Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

21 ~ Opened Up

"When I am with you, my heart soars, when away, it crawls."

Ruhanika

The most difficult thirty minutes of my life were finally over, yet the lingering effects of his closeness still haunted me. My pulse had yet to return to normal, and the closeness—so intoxicating, so maddening—had made my very soul shudder. My heart was a prisoner of the moment, caught in a relentless war between reason and desire. The mere proximity to him was like a forbidden melody that refused to fade from my consciousness. The intensity of emotions loitering in the atmosphere made my stomach churn, a swirl of anxiety, excitement, and something primal that I could not name. I tried to look away, to distract myself with the passing trees, the rustle of leaves, the hum of distant wildlife. But it was absurd.

I wanted—no, craved—his touch. His hand around my waist was both a tether and a storm, holding me to him while sending shockwaves through my body. I felt stranded in the hurricane of my emotions, lost but unwilling to be found.

This closeness, so simple and yet so devastating, always kindled something fierce within me. Every time the uneven path caused his lips to brush against the sensitive skin of my neck, I would tremble in his arms. Those fleeting touches, those accidental kisses, felt like sparks igniting a flame. His lips grazing my nape sent shivers coursing through me, as if his touch had the power to set my skin on fire. The light kisses, too innocent to be intentional but too potent to be ignored, jolted me like an electric shock, a pulse of need that left me breathless.

I was trapped between wanting more and fearing what would happen if I succumbed. The close proximity, the gentle kisses, the romantic setting—it was all too much, too overwhelming. My heart pounded in my chest, urging me to turn around, to face him, to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. I wanted to bury myself in his embrace, breathe in his scent, that irresistible mix of leather, wood, and something uniquely his. I know I sound like a fool, or worse, a pervert—but in that moment, I couldn’t bring myself to care. Not when every fiber of my being ached for him, not when my thoughts were this unholy mess of desire.

Not until he discovers these thoughts, I mused, though that was impossible. He couldn’t know. He must never know.

The horse, Amrit, slowed to a halt as he pulled the reins, bringing us out of the ride and back into reality. I blinked, momentarily disoriented. He was the first to dismount, his movements fluid and graceful, and then he turned to me, his hands gentle yet firm as they encircled my waist, helping me down. His touch sent another wave of heat through me, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Once my feet touched the ground, I glanced around, trying to get my bearings. Tall trees surrounded us, their leaves shimmering in the late afternoon light, casting dappled shadows on the path. But there was nothing else in sight, only the dense forest stretching in every direction. I opened my mouth to ask where we were when he spoke first.

“Come,” he said, his voice soft yet commanding, and he took my hand in his. The warmth of his fingers wrapped around mine, and I felt a pang of loss when he eventually released it, stepping ahead to lead the way. Still, I followed, each step bringing us closer to the unknown sound that was steadily growing louder.

At first, it was faint, a distant rhythm that could’ve been anything. But as we walked, I began to distinguish it—the pounding of drums, their deep, resonant beats vibrating through the air. I could hear voices too, cheerful, animated, and full of life. The sounds drew us in like a magnetic pull, and soon, we emerged from the forest into a vibrant scene that took my breath away.

Before us lay a bustling fair, bursting with color and energy. Everywhere I looked, there were stalls lined up in neat rows, their canopies decorated with earthen lamps that twinkled like stars as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The air was thick with the mingling scents of fresh sweets and savory delights, mingled with the earthy smell of dust and sweat and the perfume of flowers sold at the stalls.