Ch:-3

Maya turned back to scream—

Crack

A stone, fast & deadly, flew from the trees & hit Maya's temple. Her cry froze mid-air as her body crumpled to the ground.

Inside the chariot, Kanika's heart thudded. "Maya?"

No answer.

"Maya?" she called louder, lifting her skirt to step out, unaware of the danger lurking just outside.

The Royal Troops arrived, galloping Fast & Furious, blades ready, eyes scanning for threats.

"Stop!" the commander shouted, yanking his horse to a halt near the abandoned chariot.

A guard dismounted & ran to the front. His face paled. "The driver's dead, my lord."

Another called out, "Maya—she's here! Barely breathing!"

The commander rushed over. "Where's the princess?!"

The guards looked around. Nothing but broken branches, disturbed soil...and no trace of princess Kanika.

"God protect us," the commander muttered. "She's been taken."

"Spread out!" he bellowed. "Find her! Not a single tree in this forest goes unchecked!"

Unknown location — Deep inside the jungle

A dim light flickered from a small bonfire. The scent of roasted meat filled the air. Around it, a group of rough, rugged men sat laughing, drinking & tearing into their meal like beasts. Swords & daggers lay within easy reach.

Not far from them, hidden behind a broken wooden cart, kanika stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open.

A sharp pain shot through her wrists & ankles—tightly bound by rough rope. Her skin was raw & the ropes had left angry red marks.

She winced, head spinning.

"W-Where... am I?"

She shifted & looked up.

A few feet away, five men sat, their backs to her, unaware she was awake. One of them joked loudly.

"That girl's got a royal glow. Bet she screams real pretty too."

The others laughed.

Kanika's stomach twisted—but her expression stayed calm.

She twisted her wrists, trying to loosen the ropes. Her breathing was steady, focused.

"Come on... come on..." She whispered to herself, wincing the rope scraped her skin. Blood dripped slowly onto the dirt.

Her legs were weak, her head pounding, but her spirit—unspoken.

"I will not die here."

She glanced around—no guards, no weapons. Just barrels, old crates & thick jungle behind them.

She tried again, using her heel to run the rope against a jagged edge of the cart. Nothing yet.

Kanika's wrists bleed, but her determination didn't waver. The jagged edge of the broken cart had nearly done its job—just few more scrapes & the rope would split.

She gritted her teeth, "Almost...just a little more..."

But suddenly—

A heavy shadow loomed over her.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

One of the thieves stood above her, rage burning in his eyes. His boot kicked the broken cart away, revealing her escape attempt. Kanika flinched but didn't look away.

He grabbed her by the arm & yanked her up. "You think you're smart, princess?"

Kanika spat, "Smarter than you'll ever be."

"YOU LITTLE—!" He raised his hand, but didn't strike.

Instead, he shouted, "Boys! She's up!"...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***