Veer's POV

"Wait! Just stop over there." Laxita practically yelled as soon as I entered our room. That's right - our room. I know, right? We will gush over that later, preferably, in solitude.

"Why?" I froze at the door.

"Lock the door." She ordered and I obeyed.

"Hmm? But why?" I asked while turning around, my voice all suggestive.

"Good. Now come a little forward." She said, completely ignoring my question.

I did as she said and arched my brows at her quizzically. "Are you going to tell me why we are doing this?"

"I just want to make sure that I have actually learnt teleportation." She blurted out.

Oh. That was not what I was expecting. I guess what happened earlier today was still bothering her. "Fine. I am right where you need me."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to focus. Her nose always did an adorable little scrunch when she was determined or focused.

"Am I there?" She asked hopefully.

"Um, no?" I winced. This was clearly not working.

She took a frustrated breath and opened her eyes. "So, it was a one time thing after all?"

"Come here." I spread my arms wide and gestured for her to come towards me. She begrudgingly came towards me and stepped into my embrace.

If you had told me a few months ago that I would be marrying the girl I've been hopelessly in love with for years, I would have laughed in your face. But now, it feels all natural. Like, we have been doing this for years.

She wrapped her arms around my torso and buried her face deep in my chest. "It isn't working."

"I know."

"I feel like a failure."

"You're not a failure."

She rested her chin on my chest and looked up at me. "How do you know that?" She said with uncertainty lacing her voice. "What kind of an arch mage I will be if I can't even teleport?"

"I know it's not happening according to your wishes but I know that you'll get there." I  locked my finger around a stray strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. Whenever I am tired or frustrated, you're always there for me. You listen to my rants without complaints. You make me feel-" she swallowed deeply. "You make me feel appreciated."

"And I'll always do that." Honestly, she deserves all the love and care and respect. She literally deserves all the best things in the world.

A small smile tugged on her lips and she tightened her hold around me. I placed a small kiss on the crown of her head and she sighed happily.

"We should go to sleep now." I said, swaying her a little in my arms.

"We should." She chewed her bottom lip, a nervous tic of hers, something which I had noticed.

I let go of the hug and jumped on the bed with a soft thump. "Let's sleep then." I plopped my head on my elbow and patted the bed beside me.

When she didn't make a move towards me, a chuckle left my mouth. I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't worry. We are just going to sleep tonight. Nothing else." As much as I wanted to hold her again, now was not the time for it. Both of us were too tired to do anything. I just wanted to get a good night's sleep. Judging by the way she looked, she probably thought the same.

"You sure?" She asked, still doubtful.

"Yes. Gosh, what kind of a man do you think I am?" I wasn't going to pounce on her when she was clearly nervous and definitely not ready.

"Alright. Let me change and I will be right back." She didn't have to do that. I had already seen everything. She was still embarrassed about it and I didn't even know why.

I got up as soon as she disappeared inside the bathroom. I peeled off my kurta, tossed it aside and landed back in bed.

I heard the sound of her anklets before I actually saw her. And fuck. She looked so good. She had changed into a cotton lehenga set, her dupatta nowhere to be found and her blouse hanging low on her chest. Did she know that her cleavage was clearly visible?

The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest revealed the soft swelling of her breasts. Her belly was fully exposed, tempting me. Flushed cheeks and plump lips - just the way I like it.

No, not this again. I tried to snap out of my haze. I promised her that nothing would happen tonight. But damn, why was that so hard?

"Why are you half-naked?" She asked me and I practically had to drag my eyes away from her body. I was practically drooling over her.

"That's how I sleep, my love. You have to get used to it." I smirked with as much confidence as I could muster.

"You look obscene." An adorable blush spread all over her body, starting from her cheeks all the way to her neck. Seriously, so cute.

"Do you mean to say that I look sexy? Irresistible? Charming? Take your pick."

She huffed. "Don't be so full of yourself." She stepped on the bed and slipped beside me.

I covered us with the sheets and wrapped my arms around her. She looked so perfect like that. All comfy and perfect in my arms. My earlier lust shifted to something else - warmth, comfort, belongingness. She looked at me with a soft gaze and I almost melted on the bed.

Her breathing eventually slowed and she fell asleep. I think I have found a new hobby - watching her fall asleep in my arms.

The next morning, I left Laxita all warm and snug in the bed and made my way towards the king's room. There was something very important which I had to discuss with him.

When I entered his room, I found him looking out the window - something which he always did, seeing far and wide, way ahead of time.

"Your majesty," I greeted him.

"Don't say it. I know what you're here for." He interrupted me.

The current king of Somapura was a strong king in his prime, leading the kingdom with an iron fist. But now, he seemed old and tired, weathered away by time. The wrinkles on his face were becoming prominent with each passing day, along with increasing streaks of grey hair. The strong broad back which always protected me now seemed weak and small.

"I want to resign from my position." I said in a single breath.

"I told you to not say it." He sighed, his eyes finally meeting mine.

"You've to let me go. I want to stay with my wife." I pleaded.

