Page 213 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

? Rudra ?

“W

HAT?????” she asked, utterly shocked. I looked into her wide, stunned eyes and nodded softly.

“Yes,” I muttered, though my eyes were far too busy capturing the glow of her skin under the silver veil of moonlight. She looked so ethereal, so elegant.

My gaze fell to her lips, and before I could stop myself, I leaned closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

But she pulled back, just before our lips could meet.

“What?” I asked, my voice low, almost pleading.

She stared into my eyes for a heartbeat, then closed hers briefly.“You have to clean yourself first,” she said softly.“You’re drenched in blood,”

I chuckled and nodded.“Yes, sure,” I said, sensing the hidden smile she was trying to suppress.

In no time, we reached the palace gates. I helped her climb down the horse, but she immediately lowered her gaze, tucking a loose strand behind her ear with shivery fingers.

“I’m bareheaded,” she said, her voice almost a whisper, clearly conscious of her state.

“It's okay,” I said gently.“It’s not you who should be covered all the time. It's the people's eyes that should lower when you pass,”

She smiled timidly.“You know things don't work that way,” she said quietly.

I took her hand softly in mine.“Then let's change things now,” I said, and she looked at me wide-eyed.

“I think you should ask someone to grab a dupatta for me,” she whispered, her eyes silently pleading with me.

Without a second thought, I scooped her up into my arms.

“Rudra!” she gasped, quickly biting her lip.“I mean, Ranaji,” she corrected herself in a flustered whisper, trying to push herself down.

“Everyone will see!” she protested.

I pulled her closer, hiding her face in the curve of my neck. Her long, tangled hair spilt over my shoulder, and I smiled at her.

“I've never seen you this shy little bird,” I teased, and she mumbled against my neck.

“Ye humaara sasural hai, Ranaji... yahaan hum khule sar nahi ghoom sakte…”(This is my in-laws’house, Ranaji... I cannot be seen bareheaded here.)

I smiled and carefully set her back on her feet. She looked up at me, confused, as I took a step back and swiftly pulled off my blood-stained kurta.

She gasped, her eyes wide.“What are you doing? You have marks…” She lowered her voice, glancing around.“...I mean, you have marks from my nails... and my waist chain is visible on your wrist!”

I smirked, enjoying her flustered expression.“Now, we’re both bare something,” I said playfully, taking her hand and leading her toward the palace doors.

“Rudra, no, please—they'll see!” she whispered desperately.

Laughing under my breath, I lifted her again into my arms.“Now stay shut,” I murmured.

The soldiers at the door opened it, their heads respectfully bowed. She hid her face deeper into my neck, her hands fisting my chest.

“Aww, my love,” I teased softly,“now I know what you are most afraid of.” She didn’t respond; she just tightened her hold on me.

Inside the palace, chaos buzzed everywhere in the aftermath of the battle. Heads turned, and people stopped in their tracks, staring at us in shock and amusement.

I caught sight of Ranvijay, Agastya, and Abhinandan arriving just then.

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