Eternal Love Part 5

Eternal Love Part 1

Eternal Love Part 2

Eternal Love Part 3

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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...

"Are you just going to look? Or are you waiting for the beast to pounce on you?"

Gasping, she stuttered, "You...you...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...baby..." 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 idiot."

"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 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. 

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 made a face, "You just got interrupted twice and you didn't lose your shit..."

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’s not just any woman...that's my wife...she can say and do whatever she wants when it concerns me..."

Corey gave a half smile 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 silly about anything, but I'm willing to do whatever you want..."

Corey snickered quietly and Arnav ignored him.

"I'll actually feel 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 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 strong 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  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, "damn it, 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...my..." 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 yelled...”Corey I’m going to kill you!”

She could see that he was about to go full beast and rapidly grasped onto his arms...

They both heard Corey laughing out loud behind the door and Arnav was going to go on the attack.  

Her fingers tightened on his biceps and he stilled. 

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.. remember that..." 

Turning his head towards the door, he grated out his words, "We’ll be there in a minute."

Khushi's face was glowing as she shyly walked past him to their joined closet and took out a pale green 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.

"Oh wow..." 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 grab 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 time 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.

Her body was trained to respond to him instantly and she knew that it would never desensitise. 

She was about to speak, but the deep growl that came from her husband silenced her...

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...

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 as she undulated 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... 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 drip 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..."

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 an iron beam.

He thrust his fingers and brought her back to the edge then pulled out...

"No...No...please...don't stop..." she pleaded.

Arnav couldn't take it, he yanked down his trousers, his entire form was overcome with 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.

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. 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...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, “…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 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 to 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...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 and bowed her head, "I would...sit in the servant's quarters, on the floor, or beside my master on my knees..." her voice went even quieter, "Most times 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, "…no."

Hearing her sadness was a stab to his soul and he issued her name as a command, "LOOK AT ME."

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..."

"...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? They are people who work to earn money for their families, and we pay well."

She nodded.

"And so you now know that what you went through is  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? 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...

He was furious and raked a hand through his hair. 

Khushi could feel 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 terror that this was it, that 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.

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 threaded in her hair.

Her head tilted upwards as his body loomed over 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...and he saw the humiliation in her eyes. 

Arnav shoved his hard body into hers, "I've screwed up again. I've been selfish with you. I protect you, I keep you safe, I make love to you, I love you more than any damn words can describe, but I don't know enough about you...I need to know the parts that you are hiding from me...you need to tell me, everything, so I can help you. 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 you 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, 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...if I didn’t get up fast enough the next day to work, I would be punished."

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...

"You didn’t do anything wrong…you should have used me and thrown me out! I am scraps of a person!"

Completely shocked that she had spoken her instant thoughts.

"What?"

The Prince's lethal tone now scared her tremendously, because he had heard her loud and clear.

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 loved 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...you are worthy of a whole person...but the moment I fell in love with you, I loved you so much that I didn’t care about being whole anymore... I just wanted 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 mine...all mine..."

Heat hit her cheeks and the air in the dining room changed in a nanosecond.

Charged and untouchable and so damn thick, Khushi sunk closer into him.

Arnav's body 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... you own me Khushi..."

Hungry and desperate for him, she jumped and 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 burned 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 make love to you right now 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…we’re doing it again, 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.

His movements were rough and uncontrolled, betraying how far gone he was...

"I love how you take all of me..." 

He sounded more animal than man while she felt like a throbbing ball of extreme need...

Her core was starting to clench around him and she grasped handfuls of his shirt...

“Please...don’t stop...”

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, 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. 

"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 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’ll 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..."

"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 and her skin went clammy...

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."

That’s when she realised, "...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. If we are fast won't see us, and hopefully they will notice I am missing and come for me. 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 a hardworking mother! 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, they will keep you both safe and maybe they can also 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...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 gravelly voice had an accent 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 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...

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 who is after you, 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 get to 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 rained down on her back, her lungs struggled 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, Princess..." 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 driven mad...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 attack will be?...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."

"Don’t you want to know when the little slut will be taken next? Because it won’t be nice? She will be beaten again...” 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...” 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.

Negotiating 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 faster 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...Find me..."


.......................


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?! It’s only been 20 minutes?!"

"Where is she?!" 

Jacob answered instantly, "On this floor. Walking with Ally."

