Chapter 8

As she clung onto Nala's soft white fur Gauri could feel the night's cool breeze against her face as the zipped through the forest. She purposely wore a dark shade of purple to blend in with the flowers that were blooming. Gauri loved the floral scent during this season because in about a few more months winter will arrive and during that time it will be harder for her to find the herb she needed for Sahil's treatment. As they approached the cave Gauri could already see a bit of light coming from it's entrance. "They must have made a small campfire inside. Don't be afraid of it Nala." Her lips slowly curves up as she sits on top of Nala petting her to calm her down "Lets go say hello to The King and his men." It didn't take long for Omkara to hear that someone was approaching. Dandi and Ranveer both had their hands at the hilt of their blades when they realize that the footsteps were those of more than one person. Soon their bodies were in position to strike when they saw a small masked woman dressed in purple sitting on top of a white wolf followed by 4 others. Those eyes that captivated him that night was once again staring back at him. With the fire burning he could see her eyes glow as it assessed the situation. Not a single person said anything..only silence surrounded them until Gauri's pack started to growl forcing Dandi and Ranveer to draw out their blades to shield Omkara.

Gauri could see clearly that Omkara was suffering from the effects of the poison. The sweat from his forehead was evident of the pain he was trying to endure as well as the paleness from his face but that didn't hide his dark eyes that were piercing through her. Gauri didn't care that Dandi and Ranveer were standing infront of Omkara. She slowly jumped down from Nala's back and slowly walked towards the King of Mordis while ignoring his personal guards.

Gauri: I see you have brought the basin of water. Lets begin. I need to hurry so that I can get the herb I need and return back to Ashen before morning.

But as Gauri came too close Dandi and Ranveer pointed their blades at her. "Stop." Omkara could see from behind that Gauri's eyes were now showing anger as she takes a few steps back away from his guard's blades. With her purple mask and those angry eyes her pack started to gather behind her while growling and showing their large fangs that can rip any man into pieces. As she slowly strokes Nala's head as a sign to stand down Gauri's stare was now only towards the King of Mordis. "I am here to treat you as part of our deal. If your Highness has changed his mind then I will leave." Dressed in all black with his large black robe Omkara slowly stands up from the large boulder he was sitting on "Do you not need the herb anymore?" A soft chuckle escaped Gauri's lips "You think you can stop me from getting what I need?" As Omkara slowly walks over Gauri's heart started to race as he was now towering over her and with his warm hand he tilted her chin up to meet his angry gaze "Your wolves might be able to protect you from my Guards but don't forget I am the King of Mordis. If I make hunting a hobby I don't mind having your wolves as my target." His powerful aura was immense but Gauri was not just some ordinary woman who was easily shaken. "Hunting? In your condition?" This woman was indeed different and he liked it but even so she must know who he was. He applied a bit more pressure as he lifted up her chin higher as he stared her down "I am not afraid of death. If I must go I will bring everyone with me! So do not threaten me." Omkara could see from the corner of his eye that a big white wolf was hunkered down about to pounce on him and then from his robe Gauri could see a small blade appear in his other hand. Hooking his lips Omkara bends down to whisper in Gauri's ear "Do you want to see for yourself tonight why everyone fears the King of Mordis?" As he backed away from her ear Gauri could see as well as feel Omkara's sinister smile. This was indeed the powerful King of Mordis. Even with her pack Gauri knew she was no match for Omkara because from their first encounter while enduring the effects of the poison he was still able to deal with all those assassins as well as capture her. His strength then was enough to kill her if he wanted to.

As everyone was ready for bloodshed inside this small cave Omkara could only see Gauri's angry honey brown eyes staring back at him with the reflection of the small flames coming from the small campfire. "Did you come here tonight for this? If not then lets begin the treatment. I don't have that much free time." With a satisfying smile Omkara let go of Gauri's chin and gestured his men to stand down. "Tell me what herb you need and I will tell one of my men to gather it for you so then you don't have to worry about the time." Gauri thought that this idea was a good one "I will have one of my wolves follow your man because they will let him know if he has gotten the correct herb." From her pouch Gauri hands over a picture of the herb she needed to Omkara who then handed it Ranveer "Go."

Gauri pets Nala and whispers in her ear "Go with him. Make sure he gets it right." As the two disappears from the cave Gauri gradually walks over to the water basin "I would appreciate it if you could send your other guard outside. It's crucial that I am not distracted." Dandi did not want to leave Omkara's side especially tonight but with one look from his King he knew he had no choice.

Omkara: Do not enter the cave until I say you can.

As Dandi made his way out he could see 4 white wolves slowly walking behind him leaving the King of Mordis and that woman behind in the cave alone.

