Omkara could feel the beast's strong aura. With eyes yellow as the blazing sun hiding behind the large bush Omkara's entired being froze in the water as he saw it takes it first step. Paws so big yet you could not even hear it's steps but what made Omkara shiver was the large talons at its feet. Black talons that can pierce and rip anyone and anything into shreds and right now he was most worried about Gauri who was still sound asleep against the rock.

"Gauri..wakeup..."

Trying his best to not startle the beast who has not yet revealed itself Omkara called out to Gauri in a calmly manner.

"Gauri....."

When he saw her eyes flutter open Omkara immediately told her to not move. At first Gauri was a bit disoriented and confused but then she could feel it's hot breath behind her. Gauri did not dare to turn around to see what was lurking at her back because the look on Omkara's face was enough to scare her.

As the beast took another step out of the bush Gauri could see the large black talons next to her foot. And as her eyes looked up her body froze in fear. Even Omkara could not take his eyes off the Black Lion. Fur black as night with large talons of an eagle and the wings of an angel no wonder Ashen's ancestors were never able to catch a glimpse of this ferocious beast. One can only imagine with it's black feathered wings that it's speed must be like the wind and now it was here to take it's first sip from the Fountain of Healing.

When Omkara saw the Black Lion crouch down while it circles around the pond as if observing it's prey paying no heed to Gauri he felt a bit relieved. But when it stopped right in front of Gauri again Omkara clenched his fists. Trying her best not to move as the Lion begins to sniff her while it long talons gently grazed her leg. Unable to control herself from shaking  Gauri could only shut her eyes and await for what was to come but then she heard him call out to the beast.

"Hey! If you are hungry then I dare you to come at me!"

It was as if the Black Lion could understand Omkara's words because it quickly lifted up it's head away from Gauri and roared at the man that dared challenge it. Spreading it's large wings and digging it's sharp talons into the ground the Black Lion leaped in the air as it torpedoes itself towards Omkara. Gauri has never heard of such a creature existing in the forest and now all she could see was Omkara grabbing hold of it's talons as it pushes him down into the water.

"Omkara!"

She could see the large beast lift up it's paws as it slams it back down into the water creating large waves throughout the pond. As panic hits her Gauri took out all of her poisonous silver threaded needles and threw it towards the Black lion only to see it bounce off it's armour like fur. It's roar shook not only the cave but also the land above.

"Omkara! Omkara!!"

With it's paw pressing down on his chest Omkara was trying his best to free himself. Thankfully he was a very strong swimmer so holding his breath for long periods of time was easy but the talons digging into his skin was excruciating. 

When she finally saw him jump up from the water to use his fists to strike the lion's face only to have it easily use it's paw to strike him back down. Gauri could see the once blue and purple clear water being mixed in with blood and she immediately looked over where Omkara had undress. Running as fast as she could Gauri tried to look for Omkara's Royal dagger and when she finally found it she frantically yelled out his name once more.

"Omkara!!"

When he saw her hold his dagger Omkara immediately lifted up his hand as she throws it up in the air. With his dagger he was able to block the talons that had already dug into him many times but luckily the battle was within the Fountain of Healing. His wounds were quickly being healed as he tries his best to find a chance to injure the beast. When he managed to plunge his sharp dagger into the Lion's paw it's thunderous angry eyes stared down at him as it growled and snarled its large teeth inches from his face. And with it's other paw the lion grabbed Omkara's dagger and broke it in pieces with it's talons. Gauri felt something did not make sense. It was obvious that the Lion could easily kill him but she felt that it was testing Omkara instead. As the thought crossed her mind Gauri took the chance.

"Omkara let it sink it's teeth into you!"

His bloody hands were trying to block it's razor like canines from ripping him apart when he heard Gauri's voice.

"What?!"

"It came here to take it's first sip! Bind it!"

Releasing his grip he lets the Lion dig it's jaw into his body.

"ARGGGGGGG"

Gauri could see it's sharp white teeth being stained with Omkara's blood and when she saw it's eye's glow and a bright light from the pond engulfing them both she knew her guess was right.

"Blood Binding Contract."

Omkara could feel their souls linking itself to one another. The lion's massive strength and power was now his to command and when it slowly loosen it's bite Omkara quickly submerged himself back into the pond. Grinning at the Black Lion who was now calmly sitting by his side while he soaked Omkara gave out a loud laugh.

"You were testing me? Are you sure you have chosen the right person as your master? Because it's too late to change your mind......Ari."

