Arjun's POV:

I reached out in my sleep, ready to tug Drau back in my arms. In past three years, for the first time today I had been the most rested.

Drau.

Just her name had my lips curving upward. There was a lightness in my heart, replacing the heaviness that suffocated me earlier.

Air greeted my touch. Confusion unfurled in my chest, a crease forming on my forehead. Where was Drau?

I reached out patting the bed, instead of her warm body, there was just a coldness.

The first whisp of panic filtered in, my eyes flew open seeking for the face that I had finally seen after three long years.

The deep blue blanket was the only thing that greeted me, her lingering fragrance of blue loutuses was hardly there.

Where the hell had she gone?

"Drau?"

The first note of fear could be heard in my words. My destiny wouldn't play such a cruel game with me, now would it? It wouldn't do this to me. I wouldn't lose my Drau for a second time, now would I?

Of course not.

She'll be here somewhere.

"Drau!"

My voice was louder, vulnerability ringing through my words. Jumping from the bed, I began to search the room, with each passing second I could feel the noose of panic tighten around my heart, the sharp dagger of terror cutting deeper making my heart burn and bleed.

"Draupadi!"

I shouted, anxiety kicking in my chest, terror punched my gut, knocking my breath out in a whoosh.

There no way...

I moved around, looking out in the balcony, behind the curtains, everywhere.

Where the hell was she?!

Frustration tangled with fury and fear added it's tinge, wrapping my fingers around the frail neck of the vase I hauled it across the room, in a fit of fury.

It crashed against the wall and shatter in a million pieces. The way my heart had.

"Draupadi!!"

My roar was a blend of anguish and wrath, that echoed with my grief, that was a vicious cyclone of perilous emotions.

"Arjun?"

The sound of my second eldest brother's words had me turning towards the doorway. Concern and confusion marred the features of my eldest brother, who had always been my rock, my guide, my father, and my everything.

"Jyest."

My voice wobbled, tears chocked my throat, that burned with acid.

After years I again felt like a young child running to his father with a new wound, with a trust that he'll fix everything.

Yudhisthir always been like a father, it was his hand that reached out everytime my knees buckled, and in this moment I was shattering, disintegrating right where I stood.

And like always my brother was right there to hold me.

"Arjun!"

One look at my face and he was bolting across the room. Worry shining through his dark orbs.

"Jyest, Drau was here. We need to find her."

Confusion marred his features as he tried to make sense of my words, I wish I had the time to explain him everything, but I need to find my princess, she was hurting.

"What? Drau? Arjun what are you saying?"

He reached out holding me, but I struggled in his grasp, trying to reach for the door. I need to find her, why didn't he understand?

"Arjun?!"

"Jyest! She is out I saw her-"

Pain sliced through his expression, his contorted with such intense agony that even I halted.

"Drau was here?"

I could hear the note of disbelief in his words, his voice thick with emotions, he cleared his throat trying to mask the pain that he was emitting in thick dark waves.

"Yes. I did. She was standing right here when I came."

A broad grin played on my lips, as I recalled the image, pointing right in front of the mirror.

"Arjun."

He was looking at me with such intense sadness, like he couldn't bare my condition. He felt I was imagining?

Fuck no! That wasn't a imagination, not by a far shot. My Drau was here! Right here.

"Brother don't look at me like that please. She was right here. I wasn't imagining it. Our Drau was here. Right here."

I emphasized pointing to the place again and again, like it would conjure her somehow.

"Arjun..."

His voice faded, as his mouth opened and shut, no words left his lips, but that devastated expression on his face spoke of all the pain that was denoting in his chest.

"Jyest she was here."

I whispered helplessly, that chasm of hurt gapped in my chest, brothing with

"Draupadi, our Drau was here. I know she was."

Shutting his eyes he breathed in deeply, a lone tear trekked down the length of his cheek, as wetness trailed down my cheeks too.

I. . .

What could I say more. She was there. I know she was. But- anguish combasted in my chest, the images of my girl burning in the flames roared high in my mind.

A numbness washed over me, my knees buckled.

"Arjun!"

Arms wrapped around me, and I was tugged in a hard chest. "Shh brother everything will be fine."

