17 years ago -Queen Kalita tucked three-year-old Revati in her bed. Her golden curls spread on the pillows.After years of being childless, they had finally adopted Revati, an orphan child of King Suchihero's cousin. Suddenly, a bright light filled the room. Squinting her eyes Kalita stared at the source, which was a woman looking at her with sad eyes."Who are you, lady?" Kalita asked.Surprisingly, her presence was soothing rather than scary."You will be a mother again Kalita. Though you will not have much time with her. But you are going to be a vessel, a vessel for my heir.""I don't understand, my lady, " Kalita said."You will understand everything in time, child."The woman disappeared as unexpectedly as she had materialized. Kalita woke up from her dream. She rubbed her head trying to decipher the dream.***********Presently -"I have a question brother, " Rudra asked Anbir as they were getting prepared for the camp."Sure, go ahead, " " Why does the father want you to mar
Rudra rode through the thick vegetation following Toshani. Before he knew it, they were ridiculously deep in the wood where the sun was starting to get dimmer.Rudra wondered, where they were heading. Soon enough Toshani stopped, in the middle of nowhere.They got off their horses and left them to graze."What is this place? Why are we here?" "Well, since all you guys are so desperate to see fairies, I thought let me show you some."His eyes widened in surprise."Really? There are fairies here?" He whipped his head around, but he could not see anything except trees and plants."What a pervert!" Toshani shook her head."Excuse me! What did you just call me? How does that make me a pervert!" He looked offendedToshani chuckled."They are actually pretty vicious and dangerous, fairies I mean. " "Have you seen them?" "Yes, a long time ago. Since we are Shambala royalty, all beings living in this forest are under our protection. But that does not mean we can intrude in their dwellings as
Toshani shivered, even though they were standing in front of the fire. She felt his hand going around her unfastening her wet cloak."What are you doing?" She asked, startled."I think we should get out of these wet clothes, you will catch a cold, Toshani, " Rudra said while removing her cloak, he spread it out on a rock. Then proceeded to remove his cloak and started unbuttoning his wet shirt.Her eyes grew wide, as his perfect abs were revealed one by one. She turned away, trying her best not to look at him. He smirked, confident about the way he looked.It was still cold. Her layers of wet clothes were not helping much but it felt weird to undress in the company of a boy right after confessing their love for each other, and kissing."You are still shivering, Toshani, " he reminded her."I..... I am fine, " she replied as her clothes dripped with water."Don't worry, I won't do anything, " he raised his eyebrows, "Anything inappropriate is the last thing on my mind right now."She bl
"You were supposed to be in the maze, Anbir," Rudra said aloud. The thunder had stopped but the sky was still grey with rain falling in buckets."I don't know, I just killed the Phoenix and suddenly I was in the middle of a thunder," Anbir replied wiping his forehead.His clothes were slowly getting soaked in the rain."Come here, this cave will provide us with some shelter, " Rudra said.He looked inside; he could see the silhouette of Toshani pulling on her dress. He sighed with relief; it would have been embarrassing to be caught a few minutes prior.A few moments later Toshani, Rudra, and Anbir were sitting in front of the fire. Anbir glanced at the red-faced Rudra and Toshani after they explained how they ended up in the cave. They had skipped over the intimate details of course, but Anbir could guess what had transpired between them.He burst into laughter, while Rudra and Toshani looked flustered..."This is interesting. So, did I interrupt something?" He said with a glint."I
Suchihero pondered over Shrushaw's words, then rubbed his temples with his fingers."What do you mean by powers? What powers does Toshani have?""She is the heir of Goddess Aditi you know that. Somehow her presence at the shrine broke my maze. Perhaps it is because of her age, she is 16 now. Her powers were eventually going to show up.""You haven't answered my question? What powers does she have?""The prophecy...." Shrushaw said."Yes, I know the prophecy, I want to know what does Toshani has to do with breaking your maze?" The king insisted."The shrine is the hiding place of the source, your majesty. Toshani's presence must have affected it somehow, which created a mystic surge and broke the maze."Shrushaw explained though she herself was not sure about it."What do you suggest? What should I do?""Keep her away from this forest, and the shrine your majesty.""You know that's impossible. Tos
Toshani could feel Revati's gaze boring into her as she accepted Rudra's offer to dance. The minstrels were already playing a lively tune.She took his hand as he pulled her towards him. He held her close, though still maintaining the respectable distance.
"This is preposterous!" Anbir was fuming.The applause died down, and most of the eyes in the court had turned towards Anbir."I have won 3 of the previous tournaments, how can you choose someone else?"
