Married To The Devil

Echos of Sorrow.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from behind breaking his reverie.

Abhay's pulse quickened, mistaking the sound for an omen of something dark and inevitable.

He turned sharply, half-expecting a ghostly figure, but instead saw nothing but the gentle curve of the night.

It was just his imagination, yet the chill that ran down his spine had not lessened.

"Just your thoughts..." he muttered to himself, shaking his head as if to dislodge the weight of his worries. Panic was a familiar friend now, but as he took a deep breath, he realized the only threat was the wild play of his own thoughts.

He looked back toward where Nawab and Uruvi, were standing, their figures illuminated by the flickering flame of the torch.

Nawab stood upright, seemingly unconcerned with the stories that circulated in the air.

He held Uruvi close, their love mingling with the gentle rustle of the leaves. This melody seemed impossibly vibrant in the dense woods.

Abhay could see the warmth radiating from them, filling the night with a light that pushed against the darkness that was attempting to intrude on their world.

A warm smile spread across Abhay's face, but deep within his soul, a cold shiver lingered.

As he watched them, he felt a stirring of dread within him.

What if this was merely a mirage, an illusion to trick him into a false sense of security?

What if the shadows in his imagination whispered of a far more dreadful fate?

Though Abhay had accompanied Uruvi as one of her humble workers, he had grown deeply attached to Nawab.

Despite his reserved demeanour, Nawab confided in Abhay, regarding him as a trustworthy confidant.

The mysterious Raaja, known for his stern personality, had unexpectedly opened up to Abhay, sharing his hopes, anxieties, and the pressures of running his kingdom.

Abhay had been moved by Nawab's vulnerability, and while he had formerly thought of Nawab as the devil, he had now promised to protect him with his life.

Abhay couldn't shake the feeling that Nawab's peace might soon turn to cries, echoing with sorrow.

Was it just a premonition, or did he sense something dark lurking just out of sight?

Abhay had seen the way Anand looked at Uruvi, with a glint in his eye that danced between admiration and something darker, something that made Abhay's protective instincts roar to life.

...

'It's not blood, Anand,' Surili, whispered.

Anand looked at Surili, his face contorted in confusion. "Hmmm," he replied peeling his eyes away from Nawab and Uruvi, before heading back to the palace.

Nawab gathered Uruvi closer to himself and then lifted her up in his arms.

"I can walk..." Uruvi began to speak when Nawab scowled at her, and despite his own pain he carried her out.

As darkness enveloped the forest, Nawab and Uruvi left the hut and made their way back to the palace.

...

When they reached the castle, it seemed to be bathed in light.

Sakshi was in the courtyard, wringing her hands together. Surili dashed up to her, informing her of all that had happened.

"In the morning," Nawab murmured as he went past, ignoring the string of words spilling from her concerned lips.

He then swopped Uruvi back into his arms, his jaw clenched as he walked by the guard holding the door open before he headed up the stairs that led to their room.

He heard Sakshi and Surili's whispers following him.

A guard pulled the bedroom door open and Nawab stepped inside.

"Tend her," he said, then turned away, closing the door and leaving Uruvi with Surili and Sakshi.

"I do not know how she slipped by you," he said to the guards. His anger was evident in the way he stared at them and spoke, "However, it will not happen again. You both will meet me in the durbar tomorrow, where you will learn what it means to be a guard to my Raani."

With that said, he turned and entered the room, leaving the guards both fearing the morning sun. 

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Sorry for the scare! I the last part was tough for me too ♥

♥ Any suggestion on what Nawab's horses name should be?

♥ Lots more of twists and turns on the way! ♥