Within minutes a huge table was laid, platters of food and drinks were carried in by several attendants and laid on it.

Shivaditya hogged happily whereas Chitra barely touched her food.

"Why don't you eat something, dear?" He asked sweetly.

"I am not hungry," she replied moodily.

He shrugged and continued eating, infuriating her further.

After dinner, she waited patiently for the plates to be cleared away. As soon as the last servant left she looked at him expectantly. It was a moonlit night and their tent was glowing with moonlight and oil lamp. Shivaditya looked at Chitra's glowing innocent face. She was so beautiful, so exquisite and now she belonged to him.

He cupped her face and caressed her cheeks. Her knees went weak.

He brushed his lips on her and his other hand snaked around her and held her close. She had a sudden urge to hold him tight and a virginal fear to run away and hide. She realized he was her husband now. And he had his rights.

A cold dread went through her.

He was busy nuzzling her neck slowly reaching for her ear. His hands were busy trailing on her back removing her veil which had slipped away long ago. She froze and looked away nervously.

He realized her discomfort and looked at her "What is wrong Chitra ?"

She just looked at him confused and scared she said "I...I...know what you want. My friends told me what happens after marriage."

He stepped back and gave her an amused smile "Your friends talk about that? What happens after marriage ?"

She recalled Vikram's words. Maybe all men expected the same things?

"You have needs. Mother has told me to always obey you and when you have needs I have to...what do you usually do? "

He laughed "You tell me what do I have to do?"

"How am I supposed to know that?" She said irritated.

"Your friends didnt explain?" He asked teasingly.

She blushed. She was supposed to be angry with him. Shivaditya was having a hard time keeping straight face. She looked beautiful, as always, but the red bridal saari and those sparkling jewellery added to her beauty. He lowered his gaze.

She painted such a lovely picture, her saari pooled about her and slender hands entwined in the folds. She was staring up at him too, intently, which only allowed the lamps to shed their warm light over the delicate beauty of her features; as before, he admired that sharp intelligence in her eyes, that arch in her brow that suggested keenness of spirit. And even now, despite her fear, she looked impeccably elegant, with straight posture and shoulders pressed back, which also did nothing to hide her slender figure and soft curves.

She continued "But you are my husband and you have rights. You can do whatever you wish."

Shivaditya realized she had finished speaking and was now looking at him with her amber eyes.

"Chitrangada I didn't marry you for this." He said quietly, she wasnt quite ready for what he wanted.

"Then why did you marry me ?" she asked.

"Because that was the honourable thing to do because I was responsible for your misfortune" he replied.

"So you married me as a favour?" She looked disappointed.

He chuckled.

"I already told you that I wanted you the moment I saw you, so it is not a favour on you, rather its a favour on myself." His handsome face glowed in the dim light, the shadows sharpened the contours of his face.

"He has such long lashes," Chitra found herself wondering.

"Why don't you slip into something comfortable? " He asked toying with her large earring.

Shivers ran down her spine, as his finger casually touched her ear. He was right though, she would love to get rid of these heavy garments.

"I will call in the maids," she replied.

"No, need to do that, I can help," he said silkily, making her look at him in shock.

"I can do it myself," she replied immediately. Flushing red.

He chuckled and proceeded to unhook one of her earrings. His grip was warm as it lightly encircled her ear, it was impossible to resist flinching under that touch, knowing what his fingers were capable of. But his movements were slow and careful as he unravelled closer and closer to skin.

Goosebumps had surfaced from her skin by now. Again, she caught herself fighting against the instinct to pull away. But even more horrifying was the instinct to linger under the dancing of his fingertips, which felt annoyingly pleasant.

What was she afraid of? They had done more than kissing several weeks ago.

The memory did not seem far from his mind either, especially given the new arrangement of marriage.

"Goodness," he said, in a tone of concern. His brows raised, going so far as to feign mild surprise. "How did you manage to survive all this?" He said looking at the pile of jewellery.

Her gaze flitted toward him, albeit briefly and uncertain. It felt too absurd to thank him for the effort.

"Mother said, they would be a laughing stock if I didnt dress up appropriately."

He inclined his head and chuckled.

He didn't move. Nor had he released his grip, and there it remained, like a shackle about her wrist.

She was made conscious again of their proximity - she could count the bristles in his stubble, could see the rise and fall of his broad chest. She had never been aware of how very brown his eyes were until now when they were looking down on her from so close an angle.

His gaze passed over her, lingering a moment too long for comfort. She saw the desire there.

Her heart began to thunder anew. It was not out of the question that he might...well do something.

Maybe he would wait if she asked him, of course, but that meant nothing if he wanted to take possession of her then and there. Who would stop him?

Chitra sat stock still, feeling almost numb, and waited for the prolonged moment to come to an end. Finally, he rose to his feet, to a height that towered even further over her.

"Stand up," he commanded.

She obeyed.

"Change your dress, it is too heavy to sleep in."

She felt panic begin to set in.

"No! I am fine." She replied abruptly, no way was she going to let him help her change!

She watched as he went to the door, beckoning a servant in.

A substantial bowl was set upon her table, the contents of which appeared to be stew. The aroma already began to drift favourably toward her.

"I noticed that you didn't eat much during our dinner," he said, with a pleasant smile.

"Perhaps you might have something now. We still have a long road ahead of us to travel."

She blinked, her attentions diverted towards the uneasy vacantness in her stomach. She drew a breath. He turned towards the door.

"Goodnight, wife."

It wasn't long before his footsteps subsided into the distance that Chitra picked up her spoon, palpitation still thundering in her ears.

*******

In Badami-

Bhojraj was looking at the prisoner who had been brought to him. His half brother whom he had always respected as his brother.

"Why brother?" Bhojraj asked.

" You will never understand how it feels to be deprived of what should be yours" Shubhraj replied.

"I guess you are right. But this is the law I have to abide by it. Is Dev also involved ?" Bhojraj asked.

"No! He doesn't know anything," Shubhraj said though it was a lie.

Bhojraj replied, " The punishment for treason is death! But I can't do that to you. You are to be an exiled brother".

"Devburman is innocent don't punish him because of me. This is my request" Shubhraj said.

"I will accept your request" Bhojraj replied.