"Your auspicious footsteps are purveyor of opulence for the Ranas, my dear. May the celebrated Kalyani (A woman harbinger of luck and prosperity) be merciful upon you and strengthen your good fortune."

Blessing her new daughter-in-law of the royal family, Vasundhara Devi smiled. Her content blossomed tenfold and reflected through deep pools that have shed many tears in the dark of night. She scrutinized Gauri's lotus-like face which was now flushed red with drooping eyes, tired from the day's activity. The queen mother immediately orders her head maid- Ambika to escort the Yuvrani to her marital chambers.

After paying her respects to the crowd, Gauri follows Ambika's lead. Each step she took felt heavy. The credit goes to her extravagant regal attire and ponderous ancestral jewelry. She struggled to match Ambika's speed while reining the staunch desire of falling on the floor and never getting up.

'Is this woman for real! The energy she carries at such an age! My feet are killing me and this marathon runner is all haughty and swift. Oh, how I wish to put an iron bar weighing mountains on her presumptuous head.'

Gauri's face twisted in a scowl as she tried to match the woman's rapid steps. Just then Ambika halts and took a sharp turn, which momentarily amazed Gauri and she escaped the sudden collision keeping a hand over her heart.

"Yuvrani, did you say something?"

"Ah... Nothing, Ambika Ji. I was just in awe of the garden's beauty. It's simply gorgeous."

Gauri blurted to avoid any slip and turns to her left. She started admiring the lush royal garden that connected the four major architectural splendors, namely- Mayur palace, Chandra Mahal, Aryavarte Mahal, and the main Rajwada palace in a Garuda formation. With various carvings of Nritya Bhangima and Anand Tandav, the walls were living proof of a King's glory.

Eyeing the newly wedded before her, Ambika smugly started.

"Do you know, Ranas were and have always been the most virtuous and illustrious face of Kshatriya varna (warrior class)? We who belong here are habituated to its eminence. Even Princess Kirti, who came from a wealthy family and was versed in such a lifestyle, was left spellbound by the might of Fort. I can't say the same about certain outsiders, too foreign to such powerful outstretch." She added with a smirk.

Gauri had never felt so utterly humiliated before. Her hazel eyes brimmed with unshed emotions as she fisted her veil to check her outburst.

'Now is not the time. Keep calm.'

She repeated the same over and over in her head. The mention of Kirti made her uncomfortable. The reason is unfathomable. Maybe they thought she has taken the first wife's place. Gauri wanted to scream- that it wouldn't be the case. She would never do that, steal someone's memories or slowly erase their existence. She was here to make her place. An awkward silence engulfed the air as the two finally reached their destination.

As the fine double doors with silver knobs open and Gauri hesitantly enters, Ambika decided to leave her alone, but not before passing another bitter statement, something peculiar which left Gauri comprehending her choices.

"Enjoy your 'peaceful night', young miss. Who knows starting tomorrow the darkness of the pavilion won't look so enchanting."

The tired bride was left stupefied and watches the head maid leave. Shutting the door, she pastes her back to it and inspects her surroundings.

This was her room!

THIS WAS HER ROOM!

Hers alone!

Her anklets chimed as she took measured steps forward while gawking at the brightly lit settings. A chandelier hung in the waiting room attached to the bedroom at the back. A plush couch and a glass center table greeted her. The walls were decorated with abstract paintings which she found rubbish. Opening the second door, she enters her walls and sighed. A queen-sized bed awaited her. Her heart was finally at peace. Plain white sheets under the canopy of white curtains called for her.

She wasn't supposed to share the room with the King, or anything of the matter unless the two decide it was time to welcome a baby. In old times, the Kings never shared a chamber with their Queens. Odd. But in her case, it was alleviating. She opened a door in front of her bed and discovered a walk-in closet for the first time in her life. For a second, she thought she has entered a five-star mall. An array of dresses for all occasions, matching footwear, make-up, handbags, undergarments, etc, attacked her innocent eyes. She felt suffocated. Lifting the veil, she folded it neatly and placed it on the vanity chair. Soon, all her clothes and heavy jewels followed with great difficulty. In times like this, she wished for assistance. Her scalp was killing her. Massaging it gently, she slipped into a long gown, covering her modestly, and rushed to an attached bathroom.

All white interior made her gasp. She stared at her dyed feet and grimaced. God forbid, she was about to make a mess. Washing the makeup and legs twice, she sighs and looks at her reflection. All the signs of nuptial were removed except for the vermilion in the partition of her hair and dark henna.

There was no ring on her finger as there was no ring ceremony but she did have the mangal sutra. Caressing it, she blinks back the tears and slowly retreats towards the bed. The moment her head hits the pillow, she passes out like a log. The softest mattress and warm quilts gave comfort to her fatigued muscles.

Everybody was asleep in their quarters, exhausted from the day's labor. The wedding finally happened and post-wedding rituals would commence soon. Vasundhara slept beside her husband with a satisfied smile on her face. There were no worries between her brows tonight. A wide-awake Raghuveer noticed and sighs softly. What wouldn't he give to watch her sleep like that? He was tired of watching her turning sides all night and checking the clock every hour. She rarely slept these days and often used medication to cure insomnia. Her depression was no news to him. She maintained the façade, not letting even air know her secrets.

