Eternal Love Part 5
Khushi woke first this time, and shifted onto her side.
Her gaze instantly drank in the sight of her husband in all his muscled glory.
“My sleeping beast…” she whispered
His arm was still tucked beneath her neck, and even though his head was facing away, she took note of the strength that was there despite that fact he was sleeping…
“So handsome…”
Her gaze wandered and she felt herself purr…
“You just going to look, my love? Or are you waiting for the beast to pounce on you?”
Gasping, she stuttered, “You…you…you’re…you’re awake?”
Springing up faster than a lion, he had her laying helpless beneath him in the blink of an eye…
“Oh, I’m awake my love…”
Khushi barely had time to say a word as he snarled and lowered his mouth to her neck, biting along her collarbone…
“Mmm…so so delicious…maybe I should have you for breakfast…”
She smiled and clung to his arms…
Just as he was about to kiss her, a loud knock resounded at their door.
Khushi instantly pulled her lips into her mouth and tried to stifle her laughter…
Her husband’s snarl turned from passionate to brutally irritated…
“Do I kill whoever is out there?”
And she laughed…
It was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed and his anger disappeared…
He gave a sly smile, “Me offering to kill people makes my wife laugh, wonderful.”
And she laughed harder…
“Oh…fuck…” he pulled her upper body up and roared as he sucked on her neck as gently as he could, “That laugh…that smile…”
The knock came again.
He snapped back and bit out, “Yep, I’m going to kill them.”
Throwing back the covers, Khushi quickly grabbed his arm…”No…don’t commit murder before breakfast…”
Her feisty quip doused the fury once again and he shook his head…
“Fine. But they’re definitely not going to get ‘polite me’ this morning…”
And he angrily jumped out of bed and stormed towards the door.
Corey stood there with a smug look on his face in response to Arnav’s completely disgruntled look.
“Did I interrupt something?”
Arnav closed the door an inch and grit out, “There are two sides to me this morning, Pissed off, and murderer…which one do you want to meet?”
Corey gave a hearty laugh and stepped back, “Alright mate, but don’t be too pissed, because you may actually get to kill someone. Your buddy Dwayne got a visitor last night after you left the jails…we have a description that sounded like that of his wife, but it definitely wasn’t, as she is out of town right now…”
Arnav’s eyes instantly went savage, “So, we have a new player…Has Jacob spoken to him?”
Corey grumbled, “He has, but he won’t break. He said he’ll only talk to you.”
“Oh really…the fucker.”
“He says he has information…and will only tell you…and believe me, Jake is pissed, and he tried to get it out of him.”
Arnav was about to suggest that Corey just beat it out of him, when Khushi’s voice filtered into the conversation…
“You should question him.”
Arnav turned and stared at her, “What? You heard that?”
Khushi clutched the blanket to her chest and nodded firmly, “Yes…and you should question him. You are in the leader…you command respect.”
His eyes warmed fractionally, “Thankyou, my love, but-“
“I’m alright.” she said firmly, “Truly, I am…I don’t want any more of this…I don’t want anyone else to be threatened. This has to end.”
Arnav gripped the door handle, “I couldn’t agree more, but are you okay with me going to-“
She interrupted again, “I am sure I will have someone on guard…as well as the rest of the massive army that you’ve assigned to me.”
He narrowed his eyes, but started to grin, “You’re worth it…”
Corey smirked, “So that means you’ll be questioning him?”
Arnav didn’t feel completely comfortable with it, but he wanted to put a stop to this more than anyone.
“Fine. Maybe get Jake to come and stand guard…”
“Right now?”
Arnav finally smirked back, “No. Not right now. That bastard can wait. We’re having breakfast first. So I’ll question him after we’ve finished..”
“Absolutely. No rush. I’ll get him to the interrogation room and see you in an hour or so.”
“Fine.”
“So,” his second in command smirked, “You just got interrupted twice and you didn’t even lose your temper…”
Arnav glared, “What are you talking about?”
“Just remembering the man I trained with…the loose cannon…the guy that no one wanted to butt heads with…who just got interrupted while talking, twice, by a woman…”
With a glowering, deadly look on his face, Arnav took one step closer, “That is not just any woman…that’s my wife…she can say and do whatever she wants when it concerns me…”
Corey made a face and saluted then looked over the Prince’s shoulder at Khushi, “Glad to see you Your Highness…you’re looking much better…”
“Watch it…” Arnav muttered under his breath…
But Khushi smiled, “Thankyou Corey…”
Arnav glared as his second in command smiled, “So, I’ll send word to have your breakfast brought up?”
Khushi heard that and started to feel ridiculous for what their lives had become…
She had so many outbursts, and he had to care for her more than she had been able to care for him…
The need for normalcy rose up strong once more.
“Arnav?”
He looked back and quirked his eyebrows, “Yes my love…”
Khushi grinned shyly at how unphased he was at showing his love to her…
“Maybe we can go to the dining hall for breakfast this morning…”
Lifting only one eyebrow this time, he questioned her, “Why?”
Her face flamed, “I…I just… I feel silly hiding away all the time…”
Arnav shook his head, “You don’t have to feel that way about anything, but I’m willing to do whatever you want…”
Corey snickered quietly and Arnav ignored him.
“I’ll actually feeling more civilised eating at a table…”
He nodded, giving her a quick wink, “Then it’s done.”
Turning back to Corey, he gave him his best pissed off glare, and saw his friend raise his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. I’ll send word. I’ll have someone come to tell you when breakfast is ready in the dining room…”
Arnav took a step closer, “If you weren’t my friend, I’d punch you in the neck…”
Corey laughed out loud as Arnav slammed the door in his face.
…………………….
“So,” he sauntered back to the bedside as his eyes roamed over his wife, “Are you trying to escape what we started in the bed before we got interrupted?”
Khushi was trying to get up and her step faltered at his words…
He was already close enough to hold onto her and her chest hit his…
Khushi was automatically overwhelmed by his strength and authority.
“I…”
“You…?” he teased.
As she stared, she still couldn’t quite believe it
Her husband, was the Prince.
His regal leadership and his endless love was something that made every part of her rage with need, desire and respect.
“I just love how…” her words stopped once more.
“…how?” he smiled, his eyes demanding her reply.
“How dominant you are…”
In less than a second, his expression turned hot and his body vibrated with energy…
“Don’t test me, Khushi…”
Confusion swirled through her gaze…
“I just committed us to breakfast outside this room, and then to a meeting in the jails…when all I fucking want is to drive into your body until you beg me to stop…”
Arousal immediately took hold of her senses and before she could reply, he was on her.
Hot and urgent, his mouth crashed over hers.
His tongue swept across her lips before plundering into her mouth as his huge hands sank into her hair…
A groan, his and hers, cut through the room as his body curved around hers…
Arnav’s hands wandered over her soft flesh and feminine curves as Khushi gripped his hard muscles that showed off his uncompromising strength.
She couldn’t think as he completely and utterly dominated her with a kiss that made her forget everything but him.
His hands tilted her head and his mouth moved to the side of her neck, “Fucking hell, woman…”
He growled against the sensitive flesh of her neck and goose flesh raced up her spine.
“I have no control with you…” he snarled as his hips made a slow, sensuous grind against hers.
“Kiss me…” She couldn’t think straight as she gripped the back of his neck…
Slamming his mouth back over hers, he took her harder and deeper than before.
Shoving a leg between her thighs, grasping her hip, he rocked against her as he thrust his tongue deep and groaned into her mouth…
“Oh…God…” she mewled.
Bending his knees then thrusting up, he rubbed his huge hardening cock against her core…
And the knocking came again with Corey’s voice wafting through the door, “Breakfast is ready Your Highnesses!”
Arnav practically hissed…
She could see that he was about to go full beast and rapidly grasped onto his arms…
Khushi knew that he was allowing her to hold him back and she stepped closer, “Arnav…don’t kill anyone yet…”
The tension in his body dropped slightly and he shook his head, “You really have no clue just how much I’m willing to do to have you…”
“You already have me…”
He smiled, “Yes…now remember that…”
Turning his head towards the door, he grated out his words, “We will be there in a moment.”
Khushi’s face was glowing as she shyly walked past him to their joined closet and took out a pale blue dress…
Arnav attempted to clutch onto what little restraint he could and he pulled out a shirt and trousers, yanking both on in a hurry, even as his gaze kept trying to zone in on her…
Like a magnet, his pupils were drawn to her body as her nightie fell to the floor, and she stepped into the light, flowing dress.
“Fucking hell…” he muttered as a hand ran down over his face, “We need to get out of here…”
Khushi squinted slightly as she tried to zip her dress up but just couldn’t get it to reach the end.
It only went halfway up her back, but it was still too tough to reach, “I’m hurrying…can you just…”
Arnav finally chanced a look up, and he saw exactly what the problem was…
But his feet were cemented in position and he didn’t dare move…
Craning her head around, she frowned, “Can you-” she saw the lethal look in his eyes…
His muscles were straining as he ground out, “If I move, I’m going to touch you…and make you come hard and fast…” he took a breath, “So…fix. it. yourself.”
Khushi’s jaw dropped, but she blinked as an idea as occurred.
She grabbed a hair pin from the dresser and hooked it in the zipper, easily sliding it up…
“Well, I wish I had thought of this before…”
Arnav was salivating at her, unable to understand her words anymore…
“I should tell all the girls about this little trick! It will save so much fiddling and-“
All words vanished as Arnav was suddenly in front of her, with one of his large hands grabbing on tight to her nape…
“Shut up.”
Khushi swiftly felt her nipples harden and her core clenched as her body ached with need.
He had trained her body to respond to him instantly and she knew that it would never desensitise.
Her lips parted as though to speak, but the deep growl that came from her husband silenced her…
She soon felt his hand begin to bunch up the material of her dress against her thigh…
Khushi bit back a squeal and didn’t move as his hand slid under her underwear and cupped her…
“Arnav…” her voice shook.
“You’re going to come.”
His fingers began to stroke through her lower lips, feeling her fluid drip into his palm.
Arnav felt primal, with a desperation so acute he could burst into flame.
He saw her lips open again and increased the pressure, rendering her quiet.
Her eyes were focused completely on him, even though they were drugging over with arousal.
Everything about him was a weapon…
The way he looked, the way he spoke, the way he merely breathed.
Needing to tell him that she loved him, she barely got the first word out when two of his fingers penetrated her and instantly curled.
He stroked deep once and her knees buckled…
The hand that held her nape was around her waist in seconds as he held her up, walking their bodies back a step to press against the closet door.
Her hand flew to his wrist and she shoved him deeper, undulating her hips.
Arnav was snarling, his fingers stretching her.
With the perfect amount of pressure, he swept a path inside her core along her front wall, and made concentrated tight circles on her gspot.
“Every part of you…is mine…fucking mine…”
Khushi shamelessly ground down, her body shaking…
Arnav brushed his thumb across her clit and she broke.
Exquisite pain shot out from every nerve in her body.
His fingers curled inside her and pushed up and into her gspot making her vibrate and squirt into his hand.
He watched her hungrily as she exploded.
Before she finished coming, he jerked his hand out, spun her and threw the back of her dress up over her shoulders as her chest pressed against the wall.
Kicking her legs apart, he pushed his chest into her and growled into her hair, “I’m yours Khushi…yours…I’ve got you…”
Her core still pulsing, her mouth open and gasping, she keened as his fingers drove into her again.
Groaning, she tried to thrust back against his assault, but his huge body was like trying to move a mountain.
He thrust his fingers and brought her back to the edge then pulled out…
“No…God…No…please…don’t stop…” she pleaded.
Arnav couldn’t take it, he yanked down his trousers, his entire form was overcome with lust, obsession and the purest love he had ever felt in his entire life.
Spinning her back around, he hoisted her skirt up around her waist, lifted her, gripped her backside and thrust his rock hard phallus into her pulsing core.
“Oh my GOD…”
The tight pressure, her constant pulsing, and her piercing brown eyes were making him a savage, needing more…
“I’m never stopping…I own your pleasure…”
Her hips started pumping with his thrusts, her hands now clinging to his shoulders…
She started to shake.
“Every. Fucking. Orgasm. IS MINE! I OWN YOU!”
And she screamed.
Her body fell apart.
Coming and coming and coming.
Shaking and pulsing, she fucking shattered.
Arnav absorbed every look on her face as he blasted his seed deep into her body, his own climax brutal.
He held himself deep inside her as he peppered kisses over her face…
She was moaning, trying to speak but he pressed his mouth to hers and whispered, “Shhhh…holy shit…I love you…”
Cradling her in his arms, he held on tight as he pulled out tortuously slow…
As her legs began to fall back to the ground, he stayed close, keeping his chest against hers…”Khushi?”
His breath caught in his chest as he gazed down at her, she was so damn beautiful.
Her face was still completely awash with a post orgasmic haze…
Khushi’s lids fluttered open and his heart tugged painfully.
“My God you’re just…mine.”
A soft smile appeared and she nodded, “All yours…”
……………………..
Arnav loved watching her eat.
Each time, it was as though she had tasted food for the first time in her life.
His mind had been working overtime, trying to read her every reaction to everything.
He was positive that there was more he needed to learn about her.
Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, he said, “I remember the time you asked me if eating in bed was allowed…”
Khushi blushed and nodded as the memory of him feeding her in his bed came to her, “I truly had never done that…ever…”
He lifted the mug of coffee to his lips and gulped down a mouthful as he decided to start with his plan of making her open up to him more…”Where did you usually eat?”
Chewing on a piece of apple, something flashed in her eyes.
A gnawing feeling of shame crept up into her heart as she replied, “It would… vary…but rarely at a table…and never in bed…”
Noting how vague her response was, he tried again, “But where exactly, sweetheart?”
Caught off guard, she began think of a careful answer, but her demeanour slipped and a look of embarrassment shrouded her face…
“Hey…” he slid his chair closer to her, “Hey…don’t…I’m your husband Khushi. I want to know about you…I want you to be able to talk to me.”
Feeling completely unworthy again, she couldn’t bear to look up, “I would…sit in the servant’s quarters, on the floor, or by the fire…” her voice went even quieter, “sometimes I wasn’t allowed to eat at all…”
Arnav stopped breathing momentarily.
He wanted to murder someone.
His heart clenched for her as he tried to speak carefully, “…look at me…”
Khushi felt lower than dirt, “I…I can’t.”
Hearing her sadness was a stab to his soul and he issued her name as a command, “Your Highness.”
The servant inside her that was still conditioned to obey, listened instantly and she raised her eyes to him…
Immediately gentling his expression, he held her face with one hand, “I want and need to know more about you…”
“But…It’s humiliating…”
His gaze turned ferocious, “Yes, it is. For them.”
Her lips parted and he bent forwards to capture a soft kiss.
“Sweetheart, how you have been treated is not the way any human being should be treated. You have seen how we handle the staff here haven’t you?”
She nodded.
“And so you now know that what you went through is fucking wrong?”
She nodded again.
“There is no need for you to feel embarrassed or humiliated…”
Her eyes welled up and she suddenly felt immense shame…
Biting her lip to keep her thoughts from drifting out, she let the disgrace win, “This Prince before me is worthy of so much more than someone like me, someone who comes from such low circumstances…someone who used to eat scraps…I’m broken…he deserves more…so much more…”
She pulled away fast, the chair bolstered backwards as she backed up…
On his feet in a flash, he snarled, “What the fuck? What just happened?”
He catalogued everything about her…
The way her clasped hands in front of her.
Her bowed subservient head.
Her hunched shoulders.
She stood before him looking like a servant who awaited orders…
“Fucking Hell.” he was furious.
Khushi could see him sizing her up, and knew that he would most likely storm forwards and yell at her, but he did the exact opposite.
Arnav glanced towards the dining hall doors, turned on his heel, and marched towards them.
Khushi’s heart raced as her head kicked up.
Her mind now was exploding with fear that this was it, he’d finally had enough of her and was walking out.
But her almighty husband slammed the doors, and locked them tight.
When he turned around, the intensity in his eyes burned brighter than the sun, making her edge away.
And he moved.
Prowling towards her like a predator, he stalked up to her.
Invading her space, his hand landed on her nape so quick that her breath caught…
His scent washed over her like hope and his hands landed in her hair.
Her head tilted upwards as his body loomed her hers and his voice dropped to a low growl, “Talk to me.”
“Please…” her voice hitched, “stop saying that…”
Tightening his fingers that fisted in her hair, the tingles of awareness shot through her body as he leaned closer…”I’ll say whatever I damn want!”
Arnav shoved his hard body into hers, “I’ve fucked up again. I’ve been selfish with you. I protect you, I keep you safe, I fuck you, I make love to you, I love you more than any God damn words can describe, but I don’t know enough about you…I need to know the parts of you that you are hiding from me…you need to tell me, everything, so I can help you heal from this. I’m DONE with you being scared…so, TALK TO ME.“
Khushi stared at his perfect lips and fought for control…
His weighted glare bore into her soul and her heart took the plunge as she anxiously spoke out…
“You already know more about me than anyone else. I was on my own for so long, inside my own head for so many years. It’s hard to let people in. What if I tell you something and you hate me, or belittle me, or think less of me,” a shattering sob escaped, “or don’t want me.”
Arnav’s temper was threatening to unleash, “NOTHING that you say will ever change how I feel…You are mine no matter what has happened in your past…I want to know everything, so I can show you that!”
Khushi suddenly burst into tears and he swung her around, pressing her hard into the wall…”TALK to me, God damn it!”
Her eyes were closed tight as her voice, that sounded more tortured than ever, told him words that chilled his blood and ignited every ounce of rage inside him…
“I wouldn’t always eat. I would kneel beside the table…and…and I would be allowed to eat scraps…or lick the floor…and if nothing was left…I would go hungry…”
Arnav instantly vowed that he would find every single person she had ever worked for, and end their lives.
No matter who they were.
The very image of all she had suffered through was more than he could deal with at that second so he forced his mind back to the moment.
He saw the tears that were escaping from her closed eyes as she was locked in a nightmare that wouldn’t stop replaying…
“Your Highness! Eyes on me!” he growled.
Arnav put extreme power into his voice, making it sound like he was commanding his troops…
It resounded through her as he boomed, “Speak. Right now.“
The sudden fear to obey his mighty command shocked her into an instant response…
“I should mean nothing to you!”
Her jaw dropped, completely shocked that she had spoken her instant thought.
“What the fuck did you say?”
The Prince’s lethal tone now scared her shitless, because he had heard her loud and clear.
“I…I…said…”
Suddenly his hand, that was larger than her face, hit the hard cement wall behind her with a loud bang, pulling in her every last shred of attention.
Khushi’s head turned and followed the bulging muscles up his arm, past his huge shoulder to his impenetrable stare…
“Every last detail of your past led you to me…and I’m going to know all about it so I can help heal the heart of the most important, most valuable and most worthy person in my life.”
She unknowingly leaned into his ridiculously built chest.
The deep sincerity in his eyes coaxed words that unconsciously flowed out, “…You deserve better than me…I’m broken, and you are worthy of a whole person…I just…I love you so much that I don’t care about being whole anymore…I just want to be yours.”
He held her tighter as she choked on a cry…
Staring into her soul with his storm intense gaze, his words sealed one of the tears in her heart…”You are already mine…all mine…”
Heat hit her cheeks and he air in the dining room changed in a nanosecond.
Charged and untouchable and so damn thick, Khushi sunk closer into him.
Arnav’s cock now throbbed as he held her against his body.
She could feel his hard flesh and let out a soft groan.
“You see the man standing here holding you? Treasuring you? Fighting for you? He’s yours…” he lowered his head, “Know your worth…I’m the Prince and you own me Khushi…”
Hungry and desperate for him, she wrapped her body around his, her legs now tight around his waist and kissed him.
Openmouthed, hot and wet.
A growl ripped through his chest as he hauled her closer, binding her flesh against his hard body, grinding his erection into her pelvis, seeking aching relief for the fire that he always had burning for her.
Khushi licked her way into his mouth, her tongue tasting him enthusiastically, and it was like pouring lighter fluid on embers.
His body erupted in a lava-like thick wave of heat.
“I love you…” she rasped and he shifted her in his arms, walking her backwards and lowering her onto the table.
“STAY.” he commanded and lay her down, then rose slightly to unbuckle his belt…
“What?…we…we can’t do that here,” her eyes widened…
Shoving her dress up, he pulled her panties down her legs and tucked them into his pants pocket…
Now silent, but eyes aflame, Arnav pulled out his huge cock and fisted the head then slowly dragged it through her wet heat…
Holding her hip firm, he leaned over her and gripped a handful of her hair…
Khushi rocked against his hold and he sank into her, one torturous inch at a time.
When he was lodged against her cervix, he growled against her lips…”I’m going to fuck you, and come inside you so hard that you will feel me all day…”
He lightly kissed her lips and then grasped her chin, “But when I get back, I’m going to make love to you, for hours, and you’re going to know exactly how damn much you will always mean to me…” and he thrust his tongue into her mouth…
Moaning around his kiss, her core slicked with desire, she squirmed against him…
He stroked his tongue through her sweet mouth and then spoke against her lips, “and Khushi, I will take you wherever I damn want.”
He shoved inside her, hitting the wall of her womb in one thrust.
“Oh God!”
His movements were rough and uncontrolled, betraying how far gone he was…
“Fucking hell, I love how you take all of me…”
He sounded more animal than man while she felt like a throbbing ball of extreme need…
“Too…fast…but please…don’t stop.”
Her core was starting to clench around him and she grasped handfuls of his shirt…
He pressed into her, took her hips and ground into her, “No one, not even you, could ever make me stop…”
Yanking her torso up, he pinned her upper body against his and the way he slid deeper made her buck against him in ecstasy, inciting him to go faster and even more aggressively.
“Oh my God, I’m…I’m going to-“
Riding her hard, he was so deep that he was stabbing her cervix…
“Just come Khushi.”
She heaved in a loud gasp, her sex constricted and she started to pulse violently.
Arnav couldn’t hold back.
He let go and pumped inside her.
His legs locked as he held her hips against his.
He came so damn deep inside her that she could feel every single eruption.
Small soft sounds escaped her throat as aftershocks shook her body.
A loud knock came from the locked dining hall doors…
Arnav fought for composure, but he was breathing too hard…
His huge hand cupped the back of her head with dominance as he spoke, “You okay?
The knock came again, and Khushi gave a soft smile as she still attempted to catch her own breath…”I’m wonderful…”
Still buried inside her deep, he grinned and yelled, “WHAT?!”
A voice drifted in from outside the door, “Your Highness? The prisoner is ready in the interrogation room.”
Arnav kept his eyes on hers, making sure she knew that she was okay, “Fine, I’ll be there in a moment. Have Jake ready to escort my wife.”
“Yes Sir.”
The tremors in Khushi’s legs had slowed and she flinched as he eased out…
“Easy sweetheart…”
She had vaguely heard him answer his guard even though he was buried inside her, but she didn’t even care as she was floating in an orgasmic haze…
As his huge length slid out, their release flowed out from her core…
Arnav tucked himself back into his pants, growling with approval as he watched their combined fluid cover her thighs…
She sucked in a breath at the sight of him standing over her.
His expression fierce, his belt still undone…
He stole her breath and her reason…
“You’re…you’re so handsome…” she stammered…
Arnav’s arms came around her, and the rich, clean scent of him hit her senses as he kissed her deeply…
“…and what else am I?”
His lips wet from their kiss, he looked down at her with all the dominance of a Prince so alpha, as he answered to no one…except her.
“You’re mine…” she breathed, and he rested his forehead against hers…
“Eternally…”
Two heartbeats passed and he kissed her forehead and moved back.
“Now, Jake will take you back to the room and stay with you, I will be back, very quickly.”
Khushi felt a sliver of ice stab her heart but she nodded, “Okay.”
Grasping her chin, he lifted her gaze to his, “I don’t have to go.”
Those five words were all she wanted to hear, but she stifled the scream that was begging to come out and shook her head, “Yes you do. You’re the Prince. This is your duty…”
His body lowered as he held her stare, “You, are more important…I don’t have to go.”
Summoning all the courage she could, she leaned forwards and kissed him quickly, “I’m safe. I have an army outside this room…and I want to try and be a wife you can be proud of-“
Arnav’s hand landed in her hair, her head whipped back and his body loomed over hers as his voice dropped to a threatening growl, “Go on, finish that sentence…I fucking dare you…”
His weighted glare bored into her soul.
Khushi stared at his perfect lips and forced out her words…”I want to…” she paused as his eyes flickered with warning, “I want to continue being the wife you are proud of…”
Her cheeked blushed with color and he nodded…
“That’s right…” he moved closer, his hands releasing her hair as he held her gently to his body, “I am so damn proud that you’re mine…you’re perfect.”
Arnav kissed Khushi hard on the mouth and stood up…
Retrieving her panties from his pocket, he knelt down and slowly threaded her feet through, pulling the lace up as his fingers brushed every part of her skin…
“I hope my legs work when I stand back up…”
He chuckled and wrapped and arm around her waist to help her stand…
“All good?”
Khushi grinned, “I’m always good with you…” and she was about to say more, but ended up biting her lip…
Narrowing his eyes, he frowned…”Say it.”
“Please…don’t be long…”
A smile so wide and pleased covered his face, “Yes Ma’am.”
He mock saluted and she let out a laugh…
Grabbing her hand, he walked to the locked doors…
They swung open and Corey and Jacob stood at attention.
“Okay,” Arnav nodded to Jacob, “Look after her, I will not be long.”
He turned to kiss Khushi’s cheek and her hand tightened in his…
“I swear my love, I’ll be back soon. You have my word.” he whispered in her ear.
She nodded and gave the most carefree smile she could…
Arnav motioned to Corey and they strode away.
Her heart was thudding, but she trusted him more than anything.
“He will be back.”
Jacob let out a laugh, “Oh, he’ll definitely be back Your Highness.”
Her face flushed, “sorry, I didn’t meant to think out loud…”
“No worries, you truly don’t need to be concerned about him. He’s a damn machine. He can take down anything. He’s completely able to take care of himself. You heard how he nearly took down his own men? Well there was a time when we were all trapped. Corey, Me, Arnav and two or three more soldiers…but what did your husband do?” Jake shook his head, “He gave us a direct order to stay put and he went out to face twenty damn raiders. Singlehandedly. He won everyone’s loyalty and fear that day. So believe me, he can take care of himself and then some.”
Beaming with pride at the respect she heard for her husband, she nodded, “Thankyou. I’m just nervous these days…”
“Totally understandable…you don’t have anything to be sorry about.”
As Jake escorted Khushi back to the room, Ally was soon close behind carrying a tray, “Your Highness?”
Khushi turned, “Oh hi Ally…”
Ally gave a short smile, “I just wanted to swap the water jug in your room…”
Jake pushed open the door and scanned the room as the Princess replied, “Ofcourse, come in…we can have a talk too…”
“Room all clear, I’ll be outside Your Highness.”
She glanced at Jacob and nodded with a smile, “Thankyou…”
Ally watched the door close and she placed the tray down near Arnav’s side table, her hands lingering over the fresh jug…
“So, how have-” Khushi’s words died in her throat…
Fear crawled up her spine…
Ally was now facing the Princess with a large kitchen knife in her hand, pointing shakily in her direction…
“Ally?”
“You’re going…to do…to do exactly as I say…”
Khushi’s blood ran cold and she tried to swallow past the lump in her throat as her eyes went wide, “Why…why are you doing this?”
Ally’s trembling hand kept the knife pointed, “Be…because…I need you to…to just…just…” and she broke down and fell to her knees…”Oh God…Your Highness. I am so so sorry.”
Khushi stared as the knife dropped out of her servers hand and the blade glinted in the sun that streamed in through the crack in the curtains.
Slowly taking a step forward, she kept her voice as steady as she could, “Ally, why? I don’t understand…”
Her server was now crying, “…they…they have my daughter…they took her…”
Khushi felt her chest tighten, “Someone took Sophie?”
Ally nodded fast, “If I don’t deliver you to the jails downstairs, I won’t see her again…but but I can’t do this…I can’t threaten you anymore…forgive me…please, forgive me Your Highness…”
Khushi was immediately transported back to when she was 5 years old…
She couldn’t make out all the imposing figures in her memory, but she remembered cowering back in a corner, the room cold as a blurred image of a man held her arm till it went numb…
Her mother was begging for them spare her, and yet she watched helplessly as her mum was dragged away…
Her voice was nearly gone from crying, and then a door slammed.
Once more, she was left in the dark, shuddering and alone
When she had finally been found, the woman informed her of her parent’s death…that woman she went on to call ‘aunty’.
She couldn’t recall everything, but she remembered each stab of pain that filled her little body when she realised she would never see her mother again…never see her father again…
The memories of loneliness, abandonment, terror, and emptiness were what made her younger life so traumatic…
The thought of another little child being terrorised or separated from her mother was unbearable.
And the thought of walking into whatever situation awaited her, crushed her.
Her mind was losing the will to go on.
The constant threats were now booming their ferocity into every nerve…
“I can’t have this innocent life on my hands…I need to save this little girl…but…but my husband…my Arnav…what if…if I’m killed and…what if they go after him…”
Jacob’s words came back in full force, “…He’s a damn machine. He can take down anything. He’s completely able to take care of himself.”
“…whatever happens, the outcome will be on me…”
“Stand.” Khushi’s voice instructed, but her heart felt completely resigned, “You will take me where you have been instructed.”
Ally tear drenched face lifted, “No. No I can’t. I can’t do this to you…”
Khushi took her hand and helped the lady stand up.
“I will not have your child hurt because of me. I know what that life is like. I will get your daughter back.”
Ally twisted her hands and bit her bottom lip, “I’m so sorry.”
The Princess shook her head, “No. I understand why you have done this…now take me to where you were told.”
Ally took a massive risk and grabbed hold of Khushi’s hand, “I can’t do this. I’ve been told to take you to the jail cell that you and the Prince were kept in…I can’t make you go back there…The Prince will kill me.”
Forcing the flashbacks of what happened in the jails away, she shook her head, “No, he will not. He will understand. You will get your daughter back. Now do as I say and take me.”
Ally flinched, her nerves skitting, “The…the guards…if the men in the jails think they have been compromised, they will kill Sophie and run…”
Khushi glanced at the doorway, “The guards are instructed not to let me leave the castle, I will say that we are taking a walk in the halls. The last soldier’s post is two doors down from the stairwells that lead to the jails. They won’t see us. You have the key I assume?”
Ally was now perspiring and saw Khushi’s expression, “I was given the key…but you don’t have to do this for me…I’m just a servant…”
Her server’s words were a stab to the heart…
Khushi held onto Ally’s shoulders, “No. Don’t you dare say that! You are worth more than you realise! And I am going to make SURE you get your daughter back! Don’t say anymore. Now dry your eyes, and let’s get this done.”
“I don’t know their plans for you, they wouldn’t let me speak and-“
The Princess felt a chill splice through her bloodstream, “Your concern is your daughter…I will deal with the rest.”
“I can’t let you just-“
“When you get Sophie, run to the barracks…tell them where I am, maybe they can come to help me…but you both have to promise me you will stay with the soldiers so they can protect you…promise me!”
Ally could no longer speak, she merely nodded.
Walking to the doorway, Ally followed close behind.
Bracing herself, and what could be her last time walking out of their room, Khushi took one last glace around, bit back every tear, then pulled open the door…
Jacob turned and smiled, “Your Highness?”
Khushi forced the most natural expression that she could, “Jake, Hi. We’re just going for a walk…”
She saw Jacob frown and he was about to respond when she blurted out, “It’s ok. It’s just on this level, not outside…Ally and I got to talking and I figured we could wander while we do it…”
His eyes narrowed and he glanced towards the guards by the staircase…
“Protocol.”
The soldiers saluted to Jacob and he nodded at Khushi, “You know our orders, don’t you?”
Khushi rolled her eyes, even though her skin was breaking out in goosebumps, “Yes I do, I’m the Prince’s Captive.”
He smirked, “For your own safety…and ours…”
Ally was becoming more and more nervous and couldn’t bare the guilt, the fear for her daughter, and her betrayal.
Khushi quickly grabbed her hand, “Ally. Come with me.”
As they walked away, Jacob was suspicious of the mood, but kept his post.
“Don’t say anything Ally, everything will be okay.”
She couldn’t stop sniffing, her worry for her daughter and panic at the situation was now eating her up, “Your Highness, you shouldn’t be doing this…”
And they passed the final guard.
Ally fumbled with the key that was in her apron pocket and gave one last look of repentance, “I am sorry…”
Khushi shook her head, “Whatever happens, you get your baby girl, and you run to the barracks. Understand?”
Tears were now streaming, “Yes, Your Highness.”
The door closed silently behind them, and they started down the stairs.
Khushi’s heart was now pounding.
Her memories of the last time she was in the jails flashing in her head until the felt dizzy, but the knowledge that a child would be killed all because of her was more than she could handle, and she wasn’t going to risk it.
This time, the cell door was open, and Ally’s hand tightened around Khushi’s.
“Ally,” she stared hard into her friends eyes, “Remember the instructions I gave you…”
She didn’t wait for a response and pulled her through the doorway…
The moment they entered, Ally broke when she saw her daughter, “Oh…oh Sophie!”
Khush’s saw the little girl in the corner .
She was already filthy and had a bruised cheek…
Sophie was crying as two vile looking men held her back.
“Mummy!!!!”
The Princess instantly recalled the time she screamed for her mother…
That moment ended up being the first of many times when she, as a child, was malnourished, beaten, and kept in rooms just like this, whether it was just because she was a servant, or as a punishment…
Khushi’s defiance rose and she blurted out, “Release the child to her mother! I’m here now. That was the deal.”
Her voice was powerful considering that she was on the verge of passing out.
The men looked at each other, released the girl and lunged towards Khushi.
Their calloused hands now gripped her forearms and held tight, jostling her back into the middle of the room.
One man spat out an order at Ally, “Take the exit at the back of the jail and get lost! If you mention this to anyone, we will find you and kill both of you…”
Khushi nodded at Ally and even though she could see her server’s pain and regret, Ally picked up her whimpering child, and ran out the metal door towards the end of the room.
Now alone, with two evil men, Khushi realised the predicament.
Arnav was going to hit the roof… if she lived to see his reaction.
“So, THIS is the woman who our boss is obsessed with.”
The man’s voice was gravelly as his fingers dug into her flesh.
One of their hands reached out to grab her jaw and pulled her head to the side to stare at her face…
His eyes were cold and calculating.
Measuring her up, she knew he could snap her neck just as easily as he could break her jaw…
His hand tightened until pain shot through her jaw…
Raising a glace to the other man, he smirked, “Too bad we can’t have a play with her…”
The man who had yet to speak, finally gritted out, “Maybe we’ll get paid to do that later…” and yelled out “Ready!”
The tension in the air coiled around them as her head darted to the location that the man had shouted in…
The door at the end of the jails burst open and slammed against the wall as a masked woman appeared…
She got closer, her eyes intent on the Princess, “So, little slut…we meet again…”
“A…again? We have met befo-” before the last word left her mouth, pain shot across her cheek and her head whipped to the side as one of the men back handed her.
“Shut the fuck up!”
Her face was now stinging, every centimetre of flesh burning…
“Of course you wouldn’t remember,” the woman continued, “seeing as the only room you have in that head of yours,” she poked Khushi hard on the forehead, “Is for yourself!”
One of the men’s hot breath descended over her face a split second before he grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked brutally.
Her head fell back and her eyes popped open in alarm…
The other man’s hand closed over her throat and squeezed, hard.
Khushi tried to free her arms as her eyes welled with tears and air fought to get through her constricted windpipe…
“Let go of her neck…”
She barely heard the woman’s words, but as instantly as he’d grabbed her neck, he let go…
“I thought I saw something…” the woman came closer, “Well, look at this lovely wound you have…”
Khushi fought a whimper.
A sickening laugh filled the dank room and the man tightened the grip on her hair.
The woman was now feeding off Khushi’s fear…
“I wonder how it sounds to hear you scream, slave…”
Her head pounding, panic suffocating, Khushi’s eyes bled out terror as the woman raised her fingers and suddenly bared her nails…
“Let me hear you now…”
Sharp pain raked along her neck and radiated out like a thousand degrees of hell as the woman clawed her nails hard along the scar, grazing the new sensitive skin that had formed…
Khushi’s mouth opened to scream, but the agony of excruciating torture stole the air from her lungs as her limbs shook, legs buckling…
“You won’t scream?” the woman’s voice was evil, “Maybe the servant isn’t scared enough! You should be, because we are going to drain you of all hope…and I’ll be there,” the woman leaned in, pressing her nails into the scraped flesh, “When you finally stop breathing…”
Assessing the marks her nails had made, she shook her head, “What a little amount of blood…” she pulled at a thin piece of surface skin that had torn away, “It seems it will take more than my nails to make you bleed…”
Already, the resignation and hopelessness that was pushing deeper into her heart was now becoming part of her spirit, part of her every breath.
She didn’t have time to think, as the attacking woman reared back and slapped her hard in the face..
The way her neck twisted stung with fire…
The men held her up and the veiled woman laughed sinfully, “Chain her! She can be trapped here until the Prince finds her…”
“Finds me?!! They’re not going to kill me?” she thought as a ray of hope almost burst in, but one of the men backhanded her hard, knocking any further thoughts away…
She grunted out a loud shriek of agony and as her wrists were shackled, the woman grabbed her hair once more, “Are you enjoying the never ending fear? The excitement of all the surprise attacks? You have no idea just how disposable you are, do you?”
Khushi was starting to shut down, her expression fading away as her body felt cold…
“Enjoy what time you have left with your husband…because he will be killed before your eyes…and then I will end you…”
The woman stood upright and motioned at the two men, “Show her we aren’t playing games.”
She had less than a second to prepare…
Crushing pain.
Blows raining down on her back, her lungs struggling for enough air to stay alive…
“No! Please! Stop! Please!”
The words were barely coming out as the men lashed out, one kicking her legs and back, the other landing punches on her face and in her ribs…
Unable to conceal the pain any longer, inhuman shrieks curdled past her lungs and rattled out of her mouth…
“Oh that sound is wonderful!” the woman drawled.
Her back arched, her arms went rigid as the weight of the chains held her down, and her legs tried to kick out…
The pain had been so intense she didn’t have a single second to gather her wits as one of the men slammed his boot down hard onto her back…
A monumental stab of intense pain reared up and choked her lungs as she began to see stars…
She prayed for it to end, but with the fists beating into her flesh with a fury more powerful than logic or reason, she felt her senses shutting down…
Trying and failing to suck in any deep breath, pain and humiliation gurgled up her sobbing throat…
“Please…” she begged, “Stop…”
“KEEP GOING!” the woman laughed…
Each word was punctuated with a new blow.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she breathed Arnav’s name as a merciful blackness crept toward the edge of her vision.
Kicking her to her side, the pressure of a kick hit her bruised back and she screamed out…
Air rushed into her mouth, but it never made it to her lungs.
Her mind shattered, her horror bled into desolation and the fight left her body as the panic and anxiety mounted to such heights that she passed out…
The men stepped back, breathing hard, smiling harder…
“Well,” the woman said smiling, “It looks like we can leave for now…poor little thing is too tired it seems…”
One man bent down and his large palm connected with her face, the sound echoing between the walls…
She was motionless.
“Yeah, she’s done.”
The woman smiled, “Until next time…” then she motioned towards the door, “Lock it.”
A quiet clang sounded as it bolted shut.
And they left her there.
……………….
Arnav’s hatred for the man before him was festering, and yet the frightening calm exterior he was sporting even made Corey nervous.
He had already replayed every second of the incident that happened with Dwayne the night that he was thrown out, and the way that he’d spoken about Khushi…
Corey interrupted his thoughts and threw a folder on the table…
Dwayne who was bound in the chair, stared questioningly.
Corey started the interrogation.
“You’re going to go through this list, and you’re going to tell us every single person that you personally hired…then you’re going to tell us exactly who came to visit you.”
Dwayne chuckled and Arnav nodded at his right hand man.
Corey hooked his arm and expertly elbow struck him in the side of the face…
Blood now pooled in Dwayne’s mouth as he spat and tried to crane his neck…
Arnav’s nostrils flared at the morbid thrill of seeing his blood.”
Dwayne played dumb, “I said I’d talk to the Prince, I never said anything about helping you with your wild goose chase…”
Corey glared, “Wild Goose Chase? You know damn well that only your employees have been responsible for the threats…and the Prince is here, so go on, spill with the information.”
Rage was threatening to crack Arnav’s carefully controlled mask, but he forced himself to wait as Dwayne slurred out his reply.
“Maybe it’s a good thing my employees are loyal to me !” he leered at the Prince, “You took my life and work away from me, so you will have your servant wife taken from you…She is an easy target from what I hear…the person who came to see me knows exactly how to get her little weak mind to crumble…”
Fists now tight and ready to strike, Arnav suddenly spoke, keeping his tone lethally calm, “The Princess is safe…and you’re going to tell me what I want to know.”
Dwayne cackled, “So he speaks! I’m not going to tell you who the woman was who visited me, but how about I tell you when the next threat will be given…if you agree to set me free.”
Arnav slowly turned his body and forced himself to keep his tone even, “Nothing you say will change your fate here.”
“Do you want to know when the little slut will be threatened next?” Dwayne puffed his scrawny chest and because he had no self preservation, kept talking, “Or you want to threaten to hurt me some more?”
Arnav took one step forwards, his reply was eerily disturbing, “I’m not going to hurt you…”
Deep and quiet, his voice rocked through the small cell a thousand times more threatening than if he’d yelled…”I’m going to kill you.”
The weight and promise of Arnav’s actions hit the prisoner with full force…
“Go on then.” Dwayne baited him…
Arnav chuckled, “It’s a mistake to push me to violence…especially when violence is what I have dedicated my life to perfecting…”
“Then let her get attacked again…she means nothing..”
His nostrils flared, his jaw clenched and he went from controlled indifference to unleashed anger in zero point two seconds.
It happened so fast that even Corey wasn’t prepared.
Arnav’s huge arm was across Dwayne’s throat, choking out all the air from his lungs…”you fucking tell me!”
Dwayne eyes were popping out of his head as he began to gasp and wheeze…
Finally, words that chilled Arnav to the bone babbled out with a smile, “Its…. happening …now.”
An inhuman roar split through the air and Arnav snapped Dwayne’s neck and he dropped like a stone, his body hanging off the chair.
He didn’t wait.
Like a war-hardened gladiator rising from the ashes of battle, he spun around and bolted from the room…
……………
As her lids began to flutter, unbearable, pounding pain throbbed through her body as she soaked in her surroundings…
Not able to summon her voice, her thoughts drifted through the raging soreness…
“…jail…”
Stinging spread across her hot skin and stole her breath.
The memories came…
Every second of her beating and torture.
Trying to move, extreme agony shot up her back as she let out frantic cries.
Negotiated the pain, she managed to adjust positions of her beaten and bruised body, but her arms were heavy as the chains forced them down.
“I saved the little girl…”
The cold that travelled along her skin didn’t even bring a shiver…
“…that look in her tiny eyes…that was me once…but now…oh God…”
The ice spread to her eyes…”oh no…”
A familiar covering of shaded illusion began to settle into her subconscious,
“…no…no I don’t want to fade away…”
Her heart grew icy, shrivelling…”…my Prince…I need you…”
She knew Arnav was going to be consumed with rage when he realised what had happened to her.
But right now, Khushi was trying to beat back the oncoming neurosis that her brain was trying to cope with…
“I had hope…” she forced out a whisper, “I wanted that hope…”
Trying to shift her sore limbs, she bit back her cries of agony…
It hurt to make a single sound.
The back right side of her ribs felt like they’d been crushed, and every breath was nearly impossible…
“I…I need…Arnav…“
A low aura of dizziness formed even fast now.
That same buzz that appeared just before her emotions shut down the last time…
“No…” her own voice didn’t sound familiar, “I don’t want to fade away…Arnav…Please…I’m slipping away…”
…………………..
Arnav couldn’t breathe.
He skipped panic and fear, going straight to murderous hysteria.
His heart was pounding and he was juiced on adrenaline.
Jacob saw Arnav bolt in, with Corey close behind, “What’s going on?!”
“Where is she?!”
Jacob answered instantly, “On this floor. Walking with Ally.”
“WHICH FUCKING WAY!”
Jake pointed towards the left and Arnav took off..
He was now being followed by a legion of guards as he bellowed out orders for them to search each room…
Kicking in every door, he was left with one last option.
“Fuck! They took her back to the dungeons!”
Running down the stairs that led to the jails, nearly jumping the the last ten, he got to the same room that they had been held in the first time…
He saw it was shut, but monstrous energy was now driving him and he threw his weight into the iron door with every shred of his force.
The door broke open and fell to the ground as he burst through the frame.
The light of the room seeped into his eyes and he saw her, sitting in the corner, bruises, reddened skin and shackled by the wrists.
His eyes widened, and his expression was soaked in a thick layer of terror as his anger bled into a craving so fucking intense that he couldn’t stop himself.
Arnav lunged at her, trying to touch her carefully as he grabbed the chains that clanged on her wrists…
“Fuck…Hold on sweetheart, hold on…”
Pulling back barely an inch, he roared towards the guards, “KEYS! FUCKING NOW!”
One sentry had already anticipated and threw the key to him…
Arnav was frantic as he freed her, instantly bringing her hands to his lips kissing her raw skin over and over.
Feeling desperate, his hands were touching everywhere he could reach.
It was when she involuntarily shook and let out a groan of pain, he froze…
Muscles rippling, fury scaring his features, his hands stilled.
His eyes were blurring as the realisation of her injuries was seeping in, and rage spread through his veins.
He was going to make her attackers bleed dry for this, but right now, his only focus was her.
“Khushi…” his touch turned even more gentle, “It’s okay…”
She was quiet and almost motionless, her awareness slowly disappearing ever though her heart was calling out…
“Sweetheart?”
No response..
Fright vised his heart, “Khushi?…Khushi…?”
Arnav leaned down and gently threaded his fingers through her hair…
Not risking to move her too much, as he could see her reddened cheeks, he held her head steady, “Khushi, can you focus on me?”
She stared, blank and hollow.
Alarm rose so quickly that it was about to morph into hysteria.
“No…no no no, please…not again…Khushi…I’m here…”
Fighting back the panic that was consuming him, he pleaded, “See me…”
Nothing.
“NO! You fucking see me, right now!”
He withdrew his arm and punched the concrete wall behind her, the stone cracking down the centre his fury took on epic force
The desolation in his voice filtered into the last of her coherent thoughts, instantly making her mind slam back to the moment…
Her eyes widened, and his presence hit her like a meteor strike.
“Yes,” he choked out, “I’m here…Khushi I’m here…”
The mask of impending psychosis slipped away and grief like he’d never seen on another human being distorted her features and she fell into him…
Her shoulders shook with sobs as her heart shattered into horror-bleeding pain.
The fury he felt was enough to make him lose his own mind, but the woman he held in his arms was now the only thing now keeping him sane…
“Khushi…shhh…I’m here…Baby, I’m here…shhh.” his deep quiet voice rumbled from his chest and spread across her skin like comfort.
Her heart ached painfully and her breathing was choppy as she tried to hold him closer, no matter the agony that consumed her.
A sorrow so profound was now stabbing his heart as tremors wracked her body, coming in waves…
Swirls of awareness crawled across her skin and the hair on the back of her neck stood at attention.
“Help…” was all that she could rasp out as it hurt too much to talk.
The force of a single word robbed her of breath….
Her voice sounded so destroyed that he could almost feel horrors filtering through her head.
“I’ve got you…I’m getting you out of here…I’ve got you.”
“Arnav…help…” and she sucked in a breath that made her groan a terrifying sound.
An inhuman roar of rage broke from his chest and his huge muscular arms, full of strength, scooped her up.
Every guard that was positioned outside the room stepped back, making a clear path as he raced up the stairwell…
The psycho neurotic need to hear the power in his voice and feel the magnitude of his presence made her press her face to his chest, clutching hard at his shirt, keeping him close.
Everything about him made him look mighty, severe and a thousand times more terrifying, and he used every ounce of it to love and protect her.
She could feel his muscled arms, hear his heartbeat, smell his scent…
But Arnav’s psyche was in tatters, the need to claim her and protect her was so fucking intense he was ready to wipe out humanity.
He took her back to their room, and growled at Jacob, “Doctor. Now.”
Khushi instantly began to shake and pulled harder at his shirt begging, “No…no no no…no please…no…no…no…”
Overcome and losing the last shred of ability to stay emotionally strong, he shook his head and stormed into their dimly lit room.
The guard closed the door behind them.
“I’m with you…we’re in our room, my love…”
He tried to lay her on the bed, but she hysterically pulled at his collar, his neck, his anything and she whimpered a sound so mournful he felt physical pain…
“Shhhh…okay…” he could barely speak, “I’m holding you…”
Short little breaths of panic started punching out of her lungs like bursts of fire.
Her fingers were going white with the force of her grip, her body still shaking…
“Breathe, I’m holding you, my love…”
Her breaths were still coming way too fast as he finally seated himself on the bed, keeping her firmly against his chest…
She still had her head tucked under his neck, her tears drenching his shirt so much that he could feel them scaling down his skin…
“Khushi…sweetheart…I need you to take some deep breaths…long and slow…can you do that for me, please?”
She didn’t respond, but he heard her try…
“Good girl…come on sweetheart…I’ve got you…”
Each breath was laboured and ended with her letting out a moan of agony…
Her fingers weren’t able to hold onto him anymore, “can’t…hold on…”
His heart broke, “Let go, my love…I have you…”
“I…don’t want to-” she hissed in pain and he made gentle shushing noises…
He heard the fragile grasp of sanity in her voice…
“Shhh, I’m here…let go…”
He was desperate to look into her eyes, but she was burying herself so deep into him, the destruction of her spirit severe…
“Come on my love, trust me…I have you…”
She tried to hold on until her grip was shaking, barely able…
And as her fingers released, he clutched her higher and tighter to his body, his every movement controlled and precise.
“I. Have. You…” he was overwrought, “Feel me Khushi…I’m not fucking letting you go…”
Arnav fought hard to keep his emotions in check, but all that he could see was red.
When he found who did this, they were going to suffer a million times over…
Khushi felt him holding her tight, as though his arms bandaged her entire body, and yet the air she was desperately needing, wasn’t reaching her…
Despair hit harder than the fists that had beaten her as a new panic rose up, “I…can’t…breathe…”
Short, oxygen deprived breaths began to make her dizzy…
Arnav’s heart began to stampede in his chest, “No…Khushi…calm…shhh…PLEASE…”
She felt herself slipping into an oblivion as she gasped for breath, until blackness crept into the corners of her mind…
“FUCKING HELL NO!!!!!”
Khushi heard the pure terror consuming him, but the darkness reached out and pulled her under.
‘Khushi!! No Please!!”
But her body went completely limp.
Panicking to the point of madness, he bellowed out a command in the direction of the door, “DOCTOR NOW! If he’s not here in 5 fucking seconds, I will murder you all!!!”
He lay her carefully on the bed and his face dropped to hers and he felt her small, shallow warm breaths touching his skin…
“Fuck…” he knew there wasn’t nearly enough air passing through her lungs, but for now, it was breath and it was all he held onto.
The door flew open, and the physician who originally stitched her up ran in…
“Details.” he demanded without politeness.
“She fainted…She’s breathing, but shallowly…” he was shaking, “Fuck…she’s been beaten again…”
The doctor was already listening to her heart and feeling her pulse, “Was she coherent? Did she say anything?”
Arnav smashed his fist into the wall, hearing the drywall crack, “She said ‘help’, begged me for no doctor, but then said she couldn’t breathe, and just passed out in my arms…”
A small stream of midday sunlight streamed into the room as he stared desperately down at her.
“Why isn’t she breathing properly!”
“I need you to help me roll her to the side,” he ordered and began to slowly move her body…
Arnav instantly held onto her and gently pulled her to face him.
“I need to unzip her dress Sir.”
Past the point being able to maintain control, he said, “Just do what you need to. Find out why she can’t breathe!”
“Yes sir.” and the Physician pulled her zipper down baring her back…”Good God.”
Arnav felt as though he was going to have a heart attack…”What…WHAT!?”
“I think I know why, she is bruised all over her back…”
The Prince began to break down.
“Keep calm Sir, she hasn’t stopped breathing, but it is difficult for her…”
With her front pressed against his chest, he stroked his hand over her hair, “No…my God…no…”
She looked so pale and small, his own heart threatened to give up…”I’m so damn sorry, my love…I should never have left you alone…” he kissed her forehead as his thumb stroked her cheek.
As the Physician’s fingers probed at her back, her body suddenly arched away from his prodding and she squeezed her eyes tighter, unshed tears falling down her face…
“FUCKING CAREFUL!” Arnav barked, “You’re hurting her!!!”
“I’m sorry sir. I had to check.”
Lifting her cold fingers to his lips, the tears that erupted and the pain that ignited inside him was so damn strong he found himself heaving for breath right along with her…
His eyes were drenched in sorrow as he locked eyes with the physician, “I need her…you make sure she’s okay…you hear me?”
The physician’s expression was as encouraging as he could make it, “For the moment, she is breathing, but she may have a collapsed lung…”
He was on the verge of mania hearing the diagnosis but then felt her fingers twitch against his lips…
Every part of him froze, and remaining as quiet as he could, he moved closer to her giving a fast commanding glance at the Physician to keep quiet…
“Khushi? Sweetheart?”
She felt something warm was stroking across her forehead as her eyelids began to flicker…
“Yes…yes…oh God…show me those eyes baby, please…please…”
And Khushi blinked her eyes open to the most beautiful and reassuring sight she could have ever hoped for…
“Can you hear me Khushi? You’re safe…you hear me?”
She tried to take a breath in, but it was as though her lungs had caught fire and she went back to panting…
Her mouth opened but only a distressed whisper sound came out, “Hard…to breathe…”
Arnav pressed his body closer and looked at the Physician and commanded, “Help her. Now.”
Khushi’s eyes widened in terror as she felt a hand on her back and wrist…
“No…” she was barely audible as her body screamed out in pain.
Her lungs felt as though they were a collapsing…
Arnav closed his arms around her, holding her as immobile as possible, “Khushi…I’m here…stay calm, I’m begging you…”
Her own keening voice filled her ears as the memory of blow after blow hitting her body replayed like it was in real time…”No…help…”
The Physician held her wrist still and ground out, “Try to calm, Your Highness.”
Panic reeled through her, the need to breathe and escape becoming severe.
Arnav’s blind rage poured out of his crazed eyes and he snarled, “Get your hands off her, shut up and let me talk to her!”
All that was flashing before her were the fists flying, and the contorted, smiling faces of the men who attacked her…
Arnav didn’t know where to touch her, and was almost terrified he would hurt her more…
Holding her as cautiously as he could, he clenched his teeth and growled, “LOOK AT ME…”
“No…no no...make it stop…please…please…I can’t take anymore…”
His jaw ticking, the pressure in his head pounding, his eyes began to rain out tears hearing her beg for mercy
“Please…please…” her throat burned, as hardly any air passed through her shaking body from the intense fear.
Unable to handle her terror any longer, he used all the authority he could manage and barked out an order full of dominance she would react to, “STOP! NOW!”
She instantly froze, her rapid gasping breaths scaring the ever living shit out of him.
Every muscle in his body now flexed and twitched.
But he suffocated every devastating emotion he felt, knowing he had to be firm and strong for her right at this moment…
“Khushi. The doctor is here. I have you. You’re safe. Now look at me.“
Scared to silence, her brown eyes swam into focus…
“…don’t hurt me…“
He let out the most tortured sound she had ever heard as he spoke, “I’ll…I’ll never…” his voice broke, “never hurt you…”
She was shaking, choking on sobs and dissolving into tears as the warmth of his strong arms poured comfort into her…
“I’m here…just look in my eyes…”
She blinked once, her heart rate settling slowly…
“Good…Good Your Highness…” the Physician nodded and Arnav spared him a glance…
The brief moment his eyes disconnected from hers, he felt the shiver that encompassed her body and his gaze snapped back, “No…feel me…I’m here…I need the doctor to see to you sweetheart…this isn’t a request…”
She blinked again and he nodded once, “Good girl, I have you…”
Then his tone changed and he addressed the Physician, “Check her.”
The man nodded, “I’m so sorry your Highness…I need to ask some questions…”
Arnav could see her flinching at every little noise, but the need for her health now outweighed everything.
“Just answer as best you can…do you feel pain here?” and he gently pushed on the right side of her back…
She shrieked and it took everything inside Arnav not to react….
“She does.” Arnav answered for her.
“Is the pain worse when you try to take a deep breath?”
Her tears cascaded over her face and onto her husband’s arm that was under her neck.
“Yes, it does.” Arnav answered again.
“One more question. Were you sexually assaulted?”
Arnav froze.
Khushi was gasping for breath, but finally rasped out, “no…”
The look in her husband’s eyes was slightly relieved, but that didn’t quell the mighty rage that was threatening to boil over…
“Alright, It sounds very much like a collapsed lung, and I’ll need the Prince to monitor you carefully for the next few hours…Your right side is definitely more bruised than the other and you have considerable pulmonary contusions…” the Physician spoke matter of factly, “No concussion. But the next few hours is crucial and you need to rest and stay as calm as you can to let the lung repair.”
Arnav couldn’t hardly get the courage to speak.
Khushi was in a state of complete distress and bewilderment…
She panicked and felt the urgent need to try and breathe hard and ended up making a choking sound…
Arnav was beside himself with fear and the Physician swooped in quickly, “No. Listen your highness, small breaths. If you work the lung too much it will make things worse…you need to stop…”
Her shattered eyes were screaming and Arnav shoved the Physician away and commanded her gaze, “Look at me sweetheart, hey hey hey…” her eyes locked on…”Good girl, I’m here…slow breaths…please…please baby…for me…”
She blinked out heavy tears and he moved his body closer…”I’m here my love…You are safe…”
As Khushi began to calm, he saw the Physician nod from the corner of his eye…
“Perfect…”
She began to feel a tiredness that she had never felt before…
Her body and soul were now exhausted…
The Physician took out a gel iced pack from a small bag, “This is a cold compress to relax the area and help bring your breathing back to normal…I need you to let the Prince roll you carefully onto your back and keep it in place while you rest…”
The worn out look in her eyes as she kept her gaze on him was tearing his sanity to shreds…
“Khushi, I’m here. I’m NOT leaving you. I need you to trust me. I’m carefully going to move you back…”
Her hand that was near his face suddenly held onto the front of his neck weakly…”No…no…I…I can’t…please…hurts…“
Arnav was breaking, but he motioned for the doctor to wait and put his entire focus on Khushi…”Sweetheart…” her soft touch on his throat was sending a burn to his blood.
He spoke low and deep so she could feel the vibration on her fingers, “Close your eyes…I’m here…” he couldn’t find the words…”I’m not leaving you for anything…Close your eyes…”
As her eye lids began to droop, “Arnav…”
His heart, his spirit, his soul, they broke into a million pieces and his voice was barely above a whisper, “Yes sweetheart, I’m here…I am not leaving you…”
Her panting breaths began to slow as her eyes stayed shut and within 1 minute, her body went slack…
The Physician noted the Princes frantic eyes, “It’s okay Sir…She needs this sleep, it will help her maintain the calm. A bruised lung repairs itself slowly…” he paused and measured her pulse, “She is drawing in breath, and that is a damn good sign, but this could have been a lot worse…”
The sun began fading behind the trees…
“I will need you to watch her continuously these next hours. Keep note of her breathing…can you-“
“Ofcourse I can fucking do it…” he snapped.
The cutting gaze Arnav threw at the Physician made him flinch, but he knew the Prince wasn’t coping, “I already knew you would Sir. I meant can you roll her back now, while there is some light I need to check her chest and face…The main issue has been seen to.”
He breathed out long and shuddered, “I’m sorry…I just…”
“It’s alright Sir, this is not an easy situation at all…and I don’t blame you one bit…now I’m going to press the cold pack to her middle back and if you can slowly roll her, I’ll keep it in place…she may flinch but she shouldn’t wake for a bit…”
Arnav couldn’t do anything but nod.
Khushi didn’t move in the slightest as the ice hit her mid section, and Arnav held the back of her head carefully as he rolled her into position…
The Physician immediately began to check her, “I can see already that she has been also hit multiple times just on her face and forearms…” he gently felt her nose and cheek bones, then her jaw…”but nothing is broken though…”
Arnav was now on the verge of a murderous explosion as his eyes slammed shut.
Searching his bag, the doctor carefully dabbed ointment on the welts that covered her face and arms, then softly pressed his fingers into her scalp once more and nodded approvingly…”There is definitely no concussion.”
The Physician moved and the light hit her at a different angle.
He suddenly went still, his face scrunched up with worry.
Clotted blood was hiding under the crease in her neck, right where the original wound was located.
He took a breath, knowing that any minute the Prince may kill someone, “Uh Sir, just be calm, but, do you think there is anyway you could lean her head back?”
Arnav’s eyes flew open and he felt every last defence plummet as tears poured out over what he now saw, “No…“
The Physician held his place, and saw the fight drain from Arnav’s body as he gently eased her back…
The second his eyes zeroed in on the freshly torn skin and the blood high on her throat, his demeanour pulverised, “God…no…no…I didn’t see any-” his huge frame trembled “I didn’t see any bleeding when I found her…she…she curled into me and-“
“It’s alright, just …just let me check before you draw any conclusions…She is asleep and still breathing…this may just be a slight tear…” he tried to reassure him…
Pulling out a gauze strip, he wiped over her neck and breathed a sigh of relief.
Quickly getting Arnav’s attention, he said, “Listen carefully, the original knife wound hasn’t opened. But there are new, what look like, scratch marks, on her neck that have severed some skin and caused minor bleeding…It’s actually as though someone purposefully scraped something over the scar…”
Arnav spun his head and his fire lit eyes burned, “I am going to ruin the lives of whoever did this…”
“I hope so. This is disgraceful.”
He watched as her neck was cleaned and covered in antibiotic cream…
“This also has anaesthetic in this, so it will numb. I will check her blood pressure and heart once more…”
Arnav couldn’t take his eyes off her…
He couldn’t fathom how this could have happened in the mere span of 20 minutes.
Suddenly Khushi flinched as the Physician carefully felt her ribs, making Arnav’s lethal glare shoot up once more…
“I’m sorry Sir…there is also some fluid around her ribcage, she has taken a few beatings to her torso, but this swelling will go down in the next few hours…”
Arnav radiated ferocity but merely leaned into his wife and pulled her against him whispering words as softly as he could…”I’m going to fix this Khushi…”
Shutting the medical kit, he gave the final diagnosis, “Alright. There is no concussion or broken bones, so whoever hit her went to abuse her, not kill her…Mass amounts of bruising, slight swelling around her ribs. The main concern is her bruised back and lung…the ice pack will help, as long as you make sure she is comfortable while she sleeps…”
Arnav’s anguished storm-coloured eyes stared down at her but his fingers were gentle as he brushed her hair away from her forehead…
His voice dropped so low that it barely disturbed the air, “I need her to be okay…”
“Sir…” he could see plainly how worried Arnav was, “…I will leave these analgesics here. If her breathing is easier when she wakes up, you can be assured that everything is fine and the healing will progress successfully. Slowly get her to take some deep breaths to get the lungs working again…”
Arnav breathed out the only word he could, “Thankyou.”
“I’m in the castle tonight…I won’t leave. The next few hours are crucial…but be assured, she is breathing evenly right now…even if it is shallow.”
Arnav was watching her so carefully, her hair over his arm, worry lines in her forehead…”I need to be alone with her…”
Immediately backing away, he nodded, “Ofcourse.”
…………..
Jacob was all up in the Physician’s face when he exited the room, “Is she alright? What’s happened? I need information.”
“She has been attacked once again, partial collapsed lung, the claw marks on her neck resemble fingernails, and not of a man…”
Jake looked pissed as fuck, “If I’ve fucking had it with these attacks, I don’t want to see what Arnav will be like when he finally briefs us all…”
The Physician ran his hand through his short hair, “I will personally stay in the castle tonight. If he calls for me, I will be here. I don’t want to see that poor girl hurt anymore.”
Jake patted the doctor on the arm, “You’re a good man. We need all that we can trust in the castle now. Half the staff are gone. We basically have the army here now.”
“Jacob.”
Corey’s loud call commanded his attention and he turned.
His eyes zeroed in on Khushi’s server Ally, who was holding on tightly to a child.
Jacob motioned for more patrols to guard the door and marched over to Corey, his eyes burning with anger, “You better have a fucking good excuse why you are standing here safely and the Princess is beaten up in her room!”
Ally looked more weary than he’d ever seen and the 40ish year old server let tears fall as she clutched her daughter tight…
Corey quickly reached an arm in front of Ally in an attempt to shield her, “Stand down.”
Jake paused, but narrowed his eyes and stepped back, “Corey, start talking.”
“She turned up at the barracks, nearly passing out, holding this child. She instantly started begging my men to keep her daughter safe as she had to go back and save the Princess.”
Jacob looked to Ally and the sleeping girl on her shoulder.
They were both filthy, and she stood there with regret etched all over her face.
“I had returned to the barracks because I heard of the commotion and I knew you were here with the Prince. Ally told me everything, and knowing what I do about the Princess, this woman is telling the truth.”
Running a hand over his face, feeling completely worn out, Jake spat out, “Tell me then.”
Corey nodded towards Ally, a small smile appeared on his lips to reassure her, and she spilled every detail.
As Jacob listened, he knew also that the Princess was selfless enough to sacrifice herself in this manner.
“She is lying there because of me…” Ally nearly crumpled to the floor and Corey held on.
“No.” Jacob said firmly, “She is there because of the people who attacked her, who threatened her, and who threatened your daughter.”
“Is…Is she…”
“She will live, She is strong.” the doctor piped in, having heard the entire story.
“Why…” Ally said mournfully, “Why did she do this?”
“Because the Princess is a fucking lifesaver.” Corey admitted without hesitation, “She wants to help everyone but herself.”
Corey lifted the lady and her child, his own muscles bunching, “I’m taking her to the lower levels, she will stay in the castle. They are still under threat as she came to tell me everything.”
Jake nodded, “Ally, just look after your daughter.”
Ally couldn’t speak, as she was taken away to safety.
“She walked into it.” Jacob gritted out, “She fucking WALKED INTO IT!”
The doctor shook his head, “This Princess, is unlike any woman I’ve met.”
Jake now snarled, “I was standing right here! She could have told me! I don’t even know if I’m safe from the Prince now! I let her walk past me and get fucking beaten up.”
“Do you really think the Princess would have risked the child’s life by telling you? She did this to save that little girl…I imagine because it brought back memories of when she herself was a child. I have heard enough to know of the unfortunate upbringing she has suffered.”
Jacob leaned on the balustrades and took a breath, “I need to find who did this. I need answers.”
……………
Arnav hadn’t moved.
The strain hadn’t even made a single muscle twitch.
He cursed at every blink, knowing it was a moment his eyes weren’t watching her.
The second the Physician closed the door, he had let himself react.
He let the pain, anger and utter devastation eat him alive.
Tears rained down until he was sure he’d go blind.
He breathed fire as he planned what he would do to her abusers.
Her pained begging played over and over and his jaw clenched with fury that chopped away at his heart knowing that he left her exposed enough for this to happen.
And when he found out who did this, there would be a war, one like they’d never seen coming.
His heart was racing as tears streamed down his face.
Clenched fists, rampaging fury and bulky, locked up muscles were making the spiking sweat turn into ice along his skin with each hour that passed…
Khushi had barely even stirred the first two hours…
He had subdued his rage by counting her breaths, tracking her heartbeats, and memorising each part of her face…
When it came to the fourth hour, she twitched and tried to move slightly…
Arnav instantly saw the agony in her expression as her pained ribs expanded and the gasps of a struggling deep breath were pulled from her bruised lung…
And once again, he could do nothing.
It was now only her breath against his chest that sedated him, if it weren’t for that, he would have killed every one he saw by now.
And the fifth hour arrived.
No drastic changes, and for that he felt hope.
Until he felt her body shake slightly…
Snapping to attention, he spoke, “Shhhh Khushi…I’m here…I’m right here…”
Then a whimper drifted out and tremors ran up her arms…
Khushi’s senses filtered back in, and the first thing she felt was his heartbeat.
“Sweetheart, I have you…”
She was instantly immersed in the strength, the power, the heat, and the possession from the way he held her…
“He’s here…He’s here…”
She chanted over and over in her mind, but then tried to take a breath and the burn spread everywhere…
Every moan of anguish was torturing him…
“Khushi,” his voice dropped lower, “just be calm…”
Her eyes began to open, and she saw him.
His grip gentle, his intense stare dominating hers, he held her with his grasp and with his gaze.
“Arnav…”
Their faces now inches apart her gasp barely had time to escape her lips when his mouth captured hers so gently…
Reacting hysterically, Khushi felt his strong chest, his huge arms wrap around her, his lips on hers and she pushed past all the pain and flung her arms around his neck.
Her breathing sped up and she cried out in anguish against his lips as sharp pain cracked over her body…
“Fucking Stop!” he snarled into her mouth.
His command was rough, harsh and sounded like an order.
Every ounce of agony she’d been holding in let loose and tears blasted out…
Arnav froze, shame beyond anything he’d ever felt, hit his consciousness like a knife as he realised he had sounded harsher than he had meant…
“No no no, Sweetheart,” his self control exploded into fragments of need…”Fuck…No, you can always touch me, I just, I need you to be still…shhhhh…”
But he didn’t understand that his words were everything she needed, whether angry or calm.
She needed his arms, his anger, his authority, his dominance…because she knew in her heart that he would use all of it to protect her…
She knew that she needed to save Ally’s little girl, but the knowledge that this could have ended a lot worse was smothering her in guilt, making it difficult to draw in a breath once more…
Arnav heard the way she was labouring again, and immediately took control.
Holding her face, demanding her eyes, he spoke firmly, “Stop. Concentrate. You will look at me!”
She stilled, staring into his eyes, following his explicit instruction.
“Good girl…now take some breaths for me, not too deep, but calmly…please…this is so fucking important…”
As she took in a small breath, her chest expanded and she cringed slightly…
He eased even closer, “It’s okay…again my love…”
And she obeyed, breathing in deeper this time…
“Does it hurt as much?”
She finally blinked and tears ran out, but she ignited hope in his heart with one word…”No….”
His head dropped and he nearly fell apart, “Thank God…” and he once more kissed her lips, lingering, letting her feel him…
Pulling back only a fraction, he asked, “Are you in a lot of pain?”
She paused and bit her lip.
He could read her inflections instantly and he pressed the button which would alert the guards.
Her eyes widened and he reassured her, “I’m not fucking leaving you…but I’m also not having you in pain…”
Within seconds, the door opened, Jake stood at attention as the Physician walked in…
Arnav’s temper returned seeing Jacob, but he forced that down as his priority was his wife.
The Physician reached out and took Khushi’s wrist, immediately checking her pulse…
“Hello Your Highness…”
Khushi merely stared and Arnav moved closer…
“Okay, your pulse is a bit fast but that is because you’ve been taking shorter breaths…” he looked down at her and rested a hand on her stomach, just breathe how you can right now for me…”
Khushi glanced at Arnav and he nodded…
The room was silent, barely any air disturbance in the room.
“Alright, It feels as though it is no longer strained…Is there as much pain when you breathe deeper?”
She shook her head and instantly regretted it when a burn stunted her movement.
Bringing his hand to her face, Arnav gently brushed her reddened cheek, “I know you’re hurt there Sweetheart, just try and stay still…”
The Physician interrupted, “I need you to roll to your side once more. Just tell me, when I press, if the pain is worse or better…”
She hiccuped with worry, but Arnav swooped in and brushed his mouth on hers, “I have you…”
Gathering her in his arms, he pulled gently at her neck and his other arm held her waist, rolling her to face him once more…
“Hi…” he tried to soothe her, but the reaction in her eyes the moment she felt cold air touch her back struck his nerves…
Khushi knew that her dress was unzipped fully and humiliation and embarrassment filled her…
Arnav brought his face close to hers, “No…don’t you dare…you have no damn right to feel anything negative about yourself…no damn right, you hear me?…you are mine…and you’re perfect…”
Her lips parted and as she was going to respond, the pain of some prodding on her middle back shot through her…
The pain was now and ache and not a sharp stabbing…
Arnav kept his eyes on hers and saw every single inflection of the misery she felt…
He didn’t speak, knowing he would splinter…
“Is the pain different now your highness?”
Khushi breathed her answer, “yes.”
Arnav felt something release inside his heart…”Yes…she said yes…”
“I can already feel a that you are less inflamed, so I’m assuming it’s not as sharp now?”
“yes…”
Arnav’s eyes welled…”Yes…yes again…”
“Your lung is still bruised, but you’re now out of danger…”
“Oh…God…” Arnav breathed in prayerful relief…
“Sir, she will be okay. Just needs to take some deeper breaths slowly and maybe take a hot bath for her aches…”
The physician pulled away the warm compress that she had on her back, and he reached for the tablets that he had left, along with the glass of water…”I suggest she take these…right now…the bruising is still quite bad.”
Arnav heard how definite the man sounded, and knew that he was trying to tell him that she needed pain relief, and fast.
Khushi stayed quiet as Arnav touched his lips to hers, “I’m going to help you, I don’t want you moving a muscle, you hear me?”
“…okay.”
He let his lips brush hers as he rolled her to her back once more…
When he pulled back, her hand was fisted limply in his shirt…
Grief lodged in his throat, “It’s okay…”
With one hand behind her head, he flexed his bicep and pulled up, slowly and evenly…
With her eyes on him, she barely felt anything until her ribs began to pull…
“Ohhhh…ow ow… stop…please…”
Arnav froze, holding her midway up…”Okay okay, shhh…shhhh…”
“Where does it hurt, your highness?”
She let out a gasp, “My…my ribs…”
The physician nodded, as though he had suspected it…”Keep lifting her, she needs to take these for the pain.”
Arnav bit down and rasped out, “I’m sorry my love…” and lifted her to a sitting position, hating with fury every little pained gasp she gave…
“I know it’s difficult your highness, but the trauma on your body will cause more pain now that you have woken up, and I won’t have your breathing get worse again…after this, take a soothing bath, but the main thing is bed rest.”
Arnav took the medicine and she opened her lips and he placed the pills on her tongue…
He helped her take a drink and she swallowed past the tablets in her throat and her voice broke as she rasped, “Please forgive me…”
The Prince’s expression went dark, and his eyes shot up to the Physician, “Leave.”
He bowed briefly but could see that what she needed now was emotional healing.
The door closed and Arnav was now fucking furious.
“Khushi…” his arms tightened, “Forgive you? YOU?!…”
Instantly assessing her every expression, he watched as she recoiled in anxiety…
“God,” he searched her eyes, “…don’t do that…It’s me.“
Desperately fighting back the aches, her eyes closed as she said, “”I have to say it…”
Her husband was looming over her, his mere presence a bigger threat than that of the two measly men who attacked her…
“Tell me what happened.”
A sob came out…”I…I can’t.”
Arnav rolled his shoulders, his expression harder than she’d ever seen.
He kept his hold on her, “Ohhhh…you’ll tell me.“
“You…you’ll…” her breaths were coming faster….
“I’ll what?” his voice was quiet and deadly, “You want to know what I’ll do? I’ll find who dared to fucking hurt you like this, and I will drain every drop of blood from their bodies until they lay lifeless in front of me…that’s what I’ll do…because no one is safe from me when it concerns you…no one.”
Her eyelids fluttered and he waited for her eyes to focus on his…
Her lips parted and short, no-air breaths rasped from her chest…
The anger fled in an instant, “No…No…Khushi…take a slow breath…” he commanded…
Her eyes were breaking him and he could see plainly that she wasn’t calm enough to tell him anything yet…
“No sweetheart…you have to calm down…” he could see she was going to hyperventilate…”Khushi I have you…just look at me…”
She took three small breaths.
His thumb stroked her cheek as he held her head firm…”That’s it, again.”
She labored through two more small breaths that were definitely clearer, then she closed her eyes, like she did just before she passed out the first time…
His chest constricted and he barked out her name in a panic, “Khushi.”
Her eyes opened slowly, but she focused on him again, “I’m sorry…”
She looked so damn pale and so broken.
His expression turned gentle, but his muscles hardened even as he smoothed his hand over her hair and let the strands run through his fingers, “Are you in pain?”
Every part of her was radiating with sensitivity, and deep aches…
“…yes.”
The meltdown he was having inside was threatening to erupt, but he forced it away and kissed her forehead…”Come on, sweetheart…”
He made a move to get up and alarm spread across her face, her hands gripping him as tight as she could manage once more.
“No fear, my love. I’m here.” he said firmly, “I’m putting you in a hot bath.”
“Arnav…” she stopped…
The way she mentioned his name, her tone washed over him like a drug and relief spread through him, it was stronger.
“Doctor’s orders, and I’m going to fucking look after you.”
He slowly moved beside her and rested one knee on the bed as he carefully slid one arm beneath her legs…
He looked at the slight bruising on her arms and stared intently in her eyes, “How sore are you arms, can you put them around my neck?”
Her wet eyes glistened as she reached up and around him…
“Good girl, I love you…just take slow breaths, i’m going to lift you up as carefully as I can…”
As he lifted her, she felt every single bruise on fire.
“Hurts…”
His eyes slammed shut for a moment and his jaw ticked, “I know sweetheart…is it too much?”
“I’m…I’m okay…”
He chose to remain quiet, and his strong arms carried her into the bathroom as though she weighed nothing…
She didn’t say a word but the way her hands held onto him sent a spark to his heart…
The inner strength was still there, and he was going to fix this.
Looking into her eyes, he began to lower her to the chair beside the bath and she clutched to him…
“Hey…hey it’s okay…I’m just going to fill the tub…”
She still didn’t say anything but he kept one hand on her as he whispered, “If you think for one second that I’m letting you out of my sight, you’re out of your mind…”
Her lips turned up slightly and he held her hand as he pulled on the lever and hot water began to blast into the tub.
Turning back, he saw the lost expression on her face and his own composure threatened to snap…
Careful not to hold on too tight, he wrapped his arms around her, and he simply held her.
She stiffened momentarily as certain parts of her stabbed with pain, but then relaxed into him.
Arnav took as much comfort holding her as she did being in his arms, but Khushi could feel his big body vibrating with anger at what had happened to her.
“I’m…I’m…” she tried to continue, but stopped.
He could see that once again, progress had been lost and if he had to find his way back to her one step at a time, then that’s was he was damn well going to do.
Arnav watched the water level rise and waited until the last second before reaching over to shut the water off…
He felt the water temperature and made sure it was safe then turned back to her, “Okay sweetheart, let me help you-“
As he started to take off her dress, utter humiliation took hold of her…
Her heart rate sped up with anxiety as she uttered, “…no…stop.“
She couldn’t bear letting him see her as she could already feel the pains and knew that she was marked once again.
Arnav instantly knew what this was about and he didn’t hesitate.
He took her face in his hands as carefully as he could and bent to her eye level, demanding her gaze, “Khushi….”
Calling her name with a firmness that was entirely alpha, he continued, “I have seen every inch of you…you are beautiful…you always will be…”
Arnav lifted her to stand and reached around to unzip the back…
“Please…don’t look at me,” her blood ran cold…
Dominance shot out of his eyes as she spoke with authority, “I am damn well going to look at you…all of you…because you’re fucking beautiful.”
Khushi stared at the warrior in front of her, and the murderous expression that was lurking beneath his tightening features…
His hand held her face gently and he whispered, “Trust me, my love.”
She closed her eyes, letting him take over.
He slowly dragged the material down, and the second he saw her skin, every last molecule in his body went into rage mode.
Her wrists were red from the chains, patches on her arms bruised, her ribcage slightly swollen with darkening marks, and her legs were smattered with welts, and her back…the worst bruising he had ever seen…
Using every goddamn possible tactic he could manage, he fought to keep his voice and emotions even as he carefully pulled down her underwear, cataloguing every single mark…
“You are simply divine Khushi, don’t you ever doubt that…” he kissed her trembling lips, “I’m lifting you up now…tell me if it is too hot, or sore, or anything…”
“Okay.” She breathed, but barely moved a muscle.
Nerves coursed through her body like lava as she stared at the one and only thing she wanted to hold on to…”you’ll be with me?”
His eyes welled up and the heartache he felt completely trampled his rage.
She looked at him as though he were the only person on the planet…
He hadn’t undressed as his sole focus had been on her, but he was ready to give her whatever she wanted and he kicked off his shoes.
“Yes..”
Stepping into the water, he lowered their bodies slowly…
Inch by inch, without letting her go, he lowered her into the bath.
As he held her, the rigid stiffness in her posture eased and her head fell back on his chest…
His own heart started to beat again…
“Good girl, I’m here…”
“Thankyou…” she whispered.
He kissed her temple as the hot water soaked his clothes, but he didn’t give a shit.
“No Khushi, don’t thank me…I want to do this, fuck I need to…“
Her eyes glanced at his arms quickly, “I’m…I’m so sorry, you’re getting wet…”
“Like I care…I will do anything for you. I’m going to make sure you’re comfortable…”
And he wanted any damn fragment of her emotions that she was willing to give him right now.
That moment when he had found her, and saw her looking blank again, had sent an electric shockwave of horror to his chest.
He wasn’t going to allow this to happen again…
“You…you were right…” she exhaled and tried to smile, “This feels good. Please don’t worry…I’m okay…”
Arnav saw it.
She was trying to reassure him and calm him.
Her concern for him, gutted him.
“Khushi, ” his voice rough, “I’m…” he couldn’t say it…
The word ‘sorry’ was disgracefully weak for what he wanted to say.
“I’ll be okay…”
His thoughts were simmering with how he was going to torture whoever did this over and over again with rabid brutality.
She looked a thousand times more fragile and shifted even closer…
“Khushi…” he took a pause…”Can you tell me what happened sweetheart?”
She shivered, even though immersed in the steaming water.
“No sweetheart, don’t be afraid, I’m here-“
Knowing that he may hate her for the decision she had made, she lowered her voice even more and whispered…”I had to.”
He frowned and moved her floating body on an angle so he could look into her eyes…
When she glanced up at him, he saw the claw marks on her neck but he controlled the beast that wanted to attack, “What do you mean that you had to?”
Her eyes welled up…
“No no…I’m here…and you are all I care about…I need to know what happened…”
She shivered again and his mouth landed on hers gently…
When his lips left hers, she whispered, “I need to tell you something…”
He nodded, “Just remember, slow breaths, and don’t talk too loud…”
She blinked once, and then spoke.
“I don’t remember much from when I was little, but this memory is something I carry all the time…This is when it all started…I was 5 or 6. I was napping in my own bed, but when I woke up I was in a basement, cold and dark. I don’t even know how I got there. The first noises I heard where those of my mother…She was in front of me, begging for…something…” Khushi frowned, “I don’t remember everything, but she was dragged from the room by a scary man and I was left there…in the dark…”
Arnav’s anger was now burning hotter than the water…
He knew she hadn’t told him enough about her past, and he knew that there was a reason she was telling him this story now…
“I sat there, huddled in the corner….When I was found…I don’t know how long after…the woman who found me, my aunty, only by name, told me my parents had been killed and they paid her to take me or they would kill me too. My aunty knew she could use me for more money, and hired me out for work no more than a month later…That whole month, I was cold and numb. I cried until I couldn’t breathe. I cried until my eyes burned. I didn’t even speak for months except to reply in obedience. I don’t remember everything about my mother, but the heartache I felt knowing I’d never see her again…I remember that… ” her eyes were drowning in pain…
“Khushi…” he leaned down and kissed her between the eyebrows, “I am so so sorry…”
He was in shock as he realised that she had been a servant since she was a mere child.
She shook her head but stopped when a sharp sting spread along her skin…
His arm lifted and he held her head still, biting back tears, “…no fast movements…It’s okay my love…I have you…”
He nodded once for her to continue…
“I need you to forgive me…”
“Khushi,” his teeth were clenched, “If you ask me that again, I’m going to-“
“I went willingly.” she paused, her heart hurting at the shock in his eyes, but she continued, “I knew they were waiting for me in the jails. I went to them.”
Absolute horror blasted across his facial features, and his words were seething, “You did what?”
“Ally came to me…” her voice was shaking, “She held a knife at me…”
Arnav jolted and snarled, “I’m going to kill her.“
“No!” she wheezed and coughed…
He gripped her tighter as he stared, hard, his jaw grinding his teeth, his tone a warning, “Khushi… fuck… slow breathing…”
But she forced out the words as she spluttered, “Ally…Ally fell before me, begging my forgiveness, and when I asked why she was doing this, she told me…”
Arnav was ready to burst into flames…
“She told me they had taken her daughter…they told her they would kill her if she didn’t bring me to the cells…”
His fists were clenching so tight that his arms shook…
“I had to…” she said in a rush, as the rest of her thoughts spilled out of her mouth, “I had to save her and the little girl…I couldn’t let her go through what I did!”
His eyes slammed closed…
“I’m so sorry…I know that you can look after yourself…I knew that it could have been the end for me, and I was dying inside with every step I took…but I couldn’t let a defenseless child be killed because of me…I had to do something…”
His head was ready to explode…
The most pure manic rage he had ever felt in his life threatened to consume his every last nerve…
“Fuck it ALL! They threaten a child. They beat my wife…MY WIFE…not only has she had to suffer through the need to save me but also the need to save Ally’s daughter!? And I haven’t managed to save her from this ONCE…Fuck this!”
Khushi saw his mind in an explosive war, she wanted so badly to take this torment away…
Lifting a hand, holding back every pained sound that nearly spilled from her lips, she touched his face…”Please…Forgive me…”
Arnav’s eyes shot open and immediately brought his hand up, supporting her arm.
He heard her breathe out in pained relief as he took her arm’s weight…
“Khushi…” he sounded completely destroyed, “What you did…I understand why…I do…but…”
“Forgive me…ple…please-” her breaths were shorter.
His kissed her palm as his eyes demanded her focus…”Slow breaths my love…”
The love and respect she saw in his gaze hypnotised her…
She was lost, lost in him so deep that she didn’t want to surface, because nothing had ever felt so secure…
“Sweetheart, you are the most selfless person I have ever met…I don’t need to forgive you…at all…ever…I understand what you did, even though I am fucking furious…”
Tears drenched her face as she let out cry…
“No…Listen, I don’t need to forgive you…” he bowed his head, “I’m in awe of you…the respect I already had for you now amounts to something I can never put a number on…You saved me, and you saved Ally and her child…and” his voice was anguished, “and I haven’t saved you…I need YOU to forgive ME…”
“Arnav…I love yo-“
“I love you…and anyone who lays a hand on you, dies by mine!“
She flinched slightly and as his eyes drank in her body, he snarled, “Khushi, my anger is purely directed to who did this to you…and they are going to pay…so, you need to tell me what they did to you…”
Swallowing, she cringed and he moved her softly once more.
The cruel truth of what she was about to tell him, made her worry for his own heart, but there was no way she could ever lie to him…
“There were two men waiting for us in the jails…when we arrived there, they released Ally’s daughter, who had already been hurt, and I told them to run to the barracks for safety…and then…then they…came at me and restrained me…”
“Wait.” he grit out…”As you tell me this, you need to be aware that whatever you see in me as you explain this, is directed at THEM, not at you in any way…I need to know everything sweetheart…”
He was her eternal strength, and her heart poured out, “…they hit me…so many times…they choked me…” her eyes blinked at the bloodthirsty look in his eyes, “And then a woman, who wore a veil came in who was their ‘boss’..”
Arnav’s face filled with awareness, “So it was a woman who-” he stopped, his hand slowly slid over her breasts and rested under her throat…
“Yes…she knew I was wounded there, and she scratched me…so hard…the pain…it…”
“Stop,” he needed to rein it in before he exploded…
She saw him visibly swallow his rage and he kept his eyes closed as he eventually nodded for her to continue…
“They…they chained me…and…and then beat me…she wanted me to scream…I begged them to stop…”
He slid deeper into the water and closer to her…
“They said they would wait for you to find me…but even though I knew you’d find me, I didn’t know if they were going to leave me for dead…I felt my mind freezing over…I felt like I was fading way…I called out for you…and then I passed out…” she took a shaky breath, “When I woke up, I could hardly move or breathe…the next thing I remember is your touch…and I couldn’t believe I was still alive to feel it again, to hold you again…that’s why I couldn’t let go of you…”
Arnav had tears streaming down his face, and Khushi felt his pain break her heart…
She began to sob as he held her…
“No…you need to stop…I can’t have your breathing get worse again…”
His voice was like a physical touch, heated and almost anaesthetic.
When he looked at her, his intensity was so complete that Khushi had no room to move let alone breathe…
His breath touched her as she lay in his arms.
“You’re safe…”
Khushi fisted two handfuls of his saturated shirt and suddenly she was holding him tighter than anything she’d held in her life…
Arnav’s huge body moved in on hers and his arms were around her as if he needed her more than his next breath…
“I have you…let go…you’re safe Khushi…”
He stroked her skin.
Every abrasion and mottled bruise enraged him.
“I couldn’t let that little girl die…”
“I know…I know…”
She still hadn’t let go.
He shushed her quietly and kissed her forehead…”I am not angry with you my love…I just…I’m going to…” he ground his teeth and asked, “…was anything else said to you?”
Memories of the threats bolstered into her consciousness, “The…The…”
“Take a breath,” he encouraged…”You’re with me…”
She took a shaky gulp of air and continued, “She called me a slut…said it was nice to see me again…and she…she…”
The rage he felt was on the edge of exploding, but his lips were against her temple trying to keep her calm, “Go on…”
“She threatened you again…she said she would kill you in front of me…then kill me…”
Her thoughts were in a mess, everything in her life falling apart, her emotions bleeding out…
He could see her fighting panic, and fighting every horrible threat she had received…
But then her almighty husband growled in a low and dangerous voice, his tone more menacing than anything she’d ever heard, “No one is going to fucking kill me, Khushi! Because you’re right, I can easily take care of myself…” he leaned down, practically snarling, “and NO ONE is going to lay a hand on you, ever again.”
Her heart was racing and heat flushed through her veins…
With a traitorous voice that shook with emotions, she said, “I’m scared…”
Shoving down the suffocating anger he felt towards himself, he moved.
Arnav’s impossibly large body curled around hers, his mouth hovered over her lips, letting her breathe him in.
His scent was now everywhere, his biceps bulging, his body all-powerful…
Arnav stared into her brown, innocent eyes that were full of trust and he felt undeserving.
Licking her bottom lip, her eyes locked onto his…
“I really do belong to him…” she thought as her eyebrows drew together.
More growl than exhale, he fought and lost to keep his voice and hands in check.
His arms came around her tighter, “Talk to me sweetheart…”
She opened her mouth and words tumbled out…”I never thought I would belong to anyone…The last time I belonged to anyone who cared about me was my mother and father…but then you found me…your words may have hurt, but your eyes…they held me in their gaze and it was like, I belonged somewhere again…”
His heart was exploding…
But she couldn’t staunch the dam that was pouring, “I never thought I would be more than a servant…but you took me, and gave me pleasure…your words were cruel, but you were selfless, and strong, so strong. I wanted to know you…when you touched me, it was overwhelming and not enough…I needed more…for the first time in my life, I wanted more…It was like I was living with no way to breathe, and then you touched me and air filled me in a way I never imagined was possible…”
“Khushi…” his tone was now distraught and yet full of passion.
“Then, before I was even your wife, you came for me, you actually came for me…I lay in that dark cell and all I could think of was that I did this for you…I saved you…but…I mattered enough for you to want to save me…”
His chest was now vibrating against her with a constant growl…
Running to the edge of his sanity, he said, “Khushi…I told you, you matter more than my life…”
She drew in her first deep breath and heat flamed her cheeks, but he didn’t give her a chance to respond, “I’m half a second away from taking you right here right now.”
Her fingers curled into his tight muscles and tears formed once more as her voice went even quieter, “Yes…please…”
No smile, no waver in his intense gaze, he slowly slid his arms around her…
She inhaled sharply as he whispered, “Not until you’re healed, so stay calm…I have you…Time to go back to bed…”
The look in her eye had a spark of arousal shoot into his blood stream and his lips tugged, “Damn it, Khushi, as much as I want to…Fuck, I want to… you need to heal…and you need to sleep…”
About to respond, he stopped her, “I’m going to get us out now, and you need to tell me if things hurt…understand?”
“…yes…”
His expression was reassuring as he held onto her once more…
The water cascaded over their bodies as he stepped out of the tub…
“Okay?”
She was blinking faster, and he knew she had some pain.
“I’m a bit sore…but not as much…”
Reaching to the alcove in the large bathroom, he pulled over a towel and gently draped it over her body, “Just let me dry you and tell me again if anything hurts…”
Her eyes glanced down and she saw her skin…
“No my love,” he held her chin, “Eyes on me…”
Being super careful, he dried her slowly and then stripped himself fast…
A warmth filled her eyes seeing his magnificent body…
“Khushi…” he warned…”You’re going to sleep after this…”
She blushed slightly and Arnav finally smiled as he towelled himself in record time…
About to pick her up again, she said, “I can walk…please let me…”
He absolutely hated the idea, but knew she needed to keep up momentum.
He held onto her hand as his arm went around her, “Slowly…”
She could feel his breath landing on her neck and his body heat crawling up her back as she took small paces.
Finally at the bedside, Arnav held her arm as she tried to climb on but her leg lowered and she turned to him with wet eyes, “I…I can’t do it…”
His hand lifted and cupped the back of her neck…
His command, the touch of his hand, his very presence was brimming with absolute authority, made her feel completely safe…
“You don’t do anything…I’m here…” and he lifted her and placed her slowly on the bed…
His intense gaze cut to her breasts, and her nipples hardened…
“Please?”
For one hard stopping second, his eyes closed…
When they opened, they were full of a determination she didn’t want to see…
“You’re injured Khushi…”
Using what little strength she had, she parted her legs an inch…
Determination bled into hunger as his heated gaze swept the length of her body, but he didn’t move…
His hard phallus now pulsed against his abdomen…
“Arnav…please…”
And he moved.
With a feather light touch, the tips of his fingers coasted over her ankle and up the inside of her calf…
“Khushi…I’m trying so fucking hard here…”
His chest was heaving, his nostrils flared with each inhale, the blood rushed to his cock and he dragged his fingers to her core and touched her desire like he was in pain…
“So…beautiful…” his voice rasped as he slipped a single finger inside her…”And mine…”
“Yours…” she agreed, as her chest felt like a weight had been removed…
Arnav was, for once, nervous as hell…
He didn’t want to hurt her, but he could see how badly she needed him…
And his need for her outweighed anything he’d ever experienced…
Slow and torturous, he stroked his finger in and out of her as he gripped himself to match his rhythm…
“Khushi…take a slow, deep breath for me…”
She bit her lip and began to inhale as he kept up his intimate caress…
And as he saw her chest rise and fall, he pulsed even harder, knowing how much her body had fought to recover…
“How sore was that?”
Needy, achy and desperate for his touch, she said, “My bruises are sore…but I need you…”
“Fuck…” he absently whispered as his gaze roamed over the proof of what she had suffered, “Khushi…I fucking want you so much…I just…I don’t want to hurt you more…”
“I need you inside me…”
His finger left her body, and holding her hips down, praying desperately that it wouldn’t hurt her, he came over her, and his hot lips landed on her clit.
“Yes….” she took an instinctive breath in once again…
Her every breath gave him the most valuable relief…
He lapped at her clit, letting his tongue swirl around…
The sturdy hold on her waist stopped her from moving her back, and she let go felt herself coming before she even knew what happened…
“Arnav…”
His sharp intake of breath told her he knew that she was orgasming, and his intense gaze watched her empty core constrict over and over at nothing…”Holy fuck, you are so god-damn beautiful…”
A deep heat flushed her cheeks and a new sharper need erupted like a volcanic fury, and she wanted his flesh inside her more than anything…
Almost ready to beg again, his body rose and his hand gripped his cock so tight, the head swelled deep with rushing blood…
He brought himself to her entrance and paused, “You need to make me a promise…if you feel ONE pain…you tell me…I will keep you still, but you need to tell me…”
Her mouth opened, “I promise…please…”
And he slowly began pushing inside…
The pain and desperation that sluiced through her plea, sliced up his heart, and his dominance took over.
Soft, gentle, but somehow demanding, he pushed fully inside, making her start to moan…
Looking deep into her eyes, his voice was gravelly as he spoke, “I know what you need my love…” his lips touched hers, “I can smell what you need…”
Khushi barely refrained from mewling and kept all her focus on the very, very strong and possessive man above her…
With the grace of a warrior, he began to pull out and slowly plunge back in…
Khushi was feeling that familiar ache forming in her womb…
His sexy voice rumbled out, “I’m taking my time my love. There is no fucking way I’m going to let you get hurt anymore…”
Goosebumps raced up her neck and down her arms…
He saw her reaction and kissed the bumps forming around her collarbone, “What caused this sweetheart?”
Her eyes locked on to his, “Your voice…your scent…your arms…” she took a breath…”you.”
With everything he had to give, he bent down, angled his head and kissed her deeply, holding her as carefully as he could…
The crisp hairs on his chest felt so good as they brushed against the sensitive skin of her breasts and her nipples.
Every instinct inside him was warning him to be careful and to go slowly as he withdrew and speared back in…
“He’s holding me…he’s here…oh God…I could have been killed and never felt this again…”
Feeling slightly desperate, she attempted to move her hips but ended up gasping, and whimpering in pain…
That’s when Arnav stopped all motion.
“Khushi,” his almighty glare of warning lasered down at her.
Her tears now pouring out, she begged, “Please… please don’t stop…I…I didn’t know…I didn’t know if I was going to die or not…I didn’t know if I’d ever have this again…I thought I was walking to my death and would never have your touch again…please…please…”
The irritation he felt when she cried out in pain was completely disarmed by her declaration…
She heard him growl, sending humming waves of pleasure over her, “Don’t stop…Please…”
Taking his time, he kissed the edge of her ear, “That’s my second favorite sound in the world… hearing you desperate for me.”
“Second?” she whispered absently, as he began to slide in and out again…
And he finally used a small amount of power and thrust against her cervix…
“Arnav...” she moaned out, her core clenching around him…
“That…” he declared, “Is my favorite sound…”
Brown eyes that stripped away his walls and left him raw looked up at him…
The heat of his body infused itself into hers, and need drove through her as he slowly and surely began to penetrate her sheath…
“Mine…” he growled.
Heart and mind were inextricably bound to this man, her husband, and she lifted a hand to hold his arms, “Oh…oh…”
Slowly drawing back and easing into her again, “Calm down, my love…Feel me…” he coerced…
She took a deep breath in, allowing his scent to surround her as her body trembled with restraint…
“I know you want to move sweetheart…but I’m not going to let you, I’m going to ease your climax out…”
She bit her lip, “…it…it won’t…come…not, fast enough…”
He maintained eye contact…”I said, that you WILL…so stop worrying about how…and just let me make love to you…”
Tears filled her eyes at his gentleness…
Khushi let go of her tension and fear, and gave her body over to him…
His tongue flicked gently over her nipples, as his hips rhythmically pumped into her with unyielding care…
Arnav was biting down hard as he held back his fury over each bruise that caught his eye…
He could see that her face was tight with nerves and anxiety and he was determined to make that disappear…
But he did not speed up once…
“I’m right here…deep inside…”
Her whimpers were filling with pleasure, and every breath she took was deeper than the one before…
She started to shake, tears falling into her hair.
Arnav, still holding her pelvis down with one hand, cradled her face with the other…”It’s coming…just a little bit longer…”
He felt her inner nerves began to swell up and rasped out an order, “Look at me.”
His gaze demanded her attention…
Grinding down, he let his shaft push against her gspot on every entry and withdrawal…
Her eyes widened.
It was then that she realised, that through this slow and gentle love making, she was going to come, and come hard
Arnav saw the realization in her gaze and nodded…”I told you sweetheart…I will get you there…”
Resting his lower body onto hers to make sure that when her climax arrived, she would remain still, he slowly and steadily thrust directly onto her gspot.
Khushi’s entire body began to tingle…
“oh…ohhh…Arnav…”
His mouth lowered onto hers and he snarled, “YOU WILL NEVER FUCKING LOSE THIS.”
That second, her climax hit her with a breathtaking explosion…
Pushing his flesh deep inside her, he moved deep barely pulling out, thudding against her cervix…
It started on his cock, her muscles clenching and fluttering…
Her body started to shake from the inside out and he held her immobile as she sobbed with pleasure…
“Ar…nav…”
“I have you…let it come…”
The heat of her orgasm spread through her aching body, sending undulating waves of pleasure crashing throughout her…
Khushi finally slumped against the bed, her lips parting as she tried to speak, but then…he began again…
Opening her eyes, she saw him through blurry eyes as he spoke…”I love you…”
His strokes were, slow, deep and sure, his hips were under control as he drove into her carefully..
“You own me Khushi…You own my heart…I NEVER thought I would ever be so completely soul united with someone…but you…you are mine…forever…”
And even though he had made love to her with precision and slow reverence, Khushi felt the tight need inside her rapidly begin to uncoil once again…
“Arnav…oh…God…I’m…”
He smiled down at her as her face glowed with trust and pleasure…”All of you…your heart, your body, your spirit, your soul, your mind, your orgasms…they are MINE…come for me…”
A second powerful orgasm began spinning through her with the force of a whirlwind.
Deeper, deeper he pushed, until they were both teetering on the brink of an eruption.
This orgasm was more like an unfolding than an explosion and it went on and on and on, lifting her to a higher and higher plane.
A pleasure so deep and incredible stuck deep inside her body over and over as he ground down against her womb like the possessed man he was…
Crossing the threshold between pleasure and pain, a dripping climax broke out through her body that exploded into a sensation of multiples that wouldn’t stop pulsing…
“I fucking love you…” he murmured, tightening his arms around her…”Feel it all…”
Arnav began to slowly penetrate her again, lengthening his penetrations and finally, the sound that resounded from his chest and crawled out of his throat eclipsed a growl as he released his own climax, filling her body with his burning semen.
“God…If I had lost her…Oh God…
Breathing hard, he got his thoughts under control…
Her eyes were closed as her body still pulsed around his…
Swooping down, he kissed her slow and sweet…
His tongue twisted through her mouth and he knew that he’d lose his mind if he lost her…
The hot slickness around his cock was still throbbing and he gently rocked into her heat, never wanting to pull out…
Her vagina twitched and she moaned into his mouth…
Caging her in, stroking in and out through their releases, feeling every contraction of her orgasm, he didn’t want this moment to end…
“You are mine…all fucking mine…”
Caressing her face, her hair, he stared down at the woman he would love endlessly…
“You okay?”
Her legs and body trembled beneath him…
“Yes… so very okay…” her voice soft, “I hope the doctor doesn’t tell you off for this…”
“Tell me off?” he paused, “For making love to my wife?”
Biting her lip again, she tried to speak again, “I…I just…I didn’t…”
He kissed her gently and said with an eery calm, “If a day comes where someone tells me not to touch you…that will be their last day alive…”
Blinking, she was rendered silent.
He nodded, “That’s right…no one come between you and me…”
Heat flushed her cheeks anew.
“Those seconds where I was running to you felt like a fucking lifetime…There isn’t a damn thing I won’t do for you…all you need to do is ask and it’s yours…”
“Don’t leave me alone…” she blurted out fast and urgent, “…please…”
He leaned closer, his eyes resolute and full of dominance, “I won’t. You have my word.”
Tears slid down her cheeks and she blinked slowly, giving a small yawn…
He slowly began to withdraw and she twitched…
“Easy now…” he locked eyes with her until head of his cock slipped out.
Then he kissed her, stroking through her heated mouth, tasting her tears, tasting the woman he loved…
“No tears my love…”
She gave a hitched breath and he stiffened.
“No no, you calm down…I’m here. I’m staying at your side…and you’re going to sleep now…”
“Sleep?” her eyes flashed with anxiety.
“You need to heal…fuck, I need you to heal…”
Taking a shaky breath in, Arnav watched her chest expand further than before…”That’s is the most beautiful sight in the whole God-damn world right now…”
Her eyes were still glassy, and beginning to droop but she smiled softly…”It only hurt a little…I can actually breathe again…”
Her lips parted and he immediately interrupted, “I’m so fucking happy about that…now close your eyes, I’m not going anywhere…I’m watching over you…”
Khushi still couldn’t believe it, “I saved sophie and also managed to get yet another chance to stay with my husband…”
His heart ached, but his words were biting…”Another chance?”
