Siya's body tensed, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she let out a soft moan, the sound sending a jolt of electricity through his body. His kiss grew more insistent, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin. He felt the urge to mark her, to claim her as his own, to show her who was in charge.
But as he kissed her, his hand tightened around her neck, not in passion but in a silent battle of dominance. He could feel the muscles in her throat contract and release with each shallow breath she took.
The power he held over her life was intoxicating, a heady mix of anger and desire that made his blood sing.
With a sudden, almost violent movement, Arjun's hand slid down from her neck, his fingers digging into her shoulder. He watched as she winced in pain, her eyes never leaving his.
His other hand trailed down her side, brushing the fabric of her dress as it made its way to her chest. He cupped her breast firmly, his thumb flicking over the hardened peak of her nipple through the thin material.
Siya's breath hitched, her eyes closing briefly as she tried to process the sudden shift in his touch. She could feel the anger radiating from him, a palpable force that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart.
Yet, there was something else there, something more primal, more urgent than the pain.
"Your Highness, it hurts," she whispered, her voice a mix of pain and longing.
Arjun's grip loosened slightly, and he stepped back, his eyes never leaving hers. He knew he had crossed a line, but the raw need to assert his dominance was too strong to ignore.
He took a deep breath, trying to regain control over his emotions. "Let it," he finally replied, his voice gruff. "Let the pain remind you of your place."
But Siya was not one to be cowed so easily. She stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You may be a prince, but here, in this camp, we are equals!" she spat, her hand rising to rub her bruised shoulder. "Don't ever forget that, Arjun!"
The words hit him like a slap in the face. He saw red, and before he could think, he had pinned her against the wall of her tent, his hand pressing into the soft flesh of her throat, his eyes burning with rage.
"What did you call me?" he roared, his voice echoing through the fabric.
Siya's eyes widened, her fear palpable. Yet, she didn't cower. Instead, she stared back at him, her own anger flaring. She had felt the shift in his touch, the pain mixing with a darker, more primal urge.
She had hoped that maybe, just maybe, he had come to see her as more than just a challenge to be conquered. But now, she realized her mistake.
This wasn't a man who could be won over with sweet words or gentle touches. This was a beast, a creature of power and entitlement.
"You think you can just take what you want because of your title?" she snarled, pushing against his chest.
"Well, let me tell you something, Prince. I'm not some helpless maiden. I'm a warrior, and the general's daughter. You don't scare me with your petty threats!"
Arjun's grip tightened on her neck, his anger flaring like wildfire.
"You dare question me?" he hissed.
"Do you think your father's rank will save you from what I can do?" His hand slid down to her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.
"I could have you whipped, or worse, for speaking to me in such a manner. Or, perhaps, I'll just take you here, now, and let everyone know what a whore you really are!"
He released her abruptly, his hand dropping to his side as he took a step back.
"No," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
"I will not take you like this. You do not deserve to be used and discarded like some common camp follower. You are more than that, Siya. You deserve better."
As Arjun gazed at Siya, his mind drifted back to the promise he made to his father about Leela.
He grinned and said, "You will serve another purpose".
Arjun then spoke with unnerving calm, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"The man who was once the supreme general of Kashi," he began, his eyes narrowing, "sold information to another nation. He betrayed his own people, his king, and the kingdom that trusted him. For that, he was rightfully beheaded by the prince who upheld justice."
His words hung in the air, cold and final. Justice had been served, but the weight of the betrayal still echoed in the room, leaving everyone unsettled by the revelation.
Siya's eyes blazed with fury as she spat out, "No, he isn't! Don't you dare frame him, you asshole!"