I want to Thank kennedyrrrr3 for this beautiful cover.

Shami POV

"What happened?" I asked Ziral.

"We found them", he answered.

"Then we have to go all the way back", Lokad scoffed.

"We have to reach them as early as possible", I said firmly.

Our horses sprinted with at most potential. Iral was waiting for us. Later he joined with us and we followed the path of soldiers. We heard commotions little away from us and slowed down.

"What's the count?" I asked.

"Around hundred", Iral answered.

"Hundred?" Lokad muttered.

"We have to be more careful", Iral said and we all nodded.

We were following them from little far keeping bird eye on them. We saw our people injured and locked with metal chains.

"What will be their next halt?" I asked particularly no one.

"There is a small village like a tribe near. They can reach before the night", Ziral said.

"Another possibility. Vigulae lake", Iral said.

"I think they will choose lake area", Rago said.

"How can you say that?" Ziral snapped.

"It's not wise to stay with common people with criminals", I answered. Rago smirked.

"Lets see", Ziral said.

We followed them almost three hours and as expected they halted at lake.

"No matter what, we have to join them within a day", I said.

"What's the plan?" Lokad asked. Iral, Ziral and I exchanged knowing look.

"I'm missing our old man", Ziral said.

"Me too", Iral and I said in unison.

"Old man?" Rago frowned.

"Sort of head to our team", I said.

"We used to rob mostly passengers. As this forest is dangerous, people travel as groups. We disguised as common people like father and children and mingled with them. After knowing the worth of the group, we rob them and escape without their notice", Iral explained.

"We are going to do the same now", I said.

"I'm not sure that we can manage them", Ziral said.

"Only you and me are going to join them. Remaining have to follow us from safe distance", I said.

Everyone nodded except Rago. He crossed his hands to his chest and looking at me with blank expression.

"I'm not agreeing this", he said firmly.

"And we don't need your opinion", Ziral commented.

"I'm not allowing you for this. That too trusting this idiot? No way", he said.

"Okay then, you can replace Ziral", Iral said. He nodded.

"Shami and you disguise like siblings and ask them help with the way out of the forest or anything like that", Iral said.

"Siblings?" Rago scoffed.

"Then he is perfect for that role", he said pointing Ziral.

I couldn't control my laughter. He was very cute with that annoyed face. I saw him few times like this but it's best. Even I wouldn't agree him as my sibling. Iral and Lokad also chuckled but Ziral was annoyed.

"It's just acting", Ziral spat.

"Whatever I won't act as her brother", he said.

"Then?" I asked.

"Friend", he shrugged.

"But...", Ziral started something.

"Guys please, focus", I cut him.

"Ziral, Shami and I will join them. That's it", Rago announced.

"We will plan the escape according to the situation. And let you know that", I said.

"Remember. Be alert and careful. Don't let anyone suspect your presence", I said.

"You too. Be careful", Iral said.

"And Ziral, please don't mess the plan with your anger", he warned his brother.

"And better stay away from us", Rago snapped.

"In fact you have to stay away from us", Ziral replied back.

"Please stop it", I interrupted.

"Lets wait here until it's dark", I said.

Lokad hid in a tree and watching them. We hid in woods away from them. We discussed about the possible threats.

**********

Rago and Ziral cleaned themselves and changed some what cleaner cloths than before. I took my cloths from my bag and heading towards the lake. We were on same side of lake but away from the guards.

"What?" I asked turning back as I felt someone following me and I knew that one. Rago stood there scratching his neck with a smile.

"Just helping you", he shrugged.

"Like what type of help?" I asked crossing my arms to my chest.

"Like..." He started slowly walking towards me.

"Night. Forest. You are alone. And you may scared. If I'm with you..." He stood in front of me.

"No thanks", I placed my hand on his chest and pushed him.

He didn't budge. He held my hand with his on his chest and looking at my eyes. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I could sense my own hot breath. He leaned to my height and kissed my cheek. I didn't stop him. In fact I didn't even try to stop. He used to invade my personal space yet I did nothing. Simply I let me. How could he do that to me every time?

"Lets go?" he asked. I heard only that. Did he say anything else?

"Hah?"

"You have to change your cloths right?" he asked. I nodded looking at his grey eyes.

'Idiot. Focus', my mind taunted me.

"No", I stopped him.

"I don't need any of your help", I said firmly.

"Shami", he tried to hold me. I slapped his hands away from me.

"Are you sure about going with us?" I asked.

"Don't you want that?" he asked back.

"To be frank,... No", I said.

"That's highly dangerous and I don't want you get hurt", I admitted.

