Desert Princess
Chapter 23
AN – Lawd what's going on, two chapters within two weeks? Yes, can you believe it? The muses are on a roll. Enjoy!
No Longer a Third Person
Limping from the pain in his leg, Fitz walks into their tent with a scowl on his face. "Leave us please", Olivia orders upon entering the tent and finding Sarai and Miriam cleaning. The two startled women race around the tent gathering the couple's dirty clothing and linen hastily into baskets. Both women bow their heads slightly in respect to Fitz and Olivia before making their way out. Olivia nods with an appreciative smile then ties the tent flaps, for privacy, after they leave.
Fitz paces in a circle running his fingers through his hair. Olivia does not move, she remains stock-still at the tent entrance silently observing her husband come to terms with the day's revelations. More than anything, she wishes she could take way Fitz's pain, his anguish, his anger and disappointment. She fears for him. She fears what the truth, once all is revealed, will do to his soul. She fears her husband will lose his ability to trust and be open with her. While her heart bleeds for her husband it also rages with an intense anger equal to his. How could Mellie be so evil? First, she expels Fitz's seed from her body, and then she tries to get poor Leah to kill Mousef and his men. And how in the name of all that is sacred and good could she want to kill her own mother? Olivia stands shaking her head in disbelief.
Fitz hands were shaking and his injured leg throbbing. He sits on the edge of the bed. He hasn't uttered a word since he tried to strangle Mellie. His mind is in turmoil. He has never felt such rage in his life, but hearing Mellie trying to guilt Leah into killing Mousef and the others, coupled with her aborting his children caused him to momentarily snap. He is angry and feels incredibly naïve. For years a snake has been poised at my breast and me none the wiser. Have I been blind in other matters as well? Shuddering in frustration, he rests his face in his hands.
Olivia takes a seat across from him at the dining table. Time passes, she doesn't know how much, but the tension in the room becomes unbearably palpable. She senses the conviction and conflict warring within Fitz. She quietly walks over to him. "Habibi," she says pulling his hands away from his face. Lifting his head up, she places soft kisses on his brow and cheeks. She sits next to him and interlaces their fingers.
"I am sorry Livvie. I was so overcome with anger I could not stop myself. All reason left me. I am so sorry. Mellie's admissions sorely vexed me." Tears threaten to escape his watery eyes. "I never want you to see me in that state again." Fitz pecks Olivia on the lips, unlocks their fingers and buries his face in his hands once again.
"Habibi," Olivia says caressing one side of his face and taking one of his hands. He turns to gaze at her compassion-filled face. She takes his other hand and places both of his hands on her stomach.
"Stay with us husband. Do not journey to the land of regrets, dark hearts and untrusting souls. Stay here with us, in our house of love and truth." Tears fall from both their eyes onto their clasped fingers lying protectively atop their growing testimony. "Stay with me husband for my heart shall surely break if you leave me." He knows she is not speaking of a physical departure. He too fears his mind and heart will choose emotional isolation to protect him from future pain.
"Cunning are the ways of the fallen but god in his time exposes their misdeeds and schemes. Give not your attention to your loss of sight to the acts of the misguided. God veiled your eyes for a purpose. Find comfort and assurance in the fact god brought you through this and gives you the honor of being his hand of justice. Be of hearty spirit, for you are the one chosen to avenge, save and set things to right. Look around you habibi, can you not see that despite all the heinous acts of the evildoers your household thrives? Do you not see your tribe thrives in both material substance and love? Favor's light settles on your territory and people, not the dark curtail of woe. Please do not allow darkness a foothold in our life albi, hass alan." (my heart, okay)
"Ana behibek Livvie," he exhales kissing her on the lips. "What would I do without you? Who would I be without you? Hayet albi enta." (You are the life of my heart)
"La aˈref, laˈurid aˈref. Ana behibak Fitz." (I don't know, I don't want to know)
Olivia kisses Fitz tenderly. Fitz wraps his arms around her and draws her in for a snug embrace. He needs to be close to her. He needs to affirm his life with her alone is his reality now. He needs to make love to his Livvie and purge Mellie from his mind. Olivia's love for him and his love for her must erase Mellie's very existence from his memory and from his heart.
Fitz deepens his kisses. Olivia eagerly yields to his growing passion. She will be whatever he needs to help him heal. Her petit fingers comb through his brown strands massaging away his tension. His hands hone in on her breasts and his thumbs tease her delicate nipples, stiffening her arousal buttons with every stroke. Olivia moans softly at the application of her husband's hands of pleasure. He whispers in her ear in between tasting her neck, "my only wife, my only love".
