Disclaimer : I do not own the Wrath and The Dawn or any of its contents. It belongs to Renee Ahdieh. I'm just a fan of the book, and just wanted to try my hand in finishing some story plot lines that I wanted to see. For example, I wanted to see Shahrzad become more, and Khalid become more. Hope you like this version!
Story goes on after the end of the Rose and the Dagger but before the Epilogue.
Beginning Before the End
Shahrzad slowly opened her eyes. It had been a week since they were back at the palace in Rey. A month since that night – that fateful night. When the ground beneath her feet had vanished. When she had felt a pain had stabbed her heart and would not end…
When she had seen his eyes – his tiger eyes, melting in front of her. Dying…
She shuddered at the thought. She did not want to relive that again, ever. She stood up slowly and looked around. She was in Khalid's room, but it was not the same room. It had life, it had proof – proof that Khalid was still here.
Where is Khalid?
She heard a brief knock at the door. 'Come in', she spoke gently. Nora peeped through the door, looking around the room and slowly entered.
'It is just me', Shahrzad smiled. She was well aware that Nora was looking if Khalid was still there. 'Poor girl', she thought. Nora was her handmaiden – the girl Despina had especially recommended. She was quiet, but lovely. Nora helped her get ready and she began the day. First, she went to see Despina see if she was alright. Her bulge was becoming prominent every day and the tabib had recommended she rest. The events of the past month had not been very easy on her. Also, the impending wedding. Despina and Jalal had set dates to get married next week, keeping into consideration that everyone was recovering. Rey was recovering.
'How is Irsa?' Despina asked.
'She's…managing.' Shahrzad replied. 'It has been difficult for her. First Rahim' and then baba…'. She winced. She could well imagine what her sister was going through. For she had, in part, suffered through the same. The loss of a parent. Almost the loss of her love, her Khalid.
Again, where is he?
'Am I intruding?' Jalal walked into the room with an easy grace. He bowed at them both, taking his hands to his brows.
'That depends', Despina gave a smirk. Jalal smiled. It was a smile of a grateful heart. Grateful at so many things.
'Jalal, where is Khalid?'
'Ah, my queen. You need not worry', Jalal said as he spotted the look of worry in her face. 'Just busy with everything!'
Of course, Shahrzad thought. Khalid had been busy. He was the caliph of Khorasan, after all. The caliphate had just escaped a war, and their caliph had been injured. Almost… no she was not going there again. She had not seen much of him in the past few days. She knew he was exhausted, but he would never admit that to her. He would only smile when he saw her and tell her he was fine, everything was fine. He understood the tumultuous emotions of her heart. A heart that had almost stopped that night.
'Fine, I'll let you two be', she smiled. 'Don't let her out of your sight, Jalal-jan. She does not like to rest. I'd hate to find her roaming around the corridors again, in this state'. Sharzad gave a quick look at Despina. Despina laughed.
'Ah, brat Calipha, always so bossy''.
It was in the afternoon when she found Khalid. He was leaning towards the balcony railings in a small, rounded terrace by the corridors, his guards looming close by. They bowed when Shahrzad walked past by them. Khalid turned his head slightly, not to see who it was but to acknowledge her presence. Shahrzad stood next to Khalid and rested her hands in the railing. She could see that Khalid was looking at Rey – his city. Slowly but steadily, rising above the ashes. Rising above everything.
"I heard you had a busy morning''.
"Yes, very. But I assure you it will not be like this all the time.''
Khalid put his hand above hers and gently squeezed it.
'How are you feeling, my love?''
''I'm fine.''
'You did not scream last night''. Khalid whispered. There was a lot of pain behind those words.
Shahrzad sighed. She had nightmares, every night since then. And she screamed in her dreams, like she screamed that day. The only saving grace was Khalid by her side when she slept. Once she felt his arms around, the dreams would vanish. Leaving a bitter feeling behind.
'I did not. The dreams have…. they do not come to me so much now''.
'I see'. Khalid murmured. His hands still above hers, tight and assuring.
