Chapter 12
Secrets of the night - أسرار اÙÙÙÙ
Usman looked around the table of, he dared to say, criminals. Their eyes were down, afraid to face him. The elders of this tribe were corrupt and he knew it. They feigned innocence before him, afraid of his reaction. Knowing that he was for more powerful, able to destroy them if he willed, if only he willed.
When the sultan arrived, the confidence of the so-called ministers rose as never before. Sultan Amir strolled into the hall, his walk full of superiority. How he revelled in it.
Usman stood up, along with Hassan and the others around him.
"Glad tidings to you all" he greeted, taking a seat on his beloved throne. Surprisingly, the aura surrounding him was slightly tense, as though he was nervous.
"Abbas is here" Hassan whispered to his commander, both of them staring at the sultan's puppet.
"Take a seat, all of you" Amir ordered. He looked around maliciously, his eyes falling onto Usman.
"Abbas has confirmed, you took nothing from that shameless tribe." The disappointment dripped from his words.
"I informed you sultan, there was nothing to take-" he was interrupted as the sound of Amir's fist hit the table.
"There is always something!" His fury which caused the others to shake did nothing to Usman, he only raised his head higher.
Amir raised his eyebrows, it was not yet time for the boy to leave the nest.
"And that is why, I will now commence with the next step." He smirked as Abbas threw forward a list of names. Confused, Usman looked towards Hassan when suddenly the doors to the hall opened to reveal one that did stop Usman's heart.
A face he had not seen in years, the face which only rarely appeared in his nightmares,
Nasir.
"A list of names and an old acquaintance" the sultan held his hand up in show.
"You all know Nasir, I have chosen him to be sent to Al-Shujae to gather the slaves. His.." the sultan briefly glanced at Usman with a smirk.
"... experience will only aid us to victory." Usman felt his nails digging into his own hand as he formed a tight fist.
"Your victory is without honour."
All faces turned to Usman as he jerked up from his seat.
He looked around, pausing intentionally on Nasir and Sultan Amir. Without another word he abruptly left, Hassan quickly following him.
"Usman!" Hassan shouted, trying to keep up with his friend.
"You shouldn't have left, they'll only suspect you of disloyalty." A hand touched his shoulder, stopping him.
"Well now they know my loyalty lies with you" Usman looked at his closet companion with sympathy.
"I'm afraid you are one of very few." He turned to leave, although still hearing footsteps behind him.
"Perhaps you should visit the streets more often. You'll see how wrong you are." Usman laughed, hopelessly.
"I believe I've had my fair share of the streets... you should know that." He stopped himself from wandering to a past which was better forgotten. Hassan shook his head, knowing he would be unable to communicate with Usman when he was like this.
"Where are you going?" he asked as Usman's steps refused to cease.
"Where I always go when I feel helpless."
---
The beauty of the palace was astounding when Laila forgot of her circumstances. She couldn't help but feel the engravings on the wall, beautiful patterns which fit perfectly with each other.
She had forced her handmaidens to abandon her whilst insisting on time alone, hoping that she would be able to clear her thoughts. The day has passed so quickly yet she had not caught sight of Usman despite yearning for it.
Perhaps if he had come again, she could apologise.
It might have gone against her ego, but she could not rest easy whilst believing she may have done wrong.
Dusk was approaching as the sky darkened. Laila shielded behind her veil, using it to cover her face.
She silently walked along the marble floors, resurrecting the memory of the great hall. Usman couldn't be far from there. She wanted to walk long enough to be able to find him.
Instead, the sound of footsteps hurried her into a small corridor away from the main route. She hid behind the wall, waiting for the path to clear again.
"Did you hear about Usman? The sultan is supposedly furious with him." She heard a man snigger.
"It's about time that ruffian learns his place."
What did Usman do?
Laila grew anxious as more people arrived. She looked around, seeing a small path which led to even more darkness. Left with no choice, her feet quietly moved along the corridor.
Immediately regretting her impatience as the walk felt longer than expected. It was suffocating being in such a tight space with no end in sight.
Alas, her thoughts were heard as her eyes fell upon a door.
She rushed towards it, pushing with all her strength. At first it did not budge. Laila tried again, forcing it to move.
It creaked, the sound vibrating off of the walls. She looked around, hoping no one had heard. Satisfied that she was alone, she started to push the door again when it was suddenly closed shut.
She felt a presence behind her, caging her. Laila closed her eyes, afraid.
"Now what do we have here?" his voice was cold and threatening.
The sultan.
Laila slowly turned, her body reluctant to face him.
"I was lost" she quietly said.