"Naˈam, naˈam," she moans. (yes, yes)
He brings her to her feet, quickly discarding the garments impeding their skin-to-skin connection. Once naked, they ease their bodies onto the bed. Olivia straddles Fitz's midsection with her arms braced on his shoulders. She can feel his hardened love maker resting against her glutes. They kiss letting their passion take control. Olivia slowly grinds her wetness against his taut abdomen. Fitz's skillful lips descend Olivia's supple body on a seek and satisfy mission towards her breasts. He cups each pillowy mound, giving each slow sensual oral attention. Olivia rocks back forth delighting in the feel of Fitz's warm moist mouth sucking on her mammary peaks.
Fitz flips her onto her back and lines his taproot up with her dripping folds. He grabs her hands and pulls them above her head as he drives into her. She gasps in ecstasy as he repeatedly shares himself with her. "We are one Livvie, there is no other. I love you and you only. I want no other", he whispers as he captures her lips.
Olivia bites his lower lip and thrusts her tongue into his mouth. Their kisses become frenzied. They crave the taste of each other; a tantalizing natural taste that fuels the intensity of their lovemaking. "I love you too habibi; only you."
A singular thought consumes Fitz; connect with Olivia. He pounds into her as if his life depends on it. His ministrations are a delicate mix of domination and need. She wraps her legs around his waist. "Na'am zawjiy, na'am zawjiy, Olivia shouts. She licks his nipple and takes a nip. Her sheath constricts around him with every thrust. All her responses are sending him to the edge of sexual madness. He rises up onto his knees for a better angle and deeper penetration. Olivia grabs the sheets seizing in orgasmic bliss. The rhythmic friction of their coupling is erasing every memory of Mellie like words written in sand vanishing in the wind. Fitz's sees his life beginning with and ending with Olivia. "Urido an akoona maˈakiˈla al-abad", he breathes into her mouth. His impassioned declaration makes Olivia cum hard. Her body trembles underneath the sheltering form of her strapping lover. She pushes herself up and loops her arms around Fitz's neck. She takes control and rides him fast and hard. She is determined to give him just as much pleasure and he gives her. The smacking sounds of bellies of bumping and lips sucking are euphoric. They experience a new level of freedom in their intimacy now that the third party in their marriage is no longer a concern. Neither realizes, until now, they have been holding a small piece of themselves in reserve because they felt unconsciously something had to be left for Mellie; but no longer. They hold nothing back and experience with a joint earth shattering orgasm that makes passersby blush from hearing their climatic screams of pure joy. Their bodily fluids explode in torrents, their breathing becomes labored and they grip each other to point of bruising.
Olivia slows the roll of hips as they both calm down from their sexual high. Soft gentle kisses are exchanged and a wide-eyed loving gaze precedes Olivia's dismount. They roll on their sides and spoon. Fitz kisses Olivia on the shoulder and Olivia kisses his palm and wrist.
"Ana behibek zawjatiy, only you." He kisses her shoulder again, his lips lingering a little longer than usual.
"Ana behibak zawjiy, only you, always and forever, she says.
Fitz kisses her head and nuzzles his nose in her hair. In love and sated they drift off to sleep.
It is a Thank You Not a Dowry
The moon's silhouette begins to stretch across the evening sky. The intrepid jondi return to the encampment moments after the mashˈal kadims light the evening fires and lanterns. Tired and hungry each man quickly unsaddles his horse and hands off to the jondi in training who take the sweaty snorting horses to the corral and hitching posts west of the camp. Some of the retuning jondi go the kitchen tent for food and some head home to their family tents. Benyamin and Adan, needing to complete their mission, make their way to Fitz's tent with Mousef's chest. The last of the returning troop to disband are Moussa and Edison. Moussa bids his fellow jondi goodnight and turns to escort Edison to Eli's tent.
Raheel bends her back and covers her mouth allowing her hand to capture her escaping yawns. It has been a long day and she is tired but she is determined to complete one last task before going to bed. Eli has already retired for the evening. She is closing up a large sack of sundries when she sees two men walking toward her. Her droopy eyes make it difficult for her to make out exactly who is approaching. She rubs her eyes to wipe away the blurry glaze obscuring her sight. Grinning with relief, she recognizes one of the men is Moussa. Unfortunately, her grin is short-lived when she sees Edison walking next to Moussa. She darts into her tent to fetch Eli.
"Baba, Edison is here. Moussa is bringing him to our tent."
Eli pops up from his bed, wrenching his neck in the process. He massages his neck and asks, "What did you say?" Surely, my old ears are playing tricks on me.
"Edison is here Baba, in the camp and headed this way."
