Disclaimer: I do not own The Wrath and the Dawn. It belongs to Reneé Ahdieh. The dialogue between Khalid and Shahrzad are from the book.

A/N: Thanks again as usual to all who are reading and adding this story to their story alerts! Special thanks to Directioneronfire for reviewing the last chapter!

Alright, you guys, it's a big chapter, and it's a long one! Get ready to feel the feels!

Chapter 7: Souks and Kisses

(Corresponds with Chapter: The Promise of Tomorrow, pages 149-167 of the Wrath and the Dawn)

He never particularly enjoyed his semiannual visits to his uncle, the Sultan of Parthia. It was a bit monotonous for him, having to make subtle threats every time to ensure he wouldn't insult his right to the throne and overtake the throne himself.

However, this time, he was almost thankful for the visit. He needed the opportunity to be away from Shahrzad to clear his mind and distract himself from her.

About a day into the journey to Amardha though, he realized his mind was incapable of being cleared of her.

She was the only thing occupying his thoughts, and he couldn't get her out of his head.

All he could think about was her and the the smell of lilacs in her hair and the softness of her skin against his. He adored her fearlessness that was so reminiscent of his mother, and he constantly craved to be in her presence. He wondered what she was doing and if she was thinking of him.

He was also worried about her safety at the palace. The general had been set on continuing to follow the curse's demands, but hopefully his chat with him before his departure made it absolutely clear that Shahrzad would not be killed. He trusted Jalal would take care of her.

And Khalid, of course, was still plagued with pondering how Shahrzad ended up volunteering to be his wife in the first place.

His wife.

He knew he shouldn't...but he loved reminding himself that the audacious girl was his bride.

His!

He could hardly believe it that he had married such a girl.

How could he be so fortunate...and yet so unlucky...

The day he returned from Amardha, Khalid ordered for Jalal to meet with him shortly after his arrival. He wouldn't admit it, but he was anxious to know what Shahrzad was up to while he was away.

When Jalal appeared in Khalid's chamber, he looked quite apprehensive as he bowed. Khalid, who had been writing up a report, grew still and stared up at him from his desk.

That could only mean…

"What happened to Shahrzad?" he asked gravely.

Jalal sighed. "Someone attempted to poison Shahrzad's tea, and I'm fairly certain it was my father's doing."

Khalid dropped the quill he was holding and aggressively stood up from his seat upon hearing Jalal's statement, causing the bottle of ink for his quill to fall over and spill across the desk. Khalid didn't care about the mess. He was too consumed with the feeling that his blood was boiling throughout his body, and he wanted to throw or hit or smash something. How dare his uncle disobey him and attempt to kill Shahrzad while he was gone!

Sensing Khalid's rage, Jalal was quick to speak again. "But Shahrzad is fine. She figured out it was poisoned before she drank it. We now have a servant girl tasting every beverage and piece of food before Shahrzad consumes it."

Jalal's words managed to dampen his anger...a tad.

"I already shared some harsh words with my father, but my words mean nothing to him," Jalal continued. "He'll only listen to you."

"It appears my conversation with him before I left had no effect on him. I will speak with him later," Khalid said seriously. "Any other threats to Shahrzad's life while I was away?"

"No, sayyidi, that was the only instance. Since that first day, everything has been fine."

"Good," Khalid replied, feeling relieved, but he would definitely have to deal with his uncle later.

After a moment of silence, Jalal spoke again. "Musa Zaragoza stopped by for a visit while you were gone."

His first tutor and his mother's old tutor…he hadn't seen him in so long. Not since that tragic day when his mother died...

"Musa?" Khalid said quietly as he looked at Jalal with a quizzical expression.

Jalal nodded. "I gave him your regrets that you weren't here to greet him. But I had Shahrzad receive him instead. He seemed to enjoy meeting her greatly," Jalal said with a smile.

He was sure that Musa was charmed with Shahrzad. And no doubt that she learned about his childhood from the meeting…and what happened to his mother. Musa was always an open, gentle man.

"Did Musa mention if he would visit again?"