"WHICH  WAY!"

Jake pointed towards the left and Arnav took off..

He was now being followed by an army of guards as he bellowed out orders for them to search each room...

“Khushi!?”

The guards kicked in every door, and he was left with one last option.

"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...

"Hold on sweetheart, hold on..."

Pulling back barely an inch, he roared towards the guards, "Keys! Right 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.

"Khushi..." his touch turned even more gentle, "I’ve got you now..."

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...baby, I'm here..." 

Fighting back the panic that was consuming him, he pleaded, "See me..."

Nothing.

"NO! You see me, right now!"  

He withdrew his arm and punched the concrete wall behind her, the stone cracking down the centre as 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, "...Khushi I'm here..."

The mask of impending psychosis slipped away and grief like he'd never seen 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.

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 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 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..."

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 sweetheart, 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 and 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...

" 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 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...

"God please..." 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, "...she's been beaten again...I don’t know how bad."

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 can’t breathe, she is bruised all over her back..."

The Prince began to break down.

"Keep calm Sir, she hasn't stopped breathing, but it is quite difficult for her..."

With her front pressed against his chest, he stroked his hand over her hair, "...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 whispered as he kissed her forehead. 

As the Physician's fingers probed at her back, her body suddenly arched away from his prodding and her eyes squeezed tighter, unshed tears falling down her face...

"Careful!" Arnav barked, "You're hurting her!!!"

"Sir, I have 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 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...

"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 more...stop..."

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 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..."

His jaw ticking, the pressure in his head pounding, his heart began to thud with burning lava 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 that he knew she would react to, "STOP! NOW!"

She instantly froze, her rapid gasping breaths scaring the ever living crap out of him.

Every muscle in his body now flexed and twitched.

But he suffocated all the devastating emotions 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...

"...please… don't let …him hurt me..."

He let out the most tortured sound she had ever heard as he spoke, “I’m with you..." his voice broke, "and I won’t let anyone 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...I'm here...I need the doctor to check you sweetheart...this isn't a request..."

She blinked again and he nodded once, "Good girl..."

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 severely bruised 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..."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’re 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 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..." 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, “I'm here..."

Her panting breaths began to slow as her eyes stayed shut and within 1 minute, her body went slack...

The Physician noted the Prince’s 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 midday Sun peeked out from behind the trees and the light spread across her face, making Arnav aware of the reddened marks on her cheeks. 

“She’s been struck on her face...”

The doctor nodded, “I shall check that in a moment, but I will need you to watch her continuously these next hours. Keep note of her breathing...can you-"

"Ofcourse I can 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 the rest of her injuries...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...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, "Yes, I can see already that she has been 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 rate 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 should 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, "If I've 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, "he is not coping too well at the moment. Look, 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."

Jacob patted the doctor on the arm, "You're a good man. We need all the people we can trust in the castle. 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 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 as she clutched her daughter tight...

Corey quickly reached an arm in front of Ally in an attempt to shield her, "Stand down."

Jacob paused, but narrowed his eyes and stepped back, "Corey, start talking."

"She turned up at the barracks, nearly passing out, holding her 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 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  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 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.

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 see coming.

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...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 in my arms."

She was instantly immersed in strength, power, heat, and 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 wrapped 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...

"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 and shame hit his consciousness like a knife as he realised he had sounded harsher than he had meant...

"No no no," his self control exploded into fragments of need...".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 and save 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.

"Take some breaths for me, not too deep, but calmly...please...this is so important..."

As she took in a small breath, her chest expanded and she cringed slightly...

He eased even closer, "It's okay...again..."

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 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 around them.

"Alright, It feels as though it is no longer as 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 undone 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, but the pain of some prodding on her middle back shot through her...

The pain was now an 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 stung..."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 now 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 doctor 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 picked up the medicine, 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 and left as quickly as he could.

The door closed and Arnav was now furious.

"Khushi..." his arms tightened, "Forgive you? YOU?!..." 

Instantly assessing her every expression, he watched as she recoiled in anxiety...

"Arghh," he winced and 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?” He bared his teeth, “I'll find who dared to 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..."

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 gripped him as tight as she could manage once more.

"No fear, my love.” 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 your 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...

"...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 mine.”

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."

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,  I need to..."

Her eyes glanced at his arms quickly, "I'm...I'm so sorry, you're getting wet..."

