A Dragon's Heart

19.

“Deep breath, Nurayn. You are fine. You are good. They're all going to love you,” Bilal murmured as he brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it.

But that seemed to do little to calm my jittery nerves. I tried to smile, but even that didn't seem to work. Would the sultan like me? Or would he think of me as a weak link to Bilal, like Jaddah did? A c***k to be used in getting to Bilal?

We had arrived at the capital just a few minutes ago, and although Bilal had insisted we go to the guest house so I could rest before meeting the sultan, I declined. I wanted to be done with this once and for all. And while I did know I needed the rest, I was too stubborn to listen. Especially because I had stupidly assumed a camel from the caliphate to the capital would be easier than riding on Sameer. Wrong. Very wrong choice. I now had more blisters between my thighs.

I had asked Bilal why I couldn’t just ride the carriage like I did yesterday, and it became apparent why as soon as the two-hour journey to the capital started. Sahara sand. Bilal had mentioned that they were trying to create wheels for the carriages to roll easily in the Sahara sand, but they hadn’t succeeded yet, but more so it’s because they could ride their dragons to wherever they wanted.

“I asked Zayyad to take the maid and your clothes to the guest house,” Aamir, who was Bilal’s second-in-command, said from behind us. Today was the first time I met him.

Bilal nodded. “Have the maids prepare a warm bath before we finish here. And food as well. Nurayn ate nothing before we left.”

“Na’am, Sayyadi.” Aamir answered, and I heard some shuffling from behind, a soft murmur before he returned to his position.

“Feeling better?”

I swallowed and nodded, but the movement was small.

Sameer growled low from where he stood behind me, his large body hovering above me. And before I could move my head more sharply this time, I felt something warm and sticky on the side of my face.

Okay…

“For the love of everything ,” Bilal said bitingly as he turned around, “can you stop licking her face?!” he snapped.

Ahh, so it was Sameer. The gesture warmed my heart, and somehow, I felt a better part of my nerves settle in.

‘What? She’s my wife and mate too, and I want to help,’ Sameer answered.

“I…”

“It's fine. I don’t mind. I liked it.” I cut in quickly before they started to argue right here. “And I feel a lot better than I did a while back.”

“Nu…”

“Don’t be a party pooper. I am good,” I assured, squeezing his hand.

He glared at Sameer, who puffed out some smoke, and just like Jay once said, it looked like he was smirking.

“Ready?” Bilal asked, kissing my hand again as he turned his attention back to me.

I met his stare, and the whirling pools of his eyes drew me, calming me down without him doing much. Just like Sameer’s lick. So when I attempted to smile this time, it worked. “Yes. Yes, I am ready,” I answered, my voice sounding nothing like the chaos going on in my head.

He smiled as well, then nodded at the two men standing by the large silver door. They bowed, hands on the chest, dressed in leather armor, with little to no touches of the silver Bilal had on his. It was my second time seeing Bilal in armor. Silver armor worn above his caftan. Sameer also had a silver saddle on his back, which kept winking in the morning light. I, on the other hand, wore a black abaya with golden embroidery to match his. I rolled the veil atop my head, covering my hair as the customs required. Before we left, Sameer had licked the golden necklace I was wearing twice, claiming it was his way of marking it with his scent to deter any dragons with funny ideas.

I mean, we all knew no one was going to try anything with me when Bilal was always around, and I doubt he looked at anyone like he looked at me. Or looked as relaxed as he was around me. Because I hadn’t seen him, not once since we left the caliphate, cracked a smile at anyone.

‘You mean all broody and possessive and powerful, right? Cause I definitely like my men that way,’ Jay said, stretching.

‘Look who is finally awake,’ I grumbled, hating that she left me all alone during the ride as I battled with my anxiety with only Maryam trying to keep me entertained, although I had an idea that she might be afraid to talk to me. I left Samirah back to take care of the castle, and when Bilal asked who I wanted to take with me, I chose Maryam. I needed to keep her close. Although I really wanted Cretia to tag along, she declined and Bilal said to let her rest more before we returned in two or three days. In fact, it could take up to a week. It depended on how fast Bilal could finish what he needed to do in the capital.

I couldn’t wait to get back, fully meet this distant cousin of mine, and start training as well.

‘Duh, a wolf needs her beauty rest. Don’t be a hater, Tiffy,’ she scoffed, licking her paws. ‘It was Sameer’s lick that woke me up. Whoops! That dragon sure can lick! I can't wait for him to lick you properly where it matters and…’

‘For the love of everything, shut your mouth, Janeiro.’ I snapped, blushing furiously.

‘Oops, she’s using the full name. Totally not good.’

I sighed, shaking my head. ‘Can you just focus? We are in a dire situation here and the last thing I need is your dirty mind planting weird images in my head and…’

‘I was merely saying what will certainly happen with time. Excuse me if I’m not a prude like you,’ she huffed. ‘Besides, who drooled on Bilal’s chest last night while they slept?’