"He hopes to, but he is unsure of when. However, he did mention that he's eager to see you and Shahrzad together." Jalal's smirk remained on his face.

Unsure of how to reply to such a comment, Khalid decided it was best to end the conversation there.

"Thank you, Jalal, for protecting her while I was gone," he said as he went to grab a towel from the nearby cabinet. Khalid began wiping up the ink spill on his desk.

Taking it as his cue to leave, Jalal bowed and left the room.

That evening and the next, he visited Shahrzad's chamber as he did before. Except this time, she never attempted to seduce him and lay with him. He was relieved she didn't...it wouldn't have felt appropriate, considering she almost died about a week ago because of him.

He couldn't bring himself to discuss the assassination attempt on her life while he was away. He was too ashamed and embarrassed that his uncle was the culprit. Plus, he didn't want to mention anything about her dying because he did not want to think of it.

Sharhzad continued to tell her neverending tale both nights. This time it was about Aladdin, a poor orphan boy who finds a genie's lamp and meets a princess. The story sounded familiar to Khalid...he thought his mother might have told him a similar story when he was young.

To be with Shahrzad again, he somehow felt more complete. The torture of not being able to properly rest and sleep for the past week became bearable with her around. He had his air to breathe again.

The following evening, when he was with Shahrzad in her chamber, she was oddly silent. She sat across from him, eating some grapes as he sipped on wine.

"You're very quiet," he said to her.

"And you look very tired."

"The journey from Amardha was not an easy one."

"But you came back over two days ago," she said as she stared at him intently.

"I haven't slept well since I returned."

"Would you rather not continue Aladdin's tale? Perhaps you should sleep," she stated.

If only she knew that would require her to die. And he definitely did not want that.

"No. That's not what I want. At all."

She averted her gaze. "May I ask you something, sayyidi?"

"You may do as you please. And I will behave in a similar fashion."

"Why did you go to Amardha?"

Why did she want to get into politics? Well, if she really wanted to know, he didn't mind sharing.

"I heard Jalal arranged for you to meet Musa Zaragoza. Undoubtedly, you learned interesting facts about my childhood while he was here. I assume you know about my mother now?"

"He told me about her, yes."

"The Sultan of Parthia and I have a tacit agreement. Every six months or so, I go to see him and make veiled threats, posturing like a peacock in a show of force meant to dissuade him from suggesting I am not the rightful heir to the Caliphate of Khorasan."

A look of shock came across her face. "Excuse me?"

"It's logical, really. He openly calls my mother a whore. And everyone questions my parentage. Then he's able to rally support and wage war for the caliphate. Only, he lacks the strength and the numbers to take a stand. And I intend to keep it that way."

"He - would call your mother a whore?"

"It shouldn't shock you. My father said as much to me. Many times."

That was another aspect of his life he had to become emotionally numb about.

"Did your father also question whether or not you were his son?"

Khalid took a long swig from his cup. "Again, it shouldn't shock you."

"And this is normal to you?"

He put his drink down on the table. "I suppose I have a skewed understanding of the word."

"Do you want me to pity you, sayyidi?"

"Do you want to pity me, Shahrzad?"

"No. I do not."

"Then don't."

He didn't want a dishonest woman. He only wanted to be her true self.

Irked by his response, she grabbed his cup and drank the remainder of the wine. He was amused to see her get so rattled.

"By the way, I've decided how you can make amends. If you're still willing, of course."

Of course he was still desperately trying to get back into her good graces. He was curious what she had in mind though. She wasn't afraid to ask for anything. Leaning back, he waited for her to make her request.

"Remember last night, when Aladdin saw the princess in disguise, roaming the city streets?"

He nodded in reply.

"You told me you envied the freedom the princess experienced in her city, without the mantle of royalty about her shoulders. I want to do that. With you."

It was certainly an interesting request. He stared at her, wondering why this would be her demand.

"You want me to go out into Rey without bodyguards?"

"Yes."

"With just you?"

"Yes."

He was so very curious about this puzzling request.

"When?"

"Tomorrow night."

"Why?"

"For the adventure."