"You know what, I felt same for you. But I can't stop you. And I can't leave you", he said.

I rose to my toes and pulled him towards me. And pressed my lips on his cheek. I didn't know why I did that. I wanted to do that and I felt good.

He stood there without moving with wide eyes. Did he effected by me? If yes, then it's perfect.

"Stay here", Slowly I patted on his chest. He nodded slowly.

I went in my way with a crazy smile. It wasn't me. I was never like this. I tilted my head back for him. He was looking at ground while rubbing his cheek with a smile. He's already damn gorgeous. And if smile added, simply out of words.

'Focus', again my mind.

Quickly I cleaned myself in lake and changed to a light green saree. I braided my hair and wore bangles. I had to look like a most normal village girl. I headed back to my team.

Rago stood exactly at the same place. He glanced at me after noticing my presence. His eyes dilated and I liked the way he was looking at me.

"You better stop being beautiful", he said in a deep voice.

"You better stop staring at me", I snapped hiding my smile.

"Once a man said, you have to be the master of your mind and senses. And I believe those words. Because of you my eyes not listening to me. I terribly failed to control them."

He pulled me by my waist and nuzzled my neck. "Look. I can't control my senses to not smell you. It's all your mistake."

"Pervert", I muttered.

"I can't help it", he shrugged.

We joined our teams. We handed our weapons to Iral and tied our daggers to our ankel under cloths. Purpose of safety.

"Take good care of it", Rago said pointing his sword. I had a separate fascination on his swords.

"Why you are carrying that?" Iral asked as Rago took Lokad's sword.

"It's not wise", I said.

"Don't worry. I will manage", he said calmly. I didn't doubt him at managing.

"Don't worry okay? Be brave and act normal. Then they won't suspect us", Rago said clipping his sword around his waist.

"What?" he asked after noticing our stares.

"You are the new one here. Better don't teach us", Ziral snapped. I agreed with him in this. Rago simply rolled his eyes.

"Lets go" I announced.

"Wait", Rago held my hand. He drew the saree over my head like veil.

"We need perfection", he winked and pecked my forehead. Remaining three looked at us with wide eyes.

"Come on", he ignored them and pulled me with him.

I hope everything would happen according to plan.

***********

We stood behind a thick tree trunk and intentionally making noises. Few feet away two men guarding with swords. Rago took a wooden stick and snapped it into pieces. They looked at our direction. They discussed something and slowly coming towards us.

"They are coming", I whispered. Rago pushed Ziral forwards. He stumbled but balanced.

"What are you doing?" I angered in low tone. Ziral also glared at him.

"Ay! Who are you?" they quickly ran towards him.

"Stay there don't move", Rago instructed.

"It's not time for your games", I snapped.

" Who are you?"

" What are you doing here?"

They asked threating with swords. Rago took a side step out of tree back and stood beside him. I did the same.

"Who are you all?" they asked.

"I'm Zi... Ziu", Ziral lied his name.

"She is my sister and he is..."

"I'm her husband", Rago cut him. We both looked at him. Anything got into him? He joined us as friend. Whatever, I deal with him later.

"What you are doing here?" shorter one among them demanded.

"It's a long story. For now we need some help", he answered.

"Lets take them to commander", taller one suggested. They instructed us to follow them and we did.

"Commander", they bowed for a man.

He was tall and bulky in mid forties. He tied his hair into bun. He had a silver armour to his arm with royal symbol and a two vertical lines at corner. From that I understood he was a second level commander.

"We found them there", shorter one informed "they said that they need some help."

"Tell me who are you all? And what you are doing in this forest? Don't you know this forest is banned?" he asked in high authority tone.

"I'm Rago", Rago answered "She is my wife Shami."

Why the fuck he told our real names?

"We escaped from village and came to this forest", he said.

"Why?" Commander asked.

"Actually, she is daughter of village head man. We loved each other and he don't agree. He wanted to marry her to someone else. That's why I married her secretly in a temple. Her father sent his men for us and we ran into this forest. No one would dare to step into it."

What all this non sense? What's running in his mind? I wanted to stop him but that's vain. So we kept quite and acted along with him.

"Who is he?" Commander asked about Ziral.

"He is her brother Zi..Ziu. He is the only one that helped us", Rago said convincingly. For a moment I felt that he was indeed telling the truth.

"Why her father didn't agree for your marriage. What's your profession?" Commander asked. No wonder, he believed Rago.

"I'm a small business man. I used to purchase goods from villages and sold them to vendors of city", Rago said.

"Once I went to their village and saw her. Later I went to village many times excusing my business. Her father don't like my profession and he didn't believe me. He thought that I won't take care of her. He wants to marry her to a rich man of the same village."

