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
The ship was sailing over the turbulent water of the mighty river Brahmaputra. Ganga the sacred river had yet to descend on Earth.Lorna being the Vassal state of Shambhala it was technically in Shambala boundaries.Revati stood over the highest deck reserved for the royal couple. The ship was a gift from Suchihero.
The torch faltered and hissed as water dripped from the low ceiling. Prahsatha kept his gaze ahead and tried his best to ignore the stench of the sewer and the dirty water that splashed around his boots.He walked down many twisting passages, arriving at the spot he was looking for. The stretch of wall in front of him looked no different from anywhere else.
Prahsatha had never travelled such long-distance for an assignment in his entire life.This job was more difficult than he had anticipated. It was not easy to kill someone in the middle of a warzone without entering it.
Prahsatha had not used his mage magic for years. He hoped he was getting it right, a small trickle of light escaped from his finger. It forked through the air and merged into Toshani's head stopping the blood flow.Screeeeeeeeeh........Prahsatha turned instinctively at the source of the noise. His hand reaching for his dagger automatically.A red and blue bird as big as a turkey had just landed nearby. Its yellow eyes glowed like embers."Phoenix!" Prahsatha furrowed his brows.The bird screeched again."I never thought we would meet again Prahsatha," Shrushaw said as she leaned against a tree, “that too in these circumstances".Prahsatha was immediately on his feet, his broadsword gleaming in his hands. Everything happened at lightning speed.Shrushaw gave a wry smile and walked ahead towards him. She had not changed at all. Though her robe was a bit disheveled due to the blood and soot covering it. A few strands of hair had escaped her intricate bun. But otherwise, she was as pristi
Shrushaw was exhausted by the time she had finished changing and healing Toshani. The princess was now tucked comfortably under thick blankets. Her injuries were healing fine. Though the full impact of her trauma would only be revealed once she gained consciousness."She will sleep now," Shrushaw declared.She arrive
It had been six months since Rudra had arrived at the citadel. Six months since he had last communicated with Toshani or anyone in the outside world.He had to follow a strict lifestyle like a monk. Though that did not stop him from daydreaming about Toshani, the things he would do with her when they would finally meet.
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.