The moon light bled silver over the grand canal, it's soft glow mocking the darkness that ruled chandni's life. Venice was a beautiful prison, it's narrow alleys & endless waters trapping her like a caged Bird.
She pulled the hood of her cloak lower, heartbeat a wild drum against her ribs. This was her only chance to escape. Her father was distracted with buisness, & she had bribed a guard to look the other way. The boat was waiting on the other side of the canal, freedom just within reach.
But before she could take another step, a deep voice cut through the night like a blade.
"Going somewhere, princess?"
Her breath caught. The air shifted, and she knewâbefore she even turned aroundâwho stood behind her.
Rudhra Rajvansh.
A man of shadows and violence. A man who always got what he wanted. And right now, she knew exactly what he wanted.
Her.
Chandni forced herself to turn, her eyes locking onto his. The moonlight barely touched his face, but she could see the smirk curving his lips. Dark amusement danced in his obsidian eyes, a predator who had finally cornered his prey.
"Move." She kept her voice steady, hiding the fear curling in her stomach.
His chuckle was low, dangerous. "After you ruined my deal? I don't think so."
Her pulse stuttered. So he knew.
Of course he knew.
Her father had made a deal with Rudhraâone that would make him more powerful than ever. She had burned those plans to the ground, believing it would weaken him. But if Rudhra was here, standing between her and freedom, then she had miscalculated. Badly.
"It wasn't personal," she bit out, chin lifting defiantly.
Rudhra moved closer, his presence suffocating. "Everything with me is personal, Chandni."
Her name on his lips was a slow caress, but the steel in his voice made her shiver.
"Let me go."
His hand shot out, gripping her wrist in a firm, unyielding hold. "You belong to me now, Princess."
She yanked her arm, but he didn't budge. "I belong to no one."
His smirk widened, but there was something darker beneath it. A promise. A warning. "Oh, but you do. You ruined my plan. Now, you're mine to deal with."
Her heart pounded. This was the moment she had feared. Not the possibility of being caught by her father. Not the idea of running into danger.
No.
It was him.
Rudhra Rajvansh was the kind of man who destroyed people without blinking. And now, she was standing in his flames.
But he didn't drag her awayânot yet. Instead, he leaned in, his breath a whisper against her ear.
"Run, if you want. Fight me. Hate me." His fingers trailed up her arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "But know this, Chandniâthere's nowhere in this world you can hide from me."
The promise in his voice wasn't a threat.
It was fateâŠ