Varun was still frozen.
His lips tingled.
His breath stuttered.
His heart pounded so loudly he was certain the entire cave could hear it echo.
Dilruba pulled back slightly, her face hovering just inches from his.
Her eyes shimmered with mischief, her cheeks flushed, lips curved into a sly smile, both of them still suspended mid-air by the thick, living creepers.
She whispered, her breath warm against his skin,
"You look shocked, Varun."
It took him several long seconds to find his voice.
"What… what was that?" His words trembled. "Dilruba, you kissed me. You—"
"Yes," she said without a hint of shame, lifting her chin proudly.
"A perfect moment. A real one. And I took it."
Varun glared, though the tremor in his composure betrayed him.
"You're a fox-witch," he said through clenched teeth.
"And I am a witch hunter. Whatever you think this is—whatever you imagine could happen—cannot happen."
Dilruba placed a hand over her chest dramatically.
"Oh please. Your sister is Jishwa, yet she married Yuvaan—the warlock king. If a witch hunter and a king of dark magic can love one another, why can't we?"
Varun's jaw tightened.
"That is different."
"How?" she teased, leaning closer. "Didn't she choose love over boundaries? And you—"
She poked his chest lightly, making him flinch.
"You didn't exactly stop me."
Varun's ears burned.
"I— I was stunned. Don't twist this."
Dilruba giggled softly, her red hair brushing against his jaw.
"Varun… you're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm not—"
Dilruba snapped her fingers.
A soft ripple of golden fox-fire shimmered around them.
The creepers hissed, recoiling instantly, unraveling from their bodies.
Both fell—but Dilruba slowed their descent with a casual whirl of magic, letting them land lightly on their feet.
Varun stepped back, running a hand through his hair.
"Never do that again."
"No promises," Dilruba whispered, smirking.
Before he could retort, the ground trembled beneath them.
A deep, ancient pulse vibrated through the cave, shaking dust from above.
Varun stiffened, instincts flaring.
"Dilruba… behind me."
She simply stepped beside him, unbothered.
The cave walls cracked, glowing veins of gold, green, and brown spreading like lightning.
Roots unfurled from the ground, curling along the walls like living serpents.
The air thickened—warm, heavy, ancient.
A voice rolled through the cavern, sharp, feminine, layered with raw power and menace.
"Witch hunter… fox witch… you dare trespass into my domain?"
The cracked stone split open like brittle clay.
From deep within the earth, she emerged.
The Earth Yakshini.
Tall, imposing, her skin gleaming like polished stone.
Eyes deep forest green, cold and calculating.
Vines and moss wove through her hair, studded with gemstones that pulsed ominously.
Varun took an instinctive step back.
Dilruba's confident grin vanished, replaced with awe—and fear.
The Yakshini's gaze swept over them, a mixture of warning and disdain.
"At last," she said, her voice a rumble of shifting mountains,
"the intruders who dare defile my sanctuary."
Varun murmured under his breath, "This is bad."
Dilruba whispered back, "Or… really bad. She's terrifying."
Varun shot her a look; she only grinned faintly, defiant.
The Yakshini raised a hand.
A wave of unseen force silenced them instantly.
"Come," she commanded, every word weighted with authority and threat.
The vines surged again, wrapping around their ankles—not restraining, but pushing, forcing them forward through the cavern with an ominous intent.
Varun swallowed hard.
Dilruba's fingers found his.
This time… he didn't pull away.
Not even for a moment.
✨ Pratap Singh Mansion — Kiara Alone With Yuvaan ✨
Kiara sat beside the bed, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a pale glow over the room. Her hands rested lightly on her lap, her mangalsutra glinting faintly, but her usual radiance was muted. Fear and worry hovered over her like a shadow.
She looked down at Yuvaan, unconscious and still, his chest rising and falling in shallow rhythm. Every tiny breath tore at her heart.
"Yuvaan…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Everyone… everyone is pressuring me. They say I have to marry Dev to save you."
Her fingers curled tightly into the folds of her skirt. Her lips quivered. "Am I… being selfish?" She swallowed hard, tears pooling in her eyes. "For refusing… for not giving in… even when it could save you?"
A sob broke free, shaky and soft, echoing in the quiet room. She buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking as the weight of her fear pressed down.
"I can't…" she whispered between breaths, "I can't just… give myself to him. Not Dev… not for anything."
She lifted her head slightly, looking at his pale face. Her fingers twitched, hovering above him, wanting to reach out, but she didn't. Not yet. She couldn't.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered, almost to herself, "I… I just want you to be safe. That's all I want. Please… wake up…"
Her chest heaved as she broke down fully, grief and frustration mingling. The room held her sorrow in an almost tangible silence, broken only by the faint hum of Yuvaan's still breaths.
Kiara's hands fell to her sides, trembling. She stared at him, determination slowly flickering behind the despair. Even amidst her helplessness, one thought burned brighter than fear: she would not bow to Dev's will—not willingly.
The quiet stretched, heavy with unspoken worry and unspent anger.
---
To be continued…