Chapter 35

My shooting star. Memories of the night he first called me that came rushing back. The drive, the light, the bourbon, the stary night and something I desperately wish to forget, the kiss. It feels like decades have passed since then and yet he reminds me of that night as if it were just yesterday.

I then felt his lips, soft against the spot just below my ear. It was as if he couldn't get enough of me, as though letting go wasn't an option—even if he needed to. A tear slipped down my cheek.

No, no. Stop this. Get your brain together. But then a darker thought whispered back: What if you don't want to?

An image flashed in my mind—him, his wife, and their children. His wife. Bhanumati.

The thought hit me like a bolt of lightning. I wrenched his hand from my waist and pushed myself away with every ounce of strength I had. Normally, it wouldn't have been enough. But this time, my sudden movement caught him off guard.

"What-t happened?" he asked suddenly vulnerable. I had never seen that expression on him before. Oh god, what have I done?

With questions clear in his eyes, he asked, "Say something, Aarohi."

What could I say? No, there were plenty of things I could say—but none of them would matter. None of them would make a difference.

He paused, watching me carefully, waiting. When it became clear I wouldn't speak, frustration flickered in his eyes. In the next moment, his hands gripped my shoulders, his voice loud, "Dammit, say something."

I looked in his eyes, darkness tried to claw my soul again. His intensity made me rethink my decisions. "You're married," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Desperate to stand up for itself.

My words seemed to ease a weight off his shoulders. His tone shifted, calm and almost dismissive. "Oh, that's it. I thought—"

Why is he taking this so lightly? Does marriage mean nothing to him? What is wrong with him?

Before he could finish, I cut him off, my voice exploding with fury. "YOU'RE FUCKING MARRIED!"

His attention snapped back to me, the weight of his mistake dawning on him. His tone shifted. "Look, Aarohi, I can explain."

I let out a bitter chuckle. "You don't have to."

"But I need to," he insisted. "Everyone thought the Pandavas were dead." He looked me directly in the eye and whispered, "I thought you were..."

At that, I fixed him with a sharp gaze. "And whose fault was that?"

"Are you accusing me of plotting this?" His eyes burned with a mix of anger and hurt, as if my words had betrayed him.

"And you're saying you didn't?" I shot back, my voice unwavering.

He didn't say a word. His silence was louder than any confession. Eyes holding guilt. Even though I knew it had all been his doing, hearing him accept it still hurt.

I turned, unable to face him, as the words spilled out before I could stop them. "You knew... You knew I-I was inside."

No. No. No. My voice must not break.

He tried to explain, his tone growing desperate. "No, you weren't supposed to be there. I sent someone to get you out before the fire started."

I let out a bitter smile. "Now you're just lying."

He spun me around to face him, his grip firm. "Believe me, princess. I sent a capable guard to get you out of the fire. But he never came back. Maybe he died on the way—but even that seems impossible. And you, you never reached out to me, even though you were alive all that time."

"Are you blaming this on me?" I shot back, stunned by his audacity.

"Yes!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "Why didn't you come to me? Do you have any idea how painful it is to believe the person you love is dead?"

I stared at him. "You don't love me," I said, disbelief dripping from every word. "You wouldn't have married her five days after I 'died' if you fucking loved me."

"You think I'm a liar now." He asked in disbelief. My silence was all the answer he needed. But how could I trust him? He claimed to love me but maybe it was just lust. How could I know otherwise? It didn't matter he had a wife now. These words were like a new mantra that I now started repeating.

He drew in a deep breath, as if calming himself and when he spoke again, his tone was levelled, "After the fire, people thought the crown prince was dead. They panicked. I was next in line. It was my duty to ease their fears. I had to marry."

He reached out and gently touched my face, but I turned away, rejecting his affection. Undeterred, he continued, his voice soft yet firm. "You don't have to fear. Even if you are my second wife, you will have the place and respect of the first. You will be the one sitting beside me on the throne as queen. No one else."

Anger flared within me, lacing my words. "Don't you get it? I don't want that stupid throne. I will not be someone's second—let alone their first. I just want to be their only. Is that too much to ask?"

To be honest, I was scared to be the second one. I knew I could be an ass most of the times. I didn't care for rules. I created problems. It wasn't like I wasn't self-aware. That was exactly why I was scared. I was scared people would leave me once they'd had enough of my nonsense.

For a short period, unpredictability might have been fun. But over long periods, men wanted stability. I didn't think I could give anyone that. I knew I was wild. But I couldn't leave it. It was my defence and coping mechanism. And sometimes I liked that side of me. It made me happy to know that I was still able to take risks after what I've faced in the past.

He stared at me, his composure wavering. "Then what would you have me do?"

I looked straight into his eyes, "Leave her. Send her back to where she came from with everything that belongs to her." The words divorce her echoed silently in my mind.

His face twisted in shock at my statement, "I can't leave her."

It was the answer I had expected. A bitter chuckle escaped me, growing louder until it became a full, unrestrained laugh. His shocked expression was almost amusing. Perhaps this would finally make him leave me alone. After all, everything has an expiry date.

"You can't leave her, can you?" I said, still catching my breath as my laughter subsided. "Not when she has your child in her."

"I needed an heir to secure the throne," he replied without a second's hesitation. "It meant nothing more than that. But now that you're here, our child can be the heir."

"What child?" I questioned as I turned and started to leave. "I'm going to learn what I want and then find someone to settle down with."

My life probably wouldn't be that simple, and it wasn't like settling down was the main goal. But I didn't want him to think there was any chance. I thought about mentioning Yudhisthir, but that would have just increased the beef between them.

As I made my way back, Duryodhan intercepted me again. He grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn toward him, and then pulled me closer.

I struggled against his hold, my voice firm yet tinged with urgency. "Duryodhan, let me go." We were much closer to the castle now—too close. Someone might see us. As much as I loved adventure, I wasn't foolish. I knew the consequence of being seen with him in this manner in the public.

"No."

My eyes snapped up to meet his at that single word. I had seen this look on his face only once before—the night I left Dwarka. His eyes burned with anger and desperation. Not a good combination at all.

"You are not going to leave me for someone else. Not after we kissed. You belong to me now." What the fuck. Panic surged through me as I fought harder to free myself from his grasp, but his hold only tightened, biting into my skin. That was definitely going to leave a mark.

He leaned in close, his face inches from mine, and hissed, "Do you understand?"

I shouted back, defiant and reckless, "No. I don't understand. So what now? Are you going to kidnap me too?" Okay. I accept I was foolish. I should have just said yes and walked away.

Anger surged through him, darkening his eyes. His entire demeanor tensed, and for a moment, it seemed as if his veins might burst from the pressure. His voice was low and threatening as he warned, "Don't make me force you."

I should have just stopped talking, but I was too livid. "Or what? You'll kidnap me? Go ahead. I will run away at the first chance I get. You will never be able to have me."

His lips curled into a smirk. "You'll marry me willingly."

I stared at him, utterly baffled. "Why would I?" But his unwavering confidence made my mind race. What was he planning?

"I didn't want to use this." He said, his voice calm. "But remember princess, you promised to fulfil my three wishes."

A cold shock coursed through me. No. He wouldn't use that against me. He had to be jesting, trying to scare me. But his next words proved me wrong.

"Be my wife, that's my second wish."

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It was really a difficult chapter to write. Hope you guys liked it. What do you think will happen now?

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Word count: 1650