She let out a gasp knowing she spoke aloud once more…
“Do you want to know how many chances you get with me Khushi?”
The look he was giving her was heated and full of authority, “Your ‘chance’ with me, is eternal. You will always be with me. Don’t you EVER think, for one moment that I won’t come for you if you need me…There is nothing I won’t do to for you…” he leaned lower, “that is my vow to you…”
On a blink, Khushi’s eyes rained out tears and he kissed them away, “…now sleep…for me…please…”
“You-“
Pressing his lips to hers, he shushed her and crooned his love for her into her mouth, “I’m staying right here…sleep my beautiful wife…”
And he kissed her until her breathing evened out…
……………….
Arnav waited an hour.
Once Khushi was well and truly sound asleep, he leaned back and pulled the sheet further over her body, wrapping her securely…
His heart was on edge as he pressed the button under his dresser table.
Within a minute, the door creaked open.
As soon as Jake came into view, Arnav felt the fury within him ignite…
“Get the fuck in this room, right now.”
Jacob now knew exactly what Corey meant when he said that the Prince was bloody frightening…
“Sir.” he stopped ten paces away from the bed.
“You raise your voice, and I’ll level you.”
Jake nodded.
“First, I’m aware of what she did to save the child. I’m aware of what was done to her. But what I’m not aware of, is how people could get a key to those cells, and get access to them…and so, you’re going to find out how…Do you understand me?”
“Yes Sir.”
Arnav was barely holding back roaring, “She passed right by you…and was nearly killed, Jake.”
With slumped shoulders, no longer standing at attention, Jake bowed his head, “I know, Sir.”
“I know Khushi misled you. I know she did what she had to do to save Ally’s daughter…but…”
His fists clenched hard…
“Sir, Corey brought Ally and her daughter to the castle. They are still under threat, and I have managed to get descriptions of the men who attacked the Princess. She, she saved them Arnav.”
Arnav felt his heart burst and he sucked in a ragged breath.
His voice hitched as he rasped out, “I’m a fucking idiot.”
Jake frowned angrily, “Yeah, I don’t think so. That would be the cocksuckers who did this…”
He pummelled his chest with fist two times, “I left her. I went to question Dwayne. I left her exposed to this.”
“No Mate, sorry, but you know damn well that if there was a hint of impending threat, you wouldn’t have left her. This is on them.”
When Arnav looked up, his eyes were distraught, “If she hadn’t made it through tonight, I don’t know what-“
“She did.” Jacob strode up closer to the foot of the bed, “Arnav, she did make it.”
He could feel her body heat against his, her soft deeper breaths, her hand resting on his thigh…
“So Ally and the child are safe? Where they hurt?”
Jacob nodded, “They are safe. The daughter was hurt. Some bruises and scratches. They hurt a KID. I…” he shook his head and continued, “Ally did exactly as the Princess instructed. She ran to the barracks with her daughter and begged them to look after her so she could return and help the Princess. But Corey wouldn’t allow it. He knew you were here, and wanted to question her.”
Arnav bent down and smoothed her hair over her forehead as he breathed in her scent, “You stupid, brave woman…”
Jake snickered softly, “She is extremely brave. I truly don’t know where she gets the strength…”
“I need to kill someone.”
Arnav’s response didn’t surprise Jacob at all, he stood straight and crossed his arms, “I have already got people out asking questions. I have pictures of the two men who took Sophie, and quite good descriptions. So-“
Arnav’s eyes were hungry for blood, “I want to lure them here…tomorrow night, let the word pass that we are taking security off the west side of the building. Let it be easily accessible. I want to see if anyone will make a move.”
“Consider it done.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
Jacob’s brows lifted in feigned shock, “Really…”
“Shut up,” he said as his lips twisted, “Tell the doctor to just enter quietly when he arrives…No need to knock…”
Jacob gawked, “You serious? You do realise that even when we cleared the damn floor we cold hear you both…”
Arnav’s expression was now ravenous, “Good. Then you all know exactly how much I fucking love her…but yes Jake, for now, he can just enter…”
Chuckling under his breath, Jacob saluted, “You’re a bad ass mother fucker Arnav…I literally never thought you’d be with way with a girl…none of us did…you used them, then tossed them aside.”
“Ha.” he scoffed, “Trust me, no one was more surprised than me. But this,” he swooped into kiss Khushi’s lips gently, “is mine…”
“How…romantic.” Jacob teased.
“Get lost now before I decide to get angry with you again…”
Jake backed away, hands up, and disappeared out the door.
The soft light in the room was now being drowned out by the setting sun…
He could see the moonlight beginning to stream in through the gap in the curtains…
Glancing at the clock, he mentally noted that it was two hours till the doctor arrived and he was finally starting to feel tired…
Unwilling to sleep until her next check up, he cracked his neck and settled close to her once more…
He kissed her pouty lips and skimmed his fingertips over her skin while she la pliant and still in his arms…
His eyes burned a trail over the scars on her neck and every bruise he could see…
Wrath brewed in his gut.
He allowed the fire of rage to course through his veins…
“I’ll find who did this, my love…and my face will be the last thing they ever see…”
Just as he was about to brush his lips over hers again, she let out a whimper.
Instantly at attention, he looked down and saw her features screwed up in acute mental anguish.
“Oh no you don’t…” he snarled, “Not while I’m here…”
Knowing she was having a nightmare, and that she could fall into deeper panic, he was infuriated and desperate to do something to stop it.
Coming carefully over her, he gently tipped her fully onto her back and spread her legs.
He pressed against her bare opening as he eased the head of his phallus into her.
Her body immediately went rigid and she tried to jerk away, but he held her still, keeping her immobile, forcing her body to take his cock…
“…I’m here Khushi.”
She was whimpering, tears beginning to drip from her closed eyes.
Kissing her tears away, he murmured, “I know you can hear me…”
A shudder tore through her frightened sleeping form and he slowly penetrated her, holding her in place as she cried…
“My Love, Tell whoever is scaring you, to come and play with ME.”
Khushi frowned, her breathing hitching as she was locked in her bad dream.
Her hands fisted the sheets clumsily as her legs tried to jerk…
She gave him another tortured whimper and Arnav kept his eyes fixed on her face as he eased in and out of her sex even as his mind was fuelled with insane, unrelenting rage.
Still trapped in sleep, he took control of her body…
Swooping in, he whispered hotly in her ear, “Baby, wherever you are…RUN…I will catch you…I will end whoever is scaring you…”
Her face screwed up again and her hands twitched at her sides even as he rocked in and out of her…
“Khushi, LISTEN…I. AM. HERE. Run…“
Distress filled her shaking limbs and her breathing sped up as he continued to thrust his cock firmly.
Suddenly her hands flew to his arms, holding on as though she had just raced into his body…
Growling with pure animal satisfaction, Arnav speared deeper inside her, letting his mouth brush over hers, “I have you…hold onto me. Let me fight them…”
In an instant, her body relaxed…
Breathing against her mouth, he promised, “I will destroy whoever scares you…”
With her nightmare fading away, her thighs spread on either side of him, he sank into her faster as her eyelids fluttered, almost as if she wanted to wake…
He sped up, grinding against her gspot on every plunge, her body began to vibrate and her core started to clench down…
Pumping his hips, he held her down with all the carefulness he could manage.
Her breathing was uneven and her hands gripped his biceps while beads of perspiration covered her forehead…
Punching his phallus deep, she let out a choked scream, hands clawing at his chest as her unconscious body climaxed fiercely…
Arnav snarled with primal possession as he filled her, his cock spurting inside her contracting channel…
Gathering her close, he tried to quiet her gently as her body was in the throes of an orgasm…
“Shhh…shh my love…I’ve got you…”
She was shaking and taking deeper breaths which calmed his own heart…
He rested his forehead on hers, “God…I love you…if you hear ANYTHING, hear that…if you only knew what I’m willing to do for you…”
10 years being a ruthless warrior and yet the damn loop of her body lying on the floor, beaten and bruised, had his heart frozen in fear.
Khushi has stolen what was left of his sanity and turned him inside out.
The second he sank his tongue into her mouth, he was high…
So high that it didn’t touch a single one of his revenge kills…
………..
Her eyes flickered open…
She stretched her aching legs and felt the stickiness between her thighs and instantly knew…
“When…?”
Her mind reeled and she turned to gaze at her Prince…
His strength and power suddenly hit her senses and she recalled her dream…
“I will take you…”
She spun around…trying desperately to find where the voice was coming from…
“I will take you…no one can stop me…”
Her heartbeat began to thud as she searched the endless black around her for the one who could stop this all…
“Arnav…” her mouth opened but nothing came out…
Terror struck…
“ARNAV!”
Again, she merely mouthed his name and nothing came out…
Her dream stalker began to laugh, “You cannot escape…”
Just as complete despair was about to envelop, she heard Arnav…
“…I’m here Khushi…”
She spun around again, but could see nothing…
The laugh returned, “He can’t save you…I will take you…”
She could feel the tears pouring down her cheeks and she tried to scream again, only to no avail…
But then she heard Arnav again… “I know you can hear me…”
She nodded, her tears flying off her face…
“I can hear you…but I can’t see you!”
The evil laugh began to resound as the wretched voice crackled in once more… “He isn’t here…I will take you…”
Scared to move, Khushi froze in place…
“My love, Tell whoever is scaring you, to come and play with ME.”
“Arnav, I can’t…I can’t see…it’s dark…I’m scared!”
“Baby, wherever you are…RUN…I am never far…I will catch you…I will end whoever is scaring you…”
She looked around…
Everything was black…
The terrorizing laugh was getting closer…
She knew she needed to move…
“I don’t know where you are…I can’t see anything…”
But Arnav’s voice cut through again…
“Khushi, LISTEN…I. AM. HERE. Run…”
The laugh grew louder and closer, and she took off…
Closing her eyes, she ran into the darkness with arms outstretched until crashed into a hot, strong embrace that clutched to her with all the force of the elements…
“I have you…hold onto me. Let me fight them…”
Clinging tight, she felt her heart begin to soar…
“I will destroy whoever scares you…”
A light that was blinding rushed over her and she felt her body explode…
“Shhh…shh my love…I’ve got you…”
Khushi realized and whispered…”My dream…he…he knew…somehow…and he saved me…from a dream…”
She leaned over, slightly cringing with aches, and studied his sleeping features…
He was terrifying even in his sleep…
Her hand was resting on his massive chest as she took in her husband…
He was a huge Viking warrior who pledged his life to her…
“I don’t know how he does it…but he…he brings me back to our reality…” her heart hurt as she felt a sudden twinge…”Our reality…what if…what if-“
Arnav had woken the moment he heard her monologuing to herself…
Quickly interrupting, he spoke gently, “Khushi…if you have moved while being in pain I’m going to destroy something.”
The sound of his voice brought it all back, and her hand that had been resting on his chest, was now clenched in a fist as he rolled her, faster than he should have, onto her back.
She didn’t even flinch this time, “I didn’t know if I was going to come back here…If I was ever going to have your touch again…”
Hearing her tiny voice, and her soft pants, he pulled her fingers apart and took his time kissing each one…
She watched his movements, but her breathing didn’t slow…
The sadness in her eyes was still flashing…
He brought her hand to his mouth and touched the underside of her wrist with the tip of his tongue…
She jerked her hand away, cringing as she whimpered, “The threats…I brought more threats…”
Arnav purposefully took her hand back and laced his fingers with hers and brushed his thumb over her knuckles…
He needed to remain calm for her, because he could see the cracks appearing in her emotions.
He could see the thread that was beginning to unravel…
Khushi’s voice was now choked with tears, “Whether you want to admit it or not, more threats have appeared since I became your wife…How can you still want me so much if I am ruining lives?”
Sudden power and male dominance invaded her as he slammed his mouth to hers…
Swinging his body onto her, he grabbed one of her legs, bared her sex and thrust two fingers deep into her body, deliberately claiming what was his…
With a rough thumb pressed hard against her clit, his forceful tongue took control of her mouth.
Instantly taken over, her entire core quivered with every curl of his fingers…
She couldn’t even bring herself to speak as he swirled his thumb and it sent an electric shock of pleasure and pain through her body that her brain couldn’t even compute.
He fucked her mouth with his tongue as he speared her body with his fingers.
Khushi climaxed.
She came so hard she wailed out her release, unable to form words.
Her body tried to jerk, but he didn’t pause, keeping her completely restrained beneath him..
His relentless assault continued as she lost all motor skills.
Boneless, weightless, panting, air finally reaching every last inch of her lungs, she didn’t have a single chance to catch her breath.
A second orgasm was building frighteningly fast as a repetitive call burst from her lips that matched every plunge of his invasion…
“Ah…ah….ah…ahhhh…”
He moved faster, his fingers not relenting, even as she tried with little energy to pull away from the over stimulation…
He wasn’t going to give her a break, none at all.
She suddenly came hard again, tears burning in her eyes…
His thrusting fingers stopped.
Before the pulsing of her womb stopped, his two rough pads of flesh that were firmly inside her, made a rhythmic circular stroke deep inside her on her gspot…
His fingers pressed, pulsing, as the devastating sensation built and built until a furious heat, licked with the most arousing pain, made her open her mouth gasping for air…
His tongue thrust down her throat silencing her …
“Come again,” he demanded, increasing the speed and pressure of his fingers, “Now.”
The shake started in her womb, and radiated out to her limbs.
Her mind shut down and his possession of her body took over.
The orgasm burst from every nerve like an electric storm explosion…
Her vagina constricted and contracted forcibly around his hand as she squirted out her desire long and hard…
Arnav aligned his pelvis with hers and the head of his cock caressed her entrance as she tried frantically to focus…
As soon as her gaze locked with his, he thrust into her, and she groaned out a scream as his thick cock impaled her…
“…n…no…”
He pulled out and thrust back inside as his warm breath brushed over her lips, “Breathe…” he softly ordered.
Pulling out, he plunged in again…
And the spot that he had pressed on deep within her sang out with pleasure…
“Oh…Oh God…” Her body opened up fully, desperate for his invasion…
“You want to know how I can still want you Khushi?” he snarled as his grip tightened and his strokes slammed home with a fierce jerk every time he sank deep…
“Because you’re fire…and I’ve been cold my whole fucking life…”
The sudden ache inside her built to a throbbing storm that was only relieved with every crash of his hips…
Her eyes now pools of lava, making him burn, he stared into her soul as he spoke, ”I know you’re scared…But you are mine. You always have been. I would die before I ever give you up…” then his tone changed, to one so strong that is shook her, “If you want a threat, I will give you one…If you ever EVER attempt to leave me, I will fucking tear the world apart…and when I find you, I will drag you back to me, throw you over the nearest table and fuck you until I break it…”
His words hit her senses as he thrust into her with every once of obsession inside him…
New tears slipped down her cheeks…
He held onto her tighter, “You will NEVER be free of me…So let the threats come…let millions come…because the only threat I see, is the threat of losing you…”
Khushi now clung to him with desperation as if she couldn’t get close enough, then gave him what he craved most in the world…
“I am yours, forever…”
His lips crashed over hers and he shuddered, thinking how he’d almost lost her.
His life was frozen and dark before her.
There was no way in hell he was ever going back to that.
Her tongue swirled up to meet his and all thoughts ceased except the exquisite torture of his painfully hard cock buried deep inside her.
Her back was already trying to arch off the bed, but his huge body wasn’t allowing it…
He ground his hips against hers and felt frighteningly primal, “WHO FUCKING OWNS YOU?!”
“YOU!”
“What’s my name!?”
“Arnav!”
Keeping his mouth on hers, he pounded into her in earnest and commanded once again, “Come…”
One thrust, two…pleasure, pain, sweat and tears…her body completely ruptured.
She climaxed like a fucking seizure was wracking her body and collapsed as Arnav detonated inside her, pumping her full of hot semen.
Pleasure laced adrenaline surged through their joined bodies as their climax tore into their very bloodstreams…
Her core continued to spasm violently around his spurting phallus, her orgasm going on and on…
Trembling with aftershocks, shaking as though she were cold, he held her and was about to roll away slightly when her hand came up faster than light and she clutched at his biceps…”No…no please…”
He reached down to grab the blanket and pulled it around them…
“I’m not leaving you…I’m just covering you up, and rolling to the side sweetheart…I’m not going anywhere…”
Leaning down, he kissed her softly as his flesh slid out, then he rolled off her, keeping his body close…
When their eyes met once again, she looked saited and sleepy as a small smiled appeared.
Arnav felt his own emotions well up.
He loved seeing her like this.
And he needed it to be continuous…
“I’m not finished yet…” rough and hoarse, his voice whispered across her shoulder…
She shivered as his fingers drew a lazy line from her stomach and landed directly on her clit, circling it slowly…
Now cocooned in the blanket, her body was swaddled close to his…
“What…what are you-“
“Doing?” he finished her sentence, “I’m going to make you come…again…”
She blushed so hard, the blanket against her skin got hot…
“I love how your body responds to me…”
“I love you.” she instantly responded.
“Fuck” he breathed, “I love hearing you say that to me…”
She smiled and said it again…”I love you…”
Arnav reached between her legs and sunk to fingers into her…
Squirming, she tried to stop him and he lifted a brow, his dominance rearing up fast and brutally…”You won’t get away from this…”
He continued to stroke through her swollen core, feeling his mark inside her…
Khushi tried to squeeze her thighs but the pains stabbed, making her cry out…
“Stop. Moving.” he commanded…
Her eyes lifted to his in alarm…”Don’t…”
Arnav clenched his teeth and curled his fingers and stroked, “You’re mine. If I want to touch you, I’m going to touch you.”
She sucked in a breath and her sex convulsed around his hand…
“But…” she fought a small moan, “You’re…I have your…you came inside me…you’re touching-“
Heat flamed her cheeks and he narrowed his eyes and pumped his fingers deeper…
Her lips parted and her eyes closed…
“Look at me. I don’t give a fuck. I’m touching you.” he ordered…
Nervous eyes met his…
“This-” he pushed on her clit and curled his fingers, “IS MINE. You have come on my cock, cried against my chest and bled in my arms…” he started to massage her gspot…”You think this is going to stop me?”
Eyes wide, she stared at him.
He leaned in, and licked across her lips and shoved his tongue in her mouth to shut her up…
Dripping around his hand, she started to tremble again…
“Still…stay still my love…”
With her eyes intent on his, he began to pump his fingers again like it was his phallus…
His thumb on her clit, driving her higher…
“Oh God…I didn’t know…If I’d be back here…”
Her hitched breathing was shattering his heart…
“I screamed for you…I would have died with your name on my-“
“YOU STOP THAT! RIGHT NOW!” he roared ferociously…
The enormity of the pleasure he was forcing out of her was now becoming so strong that her body coiled in fear…
She started to jerk, one hand reaching for his arm, trying to slow his movements, “Oh…God! I can’t again…It’s too much…”
“You fucking WILL!” he growled as he swung back over and thrust his iron hard cock inside her…
Instantly, her legs shook as her gspot swelled up fiercely.
She went from muscles clenching and tightening and trying to push him out to core grasping and pulling him in deeper…
“Arnav!!!”
“That’s it, my love, say my name…”
He drove in again and again, hitting her womb on every thrust…
And she squirted, hard.
Possession reared up and kicked him square in the heart and his cock painfully pulsed as he shoved deep inside…
Khushi wasn’t just coming apart…
She was opening up like the sky in a thunderstorm…
Crowding her, he penetrated harder.
Her shudder turned into a full body tremor, and her vagina constricted, convulsing around him…
“AHHHHH!”
Her high pitched cry ricocheted all around them…
It hit him in the chest and he let go.
He filled her quivering core once again, emptying every last drop of release inside her.
Pulse after pulse.
………………………………
Khushi stood at the doorway to the large upstairs loungeroom with Arnav standing close.
She didn’t know why they needed to be THERE for her doctor checkup, but after the amount of energy she had used up in lovemaking, she didn’t have the stamina to question him.
She suddenly felt Arnav step into her space and his arm wrapped around her so quick that her breath caught.
“It’s okay baby, the doctor is meeting us here…”
Soldiers flitted around the room, standing to attention…
Frowning slightly, she attempted to ask, “Arnav, why are we-“
His hands landed in her hair as he turned her in his embrace, “Do you trust me?”
Blinking slowly, she sucked in a breath, “Always…forever…I just don’t know why we are here…”
He sprung this little venture on her the moment they finished eating dinner, and within 5 minutes, they were walking to the Lounge.
Leaning in, so close that their lips almost touched, he growled his next words, “You still have no idea what I’m capable of…and I am DONE with you being hurt…so, TRUST ME…”
His reply was cryptic, only confusing her more.
Moments later, the doctor appeared, “Good evening your Highness…”
Arnav nodded, and took Khushi by the hand, leading her to sit…
Sitting on the plush sofa, Arnav held her carefully next to him as the Doctor checked her once again.
“How is it to breathe now?”
Her voice was raspy and quiet, “A lot easier…my ribs still hurt though…”
Arnav’s nostrils flared with fury…
“I’m sure, but the swelling is gone, and so give it a few days for the pain to dull, and keep taking the analgesics.”
Khushi sighed, “Thankyou, I appreciate your help so much…”
The doctor smiled at her, “You’re truly the most remarkable woman…why are we meeting here instead of your room?”
Khushi’s face was blank and she glanced at Arnav nervously…”I…I don’t really know…”
The doctor smiled and interrupted, “It’s actually a nice change of scenery, I’ll just get Jacob to bring some water, I’d like her to take more painkillers now…”
As the doctor walked to the doorway and gave the instructions, Arnav saw movement from the corner of his eye…
His grip tightened on Khushi and he threw a command towards Jacob and the doctor.
Arnav firmly said two words…”Off topic.”
The code words were instantly recognised.
The guards that were spread across the halls all stood at attention, and two strode into the room…
“Off what? What does that mean?” Khushi whispered…
He smiled softly and gave her a soul warming kiss on the lips, “It’s just an alert…nothing you need to worry about…”
Water was brought in on a tray and Arnav kept a firm grip on his wife as the doctor passed her the tablets…
She took them and cringed only slightly as she swallowed them down…
“Thankyou Doctor, I’ll see you again soon I’m sure…”
He nodded, “Oh yes, I’m on call every four hours once more…”
Khushi’s hand rested on Arnav’s arm, “He’s worried about me…”
She quickly saw that he was not paying attention.
Arnav’s instincts had kicked in the moment he knew there was someone in the room…
Someone that shouldn’t be there.
The doctor saw Khushi begin to blink slowly and nodded towards the Prince as he turned to walk out…
“What…what’s…” she muttered as her head started to get foggy…
“Khushi,” his voice was a warning, “I need you to breathe…I have you…you’re safe…”
Her arms suddenly weighed a ton and she felt lightheaded and exhausted at once, “Ar…nav…I’m…I…I can’t…”
“Column Right.” he commanded and the guards that were in the room went on alert as they scanned the room…
Arnav’s hand caught her by the back of the head and he finally focused ALL his attention on her, “I have you…you are safe…I am safe…you will NOT panic…I am here…I’m here my love…”
She merely blinked, unable to find the strength to reply…
“You’re safe…Close your eyes sweetheart…”
Her eyelids drooped and she collapsed.
Arnav lay her on the couch, and leaned down to kiss her forehead…
“Sedatives kick in?”
The Prince nodded at Jacob, then commanded, “Be prepared.”
When he stood up, he no longer resembled the calm lover or gentle husband…
The Prince was now a merciless, all-powerful Beast.
With a voice that made each guard recoil with fear, he slowly ground out, “I know you’re in here…” he circled the couch that held his most prized possession…”And you now have no escape…” he heard movement again…”Have you figured that out yet? That you’re trapped?”
His every step was calculated.
He walked around his wife, his presence alone creating a barrier that wasn’t going to be breached…
The breeze blew one of the curtains and a guard nearby nearly moved into action…
“Do not engage” Arnav snapped.
Jacob knew that meant no one was to interfere with whatever happened next, and he spoke up, “But sir-“
Before he could finish, a man flew out of the shadows from behind the curtain…
Arnav spun and caught the punch that the masked man threw, he held the fist and squeezed…”Too slow motherfucker.”
He twisted the man’s arm, and sent the intruder to his knees…
“You obviously came here because you want to die…” Arnav smiled, “which is good, because whether you wanted to or not…I was already going to find you and kill you.”
Arnav yanked the mask off and Jacob instantly exclaimed, “That’s Jack!”
Keeping the man in a viscous hold, the Prince snarled, “Explain.”
Jacob quickly continued, “He worked the castle jails up until a month ago when he retired. He still has castle access for ‘assistance’…”
Arnav, who’s body firmly stood between his wife and the intruder, spoke firmly, “So… You managed to blackmail your way up here? Wasn’t it too easy? Seeing as we left the south entrance open for someone to infiltrate? You’re so stupid that you didn’t notice the lack of guards?”
Jack grunted, the pain on his face making him sweat, “What is it…worth…to you…if I tell you who is behind this?”
Arnav’s eyes shot daggers, “You’re going to tell me…you aren’t getting out of this castle alive…it’s your choice whether you want a quick death or a slow one…”
Jack stuttered, his sappy muscles starting to shake, “But I can give information-“
“Nothing you say will change your fate! No one gets to bargain now! No more! Not when it comes to what you have put my wife through!”
“I haven’t touched her! It was two other men that I sent to beat her!” Jack spat out bitterly.
The monster broke free, and Arnav savagely snapped Jack’s arm, then L-locked his shoulder and dislocated it entirely…
The room echoed with Jack’s ghastly screams and Jacob saw the Prince bask in them, each one fuelling the violence inside him…
“You dare to speak this way about her to my fucking face?! You dare ask for benefits because you offer up the person who has making her life hell!?” Arnav’s huge hand gripped Jack’s face and he squeezed until he heard a faint crack, purging another groaning wail from his chest…
“Pl…please…” blood dribbled out of his mouth as he beseeched…
Arnav snarled like a feral wild animal and glared, “How many times do you think my wife pleaded for them to stop? How many times do you think she begged?”
Jack could barely rasp out a word, “I…ask…for…for my…life…”
Arnav started to laugh, his fingers curled into deadly weapons, “Your life isn’t even close to what my wife is worth…so…you…get…nothing. I’m going to break every bone you have, until you give me the names I need.”
Jack choked on the blood that was now pooling in his mouth and said, “I want something in return for what I’m going to tell you…”
Arnav stood tall, an endless horrifying snarl growling up from his chest as he watched Jack’s blood drip down his face…
Trying to move, his broken and dislocated arm swung at his side as he shuffled backwards, “I am working for someone who will do whatever it takes to kill the princess…and I sent the two men who beat her. So go on. Lets see you kill me…”
Mighty, gruesome, and downright frightening, Arnav spoke, “Do you know how many corpses I have already left in wake of what has been done?”
Jack finally stood up, coming eye to eye with the Prince, “You won’t kill me. You need names. You’ll spare everyone who comes after me too…because you want information…” and his eyes flitted to the sleeping princess, “Seems my men did a good job on her.”
And all sanity left him.
In a surge or anger so deadly and consuming, Arnav drew the dagger from his belt, grabbed Jack by the throat, “Your body is going to be thrown outside the palace gates as a warning for everyone…No more…”
He turned the blade downward, reached around to drove it into the base of Jack’s skull up into his brain…
The death was instant and horriffic.
Arnav let the body drop and stepped backwards…
Turning, he pulled a piece of paper from the desk by the couch, and wrote down two words…
Pulling out his second knife, he kicked Jack’s lifeless body onto his back, slammed the note to his chest, and sunk the blade into his heart…
“Get him out. Leave him outside the front gates…THIS is my war now.”
Jacob could hardly speak as the guards obeyed instantly, dragging Jack from the room…
Arnav aggressively yanked off his leather gloves and jacket that had blood splatters on them and threw them to the ground, then was now on his knees beside the couch, his shoulders heaving…
His entire body was giving off the most ferocious energy…
“Sir…”
Arnav heard his friend and made an attempt to reply, “Gone?”
“Yes, they’ve taken him. Your instructions will be followed out. That was…”
Jacob didn’t know how to describe it, he was in shock…
“No more Jake. I don’t give a fuck who it is, they give names and they die. They don’t give names, they still die. NO MORE.”
“Yes Sir.”
His eyes now locked onto Khushi…
Every bruise.
Every scar.
“This….cannot happen again.”
Jacob stiffened, “Arnav, you KNOW that I didn’t…”
“SHUT UP JAKE!”
His friend staggered back a step…
“I’m AWARE of how and why she was hurt…I’m not blaming you or pacifying your conscience! You are my best friend and it’s going to stay that way…You are fine…SHE isn’t.”
“Her breathing has improved hasn’t it?” Jake asked nervously…
Arnav’s forehead rested lightly on hers as he kissed her nose, “It’s easier…but…fucking hell…”
Jacob risked it, and walked closer, resting his hand on Arnav’s shoulder, “She’s strong…”
“She shouldn’t have to be…”
“I know mate…” he gripped his shirt, “I know…”
The doctor knocked at the door, “Is it all clear now?”
Arnav sniffed, and demanded his emotions to subside, “Yes. She’s still asleep…”
The doctor walked over and held her wrist, feeling her pulse, “Well, she’s well and truly resting…although I fear that she may be upset when she wakes…”
Hating the idea of upsetting her, but needing her physically safe, he rubbed a hand over his face, “I will deal with it.”
“Another ‘clear the floor’ situation?” Jake burted out, trying to ease the tension…
Arnav finally quirked a smile, “Yeah. Something like that.”
Jacob grinned, “You just say the word.”
A guard appeared at the door and gave the signal that all exits and entrances were once again blocked.
“All allowances for the intruder to pass have now been blocked off and guards are posted. You were spot on knowing you’d lure someone in.”
Arnav had taken Khushi’s hand into his and was holding it beneath his lips, “Get on it Jake. Find out who else is in this. I’m taking her back to bed…she’s cold.”
Jacob saluted and the doctor nodded in respect, “I’ll be back in four hours Your Highness. She’s alright right now. Not as breakable as people seem to think.”
Lacing one arm under her legs, he carefully slid the other under her shoulders and pulled her up as slowly and gently as he could, “Like I told Jake, my wife shouldn’t have to be strong, but yes, she is…”
“Her Highness is truly a remarkable woman…The perfect one for you…”
Arnav’s eyes burned with love as he looked at his sleeping beauty, “She’s not merely the one for me…she’s the ONLY ONE for me…”
……………
Khushi’s mind woke up first.
Her eyes popped open and fury welled up inside her.
“HE DRUGGED ME!!!”
Looking around the room, she saw Arnav quietly shutting their bedroom door and turning to find her awake.
His expression showed that he was wary of her.
“Khushi…”
“NO.” she bit out.
Letting out a growl, he began to stride towards the bed…
Getting up as fast as she could, she pushed out her hand as a stop sign, “NO. Don’t you come near me!”
Ignoring her completely, he stalked up to her…
As soon as he was close enough, unmitigated anger took over and she slapped him hard across the face…
He saw it coming.
He didn’t care.
He knew she’d be angry and he let her lash out.
“Don’t you touch me! You drugged me!”
Just as he was about to speak, she slapped him once again…
Within a second, Arnav grabbed her wrists and walked her backwards, making her stumble slightly, until her back slammed up against the wall…
He heard her let out a harsh breath and small cry of pain when his torso fell against hers…
Instantly, he took a step back but kept his hands on the wall on either side of her.
Khushi lifted her eyes, about to unleash her fury, when she saw his eyes closed…
He looked so vulnerable…not at all like the powerful killer Prince.
With a clenching heart, she saw how tormented his demeanour was…
“Arnav?…”
His eyes opened hearing the slight sound of sadness in her voice…
“Khushi…I hate that I haven’t been able to save you…I hate that I have allowed this to happen to you…”
She opened her mouth to speak but he quickly continued, snapping out a command…
“Don’t. Make. A. Sound.”
Her eyes widened as she watched the expression in his morph from sadness, to rage, to darkness…
She felt slightly afraid…
“I am fucking furious that you are hurting again…and you can be as angry as you like that I drugged you, but you know what?” he leaned in, “I’ll fucking do it again if I have to…”
And he stepped back, staring dominantly at her, his hands clenched tightly by his sides.
His head was swarming with intense thoughts.
The rage, the pain, the horror, the fear…
He flexed his chest, not feeling one ounce of regret over his actions, because she stood safe in front of him.
“Look at him standing there trying to be all intimidating…” Khushi thought sarcastically…” looking like he’s in control of me…”
Arnav instantly took a menacing step forwards, his chest now touching hers, his eyes burning…”I AM in control of you Khushi…”
Pissed off that she had been mumbling out her thoughts again, she was soon drowned out by the way he was looking at her, like he was waiting to pounce…
“I am NOT allowing you to be hurt again Khushi…and I’ll do whatever it takes…”
A sliver of fear spread up her spine…
“NO.” he wound his arm around her waist, careful not to slam her chest against him as her ribs were still bruised, “Don’t you dare fear me…ever.”
The worry evaporated and her entire body was suddenly inexplicably turned on.
His voice was rough and demanding…
His gaze so penetrating that her pulse quickened…
“Ar…Arnav, I just…”
“I promised I wouldn’t leave you again, so I didn’t. I knew of a break in…and I kept you with me…I stood before you, protecting you as I eradicated the threat…” He growled in response, and Khushi felt her nerves twist like live wires…
“You…you drugged me.”
His expression softened slightly, “I wasn’t going to let you see what I did, but I damn well needed you to stay in my sight…”
She began to pant, the closeness effecting her more each second, and the words slipped out…”I’m scared…I feel like I’ll be looking over my shoulder forever…”
His lips turned upwards, giving her a deadly glare, “Good.”
Her forehead creased with alarm and he held her face in one hand as the other pulled her closer, “You know what you’re going to see over your shoulder?”
Cautiously, she shook her head…
“ME…”
Her eyes, her body in his arms, they softened, and a ghost of the smile he had killed for touched the edge of her lips…
“I need you…”
Arnav stepped closer, “I know, but you needed to let your anger out first, then I was going to have you…whether you were ready or not…”
This time his tone was firmer, but as his gaze hit her neck, his eyes were tinged with currents of anger at the injustices she had been enduring…
Khushi started to feel uneasy, “I’m…I’m okay…”
His arm wound tighter around her waist, holding her secure as he started to walk their bodies towards the bed…”I will make sure you’re okay.”
Khushi instantly started squirming…
“Still.” he commanded
She froze.
Her heart was beating so loudly, she was sure he could hear it…
And it only became louder when she felt his free hand slide up over her back, barely touching her…
She began to shudder, trying to move…
Arnav leaned in close to her ear…”Stay…Still…”
Khushi broke out in goosebumps…
Her mind was now in a fog as he reached for the tie at the top of her nightie and pulled it…
Khushi’s fingers tangled together, trembling as he gently tugged on the fabric…
It dropped to the floor and she stood before her in only thin panties…
“I am going to extract, tug and rip every ounce of pleasure from you…” he promised as he leaned in and kissed the back of her neck…
His kiss was surprisingly soft and gentle, considering the intensity of his words…
But amidst his delicate kiss, he pulled her closer, meshing their bodies tighter together…
Khushi cried out…
“Shit,” his voice was laced with panic, “Are you okay?”
Drawing in a hitched breath she nodded…”Yes, sorry…sorry, it was more of a surprise…”
His eyes darkened, “You will let me know if you have ANY pain…understood?”
She was shaky on her feet, but she nodded as his arms still imprisoned her securely…
“You’re mine…” he whispered gruffly in her ear…
Her pulse began to sprint as small moans flew out from deep within her chest…
Arnav dropped to his knees and as he did, pulled her panties down till they pooled at her feet…
Immediately the scent of her arousal filled the room…
“Ar…Arnav…”
He came up over her, took one step and the back of her knees hit the bed…
She reached out to steady herself, but his arms had already taken hold of her and he leaned over her, one of his knees balancing on the bed and lowered her down, not once breaking eye contact, not once letting her head fall back…
She could barely think, but she tried to move…
“Stay…” he slid lower, “I want to look at you.”
His voice sounded thick, and when she managed to open her eyes, he was doing exactly that, kneeling between her legs, pushing her bent knees apart, hungrily staring at her.
Slowly, he brought his mouth to her, reaching out to lap up the juices that ran freely from her soft folds.
He could hear her short pants as he teased, and when he sucked right on her clitoris, she squealed.
His long slow licks were rendering her incoherent.
“Please…please…Arnav…”
“Fuck…” His voice was fierce… “I love you more than anything, Khushi…and I’m going to show you just how much.”
She jerked at the electric contact of his tongue on her core, lapping her slit.
He blew a warm stream of breath on her drenched folds and her inner walls fluttered in response.
He opened her labia like flower petals and thrust his tongue deep inside her, driving it in and out.
“Oh…Oh God!”
As if her body had been poised on high alert, an orgasm drove through her, making her unable to do anything but shake…
Arnav held her hips down while she trembled with the spasms, but he never removed his tongue.
Almost as soon as the pulsing subsided, he began again, lightly licking her clit…
He scooped her cream with his tongue…
Little cries of… “Oh…oh…oh…no…I…I can’t…” were bursting from her.
She fisted her hands in the sheets as the release built inside her yet again.
Khushi was nearly mindless now, the heat of erotic desire blasting away despair and tension.
One last push of his tongue, and another orgasm would shake her.
Before she could catch her breath, Arnav towered over her…
Khushi opened her eyes to see his face above her, filled with an explosive combination of passion and love.
He was impossibly close…
His hold on her impossibly tight…
Using his free hand, he meticulously dipped two fingers into her core…
And now, his fingers were inside her impossibly deep…
Khushi’s body slightly inched up the bed, trying to retreat slightly from the crackling intensity, but his hand only followed her as he hooked his fingers pressing against her most vulnerable spot…
His eyes flashed their warning into hers…
Every time her lips opened to respond, he pressed against her making her whimper…
A sudden flashback of the threat to kill him reared up in her mind and a moan of fear drifted from her throat…
His expression hardened, “I’m right here…”
Her eyes pricked with tears…
Arnav saw the pain and panic resurfacing and he began to continuously massage her g-spot, which instantly made her body vibrate with pleasure…
“Oh…oh God…I need you…”
He let his eyes rake up her body…”You have me…and you’re so beautiful…”
She blushed furiously, her nipples hardening under his gaze…
He was more in control of her than his own emotions…
Arnav could feel her sheath dripping over his fingers…knowing her desire for him was undeniably strong…
Her hands reached up to hold his biceps, and a sudden flashback smashed into her mind.
The time HE threatened her not to touch him slapped her in the senses as though the slap she gave HIM shook it into her…
Gasping in terror, her limbs dropped to the bed.
He stopped all movement and stared down at her with complete authority, “What the hell just happened.”
Even as her body shook, even as he wanted to relieve the ache inside her, he moreso wanted to know what just went through her head…
She was biting her lip and her fingers were twitching…
“I’m sor-“
“No sorry!” he could see her reliving something, “What has scared you!?”
Her stomach was tied up in knots, a slew of thoughts ran through her head, but all of them were jumbled as anxiety rippled up from every angle…
“I…I touched…you…”
She looked so small and shell-shocked… and his heart shattered.
Levelling her with a look so piercing, he spoke as he started to move his fingers gently inside her again, “I know that your anxiety gets you confused…with all that has happened, I don’t blame you for reacting…but Khushi, I’ve let you pull me, slap me, hit me, scream at me…and you will get away with it every time…”
Arnav firmly enclosed his hand around one of her breasts and began spreading soft kisses over her tingling skin, avoiding her nipple completely…
“I’m yours…So if my woman wants to touch me…while I’m making love to her…she has every fucking right to do it…”
Her inner muscles clenched as she felt him withdrawing his hand…
Her body protesting, trying to suck him back in…
She soon heard his belt buckle opening, and heard the clicks as he pulled it from the loops…
Bare restraint was humming through him.
He started feathering kisses along her collarbone, nipping with his teeth then following up with strokes of his tongue.
Then she felt his flesh, edging closer to her sex…
Khushi tried to move so that he could slide inside, but that’s when he snarled, “Put your hands on me Khushi…” he growled, a bite of neediness in his voice.
She rested her fingers on his arms and was immediately rewarded when his head dipped and he was licking and sucking around her nipples, but never touching them…
“Arna… “
He shot a look up at her, and she silenced herself…
Khushi closed her eyes as she felt his tongue circling her areola…
Her nipples were painfully hard, her inner walls clenched with the need to be filled by him until the emptiness of her core was almost painful…
Arnav was determined to repay every bruise, with a burst of pleasure…
Suddenly, his hot open mouth closed over her nipple…
His erection began to throb as his tongue discovered how hard they were..
Lifting his hand, he moved his mouth to her other nipple as his fingers gently pinched the one still wet from his mouth…
The sensation of his tongue finally on her nipples, sent shots of pleasure straight between her legs.
The tingling in her clit was almost unbearable.
Unable to hold back, she began to gasp…
“Do you have any idea how fucking gorgeous you are?” He spoke against her breast, the sound rolling through her entire body.
Combined with his stubble rubbing against her, her breasts felt over sensitised.
She looked up at him, trying to lift her hips to urge him on but his pelvis restricted her movement.
His chest rose and fell, the harshness of his breathing filling the room, “I’m not having you hurting, my love…let me…”
Leaning over her, his mouth fused softly to hers…
A kiss that was so light, and so dreamy that she felt as though she would combust…
But the floating feeling soon disappeared as one of his hands flexed on her hip in a tight, dominating grip and he thrust into her.
She screamed out a shrill high-pitched keening sound of pleasure…
The previous time when he had slowly made love to her, she never felt the urge to scream for her life, but right now, she felt almost frantic.
Her hands clung onto his shoulders and he roared…
His chiselled frame was perfection.
His touch, rougher now, yet still careful, had an even greater sense of urgency and need.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear and his deep, husky voice sent chills through her body…”You’re mine Khushi…”
Just hearing his words stirred the beginning of her orgasm.
His deep gravelly voice was infused with passion and was the catalyst that nearly pushed her over the edge.
With his eyes fixed on hers, he began to penetrate her…long and deep…
Holding her hips steady, his forceful teasing pushed her to the edge…
Arnav felt her beginning to tighten and he slowed down.
Khushi’s nails dug into his skin…”No no please…don’t stop…”
He began to suckle firmly on her nipples and she began to clench and release once more…
Holding her waist in his iron grip, he watched her closely as her climax rocketed to the surface…
Refusing to let himself so much as blink, he saw her nipples tighten painfully, her lips blushed with color as her blood became hot rushing through her body…
Needing to kiss her red lips, he bent forwards, pushing himself incredibly deep inside her…
That’s when she let out a loud cry as her body erupted with sensation.
Holding his open mouth to hers, he held her down as she bucked wildly against him, her body shuddering uncontrollably, her breath coming in a ragged bursts as a flood of moisture erupted inside her.
He held her firm as she frantically panted for air, her heat gushing around his flesh.
Then he thrust again, faster, deeper…
Pulling her hard each time he thrust, she could feel his shaft penetrating her deep and thorough….
The motions were bringing on another orgasm, fast…
He was about to explode, “EYES ON ME!”
Her eyes popped open and their gazes met.
He saw her dilating pupils, her dark chocolate irises that always sent his senses soaring no matter how many times he looked into them…
“Arnav…OhMyGod…” she screamed asthe violent tightening in her belly wrapped around every nerve ending.
That sight did it…
He exploded as he felt her climax, a viscous groan rising up from his chest..
Her back arched as her inner walls rippled around his pulsing hard length.
Her orgasm seemed to go on forever, convulsing around him as he shot hot jets of seed deeply inside her…
“Khushi…” he gasped out, the need in his voice punching through her.
She could feel his heat being drawn into her as he climaxed and she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck until limp and exhausted, she finally fell back against the mattress.
She could barely keep her eyes open, and Arnav could see her body still under his spell…
“I love you…so damn much…”
Lifting her heavy eyelids, she gazed dreamily at him with hazy eyes…”I love you…I can’t lose you…”
The last tremors of his climax still pulsed through his blood, but they rapidly sped up to be replaced with a sharp animal passion.
His phallus began to swell, and the moment she felt it, her eyes fell back and she moaned with pleasure…
“You’ll never lose me Khushi…” he whispered…”Look at me…”
Her eyes fluttered open and his heart took a hit…
He wanted to wipe the fear from her eyes, wanted to kill everyone who would ever dare hurt her…
Tension began to radiate through him again and he pulled back and thrust home…
“Arnav,” she cried out…
“Yes!” he held her head still and roared against her mouth, “I fucking love hearing you say my name…”
She jerked under him and her core tightened light a glove…
“God, So wet…so hot…fucking perfect!”
Her heart poured out, “Need you…can’t be without you…I can’t…”
Arnav couldn’t take it, and he started pounding into her, his cock hitting her cervix, her walls clamping down around him…
“I’m going to say this again and again until you realise this…You will never be without me…”
He thrust faster, her hands clinging to him, her nails digging in…”I’m…I’m going to…”
“COME!” he demanded.
The second he felt her go off, he held her hips down, thrust deep and he detonated…
“Oh…Fuck…” he groaned, panting and sweating, his brain nearly shutting off…
Her grip was now non existent, her every limb shaking…
“I feel you…inside me…” her breathy little whisper crawled up his spine and made his cock pulse again…
He slid an arm beneath her and rolled their bodies to the side, caging her between his arms…
“I may never pull out…”
A soft giggle cascaded out of her, and he felt that sound all the way to the depths of his heart…
Eternal Love Part 4
“You think I’ll let him get away with killing Lavanaya?! She was my daughter! And she would have been princess had that girl not shown up and bewitched the prince!”
“Maggie, do you really think that it’s wise attempting more so soon? Prince Arnav is genuinely firing, attacking and killing…he’ll stop at nothing…He’s worse than before this servant showed up.”
Lavanaya’s mother glared, “You think I won’t avenge my daughter?! She was the worthy one!”
The air around them stung with anger and foolish vengance…
“You both hated each other…”
Maggie was livid, “Who cares! She was the only way I could get into the royal family line. We both wanted that!”
“…maybe wait…because, he’s smarter. He will catch you…his men are already getting closer to finding out about our involvement with Dwayne…”
“I don’t care Jack!!!”
Maggie stormed from one side of the room to the other, pacing and stomping, ignoring the man who allowed her access to the castle.
“He’s now imprisoned, and there’s no way either of us can go and talk to him without giving away our identities…”
Her footsteps halted…”I’ll go and talk to Dwayne’s wife soon, maybe she can be of some use…”
Jack stayed silent.
“We can send also someone new,” she nodded, “…and talk to our last contacts remaining in the castle…right now, we thank our lucky stars that Arnav DIDN’T sweep the staff, because then our entrance would be damn impossible…”
Her partner crossed his arms, “You REALLY think people will continue to cooperate? I mean, the castle is swarming with guards…they’re fucking terrified of the Prince.”
Maggie pointed a harsh finger in his face, “They will do exactly as I say! Prince Arnav isn’t the only one willing to use violence! If we can’t attack her, then we will torment her until she’s lost her damn mind.”
Jack crossed his arms, “Fine, but you’ll need to be cautious HOW you start this process…”
The woman cackled, “Oh the first step is easy…find a way to get these notes delivered…”
……………
“We have to WHAT?!”
The King knew his wife would react, but he almost cringed at how loud she shouted…
“Can’t you be quieter?!” he gritted out
Her face flushed a deep red and her voice dropped, “That’s not what you said last night…”
Demeanor instantly shifting, his eyes darkened, “And that rule still stands, but in regard to this, I’m no happier about it than you are…”
She re-seated herself near the window, picking up a book harshly, “Don’t they realise what’s going on here?”
“They know exactly, but the security there has been impossible, and their kingdom is running poorly…You KNOW how your father asked me to care for them.”
Flicking pages as loudly as she could, the queen grumbled, “And I have to go?”
His voice got hard, “Look at your left hand.”
Glancing down, her ring glinted in the sunlight.
Her face fell, “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…You know I will stand at your side…forever…God, I’m just-“
“I am worried for them too darling, but our son, our ridiculously strong son, is every bit of the leader we have trained him to be. He has the entire army at his feet…and Khushi has made him rule with his heart now…the change in him has been astronomical…”
The King saw the tears in her eyes and called to her, “Wendy…”
She blinked, her eyes rising to his, “I know, I just…you have to know that all this has-“
“Brought back memories for you…” his tone was gentle, “Why do you think I’ve been closer to you, hovering around, almost desperate to keep my hands on you?”
“You too?”
The King chuckled, “Absolutely, or do you not remember how many enemies I killed to save you?”
“I knew you were coming for me…how could you not…” she crossed her legs, drawing his attention to her smooth skin…”no one sucks you off like I do…”
His chest rumbled as he sucked in a breath through his teeth, “You are the best fucking distraction…you know that?”
Laughing, she nodded, “I know, so when do we go? I know they were both shocked regarding the threat against Khushi in their kingdom, but you say the situation has got worse?”
“Much worse, but easy to sort out. If you’re ruthless enough.”
She smirked, knowing her King was as brutal as she remembered…
“But we leave tomorrow…”
“And I’ll be at your side…forever and always…”
His body began to pulse with need, but he finished the contracts he had started and slammed the pen down on the hardwood desk…
“Josef? What are you thinking?”
The king glanced up at his wife who now rested her hands under her chin as her cheeky gaze locked on his…
“I’m thinking that I may need more ‘thanks’ for the ferris wheel…”
Laughing she stood up from her comfy seat by the window, dropped her novel and walked towards her husband, “And last night wasn’t enough? Even though I still found move leaves in my hair this morning?”
His eyes filled with a fiery luster as she got closer, “I knew I’d never get tired of you, but damn it woman…you do realise I’m now twenty years older…”
She smiled a saucy smile, “And yet took me how many times last night?”
Standing fast, he stormed towards her…”And about to take you again…”
…………
“Oh my, I can’t eat anymore…”
Arnav smirked as she sat back against the headboard, a sudden distant look in her eyes appeared…
“Watching you eat makes me happy…”
Her eyes darted to his as she ignored the memories, “You ate too…maybe it’s just how good the food looks…”
Shaking his head, he took the tray off her lap and saw her began to stand, her legs coming off the side of the bed…
Quickly standing in front of her, blocking her way, he asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”
As she looked up, he saw the scarring on her neck…
It had been weeks and yet the raised slashed skin was still red…
He had occasionally seen her cringe when she swallowed but she never mentioned it to him…
His heart tugged painfully in his chest…
Unaware of his thoughts, she stood up, her body pressed to his, “I’m getting up to wash my hands, I’m sticky…”
Her slight smile disappeared when she saw his wet eyes, “Arnav?”
“How?…How can you just forgive me?”
Frowning, she couldn’t understand…”Wh…what? Forgive you for what?”
His hands were fisted at his sides, his mind fighting a harsh battle.
“Look at you…you’re fucking perfect…” he dragged his gaze across her lips and then stared deep into her eyes…”You’re standing there, trusting me, loving me…after everything I did…”
He was so close, she could feel every breath of his against her…
“I don’t understand…You didn’t do anyth-“
The words died on her lips as he lifted her gaze to his…
“I dragged you to my bedroom. I played out weird, sick fantasises on you hoping the unending urge to keep you would pass…I threatened you…I scared you…”
Khushi was still as the memories of their first meeting and first nights together played out in her mind…
Her heart thudded hard, but also saw his inner turmoil…
“…I knew I wanted you…that moment I saw you, I knew…but I tried to make you hate me…and damn it, you should have hated me…” his voice was forcing out every word…”I wanted to kiss you, but then I blamed you when you asked to kiss me…My heart knew I loved you,’ he waited, the emotion in his eyes severely strong, “…but I fucking abandoned you when you said those words to me…”
She didn’t blink, but tears began to fall…
“I couldn’t believe that someone as pure and perfect as you would love someone like me…” his eyes stung, “You deserve to be the happiest, most pleasured woman in the universe…and yet, look what I did…and then you get hurt, under MY watch…you may say that you don’t want our history changed, but damn it, if I could…”
And she sucked in a quick breath as his expression changed…
“Close your eyes.” he demanded…
Her eyes slowly closed and he once again marvelled in the fact that she trusted him so wholly.
He slid a hand down her arm, barely touching her.
Goosebumps broke out across her soft skin…
“Ar…Arnav?” her shaky voice was nervous, “What… what are you doing?”
“I’m showing you what I should have done the moment I saw you…”
Arnav grasped her hand and wound it around his neck as he turned her carefully and walked her three steps back towards the wall…
“I should have taken you out of sight…just you and me…”
The shiver that he felt go through her heated his blood…
“I should have held you gently,” his hand came up to cup her face, “and told you instantly that you were safe, and that you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life…”
Her heart was beating so hard, he could hear it…
He trailed his fingers down her back…
“I should have pulled you close told you that I wanted you, wanted you for damn well more than just two days…and that I was going to make you mine…”
Arnav grasped her hip and brought her flush against him…
“And then, I should have kissed you…you shouldn’t have had to ask me,” he paused, inwardly hating himself for how he treated her that first night, “I’m going to kiss you now.”
He tightened his grip on her face and body, and he kissed her with everything in him.
He thrust his tongue into her gasping mouth and gave her what he wanted to give her the second he saw her, ALL of himself.
He wasn’t timid.
He dominated her intoxicating mouth and demanded her tongue in return.
Her scent swept through his head and he groaned out of sheer fucking need.
His cock throbbed hard and he kissed her like a starving man.
Her hands curled over his shoulders.
Khushi’s legs were trembling, her thighs growing wet, her nipples impossibly hard…
She gasped hard as his tongue sank back into her mouth…
Her hands now gripped his body, his hair, anything she could reach with the force of a tornado…
Hoisting her up, her strong legs wrapped around his hips, her thighs anchored to his waist and she threw herself into the kiss…
Arnav growled as he grasped the back of her knee and shoved her harder into the wall as he held her face still…”Tell me you love me…”
Her arms tightened around his neck and she bit her bottom lip, “I love you…”
“I LOVE YOU…” he growled back immediately…”I. LOVE. YOU. I should never have left you after you said that…”
“It’s okay Arnav-“
“No Khushi, it’s not. I was an asshole. I propositioned you. I took your innocence and made you feel things you’d never experienced before that scared you! I made you feel used even though I KNEW that I fucking needed you when I first saw you…when I touched you, God, I was addicted…you own me…I’m more yours than anything!”
Feeling manic with need, he shoved his tongue back into her mouth as he pulled hard at the top she was still wearing from dessert last night…
He broke the kiss long enough to pull the material over her head…
“Fucking gorgeous…” he bent down and drew her hard nipple between his teeth…
“Ahhhhh” she moaned as her back arched and eyes fluttered shut once more…
Arnav suckled on her nipples, drawing them deep into his mouth until she was a shaking, writhing mass…
The previous night, when she promised him that there was no pain in her chest, he had worshipped her breasts, breaking every memory of the abuse she had suffered..
As he finally looked at her, his tone was an unending snarl…”You’ve fucking branded me for life…”
Grabbing the backs of her knees, securing her more firmly around his waist, he held her still…
“Look at me…Your Highness…”
Swinging her head to face him, waves of rich brown hair fell over her pale shoulders and the scent of her hit him square in the chest…
Inhaling, he reached between her legs…
His fingers sank into her tight, wet heat and he groaned…
Stroking through her folds, he rubbed his thumb over her clit and she jerked against his touch…
Slowly pulling his fingers out, he grabbed his phallus and dragged the head through her dripping core…
“Eyes on me…” he bit out as he thrust deep.
Her back bowed, her mouth opened on a silent gasp and she gripped his neck tight…
The sultry haze in her eyes disappeared in a second and tears suddenly welled…
Arnav instantly stilled and held the side of her face, “I love you…I’m here…”
“I hate that I keep crying…”
He felt more protective of her than ever, “Sweetheart, you have been through hell your whole life…be gentle on your heart…because that beautiful pure heart is mine, and I need you to recover…”
Her muscles clenched around him as her breathless voice filtered into his head…
“I don’t regret a single moment, no matter how we started out…how could I? I was just grateful that you even noticed someone worthless like me…”
He went still.
His eyes glowering at her with sparks flying…
“…worthless…?” he bit out…
His nostrils flared and he gripped a handful of her hair…hard.
He was now livid.
Khushi hissed, unconsciously grinding herself on him…
Arnav pulled her pelvis harder against his own and she shrieked…
His lips swept over hers but he kept his body still…
“Khushi…” he warned her, “you will regret what you just said…”
Her core began pulsing on him as her eyes widened…
“I’m going to show you exactly how worthwhile you are…” he pulled out slow and kissed her softly like he wasn’t pissed as hell.
She tried to hold him, but he was in control now…
His hands held her immobile, his teeth grazed her hard nipple but didn’t give enough pressure to make it work…
Her desire was now soaking him, dripping over his cock…
Before she knew what hit her, he pulled out and thrust back in to the hilt…
Her mouth opened on a scream and Arnav threw his head back, the air leaving his lungs…
Impaled, her body hanging on his, he wound his fingers through the soft strands of her hair and wrapped it around his hand once more…
Staring deep into her innocent eyes, he worked his hips, slow and measured…
He ground deep and held her stare like a command…
And he thrust…Hard…Over and over.
He held her steady and pounded into her with everything he had.
She was so damn tight and wet, fitting him like a glove, owning him completely…
The memories, her scarred flesh, her trusting eyes…
Arnav felt like he would go mad if he ever lost her…”You mean more to me than anything.”
She knew that this scary wonderful man would die for her, and the only word she could think of drifted out of her mouth…
In the midst of his harsh thrusts, he wasn’t prepared for the complete and utter shattering of his control as she said…”Mine…”
He heard her whisper and it unmanned him…
His balls drew up tight, his muscles tensed and the first pulse of his orgasm shot into her…
“Fucking fuck…”
The second pulse of is climax hit him and he shuddered, his voice was groggy and his muscles were bunching under her touch…
Taking some harsh breaths, he was soon taken over by complete and utter fury…
He set out to dominate her and she had won…again.
His eyes flared back to hers…
The look in his gaze was so intense it had her flinching…
Pushing her back harder against the wall, he thrust his hips up, giving her more pressure…
Her eyes were glassy, the need in her entire body begging to be released…
She was blinking, and he began to snarl…”I’m giving you a final warning…”
The shudder he felt consume her pleased him…
“You are to STOP saying demeaning words about the woman I love, about MY wife…”
Her lips parted, but as she felt him harden inside her, she moaned shamelessly…
Arnav’s eyes went dark, “I’m going to make you come…”
Except he didn’t say it like it was a reward.
He growled it like it was a threat, an almighty warning.
Now harder than steel, he pulled out and slammed back in…
Her body was shaking and he bared his teeth in approval…
Sliding halfway back out, he shoved right back in…
He propelled his pelvis hard at the end of every thrust, feeling the head of his phallus press against her cervix…
And the moans that were now coming from her were almost inhuman…
She was unravelling, and fast…
Arnav was feeling primal as he sucked his way along her scarred neck, grinding his hips against her clit as extreme posessiveness and ownership lodged in his chest…
Khushi arched her back, and pushed down on his cock as beads of sweat flung off her face…
“I love you…fucking fuck I love you…” he kissed her.
Deep and heavy, his tongue sank into her mouth and he devoured her untainted pureness and perfection…
Stroking in a rhythm that matched his thrusts, he commanded all of her…
She was shaking and squirming, “It’s…too…too much…”
“You’ll take it…”
Hammering into her, he plunged his tongue back inside her mouth…
Three more thrusts and she started to come…
Gritting his teeth, Arnav pulled out, and she screamed…
“NO! No Please!”
Her begging tore at his heart, but he snarled his command…
“I will defend you against everyone, even against you! You mean everything to me! Understood?!”
The denial of this climax was rendering her completely senseless and raving…
“Pl…please…Arnav…”
Swooping in, his face was frighteningly close, “Do you understand?”
“Pl…ple…please...”
Seeing her so completely desperate for him was threatening to crush him, but he roared out once more…
“Do. You. Understand?”
Tears burst out as she was now incapable of stopping her shaking…”Y…yes…Yes…”
“Mine.” he declared as he shoved back into her and sank deeper than he’d ever been…
She screeched and groaned, her body taking on more arousal than she could handle…
Pounding into her, his tongue twisted with hers once more…
He dominated her completely and didn’t think about anything else except giving her what she needed…
Completely devoid of energy, he held onto her sagging shaking body as her core gripped him…
Arnav started to growl with pride as she showed all the signs of a devastating orgasm…
“Fucking come…” he ordered loudly…
Her back stiffened and her legs shook…
“Arnav…” was all she could whisper as her pulsing and spasming sex squeezed his cock destructively as she fucking detonated…
Holding her steady, he demanded his own sanity back.
He had just barely stopped himself from coming, as aftershocks swept through her body unlike anything he’d ever felt before…
Pulling out an inch, her muscles violently clamped down on him again…
“Arnav…” Alarm tainted her voice…
“I’ve got you my love…” he put his lips to her ear…”Take a breath…”
Her body listened and she took a shaky breath in…
“Good, let it out slow…”
And as she did, he pushed back inside her…
Her body instantly jerked…
“Breathe, my love, breathe…”
Her entire form was shivering as he held himself deep inside her once more…
He could see she was in slight shock, panic from trauma taking over…
“Scared…Sir…” she spoke unknowingly…
His mind and body were instantly taken over by fury, regret, and complete possession,”…no…you’re not going back to that again…”
Arnav began to move, letting her sink down onto his thick flesh, increasing the pressure on her gspot…
Her deep animal groan had him hammering into her…
“Khushi…I’m here with you…inside you…you say my name!”
“AHhhhhhhhhh” She began to come apart…
“What’s my name Khushi…!?” he roared, pounding into her…
“…Ar…Arna…Ohmygod…”
This final climax had her gasping for air, had her very last spark of energy ignite as her inner muscles locked up unyieldingly over his phallus…
He speared her over and over, feeling her swollen tender flesh pulse with every move he made…
His heart thudding, and his cock a steel rocket, he buried himself deep and exploded…
Arnav’s muscles went rigid, and the orgasm that built faster than any other, reared up and wrecked him…
He came so damn hard that he roared as he shot out endless bursts of semen, and kept pumping deep inside her…
Seconds…Minutes…Hours…Time ceased…
Panting, he stood, shell-shocked before he realised she was still shaking…
As though on the verge of tears, she breathed his name, “Arnav…”
“Shhh…shh It’s okay…I’ve got you…” he slowly pulled out and he heard her whimper as aftershocks kept her throbbing…
Scooping her up into his arms, he held her close…
She couldn’t stop shaking…
“You’re really here…” she whispered…
His soul shuddered.
The psychosis and trauma she had suffered had messed with her head too much…
He stared hard into her panicked eyes, “…I’m here…”
Arnav carried her three steps to the bed and yanked back the covers…
Not letting go of her, he crawled into the bed and pulled the blanket over them…
Her sweet scent hit him once more and he brought her closer to his chest…
“My…My heart hurts…”
Instantaneous alarm spread through his veins and stripped him of all other thought…
“Hurts how?”
His training as a soldier kicked in and he picked up her wrist to check her pulse…
Fast but not thready…
He knew instantly what was wrong…Anxiety Attack.
“Breathe in and out for me my love…”
He pressed his hand to her heart and felt the staccato beats…
“Am I ok?”
Her voice was so small…
He kissed her forehead, “Yes, you’re okay…”
“I’ve literally fucked her into deeper shock…”
The shakes began to subside as he ran his hand over her shoulder and down her arm…
“Even breaths, I’m here…”
He slowly moved his palm over her small waist and the swell of her hips repeating the caress until the shaking disappeared…
“That’s it…”
Her mind was repeating the same thing over and over until she murmured it aloud…“Arnav is with me…”
“Yes…I sure as hell am with you…”
Her hooded gaze was on his and he saw how exhausted she was.
“Close your eyes sweetheart…I’m not leaving you…”
The promise in his eyes was all she needed, and within minutes, her breaths evened out and she was asleep…
………………..
When she was finally in a deep sleep, Arnav had sent for the doctor.
“Her pulse is regulated, and her scarring is healing perfectly…” the doctor frowned, “She was lucky.”
Arnav regarded the older man and closed his eyes, “This shouldn’t have happened to her in the first place, and then I had to fake my death to save her too…She can’t cope with all this…”
Keeping his voice down, he tried to reassure him, “Panic attacks can get more frequent after severe shock, and assault. She’s had both in the span of a few weeks and you’re extremely correct, this shouldn’t have happened to her.”
Arnav’s eyes opened and what flared out had the doctor stumble slightly as he was packing up his bag.
“You’re a terrifying man, Your Highness…”
Arnav’s growl started to make Khushi whimper in her sleep, and he instantly stilled…
“Shhh sweetheart…shhh…” he whispered gently to calm her, her furrowed forehead slowly smoothing as she relaxed.
The doctor nodded, “You’re right. But other people, even soldiers, have reacted worse from the same events, and yet she is stronger. Everyone manages differently. Her strength has come from you. You need to keep helping her through this. Post Traumatic stress is very real. Then to add the physical injury AND her small bout of psychosis, anyone would suffer…”
Arnav softly caressed hair, “She’s had an extremely hard life, and this has to stop…I would do anything for her…”
“We all know that, my Prince…”
He finally gave a small smile to the doctor, “Thankyou for coming whenever I call…”
“I do it because I genuinely care, she’s absolutely delightful..”
As soon as the doctor said that, Khushi spun her arm over Arnav in her sleep and smacked him hard on the chin…
He grunted and then both men laughed under their breath…
“And,” Arnav smiled, “The ONLY one who is allow to take a swing at me…”
…………………
That evening…
“You really don’t have to send us an escort every time we come to the dining hall…” Khushi said as she linked arms tighter with the Queen…
Wendy pursed her lips, “I want to make sure you feel secure…I am furious over all these attacks…” she pulled Khushi closer, “But if you think about it, you and I must be pretty valuable if we’re getting more attention than the King and Prince…”
Khushi looked up at her Mother in Law who smiled…
Finally letting out a giggle, she leaned her head in…”I love you…I don’t remember my parents, I was very young when the woman who found me, my aunty, took me and sold our lives to be workers…I did have a picture of my parents, but it got lost when we travelled from one owner to the next…I can only hope and pray that my birth mother was exactly like you…”
The Queen halted.
Arnav, who was walking a few paces behind and talking to Jacob, was now alert and wrapped an arm around Khushi’s waist, pressing against her back…
“What’s wrong? Mum?”
The Queen lifted her hands to Khushi’s face, “Sweetie, I love you and I want to say that you are exactly what I prayed for in a daughter…”
Tears began to slide down her cheeks as she spoke, “My son may think he chose you, but God destined you for our family…don’t let these events or attacks sway you…you were meant to be here, with us…”
Arnav’s heart warmed twice over seeing his mother talk to his wife…
He leaned down and kissed Khushi’s hair against her temple, “You hear her? Remember this…” and he looked back at his mother, “I love you mum…”
Khushi was awestruck…
“This is my…. family.”
“I love you both, now come on…Snap out of your trance Khushi,” she winked…”Time to eat…”
Khushi smiled and held onto her mother and husband…
The King was already seated and looked in deep concentration until he noticed his wife enter…
His eyes instantly warmed and he smiled at them all…
“Are you all stuck together?”
Arnav rolled his eyes, but the ladies laughed.
“Don’t be a smarty pants…” she drolled out…
The King looked as though he was biting back a reply…
Arnav saw that his mother had loosened her arm link with his wife and he took the opportunity to pull Khushi into his arms…
Her soft shriek made him smile as he took in a deep breath, loving her scent…
“I want you again..” he whispered…
She flushed red, “You’re crazy…”
He shrugged and held her firmly, “Where you’re concerned, I don’t act rationally…”
“Okay you two,” the King piped up, “…we need to talk, as I have some news.”
Arnav pulled out the chair for Khushi and they seated themselves…
As coffee and tea was being poured, the King began, “Your mother and I are leaving for 5 days. The county we were in is dealing with a some financial and security issues, and I need to help them…”
The Queen looked to her daughter, “I’m totally going to steal some of those dresses we looked at before the party…”
Khushi gave a nervous smile, “Ohhhh get that deep blue one you wore to the party, that was-“
Clearing his throat, his voice laced with humor, the long piped up, “Excuse me ladies, but are you seriously encouraging each other to commit a crime?”
The queen quirked an eyebrow, “I could always bring back that red dress too…the one I wore after the party?”
He coughed while taking a gulp of his coffee and then placed the cup back down harder than he had meant to.
Pulling at his collar he muttered, “My Queen, you steal whatever you damn want.”
Khushi began to laugh as the queen made an ‘I-told-you-so’ face at her…
“I will miss you, mum…”
She took Khushi’s hand in hers, “Only Five days sweetie, and then we will be back…”
Arnav looked over at his dad, “Take some of my men. I don’t just want guards with you. I want soldiers. You both need to be safe.”
“Son, I was already going to do that, but well done…You actually think of others now…” the King looked to Khushi and interrupted the Queen’s small talk, “Khushi, I swear, you’re the best thing to happen to this boy…”
Wendy faked a cross expression, “Josef, we were talking!”
He grinned, “Oh bite me, this girl needs to know!”
Arnav was now chuckling under his breath at the love and attention she was getting and at the light in her eyes…
“Yes dad, she does need to know…”
……………
The goodbye the next morning, was teary but not as sad as Khushi expected.
She was starting to feel a strange burst of hope.
As the carriages and small platoon disappeared down the highways, Arnav saw the misty look on Khushi’s face…
“You okay?”
Her eyes lifted to her husband…
His arms were always around her, hands always touching her, presence always close…
Turning into him, she wound her arms around his waist tight…”I love you.”
His lips quirked, “Why thankyou…I love you more…but you didn’t really answer me sweetheart…”
He felt her smile against his chest as she spoke, “I feel hopeful…I’ve never felt hope before, and its scaring me…”
Arnav blinked hard, hate spreading into his vision.
Her life before him had been heinous, and now made the sense of hope seem frightening.
Her heart was strong, but her mind, and her emotions were too fragile.
“Khushi, hold onto that feeling, because it’s REAL. If you’re scared, talk to me and tell me everything that’s going through your head…If I have proven anything it’s that I will always put you first…”
Her eyes shone out with love.
Arnav was rough around the edges, animalistic, merciless, and savage.
But with her, there was a genuine gentleness in him and a craving for her touch and love…
She remembered that overwhelming crippling pain when she thought he had been killed in front of her…
The utter devastation when she thought he was laying dead on the floor.
Her fingers pressed harder into his muscled back…
“I’m here…” he reassured, almost knowing what she was thinking…
Khushi opened her tear-drenched eyes and blinked up at him…
The fire in his stare burned hotter as he leaned down and kissed her…
A need so great and fierce blasted through her that she broke the kiss, clutched hold of his arm, and pulled him towards the garden…
The sudden change in her attitude had arousal shooting through his blood…
He’d let her drag him anywhere.
Arnav made sure that they were shielded behind the trees and was about to ravish her when she spoke…
“I can’t lose you.”
Arnav pulled back, “What?”
“I thought I had lost you…I can’t lose you…I can’t let anything happen to you…”
He suctioned their bodies together…”Khushi, nothing is going to happen to me…”
Her hands gripped his shirt, “…promise me.”
“Sweetheart, I promise…”
His mouth latched on to hers as he pulled her against him and slowly lifted the front of her skirt…
“Make me believe…” Khushi said as she pulled at his trousers and grabbed onto his thick length to position him…
She paused and he hoisted her leg over his arm…
His eyes were alight with passion…
“Go on Khushi, Take me…I’m yours…”
She pulled at his waist and speared herself on his cock, absorbing the feel of him…
He was hers to touch and explore…
She couldn’t even comprehend her sudden need for him until she remembered the grief that was etched into her soul at the thought of losing him…
He was here and she was prepared to do anything to keep him safe.
Arnav began to take over and held her lower back in his unyielding grip…
“I love you…” Khushi said as she clenched down on him, “…Oh God, I love you…”
The intensity between them was threatening to consume him…
Arnav’s hungry, starved eyes watched her every move…
Blinking slowly, She rasped the words, “To save you…I would do anything…”
The Prince instantly knew where her mind was at and he glared at her as he cautioned on the slam of each penetration, “You run from me, I’ll chase you…You push me away, I will pull back HARD…You won’t escape me…”
“Oh…Oh…Oh God!”
His eyes went blind a moment before he gripped her hips and shoved all the way inside her.
Khushi screamed and climaxed a breath before he did…
Arnav rested his face in the hollow of her neck as she panted…
His hands moved over her as he used his unending strength to hold her up…
“You have to realise something…I won’t give you up…”
Khushi tried to move her head to see his face but was exhausted…”Wh…what?”
“I know what you’re thinking…you’re thinking that you will do anything to keep ME safe…when I am not the one who is in danger…”
“I…” she took in a deep breath…”I…can’t let anything happen to y-“
Thrusting his hips against hers once more, she gasped…
“Khushi,” his growl was now menacing, “you know who I am…I can easily take down any man! I can take care of myself! I knew what I was doing when I faked being killed, and yes, I’m fucking sorry you had to see that, but I HAD to get you out of there…”
He pulled at her hair and locked eyes with her, “…it is my job to keep you safe…not the other way around…”
Arnav wasn’t liking the feeling he was getting…
“Khushi…as I’ve said before, I love that you’re willing to go to such lengths much for me…and I respect the hell out of you for that…I know you want to keep me safe, but,” he chuckled, “…look at me!”
Her eyes roamed over her husband.
A tall, excessively strong, handsome, bulked up warrior who was effortlessly holding her up in his arms…
As her gaze lifted, she blinked into his eyes and breathed, “I love you Arnav…”
He kissed her softly, “I know, and I know what you would do for me, as you fucking already did it…but never again…I can see your mind reeling hard, so instead of being scared, let me in, and tell me what you’re thinking and feeling…understand?”
She didn’t respond and Arnav narrowed his eyes…
“Understand?” he gritted his teeth…
Khushi could only nod.
Arnav wasn’t nearly satisfied with her response, but he wasn’t going to force her to open up or thwart any progress to her recovery and happiness…
He slowly slid out of her and tucked his phallus back in his pants as she rearranged her dress…
Taking her hand, he growled in her ear…”I saw my cum leaking down your leg…”
Blushing furiously, she saw his smug expression as she muttered…”You’re a caveman…”
He laughed out loud and picked her up once more and threw her over his shoulder…
“Ar…Arnav! What!?”
She kicked lightly and started to laugh as he carried her back into the castle..
“What are you doing!? People will see!”
“Let them see. They’ll never have what I have…” he snickered and waltzed in through the castle doors…
Sure enough, servants saw and grinned, and then Jacob turned the corner…
“Arnav…” Jake smirked and shook his head…
“Jacob! Help!” Khushi tried to feign a scream…
He lifted his hands up in surrender, “No fucking way! I’m not fool enough to go against him…”
“It’s her own fault,” Arnav said humorously, “She called me a caveman…”
Jacob laughed as the Prince carried Khushi away…
She planted her hands on Arnav’s back and looked up giggling, “Jacob!”
But his wide grin told her that he wasn’t getting involved…
When they got to their room, Arnav dropped her on the bed and braced himself on all fours over her.
“Well, My Princess…That was one heck of a display in the garden…”
She couldn’t straighten her lips, not when she finally felt happiness and hope fill her…
Clasping his face between her hands, her voice was soft, “I wanted you…” and she jerked his head down and kissed him.
He tried to pull away to say something but she tried to stop him, meekly holding onto his neck.
Emotions rocketed inside him and he let her do whatever she wanted…
She licked his bottom lip until he opened his mouth and slid her tongue inside.
Her heart, which had been drawn to the ragged edge, burst with need.
She poured her love into him so he couldn’t feel it.
Arnav shuddered and kissed her with such force that she sank into the mattress…
His hands moved over her body, reclaiming every inch…
She smiled against his mouth and finally broke the kiss…
“I live for you…you know that right?” he said.
Her heart thudded against her rib cage as she held him tight, absorbing the fact that he was her strength…
“Arnav, I loved you the moment you stood before me…”
He squinted slightly, and then remembered…
When he stood before her to shield her from Lavanaya’s accusations.
“I could feel you staring at me that night…” she blushed.
“I had no choice, I was drawn to you…and as I said before, I was going to protect you from that very second. Any threat I made was to ease my anger at myself, never to hurt you…”
Her eyes flashed, “You did scare me…but I was burning for you…”
Leaning down, he spoke against her lips, “I’m always burning for you…”
Three loud taps on their door and Arnav clenched his teeth…”I swear, I am going to fire, EVERYONE.”
Khushi laughed heartily, and his anger fled…
“Oh now that is a sight I adore…”
Sitting herself up, Arnav kissed her forehead as he pulled her against his side and yelled, “Come in…”
Julius carefully peered into the room…
Arnav chuckled softly and Khushi elbowed him, “Hey, he’s scared of you…”
“I know.” he said glaring with a morbid sense of satisfaction.
Khushi shook her head, “Julius, come in. Don’t mind him…”
He came closer and placed the tray of food at the edge of the bed.
“For goodness sake Jules, you can see that I’m not going to attack you…”
Julius soon smiled and nodded, lifting the tray closer, “Sorry your Highness…”
The doctor knocked on the open door and sauntered inside, “Just here for a checkup…”
Khushi was chewing down on a piece of toast and spoke with her mouth full, “Hi, shorry I’m jusht finishing thish…”
Laughter started to echo around…
“No no take your time…”
She swallowed and grinned, “Sorry…”
Arnav eyed Julius as he walked out and then grabbed some food and leaned back watching his wife…
The doctor inspected her healing scar and then checked her blood pressure and heart rate…
“You are definitely healing well…I really only have to suggest that you take analgesics if you feel any pain and definitely get enough rest as I know you are still quite shaken up. Emotionally it takes time to recover, and the Prince has informed me of the anxiety you’ve been feeling…”
Khushi chanced a look at Arnav who just stared back, “I…I have had some panic, but…but I’m…it’s just all the flashbacks seem-“
“I understand completely your highness, things can appear very real. You just need to talk it out, take deep breaths. Go easy on yourself.”
She frowned slightly…”That’s what Arnav said…”
The doctor smirked, “Well, he’s a smart man.”
Arnav hadn’t spoken and finally she looked over at him, “You’re awfully quiet…”
He raised his eyebrows quickly and lowered them, “I’m hungry…I had a workout in the garden…”
Her jaw dropped and her face flamed…
The doctor was snickering as he stood up, “I shall see you tomorrow…”
“Thankyou, you’re so kind to me…”
Arnav scoffed, “Because he know’s I’ll-“
Khushi quickly covered his mouth with her hand and turned to the doctor, “I know that you are kind, no matter what this he says…”
The doctor failed to withold a big grin and wigged his eye brows as he said, “I better get out of here…”
When they were once again alone, Khushi pretended to look cross at him, and Arnav was in awe of her…
The woman who possessed his soul was finally starting to show how much she owned him…
As her soft palm slowly slid away from his lips, her eyes widened at what she’d done…
He shook his head and smiled…”I LOVE this side of you…you’re the most feisty angel, you know that?”
“You’re not angry that-“
Arnav slid forwards and kissed her cheek…”You can do and say whatever you want to me Khushi…”
Her face flamed, “I…I just…”
“And I love that you already unconsciously know that…now…eat up, then we’re having a shower…”
……..
After a quiet, thoughtful and romantic shower, they both felt relaxed as they lay in bed…
“So my love, what would you like to do tomorrow?”
She made a cute thinking face and Arnav couldn’t resist her…
He pulled her against him and kissed her long and slow…
“I’d be okay just doing this…” she sighed happily…
“You’re just too beautiful…”
Yawning, she leaned into him…”You do realise that you are the world’s most handsome and attractive man right?”
He gave a lopsided smile, “Oh really?”
Her eyes grew serious…”Yes, really…”
Arnav kissed her, deep and carnal…
As he pulled back, he reached over and turned out the light, leaving one on to give a soft glow…
“You know you can talk to me right? You can tell me anything…“
He felt her burrow closer…
Her breath was hot on his cheek, “I know…I just find it hard…I’ve locked a lot up…I have never spoken about my past, some memories are too painful…”
Arnav heard her voice hitch and quickly stopped her, “No no…it’s okay, I just need you to know that, I’m here…I want to be everything you need…”
Her fingers pulled him closer, “You already are…”
Unwilling to break the calm of the moment, he kissed her forehead, “Time to rest now, doctor’s orders…”
Another yawn had already crept up on her as she rested a hand on his chest and said, “You’re mine…”
He kissed her forehead, “Forever…”
…………
Khushi cringed at the sunlight streaming in…
Arnav was fast asleep, even though her limbs were sprawled all over him…
She carefully tried to move without waking him, and managed to get up and rearrange the curtain…
“I’ll bet if I asked, he’d manage to make the sun less bright for me…” she giggled…
Turning back, she heard a nervous tap on the door…
She opened it slightly and saw Ally with a tray of breakfast and Corey who had taken over guard.
Khushi put her finger up to her lips and spoke quietly, “I’ll take it, Arnav is sleeping…”
Corey rolled his eyes, “Slacker…”
The Princess smirked, “I’ll tell him you said that…”
Arnav’s second in command smirked and stayed at his post.
“You’re feeling better?” Ally asked
“I am…just a bit shaky.”
Corey scowled, “Then go and put that tray down right now.”
Khushi valued his concern, “I’ll be okay…”
“Do you want me to die? If anything happens to you, he will kill me.”
Ally nodded, “It’s true Your Highness, everyone is wary of him.”
“Alright, but he really is harmless…”
“HA!” Corey sneered…
Khushi laughed and gave him an appreciative smile.
“Thankyou both, you’re so wonderful to me…”
Ally smiled and Corey looked impatient as she retreated back into the room.
Not wanting to wake her husband, she opted for placing the tray on the small table near the window…
“Oh now this smells wonderful…I wonder how mad he will be if I ate his half as well…”
She stood up and was about to turn to wake him, when she saw something under the empty plate slightly sticking out…
Frowning, she lifted the saucer, saw the paper that was stuck, and pulled it away from the porcelain.
Opening the folded letter, Instant dread filled her alarmingly fast as she read the words…
Servant Khushi.
If you want the Royal Family to live, then leave the castle. Attacks are coming for the King and Queen. All because of you. Leave or your husband will be killed in front of you again.
Her hand instantly flew to her mouth as she let go of the letter and it floated to the floor…
Heaving in what little air she could get, she dropped to her knees…
There was no air.
With widening, panicked eyes, she hit her clenched fists against the floor as she desperately tried to take a breath, but could only wheeze.
Her loud thuds started to make Arnav stir and she tried to call his name, but failed.
The attack of anxiety was too much to handle, and she tried to reach out to him as she fainted…
Arnav began to stretch on the bed and the first thing he noticed was her absence…
“Khushi?” he mumbled, but then sat up with a start…
Looking around in worry, his eyes zeroed in on her and he became a fucking monster.
At her side in seconds, he lifted her into his arms and roared, “GUARDS! DOCTOR! FAST!”
He heard the immediate commands ringing out seconds before Corey rushed into the room, “Word is sent! He’s in the castle and on his way…what happened!?”
Arnav was shaking as she lay her down, desperately feeling for her pulse…
“Fuck!” his hands were quavering too much to find it and he slammed his mouth onto hers…
As her soft breaths blew onto his lips, he let out a husky exhale… “Thank God…”
He kissed her lightly as he straightened his arms and dropped his head, trying to curb the hysteria…
Corey had backed away to survey the room, and seconds later, the doctor rushed in and was at the bedside.
“Dear God, what’s happened?” the doctor began to assess her promptly.
“I…I don’t know…She wasn’t in bed when I woke…I just sat up and saw her laying on the floor…” Arnav noticed the tray…”WHO brought in the food?!”
The beast that he tried to keep chained up deep inside him was breaking out…
Corey was about to explain when the doctor spoke.
“She’s…”
Arnav was going to explode…”She’s what?!”
He recoiled slightly but continued, “She’s actually okay…her pulse was racing, but it has steadied…it seems she has merely fainted…I am going to assume the racing pulse was a panic attack. I can’t say WHY until she wakes and tells us-“
“I think I can tell you.” Corey’s livid voice interrupted…
Arnav saw the look on his face.
Corey was furious and looked almost wary to say what he was about to say.
Arnav stood up tall but remained beside his wife as his tone was cold as ice, “Speak.”
“Her Highness brought the food in. She answered the door when you were sleeping…No one but her entered. She must have found this.”
And he lifted the letter to show him.
For each word Arnav read, a new muscle in his body rippled with hate, and a new vow to kill open fired from his eyes…
“What the fuck is this, and how did it get here?”
Arnav’s words were so deathly quiet that they carried more command and threat than if he’d shouted them…
“Arnav, I’m going to find that out RIGHT now!” And Corey purposefully marched back to the doorway and called for every attendant that had been on patrol.
Arnav crumpled the paper in his hand, the look in his eyes was murderous.
The doctor spoke up, “…She’s waking…”
Fisting his hands tight, Arnav took a breath, when he really wanted to pummel someone…”Get out.”
The doctor didn’t wait, and left immediately.
Khushi was stirring, and breathed in, letting out a soft mewl…
He released the iron grip of his fingers and sat down beside her, his hand smoothing over her hair…
Inside him though, he was turning into a monster.
When he found the people who were causing this, he would hit back so hard that no one would dare touch what was his again…
No one was allowed to hurt someone so pure and beautiful.
Khushi was his to protect, and he would die for her in a heartbeat.
“Sweetheart?”
She heard his voice and was dazed as her eyes opened…
Her soft smile helped calm the rage inside him, but only barely…
“Hey…” he bent down and caressed her mouth with his…”I need you to look at me…”
She blinked slowly and nodded…
He gave a swift smile and held her face gently, “you’re with me…okay?”
A frown appeared on her forehead, “what…what’s wrong?”
Arnav’s jaw was clenched tight…
He was sick of her being constantly terrified.
Her recovery couldn’t afford this.
Every time she made progress, an attack happened, and he had to put a stop to it.
She began to sit up, and her expression showed when she instantly started to remember…
Arnav braced himself, ready to combat her tears, even though they felt like knives to his soul.
But they didn’t come.
She bolted up from the bed and he stood up fast watching her as carefully as a hunter watched his prey…
He waited…
Her eyes were wide and he could see her thinking hard…
“Khushi…” he took one step forwards…
“Stop!” she put her hand up and he halted.
His energy was crackling around them and she knew that what she had to do was going to be almost impossible…
“I…I have to leave.”
Arnav snapped and came at her in a rush.
Pinning her against the wall, he used his height as a weapon and his tone as ammunition, “You fucking are NOT!”
The fear of harm coming to them all now outweighed the pain she felt…”I have brought another threat! I will NOT let this happen!”
He summoned all the composure he could but his voice was sharp, “Nothing is happening!”
She started to push at his shoulders, “I just got a note that said-“
“I know what it fucking said! It’s just to scare you!”
“You don’t understand!” she screamed.
His unbreakable hold was now making her heart race.
“I can’t be the cause of harm coming to you all!”
Khushi struggled against him and knew that she had to convince him to let her leave…
“You know you can’t get out of this arm lock Khushi.”
Her breathing was starting to heave…
She was so beautiful, his chest hurt.
“Khushi, slow breaths…calm down…we can talk about this…”
“She’s breaking.” his thoughts were in a massive war at how we was going to keep calm for her, and kill whoever was doing this…
“You need to let me leave…”
“No.”
She lost her temper completely.
She struck out, but he caught her hand.
Her chest was rising up and down fast with her rapid breaths…
“…Khushi, everyone is safe! I’m safe…just calm down…shhhh.”
Khushi started to quiet, but a new strategy was formulating in her head…
“Lets just sit down, and we can talk…okay sweetheart?”
Her voice was gruff as she replied, “Alright.”
He took a chance, taking a step back…
She instantly turned and bolted towards the door, but didn’t get far.
Arnav lunged at her for all he was worth.
The second her hand touched the handle he hauled her backward.
“Don’t you dare run from me…” he growled in her ear as he strode back to the bed and tossed her on it…
She bounced on the plush blanket and grunted when Arnav came down on top of her…
“Get off me,” Khushi huffed, trying desperately to control her voice.
His hands sank into her hair and gripped, his expression was tormented, “Khushi, stop this..”
“This? I am bringing danger…you have all been threatened now… I have to leave!
Arnav cupped her nape and squeezed, “Mum and dad are fine. I am fine. Someone is trying to scare you into leaving me and I’m not going to let that fucking happen.”
She was shaking and his heart wasn’t sure whether to break for her or explode with fury over the threats…
“Well it’s worked! I’m scared! I’m not going to put you all at risk anymore! I need to leave!”
He could see that she was far past desperation…
She wanted to leave because she truly couldn’t see a way to save everyone…
His eyes turned harsh…”Hear this. I love you,” he said fiercely, “No one will ever love you as I do… ” his next tone made her involuntarily shake, “I will never let you go.”
She already knew that it wasn’t possible for any man to love her more than Arnav did.
And the pain of leaving him was already eating away at any hope she had been feeling…”I lost one family…I can’t lose another…It would be all my fault…“
He held her face, “…take a breath…NOTHING is your fault…”
She took a breath, but her nerves were still on high alert…
“That’s better…” he said as calmly as he could…
“I’m scared…the note said they’d attack mum and dad…it said they would kill you in front of me…”
Straining against the ferocious reactions he was keeping at bay, he blinked slowly and shook his head, “No fear…I’m with you…I’m holding you, and no one beats me…”
Yearning, so intense it hurt, spiked every nerve in her body…
He pressed his mouth onto hers, “I’m here…”
Arnav grasped the back of her neck and suctioned his mouth to hers, pouring all the assurance that he could into the kiss…
When their lips parted, he saw that she was genuinely calmer…”That’s right…It’s okay…”
Needing to hold her, he pulled her against his chest…
There was a loud knock on the door…
“Your Highness!”
Corey’s voice sent a jolt of annoyance into his blood…
Arnav felt Khushi jerk and his gaze locked onto her, “Everything is okay…alright?”
She bit her lip, but nodded, wiping her eyes…
He lifted her up slowly, and stayed close as he stood beside the bed.
“Enter.”
Corey’s burst in, his expression was serious.
The roar that came out of Arnav was monstrous, “SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW!“
Corey’s eyes darted to the Princess and he instantly realised his fatal mistake.
The bulky soldier suddenly showed genuine fear for the first time…
Khushi’s eyes were wide and hollow as she scrambled off the bed to the opposite side of her husband…
Arnav’s blood boiled as he immediately gauged Khushi’s expression…
She was pale and the determination to leave had now renewed with vigor…
Arnav saw it clear as day.
“Khushi, NO.”
She spun away and ran for the door…
Arnav reached for her but she was fast and he bellowed a command to Corey, “STOP HER!”
Khushi saw Arnav’s hefty guard come at her in a flash, and knew that she couldn’t escape.
He apprehended her, his arm winding around her waist, and she fought back screaming.
Seeing Corey’s hands on his wife even for a second woke the killer inside him.
Khushi felt the Corey’s hands be brutally shoved away as a harsher, stronger grip held on possessively…
Arnav was now ready for war.
“Clear the floor.“
Her husband’s command sent a sliver of ice through her.
He was madder than she’d ever seen.
Trying to shake him off, he snarled at her…
Orders were being heralded out across the upper level and marching soldiers disappeared down the stairs…
Arnav plastered her to his body as he yelled commands.
“Assign extra surveillance outside. Every worker is to be watched. Someone is doing this on purpose.”
Khushi’s adrenalin flared and she kicked Arnav hard in the shin.
He purposefully let her slip out of his grasp and she bolted.
Arnav didn’t even try and reach for her as there was nowhere she could run.
The only exit was in the opposite direction.
He remained exactly where he stood, Corey standing at his side and they heard a loud door slam.
Arnav instantly started to growl.
“Arnav, Your Highness, I…I shouldn’t have-”
Arnav fisted his hands onto Corey’s collar and bellowed, “Are you fucking suicidal?!”
His second in command froze.
“Sir, I apologise.”
The Prince’s eyes were dangerous and glowing as he gnashed out the words, “Find me who sent that note…because I am going to kill them, and if I didn’t value you as I do, I would kill you.”
Arnav sounded homicidal.
Shoving Corey back, he thundered, “Keep the floor clear. It’s going to get loud.”
And he took long strides in the direction of his wife…
………..
Arnav stormed towards the room she had escaped into and pushed at the door.
Locked.
He snickered with bitter fury and began to pound on the wood, “Open the door.”
No response.
He pounded harder…”Unlock the door!”
Arnav slammed his fist into the door frame, “You open the fucking door, right now, or I will break it down!“
Khushi was cowering behind the couch that was in the small sitting room.
“Oh God…” her voice was shaking…
The rage was now engulfing him and he was going to blow.
Stepping back, he slammed his thickset leg into the door twice and it snapped down the middle with a resounding crack…
Furiously he surged into the room and saw how shaken and terrified she was…
Her voice was in a frenzy as she backed away even further…“They were attacked!!! I can’t…can’t stay…it’s MY fault…how much longer until…someone actually gets killed…”
His voice now resounded from the doorway, “Oh someone is going to get killed, whoever is behind the threats is moments away from death, they just don’t know it yet!”
Khushi scrambled backwards until her back hit the bookshelf against the wall, “I can’t be here! I refuse to be the cause of this anymore!”
There was a hum of viscous energy around them as he stayed firmly planted in the doorway.
He could see just how scared she was, “You aren’t going anywhere.”
Khushi tried to suppress her shattering heart, “You never wanted this! You didn’t want love! You wanted control! You told me that! You don’t need me! And your mum and dad sure as hell don’t need this danger!”
His expression was dark and the veins in his neck were popping as he tried to rein in his fury…
Arnav wasn’t a mere man.
He was born to be a warrior…to make others cower and beg for mercy.
Wrath seeped out of his pores.
And she was well and truly terrified…
“I…”
Arnav stared.
“I…I am leaving…before anyone gets-“
“No you’re not.”
His nonchalant tone made her more furious.
“Yes! I fucking am!”
His eyes widened hearing her language…
She stormed up to him and he didn’t even flinch…
“I can’t be here! You didn’t want me to begin with anyway! So get
Arnav felt his heart beat harder and faster as unmitigated fury blasted through him, but he stayed still as he growled, “nothing you say will change the fact that you’re not leaving my sight.”
Anguish and grief now obliterated every other thought…
“I’m not staying here!” He voice was distraught, “I’m not having people that I love, people who actually matter, put at risk because of me! I’m nothing!”
He knew she still felt this way about herself.
Khushi was out of control, and he could see that she needed to rage and let it all out.
Her arms waved as she spoke.
Her hair flying over her shoulders.
There was only so much composure he had until he exploded, and her pain was bringing that detonation rapidly.
“…WHY would you still want someone like me around!? Someone who brings threats!?” her voice ramped up…
Arnav was now past the point of remaining still and barrelled forwards making her eyes widen and body clamber backwards…”Someone like you? Khushi, I fucking LOVE you! You’re my wife…“
These constant attacks were destroying her soul, and he could see it…
He could almost feel her heart shattering as she was ready to try and make him hate her, all so she could keep him and his family safe.
At the cost of her own happiness….
Anger and fear contorted her features as she edged away clumsily, “They were attacked…” her voice was choked up as she spoke, “You can say I’m not bringing this danger, but I am! I’m not worth this!”
The walls shook as Arnav’s roar thundered out…”You’re worth everything!”
She spun away in terror and tried to run away but he was on her in seconds, grabbing her from behind, and had his arms wrapped tightly around her…
Her whole body stiffened, then she stomped her foot and tried to break free, knowing full well he was now in combat mode…
“No!” she began to struggle against him, his body aligned with the back of hers in one long, strong wall of muscle and heat…
He held her tighter as she pulled her arms up and slammed them down on his, trying to break his hold…
“I don’t want any more goddamn sympathy comfort! I have to leave! I know what I have to do!”
Arnav gripped a handful of her hair and pulled as he spun her by the hip to face him…”Oh do you, my wife!?”
Overwhelming rage at him, herself, the attacks, and at what she thought she had to do ripped through her veins at heart-stopping speed and she shoved at his chest…”Get Off!”
“No.”
She lost it.
Seriously fucking lost it.
Her chest bucked, her legs kicked and she struck out at him…
Fury, raw and repressed screamed from her heart, “No! I will not be the cause of this!”
“You aren’t the cause!”
Crashing and breaking what was left of her control, she lashed out.
She hit his chest, kicked at his thighs, and punched his arms…
All her hits hurt her instead of him, as he was rock solid…
Arnav could see how far gone she was, how broken this was making her, and could see her hands and forearms getting redder each time she struck…
“STOP IT! Khushi stop!…”
Images of when she saw him be stabbed flashed in her memory…
Tears in her eyes, anger and pain in the set of her jaw, she spat fire at him in a last attempt to get him to drive him away…”Fuck. You. SIR!”
Everything exploded.
Horrible wrenching sobs filled the room as his gladiator arms flipped her body as though she weighed nothing.
The cold, hard floor hit her back as the tight pressure and weight of her monstrous husband restrained her…
He held her arms down above her head with effortless strength as he locked her down in containment.
His huge muscled thighs came down beside her legs as his raging heartbeat hit her ears and his intimidating snarling breath washed over her face…”Fuck me? Really Khushi?…If you want to scream and escape so bad, try it! Because right now…I’m going to fuck YOU!”
Arnav slammed his mouth over hers and yanked down his pants.
She tried to react, but with the way he held her down, she could barely move an inch…
So she tried the only move she had left, she opened her mouth…
Arnav knew what she was going to do as she tried to bite him…
“Go on! Try and stop me!” He thundered, and gripped both of her wrists in one of his large hands and re positioned his legs as he forced hers apart…
She saw the intent in his eyes and yelled at him, “No!”
The sharp tearing of her underwear stopped her words as he yanked the lace away from her kicking thighs…
Keeping his upper body weight on her, she could hardly make one kick reach him.
Supreme strength and power now dripped from every muscle as he hauled one of her legs over his arm, forcing her core to be bare as positioned his cock.
She shrieked, completely terror-stricken.
“Don’t you dare go inside me! Don’t you da-“
Ferociously growling, he speared his flesh into her deep…
Her gasping wail, her tight core, and her soft yet fighting body in his arms nearly set him off instantly.
“No! Stop!” she was panicking and unable to calm.
Holding her down, he glared at her as he forcefully moved in and out with a dominance that had her screaming…
“No plea will stop this! Even if you didn’t want me you wouldn’t escape me…I would keep you fucking hostage!”
Her core soaked him as she raged beneath him…
“You think you’ve tamed me!?” his words were biting like acid as he shoved his phallus in deeply, dominating her, rough and fierce…“You and you alone have awoken this beast inside me! Yes, I want control, and I fucking TAKE it! I now live to control YOU!“
Even as she fought him, she was taking every slam that he drove, sounds of intense pleasure crawling out from her throat..
He plunged into her like a savage as her sex dripped desire over his cock…
“How dare you say I didn’t want you! My life was worthless without you…I am ready to go on a killing rampage to keep you! So say whatever meaningless threats about leaving me that you like, because you will never be free of me!”
With no dignity or decorum left, her thoughts poured from her mouth as she struggled beneath him, “You’re scaring me.”
His vigorous eyes glared into hers as he grabbed her hair, “GOOD.”
Her panic was drawn to the raw edge and she began to cry even as she lashed out…
“You want to be scared?! Then I’ll scare you! I get ALL of you! Every look, every feeling, every emotion! If you need to feel anything right now, then feel this
Her crippled glare hit his gaze as she sucked in a breath.
She was shocked to believe he was fighting so hard for her.
Gripping her rough, he pulled her violently towards him as he plunged deep, then stilled…
The fierce fullness had her gasping as he stayed motionless above her…
He recognised the look in her eyes…
“You thought that I would let you go? You’re seriously surprised to know how far I’ll go to keep you?”
Tears spilled into her hair…
His cock pulsed inside her and she finally went motionless, even though her body quivered uncontrollably…
Her pulse was blasting as she felt him inside her body, and inside her heart.
“Let you heart ACCEPT it! You are never leaving me because this is where you belong…with me.”
He pulsed again and her sex contracted around him…
“Ssstop…Please…” she whispered…
His energy tinged the air with tangible passion…
“Please?” he mocked, “I won’t stop no matter how much you fucking beg…”
She couldn’t hold back a keening sob and began to shake…
Arnav released her hip and grasped her face, forcing her to keep her eyes on him…
She could see just how much her words and actions had hurt him, and even though she intended to hurt him, she felt his pain acutely.
He slowly pulled back and watched her face as he sank back in tortuously slow…
Her lips parted, her lungs drew in air, and her eyes spilled out her heartache…
“Do you know what it feels like to be inside you? It feels like home. I love you, more than anything…” he whispered against her lips.
The shudder that covered the expanse of her body was torrential…
Khushi bit her lip to try and stop the escaping sobs but it was too late.
The floodgates opened…
He wanted to quiet her, hating the sound of her tears to the depths of his soul, but he knew she needed to let out the panic…
“Let it out, I’m here…”
The broken, despairing sounds coming from her chest were gutting him…”You’re safe…”
Desire, sharp and painful, shot through his veins and he began to move inside her again…
“Oh God…” her voice was a groan of agony, “Wh…what do I do?”
Arnav rested his forehead against hers as his cock plunged into her, deep and slow…”You let ME handle it…and you let me fuck you.”
She could see he was still livid, even as he tried desperately to keep her calm.
“HOW?!” he boomed as he suddenly speared hard into her core, “Do you think I love you so little that hurting me would make a difference?!”
A blasting desolation began to strangle her…”I don’t want to…to leave you…”
Arnav’s phallus twitched inside her and his expression was lethal as he sneered, “Ohhhh, You won’t.”
“Arnav…”
His name crawled up her throat and coated her tongue…
Reaching between their bodies, he circled his finger against her clitoris and watched her tremble…
“Mine…”
He kissed her, deep and slow…
His tongue took possession of her mouth as his cock took possession of her body…
And he gave her exactly exquisite bliss, rocking into her, keeping her arms above her head, gripping her tight with every thrust.
“Arnav…” she panted, moving her hips as much as she could…
Grinding his hips, hitting her gspot, he drove into her and demanded her reaction…”Let the rest go…it’s you and me…”
Her core clenched tight…”Oh God!”
“That’s right…” he growled…
She screamed as the first wave of her release hit like a tidal wave and milked his phallus with harsh pressure…
Arnav was now on the precipice, his balls tightening, his muscles straining…
With her core still contracting, Khushi gasped, trying to free her hands from his grasp as another orgasm hit hard…”Oh God I love you!”
Her complete surrender did it.
Releasing her arms, he slid his arms around her, holding her tight.
He came so damn hard that he shook…
Holding her as close as possible, he roared out his release, and Khushi felt it, every single drop…
Khushi couldn’t believe what she had just put him through…
And yet, once again, he had loved her out of the darkness…
His lips were now pressing to her neck…
“…talk to me…” he rasped, his mouth brushing hers.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She didn’t cry.
She wept.
Uncontrollable sobs broke free.
Shattered disillusion, self-hatred, guilt, fear…
Khushi covered her face as she felt utter shame…
Holding her tight, still buried deep inside her, Arnav lifted their joined bodies and carried her to the couch…
Coming over her once more, he gently pried her hands away from her face, “…you don’t hide from me…give me everything…”
His fingers threaded into her hair, “…give me these tears,” he whispered, “…give me your words…I’m here…”
Khushi’s arms dropped to the couch in defeat…”I’m nothing…and you…and mum and…and dad…you all treat me so differently than how I’ve always been treated…I can’t let anything happen to you all…and…yes…yes I’m so surprised that you will fight for me…no one ever has…no one ever wanted me for ME.”
Her tone showed just how much damage the trauma had inflicted, but he needed her to talk it out…
“I’d get sold, then sold again…thrown from person to person who would abuse me and hurt me. I am afraid to believe this is real…”
Her words were dragging Arnav’s heart through the shredder, the pain acute.
“I didn’t mean what I said before, I didn’t,” her breathing was choppy and laboured, “…I want to be with you…I don’t want to leave…but I…I…”
She took a shaking gulp of air and blinked fast…
Arnav knew there was more, but he was getting close to breaking down himself.
