Chapter 2 : The Bride in Red

(Flashback – )

The scent of rosewater clung to the air like a warning.

Vaidehi sat in the bridal chamber, her face hidden beneath a veil of crimson silk. Her hands trembled slightly under layers of gold and henna, though no one would notice—not with all the jewels weighing her down. She looked like a goddess carved in rubies.

But she wasn’t a bride. She was a weapon.

And tonight, her mission began.

The doors creaked open.

She didn’t need to lift her veil to feel his presence.

Prince Aaryan.

He walked in like the room belonged to him. And it did.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in deep maroon robes with golden thread trailing along his chest. His jaw was sharp enough to wound, lips set in a near-scowl that somehow made women want to touch him just to see if he could smile.

But it was the eyes that made Vaidehi’s breath falter.

Dark. Intense. Like he’d already undressed every lie she wore.

> “So,” he said, voice like warm smoke, “you’re the gift Rajyagarh sends in exchange for peace.”

His words weren’t kind—but neither was the curl at the edge of his lips.

She kept her head lowered. "And you’re the crown I’m chained to."

A silence. Dangerous. Delicious.

> “Careful, Princess,” he said, stepping closer. “Chains can be gold… or iron. You don’t know which one you’ve got yet.”

His voice was low, almost amused. But she could feel the tension in his body. The power. Like a lion pacing just behind the curtain.

He circled her once, his steps slow, deliberate.

> “You wear red beautifully,” he murmured behind her ear. “You look like fire. But do you burn?”

Her heart stuttered.

This wasn’t what she expected. She was prepared for arrogance, indifference, maybe even cruelty. But not this.

Not a prince who made her feel like prey and desire at the same time.

She lifted her chin finally, letting her veil fall back ever so slightly. Just enough to meet his eyes.

> “Only when touched the wrong way,” she said.

Aaryan didn’t flinch. If anything, his eyes darkened.

> “Then I’ll be careful,” he said, though the look he gave her promised the exact opposite.

Later, when the sacred fire cracked between them and the mantras echoed through the marble courtyard, Vaidehi stood beside him as the priests tied their hands with silk. The crowd cheered. The alliance was sealed.

But beneath the chanting, she felt the heat of his fingers against hers.

They weren’t soft.

They were calloused. Strong. A swordsman’s hands.

And when he leaned close to whisper, the world slowed again.

> “Whatever game you’re playing,” he said, voice only for her, “just remember… I enjoy chasing what tries to run.”

Her breath caught.

For the first time, she wondered if the hunter… might become the hunted.

That night, in the grand chamber filled with petals and incense, he didn’t touch her. Not properly. Not yet.

He poured her wine with his bare hands. Took off his royal rings one by one. Watched her from across the room with the patience of a king who could wait—but never forget.

And when she finally turned away to unpin her veil, his voice found her again.

> “You sleep on my side of the bed tonight,” he said softly.

> “Why?” she asked, without looking.

> “So I’ll know if you try to disappear.”

There was no threat in his tone. Just curiosity. Hunger. Something darker than desire.

She obeyed.

Vaidehi lay on the edge of the royal bed, staring at the gilded ceiling of her new prison.

But that night, Vaidehi barely slept.

Because the man beside her never truly closed his eyes.

--

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