Indraprastha, night

The room was aesthetically decked with white flowers that he loved. The sweet fragrance of Jasmine, Kunda and Shweta Kamalas had mixed generously with that of white sandalwood paste, only adding to the serenity. Illuminated by ghee lamps and coloured gemstones, the room appeared like a temple. Serenity prevailed at every corner.

Just like him!

Devika's doe eyes moved around, discovering his serene golden aura in everything she saw. The lamps felt dim compared to his radiance. The flowers felt less charming than his smile. Even the fragrance of sandalwood felt less purer than that of his. Her cheeks turned red as she smiled to herself.

Mitravinda used to say that she could see only blue everywhere while lost in Krishna's thoughts. Now Devika knew what it meant. Her very vision had been coloured with Yudhishthira's love.

I can't see anything else
For you are my very eyes
You have been my only light
And my eyesight too!

A night owl's sharp cry broke her trance. Devika lifted her eyes to the door, wondering when he would come. Slight impatience arose within, making her amused at herself. The married women had teased her enough regarding this night. Time of union, they had repeatedly mentioned. But union of what? Devika wondered. Her heart and soul was already united with his. Their inner union had occurred long ago. Tonight just the two physical forms were to be merged into one.

She blushed at the last thought. Getting him so close to her was now just the matter of a while. Still it seemed to be a dream to her. A dream she wanted to cherish since eternity.

Slowly, the door opened, almost echoing Devika's thumping heartbeat. Her breath raced even more as Yudhishthira gently closed the door.

He saw his new bride. Red bridal silk had embraced her body like a passionate lover. Pearl earrings and gem-studded golden necklace made her face glow like a fully bloomed lotus in moonlight. Aura of her radiant beauty had made even the lamps look paler. The ornaments seemed too heavy for her delicate limbs, and redundant too. Yudhishthira felt that those gems had not added anything to her beauty. Rather her own charm was glowing from inside which was much more precious to him than these glitters.

His admiring gaze did not waver from her for a long time. Slightly hesitating, Devika lowered her eyelids. Yudhishthira smiled, and moved closer.

"Won't you speak?" He softly asked.

"What shall I?" She managed to steal a glance at his face.

"Whatever you wish!" He smiled more. "Silence does not suit the brave Princess of Shivi."

"I thought it's the quiet King's turn to speak tonight and not mine." Devika's eyes now shone in slight mischief.

Yudhishthira did not miss the hint. His lips retained that smile. A hundred Kama Devas resided in his lips, Devika felt. The smile on his handsome face was as calm as it could be, but it was able to put fire of passion in her nerves.

"Tonight is not meant for speaking through words, Priye!" He whispered against her ear. A shiver ran through her spine as she looked into his eyes. Those oceans of wisdom and serenity were now holding a deep passion to become one with her.

"If you wish, we can translate all our unspoken words into a new language of love." He said again, his serene eyes seeking her permission. "Would you?"

She lowered her gaze again to suppress a smile. Sparkle in her doe eyes and crimson hue spread over her fair face had given him the consent he waited for.

He exhaled as Devika let him draw her closer. Slowly, his hand reached out to her left earring and gently removed it. His touch made a shiver run down her spine. But she felt much relaxed soon as the heavy jewelry went off her delicate limbs one after another. His care was evident in the gentle movement of his hand, intending not to hurt her even a little. She felt much lighter, much more soothing, gradually giving in to his caring caress.

As the golden waistband went off her slender waist, Devika's heart thumped again, feeling that the knot of her lower garment had been loosened. His fingers brushed against her soft skin as she tried to adjust the cloth. His gaze silently adored her natural beauty that was hidden behind ornaments. He cupped her face, making her look at him. The serene coppery eyes pierced through her dark kohl smeared ones. His eager lips proceeded to her face as moonlight would crave to drink the nectar of fully bloomed lotus. Her coy fingers pressed over his lips, her eyelids slightly lowered. Waves of pleasure slithered down her body as he kissed her fingers. The ecstasy was too intoxicating. She could not breathe, could not move. With closed eyes she only sensed his fingers over hers, gently removing them from his lip. She inhaled his breath, letting her own existence mingle with his. The entire world had stopped as the two pairs of lips finally united, carrying the message of love to each other.

Hide me within those calm eyes of yours
I shall merge with your inner being!
With your warm caress on my limbs
I shall lose my mortal world into your immortality!

He broke the prolonged kiss, letting her breathe. Still tranced with the taste of his nectarous lips, Devika could not meet his gaze. Slowly turning away, she muttered, "Natha..."

"I have never seen you so beautiful!" His warm breath whispered against her neck.