It would be a stupid and foolish thing for him to do. He was the caliph! He'd be unguarded and would only be accompanied by his mysterious bride. And yet, he longed for a moment to feel like a normal human being instead of a king. And here was an opportunity for the adventure, and he'd get to do it with her.

"And you are indebted to me," she added.

He had to make it up to her. And if this was what she really wanted, he couldn't bring himself to deny her.

"I agree. I am indebted to you. I accept."

She smiled brightly at him, and he found himself, for the first time in a very long time, smiling back. The action felt foreign to him. But her happiness and the thought of doing something adventurous with her...made him happy.

He couldn't remember the last time he ever felt this way.

Standing next to Shahrzad by the entrance to Rey's souk filled Khalid with trepid excitement. He had been looking forward to this evening all day and was thrilled to be spending time with Shahrzad away from the palace. Yet, he still wondered what her motives were for wanting to do this and if they would be safe.

"Have you been to Rey's souk before?" she said from beneath her hooded grey cloak.

He adjusted his own ebony cloak to better cover his face. "No."

The townspeople would probably stone him to death if he ever went to the souk.

"Stay close," she advised. "It's very much like a labyrinth. Each year it grows bigger, its corridors snaking about without rhyme or reason."

As if he'd ever leave her side this evening...

"And here I had every intention of leaving you behind to explore on my own," he said in a quiet, sarcastic tone.

"Are you trying to be funny, sayyidi?"

He gave her a concerned look. "You can't use that word here, Shahrzad."

"You're right...Khalid."

Hearing his name on her lips gave him a warm feeling he wanted to experience again and again.

"And what should I call you?"

"Excuse me?" she said with a perplexed look.

"What do your friends call you?"

Surely, she had some sort of nickname?

She paused for a moment. "Shazi."

He almost beamed hearing the perfect nickname for her.

"Shazi. It suits you."

She just rolled her eyes at him. "Come with me."

Together, they entered the souk, and Khalid immediately felt nervous. There were crowds of people everywhere, and numerous vendors who tried to sell them various items, such as fruits, nuts, fabrics, spices, lamps, and rugs. Whenever they bumped into someone or a salesman approached, Khalid was paranoid someone would recognize him or attack him. Eventually, he was able to convince himself to stop worrying.

One salesman surprised them both when he appeared and wrapped Shahrzad in a large piece of orange silk. "So beautiful! You must buy this. It suits you so," the man said.

"I think not," she said as she shook her head and pushed the silk away.

Instead, the man just pulled Shahrzad closer to him, and anger began to swell in Khalid.

"Have I seen you before, miss? I would not forget such a beauty," the man told her.

The man needed to take his hands off of his bride. Immediately.

"No, you have not," Khalid said to him in a gruff tone.

The man just grinned. "I am not having a conversation with you. I am having a conversation with the most beautiful girl I have seen in a long time."

"No. You are having a conversation with my wife. And you are quite close to having the last conversation of your life," Khalid said gravely.

"And if you want to sell me fabric, being a lecherous bastard is not the way to go about doing it," Shahrzad added as she shoved the young man away.

"Daughter of a whore," the man whispered.

Khalid heard the insult and was readying himself to punch him for dishonoring his wife, but Shahrzad grabbed his arm and dragged him away from the salesman before he could do anything.

"You know, you have quite a temper," she told him.

He was too wrapped up in his anger that he didn't reply.

"Khalid?" she said

"Is that kind of disrespect...normal?"

"It's not normal. But it's not unexpected. It's the curse of being a woman."

"It's obscene. He deserves to be flogged."

He couldn't believe they left the man unscathed after what he said. As they continued walking through the souk, Khalid was determined to not be separated from Shahrzad and kept his hand on her lower back. He observed everyone around them to ensure no other ill-mannered characters suddenly approached them or touched Shahrzad.

She led them to a food establishment with outdoor seating. Upon finding one of the few empty tables, she pushed him into a seat.

"What are we doing here?" he asked her.

"I'll be right back."

He was infuriated with the lack of response. As usual, she never answered his questions.

