vi.

" Since when have you been here? " the intruder came out of her hideout, with a teasing smile.

" Since your lovey-dovey conversation started- "

" Mrinmayee! " Geetanjali chided her younger sister, while Mrityunjay stood there awkwardly, in front of his sister-in-law.

" Fine! Fine! I'll tell you. I came to get a book before you two, but I got interested in your conversation and kept listening. I was about to leave when you two- never mind. I closed my eyes. " she chuckled.

Trying to divert the two sisters from the topic, he spoke up, " When did you arrive in Gauravgarh, Princess?"

" When you left for war, I received a letter from my dear sister. She was in distress, and I had to come. "

" Will you stay for a few more days? "

" No, Father has summoned me. He says unmarried princesses shouldn't stay in another kingdom for too long. " noticing Geetanjali's eyes growing sad, Mrinmayee jested to lighten up her mood, " Besides, with you here, my sister might not need me anymore. "

Geetanjali smiled weakly, when her eyes caught a thing, but before she could brought up her question, Mrinmayee walked away to the door, " I'll leave. You two can finish what you started. " and ran away with a book in her hand.

•

As boring as it seems, it wasn't.

The history of Gauravgarh, interested Geetanjali as much that, she'd read almost four-fifth of the book, that her husband had got her to read. She had tried to complete it in the previous night only, but getting scolded by Mrityunjay, she left that idea.

It was nearly afternoon, when she was done reading. She sighed closing her eyes, and prayerd for Gauravgarh to grow, to be one of the strongest empire, and also prayed for the welfare of the people of her empire and her family. Then finding nothing to do, she walked out of her chamber, in search of her husband and found him in the private arena. He was sharpening two swords.

" I was waiting for you, Geetanjali. " he said, not looking up from his work.

" I've completed reading the book, you've given me. " she exclaimed, smiling, as if accomplished a difficult task.

" Excellent! Now that you've read about Gauravgarh's history, we can go on a tour of the kingdom someday. "

" When? " he chuckled at her excitement and handed her the lighter sword.

" Soon. But first, let's get you to learn some self defence moves. In case of an attack, you should be able to defend yourself. " she looked down at the sword, like a child at a new toy.

" Let me change first. " Geetanjali started to move to her chamber to get into more comfortable clothes for practicing, but Mrityunjay stopped her.

" Enemies won't wait for you to change, Geetanjali. Let's start. " he raised an eyebrow at her, motioning to attack first.

She quickly shed her heavy dupatta, and tightened her hold on the sword. At first, she tried a jab from the side, but with his quick reflexes, he dodged it.

" Is this how you'll defeat your enemies? "

" I'm scared I might hurt you, Prince. " she pouted.

" I've had years of training; nothing will happen to me. Attack with all your strength." he took a step back.

Geetanjali bit her lips, tiny beads of perspiration formed on her forehead and chest region. The sun shining brightly, over her head, wasn't helping her case either. Sweat trickled down her nape, as she moved towards him and strikes repeatedly aiming at his sworded arm. Her both hands gripped the sword at a ferocious strength, which restricted her movements a little bit. Mrityunjay just keep checking her blows.

At last, tired of making futile attacks, she raised her sword and bring it down in a powerful blow, which was masteredly prevented by him and the next second, her sword was thrown back. Before she could pick it up, and take her stance again, she was swirled and her back, pressed against a hard, naked chest.

But, what made her gasp was, the sharp blade digging a little in her pulse point, on her neck and the low whisper in her ear, " And that's how you would've died. " she shuddered at the possibility.

Soon, she felt the blade being replaced by his hot mouth, when he started sucking on her flesh. Though it was a private arena, still there's a possibility of someone walking over them, when they're having their private moments.

The anticipation made her clutch his wrist, which was over her midriff and protest slightly, " Prince- aaahhhh "

She whimpered, when he tilted her head to the side, with his free-hand to have better access of her swan-like neck, leaving red marks all along. Their practice long forgotten.

Mrityunjay proceeded to pull her blouse a little down, to have more of his wife, when he heard light footsteps. With his quick reflexes, he flung himself back, picked up both of their swords and started talking like nothing happened.

" You see, your mistake was in holding the sword. You shouldn't hold it too tight, it might create hindrance in moving it. Neither you should let it loose, it might slip- "

Geetanjali was still figuring out what happened, when Lekha entered. She quickly wore her dupatta and greeted her mother-in-law. Lekha narrowed her eyes at the scene in front of her, but didn't say anything, just nodded and asked Mrityunjay to come with her, due to some work. He nodded and keep the swords in the nearby table.

Before moving along with his mother, Mrityunjay looked back at his wife, and winked at her with a mischievous smile.

She just looked away flushed, muttering, " Shameless "