im like the warm morning air. The scent of spices-cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron-mingled with the chatter of merchants and the clatte

rvous flutter in his chest. Though he had lived in the city his whole life,

the edges, listening to the whi

man murmured to her companion as

s estate? The one no one e

heart ti

riage followed him - a hushed story pas

world he walked in. Here, people bartered openly with coins and

falcon clutched in his hand. Ahmed smiled faintly - a reminder tha

of mint-infused black tea. The vendor's eyes

spreading fast. They say the Al-Hakeem widow has taken a husb

stirring his

orld. Some say it's a game. Others sa

was a word that sent a c

followed him, growing louder

a woman's voice

e knows what he

n, her face weathered but kind

hmed said quietly

if she understood somet

gets," she said softly. "Be careful, young ma

r, his fingers tightening arou

city's sounds faded into a

high walls of the estate. Did she watch the world

ate note appeared at his d

ch, but here, you are safe.

iliar script with

ead of connection held them close - two souls navig