Page 52 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I have treated injuries for many people, but my expertise didn’t help when it came to him, as my hands were trembling so much. Yet I tried to do it right, and suddenly, a soft gasp escaped my lips when I found his eyes open. He was staring quietly outside at the moon.

“You don't have to do this,” He mumbled, but I kept doing my work.

“It is my duty and my right because we’re husband and wife now,”

“Bhojan kyu nahi kiya abhi tak?”(Why haven't you eaten yet?) He asked in a low voice, and I replied,“Aapne bhi to nahi kiya,”(You haven't either)

He took a deep breath and slowly turned onto his back. I looked at his naked, wounded body. In the dim light of the moon, hisfeatures stood out so prominently that I couldn't help but ogle at his fine abs and muscular arms. Sweeping my gaze down his midriff, I observed the visible veins on his lower abdomen.

While applying the paste on a deep gash on his abdomen, I asked him in a soft tone,“Why didn't you get your wounds treated?”

He closed his eyes briefly and muttered,“I will, once all my soldiers get their wounds dressed.”

He slowly moved his hand to grasp my wrist. The tinkling sound of bangles echoed in the quiet courtyard as he gently pulled my hands to examine my henna-stained palm more closely.

Suddenly, he yanked my hand away and was about to leave, but I immediately held his hand and pleaded feebly,“Ranaji, I can't eat before you, not at least on our first day of marriage. Please have some food for me.” He looked me in the eyes and sighed before sitting back on the carpet. Taking the plate near him, he formed a morsel and extended his hand in my direction.

“You don't have to do this,” He said, and I opened my mouth to have the food. He kept feeding me until I finished two rotis. He did not eat, nor did I insist. After helping me drink water, he lay back in his place.

I applied the paste to the leftover wounds—on his abs, his chest, the side of his waist, his arms, and one on his wrist. There was a deep cut on his neck, for which I had to move closer and lean against his shoulders. His eyes were closed, but the moment my fingers touched his skin, he opened them.

A jolt of shiver ran down my spine when he looked into my eyes, and I blinked nervously as he whispered,“You cannot seduce me.”

“I’m not,” I instantly breathed out.

“So why are you here? You should be in bed.”

I took a deep breath and remarked,“I should be where my husband is.”

He moved my hand away from him, and looking intensely into my eyes, he said,“I don't sleep in chambers or over the beds.”

I put the bowl aside and said,“So it's fixed then, I too will sleep here on the floor.”

He clenched his jaw,“No, you are not. Go back and sleep in your chamber, on the bed,” he ordered.

I shook my head and removed the dupatta from my head.“Youdo not tell me what to do or what not to,” I commented, looking at him while I removed my earrings and placed them in a corner.

He was watching my every move closely and proclaimed,“It gets colder at night.”

I moved my hand behind my neck to remove my necklace and retorted,“That’s fine, I'd love to shiver to death in the cold.” I was trying to remove the knot of my necklace piece, but couldn't. I kept my hands down and sighed in annoyance.

Turning my back on him, I said,“Please help me with this. The attendants are asleep already,”

He sighed and waited for a few moments. Then, he brought his hands near my nape and carefully removed the knot without touching me. I took it off my neck and kept it near my earrings.

Turning back, I lay beside him and rested my head on the floor. It was uncomfortable, especially with the heavy clothes and jewellery on. He turned to the other side, facing the garden, and I closed my eyes.

After many months, I finally felt at peace. I didn't know if it was right or wrong, but it was calming.

?? ? ? ?

The velvety carpets suddenly felt cold in the middle of the night, like a hard marble floor. I tucked my feet into my lehenga in an attempt to seek warmth, but it was futile. The cool, biting wind crept through the thick fabric of my dress, stinging my skin and causing me to shiver, my teeth clattering, and my nose going numb.

I changed my position and turned to his side, only to face his back. It was dark, and I didn’t want to get up, so I tried to cocoon myself in my dupatta, but nothing helped.

Giving up, I sighed in displeasure and quietly tiptoed towards the sleeping chamber, not wanting to disturb Suman. Fetching a blanket, I returned and crouched in the direction he was facing.

I covered him with the blanket, when he mocked in a sleepy tone,“Someone's feeling cold, huhh,” I gritted my teeth at his remark.

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