"No," she whispered, though it was more of a yes.
"Yes," he stepped in close, pinning her against the wall.
Toshani brought her arms up, determined to overpower Rudra's sleeping form. Just as she was about to take a swing at him.Her throat was wrapped by his hand and squeezed. Instinctively, her hands clawed at his iron-clad grip, her eyes watering as she gasped for air.
Toshani woke up, it took her a few seconds to remember where she was and the events of the previous day.She had been brought into what she guessed a castle, then locked up in a luxurious chamber. She was blindfolded until she reached this room which she considered rather necessary; she was not planning to run away, nevertheless. She sighed as the memories of the earlier night came crashing back to her. Worse yet, she realized that there was an arm wrapped around her waist. Her heart pounding, she searched her memory for an explanation.
Shrushaw was sitting in front of a statue, the statue was of a man sitting in a meditative pose. His eyes were closed, a calm serene expression etched on its face."I have failed father, I was unable to save the princess," she sighed, her face etched in a frown.
Toshani folded her arms and leaned against the wall," explain". Rudra ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"A human child who will be the reflection of the mother Goddess Aditi will have the ability to remove the seal of Indra and then cast the Asuras into the other world, releasing the unbound energy. The human child of Kashyap will be able to unlock her abilities. Once unlocked, only a great sacrifice will lock the seal."
Toshani was being led by her hated enemy to another hated enemy, and she had plans to kill them all. It was ironical.Toshani peered out from the chariot as it entered the massive courtyard. Towering turrets of black arose from the mass of stones which was the castle.
Toshani opened her eyes as the pain ripped through her body. It was dim and cool where she was and smelled a bit moldy as if she were underground. Her eyes strained to adjust to the insufficient light. Her head was throbbing, and she could feel the aftermath of the hangover. She tried desperately to remember something, anything. The last thing she could remember was having dinner with her family's murderers. Rudra refraining her from attacking the king...then just darkness.
The sun hung high over the Palmar village. By now, every villager was already awake and tended to their duties or, if they finished them already, was either playing, resting, or gossiping.Right now, the village in waited for the hunting party to return from their bi-weekly expedition into the forest surroundi
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.