"She was there. . ."

"She always is my brother, she always is."

He whispered his voice thick, as he lowered himself with me on the ground, crushing me in his fiercest of embrace, rubbing his hand on my back.

And in that moment I felt like I was a child once again. Not a mighty warrior who could burn armies to ashes, but I was once again a helpless young child, in my elder brother's arms fighting its way through a loss, only back than it was my father and now it was my soul.

"Shhh Arjun everything will be fine little brother. I am here for you."

The ache in his voice was evident, he was burning and bleeding as much as I was, but my eldest sibling always put us first, he always did. And today was no different.

Wrapping my arms around him, I crushed him to me, pulling him in an embrace that was fierce enough to squeeze his pain out.

He hugged me back with just as much ferocity and love, running his fingers through my hair.

"Easy little brother. I am here with you."

"So am I. You aren't alone jyest. Never alone."

I don't know how long we sat like that, just holding each other through this thick storm of grief that threatened to blow our lives away.

His hand patted my head in a rhythmatic fatherly manner. My tears soon dried, and the ache numbed to a dull throb.

"You have gotten heavy."

The humor in his words was forced. But I appreciated his effort.

"Maybe it's you who is not eating all your vegetables from your plate."

We pulled back sharing facing off with each other, before breaking out in chuckles. Our laughter rang through the room, and we chuckled like two loons rolling on the ground. Laughing so hard, when there was nothing funny about the situation.

It was a mutual attempt at veiling our hurt maybe, or maybe the threshold of pain had finally been crossed too far and we were broken.

Silence followed our laugh as we gazed at the ceiling laying beside each other on the floor.

"She would probably think we were crazy."

My words were soft, dipped in emotions and in hurt.

"Nah. She would join us."

"She was here. . ." I whispered.

"As she will always be. . ."

Melancholy tainted his words, as we lay there gazing up at the ceiling. A silence fell over us. I know he didn't believe, I wouldn't too if I was in his place. But my Drau was here, and I would do everything to get her back.

Sounded insane right?

But I no longer cared. . .

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Dhriti's POV

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Easier said than done.

My father back in Viratgadh would always say it to me, when I committed to things.

And it stood true today. I subtly tried to ask all the members of the royal family, but they shut down faster than I could blink.

Draupadi was a secret that seemed to be tightly locked in the vaults of people's hearts in Hastinapur.

Where Princess Dhara out right refused to talk about her, Banumati broke down crying and Pauravi glared at me like I had killed a puppy.

To say it was difficult would be putting it lightly. But when God shuts one door, he opens another. And that second door for me were the maids of Hastinapur.

"Princess Draupadi was very loved in Hastinapur."

One of the maids stated smiling, her eyes crinkling in the corners, sadness blanketing her expressions.

A deep resigned sigh passed through her lips. A weight seemed to have settled on her shoulders. "But it was unfortunate that she had a very short life. Even God needs good people."

The melancholy in her words had the air stirring heavily. "The pandavas were not what they are today. It began the day. . ."

Emotions rioted as each word passed through her lips, narrating the tale of pandavas and their wife.

A heavy silence filled the room, once the woman finished telling me the story. Sobs reverberated through the room, various maids and servants had joined us, as the story was being told.

"Her highness was a very good woman."

Many voices mummered their agreements.

"Take care dear." With a final pat on my head, they all returned back to their work. Sitting down, I gazed at hands that lay numb in my lap.

Agony crushed my soul, every breath was a new struggle. Why did they have to be separated? Why?

"Why did it had to happen? Why?"

"It was because of that monster."

Ira's hollow words had me turning around, she stood in the doorway with a far off look. Her dark eyes reflected with a haunted reflection of a past that none deserved.

"He just couldn't let her be in peace. He destroyed every girl that fell in his path. And this was not the first woman he ruined the life of."

"What do you mean?"

I could hear the confusion ringing through my words, I gazed at her forlorn expression.

After the incident in Draupadi's room, I had tried to search Ira everywhere in the palace, had asked multiple servants but they had looked at me like I had lost my mind.

Seemed like Ira was a new maid.