"Hey, are you still sulking?" Anbir smirked as they rode back to Vatsaya."I am fine," Rudra gave a curt reply.The truth was he was never going to be the s
8 years later -The palace courtyard was in chaos, attendants and maids were running around checking every bush and shrub."Did you find the princes?" One of the maids asked.The guard who looked thoroughly harassed shook his head.8-year-old crown prince Prahastha and 6-year-old prince Ryan were sneaking through the stables."Are you sure it's here?" Ryan asked."Yes, cousin Ishaan has told me."" If mother finds out we'll be in trouble," Ryan said anxiously."She won't find out don't worry, she is busy with the baby anyway," Prahastha replied confidently.He was tall for his age, with blond hair which shone like spun gold and amber eyes. He had sun-kissed skin, making him look like a figure carved out of gold.My golden boy that's what Toshani called him when she wasn't being reprimanded for his various escapades.Much to her annoyance, he had inherited her adventurous spirit. Ryan had violet eyes just
Toshani looked out of the window, the crowd of noblemen and dignitaries below growing minute by minute. Flashes of light reflected off the jewellery worn by the women and from the elaborately decorated sword sheaths fastened to the men's sides, as the setting sun rays reflected off them.She turned away from the window, catching sight of herself in the large mirror, her elaborately painted face staring back at her amid a sea of red satin and jewels. She was four months pregnant now.She looked down at her wedding dress, it's elaborate folds hid her slight baby bump and the skirt flared around her ankles.Fighting back tears she remembered how she once imagined her wedding day. She wished, her parents would be there. Her sister was alive.The thought of her family caused her brave façade to crumble. Tears leaked from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks."Your Grace! Oh, don't! Please don't cry!" Her lady in waiting called from across the bedr
"You met the Gods?" Shrushaw asked incradelously.Toshani nodded.News of her recovery had spread like wildfire and the next person to visit her after Rudra was Shrushaw. It felt surreal to be alive after going through years of uncertainty this was kind of unreal. It was amazing to think that the world continued to exist, even with all this grief and anguish."Ishaan?" Toshani asked."They are safe, Rob whisked them away before the attack. Everyone has been waiting for you, to take your rightful place, as the queen of Shambhala.""I don't think I deserve that title. Perhaps, Ishaan should be declared as the next heir." Toshani replied."It has to be you," Rudra interjected. He had not left her side ever since she has woken up."The people want you, they have been waiting for their princess. You have been their beacon of hope for years. Will you honour their request?" He asked."I can't do this alone," she repl
"Baby? Toshani's pregnant I had no idea." Rudra mumbled in shock."I am assuming it's yours," Shrushaw asked, her voice was laced with anger.Rudra nodded grimly. He was ashamed of himself. The ground shook. The cave was already breaking up, cracks appeared in its crystal walls and floor."We need to leave. This place is collapsing." Shrushaw screamed.Rudra nodded and picked up Toshani. Shrushaw gave one the last look at Bhairav's mangled body. She closed her eyes for a moment, things could have been so different it only......Another boom broke her reverie. The wall cracked and exploded for several yards to either side of the entrance, raining stones down on them. They dashed out of the collapsing cave. The hill and the waterfall slumped into a pile of huge rubble. Flooding the forest. Any trace of the source was buried in the rushing water.Rudra panted and wiped off his wet forehead as he reached the edge of the forest with Shr
Shrushaw moved among the soldiers, her sword trailing lines of blood in her wake. She used her grief for Prahastha to fuel her strikes. Her sword bit into steel and flesh alike. Swords shattered when met with her blade. She could have used magic but she needed the release. She wanted to kill and spill blood.In a matter of moments, she stood shaking and breathing heavy, a group of soldiers dead at her feet. In the distance, by the wall, Markesh and his rebels were battling a large squad of soldiers, and they were losing. They were being driven back.She scanned the battle, looking for small groups she could fight. She needed to fight.She sent a fireball spell towards a group of soldiers. Several groups of soldiers broke off and charged at her. They got within a few feet before falling to their knees, clutching their heads. Arrows hissed all around her and disintegrated into ash."Step back," a voice said from behind her.Shrushaw gasped
"Very well! Let's retrieve the source first, princess," Bhairav smirked.Rudra lunged at Bhairav, but he was frozen midway. One flick of his hand stopped him in his track unable to move."What have you done to him?" Toshani asked."Don't worry, he is fine! I have just immobilised him so that he doesn't interrupt us. Shall we proceed?" Bhairav asked.Toshani grabbed her torn dress to stop it from falling off her shoulders and nodded. She was still clueless regarding what was going on.Malcolm and Gopi were gaping at the proceedings baffled, unsure what to do. The column of fire in the middle was now a full blazing inferno. Flames cropped up through the ground, forking through the air.Bhairav was mumbling some incantation."Step into the column." He ordered Toshani."What? In that fire?" She asked aghast."It won't hurt you, now go!" He barked.It was useless to argue with him. She was going to die anyway.
Toshani stood in the doorway, transfixed. Staring at the little boy playing with a few wooden toys in the room. He would laugh, then chuckled while the older women smiled at him.It was surreal, Toshani had an urge to hug the little boy, who looked so much like Revati, at the same time she wanted to run away. Afraid that her jinx would endanger the little boy as well. All her loved ones ended up dead isn't it?"Who are you?" The older woman asked.Toshani stepped inside and bowed to the former queen."Your majesty, we have never met before.""How do you know me?" Queen Nyra asked.Toshani ruffled the golden locks of Ishaan who stared back at her with curious blue eyes."He looks just like Revati. " Toshani mumbled.Nyra narrowed her eyes."I am princess Toshani, your majesty. Revati's sister." Toshani said softly.The women seemed unfazed."So you survived as well, how did they find you?"
Toshani stared intently at the beautiful woman standing in front of her.The elf queen Zinfer. Toshani had wandered 100s of times in the enchanted forest. Yet she had rarely come across these creatures dwelling in the forest."You are indeed the heir of Aditi, you have the same eyes," she said."Thank you, but I don't know what is that supposed to mean," Toshani replied and paced in the shabby room. This was Rob's home. It was more of an abandoned stable in a ruined mansion. Several stalls had been converted into rooms."It just means the prophecy is true," Zinfer said." Dark days are ahead. You will have to be strong."Toshani gave an exasperated look."Don't know if anything can be darker." She mumbled."Why are you here, Zinfer?" The girl asked in a firmer voice.Zinfer walked over to the bed and sat down next to the girl, thou
A shocked silence filled the room. Shrushaw was sure she did not hear Rob right. "What?"Rob fidgeted in his seat before taking a deep breath to relax.