Eli rolls out of the bed and steps out of the tent just as Moussa and Edison arrive.
Edison rushes forward to greet Eli. "Salam Amir," Edison pipes enthusiastically. The two embrace and shake forearms.
"It is good to see you my friend but I did not expect to you leave your territory to bring me the herd."
"Curiosity got the better of me Amir. I found it odd that you wanted the animals delivered to you outside of Haitham and not your home territory. Since you were so close, I decided to bring your purchase to you in person and find out if you have word on Olivia. I prayed that maybe this purchase was a reward for someone with knowledge of her whereabouts."
Eli feels bad for Edison. He purposely kept his letter vague hoping Edison would view the purchase as nothing more than that, a simple purchase.
Eli takes Edison by the arm, "my friend about Olivia". Before Eli can tell Edison about Olivia's circumstances Raheel exits the tent. Sensing she interrupted something important, she apologizes for intruding and greets Edison warmly.
"Edison is that you", Raheel asks innocently?
"Yes it is I."
Raheel bows, "it is good to see you. How did you know we were here?"
"Amir, Moussa says. May I take my leave?"
"Oh, yes of course, shokran Moussa, shokran," Eli says.
"Yes Moussa, shokran for everything," Edison adds.
"Masaa el kheer", Moussa offers bowing as he turns to leave. (Good evening)
After Moussa leaves, Edison resumes his conversation with Raheel. "Your father made arrangements to purchase a mixed herd and asked that the herd be brought to Haitham. By chance, I saw Moussa and some of your men in town. When I found out Eli was here I decided to surprise you and visit." Edison looks around surveying the encampment. "What brings you here Amir? How do you know these people, if I may ask?"
"We found a member of this tribe beaten and left for dead on the road to Haitham." Eli stops before completing the story.
"Raheel, why don't you prepare a bed for Edison in our tent. I do not wish to disturb the Amir at this hour to make arrangements for separate lodging."
"Yes baba." Raheel nods and excuses herself.
Eli slides his hand down his face and sighs. "As I was saying, we brought back a member of this tribe we found near Haitham."
"This tribe member must be held in high regard for it appears this tribe has made you most welcome. How long have you been here?"
"Several weeks and yes they have been most welcoming toward us but not because of the returned tribe member."
"I don't understand Amir. Oh…is…is Raheel betrothed, Edison asks? Is the herd her dowry?"
"No, Raheel's hand is not promised to anyone here. The herd is a gift for this tribe to thank them for their hospitality and for…for…," Eli falters.
"And for what my friend? What bridles your tongue? Have you transgressed their ways? Is the herd a gift and an appeasement?" The concern written on Edison's face makes it even more difficult for Eli to speak the words he knows will break Edison's heart.
"No, no, nothing of the sort. It is as I said a freewill offering for their hospitality and for taking care of Olivia." There he said it; the truth, well part of the truth is finally out.
Bursting with both relief and excitement Edison grasps Eli's arm, "you found Olivia? Is she all right? How long has she been here? Where is she?" Edison is ecstatic.
Just as Eli is about to answer Edison's questions a team of jondi rush pass. Seconds later, another group of jondi, swords drawn, start going from tent to tent searching for something or someone. Eli sees Adan and calls him over.
"Adan, what is happening? Do you need our help?"
"Shokran, no Amir, we have everything under control. If fact, I was on my way to get you and your daughter. The two robbers from Haitham attacked two of our men while trying to steal the chest. They also attacked the Amir and the Amira. Both are fine, but I thought you would want to check on them."
"Yes, thank you Adan. We will come directly."
Eli, concerned about Olivia, forgets about Edison and shouts to Raheel to come quickly. He tells her what Adan said and they both dash over to the kitchen tent. Edison somewhat confused about what is going on follows behind them.
Benyamin knocks on the tent support post. The knock awakens Fitz. Drowsily, Fitz carefully untangles himself from Olivia then he kisses her shoulder and the back of her head before getting out of the bed. He grabs his pants and shirt from the chair next to the bed and limps over to the tent entrance. He unties the flaps and steps out.
Benyamin and Adan bow to Fitz and Benyamin presents the chest. "Masaa el kheer Amir", they say in unison. Fitz nods but does not speak; he's still a little tired from his lovemaking session with Olivia. A mashˈal kadim comes to the tent and asks Fitz's permission to place two lit lanterns in his tent. Fitz takes one of the lanterns and tells the young boy to place the other in his tent on the table next to the entrance. The young boy does as he is told and quickly departs to deliver more lanterns.
"Amir", Benyamin says as holds the chest in front of Fitz for inspection. Fitz looks over the chest, running his fingers over the fresh scoff marks.
