in the night? I asked Asad.

I could feel the man's touch and the way he had made me feel comfortable. 

"I do not know who was with you in the night," he answered, "The doctor told me to leave and rest."

I nodded.

"Oh, I know." Aqib came and sat beside me on my bed. I felt awkwardly tiny beside his tall frame. He leant against my headrest and looked at me with his soft brown eyes. He was grinning like an idiot.

"Do you always feel the need to open your mouth?" I heard another familiar voice and a smile crept on my lip. It was Prince Omar. I could recognise his voice everywhere. He stood at the entrance and was staring at Aqib with an annoyed expression. He then looked at me -

"I could not visit you earlier," he walked inside, "so I came to visit you in the night. How are you feeling, Miss Ayah?"

"Can I add he spend the night here," Aqib stated. I felt warmth rise in my cheek and I knew that Aqib was staring at me.

"I was worried." Prince Omar simply stated. His eyes were on me, observing me, asking me questions that I did not know. I looked away.

"Next time, Prince Omar, let me know if you decide to visit my sister at odd times," Asad said firmly. His brotherly affection clearly being shown. His jaw was set as he looked at the Prince. But he did not look like he was threatening. He just wanted to convey that he was looking after me.

"I will." Prince Omar eyed Aqib and then at Asad. I could not help but feel that Aqib was going to get few harsh words but if he noticed, he did not care, as he continued grinning. I had never been this confused.

"I have decided to hold a dinner in the palace in your honour. I would be pleased if you wish to attend it." Prince Omar sounded so formal that it made me feel more awkward. He was looking at me, straight into my eyes. His gaze was questioning, seeking something that I did not know. Was it because he spent the night in my chambers? I knew it was inappropriate for a man to spend a night in a women's chamber but in my case the circumstances were different. I was unconscious. Even if I was not, I never once thought the man to have a bad intention towards me. Did he think I did?

I smiled reassuringly at Prince Omar. He did not need to worry. I could not think ill of him. I hoped my message was conveyed. He smiled back but there was no sparkle in his eyes. In fact, Prince Omar looked tired. In a matter of two days, he had lost weight. Could that be possible?

He was not as fashionable as Master Wali in his attire. He wore a simple black coat with grey intricate embroidery. His hair was tied smoothly. I missed his unruly hair and the little spark in his eyes. Prince Omar looked older and burdened inside the palace.

"I'll visit you again," he told me and then looked at Asad, "I'll let you know."

Asad nodded.

"Aqib," he glanced at him, "a word."

Aqib moved away from me and I relaxed. He followed the Prince outside but before completely exiting he turned towards me.

"You should come," he said, "Laia will be there. I am excited for you to meet her."

I smiled at him as he left the room.

"What has gotten into me?" Asad placed his hand on his head, "I used to be more in control. I wish I did not offend the Prince. I did not mean imply anything wrong!"

I leant and rubbed his arm.

You can always apologise, I told him.

He sighed in defeat, "I will have to."

"I trust that man," he added, "I really do. If someone else had called you here, I would not have given you the freedom to decide. But Prince Omar is a different man. He may be City-bred but he has morals. I just did not like the tone Aqib used. It was suggestive."

He was teasing, I said.

"I know!" He sighed, "It is a perfectly normal to do that. I would have done too with my friends the way Aqib did. I think when it comes to my sister, I have zero tolerance. I think all brothers do - especially when they have a pretty sister."

I rolled my eyes. I was not pretty. He caught my action.

"Look at yourself from a man's perspective and then you will understand." He said.

I was so simple. I was nothing like the woman I saw going to the jewellery shop. I was plain compared to her. As if reading my thoughts, Asad said -

"You have a light in you," he said with a look of admiration, "Maybe it is your innocence. I do not know. But people are drawn to you, Ayah. Why do you think Aqib, Prince Omar or even Master Wali are so friendly to you? They cannot help it. You have that effect."

Are you all right? I looked at my brother curiously.

"Maybe I am realising it late. But my sister is no more a girl anymore. She is turning into a beautiful woman."

Omar is back! Can you feel something between them? I want it to be subtle, their romance is not going to be full blown in the book. Also, as many of you know, it is my first attempt at romance, so tell me if I am going wrong somewhere o-o <3

Also, I apologise for the fact that Aqib is married. Good looking men aren't always single ;)