CHAPTER 17

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Diti paced with restless energy. Her silhouette, elongated by the flickering torchlight, cast an eerie dance on the cold, marble floor. Her face was etched with lines of worry and anticipation.

A sudden creak of the heavy palace doors shattered the stillness. Danu entered the room. Her steps were deliberate, her posture regal. Her head held high, a defiant tilt that belied the disappointment simmering within her. The once-proud queen of the Danavas, now a mere shadow to her sister, moved through the room with a quiet dignity that masked her inner turmoil.

"Sister," Danu's voice, soft yet carrying a weight of reproach, cut through the tense silence. Diti paused in her pacing, her gaze meeting Danu's.

Danu's voice carried a note of urgency as she continued, "Our husband Kashyap has awakened from his penance. It is time for us to return to his ashram."

Diti's face, usually a mask of iron determination, softened into a moment of vulnerability. The call of duty pulled at her, but so did the allure of power. Her sons, the Daityas, were on the cusp of greatness, their victory over the Devas within reach.

"But our sons," she began, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and doubt, "they are on the brink of conquering Swarglok. Should we abandon them now ?"

Danu's voice held a gentle firmness as she replied, "Our duties as wives precede all else, Diti. Our ambitions must be tempered by our responsibilities."

Diti sighed, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders. The call of duty was irresistible yet conflicting with her burning ambitions. With a reluctant nod, she acknowledged her sister's words. Together, the two women walked out of the grand hall, their footsteps echoing in the empty space.
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The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as the Asura horde made their triumphant return to the palace. Ajashakti, astride his powerful steed, led the procession. His form, bathed in the morning light, exuded an aura of power and conquest. Anugamini sat perched on the horse, in front of him. Her delicate frame was nestled between Ajashakti's arms, which held the reins with a firm grip.

The Asura horde, a formidable force, swept through the grand palace gates, their presence filling the once silent corridors with a sense of urgency. Ajashakti, at the forefront, dismounted, his long legs gracefully touching the ground.

With a swift, effortless motion, Ajashakti scooped Anugamini into his arms, her small frame dangling effortlessly from his powerful grip. He held her aloft like a prized possession. She instinctively covered her face with her hands, seeking refuge from the curious gazes.

With a confident stride, he began to walk towards the palace, his every step a proclamation of his dominance. As they walked towards the palace, the air was filled with the excited chatter of the Asura maids and servants. Flowers were showered upon the couple, a symbol of welcome and celebration.

"Hail Asur-raj Ajashakti !" they chanted, their voices filled with enthusiasm.

Ajashakti, his face split into a wide grin, couldn't contain his joy. The acquisition of Anugamini felt like a victory more profound than any battlefield triumph. The power he held, and now the beauty he possessed, created a sense of invincibility. Never had he felt so alive, so complete.

He asked an attendant, "Where is mother ?"

An attendant, her face flushed with excitement, replied, "Daitya-mata has left to attend to her husband, the sage Kashyap."

A shadow of disappointment crossed Ajashakti's face. His mother's absence was a noticeable void in this moment of triumph. Her blessings would've ensured an auspicious start.

Anugamini, sensing Ajashakti's unease, gently lowered her hand on his shoulder. It was a subtle, almost imperceptible touch, a calculated move to distract him. Ajashakti looked at her. Her face, illuminated by the soft glow of the sunlight, was a vision of ethereal beauty. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and determination, held a captivating allure.

A smile, involuntary and genuine, spread across his face, his heart pounding with a mixture of desire and possessiveness. With a gentle touch, Ajashakti ran his fingers through her long, wavy hair. She leaned back slightly, her eyes closed, a subtle expression of surrender on her face.

"Who else could I possibly need when I have you in my arms, dearest ?" He smiled, is voice was laced with a mixture of infatuation and adoration.

The Asuras, accustomed to their king's cold and calculating demeanor, exchanged surprised glances. Never had they heard such tender words escape his lips. Yet, in the face of his newfound happiness, they chose to attribute his words to the intoxicating effects of a new marriage.

Ajashakti's gaze never left Anugamini's face as he turned to address the Asura maids. "Tend to her with the utmost care. Treat her as if she were a delicate flower." he commanded, his voice carrying an unusual gentleness.

The maids, awestruck by their king's unusual tenderness, bowed in obedience. Turning his attention to the male Asuras, his voice hardened. "From henceforth, no man is permitted to enter the Antahpur without my express permission. And let it be known, any man who dares to look upon her will face consequences beyond imagination." He declared, his words laced with a warning.

The Asura men, their gazes previously fixed on the newly formed couple, lowered their eyes in obedience.

Anugamini's face remained impassive, a mask hiding the storm of emotions within her. But deep inside, a small smile tugged at her lips. Taking down the Asuras and ruining Diti's plan, once a daunting task, now seemed a plausible, even enticing, prospect.

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A/N

Sasu-maa dekhengi ki bahu-rani unke laadle ko kaise apne vash mei karti hai 🤣🤣🤣

AJASHAKTI ANUGAMINI : An HHS SpinoffWhere stories live. Discover now