Chapter 51

When Bhavya saw him holding the arrow in the palm of his hand she couldn't stop herself from quivering in fear.  She could already hear lots of commotion outside. Sounds of horses neighing and soldiers yelling out commands was causing her heart to pound violently.  Rudra could see the little maid trembling in the corner of the palanquin but he knew he needed to act fast.

"Put on your cloak!" Rudra commanded.

Her hand nervously grabbed the brown furry cloak that she had set aside earlier and when she clumsily managed to put it on his big hand had already pulled her out of the palanquin. Immediately her face felt the coldness of the night wind but when she saw many arrows flying her way she clutched his arm in fright. With just a swing of his sword she could hear the arrows being deflected and was dropping onto the ground like dead flies.

"Everyone go! Make sure you get them all!" Rudra yelled out. However in just a few feet Bhavya saw a large man on a horse with a shiny silver demon mask with his sword drawn and pointing at them.

"You will die tonight General."

The threat rattled Bhavya to the point that she started to hide behind Rudra who seem to accepted the challenge by pointing his own sword towards the silver demon.

"Stay close to me." She heard him whisper as he grabbed her hand to make sure she would clutch onto the back of his cloak and within just a split second she was pulled along. Even though Rudra had expected a lot of people hiding in the shadows but what he didn't put in consideration was just how much his injuries effected him. It was only when his sword collided with the skilled silver demon that he could feel his barely healed injuries rupture. Bhavya could hear him groan in pain as she was swung left and right trying to avoid the swords. She could even see his face drench with sweat under the moonlight and knew that he was having a hard time protecting her and fighting because all he was doing was dodging.

Rudra quickly noticed the person behind him had let go and his brows furrowed in displeasure. Even his opponent could see that this woman was well worth to capture because once she let go a horde of men came out from the dark.

"Grab her now!"

"Shit!" Rudra yelled out. So it turned out he was not the only target. With no time he lunged at the mask man and grabbed onto his sword immobilizing it. He could feel the man try to pull his sword away from his grip but it was futile. With blood dripping from the cracks of his fingers Rudra took his sword and thrust it deep into the man's chest.

"ARGH!!!"

Rudra wanted to retract his sword so that he could give the man a final blow but then he heard Bhavya scream and he mistakenly turned his head allowing the silver demon to attack him with a hidden short dagger.

The dagger was now deeply lodged into his chest but Rudra could not let it be his demise. He stealthily let go of the swords that were in his hands and grabbed the demon by the face and with one quick action "SNAP!" With his eyes rolled back Rudra flung the dead demon onto the cold ground.

"AH!! General! General!!"

He could see that she had fell down and was now scooted backwards away from a group of men about to grab her. She was flinging rocks and sticks at them in an attempt to slow them down.

The look in their eyes were so menacing that Bhavya was scared stiff. Her eyes were trying to find him but she could not see over the group of men in front of her but just them she remembered what Gauri have given her before. Frantically searching within her waistband Bhavya could feel the men coming closer and closer. Tears were running down her face as her trembling fingers kept searching. Her fingers were already frozen from trying to pick of rocks and sticks that were covered in snow that she couldn't feel any sensation at all. Then she felt someone grabbed her arm and yanked her up.

"Get up before I kill you!"

"No! General! Where are you?!" Bhavya was now fighting for her life.

*Swoosh*

She could feel the man's warm blood splatter onto her face as his severed hand was still dangling on her wrist.

"Ah!!!"

It was so gruesome that she felt like she was about to pass out but when she saw him stand in front of her she felt relief swarm her body.

"Stay close! Do not let go this time!"

Rudra could feel blood just dripping from his many wounds causing him to slightly feel weak.

"If you don't want to die then give me the girl!" One of the men yelled out.

They saw his lips curve up into a sinister smile before charging his sword at them.

This time Bhavya refused to let go by any means. She saw his sword drenched in blood. The snow was painted red as the men in black fell one by one. Thinking that they were going to be okay her eyes widen in shock when she saw another group of men head their way. Many of the soldiers were already trying to fight them off and was winning but it seem that these men was targeting her.

When Rudra saw the new group of men charging he grabbed Bhavya's hand and the both of them started to run. His injuries were not taking it's toll and he needed to hide Bhavya in order to let his men finish the job. To think that his uncle had sent this many men was anticipated but having another group join them to capture her was not. Although he was injured he was still a faster runner than she was. Bhavya tried to keep up but he was just too fast and the way he was pulling her she ended up tripping.

*UGH!*

She could feel the sharp cold rocks lodged in her palms and her chin had hit the ground hard. With the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth Bhavya wanted to cry but then she felt his warm arms grab her but her worries were not over. Because when he had stop to help her it gave the group of men time to surround them and by his labored breathing Bhavya knew the General was reaching his limits.

Grabbing his arm Bhavya looks at him with determination. The group of men were now circling around them. They were trapped.

"Swing me around." Bhavya whispered. She could see his eyes question her but she didn't have time to explain.

"Swing me!"

He grabbed her waist and swung her. He saw a powdery substance fly from her hands and onto the men surrounding them. Soon the men were coughing and their eyes were red.

"Damnit! What was that!" The men yelled out. Their eyes burned and they were finding it hard to breathe and soon their entire body gave. With the group of men now paralyzed on the ground Rudra also fell to his knees.

