Jodha sat down and gulped the water. She then kept the glass down as her thirst was quenched and looked at Jalal who instructed the guards before entering the tent.

"Is this how you usually go on hunts?"

"Yes, and it is the first time I have brought a woman with me."

"What? You are joking right?"

"I am not. I have gone hunting with Ruqqayah but whenever I have stayed overnight for hunting, I don't prefer company."

"I can leave if you want."

"How on earth can you be so dumb?"

"What do yo..." he cut her off by kissing her on the lips. As he broke the kiss, she looked up but tried to avoid eye contact. He smiled as a crimson colour spread over her cheeks. He brushed away her hair as he sat comfortably beside her. His hand rested for a while on her cheeks before going back to her hair as he pulled out her pin and her heavy tendrils fell all over. She was beautiful and looked majestic with her hair down.

"Why don't you keep your hair down often?"

"Well, it's difficult to manage!"

"What do you say I manage it for you?" He whispered seductively as he leaned closer to her ear.

"I have Neela for it, then why must you bother?"

"Because I am your husband!"

"Well..."

"You can't disapprove of that."

"Yes, you are my husband but I would rather like Neela to manage my hair." He nodded clearly upset as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"So, Jodha why did you leave the palace so late in the evening?"

"I was frustrated and suffocated."

"With what? Did you and Ruqqayah fight again?"

"No, Malike-e-khaas is not that low."

"Woah! You are taking her side? Is everything okay?"

"She is far better than those cheap concubines you have."

"Well, are you upset with someone in particular?"

"I don't want to point out but that day you said you wanted to spend the night with me and then spent it with Sabrina instead!"

"Jodha..I..." he regretted it instantly. "I am so sorry...it just...it slipped my..."

"I know. She is with your child, so she's more important. You don't need to explain yourself."

"Jodha, look at me." She looked away as he continued, "Why are you comparing yourself with my concubines? They are just for my pleasure, they cannot...oh god how must I tell you this....nobody can take your position if that's what you are worried about."

"I am not worried about my position Shehenshah! I don't like seeing you with other women or them being able to give you some sort of happiness I can't."

"Are you jealous?"

"Yes, I am!" He looked at her bewildered by her boldness.

"Listen, you are one of the most important people in my life. And why can you not give me that happiness?"

"Because...the happiness of first child can never be replaced!"

"Great. Now you are jealous of my child too. You women are all the same. You don't like me, right? You are just scared of not getting valued or being forgotten?"

"You seriously think that low of me?"

"You are making me! What else must I do? Huh?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." She brushed away a tear as she walked towards the tent, but he grabbed her hand from back and pulled her closer as he hugged her from back taking her by shock.

"Please talk to me and sort things out Jodha. You have no idea how much you mean to me!"

She stopped breathing for a second as his hands wrapped around her bare skin. She felt a burning sensation, which would be an understatement.

"Shehenshah...." She spoke slowly, almost like a whisper. He rested his face in the crook of her neck making her quiver.

"Please." His grip tightened and she could no longer control herself. She turned around and threw her arms around his neck as she embraced him. His hands were still on her bare waist as one of them travelled to her hair and then her scalp, further turning her on. She broke the embrace to look at him and he kissed on her lips making her kneels break down. She would fall down any second, not able to handle the fire between them. He, on the other hand, had been with many women but had never felt chemistry with them ever before. He looked at her as he broke the kiss, as though drinking her in.

"Jodha..."

She put her fingers on his lips to prevent him from speaking. He looked at her as she removed her hands from his lips from shyness and turned around but he twirled her around and she stumbled upon him as her lips landed on his. He moved his hand to her head and the other down to her hips as he kissed her and his grip tightened. She moaned in between the kiss. He broke the kiss and carried her up in bridal style, placing her on the bed. She looked down, overcome by shyness as he kissed in the crook of her neck as his hand reached her breast. She moaned with his touch. She wanted him, desperately. She couldn't control any longer and her emotions poured out in the form of these high-pitched sounds.

Suddenly he stopped and she opened her eyes. It was as if he was looking for her permission.

I shall not touch you. Not now, not ever, until you seem to allow me to. I shall not cross my boundaries. I know my limitations!

She recalled how he had promised her on their first night. Hot tears flooded down her eyes and he was taken aback.

"Jodh..."

"Yes!"

"What?"

She simply smiled and nodded. He took the cue as he brushed away her tear and caressed her cheek before moving forward.