A fresh wave of tears appeared…”I don’t care about myself! I want to save you all…I don’t want mum and dad attacked…I can’t see you killed in front of me again…” she was crumbling, “I need to save you all…”
Before she could respond, he kissed her once again…
Tender and sweet and nothing like the man who’d just thrust into her so hard…
She felt him all the way to her womb.
His lips danced across hers as his hands cupped her face and sank into her hair…
Her heart skipped and his mouth let go of hers…
“I never thought…” the words burned in her chest…”I never thought…that I would ever..that someone so wonderful…that…that you…”
“…I already know your heart Khushi…but It’s you who needs to realise your worth, and how greatly you are, and always will be loved…”
Holding her gently he carefully eased out of her as her hands finally flew to his shoulders, holding him tight, feeling the loss of his body inside hers…
“I just know that I can’t be the reason someone is hurt…”
Sharp arousal shot straight through him and he instantly brought her body over his.
She now straddled him as he sank two fingers into her sex and slowly stroked in and out…
“You are the only one who matters in all this…” he looked deep into her eyes and twisted his fingers up and curled them, directly pressing her gspot…
“Oh…Oh God…what…what are you doing?..”
Her head fell back and she clung to his neck as his thumb hit her clitoris…
“I’m making you come…”
“Why is he caring so much? His parents were just attacked and he wants to keep me…”
“Stop…” her harsh breaths hit his face, “NO…” she bit out and tried to pull his hand away…
He didn’t let her back away…”Give it to me! You’re feeling pain again! TALK to me!”
“…why…” she cried..
“Why what?” he snarled as he moved his hand harder…
“The…the threats…I can’t…I’m bringing danger…I’m no good for you…”
His cock started to pulse against her thigh as he gripped a handful of her hair and pulled, hard.
“You want to know the truth!?” he roared, “You’re too good for me! You humanise me! I kept ice around my heart constantly! I thought of no one but myself! You have now made me fit to be King and rule a fucking Kingdom! My dad told you that! My mum told you that! Dad protected himself and mum long before you and I came along! They are Fine! But me?! I was heartless! And who changed that? YOU! You wanted to save me Khushi!? Well, guess what! YOU DID!”
Her eyes were wide, her back arched, and she was sucking in deep breaths of pure shocked desire…
Wetness flushed between her legs, and every part of her body turned to liquid.
Tingling from the strands of her hair straining against her scalp shot electric pulses into her blood…
“Look at me Khushi…” he demanded as he removed his fingers…
His fierce brown gaze, the color of an alpha storm, zoned in on her…”You, my love, have already saved me…now I am going to save you! I can’t fucking breathe without you…”
Without warning, he speared his cock into her.
Her throaty cry flew across his ears he grabbed the back of her head…
A second later his lips crashed over hers and he kissed her like a man possessed.
He didn’t just kiss her, he consumed her…
She shivered as he pushed her backwards into the couch, pressing her down as he shoved in deep and fast…
Hitting her cervix, he bottomed out…
Screaming, she tried to scramble away slightly, the sudden fullness and pressure too much…
But he held her firm…”Deep breath, Khushi…”
Her eyes were pouring out her heartache as he constantly thrust against her womb hard and forcefully…
His huge rough hands grabbed her arms and held them above her head again as he rasped, “It’s time to talk to me!”
She hiccuped a sound of distress and he snarled again…”Talk. To. Me.”
A voice brimming with torment wafted out, “…I never thought I was worth this…that I deserved this…”
Not once stopping his penetrations, he leaned lower, “More…”
As his thick, hard length pulsed in her core, she cried, “Oh…God…you are more wonderful, more honourable, and more caring than anyone I’ve ever known…I’ve never known love until you…you make me want a life that I never dreamed was possible…that I never thought I would ever have…would never be allowed to have…”
His hands held her down, his body caged her in and he growled, “More Khushi! Let me IN!” he demanded, clenching his buttocks at every deep thrust to hit her womb hard…
“I…” she panted, “I didn’t know I could be the woman that I have become…I only want to be her…I can only be her with you…”
“That’s it…more…” he urged, pumping his hips faster, feeling her grow slicker…
His head dipped to take one of her nipples into his mouth…
Flicking his tongue over the lit nerves, he bit down and growled as the sting shot to her sex…
“My…” her words were now stammering and spurred on by pure arousal, “My heart came alive when you touched me…the happiness you bring me is more than I can…can ever understand…I want to feel the hope that you bring me…I don’t want to lose that…” her voice cracked with sadness, “Oh God, I don’t want to be sold again…I don’t want to be beaten again or to feel empty again…I…I can’t breathe without you…Oh my God!…”
He lifted his head and devoured her mouth.
Her core convulsed and she shook as her orgasm happened instantaneously, encasing her in pleasure, pain and blinding rightness…
She screamed and gasped against his mouth as he drank down every sound…
The desperate and hopeful way she moaned his name only brought more determination to withhold his climax and draw out hers…
Khushi was sucking in air desperately as she came so hard she didn’t even notice that he hadn’t.
Not giving her a second to recover, Arnav pulled back and thrust again drilling through her aftershocks making her whole body shake…
“…no…” she pushed at his chest, “I can’t come again…”
“…you will…” he snarled, his patience gone, “...you just told me your heart’s desire…what you truly feel and want…everything you just said is everything I am going to give you, and keep giving you…“
Through dazed blinking eyes, she realised that he had purged out the confession of her heart, and now that he knew, he’d never believe anything else she threatened in order to try and leave…
He burrowed deeper inside her so that her mouth fell open as she gasped…
Arnav released her hands and in nervousness, she instantly tried to push him away, but her arms were weak and even at her best, she was no match for him…
“You…” she was keening, “You can’t-“
Her head kicked back as he roared and began to slam into her pulsing vagina with fury, “I can do anything I fucking want! You’ve had unacceptable things happen to you. But now, you have me…and I’ll fight for you for eternity, which is also exactly how long I’m going to love you…”
“You…You’re such…” she panted and stopped as he slid and arm beneath her back, arching her, as he rammed against her gspot…
Against her will, her arms went around him…
“Such what?” he growled against her lips as he controlled his movements and held her tight…
“You…you’re…Oh..Oh God…”
She couldn’t speak, not when he was the centre of her world and the very reason her heart was beating…
Tightening her hold on him, she caught a glimpse of his ravenous expression before he sank his free hand into her hair and their lips collided…
Arnav drank in her moans, pleas and whimpers as she clung to him like he needed her to…
He could feel how raw and primed she was, and yet he prolonged her orgasm until he thought he was going to burst…
She was now crazed.
Animalistic growls and screams poured out from her chest as he finally flexed his muscled arm beneath her back and he speared her deep and fast…
Ripping his shirt from his body, she exploded.
Mind blowing, soul shattering exploded.
Khushi wrapped herself around him, and hung on for dear life as the orgasm ripped through her wave after wave…
“MINE!” Arnav snarled with possession as he shoved his length to the hilt and erupted right along with her…
Tears were streaming down her face as her tsunami of wetness gushed over his spasming cock and over her thighs…
The impact of their combined climax was drenching, and yet he controlled his muscles as his huge body crushed hers…
Khushi was now completely exhausted, and could barely focus, but one thing was resounding inside her, she was needing him like she had never needed anything in her life.
Staring down at her like the predator he was, his eyes poured out his unending desire and love for her…
He nodded, “Exactly…”
She blinked fast and her lips parted…”Wh…what?”
“You damn well DO need me…”
Unable to fight him, strength completely gone, Khushi could merely whisper, “I’m so sorry…”
Stray tears dripped down her cheeks as shame so deep eclipsed her pain.
His hold tightened, “Stop feeling ashamed, and talk to me.“
Winded and spent from the dynamic sexual activity, the last of her adrenaline released into his strong hold on her, and guilt stronger than her shame, rose like bile…
“I…I hit you…”
“You literally hurt nothing.”
Khushi felt like she wanted to crawl out of her own skin, and yet wanted to stay in his arms forever…”I’m sor-“
“No. You’re not saying that.”
Locked in by his huge body, she froze as he held her…
None of his muscles relaxed.
His breathing was tempered and steady, as he tried to keep up his calm exterior.
“I will die for you. I will kill for you. I will do anything for you…except one thing…”
She shivered at his words, and at the promise he was about to declare…
“I will never let you go…”
Releasing her hair, he captured the back of her neck, his thick fingers massaging the muscles she didn’t know were tense…
“I want to murder every one who ever sold you, abandoned you, hurt you, and left you alone…” he forced out he vile words in disgust and then said, “but Khushi, that part of your life is OVER…”
Words now spilling free, she cried, “It’s still alive in my head…”
Arnav instantly wrapped a thick handful of her hair around his fist, “I will KILL it.”
Just as smoothly as he’d put her in a dominant hold, he released her hair once more and caressed the back of her neck…
Khushi stared into his eyes, breathing in the unwavering attention and loyalty he gave her…
He was confident and so very alpha as he nodded, “You’re seeing it now, aren’t you…”
Tears welled, and her heart started to heat up…”You won’t let me go…”
The corner of his mouth twitched, “I could tie you to the bed to prove it…”
She blinked and then finally he saw her lips quirk…
He instantly smiled…
“Oh my God…he’s beautiful when he smiles…”
She had spoken unknowingly again and he rested his forehead to hers once more, “You’re beautiful all the time.”
Khushi’s eyes were now shining, he could see hope starting to resurface.
Arnav rolled them over as his semi hard cock slid out of her…
Tucking his flesh under his boxers, he leaned on his side so he could stare down at her while she lay on her back…
“That night, when I first saw you,” he said, resting his arm over her stomach, “I followed you. I chased you. When I heard you were to be thrown out…” He grimaced and shook his head, “I couldn’t take it, and even though I was angry, I had to go to you…THIS is how I reacted to you before I had even touched you…If I was ready to chase you then, how much further do you think I’ll go now?”
She looked away and Arnav wasn’t going to allow that.
He reached a hand up and slid his fingers along her jaw and used his thumb to tip her head back up until her gaze met his again…
“I had everyone’s eyes on me that night…and the one person who I wanted to look at me, wasn’t allowed to…”
More emotions swam in her beautiful eyes, “I…I wanted to…but Greta was very firm when she briefed us all…”
“I should have kicked HER out there and then. Nasty piece of shit.”
With a heart that was open and sharing everything, Khushi muttered, “She was very cruel, and then what she called me when I left…” her voice trailed off.
His brutal snarl made her snap to attention…
“What did she call you?” his voice was quiet but everything else about him pulsed with anger.
Khushi realised what she said and tried to calm him…”It’s in the past, I’ve actually never thought about it till now and-“
“Tell me.”
His tone was so full of authority that Khushi knew he wasn’t about to let this go.
“Please don’t worry about it, you just got me talking so much, and my mind started remembering things that-“
“Good. You’ll tell me.”
Khushi’s voice was hushed, “You’ll be angry.”
Arnav leaned lower, his body vibrating with tension, “I’m already angry. Tell me.”
Her husband was bullheaded and not about to let anything go when it concerned her.
“She…she just called me a name…that’s all…”
Khushi recalled the early morning when she left via the servant’s wing, all to save the Prince’s life, and Greta had been in the kitchens and caught sight of her leaving in a dishevelled mess…
Arnav’s grip began to tighten on her as he saw her remembering..
Khushi recalled the old nasty maid look on in disgust as she called her a…
“…whore…”
An explosion of adrenaline and clashing brutality now sparked in his eyes and his voice turned bloodthirsty, “…she called you that?!
Khushi blinked fast trying to stop the tears when she realised she spoke aloud…
The cold hard reality of the belittling, violence and terror she had gone through sent an earthquake of all powerful ruthlessness into his blood.
Khushi was now desperately trying to stop the emotions that threatened to erupt…
Tucking away the thoughts of what merciless punishment he was going to throw on Greta, he leaned down close…
“You, are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on…and you possess more royalty inside you than I do…and you gave your virginity to ME…you’re mine.”
He pressed an extremely gentle kiss on her lips and continued, “…no one is going to get away with what they’ve done to hurt you…”
She raised her hand to touch him, her fingers soft against his rough face, “I was hurting for fear of never seeing you again…her words meant nothing…”
Arnav squeezed her, “That doesn’t change the consequences for her…but as for you…fuck.”
He shuddered and brushed his thumb over her lower lip, “Khushi, you’ve already left me once, and it’s NOT going to happen again…I am going to issue a royal order to every soldier, that if you try to leave the castle without me, they are to stop you.”
Arnav had expected her to get defensive or to tear up, but instead she smiled and blushed…
Her reaction completely surprised him, “…at least you’re my willing captive.“
Khushi rested her hand on his muscular chest, “Your captive…”
Swooping down, his body heat surrounded her and his lips covered hers.
Crashing and spiralling into the depths of her fears, she let go…and he caught her.
Achingly tender, he held her.
Searching the heat of her mouth, as if he needed her to breathe, he gave.
Reverence, desire, unrestrained need, he gave her what he had to give.
With a truth no words could touch, he kissed her until she felt hope renew deep in her soul.
……………
“…he literally threatened to kill me…”
“You better let me take over for a bit.” Jacob gritted out…
Corey nodded, “We need to find out what’s going on.”
Jacob had questioned half the guards as new soldiers took their place…
“You really are wary aren’t you?” Jake noted as he surveyed Corey.
“You didn’t see him. He was literally using EVERYTHING in him to not lash out at me…”
“He will calm down and-“
Corey shook his head, “No…no seriously. You didn’t see him. Hey, did you question Ally? She brought the food. The note must have been on that tray…
“Not yet, I’ve only questioned the guards…”
“Alright,” Corey said as he sat down, “Well, you’ll know more when you go and ask the Princess for more details…”
“ME?” Jacob suddenly paled…
“I’m not going within 1,000 meters of him…”
Both men suddenly realised the command of fear and respect that Arnav pulled.
“He’s going to be one terrifying king…”
Finally Corey grinned, “Just don’t make the mistake I did.”
“It was just that, a mistake, and Arnav will recognise that.”
He scoffed, “I can only hope…”
Jake stood up, “Alright…new guards are posted. The staff is to be questioned next. But I do need to know what exactly happened…”
“Ha, you’re even nervous.”
He shifted on his feet, “Has it been long enough. I mean, those two are in-fucking-credible. He’s a machine.”
Corey grinned, “He’s madly in love…”
“So am I, but his obsession is something else…”
Sighing out loud, Jacob finally accepted that he had to try and talk to Khushi…
“Ok, I’m going up. If I don’t come back, tell My wife that I love her…”
Corey chuckled, “Khushi won’t let him kill you. She’s good friends with your wife…”
Jacob just mock saluted and trudged up the staircase…
…………..
Arnav had carried Khushi back into their room and he called for food…
She wanted to sit near the window in the afternoon sun, and he seated himself close beside her, giving her anything she wanted.
His mental mood was starting to blast.
“How much HASN’T she told me about what she’s been through or what has been said to her? Why is she living with all that terror on her own?”
He was now determined to know everything, because he now vowed to slay everyone from her past who had hurt her.
“You know I really wasn’t that hungry…” she felt her eyes sting with tears, because she had never said that before in her life.
“After what I just did to you, you needed to eat sweetheart.”
Khushi let out a nervous laugh, “You should be the one constantly eating…”
Growling, his eyes filled with passion, “Oh I’ll be eating…”
His implication sank in and she flushed with color…
“I’ll just go wash my hands…” she said as she stood up.
Two loud knocks rapped on their door.
Her terrified gasp filled the air as her whole body went rigid.
Arnav was on his feet in an instant and cupped the side of her face, “hey, it’s okay…”
Wild, and riddled with fear, her eyes darted from the door back to him…
And he could see it again, her pure panic.
“Shh, I’m right here…” he put his forehead to hers, “You’re safe, my love, I’ve got you…”
Her pulse was pounding, her heartbeat thrumming, she sucked in a breath…”Arnav…”
“I’m here…” he held her tight as his thoughts seethed at the nightmare she was stuck in.
She started to groan and pout and he felt her agitation…
“I don’t like this…” her expression showed embarrassment, “I don’t want to be comforted every waking moment…”
“Too fucking bad,” he spoke into her hair…”You need me, I’m here.”
“But-“
He held her tight, “You need me. I’m here.”
Overwhelmed at his continual devotion, she pulled him down and kissed him.
Growling into her mouth, it was as if a volcano ignigted.
He gave her exactly what she wanted and drove his tongue deep…
When their mouths parted, he smiled, even though he could still feel her shaking slightly.
“I think that should be your immediate reaction from now on, my love…”
She bit her lip, heat and humor in her eyes, “It usually is, but I’m too nervous to do it…”
He blinked and then sniggered, “Oh yeah…but don’t forgot what you just said…because it’s true…”
Swooping her up in his arms, he walked towards the door.
“This had better be good.” he spoke loudly through the thick wooden frame door.
“It’s Jacob. Just need information.”
Setting her down carefully, he kissed her cheek and kept his arm around her waist as he opened the door.
Jacob was emitting nervous energy, but he looked from Arnav to the Princess, “You’re alright, Your Highness?”
Khushi nodded, “I am. Please come in…”
Jake regarded his best friend and saw his eyes were hard and determined…
“Arnav?”
As if snapped out of a trance, he cleared his throat, “Come in.” he nodded once and took Khushi’s hand, leading her to sit on the bed.
Arnav stood tall beside her as his eyes burned.
Jacob knew the prince had always been volatile, but he was now biggest threat to anyone when it came to his wife…
She held onto his hand and her gentle touch seemed to lessen his agitation as he leaned down and kissed her forehead then looked to Jacob and nodded.
“I…I just need you to walk me through what happened Your Highness.”
Khushi instantly caught how nervous he was and frowned, knowing her husband was scaring people again…
The beast inside him was out for bloodshed.
“Arnav?” she whispered, and he instantaneously was at her attention…
His entire being was tuned to her…
Forcing his expression to soften, he leaned down again and kissed her gently, “It’s alright sweetheart…”
She took a breath, “Okay, well I woke up. Arnav was asleep. I heard the knock at the door and it was Ally with our breakfast. There was a bit of small talk and,” she smiled and looked toward her husband, “Corey said he didn’t want me to hold the tray too long because I felt shaky and said that you’d attack him if I got hurt…”
His viscous snarl instantly shushed her.
“He, he was looking out for me.”
Arnav’s fists clenched.
Any mention of harm or abuse coming to her now invoked an instant response in his heart and body…
Locking down the anger, his voice was calm, “Go on…”
Khushi didn’t know what happened, but continued, “I brought the food in, and was about to wake Arnav when…when I saw…I saw the,” she paused as images of the letter blurred her vision, “I…I saw…”
Arnav saw her starting to stutter and he dropped to the bed.
Blinking, she nodded, “I saw the…the letter and read it…and then, I panicked. That’s the last I remember.”
Jacob stayed silent.
“Good girl, you’re okay…” Arnav squeezed her momentarily and kissed the back of her head.
Reaching towards his nightstand, he poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, “Here, I have to talk to Jacob for a moment…okay?”
She offered him a soft smile and a quick nod, “I’m okay…”
Arnav’s eyes filled with love and admiration at her inner strength, “I’ll be right back…”
“Jake,” Arnav bit out as he stood up, and his friend followed him to the door.
Stopping short, the Prince bit out a demand, “Report.”
Jacob was careful, “I questioned all the guards. The ONLY people on the floor had been one server who had cleaned, and then Ally in the morning to deliver your food.”
His eyes were cold, “Question everyone. You will find out who wrote that, lock them up, and tell me immediately.”
“Ofcourse Sir…Arnav, are we ok?”
A glare shot out and he snarled, “If anything more happens, I can guarantee that I won’t be able to restrain myself..”
“I can see that…Corey didn’t want to come up here…”
“And so he shouldn’t. He fucked up.”
Jacob quickly replied, “He knows that. Believe me, he knows.”
The Prince’s unending growl filled the air.
“Arnav?”
Khushi’s call to him covered his senses and he looked back rapidly…
The look in her eyes was urgently trying to reassure him, calm him…
His eyes warmed, even though the storm beneath raged…
Running a hand over his face, he gritted his teeth and turned back to Jacob…”Look at that…She’s trying to calm me, when people are out to scare her…where does she get the courage for that?”
“She probably has figured out that she has the world’s most barbaric soldier as a husband and bodyguard…”
Arnav stared, “Fucking hell…”
Jacob jolted back.
“Oh stop it, you’re not in danger from me…neither is Corey…Even though I did want to kill him.”
“We would defend you both with our lives.”
“I know…” he sighed, “I had just calmed her down, and then Corey…” his shoulders tensed, “Look, I’m going to let it go, because you both are the most loyal men to me…I just need this stopped. She’s…” quieting his voice, “The anxiety is getting too much…”
“Arnav, the attack on your parents was literally foiled in seconds. It was as though they weren’t even trying. Your father sent word that the men were interrogated and they were paid off by ‘someone’ in our vicinity. This wasn’t a planned attack to harm them, just to-“
“Scare my wife.” he finished.
“Exactly.”
Arnav’s knuckles were turning white as he gripped the door hard, “She has done nothing to deserve this…”
“Everyone knows that…your mum apparently wanted to return, but the King wouldn’t allow it.”
That made the Prince snicker, “Yeah, well that doesn’t surprise me. We’re alike, and possessive.”
“Understatement of the century.”
Jacob finally got a glimmer of humor shine out of his friends eyes…
“Send Corey up in an hour. I’ll talk to him.”
His best friend nodded and saluted, “Yes Sir, you scary fucking dictator.”
And before Arnav could reply, he heard Khushi’s laugh…
Finally his lips twisted, “You get away with saying that only because it made her laugh…”
“I’ll get onto questioning the staff now,” Jacob craned his head and nodded respectfully towards Khushi, “Your Highness, You’re safe with him, You need to know that good and well.”
“I know. Thankyou Jacob…”
Arnav gave a nod, closed the door and spun on the spot.
He had no off switch when it came to her.
Khushi recognised the look in his eyes as he walked back to the bed.
Except he didn’t walk.
He stalked, like a panther.
Almost predatory.
She didn’t have time to say a word as his mouth slammed over hers and he kissed her.
Except kiss was far to tame of a word.
Curving his body around her, caging her in with his hands burying in her hair, he thrust his tongue in to her gasping mouth and absorbed her.
Desperate for him, she pulled at his shirt…
His iron hold instantly gripped her wrists and his lips left hers…
His penetrating stare cut into her, “I love you.“
Switching both of her wrists to one of his hands, he lifted them above her head as his body came over hers…
Gripping her chin, he tipped her face up to his, and held her arms stretched up, “You own me.”
Her sex was now pulsing painfully, “…everything I am is yours.”
Releasing her chin, but still holding her arms above her head, he slowly pulled the ties at the top of her dress…
Slow and methodical, he watched as her breasts came into view…
Khushi licked her lower lip, “Arnav…”
Bringing his gaze back to hers, he moved the material away from her chest and palmed each breast, letting his fingers drag along her nipples…
His hand soon moved lower and it rested on her sex…”Are you very sore?”
He needed to ask as he knew exactly how hard he had made love to her…
Khushi parted her legs more, “…not really,”
“Don’t you fucking lie to me.” he clipped
She panted faster, “I…only a little…”
He studied her face, released her hands, and his gaze meet hers again…
Arnav took her mouth again, but gentler, pulling her bottom lip between his teeth…
“Make me come, please
He dropped between her legs and held her thighs down wide with both hands…
His tongue swirled over her clit.
She bucked, “Oh…Oh God…”
Angling her, he brought his mouth down on her sex and his tongue thrust up.
Her hands flew to his head and she pulled at his hair…
His tongue brushed her throbbing clitoris and then set a rapid pace, lashing the tight bud of nerves…
“Too…too fast…” she mewled as the tremors started in her spine and suddenly burst through her entire body…
Khushi held onto his head and exploded, riding his mouth, rocking into him.
She came so hard, she was on the verge of passing out…
But Arnav kept her awake by stroking his tongue through her aftershocks…
Coming up over her, his heated, intense eyes were fixed on her as he shoved his pants and boxers down…
With a growl she had come to love, he grabbed the underside of her thighs and wrapped her legs around his waist…”Talk to me.”
He waited…
“I love how strong you are…” her voice was raspy, her swollen clit still throbbing…
“I love that you love me so much…”
He waited, his eyes turning ravenous…
“I love that you are mine…”
Arnav fisted his flesh and dragged the head of his erection through her folds…
Shivers ran up her spine and just as she opened her mouth to say more, his hips surged forwards and his concrete length thrust into her in one deep stroke.
Khushi cried out in bliss, “Oh my God, more…please…”
He pulled back and then drove into her hard.
His thick shaft stretched her fluttering sex as he ground his hips into her clitoris…
Khushi bit her lip to keep from screaming out…
“Again…” she demanded.
Rearing back, he thrust forward again, then again.
Her arms came around his shoulders, nails digging into his taut skin…
Arnav groaned, reveling her touch, as he bottomed out inside her, but then stilled…
Inhaling sharply, he gripped her legs tighter…
His huge body rested into her, and he gazed down hungrily.
“Mine…”
The delicious growl to his voice made her toes curl…
“Yours…” she whispered.
Quicker than she could blink, he drove deep into her and crashed his mouth over hers.
Kissing her, thrusting his hips like he thrust his tongue, he set a scorching pace.
Khushi moaned as her back arched.
Her teeth bit her lip, her head fell back, and her eyes fluttered shut…
“No. Look at me.” he demanded.
Her eyes popped open, and she took in the beauty of her controlling, passionate husband.
“You own my heart Khushi…There will never be a way to tell you how severely I love you…”
Arnav pressed down hard as he speared deep inside her core and her orgasm exploded internally.
Tremors radiated through every nerve, making her shake with release.
Her mouth open, her lungs gasping for air, she came so hard that tears fell down her cheeks…
“Arnav…Arnav…”
He thrust one more time and groaned long and hard as his hot seed pumped into her convulsing body…
Still breathing hard, Khushi reached up and clasped his face in her hands as she covered his mouth with hers…
Arnav instantly pressed her into the bed further as their kiss was fueled by sensual release…
When their lips broke apart, he stared into her eyes, “I am so…so damn honoured…that you are mine…”
……………..
“The note was on the tray I brought to her!?”
Jacob nodded, “That’s what the princess told me.”
Ally frowned and shook her head, “I picked up the breakfast, that’s all. The cook and kitchen staff would have been the ones to put it all together.”
He nodded once, “Alright. They’re next in line.”
“Is her Highness okay?”
Jacob kept seated and reassured her, “She is. With the Prince at her beck and call, she always will be. I just need to get these threats locked up.”
Ally politely excused herself.
Another hour of questioning and Jacob soon had his attendant come back and give a report.
“We swept the kitchen, no other notes found. The only new staff here were part of the nighttime turn over.”
“Right,” Jacob knit his brows, “That’s who we lock up. They will talk. We will listen.”
His attendant was surprised…”Lock them up?”
“Yep, It works. Who are they?”
Looking down at the roster, he read out the names…
Two men, one woman.
Jacob snickered, “Lock them in the next room, I have a way to listen through the walls.”
……………..
“He asked me to come up?”
“Yes, and he said he isn’t going to kill you…or me for that matter.”
Corey rolled his eyes, “You’re his best friend, ofcourse he wouldn’t.”
“You’re his RIGHT HAND MAN!”
Jacob smirked and continued, “Plus…I have news. I found who placed the letter. How about you tell Arnav.”
Corey sat forward from behind his desk in the barracks, “You know? HOW?”
“Ah, well I put the three new staffers in a room and left them there without telling them why…and one sat in the corner and waited patiently…while the other two,” Jacob smirked, “They went at each other within five minutes…Both blaming each other for getting caught, for taking money, for the clumsy place they left the note.”
“Do you know who paid them off?”
He shook his head, “Nope, they won’t say. How about you offer them to the Prince…”
The devilish look in Corey’s eyes glinted, “Oh you HAVE to watch him when he get his hands on them. Then maybe you’ll understand why I was even wary of him.”
“Deal.“
“So where are they?”
Jacob grinned, “In the jails. I was told to put them there, and I’m not suicidal enough to defy The Prince, unlike some I could mention…”
Corey laughed.
………………….
Arnav heard the knock at the door…
It was really quiet, and he knew it was most likely Corey…
It was only 8pm, but he wasn’t prepared to wake Khushi after the emotional rollercoaster she’d been on.
Covering her securely with the blanket, he pressed a kiss to her hair and went to answer the door.
Immediately face to face with his second in command, Arnav nodded in acknowledgement.
“Sir.”
Any calm that Arnav had before was forgotten the minute Corey spoke.
Stepping out of the doorway, he left the door ajar and grabbed Corey by the throat, and his voice was quiet and lethal as he said, “You. Fucked. Up.
Not even trying to resist, Corey nodded, “Sir, I know I did. It won’t happen again.”
Arnav paused, but his grip loosened and his hand dropped back to his side as he clenched his eyes and rubbed his neck, “Fuck.”
“Sir. I apologise.”
Corey’s breath halted.
The Prince shook his head, “I had just calmed her down…and then you came and confirmed that an attack happened…and she lost it…”
“It was an unacceptable error from me…” Corey rested his hand on his friends shoulder, “Sir, it won’t happen again.”
Arnav shook off Corey’s hand, “Better fucking not. I only trust you and Jake. I’m relying on you both.”
“So you’re not going to kill me?”
Finally, he let out a short laugh…”No mate, not today…”
Corey’s lips twisted in a smile, “Good, because I have some news for you…”
Arnav’s eyes filled with the urge to slaughter as the news of the arrests was told to him.
“They’re in the jails right now?”
“Yes sir. Jacob is waiting there.”
Arnav instantly looked back to the room then back to Corey
He knew she was out cold and would probably sleep till morning, but he loathed having to leave her…
“I am going to deal with this because I need to be the one to avenge her…I need to get my hands on them…you’re going to stay here.”
Saluting, his friend finally felt some relief, “Arnav, I swear, you know I am loyal to you and the Princess…I won’t let anything happen.”
“I know Corey. You’ll have the entire army here to back you up too, but I’m going to be fast…If she stirs or wakes up, you call me back FUCKING FAST.”
“Affirmative. Whatever you say. Plus, I care about her too, so it’s not a chore.”
Arnav’s expression darkened, “No.”
Corey blinked in surprise, “Really? I can’t even say that?”
The Prince showed no regret.
“You really are a possessive bastard aren’t you.”
Arnav grinned, “Not even going to apologise…I mean it, she wakes, you call me back immediately.”
“Done.”
He looked into the room and saw her sleeping peacefully.
“Keep the door open, I want her to be in your sight. Don’t go in unless you have to…” his eyes now glowered, “…if she-“
“-wakes up, I will have word sent to you instantly. You have my oath.”
……………..
Arnav’s rough palms slid along the iron bars as he stared at the two men in the cell…
It was chilly, and the smell of blood was overwhelming from the last time he had been there…
There were hardly any windows, and endless concrete.
The dim lights around revealed the two nervous figures…
The Prince’s voice echoed, “Who paid you.”
One man glanced at the other and shook his head.
“Then you’ll die first.” and Arnav took a step forwards.
The stubby man paled and he stuttered, “I didn’t know WHAT the letter meant. I was just told to pass it to Jed!”
The man beside him was now furious, “You bastard! If we held out, then he might have spared us some time to…” he quickly stopped.
Arnav advanced and slammed his clenched fist into the talking man’s face.
Blood now splattered around…
“…time to WHAT.”
Jed spat out a mouthful of blood as he garbled, “To try get out…there are more involved than you think!”
The previous man was now tremoring in the opposite corner of the cell and Arnav turned to him…
“Who paid you.”
Silence.
“Fine.”
Like lightening, Arnav struck.
He beat the burly man until his face was swollen, discolored and grotesque…
“I’ll talk!” he moaned pitifully
Arnav stopped.
“Jed, tell…tell him…”
The Prince spun, “…you have five seconds.”
“His name was Jack. He gave us the note. I passed it to him,” he motioned to his beaten accomplice, “but there were more people who went to see him, he is lying well…that’s it, that’s all I know.”
Jacob who watched from the outside was sweating, Arnav’s voice had been truly frightening.
“And you KNEW what was written in the note, and went along with this, instead of reporting it to the castle guards?”
Jed’s skin turned a sour color and knew he was now going to receive the Prince’s wrath…
“I…Your Highness, I didn’t know what was written…” he lied.
Arnav smiled.
Jed instantly backed up and was clamoring to the far edge, “Sir Jacob…Help!”
Arnav hadn’t moved, he only stared.
His expression told them all they needed to know.
Finally Jed, out of pure arrogance, confessed, “I knew! FINE! I saw it! We didn’t write it though! But FINE! I knew! Happy!?”
And the next motion that happened was complete carnage.
The Prince took on the nature of a lion as he tore the man apart.
When Arnav finally marched out of the cell, Jed’s nose was broken in pieces, his lips were ripped apart from being pummelled against his teeth.
Outside the Jail, Arnav took a deep breath of the night air, trying to lock up the monster that had escaped, and marched back towards the castle.
Jacob was on his heels and walking beside him a few seconds later…
“Arnav?”
“HAPPY?! He had the fucking nerve to ask if I was happy about what he said?”
“I’m actually in shock that you left them breathing…”
“Barely.” Arnav growled…”only because you need them alive.”
Jake’s face was crestfallen, “…regrettably, I do if we are to know more…people can’t remember everything instantly. If I interrogate them more, I can dig deeper.”
The prince turned to his friend and gripped his collar, “Jake, I wanted to kill them. I wanted to watch the life leave them and stand in their blood till it turned cold…”
Jake was frozen…
“But I need this stopped…You can tell them that I’ll be back to finish the job if they don’t cooperate…”
He dropped his hands.
“Fuck. I’ve never seen you like this…and I’ve fought beside you.”
Jacob could see that he was barely holding on to the thin threads of his self control.
Arnav took a long breath in and held it before he let it out, “Find. Me. ALL involved.”
The venom in his voice rattled Jacob as he responded, “Arnav, I will.”
“Do NOT accept more new staff unless we both interview. And only for the barracks.”
“Absolutely, there have only been a few last hires from Dwayne that were being processed.”
The Prince’s snarl was bloodthirsty as they continued to walk, Arnav picking up the pace…
“Bring him up to be questioned too, I can’t wait to get my hands on him…”
The sound of hungry bloodshed in his tone was glaringly obvious…
As they walked into the castle, Arnav automatically started running up the stairs…
He saw Corey standing guard, the door still slightly open, and he let out a breath of panic he never knew he’d been holding…
Arnav peered in and saw her sleeping soundly…
Jacob jogged up behind him, “Mate, Corey wouldn’t let anything happen to her…”
He rested his forehead against the door, “I know…Look, stand guard. I can’t go in like this…”
His clothes were covered with blood splatters and he absolutely was NOT going to scare her.
“If she wakes up, you call me st-“
“Straight away, Yes Your Highness.”
Arnav gave his friends an odd look and they smirked.
“Don’t be kiss asses.” and Arnav disappeared into one of the side rooms to shower and change.
………………
“They are in JAIL! The Prince has beaten them and-“
“I don’t care! Find me someone else then!” Maggie screamed.
“You want us ALL to get killed?”
Silence.
Jack was now fuming and sat down with a thud, “You better HOPE that no one ties me to this, because I’m not dying for you or any other idiot who is out to get some money…”
Maggie slapped him across the face and the smack echoed, “You will do what I say! Just tell them to give the next note…one a day, because if they don’t, you can now add the threat that I know their families…and they should listen so they remain unharmed…”
The man shook his head and stood up, the chair giving a creak…
“I’ll give the word.”
…………………..
Arnav literally sped through a shower and bolstered back to his room as fast as he could…
Barely giving a glance to Corey and Jake, he immediately surveyed her in their bed through the open door…
He shuddered slightly, the muscles on his back rippling.
“Steady on Arnav, we both have been right here…”
His control was fraying and he didn’t bother to hide it.
Arnav steadied his breath and turned, “Stand guard. Stay two doors down as usual. No one passes. I’ll see you both in the morning…”
And he ignored the smug look on their faces as he closed the heavy wooden door behind him.
Warm from the heated water, he slid under the covers and pulled her close against his chest, gently stroking her silky hair.
Her deep, even breaths were caressing his skin.
“I’ll do anything for you,” he whispered, “after everything you’ve given me, your trust, your body, your heart…how can you think that I’d ever give you up?”
In the last few weeks, almost all progress he had made at boosting her self esteem and finally making her realise her worth, had been shattered.
Today, her eyes had been completely stripped of joy, so utterly defeated at the choice she thought she had to make.
“You deserve so much more than I can ever give.”
If something inside him broke at every memory of her pain, then he knew it was immeasurably more real for her, having lived through it…
“I will kill those fears Khushi…I will keep making you hope until you burst with it…”
She started to move and he snaked an arm beneath her neck as she rolled over in her sleep.
Her scent washed over him like a drug and he pulled her closer into his arms…
With her face now inches from his, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, and for the first time that day, he could breathe easy…
The entire would could disappear outside and he wouldn’t give a single fuck.
He had her and he was going to hold on no matter what.
He touched his lips to her forehead and she innocently moved closer in her sleep.
Arnav stared at the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on and told her again what he’d wanted to say since the first time he’d seen her…
“I love you…”
And he fell asleep.
………………
Eternal Love Part 3
It had been 3 days.
And Arnav hadn’t left her side.
She was no longer closing up on him, but the damage was still obvious in her eyes.
And that fact alone gutted him, making him watch over her constantly…
The need to be close to her was now a compulsive addiction.
They had gone for another walk around, albeit, inside the castle.
And now back in their bed, they were reclining after a casual lunch.
The bedroom had now not only become their haven, but their own little fortress.
But Khushi could see him ruminating over their situation in his head…
She could see him reliving her attack, reliving her slipping away, and she wanted more than anything to ease the pain she felt responsible for…
“Arnav…Are you okay?”
Her soft words slowly began to register and shock blasted into his heart…
“Me?” he asked, his voice high…
Her eyes were wary as she carefully replied, “Yes…I know what you’re thinking…and I thought…well, we need to get back to how things were…I know I am keeping you from doing things-“
Arnav quickly propped himself up on his elbow and stared down at her, his face shrouded with surprise, “Things? WHAT things?”
“I…I don’t know…you’re needed as the Prince…” she looked nervous now and Arnav’s intense gaze made her shiver as he leaned down closer…
“I’m not needed ANYWHERE other than where I am right now…”
Her voice was getting softer, her nerves showing…”But, I’m alright…I could…I mean, I-“
“Khushi,” his tone was a command, “If you’re going to suggest that YOU don’t need me here, then listen to THIS…” He brought his body over hers, his weight pressing her down…”I need to be here for ME…I told you my obsession for you tripled, and even if you DO get sick of me, I’m not going ANYWHERE.”
Blinking slowly, she whispered, “I do need you…So much…”
His body visibly relaxed and he smiled, “I know, I always know, but you need to stop thinking other things come first to me…YOU come first to me…The moment I saw you, YOU came first to me…and now, after everything…” his eyes stung…”I need to be close to you…”
Her mind was working in overdrive, remembering the attacks over and over, her thoughts never giving her a break unless she was taken over by the power of her husband…
“Stop sweetheart, please…Stop thinking so hard…”
She saw his strained face, etched with worry and concern…
“I see you reliving it too…It just won’t stop…the memories of-“
His strong hand held her face, “I know…I can FEEL what you’re thinking…and the anger I feel is making me want to destroy humanity just knowing what you went through…”
The devout look in his eyes was piercing her…
“Arnav, I know that you have an outfit to command, your soldiers-“
“They’re FINE.” he decreed sternly. “They have Jacob. And I’m not leaving your side till there is SIGNIFICANTLY less fear…”
She lifted a shaky hand and covered it against his that was still resting on her cheek…
“Arnav, I am definitely less afraid…I have you with me…you’re all I ever wanted…”
Suddenly, tears spilled from his eyes, “Khushi, I was talking about MY fear…”
Her breathing spiked, “I didn’t…I’m sorry…I know you were threatened, I didn’t mean to always focus on me, I know you have suffered and-“
“Me?! Threatened? Suffered!? No…No Khushi…” he wanted to yell, but he could only manage a rasping sound, “…This is NOT about me…I have never once feared for myself… never… never even feared for Jacob…Never feared for my father as he could handle himself. Never feared for my mother as my father protected her. But, Oh my God, I fear for you…I…” he squeezed his eyes shut…”If you had been…” his voice was now choking out the words, “If you hadn’t returned with me…” he held her tighter…”I would have fallen on my sword, I would have ended my own life…”
He heard her shuddering breath at his words, but she didn’t close up…
Throwing her arms around him, she pulled him close, her face burrowing into his neck…
They needed to hold each other.
They needed to be close.
He could hear her soft crying, even though she tried to mask it…
“Shhhh…I’m here my love…”
Through broken whimpers, she said, “I would do the same…”
He groaned and shook his head, her declaration sending stabs of terror in his blood, “No…no no no, that’s NOT why I said that…”
“I would…I would!” she gripped his shoulders fiercely, pulling him into her…
“No! NO! Khushi!”
She clawed at his back, his neck, his hair, desperate to get closer…
“So YOU can die without me but I can’t! I would do it! I would!”
His heart couldn’t take anymore and gripped her wrists with his hands and held them firmly above her head, transferring them into one large hand and holding her face still, “You will NOT talk like this! Ever again!”
She began to shake with anger, “I will talk however I want! And I would use my last breath to say your name!”
His own heart was almost beating out of his chest…”YOU WILL NOT TALK THIS WAY!”
Feeling out of control, Khushi tried to break his hold, her actions making no difference.
She kicked and squirmed, but her movements mere brushes to him…”I will talk how ever I want! I’m the goddamn Princess! And I will protect what is mine! You are MINE Arnav! And I will do WHATEVER it takes to STAY with you!”
His fury evaporated and arousal shot through his bloodstream…
With eyes turning dark, and an expression that turned her to liquid, he snarled at her…”Yes.”
She stilled, her body going languid…
“YES.” he growled louder…
And when her lips parted to speak, he took over…
“I am yours for fucking EVER, and you are DEFINITELY the Princess…But I’m the goddamn Prince…I control you…and I won’t ALLOW you to speak that way…AND…I’m going to fuck you senseless until you realize I fucking MEAN it!…”
Khushi became incapable of thought as his lips crushed her with savage seduction…
Sliding his tongue into her mouth, he angled his head for complete access to her sweetness…
He grabbed her face in his hands and went deeper, as if he could get inside her body, her mind, her very soul, through this tangle of tongues…
Releasing her hands, he slid his arms beneath her shoulders and cradled her head, keeping her still for his onslaught…
The moment her hands were free, she entangled her fingers in his hair holding him tightly in place.
His tongue moved into her mouth with expertise and took complete ownership, branding her over and over as his, devouring her every moan…
Their kiss was openly carnal and wild.
Arnav quelled all her fears, his very being speaking to her soul that spread to her heart and body…
Grabbing her hair, he tugged gently, tilting her head up, as the sheer force of her husband’s muscluar body engulfed her…
His kiss devoured her, consumed her, owned her.
Khushi began to want him so ferociously that she hurt…
“Fuck I need you…” he whispered, his soft words hitting her heart louder than any roar would…
Her answer was to pull his magnificent mouth back to hers and kiss him with all the intensity that shone from her heart…
Khushi began to shake with energy, the desperation for him turning her into a live wire…
She clung tight to his strapping shoulders, and felt him ready to boil over with wild desire…
“Arnav…” she begged…”I want you…so badly-“
“…who do you belong to?” his voice demanded…
Khushi moaned but instantly responded…”You…Arnav…Only You…”
And driven to the extreme, he wasn’t going to make either of them wait…
Rearing back, he pulled her underwear free of her body and roughly hauled her thighs wide apart and dropped his body back onto hers as he thrust into her hard and fast…
Her scream of pleasure made him throb harder…
“Oh God I love you…” he panted into her ear…
Khushi licked his neck, his jaw, any part of his skin that she could get hold of as she revelled in the feel of him inside her…
She was desperate for what was to come…
What only HE could give…
She could feel every sensation, every part of him…
“You are my absolute EVERYTHING…You’re in my blood Khushi…You’re in my heart…You’re in my fucking SOUL!”
He was moving with such magnitude and fervor, thrusting so far up inside her that she could hardly breathe from the sweet torture…
His arms moved and braced her hips, pulling them slightly upwards, stretching her with his fullness, and increasing the tempo…
“More…Oh GOD you’re alive…”
Her words were threatening to break his climax into pieces, but he bit back, grinding his teeth, as he wasn’t about to come until she came apart in his arms…”Absofuckinglutely, alive…”
“My husband…” she heaved.
Arnav was overcome, wanting to fuse their bodies together for life…
Sliding one arm beneath her back, he wound the other under her neck and shoulders…
She was now completely suctioned against him, her legs around his waist, her arms clinging to his back…
“This…” he accentuated the word by penetrating her harder…”is MINE. You BELONG to me! UNDERSTAND!?”
“…yes…” her voice was barely audible, but he heard her…
“Come for me…”
He ground into her and she screamed out as her climax reared up with intensity, her body obeying him instantly…
The orgasm burst through her and she was unable to hold back the cracked scream of his name…
“Fuuuuck…Khushi!”
He slammed his mouth to hers as he ejected his seed into her womb…
His arms were holding her trembling form, plastering himself onto her, their combined breathing shallow…
Their bodies fit each other, their spirits merging even as the kiss softened and their lips came apart…
“Forever…”
“mmm?” he looked down at her…
“I want to stay like this forever…” she whispered…
He smiled against her lips, “This IS our forever…”
Almost instantly he could see tears well up in her eyes and he shook his head, “No my love…”
And his soft lips began to work their magic against hers…
The soft brushes and gentle tonguing was evaporating her tears and sending soft sparks across her skin…
When he pulled back, Khushi stared up at the intense look on his face and wondered what he was thinking…
A second later, she realized she asked the question out loud…
The look in his eyes was like lightening…”I’m pretty sure the intensity of my thoughts would scare you…”
She merely blinked, “Try me…”
His large, strong hands slid up to her face, holding her tenderly as his dark gaze burned into hers, “I am NEVER going to let you go…”
And as her trusting eyes warmed his heart, he couldn’t hold back the manic possessiveness that was sucking him under…”I will destroy, obliterate, and annihilate ANYONE AND ANYTHING that dares to come between us…no matter who or what they are…You have NO idea what you have created inside me Khushi…I was already capable of making armies kneel, making enemies recoil…but now?…You have now woken up more than a beast inside me…I am capable of ANYTHING now…”
Khushi felt him and his words,she felt his warmth through her skin into her blood…
And he was so close she had no choice but to lower her lashes.
“Arnav…Kiss me please…”
His lips caressed hers, pressing one hand into the back of her hair and gently tilted her head.
Her mouth opened, inviting him in…
Emotions took her over and she grabbed his face, pressing her lips harder to his…
She demanded every ounce of passion he had to give, needing to convey how much she loved him…
When their kiss broke, her words were breathless…
“I ache for you Arnav…I have an ENDLESS ache inside my heart for you…”
His chest started to emit a low, unending growl…
“When you aren’t inside me, I feel cold…I can barely stand it when you aren’t touching me…When you aren’t beside me, I feel numb…Only YOU bring me to life…”
Arnav felt blood began to make his erection swell…”You better be ready for more Khushi…because I’m about to-“
KNOCK KNOCK.
Arnav’s deep snarl made Khushi giggle…
His angry glare cut into her and she bit her lip, trying to supress the laughter…
“I fucking hate humanity…” he bit out…
“Arnav…”
Snapping his eyes back to hers, he saw her soft smile and kissed her quick, “I know…I know…I’m a beast…”
And her tiny laugh made his annoyance dissipate…
“Wait a moment!” Arnav yelled out as he stood up and pulled on his trousers, but left his shirt off…
He smoothed her night dress over her legs and brought the sheet up over her…
“Sit back sweetheart,” he said as he arranged pillows behind her…
“Arnav?”
Leaning over, he smiled, kissing her forehead, then her cheeks…
Just as he was about to bring his lips to hers, he gave her a conniving grin and called out…”ENTER!”
Her jaw dropped and she pouted, shooting him a glare for good measure…
“Your Highnesses? How are you both feeling?” said the doctor as he strode into the room…
Khushi was still glaring as she answered, “I am a lot better…thankyou…”
“She’s still shaky when she wakes up tho…”
Even though he had taunted her, Khushi could feel the worry in her husband’s voice and she smoothed her hand over his arm…
“I am a little, but…”
“It’s quite a natrual reaction after such trauma…many flashbacks can appear very real…but as long as you both work through this together, remain honest, and talk about your worries, then you will recover faster…’
Arnav’s expression of comand was now shining onto her, “See what he said my love? Honest. Talk. You need to tell me EVERYTHING you are feeling…”
And without thinking, she gritted out, “Well I’m feeling cross because you didn’t kiss me!”
Arnav’s eyes lit up as his face now beamed with pride and amusement…”Oh really? Good to know…“
A sudden blush coated her cheeks when she realized what she blurted out, but the doctor and Jacob, who stood at the door on guard, were now laughing…
“Oh…I…I uh…”
Her rosy red face was too much to ignore, and not caring whose eyes were on them, Arnav seated himself beside her, turned to face her, his hand coming up to catch her behind her head as the other gripped her waist, “Like this sweetheart?”
His whisper was brief before his mouth suctioned to hers in a deep, drugging kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough…
Khushi’s mind went blank as she felt enveloped by her strong protector…
When their lips parted, their bodies were still mashed tightly together…
Jacob’s cough that cleared his throat jerked them back to the moment.
Arnav felt her push slightly away, her embarssment overwhemlingly apparent, and he released her only a fraction…
“I…that…that was…”
But all Khushi saw was his reassuring smile before he turned to Jacob…
“Okay Jake, tell me what you’re obviously trying to tell me…”
The doctor began to take Khushi’s blood pressure as Jacob walked into the room, calling another officer to watch the doorway…
Khushi smiled nervously at her husband and then tried to make small talk with the doctor…
“Arnav.” Jacob grinned, trying to taunt his best friend…
“Oh shut up,” he said feeling smug, “Like you don’t dote over your wife?”
“I do, probably too much…but you and Khushi are something else…”
His body tightened with pride and he looked back to his wife…
“Blood pressure a little high, but she’s doing better…Her concussion is gone…”
Arnav nodded, “Good.” then turned back to his friend…
“So, the King has called for an emergency meeting of the high level staff. He has asked me to let you know incase you wanted to be there…”
“No.”
His answer came out instantly.
“I figured, so did he. You know the Army is at your command, but Corey knew how you’d feel and has volunteered to stand in for you, and we will carry out whatever orders we can to ensure this shit doesn’t happen again…”
When Arnav first appointed Corey as second in command, he’d been worried about his friendship with Jacob.
He knew Jacob deserved a higher role than just ‘best friend’.
But it had proven to be the best decision.
As Corey worked the troops and trained the officers, Jacob was Arnav’s righthand, and possessed detective skills that were inconceivable.
“I think the Queen would take up the sword if anything happened to Khushi again…”
Arnav lowered his voice, “…it’s MY reaction should terrify ALL of you…”
“Shit man, you really are scary…”
He quirked a lopsided smile, “Yeah, well…I want whoever hired those worthless pieces of crap FIRED. That’s all. And that’s because Khushi has begged me not to go through with my ORIGINAL decision…”
“Which was?”
“Firing everyone. Complete turnover.”
Jacob’s eyebrows went up, “Seriously?”
“Not YOU obviously, or Corey. OR my army. But the staff here are dispensable. My wife, IS NOT.”
Arnav felt her side of the bed move and he quickly reached for Khushi’s hand, his fingers entwining with hers…”What’s going on?”
The doctor quickly reassured him, “I just need her to take a walk around the room so I can guage her pulse and stability…”
Arnav frowned but nodded.
As she stood up, he fought back the urge to lift her into his arms…
He now stood at the foot of the bed and poised himself as an intimidating stone wall, watching over her every move…
“Arnav? Do you need to talk? About things?”
His eyes were glued to her body, but he answered, “I’m damn on edge Jacob…”
“I know man. If I hadn’t been on the other side of the county searching, I would have helped you kill him…”
Arnav was growling, “I didn’t need help.”
“I know mate…you’re a ticking timebomb, and built like a fucking tank…you’ve saved her every single time though…”
Eyes now stinging with tears, he clenched his teeth…”What if i’m too late one day?…”
Jacob tapped his palm on Arnav’s back, “You won’t be. I KNOW it. SHE knows it.”
“God help whoever threatens her again…They can threaten me as much as they like, but I will grind to DUST whoever tries to hurt her…”
Jacob shuddered, “If you weren’t my best friend AND commander, I would flee this kingdom…Even Corey said you scared him, and he’s nearly as ripped as you!”
Arnav smirked, and was about to reply when he saw Khushi’s lower lip start to tremble…
Anger now burst out as he was at her side and pulling her against him in seconds…
“Why are you shaking Sweetheart? Doc, what the fuck are you talking to her about?”
Her hand lifted to his chest, “Arnav-“
The doctor kept his voice careful, even though his fear was evident, “Your Highness, I apologise, but I did need to see where her mental state is at…and ask about her-“
Hauling Khushi close, he felt her shaking… “Arnav… please… I’m okay…”
Arnav detested seeing her so breakable and bit back his rage trying to calm her…”Shhh…Alright, just let me hold you…shhh…”
“It’s okay Arnav…Truly…”
“I apologize Your Highness, I offered to take her back to sit but she assured me she was alright…”
He took in a deep regulated breath.
“Jake is right…I’m a ticking timebomb…”
The doctor smiled, “I understand, but I truly didn’t mean to-“
“Arnav?” Khushi interrupted…
All the while Arnav had conversed with Jacob, she had overheard and begun to see just how much their lives had changed…
Her heart was clenching…
She knew how much he was now giving up to care for her.
Hearing him refuse to attend to his duties made guilt flood her heart.
He was the prince, and now he was putting her every whim first.
Everyone had now gone quiet, waiting for Khushi to speak…
Lifting her eyes to Arnav, her voice was quiet…”Can…Can I talk to you…please?”
He lifted his head, his tone was demanding and not to be questioned, “Everyone out.”
Jacob had already headed back to the door and the doctor nodded, “Ofcourse, I’ll be back in four hours…”
Arnav nodded in appreciation.
Once the door was shut, his entire attention was on her.
“Talk to me sweetheart.”
She didn’t even try to conceal or wait to say what she needed to…”You need to attend that meeting.”
Her words were showing that she didn’t expect him to disagree, but she was in for a surprise.
His hand cupped her face and he smiled, “No.”
Her gaze widened, “Arnav, you need to attend to your duties…I am fine, and-“
At once his expression shifted, “No.” he bit out…
“I AM FINE.” she said louder, even though her voice shook…
“Don’t you DARE lie to me Khushi…”
Cowering back slightly, he followed, shaking his head as he pulled her wrist, yanking her closer…”NO Khushi. It’s ME…you’re fucking SAFE with me…so go on, say what you want to say…”
Gathering all the courage she could, she tried to reason with him, “Arnav, alright, I am not completely okay…but you can’t change your life for me-“
His hand planted on his hips, “Want a fucking bet?”
He stared but didn’t move.
His eyes burned into hers, and she blinked several times, almost unable to hold his gaze…
There was an animal hunger inside them.
She could see the igniting specks of gold in his dark eyes…
And he moved.
Wrapping her hair around his hand, he held her still as he slowly leaned down, keeping eye contact until their mouths touched and he kissed her…
The softness of his lips were in extreme contrast to the fierce grip he had on her…that he always had on her…
As he broke the kiss, her breathing was coming hard and fast…
Arnav stared into the depths of her heart, his pupils dilated, his eyes glistening…”I know you think that you need to do this, and you’re a damn angel for being so selfless, but I don’t WANT this…and neither do you.”
Khushi inhaled ever so softly, trying to make any tiny move…”I…I do…I know you need…need some routine back…we both do…”
His eyes were now holding warning, a haze that even unnerved her slightly as he spoke, “I don’t need anything…except for you…”
Attempting to twist out of his embrace slightly, he moved closer, pressing their bodies against each other all the more…
She began to push at him…
“You’re not getting away from me…” he cautioned her…
Writhing against him, she began to feel annoyed, “You will do what you need to do as the Prince! You HAVE to!”
He held back a smile, loving her bite, “I’m not going ANYWHERE.”
And she lashed out, not even knowing where the energy was coming from or why she battling him…
Holding her back with ease, he commanded her gaze…
“You want to fight me, wild one?” he said, his lips curling slightly to a smile, his voice low and deep, barely a whisper…
Her movements stopped…
“No…” her core began to throb…
“You can, you know…I’ll take whatever you want to throw at me…”
Her face went a dark shade of red, as she felt foolish…”I don’t…I don’t even know where that came from…”
He chuckled, “You’re my little wildcat…and I love it…You’re safe with me…You can say and do whatever you want, but Khushi, I won’t put you at risk…EVER.”
“I…I just…can we try to be normal again?”
Arnav stayed quiet as he slid his free hand along her thigh, all while their eyes locked…
When his fingers brushed her sex, she went completely still…
“We are our own kind of normal…”
“…what?”
Khushi couldn’t breathe, not when he was holding her with such fervor…
“I said, we are our own kind of normal…and this conversation is over.”
That instantly broke the spell over her…
“Over?” she tried to shake his hands off her, but his grip on her was unyeilding…
“Yeah…and you squirming against me is making SURE of it…”
“I am thinking of YOU! You’ve had your life threatened, had to look after me, had to do all this and I’m trying to get you back to norma-“
“Go on…” he growled, his eyes holding power and humor…”Say normal again.”
His words dripped with a lethal power that made goosebumps break out over her body…
“I want you to have your routine back! I want us to go back to what we were before this attack happened! I want to see you happy again!”
THAT comment completely winded him making him stagger back an inch.
“Happy!?”
He couldn’t believe she was trying to do this.
Although he could understand her reasoning, and even admired the hell out of her for it, he KNEW they both weren’t ready…
“I want to be a good wife to you Arnav! I’m just a mess and bring all this SHIT into your life! I should be helping you to be who you are, the Prince! And to-“
Any tenderness he felt was replaced by dominance.
By ownership.
By possession.
He locked eyes with her but this time as preditor and prey…
And Khushi was firmly cornered, caught…
“As long as you are in my sight, I’m the happiest man on the fucking planet!!! And you want me to be who I am?! Well, who I am…IS YOUR HUSBAND…”
Khushi was starting to shudder, “No, you don’t GET it…”
Arnav was still, and it unnerved her…
His fingers slid out from her folds…
Suddenly, Arnav walked her backwards until her back hit the wall.
That’s when he grabbed her hips instead, raised her up and reattached his fingers to her core…
She knew she was wet, her honey coating her outer lips…
He kept her there with one hand while with the other, he pushed down his pants…
Instantly, Khushi felt his erection, thick and big, sometimes too big, the bulbous head glistening with pre cum…
But he waited.
She was shuddering.
Her arousal now dripping onto his hard flesh…
“Arnav…”
Her breathy plea was all he needed to hear as he gripped her legs, widening them, setting them around his hips.
She felt him at her entrance and she sucked in air as she clung to his shoulders, “Arnav…I’m sorry…I…I just…”
“No fucking SORRY! You’re a goddamn GODDESS! And I want you…so I’m having you!”
His control snapped and he closed his mouth over hers in a hard and quick kiss…
“Khushi…” he said as he pulled back, his voice a hoarse whisper as he drove into her, his full length plunging too deep, too fast…
When she opened her eyes, he was watching her…
Arnav groaned, slid out, then thrust back in again…
One hand was wrapped around her hip, and with the other, he slowly trailed up to her still tender breasts, using the tips of his fingers to touch her skin and nipples gently through the soft material…
Khushi gasped, but the pain became confused as the pleasure took over…
Her clit was rubbing against his pubic bone as his phallus was penetrating her so fast she was sure she’d split in two, but what was coming was a climax that reared out of nowhere…
As soon as his mouth clashed onto hers, her orgasm broke out over her, through her body, through her blood, through her nervous system…
The mighty cramp of pleasure clutched onto his throbbing flesh with such force that she felt him roar out a passionate growl as he emptied himself inside her…
“Holy SHIT! Khushi!”
He throbbed against her contracting walls, his eyes shining bright as he came inside her…
His voice low and deep when he said her name…
Arnav stared…”Look at me…”
Bringing her eyes back to his, he saw them flash with worry…
“You NEVER have to fear me…I’m your husband…I’m your lover…I’m your fucking protector…I’m angry because I don’t want to do anything other than THIS, every day, every hour, every fucking minute…”
His forehead now rested on hers, her breathing slowly regulating…
“I want that too…” she tried to talk louder, but her vocal chords just weren’t cooperating…”I do…I love you…I just want us to try and go back to how we were…I feel so lost in this endless trap of memories…please…please Arnav…please…please…”
“Shhhhh…” he crooned against her mouth, brushing contant soft kisses on her lips…
“I worry for you every day…so much…I want us to be back the way we were…”
“Shhh… Khushi…shhh..” he tried to calm her…
“Please…I don’t know how to forget everything…I want us to move forwards…please…”
He silenced her quivering voice with his mouth, holding her lips captive…
As her breathing evened out, he slowly eased away…”I love you…I would do anything for you…” he shut his eyes tight…”Fucking hell…”
“Just…just small steps? A little at a time…? Like the meeting with-“
“My father?”
“Yes. The one Jacob mentioned just before-“
“I remember sweetheart…”
He went quiet, seemed deep in thought…
“Just one thing at a time, to get us back to how things were again? Please? I need us to be back to the way we were…Please…please…”
“Fine.”
His quick and instant answer scared her as well as assured her…
She knew he was the Prince.
But more than that, she wanted their old life back…
Before the fear, before the attack…
“This is the way to do that right?” She thought, hoping against hope that she was correct.
But the look in his eyes was what held her in place…
His mind was screaming…“If you only knew how much I want to say NO to this…but for you? Damn it…I’ll do anything…”
Arnav held her as he pulled out, and a gush of their combined liquid slid down her legs…
He lowered her slowly but her knees buckled when her feet hit the floor…
Catching her instantly, before she could even tighten her grasp on him, he pulled her into his arms once more, her head against his chest…
“I have you…”
He carried her back to the bed and lay her down gently and sat beside her as he grabbed a towel and wiped her thighs clean…
When he reseated himself beside her, she waited.
“Alright, dad is having the conference now.” his voice was guarded…”I’ll go for a few minutes, but I’m going to call for mum to sit with you…okay?”
Khushi smiled softly, but her heart lurched…
“I’ve just sent him back out to where I can’t see him…oh God…no…no keep calm…normalcy…that’s what we need…”
Arnav could see her worry, but if this was what it took to get her to realise she needed him, then he was going to do it…no matter how much it suffocated him.
Lifting her soft pink dress, he helped her carefully into it as he pulled his shirt on…
Ringing the bell that was beside the bed, the outer guard appeared at the doorway within seconds…
“Your Highness?”
Arnav stood tall, “Send for my mother. Now.”
A salute was all the reply he gave as the call rang out.
Khushi was about to speak when her husband swooped back down…
She was sitting in the bed but he was now completely in her face, close enough to taste the excitement on her breath…”You’re MINE Khushi…Remember that when you feel my come on between your legs…when your core throbs…”
Her eyes were widening, her pulse now rocketing in her veins…
“Remember that you came so hard that you couldn’t even STAND…and most importantly…” he leaned even closer, his mouth touching hers…”Remember that I KNOW every part of you…and I’m coming back for more…” and his lips drank from hers, giving soft and loving kisses…
Her hands were clinging to him when the knock came at the door…
Arnav slowly pulled back, but kissed the tip of her nose and smiled, “I love you my wife…and I’ll be back soon…”
Khushi suddenly felt a panic…
And Arnav could see it…“Fuck, how can I go through with this…”
Before he could change his mind, the queen opened the door and walked in fast…”Oh I’m so glad you called for me! I’ve missed you!”
Khushi’s gaze went to her mother in law and she smiled, “I have missed you…” but her hand was still clutched to her husband’s…
As the queen sat next to Khushi, she turned to Arnav, “Going to your father’s meeting?”
Arnav nodded but looked back at khushi, his forehead furrowing, “Look after her…”
The queen smacked his shoulder, “You KNOW I will…now off you go, we can talk about girl stuff and you can escape it…”
He chuckled, but felt uneasy…”I’ll be back…I’m not going to be long…understand sweetheeart?”
Khushi finally let go, but her eyes…they were telling him a different story…
“I WON’T be long…I swear…I love you…”
Her breath hitched, “I…I love you…”
And the steps away from her, were some of the hardest he’d ever taken in his life.
Khushi stared at the door, feeling the blood in her face drain away…
The queen noticed immediately.
“Hey, sweetie…Did you want me to go and bring him back?”
Her brain was screeching “YES!” but she blinked a few times and shook her head, “…no no. I encouraged him…I want things to go back to how they were…”
The queen scooted forwards on the bed and wrapped her arms around her daughter in law, “Khushi, they won’t be completely the same, but it will get easier. You both can grow stronger…” She felt her starting to shake…”Khushi, oh sweetie, you know he will come back if you just say the word…”
Khushi threw her arms around the queen…”I’m sorry…I hate feeling like this…I have to let him be the Prince…But…But I’m…”
Smoothing her hand over Khushi’s hair, she tried to soothe her, “Sweetie, Arnav takes being your husband WAY more seriously than he ever did being prince…Anything he’s doing now, he’s doing for YOU…I can guarantee you that he doesn’t want to be where he is right now…”
Khushi pulled back, her eyes pained and embarrassed, “Have I done the wrong thing? Oh God, I’m just…I’m not used to having people care for me, having any of this…”
“I know…” she moved slightly to the side but kept her hand on Khushi’s, “But don’t feel embarrased, you’re very VERY good for my son…he’s become the best version of himself, although,” she smiled and winked, “I could do without his insane temper to beat up the castle employees…”
Khushi let out a dry laugh…
“Tell him, when he comes back…tell him what you need from him…because even though I told you that the King was overbearing after I was kidnapped, it was two years later that I was feeling that way…you’re not even two months into this…and I can see in your eyes what I remember feeling…”
Khushi’s eyes were growing moist, “I need him…I thought he was killed…I saw-“
“I know…those sadistic idiots…they’re both dead. And GOOD RIDDANCE…but he is fine, healthy, conniving…he knew what he was doing, and it wasn’t your fault that you were there, and it wasn’t your fault how your subconcious reacted…”
The Queen could see how Arnav’s absence was effecting Khushi…
And the memories of her own reactions after her kidnapping were now mirrored in her daughter in law…
She knew that she wouldn’t last long before severe panic would take over…
Needing to change the subject fast, she quickly asked, “Shall we talk about some dessert?”
Khushi smiled, but couldn’t stop shiverring, making the queen hold her closer…
“We can have a special dessert tasting menu tonight…maybe you and Arnav can both come to the dining room tonight and we can all enjoy some time together?”
Her soft hiccup and trembling hands nearly broke the queen’s heart…
“Sweetie, shhhh…He isn’t far, and he is returning very soon, he promised…” and the queen pulled her into her arms once more…
No sooner had she done that, Arnav burst back into the room and the queen felt Khushi jump closer with fear in her embrace…
………………
The King sat at the head of the table.
His eyes scanning his head staff…
“I want to know EXACTLY how we came to hire Evan Patel and Lavanaya! Because of THEM, my son is about ready to go on a rampage and execute everyone here! I want answers, NOW.”
The men in the room were starting to realise just how severe their situation was.
It had been years since the King had shown such force.
“Sire, The Senior Maid is in charge of hiring and she too was found drugged. When Lavanaya showed up to ask for a job, she was begging and…”
A voice boomed from the doorway…”The Senior Maid is to be fired. NOW.”
Arnav stood there like a threatening live grenade…
“Your Highness, if we could just-“
Walking in slowly, Arnav cut the man off, “Question my order Jonathan…Go on…I fucking DARE you…”
The man shut up instantly.
“That Senior Maid was the one who was ready to expel my wife when she first worked here…I wanted her gone a LONG time ago…”
The King gave a half smile that showed he enjoyed watching his son’s power…
Everyone was already on edge, but now that Arnav had entered, the dynamic only became more frightening…
Their eyes were wary of the volatile prince, his bulked up body solid and thick…
He was a wall of muscle and power as he prowled towards his father…
“Corey.” he nodded in acknowledgement.
“Sir. Here to cause some trouble?” he smirked…
Arnav’s lips twisted on a smirk, “Shut up…”
Seating himself beside the King, he heard his dad whisper…
“So son, you managed to tear yourself away?”
The King’s words made his heart hurt.
“Khushi was begging me to join you, because she’s…” he closed his eyes, trying to gain a semblance of control…”She’s trying to help me get some routine back, some ‘normality’…Even though I don’t fucking want it…”
He raked his fingers through his hair, “But mum is with her…”
“You know she’s safe with your mother, hell, she’d about kill anyone who tried to hurt her…she’s been worried sick…” the king paused seeing his son start to hyperventillate…”Arnav?”
He felt the cold sweat come over him, and he ground out, “Yeah, sorry…I’m not staying away long…I can’t, or I’ll murder someone for sure…”
Corey chuckled under his breath as the King smiled and said, “I remember that feeling…Okay!” he cleared his throat and turned back to the meeting of directors…”So, Greta is FIRED. See to it she is out of the castle in less than an hour. Now to whoever hired Evan…”
Arnav began to snarl at the mention of their names…
“As usual Sire, he was hired by chief of staff here. Same scenario, just a poor looking beggar desperate for some form of work…”
Arnav wasn’t ready to mince his words and ordered, “He’s fired. Expel him.”
Dwayne, The secretary of Security spoke up, “Your Highness, he didn’t know, he can be reprimanded and we can have a new protocol on who we allow in-“
Arnav bolted out of the chair, “HE IS FUCKING FIRED. And as the head of Security you should damn well agree! My wife nearly died! Too many times! It’s taking all my god damn self control not to demand an entire sweep!”
The King nodded, “I agree…”
Staring dumbfounded at the King, Dwayne bit out, “What?!”
The King stayed seated and glared, “My SON is doing EXACTLY what needs to be done Dwayne…”
“But Sire-“
Arnav was now in full rage mode, “Do you have a fucking death wish!?”
“Your Highness,” he was clearly becoming more and more afraid, “I’m just saying that there are other ways to counteract this-“
The Prince slammed a fist on the table, “He is FIRED. He’ll get paid. He’ll get a reference for another job. These are the rules. I will make sure people know just how fucking serious I am about keeping my wife and my castle SAFE.”
Dwayne looked Arnav square in the eye, “It’s NOT worth this drastic measure.”
Hearing that, the Prince became primal.
“You’re done. OUT!”
“What!?” the security chief paled, “I’m the-“
Arnav lashed forwards, “You think your POSITION will keep you safe from me!? YOU’RE FUCKING FIRED!” Arnav turned to the guards behind him, “Get him OUT!”
The King was sitting behind his all powerful son, keeping quiet, seeing twice of himself in Arnav’s actions.
Corey motioned for more guards to replace the two who were dragging the man away.
The rest of the staff didn’t dare say a word.
Their Prince was now the most terrifying authority they had ever seen.
He turned back to them as he ignored all pleas from Dwayne…
“I swear, if ANY of you question me, you will be expelled, or die by my hand, and if anything, ANYTHING else happens to my wife…” bitter fury dripped from his next words…”then GOD HELP YOU!”
He turned back to his father, “Deal with this. I need to be with her.”
Throwing down the heavy wooden chair behind him, he stormed from the room…
Silence.
“I suggest you all pay attention to your duties, because my son there…he is your future King…some of you will remember the days of when my own wife was taken, and as you can see, Arnav is going to react far worse than I did, right Corey?”
He stood at attention, “The King is correct. You didn’t see Prince Arnav when he was fighting us off…I had to summon 25 soldiers to hold him back, So if you think that you are safe, you seriously need to reconsider…It’s not hard, you do as he says, and do your damn jobs…”
The King slapped Corey on the back, “Exactly, my good man.”
Each of the staff merely nodded, the tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
…………..
Guards saluted as Arnav passed by, but he didn’t give one ounce of recognition as he marched towards his destination.
He had passed the point of how much he could handle.
The hammering in his chest was creeping into his head and he was starting to shake at the memories jumbling in his mind…
He was SO mad.
But more than that, he needed to hold her.
He needed Khushi.
Pausing outside their room, he clenched his fists…
“Fucking fuck…how can this have happened to her…how can I have let this happen to my Khushi…”
The memories were spinning around him, wracking his heart…
Fighting to breathe, he attempted to calm himself…
“She doesn’t need to panic seeing me like this…calm the fuck down Arnav…” he repeated over and over in his mind…
Having her close was the only way to dull the agony…and he needed her…now.
The second he opened the door to his room, he saw his wife being held carefully by his mother…
“Arnav?” his mother asked, then tried to remain conversational, keeping her tone calm… “You were fast…”
She motioned with her head for him to come over quickly, but he had already closed the door and was rushing over…
He had seen how his sudden entrance startled her, and knowing she was still so fragile and scared broke his heart…
Khushi’s eyes were begging him to hold her and the Queen slowly moved back as Arnav seated himself on the opposite side of the bed and gathered her into his arms…
The moment he entered, she couldn’t help her startled jump…
But now, against the strong body of her husband, she began to breathe easy again…
“I’m here sweetheart…” he whispered against her hair…
The queen felt her own tears welling up as Arnav looked up at her, “Thanks mum,” his voice lowered, “Was everything okay?…”
She smiled sadly, “We tried to talk about a few things…food…desserts…but…” her voice became hushed as well, “She’s still too scared Arnav…”
He mouthed the words, “I know…”
His mother whispered, “She’s trying to be strong for you…but she’s just not ready…I’m glad you’re back, I nearly called for you…”
His arms tightened around her…”You should have…”
Khushi hadn’t spoken yet, her thoughts in complete disarray…
She knew he was there with her…knew she was safe, but the fear of impending terror was a constant shadow in her mind, and having Arnav out of her sight for a mere 15 minutes had terrorized her…
The queen touched Khushi’s shoulder, and frowned with empathetic sadness feeling her jolt, “It’s okay sweetie, Would you still like dessert together later? Both of you with the King and I?”
Khushi turned her head slightly, her voice small, “I would like that…Mum, I’m…I’m so sorry…”
Arnav was about to tell her not to apologize but his mother beat him to it…
“No, you mustn’t keep saying sorry…I of all people know what you are going through, and you both need to be together right now…stop playing strong. You WILL be strong in time, but for now, LET him take care of you…”
Khushi nodded, Arnav holding her as though she’d break…
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours…I love you both.”
Not able to move from his position with Khushi, Arnav’s words were muffled as he said, “Thankyou mum, we love you too..”
When the door shut, and they were alone, Khushi began to cry quietly…
“No…” his heart shrivelled, “No…shhhh…I should never have listened to you…”
Even though his voice was angry, it comforted her…”I…I wanted you to…to try and…”
“Shhhh…just hear me when I say this…I don’t want anything but YOU…”
His hands were running over her back, her hair, her arms…
She took a deep breath, his touch helping to settle her severed nerves…
“Please…” she breathed.
He angled her head back and looked down into her eyes…
“Please stay with me…I can’t breathe without you here…I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I can’t cope…I need you with me…”
Arnav was trying to hush her again but she was rambling…
“I’m sorry Arnav…I WILL get better, but for now, please…please…I need you near me…Please…”
He was getting more concerned and more angry by the second, literally shaking with rage, pain and need…
“Say ONE more ‘please’ and I’m going to explode Khushi!!!!!”
She silenced instantly, letting out a soft moan when he pinned her down against the bed…
Soft hiccups of sobs were wafting out as her husband’s bulky body intimidated hers…
“YOU are ALL I care about! I didn’t WANT to leave you damn it!!!”
Khushi was shiverring and helpless beneath him, but she wasn’t even wanting to resist or fight him…
Her husband was with her, and angry or not, he was all she needed…
His hot eyes were staring down at her as he dragged his thumb slowly along her bottom lip…
“I went because you BEGGED me to try and have some fucking routine…WHICH I DON’T WANT!!! I only wanted to be with YOU! And I fucking SHOULD have been with you! But I can’t refuse you anything! I wanted to see if it would HELP you, even knowing damn well how frightened you were feeling! Do you KNOW how hard it was to walk away from you just now!?”
Khushi’s heart was pounding at his words…
Tears spilled from her eyes as her body quivered…and his fury disappeared…
“Shit…fuck… no no…I love you…I love you so much Khushi, shhh…”
She was so lightheaded from his touch and his words, that she could barely breathe let alone formulate a reply, but still she tried…
He saw her lips part, but only soft pants came out…
Cutting her off, his mouth covered hers in a deep and possessive kiss.
His tongue probed and swirled in her mouth, dipping, moving, sucking…
Trailing his hand down, he ran his fingers along the silk of her panties as she arched into him…
Arnav broke the kiss and locked eyes with her…”I’m here.”
“Yes…” she breathed…
And fisting her hair in one hand, he held her head still…
“MINE.” he decreed as he slammed his mouth back on hers…
His wandering hand reached beneath her dress and slid two long fingers inside her as he dominated and hungrily kissed her…
Khushi’s arms were clinging tightly to his arms as he possessed every part of her being…
The kiss took all the air from her lungs, but it was her husband that was making her body able to breathe in the first place…
The sharp bite from his grip kept her head in place as his fingers were now boldly owning what was his…
“Need…you…” she finally let out and he released her hair and the wet suction of their lips broke…
He reared up like a powerful lion and tore the clothes from her body…
Khushi’s pulse was racing, her blood pumping hard as her warrior was there, and he was going to take her hard…
The pressure building inside her was overwhelming as he was now naked in all his glory before her…
Before she could even take her next breath, he was on her…
There was an instant where she felt the tip of his hard flesh against her entrance before he surged forwards…
And she screamed.
Her loud howl echoed against the walls as her head fell against his shoulder, her teeth digging into his skin…
“MINE. You ask…I give! You want…It’s yours! You need…YOU FUCKING GET! UNDERSTAND!?”
He was holding her so tightly, letting her body adjust to the sharp and sudden intrusion…
When her head dropped back to the bed, she was blessed with a sight so soothing that she actually felt a burn in her heart…
His eyes.
His lips.
His body.
They were hers.
At her command.
Arnav groaned quietly and began to gently move his hips, letting the immense feeling slowly build up…
With every slide, he either pulled out or filled her deep, holding himself there, letting the fire inside burn in her veins…
She was gasping for air as she tried with all her strength to bring his body closer to hers…
Except there was no space left between them, they were already connected, mind body and soul…
He could feel when her insides were ready to explode…
This time there was no waiting, no demands, no pauses, no pleading…
He brought her to the peak and she climaxed into an orgasm so overwhelming it felt as though time stopped…
Arnav saw the pleasure, passion and delight on her face and continued to pump his hips…
His hot pulsing strokes inside her, branding her while it fueled the unending euphoria in both their bodies, and extending her already intense orgasm…
“I love you…”
Khushi could only manage a soft moan as more words rumbled from his chest…
“Your body was MADE for mine…”
When she finally had the fortitude to open her eyes, she saw him pinning her with an intense gaze…
“You’re going to come again…”
It wasn’t a question.
It wasn’t even a demand.
It was a fact.
And it was approaching fast once more…
Khushi felt him grow thicker…
“I was already hard Khushi, but that doesn’t compare to how I’m feeling right now.”
The manic look of passion in his face was now making her heart beat louder…
His words were burning in her veins…
“So fucking good…You feel, so. damn. good...”
The wetness that was flowing from inside her body doubled out over his penetrating erection…
“Ar…Arnav…”
He let out a snarl…
Khushi was now clutching onto his neck with all she could as though terrified he would stop…”Keep going…I beg you Arnav…Keep goi-“
“Fuck Khushi…If this very room was on fire, I wouldn’t stop making love to you…YOU are MINE and I won’t stop claiming you…EVER…”
And even though his thrusts were slow and measured, she climaxed.
Her body gushing around him as her breathing stopped for a moment before she sucked in long draughts of air…
“I DEMAND you keep coming my love…I’m not NEARLY done…I’m thirsty for you…You need to come at least twice more before I come hard inside you that I’m so deep inside you not one micro part of you is without MY mark!”
Khushi could hear only him, as thought his voice were seeping directly into her soul…
Her surroundings were enveloped with him…
Their breathing united, as though they only survived on each other…
His love her her unleashed and triggered every cell in his body for the sole purpose of worshipping what belonged to him…
“You. YOU belong to me.”
Her eyes were on his, scorching him, full of desire…
The heat coming from her was threatening to draw up his balls and spray out his orgasm but he bit the feeling back hard…
“Oh GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!” she screeched as another climax hit her hard, her core shooting out jets of arousal as she shook…
Arnav groaned in utter ecstasy as he buried himself painfully deep inside her…
Her hands were flailing, reaching for him, tugging, trying to pull him closer…
But he slowed, “I’m here…shhhh…I’m here…I’m not done Khushi…”
“Too…much…” she breathed, the rasping sound of her voice making his heart ache for her…
He kept up his slow thrusts, “And you’ll take it…”
Just as she got her steady heartbeat back, he sped up…
In a flash, Khushi’s eyes opened as she gasped…
“That’s right. Eyes on me!”
Khushi gave a soft smile of complete trust…
And he was done for.
His hips picked up speed, his arm slid beneath her back, and he instantly felt her walls flutter around him…
“That’s right my love…one more…”
Her gaze was now hazy but she was fused to him as her hips involuntarily met his every slam forwards, intensifying the slapping sound of their bodies…
Sweat dripped from his chest onto hers where it mingled with the slick moisture that coated her skin…
Their fluids entwining outside, just as they mixed inside…
He could see the look in her eyes though…
Any second she was going to HAVE to break their eye lock because she was going to come and come hard…
And it happened…
Her head tilted back, her eyes closing as her inner walls start to strangle his phallus in rapid waves…
Arnav had no more restraint as he surrendered to her enchanting spell and filled her with hot spurts of semen as she shook and tremored…
Dropping his weight onto her, he reassured her as best he could…
“Shhh…Kh…Khushi…shhh I’m…here…”
She was rooted deep inside his heart, just as his pulsing flesh was lodged inside her…
The difference was though, that his cock would be in and out, while his heart would never be without her…
“Ar…Arnav…I am more in love with you than…than I ever thought I could be…Don’t…don’t leave me…I beg you…please…”
His lips brushed over her neck, her cheeks, anywhere…
“I’m not going ANYWHERE…You have NO idea how much I love you…Fuck if you could read my mind I would be a lost cause…I’m already on my knees, kissing the fucking ground you walk on…”
Her breath was hot as steam against his neck as she whispered…”Hold me…hold me…”
And reaching for the blanket, he wrapped their joined bodies together and she disappeared within his embrace…
“I’m holding you…shhh…”
As her breathing began to even out, she whispered…”I’m sorry…”
If his energy hadn’t have been drained, he would have reacted, but this time, he just said, “Shut up. Crazy woman. You have NO reason to say those two words…”
Khushi burrowed closer against him and his heart swelled…
“I love you…I wanted you so much…”
“That’s why I came back…God I thought I was going to go mad in that boardroom…”
She let out a tired laugh…”I’m sorr-“
Giving her a squeeze, he shook his head, “Uh uh…don’t you ever utter those words…I just can’t say ‘no’ to you…but when it comes to THIS, I’m going to…because you need me Khushi…stop being selfless…I WANT you to have EVERYTHING I can possibly give you…and if you want me with you, then I will willingly and HAPPILY oblige…”
Her smile of reply was the most beautiful thing he’d seen and he felt the bands that suffocated his heart loosen, “God you’re divine…”
“…the second you left, I couldn’t breathe…Mum tried to distract me, talked to me, even wanted to call you back… I couldn’t calm down…”
Arnav pulled her closer, kissing her cheeks, her forehead, trying to soothe her…
“I sent you away…I couldn’t see you…I hate being this way, but-“
“Khushi,” he finally interrupted, “you have been through a LOT…and the moment you became mine, which was the second I saw you, I knew that I wanted to give you ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you wanted and needed…and right now, you need me. Fuck I need YOU…I know we will get better in time, but that same need will be there, and what will make ME happy is if you just let me take care of you…”
“I…I never had that growing up…I had to do so much to survive…I feel like I don’t deserve any of this..”
His beautiful princess was still half stuck in a mindset that she was lesser…
“Khushi…” he asked softly…”You’re mine…forever…and If that’s how long it takes to erase that feeling from your beautiful head, then I’m ready to do it…You deserve MORE than I could possibly give you…and yet you won’t ask for it…”
Her eyes were still dazed but she was listening to his every word…
“Khushi, do you remember what I did a few weeks after we got married? When you told me you loved to read?”
A slow smile crept over her face as she nodded…
“What did I do for you?”
She bit her lip, her cheeks blushing…
He lifted his brows, waiting for her response…
“You…you renovated the room beside ours into my own library…”
Arnav grinned…”And?”
Smiling, she continued, “And took me to every bookstore you could find to see what books I wanted…”
“And what did I do when you told me of your favorite foods?”
Her eyes darted down towards his chest…
“Khushi…look at me…”
Gazing up, he quirked a brow…”What did I do?”
“You made sure they were on the menu every week…”
Arnav kissed her nose, “…and who’s idea do you think it was for you to furnish an entire room?”
Her long lashes brushed her cheeks as she blinked in surprise, “…it…it wasn’t mum?”
“Well,” he winked, “…she agreed to take the credit for it…but it was my idea when I heard you say that you’d love to draw and design rooms…”
Her face was pink and her smile constant now, and Arnav couldn’t resist.
Kissing her lips gently, he lingered, “And when we went walking in the garden down by the river, not long after we were married…you pulled me against your gorgeous body and begged me to make love to you…and what did I do?”
Swallowing hard, her face was now flaming red, her muscles pulsing with arousal…
Drawing her body onto his, he sat up with his back against the headboard, her legs now straddling his pelvis…”What did I do Khushi?”
Her hands now rested on his bare shoulders, the muscles taut and tense beneath her fingertips…”You…you…” her words stopped as she gasped…
He kissed the corner of her mouth, then her lower lip until he slipped his tongue into her mouth for a delicious kiss…
They kissed slowly, bodies pressed against each other…
As Arnav eased back, he kept his gaze on her…
Her eyes grew wide with surprise as she felt him growing hard against her stomach…
“You remember what I did as soon as you said that you wanted me…?”
Arnav began lifting her, his hands under her bottom, rubbing his thick cock against her folds…
“I pulled you to sit beneath a tree, brought you over me, and slid into you…”
Khushi could feel her arousal starting to drip down onto his flesh and he groaned…
Gripping her hips, he positioned her above his erection and guided her down…
When he was almost all the way in, he paused as she caught her breath…
Her palms were now clinging harder to his shoulders as he leaned forwards and spoke against her mouth…
“You remembering now my love?”
And as she was about to answer, he forced her all the way down…
Khushi shrieked into his waiting mouth…
He felt bigger as her muscles clenched tightly around his erection, her deep breaths showing how she tried to adjust to the feeling of utter fullness…
Arnav growled and ran his hands up her torso cupping her breasts, gently thumbing her nipples…
She now moaned, automatically making small rocking motions with her hips…
“Khushi…” Arnav rasped…
She met his gaze…”I could never forget…”
With hands clasped to her waist, his fingers splaying across her bottom, he began a slow rhythm of rocking and rotating…
It was exhilarating to feel the strength of his body against her, to feel his pectoral muscles flex under her fingertips but even better was the look in his eyes as he watched her on top of him…
The hunger and admiration mixed with pure and intoxicating love was heady…
Arnav’s chest heaved under her palms, his breath coming faster as he started thrusting upwards, driving himself into her harder and faster…
Khushi was now crying out over and over…
Arnav held her steady wih a bruising grip and thrust faster…
There were no words.
Khushi threw her body against him, riding through her orgasm as she felt Arnav tense beneath her and release into her with a low moan…
Khushi shivered helplessly on top of him as she came down from her high…
She slumped onto his chest and pressed her lips to his…
His heart pounded agasinst her breatss.
He slung his arms around her back and pressed her against him tightly…
“I won’t lose you.” he growled…
“You won’t…ever…”
Holding the back of her head, he carefully moved her back to see her eyes…”I love you…”
Blinking slowly, she whispered…”I love you…forever…”
Taking a contended breath in, he gathered her closer on chest as his cock softened within her…”What do you want now my Princess…?”
He could feel her smile against his neck…
“Can we stay like this…then meet mum and dad for dessert?”
Arnav chuckled, “I’m definitely going to have to eat something…you’re my entire workout routine…”
Her girlish giggle made his heart skip…
“I love your laugh…every single smile and laugh makes me want more…”
She pressed her hands against his chest and tried to sit up, but he held on…”shhh…you wanted this…you’re getting it…”
“But, you’re hungry…”
“Nothing is worth more than this…”
Looking up, she smiled and his heart nearly exploded…
Every time that he loved her out of the darkness, she bloomed…
And when she smiled at him with her eyes shining, he could barely breathe.
He felt drunk on her, addicted to her smiled and laughed and love…
…………….
“I am actually excited…”
Arnav grinned big seeing her happy…”Good! And knowing mum, she’s going to have a ridiculous amount of dessert ready for you…”
“Us…” she replied, holding onto his arm…”I know how much you love chocolate…”
He kissed her quick and they walked arm in arm to the bedroom door.
Arnav paused…
Khushi looked up with quizzical eyes, “Are you okay?”
Her frown quickly kicked him in the heart and he wrapped his arms around her tight.
“Ofcourse I am my love,” he assured her, “I just…I don’t want to leave our room…”
She giggled, “I don’t either, but as long as we are together-“
He swept in and slammed his mouth on hers only to pull back just as fast, “I’m not letting you out of my sight…ever again…”
Instead of pushing for him to react differently, she flung her arms around him, nearly ready to cry….”Thankyou…”
“Hey…” he whispered into her hair, “You’re mine…my wife…the love of my damn life…you DON’T thank me for this…”
When she looked up into his eyes, he saw the light that started to burn in her eyes once more…the spark that he thought was gone…
“Damn it…” he rubbed his hand along his chin as he took a step back, but keeping his grip on her wrist… “we need to get out of here…”
Khushi’s expression turned darker, “Why?”
His phallus quickened, and he mentally questioned how he ever survived before her…
“We need to get out because of that look in your eyes right now…”
“What look…?” she asked on a breath, but the heat in her eyes didn’t dissolve…
“That look. The one that is going to get you thrown back onto that bed and coming so hard that you’re no longer able to function without my cock inside of you…”
Her mouth opened, and a soft, stuttering sound came out as she kept looking…
“I warned you…” he growled and pulled her against him.
But on cue, their door burst open…
“I figured you’d both be hesitant of leaving your little fortress here,” the queen exclaimed boldly, “So! I have brought Jacob, and several guards here to escort my beautiful son and daughter in law to the dining room.”
Arnav was close to boiling over as his unsatisfied desire simmered in his blood…”Mum…you have the WORST timing…”
Khushi’s face flamed as she laughed as quietly as she could…”Thankyou mum…”
Llinking arms with her mother in law, Khushi walked out the door with Arnav close on her heels…
Jacob sidestepped to catch up with Arnav, “Hey, she’s just in front of you mate…and your dad is right from earlier, your mum would kill anyone who tries to hurt her…”
Jacob was soon met with the Prince’s angry eyes and his footing faultered, “Seriously, am I in any danger from you? Do I need to employ Corey as my bodyguard?” he smirked…
Arnav finally let a smile tweak at his mouth, “No Jake…just stay close…”
“Yes Sir.”
They entered the dining hall, and Arnav and Jacob nodded in acknowledgement, he pulled on Khushi’s elbow and dragged her to sit next to him…
“Do you think it’s good for Arnav to eat too much sugar? Maybe he should skip dessert as he’s already hyper enough?”
Arnav scowled at his mum, “Really mum? If you think I’m giving up an opportunity to eat chocolate cake you’re gonna a bigger army to stop me…”
Khushi was smiling non stop now, and Arnav was finally feeling a weight lifting off his shoulders…
“Well alright then Mr. Grumpy…I won’t tease anymore…” his mum said with a smile
“Say more.” Arnav blurted out…
“Huh? My son wants more teasing?”
He glanced from the queen back to the princess, “For this smile…” he touched Khushi’s cheek, “On this face…” he pulled her gently closer and touched his lips to hers…”You can say whatever you damn well want…”
“Well well well,” the King said sauntering in, “I either walk in on your mother’s non stop chatter, or my son’s non stop romantics…”
He sat down beside his wife…
“Josef, our son seems to enjoy the teasing tonight…”
The king smiled at the queen, “Since when have you stopped even if he DIDN’T enjoy it?”
Khushi was starting to grip Arnav’s hand beneath the table…
“Are you okay?” he said with worry lacing his voice…
“I’m feeling…..happy…”
He lifted her tightening hand and kissed it, “Then don’t squeeze so tight, relax…I’m here…and…” he looked up, “So it seems is the biggest array of cakes on the planet…”
Arnav watched Khushi’s face light up as her favorites were now in front of her…
“Oh my!”
The queen beamed, “See! I know the way to her heart…”
Arnav felt jealousy, but gave a laugh, “You know the way to her sweet tooth mum…”
“Ha, someone’s is jealous…” the king chuckled…
Khushi decided to kick back and try to relax, enjoying the evening with her family…
“Family…” she thought… “This wonderful family…taking me in, trying to make me happy…me…I thought I was nobody…I was nobody, and now…now these precious people have come into danger because of me…am I bringing this danger?”
And as always, Khushi had spoken out the last question…
“You sure as fuck are NOT!”
“Arnav!” his mother cried, “Language! What are you-“
Turning to his wife, Arnav held her face as calmly as he could, “You are NOT bringing any danger…YOU are not to blame Khushi…understand?”
“Arnav.” the King used his commanding voice, but Arnav hadn’t even moved an inch, “Arnav,”
He finally looked up.
“You need to try and understand from her side…I have been where she is…I have shared the servants mindset…”
Khushi finally looked over to her father in law, “I apologize-“
“Stop apologising sweetie, please” the queen’s eyes were kind…”you are a gorgeous light in this family, and yes, you ARE family…”
The King continued, “I know you are still thinking back to the life you lived before, but you need to know that the way you were treated, was harsh. It was no way near how we treat our employees, or how servants should be treated in general. You had bosses and owners who were cruel, Khushi. It is not the way anyone should live.”
Arnav was clenching his fists, the anger inside him growing more and more…
“Son, calm down.”
His eyes hit his fathers, “How can I calm down?”
Khushi now felt evven more responsible that there was tension once more so she intervened, “By having some more cake…” and she picked up a big spoonful and shoved it into her husband’s mouth…
Arnav’s lips were now covered with chocolate icing and his eyes were wide as he chewed on the cake…
The queen and king were now laughing out loud, loving the sass from their Princess…
“That’s more like it!” The queen said almost out of breath, “You remember when we were gardening and we turned the hose on them?”
“Oh my yes!” Khushi giggled, “That was so so funny!”
And father’s and son’s eyes locked as the women began to talk.
The king blinked and nodded mouthing the words, “Things will heal…”
After two hours of cake, coffee and chatter, Khushi yawned…
“I think my body is catching up with actual time…I’m finally tired at night once again…”
Arnav took her hand and kissed her palm, “You couldn’t help the last few months my love…”
Shaking off the memories, she leaned into him, “I loved this tonight…so much…”
“Well if cake were a decent meal we could do this every night…” the queen piped up.
Khushi laughed, “Oh no I couldn’t…I’d feel so sick…”
The queen lifted her brows and smirked at her son, “See! Too much sugar makes you sick!”
Arnav lifted his hands, “I was 11 mother!!! All Kids think that chocolate is a sensible diet!”
“Fine fine…but you were a grouch for a whole month because I denied you chocolate…”
Khushi laughed and yawned once more…
“Okay, time to say goodnight…” the King said standing.
“Agreed. Maybe tomorrow we can pick some flowers?”
Khushi nodded, her smile still glowing, “I would love that…”
“Well expect me to tag along…she isn’t going anywhere without me…”
The queen groaned and the King laughed at the memories from their own past…
They all walked towards the door to the hallway when Khushi pulled him to a stop and turned to her in laws…
“I love you both. So so much…”
Unable to hold back, the queen pulled her into her arms…
The King rubbed his palm over her back, “We love you too…”
When the queen released her, she kissed her forehead, “You’re such an angel…”
Khushi turned back to Arnav who was about to speak when her eyes widened and her skin turned pale.
Pulling Khushi closer, he spun around…
Arnav looked up and saw the former Chief of Security and two of his men standing before them.
A few steps away, two of the castle officials stood looking guilty and nervous..
The king was the first to speak, “Is there a reason these gentlemen are here?”
“Your Majesty,” the staff supervisor spoke up, “Dwayne insisted to speak to you, and was causing a huge fuss downstairs…”
Before the King could reply, Arnav cleared his throat…
“Jake…” he commanded, and Jacob, who had been standing guard at the door, was beside him in an instant…
The queen instantly held onto Khushi, knowing it was now time for the King and Prince to retaliate…
Arnav gently kissed Khushi’s lips as he whispered, “Everything is fine my love…”
And he turned away as his mother wrapped her arm around his wife…
The King took his place beside his son, staring down hard at the men before him…
“Now.” Arnav’s voice took on a completely different tone, one that was NOT to be messed with…”Why are you back, causing a scene, in my castle?”
The former chief bowed slightly and spoke, “I am here to discuss my position, now that the Prince has calmed down…”
The King saw Arnav’s eyes flash with a brutal light…
“Dwayne, my son fired you…you didn’t lose your house, land, wealth…you shouldn’t be here…”
“I demand my job back.”
Watching him intently, wary of every movement, Arnav stated simply, “No.”
Dwayne straightened, his hands animatedly waving, “You don’t know what you’re doing! So, I DEMAND REINSTATEMENT!”
“Sire, Your Highness,” The staff supervisor spoke up, “I apologise profusely for allowing them inside, but as you can see-“
“You did the right thing,” the King said, “This isn’t your issue to deal with…”
Arnav was growling, “Exactly. It’s MY issue. And I’m giving you your last warning…” he stalked closer to Dwayne, “You are to leave…now. Take your puny men. Go back to your wife. Or you lose EVERYTHING.”
A sickening smirk covered Dwayne’s face, “YOU are so blinded by that wife of yours…you’ll soon see that you’re an idiot to fire me! I’ve worked here for YEARS!”
Arnav stood taller, his broad chest muscles rippling beneath his shirt, chuckling a sinister laugh, his voice was frightening as he snarled, “Now you use my wife against me? So you DO have a deathwish…”
The former staff official tried to ready his stance, “You don’t get to ruin YEARS of my work in this castle and kingdom for a worthless woman who-“
A loud growl halted his words…
“You now INSULT my wife?!…Do you have ANY idea of the danger your in now?”
The queen felt Khushi’s shiver and piped up, “Oh, you’re a dead man…”
She held tighter to the princess who was panting…
Arnav didn’t turn, but could hear her panic and his head turned slightly towards her…”Sweetheart…Everything is fine…breathe…”
The King was in awe of Arnav’s control…
Jacob stood close in front of Khushi, awaiting any order from his Prince.
Treading forwards, Arnav could see the man start to shake as he said, “Get, the fuck, out.”
Before Arnav could say another word, Dwayne pulled a dagger from his jacket and tried to attack…
“Arnav!” Khushi screamed and took a step after him only to be stopped in her tracks by Jacob as she got her first glimpse of her husband in warrior mode.
Arnav disarmed the man with a brutal chopping motion and she heard something inside the man’s body break.
Dwayne dropped to his knees with a scream as the two guards he had brought with him rushed forwards…
Arnav kicked Dwayne savagely in the face, which made the fired chief tumble backwards…
His focus now on the guards, he executed and uppercut punch and harsh hook punch…
There were sickening crunches as one man hit the wall, crumpling to the ground leaving a gruesome red stain as he fell, and the other was on his knees groaning, clutching his gut…
Her husband had complete control over the situation not needing any intervention…
And as her eyes darted around the room to the officers who stood there, they seemed emotionless as to his actions…
As though this wasn’t new to them.
Proving how capable the Prince was as a protector and soldier.
His words soon brought her back to the moment…
“You now lose EVERYTHING.”
“NO!” Dwayne’s voice was groggy as blood dripped down his chin, “How DARE you!”
Arnav lifted the heel of his boot and slammed it into Dwayne’s stomach, “YOU. LOSE. EVERYTHING.”
“You’re a fucking fool! She’s a worthless SERVANT!”
Those two words hit Khushi straight in the gut…
She let out a sob that Arnav was powerless to ignore.
Spinning around instantly, he hurried to her side pulling her from his mother’s embrace and holding her close…”No Khushi…his words mean NOTHING…”
Jake motioned to other guards and suddenly there was a wall of security around them in seconds…
“This IS all because of me…I’ve caused this…” she began to break down…
Arnav’s fury and anger were growing but he reined it in, “No my love, no…shhh…”
Not willing to have her believe her statement a moment longer, Arnav turned to Jake, “Throw them in the fucking jails!” and he lifted Khushi into his arms and disappeared down the hallways…
The queen had heard Khushi’s broken words, and she turned to Dwayne…
She ran forwards and slammed a clenched fist into the man’s face…”You ASSHOLE! How long have we known you!? And you repay us this way!? You want to talk ‘SERVANT’? You not only insulted my daughter, but MY HUSBAND, your KING!”
The King had already wound an arm around his wife’s waist and hauled her to the side, “Calm down Tiger, Arnav has handled this…”
She glared at him, “He insulted-“
The King smiled and kissed her hard, “I love you for defending Khushi and I…Now hush, and I’ll put that mouth of yours to better use in a moment…”
Linking hands with the queen, the King took a step towards the three men on the floor, now on their knees…
He looked to his guards behind them and nodded.
“No! NO! Your Majesty you can’t!”
But the King’s eyes were blank, his face showing no mercy as they were hauled from the room.
………………..
Arnav’s heart was stuttering as he rushed towards the nearest room he could find…
Guards patrolled every inch of the castle and he needed to get her alone…
Her words had shattered his heart…
“Open!” he yelled at one officer and the man instantly threw open the door he was barraging towards…
Kicking it shut with his foot, she jerked against him, the loud noise hitting her senses…
Like a lion leaping into action, he placed her down.
She didn’t have time to stumble as he pulled her roughly against him and then his mouth was on hers…
Her back hit the wall and she surrendered to what was happening and kissed him for all she was worth…
He pulled her knee up over his hip, stroking the back of her thigh.
She tried to remember to breathe, but when he leaned into her and she felt the hardness between his legs against the softness of hers, she forgot…
“I’m going to have you. Right here. Right now.”
“Yes…” the word came out in a hiss as she realised where they were…
One of the random bathrooms on the lower level…
Marble tiles, double sinks, white curtains…
“Yes what?!” he pushed against her, taking her hands that were in his hair and pulling them above her, pinning her to the wall as he kissed her neck…
“What do you want Khushi? YOU…What do YOU want?”
He may have the control, but he was at her command, and he wanted to give her everything she wanted…
“Take me…”
She said it so softly that had he not been so close, he’d never have heard it…
“Say it again…but OWN it. I’m YOURS. You want me? You TELL ME!”
“Take me!” she screamed…
He let go of her hands, his fingers brushing past her breasts to her waist, where they pushed her down against his erection…
“You, my love, have ALL of me…THAT’S how powerful you are…and now, I’m going to have all of you…”
With that, he hitched her up and carried her to the sink.
He balanced her on it as he kissed her, grinding between her legs and driving her higher and higher with need…
Yanking up her skirt, his lips were on hers and she didn’t have a second to breathe before he positioned himself above her…
His trousers were now open, his thick arousal now resting on her enorged clit…
Before she could speak, he slid into her core, her walls and tissues stretching as he thrust…
Her lips parted and he silenced her by shifting her hips and pushing forwards even more…
He found every space inside her to fill and drove into her hard.
They were eye to eye, bodies moving together, the swell of exquisite tension growing…
“You’re so beautiful…” he said, his eyes locking hers…
Needing to take her harder, he lifted her body and pushed her against the tiled wall as he penetrated her over and over…
“I’m going to fill you…so completely…you will never be free of me…of ANY part of me…”
Their breathing was echoing around the small room as her whimpers and cries became louder…
“Don’t hold it in Khushi…I want to hear you…”
The swirl of feelings increased until her limbs stiffened and she put her face in the crook of his neck to stifle her cries as she orgasmed around him, drowning in the power of it…
Arnav, however, snarled…”I told you I wanted to hear you!”
