Zack and Lila didn't return back to the house until late morning. They had spend the night in a hidden cave behind the waterfall. They snuggled within their loving embrace with a blanket wrapped around them. Lila rested her head against his chest and Zack slept underneath her. Lila was the first to wake up. She smiled and lifted up her hand. The ring sparkled within the sunlight that escape through the opening. She looked up at her fiancé and smiled sweetly. Her lips pressed against his chest. Lila left a trail from his chest and up to his lips. She gently pressed her lips against his.
Zack woke and returned her kiss. He gently released her, 'good morning, my love.' He cupped her cheeks and gently stroked them. She smiled sweetly into his eyes, 'good morning, my rabbit.' He blushed at his nickname and stroked her back. She gently closed her eyes and placed her head on his shoulder. 'Are you going to keep calling me rabbit?' She chuckled and kissed his lips. 'I like it, it's my little pet name for you.' She snuggled to his neck. 'I think it's makes you, very, very sexy.' She whispered against his ear and purred like a small cat. Zack chuckled. 'Then I will give you a nickname. Mmm...I will call you kitty. My Persian Kitty.' He rubbed his nose against hers. She giggled and purred happily. 'Perrrfect,' she kissed his lips.
Zack and Lila returned to back house. Their hands never separated from each other as they walked along the path out of the forest. Sayeeda stood in the front of the house waiting for them. 'You are late, Lila.' She stood firmly and folded her arms. Lila smirked and wrapped an arm around Zack's arm. 'Oh Sayeeda, I'm sure you could let it slide.' She lifted up her hand to reveal the diamond ring upon her finger. 'After all I am going to be the future Mrs Zack.' She snuggled to his shoulder. Sayeeda glared, 'not if I have something to say about it.' Lila chuckled. 'What about congratulations?' She smirked at her older sister. Sayeeda glared at them both. Zack gulped, he didn't like where this was going. Out of all Lila's siblings, Sayeeda scared him to death. 'I mean his not marrying you until I know he is ready to be your husband.' Zack's heart broke into a million pieces. Lila griped her hands tightly and her teeth grind together. 'That is not your decision.' She held Zack's hand tightly, her smoky eyes turning into fire. Sayeeda just stood there. 'It is. As the eldest of this family, it falls under me on whether or not he marries you.' She turned to Zack. 'If anything, he should have seek my permission.' Zack looked at her, shaking. His hands grew sweaty as he held Lila's hand. 'Yeah...b-b-but I thought...Manu...?' The oldest sister raised her eyebrow at him and placed her hands on her hips. 'He is the caretaker of us. But he is not the head of the house of Humayon. That falls to me and, since Father is no longer here. It falls me to allow this or not.' Lila glared at her. 'If dad was here, he would have allowed me to marry Zack. He is kind, sweet, loving and gentle. The perfect husband for me.' Her sister shook her head and looked at Zack. 'He cannot hunt on his own. He cannot defend himself, with his words nor his physical skills. He is made little progress in his training compare to his brother, not to mention his sister. He over thinks things and has a slow reaction time. He does not even have a house to his name.' Zack slightly looked up at her and in a low voice, he spoke to her. 'Actually, I do have a villa in my name.' She raised her eyebrow and folded her arms. 'That has the Grecian underworld as it's basement.' Zack bowed his head in shame. 'See, he does not even try to defend himself from the way I speak of him. He knows that this is all true and therefore will make an unsuitable husband.'
Lila glared at her. Her face was steaming with hate and anger of her sister's words. Worse of all she was hurting the one man she truly loved. She charged at her sister, with a full force. Sayeeda simply took one step to the side and grabbed Lila by her wrist. She spun her around and head her in a head lock. Zack gasped and ran up to Sayeeda. With her free leg, she kicked Zack sending him to the ground. The son of Hercules groaned in pain. 'ZACK!' She screamed. She turned her head to her sister. 'LET ME GO, SAYEEDA.' Lila growled at her sister. Sayeeda held onto Lila tightly. Lila may be skilled in fighting, but her sister was stronger and very skilled fighter compared to her. She was part of the defence of the village. 'You may not like this, Lila. But it for your own good. Your husband must protect you at all time and from all things. Look at him.' She turned her face to see him. Zack looked at her face, guilt filled it. 'He has failed to protect you from me. He would be as hopeless as a baby if I truly meant you harm.'
