You among flowers are like a flower among thorns.

— Saadi

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Him

It is a dream. He feels afloat as he walks through empty corridors of the palace. But it isn't the palace of Baghdad. He's in Qahira. And the palace looks as it looked during his father's reign.

There's laughter of a child, shrieking in exhilaration as if being chased. He tries to follow his voice. Until he finds himself before the chamber of his parents. But there are no guards in sight. He pushes open the door and steps inside.

His father is holding a young boy in his arms, and the boy has a wooden sword, eyes dark but alight, ardent and full of life, and a grin adorning his face. He steps towards them.

"Baba?" he calls his father and he turns towards him, setting down the child.

"Who is the boy, baba?" he asks.

"Harun," his father replies.

Before he could ask more, the child makes a run in his direction and wraps his arms around his legs. He looks down at the boy and he grins up at him.

"Baba!" the child exclaims in joy.

His eyes snap open, the dream coming to an abrupt end. He sits up in his tent and pulls away the flap of it, suddenly hot and sweating. The night is more than half gone but still dark. A little distance away from his own tent, he can see a lantern lit in Taha's. He's probably praying, he gathers.

Putting away his blanket, he performs the ablution and joins his general.

Her

"Ameer Sulaiman has sent a messenger," Daud informs her while she's having breakfast on the balcony of her chamber.

"Send him to me, Daud."

"Yes, sayidati."

He disappears and she gestures to Roya to clear the table who gets to it at her command.

The dawn has cracked and the sun rays have pierced through the horizon to paint the canvas of the sky. The morning breeze is cool and carries with the chirping of the birds to her. It is a peaceful beginning to another long day.

"Saba al khayr, Amira," the messenger greets her and she nods her head in acknowledgement. "The Ameer has sent you a message."

He presents to her a scroll and Noura takes it from him. Unrolling it, she reads the message written on it.

Join me for a stroll through the gardens in the afternoon and we can discuss whatever it is that you wish to discuss with me.

Noura purses her lips, rolling back the scroll and looking up at the messenger.

"Where is the Khalifa now?"

"He just left the palace, Amira," he replies.

"And when does he return?"

"I've no knowledge of it."

"You can leave," she dismisses the man.

He tips his head and leaves. Roya has cleared the table and she now sits alone on the balcony, the letter tightly clutched in her hand.

She had sent a messenger to Sulaiman to discuss some things, but the message he has sent her back looks more a bargain to her than an agreement for a conversation-- her time for his, a stroll for a discussion. She doesn't like the notion she gets from his message. The last thing she wants is to give any misimpression to anyone, especially with her husband not around.

It is later in the morning when Azar asks her if they can practice swords, and she refuses saying that she doesn't feel up for it. With each passing day, it's becoming more difficult to hide the fact why she's growing extra cautious about everything-- why she's missing her training, riding carriages instead of horses, or has developed an aversion to some dishes while she craves the others. No one has to know, for she doesn't know how wise it is to reveal it at this time when the threat to their lives due to the struggle for the throne is rising every day. She not only has to cover for her husband but care for their child as well. She would rather care for them alone than take a chance and bring any peril to their lives.

Arwa has only once asked her if she was doing fine, and she had told her that she was. Neither did she attempt to pry any further, nor did Noura mention anything anymore. If the Amira was suspecting anything she didn't try to confirm her doubts.

"Noura khanum?" Azar gets her attention as she's on her way to meet Zahir.

"Yes?"

"I met the general. He told me to inform you that he'll be coming to the palace to take you home with him. Your mother wishes to see you."

She smiles and glances away. "I miss them too, Azar, but there are matters that need my attention at the palace. Inform Eskander I'll be visiting in a few days, but I cannot go today."

"As you please, khanum."

She spends the morning discussing court affairs with Zahir. The hours fly by and soon the afternoon sets in. Roya asks her for lunch but she doesn't feel like eating, so instead she takes a few dates and then makes her way to the gardens.

The sky is laden with gray clouds, veiling the sun behind and the colors to darken. The wind blows a little stronger than the breeze of the morning, having a chill and promise of a rain in it. She steps forward on the stony pavement deeper into the gardens with Daud accompanying her.

"Should I bring you a cloak, sayidati?" he asks her.

"No, I don't intend to stay long."

"But the rain can fall anytime."

She looks up at the sky ready to pour, then nods at him. "I'll be by the pond."

Daud excuses himself and Noura turns in the direction of the pond. When she arrives there, she finds the area quiet and desolate. Going to sit by its edge, she dips her finger into the water and the fish near the bank swim away.

