The Maharaja And I : Inspired by Bridgerton

All Too Real

Devika's laughter rang out across the palace gardens as her siblings and friends circled around her, their eyes alight with mischief.

"Come now, did you really sneak into the Maharaja's chambers last night?" her brother Vikram teased, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Vikram!" Devika gasped in faux-outrage, swatting his shoulder even as a blush crept up her cheeks. She tossed her long braid over her shoulder and fixed him with a withering stare, though her dark eyes sparkled with amusement.

"It's all over the palace," her sister Lakshmi chimed in, leaning in conspiratorially. "The servants say Suryadev himself dismissed them early, and you were seen sneaking in after nightfall!"

Devika pressed a hand to her chest, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Lies and slander, all of it! Now stop before you sully my honor with such gossip."

Her friends tittered behind delicately raised hands, exchanging knowing looks.

"Come now, there's no shame in it," her brother said, waggling his eyebrows again. "The Maharaja is quite the catch, even if he is a bit brooding!"

"You scoundrel!" Devika laughed, swatting at him again. "I'll hear no more of this."

Yet even as she bantered and parried their teasing, her thoughts lingered on Suryadev. On the heat of his amber eyes, the strength of his sculpted form...

Shaking herself, she tossed a final retort over her shoulder and swept away, leaving her siblings' laughter echoing in her wake.

***

Suryadev stood at the balcony overlooking the royal gardens, hands clasped behind his back, brow furrowed in thought. The chatter of birds and the gentle splash of fountains did little to soothe him as his councilors' words echoed in his mind.

"My lord, the kingdom needs an heir..."

"It is past time you took a wife..."

"Perhaps the Lady Devika..."

Suryadev scowled, his jaw clenching. Did they not realize he had no interest in their simpering noblewomen, no matter how beguiling their batting lashes and coy smiles? No, his heart yearned for only one - the raven-haired beauty who haunted his dreams.

Devika...her wit, her fire, the graceful arch of her neck as she threw back her head and laughed...from the moment they met, she had captivated him utterly. Their passionate encounters in shadowed alcoves, the feel of her silken skin beneath his fingers...it stirred a hunger in him no other could satisfy.

Yet marriage? His instincts recoiled at the thought. To be bound and shackled, to relinquish his precious solitude...

"My lord?"

Suryadev turned to see his first minister approaching. With effort, he smoothed his features into an impassive mask.

"The council awaits you in the hall."

Suryadev inclined his head. Squaring his shoulders, he strode forth to face their demands, his thoughts never straying far from raven locks and laughing eyes.

***

Devika sighed as she stared out at the tranquil palace gardens, the chatter of her siblings fading into background noise. How quickly things had changed - only weeks ago, she and Suryadev were playing an elaborate game, pretending affection to provoke the court gossips. Yet now...

Her cheeks warmed as she recalled the intensity in his eyes the last time they were alone, the warmth of his hand at her waist. What had started as a bit of fun had shifted, transformed into something far more complicated.

"Daydreaming about your lord again?"

Devika jumped, whirling to find her sister Rukmini watching knowingly.

"I was just..."

"Come now, did you think we wouldn't notice?" Rukmini teased. "The blushing, the longing looks..."

"You know nothing," Devika huffed, hoping the tremor in her voice wasn't obvious.

"We know you fancy him," her brother Vikram chimed in, smirking. "Admit it, you're smitten!"

Devika forced a laugh. "With that brooding ox? Never!"

Their playful banter continued, but inwardly her mind spun. When had her feelings deepened? And did Suryadev reciprocate, or was she simply a passing dalliance?

She thought of his tender gaze, his strong embrace, and her traitorous heart quickened. This game was becoming all too real, and she feared where it might lead.