Published on:- 4/May/25 [Sunday]
...

On the other hand, in the middle of the wood, Tarana stood frozen while wrapped her arms around her belly, protectively as she stared at them.

"What do you want and why are you doing this? Who sent you?", Tarana asked coldly.

One of the strangers stepped out from the shadows. Their faces were partly hidden, but their smile was cruel.

"So many questions at once? Hahaha but the news was really true... The Queen is really carrying the heir of the Scorpion Satan". The man said.

Tarana didn't move. Her heart was beating fast, but she didn't show her fear.

She now knew the truth; They weren't after her. They were after the baby inside her. And this was just the beginning of a much bigger danger.

"Don't do anything otherwise King will not spare your life. Don't you know how cruel he is?", Tarana said as she was scared and trembling.

But they laughed and suddenly, one of the men raised his gun and pointed it straight at Tarana.

"It's the right time to weaken the scorpion Satan", the other man said.

Their eyes were cold. The first man said in a no-emotional voice, "Die".

Tarana's eyes widened for a second, but she didn't back down. Her arms tightened around her belly.

"You can't weaken the power or position of the Scorpion Satan. If you think killing me will save you, you are wrong. You and your gangmen won't survive. Satan will come for you... and he never misses", Tarana said coldly but she could hear her voice wavering.

She was ready to protect her child, even if it meant facing death but not before showing the mirror of reality to the enemies.

Both men laughed and then the gun fired and the sound of the bullet echoed through the silent woods.

Tarana's body jerked as the force hit her, and she fell backward to the ground. A sharp cry of pain tore from her lips. Her arms were still around her bump.

'Avyaan'.... She whispered his name and darkness started clouding her.

But she forced herself to stay awake. She couldn't pass out; not now.

Then she felt it; A strange warmth, like a shield was wrapping around her body.

She opened her eyes and gasped.

He was there.

"You...?" Tarana choked as she barely believed what she saw.

The vermillion seller boy was kneeling over her, was soaked in blood. His chest rose and fell heavily.

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked at the boy. The bullet was clearly meant for her, and was, now buried in his shoulder.

He had taken the shot.

For her but why?

"Damn it! Why did this boy come here?", the man shouted.

He was confused and angry, as he raised his gun again.

But before he could shoot, a loud rustle came from the trees.

In seconds, the Queen's squad with Jaikesh jumped in. They were silent, deadly, and fast.

They surrounded the two attackers.

One was shot instantly and the other was forced to the ground and captured.

It was over.

But Tarana couldn't move. She lay on the ground as her body was trembling and aching badly as her eyes were wide with shock.

Blood stained her clothes, and her breath came in sharp gasps.

She looked at the boy who saved her, was still bleeding, still alive.

She had no words. Only tears. And fear that she might still lose everything.

"You bastard! You betrayed us! I'll kill you; just wait!", the captured attacker shouted as his voice was filled with rage as he glared at the boy.

The boy's body lay limp, blood was pouring from his wound as he collapsed against Tarana.

She quickly wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.

"You are safe", the boy murmured before losing his consciousness.

Her hands trembled. Her heart raced.

"Why? Why would you do this for me?", She whispered as her eyes were filled with tears.

She couldn't understand.
Why had this boy; someone she barely knew, given his life to save hers?

Everything felt like a blur. The pain, the blood, the fear...

But in that moment, as she cradled him against her chest, all she knew was; She didn't want to lose him.

The sound of sirens filled the air.

Within minutes, the ambulance arrived, followed by more security.

Jaikesh immediately moved closer to Tarana with the security.

They quickly surrounded Tarana, covering her with protective shields. Two guards gently lifted the wounded boy from her arms, while the medics checked her vitals.

Tarana's back was injured badly as she couldn't move and her stomach was aching as well.

"We need to admit her immediately. The baby is scared and unstable now", the nurse said to Jaikesh.

"Queen! We are taking you to the hospital", one of them said firmly.

Tarana didn't speak. She just nodded, still holding the boy's blood on her hands.

As they placed her in the ambulance, she turned her head to look at him who was unconscious, pale, but still breathing.

She whispered through trembling lips, "Don't die... please don't die".

And then she fell unconscious.

....

The entire city hospital had turned into a military base. The doctors and medical staff were shocked to see the situation of the hospital.

The Security, the guards, and Tarana's personal team filled every corner; alert, armed, and ready.

No one was allowed to move without permission. The air was thick with tension.

Outside the hospital, a car came to a screeching halt, its tires burning against the pavement.

Avyaan jumped out before it fully stopped, his chest was heaving and eyes were wild.

"Tara!", he shouted, rushing through the hospital doors.

Inside, the air was thick with tension.

Tarana was already admitted, lying unconscious in a private room, her face pale, an oxygen mask gently rising with each breath.

The boy; her unexpected savior was still in the operation theatre, fighting for his life.

Avyaan's boots echoed through the hallway as he ran past the guards.

He pushed open the door to her room and stopped in his tracks.

"Tara...", he whispered again and broken this time.

He moved to her side, knelt down, and took her hand gently in his.

"I am here. I am so sorry. I should've been there...", Avyaan said as his voice was shaking.

Jaikesh walked in quietly, stopping beside Avyaan, who was standing near Tarana's bed.

"Buba! I've been waiting. Tell me everything", Avyaan said Jaikesh.

Jaikesh nodded. "There were two attackers. One shot the Queen. The boy jumped in front of her and took the bullet".

