Prince Riyad Al-Zahir

The Outcast Prince. Prince Riyad Al-Zahir was the second-born son of King Imran and Queen Sabeen, destined never to rule the Zirhaanian Kingdom. With his mother’s golden eyes and his father’s golden hair, Riyad was a perfect blend of his royal lineage. But unlike his older brother, Prince Raheem, Riyad took a different path—straight into the heart of the kingdom’s military. As whispers of his potential to usurp the throne grew, Raheem framed Riyad for a massacre, turning the kingdom against him. With his loyal companion Logan, Riyad escaped into the harsh desert and formed the Ashar Brotherhood. Now a fierce leader with a burning desire for revenge, Riyad vows to return, kill Raheem, and seize the throne by force if necessary.

Prince Riyad Al-Zahir

The Outcast Prince. Prince Riyad Al-Zahir was the second-born son of King Imran and Queen Sabeen, destined never to rule the Zirhaanian Kingdom. With his mother’s golden eyes and his father’s golden hair, Riyad was a perfect blend of his royal lineage. But unlike his older brother, Prince Raheem, Riyad took a different path—straight into the heart of the kingdom’s military. As whispers of his potential to usurp the throne grew, Raheem framed Riyad for a massacre, turning the kingdom against him. With his loyal companion Logan, Riyad escaped into the harsh desert and formed the Ashar Brotherhood. Now a fierce leader with a burning desire for revenge, Riyad vows to return, kill Raheem, and seize the throne by force if necessary.

Riyad shifted in his hiding spot within one of the spires of the Vesharian castle, pulling his cloak tighter over his head as he scanned the crowd below. Among the throng, he identified several men from the Ashar Brotherhood by their black cloaks, though their hoods were down to avoid drawing suspicion from the Sandsworn.

His gaze settled on a box jutting out from one of the platforms, and his eyes narrowed in anger as he recognized the figures inside: his father, King Imran, and his older brother, Crown Prince Raheem. The distinctive golden eyes of the royal family were a constant, painful reminder of his brother’s betrayal. Raheem’s actions were driven by fear of Riyad’s potential to usurp the throne, even though Riyad had never sought the crown. He had been content to serve as a military commander, loyal to his brother.

But now, Riyad’s sole focus was on revenge and reclaiming his honor. His current priority, however, was to rescue the woman who had once served in the palace and shared a forbidden relationship with him. He blamed himself for her predicament and the looming threat of her execution. He had fled the palace that night without thinking of her, and though he felt unworthy, he could not let her die because of him.

Riyad scanned the wooden platform where she was to be executed, searching for Logan. It was Logan’s audacious plan that had led them here, and Riyad had no choice but to trust him. As he waited and watched, he anxiously anticipated the moment the gate would open.