The Haunted Fortress of Bhangarh: Book 1

36. Flesh and blood

Rudra was up till late at night, but he couldn't exactly focus his attention on the books and reference materials sprawled across his desk. His mind was already a jumbled morass of questions and bafflement. On top of that, the intoxicating fragrance of roses wafting from the guest room had him lose his concentration too. A small part of his heart wished to inhale the inebriating aroma and go to sleep, for he could tell a blissful state of somnolence awaited him between the comfy cushions and soft sheets. But he had an assignment to finish.

He scraped the finishing remarks of the justification he needed to provide on a question and shut the books in a hurry. It was getting difficult for him to keep his drooping eyelids open for a moment longer and decided to wrap up the assignment the following morning. Setting the alarm clock for 5 am, he hopped into the bed and hauled the duvet over his frame.

The sweet smell of the roses elected a small smile on his lips as he floated in the world of dreams-one that was warm, full of love and colors, and enticing.

Princess Kalavati set off for Amber at the crack of dawn that morning. Her palanquin was lifted off the ground by a few soldiers while a junior commander of the army led the clique down the slope and towards the exit gates of the citadel.

Visible relief spread across Raghuveer's features once he saw the palanquin disappear from his line of vision. After coming to know of the serious sentiments she seemed to harbor for him, he felt the need to evade her as much as possible, and the best chance to do so was these couple of full moons when she wouldn't be around.

Sighing, he chose to egress the premises of the royal palace as he needed to be present for the morning review of the eastern fortifications. Though he was still piqued by Chitra's behavior the other day, he strolled past the rose garden out of sheer habit. The aroma of the fresh roses reminded him of the gorgeous blush of her cheeks, and he preferred to keep that in his memory over the incomplete story of the first love he had to endure.

He had only just walked past the closed entrance gate when he heard her honeyed but tentative voice.

"Raghuveer?"

He halted in his steps but didn't swerve. "I was not tailing you. I am crossing the spot. You don't need to be rude again."

She didn't say anything for some time until her sniffles echoed in his ears.

Cursing under his breath, he whirled at his spot and discerned the stream of tears cascading down her cheeks. She was consistently trying to wipe them away, but she was majorly failing at her endeavor. "Why are you crying now?"

She sniveled but managed to speak up between her raucous sobs. "I a-am so-sorry f-for the other d-day."

The sincerity in her intonation tugged at his heartstrings, and he found himself smiling wide. He yearned to reach out to her and tug at her puffed-up red cheeks, but he desisted by clenching his fists to ensure they wouldn't waver. "Forgiven."

She wiped her nose with her dupatta. When her hiccups died a few moments later, she batted her moist eyelashes while he enjoyed the glorious scene in front of him. "I..." She fumbled with the tassels of the choli. "I needed to tell you that..."

He grinned. "That?"

Her lashes lowered, and she stared at her feet. "She has left her spies behind. We shouldn't be seen talking in public."