Devika and I had chosen to stay back in Pragjyotishpur.

It had been nearly three months now that we were married....

" Devi! Have you seen my quill and note-"

I walked in, to see her panting, out of breath and heavily scarred.

"What is this? Who did this to you? " I asked, running up to her, framing her face.

"No one. I was-practicing. " She mumbled, head lolling in exhaustion.

"But why? You practiced during the day and now as well? "

"Well, I'm going to be fighting two monsters.... Better-be - prepared. " She panted, kneeling on the floor.

" But why are you overexerting? Tell me what's wrong my love. " I said, sitting by her side as she opened her bleary eyes.

The usual youth and brightnwss in her caramel eyes made them a dull shade of mud as she sighed.

"Wait, I need to clean myself up first. " She said softly and I agreed.

"Alright. Come on. " I said, picking her up.

"No no. I can make my way -"

"Shh. You're too tired. I'll draw the water in the bath room, you lay on the bed. " I said, pecking her forehead softly.

" Alright. " She mumbled.

I quickly drew a bath, steam filled the room as the helpers brought in hot water from the kitchens for the same. In about fifteen minutes, the water was ready.

I walked back into my room to see a sleepy wife. I wanted to let her sleep, but it doesn't feel relaxing to wake up in much and dirt.

"Devi, my darling. Wake up. " I whispered to her, running my hands through her hair.

"I'm sleeeeepy-"

"I know dear. But we need to have you cleaned. It'll not feel nice if you wake up in sweat and grime. Come. " I said and she opened her eyes, rubbing the sleep away.

"Carry me. " She mumbled, raising her hand, blinking her eyes in the light.

"Whatever my wife wishes. " I said, taking her to the room.

I sat her near the edge of the bath, sitting behind her to open her hair.

"Nooo! I don't have the energy to have them washed-"

"Which is why I'll wash them. You can rest. " I said to her, kissing behind her ear.

I took down the odhini and gently opened her braids. They were extensive, then extending to something akin to a bun above her head.

Once that was done, I ran my fingers through her hair. Gently carding my fingers through them, massaging her scalp. I felt her lean into my hands and I smiled. Poor girl was so exhausted.

I unclasped the necklaces and earrings, massaging her neck as I did.

"Does this feel alright? " I whispered and she nodded.

I took off the bangles and rings. Truly, they were heavier, even when she had removed most of her jewelry for her practice sessions.

" Alright, now for your clothes. Do you want to do that yourself? " I asked.

She looked back at me, confusion on her face.

" Clothes? Oh yes, the saree. No it's alright. I can do that. " She said, standing up as she began to move the pallu off her shoulders, stretching her arms.

I had turned around to give her the privacy she might need.

When I felt the sound of water being gently sloshed around, I turned back around to see her submerged under the water,with just her hair and neck above the surface.

"Oh, this feels nice. " She said, leaning her head back against the edge of the bath.

" It does. Come, I'll clean your hair. " I said, crouching down next to her , sitting on a bath stool.

I took some of their shampoo.... It was made of reetha and all sorts of natural ingredients. I recalled studying about it, but forgot what else was in it.

But it worked wonders, as I massaged her hair, with gentle scrapes with my fingers.

Soon, she had nearly fallen asleep when I woke her up, water clearing the remnants of her bath.

(SOFT INTIMACY AHEAD. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED)

"I'll go now. You rest and come out when you are ready. " I said, kissing her forehead as I moved to sit up.

"Wait." She whispered and I crouched back down.

"Yes, what is it? " I asked, turning her face to me as I held her cheeks in one hand.

" Stay. " She whispered and I sighed.

"Well, where. Wait outside, near the mirror, right here, -"

"Step in the water dear husband. " She said snarkily, her lips extending into her familiar smirk.

"Really? Alright. " I answered, taking off my own necklace and armbands to move into the water next to her.

" Well, this feels weird. " I said and she looked at me confused, maybe a little hurt.

"Not you darling. The wet dhoti. " I said, kissing the hand that rested in front of me.

" Oh. Why don't you dispose of it then? " She said, smiling secretively.

"Well, because we're in the water. " I answered back.

" Oh. " She said shifting back.

" Why did you ask me to sit here? " I asked, moving my hand behind her back as I pulled her close in a hug.