She looked at him with a relief in her eyes.
"I wanted to ask you something if this is the right time to ask you''. Khalid said carefully.
She just nodded.
''I was thinking…hoping if you would help me, like you have all this time''.
''Help?"
'Yes, helping me to achieve peace and joy – in the kingdom and in my heart. To bring it to what it was before. To its former glory''.
''What do you mean?''.
Khalid smiled. ''You have done so much for Khorasan, Shazi. More than you know. You saved it, not once, not twice. This caliphate, and this caliph are indebted to your forever. And you deserve it. You deserve to rule. You deserve to be listened by not just me but everyone in this city.''
Shahrzad looked perplexed. 'I don't follow, I am your queen, my king. And I wish to be there always, for you. For Khorasan''.
"I don't want you to limit yourself, Shahrzad. I want you to soar. I wish to see you as not only a Calipha, but a ruler in true sense.''. Khalid said with pride in his voice.
''You are the true ruler everyone deserves. And I will be supporting you, as always''.
Shahrzad finally understood what he meant. She remembered the shoulder telling her, her orders were not to be crossing that of the caliph himself. After all, he had the final say in very matter. Clearly, he did not want that for her.
''I ..I will. But not with you supporting me. Ruling with me. Equals'. She finally spoke.
"I cannot dream to be your equal, in any way.''
''Khalid'', she turned her face toward him. "I never dreamed of being just a wife. But I never dreamt of ruling as well. But now, it is. I dream of a beautiful place, a happy place. I agree to be your equal, I will do whatever it takes to bring my people joy.''
Khalid looked at her and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly 'So, I will not have some time in my plate after all' he said with a teasing tone.
'Yes, I'll make sure you will''.
It was a sunny morning when Khalid reached the empty training grounds. He took off his qamis and put it to the side and walked to the sand in the middle with his shamshir in his hands. He had been coming here every day in the past six months. There was a kind of fear in his heart which he could not let go of no matter how much he wanted to. A long thin scar on his face and a deeper scar over his chest, just by his heart was to be seen, and the determination he had. He moved swiftly and precisely, whirling the blades of his shamshir in the air. There was a power to it. He needed to keep everything he loved safe, and this is how he knew how to. He moved in the sand and in a turn, his shamshir twisted into two. He moved his blades in the air a few more times and halted – he could feel someone watching him. He paused, and he felt the presence.
Shahrzad walked up to the middle of the ground, chin high and smiling. She looked at her husband with pride and love in her eyes, but today, there was something more.
''Is there a reason why I got so lucky this morning, Shazi-jan?'' Khalid smirked.
''You are always lucky, Khalid-jan'', she replied with a playfulness in her voice.
''Well, I cannot contest that!''.
''Of course. But yes, there is a reason I am here, my king''.
Khalid looked at her, asking to continue.
''I was wondering if you could grant me the pleasure of a re-match, sayyidi.'' She said with confidence, ''for the last time I was not up to the challenge. And you know I do not give up easy''.
Khalid looked at her with intent and looked at her. She was dressed differently today. She had simple qamis and sirwal troswers, and her hair was braided but rested in a low bun underneath her face. She had her hands clasped behind her.
'Rematch?" Khalid asked.
''Yes, remember the day you taught me for the first time?''
Khalid remembered. He remembered every single detail in a blink. How she had surprised him, how she had amused him. How he had felt so many things for this girl who would not give up. Stubborn, just like him.
''Very well, the calipha of Khorasan. Your confidence tells me you come prepared. But are you prepared enough?''
''I believe I am. After all, my tutor is the best swordsman in Rey. ''
Khalid then realized another presence in the grounds. Vikram walked up and stood close by, but in a safe distance. He looked at his friend and gave him a nod. But he looked at Shahrzad and smiled. Khalid wanted to know what was going on and she could tell.