Omkara suddenly sees Gauri turn her back towards him "Your highness please undress and get into the water basin so that we can start." Omkara was now at his limit. The pain was now unbearable forcing Omkara to suddenly grab the rim of the basin to steady his posture. "Will you not help me undress? Or are you afraid of being tempted?" Turning around Gauri could already tell that the poison was burning him from within. She quickly walks over to take off the clothes. His words did not effect her because as a student of the famous Physician in Ashen Gauri has seen many naked men before and tonight she was a doctor who can only see the anatomy of a male and nothing more. As her soft fingers graze his body as she takes off layers of his clothing Omkara couldn't help but be amaze how unaffected this woman was. Her eyes was calm as the autumn river with not a single ripple in them. With so many women throwing themselves at him everyday Omkara wasn't sure what Gauri was thinking while staring at his now naked body that was drenched in sweat. Although she had seen many naked men before but not once has one made her fluster like this. Thankfully she was wearing a mask to hide her red burning cheeks. Even with the scars on his back and chest gave signs of how strong and powerful the King of Mordis was. Trying to keep her composure Gauri pointed at the water basin "Your Highness can sit in the basin now." The burning in his joints made it hard for him but Omkara managed to submerge half his body in the basin where the cool water eased his pain just a bit. "Now what." From her pouch Gauri took out some herbs and threw them in the basin but what caught Om's eyes were the rows of thin needles in her hand.

Gauri: Before I start I must warn you that this will hurt. But no matter what your highness must bear it. If you can't then I can not continue. This treatment is also very strenuous for me.

Seeing Omkara nod his head Gauri continues to explain "once I put this last herb in the basin you will feel as if you are sitting in boiling water and with these needles I have to insert them in certain pressure points throughout your entire body. I have only seen my master do this once and the patient couldn't endure it and died during the process."

Omkara: "I am not just an ordinary man. Continue."

Gauri: I will start by putting the needles in your back and then I will sit in the water basin with you.

Omkara: Why?

Gauri: Because when applying the needles in your chest it has to be accurate and with the right amount of pressure. I have to be as close to you as possible. Trust from both sides is important here. If you can't endure the pain you can easily kill me if you allow the poison to make you drive you crazy. Your endurance is key your Highness.

As Gauri starts out with five needles inserting it in various part of Omkara's back she could see him grab the edges of the basin as he endures the pain. It was one thing to hear her explain the process but the moment she threw in the last herb he felt like the water that once felt cool was now hot as burning lava. Gritting his teeth as he sees Gauri try to enter the basin "Will you be okay?" As she enters the basin she could feel Omkara's long legs as she position herself to sit on top of it "The water only feels that way to you your Highness....because of the poison." Sitting just inches apart Omkara could smell a hint of lavender as well as something else. "How come you smell different tonight?" Gauri wasn't surprise the the medicine from her back was emitting a strong medicinal smell due to the contact with the water. "It's nothing." Though the water was not burning her but it was washing away her medicine and irritating her wounds but Gauri had no time to worry about the slight pain that was slowing creeping up on her. 2 Hours went by as she carefully inserts 10 needles onto specific pressure points along Omkara's chest. His breathing was heavy and his knuckles were turning white from grasping the edges of the basin. But all that Omkara could see is the sweat dripping from Gauri's face. But before he could inquire about it the water in the basin begin to turn black. Omkara's eyes flared up as he sees black liquid comping out of the ends of the needles that were piercing deeply in his body. "What is that?" Gauri was very tired at this point because focusing and applying just the right amount of pressure for 2 hours was not an easy task and couple with the pain from her back Gauri was starting to feel very weak. "That is the poison slowly being forced out of your body your Highness."

He could feel the burning pain slowly dissipate and he couldn't be anymore delighted. For years the main was tormenting him and tonight he finally found someone who could cure him. Staring at the small woman who was sitting on his lap with her legs wrapped around his waist to anchor herself Omkara couldn't help but notice the wet purple clothing that was now clinging onto her body. When he wanted to reach for her mask a small hand took hold of his wrist "Stop." Slowly pulling his hand away from the purple veil "With those beautiful eyes I was tempted to see the beauty to whom it belongs to."

Gauri: There is no beauty here your Highness. I am just a Doctor from Ashen. If you try to unmask me I will refuse to go on with the treatment.

As she stood up Omkara could only look up to see the woman clad in purple get out of the water basin but as she got out Omkara could now smell the stench of blood. While Gauri was digging through her pouch for her extra set of clothing not knowing that her wounds were bleeding. Omkara's eyes sharpened as she sees dark spots on her back. "You are wounded?"

Her hands froze as she could now sense someone standing behind her. As she quickly turned around only to see Omkara standing with his black robe on. "Tell me who has injured you. Now that you are important to me I must not allow anything to happen to you." Omkara was standing to close for comfort forcing Gauri to take a few steps back as she clings to her dry set of clothing. "Do not worry. I still have to save by brother. Until then I can not die." Omkara did not want to argue with her because now it was his turn to notice that he woman before him was trying hard to endure the pain from her wounds.

Gauri: Could your Majesty turn around while I re-apply my medicine and change my clothes?

Omkara obliged and turned around to face the cave walls. But with the fire burning inside the cave revealing the silhouette of a woman slowly taking off her clothes were now tempting his eyes as she stares at the wall. This was more tempting then anything he has every experienced in his life. He regarded her as a woman that he was not allowed to touch....yet. He was the King of Mordis after all...not some kind of unrefined monster who forced himself on women.