" Well, it felt nice. I wanted you to relax too. " She mumbled, drawing lines on my arm.

I hummed, turning her head up to mine to press a kiss to her lips.

" Get dressed, we'll talk soon. " I said, pressing one more kiss to her lips, before moving out.

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"So, why are you doing so much? " I asked her as we lay in the bed, facing each other on our sides.

"I'm -I'm scared. After all the events, I don't know who all to trust, who not to. Most of all not the Kuru family. I'm glad that Jijashree Yudhishthir and Karali moved to Indraprasth. But I have a very sharp feeling something is about to go wrong. " She whispered.

" But why would it? They have their own home now, don't they? "

" They do. But I'm scared, because Karali still doesn't remember who, she is, she doesn't know about the curse. " Ahe said and I sat up, suddenly, she followed me, eyes full of pain.

"Saag is cursed? " I asked and she sighed, nodding her head.

"What do you mean! " I asked, aggrevated and she held my hands.

"Not Sagarika, Karali was cursed. Sagarika is just the means to carry the curse out. It happened near the time of the end of tretayug. Narayan had just returned from Prithvilok.

Karali was cursed by Devraj fir carrying out her duty as a guard to Agnidev's door as per his orders. He cursed her to live a confused life on earth. All that happened, but our sister didn't back down. She dwmanded justice from Narayan for the same and he granted her a boon. Someone from another time would bring her to his... The rest is history. That day, she came to us,eyes full of unshed tears, yet she held her head high, for she believed, that her curse was just Narayan's bidding and that she hd done nothing wrong to receive it. "

" But why did you not tell me this? " I asked .

" Because even I didn't know when Agnidev would return her memories... But now I realized... If it comes, that he does so very kare in battle, she can become our weak link. If she doesn't know how to channel her energy, then she will become a problem for us. It's not because I don't like her, nor do I think she cannot learn. But she is Karali. Her flame is the most fierce of us all, because it belongs to the malevolent face of agni. He has two faces, malevolent and benevolent. For those who are kind, Karali scares away their demons and fights for them, but for those who invite her fury? Well, let's just say you do not want to be burnt by her flame. She will make you feel the pain of nark each moment you burn in her anger. Her flame requires a certain patience to control, which if let go makes it the most fickle one in the universe. She on Agnilok was the only one who could handle that flame."

"But what if Saag has gotten her memories? Agnidev was said to have graced their presence in the fight against Indrdev. " I urged.

"If he did, I am glad, but she still needs all the support she can get. Sulo and I will be staying there for a few weeks. You can stay too. They plan to do the Rajsuy yagy don't they? We'll stay there . If we're to work together as one flame, then we'll do it together. " She said,eyes determined.

"Alright. I trust you. I know you all will do it. And do it well. " I said, pulling her into a hug.

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"So you are saying, that we'll hand the division of economics to Panchali, Hidimba would be incharge of regulating the affairs of the kingdom with the other kingdom, while you choose the chemicsl department. You also wish to have Sahdev help Panchali, while Nakul, help Hidimba. Why? "

" Well, Panchali and Sahdev is rather obvious, they are the ones who hold the most knowledge in accountsnand economic affairs, plus you'll be too busy as a king to be able to give equal attention to that. Kali and Nakul are the best diplomats we have, while Bheem and Arjun true skills are tested in battle and as Yuvraj and the senapati. " I told my husband.

"And what about Jyeshth? " He asked and my eyes hardened.

"You can decide that. Look, I can trust people, but it takes me longer to trust those who have betrayed me once. Please understand, it will take me some time to trust him. " I said to him softly, keeping my hand on his arm.

"I understand. " He sighed, smiling.

"We have a lot of work cut out for us, don't we? " I asked and I heard a voice say, " Yes you do, seeing as you need to, begin your preparations for the Rajsuy Yagy soon. "

Krishn walked in with his wife, Dwarikeshwari Rukmini.

"Pranipat Vasudev, Pranipat Maharani. " Yudhishthir greeted and I followed suit, except I only greeted his wife with a pranipat.

"I have a surprise for you sakhi. " He whispered conspiratorily.

"What is it? " I asked, weary. His surprises are not ones I enjoy.

" Didi! " Someone called and I, turned around to see.

" MINI! "

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So... Why's Mini here?

Tell me how it was in the comments.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