She soon returned with some wine and two cups. He eyed her suspiciously.

"They are famous for their sweet wine," she remarked.

He crossed his arms. He couldn't figure out her motives for this.

"You don't trust me?" she asked. She then proceeded to pour wine into a cup and drink some before handing it to him.

He accepted it. "Where did you get the money?"

Shahrzad rolled her eyes. "I stole it. From the perfidious Sultan of Parthia."

While drinking the wine, he grinned at her joke.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

There was...something a bit strange about the wine's taste. "It's different."

Taking the pitcher of wine, he poured the remainder of it into her cup.

The two sat in silence for a little while, enjoying their wine and the sounds of the crowds' activity around them.

"So, why are you having difficulty sleeping?" Shahrzad asked him.

Her question caught him off guard, and he was reminded of the terrible curse. The excitement of the day had helped him temporarily forget. Now, he had to tread carefully when answering her questions and found himself unsure of how to answer this one without completely lying. He definitely wasn't going to tell her it was because she wasn't dead.

"Do you have nightmares?" she asked.

"No," he said after taking a deep breath. At least he could answer that question truthfully.

"What was your last dream?"

"I don't remember."

"How come you don't remember?"

He had to turn this conversation around and focus on her to make her stop probing. "Do you remember your last dream?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes."

"Tell me what it was about."

"It's a bit strange."

"Most dreams are."

"I was in a grassy field with...my best friend. We were twirling. I was holding her hands. We were spinning slowly, at first. And then faster and faster. So fast it felt like we were flying. But it didn't seem dangerous at all. It's strange now that it didn't seem dangerous, but I guess that's the way of dreams. I remember hearing her laughter. She has the most beautiful laugh. Like a lark on a crisp morning."

That was exactly how he felt her laughter sounded to him.

"You have a beautiful laugh. Like the promise of tomorrow," he told her.

She turned her eyes away from him and drank some more wine. Khalid was watching her, when he noticed a figure approach behind her.

His body went completely still when he realized it was the young salesman they encountered earlier. Perhaps now he would have the chance to punish him.

A few other men appeared a few feet behind him, watching the salesman. Khalid could only assume they were his friends.

The man stood up on a chair nearby. "If it isn't the beautiful girl with the barbed tongue," he slurred.

Khalid stared up at him with ferocious eyes. "Apparently, this is too popular a venue."

"For lecherous bastards and kings of old alike," Shahrzad quipped.

"What?" the man said. He was clearly too inebriated to fully understand.

"Never mind. What do you want?" she asked, irritated.

Khalid sat at the edge of his chair, prepared to stand if need be.

The man looked down at her. "Perhaps I may have been a bit forward earlier. But I'd like to share a recent observation. This one here?" Using his thumb, he pointed at Khalid. "He seems entirely too grumpy for a girl like you. I think you're much better suited for a man with charm. Such as myself."

He had had enough with this nitwit. Khalid was about to stand up and give him a piece of his mind, but Shahrzad reached across the table and placed her hand against his chest to prevent him from doing so.

"You seem to have forgotten - in a rather short time, I might add - that you called my mother a whore. In what world do you think I would prefer you to any man, grumpy or not?" she asked.

The man just smirked at her as his friends behind him laughed.

"Don't take it to heart, beautiful girl."

Khalid wished the man would quit calling his Shahrzad "beautiful girl." The piece of scum didn't even deserve to speak to her.

"What if I told you my mother really was a whore?" the young man continued. "Would that make it better? In any case, I happen to have a great appreciation for women of that ilk," he finished with a wink at her.

Khalid, burning with rage, wanted so badly to tear this man to pieces, but Shahrzad still had her hand pressed against his chest to keep him in his seat. How could she stand to let him speak to her that way?

"I can't say I'm surprised. As for me? I believe I'll leave this set of goods on the rack, as well. I have no interest in...tiny cucumbers."

Khalid whipped his head around to face Shahrzad upon hearing her comment. Did she just say what he thought she said? He couldn't believe it, and he almost let a laugh escape his mouth.

