AN – Like you, I cannot believe the last time I updated this story was back in January. I have notes and outlines everywhere for this next chapter so please bear with me while I try to pull everything together. As promised, this is an excerpt from Chapter 25. Consider this my mia culpa for not attending to this story sooner. Though technically not an update, I hope you enjoy this short snippet and I do mean short because chapter 25 will be an extremely long chapter if I don't split into two or three smaller chapters. Chapter 25 will cover the trial of the prisoners, Fitz's judgments, Eli's departure and the journey to Sumer. And yes Mellie finally gets her comeuppances. LOL
I reserve the right to edit this snippet some more in the final version, if necessary, but the edits won't change the gist. This peek is part of a longer scene that takes place on the way home to Sumer toward the end of the chapter.
Enjoy!
Desert Princess
Chapter 25 Sneak Peek
Galloping at full throttle, Adan races past the groups of pack camels, grain carts and journey weary kith and kin of the Grant tribe. As he nears the Amir, he slows his bay colored Arabian stallion to a trot. He comes alongside the Amir and patiently waits to be acknowledged. The Amir, lost in his thoughts, does not take notice of his faithful jondi until his own horse slightly rears. Fitz easily steadies his obsidian steed by tightening the horse's reins and patting its withers.
"Salam Adan". Adan nods respectfully.
"My Amir all is prepared as you requested. The jondi are ready to escort you and the Amira as soon as you wish to leave".
"Shokran Adan. Tell the men we will leave within the hour".
"Na'am my Amir". Adan bows his head to Fitz and gallops off to do as instructed, leaving his leader as he found him, deep in thought.
Fitz stands at a distance watching his wife go from basket to basket lifting lids, rifling through the contents and gathering needed supplies. Olivia is laughing with Raheel and the joy of her titter makes him smile. She waddles over to the bench in front their small traveling tent and sets down the hefty pile of bedcovers she retrieved from one of the baskets. Rising up slowly, she places her hands on her hips and arches her back in a deep stretch. She rubs her very prominent baby bump and waves to Raheel excitedly. Raheel runs over to her and Olivia presses Raheel's hands to her belly. The babies are kicking and Olivia is overjoyed feeling the life she and Fitz created moving within her. She smiles listening to Raheel, who stoops over face to belly, to sing a childhood lullaby to the babies. The simple melody evokes warm comforting memories of quiet time spent with their mother. Olivia joins in and the two sisters hum the final refrain together.
"I remember listening to ommah sing the same lullaby to you when you were a babe," feeling sentimental, Olivia says while combing Raheel's hair with her fingers.
Standing to face Olivia, Raheel tells her sister, "Livia, I miss ommah? She should be here with us. She should be here with you. I know I should not question god…I just wish". Olivia cups Raheel's face and gives her an understanding embrace.
"I too question god at times and mourn the loss of our ommah with every passing solstice. I mark the sunrises and sunsets counting the number of days her soul rests in god's realm. Yet I also walk this life content, comforted by abiding memories and an enduring love that is not marred by the passage of time".
"I cannot help thinking how proud and happy she would be for you if she were here".
"I wish so much she was here sharing this time with me but my sorrow because of her absence is a brief sadness, for I have you and see her in you".
"I see her in you too Livia".
"Well then it is settled", she is here living on through us".
"True but your time nears and a daughter needs her mother during the travail of birth, especially the first time".
"Raheel I have you, Rachel and Elise to help me through my hāmil (pregnancy), I lack no unta hikma (female wisdom)".
"And you have me my habibti", Fitz reminds surprising Olivia and wrapping her in his arms. He kneels to kiss her belly and tell his children how much he loves them. The babies move at the sound of his voice causing Fitz to tear with happiness. Olivia holds on to his shoulders joining him in showering their unborn with words of love. Raheel stands to the side admiring Olivia and Fitz's special bond, praying she too will one day experience the same.
Standing to his feet, Fitz kisses Olivia passionately. He regards her with a look so intense it penetrates her soul. It is a look that says I love you in a hundred different unspoken ways.
"What is it husband; is something wrong?"
Fitz runs the tip of his nose along the bridge of Olivia's and kisses her tenderly. "No, nothing is wrong. Livvie, there is a place near here I want to show you, a special place I want to share with you".
"Husband wherever we are is special to me. You need only say the word I will follow where you lead". Olivia pats Fitz's chest.
"Habibti, you have brought me more joy than I thought possible. Our journey home has been long and never without audience. I want to spend a night away from the tribe, just you and me. We will soon reach our home in Sumer and our days will be spent unpacking, setting up the household, meeting the rest of the tribe and preparing for the birth of our children".
