chapter 16

Chapter FifteenThe Space Between BreathsIt was well past midnight.The palace had quieted into the kind of hush that came only after every fire was put out, every corridor double-checked, and every guard’s footsteps faded into muscle memory.But no one really slept.Not tonight.Not after Veer’s arrival.Not after that choice.Dev sat alone in the moonlit corridor near the east terrace, ribs still sore, shirt loose against the bandages. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been there — maybe half an hour, maybe longer. Just listening to the wind rustle through the old marble arches.A strange peace settled over him, even though nothing in his life was peaceful now.He had chosen.Rani.He didn’t regret it.But it still ached.Not because of Veer. Not anymore.Because of what choosing her meant.There was no going back.He heard her before he saw her — Rani’s quiet footsteps. No heels tonight. Just the soft pad of bare feet on cool stone.She didn’t ask permission to sit beside him. Just did.She brought no guards. No drink. No dagger tucked beneath her shawl.Only herself.He looked at her, half a smirk tugging at his lips. “Thought you didn’t like sitting still.”“I don’t,” she said. “But you do.”They didn’t speak for a long time.The silence wasn’t uncomfortable.It was the kind that only came when two people didn’t need to pretend anymore.Eventually, she spoke.“When I became Saheb, I thought I had to cut softness out of myself like a tumor,” she said. “Even in private. Especially in private.”Dev turned to her, quiet.“I wore silence like a weapon. And loneliness like a crown.”She looked at him now. Steady. Honest.“But today… when you stood between me and him, I didn’t feel powerful. I felt terrified.”He exhaled.“Me too,” he said.She gave him the smallest, saddest smile. “You should hate me for pulling you into this.”“I’d rather bleed beside you,” he replied, “than breathe beside anyone else.”That was when the moment changed.Not with a touch.With stillness.The kind that demands more than words.Rani looked at him for a long time. Her expression unreadable.And then—She moved closer.No drama.No hesitation.Just leaned forward and let her forehead rest lightly against his shoulder.Dev froze — not because he didn’t want it — but because he did.It was the first time she had let herself lean on anyone.He turned slowly. Gently wrapped one arm around her.Not tight.Just there.Present.Her breath hitched once.His hand rested between her shoulder blades.No kiss.No promise.Just a moment where the world melted away and only this held.A queen, and the man who chose her over blood.And a hug that said everything neither of them could.Neither spoke again.Not for minutes.Not even when she exhaled into his neck.Not even when his hand slid from her back to her hand, fingers entwining.And somewhere far away, beyond the palace gates, in the darkness that plotted war and betrayal...A message was sent to Veer Raichand:“He didn’t leave her side.”“He won’t.”Veer lit a match. Watched it burn down.“You should’ve stayed loyal, Dev,” he whispered. “Because now I’ll have to break what you love.”(Nxt)