Amir looked upon her, his eyes calculating. "It shocks me of your resemblance to her." he said. Laila was confused before realising her veil has dropped.
"Resemblance to whom?" she asked, looking away from him.
He scoffed.
"You'll find out in due time."
She raised her head, wanting to force him to answer. There was something which was being hidden from her, and she knew it.
Yet instead of probing him, Laila decided to escape. She began to walk in the same direction she came.
"Do not" he started to speak as she froze.
"Do not come here again." he warned.
"This is not your home." He stepped towards her.
"You are a prisoner here. Do you understand?" His question was a threat. Laila stared upon him, his soulless eyes staring back.
She didn't answer, her heart racing as she turned and ran.
-
Despite not knowing the way back, Laila ran as fast as her legs could move. She vaguely remembered the path towards her quarters, hoping that she was correct.
Eventually, her feet slowed as she silently walked along empty arches covered with sheer curtains.
The moon was full this night as Laila almost felt upon the grounds where a familiar man battled with his sword. He was alone, the fire torches serving as his source of light.
The air was warm, only a slight cool breeze which could've given away Laila's position behind the curtained arch. The adrenaline from running into the sultan had now wore off, slowing down Laila's heartbeat as she admired the man before her.
His right arm stretched out, the veins on his muscles showing as he pointed the sword forward. Although he did not see her, she knew he could sense her.
Without moving, he turned his face to the side, a cunning look in his eyes as Laila hid further behind the sheer curtain.
His skills with the sword were clean and sharp, showing his experience in his craft. His movements were quick and deliberate, any opponent would have no choice but to yield.
How many times had she been in the position of the opponent?
Memories of the night she pointed a weapon at him returned. How foolish she was to think she had the upper hand.
He suddenly turned, facing his sword towards the curtain, or better yet, straight at Laila.
She tripped on the thin barrier, her eyes widening as her hiding spot was exposed.
"If you were not my wife, I would have had to punish you for spying," his voice was playful, the humour evident in his face as he smirked. Laila shook her head, contemplating running away.
Why had she thought it a good idea to escape to this side of the palace? Why not towards the beautiful gardens.
As though reading her thoughts, he grabbed through the curtain, taking hold of her waist as he bought her forward, trapping her in between his arms. She had no time to retaliate, instead holding his shoulders to regain her balance.
"What are you doing?" she questioned, unable to look him in the eyes.
"I should be asking the questions princess," he reached for her chin and bought her head up to meet his gaze.
"You may hide, but even if there was a wall between us, I would still be able to feel your gaze." His eyes were entrapped, unable to comprehend his own words. Laila felt her breathing deepen as her hand instinctively reached forward to caress his face.
Surprised at her actions, she aimed to remove her hand when he suddenly grabbed hold of it.
"What kind of spell have you casted? That now even I feel nervous under your stare." His words felt like poetry to her.
"What a feat it would be to make the great Usman nervous," she almost whispered.
He closed his eyes, breathing in.
"Say it again." Laila blinked at him, confused.
"My name. Say it again." He commanded. She paused, puzzled.
"Usman."
"Laila."
Her heart rate increased. A now familiar sensation filled her lower stomach, warming her entire body. He bought his mouth close to her ear.
"I know you felt it." Usman began to move back, his mouth lingering close to her cheek. His touch was so light that Laila was even scared to admit that he might have kissed her.
All she knew was that her heart was about to burst out of her chest, and her hands were holding onto her husband for dear life.
"I have to go" she tried to escape, afraid of herself. Usman sighed, his head falling onto her shoulder from exhaustion.
"Then go." He finally said with reluctance. She tried to break away from him, his hands only holding tighter as she was almost successful.
She suddenly stopped, staring right at him.
"I have to say something."
Usman cocked his head to the side, curious. Laila breathed in, standing straight with her head high.
"I apologise for my behaviour last night." Her words came out quickly, so fast that Usman almost did not hear.
Almost.
A smile graced his face, the tiniest of dimples appearing on his left cheek. The smile broke into laughter, a sound which could be heard throughout the whole training ground.
Laila felt her eyes widen. She had never heard him so.. free. She gaped at him as he laughed at her, completely careless.
There was a glint in his eyes that she had only witnessed once before, when he lay besides her on their last night together in the desert.
He finally stopped, caressing the back of her head.
"Perhaps I would have you wrong me more if only I could see you so helpless again."
Laila gasped.
How dare he?
She summoned all her strength and pushed Usman away. He briefly let go of her, surprised.
She took this opportunity to pull away and run.
For the second time that day, run as fast as she could.