He thrust hard with a grunt then a groan.
She felt the pulse at the base of his erection on her as he stretched core…
And her strong husband’s flesh spurted inside her as he climaxed, continuing to push into her until there was nothing more to come out…
“Arnav…”
His fingers gripped her tight…”Every room.”
She was still dizzy with pleasure but she frowned, “Wh…what?”
“EVERY. ROOM.”
Letting her slide down the wall, his cock slipped out of her and she felt his sticky cum drip down her leg…
He reached for a towel and she expected him to be rough but he gently wiped her folds and legs dry…
She was shaky and he held her carefully…
“Arnav?”
Khushi began to feel wary…
But he held her chin and brought her gaze to his…”I’m going to have you…” he leaned closer…”in every room…”
She laughed nervously and elbowed him, but he caught her forearms and pressed her back against the wall once more…
“…if I checked, I bet you’re wet again…my wife…”
Her full blown shudder was the opposite of what came out of her mouth…”It’s late…”
He could see pain slipping back into her expression…
“Lets go to bed-“
Without hesitation, he kissed her savagely, prying her mouth open with his tongue.
Finally he pulled away when they had to breathe, and they stared at each other panting…
“I’m going to have you…in EVERY room, and then maybe you’ll see how powerful you are! How much own me! How much you own this castle! And how much you OWN this life AND the title of Princess!”
His wiry muscles shifted and pulsed.
The satin sheen of sweat on his damp shirt brought out every muscle and tendon…
“I just…”
“No. You ARE the Princess. YOU are worth more than ANYTHING.”
Feeling completely overwhelmed and undeserving, she bolted past him, opened the door and ran…
She didn’t get far before she was grabbed and pushed through yet another door…
Starting to struggle, she cried, “Let go of me!”
“NO.”
Khushi clawed at his hands as they fondled her easily, lifting her skirts once more, tracing her thighs and backside…
The flood of arousal that came over her was almost painful…
“Let…let go…” she said close to tears, the words he had said about her too much for her to accept…
“Next time you tell me to let you go, you’re going to be in for a big surprise…” he snarled
Spinning away from him, she came face to face with the tall glass window in one of their lounges…
She hadn’t realized how far he’d pushed her into the room…
Arnav took a long step forwards and she was now pressed up against the cold glass.
“Stay still…” he ground out…
She began to move and he caged her in with his hand on either side of her…
Leaning into her body, he whispered against her hair, “Your Highness…Stay. Still.”
The hairs on her neck were standing on end, the nerves in her body completely alight…
“I’m…I’m not what you say I am…”
Complete fury at how unjust her life had been swarmed his blood…
Yanking up her skirt, she saw his reflection in the window looking straight at her…
He wound one arm around her chest as he held his hard phallus and positioned himself…
“I’m going to fuck you so fucking hard that you’ll damn well have NO CHOICE but to believe me…”
He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed his palm on her stomach…
She had made him angry.
She could hear it.
But it was anger at the misguided perception of herself.
Ramming inside her with animal intensity, she cried out…
Not because it hurt, but because of the way he did it, the raw physical pleasure it created…
“You are worth more than anything…anyone…you are my Princess…”
His arms constricted as he jammed his thick flesh into her over and over…
Yanking her torso further up, he pressed her harder into the glass…
“Look at you…” he grunted at her reflection…”You’re so fucking gorgeous…that face…I want to see that face when you come…”
Her body was unwinding, the pressure becoming too great, too much…
“Arnav…I…I can’t…”
He continued to penetrate her core from behind as he spoke…
“Since the minute I saw you, I’ve wanted you…I wanted you because you were so damn fucking beautiful that I couldn’t breathe…then I knew your heart…your mind…your SOUL…and I knew that I possessed the most incredible treasure in the universe…YOU…”
His words accentuated his thrusts…
“…no…I’m…”
“YES.”
Her skin was on fire…
Her core growing wetter and wetter as he slammed inside her…
“I want to see you now as you lose control…I want to see that look on your face, the one when you forget everything else, and all you know is my name…”
Arnav penetrated her harder, faster, harder, and she lost herself…
“Arnnnaaavvvv….” she gasped on a groan that turned into a long keening moan…
He put his hand under her chin, holding her throat steady and careful until her vision was filled with him and their eyes locked in the glass reflection…
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out but whimpers…
Her lungs constricted around her heart, and her joinst stiffened.
She was held up securely by his flesh and his body…
And his arms bound her to him as she came watching him…
His climax reared up as his eyes shone heat into her as his body shot her full of his semen…
Keeping her close, he pulled her back to relax against his chest…
His hand still resting on her throat, he gently turned her face to his…
“I love you…don’t run from me…because I won’t give up…I’ll always come after you…you can NEVER escape me…”
Her eyes stung with tears and he gently wiped them away…”I don’t want to run…I…I’m so sor-“
“No, my love…just tell me you love me…”
She hiccuped slightly, “I…I love you…”
“Now tell me your my Princess…”
Her lips parted, but she was silent…
“TELL ME.”
“I’m…yours…”
His eyes were growing harsher…
“You better say it…”
But all that she could think of was how small she felt, how much pain she had brought…
The way he was looked at her now was like he heard her thoughts and he pulled out of her fast and hoisted her into his arms once more…
Seating himself on the small couch, he pulled her flush against his body…”You know who brought the REAL pain Khushi!?! The people who SOLD you! The assholes who BOUGHT you! And the cunt and asshole who attacked you! YOU didn’t do this! Can’t you fucking see that!?”
Her eyes were pouring out tears, and yet she hadn’t blinked once…
Arnav rolled her over and crushed her under his body.
He grabbed her hands, pinning them over her head.
His mouth collided with hers and he pressed deeper into her lips as he sucked on her tongue and lapped at the roof of her mouth, pulling instant moans from her throat…
Her legs were already spread wide and her breasts were pressing onto his chest…
But it was their scent.
Their mingled scent filled the room.
Her bare core was still exposed and he could FEEL the heat coming from it…
But Khushi’s mind was in a complete fog…
Every time she came close to feeling broken, her husband, her prince, invaded her space, her emotions, her entire world, and took over.
He hovered above her, pressing the tip of his ever hardening cock against her wet entrance…
And her eyes opened wide, “Again?”
His eyes shone with a devious glint, “You think I’ll EVER get enough of you?”
He could see a mixture of hazy ecstasy and worry pouring out of her eyes as she said, “…you do this for me…” she said almost disbelieving, “for me…every single time…”
His hard flesh twitched agasinst her dripping heat…
He planted his herculean arms beside her head and sank into her, his eyes keeping hers captive…”yes, because you’re MY PRINCESS…forever…”
Pulling out, he plunged back into her and watched as her eyes widened…
His lips curled into a grin as she shivered…
“Oh, I love the way you shiver for me…”
That small little action gave away her extreme need for him…
“Hold onto me sweetheart…”
The second she wrapped her arms around him, he set a relentless pace…
He didn’t give her time to think or breathe as he sank into her body…
His flesh was harder than steel, feeling at home inside her as he slammed against her walls…
He ground his hips against her clit, watching her jump as she moaned out his name…
Cupping her neck with one hand, he used the other to lift her boneless body up underneath him as he surged into her again and again, slowly and deliberately…
Marking her.
“You are my Princess…” he whispered, and she nodded, her eyes glazing over…
“Then say it.”
She shook her head.
She knew if she said it, she’d start to cry hard…
“Say it, my love…”
His phallus flexed deep inside her and she groaned…
He kept it up, keeping her on the brink of a massive orgasm until she grabbed his face and stilled him…
She licked her lips as he pressed into her and onto her and somehow, right through her…
“I love you Arnav…and I am your Princess…”
He stared at her for a moment, his eyes dark, his lips swollen and wet…
Any second, he knew, she was going to burst into tears, and he was going to stop it.
Crashing his mouth to hers, he kissed her, an all consuming declaration that she was HIS.
Tears now disappearing, she opened her mouth like she opened her heart…
Hitching one of her legs up further, holding her secure at the knee, he surged into her…
“Yes…Oh God…no…oh no…I can…It’s too much…No…”
He heard her…
He saw the panic and pleasure in her eyes…
And he didn’t stop.
“That’s right…” he growled…
She was shaking her head, the new climax that was stampeding towards her was mighty and terrifying…
“…Ar…Arnav…”
He kept up the maddening pace and spoke against her lips…”YOU. GET. NO. SAY. I’m not stopping…”
And it build to the point of no return…
Her body conformed to her husband’s will.
Her orgasm grew in the form of a muscular ache that was so deepseated she couldn’t stop any reaction that her body gave…
The noises she made almost sounded like she was in pain, but she was far from any form of agony…
The way her tunnel constricted and milked his thrusting and penetrating cock was reducing her to nothing as sensation upon sensation sucked her further under a blanket of suffocating ecstacy…
Arnav wanted this feeling to be embedded into to her soul, and he wasn’t going to stop.
He forced his flesh deeper into her as her muscles and squirting fluid tried to push him out, but he held her down and redoubled his attack…
“FUCK! Yes!”
This orgasm tore every bit of pleasure that was humanely possible from her every nerve, her every cell making her groan with wanton abandon until she locked eyes with him once more, feeling his penis thicken and his come fill her still-spasming walls…
And she fainted.
Arnav held her in his shaky grip…
He tried to catch his breath as he stared at the completely stated woman beneath him…
Pressing his mouth to her moist, wet lips, he spoke, “I love you, Khushi…” his fingers slid up and down her arms, over her face…”I love you so much I can hardly breathe…”
Needing to hold her, and still calm his own nerves down, he stayed inside her, peppering kisses over her shoulders, her neck, her face…
Soon his eyes grew dark, “I won’t ALLOW anyone to speak that way to you…You may have started life thinking you are lesser, but there is no way in hell I will allow you to keep thinking that way…”
He licked her lips and finally let his flesh slide out…
Their combined fluids now dripped from her sheath and his chest swelled with pride…
“I’m not cleaning this one up my love…that’s is there to remind you when you wake up, just how much you own me…and how much you belong to me…”
Pushing up on his arms, he felt the burn in his muscles and laughed slightly…
“No army routine can even come close to how much workout I get from you…”
Pulling on the woven rug that was draped over the couch, he wrapped it around her gently and lifted her into his arms…
He could still see the tears that had dripped into her hair and barely dried around her eyes.
His anger blasted at Dwayne, and he already knew he wanted to kill him.
But right now, he was where he needed to be, and he wasn’t going to leave her.
The bright lights of the hallway were now making him blink, but he strode purposefully towards their room and saw Jacob standing guard…
He could already see that his friend knew exactly what went down.
“Seriously Arnav. You have the stamina of a bull.”
He grinned at Jacob, “She’s made my heart a fucking firework…”
“No wonder you’re so volotile…”
“Can you blame me?! The nerve of that asshole…”
Jacob nearly raised his voice but Arnav cautioned him with a steady gaze…
“Yeah, well your mum punched him hard when you left the room…”
Arnav smiled, “I never doubted her sass…no wonder her and Khushi get along so well…” he took a deep breath, “I’m gonna get some sleep, I’m beat.”
Jacob gave a knowing smirk, “Not. Surprised.”
“Oh shut up.” Arnav bit back with some humor in his tone, “Just stand guard.”
“Always.”
And as Jacob took his post, Arnav and Khushi disappeared into their room.
Laying her gently down on the bed, he kicked off his shoes and then took hers off, letting his fingers graze the skin of her calves, and she took a deep breath in…
Leaving a soft light on, he pulled the blanket up and gathered her in his arms, kissing her forehead as he breathed, “Mine…”
…………………..
The darkness was only magnified moreso by the dripping echoes of water as it hit the stone cold jail floor.
The King stepped forwards into the light, “You’ve been part of my office for 20 years Dwayne,” he took a breath, “Fuck, I thought you were a FRIEND!”
The beaten down man shook his head, “It was a momentary lapse of judgement…”
“Like HELL it was! You were thrown out for defying authority, and yet you come back the same night to ATTACK my son?! So ‘momentary’ is a fucking lie!”
“You’re starting to sound like your high and mighty son now…” Dwayne scoffed.
The King’s expression was fierce, “Wow. What a complete change or morals. You were there when my wife was taken! You remember my desperation to get Wendy back? How terrified I was? And who was by my side supporting me? YOU!”
Dwayne finally stood up, “I wanted her!!! I could have ruled this kingdom like it SHOULD be run!”
Smirking, the king replied, “Oh so this is because of pride? You and I both worked in the castle grounds as servants. You and I were FRIENDS, and yet because I fell for her, you now betray us? Why not betray me before? When I was searching like a madman for her?”
Shaking on the jail bars, he yelled, “Because SHE is the true royalty! SHE deserved to be rescued!”
The King began to laugh, “Oh….oh dear…You forget what my father in law decreed at my own wedding…This kingdom is founded on royal character, royal loyalty, and royal love…He trusted me and took me in because I loved Wendy more than my own life…and even now that he has gone, my character has not changed. You have finally shown your true self with your EASILY distorted behavior…I may have been nervous to rule at first, but I learned fast. And I learned from the best…I learned from OUR previous King. He gave the title to me. And I will be giving it to my son. You’ve already lost your status with me…” The King smiled, “Who the HELL knows how safe you’ll be when my son rules…because he learned from me. I love my family for who they are, not for their title.”
Stepping back, the King almost seemed nonchalant, “Your wife and son will be cared for. They won’t pay for your mistakes. But I advise you to stay alert. You will be questioned in the morning, and we WILL find out if you were working alone.”
Dwayne had been silent.
His face turning moist and sappy in color.
He knew exactly what the King was capable of, and knew what had happened to Evan and Lavanaya.
“I am still of nobility…” he stammered out nervously, “I demand protection in the cells for myself!”
The King shook his head, “My son is in control of your case. You had your chance to remain loyal to me…and you failed.”
“I demand it!”
The King turned.
“I demand it!” Dwayne grew louder…
The King disappeared.
As he rounded the corner, he nodded as his soldiers saluted him.
“Just make sure no one else escapes.”
The jailer nodded, “A thousands pardons please Sire, we are so sorry for-“
“Never again. Alright?”
And he walked out.
He was suddenly face to face with his wife.
“You realize I heard all of that right?”
The King grinned, “I knew you had to be around, I could feel it.”
The queen wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight…
He noticed the grip in her fingers.
“What’s up now…?”
She smiled into his jacket, “You always know…”
“I know you, and I love you…” he kissed the top of her head, “So just tell me…”
Her head lifted and her sad eyes locked onto his, “I heard him belittle you…”
He snickered, “oh that…The year I lost you, was the year that I no longer cared about what ANYONE thought of me…The opinions that mattered, were yours, and your parents. I miss them. And If mine were alive, they would have loved you so much…”
She frowned, “I just want to defend you…even though you are so strong and powerful…”
He laughed, “Last time you flattered me like this was when you wanted me to build a ferris wheel in the back gardens…”
As he held her hand, he began to lead her back to the castle entrance…
The queen’s tone was sultry, “Did I ever end up thanking you enough for that ferris wheel by the way?”
His eyes turned dark as he pulled her behind some bushes…”You did…but care to try again?”
………………
Jacob patrolled the halls.
Checking on guards, on their reports.
“I just don’t like that he turned on the King, AND Arnav…”
The new Chief of Security was agreeing, “It was as though he no longer cared about his allegiance to his King.”
“This is why we need him interrogated. Arnav is fucking close to exploding. If there is any kind of threat around Khushi, he’s going to kill first, no questions asked.”
Corey, the battalion second in command walked up to Jacob
“He damn will.”
“Well you know first hand Corey, you were there when he caught Nate Patel…” Jacob shuddered, “If only I’d seen it…”
“Look,” Corey spoke quietly, “It’s coming up to morning, take your break…”
On a yawn, Jacob merely grunted, “Fine. I want to question Dwayne. I look forward to cracking him.”
Corey smirked, “Well you did a damn good job the day the Princess was rescued. You worked tirelessly on every aspect of the Baron’s escape…but go, get some sleep. I’ll take over.”
And Corey readied his stance and stood guard as Jake made his way home.
………..
Arnav turned over and saw a deshevelled arousing picture…
His wife was completely out of it still..
“Good, this is how I want you…peaceful and satisfied…” he murmered, remembering how far he pushed her climaxes…
But as he glanced towards the window, he saw the sunrise hitting the treetops and he growled…
His instinct told him there was another attack coming.
And the first step to stopping it, was to get Dwayne Garrick questioned.
He covered Khushi with the blanket, and pulled on a robe as he walked to the door…
“Sir.”
“Morning. Jake slacking off now?”
Corey chuckled, “No no. Sleeping. He wants to be the one to interrogate the fucking traitor.”
Crossing his arms, he quickly glanced back to Khushi then back to Corey as he pulled on the door, not closing it, but shielding his wife…
“You’re going an incredible job with the Army…” he took a breath but Corey took over.
“Your needed here Sir. Everyone knows that.”
Arnav clenched his fists, “Yeah, I am, but I want you to convey to every man in the barracks that I’m grateful. If everyone hadn’t worked as fast as they did with Evan and that bitch, God knows what else could have happened…”
Corey looked completely confused, “is that a ‘thankyou’ sir?”
Arnav scratched his chin as he rolled his eyes, “Take it how you want.”
“Whoa. Jake said you were frightening? This seems pretty much the opposite…”
“Ha, well HE has seen me during the last two attacks, and yeah…I was out for blood.”
Leaning against the doorjamb, Corey craned his head, “Yeah. I was on the opposite side of the bloody castle on a wild goose chase. That dumb woman.”
Arnav looked livid, “I need this castle on high alert.”
Standing tall once more, the second in command saluted, “Done sir.”
“Good…oh, and send for breakfast in an hour…”
A few servers were whizzing past and Ally, Khushi’s assistant, stopped, “The usual sir? Or would the Princess like something different?”
Arnav gave a brief smile, “Usual I guess, but ask the Queen if she wants to throw in any surprises, she has a way with things that my wife likes…”
Ally bowed and hurried off…
Turning back to his room, he pushed at the slightly open door and saw that Khushi was beginning to stretch…
“Knock loud before entering…”
Corey grinned and nodded as Arnav closed the heavy wood.
Every step closer to her made his heart thump.
“So…damn…beautiful…”
She had already kicked off the sheet and blanket once again.
“Kicky, but beautiful…”
She still wore no panties from the night before, and her dress had risen up far enough for him to see her…
He paused, trying to calm the never ending desire to ravage her, when her thighs parted ever so slightly.
“Ah fuck it.”
Grabbing her ankles, he pulled her to the edge of the bed…
She shreiked, waking up fast…
Their gazes connected in a flash and she read his eyes immediately…
Kneeling down, he pushed her legs open wide…
“Arnav…” she tried to come up with something to say, but her mind was fuzzy and her body already buzzing with need…
Ready to feast on her arousal, he slid close and his mouth watered knowing he was about to taste a dessert that could never be replicated…
He wrapped his arms around her thighs and pulled her into his face…
His hands pinned her hips to the mattress as she mindlessly wound her fingertips into his hair…
Arnav began to lap at her slit, tasting all of her as she keened in satisfaction…
He could feel his cock bobbing for attention, throbbing and begging to plunge into her and never come out…
But he wanted to eat his fill of her…
He wanted to get drunk on her before he made her forget every word that was spoken against her…
Finding her swollen clitoris, he felt it pulsing against the tip of his tongue…
He flicked and sucked, revelling as he watched her face scrunch up in pleasure…
“Oh…Oh God…please…”
She was trying hard to buck into him, to find more friction than he was giving her, but his strength held her down…
She was tugging at his hair and panting for more, but he wanted to hear it, to hear her voice…
The lightest touches grazed her throbbing bud and she became desperate…
Sweat started shining on her forehead as her arms became weak…
“You are a fucking glorious sight my love…”
She could barely hear him as she arched her back, biting down on her lower lip…
Finally he heard her…
“…please…”
His spirit soared…
“…please Arnav…”
Plunging his fingers into her core, he pressed his mouth onto her clit.
She climaxed instantly.
Her nails raked along his scalp as he sucked the pulsing bud hard between his lips, keeping up the suction as her juices flowed onto his cheeks.
She was shaking and trembling, her body contracting and her thighs trying to gain movement that he wouldn’t allow…
Her soft, sensual skin was pressed against his face, muting out the entire world as his eyes focused on her face…
It flushed with pleasure as her back dropped to the sheets beneath, her entire form awash with sweet agony…
Releasing her clit, he slowly pulled out his fingers as he stalked up her body, his erectiong sliding against her thigh…
“Take me…”
Arnav smiled, “I will…but first you need some food in you…”
“I want YOU in me…” she blurted out without thinking…
He gave a soft laugh and kissed her lips…
She could taste herself…proof that he had owned her body once more…
Grinding her lower body against his she could feel him, “But you…you need…”
“And I’ll take you when you least expect it…you know exactly how much I love you, and I’ll prove it over and over again today…”
Her blush was all the response he needed.
How about we have a shower together, then breakfast should be here…
“We’re not going to the dining room?”
The worry in her voice confirmed her lingering fear…
“No, we’re in our haven, as long as you need…”
Her arms wound around his neck as he rested his body onto hers, “Thankyou…truly, thankyou…”
“This is what I WANT to do Khushi…you may thank me, but I would be doing this even if you were kicking and screaming…”
She giggled, “You like it when I’m kicking and screaming…”
He gently bit her shoulder, “Mmmm, you’re right…I like your bite…and you like mine…”
SS : Heartbeats Part 23
Khushi walked into her husband’s office building…
A buildilng where only days before, she had begun a new job, carrying on with her life in hiding…
But now, her husband was back, her daughter had a father, and familiy life was becoming what she had already dreamt of.
The atmosphere at the office wasn’t as rushed and hectic anymore as the new partners and managers had the branch operating fluidly…
She knew that Arnav only hired the best, and that he was only remaining in this vicinity because of her…
Arnav had tried with extreme effort to convince her that she owned the company with him, but she insisted on working a small shift…
And today, she was late.
Smiling, she remembered the reason why…
*flashback*
“oh my, I’m…I can barely move…” Khushi craned her head to see the clock, “And we have to be up in 40 minutes…”
Arnav pressed kisses on her stomach and then higher in between her breasts…“I guess you will just have to come in later then…”
“Arnavji…I can’t…My shift starts at 9-“
“Khushi, this is the first morning that I have you all to myself…Libbi is ‘camping’ in the lounge, and so I plan on taking every advantage of this…”
She giggled and whispered, “My boss will be angry if I’m late to work…”
“You seem to be forgetting…” he curled his tongue around her nipple…”we own this company…”
“mmmmm…” her body was vibrating…”Then I will make sure I put in my best work to please the owner…”
“Hmmm…” he suckled ever so softly…”you looking for a raise?”
Her nipple shot up inside his mouth, “I don’t know…do you think he would be kind enough?”
Each flick of his tongue made her ovaries ping…
“I think…” he began, as he dragged his mouth higher…”the boss would be kind enough to give you anything…”
And as his mouth touched hers, he proceeded to give her…everything…
*flashback*
“Well hello there…”
A voice interrupted her scanning eyes and she came face to face with a man she vaguely remembered from many years ago…
Her eyes narrowed as she tried to recall him…
“I can see you do know who I am…”
A tone in his voice made her feel uneasy and she took a step backwards, “I…I just came to-“
“It’s nice to see you again…”
The man stuck out his hand, and Khushi forced a smile at him while shaking it…”Um…Nice to see you again too…Your name?” she says softly.
“Mmmm…Soft skin…I am Devon, I worked with ASR years ago, he hired me to open his offices interstate…” his voice was low as his fingers smoothed over her palm, not making a move to let go…
“…uh…um…can you please…”
He tightened his grip…
Her pulse was now going crazy and her heart was screaming for Arnav…
A powerful presence filled the room and she looked beyond the frightening man who grasped her hand and saw Arnav closing in, wearing his black suit, looking as dangerous as a crouching panther…
“Oh thank God…”
His strides were long and determined…
As soon as Arnav caught sight of his wife being leered at he cut off the business man he was on the phone to, and set off in her direction.
“That’s my wife, Devon…and she’s here for ME, hands off.”
He hadn’t even tried to mask the ferocity in his voice as he grabbed her hand and pulled it out of his associates, and held her firmly against his side…
“Jeez Arnav, You’re a possessive bastard. I haven’t seen you for a year and you’re still ‘Mr. Uptight’!?”
Khushi looked at Arnav, and the intensity in his eyes made her gasp.
His hand tightened on hers, and she could hear her heart beating in her head.
He flexed his chest and his words were menacing, “Care to say that to me again?”
The other man now cowered away, “Friggin hell. I’m a partner in this business venture remember, not trying to cause trouble between you and the little wife…especially since your finally found her…and no matter how knuckled under you are now…seems she has quite a powerful effect…”
Arnav’s fist flew faster than anyone could see, and grabbed Devon’s shirt…
With a voice that was dark and unrestrained, he twisted the material that bunched in his fingers…”Talk about her once more, and I’m transferring you to the hole!”
The man’s eyes went sallow, “I RUN your other branches across state…you can’t afford to demote me…”
“And yet, that’s EXACTLY what I’m going to do.”
Devon’s face went red with rage, “You asshole! You CAN’T do that to me!”
Eyeing the security on either side of the hallway, Arnav motioned for them to come over, “Take him to the lower floor…”
Turning back to Devon, Arnav was all ruthless businessman as he addressed him, “You will now be working below in the hole, and one more word about me or my wife will see you fired.”
Pushing him away, Arnav ignored everyone else around and walked Khushi into his large office, slamming the door behind them…
All main offices were soundproofed, and before Khushi could speak, she was pressed up against the nearby wall…
“Hi…”
Nothing better could come out of Arnav’s mouth and he mentally chastised himself for sounding so lame and out of control…
Khushi’s arms hung by her sides as she gave a wary reply…”Hi…”
“So you are late…”
She felt a chill over her skin, but her blood surged inside her…”I…I brought you lunch…I hope that’s okay…”
His eyes roamed down her body, and saw her feet shuffle nervously…
Once his eyes made their way back up to hers, he took a step closer…”I haven’t seen you since this morning right?”
She began to pant…”Yeah…”
“Three hours ago, right?”
“Y…yes…”
“Why the hell wouldn’t it be okay then?”
There was a darkness in his eyes, one she wasn’t sure of…
Was it anger? Fury? Possession? Fear?
“Well…I…”
He pressed his chest against hers, his arms caging her in…”Why wouldn’t it be okay?”
“I…I just…”
“Tell me what you’re feeling…” his voice was now a whisper…
She dropped the basket of food she carried, the dominion of her husband now taking over her senses, “I’ve missed you…”
Resting his forearms on either side of her head, he pressed his lips to hers, a hungry snarl passing into her mouth…
She didn’t hesitate to open for him.
His tongue became greedy, exploring every inch of her mouth.
When he rested his weight onto her, he could feel her rock hard nipples against his chest…
His hands roamed over her body, stopping when his thumbs rubbed the underside of her breasts…
When their lips broke apart, his eyes were glossed over for a brief second…
He blinked rapidly before pulling her closer and buring his face into her hair…
“God, I missed you too…I just so badly wanted to hear you say it…and for the record,” he stared long and hard into her eyes, “You own this company with me…remember?…You can turn up late, or not even turn up…I am going to provide for you and Libbi, and…” he leaned closer, “I will defend you, no questions asked.”
Kissing her forehead, he backed away.
Khushi smiled nervously, and slid down to pick up the basket of food as Arnav moved a few paces back…
“I brought lunch…but it’s nothing fancy…”
Arnav grinned, “My favorite thing to eat isn’t in that basket anyway…”
His declaration made her body go liquid, “oh…”
Deciding not to taunt her, he pulled her to sit beside him, “Khushi, it could be tuna from a can and I wouldn’t complain at all…the fact that you brought this for me is what matters…”
Khushi laughed, “I wouldn’t ever bring you something as boring as that…”
“Well if you did, I’d eat it…”
As they ate, he lifted Khushi’s legs over his lap…
“Are…are you going to have some trouble because of what happened?”
Looking completely unphased, Arnav started on his second sandwich, “Trouble? You underestimate how well off we are…I became a billionaire while searching for you…I poured every possible ounce of what was left of me into this business…one fucking loser of an employee won’t make the slightest bit of difference…”
“But, I just…I don’t want to cause-“
Hauling her closer, he smiled, “You didn’t even hear what most women would instantly drool over, did you?”
“I heard…”
He raised an eyebrow…”Heard what…?”
“That you searched for me…”
A genuine smile twisted on his face, she didn’t care about money or power, all that mattered to her was that he wanted her, “You…are…mine…and I love you damn it…”
Their closeness was something that she wondered how she lived without all these years…
“How is our baby girl?”
Khushi sat up straighter, and scrunched her brows…”Probably driving Veena crazy. She is schooling her today, and Libbi doesn’t like maths…”
“I’m not surprised…” he responded laughing…
“Me neither…”
His eyes were now dazzling, branding her with love…”I love her…so much…and Khushi…” he moved closer…”I love US. We are indestructible together…”
Her beaming smile nearly knocked the air out of his lungs, “Damn…you’re gorgeous…”
Unable to keep his hands off her for a second longer, he all but threw his plate on the coffee table and slid his hand under her skirt…
Her quick gasp in had his hair standing on end…
As his fingers grazed her slit, they both moaned…
He found her clit and applied pressure, rubbing in small circles…
Her breathing became erratic, and he pushed his index and middle finger up and down, through her soaked folds, over and over and over…
“Oh, God…Arnavji, please…”
Lifting her with his free arm, he brought her over to straddle him on the office couch…
His tongue found her neck and licked and sucked at the senstivie skin as he rocked his throbbing erection against her core…
“Ar…Arnavji…Ohhhhh God…”
Arnav inserted two fingers into her core and began to penetrate her, wishing it was his cock buried in her tighness…
She moved her hips along with his thrusts and sweat formed on his brown when he began to slam them in even harder and faster…
“Oh…I’m…I’m going to-“
“You think I don’t know your body Khushi? Come!”
Her walls clenched around him, her hails digging into his forearm…
He felt her cum coat his fingers as she collapsed against his chest, trying to catch her breath…
“Oh…my…thankyou…”
Arnav chuckled, “Thankyou?”
“I…I’ve missed you so much…you’re my first…my only…and the love of my life…”
Arnav felt his heart swell up, “For so long I wondered if I’d ever find you…and that if I did, whether you would return my love again…you have no clue how it feels to hear you say that to me…”
Even though she was exhausted, she tried to grind down on his hard flesh…
“No no…shhh…”
“But…Arnavji, you need-“
“I NEED to hold you right now…you just brought me lunch, told me you missed me, let me touch you, AND confessed your love to me with words that have brought me close to tears…I have loved you for so long…Searched for you for so long…”
Khushi wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his…”There is so much I want to say to you…but I mean ‘thankyou’…because I finally feel whole again…”
He shook his head, his nose nuzzling hers…”You don’t need to thank me…I take care of the people I love…It’s ingrained into me…And I happen to love you FIERCELY…” his eyes were smiling…”Everything I have is yours…my heart, my home, my money, my business…And I can promise you that no one will ever love you as much as I do…There is no object, no monetary amount that can signify my love for you…No limits on the hell I’d walk through to make sure you were happy…”
“Stop talking…” Khushi lightly smacked his shoulder and wiped her eyes…”I can’t hold back these tears…you’re making me think you’re almost godlike…”
Chuckling under his breath, he continued…”I’m not perfect Khushi…we will have fights, we will disagree, we will piss each other off, but I can promise you this…I will love you through ALL of that…so don’t ever doubt how I feel about you…PLEASE don’t…I never gave up looking for you…I was never GOING to give up…“
Her body was humming with renewed arousal…
“Please…please can we…”
He shook his head…”No…not now…tonight I am going to make love to you…I want you to wait in our apartment at exactly 8.30pm…because the moment I arrive, I’m going to thrust inside you.”
Her cheeks flushed…
“But right now, I am holding you…and so damn ecstatic that you’re mine…”
……….
Devon lurked outside in the hallways…
He had taken the emergency stairs back up to Arnav’s level.
“So THAT’S the woman who has charmed the great Arnav Singh Raizada…” he muttered…”I think it’s time for some vengeance…seeing as I am the one who got demoted for NOTHING…and what better vengeance than to have HIS bit of ass on the side…”
His body was shielded by a large pillar and he backed further behind it when Arnav’s door opened and they both walked out…
Their lips met briefly in a soft kiss and Devon felt anger sluice through him…”Gets the job, the money, AND the girl…”
Listening intently, he heard Arnav’s voice drift over to him…
“8.30pm…be waiting…I’ll be home after this final meeting, then you and I never even need to come back here…”
Khushi smiled, “I will be waiting…I love you…”
“Fuck, It’s so long away…I just…I want to take you home now and-“
“shhhhh…”
Devon was almost drooling at the plan formulating in his head…
“Something you planned on doing ASR? Maybe I need to take over more than your other branches…maybe it’s time to take over your wife, you worked hard to find her, and I worked hard to get this job…”
…………..
“Come in.” Arnav barked at his closed office door…
And when Devon appeared, he saw red, but stayed seated behind his desk…
“What the fuck do you want? You should be back at your desk.”
Lifting his hands in surrender, Devon feigned a smile…”Hey! It’s all good. I wanted to apologise.”
Arnav was close to jumping up and pummelling his colleague in the face, but he ground out his words, “Fine. But I’m not changing my mind.”
“Can I just say one thing in my defence?”
Standing slowly, Arnav straightened his suit jacket and adjusted his tie, “I’d be VERY careful right now…That’s my WIFE you insulted…You know how I am in business right?”
Nodding, Devon replied, “Yeah, ruthless, cunning, takes no shit…”
Arnav nodded, “Exactly…want to know something else?”
Devon stayed quiet as Arnav rounded the desk and glared long and hard…”I’m twice as ruthless and cunning when it comes to my wife…If you think I take no shit here, then be assured…I’m willing to do much more and much worse to defend her…”
“I see…then I’ll keep my comments to myself…”
Digging his hands into his pockets, Arnav nodded, hoping that his message would be enough warning…
Because he also knew that he was in complete control when it came to that man’s job.
He COULD easily fire him.
And Devon excused himself and shut the door behind him…
“I think I’m going to like testing out this girl…tearing down the great Arnav…”
…………….
“Ooooooo a romantic dinner mummy?”
Khushi smiled at her daughters antics, “…you seem to be okay with that idea?”
Libbi laughed and twirled in a circle, “You are Belle, daddy is the beast! You two are a fairytale!”
Her daughters words made her take a long breath in…
“Are you both still mad at what I did to my new aunties?”
Another blow.
“No baby girl, but maybe next time, try to hold back on the urges to cover people with chocolate…”
Libbi’s wide eyes raised to her mother’s…”Mummy, are they nice people?”
Khushi seated herself and motioned for Libbi to sit on her lap, “Sweetie, they are beautiful people…I don’t know if you’ll understand why I did what I did, but it wasn’t because of them…One of them was my sister, and one of them was your father’s sister…”
“Oooh that’s so nice!”
Trying to keep the sadness out of her tone, she continued, “And they are wonderful…I have missed them a lot…”
Looking confused, Libbi hugged Khushi tight, her little arms tugging her, “Then we should see them soon. When you want to…daddy has told me that things have to be when you are ready, and you know I hate it when you cry…”
The last remark brought a soft smile to her lips, “You both seem to hate to see me cry…”
“Ofcourse,” the little girl sat up straight, hand on her hips, “we love you…no tears for you!”
“Well, I think I may be ready very soon, I’m seeing how much I’ve torn this family apart…”
“Torn apart?” Libbi was quiet…
“I left baby girl, maybe I should have stayed…”
Libbi scowled, “Okay, daddy told me that you shouldn’t say that, and told me to say this, ‘say that again and you will get a spanking’…”
Khushi’s jaw dropped…”HE said that?!”
But her daughter’s giggles and rosy cheeks made her heart sing…
“AND he also said that we wouldn’t have Aunty Veena and Uncle Raj if you had stayed…and so it seems daddy is right…”
Khushi rolled her eyes and muttered, “He always wants to be right…”
…………………
Arnav was staring at his watch.
The businessmen across from him were still talking.
Fucking long winded idiots…Get ON with it!
But the meeting went on and on…
“Look. We need to wrap this up. There is somewhere I need to be.”
He was met with completely quizzical looks.
Arnav had never cut business short for anything, but they were wise, and didn’t bother to question him.
The meeting ended and he stared down at his phone, “8.15pm…finalfreakingly…”
He darted out of the conference room, unable to move as fast as he watned to…
But when he arrived at the elevator, the buttons were blank and no light blinked behind them…
“What the?”
“Sir?”
Arnav turned to see his assistant…
“Aman? What the hell?”
“Yeah, they stopped working about 10 mins ago when people started to leave…there’s now a long line using the emergency stairs…”
Arnav clicked his tongue and began to feel anger, “Fine. Fucking hell. Get it fixed. See you tomorrow.”
Now trapped in a long line of staff, he was growing more livid as the minutes ticked past…
“WHAT is the holdup!?”
instantly every face turned to him, their mouths hanging open with shock.
“Sorry sir! Please, please pass us…”
He rubbed his forehead, “No, it’s…”
His eyes scanned the line, men and women present.
He knew that some were parents and probably just as eager to get out.
“It’s fine, just as long as the line is moving…okay? Please don’t ANYONE dawdle…”
They nodded and he pulled out his phone, dialling Khushi…
It rang out.
“Damn it…” he muttered and tried again…
After leaving nearly 10 messages, he looked at the time…8:30pm.
“Motherfucking fuck…” he swore under his breath…”answer your damn phone, PLEASE Khushi…”
And he called again…
“Khushi, it’s me again…I’m starting to worry…please message or call or something…I’m almost out of the building…I’ll be with you soon…I love you…”
not more than 5 minutes later, he was out, running for his life to his car, and hitting the gas for all he was worth…
……………………
When Khushi pushed in her key to Arnav’s apartment it was 8pm.
“At least I’m on time, so he doesn’t go all Laad Governor on me…”
She smirked at the memories…
“Maybe I am ready to see my family again…Libbi wants to…and…” she sat down with a start as a new realisation hit her…”Arnavji must miss them so much…He’s staying here, for me…but they have been his lifeline all these years…”
Feeling selfish and suddenly desperate to please him, she threw her phone and bag onto the bed and ran to the bathroom and began to primp herself.
Her hair was down over her shoulders, and she chose a dark red bra and matching panties…
Grimacing at the stretchmarks on her tummy, she recalled how he hadn’t even cared…
How he looked at her with a hunger that almost made her fear if he would actually bite her…
After making sure she looked perfect for him, she pulled on a black satin robe and pulled the tie around her waist into a knot and smiled at it, “Have to make it a little hard for you…”
Khushi sat on the couch, eager for the arrival of her husband…
And finally, exactly on 8:30pm, a quick knocking made her frown…
“Why are you knocking Arnavji?” she smiled in anticipation as she hopped up and raced to the door, “You forget your key?”
The words died in her mouth.
When she opened the bedroom door, it wasn’t Arnav staring down at her…but Devon.
“You?!…What?! Where’s my husband!?”
“He’s still at the office…probably stuck in a long line of employees…the elevator seemed to stop working after I used it…”
His devious eyes dripped with an evil that had panic grip her chest…
She pushed the door frantically, but he stuck his food in between and shoved it back open…
“No! Get OUT!”
Her heart was racing, and her palms became sweaty as he continued to barge in…
She backed up and tried to steady herself….
Khushi could feel her body shaking so bad she could easily fall over…
Panic set in, and she was struggling to breathe as tears began to blur her eyes…”Don’t you dare come any closer…”
His eyes were scary and full of intent…
The suit jacket he wore hung off his shoulders, his stubble unkempt…
The way his eyes squinted petrified her…
“I just want to talk about what happened earlier…I can see that my ‘boss’ is quite possessive…What is it about you that is so…alluring…? That he searched for years and years…never even looking at another woman…”
He turned to shut the door, locking all the bolts and chains…
“STOP! GET OUT!” Khushi screamed.
“I have to say, if a man as terrifying as ASR chooses a wife, and looks for her for THIS LONG, then I sure as hell want to sample her too…”
Her mouth went dry as he began to take purposeful steps towards her…
Tears fell over when his voice changed and he puts his hand on his belt, starting to unbuckle…”Get over here…”
Turning deathly pale, she shook her head, “No. NO!”
“I said, GET OVER HERE!”
Khushi was frozen.
And when she didn’t move, he proceeded to rush at her…
Finding her feet, completely drenched in fright, she bolted, but he easiliy tackled her to the ground, pinning her arms underneath her body as his tall body straddled her…
She was now crushed to the floor, unable to move the upper half of her body…
Khushi screamed out, but he slapped a hand over her mouth before he replaced it with his tie, muffling her cries…
Kicking as much as she could, she tried to escape, hurt him, do something…anything…
He tried to pull her arms out from under her, but she gripped her fingers to each other, knowing he was going to try and tie her up…
Her muscles began to burn from the struggle, and he eventually gave up and lifted her, even though she kept kicking and hitting…
Tossing her on the couch, he ripped his belt off…
Khushi pushed off the cushions but she wasn’t fast enough…
He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back against his chest…
“No WONDER ASR likes you. You’re a tiger…But you better stop fighting me…I don’t want to hurt you, but you’re being very naughty right now and I will if you don’t start to listen…”
The very sound of his voice made her want to vomit, and she swallowed deeply to keep it down…
“Pl…please…don’t do this…” she begged around the gag, not even sure if he could understand what she was saying…
“Oh honey, ASR may be powerful, but I am just as mighty! Come be my plaything and you’ll see…because right now, I have NOTHING to lose…”
Before she could formulate a response, he pushed her facedown on the couch once more and tied her hands behind her back with his belt…
“I can make you feel better than he can anyway…”
Flipping her around, he straddled her.
She couldn’t move, and her fight or flight response was gone.
Khushi could feel herself giving up…
She became lax, empty, and shut down…
Arnavji didn’t show up once…what if he doesn’t show up this time…
Gripping her face in his hands, he squeezed her cheeks together and she winced from the pain…”Forget about him…because you’re mine now…”
Hearing him claim her made her choke as she shook her head…
“Oh yes you are!!!” he trailed a hand down her face, and when his fingers rubbed between her breasts, she gagged…
Khushi shook her head back and forth so the hard tie loosened and she was able to push it out with her tongue…
“I will NEVER be yours! I belong to-“
Her outburst broke his cool, and he backhanded her across the face and she felt a metallic warmth fill her mouth…
“YOU!” slap
“ARE!” slap
“MINE!” slap
In a daze, with sharp pains spreading over her face, she slowly turned her head back and spit the blood from her bitten tongue over his face…
“NO! I’m NOT! I’ll fight you till I die! So get OFF me!”
Wiping his face, he shook his head at her, “That was a mistake…I’m not going to make this good for you now…I’m going to fuck you bloody!”
Khushi blinked away tears, and with a strength she didn’t know she possessed, she shoved him off her and she ran…
She was inches from the door when the force of his body slammed her into it, knocking her head on the frame and metal locks…
Blood dripped into her eye from her gashed eyebrow, and she became lightheaded and heavy, no longer able to fight…
“There’s no escaping me Bitch!”
He dragged her by her restrained arms back to the couch and tossed her on it like a rag doll.
Black dots start to blur her vision, and she knew she was going to pass out…
He reached for his pants button and just as he lowered the zipper, the door knob turned as a key was inserted, but soon was rattled as it wouldn’t open…
Her head was fuzzing over and she could only turn her eyes and will the door to open…
“Arnavji…” her voice was a mere breath, her throat clogged, making it impossible to speak…
“Khushi? It’s me…why is door locked?!” he ground out from outside, the concern in his voice wafting through clearly…
“Arnavji…” she rasped louder.
Her limbs were weighed down, and if she was going to die tonight, then she wanted desperately to see his face again…
“Khushi it’s ME, open the door!”
She smiled, even through the pain and fear…
That was her furious, venomous husband out there, and Devon was NO match for Arnav.
Frantic, the pounding on the door now echoed the pounding in her head…
Devon put his hand over her mouth and nose, cutting off her oxygen, “Shut up! Don’t you say a word!” he whispered, squeezing her bruised and bloody face…
With one final attempt, Khushi lifted her foot up and kicked him hard, making him grunt out…
She knew that Arnav had heard it, because the knocking stopped, and was replaced by deafening bangs…
Arnav distinctly heard a man’s groan that sliced through the blur in his mind…
Devon’s hand flew off Khushi’s mouth as he tried to restrain her jolting legs…
The door suddenly splintered open, a welcome change of sound to the buzzing in her head, and Arnav barged in…
Khushi had never been as thankful for how strong he was until this very moment…
The sight that struck him as the door yielded to his weight would be etched in the recesses of his mind forever…
The panic and terror now replaced by the need for blood and carnage.
Devon was kneeling over her, his hands clenched over her face, blood dripping and bruises forming…
She was silent, and pale, so pale.
The seconds he looked at her almost stretched out into an eternity until his ears registered her wheezing breath as she fought to get air into her tortured lungs…
His words were a paralysing howl…”I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!”
Lethal and cold, blood booming high in his chest, he didn’t even hesitate before grabbing Devon and throwing him across the room.
The difference in their size in undeniable.
Devon may have been slightly taller, but Arnav was built, ripped and stronger.
Arnav looked at Khushi and fury and panic swam in his eyes, dark brown and vengeful…
His clenched fists began to shake, and the muscles in his jaw were now ticking furiously…
Picking up Devon by the shirt collar, he lifted him high and slammed him back onto the ground…
“You’re dead, motherfucker.”
Khushi tried to look away, but a searing pain began to tear through her skull…
Blood flew around and the sound of cracking bones reverberated inside the small room, but it’s the animalistic growl from her husband that sent her back into reality…
She knew that if things didn’t stop soon, Arnav would indeed kill him.
Trying with all her strength to push to her feet, she called out to him, but soon swayed and dizziness finally took over…
Arnav froze, his fist mid-air as he whipped his head around…
In a daze of sheer terror and brutality, he dropped Devon’s limp body on the ground and caught Khushi before she could hit the ground…
“No…no no..no…Khushi…I’m here! It’s alright, you’re safe…” but he could see she was in shock.
The wound on her head was still weeping blood, and he pulled out the handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against her skin…
Yanking out his phone, he dialed for the police and ambulance, fingers fumbling…
Holding her as close as he could, he ordered commands to both emergency units and didn’t bother to hang up, merely dropping his phone to the ground when he was done and shifting all his concentration to Khushi…
“I’m here…I’m here Khushi…Shhhh…Hear my voice…You’re safe…”
He crooned words to her over and over, not even sure what he was mumbling as he was desperate to stop the blank stare, to hold her closer in his arms than ever before…
The next few minutes went past in a blur…
All he could think about was how close he had come to losing her again…
His hands ran over her as his eyes burned with surging anguish…
“Arnavji…” her voice was a hoarse whisper, her pleading gaze locking suddenly onto his…
The minute she focused on his face, she gripped him like she’d never let go…
“I’m here…you’re safe, I’m here…”
He cuddled her close, feeling his sanity shredding apart…
“Arnavji…” she whispered his name again…
“What, baby…talk to me…”
“You came for me…”
His tears finally spilled over, their salty taste filling his mouth as he kissed her gently…
He knew his heart would die without this woman, having her with him was more of a miracle than he ever expected…
“…ofcourse I did…I will NEVER make that mistake again…God…” he choked out, his face staring poignantly at her…”I LOVE YOU.”
“Arnavji…” the rasp in her voice broke his heart anew, “I love you…so much…”
His eyes glued to his wife until loud running footsteps trod through their hallways…
“IN HERE!” he yelled out as officers and paramedics stormed in…
The paramedics rushed to Khushi as he lifted her gently to the couch…
“She was attacked, I need her checked out IMMEDIATELY! You make sure she’s is ok!”
Khushi was feeling woozy and dizzy, the shock of the events now thudding into her…
As they began to check her over, Arnav gave a brief moment of acknowledgement to the Police who were arresting Devon.
His colleague was now roaring, screaming that Khushi had tempted him and seduced him…
The lies that were spewing from his mouth made Arnav instinctively lose control.
Arnav brought his arm up struck Devon hard in the jaw…
He was quickly held back by a deputy who restrained him until Devon was removed from the room…
“I don’t blame you Mr. Raizada, but let US handle it!”
Roughing his hand in his hair, he growled, “The fucker…”
“Mr. Raizada?” the paramedic interrupted…
Instantly back at Khushi’s side, he saw them cleaning the blood from her face and applying a bandage…
Holding her hand, he clutched her tight…”Is she okay? Tell me!”
Her weak hand tried to squeeze his…
“She’s going to be alright, I’ll give you these tablets. They are mild sedatives, and will help to calm her down…”
Arnav nodded and sat beside Khushi, carefully pulling her into his lap and she curled into him, her hands clawing weakly at his shirt…
“I’ve got you Khushi…”
His eyes lifted to the male nurse, “What else? I need to know she’s alright…”
“We tried to get as much information from her as to her injuries, she has a few bruises on her legs and arms, a lot on her face, her lower back is sore from being thrown to the floor…”
As he medic listed her ailments, Khushi could feel her husband’s body tensing, filling with fury and anger…
She began to shake and Arnav held up his hand to silence the man.
“Khushi…” he held her closer, “Shhhh…I just need to know you’re okay…” he nodded towards the water on the kitchen bench and the female paramedic filled her a glass…
Helping her to sit, he lifted a tablet to her lips, “Take this…please…I need you to be calmer, to be okay, or I’m going to lose my control…please Khushi…”
She nodded and swallowed the pill with the entire glass of water…
Almost about to ask him to hold her again, she found she didn’t have to as he cradled her closer to his chest, his warmth wrapping over her…
The police were now back in the room.
“Mr. Raizada?”
Arnav was wary of Khushi, but she hadn’t so much as flinched…
Holding her tight, he motioned them to come over…
“We will need a statement from your wife as to what happened…”
About to tell them to leave and they would give a statement later, he heard Khushi’s voice…
“I opened the door. I thought it was you…he stood there saying that he had nothing to lose, so he was going to sample me…he hit me…so many times…saying I was his…he tied my arms, I don’t know how the belt came off…it must have been loosened when I kicked him…then you came for me…you actually came for me…you saved me…”
Arnav’s face was now drenched with tears…
Their salty flow now soaking the collar of his shirt…
He could barely speak as he listened to what had been done to his wife, his Khushi…
“That will be fine Mrs. Raizada…I’m glad your husband got to you in time…We have Devon Vauler in custody…”
Arnav could barely nod let alone answer…
“I’ll leave you both in peace. We have left our cards with our numbers on the bench there, as have the Medics. You broke the chain lock clear off the door, but we had part of it fixed and it will close if you use the key latch…” the officer carefully watched them, “You going to be alright?”
“I have her…she’s safe…please send someone to keep watch on our other property…just as a precaution…this is the address..”
As Arnav rattled off her home address, Khushi felt the sedatives taking effect…
“Absolutely, I’ll have some men there within 15 minutes…”
“Good. Thank…thankyou…”
“He was going to rape me…he was going to…I could see it…”
Arnav heard loud and clear what she murmered…
“I need to be alone with her…now…”
The policeman gave a nod and closed the door behind him.
“Khushi…?”
“He…He was going to…”
“Don’t say it…I’ve got you…focus on this…”
She began to shake her head but Arnav’s eyes were imploring her to trust him…
“Please…I’m here…and I won’t let ANYTHING hurt you…”
Dizziness finally draping over her eyes, she whispered, “I’m feeling so tired…”
Arnav felt his heart pulling painfully in his chest…”…just sleep baby…I’m not going anywhere…”
…………………
Khushi slept peacefully, her breathing even…
Arnav couldn’t take his eyes off her…
He couldn’t believe how fast their circumstances had changed…
“You’ve had to deal with too much…” he whispered…
The betrayal from him.
Raising Libbi.
The pain of years apart.
His sudden appearance.
Their new life.
Impending family invasion.
And now this…
He wanted to run away with her himself…him, his wife and his daughter…
Hiding them from the rest of the world.
“I never wanted this for you…” he leaned down and kissed her forehead…”I wanted to give you so much…make you so happy…and instead…you get this…but I swear Khushi, if you can even hear me a little bit…no one is going to rush you or push you…I swear, I am going to make damn sure that you and Libbi are happy…that’s all I ever wanted…I can’t even tell you properly what you are worth to me…because it’s more than I deserve…”
She began to stir and he leaned back, gauging the look on her face…
As her lids lifted, he was graced with a soft smile from her lips…
“Hi…”
He lifted her torso higher and let their lips meet as he spoke, “Hi beautiful…”
“I’m alright Arnavji…I’m strong…”
Releasing her slightly, he moved her back to glare into her eyes, “I know damn well how strong you are, but you should NEVER have to be strong against this…”
Her hand raised to his face, “I’m okay, I promise…and you came for me…thankyou…”
His eyebrows scrunched up and he felt confused, “Khushi…are you okay? Because you don’t seem to be very worri-“
“I’m not.” her hands were wandering over his shoulders…”You came for me…”
“Yes. I did. I always will, but TALK to me…please…”
Burying the churning in her gut down deep, she forced a smile and tried to wriggle out of his arms, and he allowed her to for the moment…
She stood up and felt wobbly, but soon found Arnav standing at her side, steadying her against his body…
“Khushi…”
His tone was warning her…
“I’m FINE.”
But the shaking in her voice told him otherwise…
Khushi pulled her robe further around her body and walked towards the bed…
“I guess we could maybe get some office paperwork done while we have time on our hands-“
Arnav couldn’t bear it anymore and pulled at her arm which she quickly yanked away…
His questioning gaze was now getting harder…
“I…just…just don’t look at me please…”
Furrowing his brows, he began to stalk up on her…
She shook her head as she backed up, gasping loudly when her back hit the wall…
“Arnavji…Stop please…”
“What he said to you-“
Shoving out her palm, her voice was shrill, “Just DON’T!”
“Khushi…” he ground out her name, “I am in control here…”
Her chin raised defiantly, “Mr. Raizada, I can’t deal with this right now. I need to, to just…just-“
“I’m going to have you as you stand there then…”
Heat rushed to her cheeks…”Wh…what?”
“You heard me…I’m having you…NOW.”
The cold wall was hard behind her…
He didn’t waste time with words.
He simply reached out, and pulled her robe over her shoulders before she could utter a single sound, then went for her bra…
Her arms hung at her sides as shock kept her silent and still…
The lacy bra surrendered to his demands and found itself on the floor…
His eyes went to the lace panties she wore and keeping his eyes on hers, he lowered them to the ground.
Khushi was now bare.
Exposed to her husband.
But this time, after the shock of her attack, her instincts demanded she cover herself, but as her hands lifted, Arnav growled, stopping her short…
“I am going to look at you…”
Her breath hitched as she carefully watched his black, hungry gaze…
She leaned back until her spine was straight…
Arnav drank in her body with his eyes…
“I was fucking scared Khushi…”
Her lips parted…
The fear in her husband’s voice was relighting the panic in her system…
But before it could take complete hold, he leaned in, his gaze turning desperate, his breath hot..
She watched, fists clenched, as Arnav’s gaze travelled over her face, her neck, own her body, her stomach.
He traced her limbs with a careful look that missed nothing, and what she saw reflected back at her was pure heat, desire and love.
His love gave her confidence and assurance…
His gaze gave her strength…
His kiss, when it came, gave her everything inside him, nothing held back…
He pressed his lips to hers in a sudden movement that prevented her from even giving the slightest resistance…
Arnav ravaged her mouth.
He licked, probed and sucked…
He nipped and thrust and the moans that filled the air, both his and hers, blended with the steam coming from their bodies…
His hands hadn’t touched her anywhere else yet, but they didn’t have to…
Her sex quickened for him, and when he finally released her mouth, she moaned for more…
And he didn’t wait.
He placed his hands on her waist and held her chest to his mouth, sucking one taut nipple into his mouth…
He wrapped his lips around the tip of her breast, the touch of his tongue scorching her naked skin…
Khushi shuddered, a high moan of pleasure escaping…
Holding her nipple in the light clasp of his teeth, he sucked her in deep, her entire areola disappearing into his wet mouth…
She screamed.
His hands stayed on her hips as hers went to his shoulders…
Both strong grips anchored her in the moment…
Pressure built up on the hardening tip, matching the pressure building between her legs…
His hunger overwhelmed her, his need soothed her…
He let loose and let the explosive desire between them take off…
A soft pop sounded as he released her breast, allowing the heavy globe to bounce gently under his devouring stare…
He took the other, sucking and sucking until her breath roared like a freight train and she could no longer hold back the needy whimpers.
She twisted, writhing, begging without words for more, but his hands braced her waist, as his mouth refused to stop…
“Arnavji…Please…”
He broke the suction with a grin…
“Mmmmmm there’s my girl’s voice…”
Returning to her breasts, he nipped the sensitised tips and Khushi’s body surged, her shakes coming automatically…
Arnav chuckled, the sound deep and satisfied…
But he made no move to take her.
Instead he shifted, turning his eyes to the soft skin of her arm…
He slid his tongue across the delicate ridge of her wrist, working his way up…
The tenderness in each touch was making her knees buckle…
His hard hands moved and grasped her bottom, lifting her against the wall, supporting her, holding her immobile for his attention…
“I’ve got you…Now be still and let me work…”
He didn’t stop…
The slight muscle of her biceps received his attention, then the curve of her shoulder…
The firm ridge of her collarbone.
Every lick soothed and excited her…
Her husband was now branding her flesh with a power stronger than any memory, marking her flesh and her heart in a way that was only possible with him…
When he bent to her opposite wrist and started the journey all over again, she knew he was erasing any and every other touch she’d felt…
Her body now belonged to him just as his belongs to her…
Two parts of a whole, and the past and the pain, could NEVER compete with this…
Khushi tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and reveled in the pleasure of his touch…
With a final kiss and suck, on the sensitive flesh of her neck, a suck she was certain left a visible mark, Arnav dropped to his knees before her…
His tongue worked it’s magic over every inch of her legs, replacing fear with such manic hunger she couldn’t help but shake…
Sweat trickled from the nape of her neck as heat enveloped her…
Pleasure built.
Moisture pooled in her core, her nipples throbbed, and yet still Arnav tended to her…
And it finally became too much…
As his mouth kissed her stomach, she fell…
Arnav caught her in his arms…
The soft sobbing coming from within her suffocated him…
Laying her on the bed, he smoothed his palm over her moist forehead, “Shhhh, You’re MINE.”
She shook, hearing the words that Devon had threatened her with…
His attack and words now ringing in her ears…
“NO!”
“YES.” his steady hands came up around her face, “You are mine Khushi.”
Her breath hitched, “He…he said that…”
Arnav kissed the tears from one cheek, then the other…
“You are mine. Feel MY love…”
“I…I…Arnavji…”
“You are mine.” he whispered the words along her skin, trailing hem down the long line of her neck…”You are mine…” he murmured against the underside of one full breast, then the other…”These are mine.” he said as he sucked each softening nipple, bringing them back to rigid life…
“And this…this is mine…” he said with a soft kiss over her pounding heart…
The words were still making her shake from within…
“You’re MINE Khushi. Now say it…”
His mouth returned to her breast, tugging the desire from deep inside her…
She wanted to reply, but her tongue was tangled around the words, a heady cry escaping instead…
“Say it.”
His mouth slid down to her belly, her stretch marks…
She tried, even opening her mouth to open, but her panic and pain were too strong…
Everything she had suffered from her broken marriage to the attack stole the red-hot passion from her and left her ice-cold…
Over powered by agony, she wanted to hide in shame, run away once again…
“Khushi.”
The way Arnav said her name showed that he was now unleashing a passion that was ready to beat against her fear with every force of nature…
Sucking her nipple in deep, she shrieked…
“Say it!”
This was the man who had brought her more heat than she’d ever known could exist.
This was the man who had commanded his way back into her life.
This was the man who was now trying endlessly to conquer her every anxiety.
Her name in his deep voice ruled her, crowding out everything else…
Arnav released her nipple and sucked in the opposite one just as deep…
Her louder scream made his groin pulse and bob…
“Say it!”
Tingles of pleasure were now shooting throughout her body non stop, and just when she thought she couldn’t take any more, two long fingers snaked between her legs and speared her wet channel, driving deep…
She sucked in a breath and her eyes locked with his…
“I’m…”
Another thrust, and he curled his fingers…”Say it.”
“I’m…”
He curled his fingers, massaging her gspot, “SAY IT.”
“I’m…yours…”
His body was now hovering over hers…”Whose!?”
“Yours.”
His fingers pushed forward, pressing on the hot fluid gathering deep inside her.
Khushi bore down on them…
“I’m yours…Arnavji…Only yours…”
Her words were now spilling out with ease…
She shook, but this time in extreme pleasure, riding his fingers and the thumb that pressed hard on her clitoris…
“I’m yours…”
She drove her hands into his thick black hair and gave herself up to the heat he was creating…
“Yours! YOURS!”
Arnav slid down her body and before she could guess his intentions, his mouth replaced his thumb and he sucked the bud into his mouth, flicking his tongue over it, pushing her over the edge into a climax…
Her entire body convulsed, shuddering with satisfaction…
No longer able to speak, she screamed and shook…
He kept her orgasm going as long as he could then his lips came back to hers, hot and needy, carrying the essence of her orgasm, and she savoured him…
He withdrew to look into her eyes and reached between their bodies…
Framing her face with his hands, he thrust inside her, wedging himself deeply against her cervix…
Animalistic groans left both of their mouths as he rested his forehead on hers…
Khushi let her legs fall open wider, and with his eyes locked onto her, he made love to her…
Every single inch of her was now floating as he pulled out, thrust in, pulled out, slammed in…
The tempo changing for each reaction she made…
Her belly tightened and black spots started to form behind her eyes…
“Arnavji…” she whispered, honestly afraid, her heart was now open and all his, in his complete care…
The intense, all consuming love he was showing her was beautiful, raw and terrifying…
“I know, It’s okay baby…Let it happen…I’ve got you…always…”
She looked into his eyes again and threw her head back when he slammed into her harder and faster…
He growled and pressed his face into her neck as they both come undone together…
Millions of tiny fireworks exploded inside her, from her toes to her fingertips…
Arnav felt an enormous jet of semen explode from his cock and he stayed full seated inside her as he dropped his weight onto her…
Khushi’s arms were wrapped around him, holding on as tightly as she could…
“I have you, I have you Khushi…”
Several minutes passed as they stayed in the same position…
He finally looked down at her flushed back and pushed some hair off her gently…
“You alright?” she asked softly…
“Damn…that was fucking amazing…I think I blacked out there for a minute…”
“You love me.”
“Yes.” he didn’t hesitate…”I’m yours…remember…”
She finally smiled, “Yes…and I’m yours…”
Eternal Love Part 2
The knocking had Arnav jolting awake…
The room was dimly lit and his first thought was Khushi.
She slept peacefully beside him…
Pulling the blanket over her body, he covered her gently making her take a blissful sigh…
His heart tugged.
Pulling on pants, he called out as carefully as he could…”Enter…”
And Arnav’s best friend strode in, keeping his footsteps as unobtrusive as possible…
“Sir…” Jake saluted.
Arnav saluted back and stayed seated beside his wife…
“May I ask how she is?”
Arnav scowled, “…You can if you keep your voice down…” running his hand over his forehead, Arnav tried not to groan…”Sorry Jacob, She’s recovering…but this has really fucked with her head…and if it were possible, I’d kill that fucker all over again…”
His friend snickered, “Look, Arnav…there really wasn’t much left of him to kill…you did a thorough job…it was fucking gory…”
The Prince’s eyes were hard, “Tell me we have leads…that bastard was playing us…does he have someone working for him? Was this all just for payback?”
Jacob shifted on his feet…”Someone DID help him get out of jail…so I would take this threat seriously… because the baron seemed like he did have plan …there’s a reason you haven’t seen much of me. As soon as the fucker escaped I’ve been on this case. To find out what the hell happened. I wanted to make sure I got onto this…”
Arnav’s unwavering glare now burned…”I want any other threats, FOUND.”
“I’m looking…my scouts are looking…asking as many people as they can…”
“Do it fast.” he gnarled…”Because I won’t allow her to be taken again…I-” he shook, the images in his mind more than he could handle…
“We will get any and all involved… Still reports every 4 hours?”
Arnav grunted and felt his fists clench, “Yeah…yeah…thanks…it’s good to see you. “
“Yeah you too. I heard you nearly took out a dozen troops singlehanded…”
When the room was once again empty, Arnav leaned back and looked down at his wife…
The bruising was slowly turning to red, the dark edges fading.
The nightmarish memories flared in his mind and his heart pounded in pain…
He remembered her voice sounding so defeated and yet still begging for him to save her…her face so raw with emotion…her blood curdling screams…
The love he had in his heart for her was driving him insane…
Leaning down, he checked her position on the bed, making sure her wound wasn’t open or weeping…
He soon was greeted with her blinking eyes…
“Hey…hey beautiful…” he spoke fast to reassure her…
And the soft smile that graced her lips had him dropping his head as the tears that threatened him were about to win…
“Arnav?”
He moved in close and rested his hand on her face, avoiding the abrasions…”I can’t lose you…My God I had little to no emotion before you…Nothing moved me…But Khushi…” he kissed her softly…”Fuck, You even returned to that man, to save ME…you had the strength to walk away from me…you have inner strength…I don’t…I don’t have the strength to live without you…I don’t have the strength…”
Khushi’s eyes regarded him…
Arnav was the most lethal, powerful man in the world.
He had dominant physical attributes that ensured fear in his enemies.
His position as Prince gave him extreme wealth.
And here he was, admitting he wasn’t strong.
He had killed with his bare hands and he thought of himself as weak.
“My heart loved you instantly Khushi, and if I had known I would feel THIS passionately for you, I would NEVER have done the things I did when I first met you…”
Her lips parted as she exhaled with sadness…”Don’t say that…Please…”
“Why…?” he brushed his thumb over her lower lip…
“Because that night when I was thrown out…I fell into the safest arms imaginable…and every single moment with you, even when I was frightened, awoke such incredible feelings in me…you helped my soul come alive Arnav…after so many years of being dead inside…You saved me…”
He stole a kiss from her, lingering, taking his time so the moment wouldn’t end…
Her hand was still resting on his chest, “I can feel your heartbeat…it’s so fast…strong…”
“It started beating this fast when I saw you…This heart will only EVER belong to you…I…I can’t lose you…”
“Arnav…Please stop worrying…I’m-“
He pulled her closer…”I will ever stop worrying about you…But I NEED to tell you all this…I need you to understand, without ANY doubt that you are MINE…and that I am YOURS…that you belong to me…”
Khushi let out a shaky breath…
He had always been possessive, but this was now devastatingly more acute…
“It’s making me feel homicidal knowing that you’re still in danger, that someone is still trying to take you from me…” His blood began to boil with rage.
“Arnav…”
She could hear the emotion in his voice, and knew that he was barely holding it together…
“I WON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO TAKE YOU.” His expression showed he was in a state of sheer panic as sweat began to form on his brow…”You mean EVERYTHING to me! I will fucking LOSE IT if I don’t have you…”
Her arms went up to hold his face and she held his gaze, “I ran from you that one time, for reasons you KNOW…I fell for you SO deeply that I wanted to save you. I knew I was going back to an existence that would drain the rest of the life from me, I could do it because I wanted to save the one showed me what it was like to feel alive…and even though you had scared me…I knew I loved you…as I sat in that dark dungeon alone, I thought that was it for me,” she could feel him shaking with agony, his eyes shut tight as he fought the onslaught of tears…”But Arnav, you saved me…”
When his eyes opened and met hers, she caught her breath at the fury she saw there…
His hand now gripped her nape, his fingers sinking into her hair as he held tight…”You should NEVER have run from me…” his eyes flashed with darkness…”You should have told me about your situation…I would have done ANYTHING for you…You controlled my every move whether you knew it or not…I knew I was going to touch you the moment I saw you…I knew I was going to kiss you before you asked me…And I knew you belonged to me before your eyes even met mine…”
This man knew how to reach every part of her heart…
She heard the severe yearning in his voice…
Tears spilled out, her emotions already too strained for her to have any control over them…
“Mine…” he snarled as he moved fully over her, pressing his mouth onto hers…
His lips were rough as he claimed her in a frenzied kiss that stole her breath and had her gripping onto his shoulders…
She melted under his body, her senses craving him…
He was rough around the edges, animalistic, merciless, and highly dangerous…
And where she was involved, he was pure passion, pure love…
He craved her touch, her love…
The need in his eyes was reflected in the way he held her desperately close…
Arnav couldn’t think straight, the desire to ravage her senseless was overcoming him once more…
“Please…Arnav…”
Gripping her hips, he growled as his fingers felt her soft curves…
Holding her to him, he shifted his pelvis, the weight of his body pressing against her…
“Arnav!!! Now! I need you! NOW!!!”
Khushi’s sudden demand shattered the final remnants of his control…
At lightening speed, he reached down, pulled out his erection and plunged inside her…
“YES!!” her arms wrapped fervently around his neck…
Khushi’s heart ached and thudded with the love she had for him…”Oh…my God…You feel…You’re so deep-“
The words were barely out of her mouth when he slammed back into her with a menacing rumble…
Her inner flesh stretched around his generous girth and length as he drove into her with determined purpose, filling her completely, and staking his claim on her heart over and over again…
Khushi’s urgency for her husband was insatiable…
“Oh God…I won’t survive If someone separates us…” she murmured in fear…
“I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!”
Her keening breaths were sharp as she groaned…
And he kissed her to silence, his tongue bullying hers as his pace accelerated with desperation…
He took her…
Possessed her…
“Oh…OH…OH GOD! ARNAV!!!”
And she orgasmed, crying out her release as it over took her and shook her to the core…
He pulled away enough to stare deeply at her features, his voice gravelly with hunger…”I will NEVER tire hearing you scream my name…”
Khushi could barely hear, still in the throes of her unfurling climax.
She held onto him for dear life, her heart in her throat…
Arnav had slowed his thrusts, letting her ride out the sensations, but he was still hard as concrete…
He could feel her legs shaking, her channel quiverring…
Pulling out, he held her thighs wide and surged back in, roaring at her tightness, her heat…
Khushi screamed to life as her arousal doubled…
She reached for him, but he grabbed her hand and pinned it beside her…
With her one free hand clinging securely to his shoulder, he took her hard and fast..
Each thrust reached deeper into her until she felt as though he was stroking every nerve ending inside her on each pass, lighting her up as he slammed home…
The tight, aching desire inside her started to pull together, gaining weight and speed…
Waves of sensation rushed over her as he pounded …
His eyes were steadfast on her.
Not once tearing them away.
He saw her breath catch when his pelvis rolled over her clitoris on each hard thrust…
He didn’t miss any reaction…
“Come for me…”
Khushi tried to nod, but his fingers held her still…
He slammed into her and she screamed, her climax destroying her every aware thought…
She was now just a writhing mass of pleasure beneath him as her sex clutched onto the long hard flesh that was riding her climax out until he commanded…“Look at me!”
Forcing her eyes open, her gaze locked to his, he ignited and his seed surged into her, his phallus twitching and pulsing over and over…
They couldn’t speak…
Harsh breathing filled the room…
His strong arms wrapped her around him and as their eyes closed and sleep quickly claimed them both…
……………
“I have her…”
He couldn’t move.
“I have her…”
Sweat dripped from his brow…
“I have her…”
And out of the darkness, he saw her…
Her lifeless gray body hanging limply in the arms of a faceless man…
Hysteria possessed him…
Blood pounding behind his eyes…
“You can’t save her…”
The faceless man dropped her to the ground and suddenly there was a pool of blood beneath her…
Arnav’s roar cut through the air…
“Now to cut her heart out…THAT you can keep!”
And he lifted the knife to his wife’s chest…
……………….
Arnav bolted up in bed, more alert now than he’d ever felt…
Unmitigated terror that lurked from his dream, hovered over him like a storm cloud…
His gaze riveted to her, and he let loose a feral sound of possession…
Shuddering awake beneath him, her heart, mind and body tremored…
He felt her awareness and slammed his mouth to hers, deepening the kiss until she became lightheaded…
If unconditional dominance could be birthed into human form, it would take on the image of her husband.
Khushi knew instantly that he was fighting with a hellacious rage that was burning inside him…
Her Warrior husband was breaking apart inside, and all in fear of losing her…
Arnav’s dream kept flashing in his mind, and his panic hit fever pitch…
Khushi was gasping against his mouth, and he ate up every noise…
He devoured her shrieks, swallowing her, his lips sliding soundly over hers, his tongue dipping in to stir up every desire that she could muster…
Her insides began to burn as her womb systematically began squeezing, cramping, desperate to come apart…
His hand that had been fastened to her waist now reached between her legs…
His deft fingers ran the length of her lower lips and he caught her squeal of pleasure on his tongue…
Arnav growled finding her slick cream pouring out…
Hitching her legs wider, he opened her body wide…
He scream was instant and involuntary as he rammed into her in a single plunge, her body stretching at the intrusion …
The sound that came from him as his length disappeared into her sex almost unnerved her…
Not giving her a moment to adjust, he thrust into her again and again, each stroke ending with an animalistic grunt, taking her roughly so she could think of nothing but him and their all-consuming passion…
Her lower half was now lost in convulsions as his long flesh burrowed into her organs…
Khushi wanted to hold him, but he was taking her so hysterically she could do nothing but feel, as he invaded her body over and over…
His erection expanded more, harder, firmer, the pressure on her gspot growing…
Building, and building…
The urge getting stronger and stronger…
Her breaths were now ragged and shrill…
“I’m…I’m going to-“
He knew…He ALWAYS knew
He was forcing it out of her, needing to feel her pulse around him, needing to feel her alive…
And as her mouth opened, a glass shattering scream broke free and her core exploded…
Arnav deeply thrust against her cervix, letting her fluid rush over his solid cock…
Her release was hitting her like a crack of lightening striking a dry field, every part of her body was on fire as she cried out against his lips…
Two more brutal penetrations and his own orgasm tore through him…
With a loud growl, he plunged deep into her body and held himself against her pulsing tissues as waves of fire sent an explosion of semen into her until Khushi was sure she would burst…
His breathing was still heavy as he touched his mouth against hers, his words no more than a whisper, “You’re mine…and mine alone…”
Eyes closed, she felt his touch again…
With his phallus still deeply planted inside her, he moved his hand to her clitoris…
He played with her, sliding her slipery juices over her hard bud in insistent circles…
And almost instantly, he felt her climax.
She shook, her orgasm like a sharp scorching fire…
It consumed her, burning through her veins as her insides rhythmically milked his penis over and over…
Arnav groaned, feeling every part of her pulse…
Khushi knew she had zero control in this…
The orgasms he sucked from her went on and on.
Her husband’s predatory actions had now completely exhausted her…
Trying to speak, she could only wheeze out a soft sound as his fingers began purging another climax.
“I…I can’t…”
His voice shot out power…”You’re going to…”
His newly hardened thick arousal upshot into her, forcing a loud moan from her mouth…
Her cheeks were now flaming as he circled her clitoris and simultaneously thrust inside her…
Erratic and wild, he felt her thighs begin to shake, the all too familiar twitch of out-of-control desire now becoming greater…
He was untamed and bucking hard…
“Give it to me Khushi…One more!” he growled, breathing into her…
With an unsteady cry, she curled beneath him, her core wet and gushing as she orgasmed around his flesh, pushing him over the edge as his own release spurted out and deep into her contorting body…
“Fuuuuuck…yes…yes…”
He watched her hungrily as she convulsed and panted until the brutal cramping of her womb finally released her from it’s clutches, and she fainted…
“My God…” he shook his head and tried to focus.
Once again he checked her neck, and found no split or change…
Finding a small semblance of relief, he pulled her closer and remained inside her…
“My God Khushi…It would fucking terrify you to know how obsessed I am with you…You are mine…Fuck, you are MINE.”
His lips travelled from her ear to her soft cheeks, kissing her damp skin and mottled bruises…
Sleep was the last thing on his mind…
Knowing it would eventually take over, he held onto his wife, while plotting the murderous acts he would do to anyone who would dare separate them…
……….
Khushi woke to his arms tight around her…
Her legs and core were aching with the warm buzz that came from being satisfied by her husband.
She saw that he was sleeping, and tried to stretch without disturbing him…
Managing to roll onto him, biting back her groans, she settled him on his back while his arm still lay behind her…
She knew in the back of her mind that something had happened to purge such a sudden action from him…
He was utterly terrified.
With hazy eyes, she looked up at him…
“My handsome husband…” she whispered…”What scared you so?”
His brow was furrowed and she ran her hand down his face…
He relaxed instantly, his subconscious recognising her touch…
She could see that he had dark circles under his eyes, and hadn’t shaved…
He looked dark and dangerous even as he slept…
A layer of force existed around him, a coiled rediness to strike and attack.
“Rest my Prince… you need it…”
He took a deep breath and fell into a deeper sleep…
And this time, it was Khushi who heard a the knocking at the door…
Her eyes darted from her husband to the door…
With as much strength as she could gather, she reached for the sheet and pulled it over herself as she slowly sat up…
And with a voice that could barely call out, she rasped…”Co…come in…”
The door opened and she saw the doctor and Arnav’s second in command…
They were both stunned to find her awake and their all powerful Prince asleep…
She offered a small smile and motioned for them to come in…
“Hi…” she said softly.
“Uh….Your Highness…?”
She felt like laughing…”It’s okay Corey…he needs his sleep…”
“Princess Khushi, I just need to check you again, this was the time the Prince set…”
She looked to the doctor, “Ofcourse, Hello again…”
The older doctor offered a smile, “You’re looking a lot better…”
Corey was almost at a loss of what to do…
Khushi held back a giggle, “…he’s just asleep…”
He stood at attention, “He’s never ‘just asleep’…You have no idea how much I respect him, but he also scares the shit out of me…”
Khushi began to turn to her husband but the doctor stopped her, “Sorry Your Highness, but I fear him too…he’ll never forgive me if you’re hurt on my watch…”
She frowned, “He’s not that scary…is he?”
“Princess Khushi, he loves you more than I thought he could love anyone…” the doctor spoke as he probed at her head…”now, it looks like your concussion is gone…you’ve got a nice healthy color to you…”
“I’m finding it quite tight on my neck though…”
The doctor nodded, “Yes that is to be expected…as the fissure heals, it will get a bit tight…but there is literally no splitting or anything…the sutures have held. I can actually remove them later today…I’ll place another waterproof bandage on so you can bathe again, and this one is made with different material so it can give you some movement back…”
“Oh good…thankyou…” she peered over the doctor’s shoulder at the guard, she wanted to ease his discomfort…”So Corey…want to give me the report?”
His eyes popped open wide and he finally gave a smile…”yeah, you’re funny…but he would kill me. “
She crinkled up her nose, “I know things have been tense, but he respects you too much to harm you…And is Jacob alright? I know Arnav has kept him on his toes-“
“He’s fine, back at the barracks after a good sleep…”
Khushi sighed, “Good. Good. As long as everyone is taken care of…”
The doctor shook his head, clearly amazed at her character, “You are a breath of fresh air your Highness…it seems that you are loved by so many…now, how does this feel? Better?”
Khushi nodded slowly, testing out the new bandage…”Oh finally…now he can stop gripping my hair…”
The doctor chuckled and Corey smirked…
She felt a blush coming on but the doctor spoke, “Ok, I see that all the pain killers I gave have gone, I’ll give you 6 more…take two every six hours,” he turned to the guard, “Can we bring in some more food for her?”
“Ofcourse,” Corey walked carefully backwards, watching for any of Arnav’s reactions until he reached the door and called on one of the attendants…
Wanting to giggle, Khushi looked over to her husband, “Seems you’re a beast Prince Arnav…”
The doctor laughed quietly, “You’re very lucky to have the greatest warrior to protect you…”
Khushi took a deep breath, “I am still scared of what is happening, but I love my husband so much, and this family…this castle…I feel like maybe I’ve brought this on everyon-“
“No Your Highness,” Corey interrupted, “You have been a light in the darkness since coming into his life…He’s been my friend and leader for many years, and I can tell you without any doubt that you are a god-send.”
Her heart was swelling up…”Thankyou…both of you…ALL of you…”
“You know we would do anything for you…plus we have the added threat of him killing us if we don’t…” Corey grinned and winked…
Khushi smiled, “Okay okay…thankyou for checking me, I guess he’s given another time to come back?”
“Every four hours…” the doctor said as he stood up, “I suggest you wait to bathe or he WILL be furious…”
Khushi laughed, “I will wait…”
The doctor bowed and left the room…
“Your Highness, I’ll be outside the room…Let him know that we were here so he doesn’t lose his temper…”
“I’ll think about it…” she said on a smirk…
Corey smiled, “You’re good for him…”
He saluted and left, but kept the door open for the attendant who brought in some food and placed it on the bedside table…
Arnav began to stir and the first thing he saw was an unfocussed figure standing at Khushi’s side of the bed…
Before anyone could think or breathe, Arnav was out of the bed, instantly attacking.
He had the attendant in a headlock, ready to kill…”I will END you!!!”
Khushi yanked the sheet further around her body and grabbed his arm, “Arnav! No! Stop!”
His eyes locked onto Khushi but he showed no signs of releasing the man…
Corey darted into the room and morphed into a soldier as he addressed his commanding officer…”Sir, this man brought her food, there is NO danger…”
Arnav was shaking, his previous dream still flaring in the back of his subconscious…
But with his wife’s hands clinging to him, and her gentle eyes pouring out love, he released the server and pulled her into his arms…
Corey hurriedly ushered the man out and closed the door…
“Shhhhh…Arnav…I’m ok…”
His hand came up behind her head as he wound his arm behind her back, securing her body against him…
She began to feel a small bout of shock, and he noticed immediately…
Her lips trembled as he pressed his mouth to hers, urging her to open for him…
Arnav stroked his tongue deeper, tasting more of her, desperate to quell her shivers…
He explored every inch of her mouth, memorizing all her reactions once again…
With effortless fortitude, he lowered her back to the bed…
And as they kissed, her legs fell open…
Freeing his flesh, his erection unerringly found it’s way to her wet, swollen heat…
He knew she must be sensitive after such a rousing night, but he needed her again…
Sliding his phallus through her lower lips carefully, he continued to kiss her, stroking that steady hum of desire higher…
“Don’t be afraid…” his mouth brushed over hers, “Damn, I will never get enough of you…”
Khushi rocked her hips in response, her legs riding up his sides as he found a slow rhythm that made her whimper, her body letting down her slippery arousal…
Arnav touched his forehead to hers and looked down between their bodies…
It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen…
His thick flesh was shiny with her fluid as he speared inside deep…
Her eyes were closed, almost completely unaware as the magic of their connection distracted her from his depravity…
“Khushi…” he rasped…
“mmm…”
“Khushi…”
Her lips parted, and another sigh that faded into a groan came out as he began to drive harder through her pink folds…
“Don’t stop…please…”
Hearing her desperate for him made his heart feel whole, and he kissed her, hard and fast, demanding and hungry…
Ruthlessly, He put everything he was into the kiss, showing her with his mouth what he didn’t know how to say out loud.
Khushi gasped for air as he began to penetrate with the matching desperation of their kiss…
“Oh God…” she mewled…
He pushed in, pulled out, and pushed in hard, forging his space inside her…
A rush of heat swept through her and he rested more of his weight into her pelvis, opening her up more to stake his claim…
The deeper he thrust, the deeper the delicious ache in her groin became…
He inhaled roughly as he moved with precision…
“I love you Arnav…My GOD I LOVE YOU…”
With a thunderous howl, he pistoned his erection into her harder…
Khushi made a helpless whimper that struck his flesh, making it throb harder as he thrust…
Their mouths were sliding back and forth, not completely kissing…
He wanted her everywhere…
Her mouth, her hands, her body, her breath…
“I love you…I fucking LOVE you Khushi…”
And the insane storm of exquisite pain started, deep deep inside…
“OH GODDD”
Her body turned to liquid fuel as she exploded, her vagina muscles contracting perilously hard around his girth…
Arnav kept her flying as he pushed into her…
He clung to her as he surged into her one final time and shuddered, climaxing hard…
“Arn…av…”
“Shhhh…shhhhh…” he crooned at her, still trying to catch his own breath…
He soothed his palm over her cheek, forcing his focus on her…
“I am NEVER going to stop…I will claim you…all the damn time…until every inch of you smells like me…until every inch of your skin is marked by me…”
Holding his stare, she said, “Yes…Please…”
And he stared down at her, unable to look away…
Khushi’s voice was weak as she tried to speak…”You…you’re so…”
A delectable grin spread across his face and was now shining into her heart as he lifted a brow, silently asking her to finish her sentence…
“You’re so handsome…”
Shaking his head, he slowly withdrew and helped her sit up…
“You don’t get to shake your head at me…I know you’re handsome, and you don’t get to argue…”
He was about to reply but as his gaze drank her in, he forgot whatever he was going to say…
Khushi frowned as she smiled…”Arnav?”
“I could literally stare at you all day…”
And the frown disappeared, a growing blush now flushing her face…
“That’s how breathtaking YOU are…Princess Khushi…”
……………….
“Please tell me you won’t make a habit of trying to kill the staff?”
Arnav chuckled…
He slid his fingers along her skin as she lay weightless against him in the large bathtub…
The steaming water around them soothed their sore muscles and helped their senses relax…
“My first thought is always to defend you…”
She smiled, “Against poor Julius who brought me food?”
His touch on her became firmer, now resting on her chest, his palm covering her heart…
“Arnav…talk to me…please…”
She could feel his tension, could feel his shudder…
“I had a dream Khushi…I lost you…”
Her head that rested on his collarbone slowly lifted as she tried to look back at him…
“Careful sweetheart…”
“New bandage remember?” she smiled and pointed at the gauze…
“I know,” the concern in his voice evident…”But the stitches are still there…I need you to be okay Khushi…”
“…Arnav, I’m okay…”
His right arm was wrapped around her waist, and his left hand lifted to hold her face…
Dipping his head, he touched his mouth to hers…
The hand that was around her waist now drifted lower and touched her sex, making her hiss against his lips…
“Khushi…I…I know you’re sore, but…” he felt his insides twist, but he couldn’t bring himself to apologise for something he would do over and over again, no questions asked.
“Don’t say it…”
Her words had his eyes snapping open…
She lay peacefully against him but her eyes were sharp with worry and cutting into him…
“I may feel sensitive there, but please don’t regret-“
“Regret!?” he sat up straighter, water sloshing over the sides of the tub…
He now towered over her, she looked up high into his eyes…
“Regret is the furthest thing from my mind…”
Pressing a soft kiss to her mouth, he continued, “I won’t ever be sorry for making you raw…that ache is what commands your body to crave mine…makes you remember ‘us’ with every move you make…I don’t regret a damn thing.”
Her gentle smile is all the response he needed, and he was once more lost…
“I seriously can’t concentrate…you’re so beautiful…”
Holding back a laugh, he could see that her wide eyes were trying to express something…
“I know that THAT look in your eye…” he smiled, “Go on…You have something you want to ask…”
Her cheeks flushed, “Well…I was wondering…Can we take a walk around the castle today? Just inside…I just…well…It would get me up and moving…please?”
She couldn’t read his expression, but his muscles were taut, bunching under her grip…
Staying quiet, she waited…
“Yes…” he said firmly…”I’ll be with you..and you do need to get some exercise…”
She quirked an eyebrow, “Exercise?”
Arnav smiled a devilishly handsome smile…”You’re always going to get THAT exercise…” he kissed her cheeks one by one and then nuzzled her nose, “But I know what you mean sweetheart, we’ll go for a walk around…”
“Thankyo-“
Stopping her words with a kiss, he said..”Uh uh…I’m yours to command my love…and I’ll be with you…”
He started to lift her into his arms but she whined…”Five more minutes…?”
Shaking his head, he stepped out of the water, his hand on her shoulder to make sure she didn’t slide and hurt herself…
Reaching for the towel on the chair, he dried himself as Khushi watched from the tub, her eyes drugging over…
Her loins started to simmer beneath the water…
This man was a law unto himself, and would do whatever he thought was necessary to keep her safe…
Dropping the towel back onto the chair, he stared down at her…
Her gaze was glued to his broad shoulders, the hard planes of his abdomen, his muscled perfection…
He stood there like a gladiator…her gladiator…
And then it was his turn, he saw her perfection as she lay in the water bare…
She was his, and he knew that he possessed every part of her…
“Damn…” he muttered under his breath…”You’re just…divine…”
She pouted, “Me? YOU’RE the one who looks like a GOD!”
And the brutish smirk was back on his face…”Oh really? Is that why you scream ‘Oh My God’ when I’m inside you?”
Khushi felt a let down of arousal drip between her legs and into the warm water…
Almost on cue, Arnav could smell it…
“Fucking hell…Khushi…” he massaged the back of his neck and craned it, his bicep curling as he bent his arm…”I swear…”
And she saw the reason for his hostility, he was now sporting a raging erection…
“Arnav…I want you again…” she purred…
Snarling, he bent down and lifted her saturated body into his arms…
“Then you’re going to fucking GET me…” he said roughly as he spun her around and pressed her against the wall, letting her slide down onto his flesh as her hungry core sucked him in…
Her loud exhale was all he heard before his mouth crashed onto hers,…
Legs now wrapped around his waist, he held her up with his hips…
Hands now free to roam, he softly brushed his fingers over her nipples…
Holding the weight of her breasts in his palms…
“Do you hurt?…” he asked against her mouth…
“No…please touch me…”
His thumb rolled her nipples gently, in a way that tugged on her clitoris from the inside…
“ohhh yes…take me against the wall…”
His fingers slowed, and his hands braced her waist…
He growled, letting his hot breath drift into her lungs…
With eyes widening, realising she once again spoke out loud, he nodded…”You asked for it…against the wall…IT’S YOURS…”
His eyes flared dark as he withdrew and plunged back in with extreme force…
He felt Khushi’s legs instantly start to shake as her hands grappled for balance.
“Arnav…” the worry in her voice was obvious.
“I’ve got you…eternally…trust the beast…” he grinned against her ear…
And the push and pull began again…
His grip was possessive as she hung onto his body as he controlled every movement…
He was thick and hard, and her breathing showed her body responding fast…
Her needy whimpers were refusing to be contained…
Arnav impaled her, harder, harder…
Each thrust claiming her…
Khushi clung to him, his mouth on hers, swallowing her desperate cries…
Their pace was now frantic and primal…
She could think of nothing but him, nothing but the delicious pain that was boiling up from within her…
Her every nerve was thrumming, building with energy as his tongue darted over hers…
Arnav pressed harder into her, trapping her body between his and the cold tiled wall…
It was too much.
Too intense.
And he could feel her muscles begin their contractions…
She came undone in his arms, her core in a full on spasm as he rammed into her again and climaxed with a groan, his erection pulsing his seed deep inside her, their mouths and bodies locked as one…
“Khushi…Khushi…”
“Yes…oh my…yes…”
With his breathing ragged, he slowly pulled out of her, and lowered her legs to the floor, his semen dripping out onto her thighs as her pulse raced…
Not able to hold herself up, he kept her in his grasp…
“Well this ‘walk’ should be interesting…” he whispered in her ear…
Her husky giggle warmed his heart twice over…
“I love the sound of your laugh…”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Give me a minute and I’ll remember how to stand…”
Lifting her into his arms, he lowered her back into the bath, the water still warm, steam wafting out…
Kneeling beside the tub, he lay her back on his arm and with his other, he reached into the water and gently touched her sex, still able to feel her throbs…
“Close your eyes my love…”
The serene look on her face as he washed her core made him impatient, wanting to hold her closer…
Khushi lay back and felt his fingers gently probe at her puffy labia and soon, she was once again lifted out of the water…
Her arms came around his neck and her hand moved to his face.
He stilled, his grip pulling her closer as his gaze roamed over her face…
“I love you…”
She saw him about to respond and she said, “No…let me be the one who says this…I love YOU…and I want you to know how much you possess me…”
Flattening his palm on her back, he pulled her torso against his and kissed her like nothing in the world mattered but the two of them, and to him, it was true…nothing mattered but her…
……………
When they began to walk around the castle, the word spread…
The staff were overwhelmingly happy to see her again…
She had barely left their room when maids and servers were cautiously at her side…
They beamed at her, but were noticeably wary of Arnav…
That fact alone made him morbidly pleased…
Jacob jabbed his elbow at Arnav who was hovering around his wife.
“Arnav…There are guards literally everywhere…”
It did little to calm his strung nerves…
Jacob just smirked and stayed at his post…
The amount of love that Khushi was receiving made his head spin…
He was trying his best not to be jealous as so many wanted to see her, hug her…
And they had only been on the first floor…
“And this is the only damn floor today…” he added in his head…
He wasn’t about to let her recovery backfire…
Seeing how happy Khushi was to move around and have some normalcy, he reined in his frustration until it was no longer possible.
After twenty minutes, he couldn’t take anymore…”Can we get some breathing room…” he gritted out through clenched teeth…
Every single person was aware of Arnav’s wrath, and they began to back off…
Khushi smiled apologetically saying, “Sorry, it was so good to see you all…”
Finally the crowd began to dissipate…
“I swear, if you have become tired and not told me, I’ll hit the fucking roof…” he whispered against her hair…
Her eyes narrowed a she took in his expression with a curious smile…”I may even tell you when I’m NOT tired just so I can be in your arms…”
Arnav bit back a grin and grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop and was about to say something else when a tall servant bumped into her, knocking her completely off balance…
Khushi hitched a gasp and was reaching for Arnav who already had her securely in his arms…
Once she was steady, he reacted.
Jolts of adrenaline pumped in his veins fuelling his fierce protectiveness…
He was poised to attack, his body humming with morose readiness…
The servers eyes went wide and he put up his hand to show he didn’t mean anything…”Forgive me…I am Sorry…”
Khushi pressed her body against his back and tried to budge in his grasp…”It was an accident…shhh…I’m alright…”
Arnav’s eyes were savage…”Guard!”
One of the many officers patrolling the halls was at his side within moments…
“Arnav…It’s alright…please…”
Barely sparing her a glance, his arm was now vised around her, needing to feel her against him…
Her words were lost as Arnav was now possessed with untame ferocity…
“Throw. Him. OUT!”
Obeying instantly, the man was dragged from the castle.
Her jaw dropped and Arnav spun around, lifted her in his arms as though she weighed less than sunshine, and marched back to their room…
Trying hard not to make a scene, she waited until they were back in private…
“Arnav! It was an accid-“
But he threw up against the back of the door, his hand coming up behind her head, and silenced her with a hard kiss, his tongue finding hers in a heated dance as she fought back in his arms…
He could feel her resistance, and yet, she kissed him back, her needy moans urging him on and making him frantic for more…
But he could feel her distress, her tension now sending crippling waves of heartache…
Gentling his touch, he slowed the kiss and loosened his hold on her…
“Khushi…”
Her wet eyes slammed into his heart…
“I…I know why you did it…but you were there…I’m alright…”
Dropping to his knees before her, he lifted her soft skirt and clasped the sides of her panties, pulling the lace down her thighs…
Hooking one of her legs up onto his shoulder, he opened her up to him, as he trailed bites and kisses up the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, her breath catching in anticipation, even as she fought back her panic…
“Oh God…”
He slipped two fingers deep inside her, thrusting into her as she cried out, her hips tilting towards him, her body urging him on…
He sucked and nipped on her nerve filled clitoris as his fingers filled and stretched her, curling against her gspot as the pressure started to build…
She pulled on his hair, wrenching it vigorously, “Ar…Arnav…You can’t…OH GOD!”
Giving her no time to think, he moved his tongue over her hardening nub as his fingers explored, pressing and retreating on her most delicate spot that was enlarging with fluid…
“You’re MINE! MINE to protect! Fucking pull my hair! Because I’m YOURS!”
And his mouth was back on her clitoris, sucking hard and deep, his cheeks hollowing as his tongue flicked over the nerves…
He was gorging himself, swallowing up all she offered as he watched her pant for him, her hips jerking…
She was already on the verge of a mighty orgasm, her legs trembling as she tried to remain upright, bracing herself against the hard door as she tried not to cry out and failed miserably…”Don’t stop…Oh…Don’t stop…”
Her words and pulsing sheath spurred him on, his pace quickening as he fingered her and sucked her harder, and then…
“OH MY GOD!!!!!”
He pressed down hard on her gspot, setting her orgasm free…
The excruciating, delicious pain of her climax tore at her insides…
She shook as she was hit with wave after wave of pleasure, her entire body tense and her legs shuddering as her core gushed…
His fingers were pushed out as her knees gave out and she fell into his arms…
His arms were larger than her thighs and rippling with muscles as he caught her body with ease.
Her breathing was harsh and he swung his large body over hers…
Cupping the back of her neck, he quickly studied her wound and found no trace of aggravation…
Before she was aware enough to speak, he caught her mouth in a kiss, the tense passion between them palpable as his tongue smoothed over hers….
“Shhhhh…I’m sorry…I just…fuck, I needed to protect you…”
She no longer cried, and any energy that was sparking her anger with him was used up in her climax…
“You…you’re…going to put me in a sex coma…”
He held her chin gently as he laughed…”Tell me you love me…please…”
Lifting her heavy arms, she stared at him as her hands framed his face, “I love you, don’t YOU doubt that…You know I would rather face death than be without you…I’ve proven that.”
Releasing the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, he snarled out a warning as his body lowered onto hers.
“Don’t talk like that…”
There was something about the way he crushed her against the bed.
Every time, it quieted her fears and tension…
He took control, and that emptied her mind because she had no other choice…
“Khushi, I can’t hold back how I react…I will always put your safety first…I just love you so much…is there a word stronger than love?”
She smiled, “If there is, it’s ‘us’…because I’m yours forever… you have my heart.“
And the words from his dream slammed into him…
“Now to cut her heart out…THAT you can keep!”
His expression changed, his countenance shaking…
“Arnav…?”
“…that dream…I lost you…I can’t…I can’t…”
“No…” she ran her hands over his back, her fingers pressing into the fabric of his shirt, pulling it up and then branding his skin…”Arnav…I’m with you…”
Her lips parted and she was about to speak when they were interrupted…
Knock knock…
“Damn…” Arnav growled, “Why are there OTHER HUMANS in the world…”
Khushi started to laugh and began to sit up, only to have Arnav slide his arm behind her and raise her slowly, his lips pressing to hers…
Once she was sitting comfortably, he called out…”Who is it? It’s not time for a checkup yet-“
“It’s your mother! I don’t care if you’re moody Arnav, I want to see my daughter in law!”
He groaned and rolled his eyes…
She playfully smacked his arm, “Hey! I have missed them!”
Jealously flashed in his eyes for a moment, but he saw how excited she was to see his family…
“Anything for you my Princess…”
And he reached down and rearranged her clothes…
“Seems like I’ll have to go without panties then Arnav…”
His face morphed into an expression of pure passion…”Fuck…fucking fuck…I want you…Damn it…”
Khushi laughed…”Well my handsome beast will have to be patient…”
He growled as he fixed up his pants and swooped in on Khushi, pressing his mouth to hers…
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Pulling back, he was graced with his wife’s excited smile…
“Ugh…fine…” he muttered and stood up, “Hang on mum!”
“AND DAD!” his father called out from the other side of the door…
Arnav clicked his tongue as he pulled the blanket over his wife…
“You know what…I’m going to build my own castle, and clothes are fobidden in our room…”
And her genuine laughter graced his ears…
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
She lifted her eyes to his, “They are getting impatient…”
“Yeah well you’re NOT going to rush and hurt yourself…”
Just as he was anticipating the third knock, Khushi nodded and he held her hand…”COME IN…”
…………
“She’s literally less than five feet away from you Arnav…”
Arnav was breaking into a cold sweat…
“Son, calm down…”
He watched as Khushi spoke to his mother, and as for his father, he was yet to give him any solid attention…
“I’m sorry dad…”
The King chuckled, “It’s alright, I know that first time your mother got taken from me, I actually didn’t let her out of my sight for two years…She was about ready to kill me…”
Arnav finally looked his dad in the eye, “Mum was abducted?”
“Oh yes. I have many enemies. Just as you do. And they are conniving…but she knew I was coming for her…”
“How…how did you…” Arnav swallowed hard…”How did you ever function again…I mean, I’m going mad here…I lost her once, got her back…but this time was too close…WAY too close…”
“At the risk of giving you a heart attack, I’m going to tell you something…This may happen again, it may happen many times…but YOU are twice the warrior I was, you are more than I ever thought you could be…the only thing you didn’t have before, was a heart…and now you have one. What the enemy thinks is a weakness, has now become your greatest strength…You know damn well that you will die to protect her…and you also know that she would do the same for you…”
Arnav snapped back at the King, “She will NOT! I won’t allow it…”
His dad chuckled, “Ofcourse you won’t…doesn’t mean she won’t try or doesn’t feel it…What your mother did for me is something I still punish her for to this day…”
Arnav finally gave a smile as he shook his head, “Like father like son then…But dad, does it get easier? To move past all this?”
“No.” the king stated firmly…”But you will learn to function again. You both will. A love this strong can’t be stifled…”
Arnav stretched his arms, his muscles twitching as he clasped his hands behind his back straining at the tension…
“Son, you’ll track down anyone involved…I know y-“
“Fucking right I will…I will tear them apart…THAT, I can guarantee…”
“I don’t doubt you son, the army doesn’t either. You’ve easily proven that you’re a force beyond even their control…”
His growl was now unstoppable…
A couple of feet away, Khushi had seen the wrath that bristled over his form…
“Oh no…He’s going to pop a blood vessel with that rage of his…”
The queen laughed, “You’re so funny…I’ve missed you, but Arnav is quite possessive at the moment…”
Khushi smiled, “I know…And I’ve missed you so much, but …Can I admit something?”
Her mother in law nodded…
“I love him…I love his protection, My heart feels safe…I’ve never had that until now…I’ve never lived like this…”
The Queen smiled softly, “It’s wonderful isn’t it!? But when it starts to get too much, let me know…because when I was kidnapped for the first time, by pirates, way before Arnav was born, the King was hovering over me for over two years…He SAYS it was only two, but he appointed bodyguards on me who reported back to him for the next year after that until he felt calmer…I was almost desperate to get out and about on my own…”
Khushi frowned, her hand reaching out for the queen…”You were kidnapped? I’m so sorry…”
The genuine pain she saw in her daughters eyes moved her beyond belief…”I’m alright sweetie, I always was…I knew my King was coming…He always would…same for your Prince…Never underestimate how determined these men are…”
Her eyes fell, “They certainly are…however, I feel horrible, I feel like this is my fau-“
“HUSH! You won’t speak this way!”
Arnav all but lept towards his wife…”Mother! What the hell?! You can’t talk to her like th-“
Her eyes flashed, “Khushi is trying to blame herself for this! And no daughter in law of mine will hold onto guilt that is unwarranted!”
His gaze darted from his mum back to his wife, “Khushi, I warned you…”
She began to breathe harder, when the King seated himself at the end of the bed…”Khushi, what my son and wife fail to understand is something I understand completely…I understand how you may believe you brought on this danger…I have felt this many times… And one day you will finally digest the reality. There are bad people in the world. None of what they do is caused by you. They commit crimes and do evil because THEY want to. This is the chess game of life. You are a pawn in their way. But then comes a King, or in your case, a Prince, who will knock out every piece that tries to take you down, until at the end of the board, you are transformed into a queen, and nothing but the two of you are left…”
The Queen sat in awe, the love that shone from her eyes was tangible…
The King winked at his wife.
Arnav was holding Khushi close as she whispered…”I owe you my life, I am sorry for feeling the way I do…”
When she lowered her head, Arnav held onto her chin and pulled her gaze back to his…”Your life was already secured the moment I felt you near me…It is I who owe you my life. I was the pawn until you, my queen, hit the board…you saved me…what makes you think I wouldn’t wipe out every other threat until you were safe…”
The queen started to chuckle, “These romantic, chatty men…gives me a craving for dessert…how about you sweetie?”
Her words broke the tension and Khushi started to laugh, “I love you all…”
Arnav quickly pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek, “You love me more though right?”
