The King's Shield

Chapter 22 - The Broken Promise

She had almost killed him tonight.

She had been trying to immune herself from the new poison that Suhala had given her. She incurred this since she had learnt that if one's body gets used to any type of poison it builds immunity towards it and prevents fatality. She was also trying to register the taste and smell of the poison in case she encountered it in any other form or if mixed with any other substance. She placed a drop of poison on her lip and tasted it little by little, getting used to the taste and smell. She carried this out for a week and saw how her body reacted to it. Then went on with the test every day. She threw up so many times and had stomach pains and spasms but had continued regardless. She usually did this at night because nobody would come to meet her at that time. She had also learnt over the years that not all poisons have an antidote but if it did, that was the first thing she would acquire. That's what she gave him and the glass of water which helped him throw up.

Shiva's body was trembling with panic as she walked with him to the wash area. His facial expressions had changed, he was sweating and stumbling. She rubbed his back with one hand and held him with another as he threw out the contents of his stomach. Then she lugged him to her bed. She realised how potent the poison was if one drop had made him so weak than what would happen if more was added to his food or drink.

" Are you all right? Feeling better?" She asked and wiped the sweat from his forehead. She checked his pulse and gave out a sigh as they seemed normal now.

"Lie down, " she said.

"What happened?" He asked.

" I will tell you, first lie down for a while," she told him. He didn't argue and did as he was told. She got up. Moving to the wash area she rinsed her mouth and washed her hands and neck. She gargled and spit.

By the time she was done, she saw that he was already asleep. She sat next to him on the floor, holding her head in her palms. Why had he come here at this hour? Why was he so desperate? He shouldn't have kissed her.

She could sense something was wrong. Throughout the day he seemed engrossed in the celebrations but then what had changed? Then it struck her. Sidhraj had come to meet him after the festivities were over. He had met him in private. Was that the reason for acting in such a way? What did Sidhraj tell him? Did something happen at the gathering hall? The thoughts ate away her mind.

She recalled all the events that had occurred during the day. Then she remembered the merchant from the harbour whom she had seen. He had indicated for her to meet.

" What are you doing here?" She'd asked when they met in an isolated corridor of the palace.

" I came here on a personal invitation," he said smugly." But you look like you have been living here all your life." His eyes ran down her body." Clad in fineries, expensive clothes and jewellery." He walked towards her and ran a hand across her hip," The palace life is suiting you."

She slapped his hand away and held him by the lapel." What are you doing here?" She asked again.

He guffawed," Did you forget that I am a merchant, I am one of the thirty merchants under Lady Reva's authority."

She let go of him.

" Prince Rajveer had invited me personally," he smirked." But one question has been bothering me ever since I saw you here." He cocked his head. " How has a street rat like you been able to get so close to the king? What favours have you been bestowing upon him for such a position?"

His words were like a poison burning her but she composed herself.

" One thing is for sure that wealth and luxury can wither away any veils of pride and temperance. I cannot blame you for wanting better things. All of us crave it, but only some can obtain it. The means to achieve it may differ but I never took you for such a sell-out." He said smiling.

"I have not come here to listen to your useless jabber. What do you want?"

" Want?" he laughed, " Nothing, nothing at all..., I only want to remind you of the things that you must have forgotten, during your stay here. It is natural, no need to fret over it. But remember everything is temporary. Reap the benefits of it till it lasts. You may never know when it might cease to exist...my king's guard." He said and left.

She felt disgusted by his assumptions but her conscience was reprimanding her. She had been living a lie. Her life at the palace was an illusion and she was betraying everyone around her.
She knew she had to come clean with it. No more lies to him because she loved him.

She lay on the floor next to the bed thinking of the explanation that she would give him. She feared the consequences but she thought that he should know the truth from her rather than from anyone else.

She woke up early and saw that he was still in slumber she didn't want to wake him up but she had to. She didn't want anyone to know that he had spent the night at her quarters. So she gently shook his arm.

" My king, please wake up." She said in a soft voice.

He groaned and she couldn't help but smile looking at his beautiful face. He looked peaceful. She intuitively placed her hand on his cheek and called out again.

His eyes shot open and he sat up straight.

" I am sorry I didn't mean to" she staggered back.

" What happened last night?" He interrupted and got up from the bed.
" Are you all right?" He asked holding her by her arms.

" I am fine." She said, not knowing where to start.

" All I remember is that I felt dizzy and threw up. What did you give me?" He looked unsure of the question he had asked.

" It was an antidote for a poison my king, I-"

"Poison?" He interrupted." How was I poisoned?" His eyes were questioning her. His tone was stiff and prickly.

" I..." She couldn't get the words out. A lump was formed in her throat.

"Answer me, Shiva." He shouted startling her.

" I had the poison...with me and it's is not what you think... You have to believe me..." She didn't understand what she was trying to tell him. Her mind was too muddled and thoughts and words didn't make sense to her.

She heard Sidhraj's voice outside calling out for the king. She looked back and forth from the door to him. He was still waiting for her to answer.

There was a knock on the door. Shiva felt as if she was pinned to the floor. Adhiveer sighed and went to the door and opened it.

" Adhiveer, we were looking all over for you. Drishala told me that you were not in your chambers last night. She said that you had been to meet Uncle Bhairava. But you were not there and then we searched everywhere for you."

" I felt unwell after the feast and went for a stroll after meeting Uncle. After that, I had been with Shiva." He lied.

" We will talk about it afterwards." He said looking at Shiva and left with Sidhraj.

She was petrified in her place partially by her thoughts and partially by the look that she saw in his eyes. There was something wrong. And she had no idea what she would do. His demeanour and actions were unusual, but she had to try to talk to him and tell him the truth.

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