"General?!"

When she tried to help him up she felt something warm on her hand and the stench of blood was very strong.

"No..No..No..please!"

He could hear her cries and tried his best to stand only to tumble on top of her.

"UH!"

He was very heavy but she was able to push herself from underneath him.

"General! Tell me what to do!"

They had ran so far from the site and the snow was falling so fast that she didn't know which direction to go.

Finally she saw him sit up and she ran to his side.

"General!"

"We need to find shelter until my men find us."

Wiping away her tears Bhavya nods her head and starts to look around.

"There seems to be a cave over there." She yelled happily.

She used all her strength to help him walk over to the small cave and when they finally made it Rudra collapsed onto the cold ground.

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He was really riding his horse through the forest when he finally saw the palace and Dandi quickly jumped off and ran towards the entrance. Ranveer was the first to see him panting through the halls towards Omkara's chambers.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to see The King immediately."

"He's not in there. He's with Lady Gauri."

Gauri was standing out in the balcony staring at the snow fall from the night sky.

"It's beautiful."

His arms were tightly around her waist as he let took in her scent.

"The ointment sure is powerful. Just now I could already tell your wounds are healing at a very rapid rate."

Her slender fingers were playing with Nala's fur when he grabbed it.

"I'm starting to regret letting your pet enter the palace." Omkara teased as he gently sucked on those fingers.

Her cheeks involuntarily flushed as she tried to pull away but with just a tug she was already in his embrace.

"You have not seen the Princess for the entire day."

She could see the tiredness in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Do you fault her for trying to frame you?" Omkara asked.

"Does it matter what I think?"

"Yes it does. It matters to me. I do not want to be torn between you and my sister. I would much prefer if we can all live amicably together."

"We don't have to be together you know."

He grabbed her chin forcefully and the anger was apparent. His piercing eyes were hard to look at but Gauri refused to turn away.

"We do...have to...be together."

Her heart felt like it wanted to burst with happiness. He had done so much for her that she felt maybe...just maybe she could lean on him. With his help she could secure Sahil's position but did she dare give him this much? She could feel herself sinking deeper into this feeling that she was becoming powerless to it. Should she surrender to the bliss that her heart was yearning for?

He could see her eyes shake with emotions.

"Tell me what I should do to make you my Queen Gauri." Omkara pleaded.

Gauri was hesitant but decided to take the chance.

"I ask of one thing."

"What is it?"

"Trust. No matter what anyone says you must promise to trust me. Believe me. Without trust we have nothing."

His eyes gleamed with joy as her request was an easy one. Unable to contain his excitement Omkara lifted Gauri off the ground and twirled her around.

Her smile intoxicated him that he no longer could wait to tell the entire Kingdom.

"Everyone will witness our union! In a few weeks when Ashen arrives we will also hold a grand wedding and they will bow down to the Queen of Mordis. How does that sound?"

But before Gauri could answer a knock at the door had interrupted their moment.

"I am sorry to disturb you your Majesty but this is urgent."

"Dandi?" Omkara was surprised that he was not looking after Sahil and already he could see worry in Gauri's eyes.

"You stay here and rest. I will go see what is the urgency."

Gauri grabs Omkara's arm to stop him. "Why can't you just let him in. I want to know if it has to do with Sahil."

"I will not allow men to enter my future Queen's chambers."

"Then let me follow you."

"Oh? You are not officially my Queen...yet you are making demands?" Omkara teased as he stroke her soft hair.

"If I let you come...what do I get?"

The fire in her eyes were lit and he was enjoying every bit of it but then suddenly she stood on her tippy toes and the warmth of her lips caught him off guard. She tasted sweet and wanted more but with Dandi waiting just outside the door he had to refrain.

"This is considered a down payment only. I would need more later on."

Gauri could not believe how unashamed this man was. It took great courage for her to play along with him but now he wanted more?!

Omkara laughed seeing that Gauri was getting very angry so he took her hand to escort her out the door.

"Don't be so angry. I will be gentle. You are still injured."

This man was so incorrigible that all she could do was remain silent.

Once they opened the door Omkara instructed Dandi and Ranveer to return to his chambers for privacy.

"So why are you back?"

"Your Majesty. It's possible Lady Gauri's whereabouts has been exposed. I also kill assassins on my way here. Most likely they were trying to give word to the spy in Ashen that Lady Gauri is in Mordis."

Gauri stood there silently as she listened to Dandi recall the incident with a mask man who had stolen her letter.

"So you say this man doesn't belong to the Queen of Ashen nor someone from Mordis?" Omkara asked in a chilly tone.

"Correct your Majesty. His skills are much higher. I have yet encounter anyone with his speed. I am afraid he was looking for Lady Gauri. He paid no heed towards the Crown Prince of Ashen."

Feeling relieved at his words Gauri was now trying to figure out just who was looking for her. Did she have more enemies that has yet to make an appearance? Those were the most dangerous kind.

"Go back and protect The Crown Prince. Let that man come here. I will deal with him personally if he dare comes."

Gauri could feel the menacing aura surrounding Omkara just like that day in the forest.

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Arjun was lucky to find a wild horse on his way to Mordis making his trip faster than he had predicted.

"Just one more day Princess."

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