She blinked and pursed her lips at him, trying to hold back a giggle, “Maybe I love my mother in law more…”
The Queen slid up to Khushi’s side and handed her a cookie from the tray beside the bed, “And for THAT, you get a prize…”
Khushi laughed and Arnav felt the sound electrify him…”Don’t I get one for her rescue then mum?”
Clutching the cookie to her chest, she scowled…”my cookies…”
He smirked looking at his mother…
“After the crazed and uncontrollable outburst you performed, who says you get a prize?” the King said, humor evident in his voice…
“Ah, yes…” the queen taunted, “Sweetie, I think you already have been made aware what your hot headed husband did to his own officers?”
Arnav straightened, the look in eye glinting with pride…”She knows…”
But Khushi remained quiet, the confection in her grasp slowly disappearing…
“And it also seems like she doesn’t care as long as there’s a cookie in her hand…”
And her bright beaming smile lit up the room and his heart…
…………………
The next morning…
Arnav watched and cringed at the removal of her stitches…
Her eyes were shut tight, but she didn’t make a sound.
Marvelling at her durability and vigor, he kissed her hand…
“I’m alright Arnav…”
“I’m not…” he ground out…
“She is doing wonderfully well…” the doctor said as he carefully extracted the hard threads…”And…done…”
Khushi winced as she finally lifted her fingers to her neck…”Well that’s something I won’t miss…”
“I don’t blame you Your Highness, you’ve recovered fast…I’m glad you were stitched so quickly…”
Arnav was growling and Khushi smoothed her hand over his thigh, “Shhhhh…you’re going to scare the doctor…”
His eyes darted up, but as soon as he saw her expression, he melted, “You’re determined to portray me as a beast aren’t you my love…”
Her cheeks went bright red…”I…I just…I…”
Arnav planted his palm on the back of her head, and swept her backwards over his arm…
She gasped but soon sighed with contentment as he placed soft kisses over her scarring skin…
When he lifted his head, he straightened their bodies, “I’ve been wanting to do that for so long now…”
Her soft hum of laughter warmed his entire being, but soon saw embarrassment in her gaze…
And Arnav looked up and saw two men smirking at them…
“No need to be coy,” the doctor man said, “It’s not like we didn’t already know you loved her…”
Arnav grinned, “What gave it away?”
“Oh I don’t know,” Corey chimed in, “Maybe the constant love-sick look in your eyes…”
Khushi beamed bright and craned her head to Corey who stood at the doorway looking nervous at how he’d just spoken…
Desperate to break the tension, Khushi said, “So…You want to give me the report again?”
She felt Arnav’s muscles tighten and Corey grow pale…
Laughing she smacked her husband on the arm, “Stop it! I’m only joking! I had to lighten the mood when you were fast asleep next to me…”
Arnav instantly loosened up, his eyes shining with humor, “Yeah well you tire me out…”
Her jaw dropped and Jacob and the doctor began to chuckle…
“Arnav, I swear, I didn’t give her any report…”
The Prince shook his head, “Mate, I’m not mad…I know you didn’t…”
“So, now that the stitches are out, you can just have the stretchy gauze on it now to keep the new skin protected…It’s healed, but I know it will still pull from time to time…”
“Thankou, truly…you have been wonderful to me…”
The doctor cracked a smile, “As I said before, there’s a tyrannical Prince who would attack us if we didn’t help you…”
Arnav threw his head back and laughed…”What the hell went on while I was asleep?”
Corey was grinning from ear to ear watching his friend…”Wow, a laugh…Princess, you know he rarely even smiled before you…”
She raised her hand to his face, “What a shame…I’ve never seen a more handsome smile in my life…”
Their eyes now danced, more heat pouring between them than lava over a mountain…
Clearing his throat, the doctor interrupted, “So…Your Highness, you should get out and about, walking the length of the palace would help you…”
Arnav sat next to her and didn’t even try to hide that his blood had started to boil…
His wife made it so he couldn’t think straight…
All he wanted to do was ravage and possess her…
“Not like you haven’t done that already for over a week…twice over…” his thoughts reprimanded him…
“Well, I can certainly do that,” Khushi said with her melodic tone…
Arnav’s thoughts were instantly halted hearing her…
She turned to him, her hand on his arm…”You’ll come walking with me?”
There was no way she was going anywhere without him…
He scoffed at her, “Just try and stop me Your Highness,” he leaned in, his lips against her hair, “…or…try and stop me and see where it gets you…”
His words made her smile as she rested back against him…”I have a feeling I’ll like where it gets me…”
Arnav felt his body quicken, a zap of desire shooting into his groin…
And before he could lose control and make love to her in front of the doctor, he took hold of her hand and helped her up from the bed…
“You’re such a power couple…”
Khushi laughed, and Arnav’s eyes were drinking in her beauty….
“I think Arnav is the ‘power’…”
He gave her a lopsided smile and turned back to her…
Unable to stop himself, his arm went around her waist, her body brushed against his and he captured her mouth…
He was so tall, so muscular, and his hold on her was gentle but so strong…
The kiss was over almost instantly and he saw her heated cheeks…
He had overwhelmed her and left her craving more…
Now the smile was a smirk as he took her hand and led her out the door…
“You just did that AGAIN in front of-“
He pressed up against her once again, her hand flying up to his chest…”And I’ll do a lot more if you don’t get moving…”
She was barely resisting the urge to wrap her legs around his waist…
Running a rough hand across his jaw, he gave her a heated look that had an erotic ache shoot through her sex…
“Come on…the sooner we do this, the sooner I get to-“
“Sir?” Jacob walked up and interrupted.
Arnav rolled his eyes and turned around, his expression making Jake take a step back…
“Uh, shit…Sorry…”
The Prince snickered, “It’s fine…”
Jacob’s jaw dropped…”It…it is? Uh…I…”
“Mate, It won’t be fine if you keep stammering…”
Khushi poked her fingers at his ribs…”Stop scaring him…”
“He’s not scared…” Arnav laughed, “We have fought along side each other…He’s tough…”
His friend shook his head, “Arnav, I’ll just say this…this woman is the best thing in the universe for you…”
Arnav’s hand tightened on her, “Damn fucking right. So? You were going to say…? Before you became a shaking mouse…?”
Jacob scoffed at him, “Yeah, thanks…I was merely going to say that there is no news to report, and hell, I’m sorry for that…”
He took Khushi’s hand and started walking, “Keep digging…Otherwise I’m going to tear the kingdom apart soon…”
Jacob turned to walk away muttering…”Yes Sir…You scary fuck…”
And it was Khushi’s turn to burst into laughter…
As she walked forwards, Arnav turned and paced backwards…”Oh so that is funny to you My Princess?”
Her musical laugh drifted out as she nodded, “Oh yes, very much…”
He stopped moving, but Khushi continued…
And as her body touched his, he held her close, taking her in his arms, moving to a silent music as they swayed…
“mmmm…”
“…I love you Khushi…”
Her glittering eyes held his, “Will you promise me something…please?”
His eyes narrowed, “I will promise you anything…”
Hearing her soft intake of breath made his heart catch…
“Promise me, we will never be apart…”
Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to the end of the long hall away from the last guard…
“Arnav?! This defeats the purpose of why we left the room!”
He huffed out a breath and when the last guard was barely in sight, he pressed her up against the wall…
His imposing size dominated her gaze as his voice was authoritative and assertive…
“You know what I am capable of…And I will promise you right here, right now, that we will always be together…”
“I love you…so deeply…so greatly…”
He grinned, “Do you now?”
“Without you I’m nothing…”
Arnav growled and shook his head, “You are everything…”
“I just can’t believe that I’m the one you want…”
His eyes went black, “Want and NEED…We’re going back to our room…
But almost as soon as he had turned, he stopped on the spot.
Khushi frowned, “Arnav?”
His eyes darted from the edge of the railed staircase and back to Khushi…
He hated hearing the fear in her voice, but the scene around him was off, “It’s alright…I just…”
The guard who had stood metres away, had suddenly disappeared…
His heart kicked up…
And before he could speak, he heard Khushi gasp…
He spun around to see a figure of a man hovering behind her.
………………………
“Sir! Officer Jacob! Come fast!!!”
Guards and officers how hollered orders from one floor to the next…
Jacob bounded towards the screaming calls, and saw three guards on the floor, completely drugged…
“Shit!” he looked from left to right, “Where are the Prince and Princess!?” his voice was drilling…”Who saw them last!?”
Guards from the opposite end were now swarming the scene, “Sir, the only person on this floor was the maid to fix the rooms…”
“Fuck!” Jacob was full of aggression now, “Find them! Call in every reinforcements! Squadron 1, Find the maid! The rest of you, fan out! You find the Prince and Princess! NOW!”
The King was crowding the lower levels now, “They’ve been taken? HERE in the castle!?”
His Sovereignty was now pumping out adrenaline.
He turned to his personal staff and rang out orders, “Get my wife to safety, and rotate ALL staff. EVERY employee that is on today is to be expelled from the castle and you will bring in new workers until we find the breach! Do it NOW!”
“Sir!”
Jacob turned to a guard down the halls, “What!?”
“There are syringes and caps down towards the north of the palace, and there are two drugged maids in the kitchen!”
“Fucking hell!” Jacob grunted, “Find who is responsible!!!”he turned to another officer, “Send an urgent message to Colonel Corey, get him here FAST.”
Jacob stood at attention for his King who swung back to face him, “Go Jacob, Find my son and daughter.”
And the guards dispersed.
………..
Arnav’s reality burst into him as he woke with a carnivorous snarl…
The first thing he saw was his gagged and sedated wife chained to the wall in front of him…
“Khushi…” the worry that sparking from inside him was a live current…
His arms moved to reach for her but he soon saw that he too was restrained against the dungeon wall…
“Khushi,” he pulled at the chains…”Khushi wake up…”
He took in his surroundings and realised where they were, “My own bloody jail!?“
Yanking hard on the cords, his fury exploded, “Fucking hell!!! Show your face then! Or are you THAT much of a coward!!!”
Instantly, the heavy iron door swung open and his expression contorted with hatred…
“YOU are behind this too!? You cunt!!!”
Lavayana smirked, flipping her hair as a tall, lanky man followed her in, slamming the door behind them…
“Remember me?!” he asked with a sneer…
Arnav’s eyes went dark as he realised the man was the server who bumped into Khushi, “YOU?!”
Evan laughed, “Now I get to look upon the man who killed my brother!”
A snarl tore from Arnav’s lips, “Not just your brother, I’m the man who’s going to kill YOU…”
“Oh come on Prince Arnav,” Lavanaya sneered, “I’ve been working in your kitchens for an entire day just to get an audience with you…what a demeaning role…I even drugged a heap of the waitresses who were suspecting me…and you MARRIED a servant girl!”
“You will pay for this you cheap piece of shit!”
Her face dropped and she glared at Arnav…”YOU underestimate how far I would go to get what I want! You can’t touch me anyway. My family is wealthy, anything happens to me, they will come after HER!”
She pointed at his unconscious wife…
Arnav smiled a sinister smile, “Ohhh you really know how to ask for your own execution don’t you?…You threaten MY WIFE and you’re as good as dead…That is a promise…”
Hissing out her distain, Lavanaya played with her hair, “Oh and for the record, you woke up far too early…I was just about to reach my hands down your trousers and touch what should have been MINE when you began to twitch…”
Seething with fury, Arnav spat in her face…”YOU never even came CLOSE to having me…”
She glared for a moment before she faced the other man, “Evan, we have to work fast…”
Turning her back on the prince, she strode towards the princess…
Arnav snarled as she walker closer to Khushi…
“I guess she is tolerable…But you should have married me…I would have pleased you MUCH more…”
The Prince was growling a continuous animal sound, the veins in his arms popping as his muscles worked hard pulling at the tension of the chains.
Clenching her teeth, she reared her leg back and suddenly kicked Khushi hard in the stomach…
“How FUCKING DARE you!!!” Arnav was going red as his blood surged, the incentive to kill more alive than ever before…
He was gripping the thick chains and holding the tension, slowly feeling the iron budge in the wall.
“You aren’t even worthy to LOOK at her, bitch!” Arnav bellowed…
Lavanaya smiled, “How BLIND you are, Arnav…I lowered myself to work as a maid just to get to you…Look at how far my love for you goes!”
Grabbing Khushi’s face, she lifted her hand and slapped the princess hard across the cheek.
Waking with a start, she choked out a tormented sound as the pain began to tear through her…
The first words she heard were her husband’s…
“You fucking lay a hand on her again and I will drive a dagger in your chest till you bleed out!”
He could see that Khushi was dazed and confused but he didn’t dare call out to her…the less attention they gave her, the more he could gain control of the chains and choke them both for touching what was his.
“Lavanaya,” Evan laughed, “What a weak little hand you have…”
She laughed as she hoisted her hand back again and smacked Khushi ruthlessly once more as Arnav’s loud roar shook the room…
“I fucking SWEAR!” Arnav was ready to maul them…”I won’t spare you for this!”
Khushi gagged, crying out in pain…
She tried to shake free as she finally realised where she was, her eyes now seeking Arnav’s…
Evan snorted as he stalked towards her…
“DON’T-” Arnav bit his tongue as he was gaining leverage with his chain, the iron shackle starting to slacken even moreso in the stones…
But when Evan threw her against the wall and walloped her in the face, Khushi’s screams of pain had Arnav yanking harder at the irons around his fists, the wall behind him now shaking…
“I will drain the life from you! I will END YOU!”
“Stop shouting!” Lavanaya laughed, “I drugged a few guards with my distracting smile and left a trail of syringes on the opposite side of the castle…You’re just wasting your breath…”
Arnav’s eyes were brutal, “I SHOULD have killed you years ago…”
Evan smiled at the Prince, showing his crooked teeth as he backed away from Khushi…
“Good,” Arnav thought, “Get away from her and try and hurt me…”
“You’re helpless, Your Highness…I wonder how many enemies would be jealous, knowing that I have you at my mercy!”
Evan punched Arnav has hard as he could, his clenched fist clouting The Prince in the gut…
Arnav let out a lethal snarl as his body didn’t budge an inch, his abdominal muscles wielding the strength of thick steel.
“Fucking hell!” Evan ground out as he tried to flex his stinging hand…”What are you!? Made of stone!?”
Lavanaya chuckled, “Evan it seems YOU have the weak hand…You’re screaming like a girl…”
“You’re both going to scream as I kill you!” Arnav promised with fury…
Laughing again, she marched forwards, standing just far enough away so Arnav couldn’t make a move… “You had the NERVE to humiliate me in public, to threaten me! And now you threaten me AGAIN!? Well now I will threaten YOU! The baron wanted to harm the slut you married! But I want to harm YOU! So I joined forced with some of your enemies…They will help me take her from you…seeing as SHE is your weakness…But right now, I want you to suffer!”
His eyes were raging as he tugged relentlessly on the chains that bound him in the dank cold cell… “If you want me here, I’ll stay! But you RELEASE her!!!”
“Why should I?…” Lavanaya flashed a sickly smile, “She is going to watch as the baron’s lovely brother here, RUNS YOU THROUGH! Then I might let him play with her before we drag her to Evan’s castle…”
Arnav’s expression was barbaric…”You touch her one more time, and you will wish you were never born!”
Khushi dropped to her knees and screamed out muffled pleas through the cloth that covered her mouth…
Evan sneered, “Look at this little sprite…” he pulled at Khushi’s hair…
“Get your hands OFF her!!!”
Hauling Khushi up off the ground, the rusty iron cuffs on her wrists clanged as she had no strength to lift her arms…
“You want to see how shit your demands are right now Prince!?”
And the baron’s brother pulled Khushi against his body, one hand pulling at her covered privates, digging his fingers in, making her howl behind the gag…
Arnav went wild.
He shook and pulled at the chains with such force that part of the wall began to crumble, chunks of stone breaking off as his rage now hit mutilating force…
Evan instantly released the Princess, and Lavanaya flew a step back in horror…”Oh Shit! How is he doing this!?”
“Because I’m the fucking Prince bitch!!!” Arnav snarled…”And I’m going to KILL YOU.”
Arnav could see that they were terrified of him…
“Kill ME!? You bastard! You could have HAD ME!!!!”
His stomach turned, “YOU?” his voice was full of contempt, “I am willing to die to protect my wife…But YOU?! I’m would die before I ever even CONSIDER you!”
With eyes igniting with hatred, Lavanaya shrieked, “For EACH threat, this worthless whore gets a STRIKE!”
She stormed towards Khushi, pulled her hair hard and slapped her viciously twice against her face…
Arnav was fighting like a mad man again as Khushi screamed out in pain…
The wall behind the Prince shook and rattled as he gained 5 inches of chain that dropped…
Evan stood up, his shaking voice now disturbed and fearful…”Lavanaya, he’s gonna get free…”
“Then let me knock out the dumb whore and leave her here to rot!” she bit out… “Let HER see what it’s like to live without the person she loves!”
Lavanaya started to beat his wife over and over…slap after slap…
The utter devastation in Khushi’s eyes was destroying him…
He needed to take control.
So Arnav demanded all the brainspace he could, and tried to think as the warrior…
They want to kill me?…
They want Khushi to feel like she’s lost me?…
I am NOT in danger from them, but if they don’t get their way, then Khushi is in extreme danger…
And the solution struck him hard…
I know how to end this…
Lifting his dark eyes, he challenged…”You DARE beat a defenseless woman? You don’t seem to have the guts to TRY and kill me!?”
He could hear Khushi screaming a muffled NO…
His eyes locked onto hers, trying desperately to assure her that he would get them out, but she was distraught, past the point of being able to see straight…
“I get to beat HER! He gets to avenge his brother!”
Evan unsheathed the long sword from his belt and Arnav positioned himself, bearing his teeth in a blood thirsty hiss.
Arnav’s had a plan, but he also knew that his wife was about to witness something devastating and he looked her straight in the eyes and yelled, “My Love, I’m sorry!”
And as Khushi’s gut wrenching cries hit his ears, Evan came at him, reared the long blade back and lunged forwards.
“NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Arnav dropped to the ground…
The last thing he saw was the spark in Khushi’s eyes extinguish…
A swift stampede of footsteps began to shake the castle…
But Khushi heard nothing, she couldn’t breathe…
Her Prince lay dead before her…
“No…Arnav…No…”
And the pain in her heart took over the burning in her cheeks…
Her body felt as cold as ice…
Even as tears dripped from her eyes, they formed like icicles around her heart…
“Fuck! Listen!” Lavanaya screamed…”The army is here! Hit her and lets get out of here!!! We have more people ready to take her out later!”
Evan withdrew his fist and knocked Khushi out hard…
And this time, she welcomed the darkness…
…………………………..
Lavayana and Evan had barely reached the upper levels of the castle when they were immediately apprehended…
“We have them!!!!!” was resounding off the walls as Jacob bounded over…
“Where are the Prince and Princess!!!”
Lavanaya scoffed at him and looked away, but an officer harshly gripped her jaw lifting his sword into view, “Answer the man!”
“The lower jails. Not like you can do anything about-“
“GET THEM OUT!” Jacob screamed as they marched with fury towards the jails…
……………………
As soon as he heard his troops closing in, he cursed ten times over at the shit timing.
Faking a fatal blow was his plan to ward them off until he pulled free, but hearing Khushi’s empty and crushed screams, made his heart snap in two…
He remained still with the long sword wedged between his arm and his side…
“They are even too STUPID to see there is no BLOOD!?”
He had turned at the exact moment of the stabbing to escape any actual wound as he held the blade against the fabric of his shirt near his ribs and was going to spring up to shock them and use the chain to strangle them out.
The second Evan and Lavanaya escaped the room, he jumped to his feet, the cutlass dropping to the ground…
Wrapping the chains one more time in his hands, he howled a death defying roar and pulled the chain from the concrete wall…
Thick Iron cross pieces fell out of large cavities in the stone and he dragged the chains with him as he rushed to her side…
Instantly she was in his arms, he pulled the gag from her mouth and brought his mouth to hers…”Khushi…Khushi I’m alive! Khushi! Hear me! PLEASE Hear me!!!”
His hands roamed over her.
The castle was now bursting at the seams with the royal army…
And they stormed into the dungeons…
“Prince Arnav! Sir! We have the infiltrators!!!”
Arnav shouted at his friend, “Jacob! Get us out of the chains! Fucking hurry!”
“Is she-“
Arnav was infuriated…”She’s beaten, but she thinks I’m dead!”
“What?!” Jacob grunted as the keys to the chain cuffs were speedily passed to him from guards outside…
“SHIT, I need her to wake up!”
Arnav was shaking as he released Khushi and then himself…
Not bothering to wait, he swept her up in his arms…
He took two steps at a time as he ran up the stairs, pushing past every officer who had been searching the grounds…
“Khushi…please…FUCKING HEAR ME! I’m alive!”
But she was out cold, tears blotching her face…
He carried her down the corridor and commanded, “DOCTOR! FAST!”
The staff were rushing in every direction as he bellowed again…
Arnav’s eyes were lethal, “FUCKING FAST!!”
Shoving the door open, it was nearly blasted off it’s hinges as he carried her into their room…
Arnav tried frantically to wake her…
“…Khushi…wake up…I’m not dead! I had to get them out! They were hurting you! I had to think tactically…PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE HEARING THIS!”
He pulled Khushi closer, his voice cracking… “Khushi…please Khushi…I’m here…I’m alive…God, please let her hear me…”
Wrapping her in his steely embrace, he whispered, “I’m alive…” over and over until the doctor rushed in…
Arnav lay her down and stayed over her, his hands never leaving her skin, touching her, needing her to know he was alive…
“Her head, She was knocked out…”
The doctor nodded as he pressed her skull, “No concussion, there is swelling, but no concussion…” he bent lower, “Her neck is fine…the welts on her face will calm, but some will bruise…”
Arnav was becoming manic again.
The woman that he loved was unconscious and the last sight she had witnessed was him being ‘killed’…
The pain in his chest was now acute…”Wake her!”
“My Prince, she is very likely to be in shock, just let her-“
“WAKE HER!!!”
“Sir, why the urgency to-“
“Because she thinks I’m dead!!!”
The doctor looked up fast…”What?!”
His teeth clenched and he snarled…”Wake her!…”
“Prince Arnav, I-“
“Khushi…” his heart was blasting so fast, it struck him with pain…”Wake the fuck up! I’m not dead! WAKE UP!”
And her eyelids fluttered…
“Yes…” he could hardly contain the tremors in his voice…”Khushi I’m here! I’m alive!”
Her eyes slowly drifted open…
Arnav hauled her up into his embrace, his hand behind her head as he tried to lock eyes with her…
“Khushi…I’m here…I’ve got you…Khushi?…” Arnav shook her gently when she didn’t respond…”Khushi!?”
“Wait!” the doctor ordered…
Arnav froze, her eerie blank eyes now scaring him shitless…
“Your Highness?” the doctor flashed a small light in her eyes…
They were glassed over…
No focus.
It was as though, she was gone…
“What…What’s wrong!?” Arnav was primal…
“She’s not responsive…Her mental state not functioning…”
Struggling to rein in his rage, he shook her hard, “Fuck, No…NO! NO! Khushi I’m alive!”
The doctor tried to get Arnav’s attention…
“Careful Arnav! She’s in severe shock…If she thinks you were killed, that’s the last thing her subconscious accepted…she’s in a state of psychosis…”
Arnav’s composure shattered, his hands shook and he pressed his mouth to hers, talking loud…”No! Wake up! You fucking listen to me! I’m NOT DEAD!”
The doctor held onto Arnav’s shoulder, “Be calm with her…She’s not here right now…”
“She IS! I’m holding her! This can’t happen!”
He trembled so hard that he was certain the doctor could feel and see his fear…
“Sir, she’s in a trance state, her mind truly believes you’re no longer with her…She needs to come out of this willingly…but, I fear, with the belief that you’re dead, she may not be able-“
Dropping Khushi to the bed, Arnav jumped up and loomed over the doctor as he roared, “GET OUT!”
Jacob, who had been hovering at the door, ushered the doctor away as fast as he could…
Alone.
Watching his wife mentally slip away, was now fuelling inside him a rush of anger and outright fury so compelling he was afraid of what he might do…
It was the same rage that burned inside him as he sliced the baron…
The pain that came seeing Khushi fade in his arms was far more horrific than any agony he could inflict on anyone…
Turning back to Khushi, he stood beside the bed, terrified to touch her as he rasped, “Come back to me…” he rasped…
She merely blinked, no emotion surfacing…
Her eyes were empty…
The cord to her emotions was so fractured that all Arnav could feel from her was an echo of desolation…
“Khushi…come BACK to me!…” his heart was becoming frenzied to breach the ice that encompassed her mind…
A sudden sweat began to break out over her face as she blinked faster…
Her subconscious was attempting to obey him and float to the surface, but the nightmare inside her was fighting back with a vengeance…
Arnav could see how traumatic the damage was…
The love between them had been the only thing keeping her together, and seeing him killed caged her…
Sitting down beside her, he carefully pulled her into his arms, “Khushi…You can hear me…I KNOW you can…try to focus…”
The bond that was between them was all powerful, and Arnav knew it…
“You CAN do this my love, PLEASE look at me…”
And her gaze hit his…
“Yes…” he inhaled faster, “Yes, look at me…”
But all she could see was a blurry figure, her mind playing his death like a scattered explosion…
There was no reaction…
Arnav choked back his pain and tried again…”Khushi…Say something…”
Her lips parted…
It was evident that her heart was trying to override her pain, but the burden of agony in her mind was too great…
“Khushi! You CAN hear me! I know it…PLEASE say something…”
Letting out soft pants, her heart had no feeling as she whispered…”He’s gone…”
A stifled bark came from Arnav as his mouth curved to a snarl…”No! I’m NOT! I’m here!”
He gripped her hard, frantic for her to wake up…
“He’s dead…” her voice was blank…
The greater part of her spirit simply gone…
Tensing his fingers on her scalp, he wrapped her against him, not even air could pass through them…
Looking deep into her vacant eyes, he could see that she didn’t even recognize him…
“NO! I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS!!!” he commanded in a voice full of authority…”I am here!!!”
Khushi breathed the words again…”I saw him die…”
His body was clenched so tight he was sure his joints would pop, “I AM HERE! I’M HOLDING YOU!!!”
Moving his hands along her skin, he forced his touch on her…
“God I can’t lose you Khushi! Wake UP! I’m here!”
But her lips parted to repeated the same words…
“Come back to me! I NEED you! Khushi I need you!” agony laced his voice…
Khushi was numb, she couldn’t make out any touch…
“My Prince…” her tone was vacant and crippled…”My Prince is gone…”
“No…” he breathed…”No…”
Unable to draw in air, he lay her back against the bed…
Staring blindly for what felt like an eternity, his own emotions fractured…
Covering her body with his, he let his tears flood her hair, her face, stream down her neck…
“Khushi…please…come back to me…”
He wept, his heart full of daggers and poison…
When he finally quieted, his eyes began to acidify…
The monster inside him emerged…
“They did this to you…” he ground out…”And they will pay…NOW…”
Stomping from the room, he came face to face with Jacob, and his father…
“Son? Is she-“
“QUIET!”
He was on a mission with ONE clear purpose, and wasn’t about to be diverted…
“Leave the door open. Guard her. No one but the doctor can enter…if she doesn’t wake, DO NOT GO IN. I will be back…”
“Sir?!” Jacob started but instantly reared back when Arnav turned…
“Your orders are FUCKING CLEAR!”
The King tried to get through to his son, “Arnav! She will come out of this! Arnav!”
But he disappeared down the stairs…
“Sire, what-“
The king shook his head, “Let him go. He is doing what needs to be done. What I have done many times over in the past…”
Jacob nodded, “I hope he gives them hell…”
“Look at him, He is the warrior I always knew he would be…”
……………………….
Arnav entered the jails…
“Where are they!” his question resonated in the cells…
Knowing instantly what their Prince wanted, the jailers pointed towards the rooms towards the end…
After a few single long strides, his eyes locked onto Evan…
The man’s eyes were now wider than his head would allow as he clamoured back against the jagged wall…
“NO! NO!!! She made me do it! She wanted revenge against you! It’s Lavanaya’s fault!!!”
But a single step closer put Arnav within the distance he needed to end the man with little more than a flick of his wrist…
His arms bulging with muscles struck, slamming the smaller man against the concrete, as he cracked his head against the stone…
Blood began to gush down the wall behind him as Arnav roared, “I am going to KILL you both!!!”
Gasping, his feet high above the floor, Evan choked from the grip of Arnav’s palm on his throat…
“It was HER! She want…ed…to…get…reven-“
And the life was drained out of him, the terrifying face of the prince as his last memory in life…
Arnav’s fury was still not subsiding, he snapped the man’s neck, feeling the dense vertebrae shatter, fingers digging into the last of the muscles before he dropped him to the floor.
Marching from the cell, he stormed the next room and found Lavanaya…
She stood in the corner, smiling…”I don’t know how you survived, but I hope your slut never gets over the pain of seeing that hap-“
Before she could finish, she was thrown clear across the room, hitting the walls and bars with a loud bang…
Her harsh screams of agony now rang around…
The Prince’s eyes glinted hearing the snaps of her bones as her certain limbs were now angled in a distorted fashion…
Arnav was now a panting monster, eyes full of murder as he glowered down at her…
His pulse was now thundering at the bulge of his neck…
“You asshole!” she rasped, “Your wife is going to be dead inside forever! Now YOU can see in her what I saw in you!”
Kicking her hard in the gut, he stomped down hard on her broken leg and arm…
The jail was now echoing with tortured wails…”She’ll be taken! Just you wait! It is FAR from over-AAARRGHHH!’
Vibrating with utter indignation, Arnav felt energy build up, crest, and seep out as a low endless howl of rage as he pulled out his dagger and rammed it hard into her shoulder, twisting the knife as her blood bubbled out of the gaping wound…
The last noises she made were gurgles before she passed out…
Leaving the knife implanted in her, he shoved her aside…
“Lets see YOU live like THIS!”
Standing tall, he bared his teeth and snarled as he stormed down the walkway.
“And if there is ANYONE in here, who is THINKING about harming my wife, the same will be done to you!”
……………..
The second Jacob saw him, he knew it was done, “Arnav?”
Staggering towards his room, the Prince’s eyes searched for Khushi…”Has she-“
Jacob spoke fast, “She awoke and sat up, the doctor went in…But, I’m sorry, she keeps repeating that you died…no one can get through to her…”
“Prince Arnav…” the doctor approached carefully, “She is seated inside, refusing food or water…we can’t reach her, you need to try, you need to get to her mind, fast…”
The King moved closer, “Son, she thinks she lost you…but you KNOW her, you CAN get through to her…”
Tears were now a waterfall down his face.
Arnav DID know her.
Her every breath, the music of her hum, her purity, her constant light…
Desperation expanded in his chest…”I need to hurry, I need to shower…I can’t go in like this…”
Blood covered him, the rage of his conquest still tarnishing his skin…
The King nodded, “Take the room there…”
Arnav was swaying as he hurried into the adjacent room and stripped of his clothes…
He took a shower in water so hot that his skin burned…
His heart stung, with regret for his actions, and for the consuming sadness that he’d seen in Khushi’s eyes when he faked his death…
Not bothering to dry himself, he pulled on a shirt and pants rushing back at the door to his room…
His eyes took her in, she sat almost lifeless…
The marks on her face, red and hot…
He wanted nothing more than to hold her, to touch her, and was about to do anything necessary to wake her from the mental nightmare…
“I want this floor cleared. I want the castle on lockdown. I want NO interruptions. Because I swear, I will kill ANYONE who enters this room once I close this door…”
His murderous eyes lifted to Jacob, drifted to his father, and to every other guard in the hall as he spat out…”ANYONE…”
And he disappeared into the room that held his wife…
Leaning against the door, he heard marching, the layer of the castle being cleared…
Not willing to wait, he stalked towards her…
Her lost eyes still gray, without spark…
But her blinking was showing how hard she tried to suppress the pain…
He knew she was in anguish, but their intense bond was clawing it’s way past her desperate resistance.
Peeling his clothes away, he tore the sheets off the bed and saw barely flinch…
“Khushi…”
she blinked.
“You can hear me.”
He waited.
“I can hear you.” she replied.
“Do you know who I am?”
His fists clenched as he waited again…
Her face was blank as she said, “No.”
Defenses rising, his nostrils flared, “I’m your husband…”
Not one emotion showed as she said, “My husband is dead.”
He growled low and eerily, “I am NOT dead. I’m HERE…”
Blinking faster, he could see her fighting, clutching at the distance, battling to maintain the sense of endless nothing that had carried her to the cold ice that froze her heart…
She didn’t want to be Khushi anymore…
Oblivion had become her armour.
If she hid from herself, and what she thought was reality, there would be no more pain.
“Look at me…” he commanded…
“No.” she muttered blankly, not one single emotion showing…
“No…NO…NO!”
Tormented to the point of madness, he roared…
He stormed their room…
The need to destroy and quell the devestation in his soul hit him with mass force…
And the rampage began…
The sheer agony of seeing his wife in such a state of severe pain sent him into hysteria…
He picked up furniture and reduced it to splinters…
“Wake up!”
Desperate for her to feel something, he no longer cared if he scared her…
Shattered glass vibrated around the room…
“If you don’t come back to me, I will destroy everyone and everything!!! I’ve said before that I refuse to be without you!!! I can’t make it through this life without you!!! Wake the fuck up!!!”
His pained screams began to distort her blackout…
Her heart could hear him.
A wave of bright reality shocked her to the moment, her husband’s heartbreak seeping into her soul, making her gasp out loud.
He stiffened at the sound, and saw her eyes screw shut as she whispered…”No…”
His bulked up body was now bulging with energy…”NO?! That’s all I get!? COME BACK TO ME!!!”
Now standing tall at the foot of their bed, he kept up his low level rumbling growl…
Her chest was now rising and falling rapidly…
“I’M FUCKING ALIVE KHUSHI! Wake up or THIS will kill me!? I WON’T SURVIVE!”
His last words slammed down into her mind…
She flew up off the bed…
His anger fled and his spirit soared seeing ANY form of emotion…
She cowered in the only corner of the room that wasn’t covered with wood and glass, pulling at her hair, her head starting to pound…
Pouncing on her, he gripped her shoulders, “Khushi, LOOK AT ME!”
The blurry figure was still all she could see, but the sound of his voice was starting to break through…
Slamming her eyes shut as she tried miserably to fight him off…”no…”
“YES KHUSHI!!!” Now that he had touched her, the fire inside him doubled…”LOOK WHO I AM!
“no…no…I don’t know you…” she said louder…
He pushed her up agianst the wall with a thud, “I am the crowned Prince Arnav Singh Raizada! I am married to YOU, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! I am standing before you, ALIVE AND BREATHING, and I command you to look at me!!!!!”
The hurt and grief, that had been unbearable, making her unable to feel, was being pulverised severely…
Her hands flew up to her own chest, scratching hard at her skin, each breath hurt…”NO! THE PAIN…IT’S TOO MUCH!”
The corruption of her mind was beginning to melt away, and Arnav could see it.
He pried her fingers away as he rubbed the heat of his hand where she was so very clearly hurting…
Her breathing was too hard to see straight, “NO!!! WHOEVER YOU ARE! GET AWAY!!!”
She kicked and pushed, but he was immovable…
He was being mutilated with heartache…”Khushi Please!”
But she was now in a full meltdown, her screams and lucid anger soon turned into extreme gut wrenching sobs…
“Yes! Yes! Feel something! I’m here! I’m HERE!”
The complete devastation in her weeping was torturing him…
She had her eyes shut, trying to will it away, “…no…God no…My Arnav…is gone…”
He couldn’t take it.
“FUCKING ENOUGH!”
One swipe and the dress she wore was ripped off…
It was time for force.
She shreiked out as he fisted the lace of her thin panties and shredded them…
Throwing her to the bed his hands gripped her brutally…”OPEN. YOUR. EYES.”
And she howled.
“No! He’s gone! Oh my God NO!”
He basked in her scream…
“Keep screaming! SHOW me you’re still with me! Show me you can hear me!”
“NO! NO!!”
Clawing and scratching, she raged at her Alpha strong husband, punishing him with bites and screams, but her attacks made no difference as he effortlessly restrained her…
Holding her down, keeping her arms vised above her, he had enough.
Her body jolted and convulsed as the shock tore another scream from her throat…
The feel of his thick length inside her was now reaching her heart, splaying it’s heat all through her desensitised nerves, and she was terrified…
He pressed his mouth to her heart, slowly moving over her jiggling breasts, sucking her nipples deep as she continued to fight him…
He tried to kiss her mouth but she was primitive as he controlled her flailing limbs…
The heart within him was blasting as he penetrated her slowly, over and over, forcing pleasure out even as her brokenhearted wails seared his senses…
“You are MINE! MINE KHUSHI! I will take you any way I can! Because you need ME! You need THIS! NOW HEAR ME!!!!”
His words hit her soul so loud that her heart fluttered even as her body oozed fluid over him…
“Oh God…Oh God…it’s not real! It’s not!” her heart was controlling her moans, as her mind demanded her to reject reality…
“Oh it’s real!”
She screamed out with pained pleasure as her arms continued to struggle in his grip, her hips bucking…
The awakening of her emotions was so overwhelmingly destructive that she was drowning in it…
“NO!!!!” she howled as her body sucked his cock deeper…”I LOST HIM! NO!”
He felt her senses starting to break as he rammed ruthlessly back into her…
“You’ll never lose me… now open you damn eyes!“
“No! I can’t feel this! I want to be with him!!!”
She was kicking like a maniac…
Holding her arms down, he speared his iron erection into her…”YOU’RE ALREADY WITH ME! OPEN YOUR EYES!”
“NO!”
His own shattered heart mixed with fury…”Listen to me, WIFE! I’m going to FUCK you until you see me!!! OPEN. YOUR. EYES!”
She screamed out, coughing and groaning, but he transferred her wrists to one of his hand and yanked her body back down when she tried to squirm away, impaling her deeply…
“NO! He died! My heart…Oh God my heart…”
He forced his cock deeper into her as she tried to push him out…
His body sensed her struggles and he fought back with dominance…
Arnav growled like a predator, barely able to form the words, “FIGHT ME!!! Go on! FIGHT ME! Because that wall around your heart is COMING DOWN!!”
It was the worst pain she’d ever known…
Arnav was snarling traumatically, as the love of his life was coming out of her closed and shattered state…
“The…the pain…oh God…”
Arnav roared, “I’m alive!!! Look at who is inside of you! I will fuck you until you SEE ME!”
She could hardly breathe as her conscious was now breaking into her heart, the power of his words incinerating her…
His mouth slammed onto hers growling with a lethality that seeped into her soul, “Claw your way out of this terror! Use ME. Use MY strength… Because I’m your husband! And I’m inside you RIGHT NOW.”
“Arnav…”
A sharp spark shot between them that sparked actual pain into his blood…
“I’m here…” he breathed against her mouth…
She choked out his name again…“Arnav…”
“I’m Here.” He said louder as his penetrations became harder, forcing and tearing pleasure out of her every nerve…
Bracing her face, he demanded her gaze…”I’m here my love…”
And she saw him.
The clear recognition of him in her eyes made him Spear into her with barbaric force, “Fuck YES!…”
And the catastrophic cramp of her orgasm began to strangle his cock…
Mouth agape, sucking in deep pants of air, Khushi saw him clearly as her climax reduced her nervous system to nothing…
He roughly held himself inside as an ocean of her ejaculate streamed over and around him…
She shook torrentially, and for the first time, he had to use considerable strength to hold her down…
He slowed his penetrations, but continued to slide in and out…
Staring down at her, his eyes waited…
“…Arnav…” her voice was a whisper…
“I’m here sweetheart,” his voice showed his desperation to reclaim her…
“…Arnav…” her eyes began to drip hot and heavy tears onto the pillow beneath her, “Oh my God… You’re alive.”
Releasing her hands, he held her closer, “I’m alive…
With eyes now fastened tight to his, her tears poured out and her arms came up around him as she clung to him hysterically…
“Yes! Oh God yes! I have you…I’m here my love…”
His voice was full of authority as he twisted his hand in her hair, and brought his mouth against hers…
“…you’re here…”
“Yes baby…shhhh…”
She began to choke out sobs that were only anaesthetised by the deep and slow thrusting of his body into hers…
“I’m here…listen to my voice…” his words now became harsher as he felt her gspot swelling, her contractions starting again…”I swear, I am here…”
Her tears fell into her hair as her face flushed, her freed mind and conscious finally grasping what Arnav was telling her……
“Arnav…”
“Yes my Princess…I’m here…”
Her gaze seeped into his soul, their hearts beating painfully fast, their union stronger than ever…
“And now you’re going to come…”
His words were a command to her body, which he owned completely…
And a war broke out inside her womb, the milking and clenching of a piercing orgasm breaking over muscle and bone…
“ARNAV!”
And with an extended howl of ecstasy, he took her mouth in a desperate kiss as his body shot the largest burst ever of semen straight into her womb…
He shook torrentially, but soon demanded his sanity as he pulled her contorting body into his arms, his mouth coming down onto hers…
But now, she could do nothing but whimper as her sex gushed unmercifully and spasms claimed her body.
“It’s alright my love…I’m here…I’m not leaving you…”
His hands slid into her hair, holding her head in place as he brushed his lips over her face, kissing away the river of tears…
“Arnav…” she moaned as her weakened hands tried to hold him closer…”Arnav hold me…”
“Shhhh…shhhh, I have you…”
Her breaths were heaving, “I saw…I saw you-“
“I’m alive…I had to think tactically…they were hurting you…”
His forehead rested on hers as the weight of his body sedated her shuddering breaths…
“I never thought this would happen to you though…I never thought your heart and mind would disappear on me…Seeing how empty you were…”
He groaned, his heart unable to take the memory…
“I…I saw you die…”
Pressing up, he lifted his torso slightly and motioned for her to look down…
“The sword was between my arm and my side…I HAD to get them out…I’m not injured Khushi, but I would give anything to have the pain you feel, inflicted upon on me instead…”
Her shaking fingers touched his chest, running over where the stab would have been…
Covering her hand with his, he moved it to his heart…”See, Alive…beating…I was never going to leave you…I made a promise…”
Her lips were parted, her eyes were raw…
Seeing her so fragile destroyed him…
He crushed his mouth against hers, the kiss hungry and hard…
Arnav kissed her until her body surrendered under his, her lips swollen as he licked his way out of her mouth…
Tears came involuntarily as she begged him, “Please…hold me…”
The soft groan that followed had him fighting back his own breakdown…”Sweetheart, I’ve got you…rest in my arms…you need to rest…”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out…
“It’s okay…Talk to me…Talk to me Khushi…”
“…afraid…” was all she could manage…
His eyes hardened, “Tell me why you are afraid…”
Her gladiator was back, alert and ready for her to command…
“If I sleep, will you be here when I wake?’
“I will be right here.” he vowed, he didn’t even hesitate…
She felt his softened flesh pull out, and his firm, big hand cover her sex..
Her eyes widened and saw the resolute valor in his expression…
“I solemnly swear that when you wake, you will be in my arms…and you will fall asleep to this…”
A slender warmth breached her as he pumped two long fingers carefully into her, scissoring and stretching her tender tissues…
“You will feel this as you close your eyes and dream…my touch…my hands…I will be doing this until you wake…”
She hiccuped, her reawakened emotions now stretched too far…”Will you kiss me please…”
The world faded into nothing as he lowered his head, consuming her with his mouth…
His lips were soft but insistent, demanding entrance as he spoke…
“I’m here…” he pumped his fingers lightly in and out of her core…”No one will ever separate us…I am safe, and more importantly, YOU are safe…Sleep sweetheart…”
And he kissed her until her lips went slack against his, and her breath was steady on his skin…
He stayed beside her in the bed, his fingers pushing and pulsing inside her…
“Khushi…I’m here my love…”
Her sex let down a gush of her arousal around his hand…
“Damn…your body knows my touch…”
His fingers began to demand her reaction…
“Sleep my Princess…but I know you need this, your body is telling me…come for me…”
She was now unconsciously writhing beneath him as her cream trickled out of her and over his fingers in a furious rush…
And her climax happened, the burn of her orgasm intensified and melted into a pleasure pain that burst through her blood…
“Yes, I’m here my sweetheart…”
She remained sound asleep, but breathless and still clenching around the fingers that purged her pleasure…
“Good girl…my Khushi…”
And his emotions was now stripped bare…
He pressed soft kisses to the new faint bruises forming on her cheekbones…
“…your happiness is my sole priority…forever…”
………..
Nearly three hours later, after drawing another orgasm from her fainted body, and alternating fingers as he licked them clean, she began to stir…
Acutely alert, he continued his slow penetrations of her core…”I’m with you my love…”
She heard his voice instantly, “A…Ar…Arnav…”
He came over her, his gaze ready to lock onto hers, “Open up those eyes my love…Look at me…”
“Please…” her lips trembled, “please tell me that I’ll see you when I open my eyes…”
His fingers curled and pressed gently on her gspot, “I vow on the almighty God that you will see me…”
And her eyelids lifted…
His heart lit up, even though it was aching, “Hi…Hi sweetheart…”
Her breathing quickened and the tears came…
“No no no, I’m here…I’m here…”
“…my Arnav…”
He growled with pride as he nodded slowly…”All yours…You own me…”
“I want…”
Arnav waited…
“I want you to hurt them…”
His eyes instantly flashed with darkness as a snarl broke out, “I love you…I never imagined you like this, but I LOVE IT…”
Khushi panted, “I want you to HURT THEM! They tried to take you from me!”
Arnav groaned with desire…”You are my EQUAL…My strong, INCREDIBLE wife…”
His penetrating fingers were making it impossible for her body to not react…
“Please…” she was shuddering with delirium, her body losing control…”Please I can’t bare knowing they could try again and-“
“My Princess…I have already, irreversibly destroyed them”
As though a weight physically lifted off her, a gratified emotion reared up in her eyes…
“I have reduced them both to NOTHING but broken bones and blood…NO ONE gets away with threatening us…but more importantly, NO ONE is allowed to hurt you, and make it out alive…”
“No…Doesn’t matter about ME! They tried to kill you…”
His chest rumbled, “Dont’ you fucking say that! They were never going to succeed killing me, but they DID succeed hurting you…and THAT is what fucking matters!…”
Her hands now clutched his shoulders…”NO! I CAN’T LOSE YOU!”
Noises were coming from his throat like those of a vicious hungry animal…
They both scared and excited her…
He could smell how aroused she was, and it it only took him seconds to surge forward and prod her slit with the swollen head of his erection…
Shoving his way into her, he took her hips in a harsh grip that would prevent any resistance…
Inside she felt like velvet as he bellowed out his ecstasy of being within her…
“You, my love, feel INCREDIBLE…”
With one hand, he held the back of her head in a tight grasp…
He could see her face, the dilation of her eyes…
She was awake, alive and aware…
“Tell me I’m yours again Khushi…”
“You’re mine Arnav…”
“Forever.” he said with a quiet power…
She could hardly move from her position under him, and she didn’t want to, as his dark eyes were locked onto hers…
Her lashes lowered when he hilted, a shaking breath passing her lips…
He pounded, the beast inside him holding her down, her cheeks flushing…
Khushi screamed and moaned as he conquered her body and bent it to his will…
These were the sounds of pleasure…and surrender…
“Harder! Please! Please show me you’re here…!”
Arnav’s eyes bore into hers…his fighting equal, the woman who demanded justice to avenge him…
Knowing she was as desperate for him as he was for her made him snarl with passion…
She was excessively slick, so much that the wet noises of their joining blended with their sighs and moans to make sweet music…
Her eyes travelled from his erotic face, over a muscled chest, a defined torso, to where his jutting length penetrated her body…
The veins throbbed at it’s base in preparation to erupt into her…
To know that his thick long organ would soon saturate her vaginal walls made her insides began to flutter and her hands begin to shake…
He knew how to draw out her need, how to stoke it and tease…
Rhythmic squeezing of her sex showed her impending orgasm as he growled…”I need you more than fucking AIR! Let me feel you come!”
The animal inside him wanted to roar as he slammed into the body that was his to pleasure and protect…
He had another urge to shout out at the blissful pain of ejaculate gathering in his groin for eruption…
Pumping his hips mindlessly, she came howling his name…
“Arnav!”
The tight contractions of her orgasm were twisting onto his flesh…
“My love…Fuck YES oh FUCKING fuck!”
Arnav wrung the throbbing orgasm out of her and he had no choice but to explode alongside her…
Her sex milked his cock desperately as his lava of sperm spurted down the length of his erection and into her shuddering core…
He squeezed her with each pulse of his shaft, growling with euphoria…
Khushi could feel continuous tremors in her belly, as she felt the repetitive bursts of his semen hit her cervix…
Arnav was unable to hold back sounds of elation as their bodies were in harmony…
Pulling her legs around his waist, he yanked her hips closer, angled her pelvis to stimulate the place inside her that refused to stop pulsating and let her take every drop of cum that her body could squeeze from him…
“My husband…”
“Yes…” he rasped…
“My Prince…”
“Yes…”
“You’re with me…”
“ALWAYS…” his biting tone assured her…
“I…I can’t keep my eyes open again…”
“And I’m not leaving you for anyone or anything…so sleep without fear of anything…NO ONE will harm you…NO ONE…you are safe…”
“And…” she suppressed a yawn…”And you?”
He leaned down fast and began to kiss her, brushing his open mouth over hers…”I am alive…I am still pulsing inside you…and I am NEVER leaving you…The first thing you will see when you wake, will be ME.”
His honest, and true declaration settled into her heart, and she fell asleep…
The moment he felt her breathing steadily, he pulled her closer into his embrace and took a deep breath…
“My God…” he closed his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing…”If you only knew how deeply I love you…I don’t think you ever will fully…I can’t even explain it…This is the kind of love with one soul and two bodies…And I promise you,” he kissed her forehead, “I am your eternal bodyguard…No one wins against me…but you, you conquered my heart…YOU are the only person to reduce me to defeat…You have the victory Khushi…YOU and ONLY YOU…”
His robust arms tightened…”Mine…Mine for life…for Eternity…”
………………..
And the knocking came again…
But the rage he thought he would feel wasn’t there…only annoyance…
He surveyed their situation on the bed and carefully arranged the blanket over her more…
“Enter…”
The door opened slowly and his mother appeared with the physician tagging behind.
“Arnav…I know what you commanded, but I came up to the floor and there was silence…Does she need a doctor?”
He snickered, “Let me guess, dad sent YOU because he was too scared?”
“Arnav,” she smiled and paused for a moment, “Yes that’s basically it…”
Finding a small grin creep over his lips, he sighed, “She’s okay, the doctor can check her head again quickly, but then I want you both out…”
His mother nodded, “Okay, we understand…”
The physician gently pressed her cranium and she shook…
“Shhh….shhhh.” Arnav crooned into her hair…
“Only slight concussion, how is her mental state…?”
“She remembers everything, her mind woke up. She’s frail, but she will be ok…”
The queen gave a sad smile, “I knew you would get through to her…”
“Okay, ” The physician whispered, “When she wakes up, let me give her a shot that will help with any pain or headache…She may still wake and find ways to shield her emotions, but you need to break through that, stop her from blanking out…”
Arnav nodded, “You know I fucking will…now please get lost…I need her to rest…”
The queen rolled her eyes, but before they disappeared out the door, he called out…”Tell dad and Jacob that-“
His mum gave a smirk, “They understand…plus I know you like people fearing you…”
…………..
Arnav felt her move…
“Don’t close up on me sweetheart…”
His brain was beating with staccatto thuds…
And what he thought might be reassuring, soon sped downhill…
Khushi rolled away before even opening her eyes…
“Sweetheart? It’s ok…I’m here…You’re with me…”
She sat up and he was, for once, too scared to make a move…
Arnav saw her shoulders shiver, and she stood up…
His eyes were instantly drawn to her soft skin, and delicious curves…
If she was unconfortable in her nakedness, she didn’t show it…
And that sent a jolt of desire straight from his scrotum and down the length of his flesh…
Getting to his feet, but staying on his side of the bed, he was wary of her…”Khushi…talk to me…”
Taking a few steps away from the bed, she turned to face him, but didn’t meet his eyes…
“I want to be alone…I need you to leave…”
Her words cut like glass, but her voice had far too much emotion in it for him to believe her…
The sting of anger and defiance burst free inside him…
Rounding the bed in less than a second, he stalked up close, invading her space, her breathing speeding up rapidly…”Look me in the eyes and say that…because I know damn well you are lying to me.”
Finally looking up at him, she held his gaze with a slowly blanking glare, despite the tears that shimmered…”I want…want to be alone…leave…”
He began to walk forwards, and she veered away until her back hit the wall.
She tried to side step, but he slammed his palms on the wall behind her, caging her in…
Turing away, her eyes closed and tears dripped out…
“Khushi…If that’s what you truly want, why the tears?”
Her heart started to hurt, and she shoved at his chest…”Just leave me alone!”
Grabbing her wrists, he pulled them behind her and cuffed them in his large hand as he forced the weight of his body into her…
He watched her face as he felt his chest become strangled…”Khushi…You’re hurting inside…I can SEE it…TALK to me…”
Trying to suck in a breath, she was sobbing as she spoke, “I thought…I thought I lost you…I…I…”
Arnav waited, needing to hear her…
“My heart can’t take this…I can’t…I…If I lose you again…I’ll…I’ll…”
She was spiriling out of control….
“Shhh…I’m here…” he whispered over her mouth…
Instantly her body slumped in his grasp and his free arm held her against his muscled form…
“I…don’t want you to…to go away…Oh god…I’m…I’m sorry…” and she wept…
Arnav held her closer and let her cry…
His brain was in overdrive, the rage he was feeling building and building…
The need to rebuild her life was now his main goal…
He knew her body was healing, but the marks on her soul were still open wounds that he needed to soothe…
His own spirit was keeling over, so entirely broken up that he was struggling to keep it together for her…
Eventually she was exhausted…
“Forgive me Sir…” she rasped out…
Arnav could hear her pain, the hurt, the anger, the devastation, the sincerity…but upon hearing that tortured word fall from her lips, he growled long and hard…
“Don’t call me that…” his words were biting.
Her small frame shook…
“Please forgive me Sir…”
His eyes slammed closed…
His teeth clenched…
It was as though his anger was a living thing trying to burst it’s way out of his skin…
Working hard to maintain the monster inside, he snarled his words…”Why are you calling me that?”
She began to hyperventilate, “Oh my God, what have I done…I am supposed to go unseen…and…Oh God…I will thrown to the streets…You said you would cast me away…Oh God my master is going to sell me to-“
Arnav’s emotions cracked…”STOP!”
The confusion and grief inside her had reduced his Princess to the frightened servant he once tried to break…
And this knowlegde was making his head feel like it would explode.
“Sweetheart…” he warned, forcing himself to keep his reactions as calm as possible…”Try to think clearly…You’re my WIFE…You are in no danger…there was NO way, even then, that I was going to let you go…and NOW?! They’d have to kill me for REAL to take you…”
She tried to shake her head, tears flicking off her cheeks…”Sir…Forgive me…please…”
THIS FUCKING STOPS NOW!
She was so fragile against him, and the forceful rage he was feeling needed to shock her back into the moment…
Taking a long haul of oxygen into his lungs, he boomed out his reply…”I DO NOT FORGIVE YOU!!!”
He released her hands and pushed her harder into the wall…
Moving with quick attacks, he hoisted her body high…
In an instant, she began to fight against him, struggling to get free of his hold, but he didn’t budge an inch…
“I’m your HUSBAND!”
Her laboured keening breaths were fanning his face as she tried to speak, but he wasn’t about to allow it…
“I know you’re confused and hurting, but I’m going to tuck that out of you…” he growled against her mouth…”I’m your HUSBAND…and I’m not fucking asking for permission…”
Reaching between their bodies, he thrust two long fingers into her even as her body fought against him…
He curled his touch and pressed outwards onto her gspot…
Each time she tried to speak, her words turned to whimpers…
He felt her core constrict, her breathing get faster…
“You are going to come until I say it’s enough…I’m going to force these orgasms out of you whether you want me to or not!”
She collapsed, her body slumping in his strong arms, her regret and shame visible on her face, her sorrow pouring out in body racking sobs…
Holding her tightly, her eyes shimmered with tears, tearing at his own heart and soul…
There was no fight left inside her as he captured her gaze, his fingers exerting extreme pressure inside her slick sex…
“Khushi…” he waited and she blinked, her mind too tired to resist him as her body reacted to his touches…”Khushi…Listen carefully…I refuse to forgive someone who is INNOCENT…”
More tears ran out…
“For every time you ask me to forgive you, I will remind you of your innocence…You, MY WIFE, are the reason I live…not for my title…not for war…not for ANYTHING…I live for YOU…”
Her breath started to quicken and he snarled…
With her womb beginning to contract, he could feel that she was primed for a fatal climax…
But he wasn’t about to let any energy build yet, because he was going to melt the ice around her heart…and he withdrew his fingers…
His arousal doubled as his erection was now suffering with need…”Listen to me! You can tell me to leave, but I will ALWAYS refuse…You can tell me you need to be alone, but I will ALWAYS deny you that…You can call me ‘Sir’…but I will remind you once more that you merely need to say the word and I will fire every person who works for me and expel them from this castle for the rest of their lives…You ask for an execution, and it is DONE… You ask for ANYTHING and it is YOURS…Because the threat to throw you out when we MET was a goddamn lie!!! I was NEVER going to let you go, whether YOU wanted to leave of not! You were born to be mine! And ONLY mine!”
He turned his words into actions, sliding his hands over her breasts, drawing out a hungry groan from his throat…
Holding her breasts reverently, he smoothed his thumb over her nipples.
She began to squirm against the wall, her body desperate for more…
The tender admiration of her and his fierce words were tearing past her defences…
Arnav brushed his lips over hers in a tentative kiss, letting his tongue slip over hers as a rush of heat flooded their joined bodies…
Khushi could feel the muscles of his chest ripple…
When he pulled back, he ran his tongue down her neck and along her scar, his breath hot and moving to her ear…”You possess more power over me than anyone. Like HELL you’ll be thrown out! I’ll kill ANYONE who tries! I’ll kill anyone who even Threatens it!…”
Her deep breath was cut short when he slid two fingers back inside her, testing her walls, and finding her leaking slick, drenching her thighs…
She whimpered and hissed…
Arnav could feel how swollen and tender she was, not yet recovered from the pounding passion he had been giving her…
“Whether you’re prepared or not, what is about to happen…IS GOING TO FUCKING HAPPEN…”
Her eyes popped open and she shook her head, a weak protest to what her body was already begging for…
Arnav knew that this was going to be urgent…
Kissing her tenderly before the insanity was unleashed, he breathed over her mouth…”I love you…’love’ is a fucking insult for what I feel for you…and I’m going to prove to you once more, just how much I OWN YOU!”
Slowly withdrawing his hand, he hitched one of her legs on his hips, quickly grabing the other as his cock was now pointed at her core…
His eyes were slits, his upper lip lifted in a snarl of arousal as he slid inside her body, his eyes holding hers captive…
She felt scared and yet excitement thrummed through her blood…
His expression was feral because his love was wild and insane…
Khushi saw the warrior in him…
His shoulders were broad and carved with muscles, angling down along thick arms that held her immobile…
There was no way to discount his fierceness for once second.
He looked ready to fight and conquer her.
And she knew her warrior was murderous, capable of killing, and WILLING to do whatever it took to keep their lives safe…
Her body was supported by his infinite strength, with her arms around his neck, the hard wall at her back…
Held suspended on his long and thick arousal, she was now losing focus, her body writhing and wishing and begging him to move…
“…Please…pl…ple…please…move…move in…inside…me…please…”
He growled…”QUIET. You’re at MY mercy…Khushi…”
But Khushi’s senses now wanted him so badly that she tensed up, her sex clenching around him…
Tears were now spilling out, “Pl…please…”
He shook his head…”Say my name…”
“Pl…please…” the stream of tears now flowed down her neck and over her breasts…
“…say… my… name…” he demanded again while holding on tightly, letting his immense girth burn her stretching sex…
“Ar…Arnav…”
Grasping her shoulders, he pulled out and wrenched her back down onto his phallus…deep and fast.
She gasped and winced from shock and a pinch of pain…and he growled with passionate approval…
Khushi rocked her hips, the only small movement she could make..
“Look at me! Who is inside you…?”
Her unfocused gaze was on his as he gripped her hips and pushed her down harder.
“And WHO am I!?”
Her keening soft sobs were undoing him…
“Arnav…”
His dark eyes burned…
Slowly, achingly, he pulled back, and plunged in to the hilt…
They both moaned at the complete intimate contact…
She was now impaled on his body, and yet yearning for more…
“Please…Arnav…don’t let me back away…I’m scared…I’m more scared than I’ve ever been…I can’t lose you…”
With a pained groan, the beast broke free…
He shoved her harder against the wall and rammed inside her.
Her body was held still, pinned by his, her jaw dropping on a silent unending cry of painful pleasure…
His flesh moved inside her, invading her, hurting her in the most pleasureable way, and he heard her voice grow bolder…
“M…more…more…Don’t stop!”
The emptiness that kept resurfacing from her fears and nightmares was fading away…
And all from this desire…
From this obsession…
From this domination…
It was consuming them both.
Tendrils of ecstasy threaded through the roughess, teasing her orgasm, drawing it out until she wept with needing it…
“Arnav…Arnav…”
His name was now a chant, and his soul heard it…
Spearing her core, his breath hissed through his teeth as he could feel her contractions…
Thrusts were fast…hard…the room filling with the loud slaps of her skin against his, of her cries becoming part of him…
His penetrations were brutal and relentless, and her dripping sex was clenching around him, squeezing as she could no longer control her body’s reactions.
“Let go…I have you…Let go…”he whispered, and she couldn’t hold it together anymore…
She broke apart…
Fell into pieces, awash in a sea of mind shattering senses…just bliss…
“Fuck…beautiful…so beautiful…”
He wedged himself deep inside her, bucking his hips against her, hitting the flood that was pouring out of her…
As her body shook and tremored, she tried to speak…”I…I love…love y-“
Rearing back, he slammed inside her before her orgasm finished and she screamed…
He thrust inside again and again, not letting her relax or adjust to his enduring fullness, forcing her muscles to open up to him once more…
Harder and deeper until she clenched around him again, her orgasm dripping over him and down her legs…
Her body was contracting so tight, begging for a reprieve, but he wasn’t about to allow that…
Grasping her hair with one hand, he pushed his other free hand between their bodies and found her clitoris, drowning the pulsing bud with her juices, circling torturously slow…
Sobbing in his embrace, her hands were damp with her own desire, clinging to his neck, his shoulders, his hair, whatever she could reach…which wasn’t much as his body controlled their rhythm…
He wanted to give her gentleness, and he would, but right now, there was NONE LEFT.
The pounding, the circling, and the endless friction didn’t let up…
His mouth attached to hers, sucking, brushing, tasting deeply, leaving her lips puffy and red…
He wanted his mark on every part of her, so she knew she was his…
When he pulled back, she was murmuring with aroused madness…
He groaned against her forehead…
Still holding her steady, with his hand tangled in her hair, his fingers still circling her clitoris in time with the pulse of her core around his erection, he commanded…”Come.”
Her womb was already in a constant state of orgasm, and she recoiled…”I…I ca…can’t…”
Not allowing her ANY control, he roared…”COME NOW!”
He hammered inside her, his fingers pinching her hard erect bud and she came with a hoarse scream…
Her channel squeezed him tight, constricting his penetrations, but he was unwilling to ease off…
His own body almost climaxed but he clenched his teeth…
“AGAIN!” he demanded…
Heaving in air, she mewled…”No more…No…”
He could feel her inner muscles still rippling around him, her last climax hardly faded…
Moving his hand away from her clitoris, he spun and dropped their joined bodies to the bed, his hands now framing her face as he penetrated her long and deep, keeping her inner core spasming, “You belong to me…I’m not asking…I’m ORDERING YOU!
Khushi might have cried out his name, but the howling sound she screamed muffled in his ears as her body obeyed instantly what he had ordered…
She shook maniacally beneath him while her sex tightened painfully around his phallus…
And his wife threw his control over the edge…
His vision went white, his body rigid.
Arnav froze on a choked cry as he climaxed in a moment of blinding ecstasy and wild need, and the knowledge that he would never survive without her…
He shut his eyes tightly and placed hot, open mouthed kisses on every part of her skin he could find while his body shuddered, pouring his seed into her…
“Fuck. God help you…the obsession I have for you just tripled…I will NEVER back away…I will NEVER let you go…I will make you question my sanity, but NEVER question my love for you…”
The twitch of his cock within the swollen tissue of her sex, and his aggressive powerful declaration purged another rush of liquid from within her and she screamed out a stuttered cry, tightening around him again, wrenching another howl of pride and possession from his chest…
“Oh fuck, yessss.“
He groaned against her skin, breathing her in while he ground her body down against his pulsing erection…
Even though his body was in the throes of climax, his arms held her tirelessly close…
“With me…I’ve got you my love…”
He was driven to possess her, hold her as though she might slip away if she weren’t clenched tightly enough…
And he had managed to bind her to him in a way that neither of them could ever break loose…
Her contracting channel was still tightening around his flesh, her hips spasming, rocking gently, wringing the final spurts of semen from his length…
Holding her in the aftermath, their sensitised flesh pulsing against the other, his breath was hot on her face as he spoke…”You…you have saved my life Khushi…without you, my heart would have shrivelled…I KNOW this…You have saved me…”
Her voice was still raspy and eyes unfocused as she whispered…”Arnav…I…I love you-“
She couldn’t finish as exhaustion was now taking over her entire being…
Arnav curled her into his body and drew the blanket over…”Khushi…sleep my princess…and don’t ever dare ask if I’m leaving, because the answer is NEVER…I’m here my love…my eternal love…”
………
“They’re what!?”
The older man nodded, “The prince killed Evan, and Lavanaya is dying a slow painful death…if she survives the night, it will be a miracle…”
The middle aged woman was turning red with rage…”If he thinks he can take her, then I will take what is most precious to him…”
Eternal Love Part 1 ~ Sequel to My Life For Your Love
~ETERNAL LOVE~
Sequel to My Life For Your Love
The last few days had tired the Princess out.
The relaxing trip promised by the King’s brother, the duke and duchess from the northern kingdom, had surprisingly turned into an exhausting and tense few days.
The locals from the new town were thrilled to welcome the royals and had insisted on throwing them a feast on their last day as a show of gratitude.
Arnav had been against it at first, but had finally yielded under his Aunt and Uncle’s enthusiasm.
Then there was his mother, who was desperate for a chance to celebrate with her sister in law…
And Khushi…
His wife was a gem who held love and generosity towards everyone…
But she had simply been excited to spend an enjoyable evening in good company…and be in the passionate arms of her husband…
The Kingdom they were now in was full of kind and welcoming people.
They had travelled to the surrounding towns to visit and taste many foods, attend festivals, and take in the scenery…
Arnav knew his parents needed a break, and he also knew Khushi had been looking forward to this getaway.
He had made promises of romance, happiness and relaxation…
But those promises to her were shattered when the weight of constant danger shredded all hope of remaining calm…
And it happened on day one of their holiday…
Day 1.
Arnav began to hyperventillate…“What?! What do you mean he isn’t in his cell?!”
The sentry had ridden for a day, without fail, to deliver the disturbing news…
“The prisoner Nate Patel, still legally a baron as his brother has taken over his castle, is nowhere to be found…I was made aware of the situation that once happened upon Her Highness the Princess and I knew you needed to be told immediately.”
Arnav was close to exploding…
His anger almost a living thing taking over the air in the room…
The King placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and nodded to the guard, “What dedication to the Prince and Princess…You will be greatly rewarded. Please inform our chief of security to alert extra guards for Princess Khushi…”
The sentry saluted and rushed out.
“Son?” The king walked closer…
“Not even one fucking day into this holiday and…and this!?”
The king covered his ears, “Arnav! I don’t want to go deaf before my time! Listen! She is well protected here! Plus we have the added advantage of being in a different kingdom. If, and I mean if he were after Khushi, he would still be on his way…”
Arnav’s neck stiffened…”Alright…” he turned slowly…”That’s a good point…but Father, I’ll do whatever I have to to keep her safe…”
The King smirked, “I am well aware of this…” he began to chuckle…”My son the martyr who was ready to die for a woman…I never thought I’d see the day! Good thing I drilled the fear of that law into you…”
Arnav’s angry shield cracked and he finally grinned…”Yeah I still am quite aghast as to how well you fooled me…and how well my wife broke me…”
“Ugh…women…” the king leaned against the brick wall…”I swear, if it was anything like what happened to me, then I do completely understand. Because I was thriving mad at losing my damn control…”
Giving a light laugh, Arnav said, “oohhh yeah…”
A hard knock on the door interrupted again…
“Enter.”
The guard reentered, “Sire, Extra security has been initiated, and all defence protocol systems are in place.”
Arnav nodded, “Good. Make sure you are all constantly alert, and if anything is discovered, I want to know. My wife’s safety is literally all you all need to remember…”
“Yes Sir.”
And the Sentry left.
Arnav punched the wall…”Fucking shit…”
“Whoa! Arnav!” the King tried to get his attention…”All is in place! She will be fine son!”
Swinging around, Arnav felt tears sting even as his fury rose higher, “It’s only been 18 months! She’s only just starting to relax after an entire childhood and and life of being a poor degraded servant…Why now!?”
Arnav’s temper had now crossed a line, as his voice turned cold. “I am taking control of this.”
The King crossed his arms, “Ok…I know you. Don’t start to let your anger get the better of you. We don’t know for sure yet if this man is after Khushi, and if and when we do, she is protected. So calm yourself down.”
Taking a deep breath, Arnav merely nodded, but his jaw was ticking…”I’ll be calm…But what I said stands…I am taking control…I need to be alert. We are here for two more days…and this is now my fight.”
The King even felt wary of Arnav’s tone…”Son, she will be alrigh-“
“Fucking right she will.” he boomed out, “I am now going to my post…”
Rolling his eyes, he knew his son was now set on his decision…”Son, I respect and even admire the lengths you’re going to, but at least tell Khushi the reason for your change in attitude…Trust me, ” he took a deep sigh…”women will notice…”
He grumbled, “She can notice all she wants…I need her safe…and two days of her attitude is a small price to pay for her protection.”
…………..
“Just give him some breathing room…” the queen said reassuringly, “I have no idea why my husband and your husband have been brooding angry dictators these past few days…”
Khushi held her mother in law’s hand…”I am sorry…I truly don’t even know what I have done to upset him so…”
Taking Khushi’s arm, she pulled her to sit in front of the mirror, “Don’t say that. You have nothing to apologise for. I don’t know what they are planning, but I do know this, that you are not to blame…now…” the queen smiled, “Tonight last night here, and we are going to get swept away in the excitement of the preparations.”
Khushi’s lips finally morphed into a beaming grin, “I would love that…”
“Good! Because you’re going to love what the Duchess has planned!”
And Khushi certainly indulged in all of the girly afternoon festivities…
The decadent relaxing bath before perusing the wardrobe put at her disposal, running her fingers overs the silky material of the clothes worn by the royal women.
She finally settled on a beautiful green dress that molded her curves perfectly and that tied at her neck, leaving her shoulders and most of her back bare.
“Oh Arnav won’t like this…” she smiled deviously…
After two days of being ignored, she was going to get his attention the only way she knew how…
With ‘barely there’ makeup carefully applied and her hair loosely waving, she had felt ready for a fantastic final night.
She smiled, “Ok my prince, this evening will be magical, and will fix everything…”
Little did she know, the night was about to blow sky high…
………………
Khushi tried to keep up.
Out of breath, she panted as she tried to jerk away from the fingers that clutched hers…
But the hold on her hand was tight and unyielding.
She could do nothing but follow.
Finally, Khushi was dragged around the corner of the hallway and basically thrown into the room she had spent the previous nights in…
The sound of the door slamming behind her only made her jaw clench tighter as she spun around.
Khushi turned just in time to see the prowling figure of her husband.
Her hair flew around her shoulders, her eyes blazing, and a fiery temper finally broke loose…
Arnav could feel his self control slipping…
His need for her was flaming to life, demanding not to be ignored…
“What is your problem?!” she yelled emphatically, her question riding a ragged exhale…
Arnav was now sitting down on a chair in a corner of the room, arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he warred with his own rationality on whether to stay seated, or carry her to the bed and thrust into her until she didn’t have the energy to walk again that night…
His head snapped up momentarily to the doorway from where she was glaring at him, before going back to scowling at a spot on the wall as though it had personally offended him.
“I don’t need to explain myself Khushi.” he snarled in return.
“Like hell you don’t! You were rude to everyone in there. They put this gala together to thank us! After 2 days of being a nervous angry idiot, would it kill you to at least try to be civil for an hour or two?”
She could see his entire frame coiled, almost ready to attack…
“I never asked for any bloody recognition, not in a manner so public, they just let ‘anyone’ in!” he gritted out, jaw clenched.
“Anyone!? You mean the people who have been treating us so kindly? There are guards, sentries, and staff everywhere! So I ask again…What is your problem!?”
She could see his fists tightening, gripping his suit jacket so strongly that she was sure it would rip.
He remained quiet, but his brain was overloaded…
The absence of her, and being able to touch her, was impacting him like physical pain…
“Nothing!?” she seethed…
Silence.
“Well, guess what...I don’t know why you dragged me here, but I’m going back to this party… Please do stay here, I wouldn’t want to make you suffer through all the fun people were having. So enjoy your boredom…SIR…”
Hearing that once familiar term come from her lips had him springing to his feet faster than an attacking lion.
His chair tumbled to the ground in the forcefulness of his movement.
Arnav’s hand closed around her wrist as he expertly twisted it behind her back and moved her back a long stride…”You call me that again…and you’ll be reminded of all the ways I am your husband until you pass out on that bed behind you.”
Khushi felt herself grow wet as her hunger for him ignited fiercely…
But instead of taking it further, he instantly released her, as the heat of her skin was branding itself into his blood, making him forget every reason he was avoiding her…
Feeling tossed aside, her hands curled into fists as she glared…
For a moment she thought he was going to realize his need for her, but seeing him back away infuriated her…
“Move.” she ordered him in a low tone…
“You are not leaving this room…” his voice held intense warning…
“Oh yes I am!” she snapped…
He strode forwards, eyes resolutely ignoring her, successfully pushing her further back into the room…”If you think that I don’t have ways of restraining you, you can guess again…”
Khushi almost laughed nervously as her brittle words cut into him…”Your caveman antics may have secured me as your wife, but why are you doing this now!? I don’t know what is going on!”
Arnav could see his wife getting angrier by the second, and she tried to side step to pass by him.
Taking a large stride to cross the threshold, he grabbed the door handle and locked it before leaning against it, arms crossed.
“What the hell has gotten into you! You are basically holding me prisoner!” she screamed…
At the mention of the word Prisoner, Arnav froze…
His gaze finally snapped up to look her in the eye.
He had his best glare directed at her, the one she had seen many men cower under.
And it almost worked on her but she was growing too agitated to stop her own feelings…
“Arnav… get out of my way,” she growled.
Loving her defiance, he felt his body quicken, but needing her safety, he roared… “No!”
“Arnav! Let me out!”
He took a breath, “No.” he repeated steadily…“If you want to get past me, you’ll have to shove me away yourself, and you know you damn well can’t do that.”
Her sobriety disappeared and anger raged through her as she lifted her hand and slapped him hard across the face…
Paling rapidly, her hand covered her open mouth as she backed away, her heart hammering inside her chest…
To her surprise, Arnav’s eyes lit up as he gave her an easy smile as he stalked towards her…
The fact that she thought that her husband, the most ruthless and well trained warrior ever bred would be put off by a mere touch like that was laughable.
But the look of terror in her eyes made his amusement fade instantly…
“I…I’m sorry…” she rasped out…”Forgive me…
Her voice sounded so small and haunted, so full of anxiety that it nearly killed him…
He took a step forwards and she recoiled immediately.
Arnav’s heart fractured seeing her fear of him…
“…I’m sorr-”
She never got to complete her sentence because his arm shot out and slid behind her back, hauling her into him before she could even think of protesting.
Khushi’s body slammed against him so hard that her breath was knocked from her lungs…
Her words were instantly swallowed up as his lips crashed down on hers.
This wasn’t a soft kiss, but intense, furious, his lips hard and desperate against hers…
It became a battle, their mouths fighting for ground, warring for control.
Gripping her ferociously, his words were a command through his open gasping mouth…”Don’t you ever think I would hurt you…”
Arnav released her, but only for a milisecond, as he hauled her roughly against him, and in two strides he had her pinned against the wall…
Instantaneously, her legs went up around him, her dress bunching up around her thighs, and her arms re-circling his neck to steady herself…
Khushi forgot everything and kissed him back with everything she had…
The kiss turned wild as anger and fear fled…
She wound her arms around him, clutching the back of his jacket, her nails raking against the fabric.
Suddenly a loud knocking tore them apart…
He held her tight, his body standing at attention, primed to attack any possible onslaught…
Khushi’s heart kicked into high gear…
She threaded her fingers through his hair and felt his constraint soften slightly …”It’s just the guard…”
“Sir? I heard banging is everything alright? We are still trying to locate the Bar-“
“Not one more word!” Arnav boomed out from the room…
He didn’t want Khushi to know anything about the threat she was under…
The guard went silent.
“Continue with your orders, we are safe in here.”
Khushi was still staring into his eyes, her breaths coming too fast and her heart pounding hard against her ribs…
And then Arnav was looking back at her, his eyes half lidded and filled with desire and uneasiness…
“Arnav, please…talk to me…”
At her words, he leaned closer, so she was pressed even more firmly against the wall…
His mouth dropped to her neck, his lips pressing soft kisses to the sensitive skin there…”I love you…I need you safe…”
“Arnav, please tell me what’s going on…”
Khushi’s voice was weakened, her body betraying her, arching to get closer…
“I…I can’t let anything happen to her…I can’t…” his mind raged over and over…
“Arnav…it’s alright, we can talk about this later…Why don’t we go back to the party-”
His heart was racing as he interrupted her…”No… You’re not leaving this room.”
Stung by his insistence on her remaining here, and his unwillingness to explain, she tried to pull back but had nowhere to go…
“But-”
His pelvis propelled into hers…”You aren’t leaving this room.”
“What’s wrong with you!? You won’t explain! You won’t let me leave! You won’t open up to me! Do I mean nothing?! Do you care that little!?”
Her words tore at his heart and the last of his self control…
His head lifted slowly from her neck until his blazing eyes trapped hers…
Leaning in even closer, which she didn’t think was possible but somehow he managed, she felt his strong hard body press hard against her…
His expression was now contorting to a scowl that shook her…
An angry sound rattled at the back of his throat…
Khushi swallowed hard, suddenly regretting her words…
His voice was low and alarming as he said, “…for a second there… it sounded like you said that you meant ‘nothing’ to me…that I cared little for you…”
“Ar…Arnav…I didn’t mean it like that…I just…”
“Khushi…” he said menacingly…
She could see him trying like mad to keep his anger under control…
Her eyes flashed with a mixture of hunger, apprehension and fear…
She took a deep breath and tried to reason with him…”Arnav…I have left you and the King to your business…for two entire days…I haven’t disturbed you… I recall you mentioning a relaxing romantic holiday, but I’ve hardly seen you! Except for meals and social visits and even then your mind was elsewhere…”
Arnav heard her saddness, making his soul instantly shrivel…
Any pain of hers was felt intensely by himself…
His silence was intimidating her…
She knew how much power her husband had…
“Now…” she continued carefully…”As far as I know, we were all having a good time, even you…I think… I saw you with that scientific advisor, talking together. You hadn’t let my hand go all night…we danced…I finally felt close to you…then as the orchestra began to play the next song your eyes changed…they flashed so bright I had to blink…you looked like you’d seen a ghost, pulling me close and taking me from the room screaming and yelling obscenities at everyone in our way…So…please…please tell me what the hell happened?”
His throat did and angry growl again…
Running her fingers through his hair, trying to soothe him, she asked again…”Please?”
“…you saw my eyes…”
Khushi barely heard him…
She was about to respond when he yelled…”You saw my eyes! Why didn’t you see my instant need to protect you then?!”
He snapped his mouth closed, as though he hadn’t meant to say what he had, but it was too late.
Khushi’s eyes widened in understanding before narrowing back at him.
“Protect me? From what?”
Berating himself inwardly, he tried to back track…”This is not your concern…”
“What…what aren’t you telling me…?”
“Khushi…” his tone sounded plagued…
“Arnav! You will tell me now! Or is this just a game to you?!” she yelled as she tried to push him away…
“Game?!” He wanted to yell…”Damn it Khushi, I’m not playing fucking games with you…” his voice was now holding a dangerous edge…”I’ve been through this with you before, and I have to stop it…”
“…stop what?!”
Arnav was silent again, the muscle in his cheek jumping showing how livid he was…
“…Arnav…”
Nothing.
His silence did it.
She lost it.
Now animalistic, Khushi began to push, her legs dropping to the ground as she tried with all her might to get free…
She smacked her palms against his shoulders but her moves were ineffectual.
She struggled to get away from him, but it wasn’t happening, no matter how hard she tried…
Finally her fight dwindled and she sagged against the wall…”I’m your wife…and I’ll say it again…Do I mean so little that you can’t open up to me anymore?”
All she heard was a snarl, and then fury like she’d never heard before laced his voice as he spoke…
“You…my wife…have the gall to say you mean so little?! After I endure days of sheer fucking panic about your safety!? After finding out the baron escaped!?” he shook her…”After spending that first night outside our room on constant alert!? After finding out the fucking baron was after you!?’
His voice was now choked up…”After finding out he might be here tonight with the entire kingdom showing up!? Allowing anyone in?! I have hardly slept! I’ve been losing my mind not being near you! Not being able to touch you! But I needed to secure your safety!”
Khushi’s face turned ashen as the reality of his words sunk in…
She was now well and truly scared.
Every muscle in her body had locked into place with tension and fear.
“No Khushi, I made a vow to you, that you are protected by me…” His unblinking eyes cut into her in an unrelenting stare that sent shivers down her spine…”This is why you are safe right now…because I have spent every bloody moment making sure that you are protected…that nothing happens to you…”
Arnav’s gaze was molten lava, burning into hers…
But her next words were now cranking up the live electric moment…
“All this time!? All these nights!? You were standing guard outside this door?!”
He stiffened…”Yes.”
“There are a million guards Arnav! You couldn’t come through the damn door to be with your wife?!?”
“Khushi,” he snarled as his fingers dug into her waist…”I wanted to…my God I wanted to…but I did what I had to-”
She shoved at his chest…“Oh screw it with your excuses, will you! I wouldn’t have been scared! I trust you! And you know what!? You can’t prevent everything! You can’t stop things from happening!”
“I can fucking try!” he boomed at her…
Not even flinching, she said, “I know that you would do anything to keep me safe!”
“Damn Right I would!”
“So if anything happened, I wouldn’t blame you! I know you would save me!”
He grew primal…”I would tear the world apart to save you!”
With a desolate cry of frustration and anguish, she began to tear up…”God…I…I can’t take this…I have been crazed for you…I have been wondering what I did wrong…and I…I can’t take it anymore!”
His chest flared with pain hearing her sadness, “Khushi…”
“Don’t…” she keened as she tried to breathe… “please…no more…”
The words caught in her throat as she looked up at him.
His dark eyes locked on hers, intense, piercing.
Her thoughts stuttered to a halt as the hand that was tangled in her hair held her hard…
Their eyes locked for a moment more, and then his mouth was covering hers with a brutal kiss, her protests and sadness falling away as she returned his passion, their tongues clashing in a heated battle…
Khushi moaned at the sensations, her hands reaching around him to grasp the back of his coat.
He pulled away swiftly and rested his forehead against hers.
“Khushi,” he said hoarsely, “I have been going insane without you…”
She mewled, partly at the loss of contact and partly in frustration at his words, and moved forwards to capture his lips again.
“Shut up,” she whispered as she moved her mouth over his.
Craving more contact, she pressed closer to him, a wave of heat washing over her as she felt something hard push against her lower body…undeniable proof that he was desperate for her…
He groaned and attached his lips against hers once more, finally kissing her with all the obsession he had held restrained before.
Wetness pooled quickly between her legs as she started grinding against him, unable to help herself.
He growled in response.
“Arnav…please…I’m safe…I’m with you…please…” she pleaded over his lips.
With some effort, he tore his mouth away from hers and tilted her head up, eyes locking on hers.
A thrill went through her at the sight of him… ruffled, lips red and glistening, eyes dark and clearly full of want.
Her husband was beautiful and dangerous.
She whimpered as she tried to reach for him again, but he kept her resolutely at bay.
“Listen carefully…” he panted. “I have been mindless with need for you…but I had to make sure you were protected…damn it I can’t lose you…I can’t lose you…”
“But you won’t…”
Arnav shook her…”Khushi are you so blind as to dismiss an actual threat to our lives together!? This bastard wants to take you!”
“Take me …?”
“Yes!”
“I…” she whimpered as tears began to fall over her cheeks…”I didn’t…”
He didn’t look away, his gaze searing into hers…
His expression was serious as he said, “You belong to me, you are protected by me…”
And before she could reply, he dipped his head and kissed her like the rest of the world could burn, because all that mattered was her…
Their torsos were crushed to each other, their lips pressed close, open mouths mingling, and their bodies entwined in a hold so tight that they couldn’t break free even if they wanted to…
He opened her lips with his, demanding entrance for his tongue, and then he made love to her mouth…
He sucked the breath from her like he needed the very air she breathed in order to survive, until she turned limp in his hands…
The power shifted and Khushi leaned into him, submitting like he needed her to, and only then did he let her mouth go.
Pulling the tied halter behind her neck, he yanked away her dress…
Her hands were already at his belt buckle and they wrestled to undress each other as fast as they could…
The second their bare bodies touched, Arnav held her close, lifting a hand to hold her cheek…
She flushed a dark shade of red…
He wanted to rid her of the tears, of the pain in her heart, make her forget every horrible thing that had ever happened to her…
But as he was thinking, Khushi sprung to life…
Pushing his shoulders, she harshly shoved him onto the bed…
Taken aback momentarily, his erection hardened painfully as she straddled him…
The scent of her arousal hit his senses, sending a sharp blast to his groin, and he quickly grabbed her thighs and pulled her naked body upwards to get her dripping core exactly where he wanted it…his mouth…
He wanted to go slow, but he hadn’t bet on the depth of his need or his longing for his brave beautiful princess…
He craved her.
He wanted to devour every inch of her…
Twining his arms around her legs, he held her down and inhaled her feminine scent…
Her unique skin chemistry made her smell like honeysuckle and jasmine and desire…
Opening his mouth over her sex, he sucked softly…
She cried out, moving her hips forward, urging him to take more…
He flicked his tongue out to taste her.
She was dripping honey for him, and he was primative for it…
He lapped it up, licked her inside and out…
Her whimpers turned into moans, the soft gasps driving him crazy as he made love to her with his mouth…
He pushed his tongue into her with firm, deep thrusts, and felt her body shake as he alternated that with moving up to suck on her clitoris…
Gripping her hips, he kept her steady, because her body was shaking at the inteseness of his caresses…but that was his cue to make it even harder…
Keeping one hand on her hip, holding her firmly in place, he used the other hand to open her engorged folds…
She tried to move away, but he easily kept her in place as two long fingers slipped inside her…
Khushi arched her back as he started moving…
Her eyes were closed as she bit her lip, her hands now clenched on his shoulders…
The tension grew, her desire bolstering quickly through her veins…
“…M…More…More!” she begged, her breath catching…
He pushed his fingers deeper and she moaned louder…
She was soaked and slick, her sheath hot around his fingers as he curled in and out…
“Ar…Arnav…I can feel it…”
But the moment she spoke, he pulled out his fingers and spun her off him, pushing her down hard into the bed…
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he pressed his hard throbbing phallus at her entrance…
His balls were so tight, shrinking higher with the need to burst…
Her eyes were wide open as he replaced his hands on her hips…
“That’s it sweetheart…look at me…”
He breathed harshly, trying to move slowly and not slam up like he wanted…
Moving his hands to her breasts, he felt how soft they were beneath his palms…
Her over sensitised nipples were pulsing…
“Ar…Arnav…ple…please…faster…please…”
She was fretting and at the point of begging…
“I love how desperate you are for me…”
He moved painfully slow, working himself into her, sliding out an inch, and then pushing in a bit more…
By the time he was deep enough to touch her womb, she was sweating and shaking…
Her hands clutching to his forearms…
And he knew he couldn’t hold back any longer…
Lifting her hips, he slid almost all the way out before pushing back in hard.
He clenched his jaw and repeated…
He looked to where their bodies were joined.
He was stretching his wife, her beautiful sex…
“…m…mo…more…” her voice was barely there…
And he broke.
Leaning into her, he braced her waist with one hand, and he took one of her nipples into his mouth and rammed her…
Faster and faster…
He angled himself, deepening the penetration, and sucked her other nipple, biting gently, tongue flicking…
Her panting gasps filled the air…
“oohhh God…” they screamed in unison
Her channel fluttered and she contracted hard, letting go of her worry and flying to the heavens with pleasure, her sheath milking his long erection as it spurted over and over into her shaking body…
“God she’s beautiful when she climaxes…”
Wrapping his heavy arms around her, he ran his fingers over her silky skin…
He traced over her arms, her waist, her neck…
Shivers ran over her body as she broke out in goosebumps…
“I missed you-”
“So much…” he completed her sentence…”So damn much…”
And his lips brushed soft kisses over her face…
“Can we just stay like this forever?” she whispered…
Arnav smiled, “If only, my princess…But we need to talk…”
She stilled…
He held her tenderly as he withdrew his softening length…
Arnav could feel her soft sigh of protest against his lips…
“Just hear me out sweetheart…”
“Arnav, I’m now exhausted, and too tired to fight you…I can only now beg, please tell m-”
He muffled her words with a hard kiss…
Once he pulled back he felt his loins stir again…
“I’m about to tell you Khushi…Just listen…”
Rolling his upper body off, he kept his arm fastened around her…
“The night we arrived, the first night, I had one of my men arrive to tell me that the baron wasn’t in his cell…”
He was thankful she was quiet, as he didn’t know how much strength he’d have if she began to cry…
“I’ll admit to not handling that news too well…but my father was with me and tried to reassure me…first thing I did was to tighten security…and I withdrew to the lower barracks and briefed all my men, and my uncles men as to who to look out for.”
Her lips parted, but she only did a small yawn, making him smile and kiss her forehead…
“I stood guard outside your room…when I had someone relieve my post, I napped in the chair, but didn’t leave…”
Khushi frowned…”Arnav…why did you do this, there were guar-”
“Because I had to…I had to be the one to guard you…I have guarded the castle, the kingdom, the fucking army and I was damn well going to guard you!”
Her hand was resting on his chest, heating his skin like wildfire…
“So…” she began cautiously…
“Go on sweetheart…”
“So how did you find out for sure?”
Arnav blinked long and hard and let out a sigh that held pain…”Last night…with the preparations for the party tonight, I was told that the castle would be accessible to all who were in this region…I was furious…but you and my mum…” he rubbed his forehead…”You were both so excited and…dad said the whole castle would be heavily secured…so I send out scouts to monitor all who entered the local towns and surrounding cities…”
“mmm…” she murmured, encouraging him to continue…
“Khushi…He had already entered…he’s here…in this kingdom…I don’t know where, but people had seen him…he had asked if we were here…asked when the final party was…asked if people had seen you…”
He drew her closer as his next words shook him to the core…”And he asked of hiding areas, and for supplies to help with an abduction…”
His fear for her was so strong that she could feel it…
“Arnav, I’m here…I’m safe…”
“Yes…Yes you are! Because on all those ‘visits’ to the locals, I was on full alert…”
Khushi snorted, “No wonder you looked so absentminded…”
“Absentminded!?” he growled…
“No…” her voice stuttered…”No I meant…”
He swooped in and kissed her and spoke against her lips…”I know what you meant my love…”
“So …” she hesitated…”You saw him tonight?”
Arnav’s eyes lurched…
Her breathing picked up….
“No no sweetheart, you were always with me…I was making sure of that…but yes…I’m sure I saw him…and as soon as I motioned my men to take him, he fucking disappeared…”
He let out an exasperated moan…
Moving her body closer, she ground against him…”I’m here…and we go home tomorrow morning…”
“Damn right we do…I’ve nearly lost my mind here…I need to get you home, in our room, in our bed…and you aren’t going to leave till he’s back in prison…”
“Arnav! I’m safe in the castle! For goodness sake that man is probably losing interest in me as we speak!”
His body was tensing more and more…”Losing interest!? You’re the most beautiful, most alluring woman this land has ever known! I know what I have with you! And I’m going to protect it with my life!”
“I will too…do you think I’ve done all I have because I merely like you?” she grinned and Arnav lifted his hand to hers that was still on his chest…
Khushi felt a twinge in her shoulder and, needing to stretch, she sat up but felt him grab her upper arms and whirl her around to face him…
“What the hell!? You aren’t leaving this room Khushi! I thought I made that clear!”
She blinked at him, completely dumbfounded…”Leave!? How can I leave!”
Her sass and anger had returned with a vengance…”I’m naked! Drenched from our lovemaking…and now… utterly furious with you!”
Arnav’s eyes burned a trail over her nakedness…
Khushi felt her cheeks getting redder, hanging in the silence between them…
After nearly a minute of total quiet, Arnav swifly threw her back down and moved over her, closing most of the space between them until she was forced to look up into his eyes…
“I love you beyond what words can describe…and I’m so happy that you are willing to stand up to me…that you have a strong spirit…you’re a real pain in the ass…but my God I love you so much…”
Khushi’s lips twisted to a half smile, half pout…”So now you offend and compliment me in the same sentence?…”
His voice became gruff…”You need me to show you how much I love you again sweetheart?”
“Well, you do have two days to make up for…” her eyes were shy…
There was a short pause before his mouth stretched to a grin…
Then he was kissing her again, and there was nothing calm about it.
His arms slid around her, pulling her on top of him so she was sprawled across his chest…
Khushi wished she could sink into him and disappear…
Disappear…
“The baron is trying to take me…”
The thought startled her so much that she planted her hands on his shoulders and tried to push herself up to look at him…
But he didn’t let her.
His abs flexed as he leaned up, keeping his mouth fused to hers…
“Arnav…” she mumbled as his mouth drank from hers, ignoring her…
“Ar…Arnav I’m…”
His kisses cut off her words…
“I just…I’m…”
He only kissed her harder…
Sucking lightly on her lower lip, her thoughts grew foggy…
Her fingers were digging into his biceps when he bit down on her lip, making her mind frazzle with static.
When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with passion, darker than she’d ever seen…
They were both panting hard, their faces so close that his breath fanned against her lips…
She opened her mouth to speak but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what to say…
He stared at her for a moment, trying to read the expression on her face and whatever he saw there made him hold her tighter…”It’s alright my love, you’re safe, and yes…maybe I should have told you…but I’m far from perfect, and the first and only thing I thought of doing was protecting you…”
Leaning down, their lips touched as he spoke, she could feel each word as they rumbled through his chest and out of his mouth…
“Khushi…please know that I didn’t do any of this to hurt you…After nearly losing you that first time…I…I couldn’t see you go through that again…fuck I can’t go through that again either…”
Taking a shaky breath, she spoke quietly…”I’m…sorry for what I said…”
Stripped of patience, his voice was rough as he said, “I don’t care what you said, Enough talking!”
His mouth closed over hers again, and this time, Khushi didn’t fight it.
She let her prince kiss her, devour her, until there was nothing left in the world except their bodies, their mixed breaths, in their dark room…
Without warning, Arnav spun over her and speared his rock hard phallus into her body…
It was a shot of pure oxygen into the embers of the slow-burning passion that had been smouldering…
In that second, they were sucked into a blaze so hot they were burning up with it…
She keened loud on a harsh intake of breath…
Khushi’s hands gripped his shoulders as her legs fell open wider, her body’s plea for his total penetration…
And Arnav groaned low in his throat…
Dropping his body to hers, he shoved one arm beneath her back, and gripped her neck and hair with his other hand…
Now pressing her hard into the bed, he was a solid wall of heat, stealing the breath from inside her…
As his pelvis began to thrash against hers, she could feel her gspot filling quickly with fluid…
No longer able to process any other sensory input, Khushi gave her mind and body to her husbands passion…
Arnav’s eyes were feverish as he lowered his face to hers and kissed her with abandon…
She was starting to shake, her whole frame now out of control…
Gasping for air, she took in a deep breath as Arnav flexed his arm beneath her back…
Digging her nails into his shoulders, she pushed back into the mattress to escape the impending sensation…
“No…Khushi…I will never hurt you…your body loves this…now, look at me!”
Her glazed eyes blinked into his…
Arnav pumelled her hard, moving out, only thrusting back in deeper…
Khushi cried out with urgency…”Oh my God! Yes! Please…I need it…”
She tried to take more deep breaths, but it sounded more like she was hyperventilating…
“Close your eyes now my princess…trust me…” he whispered
And he kept his gaze fixed on her as he pulled at her back and upshot his thrust with fervor…
For a second she couldn’t utter a sound, not even a scream…
She shook as the severe sensations coiled through her…
Arnav’s length was pushed out as her channel gushed…
But Arnav didn’t give her time to focus on the harshness of her orgasm as he almost immediately slammed back inside her, igniting more jets of fluid to squirt ruthlessly around his flesh…
“Holy Shit, you feel…oh God you feel amazing…”
His head jerked back as he uttered low moans, his own breathing erratic…
The orgasms he gave her were from deep carnal pleasure, from a love so great that it overtook their hearts…
Khushi’s senses began to return and she could almost hear the blood gush in her ears…
Her cries were now echoing around him…
“Yes my sweetheart,” he hissed…
“Oh…” she ground out…”It’s…Arnav… coming…again…”
She was falling deep into an inferno of pleasure that was nearly burning her alive…
Every penetration was as though he was touching her very soul…
It was building inside her…
He could feel it…
She was breathing so acutely…
Her inner muscles were fluttering hard, coming back to life with a new sensitivity…
“Oh…no…I can’t-” her eyes widened at the intensity…
Gripping her face, he commanded her stare…”You think you have a choice?…”
His words sucked her further under as she realized this time was going to be even harder that the first…
“Ar…Arnav…” her voice filled with fear…
“I’ve got you sweetheart…Always…no matter what…you are mine…”
His expression shifted from tender concern to one of male possession, of a predator ready to tear apart the world to keep her safe…
This raw hunter part of her husband only came to the surface when his world was threatened…
And Khushi was his world…
He could feel her muscles tense in preparation for this explosion…
Arnav grounded out…”mine!” as he finally let go of his restraint…
He moved deep…so fast…making love to her so insanely that he had to hold her tighter to keep her body in place…
She saw it in his eyes, his release stretching…
stretching…
His jaw muscles bunched as he kept his arm continually flexed under her…
And it happened…
Khushi’s mouth opened , and she convulsed with a deafening howl as she orgasmed so violently that her sheath spurted out her ejaculate incessantly…
Arnav’s groan resounded around them as her body contracted forcefully hard…
He continued to penetrate her with the last of his strength.
And his phallus jerked with spasms of ecstasy that shook him harder than ever…
Heaving for breath, he felt his scrotum tighten as semen shot out of his penis faster than a bullet…
“Oh Godddd…” he moaned over and over…
Flooding her channel with his semen, he pressed as deep inside her as he could go…
His senses were completely scrambled…
As he came back to reality, his thoughts were reprimanding himself…
“Fuckkk…Get yourself back under control….be alert!”
He saw that she was now passed out beneath him…
“Damn…I’ve never…” he tried to catch his breath as he withdrew the arm he had tucked beneath her and held her face gently, kissing her lips gently…”I’ve never lost so much control in my life…”
Arnav tried to pull out slowly, but her muscles were still quivering with the after shocks of her pleasure…
Posession filled him anew…
Knowing how heavy he was, he turned, bringing Khushi’s body with him…
He remained inside her…
“Screw it, I’d rather remain buried inside you forever…My wife…” he said as he held her closer…
She shivered and he pulled the blanket over their bodies…
With a feeling of pure love, he claimed her lips, kissing her long and soft until he felt her lips part beneath his…
He pulled back and watched her beautiful face, her lidded eyes…
“Do you know how much power you have over me?”
Smoothing her black hair from her forehead, he leaned in and kissed her again…
“Do you have any idea how completely you possess me?”
Khushi smiled softly…”I love you…that’s all I know…”
Arnav swooped in fast as his mouth caressed hers long and slow…
He revelled in the way her tongue tangled with his, and imprinted her every impression in his mind…
When he finally pulled away, his expression was gentle…”Sleep well my princess, and I’m truly sorry for not telling you all this sooner, and making you miss the party…”
She weakly slapped his chest and rolled her eyes…”I don’t…don’t care about the stupid party…I…” she yawned…”I just wanted you…”
Holding her more tightly in his arms, he said, “You have me…you’re the only person to ever possess me…sleep sweetheart…we have to be up in a few hours…”
Her forehead wrinkled, “A few hours…” she yawned…
“We’re getting a head start…we will stop at the vineyard halfway to eat and drink…”
She blinked…
Arnav felt a small laugh bubble up from within him…”You’re so beautiful…”
And she drifted away to dreams…
…………..
Arnav woke up to the sight of his naked wife standing at the foot of the bed.
“Holy Shit…”
His groggy voice was now lathered with sexual intent…
Khushi smirked…”So His Highness is awake…good…You can help me pack…”
His eyes glinted, and was ready to play her game…
Throwing the covers back, he saw her pupils dilate when she caught sight of his raging erection…
His soft chuckle had her stiffen and purse her lips, as though ready to defy him…
But as he rounded the bed, he took 5 seconds to let her prepare herself, and then grabbed her hips and threw her onto the bed…
Flipping her onto her knees, he pulled her back towards the edge…
Her shreiks were thrilling him and cranking up his need…
Grabbing his penis, he brushed it against her opening…
“Take me…”
Her demand was breathy and hardened his phallus to the point of pain…
And he instantly buried himself inside her, her body tight around his…
Lowering his chest to her back, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her up so her back was pinned to his chest as he took her hard…
Breathing against her hair, he spoke close to her ear…”Goodmorning my love…”
He was grunting as he impaled her over and over…
“Goodmor-” she screamed..”More!”
He drove into her as he yanked her fiercely against him and held her still with one arm wrapped around her breasts, and the other slowly slipping downwards between her legs…
Her clitoris was slick and swollen as he teased her…
He knew her as if she were his very soul…
“Two days…two days…!” she snarled…
He smiled against her hair and bit her neck, his pace becoming punishing…
“I’ll make up for it…you have my word…”
His promise pushed her over the edge and she came undone in his arms…
“Arnav…Yes…YES!”
Her body quivered and he held her tight to his chest as his own orgasm also shot through him like a raging storm…
He stilled…
Neither of them moved as they both felt her contracting muscles, and his erection pulsing hot semen deep inside her, marking her as his once more…
Finally she took a deep breath…”Oh…my…I’ve missed you…”
Slowly pulling out of her, he turned her in his arms and cradled her close…”If you think that those two days were easy for me, you are utterly mistaken…and as for my promise…” he opened his mouth over hers, kissing her passionately…”I promise to make you orgasm so hard and so often that can’t focus without my touch…that your body is so far gone under my control that you climax when I merely speak…your…name…”
She shook with awareness…
When it came to their lovemaking, not only was Arnav dominant, which was something she loved and needed, he was also mind-blowingly, earth-shatteringly amazing…
He was sweet, considerate, and loving while still taking charge.
He had the ability to tear the clothing from her body and ravish her…
Thrust inside her till she couldn’t stand straight…
And all while proving that she was safe and loved so fiercely …
His next words had her jumping out of her thoughts…
“Didn’t you want me to help pack?”
Her lips parted in surprise…”that’s what you’re thinking about?!”