At first the man and his friends were dead silent. But it didn't last long as his friends burst into a fit of laughter.

The man's face turned red out of embarrassment as he realized how Shahrzad had insulted him.

"You -" the man began to say as he lurched towards her.

Khalid instantly stood up and reached for the man's qamis, shoving him into his group of friends behind him.

"Khalid!" Shahrzad yelled.

The man stumbled to his feet, but Khalid was quick to punch him in the jaw. The force of the punch caused the man to smash into another nearby table, where some men engaged in a gambling match were sitting. Their dice and coins flew off the table and were scattered along the ground.

The gamblers certainly weren't pleased. Their anger-filled eyes looked to Khalid as they stood up.

"Holy Hera," Khalid heard Shahrzad mutter.

Khalid moved his hand to grab his shamshir hidden beneath his cloak, but Shahrzad grabbed his hand first. "No, you idiot! Run!" she exclaimed.

She pulled him away from the infuriated men, and they ran through the horde of people, occasionally bumping into the people they passed by.

"Get out of the way!" Shahrzad yelled at one vendor that was obstructing their escape.

He could hear the men weren't far behind. They had to figure out a better way to escape than just running as they would most likely catch them.

At the sight of a side, narrow alley, he pulled Shahrzad in its direction, but she pulled him back.

"Do you even know where you're going?" she cried out.

"For once in your life, stop talking and listen."

"How dare - "

He placed his arm around her and pulled her into an alcove in the alleyway. Before she could even reprimand him for his brash actions, he put his index finger against her mouth.

His heart had already been racing when they ran through the souk, but now it felt like it was sprinting from being pressed up against her.

They stood quietly and heard the men run past them, cursing as they went.

"You were saying?" Khalid said breathily when they were gone.

With her body still against his, he could tell his heart was not the only one beating rapidly.

"How - how dare you say that to me?" she said softly.

Khalid wanted to laugh at her. Didn't she realize that her boldness, while charming to him, had the power to stir up trouble? "How dare I imply you caused this mess?"

"Me? This is not my fault! This is your fault!" she said indignantly.

"Mine?"

"You and your temper, Khalid!"

"No. You and your mouth, Shazi."

He loved calling her Shazi…

"Wrong, you wretched lout."

And he somehow loved seeing her mad at him.

"See? That mouth." He pressed his hand against the jaw of her face and let his thumb run across her lips. "That - magnificent mouth."

He then used his other arm to press against her back, bringing her even closer to him. He found himself wondering what her lips tasted like…

"They're here! I've found them!" they suddenly heard a voice say.

Khalid quickly took Shahrzad's hand, and they bolted down the alleyway.

"We can't keep running. We might have to stand and fight, eventually," he told her.

"I know," she said.

He realized he would have no choice but to soon use shamshir to fight them. It would probably draw much attention to them, unfortunately.

Moments later, Shahrzad yanked him down another alleyway where a group of young boys were playing with bow and arrows.

Shahrzad slowed down and approached one of the boys, letting go of Khalid's hand. What in the world was she doing?

"Can you give me your bow and arrows?" she asked while trying to catch her breath.

"What?" the boy asked, confused.

"Here," Shahrzad said as she handed over a few gold dinars.

What was Shahrzad going to do with the bow and arrows? Did she expect him to use them?

"Are you crazy, lady?" the boy asked as his face glowed with excitement at seeing the gold coins.

"Will you give them to me?"

The boy eagerly handed over the bow and arrows to Shahrzad, and she let the bow hang on her shoulder. Khalid couldn't figure out what she was planning as he watched the exchange.

"Do you know them, miss?" The boy asked as he looked behind the two of them.

Khalid turned around instantly and took out his shamshir. The movement caused his hood to fall off of his face.

"Get out of here," he heard Shahrzad tell the boys, and they ran off.

Seven armed and furious men stood before them, but when Khalid revealed his shamshir, a few backed away and withdrew their weapons. The action just encouraged Khalid to head towards them. But at the sound of Shahrzad's voice, he halted.