"It's so lonely here, isn't it?" she smiles a forlorn smile.

As she retracts her hand and the ripples on the water settle, they give way to reflection of a man and her eyes meet a pair of blue and brown. Sulaiman smiles back at her through the reflection.

"It is," he says.

Noura turns towards him, their contact through the water breaking as their gazes crash directly. He's dressed in plain white garments with a cloak covering him. She gets to her feet and he ties his hands behind his back.

"You knew I would come to meet you by the pond."

It's a statement from him, not a question, and Noura doesn't give way to any expressions on her face as she replies.

"I didn't. But where else would I wait when I personally like this place?"

His lips pull up to one side. "Did I make you wait for long?"

"I just arrived."

"Join me for a walk?"

"We can talk here."

"But I requested for a stroll," he reminds her stubbornly.

"I don't recall agreeing," she argues, equally stubborn.

He bites back another smile. "Then we can discuss the matters you're here for another day. When you feel like agreeing for a walk with me."

Tipping his head, he turns her back on her, ready to leave, and Noura hurries to stop him.

"Sulaiman?"

She bites her tongue, the informality with which she has said his name hitting her too late, but he doesn't seem to mind as those orbs glimmer with something unnamed when he cranes his neck towards her.

"I'll join you for a stroll, my Ameer," she agrees.

"Sulaiman it is for you," he corrects with an underlying playfulness in his voice, gesturing for her to go ahead. "After you."

They walk away from the pond through the garden on the stone pavement lined by bushes on each side. Noura glances at him, an aura of calm and ease surrounding him, making him look like the regular man she met at the bazar more than three years ago. She averts her gaze as nostalgia hits her again like every time it does when his eyes takes her to the past-- a prince with a dream to be a king one day. When they were only innocent children. When Sulaiman was a boy with magic. She feels remorse fill her heart for the way things have changed.

"Do you still like jasmine?" he asks her as they come across a jasmine shrub, briefly grazing the flowers with his fingers before he looks at her.

Noura only nods in reply. "Though I don't want you to send them to me anymore."

This makes him chuckle softly and he turns back to the shrub. "Because you're married. And I didn't know before."

She remains silent, and a moment passes before their eyes connect again. There's a vulnerability in those orbs, so faint that she's not sure if she is mistaking it, but it's as if he has put down his walls and allowed her to see through him, no matter if only a little.

"My baba liked them a lot," he tells her. "I do too." He gestures around. "When he was the caliph, he filled these gardens with these shrubs. Many colors. These gardens remind me of him. Of those times with him when this palace was a home to me."

He smiles ruefully, and despite herself, Noura smiles back.

"I wish it would remain the same," she says. "But time passes. Things change."

"We lose people," he adds. "I've lost my father. My brother." He looks away. "Yusuf changed too. But then there are those who stay. Like Eskander. He became a brother to me."

"I wish it wasn't only Eskander, sayidi. I wish you could still see Ameer Yusuf as your brother." Noura looks away too. "And I wish you and Adam wouldn't see each other as enemies."

"He wants my throne, and the fight for power is a a bloody war."

"If you're willing to fight it."

"Your husband is too."

She returns her gaze to him. "Will you kill him if it comes to it? Will you spill your own blood?"

Seconds slip by but he doesn't answer her. Then he sighs and resumes the stroll. She does so too.

"This isn't what you want to discuss with me, is it?" he remarks.

"It isn't," she admits. "But what if it was?"

He shakes his head, indicating he doesn't want to proceed the conversation, and Noura let it drop.

"Why did you want to see me?" he asks her.

She licks her lips nervously, readying herself to carry the mission she's here for, and glances at him.

"I had something to ask of you."

"Nothing for Adam, I hope."

"I'll never beg you for him."

"I thought you loved him."

"I do. That's why I'll fight for him. For begging in the court of power is no good to me."

"So you choose to fight me, but still meet me for a favor?"

"A request," Noura corrects, looking at him. "Whether you agree or not is your choice. I'm asking you on the behalf of someone else."

Sulaiman arches a curious eyebrow. "Pray tell, what is it?"

"There is someone who wants to marry syeda Asiya, my Ameer. But he cannot because of the rumors of her betrothal to you."

Now both of his eyebrows go up. "Who is it?"

"That is not important. But if you come clear about the rumors and free her of your name, she can start a new life with someone else instead of waiting for you." She tilts her head questioningly. "You don't intend to marry her after all, do you?"

He gives her a skeptical look. "Why do these matters concern you?"

"Because I know the man who wishes to seek her hand."

"Her father is my vizier. He might not want to marry her daughter to anyone from the court of Adam."

