Seher was the first one to wake up. She turned and slightly winced in pain. It took her a while to register everything, painful memories of last night flashed through her mind. She should not have slapped him but the deed was done. In anger, he tore down her gown, kissing and biting her all over again and again. Seher laid motionless clutching tightly at sheets beneath. His bites were stinging. He stopped for a second but again pressed his lips on her.

" I can't stop myself, Seher, give me a kiss ..."

She felt a blinding pain when he plunged into her. Tears were pouring down her cheeks. Seher screamed in pain. She tried pushing him off and almost got off the bed. He pulled her back.

"It is your duty as a wife. Wait for a few seconds and the pain will go away soon."

After a few seconds, he started again. She never felt such pain. She bit her lips, waiting for this to finish. He then moved faster, grabbed her hips, and filled her. His groans echoed in the room. He lay next to her and engulfed her in his arms. He was just observing her tear-stained face. He gently wiped her tears.

"You are mine now ".

She did not know what happened to him. He started again. She was not prepared for this. Moreover, no one informed her of this kind of intimacy between husband and wife. She did know why women love this painful act and commit to their husbands. She did not understand why women felt shy talking about this, there was absolutely no pleasure, just pain. Shahzain was unstoppable. He was taking her again and again. She finally asked him to stop. He looked at her without any words and grabbed the blanket, covered both of them and nestled her in his arms, and slept. She was so exhausted she did not realize when sleep took over her.

Arms! She realized there was a heavy arm wrapped around her dainty naked waist. She could feel his soft breath on her neck. She was in his tight embrace, their naked bodies were intertwined. Tears again started flowing from her eyes. She accepted her fate and he was her husband. She had to take a shower. She slowly removed his hand and got up holding the blanket. Seher was looking around to wear something. Her clothes were all torn. She saw his robe lying on the ground and slid under the blanket, slowly crawling to the edge and picking it up. Her moment woke him up.

"What are you doing, little wife?"

" I have to take a shower or else I will miss my prayer"

I saw her innocent face and unruly hair flowing around her face. She was a temptress. I know I was too hard on her. She will be surprised to know that she is the first woman in my life. I had been practicing celibacy for years, constrained myself from any temptations, and just focused on my duties and wars, but seeing her I lost all my control. She was just made for me, to pleasure me. I looked at her body covered with all the bruises but did not feel any guilt whatsoever. I saw the bloodstains on the sheets and panicked.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He pointed at the blood

She remained quiet. He pulled her closer, looking at her body for any wounds.

"That is because of the first..." She was mumbling.

I remembered she was a virgin. I wrapped her in my stole and walked towards the Hammam(Bath). Coal heaters were already there heating the water. I think someone had already placed some clothes and towels and lit the coal in the early hours of the morning. She was blushing hard as I helped her with the bath.

Soon they were both dressed. Shahzain helped her with drying her hair. He was treating her like a delicate flower. Still, there was time for dawn prayer.

"Seher, let's pray together" She just nodded and followed him. They prayed together and after finishing, Seher asked him

"Will you go to the mosque for dawn prayer?"

Shahzain looked at her and replied harshly.

"I am nice to you. It does not mean that you think you can rule me. Listen carefully. I did not give you any right to ask me any questions. Don't consider yourself as my legal wife. You are just my bed warmer and my personal maid."

Tears started flowing down her eyes.

"One more thing, if you think I will take pity on your crying, then you are wrong. I love your tears. You have to pay for your mother's sins. I won't repeat. After going back you will do all my things. Don't expect any maids at your service and whenever I call you to bed you have to come to me, no compromise there, and also never raise your hands again. Remember last night." He did not say anything and just left her.

Seher was crying. This man was like a mystery. One moment he was caring, another moment he turned into a monster. He was definitely a certified psychopath. She gave her prayers and asked God to give her the strength to bear this man.

*****************************************************************

Her grandparents forced him to have breakfast before the journey. Shahzain gave her some time to bid final goodbyes to her family. Fakhruddin kissed his daughter and hugged her for a long time.

"Shahzain, I am giving my heart to you. Take care of her. Forget what happened in the past. Make a fresh start with your wife. I am sure she will not give you a chance to complain, but I expect the same from you. If something happens to her, you will not face your father-in-law standing in front of you, but you will face the fury of the mountain King Fakhruddin."

Nur Jahan was feeling like a piece of her soul was being ripped from her. She hugged her daughter.

"Seher, never compromise with your self-respect in any situation. Remember we are there for you. You are a warrior princess, the daughter of Nur. Remember our discussion in the morning."

As Seher stepped into the carriage, Ayat came running.

"Seher keep this with you and don't hesitate to use it if you need it. " It was Ayat's dagger which she bought, especially from Arabia.

"Ayat, this was your favorite, I didn't even know how to use it."

"Time is the biggest teacher. I pray that you never get to use it. Consider it as a wedding gift from me". She squinted her eyes at Shahzain.

Shahzain looked at the dagger and then at Ayat with a cynical smile.

"What about my gift? You gave your sister a dagger. I expect a sword."

"We are giving you our Seher, consider her as our biggest gift". Shahzain had the idea now that Ayat was totally opposite to his calm wife.

Seher and Shazain started their journey back to his Kingdom. His maids and guards followed. Shahzain refused any gifts from Fakhruddin. Rabia and Utbah were very impressed by Nur and Fakhr and their hospitality. They never considered them as servants but as Shazain's family. Rabia was impressed by Nur, who was exactly like what she had heard about, compassionate and very beautiful in and out. She promised Nur that she would look after Seher.

************************************************************************

Somewhere in Greece, a princess ordered servants to lash her maid.

"How dare you spill the milk on my shoes, you clumsy bitch."

"I am really sorry princess, I did not see you "

"You fools, what are you looking at? Give her three lashes."

"Ariana, Darling, please forgive her. See what Shazain has sent for your 22nd birthday"

Her mother queen, Helena, calmed her down and signaled servants to dismiss her quickly.

" Agnes, you escaped in a fraction of a second otherwise that spoiled princess would have punished you," Martha, one of the maids said to Agnes, who was about to be punished.

"She is a monster in disguise. I don't know when she will leave for Shahbad(Shazain's kingdom)."

"I feel sorry for Sultan Shahzain, he is unaware of her cruel nature. She acts so politely in front of him, Martha"

"It's been almost a year since she visited his palace, but Agnes, I don't understand why he is not marrying her. "

"Who knows, Agnes? I heard Sultan was away and asked princess Ariana not to visit his kingdom until next year. Maybe we will hear wedding bells next year."

"I will be dancing with joy when this Wicked woman leaves" Agnes replied.