When I open my eyes I found myself in a dimly lit cave. I rubbed my eyes and tried to adjust it with the light of the cave. After adjusting my vision the scene I saw in front of me made my blood freeze in my veins. In front of me was he my brother standing smiling at me. I forgot to blink and breathe for a minute.

Suddenly he smiled and engulfs me in a bone-crushing hug. I was shocked is an understatement. The first thought that crossed my mind was why? Instead of getting angry with me or attacking them, he is hugging me. Either he isn't aware of the whole truth or there is something else cooking in his mind. His next statement confirmed my doubts.

"Well done my sister. This time you collected a bunch of well-built men. They will last a month at least. You will be free for a long to plan about luring other humans. I am so happy and proud of you today." I stood there speechless. The thought of them getting hurt crossed my mind and my concise twist uncomfortably. A thought of him lying injured in a pool of blood flashed my mind making me sick.

I don't know what I felt at that moment but I realized he wasn't just only an annoying companion but much more than this. He was someone whose constant mocking helped me do better and bit each passing day somehow this mocking turned into encouragement. Our bickering turned into unknown care for each other. More than angry we are concerned for each other and the thoughts of him being hurt or dead make me feel sick. I realized it's now or never. That was the ultimate moment of choice and I made mine, a choice which defined me and my half-life.

"Little one you must be tired now just get fresh and take some rest. I will cook dinner tonight and I don't want any arguments on this." She silenced the maiden who opened her mouth for arguing.

"Okay queen mother as you order" she replied giggling and walk towards her room.

"What do I do with you? You will never change. Easy there is no marathon is about to start that you are so hurried."

"Trust me you don't want me to change a single bit anyway and I will not do anything risky. So stop stressing yourself and call me if you want any help." The young girl left saying this leaving Hidimba near the fireplace. Her mind wandered to that night clearing all those faces again in her mind. Fresh hot tears fell from her eyes making her angry about her vulnerability. The more she tried to suppress this pain with a belief that it will go away more it haunts her. She wiped her eyes and make herself busy in finish cooking before her little one join her for dinner. Dinner was a silent affair after that both ladies retired for the night. Lying in the bed beside each other Harshini asked Hidimba to continue the story.

"Arrival of my brother made me realized the importance this family holds in my life. I can't let them be sacrificed for my sake not when I am here. My feeling for him is clear to me now. I love him I love all of them and my feeling is pious. My intention is pure towards them so I decided to speak for what is right if that means I have to go against my brother. Like legends say "Loving someone truly gives you courage while being loved by someone truly gives you strength" I wasn't sure about the latter but I was sure about the first. That newly found courage helped me take a stand against my brother."

"No this is not happening brother; not till when I am here," I replied making everyone shocked.

"Are you nuts sister? A few days with them made you forgot the reality. We are demons and they are mere humans their destiny is to be our food. You will not go against me. Do what you are ordered for. It's not like that you can take them out of this forest anyway especially till when I am here. They have to die anyway and if you will go against me you will have the same fate. Choose wisely sister it's not that you have many choices anyway." My brother warned me laughing evilly. He was trying to make me afraid but this time my intentions are bigger than my fear. I decided to stand firm on my grounds.

"I made my choice already and you are aware of it. And no I am not a demon I am an out-casted princess who can be the out-casted queen if she wants. A few days with them didn't make me forget my reality, it made me realize mine. I am as humane as anyone else. So brother you aren't the one who can decide mine or anybody else's fate today. They are going to be out of this forest and I will help them. You will not come in middle otherwise this time you have to face me. I remember all your deeds from the past so don't make me use it against you and you very well know that I can." My brother's face fell for a min but then he countered again.

"So for them, you are going to oppose me fine do it but remember who I am. No one can kill me here. Plus I am the king and who will support you against me. You can't go against your king."

"You very well know brother what I am capable of. I am your army second in command; if I will stand against you the whole army will be on my side. And king I don't accept it cause I don't remember father handed over the crown to you and being you twin we both are equally deserving for the title. The whole court knows about our father's desire to hand over the crown to me so the court will be on my side too. The chief royal advisor and the subjects of Kamyaka are already against your ways. So the answer is everyone and why not; we both are trained equally in every aspect. I possess equal capabilities as yours even better in aspects of morality and righteousness. Brother the humanity which you think of as a weakness is my biggest advantage over you in this battle. I may not hold the capability to kill you in a duel but I can seriously injure you in combat and banish you from this region. Here my dear brother the choice is yours to make actually. You have to choose what you want either you let them go and maintain peace or you make me stand face to face opposing you. If I would you, I would prefer the first choice because we both know that second choice will only bring you miseries and a battle of a lifetime."

"You can't be this cunning and heartless sister to put your life and whole Kamyaka on stake. No one will help you; I am giving you the last chance. Ask for forgiveness and bring them to me. I will forget this and forgive you."

"Poor attempt brother I already stated my decision. This is not cunningness; this is Tit for Tat. So let them be or TRY ME. Next time I will be prepared for you." I saw his men gasping and distracted. I used this as an opportunity to run because if my brother realized in any way that I am trying to escape he won't let me. I can't fight him right there as I was defenseless plus my priority was to ensure their safety first. So I slipped away leaving my fuming brother behind shouting at his army chief. I knew what I had to do next.

"Woah grandma that was a brave act. If I would be at your place I would be scared till death."

"What do you think I wasn't scared? I was terrified but little one if it is a situation of life and death for someone you love we usually do everything we can. Keeping your loved ones safe make people act out of line and cross their limits." Hidimba sighed dejectedly after finishing this part of the story.

"It is true Love makes us cross boundaries." The words slipped from Harshini's mouth before she drifted into sleep leaving Hidimba to ponder over her words contemplating it with her life.