Page 157 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I paused at the threshold, a smile creeping onto my lips. The tension in my chest melted a little.

As my gaze dropped to the water in the large pool, a wide smile spread across my lips at the sight of rose petals gently floating on the surface.

“Nandani,”

His voice sent a current through me, and I turned slowly to find him standing just behind me.

He hadn’t changed yet—still clothed, and yet something about his presence made my breath catch.

“You like it?” he asked in a quiet voice.

“I loved it,” I replied without a moment’s hesitation.

A smile touched his lips as he stepped closer, taking my hand in his. In silence, we walked together to the stairs of the pool. I descended into the cool water, while behind me, he pulled his kurta off in one fluid motion.

My eyes briefly flicked over his chest, the slight marks of the bruises now completely healed, yet scars left behind. And suddenly, the image of our wedding night flashed across my mind, uninvited.

I blinked to push it away.

He stepped into the pool and moved toward me with a calm surety. Without a word, he guided me gently, sitting down and drawing me back against him. My back met the warmth of his chest, and his legs settled to either side of my waist.

His arms wrapped around me slowly, and he brushed aside my damp hair, and a delicate shiver passed through me when he rested his chin on my shoulder. His closeness, the contrast between the cool water and the heat of his skin, it all overwhelmed me inthe quietest, sweetest way, turning me breathless.

The gentle touch made me relax and submit to his embrace.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.“Will you speak to your Guruji tomorrow?”

He placed a soft kiss on my shoulder, and his voice came out as a deep hum, low and content.“Hnnn-hnnn,”

A moment later, I felt his hand move to the side, reaching for the bowl of bathing paste. With featherlight care, he began to spread the sand-hued mixture onto my arm.

“Are you sure?” I asked quietly, my lashes fluttering under the weight of his tenderness.

He hummed again, the same deep, wordless assurance.“Hnnn-hnnn,”

I felt his hand move gently to my neck and shoulder, his palm large and warm, covering most of my skin with ease.

“What will you say to him?” I asked softly, my voice almost trembling.

His hand cupped the side of my neck, and he whispered,“That I love my wife and I wish to offer her the true earnings of my lifetime.”

My lashes lifted as my breath caught in my throat. I felt his other hand seek mine beneath the water, his fingers intertwined with mine.

“What are the earnings of your lifetime?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.“And why do you wish to give it to your wife?”

His breath moved slowly along the curve of my neckline, up toward my ear. I could feel the soft brush of his lips as he murmured against my skin:“My patience. My sacrifices. My self-control. My desires. My strength. My power. My joy. My devotion. My pride. My faith. My happiness. My peace. My freedom. Even my surrender. Everything I am… especially, my love,”

My heart thudded wildly in my chest, each word stirring my insides.

“I want to give you everything that I have held onto, Nandani. Everything,” he continued, his voice low, filled with raw truth.“You see, Nandani, we humans make sacrifices to attain things that are not meant for us, and demand something in return from god. And at first, my sacrifices and control held a different purpose, a different meaning, as if it were just my goal, and I had to achieveit.

But then I met you, and having you beside me, being with you, made me realise that all of this is just meaningless. I saw you being content, so giving, not because you’re a princess or because you have much, but because your heart is vast, because it is in your nature. You gave away your jewellery, your riches, for the welfare of others without a second thought. You didn’t count the cost. You didn’t hesitate. That’s your wealth, Nandani. That’s your greatness.

And here, I became celibate to earn my place as a king, controlling myself, yet obsessing over power. I never even tried to reason—do I deserve this? Am I even meant for it?—But no, instead of caring for what I already had, I was being desirous. I burned for a greater purpose, trying to buy my destiny with futile sacrifices, like I could bargain with god. God, who is the creator himself, has everything, and I, just a human, was trying to offer him something and negotiate.

And yet again, instead of being happy, I demanded more. Why? Just to reach here?

But I would be so stupid now if I kept chasing that goal instead of enjoying what God has already given me, you, my love, you. I have you now,” I felt his lips press softly against my ear, his voice like a breath.“I love you, Nandani. You are the prize of my decade-long penance.”

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