Chapter 47

The frigid wind had made her face numb and her lips slightly chapped as she entered the middle of the forest where she knows Nala would soon pick up her scent. Stroking the mane of the strong stallion Gauri jumps down from it's back.

"Thank you." Gauri whispered as she rubs her head against it's head.

**Neigh Neigh**

"Shhh...stay quiet when you return. Try not to wake anyone up." With one slap towards the behind the black stallion immediately runs back towards the palace.

Tightening the straps on her big warm cloak Gauri starts to walk towards the herbs she had come for to help with the painful wounds on her back. As she was carefully picking the herbs and tucking them in her pouch that was hanging on her waistband Gauri could feel their presence.

"It's been so long and it took you this long? Do you not miss me?"

Then from behind the bushes and the trees one by one stepped out into the moonlight.

"Come. I've missed you all."

Nala was the first to pounce on her sending her to the ground.

"Umph! Nala....I missed you too." Laughed Gauri.

Wrapping her arms around Nala's neck Gauri couldn't help but brush her face against the soft white fur.

"What have you been eating in this forest? It's only been a week and you've doubled in size. This is not normal."

For years Gauri has been sneaking into the Mordis Forest but she was never able to scour the entire area due to lack of time. But there was a couple of times she has encountered bizarre items such as magical plants that she uses to cure different kinds of ailments as well as creatures that one would see only in folklore. So seeing Nala almost as huge as Ari did not really surprised her.

"Do you feel any different Nala?"

Shaking it's head Nala let out a small purr to ensure it's master that she was okay.

"That's good. It seems that you were the only one that was able to grow in size. I assume you were the only one that ate it?"

Seeing Nala's bright eyes Gauri could only hug her wolf tighter.

"Well I am glad. I will worry less if dangers arise." Right after those words left her lips she heard her wolves start to growl and their body perked up and their eyes looked up towards the sky.

"Calm down girl...." Gauri softly assures Nala.

The sight from above was nothing new anymore for Gauri as he descends off his magical beast that flew her here to Mordis.

"I take it that Princess Priyanka has calmed down?" Gauri lazily asked as she continues to walk towards the base of a large tree where an herb had caught her eye.

When Omkara tried to take a step closer he was blocked by her pack of wolves which quickly angered Ari.

Baring it's sharp razor like teeth at the largest wolf Ari and Nala were now face to face. Omkara could see Ari dig it's talons deep into the hard soil with it's back slightly hunched about to attack.

"Did your Majesty come here to fight with my wolves for pass time?"

Though her voice was calm but there was a hidden chill laced behind it as she turns her gaze towards Ari who quickly relaxes it's shoulders.

"Of course not. I wanted to have a late night snack but when I entered your chambers you were not there. Why leave without a word? So heartless." Omkara teased.

Slowly walking back to Nala to stroke her soft fur to calm her down Gauri let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Oh? I did not know I was your Majesty's prisoner. I thought I was a guest who can roam anywhere in Mordis."

He could see that the cold had painted her cheeks red as well as the tip of her nose and with just a split second he had stretched out his hand to pull her into his embrace.

Hooking up his lips as he uses his warm fingers to lift her chin to meet his gaze. "You a prisoner? How can that be when Mordis belongs to you? Isn't it I who am now your prisoner?"

The moment his warm thumb traced her cold lips Gauri's hands found it's way towards his chest. But the minute she wanted to push him away his lips had already captured hers and the hands that wanted to put distance between them was now clenching onto his soft robe. She could tell he was angry when he suddenly grabbed the back of her neck to deepen the kiss that had turn into him trying to conquer her tongue. When she tried to take a breath of air he pushed his lips in further as he starts to nip at her lower lip. Only when she felt dizzy that he finally released her.

Seeing the cold smoke come from her mouth as she tries to breath in air Omkara tighten his grip on her waist to help her stand.

"You should not be out here in your condition. Unless you are trying to get sicker so that I would have to tend to you?"