Tears streamed down her face as she stared at Zack. The man couldn't even looked at Lila. Shame built within him and he bowed his head. Tiny diamonds fell from his eyes and splashed on the ground. Sayeeda released her young sister. Lila ran to her lover and held him close. Her sister just walked into the house. Lila cupped Zack's cheeks and pulled his face to see her face. 'Zack, listen to me. She is wrong. You are not hopeless. You are perfect just as you are. I know you will go to the end to the earth for me. You are stronger than any man that I know.' Tears streamed down his face. Her hands wiped away his tears. 'Lila, she is right. I'm not suitable to be your husband.' She kissed him, deeply and passionately. She gently released him. 'Zack,' she sat upon his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. 'Please don't give up on us. We fit perfectly for each other. And there is no man like you.' She kissed the place where his heart laid. 'You are truly a wonderful man, I don't care that you are not the best fighter, but I know that you will fight your best no matter what. You don't have a way with words, but you always speak what is in your heart. Even if it comes in bits and pieces.' She chuckled and teased him. Zack slightly smiled and blushed. She smiled and gently stroked his hair. 'I know you will fight for us, Zack. Because I know, that deep down, you believe in us and will fight no matter what.' She kissed her lips and laid on him. Her back was to his chest and she grabbed both of his arms, wrapping them around her. 'Besides, I am your Persian kitty cat.' She purred and rubbed against his chest.
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. 'You are right, my love.' He rubbed her arms. 'I will fight for us, I will prove to her that I won't let you go that easily.' Lila smiled and held up her hand where the ring sat. 'My mother's ring looks beautiful on you.' He smiled and gently kissed her lips.
Sayeeda walked into the house. There in front of her was Naseem and Shaseta had their arms folded and glared at her. 'Do not give me that look. I did what was needed to be done.' Shaseta tapped her foot. 'You should not have done that. You are being unfair to Zack and Lila. He is a good person and will do anything for our sister.' Sayeeda shook his head. 'Good intentions will not protect our sister. You know our tradition, the head of the house decides whether the marriage will happen or not. Since Father is not here, it fall to me.' Naseem glared and placed his hands on his hips. 'Also, sister, it is traditional that once the father has passed away, the title of head of the household falls to the eldest son. I have allowed to take that role, but I won't stand by and watch you abuse that right.' Sayeeda folded her arms and opened her mouth.
'SAYEEDA, WAIT,' Zack ran inside the house. Sayeeda narrowed her brown eyes at him and folded her arms. 'I have already...' Shaesta elbowed Sayeeda in her ribs. Her sister glared at her. 'Sayeeda, give Zack a chance. Let him speak, which means you stop talking and open your ears.' The oldest sibling grunted and glared at Zack. She waved her hand, indicating that he could speak. Zack slightly coughed and looked up. 'Thanks, Shaesta.' He bowed slightly to her. 'Sayeeda, I know you don't think I would make a good husband to Lila.' Sayeeda glared at him and step forward to him. Zack slightly gulped and back up a little. Lila was right behind him and gently pushed him forward. 'Well-well...I-I'm willingly...to do what it takes to prove to you that I am. I will do whatever it takes.' Sayeeda raised her eyebrow. Naseem went to Zack's aid. 'Give him a chance, Sayeeda. Let him prove himself.' He stood near Zack. The female Persian glared at Zack, placed her hands on her hips. 'Are you willing to do anything, Zack son of Hercules and Megara?' The young man nodded his head. 'I would do anything you wish to let me marry the woman I love and I won't stop until I have the I have the right to marry her.' Lila smiled and slipped her hand into his, squeezed tightly. Her sister eyed the couple. 'Very well, Zack son of Hercules. I accept the challenge and passed your first test.'
The rest of the group look at her confused and puzzled. Sayeeda stood there firmly and strong. The son of Hercules stared at her. 'What do you mean? You were testing me?' Sayeeda nodded, 'you and Lila. The test was to see if you were willingly to fight for your love. By challenging me, you have revealed your determination and your spirit to fight to those who you care about.' She looked towards Lila, that was standing behind Zack, stunned. 'You, sister, have stood by him and encourage him to face me. As his wife, there will be many times where he must fight his battles and alone. It is your duty to support him and give him hope, when he cannot find it within himself.'
Zack's blue eyes shimmered in joy and a smile was form on his lips. 'Does that mean I can marry her?' An instant frown fell upon the oldest sister's face. Her chestnut eyes glared into his soul. 'Oh it is not that easy. Willingness it one thing, to hold to your word is another.' She turned her body away from him. 'There will be three more tests. You won't know when, so I suggest that you remade on your feet and be aware.' She walked off.
Zack gulped and rubbed the back of his neck. Nassem grabbed Zack's arm, 'come with me now.' His voice was strong and threatening. Nassem wasn't like this, especially to Zack. He was usually calm and gentle. He was the voice of reason, but that moment change. He pulled Zack into the training ground. 'Naseem? What are you doing?' Naseem grabbed a staff and tossed it to the boy. Zack struggled but manage to catch the staff. 'We are training. You are going to marry Lila. I am going to make sure you are prepared for anything that Sayeeda throws at you.' He grabbed one for himself. He marched over to Zack. 'Begin,' without warning he swang his staff and attack. Zack slightly screamed and blocked off his attack. 'Naseem, what?' Then he twisted his staff and brought it behind his legs making him fall. 'Focus Zack.' He helped him up. 'Again.'
