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Alfina listed lazily through the desert city's streets, dressed in bare, loose, and fairly revealing clothes to keep the bulk of her skin open for the breeze to carry her heat away. She had recently returned from retrieving water from the well outside the city and was trying to find someplace quiet to relax. She leaned against a wall under a bridge so she was in the shade. She looked over to see the gate into town to her left and the bazaar to her right. She was tempted to go and get more water for herself, but she also needed groceries and a new gem for her collection. She loved collecting cheap gems and was frequently seen combing merchant stalls for new ones to purchase.
She slumped against the wall, exhausted and planning on sitting down for a while to rest before moving on.

He blushed. "Thanks Zorrie." he said pulling her into a kiss. 'Zorrie' was a nickname he gave her, because sometimes her name was hard to pronounce. The shade felt good and he was glad to have bring her along. Cuddling up to her Dash stared deeply into her eyes. "Maybe after we get home...we can try..f-for a baby.." he said blushing a bit. Having a child wasn't something he normally thought about. Heck for the first month they were together they fought over that very thought.

"I-I know that sounds odd coming from me but..I've been thinking lately." he smiled. "I know how much you want a big family honey.." Pulling away he blushed.

Standing he lifted his hand up to her. "We'd better go, I can cuddle you all I want to in the safety of an Inn later." He winked.

They reached the town. Bustling with activity people everywhere were haggling for good deals on spices, jewelry, rugs, clothing, and about anything else people could get their hands on. Buying her an apple Dash smiled warmly handing it to her.

"Before when we were first engaged I really felt like Father was forcing me to have children. That's why I didn't want to have any when you had begged me to." He sait to her softly as they walked. "Yet now I feel like it's the right thing. Maybe if we're lucky we can have twins or triplets or something Zorrie." he smiiled gently patting her flat belly.

Getting a room in the Inn, Dash made sure to get one of the luxurious ones. When they entered it was like their own private paradise. The sun was setting slowly as he looked at the busy city from the balcony. Happy to have his cloak back he leaned on the railing comfortably looking at the busy people slowly closing up and winding down. "Tomorrow we'll go out and explore the town better. How does that sound Honey?" he called back to her.

"Me too.." he said wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close into a side hug. "I love you Zorya Venimian..." he cooed to her happily. The night grew cool as crickets began to sing their own harmonies. Dash shivered a bit. Pulling her inside he began to kiss her sweetly. "Goodnight my love..I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow to see your sweet face." he said blushing slightly.

Well I like the idea. Approved.

Asalah watched her husband go and remembered his kiss as he left. It was short, brief. She wished he could have stayed but the kingdom of Assadaran was always busy. Plus, if his brothers called him Malik's work had to be improtant.

Asalah sat up and snapped her fingers. A young servant came into the room a brown skinned boy no older than twelve with awful black dreadlocks. She looked at him and ordered, "Get me a fresh cup of water I'm thirsty and a bit tired."

"Should I get you medicine too Princess Asalah." the boy asked.

"No, just bring me water." she told him again

The boy left and when he was gone Asalah rose from her bed and walked over to a desk in her room. "Perhaps I should put together a shopping list and find out if Malik would like to come with me? If I do he'll certainly be doing princely duties and enjoying his time with me." She smiled at her clever plan and picked up a quill sitting in an ink jar on their oak desk.

"Let's see..." she thought as she tapped her cheek with her other hand. "Milk, we need milk, but not just any milk camel's milk. It's rich and if Malik wants strong and healthy babies we're going to need to prepare for them. We'll also need more blankets and rugs too to make sure the room is warm and clean and looks nice."

At that moment the boy returned with her water and his gently lifted it off a serving plate he carried and sipped it. "This is good water boy. Please tell the guards at the door to take a break for now. I'll be heading out soon I think." The boy nodded and did so and the guards left.

After composing some more thoughts she wrote them down and grabbed her list from the desk, returning everything where it needed to be. Then she left the palace and grabbed a horse from one of the stable boys.

"I'll be out for a while..." she told him, "Malik will be upset if I'm attacked or anything happens to me, so have a guard or two follow me on my rounds to the market. I intend to go shopping, but I don't want them seen with me."

With that she kicked the sides of her horse and rode off in the same direction as Malik had. She of course didn't know he was there. Yet she went there anyway because she needed to.

Malik looked at the woman before narrowing his eyes on her. He hated being royal for one reason. Everyone and their mother felt like they owned him something. All they owned him was taxes and thankfulness for keeping the kingdom safe. In war the general and the men were no different. "Rise. If you bow to me again for no reason I will send you to the dungeons to do some thinking." He told the woman before turning his horse around. He was going to use the main street to get to his location. He rode slowly so he didn't hit people.

Several on lookers started to mumble to himself. "That's Prince Malik. I heard he is really cruel." One person mumbled. "I heard that his wife is punished for every little thing she does and they've only been married for a week." commented another. "He sure is handsome." commented a street girl.

Alfina blushed in embarrassment and decided to shut up. She was surprised to see a woman crying out something and heading towards them. She decided to start slowly backing away from it all. Normally she didn't mind being the center of attention, but things like this she preferred to be away from. She tried to sneak away from the two nobles that we're probably going to do something to her she wouldn't like.