As Gauri slipped on her black pants she reached out for the ointment to apply on her bare back not realizing that she had waited a bit too long and the pain was now 10x worse. Setting her top to the side Gauri dipped her fingers into the ointment and as she slightly touched her back she let a yelp slipped through her lips. His deep voiced made her grab for her top to cover her chest "Do you need this King's help?" The wounds on her back was evident to him that she had been whipped. He tried his best to hide the anger in his voice.

Gauri sighed as she knew that she couldn't apply the medicine by herself and obviously Omkara was the only person here right now and if she doesn't hurry she will not make it back to Ashen on time. Gauri hands the jar of ointment to the King of Mordis "If you don't mind your Highness please do it quickly and please lay a strip of this fabric to each would to let the medicine absorb better."

As she felt his fingers touch her back Gauri couldn't help but flinch. "Does it hurt?"

Gauri: Um..No..please continue.

Trying to calm herself to not flinch upon his touch Gauri couldn't help but silently curse her body. "Just because he is the first man to touch your bare body do you have to make it that obvious?" Omkara was trying hard to be as gentle as can be while examining how deep the wounds were "Whoever whipped you must really hate you." Gauri could only laugh evilly "This is nothing compared to what will come for them." When he was done Omkara turned around to let Gauri put on her black top. "Thank you Your Highness."

As she starts to pack up she felt a pair of hands grab her waist "Bring your brother here and stay in Mordis. I will kill all of your enemies for you."

Her eyes stared at him for a long time before her hands pushed him away "Your Highness should trust me when I say I will cure you. Such steps from you is not necessary. Revenge is only satisfying if done by my own hands."

Her words made him smile "Alright then."

Gauri: To cure you we only have to do this 3 more times so I will see you here next week.

Omkara: No need to come here. I will find you in Ashen.

Gauri's eyes widen in shock "Ashen? Why are you going to Ashen?"

Omkara can sense the nervousness coming from the woman before him "Why does that concern you?"

Composing herself as best as she could "I'm just surprise that the King of Mordis would be visiting Ashen. Is there a reason for the trip?"

Omkara walks closer to tower of this suspicious physician who for the first time seem to be flustered "I want to see how many more beautiful things is there in Ashen...or is what I see now one of a kind."

Gauri touches her mask "You can't even see anything and yet to say...."

Omkara: Nothing can hide from my eyes.

Gauri had many other questions she wanted to ask but she was afraid that it might reveal that she was part of the Royal family in Ashen. She already had to deal with her own people to secure Sahil's position and to think she now has to worry about Omkara eyeing Ashen was something she did not want to deal with. Noticing that she was deep in thought Omkara teasingly comes closer to whisper in her ear "Shall we go outside now to see if my guard and your pet has returned?"

Ranveer and Nala had return not too long ago and was waiting with he rest outside the cave's entrance. When Dandi saw Omkara walk out looking strong and healthy "Your Majesty. Did it work?" With a nod Dandi and Ranveer felt so happy that their eyes were now sharply gazing towards Gauri who saw that the herb needed was guarded between Nala's paws. As she began walking towards her pack she sees them growling at the people behind her.

Omkara: Do not.

And as commanded Dandi and Ranveer walked back to stand by their King.

Gauri continued to walk towards Nala to pick up the herb and inspect it. "If you are to meet in Ashen do not forget to bring this herb your Highness." Hopping onto Nala's back to head towards the border of Ashen Gauri turned to the King of Mordis "When we meet in Ashen do not be surprise. I will not reveal anything. I hope your Highness will do the same." Omkara smiles as he sees the woman in purple ride off with her pack of wolves.

Dandi: Your Majesty...Why did you let her go? The treatment obviously worked! She would be a great asset to Mordis.

Omkara still looking towards the direction that he last saw Gauri's shadow "She is not just a Physician."

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Queen's Courtyard

It was always routine for Svetlana to apply her face cream before bed but tonight she could only smash the jar onto her porcelain floor causing the cream to splatter everywhere "Gauri.....I will ruin your life!" As she opens her drawer to take out a small purple vial as well as her "special candle" An evil smile reflected back from her mirror "Once you fall into this trap everything will be over."

Svetlana: Tia come here.

Out from the curtains a high ranked maid approaches and kneels down "My Queen."

Svetlana: Take this and when the time is right you know what to do. Do not let anyone know...even the Princesses. I can't risk for Riddhima and Ishana to ruin my plan. It is best that they are not in the loop.

Tia grabs the small vile and tucks it away in her waistband "Yes My Queen. I will await your orders."

Leaning back onto her chair to imagine the pain that Gauri will go through Svetlana started to laugh "The humiliation will be unbearable for that little girl!"

**Hope you guys like this update...Hm....is it too draggy?..I can't tell guys...do let me know what you think...if not I will continue like this lol. DO VOTE IF YOU ENJOYED IT...I AM LOVING THE COMMENT BY THE WAY...THANKS GUYS!!"