"Gentlemen! This seems a bit - premature. I believe this whole situation can be attributed to a misunderstanding. Please accept my sincere apologies for our part in the matter. In truth, this is between myself and the...gentleman with the questionable manners from earlier."

The young salesman came forward. "My questionable manners? Why, you shrewish, bitch!"

He couldn't take him insulting his wife any longer. He didn't like him calling her "beautiful girl" earlier and he certainly detested him for calling her a bitch. He deserved to be ripped to shreds.

"That's enough!" Khalid shouted as he lifted his shamshir in the direction of the young man.

"Stop!" Shahrzad yelled at him.

How could she expect him to let this go on?

"I said, that's enough, Shazi. I've heard enough," he said severely.

"Yes. Let him do as he pleases, Shazi. Seven to one? I like our odds," the young man added before raising his own scimitar.

Khalid was about to advance toward him, when suddenly an arrow came soaring at the idiot, stabbing him in the wrist and causing him to drop his sword.

How did that happen?

He turned to the direction the arrow came from and saw that Shahrzad was already fitting another arrow into her bow, as the man she injured cried out in pain.

She...she already knew how to shoot an arrow. There was no possible way she managed to learn how to shoot that well from her one day of lessons with Jalal, because as far as he knew, she didn't have any more lessons with him.

That day was all an act. She was a brilliant archer.

He stared at her in amazement as she walked past him, holding her bow at the ready.

"This is where all of you were sorely mistaken. It was never seven to one. And I strongly suggest the seven of you take to your heels and return home. Because the next one who draws a weapon - the next one who takes a single step forward - will find an arrow through his eye. And I can assure you my friend is even less forgiving."

Friend?

Hearing the word stung him.

They were more than that…

Weren't they?

"Don't test me. You mean nothing to me," Shahrzad added.

"This is not worth it," one of the men stated as he tucked away his weapon and walked away. Some of the others followed suit, but the young salesman and his friends remained.

"I believe you've had enough, sir," Shahrzad said with her arrow still pointed at him.

His face revealed his fury over being shot by Shahrzad's arrow, and a few tears dripped down his face. Cradling his bleeding arm, he looked over at Khalid.

"Have a care, grumpy. Before she ruins you, too." He then turned and left, with his friends following behind him.

Khalid stared at Shahrzad, thinking about how she misled him in regards to her talents. She finally turned to face him after all the men had disappeared.

"That day in the courtyard...you didn't miss the target."

"No. I didn't," she replied.

Khalid nodded and put away his shamshir.

This girl - his wife - was nothing short of incredible. He was amazed by her many extraordinary talents and her ability to get them out of their mess.

"Shazi."

"Yes?"

He stepped toward her and looked over her entire body. Seeing her standing there, with the bow and arrow in the light of the moonlight...

He needed...he needed to her to know what he thought of her.

"You are - remarkable. Every day, I think I am going to be surprised by how remarkable you are, but I am not. Because that is what it means to be you. It means knowing no bounds. Being limitless in all that you do."

He walked up to her, just needing to be closer to her.

"I didn't like it when you called me your friend," he told her.

He placed both of his hands against the sides of her face, angling it upward so he could gaze directly in her eyes.

"Do you prefer 'my king' or 'sayyidi'?" she questioned him sardonically.

"I prefer Khalid."

He never wanted to hear her call him anything else ever again.

"What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?" he murmured.

He had officially fallen for her. He couldn't deny it to himself any longer.

"If I'm a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed," she said as she pushed her weapon into his chest.

He didn't care about anything else anymore. All he cared about was her.

"No," he said as he moved his hands to her waist. "Destroy me."

He couldn't resist her any longer. His lips crashed down onto hers as her weapon fell to the ground.

It felt as if the world completely faded away, and it was just the two of them as time stood still. The taste of her lips - sweet like citrus - was overpowering. He was completely lost in her and finally had a sliver of hope - hope for a future that wasn't marred with anguish, cruelty, and death.

She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him closer, and he reluctantly had to pull away to breathe for a moment.

He finally believed he had a chance at long-lasting happiness.

And it was with her by his side.