Do not touch my sweetheart.

****

It was a fine day, but Indumala woke up with an ache in her limbs and heavy eyelids. Last night, she trained too hard. Magic came to her easily but not brutal strength.

In the foggy morning, she recalled the day of the tournament, when she had proved her worth as a bodyguard. The boys she fought against were rather desperate to win too, giving her ruthless blows that had made her skin be blue for days. They ridiculed her, making the usage of magic appear as cheating. The Rajan had never laid down strict rules to not use magic, and he hadn't stopped her when she-

"Ugh. I need not go on explaining it to myself, to anyone. I won because I am worthy."

Although now, when she knew the complete truth about Rudra, she wondered if he really needed her as a bodyguard. Perhaps it was a symbolic move, as earlier Rajans always kept bodyguards. Rudra had muscles Indu could die for, but he didn't have peace of mind. So, maybe, like a guide from above, she was here to guard him from death. She was here to keep him away from melancholy. Her task was to ensure the Rajan was fine not just physically, but emotionally as well.

She didn't know why these thoughts came rushing at her in the morning. She still couldn't digest the fact that her lover, and even her father, were paranormal creatures. They weren't human. They were, once, but not anymore.

She had heard that werewolves and vampires had long lives. It could explain why they didn't age. She didn't know for how long Rudra and her Baba were actually living. In all honesty, she had began to question the reality she was spoonfed.

"On that note, Rudra is supposed to have a long life, but not be immortal. Maybe have a will over his life and death like the Saints do. Then why does he always come back unharmed from injuries?"

At first, she wasn't really worried about this aspect, but it later sank in her mind- he was doomed to be alone. One day, she would be leaving the world. She wasn't any extraordinary human, some otherworldly being. And Rudra would become lonely. Maybe he would choose the wrong ways again.

"It doesn't make sense- people have meditated upon the gods to grant them immortality but no one ever got that. So how come a woman, however strong may she be, curse a man to be eternal?"

The time of the war was nearing. Till now, she didn't know if she would be participating. She had posed the question in front of the two most important men of her life. Her Baba had frowned, and Rudra waved his hand dismissively. "I won't allow you to go on battle, and your Baba is also of the same opinion."

She prayed, that even if immortality was something illusionary in her faith, it could manifest as true for the time being. She wasn't ready to lose him. Their story had just began.

"Or perhaps not?"

The returning nightmares. The phantom addressing her as Petra, and even Rudra mistaking her for that lady in his werewolf avatar. He had refused to accept he loved her, but it was obvious to Indumala. Their conversation in the bathhouse further confirmed her suspicions.

It wasn't just by luck that she had landed here. It was fate's doing. Why else should she, with no knowledge of her parents, end up in the lap of the Senapati of Ishgar? Why should she then go on to become a royal bodyguard? Why the so-called heartless Rajan would fall for her?

There was a condition that goverened his feelings, his submission to love. This condition could be her distant past.

"So, I had known him long ago?"

I was Petra?

She didn't know any story about this girl. No one ever mentioned this name in the guild. The only information she extracted came from her nightmares and recent experiences.

Outside, she heard chortling men and clanking armours. She quickly climbed down the bed, combed her hair and washed her face. Opening the door, she saw a bunch of soldiers at the end of the corridor.

"What is the excitement about?"

"We are having our victory celebration."

"Victory? In what?"

"Aha! You are new, so you don't know. Every time the Rajan embarks on a war, he hosts the victory celebration, because we all know there's no way he can be defeated. He is a god to us all. The God of War himself, named after Arumugam! Freshen up and come to the feast."

Indumala's lips curved up. "Victory even before a war? He seems very confident in his leadership skills."

If there was going on a feast in the palace, she ought to be there. And no way was she going to miss a hearty meal. Hastily taking a bath and wearing the most random bright green blouse, she headed for the arena.

On going there, she saw only men. There weren't any females. Even her Baba was missing. The soldiers were engaged in friendly wrestling matches, covered in dust and mud. Under the mild sun was a table full of scrumptious dishes. The Rajan sat there along with his ministers.

Indumala stood in a corner, not knowing if she was welcome. It looked like a feast thrown exclusively to the army. Even though she was a warrior by title, but there was no girl on sight!

Then, she saw some women. Apparently the sight wasn't pleasing.

