He paused, then added quietly,“She’s adopted. Guruji found her by the river… someone had abandoned her,”
Something twisted in my stomach. I could barely imagine someone doing that to a child.
“Oh…” was all I could manage.
He finished the braid and smiled.“Time for the jewellery,”
He leaned over me from behind and reached for the necklace—a stunning piece of gold, studded with emerald. When he placed it against my neck, I gasped.
“It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it,”
He pushed my braid aside.“I managed to get it from another continent,” he said.
My eyes widened.“What? You have links with other continents?”
He fastened the choker and hummed through the mirror,“Hmm-hmm,”
I was still stunned as he picked up a set of bangles. Stepping in front of me, he extended his hand. I placed my wrist in his palm, and he gently slid the bangles on.
Tears filled my eyes again—too many emotions all at once.
He moved to my other hand and slid the red bangles on. Then,holding my hand delicately, he kissed the back of it and leaned close to my ear.
His voice dropped to a whisper,“You look so tempting... I want to take you so hard, you’ll scream my name at the top of your lungs,” It had my heart racing, and my eyes widened at the audacity of his words.
He brought his face back, and there was no trace of a joke in his expression. I looked at him, hopelessly enchanted, like a love-struck bee drawn to a dark, mysterious rose, thorny but blooming with intoxicating sweetness.
“When?” I whispered.
His thumb grazed my lower lip, and I felt a nervous shiver pass through me. My cheeks burned under the heat building inside.
“Soon,” he murmured, brushing his lips gently over mine.
I blinked at him, my core soaked, my thoughts slipping away as memories of our first time began to swirl in my mind, stirring a familiar ache deep within.
“How many days does your 'soon' have?” I asked softly.
He chuckled and turned to pick up the armlets.“Nandani,” he said, trying to move past the question.
“Rudra,” I called him again, my voice low as I touched his chin to bring his gaze back.“I’m asking when,”
The smile faded from his face. His eyes dipped slightly, a shadow of something heavy hidden beneath. He feathered his fingers over my skin, gently, almost hesitantly, then looked up.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, and I lowered my eyes. A tear rolled down my cheek. But I tried not to break.
“So, what have you two decided for me?” I asked quietly.
He stepped closer, but placed my hand on his chest.“Nandani,” he said, trying to soothe me.
I met his eyes.“What did you and the Prince of Mahabaleshgarh decide for me, Ranaji?” My voice wavered.
He shook his head.“Hey... don’t say it like that,”
“Then tell me, what am I supposed to do there?”
“Enjoy,” he said.“Spend time with your family,”
“And?” I asked.