Page 31 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Are you insane?” My voice squeaked as I screamed at him.

“You're not the only one here,” He smirked.

I sat on my knees and held his arm, wrapping the cloth around the wound. However, he pulled his hand back and rose from the chair.“Rudra, it's bleeding.” I tried to hold him, but in one swift move, he pulled me up and pushed me against the dressing table.

The way he looked into my eyes made me weak at the knees. Cradling my face in his palms, he compelled me to look at him.“Write my name in your hands tomorrow,” he spoke with authority, in a low tone, and I pushed him away.

“Are you mad? Invitations have been sent, and the guests have arrived. This is not a game, this is my life, Rudra,” I spat. Holding my waist, he leaned closer to my lips.

“Exactly. This is not a game; this is your life,” he exclaimed, pulling me in for a passionate kiss.

He took my lips between his and began sucking them intensely. The hair at the back of my neck rose when I felt his hand moving on my midriff, just below the hem of my blouse.

“Kiss me back, Nandani,” He demanded in a whisper, and I blinked nervously. I would never.

But I was too numb to react.

He traced his thumb along the curve of my breast and inched it closer to my perked bud.

He left my lips, and gazing at me, he stroked his thumb on my erect bud, caressing it back and forth, once, twice, thrice…. His torture on my skin had me panting hard for air, moaning. Coming to my senses, I immediately snapped his hand away.

“If I survive, I shall be back to you, but if I don't, you can happily get married to my uncle and become the queen of Suryagarh,” he said, retreating his steps away from me.

His words numbed me, and I tried to stop him,“Rudra, you will not do anything unreasonable,” but he paid no heed and wrapped my dupatta around his wounded arm.

“You're not the only one who's persistent here, Nandani.” As I walked in his direction, I held his hand.

“Rudra, please, you will not do anything,” I pleaded, my lips wobbling. Kissing my forehead, he pulled me into his warm embrace. Moving my hair aside, he tied my blouse.

“All my life, I thought about what my master meant when he insisted that a moment of distraction could cost a lifetime of control. But now I understand what he meant,” He said, pulling away from the hug. My whole form shivered immensely as I looked at him, stepping back.

“I will not do what you are thinking, Rudra.”

He turned around and said,“You will. You will do as I would say, Nandani,” and leapt over the window.

Once he left, an exhausting sigh left my mouth, and as I sat on my bed, I touched my lips, remembering how vehemently he kissed me. I could still feel his lips on mine.

What are you doing to me, Rudra? I hate you.I cursed him in my mind.

?? ? ? ?

I breathed heavily, rubbing the Haldi off my skin harshly. Even though I was able to scrub off the dried paste, the touch he implanted all over my body persisted. I was reminded of what had just happened.

No, Nandani, don't think about him!

Focus. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. I needed to concentrate to think clearly.

Undressing, I stepped into the pool to cleanse myself. I let the cool water glide over my body, washing away the heat of his scent from my skin. Yet, my mind kept racing with thoughts of what had happened in the chamber earlier.

The way he kissed me, the way he smelled me like I was some drug, and the way he claimed me. His touches were indelible, enchanting almost, something I had never felt before, something that would keep haunting me. I always dreamt of something similar, but it was beyond my imagination when he did that for real.

Once I finished bathing, I changed into my nightgown and lay on the bed, hoping to get some sleep. But thoughts kept lurking in my mind about everything that had happened with him.

Until now, I had been worried about the wedding and the King, but my true source of distress was Rudra. Whatever he did to me was too intense and harmful; it lingered permanently in my mind.

His rough hands pressed against my back, his grip firm on my wrists, his commanding eyes peering down at me... No. Stop, Nandani, just sleep. Don't let his actions haunt you.

I closed my eyes, and after a long time, I fell asleep.

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