He chuckled. "I know that you're using your wife's name as an excuse." He shook his head a little. "It was a long time coming. It's my fault for selfishly hanging on to this for too long."

"Please don't say something like that. You're making this difficult for me."

"Am I? I guess it really is selfish of me to want to stay with my son a little longer." He said, his voice all gentle and kind.

I smiled. The amount of respect and affection I had for him was immeasurable. Whatever I was today, it was all because of him. He taught me everything I knew. "Wherever I will be, I will always be your son first and then anything else."

A laugh erupted from his chest, a deep rumble. "I can live with that."

I moved towards him and stood in front of him. He clasped my arms tightly and said, "I want you to be happy so I won't hold you back. Jo tumhara ji chahta h wo karo, Veer."

("You should do whatever you want.")

"I will." I said with an answering smile of my own.

"But you have to do me a favour before you go."

"Anything."

"What have you thought of the successor for your position?"

"Well, I was waiting for that question  and luckily, I have the right person in mind for the job..."

Laxita's POV

I woke up to an empty bed yet again. But this time, Veer was nowhere to be found in the room.

I craned my neck to look but there was seriously no trace of him in the room. Suddenly, my eyes were snagged by a flower on the bedside table. It was beautiful, the red flower I mean, placed in a small vase with a small paper wrapped on its stem.

I gently picked up the parchment and unfolded it. A handwriting came into view, which I assumed was of Veer. He had scribbled a note before he left.

Dharam patni ji

Mai ek vishesh karya se bahar jaa raha hun, jaldi hi wapas aa jaunga.

Zyada yaad mat kijiyega mujhe.

Apka pati
Veer

(Dear wife

I am going out for some special work, and will be back soon. Don't miss me too much.

Your husband
Veer)

I couldn't believe that I was gushing over a small note left by my own husband. But here I was, all happy and content with a small letter.

Gosh! I had no time for this. I had a very important day ahead of me. I quickly tossed the sheets aside and hurriedly chased around the room to get ready.

Last night, before I fell asleep, Veer and I decided to meet everyone to discuss our next steps. Now that we were married, we had to decide how we were going to proceed from here onwards.

Luckily, Veer arrived just as I finished getting ready. "Everyone's assembled?" I asked.

"Yes, let's go." He replied.

"Veer?" I held him back by gripping his arm.

"Yes?" He stopped and looked back at me.

"I got your letter. And I want you to know that I didn't miss you." I said casually.

"Of course, you didn't." Something about his smile told me that he knew the truth.

Both of us left the room and headed towards the meeting room - the crown princess' office to be more precise.

The crown princess's office was a small yet powerful room. The shelves were filled with important records, documents and many crucial books on magic. A few of the high-level artifacts were kept on a side table and at the centre of it all was the princess's desk. A communication device was placed upon it, connected with my aunt and uncle at the association.

Everyone had assembled there - commander Chitrasen, commander Raghav, the crown princess and both of us. The crown princess was a proxy of the king and queen as they were currently busy hosting the foreign delegates.

"As you all know," I started and made my way to stand behind the crown princess's desk. "I had planned to return to Kshatra Gadh once I had become a full-fledged mage..."

"Is your plan still the same?" Commander Chitrasen asked.

"It has been my plan ever since the day I arrived at Soma Sangha." It felt reassuring when everyone acknowledged my ideas.

"When I escaped under the cloak of the darkness that night, I had a lot of thoughts racing through my mind. I was angry, vengeful and tremendously lonely. But now I know that's not the case." I looked at Veer and smiled. He just winked along with that smirk of his at me in return and my heart fluttered.

Stop. Focus. Now's not the time for this.

"I want to bring my uncle to his knees. I plan to take back what was mine in the first place."

"I like the sound of that." The princess said.

Veer just raised a brow in question. "So, what's our next move?"

"I plan to return back to Kshatra Gadh and reclaim my parents business. I still haven't hashed out the details but this is something I'm planning on doing. Now that I am married, I am the rightful heir."

The room was deathly calm after that. Everyone appeared to be in deep thoughts, probably thinking about the same thing - what about my real identity? For how long it was supposed to be hidden?

"Laxu." Aunt was the first one to break the silence.

"Yes?" I braced my hands on both sides of the communication device and leaned in closer.

"Your uncle and I talked about something."

"Which is?" Commander Raghav supplied.

"We think that it's time that the world knows your identity."

Another beat of silence passed. I bet everyone was just as surprised as I was.

"Um, are you sure?" I was puzzled at her statement.

"Yes. I think it's time the world knows your name." My uncle replied.

Nerves fluttered in my belly and I felt- I don't know what I felt. I guess it was time to own up to my responsibilities. I was ready for this moment for a long time now but the title of an Arch Mage still felt heavy.

"Alright. How do you suggest we do that?" I asked.

My aunt said, "Well, I was hoping you would ask that. And, we have the perfect plan for this..."

Hello Lovelies 🩵

The story is reaching the point which was mentioned in the blurb👀

I hope you're enjoying the ride!