Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1

Ok, I know it's been a long time coming, this is probably the longest length of time in between updates for me, ever. Purely due to SCHOOL work. Sorry guys, priorities, unfortunately! But this chapter is here and raring to go soooo, I'm gonna skip the recaps, you guys know what's happening and If you don't…go and read the last chapter…and the one before…and the one—I'll stop now.

There isn't any focus on Al/Jas this chap, or Iago and Pearlie, but don't worry, there's plenty of that coming! It's just Nadira/ Cassim took priority this chap, but I'm sure you don't mind!

Chapter 29:

Najila grinned wider, as Jafar's expression turned into wicked jubilance. An event that had been in the making since the collaboration of Jafar and the Desert Winds had finally received the last key of information, the key that could change lives forever. Immersed in a mutual malevolence, their thoughts were channelled into one stream of cunning preparation. Najila walked over to Jafar, a rare spark dancing in the depths of her irises.

"We mustn't talk here," Najila spoke up, aware of the dangers possibly lurking in hidden corners. Then where do you propose we go? Thought Jafar, conveying his thoughts without a sound. Striding boldly towards the door, Najila's triumphant expression did not vanish and instead deepened incredibly.

"Do not move," she ordered, a slow smile spreading across her face. Jafar obeyed without hesitation, an immense curiosity washing over him as Najila touched the side of the building, and appeared as though she were praying, until everything vanished, except them.

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The breath of dawn was travelling across the horizon, slow and unhurried. Cerulean streaks blended flawlessly with the amethyst sky, the rising sun's golden rays contributing to the harmony of colours, as day renewed itself. My freshly opened eyes traced the smooth streaks in the sky, partially aware I was waking in the corner of an alleyway, where'd I'd collapsed willingly, after Cassim had been taken away. Guilt had become my unwanted friend, staying with me through the night, staying in my body, like the blood that flowed through my veins. As I sat up, leaning my back against the sandstone wall, I felt a pang of shame sting my insides.

My selfish desire to throw away my pain may have been sparked by the discovery that my half brother was the son of one of my greatest enemies, but my stupidity to take out my lust for distraction on Cassim was wrong. I've always done this, thrown myself at a man who I think will give me some relief. And in some ways, I don't mean to do it, it really only happens with men I think I may have feelings for…

Who am I kidding? I am incapable of love and being loved, thinking otherwise is a waste of time. Either way, I can't let Cassim take the rap for this, but I cannot come forward and say that I am some common whore! My usual methods would not work here either, however, I am not completely powerless.

I tipped my head back against the wall and sighed, I had only one method left and if it didn't work, Cassim would surely suffer.

Your transformations are tied to your emotions, was what she'd said. I had a plan, now all I could do was channel my emotions. I stood up, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply, and summoned my inner animal.

I could only see black for a moment, I felt as though I'd drowned and that air was escaping me. Visions of water well merged backwards and forwards in my head. The sky in the background was still dark, although the amethyst sky was spreading slowly.

Was it the sky? I couldn't tell. My head felt heavier, but sounds suddenly felt clearer, and background sounds I couldn't normally hear were eerily louder than usual. I couldn't see my body, or any of myself. I had no idea whether the transformation had worked or not. I closed my eyes and tightened, shaking the blurry water well image from my mind and reopened my eyes.

The water well was still there, only it appeared more real, this time, and higher than me, which wasn't normal. I slowly my moved my limbs in the direction of the water well, jumping up to see my reflection.

Instead of an Arabian- Indian woman with long chocolate locks and kohl rimmed eyes, I saw two black feline eyes staring back, framed by the dark stripes upon smooth saffron and white coloured fur adorning a sleek and agile body. I saw the silvery whiskers pointing outwards so bold yet gracefully, and the alert ears sitting attentively. I saw a tigress, I saw myself.

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Clouds rolled, swirling mystically in random directions. The air was a like a cool breath on the back of one's neck, a cold whisper, and a shiver of a fear. Nothing was visible, just the frozen floor. Najila stood up, a saw Jafar, standing nearby on the icy ground.