Olivia places Fitz's hand on her stomach. "I pray your dream is true for I know not whether what I feel move within me be one or two".
"I trust the word I received but if there be only one I will not be disappointed. All I pray for is a strong, healthy child".
"I also pray for a strong healthy child; a son to carry on your name".
"Son or daughter, it matters not to me Livvie, for I will be thankful for whatever god grants us, for every child is a blessing". Fitz hugs Olivia and kisses the top of her head.
"Come the horses are ready".
"You want to leave today…now? But…but…", she stutters pointing to her unfinished work.
Raheel shoos Olivia away. "Go, go, I will finish here. Go be with you husband. Has he not said the word? Go follow as you promised," she playfully chides.
"Shokran", Fitz and Olivia they say together. Olivia hugs Raheel, then takes her husband's hand and follows his lead.
Raheel waves goodbye and resumes unpacking.
The jondi escort Fitz and Olivia to a steep hilly expanse covered with massive stones and trees two hours away. Nothing about the area seems particularly special except for the obvious unscalable terrain. Olivia scans the hills for some distinguishing characteristic, a formation in the rocks, carvings or markings, anything to explain why Fitz finds the area special.
Fitz dismounts his horse and helps Olivia down from her pillow-padded two-wheeled cart. Olivia, a little rumpled from the ride, smoothes her clothing and covers her head with a sheer silk scarf. Two young anxious kadim, standing ready, bow to the couple, before leading both the horse and the horse drawn cart away.
"Take my hand habibti," Fitz extends his hand.
He leads her to the entrance to a path hidden to the naked eye by a naturally occurring optical illusion which reflects the sun off four towering shiny sun bleached stones. They venture up the path lined with knotty bark trees several yards before stopping. The path ends at an open area inside the great hill. Staggered stones interspersed among trees of various heights mark the interior of the open area. Finger-like roots drape the uppermost stones, huge cedars and cypress trees frame the ridge top.
"What is this place husband?"
"Shssh, putting his index finger to his lips."
"Do you hear it, he questions softly?"
"Is it not the wind?"
"Yes, listen closely.
"Is that music? Is this place home to musicians?" Olivia spins around searching for the musical inhabitants.
"No, it is the wind sweeping down from the top of the hills. The wind raps the stones and strums the old trees like the strings of an oud."
Olivia's eyes sparkle with wonder at the marvelous sound surrounding them. It fills her ears with an earthly melody like no other. Massaging her ripening belly, she listens to the wind conjured harmonies wafting freely within the hidden passageway. Curiosity compels her to touch one of the stones and she grins at the faint vibrations coming from the harmonics within the hardened rock. She reaches for her husband's hand knitting their fingers together as she closes her eyes and concentrates on the music played by invisible musicians.
The wind gusts loosen the scarf covering her platted mane threatening to carry her silk kerchief to the sprawling branches overhead. Olivia quickly grabs the errant covering before it gets away. A sudden sense of freedom envelopes her and she and scarf become one. The scarf billows above her and she uses her body as an extension to twirl gracefully in concert. She is a flame, an enchanting flickering flame of inviting movement drawing her husband in like a moth.
Entranced by his wife, Fitz quietly breathes an endearment, "jamil", under his breath. (beautiful)
At first, Fitz is amused by his wife's wind inspired dance; that is until the braid taming her silken strands comes undone allowing the wind to blow her hair across her face. The sight immediately brings to mind the day they first locked eyes, the day that changed his life forever. Her flowing sheer companion slides down her arms and settles across her face, sparking the recall of other enamored memories. Fitz lifts the scarf, unveiling her as he did on their wedding day. Olivia, reliving the same memories of longing, coyly brushes her hair behind her ear. With eyes full of adoration, the two willingly surrender to the moment. He reaches for her, but she shies away teasing him. He steps closer capturing her in his arms. Olivia tilts her head to the side exposing her alluring neck. Fitz licks his lips and roams the familiar skin path leaving tender moist kisses. He gives special attention the sensitive spot behind her ear making Olivia tremble. He takes her earlobe in between his teeth and flicks it back and forth with his tongue. Olivia holds on to him for stability, her legs undermined by his sensual touch. He kisses her brow and cheeks before devouring her lips. Tongues and lips alternate, delivering passion's message. They kiss and touch in sync with the music of the winds. Eventually needing air, they pull apart breathless, their lips plump and red.
"What is placed called?" Olivia pants.
"Zephyr Hills".
And that's all she wrote for now. Enjoy your weekend.