The smile that curved her lips was so heartbreaking and so sad, that I wanted to pull her in my arms and erase all her pain.

"I know you have been looking for that monster and what had really happened that night ."

She replied instead, ignoring my words like I hadn't spoken at all.

"How do you know this? And do you know something about him?"

She continued to stare ahead at the wall, lost in maze of her mind.

"Ira." I snapped my fingers in front of her eyes, making her blink hard.

"Not all answers are given freely. If you need to find about him search the pandavas palace. They have done extensive research. And begin with Draupadi's past prior to her marriage."

A melancholy veiled her soft features. The upward curve of her lips were nearly heart shattering.

Her gaze clashed with mine. I had to prevent myself from taking a step back, at the onslaught of emotions in her eyes.

"Ira I can help you if you are in some sort of trouble. " I whispered, reaching out to wrap my hands around hers. She took a step back, shaking her head.

The gratitude and reverence that I saw in her gaze floored me. I had no words.

"Trust me when I say this. But you have done so much for me that I can never put in words."

Emotions layered her words thickly, and all I could do was blink at her. Was I confused? Heck yes. Because I cannot recall a day in my life where I have remotely seen her face.

"We have met before?"

The perplexity in my words echoed through the walls. But as mysterious as Ira was, her lips just curved up in that soul shattered smile again.

"I need to go."

Was all she said, before turning away.

"Ira!"

I tried to stop her, because there were just so many questions and no answers. I rushed after her, she moved to the next corridor, out of the corner of my eyes.

"Ir-"

And as I followed her, she was no where to be seen.

Ugh! This woman was faster than a snake. I gazed at the three different corridors going in various directions, and Ira had practically become air.

What in the name of heaven was happening?

Being a maid has its perks, they get too well-versed with the lay out of the palaces, and getting away becomes easier for them.

I would know, I had seen so many maids "disappear" in corridors, like they were never there to begin with.

Shaking my head I turned back on my heels, moving towards Prince Asur's study.

"Not all answers are given freely. If you need to find about him search the pandavas palace. They have done extensive research. And begin with Draupadi's past prior to her marriage."

Ira's words reverberated through my mind. Could it be this easy? Well, it was worth a try.

And with a hammering heart that tinged with nervousness, I walked to prince Asur's study.

No one should be in the study right now, it is nearly time for lunch. Maybe I could find something useful.

Trudging down the length of the corridors, I turned another corner and soon I was facing the oak doors with deep intricate designs once again.

As expected there was a stillness in the pandavas' palace, like time had taken a pause.

Except for my breathing I couldn't hear anything.

I reached out, placing my hands on the wooden door, they felt cool under my palms, pushing it in.

As expected no one was present. And from there I got to work. Shutting the door behind me, I walked out, a smile tugging on my lips.

I looked through the drawers, the selves, and searched everywhere. But nothing really stood out, it was all boring stuff.

Oh come on, where could they be hiding this stuff? And what the heck was I exactly looking for?

I moved through maze of selves holding the books, searching everything but nothing useful greeted me.

I was just reaching for another book, when the sound of the door opening had my heart hammering crazily.

"Who are you?"

This bloody question would not leave me alone anywhere. And at this point I really had no idea who I was. Draupadi? Dhriti? The wicked witch of the west?

I snorted.

"I said who are you?"

"And I heard you just fine the first time."

Turning to face the man, with probably the deepest voice that layered heavily with a natural command, this man was someone used to power.

Being a leader came more naturally to him. It was all over the way he spoke.

And for what seemed like the millionth time since I walked in Hastinapur, my heart kickstarted in an erratic rhythm of beats.

My gaze hooked on his beautiful orbs. They were one of the darkest pair of eyes that I had ever laid eyes on.

My lungs emptied all the air. His commanding aura seemed to wrap around the room, his presence magnanimous.

He was lethal. Even a blind person could probably tell that. With thick corded set of muscles, and abs that seemed to be craved out of granite, the man was a warrior.

His thick dark curls caressed his shoulders, as part of them were pulled in a man bun.

Dressed in the grey angvastr and silk dhoti, with a marital ring sitting proudly on his ring finger, he resembled a storm ready to wreck havoc.