Arnav’s jaw tightened, the tension in him visible in every muscle of his body…”Not. At. All…”
And the intention in his expression was clear…
He was her Alpha, smoking hot, tall, muscular, gorgeous husband…
Leaning into her, he pressed kisses along the length of her neck, scraping his teeth over her pulse so she couldn’t help but let out a needy moan…
Pulling her close, she was pressed against his firm body, and her reaction was immediate…
She swung over him and took his massive erection into her body…
“Ohhhh damn…” he groaned…
Holding her down, he pulled away just enough to look at her, before catching her mouth in a greedy kiss that rocket right through her, her clitoris pulsing and her nipples throbbing against his chest…
Arnav didn’t think it was possible to get any harder than he already was…
When he pulled back and slammed back in, he swallowed her needy moans in a hungry kiss..
With his mouth on hers, he gripped her waist and lifted her up and down, helping her ride him…
She rocked her hips, the feel of her husband filling her becoming too much…
“…Arnav…I want to come again! Please!”
He broke away from their kiss to suck at her nipples, flicking his tongue across her nerve endings, making her back arch…
Her fingers knotted in his hair as he quickened his thrusts as she tried to keep up…
“Please…”
Arnav tightened his grip and pinned her against him to keep her from moving…
“Not yet…”
She screamed and tugged on his hair, bucking her hips in response…
He swore under his breath, her defiance nearly had him coming then and there…
Lifting her up off him, he twisted their joined bodies and dropped his weight onto her…
Holding her hands beside her head, he withdrew…
Her body shook with the knowledge of his impending penetration…
“Arnav!” she complained with fury, trying to get him back inside her…
And he thrust.
She screamed.
The determination on his face was now acute…
He slowly pulled out…
“Again…Oh my God…again…again…”
The effect she had on him was something he never thought he’d ever experience…
This woman had owned him the very second he set eyes on her…
“ARNAV!!!!” she screamed as he impaled her again…
Each thrust was hard and intense, but with a long pause in between…
Arnav was struggling to hold onto any semblance of control, the energy of his own orgasm building inside him at torrid lengths…
Her frantic whimpers were echoing in the cavernous room, spurring him on…
“Fuck…I can’t do it…” he snarled…
He pounded her.
And she felt him deep inside her, and the far recesses of her soul, until there was nothing else between them but their joining of hearts…
His pace was now unstoppable as she felt the hammering force of her climax about to burst…
Swooping in, he pressed his open mouth to hers, “I love you Khushi, I’ll always love you……come for me…I’ve got you…you’re safe…”
And just like that, he pushed her over the edge, her orgasm crashing through her as she shattered in his arms, his name on her lips…
After another hard thrust, he exploded, shooting his seed inside his wife as he held her tightly to him, his breathing ragged and heart racing…
“I love you Arnav…you are my absolute everything…”
Realizing how true her statement was had tears spilling over her cheeks…
“Damn…don’t cry…I can’t take it…” he kissed her tears away, cradling her against him…
“I do want to say something though…”
His focus was completely on her as he nodded…”I’m sorry for bringing this problem into your li-”
“Don’t. You. Dare.”
She tried again…”But I’ve made your life so-”
Jerking her still-shuddering body closer, he glared at her…”You have made my life worth living Khushi…”
And then he kissed her so softly, she sighed…
“I can face anything, as long as I have you…”
She blushed, which seemed strange considering their amorous activity…”You will always have me…”
………………………
The land was still covered with early morning darkness…
And Arnav had an unsteady feeling inside his heart…
But they arrived at the winery and were enjoying a luxurious meal…
“Oh my I can’t eat anymore…” Khushi smiled and leaned into her husband…
Arnav’s hand held hers beneath the table, his fingers drifting lazily over hers…
“You’re a little eating machine this morning aren’t you…?” he chuckled.
Her eyes narrowed and she squeezed his hand…”Well, someone gave me a workout…didn’t he…?”
His eyes flashed with passion and he slipped his hand between her thighs, inches away from touching her sex…”Wait till we get home then…I guarantee, you’ll scream down the walls with the orgasms I’m going to give you…”
Arnav saw her lips part and face flush…
Not thinking or caring who was watching, he moved fast and kissed her, their lips brushing over and over…
The sound of someone clearing their throat made them slowly break the kiss…
And even though Arnav was entranced by her, he heard his mother start to speak…
“If you’re quite done Arnav, I believe I was talking to your wife…”
Shifting in his seat, he clicked his tongue and gave an coy smile…”we…we were…”
“I can see what you were doing…” she grinned and rolled her eyes then turned her attention back to Khushi…”So sweetie, if we both go back first, then we can get a headstart on the decorations…”
The change of subject was a relief to her rising embarassment…
“Oh that sounds wonderful…” Khushi said smiling, “I’m actually really excited! I’ve never furnished a room before…ever…”
The queen’s eyes were tender and she beamed, “I want you to choose everything! You will absolutely love this!”
Arnav felt his heart tug…
The two most important women in his life loved each other so much…
“My beautiful wife…God please don’t let anyone take her from me…”
Seeing a quick movement from the corner of his eyes, he noticed that his father was motioning to him, tilting his head in one direction…
Lifting Khushi’s hand, he kissed her fingers and leaned in to whisper against her cheek, “I’ll be right back sweetheart…”
Khushi’s blush sent electricity through his body and before he lost control, he scooted out of his chair and walked to his father…
“Do we have more information?”
The King tried to speak mid-yawn, “Well there’s only so much we can do while it’s still dark…You should have heard your mother’s complaints about getting up to early…” he chuckled, “And now look at her, happy as punch…moody woman…”
Arnav tried not to laugh, “And you say you love her?”
The King’s body hardened, “Oh you know very well how much I love your mum…Do I have to embarrass you with too much information again?”
“Ohhh Father, after this completely life-changing two years, I don’t think you could surprise me anymore…”
The King smirked…”I guess it would be amiss then to inform you that you were conceived under a table, and above it was an entire dining room full of guests?”
Arnav’s jaw dropped and his face went as red as a strawberry…”Holy Shit Dad!”
His father laughed out loud, “Okay, this isn’t what I brought you over to discuss…I managed to convince your mother to leave with Khushi in the luggage trail that departs before us, as to ward off any possible danger with attacks…”
Still shaking off how the hell his father pulled off his conception, he grunted and said, “ah…okay…well…Yeah…”
The King snapped his fingers in Arnav’s face, “Hello? I guess you’re wondering how to compete with the dining room escapade for the conception of my grandchildren?”
Arnav now burst into laughter, “Damn this is so messed up…but I will take up that challenge gladly…”
The King smirked, “Alright, back to business…so…the plan?”
“Yes…” Arnav turned serious…”Yes, I like it. Anything to ensure her safety…the sun will be up soon, so how about they start out…?”
“Good idea, I’ll give the order…will give me a chance to boss your mother around again…”
And he walked away giving a chuckle…
As they returned to their wives, Arnav still felt unsteady, sensing that something wasn’t right…
But he knew his nerves were on fire and tried to shake the feeling.
“Alright,” Khushi said with a smile…”I’ll just use the bathroom and meet you at the carriage?”
“Wonderful sweetie,” the queen said as she grabbed the kings hand…
Arnav quickly pulled Khushi’s close, “I won’t be far behind…when you get home, stay in the castle…please?”
Her hand lifted to his face, “I promise…it’s all okay Arnav…no matter what, I’m yours, and I know you will do anything to keep me safe…”
His lips crashed to hers…”You damn well remember that…”
And he watched as she disappeared into the bathroom…
The winery was now quiet, not a big surprise considering the early hour.
He waited for a moment, the feeling of unease rising, until he heard Corey, the second in command for the Army, call for him…
Taking one last look back, he marched to the guard standing at the entrance…
“Sir, something just doesn’t feel right…”
Arnav raked his hand through his hair, “Oh thank God someone else feels same…I don’t know what the hell it is, but…”
“Your right-hand man Jacob has taken some men to scout the outer parts of the land, but most have either returned to secure the castle or are standing guard out front here…”
Arnav saw how few winery staff there were around now, and looked back into the building behind him…
This winery had large wooden doors, thick dank brick walls and lower cellars…
It was as safe as could be…unless…
“Unless someone got here first…” he ground out…his fear was now torrential…”Corey, Bring the men around and remain alert…something isn’t right…”
…………….
As Khushi slightly fixed her hair in the mirror the torchlight began to flicker and her heart skipped…
Sudden fear gripped her as she heard the two outer stall doors slam open…
Instantly faced with two tall men, she tried to scream when one of them covered her mouth with a soaked cloth…
She couldn’t breathe…
Fighting against her attacker, her head was spinning as the men dragged her from the room.
The last thing she saw was her husband out front speaking to a guard, and then everything went black…
………….
Arnav hurried back to where he left Khushi…
“Khushi?” he knocked on the door but it started to swing open…
“Fuck…” he didn’t care anymore…
He barged in and hit the doors…
She was nowhere…
Before he could scream, a waiter from the upper restaurant walked past…”Your Highness?”
“My wife…have you seen her!? This is fucking important!”
“She…I saw her being taken out back, to the cellars…I assumed they were your men…”
Urgency rose drastically fast, his chest being stifled with anxiety.
He disappeared as he pushed through heavy iron doors towards the back rooms…
His heart was thundering inside him, as unadulterated panic filled his body…
Running rapidly past cases and barrels of wine, he finally saw two men standing towards the back…
“You! Have you seen-”
But his words were cut off as their arms restrained him, he instantly wanted to fight back, but knew that whoever these men where, they were going to take him to his wife…
Biting back his rage, he let the men began to tow him into the large iron room that was used for pressing the grapes…
He was able to break any hold, and was close to doing it until he heard a familiar, sick voice…
“Stop moving or you’ll watch your wife die!”
He stilled instantly…
And less than a second later, the baron appeared before him…
Arnav was now a murderous savage…
The expression bared a snarl…
The look on his face feral and eclipsed by hatred…
“Where is my wife…” his tone was icy, one that was only used when someone was about to be slaughtered…
“Oh you mean, my posession? The woman I paid for?”
The men holding the prince felt his muscles ripple and fear began to spread through them…
“WHERE IS MY WIFE…”
…….
Khushi’s head throbbed.
Her body ached as if she were sick.
She tried to focus only to have the memory of the attack slam brutally into her mind…
But a full blown shudder spasmed its way into her as she heard her husband’s commanding words…”WHERE IS MY WIFE…”
The sickening laughter that ensued only struck her with more fear as she was grabbed by the hair and neck and yanked upwards, purging a shrill scream from her throat…
Arnav’s face was now crippled with dread…”Khushi…”
Breaking the restraint of the puny men holding him back, the attackers shuddered back in fright at his body took on terrifying strength…
The Baron fumbled slightly but grabbed his knife and shove it to Khushi’s throat, “Freeze or I end her!”
Arnav skidded to a halt, as his heart felt like it would beat out of his chest seeing a knife at his wife’s throat.
His muscles rippled and jaw ticked as the baron glared…
“Got your attention then Prince?! You make a move towards her and I’ll end her so fast you won’t ever get to her in time…”
The snarls that were coming from within Arnav were inhuman…
Khushi was now shaking, moans coming out of their own volition…
“I think this one will be a good fuck…”
And he growled a sound so chilling that the men who stood behind him stared in shock…”You touch her, you lay one finger on her and I will kill you with my bare hands…”
Laughing, he regripped Khushi and dragged the dagger along her skin…”Oh you want to threaten me!?”
Arnav’s eyes were black…”No threat. Fact. You’re a dead man.”
“Well I’ve got Khushi now…” he laughed as his knife was now pressing against Khushi’s stomach…
When the baron said her name, if felt like spikes down Arnav’s spine…
Her eyes were on her husband as she finally gathered the courage to speak…”Ar..Arna-ARGGHH!”
She screamed as he dug his fingers and nails hard into her neck…
Arnav’s voice was strangled as he took a step only to stop as the Baron easily sliced the fabric of her dress with the knife…”Fucking stop!…”
The baron laughed sadistically, “Guess what your Highness!? I have what I want…This little waste of life here…” he shook Khushi who was now heaving, trying to dull the pain…
The baron began to back up, pulling Khushi along with him…”You don’t get her back this time! It’s a shame you won’t be there when I start hurting her…again…”
Arnav’s voice was now cracking as snarled and stepped forward, “Oh I’m getting her back, and I swear, if you-”
The baron lifted his dagger, “You wanna watch as I run her through!”
All color drained from his face as he was forced to remain still…
“Arnav…” she breathed
She had said his name so damn sadly that his chest blasted with pain…
The tears on her cheeks now flashed in the darkness…
“No Khushi…I’m here sweetheart…”
“Yeah well she won’t be soon…”
Arnav was shrouded with untame fury bolted across the room but halted instantly when the baron pushed the hard edge of the knife at her ribcage making her scream as a trickle of blood dropped out…
“You want me to do it!? I’ll fucking do it!”
Rage was stabbing through Arnav and it was all he could do not to barrel forwards again…
And a sinnister laugh bolstered forth…”I paid for this thing!” he shook Khushi…”And I plan on getting my money’s worth!”
Arnav was now a primal beast who was going to make this man pay…”Let me make myself clear…If you touch her, harm even a hair on her head I will butcher you so badly that no one will ever find you!”
The baron’s eyes dripped with evil as he looked to the men he had paid off…
They both drew out knives, one in each hand, and began to close in on him.
“Kill him once I’ve left…”
“No!” Khushi’s screamed piercingly…
And as his wife was hauled out the door behind them, the last thing he saw was her shattered eyes as they screamed out each other’s names…
……………
“Khushi!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
His roaring was now taking on an barbarous strength as he shoved at the men holding him…
With precise moves, he wrenched their arms away from him, hearing a snap, erasing their grip…
Blood was now roaring in his ears as he grabbed the knife from one and stabbed the man that was trying to regain control…
He then lashed out at the second man, using the same knife and planting it firmly in the bastards chest…
Their agonised screams gurgled around him as he spun around and sped out the door he’d seen his wife taken through…
The cold cellar was empty…
Running.
He couldn’t move fast enough.
When he reached the outside, he roared at the top of his lungs for the guards…
The men who had been defending the front of the building now appeared around him at a speed only an army could muster…
“He has her!! Guards!!!”
“What!? How?!”
He grabbed the sentry’s collar and roared….”The bastard has my wife! He was in the wine cellar! Find them! Now! He was just here!!!”
Men began to spread out.
“Stop every single person! Block all roads! You find her!!! They can’t be far!”
Arnav bolted to the weapons carriage and armed himself in seconds.
As far as he was concerned, they were going to fucking war.
“Son?!” The king screamed out…
He spun around, “Not now!”
“Arnav ALL the men have dispersed to find her…try to think clearl-”
Arnav grabbed his father by the collar, the first move he’d ever made on his own family…”Think clearly?! He has my wife!”
The kings guards were about to restrain the Prince when the King lifted a hand…
The King stood tall…”GO! Find her!”
And he took off…
If Khushi didn’t return, he wouldn’t either.
…………
The way Arnav screamed her name.
She felt the sound in her bones.
He pushed a knife to into her ribs, letting her feel the cold hard tip of it…
Khushi stiffened and leaned away, but he followed her with it, keeping the metal hard against her…
He had an old cart waiting outside the cellar’s outer walls…
And even paid off beggars ready to ward off the outer guards with misinformation…
She bit her tongue to fight back the tears and remained determined not to cry, needing to save her strength…
“Please be safe…my prince…”
Even though the order was to kill him, she knew her husband could handle two men…
They were nothing confronting for his abilities…
She’d known that the only reason he hadn’t broken free, was to stop damage being done to her…
She’d never seen him so defenceless…
He could make armies retreat at the mention of his name, and yet he froze when her life was threatened…
Tugged back into the moment, the baron threw her roughly towards the broken down carriage…”Get in! You move, and I’ll end you…” he lifted the long knife to her view…
Throwing two large bags of clothing over her, he warned, “You stay quiet…the Prince’s men are everywhere and I don’t want them finding you…understand?”
Her breathing hitched, but she merely nodded…
Moving in next to her, he knew he had to act fast…
He grabbed the reins and slapped the horse to a quick canter heading out the back gates meant for traders and merchandise wagons…
Khushi felt the pang of tears getting stronger…
She wanted to try and escape, but she also knew that she’d be out in the dark, where wolves were already howling…
The carriage was now moving fast…
And she tried to monitor how far they may have travelled…
But in that same moment, the speed began to faulter…
She strained to hear, but could swear that there was a new voice outside…
And all movement stopped…
They couldn’t have got very far…
Listening hard, she finally heard…
“Where are you headed?”
Arnav’s sentry had stopped them.
“Just leaving the town to make early morning deliveries…”
Silence.
“Well, I’m going to need to search…the Princess has been taken and we are searching, no exceptions.”
Laughter now ensued…
“You really think a tired worn out merchant would have time to take a princess?”
Khushi glared…
She could hear him putting on a husked voice to veil his own…
The will to make a break for it was getting stronger…
As the guard shone his fiery torch into the carriage, she prayed hard…
“…let him see me…let him see me…”
But as soon as the guard tried to move a bag of clothes, the baron withdrew his knife and ran the guard through the back leaving the blade wedged inside…
The sentry fell off the cart and flat on the dirt…
“No!” she tried to scream but it came out brokenly…
Khushi’s could faintly hear the sentry screaming out in pain as he reached for something on his belt…
A harsh bang lit up the sky with a signal flare showing their location.
“Oh no you fucking dont!” the baron yelled and began to blast the horses as they gallopped.
They started to swerve, the cart moving from side to side…
Dropping the reins, the baron used one arm to hold her down as began to hit her hard, not caring where his blows landed…
“You’re going to pay for getting me thrown in jail!!!”
Her screams were curdling the air swooping around them as she tried without any success to stop the pain that was now pulverising her…
Suddenly there is a bone-shattering jolt and everything came to a stop.
The world fragmented.
Khushi’s head had smashed against the side of the wagon…
Her ears were ringing and her eyes blurred as she tried to focus on what was happening…
The baron was slowly getting his bearings…
She tried to focus and saw that the guard behind them…was gone.
“…no…” she breathed…
Shaking his head, he let out a sinister laugh…”Oh good…”
Seeing a small abandoned stable in amongst the trees, he grabbed Khushi harshly by the wrist and began to drag her…
She squinted her eyes, her head pounding and throbbing…
Lifting her other hand, she tried to massage her temple only to feel sticky ooze…
“I’m…I’m bleeding…” she stuttered…
Shoving her into the stalls, she hit the dirty floor, rolling across the ground…
Pushing up on her shaky hands, she froze when he snarled…”Stay there bitch!”
Khushi continued to try and get up only to have the baron kick her hard in the stomach, draughting her completely as she fell.
She rolled into a ball clutching her ribcage, groaning in agony…
He backed away and lit the old torch that was hanging on the walls…
As dim light spread across the room, Khushi started to feel helpless…
“So! Lets have some fun then before the sun rises!”
Dread and fright shook her as she tried to back away, scrambling backwards……
“Why are you doing this!?! We aren’t far from where we left! You WILL be found!” her palms were now outstretched trying to ward him off…
Roughly grabbing a fistful of the material on her torso, he wrenched her up, grinning at her pained cries, and dragged her far back into the large stable room, far away from the latched door…
She sobbed as she frantically tried to push him away, all the while whispering her husband’s name…
Without warning she let out a deep groan as he belted her in the stomach once more, her ribs now radiating with pain…
“How about saying my name!?”
“NEVER!” she spat out…
Digging his fingers into jaw, he ground out, “I own you! I Paid for you, you worthless slave! Just cause the prince decided he hated me, and took you away, doesn’t change the fact that I own you!”
Even though she felt his words dragging down the self worth she had finally been feeling, she tried once more…”I am the princess! You have cannot claim any ownership on me!”
The baron grabbed the back of Khush’s head and pulled her in close, looking straight in her eyes…”I’m going to beat you… fuck you…and then tie you up like an animal and leave you to rot in the forest and be torn apart by the wild animals…”
The words struck her heart like knives were inside her…
Snarling like a rabid dog, the baron moved in to attack and try to press his mouth to hers…
Tossing her head from side to side, she desperately tried to avoid him as his bitter breath wafted over her face…
She suppressed the feeling of throwing up and fought back hard…
Her hands scratching and pushing…
Adrenalin pumping up to high levels as she became desperate for her husband, a guard, a local, anyone to rescue her…
“I get to go back to a life in prison! I lost everything! I expect to get caught! But not before I do this!”
A distorted wail broke from her throat as he tightened his hold on her jaw, pressed his pelvis against hers, and tore her bodice…
She could feel his hardening erection against her and bile rose up in her throat…
“Get off me!!!! You deserve more than prison! ARRRGH!!!””
Her body shook and she felt her strength failing as his hand closed over her the skin of her bare breast, squeezing hard, fingers burrowing in…
She tried to raise her knees to kick, but she couldn’t move…
“No! NOOO!”
Releasing her face, he pulled down the rest of the torn material and began to abuse her chest…
Squashing her breasts in his hands, he used force to purge harsh howling groans from her…
“So I finally get to see your body! You denied me, as your master, the pleasure of fucking you! So get ready to feel a world of pain!”
Her face was now drenched with tears and hope began to fade…
He could feel the sorrow in the way she began to sag…
“Figured it out servant!? I own your worthless body!”
His dirty, calloused hands and fingers were now twisting her blistering nipples until they burned…
When she felt his knees pushing her legs apart, she used the last shred of fight inside her and fought back, letting out a piercing scream that made him wince…
Tearing her clothing at every angle he could, his hands went under her dress, clutched her bare thighs and mashed their pelvises together…
The baron moaned and bucked, slamming his covered yet hard crotch into her like a depraved animal…
Khushi struggled hysterically…
“NOOO!!!” her scream was shrill…
The baron continued to use her as a sex toy as she screamed…
Bouncing against her, the material of his pants was stopping him from actual penetration…
Her breathing was close to being squelched…
The terror in her soul almost a living thing trying to break out…
“You like this don’t you! Dirty, worthless bitch!” he panted…
“ARNAV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Hearing her yell out the Prince’s name made him furious…
He pumped his hips so hard she knew her thighs were going to be bruised….
Khushi nearly threw up as he came in his pants, grunting…
She felt as if there were insects crawling all over her skin…
“Oh I needed that…” he said with dripping disdain…”Soon you can have the real thing!”
Gagging, Khushi held back the urge to puke…
But the sound of galloping hooves made the barons eyes flash with terror…
Painful relief burst inside her chest…
“Looks like we’ve been found…I will have to let others take over this task for me then…because I will have my revenge…” and he grinned as his body began to tighten once more…
He knew it was almost over.
…………
A bright shot rang out in the sky as the distress flare lit up the heavens…
“She’s not far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
He dug his heels into his horse and took off…
“I’m coming for you Khushi…I’m coming for you…”
Arnav knew his men that were spread out across the countryside would have seen and heard the same signal…
An attack army would be closing in…
“Let someone get to her…Please God let someone get to her…”
Showing no mercy to the animal beneath him, he whipped and spurred the horse on to the height of it’s speed…
Closer…
Closer…
He could see one of his officers laying on the ground and his eyes darted around, searching desperately for clues as to where he should look…
As the man saw the Prince getting closer, he tried to point the direction they had gone in…
“The army is coming! Someone will help you!!!!” he roared as he didn’t break speed galloping past in the direction he was shown…
“Faster!!! God please! Let her be alive!!!”
No sooner had his prayer left his mind, he saw the crashed cart and the horse skidded to a halt as he dismounted rapidly…
His body turned in all directions as he looked to the ground and saw the dragged footprints…
But before he could even trace the direction, he saw the faint light flickering from the old stable barn…
He was pure and manic rage.
Bolting forwards, he reached the door and pushed hard.
Nothing..
Lifting his leg, one boot crashed into the middle of the door, and as he flew in, he saw them…
“Fucking get off her!” he thundered as he ran towards them…
Laughing, the baron once again pulled the knife from his belt and held it to Khushi’s neck, “Freeze or I’ll kill her!”
If this were anyone else, he would risk it and just barge forwards, but the baron jabbed the sharp point of the knife into the skin of her neck, moving the sharp edge in a slow trail…
Khushi’s distorted scream froze him to the spot…
“Stop! Fucking stop!”
A large stream of blood was now flowing down her bare chest…
Holding the knife in place, the baron yelled…”Then back the fuck off!!!”
Arnav was defenseless at the sight of her blood…”I’m not moving…” he held up his hands and the baron withdrew the knife…
His morbid laugh crackled out…”You should have seen how hard I just dry fucked her!”
In the blink of an eye Arnav pulled his own long dagger into his grip…”I’m going to fucking end you!!!”
As Arnav was poised to throw, the Baron hauled Khushi in front of him, using her to shield himself…
“You cocksucker! I should have finished her! But here! Go ahead…throw the knife…end her for me!”
Arnav’s breath had already stopped when he saw her torn clothing and dark innumerable bruises…
But there was now a long jagged laceration along her neck…
Blood was now streaming from the gash down over her breasts…
The possession and mania he now felt was beyond anything…
“Who are you going to attack Prince!? Maybe you would like to watch this…”
Winding his other arm around Khushi’s neck, he pressed it hard to her throat, aggravating and tearing the gash even more…
She began to cough and struggle…
“N…no…h…help…Ar…Arna..v…” her cry was hoarse and gargling…
Her terror was blinding him…
It was all Arnav could see…
And yet he was powerless…
If he rushed them, the baron would kill her…
But the alternative, staying still, was Annihilating him…
He needed to act.
Khushi was clawing at the hand around her throat and the baron’s knife dropped, his free hand now joined the other…
Her mind was in a complete frenzy as the tightness around her neck felt like tendons were separating from bone…
Arnav tried to aim the knife for a throw but his wife was once again in his line of fire…
“Fucking hell! She can’t breathe!”
Arnav felt like he himself couldn’t grasp any air, his pulse resounding so loud he can’t hear his own thoughts…
“Drop your weapon and I’ll loosen my grip!!! Or I’ll end her! You’ll never get to her fast enough…” he challenged…
Arnav felt utterly defeated, something he had never experienced before…
He tried to think of any response but the pain of seeing that man choke her out slowly was too much to bear…
Dropping his knife, he saw the baron loosen his hold as his wife gasped for air…
“God…Khushi slow breaths…”
The baron smirked…”Yeah Go ahead, have fun breathing for now…you think I got out without help!? You think this will end here!?”
Arnav was quaking with fury..
The baron laughed…”She’ll be a rag when my plans done!”
The warrior in Arnav tried think sanely or logically…
If Khushi was going to stand a chance, he had to…
“Why isn’t he following through with his threats!? What does he want!??
Arnav’s mind was wracking for information…
Then it dawned on him…
The baron had been a man of leisure…
He had never killed before…
Arnav suddenly realised that the man in front of him didn’t have the balls to follow through with any threat.
And with that knowledge…Arnav’s humanity vanished.
He walked purposefully towards the baron…and Khushi…
“You better stop!” the baron growled…
Khushi tried to regulate her breathing, but heart twisted as her husband kept prowling…
He was coming for her.
Her heart skipped a beat as everything slowed…
Khushi forgot the hand at her throat, the burn in her lungs…
All she saw was him.
His muscular flexed body.
His fierce eyes.
And the barons grip started to tighten again…
The change in Arnav’s eyes was like steel, his expression as cold as ice…
He was now Prince Arnav, commander of his army, and he was coming for her.
“Stop moving!!!” The baron yelled…
Arnav smiled, sending chills down Khushi’s spine and she could feel the baron’s body shake…
She had never seen a look so terrifying in her life…
Arnav moved steadily toward them like a storm cloud…
The barons fingers pressed in, and Khushi sputtered…
But Arnav didn’t even flinch…
These were the slowest 5 seconds of his life…
Knowing his game was at an end, the baron gripped Khushi’s jaw, withdrew his arm, and struck her hard and fast…
The blood drained from his face as he watched his wife drop to the ground…
She didn’t move.
His roar was so thunderous that the small cabin shook…
“I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!”
His fury threatened to consume him.
Arnav’s biceps pumped and fist clenched as he flew forwards, reached for his sword and rammed it hard into the baron’s ribs, twisting the blade savagely…
Grasping the switchblade in his vest, he stabbed it harshly into his sternum, hearing a loud crack, withdrawing it, and slicing it back in once more…
The Baron’s gurgling screams were suddenly blocked as Arnav grabbed him by the neck…
Blood began to spray in all directions.
Swinging back, Arnav punched violently, bone-snapping echoes now mingling with screams…
The baron’s hands were pressing on his chest and his eye as the socket was shattered by the force of the blow…
It was now the baron’s turn to fall hard on the floor…
With the heel of his boot, Arnav stomped down brutally on his ribs like a crushed sack of potatoes, hearing faint breaks, each one more satisfying than the last…
Fisting the baron’s shirt, he yanked up his thorax and beat his constricted fist at the already distorted structure of his nose, and viciously knocked him completely out…
Shouts and commands were now resounding around the area as Arnav forgot all trace of the bleeding out prisoner.
His volatile rage disappeared and he fell to Khushi’s side, his soul utterly destroyed at the sight of her…
“K…Khushi…God…No…” the devastation he felt was now masticating him alive…
Unable to even control his own heart palpitations, he yanked off his jacket, and as his hands shook, he pulled her into his arms, covering her naked chest, holding her close…
“NO! No this can’t happen to you!” he pressed his palm to the blood spurting from her throat…
Water began to pelt onto her face and he realised he was crying…”Khushi…Khushi please…”
His forehead was against hers as his tears poured out, his free hand frantically searching her veins for signs of life and finally felt her pulse beating faintly…
Within seconds, a platoon of men were surrounding the cabin his frontline attack officers rushed in…
“Arnav!?” Corey rushed in.
But his senses were now completely absent…
The sight of her blood, the knowledge of her torture, and her immense pain made his spirit wrack with agony as his heart splintered.
Arnav’s entire frame was tremoring as he could barely gather the willpower to breathe.
Panic was now attacking his nervous system with brunt force…
The medics who had been searching alongside the squadron charged in, carrying a stretcher and as much equipment as they could manage…
Once their eyes caught one look at the Princess, they urgently tried to get Arnav’s attention…
“Oh my God, Prince Arnav let us take her!”
His body and mind were desperately trying to reject what he was seeing…
“Prince Arnav! We need to take her fast!”
Shaking with the worst terror he’d ever experienced, he roared as he held her head steady…”Khushi! Wake up! Khushi wake up!!!”
Arnav’s body was jolting with every word he said…
“Your Majesty!!” one medic yelled towards the door…
“She’s bleeding,” one physician screamed to the king…”We need to take her!…”
Arnav’s chief officer Corey looked towards the king who had appeared speedily in the doorway…”Sire, It’s bad. But he’s not listening…”
The King surveyed the damage and the blood that covered Khushi.
Not one milisecond passed before he nodded towards the line of officers waiting for orders, his command rang out.
“Restrain him. Tend to the princess immediately.”
Ten soldiers advanced on their Prince, their commanding officer, and pried him away from Khushi as the medics took her carefully and instantly put pressure on her neck with gauze as they lay her on the stretcher…
“No! Fucking get away!” Arnav roared, fighting back furiously…”I order you to get off me!”
On precipice of a breakdown, all Arnav could comprehend was that she was being taken away from him again, and he turned barbaric…
The need for blood was now raging through him…
He easily knocked out half of his own officers with a ferocious punch, crimson drops spraying from the men’s faces as the room was burgeoning with howls and screams…
Fighting like the champion he was, he gained the upper hand only to be withdrawn by twenty more of his army once again…
The feel of his fists connecting with flesh made him carnivorous for more…
Arnav was possessed with the need to eradicate anyone who was between him and the woman he was now overwhelmingly frantic to protect..
The King saw how much animalistic strength his son had…
“Shit, Restrain him! Do what you have to!”
But nothing stopped his persistence…
All he wanted was his wife…
She was covered in blood, and he was going bezerk with heartache and grief…”Let go of me! I need to go to her…Fucking get your hands off me!”
His adrenalin was fired up, triggering every aggressive intuition he possessed…
The king saw his son’s utter turmoil and motioned for the guards to move him closer…
Arnav thought they would release him but they didn’t…”Let me go!”
The King re enforced the order and they used all the force they could to control him…
Now closer to his wife, he still continued to try break the guards hold on him as he watched the medics work…
Pouring antiseptic on her forehead, they cleaned the wound, and keeping her behind a small partition, as covered and shielded as possible, they cleaned her chest and spread arnica over the bruises to numb the pains…
Arnav nearly broke free many times, and the squadron of men had to use their utmost power to keep him away…
“I swear I will kill you all if you don’t let me go!”
As he screamed, his eyes were locked on Khushi…
She was completely unconscious, and when he saw the other doctor pull out a small suture needle, he was suddenly grateful she wasn’t awake for this…
At the very first stitch, his body rattled with fury…
“Fuck! Damn it! Let me go!”
Ignoring all commotion around him, the doctors worked carefully as one sewed her neck and another took swabs and placed them into sealed containers…
The senior medic turned to Arnav and the King who had ignored his son, paying attention to his daughter in law, “She has lost a lot of blood, but her blood pressure is steadying. No vital organs in her throat have been harmed, but the cut was deep, we need to stitch her fast to prevent the need for a blood transfusion.”
Arnav was turning primal.
“Let me the fuck go! I need to…I need-”
The King moved closer, sovereignty lacing his voice even as sorrow filled his eyes, “Arnav…Look at her! She needs this medical attention!”
“Father how fucking dare you! She needs me! I need-”
“Arnav this isn’t like last time! She needs the doctors! They had to stitch her for God’s sake! You couldn’t even hear us!”
Arnav was shaking, his body convulsing so much he was sure he should have passed out by now…”I DEMAND TO BE RELEASED!”
“No. I am sorry son…”
These were the kind of orders that literally broke the King’s heart…
Especially when he had to give them to his son…
Arnav’s eyes were on his wife as utter desolation filled him…”I…I wasn’t here fast enough…I needed to save her and I wasn’t here fast enough! Pl…please…I beg you…dad I’m begging you…”
The king’s heart was breaking with pain for Arnav and his daughter in law…
He had never seen his son change so much, love so much, and now…he was willing to beg…
“Dad please…” Arnav pleaded with his father as his eyes stayed on Khushi…”Please…please!”
“Will you let the doctors work?”
Arnav was overcome, his mind in overdrive…”Yes…yes…I swear…I just need to be near her…I swear…”
The king lifted his hand and the officers instantly released him…
On his shaking limbs, he fell brokenly at Khushi’s side…
His left palm gently rested on her head as he leaned in as close as he could, his lips touching her forehead…
Keeping clear from the medic’s, he kept his gaze on her face as he asked, “Is she ok…? God, please tell me she is ok…”
“We have stopped the bleeding,” the medic spoke fast as he concentrated…”I can tell you more when I have finished…”
The doctors passed instruments and vials to one another…
Arnav could barely draw in air, “Khushi…hold on my princess…” his lips were against her sweaty hair…”I’m here my love…”
As the final stitch pushed in, she shuddered back into consciousness…
Her gasping wretches were now scaring him shitless as the physician cut the last thread…
“Damn it! Shit! Why does she have to wake now!?…”
With no time for royal niceties, the medic was blunt as he demanded, “Arnav, Hold her down fast…”
Hurrying to obey, Arnav watched with a shattered heart as the doctor poured alcoholic antiseptic on her neck to burn germs…
Her eyes snapped open and she howled a scream loud enough to break glass as the disinfectant felt like more lacerations…
The look in her eyes branded his mind with a horror he would never forget…
“Khushi…I’m here! Calm down! Sweetheart calm! Please!”
But she was straining for breath…
“We need the sedative! We need to calm her! Keep holding her down!” the doctor commanded urgently as the other medic held down her arms…
Wasting not one more second, Arnav braced her face in his hands as carefully as he could, and pressed his mouth to hers…
She began to cough and splutter but he held his open mouth to her, breathing into her, “Khushi…I’m here…I have you…I have you…”
As the tranquilliser needle pinched past her the skin of her arm, a hallowed numbness spread over her scarred soul…
And abruptly, her breathing hitched and a sorrowful cry came out…
“Ar…nav…help…ple…please…”
Close to breaking point, Arnav summoned all the strength he could, and held her still…”I have you…you’re with me…you’re safe sweetheart…I’m here…”
Her trembling lips tried to reply and the moment she whispered his name, she fainted…
“G…God…” Arnav was overcome.
He could hear the desperation in her whisper …
Realising how close he’d come to losing her once again, he felt an earthquake ready to explode inside him…
“Good…good…her heart rate is settling…” the doctor tried to reassure him as he released Khushi’s arms…
The King rested his hand on Arnav’s shoulder…
And he broke.
Lifting her hand against his lips, he wept loud and mournfully…
Arnav cried like he had never cried in his life.
Everyone stilled.
The medics had done their job.
The baron had already been taken away.
And the entire squad remained silent and motionless.
The respect they felt for their Prince was mighty.
He had always been one for anger and hate.
He had killed and tortured for money, for defence, for power.
His men had seen him take down enemy upon enemy…
They had seen him slaughter an entire horde of men with no weapons, and completely without backup…
The Prince could handle himself against any power that came against him…
But here he was.
Prostrate before Khushi.
“Prince Arnav,” the head medic spoke cautiously…”you should take her to the castle…we have already given her a shot for any pain she may experience when she awakes, but She should wake somewhere comfortable and warm…”
As his bloodshot, traumatised eyes lifted, he nodded…”Yes…she needs to know she’s safe…that she’s with me…”
A sentry stepped forwards from behind him, “Sir, the baron is in critical condition and going back to-”
Arnav jerked back, on his feet and in the man’s face in less than a second…
His eyes now possessed with a feral rage that had the sentry taking a step back…
“You mention that name in my wife’s presence again and I. Will. Kill. You.”
Quickly intervening, the King held onto Arnav’s clenched fist, “Son, Take Khushi back to the castle…”
Back at his wife’s side instantly, the medics lifted the stretcher and he held her onto her hand as they headed to the carriage.
He tried to eradicate the lethal fury pumping inside him.
“You make this journey as smooth as possible! Understand!?”
The team of coachman nodded, the Prince’s demeanor terrifying them…
They reached the castle faster than he thought they would.
He had held her hand, his fingers on her pulse, for the entire ride.
Knowing what the baron had done to her, butchered his already mangled conscience…
Her presence beside him was the only thing keeping him in once piece…
As they exited carefully, the palace swarmed with people and his mother was the first to reach them…
“KHUSHI!…Is she? Arnav, tell me she’s alright!?”
He kept his eyes on his wife as he replied, “She will be…She damn will be…”
The King quickly motioned to his wife and nearly had to drag her away as he informed her of Khushi’s condition…
As they entered the master suite, Arnav became desperate to have her in his arms.
“Hold the stretcher still…” he demanded forcefully…
Doing as they were told, they watched as he slowly slid his arm beneath her and lifted her carefully…
The feeling of finally holding her stung his battered conscience as a waterfall of tears began to fall…
The physician stood close, “My Prince, she is stable…and breathing well…if any infection starts at the wound, it can be maintained…just make sure the tear doesn’t get aggravated…”
Nearly choking on his next words, Arnav asked…”I need to know…The Ba-” he stuttered, “…her attacker, said that…that he sexually abused her… Did… did he-”
He felt the urge to gag as his arms pulled her closer to his body…
The doctor’s eyes were burdened and bleak… “Your Highness, when we were treating her, we saw the amount of abuse on her…abuse that is usually only found on rape victims, and we took swabs…there was no semen or bleeding…so he didn’t get to ra-”
“Stop….sorry…” Arnav closed his eyes, his soul was contracting with heartbreak as he tried to regulate his breathing, “sorry, just…just stop for a moment…”
Feeling his power draining fast, he climbed onto the bed and sat back against the headboard, clutching her to his chest as his heart beat hard…
If the baron weren’t already dead, he’d find him and kill him all over again…
“I’m so sorry my Prince, but be assured…she was not raped. She is safe.”
What was left of his heart felt like it was shattering…”Thank God…hearing all this…hearing it about…about Khushi…my wife…”
The doctor nodded, “I know…but she’s very strong…you know this…however, I can see you suffering…”
A hardness now flashed in his expression…”What I feel is of no consequence…I saw him hurting her…I saw him draw her blood…I’ve never been so helpless…I thought I was scared when I first lost her, but what I feel now is…”
“I know, I only mean…” the doctor quickly tried to reword what he had said…”I didn’t mean to-“
“Leave…” Arnav uttered as carefully as he could, his voice shaking…”Please just leave…”
He needed to be alone with her.
The constant people around him were making him feel crowded and crazed.
The doctor nodded, “ofcourse…I will be in the castle close by. Call me if she or yourself need anything…”
And the door closed.
“Oh God…” he could hardly distinguish his own voice
His jacket was still around her shoulders as his eyes scanned her…
She was wrapped in cotton bandages, her chest covered carefully as the ointment was numbing the pain and bruises…
“I let this happen…again…” he said bitterly to himself…”How can you ever forgive me for this…?”
Arnav knew he could never even forgive himself.
He pressed his lips to her hair, noting the wound that had stopped bleeding…
She started to pant, and a soft moan wafted from her lips…
Arnav lowered his mouth to hers…”Hear me my love, we’re home…we are in our room…you’re safe…nothing is going to hurt you…they would have to get through me…and it takes a lot of men to get through me…”
Her soft breaths were helping sedate his nerves…
“I don’t think you even know what I did yet…I killed him…” his eyes squeezed closed…”and I am so fucking happy about it. I’ve battled for many reasons…but nothing has ever felt this worthwhile and gratifying…to rid the world of someone capable of such actions against anyone is a reward, but to rid the world of someone that would do this to you?!…” he shook his head, the memories of her blood too much to bear…”I will destroy anyone and anything who hurts you…this is what I’m fighting for, what I’ll die for…you are irrevocably mine…”
She took a deep breath and the look on her face contorted to one of pain…
“No no no sweetheart…shhhh…”
And finally she stilled…
His soft words continued for hours…
Each time she moved, he held her and helped her aching limbs adjust…
He was swimming in guilt, in anger, in heartbreak.
The bond between them both was incredibly strong.
Their hearts wound so tightly together that they were never able to be separated by anything.
His dark eyes stared down at her, the sight of her making his heart ache…
Locked in their own world, it was just the two of them…
But her silence was frying his nerves…
“I need you sweetheart…It’s been hours…please…I’m…” his voice broke…”I’m dying inside…”
Finally she stirred, her eyes slowly blinking as they adjusted to the dim lighting…
And the first thing she saw was her husband…
Still in a daze, she parted her lips to speak but nothing came out…
“Hi…hi beautiful…” he leaned down and kissed her forehead gently…
As he moved back, he saw how dazed she was…
“Listen to me carefully…” he said firmly…”You are with me…I’m holding you…”
“I know…” her voice was shaky…”what’s wrong?”
He held her closer, “Just remember this…I have you in my arms…”
Frowning, she felt the fear radiating from inside him…”Ar…Arnav…?”
She tried to shift and sit up, and instantly pain tore through her…
Her shriek stung his heart…”Shhhh..carefully Khushi…”
And his own tears began to fall as her expression showed her remembering everything…
He helped her to sit higher, keeping her in his arms, “Khushi, with me! Feel me! Look at me!”
Her hands came up around her own neck and he quickly grabbed her wrists as gently as he could…
Shaking his head, he held her gaze…”No…no sweetheart…I can’t let you touch there…you have-”
“He…he…I couldn’t br…breathe…I…Arnav…Help me…”
The stabbing pain in his chest made him want to burst into tears, but he knew she he was in shock…
“Khushi…”
She started to shake and he laid her down as delicately as he could, coming over her, holding his torso up as to not hurt her…”Khushi,” he rested his weight on his elbows and cradled her face in his hands, “stop moving…please…”
“Arnav…help…”
Her shaking voice was killing him…”You are safe! Damn it look at me! I’m with you…” his frame was veiled with anxiety…”Please…keep your eyes on mine…Khushi…”
The panic bursting from him was enough to shock her to the moment and the next thing he felt was her hand on his cheek…”shhh…Ar…nav…it’s okay…”
A shocked and dumbfounded expression was now plastered on his face…”You’re…You’re telling ME that it’s okay?”
Her hands moved to his chest, her slight wince made him grimace and he watched her carefully…
“I know that you…you were… worried for me…”
“…worried!?”
He was a ticking time bomb as his emotions were stretched out to the ragged edge…
“If you knew exactly how much I cared for you it would scare you excessively!!! I can’t live without you…you are everything to me! My life is worthless without you…I need you…bound to me…forever…”
“Arnav…I…I am bound to you…”
A tremor passed through her and he pressed onto her lower body making her gasp…
“Shit, I’m sorry…” he started to move but her weak hands tried to hold onto him…
“No…Arnav…I beg you…don’t move…”
His heart was rupturing…”Khushi…you don’t ever have to beg for anything…I just don’t want to hurt you…”
With shattered eyes, she blinked out tears…”Please…I need to feel you…”
His mouth came down on hers, harder than it should have, but he held her face still so her lesion wouldn’t rip…
“Khushi…I love you…” he breathed against her lips, the pain in his voice caused her chest to clench…
She couldn’t hold back her keening sob…”I love you…I knew you would save me…”
He moved back so she could see his eyes, ruthless and suddenly in control…”There was never ANY question. You are part of me. I was GOING to get you back…”
And a sudden wave of relief and pain wafted over her like a tsunami…
“He…touched me…he…he did things to me…”
“No…No don’t think of that…” Arnav commanded.
“He…he said…”
“Whatever he said,” Arnav secured her stare…”Meant nothing! His words are insignificant! You belong to me. You are mine. And you ALWAYS WILL BE MINE. Not one living thing is worth more than you!”
Great gasping sobs began to wrack her body…
Arnav brushed his lips over hers, his mouth opening, swallowing all agony that came out of her…
He grasped Khushi close, never easing his hold, never letting her feel for one moment that she was alone…
“I am here…my princess…shhh…”
Every word out of his mouth sounded as though it pained him…
She tried to speak but yawned and cringed as her face, her neck, her everything stung…
“I’m…I’m so tired…”
He carefully moved to the side and slid his arm beneath her neck, holding her head steady…
“Sleep sweetheart…I’m here…”
She tried to turn to him but flinched at the pain…
He moved higher and locked onto her eyes, nodding in encouragement for her to talk to him…
“…you won’t leave me…?”
Arnav’s eyes were clear and possessed a power she had craved from the second he first touched her…”I am NEVER leaving you…”
Her hands were now clawing at him to pull him nearer…
Wrapping his other arm around her, he held her as close as they could be…”Shhh… No no, I can’t bring your chest too close sweetheart…I don’t want you hurting…”
But she became desperate…”P..please…please…”
“Screw it.”
Denying her anything wasn’t an option.
He moved her on her side so her head now rested as high as it could on his shoulder and he pressed their bodies together as they lay on their sides…
Even though he felt her flinch as their chests touched, her breathing calmed…
Khushi buried herself into his body, trying to absorb his heat, his scent…
Arnav grabbed the covers and tucked her even closer…”I’m not leaving you…you’re safe…”
“I’m safe…Arnav is with me”…she chanted in her head as she felt his big, strong body against her…
“You are definitely safe…Close your eyes…I’m here…” he promised…
“Don’t leave me…” she ordered him weakly…
Her eyes were now closed as he spoke against her lips…”I am not going anywhere. Ever.”
And he kissed her until she fell asleep…
…………..
Arnav didn’t know how long he’d been laying there with her, nor did he care…
She was in his arms…
But his eyes were full of fury as he examined the damage…
“How can I have let this happen…again…”
He could feel his heart contorting with hatred for himself and the baron…
A soft knocking jolted him back to the moment…
Not bothering to even budge an inch, he waited…
Seconds later, the door began to open slowly and he saw his mother enter with the physician…
“Arnav, I have to let him in…” she paused seeing his flashing eyes…
He lifted a finger to his lips, “shhh…”
“Sorry…Of Course…I just…I know of her injuries…and he wishes to check her…It’s midday…”
Arnav was unaware of the time of day…
The heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out most of the light…
“I will be as quick as I can, and I’m sorry for the interruptions but-”
“No…” Arnav replied…”Please check her…I need her to be okay…”
The man nodded as the queen smiled sadly at her son…”Has she been alright?”
Arnav shook his head…”She is trying to be strong…she woke briefly…she’s damn scared mum…”
His mother smoothed her hand softy over Khushi’s hair…”She is strong…I know my daughter…and she is strong…”
“…mum…she has a strong spirit…but I don’t.” his voice hitched, “…I can’t bear to see her like this…I’m falling apart…”
“Your Highness, she is doing fine…the gash on her neck is sealing well…but it was deeper than it looks…If the knife had gone in any further then-”
Arnav’s countenance suddenly jerked, his eyes taking on an icy luster…
“Say anymore and I’m not responsible for what happens to you…” he snarled…
His mother gasped quietly, “Arnav! He’s doing his job…”
“It’s alright Your Majesty, you can’t blame him…I can see his distress…”
The queen’s hand was trembling as she caressed Khushi’s head lightly…”I don’t blame him, I just want her well and smiling again…she has been through too much…too much…”
“Please be assured, that she is alright…just make sure she rests…she may have some discomfort swallowing foods, but don’t let that deter her…right now, let her sleep…she really needs it…I’ll be back again soon…”
The queen led the doctor away but before she left, she whispered…”Take care of her please…I love her so much…”
Arnav smiled…”I love you mum, I will guard her with my life…”
…………….
Khushi stirred again…
His senses on full alert, Arnav was on the verge of panic and tears as her eyes shot open with fear…
She tried to sit up fast, clawing and pushing at him…
“Khushi…Shhh! NO!”
He held fast to her face, keeping her as motionless as he could, while also trying to capture her gaze…
“Look who you are with! It’s me! Khushi it’s me sweetheart!”
When she focused, she collapsed against him…”Arnav…help…”
He wanted to breakdown.
Storm from the room and make sure the baron was dead.
That bastard didn’t deserve to be alive on the same planet as his wife.
But he suppressed all fury and poured all attention onto Khushi…
“You’re safe! I swear on my life you are safe!”
Her keening wails were like daggers slicing his heart…
“Khushi…Please sweetheart…calm down…please…”
Her hands were now clutching to his shirt with such tension that her knuckles turned white…
His mouth pressed kisses all over her face as her breathing slowly became steadier…
“I’m here…you’re with me…just listen to my voice…”
When her chest hiccuped with worry, he slid closer…
“Khushi…”
Her movements stilled…
“I’m with you…You are safe…Your…your injuries have been seen to…”
And she cried…
Too quietly…
Her faint weeping seeped into his spirit…
Trying to capture her eyes, he saw her blink out plump tears as her eyes locked on…
“He…he had sex…on me…”
Her words were empty as she shuddered…
Rage and strength collided inside Arnav.
The killer instinct inside him vowed to eradicate anyone who came between him and Khushi…
The muscles in his jaw clenched…
Utter fury was glittering in his eyes, while hers burned with tears…
Rising up, his voice commanded her to attention…”do not say anymore. You are mine. Don’t you dare let that bastard’s actions get into your beautiful head…”
“But-” she began to reply but Arnav covered her mouth with his…
She was too overwrought to resist the sensual love brimming from her husband…
His tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her as his, and his alone…
Her husband consumed her…
He always had, he always would.
She could feel how tense he was, a coiled spring ready to erupt…
He was a law unto himself, and when he pulled back, her lips tingled…
“No one comes between us…nothing can ever sway what I have in my heart for you…the word love is a fucking insult to what I feel for you!”
“…even after…after what he did?”
Part of his heart shrivelled…”You..You think what he did changes how I look at you?! How I feel about you?!”
Her sudden quick breaths were his answer.
The fact that she could even think that gutted him.
He focused on her for all that he was worth…
“Now you listen to me!” the impact she had on his senses was devastating…”what he did shows how sick HE is! What he did will never change that fact that I love you! You belong to me.” he stated without any hesitation…
Throwing her revved up, pained body against his rock hard chest, she ignored all pain as his muscular arms wrapped around her carefully as she clawed at his chest, holding him possessively close…
“Shhh…I’m holding you…” his voice was whisper quiet and held way more effect…
“Don’t leave me…” she ordered again…
“Khushi…” he leaned back to stare in her eyes…”You’re my wife…” he lifted her hand and kissed the ring on her finger…”You are mine…” he lifted his hand, letting his wedding band glint in the light, “I will keep this on my hand until the day I die…I am yours…and I’m not leaving your side…”
A knock at the door came once more…
Khushi jumped slightly but Arnav shook his head, quietly reassuring her she was safe.
This time, when the doctor entered, he had the medic who stitched her neck alongside him…
“Oh good, your Highness, you are awake…”
Her wet eyes glanced from Arnav, to the doctor and back to her husband…
The way she jittered made his eyes gloss over with impending tears…”It’s alright…”
The doctors approached.
“Princess Khushi, we are the doctors who have been tending to you…”
Her grip was still tight on Arnav’s shirt but he felt her body settle…
“I… I…need you to stay…” she whispered urgently…
Arnav’s heart warmed at her words, but knew she was still terrified…”Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere…”
“Your Highness, he hasn’t left your side since he found you…”
Her eyes flashed with a memory as she flinched, “I…I’ve seen you before…”
The medic nodded sadly, “I am so sorry for what you are going through, but I need to check the stitching I have done…the sutures were needed to stop the bleeding…”
Her hands dropped and Arnav instantly drew her closer…”…no no no…you’re okay my love…you’re okay…”
“He is right…this looks fine, no opening, sealing well…but I am sorry, I have to disinfect the area once more…”
It was Arnav’s turn to shudder…
He remembered having to hold her down, and remembered the utter agony in her eyes…
“I understand…” she muttered nervously…
Taking out a swab, the medic dipped it in a yellowish substance and softly dabbed the liquid around the tear…
Arnav was ready to try and hold her still, but he marvelled as she merely hissed at the contact…
“You’re a brave woman your Highness…”
“She’s amazing.” Arnav said quietly.
Khushi’s hand closed over his as she kept her eyes squeezed closed.
“Now…” the medic pulled out a different type of bandage…”This is waterproof, and I can place this over your wound so you can wash…It’s probably best to bathe instead of shower right now as your body is covered in a lot of bruises…”
Khushi’s fingers tightened on his once more…
And Arnav brought her hand to his lips…
“Now, when I checked you before, the wound on your head had closed up, so just be careful while washing your hair…you really do have quite a number of bruises but no open cuts, so please just relax and rest as much as you can, and I have left some analgesics here…take them every 6 hours so it can dull the pain…”
The doctor handed her a glass of water and two small tablets…
She quickly took the pills and drank down the cold water…
Wincing slightly, her worried eyes lifted to Arnav…
“It’s alright Khushi, they said earlier that you might feel some pain while swallowing…”
“No inner organs have been harmed, so don’t worry about drinking or eating…the main thing for you to concentrate on is resting…”
“I’ll make sure of it…” Arnav said assuredly…”Have her attendant come in and set up the bath straight away…and also change the bed linen while we are in the bathroom…”
“Ofcourse My Prince…”
Khushi quickly tried to interrupt…
“…thankyou…for what you have done for me…”
They both bowed before her, bringing tears to her eyes…”Your Highness, you are so important. We did our duty, but more than that, we wanted to help you…you need not thank us…”
As the doctors left, Khushi’s personal maid entered the room quietly…
Arnav could see that his wife was in a trance, the extent of her injuries finally catching up to her…
“I’m in awe of you…”
Her brows furrowed, “Me? Why?”
His expression was bewildered, “Why? Because…because I have the ability to lift a fucking boulder and yet you’re stronger than I’ll ever be! I could see this world burn and have no damn reaction, and yet I feel your pain to my bones!…I have never felt anything like the depth I feel for you…!”
Love beamed from her eyes as she spoke, “…you are the first person to see anything in me…to love me…I truly feel like… like I’m safe…”
Safe.
“How can she say that when she has been harmed so many times…”
“Khushi…” his eyes were red with emotion…”I plead for your forgiveness…”
She tried to shake her head but he held her fast…
“Why?…You saved me…I thank you…”
He wanted to tear the room apart…”You may ‘thank’ me…” he said the word as though it were offensive, “but I will never forgive myself for allowing this to happen to you…”
“Arnav… it’s okay, we can let it go now…we are together…”
But he wasn’t going to let anything go.
The threat from the baron was still lingering in his mind…
“…you think I got out without help!? You think this will end here!?”
Khushi could feel the animal inside him ready to attack…”Arnav please…”
A new scent swarmed around them as the tub in the adjoining bathroom was filled…
Khushi’s server cleared her throat as she entered the room and said, “The bath is ready…does Her Highness need me to-”
“That will be all…leave…” Arnav snapped.
“Wait-” Khushi quickly rasped…”Thankyou Ally, my husband is just very worried…”
The maid nodded, “And rightfully so…I am here for you too…for anything…I’ll be back momentarily to change the bed…”
And she left.
Khushi looked at the bed and saw dirt, leaves, stains and dried blood on the sheets, proof of where they had come from…
“No, no look at me my love…eyes on me…”
Arnav began to shift off the bed, keeping one hand on her at all times.
As he lifted her with ease, he carried her into the bathroom and seated her on the small stool, then he knelt before her…”You, my Princess, are a treasure I will never take for granted…”
Her eyes glowed as she felt covered in a blanket of love…
“Now…I’m coming in with you…”
She smiled…”I was hoping you would…”
“There’s a reason I made sure we had a bath big enough for two…” he winked as he stripped himself…
Khushi’s eyes were wandering as she noted his muscular perfection…
His ripped pectorals and bulging arms were kindling to her heart as she felt herself needing his touch…
“mmm…” she hummed unconsciously…
“Not now Khushi…I’m damn well going to take care of you first…”
She blinked…”I…I didn’t say anything…”
He chuckled, “You’re close to setting me on fire with that stare of yours…”
When he was bare, he moved towards her, “Ok, just stay still sweetheart…”
He slowly pulled away the cotton material that had been bandaged at her chest and threw it to the ground…
His gut clenched at the sight of her bruises and abrasions…
“I’m sorry…” she tried to cover herself but he held her wrists…
“I don’t give a shit about the bruises…You’re so beautiful…” his voice was dripping with emotion as he dipped his head and kissed her breasts gently…
“Ok…lets get you in this bath…” he smiled, but she could see him trying to maintain his emotions with great difficulty.
She stayed quiet as he pulled down her panties and lifted her feet to help her out of them…
Taking her gently in his arms once more, he lifted a leg over the side, and felt the warmth spread over his body…
Finally standing in the water, he slowly lowered them both down, keeping his movements steady…
His strength was always a surprise to her, and a welcome reassurance of how easily he could defend her…
“Ohhhhh…my…” she moaned in relief as the heated water warmed her body and spirit…
Laying her back on his chest, he parted his legs and kept her steady as she almost floated in relaxation…
“Sweetheart…I’m going to wash your hair carefully, alright?”
“mmmhmmm…” she murmured, feeling the warmth seep into her…
As Arnav tended to her so meticulously, she felt tears roll down her cheeks…
He saw them and felt them in his heart, but chose to let his touch soothe her …
“I have to rinse the suds off sweetheart, can you try and keep still for me please?”
“mmm…” was all she could say once again…
Arnav was smiling seeing how beautiful and safe she was once more…
Her bruises, that where everywhere, torso, breasts, neck, face, were still igniting his need to seek revenge, but all that faded as his need to protect her was greater…
After 15 minutes, Arnav had carefully cleaned her, himself, and massaged her scalp gently…
A knock sounded at the bathroom door and Ally called out, “I’ve completed the room, I’ll be leaving now Your Highness, but I’m not far…so anything you need, you call me…”
“You’re so kind Ally…” Khushi called out but soon made a slight moan and Arnav shushed her…
Her tongue clicked and he grinned…
He knew that Khushi had befriended nearly everyone in the castle, and they loved her so much.
“Not more than me…” his jealousy reared up in his thoughts…
“Alright, time to head back to bed now my love…”
“Thankyou…” she said so softly that he was surprised he’d even heard it…
Feeling completely unworthy, he snapped at her, “You don’t thank me…don’t say that…I don’t do any of this out of duty…any of it…Hell I’m doing this as much for me! I need you! I love you so deeply, so greatly, that if I don’t look after, I literally feel my soul shrivel up…so know this and know it well, I love you…so much…”
Moving her in the water, he slid his arm beneath her legs and stood up, the water cascading around their bodies…
Stepping out, he felt her hands cling to him tigher…”I’ve got you sweetheart…” he assured her…
When he set her down on her feet, she was shaky…
He wrapped his arm around her as he reached for the towel and enveloped her with it…
“I’m sorry I have little strength…” she whimpered feeling useless…
“Good, because I’m not talking my hands off you.”
He dried her warily, keeping attentive, noting her bruises…
Keeping his arm around her waist, he roughly dried his own hair and body as fast as he could…
“Back to bed for you now…”
“Will you sta-”
His dark eyes darted back to hers…”I’m not bloody leaving you Khushi! Not now! Not ever! So stop asking that!”
The bite in his words should have scared her, but it only sealed her secure state even more…
Her protector and defender was here…
And he was ready to do anything for her…
Gathering her in his arms once more, he quickly scanned the room…
Empty.
Walking towards the clean bed, he set her back down…”Are you hungry?”
She shook her head…”I’m not…not even a little…I think the shock of it all has got to me…everything…all that happened-”
“No don’t think of it…” he said quickly and urgently…
The awful memories, never far from the surface, made her body erupt with goosebumps…
Arnav fell to his knees beside the bed…
“Khushi…I’m so sorry…”
Feeling frustrated, it was her turn to snap at him…”Stop! Stop saying that!”
Her voice was shaking…
Arnav had a sheen in his eyes, constantly on the verge of tears…”Khushi…I…”
“You feel guilty? For what? Saving me?”
His eyes hitched to hers… “I damn well feel guilty! You are mine to protect, and now twice you’ve been harmed.”
An agonised expression twisted on his face and Khushi tried to lean towards him…
Her moan of pain had him on his feet in an instant and seated beside her …
Holding her face gently, he stared in her eyes…”Say it…say anything…please…”
His unwavering gaze made her heart skip with panic…”Don’t you dare feel guilty! You saved me! You kept your promise to me Arnav!”
“But you…you were…” he shook, as if he couldn’t handle the images that flashed in his mind…”I’ve never prayed so hard in my life..” he whispered brokenly…”I can live without everything, except you…”
She leaned her aching body into her husband…”I am with you…you saved me…I knew you were coming…I had hope in you…and you didn’t let me down…”
His arms came around her, “As long as you’re with me, I can handle anything…I just need you to be okay…”
“I…I am…” her eyes fell…”well, I will be…I will, I just…I hurt…almost everywhere…”
“Fuck…” Arnav stood up, closing his eyes hard…his fists clenched hard at his sides…
And her tears came…
Hot, stinging tears…
She didn’t say a word and just let them fall…
As one tear hit her hand, it struck loudly within his heart…
He was back on his knees once more…”Please…God, please don’t cry…I’m not angry at you! I’m never angry at you…I…damn it…Khushi I can hardly cope…I just saw the woman I love go through torture and I couldn’t do a fucking thing about it…”
Khushi could see clearly that he needed comfort just as much as she did…
“Arnav…the only time I will give up hope, is if you never try to save me…”
Her words were stopped as he rose up above her and moulded his mouth to hers, making love to her lips…
When he moved back, his eyes bore a very direct and predatory look…”I will always save you…”
He dipped his head to hers, making her shiver, “always…” he reiterated…
Khushi’s eyes dropped and tears splayed over her cheeks…
It was then that she felt his careful grip on the back of her head, and his soft lips against her temple, “Now…we focus on your recovery…because you WILL be fine…and I’m only just getting started showering you with love and attention…”
And a small smile spread over her face…
Cradling her against his body, his other hand swept up and down her back…
His touch, his scent, roused her emotions to fever pitch…
She clung to his shirt to stop herself from screaming or breaking down completely…
Arnav’s hands swept over her, as if reassuring himself that she was there…”talk to me…tell me what you need…whatever it is, you will get it…”
But as she was about to reply, her mind suddenly rang out with words the baron had said…
“..you think I got out without help!? You think this will end here!?”
He felt the distressed change in her, “Khushi?”
She was now starting to shake, and Arnav acted instantaneously…
He moved over her body as gently as he could, letting her feel his warmth and weight…
“…Khushi,” his tone was now demanding, “talk to me…”
She couldn’t hold back her whimpers as she tried to talk…”he…he said…he said…he didn’t do this alone…he…that he had help…”
The fear in her undid him…
“You think I’m going to let anyone take you from me again!?” He yelled, “You are with me…don’t think of anything else except this…” he kissed down her neck and towards her chest…
The bruising was coming out more, making his temper unleash untameable energy throughout him…
His body hummed with the need to take her pain away…
“Khushi…feel my mouth on you…feel my body on you…close your eyes…forget everything except this right now…”
He heard her sniffle but her hands were on his shoulders as he opened his mouth over her chest…
The memories of the previous time was crashing into him…
“He touched what is MINE, two times now!!!!!!!”
He could feel her stuttering heartbeat against his lips…
Needing to be more careful that the time before, he bathed her chest with his tongue and mouth, trying to keep from hurting her…
When he raised his head, he saw her clamped lids…
“Look at me sweetheart…”
Her hazy eyes opened slowly…
“I have every protocol in place to keep you protected…and I am not leaving your side…whether you’re with my army, my mum, in the kitchen, or in the damn bathroom, I’m with you…”
She let out a soft laugh, but cringed at the stinging that came with it…
“It’s ok…shhh…It’s ok…”
“Arnav…you can’t stop everything just to shadow me…”
He was ready to lunge at her, but kept his movement careful, “I will do whatever I fucking want. No one has ever even dared to try and tell me what to do…”
Bloodthirsty rage was still clouding his rational thoughts…
“Arnav…”
But hearing her mention his name made his heart swell with love and passion…
“…will…will you…”
“I’m going to make love to you…right now…” and his mouth landed on hers.
His love for her morphed into something carnal as his tongue slipped past her lips…
Khushi’s hands flew up and dug into his back…
Arnav could sense the frantic change in her and slowed the kiss down…
“I want you…My God I want you so badly, but we are taking this slow…I’m not taking any chances…I won’t have you hurting…”
Before she could complain, his mouth suctioned to hers once again…
The kiss became deeper and seductive, making her body let down her arousal, and making Arnav’s erection grow thick and hard…
His hands smoothed along her chest and she hissed against his kiss…
He paused and moved back…”Okay…as much as I love your gorgeous breasts, I need to wait to touch you there…”
And she started to cry…
“No no no…” he pleaded, his breath feathering across her face…”Khushi…no tears.”
Arnav needed to make her climax.
He was desperate for her to feel pleasure instead of pain…
“Arn…Arnav…”
“Don’t move sweetheart…I’m here…”
And as he positioned himself, he slid his arm beneath her neck, ready to hold her head steady, and pulled her upper leg over his hip…
They were facing each other and she was now open to him as he reached down to palm his phallus that was now harder than concrete…
“Look at me my princess…” his voice was ragged…
And the moment her teary eyes connected with his, he began to push inside her…
Her mouth opened wider for every inch that slipped in, “Yes…Oh….ohhhhh…”
Brushing his lips over hers, he spoke against her open mouth…”I’m going to make you come…my wife…”
Sliding his long flesh deep inside her, the arm beneath her neck held her head steady, and his opposite hand now wrapped around her waist and over her lower back…
“Oh…so…so deep…”
“ONLY. ME.”
His body growled with possession…
Withdrawing only an inch, he pushed back in deeper against her cervix, rolling his pelvis…
Her long deep breath against his mouth reassured him of her unending spirit…
She opened her eyes and the way Arnav was looking at her blew her away…
“His eyes, they shine with so much love for me, as though I truly mean everything in the world to him…”
“You DO mean everything in the world to me…” he repeated what she murmured unknowingly…
His words beckoned her out of the darkness into the sun…
Pulling out nearly all the way, he slid back in, with aching slow precision…
Khushi gasped and dug he fingers into arms, “Arnav…please…”
His eyes closed with ecstasy as she moaned with delight…
“Slowly my love…” he withdrew his long erection, and thrust back in, slightly faster…
With each penetration, she could feel him holding her body steady, as though she would break if he let go…
“Look at me…” he commanded…
She opened her eyes and saw her husband beside her, his face showing insaitable yearning…
He moved gently as his wide eyes drilled into hers…”Mine…MINE…”
And he held her tighter as his thrusts grew faster…
“Yes…I…I…need…”
“Oh I know exactly what you need my love…” he growled, “…just wait…it’s coming…”
He could feel her body buzzing, almost tight with the need to orgasm…
And another area was tight, devastatingly tight, her sucking channel, making his sanity stretch out to the max.
“I love you Khushi…”
She didn’t feel one ounce of pain as he thrust faster, clasping her body to his, needing her more desperately than his next heartbeat…
Her breathing became harsh, “Arnav…”
Keeping his grip unyielding with steady dominance, he felt her sex begin to tighten, and tighter still…
“…come Khushi…let me feel you come…”
And unable to say a word, her climax took hold…
He held her still as he promised…
Her inner muscles vibrating and quivering with torrid force as her body tried to convulse in his clutches…
She tried to cry out, she tried to speak…but all that she could manage was rasping out his name…
Arnav thrust against her fluttering muscles as he rushed towards his own climax that took hold with extreme fortitude…
Khushi’s lids drifted open and she saw his eyes burn to gold as he flooded her with his sperm, his phallus throbbing and pulsing over and over…
Locking eyes with his wife as he orgasmed, he bared his soul…opening it up wide to let her and only her inside…
“…damn…” his own voice was hoarse and grating…
“Arnav…” her body still tried to shake in his arms, but he restrained her using what power he had left…”Ar…Arnav…that was…”
“Shhhh…fucking amazing…”
Her hands were still, one resting on his chest, feeling his racing heart…
When she started to yawn, he kissed her moist forehead…”Sleep now…”
“Will…will you stay with me? Please…”
Arnav’s gaze once again locked onto hers…
His emotions on full display, utter adoration and power beaming forth…”Stay? I’m not even going to pull out of you…when you wake up…I will be right here…”
And she smiled as she fell into a deep sleep…
……………………..
Arnav was woken by another knock at their bedroom door…
He didn’t realise he’d fallen asleep as well…
Momentarily angry at himself, the feeling soon evaporated seeing Khushi peacefully drifting beside him.
While sleeping, she had turned onto her back, and he hurried to survey her neck, checking for any signs of bleeding…
Rolling to his side, he quickly called out, “Don’t enter. Just one moment…”
Khushi didn’t even stir, and he smiled…”You’re used to my voice even in your sleep my love? Lets get you covered up…”
His eyes were trailing over her bare body…
Her bruised thighs made his feral nature strike once again…
Lowering his torso, he kissed the marks gently, then covered her up properly with the sheet and blanket…
Pulling on trousers and a shirt, he stayed beside the bed, keeping his body heat near her, and finally called out…”Enter…”
The physician was back once more.
“I do apologise for my frequent visits, but-”
Arnav shook his head, “No, I am grateful…She means more to me than anything…I just want her well again…”
From the corner of his eye he could see movement in the doorway and saw Corey.
Arnav motioned for him to come in…
“Doctor, just wait for a moment to check her chest…”
“You can go to the doorway and discuss whatever you n-”
Arnav’s eyes sparked as his tone was a low growl, “I’m not leaving my wife…”
As the hefty officer approached, he kept his eyes on the Prince as he saluted…”Sir”
“Corey. Anything to report?”
His guard tried to hold back a smile, “Well, you certainly made quite a statement with what you did to Nate Patel.”
Arnav’s expression was as haunted as it was proud, “Dead?”
“Oh very much so…the evil fucker bled out…nothing could be done for him…”
“Good.”
“Agreed. But you also broke the jaw and cheekbone of three of your top liners…”
Arnav clenched his teeth…”I know…I…I just…”
“They’re fine…they’re comparing wounds and still trying to figure out how you literally almost took on all of us.You’re a fucking army by yourself…Jacob is in shock too…”
“I…I was…After what I saw happen to her…so where IS Jacob, I know he’s my best friend but he better have a good fucking reason to be-”
“He’s been questioning people and following up the threats. He’s fuming that the Baron escaped in the first place…so he knows someone had to have been helping him.”
He kept his voice low, “Look. I may command the Army, but you’re 2nd in command for a reason, right now, I need you to keep them ready to strike and attack. Because I need Khushi safe…fuck, I’d just about annihilate everyone who dares threaten her…”
“Arnav,” his head guard spoke up, “No one blames you…we know what happened…hell the news of what happened to Her Highness is everywhere…People are in shock…the churches are filling as people go to pray for her…”
Arnav felt his chest tighten…”She will be alright. I know she will…”
“Sir, she will…”
His body shook as he said, “Look, the doctor is waiting to check her, so…anything else?”
“Not as yet, but the brother has been given the news and he’s playing it cool…whoever the baron was working with, we will find them.”
“I want as much security as possible…”
The guard chuckled, “Sir, the Queen herself has been sending more officers around the grounds as protection for the Princess than the King…He’s still trying to get a word in…”
Arnav smiled…”My awesome mother…” he cleared his throat softly, “Look, I’m not leaving my wife…If I’m needed, you come talk to me here…understand?”
Saluting the Prince, he replied…”Understood loud and clear. I’m proud to serve with you.”
“Kiss ass.” Arnav muttered.
Corey chuckled and he left the room.
Turning back to the doctor, Arnav sighed, “Sorry for how I spoke…again…I’m not-”
“I know you’re worried…I do understand. Now, I checked the bruising on her face and head, I pressed lightly on her cranium and there is only slight concussion… but I’ll go over her properly now…”
Arnav seated himself beside Khushi once more…
“You’ve grown into quite a remarkable man My Prince…I mean, I don’t know if you remember, but…I was the doctor who helped deliver you when Her Majesty was in labor…”
Arnav smirked, “I know…you’re the most trusted family physician…”
The doctor carefully checked Khushi’s wounded forehead once more, “The slash has sealed, and the swelling is gone down considerably, she’s got a hard head…”
“You’ve got no idea…” he chuckled…
“The way it is with most women…”
Arnav glanced at her face…”Thank God she’s sleeping…she’d lose her temper hearing this…”
“As would my wife…” the doctor smiled…”Now, I can only check the gash on her throat so much with the waterproof bandage still on…removing it would wake her and I don’t want to startle her…”
“Shit, I don’t want that…” he frowned, “Look, once she wakes, I’ll call for you…”
“That is fine, If I’m not here, because of the time, the other medic who did the incision will be on call…the queen has made sure there is a doctor here round the clock…”
“Great…” he raked his hand through his hair…”And her bruising?”
His shoulders fell, “There’s only so much we can do for that…It’s a waiting game for the pain to ease and the marks to fade…She took a few blows to the ribs, but no fractures…”
Arnav felt like screaming again…”That fucking bastard! How dare he do this to her…”
The Doctor closed his case, “She will pull through, I can guarantee that…but from what I heard, is she still under threat?”
“Yes. And I’m not taking chances…I’ll damn well keep guard on her in this room permanently if I have to…”
“Oh that should go over well…” the doctor laughed…”I don’t know of any woman who won’t try and fight for her way…”
Arnav grinned, “She sure is a sassy thing…But I know the castle is safe…I just…Damn, my mind is all over the place…”
“It is to be expected…I think that-”
Khushi suddenly took a deep breath, her hands now splaying over the bed as if searching for him…
“Out…” Arnav snarled, his attention now fully on his wife…
The doctor didn’t attempt to make any more conversation as he scurried out, closing the door as quietly as he could…
Arnav threw his body over hers in an instant, taking one of her hands in his as her other was now pressing on his chest…”Shhh, you’re safe…”
She was gasping faintly, making him realise she was dreaming…
“Khushi…I’m here…” he moved over her…”Khushi…”
Her breathing became laboured…too laboured…
Chilling fear gripped his heart…”Khushi! Damn it! Wake up!”
Sliding his hand behind her head, he pulled her up more brutally than he should have…” Wake up!”
……….
Breathing was now difficult…
“He…He isn’t coming for me?…” she choked with dread, as though pieces of her heart were literally being sliced away…
“Ofcourse he’s not coming for you! You’re WORTHLESS!”
Her eyes darted up to the man who was walking towards her…
His face was blurred, and she blinked hard to try and focus…
“I’m going to kill you! Then fuck your pitiful body till you fall apart!”
She tried to scream, but no matter what she did, no sound came out…
“He will come for me! He WILL!”
The faceless man laughed…”…why would he come for someone who means NOTHING!?”
And Khushi’s legs gave out…
She crumpled to the ground, hyperventilating…
“I don’t have time for your weakness!” the man said as he hauled her up…”I’m going to crush what’s left of your life into tiny pieces!!!”
The heavy pressure in her chest was now making it impossible to draw breath…
“He…he promised…he promised he’d always come for me…”
“Well this time…HE WON’T”…
And the man leaned into her until darkness covered her completely…
“…no…noooo…NOOOOOOOO!”
But it was too late, the man’s large hands grabbed her…
“Arnav! Arnav! Please! Please!!!!!!!!!!”
……………
“KHUSHI!!!!”
His voice finally woke her.
She was convulsing with absolute pure terror, completely unaware she was crying till Arnav spoke again…
“Shhhh Khushi…you’re safe!”
Grabbing fistfulls of his shirt, she let out a suffocated sound as her words came out fast and delirious…”He said you weren’t coming! He said you wouldn’t come for me! Are you here!? Are you here!?”
Arnav’s emotions were being held hostage by her sudden fear…
It was as though the light in her eyes had been extinguished and her soul had been claimed by the darkness of her attack…
“You promised you would come for me…you promised…” her voice cracked, barely recognisable…
Reacting out of sheer hysteria, she pounded Arnav’s chest with her fists until she was exhausted…
He flexed his chest and let her hit him
He tried to keep his sanity in one piece as he let her react…
The horror she went through had now settled in her subconscious, and he knew it.
Finally spent, her body dropped, unable to handle her own weight…
With an arm around her waist, Arnav hadn’t let go the entire time and held her even tighter when she sagged against him, still shaking…
“Khushi…I don’t know what you just dreamt-”
She moaned with pain…”You weren’t coming for me…you promised…”
Holding her weary body, that was completely out of fight, he gripped the back of her head…
When she saw his eyes, they were hollow…
Guilt clawed at him, his sorrow more real than the blood in his veins…
“What you dreamt…” he felt his insides twist when her eyes filled with tears…”will not happen!”
He had to make conscious effort to beat back the murderous haze that was starting to consume him…
“Now you listen to me…” Icy rage burned in his quiet words…”I know you’re scared…” he spoke carefully as her wide eyes were now glued to his…”I know you’re scared…you can hit me, scream at me, hurt me, lash out as much as you like!”
Arnav now leaned in severely close, keeping his grip on her tight, not letting her budge an inch, “But understand this…” her inconsolable outburst provoked his power to dominating levels of intensity…
She was pale as his eyes compelled her not to look away…
“…whoever said I wouldn’t come for you…is a goddamn liar!”
Her mouth was open, panting…
The blood that thundered inside her body was now heating up fast…
“Arnav…” she hissed…
His chest was now pressed to hers, and this time, he ignored all gasps she made…
“I won’t allow anyone, real or from your dreams make you believe anything other than what I’m telling you right now…”
Gripping her with all of his power, his voice was a mighty roar…”the worst possible thing I could imagine is not having you!”
The pieces of her heart were starting to mould back together as his words were so loud they resounded inside her…
“I will not be forced to live in a world that you are no longer in! My life is yours! I will give it up without any hesitation! I will and have killed for you!” he leaned closer…”and I’d do it again!”
Bringing his mouth to hers his voice was no less dynamic as he growled…”and I will repeat this eternally, until you, your dreams, and every fibre of your body knows it!”
Lifting her hand in his, he brought it up to his face…”Khushi…what I feel for you almost borderlines Obsession…the love I feel for you is something more overwhelming than breathing…”
Khushi’s heart was now clenching with love for him…
As her palm touched his face, she felt the warmth of his skin…
Arnav, on the verge of a neurotic explosion, took control…
Lacing his fingers in her hair, he knotted it tight…
Leaning in as though to kiss her, he moved to the sensitive spot directly behind her ear,his lips brushing her skin as he whispered…”I’m with you…I’ll always come for you…and I will never let you believe otherwise…”
He wedged her pelvis closer making her heave in a sudden deep breath…
Though beaten and bruised, she took strength from her unfailing husband…
He used force when needed, and through his force, she had found her freedom once more…
The next thing she felt was his hand at her core…
She was still in his firm embrace, eyes fastened to his.
But now…his fingers were running delicately over the seam of her sex, opening her lower lips as though they were like petals…
He could feel how wet she was, her cream dripping onto his skin, her labia swollen and tingling with the rush of blood to that area…
His fingers pressed at her entrance and then pushed inside her…
She gasped, now clinging tightly to his shoulders as he went deeper…
Curling his fingers inwards, he pulled her sex closer…”This…” he pressed on her gspot, making her arousal spiral out of control…”is mine…”
Keeping the pressure unrelenting, his gaze scorched hers…”Khushi, everything about you is my top priority…Don’t you ever dare think that you come second to anything!”
Tears spilled out of her open eyes…”Ar…Arnav…I need to forget…I need you to touch me…”
Immediately his expression became dark with a threatening power…
A severe dominant flame scorched his eyes…
“Touch you?…”
He slipped his fingers from within her, but his hand lingered, his thumb brushing her swollen clitoris…
Unwilling to release her hair, he used his damp hand to pull his constricted hard flesh free as he lifted her onto him…
“Touch you Khushi?…” his voice was dripping with fury and authority…”I’m going to do a hell of a lot more than just touch you…I’m going to fuck you until you don’t remember your name…” his grip became tighter…”and then make love to you until you only remember mine…”
Her jaw dropped…
He had never spoken this way, and it made her body catch fire and break out in goosebumps…
The joint sensations of hot and cold made her sex leak drastically…
Not even needing to look, his solid length found her channel and glided inside her…
Now locked together, his erection thickened, filling her completely…
Khushi tried to drop her head to his shoulder, but he clasped her sturdily…
“I love you…my wife…”
Having her husband buried deep inside her created a surreal sense of peace in he soul…
“I can let everything else go…as long as I have you Khushi…”
Holding her hip, he lifted her and then let her sink back onto him, rocking together, their movements harsh…
“You are the blood in my veins, the very reason my heart beats…”
“Oh…my god…” she said on a tearful sigh…
His eyes were now brimming with tears, and a love so strong she caught her breath…
Silencing anymore words, he kissed her deeply, holding himself immersed inside her, an expression of intense passion on his face…
Holding her steady, he pulled out and thrust back in, hard.
Her inner muscles were starting to pulse around him, trying to milk him…
Letting out a cry of pleasure, she held onto him so desperately, never wanting to let go…
But as she felt the pressure increasing, he stopped.
Before she could question him, he was on her…
His hand still holding her head secure, his other arm now under her knee, lifting her leg…
“Tell me you believe me…” he pleaded…”Tell me you believe me!”
“I believe you…I’m sor-”
“I don’t want ‘I’m sorry’! I want you to believe me!”
“I believe you Arnav…”
“Tell me again!” he said with a savage bite…
She’d never seen him like this…
Drawn to this sharp an edge…
“I believe you…I believe you Arnav…”
He looked as if his life depended on the words that she spoke…
And he lowered his mouth to hers as he started to penetrate her trembling body…
His lips opening overs hers, tongue pressing onto hers, tasting, devouring…
Nothing could prevent the monster eruption building inside him…
Her hands were now questing over his broad shoulders, seeking his skin…
She pulled his shirt up and shoved her hands beneath the fabric and dug her nails into his muscled back…
Arnav immediately sped up his thrusts…
He could feel her channel contracting…
“Look at me.” he ordered.
Her eyes were hazy but she keep them on him…
Having her husband’s entire focus on her with such flammable intensity was almost unnerving her…
He could feel her body shaking, her leg in his grasp tremoring uncontrollably…
And her orgasm struck.
Arnav stared at her with unquenchable hunger as she convulsed beneath him, her sex clenching harder than he’d felt before…
“Hey…” he rasped…
She blinked, still quaking…
“I love you…” he said.
He bucked hard, and with a full blown shudder and a distorted groan, Arnav climaxed, and kept thrusting till he had nothing left, letting his semen burst against her cervix.
Their arms were so tight around each other, as though letting go for even a second would cost them their lives…
Quickly rolling her to her side, he stayed with her…
“I love you…I’m sorry if I scared you…but I have no patience when it comes to you…I need you to understand how much you mean…how much I would do for you, how much I would give up for you…”
He let her move back slightly to look at him…
Her eyes drank him in…
“Oh my..,” she thought frantically…”He looks dangerous …and completely mine…
“Damn fucking right…” he said in a feral snarl…
She frowned, blinking rapidly…
“I’m definitely completely yours…”
She blushed a darker red and he pressed soft kisses all over her face…
“I love that you mutter what you’re thinking…”
Khushi grumbled, “I don’t…”
Arnav quickly attached his mouth to hers and spoke, “And just for the record…you look ravished, delectable, and completely mine…”
Khushi took strength in their unity…
But soon tears caught up and Arnav groaned…
“Shit, don’t cry…”
“I…just…I couldn’t cope…” Khushi whimpered…
“You can. You have me.”
Arnav wound his hands back into her hair and pulled her close…”I would tear the world apart to bring you back to me! Fuck, I hit and knocked out my own men when they held me away from you!”
Her pupils expanded…”You…you what?”
“Khushi I couldn’t cope! No one could get through to me…I didn’t know if you were alive…I couldn’t hear anything…see anything…only you…”
Arnav’s voice sounded like he’d just gargled with glass…
The pain so evident, she could feel it…
“Listen carefully…I will fight, kill and annihilate anyone who tries to keep you away from me…” and his tone turned dark…”You know what I’m capable of…don’t you…”
She tried to nod, but his grip wouldn’t allow it…
The flare in her belly started to swell as she could feel his supreme power…
Just as she was about to speak, he swooped in and kissed her thoroughly…
“Now…the doctor came in just before your dream…” he paused, loving that even though he mentioned her dream, she didn’t flinch, “and I need to call him back…”
Sounding like he was going to leave her, Khushi grabbed his arm…
His eyes darted from her grasp and back to her face…
He chuckled, “Soon, your crazy brain will register just how insane I am for you…”
Wrapping her in the damp sheet, Arnav lifted her easily into his arms, and carried her to the door…
The moment he opened it, she saw Corey still standing guard…”I need the doctor to come back and check her…”
He instantly nodded and motioned to one of the many officers who were now patrolling the halls…
Her face flushed, “All of this is for-”
“You. Yes Your Highness…” Corey said assuredly.
Arnav gave her a sexy crooked grin as she looked back at him, “I was going to do all this, but guess who got to it first? My mother…”
Her eyes welled up as she smiled…”Can…can I see her too please?”
“Khushi, you don’t need to ask with such worry. Is your position clear to everyone in the kingdom except you?…you are my equal, you merely need to ask, and it’s yours…”
Clearing his throat, Corey interrupted, “I have sent word to her Majesty…I know they will be here very soon…”
As he spoke, the doctor came into view…
“Your Highness! Well, you have a wonderful color to your cheeks now…”
Khushi began to blush even more knowing exactly why she was a rosy shade…
She felt Arnav growl with pride.
“Head on my chest now Khushi…” he ordered her as he backed into their room once more, the doctor following close behind…
“I was actually just about to head home, but I’m glad I can see you before tomorrow…”
Khushi blinked, “Tomorrow? What time is it?”
Arnav placed her down carefully on the bed and held back a laugh at her hand that was still clinging to his shirt…
“Don’t go anywh-”
He stopped her with a hard kiss, his hand behind her head…
Not bothering to reply, he positioned himself on the bed next to her and nodded at the doctor…
“Okay, I would like to remove the bandage on your neck to check the stitches…”
She was about to lift her head when she hissed and Arnav’s reaction was instant.
He placed his large palm against the back of her neck and slid forwards, letting her lay back into his arms…
“How’s this Doc?”
The doctor seemed amused, “Much better angle, and this way she doesn’t have to keep asking if you’re staying…”
Her eyes flashed with quick indignation as Arnav began to laugh quietly as he said, “Do all women take so long to understand things?”
The doctor treaded carefully as he slowly peeled the bandage back, “Well, women are very…what did we say earlier? Headstrong?”
Khushi’s jaw dropped, “You…You two are…”
But as her gaze locked onto her husband, she saw his expression…
Relief, Joy and Possession…
But at her slight wince, as the bandage came off, his brow furrowed and smile disappeared…”Hey…hey it’s okay…shhh…”
“I’m alright Arnav…I’m…ouch…”
The doctor probed at the stitches carefully…
“Alright, sit her up properly…”
Arnav’s head turned to the doctor as he eased Khushi back up, “Is she ok? Damn it tell me!”
Khushi lifted her hand to his chest, “Arnav…he’s doing his job!”
And at that, the doctor chuckled, “You sound like the Queen…”
Arnav couldn’t keep up with the raging emotions inside him…
“Did someone mention my name?”
A voice rang out at the doorway…
“Mum?” Khushi said softly…
The queen was now speeding towards the bed…”Oh Khushi!”
“Mother, just carefully!” Arnav warned her…
Batting her son’s hands away, she moved gently to her daughter in law and wrapped her arms around her…
Khushi could still feel Arnav’s hand at the back of her head…
Suddenly without the bandage there, Arnav could see the long gash on her neck and the dark threads that held it together…
“Ok…Ok Mum I need you to back away a bit…”
The queen was having none of it…”Arnav! I am not going to hurt her, I can see I have to be careful…”
Khushi hiccuped with nerves, the love she was receiving suddenly blowing her away…
Everyone’s attention was now on her and she blinked out tears…
“You all love me…”
The words she spoke sounded like she didn’t fully believe it herself…
Arnav moved closer and the queen held onto Khushi’s hand…
“Khushi, you’re my daughter in law, and I love you so so very much!”
The King, who was now sitting in the chair near the bed, spoke up, “Khushi dear, we both love you and please for the love of God get better fast…between Your husband and My wife, I’m exhausted…”
Her eyes were on her father in law and she outstretched her hand…
He walked over and held it gently, “Sweetie, you’re everything and more than we could have ever hoped and prayed for…Please don’t doubt what we would all do for you…”
“If I can get a word in…” the doctor spoke warily…
“Oh God! Yes! Please! How is she? What does she need? Can I get her something? Anything?”
Arnav was filled with admiration for his mother who was now at her wits end to care for Khushi…
The king pulled the Queen into his arms and wrapped and arm around her waist…
“Oy! I’m just-”
“I know darling, but let the doctor speak…”
She threw an agitated glance at him and quieted…
The King kissed her cheek and nodded at the doctor…
“Ok, well It’s clean, it’s sealing, and the stitches can be removed in a week or so as long as she keeps her movement to a minimum…”
“Done.” Arnav said without any delay.
Khushi started to shake slightly, everything overwhelming her…
Arnav saw how fragile she was and took control immediately…
“I need everyone out…”
The doctor looked to Arnav, “I agree, Your Highness… She needs rest, her system is still in shock…”
Arnav knew that he had to get his wife’s emotions in a calmer state…
Holding Khushi’s hand, he stood up…”I’m serious! You all need to leave. Now. I love you mum, and dad, but-”
The King spoke up…”We underst-”
“Ofcourse we understand! Khushi rest, if you need anything, you know Arnav will get it…Just please get some rest…”
The King was now rolling his eyes…”Come on darling, let’s get your yammering mouth out of here…”
Khushi let out a small laugh and squeezed Arnav’s hand…
“Your Highness, I won’t reattach the bandage, let the area breathe…so please stay as still as you can…”
“Ofcourse…”
“Ofcourse she will…” Arnav stated…”Now, Please have some food brought in for Khushi so she can take some more painkillers please…”
“But…” Khushi spoke up quietly…
“Your Highness, you have to eat something to take these…they will make you nauseous if you take them on an empty stomach…”
The doctors voice was gentle as he packed up his bag and stood up off the bed, “I’ll see you tomorrow sometime alright? There are three other doctors and a medic on call for you if you need anything…”
Her eyebrows lifted…”Three?”
“Nothing but the best for you…” he smiled…
“Look, I’m trying to be nice, but I need Khushi to rest now…” Arnav said through clenched teeth.
The doctor nodded, “Ofcourse.” and as he disappeared through the door, a server brought in a small tray of food…
When the attendant got close, Arnav pulled the tray and motioned for the man to leave…
“Th…thankyou…” Khushi tried to call out, but her voice was getting weaker…
The door closed, and Arnav’s attention was now completely on his wife…
Sitting beside her, he balanced the tray on his lap and lifted the slice of dry bread to her lips…
“Eat.”
Her eyes flicked from his eyes to the food and back again…”You…You’re…”
He moved closer…”I will not have your pain get worse, eat.”
Parting her lips, she took a bite and chewed slowly…
As hew jaw moved, Arnav kissed her forehead…”Thankyou…”
Swallowing, she felt a tugging, followed by a stinging sensation…
Her hands came up to her neck and Arnav dropped the bread and grabbed her wrists…
“It’s alright…” his eyes studied her neck, letting his fingers slip lightly across the skin of her throat, “nothing has happened…you’re fine…”
Her breathing quickened, she said, “I don’t want anymore…”
“Just a little…please…then you can take the tablets and I’m going to hold you as you sleep…”
Khushi nodded, and opened her mouth once more…
But instead of feeding her, he leaned in and kissed her…
His lips were soft and warm, controlling the kiss…
Her parted lips caused her to respond almost instantly as he sought out her tongue in a delicate firm caress…
But he pulled back and pushed a large bite of bread in her mouth…
She tried to tell him off but could only mutter a rambling angry curse as he smiled…
He grinned, “Two small swallows alright?”
Khushi tried to be angry, but his face made her heart light up…
“O..k..ay…” she said with a full mouth…
Arnav pressed his lips to the pulse on her neck as she swallowed…
He hated hearing her slight hisses, but he finally passed her a glass of water and the two analgesics…
“One more time my princess…” he encouraged her…
And it was done…
“I hope they kick in soon…” she whispered…
His face paled…”You’re in pain?”
Taking a breath, she owned up, “Only in the last few minutes…”
“Fuck…”
His voice was tortured as he pulled her into his arms as carefully as he could…”You need to tell me…You need to tell me everything you’re feeling…”
Khushi started to yawn…”I…I will…”
His back was now against the pillows that covered the headboard as she lay in his arms…
“I just need you to be okay sweetheart…I’m here…not leaving…fuck, never leaving…”
And as she smiled, sleep took over…
…………………
“Fine I’ll eat…If you be quiet…” Arnav whispered loudly…
His mother smiled…”I’m only doing what I know Khushi would want, and ofcourse what I want…”
Arnav smirked, “…annoying women…”
Her eyes quirked…”What was that again?””
He bit back a smile as he held his sleeping wife close with one arm and started to pick at the food on the tray with his other…
“At least she has some color back in her face…”
Arnav’s chest beamed with pride…
Knowing how satisfied the woman in his arms was…
The queen sat on the opposite side of the bed and gently touched Khushi’s face…
“When you brought her in…she was so pale…”
Arnav was chewing hard on his food, “Mum…please…”
She frowned, aware that he couldn’t take hearing it, “I know…I just…how can a person do this? She is the kindest woman I’ve ever met…and I am damn proud that you chose her Arnav…I may have disowned you had you chosen that other woman who confronted Khushi…”
Arnav groaned, “Ugh…those women…wanting a title…wanting to be noticed…”
She sat up, her face now inquisitive…”How did you notice this treasure?”
And his eyes lit up…”As soon as I walked into the ballroom, like a magnet…I saw her…she kept her head down, trying to do her job…but…”
He took a long drink of water and then pushed the tray away…
Taking her small hand in his, he brought her fingers to his lips…”I freaking followed her around the room mum…”
His mother laughed…”That’s must have been a shock to your system…”
He nodded, “God yes…I’m usually the one who is followed, who has a damn trail of stupid giggling idiots who want attention…and the one person who I wanted the attention of, was…” he cringed…”was forbidden to look at me…and then left me to continue a life of absolute horror to ‘save me’…I don’t even know how I came to deserve her…”
“Arnav, I always knew you were capable of extreme love…”
He pressed his lips to Khushi’s palm…”Well I had no damn choice when I saw her…”
“Good.”
His chuckle made Khushi take a deep breath in her sleep…
“I’m glad she’s sleeping…this is how the body heals…”
Arnav scoffed, “I know…but fuck…”
“Language!”
He shook his head fast…”Mum I’m losing it…I SAW it all happen…”
She reached over and clasped his hand that still encased Khushi’s…”I know…I KNOW…there have been times I have seen your father go through things I never will forget…and ofcourse all the times you have marched off to fight…But remember one thing…Love is eternally strong…and I KNOW you know this…No matter what happens, no matter if you’re near or far, that love…that love is what keeps you grounded…what keeps both hearts together…”
“I never thought I’d love this strongly…it’s as though my soul is embedded in hers…I can’t breathe without her…”
The queen smiled…”I know this feeling…”
Arnav’s brow lifted…”Yeah, you might want to talk to dad, seeing as he’s sharing a lot of information about how tight knit you both are…”
The queen blushed but grinned…”Well, aren’t you glad you have a King and Queen who love each other so deeply? Because if not for our love, and my dad’s ‘law’, you wouldn’t have met-”
“Oh I would have met her…”
Her expression changed, her eyes questioning him…
“A love like THIS, that is THIS STRONG? I would have met her…I would have found my way to her…She can never escape me…I am bound to her so tightly, our hearts fused so completely…I WOULD HAVE FOUND HER… because I knew when I saw her that she was it for me…I knew in that very moment, that even though my head was vying for control, my heart was already on it’s knees before her…”
The Queen stared.
Arnav had spoken those words to Khushi as she slept, his eyes steadfast on her sleeping face…
“Wow.”
It was now Arnav’s turn to turn red…
“Uh…I…” he stuttered…
“That was beautiful my son…And I’m beyond proud…”
Khushi began to move slightly and the queen stood up…”Squirmy thing…like me…I kicked your father off the bed one night…”
Arnav laughed but quickly tried to quiet down…”Oh my God…you both need to write a story of all these escapades…”
“I may just do that…” she wiggled her eyebrows…
Arnav softly brushed his fingers across her hand, “…we’ve been married 18 months and I we were making progress. She started to act more free, she stood up to me, she talked back. Now I’m worried that this will-“
“No. Honey, she is a strong woman. These months have been an eye opener to her character. She has definitely been stifled and treated disgracefully, but you have been loving her out of that. She has you, and us. I won’t allow her to sink back into the scared girl she was.”
Arnav smirked, “You’re just glad that you have a woman on your side now aren’t you?”
She laughed quietly, “I was outnumbered with you two angry men.”
The Queen carefully shifted off the bed, “Okay, I’ll take the tray, time to head back to check the new round of guards…”
Arnav gave a half smile…”You realise you’re making me look bad right?”
She gave a snooty look, “I am the Queen! And I know you would have done this yourself, but you are exactly where you need to be…and I have been tiring your father out…so I have to-”
“I don’t need to know the details…” he chuckled…
Resting Khushi’s hand on his chest, reached out to his mother and took her hand into his and kissed it…”I love you mum…You’re one kick ass queen…”
She winked, “I sure am…”
……………………
Feeling stronger now that he’d eaten, Arnav was now growing restless…
“Fucking two days…I stayed away from her for two days…and now…”
He clasped her hand in his once again and kissed her fingers, sucking one into his mouth…
“Damn it I want you…”
Almost as if hearing him, her mind woke up…
His gaze pulled her in and sent her heart skittering…
“Hi…” he smiled…
It was impossible to ignore the well-defined chest she was resting her hand on, or the tingle that rushed over her skin from being encircled in the safety of his arms once more…
“Hi…” she whispered…
Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, his touch lingered as desire lit his eyes from within, stealing her breath and leaving her lightheaded…
The air between them felt charged, like there was a storm gathering on the horizon, keeping their entwined bodies on the edge of an explosion…
Leaning down, he breathed in her scent, his stubble rough against her cheek…
As his lips touched hers, the kiss started slow and deliberate…
I need him…
But as soon as her tongue pushed passed his lips and touched his, the kiss became a whirlwind and deepened until there was nothing but the two of them…
Nothing but a raw heat and passion had her pulling at him, needing his closeness…
Khushi fisted her hand in his shirt and pressed her soft body against his…
He heard her hiss against his mouth and he braced her hips gently, pulling away…
“No…” her panic rose so high the degree of her angst was incalculable…
Her voice was wispy as she could barely breathe…
“Khushi…you’re in pain…I can’t-”
“Please don’t pull away from me…Please don’t see me as damaged…I have only managed to survive this because I have you…”
Something snapped inside him.
Pulling their bodies up, he sat her steadily before him…
“Damaged!?”
His voice was starting to shake again…
The tight set of his jaw left no question to his anger…
Khushi tried to explain…”I ju-”
But her words were yet again cut off by his hard insistent kiss…
He conquered her mouth, not giving her any quarter, space to talk, think, barely even to breathe…
He kissed her thoroughly, tongue stroking every inch of her mouth…
This was a kiss of passion and possession…
He kissed her and touched her as though he needed to make sure she was still with him…
Khushi gasped into his mouth and he took advantage, mastering her mouth with his tongue, her body completely in his hands…
Gripping the back of her head, he threw his body onto hers…
His hard length found her core unerringly…
And he pushed in and filled her with one long thrust…
Her scream of shock and pleasure echoed in the room…
He penetrated her, pounding…
Through it all, he held her gaze, his eyes flashing with emotion…
“Does this feel like I think you’re ‘damaged’ Khushi!?”
Anything she could have said poured out of her eyes…
“That’s right! I see you for who you are! You are my wife! Stronger than I will ever be!”
And as he speared her over and over, he kissed her with everything he had, trying to give physical form the the emotions he couldn’t name, feelings that went way beyond words…
Khushi moaned low in her throat, and arched her back, desperate to have his body against hers, no matter the aches and pains…
“My Prince…”
“My Princess…” he replied instantly…
“Make me come…Please…”
Arnav clenched his teeth and growled.
Carefully sliding his free arm beneath her back, her eyes widened, knowing what was coming…
Regripping her hair, he held her head still…”No fear…feel ME!”
And he thrust harder, then harder…
Pumping his hips against hers, her gspot filled fast…
His length retreated and returned, over and over, her throaty moans mingling with his, her body trembling beautifully with each penetration, and he again marvelled at how perfectly she fit him, how completely right and united they were…
“Oh…Oh Arnav!”
“Fuck…You are mine!”
Her body began to clench down, her womb fluttering tight and the dam broke…
Gushing around his phallus, he was pushed out momentarily, but only speared back inside her, moving precisely as he churned into her glove tight core, lengthening her climax…
“Arnav…Arnav…I…I can’t…”
But he didn’t give her a moment to calm as he picked up his pace once more…
“Damaged!?” he roared…”Fuck damaged! You are eternally whole with me!”
And he held her down fiercely as another orgasm propelled through her…
It started as a blaringly tight coil low in her groin, which spread fast further and further out until it encompassed her whole body…
Her sex was flooding as he increased his movement yet again, slamming into her as her inner muscles contracted around him…
“Khushi!!”
Her name was on his lips as he cried out and held himself deep inside her, his hips shuddering to thrust into her again, and then his own orgasm unravelled as he shot his seed deep into her pulsing body…
“Oh…my…God…” he groaned out…
Her hands were shaking as she tried to hold him tighter…
“I’ve got you…got you my love…” he rasped out, breathless and trying to assess her body once again…
Rolling her to her side, he kept his arm beneath her neck…
“You…You don’t have to…to hold my head, I will try and make sure I-”
He grumbled as held her face gently…”I won’t take any risks with this…bruises are one thing…this is…” his eyes slammed shut.
“Arnav…talk to me…”
Her tiny voice made him shudder…”I saw him hurt you…I couldn’t do anything…I could have rushed him but he threatened to…” tears began to sting…”I didn’t realise until too late that he was too much of a coward to actually go through with what he said…”
“I know…” she ran her hands over his chest, his arms, his face…”I know why you didn’t…”
He turned his head, feeling fully ashamed…”I should have seen it sooner…I can always read an enemy’s intentions…but with you being threatened…I couldn’t…I was losing it…”
“I knew you were coming…I even knew that you would easily escape being killed…”
Arnav scoffed, as though the two men who had held him back were capable of taking him on…”They were dead before they could fucking blink…”
“Arnav…” her touch was searing him…”You saved me…you always will…”
“Yes. I damn will…but…”
She saw his strong body start to tremble…
“If I had seen sooner…that he was a weak coward…I could have spared you this pain…If I knew he was chicken shit, I would have been on him and tearing him limb from limb…your screams…they cut my heart into pieces…hurt me more than any physical blow ever could…”
“No…No Arnav…I’m here…I’m safe…you did what you had to do…and these wounds are nothing compared to a life without you…”
His eyes locked onto her…
When he breathed in, it was shaky and strained…
“Nothing…” he snarled…”Nothing will separate us…our love is eternal…You will never be free of me…”
Her eyes watered, “I don’t want to be free of you…the only freedom I feel is when I’m with you…”
Arnav moved in slightly and placed a soft gentle kiss against the bruises on her cheek, and then her forehead…
Her eyes glanced downwards, admiring his sensual body…
Long muscular legs with a smattering of dark hair.
