Chapter 54

"Fray?" With her fingers already within reach of her poisonous needles Gauri calmly observed the man in white.

Arjun immediately kneeled down conveying his allegiance to the future Crown Princess of Fray.

"Yes Princess. I am Arjun. 1st Royal Guard to the Queen of Fray Kalyani. It is the Queen who wishes to see you."

Her eyes still displayed suspicion but she couldn't help but feel curious. Since the day she was born till now her grandmother had never came to visit. Even when she had sent word that she wanted to visit her mother's burial her request was swiftly denied. However she had never held it against her because her mother once told her that because of Fray's laws it was forbidden for them to meet; especially in Fray.

"Why does the Queen suddenly want to meet with me? Wasn't it against Fray's laws? Who are you?!" With her fingers tightly grabbing onto her needles hidden under her sleeves Gauri walked closer to the kneeling man.

Arjun could hear the White Wolf lowly growling as it got closer but he wasn't going to show any signs that he would retaliate. He needed Lady Gauri to trust him and only then will he complete his mission.

"Princess is correct. But things has changed."

"Changed?"

"You are no longer a Princess of Ashen. The Queen has been waiting for this day. With you severing ties with Ashen Fray is now here to escort you back."

Gauri started to softly laugh "Escort me back? For what reason?"

Arjun lifted up his head showing only his proud pair of eyes. "To become Crown Princess of Fray." He was so sure that after saying those words that Lady Gauri would let her guard down but instead her eyes seem to become darker. Arjun quickly took out his medallion to prove every word he was saying was nothing but the truth.

"Here Princess. This is Fray's Medallion. I would never dare deceive you."

True enough when she held onto the medallion it emitted a very cold sensation.

"What if I don't care to become the Crown Princess of Fray?"

"Princess please. By any means I have to take you back to see the Queen." Arjun pleaded.

"Are you threatening me?"

When she saw him reach for his dagger in his waistband Gauri quickly lunged at the kneeling man while throwing her needles in his direction. But being the 1st Royal Guard of Fray she wasn't surprise when he dodged it easily.

"Nala!"

Arjun didn't want to use his dagger on his Princess's pet so he tried his best to dodge the wild wolf only to have it claws tear into his clothing.

"Princess please! I mean no harm!"

Gauri didn't care for Fray since they never owed each other anything and continued to throw her needles at him.

"Princess! If you come back you will know about your mother!"

Gauri suddenly stopped. "My mother?"

"Nala stop." Gauri commanded.

Arjun felt relieved that he finally was able to say something to stop Gauri's attacks because the last thing he wanted to do was resort to violence.

"Yes. When you return to Fray the Queen will tell you everything. If you choose not to you will regret for a lifetime. That is all I can say."

"It has to do with my mother? What is wrong with my mother? Is she not buried in Fray's royal tomb?"

"She is but Princess must have heard that within Fray lies many magical secrets that everyone wants to obtain. You are the only one that has the right to know everything regarding Fray. Please consider coming with me Princess."

She indeed was interested in going especially when it came to her mother. For years she has wanted to visit her mother's grave but was unable to do so. Was this her chance? Gauri knew if she did not come along she would indeed regret it.

"Tomorrow night."

"Does that mean you agree Princess?"

"Wait here tomorrow night. I will leave with you."

Arjun quickly stood up with much joy. "I will wait till you come."

"Stay within the forest and I will meet you here tomorrow night. Do not reveal yourself to anyone. The King of Mordis knows you are here. I take it you were the one who stole Sahil's letter to find me?"

Arjun could feel the chilly tone and immediately bowed his head. "Forgive me Princess. I had no other choice."

"Did you lay a hand on him?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"He knows you were coming for me?"

"Yes."

Gauri couldn't help but smile that her little brother was growing stronger. He was already taking it upon himself to care for her. She knew that allowing Arjun to come here alone meant he wanted her to become a Princess again. "Silly boy."

When she was sure that Arjun had concealed himself deep in the forest Gauri walks over to Ranveer who was still unconscious with the purple flowers in his hand.

"Nala."

Bending down her head Nala scooped Ranveer up and threw him on her back while Gauri picked up the purple flowers that fell on the snowy ground.

"Let's go back now."

On her way back Gauri's mind was filled with Omkara. She knew that he would never allow her to leave regardless of the reasons presented. As she walked out of the forest she let out a long sigh while looking at the purple flowers in her hand. "It must be meant to be."

With still a ways to go until she would reach the palace gates Gauri figured she might as well admire the beautiful night scenery of Mordis but it wasn't long till she could hear the sounds of a horse's hooves. The snow beneath her feet started to shake but she knew he had come.

"Your Majesty has returned from your errands?"

His eyes glowed in the moonlight as he leaped down from his black horse. She could see that he was angry as he coldly walked up to her.

"Why is Ranveer like this? Did something happen?"

"Just an accident." Gauri tried her best to use a calm voice but his dark eyes did not seem to believe her. When she felt his cold fingers lift up her chin she returned it with a gentle smile as she lifts up the purple flowers.

"I wanted this and Ranveer did not know it's effects and had inhaled it's scent."

"Is that so?" Omkara suspiciously asked.

"You can ask Ranveer when he wakes up. I am sure the last thing he remembered was retrieving these flowers for me."

Gauri pushed his hand away as if she was upset that he was doubting her but truthfully she just didn't want to continue lying to him. She tried to walk towards the palace to avoid his gaze but his strong arms had grab a hold of her from behind.

