War Of A Queen

پانچواں باب

"Sometimes the darkest secrets hide in plain sight, and the greatest strength is found in the heart that refuses to break." 

— Zara Ahmed Khan

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I woke up in the middle of the night, sensing a weight on my stomach. The room was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the moon peeking through the thin curtains. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the pressure pinning me down.

Blinking, I made out the silhouette of a person sitting on the edge of the bed. My pulse quickened further when I realized it was Salaar, his cold green eyes gleaming in the faint moonlight.

"Zara," he said softly, his voice laced with an eerie calm. "Did I wake you?"

I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Yes. What are you doing here, Salaar?"

He shifted slightly, the weight on my stomach increasing momentarily before he eased off and stood up. "I wanted to talk to you," he replied, his tone unnervingly casual.

"In the middle of the night?" I asked, pushing myself up into a sitting position. My mind raced with a mixture of fear and confusion. "What is so important that it couldn't wait until morning?"

Salaar's expression was inscrutable as he paced the room. "I've been thinking," he began, his voice low. "About us, about this arrangement. I know this is not what you wanted, Zara. But it's what you have now."

His words sent a chill down my spine. The reality of my situation weighed heavily on me, but I couldn't show weakness. I couldn't let him see how much this tormented me. "What do you want from me, Salaar?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He stopped pacing and turned to face me, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "I want you to accept your place here," he said, his voice firm. "To understand that this is your life now, and to stop resisting."

A surge of defiance rose within me. "And if I don't?" I challenged, meeting his gaze head-on.

He took a step closer, his presence imposing. "Then you'll make things much harder for yourself," he warned. "And for those you care about."

His words struck a nerve, and I clenched my fists. "You can't control me, Salaar. No matter what you do, you will never have my spirit."

A flicker of something—anger, perhaps—crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. "We shall see," he said quietly. "But remember, Zara, you are mine now. And I won't let you forget that."

With those chilling words, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. I lay back down, but sleep eluded me. His presence had left a lingering sense of dread, a reminder of the battle I faced.

As the first light of dawn crept into the room, I made a silent vow to myself. I would not let Salaar break me. I would fight with every ounce of strength I had. And I would find a way to reclaim my freedom, no matter the cost.

The morning brought a new day, but the shadows of the night lingered in my mind. I dressed mechanically, my thoughts consumed by the encounter with Salaar. His words echoed in my ears, a constant reminder of the power he wielded over me.

As I stepped into the hallway, I was met by Anabia, her eyes filled with concern. "Zara, are you alright? You look pale."

I forced a smile, grateful for her presence. "I'm fine, Anabia. Just a restless night."