PROLOGUE

In the lore of India, *naagins* are mystical serpent women, shape-shifters believed to embody the fierce power and beauty of the cobra. These beings come from an ancient lineage called the *Naga* clan, a race of divine serpent deities, deeply respected in Indian mythology for their wisdom, mystery, and strength. Legends say that naagins possess not only the power to shift between human and serpent forms but also to control aspects of nature—particularly the elements of water and earth.

One of the most fascinating aspects of naagins is their immortality and resistance to aging. Unlike mortals, who wither and weaken over time, a naagin retains her youth, beauty, and strength across centuries. This agelessness is often attributed to their divine origins and the potent life energy that courses through their veins, which is said to be different from that of mere humans. According to myth, this powerful energy can only be altered or harmed by specific forces—often by betrayal or the violation of sacred vows they hold dear.

A naagin's youth and vitality are tied to her emotional and spiritual well-being. As long as her heart is unburdened by betrayal and her spirit remains true to her oath, her beauty and strength will never fade. However, if she is wronged, legends say that her beauty intensifies to almost otherworldly levels, becoming more captivating yet more deadly, as her sorrow and wrath grow.

Stories also say that if a naagin falls in love, she may choose to grant her chosen one a touch of this agelessness, binding him to her for eternity. But, for the naagin, this is both a gift and a risk: once she makes this bond, her soul becomes tied to her lover's. If he betrays her, it can break her spirit—and while her outer beauty may still appear radiant, the grief can curse her, sometimes even leading her to embrace her serpent form forever, disappearing into the forests, rivers, or temples she once guarded.

These mystical serpent women have captivated generations with their tales of love, vengeance, and immortality. And so, the naagin lives on in Indian lore—a creature that transcends time, moving between worlds, untamed, beautiful, and forever ageless.

Our naagin Ruhi Singh Rathore was born to a naagin mother and a human father, which, though uncommon, wasn't unheard of. Despite naagins being almost immortal, they're not invincible. Her parents, both powerful in their own right, were killed.

Her father, Rudransh Singh Rathore, was a well-known businessman, hailing from the prestigious Rajputana clans of India. He had fallen in love with Vishaka, a stunning naagin, and together, they had a daughter, our darling heroine.

Her childhood was filled with love, power, and a deep connection to the night. Snakes, creatures of the dark, often feel a strange bond to the night, and she was no different—though she wasn't sure if it was the night itself or something deeper that called to her. We'll explore that in the story, but it's clear that she felt a certain kinship with the darkness, as though it were her lover.

Ruhi Singh Rathore, born to a naagin mother and human father, was a unique blend of two powerful worlds. Her father, Rudransh Singh Rathore, a renowned businessman from a prestigious Rajputana clan, fell in love with Vishaka, a beautiful naagin, and together they had Ruhi. Despite the naagins' near immortality, her parents were tragically killed, leaving Ruhi orphaned.

Ruhi's childhood was filled with love, luxury, and a strange kinship with the night, a bond that seemed to call to her, almost like a lover. Raised amidst wealth and privilege due to her father's public status, she experienced a normal life in many ways—school, college, social exposure—but her upbringing was far from ordinary. She was bold, sometimes arrogant, but fiercely loyal and deeply moral in her own way, guided by Lord Shiva's teachings and her unique sense of justice. A natural businesswoman like her father, she began managing family affairs by age fifteen.

At seventeen, her world shattered when her parents were killed. Her father had instilled in her pragmatism and a somewhat crooked moral compass, while her kind-hearted mother's innocence had softened her. The brutal loss hardened Ruhi, and she swore vengeance in Lord Shiva's name, hunting down those responsible and exacting a cruel justice. But even in her triumph, she felt a profound emptiness, a loneliness that power could never fill.