''After everything happened, I realized I had to be stronger, as the calipha of Khorasan. I had to learn to defend myself better, to be more capable of handling anything thrown at me. Bows and arrows will always be my preference, but I also want to be sufficient when I see a sword''. Shahrzad spoke with utter confidence and poise. His heart thudded with pride. He beamed at his wife.
''And make no mistakes, sayyidi – I am not expecting anything less or weak from you. I want you to give me a taste of your actual prowess''.
Khalid froze. That was the one thing he could not do. It was not within him, but again, she deserved nothing less. She was limitless in every way.
"Khalid, please.''
"Shahrzad Al-Khayzuran, my queen, you will be treated with respect. I do not doubt your capabilities. And yes, I will accept this challenge'', he said in a breath. She deserved nothing less.
Shahrzad smiled. She walked slowly to the grounds and finally, put the weapon on the side. A shamshir, just like his.
Khalid was in disbelief. His shamshir was one of its kind. Only to be yielded by the Caliph…. … Or the Calipha of Khorasan.
They were equals after all.
Vikram grunted from the side and they both moved in circles, studying each other. Khalid knew she had she had seen him fight many times. But she was unpredictable. And her eyes looked fierce, confident.
Khalid moved his blades once and rose one of his blades in a single motion and launched at her, but she swiftly moved aside and deflected him. She moved with ease and focus. They encircled once more and he knew, Shahrzad swiftly moved down, deflecting the reach of his arms. He moved his body to avoid her shamshir.
She has been practicing. And she is good.
Shahrzad took this moment again to launch at him, but he deflected her moment with both his swords. He looked at her and gave a sly smile. She gave a stern expression and turned, only to twist her shamshir into two.
Ah!
She kept trying to best him, but she was trying to match the second-best swordsman of Rey, after all. Khalid could see she was getting frustrated.
"Do you want to end the practice, Shazi-jan?''
She caught him by surprise, swiftly struck him in the front with her blade. He used both his blades in a to deflect her in a cross, but before he could push her, she let go of her right blade and turned, moving her body swiftly and catching his waist with her open hand, and bringing the side of her other blade in his chest.
She grinned at him, and as she looked up to glance at Vikram for her winning moment, Khalid used his right hand to hold her right hand and turned over her to her back, with her blade on his left hand, pressing the side over the back of her neck. He was a capable swordsman after all, it was hard to best him.
"Never lose your focus, my queen'', he said mockingly.
Sharzad looked angry and furious, but she bowed at him. But his mind was somewhere else. She was so much more than what he could ever expect. There was not a day where she did not surprise him, and he loved her with all his heart and soul.
His queen, his brave queen.
''What will be your reward, sayyidi?'' she asked him.
''I already have my reward, my queen. It is you, and it will be so forever.'' And he smiled.
Irsa's eyes went wide when she saw his face. How could he be here? How… She looked in disbelief. She tried to look at Shahrzad, but she was occupied otherwise. Then she looked at Khalid and looked back suddenly. She knew well of his reputation now, and he will kill the boy if he finds out. She was sure of it.
''Rahim…''she whispered to herself. Only if he was here. He would have held her hand and soothed her. Would have known what to do. Afterall, he was one of the people who knew spider. And what he had done, or tried to do…
But..she had to tell someone. She had to let someone know this disgrace of a human being was here … but why? Is he going to try something else? Harm Shazi again?
Tariq, he must be here. The son of Nasir Imran Al-Ziyad had become the Emir of Taleqan himself. He must be here somewhere. He probably has not seen him or has forgotten.
Well, not forgotten.
She quickly glanced around and saw Tariq, standing with the Sultana of Parthia – Yasmin El – Sharif. She rushed to him disregarding anyone else on the way. Tariq looked up, and detecting the horror in her face, excused himself from Yasmine. They quietly rushed to a corner beside a pillar.
"Teymur'', Irsa breathed. 'He is here!''.
Tariq's eyes shot wide, and his facial expression changed. Irsa could see the rage building on his face and his silver eyes struggling to focus.
"Where?'' he said in a low husk.
'Tell me where, and he is a dead man right there''.