Tight curls surrounded his long thick erection.
A stomach ridged in muscles…
His shoulders broad and strong…
When her eyes caught his once more, she realised he was staring at her with a dark expression that looked like he was going to eat her alive…
“If you keep looking at me like that you really are going to make me burst into flame…”
She smiled, but soon her eyes went dark and full of renewed desire…
“I want to touch you…” the need in her voice was nearly his undoing…
Her words were out of her mouth before she could even comprehend she’s spoken…
Arnav pulled her closer…”I’m yours Khushi…you never have to ask…”
And he wound her hair around his fist…”Keep your eyes on me, I don’t want you hurting…”
Khushi’s lips twisted into a soft smile as she moved her fingers down between their bodies and slid her hand from the root of his erection, up to the head, and back down again…
Arnav’s flesh jerked against her palm…
“I’m not hurting you am I?” she asked worriedly…
His voice was a growl…”Your touch could never hurt me….”
Her eyes slowly shut and he said…”Eyes open my love…”
With their languid gazes now hypnotised to each other, she resumed her touch on him…
His flesh was long and thick, every ridge and vein pronounced as the blood flowed stronger…
Circling his girth in her hand, he felt more hot and solid than ever…
Swiping her thumb over the head of his glans, she smeared drops of pre cum over his length…
Full of might and force, he hooked her calf over the top of his thigh, opening her to him…
She was already wet, her sex raining out her desperation…
His hand covered hers as she stroked his flesh at her entrance…
She tried to push down onto him…
“Not yet my love…”
“Please…” and she managed to get his erection past her labia, but he still wasn’t penetrating…
Again she tried to push her hips forward, but he held her forcefully…
“Tell me…” he ground out as his gaze still pierced hers…
“I love you…”
His voice was gruff…”What else…?”
“You will always save me…”
He growled…”And why will I always save you?”
“Because I’m your wife…”
His chest now rumbled with aggression…
Holding her head and neck steady, he dislodged her hand from his phallus and pushed her thighs open with his knees…
Grabbing her hands one by one, he pinned her arms above her head as his free hand vised her wrists…
His words rattled the bedframe…
“Because you are my life! You mean everything!”
With a nudge of his hips, he thrust into her, spearing her sex in one fatal penetration…
“Oh, God!” she gasped as her eyes were wide and still on his…
Arnav pushed hard and deep, and then drew out, before thrusting even deeper, rooting himself inside her…
His cock hit her cervix, sending small sparks of painful pleasure through her body.
Holding himself still, he rasped…”Now close your eyes…”
She looked up at him nervously, but he shook his head…”Close your eyes my love…”
Once she did, he lowered his face to her throat, breathed over her slashed skin and placed the softest open-mouthed kisses around the wound…
And his penetrations continued…
His sinewed buttocks clenched as he withdrew and thrust back inside…
Her screams were reverberating against his lips as he held his mouth to her neck…
“She’s alive…she’s with me…always with me…”
Khushi weakly tried to pull her arms free, wanting to grip his shoulders…
But he tightened his clasp…
Moving lower, he claimed her breasts as his…
“Mine…” he breathed as he dragged his wet lips over her skin…
Over the bruises…
“Mine…” he thundered as he slid his tongue around her crinkling areolas…
“Oh…oh my…yes…please…”
He wasn’t going to suck, but he was damn well going to devour what was his…
The circles around her nipples became smaller and softer as the thrusts in her core became harder and faster…
Arnav exhaled his breath against her wet nipple, puckering the skin…
Carefully and softly, he captured the bud between his lips, letting his tongue slide slowly over the nerves…
He ground his hips, making her feel the length of his phallus as it brushed her clitoris with every stroke…
And he trailed his tongue across her tightening nipples…
“Yes…Yes…Arnav…Yes…” her moans were constant…
He could feel her orgasm mounting…
Her breath came harder and faster
Toes curling.
Fingers searching for a way out.
Nipples throbbing against his tongue, matching the beat of his own heart…
“Who do you belong to!?”
She felt his commanding question shake her as she screamed her answer…”…to you!”
He slammed his mouth to hers…
And then her body tensed…
Her back arched as her exquisite explosion began…
His momentum increased, forcing out her impending detonation.
Releasing her hands, she climaxed and her body struck out…
She screamed his name louder than he’d ever heard…
Her hands came around him, clawing at his back as the wave of her orgasm swept over her in pulses leaving her shuddering and convulsing beneath him…
He roared as he shoved himself deep and his hips hurtled once more and he filled her…
His mind went black as hot semen surged out from his phallus and he clung to her, their breathing and heartbeats as one…
Both finding healing and solace in each other…
Hurrying to get his mind back in place, he rolled them back so she was laying on her side, his blinking eyes surveyed her as fast as he could…
His hand had held her neck still…
She was gasping and panting, still in an ocean of bliss…
Arnav held on, her body joined to his, her leg still hooked over him…
“…my beautiful wife…” he murmured as he smoothed her matted and sweaty hair away from her face…
As reality started to come back, Khushi tried to pull him closer…
“Sweetheart, If It were possible for us to be closer, don’t you think I would have made that happen already…?”
And her smile lit up his heart…
Despite all the scrapes, gashes and bruises that littered her body, she’d never felt safer…
“How do you always do this?” she breathed…
Arnav almost looked smug…
Khushi clicked her tongue…”I’d hit you if I had any energy left…”
Coming fully back over her, his gaze was intense…”You want to know how?”
Her face was almost serene, but the desperation in here gaze is what spiked his power…
His eyes became ravenous, full of acute dominance, “Because I know you better than I know myself! You are my every thought, my every dream…” his voice choked up…”and losing you was my every fucking nightmare!”
“Arnav…”
“Quiet!” he snapped, his voice showing his fear that was on par with his passion…”There is no need to be surprised that you’re more familiar to me than the air that I breathe, than my own heart, my own soul…because you’re all that ever matters to me…”
Her lips parted…
But he wasn’t done…”I want to consume you! I want to make you as desperate for me as I am for you…All my life, I have never been out of control, never been at anyone’s mercy…but, Khushi…I’m at your mercy! You have the power to break me! You are mine Khushi, just as I am yours…No matter how much time passes, that is the cold hard truth between us…”
“You’re mine…” she whispered…
And he lost his mind…
His newly hardened erection, that was still buried inside her, pulled out and thrust back in…
“Arnav!”
His hips pushed her thighs open wider and forced her to take as much of him as possible…
Thrust after thrust…
He lowered his chest back onto hers slowly, watching for any sign of pain…
But she was glowing with pleasure…
Khushi clung to him, his forehead against hers as his pace quickened and he covered her face in his kisses…
Summoning all her strength, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him deeper…
Arnav tilted his hips so that each thrust was intense and with sublime purpose, the energy inside him starting to build once more, as his head spun with heightened emotions…
Knowing she was tiring greatly, he hooked her leg under her knee and buried himself inside her deeper with each spearing penetration, filling her completely while pressing against her gspot, her moans of pleasure pushing him so he was teetering on the edge of coming again…
“Come on my love…your orgasms are mine…your heart is mine…everything about you belongs to me!”
His words set her climax free, making her cry out as she clung to him with the last of her willpower…
Her body quivered in his arms as he thrust a few more times and unleashed his own release like lightning in a summer storm, his shaft throbbing deep inside her…
With their breathing still heavy, and pulses hammering, Arnav huddled her close as she tried to come down from the cloud she was on…
Unable to hold back, he caught her panting mouth in a hard kiss…
Her hands flew to his chest, holding weakly onto him as his tongue danced with hers…
“Fuck…” he ground out against her mouth…”I’m never going to get enough of you…”
Question!
I’ve almost finished a sequel story for “My Life for Your Love…”
It’s pretty intense…
Who would be interested to read?
If I get enough interest I’ll post the first part in a few days 🙂
My Life For Your Love
An Arnav/Khushi FairyTale!
In the entire ballroom, no other woman had demanded his gaze so fervently.
Hundreds of women flocked around him, and yet, the innocent and graceful face of one woman held him captive.
He had already slowly moved in her direction for most of the evening, as though stalking his prey…
His thoughts were even irritating him.
“Why am I following her?”
Anger surged inside his heart at his lack of control…
“So Prince Arrrnavvvv….”
A sultry tone of one drooling woman interrupted his thoughts.
“I hear that your father is insisting you make a declaration in two days as to who you want to marry?”
His dark expression returned…”Yes.”
Arnav knew all the women in the ballroom were out to try and land themselves the title of ‘Princess’.
The woman batted her eyelashes and took a step closer…”Always with the one word answers…I too am willing to answer with only one word, should you ever ask me a question.”
Arnav, who was getting more frustrated with each word that dripped from the woman’s mouth, quickly turned to her…”If you will please excuse me.”
The lady nodded, but licked her lips, trying to tempt him into considering her for a bride.
“I Fucking hate this…” he brooded furiously under his breath…
As he strode away, his eyes once again sought out the new servant…
Her hypnotic yet nerve-filled eyes that fluttered, her dark hair that was tied back pristinely…
And his eyes found her.
She walked with a gentle sway of her hips, one that only sparked forbidden images in his head.
Of all the woman that were in the room, all the beauties who were adorned with jewels and makeup, all the ‘politically correct’ suitors, he had to be drawn to a maid…
“A fucking servant…of all people…”
He rolled his eyes, hating his lack of restraint and control.
He never allowed a woman to hold his undivided attention, and he wasn’t going to start now.
“Prince Arnav!” screeched another sequin-clad lady…
He turned to see a raven haired temptress approach him…
She was stunningly beautiful, curves in all the right places, and breasts that jutted out to press against his chest as she edged up close…
“Goodevening Lavanaya…” Arnav’s voice was low and disinterested as he greeted her.
“When do you make your decision?”
He quirked his brow, feeling sick of her already…”it in 48 hours.”
“I see,” she exhaled, making sure her breath wafted over his cheek…”well…you certainly have your pick…anyone who you want…”
At that moment, he saw her again, slowly stepping past, keeping her eyes low…
“…not anyone…”
“What?”
Arnav straightened, not realising he had spoken his thoughts aloud…
Lavanaya narrowed her eyes…”What do you mean, not anyone?”
Arnav felt a headache start to throb in his temples…
What was this power that servant girl held over him?
He’d only JUST set eyes on her, and yet it was as though she held an antidote to all that he was suffering from.
Women were leering at him from every angle, and yet the one woman whom he wanted to lock eyes with did not meet his gaze.
“Why won’t she look at me?” his mind asked over and over…
Lavanaya was nattering on about marriage and not-so-subtley suggestive acts…
Arnav didn’t want any of this.
He knew that he HAD to marry before his 30th birthday if he wanted to hold onto his title as Prince, but the thought of marrying ANY woman who was of his ‘class’ appalled him.
He recalled his father’s speech, one that had been drilled into him since his 21st birthday.
“You will marry. You will choose a woman of class, fit for royalty. If you choose someone of no class, the punishment is death. And no one, including those of the royal blood, escapes this punishment.”
Arnav knew that if he didn’t choose a woman of stature, that he would lose his life, and that if he didn’t choose SOMEONE he’d relinquish his title…
And that was unacceptable.
He was the most feared warrior, the most skilled in combat, and he lived for this prominence and power, and he wasn’t about to give it up for anyone.
But still, the thought of marrying any woman in the room, felt entirely abhorrent.
Sure he could bed them easily.
Fucking a willing flirt would be no feat at all.
And he knew it wouldn’t mean anything, least of all ‘love’…
He snickered under his breath… “Love…what a joke…there’s no way I will ever love any woman…”
Arnav had gone along with his Father organizing this event, so he could just pick a random girl out of the crowd to marry.
All he wanted now was to get this stupid decision out of the way…
“May I offer a drink?”
Brought back to the moment by a voice that sounded like divine music, he looked before him and a full blown shudder raced through his body…
The woman who wielded the power to shatter his control stood before him.
And he didn’t even know her name…
“Ohhhhh more champagne!!” Lavanya cooed as she lifted a glass from the tray the girl was holding…”The drinks are simply superb Arnav….”
Every sound around him was gone as he drank in the picturesque maid…
His eyes widened when her eyes flashed with an emotion he couldn’t place…
The servant girl kept her gaze low, but the commanding presence of the Prince was hard to ignore…
The sparks of energy that filled her just being near him were startling her as she could feel his power…
He was six and a half feet of huge shoulders and menacing muscle with eyes the color of the night sky…
She could feel his intense, ruthless gaze on her.
Lavanaya drank the contents of the glass down, and quickly grabbed another…”I can show you just how much fun life with me can be…”
As she downed more champagne, Arnav’s eyes were still fixed onto the angelic woman before him…
But even as his heart beckoned to her, his eyes held a cold disdain for anyone who could unman him.
And this was one person who could…and WAS.
The servant girl felt the prince’s eyes on her.
She could feel his cold glare hovering over her like a dark cloud.
“…there’s no more…” Lavanaya whined like a child…
Her voice was grating on his nerves…
He was just about to excuse himself when Lavanaya dropped the glass to the tray in the maid’s hands…”GO servant! Get more!”
Arnav’s head snapped up, instantly seeking out the girl’s reaction.
She was shocked, pale and frozen in place.
“What’s wrong with you, you idiot servant!!!”
Arnav didn’t think, his body automatically whirled between the maid and Lavanaya…”You will quiet down.” he warned angrily…
“Your servants are incompetent!”
Arnav could hear the maid start to breathe faster, as though desperate to calm herself…
His heart rate kicked up and he fought the need to take her in his arms…
Furious with his reaction to the maid, and livid with the spectacle Lavanaya was performing, he growled low and dangerously, “You will not address her anymore, and keep your fucking voice down.“
The moment the Prince stepped in front of her, Khushi felt shielded…
The sudden wave of his protection of her made her look up, and that was when she realized her mistake…
The woman who hired her for this attendant job demanded all the servers keep their heads down, and go unseen…
A harsh hand closed over her forearm and began to drag her away as the situation unfolded in front of the Prince…
Lavanaya’s mother was pushing her way through the crowd, rushing to her drunken daughters side.
“Get a hold of yourself! Stop it immediately!” the older woman grumbled, and looked apologetically at Arnav…”I am so so sorry, I will take her home this minute.”
The entire time, Arnav stood protectively in front of the young maid…
His instant need to hide her not only from Lavanaya, but from the belittling glares of the guests was stronger than his need to breathe…
As Lavanaya’s mother dragged her away, he was promptly surrounded with other crawling suitors, trying to show off their worth…
He began to pull at his collar, feeling as though he would explode with rage…
Turning around, he saw that the girl his heart was looking for, had slipped away…
……….
He’d had enough.
Striding furiously towards his father, he rudely interrupted…”I’m done. I’m leaving.”
“Arnav, wait…” the King began, but his son had already woven his way through the crowd and disappeared out the hallway door.
The King rolled his eyes as he felt a hand hold onto his…
“Let me guess, He’s angry again…He’s been rude again…and he has stormed out?”
King Josef smiled at his wife and lifted her hand to his lips…”All that and more…I’m actually worried he is going to just pick someone here for the sake of his power and his position…”
Wendy, the beautiful tall queen, shuddered, “How can he be like this when you’re such a wonderful, loving man?”
The King grinned, “Was I really that way to begin with?”
A blush spread over her entire body as a smirk twisted at her mouth, “No my King, you most certainly weren’t…”
His eyes flashed with promise of what they would do later, “Rein it in for now, wildcat…For now, we have to mingle, and you’re tempting me to do things I shouldn’t…”
She laughed and nodded, “Fine, but please…if he chooses someone from this party, can we lock him in the jail?”
The king chuckled, “He will find someone…and I fear he’s going to be fucking LIVID about relinquishing that control he has on his heart…”
Queen Wendy leaned in and whispered, “Like father, like son…”
……….
Arnav stomped into his room, his attendant close behind…
He pulled at his tie and threw it onto the bed as it made a whipping sound…”Fucking hell…”
The nervous servant knew of the Prince’s volatile temper and asked with a shaky tone, “Your Highness? Can I offer any assistance? Any Food or-“
Arnav spun around to face him as he snarled…”Who is she?!”
The attendant flinched…”She?”
His patience was almost non-existent now, “The new servant. The maid with the dark hair. Who served drinks to me when Lavanaya made a scene.”
Julius, the young server, began to sweat as he spoke, “…all I know about her is that she came here looking for work. Some severe family issues, and she needed money, basically begging to be hired…”
His pride was demanding he didn’t ask more, but the words kept spilling out as his fists clenched at his sides…”Has she been here long? I haven’t seen her before tonight…”
“She started tonight, and is being fired this moment.”
Arnav’s expression changed in that split second, and the look of disgust on his face made a chill sweep the room…”Fired!? Why!? What the fuck did she do!?”
His servant was terrified but continued…”Be…because that is how Greta operates. She’s the head Maid in the kitchens and has a policy on servants and the rules they must obey. The girl was part of the scene that took place between Miss Lavanaya and yourself. No servant is ever kept on unless they basically go unnoticed. She was dragged away the moment you stood before her, because she looked up at you…”
“She looked at me…”
Arnav quickly blocked out the thought as an even worse one dawned on him…
“Wait, she’s being fired because she LOOKED at me?! Does my father know of this rule?! It was Lavanaya who caused the scene! What kind of fucking sick rule is that!?”
The attendant was now backed up against the wall, his nerves clearly showing, “Your Highness, I don’t think the King is privy to the rules set out, the person Greta would go through would be Sir Dwayne, the chief of security…all I know is that it IS a rule…”
Arnav’s presence now crackled with anger, the fire in his eyes burning bright as he snarled, “…that fucked up rule doesn’t apply to her!”
Julius was now utterly bewildered and blurted out…”Why?”
Arnav opened his mouth to reply, but froze at the words he had spoken.
“Why the fuck DOESN’T it apply to her?!”
He had merely watched her serve drinks the entire night, and already she held more importance than rules and traditions?
Spinning on his heel, he angrily tugged off his jacket and threw it across the room, “Fucking hell. Get out!”
Julius was now speechless…
Arnav shot him a look, not sure if he was angrier at himself, or at the girl’s power over him…”DO AS I FUCKING SAY!”
The man nodded, and quickly disappeared.
Now alone, Arnav was immediately at war.“She needs money? …Family issues? …Fired?“
He prowled from one side of his room to the other…
Arnav inhaled sharply at the memory of the girl’s wide brown eyes…
Upon first sight of her, he’d instantly wanted to be closer to her, to search her gaze…
And the moment he heard her voice, her purity and sweet innocence reared up and punched him in the gut…
“Fuck this, It’s good that she’s getting fired…” he muttered to himself…
With his impending wedding closing in, he didn’t need his loyalties diverted.
He was pissed off that his best friend Jacob was away on his honeymoon and not here to distract him from all this unnecessary emotion…
“I don’t need this…I don’t need a wife for anything other than keeping my title…especially not a damn servant…“
He stormed towards his bed, fisting the covers angrily as he closed his eyes…
Arnav’s heart, that he never knew he had, started telling him that this woman possessed something unique.
He could see uncertainty and trepidation in her eyes…
Beneath that lurked something different, determination.
She was determined to help her family…or herself?
Then he remembered what his attendant said, “She is being fired this moment…”
His stomach turned at the thought of how she would be tossed out on the street.
Anger and dismay vied for prominence in his heart…
He strode purposefully to the window and rested his hand on the glass, his eyes shut tight and his heart nearly beat out of his chest…
The image of her being tossed out cruelly was now more than he could handle…
“Fuck it…” Arnav blew out a breath and marched from the room…
……………..
“Please! Please! One more chance, the disturbance was not my fault!”
The older woman who was in charge of the servants paid no heed to anyone’s cry.
“Khushi Kumari Gupta, you caused a disturbance…and dared to look upon the Prince! Like you are worthy of that! You are not above my rules. You will get your things, and leave immediately.”
Khushi fell to her knees before the woman, tears now streaming down, “Please, please…ONE more chance, I don’t care what the duty is, please give me one more chance.”
The burly woman, trod forwards and grabbed Khushi by the back of the neck…”You are getting OUT of here!”
Khushi whimpered from the pull and tug on her hair as she continued to plead…”Please! I need the money! My family will be left with nothing! Please, I will do ANYTHING!”
Greta opened the door to the servants house and threw Khushi out…”You’re FIRED you worthless-“
As the woman’s words died in her mouth, Khushi braced herself for a thunderous fall.
Holding her breath, instead of hitting the gravel, her body landed against something huge, firm and unyielding…
Something warm and protective that had a strong heartbeat.
Too shocked and nervous to open her eyes, Khushi remained still as her body shook against whoever was holding her…
Her soft sobs were now being overshadowed by the loud gasps echoing around…
Arnav had turned the corner and reached the servants wing the second she was about to hit the stone ground…
His reaction was automatic, and he lunged to catch her, the need to save her EXTREME…
“Prince Arnav!” shrieked the woman in charge, her eyes now drained of all her prior ‘power’.
A shiver crawled up Khushi’s spine…
“Is the prince nearby? Is he here to get rid of me personally?”
Khushi made an attempt to move back to see in whose arms she was being held, but the iron clad grip only tightened…
Before her wonderings could advance, she heard a stern voice boom out from the man who held her…
“Withdraw to your quarters and return to your business…this woman is NOT your concern, and I now know of your RULES. Be prepared for a complete inquisition. You come near this woman again, and you will be expelled.”
Arnav felt her gasp against his chest, and his heartbeat quickened…
The older woman began to mutter…”Your Highness, please-“
“SILENCE! You will return to your duties NOW.”
Khushi then heard the mean-spirited woman shuffle back inside and slam the door.
She was now truly frightened of what was going to happen.
Expecting to see a hoard of armoured security when she lifted her head, she was well and truly astonished when her eyes fluttered open…
Darkness, only a few lights shining around…
It was just her…and the Prince.
…….
Khushi couldn’t summon her voice to speak.
And Arnav was well and truly hypnotised.
The moment he had touched her, her presence shattered his senses like kryptonite.
Trying to shake off the control she was holding over him, he gripped her upper arms and jerked her back an inch, forcing her head back, making her eyes pop open.
Finally his gaze hit hers and what she saw took her breath away.
He was a thousand times scarier and more frightening than any master she had, and yet he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
His cold detached expression was that of a killer, but his commanding presence had her terrified.
He emanated such an authoritative presence it made her want to drop to her knees in surrender.
His hands went still as the air crackled between them…
Arnav didn’t know what he was hoping for…
On one level he was hoping that once she was close, that his senses would kick in and he wouldn’t feel any desire for her…
But that level was instantly abolished…
She was so stunningly beautiful, every breath he took hurt.
His heart was now thundering…
His muscles tensed…
Her eyes were two black holes that were sucking him in at a devastating speed…
She wasn’t just vulnerable, her eyes showed how alone she felt.
Khushi blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness…
Murky shadows adorned each corner of the pathway beneath them…
Arnav began to feel something he’d never before experienced…
A warmth began to fill his heart…
Along with complete and utter outrage.
“What is this WEAK state of mind she is giving me!?”
His hands braced her forearms tighter as he pushed her away from his body…
Seeing his anger, Khushi quickly forced out words …”I…I’m…I’m so sorry Sir…”
Arnav felt his heart clench…
He usually loved invoking fear in people, but why did he not want her to fear him?
Disgusted at himself again, he grabbed her hand, and began to drag her away.
“What the FUCK am I doing…!?” his thoughts kept screaming…
But senses be damned, he dragged her all the way to his room and bolted the door shut behind them.
She was visibly shaking, fear completely washing over her face…
He began to walk towards her…”You need money? You need money so bad that you declare you would do ANYTHING!?”
Khushi shook as she stumbled backwards, finally falling back onto…
She looked around her…
His Bed.
Her eyes were now wide with horror and embarrassment…
“I’m…I’m so sorry…I…I…”
Arnav reached out and grabbed her hand, yanking her upwards against his chest.
“Anything!?”
Fear held her frozen in place…
The sick and twisted side of his character began to feel pleased at her fear…”ANSWER ME SERVANT!”
Khushi nodded…”My…my aunt…is very sick…she is my only family…I…I can’t pay for her treatment…”
Arnav knew what he should do.
He should send her away, immediately.
He should give her a handful of cash and tell her to never show her face to him again.
But the words wouldn’t form on his lips…
The thought of sending her away was like a zap of pain…
“So scared…eyes so gripping…”
The gnawing inside him continued to grow stronger…
His eyes roamed over her…
Perspiration beaded on his back, and a solitary drop rolled down his spine…
He tried to swallow, but could not force his throat to work.
He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.
Candlelight was now gleaming off her skin, her every breath caused her chest to rise and fall…
Her narrow waist blossomed into voluptuous hips with he felt himself desperate to caress…
He inhaled and reminded himself of the punishment for choosing to marry below his class…death.
But as he looked at her, he wondered if even the prospect of losing his life would stop him from wanting her…
He had a lavish choice of women…but his heart didn’t pull to them like they pulled to this woman…
“Y…your…Hi…Highness…I…”
Snapping back to attention, he glared at her, almost in disgust…”QUIET!”
She recoiled, her hands shaking, her lips quivering…
Clenching his jaw, he steeled himself…
“Why the FUCK do I want her!!!”
His mind was now playing out a harsher war than any he had physically fought in…
“How dare she have such an effect on me! I will break this…and I will break her…”
“…wh…what do you want from me?” her voice shook, cracking with fear…
“EVERYTHING…” Arnav thought frantically…
Summoning his cold, emotionless heart forwards, he thought…“I don’t fall in love. I won’t sleep with her. I’ll just pleasure her…get her out of my system…get all my fun and fantasies done with…prove to MYSELF that I control how I feel and that I get what I want!”
Standing tall before her, his eyes were stern and cold…
“I will pay for all your Aunts treatments, bills and anything else she may need…but you are going to do as I ask…”
Khushi was now terrified at what she would be asked to do…
“Don’t do this!” his heart screamed…
He shook his head, his fury over his feelings was consuming him.
“There are rules here. And you have broken them. You SHOULD be sent away. But if you are willing to do exactly what I say, then you will leave here with everything you need.”
She was visibly scared…”What…what would I have to do?”
“Whatever… I…ask…or I throw you the fuck out.”
Her eyes narrowed and she burned her stare into him.
“Interesting, You have some destain showing…Good…” he thought…“this will be easier if you hate me…”
She glared for a long second before she finally showed resignation.
“You have completely bewitched me. And I WILL NOT have that type of emotion in me. I will play with you, but I won’t have sex with you…you aren’t important enough to fuck”
Khushi’s heart hurt but she started to understand what he now wanted…
She began to shake her head…”Oh…no…no I can’t…”
“Yes, SERVANT, you will…and I have rules too… You will not kiss me. I will not kiss you…and you won’t ask for anything.“
Hatred for the man who was the prince began to grow inside her…“What kind of man is this! He seeks me out, just to do this!? He could have ANYONE! Why does he want me!?”
“Understood?” he growled out…
Khushi knew she should say no, slap him in the face, run from the room…
But she knew what kind of life awaited her outside the castle walls…she knew that she needed the money…but along with that came a fire…there was something about the prince that also set her heart burning…
Khushi pursed her lush lips and Arnav’s gaze lingered there longer than it should have…
“I want you…” he began to circle her with a predatory slowness…”I’m going to pleasure you…”
Khushi swallowed hard…”You don’t even know me…you don’t even know my name…”
His response was instant…”And I don’t want to. I want distance to be kept between us…”
Her expression was now draped with sadness as her thoughts tormented her…“I truly mean nothing. I mean nothing to everyone. Even now, I have the attention of a Prince, and he wants to take from me.”
The overwhelming, conflicting urge to soothe her, to punish her for driving him insane with desire and then, in turn, comfort her with kisses, gripped him viciously.
He breathed in deeply in an attempt to concentrate.
Arnav stopped walking, and stood behind her…
He reached out and touched her hand, making her flinch…
“I will not harm you…I am going to use you…nothing more…because this hold over me, is unacceptable…”
Her lips parted but she remained quiet.
Arnav shifted his weight from one foot to the other…
“Tell me to touch you…”
A ragged breath shuddered out of her lungs…
Her mind was at war with her heart…”Should I say it?”
“Fucking say it…” he bit out…
And the words spilled from her lips…
“Pl…please touch me Prince Arnav…”
His breath froze in his lungs…
The way she said his name sent jolting currents of desire directly into his groin…
“Don’t you dare say my name…you think you’re worth that?!”
Her countenance immediately deflated, and he knew had just bruised her heart…
His chest started to burn with pain but he clenched his teeth and snarled, “You will call me Sir? …understand?!”
He took a step forward, closing the distance between them…”Or I will personally throw you to the street!”
Khushi shivered, but was it from the threat, or from feeling the crowned prince stand so close…?
His chest was touching her back…
“Do you understand!?”
His roar made her jump and she quickly stuttered…”Yes…y…yes…yes sir…”
He lifted his hands, and slowly began to unbutton her black maid dress…
She twitched…”What…?”
“I going to look at your body…”
She blinked several times before finally surrendering and closing her eyes…
Her body grew taut.
She barely breathed as Arnav gently began to undress her…
Khushi didn’t know what he was thinking or seeing…
“Thank God she closed her eyes…” he thought to himself as he slowly bared each divine inch of her body…
He walked around in front of her and simply stared…
“She’s…” he couldn’t breathe…“She’s beautiful.”
Repositioning himself behind her, he slowly lifted his hand and cupped one of her breasts in his palm…
His cock was now straining against his pants, pre cum heating his boxers…
“Oh…my…God…”
Khushi’s knees instantly buckled as strange and frightening sensations struck her…
Arnav quickly wrapped his other arm around her holding her up against his body.
“Stand.” he said angrily…”Close your eyes…”
Arnav began to gently massage her breast, slipping the palm of his hand over her nipple…
A whimper suddenly escaped her throat, hitting his senses like a tidal wave…
He walked around her once more…
She could hear him breathing harder, but he wasn’t touching her…
She waited.
The next thing she felt was something hot and wet closing over her distended nipple, making her shriek…
Arnav’s groin tightened hearing her gasp…and his heart exploded tasting her skin…
Khushi looked down and saw his mouth, completely covering her areola and nipple…
She could have taken a step back.
She could have shifted away.
But she did neither.
She stood as still as a statue and let her eyes slam shut…
She could feel her nipple growing bigger in his mouth, like they did when she was cold…
But this time she wasn’t cold…
Her skin was shivering, and yet she was burning up…
Arnav chanced a glance at her face…
Her forehead furrowed in fearful desire…
Her top teeth now pressed hard into her bottom lip…
The small nipple was hard in his mouth…
He knew he should slow down, but the incredible taste of her skin was making him powerless to stop…
As he moved to her other hard bud, some dark part of him wanted to hear her moan his name…
He wanted to hear her call out for him in the throes of passion…
Defiance knifed through him, “I won’t allow that!”
He couldn’t allow his heart to make decisions for him…
With a growl, he released her nipple with a soft suck and turned away, walking to his dresser drawers.
“Time to experiment…break this spell…”
He pulled out a small box and opened the lid…
Khushi couldn’t see what was inside, and wasn’t feeling confident enough to ask…
Her body was still tingling from what he just did…
“What is this feeling?” she wondered…
She squeezed her thighs together as she felt an unfamiliar ache between her legs…
Arnav closed the lid of the box and walked back to her…
“Stand perfectly still…understand?”
His eyes held warning.
Khushi nodded…
He saw her bite her lip and he craned his head…”You wish to speak?”
Her slight nod had his voice soften without his consent…”Go on then…”
“I…I’m nothing like the women you can choose from. I am nothing special. I have never…never even been seen like this…never been touched like this…why me?”
His eyes widened and she thought he might release her, but in the next breath she saw his eyes darken.“…never?”
Khushi shook her head, her cheeks going read.
Complete and utter possession slammed straight into the heart he didn’t even know he had, “She’s…she’s all MINE…”
Furious at himself once more, Arnav scowled…”I told you why I want you…and I will not take your virginity. No matter how much I want to use you…” he paused as pain shot from her eyes…”I won’t do that because it would mean my life! I am to be legally bound to another woman soon…but you…I want you for some stupid reason…and so I will grant myself this…” he glared into her eyes…”And you will get what you want…”
Arnav knew that if he fucked her, he would want to fuck her again.
One time was not going to be enough.
Khushi blinked slowly, sending more jolts of ecstasy through his body…
Hearing how little she meant to him, made her heart hurt…
And she already knew how little of her heart was left…
The torturous life she led had slowly been chipping away at her soul and she was sure there were only a few embers remaining.
“Why do I wish that he would care for me? Even a little”
Taking her hands, he pulled the scarf from her hair and watched in awe as her hair fell around her shoulders…
Khushi held her breath and looked away…
Using the silk scarf, he grabbed her wrists, tying them tightly together in front of her…
Her sharp whimper made him snarl with pride…
Walking back around her, he lifted the box into her vision…
Her eyes widened when she saw it’s contents…
Three shiny silver clamps.
“What…? What are they for!?”
Arnav smirked hearing her sudden question…”Suddenly bold enough to speak without asking?”
Khushi went silent, her lips pressing together as shame covered her face.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he snatched one of the clamps from the case and tested it’s tension…
Her eyes shut tight, not wanting to see what was going to happen…
Arnav opened it wide, and popped it onto her nipple…
Her eyes snapped open and at the same time, she cried out…
She writhed, shaking her breast as if she could shake free from the clamp…
Her eyes lifted to his…”That…that hurts…”
Arnav’s erection throbbed in his trousers even as his heart tugged seeing her fear…”Be still…”
When she didn’t stop moving, he lifted his hand and pressed it to her other breast, squeezing gently…
Their gazes locked again as he tweaked her nipple until it was so hard that it visibly throbbed…
“I…I…don’t…know…what going on…with me…” she moaned…
This was what part of him wanted.
He wanted to shatter her innocence.
He wanted her to squirm and plead that he let her go.
But as he massaged, she stilled.
Furious at her determination, he applied the second clamp…
Wincing, she let out a soft whimper…
She was trying to control her breathing, and almost succeeded until he reached between her legs…
“What…no…no…you said…”
“Did I say you could speak?” Arnav growled…
The prince’s actions were terrifying her, and yet the stinging from the clamps was making her core get hotter and hotter…
The look in her eyes was making the strange new ache in his heart get stronger…
He wanted to attack himself for his complete lack of control.
Never had he wanted a woman more…
But her beauty and innocence was making him fall for her…and fall fast…
He reached behind her with one hand gripping her bottom, holding her still…
With his other hand, he gradually trailed it downwards toward her mound…
Gently tapping her inner thighs, he whispered…”Widen your stance…”
Lifting one foot, she spread her legs…”Sir you said…”
“I will not take your virginity…I value my life more than anything you could give me…”
At his words, Khushi felt her heart break more…”I’m nothing…”
But before she could mull on that, he slipped his fingers between her labia and pressed his finger at her entrance…
She knew she was leaking fluid and embarrassment cloaked her expression, but Arnav growled with desire as he felt how drenched she was.
Khushi tensed up as she felt him draw her wetness upwards towards an area that was painfully sensitive…
Arnav’s heart filled with passion as he felt a heady dose of her cream coat his fingers…
“Her body is enjoying this…” he thought sinfully…
His penis continued to press against his pants as she began to mewl through tightly closed lips…
Her pained expression melted into one of bliss as he began to massage her hardening nub…
While she basked in the heat of his touch, he slid the third clamp over her swollen clitoris and released the pincers…
As soon as she felt the grip of the last clamp, she struggled , pulling at the ties on her wrists, squeezing her thighs together, trying to dislodge the device…
“Can’t handle it?” he taunted, “Not so tough after all…Want to tell me that you hate me?” his voice sounded harsher than he intended it to be…
“Ahhhhhhh….” she cried out, the foreign stinging becoming too much…
He caught her face under her chin and lifted it to that she looked him in the eye…”Go on! Tell me that you hate me!”
Her eyes smouldered…
This close, he could see that they were a deep brown…almost black…
“No…Sir…” she growled decidedly.
He felt anger rise up inside his body once more at her fierce countenance…
Arnav stood up straight…
Her soft bottom trembled under his hand…
And he began to berate himself…
Khushi could hardly breathe again…
Her clitoris was throbbing unmercifully and she was astounded that her body could produce such sensations…
“Look into my eyes…” he commanded…
Her heart thundered as she lifted her gaze to his…
The intensity of his slate gray stare made her tremble anew…
Something flashed in his eyes…
Compassion?
Concern?
“Why is he doing all this? All this in exchange for money? Does he hate me? Does he want to have a final fling before he is married? Does he want to experiment? But why? Why with me!?”
Khushi looked at him carefully…
His collar was loosened and his shirt gaped to reveal the strong curve of his neck…
Locks of his black hair wisped across his forehead…
“God in heaven…” she thought unknowingly…“Why is he so handsome?”
Suddenly realizing what she was thinking, she blinked and started to avert her gaze…
“Look at me!…” he ordered again…
Feeling frustrated and completely out of control, she met his gaze again…
“I know where my journey ends when I leave here…so I won’t go down without a fight…” she thought, and stared hard into his eyes…
Arnav, however, was fighting an endless battle in his own mind…
“Why do I want and need her so badly…” his head screamed…“If she were important enough, or of higher class, I could marry her and be done with it!”
His thoughts were interrupted by her voice…
“Well…I am looking at you sir.”
She ground out the ‘sir’ with sarcastic intent and the warrior inside him sneered at her disrespect, while the animal inside him growled at her bite.
“I’ll show him.” she thought…“I’ll show him that he can’t break Khushi Kumari Gupta!”
The Prince suddenly leaned in close and breathed hot breath against her skin.
Her body heated.
The places where she was clamped ached and throbbed.
She writhed involuntarily….
“Disrespect me again and you won’t like the consequences…” he growled…
Arnav was now utterly dumbfounded by his attitude…
“What the fuck am I doing!? Why am I wanting her to the point of exploding!?”
She felt her body teetering on the edge of something…something huge…
Arnav lifted one hand, finging her nipple…
He tugged at the clamp, loving how her body convulsed and she moaned desperately…
Any anger she had felt before evaporated…
She had not expected to feel this way in the prince’s arms.
And then, she felt something at her side…something alive…something hard…
His erection.
“Oh my God…” she thought…“is this the effect that I have on him!? Me?!”
But before she could think on that further, his hand, his body, and him pleasuring her took precidence…
The thought of what it would be like to feel his hard flesh inside her drove her crazy…
“What are you feeling?” he asked, his voice rough…
She began to buck…”I…I don’t know… I… everything… everything hurts…but…it feels so…so…”
Something that sounded like a growl came from deep inside his chest…
Pushing her backwards, she fell back against his bed…
Arnav crawled hungrily over her and pulled her arms high above her, holding them there with one hand.
He flicked one clamp off her nipple…
Her low groan of ecstasy was his first reward…
Her shriek of desire as he sucked her throbbing nipple into his mouth was the second…
His other hand began to explore her sheath once again…
Khushi sobbed helplessly…
It was too much, and yet her body was begging for more…
The clamp on her clitoris was tormenting her relentlessly…
Arnav lifted his mouth from her nipple, and lifted the clamp off her other breast…
The elevated nipple instantly filled with blood, heating up rapidly…
“Aahhhhhhhhhhh oh my GOD!”
Her nipple disappeared into his mouth as he began to suck strongly…
Arnav was losing his mind over her reactions…
The other women he had been with had been wanton, brazen women who were after him for a title, but this woman…she knew there was no title in it for her, and yet, she responded like no other…
As his mouth remained attached to her breast, his hand delved between her legs, and dislodged the clamp….
He speedily drew up a handful of her juices and began stroking her clitoris…
Khushi wanted to scream and yet she held her breath…
Something she couldn’t name built and built inside her, “Something…I feel…I don’t understand…” her voice was full of fear and panic, but Arnav didn’t stop.
Increasing the pressure, he watched the fear in her eyes melt into complete arousal as she exploded…
Debilitating lightening coursed through her every vein, every muscle, every tendon, shooting outwards to the tips of her fingers…
Her blood thickened as the first orgasm of her life pulsed through her with a rapid throbbing burn…
Arnav has never seen anything more captivating.
“Oh God, you’re beautiful…you’re mine…” he muttered as he was hypnotised by the look on her face…
Every ounce of her body suddenly grew limp and she sagged onto the covers, vaguely aware of him saying ‘something’…
Her mind and body reeled with sensation…
With a gentleness that he didn’t know he possessed, he drew her arms down, untying her and pulled covers over her…
He felt a complete new persona overtake him as he saw the sated yet still frightened woman in his bed…
Khushi inhaled deeply and instantly smelled his scent…
Even though she had been completely shaken with a climax, she knew that there was much more to this…
She was beginning to crave him…crave his touch…
“Sleep…sleep…” he sounded as if he were searching for a sentiment to call her…
She yawned and softly said…”Khushi…my name is Khushi…”
…..
“Khushi…”
Arnav breathed out her name as if it were a sacred word…
“Fuck…” he thought…“Why did she have to tell me that…”
He remained beside her, staying perfectly still…
Fast asleep, she rolled onto her side and gave a soft moan…
Her every response triggered something desperate inside him…
His eyes drank in her beauty, memorizing her every inch of her flesh…
And the fury returned, “This is fucking STUPID.” He grit out.
He stood up and walked to the door.
He gave the servants bell a tug, and not more than a minute passed when he heard a soft knock.
His male attendant bobbed his head when the Prince opened the door.
“Bring me some food, and water…” he said quietly.
The man frowned, expecting Arnav to angrily demand what he wanted…like usual…
But he respectfully acknowledged his request and darted away.
As Arnav closed the door, he shifted his burgeoning erection…
He scowled and grimaced from the ache…
His eyes were again fixed on the bare beauty in his bed…
She wasn’t safe in his presence when he was like this…
Hard.
On edge.
He strode to the bed banister and grabbed hold with one firm grip…
Leaning against it, he roughly worked his hand down the front of his trousers and over his pained flesh…
His grip was no match for what he invisioned her body to be…but this was far better than enduring this raging desire a moment longer…
Heat flowed through his body as he worked his length, up and down…
His vision flashed with the memory of her dark eyes, her deep responses…
He wanted to thread his fingers into her dark hair, hold her head captive and thrust into her again and again…and again…
And a climax reared up faster than any he’d experienced before…
“K..Khushi…!” he gasped her name as hot semen oozed out of his penis and over his fist…
Unlike any other woman, Khushi had cast a spell over him.
“Fuck…” he snarled…”What was that?!”
Grabbing a towel to clean himself, “Fuck. That was too damn fast. What am I 16?” he righted his clothing, and soon heard a knock on the door once again…
He opened the door and began to take the tray of food…
“I will bring it in Sir, you need not-“
Arnav stamped one foot across the doorway to his room…
“You will NOT enter…I will take it.”
And as he bolted the latch, he ignored the surprised expression on his servants face.
Placing the tray quietly down on the small table, he dropped to his chair and stared at the sleeping woman before him.
He knew she was exhausted, hungry and shocked…
Even though she was visibly ashamed and shy, he admired her spirit and pride…
Other women were all about sex, seduction and greed…but none had ever reacted the way that Khushi had.
“Khushi…” he breathed again…
He stretched out his leg to accommodate his penis and scrotum.
Already he grew hard for her again…
He longed to feel her bare bottom beneath his hand and her wet sheath quivering at his touch…
He ached to hear her labored breaths and impassioned cries.
“This will never be enough…” he groaned…”Fuck this…I choose a wife in two days…I don’t NEED this woman…”
Almost automatically, his heart swelled with the new unfamiliar ache…
“WHY…?!”
He sneered at himself…
The woman he had to choose from were no better than prostitutes, willing to sell themselves for a handsome husband and a title.
Each one of them telling him they would do anything to be his wife…
It didn’t make sense to him that this servant woman had him spellbound…
He was Prince Arnav.
He invoked fear.
He remained detached…
And yet he now wanted, no needed, to know more about her…
She had divulged that she needed money for a sick aunt…
But even though she needed money, she didn’t readily submit…
Still, something compelled her to comply, and Arnav was bound and determined to find out what that something was…
“No one defies me, Khushi…I will break this hold you have over me…I will break you, and you will tell me what I want to know…”
……………
Khushi stretched, reveling in the erotic slide of silky sheets against her bare skin…
She inhaled and turned onto her back …
Her stomach began to growl and her nipples began to tingle, reminding her with jolting awareness what had happened the night before…
She bolted upright in the bed…
It was very early morning, and still dark…
The glow emitting from the fireplace cast a golden glow throughout the room, making her remember all too well where she was…
The Prince’s Room.
Her gaze shot to the chair beside the bed, and sure enough, there he sat.
Long legs sprawled out, his fingers laying casually over his abdomen which rose and fell with deep breaths…
Loose strands of his dark hair fell across his forehead…
Asleep, he was still eerily threatening…but her heart was enchanted…
Khushi’s body warmed at the memory of the feelings she had experienced…
Even though he had tormented her in every way possible, she had found an inner desire inside herself she hadn’t known she possesed.
As she continued to stare at him, he dragged in a rough breath and his eyelids slowly opened…
He his gaze found hers, his eyes widened…
He sat up straight, “Khushi…” he murmured, his voice gruff from sleep…
Instinctively, Khushi clutched the sheets to her chest…
Her womb clenched, and her breath hitched…
Khushi!?
Arnav realized his mistake of mentioning her name…
Changing the subject, he lifted the tray from beside him…”Are you hungry?”
She eyed the food on the tray and nodded…
Warily, she watched him stand, lift the tray, and bring it to the bed…
Khushi’s expression displayed shock.
“What?” he spat out the question.
“I…I’ve never…eating in bed…is it allowed?”
Arnav softened for a moment but his mask of anger soon came back, “This is allowed because I say it is allowed, or are you questioning my authority?”
Her mouth shut tight as she shook her head…
Even though more questions loomed in his mind, he climbed carefully on the bed…
Khushi’s heart skipped a beat at his closeness
She was about to reach for the food, when he caught her hand…
Her nervous eyes latched onto his…
The Prince lifted the fruit to her lips, she leaned forwards and opened her mouth slightly…
Khushi wasn’t ready for the feel of sensuality as he fed her with his own hand…
She withdrew and chewed …
Khushi began to wonder what it would feel like for her lips to touch his fingers…
“WHY!” her thoughts screamed…”Why is this happening to me!?“
“Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, please…Sir.” she uttered carefully…
He paused, feeling a coldness tug at his heart…
“I want her to say my name…”
He lifted a cup of water to her lips and she drank down…
When he lifted another bite of fruit to her mouth, her lips closed around his fingers…
Arnav instantly felt her lips on him and quickly withdrew his hand as if he had been burned…
“What do his reactions mean?!” she wondered…“Does he not like me? Was his reaction a rejection?”
Her eyes didn’t sway from his…
His chest expanded with a deep breath as he was held captive by their visual connection…
“Why did you come here…” he muttered..
“I told you why Sir…”
A muscle in his jaw twitched…”You said you needed money…you could work anywhere…why here?”
“I needed money Sir.”
Arnav was beginning to get angry again, “you needed money…WHY?”
Khushi’s lips parted…
She didn’t dare try to confess…
His eyes narrowed…”I KNEW there was more. Tell me…now.”
Khushi felt pure terror begin to surface in her heart…
She didn’t move, didn’t breathe…
Arnav quickly slammed the tray back onto the table and jerked the sheet away from her…
Baring her completely…
Khushi shrieked, quickly leaping off the bed, her gaze down at the floor…
“Head up. Eyes on me!” he said sternly.
She obeyed, but her stomach fluttered as she struggled to hold his stare…
Tears began to sting her eyes and she tried to bite them back…
“I said, tell me…now.”
Khushi felt agitated, but soon her anger melted into despair…
Her eyes were tormenting his…
She wondered how he could be so hard and so gentle at the same time…
Arnav grew angrier and angrier when she did not answer…
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards his washroom…
“You have 10 minutes to use this room…then you will come back here, and be punished for not answering!”
As the door slammed in her face, she stood in the centre of the room feeling numb.
…………..
“Five…Four…Three…Two…One….” Arnav counted out loud, and then flung open the door…
Khushi stood before him, her hair dripping, her body shining from the water…
Grabbing a towel, he summoned her forwards…
His own body was buzzing, seeing her glistening…
When he wrapped the towel around her, he gently began to dry her…
She was still warm from the hot shower…
Her hair smelled of lavender, and was making him heady…
Once dry, he dropped the towel to the floor and began to unbutton his shirt…
“Oh God…” Khushi thought nervously…
But her nerves settled when she saw the breathtaking expanse of his muscular chest…
Arnav enjoyed watching her reaction…
She looked well and truly captivated…
He wasn’t the most terrifying warrior for no reason.
His body was that of a gladiator.
Taking her hand, he led her to the bed once more…
As he seated himself, he pulled her to stand in front of him…
His gaze lingered at the patch of trimmed hair between her legs…
Tapping one side of the bed with his hand, he said…”one foot up on the bed…”
Her clitoris began to swell as she lifted her leg and rested her foot at the edge of the mattress…
Arnav began to lean in and Khushi began to tremble…
She nearly lost balance and one of her hands landed on his broad shoulder…
He stilled…
Every previous moment had been him touching her, and he was completely unready for her touch…
Lifting his eyes to her face, his eyes shot a powerful stare into hers..
Fear exploded inside her heart and she hurried to remove her hands…”I’m…I’m so sorry sir…”
Feeling completely shaken, he stared and almost said, “Don’t be frightened of me…”
She all but held her breath as he lifted his hands to labial lips…
Khushi’s head swam and her blood heated…
As he softly opened her folds, her cream began to drip down her thigh…
Her readiness astonished him…
As he ran one finger through her nether lips, she nearly doubled over, unknowingly resting both hands on his shoulders once more…
“HER TOUCH!” his heart began to burst…
But when he looked up, all he saw were her lips…
Dropping his hands away from her, he grabbed her shoulders and backed away…
His heart was hammering…
“This is…” his thoughts were jumbled…”This…she’s….she is…”
Khushi was suddenly worried…
What he displeased with her?
Was he going to break their deal?
“S..Sir…?”
Arnav took a threatening step forwards…”Why!? Tell me why you need money!”
Khushi’s heart twisted…
Shame swamped her…
She couldn’t dare tell him that was being sold.
When she left the castle, her current master was selling her to a vile man who would undoubtedly beat her.
Why would HE care that her Aunty had already died and she had no family?
Why would HE care that she was an orphan, and the only way she had survived was being passed from owner to owner.
She held onto what little self esteem she had left and resolutely said, “No. I will not.” and lifted her chin in defiance.
Again, the muscle in his jaw twitched and Khushi’s mouth went dry as he took a menacing step forwards…”You INSOLENT…”
He stopped.
He could see that she was ashamed.
And she was.
She was Ashamed that not only was she of no class, that she was and item to be sold.
Her entire life had been a series of trauma and shame.
She took one last look at Arnav, who stared as if he couldn’t stand the sight of her, but what was actually happening in his head was an almighty war of why his heart demanded to have her.
Walking forward, he glowered at her…”Sure, you’re a servant who needs money, but YOU need it for another reason…”
She bit her lip, willing herself not to cry…
Arnav felt his body grow tighter and tighter …“How DARE you push her and scare her more!”
Ignoring the screams of his heart, he watched as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Suddenly she felt his fingertips trailing over the curve of her bottom…
Down one trembling thigh and back up…
She throbbed…
Ached…
She emitted a feeble sob, and she felt one hand move to her lower back, his fingers splaying wide, as if to hold her in place…
Her stomach twisted into knots…
“Tell me why you will do anything for money…you said your Aunty needs treatment, but your eyes are telling me something else… “
He was giving her a chance to tell, but instead, she closed her eyes tighter…
And her refusal struck his pride.
He wrapped and arm around her waist, backed her up to the wall.
Khushi cried out, her scream of panic tearing at his heart only made him angrier…
Fire surged through her…
The burn radiated between her legs…
“Fucking Tell me…”
She shook her head…
His hand slid down her abdomen and cupped her core.
This time she groaned, unable to speak…
With his free hand, he wiped her hair away from the side of her face…
And she made a mistake of opening her eyes…
Their gazes locked…
Arnav’s body went cold…
The pain in his chest was now slicing him to pieces…
Compassion began to rear it’s head in the icy eyes…
But almost instantly, anger once again shot in…
“NO! I’m the Prince! She does not control me!”
Her gaze held his stare as he began to snarl, and she whimpered through clenched lips as he saw her start to cry…
His hand froze.
Out of nowhere, tears formed in own his eyes, and he couldn’t drive them away…
A pain so great and so strong engulfed him and he found himself almost unable to breathe…
He lifted her up, and dropped her to the bed…
Quickly righting himself, he stormed out of the room…
…………………
He stormed the empty hall outside his room, finally backing up against a wall and resting his hands on his knees, trying to concentrate on his breathing…
“Why!” his mind was in agony…“Why is she so…Why is she defying me!? Why!? Is she insane! No one dares do this!”
When she held his gaze, he felt something shatter within himself…
Even in surrender, she stood her ground.
Sparks lit up her eyes.
Her breasts heaved…
Arnav remembered her juices trailing down her legs…
“WHY DOES SHE REACT LIKE THIS!?”
He recalled her hands on his body and his nerves shot lava hot blood throughout his body…
“WHY AM I SO OUT OF CONTROL!?”
Arnav’s eyes opened.
He licked his lips.
“NO WOMAN is allowed to do this. No. NO! I’m the fucking Prince! How DARE she control me!”
His eyes turned black.
“You will tell me. I will make you tell me.”
It was time to push her to the breaking point.
…………….
When he dropped her to the bed, she wondered why it bothered him so much as to why the money was needed.
“He doesn’t want me forever, so why does my reason assauge him so much!?”
She didn’t have long to wonder, because when he flung the door open, she was face to face with his terrifying gaze…
She gulped…
Arnav could see that she was on the brink of tears…
“NO Arnav! This is damn out of hand!!! Time to remind her who the PRINCE is and who the SERVANT is…”
A ragged hunger to force her to tell him was overpowering him…
Why did she anger him like no other ever had?
Why did the mere sight of her, and look of her eyes, drive him to obsession!?
The image of her beneath him, finding ecstacy in his touch began to flash in his head…
He blinked and shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thought, of something that could never happen…
As he walked closer, he could smell her core dripping…
He sucked in his breath, more fury at his reactions condemning him, and demanded her to stand…
“On your feet, and stand before me…”
As she did, he walked around her, letting his fingers graze her skin…
“You will stay standing for every second…if you fall…I will NOT catch you…”
Her breaths came in short gasps as he stopped in front of her, his hands slowly lifting to cover her breasts…
A shudder tingled over her skin…
“Good God…” he thought…“She is beautiful…beautiful…like a princess…”
Again, his uncontrolled thoughts infuriated him…
He snarled and began to roll her nipples harder between his fingers…
They were still sensitive from the clamps, and he knew it…
Tearing his gaze away from her eyes, he watched the sight of her breasts…
Darkening areolas…
Tightening nipples…
So hard that he could almost see the blood rushing through them…
Not daring to wrap his arm around her, he let one of his hands fall and begin to explore between her legs…
She began to shake…
“You. Will. Stay. STANDING!…” he warned viciously…
He drew up her cream and massaged her clitoris…
Khushi moaned, feeling her sheath oozed copious amounts of desire…
He suddenly yearned to hear her call his name…just once…
His mind was not his own…”…say my name Khushi… let me know that it is ME who is possessing you, that it’s ME arousing your body…
Her fists were clenched tight as he squeezed her nipple in his fingers as his hand rubbed faster…
Hips undulating, rocking with his hand, she cried out,”Ohhhhhhh ohh my God….”
His pinch on her nipple grew tighter hearing her scream…
The sight of her about to orgasm was too much for him.
His own groin began to electrify…
He could see her visibly trying to stand, and also trying to climax…
Releasing her nipple, he pinched her clitoris, imprisoning it between his fingers…
She instantly came undone…
Her pearl throbbed between his grasp and her knees buckled…
Her mind was now flashing with fireworks as her body shook with extreme pleasure…and she fell…
But not to the ground…
Arnav’s arms instantly reached out to catch her as he hoarsely growled “Holy fuck…” as his own body erupted right along with hers…
As she fell against him, he sagged against her, holding her fast and secure…
The monster inside him was now free and he was consumed with rage. “How the FUCK did I come without a single touch!?”
He had been unmanned, completely possessed by her pleasure.
The unity of their release had been far too great…
Something mighty and fierce was awakening inside him…
Something he could not control.
As he hovered over her, clinging tightly to her shaking body, he heard her whisper…
“You can do what you like to me…but I will not tell you…never…”
A chill crawled up his spine…
The determination and desperation in her voice frightened him…
“Khushi…”
Her head snapped back at him and her hair flew around her shoulders, “I will NOT tell you!”
He summoned strength and grabbed her arms…
With sudden defiance, she wrenched away from him and tripped…
At first, Arnav’s only concern was to stop her falling again, but when his hands swept over her skin, he saw her eyes close and he automatically pulled her against him…
This wasn’t like him.
He should release her.
He should punish her and punish her for the control she had on him and for her defiance.
But instead, he held her…
She whimpered softly and he cradled her closer, allowing one hand to hold the back of her head, and the other to caress her back…
Her body trembled…
“Are, are you ok?” he asked in a panic…
“WHY DID I ASK THAT!? WHY SHOULD IT MATTER!?”
Khushi shook her head…
She lifted her face to his…
Her tears.
His breathing almost stopped.
“No…no don’t cry…”
“I will do whatever you ask….” she said, her voice breaking…”But please don’t ask me about the money again…please…please…please Arnav…”
His breathing halted…
As did hers…
She’d used his name.
Hearing his name on her lips provoked the strongest desire he’d ever felt.
“My name. MY NAME on HER LIPS. It belongs there…my name belongs…fuck…no…NO!”
Severe and unsparing brutality permeated his entire being…
Her lips were red, from her biting them in worry…
“I’m…I…I’m sorry…sir…I’m sorry…sir…”
“What did I say about using my name!? Do You WANT to be forcefully thrown from this castle?! I’ll fucking do it! I’ll toss you out without a second thought!”
The grip on her now was unsparing, His words cutting into her soul deep…
“Sir…sir please…”
And tears began cascading down her red cheeks…
The attack coming from his own heart was now savage, “You would NEVER throw her out…you KNOW that! Why do you want to scare her!? Why do you want to hurt her…!?”
The thought of her being hurt was like a stab to his senses…
“Why does her pain cripple me so? She’s so scared of me…and yet defies me…I don’t want her to be scared of me…especially when I am falling for…for her…”
And now, the overwhelming urge to kiss her sent his heart blazing…
Without thinking, he slanted his head down…
As her panicked eyes slid closed, Arnav suddenly realized what he was doing…
“What is it about this woman that causes me to lose every bit of iron control I have in me!?!”
With a growl, he swept her off her feet, gathered into his arms, and threw her back to the bed…
He seated himself on the chair beside the bed once more and looked away…
Khushi was completely confounded.
Her mouth was open in shock…
“He…he almost kissed me!“
She felt her channel tighten at the thought…
Even though he filled her with terror, the thought of being taken by him was making her core throb…
But she knew that for him, any act of sex with a servant, would be punishable by death.
Besides, he had told her that he would not take her virginity…because he valued his life more…
Khushi knew she was in a dangerous situation, being undeniably attracted to a man who seemed in complete confusion, who punished her, and yet who wanted to pleasure her, bringing her body to heights she’d never before imagined…”why is he only pleasuring me…why does he care that I need money…there is more to him…there is a heart that is hidden inside him…”
The prince held fast to his duty, but his desire was now raging harder…
And she realized that at that moment, her heart was feeling a spark of life…
After a lifetime of suffering, he had brought feeling back into her existence and she was now wanting to risk anything to feel one kiss from him…
His eyes wandered back to her…
She sat still, staring at him…
His body tensed seeing her raw expression…
“Why does she want me? I can see it in her eyes…” He was pissed off, “She won’t want me…not after this…all the pain…all the threats…I basically admitted to just using her…but…it’s not like that…It never was…I want her…why the fuck do I suddenly want another human being!? I don’t need anyone! …but I need her.”
He sucked in a rough breath and fought like hell to restrain himself from pulling her into his embrace…
But a reminder hammered in on his heart….“Punishable by death…”
“NO WOMAN IS WORTH THAT!” he screeched inwardly…“What does this fucking heart of mine want!? Now my own BODY betrays me!? I’m the Prince. I am FEARED. I am Powerful. FUCK THIS! This has to STOP!”
She searched his eyes…
All the compassion she had seen before, suddenly disappeared…
Now he glared at her with an icy, unfeeling stare that reminded her that this was an agreement, and no sooner had she taken another breath, he got up and stormed out.
………….
The day was coming to an end.
After the prince called for more food, he retreated into his washroom…
As his shower sprayed steaming water onto his body, he could only imagine the way her eyes looked into his soul, the way her lips parted with wonder every time he touched her…
And even though his rough demands had scared her, she hadn’t protested.
She just refused to tell him what he wanted to know, and then accepted her punishment…
The memory of the combination of terror and anticipation in her eyes haunted him constantly…
She was terrified to be thrown out.
“Because of her servant status?” his body grew hotter as his next thought made his heart swell…“Or because she wants to stay with me?”
Beating his flat palm on the wall in front of him, he snarled…”I DON’T WANT HER TO WANT ME! I’m sick of this!”
Arnav breathed low…”You do not control me, Khushi…You aren’t worth my life. You will tell me.”
He stepped out of the shower and slipped on a fresh shirt and pair of trousers…
As he walked out of the bathroom, he saw her sitting on his bed, holding a pillow on her lap…
She flinched slightly and lifted her eyes to his…
He remembered nearly kissing her.
Clenching his fist, Arnav knew what he had to do.
He had to take his control back…and fast.
He had to ignore ANY and EVERY reaction she gave.
Clearing his throat, he moved towards the bed…
Khushi still gazed up at him…
She looked like a wonderous, naked vision sitting against his white sheets…
But Arnav was now ignoring ALL emotions inside him and brooding in his anger and fury…
“If you continue to refuse to tell me your motives for money, then I will reattach all 3 clamps and make you climax constantly until you beg me to stop…because your body won’t be able to handle it…I KNOW you’re inexperienced and I DON’T care how much you will beg! You don’t matter!”
Khushi blinked out unconscious tears as she tried to swallow…
Arnav felt a harsh jab of pain at the sight of her tears, but kept his expression hard as he grabbed the box of clamps and tipped them onto the bed…
“You have 10 seconds…” he warned…
Feeling emptier and hollow, Khushi stood up and walked towards him, closed her eyes and waited.
“You refuse to tell me?!… You fucking refuse?! …again!?”
She nodded.
Arnav was enraged.
Capturing her harshly by the waist, he snarled out his rage…”Do you really think your problems are of any consequence to me!? Do you think you matter at all!? I demand respect and that fact that you defy me, and refuse to tell me why you want my money shows your insolence!”
Angrily, Arnav lifted his hands to her breasts, and pinched her nipples…
Khushi bit her lower lip and held back a moan…
He worked her nipples with deliberate eroticism, tweaking and twisting until he plied her taut buds into submission…
Lifting two clamps, he opened them both and released the pincers simultaneously around her red nipples…
“Ahhhhhhhhhh….ohhh….aaarrghhhh…” she moaned out loud…
Everything inside him raged…
He wanted to push her onto her back and slam his mouth to hers…
He wanted to know for sure that it was HIM that she thought of…that she wanted…
“NO!” he growled inwardly…“I DON’T WANT HER TO WANT ME!”
Spreading her legs, he reached between her thighs and pinched her clitoris…
He spread her folds wide so that he could feel every inch of her sex…
Swollen.
Spellbound, he stared into her eyes as he attached the final clamp…
Instead of crying out, Khushi exhaled silently as tears spilled over her cheeks.
Her hot breath waved over his neck…
Instantly, he felt his body betray him once again…
His stomach rippled as his cock grew harder than he ever felt before…
His heart was calling out to her, screaming out in need for her…
“NO!!!”
Grabbing her lower back, he hauled her brutally against his body…
Her eyes, now wide, looked up into his…
He knew she could feel his flesh pressing into her abdomen…
“You feel me?” he whispered angrily…
Khushi didn’t so much as blink, but nodded…
“Do you FUCKING know why!?”
She flinched at his hard words, and gradually shook her head…
His words were now automatic…
“Because I want you…Because you…you are…fuck…you’re so damn beautiful…”
“…beautiful?” she choked out the word…
“She doesn’t know?”He could feel his heart breaking…
“Yes…so very much…I desire you like no other…and I don’t fucking know why…”
He was about to explode…
“No one has ever called me that before…” she whispered…
His blood turned cold…
“You fucking are…I have never felt this way…and…and you’re…”
He ground his teeth and felt his muscles tensed…
“This has to STOP ARNAV!!!!!”
Pulling her closer, he narrowed his eyes….”Why won’t you tell me!?”
Khushi swallowed, determined to remain silent…
His fingers probed her, and she pushed her hips into him, letting him know she was willing to take his punishment…
“You IGNORANT bitch!!! Fine…you will STAY standing…you mention my name one more time and I will drag you out of here and throw you to the streets myself…” he ground out…
Her tears glistened down her cheeks and this time Arnav paid no attention…
Avoiding to tear her hymen, he carefully entered her with one finger, and pressed down hard on her gspot…
Khushi cried out at the new devastating sensation…
“You’re new to this…so I doubt you will be able to withstand the intensity of one gspot orgasm…” his tone was scornful…”let alone hundreds of them…and I won’t stop…even if you beg me to stop…”
She bit her lip harder to keep from speaking…
He began to massage the inner spot that would soon torture her…
Her arms hung at her sides as she gulped in deep breaths…
Soon enough though, her body began to experience a strong pull….
It never lessened, but for every move he made, only became reinforced…
Her hard gasping breaths tortured his shattering heart…
“NO! I am the Prince. She does NOT control me! She doesn’t matter!”
He pressed harder, and shuddered seeing her fear of the new sensations…
“God Arnav STOP doing this to her…”
Her breathing was becoming harsh and irregular…
A gspot orgasm was devastating enough to a woman, but adding her clamped clitoris, and vised nipples, he knew she wouldn’t be able to take it…not when all this was already so new to her… her body wasn’t conditioned for this.
“STOP DOING THIS TO HER!”
He roared as his pride desperately wanted her to break, to tell him what he wanted to know…
Her body involuntarily tried to back away from the pressure of his fingers, but he pressed his hand against her bottom, holding her to his tight grip as he rubbed in a circular motion…
Perspiration broke out down the length of her spine, and her hands flew to his shoulders, but she didn’t speak…
He hissed and moved faster as he commanded, “Get your hands OFF me!”
Khushi shook with fear and screeched in breath as her arms dropped to her sides…
He held her closer already condemning himself for refusing her touch…
Eyeing her nipples, he saw how engorged they were…
Red, dark, and swelling harder and harder…
Then lifted his gaze to her face…
She was utterly terrified and on the verge of a fatal orgasm…
“Release her you heartless fuck…!!!!!” his heart commanded him…
But the anger he had lived with for so long made him refuse…
“I do not need you! I need control!” he snarled into her ear..
His thumb moved up her cleft and began to flick at the clamp on her clitoris, even as his fingers heightened the pressure inside her…
Khushi instantly let out a loud, animalistic moan that echoed throughout his room…
“OH GOD…FUCKING RELEASE HER!” he gritted his teeth and told his heart to shut up…
He pressed harder and yelled …”Fucking Tell Me.”
“NO!” she responded instantly…
“Then I’ll break you.“
As his words broke her heart, the most annihilating sensation began to take over…
He felt her gspot swell and at that moment her eyes shot open, wide and utterly terrified…
“I WILL TELL YOU!” her heart screamed, but she couldn’t get the words out in time…
Arnav saw the sudden will to tell him in her eyes and before he could stop, her core exploded…
She screamed out savagely as the destructive intense orgasm knifed through her body…
His hand was forcefully shoved out of her core by the sheer power of her squirting fluids…
As though electrocuted, she shook, pulsed and throbbed as he caught her against him…
“No…” he breathed out, the pain of his heart now coming out of his mouth…
“NO! She is fucking terrified…I don’t want her to find pleasure like this! NO! NO!”
Arnav hurried to release the clamp from her clitoris, and pressed his palm to her sex to try and stifle the striking sensations, but he only ignited another instant climax from inside her that hit his palm with force…
She yelled out loud and wrecked.
Her mind had completely fractured from all her other senses.
Strength vanished from her body as she shook violently in his arms…
The new sensations had broken her…
He won.
“…no more….please…sir…please...” she begged hoarsely…
Utterly mortified with himself, he hurriedly lifted her in his arms and lay her down on the bed…
She was still a vibrating, whimpering mass as he carefully unclamped her nipples, throwing the metal items across the room in fury…
Khushi screamed as boiling blood rushed to the tips…
Arnav bent down and covered one with his mouth but then heard her cry out again as he felt the hard, hot bead grow bigger…
“No….pl…Oh God!!!” And her core shot forth again as she shook hard, another torrential orgasm pulling her under…
Stricken with need to comfort her, he gathered her into his arms, holding her tightly against him…
Sweet ecstasy, and unnatural amounts of electricity thrummed through her heavy limbs, but the terror and fear was now outweighing it all…
His held her body close as he tried desperately to calm her…
“Shhhh….shhh….sweetheart….shhhh….”
She shivered, almost as if cold, and Arnav rolled his body onto hers…
The need to comfort her was now so strong that he was powerless against it…
“Khushi…”
Tears fell from her eyes as she opened them…
His face was so close he could see how broken she was…
Angry pretences now completely gone, only his heart remained…
Arnav knew within his very soul, that he would do anything for her…
“Khushi…” he uttered her name again, making her take an unsteady deep breath…
“Tell me…” he paused…
Her body trembled, so frightened that her tears were now constant…
“Trust me…I WILL help you…”
His tone was different as his voice soothed her.
He rested his hand against her cheek gently and looked deep into her eyes as he whispered a word he NEVER used…”Please…”
Khushi saw something warm and true in his expression…a glimmer of an emotion she had never seen in another person’s gaze…
Her defences crumbled around her as she realised that he was now her last hope…
She would give anything to remain in the prince’s arms…
Broken and hope almost gone, Khushi lost all control and said…”I…I have no family. I’m a servant… basically a slave, and I am being sold…”
His heart began to pump faster as all color drained from his face…
“I have been a servant all my life…My aunt died months ago…and I…I have no money left…the man that we both worked for has sent me across the country working for money, and decided to sell me as I can’t finish as much work as when there were two servants…this job was my last…when I return to him, he will sell me…and I will be going to another master, who is very brutal.”
Arnav was in shock.
“SOLD!? SHE’S A HUMAN BEING!!? WHAT THE HELL!?”
But he knew all too well that this was the custom with servants.
Especially those of young girls.
And because of the trade markets and what was done in private, there was no way of controlling it.
Most servants were housed and cared for, but he knew that not every employer was kind and would torture or beat.
And as primal, possessive anger filled him, his eyes began to flash with fury…
“No.” he commanded as he was now in his full regal mindset…”I will NOT let that happen.”
She began to cry…”If…If I return with money, then at least I can stay on with my original employer a short while longer, and hope to find other work…I will work as hard as I can, but…he has threatened to hurt me on my return if I do not repay for the loss of my aunty.”
Arnav tensed, his muscles now ready to pop, the need to protect her becoming more important than his next breath…”You will NOT be harmed…”
She was about to speak again, but he interrupted.
“No more.” he said forcefully…”You will NOT be sold…NO harm will come to you.”
He said the word ‘sold’ as though it were the worst word he’d ever heard in his life.
Tears flooded her eyes as she felt her body begin to grow weary…”Forgive me…”
Frowning, he realized exactly what he’d done, how far he had broken this innocent girl…”Forgive you?”
“I…I have…have shown…disrespect…I…I am sor-“
He gathered her closer, feeling her shiver, “Shhhh….shhhhhh Khushi…”
Unable to speak anymore, Khushi wept quietly, and he held her until she drifted to sleep…
…………….
She slept so peacefully in his arms…
“Sweetheart…”
Did he really call her by that name?
He knew he did, but also knew that he could not help himself…
Her bravery and determination to face adversity and work hard, made his respect soar for her.
No wonder she had been afraid to tell him.
Any woman who was constantly sold, was considered of ‘no worth’ and basically abominable to be seen with.
“She was humiliated…and I…I only humiliated her more.”
His stomach knotted at the punishments he had given her, at the words he had spoken to her…
“You don’t matter!… You are worthless!…You aren’t worth my life!…”
The memory of those words cut him deeply…
“You’re a bastard Arnav…” he muttered in disgust at himself…
Khushi took a soft breath in, and he held her closer…”I won’t let anything happen to you…anything…”
………….
Khushi felt entirely sated when she woke up…
Even though her mind was awake and ready, her body was limp …
She glanced at the clock on the wall and saw the time…
It was only 3am…
As she craned her head, she saw him.
He slept beside her…
But as he lay there, she noticed that his hand was entwined with hers…
A softening smile appeared at her lips…
She tightened her hand in his and he sighed in his sleep…
“You are a good man…I can see it…in the way you want to protect me…in the way you touch me…even though it is rough…and I…I care for you…”
As if hearing her thoughts, Arnav’s eyes slowly opened…
This time there was not anger…no fury…no demands…
Khushi felt liquid desire unfurl throughout her body just from his glance…
When Arnav saw her looking at him with such strong emotion, he was overcome with the urge to give himself to her…
He knew what it would cost him, but suddenly the need for her was stronger…
He moved his body over her, and slowly lowered his head to her breast…
She felt his moist mouth soothe her stinging nipple and she sighed…
But he soon released her and moved lower…
“Wh…what?”
“shhhh….”
Soon, his breath fanned between her legs…
And suddenly, his lips touch her labia…
Her heart rioted in her chest as Arnav’s heart began to ignite…
She was ready for punishment, ready for anger, but right now, she couldn’t even think as his soft mouth gently made love to her core…
It was too much.
Too intimately divine…
His tongue moved insistently through her folds…
A ragged breath heated her clitoris just before he pressed his lips to it…
Khushi wilted…
She had never felt something so wonderfully exquisite in her entire life…
As he began to suck softly, her hips bucked up, and Arnav quickly cupped her bottom to hold her against his tongue…
His only thought was on her as her scent and taste drowned out everything else…
She had only ever found her release through submission, but now, as he softly and gently kissed her sex, she felt a strong current pulse through her, warming her all over…
Arnav had the onset of tears as he mouthed her sheath…
Her every response was honest…
Her every move was true…
He finally felt her clitoris harden and he very carefully sucked harder…
That’s when her release burst through her body, her gentle whimpers making his tongue circle wider and he held her against his mouth until the last pulse faded…
Licking his lips, he revelled in her…
Rising above her once again, he lay beside her staring into her eyes…
Khushi had never felt anything so consuming…so intense and yet so gentle…
The need to express herself was becoming hard to contain…
“Kiss me…”
She uttered the words before she could stop them from tumbling out…
His jaw hardened as an instant heat crawled up is body and every nerve was on fire as his heart ached to feel her mouth against his…
With a grating unsure tone, he said “I can’t…it is a punishable offence…for me…”
Khushi quickly tried to take back what she asked…”I’m sorry…I…”
Her eyes filled with sadness…”I know you can’t…I’m sorry…I…I didn’t-“
She stopped talking, because the look in his eyes was now scaling…
His gaze was hungry.
“Her lips on mine…” he was losing himself…
His heart took over.
Possessed by her, Arnav slid closer…
His hand moved under her neck, and his fingers entwined in the hair at the nape…
His other arm tugged at her waist, holding her tight as he lowered himself onto her…
Khushi whimpered…
He was going to kiss her.
“Oh…God…” she whispered just before his lips covered hers…
She only expected a quick press of his mouth to hers, but she was mistaken.
The second their mouths touched, they were transported to another dimension…
He didn’t merely kiss her, he drove his tongue into her mouth and took charge.
Every stroke was an assault to her senses.
His mouth possessed hers, his body grinding.
His tongue teased against her lips the same way it had made love to her core…
He curled his huge arm around her and held her to him, not as if he merely wanted her but as though he needed her desperately.
They held each other bewitched as the kiss turned plunderous.
Arnav never dreamed a kiss could be so overpowering, so all consuming.
Khushi’s heartbeat thudded loudly as she began to writhe against him, moaning into his mouth, wanting more…
All knowledge that he was to marry another woman slipped from her mind until there was only her.
The hard ridge of his erection pressed into her abdomen…
As their mouths broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers…”My God, I can’t think…I can’t think about anything right now except thrusting inside you and showing you what it truly means to be loved by a man…by me…I’ve never needed anyone, but fuck I need you… “
Khushi froze as all the implication of his statement sank in…
She shuddered as she read the expression in his eyes…
Her heart was fused to this man…
Her soul was joined to him on a higher level that was so strong and so unmistakable that the realization of what was inside her burst out…
“I love you…”
Arnav went completely still.
His life split in two.
Before he had kissed her….And after.
Dark, light.
Bad, good.
Hell, Hope.
There was no inbetween.
He didn’t know if he was panicked or ecstatic.
All he knew was that his senses were now fully alert and he felt an earthquake of unrecognisable reactions explode inside him…
But Khushi instantly began to panic…
She felt like a fool…
“I…I’m…” her voice was a whisper…”I’m sorry…I have no right to say such things to you…I am of no place to say that…”
Every muscle in his body tensed as her words broke the trance he was in.
Her heart began to shatter, because she realized that she did truly love him…with all her heart…
He shook and suddenly rolled off her…
Unable to speak, he stood up and walked to the door grabbing the handle…
Anger now slammed into him, silencing his heart…
Bitterness and fury at his complete loss of control, he spat out the words, “HOW DARE YOU! You already broke one rule, now you make me break the other!?”
He opened the door just as Khushi asked…”Forgive me! Please…please?”
But he refused to answer, as he disappeared and slammed the door.
Khushi burst into tears…
“Why…” she sobbed quietly…”I am so stupid… Why did I confess something I have no right to confess…I have NO right to feel love…”
The memory of her words turned her stomach…
“Why would he love me back…Loving me would mean his own demise. He TOLD me I was nothing…that I wasn’t worth his life…and I’m not…I AM nothing…”
Khushi pulled the sheet to her chest, feeling completely cold and alone, but that feeling was nothing new to her…
Silencing the pain, she breathed, “If nothing else, I got to experience and feel passion…before I am to go back to what’s left of my life…”
Exhausted, she cried quietly until sleep took over…
…………..
Arnav paced back and forth outside his room.
He had not reentered.
He had called up for food, and when he heard her even breaths, he quietly entered and set it on the table…
As though he were her own private watchman, he paced outside his room…
Her words repeated themselves over and over and over in his head.
I love you.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply…
I love you.
With the taste of her still on his lips, his mind warred with everything he had ever trained himself to feel.
He was to tell his father the next day of whom he would marry.
But the mere thought of another woman besides Khushi now made him sick…
Arnav began to clench his fists so hard that his knuckles ached…
He longed to strike something, to throw something, anything to release this anger…
“DAMN IT!” he snarled through clenched teeth…
Any attempt he made to push images of her from his thoughts proved to be impossible…
Visions of her in ecstasy smashed into his mind…of her body trembling beneath his touch… of her joyous expression when she ate…of her succulent lips as he kissed her…
“Oh Fuck…Kissing her was…heaven…” he leaned against the wall…
I love you.
“How can she love me?” He shook his head…”She can’t love me after what I’ve done to her! I fucking used her…”
He clenched his fists, squeezing tight, “I’m a goddamn asshole. She’s so innocent and perfect and I…”
Taking a deep breath, her words echoed in his mind once more.
I love you.
Pacing, he felt completely dazed…”How can she mean that!? What does she know of love…!? I didn’t even know love until-“
He froze…
“I’ve never known love till…”
His breath began to quicken, as though he’d been running for hours…
Heart now in overdrive, he realized he’d never known love until now…
His entire body staggered backwards and his back hit the wall as words rushed from his lips, “I love her.”
From the first time he saw her, she had haunted his thoughts, and from the first touch he had been lost to her.
The cold realization that he never stood a chance struck him.
He never possessed the control…she did.
She had won, and defeated his power, control and pride.
“Mine…”
He heard the clock strike and glanced upwards…
9pm.
He envisioned himself trying to tell his father the name of a woman of whom he would marry…
His stomach turned.
Death would be a far better fate.
“She is worth far more than my life…” he growled…
He could not be bound to any woman that wasn’t the treasure who was in his room this very moment…
And he made his decision.
…………..
Khushi woke up with a start and knew he had been back in the room.
But she hadn’t moved, hoping that he would return to her…
To punish her for her declaration…to scream at her…to berate her…anything…
When it got late, she finally accepted that it had finished…their deal was over.
He had to choose a bride, and it would never be her.
Renewed despair washed over her…
The thought of being sold no longer burdened her, nothing mattered.
Arnav had awakened life inside her, and now, even that would be taken away…
The thundering crash of the door banging against the wall as it was flung open startled and shocked her…
With a gasp, she bolted upright in his bed…
Arnav stood before her.
She didn’t know what was going to happen…
“Is he angry that I’m not dressed and ready to be thrown out? Is he back to punish me?”
Her thoughts were spliced in two as his voice snarled out from the shadows, “Did you really mean it?”
His voice sounded demanding and hopeful…
Khushi didn’t have to ask what he meant…
“Yes…I meant it…”
“How?” his tone was now tortured…”How can you love me after what I’ve said to you…after everything I’ve done to you?”
Her eyes were a window to her heart…”I don’t know how…I only know that I do…My heart was yours the moment you touched me…”
For a long moment he stared at her…
Then he slammed and locked the door and strode towards her, tugging off his shirt and undoing his trousers…
Khushi’s heart pounded…
In fear and confusion, she pulled the sheet to her chest and watched as he stopped at the foot of the bed, and pushed his trousers down…
Her gaze instantly dropped to the enormous thick and long erection that sprung free.
Her eyes flickered back up to his, and she saw the intent…he was going to claim her…
The sudden knowledge of this filled her with such yearning, love and fear that she could do nothing but stare…
His eyes were clinging to hers, no anger, no malice…
Something far different, and far stronger…
He surged.
Yanking back the covers, he hauled her into his arms and fused his mouth instantly to hers, consuming her with a savage hunger…
His hands roamed all over her body, possessing her, crushing her against him…
She tried to speak…”I thought…I thought you were angry at me…that you came back to throw me out…”
“Fucking never…That was never going to happen…” he crooned as he coaxed her down onto the bed…
He moved over her and it was then that Khushi suddenly realized…
The punishment no longer rested on her…it was now all on him…
“Wait…wait!” she yelled out in protest…”As much as I love you, you can’t do this! You’ll be killed!”
His eyes blazed as he parted her knees with his and guided the head of his throbbing flesh through her folds…
The need to possess and claim her in every way possible was his only objective.
Her body hummed with need, but her mind desperately tried to maintain control, “No! Please!”
She screamed and tried to wriggle from beneath him but he gripped her wrists in one large hand and held them above her head…
“Please don’t! Don’t do this! I can’t let anything happen to you!”
If Arnav needed any more proof of her love for him, that was it, no woman has ever said no to him.
Controlling her easily, he growled, “Khushi…I have refused to listen to my heart this entire time…that stops now…”
She writhed and pushed, desperately trying to stop him…”You…You can’t do this!!”
He held her fast as his jaw tightened as his gaze locked with hers…
She shook her head, struggling against him in a last pleading attempt, but his mind was made up…
“I can do whatever the fuck I want.” he swooped lower, “If I can’t be with you, I don’t want to be with anyone…”
His words hit her with full force…
She was now sobbing, “Please…Stop…”
Stopping was now beyond his capabilities.
Arnav could feel her body vibrating as he held her still…”Do you want me?”
He wasn’t going to take this time…he wanted to give himself to her completely.
Khushi blinked out tears, “I want you…with all my heart…but you’ll be killed…I can’t let that happen…Because you’re right, I’m nothing, I’m not worth anything…”
Hearing her say the words he had said to her sent splinters right through his heart,.
Snarling, he leaned down lower, “…never say that again…”
Her mind was screaming out in horror but her body was dripping…
“Breathe.” he ordered.
She unknowingly obeyed and sucked in a deep breath…
“Don’t…” she begged…
He held her immobile as his hips came down, his mouth crashed over hers, and he pushed the head of his cock into her…
Khushi screamed and jerked hard…”Oh…God…you won’t fit…”
Arnav felt it instantly, and knew that he had to breach her hymen that was stopping his entry.
Ultimate possession, more powerful than anything he had ever experienced now consumed him as he grabbed her thigh, his fingers pressing in…”Breathe.”
“I’m not worth this, please don’t…” she pleaded as her body tensed, trying to resist the intrusion…
“You’re Mine, and I’m claiming you. Now.”
Before she could reply, he took her mouth in a deep kiss and thrust forwards, spearing her virginity in one powerful move.
She screamed into his mouth as her entire body began to burn, stretch, and felt full…so so full.
Khushi’s eyes strung as she felt him push deeper, and the burning turned to pain.
A groan, so guttural shook his chest as his heart finally felt whole as the tightest, most perfect heat engulfed his flesh, squeezing him hard like a fist…
Exquisite pleasure rocketed through his body and his heart beat spiked.
Only one word now dominated his senses…”Mine!”
He felt utterly consumed by her but the sudden taste of salt against his lips stopped him cold.
Raising his head, he gazed down at her and forced himself to stay still and not thrust.
Tears ran down her face.
“Feel my touch Khushi…” he commanded.
Her head swam, her vision narrowed as she couldn’t summon a breath…
“Feel me inside you…” he demanded as the pressure of his hands increased…
The terror in her mind at what would happen to him was warring with the intensity of having the Prince inside her and it started to shake her soul as she gasped with difficulty..
Keeping his body firmly inside, he fisted a hand in her hair and barked out, “take a breath. RIGHT NOW.”
As if her body knew his words and understood them, air filled her starved lungs…
“Another.” he demanded.
She sucked in and he pulsed inside her…
“Oh…Oh God…” she panted, “So…big…So deep…”
Her breath hitched and her shocked core convulsed around him.
“Oh sweetheart,” he grasped the back of her knee, “This isn’t all of me…”
Slow, deliberate, pushing her leg up, he sank deep and hit her cervix…
Her jaw dropped, but her body responded instantly and fluid surged between her legs as she sucked in a hard deep breath.
His hand eased off her hair, and he held her face softly, “Look at me…”
Easing out a few inches, he slowly stroked back in, her eyes watering as he ground his hips against her clitoris.
His voice dropped low as he touched his lips to hers, “Stretch…Accept the pressure, accept the fullness…Feel my body fit perfectly inside yours…”
Moving his mouth over hers, he swirled his tongue gently, conveying his emotions so fluidly and she felt more tears drip down her face.
The burning eased only to be replaced with an ache so intense that she grabbed his arms and tried to pull him into her…
Instantly fearful, she gasped in panic and released him.
Arnav snarled, sliding deep and hauled her arms back around his neck.
His lips hit her ear as he growled, “Never be afraid to get close to me…I’m yours Khushi…”
Holding her closer than she thought was possible, he started a slow sensual rhythm.
His chest brushed across her hard nipples, his hips ground against her clit with every thrust.
Continuously kissing her, his tongue swirled through her mouth as he consumed her.
Every way a man could dominate a woman, he took her.
Driving into her, hitting that spot deep inside she never knew existed, she began to feel an almighty orgasm begin to knife through her nervous system…
Holding her steady, he pulled his lips from hers…”Look at me…”
She nervously tightened her arms around his neck, needing him closer, needing him to ease the throbbing between her legs.
His dark eyes, darker than she’d ever seen them bore into hers as he drove in deep.
“I’m coming inside you.”
A promise, a warning, she didn’t even know.
It didn’t matter.
She wanted all of him.
“You…” he thrust hard, “Are Mine.”
He drove deep into her and her orgasm burst from the depths of her soul and shattered her.
Her back arched, her nails dug into his shoulders, and she filled the room with her scream.
The sheer size of him sent her vagina muscles into a frenzy as her climax contracted around him in shockwaves.
“Fuuuuck…You feel…fuck…perfect…”, Rearing back, he drove into her pulsing channel two more times, then every muscle in his body tensed.
A roar so primal and feral tore from his chest and shook her to her core…
As her orgasm gripped around him, his hot seed pumped deep into her body as he climaxed…
He came inside her, something he had never done with any other woman…
Even though he had touched her intimately for the past 2 days, nothing had prepared her for his surrender…
Tears streamed out from her eyes and disappeared into her hair…
It was done.
Done.
He’d signed his own death warrant.
“…oh God…no….no…what have you done…” she murmured brokenly…
Not giving thought to his punishment, Arnav cared only that she was under him, fully his, his seed and cock inside her…
Leaning down and kissing her gently, he then bent lower and laved her nipples with his tongue…
Khushi only began to sob louder…
He kissed up her neck…”Be still…and listen to me…”
“No…No what have you-“
He silenced her as his mouth suctioned to hers…”I want you…only you…” he whispered.
Gently wiping tears away from her cheeks, he kissed her slowly…”Mine…”
More than just accepting her, he had joined their hearts…
“But you…you’ll be…oh God NO!” she screamed as she tried to move away…
Arnav shoved his pelvis harder into hers making her hiss…
His insides twisted seeing her pain…
“Khushi, you belong to me…”
Grinding his hips against her clitoris, he felt a jolting throb as her body let down fluid over him…
“Fuuuuuuuck yes…You feel me?”
She nodded fast…
“Its all for you…”
Her channel contracted and he groaned…
He held her face carefully…”Are you hurting?”
Her servanthood conditioning immediately responded, and she tried to ignore how she felt, “No…no..I am fine.”
Arnav knew that she was scared to tell the truth and he growled fiercely, “Don’t you dare lie to me.”
Blinking fast, her breathing picked up, “I…I’m…”
He demanded her gaze, “answer me honestly…are you sore?”
“…a…a little, sir.”
Her fear was still evident, and he tried to keep the fury regarding her past at bay, “Khushi…my name is Arnav…Say it…”
Her lips parted but she bit her lip and remained silent.
“Come on…” he nodded, “my name.”
On a shaky breath she whispered, “Arnav…”
He kissed her softly as his flesh began to swell inside her…
Feeling completely full, she began to pant as he said, “My name is meant to be on your lips…it belongs there…”
Her hands were resting on his chest and she felt that familiar ache begin to rise inside her…”Ohmygod…”
“Say my name again…” He commanded her as he pulled out and started to penetrate again…
His hard muscles rippled beneath her fingertips…
“Ar…”
Her eyes were glazing over as he could feel her body start to clutch his phallus…
“Say it…” he moved faster, “Say my name…”
The loud slapping of their bodies echoed in the room as he started to thrust hard into her…
And she said it.
“Arnav…” her voice cracked with emotion.
“I’m sorry…Khushi, I’m sorry…”
Her chest tightened, “You have nothing to be-“
He held her tighter…”Nothing? I am sorry for the hurtful words I said…I am sorry for how I have treated you…I will make sure that you never again have to struggle to survive, that you live in happiness for the rest of your life…”
Khushi tried not to cry…
“My God, you’re beautiful…” he murmured…
Moving down her body, he latched onto one of her nipples and sucked it gently between his lips, flicking his tongue over the hardened tip, until she arched beneath him…
For every moan she made, he thrust faster inside her …
His kisses were completely different to the bite of the clamps, and they invoked a much stronger response…
Arnav grasped her legs and put them high around his waist…
“Wrap around me…” he demanded, his voice rougher than he intended.
Panting, her face full of wonder and surprise, she locked her ankles behind his back.
He kissed her once, twice and drove into her, “I’m coming inside you again…take my seed deep…”
Her small hands grasped the sides of his face as her hips matched his rhythm, “I want all of you…”
Shocked to life, he fused his mouth back to hers and kissed her like a madman…
His tongue pushed into her mouth, tasting every corner…
His flesh speared non stop into her body, hitting her most vulnerable spot consistently…
She began to cry out against his lips…
“Come sweetheart…I need to feel you contract around me again…” he growled.
His words only doubled her arousal…
And Khushi plummeted over the edge…
Her hands gripped him around his neck as stars flashed behind her eyelids…
Her channel vised and clenched violently around his erection as a searing climax tore through her body…
Staring down at her flushed face, Arnav’s heart was drinking in her gasping mouth and pulsating lips…
His rhythmic thrusts continued and continued, rendering her mindless beyond anything other than the eruption of pleasure flowing through her…
He drove into her, withdrawing until the head pulled out, and then plunged back into her…
Khushi clawed his back as he ravaged her, his dick thrusting right against her cervix…
Her eyes snapped open wide…
“Give me one more…I’m here with you…I’m inside you…”
And as a multiple climax began to unfurl inside her, Arnav’s own detonation struck and right then, only that moment existed.
His balls tightened to the point of pain and he slammed his mouth to hers…
He drank her moans into his soul and held her perilously close as he filled her once more…
Never in his life had anything ever felt like this.
His heart was now hers.
Her body under him, tight and his, opening to fit his length, his width, the trust she gave him…nothing else would ever compare.
“I’m yours Khushi…”
Khushi inhaled and her voice clearly showed her true love, “I’m yours…Arnav.”
Utterly exhausted, Arnav kissed her softly as he slowly pulled out…”I want to stay inside you forever…”
Holding contact with her glassy eyes, he rolled their bodies and lay on his back as Khushi rested on his shoulder…
It would be morning very soon.
At dawn, he knew his father would expect an answer, and he knew he had to confess his deed and accept his punishment…
But first, he would make sure that Khushi received no blame…
He intended to lie, and say that he had taken her against her will.
His whole life, he had lived with unwavering control…
He had lived to fulfill his duty, to do exactly what was expected of him as a Prince.
Any contact he’d had with woman had been meaningless and fleeting…
He’d never felt anything for any of them.
But With Khushi, love had claimed him – despite his best efforts to hold it away…
He gently moved his thumb along her cheek and saw her eyes flutter open…
A tired smile graced her lips…
His body began to quicken…
“What is this unending desire inside me!?” he wondered in earnest…
Feeling bold, the unity of their emotions driving her, Khushi pressed her warm lips against his chest…
He groaned and threaded his fingers into her hair as she kissed her way down his body, lingering to kiss each nipple before trailing down the line of hair that led to his arousal…
His breath caught as she swiped her long hair behind her shoulder, and then without a touch from her hand, parted her lips, and engulfed his thick, now iron-hard penis in her mouth…
A tremor shook his body.
Unable to say a word, he watched every move she made…
His eyes grew wider as her fingers encircled his shaft at the base, and began working his flesh up and down…
“Fuuuck. Fuck fuck fuck.”
Slowly and thoroughly she sucked his length deep into her throat, using her tongue to caress the head…
His flesh felt like iron in her hand and against her lips…
Her actions began to shock her and she started to tremble, fearing he would soon change his attitude and command her to get her hands off him…
Arnav, however, was overwhelmed with intense passion, and was ready to devour her…
“Khushi…stop…”
The beating of her heart stuttered…
Arnav saw the sudden panic and fear in her eyes…
He sat up fast, holding onto her waist as he lifted her onto his lap…”No sweetheart, don’t be afraid…”
“I’m sorry…I have never done this before…I don’t know what I’m doing…I just wanted to…I should have asked…Am I allowed-“
Arnav interrupted immediately…”You have all rights over me…What you did was exquisite…you have no reason to fear me…ever…I just can’t…I can’t hold back, I need you.”
He lifted her over his pelvis, and lowered her steadily onto his erection…
He’d never seen a more beautiful sight than the look of pure ecstasy on her face…
“Khushi…” he whispered as he pulled her hips down hard, making sure he speared her deeply…
Her eyes squeezed shut as the sheer size of him began to make her burn again.
“shhhh…just breathe…”
He felt her inner tissues slowly stretch and fluid begin to coat his cock.
When she became accustomed to the position, he stared longingly at her entire body…
Her loving expression, her dark eyes, her erect nipples peering through the long hair over her shoulders…
When he lifted his eyes back to hers, he saw her tears…
His body hardened, desperate to stop her pain…
He wrapped his arm securely around her lower back as he gripped her hard and began to pump her up and down on his rock hard penis…
“Concentrate Sweetheart…”
Her cries turned into moans of pleasure…
Her nails bit into his shoulders…
And when her core contracted, only then did he finally release his own climax…
He arched his hips, lodging himself harder inside her, and crushed her in his embrace…
One hand held her head, cupping it against his chest…
Khushi trembled in his arms as her channel throbbed around his flesh…
His heart was pounding in her ear, and the sound terrified her.
That very heart, that was beating life into him, could very well be stopped as a consequence for his act with her.
A knot formed in her throat at the utter fragility of life, and for the first time in her existence, she felt that her heart was beating outside of her body…
Reality crashed into her…
When the King found out what Arnav had done, he would be put to death.
Panic gripped her soul…
There had to be some way she could save him…
She lifted her head…
Arnav fused his eyes to hers…
“I can’t…I can’t let you take the punishment for this Sir…”
Arnav held her tighter…”Khushi…” he warned, “you are to only use my name from now on…and it’s better I take punishment than you…”
Her eyes filled with fire…”NO! It’s NOT better!”
Arnav swung her around so that he was back on top…”It IS. It’s time to rest…I will take care of things…”
And he would…for her…
He was more than willing to give his life for her, as long as she was safe, and happy…
She shook her head, “I can explain that it was my fault, I can…”
Her words stopped as she felt his length slowly penetrate her…
His gaze bore into hers, holding her captive…”You are innocent, and I will protect you with my life.”
“But…” she began and stopped when he pulled at her waist…
“I said that I will take care of things…control to protect you is now the only kind of control my heart will allow…”
Her lips parted as if to protest, but he pressed his mouth gently to hers, silencing her…
“Shhh…” he crooned as he made gentle love to her…
…………..
They both fell asleep in each others arms…
When Khushi awoke, she saw his handsome face instantly…
Tears instantly burned at her eyes …
“He wants to take care of things?” she thought…“But how? I can’t be the reason for his final punishment…wait…He wouldn’t be blamed if I just disappear?…”
Every time she thought of him being punished, she was burdened with gut-wrenching agony…
Her insides hollowed, “I will not allow a Prince of his character to be killed for this. I can see his soul. I can see his heart…He has SO much to offer…He is a good man…And I can’t be the reason he loses his life…”
The last thing she wanted to do was leave him, but she needed to…
Quietly slipping away from the heat of his body, she shivered and paced towards the chair her clothes…
The moment she stood, her abdomen began to ache and a warm substance dripped down her thigh.
Quickly reaching for the handkerchief in her skirt, she wiped between her legs and saw his semen mixed with her blood.
Looking back over her shoulder, she breathed in deep as she gazed long and hard at the man she loved, “I gave to you the only things I had left to give my Prince…my virginity, and my heart.”
She dressed as quietly as she could and finally walked towards the door.
Pausing, her eyes began to drip as she took one last look back at her Prince…
Mouthing the words I love you, her spirits crushed as she left the room…Leaving her heart with him…
Now an empty shell, she felt aches spread through her core, the last proofs of his touch on her…
The thought of never seeing him again made her die inside even more…
“My heart is now with him…what happens to the rest of me no longer matters…”
It was dark, and as she crept out quietly through the servants wing, any eye that caught her movements shot out judgement…
Greta saw her and spat in her direction muttering the word, “Whore.”
Keeping her head low, she walked out of the castle grounds.
The outside air chilled her to the bone as she slowly headed to her masters house.
She wasn’t sure if the Prince would be angry at her disappearance, but she did know that he wouldn’t come after her.
He had to marry, he had to fulfil his duty, he had to be a prince.
For every step she took, she found it harder to breathe…
Venturing one final look back, she whispered…”Be safe…my prince…”
As she continued her journey, tears dripped endlessly from her eyes…
“Be safe…” she chanted over and over…
Her feet ached and she was shivering by the time she arrived at her owners house, and the first face she saw, was that of her master…
He stared down at her as if she were the ugliest thing he’d ever seen…”You are over a day late!”
Khushi shuddered at the disgust in his eyes.
The sudden remembrance at what it felt like to be hated overtook her, “I am…I am so sorry…”
He snarled as his arm reared back and he slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the ground…
Too shocked and winded to react, she let out a gasp of pain…
Grabbing her arm, he dragged her towards a tall man, who was clad in black leather…
“You have shamed me enough! The Baron has come to take you now…”
Khushi’s body went numb…
The Baron turned to face Khushi and eyed her up and down…
“What a filthy, disobedient maid…” he said angrily…
“She’ll clean up better! She’s just weary from a long walk…”
The baron glared at the man who was gripping Khushi’s arm and then grabbed her face and surveyed her…
Her eyes didn’t meet his, as there was no spark left.
“Fine…She’ll serve her purpose when I get her back to my castle.” and he tossed her backwards.
As the Baron climbed back into his carriage, he turned to his footsman…”Tie the girls hands, and attach her to a rope. She can walk along behind the carriage as we return…”
Khushi heaved breath into her aching body, “Please… Please…I have been walking so far, I am sorry for my late return but I beg you-“
All pleas were useless as a thick rope bound her hands tight…
“I do not care for your excuses,” the baron growled as he gripped her jaw hard…”I’ve been waiting far too long…I deserve a nice leasurely ride, and you will walk behind…and REMEMBER YOUR PLACE.”
Khushi felt tears drip from her eyes, as she bowed her head and nodded.
As the horses were gently whipped to begin their journey, the rope that tied Khushi’s wrists began to tug her along…
And the embers of her soul began to go out…
……………..
At that same moment, far across the countryside…
Arnav shuddered as a chill stamped brutally into his heart…
“Fuck…” he stuttered as he pressed his hand to the pain in his chest.
His head spun to the other side of his bed, searching for her…
Gone.
He sat up fast, rubbing his eyes as panic began to set in…
“Khushi?” he called out.
Standing up, he rushed towards the bathroom, hands shaking…
His palm slammed onto the door of the washroom and it hit the back wall with a crack.
“Khushi?!” he yelled…
His eyes widened and he turned to the wooden chair in the corner…
When he saw her dress and shoes gone, terror beyond anything he’d ever felt engulfed him…
“Oh God…no…NO!!!!!!“
………………
Khushi was on the verge of collapsing by the time they arrived…
What was only a thirty minute journey felt like an entire day…
The carriage had sped up briefly and she had lost her shoes as she tripped to keep up…
She could feel the sticky blood that was coming out of the scrapes and cuts on the bottom of her feet.
The Baron jumped down from the carriage and summoned for her tether to be undone…
As the end of the rope was handed to him, he roughly pulled, and led her into his castle still bound.
“Behold the new maid!” he roared as he entered…”She thinks that she is far above us, and returned late to her master.”
The Baron noticed the blood on the floor and catching Khushi off guard, he spun around and whacked the palm of his hand across her face…
Stifling, cold pain streaked down Khushi’s cheek…
“You want to bleed in MY castle!? I’ll fuck you bloody! Walk to my room!”
Khushi felt her heart begin to thud.
“No…Oh God Please don’t let this be happening…” she thought urgently…
Seeing her pause, he grew more livid and withdrew his arm only to strike her hard again on the opposite cheek…
“Not only did you defy your previous master by returning late with no money, but you defy your first command from me!?”
Tears welled up and spilled down Khushi’s face…
Her life was again one horrible nightmare…
But she knew that her disappearance would save the Prince’s life.
No matter what he confessed to, if there was no proof, she was sure he would be spared…
“I SHALL ONLY ASK YOU ONCE MORE! Go to my bedchamber, and wait for me…”
Khushi held her head high, and shook her head, “I refuse.”
