“Suman! Reva! Is anybody there?” I called out desperately, my voice cracking.
Panic surged through me. I looked around, searching for something sharp, anything for defence.
Rushing to the dressing table, I yanked open the drawers with trembling hands.
He’d be here any moment.
And suddenly, the door to my chamber burst open with a loud crash—and I screamed in fright.
My sight fell on Surgami Dev Singh and a group of soldiers. I stumbled back, frantically looking around for anything I could use to defend myself.
Where would he have hidden something?
My body was shivering, but I forced myself to think.
“Stay away from me,” I roared as the soldiers stepped inside my chamber, moving towards me.
“Do not worry, my queen,” the old king sneered.“They won't harm you. But I will,”
At that moment, my eyes landed on the table near the couch.
Yes!That’s where Rudra usually sat, where he would’ve kept a knife ready for emergencies.
The soldiers lunged toward me, but I sprinted to the couch, bending low and frantically feeling beneath the table.
Please, please, please…I chanted in my mind.
My fingers brushed against something hard and cold. Without wasting a second, I pulled out the knife.
The nearest soldier reached for me, trying to hold my arm, but I plunged the blade into his throat.
Hot blood sprayed over my nightgown as he collapsed onto the floor.
“Bastard,” I hissed under my breath, my heart thundering.
The other soldiers hesitated, momentarily stunned. I tightened my grip on the knife, my jaw clenched.
“What are you looking at? She's just a girl,” Surgami Dev Singh mocked.
I let out a cold chuckle.“Yes,” I said, my voice steady.“I’m just a girl,”
I inhaled deeply, tightening my hold on the dagger, and moved toward them. Their swords gleamed under the dim light, and though they heavily outnumbered me, almost fifty against one, I could see it in their eyes: they weren't here to kill. They wanted to kidnap me.
Suddenly, Suman slipped into the chamber. Her horrified gaze met mine. I shook my head sharply, signalling her to stay quiet and leave. She understood and quickly disappeared.
As five soldiers charged at me, fear gripped me, but I stood firm with my defence ready.
The clash of steel echoed through the chamber as my dagger met their swords. They were distracted, their eyes flickering to my dishevelled hair and nightgown. I used that to my advantage, and when they faltered, I struck.
One soldier howled in pain as I buried the knife into his heart. He collapsed instantly.
Another soldier swung at me, and I parried with my knife, but his strength pushed me backwards.
I was losing ground, the edge of his sword dangerously close to my throat. Sweat trickled down my forehead, and my knees trembled. I was slipping, losing my strength.
But then I spotted a knife tucked into his belt.
With a desperate surge of energy, I grabbed it, twisted it upward, and slashed his neck. He fell to the ground, his blood splattering my face and neck.