Chapter Seventy Nine. #2
Suddenly, the space behind him shimmered. The air warped and tore open, forming a portal.
A man stepped through, dressed in a rich garments of a royal servant from a long-forgotten, brutal era.
"My Samrat." the servant bowed deeply, dropping his head in reverence to the terrifying, undefeated warlord whose very name once made ancient empires tremble.
"She is not in this part of the world.." the Warlord stated.
"Perhaps we should search another realm, My Samrat." the servant suggested carefully. "Your modern garments serve you well, you blended seamlessly with the mortals."
The warlord ignored the praise. He looked back toward Ira, his jaw tightening.
"How did she see me?" he glared, "No mere mortal is supposed to pierce my veil...."
"Who?" The servant frowned, following his master's gaze toward Ira wrapped in the Devraj's arms. "Perhaps she carries the bloodline of the ancients, My Lord? A descendant?"
The warlord's eyes narrowed slightly.
"She has a strange aura for a mortal." He mumbled.
He stared at Ira for a second longer before turning his back on them to face the swirling portal.
I do not have time for trivial mysteries.. he thought, his singular obsessive focus snapping back into place.
"Let's head back.. Two realms down, we have more to go." He said. "And how about Nandita?"
"The witch is still under punishment, as you instructed and she still refused to utter where your bride disappeared to." The servant said..
"I will find you, Diya." He vowed.. "Even if I have to tear apart the fabric of every realm or dimension to do it."
As he stepped toward the portal, the glamour masking his face finally shattered and his true eyes revealed, a terrifying, glowing ruby red, that showed how much blood and human lives he had taken in War..
~??~
A month, two weeks later...
Devraj sat in the driver's seat of his car and realized his hands were slightly.
He clenched his fists..
"Okay, you've got this." he muttered to himself nervously.
Then, the front door of Ira's home opened.
Ira stepped out into the evening light, followed by her mother and father.
He immediately pushed the car door open, smoothing down his tailored jodhpuri suit, as he quickly walked over to them.
Ira's eyes lit up the moment she saw him.
"Hello, Sasuma.." Devraj greeted her mother..
Ira's mother beamed, entirely charmed.
"How are you, Devraj?"
"I am perfectly fine.." he replied, returning her warm smile.
His gaze then shifted to Ira's father, who was deliberately looking away, stubbornly holding onto his stern exterior.
Feeling the weight of Devraj's stare, the older man finally turned to face him.
"How are you, Devraj?" her father asked..
Devraj's lips curved into a confident smirk.
"I am doing very well. I hope your business is doing well."
"Yes.. it is." He cleared his throat looking away.
Ira smiled brightly at the two of them, deeply amused and touched by the peace unfolding between them.
"Maa, Papa... I'll be back soon." she told them.
Her mother nodded fondly, and her father finally allowed a small smile to crack through his expression.
He looked directly at Devraj.
"Both of you be safe."
"Always."
He reached out, his large hand gently but possessively engulfing Ira's as he led her away from them, towards his car.
He opened the passenger door, shielding the top of her head with his hand as she slipped inside, before shutting it solidly.
He rounded the hood, getting into the driver's seat and closing his own door.
"So," Ira began, her eyes locking onto him as he started the engine. "Where exactly are we going that is so important?"
Devraj threw her a sideways glance. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you now, would it?"
Ira giggled, making his chest tighten all over again.
"You look breathtaking tonight, Ira.." he murmured.
A warm blush painted her cheeks. She let her gaze sweep over him, taking in the lines of his exceptionally suit, the flawless styling of his hair, and the faint, intoxicating scent of his expensive cologne.
"You look incredibly handsome yourself, Devraj. You cleaned up a little too well tonight."
A grin finally broke through his nervous tension.
"Any rewards for my efforts? Perhaps a kiss?"
Ira giggled again, a playful gleam returning to his eyes.
She leaned across, aiming a soft kiss at his cheek. But at the very last second, Devraj turned his head. Her lips landed on his, and before she could retreat, his hand slid to the nape of her neck, holding her gently in place as he kissed her back.
She pulled away a warm blush rushing to her cheeks.
"You did that on purpose." she accused with a glare.
"And I am glad I did." he murmured, his eyes dropping to her lips one last time before he shifted the car into gear and drove off into the night.
~??~
Ira's eyes were wide, blinking rapidly as if she were trying to wake herself up from a dream.
She stared, completely speechless.
"Um... Devraj?" she finally managed to say, her eyes still wide. "What is this?"
Devraj smiled, a nervous anticipation in his expression as he looked at the building in front of them.
"Well, you love sweets, right?" he began casually, "So, I bought this place. I thought it would make a good surprise... plus, it's not too far from your home. You can get anything you want to eat here."
Ira whipped her head around to stare at him.
"You bought an entire sweet shop for me? Just so I can eat whatever I want?" She was bewildered.
"Yes, well... do you not like it?" he asked..
Ira looked back to the storefront, the shop was beautifully illuminated, its warm, magical lights glowing softly through the glass displays.
"I know I have a sweet tooth, Devraj, but..." She laughed "This is a little much, even for you."
Devraj smiled.
"If you really want to reject it, at least take a look inside first. And if you still don't like it... well, you are the owner now. You can simply give it away."
Ira smiled warmly, her heart swelling with ease affection for the man beside her.
"I do like it. Thank you."
"Want to see the inside?" he asked softly.
She nodded eagerly and walked toward the shop doors with a light, excited step.
Devraj hung back for a second, a deeply tender smile crossing his face as he watched her go.
Ira pushed the glass door open. Instantly, the most heavenly scent washed over her, a rich, mouth watering blend of spun sugar, warm vanilla, and melting chocolate.
The shop was dimly lit, casting long, soft shadows over the display cases. She wandered deeper inside, a delighted smile on her lips as she happily took in the charming space.
"Wow, this is absolutely beautiful, Devraj.." she called out over her shoulder, completely swept away by the moment. "But you really didn't have to-"
When she turned around, the space behind her was empty. There was no sign of him.
"Devraj?" she called into the quiet shop.
"Dev-"
Suddenly, a gentle click echoed through the room.
A trail of soft, warm fairy lights burst into a magical, golden glow right at her feet.
The pathway drew her eyes forward, leading all the way to the center of the room.
There, surrounded by a breathtaking, massive arrangement of lush, velvety red roses and softly flickering candles, stood a beautifully crafted glowing sign.
It read: You are the only sweet thing in my life. Be mine forever.
Ira's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes widening.
At the end of the pathway of light, surrounded by the sea of roses, Devraj was already down on one knee.