One could say they weren't dressed at all. It was a norm to go half naked in many places of Aryavarta and beyond, but she had never seen that in the palace before. By the looks of the ministers, the dress code wasn't a cultural thing but done on demand. They eyed the servants with carnal thirst. The girls sat on their laps and poured wine into their mouth.

Indumala waited in the shadows, breathing heavily. Her clenched fists turned blood-red, and her dry throat itched. She was ready to pounce any moment, land her spear near the heart of Rudra. The girls chimed and giggled, rubbing their bodies against the men. She wanted to see if anyone would approach Rudra, or if he would call one of them.

He did. Raising his chalice in the air, he asked for some wine.

Wine. Early in the morning. Women too. "All men are the same."

But she wouldn't go and ruin his enjoyment. She would gladly see him feel and plunder the servant. After all, kings were accustomed to the luxury of desire, even encouraged to practice it. And he was the strongest man of the world.

The servant came and poured him wine. As expected, her hand touched his chest. Indumala could feel hot tears flood her vision.

Rudra politely smiled and said something to the servant. She bowed and retracted her hand, sorry written all over her face. The ministers laughed and shook their heads.

Indumala walked closer, straining her ears to hear above the cacophony.

"The Rajan doesn't take women. I wonder why."

"Well, he did take Dilrobar. Or so we heard."

Rudra glared at the ministers. They cleared their throats, but a courageous one dared to speak up. "Rajan, did you ever have a relationship with Dilrobar? Or any woman in the recent years? I am just curious. Because, even if the girls had spread rumours about how that veiled lady was your favourite, they tell us a different story now."

"I never thought you were fond of storytelling," Rudra said.

"No, it's just that the veiled lady came to the palace suddenly. It was the Senapati who brought her, isn't it? That is what I remember."

Indumala gaped. Baba brought Dilrobar to the palace? I never knew this!

"Yes, the Senapati rescued her."

"You like her, Rajan? Is she pretty?"

"That is my choice entirely."

"No but, if you really slept with her, then why are you now courting Indumala? Does she allow you to keep a mistress?"

"Come on, Indumala may be a bodyguard but she is no Rajan. The Rajan can take as many women as he wants. There are plenty in the kingdom."

"Absolutely! It's just that I feel the Rajan should be a bit more clear to us about whom he likes and whom he doesn't. Rather, what he likes. In that case I can recommend some good ladies myself."

Rudra threw his wine at the face of the man. The whole table fell into a silence.

"You want to know the truth? Alright, I will tell you. I have not slept with a woman in the past sixteen years. All the time you heard of Dilrobar coming to my room were for reasons other than love making. After I win this war, you will all know the truth."

"If the Rajan doesn't love her," the man wiped the wine from his face, "why did he make her veil her face? It's only because you want to protect her and are possesive."

"You all started it. I guess the wine has taken over your senses that you all speak with me without shame or consideration!" Rudra thundered and slammed his fist on the table. The servant girls winced and fled the place. "There was a reason why I had kept Dilrobar hidden from the crowd. But you all began assuming she was the prettiest lady of the world, some apsara and what not, and buttered me to only get to sleep with her. Thinking that diluting her presence would kill the attention, me and Dilrobar mutually decided that she would walk around with a veil. But you men still lusted after her. So I made up a story of us being lovers. That's it, now no man was going even a hair's breadth close to her. She got the space she wanted."

"Is...is that all?"

"Yes. And all the times she came to my room, it was because we needed to discuss important matters- things which have directly affected the present situation of us waging war. She is no ordinary lady- you all know at least that. Her shrewd ideas have helped me a lot. She is a weapon I pride myself over."

"We are sorry for troubling the Rajan. We have disappointed you."

"See, you can take any woman you want as long as she is willing. I don't care even if you are doing three at a time." Rudra rolled his eyes. "But you all had disturbed Dilrobar a lot. All because me and the Senapati got associated!"

"It was a famous fodder among us that the Senapati handed his prostitute to you-"

"Definitely wine has done a thing. Spill more of what you think." Rudra gritted his teeth. The ministers kept down their chalices. "Neither the Senapati nor me are interested in women outside of our lovers."

"So the Rajan does have a lover now."

"Dear Kali help me out..." Rudra slid down his chair and hid his face. "I will not allow you all to drink."

"Please Rajan, forgive us! We have sinned by thinking ill of you and Dilrobar, when in reality it was all our own prejudice and vice. But you can't deny that we are loyal to you."