Roaring loudly as it's master has given him a name Ari roared and roared till the rocks around the cave shook not knowing that it's strong laughter had caused many of Kali's soldiers to fall to their deaths as they were climbing down the cliff.

Gauri who shocked as well as relieved slumped down into the ground as she sees the two slowly stride to shore.

"It seems to like it's new name."

When Omkara finished putting on his clothes he stroked the soft mane of his Black Lion.

"Did you know of it's existence Gauri?"

"I did not. But only a mystical beast would be able to appear here at the Fountain of Healing."

"I see...."

Walking back to where Gauri stood Ari lowers it's head and gently rolls his soft mane against her face.

Lifting up his brow Omkara's lips curves up. "First the White Tiger and now my Black Lion...and you are not even it's master...why do they take a liking to you?"

Running her fingers through it's soft black fur Gauri really didn't understand it either.

"I don't know."

Coming up from behind her with his deep husky voice and his warm breath upon her neck Omkara knew the exact reason why.

"I know why. I can't speak for the White Tiger but I know why Ari likes you. It is because it knows it's master's heart."

Hoping that he did not notice her flushed cheeks Gauri pretended she did not hear what he had said and continued to pet Ari. But for Omkara he had always loved it when she used her silence to hide her shyness from him and this time was no different.

"You know...I now know how to get out of here..but you might not like it."

Turning her head to see him smirk at her Gauri furrowed her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

"We have to destroy the cave so that the Fountain of Healing can find another place to hide."

"What?! How do you know this?! Sahil still needs to soak in here!"

"Ari says to leave here that is what we must do."

Gauri looks back at Ari's yellow eyes and knew what Omkara said was true.

"You can hear it's thoughts?"

Nodding his head "yes." I noticed it once the binding contract was made.

"Then will the White Tiger or your Lion be able to find it again if the cave is destroyed?"

Omkara could see the worry in her eyes as he shakes his head.

"No. Ari says that once The White Tiger and Him have taken their first sip from the Fountain of Healing it will disappear till the next 50 years. He says this was due to the sins of the late Ashen Kings that abused it's power."

Closing her eyes as she knew Omkara's words were true because even her teacher had told her how he believed the Gods punished Ashen years ago by sending a hurricane thought to have destroyed the Fountain of Healing.

When she felt his hand on her shoulder Gauri turned to look back at him and to his surprise she looked calm and collected.

"I am okay. I can cure him myself. I only need the herb for 5 more years."

Smiling at how fast she had analyzed the situation at hand Omkara was quite impressed.

"You have cured me so I will keep my word. You can come and go about in Mordis freely...But as Queen of Mordis you don't really need my word..."

Seeing him smirk at her in his usual flirtatious manner Gauri shook her head slightly.

"You have given the Fountain of Healing's credit to me?"

Hooking up his lips as he lifts up her chin "If you had not fell off the cliff we wouldn't be here."

"Then I will take it that I have completed my end of the bargain and will come to collect the herb for 5 years."

She sees his eyes turn cold as he stiffens his fingers "You do not want to be my Queen?"

Turning her head to free herself Gauri reminds him again.

"I do not."

"Even after what happened..."

Gauri chuckles "What happened?"

Never in his life has he met a woman who would deny that she had lost her purity to him. As his laughter bounced off the rocky walls Gauri could see the anger in his eyes as he grabbed her arms.

"You are MY GAURI and I am YOUR OMKARA."

"Yes I know. You will be my one and only in this lifetime."

Her eyes never wavered as she stood in front of him.

Pulling her tighter into his embrace as he presses his warm lips against hers to show her just how angry he was. Gauri felt like he was trying to conquer every inch of her mouth leaving her breathless. "Every lifetime Gauri....I will be your one and only in every lifetime."

With her slightly swollen lips and misty eyes Gauri pulled away from him.

"Your Majesty should not love me for I am not ready to take that responsibility."

Grinning at his stubborn woman "You are back to calling me Your Majesty?"

Wanting to change the subject Gauri asks: When can we leave here?

Omkara looks over at Ari who was resting by the pond.

"Tomorrow night when the tide rises Ari will destroy the cave and fly us out."

"Tomorrow night......I hope it will not be too late."

***************************

Priyanka whose face was partially covered by her long hair looks out towards the night sky from her carriage as her black diamond crown shimmers in the moonlight.

"Brother....do not leave me....."

**I hope you guys like this update do vote if you did. Next update we will see just how powerful Mordis is 😈 Hopefully I get that far. Do leave your feedback for me to read. 😊  Enjoy <3**