He took a step ahead. I stood rooted, it wasn't fear, but his presence commanded attention like a natural born king.

He walked with an air of confidence, unforgiving and unyielding.

He halted gazing down at me, with those soulful eyes that seemed to strip me bare, right to my soul. Words fled my mind.

Though I tried to look away, he just held me the prisoner of his gaze.

"I wouldn't repeat myself again."

Calmness laced his words, but sharp as a whip his voice cracked through the room.

"Dhriti."

He loomed over, not uttering a word. And somehow his silence was more scary than his words.

"I am assisting prince asu-I mean prince Nakul and Sehdev in their work."

I fidgetted with my fingers, looking everywhere except at him.

Yet I was very much aware of every little move that he made, his every breath.

This man wasn't someone you could ignore.  The moment he walked in a room, he commanded your attention without even trying.

He radiated with a power so intense that he wasn't someone you would want as your foe.

Yet all his magnanimous presence did was arouse a sense of safety. As though no one could ever harm me.

My rational mind scoffed, like seriously you don't even know his name. He could be an assassin.

But that intricate part of me, that was beyond all the rationalities of the world just wanted to be in his presence.

"And what are you doing in this room at this hour?"

His words snapped me back to reality. Focus! You're in between a freaking interrogation.

Okay.  Right. Deep breaths. Easy peasy. He is hot- I mean OK. Not so handsome. But he is dangerous.

Ha! Play it cool.

So what was I doing here? Yes! Looking for the dead princesses past documents.

Bad idea. I'll be dead faster than I can blink if I dared mention her. So what do I do?

An idea unfolded in my mind, it was probably the most stupid one. But heck yea anything to get away from his questioning.

I cleared my throat, folding my hands over my chest. And gave him my best suspicion glare.

Which to be honest was pathetic. It's like a mice staring up at a lion.

Channeling my inner interrogator, which I never knew existed. I began with what I hoped was a stern voice.

"I"

Yes, ladies and gentlemen I emphasized on the 'I' part, and pointed at my chest. Like he was a damn toddler.

"-Work here. So, obviously I am here. You on the other hand don't, so why are you here?"

I forced suspicion in my voice. He opened his mouth probably to defend, or god knows what.  But did I let him finish?

Heck no!

Obviously if he did my fake bravado would abandon me. So, I just continued on.

"Are you a robber?"

He was taken a back. And to be honest so was I?

Dressed from head to toe in post precious stones, he didn't seem like a robber. In fact it was the complete opposite.

But what the hell choice did I have? It was either this or let him continue the interrogation, and with his hawk gaze I don't think I could lie. So distraction it was.

"Do I look like a robber to you?" Exasperation laced his words, as he gazed at me like I had lost a marble or two.

You look like a sin that I'm tempted to commit-

STOP! Dhriti! Control yourself.

Okay. Play it cool. It's freaking cool dandy.

"Who knows this clothes that you are wearing either robbed too. And are this fake jewelries. Oh I have heard all about you people disguising in royal clothes, and than robbing everything off."

I am going to hell. And probably would take a nose dive in that burning fire river.

"I-"

"Oh yes! That's who you are. A glorified well disguised robber."

"I? A Robber? Are you-"

"Oh oh look how innocent you are pretending to be. Excellent acting skills!  If you are not an imposter than prove it!"

"Imposter?!"

"Yes!"

"Listen, just because you are a woman-"

"Oh no no no! You cannot get away with this bullshit. About you letting me get away with everything just because I am a woman, you are what? Emperor Yudhisthir?"

I snorted, glaring at him. His nose flarred, jaw ticked as he took a step forward.

"You-"

"Prove yourself!"

"I do not want to prove anything to you. I don't need to. If I just give one order-"

"Oh! This fear invoking techniques, it won't work on me Ice man." I hissed back, hell will send me a glittering invite with freaking ribbons, glitters and everything after this.

There is not a speck of doubt.

"Ice man."

And just like that Ice man's face grew all the more icy. Like someone massaged slabs of ice blocks on his face.

"Yes. Ice man. Grey and silver lining. And icy facade. All that is remaining is long white hair. And bam you'll be the epitome of one."