"Where are we, Najila?" Jafar asked an intense curiosity underlining his voice. "We are at the place, where the portal shall open, to the Isle of Secrets," Najila replied nonchalantly.

Jafar smiled in approval "I knew I wasn't wrong about you,"

"Now," began Najila "I am sure you want to know just who it is we must use as bait, who we must kidnap in order to evoke rage among those we want to destroy?"

Jafar nodded as though hypnotised by her words. "Then listen," she answered huskily.

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Dawn's slow magic was still unfolding, but it wouldn't for long. Time was running out for its remnants in the sky, as was the time running out for Cassim. I had no idea what would happen to him, but I knew it wouldn't be good.

I ran freely through the streets, enjoying the new agility with which I could move. It was like a combination of the smoothness of belly dancing, with the unfiltered speed of a strong wind. I reached the palace gates, no one appeared to be around, oddly enough.

The walls were far too high, there was no way as a tigress or a human that I could get over it. I closed my eyes, and tried to imagine invisible shackles falling of my wrists and shattering in to a million pieces. I tried to imagine an immense freedom, like that powered by the wings of a bird.

Just as that happened, I found myself soaring. It was not just subliminal, there were long wings outstretched gliding beautifully as I flew over the wall. I landed smoothly, remembering I hadn't any time to waste.

I could not be a tigress in a palace, far too noticeable. Things were becoming clearer for me however, as I involuntarily turned into a snake! My emotions had finally attached to my transformation. Slithering along the ground I entered the throne room. Quickly I curled around a marble pillar and watched, waiting for a sign.

A short round man, luxuriously dressed with a grand turban entered and sat on the throne, immediately indicating to me that he was the Sultan. He appeared anxious, as well as tired from waking so early "Rasoul, I have only just returned from Quirkistan, please make this brief," he said with a yawn..

Rasoul entered, his hands securing Cassim's behind his back, a sneer on his features. He led Cassim towards the Sultan and began to speak in his booming voice "Your Highness, this man whom you graciously gave the position of Captain of the Guards, alongside myself has disgraced himself in public!"

The Sultan appeared stunned at this comment. "I found him kissing a common woman, a gypsy, while he was out of the job, no less!" That was my cue.

I transformed into my normal self almost instantly and remained behind the pillar as Rasoul continued his sensationalised speech. I clutched a vial I'd hidden in my pocket, one I used before with guaranteed results. I drank, immediately, my face aged into that of an old woman, as did my hands grown gaunt and frail. I hunched purposely and covered my head with my headscarf.

"Stop!" I cried in a disguised voice. I emerged from the pillar, deliberately feigning difficulty in walking. Rasoul appeared both stunned and exasperated. Cassim's face was sat in complete puzzlement as was the Sultan's.

"Who are you? How did you get in?" grilled Rasoul.

"I am Salima," I said "The guards let me in," Rasoul's eyebrows rose upwards in scepticism.

"What this man is being accused of," I said "Is completely untrue!" Three pairs of surprised eyes glanced in my direction. I could the anger burn in Rasoul's face, as his grip tightened considerably on Cassim's wrists.

"He claims he saw a Cassim kiss a woman," I said, continuing to describe the woman's appearance.

"Yes, that is the woman I saw with him, long dark hair, quite young," Rasoul said through gritted teeth "Well, that was my granddaughter, and he was not kissing her, he was helping her, you must have not seen correctly, young man," I finished, my heart pounding away like a drum.

"I know what I saw," Rasoul curst angrily. I turned my back, so that only Rasoul could see my face. In an instant I turned my elderly woman disguise back into my normal appearance, and watched the shock appear in Rasoul's widened eyes, just before turning back into an old woman.

"Your majesty! She is the woman he kissed, do not be fooled by her appearance, she is not old, she is quite young!" Rasoul bellowed. The Sultan's expression dissolved from shock to one of mystification "Rasoul, can you not see that this is an elderly woman?" the Sultan said, gesturing towards me.