Avyaan's jaw clenched. "Where is the man?".

"He is in the base dungeon. We've secured him", Jaikesh replied.

"And the boy?", Avyaan asked.

"In the OT. He lost a lot of blood", Jaikesh replied.

Avyaan's eyes turned sharp, then he looked at Tarana again.

"Find out who he is. I want his name, his records... and if he survives, I want to meet him first", Avyaan said.

Jaikesh hesitated for a second before speaking again, "That boy... he knows the attackers".

Avyaan turned sharply toward him, "What do you mean?".

"One of the attackers shouted at him before we captured him. He screamed, 'You bastard. You betrayed us'", Jaikesh said.

Silence fell for a moment.

Avyaan's eyes narrowed, "So he was one of them".

Jaikesh nodded. "Maybe. Or maybe he turned against them. Either way... he saved the Queen".

Avyaan looked at Tarana, his expression was unreadable.

"Then he better live... because I need answers. And maybe... he just bought himself protection from the Scorpion Satan", Avyaan said as his turned bloodshot red.

....

On the other hand, Sunaina lay weakly on the bed. Her untouched breakfast sat cold on the dining table.

She had tried to eat for the sake of her babies, but her hands were trembling, and her heartbeat was heavy and fast.

She felt no strength in her hands.

Nilay immediately called the doctor who came and checked upon her.

"She is weak, too weak. Please take care of her. Don't let her move out of the bed", Doctor said, prescribed some medicine and then left.

Nilay, who was gently patting Sunaina's forehead with a wet cloth.

Nilay looked up at her, sensing something serious, asked, "What's the matter?".

"Prince! It's about Shimla... there was an attack", Nora said in a low voice.

His eyes narrowed, "What kind of attack?".

"An assassination attempt on the Queen. It was close; she almost didn't make it. A boy jumped in and took the bullet for her", Nora said.

Suddenly Sunaina's eyes opened and she asked, "Tara? Is she okay? What about the baby?".

Her tone was shivering. Nilay held her tightly.

"Queen is fine, In the hospital. And the boy... he's in surgery", Nora said.

Nilay ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tight. Sunaina's eyes blazen.

"Hell! I want to there but I can't move my body now. I want to kill those morons with my bare hands", Sunaina growled and suddenly coughed.

Nilay rubbed her chest and said, "Stay calm. Everything is under control".

Nilay said but he was not at peace at all. Too many things were collapsing at once; his wife's health, their unborn children, and now his sister-in-laws's life had hung by a thread.

Sunaina tried to sit up despite her weakness. Her breath was shaky, but her eyes burned with fury.

She looked at Nora and said in a firm voice, "Call Buba. Now."

Nora blinked in surprise. "Princess, you should rest...."

"I said now. I want to know who dared to hurt my sister-in-law and my nephew", Sunaina cut her off.

There was silence for a beat, then Nora nodded and immediately pulled out her secure device to make the call.

Nilay sat beside Sunaina, gently placing his hand over hers. "You should save your strength...".

Sunaina didn't take her eyes off Nora. "I won't stay silent while someone tries to kill our blood".

The call connected and a gruff voice came through.

"Nora?".

Nora turned the device toward Sunaina, who was leaning back against the pillows, eyes sharp and filled with storms.

"It's me. I heard what happened. Tell me everything", Sunaina said in a low but powerful voice.

There was a pause. Then Jaikesh responded, "Queen was attacked this morning in the Shimla woods. She was ambushed. One bullet was about to hit her, but a boy saved her, is critical now. Queen is not stable as well".

Sunaina's fists clenched on the blanket. "Who sent the attackers?".

"We've captured one of them. He's being held in the base dungeon. We're still investigating, but one thing's certain;they were targeting the heir".

Sunaina's expression darkened. "They dared to touch the blood of Scorpion Satan. I want names, Buba. I want their families shaking".

Jaikesh replied in a respectful tone, "I understand, Princess. But you must take care of yourself too. The King is disappointed; he wanted to meet you. And the Queen... she's hurt now'.

He paused before adding as voice turned colder, "Trust us, this time, none of them will leave the base alive. Your Buba won't even spare their shadows".

Sunaina leaned back, her eyes full of fire. "Good. No mercy. Not for those who threaten our blood and take care of my brother".

Nilay gently took the phone from Sunaina's hand as his expression turned sharp.

"Buna! Check their line. I want to know if they're linked to the Russians. Trace every call, every contact, every shell of a name they've used", Nilay said coldly,

There was a pause, then Jaikesh answered with a steel tone, "Understood, Prince. I'll have the data in an hour".

Nilay's jaw clenched. "I want no loose ends. This wasn't a random hit. Someone sent a message and I'll send one back".

The call ended. Nora nodded and quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind her to give them some privacy.

The room was quiet now. Only the sound of the clock ticking and Sunaina's light breathing could be heard.

Nilay turned to look at her. His eyes were full of worry and anger after everything that had happened.

Sunaina looked at him with tired eyes and said softly, "Nilay... if something happens to me, promise me one thing... don't marry another woman"

Nilay froze, completely stunned by her words. He forced a small smirk, hiding the pain in his chest.

"No, I will marry again. Don't you know I'm waiting for grim reaper to come and take you. After this, I will marry a tall, plumpious, submissive and meek woman. And this time, the wedding will be grand. I'll dance in my baraat and sing a romantic song for my new wife".

....

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