The sudden anger in her eyes only brighten his mood and just when he wanted to tease her more something landed on the tip of her nose.

Gauri rubbed the cold sensation off her nose and soon the entire forest was surrounded by the first signs of winter.

"Snow. Winter in Mordis is like no other. When you feel better I will take you on a tour." Whispered Omkara as he brushes her flushed cheeks with his thumb.

When he saw her look towards her wolf Omkara shifted her eyes back towards him.

"Hmm...I might need to change my mind."

"What?" Gauri responded confusingly.

"I was going to say you may bring your pet along to keep you company but then again I don't like to share."

Tired of him teasing her Gauri hooked her arms around Omkara's neck taking him by surprise.

"That is fine with me. I don't mind coming here whenever I am lonely."

When she saw his brows furrow she let her laughter echo throughout the forest. For the first time Omkara had actually heard her laugh and it was because of him. The warmth he felt was indescribable because the more she laughed the more he was enchanted forcing him to realize something. Grabbing her chin once more Omkara looked down at the seductress.

"You should only laugh like that around me."

Giving her no time to react he picked her up and set her on top of Ari as he swiftly sat right behind her.

"Nala..follow me." instructed Gauri as Ari flapped it's wings and flew them up towards the snowy night.

As they made their way back towards the palace Omkara leaned down towards Gauri's ear.

"When we get back I will help you wash and apply medicine."

Waiting for her to show traces of annoyance but Omkara was left speechless when she slightly nodded in agreement.

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

Ashen

It's been three whole days and there was no signs of Gauri's whereabouts. Kali has been furious every time his guards would report back empty handed. During these days the Princes of Uthon and Gopar had asked about Gauri's well being and when they found out about the dethroning as well as her missing their judgmental eyes further infuriated him. Especially Samarjeet who has not agreed to marry Riddhima whom also seems to be relunctant. At least Prince Veer has agreed to marry Ishana due to the fact that his father had sent him a letter that an alliance is a must and that he had no choice in the matter. As for Prince Samarjeet Kali had agreed to put the matter aside until the treaty was sign with Mordis where he will also come along with the Princes of Uthon to be witnesses to such an event. With many thoughts bothering him Kali did not notice Svetlana at the door of his study room.

"My King seems to have a lot on his mind."

Turning his head towards his Queen who was dressed in her red royal gown Kali could only breathe out a long sigh.

"Until Gauri is found I will not be at ease." grunted Kali.

Lifting up her eyebrow in a questionable manner Svetlana walked closer to Kali until she was arm's reach to stroke his chest."

"My King should calm down. Does it matter where Gauri is? She is no longer a Princess of Ashen. Why the need to find her? Besides. Sahil is here. Eventually she will turn up. You need to focus on our trip in 3 weeks. There is a lot to be done in Mordis. Did you consider my idea I mentioned lastnight?"

Grabbing his Queen by the waist Kali let Svetlana sit on his lap while he took in her scent from the crook of her neck.

"Ahhh..last night...I remember only you...in bed....undressed...on top of me...dancing...."

Playfully elbowing Kali Svetlana shook her head to force Kali to focus.

"No....not that. About Riddhima."

"You mean propose marriage to the King of Mordis? What makes you think he would even agree? Did you forget his hatred towards us?" scoffed Kali.

"You let me worry about that. When we go to Mordis I will make it so that he does not have a choice. Besides Gauri is no longer a Princess so even though he had his sights on her there is no way the people of Mordis would accept it. The news has spread far and wide we can pay people to start spreading unfavorable rumors regarding the King's love for a non royal."

"Well if my Queen can make it happen then I will have no objections. Right now Mordis is too strong. If we can prevent them from taking Ashen by marriage then that would be good for us for the time being. But I will not give up on Mordis! It will be mine!"

Stroking Kali's chest again Svetlana was grinning from ear to ear. "Now...now..you must take care of your health. Have the Crown Prince been visiting you lately?"