A cracked front might promote the evil residing in these walls to bring her down. Her iron exterior was unyielding. But he was also aware, with time the shield will catch rust, and soon, she wouldn't be able to hold them back, the living nightmares waiting in silent hallways—all the consequences of his cowardice and sins.

Raghuveer took deep breaths to diffuse the tension bombarding his skull. He was a burden on her existence and wasn't eager to give her more reasons to worry.

But the moment, his eyes lifted from her face and turned to stare at the ceiling, his heart almost gave away. The shadow of a woman was gazing down at the pair from the foot of the bed. He stopped breathing and stared back. Tears pooled in his eyes when the mass of black smoke started to rise from the ground and slowly slid over him, a breath apart.

"Raghhuuu...."

A hiss similar to that of a thousand bats attacked his ears and he moaned in pain. Sweat coated him like a second skin even when the air conditioning was on. Thunder boomed in the night sky and with the flash of lightning, he saw those bloody eyes and that wicked smile.

"Dreaaammmm oofffff mmeeeee...."

Short of breath, he could only heave. His throat struggled to scream. Clutching his eyes shut, he links the pinky finger with his wife's and remembers the almighty whom he now believes.

"Do whatever you want to do with me. Leave them alone, please. I beg you." He screamed in his mind as the evil spirit slowly backs away and touches Vasundhara's neck. "Please"

Then she disappeared and he cried in both terror and relief.

Involving her in every breath, he made a wish to the stars on a lonely night- to hold her in the next world after losing life in this world. He wished for a place where no demons could manipulate the sanity of a broken mind. To collapse on a bed of peace and pull the body of his lover in his arms, to kiss her tulip lips and caress the wild river of her hair. To trace her back with his lips and profess his eternal love in her ears. To feel the softness of her lips against the pad of his thumbs and watch those long eyelashes touch the rosy cheeks. To hear her gasp and fall on his chest, to feel her nails digging in his flesh.

The thrashing thunder of their loud breaths and chaos of desperate feelings. From skin to bone and from bone to soul, wrecking the atoms of passion and discovering the new definition of carnal desire.

Of blood, of flesh, of everything sinful, that is ever named.

Till the throbbing heart gives up its chore and a new being drums its beat. To let the right die and wrong live for all the correct reasons. To be a villain in the light of God and avenge those who have fallen.

Yagyavardhan stirred from his slumber. Something obscene melted on his tongue. Bitterness puts his mind at ease. The empty bottle of Greedy Angel's was resting on his study table. He massaged his forehead, sensing dull throbbing, and notes the time on the clock. 2 in the morning. Standing from the chair lethargically, he makes his way toward the master chamber. But as he crossed a particular hallway, a familiar scent caught him off-guard, alerting every nerve of his body. As if the legs have a brain of their own, they carried him in the direction.

The unlocked door of a guestroom greeted him and he frowned. Rajwada Palace was off-limits at night. He has insisted his mother not let anyone enter the premises at odd hours let alone occupy one of the rooms.

Pushing the door slightly open, he enters the lively dormitory in golden lights. The door to the bedroom was left ajar and from inside came the sound of slow breaths.

A girl slept on the bed.

A village girl whom his mother thought was the perfect lamb to carry the legacy of this cursed family, slept on the bed. His jaw clenches immediately. Another innocent has crossed the threshold of bloody battles. The predators must be ecstatic at this new arrival. Their mouths already salivating to jump on the innocent prey. She mumbled something incoherent in her sleep and he took a step forward.

"My cows..."

A chuckle escaped him. A sound foreign to his senses. He doesn't remember the last time his heart felt so light for a moment.

Shutting the open windows, he decides to leave but froze.

Foul

Dead

Decaying

All the things that could associate with rotten meat flooded the room. He didn't notice it earlier for the slight breeze from the windows and moist earth were camouflaging the odor. His nostrils flared and fists clenched, and the goosebumps on his arms rose. The fears of his mother weren't worthless after all. There were reasons. Eyeing the clueless bride, who reeked of henna and sandalwood, he closed the gap between them and lift the covers from the bottom. Noting the beautiful feet adorned with thick toe rings and heavy anklets he sighed. The sheets were clean too. He gulped when the pictures of the past propelled his vision with full force.

His body shuddered and he shook his head in dismissal. Covering her limbs, he decides against his earlier thoughts. Closing the door to the bedroom, he settles on a cushioned chair at a corner facing her sleeping form. His past mistakes are still afresh in the back of his mind. Kirti had complained about it a lot but he brushed them in aloofness. The putrid stench was the beginning of all evil two years ago and he would be daft to let it happen again.

He has promised Gauri's mother to protect her at all costs. He wouldn't let this stupid girl submit to darkness as his love did. There is always another way. He didn't know what broke them or killed his first wife. He is still unaware of that, but he knows he was one of those reasons. His ignorance and ego have cost, not one but many lives.

Things would be different this time.

The cycle will break.

And maybe in his heart, he will find a way of accepting Gauri's presence.