She blushed heavily, turning away more from him to hide her smile. A sense of pleasure washed over her. This was the first time she heard him praising her physical beauty, something so rare from his lips. She could sense his restlessness as his hands gently caressed her back. Those fingers hardened with frequent use of spear felt so soothing against her smooth skin that her nerves got relaxed, slowly giving her all senses into his embrace. She exhaled deeply and put her arms around his neck, almost like garlanding him once again with herself. Her soft fingers ran over his golden skin, gently caressing bruises of weapons on his body.

Her positive response drew a smile from him. His fingers moved to the knot of her upper garment that was tied at her back. She shut her eyes tightly, only to sense that the knot had been undone. The next moment she felt her uttariya falling at her feet and realized that she was now in her purest, unadulterated form. He had removed everything that was creating barrier between them. She covered her face with cupped palms, unable to meet his eyes. Smiling, he kissed her again. His gentleness relaxed her limbs. When she felt her frame lying against the soft surface of their nuptial bed, the desire in his eyes amused her.

Her Jitendriya Dharmaraj, who always had all his senses under great control, how exciting and rewarding it was to see him melting for her thus! Devika felt complete content when she saw the pleasure on his face as he kept exploring her more. She was proud to have aroused desire in him whose divine power of self-restraint and brahmacharya was feared even by his enemies. He giving away his brahmacharya to her made Devika feel really special.

How many girls of Aaryavarta might have dreamt of getting the handsome, righteous, valourous Maharaj Ajatashatru as their husband! Who knew how many maidens might still have been doing hard penance to become his wife! That priceless reward of many people's prayer had become hers today. Devika's heart swelled in more pride as she cherished the rarest fortune of being in his loving arms. She joined him in this celebration of love, responding to his each move. Each pour of her body inhaled his serenity, drank his beauty, and merged with him.

Their bodies were no more just physical compositions of five elements. They now represented their very souls, and expressed their hearts much more than words could ever do. It was no more a mere union. It was worship. She surrendered herself to him just like a devotee would keep flowers at God's feet. He accepted her offering of love and responded with equal devotion to her loving soul.

Her body felt like a veena in his arms. His fingers played over her strings like a skillful artist, bringing out the perfect melody of love. Just like a well-tuned veena, her frame responded to his artistic caress. Gentle wind blew over them, as if flowers and lamps in the nuptial chamber joined that silent music of togetherness. The long night felt too short to cherish this immense conjugal bliss.

When she woke up, her eyes fell on her husband. His eyes closed, making him look even purer. The first rays of sun fell on his golden body, making it feel like a God was sleeping in heaven. His lips still had a slight smile of content. Devika exhaled and beamed. What more could she have asked for except making him happy? And her own feelings? That was beyond any material happiness. She felt purified. Much more than any holy bath could ever do. Yudhishthira's pious body, that was made of Dharma, was purer than purity itself. She had been blessed to embrace that storehouse of piety. His touch had deified her, raised her to a level of divinity. An honour that only he could give her.

She lovingly moved her hand over his bare broad chest, as if thanking his heart for giving her shelter there. Much to her surprise, he suddenly opened his eyes and pulled her on his chest.

"I thought you are sleeping." She managed to utter, looking down.

"How can I when you have taken away all my sleep?" He whispered, pressing his lips against her blushing right cheek.

She turned red again. "It's already morning, Natha."

"So what?" He played with her locks. "Surya Deva won't object, Priye. He too is married."

"He won't. People will. Now let me go before anyone comes to call." She hurried and reached out for her clothes.

He held her hand. "Don't go now. Everyone must be waiting outside to enquire how well you have slept at night." His brown eyes sparkled in rare mischief.

Devika rolled her eyes. "I never knew you can be so..." She trailed off, giving him a mock glare.

"I can be what?" He chuckled.

"So... mischievously romantic!" She pouted.

"Neither did I know that my warrior Queen can be so shy!" He laughed, gently pecking her cheek.

She lowered her eyes, smiling coyly. He gently pulled her closer and she finally gave into his wish. Her soft skin shone more in the sunlight, making him fall for her one more time.

"You cannot imagine how complete I feel today!" He mused, his fingers running gently within her long tresses.

"Without you, I was never myself. You have revived the power in my soul." He said again, smiling. "Thank you for coming to my life, Shaivyaa!"

"Not Shaivyaa!" She shook her head. "Let me be known by your name, Natha! Let my identity merge with yours from now! Let me become Yudhishthira's Yaudheyi! Dharmaraj's DharmaPriyaa!"

He beamed with pride and love, nodding in assent. She closed her eyes in much peace as she rested her face against his broad chest.

A new life had begun for her too. Being a lover had been easy. Being a wife would be hard. And being a Queen to Dharmaraj would be hardest. Devika felt that she too needed power of his love to carry on with her new responsibilities.

And she knew he would always be there for her!
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~THE END~

Author's note: Yaudheyi is Devika's other name which is found in some Puranas. This name is derived from Yudhishthira's.