'No, don't be haphazard, please'', Irsa shrieked. 'This is not the time to act on it, I feel like we should tell Jalal about this''.
''The captain? Why not…''
''Because I doubt he knows. If he did, you know what would have happened by now. Please, Tariq. Find a way to tell him. There are so many people here, important people. We cannot risk anything, but something must be done. It might not be safe…for Shazi''.
Irsa spoke in a low voice. Tariq knew what she meant. After all, it took a long time for Shahrzad and the caliph to do this. Khorasan was thriving, and things had never been better with the kingdom of Parthia. Everyone was here for this important step, this final step. The reconciliation that they had hoped for was taking place. Except, knowing that wretched boy was here was making it difficult for him to focus. He remembered of one time when he was a mere guest in an event similar to, but nothing like this. The anger he possessed then. But things were different now. He was different. This situation had to be approached in a careful manner.
'At least tell me where he is''. Tariq demanded.
''He was by the second column, with a lady by his side. I think he did not see me''.
'Hmm… Go and get Shazi. Tell her he is here if you must, but alert her to be watchful. I will talk to the captain''.
Irsa nodded and swiftly moved towards the direction where Shahrzad was. Tariq looked around to find Captain Al- Khoury.
'That bastard what!" Jalal looked furious.
"Captain…''.
''When was this?''
''In the desert. Before the war. Captain Al-Khoury, you must know I tried to bring him to justice. Several times. Given those circumstances, he escaped everything. And now he is …here. I worry for Shazi's safety. He had shown a hatred toward her….that was venomous. And I do not know why''.
"Does Khalid know?''
"I came to you first; you know well of the caliph's temper. Specially when it comes to Shazi''.
"Good''.
"Irsa is worried, she knows if things are not handled carefully, there might be a bigger problem created'.
Jalal nodded. Yes, it would. And he did not want Shazi's efforts to go in vain. But he understood why Tariq Imran Al-Ziyad looked furious. He was furious. And he had not even seen the boy. But he alone could not make this decision. It would be hard for him to do anything without Khalid taking notice. And He will ask.
''I will take care of this, but please, come with me. If we both talk to him, maybe he will listen first.''.
''Are you sure?'' Tariq replied.
''Yes, I will also get Vikram. He will have something to say''.
Jalal walked up to one of the guards by the door. 'Get Vikram Singh here this instant.'' And walked inside the double doors, straight to his cousin.
''Sayyidi, if you would please spare a moment''. Jalal said gently. But his tone clearly conveyed that something was wrong. Khalid immediately excused himself and followed Jalal outside.
Jalal stood beside Tariq and looked at the caliph, finding the words amongst his fury.
''It appears we have an unwanted guest this evening, and I am told by Emir Al-Ziyad his intentions might not be right''.
Khalid raised his brows and looked toward Tariq.
Tariq had his fist still clenched. But he looked at Khalid and relaxed a little bit.
Jalal continued, explaining Khalid on the events that had occurred in the desert tent that day. How Rahim and Irsa had saved Sharzad from the boy, Teymur. How Tariq had tried to get him but failed. And now, he was one of the guests in the palace in this important meeting.
He could easily see the tension building up in Khalid's face, and his body. His eyes shone of rage and fury.
And then he heard a grunt. Vikram was here. And he was tensed as well.
Irsa ran up to Shazi and held her hand. Shahrzad shot a look at her and understood that something was wrong. She hurriedly dragged her sister to the side and asked what happened.
"Holy Hera! You should have told me first! Tariq… he will not. And Jalal – no way he will not convey this to Khalid.''.
"I was worried about you!'' Irsa cried out. ''After all, he did try to kill you – Shazi''.
Shahrzad remembered the horrors of that day. But she knew if Khalid knows, it might be too late. She wanted to chain the boy and make him pay for what had happened, but she had to understand why he was here first. It was not about her safety, it was Khalid's. She had never told anyone on why he had attacked her. And she knew it was not her that he seeks to avenge from. It was Khalid.