"Loyal, but you all discuss things about me. I hear everything."

The ministers gulped.

"We do say things to pass the time," a minister explained. "I know it's a bad excuse, but all powerful men need some stories to circulate in the kingdom. Apparently your image has attracted a lot of eager ladies. You know, you are handsome and rich, godly and, err, skilled in the bedroom."

"If you cross another line..."

"Pardon me! But it's this one day when we can really talk to you like you are one from among us. Otherwise you are always so busy and aloof. And angry."

"That I agree. Even Indumala thought the same about me."

"Ah, so you did spell your beloved's name."

Unbeknownst to them all, she was indeed present, hiding from their periphery of vision.

Rudra heaved a sigh. "I don't want to talk about my private life. But yes, I am not denying anything."

A sudden push forced Indumala to come out of her hiding. She turned back to see a smirking soldier. And then she faced Rudra, shock painted on his face. His jaw hung open, and he looked around, perhaps seeing if any servant girls were nearby.

"Some soldiers told me I should join the feast. I didn't come in front because I didn't know I was welcome..."

"Indu, you shouldn't just come anywhere." Rudra's face was red. He spoke softly, "You can go and eat with the ladies in the hall. If you want, I can also ask someone to send food to your room. Will that be more comfortable?"

"Oh why can't she join us, Rajan?" The minister, whose face the wine had licked, chirped like a bird which hadn't learnt its lesson. "It will be nice."

"You rascal–"

"I will be so happy to eat with you all," Indumala declared and sat beside that minister. With a self-conceited grin, she began devouring the food. "So, do you always hold this feast before a war? I never heard of any Rajan do that before."

"Our Rajan always does it. He is the greatest."

"Hmm, such feasts are so good."

"Indumala, since the Rajan isn't telling us-"

"Do you want to be beheaded?"

This time, Rudra threw an empty chalice at the man's forehead. He yelped, but didn't back down. "But we have the right to know about your love life."

"You all don't."

"But we want to see you settle down and have a family," he whined. "We all are married ourselves, so the Rajan should too. He needs children, a legacy."

"Indumala, go to your room," Rudra ordered.

"Why, are you scared of me?"

"You don't want unnecessary drama, do you?"

"Since you came to my life, drama has become my best friend."

Rudra stared daggers at her. "Indu, go to your room."

"No. I won't."

"Why?"

"I–" I want you to tell people who I am, who we are. "Nevermind. I am going."

"No, wait!" The chosen-by-wine minister held her hand. That was the last straw. Rudra got up and hurried to his side. It was too late for him to ask for forgiveness, so he just quietly took all the punches the Rajan had to offer.

"You all enjoy the feast. I am leaving with Indumala."

"I think I got my answer," the minister mumbled.

Rudra took Indumala's hand, stared at the place where she was touched, and grabbed fiercely. Indumala struggled to suppress her laughter. When they were out of the arena, she asked, "Why don't you make a formal declaration of our relationship?"

"I have reasons."

Indumala pursed her lips. "Do you doubt my affections?"

Rudra stopped. "No, I don't."

"Then?"

"I am scared of them being too curious. It's never safe. As much as I am not confirming anything, I am also not denying. I may not be saying with my words, but my actions are there to reveal the truth of my feelings." Rudra smiled. "Also, your Baba sent me a letter."

"About?"

"I think you are so obsessed with me that you forgot tomorrow is your birthday."

Indumala gasped. "Oh my, yes! Yes! It completely went out of my head. Can't blame me. So much has been happening!"

"You will be seventeen, little one." Rudra fondled her cheeks. "I will shower you with gifts. For one day, we will forget about the war."

"Will Maa and Baba come to meet me?"

"They will. I have planned surprises for you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I will pamper you."

"This birthday will be very different, I can feel." Indumala twirled a lock. "I can't believe- the man I disliked so earnestly will be spoiling me tomorrow."

"Little one knows magic. Love magic."

"I didn't even have to use any potion." Indumala flipped her hair and winked.

"You seduced me with your innocence and charm. You little witch."

Well, Indumala must have done something, otherwise it wasn't even in the wildest dreams of anyone to see the Rajan, uttering sweet nothings to his lady, in the middle of the palace, ignorant to all the workers who had stopped to have a look of the spring.