Ishani had just finished washing her hands when the servant handed her a soft cloth. She politely declined, taking out the cloth tucked by her waistband.

Karna was busy waiting for her at the entrance. He, out of courtesy struck a conversation with one of the officials. 

"Devi.." Ishani looked up, to find the queen walking towards her, an innocent smirk plastered on her oh-so pretty face.

To her surprise, she grasped her by the arm when Ishani stiffened. "What.." Ayesha shushed her gently.

"Shh.. Can we not have a normal conversation? Come, let's go." The queen dragged her, talking about how handsome and brave Vidyut was.

"And he said that I was the most beautiful woman he laid his eyes upon.." Ishani was getting tired.

"Okay.." She sighed, when the queen frowned. Why was she acting so calm and cool? She wanted to see that ugly expression of jealousy on her face, but Ishani actually looked fed up.

Ayesha knew Ishani had made an attempt to seduce Vidyut, and she didn't want to admit it, but it almost worked. 

If Ishani knew what thoughts were going on in the mind of the woman besides her, she would laugh until tears rolled down. Ayesha looked as they reached the entrance. Karna was nodding seriously at what the Mantri Daksh was saying. She had heard about the Suta warrior.

"That low caste filth has the nerve to talk to royalty.. Such scums need to be taught a befitting.."

Karna abruptly turned and the minister sighed at her words. The queen was always like that. Rude to all the people below her caste. And acted like an innocent woman in front of the King.

She couldn't even complete the sentence when Ishani twisted her hand. She yelped, glaring at her.

"You characterless..."

"Shut the fuck up. " Her cold voice echoed all around. All the people turned around, gasping as they heard her cursing.

She was crude, but her aura made them cower. Ayesha seethed, raising her hand when Ishani caught it, twisting it for the second time in a row. The royal guards rushed to her aid, but Karna's glare stopped them from moving another inch towards Ishani.

"Next time you talk about Karna, I'll punch the living daylights of you! HE'S A MAN WHO DESERVES A FUCKING EMPIRE!KARNA IS MUCH BETTER THAN YOUR PATI-PARAMESHWAR! NO ONE GETS TO BADMOUTH HIM! You open that petty little mouth and say another word, I'll ki.."

Karna walked towards her, about to call out to her when Ishani left Ayesha, gripping his hand. "Come on, let's go before I change my mind. It looks like no one respects us here." She murmured, almost pulling him away. 

Karna obediently followed her, not before sending a furious glare to all the people present there.

As they almost reached the backyard, Karna sighed, stopping her. "What was that, Ishani? She's the Maharani .."

"So? You'll sit still like you've been turned into stone? Just because I told you not to react too much, that doesn't mean you'll shut up! Idiot. At times, you have to be feared, otherwise they'll take advantage. Why can't you understand that?" She snapped. He shook his head, clutching her shoulders.

"Sit." She glared when he emphasized. " It'll help you calm down. Now, sit down." She collapsed on the ground, looking at him.

Karna sat next to her, trying to prevent a smile. She defended him. In front of everyone. She looked so beautiful and fierce that he just wanted to grab her waist and ki..

"Why are you grinning as if you discovered something very funny?" She grumbled, looking away. 

He scooted closer, holding her hand as she frowned, obviously startled. "Why  did you defend me in front of all of them? I appreciate it, but why.. Your rage was something no one expected ..And you looked really fierce, in a beautiful way. Thank You." He kissed her hand, looking into her orbs. 

That act was like a feather touch as his lips brushed against her hand, but it was like her heart had been jolted awake. For the first time, Ishani stammered.

" Yo-you ar-are my friend so I-I had to save you. " Karna smirked. Her nervousness clearly told him something else.

"Had to? Ishani, I believe that's not the right answer. However, I will wait for you to tell me the correct one." He murmured, closing his eyes as he breathed into her rousing scent.

She kept her lips zipped thankfully, looking at the evening sky. It was suspiciously pinkish, though she was informed that it was usually dark orange. 

"Your cheeks are pink.." 

"The cloud colour is being reflected onto my face." She retorted.

"If you say so." Karna chuckled, swatting the red ants which were approaching her.

"I SWEAR, IF YOU BOTH WANT TO HAVE A GALA TIME, PLEASE INFORM US IN ADVANCE!" Duryodhana's booming voice made the two turn back. 

"Err." Ishani got up, clearly confused. The Pandavas and the Kauravas stood, panting for breath yet sighed in relief.

" The Maharani created a huge ruckus about you attacking her, and we were searching for both your Majesties. Thank God you both are here. We thought you were taken into custody.."

"Custody? I just warned her not to badmouth Karna. Besides, she kept blabbering about how handsome her husband was." All of them sighed. 

A bunch of guards approached Ishani, but before they could do anything, she lifted her finger up. And all of them felt themselves flying like birds as they shrieked worser than banshees. 