‘What?’

‘You heard me right. You totally drooled on the poor man’s chest. I wonder what he thinks of you right now.’

My eyes widened in shock as I looked at Bilal, who still hadn’t moved to go into the majlis.

‘I drooled?’

She howled, laughing. ‘You sure did. I guess our mate’s scent was that delicious.’

‘You’re lying.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not, Tiffy. You totally drooled. And no matter how hard I tried to wake you up, you just wouldn’t.’

Shit!

I looked at Bilal again, getting more nervous. ‘He didn’t say anything, though.’

‘Oh, come on, Tiffy. Was he supposed to be like ‘hey, you drooled on me last night. Totally not cool and classy for my wife.’ Is that what you want?’

‘No, I mean, not exactly. But I mean, he could’ve tried to, you know…’

Her loud howl paused me from my rambling, and I bit my bottom lip, hoping to stop the outburst threatening to spill out.

‘Totally got you there!!!’

What?

‘What do you mean?’

‘I was kidding. Pulling your leg. You seem nervous, and I just wanted to help loosen you up.’

‘Jay!!!’ I shrieked angrily.

‘What? I was only helping.’

‘Well, thank you so much for making me extra nervous!’

‘I…’

The door was finally pulled open, cutting off her words, and I felt my stomach sink as Bilal bent down and removed his shoes before helping me with mine. The deeper we went in, the more my stomach sank. The majlis was not what I expected, which I understood meant the sultan’s throne room, which also served as the cabinet office where meetings were carried out. I was supposed to meet not just the sultan, but also the members of the majlis as well.

There were four men sitting on one side of the room, and four on the other side, making them a total number of eight. The room had ornate pillars scattered around, with intricate carvings on the wall, and a majestic-looking throne sitting atop a raised dais. Courtiers and attendants were dressed in long thobes and abayas, and stood around the sultan, who sat on the throne. Paintings covered some parts of the wall, and an enormous dragon stood right beside the sultan, slightly larger than Sameer, if I guessed right. Everywhere was covered in silver embroidery, from the flags hanging, to the carvings fitted in with little silver threads. The floor was covered with a luxurious dark blue rug. The softest my bare feet had ever felt.

It wasn’t until we stopped before the throne that I noticed two other thrones beside the sultan’s. One was higher than the other, which was empty. I guess it belonged to the princess, which Bilal had told me about in a bit to help me understand those I was meeting.

“Sabah al khayr, Ya Sultan,” Bilal greeted, his hands crossed across his chest.

“Sabah al khayr, Ya Sultan,” I echoed the greeting as well, but instead of doing what Bilal did, I simply kept my hand down, one hand pressed to my chest.

“Marhaban our able qa’id,” the sultan smiled, shifting on his throne. “The capital missed you.” He was an elderly looking man, with a thick gray beard that covered his jaw and mouth. He had on a white thobe, and atop it was a black alkyabba, embroidered with silver thread. A black keffiyah, held by the agal. His legs were covered in skin shoes, and even they had the silver embroidery as well.

According to Bilal, men in the dragon empire did not wear gold. Only the women did.

Bilal straightened up, a small smile on his lips as he turned to face the sultana.

“Sultana,” he greeted her just like he did the sultan, and I did the same.

“Ya Qa’id. Marhaban. How was your journey? Kayf hal jadatik?”

“Innaha bi khayr, Sultana. She sends her kind regards.”

Could they be talking about Jaddah? Unlike the sultan, the sultana wore an embroidered large gown. Her face was covered with a black veil, and I couldn’t make out her facial features. Her hands, however, were covered in black and henna, and I found myself wanting to apply henna on my hands.

“I miss that old woman. Her political views are intense but always worthy of trying. Think we can convince her once more to return to the capital?”

Bilal chuckled. “I doubt that, Sultana. By the way, allow me to introduce my wife and mate,” he took my hand in his, pulling me closer to him and wrapping an arm on my shoulder. I didn’t miss the look on the sultana’s face as he did that, and I swallowed. “Tiffany Fawz Lakos from Zambele.”

The sultan smiled again, but I was certain the smile never reached his eyes.

“You are welcome to the sultanate, Tiffany.”

“Thank you, your majes… I mean, Ya Sultan.”

“She doesn’t even know the proper way to address the sultan? Such a shame, and a far cry from the kind of wife our Qa’id needs.”

I felt Bilal’s body stiffen, as Sameer growled loudly from where he stood behind us, hitting his hoof on the carpeted floor.

Knowing that he was going to say something unlikely, I turned and faced the direction of where the voice came from. A man, who looked as old as the sultan or even more, sat on the first chair on my right. His eyes were large, lined with kohl. His dotted keffiyah complimented the black thobe he wore, like all the remaining three men sitting beside him.

‘He looks like those villains from the novels you read,’ Jay said, rolling her eyes.

