Disclaimer: I do not own the names nor the places as they belong to the world created by Renee Ahdieh

Takes place between the last chapter or the rose and the dagger and the Epilogue. Contains spoilers

Khalid coughed once then gasped as he rolled to the side. Slowly his breathing became steady yet labored.

Jalal carefully leaned over and pulled Shahrzad to his cheats so she might see what was before her, "Calipha, look Khalid lives." True he was not awake but they could worry about that later.

Shahrzad's sobs quieted her tears still falling. Her eyes watched the slow rise and fall of Khalid's chest. Watched as the blood was no longer seeping from his wounds. Then her eyes saw the undeniable truth. Baba. He had given his life to save Khalid. Even so, his spell was not complete. Just as the rose his spell alone was not enough… but perhaps… Her hand grasped Khalid's tighter than she ever thought possible. Slowly she felt the undeniable feeling… just like the carpet and the chains.

Stay with me she willed.

She wasn't sure how she knew but there was no longer bleeding nor anything further she could do. The rest would be up to Khalid. "Can we get him …" It did not matter where just someplace where he could heal and possibly rest.

Jalal stood quickly barking orders within moments they had The Caliph placed on a stretcher and were taking him to the palace inside of Amardha. This had been Yasmine's suggestion. One Shahrzad was thankful of.

Jalal stayed in the doorway of where Khalid was now resting. A deep breath and he tried to steady himself. Since The Calipha and both princesses had arrived in camp he hadn't had time to speak to Khalid about the things that he had said after he found Despina had been sent away. Things he now regretted and wished to take back. Things… words he now might not ever have the chance to say.

A shaking hand touched his arm. His eyes opened to see the Calipha standing before him, "Calipha?"

"Will you ask my sister to make Khalid a tonic like the one she made for me?"

He only nodded unable to trust his voice right now. Unable to trust that his cousin would still be alive come the dawn.

Shazi curled up next to Khalid's side. He was in pain. He would heal she knew that but the pain right now was too much for him to wake. With every breath of his heart, thousands of daggers speared his chest and all she could do was helplessly watch.

Her father had done the best that he could but where he had given life he couldn't take the pain away. Even Artan hadn't been able to give Khalid peace from his pain. But he would live even if it meant keeping him quiet and calm for a week or two. More if he began to argue with her.

"Shazi?"

She turned her head to the soft voice filled with too much grief. "Irsa, I am sorry to …"

Irsa raised her hand to stop her sister from speaking, "If there is something that I can help with let me do it." She took a step closer to the raised bed pallet. "I made this when we arrived. I didn't have any mint or honey but…" The left trailed off with a sniffle.

"Thank you."

"Just don't scold him when he first wakes. I doubt it will do him any good."

"I will scold him for making me worry regardless if it is when he wakes or sometime after."

Irsa rolled her eyes trying not to let her hear feel all that it needed to. "He will need rest… But I suspect so do you."

Khalid inhaled sharply. How was it he was still alive? Or was he dead and living in a world where everything that mattered was now gone?

Something cool touched is lips. Horribly bitter. If not for knowing the taste he wouldn't have swallowed even a drop. "Shazi?" His voice hoarse with pain.

"Rest. I will be here when you wake."

Her voice had worry and grief. He suspected he was the cause of both. Yet he could not find the words to ask the questions that needed answered. Least not yet. Letting his fingers find her hand he allowed for more of liquid to be poured down his throat. Once he didn't feel this stabbing pain in his chest then they could speak… then they could put this horrible time behind them.

After he made all those responsible pay for all that had happen. And included Shazi's father… providing Jalal hadn't already.

Making sure Khalid was once again resting as he should Shahrzad slipped out to the antechamber. Despina was sleeping on some pillows in a corner. Jalal laying at her back. His weapons just within reach.

A step further and his eyes were open watching her despite only a single lantern lighting the room. Before she could bring a finger to her lips so not to wake Despina , Jalal asked, "The Caliph?" Worry filled his face.

"Resting. He woke long enough to have a tonic."

Relief washed through him, "Is there something you need?"

It wasn't his fault that he was so blunt. He had two jobs and both meant to keep his family safe. "I was going to see if a tray could be sent up."

He let out several curses the last waking Despina, "Brat Calipha you have horrible timing on waking a person."

"Well, I wouldn't have if a handmaiden had brought me a tray before she fell asleep."

Jalal sat there his eyes watching the two. Shazi knew Despina was no longer her handmaiden… but soon to be his wife if his cousin gave his blessing. Even if he didn't she was still a princess. Yet wasn't his place to point that out. Not when both women were smiling. And he was sure more was happening than just words.

Despina stretched, "A tray does sound lovely. Since we are all awake at this horrid hour I will see who can be roused to make one up."

"Just not stale bread I had my fill before leaving this place the last time."

Rolling her eyes Despina slowly stood before leaving without a word.

"Shazi?"

She knew he was not asking about how she had spoken to her former handmaiden turned princess but rather about stale bread. "I am sure Khalid will take care if it once he has the time too." After all, she had already told him everything that had happen since the last she had seen him.

R&R always welcome will be posting in rapid pace for a first few chapters. This will not be a long story.