She looked at her hands in shock. She actually lifted her finger, to signal them to attack her. Who knew she was developing unique powers? She rotated her finger in a circular motion, and the guards felt their world spinning as they moved in circles. 

"Ishani.. The King" Karna muttered, standing in front of her, in an attempt to shield her. 

Vidyut looked angry, but Ishani didn't give a damn. Ayesha was in his arms, bawling her eyes out as Vidyut looked kinda uncomfortable. 

"Arya, she twisted my hand twice! It's paining a lot!"

"Then you should have gone to the physician, Maharani!" Ishani scoffed when Ayesha gasped at the soldiers doing circus stunts.

"You witch..." Ishani put her finger and all the guards cried as they kissed the ground.

"Arrest her! For harassing the queen and misbehaving with the royal army!" Ayesha screamed when the cousins looked at each other, in a silent agreement.

If anyone dared to come near, they would attack. It was a rash decision for a prince, but they couldn't bear a single scratch on her.

"And who gave you the permission to do that?" Krishna's not so happy voice made Ayesha shudder. Vidyut sighed.

"Vasudev, I apologize for her rashness. I'll let off Devi on one condition.." Krishna raised up a hand to shut him.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. All of us have had a long day and I am sure after a good day's rest, we can deal with this issue better." 

No one dared to say anything else. Vidyut's face was crestfallen, like he missed a golden opportunity.

Karna sighed in relief, but Ishani's heart was not at peace. 

Something wrong was going to happen today, and she could feel it in her veins.

All the royals went to their chambers. Ishani changed into a cotton white set, washing off the slight makeup she had put on.

It was evening, but she covered her blanket and slept away to glory.

Karna sat at the window sill, staring at the sky. He couldn't think of anything else except Ishani. It was like he was made for thinking only about her.

And just like the day had faded into the night.

Next morning,

Karna yawned, getting off his bed. He smiled groggily as he imagined Ishani yet asleep, or probably whining about not getting up late.

What a pretty little thing she was.

He adjusted his hair, frowning at the birthmark on his jaw. It was small, but popping out of nowhere didn't appeal to him.

"Quit admiring your handsome face, Karna. Just come out, can you?" Krishna's voice disrupted his day dreams.

He grumbled, opening the door when Krishna winked, and Karna was taken aback.

"Go check if she's ready."

"She?"

"Stop acting like a clueless rabbit, Karna. Go to her chambers fast. If Madam is still sleeping, pour a bucket of water on her. Otherwise she will never get up."

Karna laughed, going to her room. It was too quiet today, he didn't know why.

"Ishani?" He knocked the door, but there was no response. There was no sound of running water either.

She must be asleep, he mused.

"Ishani! Get up! It's already late!" He screamed, but only silence was the reply he got. He sighed, firmly pushing the door open. 

The sight was something he would never forget. The whole room was in a mess. Torches fallen on the ground, curtains slashed ruthlessly, the couch was ripped apart and on the bed... 

There was a huge splash of red on the white quilt, and little splattered on the marble tiles. He had enough sense to know it wasn't paint. 

The window pane was broken, and he touched the bed in disbelief, to feel slight wetness.

She had cried, that electric shock he felt while touching it, was enough  to know that... For a moment he thought it was a prank, and pushed the bathroom door open.

She wasn't there. 

She had been kidnapped. And attacked. 

"ISHANI!" He looked at Krishna and the cousins who looked at her chambers in shock. Karna was devoid of emotions, not saying anything as he felt his monster stir.

He walked to the window side, and without a word he jumped down, putting his palm on the ground as he felt the extreme pressure. They screamed his name, telling him to stop but nothing could make him turn his head back.

"Krishna.." Yudhishthira murmured. "Who- took her?" He asked the one question everyone dreaded to.

Krishna clenched his jaw. "That relative of ours who just can't stop weaving tapestries of conspiracies around everything and everybody who threatens his cunning intelligence! He's the one behind this!" 

Duryodhana and Bheema growled, their veins bulging out.

"MAMASHREE!"

Karna ran, as if he was on a quest to satiate his monster. All the royals and commoners stared weirdly, but one thing was on his lips: 'Save Ishani and murder the rest.' 

'Kill those bastards who dared to act like cowards and abduct her! Peel out their flesh and make them see their raw bones! Pull out their hearts and squeeze it mercilessly in front of their own eyes!' The beast in him roared, seeking blood desperately. 

Vidyut, who was talking a stroll in the garden tried to stop him. "Shreeman.." Karna caught his neck, raising him upwards.

"Which part of this city do you not own?" He gritted his teeth and Vidyut screamed, trying to claw his hands out. 

"Northern.. Abandoned building.. Used to be a brothel...." He coughed, falling on the ground as Karna released him. He rushed there as fast he could, with his monster replenishing his energy.

Karna looked at the muddy building in front of him. It was almost crumbling and the roof dripped with dirty water. He stepped in, to find himself surrounded by 30 men in black attire, aiming their poisonous arrows at him. 

