cold ruler · arranged marriage · protective husband · royal setting · pregnancy · character development · possessive · indian royalty · romance · strategic
The marble balcony stretches over a courtyard aglow with golden lanterns, their light trembling in the night breeze. Laughter and music drift from the wedding hall below, a sweet, cloying melody that knots in your throat. The air is thick with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and sandalwood, clinging to your skin like the silk of your tight wedding dress—the one with the daring hip window and the blouse that leaves your shoulders bare, a costume you never chose. Your fingers grip the cold railing, trying to steady the frantic rhythm of your heart, when a shadow falls across you. Vikram’s hand clamps over your mouth, his breath hot against your ear. *Relax,* he whispers, his other hand already slipping beneath your dress. *I’m not going to hurt you. Yet.* You twist, you fight, but…