The burly man’s face turned ugly with rage…
“Insolent wench! I WILL have my way with you, but first, you will be taught a lesson!” he yelled and grabbed Khushi by her hair and began to drag her towards a murky corridor and down a dark staircase…
Unbolting a thick wooden door, he dragged her inside an empty room…
Pulling her bound hands, he grabbed her by the jaw and squeezed her face tight, “You are WORTHLESS! You think you can refuse ME!?”
Pushing her hard up against the stone wall he raised his hands to her breasts and began to squeeze her chest tight…
“NO! GET OFF ME!!!”
Clasping her breasts tighter and digging in his fingers, he laughed, “You will get the harshest treatment when I finally fuck you! You will bleed out…”
Releasing her with little care, he vised his hand around her neck and slammed his hard palm across her face once more as he pushed her to the ground…
She screamed as her body hit the floor, her head banging onto the hard concrete…
When he closed the door, darkness flooded the room…
“You will remain in there until you beg me to let you out! And if you never call for me, THEN YOU WILL NEVER COME OUT!”
Khushi broke down…
Her hands flew to her heart as if she could prevent it from shattering, the pain becoming more than she could tolerate…
“Master, It…it is dark…” she uttered feeling scared…
But he had already gone.
Pulling her knees up under her chin, she closed her eyes…
“I will endure it for him…be safe…my prince…”
Hours went by as she went in and out of consciousness.
Khushi had been in the cold darkness for so long that she no longer had any feeling in her limbs…
Her body was exhausted…
She was shivering and almost sure that she had blood dripping down her face…
And the impact from the fall was now making her head throb harder…
“Be safe my Prince…My love will never leave you…be…be safe…”
And she fainted to the ground…
………………..
Nearly two hours.
And they still hadn’t found Khushi’s owner…
“Owner,” Arnav spat out with hate…
His anger was now apparent to everyone who saw him.
He had already shattered half the furniture he could get his hands on when he had found out for sure that she had left.
The castle servers avoided him, and his own soldiers steered away…
He was raging at his second in command almost every 5 minutes asking for updates…
Almost ready to kill, he fisted Corey’s shirt and snarled, “You better fucking know where she is!!!”
“Bloody hell Arnav, YES! We have finally located the man who sent us the girl…”
Arnav’s blood pressure surged, “Where! TELL ME NOW!”
Corey, Arnav’s second in command, rattled off the address and The Prince strapped his sword to his waist and sprinted out…
Arnav furiously grabbed the reigns of his horse and jumped up, with Corey following close behind…
“Son?” The King appeared at the castle gate, “Why must you know of this man?”
Arnav’s expression was deadly…”Because he has something of MINE…”
And jamming the heel of his boots into the tall animal, Arnav galloped away, leaving a cloud of dust…
He whipped his horse to go faster…
After waiting so long for her location, he was in the most destructive mood of his life.
If she had been harmed, he was ready to maul and exterminate who ever touched her.
Arnav charged onto the grounds, and without waiting for an announcement, he jumped off his horse and pulled open the doors…
Immediately, he saw the owner and marched up to the him…
“Where is she!?” he growled urgently…
The thin, snobbish man was now rattled…”…who? Who my prince?”
Arnav was becoming primal…”Khushi! The maid who returned early this morning!”
“…Her?…she has been sold already.”
Cold horror shot into his soul…
“To who!” he yelled…
Khushi’s former owner didn’t reply fast enough and Arnav grabbed the man’s collar, nearly choking him…”I said to WHO!?”
“To the Baron in the next county. He had been waiting for her many days, and was furious when she arrived late with no money. He took her away instantly.”
Arnav couldn’t breathe as he remembered her saying she would be harmed if she returned without money.
“Was she hurt!? What was done to her!?”
“She…she was…She…”
Corey saw Prince Arnav ready to kill and intervened fast knowing they needed information…
“Answer man! Was the girl hurt!?”
Arnav refused to blink, his heart was spiraling…
“Why did she do this!? I wanted to save HER! I didn’t want her to save me!”
He was willing to give up everything for her happiness…
“The Baron was livid, he hit her, and bound her hands and made her walk behind the carriage…”
Arnav was struck with pure, manic rage…”and what did YOU do to her?”
The man shook and cowered back, “Nothing… I didn’t-“
Arnav hissed and bared his teeth, “What. Did. You. Do.”
“I struck her.”
Lashing out fast, Arnav knocked the man to the ground, then pulled out a dagger and flung it into the man’s stomach…
Eyes darkening, he turned to Corey beside him…
“You will summon one hundred men together THIS INSTANT, and meet me at the Baron’s castle…”
Saluting, Corey sent out the order to one of the other guards who mounted his horse, and galloped back to the castle…
Arnav couldn’t get onto his horse fast enough.
“My God…” he kept uttering…”Let her be okay…I beg of you…Let her be okay…”
As he stormed towards the Baron’s castle, he heard a rumbling in the distance and knew that a small army was assembling behind him…
Enough men to take down a castle…and they had every intention of defending whatever their prince was fighting for.
“I’ll fucking fight ANYTHING for her…”
When the black castle came into view, his heart lurched.
It was dark and frightening…
What was the Baron doing to her!?
“Faster!” he howled, only a short distance away…
Finally he was there…
Before any other guard had a chance to follow him, he jumped from his horse, sword in hand, and stormed into the building roaring…
“Baron!!! SHOW YOURSELF NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Arnav’s second in command soon rushed in and called out…”An Audience is requested for Prince Arnav!”
Servants were rushing from one room to another, but none were Khushi…
His eyes zoned in on the floor and noticed the dried bloodied footsteps.
Violence was now the only reaction he had.
He began to storm through the building, kicking in the doors, destroying anything and everything he could see, screaming at anyone he saw if they had seen Khushi…
“My Prince! The Baron is here…”
Arnav turned and pushed past his guard and charged towards the Baron.
He could see that this man was an angry vile person, just by the way he stood.
Grabbing a fistful of his collar, Arnav lifted his sword to the Baron’s neck snarled…”Where is She!”
The baron was now shaking with terror…”My prince, I don’t know who you’re talkin-“
Arnav slid the blade of his sword over the man’s throat, making a shallow gash…”The new ‘maid’… Khushi… WHERE IS SHE!?!”
The baron lifted his hands in defence…”My prince, I paid for her! I paid for her fairly, a good price! I didn’t steal her!”
That anyone could put a price on his Khushi was sickening…
Arnav’s eyes turned wild with hate as he asked once more in a frightening voice…”Where. Is. She?!”
“Please…” the man shook, “Please release me, I will take you to her…”
Arnav harshly let go and stepped forwards threateningly…”HURRY!”
As the baron began rushing down a dark corridor, Arnav’s insides began to churn…
“It’s so…so dark…where is she…what has he done to her!?”
“I knew this girl was bad news My prince,” the baron stuttered nervously…” …she blatantly refused to obey my very first command of her…”
Arnav was losing his control…”What command!? What did you do!?”
The baron slowed and turned back to face Arnav, “She is just a servant, and one who was late returning to me. She was pretty enough so I was going to fuck her. When she refused, I hit her as hard as I could…she’s nothing but a worthless whore anyway who…”
The beast inside him broke free and Arnav lifted his clenched fist and struck the baron’s jaw violently hard…
He staggered back, slumping against the brick wall as Arnav dealt a harsh uppercut fisted punch to the baron’s jaw, completely snapping it…
Stopping suddenly, he roared…”Tell me where she is RIGHT now!”
“In that room!” the baron groaned out as he gripped his broken bone…
As guards apprehended the Baron, Arnav instantly rushed to the door and barked out, “Khushi! If you can hear me, stand back from the door!”
Arnav didn’t bother to wait for a key and flexed his chest, lifted his huge leg and kicked brutally.
Kick…kick…
CRACK!
The thick wooden door gave way and Arnav was met with darkness…
As low light started to seep in, his eyes instantly drained of life when he saw her…
“Fuck no!”
His voice was hoarse and devastated with emotion as he bolted to her side…
Servants began to swarm inside the room with lamps, and Arnav saw the state of her…
“Shit…”
Her clothes were muddied, torn and damp with blood.
Her cheeks were swollen and red with a large bruise turning dark purple…
There was a gash on her forehead and a hot lump forming on the back of her skull…
The soles of her feet were scraped and bleeding and her hands were bound tight…
She had been crying, the salt from her tears mixing with the salty blood that dripped from her wound…
Carefully sliding his arms around her, he lifted her gently against his chest…
“Khu…Khushi…”
He ran his fingers over her pulse, and felt it beating faintly…
Letting out a quick sigh, the relief didn’t last long as his body began to fill with a rage that bordered on mania…
He pulled out the small dagger that was in his belt and carefully cut through the rope around her wrists, all the while chanting to her…
“Khushi…I’m here…I’m here…”
When the rope gave, he gently rubbed her hands, making the blood flow.
His gaze shot to his second in command, “Get me a carriage, now! I’m taking her away from here instantly!”
“Right away, where would you like to take her?”
Arnav looked up sternly…”To MY castle.”
Completely bewildered, Corey nodded his head and asked…”Do you want half of the sentry sent back? Or do you need them still?”
Arnav didn’t want to pay any attention to anyone other than to Khushi, but he ground out his answers…
“Send half back. See to it that a my physician is waiting for her immediate assistance…Understand!?”
Lifting her fingers carefully to his lips, he tried to wake her…
“Khushi…please…please wake up…”
He began to hyperventilate as he clutched her to his chest…
His guttural gasps were shocking everyone around…
“Khushi…” his voice broke…”Sweetheart, I’m here…Damn it wake up…”
“Your Highness…?”
An older maid approached him carefully…”Your Highness…The servant girl is alive…she has obviously merely fainted…”
Arnav held Khushi closer as his voice turned brutal…
“Merely fainted!?! Look at her! Look what that bastard has done to her!!”
He lifted one hand to her face, carefully avoiding her injury, and moved her hair away from her eyes, her face was hot, but the rest of her was cold as ice.
“You’re freezing…” he was breathing harder…”Blankets! Bring me blankets right now!”
Servants rushed in all directions as Arnav kept his gaze pinned on Khushi…
“I’m here sweetheart,” he rocked her in his arms…
A servant passed a blanket over and he snatched it fast…
Wrapping it around her cold body, Arnav was more careful with her than he would be with a baby…
He delicately lifted Khushi as he stood, his heart was tearing to pieces for her…
Corey came into view as he took her out of the dark room, “Sir, the carriage is prepared.”
He was about to leave when he heard a voice that kindled his fury…
“This isn’t fair! I paid for her!”
He halted, pulling Khushi closer, and turned back to the baron…”Fair!? You will be punished severely for what you have done to her!” and he leaned closer as his voice turned savage…”She is MINE.”
And cradling her against his chest, he marched out of the castle…
If she hadn’t have been in his arms, he would have murdered the Baron there and then.
Arnav climbed in and positioned himself carefully in the carriage seat so she wouldn’t be hurt…
As the attendant closed the door, he growled, “You keep this journey as smooth as possible.”
The horses took off as fast as they could.
When the wheels hit a ditch or a rock, Arnav held her tighter, the need to protect her so severe inside him it was beginning to strangle him.
His hands were sweating as one held her close, and another caressed her face…
“Khushi…” he felt a wave of emotions holding him imprisoned…”I’m here…I’m here…you’re with me…”
His lips pressed to her forehead, “Why…why did you do this? Why would you go back to that kind of life just so nothing would happen to me?”
He studied every single wound, letting each one fuel his determination to avenge her…
………………..
The carriage finally came to a halt at the castle.
Cradling her close, he carried her inside…
Swarms of nurses, and his personal doctor were now at his side as he carried her as fast as possible to his room…
“My Prince,” the doctor spoke carefully, “Do you realize you are heading to your own quarters?”
Not bothering to reply, he lay her limp body onto his bed and nearly staggered backwards, “Help her… Fast.”
His tears came involuntarily as he collapsed in the closest chair, dropping his face in his hands as he tightened his jaw trying desperately not to breakdown…
He listened carefully as the nurses and doctor worked, knowing that if he looked up, he wouldn’t be able to handle it…
After 5 minutes, he finally heard his name called…
“Prince Arnav?”
His head jerked up, and his eyes immediately darted over to Khushi who was now in a white cotton shirt, the rope burns on her wrists glistening with the ointment they had put on her…
“Is she…?”
“She’s stable…the nurses have gone, and so I can now explain her condition. We cleaned her up carefully as she is quite badly beaten. We removed small splinters and shards of glass from her feet…”
Arnav’s heart shrivelled in pain as much as his anger sky rocketed…
The Doctor continued, “The knock to the back of her head isn’t severe but I gave her a shot of painkillers to help with any discomfort. The trauma was quite a shock to her system and that is the reason she is unconscious. The gash on her forehead isn’t as deep as it looks so no stitches were needed…and the markings on her chest aren’t serious but will bruise. She is shaking slightly so I also administered a sedative to help combat the shock in her system…”
“Wait …” Arnav felt pure terror fill his heart…”marks on her chest?!”
Leaning over her in an instant, his shaking hands lifted her top…
“My Prince, Please…”
But Arnav heard nothing…
The moment he saw the red handprints on her breasts, his fury began to explode….
Turning to the doctor he fisted the mans shirt…”Was she raped?! Tell me FAST!?”
The doctor shook slightly, nervous and shocked at the Prince’s attitude, “We found dried blood around her torn hymen. It looks like she was deflowered last night. I would assume, with this other fresh abuse that she was-“
“Fuck no…NO.” Arnav fell beside her…
He knew it that is was he himself who took her virginity, but now he was terrified that she had been sexually abused and that he wasn’t in time to stop it.
The doctor didn’t know what to say…
He’d never seen Arnav like this…
“Your Highness, The girl will be alright, but I can’t speak for how she will react when she wakes. Clearly she is a servant, but I definitely know that she should not have been treated this harshly, it would help to know exactly what happened, just to make sure that all her ailments have been tended to…”
Arnav stood up, standing tall towering over the older man as he ground out through clenched teeth, “This woman is not a servant.”
The older man cowered back, “I apologize, I don’t know the full story and I misspoke.”
The Prince clenched his teeth, “I will find out what happened from the Baron’s staff…but for now…I will thankyou for helping her…”
Seeing the doctor to the doorway, he called out to Corey who hurried over.
“My Prince?” He stood at command.
“I want to know exactly what happened to Khushi, and I want to know as fast as possible. Ask everyone.”
“Yes sir.”
As he shut his bedroom door, he instantly rushed to her side.
Arnav was still in shock as he sat beside her.
She was once again safe in his bed, but his soul twinged painfully just thinking how close he had come to losing her forever…
Lifting her hand into his, he kissed her knuckles over and over…
Noticing the torn skin from the rope burns on her wrists, he felt his heart smoke with fury…
Trying to keep his voice as tempered as he could, he spoke…”Why did you leave…I want to be angry with you but…” he took a shaky breath, “…but how could you actually love me so much…to go back to a life like that…My God, you don’t deserve this…”
He placed a kiss on her reddened wrist and she winced from the pain…
Arnav sat up straighter, gentling his hold on her hand…
“Shhh…shhh, you’re okay…” he crooned at her…
The image of her, trapped in the dark, bound to the point of cruel pain, being molested by another man made him want to beat his own heart brutally…
“Fuck I have never been this angry…” he said as tears erupted from his eyes…”I know you love me…but…Don’t you understand that I love you more? MORE…and…God I almost lost you…”
His eyes went back to her torso…
“Mine.” he whispered…”And that asshole touched what is MINE. If I find out that he raped you…” he paused as violence sinewed through him, “I will make him suffer more than any other human being I have ever killed.”
Lifting her shirt once more, he pressed his lips between her breasts, feeling her heartbeat against his mouth…
He trailed his lips delicately along her chest, licking and kissing, taking his time…
Once he reached each nipple, he flicked his tongue along the tip and suckled gently…
He stayed by her side, not knowing how long he had been staring at her, unable to tear himself away until a knock at his door jolted him back to reality…
The interruption send a zap of anger to his soul, but he kissed her forehead and stood up slowly…
He came face to face with his second in command, Corey.
“Your highness,” he nodded, “ I have the information you asked for.”
His eyes turned dark.
“We questioned everyone in the 2 hours since you returned…The staff all basically said the same thing, until we heard from the older guard from the cell where you found her. When she arrived, he hit her for her leaving blood on the floor then demanded her to go to his bedchamber, to which she refused and he threatened to fuck her till she bled out.”
Corey paused when Arnav snarled and grabbed hold of the doorframe, the wood slightly cracking under his grip.
Violence was now oozing from Arnav’s breath on his every exhale.
“He proceeded to strike her and then drag her to the lower levels. Once there, he struck her again and threw her into the stone wall and began to physically abuse her, mainly her torso. The jailer said he was too frightened to intervene. The baron then threw her into the cell, she fell to the ground and he locked her inside. The guard informed that she was there mumbling, about you actually, for awhile and then passed out. You found her three hours later.”
Arnav’s fists were clenched tighter than steel as he ground out, “Three Hours?”
“Yes, he was going to leave her there unless she begged to be let out…”
His eyes turned black with hate…”Not only was she in that room, bound and bleeding for…for three hours, but he was going to fucking leave her there!?”
“Yes sir.” he repeated.
Arnav then breathed the question that was terrorising his soul, “so…she wasn’t raped?”
Corey shook his head, “No sir…but he definitely would have, had you not saved her…”
“Get that man…” Arnav’s words were brutal…”And throw him in the lowest part of the dungeons we have….and do it fast…Before I find him, and tear him apart…”
Corey nodded, “It’s as good as done, I hate him myself hearing all of this…”
The Prince was vibrating with fury…
“Arnav,” the soldier attitude slipped and Corey addressed his friend, “are you alright? I’ve never seen you like this…”
“I…I’ll talk to you later.” Arnav ground out…
Not able to say anymore, he withdrew into his room and bolted his door.
Reseating himself as close as he could, he took her hand gently in his and felt fire burn his soul…
“I’m so sorry…I didn’t come fast enough…Fuck…three hours…My God…“
Roughly swiping his fingers through his hair, he brought her hand to his lips once more…
“If I had only realised that you were willing to go back to a life like that, I could have stopped you.”
It never occurred to him that her life had been this bad.
But he once again remembered all he had said to her, all he himself had threatened her with…
He pulled at his hair and slammed a fist into his chest, the pain sleucing through his heart now hitting extravagant levels, “I’m a fucking idiot…I knew the moment I saw you that I wanted you…I’ve never had anybody break down the walls around my heart like you…And look what I did…”
The shame he felt was acute as he vowed, “I’ll protect you…You belong to me…”
“Be safe…”
Arnav’s eyes darted up when he heard her voice…
“Khushi?”
He tenderly brushed her hair away from her face…
“Be…be safe…Arnav…” She suddenly gasped and shook with fright…”Sir…”
He could no longer bear hearing her fear of him…
“No no no…It’s Arnav. I’m yours. Please, please Khushi…no fear…wake up baby…” he whispered desperately…
“Be safe…” she murmured again…
He moved over her, and softly pressed his mouth to hers…
Khushi’s lips began to tremble…
He pulled back, seeing her begin to stir…”Khushi…?”
She could hear him calling her name…
But her heart was lurching, knowing it was just a memory…
Her instant knowledge was that she was now alone, and would die a servants death.
Despite her swimming head, and feeble arms, Khushi tried to push herself up.
Arnav slid his arms under her back, “Whoa…slow down…”
The moment she moved her hands, she hissed, instantly falling onto to his ever strong grip.
Her lips parted as her eyes opened and tried to focus…
Too sore and shaky to move, she lay motionless in his embrace as his palms pulled her possessively closer.
Shock permeated her heart as she was, once again, face to face with the prince…
“..what’s going on…” she wondered, feeling dazed and confused…“is this real…?”
Arnav’s fingers pressed gently into her back as he whispered…”Khushi…?”
Tearing her eyes away from his, she slowly glanced around the room…
He waited for her to realise exactly where she was…
“This…can’t be real…” she breathed…
Careful not to hurt her, he pulled her nearer, “Oh it’s real my love…” and he slowly closed his lips over hers…
It took her a few moments to respond, but when she did, she opened her mouth, gasping hard as her tongue began tangling with his…
“YES!” his thoughts raged…“I would do anything, say anything, give up ANYTHING for her…”
Khushi suddenly tried to jerk away, her fingers flew involuntarily to her lips…
Her face scrunched up in agony as her wrists began to burn…
Arnav held her firmly and tried to reassure her, “Hey…slowly…it’s alright…you’re safe…”
“No…No! Why did you do this!?” she screamed as she continued to try and pull away, groaning as pain radiated throughout her body…
Arnav whirled her closer, her face now dangerously close to his…
Her hands were shaking as her strength failed her…
Immobilised, Khushi bit her bottom lip to keep from crying…
“WHY?” The intensity of his stare was powerful…”Did you really think that I would let you go!? That I wouldn’t come after you!?”
The look in her eyes confirmed it.
“Seriously!?” His expression showed how appalled he was, “I told you. I told you that you were mine. I have never fallen for anyone! You think I’d let you go?! Let you be sold!? As if a price could actually be named for you!?”
She blinked, more tears rushing out, “But…but you-“
“I don’t give a shit about me! I care about you!”
Khushi forced her voice to work, “Sir… I…I would have…”
“Arnav! My name to you is Arnav! Anything I threatened you with was a fucking lie! It was never real. You are in no danger! You were mine the moment I felt you near me!”
She tried to shift in his embrace only to have sharp pains spread across her body, making her cry out…
“Shhh…shh, God…I hate seeing you in pain..when I found you in that dark room, I…I have never been scared before… but seeing you, like that..I was terrified.”
Her eyes poured out her brokenness, “I would have been fine…I would-“
“FINE!?” he roared…”FINE!? If I hadn’t saved you when I did, he would have raped you! Fine!?! You needed saving! Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you lived a life like…like…that!?””
Her heart felt like a stone…”I have always lived like that! I have had nothing since my childhood! I haven’t felt anything! You finally make me feel and then bring me back just to watch the only person I have ever loved be killed!?”
She tried to move but everything burst in pain and she collapsed in his embrace and cried, “No! I hate you! I hate you for this!!!!”
Khushi hung her head, as tears rained unchecked down her cheeks…
Arnav turned her face to his, lightly brushing the pad of his thumb over her bruises…”You aren’t allowed to hate me…”
Khushi stared, disbelieving…
“I will not lose the woman I am in love with!”
“He loves me?”
“You are mine…and I would search the world over and drag you back to me, to my arms, to my protection…I protect what is mine…and Khushi…” his open mouth was now speaking against her trembling lips…”You…are…MINE.”
The impossible was happening, and she couldn’t hardly believe it…“Someone loves me…maybe I am worth something…even if just for this moment.”
Launching herself forwards, she ignored all pain as she clutched his shirt fiercely and fused her mouth to his…
Arnav wrapped her safely in his arms, and tried to pry her fingers away…”Relax your hands…Shhhh…”
“I…I…” she sucked in a broken pained breath…”I don’t hate you…I don’t…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.”
Arnav growled into her mouth…”Let go, shut up and let me kiss you…”
Any move she was about to make was futile, as he plastered their bodies together…
Her head fell back into his waiting palm, and he lowered his lips to suck on her neck, not caring of the wet marks his mouth left in it’s wake…
“I love you Sir…” she whimpered…
Angst filled his heart hearing how far he had pushed her to fear him…
Dragging his lips up her neck, he spoke against her mouth, “Khushi…I know you’re scared…but listen to me…My name, is Arnav… you are never going back to such a horrible life. You are eternally safe with me…” he pulled her closer…
The new feeling of hope was terrifying her and she gripped his shirt harder and moaned out in agony…
“Shhh, Khushi, be still…” He tightened his grip, restricting her movement…
Her voice was tremoring, “He…he hurt me…”
“I know…” he snarled, “I know exactly what he did…”
Khushi felt lower than the dust…”I tried to stop him…I tried…I’m sorry…”
“The only thing you need to be sorry for, is leaving me.”
The abrasions and bruises that were appearing on her face, stabbed him in the heart…”Khushi, I beg your forgiveness for how I spoke to you and for how I acted when we met…I am so sorry for everything I said and did…Listen to what I’m saying now…I love you…and you are mine…”
She began to sob and he shook his head making shushing sounds, “No…no no…Calm down my love, I was going to get you back, I was going to save you…”
“I wanted to save you…”
Not paying attention to her sad words, he eased her back onto his bed…”It wasn’t me who needed to be saved…”
Arnav lay her down carefully as he slowly opened the cotton robe she was in…
She looked down and saw how clean and bandaged up she was…
A shiver went through her and she felt momentarily cold as the air now touched her bare skin…
Her eyes closed as she began to pant..
He came up over her, gently parting her legs…
Her desperate eyes met his as he lowered his body onto hers, the heat from his skin now spreading across her faster than the speed of light…
“You should never have left me…” he whispered sharply as he held her thighs apart…
Blinking slowly, she whispered, “I would have endured it all to save you, I would have-” and she moaned…
“That’s it,” he said as he pushed his hard flesh inside her, “…quiet now…I want to feel your tight body gripping and holding me…I need take your pain away…I need to convince your heart that you’re mine… that I’m yours…”
Her eyes fluttered shut as he withdrew and pushed back in…
The baron’s threat to fuck her bloody lurked in her memory and she shook with fear and disgust…
“He…He was going to…” Khushi began…
“No…” he growled in the most frightening tone she’d ever heard…
He knew exactly what threat she had remembered…
“No he was not…I was going to find you.”
“Arnav…”
Her weak voice made him determined to send her soaring…
The way his body held hers down, and the way his erection stretched her core, ripped her of reality and sent shudders over her entire being…
Arnav’s sheer power was now plain as day.
“The only person to ever be inside you…” he flexed his pelvis and lodged his erection deeper, pushing down on her cervix, “…is me.”
He leaned his torso lower and gnarled…”Do you understand that?…”
His exterior was roaring rage and power, but his eyes were screaming love.
Arnav felt her inner muscles flutter around him, and instinct took over…
He braced himself on his elbows and rhythmically penetrated her…
Pushing all thought of his impending punishment from his head, he focused only on the woman in his arms…
Khushi sucked in a shrill breath as her fingers entwined in his hair and she bit back a hiss…
“Khushi let go…I don’t want you hurting more…”
“Let me hold you…please…I thought I’d never see you again…I thought…Oh…Oh my God…”
Never see her again…
Those words echoed in his head and he nearly ignited with pain…
The thought of her disappearing again suddenly terrified him.
On the edge of her explosion, he somehow managed to hold himself still, the head of his arousal pressed firmly against her womb, his girth stretching her wide…
Frenzied with denied release, Khushi’s body jerked as she tugged on his hair…
Muttering rasped pleas, Arnav demanded her gaze…
“You will never run from me again…promise me this right now…”
Her tears were stabbing his heart, but he held firm…
“I…I can’t watch you die…I can’t…I love you…I love you so much!”
Arnav slid his hands under her top, baring her breasts …
“Don’t…I look-“
Her words stopped the second he felt his mouth on her…
She whimpered as the over sensitive tips stung with pleasure…
Lowering his head, he flicked his tongue over her tingling nipple…
“You will promise me…”
Her breath caught in her chest and she grimaced, “But…”
“You will promise me!”
The dominance in his voice had the words spill from her throat…
“I won’t leave you…” she said breathing hard…
He rained kisses over her soft chest as he began to piston his hips…
Khushi was as distraught as she was impassioned…
Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer…
Arnav sank into her body…
And yet she clutched him tighter…
She tried to lift her legs around him, but she was completely worn out…
Knowing what she wanted, he trailed his hands down her hips and to her knees…
She felt his strong hands lift her legs up around his waist…
“Khushi…” he rasped…”I’m not letting you go…I’m not letting you go…”
Turning animalistic, he thrust inside her with all his strength as his tongue pried her lips open, kissing her deeply…
Her fingers pulled at his damp hair once again, sending his own desire higher…
“…yes…” she murmured…
He slid an arm beneath her waist and pulled, arching her back…
Khushi felt him slide deeper, grinding consistently on her gspot…
“Oh…no…” her eyes went wide with fear, “that…that feeling…I…I can’t handle…”
Arnav’s motions only increased…
“Yes you can…the sensations will help you recover…”
Recover…
The very word made her heart clench…
“Why should I?!” her words were bitter and anguished…”I will only have to live without you!”
Arnav snarled, refusing to let up…”Your life is worth living Khushi! You are perfect, and I would rather die than have you live in any more pain…”
He thrust against her most sensitive area without pause…
“Oh…Oh…Oh…no…no…no….”
Arnav’s eyes held hers…”Yes…Khushi…”
He felt her channel constricting as her gspot swelled up…
“I…I couldn’t…handle it…last…last time…”
Arnav leaned down, covering her chest with his…
“Last time, I was angry…” his lips hovered over hers…”But I knew even then that I was in love with you…this time I’m inside you…come.”
Khushi screamed as her body ruptured…
Holding her arms down, Arnav watched as she was possessed with a climax that sent her body reeling uncontrollably and he arched her back further so he could remain inside…
Khushi’s heart was overflowing with love just as her body was overflowing with heated blood…
As the unyielding forceful climax ripped through her, Arnav suctioned his lips to hers, letting out jets of semen…
He held her tight, taking solace in her…
“Khushi…” he breathed, even though she was still high in the clouds and could barely focus…”I love you…I’m here…I’m with you…”
Khushi’s heart could hear him, even though her body was being held captive by merciless sensations…
Arnav felt her contractions, and for every pulse, he gently kissed her neck, her face, her chest…
“Arn…Arnav…Arnav…”
Hurriedly pressing his lips to hers, he whispered…”I’m here…You’re with me…”
“I don’t…want to lose you…”
His heart broke…
He knew the law.
And no one was above the law in his country.
No one.
“Sleep my love…you need to…I need you to be alright…”
He could see she was already drowsy but still she tried to talk, “I will…take…the…bl…blame…”
Shaking his head, he kissed her nose, then her lips, “I love you…sleep now…”
And she drifted…
…..
When Khushi awoke, Arnav was standing by the window, fully dressed, his sword sheathed in the leather of his belt.
Nervously she looked up…”Ar…Arnav?”
Instantly turning, his eyes clung to hers as he moved towards her…
“Hey sweetheart…” His voice was quiet as he touched his lips to hers…
“Here…” he gently spoke…”Let me help you get dressed…”
Cold dread shot through her body…”Why…? What’s going on?”
Arnav remained calm…”Firstly…You’re safe…”
Reaching over to the end of the mattress, he lifted up a silk blue dress…
He had sent for soft clothing that wouldn’t hurt her body…
Her eyes widened as he helped her sit up.
Sudden fear began to overtake her, “Sir…” she squeezed his hand…
His eyes were firm, and flashed with warning…”Khushi don’t call me that…You call me by my name…”
“I…I just…”
He came over her, bending her back over his arm…”MY name…understand? Get it through your head, I’m yours…you use my name…”
“I…I’m sorry…”
Shaking his head he held her gently and kissed her forehead, “How you have had to live, is unacceptable…and I treated you unforgivably…but Khushi, I will remind you of your infinite worth as often as I need to…”
Placing a kiss on her palms, he smiled softly…
Gently lifting her arms, he replaced the cotton shirt with the silk, letting the soft material fall over her head…
It felt as though he was wrapping her in one of his smooth sheets…
Sliding the sleeves carefully over her scraped wrists, he looked down at the dark blue fabric that now pooled at her waist…
He smiled, moving the covers of the bed down to see her legs…
“Please tell me what’s going on…”
Trailing his palms over her skin, he rested his hands on her bare waist…”I’ve called for my father…”
Khushi felt his grip harden on her waist, as if ready to restrain her…
But she only bowed her head…
“I will not allow for any injustice towards you…That, I promise you…”
Finally she raised her head high…”I care nothing for my life, if you are not in it…”
Arnav felt his heart shatter inside him…
Drawing the covers down, he lifted her leg…
One of the bandages had loosened…
“I care about your life Khushi…”
Arnav took one of her feet in his hands…
When he surveyed the scrapes and cuts, he was furious…
Feeling shameful, she looked away…
“Khushi,” he commanded her attention…”You will hold your head high! I am in love with you! Your life holds the most importance to me, and I will make sure that you are avenged for each and every wound that has been given to you…”
Readjusting the bandage, he delicately placed her foot back down and moved up towards her…
Her trembling hands lifted to rest on his chest, “Please… Let me take the blame…I would rather die with you than live without you…”
His arms came around her, and held her close…”No. Fucking. Way.”
And his lips brushed hers…
Footsteps approached outside…
Khushi flinched when she heard a knock at the door…
Arnav held her body still as he called out…”Who is it?!”
“It’s your father.”
Khushi began to tremble and he lowered his mouth to hers quickly, then he released her and stood up…
She grabbed for his hand, and he paused to kiss her palm before gently placing it back on the bed…
He walked away, knowing full and well that he was about to risk everything…
When he opened the door, he came face to face with his father…
“Dad…”
The King seemed calm as he patted his son on the shoulder and walked into the room…
“I trust that you got back what was yours from the baron?”
Arnav nodded, as his Father smiled towards Khushi who was pale and silent…
“And who is this young woman Arnav?”
She could see that the King was a strong man, and yet she saw that he had a kindness about him…
“Please…spare him…” She thought over and over…
Holding his ground, Arnav answered, “This is Khushi Kumari Gupta…”
“Well,” the king smiled, “it’s lovely to meet you my dear…”
She merely stared, her nerves obvious…
The King looked back at his son, “I am assuming you called me to talk about her?”
Arnav knew the time had come.
He gave one last look to the love of his life and even though her eyes broke his heart, he turned back to face his punishment.
Arnav lifted his head high and stared hard into his father’s eyes…”I have no name other than hers to offer to you. I am in love with Khushi…and I wish to be with no one except her…”
The king remained silent as his lips twitched and his heart filled with hope…
But Khushi looked on, unable to breathe…
She wanted to scream, to disappear, to give her life to save him, but she couldn’t move.
Arnav took a deep breath and continued…”Khushi is of no distinct class, I found her as she was working here…I am willing to accept the punishment…but I demand that you do not hold her responsible for anything. I sought her out. I fell for her the moment I saw her. I will not have her punished for my actions…”
The King was astounded as he was basically seeing a replay of his own life happening before his eyes, a life that his son had no clue of yet.
But Khushi felt horror attack her body as she realised that this may be the end…
“NO!” she tried to yell, but it only came out as a hoarse moan…
Fearing desperately for his life, Khushi threw back the covers and rushed towards Arnav…
Pain instantly struck her body and she let out a low groan…
“Spare him! Please!!!” Khushi voice was laced with agony as she crumpled beside him…
Arnav had already grabbed hold of her and steadied her as she was shaking…
“Khushi…stop…” he lifted her into his arms…
“I can’t…” she shook her head as tears sprinkled off her cheeks…”I can’t let you do this! Not for someone like me! I’m just a worthless servant!”
Arnav suddenly pulled her close, gripping her more harshly than he should have making her whimper…
“I love you!”
Khushi’s hands clung to his collar….
“I love you, and I will not lie about this! Nor will I hide my feelings for you! You are of more worth than a thousand women of higher status!! If I am to die, I will die loving you.”
Her chest began to shake with sobs…
Joy and heartache fused inside her as her gaze clung to his…
The King was silent…watching in awe as his son, the man who knew nothing but anger and hate, showed strong and pure love to a woman.
Arnav walked back to the bed and placed her carefully down…
She sat brokenly as her tears were now unstoppable…
He wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but he needed to secure her safety first.
Taking her hand, trying to assure his closeness, he then turned to his father and stood tall in front of her…”Father, you can punish me…But I won’t allow her to be hurt anymore.”
The King remained where he stood, his expression truly surprised and yet still regal…”Wow…” he cleared his throat, “Arnav, why are you under the impression that you are to be punished for falling in love?”
Arnav frowned, his head swam with confusion…
“Father, You told me that if I choose a woman of lesser class, that I would be punished…the law…”
The King took one step forwards…”I knew you weren’t really hearing what I meant…Listen to me carefully…I told you to choose a woman with class…I wasn’t talking about status.”
King Josef continued, “A woman with true beauty, true character, and true class may not come from a wealthy family. I merely wanted you to choose for love. And the fact that you are willing to risk your life for her, shows me that you truly do love this woman…”
Arnav stood aghast, looking from his father back to Khushi and then to his father again…
He could hardly breathe as he asked…”Wh…what…? But…I…I broke the law…”
Khushi tried to get up once more, but Arnav spun around and stopped her…”Khushi, Don’t…”
She writhed against him as she bowed her head towards the King…”Please Your Majesty. I am to blame! I beg forgiveness for how I am speaking, I only know that I will should take his place…I implore you! I am nothing.”
Arnav now gripped her hair tight, and she moaned, “Don’t you dare say one more word, I’m warning you…you are under my protection now, MINE! …and I protect what I love!”
Her gaze connected once more with Arnav’s…”I… I can’t let you face this alone…”
“Well!” The King shifted from one foot to the other, “You have chosen extremely well Arnav.”
Holding Khushi close, Arnav faced the King.
“Dad, what the fuck is going on? What are you saying?”
“Son, I didn’t want you to marry for the sake of duty…”
Arnav stuttered as he spoke…”I…You…you said…but…but the traditions!? The laws?! I…I don’t…How?”
The King took a step forwards, making Arnav’s defenses rise…
He wound his arm further around her …”She is not to blame. I can’t and WON’T go down without a fight…I will protect her at ALL cost…”
The king smiled…”Arnav, calm down! I already know she is not to blame for anything other than bringing true love into my son’s life…” he looked at Khushi, “For which I thankyou.” He saw that she kept her gaze on the floor, while breathing fast, “Just stay calm my dear.”
Bewildered beyond belief, Arnav asked, “…Father, are you saying that…that I am free to marry her?”
His father rolled his eyes and nodded…”YES you headstrong young idiot!”
Holding her tight to his body, Arnav felt fire heat his heart…”Fucking hell, Why not just ask me to marry for love?”
The king lifted his eyebrow…”And would you have done that? You, the angry young prince…? Who argued and defied all authority? Who basically lived only for control and duty?”
Arnav knew that he wouldn’t have, he would have done his duty to keep his title.
“…it is quite clear that you love this woman…”
Arnav was astounded, but he bit back, “I told you I fucking do.”
Arnav glanced back at Khushi whose innocent expression made his heart ignite…
His eyes were starting to sting as he kissed her forehead gently…
“Arnav, your mother and I only want for you, what we ourselves have with each other…You need a woman who will be your equal, not just after a title. Someone with true beauty, and this young lady appears far superior to what we had even hoped for…”
“Yes.” his eyes remained on Khushi, “Yes she is…”
Finally turning to his father, emotion choked his voice…”I don’t know what to say…”
The king smiled, “Im just glad you have allowed yourself to love. Now you can stop being such an asshole who only cares for himself…” he looked to Khushi…”Khushi, my dear?”
She flinched in Arnav’s embrace, as she bowed her head…
An emotion flickered in his dad’s eyes, one he hadn’t seen before…
The Kings voice grew gentler and he spoke again, “Khushi?”
Arnav kissed her temple, “It’s alright…”
Lifting her head, she apprehensively looked at the king…
He smiled, “I can see you are quite shocked, but let me assure you that you are safe. My son seems like he will make sure of that, seeing as he was willing to demand your protection.”
The king could see the fear in her eyes, “don’t be afraid, I will leave you with my son for now…but my wife and I would very much like to meet you properly later…”
Her lips parted but she couldn’t summon any words…
The King turned to Arnav, “Just reassure her, I can see that she’s been quite badly hurt…”
Arnav turned to Khushi and saw her glazed eyes and tear stained face…
Holding the back of her head, he kissed her forehead, “Khushi, take a breath…I’m here…”
She drew in a short breath, but still couldn’t muster the courage to speak, her emotions too fragile…
He glanced at his father…”I have the man responsible in prison…”
The King smirked, “Angry young prince indeed, but now angry for the right reason…I’ll be going now…look after her…”
“Always…”
And his father quietly left the room…
…..
The queen had been pacing outside Arnav’s room and when she saw the King she grabbed him by the collar and dragged him down the hallway.
He grinned and let her pull him, knowing she was nervous about what decision their son would be making.
Stopping at one of the empty study rooms, she pushed him up against the door.
Her hands landed on her hips and she stared, her eyes obviously demanding answers.
The King started to chuckle and he very quickly turned the situation to his advantage.
In one smooth move, he spun her around and she was now the one trapped against the door, his arms bracing her in…
“What a wild cat you are.”
Her pupils dilated and she was about to respond when he shook his head, silencing her.
Leaning closer, he let his lips touch hers lightly as he said, “…you’re not going to believe this…”
……………………
The moment his dad left, Arnav immediately turned to Khushi and saw that she was pale with anxiety and confusion…
“Khushi…Khushi?”
She felt faint as she tried to catch her breath…
“This can’t be happening…?! Can it!?” her thoughts screeched…
Arnav softly touched her face…”Look at me, sweetheart…”
Her clouded eyes looked up at his…
Holding her delicately, he stared down at the beauty before him…”Do you understand all that my father said?”
Speechless, she stared…
Arnav smiled, unable to believe it himself…”Khushi, you are safe, and nothing is going to happen to me…”
She took a nervous breath in…
Seeing her vulnerability, he became desperate to soothe her…
Sliding forwards, he captured her lips with his…
He opened his mouth over hers, brushing, teasing and sucking…
Her lips were pliable, but she barely moved…
He knew she was in shock, in pain, and in denial…
Dragging his mouth from hers, he said…”Khushi, please say something…”
Instead of speaking, her eyes poured out her tears…
“Khushi talk to me, you’re scaring me…” he said shaking her carefully…
Blinking slowly, she finally uttered…”You…you’re really safe?”
Arnav felt his heart swell up almost painfully with passion for her…
He nodded…”I’m safe…you are safe…nothing is going to happen to either of us…
Letting out a long guttural breath, she began to cry hard.
Her shoulders were shaking as she heaved with repressed trauma…
“Oh God…Khushi…shhhh…” he felt gutted, “sweetheart no…”
Arnav was beside himself to comfort her…
This woman, who owned him completely, was overwrought with pain and he could do nothing but hold her.
Her hands hung by her sides as he gathered her in his arms…”shhh…”
He didn’t know how long it took, but he held her close until she finally began to calm…
“I…I’m…”
He moved back and held her face as delicately as he could…”Talk to me…you can say anything to me…”
“I’m…so sorry…I have acted disgracefully…”
His eyes were widening as he started to feel pissed off…
“I am a servant, and my behaviour has been…”
Arnav gripped the back of her head and swung his body over hers, straddling her…
She had no other choice but to look deep into his eyes…
“I’m warning you Khushi…Stop talking like this about yourself…”
The screaming words held more power, because he said them with such control, and frighteningly quietly…
“You are not a servant. You may have lived with this mentality till now, but the second you were born, you were the most important woman alive, and the second my eyes locked with yours, you ceased to be anything other than the love of my life. I will not allow anyone to speak this way about my future wife…” his mouth moved closer…”even you…”
And his lips touched hers in the most gentle of caresses…
Stark contrast to how strong his grip was on her…
When he pulled back, he demanded…”Say something.”
She could only say one thing…”Wife?”
Her tone was wary and nervous…
“Yes…” he kissed her again…”Wife…”
Slowly he moved away, kneeling down beside the bed…
Taking her hand in his, he kissed each finger…
Khushi held her breath as Arnav looked up, running his free hand over her thigh…
“Khushi, will you marry me?”
Without blinking, tears dripped from her eyes…
Never in her life did she think she’d be here…
Her life was an unending series of pain and heartache.
Feeling frightened and ashamed, she tore her gaze from his…
“No Khushi…look at me…”
She couldn’t bring herself to…
Arnav lifted his hand to her face, carefully avoiding her abraded cheek…
He turned her gently, but she closed her eyes…
Arnav remained on his knees, but moved closer…
His voice was now a whisper…”Khushi? Talk to me…”
Her lips trembled…”I…I…”
His thumb smoothed over her hand…”You’re what…?”
“My parents were killed, and the woman who found me was the woman I called ‘Aunty’. She took me in and hired me out for work until she herself ended up losing everything…we have passed from owner to owner…but even she belittled me, saying that nothing would ever come of me…that I wasn’t worth anything…because I am truly no one…“
Her tears began to fall on his hand, like sharp daggers in his heart…
“You are fucking WRONG…” he ground out…
Crying quietly, she shook her head…”You only wanted the 48 hours before you had to choose a deserving bride-“
Arnav snarled, and clenched his teeth holding back his fury as he began pressing kisses along her inner thigh…”When I saw you, I wanted you…and when I touched you, I needed you…48 hours was never going to be long enough, Khushi…” his hand moved up over her bare hip, caressing her bottom…”you shattered my control…Khushi, a lifetime with you won’t be enough…I am Prince Arnav, and I was ready to risk my life for you…don’t you realise what I’m saying?…”
She opened her eyes, staring down in to his…
“You are worth more to me than MY LIFE…”
Her heart was thudding seeing the devotion in his eyes…
“You mean everything to me…” his voice was a whisper…
“Sir, I love you…” she rasped…”But-“
“ARNAV…” he growled, intimidating her with his power…”Stop fearing me and use my name!”
His voice was harder, commanding her attention…
“Khushi, to me, you deserve even more than even I can give you…you deserve to be kissed,” he rose up higher and pressed his lips to hers, “you deserve to be loved…you deserve to be told how beautiful you are…you deserve to be happy, every day, every hour, every minute…You were never meant for that life, and you’re not going back to it…ever.”
Khushi whimpered as he climbed back onto the bed, lifting the hem of her dress…
Pulling the silk over her head, he let the material slide onto the floor…
He held eye contact with her as one of his hands cradled her head…
She whispered…”I’ve never felt so much in my whole life…my heart isn’t used to having anyone care about me…I don’t know how to be anything other than a servant.”
“You’re a princess…”
Khushi stuttered, her heart beating even faster, “Ar…Arnav… I…I love you…so very much…but I-“
“You’re going to marry me…”
And as her Prince held her close, her heart raced, beating so fast she thought it might explode in her chest, “I want to be yours…”
“You already are,” he snarled as he pressed her into the bed, “and you’re going to marry me.”
Without uttering another word, Arnav crushed her mouth beneath his…
………
The castle swarmed with guests.
The people of the land knew that their Prince was to announce the name of his bride.
Women clad in jewels were out to show off their worth.
The King and Queen had entered the grandiose room and were instantly surrounded by attention seekers…
Royal family and distant relatives had also journeyed in for the occasion.
Refusing to enter with a royal announcement, Arnav appeared under the arch before the closed ballroom doors…
And right beside him, stood Khushi wearing one simple necklace, one silk blue dress, and one shining ring on her finger…
His eyes and heart were bewitched once again as he looked her up and down…
Arnav knew she was nervous, and also still in pain so he had been hovering around her, tending to her every need.
“Are you sure you can walk Khushi? I don’t want you hurting.”
“I’m fine…Arnav…” her shy smile made his cock ache…”and I will walk beside you…I refuse to bring any disgrace to -“
His eyes turned dark, “Khushi, don’t you dare think that you would be the cause of disgrace…screw it,” he pulled her close…”even if you were, you’re MINE, and not one thing will ever change that…”
Khushi merely blinked and in an instant, his mouth was on hers…
She was unprepared for the gentle touch of his lips seeing as he was holding her so tight…
When he pulled back, he nuzzled her nose with his and added, “Also, If I see your forehead wrinkle with discomfort, or hear a hiss of pain, you will be in my arms and back in our room in the blink of an eye, because I’m not having you hurt anymore…”
Her hands that were clutching his jacket were now trying to smooth out the lapels, “I will be alright…I promise…”
Arnav was now desperate for this night to be over, he wanted nothing more than to just have her to himself…
“Shall we?”
Her soft words brought him back to the moment…
“Yes my love…” And he opened the doors…
He had promised not to have a grand entrance, and kept his word.
He knew she wasn’t used to this and also knew she had only ever entered a room as a servant.
They walked in slowly, Arnav gauging her every step, knowing her wounds still hurt her…
But soon enough, he was spotted by someone…
The very last person he wanted to see…
Lavanaya began bounding up to him…
Arnav was disgusted by the sight of her, and graces be damned, he wasn’t going to let this woman anywhere near Khushi, let alone near him…
But before he even had a chance to address her, Khushi stepped in front of him, her head held high, her expression hard and dynamic…
Khushi had instantly recognized the woman who was making a play for Arnav, and the instinct to protect what was hers rose like wildfire…
Lavanaya stopped short in front of Khushi, visibly furious…”Get lost you plain bitch!”
Arnav was livid at Lavanaya’s public degradation of Khushi, but he still didn’t get the opportunity to speak…
“I will not.” Khushi replied defiantly.
Arnav’s heart exploded with pride as he took one step forward and stood close behind her, his chest pressing up against her back, making their union take on a commanding force as he growled with fury.
Lavanaya’s hands went to her hips, “How DARE you bitch!”
Khushi felt Arnav holding her, his anger a living thing that he was only barely restraining as she spat out, “Back away from us.”
Lavanaya was now delirious, “Who are you to speak to me this way!? You have no right over the Prince!” and she reached out and was about to strike Khushi.
Arnav’s reaction was instantaneous.
He wrapped his arm around Khushi’s waist and spun her out of the way.
“Back away!” Arnav demanded with a shuddering roar.
He held onto Khushi as gently as he could, shielding her from anymore accusations…
Arnav’s eyes were flashing with a warning that had Lavanaya flinching backwards.
“You want to know who this woman is!? The woman who you say has no right to speak to you?!…the woman who you claim has no right over me?!…the woman who, had you struck,” his voice became terrifying, “I would have killed you!”
The room went eerily quiet as Arnav’s muscles rippled across his body as he held on tight to Khushi.
Khushi suddenly realized that the one thing she didn’t want to cause, was the one thing she DID cause.
Her face was red as shame shrouded her…
But she soon heard the Prince’s voice boom out…
“It’s time everyone fucking knows that this woman here is Khushi Kumari Gupta, my wife!”
No one dared make a sound…
Lavanaya went pale as Arnav snarled, “Come near her again, and I won’t give your existence a second thought…”
Soft gasps were heard all around the room and finally the king stepped forwards, a smirk on his face…
“Ladies and Gentlemen, in regard to what my very volatile son just announced…a private and intimate wedding ceremony was held here within the castle grounds this very morning…and now, I would like to present to you all, my Daughter in law, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada…Your Princess…”
And a cry of applause resounded throughout the castle, as well as unending whining from the women who realized that they had lost their chance.
The congratulations and cheers flew back and forth…
But when the guests looked back, the Royal couple had disappeared…
The King chuckled and said, “…but it seems as though they have disappeared…”
The music started once more and the guests fanned out.
Wendy came up beside her husband, “Well, well, well…it seems that ‘Like Father, Like Son’ was the PERFECT analogy after all…”
The King smirked, “We shall tell them tomorrow…”
She nodded, “I think she’s a sweetie pie. WHAT ATTITUDE! I love it!”
Josef pulled the Queen close, “Ofcourse YOU would love it…”
…..
When all eyes had turned to the king, Arnav swept Khushi up in his arms and whisked her away…
She was nervous and frightened all over again…
Her own behaviour had shocked her…
Arnav, however, was completely turned on…
Her jealousy and desire to stand up for him shook his soul and heated his blood…
He stopped short in a darkened corridor away from any guards and propped her up on the ledge of a window…
Khushi’s eyes were closed, her cheeks burning…
Suddenly he parted her legs and moved between them…
Her eyes opened and she blinked a few times, awaiting his anger…
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”
Khushi stared in shock…”Wh…what?”
He frowned…
His arms came around her and felt her shaking…
Genuinely concerned by her wariness, he moved closer, “…hey, what’s wrong?”
She shivered as she tried to apologize…”I…I’m…”
He moved closer and pulled her body closer against his…”It’s okay, you’re okay…talk to me…”
“I’m so sorry…” her voice hiccuped, her nerves raw, “I know you can handle yourself…I am sorry for causing a scene again…Oh my God I will be thrown out for this…”
Arnav was staring hard into her eyes as he realised why she felt so repentant.
“Oh God when they find out what I have done…I’m going to be-“
Pulling on her waist hard, he gripped the back of her head successfully purging a gasp from her throat…
Arnav growled…”QUIET.”
Even though the ledge of the window was high, she still needed to look slightly upwards into his eyes…
“Khushi, listen to me very carefully…stop thinking you are to be thrown out…”
Her pupils were dilating as she stared at him…
“Think back to a few hours ago…remember the vows we spoke? You’re my Wife…you’re protected by me…and even when you drive me crazy and when we eventually have a fight, you’re still protected by me. Your safety is now secured forever. You now rule over anyone who you thought could ‘throw you out’…”
She took a shaky breath in as Arnav continued…”Don’t ever think that anyone would dare lay a hand on you…because Khushi,” his eyes turned darker, “I am feared for a reason…my own army fears me…no one dares to take me on…and I swear, I will kill anyone who tries to take you from me…”
The hope in her eyes was now starting to shine out as she realised that this man, her husband, meant every word he was saying.
“Now…Why did you stand before me? Tell me what you were feeling…”
His voice was feathersoft, not foreboding in anyway…
She kept her gaze on his as she replied…”I…I saw her approaching you…I felt…I was…”
“mmm?” he encouraged …
“I felt that…I didn’t want her near you, not after…after what first happened…” her words became choked…”I…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”
“Stop it Khushi…” he ground out.
Her eyelids slammed down as her arms attempted to slide off his body…
Gripping her forearms carefully, he hauled her even closer…
Khushi could now feel every inch of his body against hers…
Before he could reprimand her, he was once again stopped by her sheer perfection…
He sucked in a breath…
Drawing on the fortitude of God not to lift her dress and thrust inside her, he gently touched her cheek…
“Khushi…I belong to you…you did nothing wrong…”
Tears spilled out as she opened her eyes…
“No…no Sweetheart…shhhhhh…” he wiped away her tears…
Her blood was now pumping in slow warm bursts, but her mind raced frantically…
“I don’t understand…I thought you were angry at me…you took me away as soon as we were introduced…”
“Damn right I did…You are the Princess. You are my Wife…but more importantly…I love you, so fucking much…and that is the reason I took you away…because since our marriage this afternoon, I have not had one single moment alone with you…and I cannot wait another minute longer…”
Khushi let out a moan as he suddenly lifted her off the window’s ledge and carried her towards his bedroom…
Kicking the door in, he dropped her to the mattress and rushed back to close and bolt the door.
Not pausing for anything, he marched right back towards her, loving the look of anticipation in her eyes…
Grabbing a fistfull of her dress, he pulled it swiftly up and away from her body…
“My God…” he uttered, completely taken away…”You’re so damn beautiful…”
He knew she had no bra on as the pain was too much for her…
She felt her insides clench as his eyes carefully appraised her mesmerising body…
“Even tho I have these red marks on my…”
He swiftly came over her and said …”You think that anything can take away from how beautiful you are?”
Reaching out he swept a wandering strand of her long hair out of her face…
His fingers lingered there and then trailed downward over her neck, her collarbone, down towards her bare chest…
When he brushed the back of his hand over one of her already hard nipples, she involuntarily arched into his hand…
Arnav snarled out a sound of animalistic approval…
His caresses were setting her on fire as she felt the pulse between her thighs…
“…my wife…” he murmured as his fingers reached the lace of the panties she wore…
Moving down, he tugged gently and pulled them away from her trembling body…
Before moving back to her, he stood up unbuckled his belt, letting it drop to the floor.
He started to unbutton his shirt and Khushi drank in the sight of him…
His body was so ruggedly beautiful and powerfully muscular, she had to bite her bottom lip to keep from whimpering with need…
When he pulled his shirt off, he grew harder seeing her hungry gaze…
His arms were twice as big as her thighs…
Dropping his hands to his pants, he unbuttoned and pushed them down…
Khushi began breathing faster…
His entire presence was taking over her soul…
Well shaped calves, thick, powerful thighs, a rippled abdomen, and his enormous erection…
“You’re…” she began…
Arnav climbed over her…”What do you feel when you look at me?”
She trembled, she didn’t know where to begin…
There were so many thoughts racing through her head…
“Tell me, my love…because everything you see is yours…” he said again…
Breathing in, she filled her lungs with the scent of him…
“Everything about you, causes my body to tighten…”
He watched her as she inhaled again, trying to grasp for words…
“I look at you, and all I can think of is how much I love you…how you feel when you’re inside me, filling me, stretching me…”
Arnav let out a harsh roar and could take the wait no longer…
His mouth found hers, instantly devouring, coaxing her to respond faster…
Heat spread like wildfire in Khushi’s veins and she opened her lips, kissing him hungrily, admitting his tongue, delighting in the man she loved…
When he moved half over her, she gripped his shoulders, arching beneath him, bringing one hand up to thread her fingers in his hair so she could hold him in place…
A groan rumbled up in his chest when she slid both hands down over his muscled arms, trying to urge him onto her…
But Arnav remained where he was, continuing to plunder her mouth…
His lips were demanding and yet giving at the same time…
Khushi began to writhe, and tried to lift an aching leg over his body…
He reached out his arm and lifted her sore limb the rest of the way, but he still didn’t bring his body onto hers…
“I…I need…”
He smiled deviously, “I am loving how much you want me…but I’m not going to let you hurt anymore than you already are…” he said against her lips, his voice hoarse and husky…
Khushi was growing more and more agitated…
Arnav caught her face in his hands and said, “…everything you just described about me…is yours.”
Instantly his head dipped and he softly sucked one of her nipples into his mouth…
Gripping sensations flooded her…
She cried out as she arched beneath him, but her moans were soon interrupted by a hiss of pain…
Instantly everything stopped and he lifted his head…
“Where do you hurt?” he asked firmly.
“I…I’m alright-“
He moved closer, “I said, where do you hurt?” his eyes were firm and not willing to play games when it came to her pain…
“My…my…wrists…I held onto you too tight and…”
Arnav’s hands gently wrapped around her elbows and pulled her arms from around his neck…
He felt instantly colder, but that thought was forgotten as his sight caught her raw, burned wrists…
He felt primal…
“How could anyone want to hurt her?”
“Is that the only place you hurt?” he asked, no humor in his eyes, only a demand for the truth…
“Yes Sir…” his eyes flashed and she hurried to correct herself, “Ar…Arnav…”
“That’s better…”
He held her arms down as he lowered his head to her other nipple, teasing it with his tongue…
Khushi’s arousal was rising rapidly, becoming too much to bear…
She struggled against him, trying to urge him on, but he held her still…
When she started to kick and wriggle, he moved his body over hers and held her down with his weight…
His rock hard penis reared against her thigh…
But he wasn’t ready yet, he wanted to taste her, to take his time and draw every possible spark of pleasure out of her body…
His mouth blazed a path down her stomach and lower still…
Breathing in the scent of her femininity, his gaze seared hers as he parted her legs…
A blush spread over her face and Arnav felt the need to protect and pleasure her rise…
“It’s me Khushi…don’t be shy, your body is so beautiful…” his voice was a silken whisper…
Her head dropped to the pillows beneath her as his head descended and his hot tongue laved her, running from the depth of her core to the aching precipice, only to dart downward again…
Her back bowed when he reached her clitoris once more and she lifted her hips…
“Yes…oh God yes…”
Arnav pushed two fingers inside her, and curled them upwards, making her cry out in shock…
Her arms instantly lowered to try and push him away…”Oh…no…not that-“
He lifted his head, staring into her eyes straight on…”Arms beside your head…NOW.”
She replaced her arms, and began to shake her head…”Please…”
“I won’t let any harm come to you…”
Without waiting, his mouth closed around her swollen clitoris, sucking, licking and then sucking again…
He didn’t press hard, but gently massaged her gspot and felt it swell until it was ready to burst…
Khushi felt the sensations building and building…
Her breathing was harsh, and her moans continuous…
Arnav sensed that her body was ready and he pressed his fingers upwards firmly…
Khushi screamed and instantly shattered…
Brilliant lights flashed behind her eyelids as the devastating orgasm overwhelmed her…
Arnav watched her sheath drip out a surging stream of her own ejaculation…
His eyes saw her channel contract and release and contract…
Smoothing his hands over her stomach, he crooned to her…”Let it come…I’m with you…”
Khushi reveled in the strong and encompassing sensations that only Arnav could give her…
In the last few days, she had discovered that not only did he own her heart, but he owned her body completely…
Her orgasm lasted until she could stand it no more and she slumped limp and shuddering against the sheets…
Slowly, as her body regained it’s awareness, she felt his head resting on her abdomen, his arms wound beneath her hips…
Her legs still lay open, the muscles burning from their impossible contractions…
Khushi swallowed hard and lifted her shaky hand, entwining her fingers in his hair…
He had done this for her.
“For me…for my pleasure…” she realized…“Why? He could demand so much, and yet, he takes the time to put my pleasure first…”
Still unable to force out words, she softly tugged on his arms and he raised his head instantly…
His eyes had grown darker, filled with emotion…
“Are you alright?” he asked…
Khushi nodded and began to sit up…
He moved upwards to help her…”What’s wrong…?”
She looked up at him and tried to ask something quietly…”May I…”
Arnav squinted slightly…”Ask.”
“May I…I…touch you?”
“Khushi…” he kissed her hard and fast…”You don’t ever have to ask…whatever I said in anger before, was a fucking lie…You own me…”
Overwhelmed with love, he slowly moved onto his back….
She could hardly believe she was doing this, but she wanted, needed, to give him pleasure too…
She swept her long hair behind her shoulders and tried to bite back a groan of pain as she resituated herself on top of him…
He quickly gripped her arm…”Wait…you’re hurting, I can see it…”
“I want to do this…please…” her voice was a soft plea…”I have given you nothing…”
His body tensed, and he flipped their bodies back to have her laying under him…
“No! I…I wanted to…ohhhhhhhhh”
She was silenced as Arnav guided his hard flesh inside her …
At once, he filled her to capacity, and she trembled with ecstasy…
“You’ve given me nothing?” his eyes drew her in…”You gave me the most precious gift I could have ever received…YOU…Your love. Your life. Fuck, you gave your virginity to me…I can never repay you for what you have given me…”
A primal moan rumbled in his chest and Khushi took in the look of passion that covered his face…
Arnav kept a steady hold on her as he thrust his thick arousal in and out of her soft body…
Savage desire welled inside him, breaking down his defenses, and their gazes suddenly locked…
“I love you…” he said breathlessly…
He continued to pump his hips against hers…
Her eyes were glazed as she whimpered, “I lo…love you…”
“My God, you’re the most beautiful thing I have ever seen…Come with me…I’m going to fucking explode…”
Her breath froze inside her…
His words sent a delicious quiver from her nipples straight to where his erection speared into her…
Between his words and their labored breathing, she could hear the sound of wet suction as he pulled all the way out of her and then drove himself back in again…
Arnav looked down at their joined bodies, then back up at his wife…
He tightened his grip on her lower back and watched in rapture as her climax spiralled inside her…
And with her freedom, came his, and a volcano of semen erupted from his penis, shooting deeply into her clenching sheath…
The feel of his hot seed filling her sent her shattering all over again, her core was constricting until she was only aware of that feeling, of Arnav, of complete and utter, absolute satisfaction…
When pulses were all that was left of their climax, he held her close…
He slowly withdrew from her body as his mouth tasted from hers…
“Rest my love…You’re in my arms…”
“I love you…” she said on a yawn…”So much…”
He gathered her tightly against his chest…
Arnav lay awake, stroking her hair, savoring the feel of her beside him…
“I saved her…” he thought proudly…“I married her…the woman I love…”
He smiled…“I fell in love…”
Khushi sighed in contentment, and Arnav looked down at her…
“My princess, my sleeping beauty, you possess me, heart and soul…and all I can ever hope for, is that I am able to give you the happiest life…you deserve everything…”
…………..
The next morning, over breakfast, Arnav held Khushi’s hand under the table as his mother spoke to her…
“Are your hands and wrists alright Sweetie?”
Khushi looked up, her hand tightening on Arnav’s…
He carefully lifted their joined fingers and kissed her hand.
He winked at his mother…”I’m taking care of her…”
The Queen smiled…”I know you are, I have every faith in you my son…” she then looked to Khushi and began to coax out some small talk…
“So…is there anything in particular you would like for lunch? I’d love to include some of your favourites.”
Khushi blinked slowly and felt her heart twinge with pain.
She didn’t know what she liked as she had never eaten properly before, and if she did eat, it would be whatever was leftover or were scraps.
Arnav had turned away to talk to his dad but had continued to listen in on the conversation next to him.
He could see that Khushi was still too scared to communicate freely and when he looked over at her, the pain that filled her expression broke his heart.
Her eyes started to sting with tears and the Queen quickly tried to intervene, “It’s okay sweetie, how about this? What if we did a tasting platter and you can tell me what you like? Maybe we can find some favourites together?”
Trying desperately to hide her tears, she quietly replied,“I…I would like that Your Majesty.”
His mum quickly shook her head , “oh no…you’re my daughter in law. I’m your mum, so that’s what you will call me.”
Khushi felt her heart almost bursting with new sensations as her new mother started rattling off all of her favourite dishes.
The sass and spriteliness of the Queen made her lips quirk with a smile.
Arnav turned in the other direction and looked towards his father…
“Thankyou…” his voice was shrouded in respect…
His father let out a small chuckle…”Son, you’ve said that word more in the past few days than you ever have in your entire life…”
Arnav grinned…”I know, but I can’t seem to stop…I mean, you let me break a law, a tradition…”
“Let me tell you something Arnav, there never was a law.”
The expression on Arnav’s face was priceless, making the king work hard to hold back his laughter…
“What do you mean!? You said that it was a royal law!”
The queen quickly interrupted, “Khushi, how about we both take a walk in the garden while your husband and mine have a talk…”
Arnav instantly saw how nervous she was and pulled out her chair, taking her into his arms, “Nothing is wrong sweetheart, I just need to talk to dad…I love you…”
Smiling softly, she turned to the queen…
“Come on sweetie, I’ll show you a fun and interesting feature to the back garden…something my husband gifted to me…”
Khushi was still obviously unsure how to act, but the way that the King and Queen were talking to her, already showed how much they loved her like family…
The moment the ladies disappeared into the garden, Arnav spun back to his father…”What the HELL are you talking about?!”
The King smirked and seated himself back down…
Arnav remained standing, feeling genuinely confused once more…
“Arnav, I never wanted love. I hated my life. I was actually at the end of my rope…I actually didn’t care about life anymore and then I met your mother…”
Finally sitting down, Arnav listened…
“I had never seen anyone with such strength of character, such passion, such craziness and yet such humility…and I fell for her instantly…”
Arnav smiled…”Where you told of this law?”
The king began to smirk…”I was…In fact, it was drilled into me day after day…”
“Then you also risked everything?”
The king nodded…
“How were you spared then? What happened? How did you convince them not to punish Mum?”
The king took a deep breath in…”Your mother was never in any danger. Only me.”
Arnav was bewildered…
“It was only I who was going to be punished for making your mother fall in love with me…”
Arnav stood up, raking his fingers through his hair…”I have no clue what you’re saying anymore!”
The king knew the time had come to reveal HIS secret.
“Son, I was the servant. Your mother was the Princess.”
Arnav went still, completely speechless as his father continued…
“For a servant to lock the princess in her room and make her fall in love with him, was an quite an offence, punishable by death.”
Arnav’s jaw dropped…”You…You locked my mum in her room!? What the hell were you two doing?!…”
His words stopped, as he realized exactly what his parents would have been doing…
He shook his head hard…”Dad, fucking hell!!!!!”
The king laughed…”oh stop overreacting, I am mainly telling you this because, YOU are so much more like me than your mother…And to feel completely unmanned by a woman was something that truly offended me. But I had to have your mother, I had to…I just…I felt as though I couldn’t breathe unless I were with her…”
Arnav apprehensively nodded, “I know that feeling…but YOU were the servant?”
The king nodded, “Your grandfather only wanted true love to rule in his family…He encouraged his children to marry for love…and I was praised for risking my life for your mothers love…”
Still in a daze, Arnav dropped to his chair…
“Son, your mother loved me so much that she married me, even knowing that one day I would be the king…more powerful than her…”
He rested his hand on his son’s shoulder…”when your grandfather passed, I made him a promise…that I would continue to rule his kingdom with fairness, honesty, and respect…and that I would make sure that the royal legacy, be carried on by love…”
Arnav planted his hands on his hips, “So you lied to me…”
His dad snickered, “I guess I misled you, but that was your mother’s idea…She’s always been a conniving woman…”
They both began to laugh…
The women came back into view, and Arnav now realized the deep necessity of love, the emotion he denied himself to feel for most of his life…
“And so…I wanted you to feel the same driving need…and to have the same desperation to find love…”
Arnav instantly stood, throwing his arms around his father…
“Thankyou…”
The king embraced his son tight…”No more need to say that…I KNOW how love can change a life…and I thank the Lord above that you have found it…”
“Is everything okay in here?”
The men looked up hearing the Queen’s voice…
Arnav looked to his dad, then back to his mother…
He rushed over to her, hugging her…”I love you mum…you’re an amazing queen.”
Her arms came up around her son, “I love you too…and I love my new daughter in law…she is a treasure…with quite the sense of humor…just need to get her self esteem back up after the horrible life she’s been living…”
His gaze caught hold of Khushi…
And as his mother let him go, he immediately took her in his arms…
The queen walked to her husband, and started pushing him out of the room…
“What!?” he said, letting her nudge him out…
“Give them some time alone!”
“You’re telling the king what to do?!”
The queen smiled…”You bet I am…”
And grabbing her hand, the King grinned as he led his wife away…
……..
Arnav rested his forehead on Khushi’s, breathing in the scent of her hair…
“Have I ever told you how divine you smell?”
Khushi smiled cautiously…”I thought I might smell like antiseptic…”
Arnav withdrew and lifted her hands…
He saw the slight traces of medicated ointment on her wrists…
She yelped as he suddenly lifted her up in his arms…
“Even that makes you smell divine…”
Her hands smoothed up around his neck as she laughed momentarily.
The music of her laugh was heady.
Walking out into the garden, he set her down on a white iron bench and knelt down before her…
Khushi’s eyes widened…”Why…why are you down there?”
Arnav sighed…”I am showing respect to the new princess…”
She tried to pull him up, as she said…”I’m not used to this…If I am showed any more love and affection, I may faint…”
“Then I’ll be ready to catch you, because I haven’t even begun…”
Blinking slowly, Khushi smiled…”I really do love you…”
Moving closer into her body, he brushed his lips against hers…”I love you my Princess…I’ll never regret risking my life for your love…”
This story continues in Eternal Love Part 1Eternal Love Part 2
Eternal Love Part 3
Eternal Love Part 4
Eternal Love Part 5
SS : Forceful Encounters Part 2
Khushi sat perfectly still.
They sat in a large room.
She was finally amongst his business associates.
Khushi shifted, flexing her fingers over her crossed legs, trying her best to remain patient and calm.
Arnav’s cool seemed to be fooling everyone else, except her.
His gaze was devouring her.
No, even THAT wasn’t how she’d describe it.
It was as though his soul was settling within her, merging with her heart.
Being married to this powerful man, Khushi finally felt complete.
Text from Arnav – Such intense concentration
The incoming text message startled her back to the matter at hand.
Text from Khushi – I can feel you
She typed and sent the words before she even had a change to think it through.
Her eyes lifted and she met his gaze.
Khushi licked her lips and wondered why she sent that.
As much as she loved him, she hadn’t meant to admit as much.
Their intense beginning had sent their lives soaring…
They walked uneven ground, a balance beam, between forward and backward.
Between more and what was.
Even as the room was busy and brimming with people, they heard only each other.
Arnav watched her for a long, silent minute…
His dark eyes like fire, searing her soul.
Khushi didn’t understand that look, couldn’t decipher it, but it tugged her closer, drew her inexorably to him.
Text from Arnav – Good. What do you feel?
Khushi stared at her phone and let his question simmer.
She wanted to answer it correctly; it felt important she do so.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t.
There was so much…
Arnav was gripping his phone…
I just want to…get. her. out. of. here.
Finally his phone buzzed…
Text from Khushi – It’s like you…you’re…I can feel your eyes touch me.
Instantly he typed…
Text from Arnav – …more
His eyes.
Oh my, his gaze…I want my husband…
She tried to type, but with shaky fingers she kept making mistakes, slowing her reply…
Text From Khushi – It’s like you’re hovering just out of reach…I want you to touch me…
When she finally sent it, she looked up, and he was gone.
Her head darted from right to left trying to find him…
She moved away from the bar that she was sitting at, and walked slowly toward where he’d last been standing…
Khushi frowned and began to feel cold…
I tell him i want him to touch me and he disappears…
As she scanned the room, random collegues of her husband were greeting her politely as she tried to seek out the one person she needed…
The fact that she needed him was still grating on her pride.
Feeling like she was going to scream, she headed to the quietest part of the room to catch her breath…
“I wonder if he even got my message…” she muttered
Arnav got the message.
And within seconds, he knew he had to make his move.
“Excuse me.” He said sternly to the group, and no one was brave enough to question him.
He moved towards the corner of the room and stood partially behind a large velvet curtain and waited for his prey…
And he didn’t have to wait long…
Shes coming to me…
He smirked, feeling primal and hungry…
And as she got closer, he heard her mutter…
“I wonder if he even got my message…”
Grabbing her swiftly by the wrist, he heard her gasp of surprise as he pulled her into the corner and spun their bodies, firmly pressing her back against the wall…
Now completely behind the gigantic curtain, he smiled, soft and gently…”I definitely got your message…”
Despite the humor lighting his brown eyes, he didn’t laugh at her.
Stunned, Khushi realized it wasn’t humor lighting his eyes–it was happiness.
It was a lightness she’d only seen less than a handful of times before today, something her life had been lacking profusely…
It was love.
And it filled her with such emotion, such love and affection and warm joy at simply being with him that Khushi didn’t know how to describe that overwhelming, overflowing, feeling of rightness.
She didn’t know how to speak, her words clogged in her throat, choked her with the perfection of this moment.
“Don’t make a sound…” he whispered, voice enticing despite the seriousness of the moment, “because…I’m going to have you…right here…”
Her daze was heavy and lidded, until she realized what he meant…
Lips parting with surprise, she nodded just slightly.
His hands on her body, light though they were, felt divine.
“Mmmm…do you know how badly I want to ravage you at this trust you have for me?” he asked, voice low and intimate.
She felt him…
Had he moved closer?
Had she?
“Is…it the…the same type of desire I feel when…when you merely look at me?” Khushi asked, breathless.
She felt annoyed with her complete lack coherent sentences.
One of his hands began to lift her long dress but he paused at her words, eyes still boring into hers.
“Yes…more than anything…”
Normally it took all her concentration to hide her feelings, to put as many barriers around those thoughts and feelings as possible.
But her connection to this man was beyond anything she’d ever known…
They grew intimately closer as his free hand slid up from her waist to tightly hold her behind the neck…
The very way he held her screamed ‘love’…
“Please kiss me…”
Had she said that?
Was that breathless whisper hers?
Arnav’s eyes darkened.
“Kiss you?” his voice was almost inaudible…”Are you sure that’s all you want little lady?”
Rocking her hips into his hand that had finally reached her underwear, she pleaded…“I want to feel you, I need…”
Her words disappeared as she hissed…
Arnav slid his hand into her panties and between her puffy folds…
Instantly his hand was greeted with slick heat running down his fingers…
“My wife seems to be quite…unsatisfied…” he snarled, pushing his torso closer to hers…
“I…I just…I love you…” she said softly, clearly, speaking from her heart.
It belonged to him, anyway, she may as well say her most inner desires…
“I don’t need to read your gaze all the time to know what you’re thinking, I already know.” he dropped his head closer, his mouth breathing against hers…”Because…I am already thinking the same thing…”
“Why haven’t you kissed me yet…?”
He smiled as his hand gently roamed over her pouting sex…
“Tell me why you love me…”
Her body started to shudder, as pent up frustration began to torment her senses…”Arnavji…please…”
His lower hand stilled, and his lips moved dangerously close…
She tried to swoop forwards to join their lips, but the hand behind her neck held her fast…
“Tell me…”
His voice was straining, as well as his arousal straining against her hip…
“I love you because of who you are…” her tone was breathless…”you care…you show me love…you bring me the most intense sensations I have ever…ever experienced…”
Arnav could see her struggling and began moving his hand again, this time sliding two fingers deep into her core…
“you…you…” her pupils dilated as she felt his intent…
“Keep going my love…”
“You care about people and their futures and doing what’s right…And you prove that by how you saved me…”
Hooking his fingers gently, he began to press on her gspot…
“ahhh…ah…”
“Keep going Khushi…” he ground out her words…
“I…I was scared…and you saved me…you scared me…and you saved me…and you…ahhh!”
His chest now rested fully on hers as he began to massage harder and harder…
“Little Lady, I believe you want me to kiss you…”
“Yes…Yes…Please…”
Her voice sounded rough to her own ears, thick with tears and stupidity and why was she still talking?
Khushi could feel the desperate love pounding from his heart, warming her soul.
His eyes bore into hers as he felt her inner core swell up…
“You’re mine…” he growled…
She couldn’t speak…
“This entire room knows you are mine…”
He pressed harder, feeling her body losing all control…
“I have been jealous of everyone who smiles at you…of everyone who shook your hand…of every single person who met your glance…”
“kiss me…please please….please…”
His tone harsh and firm, he bit out his words…”LOOK AT ME…”
And as her orgasm began, he lowered his head as his lips touched hers…
His open mouth stayed pressed to hers as she gasped, panted and shreiked at the powerful clenching of her body around his fingers…
Almost forgetting how to breathe, she couldn’t make a sound…
Feeling her gush around his hand made his body jerk with aroused pride…
“Mmmmm….beautiful…glorious…”
Holding her up, his hand slowly slid up out of her throbbing folds and grabbed hold of her waist, making sure she could feel him close…
And as her senses began to return to earth, she felt his lips moving against hers…
Now gasping for breath, she tried desperately to kiss him fast…
“no no no, slow down…shhh…I’m here…”
His large, strong hands held her body, the beautiful touch of his skin against hers.
It sparked and glowed along her nerves and settled deep in her.
In her soul where it bloomed and warmed and opened to him.
Arnav growled…
And Khushi shuddered at the sound, may have whimpered, definitely clawed at his shoulders, pulling him closer.
Was there a close enough?
“There never is,” he said against her mouth. “I’ll never be close enough to you. Even when I’m moving inside you, it’ll never be enough, Khushi.”
She didnt realize she mumbled the words out loud…
“Khushi…” His voice was strangled, full of love and the hardness of control, and the harsh sound sent lightning along her veins, moisture pooling low within her once more.
His mouth was now moving faster against hers…
Their tongues tangling as nothing else existed around them…
Khushi hissed in arousal, scratched her nails down his back and clawed for the hem of his shirt, desperate to shed it and bare him to her.
She felt his hardness pressed to her inner thigh and rocked against him once more.
“Arnavji…” she moaned against his mouth.
This was one slow build.
This hours worth of need tearing at the boundaries tring to break free.
This was need and now and not soon enough.
Lifting her hand, one finger traced his brow, down his cheek to his chin.
Over his lips, moist from hers.
“Now do you feel me…?”
Khushi smiled softly…
Arnav began to unbuckle his belt and the next sound she heard was a zip, that sent a jolt of pleasure through her veins…
She felt him, not only the physical presence of him but deeper.
Seated in her soul and cradling her in his.
And her arms were back around his neck, pulling him close…
This kiss was hard, possessive and greedy.
He took and took and Khushi offered everything to him.
Opened herself up fully, consequences of being caught be damned, and let him see just how deeply she loved him, how desperately she wanted him.
Breathing heavily, he broke the kiss.
Eyes more black now than brown, but still so focused on her and brimming with all the things he wanted to say.
Khushi suddenly yelped in surprise when He grabbed her by the waist, hoisted her up, and pressed her against the wall.
His mouth crushed hers, sharp and demanding, and his hands jerked her thighs up, around his waist.
Her husband’s strength still shocked her and she took a moment to settle herself as her hips cradled his.
“Make love to me…” she demanded…
She wanted to feel his sinewy body push her against the wall and fill her until she screamed his name…Multiple times.
“I was going to do just that…you have no say…” he gnarled, voice like pure sin, washing over her skin in the barest of wicked brushes…“You never get a say…understand little lady?”
She shuddered at his dominance and barely nodded, tried to form words but gave up with his mouth back on hers.
“Yes…” she breathed against his lips…
He growled again, pressing her harder into the wall, until she cried out, curving her entire body into his touch.
Her hips moved frantically against his pelvis, she really wanted was him inside her…
“Please…Please…”
Arnav made a noise between a growl and a moan as he held her with one arm, and used his opposite arm to reach between their bodies…
And He took himself in hand and eased into her.
The second the head of his phallus touched her folds, he felt her juices slide over his flesh…
And he could no longer be slow.
Releasing her body, her entire frame dropped onto his length, impaling her deeply…
“ahhhhh!!!”
He silenced her scream by suctioning his mouth back to hers…
Her body stretched around him, eager to accommodate, desperate even.
REsting his entire weight into her, he pulled her hips down hard, fully seating her into him, spreading her…
Khushi began to shake as she wrapped her legs around his hips.
And he moved…
They didn’t speak, they only touched.
As much as possible, as much of their skin could meet, did.
And then he moved faster, thrusting harder, longer strokes, harder penetration…
He felt her about to detonate, and jerked his hips harder at every entry…
Her orgasm was a flashfire through her veins.
Still he moved, HARD, and she loved it.
Khushi held onto him as she flew into an impossible paroxysm of pleasure…
“Oh…oh God…” she started to breath roughly as she felt another orgasm coming fast…
“I’ll show you multiple orgasms, Khushi Raizada,” Arnav whispered furiously…
And he did.
Even as he slammed into her, she felt another orgasm building.
Her fingers pressed hard into his arms, his shoulders, the base of his neck.
“Come on little lady…come on…”
When it broke over her, she curled her body into him, crying incoherently, teeth sinking into his shoulder with the force of her climax.
And Still, he moved, thrust harder and impossibly faster and then she felt him–actually felt his climax vibrate through him.
Khushi held him tight, clinging to him, body still pressed to his, and oh–oh did it ease into her…Fill her…Surrounded her and bound her to him in ways she was sure she would never understand…
“I love you…” Arnav whispered… “I love you…have loved you…for so long…”
He held her to his chest as her legs began to drop…
“Arnavji…I love you…and I will always love you…”
His sweaty forehead was now pressed to hers…
They didn’t speak, for God knows how long…
His body softened and withdrew from hers…
Their mingled liquids began to pour from her body…
He could smell it and held her tighter…”I think we need to leave…”
Her lips tweaked to a smile…”Why? You had enough of this party?”
Arnav chuckled deviously, “No…because i want…” he pressed a soft kiss to her lips…”I want to…” another kiss…”take you again…as we shower…” lips pressing harder…”and then in our bed…”
Her breathing went from steady to panting…
“So…little lady…” he gave her one final hard kiss…”Home. NOW.”
SS : Heartbeats Part 22
“well did he find her!?” Buaji said louder…
Payal and Anjali exchanged glanced nervously…”Look, we…we just know that…”
Anjali quickly interrupted, “We can’t say. Arnav needs time…”
Nodding in agreement, Payal continued, “Just please try and…”
Grabbing Payal by the ear, Buaji glared…”I have lost Khushi. I just suffered thinking you had run away, so you will tell me what you know!”
Garima slapped Buaji’s hand away, “Let go of her! She’s obviously trying to respect Arnav’s privacy…If he has found someone else, then…”
“He has NOT found someone else.” Anjali said loudly.
A hush filled the room.
“He found Khushi didn’t he.” Nani asked firmly
They went quiet.
Buaji crossed her arms, “well…if you won’t talk…” and she stomped towards their luggage…
“No! NO BUAJI!”
feeling completely defiant, Buaji grabbed the luggage tag….
“I see. Well, you were at the same location as his new business…meaning he is still there…meaning he is hiding something!”
Anjali and Payal could see they were losing control of the situation.
“Look, Buaji, if we tell you can you PLEASE respect his privacy? You KNOW how delicate his emotions have been, and you KNOW how much he has suffered without Khushi…”
Buaji and Garima were now nervous and on edge…”I shall promise.”
And they both sat down on the couch before Payal and Anjali…
“Without going into to TOO much detail, as we already pushed too far in our own nosiness, Arnav has found Khushiji…and their story is now quite intense as there is….um…more involved between them than we thought…”
Garima didn’t have a change to speak, she burst into tears…
“Oh stop it!” Buaji shreiked in happiness…”Stop crying you stupid woman! She has been found!!”
Garima tried to regain some stamina, “Is she…is she okay?”
Payal smiled sadly, “She is, but we didn’t see her…she ran away with such pain that she hid herself away…and then had to endure 9 months of…”
“Quiet!” Anjali snapped…
“Oh crap…” Payal grunted…
“NINE MONTHS!? Garima and Buaji yelled in unison…
Nani jumped up, “She has had a baby!?”
“She had a BABY and didn’t even bother to tell us!?” Buaji was now turning red with rage…
Garima was now beaming…”a baby? probably not a baby anymore…Oh Payal, was it a boy? a girl? did you meet the little one?”
“You aren’t angry? that headstrong girl left and …”
“Stop! She has had a child! A blessing from heaven! And Arnav must be over the moon! Payal, Pleasee tell me you have seen their child!”
The ladies grinned…”Well…we may not have seen Khushiji, but we definitely met their daughter…”
And the screaming started all over again…
……..
The family outing ended way too quickly for Arnav’s liking, but that feeling only became instantly replaced with … I get to do this forever…
“I can’t believe that we have this family…forever…” he smiled over at her as he drove them home…
Khushi turned to him…”Yes, we do…”
And they both glanced at their daughter sleeping in the backseat…
“You’ve worn her out…all that playing, the frisbee, the chasing…”
Arnav grinned, “Shes such an active little bug isn’t she…”
“She’s always been full of energy.”
They pulled up into the driveway, Veena’s cooking already wafting thru their open car windows…
“I’ll carry her in…”
Khushi smiled softly…”I’ve missed having you around Arnavji…”
“Wait there, I’ll get your door…”
she sat in anticipation as he rounded the car and opened her door, leaning down close unbuckling her seatbelt…
As he looked at her, their lips were perilously close…
“Damn…” he growled…
“Huh?”
“I want you…”
“You…you have me…” Khushi whispered…
Letting his mouth press gently against hers, he gave her the softest of kisses…
“Lets get this little girl into bed…and then maybe we can eat some of Veena’s cooking…”
Khushi watched with her heart swelling full of love as he lifted their sleeping daughter in his arms…
“She is so cute…look at this little face Khushi!”
“SHHHH!” she whispered loudly…
“Oh…oops” he grinned as they walked into the house…
…………..
“Well I’m going over there RIGHT NOW!”
“NO!” Payal yelled…
“No Buaji you can’t…she’s flightly from what I hear…”
“I don’t care! I’m going to see her! I shall bring her back.”
“Buaji you can’t!” Anjali began to panic…
“Do you REALLY want to see Arnav suffer again? You want Khushi to run? You want to scare her?”
Buaji slumped on the couch…”I have missed her too remember…”
Garima held her hand…”We all have…give them some time…they will come home, as a family…”
“Well…I shall call then…”
“Buaji! You promised! You’d respect their privacy!”
Pulling out her phone, she began to dial Arnav’s number…
Garima tried to take the phone, but her hand was batted away…
Then all hell broke loose…
Everyone reached for the phone, screamed, clamoured…
“I’m not letting go! I’m makinng this call!”
“Akash!” Payal screamed…”Help us!”
He lifted his hand in retreat…”I’m not getting involved with all you women!”
“I will get that away from you!” Anjali screamed…
“Buaji stop!” Payal yelled
“I will tell this stupid girl how badly she hurt US by disappearing!”
“Please!” Garima cried, “Let it go! End the call!”
“I will bring this girl back here! I have Arnavji on my side! He will side with me! He has told me!”
Finally reaching the phone, Anjali threw it accrosss the room.
“What are you talking about!?”
Buaji began to cry, “I know how badly he has missed her…he has told me so often…and we all need to be healed from this pain…”
Payal knelt down, “Buaji…think of Khushi…think of all that drove her to this…she has had a very difficult life…from her birth parents, to the forced wedding, to us all hating on her, to Arnav nearly not showing up to marry her…think of her…PLEASE, i’m begging…”
Unbeknownst to them all, the phone had gone to voicemail and was recording everything.
……..
Khushi and Arnav stood in the doorway as their baby girl lay sleeping…
“Khushi, i love her…God, i love her so much…”
“You’re just saying that because she looks like you…”
She elbowed him and started to walk away…
Reaching out, he caught her by the arm and pulled her back against his chest, winding his arm around her…”Khushi…She looks like US…us together…and right now…I think we should eat…because i need energy for what i’m planning on doing to you…”
Her body shiverred…”But we already…”
“That was last night…” he growled…”that’s….too….long…”
She smiled and quickly pushed herself away…”Then I suggest we eat…”
“Are you two quite done?” Raj said smirking…
“uh…are you…Raj…I…”
“Oh shush, weirdo…” Raj smiled…
“Hey!” she smacked his arm…
“How was your evening?” Arnav said as Khushi disappeared into the Kitchen…
“Well, your family have gone back home…but they know. They know Khushi and yourself have a child…and Mum and I are a bit concerned…”
Arnav stiffened…”Nothing will upset Khushi’s world…I mean that…”
“Look, all i’m saying is, you guys should decide when to talk to them, before they force their way in…I don’t blame them, i know theyve missed her…but Khushi is the most flighty person I’ve ever met, and she won’t risk Libby getting hurt, and she sure as hell won’t risk losing any more of herself…”
Arnav nodded…”We will talk…we will eat and then head out for a coffee…I can sense there might be yelling and i don’t want to wake libby…”
“Good Lord, don’t wake her…she’s the grumpiest little…”
“As am I…”
Raj’s eyes widened…”I’m leaving now…you both scare me…”
And Arnav laughed…
…………..
“And why are you taking me out for coffee???” Khushi inquired feeling nervous…
“Well, I just want to CAREFULLY talk to you…”
“Ok this is scaring me…”
Arnav pulled up at his place and quickly shut off the engine…
Covering his hand over hers, he tugged her closer, “Khushi, don’t you dare feel scared around me…I won’t let ANYTHING disturb our time…”
Her heart raced, but she simply nodded…
“So…” they walked into his apartment…”OUT meant, your place?”
He smiled, making her stomach flip, “You love my coffee…”
And he disappeared into the kitchen…
As the sound of the kettle filled the small room, she noticed that his phone was buzzing on the table…
Khushi felt her chest tighten, “Buaji?”
Knowing that Payal and Anjali would have spread the news, she tried to calm herself…
“They won’t do anything…Arnavji promised…”
The call stopped, but soon, a message popped up on the screen…
1 Unheard Voicemail
“…um…” her inquisitiveness was rising stong.
Picking up his phone, she tapped the message…
“Just…just one click and I could hear her voice…”
and she pressed voicemail…
“I will tell this stupid girl how badly she hurt US by disappearing!”
“Please!” Garima cried, “Let it go! End the call!”
“I will bring this girl back here! I have Arnavji on my side! He will side with me! He has told me!”
Khushi’s face turned white.
He told her?
“Is he going to force me to return?” her heart began to hurt…”I can’t fight him…I don’t have the money…and Libby now loves him so much…”
As tears spilt over her cheeks, she realized that he’d won.
No matter what happened now, he won, again.
And the kettle stopped.
Coming into the room, Arnav sat down next to her and moved his arm over her shoulder…
Instantlly she stood up.
His expression was confused…”Khushi?”
“You win.”
Anxiety crept in, “What? Win what?”
“I get that you wanted to find me. I get that you wanted me back…”
He stood up fast…”What has happened since i went into the kitchen? what are you talking about!?”
Lifting his phone up, she spoke fast, “I ‘invaded’ your privacy. I listened to your voicemail.”
Replaying the message, Arnav listened feeling lost…
“I haven’t “planned” anything with Buaji! if ANYTHING, I’ve only ever said how desperate i am to find you.”
“I. GIVE. UP!”
She stood tall, arms crossed on her chest, absolutely seething at him.
Arnav wanted to talk.
He wanted to say SO much.
But this time, he was going to stay quiet.
He already knew he deserved her anger.
She had every right to distrust him.
It was only early days.
Khushi merely stared at him.
Her thoughts were in a spiral…”He won’t say ANYTHING more!? He may make my body surrender, but I will win this one!”
She looked nearly feral.
Her eyes were wide and dark with her venom, and he had no idea how to… defuse the situation.
He wasn’t entirely sure what the situation was, and how it happened…again…
He took a deep breath and tried to sound completely neutral.
“Khushi, have at it. Say what you want. Let it all out.”
“what?! You…I…I hate you,” she spat at him.
His heart felt like it shattered, but he remembered hearing of her tears when he turned up late to marry her…
“Say more…” his voice was shaking as he crossed his arms in a mirror of her stance.
She took a few short steps towards him and his pulse quickened.
“You’re a–a complete bastard and–”
“Yes! I AM! But NOT for this Khushi!”
“I’m talking!!!” she yelled. “Do you have any idea what I went through? I nearly died having Libby! I have been looking over my shoulder in fear you would find out and take her! I have…” her voice cracked…”loved you for so long and you are now plotting behind me AGAIN!? “ She was advancing on him with every word.
“I–“
“Do you care? You left me like a pile of rubbish. Like I was yesterday’s news. Like one FUCK was all it took and you didn’t need me anymore.”
She was rambling and working herself into quite a frenzy, and by the time she stood directly in front of him, he wasn’t sure she knew what she was saying anymore.
Arnav looked at her trauma…
She wasn’t angry about what just happened…
This is the pain from the past.
His eyes were stinging with tears…
“You have every right to feel this way…but Khushi, I’m not leaving you…I searched for you for YEARS, and I’m not letting you go…I don’t know WHAT Buaji is going on about, but I swear that it’s NOT what you think…”
He instinctively reached out to comfort her.
She swatted his hands away.
And then she further shocked him by slapping him hard across the face, knocking him back onto the couch…
He blinked at her and let his hands drop to his sides…
“Do it again Khushi…hit me…”
Her body was fighting rage, passion and pain…
“What!?”
Arnav growled…”Hit me. Or tell me what I can do to help you…”
Pullling at her dress, she let it drop to the floor.
She stunned him again when she climbed into his lap, straddling his legs.
She grabbed the back of the couch behind his shoulders and leaned in to whisper hotly in his ear, “Make. Me. Come.”
He drew in a sharp breath of surprise, inhaling the intoxicating scents of arousal and anger on her skin.
His hands went to her backside to steady her on him and she didn’t bat him away this time.
Instead she ground down against his lap, making it very hard indeed to form a response.
Finally his brain kicked in and he managed to be the voice of reason. “Khushi, that’s not…”
“Coward?” she whispered hotly against him, biting him none too gently on the neck before punishing him with a fierce rock of her core against him.
Her wetness was seeping through onto his jeans…
“Seems that Part of you already wants to…”
“You’re writhing on me!” he growled…”And you know fucking well that I want to make you come more than anything…but Khushi…”
He groaned as she ripped open his shirt and scratched her nails down his chest.
“What’s wrong Mr Raizada? you only want me on YOUR terms!?”
She kissed him then, a bruising force, nothing tender about it.
He tried to keep his lips clamped shut, knew he should turn his head away from hers but he managed neither.
Her tongue drove into his mouth and he groaned again at the taste of her…
“You see,” she said with a sneer. “You want me.”
She rocked her body hard to the left, toppling them, on purpose, to the carpeted floor.
He landed on his back and she quickly climbed over him again.
His hands now gripped her waist…”OFCOURSE I bloody want you!”
“That’s just it! You want me, you need me, but then you fucking leave. I hate you,” she hissed again.
He cried out with pain as her words cut into him…
Did she really believe that?
He gripped her hard and managed to still her movements.
Tried to appeal to her reason while he had any of his own left.
“Khushi,” he pleaded softly, “How will this help anything? I want to LOVE you…I want to make this family happen…I won’t stop reassuring you…”
He could see her eyes were moist too.
For a second he thought she was going to give up, sit back, calm down and have a reasonable discussion with him.
But the moment passed. “JUST WORDS!” she gritted out, moving against him again.
He gasped as she attacked the fastenings of his trousers, pulling his cock from its confines.
“Khushi ENOUGH! I am not having hate sex with you,” he said spitting out the term…“I LOVE you.”
Completely ignoring his last sentence, she sank down upon him, taking him deep inside her warmth. “God,” she breathed, immediately beginning to move…
“Khushi…I love you…HEAR me…” he muttered, unable to keep his hips from thrusting up, to stop from moving with her.
He closed his eyes, tried to imagine that they were making love, that this was the culmination of their hard-fought reunion, and not this pain that kept resurfacing…
She rose and fell, tight and slick on his cock, and his body was giving in to her angry need…
She was keening above him, the desperate noises she was making as she drove herself to completion…
But the illusion was shattered when her noises morphed into words. “You don’t love me,” she panted…. “Can’t love me. How could you?”
This act was only strengthening his love for her.
Only dialing up his need to win her heart fully.
Completely surrendering to her, he let her use him, use his body…
I’m hers…take all of me Khushi…
Using his hips, he flexed his hips on each thrust, and her hands fisted his shirt as she came hard, her body clamping down onto his flesh…
She was silent as she climaxed…
Her heart was doing the screaming.
And through her aftershocks, she continued moving on him until she felt his phallus harden and shoot inside her…
Their eyes locked and her broken eyes stared into his…
Her lips began to tremble…
The greif she could see on his face was slamming down into her reality…
“…Oh…” she could hardly speak…”Oh my god…”
She collapsed against his chest and he instantly wrapped his arms around her.
Khushi clung to him, more than a little desperately, and soon her pants of exertion became sobs.
He held her as she cried, as he softened within her.
His eyes were now pouring out tears as he held her tight…
“I’m sorry…”
“No Khushi…”
her hands pulled at him tigher…”I’m sorry…”
“NO, Khushi…”
His brain knew how to be logical, but never when it came to Khushi.
She began to mumble nonsensically, and he gripped her hair, pulled her head back and slammed his mouth onto hers…
She responded immediately, opening up her mouth for complete access…
They gave in and kissed freely, each of them gasping in between, not just out of a need for oxygen, but out of arousal.
Khushi still straddled his hips and moved against him slowly, building up a delirious friction…
“Arnavji I’m…so…sorr-“
“MY TURN NOW…” he growled as he felt his penis grow full and aching inside her…
He grabbed her waist holding her down on his body, deep.
“I love you, my wife…” he whispered heatedly.
Khushi responded with a moan against his lips…
Still kissing her, he reached down and caressed her bottom, running his hand along the crease where it met her thigh, and inward.
“Oh…” Khushi gasped.
Using his considerable strength, Arnav rolled her onto her back and used his body to restrain her…
“Lets try again…” he whispered tenderly.
He was overcome with so many emotions that he didn’t know where to begin.
She nodded frantically.
“You’re safe with me,” he said quietly. “You’re always safe with me.”
“I know.” Her eyes fluttered shut as he withdrew in one long stroke and slowly sunk back inside her…
He reached with his free hand to cup one of her breasts, then gently tweaked her nipple…
Another thrust…slow withdraw…thrust HARD…
“Please…please tell me you aren’t…”
“I’m NOT, in any way, trying to rush you, pressure you, or take Libby from you! You have my word as your husband, as Arnav Singh Raizada, and…” he began to penetrate her against her most sensitive spot over and over…”AND NOW COME!”
Crying out, she shook hard, her body contracted hard, her lungs sucked in air hard, and she screamed…HARD.
Arnav slow his thrusts, but continued to work her through the orgasm that was consuming her…
Finally, she stilled, catching her breath.
She opened her eyes and weakly grabbed the front of his shirt, trying to pull herself closer…
His arms went around her, rubbing her back gently as his mouth kissed her lovingly.
When their lips parted, his eyes drank her in…”You’re so beautiful…”
“You’re gorgeous,” Khushi murmured, sliding a hand up over his lightly muscled chest.
He leaned down to capture one of her pale pink nipples in his mouth.
He sucked it delicately, teased it with his teeth as he began to thrust again…
She hissed slightly as she was overly sensitive…
“easy sweetheart…”
Khushi writhed under him and clutched his arms as he worked her into a frenzy yet again, caressing her other breast as he flicked his tongue over her nipple.
“Please,” she begged. “Please….”
He slid up over her chest and cupped her face, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs, then leaned down and breathed in her ear, “anything for you…”
Reaching down, he gripped her leg and hooked it over his arm, making him slide deeper…
Khushi made a needy sound and clutched at his back. “Yes….”
Out, then in again, harder.
Deeper…
She cried out again.
Arnav bit his bottom lip and let go of all his long-reinforced control.
“I’m yours Khushi…I need you to know that I want you and Libby, but I. AM. YOURS.”
the earlier act had been about survival, but now, this was about want, and need.
“Yes,” she moaned, rocking her hips up to meet him.
She gasped, breathed open-mouthed against his lips as their eyes met, only inches apart.
“Arnavji….” she moaned.
“That’s it, Sweetheart,” he said, his voice low and encouraging. “You’re going to come again for me, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she moaned, her head falling back, her dark hair tumbling. “Please Arnavji….”
“No more waiting…for either of us…” he said softly. “we have NOW…and whenever you feel pain, come to me…i will remind you of us…always…”
At his words, she cried out his name and came again, so hard she saw spots dancing before her eyes.
Arnav grit his teeth and worked himself in and out of her a few more times, feeling everything tighten.
He let go, finally, crying out as he filled her deeply.
She pulled his head against her chest and stroked his hair.
They stayed like that, catching their breath.
She was the one to break the silence. “I don’t hate you…I never have…I’m so sorry…I love you…I love you…I lo–”
His mouth pressed into hers in a clinging kiss…”I love you…” he murmured against her lips… “You’ve no idea how much, how strongly…”
“I’m sorry…I was afraid. I already lost you once, irrevocably, I thought.”
He stroked the side of her face, her hair, his expression forlorn. “and i have seen what it is like without you…id rather have my heart cut out…I couldn’t stop myself from loving you desperately, and I nearly died when you left.”
She pulled him closer…”Well, I don’t ever want to go anywhere again. I want to stay right here. Just like this.”
He felt a knot form in his throat, felt a dangerous pricking of tears in the corners of his eyes.
Holding her tight, he turned with her so they were on their sides with him wrapped tightly around her as if he could keep her safe from all the forces in the universe.
He breathed in her scent, memorizing the moment out of habit so that he could always keep it.
Whenever she talked about staying with him he was instantly reminded of how quickly things could dissolve.
It was a horrible parallel for his mind to make, but after so many years he was helpless to it.
“…us…we are here together…and I love you,” she murmured sweetly, unaware of his thoughts, but seeming to answer them.
“I love you,” he whispered forcefully.
Her eyes watered.
She nodded, a tear trembling down from the corner of her eye. He kissed it.
“I’m so sorry.” He rocked her in his arms.
“It’s okay,” she choked. “That’s why it hurt so bad that we were separated.”
“I want you to react when you need to…I WANT you to overcome this WITH ME, not apart…”
“You…you still want me after what I just did…?”
“So desperately,” he said, pulling her down on top of him with a smile.
They kissed deeply until the need for air became extreme…
“Khushi…”
Her eyes peered up…
“You think we should have a coffee now?”
…………….
“Are they arguing?”
“no”
“Were they happy?”
“yes”
“Did they say what time they’d be back?”
“no”
“Can I use the phone to call them?”
Raj closed his book and laughed, “You have asked 1 million questions Libbi! They will be home any time now!”
“So I can’t use the phone to call them?”
“I need a miracle!” Raj yelled, and almost on cue, the front door opened…
“Mummy! Daddy!”
“Sweetie, why are you up?”
Arnav saw his daughter hugging his wife and he felt sublime happiness…
“ohhhh Look at my beautiful girls…” he said proudly…
Libbi looked up at her dad, “I couldn’t sleep, there’s no one to kick…”
Arnav smiled at Khushi, “Oh really? I think my ‘kicky’ girls need to get some sleep,” He began to usher them down the hallway…”Night Raj!”
“Thankyou!” he called out smiling.
~~ Secrets From Vashti Kovac ~~ 