Ishani lay at the corner, a dagger sticking out of her shoulder. The one she had previously injured. Her odhani was torn in many places, and he could the two guards by her side ogling at her chest. Her right eye was blue and her lip was split as it bled continuously. 

But the worst of it was the wide gash across her neck, as if they had tried to cut her head off but failed miserably. Her white blouse was drenched in red and she lay unconscious, unaware of her surroundings.

"Such a beautiful one.. A pity that we couldn't use her.."

Karna closed his eyes and opened them, and the guards looked taken aback. His eyes were blood red, and he growled, pulling out his sword as they let their arrows loose.

Those mere arrows proved ineffective as his Kavach broke them into pieces. One was aimed at his jugular, when he caught it , milli inches away from death.

"Fools.. Stupid fools who DARED TO PROVOKE THE DEVIL.. WATCH AS I MAKE YOU ALL PAY FOR HARMING MY LOVE!" He plunged his sword into the ground, and cracks appeared. Spirits rose from holes, hissing excitedly.

"Kill them all!" He ordered and the spirits laughed, towering over each one of the them. They scratched their faces, pulling out their flesh. Some tried to act brave and defend with their swords, but it passed right through the spirits. 

Karna stabbed each, one by one. He growled as he felt someone slashing his shoulder. He squeezed his neck, plunging the sword into his heart and pulled it out. The man screamed in agony, and his heart, a mass of bloody flesh being crushed to pulp was the last thing his eyes saw.

The remaining men inflicted wounds on him. His forehead was bleeding, his hands were drenched in blood and his face was smeared with the splattered blood. His hair stuck to his neck as he was sweating profusely.

One of the spirits came forward. "Done, my lord. Every single one is dead." He waved his hand.

"You may go now." They bowed, vanishing quickly as they sensed his temper. He tried to walk quickly towards Ishani, but the cut on his knees split and blood oozed as he lost his balance.

He winced, ignoring the pain and went towards her. "Ishani.." His groan echoed in the empty lobby.  She lay still, as if nothing mattered to her.

"I am sorry. It's all my fault. I should have been there." He murmured, bending slowly and lifting her up. 

He held her neck close, as it was falling limp. He white odhani had his handprints, of blood. 

"Wake up.. Don't do this to me.. Please.." His monster was still there, but it was desolate and broken. 

He walked slowly, knowing any slight jerk would tear that gash more. Karna's knees wobbled and he felt weak, but he couldn't afford for rest now.

She was injured so badly and he didn't like it if anyone carried her this close. The people gasped in shock, seeing their condition.

"Who dared to do that? To such an innocent woman?"

"And even Shreeman is injured. And I think it's a royal conspiracy.. He's always trying to save her from all of that."

"Such a man. He's disregarding his pains and walking slowly for her. I think he's in.."

"Shh. Don't say such things. They'll become rumours."

1 hour. It took him that much time to reach the royal palace gates. The guards looked at each other in fright.

His red irises and the blood on his face made him look like a murderer. And his blank face wasn't helping either.

"Let him in!" Krishna's voice made them step aside. He and the cousins closed their mouths in shock.

"Karna, put her down. Come to the physician." Duryodhana pleaded, seeing his injuries.

"Suyo, you know what they would have done if I didn't go there?" He clenched his fists, hesitating to say such words.

"They would have had their way.. with her. Who so ever was that son of a bitch, I'll make him pay!" 

"It was Mamashree.." Nakul whispered, looking at him hesitantly.

"That's it.. I'll.." He growled when Krishna clutched his shoulder.

"First, you both will go the physician.. He's waiting for you at the end of the quarters." Krishna caught Ishani, Suyodhan and Sahadev helping Karna.

Meanwhile,

Bheema and Arjun were busy glaring at the queen.

"How dare you threaten Ishani?" Bheema growled, ready to step forward.

"She seduced my husband! That bitch! You can't expect me to sit still and watch her." She hissed when Arjun guffawed.

"Ishani and seduce? Maharani, I hope you have common sense. Ishani has never talked with the King, and frankly speaking you can make out from her body language that she isn't interested. And she hates men. So stop targeting her."

Ayesha looked down. Was she being paranoid all this while?

"Tell you husband to stop gawking at her. It's his fault, not hers. I hope our message was clear." Ayesha sighed, looking down as the two walked out.

"How could she be like that?" Bheema sighed, patting Arjun's back.

"Women are all like that. Too much jealousy." Arjuna frowned.

"Not all, Bhrata. I hope we marry someone who isn't like that." Bheema chuckled.

"By the way, Ishani.."

"Jyesht!" Both looked at a panting Vikarna.

"Ishani.. Karna's got her.. But.."

"But what?"

"We're not sure if she can make it out. And Karna 's temper snapped."

Bheema and Arjuna slowly nodded. "Have you tried calming him down?"

"It's not working. He's been breaking everything that 's in his path. And he said if something worse happens to her, he'll wipe out Hastinapur's royals. Exterminate each and every one of them."

They stilled.

Meme of the day: