" I thought I'd find you here, " A soft voice murmured and I felt two arms pull me back against his chest.

Warm, safe and inviting. The island in the stormy sea.

He wouldn't say a word, he knew what hurt me. He gently pulled me back, sitting near the obelisk, watching the night sky.

He sat me between his legs, arms braced under my chest as he sighed, placing my head against his chest.

I could hear his heart beating, one, two, one, two.

" What a day. And this is our first day back, " He said softly, running his thumb over my hand.

" What a day indeed. Nazar utar gayi, " ( we warded the evil eye away, ) I said, watching as he shook with soft laughter.

" Well, do you want to talk? Is it your dreams again? " He whispered against my ears and I shook my head, " Are you scared for Mini? You know she'll be fine -"

" It's not about her being fine. I'm furious with myself, that's all, " I answered, cutting him off, then cringing, turning my head to press a soft kiss to his jaw in apology.

" I understand, " He said, " But blaming yourself doesn't change the situation Sagarika, you know that," He looked at me, as if waiting for me to explode.

" I know that. Doesn't help me feel less guilty. Did you not feel guilty when Nakul and Sahdev were hurt in the battle against Maharaj Drupad? " I asked and his eyes darkened. He closed them, took a deep breath and sighed, before opening them again.

" I know that, but that day, you helped me understand how it wasn't my fault, today, I need you to believe that too, your parents would be proud of you, you're looking after your sister well. Even before we left for exile, I saw how much you cared, leaving Indraprasth for months, just so you could be with her. She appreciates you Sagarika. She's not the eleven year old child who doesn't understand the world, " He said and I frowned.

" Doesn't make her less of a child to me, " I said and he laughed.

" I have seen her you know, freshly out of the labour room, where they had my mother, she had such dark brown eyes, I couldn't distinguish between her pupils and irises. Small but pouty red lips. Blood red... I thought she had been born sucking someone's blood, " I said, " She had such tiny hands. Soft, I was over the moon. Do you know I actually asked Narayan fir a sister, " I said and he looked at me confused.

" He can do that? " He asked and I laughed.

" Probably not. Maybe. Who knows. The point is, I had two friends, brother and sister. They would always argue, constantly fighting, "

" So you thought having a sister might solve the problem, girls don't fight, " He deduced and I nodded my head.

" Then when it turned out she fought with me regardless, I felt betrayed. But it's hilarious to me now. " I put my hands against his chest, twisting in his hug.

" And now? Now what? " He asked.

" Now, I want to skin Dushasan alive for hurting that baby. Because that's the fear and innocence I'd seen in her eyes when she was born. A small person in a vast world. That fear, I -" I choked back my tears, " That fear, I saw it again. And for that, I want to watch him burn, " I said, eyes hard as I felt one tear fall off.

" But that is vengence speaking Priye. Not justice. I agree he must be punished, but it's a tricky situation, we cannot threaten war. Especially since we've just come back. And more importantly, not with Hastinapur, " He said.

I knew he was right.

" Should we go back? Madhu and Abhi would be worried, " He asked and I sat up, hand still placed against his chest as it rose and fell, deep and slow.

" We should. But -" I shook my head, readying to get up when he stopped me.

" - what is it? " He asked, turning my head back to him with one hand.

" I don't want to go, I want to stay with you, here, " I whispered and he nodded, understanding in his eyes.

" Alright, they have their uncles and aunts. They'll be fine. Come, " He opened his arms again. I smiled, placing my head back against his heart, one hand around his waist as his own held me closer.

" Sleep Sagarika. I'll not let anything happen to you or anyone else. I promise, " He said and I smiled lazily.

" Don't make promises you can't keep, " I mumbled, pressing a kiss to his chest as it rumbled with laughter, I could feel it shaking beneath my lips.

" And I've told you, all promises are made on the basis of not being able to keep them. Sleep my dear Dharmaa," He raised one hand to rest it against my head, moving my hair out of my face.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

I woke up in the morning to feel the sun hitting my face, it's soft morning glow warming my spine.

I sighed, burrowing closer into Yudhishthir's arms, assuming him to be asleep, shifted slightly to press a kiss to his chest, closing my eyes when I felt his chest rumble deeply.

" I felt that, " He smirked, " You need to wake priye," I heard his deep voice call and I looked up, his eyes looked tired, but full of love.

" No, " I said, burrowing back in when he laughed softly, raising one hand in his to press kisses against it.

" Samragyi Sagarika, you cannot punish Dushasan by sleeping here can you? " He asked softly, eyes serious. My eyes snapped open at his words and he grinned.

" I knew that would work, come, we need to meet our children. They must be lost here, " He said, helping me up. His hair was mused as I am sure mine was too.

" Thank you, " I whispered and he frowned.

" I would never raise my hand on my wife, but this warrants raising my hand on my partner, " He flicked my head lightly and I laughed, 
" Never thank me Sagarika, it makes me feel like I'm not your husband, or friend, or the father of your children-"

" -alright! I get it, " I giggled and he smiled.

As we moved back to the main sabha, I saw the last tent still in place, our own.

I moved in to see both of them asleep.

Or were they.

" Yudhishthir, why, don't you think we should have a feast? With Matar Kulcha? " I said and he made a face.

I glared at him.

He nodded.

" Yes, why not Priye, it wouldn't hurt, though I think I need to pass. I'll take Madhu and go to Dwarika. Jyeshth Balram -"

" - no matar kulcha! " Madhu exclaimed, jumping up in her sleep and I smirked.

Abhi on the other hand.

" Didi! They were trying to fool you. You ruined the plan, " He whined, sitting up with her.

" And? Do you have to say anything?" I asked and they nodded, getting up to hug Yudhishthir.

" Good morning papa, " They chirped and I laughed.

" Good morning, shall we get you both ready? We all have a long day ahead -"

" Samrat! Samrat Yudhishthir! " A voice called and I frowned, looking out of the tent to see Bheem dragging a man by his neck.

" Bheem? " I mumbled and he scowled at the man, throwing him at my feet.

" Panchali -"

" -yes, come on Madhumita, Abhivart, I'll show you around, " She dragged them away, while Yudhishthir stepped out of the tent.

" Bheem, what is this? " He asked, watching the man at our feet cry in shame.

" He's the guard Samrat! He's the guard who snuck that arse Dushasan in, " He said, hauling him up as the man hid his face.

Yudhishthir, Arjun shoved his hands back, as Bheem held them in his own.

" You? " Yudhishthir said, his voice calm, yet considering the situation.

" Please! Forgive me Samrat, Samragyi, please! " He begged and I frowned.

" Keep him locked Bheem. We will see to both of them when the sabha begins, " I said and he took him away.

" Why do I think this was too easy? " Yudhishthir asked and I nodded.

" I know, this is far too quick. There is something seriously wrong. " I said as we headed back to our room, watching it being cleaned.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Okay... So who's the traitor.

Tell me how it was.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