Chapter 1

The frigid wind was not making things easy for her. When her teacher told her that the herb she needed only grew on the northern mountains of Mordis her heart sank. The first time she ventured out here she was lost for days forcing her to hide in caves when mornings came but at that time she was just 16. For 10 years she has sneakingly crossed over the border into Mordis.  Though dangerous the risk she was taking every fourth night was worth it for her teacher's last words 10 years ago was forever imprinted in her mind.

 "In order to retain the Crown Prince's life you have to feed him this herb every week till he reaches the age of 18."

 Gauri couldn't let the same poison that killed her mother take away her little brother. If it wasn't for the fact that she left for a month at the time to learn medicine with her teacher than maybe her mother would still be Queen of Ashen today. Unfortunately by the time she returned  it was too late. The poison had seep deep into her mother's bones. Closing her eyes as she remember her father threatening her teacher who was the Palace primary physician at the time.

 "If the Queen dies your life would not be spared." 

She had pleaded for her teacher's life but her father refused to listen to reason and true to his word she ended up losing two precious people in her life. And a month after her mother's and teacher's death her father brazenly  introduced the people of Ashen to their new Queen. 

"Hail Queen Svetlana of Ashen."

Gauri always hated Svetlana who made her mother's life miserable by always flaunting the fact that the King was spending his nights in her chambers. When Svetlana heard that the Queen was pregnant with the future Crown Prince she used that opportunity to seduce the King of Ashen into her bed leaving Gauri's mother to cry throughout her entire pregnancy. Everyone thought that being Queen was every woman's dream come true but Gauri knew better. Letting her mother's words echo through her mind Gauri let the cool breeze calm her.

 "If I could I would rather you never be a Princess Gauri because that would mean that one day you will be Queen. And remember that no King will ever be satisfied with only one woman warming his bed." 

Believing every word her mother had said Gauri decided to learn medicine instead of becoming some useless Crown Princess who would wait to be married off to one of her Father's allies. For three years she followed the Palace Physician but who would have thought that even then she was unable to save her mother. From that tragic day forth Gauri decided that not only should she learn medicine but also different types of poison because seeing her 3 year old brother being exposed to the very same toxin as her late mother at such a young age made Gauri realize that her hidden enemies will not show any mercy. But now that he was 13 she was only 5 years away to curing him and that too came with a price.

As Gauri made her way through the thick forest to reach the high desolated mountain that ran along the border between Ashen and Mordis she noticed that tonight the wind blew a faint smell of smoke. Dressed in hunter green she hid among the trees and shrubberies when she saw flames and sounds of men whispering to one another and as soon as she saw a group of men clad in black she knew... "Assassins." As the men surveyed the area they were slowing coming closer towards her.

Man 1: We have to find him tonight! He can't be far!

Man 2: The Lord will kills us if we fail.

Man 3: Fools! Its not the Lord we should be afraid of! If he is still alive do you thing we will be able to keep our heads?!

Gauri breathed out a sigh of relief.

 "They are not here for me." 

As her honey brown eyes peered out of her hunter green mask Gauri was trying to think of ways to move away from the dangerous group of men so that she can grab the herb and head back to Ashen. But when she was about to step back the smell of blood rushed up behind her and before she could turn around a bloody hand covered her mouth and with warm husky voice sent shivers down her spine.

 "Do not move...do not yell...if you help me this King will maybe let you live."

 Her entire body wanted to go limp knowing that out of all people the person being hunted was none other than the Ruthless King of Mordis. Gauri could only nod her head and when Omkara sense that he had successfully subdued this unknown person with his aura he released his grip on her. 

  "Who are you? Why are you wearing a mask? Are you working for the Lord?!"

 It didn't matter how many times Omkara ask he could only see her golden eyes shake as if contemplating on what to do. 

"Your highness...I am just a physician from Ashen here to collect a rare herb that grows on the norther mountains...please spare my life." 

When Omkara heard that this frail looking person in front of him was a physician he couldn't help but curve up his lips.

 "Even the Gods refuse to let me die." 

The evil in his voice and the pitch black eyes further prove that rumors of the King of Mordis was a devil in disguise. And when his gaze fell upon her once again Gauri wanted to turn the other way and try to run but she knew even if he was badly injured he still had enough strength to take her life.

 "There is a cave nearby. If you hide there they will not be able to find you." 

Twisting her arm to remind her of his power.

 "Well then what are you waiting for? Take me there." 

As the two quietly climbed up the stoney mountain Omkara saw the entrance of the cave that was blocked by the waterfall. His nerves started to calm knowing that there was no way those damn assassins would be able to find him. If the poison had not acted up tonight there was no way those assassins would be able to lay a hand on him. But only a select few would know that the poison in his body only acts up every fourth night of the week..mumbling beneath his breath.

 "Dare to betray me?! I will make an example out of you!"

 When Gauri saw that the evil man finally eased up "I have done what you've asked. Can you release my arm your highness?" 

Omkara did not like to be told what to do. He was the King of Mordis after all and having some woman hide behind a green mask did not make his any less suspicious. Pulling the woman  closer to intimidate as well has instill fear in her.

"Who are you?" 

Seeing Omkara's hand about to pull down the green mask hiding her identity Gauri quickly grabbed his hand.

"Please your highness. If I save you could you not try to take off my mask?"

 Omkara thought it was quite amusing that this woman was trying to negotiate with him.

 "What makes you think you have a choice in the matter? If I say you save...then you save!"

 She knew that this arrogant King was not going to back down so Gauri had already reached inside her pouch and with a switch move she threw a powder like substance in Omkara's face. Omkara couldn't believe he had let his guard down and after inhaling the powder he felt his entire body go limp and then his legs buckled causing him to fall to the ground. Om was furious as ever.

 "You dare poison me?!"

 Gauri walks over and crouches down to meet the King's menacing eyes.

 "You highness I dare not but you gave me no choice. I can not reveal my identity I hope you understand." 

Omkara was gritting his teeth.

 "So what do you want?!"

 Gauri's eyes shifted to all the wounds that was still dripping blood but what caught her eye was the color of the blood.

 "Black....You are poisoned?" 

As Gauri came closer to him she took a whiff and with the smell her eyes widen.

 "This poison...So the King of Mordis has been suffering this much?...Let me guess once a week the poison would send sharp pains through out your body as if thousands of needles were being jabbed deep into the bones." 

Omkara was quite impressed by this unknown physician. It took his people years to finally figure out what type of poison.

"You are quite skilled. So you know that this King will eventually die..so no need to talk in circles! Either you are helping me or you are going to kill me.!" 

Gauri didn't want to get involve with the politics of royalties because just seeing him injured in this state she could already tell that someone was trying to overthrow the King of Mordis. All Gauri wanted was to get the herb before morning came so that she can brew the medicine for her brother.

"Your highness...The poison in your body can be cured..but...."

Om: Don't lie to me....

Gauri: I need not lie. If I am able to cure you will you allow me to come here once a week to collect an herb for the next 5 years?

Om: If you can cure me I can give you anything.

Gauri: Then it is a deal. And you must also promise to never try to find out who I am. It is best for the both of us.

Om: Fine.

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