"Like I care...I’ll do anything for you, so 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 and calm him.

Her concern 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.

"Dont 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 someone to spare me..." 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... it was so so cold....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 I would have been killed 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 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...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...... breathe slowly..."

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...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...

"Screw it ALL! They beat my wife...MY WIFE...They threaten a child...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...Damn 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.

He kissed her palm as his eyes demanded her to focus..."Shhh...Slow breaths..."

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 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..."

"Arnav...”

"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...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 hold back the truth from him...

"There were two men waiting for us in the jails...when we arrived, 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... Go on..."

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."

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 was so close to breaking down, 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, "You’re safe..."

"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 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..."

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 made me feel like... 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 slave...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, when I left that first time and tried to save you, 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, I want to... I want to... but 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 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 making her feel completely safe as he lifted her into his arms 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 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..."

"Damn..." he absently whispered as his gaze roamed over the proof of what she had suffered, "Khushi...I 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 felt herself coming before she even knew what happened...

"Arnav..." his name was an almost silent whisper as torrents of pleasure burst through her nerves. 

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..."you are so 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 any pain at all...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  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, "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..."

Leaning lower, he kissed the edge of her ear,  "That's my second favorite sound in the world... hearing you so 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. 

Her heart and mind were inextricably bound to this man, her husband, and she lifted a hand to hold his arm, "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’ll 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 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..."

"...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...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 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...

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 comes between you and me..."

Heat flushed her cheeks anew.

"Those seconds where I was running to you felt like a 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..."

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..., 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 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  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 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 an 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. They used a kid. 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. Like I said, They hurt a kid...” 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, "... 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 could hear you both..."

Arnav's expression was now ravenous, "Good. Then you all know exactly how much I love her...but yes Jake, for now, he can just enter..."

Chuckling under his breath, Jacob saluted, "You're bad ass Arnav...I literally never thought you'd be with way with a girl...none of us did...you used them, then tossed them aside."

"Never with her, never." 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 lay 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...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 saw her features screwed up in acute mental anguish.

“...no...no...”

"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.

"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...

He leaned lower and growled, “Khushi, Tell whoever is scaring you, to come and play with ME."

Khushi cringed, 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’ll 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 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 had 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 ..." 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 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 attempt to leave me, I will tear the world apart…and when I find you, I will drag you back to me, throw you over the nearest table and make the most roughest love to 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, “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 owns you?!"

"You!"

"What's my name!?"

"Arnav!"

Keeping his mouth on hers, he thrust 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 shock 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.

"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 care. I'm touching you."

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 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 came, gushing 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...

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 soon…”

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 someone 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 more 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 full 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’re safe...I’m safe...you will not panic...I'm here my love..."

She merely blinked, unable to find the strength to reply...

"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 arm wielding a knife that the masked man aimed, 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 been 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 take the princess...and I was ordered to send the two men who beat her...there is way more to this than you know...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 you will need it, because it would shock you to know who is after her..." and his eyes flitted to the sleeping princess, "Seems my men didn’t do a good enough job on her..."

And all sanity left him.

In a surge of anger so deadly and consuming, Arnav drew the dagger from his belt, grabbed Jack by the throat, and snarled, "Your body is going to be thrown outside the palace gates as a warning for everyone...No more..."

He turned the blade upward, reached around and 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 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 on his knees beside the couch, his shoulders heaving with anger...

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 had seen Arnav kill before, but the power shining from him was burning...

"No more Jake. I don't care 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..."

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’ll 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 ignored all aches and 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 she was trapped against the wall...

He heard her let out a harsh breath and cry of pain...

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 closed eyes...

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  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 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 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 anger, "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...” 

“Khushi...” 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...” 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 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 ...I need you..."

He let his eyes rake up her body..."You have me..."

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 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 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  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 an overload of sensations.  

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 her heat gushed 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 as the violent tightening in her belly wrapped around every nerve ending.

That sight did it...she was breathing...she was in ecstasy...and she was his. 

He exploded as he felt her climax, a viscous groan rising up from his chest..

Her back tried to arch as her inner walls rippled around his pulsing hard length but his hips held her still. 

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  love hearing you say my name..."

She jerked under him and her core tightened like a glove...

"God, So wet...so hot... perfect!" 

Her heart poured out, "I 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......" he groaned, panting and sweating, his brain nearly  setting 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 upper back 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...