"Let her father decide." She smiles politely. "For your satisfaction, it isn't anyone from the court of Adam. But you shouldn't be concerned about it. Those loyal to you will not change sides when it becomes inconvenient for them, sayidi. For if they do, you never had their loyalty. And if loyalty was easy to trade, I'd have convinced Eskander to stand by my husband than you."

Sulaiman smirks, amusement dancing across his features, but doesn't answer. Noura continues after a pause.

"Besides," she adds, "that would be very petty if you intend to use your vizier's daughter to earn his favor. An innocent and unwilling woman doesn't deserve to be sacrificed for your cause."

They come to a stop again and Sulaiman turns to her. Noura studies his face, looking for a hint of emotion, but he hides it behind a mask of nothingness, and only stares back at her.

"Noura."

He takes a step forward. She forces herself not to step back. The first drop of drizzle pecks her cheek before she feels it fully pepper kissing her. The hood of Sulaiman's cloak has fallen off his head at some point, and she can see the droplets sliding off his skin. He takes off the cloak and holds it out to her, but she shakes her head.

"Daud went to fetch my cloak and I told him I'll be by the pond."

"You can have mine," he insists.

"Thank you, but the rain isn't heavy. I'm fine."

He takes another step forward and she raises a palm to stop him.

"Don't," she presses. "It's not appropriate."

He sighs and lowers the cloak. "Let us return to the palace then."

"You didn't give me an answer."

"What for?"

"Will you come clear about the betrothal?"

"It's a trivial matter I never considered-- never thought you would present it before me as a request. Neither do I understand your interest in it." He looks up at the sky and the raindrops now glide down his neck. "My vizier expressed his wish for me to marry his daughter, and I already told him that I could not. What people assume and spread as rumors, or associate my name with another is of no significance to me. I'm not bound to come clear about vows that I did not make. I've other things to take care of than indulge in such affairs." He looks back at her. "Don't tire yourself in vain. Whoever wishes to marry her can marry her. She's not a woman bound to me. Then even if she marries a man from the court of Adam."

She exhales slowly, both in triumph and relief. She has something to offer to Daryush, then let Daryush think he's at her mercy to unite with his lover. Sulaiman may not be concerned with the lady, but he will surely be displeased if he learns the lady was the only reason Daryush ever favored him against Adam.

"Come, let us return to the palace before the rain gets heavy," he says, the mischief in his eyes returning as his lips turn crooked. "Unless you accept my cloak and we can stay here a while longer."

She frowns in disapproval. "You should stop trying to woe me, now when you know I'm married."

He grins, as if jesting with her and finding pleasure in it-- as if they are old friends and this is the only way he knows with her.

Noura ignores him and walks past him towards the palace. Sulaiman follows after her.

"You asked me if I would kill a member of my own family if it comes to it," he says.

"Will you?"

"If my people want me to rule them, then I'll fight for them. But if they do not, then I have nothing to fight for."

"So, you will submit without bloodshed?"

They stop outside the palace and Noura turns to him. He slightly lifts one shoulder in a shrug.

"At least everyone has someone to not want them to die. Then I will be evil if I make them cry over their beloved ones."

"Do you care about them?"

He smiles and steals away his gaze, the cloak still clutched in his hand.

"I don't want to kill my brother. I've warm memories with him. And I care for his wife and his daughter-- my niece that I could've loved as my own child but akhi, he never gave me a chance. As for Adam, we never got an opportunity to grow close, but I do care about you."

Noura glances away as well, coincidentally her eyes falling on the balcony in the distance and meeting the eyes of the person watching them. Jumana gives her a vacant and unreadable look.

"You should go inside," Sulaiman tells her, bringing her attention back to him, and Noura blinks away from Jumana.

"You're not coming?" she asks him.

He shakes his head. "Go."

He walks away from her and Noura stares after him a second longer before she steps in his direction and calls after him.

"Sulaiman?"

He stops and looks back at her.

"I've never wanted you to die," she confesses. "I don't want you to suffer either. I want you happy. But I don't want it to come at the cost of my husband's blood."

She releases a breath and he turns around fully towards her.

"I remember you more than I remember him from my childhood-- I shared a greater part with you than him," she add. "But I love him dearly, and I can only pray someone loves you more than I've ever loved him. So you can have a home again, my Ameer."

He stares at her for a moment, then smiles and tips his head before turning back around and continuing down the path.

Noura turns to look at the balcony again, finding Jumana still there. But not sparing her another glance, she walks inside the palace towards her chamber.

"Now, where must be Daud?"

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Surprise awaiting. Or maybe surprises.

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