"We were attacked leaving the inn. Two men tried to steal the chest," Adan explains.
Fitz raises his lantern above Benyamin's head. He can see his men have been in an altercation. "Are you injured? Did they say anything to you? Do you think they were acting alone?" Fitz asks, clearly concerned.
Benyamin hands Adan the chest and shows Fitz his bandaged arm. "I cannot speak to their motives or other forces with them. Adan talked to the innkeeper and the men who attacked us had asked about Mousef. We believe Mousef owes the men money and the men may think the chest holds valuables. After we repelled their attack, we made haste to return home; so we saw no others in their band. All we know is the chest contains something important; something worth shedding blood over."
"I agree, Fitz affirms. Add another patrol around the encampment and place the chest in the treasury. Add another guard to the treasury detail, Fitz orders."
"Yes Amir."
"And Benyamin."
"Yes Amir."
"I am grateful you came to no serious harm. Please see Barrack about your wounds", Fitz says gripping Benyamin's shoulder. Benyamin nods and he and Adan leave to carry out Fitz command.
Infiltrate
The cloak of evening darkness and the transfer of the recent equine arrivals from the encampment to the corrals provide the perfect distraction for Jacob and Char'ali to sneak into the encampment. The amount of activity taking place in the camp given the late hour surprises them. He two jāsūs (spy) hide behind a cart filled with grain sacks.
"It appears the Amir's tribe is packing up for a long journey. How are we going to find the chest amid all this preparation, Char'ali asks?"
"The Amir will have the jondi standing guard outside of the tent containing the chest. "
"True but there at least a hundred tents. Where will we start to search?"
"Remember when brought the girl to Amira Mellie. She went into a tent with a jondi standing outside to retrieve the rest of the money she owed us. I think we should start there."
"You remember the location of that tent after all this time?"
"I think so. It was somewhere near the kitchen tent."
"Jacob a camp of this size has to have more than one kitchen tent."
"Yes, but the kitchen I remember is in the interior of the camp at the other end near the Amir's tent; remember? I am sure given the importance of the chest he will want it secured somewhere close by him. I don't think finding the chest will be the problem."
"What do you mean? We cannot freely move around this place and time is not on our side. The cover of darkness and a few stacked carts are our only camouflage. How are we going to get the other side of the camp?"
"Grab a couple grain sacks. Carry one on each shoulder. I'll carry those two baskets of wood," Jacob says pointing to the front of the cart. Our real problem is disabling the jondi guarding the tent. We must be very quiet to avoid alerting others.
"Ssh! Char'ali says as he puts his index finger over his mouth. He tilts his head to side pointing out the jondi patrol.
Olivia tries to wiggle her way out of Fitz's arms but he tightens his grip. "Habibi, she whispers. "I need to get up." Fitz thinking she is going to relieve herself releases his hold. Olivia gathers her discarded clothing and gets dressed, including wrist and thigh blades.
"Livvie, what are you doing? Where are you going at this hour?" Fitz sits up, stretches and yawns.
"It is nothing husband, go back to sleep. Sa arjeˈo halan." (I will be right back.) Olivia returns to the bed and kisses Fitz lightly on the lips. "Your son is hungry. I am going to the kitchen tent for some dried fish with dates, onions and goats milk." Fitz scrunches his face. "What, Olivia playfully demands reacting to facial snub?"
"Onions and goat milk? Livvie are you really going to feed that concoction to our child?"
"Yes, and he is going to love it!" She grins and starts for the door.
"Livvie wait, I will go with you." Fitz quickly dresses and grabs his walking staff. His leg is still on the mend and he carries the staff in case he becomes fatigued.
Olivia grabs the lantern on the table next to tent entrance. Fitz opens the flaps and helps Olivia pass through. Hand and hand they walk casually to the kitchen, all the way talking and laughing about Olivia's strange cravings.
"Think of it husband, the salty dried fish mixed with the sweet dates covered in goats milk topped with sweet onions...umm. Does not your mouth water at the thought?"
"Uh…well…uhm. Such a potent mix is a temptation, but I find I have no appetite at this time. I will leave that savory dish to you and our young one." Fitz laughs and kisses a pouting Olivia on the nose.
As they approach the kitchen tent, they see someone being dragged into the treasury tent. "Fitz did you see that, Olivia asks nervously?"
"Stay here Olivia, Fitz cautions. He runs over to the treasury tent and surprises Jacob and Char'ali as they come out carrying the chest.
"You are truly fools to try to steal from me, Fitz says in a threatening tone.