'When he cooked all these lies?'
All the while I stood there looking at my feet.

"What you said your name?" Commander asked.

"Rago", he replied.

"Hey girl", he called. I rose my head.

"Is that all true?" he asked. "Is he really your husband?"

"Yes", I nodded.

"Where you are going now?" he asked looking at me.

'What I have to answer? Wait, why I have to answer?'
I looked at Rago faking innocence. He had woven a perfect story already, he should answer this one too.

"I want to take her to my family. Please help us out of this forest. After that we will manage", Rago answered.

"Okay", he agreed.

"Keep them safe", he said to a man beside him and he nodded.

"Wait, what's that?" Commander asked pointing Rago's sword.

"I need it to protect my family", he said looking at me. I didn't know what that look means, but I like it.

The man beside commander took the sword. He checked it and gave it back. Later they both left.

"What's that all?" I asked looking at him.

"A convincing story. He believed us right?" he winked.

"My dear wife", he said after a pause and chuckled.

"Will you please stop it?" I glared.

" We have to continue it until we finish our task. I'm sorry dear wife", he shrugged and intertwined his fingers with mine. I narrowed my eyes.

"She is not your wife", Ziral spat and took my hand away.

"Do you know why you are still alive?" Rago asked with anger.

"You are her friend, that's the only reason. Or else I would killed you the second day we met."

"Better stay away from us", Rago warned.

"You think that I scared of you?" Ziral replied.

"It's better you both stop it RIGHT NOW", I ordered. Glad, they followed.

"First we have to meet our men or at least let know them our presence. So, they will be alert", I said.

"I think we have to be quite and normal for today", Rago said.

I saw our men locked around a tree and 5  guards around them with swords. They were nine. Escaping with nine men without noticing anyone was hard.

"Why don't you give some break to your mind?" I heard Rago. I smiled.

"May be I can't", I shrugged.

"Do you ever give break to YOUR mind?" I asked.

"Many times", he answered.

"Lair", I mumbled.

"How do you know that?" he asked. I shrugged

"So you are understanding me?" he asked.

"May be", I chuckled.

"I love you", he said.

Whenever he said those words I felt a weird vibration in my chest. I wanted to say them back but something stopping me.

"There is no need to say them back", he said.

"Hah?"

"I love you too", he paused "I read them in your eyes."

They provide us some decent food, place to sleep and blankets. I spread a blanket in our canvas. Ziral came back with water. 

"Where is Rago?" I asked. 

"He is talking with guards", he said. 

"We have to meet our men tomorrow. We have to think something about that", I said. 

"I'm too thinking about that", he said. 

"We have to distract those guards first", he said. 

"Any plan?" I asked.

"For now, No", he said. Mean while Rago came. 

"Food is good right?" he said and I nodded. He sat between us.

"Really I fed up with that burnt meat made by him", he said looking at Ziral. Ziral glared. 

"I will stay awake", I said. 

"Why?" Rago asked.

"How can we trust these people? We have to be careful", Ziral said. 

"Being your husband I have to take care of you. So I will guard. You just take some proper sleep", he said tugging my hair behind my ear. 

"No need of it. I can..", I started.

"Ushh", he cut me. 

"Sleep", he ordered in his very low tone. I nodded.

*************

I heard some loud sounds and slowly opened my eyes. Ziral was sleeping at other edge. Rago was no where. 

'What's happening outside?'

"Ziral", I called. He didn't move. I went near to him and patted on his shoulder. 

'Is he dead? Idiot'

"Wake up", I shook him. Slowly he opened his eyes.

"What?" he asked in groggy tone. 

"What's that nuisance there?" he muttered.

"Get up", I slapped on his shoulder. 

I went out and it's dark like dawn. Everyone running to and fro. I observed a group near the tree where they chained our men. I went towards them. 

"Who did that?" a man shouted with anger. 

"What happened?" I heard Ziral. He stood beside me adjusting his shirt. I saw Rago near the group and went to him.

"What happened?" I asked. 

"One of the prisoner died", he said. 

"How?"

"Someone killed", he said.

"Who?" Ziral and I asked in unison.

***********

Who killed him? Why?

Rago said a cute and convincing story to commander right? 

How Shami recognised the second level commander by his armour?

***********

Characters:

Shami: Black Viper and female lead.

Rago: Death stalker and male lead

Ziral and Iral : Twin brothers and friends of Shami

Ziu: fake name of Ziral.

Zagi: Head of black vipers.

Lokad: Member of Black Viper.

****************

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