I smiled to myself, Rasoul was growing less and less confident every second. "She is a young woman! I saw her, just for a second, this is the woman he kissed, only she was young! I Swear!" He roared. The Sultan, apparently had had enough.

"That is it Rasoul, what you have said is nonsensical and impossible, as well as illusional, look for yourself, she is an elderly woman, not at all young," the Sultan said adamantly "I am relieving you of your duties for a month, I feel you need time to relax. Cassim, I am sorry for this false accusation. Rasoul seems to have lost his mind! You will be Captain of the Guards until he has come to his senses!"

Rasoul stood wordlessly, his anger bottled inside with every chance of escaping in some form. He released Cassim's hands, and with a tightened jaw and two clenched fists, left the throne room.

"Thank you your highness!" I praised, bending down to bow. The Sultan nodded understandingly and left the throne room. Cassim and I remained.

"Who are you?" He questioned, as he rubbed his sore wrists. I changed back to myself in front of him, revealing my powers in one moment. "Nadira!" he muttered. "It was my fault I got you into that, I had to get you out," I said.

"But…how? You—This…look, I can't ever see you again," he said "Ever, so it would be best for both of us if you leave,"

"How do you know it'd be best for both of us?" I tempted. He didn't answer, he just left.

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It was early, and the air as slightly crisp, but there was no way I could fall asleep. I'd been up all night, contemplating and find myself lost in thoughts and fantasies. I removed the soft silk duvet and got up from the chaise. My night clothes weren't very warm, I wore a long thin tunic, where the side of one sleeve kept sliding off my shoulder. It annoyed me, but what was more annoying was well…everything!

My bare feet on the cold marble felt strange as I walked over to the balcony, opening my dishevelled bun. I shook the strands of hair that were falling in my eyes, and I exhaled as I watched the Sun's slow rise. The chilly air seemed to glide past me, causing me to shiver. It felt nice though, kind of bare, and free.

I whistled, knowing Carpet would hear his cue. He dutifully flew over to the balcony. "Thanks Carpet, just take me down to the pergolas," I said softly. We flew down and landed smoothly. I walked into a pergola, only to find Sharif inside.

"What are you doing here?" I grilled. He looked as though something was weighing heavily on his mind.

"I couldn't sleep," he replied "I thought if I came down here, something might clear up, what about you?"

"The same, I guess," I answered. An awkward silence pursued, filling the crisp air with a further chilliness. I lay down on the soft cushions in the corner, and tried to catch glimpses of him when he didn't notice. He looked so hot, even with his messy hair, no, because of his messy hair! His slightly brooding expression was a perfect mixture of deep concentration and an odd nonchalance, if that is possible.

"Um," I said out of nowhere "So you're marrying Shanaz," He nodded without a look in my direction.

"Do you like her?" there I said it. He took longer to answer this time. In fact he didn't answer, I had to keep probing "You do like her don't you? I mean, she is a nice girl,"

No reply, nothing. "Your not happy about this marriage, are you?" I said "Who put you up to it?" This time he turned to me, and even from the other side of the pergola and despite the cool air I felt as though my insides were melting in his gaze.

"It doesn't matter who did," he answered "That's not the issue,"

"Then what is?" I questioned, suddenly unafraid to ask him anything.

"Someone," he said. I felt a shiver suddenly grace my skin. He wasn't going to say anymore. I knew it.

"Sharif, I—" I stopped, the words dissolving in my mouth like a bad taste.

"What?" he said, turning his full attention to me, lying on the cushions.

I breathed slowly, and stared hard a particular curve in the design of the lattice screens, my focus not drifting. "I…" I said finally turning so my eyes were locked with his "I think I have...feelings, for you,"

Sorry, the in between thingos weren't working, so I had to use number8's instead! Like the chap? Review people! Give me some real feedback/ Opinion, and I promise I will not disappoint next chap!