"Do you even think before you speak? Or is the filter between your mouth and brain just broken?"

He seemed genuinely interested to know, whether that was my problem.

Great now one of my crush think I'm a loon. Freak! Way to go Dhriti.

Wait. Back the heck up. Crush? No!

This is Ice man. And ice man are not good crushes. In fact having crushes is a bad idea.

"Just because your connection to your emotions have been served doesn't mean everyone's is."

"You-"

"Listen ice man either prove you're not an imposter or-"

"One. Stop calling me ice man. And two, or what? Go ahead do what you want."

He shrugged not even seemed bothered. The heck?! What am I to do next?

"In fact I'll do you a favor and call the guards."

"Wait!" I shouted panicked, he turned, raising a brow. And that calm demeanor of his snapped right in place.

"Yes? You were saying something?"

"You probably implanted guards in this palace too."

I mentally cringed, that was one heck of far fetched blame.

"What?!"

He sputtered, eyes widening in disbelief as he was now openly looking at me like I was a loon who had escaped an asylum.

"Are you kidding me?" Flabbergasted he gazed at me. Opening and shutting his mouth. But no words came out.

Well that's right. I am positive I just broke the Ice man with my stupidity.

Straightening my back, I gazed up at him, and for that one moment those dark orbs tugged me in.

Pulling me closer. The air zinged with a chemistry that seemed all too familiar, like I knew him.

Clearing my throat and that weird haze that fell on my mind, I continued with my idiocy.

"Yes."

"You are just a woman-"

"Never underestimate a woman!"

The man looked a step away from losing his patience.

"Excuse me-"

"Well you are excused. You may leave."

I said dismissing him,  where I seemed cool as cucumber from out side. Mentally I was running around,  screaming on the top of my voice.

Help! Take this handsome man away!

He seemed to be struck speechless. I winced sympathetically. This man probably never been called a robber and been dismissed in one breath by a stranger, I could tell.

He got my sympathies but survival was crucial.

A strong hand grasped my arm, fireworks lit my body like the sky on the night of Diwali.

My heart hammered erratically, as I was forcefully turned around, and slammed in his hard chest.

My breath abandoned my lungs, and those furious dark stormy eyes glared down at me.

"Listen here. I don't know what you are talking about. But, you cannot dismiss me."

He gritted the words out, the intensity of his actions, had my heart in a jumble.

"Ar-"

Arya

The word almost was too natural and was like a bucket of cold water on my head.

Snapping out of this haze, I pushed the distance between us. He stepped back, more on his free will than my attempt to move him.

"Hail the emperor!"

A soldier's words had me jumping, turning around, I watched as the soldier bowed-

Wait! What? Emperor?!

My eyes widened and fear slammed hard in my chest, as I turned to look at the man behind me.

Ice man straightened, his calm demeanor slipping right back on. And once again he was the picture of perfection and lethality.

"Yes."

"Emperor. Mahamahim Bhism wanted to meet you in the throne room."

"Tell him I shall be there soon."

The soldier nodded, and with a final bow, walked out.

I stood frozen, did I just accuse an emperor of being a robber? All the words from earlier came flashing in my mind, I shut my eyes.

Slamming my palm on my forehead. Dhirti! You idiot!

The sound his feet moving had me straightening. I could feel the heat of his body on my back, his breath caressed my nape.

"You owe me a big appology."

That I did.

"I-"

"Bhraata."

That melodious voice had me stiffening.

"Arjun."

The man from Draupadi's room greeted me. Those beautiful hazel orbs clashed with mine, they hardened.

And my heartached. I could still feel those rose petal soft feel of his lips against mine.

And yet, now he gazed at me with no speck of recognition. All the realisation that he only ever had all those emotions for his wife slithered in my chest.

Affections that I had tasted by mistakenly. And now craved more. I hated myself. I really was seeking emotions that didn't belong for me.

But if I was Draupadi...

Ridiculous! Don't dream with open eyes.

"You need to see this it is important." An urgency laced his words, he didn't even spare a look at me, and soon they were moving out leaving me with my loneliness again. . .

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