Brother of the Desert Rats

Princess, Hostage, and Slave

"You saw that," Ara sobbed. "And then you went behind my back and arranged for us to wed when we were of age."

Chief Balor looked away, momentarily breaking his cool facade and showing his uncomfortable feelings on the matter. "It was his father's dying request that you would wed each other. How could I refuse the man? He died saving my life."

"He asked it of you, because Emir was your hostage and he knew it would keep him safe. You could have just sent Emir back to his father's people. So don't try to fool me. I know you did it for more selfish reasons. You just want to keep the Eastern strain in your blood line. You are determined to force me to take back the throne."

"You were born to be a queen, Ara. And that was taken from you. Even if you think you do not want it, it is both your right and your fate. Both of your parents died from it, so it is selfish of you to refuse it."

"My parents and many others died because of it. It is not selfish of me to not want more to die." She raised her clenched hand and beat at her chest. "I want to live, Grandada. I want you to live. And Captain Lev. And all those who follow you both. I don't want to have more families torn apart. I don't want anymore children to be left alone like I was. Do you think that I don't remember it?"

Chief Balor's gaze flickered away again, and he stepped back.

"Hate me all you want, Ara, but you must marry Emir. And don't forget what I warned you of. If this occurs one more time, I will keep my word and drag this slave back to Runen where he belongs and sell him to the mines. And I will do it myself to ensure you do not persuade any of the men to be merciful to him."

Ara's eyes darkened and she spun around and strode away. Her grandfather watched her go, then slumped down into his chair and buried his face into his hands. 

Zaelan hesitated for only a moment, before leaving the chief to be alone. Ara was nowhere in sight when he exited the hall and entered into the outer yard. Zaelan went to look in the stables but there was no one there apart from several stable boys. Sighing with frustration, he headed around behind the palace, where the space grew narrow against the cliff side.

Sure enough, as he got closer he heard the sound of Ara weeping. He went to hurry towards her, when he noticed someone had already beat him there.

Emir was hesitantly approaching Ara, who had sunk to the ground and was rocking back and forth.

"Ara, did he strike you? Are you okay?"

"Go away, you damned mutt," Ara cursed at him, her voice muffled against her arms.

But Emir did not turn away this time. He took hold of her arm and pulled her up into his embrace.

Ara reacted quickly and aggressively. She pushed him harshly away from her, before striking out at him. Emir leaned straight back in, pulling her tightly into his arms, and his hand cradling her head. Ara fought against him, clawing at his arms and kicking him.

"Let me go, dammit. Don't touch me."

"Ara, it's okay. It's okay," Emir whispered repeatedly, taking the blows without even flinching.

Zaelan went to move forward to free Ara, when to his surprise, Ara's hands moved to grip Emir's shirt and she buried her face into his shoulder sobbing for all she was worth.

"I hate that I can't hate you, Emmy," she sobbed. "It would make this so much easier."

"You can hate me if it helps. You can hit me all you want. I just can't bear you suffering it alone."

Ara just shook her head, her fingers turning white as she tightened her grip. "I can't even hate my grandfather. I don't want to know or understand, but a part of me knows why he is doing all this."