“It was just an honest mistake, mister,” I smiled, seeing that the name I called him irked him. “I am still doing my best to learn about everything.”

“Sadrazam,” the man gritted.

“Excuse me?” I asked, confused.

“That is my title, miss.” His tone was biting, and I felt Bilal shift, pulling me into him even more.

“Oh, my bad. It is nice to meet you, Sadrazam,” I smiled wider, doing my best not to show how annoying he was. Because this man right here was the Grand Vizier. In other words, the prime minister. Head of the other ministers.

“I think I’ve had enough, Sadrazam,” Bilal suddenly snapped.

Damn! Couldn’t he see I have everything under control?

“Ya Qa’id,” Sadrazam greeted, bowing his head slightly.

“Need I remind you of my position and who you are talking to?”

“I…”

“Remember that I only answer to the sultan the next time you think of speaking to my wife that way,” he growled angrily, his body shaking.

Shit! Could this man stop with all the growling? If he kept doing this, I was sure they’d start to dislike me if they didn’t already, which was certainly not what I wanted.

“Of course, Qa’id. Just like her, it was an honest mistake,” the man had a small smile on his beard-covered mouth as he regarded Bilal.

“Don’t do anything rash,” I whispered desperately. “Nothing happened, so please, stop.”

He must have heard the desperation in my voice as his body relaxed against mine. Then he turned, without caring that people were watching, and kissed me on the lips lightly.

‘Have I told you how much this man spins my universe?’ Jay asked, her voice sounding slurred.

‘Not now, Jay. Not now,’ I answered, feeling an overwhelming sense of shyness wash over me.

“Marhaban wa sahlan, qa’id zaujatiyy. We the members of the Majlis welcome you to the empire,” loud booming voices thundered, cutting through my moment. I lifted my hand and found that all eight ministers were standing now, hands on their chest as they addressed me. The other four were dressed in light blue thobes, unlike the ones on the vizier’s side.

“Seems like we were off to a wrong start,” the sultana said. “How about you go rest, as we have state matters of importance to discuss now that we’ve met you?” She added, her voice soft and serene, yet I wasn’t sure if the edge I thought I heard was just my imagination.

“But…”

“We have important matters to discuss, Qa’id, and the woman’s presence is not needed for such discussion,” the sultana cut off Bilal. “The sultan already asked that a celebration be thrown tomorrow night to celebrate your marriage,” she shifted her gaze to me. “I think that is the place that suits a woman like you, don’t you agree? Your physique certainly doesn’t look like one who can carry such burdens, right?”

She was mocking my body. My weight.

‘She did not just!’ Jay growled, and I guessed the sound was loud considering the look I was getting. I did my best to temper down her simmering rage, still maintaining my calm appearance.

I swallowed hard and fast. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her why she thought I wasn’t capable, and then I realized this wasn’t the right time. That this was exactly what Jaddah meant. Bilal was the one with power, not me. I was merely his wife, and just because of that, I shouldn’t expect the same level of respect they had for him.

If I wanted respect, I had to earn it. And earning it I would, then shove it down all their damn throats. But then again, I would not let anyone mock me for my body. I loved it. I was proud of it. And I would be damned if I allowed myself to cower simply because someone thinks a plus-sized woman isn't it.

Damn her and Damn them all!

As though to emphasize that, I stood tall, squaring my shoulders while still keeping the smile.

Bilal shifted, and I gripped his hand tightly, shaking my head slightly. I was being chased away. I was being sent away. Because I wasn’t one of them. Because I was but a plus sized omega. My eyes stung with unshed tears, but I refuse to shed them. Not here. Not ever.

“Na’am, Sultana. I will take my leave now. After all, I need to take care of him when he gets tired out with all the meetings. The role of a wife and everything, it does get tiring sometimes though, don't you think? After all, you are a woman like me,” I smiled brightly as Jay hopped around, cheering at me. “And want me to let you in on a small secret?” I whispered, but I was sure everyone could hear me. “This physique throws him in a loop. He hardly controls himself when I am close by, that is to say, you don't have to worry about my burdens,” I laughed softly. “I will be sure to bring my best tomorrow night, Sultana. Thank you for welcoming us gracefully.”

Even though she had her face covered, I was sure she was angry at my words from the way she was gripping her throne.

I smiled again, then turned and faced the sultan, offered my greeting and shifted my gaze to my husband.

“Take care of yourself, Omri. I’ll see you later.”

“Nu…”

“We’ll talk when you get back. I am fine,” I whispered, dropping my eyes so he wouldn’t see the shimmering tears in my eyes. “I will be fine.”

And with that, I turned and walked to the door, my head held high and proud. Damn them all if they think I will cower before them just because they wanted me to.

I saw Zayyad waiting outside, with Aamir by his side. They both nodded as I stepped out. And without saying a single word, Zayyad fell into step beside me, his hand resting on his scrim.

At least, Zayyad respected me, regardless of my position in this empire.