And if he had dared to step in this palace, he might be prepared.
''Do you know where they are?'' she demanded.
"Tariq is with Jalal. I do not know if he has talked to Khalid''.
And Shahrzad walked swiftly past the columns. Where might they be? Where might that boy be?
Khalid.
No, not again.
Not to my Khalid again.
He has had enough of this.
She was right past the column beside the double doors where she felt something. She came outside the doors to the terrace and saw all four of them, standing with their backs at her towards the corner. Khalid with his shamshir in hand and Tariq and Jalal on his sides. Vikram stood nearby and was the first to notice her.
Khalid turned to Shahrzad, and her heart thudded when she saw his expressions. Cold, unforgiving, full of rage. She had not seen him like this, well after a long time. He quietly turned and walked to the other corner. Shahrzad followed him.
''Why did not you tell me about this?'' Khalid spoke in a slow, menacing whisper.
''Khalid, please. Not now''.
''What did he do to you? Tell me!'' He spoke quietly but his voice was urgent. As if he could not wait to act after he heard her answer.
"It was..he… He tried to rape me. And eventually kill me. I think''.
Khalid did not need to know anything after that. He immediately strode forward with his blade.
"Roya''. Shahrzad whispered. "It was Roya.''
Khalid stopped in his tracks and stiffened.
"Does not give him the right to do what he did.'' He said after a brief pause.
''No, it does not. And I for sure want justice. But we must be mindful here''.
''If he comes to you –''.
''He will not. He will come to you. Its you whom he hates the most.''.
Tariq moved. Shahrzad could feel he was trying to shake a thought from his head.
''I will finish him before he can do anything else''. Khalid retorted.
''No, Khalid-jan. Not like this. If he is here, he is here for a reason. Revenge seeks no bounds, and we both are above that now. I am not asking you to do nothing, but please, listen to me. I cannot risk anything else. Especially when…' and she lingered.
Khalid lifted his brow. He sensed something but could not tell what.
Shahrzad pulled him close and took him farther to the corner, out of everyone's earshot. She looked at him and put her hands on his shoulder.
''We have built this city, this kingdom for so long now. All for a better future. And I do not want to affect that in any way. I do not want to affect this in any way.''. She lightly put her left hand over her belly. 'You are going to be a father, Khalid-jan. I did not want to tell you in such a situation, but you must know right now.''.
Khalid gasped. Shahrzad saw a myriad of expressions on his face. Happiness, disbelief, shock, worry? He looked at her for just a glance, let go of his blade and held her in his arms, leaning to her head.
''I ..I cannot find the words''.
''I know, I found out yesterday. I could not wait to tell you but did not want you to lose your focus today's events''.
"Well, it is a good thing. How do you feel?'' Khalid whispered.
''Over the moon''.
''So do I''.
Jalal coughed from the corner. Although they did not hear anything from the corner, one could easily guess the shift in the situation. Tariq and Vikram quietly left the space.
Khalid slowly turned toward his cousin, trying to control his thoughts. He looked at Jalal and he seemed to understand.
"Jalal-jan, looks like I will need two things from you. First is to take care of that boy, find out everything on why he is here. And make him pay for what he did. Second, I think I am going to need parenting lessons from you.''
Jalal smiled. ''Ahhh! Finally, you will know why I was late in those meetings you call early in the morning!''.
Despina was furious. Happy, but furious. She passed Amira to Jalal and turned her heels straight to the door. She walked past the corridors and went to the guard in front of the Khalid's chamber. 'I need to see the calipha right this instant''.
The guard was used to this, for no one in the palace were unaware of the unusual friendship the calipha shared with the captain's wife. And this happened quite often. Both barging into one other's room without any notice.
He moved from the way and Despina banged the bronze door.
'Ye-''.
"You, you brat!''.
''Despina, wait…'
"You told Jalal before me? Does the whole palace know, and I just found out now?''.
''I did not! Trust me.'' Shahrzad cried out.
"Please! Give me a chance to explain''.
