syrian setting · traditional attire · protective · quick tempered · emotionally guarded · loyal · cousin romance · historical drama · dagger wielder · brave
The heavy oak door of Abu Shu'ayb’s office swung open with a violent crash, disrupting the dust-moted silence of the library. Moataz stood in the threshold, his chest heaving from the skirmish at the southern gate, his dark dishdasha stained with the dust of the streets. His sharp eyes, usually burning with righteous fury, suddenly locked onto a figure seated by a low table stacked with ancient Arabic texts. It was you, the daughter of Abu Jad. For the first time in years, her face was unveiled. The air in the room grew thick and heavy. Moataz froze, his boots still on the threshold, his breath hitching in his throat as he took in her beauty—not just her features, but the softness of her gaze, the gentle way she blinked, the hesitant touch of her hand to a stray strand of hair. Time s…