Ephemera- Of Fire and Ash

Star crossed

Hey everyone! I am so sorry for making you all wait for so long! I wrote parts of this update but I wasn't sure how i would go, so this took a lot of time.

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I will not update unless we reach 25 votes and 50 comments.

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How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also If I am to be whole.

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Sahdev followed Dhriti. Seeing her walk dejected, he knew this was his only chance, he didn't want to see his elder brothers. But what concerned him most, was her bleeding hands. Draupadi had clearly refused to speak to any of them for the night. How could yudhishthira bet him away like he was nothing but a possession? He was the youngest, used to being pampered and the silence of 5 brothers hit him like a slap in the face. Right now, he wanted an esape, and she was his escape. But what stung the most was Yudhishthira who stayed silent through their humiliation but spoke up for Dhriti.

But right now, he had one night, one night before leaving for the exile and he had to make the most of it, no longer could he hide his feelings yet now he kew, they were never meant to be. She was a vassal of the enemies now.

But maybe he could get one last moment with her before leaving and of course anyone finding out.

So, he moved diligently between the shadows, trailing her like a lost puppy hoping she was heading somewhere private.

Dhriti walked frustrated at the happenings, she needed to clear her head and get away from the obvious glaring of the maids, and the whispers behind her back. She felt like going right back into the place she left and catch people talking about her in the most awkward way known to man.

The whispers entailed her wherever she went, she had lived in duryodhana's custody too long to be considered pure. She could have stopped the humiliation of Draupadi by giving up her weapons, but did her honour not matter in front of the empress? The Pandavas were to leave tomorrow for Indraprastha and then for the exile. After breaking out she hoped, she would get to spend some time with them, but she didn't.

She sighed and took a turn and walked into a chamber. Sahdev gasped to himself- why on earth did she come to the bathing chamber? He realised a second too late as she turned and started undressing herself, he closed his eyes as she waded into the water and for the first time, he saw the multitude of scars that decorated her. She lowered her bleeding hands into the steaming water.

Sahdev had no escape, crouched in a very uncomfortable position, he could not leave without being seen by her and the guards and gods above, what explanation would he give as to why was he in the female bathing chamber? He turned away and waited for her to finish. He looked at the window which was luckily covered by steam and wondered if he could make a run for it from there. But suddenly he stiffened as he realised, that this way of escape lead to the chamber yudhishthira and karn were sharing and he did not want to see them. Not now, not ever again. Brothers don't gamble each other or stay silent during such happenings; they were no brothers of his.

He heard an announcement of someone coming and shivered, there is no way he would not be discovered. His heart was palpitating.

But then, Dhriti turned them away saying she needed alone time, the maids on duty also left hearing her command. It was just the two of them now.

"Sahdev!" He heard her say and stopped, "You need to be more discrete." She continued, she had known all this long?

He slowly came out of his hiding place grateful that she had dressed herself before calling out to him, she struck her chin out and said, "May I know why are you in this bathing chamber? I know I am an eye candy, but I need a reason."