Despina looked at her with intensity, her brows arched. 'Well?'.
"It was Khalid. I only told him. I wanted to tell you first, trust me on that. But the situation…''
''What situation?'' Despina cut her off.
Shahrzad told her everything. About Teymur. How Irsa saw him, and how she had to tell Khalid to stop the wreck that could have happened. ''Holy Hera! Why was not I aware of anything? Why does anyone keep hiding things from me?'' Despina sighed.
It was true, after she had Amira, Despina was not told of anything that would have disturbed her. She was taken care of by Jalal, Shahrzad, and Khalid himself.
''Well, I'm afraid they will not tell me anything now they have found out''. Shahrzad replied to her.
Despina laughed. It was true. And she would make sure that nothing happened to her best friend and her child.
They both heard a knock at the door.
Khalid.
''Looks like its my time to leave. Good night Shazi-jan. I will see you tomorrow. Hopefully, you are not sick in the morning''. She winked and left the room.
Khalid waited until Despina walked outside of the room. She had congratulated him, and he had cordially thanked her, but his heart was pacing fast. Between the moment he found out about the child was becoming a father to and now, he had so many thoughts. It was not the first time that he had heard he was becoming a father. But this time, the news was not mending anything broken. It was a welcome.
He went to the bed and sat by Shahrzad's feet, watching at her intently.
''That boy…'
'Vikram took care of him. Apparently, he is the son-in-law of Emir of Karaj and had intercepted his invitation. He mentioned that he wanted to apologize to the Calipha of Khorasan in person.''.
''Oh and ..''.
''Vikram told him if he dares to even take your name from his mouth again, he will not be able to remember anything else. He will not be back here, ever.''
Shahrzad smiled. Not because of what had happened, but how Khalid had listened to her.
''What's so amusing?''
''You are, sayyidi. The most amusing man I have ever met.''
Khalid gave a slow, weak smile. He did not say anything but pushed himself towards her belly. And put his hand above it, softly, as if he would hurt her if touched.
By now, Shahrzad well knew something was bothering him. She rose and took his hands on hers.
''Tell me, what is wrong?''.
Khalid shook his head, with his gaze fixed upon her belly still.
"Khalid, don't pretend. I know you are happy. But I also know you are bothered. Help me lighten the burden, my love.'' She caressed his face with a soft touch.
''My father – he was not the best example of ..anything. More so as a father. When.. when I found out about it the first time, I swore to myself I will be nothing like him. But then, my fate would not leave me. Much worse things happened, and all because of me. I became like him – one thing I had despised all my life. I'm scared, Shazi. Scared to be anything like him, I do not want our child to go through a dram of what I did''.
Her heart melted. Her broken boy, her beautiful boy.
''You are nothing like him, Khalid Ibn Al-Rashid. Nothing. Trust me when I say this, you are thousand times over the man he was. You are the light in the sky of darkness. You are the calmness in an open sea''. She touched his both cheeks with her hands.
''Well, of course when you are not boiling with rage''. She laughed.
Khalid took her hands and pressed them to his chest.
''I am so proud of you today. You really listened to me. You have grown so much. We have grown so much. And I promise, our baby girl will be the best of both of us''.
''You think it is a girl?''.
''I do not know. Just a feeling. No matter what, they will be loved. They will be us, our family. Our little heaven''.
Shahrzad moved her hands to his back and pushed herself to him. Khalid stilled for a while and looked at her. His tiger eyes gleaming. Searching for something.
''I hope they have eyes like yours. You have the most beautiful eyes, Khalid-jan''.
She slowly brought her mouth to his and kissed him. He wrapped her inside his arms and kissed her back. For this was heaven for him, having her in his arms. She was what he needed, forever. Shahrzad, as always, wanted more. She loosened her shamla and shifted the kiss to his neck. His hands moved in her body like fire, not burning but soothing. He slowly lowered himself to the cushions, adjusting himself in the bed. And they were one, both melting into one another with love, passion and promises, as always.