Svetlana could see Kali's proud smile and she didn't like it one bit.

"He has been training everyday. Even though I lost the White Tiger to him but the speed in which he has been training is commendable. The ruthlessness in his eyes whenever he sees me makes me proud. Soon he will realize that his place is by my side. Once he has that power his thirst for blood will need to be quenched. I just need to find a way to get him on my side."

"Well good luck with that. I think it's better to control him now and rid him of the White Tiger. Aren't you afraid he will kill you?"

Laughing evilly Kali nudged Svetlana to stand up.

"Kill me? That boy is too smart. He wants the throne and there is no way he would be able to rule peacefully if he killed me. The people of Ashen will riot. Since my Queen has such good ideas...how do you think I can get on that boy's good side."

Just thinking about Sahil made Svetlana seethe in anger. For three days he had left the bodies of her hidden guards in her room. Even when she doubled the security the bodies would just keep coming. He even started to pose the bodies on her bed to anger her. At this rate Tej would end up sending his entire clan here just to replace the ones dropping like flies. Gritting her teeth as she remembers the bodies she found this morning as she woke only made her want to find Gauri so that she can send him pieces of his sister everyday. Everyday she was glad Kali had failed because it was apparent that he wanted her back alive whereas she wanted to capture her in order to torture her.

"That damn brat...when I catch your sister she will stay in my hidden torture chamber where I can cut her piece by piece!" Svetlana thought to herself.

"My Queen seems to have no ideas?" asked Kali.

"Sorry my King. When I do come up with one I will surely bring it to your attention."

"Alright. You should go and rest. Since the Princes of Gopar and Uthon has gone home they will soon return in 3 weeks to escort us to Mordis. Do make the arrangements."

"Of course my King."

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

Back in Sahil's courtyard Khanna could see the Crown Prince smiling while petting Kiba. Even Dandi who was sent by Omkara a few days ago had become Sahil's bodyguard and every morning it was him who prepared the tea filled with medicine.

"Dandi did my sister send me a letter today?" asked Sahil.

"Yes. I have it here."

Even though his eyes were clear and cold but whenever he spoke of his sister the two men could see the child emerge once again.

" Let me read it."

"But you usually read it in your chambers Prince. There could be unwanted eyes around." warned Dandi.

The child that they saw was only for a second and now with piercing eyes Dandi was forced to hand over the letter.

The two men were both alert as Sahil proceeded to read Gauri's letter and as he was enjoying Kiba's sudden growl made everyone on edge.

"Who is it? Show yourself and maybe I will spare your life." Threatened Sahil.

The hidden man could see the young boy play with his tea cup when suddenly it was thrown towards him.

Arjun quickly jumped and charged towards Sahil who did not expect to have such a skilled guard here in the palace. Even Dandi and Khanna did not see when the letter was snatched from Sahil's grasp.

"You! Give that to me!" yelled Sahil.

Sahil could see that this man was not one of the Queen's guards. The man before him was clad in all white with a silver mask to hide his face.

"Kiba!!" shouted Sahil.

Arjun knew he was no match now that his presence was exposed but with the letter in his hand he quickly threw a powdered bomb onto the ground to mask his escape.

Khanna: DAmnit! where did he go?!

Dandi: I don't know. But he is very skilled. I must let The King know that Princess Gauri's whereabouts has been compromised.

Sahil who stood tall as he looks towards the direction the masked man had withdrew to had an evil smile on his face.

"Kiba...looks like hunting will be fun again." grinned Sahil.

Arjun who had ran for one hour had finally felt safe to stop to look at the contents of the letter.

"So she was in Mordis all along."

Hope you guys enjoyed this update. Do vote if you did. I will be on vacation for couple weeks hopefully when I return the target has been met since the Mordis arc is on it's way. Had not time to proof read so I am sure there are typos. Kindly ignore.

Target: 260 votes.