"I was worried." Omkara softly whispered by her ear.

"I know."

"Priyanka has told me what you did today."

His arms suddenly embraced her tighter.

"Oh?"

"Thank you."

How much Gauri had wished that he was not so good to her because she has never felt her heart ached so much. The pain was centered at her chest making it hard to even say anything for if she did he would know that something was wrong. All she could do was remain silent as she turned around to hug him tightly while burrowing her head into his chest.

"Let's go back. It's becoming colder now."

Nodding her head softly Gauri was soon swooped up and was now sitting on Omkara's horse with his arms around her. As they rode towards the palace Gauri's eyes dimmed as she thought of Fray. "I will have to leave you soon." Just thinking of those words in her mind felt like someone was squeezing her heart making it hard to breathe and having him so close to her now made things even harder.

"What is wrong?" she heard his husky deep voice ask.

"I'm just cold." and with just one complaint from her Omkara kicked his horse's hind legs and they darted towards the palace and once they finally arrived Gauri could see Priyanka and her maid waiting at the front of the gates.

"I was beginning to worry Lady Gauri. When brother came back I had no choice but to tell him."

Shaking her head Gauri smiles at Priyanka for she was happy at the genuine display of concern. "I am fine. i didn't think I was out that long."

Priyanka's eyes darted towards her brother in a playful manner. "You weren't but when brother returned and found out you not here he flew into a frenzy. If I did not tell him he would have punished every guard in the palace."

Gauri then turns around to look at Omkara who stood there with a lazy grin.

"Am I that helpless?" Gauri asked as her brow lifts up questioning his absurd reaction to her absence.

Then with is black royal armor Omkara walks over and peers down at her.

"Isn't it I who has become helpless without you?" With his hooked up lips Gauri couldn't even reply to such flirtatious words. Only when they heard Priyanka clear her throat did they realize they had an audience.

"Ah hem....why are the guards carrying Ranveer? What happened to him?"

Once again she could feel his strong gaze looking down at her. "It was an accident." Even though he was repeating her words she knew he had his doubts.

"Take Ranveer to the guest room. I will have things to ask him when he awakes."

His eyes were still staring at her making this harder to conceal so Gauri took initiative to walk away to chat with Priyanka instead.

"How is the paste so far Princess?"

Omkara felt a sense of warmth overcome his body when he sees his sister finally smile brightly.

"It feels great. It leaves my skin very smooth and after just two application I can tell a slight difference."

"I am happy. I also picked enough herbs to make more for you. Once I finish making it I will send it over."

"And your price?" Priyanka accidentally let slip.

Omkara: "Price?"

There was a brush of fear painted across Priyanka's face since she did not mean to let her business between Gauri and her be revealed to her brother. When she looked over at Gauri hoping that she did not cause a big rift between the two she was even more worried. Gauri's face was calm as a still lake in the autumn where as Omkara's eyes kept looking for an answer.

She felt his strong hand pull her back to his side to face him.

"Price?" He asked again.

He saw the corner of her lips curve up with her flushed cheeks caused by the cold.

"Did you think my service was free?"

However her playful nature was no match for his because he too did not let things go her way. She did not think with the Crown Princess of Mordis here he would actually pick her up and take her back to her chambers.

"Put me down!"

"We need to discuss the subject of payment."

"It has nothing to do with you. It is between me and the Princess."

He ignored her words and proceeded to take her away leaving Priyanka turn around looking the other way.

"Put me down Your Majesty. There is nothing to discuss. I have not thought of any matters of payment."

He looked down at her and chuckled. "You do not need to think of any for I will give you everything."

His words were sweet to her ears but stabbing to the heart. Gauri never thought it would be this hard to leave him. Even when they entered her room she couldn't help but keep on staring at him.

"Can we spend tomorrow together?"

For a moment Omkara thought he had heard wrong because the Gauri he knew never showed so much affection. Her voice was soft and sweet that he couldn't deny any of her requests; tonight, tomorrow, or the future.

His hand warmly cupped her face "If that is what my Queen desires."

The words "His Queen" started to make her feel that it was a position she truly now wanted and desired and knowing that they will have to part tomorrow night only made her wish she could prolong their time now.

"Will Your Majesty help me apply medicine on my back tonight?"

As he finally set her down on her feet Gauri loosened her belt and let her beautiful dress dropped down to her feet. With only one look at her perfect body his eyes were lit and he quickly grabbed the medicine that was by the nightstand. The wounds were healing at such an incredible rate that when his fingers touched her soft skin it was smooth as silk. Unfortunately he was till not able to satisfy his hunger for her just yet. Soon her breathing slowed and her eyes were closed leaving him to just look at her sleeping figure.

Before leaving he kissed her on the lips and then her mouth slightly opened.

"Om...Omkara...Om..."

His heart seized up hearing her call out his name in her dreams. Only she could make his name sound so nice.

It was hard to leave her side but he had other things to deal with tonight. Taking one last look at his sleeping Queen Omkara headed towards the guest room.

"Is he awake yet?"

Guard: Yes Your Majesty. He is waiting.

His face was no longer holding that warmth he had before as he headed down the hall where Ranveer awaits.

**Hope you guys like this update. Do vote if you did. Do let me know your thoughts. I sometime wonder if the story is dragging. Should I speed it up? I know I tend to be detailed in my scenes.**

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