Char'ali lounges at Fitz, but Fitz deflects his advance with his staff. Jacob drops the chest and tries to grab Fitz from behind. Olivia screams for the jondi and runs over to the fighting men. Fitz thrust his staff behind him shoving it into Jacob's stomach. Char'ali punches Fitz in the jaw stunning him. Olivia jumps on Char'ali's back and starts pounding on his head. Char'ali falls onto the tent post hard, knocking Olivia off his back. The jondi come running up to the treasury tent. Char'ali grabs Olivia and places the tip of his dagger at her throat. Jacob likewise places his knife at Fitz's throat. Adan recognizes the two intruders. "You two! You followed us! You are fools if you think you will leave this place with your body parts intact. Drop the knives and let them go if you have any hope of mercy being granted to you.
"I think we will leave here unharmed and our bodies completely intact. You do not want to be responsible for the Amir and Amira coming to harm, do you? Back way jondi Jacob shouts. Jacob twists Fitz's arm behind his back and begins to walk away from the assembled jondi. Char'ali tries to do the same to Olivia but she reaches up her sleeve and pulls out her blade and cuts Char'ali across the arm, then stabs him in thigh. Fitz headbutts Jacob and drops to ground. Olivia tosses him her blade. He catches the blade, whirls around on his knees and slices Jacob's Achilles tendon. Jacob falls to the ground like a rock in agony.
Olivia crawls over to Fitz and hugs him. She whispers in his ear. He pulls back astonished. "Are you sure, he asks?"
"Yes", she says nodding.
Fitz takes a lantern and holds it over the intruders. He turns back to face Olivia. She nods again. "So not only are you thieves, you are also kidnappers. Take them away. I will deal with them along with the others.
The jondi take Jacob and Char'ali into custody.
When Eli, Raheel and Edison arrive at the kitchen tent, Fitz is sitting outside under the care of an apprentice hakim. Seeing traces of blood on Fitz's shirt, Eli tries to remain calm, after all Adan did say Fitz and Olivia were unharmed. Fitz looks up, smiles at Eli and Raheel, and wonders who the stranger is accompanying them.
"Where is Olivia? Is she injured?" Eli asks excitedly.
"She is fine. She is…"
"Husband are you sure you do not wish to taste this dish, she asks giddily?"
"Husband!" Edison blurts out clutching his forehead.
Olivia looks up from her plate to see Eli, Raheel and someone else standing near Fitz.
"Edison" she shrieks dropping her plate.
AN – Fitz and Olivia are a dynamic duo. Olivia carries her blade like an American Express card- she never leaves home without it. LOL
Can you say awkward? You know Fitz is looking at Eli thinking "what the hell baba? What is he doing here?" What do you think Fitz is going to do?
Do you think Edison is will be genuinely happy for Olivia? Do you think he should try to court Raheel? Will she feel like Plan B if he does? Do you think Eli will allow Edison to date Raheel? Do you want to see Edison court Raheel?
Next chapter, for sure, Mellie gets her due, well actually everyone gets their due. I left a little sneak peek at the end of this note to stoke your anticipation.
BTW, I can't remember whether I've asked before, but do you prefer the translation right after the sentence or at the end in the author's notes?
Ana behibek- I love you to a female
Ana behibak -I love you to a male
Hayet albi enta - You are the life of my heart
La aˈref – I don't know
Laˈurid - I don't want
Naˈam – Yes
Albi – my heart
Hass alan – okay
Urido an akoona maˈakiˈla al-abad – I want to be with you forever
"Ana behibek zawjatiy – I love you wife
"Ana behibak zawjiy – I love you husband
mashˈal kadims – torch lighting servants
Masaa el kheer – good evening
Jāsūs - spy
Chapter 24 Sneak Peek
"Before we begin to hear testimony, I have an important task to perform." Fitz gestures to Rachel and Miriam to come forward.
Rachel steps forward first and sets the box containing Fitz and Mellie's marriage knot on the judgment table. She bows to Fitz and takes her place behind Sultani Elise. Miriam steps forward next and places a smaller box containing Mellie's amira diadem on the table beside the knot box. She repeats Rachel's actions and steps away from the table to stand behind Olivia.
Mellie begins to weep uncontrollably. This is it, the day where all of Mellie's chickens come home to roost. She knows exactly what Fitz is about to do and her body trembles in fear and anguish. There is no countermove to play, no brilliant subterfuge to employ. There is no miracle coming from on high from her silent stone gods. There is nothing under the sun that will save her deceptive hide at this point, nothing at all. Fitz is seconds away from setting in motion the beginning of the end of Mellie bint Jahsh; he is divorcing her.