Page 153 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“I love you, little bird. And I’m dying to make love to you,” he whispered, and another strong shiver ran down my spine. I drew in a sharp breath.

Stepping back a little, I clutched my dupatta and tried to fix my tangled hair.“You’re making me insane, Rudra,” I said softly.

He rose from the floor and walked toward me, gently wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into a warm, enveloping hug.

“You’ve taken seduction classes, and you’re telling me I’m the one making you insane?” he teased. I let out a small chuckle, aweak smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

I knew he was trying his best to tempt me, to seduce me, but I had to stay put. At least until he met his Guruji. A change in place often changes perspective, too. Once we reached there, as he stood before his Guru again, I hoped it’d remind him of his responsibilities—of the sacrifices he’d chosen to make.

A moment of pleasure could easily become a lifetime of regret.

And, being human, we have the ability to think for ourselves. It would’ve been ignorant of me had I just gone with the flow. There was a time when I didn't know much about him, about his past, but after knowing most of it, I couldn't just let everything go in vain.

Suddenly, a sharp knock at the door pulled us both out of the haze. I took a step back, distancing myself as my heart thudded in my chest.

“Yes?” I called out.

From the other side, a voice answered,“Princess, the king is asking for the Ranaji.”

I turned to look at Rudra and raised a brow.“Jaaiye, patidev. Aapka bulaawa aa gaya hai,”(Go, dear husband. Your royal call has arrived.) I added with a teasing smile.

But before I could step any farther, he grabbed me close until our chests pressed together, my breath quickening in response to the intimacy.

“Aap jitna bhi prayas kar lein, Nandani, humne jo thaan liya hai wo to hum karke hi rahenge,”(No matter how hard you try, Nandani, what I’ve resolved to do, I will do it.) He said, and I inhaled deeply, realising what he actually meant.

I lowered my gaze and closed my eyes briefly, before saying,“Jab karna tha tab to aap kuch kar nahi paaye, ab kya hi kar lenge aap?”(When you had the chance, you couldn’t do anything—what could you possibly do now?)

I spoke in a really slow voice, not for him, but to let out a little of my own frustration.

“What? What did you say?”he asked, and I looked up at him with a faint smile on my lips.

“Nothing. You must go now. Baapusa probably has something urgent to discuss,”I replied with a warm smile. He gave a slight nod and walked away.

I inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. Once the doorclosed behind him, I sat down on the bed and gradually lay back.

What are you doing to me, Rudra?

Ever since I first laid eyes on him, I had waited for this moment for us to finally become one. I had cried for him, longed for him. And now, when that moment was inching closer, a fluttering nervousness had taken root in my stomach. Excitement and fear twisted together inside me.

Wild thoughts and nervous shivers ran through me.

How could a man live like that? Not even touching himself for ten years... not eating his favourite food… sleeping on a cold mattress… cutting himself off from the world? And after learning all that, I couldn’t help but feel small in front of his love.

A girl who always got everything without even asking ended up with a man like him.

A true man. Someone so pure, so composed… yet dangerous and angry at the same time. So determined… yet innocent enough to have trusted the wrong people.

The more I loved him, the sadder I felt for him.

Even now, after knowing everything… after realising so much, he was still trying to pretend that everything was normal.

But I knew better. I could feel the storm he was carrying inside him. But I couldn’t even begin to understand what was going on in his heart or mind.

Was he really drawn to me out of love…? Or was this just his way of seeking redemption for everything he did to me, to everyone?

I didn’t know. But one thing I did know, and I could feel it deep in my bones—No matter how much he tries to convince me, I cannot let him make love to me until he’s truly out of this. Until he’s found peace within himself.

“Nandani,” suddenly my grandmother's voice called out, startling me.

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